Majestic Ventura Theater – October 17, 2023
The Offspring (photos: Kevin Scott Rehak)
The Grape – October 16, 2023
Doug Webb Quartet feat. Jacob Scensney (photos: Seth Brandes)
Boots and Brews – October 15, 2023
Jon Pardi (photos: Tatiana Vasilyev, @tativphotogallery)
Boots and Brews – October 15, 2023
Michael Jay (photo: Tatiana Vasilyev)
Boots and Brews – October 15, 2023
Niko Moon (photo: Tatiana Vasilyev)
Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
THIS JUST IN….10/6/2022…not included in the Breeze:
A fundraiser called Let it Flow Fest will be held at the Ojai Libbey Bowl on Saturday, October 14 (2 – 10 pm) with Pato Banton and Friends! Others performing will be The Chillz, Ojai Department of Rhythm, Ted Lennon, Bernie Larsen and Cassidey Linder, Tyler Hammond Jazz Experience and SicNarf. All proceeds to to Ventura County Community Foundation & the City of Ojai. for the restoration of historic Coyote Creek and supporting the community of Foster Park. Get tickets at AXS.com
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Original article starts here:
We’re in the middle of celebrating Ventura County’s 150th anniversary, and the event not to be missed is coming up on Saturday, October 21 at Santa Paula Veterans Park. During the early afternoon there’s a Mountain to Sea Jubilee Family Festival free to the public, but starting at 2:30, a ticketed Jubilee Music Fest kicks off with live music from Charles Law Band, Whiskey Business, Rey Fresco, Mariachi Camarillo and the headliners, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy! There is limited capacity with presale tickets only, and they’re available on Eventbrite. There will be food trucks, a beer and wine garden and artisan fair. No outside food, drink, or dogs allowed. It’s festival style seating, so you can bring blankets or low chairs.
Tickets sold out quickly for Grammy winning and multi-platinum selling Soul Asylum show at the Deer Lodge for November 11. I’m a little sad to miss this one as I would have certainly plopped down $55 for such an intimate show with the band that gave us “Runaway Train” and “Somebody to Shove.”
Could be a blip in planning as two events are scheduled over the same weekend at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. I’m giving you the head’s up as parking could be limited; may I suggest riding your bike or hiring Lyft/Uber/Taxi? I understand that there will be a shuttle from the State Beach (San Pedro), but keep in mind parking is $10 there too.
First, the Seaside Highland Games return on October 14 and 15 with all the normal fun and games, as well as plenty of lively Celtic music from Stand Easy, Ploughboys, Brian Caldwell & Paul Castellanos, Browne Sisters & George Cavanaugh. Tickets can be secured through the event’s website at SeasideHighlandGames.com.
And then Boots and Brews falls on Sunday, October 15 to be held at Surfer’s Point Live in the parking lot of the fairgrounds. Headliner for this one is Jon Pardi with Niko Moon and recently added to the bill, Michael Ray. Tickets available on the event’s website at BootsAndBrews.com.
Quick Notes: the final Rock the Collection concert with DSB is on Wednesday, October 4; the Camarillo Old Town 9th Annual Wine Walk promises live music along with the wine, beer and vendors on hand on Saturday afternoon, October 7 (1-4 pm); Pier Under the Stars falls on Saturday October 7 from 4-7 pm with Ignition; the highly talented Phil Salazar and Tom Corbett performance at Namba is on Saturday, October 7; Sucka Punch Productions has a Tuesday night thrash/metal show at Mrs. Olson’s on October 10 starting at 5:30 with D.R.I. (Dirty Rotten Imbeciles), ACXDC, Deathwish and Brat with advance tickets on Ticketweb; Cadillac Zack presents a special Thursday evening show with John Primer and Bob Corritore Band at Cantara’s on Thursday October 19 with tickets through Eventbrite; and just announced, Lee Ving returns to Ventura with Fear for a show at the Ventura Music Hall on Saturday, November 25.
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
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
I’d like to start off with cooler than cool news that Oxnard College announced that they are set to receive a $100k grant from Metallica who picked their school here in Ventura County as one out of eleven colleges across the country targeting the Culinary Arts, Dental Hygiene, and Fire Academy programs. The All Within My Hands Metallica Scholars Initiative states it “Provides support of relevant job skill training for community college students.” Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but why not music/arts programs? I can only surmise they know earning a living in the music industry these days is like winning the lottery, so they want to help guarantee a future career…prudent, but still totally rad.
