Ventura Music Scene 10/19/22 – 11/1/22

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

I’m loving fall so far with all the unpredictable weather changes; it’s safe to say go out wearing layers, and trust me when I say, you’ll certainly want to be able to strip off several layers once you warm up while dancing at the Salsa Music Fest on Saturday, October 22 at Freedom Park in Camarillo. This one runs from 11 am – 6 pm with food and craft vendors, with dancing like there’s no tomorrow to Chino Espinoza y Los Duenos Del Son! And in case you’re a little rusty on your salsa skills, or have never attempted this fabulous dance, there will be beginner’s salsa lessons at 11:30 along with an advanced lesson featuring star guest, Hector Sanchez. There’s a lot more going on, so be sure to get the details and secure your tickets at SalsaMusicFest.com.

Mnozil brass

Ventura Music Festival is already busy with next year’s lineup for next summer, but meanwhile, they’re be partnering with Sterling Venue Ventures to bring Mnozil Brass, an Austrian band known as the “Monty Python” of the music world to town. The band’s brand of slapstick comedy promises a fun evening you won’t soon forget when they play the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on March 2, 2023. Find out more about their early bird special at VenturaMusicFestival.org.

The next free Ojai Pops Concert Series show will be Sunday, October 23, with vocalists Miriam Dance and Sophie Holt featuring the music of Leonard Bernstein, John Williams, selections from Dreamgirls and Aretha Franklin. Concert starts at 3:30 pm. The next and final show will be on November 6th featuring Larktown & Friends with Lark Cobb and Todd Temanson. And just a reminder that while these shows are free, donations are greatly appreciated.

The Merry Wives of Windsor will perform during the Ojai Storytelling Festival which runs October 27 – 30. The ten-piece all-female folk band blending elements of folk from the British Isles and the Americas will perform during the kickoff celebration on Thursday, October 27 at Libbey Bowl. Find out more about all the performances, dates, locations and tickets at OjaiStoryFest.org.

The Judy Collins and Sophie B. Hawkins concert at Libbey Bowl was cancelled due to Judy breaking an arm. The Libbey Bowl website posted that a full recovery is expected and Ms. Collins looks forward to performing at the Libbey Bowl on June 3, 2023. Original tickets will be honored.

Now to the really fun stuff involving a few Halloween parties.

halloween graphicThere are a couple of “early-bird events this year including the one at the Oceanview Pavilion in Port Hueneme where they’re hosting a “Thriller Bash” with Green Jellÿ (pronounced jello) and Sik Sik Siks performing on Saturday, October 22 with a ton of prizes for best costumes. Tickets are available on Eventbrite with this one open to 18 and over.

On the same night, it’s Angie & the Nightmares along with Duncan & the Dragonslayers for one of the Garage’s Halloween parties on Saturday, October 22. This one is free with costume prizes, but you need to be 21+ to attend.

And then the NextGen Rotary club is hosting Crawl-O-Ween on Sunday afternoon October, 23 with several venues participating downtown Ventura; Winchesters will provide live music from the Ray Jaurique Trio. Find out more and get your tickets (after lining up your designated driver) on EventBrite.com. Three non-profits will benefit: NextGen Rotary, Surfrider Foundation and Food Share. Costumes are encouraged as a contest with prizes will be awarded.

Otherwise, the weekend before Halloween (which falls on a Monday this year) will lead up to the big night:

Thursday, October 27
Coleen & Co. at The Grape

Friday, October 28
Vinyl Gypsies at the Keynote
The Grizwalds at Sunland Vintage Winery

Saturday, October 29
Shaky Feelin’ at Leashless Brewing
The 805 Social Club at Strey Cellers
Morie & the Heavy Hitters at Aqua Bar, Crowne Plaza
Nick & the Old Souls at Namba Performing Arts Center
Dave Rea & Acoustic DNA at The Twist on Main
Vinyl Gypsies at The Raven
Ganda at the Garage
Tasty Thieves at Azar’s
Dave Palmer & Friends at Deer Lodge

Sunday, October 30
Heart & Soul at Tony’s Pizzeria

Quick Notes: Bruno and the Hooligans (Bruno Mars tribute) play the Collection on Wednesday, October 19; the Expandards with Isaac Koren & Mikael Jorgensen featuring Mario Calire and Kevin McCormack play the Ojai Underground on Friday, October 21; Top Shelf Brass Band (NOLA style dirty dance music) play Ojai Valley Brewing on Saturday, October 22; and if you’re willing to travel to Simi Valley, Harley’s Rock & Roll Pizza’s Halloween party will have Hollywood Crue, Black Sabbatha and Metal Health on Saturday, October 29.

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 Music Scene 10/5 – 10/18

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

There are a number of special events lined up during the next two weeks, and of course you’ll also want to map out your Halloween plans, I’m finding a number of venues are celebrating on the days leading up to the big night. If you go to the VenturaRocks.com calendar page, you can search “Halloween” and see what I’ve found out so far. I’ll give more details in the next issue of the Breeze.
Boots and Brews adLet’s start with Surfer’s Point Live hosts Boots & Brews (yes this is the second one in the past few months), and it falls on a Friday, October 14, staring Tim McGraw, Michael Ray and Bailey Zimmerman. So get off early from work, pull on your country boots and head over to the Ventura County Fairgrounds when the gates open at 3 pm, grab a cold one and enjoy some of the best country music around! Secure your tickets at BootsAndBrews.com.

