Tag Archives: Halloween

Ventura Music Scene 10/18/23 – 10/31/23

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Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.comartworkWe have two huge events landing on the same day, Saturday, October 21, celebrating two different municipalities. Both offer up great live music, so it’s going to be tough deciding which camp you want to hang out with. First, it’s Ventura County’s 150th anniversary with a free family festival followed up with a ticketed event (EventBrite) at Santa Paula Veterans Park with Big Bad Voodoo headlining along with Rey Fresco, Mariachi Camarillo, Whiskey Business and the Charles Law Band.

Then across the hills it’s Ojai Day with live music 11 am to 10 pm featuring Buck Moon, Spencer the Gardener, Beau Red & the Tailor Maide, Those Darn Amigos, Sick Boy, Van Allen Twins, Virtual Nobodies, Dylan Cunningham and Dan Grimm. May the best camp win!

Once you have this special weekend chocked full of live music choices behind you, it’s time to look ahead at Halloween, Tuesday, October 31, and the week leading up to it. I’ve been seeing costume parties pop up as far ahead as the week before, so it’s best to map out your choices and where you’ll be meeting up with friends. I recommend (as always), going to VenturaRocks.com and use the calendar to search “Halloween” for all events leading up to the big day, currently there are 18 listed.

Head’s up for this one, the Ventura Harbor’s Thriller Zombie Dance Flash Mob will be held on the main lawn around 2:15 pm on Sunday, October 29. I’m thinking “flash mob” implies it’s a seemingly random act…but if it’s being publicized…then it’s just a performance. In any case, you’re welcome to join in, if you’re dressed up in costume.

Studio Channel Islands in Camarillo will host The Black Market Trust on Saturday, October 28. The band features world class musicians and will perform material from the Great American Songbook infused with a romantic and virtuosic flavor, added with some intricate vocal harmonies and a dash of Rat Pack-style comedy. Find out more at StudioChannelIslands.org.

I saw a “Save the Date” post on social media for Skull and Roses 2024 which will return to the Ventura County Fairground April 19 – 21. Plenty of advance notice so you don’t plan a vacation that same weekend.

Tickets are on sale now for the next Chick Singer Night returning to the Sound Palace in Oxnard for a show on Saturday, November 4. This time they’ll feature Erinn Alissa, Jess Bush, Rachael Lynda, Lois Mahalva and Elyia Frantz.

Quick Notes: Namba has a punk show with Frequency Within, Intenable and Promotive on Friday, October 20; there’s a free Ojai Pops Orchestra show at Libbey Bowl with Miriam Dance on Sunday, October 22; Dead Kennedys play the Ventura Music Hall on Saturday, October 28; and Tony Ybarra plays a intimate concert at Logan House at Beatice Wood Center for the Arts on Sunday afternoon, October 29;

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 10/19/22 – 11/1/22

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

I’m loving fall so far with all the unpredictable weather changes; it’s safe to say go out wearing layers, and trust me when I say, you’ll certainly want to be able to strip off several layers once you warm up while dancing at the Salsa Music Fest on Saturday, October 22 at Freedom Park in Camarillo. This one runs from 11 am – 6 pm with food and craft vendors, with dancing like there’s no tomorrow to Chino Espinoza y Los Duenos Del Son! And in case you’re a little rusty on your salsa skills, or have never attempted this fabulous dance, there will be beginner’s salsa lessons at 11:30 along with an advanced lesson featuring star guest, Hector Sanchez. There’s a lot more going on, so be sure to get the details and secure your tickets at SalsaMusicFest.com.

Mnozil brass

Ventura Music Festival is already busy with next year’s lineup for next summer, but meanwhile, they’re be partnering with Sterling Venue Ventures to bring Mnozil Brass, an Austrian band known as the “Monty Python” of the music world to town. The band’s brand of slapstick comedy promises a fun evening you won’t soon forget when they play the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on March 2, 2023. Find out more about their early bird special at VenturaMusicFestival.org.

The next free Ojai Pops Concert Series show will be Sunday, October 23, with vocalists Miriam Dance and Sophie Holt featuring the music of Leonard Bernstein, John Williams, selections from Dreamgirls and Aretha Franklin. Concert starts at 3:30 pm. The next and final show will be on November 6th featuring Larktown & Friends with Lark Cobb and Todd Temanson. And just a reminder that while these shows are free, donations are greatly appreciated.

