Monthly Archives: December 2023

Ventura Music Scene 12/27/23 – 1/9/24

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Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
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Well, we’re at the close of another year and looking forward to the new one. I’m typically not one for looking back, but rather one who anticipates all the good things to come. That being said, now is as good of time as any to reminisce, just a bit. It’s been almost fifteen years since I decided to get involved with Ventura’s music scene hoping to inspire people to get out and enjoy live music while supporting our local venues and artists by launching VenturaRocks.com. It was ten years ago that Sheldon Brown, publisher of the Ventura Breeze, invited me to write this music scene column. Since I got involved keeping my finger on the pulse of our music community, the most important thing I’ve learned is that the music scene is a living entity. You have to nurture it. The venues (God love them) need to promote, the artists need to captivate and entertain, and just as importantly, us music loving fans need to support by not only showing up, but show up with our wallets opened. Several venues provide no cover charge, so they especially need your patronage; buy a beverage, order up some food, tell others about the great time you had, and please don’t forget about the artists, especially our beloved singer/songwriters; buy their swag, order their music, leave a tip. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it takes three elements to make a music scene, the venues, the artists, and us music fans, together, we make Ventura Rock!

Now on to bringing in the New Year. Most venues will have a special celebration on Sunday, December 31, but not all at midnight. Some pub/wine houses are celebrating the “UK” New Year at 4 pm, others at 9 pm aligning with the New York dropping of the ball in Time Square, but most will ring in 2024 at midnight our time with entertainment and party favors. My column (as well as VenturaRocks.com) only lists live music, so if you don’t see a venue here (Bombay’s, the Six and others), it doesn’t mean they’ll be closed, they’ll most likely rock in the year with a DJ. No matter your preference, I recommend you take a look and see what’s available, call the venue to secure reservations and find out if they’ll have a cover charge so you’ll be prepared. And speaking of being prepared, if you’re planning to tie one on, I highly recommend you either have a designated driver, the phone number of a taxi service or have a rideshare app on your phone (Uber, Lyft).

Go to VenturaRocks full calendar page and search NYE for  all live music listings to bring in the new year!

Quick Notes: Copa Cubana has permanently closed their doors their final show was December 19; Nick Waterhouse plays the Deer Lodge on Thursday, December 28; Rincon Brewery continues with live music on Friday, December 29, with Milo Sledge Trio; and Namba hosts All Ears described as a musical alchemy on Saturday, January 6.

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 12/13/23 – 12/26/23

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Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.comartwork
I hope you are enjoying the holiday season, there are a few more opportunities to catch live music if you need a boost. On one end of the spectrum, the Rubicon Theater will host a Saturday afternoon Tiny Tots Christmas Concert on December 23 (2-4 pm) featuring enchanting songs of the season that will tug at your holiday heartstrings.

And then on the other end of the spectrum, if you appreciate a wicked sense of humor that is, then you won’t want to miss loveable punk rockers, The Vandals, when they play the Majestic Ventura Theater on Friday, December 22. This is the band’s 28th Annual Christmas Formal where they’re sure to play such punk holiday favorites as “My First Christmas as a Women,” “Oi to the World,” “Grandpa’s Last X-mas” and “I Don’t Believe in Santa Claus.”

Non-holiday events include a fundraiser to help get Red Headed Stephchild to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis next month. The event will be held at Bombay’s on Saturday December 16 from 2-6 pm with performances from Ray Jaurique Trio, Hot Roux, American Standard and Red Headed StephChild.

Singer/songwriter Amanda McBroom plays Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts in Ojai on Sunday December 17. So many of her songs have been recorded by a wide variety of artists such as Barry Manilow, Judy Collins, Anne Murray, Harry Belafonte, Kurt Cobain and of course Bette Midler who hit a number one hit with her tune, “The Rose”.

Albert Lee will be celebrating his 80th birthday at the Twist on Main with Hot Roux supporting the phenomenal Grammy award winning guitarist. Lee has worked with the likes of the Everly Brothers, Eric Clapton, Emmylou Harris and more. This ticketed event falls on Friday, December 22 with tickets available on the HiHatEntertainment.com website.

Keep in mind, you should firm up your New Year’s Eve party plans sooner than later. My next column will highlight some of the bigger parties, but meanwhile, go to VenturaRocks.com and on the calendar, just search “NYE” for parties throughout Ventura County.

Quick Notes: Rey Fresco opens for Ozomatli at the Ventura Music Hall on Thursday, December 14; Simon Phillips returns to the Grape for another sure-to-sell-out performance on Friday, December 15; Red Hot Cholo Peppers play Copper Blues on Friday December 15; Brendan Willing James plays the Farmer and the Cook in Ojai on Sunday December 17; and Tribal Me has reformed and renamed the group, The Jelly Jam Band.

Though I’ve placed the Pam Baumgardner Music Hour on hiatus after 200 shows, I’d like to invite you to start your very own radio show on CAPS Media’s KPPQ local non-profit radio station. You can do a talk/podcast type show, or play music of any genre. Reach out to the program director at radio@capsmedia.org.

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.