McDonas with Hay at Beato Center
Photo by Jason Finkelman
Thollem McDonas at the piano.
The Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts presents Thollem McDonas, an internationally renowned pianist, keyboardist, composer, improviser, singer-songwriter, activist, author and teacher on July 20 at 7 p.m. at the center, 8585 Ojai Road in Upper Ojai.
Ojai, Ventura artists launch brand-new theater company
Four veterans of Ventura County theater launched The Beacon Theater Company in May at Namba, a performing arts venue at 47 S. Oak St., Ventura, and are wasting no time in opening July 12 through 28 with Joe Penhall’s comedy “Blue/Orange.”
Steve Grumette, Anna Kotula, Tom Eubanks, and Howard Leader formed the new company to bring innovative, intimate theater to Ventura County, including frequent showcases of new works.
Banjos at Ojai Underground Exchange
Singer-songwriters and five-string banjo players — Donna Lynn Caskey, Abby Posner and Rebecca Troon — will showcase their talents July 20 at the Ojai Underground Exchange located at 1016 W. Ojai Ave. in Ojai. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. show.
The musicians write, sing and play from the heart, creating genuine connections with audiences. Admission is by suggested donation of $20 at the door. Beverages and artists’ recordings will also be available for purchase.
For more information, contact Caskey at dlc@donnalynncaskey. com or 805-758-2105 or visit http://www.donnalynncaskey.com.
Committed Citizens of Ojai is screening 'True Cost' July 18
The newly formed Committed Citizens of Ojai and the Sane Living Center are presenting a free Eco-Film Series on Thursday nights in July at 7at the Center, 316 E. Matilija St. in Ojai. The next movie in the series, “True Cost,” will screen July 18.
The group is named after Margaret Mead’s quote, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
Scotland's Old Blind Dogs to play Ojai
Photo submitted
Old Blind Dogs will perform July 5 at Ojai Valley Woman’s Club.
The band Old Blind Dogs will perform Friday, July 5, at 7 p.m. at the Ojai Valley Woman’s Club, 441 Ojai Ave.
Since forming in Scotland in 1992, “The Dogs” have stood on the cutting edge of the Scots roots revival. The band has developed its own trademark style with an energetic mix of songs and tunes.
'Mama Mia!' is irresistible
Photo by Tom Moore
Shown are Anna Kotula (left), Asunta Fleming and Dianne Miller.
By Sami Zahringer, Special to the Ojai Valley News
“Mamma Mia!” now playing at Ojai Art Center Theater, is ridiculous. I mean, truly ridiculous. It presents a sit-com-esque plot with a woman, a daughter, and three possible dads; and within that plot, it shamelessly manipulates you with some of the kitschiest, cheesiest, endearingly Swedish and most iconic pop music that anybody ever sang along to into their hairbrush. You will laugh and sing and love every minute of it, and the unconvinced cynics you take to the theater to see it with you will laugh and sing and love every minute of it, too, despite themselves.
Artist and Ideas Fest
From June 28 to 30, the Carolyn Glasoe Bailey Foundation’s Ojai Institute will host its Artist and Ideas Festival, a free and public series of panels by artists, architects and art professionals discussing topics related to the intersection of art and architecture in Southern California.
OYES glee show June 28
Ojai Youth Entertainers Studio (OYES) will hold a Glee Show Youth Performances Showcase on Friday, June 28, at 6 p.m. at the OYES stage, 907 El Centro St., Ojai.
The cost is $5. Attendees are asked to use the Loma Drive entrance and not enter on El Centro Street.
The show for all ages will include participants in the OYES Glee and Intensive Dance Camp performing some of their favorite folk, pop, rock and musical theater tunes.
Broadway actors' benefit on July 20
Broadway actors Peter Strauss, Jean Smart and Michael Nathanson have a gift for Ojai theatergoers: They’re bringing Bruce Graham’s play “The Outgoing Tide,” to the Matilija Auditorium for a staged reading July 20. There’s the gift of their talent and then the second gift they’re making is to the Ojai Art Center Theater, the recipient of all the ticket receipts.
Featured Artist: Tanya Kovaleski
Image submitted
Wood art piece
“I like to physically walk into my sculptures and visually enter my paintings,” says Tanya Kovaleski, who studied art at Yale and UC Berkeley. “The most important thing is to experience the place.” She will open her West End studio to the public during Ojai Studio Artists Second Saturday Tour on July 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors will see her working on KATO, a 22-foot-long, 15-foot-wide and 8.5-foot-high sculpture that will be installed this year in the courtyard of the Ojai Valley Museum.
Festival of Chariots celebrated on July 4
Ojai Independence Day festivities will include dancing, chanting and feasting as July 4 is the actual day the original festival of chariots, or Rathayatra, in Jagannath Puri, is celebrated.
The Rath Cart, created by the American Vedic Association, will be part of the Ojai parade.