events + festivals

Ventura County

quilt show: The Camarillo Quilters Association event will feature quilt displays, vendors, demonstrations and a gift boutique. 6:30 to 9 p.m. May 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 3 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 4, Seaside Park, 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura. $7 at the door, $5 in advance; $25 for a three-day pass. 485-5522; http://www.camarilloquilters.org.

cinco de mayo unity festival: Under the Sun Gallery presents performances by Aztec dance group Danza Mexica Cuauhtemoc, a capoeira (Brazilian martial arts) demonstration, live music, vendors and more. 4:30 p.m. to midnight May 3, 432 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura. $10-$20. 804-6433.

music for heart foundation gala: The event will feature live entertainment, dinner, silent and live auctions, and appearances by Ray Park Jr. and Don Stark of "That '70s Show." 3:30 to 8 p.m. May 4, The Canyon, 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills. $75 general admission, $50 children. 818-625-7402; http://www.musicforheart.org.

"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 for three minutes and say whatever they want. 2 to 8 p.m. May 8, CAPS Media Center, 65 Day Road, Ventura. 658-0500; http://www.capstv.org.

open-mic night: The Janss Marketplace invites musicians to showcase their talents on the second Thursday of each month at the fountain plaza. 6:30 to 8 p.m. May 8, Janss Marketplace, Moorpark Road and Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks.

Up north

cinco de mayo festival: The 17th annual community celebration will feature music, dance, food and kids' activities at Plaza de la Guerra in downtown Santa Barbara. 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. May 3 and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 4, De La Guerra Street between Anacapa and State streets. http://www.cincodemayosb.com.

Down south

fiesta of the spanish horse: The 10th annual event, which benefits cancer research, will feature a 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

"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.

"persepolis": The Ojai Film Society presents this 2007 coming-of-age animated tale about finding one's place in the world. In French with English subtitles. Rated PG-13. 4:30 p.m. May 4, Ojai Playhouse, 145 E. Ojai Ave. $8 general admission, $5 seniors and students. 646-8946; http://www.filmsociety.ojai.net.

"4 months, 3 weeks and 2 days": As part of the Cinema Art Series, the Downtown Center for the Arts presents a screening of this 2007 award-winning drama about a young college student who finds herself pregnant in a country where abortion is outlawed. In Romanian with English subtitles. 6:30 p.m. May 5, Plaza Cinemas 14, 255 W. Fifth St., Oxnard. $9.25 general admission, $5.75 seniors. 981-3877; http://www.downtowncenter.org.

outdoors

+recreation

Ventura County

"hills on wheels": The Ventura Hillside Conservancy hosts a 12-mile interactive family bicycle tour of the lower Ventura River Valley. 2 p.m. May 4, Patagonia parking lot, W. Main Street, Ventura. http://www.venturahillsides.org.

lectures

+appearances

Ventura County

"die like a hero or live like a coward": Anthony Rodriguez, an Oxnard College English professor, joined by students from the Literature Institute of Oxnard College, will conduct a mock trial of Shakespeare's "Hamlet." 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. May 7, Clock Tower Auditorium, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. Free. 986-5809; http://www.oxnardcollege.edu.

dancing

Clubs+lessons

Ventura County

ventura rheinland club: The club's May dance will feature a live band and German food. 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. May 3, Knights of Columbus Hall, 36 S. Figueroa St., Ventura. $10. 642-7931.

country lovers western DANCE CLUB: The club will hold a dance with the theme "A Fiesta Celebration" from 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 group's weekly ballroom dance features a live band. 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.