Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 12/1/21 – 12/14/21

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by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

With Thanksgiving officially behind us, the holiday season is in full swing and Ventura has a variety of events to get you in the mood, so many of which involve live music.

Let’s start with Ventura Winter Wine Walk which falls on Saturday, December 11 this year with over 80 tasting locations offering up wine, sparkling wine and craft beer. Every year tickets sell out, but that shouldn’t stop you from missing out on the festivities. Head downtown and join in the fun shopping at the holiday street fair all along Main Street from noon till 8 pm, dine in your favorite restaurant, and then enjoy the free entertainment at California and Main; plus, weather permitting, there will be snowfall! Bands playing will be Sayed Sabrina 2 – 3:15; Upstream 3:45 – 6:15 and Adelaide from 6:45 – 8 pm.

To get the whole entire family in the holiday spirit, you won’t want to miss Christmas Magic 2021 at the High Street Arts Center in Moorpark. The show runs two weekends from Friday, December 3 through Sunday, December 12.

The 21st Annual 4 Kids 2 Kids Toy Drive will be held at Cantara Cellars in Camarillo on Sunday, December 5 with Ray Jaurique & the Uptown Brothers, Truth Jones & her band, Sandy Haley, Debbie Davies, Flat top Tom, Milo Sledge and Steve and Sally Williams. Cost of entry is $5 and an unwrapped toy.

The next Bubbly, Brunch & Blues event at the Ventura Harbor Comedy Club will be on Sunday, December 5th with Kelly’s Lot. This is also Kelly’s annual fundraiser for C.A.R.L., the Canine Adoption and Rescue League. The non profit places unwanted, sick, abandoned and homeless dogs in pre-screened, loving and secure homes. Tickets are $20 through EventBrite or at the door.

Quick Notes: There’s a free holiday concert with The Noelles doowop group at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Building on Wednesday, December 1; Moorpark’s historic High Street Arts Center presents Christmas Magic 2021, music and stories of the holidays December 3 – 12, get tickets and more info at HighStreetArtsCenter.com; Poseidon Brewing is hosting a Holiday Pajama Party on Friday, December 3 with Vanise Terry Band; Cantara Cellars is hosting a Motown Christmas with Stone Soul on Saturday, December 4; Shaky Feelin’ is celebrating 10 years as a band with a show at The Six Chow House on Saturday, December 11; Jon & the Wreck play Pedals & Pints Brewing Company in Thousand Oaks on Saturday, December 11; Jose Feliciano: Celebrating the Holidays at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on 12/19, that would be the 50th anniversary of “Feliz Navidad;”

The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour will be offering Christmas music produced by local artists for the next couple of weeks. Don’t forget, not only can you listen locally in Ventura on your FM radio dial at 104.7, but you can use the MyTuner radio app on your smart device or online at www.CapsMedia.org/Radio. The program airs Tuesdays and Fridays at 5 pm and Sundays at noon.

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 Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 10/11 – 10/24

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

There are a couple of high profile events coming up. Let’s start with The Seaside Highland Games (a Scottish/Celtic Festival) which hits town every Fall. They’ll have all kinds of games and activities including music all day long on several stages over the weekend of October 14th and 15th at the fairgrounds. Some of the acts performing will be Blackwaterside, The Angry Brians, Hidden Fifth, Slingo Rags, Highland Way, and Three for Joy.

The Ventura Beach Party in conjunction with the Ventura Marathon will be held down along the promenade at the Ventura Pier. There is no charge for this one and there will be music during the day over the weekend of October 21 and 22nd with Lightnin’ Willie, Sunnie Paxson, Sonic Boom, Paul Mars Black and Acoustic Generation performing.

Then there is the C.A.R.L. fundraiser on Saturday, October 21 at the Hong Kong Inn. This one donates all proceeds to the Canine Adoption and Rescue League and has Kelly’s Lot, Orphan Jon and the Abandon featuring Johnny Main, along with special guests all evening long including performances from Ray Jaurique, Michael Golden and Jerry McWorter.

Hi Hat Entertainment as a couple of weeks of amazing nights of music you won’t want to miss at the Hong Kong Inn. First on Friday, October 13, it’s The Forty Fours; then the following week, October 20, it’s Alastair Greene’s CD release of Dream Train. Greene has embarked on his solo career after playing with the Alan Parsons Project for the past 7 years.

Speaking of new music, Kelly Z (Zirbes) has a brand-new CD just released called Rescue. Kelly said that all 8 tracks were recorded in 2011 by Chuck Kavooras at SlideAway Studio; however, the project was never finished, that is until Kelly was asked to provide the vocal tracks. It really is quite impressive!

Quick Notes: Vintura at the Wine Rack will be hosting a special fundraiser for the Ventura Cancer Resource Center on Thursday, October 12th from 7-10 pm with singer/songwriter, Karen 805 entertaining; Spencer the Gardener returns to Discovery on Friday, October 13; One Square Mile featuring members of the Circle Jerks and Saccharine Trust will be at the Garage on Saturday October 14 and Motörbabe (female Motörhead tribute band) on Friday October 20; after playing at the Highland Games, The Angry Brians will be jamming at Grapes and Hops on Saturday, October 14 then Shawn Jones recently back after another European tour will be playing the next day on Sunday afternoon, October 15; and The Jelly opens for The Motels on Sunday, October 22 at the Canyon Club.

