Dancers Set to Step Out at Simi Valley Festival : The event has something for everyone, including demonstrations, workshops and contests.

New and veteran practitioners of country-western and swing dancing can learn more moves and strut their stuff for fun and prizes at the first Simi Valley Country Dance Festival this weekend at the Simi Valley Senior Adult Center. Best of all, there will be something for dancers of all ages, including special youth competitions.

Cowboy Palace dance instructor Mike Bendavid has organized this three-day event and invited many of the area’s popular dance teachers, including Rick Henderson, Tyoni Bush, Kathy Bailey, Sandi Patterson and California Country Music Assn. Best Dance Team nominees Ed & Sally. Things get rolling at 5 p.m. Friday with registration, workshops and a welcome dance featuring deejay music, demos and contests.

Saturday is filled with country-western dance workshops, from beginner to advanced, including two-step, West and East Coast swing, line dances, waltz, cha-cha and mixers. Winslow, a fun, high-energy band from Los Angeles that has performed at the Silver Dollar Saloon in Simi Valley, will play for a social dance in the evening. Contests, demonstrations and awards ceremonies round out the event on Sunday.

A three-day pass includes all events but no meals. Tickets are $35 in advance or $45 at the door; one-day pass for workshops only, $25; dance admission only is $5 for Friday and $8 for Saturday. All events will be held at the Simi Valley Senior Adult Center, 3900 Avenida Simi. For details, call (818) 349-8788.

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It’s time for another swing dance at the Camarillo Canteen, 8 p.m. to midnight on Friday. This monthly smoke-and-alcohol-free event is designed for dancers 12 and older. Melinda Comeau will teach at 8 p.m. and deejay Jack Zigray provides music. Admission is $5. The dance takes place at the Camarillo Airport, 515 Eubanks St. Call 482-1996 or 482-0978.

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The Rhythm Rangers introduce a corporate country music mix to Mullarkey’s on Friday and Saturday with a dash of classic rock and R&B.; It all happens inside the Radisson Hotel, 2101 W. Vineyard Ave. in Oxnard. Call 988-0130.

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I dare you to keep your feet still when Acadiana, a Cajun-zydeco-country-jazz band, takes the outdoor stage from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Oxnard Salsa Festival. Look for dance lessons and Phil Salazar on hot fiddle. Laissez les bons temps rouler at this free event in Plaza Park at the corner of C and 5th streets. For details, call 984-1473.

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Head for the USO Stage at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Port Hueneme on Sunday for free power country music by Silver Moon from 3 to 6 p.m. You’ll also find the KTND radio crew and lots of giveaways at this annual Seabee Summerfest. The free event also runs Saturday without country tunes but chock full of festivities for all ages. Use the Pleasant Valley gate entrance and bring sun block. For more information, call 644-9555 or 982-3585.

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Starting this weekend, Maxie’s has cooked up a semimonthly Country Sunday featuring a barbecue at 3 p.m. and a dart tournament, dance lessons and music by deejay Vince Fiske at 4 p.m. Just mosey over to 101 Short St. in Oak View. Call 649-9931.

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Two clubs in Ventura that cater to a gay and lesbian clientele have introduced country-western dance nights. On Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m., Club Alternatives offers dance lessons with Jill and Ms. Bonnie at 8:30 p.m. A deejay rounds outs the evening with country tunes. There’s no cover charge. The club is at 1644 E. Thompsen Blvd. Call 653-6511.

Country night at The Charleston Club Cafe starts at 9 p.m. on Wednesdays with partner and line-dance lessons by Jill. The club charges a $2 cover. It’s at 2819 E. Main St. For details, call 643-4849.

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Dance Courses and Workshops:

* The new featured line dance this month at the Borderline Bar and Grill is the Funky Slide. You can learn it at 6 p.m. tonight, Aug. 12, 15, 18, 26, 28, 31, or at 7 p.m. Aug. 23.

* Partners are recommended but not required for a two-step workshop taught by Jennie and Cliff at the Borderline on Saturday. Lead-and-follow techniques will be emphasized noon to 2 p.m. From 3 to 5 p.m., dancers will learn an intermediate level pattern. Cost for either session includes lunch; $15 single, $20 per couple. The club is at 99 Rolling Oaks Drive in Thousand Oaks. To register, call 446-4435.

* Starting Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Jay Byam and Lori McGee will offer a four-week course in beginning West Coast swing at C. J. Nelson’s in the Doubletree Hotel, 2055 E. Harbor Blvd. in Ventura. For more information, call 529-8241.

* Beginning Saturday, Melinda Comeau will offer a variety of workshops and four-week courses in Lindy hop, swing, shag, shim-sham, Balboa and jitterbug that are geared for kids, teens or adults. The classes will be held at several locations around the county. For details, call 643-3114.