Ventura Music Scene 5/13/26 – 5/26/26

Posted on May 10, 2026 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
The California Strawberry Festival runs over the weekend of May 16 and 17 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. This family-friendly event offers over 40 food vendors, arts & crafts booths and of course live music entertainment across several stages. Saturday highlights include performances by Hot Southern Nights, Twisted Gypsy, Adam Lasher and more, and then on Sunday, it’s the Kings of Queen, The Long Run, Jayden Secor and Bonnie Boy. For rules and admission pricing, visit CaStrawberryFestival.org.

The Ventura Music Festival lineup was announced on May 8 with early bird ticket sales running through the end of May followed by their standard ticket window on June 1. Here now, the lineup:
• Classical Edge: Beethoven’s Choice, July 23 at Ventura College Performing Arts Center
• Angel Blue with Bryan Wagorn, July 24 at Rancho Campana High School
• Akropolis Reed Quintet, July 26 at Ventura College Performing Arts Center
• Classical Edge: The Birth of Impressionism, October 15 at Museum of Ventura County
• Michael Cleveland & Jason Carter, October 17 at Mission Park, Ventura
• Pacific Jazz Orchestra: a Tribute to Quincy Jones, October 18 at Rancho Campana High School
For more information go to VenturaMusicFestival.org.

The City of Thousands Oaks gets it right with their Pop Up Arts & Music Festival which runs Friday and Saturday evenings through the month of June. As the name suggests, the festival features “pop-up” public performances and activities at a variety of locations throughout Thousand Oaks. The primary goal of the festival is to provide residents and visitors with an opportunity to actively participate in and enjoy the arts in unexpected and distinctive locations throughout the community. Get artist lineup, dates and locations at bapacthousandoaks.com/popup. Oh! I forgot to mention that all events are free!Press has started on the 7th Annual Oxnard Jazz Festival. 2024 saw this event cancelled just days before opening due to “unexpected challenges,” but they’re back for scheduled dates September 10-13 at Olol’koy Beach Park in Oxnard. Artists on tap include Louie Cruz Beltran, Brasscals, B.I.G., The Whispers and more. Ticket information at OxnardJazzFestival.com.

Music Under the Stars concert tickets went on sale Tuesday, May 12
All the information for tickets can be found at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/1738/Music-Under-the-Stars.

Quick Notes: Tickets for Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox are on sale now for their concert at the Majestic Ventura Theater for December 3; listing for the Psychedelic Furs at the Ojai Libbey Bowl for Sunday, May 31 has disappeared from the Libbey Bowl website, however ticket vendors are still selling tickets (do with that what you may); and Friday, May 15, Carlos y Charlos plays the Paolomazo Music Series in Oxnard.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows that you would like help publicizing? Please send all information, short or long, to Pam@VenturaRocks.com. For updated music listings daily, visit www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Music Scene 4/29/26 – 5/12/26

Posted on April 26, 2026 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
Wednesday, April 29, music and social activism will go hand in hand for Denim Day at Bombay’s with the Local Love Project. Denim Day is a global statement in response to a 1992 Italian Supreme Court ruling which overturned a sexual assault conviction because the survivor wore “tight jeans.” You’re invited to wear your favorite pair of jeans in solidarity as we take a visible stand against victim-blaming at 5 pm, followed with the amazing music by Kelly’s Lot at Bombay Bar and Grill.

Music Under the Stars concert tickets go on sale Tuesday, May 12, at noon. This outdoor summer music series held at the historic Olivas Adobe typically sell out fast with the City of Ventura typically favoring tribute bands though there is one original music show featuring rockabilly. Here now, your choices: July 11 it’s My Generation (tribute to the 60s); July 18, Dark Desert Highway (Eagles tribute); July 25, Fortunate Son (Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute); August 1, Smooth Sounds of Santana (Carlos Santana tribute); August 8, Pretzel Logic (Steely Dan tribute); August 15, Joe Finkle & the 7/10 Splits (original rockabilly); August 22, Wilbury Super Group (Traveling Wilburys tribute); and August 29, Stone Soul (Motown). All the information for tickets can be found at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/1738/Music-Under-the-Stars.

