[ variety show ] 1. The Perry family — Matthew, John Bennett et al — will unite for a benefit production at Ojai's Theater 150

Make way for a very merry, Perry weekend. Ojai will be oozing with comedic and melodic DNA when select members of the Perry family, including former "Friends" friend Matthew and his singing-acting Ojai Valley Boy dad, John Bennett Perry, present "A Perry Home Companion" at 7 p.m. Saturday at Matilija Junior High School.

The variety show is a benefit for Theater 150, the community outfit that just moved from its tiny building on Highway 150 to bigger digs on Matilija Street and has bills to pay for new necessities, such as seats.

The Perry family tree's branches are a little tangled, but here's the rundown of who will be in the show, using John Bennett Perry, pictured, as the trunk. John sang with the Moonshiners and Serendipity Singers in the 1960s, then turned to acting in films and TV, and now sings and jokes around with DeWayne Boccali and Bob Jones as part of country-blues trio the Ojai Valley Boys.

His "Perry Home Companion" companions are his wife, Debbie, a writer and producer, most recently with Theater 150's "Fractured Fables" family series; son, Matthew (from his first marriage, to Suzanne Perry Morrison); daughter, Maria, a stage actress; and brother, Tony, a jazz singer whose latest album is "Ghost in the Attic," a compilation of standards and original tunes.

"A Perry Home Companion" is a variety show, so anything goes, but a few parts of the program have been revealed. All the Perrys will participate in a reading of David Babcock's play "Intelligent Life," described by The New York Times as a "futuristic fantasy" in which two astronauts land on Arlene, the "planet of missing persons," inhabited by "those who have, somehow, messed up — Amelia Earhart, for example, and she's bitter."

Matthew, perhaps best-known for playing Chandler Bing on "Friends," and Matt Albie on the canceled 2006-07 TV drama "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," is slated to perform a bit about a "bored baseball announcer" that he debuted on the ESPY Awards a few years ago.

Matthew's Uncle Tony will perform with his trio, which according to his MySpace page features Jack Joshua on acoustic bass, Jim Monahan on mandolin and guitar, and Steve Temmel on guitar and vocals. Matthew's half sister Maria will sing with a friend.

"A Perry Home Companion" is a family show, but with a just-under-PG-13 rating: Audience members should be 12 and older to attend. Matilija Junior High is at 703 El Paseo Road. Tickets are $50 for Theater 150 members and $75 for others, including an after-show party; or $50 for the show only. For tickets, call 646-4300.

[ dash for cash ]

2. On a hot streak

Keep an eye out for runaway red chili peppers at the Oxnard Salsa Dash on Saturday. The event, featuring a 5K and 10K run/walk and kids' fun run, is a fundraising precursor to the 15th annual Salsa Festival in July. Proceeds will go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The course starts at Heritage Square and dashes through downtown to Plaza Park, where panting participants can sample salsa music, refreshments and an awards ceremony. 8 a.m. (registration at 7 a.m.). $15-$35. 247-0197; http://www.oxnardsalsafestival.com.

[ fragrant fest ]

3. Making scents

Be nice to your nose Saturday at Libbey Bowl, where the olfactory-friendly Ojai Lavender Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wares at the fifth annual festival's marketplace will include lavender soap, sachets, candles, incense, plants, cakes and cookies. The event also offers live music and workshops, such as "Top 10 Uses for Lavender" and "Keeping Your House Green' with Lavender." Free admission. http://www.lavenderfestival.net.

[ animal adoption ]

4. Meet the pets

"Here, kitty, kitty." Doggies, too. "Here" is the Center for Positive Living's Critter Day Pet Faire in Camarillo on Saturday. The event, part of a month of activities at the center to celebrate our kinship with animals, will feature cat and dog adoptions, a pet psychic, a pet acupuncturist, an animal communicator, groomers, trainers and other pet-focused professionals. Well-behaved pets are welcome. Bring old towels and blankets for donation to animal shelters. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 221 Daily Drive. Free. 818-876-0454.

[ water cycle ]

5. Pond-er this

The Parade of Ponds offers a refreshing way to get a peek at people's private yards. This self-guided tour of water gardens and landscapes in Ventura County, sponsored by Paradise Now Ponds in Thousand Oaks and Camarillo, will take place from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday ("moonlight" tour) and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Proceeds will benefit Special Education of Ventura County. Tickets, $15, are available at the Bookaneer in Thousand Oaks, It's a Grind in Moorpark and Simi Valley, the Bookworm in Camarillo, and B & K Auto Parts in Oxnard.