For Arts classes please see "Meetings, Workshops & Classes"
For Upcoming competitions please see "Opportunities"

Nordic Spirit Symposium, The Viking World: Myths, Digs and Saga Kings
Friday evening, February. 8, and Saturday, February. 9
at CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY.

The 2008 Nordic Spirit Symposium will highlight the results of recent research and new insights that demonstrate the powerful Viking impact on England and continental Europe, the political and strategic importance to the Viking kings of Avaldsnes on the west coast of Norway, and the far-reaching influence of Viking age settlement of Iceland on North American society, even to the 19th century. The program will also provide a perspective on Viking Age myth and religion by examining the dramatic meeting of northern paganism and European Christianity. You are invited to experience this program with distinguished speakers and polished performers, and to share the time-honored spirit of a symposium, blending music, dining and the free exchange of ideas to enhance the pleasure of learning. Friday, February. 8, at 5:30 pm, Reception. Reservations requested., Scandinavian Center, 26 Faculty Road. Friday, February 8,at 7 pm.

“England and Europe: Some New Insights into the Viking Impact” Richard Hall, Ph.D., Director of Archaeology, York Archaeological Trust for Excavation and Research “A Nordic Tapestry: An Evening of Scandinavian Song” Elly Erickson, Swedish-American Soprano Samuelson Chapel. Admission is $20, free for students. Saturday, February 9, at 9 am, “Avaldsnes, the Seat of Viking Kings,” “Viking Lifeways and a Woman’s Place,” Marit Synnøve Vea, Project Manager, Avaldsnes Project, Norway, “Viking Age Myth and Religion: Scandinavian Paganism and European Christianity,” John Lindow, Ph.D., Professor of Scandinavian, UC Berkeley, “Emigration and Mythmaking: The Icelanders in North America,” Kirsten Wolf, Ph.D., Professor of Scandinavian, University of Wisconsin. Samuelson Chapel. Admission is $40, free for students. Saturday, February 9, at 7 pm, Dinner. Reservations required. Overton Hall. Please call (818) 788-4552 or e-mail seeallan@sbcglobal.net for information and early registration fees.

HILLCREST CENTER FOR THE ARTS CLASSES

MUSIC – ALL AGES

BEGINNING CLASSICAL GUITAR, Age 18+ Bring the beauty of the classical guitar into your home. You will be able to play simple but beautiful exercises in a matter of weeks. A nylon string guitar is preferred, but a steel string acoustic guitar will work as well. Material fee for books and handouts: $20. Instructor: Jim Swing. Wednesdays 11:00am-12:00noon, $90 for 8 weeks.

UKULELE, Age 18+ Easier to play and less expense than the guitar, this class will have you strumming a song by the end of the first class. Either a $55 cash materials fee for songbook, Ukulele and CD or a $15 cash materials fee for songbook and CD is due at first the class. Instructor: Jim Swing. Wednesdays, 12:00noon-1:00pm, $90 for 8 weeks.

ART INSTRUCTION FOR ALL ADULTS

DRAWING, COMPOSITION, AND DESIGN, Age 18+ Learn all the basic elements of drawing and composition. This class will expand your abilities to draw with more confidence and accuracy, and introduce the use of pastels, color pencils, pen and ink, and other products. Bring the following supplies: a large and small drawing pad, #2 through #6 pencils and a gum eraser. Instructor: Award Winning Artist, Juliette Chayet-Cole. Wednesdays, 10:00-12:00pm, $118 for 8 weeks.

WATERCOLOR & ACRYLICS Age 18+. Adults learn the basic techniques of water media and color, and the proper handling of materials. $10 cash lab fee due first day of class for watercolor only. Acrylics bring your own supplies first day of class. Instructor: Award Winning Artist, Juliette Chayet-Cole. No class 2/18. Mondays, 10:00am-12:00noon, $150 for 8 weeks.
PASTELS, Age 18+ Learn the basic techniques of painting with pastels. The class focuses primarily on landscapes and still life with an emphasis on composition. A list of student supplies and materials will be mailed to each student prior to the start of class. A $20 cash materials fee is due first class. Instructor: Heidi Ritterbush, award-winning artist. Fridays, 10:00am-12:00noon, $109 for 6 weeks.