Brushing up on my Spanish, AI tells me “Palomazo” refers to an informal jam session or musical gathering commonly associated with genres like salsa or mariachi. With that information under your belt, the Palomazo Music Series and Music Fest will kick off on May 1 with three (nonconsecutive) Friday night concerts followed by the Music Festival on Saturday, June 13. First, it’s the Mexican Standoff (Mexamericana with a punk twist) on Friday, May 1; then Carlos y Charles (Musica Nortena) on Friday May 15, followed by LaOX (Latin & NOLA grooves) on May 29. The Palomazo Music Fest has a great eclectic line-up of live bands including Spaghetti Cumbia (psychedelic cumbia-rock), The Almighty Majestics (vintage rock & soul), Los Cool Arrows (cumbia & rock en Espanol), and Conjunto Zacamandu (Son Jarocho).
All events to be held at Heritage Square in Oxnard. You can secure advance tickets: https://puebloandco.com/collections/palomazo-music-2026.

The Ventura Music Festival lineup will be announced May 8 (https://www.venturamusicfestival.org/). Do note early bird ticket sales start May 12 with standard ticket window on June 1. More details in the next issue of the Ventura Breeze.

Quick Notes: Ventura Music Hall added Black Flag for October 22; Bloody Mary Morning and Looking West at Tony’s Pizzeria on Saturday, May 2; Omar Velasco will be at the Deer Lodge on Friday, May 8; Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps at Studio Channel Islands on Saturday, May 9; and an all-female Dead tribute band, Grateful Dames, play the Crowne Plaza on Sunday, May 10.

Ventura Music Scene 4/15/26 – 4/28/26

Posted on April 12, 2026 by venturarocks

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

The 3rd annual 1 Love Day bar crawl will be held on Friday, April 17, with four bands at four bands. The participating venues are Café Fiore, Sans Souci, The Saloon and KJ’s Neighborhood Bar. Bands performing will be OnePeople, We Roll, Jacob and the Good Vibes and Irie Nature. If you want to be a part of the crawl, you’ll need tickets which will get you specials at each venue and a wristband designating your relationship status: green for you’re ready to mingle, yellow for it’s complicated and red means you’re in a committed relationship. The reggae themed event suggests you bust out your dreads and rasta threads and feel the love as you raise your vibrations by dancing to the reggae music drinking good libations. And though this is a ticketed event (1loveday.com), I bet you dollars to doughnuts, without a ticket, you can still enjoy the music.

It’s that time of year when a group of music fans gather for Stecklestock at Steckle Park where bands play all day, someone is cooking up an awesome barbecue and family and friends enjoy each other’s company. This year it will be held on Saturday, April 18, and rumor has it, this could be the final installment. As always, there is no fee though donations are appreciated to help cover the costs of rentals, permits, insurance, etc. This year’s line up includes Premonition, Lowered Expectations, Buena Onda, No Biggee, Chicano 7, Only Obvious and Tommy Foytek. Fun starts around 11 am and runs until dusk.

April 18 also happens to be the day the City of Ventura will celebrate Earth Day (it’s officially Wednesday, April 22). This free event runs 11 am to 4 pm at Plaza Park downtown Ventura. Feel free to bring chairs or blankets so you can comfortably enjoy the musical entertainment from Dark Current, Van Allen Twins, the Ventura High Jazz Band and a Mariachi band.

Thursday, April 23, Tony’s Pizzeria will host a special guest for their weekly reggae night bringing British reggae artist, Pato Banton to town with his positive message. Also performing will be Kainoa tiger & Aloha 805.

Quick Notes: due to the overwhelming response, the Ojai Underground has added a second show (5 and 7:30) for Kerri Climer, Tara Jeffery and Lois Mahalia on Saturday, April 18; Grateful Dead cover bands at the Crowne Plaza on Saturday, April 18, with the Alligators and Natural Dead on Sunday, April 19; Robert Cray’s at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on Friday, April 24; Aaron Orbit with the Blurry Stars play the Deer Loge on Friday, April 24; Paul Stookey and daughter AS Aubrey perform at the Rubicon on Saturday, April 25; and the new Safe Space venue downtown hosts Fantuzzi Tuesday, April 28.