Boccali’s in Ojai and their Boots & Bluegrass special event featuring live music from Drea & Kellen Van Allen. This ticketed event includes a family-style Italian dinner, non-alcoholic beverage (wine & wine available for sale though), and live entertainment on Thursday, October 6 from 5:30 to 8:30 in the evening. Ticket information can be found on the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

Seaside highland gamesThe Seaside Highland Games return to the Ventura County Fairgrounds this year over the weekend of October 8 and 9th with live music from the Angry Brians, Sligo Rags, Browne Sisters, George Cavanaugh and the Ploughboys. This Scottish themed event is family friendly and includes such competitions as bagpipping & drumming, drum majoring, fiddling, highland dancing, and heavy athletics. Tickets can be found at SeasideHighlandGames.org.

Saturday, October 8 is also the return of Surf ‘n’ Suds. This ticketed event features rows of vendors and with lots of alcohol samplings, and this year a mega sized beer pong competition. They’re back at their San Buenaventura State Beach location (entrance at San Pedro Street). The last time I went, I visited one of their vendors selling a unique wine opening device, and I ended up on a commercial which aired on several social media platforms, so you know, you too might can become a star 😊. Live musical entertainment will feature the Free Love Project, KingQueen Band and DJ FIU. For ticket information, go to SurfBeerFest.com.

Boccali’s in Ojai and their Boots & Bluegrass special event featuring live music from Drea & Kellen Van Allen. This ticketed event includes a family-style Italian dinner, non-alcoholic beverage (wine & wine available for sale though), and live entertainment on Thursday, October 6 from 5:30 to 8:30 in the evening. Ticket information can be found on the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

The Brite Room located at Music Freqs, at 2258 Pickwick Drive in Camarillo offers an all-ages live music venue with bands of all genres available to the under 21 crowd. You most likely will remember this is the space formerly known as Rock City Studios. Kudos for taking a chance, and making a safe place for kids to take in live shows. I’m hoping to share more of their listings in the future. Currently I have Feed the Beast, Disrupted Euphoria and Black Moon Lilith on Friday, October 7, and Ottto, Noah Weiland and Akila Fly on Saturday, October 8. Tickets are available via EventBrite.

Ojai Valley Day is Saturday, October 15 with lots of vendors, arts, activities and live music from 10 in the morning until 6 pm. I understand they’ll have two stages one of which is the Gazebo, and the other the Libbey Bowl where Abba Dabba Doo! (Abba tribute) plays at about 3 pm followed up by Spencer the Gardener, both of which are free to the public.

New shows on sale:
Ojai Underground:
Jamie Drake on October 15
Expandards on October 21
Perla Batalla on November 11 & 12

Ventura Music Hall
The Aquadolls, Sitting on Stacy & Strange Case on October 21
La Santa Cecilia on November 1
Sammy Johnson on November 3
Long Beach Dub Allstars on December 3
Zoso, the ultimate Led Zeppelin tribute on January 14, 2023

Ventura Theater
GlorRilla on January 14, 2023

Quick Notes: The Twist is switching hands early this month, current owner Teri doesn’t anticipate any major changes with the live music you’ve come to know and love; It’s a Flashback 90s night at Poseidon Brewings with Vinny Berry on Friday, October 7; Numbskull Productions present Dirty Rotten Imbeciles at Gigi’s on Tuesday, October 11; Cantara Winery is celebrating their anniversary on October 15 with Heart and Soul; and Rey Fresco will do an intimate performance at the Aqua Beachfront Bar located inside the Crown Plaza Hotel on Saturday, October 15.

By the time this issue rolls off the presses, The Fatty Vegan will have closed their doors for good. Sad times for you Vegans out there, but we’re much appreciative of all the live bands you brought to town. Best wishes for your family’s future.

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 Music Photos – October 2022

The Grape – October 29, 2022
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and their Big Bad Big Band (photo: Craig Posen)
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Ventura Music Hall – October 21, 2022
Sueco (photo: Christopher Sucameli)
Sueco

Sueco

Ventura Music Hall – October 15, 2022
La Dispute (photo: Christopher Sucameli)
La DisputeVentura Music Hall – October 15, 2022
Sweet Pill (photo: Christopher Sucameli)Sweet PillBoots & Brew – October 14, 2022
Tim McGraw (photo: Christopher Sucameli)
Tim McGraw

Tim McGraw

Boots & Brew – October 14, 2022
Michael Ray (photo: Christopher Sucameli)

Michael Ray

The Grape – October 12, 2022
Neil Elliott Dorval (Left to right, DeLaun Martin, R.J. Root, Neil Elliott Dorval, Luis Conte)
Neil Elliott Dorval Group

Neil Elliott Dorval

Topa Topa Brewing – October 10, 2022
King Ropes (from Montana)
King Ropes

Majestic Ventura Theater – October 8, 2022
GWAR (photo credit Christopher Sucameli)
GWAR

Majestic Ventura Theater – October 8, 2022
Crobot (photo credit Christopher Sucameli)
Crobot

Ventura Music Hall – October 6, 2022
Dirty Honey
(photo credit Christopher Sucameli)
Dirty Honey photo

Dity Honey

Ventura Music Hall – October 6, 2022
Dorothy
Dorothy

Majestic Ventura Theater – October 2, 2022
Silversun Pickups (photo credit Christopher Sucameli)
Silversun Pickups photo

Ventura Music Hall – October 1, 2022
Protoje (photo credit Christopher Sucameli)
ProtojeSanta Paula Theater – October 1, 2022
The Mini Bar Project (Marty Van Loan & Jeff Evans) with Michael Jerome on drums
The Mini Bar Project