Tag Archives: Candlelight concerts

Ventura Music Scene 9/4/24 – 9/17/24

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Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
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The 7th annual Oxnard Jazz Festival falls over the weekend of September 14 – 15 at ololkoy Beach Park, which is at 1601 Harbor Blvd in Oxnard. The two-day music event will bring world class artists such as Sheila E, Loose Ends featuring Jane Eugene, Lin Rountree, Ambrosia, Louie Cruz Beltran and a whole lot more. Though “jazz” is in the name of the festival, do know there will be a whole lot of Latin groove going on to get you on feet. For tickets and information regarding how to get there and parking, go to OxnardJazzFesival.com.

Leading up to the jazz festival, there will be a kick-off celebration the night before at Heritage Square featuring Munyungo Jackson’s Jungle Jazz with four-time Grammy Winner, Muyungo Jackson. This one is free; however, since space is limited, you will need to secure tickets at VenturaMusicFestival.org.

Another Candlelight Concert is coming up on Thursday, September 5, at the Majestic Ventura Theater with two shows. At 6:30 they’ll feature Queen vs Abba and then at 9 pm it’s the Best of Hans Zimmer. Oh! And don’t forget Dogstar (featuring Keanu Reeves on bass) returns to town playing the Majestic on Tuesday, September 17. The band played August, 2023, at the Ventura Music Hall to a full house.

And speaking of the Ventura Music Hall, they’ve recently added The Philhar Monik, Macy Gray, Brett Dennen, and the Mad Caddies. But meanwhile, I can’t wait to catch the 25th anniversary show of Army of Freshmen on Saturday, September 14 with Nerf Herder opening.

Libbey Bowl summer concert season is winding down, but there are a number of awesome shows still on the docket with Thievery Corporation on Thursday, September 5; Chris Isaak on Friday, September 6; Angel Olsen on Wednesday September 11; the Temptations on Thursday, September 12; July Collins on Friday, September 15; and the Ojai Pops Concert will offer a free show on Sunday, September 15. Do note, the Poncho Sanchez and Ozomatli show for October 5, has been cancelled which chaps my hide as I had amazing tickets for the fourth row.

On Saturday, September 7, a dual venue event presented by Poison Well Records will start at Vaquero y Mar (Noon – 6 pm) and then move over Sans Souci (7 pm – 1 am). The mostly punk rock sets will feature a whole of local legends including a reunion of Power Chicken. See listings for rundown of who is playing where.

Quick Notes: Jen Staves and the Bluzfish play Margarita Villa on Sunday, September 8; Twisted Gypsy is the featured tribute band for Thursday, September 12, at the Collection in Oxnard; Bloody Mary Morning plays Rincon Brewery on Friday, September 13; and Mrs. Olson’s hosts the Roots 805 Jam on Saturday, September 14.

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 8/7 – 8/20

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Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
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We’re right smack dab in the middle of summer and though most of the big events are behind us, there is, and always will be, plenty of live music to take in throughout the county. Let’s start with Moorpark’s historic High Street Arts Center where they have a live music series kicking off Friday, August 9 and running through September 1. They’ll host a number of tribute bands featuring the music of the Rolling Stones to Billy Joel, Jimmy Buffet to Elvis Presley, and Santana to the Surf City Allstars. Over the next two weekends there’s Stevie Nicks Illusion on August 9, Mark Wood and the Parrot Head Band on August 10, Smooth Sounds of Santa on August 16 and Raymond Michael, Elvis impersonator, on August 17. For ticket prices and availability, go to highstreetartscenter.com.

For a special evening out, I recommend one of the Candlelight Concerts which return to the Majestic Ventura Theater on Friday, August 16, for two different one-hour shows featuring the Listeso String Quartet. At 6:30 it’s the music of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, then at 9 pm a tribute to Taylor Swift. Tickets available through FeverUp.com.

It always comes as a surprise to me that there is a number of locals who have never taken in a live concert at Ojai’s Libbey Bowl; it truly is a majestic setting on a warm summer evening. There are still a number of amazing shows on the docket for the season including Los Lonely Boys, Don McLean (yes, Mr. American Pie himself), Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, Pablo Cruise, Thievery Corporation, Chris Isaak and the Temptations, not to mention a number of stellar tribute bands including Queen Nation. Tickets available through axs.com.

And while the Ventura County Fair runs through Sunday, August 11, the final grandstand concert will be Wednesday, August 7 featuring country singer, Gary Allen. Of course, all the smaller stages around the fairgrounds will continue to offer mostly local bands throughout each day.

Quick Notes: tickets on sale now for Big Head Todd and the Monsters’ 40th Anniversary tour for November 23 at the Ventura Music Hall; Numbskull Productions, Los Fest, a punk rock music event on Saturday, August 24, has been postponed; an all-girl tribute band to the Rolling Stones called Some Girls, plays Copper Blues on Friday, August 9; Poseidon Brewing’s 10th anniversary celebration will be held on Saturday, August 10 featuring Steve and Sally Williams; the highly popular Rock the Collection series kicks off on Thursday, August 15 with Bruno and the Holligans; Tommy Quayle returns to Namba Arts on Friday, August 16 for another rendition of “Petty Round the Campfire” featuring all your favorite Tom Petty tunes; Invincible Benatar with Blackstar play Bombay’s on Saturday, August 17; and Psychedelic Summer returns to the Aqua Bar (poolside) on Sunday, August 18;

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 4/3/2024 – 4/16/2024

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

It’s almost becoming a distant memory, those days when outdoor shows never rained out. Even as I’m writing this, I’m “knocking on wood” that the drought is over. We most certainly need the rain and it looks like the proverbial April showers just might continue to dampen some of the outdoor shows including the upcoming concert at Art City with Elaine Alarcon, Agie Williams and more on Friday, April 6 and “Whale of a Concert” featuring the Pier101 Band at Harbor View Park in Oxnard on Sunday, April 7. But then again, the weather has been unpredictable this year, so hopefully we’ll get sunny weather for all live music. Keep in mind, some venues might accommodate the inclement weather by bringing the music indoors such as Winchesters, the Aqua Bar at the Crowne Plaza or Leashless Brewing, albeit, in a smaller capacity.

