Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 12/5 – 12/18

Posted on December 4, 2018 by venturarocks

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

After hosting a successful fundraiser for the crew at Squashed Grapes a couple of weeks ago, the good folks at The Hong Kong Inn have temporarily offered their venue for additional events in December. Look for “The Grape Presents” shows including Tuesday night Jazz Jams, The SBCC New World Jazz on December 5, The Doug Webb Group with Danny Carey (TOOL) on December 14, Adam Clark Ensemble on December 19, The Bearded Clams featuring actor Patrick Warbuton (Pearl Jam cover tunes), and Tom Scott on December 21.

After having to cancel (then rescheduling) last year’s event due to losing the venue at the Ventura Fairgrounds due to the Thomas Fire, ChopperFest returns on December 9. Along with all the hot rides, you can check out live music from Bob Carrillo’s Awesome Blues Band, The Midnight Rider Band and The So-Cal Metal Co.

There are several concerts in December at the Ventura Theater that you might not want to miss including Iration playing two nights, December 8 and 9, Dwight Yoakam on December 13, and the 6th Annual Holiday Sing-along on December 16 which is free to the public but they are asking for an unwrapped toy for local residents.

Quick Notes: The newly renovated Star Lounge debuted during the Winter Wine Walk with an updated fresh look and a packed house; along with a live Mariachi Band during dinner on Fridays, The Blue Agave now has DJs on Friday and Saturday nights; The Rubicon Theater is offering Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific December 5 – December 23; the Harpdog Brown & the Uptown Blues Band show has moved from the Hong Kong Inn to Oak and Main on Friday, December 7; there will be a Chopper Fest pre-party at The Tavern on Saturday, December 8, with Jackass and Jan Michael & The Vincents; The Vonettes play an early show at Bombay’s on Saturday, December 8, at 7 pm; you can get into the holiday spirit with Doc the Halls featuring Doc Ventura on Friday, December 15, and the Santa Barbara Flute Ensemble Holiday Show on Saturday, December 16 at Namba; and finally, The Swilly’s play Water’s Edge (formerly Rhumbline) during the Harbor’s Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 15.

And finally, be sure to tune into The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour on KPPQ-LP at 104.1 FM for local artists and artists who have come to the 805 to play who have recorded Christmas music (included a spoken word story from Andria Kidd). Included on my playlist will be original and holiday cover tunes from Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Doc Ventura, Kelly’s Lot, The Robot Uprising and even a recently recorded holiday tune from Robert Gray where I get a special mention. I am so honored!!! My show airs Tuesdays and Fridays at 5:00 pm, and Sundays at Noon.

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 11/21-12/4

Posted on November 20, 2018 by venturarocks

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

There will be loads of music supporting this year’s Holiday Street Fair and Winter Wine Walk on Saturday, December 1, both from the promoters and several venues downtown. The Museum of Ventura County will host The Bomb with Victor Vega, but you’ll find music on several stages throughout downtown featuring Dax, Adelaide, DJ’s and more. Once you’ve had fun dancing at the corner of Main and California under “snowfall,” be sure to stick around and venture back to the venues for more music. Oak and Main will have Brother Earl and the Cousins, Grapes and Hops have Mikey and the Kryptonites, it’s The Tossers at Winchesters, Frank Barajas and the Corsican Brothers at Vintura at the Wine Rack, and a huge fundraiser at Iron and Resin where they’ll be raising money for Help California with several bands including Noble Grizwald, The Junglecats, Bad Leaf, Alonzo Delano and more.

Hi Hat Entertainment’s final blowout show will be held on Friday, November 23, at the Hong Kong Inn with Deke Dickerson & the Eccofonics, Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps, as well as Hot Roux with two-time Grammy winner, Albert Lee. Please don’t miss the opportunity to thank Jan and Jerry McWorter for bringing so many great blues artists to Ventura over the past ten years

And speaking of offering great artists, this time jazz, we are definitely feeling the void Squashed Grapes has left while they work on getting their new venue ready, and well, they could use a little help to get to the finish line. A benefit has been put together to help raise funds while giving us some jazz relief at the same time. The special concert will be held at the Hong Kong Inn on Sunday, November 25, with Rachel Flowers, Bevan Manson Quartet, mPhaka with Karl Hunter, Native Vibe, Coda and more.

