Events & Activities
Fifty and Better schedules activities year-round, both in-person and virtually, including tours of local museums and galleries, gatherings at events, and more. Continue scrolling to see our current schedule of activities you can join.
Introduction to Tai Chi and Qigong & Beginning Tai Chi Classes with Jim Belsley
Spring Level 1: Tai Chi & Qigong Class: Fridays, April 12, 19, 26, May 3, 17, & 24 (no classes on May 10) at 10-11am in Thousand Oaks
Registration for this class is closed.
Level 1: Tai Chi and Qigong: Tai Chi and Qigong are two forms of exercise recommended by the Harvard Medical School. In this introductory course we’ll use gentle, flowing movements to develop balance, flexibility and strength while learning techniques to release stress and cultivate more energy. Develop and embody mindfulness using posture, movement and breathing techniques from these beautiful arts. No experience necessary.
Cost for the Spring six-week class is $48. Spaces are limited. Classes will take place in-person at Cal Lutheran's Thousand Oaks Campus. Liability waiver must be signed in advance (details will be sent out after registration).
Spring Level 2: Tai Chi Class: Fridays, April 12, 19, 26, May 3, 17, & 24 (no classes on May 10) at 11am-12pm in Thousand Oaks
Registration for this class is closed.
Level 2: Tai Chi: In this level 2 class, we'll learn basic Tai Chi movements, steps and stances and then put them into a Tai Chi short form to develop balance and coordination. With practice of Tai Chi principles, you can increase your strength, flexibility, and mental focus. Supplemental Qigong exercises will also be taught. It is recommended that those new to Tai Chi take the "Level 1: Tai Chi & Qigong" class prior to attending the "Level 2: Tai Chi" class, or take both classes at the same time.
The Spring class will be six weeks and is cumulative, building upon the skills learned the previous week in each class. Cost for the Spring six-week class is $48. Both classes can be bundled for $90. Spaces are limited. Classes will take place in-person at Cal Lutheran's Thousand Oaks Campus. Liability waiver must be signed in advance (details will be sent out after registration).
For those taking either of these Tai Chi classes, we will celebrate our time together with a free lunch at the conclusions of the classes on May 24.
Bio: Jim Belsley has practiced various forms of martial arts, yoga and meditation throughout his life. Watching his father being treated for Parkinson’s disease inspired him to delve more deeply into the healing art practices of Tai Chi, Qigong, Yoga and Mindfulness meditation. Jim has completed a 500 hour Advanced Holden Qigong Teacher Training Certification with Lee Holden, a Tai Chi Certification with Dr. Lam and an Evidence-Based Qigong (EBQ) Certification with Dr. Yang Yang. He has been teaching public classes since 2014 including at senior centers and assisted living facilities. Website: www.JBHealingArts.com
Tour of the Camarillo Ranch House
Friday, April 19, 1-2pm, Camarillo Ranch House
Registration for this event has closed.
The Camarillo Ranch House is a restored Queen Anne Victorian home built in 1892 by Adolfo Camarillo. A visit to the Ranch gives guests a taste of ranch life in the early 20th century. During docent-led tours of the 2 story, 15 room house, visitors will learn how the 10,000 acre ranch developed into the City of Camarillo.
Students are asked to wear rubber-soled shoes in order to protect the floors. Cost is $8 per person. Space is limited. Students must find their own transportation to the activity location. Liability waivers must be signed in advance (details will be sent out after registration).
Workshop with David Gonzalez and TOArts
Monday, April 29, 1-3pm, Cal Lutheran's Thousand Oaks Campus
TOArts presents David Gonzalez, Ph.D., a nationally acclaimed storyteller, poet, musician, and arts activist. Join David as he shares stories from his career as a touring artist and his work supporting communities nationwide through arts engagement. This workshop will feature poetry, storytelling, music, rich conversation, and a short creative writing workshop. Space is limited.
