Welcome to OC LIVE!
Oxnard College is proud to present live arts and culture programming on stage at the Performing Arts Building. From music and dance to science, stories, art and more, we bring an eclectic mix of dynamic and inspiring artists and scholars to the Oxnard community. OC LIVE! is free and open to the public.
Upcoming Events
Join us as we celebrate Pride Month with queer, Latine poet Yosimar Reyes on Tuesday, June 17th, at 6pm in the beautiful Oxnard College Performing Arts Building.
Hailing from East San Jose by way of Guerrero, Mexico, Reyes quickly made a name for himself at the tender age of sixteen, exploding onto local Bay Area stages and captivating his audiences with deeply moving spoken word performances.
Reyes’ repertoire has since evolved to include nationally-acclaimed keynotes, writing workshops, and his one-man show, Prieto, a coming-of-age story that explores subjects like migration, sexuality, and socio-economic struggle — all while empowering his audiences to tap into their own creative potential.
His achievements don’t stop there. In addition to being the first-ever undocumented poet to achieve Santa Clara County Poet Laureate status, Reyes was chosen to be a 2024 Creative Ambassador by the City of San Jose, The Advocate named him one of "13 LGBT Latinos Changing the World," and Remezcla included him on their list of "10 Up And Coming Latinx Poets You Need To Know."
Amongst numerous accolades, Reyes has been awarded a NALAC Catalyst for Change Grant (2020), a Gerbode Foundation Grant and most recently, a Walter & Elise Haas Creative Work Fund Grant (2023). His writing has appeared in publications such as MARIPOSAS: A Modern Anthology of Queer Latino Poetry, Somewhere We Are Human: Authentic Voices on Migration, Survival, and New Beginnings and forthcoming UndocuPoetics.
This is a FREE event that is open to the public. No tickets are necessary. Parking is FREE in Lot “H.”
Oxnard College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or sexual orientation.
El Colegio de Oxnard no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo, discapacidad, edad u orientación sexual.
Past Events
OC LIVE is proud to present “A Community in Harmony: An Unforgettable Evening of Music” on Tuesday, May 13th, at 6pm in the beautiful Oxnard College Performing Arts Building.
Experience an unforgettable evening of music, showcasing the dedication and talent of our local high school ensembles alongside Oxnard College students and alumni. Join us as we celebrate the power of music to unite and inspire our community!
The following bands are scheduled to appear:
Mariachi Ocho Estrellas de OUHSD consists of all 7 comprehensive high schools within Oxnard Union High School District as well as Oxnard Middle College High School. This group has a prominent presence and history performing for community events such as graduation ceremonies, school rallies, etc. This group also showcases the talent and leadership brought by young musicians and students bound to be leaders.
Channel Islands Raider Band is a student-centered and student-led music performing group from Channel Islands High School. During the course of the school year the band, also known as "The Tsunami of Sound" focuses on Marching Band in the Fall semester playing at school events, rallies, and sporting events in addition to parades and other community events. In the Spring semester the band shifts gears to include Symphonic Band and Jazz Band activities.
The Hueneme Viking Concert Band is a talented and versatile high school group known for their adaptability and innovative performances. Comprised of musicians playing a variety of instruments including flute, clarinet, saxophone, trombone, trumpets, and percussion, the band excels in interpreting music from modern day composers, often from underrepresented groups. Over the past two years, the band has made remarkable progress, including a record-breaking, marching season with their highest score in the last four years. They’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with renowned composers, like Randall Standridge and Kelijah Dunton. With student conductors and Drum Majors like Olivia and Nayra, the band continues to grow, with one of their most popular groups, Drumline, gaining a reputation for their high energy and skill.
This is a FREE event that is open to the public. No tickets are necessary. Parking is FREE in Lot “H.”
OC LIVE is proud to present “Breaking Barriers: Unveiling the Unique Experiences Within the Deaf Community” on Monday, May 5th, at 6pm in the beautiful Oxnard College Performing Arts Building.
Join us for a dynamic panel discussion featuring Deaf members of our community and parents of Deaf children as they share their diverse experiences and perspectives. Learn about the barriers they’ve faced and ways to promote inclusivity and regard for Deaf culture.
For those interested in learning ASL, Oxnard College offers courses with an option to earn a Certificate of Achievement in ASL or an A.A. degree in Deaf Studies. Contact professors Adriana Nino (adriana_nino1@vcccd.edu) or Emily Talbot (etalbot@vcccd.edu) for more information.
This is a FREE event that is open to the public. No tickets are necessary. Parking is FREE in Lot “H.” ASL services will be provided.
OC LIVE, along with the Oxnard College Chicana/o Studies Department, invites you to join us for “Mariposas del Campo” a documentary on Thursday, April 24th, at 6pm in the beautiful Oxnard College Performing Arts Building.
