Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 1/30 – 2/12

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Congratulations to the Ventura Music Festival as they celebrate their Silver Anniversary this year. They announced their 25th year line up earlier this week, so be sure to go to www.VenturaMusicFestival.org to see all the performances scheduled and to pick out which ones you plan on catching this summer. Meanwhile, you can get tickets for their Anderson & Roe Piano Duo at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center on Saturday, February 9.

The Los Angeles version of ARK Kizomba Festival is being held February 8-11 in Ventura this year and while their claim that our City “stays up late” might be stretching it, this is the perfect destination with our ocean breeze at the fairgrounds to help cool off dancers in between sets. As best as I can figure out, it’s three days of dancing, DJs, classes and demonstrations with an all-nighter Friday night kicking off at midnight going until 6 in the morning. For ticket information, DJs, and more understanding, go to www.AmericanRiveraKizombaFestival.com.

Squashed Grapes continues to book jazz shows at the Hong Kong with M’Phaka on Wednesday, January 30 featuring Karl Hunter (Big Bad Voodoo Daddy), Hans Ottsen, Danny Connel & Tyler Hammond; then it’s Tony Ybarra & Friends on Thursday January 31; Jen Staves & the Bluzfish Trio on Friday, February 1; and the return of The Doug Webb Group featuring Danny Carey of TOOL on Saturday, February 2.

The Ventura College Performing Arts Department will be presenting Dido and Aeneas Thursday, January 31, through Sunday, February 3. The opera which was composed over 350 years will be sung in English and has been updated with a modern interpretation covering such themes as cyber bullying, depression, peer pressure and how social medias has changed how we communicate with one another.

Quick Notes: Know, Brosky’s Revolt and Shattered Badget play Concrete Jungle Brewing on Friday, February 1; Salzer’s Records hosts a Meet and Greet with Las Cafeteras at noon on Friday February 1; Four Brix Winery continues their Friday happy hour shows 5:30 – 7:30 with Fido on February 1, and Inna Rude Mood on February 8; Anchor & Bear play Topa Topa Brewing on Friday, February 1; Ventura Bike Hub will offer music for First Fridays on February 1 with Las Criaturas, QVO, Sarah Tonein and Moon Pillow; Last in Line with Fallen Saints plays the Majestic Ventura Theater on Saturday, February 2; Rubicon Theater concert “Side by Side” fall on Saturday and Sunday February 2 and 3; Lee Scratch Perry performs at Discovery Friday, February 8; Medicine Hat and Brother Earl and the Cousins play Sans Souci Saturday, February 8; music returns to Oak and Main on Saturday, February 9 with Mandex; and Camerata Pacifica presents an afternoon of Beethoven & Reich at the Museum of Ventura County Sunday afternoon, February 10.

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 1/16 – 1/29

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Trust me when I say, you won’t want to miss An Evening of Song & Stories with Chris Hillman at the Museum of Ventura County on Thursday, January 24. Hillman, long-time Ventura resident, was one of the original members of The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and the Desert Rose Band. I was fortunate to see Hillman perform last year at the Lobero Theater, so we are very fortunate to have him in our town in such an intimate setting. You can get tickets through the museum (this will sell out). The legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Famer also loaned the museum some of his memorabilia which is on display through March 31.

Squashed Grapes continues to book jazz shows at the Hong Kong with Jazz Jams on Tuesdays nights; Jimmy Calire and Friends will be there Wednesday, January 16; Bruce Forman performs “The Red Guitar” on Thursday, January 17; it’s Nee’s Bees (features Nee Sackey, Karl Hunter) on Friday, January 18; and Bevan Manson and Friends on Saturday, January 19.

There’s a new venue in Oxnard called 1901 with a “speakeasy” themed bar, and I’m happy to report they offer live music on Friday and Saturday nights. They’re located downstairs from La Dolce Vita Ristorante in Heritage Square.

