Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 4/24 – 5/7

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

It’s always a treat when Noel Paul Stookey from the iconic folk trio, Peter, Paul & Mary, performs at the Rubicon Theatre.  Stookey brings his dry wit and love of humankind in a show called “In These Times” on Sunday, April 28. His appearances always sell out, and this one did as well, so I’m happy to report there will be a second concert on Monday, April 29. I wonder what he’ll talk about.  Hmmm.

The local crew from Army of Freshmen have new music available this month, it’s an EP called “At the End of the Day” featuring acoustic tunes. That one drops April 26; the next day, they’ll perform “unplugged” up in Goleta at The Imperial sharing the stage with Nerf Herder.

Eco Fest not only provides over 80 exhibitors, green education ideas with helpful tips, and children’s activities, but they also offer great music throughout the day. This year they’ll have two stages of music with D.on Darox and the Melody Joy Bakers, Ventucky String Band, Anchor & Bear, Shay Moulder, the Midtones and more.  The annual event will be held at Plaza Park (Santa Clara and Chestnut) on April 27 from 10 am to 4 pm.  Eco Fest is free to the pubic with a bike valet available for those doing their part to reduce their carbon footprint.

Gigi’s will be hosting a couple of shows featuring bands from out of the area.  First on Monday, April 29, it’s Radio Active (Tokyo, Japan), The Wankys (Leicester, UK), Eel (Pittsburgh, PA) and No Divide (Santa Barbara); and then on Friday, May 3, they’ll have MOB 47 (Sweden), along with Phobia, Wichaven and Zoloa. I’m glad to see promoters taking advantage of this space again for live music.

Quick Notes: Amber Olive of Amber & Smoke has a new side gig with the band Mini Driver; Margarita Villa has live music every weekend now, Friday through Sunday; Ray Jaurique and friends play The Blue Room on Wednesdays in the Harbor; Show Me the Body from New York play with Enemy on Thursday, April 25, at the Tavern; Norman Baker out of Seattle plays Namba on Friday, April 26; playing the Sewer for the first time, it’s The Guitar & Whiskey Club on Saturday, April 27; The Popravinas perform Saturday, May 4, at Dargans; Club 805 hosts The Darkside (Cosplay) on May 4; and Robin Trower plays the Ventura Theater on Sunday, May 5.

Congratulations to Adam and Josh for getting the Planning Commissions unanimous approval during their public hearing April 10.  It was a standing room only crowd with so many people speaking in support of opening The Grape Jazz Club.  Now, a little construction upgrades and hopefully the next time I write about the Grape will be to give their opening date.  Well done boys!

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.  For updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 4/10 – 4/23

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

Before we get into what is currently happening, let’s ensure our future happenings include consistently great jazz by attending and supporting Squashed Grapes on their public hearing so they can reopen at their new location mid-town Ventura. It’s on Wednesday, April 10, at 6 pm in the Council Chambers at Ventura City Hall. I’d love nothing more than a full room showing their support; you don’t need to speak, but you know I will!

Discovery Ventura continues to mix it up not only placing and supporting local bands on the calendar, but they’re booking some really cool national acts like the Average White Band. In fact, I had to double check it wasn’t a tribute band, because well you know, this is extremely cool! They also have Bret Bollinger of Pepper on Thursday, April 11, and one of the best tribute bands around Queen Nation on Friday, April 12. Last year Gin Blossoms did a show there, and while they’re returning to the area, this time they’ll be at Libbey Bowl on June 23.

Namba located on Oak Street has a number of shows coming up including a singer/songwriter showcase on Friday, April 12, with Rachael Lynde, Jade Hendrix, Scott Borel and Ella Dritz. The following evening it’s Charlie Baker’s Neil Young tribute on Saturday, April 13. Sitarist, Will Marsh, performs there on Saturday, April 20.

Quick Notes: Peter Jong of Emerge performs an instrumental rock & fusion set at Red Cove on Thursday, April 11; Camarata Pacifica performs Beethoven, Mozart and more at the Museum of Ventura County on Sunday afternoon, April 14; Tommy Marsh’s Acoustic Crossroads at Winchesters will have as his special guest, his brother Paddy, on Sunday, April 14; there will be a benefit for Step Up Ventura on Saturday afternoon with The Ramblers at Grapes and Hops starting at 3 pm on April 20; Harbor Cove will start having music again (end of Spinnaker at the Harbor) with Jill Martini and the ShrunkeHeads on Friday, April 19, and Gary Ballen on Saturday, April 10; and a special “Emo” show lands at The Tavern on Thursday, April 18, with Skating Polly, Ugly Pop and Jo Passed.

By the way, if you have original music you would like to get played on the radio, just hit me up. The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour continues its bi-monthly shows on CAPS Media’s KPPQ-LP. You not only can catch it at 104.1 FM in and around Ventura, but you can download the MyTuner radio app and listen on your phone or online at www.CapsMedia.org/Radio. The program airs Tuesdays and Fridays at 5 pm and Sundays at noon. It’s an eclectic mix of music so all genres are welcome…just no profanity please.

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. For updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.