Mariposas del Campo shares the stories of indigenous Mixtec, Zapotec, and Purépecha teenagers from Mexico striving to change their families’ destinies in the strawberry fields of Oxnard, California. Through a stormy year of sanctioned racism and anti-immigrant policies, the documentary captures their journeys — with help from the characters’ own intimate videos — as they navigate cultural identity, parental expectations, economic challenges, and the justice needs of their migrant farmworker community. For young people whose lives have always been steeped in uncertainty, it takes a leap of faith to chase a dream. A Q&A with the directors, Bill Yahraus and Robin Rosenthal, will follow the screening of the film. This documentary features: Bill Yahraus, Robin Rosenthal, and Elizabeth Villa Rosales.
This is a FREE event that is open to the public. No tickets are necessary. Parking is FREE in Lot “H.”
Artist Bio:
Bill Yahraus and Robin Rosenthal are the husband-and-wife team at Pony Highway Productions. They’ve been collaborating on intimate films with self-contained communities since they ran away with the Tarzan Zerbini Circus in 1996. Their award-winning documentaries — made with the members of a traveling tent circus, a Hall of Fame racehorse trainer’s barn, and a team of Mexican American female equestrians — have aired nationally on PBS and toured internationally.
OC LIVE invites you to join us for “The Lioness Within: An Evening with Graciela Casillas” on Wednesday, April 9th, at 6pm in the beautiful Oxnard College Performing Arts Building.
Oxnard College’s own Graciela Casillas joins us for a conversation after a screening of the documentary about her life, The Lioness Within. Meet Graciela Casillas, a pioneering, undefeated world champion in martial arts. Her story unfolds a hidden champion breaking barriers for women, embodying resilience, and embracing empowerment. A celebration of martial arts and a transformative teacher-student dynamic.
Artist Bio:
Graciela Casillas is a Black Belt Hall of Fame inductee, "Woman of the Year," and Inside Kung-Fu Hall of Fame member. She has earned international acclaim as one of the world's top martial artists and self-defense instructors. Casillas’s 50 years as student, instructor, and professional competitor have given her an eclectic approach to the martial arts that she shares with students at home and abroad.
Casillas is the first athlete, male or female, to simultaneously hold world titles in two fighting sports — kickboxing and boxing. Casillas also achieved world champion status in Filipino stick fighting and was the first and only woman to be certified in the advanced level of instructor under the late Grandmaster Angel Cabales.
After retiring with an undefeated record, she spent the last three decades incorporating her knowledge and experience to formulate a highly effective street defense system. Her devotion to martial arts, coupled with two advanced degrees in Education, and Physical Education, has led Casillas to dedicate herself to the promotion of self-defense as a teacher, student, and accomplished writer and journalist.
Casillas has trained in a diversity of martial arts systems and is a certified Close Protection Specialist and graduate of Executive Security International (ESI), an elite school for executive protection specialists, and the Lethal Force Institute (LFI).
When not in training, Casillas, who retired as a tenured counselor, professor and department chair of counseling continues to advise college students as an adjunct at Oxnard College. As department chair of the physical education department, she developed a variety of courses for the department ensuring that students are able to take jujitsu, escrima, boxing, kickboxing, self-defense, and health courses, which transfer to any Cal State University (CSU) or the University of California (UC) for university credit.
Prime Video is currently airing a documentary on her life as a professional fighter: The Lioness Within Documentary and she also has published a women's self-defense book called The Lioness Within.
This is a FREE event that is open to the public. No tickets are necessary. Parking is FREE in Lot “H.”
OC LIVE invites you to join us for “As I Am: An Evening with Stephanie Bast” on Tuesday, February 25th, at 6pm in the beautiful Oxnard College Performing Arts Building.
Join Stephanie Bast and OC Live Director Nicholas C. Pappas for a conversation about acting on Broadway, being adopted, learning to love yourself (no matter what you look like), and turning it all into fuel for writing.
Stephanie Bast was abandoned in Korea, adopted by Italians, and raised in a town so small and white, someone asked: “How are you gonna understand her when she starts speaking?” Fiercely loved and protected, she was taught to fear “the other” while knowing “the other” was herself. She started to write comedy to heal a wound. Now she writes to heal others, creating characters who think they’re not enough, desperate to prove they’re worthy of being saved.
Stephanie lives in Los Angeles and is named one of the Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch in 2025 by ISA, Roadmap’s Diversity Fellow, studied at UCLA extension and placed as a Finalist for Austin Film Festival, Final Draft’s Big Break, CineStory, PAGE and The Writers Lab winner. Awards include: The Writer’s Lab, AFF finalist, Top 10 Big Break, Best Comedy Catalyst Festival, Best Comedy Creative Screenwriting Unique Voices, 2nd place at CineStory.
A Broadway and TV/Film actress in the time when presenting as Asian was a detriment, she has turned the pain of her race into a superpower. Acting credits include: National Tour of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Belle u/s - the first Asian Belle), NINE with Antonia Banderas, Chita Rivera, Jane Krakowski, Mary Stewart Masterson and Laura Benanti (u/s Claudia), SOUTH PACIFIC with Reba McIntyre, Alec Baldwin and Brian Stokes Mitchell (Ensemble), A CHRISTMAS CAROL with Ben Vereen and Terrance Mann (Sally), SYLVIA at the Emelin theatre (Sylvia), and GORILLA MAN by Kyle Jarrow (Mother).