The 6th Annual Oxnard Jazz Festival will be held at Oxnard State Beach with Lakeside, Spyro Gyra, and Eric Benet among the artists performing on Saturday, September 9; then it’s a celebration of the music of Latin American on Sunday with Ricardo Lemvo, La Marcha Sound, Kleber Jorge and more. Get tickets at OxnardJazzFestival.com.
Rincon Brewery in Ventura will be hosting an Endless Summer Concert Series with the CocoKnots on September 8, Raging Arb and the Redheads on September 15, and the return of Bloody Mary Morning on September 29.
The 2nd annual Harp Fest will be held on Sunday, September 17 from 3-6 pm at the Grape in Ventura. Frank “Cisco” Hinojosa will be the emcee with performances by Mitch Kashmar, RJ Mischo, Dale Spalding, Flat Top Tom, Jason Keene and more. It’s advised to get tickets ahead of the event as this one will most likely sell out. (click for tickets)
A classic car show and motorcycle poker run supporting Echo Group Band of Brothers to support veterans will be held on Sunday, September 10 at Harbor Cove Café in the Ventura Harbor. There will be live music from Raised on Vinyl, Fallen Saints, The Alex Jolly Project and Wyred.
A quick head’s up: Boots and Brews at Surfer’s Point Live (Fairgrounds parking lot) will feature Jon Pardi with Niko Moon on October 15 and tickets are on sale for Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton at Ventura Music Hall on Saturday, December 23.
Quick Notes: Kings of Queen Rock the Collection on Wednesday, September 6; Nowhere Fast, a tribute to the Smiths & Morrissey play Copper Blues on Friday, September 8; (HED) PE plays Mrs. Olson’s on Sunday night, September 10; remaining original member, Mickey Dolenz, celebrates the Monkees at the Libbey Bowl on Friday, September 15; Cadillac Zack presents Popa Chubby on Friday, September 15 at Cantara Cellars; Poseidon Brewing Co. is celebrating Oktoberfest a bit early on Saturday, September 16 with Linda’s Polka Band; Don McClean’s 50th anniversary of American Pie at Libbey Bowl on Saturday, September 16; and Daughty plays the Libbey Bowl on Sunday, September 17.
Gary Best w/ VenturaRocks owner, Pam Baumgardner
I am sorry to report that friend to the Ventura music scene and comedy improv scene, Gary Best, died of Pancreatic cancer on September 1, 2023. I will forever miss Gary’s sharp sense of humor, our discussions about music, his genuine regard and respect for others but mostly those bear hugs.
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
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
August is in full swing and with it a whole lotta live music in and around Ventura County. The Ventura County Fair is in its second week of its 10-day run and the final Grandstand Stage concert is Wednesday, August 10, with Cheap Trick. That being said, the Station Stage will continue to rock with local favorites through Sunday, August 14. Be sure to check out VenturaRocks.com photo gallery for band photos taken at the Fair this season.
Chick Singer Night just announced their newest City Chapter Director is Ventura’s own Jodi Farrell. Jodi has been an integral part of Ventura’s music scene f
or so many years fronting the Front Street Prophets, performing with TreCoustics, and now with Jim Rankin as a duo. So many performers have been tutored and mentored via Jodi Farrell’s Music Studio and before that when she taught at Ventura Community College. She teaches voice, guitar and piano for all skill levels. She’s received many awards along the way including the 2016 Mayor’s Art Award for Arts Educator. Congratulations Jodi, this is so well deserved!!
Cadillac Zack presents 1960’s blues & rock legends Canned Heat at Cantara Cellars in Camarillo, on Thursday, August 18. If your memory is straining to remember, let me help you out. They had hits such as “Let’s Work Together,” “On the Road Again,” and “Going Up the Country.” They played the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival and had a headlining slot at the original Woodstock. Trust me when I say, you won’t want to miss this amazing night of live music with Delta by the Beach opening. Just text Zack for ticket information at (323) 377-5291. 
I was very sad to hear about the passing of pop icon, Olivia Newton-John. Her music instantly brings back memories, and I can’t even count how many times I watched “Grease,” but I think I will always remember her generosity and love when she performed here in Ventura, February of 2018, for the Thomas Fire Benefit. What a sweet being, and what a tremendous loss. Poseidon Brewing will be celebrating their 8th anniversary over the weekend of 8/12-8/14 with Vanise Terry Band, The Dynasties, Morrison Drive and Let’s be Frank performing. 
