Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
Tony’s Pizzeria is celebrating their 67th anniversary with loads of great food and live music over the weekend of June 26-28. I caught up with Bruce Barrios, owner and person responsible for bringing consistently great live music to the iconic venue located at Surfers Point just around the corner from the fairgrounds and the Amtrak station at the corner of Thompson and Figueroa. He told me his first memory of being there as a little boy was falling asleep under the oven waiting for his father to close for the night. Bruce and his brother took over ownership ten years ago when their father passed away and since that time music has become an important aspect to their business plan. The back lot of the venue was developed into quite the patio with a permanent stage, a dance area and loads of seating with heating lamps and tables. Tony’s Pizzeria is also a huge believer in giving back to the community, offering a place for non-profit fundraisers, high school reunions, and lots of great causes. The live music scene bounced back after the pandemic with the help of Tony’s Pizzeria leading the charge consistently offering live music again. You’re invited to join the celebration starting Friday night with No Duh (No Doubt tribute band); there will be two bands on Saturday, first Hot Lava (B52s tribute), followed by Material Girl (tribute to Madonna). Then Old School Sunday wraps up the festivities with Heart and Soul. Congratulations to Bruce and the fabulous hard-working crew at Tony’s Pizzeria!
Camarillo’s free concert series kicks off on Saturday, June 27 at Constitution Park with 90’s Rock Show, a band playing all your favorite grunge and alt-rock favorites from that decade. A variety of food trucks will be on site, so take your low-back chairs, blankets and picnics. There will be four concerts this summer which are always free to the community.
June 27: 90s Rock Show
July 11: Savor
July 25: Blue Breeze Band
August 8: Yellow Brick Road
The City of Ventura will be offering a free fireworks show celebrating America’s Independence on the 3rd, not on the 4th of July, with traditional Rotary Club’s fireworks show returning next year at the college. The fireworks will be set off from atop the parking structure at Santa Clara, downtown Ventura, Friday night with live music offered on California street leading up to the event.
And never fear, the annual Pushem Pullem Parade and downtown street fair will be held on the official holiday, Saturday, July 4, with Brittney and the Bsides, Casual Business, the 90’s BaBies, and the Colette Lovejoy band.
Quick Notes: The Grape is closed June 23, reopening July 7; the Psychedelic Furs will be coming to town after cancelling the date at the Libbey Bowl, they’ll now perform at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on November 12; and JR Richards (Dishwalla) will be doing a dinner show at Carrara’s Restaurant in Moorpark on Thursday, June 25 (805) 552-4250 for reservations.
Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows that you would like help publicizing? Please send all information, short or long, to Pam@VenturaRocks.com. For updated music listings daily, visit www.VenturaRocks.com.
