AUSTRALIAN CHARMHailing from the Australian outback, Rob...

AUSTRALIAN CHARM

Hailing from the Australian outback, Rob Spence found that his calling was something other than his family’s sheep-shearing business. Instead, at 17, young Spence forsook the bush and attempted to parlay his wisecracking, penchant-for-theatrics personality into a profession.

With some tutoring here, some university study there, and lots of dues-paying along the way, Spence--now 29--is quite the hit on Australian and European comedy circuits. His mixture of absurdity and cheeky Australian charm pop up in a bagful of characters that incorporate mime, stand-up, theater, dance, magic, audience participation and more.

Catch Spence’s one-man “Dances With Kangaroos--Comedy Madness from Australia” at 5 p.m. at the Ojai Playhouse, 145 E. Ojai Ave. The performance will benefit the Ojai Institute. Tickets: $10, $5 senior citizens and children. Information: 646-2536 or 646-0548.

ARTISTIC INDIA

The India Cultural Society of Simi and Conejo Valleys will present an artistic glance inside their homeland when “Visions of India” is staged at the Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

An impressive gathering of performers from Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange counties will present a diverse offering of instrumental and vocal music, folk dances and more, including artistic expressions unique to individual states in India.

“We’re trying to represent the whole India,” said Sudha Agarwal, an event coordinator.

Complete with ornate traditional costumes, the production will run from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., with a portion of the proceeds used to help build a community center for the society. The India Cultural Society was founded in 1976 by a group of first-generation immigrants who wanted to preserve Indian culture for future generations. Tickets: $12, $16, $24. Information: 449-ARTS or 373-1765.

LATIN BEAT

The music will be hot, hot, hot when the Ventura Theatre presents its first Salsa-Merengue Dance Night featuring the international award-winning singer, Yari More, and his orchestra along with deejays Candyman and Luz del Caribe.

More has won several OTI awards (the Spanish-language Grammy) for his work as a singer / composer, and he has performed at numerous international festivals, on occasion sharing the stage with salsa music heavy hitters including Tito Puente and Luis Enrique. More will perform a variety of his hits, ranging from the romantic ballads from his “Dame” and “Piel a Piel” albums to the tropical salsa offerings on his latest CD, “Tal Para Cual,” released this month on RMM records. The evening’s highlights will also include a dance contest with a $200 first prize and drawings for trips to Las Vegas.

Advance admission is $12, $15 at the door. The event is open to all ages and begins at 8 p.m. The Ventura Theatre is at 26 S. Chestnut St. For more information or reservations, call 648-1888.

UP THE COAST

Driving up the coast this afternoon with an open itinerary? You may want to consider checking out the Peruvian ensemble Inca, one of the West Coast’s leading ethnic performing companies. Inca will stage two programs today at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art--a special children’s program at 3:30 p.m. and an evening show at 7. The five-member troupe, adorned in traditional dress, will perform a program of traditional and ancient music and songs using an a variety of rare ethnic instruments. The children’s show is free; evening program, $7 and $5. The museum is at 1130 State St. Information: 963-4364, Ext. 346.