The Beach Boys at the Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, Sunday, 5 and 8 p.m.; $54.50, $44.50 and $34.50; 449-2787.
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The 10th Annual Mariachi Festival will unfold Saturday at Oxnard's Performing Arts Center. Headlining will be Mariachi los Camperos de Nati Cano out of Los Angeles, a groups that's been playing since 1961 and used to back up Linda Ronstadt.
The word mariachi was first used in the mid-1800s to describe the ensembles of violin, vihuela, harp, guitarron and drums in Mexico that created the popular soundtrack used at social functions of the mestizo. Reflecting other aspects of mestizo life, mariachi was a combination of Spanish, African and indigenous Indian cultures.
Mariachi music inspired patriots during the Mexican Revolution from 1910 to 1917. Around this time, the players changed their peasant clothes for trajes de charro, or clothing of the landowners. At the same time, the sound of trumpets and six-string guitars was added to the mix. Mariachi music became the national sound, serenading generations with songs glorifying Mexican culture.
Robert Ramirez, who has been promoting mariachi music in Oxnard for a number of years, says tickets are going fast. Doors at the 1,600-person venue open at 2 p.m., with dinner slated for 6:30.
DETAILS
10th Annual Mariachi Festival at the Performing Arts Center with Mariachi los Camperos de Nati Cano, Mariachi Tlaquepaque de Antonio Rosas, Mariachi Mujer Dos Mil, Arturo y Jose Luis and Nadia Rojas, Saturday, 2 p.m.; $70 dinner and show, or $40 or $25 for show only; 486-2424.
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A veritable bazaar of the bizarre is set for Saturday, as the County Lovers Western Dance Club hosts a Star Trek Costume Dance at the College United Methodist Church, across from the home of all those Pirates at Ventura College.
Spock may not seem the dancing type, but the Vulcan could loosen up by shaking to the sounds of DJ Jammin' Country, who just might play something by Crystal Gayle.
It's an all-ages affair with country dance lessons beginning at 7 p.m. and the thing itself starting an hour later with Klingons, Romulans, Ferengi and Cardassians dancing off into the sunset. Even though there was a cheesy O.K. Corral scenario featured in an episode of the original series, a "Gunsmoke" or "Bonanza" theme would seem more logical for a boot-scooting affair, but probably not as much fun. And that would seem to be the prime motive here.
DETAILS
Country Lovers Western Dance Club Star Trek Costume Dance at College United Methodist Church, 16 Baylor Drive, Ventura, Saturday, 7 p.m.; $3 adults, free for 12 and under; 647-1893.
