TODAY: BOOGIE-WOOGIE PIANOCarl Sonny Leyland, originally from...

TODAY: BOOGIE-WOOGIE PIANO

Carl Sonny Leyland, originally from Southhampton, England, is adept in a genre that is purely American--boogie-woogie piano. Along with a couple of sidemen, Leyland will be this week’s featured attraction at the Sweet Thursday gig tonight at Alexander’s in Ventura.

Leyland played in a number of blues bands in Europe before moving to New Orleans in 1988. Recently, the piano virtuoso has opened and/or played with a vast number of blues artists and is a recognized authority on the history of boogie-woogie.

Swing dancers will be swinging all over the dance floor at this gig beginning at 8:15 p.m. Call 646-7230 to find out more about the $7 show.

SUNDAY: COUNTRY SHOWCASE

Fans of country music will have a chance to hear 40 regional country-western bands play at The Golden Spur in Simi Valley as part of an annual Nomination Showcase presented by the Los Angeles Chapter of the California Country Music Assn.

The country music marathon kicks off with approximately 20 bands at 11 a.m. Sunday and ends at 1 a.m. Monday. The remaining groups will play at 11 a.m. May 5 and conclude at 1 a.m. May 6.

Dancers will have use of the newly remodeled club’s expanded dance floor. Among the bands performing, local fans will recognize Wildheart, Darlene O’Connell & the Dixie Flyers and Kathy Tally and her band Kentucky Thunder.

Admission is free. The Golden Spur (formerly Silver Dollar Saloon) is at 2381 Tapo St. in Simi Valley. For more details call 520-7787.

JUGGLING ACT

Environmental awareness via juggling? You may have to see it to believe it, but the Boogie Down Jugglers and their “Greatest Show 4 Earth” is chock-full of dazzling feats of balance and other circus-like entertainment--all geared to raising awareness about the virtues of a healthy environment.

“All of their routines are related to Earth Day,” said Ventura Children’s Festival producer Brian Bemel. “It’s a real nice mix of humor and entertainment.”

The San Francisco-based duo, Doug Nolan and D.H. Wishingstone, have created a series of clever, child-friendly skits that run the gamut from how to recycle dirty oil from the family car to an anti-smoking piece. There’s unicycle riding, walking on stilts, storytelling and more. You can catch the act at 3 p.m. at the Oak Grove School Pavilion, 220 W. Lomita Ave., Ojai. Tickets: $5, $4 children. Information: 646-8236.

A LOOK AHEAD

* The Strawberry Festival folks have released the headliner entertainment schedule for this year’s event, May 18 and 19, and the musical offerings include rock, blues, country and zydeco acts. Veteran rocker Eddie Money tops the list, which also includes crowd pleasers Freddie Fender, Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, The Rembrandts and Billy Vera & The Beaters.

These top bands and more will be joined by a dozen other acts from throughout Southern California, including the Estrada Brothers and King Cotton, for two days worth of nonstop live music. The concerts are included with admission, $6, $4 senior citizens and children ages 2-12. Information: 385-7578.

UP THE COAST

* The eclectic offerings of UC Santa Barbara’s Multicultural Center will continue at 8 p.m. Friday as Gamelan Udan Arum (Sweetly Scented Rain)--otherwise known as Clif DeArment and Maria Bodmann--perform an evening of Indonesian music. The duo, who are members of the Los Angles-based performing artists company Bali & Beyond, will perform ritual music, procession and classics. Admission is free. Information: 893-8411.

* Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale “The Ugly Duckling” will be staged by the Ensemble Theater Company for two consecutive Saturday performances at the Alhecama Theatre, 914 State St. Show times are 10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. this week and May 4. The cast will picnic on the grass outside the theater after each 11:15 performance. The audience is invited and a box lunch will be provided. Tickets: $5; picnic lunch performances, $8. Information: 962-8606.