Stephanie writes for everyone who’s adopted.
She writes for everyone who hates looking in the mirror.
She writes for her children, so they may always love their eyes.
Fun Fact: In a pinch, Stephanie can perform a reverse vasectomy.
This is a FREE event that is open to the public. No tickets are necessary. Parking is FREE in Lot “H.”
OC LIVE invites you to join us for Peace of DailyBread with KirVaris Myricks on Tuesday, February 4th, at 6pm in the beautiful Oxnard College Performing Arts Building.
KirVaris Myricks, a former Oxnard College Condor who now plays professional basketball in Canada and coaches at Villanova Prep in Ojai, joins us to talk about his recently self-published book: Peace of DailyBread. The book is an inspiring guide to perseverance, positivity, and success. KirVaris comes back to Oxnard to share his story and motivate current students to pursue their dreams both on and off the court.
This is a FREE event that is open to the public. No tickets are necessary. Parking is FREE in Lot “H.”
OC LIVE invites you to join us for “ORWELLIAN” on Thursday, November 21st at 6pm in the beautiful Oxnard College Performing Arts Building.
In ORWELLIAN, Larry Cedar endeavors to capture the essence of author George Orwell. This one-man adaptation portrays three of Orwell's most memorable characters: the overworked dishwasher navigating a filthy Parisian kitchen (Down & Out in Paris & London), Major, the wise old pig seeking to revolutionize his barnyard comrades (Animal Farm), and finally Winston, the timid party functionary desperate to reclaim his physical, mental, and spiritual freedom within the confines of a dystopian and totalitarian London (1984). ORWELLIAN, directed by Pamela Cedar, examines the essence of human nature, political corruption, and the future of mankind.
This is a FREE event that is open to the public. No tickets are necessary. Parking is FREE in Lot “H.”
OC LIVE is excited about the return of Ballet Nepantla to Oxnard College! They will be bringing us two performances of “Mística” on October 29th & 30th at 6pm in the beautiful Oxnard College Performing Arts Building.
“Mística” honors our ancestors by celebrating the creative and spiritual energies of our indigenous, Afro, and Hispanic roots. It commemorates traditions of Día De Muertos and transports the audience into the afterlife through the use of blacklight and Ballet Nepantla’s unique fusion of ballet folklorico and contemporary dance.
Ballet Nepantla originated from a series of pláticas between founders Andrea Guajardo and Martín Rodríguez, two artists whose early professional identities emerged from distinct genres: Andrea from classical ballet and contemporary dance, and Martin from traditional Mexican folklórico. They envisioned a new form of expression that fused the two modalities, and they envisioned an aesthetic that would speak to the historical, cultural, and social realities of a broader narrative of being Mexican, Mexican American, immigrant, and trans-cultural.
Drawing inspiration from Gloria Anzaldúa’s borderlands theory, Andrea and Martín imagined they could create performances that spoke to the “in-between” qualities of being from both sides of the borderland. They found the idea of Nepantla, a Nahuatl term of the indigenous people of Mexico. Nepantla provides a historical, intellectual, and artistic framework through which to explore the “in-between” spaces of history and culture by exploring new artistic expression that fuses different traditions on stage. Thus, Ballet Nepantla was born in January 2017.
“Being able to connect my border roots with my professional training has been a way to find who I am as a person, and as a Mexican-American.” - Andrea Guajardo
“Ballet Nepantla... puede servir como un ejemplo para animar a que otros niños latinos luchen por alcanzar sus sueños.” - Perla Arrellano
For more information see www.balletnepantla.com
This is a FREE event that is open to the public. No tickets are necessary. Parking is FREE in Lot “H.”
OC LIVE invites you to join us for “Truth, Consequences, and the Election” on Tuesday, September 24th at 6pm in the beautiful Oxnard College Performing Arts Building.
A government is only as good as the citizens participating in it. Unfortunately, most people don’t vote. With knowledge, voting, and advocacy we can reclaim the government for the people, by the people. Join Oxnard College Professor Jim Danza and a panel of guests as they discuss the importance of your participation in government this election year. A voting registration table will be available.
This is a FREE event that is open to the public. No tickets are necessary. Parking is FREE in Lot “H” and ASL services will be provided. Find all of our livestreams and event information on the web at oxnardcollege/oclive.
OC LIVE invites you to join us for “You Are Not Alone: A frank conversation about Addiction, Eating Disorders, Mental Health, and Recovery” with June Arthur on Thursday, September 12th at 6pm in the beautiful Oxnard College Performing Arts Building.
The stress of everyday life can be isolating for many. The result can be a downward spiral that manifests itself in substance abuse, eating disorders, or suicidal ideation. How does one break the cycle? What can we do if a friend or family member is caught in the cycle? How can we find ways to start healing?
Oxnard College wants you to know that you are not alone. Join us for a conversation with June Arthur, a recovery specialist who specializes in mental health, substance use, and eating disorders.
