Camarillo

A Taste of Camarillo, Meadowlark Service League presents this 20th annual wine and food festival, July 26-27, Camarillo Ranch. 388-7158; http://www.meadowlarkserviceleague.com.

Newbury Park

Los Angeles Gay Rodeo, 23rd annual event presented by the Golden State Gay Rodeo Association, June 21-22, Rancho Potrero Equestrian Center. http://www.larodeo.com.

Ojai

Ojai 2008 Wine Festival, the Ojai Rotary Club-West presents this wine tasting event, June 8, Lake Casitas Recreational Area. http://www.ojaiwinefestival.com.

Oxnard

Salsa Festival, annual celebration of salsa foods, salsa dance and salsa music, July 26-27, Plaza Park. 800-2-OXNARD; http://www.oxnardsalsafestival.com.

Port Hueneme

2008 Seabee Days, event featuring a military parade, displays, live entertainment and more, June 28-29, Naval Base Ventura County. 982-6000; http://www.nbvc.navy.mil/seabeedays.

Hueneme Beach Festival, 10th annual event featuring live music, children's activities, food and carnival rides, Aug. 16-17, Hueneme Beach Park. 986-6542; http://www.huenemebeachfest.org.

Simi Valley

Circus Vargas, June 5-9, Los Angeles Avenue and Madera Road. 877-468-3861; http://www.circusvargas.org.

Chili Cook-off and Car Show, 21st annual event, June 8, St. Rose of Lima School. 526-7960.

Thousand Oaks

Magic & Comedy Tour, live stage show featuring award-winning magicians, comedians and more, June 7, Civic Arts Plaza. 449-2787; http://www.civicartsplaza.com.

ArtWalk, 21st annual art event presented by the Conejo Valley Art Museum, June 7-8, The Oaks mall, Thousand Oaks. 987-8001; http://www.cvam.us.

Ventura

Circus Vargas, May 29-June 2, Ventura County Fairgrounds. 877-468-3861; http://www.circusvargas.org.

Ventura Studio Artists Tour, June 28-29, various locations. 643-3973.

Pooch Parade, 11th annual event presented by the Canine Adoption Rescue League, July 20, San Buenaventura State Beach Park. http://www.poochparade.org.

Ventura Book Festival, third annual literary event, July 26, Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach. 643-3385; http://www.literaryarts-ca.org.

Ventura County Fair, July 30-Aug. 10, Ventura County Fairgrounds. http://www.venturacountyfair.org.

Up north

Santa Barbara Jewish Film Festival, four-day event featuring dramas, documentaries and animated shorts plus klezmer music concerts, May 29-June 1, Fess Parker's DoubleTree Resort, Santa Barbara. 898-2511.

Summer Solstice Celebration, June 20-21, Alameda Park, Santa Barbara. http://www.solsticeparade.com.

Down south

Topanga Days, 35th annual country fair featuring music, entertainment, food and crafts, May 24-26, Topanga Community House, Topanga Canyon. http://www.topangadays.com.

events + festivals

Ventura County

fillmore may festival: The Fillmore Chamber of Commerce hosts this community event featuring a carnival, vendors, food, games, live music, a parade and more. 3 to 10 p.m. May 15, 3 to 11 p.m. May 16, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. May 17 and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 18, downtown Fillmore. 524-0351; http://www.fillmorechamber.com.

bridal expo: The inaugural expo, presented by In the Mix Events at Suki 7 restaurant in Westlake Village, will feature local wedding vendors along with complimentary food and wine. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 19, 925 Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village. For reservations, call 818-483-1789 or visit http://www.678dine.com.

main street mini fair: The Ventura Artists Alliance hosts this weekly community event to promote local artists, galleries, businesses, entertainers and community organizations "in an artful setting." 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays through Sept. 26, mini park on Main Street between Oak and Palm streets, Ventura. 901-8188.