To satisfy your need for live country music, there’s Boots and Brews on Saturday August 20 with Cole Swindell, Eddie Montgomery an Raelynn. Surfer’s Point Live at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Get your tickets at BootsAndBrews.com.
I admit that I absolutely love the different community sponsored music events such as Music Under the Stars at Olivas Adobe whose shows are all sold out for the rest of the season, but rest assured there are a number of free events nearby including the Heritage Square Summer Concert Series in Oxnard with The British Beat on Friday, August 12 6 – 8:30pm and Caliente 805 on Friday August 19; the Summer Concert Series at Constitution Park in Camarillo will have Country Nation on Saturday, August 27 from 7 -9 pm; and the Collection in Oxnard has DSB (tribute to Journey) on Wednesday, August 10 6 – 8:30 pm.
And though they’re not live music events, the Ojai Film Society is offering free screenings of a couple of music related movies at the Libbey Bowl. First the documentary, “Summer of Soul” on Friday, August 12, and then “Yesterday” which features the Beatles reimagined when a phenomena hits during a blackout and wipes out most people’s memories of the Beatles, this one screens on Friday, August 26. Though free, you’ll need to RSVP through Eventbrite.
Emmy winning artist, Camara Kambon (for his score in the HBO film, “Sonny Liston” the Mysterious Life and Death of a Champion”) performs at Namba with Javier Vergara on tenor sax, Adam Cohen on bass and Chris Blondal on drums. Tickets are only $20 for this intimate show on Friday, August 12.
New shows added at the Ventura Theater:
Silversun Pickups Sunday, October 2
Marcus Mumford Tuesday, October 4
Gogol Bordello on Saturday, November 5
The Wrecks on Saturday, November 19
New shows at Ventura Music Hall
Too Many Zooz, September 29
Ocean All, October 7
The Slackers, December 9
Squirrel Nut Zippers, December 17
Hirie, February 22
New shows at Libbey Bowl:
Elvin Bishop & Charlie Musselwhite on September 30
Ben Harper on October 6
Mark on your calendars for upcoming events: the Hueneme Beach Festival the last weekend of August, and the return of the Aloha Beach Festival along at Promenade Park (Surfer’s Point) the following weekend, September 3 and 4. What’s also so very nice is that both of these events are free!! I’ll have more in the next issue of the Ventura Breeze.
Quick Notes: Tommy Foytek’s Variety Show continues on Wednesday nights at the Lookout Bar & Grill in Oxnard; reggae Sundays continue at Café Fiore through the end of summer; Glenn Bennett has a Thursday afternoon residency at the Copa Cubana; Mustangs of the West play the Ojai Underground on Thursday, August 11; Katie Shorey has a Disco Nite at Cantara on Friday, August 12; Romper plays at date at the Deer Lodge on Friday, August 12; Barrelhouse Wailers play Strey Cellars in Oxnard on Friday, August 19; the legendary Three Dog Night play Libbey Bowl on Friday, August 19; and Pato Banton plays Mrs. Olson’s on Saturday, August 20.
And then finally, Taste of Local returns this year on Sunday, September 11 presented by Totally Local VC Agricultural Education Foundation. I was thrill when Kat Merrick reached out and invited VenturaRocks to host the music stage where the Rose Valley Thorns will be just one of the acts performing. You can find out more about this wonderful event at TotallyLocalVC.com and I hope to see you there!
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 by Pam Baumgardner VenturaRocks.com Pam@VenturaRocks.com 
The traditional free concert to the community once again opens the Ventura Music Festival (VMF) in Mission Park and this year it features Adaawe. The international women of voice and drum perform a global fusion of African rhythm, thrilling harmony, and world soul to uplift the spirt, celebrate diversity, and unite humanity. Low-back chairs are allowed, but honestly, I’m thinking we’ll be up and dancing for most of their performance which starts at 5:30 pm. Why not make it a family event and bring a blanket, picnic dinner while enjoying the sounds of Adaawe.
Following the Wednesday free performance, there will be six ticketed VMF performances held at the Ventura College Performing Arts Theater over the next two weekends featuring We Banjo 3, Django Festival Allstars, Sean Chen, the Moanin’ Frogs, Veronica Swift and The Crossing. To secure tickets, go to VenturaMusicFestival.org.
The Ventura County Fair returns this summer with a fine line up of musical entertainment both on the Station Stage featuring local artists, and the Grandstand Stage featuring national touring acts. It’s such a treat knowing all shows are included in the price of admission.