June Arthur is an actor, singer, and mental health professional. She is a graduate of Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts and serves as actor representative on the board of Lab Twenty6, a professional writers development lab. She was previously the program director of an all women’s mental health and sober living home, and currently works as a recovery specialist, offering private in-home support for clients in recovery for mental health, substance use, and eating disorders. She is passionate about analyzing human behavior and exploring the interconnectivity between acting and psychology.
This is a FREE event that is open to the public. No tickets are necessary. Parking is FREE in Lot “H”.
OC LIVE invites you to join us for “Two Latina Authors Talking S*!T” on Tuesday, April 16th at 6pm in the beautiful Oxnard College Performing Arts Building. We are honored to have essayist Myriam Gurba (author of “Creep: Accusations and Confessions”) and poet Crystal AC Salas (author of “Grief Logic”) in conversation as they share passages from their own work while discussing each other’s work. These two contemporary Latinx authors will tackle themes of intersectional Latinx identity, creeping oppression, toxicity, family, what it means to navigate language, and girl/woman/hood. This event will be moderated by W. David Hall, Oxnard College’s own English professor. This is a FREE event that is open to the public and is co-sponsored by BreakBread Literacy Project.
ARTIST BIOS:
Myriam Gurba is a writer and activist. Her first book, the short story collection Dahlia Season, won the Edmund White Award for debut fiction. O, the Oprah Magazine, ranked her true crime memoir Mean as one of the best LGBTQ books of all time. Creep, her most recent book, is a finalist for a National Book Critics’ Circle award in criticism. The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Harper’s Bazaar, Vox, and Paris Review have published her work. She is a co-founder of Dignidad Literaria, a grassroots organization committed to combating racism in the book world. She is active in the anti-rape movement.
Crystal AC Salas is a Xicanx poet, essayist, educator, and community organizer. Her poetry chapbook Grief Logic is co-winner of the inaugural Alta California Prize, from Gunpowder Press. She has work in Omnium Gatherum Quarterly, Alta Journal, Northwest Review, [PANK] Magazine, World Literature Today, Chaparral Poetry, Acentos Review, and others. A founding member of the BreakBread Literacy Project, which elevates the voices of young creatives under 25, she serves as poetry editor for BreakBread Magazine. She holds an M.F.A. from University of California, Riverside and is the recipient of a 2021-2022 California Arts Council Established Individual Artist Fellowship.
W. David Hall is the CEO of BreakBread Literacy Project, a literacy non-profit dedicated to bringing forth the voices of young creatives from all over the world (www.breakbreadproject.org). He teaches English classes at Oxnard College and at a college-prep high school in Los Angeles.
OC LIVE invites you to join us for “The Footage” — a new play and sci-fi thriller by world-renowned playwright Stephen Gregg with a Q&A by the playwright and director, Nicholas C. Pappas, immediately following the performance. Gregg and Pappas will discuss the process of developing a play, making a living as a playwright, and what makes for good theatre. They will also take questions from the audience. This inaugral production by Oxnard College’s Theatre Department will take place at 7:00pm on Thursday, March 28th in the beautiful Oxnard College Performing Arts Building. This particular performance will be a FREE event since it is being brought to you by OC LIVE.
Synopsis of The Footage: Pel 20, the first manned ship ever to go through a Fold in space, has failed to return. Pel 21, the second manned ship ever to go through a Fold in space, has also failed to return. One of the Pel 21 crew manages to get holographic footage to Earth that shows the final days on Pel 21. Those on Earth try, desperately, to figure out what happened as the incomprehensible events unfold on the ship. This Sci-Fi Thriller is sure to leave you unnerved.
This is a FREE event that is open to the public.
OC LIVE invites you to join us for “Truth or Consequences: Misinformation in the Age of Social Media” presented by Oxnard College Science Professor Jim Danza on Tuesday, March 12th at 6pm in the beautiful Oxnard College Performing Arts Building.
The bad news: We live in an age defined by existential threats. The good news: We have the information to solve most of these threats. This should be easy — but it’s not. Everything from misinformation campaigns to the barriers of the human mind prevent resolution. Learn how you can sift through the noise to discover what is real, when to believe, and most importantly, how to take action.
OC LIVE is proud to present “Nacimiento” performed by Ballet Nepantla on Tuesday, February 20th at 6pm in the beautiful Oxnard College Performing Arts Building.
Nacimiento fuses the history of the birth of the mestizaje with the emergence of Christianity and Christmas in the New World. It explores pre-Hispanic rituals and the impact of colonization on the Americas. Nacimiento examines stories of La Malinche, Juan Diego and the Virgen de Guadalupe, and other historical characters whose stories are seminal to the identities of the New World. Act II of Nacimiento demonstrates the festive nature of how Mexican Christmas traditions are celebrated today in Mexico and in North America, through the Posadas: celebratory dances and retelling of the Nativity scene.
Ballet Nepantla originated from a series of pláticas between founders Andrea Guajardo and Martín Rodríguez, two artists whose early professional identities emerged from distinct genres: Andrea from classical ballet and contemporary dance, and Martin from traditional Mexican folklórico. They envisioned a new form of expression that fused the two modalities, and they envisioned an aesthetic that would speak to the historical, cultural, and social realities of a broader narrative of being Mexican, Mexican American, immigrant, and trans-cultural.