Ventura Music Scene 4/1/26 – 4/14/26

Posted on March 29, 2026 by venturarocks

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

There is no better place than Ventura for “a seaside celebration of music and community.” That’s the tagline for Maybe It Was the Roses Music Festival, a three-day celebration of the music, spirit and connection inspired by the legacy of the Grateful Dead and Bob Weir. The event will be held at the Crowne Plaza in Ventura Friday, May 29 through Sunday May 31. I’ve seen speculation that this replaces the defunct Skull and Roses, but who cares, if they pull this one off! Performances include those by Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, Dead Aces, Stu Allen with Mars Hotel, Jerry & Dawg, and many more. Get the lowdown at GoldenRoadFestival.com. And in case you’re wondering, “maybe it was the roses” is a lyric from “It Must Have Been the Roses” from the Grateful Dead. Information at GoldenRoadFestival.com.
Earlier the same month, the California Strawberry Festival falls over the weekend of May 16 and 17 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Along with all the fabulous strawberry concoctions, there will be arts and crafts, Strawberryland for the kids, a festival fun zone with carnival rides, and of course lots of live entertainment spread throughout the venue on a minimum of four stages. Some of the highlights will be Hot Southern Nights, The Long Run Eagles Experience, Corazon de Mana, Kings of Queen, and a special appearance by the Ventura College Jazz Band. Information at CAStrawberryFestival.org.

Moorpark’s High Street Arts Center added their summer tribute series to the calendar for dates July 31 through August 16. Tributes to Bruno Mars, Motown, Country, Billy Joel, Selena, Elvis and surf music. Shows do sell out, so secure your tickets now at HighStreetArtsCenter.com
Ojai Music Festival schedule with ticket information at OjaiFestival.org. The festival runs June 11 – June 14 with most concerts at the Libbey Bowl.

Quick Notes: Modest Mouse added to the Libbey Bowl concert season for Tuesday, August 4; the Easter performance at Beatice Woods Center for the Arts with George Kahumoku Jr. and Jim “Kimo” West is sold out; the musical, Somebody to Love, is now running at the Rubicon through April 19; the Beta Macks play First Thursdays Food Truck event at Plaza Park in Oxnard on April 2; it’s a punk rock Saturday afternoon at Vaquero y Mar on April 11 with SRA, Spider Baby and Opaula; reservations/tickets on sale now for the Sinatra tribute band featuring Michael Falcone at the Manhattan for Thursday, April 23; and finally, see you at Paul Thorn Friday, April 10, at the Ventura Music Hall.

Fun observation: you can tell who the target audience is when it’s a fully seated show starting earlier as is the case for when Ambrosia who play the Ventura Music Hall on June 7 at 7 pm 😊

Ventura Music Scene 3/18/26 – 3/31/26

Posted on March 15, 2026 by venturarocks

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

Live It Up, a Nordhoff L.I.V.E. club benefit concert will be held at the Libbey Bowl on Saturday, March 21 (2-9 pm), with several local bands including The Chillz, The Framers, Girldad, Looking West, Joystix, Easy Bear and Crescent City. This is an all-ages show with free admission, but donations will be gratefully accepted with proceeds going directly toward supporting students traveling to Arusha, Tanzania this summer for service work.

Supporting Namba Arts, which is one of the best listening rooms in the county, will be an intimate concert featuring the talented trio of Jodi Farrell, Michael Henszey and Mike Collins. This fundraiser is dedicated to supporting this jewel of venue, bringing together a night of acoustic and electric performance in an intimate setting. Along with the show will be a silent auction. This event falls on Sunday, March 22 at 6:30 pm.

Richard T. Bear & Friends play the Grape on Wednesday, March 25. Bear’s friends include heavy hitters such as Laurence Juber (Paul McCartney & Wings) on guitars, Ricky Cortes (John Mayall, Buddy Guy) on bass, and Tony Braunagel (Robert Cray, Taj Mahal, Rickie Lee Jones) on drums. Juber will open with an acoustic set.

Tommy Marsh, aka, Crooked Eye Tommy, brings back the Ojai Blues Fest to the Ojai Art Center with music starting Friday night, May 29, with the Guy Martin Band, and Smokey & Friends. Saturday has a full line-up of music with Ray Jaurique, Rae Gordon, TD Lind & the Aviators, Jen Staves & the Bluzfish, Ashford Gordon, Toni Dodd and Southbound Blues and of course a set from Crooked Eye Tommy.

The Boots and Brews line up was just announced for this year’s concert at Surfer’s Point (Ventura County Fairgrounds) where it’s all about celebrating good friends, cold beer and great country music. This year’s headliner will be Cole Swindell, along with Gretchen Wilson and Jayden Secor on Saturday, June 13.

