Poetry, song of the West celebrated at musical event

Conejo Players Theatre, Inc. will present its eighth annual Cowboy Poetry and Western Music event on Fri. and Sat., May 12 and 13 at 351 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks.

Each night, a pre-show performance will be staged from 7 to 7:45 p.m., with the main show at 8 p.m. and a "backstage" reception at 10:30 p.m.

Tickets are $25 each night or $40 for a special two-day package. For reservations, call (805) 495-3715.

In the shows, the ranching heritage of the Conejo Valley will be celebrated in song, story and verse. Master of ceremonies is Gary Robertson. Each night's show is different.

The Friday night lineup includes Dave Stamey, Nancy Lee, Roger Maxwell, J.D. Seibert and Gary Allegretto. Saturday's bill includes Sourdough Slim, Mark Birdsall, Richard Elloyan, Daryl Knight and the Kahuna Cowboys.

At 2 p.m. Sat., May 13 a family matinee will be presented. Cost is $8 and reservations are required.

From 1 to 1:45 p.m. a free community show will feature a blacksmith working his steel over hot coals, a traditional teepee where Indian legends are relayed, and a porch-side sing-along of traditional cowboy songs.

In the ticketed show from 2 to 3:15 p.m., Sourdough Slim will provide comedy and yodeling antics while Gary Allegretto gives audience members a harmonica lesson, and all will receive a harmonica of their own to take home and practice cowboy tunes on.