Drawing inspiration from Gloria Anzaldúa’s borderlands theory, Andrea and Martín imagined they could create performances that spoke to the “in-between” qualities of being from both sides of the borderland. They found the idea of Nepantla, a Nahuatl term of the indigenous people of Mexico. Nepantla provides a historical, intellectual, and artistic framework through which to explore the “in-between” spaces of history and culture by exploring new artistic expression that fuses different traditions on stage. Thus, Ballet Nepantla was born in January 2017.
“Being able to connect my border roots with my professional training has been a way to find who I am as a person, and as a Mexican-American.” – Andrea Guajardo
“Ballet Nepantla... puede servir como un ejemplo para animar a que otros niños latinos luchen por alcanzar sus sueños.” – Perla Arrellano
For more information, visit: www.balletnepantla.com
OC LIVE invites you to join us for “Who Needs Film School? An evening with Ryan Koo” on Tuesday, February 6th at 6pm in the beautiful Oxnard College Performing Arts Building (PAB) Black Box. Join Ryan Koo and OC Live Director Nicholas C. Pappas for a conversation about the process of Kickstarting a film project, turning a short into a smash hit feature film for Netflix, the landscape of today’s film industry, and attempting to answer the question: Who Needs Film School?
Ryan Koo’s directorial debut AMATEUR is a 2018 Netflix Original Film starring Michael Rainey Jr. and Josh Charles. Vulture called the basketball film “a scrupulously researched defense of player’s rights — that is, the rights of the working class — [which] scores.”
Koo’s screenplay for AMATEUR was selected for the Sundance Screenwriters Lab and received Sundance’s first Asian American Fellowship, as well as additional support from Tribeca, The Gotham, and the Film Society of Lincoln Center. His Kickstarter campaign for AMATEUR was the most successful narrative film in Kickstarter history at the time.
His short version of AMATEUR won multiple film festival awards and was selected as a Vimeo Staff Pick. His web series THE WEST SIDE, Koo won the Webby Award for Best Drama Series and was named one of Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Film.
He is also the founder of the popular filmmaking website No Film School.
As part of the evening, we’ll be watching Ryan’s award winning short, Amateur, and Ryan will be taking questions from the audience.
OC LIVE invites you to join us for a night of laughter with Hollywood’s hottest comedians on Thursday, December 7th at 6pm in the beautiful Oxnard College Performing Arts Building (PAB). You won’t want to miss these nationally touring headliners: Jason Love (America’s Got Talent and HBO), Maronzio Vance (Jamie Foxx’s Laffapalooza, Last Call With Carson Daly, Last Comic Standing), Jen Murphy (Laughs on Fox, Comics Unleashed, “Five Comics to Watch” in OC Weekly), Al Ducharme (F is for Family on Netflix, America’s Got Talent, Overseas for Troops) and DJ Cooch (Showtime, TBS, Carnival Cruise Line, Improv Wall of Fame).
This is a FREE event that is open to the public. ASL services will be provided. No tickets are necessary. Parking is FREE in Lot “H”.
“Here Comes the General!”
Tuesday, October 17th at 5pm - 6:30pm in the Performing Arts Building
OC LIVE and the Los Angeles Army Recruiting Battalion invite you to join us for a special evening with guest speaker Brigadier General Aida T. Borras. This is a FREE event that is opened to everyone on Tuesday, October 17th at 5:00pm in the Oxnard College Performing Arts Building (PAB).
Brigadier General Borras has had an illustrious career in the Army, holding numerous positions including Commanding General at the Military Intelligence Readiness Command in Fort Belvoir, Virginia and is currently serving as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff in the Intelligence Office, G2, in Washington, D.C.
As one of the few Hispanic female generals in the Army, BG Borras will share her unique journey and the valuable lessons she has learned along the way. She will discuss the benefits and opportunities that her service in the Army has afforded her. Following her talk, BG Borras will be available to answer any questions you may have about her experiences.
Parking is FREE in Lot “H” and no tickets are necessary.
Past Events: 2022 - 2023
Vital River: The Virtually Unknown Santa Clara River
April 20 @ 6:00pm
Performing Arts Building
The vitality of agriculture, industry, nature, and your own water supply depends on the Santa Clara River. Learn how Ventura County's unknown river supports nearly everything on the Oxnard Plain and how you can help decide the river’s future…and your own.
After a presentation and discussion with conservation scientists, enjoy refreshments, meet friends, and discover what you can do to help our vital river through community service, action, and careers.
This event is offered in honor of Earth Day and is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Santa Clara River, the Oxnard Monday Club, and the Ventura Group of the Sierra Club.
To learn more about the Friends of the Santa Clara River see www.fscr.org/
This is a FREE event that is open to the public. ASL interpretation is provided. No tickets are necessary. For more information about OC LIVE events, email: oclive@vcccd.edu.
WEspeak Student Voices
April 18 @ 6:00pm
Performing Arts Building
Celebrate the unique voices of our student community. WEspeak is our annual presentation of OC students telling their own stories in their own words - live on stage! Discover what it means to meet life’s challenges, embrace who you are and who you want to be, and find your path forward.
