Top 10: Flock to these toe-tapping, out-of-the-ordinary events across Ventura County

Alicia Doyle

Special to Ventura County Star

This California condor is on display at the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology.

We'll give you something to crow about in this week's line-up of free or low-cost, toe-tapping, out-of-the-ordinary and even dramatic events across Ventura County.

Birds of a feather: The Bird Museum – or as it's called formally, The Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology – opens its doors for Earth Day 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 20 at 439 Calle San Pablo, Camarillo. Visitors get a rare glimpse of the museum, tour the exhibits and speak with knowledgeable staff about birds and conservation. The museum will also offer coloring for the kids and a walk through of its native plant garden. Cost is $5 per person or free for members. For more information, call 805-388-9944.

For the love of hair metal: Prima Donna Rising with Led Zepagain and Deepest Purple will perform April 19 at The Canyon, 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills. Doors open at 6 p.m., music starts at 7 p.m. and the headliner will perform at 9 p.m. Tickets range from $19.50 to $24.50 plus applicable fees. Guests who purchase a ticket at a table are required to purchase dinner, spend a minimum of $25 per person and arrive by 7 p.m. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult. For more information visit wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com/canyon-agoura-hills or call 888-645-5006.

Feel the funk: Funk musician Cliff Beach will play the Ojai Deer Lodge with Quimica 9 p.m. April 19. Beach, singer and songwriter, is continuing his music career and success with the release of his single “Save My Soul." The lodge is at 2261 Maricopa Highway, Ojai. For more information, call 805-646-4256 or visit www.deerlodgeojai.com.

On-the-spot comedy: The Conejo Improv Players will perform 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. April 20 at Conejo Players Theatre at 351 S. Moorpark Road. The players present a hilarious night of improvisational comedy featuring skits, scenes and music made up entirely on the spot from audience suggestions. Tickets are $10 each or $5 for students, seniors and military. For tickets or more information, call the box office at 805-495-3715 or visit www.conejoplayers.org.

Not an average night out: Average White Band will perform soul and funk music April 19 at Discovery Ventura, 1888 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $29.50 in advance; $35 on the day of the show. This event is designed for all ages. For more information visit www.discoveryventura.com or call 805-856- 2695.

Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" will be performed at the Camarillo Skyway Playhouse through May 5.

A witch drama for the ages: Camarillo Skyway Playhouse will present “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller through May 5 at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays at 330 Skyway Drive, Camarillo. Using the historical and controversial subject of the 1692 Salem witch trials, “The Crucible” presents an allegory of events from the McCarthy hearings of the 1950s. Tickets range from $10 to $20, and service fees apply to tickets bought online at thecrucible.brownpapertickets.com. For more information visit skywayplayhouse.org or call 805-388-5716.

The dragon awakes: Qing Dynasty The Dragon Awakes, an exhibit of George Stuart Historical Figures of China spanning centuries of leaders, dignitaries and everyday people of their time, is on display through July 28 in the Fred W. Smith Gallery at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main St., Ventura. The museum is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors 62 and over and students with ID, $1 for youths age 6 to 17 and free for children under age 5. For more information, visit venturamuseum.org or call 805-653-0323.

Dane Venaas, Ken Yokota and Stephen Mori pose in front of a gas-fired downdraft kiln designed and built by Yokota at UC Santa Barbara. Yokota will speak April 22 in Ventura.

Pottery yarns: Ventura County Potters' Guild will host master kiln builder Ken Yokota April 22 at The Ventura Avenue Adult Center. 550 N. Ventura Ave. Doors open at 7 p.m. Program begins at 7:30 p.m. Yokota has been building kilns for 35 years and has taught ceramics at UC Santa Barbara for 31 years. Yokota, along with guild members Dane Venaas and Stephan Mori, will show photos and discuss the building and firing of various gas kiln projects.The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 805-985-5038.

Free art workshops for kids: Starting April 23, free art workshops for children age 8 to 10 will be available 3:30-5 p.m. Tuesdays at the Carnegie Art Museum, 424 South C St., Oxnard. The classes are free and all materials are included thanks to sponsorship from The Children's Workshop, an Oxnard nonprofit who’s mission is to promote arts education for children. The first workshop is themed Spring Bloom, and workshops continue April 30 with Crazy Creature and May 7 with Through the Window. Workshops are open to children of all skills levels. Space is limited, and reservations are required 805-385-8171 or email education@carnegieam.org.

Spring forward with free music: Members of California Lutheran University’s wind ensemble will present a free spring concert 7:30 p.m. April 23 in Samuelson Chapel, 165 Chapel Lane, Thousand Oaks. The program, conducted by Lynne Snyder, will feature woodwind, brass and percussion musicians. For information, call 805-493-3306 or visit www.callutheran.edu/college-arts-sciences/music.

Have an event you want to share? Email us at calendar@vcstar.com.