Jodi Farrell’s Music Studio’s 24th Annual Holiday Concert will be held on Saturday, December 1, at Ventura Vineyard Christian Fellowship Church from 3-5 pm. Jodi has put together a special band for this year’s event including Ron Barnett, Jim Rankin, Brad Strickland, Manon Franklin and Ray Dean Mize.

Quick Notes: Friday, November 23, Guy Martin will be recording his show at Grapes and Hops as he hopes to get material for a new CD; classical guitarist, Yuri Liberzon, will perform at Namba on Saturday, November 24; The Gypsy Blues Band has moved their weekly Thursday night residency from the Hong Kong Inn to Oak and Main; Topa Mountain Winery’s annual Yuletide concert will be held Sunday, November 25 featuring Madrigali; Black Star, Bowie tribute band, play The Sewer on Friday, November 30; and finally, if you’re a Beatles fan, you won’t want to miss The Long and Winding Road Show at Ventura Center for Spiritual Living on Saturday, December 1.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 11/7 – 11/20

Posted on November 5, 2018 by venturarocks

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

I am sorry to report that Hi Hat Entertainment has decided to close their “figurative” doors once the Hong Kong Inn closes their literal doors at the end of November. As a supporter of the music scene, I do my best to report what’s good and what’s right about our music community, but I would be remiss if I didn’t give a hearty shout out and thanks to Jerry and Jan McWorter who have brought us amazing Blues shows to Ventura the past ten years. I was hoping they would continue after finding another home base, but after some soul searching they have decided to pull the plug. Meanwhile, the shows will continue for a few more Friday nights with Morry Sochat featuring Mondo Cortez on November 9, Shari Puorto Band on November 16, and a huge blow out farewell show on November 23 with Deke Dickerson & the Eccofonics, Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps as well as Hot Roux featuring two-time Grammy award winner, Albert Lee.

Ones to Watch Productions have been busy bringing a number of shows to the area, the next one will feature Chris Pierce and The Brambles in an intimate setting at the Ojai Underground on Friday, November 9.

Just a word of warning about December 1 as there are several events planned on the same day. Let’s start with Totally Local VC’s One-Year Thomas Fire Remembrance concert at the Libbey Bowl with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy; then there’s the 4 Kids 2 Kids’ 18th annual toy drive and concert at the Ventura Beach Club with Ray Jaurique and the Uptown Brothers; and finally “the social event of the year” with the holiday street fair and Ventura Winter Wine Walk downtown Ventura. All three events promise to be a good time, so choose wisely!

Quick Notes: Joe Vandenberg, singer/songwriter, will be at Namba on Friday, November 9; The Ventura Theater has Andy Grammer on Friday, November 9, The Selector on Saturday, November 10 and SuicideGirls on Saturday, November 17; The Freedom Ledges with their unique brand of dirty Blues and Rock & Roll will be at Oak and Main on Saturday, November 10; Noble Grizwald return to Saloon BBQ on Saturday, November 10; Allvaret from Sweden play The Garage on Saturday, November 17; Yachtley Crew cruise into Discovery on Saturday, November 17; and Broadway star, Lesli Margherita, plays the Rubicon Theater for two days in a brand new concert, “This Broad’s Way” on November 17 and 18th.