The Merry Wives of Windsor will perform during the Ojai Storytelling Festival which runs October 27 – 30. The ten-piece all-female folk band blending elements of folk from the British Isles and the Americas will perform during the kickoff celebration on Thursday, October 27 at Libbey Bowl. Find out more about all the performances, dates, locations and tickets at OjaiStoryFest.org.

The Judy Collins and Sophie B. Hawkins concert at Libbey Bowl was cancelled due to Judy breaking an arm. The Libbey Bowl website posted that a full recovery is expected and Ms. Collins looks forward to performing at the Libbey Bowl on June 3, 2023. Original tickets will be honored.

Now to the really fun stuff involving a few Halloween parties.

halloween graphicThere are a couple of “early-bird events this year including the one at the Oceanview Pavilion in Port Hueneme where they’re hosting a “Thriller Bash” with Green Jellÿ (pronounced jello) and Sik Sik Siks performing on Saturday, October 22 with a ton of prizes for best costumes. Tickets are available on Eventbrite with this one open to 18 and over.

On the same night, it’s Angie & the Nightmares along with Duncan & the Dragonslayers for one of the Garage’s Halloween parties on Saturday, October 22. This one is free with costume prizes, but you need to be 21+ to attend.

And then the NextGen Rotary club is hosting Crawl-O-Ween on Sunday afternoon October, 23 with several venues participating downtown Ventura; Winchesters will provide live music from the Ray Jaurique Trio. Find out more and get your tickets (after lining up your designated driver) on EventBrite.com. Three non-profits will benefit: NextGen Rotary, Surfrider Foundation and Food Share. Costumes are encouraged as a contest with prizes will be awarded.

Otherwise, the weekend before Halloween (which falls on a Monday this year) will lead up to the big night:

Thursday, October 27
Coleen & Co. at The Grape

Friday, October 28
Vinyl Gypsies at the Keynote
The Grizwalds at Sunland Vintage Winery

Saturday, October 29
Shaky Feelin’ at Leashless Brewing
The 805 Social Club at Strey Cellers
Morie & the Heavy Hitters at Aqua Bar, Crowne Plaza
Nick & the Old Souls at Namba Performing Arts Center
Dave Rea & Acoustic DNA at The Twist on Main
Vinyl Gypsies at The Raven
Ganda at the Garage
Tasty Thieves at Azar’s
Dave Palmer & Friends at Deer Lodge

Sunday, October 30
Heart & Soul at Tony’s Pizzeria

Quick Notes: Bruno and the Hooligans (Bruno Mars tribute) play the Collection on Wednesday, October 19; the Expandards with Isaac Koren & Mikael Jorgensen featuring Mario Calire and Kevin McCormack play the Ojai Underground on Friday, October 21; Top Shelf Brass Band (NOLA style dirty dance music) play Ojai Valley Brewing on Saturday, October 22; and if you’re willing to travel to Simi Valley, Harley’s Rock & Roll Pizza’s Halloween party will have Hollywood Crue, Black Sabbatha and Metal Health on Saturday, October 29.

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 10/26 – 11/8

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Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
Halloween and much more!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Halloween

With Halloween falling on a Monday night this year, most venues are offering up parties the weekend before:

On Friday night (the 28th), Bombay’s will host Hotel Clownafornia; The Garage has a Halloween Monster Bash with Radio Threat, Cursed Bastards and Inazuma; and there’s a Halloween party with American Hoss at the Golden China.

On Saturday night (the 29th) look for A Nightmare on Main Street at Amigos with DJ JScratch; there’s the 2nd annual Halloween Hoedown at Gigi’s with Jackass, Norco-Cryptkicker and The Kreeps; Discovery has Dawn of the Dreads with Arise Roots, Iya Terra and Ital Vibes; there’s a Zombie party at Saloon BBQ with Skin n Bones; the SPRP Halloween costume party will be at the Red Cove with Seven 40 Seven, The Kane Gang, The Airmen, The Rouse, The Lower Echelon; Café Fiore has Soul Infusion; the Sewer has DJs Darko, Pistolero and Spinobi; the Keynote has UnUsual Suspects; and it’s the Tony Ybarra trio at Squashed Grapes.

