FRI., FEB. 23

Laugh With The Bard High Street Arts Center presents "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged," a comedy based on Shakespeare's works, 8 p.m. tonight through March 25, 45 E. High St., Moorpark. Friday and Saturdays 8 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m. $15 adults, $12 seniors, students, $8 children 12 and under. (805) 529-8700.

Rock The Oaks "Rock the Oaks 7," seventh annual concert of local bands for Conejo Valley teens. 7:30 p.m., Scherr Forum Theatre,Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. Bands: Blacklist, Kerascene, Priscilla Eve, Full Switch Coma. $15. (805) 449-ARTS (2787). Ticketmaster (805) 5838700, www.ticketmaster.com.

Dance The Night Away The Simi Valley Council on Aging sponsors dance, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 Avenida Simi. Dance instruction 7 p.m. Music by the Windsors. Door prize drawings, refreshments. $6. All proceeds benefit programs for seniors. (805) 583-6041.

Speaker Series Ventura County Speaker Series with nonprofit U.S. Tour of Duty presents Scott Ritter and Jeff Cohen. 7 p.m., Oak Park Community Center, 1000 Kanan Road. Ritter is author of "Target Iran," "Iraq Confidential" and senior weapons inspector in Iraq. Cohen is author of "Cable News Confidential," MSNBC onair commentator. $10 donation. Books available for purchase, signing. marypallant@sbcglobal.net.

SAT., FEB. 24

Mardi Gras Party Second annual Ventura Mardi Gras Celebration, 1 to 5 p.m., The Greek, Ventura Harbor Village. Live Zydeco music, beads, belly dancers, prizes, king cake, gumbo, buffet, no-host bar. Prizes for best costumes. $25 at door, $10 ages 6 to 12, free under 5. Mardi Gras Century Bike Ride, 7 a.m., The Greek. 25- to 100-mile rides. Buffet breakfast for fee. All proceeds to Ventura County bike trail development, The Arthritis Foundation, Habitat for Humanity New Orleans. (805) 815-5258.

Yucks Aplenty Comedy Sportz improvisation game, G Building, Agoura High School, 28545 Driver Ave. Doors open 6 p.m. JV, Varsity teams play 7 p.m. Pizza, baked goods sold during intermissions. For all ages. $5 general admission, $3 with ASB card. (818) 879-6542.

'Grease' Is The Word Midnight showing of "Grease" with part of proceeds benefitting Oak Park High School Grad Nite, Westlake Twin theaters. $10. Barbara Petrie (818) 706-8923.

See Rare Lichens Lichenologist Kerry Knudsen of UC Riverside gives lecture on lichens of the Santa Monica Mountains, 2 to 4 p.m., National Park Visitors Center, 401 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. Lichens are plants growing on rocks and trees. Knudsen discusses his latest discoveries, displays specimens from local area. (805) 370-2301.

Monte Carlo Night Rotary Club of Simi Sunset presents Monte Carlo Casino Night and Poker Tournament fundraiser for local nonprofits, 6 p.m., Lost Canyons Golf Club, Simi Valley. Blackjack, roulette, craps, gourmet food, dancing to live band, cigar bar, silent and live auctions. $75 for dinner, entertainment. $175 for admission, poker tournament. Black tie optional. Jan Meek (805) 277-0057.

Bet On A Winner St. Maximilian preschool hosts fundraiser, "Casino Royale," 5801 Kanan Road, Westlake. Cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, silent auction 6:30 p.m. Dinner, live auction, gaming, poker tournament 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. $85 includes admission, play dough, raffle ticket, 2 drinks, dinner. Additional raffle tickets $1. (818) 874-1241.

Glass Bead Art The Ventura County Handweavers and Spinners Guild meets 9:30 a.m., 701 S. Del Norte Blvd., Units 115, 120, Oxnard. Slide show on contemporary glass jewelry, including works by bead artists. Free, open to public. Chris Villalovos (805) 527-1915.