David Gonzalez culminates his time with the Thousand Oaks community with "Cuentos: La Voz de la Comunidad/Community Voices," an evening of community stories, music, and poetry. Featuring gems from David’s repertoire along with original writing produced through week-long writing workshops, "Cuentos" celebrates creativity, resilience, and culture. Join us for a spectacular evening of world-class performance and community voices. This performance will take place on Thursday, May 2 at 7pm in the Scherr Forum Theatre at the Civic Arts Plaza. This performance is free for all to attend. To get your free tickets, go to https://bapacthousandoaks.com/show-details/david-gonzalez-city-of-dreams
Bio:
David Gonzalez, D.A. (Doctor of Arts), is a poet, storyteller, playwright, musician, arts advocate, and public speaker. He was a cultural ambassador for the US State Department, is a Fellow of the Joseph Campbell Foundation, was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for "Unique Theatrical Experience" and is the recipient of the International Performing Arts for Youth "Lifetime Achievement Award for Sustained Excellence". David has created numerous productions, including the critically acclaimed ¡Sofrito! with The Latin Legends Band, and MytholoJazz, both of which enjoyed sold-out runs at Broadway’s New Victory Theater.
Tour of the Museum of Ventura County & Albinger Archaeological Museum
Wednesday, May 8, 10am-1pm, Ventura
The Museum of Ventura County, through its collections, exhibits, educational programs and publications, celebrates the history, art, and culture of Ventura County and the Channel Islands. The Albinger Archaeological Museum displays artifacts spanning 3,500 years of Ventura history encompassing 5 different cultures (Chumash, Spanish, Mexican, Chinese, and circa 1850 U.S.) from a single archaeological site.
Join us on a special day at both museums taking docent-led tours, along with enjoying coffee, donuts, and a historical movie in the pavilion. Cost to attend is $15. Space is limited. Students must find their own transportation to the activity location. Liability waivers must be signed in advance (details will be sent out after registration).
Simi Valley Wellness Expo - "For the Health of It" | Presented by the Simi Valley Council on Aging
Wednesday, May 15, 8am-12pm, Simi Valley Senior Center
Join Fifty and Better and other local sponsors for the annual Wellness Expo event to get resources to help stay as happy and healthy as possible. Fifty and Better will be tabling at this event - stop by and say hello!
For details, click HERE to view the event flyer.
For more details, view their Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/7086309321478451/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7Dhttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/senior-congress-xx-live-longer-stronger-better-tickets-793562094587?aff=oddtdtcreator
Note: this event is not run by Fifty and Better. If you have any questions, you can emailrmartin@simivalley.org.
Past Events & Activities
Tour of Cal Lutheran's SEEd Project Garden - Thursday, April 11, 2024
Tour of the Getty Villa with Scott Jones & Christine Maasdam - Monday, March 25, 2024
Senior Congress - Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Introduction to Tai Chi and Qigong - Fridays, March 8, 15, & 22, 2024
Tour of the Santa Paula Art Museum - Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Private Tour of the Print+ Exhibit with Curator, Sheila Goloborotko, & Reception - Thursday, February 8, 2024
Introduction to Tai Chi and Qigong - Fridays, January 19, 26, February 2, 9, & 16, 2024
Conejo Senior Volunteer Program Wellness Fest - Wednesday, January 17, 2024
FAB Night at "Love's Pure Light" Christmas Concert - Saturday, December 2, 2023
Introduction to Tai Chi and Qigong - Fridays, October 20, 27, November 3, December 1, 8, & 15, 2023
Tour of the Queen Mary with the Ship's Commodore - Sunday, October 15, 2023
50 Plus Expo in Camarillo - Saturday, September 23, 2023
FAB Nights at the Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival - Sundays, July 9 & 30, 2023
Auschwitz Exhibit Tour at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library - Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Leisure Village Health Fair - Friday, June 16, 2023
Roman Gardens Tour at the Getty Villa with Scott Jones - Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Senior Congress - Wednesday, March 29, 2023