Plan Ahead

* Fiddler--Riverdance fiddler Eileen Ivers brings her band to the area for two performances. The renowned fiddler has worked with Paula Cole, Paddy Maloney and the Boston Pops Orchestra. Show times: Oct. 12, 8 p.m., Santa Barbara’s Arlington Theatre, $15-$35, 963-4408; Oct. 13, 8 p.m., Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza’s Fred Kavli Theatre, $17.50-$35, 449-2787.

* Theater--Rubicon Theater Company presents “The Rainmaker,” a romantic story of a charismatic con man who promises rain to a drought-stricken town for a fee. The show plays at the Laurel Theatre, 1006 E. Main St., Ventura. Show times: Oct. 12-Nov. 5, Wednesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays-Sundays, 2 p.m. Opening gala Oct. 14, 7 p.m., with dinner afterward, $125. Regular ticket prices $20-$35. 667-2900.

* Opera--The Ventura College Opera Workshop presents “Hobson’s Choice,” a new opera composed by Ventura County resident John Biggs. Based on the play by Harold Brighouse, the opera is directed by Vicki Harrop, conducted by Biggs and produced by faculty member Linda Ottsen. Performances run Oct. 13-29, Fridays-Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m. The only Thursday performance is Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. Seating is limited. $12-$18. 654-6459.

* Studio Tour--The Ojai Art Center hosts the Ojai Studio Artists Tour 2000, Oct. 14 and 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The tour takes in the studios of 35 Ojai Valley artists, including the recently reopened Beatrice Wood studio. The tour has a self-guided itinerary; you must have your own transportation. $20 advance, $25 tour day, good for both days. 646-8126.

* Race--The third annual Kinetic Sculpture Race takes place at the Ventura Harbor on Oct. 14 and 15. The event begins in downtown Ventura with handmade people-powered vehicles arriving in Ventura Harbor Village, off Spinnaker Drive, at 2 p.m. Participants will camp overnight and face the water and mud challenges the next morning. There will be live entertainment Saturday evening. 644-0169.

* Musical--The Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza presents the Tony award-winning “Evita,” Andrew Lloyd Webber’s fast-paced rags-to-riches musical biography of Argentina’s Eva Peron. The production stars Valerie Perri. Show times: Oct. 17-25, Tuesday-Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 and 7 p.m. Fred Kavli Theatre, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. $29.50-$38.50. 449-2775.