Fun Raising

Marty Babayco has noticed an arts renaissance in his town.

“There seems to be a revival in Ojai of the performing arts,” he said. “The climate’s always been intense for looking at the arts. Now it’s intense for working in them.”

Babayco, chairman of the Ojai Rotary Club’s “Family Festival ‘97” that takes place Sunday, has seen the number of performance groups in town almost triple, “from three a few years ago to eight--and a lot of children are getting involved.”

Which explains why his organization decided to host its first annual Ojai Rotary Club Family Festival and make this year’s theme “A Celebration of Youth.”

Proceeds from the program, to be held at Lake Casitas Recreation Area, will support the local high school music program and provide college scholarships of about $1,000 to a dozen high school graduates.

The program Sunday will range from the sublime to the ridiculous. The sublime portion is a performance by “The Young Americans,” a high-energy, award-winning ensemble of 32 young singers and dancers. The ridiculous will be represented by “The Nickelodeon Game Lab--Live!,” two hours of messy games, highlighted by the show’s famous green slime.

A part of the Young Americans’ concert will involve a band of about 250 local students in grades 5-12. Starting Friday, young people may sign up for a three-day performance workshop to be conducted by members of the Young America cast at Matilija Junior High.

The other event, the “Game Lab,” is a touring version of the cable network’s hyperkinetic game show for kids.

Parents unfamiliar with the goings-on in that show should be warned to dress their kids--and even themselves--in clothing that can survive being “slimed,” which means being drenched in a gelatinous torrent of green stuff that children seem to love having poured on their heads.

This aspect of the Ojai Rotary Family Festival may make some folks wonder just what kind of youthful renaissance--to use Babayco’s term--is going on. Not to worry. Remember our grandparents’ delight in seeing pies thrown in people’s faces? That turned into a very profitable business, the entertainment industry, which helps sustain our regional economy these days.

BE THERE

Ojai Rotary Family Festival, Lake Casitas Recreation Area, 11311 Santa Ana Road; Sunday at 1:30 p.m. “Nickelodeon Game Lab” runs 2-4 p.m., “The Young Americans” show starts at 4:30 p.m. Advance tickets $10 in Ojai at Tottenham Court, Attitude Adjustment or Ticketmaster 583-8700. At the door, $12.

“The Young Americans” performance workshop, takes place Friday through Sunday at Matilija Junior High School. Workshop registration is $39.95. Call 646-8433 for times. Scholarships available.