'Manchester Sonatas' Ensemble Bella Musica performs "Manchester Sonatas," 7:30 p.m., Samuelson Chapel, California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks. Also, quartet, trio sonatas on program. $18 general admission. $15 seniors, Early Music Society members with ID. Free with CLU ID. (805) 493-3306.

SUN., FEB. 25

Cool Jazz Simi Valley Jazz Club presents Mark Tortorici and the Torchlighters 3 to 4 p.m., Paul's Italian Villa, 2585 Cochran St., Simi Valley. Music, dancing to traditional jazz, songs from the '20s to '50s, 1 to 5 p.m. Jammers may sign up for sets. Members $6, nonmembers $9 at door. Cathy Scotti (805) 341-0856.

Fab Four Follies High Street Theater Foundation opens musical melodrama, "The Beatles Slept Here," The Secret Garden restaurant, 255 E. High St., Moorpark. Through March 30. Benefit gala today, auction, prizes. Fridays, 6:30 p.m. dinner, 7:30 p.m. show. Sundays, noon brunch, 1 p.m. show. $85 opening gala. Regular shows $50 with meal, $15 play only. (805) 529-7580.

Classical Strings The Valley Committee for the Philharmonic presents salon featuring cellist David Garnet of the Philharmonic, accompanied by Junko Ueno Garrett. 2:30 to 5 p.m, 4500 Park Monaco, Calabasas. $30. Wine and cheese reception follows recital. RSVP Emily Priest (818) 222-4422.

Discover Malibu Park Docents lead introductory tour/ walk of Malibu Creek State Park, 10 a.m. to noon. Learn about century-old oaks, Native American, cinematic, geological, historical sites. Meet in lower parking lot. Rain date Sat., March 24. (818) 889-6238.

Road Trip Conejo Valley Audubon Society visits Santa Barbara hotspots. Group leaves Los Posas ParkandRide 7:30 a.m. Trip leader is Oscar Johnson. Rain cancels. Dee Lyon (805) 499-2165.

MON., FEB. 26

4-H Fun Mt. Boney 4-H Club of the Conejo Valley meets 7 to 9 p.m., Thousand Oaks location. Educational program for youth ages 5 to 19. Sample projects offered: rabbits, poultry, hiking, sewing, quilting, gardening, more. Jenean Bass jeneanbass@adelphia.net, Susan Trockey stdesign@adelphia.net.

Rack 'em Thousand Oaks Teen Center hosts Parent/Teen Pool Tournament, 1 to 4 p.m., 1375 E. Janss Road. Low competition billiard. Winners get trophy. $20/team, includes barbecue tri-tip lunch. Register at www.thousandoaksteencenter.com.

WED., FEB. 28

Play Guitar Ventura County Classical Guitar Society meets 7 p.m., Recreation & Park Senior Center, 1605 Burnley, Camarillo. Bring guitar, share music. Free, public welcome. (805) 482-6224, www.vccgs.com.

Veggie Tales Conejo Valley Garden Club meets 9:30 a.m., United Methodist Church of Thousand Oaks, 1000 E. Janss Road. Stan Hakes discusses composting. Darcy Lober gives tips on vegetable gardening. Brenda (805) 497-2949.

Republicans Network Ventura County Republican Party hosts mixer, 7 p.m., Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley. Special guest speaker, raffle, hors d'oeuvres. $20. RSVP by Feb. 23. Natalie Panossian (805) 217-2465.

Moms Make Friends MOMS Club of Westlake (Moms Offering Moms Support) hosts playgroup for new moms,10 a.m. to noon, Morrison Park. RSVP (818) 974-3319.

THURS., MARCH 1

Supervisor Speaks Camarillo Women's Club meets 11 a.m., Sterling Hills Golf Club, Camrillo. Ventura County Supervisor Kathy Long speaks about local affairs. Irish Dancers perform. RSVP (805) 488-3478.

