WEEKEND: A Peek InsideAutumn has returned and...

WEEKEND: A Peek Inside

Autumn has returned and that means a hallmark of Ventura County’s art calendar is upon us--the “Ojai Studio Artists Tour.” This year, the public is invited to peruse the inner sanctums of 31 artists.

More than just a casual jaunt across the Ojai Valley, the annual tour offers the public an intimate--and in many cases rare--look inside the creative world of the artists. Participating artists include Christine Brennan, Gayel Childress, Bert Collins, Otto Heino, Marta Nelson, Elaine Rogers, and Jeffrey and Katrina Seaton. Note: Famed ceramist Beatrice Wood will not be taking part in this year’s proceedings.

The tour will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets, good for both days, are $12 today and Friday and $15 thereafter. A tour map is included with tickets, which can be purchased at the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce, 150 W. Ojai Ave. Proceeds benefit local art education and scholarships. For more information, call 646-8126.

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Seeing Shadows, Specters

If you want a taste of old-time radio with a Halloween edge, you’ll find it at the Glen Tavern Inn in Santa Paula this month. Actors from the Santa Paula Theater Center are re-creating an episode of the classic radio series “The Shadow.”

The show features man-about-town Lamont Cranston, who doubles as the mysterious, crime-fighting Shadow. In this performance, titled “The Walking Corpse,” he deals with voodoo and zombies.

Today’s performances were canceled so the production will now commence Oct. 17. Show times: 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Oct. 31. Tickets, dinner included: $19.50. For reservations, call 933-3777.

Santa Paula Theater Center actors also will present “Ghost Walk” beginning this weekend. Tours run every 15 minutes from The Mill, 212 N. Mill St., from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Eight stops with haunting and historical dramatic vignettes are on the route.

Tours are scheduled Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 27. Tickets: $6 adults, $4 children (ages 5-10). For reservations, call 525-3073.

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SATURDAY: More Than a Little Bit Country

Decca country music recording artist Mark Chesnutt will be the featured attraction at the sixth annual Gold Dust Gala at Seaside Park in Ventura. Considered the country-western social event of the year in Ventura County, hundreds of fans are expected to attend this fund-raiser. The Ventura County-based band Shiloh will play before and after Chesnutt’s concert, which will include his hits “It Sure Is Monday,” “Almost Goodbye” and “Bubba Shot the Jukebox.”

There will also be a barbecue dinner, dance lessons and prizes. The gala is presented by Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation. Proceeds will go toward the purchase of medical diagnostic equipment for Ventura’s Community Memorial Hospital.

Seaside Park’s Agricultural Building is located at 10 W. Harbor Blvd. in Ventura. Event hours: 5 p.m.-midnight. Tickets: $50 per person ($28 tax deductible). Information: 652-5009.

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UP THE COAST

Six area rock bands will perform at the Ticketmaster Music Showcase Tour on Saturday at Victoria Hall, 33 W. Victoria St. The Showcase concerts, performed nationwide, offer unsigned bands exposure to the music industry and professional feedback. At this gig, Santa Barbara-based bands include Wildflower, Pollen, Hunnypot, plus Ventura’s Enok. The concert will be begin at 8 p.m. Tickets: $1.99. Call 730-1038.

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GLANCE AHEAD

The Channel Islands Symphony will commence its inaugural season Oct. 19 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way. Conducted by Paul Polivnick, the symphony will perform works by William Kraft, Dvorak and Saint-Saens. Tickets: $12-$25. Advance tickets are $2 less. Tickets for the three-concert season are $30, $48 and $66. For more information, call 497-1902.