Moving, inspiring, enlightening - these are their stories and our stories. Join us!
This year we are pleased to present Andrea Moreno Lara, Silvia Ponce, Esteban Rosas, and Kat Sanden.
Andrea Moreno Lara: "Aprendiendo y Viviendo"
OC Graduate Andrea Moreno Lara returns to the WEspeak stage for a special guest appearance. Andrea shares her experience at University and life after college, as well as the importance of stopping to celebrate one's accomplishments and enjoy life along the way.
Silvia Ponce "A Mother's Journey of Love"
For Sylvia, waiting for the arrival of her first-born child was an exciting and joyous occasion. She couldn't wait to see the world through her son's eyes, but she soon learned that life had unforeseen plans in store. While Silvia dreamed of teaching her son about the world, it turned out she would also need to teach the world about her son. Silvia will share her journey of being the champion and advocate of her Deaf son, and the pride she feels in being his mom.
Esteban Rosas: "Veteran Me"
Esteban will share his story of fighting to live The American Dream and ultimately finding his way to success through the military. From growing up in a trailer park to proudly serving his country, Esteban's story is an inspiring example of how the choices we make can create our destinies.
Kat Sanden: "Path To My Personal Legend"
Kat will share the personal story of her 30-year battle with Fibromyalgia and how she learned to adapt and overcome the darkness within. Faced with this debilitating illness and other obstacles that disrupted the vision she had for her life, Kat's unique journey and outlook have led her to discover her inner strength and become the best version of herself.
WEspeak can be found online here:
https://www.youtube.com/@ocwespeak2893/videos
This is a FREE event that is open to the public. ASL interpretation is provided. No tickets are necessary. For more information about OC LIVE events, email: oclive@vcccd.edu.
CSUCI Dance and OC LIVE welcome ground-breaking dance company Ballet Nepantla on Thursday, April 13th at 6:00pm in the Oxnard College Performing Arts Building (PAB).
Exploring the strength and resilience of women during Revolutionary Mexico, Valentina showcases Ballet Nepantla’s ground-breaking fusion of contemporary ballet with traditional Mexican folklorico.
Ballet Nepantla originated from a series of pláticas between founders Andrea Guajardo and Martín Rodríguez, two artists whose early professional identities emerged from distinct genres: Andrea from classical ballet and contemporary dance, and Martin from traditional Mexican folklórico. They envisioned a new form of expression that fused the two modalities, and they envisioned an aesthetic that would speak to the historical, cultural, and social realities of a broader narrative of being Mexican, Mexican American, immigrant, and trans-cultural.
“Being able to connect my border roots with my professional training has been a way to find who I am as a person, and as a Mexican-American.”
- Andrea Guajardo
Drawing inspiration from Gloria Anzaldúa’s borderlands theory, Andrea and Martín imagined they could create performances that spoke to the “in-between” qualities of being from both sides of the borderland. They found the idea of Nepantla, a Nahuatl term of the indigenous people of Mexico. Nepantla provides a historical, intellectual, and artistic framework through which to explore the “in-between” spaces of history and culture by exploring new artistic expression that fuses different traditions on stage. Thus, Ballet Nepantla was born in January 2017.
“Ballet Nepantla... puede servir como un ejemplo para animar a que otros niños latinos luchen por alcanzar sus sueños. ”
- Perla Arrellano
For more information see www.balletnepantla.com/
This event is co-sponsored by California State University, Channel Islands.
This is a FREE event that is open to the public. ASL interpretation is provided. No tickets are necessary. Contact OC LIVE at oclive@vcccd.edu.
Hermanos Herrera
March 23 @ 6:00pm
Performing Arts Building
Join us for a night of Música Norteña with award-winning Southern California recording artists Hermanos Herrera on Thursday, March 23rd at 6:00pm in the Oxnard College Performing Arts Building (PAB).
United by blood and through music, Hermanos Herrera is a musical group consisting of five brothers and their younger sister. The group plays various styles of traditional Mexican music such as Son Huasteco, Son Jarocho, and Musica Norteña. They perform with an aggressive and energetic style that is both passionate and exhilarating.
For being ambassadors of the Son Huasteco genre, the group was awarded the most prestigious recognition, “Sol Poniente” Lifetime achievement award in Veracruz, Mexico, in 2009.
Hermanos Herrera have shared their music with a wide audience, performing throughout the U.S. and Mexico. They have performed at world renowned venues, alongside the biggest names in the music industry and have appeared on numerous national and international television programs. They have shared the stage with; Los Tigres del Norte, Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, Linda Ronstadt, Conjunto Primavera, Los Lobos, Intocable, Julieta Venegas, Ozomatli, Jose Feliciano, Montez de Durango, and Banda el Recodo, among countless other artists.
For more information see www.hermanosherrera.com
Can't make it to the PAB on March 23? Join us online by clicking the LIVESTREAM button on this page. Or go here.
This event is made possible by the generous support of the Oxnard College Foundation.
This is a FREE event that is open to the public. ASL interpretation is provided. No tickets are necessary.