ART INSTRUCTION FOR CHILDREN

CARTOONING, Age 7-12. If your child loves to draw, and has a great imagination, this is the class for them. Your child will love this fun and hip program! A $10 cash materials fee is due first class. Instructor: Cotty Kilbanks who has worked on cartoons for Warner Brothers, Disney, and Nickelodeon. Wednesdays, 3:30-4:30pm, $55 for 6 weeks.

ANIMAL DRAWING AND PAINTING FUN, Age 7-12. This is a wonderful class for all young animal lovers. Your child will learn to properly sketch dogs, horses, dinosaurs, and icky snakes, and paint them in watercolors. A $10 cash materials fee is due first class. Instructor: Cotty Kilbanks who has worked on cartoons for Warner Brothers, Disney, and Nickelodeon. Thursdays, 3:30-4:30pm, $55 for 6 weeks.

ANIMAL PAINTING FUN FOR PRESCHOOLERS, Age 3-5 This is a great class for very young animal lovers. They will have fun painting animals using brushes, sponges, and collages. A $10 cash materials fee is due first class. Instructor: Cotty Kilbanks who has worked on cartoons for Warner Brothers, Disney, and Nickelodeon. Mondays, 12:30-1:15pm, $42 for 6 weeks.

THEATER ARTS FOR YOUTH AND TEENS

In Association with the Young Artists Ensemble
BEGINNING ACTING, Age 9-12 Unleash your talent and let your imagination soar! Explore acting skills through improvisation, mime, theater games, and vocal expression. Class includes entertaining theater games, improvisational scenes, and dramatic readings. Instructor: Hillcrest Center for the Arts Staff. Saturdays, 9:00-9:55am, $47 for 6 weeks.

INTERMEDIATE ACTING, Age 10-14 Develop and perform monologues and scripts, applying story elements and improvisation. Explore a variety of characters in life and fantasy situations. Prerequisite: Beginning Acting, a Young Artists Ensemble production, or approval of instructor. Instructor: Hillcrest Center for the Arts Staff. Saturdays, 9:00-9:55am, $47 for 6 weeks.

AUDITIONS FOR ANNIE THE MUSICAL, Age 10-19, Saturday March 1 and Sunday March 2. Audition for the award winning Young Artists Ensemble’s production of Annie. Those auditioning must prepare a one minute song and bring sheet music for our pianist. Everyone will be required to sing, dance and “cold read” from the script at auditions. Auditions will last 1 hour and 45 minutes and Callback Auditions will be held Monday evening March 3. The show will perform on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from May 2nd – 18th. $175 participant fee due if cast. Director: Kelly Salisbury. For information including rehearsal schedules and to register for an audition, visit the audition link at www.yaeonline.com or call (805) 381-2747.

THEATRE ARTS FOR ADULTS

ADULT ACTING WORKSHOP WITH TONY LASCHI, Age 18+ Receive individual attention and evaluation. Explore the depths of your talent. Covers scene Study, character development, improvisation and audition techniques. Beginning actors free your potential, intermediate actors develop your techniques, advanced actors discover new plateus. The Workshop is continuous. Try one session free. Instructor: Tony Lachi. Thursdays 7:30-10:00pm $33 for 3 weeks.

DANCE, YOGA, AND PILATES FOR ADULTS

MOVING FROM YOUR CENTER, Age 18+ This class incorporates the elements of dance--movements from ballet and the dynamics of modern dance as well as the relaxation and stretching of yoga to help improve your alignment, increase your strength, flexibility, energy, general coordination and grace. Open to all levels. Wear comfortable clothing and "soft" shoes or bare feet. Bring a mat or towel to class. Instructor: Stella Shizuka Matsuda, Professor emeritus and former director of Moorpark College's Dance Department. Wednesdays, 9:30-11:00am, $35 for 8 weeks.

