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Bob Dylan, the 58-year-old poet laureate of rock, will bring his band to the Ventura County Fairgrounds on Friday. Dylan has a legendary habit of downplaying or ignoring recent material while on tour and instead chooses to perform whatever nugget from his vast repertoire appeals to him at the moment. However, the never-predictable Dylan has tickled fans on recent tour stops by highlighting his new song “Things Have Changed.” This much is for sure: Phil Lesh and friends are also on the bill.

* Bob Dylan, Friday, Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura. With Phil Lesh. 7 p.m. Stadium tickets $37 plus service charges, through Ticketmaster. 656-1260 or 583-8700.

Bard Festival

Kingsmen Shakespeare Company and Cal Lutheran University will team to present two productions during the annual Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival. “Romeo and Juliet” will open the festival Friday; “Taming of the Shrew” will follow with a July 14 opening. The grounds open at 5:30 p.m. for picnicking and pre-show entertainment, including strolling musicians, dancing, juggling and sword-fight demonstrations. Performances begin at 8 p.m. Bring your own chairs or blankets. Alcohol is prohibited.

* Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival, “Romeo and Juliet,” Friday-Sunday, July 7-9 and 21-23; “The Taming of the Shrew,” July 14-16, 28-30, Aug. 4-6; grounds open 5:30 p.m., performance at 8; Kingsmen Park, Cal Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. Festival seating free; limited reserved seating $10. 493-3455.

Jazz

Maynard Ferguson & His Big Bop Nouveau Band will perform a benefit concert Sunday at Ojai’s Libbey Bowl. Ferguson--noted for the atmospheric trumpet high notes that have been his stock in trade for more than 50 years--draws upon bebop, swing and straight-ahead jazz. Proceeds will benefit the Nordhoff High School music department. The Nordhoff High School Jazz Band will open the show.

* Maynard Ferguson & His Big Bop Nouveau Band, Sunday, grounds open 2 p.m., show 3 p.m., Libbey Bowl, downtown Ojai. $16.50 general; $10 students; free, 8 and under. 646-1197.

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For a list of fireworks shows, see the Out & About page in today’s Ventura County section.