Top 10: Plan your weekend with these artsy, family friendly events

Ventura

The California Museum of Art Thousand Oaks will present the work of seven artists in an exhibition "Empathy: Beneath the Surface," which opens Oct. 18. Artist Hung Lui's Cotton Hoer will be among the featured works.

Color yourself artsy with this week's Top 10 picks of things to do in Ventura County. There's also plenty of fun at street festivals in Ojai and Thousand Oaks.

Remembering "Twin tragedies:" The California Museum of Art Thousand Oaks will present the work of seven artists in an exhibition "Empathy: Beneath the Surface," which opens Oct. 18 at the museum on the second floor of The Oaks Mall, 350 W. Hillcrest Drive. The exhibit marks the first anniversary of Ventura County’s "Twin Tragedies" at the Borderline Bar & Grill and the Woolsey Fire. The show recalls the community’s strength, compassion and connection in six distinct galleries covering more than 5,000 square feet. The exhibit will be on view through Feb. 16. The museum is open 3-7 p.m. Thursdays and noon-7 p.m. Fridays to Sundays. A $6 donation is suggested. For more information, visit cmato.org.

A perfect pairing: The Santa Paula Art Museum will pair wine with art and music 7-9 p.m. Oct. 19 at “Wine and Watercolors” at 117 N. 10th St. The event will feature Santa Paula Cellars, which will offer a tasting of their reds, while singer and ukulele player Shay Moulder performs and professional artist Timothy Kitz demonstrates live watercolor painting. Guests can also grab beer and wine at the bar and sample hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are $20. For tickets and more information, visit www.santapaulaartmuseum.org or call 805-525-5554.

Ojai Day is an annual street fair in downtown Ojai that draws plenty of crowds.

Ode to Ojai: Ojai Day will return 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 19 to downtown Ojai, closing off Ojai Avenue between Ventura Road and Fox Street. The free event, hosted by the City of Ojai Recreation Department, features art, food, plenty of vendors, the Lions Club Beer and Wine Garden and even a music van instrument petting zoo. For more information about the event and road closures, visit www.ojaiday.com.

While you're there, check out artist Norman Kirk's last public show, "Looking Back," at the Ojai Art Center, 113 Montgomery St. A reception to honor the 95-year-old will be 1-3 p.m. Oct. 19. His show continues through Oct. 29.

Dig this: The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area will celebrate Archaeology Day 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 19. The free family friendly event will take place the recreation area's visitor center at King Gillette Ranch, 26876 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas. Visitors can see Native American performances, participate in a dig and watch flint knapping demonstrations. For more information, call 805-370-2301 or visit www.nps.gov/samo.

Adam Pascal stars in "The Music Man" at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks.

Seventy-six trombones: "The Music Man" will open 8 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Tony nominee Adam Pascal will star as Professor Harold Hill in the 5-Star Theatrical production. The show runs through Oct. 27. Tickets range from $35 - $83. For showtimes, tickets and more information, call 805-449-ARTS (2787) or visit at 5startheatricals.com.

Raise a glass: A Champagne reception will be hosted 4-7 p.m. Oct. 19 at a preview of artist Colin Fraser Gray's exhibit "Museum for One" at the Vita Art Center, 28 W. Main St., Ventura. Gray explores alternative ways of exhibiting the contents of the human imagination with a departure from traditional museum architecture and infrastructure. Entrance is $10 or free to members and includes complimentary Champagne and hors d’oeuvres. For more information, visit www.vitaartcenter.com.

The Ventura County Astronomical Society will host its last star party of 2019 Oct. 19 at the Moorpark College Observatory.

Gaze on this: The Ventura County Astronomical Society will host its last star party of 2019 7-9 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Moorpark College Observatory, 7075 Campus Road. Telescopes will be set up on a variety of objects. Guests are advised to arrive early to reserve a place to go up into the dome. The event is free but $2 donations are requested. For more information, visit www.vcas.org.

Head-to-head competition: MasterChef Junior will serve up fun and food at shows at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Scherr Forum, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. The family friendly stage show will feature cooking demonstrations and challenges with past MasterChef Junior contestants, including season seven finalist Malia Brauer, Evan Estrada from season six, Matthew Smith from season seven and Jasmine Steward, the season five winner. It's a question-and-answer session and more. Tickets range from at $54 to $104 for VIPs. Single tickets are priced with group discounts available. For more information and tickets call 805-449-ARTS (2787) or visit bapacthousandoaks.com.

In this file photo, Eunice Narin-Ordonez, of Thousand Oaks scales a climbing wall at the 2018 street fair Thousand Oaks, which hosted by the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks.

Street fair fun: The Thousand Oaks Rotary will host its 28th Annual Street Fair 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 20 on Moorpark Road between Hillcrest and Wilbur Road in Thousand Oaks. The free event draws an estimated 19,000 people to see hundreds of vendors, lots of entertainment and a fun zone for kids. For more information, visit thousandoaksrotary.org.

Join the tradition: The Hindu American community of Los Angeles and Ventura counties will celebrate Vijayadasami, one of its most important festivals, Oct. 19 at Borchard Community Center, 109 N. Reino Road, Newbury Park. The free event includes traditional Indian games, band and more. Check-in starts at 4:45 p.m., event is 5-7 p.m. and dinner is at 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.hssus.org.

Have an event to share? Email us at calendar@vcstar.com.