Contact at OC LIVE at: oclive@vcccd.edu.
Climate Change: It’s Personal
March 16 @ 6pm
Performing Arts Building
Our changing climate is more than droughts and melting ice – it's something that impacts people’s lives in many surprising ways. In this talk-show style presentation, we hear from climate scientists, environmental activists, and people living the crisis on the ground. Hosted by our very own Prof. Jim Danza, this intimate conversation will open your eyes to the personal impact of our changing climate.
This event features the premiere of Prof. Danza’s new film short, Climate on the Ledge: An Arctic Adventure. We will have a special guest appearance by one of the subjects of the film.
Join us for this enlightening conversation and discover what you can do to help us change course.
Can't make it to the event? Join the livestream by clicking the LIVESTREAM button on the right side of this page. Or click here.
Jim Danza is an Assistant Professor of Geography and Environmental Science at Oxnard College. His travels have taken him to all of North America and 34 countries (so far). He is a certified urban planner under American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and was the head of the Planning Dept. at Naval Base Ventura County. Prof. Danza’s courses include Physical Geography Lecture and Lab, Weather and Climate, and California and World Geography, which all include field trips.
This is a FREE event that is open to the public. ASL interpretation is provided. No tickets are necessary. For more information about OC LIVE events, email: oclive@vcccd.edu.
True Stories of Courage and Survival
March 9, 2023 @ 6pm
Performing Arts Building
Meet two women who defied the odds and fought stereotypes, abuse and bias. Two-time Golden Glove boxing champion and award-winning author Alicia Doyle is joined by Flo Trapani, whose path-breaking law enforcement career is the subject of Doyle’s new book, The Oath. Get inspired by their true stories of courage and survival!
Books available for purchase and signing after the event.
Alicia Doyle is an award-winning journalist who discovered boxing at age twenty-eight in the late 1990s when she went on assignment at a boxing gym for at-risk youth called Kid Gloves. For two years, she simultaneously worked as a newspaper reporter while training and competing as a boxer, making her one of only a few hundred women in America at the time who infiltrated this male-dominated sport. During her boxing career, she won two Golden Gloves championship titles and earned three wins by knockout—and her pro debut at age thirty in the year 2000 was named The California Female Fight of the Year.
Doyle's first book, Fighting Chance, has won three awards since it was published on Valentine’s Day in 2020: 1st Place for Creative Nonfiction in the 2020 North Street Book Prize Winning Writers Competition; 2020 WBAN Awards “Cool Story of the Year”; and “Best of Los Angeles Award” for Best Autobiographical Book of 2021.
In The Oath, Doyle tells the story of Flo Trapani and her rise and fall to justice at the hands of her brothers in blue. At age 26 in the 1980s, Trapani was an officer with the Simi Valley Police Department when few women in America were joining the ranks of law enforcement. Trapani’s job as a cop made headlines, as she was one of only a handful of women on the force comprised mostly of men. But soon after she started the job, she learned she wasn’t welcome in this male-dominated profession. Her fellow officers and superiors conspired to remove her from their ranks—to the extent that she feared her life was in jeopardy—which forced her to take an early retirement. Now, nearly four decades later, Trapani is ready to share this story of deceit, betrayal and heartache—and the acceptance and forgiveness that helped her move on.
“Back then, I couldn’t let it go because it felt like a dirty secret that I was forced to carry for years,” Trapani said. “Today, I no longer feel I have to hold anything inside. What happened to me happened, and there’s nothing I can do to change the past. But I learned many life lessons from this experience that I can hopefully pass on to future generations, including my daughter and grandson—and all the women out there who might feel victimized or betrayed with no way out. I am here to tell you: there is always a way out. Just be true to yourself, and everything will fall into place.”
Find out more about Fighting Chance and The Oath at www.aliciadoyle.com
This is a FREE event that is open to the public. ASL interpretation is provided. No tickets are necessary. For more information about OC LIVE events, email: oclive@vcccd.edu.
Zuzu African Acrobats
February 23, 2023 at 6-7:30pm
Performing Arts Building
OC LIVE invites you to join us for a night of amazing acrobatics and cultural performance on Thursday, February 23rd at 6pm in the beautiful Oxnard College Performing Arts Building (PAB).
Hailing from Tanzania, Zuzu African Acrobats celebrate the 2,000-year-old Bantu culture of East Africa in every performance, with the ancient traditions passed on by elders. Each performance delivers incredible acrobatics, energizing African drumming, singing and dancing, and gravity-defying stunts while simultaneously displaying the grace, beauty and strength of the African culture.
This interactive 90-minute show includes human pyramids, dish spinning, stick balance, contortion, chair balance, unicycling, juggling, hand to hand balance, pole acts, hoop diving, as well as comedy and more. Each acrobat has graduated from the Baba Watoto School for Performing Arts which is internationally renowned for producing the highest quality performers. For more information on the Zuzu African Acroabats, check out their website: https://www.zuzuafricanacrobats.com/
This is a FREE event that is open to the public. Parking is $2.
This event is made possible through the generous support of the Oxnard College Foundation.
