Ventura Music Scene 1/11/23 – 1/24/23

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

It’s business as usual now that the holidays are firmly behind us and people are getting out and about and taking in live music again. Of course, with all the lovely rain we’ve been receiving so far this winter, there could be cancellations for music held outdoors such as venues as Peirano’s or Ojai Valley Brewing. But for the most part, music is back to being played indoors again after the pandemic.

Congratulations to Michael Jay and the Mighty Cash Cats as they’ll be inducted into the California Music Hall of Fame. This relatively new organization’s mission is to recognize the many important talented music industry professionals from the legends, those behind the scenes, to the up-and-coming, who have helped shape the rich spectrum of California’s music legacy, and to educate the public about their accomplishments. The induction ceremony will be held January 28 in Temecula where other inductees include Gwen Stefani, Canned Heat, Jan & Dean, William Shatner, KOST 103.5 and more.

Mighty Cash Cats

I’m happy to see that Hi Hat Entertainment is getting back in the game as they’ll be helping to produce upcoming shows at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. The first one on the docket will feature the Delgado Brothers on Saturday, January 14 and then it’s Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps on February 11.

Ventura Music Hall continues to line up a number of diverse acts. This month’s shows include Zoso (ultimate Led Zeppelin tribute) to Steely Dead (think the Grateful Dead meets Steely Dan), to Cut Chemist (American DJ former member of Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli). Looking ahead to February, you might want to secure tickets to the BoDeans, Alborosie, Hirie, Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore (rescheduled), Fidlar, and Melvin Seals & JGB; but, my money’s on The English Beat whose biggest hits include “Mirror in the Bathroom,” “Save it for Later,” and “I Confess.” I’ve always been a big Dave Wakeling fan, I think the first time I met him was upstairs at Nicholby’s back in the day.

Quick Notes: The Rocketz, the Ripkats and Ghost Town Hangmen play the Sewer on Friday, January 13; Out of Trust record release party will be held at Casa Agria Specialty Ale in Oxnard on Saturday, January 14; Bluegrass favorites, the Storytellers play the Deer Lodge on Saturday, January 14; get your swing on with the Swing Shift Big Band on Sunday afternoon, January 15, at House of Dance in Ventura; French pop rock band, Phoenix, plays the Majestic Ventura Theater on Monday, January 16; Sean Bonnette & Tim Kasher paly the Ojai Women’s Club on Thursday, January 19; and Barrelhouse Wailers celebrate 10-year anniversary at the Grape on Fri, January 20.

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 11/7 – 11/20

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

I am sorry to report that Hi Hat Entertainment has decided to close their “figurative” doors once the Hong Kong Inn closes their literal doors at the end of November. As a supporter of the music scene, I do my best to report what’s good and what’s right about our music community, but I would be remiss if I didn’t give a hearty shout out and thanks to Jerry and Jan McWorter who have brought us amazing Blues shows to Ventura the past ten years. I was hoping they would continue after finding another home base, but after some soul searching they have decided to pull the plug. Meanwhile, the shows will continue for a few more Friday nights with Morry Sochat featuring Mondo Cortez on November 9, Shari Puorto Band on November 16, and a huge blow out farewell show on November 23 with Deke Dickerson & the Eccofonics, Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps as well as Hot Roux featuring two-time Grammy award winner, Albert Lee.

Ones to Watch Productions have been busy bringing a number of shows to the area, the next one will feature Chris Pierce and The Brambles in an intimate setting at the Ojai Underground on Friday, November 9.

Just a word of warning about December 1 as there are several events planned on the same day. Let’s start with Totally Local VC’s One-Year Thomas Fire Remembrance concert at the Libbey Bowl with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy; then there’s the 4 Kids 2 Kids’ 18th annual toy drive and concert at the Ventura Beach Club with Ray Jaurique and the Uptown Brothers; and finally “the social event of the year” with the holiday street fair and Ventura Winter Wine Walk downtown Ventura. All three events promise to be a good time, so choose wisely!

Quick Notes: Joe Vandenberg, singer/songwriter, will be at Namba on Friday, November 9; The Ventura Theater has Andy Grammer on Friday, November 9, The Selector on Saturday, November 10 and SuicideGirls on Saturday, November 17; The Freedom Ledges with their unique brand of dirty Blues and Rock & Roll will be at Oak and Main on Saturday, November 10; Noble Grizwald return to Saloon BBQ on Saturday, November 10; Allvaret from Sweden play The Garage on Saturday, November 17; Yachtley Crew cruise into Discovery on Saturday, November 17; and Broadway star, Lesli Margherita, plays the Rubicon Theater for two days in a brand new concert, “This Broad’s Way” on November 17 and 18th.

And finally, my condolences going out to family, friends and musicians who are grieving the loss of George Hawkins, Jr. who passed away after a lengthy illness on October 26, 2018. He touched many a soul, was a musician’s musician and a good friend to so many.

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 5/9 – 5/22

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

I’m loving the effort to liven up downtown with businesses staying open later during May and holding special events like a Mom’s night out or a pub crawl. Kudos to the merchants! But of course, you know nothing livens up a place like live music, and you know who has been doing right? Just take a look at the venues in the Ventura Harbor! The Boatyard Pub is officially providing live music seven days a week so between the Boatyard, 805 Wine Bar, the Copa Cubana, Margarita Villa (also seven days a week), and even the Ventura Comedy Club where Tom Scott and LA Express plays time to time, the place is about as lively as you can get!

