VENTURA COUNTY THIS WEEKEND

Hot Ticket The talented tandem of fiddler Phil Salazar and guitarist Jonathan McEuen will host a CD release party Friday in Ventura for their well-received collaboration, “A Tribute to Jerry Garcia.” The project is a collection of Garcia songs performed in a variety of American acoustic music styles.

* Phil Salazar and Jonathan McEuen, Friday, 8 p.m., Livery Theatre, 34 N. Palm St., Ventura. $10. Reservations recommended. 643-5701.

Stretching Out

One key note about the Vinny Golia Large Ensemble performance Saturday in Ventura: This is not about big band music. Although Golia’s aggregation of more than 30 musicians explores jazz traditions, this ambitious unit is firmly planted in a chamber music foundation. It plays experimental music under the guidance of its well-respected leader.

* The Vinny Golia Large Ensemble, Saturday, 8 p.m., Ventura High School auditorium, 2155 E. Main St., Ventura. General, $10; children 11 and under, $5. 641-5116.

Elvis Sighting

Cal Lutheran University will present its 12th annual “Tribute to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” on Saturday at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. The benefit features longtime Elvis impersonator Raymond Michael and the 24-member CLU All-Star Alumni Band and Backup Singers. Proceeds benefit performing arts programs at the university.

* Elvis impersonator Raymond Michael, Saturday, 8 p.m., Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. $10-$35. 449-2787.

Voice Meets Dance

Ajiva Dance Theatre will join with Madrigali, the Ojai-based singing ensemble, to present “Cantatas” this weekend at Ojai Center for the Arts. The production combines original contemporary dance works with Renaissance a cappella music.

* “Cantatas,” Ajiva Dance Theatre and Madrigali, Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m., Ojai Center for the Arts, 113 S. Montgomery St., Ojai. General, $12; students $10. 646-2339.