SAT., DEC. 31

New Year’s Eve Gala Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 E. Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley: New Year’s Eve gala begins with dinner by May’s Kitchen at 6:30 p.m., followed by the musical “Cabaret,” then desserts and a New Year’s Eve party with a champagne toast at midnight. Various packages range in price from $30 to $75. (805) 583-7900

Big Bad Voodoo Fun Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, a rollicking big band that puts the spin on swing, will perform at 7 and 10:30 p.m. at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., in downtown Los Angeles. Ring in the New Year with their jivin’ and jumpin’ sounds. (323) 850-2000 for ticket pricing

Celebrate with Beatles The Madrid Theatre, 21622 Sherman Way, Canoga Park presents “Ticket to Ride featuring music of the Beatles” from 9 p.m. to midnight. Geared for the whole family, the show re-creates the Beatles’ history from Liverpool to Abbey Road with a psychedelic detour through the 1960s. Ticket price includes party favors, champagne and desserts. $40 to $47.50. (818) 347-9938

MON., JAN. 2

Birds of Ecuador Conejo Valley Audubon Society meets 7:30 p.m. at Western Foundation for Vertebrate Zoology, 439 Calle San Pablo, Camarillo to hear from Roy Poucher discussing the colorful birds living in various geographic areas of Ecuador. He has led bird field study groups in the U.S. and South America. (805) 987-2721

TUES., JAN. 3

About Spring Planting Westlake Village Garden Club will hear from guest speaker Doug Balfor, manager of Armstrong Nursery, on spring planting, with a plant demonstration, during 9:30 a.m. meeting at Westlake Village City Hall, 31200 Oak Crest Drive. Guests are welcome to attend free. (805) 496-9509

Equine Artist Is Guest Fred Stone, renowned painter of horses, will be guest artist giving a demonstration during the Westlake Village Art Guild meeting at Los Robles Banquet Center, 299 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m., art demonstration at 7:30 p.m. Demonstration only is $7 to $10; dinner and same is $25 to $28. (805) 379-5655

Learn Fishing Lore Rick Graham, owner of Anglers Den in Camarillo, will discuss “White Sea Bass Fishing in the Channel Islands” at the Ventura Sportfishing Club’s meeting that begins with fellowship at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner, at Dupar’s Restaurant, Thousand Oaks. The public is welcome. (805) 987-6521

THURS., JAN. 5

Woodworkers’ Advice Conejo Valley Woodworkers’ Association meets 7 p.m. at Redwood Middle School, 233 W. Gainsborough Road, Thousand Oaks. Paul Brockway and Stephen CasePall will demonstrate how to turn an old, beat-up plane into a finely tuned tool. Visitors welcome. (805) 492-2968

RSVP Due Reservations are due by today for the 10 a.m. luncheon meeting on Tues., Jan. 10 of the Westlake Women’s Club at the Westlake Village Inn, 31943 Agoura Road. Guest speaker Jacqueline Berger will discuss the interesting little-known histories of First Ladies of the White House. $23. (818) 865-1399

FRI., JAN. 6

‘The Gin Game’ Elite Theatre Company will present “The Gin Game” tonight through Feb. 12 at the Petit Playhouse, 730 S. “B” St., in Oxnard’s Heritage Square. Shows are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. $15 to $17. (805) 483-5118

SAT., JAN. 7

Dance Club Dates Thousand Oaks Dance Club hosts dances at Goebel Senior Adult Ballroom Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. tonight and Sat., Jan. 21, with music by the Starlighters and Good Vibrations respectively. $5 to $7. (805) 381-2744

Strauss Ranch Stroll Explore Peter Strauss Ranch, 30000 Mulholland Hwy. at Troutdale Drive, Agoura, with a docent from 9 to 11 a.m. and learn the park’s history while viewing ferns and early winter wildflowers on an easypaced stroll. Free. (805) 3702301