And finally, my condolences going out to family, friends and musicians who are grieving the loss of George Hawkins, Jr. who passed away after a lengthy illness on October 26, 2018. He touched many a soul, was a musician’s musician and a good friend to so many.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 10/24 – 11/6

Posted on October 21, 2018 by venturarocks

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

It’s hard to keep up with when and where all the Halloween parties are this year as venues have been mixing it up providing spooky fun not only the weekend before, but even a few weeks ahead of the actually day. Just know this, you most likely won’t be alone when dressing up on any given day leading up to Halloween. Just a couple of parties of note on Friday, October 26: there’s the annual Halloween Hoedown at Sans Souci with All-A-Blur, Hymen Blasters and more, Leashless has Kyle Rising, at the Keynote you’ll find Classic Rock with Crosscut 805 and Anchor and Bear will play a Halloween show performing the 1969 rooftop Beatles concert at Made West Brewing.

Moving on to Saturday, October 27, the Hong Kong Inn has music all day long starting at 1 pm with over a half dozen bands including Sin Chonies, Beers Brothers, and Hot Cuppa Three; the Darling Dames 3rd annual Halloween Bash will be at The Garage with Sick Boy and The Rip Katz, and The Barrelhouse Wailers will be the featured band for a Halloween “Spookeasy” swing dance party at the Ventura Beach Club.

And then on Sunday, Mick Stover presents a Gentlemen Blues Club production, Jumpin’ Jack Benny, at Grapes and Hops from 4-7 pm. You may know Mick as the bass player for Dive Bar Messiahs, well he’s super stoked to be bringing this award-winning act to Ventura for an afternoon of dancing to Rockin’ Blues, and yes, there will be a Halloween costume contest as well.

Halloween night? All bets are off. Get out, have fun and hopefully music will be involved.

Ambrosia by Caffrodite, recently located at 1987 E. Main Street in midtown Ventura, has launched a Friday night dinner and music weekly series for those who prefer organic Vegetarian and Vegan dinners with light music. Already lined up are Steve Williams, Greg Korzen and Brad Strickland.

Queen Nation returns to Ventura County for a show at Discovery on Friday, November 2, just in time to coincide with the movie “Bohemian Rhapsody in theaters the same day. I recommend you hold off on the movie, and see these guys live first.

Quick Notes: Doug Webb with Danny Carrey (Tool) play the Hong Kong Inn, Wednesday, October 24; Morrisey will play the Ventura Theater on Halloween night with Mazzy Star on the following evening; Tommy Marsh’s the Session this month will feature Mark Sells at Grapes and Hops on Thursday, November 1; and finally, the Ventura County Concert Band will hold their free annual Veteran’s concert featuring patriot music at the Ventura High School Auditorium on Sunday, November 4.

The Star Lounge is closed. I’m hearing they’re undergoing renovations. I’ll keep you updated.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 10/10 – 10/23

Posted on October 7, 2018 by venturarocks

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

Every now and then an event is planned where a special milestone is celebrated; and so it goes with Army of Freshmen’s 20th anniversary hometown show at Discovery on Saturday, October 13. Earlier this year, they played dates in Europe to commemorate the occasion by touring with Bowling for Soup and Lit, but when they returned, they kept getting hit up with “What about your hometown?!!” This is a big deal, so get out and support. And if by chance you’ve never ventured out to see them live, do yourself a favor and don’t miss this one. Advance tickets are only $10, night of the show, $15 at the door.

You may have noticed on social media a new venue called Oak and Main, and while the location is a few doors down from Oak, it’s definitely on Main Street having taken over where Rookees used to be. The great news is that they plan on offering live music, case in point, they’ll have D.on Darox and the Melody Joy Bakers on Friday, October 12. I’m so looking forward to having more live music downtown, especially since losing Zoey’s, The Watermark, Amigos and The Good Bar the past few years.

Vintura at the Wine Rack will host a Breast Cancer Fund-raiser with breast cancer survivor, Karyn 805 on Friday, October 12 from 8-11 pm. They’ll donate 25% of net proceeds to the Ventura Cancer Resource Center as well as all of Karyn’s tips for local women who need assistance with treatment.

