Artist to teach classes
Awakening the Artist Within, a six-week creativity course, will take place Tuesdays, June 18 to July 23, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Poppies Art and Gifts, 323 E. Matilija St., Ojai.
Ojai Studio Artists scholarships to be awarded
By Sami Zahringer
The Ojai Studio Artists Scholarship Committee has selected seven students who will receive $10,000 in scholarships. A reception to disburse the awards will take place June 17 at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at Ojai City Hall.
Ambassador of happiness in Ojai June 8 and 9
Michel Pascal
Michel Pascal, an ambassador of gratitude and happiness, performs yearly at Carnegie Hall with members of Earth, Wind and Fire to sold-out audiences.
He will be in Ojai on June 8 from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Bliss Always @Resonance Healing Center, 215 Church Road, Ojai, offering a meditation retreat to transform negative emotions to light. The cost is $100 at www.OjaiResonanceCenter.com or 480-239-0660.
On June 9, he speaks at 10:30 a.m. at the Center Of Spiritual Living in the Ojai Valley Woman's Club followed by a 12:30 p.m. concert of music, meditation and spiritual movies at 12:30 p.m. Suggested donation is $25, $20 in advance. Call 805-640-0498.
His medicine voice inspires, uplifts and energizes, according to the Rev. Marilyn Miller of the Center of Spiritual Living Ojai, who said: “He’s a cross between a rock star and a monk. Actually, he’s a spiritual teacher who studied years with Christian and Buddhist monks. His energy transmissions get the spirit moving in totally unique ways.”
Pascal is author of 19 books. His best-seller is “Meditations for Daily Stress.” He teaches new ways of meditating that relieve the cause stress. His latest work is the app “Mind Dive,” the first free app with content from the Rev. Michael Beckwith and Deepak Chopra.
'Miser' set merges into the world of 'Mamma Mia!'
The colorful, toe-tapping, feel-good family musical “Mamma Mia!” will be brought to life this summer at the Ojai Art Center Theater, opening June 14. Director Tracey Williams Sutton wanted a bright scheme of white walls, blue trim and vibrant red flowers for the set in this wildly fun and heartfelt play about a young girl getting married in a Greek villa. The bright light of the Greek sun should shine throughout the show.
Lions Cast will be meeting 'James & Giant Peach'
Photo by Tom Moore
The Lions cast is the last of the performers of the Ojai Youth Entertainers Studio production of “James and the Giant Peach, Jr.” on June 7 through 9.
“James and the Giant Peach, Jr.” will be performed with the Lions cast June 7 to 9 on Friday at 6 p.m. Saturday at 2 and 6 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. at Ojai Youth Entertainers Studio, 907 El Centro St.
Kim Paul's poster wins
Twenty-year Ojai resident, poet, musician and artist Kim Paul received an honorable mention in the national “Peace, Love and Posters” design contest out of hundreds of entries.
Featured artist: Gayel Childress
Image submitted
Landscape by Gayel Childress
“I’m always experimenting, investigating different mediums,” says Gayel Childress. “That’s what keeps me interested.” A co-founder of Ojai Studio Artists 35 years ago, the artist will open her studio to the public on June 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during OSA’s Second Saturday Tour. Along with recent abstract, undraped figurative paintings, she will be displaying a large landscape that she publicly worked on two days a week for two months at the Ojai Valley Museum.
Conversation with artist Carlos Grasso
Photo submitted
A piece of artwork by Carlos Grasso.
A conversation with artist Carlos Grasso and Donna Granata, founder of Focus on the Masters, will be presented on Sunday, June 16, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main St., Ventura.
Ojai to be filled with the sound of music all weekend
Photo by Marco Borggrove
Canadian singer and conductor Barbara Hannigan at a European concert in December is in Ojai directing the 48th annual Ojai Music Festival that continues June 7, 8 and 9.
Through Sunday, June 9, the 73rd annual Ojai Music Festival, directed by conductor and singer Barbara Hannigan, offers world-class performances by top musicians. Ojai Valley News music reviewer Rita Moran will be providing updates on the festival throughout the weekend online at www.ojaivalleynews.com.
Freeman captures Pixieland
Ojai Studio Artist Valerie Freeman’s new location for this Second Saturday free Ojai Studio Artists mini-tour is at FireStick Pottery Studio on June 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Freeman will be showcasing several new series of her luster ceramics inspired from spring in Ojai and Japan.
Gai Laing Jones honored for theater education
Photo submitted
Gai Laing Jones
Actress and theater supporter Gai Laing Jones of Ojai has been honored with the Civic Advocate Award by the Conejo Players Theatre at its annual fundraising gala called Encore! An Evening Celebrating Theatre on May 18 in Thousand Oaks.