“The Latinx Giant” A spoken word presentation with David A. Romero and Matt Sedillo
January 26, 2023 @ 6pm
Performing Arts Building
OC LIVE invites you to join us for a night of Spoken Word on Thursday, January 26th at 6pm in the beautiful Oxnard College Performing Arts Building (PAB). This presentation will include multimedia and performances of spoken word poetry by David A. Romero and Matt Sedillo that address what the demographic shift means for the future of American politics, economics and culture. Please stay after the event to pick up copies of Matt's and David's books and get them signed. This event will kick-off our Spring 2023 OC LIVE season.
This is a FREE event that is open to the public. ASL services will be provided. No tickets are necessary. Parking is free. For more information about OC LIVE events, email: oclive@vcccd.edu.
“Stand-up Comedy Night with Jason Love and an All-Star Cast!”
December 8, 2022 @ 6pm
Performing Arts Building
OC LIVE invites you to join us for a night of belly laughs with Hollywood’s hottest comedians on Thursday, December 8th at 6pm in the beautiful Oxnard College Performing Arts Building (PAB). You won’t want to miss these nationally touring headliners: Jason Love ("America’s Got Talent" and HBO), Sean Grant ("Brownish" and Comedy Central), Stephanie Blum ("NickMom" and "Comics Unleashed"), and Andy Hendrickson ("The Tonight Show" and SiriusXM).
This is a FREE event that is open to the public. ASL services will be provided. No tickets are necessary. Parking is free. For more information about OC LIVE events, email: oclive@vcccd.edu.
“Transgender Resilience and the Path to Equality” with Delia Rawdon
Monday, November 14th, at 6pm
Performing Arts Building
Celebrate Transgender Awareness Week with OC Live and “Transgender Resilience and the Path to Equality” with Delia Rawdon on Monday, November 14th, at 6pm in the Oxnard College Performing Arts Building (PAB). Transgender Resilience and the Path to Equality is a personal and historical exploration of the Transgender Community and the milestones they have reached. Through historical information, storytelling, and comedy we will explore raging riots, the world through Delia’s eyes, and the beauty of the transgender experience. Help celebrate Transgender Awareness Week and join us for a night of education, inspiration, and empowerment.
An Evening with Filipino-American Artist: Eliseo Art Silva
Wednesday, October 26th at 5:30pm
Performing Arts Building (PAB)
OC LIVE invites you to join us in a celebration of Filipino-American Art and Culture on Wednesday, October 26th at 5:30pm in the beautiful Oxnard College Performing Arts Building (PAB). OC LIVE, in collaboration with the McNish Gallery of Art, is thrilled to present “Fiesta Apocalypse,” a solo art lecture and exhibit featuring the work of contemporary Filipino painter, Eliseo Art Silva. Immediately following Mr. Silva’s lecture, there will be a traditional Filipino dance performance by Sonia Armedilla of the Salin Lahi dance troupe. Additionally, we invite you to attend the art exhibit and a reception for the artist (hosted by the Filipino American Council of Ventura County, Inc.) from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Oxnard College McNish Gallery of Art. For more information about this specific event, please email Christine Morla at cmorla@vcccd.edu.
“Flamenco!”
Wednesday, October 5th at 6pm
Oxnard College Performing Arts Building (PAB)
OC Live is on the dance floor with “Flamenco!” music and dance. Join us Wednesday, October 5th at 6pm in the beautiful Oxnard College Performing Arts Building (PAB). Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Flamenco! The passionate strumming of guitars, the thundering rhythms created by dancers' feet striking the stage — this is Flamenco in its pure essence. Bring your flowers, fans and castanets and get ready to yell "Olé!" as Wendy Castellanos-Wolf and the Flamenco805 dancers set the stage on fire with their entrancing movements and heart-wrenching expression.
“Signing Black in America” Film Screening with Discussion to Follow
Wednesday, September 28th, from 6pm - 7:30pm
Oxnard College Performing Arts Building (PAB)
Join OC Live for “Signing Black in America” film screening and discussion to follow with Dr. Joseph Hill on Wednesday, September 28th, from 6pm - 7:30pm in the Oxnard College Performing Arts Building (PAB). Just like spoken languages, sign languages have dialects. Black ASL is the unique dialect of American Sign Language (ASL) that developed within historically segregated African American Deaf communities. Largely unknown to outsiders, Black ASL has become a symbol of solidarity and a vital part of identity within the Black Deaf community. This is a FREE event which includes watching the film and then participating in a discussion and Q&A with Dr. Hill via Zoom.
Sara Rex on “Elevated Communications for a Changing World”
Wednesday, September 14th, at 6pm
Oxnard College Performing Arts Building (PAB)
Mark your calendars and join OC Live as we kick-off this season's events with motivational speaker, consultant and strategist, Sara Rex. Find your voice in this inspirational presentation and workshop on Wednesday, September 14th, at 6pm in the Oxnard College Performing Arts Building (PAB). "Elevated Communications for a Changing World" is a FREE event. You won't want to miss this opportunity to discover core leadership tenets and how to transform and activate your excellence in these challenging times.