Up north

bonsai weekend at the garden: The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and the Bonsai Club of Santa Barbara present a weekend of Japanese cultural activities showcasing the horticultural art of bonsai. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 17 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 18, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, 1212 Mission Canyon Road, Santa Barbara. 682-4726; http://www.sbbg.org.

Down south

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.

hope ranch animal rescue fundraiser: The nonprofit Hope Ranch Animal Rescue, which helps unwanted and abused animals, will hold its first fundraiser and grand opening celebration at the Morris Ranch in Malibu. Lori Morris, the organization's founder, works with other animal welfare groups in Ventura County. The family event will feature entertainment by the Westside Jazz Ensemble, a silent auction, a petting zoo, food and more. 2 to 6 p.m. May 18, 1172 Encinal Canyon Road, Malibu. $25. http://www.hoperanchanimalrescue.com.

special

screenings

Ventura County

"the counterfeiters": As part of the Cinema Art Series, the Downtown Center for the Arts presents this 2007 film, the Academy Award winner for best foreign film, about the true story of Salomon Sorowitsch, a counterfeiter thrown into a German concentration camp in 1944. In German with English subtitles. Rated R. 6:30 p.m. May 19, Plaza Cinemas 14, 255 W. Fifth St., Oxnard. $9.25 general admission, $5.75 seniors. 981-3877; http://www.downtowncenter.org.

"taxi to the dark side": The Ojai Film Society continues its Sunday afternoon screening series with this 2007 Academy Award-winning documentary about the use of torture and other interrogation techniques sanctioned in the Iraq war. Rated R. 4:30 p.m. May 18, Ojai Playhouse, 145 E. Ojai Ave. $8 general admission, $5 seniors and students. 646-8946; http://www.filmsociety.ojai.net.

Up north

"Monty Python and the Holy Grail": Comedian and actor John Cleese, who co-wrote and starred in the classic 1975 comic film, will make an appearance at the screening. 7:30 p.m. May 15, Campbell Hall at UC Santa Barbara, 574 Mesa Road. $20 general admission, $10 UCSB students and youths 18 and younger. 893-3535; http://www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.

outdoors

+recreation

Ventura County

fishing derby: The fourth annual event, sponsored by the Ojai Ranger District of the Los Padres National Forest at Rose Valley Lakes, will feature fishing contests for three age groups: 4 to 9 years, 10 to 15 years and 16 to 21 years. Winners will receive prizes. Proceeds benefit programs at the Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center. 7 to 10:30 a.m. May 17, Rose Valley Lakes, Highway 33, Ojai. $10. 630-9977.

sycamore to the sea hike: Volunteer naturalists guide hikers from Newbury Park to the sea during this twice-yearly event sponsored by the Conejo Recreation & Park District and Outdoor Advisory Council. The hike includes lunch on the beach and transportation from the beach back to Newbury Park. Proceeds support local outdoor events. Advance registration required. First shuttle leaves for the trail at 9 a.m. May 17 from the Borchard Community Center, 190 Reino Road, Newbury Park. $20. 495-2163.

Monday morning walk: Join the Sespe Group of the Sierra Club for a walk in Carpinteria. Meet at 8:30 a.m. May 19 at Mission Plaza shopping center, Main Street and Ventura Avenue; or 9 a.m. at Lake Casitas parking lot in Ojai. For directions or more information, call Pat at 643-0270.

literary

life

Up north

charles simic: The U.S. poet laureate will give a reading from his collections and newest work, "That Little Something." 8 p.m. May 22, UC Santa Barbara, Campbell Hall, 574 Mesa Road. Free. 893-3535; http://www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.

dancing

Clubs+lessons

Ventura County

DANCE JAM VENTURA: This dance for all ages takes place in a drug-, alcohol- and smoke-free environment, featuring a movement and dance exploration by Karl Frost, director of Body Research. 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. May 16. Frost will teach a two-day workshop from noon to 6 p.m. May 16-17. 3026 Telegraph Road (next to Pet Barn), Ventura. Dance: $15. Workshop: $125-$180. 650-7112.

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.