Quick Notes: Now that the weather is agreeable for outdoor gatherings Tony’s Pizzeria and Margarita Villa are back to their normal schedules; Thursday night Grateful Dead Jams continue at Winchesters; there will be a rare early show at Sans Souci on Saturday, March 21 (4p) with Robin & the Love Letters, Scott Taylor and Quimby; the annual ARC of Ventura County’s “Let Go Out” event at Bombay’s on Saturday, March 21, with The Vonettes and Ray Jaurique Trio; Ozomatli plays the Ventura Music Hall on Saturday, March 21; Kelly’s Lot plays a day (2-5 pm) at the Deer Lodge on Sunday, March 22; two new album listening parties at Salzer’s Records with Courtney Barnett on Thursday, March 19 and Black Label Society on Thursday, March 26;
and Portland Oregon’s Tyler Berd with Eliza Noxon, play the Ojai Underground on Friday, March 27.

Ventura Music Scene 3/4/26 – 3/17/26

Posted on March 1, 2026 by venturarocks

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

When St. Patrick’s Day falls mid-week (Monday – Thursday), it’s a bit of a gamble on where to go to celebrate if you want live music. And whether you’re a true-blue Irish person honoring the patron saint of Ireland, or you just love wearing a kilt and drinking green beer there will be plenty to do. The Ventura St. Patrick’s Day Parade traditionally kicks off festivities the Saturday before (or on) St. Patrick’s day, so this year it rolls down Main Street (Lincoln to Fir) on March 14, four days before the official holiday. Some venues have parties on Saturday, others on Sunday and even a limited number of venues including the Boatyard Pub on St Patrick’s Day. But if you’ve never made it out for the parade, do yourself a favor and gather up friends and family and support this family-friendly event which begins at 10 am. This year’s theme is “Catch the Leprechaun Spirit” and honors former Ventura Mayor and four-term Councilmember, Brian Brennan as Grand Marshall.

The highly popular post-parade party at the Grape hosts the Two Trees Jazz Project on Saturday (2 pm). The punker crowd competes with the Grape with a show (same time) at Vaquero y Mar with Preachers & Pornstars, Yeah Right, All-a-Blue, SRA, Pito Paqueet and Ro Sham Bo. Then at 3 pm it’s the Pipes at Winchesters. Meanwhile, don’t be surprised if a band of bagpipers appear for short sets of Irish tunes throughout the area (including Dargan’s with their line around the block) from either the Gold Coast Bagpipes, A Pint of Irish, or the Ventura City Firefighters Pipes and Drums who will gladly pose for a selfie photo op with you.

The Ojai Libbey Bowl has updated their website promoting their music line up: the Psychedelic Furs on May 31, Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers on June 18, Dawes & Friends on June 26, Grateful Shred on August 1, Gipsy Kings on August 12, Ani DiFranco (where has she been???) on Friday August 14, Cat Power on August 18, Kamasi Washington on September 12, and two shows with Big Thief on September 19 and 20 with the first night already sold out. Find out more at LibbeyBowl.org.

Quick Notes: the 311 show at the Ventura is Wednesday, March 4, is sold out; renowned cellist, Ian Maksin’s Songs of the Vagabond Cello performs at the Ojai Art Center on Saturday, March 7; Matterform plays at the Saloon’s Artist’s Brew on Wednesday, March 11; the Botanical Gardens hosts musical guests, A Pint of Irish on Sunday March 15 from 11 – 12:30 pm; the Monday Club dance party with Hot Roux is Monday, March 16, at the Masonic Center in Ventura; and Ozomatli was been added to the Ventura Music Hall line up for Saturday, March 21.

Ventura Music Scene 2/18/26 – 3/3/26

Posted on February 15, 2026 by venturarocks

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

While celebrating Strey Cellars 12-year anniversary, Scott and Katie Ballew announced they’ve acquired Cantara Cellars/Flat Fish Brewing Co. and plan to build upon and brand it as their own moving forward as Camarillo Barrel Works and no worries, Strey Cellars will remain in Oxnard. Congratulations to Mike and Chris Brown on their retirement and a huge thank you for establishing Cantara Cellars so many years ago.

And speaking of rebranding, Fermentation House is ramping up on their acquisition of Four Brix in Ventura and continue their support of live music.

Hats off to Lucky Fool’s Pub in Moorpark for their professional promotion on their website and for booking more live music including Doc Rogers Band, 24 Strings, Teresa Russell, Strummed Down and Mack and D. I wish more venues did this.

The good folks at the Ventura Music Hall continue to book an eclectic mix of artists. The Sons of Legion show for February 21 is already sold out as are the two back-to-back nights for Thee Sinseers and the Altons on February 27 and 28. Recently added shows include Rich Kids on LSD and Good Riddance on April 11, Iam Tongi (Season 21 winner of American Idol) for April 17, and Collie Buddz for May 27.

