events + festivals

Ventura County

california strawberry festival gala: This prelude to the 25th annual festival will feature cocktails, dinner and entertainment. 6:30 p.m. May 9, Courtyard by Marriott, 600 E. Esplanade Drive, Oxnard. $75. 385-4739, ext. 100.

renaissance pirate faire: The event at Lake Casitas will feature entertainers, actors and artists who re-create a 16th-century English village. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 10-11, Lake Casitas Recreation Area, Highway 33, Ojai. $7-$15. 496-6036; http://www.goldcoastfestivals.com.

gold dust gala: The Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation will present this benefit for breast cancer detection and treatment, featuring a silent auction, dinner, dancing, live music by Emerson Drive and more. 6 p.m. May 10, Seaside Park, 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura. $95. 667-2881; http://www.golddustgala.com.

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 and say whatever they want for three minutes. 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 shopping center invites musicians of all ages 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.

Down south

taiwanfest: Taiwanese and Asian communities from Los Angeles and Orange counties will unite to create a family cultural festival featuring live music, dancers and more. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 10-11, El Pueblo de Los Angeles, 125 Paseo de la Plaza, Los Angeles. Free. 626-307-5077; http://www.taiwanfest-la.org.

summer food, wine & microbrew festival: The Valley Cultural Center's ninth annual event will feature food and drink samples, live music and a silent auction. 5 to 8:30 p.m. May 15, Westfield Promenade, Erwin Street and Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Woodland Hills. $50 presale, $60 at the door. 818-704-1358; http://www.valleycultural.org.

special

screenings

Ventura County

"caramel": The Ojai Film Society continues its Sunday afternoon screening series with this 2007 film about five Lebanese women looking for romance and fulfillment in a city divided by religious tensions. Rated PG. 4:30 p.m. May 11, Ojai Playhouse, 145 E. Ojai Ave. $8 general, $5 seniors and students. 646-8946; http://www.filmsociety.ojai.net.

Up north

"Monty Python and the Holy Grail." Comedian-actor John Cleese, who co-wrote and starred in the classic 1975 comic film, will appear at the screening. 7:30 p.m. May 15, UC Santa Barbara, Campbell Hall, 574 Mesa Road. $20. 893-3535; http://www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.

outdoors

+recreation

Up north

Monday morning walk: Join the Sespe Group of the Sierra Club for a walk in Carpinteria. Meet at 8:30 a.m. May 12 at Mission Plaza shopping center, Main Street and Ventura Avenue, Ventura; or 9 a.m. at Loon Point parking lot in Carpinteria. For directions or more information, call Pat at 643-0270.

Down south

revlon run/walk for women: The Entertainment Industry Foundation presents the 15th annual run/walk, health expo and celebration concert to raise awareness and funds for women's cancer research. 7 a.m. check-in May 10, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, 3911 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. $30 registration fee. 310-322-3344; http://www.revlonrunwalk.com.

literary

life

Up north

gerald mcdermott: Caldecott Honor Medal Award winner and illustrator McDermott will discuss and sign copies of his work. 2 p.m. May 11 at Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 E. Anapamu St.; and 3 p.m. May 11 at Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St. 963-4364; http://www.sbma.net.

willie brown: The two-term mayor of San Francisco and former speaker of the California Assembly will discuss and sign copies of his book "Basic Brown — My Life and Our Times." 8 p.m. May 14, UC Santa Barbara, Campbell Hall, 574 Mesa Road. $10 general admission, free for UCSB students. 893-3535; http://www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.

dancing

Clubs+lessons

Ventura County

jitterbug swing society: Instructors Rob and Diane Can Haaren will teach one of their favorite swing dances, the Balboa, at the Jitterbug Society's Swing Rocks the House dance. 7:15 to 10:45 p.m. May 9, House of Dance, 3007 Bunsen Ave., Suite E, Ventura. $10 adults, $5 students 21 and under. 987-9592; http://www.venturajitterbug.org.

DANCE JAM VENTURA: This dance for all ages takes place in a drug-, alcohol- and smoke-free environment, featuring the music of Julia Kilgore from Santa Barbara's Dance Away. 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. May 10, 3026 Telegraph Road (next to Pet Barn), Ventura. $6 general admission, $1 youths 16 and younger.650-7112.

mother's day dance: The Ventura County Chapter of USA Dance will present a May social dance party featuring an American tango lesson. 2:20 to 5:30 p.m. May 11, House of Dance, 3007 Bunsen Ave., Suite E, Ventura. $5-$10. 271-1273.

country lovers western DANCE CLUB: The club will hold its weekly dance party, which includes lessons and open dancing, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, 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.