Arts and Lectures
The Arts and Lectures Series is supported by a Staff Innovation Grant from the Ventura College Foundation. The Ventura College Foundation was established in 1981 and is dedicated to the support and enhancement of the student educational experience at Ventura College through fundraising activities that provide scholarships to students, grants to staff and funds for special college projects.
Click here to see the 2008 Arts and Lectures Brochure
February 1-9, Ventura College Theater, various dates and times
Music Exposed Festival
Conceived by Robert Lawson, Ventura College Music Director and Conductor, Music Exposed breaks down the barriers between audience and artists in a week-long festival of amazing concerts, master classes, and lectures. Don't miss this opportunity to interact with our line-up of internationally recognized, world-class musicians!
For additional details: Music Exposed Festival website
Stolen Boy Revealed: An Evening With Michael Mehas and Experts
Michael Mehas, Associate Producer of the feature film “Alpha Dog,” and author of “Stolen Boy” will lead a panel discussion with key experts, on topics such as 1) parent/child relationships; 2) mob mentality; 3) subculture of drugs and privilege; 4) parental responsibility v. peer influence in society. Michael is also a key witness in the ongoing prosecution of suspected murderer, Jesse James Hollywood, in Santa Barbara, on whom the film/book are based. There is no charge for this event.
February 9, 8:00-9:30pm; LRC Reading Room
An Evening with Frederick Douglass
Master story-teller Leslie Perry will join actor Lew Dauber in a re-enactment of Frederick Douglass' July 5, 1852 speech to the Rochest N.Y. Women's Anti-Slavery Society. Frederick Douglass (February, 1818 – February 1875) was an American abolitioinist, editor, orator, author, statesman and reformer. Called "The Sage of anacostia" and "The Lion of Anacostia," Douglass was one of the most prominent figures in African American history and a formidable public presence. Free to all who attend, the evening's events are funded by a grant from the Living History Cetre of Marin County.
February 22, 23, 28, 29, 8:00 p.m., Ventura College Theater
March 1, 8:00 p.m., Ventura College Theater
March 2, 3:00 p.m., Ventura College Theater
One Act Play Festival
Enjoy an afternoon or evening of one-act plays, performed and directed by Venture College students. The following plays will be formed:
What She Found There, by John Glore --When Alice went through the looking-glass, her mirror-image, Celia, entered our world. Now Celia's shacked up with a truck-driver named Lou, and they talk of new beginnings.
Wedding Duet, by Lauren Wilson -- This play presents the first marital spat of a newlywed couple, literally on the threshold of their new life together.
The Fifteen-Minute Hamlet, by Tom Stoppard -- Brilliantly compress one of Shakespeare's longer plays into 15 minutes. A hilarious rendition of one of Shakespeare's lasting works.
The Whole Shebang, by Rich Orloff -- This play asks the question, "What if the entire universe was just some nerd's science project?"
Ticket prices: $7.00 general admission, $5.00 students.
March 6, 7:00 p.m., LRC Reading Room
Cameron Cruise: How to Write a Book Without Dying in the Process
Best-selling author Cameron Cruise will provide insight into how the mystery-writing business works. A lawyer-turned-writer, Ms. Cruise is the author of the mystery/romance thriller The Collector. There is no charge for this event. There is no charge for this event.
March 13, 7:00 p.m., UV1
Searching for Bas Jan Ader
For Dutch artist Bas Jan Ader, art was a literal as well as a metaphorical journey that led him to stage happenings, installations and performances. In 1975, he was in the process of creating The Search for the Miraculous, a multi-part work that involved sailing across the ocean in a one-man boat, when he disappeared, lost at sea. Although his boat was found off the coast of Ireland a few weeks after he lost radio contact, the body was never recovered. All that remains of Ader's short career are his photographs, films, and writing. Nonetheless, his works continue to influence and inspire successive generations of artists who see art not only as a journey, but as a process of discovery. This event will feature a screening of Here is Always Somewhere Else, a 2006 documentary film about his life. The filmmaker, Rene Daalden, and Ader's widow, Mary Sue Andersen, will be on hand to answer questions. There is no charge for this event.
April 4, 5, 11, 12, 8:00 p.m., Ventura College Theater
April 6, 13, 3:00 p.m., Ventura College Theater
A Time Out of Rhyme: An Original Musical Fantasy
Book by Randal West, Music and Lyrics by Ken Helms
Set in Mother Goose Land, this family musical highlights the resourcefulness of a broad array of storybook characters as they attempt to ward off a desperate villain.
April 17, 8:00 p.m., LRC Reading Room
An Evening With George Yepes, Cultural Artist
Muralist George Yepes has exhibited in twelve solo and forty-five group shows at venues that have included the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Sitges-Barcelona Olympics Exhibit. He has designed more than thirty public murals as well as an album cover for Los Lobos. There is no charge for this event.
April 25, 26, 8:00 p.m., Ventura College Theater
May 1, 2, 3, 8:00 p.m., Ventura College Theater
May 4, 3:00 p.m., Ventura College Theater
The Underpants, Directed by Jay Varela
The Underpants is a hilarious look at the chaos and commotion caused by a simple act of fate and a flash of a lady's undergarments. Adapted for modern audiences by Steve Martin, it is an outrageous, over-the-top, and utterly believable look at feminism, politics, sexism, and sex in general.
Ticket prices: $9 general admission, $5.00 students.
Additional events will be posted as details are confirmed!
Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura, CA 93003 (805) 654-6400