The Month Ahead

If you like to plan ahead, this monthly feature will be your guide and calendar. Just snip it out of the paper and attach it to the fridge. To contribute suggestions for next month’s calendar, send a letter by May 20 to the Month Ahead, Los Angeles Times, 93 S. Chestnut St., Ventura 93001.

For information, call 653-7570.

Baby Expo

Saturday, May 1

The Conejo Recreation and Park District will hold its sixth annual Baby Expo from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Borchard Community Center, 190 N. Reino Road, Newbury Park. More than 100 vendors will offer maternity and baby products and services. Free admission. Information: 381-2791.

Battle of Bands

Saturday, May 1

Bad Judgment, The Switch and Universal Quantifiers will be among the groups participating in the third annual “Crash Band Zowie” battle of the bands from noon to 5 p.m. at the Camarillo Community Center, 1605 E. Burnley St. The teen program is sponsored by the Camarillo Youth Advisory Council. Free. Information: 482-1996.

Orchid Show

May 1-2

The Conejo Orchid Society will present the “Romance of Orchids” show from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 1 and from 1 to 4 p.m. May 2 at the Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road. There will be potting demonstrations and plants and supplies will be available for purchase. Free admission. Information: 492-1569.

Alice in Wonderland

May 1 and 8

The Gypsies in a Trunk theater ensemble will open its Fairy Tales in the Park season with “Alice’s New Adventures in Wonderland” at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. May 1 at the Rancho Simi Amphitheater in Rancho Simi Park, Royal Avenue and Erringer Road. The show will be repeated at 4 p.m. May 8 at Barranca Vista Park, 7050 E. Ralston St., Ventura. Free. Information: 522-0449.

Watercolor Exhibit

May 7-30

About 125 paintings will be on display in the California Gold Coast Watercolor Society’s ninth annual juried spring show at the Thousand Oaks Community Gallery, 2331 Borchard Road, Newbury Park. An artists’ reception will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. May 16. Regular gallery hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. Free. Information: 498-4390.

Chamber Festival

Saturday, May 8

The Los Robles Chamber Singers will join three other Southern California vocal ensembles in the Chamber Choir Festival at 8 p.m. at the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center, 7075 Campus Road. Zephyr: Voices Unbound, a 12-voice ensemble from Los Angeles, will be the featured group. $15 general, $12 seniors, $10 children and students. Information: 378-1453.

Mariachi

Saturday, May 8

The ninth annual Mariachi Festival will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard. Music and dance performers will include Mariachi Internacional de Francisco Jara and Pancho Villa’s Ballet Folklorico. A dinner and dance will follow the concert at 6:30 p.m. $25 and $35 for the concert only; $60 for the concert and dinner-dance. Tickets: 486-2424.

Country Concert

Saturday, May 8

The California State Old-Time Fiddlers Assn. and JD Felkins & the Texas Western Swing Band will present Country & Western Music Under the Oaks at noon at the Chumash Interpretive Center, 3290 Lang Ranch Parkway, Thousand Oaks. Proceeds will benefit the interpretive center. $5. Information: 492-8076.

4-H Tea

Saturday, May 8

The Ventura County 4-H spring tea will be held at 2 p.m. at the Hansen Agricultural Learning Center, Briggs and Telegraph roads, Santa Paula. Members of the 4-H will conduct a fashion show and display their quilting and needlework. Free admission to the exhibits, $5 for the tea. Reservations: 645-1451.

Jazz for Mom

Sunday, May 9

The Night Blooming Jazzmen will present a Mother’s Day jazz concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave. $15 general, $12 seniors and students, $8 children 12 and younger; $10 for moms. Reservations: 581-9940.

Rose Show

Saturday, May 15

Fair Friends of Roses will present its third annual Roses by the Sea Rose Show from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Seaside Park, 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura. More than 500 roses and arrangements will be entered into the amateur grower competition. Free. Information: 659-4193 or 648-3376.

Strawberry Festival

May 15-16

The 16th annual California Strawberry Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. May 15 and 16 at Strawberry Meadows in College Park, 3250 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. There will be a variety of strawberry foods, arts and crafts, music and family activities. $7 general, $4 seniors and children ages 2-12, free for children under 2. Information: (888) 288-9242.

Tribal Gathering

May 15-16

Representatives from about 50 Native American tribes will participate in the Lake Casitas Pow Wow from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 15 and 16 at the lake, off Highway 150 outside Ojai. The gathering will feature cultural dancing, drumming and arts and crafts. $7 general, $4 children 5-12, free for children under 5. Information: 496-6036.

Gems and Minerals

May 15-16

The 25th annual gem and mineral show, the “Pageant of a Thousand Gems,” will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 15 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 16 at the Borchard Community Center, 190 N. Reino Road, Newbury Park. Free. Information: 498-4220.

Ojai Camerata

May 21-22

The Ojai Camerata will perform the winning choral compositions from its First International Composers Competition at 8 p.m. May 21 at First United Methodist Church, 1338 E. Santa Clara St., Ventura, and 8 p.m. May 22 at Ojai Presbyterian Church, 304 N. Foothill Road, Ojai. $12 general, $9 seniors, free for children. Information: 289-4890.

Preparedness Fair

Saturday, May 22

Displays and workshops on disaster preparedness, financial management and emotional and physical health will be part of the life preparedness fair from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3501 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. Free. Information: 646-7806.

Stitchin’ Time

May 22-23

The Channel Islands chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America will host its Stitchers’ Faire, a judged needlework show and boutique, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 22 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 23 at the Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard. $5 adults, $2 children ages 8-12. Information: 985-8901.

Sesame Street Live

May 27-30

Sesame Street Live’s “When I Grow Up” will be run for eight shows at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks. Show times are 7 p.m. May 27; 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. May 28; 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. May 29, and 1 and 4:30 p.m. May 30. $11-$20. Tickets: 449-ARTS or 583-8700.

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Compiled by LEO SMITH / Los Angeles Times