Square Dancers Pi-R Squares Dance Club: Plus level square dance begins with rounds at at 7 p.m. at Borchard Community Center, 190 N. Reino Road, Newbury Park. $6. (805) 492-1442

‘Year of Dog’ in Art An exhibition of paintings in celebration of the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Dog, will be presented through Feb. 28 by the Chinese Brush Painting & Calligraphy Association at Graphaids, 30135A Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Today the public is invited to attend an opening reception from 2 to 5 p.m. (805) 4931939

SUN., JAN. 8

Jump Start Genealogy For those wondering how to begin research into their family tree, the Jewish Genealogical Society of the Conejo Valley and Ventura County will present “How to Begin Your Genealogy Research” from 2 to 4 p.m. at Temple Adat Elohim, 2420 E. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. Free. (818) 889-6616 Jan

MON., JAN. 9

Special Ed Subjects The Oak Park Special Education Advisory Committee presents “Supporting Your Child with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder” at 6:30 p.m. in the Oak Park Library lecture room. Teacher Rise Tyloch (MPUSD) will be the presenter. All ages of AD/HD will be addressed. (818) 522-5211 Leigh Haikin

TUES., JAN. 10

Inspiring Youth to Read Author Jim Trelease will discuss “Growing a Reader: Sowing the Seeds for Reading Success” from 7 to 9 p.m. at Ascension Lutheran Church, 1600 E. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, as part of the Conejo Valley Adult School’s Parent Talk Lecture Series. $15 to $20. (805) 492-8837

Social Is for Seniors The city of Agoura Hills Department of Community Services Senior Recreation Program hosts its annual “Registration Social” for adults ages 50 and above to learn about opportunities to register for classes, excursions, lectures and more, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Agoura Hills Recreation Center, 30610 Thousand Oaks Blvd. Light refreshments, door prize drawing. Free. (818) 597-7361

Reserve for AHS Play Reservations must be received by today for the Agoura High School Drama Club and Theater Arts Boosters presentation of their annual murder-mystery dinner on Fri. and Sat., Jan. 13 and 14. The show, “Fashionably Dead,” takes place at a fashion show. Audience participates, has a chance at prizes. Includes a dinner, and after the Saturday show there’ll be a live auction of original costumes worn on runway. $12 for Friday (student night) and $20 Saturday (adult night). Doors open at 6 p.m. Reservations info: (818) 706-1972

Women’s Connection The Thousand Oaks Women’s Connection meets from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Palm Garden Hotel, 495 Ventu Park Road, Newbury Park. Featured today is “Purses on Parade Fashion Show,” guest speaker Luanne Hunt and musical guest Angela Delaire. $20 includes lunch. (805) 497-2949

Native Iris for Gardens California Native Plant Society hosts a lecture on “Native Irises for Your Garden” from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Sepulveda Garden Center, 16633 Magnolia Blvd., Encino. Bob Sussman, owner of the Matilija Nursery in Moorpark, will give a presentation. Free. (818) 881-3706

WED., JAN. 11

Expert on Kids Is Guest Parenting columnist Sandy McDaniel, who has four decades of child development experience, will be guest speaker and discuss “How to Get Out of the Spin Cycle” and provide parenting tools when the Conejo Valley Mothers of Multiples meets at 7 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club, 1980 E. Avenida de Las Flores, Thousand Oaks. (805) 520-3884

Discover Australia World traveler Irma Kackert will present a lecture and slide show on “Australia” at 12:30 p.m. at Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. (805) 3812744

THURS., JAN. 12

Benny Goodman “Sing! Sing! Sing!” is a tribute to Benny Goodman, starring clarinet virtuoso Ken Peplowski at 8 p.m. in Smothers Theatre, on the Pepperdine University campus at 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu. $35. (310) 506-4522

Moms Hear from Doc A pediatrician will discuss discipline during the Conejo Valley Chapter of Mothers and More meeting from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Westlake Village Civic Center, 31200 E. Oak Crest Drive, Westlake Village. RSVP (818) 880-8211