And finally, CAPS Media’s radio station is now streaming live at www.capsmedia.org/radio. You can catch The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour every Tuesday at 5 with a rebroadcast on Friday at 5 and Sunday at noon.

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 Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 11/9 – 11/22

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It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
Swing Dancers artwork
You won’t want to miss Fortunate Youth when they open for Slightly Stoopid at the Ventura Theater, Friday, November 11.  They’re the creators of one of the biggest and most successful reggae compilations in the world, with all proceeds donated to different charities that the band tries to support from Cancer Awareness to helping Children who have lost music programs due to under funding.  Also at the theater will be the local favorites Dirty Rice opening for Tribal Theory on Saturday, November 12 and then the following week it’s Pennywise with Strung Out and Unwritten Law on Friday, November 18, and of course Suicidal Tendencies with Good Riddance on Saturday, November 19.

Congratulations to Rachel Flowers who was interviewed for the November issue of Keyboard Magazine (the one with Norah Jones on the cover).  Her film “Hearing is Believing” by Lorenzo DeStefano was just featured at the 17th Annual Ojai Film Festival.

I’m all about good causes especially when good causes are in conjunction with great music, and so it goes with the fundraiser on Saturday, November 12, at the Ventura Beach Club for The Canine Adoption and Rescue League (C.A.R.L.) in Ventura.  The event will run 6-10 pm and will feature Deb Ryder, Ray Jaurique & The Uptown Brothers and Kelly’s Lot. You can always count on Kelly Zirbes for going above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to taking care of abandoned cats and dogs. Admission is only $10 and all proceeds will go to C.A.R.L.  As a side note, Kelly and husband Perry just opened for the iconic Don Mclean at the Rose in Pasadena.

I’ll be honest, I’m really looking forward to “The Pretty Things,” a David Bowie tribute band at O’Leary’s November 12. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, “My teenage years would not have been the same without Bowie.”

The Barrelhouse Wailers will be hosting another Speakeasy swing dance night on November 19 at the Ventura Beach Club.  The evening will start with lessons at 8 pm with Kim Clever and David Frutos, then live music from 9 to midnight.  Of course, costumes are encouraged but not required.

Goodnight Kiss are currently in the studio recording their first EP; Medicine Hat will be going back into the studio soon; Hard Six just finished a video soundtrack recorded at Megasound Studios; the Rubberneck Lions just released new music via social media with their first single, “Head Case by Case”; Ashford Gordon’s CD release party has been postponed until after the New Year; Smitty and Julia’s new CD, “Made in Ojai” is now available on CD Baby; and congratulations to all of the Mayor’s Arts Awards recipients with a big shout out to local musician/teacher, Jodi Farrell.  It’s well deserved my friend!

Do you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com, and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 10/29 – 11/11

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Ventura Continues to Rock!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Army of FreshmenChris Jay of Army of Freshmen is totally looking forward to their upcoming UK tour with the band Lit. Jay told me, “I just love being on tour. We don’t get to do it nearly as much as we used to so I think we tend to enjoy it more and appreciate it. Every night is like a big party. It’s more like vacation than work.” The dates in the UK run from November 13 through the 23 so it looks like the guys will be back in time for Thanksgiving. See complete interview with Chris Jay at VenturaRocks.com

No news yet on the Discovery entertainment permit appeal. We have our fingers crossed this matter will be settled sooner than later and with Discovery retaining the right to have live music in their venue.

Way to go for The Velveteen Band who has been invited to play the Steampunk Worlds Fair in Piscataway New Jersey. The SPWF is the world’s largest gathering of steampunks. After only six months of being a band, the Velveteen has gained national attention with their Puppets, Rabbits, and big rock band sound. You can find them playing locally at Bombay’s The Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, party on November 1 with Cirque Noir, Angie’s Curse and Fangboy and the Ghouls.

Kelly’s Lot will be holding a fundraiser for one of Kelly Zirbe’s favorite charities, C.A.R.L. at the Patio at The Player’s Club which will raise money for Canine Adoption and Rescue League. Look for appearances by Teresa James, Guy Martin, Steve Hinojosa, Lenny Mazzotti and Bobby and lee Orgel. The event will be held on Saturday, November 8 from 6 – 10 pm. $10 donation plus 15% of food sales donated.
Looking forward to hearing the new song that 8Stops7 has been recording. Bass player, Cory Tarallo, says, “This song is straight up awesome!” I can’t wait to hear “Center of Our Universe” after they put on the finishing touches.

Jan McWorter of Hi Hat Entertainment reminded everyone, “When one door closes, another one opens,” after Hi Hat said goodbye to over six years at Yolie’s on October 17 with the R&B Bombers. But after just a couple days of searching they found their new location just a stone’s throw away, at the newly renovated facilities at 281 W. Main Street at Ventura Beach Club (formerly Fuegos). Just a quick head’s up as Ventura Beach Club already had a previous obligation, on Halloween, Hi Hat’s James Harman party will be at Peirano’s on October 31.

There will be a cool fundraiser at Bombay’s on Saturday, November 1, to help raise funds for Dawn (single mom) and Damian (7 years old) and their battle with Cancer. There will be lots going on all day but on the music side of it there will be Alastair Greene, James Harman, Morganfield Burnett, Hot Roux and more.

And finally, I’d like to wish Ken Winters, “Happy Birthday!” Ventura’s jazz scene will be helping to celebrate his 88th birthday on November 4th during the bi-monthly jazz jam at Squashed Grapes. I’m sure cake will be involved.

If you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com.