Storytelling Fest to spin tales
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Blind Boy Paxton of New York
The Ojai Storytelling Festival will take place Oct. 24 to 27 at Libbey Bowl and the Ojai Art Center. The event presents renowned storytellers from around the world in a celebration of the spoken word.
Indigenous Peoples' Day marked with screening
“Telling the Truth About California Missions” will be screened on Monday, Oct., 14, from 6 to 9 p.m. at TheLab805, 11137 Azahar St., Ventura.
At the screening, Indigenous People's Day will be celebrated with a mix of learning, discussion, ritual and dance.
Deborah King Center to hold 4-day retreat
The Deborah King Center has moved to Ojai, having found a true Shangri-La for the spirit.
“I led a series of retreats here over the past few years and sensed the deep vibration that the valley holds. That motivated me to relocate our Center here,” said Deborah King, founder of the Deborah King Center and creator of the LifeForce Energy Program. “The Deborah King Center is incredibly excited to call Ojai its new home.”
Let Highland Games begin!
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Pipe Band steps out at previous Highland Games at fairgrounds.
Southern California’s Seaside Highland Games — the premier Scottish festival on the Pacific Coast — will launch their 17th outing Oct. 12 to 13 on the Ventura fairgrounds, transforming it into a virtual Scottish village.
'Ojai' film will be a tribute to his late mom and town
Image by David Thompson
Still image from the film's teaser trailer"
Local filmmaker David Thompson is in pre-production for his feature-length film set to be shot in the Ojai Valley in the spring. Titled “OJAI,” the film is an ode to the town Thompson called home for six formative years, and to his late mother, Anne.
Featured Artist Fanny Penny
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Stoneware chains by artist Fanny Penny.
“I am a craft artist, but I like to bridge the gap between craft and conceptual,” says Fanny Penny. “I wanted to find some way to be able to work on a larger scale. “The result is a series of stoneware chains, which she began creating a year ago. “The chains evolved from the earrings that I make. This would be cool to scale it up.” Her recent work will be on display at her studio in Meiners Oaks during the annual Ojai Studio Artists Tour Oct. 12 to 14.
Ojai CARES fundraiser to feature singer PI3ERCE
Photo submitted
PI3RCE, previously known as Olivia Pierce
To extend their services and provide support to more people in the valley, Ojai CARES — a comprehensive cancer resource center — is holding a fundraiser at Topa Mountain Winery on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 4 to 7 p.m., featuring a concert by pop/country music artist PI3RCE. Many may know PI3RCE (previously known as Olivia Pierce) as Ojai singer Asunta Fleming’s very talented daughter. Word has it that Fleming will be joining her daughter for a song or two.
Ever wondered about mandalas? Artist will explain
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A mandala by David Orr.
David Orr, a visual artist, will present four morning classes on “Mandalas: Universal Form and Function” at the Krotona Institute School of Theosophy Oct. 8 through 11, from 10 a.m. to noon each day. There will also be a reception for the Krotona Institute exhibition of his work, After Darkness, Light,” on Oct. 12, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., also at the Krotona Institute, 2 Krotona St., Ojai.
'Soul in Education'
Veteran educators provide a certificate program to teachers to revitalize and reinvigorate their teaching career Oct. 12 to 14 at the Taft Gardens and Nature Preserve in Ojai. “The Soul in Education” will offer new perspectives for nature-centered, soul-inspired education where more joy, less classroom management and more learning are possible.
Ojai Retreat features Amazon program to be held Oct. 11
“Are the education systems around the world working to change our consciousness about the future of life on Earth?” That will be the question asked at a program on “The Amazon and the Future of Humanity” on Friday, Oct. 11, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Ojai Retreat & Cultural Center, 160 Besant Road, Ojai.
An authentic southern belle takes to the Ojai stage
Photo submitted
Julie Hamann
By Adanna Moriarty
The center of the world premiere production of “Bless Your Heart” is a play about the tie that binds a family together, love. When the main character, Thomas (David Nelson Taylor) comes back to his hometown for a family wedding, he feels slightly like an alien. Coming from two very different worlds, he from academia, and his very southern family with their strong-willed religious beliefs, and a love of Elvis. His aunt Lucille, played by Julie Denney Hamann, brings a balance to the cast of characters with her chatty, bourbon-laced vivacious ways.