Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 8/1 – 8/14

Posted on August 4, 2018 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

The Ventura County Fair is finally here!! And unlike so many other fairs around the country, the grandstand stage concerts are included in the price of admission, which you have to admit is very cool. While opening day is Wednesday, August 1, the grandstand stage concerts don’t start until Thursday, August 2 with UB40 featuring Ali, Astro & Mickey; then it’s Plain White T’s on Friday, August 3; LeAnn Rimes on Saturday, August 4; the first Sunday is Dia de la Familia starting at 3 pm with Alfredo Olivas, Ulices Chaidez and Lorenzo de Monteclaro; Sublime with Rome play Monday, August 6; two shows on Tuesday, August 7, first it’s The 5th Dimension at 1 pm, then Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons at 7:30; Boyz II Men play Wednesday, August 8; it’s Hunter Hayes on Thursday, August 9; and wrapping up the concerts on Friday, August 10, it’s Creedence Clearwater Revisited. The final two days of the fair will be a professional cowboy rodeo in the arena.

Don’t forget along with the Grandstand stage touring artists, rock out to local bands playing the Sea Breeze stage including Aaron Pax Taylor, The Rockin’ Henrys, Hard Six, Doc Rodgers Band and more. There are specials prices on several days so be sure to check out the fair’s official website (www.VenturaCountyFair.org) to map out which days you want to attend and whether you need to arrive before a certain time or not.

Meanwhile, the 38th annual Wings Over Camarillo Air and Car Festival not only features hot rides (ground and airborne), but this year will include a performance by the ultimate 80’s cover band, The Spazmatics on Saturday, August 18th. This family friendly event runs over the course of the weekend with the airshow noon to 7, the concert is scheduled 5-7 pm, and the gates open at 9 am. Find ticket information at www.WingsOverCamarillo.com.

Quick notes: Beach House Fish and Beach House Tacos are back to offering live music on most Fridays and Saturdays; enjoy an evening of Beatles covers with Doc Ventura and Earth Immigrant on Thursday, August 2 at Vintura at the Wine Rack; The Vonettes and The Right Amount of Wrong play an early show at Bombay’s on Saturday, August 4; a couple worthy tribute bands play Discovery, Blink 180True on Saturday, August 4 and Erotic City (Prince) on Saturday August 11; Kelly’s Lot returns to Four Brix on Friday, August 3; Grant Langston & the Supermodels are rescheduled at the Hong Kong Inn on Friday, August 10; Rainbow Kitten Surprise rock the Ventura Theater on Friday, August 10; Crooked Eye Tommy joins forces with Charles Law for an afternoon gig at Winchester’s on Sunday, August 12; and finally, congratulations to Charleen Morla of Dirty Rice for tying the knot last month!

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com, and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 7/18-7/31

Posted on July 18, 2018 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

So far this summer the weather’s been great and the music hot, once again reminding me, Ventura Rocks! Top of my “hits list” of course was this year’s Surf Rodeo. Our cowboy hats off to the one and only JD Drury for pulling off another successful event, especially when one of the headlining bands, The Untouchables had to pull out at the last moment, and JD saved the day with Bow Wow Wow!

Now we’re looking at Tequila and Tacos music festival where tequila is the starring attraction while enjoying music from DAX, Adelaide, Patron Latin Rhythms and Mariachi Reyes. This one will be held at Plaza Park (corner of Santa Clara and Chestnut) downtown Ventura over the weekend of July 21st and 22nd.

The Ventura Music Festival continues into its second and final week with Jarabe Mexicano performing a free concert at Mission Park on Wednesday, July 18, at 5 pm; you’ll want to bring blankets and chairs for this one. Then two performances will be hosted at the Ventura Performing Arts Center at Ventura College; first it’s Akropolis on Friday, July 20, and then Perla Batalla’s “Frida Kahlo Song Cycle” on Saturday, July 21. Oh! Just added, “All that Jazz” at Namba Performing Arts Space (Oak Street, Downtown) on Thursday, July 19th with seasoned pros, CODA opening with a set and to be joined by the 2018 Student Jazz Competition winners, Matthew Kuperberg, Henry Urschel and Finn Dunham. This one is free, but donations appreciated.

As a reminder, you’ll want to check in with the City of Ventura before venturing over for Music Under the Stars this year hoping to buy tickets at the door. This event gets more popular every year and as a result more and more shows are selling out such as Blue Breeze on Saturday, July 21st, but at press time, the 28th show with Bleeding Harp had not.