I am reminded once again after taking in the Baila Nova performance at Namba Arts how special listening rooms are. So, as a reminder, though wineries, breweries and smaller bars offer up live music, specifically our local solo and duo artists, there is nothing like paying the price of a ticket for a “listening room” experience where one is there to listen and not to socialize during performances. Namba Arts and The Ojai Underground are probably the best examples and neither charge exorbitant cover charges. I’ve seen frustrated artists who are playing to no one in a full room when at the end of a song, no one claps. It breaks my heart! The point? Attend a listening room performance and you’ll be grateful you did. Oh! And clap at the end of songs in bars.

Quick Notes: beginning Thursday, February 19, Winchesters will host weekly Ventura Dead Nights though May 31 featuring a rotating a cast of local musicians playing the jams of the Dead; weather permitting, Tony’s Pizzeria is ramping up their music schedule again; Chicago’s Bitchin’ Bajas play the Ojai Deer Lodge on Wednesday, February 18; Vaquero y Mar hosts the Neurotics, Spider Baby, SRA, Roshambo and Zippy Josh on Friday, February 20; Shawn Jones and Bernie Larsen team up for a show at the Ojai Underground on Friday, February 27; and the sold out Violent Femmes show at the Ventura Theater is Sunday, March 1.

Ventura Music Scene 2/4/2026 – 2/17/2026

Posted on February 1, 2026 by venturarocks

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

I’m sorry to have to squash the rumors, but Mark Hartley has no intention of reopening the Watermark anytime soon though painstaking efforts have been made to restore the woodwork and opulence of its former heyday. The venue will continue as a rental space for special events just in case you’re interested. The rumors started after the Hartleys hosted an invite-only party musicians’ reunion on Tuesday, January 27, where up to 17 local musicians performed upstairs and downstairs. Those performing included Todd Hannigan, Shawn Jones, Sam Bolle, Ed Berghoff, Guy Martin, Alvino Bennett, Nick St. Nicolas, Mario Calire, Lois Mahalia, Katie Skene, and so many more, all of whom donated their time to play. For me, the highlight of the evening was when the band jammed with Nick St. Nicolas (Steppenwolf), and performed “Born to be Wild.”

There are a couple of milestones to celebrate this month, including MadeWest Brewing’s 10^th anniversary on Saturday, February 7, where live music will be provided by Big Tweed at their Donlon location in Ventura. Festivities include a beer release, food trucks, anniversary glasses and t-shirts for purchase while they last.

The following week, Strey Cellars celebrates their 12^th year anniversary over the weekend of February 14 with 805 Social Club performing on Saturday, and Heathers on Fire on Sunday.

Superbowl Sunday, February 8, would be the reason why most venues have no live music. Subsequently, moving forward, more venues will have live music on Sundays with the football season be us.

Quick Notes: Shawn Jones and Shane Alexander team up once again for a performance at Namba on Friday, February 6; Larry Dunn’s Anthology of Earth Wind and Fire lands at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, Saturday, February 7; the Monday Club returns to the Masonic Center in Ventura with Hot Roux on February 9; ChopperFest returns to the Ventura Fairgrounds, Saturday, February 7, and as of press time, website still lives live bands as TBD; tickets are on sale now for Rich Kids on LSD and Good Riddance at the Ventura Music Hall on April 11; and as for the Ventura Theater, the Violent Femmes show is sold out for March 1, but tickets are currently still available for 311 for March 4, and Circle Jerks for May 22;

Ventura Music Scene 1/21/26 – 2/3/26

Posted on January 18, 2026 by venturarocks

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

The highly anticipated Delta by the Beach album release party will be held at the Grape on Wednesday, January 21. The blues band’s new album, “Cold Night Rainy Day,” features 12 new original songs. The evening will include a meet and greet, storytelling and a live performance with special guests including Carl Sonny Leyland, Fito Del La Parra, Jimmy Calire and more. But wait, that’s not all…the $10 admission includes a free raffle for band tee shirts, CDs, vinyl and more.

I See Hawks perform at the Ojai Underground on Saturday, January 31, promising an unforgettable evening of harmonies, storytelling and psychedelic twang. Formed in 1999, and with nine albums under their belt, the Hawks have topped the Freeform American Roots chart four times, hit the Americana and Euro Americana Top Ten, and shared stages with Lucinda Williams, Dave Alvin, Old 97’s, The Mavericks and more. Find out more at OjaiUnderground.com.

