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

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic 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.

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 4/11 – 4/24

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic 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.

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.