Beach House Tacos on the Ventura pier is offering live music on Saturdays outside with Kyle Smith on the 21st and Jason Ho on the 28th; they’ll also have live music indoors from time to time, so far they have a jazz trio, The Dynasties, on Friday, July 20th.

Discovery has a couple of interesting tribute bands lined up including Twisted Gypsy, a tribute to Fleetwood Mac, on Friday, July 20th; Hotel California, all about The Eagles, on Friday, July 27th and it’s Blink-180 True on Saturday, August 4th a tribute to, yeah you guessed it, Blink-182.

And finally, a big congratulations go out to the Ventura Theater as they celebrate their 90th anniversary on Saturday, July 28th, with a concert featuring Robot Nature, Plan Your Escape, The Inside Break, Herbal Rootz and The Velveteen Band.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 7/4-7/17

Posted on July 4, 2018 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

There’s no denying it’s Summer what with the Fourth of July at hand and Surf Rodeo just around the corner, and what better to celebrate than with live music? The City’s 4th of July Downtown Street Fair, which runs 10 am – 5 pm, will not only have tons of vendors, and food, but there will be plenty of live music from The Mighty Cash Cats, Raised on Vinyl and 805 Rhythm. To avoid looking for parking, why not ride your bike? The City is providing a free bike valet on California near Main Street.

Along with their Saturday and Sunday afternoon music lineup, Topa Mountain Winery will host a fundraiser for Safety Harbor Kids on Friday, July 6 featuring Paul Barrere, Fred Tackette and friends of Little Feat; Shaky Feelin’ will open.

The Ventura Music Festival runs July 12th through the 22 at a handful of venues throughout the City. Just a couple highlights include the John Jorgenson Quintet at Olivas Adobe on Thursday, July 12; double Latin Grammy winner, Diego Garcia at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center on Friday, July 13; there will be a free concert with Jarabe Mexicano on Wednesday, July 18 at Mission Park. For the complete line up and ticket information, go to www.VenturaMusicFestival.org.

Dust off the cowboy hat and get your sunscreen ready for this year’s Surf Rodeo over the weekend of July 14th and 15th at Pierpont Beach at Seaward. There’s plenty to do between the vendors along Seaward, the surf competition, bikini cowgirl contest and the Cornhole tournament, but of course my favorite reason for going would be all the great music. Along with a bunch of amazing local bands, JD Drury is bringing Fishbone, the Long Beach Dub Allstars, Shwayze, and the Untouchables to town. Confidence is high this one will be for the books!

Quick notes: The Garage is kicking it up a notch with Hard Six and Stock Shot on Friday, July 6, it’s a full line up starting at 5 pm on Saturday, July 7 with Char-Man, Slow Season, Sweet Reaper, Glam Skanks, The Pullmen and The Birth Defects, and then the following week on Friday the 13th it’s Negative Approach, Stalag 13, Take Offense and Skullcrack; Shawn Jones returns from his most recent European tour with a show at Grapes and Hops on Saturday, July 7, and again on Saturday, July 14, at The Star Lounge; on Saturday, July 7, Art City Gallery and Studios is hosting a Summer Jam with Herbal Rootz, Bomba Fiya, Crying 4 Kafka and more, they’re asking for a $10 donation at the door; the Second Sunday Supper at Plan B Winery will feature reggae with Soltree on Sunday, July 8; and finally, it’s “Latin meets Jazz” with Justo Almario, internationally renowned jazz saxman at the Hong Kong Inn on Tuesday, July 10.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 6/20 – 7/3

Posted on June 19, 2018 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

It’s hard to believe this will be the final full cross-country Vans WARPED Tour before they celebrate their 25th anniversary in 2019, this according to the founder of the festival, Kevin Lyman. There are no final details on what next year will bring, but scaled back dates is definitely part of the plan. All that being said, this year, the tour once again stops in Ventura with a full line up of bands on Sunday, June 24, at the Ventura Fairgrounds. With over six stages and bands playing continuously throughout the day, you’ll need a game plan once your inside, but you won’t want to miss Simple Plan, Reel Big Fish and the Used. This year the tour will also include a stage for local artists such as Ill Repute, Stalag 13, and The Velveteen Band. General admission is $45 and tickets should still be available the day of the show; doors open at 11 AM.