The extremely dynamic Kelly Zirbes will once again be raising funds for C.A.R.L. This is their 6th annual fundraiser for the Canine Adoption and Rescue League featuring her band Kelly’s Lot. The event will be held at Four Brix Winery on Saturday, January 26 (5:30 – 8:30 pm), featuring Scott Detweiler, Elizabeth Hangan and others in the band.

Made West will be celebrating their third anniversary on Saturday, January 26, with performances from noon until 8 pm featuring Brother Earl and the Cousins, Amargosos, Shay Moulder, Hannah Jobus and Matt Sayles.

Quick Notes: the popular “Celebration of Joni Mitchell” will be performed at Namba, on Friday, January 18; Vendo 81 plays during the Food Truck Friday at the Pacific View Mall on January 18; E.P. Foster Library will offer a free performance at noon by Opera Santa Barbara on Friday, January 18; a benefit for SPARC with Lacy J. Dalton and Dale Poune will be at the Ventura Theater (hosted by actor Malcolm McDowell) Saturday, January 19; local jazz artist, Toni Jannotta will perform her “My Little Heart Ruthie” at Bell Arts Factory on Saturday, January 19; The Rubicon presents Red Hot Mama: The Sophie Tucker Songbook for two performances on Saturday, January 19 and Sunday, January 20; traveling through town, DBT (Driven by Turmoil) and Steeltoe, will make a stop at The Garage on Friday, January 25; and the Unity Theater Collective will hold a fundraiser at Namba on Saturday, January 26 with a “Mamma Mia Sing-along.”

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 1/2 – 1/15

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Happy New Year! I’m wishing you a year of prosperity, love, friendship and of course lots of live music!!

Let’s start off the year right by helping Crooked Eye Tommy get to Memphis to compete in this year’s International Blues Challenge by attending a fundraising concert at Grapes and Hops on Saturday, January 5. Along with a $20 donation to help out, there will be raffle items including one of Tommy’s guitars. Performers slated on the bill include Michael John, Joey Delgado, Mikey Mo, Ian Mcfadyen, Jodi Farrell, Kelly Zirbes, Shawn Jones, Perry Robertson, Ray Jaurique, Dan Grimm, Eddie Dies and more! The show is scheduled to start at 6 pm.

The Channel Cities Jazz Club is moving their monthly shows to the Pierpont Inn this year. Their first performance will be Sunday, January 27 (1 pm) with an open jazz session. Headlining will be Jimmy McConnell’s Super Big Band. It’s only $10 for members, and $15 for nonmembers.

Congratulations to the Majestic Ventura Theater for partnering with Live Nation on booking future shows this year. We’ll be looking for upgrades on the facility including their sound system. Meanwhile don’t miss the benefit show for SPARC hosted by Malcolm McDowell on Saturday, January 19, with performance from Lacy J. Dalton with Dale Poune.

The good folks from Squashed Grapes will continue to book jazz shows at the Hong Kong Inn while the current owners look for new owners to take over the lease. Jazz Jams return to Tuesdays nights, Dogfish plays Wednesday, January 9, Coda on the 10th, Ben Clatworthy & Friends on the 11th and it’s the Barrelhouse Wailers on Saturday, January 12.

Quick Notes: The Jerry McWorter Trio return to their Tuesday night residency at Copa Cubana on January 8; Rapper Shwayze plays Discovery on Wednesday, January 9; Bluegrass jams continue in the New Year on Thursdays at the Boatyard Pub in the Ventura Harbor; The Hell Toupees and Sick Boy play Sans Souci, Friday, January 11; The Ventura Music Festival Student Jazz Competition will be held at Namba downtown on Sunday, January 13; The Swillys will be entertaining as you enjoy brunch at Traveler’s Café on Sunday, January 13; and finally, Café Fiore will not be having live music on Thursdays for the time being.

Don’t forget to tune in for The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour airing on CAPS Media’s KPPQ-LP every Tuesday and Friday at 5 pm and Sunday’s at noon. I’m grateful for this platform to play artists who might not have the opportunity to have their music played on the radio as I play artists out of the 805 and artists who come to the 805 to play. Listen in at 104.1 FM in and around Ventura, or online at CapsMedia.org/Radio.

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.