All ye men and women: get out the kilts and head over for fun, games and Celtic music at the Seaside Highland Games over the weekend of October 13 and 14 at Seaside Park. The music will abound throughout both days on multiple stages with such acts as The Angry Brians, Ploughboys, Hidden Fifth, The Brown Sisters, LA Fife and Drum, Three for Joy as well as many more acts. The event runs 9 to 5, but Saturday night, you’ll want to continue the fun and stop in at Grapes and Hops for a special performance from The Angry Brians.

Quick notes: Ben Katzman’s DeGreaser out of Florida has a date at the Hong Kong Inn on Wednesday, October 10; Plan B Winery celebrates their 6th anniversary with Native Vibe on Sunday, October 14; new punk bands on the scene will play The Garage including Soul Wring, Section 5, and Ran Aground on Wednesday, October 17; Necrodancer from France will be at Red Cove on Friday, October 19; The Spazmatics will be at Discovery, Friday, October 19; Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians at Ventura Theater on Friday, October 19; and 50 Sticks of Dynamite will play a benefit concert for Step Up Ventura at Ventura Center for Spiritual Living on Saturday, October 20.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 9/26-10/9

Posted on September 27, 2018 by venturarocks

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

After closing their popular music venue Zoey’s in 2014, Steve and Polly Hoganson have found other ways of supporting indie artists mostly of the Americana genre with their Ones to Watch Productions. They sponsor shows throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara counties and the next one will feature Tim Curran with full band, The Brambles and Max Kasch on Thursday, September 27th, in the backroom at Bombay’s Bar and Grill. The backroom allows intimate listening room style concerts; tickets will be available at the door.

The Rubicon Theatre Company will be offering the following two concerts in the next few weeks. First David Burnham (Broadway’s Wicked) and Tami Tappan for two nights, Saturday and Sunday, September 29 and 30; this one is a part of The Goldenson Broadway Concert Series. Then it’s “The Folk Legends” with George Grove, Rick Dougherty and Jerry Siggins (The Kingston Trio, The Limeliters) on Monday and Tuesday, October 1 and 2. Ticket information can be found at RubiconTheatre.org.

Grapes and Hops starts a new monthly show on the first Thursday of the month called The Session Reboot with Tommy Marsh and his first guest on Thursday, October 4, will be Guy Martin. I for one am very happy Tommy has new venue supporting these Blues jams.

Frost and Fire 2018 will fall over three days at the Ventura Theater. Cirith Ungol returns after reuniting a couple of years ago and will headline Thursday night’s show along with Gygax and Sloughfeg; Friday has Midnight, Warbringer and Night Demon; and Saturday’s concert features Satan, Ashbury and Visigoth. To get a complete list of all bands (just a handful mentioned here) go to VenturaTheater.net. By the way, just announced at the Ventura Theater, an evening with Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians, Mazzy Star and Morrissey.

Quick notes: Tony Ybarra will be at Café Fiore Thursday, September 27; Hail the Sun has an in-store performance at Saltzer’s on Friday, September 28 at 6 pm; Rock on the Dock wraps up September shows with Decadent Decades on Saturday the 29th; Vitamin X out of Amsterdam plays a punk show at the Garage on Thursday, October 4; the Colette Lovejoy Band plays Pier Under the Stars on Saturday, October 6; and the Army of Freshmen 20th anniversary show at Discovery October 13, more on that next issue.

I continue to produce radio shows bi-monthly for CAPS Media’s KPPQ-LP at 104.1 FM in and around Ventura, and if you didn’t know, they also stream their radio station on the internet at CAPSMedia.org/Radio. The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour features mostly local artists out of the 805 and airs Tuesdays at 5 with rebroadcasts on Friday at 5 and Sundays at noon. Please help spread the word and support our local musicians!

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 9/12 – 9/25

Posted on September 10, 2018 by venturarocks

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

I’m beginning to see several venues pull back on music during the week as summer comes to an end and fall officially begins (September 23), but music continues to abound with special events. Let’s start with two epic celebrations at Plaza Park over the weekend of September 15 and 16. First it’s a “throwback” Boots & Brews on Saturday featuring Montgomery Gentry, Deana Carter, winner of the Voice, Sundance Head and more. And then Sunday it’s the grand finale of the California Beer Festival which is also celebrating its 10-year anniversary; musical performances will feature Hip Hop & R&B legends, Tone Loc and Sir Mix-a-Lot. For all the low down on the different ticket levels for each day, go to CalifornaBeerFestival.com.

