The Month Ahead

If you like to plan ahead, this monthly feature will be your guide and calendar. Just snip it out of the paper and attach it to the fridge.

To contribute suggestions for next month’s calendar, send a letter by April 19 to the Month Ahead, Los Angeles Times, 93 S. Chestnut St., Ventura 93001.

For information, call 653-7570.

Fun With Shakespeare

April 1, 2

The 10th annual Ojai Renaissance Faire and Shakespeare Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days at the Lake Casitas Recreation Area, 11311 Santa Ana Road. The outdoor pageant features continuous entertainment on three outdoor stages, 50 merchants, a tavern, themed foods, dancers, musicians, street performers and a children’s activities area. Also featured are two professional Shakespearean theater groups, Bard in the Yard and Xanadu, which will perform two complete plays and other vignettes throughout both days. Admission is $10 adults, $5 children and free under 5. One admission price includes all entertainment. Reservations, directions or information: 649-2233.

Scandinavian Festival

April 1, 2

Cal Lutheran University hosts a Scandinavian Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at Kingsmen Park, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. The festival features activities for the entire family, including a smorgasbord, crafts, music, food, lectures in various locations, a Viking encampment reenactment and Swedish Dala horse on display. The horse is 6 foot 6 and painted traditionally. Festival admission is $6 adults, $1 children and free for children under 5. Smorgasbord tickets are $12.95. Information: 493-3151.

Focus on Sculpting

Tuesday, April 4

Focus on the Masters’ Tuesday Talk Series presents metal sculptor Ted Gall from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Laurel Theater, 1006 E. Main St., Ventura. Gall began his 22-year career with an automotive manufacturing company doing graphic design, sculptures incorporating the company’s products and corporate awards. He has also served as an artistic consultant to the Art Institute, where he studied, and the Illinois Art Council. Admission is $8, free for students under 18. Reservations or information: 649-9366.

Musical Adaptation

April 5-8, 12-15

The Thousand Oaks High School drama department presents “Once Upon a Mattress,” a musical adaptation of the story of “The Princess and the Pea,” at 7:30 p.m. in the school’s Performing Arts Center, 2323 N. Moorpark Road. The play is directed by Joseph Donia, Mike Reisig and Jeremy Resnick. Information: 495-7491.

Painting Demonstration

Wednesday, April 5

The Westlake Village Art Guild holds a demonstration and dinner with artist Michael Jacques at 6 p.m. at the Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Jacques’ work appears among permanent collections at the Museum of American Art in Washington, the Smithsonian National Collection, Virginia’s Chrysler Museum and Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts. He will demonstrate in oil. Admission to the dinner and demonstration is $22. Admission to the demonstration, starting at 8 p.m., is $4. Dinner reservations or information: (818) 884-7125.

‘Beauty and the Beast’

Friday, April 7

Performances to Grow On presents “Beauty and the Beast” performed by Landis and Company Theater of Magic at 7 p.m. in the Kavli Theater at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. The presentation features life-size puppets, inventive sets and illusions. Tickets are $15, $12 for children. Tickets are available at the box office, Adventures for Kids and through Ticketmaster. Information: 646-8907.

Mugu Air Show

April 7-9

The 2000 Point Mugu Air Show will feature a variety of aircraft, flight simulators, Navy Seal team, children’s area, food, Red Baron Stearman Squadron and the Showcat Wing Walker. Gates open at noon Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission and parking are free. Box seats are $10 each. Flight Line Club seats, which include a chalet, VIP parking and catered food and drinks, are $45 each. No pets or coolers. Tickets: (800) 367-5833. Information: 989-8786.

English Tea Time

April 8, 15

The Ventura Community Services Department holds a Titanic tea from 1 to 3 p.m. in the parlor and dining room of the historic Olivas Adobe, 4200 Olivas Park Drive, Ventura. This is a reenactment of a bon voyage tea of 1912 for passengers of the infamous steamship RMS Titanic. Costumed interpreters will provide details and boarding passes for the tea. Participants are encouraged to dress up in proper Edwardian attire. Tickets $25 per person. No tickets at the door. Tickets or information: 658-4726.

Annual Street Festival

Sunday, April 9

Westlake Village Rotary presents the annual Street Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Lakeview Canyon Road in Westlake Village. Entertainment will be provided, and a variety of refreshments will be available. There will be arts and crafts booths and information from local law enforcement personnel. For information or to reserve a booth: 496-6038.

