Monthly Archives: November 2024

Ventura Music Scene 11/27/24 – 12/10/24

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Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
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I can’t say enough about the “social event of the year,” of course I’m speaking about the Ventura Winter Wine Walk. I love downtown Ventura all decked out in holiday décor with the free holiday street fair running noon to 8 pm. At the corner of California and Main, there’s a large stage with Ventura’s City Hall in the background where bands play danceable popular tunes while “snow” falls to the delight of people of all ages. Now keep in mind, the Winter Wine Walk is a ticketed event (I always recommend the VIP experience), but the street fair along with the live music at California is free to all. Get the lowdown at VenturaWinterWineWalk.com.

Over the next two weeks, there are a number of holiday specials to get you into the swing of things starting with The Grape presenting a sizzling Latin Christmas show with Freddie Ravel All Star Band on Thursday, December 5. Ravel is a Grammy-nominated performer who has toured with Sergio Mendes, Madonna, Prince and Carlos Santana to name a few. Reservations highly recommended at TheGrapeVentura.com.

Up next, the ever-popular Doc the Halls Holiday Blues with Doc Ventura at Namba on Saturday, December 7, featuring performances by RJ Mischo. Fito de la Parra (Canned Heat), Hank Van Sykle, Dave Melton, Eddie Layman and more. Expect a mix of classic holiday tunes along with some original compositions all performed with a festive twist.

Then on Sunday, December 8, the Majestic Ventura Theater is hosting two events. At 11:30 am, the Ventura High School Jazz Band along with the Cabrillo Middle School Jazz Band will hold their winter jazz concert. Then at 2:00 pm, it’s the Majestic’s 12th Annual Holiday Sing Along with number of local artists leading the charge. While both events are free, admission for the latter is one unwrapped toy per group. VHS would also appreciate new unwrapped toys and/or non-perishable cans of food as they’re teaming up with Foodshare and Spark of Love this season.

Moving over to Camarillo for additional events on Sunday, December 8, the New West Symphony’s Winter Spectacular will be at 3 pm at Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center featuring Los Robles Children’s Choir and vocal soloists (ticket information at NewWestSymphony.org); and the Camarillo Community Center will host the Camarillo Community Band’s Christmas concert at 4 pm which is free.

Don’t forget the Wednesday before Thanksgiving tradition of taking in live music starting with TD Lind and the Aviators at Ojai Valley Brewing, Erik Lemaire will rock Duke’s on Seaward, Bombay’s has DJs, Frank Barajas is at the Boatyard Pub, Instone plays Café Fiore, Big Adventure Duo at Aqua Bar inside the Crowne Plaza, there’s the Django Djam at Vaquero y Mar, 6 Beats Apart at the Grape and Johnny Knows No One with DNA & Dave Rae at Tony’s Pizzeria. Most of these venues are indoors; however, the ones outdoors will be contingent on the weather.

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 11/13/24 – 11/26/24

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

We’re fully into fall and with it one’s inability to decide whether to dress warmly or not. My go to solution is always layers, where I either end up with a couple items tied around my waist, or they’re forgotten and left behind on the back of a chair. It’s never easy deciding how to dress for live music when the stage is outdoors such as at Margarita Villa and Tony’s Pizzeria, but luckily, they do provide those heat lamps where you’ll typically find me basking in their warmth.

Mid November tends to be a little slower with no large events (indoors or out), as people start to gear up for the holidays. One unofficial holiday is Friendsgiving where you celebrate with friends rather than family. Around town several venues provide live music the Wednesday before Thanksgiving giving you a chance to preemptively decompress so you’re ready to face the family the next day. A number of venues already provide live music on Wednesdays but a few are stepping up such as Tony’s Pizzeria with Johnny Knows No One, Duke’s with Erik Lemaire and TD Lind & the Aviators will play Ojai Valley Brewery. You find more in the next issue of the Breeze.

Meanwhile, the Rubicon Theater helps to ring in the holidays on Saturday, November 16, with a concert featuring Golden Globe Award winner Amanda McBroom (The Rose) as she celebrates her first ever holiday album Wintersong. You’ll enjoy such holiday favorites as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “I’ll be Home for Christmas,” Dan Fogelberg’s “Just Auld Lang Syne” and a number of originals. You can find out more and secure your tickets at RubiconTheatre.org.

If you love to dance, and by dance, I mean real dancing such as the foxtrot, waltz, swing, salsa, etc…, then I hope you’re aware of a little gem here in Ventura called the House of Dance located on Bunsen Avenue (off Victoria by the Buenaventura Golf Course).  Not only do they provide classes, but the Channel Cities Jazz Club holds a monthly Sunday afternoon session with a live band. This month they’re featuring The Groovin’ Easy Big Band on Sunday afternoon, November 17 (Donations $15 non-members; $10 for members). For more information about House of Dance go to pmhouseofdance.com.

Quick Notes: Leonid & Friends perform a tribute to the band Chicago at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on Friday, November 15; Kimberly Ford returns to the Grape featuring the music of Joni Mitchell in Dreamland on Saturday, November 16; Ventura Theater has Caifances for two nights on Saturday, November 16 and Sunday, November 17; Sitting on Stacy opens for the Expendables at the Ventura Music Hall on Friday, November 22; and Fido plays Bombay’s on Saturday, November 23.

And finally, sad to report the Raven in Oxnard has closed their doors.

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.