The 25th anniversary of Bowlful of Blues falls on Saturday, September 22, and will be held at the beautiful Libbey Bowl in Ojai with performances from Selwyn Birchwood Band, Rod Piazza with special guest Carl Sonny Leyland, Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps, Hot Roux and Kwan Telifaro Project. Tickets can be purchased online at BowlfulofBlues.org.

There’s going to be an End of Summer Block Party hosted by Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation at Buena High School on Saturday, September 15. This family friendly event will feature the Beatles tribute band, Paperback Writer. The event starts at 5 pm with the concert at 7 pm. Tickets start at $20.

In honor of her 10-year anniversary release, Rain Perry will perform Cinderblock Bookshelves at Kim Maxwell Studio over the weekend of September 14 and 15. Advance tickets are recommended at RainPerry.com.

Both Josh Damigo and Brother Earl will perform at Made West Brewing on Wednesday, September 19, for Toast for a Cure, Real Men Wear Pink fundraising event for the American Cancer Society.

You might want to get your tickets now for a couple of upcoming Ventura theater concerts, including Hoobastank, SuicideGirls (two nights), The Selector and the English Beat as well as a Bowie Celebration featuring several artists who played with Bowie over the years including Mike Garson, Mark Plati, Carmine Rojas, Earl Slick and others. For dates and ticket information, go to VenturaTheater.net.

Quick notes: Jodi Farrell’s Music Studio presents their singer’s showcase at Namba on Saturday, September 15; Dad Brains has an in store performance at Salzer’s Records 3 pm on Saturday, September 15; The Rubicon Theatre’s “I Dig Rock and Roll Music” continues through September 16; Cracker plays Discovery on Friday, September 14 with the Morgan Leigh Band opening; Rock on the Dock continues through September with performances on the 15th from Crosscut 805, and a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, Fleetwood’s Bac on the 22nd; and The Shaky Hand String Band out of Colorado will be at Made West Brewing Sunday, September 23.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 8/29 – 9/11

Posted on August 30, 2018 by venturarocks

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

School is back in session, summer is drawing to an end, and yet, Ventura continues to rock! It doesn’t matter what time of year it is in our beachside community, you can always count on an abundance of live music to keep things lively!!

Much love to Discovery these days for the bands they’ve been pulling in. Yes, I love our local bands playing, but that being said, I also love seeing bands like The Original Wailers and Ozomatli (9/7), Blind Melon (9/8) and Gin Blossoms (9/11) play this smaller venue where you can not only get a great meal, but you can get up and close and see these amazing national artists play. I was personally thrilled to see Gin Blossoms on the bill. I caught up with the band’s lead singer, Robin Wilson, who told me about their new album, Mixed Reality, and not only did he tell me it’s been receiving fantastic and positive response both from critics and fans, he also said it’s certainly the band’s best work in the past twenty-five years. Now that’s saying a lot! You can hear more from Robin on The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour which airs on KPPQ-LP 104.1 FM, and online at www.CapsMedia.org/Radio Tuesdays and Fridays at 5 and Sunday at noon.

Rock on the Dock returns to the Ventura Harbor kicking off their unique way to stage concerts with the bands playing on a floating dock, Saturday, September 1 featuring The Bomb, and then it’s Sean Wiggins and Lone Goat on Saturday, September 8. Concerts run 3-6 pm.

The Aloha Festival is back this year and falls over the Labor Day weekend at Promenade Park. No cover, so get out and enjoy the music with performances from Bombafiya, The Question, Rising Son, After the Smoke and Kyle Smith.

