Ventura College Gets Culture and Diversity

Starting today, Thursday April 7, 2016 Ventura College offers eight days of exciting and meaningful cultural events and activities.

Kicking off this extravaganza is Lisa Loomer’s dark comedy The Waiting Room from April 7-9 and April 14-17 at 8pm, with a FREE STUDENT MATINEE April 14 at 2:00 PM. The Ventura College Theatre Department also presents for a Sunday Matinee, April 17 at 3:00 PM; all performances are in the Ventura College Performing Arts Center Helen Yunker Auditorium. For more information please call (805) 289-6307, Tickets sold 1 hour before performance; prices are general $15 and Students, Seniors, and Staff $5.

Parking is free on Friday after 5pm, all day Saturday and Sunday but Monday – Thursday and Friday before 5 pm a parking pass must be purchased.

The following Monday is the third annual Ventura College Colloquim; I read my poetry at this event last year.

The main event, however, is April 12-14: Ventura College’s Celebrating Diversity in Culture Festival which includes a number of One Book, One Campus events. This semester, Ventura College is reading The Martian by Andy Weir which was made recently into a major motion picture available now on DVD.

Events on Tuesday April 12 include:

9:30 AM – 11:00 AM (ASC-130) Science Demo / Gummies
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (MCW-110) Angel Yam – PowerPoint on “Quetzalcoatl” the serpent god of the Aztecs, and the Nahuatl language/followed by Aztec Dancers
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Stage) Capoeira Dance Troupe
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Stage) Gypsy Dancers
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM (ASC-140) Film Precious Knowledge
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Stage) Sade Champagne
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM (ASC-150) Film Presentation of The Pleasing List
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (ASC-140) NASA Speaker
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Stage) Rex and Friends

One Book, One Campus events include “Manned Mission to Mars” which asks: What science questions need to be considered for a Mission to Mars? Be a candidate for a manned mission to Mars for a mission orientation on Wednesday, April 13th from 9:30-10:30am in ASC-130 (Applied Science Center).

Also on April 13, Wednesday from 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (West of the ASC Building in Grassy Area) Clan MacColin of Glenderry – Traditional Irish and Scottish music with bagpipes, drums and singing. Historically accurate dress and perform “in personae”: in an attempt to bring you into the world of the 16th Century Highland Clan plus these scheduled events:
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM (ASC-130) Chinese Panel Discussion Group
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM (ASC-150) Iranian Speaker on Eastern Typology
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM (Stage) Versa Style Dancers
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Stage) UCSB – Middle East Ensemble
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM (ASC-150) International Film Festival presents Sophie Scholl
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM (Stage) UCSB- Middle East Ensemble

A highlight of Thurs. April 14 will be a Poetry Slam with special guests Phil Taggart, Ventura County Poet Laureate and Milena Hurtado, performing a Spanish Reading of The Martian. The Slam begins at 11:00am. The poems will be scored on both their written and performative qualities, and if you keep within the strict 3-minute timeframe. Judging will be done by Ventura County’s poet laureate, Phil Taggart; two students from the Writers, Readers, and Poets Club; and two English faculty members. Prizes will be awarded after the slam.

Also on April 14:

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (MCW-110) Race Relations Panel
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Stage) Poetry Slam
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM (ASC-150) MLK & The Spirit of the 60’s
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Stage) Cascada de Flores
2:00 PM – (ASC-150) Margaret Zhoa, writer and poet
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM (ASC-150) Film The Martian
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM (CRC Gallery 2) Student Art Show Opening and Awards Ceremony
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM (Stage) Cascada de Flores

Ventura College is located at 4884 Telegraph Road between Day and Ashwood in Ventura CA. There’s plenty of street parking nearby but if you park on campus best to pay $2 for a parking permit. Events are free unless noted otherwise.

If you’re closer to Moorpark College, consider Moorpark College’s Twenty-Sixth Annual Multicultural Day on Tuesday, April 12. “This annual event has consistently proven to be one of the highlights of the academic year. This year, the Multicultural Day Planning Committee has created programs around the theme of “Creating Cultures of Care.” Activities for the day feature insightful lectures, breathtaking performances, amazing exhibits, thought-provoking presentations, exciting demonstrations, energetic panel discussions, experiential exercises, innovative storytelling, inspiring music, rhythmic dance, dramatic theater, and hands-on activities. All of this is coupled with informational, educational, and merchant booths from local and international organizations, and appetizing food offerings.”