events + festivals

Ventura County

"open-mic days": Community Access Partners of San Buenaventura invites people who live, work or go to school in Ventura to sit in front of a camera at the CAPS studio and say whatever they want for three minutes. The segments will be compiled into a show, "What's On Your Mind, Ventura?" to air on cable Channel 6. Open-Mic Days will be offered from 2 to 8 p.m. the second Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. the fourth Friday of each month, CAPS Media Center, 65 Day Road, Ventura. 658-0500; http://www.capstv.org.

american crown family circus: The Fillmore Sun Risers Rotary Club presents this four-day circus event. 6 and 8 p.m. April 25-28, C Street and Highway 126, Fillmore. $15 general admission, $5 children.

Up north

santa barbara fair and expo: The 19th annual event will feature carnival rides, exhibits, livestock competitions, a petting zoo, and performances by The Turtles ("Happy Together") and other entertainers. 4 to 9 p.m. April 24, 4 to 10 p.m. April 25, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. April 26 and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 27, Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real. $6 adults, $4 seniors, $3 children 6-12, free for kids under 6. $15-$50 for concerts. 687-0766; http://www.sbfairandexpo.com.

record-athon: The Santa Barbara Unit of the Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic seeks volunteers to read educational and consumer books for its national library. April 28 through May 3, 5638 Hollister Ave., Suite 210, Santa Barbara. 681-0531; http://www.rfbd.org/sb.

Down south

anza en calabazas: This event features a re-enactment of a Calabasas Spanish encampment in 1776. 2 p.m. April 27, King Gillette Ranch, Mulholland Highway at Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas. Free. 818-882-4619.

fiesta of the spanish horse: The 10th annual cancer research benefit will feature a multibreed horse show, entertainment, equestrian exhibitions, food, music, dancing and more. May 1-4, L.A. Equestrian Center, 480 Riverside Drive, Burbank. $15-$50. 818-842-7444; http://www.fiestaspanishhorse.com.

special

screenings

Ventura County

"alice's house": Due to renovation of the Ojai Playhouse, the Ojai Film Society moved the screening of this 2007 award-winning Brazilian film, about the struggles of a working-class family in Sao Paulo, from April 20 to 4:30 p.m. April 26. Ojai Playhouse, 145 E. Ojai Ave. $8 general admission, $5 seniors and students. 646-8946; http://www.filmsociety.ojai.net.

"purple state of mind": The Ojai Film Society continues its Sunday afternoon screening series with this 2008 documentary about two former college roommates who lose touch over the years and reunite to discover opposing viewpoints about Christianity and faith. Not rated. John Marks, director of the film and author of "Reasons to Believe," will attend a Q-and-A session after the screening. 4:30 p.m. April 27, Ojai Playhouse, 145 E. Ojai Ave. $8 general admission, $5 seniors and students. 646-8946; http://www.filmsociety.ojai.net.

"this american life — live!": Acclaimed radio and TV host Ira Glass will bring excerpts from the popular show to the big screen for a satellite broadcast from New York. 8 p.m. May 1, Ventura Stadium 16, 2875 Elba St., Ventura. 644-7331; http://www.thisamericanlife.org.

outdoors

+recreation

Ventura County

george thayer 5k/10k race: The Kiwanis Club of Camarillo presents the 30th annual race. Registration starts at 6:30 a.m., with the 5K at 7:30 a.m. and 10K at 10 a.m. April 26, Camarillo Community Center, 1605 Burnley Ave., Camarillo. Race registration: $17 in advance, $20 the day of the event. 482-1996.

Monday morning walk: Join the Sespe Group of the Sierra Club for a walk in Carpinteria. Meet at 8:30 a.m. April 28 at Mission Plaza shopping center, Main Street and Ventura Avenue; or 9 a.m. at Bates Beach in Carpinteria. For directions or more information, call Pat at 643-0270.

lectures

+appearances

Ventura County

"the luscious colored photographs of frieda kahlo": Elaine Alarcon-Totten, Oxnard College English professor, will discuss the stories behind Nicholas Murray's 20th-century photographs of the famous Mexican painter. 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. April 30, Clock Tower Auditorium, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. Free. 986-5809; http://www.oxnardcollege.edu.

dancing

Clubs+lessons

Ventura County

DANCE JAM VENTURA: This dance for all ages takes place in a drug-, alcohol- and smoke-free environment. 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. April 26, 3026 Telegraph Road (next to Pet Barn), Ventura. $6 general admission, $1 youths 16 and younger. 650-7112.

country lovers western DANCE CLUB: The club will hold a country western dance with the theme A Fiesta Celebration. 7 to 11 p.m. May 3. $5 general admission, $4 active military, free for kids under 13. The club will also hold its weekly dance party, which includes lessons and open dancing, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, with a $5 taco dinner available from 5:30 to 8 p.m., at the Family Center, 10269 Telephone Road, Ventura. $3 general admission, $2 active military, free for kids under 13 and first-time visitors. 647-1893; http://www.countrylovers.com.

Ventura POinsettia Ballroom Dancers: The weekly dance features a live band playing traditional waltz, fox trot, swing and Latin dance music. Refreshments provided. 7:30 to 10 p.m. Mondays, Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Road, Ventura. $8. 672-2891.

OXNARD BALLROOM DANCE CLUB: A band plays Latin and swing tunes at the club's weekly dance. Singles and couples are welcome. 7:30 to 10 p.m. Thursdays, Oxnard Performing Arts and Convention Center, 800 Hobson Way. $7; free for single men on their first visit. 647-2603 or 647-2963.