There’s a couple of worthy Blues shows coming up at the Hong Kong Inn that you won’t want to miss including Hi Hat Entertainment presenting the Shari Puorto Band on Friday, October 28, then that Sunday, October 30, Crooked Eye Enterprises presents The Forty Fours with a special show at 4 pm.

The Majestic Ventura Theater continues to bring great shows to town with Aaron Lewis (Staind) on Wednesday October 26; The Pixies on Friday, October 28; Dwight Yoakam on Thursday, November 3; and Nahko and Medicine for the People on Saturday November 5.

It’s been awhile since the Pretty Uglys have played in town so I’m looking forward to catching their punk rock/glam band show when they kick off their U.S. tour by playing at Sans Souci on Friday, November 4th. If you miss that show they’ll be on the back stage at Bombay’s on Saturday November 5.

Bad Sam Presents D.R.I. and The Dwarves at the Garage on Thursday, October 27.

Bobby West returns to Squashed Grapes on Friday, November 4 and the following day Kevin Winard will hold a drum clinic hosted by Pulse Drumming to be followed by a performance that evening with none other than saxophonist, Tom Scott.

If you’re in the Camarillo area, you won’t want to miss The Swing Shift, a big band featuring vocalist Jan Nelsen. Their next couple of gigs at the Sportsman in Camarillo will be held October 23 and then again on November 27 from 5-8 pm. They typically play the fourth Sunday of the month (except for December). And then the Starlight Supper Club will hold a fundraising event for Project Understanding on Saturday, November 5 at the Serra Event Center also in Camarillo featuring the Ventura Jazz Orchestra sextet featuring vocalist Donna Greene.

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 10/15 – 10/28

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Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
October’s Rockin’
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

McEuen FamilyIt turns out that this is my one-year anniversary writing for the Ventura Breeze.  Yay! Thank you Sheldon for designating the highly-prized back page for music. You rock!

Nathan McEuen’s Tuesday evening residency at Amigos is always a treat, but October 7, he stepped it up several notches when he performed with not only his brother Jonathan, but with their dad, John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.  While it was cool, hearing them perform, it was even cooler seeing the admiration they have for one another.  Looking forward to hearing the new album Nathan has been diligently working on; he hopes to release it sometime in November.

I’m always tickled when I’m approached for talent advice for events being planned; case in point, Charleen Mora (Dirty Rice) of the Ventura Chamber of Commerce was searching for a jazz trio for the upcoming TASTE event being held October 30.  I’m pleased as punch to say The Hans Ottsen Trio will be performing.  TASTE will be held at the Museum of Ventura County this year with over 40 exhibitors and some exceptional jazz.

Taylor Rae returns to Bombays.  I happened upon her the last time she played there and immediately became a fan of her southern rock music with a tinge of blues.  She’ll perform earlier in the evening on the 18th for an all-ages show at 8 pm.

On the Grape front: The Pulse Daddies comprised of Trey O’Toole (Pulse Drumming), Karl Hunter and Dirk Shumaker (Big Bad Voodoo Daddy), and Hans Ottsen are on the bill for Oct. 16. Donna Deussen & the Paul Weitz Trio return on the 18th and of course Doug Webb Quintet with Danny Carey of Tool on the 24th.  And though I’m glad other publications are finally recognizing a “rebirth” of America’s original art form in Ventura, I would like to go on record as saying our  jazz scene returned two years ago when Squashed Grapes started providing consistent high caliber jazz artists Wednesday through Saturday with a jazz jam every other Tuesday.

I’m loving the community support for The Baker Family as traditional media and social media have been getting the word out on how to help them rebuild after their incredible losses. Discovery Ventura is hosting a fundraiser on October 26 with Raging Arb and the Redheads, Zepp Heads and Good Deeds.  Suggested donation is $10, but you can always dig deeper and give more.

And finally, because it falls on Friday this year, you know Ventura will be off-the-hook with Halloween parties.  Most venues are pulling out all the stops hoping to pack their joint with revelers.  From Amigos on Main to Billy O’s midtown to The Garage on the East end of town, live music will abound.  Dirty Rice will be at Discovery, The Bomb at the Watermark, Smooth Hound Smith at Red Cove, The UnUsual Suspects at Keynote,  Tony Ybarra at Peirano’s and well, the list goes on and on.  Be sure to visit VenturaRocks.com for a more comprehensive listing.

(At press time, I was assured that Discovery would be having music for the Baker Family fundraiser and for Halloween but their entertainment permit is being appealed)

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