You won’t want to miss the Summer benefit concert Paws for the Cause, where we salute and honor Ventura K9 police officers. This special event will be held at Poinsettia Pavilion on June 30 from 11 am to 3 pm. The concert features Alex Nester, Mark Masson and Coso Live. Admission is $25 with kids under 10 free; and by the way, it’s family fun for all your dogs too!

Namba has launched a new series, “NambaYouth” that opens its doors to 18 years and under talent of all art forms. O.K. Service kicks off the series on Friday, June 22, featuring four Moorpark High School recent graduates playing modern Jazz. Namba is downtown at 47 S. Oak Street. Doors open at 7 with tickets $10-$20.

Quick notes: Ray Jaurique and the Uptown Brothers open for Los Lobos on Friday, June 22, at Libbey Bowl; Max Fite plays the Garage on June 22; the Out Run the Sun Festival featuring loads of Electronica music will be at the Golden China on June 23; The Rose Valley Thorns bring their style of Bluegrass to Made West Brewing on Sunday, June 24; The 10th annual Maximum Bob’s Memorial Open Mic is Tuesday, June 26 at Golden China; Lume out of Chicago will be at The Tavern on Tuesday, June 26; The White Buffalo returns to the Ventura Theater on Friday, June 29; Katchafire from New Zealand play two nights at Discovery, June 29 and June 30; Medicine Hat will be at Pizza Chief on the Eastside during the lunch time hour on Sunday July 1; Jane Doe & Co. with traditional Country will be at The Red Cove on Sunday afternoon, July 1 and finally the Star Lounge will have live music on Tuesday night, July 3 (Wednesday is Independence Day), with CRV and special guest Ruben Duarte.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 6/6 – 6/19

Posted on June 5, 2018 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Ventura’s music scene is a giant eclectic mix of music, everything from punk to jazz and all points in between, so we really are lucky to have so many genres of music available to us. One of my favorite events every year comes from higher brow end of the musical spectrum, The Ventura Music Festival. This year’s schedule ranges from the big band sound of “little orchestra” Pink Martini from Portland, Oregon, to lively Latin music with Jarabe Mexicano. Perla Batalla returns with Frida Kahlo’s “Blue House”, John Jorgenson Quintet will offer Gypsy Jazz, there will be traditional chamber music from Trio Celeste directed by Ventura Music Festival Artistic Director Nuvi Mehta and so much more including the traditional Tea & Trumpets brass quintet. Showtimes, tickets and locations are listed on the event’s official website www.VenturaMusicFestival.org. Yeah, I know the Ventura Music Festival isn’t until July, but most events will sell out so don’t wait to purchase tickets.

Local artist, Rachel Flowers will give a performance before a screening of the documentary featuring Flowers, “Hearing is Believing” at the Museum of Ventura County on Friday, June 8th; there will be a post-screening discussion.

Before Shelby embarks on returning to school and focusing her energy on getting her Music Therapy degree, she’s holding what may be one of the last Songbird Serenades, at least for a while. The June 15th installment will feature Jamie Drake, Shelby Figueroa and Brendan Willing James at Ventura Vineyard Church.

Sorry to report that both Wicked’s Brew and Cork have closed their doors. If you’ve never heard of one or the other, that’s a shame. My biggest word of advice to venues that offer music is you have to promote, promote, promote! You have to budget for it, and you should use all free resources available to you including social media, and keeping The Breeze, other newspapers and VenturaRocks.com updated on your music.

Quick notes: Reggae has returned to the Tree House Lounge at Café Fiore on Sundays; Lovataraxx from France plays The Garage on Thursday, June 7; Former Scorpions guitarist, Uli Jon Roth returns to the Ventura Theater, Sunday, June 10; The Mighty Cash Cats celebrate their ten-year anniversary with a show at Bombay’s on Sunday, June 10; MJ Déjà vu, a tribute to Michael Jackson will be at Discovery on Saturday, June 16; D.on Darox & the Melody Joy Bakers play El Rey Cantina on Saturday, June 16.