The Ventura Nationals cruise into town at the Ventura Fairgrounds on Saturday, September 1 with musical performances from Gamblers Mark, Blazing Haley, Lance Lipinski and the Lovers, Abby Girl and the Real Deal, and Hard Six.

Quick notes: The Rubicon Theater is running the musical, “I Dig Rock and Roll Music for the next couple of weeks; Hat Hat Entertainment at the Hong Kong Inn has Lenny Goldsmith and The New Old Band on Friday, August 31, and Chris Duarte on Friday, September 7; Music Under the Stars wraps up their season Saturday, September 1, with Janeen Puente and her Latin Orchestra; Labor of Love, big band dance, will be held at Poinsettia Pavilion on Friday, September 7, with the Ventura Jazz Orchestra featuring Donna Greene; and Camerata Pacifica will perform Beethoven, Haydn & Brahms at the Museum of Ventura county on Sunday September 9.

And just one final note, Bombay has their annual Beach party over Labor Day; however, no advance listing of bands was submitted for publication. My apologies.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 8/15 – 8/28

Posted on August 18, 2018 by venturarocks

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

And the summer music keeps warming up with several more events this month. First let’s take a look at Beachside Pride 2018 on Saturday, August 18, at Promenade Park. There will be special events from Friday to Saturday but the main event will be held Saturday with music from Lauren Ruth Ward and Echo V and entertainment from drag legends Jackie Beat and Sherry Vine. General admission is $5-$10. By the way, Paddy’s will be hosting a post Pride party that evening.

Spencer Mackenzie’s Throw Down tournament continues to grow with the pot increasing every year. One of the highlights over the weekend is their End of Summer Block Party with a free live concert 6-10 pm on Saturday, August 18. This year they’ll have Johnny and the Love Handles, A.D.D. and Mandex.

The 2018 Wild & Scenic Film Festival is being held outdoors at the Ventura County Credit Union at 2575 Vista Del Mar where you’re invited to bring low-back chairs for the outdoor screening along with performances from Bill Jones & J.Peter Boles, and Midlife Crisis. This one benefits Ventura Land Trust. Get information at www.VenturaLandTrust.org.

Don’t miss the Spazmatics when they perform at the 38th annual Wings Over Camarillo Air and Car Festival on Saturday, August 18th (5-7 pm). This ultimate 80’s cover band will be family friendly and is included in the price of admission. www.WingsOverCamarillo.com.

I have a couple of upcoming events to mark on the calendar, first it’s the California Beer Festival which will be celebrating their ten-year anniversary with two days of suds and music September 15 and 16 at Plaza Park. Just announced for Saturday’s Boots and Brews Country Music Festival are Montgomery Gentry, Deana Carter, Sundance Head (Winner of NBC’s The Voice), Arnie Newman Band and Alexandria Corn. Then on Sunday you won’t want to miss Tone Loc and Sir Mix-a-Lot. Get ticket information at www.CaliforniaBeerFestival.com/Ventura.

And then it’s the 25th Anniversary of Bowlful of Blues which returns to Ojai on Saturday, September 22, with The Selwyn Birchwood Band, Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps, James Harman, Carl Sonny Leyland and Hot Roux. Tickets on sale at www.Bowlfulofblues.org. Post press announcement: Harman had to cancel, the Kwan Telifaro Project will play instead.

Quick notes: Grady Records Refuge has an in store performance on Wednesday, August 15 with The Sheen from Bellingham, WA, Uranium Orchard, Rob Magill and Daniel Masiel; Toy Shop Ghost will perform “art plunk” at Namba on Friday, August 17; Samonky sings Sinatra at the Rubicon on Sunday, August 19; in the house at the Ventura Theater will be Otep on Saturday, August 18, Gavin DeGraw and Phillip Phillips on Sunday, August 19, Ski Mask the Slump God on the 22nd, and Bone Thugs N Harmony on the 25th; Hickoids play Red Cove on Thursday, August 23; and Alan Thornhill and Martin Young play Topa Mountain Winery on Sunday August 19 (3 pm).

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!