By the way, did you know the fair is free for those five and younger and for those 100 or older? For the rest of us, it’s only $15 for adults; $10 kids 6-12; seniors 65 and older $10. Check out VenturaRocks.com for the Station Stage lineup.
Here is the Grandstand Stage list of acts:
Wednesday, 8/3: Martina McBride
Thursday, 8/4: KC & the Sunshine Band
Friday, 8/5: The All-American Rejects
Saturday, 8/6: Blue Oyster Cult
Sunday, 8/7: Dia de la Familia concert
Monday, 8/8: The Beach Boys
Tuesday, 8/9: Clay Walker
Wednesday, 8/10: Cheap Trick
New shows added for the Majestic Ventura Theater include Marcus Mumford and Danielle Ponder on Tuesday, October 4, GWAR on Saturday, October 8; Black Flag on Saturday, October 29, Gogol Bordello on Saturday, November 5, and Tegan and Sara on Friday, November 11.
The Hueneme Beach Festival falls over the last weekend of August (27- 28; 11 – 7 pm) with free admission. Do note that parking is $10 but BikeVentura will be hosting a free bike valet, so if you can, ride your bike there. There will be music on two stages featuring New Orleans Suspects, Twisted Gypsy, Taylor Sackson, CRV, Marachi Camarillo, Oliva Willhite, and Morie & the Heavy Hitters on Saturday. And then on Sunday, it’s Nth Power, Beebs & Money Makers, the Phantom Blues Band, Sade, the Hand me Down Band, Juano & Friends, and the Cousins.
Spencer Mackenzie Throwdown Cornhole Festival will be held at Surfer’s Point Live (Ventura Fairgrounds parking lot) over the last weekend of August. The acts scheduled to perform this year are Sunny Ledfurd, Mandex, A.D.D., Rey Fresco and Morie & the Heavy Hitters. This is a ticketed event at $25 a day, or $40 for 3-day pass.
The New West Symphony announced their 2022/2023 Masterpiece Series Season recently where performances will be held Saturday evenings at the Thousand Oaks Performing Arts Center and with Sunday matinees in Camarillo at the Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center. It all kicks off with their Winter Spectacular starring Sam Harris in December 2022 and will run through next November 2023 with a production of “Beethoven to Brubeck.” You can download their brochure at NewWestSymphony.org.
If you enjoy the punk end of the music spectrum, then you won’t want to miss NardFest on August 6, at the Oceanview Pavilion Performing Arts Theater in Port Hueneme. Bands on the bill include Head Heat, Ill Repute, Stalag 13, Dr. Know, False Confession, iDecline, Civil Conflict, Romper and Boilerman. The event runs 3 – 11 pm; tickets are only $20.
The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy benefit concert runs two days July 30-31 from 2-9 pm at the Libbey Bowl featuring Grateful Shred headlining both days. Leading up to the main act: Saturday, Cayucas, Gifted & Blessed, Chuck & Luisa, Barbarelle and on Sunday, Nate Mercereau, Carlos Nino, Dan Horne, Service Human, Shelley Burgon, Melody Bird and Barbarelle. Ticket information can be found at OLVC.org/shred.
Quick Notes: Vincenzo Giammanco, CEO and founder of Boots and Brews confirmed there will in fact be two Boots and Brews for Ventura this year with Cole Swindell on August 20 and Tim McGraw on October 14 (tickets for both are on sale at BootsAndBrews.com); Tony’s Pizzaria continues with the Thursday free reggae shows with Morie & the Heavy Hitters on Thursday, July 28; Myst plays the Heritage Square Summer Concert Series on Friday, July 29 and it’s Soul Machine on Friday, August 5; Jerry’s Middle Finger plays the Ventura Music Hall on Friday, July 19; Hip Hop Mindset at the Oceanview Pavilion Performing Arts Theater on Saturday, July 30; Pedals & Pints Brewing Company and Tarantula Hill Brewing Company in Thousand Oaks are presenting the inaugural Down the Rabbit Hole Festival of Music and Beer on Saturday, July 30; Donna Lynn Caskey will open for the Dennis and Laura Show at Namba on Saturday, July 30; Poseidon Brewing will be celebrating their 8th anniversary over the weekend of 8/12-8/14; it’s Third Eye Blind at the Ventura Theater on Saturday, August 6; and finally, the Oxnard Salsa Festival is postponed for yet another year (fingers crossed for 2023).
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.