Finally, Ticketfly suffered a cyber-attack and as a result, most of the websites they support were down including the Ventura Theater and for a time, Discovery. There currently hasn’t been any mention of credit card information being compromised, but stolen information included customers’ names, addresses, emails and phone numbers of nearly 26 million user accounts.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 5/23 – 6/5

Posted on May 23, 2018 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

One of the highlights we Venturans (Venturians? Venturanites?) look for every summer is the release of the Ventura County Fair music schedule. The fair has updated their website and once again it’s a well-rounded musical roster from Reggae to Country and most points in between. Of course, the biggest perk has always been that the grandstand entertainment is included in the price of admission.

Let’s get to it, the Ventura County Fair music schedule kicks off on the second night (Motor sports on the first night), with UB40 featuring Ali, Astro and Mickey on Thursday, August 2; the Plain White T’s return on Friday, August 3; it’s LeAnn Rimes on Saturday, August 4; there’s a full afternoon for your Sunday with what they’re calling Dia de la Familia concert, though the performers have not been named yet; on Monday, August 6, it’s Sublime with Rome (a musical collaboration between Eric Wilson formerly of the band Sublime and singer Rome Ramirez); there are two shows on Tuesday with The 5th Dimension at 1 pm and Frankie Vallie & the Four Seasons at 7:30; Boyz II Men perform on Wednesday, August 8, and we’ll most likely be hearing new music off their upcoming October release called Under the Streetlight; it’s country artist, Hunter Hayes performing on Thursday, August 9; and rounding up the music lineup will be Creedence Clearwater Revisited featuring two members from the original line up of CCR, with bassist, Stu Cook, and drummer, Doug Clifford, on Friday, August 10. There will be a professional rodeo over the final weekend in the grandstand arena.

Unfortunately, it happens every now and then that a band has to cancel due to illness, and so it went with Billy Vera and the Beaters Hi Hat Entertainment show on May 11, but they have rescheduled, so go ahead it mark it down for Friday, June 29, at the Hong Kong Inn.

Quick notes: Cubensis returns to Discovery for a show on Saturday, May 26; hip hop recording artist Antwon King has his album release party at Discovery Sunday, May 27; the Star Lounge continues with their Reggae Sunday afternoons with The Question, on May 27 and Bomba Fiya on June 3; Winchesters continues with live music over the weekend including Sunday afternoons now; and Jill Martini and the ShrinkenHeads perform island styled music at the Harbor Cove Café on the first and third Fridays of the month down towards the end of Spinnaker Drive in the Ventura Harbor.

And finally, don’t forget to tune in for my local radio show gone worldwide, I call it The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour and it features mostly local artists out of the 805. It airs Tuesdays and Fridays at 5 pm and Sundays at noon on KPPQ-LP, 104.1 FM here in Ventura and on the internet at www.CAPSMedia.org/Radio.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 5/9 – 5/22

Posted on May 6, 2018 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

I’m loving the effort to liven up downtown with businesses staying open later during May and holding special events like a Mom’s night out or a pub crawl. Kudos to the merchants! But of course, you know nothing livens up a place like live music, and you know who has been doing right? Just take a look at the venues in the Ventura Harbor! The Boatyard Pub is officially providing live music seven days a week so between the Boatyard, 805 Wine Bar, the Copa Cubana, Margarita Villa (also seven days a week), and even the Ventura Comedy Club where Tom Scott and LA Express plays time to time, the place is about as lively as you can get!

Nothing goes with warmer weather like a cold brewski, so you won’t want to miss Surf n’ Suds, the beer festival with a surf twist, on Saturday, May 19, at San Buenaventura State Beach. The daylong event not only has over 50 craft breweries, ciders and wine, but they’ll have entertainment from Crosscut 805, DJ Hecktik and After the Smoke.

It’s always a treat when Hi Hat Entertainment brings Billy Vera and the Beaters to town so you’ll want to get your tickets in advance at HiHatEntertainment.com for Friday, May 11, at the Hong Kong Inn. They’ll perform their #1 hit tune, “At this Moment” along with “Millie make some Chili” and other favorites.

It’s awesome that the Museum of Ventura County is offering more live music. On Friday, May 11, it’s “Out of the Ashes: Healing in Story and Song”; the chamber music ensemble, Camerata Pacifica, performs on Sunday, May 13; the weekly Munch series continues Thursdays afternoons where local artists perform at lunch time; and two-time Grammy winner Laurence Juber (lead guitarist for Paul McCartney’s Wings) headlines a fundraiser for the Ventura County Library Foundation on May 19. For more information and tickets, visit VenturaMuseum.org.

