Top 10: Attention stargazers, check out this Star Party, more in Ventura County

Alicia Doyle

Special to Ventura County Star

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, the Ventura County Astronomical Society will host a free family friendly Star Party 8 - 11 p.m. July 20 at the Moorpark College Observatory. The society offers monthly Star Parties, including one for the Perseid meteor shower.

Look skyward for inspiration this week at a Moorpark star party that celebrates the accomplishments of Apollo 11. This and nine more events in Ventura County are sure to spur your interest.

Moonwalk talk: To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, the Ventura County Astronomical Society will host a free family friendly Star Party July 20 at the Moorpark College Observatory, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark. The gate opens at 6:30 p.m. and the event runs 7-11 p.m. Visitors will watch video clips of the lunar landing, hear testimonials from scientists and fans and do a countdown of the landing time. Guests are encouraged to share their memories and memorabilia of 1969. Then participants can gaze at the sky through some of the best telescopes in Ventura County. For more information, email vcas.publicity1@gmail.com.

True colors: The Colors by the Sea Summer Art Walk & Music Festival will take place 10 a.m.-7 p.m. July 20 and noon-5 p.m. July 21, at the Oceanview Pavilion, 575 E. Surfside Drive in Port Hueneme. The event features live music, vendors and family friendly activities. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call 805-986-4818, email sharon@oceanviewinfo.com or visit www.oceanviewinfo.com.

Band SambaDá will be one of the performers at The Tequila & Taco Music Festival July 20 and 21 at Ventura's Plaza Park.

Margaritaville: The Tequila & Taco Music Festival will be 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. July 20 and 21 at Ventura's Plaza Park, 651 E. Thompson Blvd. Highlights on both days include live music and gourmet street tacos for purchase. General admission is $10 for adults and free for kids 12 and younger, but does not include food or drinks. The Saturday tequila experience is $40 and the “Más Margaritas” on Sunday is $25 for two. Fees apply for all ticketed purchases. For more information, visit www.tequilaandtacomusicfestival.com.

Rising to the occasion: A staged reading of "The Outgoing Tide" is planned for 7:30 p.m. July 20 at the Matilija Auditorium, 703 El Paseo Road, Ojai. Broadway actors, including Emmy Award winner Peter Strauss, Jean Smart and Michael Nathanson will read the play by Bruce Graham in a performance to benefit the Ojai Art Center Theater. Tickets are $55 general admission and $75 for preferred seating and gala reception afterward to meet the cast. To purchase tickets and for more information, call 310-497-2248 or visit www.OjaiTheater.org.

Shawn Barker will bring The Man in Black: Tribute to Johnny Cash to the Scherr Forum in Thousand Oaks July 21.

Man in black: Shawn Barker will perform his tribute to Johnny Cash 7 p.m. July 21 at the Scherr Forum at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Thousand Oaks. Single tickets are priced at $50 and $40 with group discounts available. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 805-449-2787, go to the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Box Office or visit online at www.civicartsplaza.com.

A landslide of fun: Fleetwood Mac cover band Twisted Gypsy will perform 6:30-8:30 p.m. July 25 during the free Rock the Collection Summer Concert Series at The Collection at RiverPark, 590 Collection Blvd. in Oxnard. For more information, visit thecollectionrp.com/connect or call 805-988-7527.

Singer-songwriter Chris Cohen will perform with indie pop band Dear Nora July 24 at Greater Goods Ojai.

Have a time: Indie pop band Dear Nora and singer-songwriter Chris Cohen will perform 7:30 p.m. July 24 at Greater Goods, a nonprofit venue located at 145 W. El Roblar Drive, Ojai. Cohen’s performance will support of his self-titled album. Admission is a suggested donation at the door. For more information, visit greatergoodsojai.org or email info@greatergoodsojai.org.

Bring your neon: The Blockbusters, a '90s cover band, will perform 6:30-9 p.m. July 20 at Rancho Simi Community Park, 1765 Royal Ave. in Simi Valley. The event by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District is free and guests can bring a picnic basket, blankets and low-backed chairs. Food vendors will also be on site. For more information, call 805-584-4400 or visit www.rsrpd.org.

The Camarillo Fiesta & Street Fair kicks off this week with carnival rides, food and beverages, vendors, entertainment, car show, kids' activities and a beer and wine garden on Ventura Avenue in Old Town Camarillo.

A citywide celebration:The free Camarillo Fiesta & Street Fair kicks off this week with carnival rides, food and beverages, vendors, entertainment, car show, kids' activities and a beer and wine garden on Ventura Avenue in Old Town Camarillo. The event starts at 6 p.m. July 18. On July 19, the festivities run 6-10 p.m.and continue 10 a.m.-8 p.m. July 20-21. For more information about the event, visit www.camarillofiesta.com.

Guitars, Cadillacs and music: Dwight Yoakam will perform from 8-11:30 p.m. on July 25 at The Majestic Ventura Theater, 25 S. Chestnut St. in Ventura. Yoakam is a singer-songwriter, musician and actor, known for his pioneering style of country music. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $54.50 to $129.50. For more information visit www.venturatheater.net or call 805-653-0721.

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