I attended one of those Candlelight concerts at the Oxnard performing Arts Center last fall featuring Halloween type music, and I thought it was fabulous. The room is lit up with candles (battery operated, no open flames), while the Listeso String Quartet performs. The next session of concerts will be held at the Majestic Ventura Theater over two dates with two shows each day (early show at 6:30 pm and later show at 9 pm). The early show on Tuesday April 16 features a tribute to Adele and the later show a tribute to Coldplay. Then on Thursday April 18, the early show is a tribute to Queen and the later one a tribute to Taylor Swift. Tickets are available through Feverup.com.

Kelly Zirbes is passionate about so many things: writing, recording, performing and doing her part to raise funds for the Canine Adoption and Rescue League or CARL. This year CarlFest will be held at Topa Topa Brewing at the Colt Street location on Sunday, April 14, Noon to 3:30 pm, with a performance by Kelly’s Lot. But wait…the fun doesn’t stop there as they’ll also have a silent auction, raffle and food trucks available. This is a family friendly event with a suggested donation to CARL at $10, but you can give more.

Quick Notes: Spider Baby, Public Nuisance, FSKD, The Indignants, Toledo Panic play an afternoon show at Harley’s Camarillo Bowl on Saturday April 6; The New West Symphony performs Messiah at the Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center on Sunday April 7; The Collection will offer singer/songwriters this month on Tuesday evenings at the Park View Court, 5:30 – 7 pm, on the 9 it’s Adam Lasher and on the 16, Lynnzee Fraye; Josh Heinrichs 2024 Smoke Out Tour will land at Mrs. Olson’s on Friday, April 12 with One People and Pipe Down, tickets are available via EventBrite.com; and Dan Grimm plays Ojai Valley Brewing on Saturday April 13.

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 9/20/23 – 10/3/2023

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Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.comartworkVentura Artwalk 2023 takes place over the weekend of September 23 and 24 from 11 am – 7 pm. You’ll find art from local artisans in venues throughout the city at dozens of locations, as well as live music on the downtown stage at California and Main Streets, the City Hall Atrium, WAV Courtyard stage, and Steve TV at Mission Park. Get all the details and strategize your weekend at ArtwalkVentura.org.

artworkThe end of summer Beachside Bash BBQ will be held at the San Buenaventura State Beach benefiting the Ventura Rotary Club. This one costs $10 and features live music from Nautical Thrust and The Bomb on Saturday, September 23. Along with the music, there will be a car show as well as a national ribeye steak cookoff.

artworkThe 10th annual Banana Festival is Saturday, September 30, from 10 am – 5 pm at the Port of Hueneme. This free event includes port tours, a kid’s zone, tasty eats (a lot having to do with the event’s namesake), a marketplace and of course live music! The electric mix of entertainment features Los Cool Arrows (Latin pop, reggae), Tribute to the Greats (music featuring artists such as Steve Wonder, Chaka Khan), Upstream (Calypso w/ steel drums), Fausto Cuevas Y La Moderna (Salsa), and Coso Live (R&B, high energy pop). One’s things for sure, wear comfortable shoes because you’ll want to dance!

Oceanview Pavilion in Port Hueneme has a Steely Dan tribute band called Doctor Wu on Saturday, September 23, and Robby Krieger and the Soul Savages play the following weekend on Saturday, September 30. Just a reminder, Krieger was an original member of The Doors.

artworkCandlelight Concerts are being produced in over 100 cities worldwide including Oxnard at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. There’s a tribute to Taylor Swift in November, a haunted evening of Halloween classics (think Thriller, Tubular Bells, Beetlejuice theme, Psycho, etc…) running in October, and a number of dates featuring the music of Vivaldi in September and October. Ticket information can be found at Feverup.com.

The Grape continues to bring stellar jazz acts to our town. I can’t stress enough how helpful it is to be on their email newsletter list which gives a head’s up on upcoming shows that are sure to sell out such as the return of Poncho Sanchez on November 5m or Jeff Lorber Grammy-winning artist plays on Saturday, November 18. photo Jeff LorberQuick Notes: Ventura Blues Night returns to Bombay Bar and Grill on Wednesday nights; another installation of Rock the Collection is Wednesday, September 20 with Prince Again; there’s a special fundraiser/birthday bash in honor of Ted Neeley at the Rubicon on Wednesday, September 20; Swing Shift plays the Sportsman on Sunday, September 24; The Trivle Omdobble returns to Topa Topa Brewing on Colt Street, Sunday, September 24; Bloody Mary Morning plays Rincon Brewery on Friday, September 29; Todd Hannigan opens for David Burden at the Deer Lodge on Friday September 29; Salzer’s Records has a special in store acoustic set with Briston Maroney on Monday, October 2; and finally, Shawn Jones has a new release called In my Blood as he heads back overseas for a European tour for most of October.

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.