TAI CHI, Age 18+ An ancient martial art adapted in the ’50s combines concentrated mental focus with deliberate, graceful movements to improve balance, strength, and agility. The class begins with warm-ups, then shifting of weight and transference from one foot to the other, breathing exercises, and practicing the slow walk of t’ai chi. We will focus on the patterns of Yang style, learning them slowly and improving our skills, until we have completed the 24 simplified forms. No special equipment is needed; wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Instructor: Stella Shizuka Matsuda. Mondays, 9:15-10:15am, $26 for 8 weeks.

INTERMEDIATE TAI CHI, Age 18+ For those who already know the 24 patterns and would like more individualized instruction as well as learning new patterns. Instructor: Stella Shizuka Matsuda. Mondays, 9:30-10:30am, $26 for 8 weeks.

YOGA WITH MAGGIE MELLOR Age 18+ Improve your health and well-being through the practice and study of hatha yoga, breathing, and stretching techniques. Increase flexibility and endurance while feeling physically and mentally healthier. Bring a mat and a towel to class. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Instructor: Maggie Mellor. Mondays and Thursdays, 5:45-7:00pm, $59 for 6 weeks or $79 for 8 weeks.

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING, Age 18+ Instruction in the traditional social dance of Scotland. Beginners are welcome, but must call instructor before attending. Ongoing classes are held from 7:30 to 9:30pm on Tuesdays. Presented by the Conejo Valley Scottish Dance Society. For fees and information, call instructor, Robb Quint, at (805) 498-2303.

BASIC TRIBAL BELLYDANCE, Age 18+ This class introduces students to the basic slow and fast movements of tribal style belly dance, combining movements into simple combinations. Includes basic improvisation with the group. Please wear a long skirt or comfortable pants. If you have them, bring a hip scarf and zills. Class meets Mondays, from 7:00 to 8:00pm. Instructor: Jenn Osborne. Course presented by Raqs Al Ard. For course information and fees, call (805) 497-1005.

TRIBAL BELLY DANCE, PAST THE BASICS, Age 18+ Class focuses on execution, posture, and balance. Dancing with zills, following and leading in a chorus, and more complex combinations are the emphasis. Moves for soloists and duets, including floor and veil work are taught. Please wear a long skirt or comfortable pants. If you have them, bring a hip scarf and zills. Class meets Mondays from 8:00 to 9:00pm. Instructor: Ay_e Cerami. Course presented by Raqs Al Ard. For course information and fees, call (805) 497-1005.

CONEJO VALLEY FOLK DANCERS, Age 18+ The Conejo Valley Folk Dancers invite you to join them for international line and circle dancing from 7:30 to 9:30pm every Wednesday evening at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts. No partners needed. Fees are $1 per day for members or $2 for nonmembers. For more information, call Jill Lundgren at (805) 497-1957 or for online information, visit www.HillcrestArts.com and click on ACCV Member Organization Activities.

BALLROOM DANCE FOR ADULTS AND TEENS

BEGINNING BALLROOM, FOXTROT, AND WALTZ, Age 18+ Learn to lead or follow a partner while developing a repertoire of steps for each of these familiar favorites. Partner recommended, but not required. Instructor: Sandi Patterson. Fridays, 6:00-6:55pm, $35 for 8 weeks.

RUMBA, Age 18+ This class is recommended for students who have taken at least one previous dance class. Students will learn the Bolero styling from which the Mambo and Cha-Cha evolved. Partner recommended, but not required. Instructor: Sandi Patterson. Fridays, 7:00pm-7:55pm, $35 for 8 weeks.

SWING’S THE THING: EAST COAST, Age 18+ Become a part of the “swing scene”. Learn basic rhythms and variations of this American dance. You will learn to lead or follow and link dance steps. Partner recommended, but not required. Instructor: Sandi Patterson. Fridays, 8:00-8:55pm, $35 for 8 weeks.

NIGHT CLUB TWO STEP, Age 18+ Learn the basic step and a variety of turns for this romantic partner dance. Partners recommended. Instructor: Sandi Patterson. Fridays, 9:00-9:55pm, $35 for 8 weeks.