Quick Notes: cool shows at The Garage include the New Candys from Venice, Italy, on Thursday, May 10, and Jason Steady and the Soft Ponies from Omaha, NE, on Friday, May 11; Topa Mountain Winery in Ojai is hosting a Rose Soiree Event with music from The Salty Suites and The Dales on Saturday, May 12; Grapes and Hops hosts an earlier show on Mother’s day, Sunday, May 13 at 11 am with Stephen Inglis who will perform, “Cut the Dead some Slack” then it’s Dive Bar Steve and Friends at 3 pm; Caught Red Handed plays Plan B Wine Cellars on Sunday, May 13; Oxnard’s Strawberry Festival is over the weekend of May 19-20, and on the Main stage will be Hollywood U2, Highway Starr, Professional Americans, 40oz to Freedom and more; and finally, the Outlaws will be at Discovery on Sunday, May 20 with Crooked Eye Tommy opening.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 4/25 – 5/8

Posted on April 22, 2018 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

It’s out with the old and in with the new, but not just quite yet. Before their final week of jazz music in their current location, Squashed Grapes played host to none other than Michael McDonald, yes that Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers and a brilliant solo career which has spanned more than 45 years. The intimate, by-invite-only setting was held Sunday, April 22. What can I say? I love this town.

And speaking of their final week, Adam and Josh of Squashed Grapes have a stellar lineup of jazz before closing their doors while they work on the new location on Main street next to Yolanda’s. Wednesday, June 25 it’s Hans Ottsen Quartet with special guest Jacob Scesney; on Thursday it’s The Ray Mehlbaum Quartet; on then finally on Friday, Doug Webb returns with drummer Danny Carey (TOOL) for a huge sendoff party.

The Ventura County Blues Festival will be held this year at the Studio Channel Islands on Saturday, April 28 with Earl Thomas, John Nemeth, Deb Ryder, Alan Wright Band, and Sandy Scott & Blues to the Bone. There will be an after party with Crooked Eye Tommy at El Rey Cantina in Camarillo.

Jeffrey Willerth, is the new director of Namba and he plans to utilize the facility at 47 South Oak Street for what is called the “Music Speaks” series. The first installment will be held on May 5 with Conjunto Tenocelomeh, a band rooted in the Son Jarocho Mexican folk music of Veracruz. Also this month, they’ll have CG Ryche, an amazing percussionist, brilliant showman and filmmaker who will perform and share his inspiring story focused on the importance of ‘perseverance’ as it relates to musicians; Duane Tudahl, author of “Prince and the Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions 1983-1984” who will explain how he got his hands on the daily recording reports from the Studios Prince visited; and Tim Wickham, a Ventura local with boundless appreciation for Hammond Organs will bring a few of his prized Hammonds and play in a trio in a historical salute to this renown musical instrument. For tickets and information go to NambaArts.com

And finally, if you haven’t already done so, don’t make any out-of-town vacation plans over the weekend of July 14th and 15th; in fact, plan for a “Staycation” for this year’s Surf Rodeo. JD Drury has started to announce the music lineup and I’m super jazzed to learn that not only will Shwayze and The Untouchables be on the bill, but the Long Beach Dub Allstars will be headlining (group features former members of Sublime). I understand a lot more bands will be added over the next month or so but we know that Highway Starr, Kyle Smith, Rising Son, Yachtley Crew, Zepp Heads and of course Raging Arb and the Redheads will be on the bill.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 4/11 – 4/24

Posted on April 10, 2018 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

This time of year, we all wait with bated breath for the musical line up for the summer concert season. While the Ventura County Fair has not yet released their roster, tickets for Music Under the Stars at the Historic Olivas Adobe, are now on sale. The series kicks off on July 14 with British Beat, a British invasion tribute band, and winds down on September 1 with Janeen Puente and her Latin Orchestra. Go to VenturaRocks.com for bands and dates.

Ventura’s Earth Day Eco Fest will be held at a new location this year at Plaza Park on Saturday, April 21, from 10 am – 4pm. This free community Earth Day Celebration features all day live music and entertainment, over 100 green vendors, a kid’s zone with recycled crafts & face paint, food trucks, all day free YOGA, green cars and more!!! Music provided by Jade Hendrix, Sea at Last, Anchor and Bear, Grace Fellows, Shelby Figueroa and Pacific Sound. Oh! And of course, there will be a full-time bike valet on site.