A big tip of the hat to the Ventura Music Hall for providing a place for deadheads to come together to celebrate the life of Bob Weir, founding member of the Grateful Dead, who died of lung cancer at the age of 78 on January 10. Ventura has always been a hotbed of Dead fans dating back decades, starting when the band played at the fairgrounds in 1982 (returning 87, 91, 92 & 95). Not all bands have such a community-based following, with so many bands paying tribute to their sound and continued tribute shows in high demand. The sold-out show included members of Cubensis, Jerry’s Middle Finger, The Alligators, Shaky Feelin’ and more. I suspect more tributes will follow.

Quick Notes: Brian Charette B3 Funk Party featuring Danny Carry of TOOL on drums returns to the Grape Friday, January 30; Winchesters hosts a double header with Cory B. Clay & the Twains at 3 pm followed by the Joe Marcinek Band at 7 with Katie Skene opening and sitting in with the band on Saturday, January 24; Vaquero y Mar hosts the Ventura Gypsy Jazz Jam on Wednesday, January 28; The English Beat plays the Ventura Music Hall on Saturday, January 31; the Ventura County Concert Band plays a free concert of The Ventura High Auditorium on Sunday afternoon, February 1; the New West Symphony performs at the Performing Arts Center at Rancho Campana on Sunday, January 25, featuring the music of Rachmaninoff and Gershwin; tickets are on sale now for 311 at the Ventura Theater March 4; and Tommy Quayle performs Petty by the Campfire on Sunday, February 1, at Santa Paula’s Fermentation House; and speaking of which, Fermentation House acquired Anna’s Cider in Santa Paula awhile back and now it looks like they’re acquiring Four Brix in Ventura as well. Look for a possible name change in February.

Ventura Music Scene 1/7/26 – 1/20/26

Posted on January 4, 2026 by venturarocks

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

It’s a brand-new year and with it all the hopes and dreams for an even better future for all. I can’t help but look back at 2025 and take stock of accomplishments, goals met or missed and reminisce on the highs and lows. I found I did better with limited social media and divisive news stories. For me, time spent with good friends and live music has always been the antidote to stress in my life for as long as I can remember!

I may be preaching to the choir for a lot of Ventura Breeze readers about the benefits of taking in live music and dancing with whomever or even by yourself; but it never ceases to amaze me how many people I come across who never take in a concert, or frequent venues with live music, it’s truly shocking! If you happen to be one of those people who may be timid about dipping your toe in the proverbial music waters, I recommend a wine bar or local brewery where you can catch a singer/songwriter, it’s truly uplifting. And if you’re not ready for the “bar scene,” then try a dinner house such as Winchesters in Ventura or the Manhattan in Camarillo.

And, if you’re in the know about all the available live music, why not reach out and share the experience with someone who doesn’t know where to go or who to see. Not only will you help lift someone else’s spirits up, but you’re also bringing in more business for our local venues. We need to pack them because rent is high and musicians need to be paid! If we as paying customers don’t do our part, then there will be no live music or worse yet, venues will close their doors.

Ventura’s music scene continues to change. It’s not the same when I first started promoting live music on VenturaRocks.com back in 2009. Venues come and go, bands and artists are popular then they drop off the radar, venues are packed and then they’re not. But the bottom line is we only have a vibrant scene when people get out and support. Don’t forget, there are three elements to a music scene, the venues, the bands and us music lovers, together, we make Ventura Rock!

Quick Notes: Two tribute bands to check out at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, First Dead Man’s Party (Oingo Boingo) on Saturday, January 10, and then Bee Gees Gold on Friday, January 16; you might want to snag tickets for Brian Charette B3 Funk Party featuring Danny Carey of Tool at the Grape for Friday, January 30 before they sell out; and finally Gibson’s Neighborhood Bar will be changing their name to KJ’s and promising live music Wednesday through Sunday.

Ventura Rocks

Yeah it Does!

Ventura Music Scene 5/13/26 – 5/26/26

Ventura Music Scene 4/29/26 – 5/12/26

Ventura Music Scene 4/15/26 – 4/28/26

Ventura Music Scene 4/1/26 – 4/14/26

Ventura Music Scene 3/18/26 – 3/31/26

Ventura Music Scene 3/4/26 – 3/17/26

Ventura Music Scene 2/18/26 – 3/3/26

Ventura Music Scene 2/4/2026 – 2/17/2026

Ventura Music Scene 1/21/26 – 2/3/26

Ventura Music Scene 1/7/26 – 1/20/26