Chamber Breakfast Calabasas Chamber of Commerce hosts a Chamber breakfast at 7:15 SAT., JAN. 7

Bike Rodeo City of Agoura Hills Department of Community Services hosts annual Bike Rodeo for youth ages 6 to 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in playground

area of Willow El

ementary School,

Agoura Hills. Learn

about bike maintenance, safety tips, proper helmet fit. (818)

597-7361 a.m. at Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center, 23400 Park Sorrento. Topic will be “Best-Kept Secrets for Networking.” $12 to $15. RSVP: (818) 222-5680

SAT., JAN. 14

Art Show Reception Arts Council of the Conejo Valley presents “Open to Interpretation: Abstractionism,” an art show featuring local artists at Hillcrest Center for the Arts Galleria, 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, today through March 26. A reception is today from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Art show viewing is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Free. (805) 381-2747

SUN., JAN. 15

Child Safety John Roberts Power Academy, 30495 Canwood St., Ste. 101, Agoura Hills hosts Operation Childsafe from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and tomorrow, Mon., Jan. 16 offering free digital fingerprint and photo. (818) 735-8620

WED., JAN. 18

Importance of Bees Beekeeper and landscape architect Frances Knight will discuss the role native bees play in her talk “The ‘Buzz’ About Wild Bees” from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. at Soka University, 26800 W. Mulholland Hwy., Calabasas. Free with reservations: (818) 878-3741

Business Women

Meet Business & Professional Women’s Club of Conejo Valley meets 7 p.m. in Bella Terraza Coffee Shop at Hyatt Westlake Plaza, 880 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village. Speaker Cindy Keitel, MBA, will discuss “Simple things you can do to improve the health of you and your family. Men and women welcome to attend. (805) 526-5587

Library Series for Tots City of Calabasas Library, 23975 Park Sorrento St., Calabasas hosts special events for children in grades K-5 at 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Feb. 8. Today, Creative Playground will use interactive story and song to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King. On Jan. 25, Abbit the Average will perform a variety show with comedy and magic. Free. (818) 225-7616

FRI., JAN. 20

Astronomy Pioneer “Living legend in amateur astronomy” John Dobson will discuss optics, cosmology, the Big Bang theory and the foibles of modern astronomy as the special guest of the Ventura County Astronomical Society when they meet at 7:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room of the Rancho Santa Susana Community Park, 5005 E. Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. (805) 520-9666

Newcomers’ Coffee Agoura Newcomers Club will host a get-acquainted coffee at 10 a.m. They are a social organization geared towards helping those new to the area meet people and get acquainted with the neighborhood. Call for location: (818) 8897338

SAT., JAN. 21

Explore Famed Park National Park Service Visitor Center, 401 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks: At 2 p.m. interpretive park ranger John Lockhart presents a lecture on how to enjoy your visit to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. Free. (805) 370-2301

Preschool Fair MOMS Club of Newbury Park and The Oaks Shopping Center sponsor fourth annual Preschool Fair at The Oaks from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in The Cheesecake Factory parking lot. Children’s entertainment, parent information, guest speakers. Free. (805) 480-0716 Vanessa

Elvis Tribute Moorpark resident and famed Elvis impersonator Raymond Michael, an alumnus of CLU, will perform his “Tribute to the King of Rock ’n’ Roll” at 8 p.m. in the Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., joined by a 24-piece orchestra and backup singers. Proceeds benefit CLU performing arts programs. $10 to $35. (805) 449-2787

Rose Pruning Taught The Ventura County Rose Society hosts Jeri Jennings, Jim Delahanty and Ingrid Wapelhorst, all consulting rosarians, in demonstrations of how to prune “old garden roses” on site at the Heritage Rose Garden of the Stagecoach Inn Museum, 51 S. Ventu Park Road, Newbury Park. (805) 498-0861