Crafters Boutique

April 11, 14

Conejo Valley Retired and Senior Volunteer Program hosts a springtime boutique from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days at the Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Among the items featured are decorations, baskets, chicks, bunnies, flowers, afghans, baby outfits, baby blankets, dolls, place mats, clothes hangars, tote bags, slippers and aprons. Proceeds benefit the programs and services of RSVP. Free. Information: 381-2742.

Entrepreneurial Class

Wednesday, April 12

The Gold Coast Small Business Development Center holds a “How to Write a Business Plan” workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. at the center, 5700 Ralston St., Suite 310, Ventura. The cost is $15 per person. The workshop is designed for people who are looking to develop a top-notch business plan. Topics include the critical elements of a plan, how to attract investors and additional sources of information for completing the plan. Seating is limited and an RSVP is necessary. Reservations or information: 658-2252.

‘My Fair Lady’

April 14-16, 21-23, 28-30

Camarillo Community Theater presents the Lerner and Loewe musical “My Fair Lady” at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays at 330 Skyway Drive, Camarillo. “My Fair Lady,” adapted from George Bernard Shaw’s “Pygmalion,” is the story of Eliza Doolittle’s transformation from flower girl into society lady after a bet between two rich men. Group rates are available. Tickets or information: 388-5716.

Readings to Aid Libraries

Saturday, April 15

The Ojai Valley Library Friends and Foundation will hold the 14th annual “Ojai Shorts” program to benefit local libraries at 8 p.m. at the Matilija School auditorium, 403 El Paseo Road, Ojai. Actors from the Ojai area, including two husband-and-wife teams, will read humorous selections from literature. Proceeds from the show benefit the Ojai, Oak View and Meiners Oaks libraries. Tickets are $30. A pre-show dinner will be served for $150 per person, which includes admission and preferred seating. Tickets for the show or dinner are available at the libraries. Tickets and information: 289-0368.

Wine Tasting, Barbecue

April 15, 16

Leeward Winery holds its spring open house and barbecue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2784 Johnson Drive, Ventura. Current wine releases will be available for tasting as well as a barrel tasting of three select wines. There will be free winery tours. Information: 656-5054.

Historical Bus Tour

Saturday, April 15

The Ventura Community Services Department holds a bus tour of Main Street mansions from 1 to 3 p.m. beginning on the steps of Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli St. Many of the city’s most prominent families once lived in midtown Ventura in elegant homes and mansions with wonderful landscaping and architecture. The final stop will be the Craftsman-style Pierpont Inn. Tickets for the tour are $8; advance registration is required. Registration, tickets or information: 658-4726.

Sunday Afternoon Jazz

Sunday, April 16

Sunday Afternoon Jazz at the Carnegie Series begins with The Blade Company from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Carnegie Art Museum, 424 South C St., Oxnard. The Blade Company combines R & B dance with a touch of “old-school flava” that includes a powerhouse horn section. Leading the group is Michael Blade, who has toured with Michael Jackson, Prince, Chaka Khan and Earl Klugh. The series benefits the museum’s children’s education programs. Tickets are $9, $7 for museum members. Tickets or information: 385-8157.

Spring Band Concert

Tuesday, April 18

The Thousand Oaks High School Lancer Band and Color Guard hold a spring concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Kavli Theater at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Students will perform in four concert and two jazz bands. Tickets are $10, $7 students and senior citizens, $5 children. Tickets or information: 379-0437.

A Musical Pinocchio

April 22, 29

The Conejo Players Theater shows “Pinocchio,” the musical by John Morley, presented as the first production of the new Conejo Children’s Theater Program at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at 351 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks. The play, featuring a special musical arrangement by Samuel French, is directed by Elliot Harvey. Tickets are $7 each. Tickets, reservations or information: 494-3715.

Ojai Tennis Tourney

April 27-30

Ojai celebrates the 100th Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament, the nation’s oldest amateur tennis tournament, which spawned such tennis players as Billie Jean King, Arthur Ashe, Jimmy Connors and Michael Chang. The heart of downtown Ojai serves as the match site for the tournament, 1467 Grand Ave. A tea tent opens every day at 2:30 p.m., serving complimentary tea and cookies. Linens, silver urns and china cups are a trademark of The Ojai. The tournament Web site, www.ojaitourney.org, offers more information, including schedules, directions and entry fees. Information: 640-8270.

Compiled by

ALEX FIELD / Los Angeles Times