If you dig the sounds of true blue authentic Country women, then don’t miss Nashville Gal and her tribute to the women of Nashville at the Rubicon featuring Melissa Hammans on Saturday, April 14, with a Sunday matinee on April 15. Hammans will cover tunes from Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn.

Hi Hat Entertainment continues to bring the talent to town on Friday nights at the Hong Kong Inn. On April 13, they have the multi-award winning Andy T Band featuring Alabama Mike with Anson Funderburgh; on April 20th, it’s Chicago’s finest blues harmonica with Morry Sochat and the Memphis Kings; on April 27th it’s local favorite roadhouse rock & blues with Kelly’s Lot; and you won’t want to miss the return of Billy Vera & the Beaters performing their #1 hit song, “At this Moment” on May 11. Get your advance tickets at HiHatEntertainment.com.

Quick Notes: Ventura College Performing Arts will perform Gilbert & Sullivan’s musical, The Mikado April 13-April 15; Medicine Hat’s CD release party is Sunday April 15 (2:30 pm) at the Hong Kong Inn; The Hymen Blasters play The Garage on Saturday April 21 with Publik Enema, The Curse is Written (out of Portland) and Rugburn; Rey Fresco’s 10-year anniversary bash will be at El Rey Cantina on Saturday, April 21; and Cranberry Sauce featuring nothing but The Beatles, will return to Grapes and Hops Sunday, April 22.

And as a final note, don’t forget we have a vital FREE service for our musically inclined youth. Notes for Notes, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs, produces tomorrow’s musicians by providing a fully stocked recording studio where blossoming artists can explore, create and record music absolutely free. Find out more online at NotesForNotes.org/Ventura.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 3/28 – 4/10

Posted on March 26, 2018 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

I’m so happy it’s finally Spring because with it comes longer and warmer days and just in time for Discovery’s Backyard Bash on Saturday, April 7. The all-day concert kicks off at 12:30 pm with loads of Reggae bands on the bill including Matisyahu, Hirie, Leilani Wolfgramm, Diego’s Umbrella, Rising Son and others with an afterparty that evening featuring Dirty Rice and The Main Squeeze. The following day, Discovery is hosting what they call Triboo Festival with nothing but tribute bands on the bill: Queen Nation, What One’s Pink, Led Zepplica, Pettybreakers, Hollywood Stones, High Voltage, Sgt. Pepper and Santeria.

The Skull & Roses Festival returns to the Ventura Fairgrounds for three days over the weekend of April 6 through April 8 with about twenty performances (and I’m understanding they won’t be overlapping this year). Some of the bands scheduled to perform are Cubensis, Jerry’s Middle Finger, Golden Gate Wingmen, 9 Mile Skid and Circles Around the Sun.

Champagne on Main falls on Saturday, March 31 which begins with the Spring Street Fair throughout downtown starting at 11 am and then the bubbly event starts flowing from 3 to 6 pm at participating venues throughout downtown culminating with a dance party at the intersection of California and Main.

Iron and Resin on Main Street are looking to raise funds for Help California on Saturday, March 31 with an event called Ironstock. In the house will be The Shorelines, Channel, Noble Grizwald, Brother Earl, the Inside Break, Danielle Stacy, Moonily and Western Waters. This one kicks off at noon in their backyard. There is no cover and it falls on the same day as Champagne on Main.

Quick notes: With the warmer weather, Margarita Villa in the Harbor is back to offering more music over the weekend; Ozomatli (and an earlier performance of OzoKidz!) returns to Discovery on Saturday, March 31; B and the Hive have a stop on their current tour at The Garage on Friday, March 30 (they’ve previously opened for Elvis Costello, Chris Isaak, The Goo Goo Dolls…) the opening band His Eyes Have Fangs includes skateboard legend, Tony Alva; Emilio Barkett will be holding his CD release party at Squashed Grapes on Friday, March 30. Stephanie Franco has teamed with up JT Medlen and they’re calling themselves “Two’s Company” with their first gig at Winchesters on Friday, April 6.

And finally, it’s with a heavy heart that I pass along the news that our music community has lost another valued member. The tributes to Ryan Thomas on social media have been truly moving, he touched so many lives; he was one of those consummate musicians who jammed and played on so many different projects and with so much enthusiasm. It’s truly a loss to our music community; he was way too young.