Swing Your Partner Senior Valley Happy Squares hosts square dance workshop/dance, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. every Thursday, Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 Avenida Simi. Wood floor, light refreshments. All dancers welcome. $5 donation. (805) 526-9638.

Woodcraft Conejo Valley Woodworkers Association meets 7 p.m., Redwood Middle School, 233 W. Gainsborough Road, Thousand Oaks. A Cut Above representatives discuss their line of abrasives, sand papers, grinding wheels, tools, cutters. Visitors welcome. (805) 4922968, www.cvwa.org.

Women's History Month Democratic Club of Camarillo meets 7 p.m. UFCW Hall, 816 Camarillo Springs Road. Dr. Nancy Snow, Cal State Fullerton professor, gives talk in celebration of Women's History Month, "If Karen Hughes Can Speak For America, So Can I." Snow takes questions on her latest book, "The Arrogance of American Power: What U.S. Leaders Are Doing Wrong and Why It's Our Duty to Dissent." Public invited. Joan or Bob Rust, (805) 484-6601.

FRI., MARCH 2

Conejo Newscomers Conejo Valley Newcomers Club hosts open coffee, 10 to 11 a.m., Corner Bakery Restaurant, 111 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village. For new, long-term residents of Conejo Valley, Camarillo, Moorpark, Simi Valley. (805) 677-2628.

SAT., MARCH 3

Gem Show Ventura Gem & Mineral Society presents 45th annual Gem, Mineral, Lapidary and Fossil Show, today and tomorrow, Ventura County Fairgrounds, Ventura. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m today; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Free. 50 displays of gems, minerals, fossils. Handcrafted jewelry. Demos of stone cutting, polishing, silversmithing. Raffle prizes, flea market, plant sale, 15 dealers. Children's activities. Fundraiser for society's educational programs. Jim Brace-Thompson (805) 659-3577.

Spring Boutique Fourth-grade Sacramento Trip Booster Club hosts Spring Boutique, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., multipurpose room, Sycamore Canyon School, 4601 Via Rio, Newbury Park. Designer tees and eyewear, home accents, jewelry, spa products, gourmet food, rubber stamping, candles, stationery, more. Raffle items. Nancy Stephens (805) 499-3404.

Royal Flush Boys & Girls Club of Simi Valley hosts Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament at the clubhouse, 2850 Lemon Drive. Poker instruction 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Registration 4 p.m. Tournament 5 p.m. Prizes to top 18 winners. $150 tax deductible donation per player. $50 registration fee observer only. Includes barbecue dinner, two drinks, raffle entry. All proceeds benefit the club. (805) 527-4437, www.bgcsimi.com, bgcsandee@bgcsimi.com,

Stand Up And Speak Toastmasters Clubs/Sagacious Speakers hosts Newcomer's Day. 8:30 to 10 a.m., The Water Court, Westlake Church of Religious Science Building, 880 Hampshire Road, Ste. V, Westlake Village. Guests welcome. Free. Meets every Saturday. Improve verbal, nonverbal communication skills; develop leadership skills. Gloria Schexnayder (805) 241-1115.

General Is Guest Conejo Valley Republican Women Federated meets noon for luncheon, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley. Speaker: Brig. Gen. John Nicholson (ret), secretary of American Battle Monuments Commission. Public invited. $30. RSVP Sylvia Musgrove (805) 495-6418, Bev Donley (805) 495-3409.

SUN., MARCH 4

Orchard Stroll Ed Hager leads walk through orchard, rare fruit garden. 2 p.m. Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, 350 W. Gainsborough Road, Thousand Oaks. Meet at entrance. Wear sturdy shoes, bring bottled water. Free. Rain cancels. (805) 494-7630.

MON., MARCH 5

Hooked On Birds Conejo Valley Audubon Society hosts John Kaminski, 7:30 p.m., Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, 439 Calle San Pablo, Camarillo. Topic: "Hooked on Galapagos Birds." (805) 987-2721, www.ConejoValleyAudubon.org.