Nothing goes with warmer weather like a cold brewski, so you won’t want to miss Surf n’ Suds, the beer festival with a surf twist, on Saturday, May 19, at San Buenaventura State Beach. The daylong event not only has over 50 craft breweries, ciders and wine, but they’ll have entertainment from Crosscut 805, DJ Hecktik and After the Smoke.

It’s always a treat when Hi Hat Entertainment brings Billy Vera and the Beaters to town so you’ll want to get your tickets in advance at HiHatEntertainment.com for Friday, May 11, at the Hong Kong Inn. They’ll perform their #1 hit tune, “At this Moment” along with “Millie make some Chili” and other favorites.

It’s awesome that the Museum of Ventura County is offering more live music. On Friday, May 11, it’s “Out of the Ashes: Healing in Story and Song”; the chamber music ensemble, Camerata Pacifica, performs on Sunday, May 13; the weekly Munch series continues Thursdays afternoons where local artists perform at lunch time; and two-time Grammy winner Laurence Juber (lead guitarist for Paul McCartney’s Wings) headlines a fundraiser for the Ventura County Library Foundation on May 19. For more information and tickets, visit VenturaMuseum.org.

Quick Notes: cool shows at The Garage include the New Candys from Venice, Italy, on Thursday, May 10, and Jason Steady and the Soft Ponies from Omaha, NE, on Friday, May 11; Topa Mountain Winery in Ojai is hosting a Rose Soiree Event with music from The Salty Suites and The Dales on Saturday, May 12; Grapes and Hops hosts an earlier show on Mother’s day, Sunday, May 13 at 11 am with Stephen Inglis who will perform, “Cut the Dead some Slack” then it’s Dive Bar Steve and Friends at 3 pm; Caught Red Handed plays Plan B Wine Cellars on Sunday, May 13; Oxnard’s Strawberry Festival is over the weekend of May 19-20, and on the Main stage will be Hollywood U2, Highway Starr, Professional Americans, 40oz to Freedom and more; and finally, the Outlaws will be at Discovery on Sunday, May 20 with Crooked Eye Tommy opening.

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 2/28-3/13

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

Our community’s heartfelt thanks go out to the Ventura Music Festival for the exceptional talent they brought for the Concert for Ventura on Sunday, February 25 at Mission Park. The free family-friendly concert featured Tom Scott and the LA Express, John Ferguson and friends as well as the VC Singers and VMF Artistic Director, Nuvi Mehta. Both Scott and Ferguson call Ventura home so it was extra special having them perform. The special event was designed to help give thanks to first responders, to solace those who have lost and to celebrate our community through the healing power of music.

JD has announced the dates for this year’s Surf Rodeo and tickets are on sale now at www.SurfRodeo.org. The music line-up is yet to be announced, but know this, the earlier you purchase your tickets, the more you save. The music and surf festival will fall over the weekend of July 14th and 15th at Pierpont Beach at the end of Seaward. Sponsorships, and vendors are lining up as we speak, if you’re interested just go to their website.

I’m sorry to report that we have lost local icon, John Robert Mosby, who passed away on February 19th. Johnny, along with his wife, Jonie, performed as Mr. and Mrs. Country Music recording over a dozen albums, charting seventeen times on the country charts and won two Academy of Country Music awards in the sixties. He was also a life time member of this Academy and served a president for two years in the early 80’s. Though the two loved to tour they decided to buy a club to play in while at home which luckily for Ventura was the Ban-Dar which would continue to be our local Honky-Tonk where the likes of Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard or Johnny Cash would drop in for a spell. Johnny owned and operated the Ban-Dar for over 42 years. There will be a special celebration of his life at the Ventura Beach Club on March 11 with a jam for any musicians who would like to pay tribute.

Quick notes: Dylan Garcia has signed a management deal with Romulo Canizales and he’s gearing up to work with Grammy, Oscar nominated, multi-platinum, Diamond Certified Record Producer Ronnie King for his next single; Wrecking Crew member, Don Randi returns to Squashed Grapes for a CD release party on Saturday, March 3 and then he’ll be performing with Shari Puorto for a Hi Hat Entertainment show at the Hong Kong Inn on Friday, March 16; Tickets are on sale for shows at the Ventura Theater for Flogging Molly on March 19, Ministry on March 23 and the Descendants for May 3; Tickets are on sale for shows at Discovery for Donavon Frankenreiter on March 16 and Ozomatli on March 31; and finally, Winchesters Grill will start offering live music on the weekends starting March 2nd with Dan Grimm.

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

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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 – 8/30 – 9/12

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by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

So exactly where did the summer go? Oh wait! There’s no need to panic, there’s still a lot of music and fun to be had. Let’s start with Bombay’s 33rd Annual Beach Party which runs Friday through Sunday of Labor Day weekend. Diego always pulls out all the stops with three stages of music including a mechanical bull, and outdoor bar and beer garden. Friday night rock out to the Vonettes, Deep Pockets, Operation 90’s and Mandex; Saturday features a return of Deep Pockets along with Brothers Fortune, Uproots, and Rey Fresco; then Sunday will have Channel, Goodnight Kiss and The Jelly. DJ Erok and DJ Cam will be in the house to help keep the party, plus I wouldn’t be surprised if Diego slipped in another band or two to boot.

The Ventura Nationals return to Ventura over the Labor Day weekend as well on Saturday, September 2, so if you’re wondering where all the cool hot rods and bikes came from, they came from all over to participate and to be seen. The event is held annually at the Ventura fairgrounds and this year’s music features Deadbolt, The Hubcap Stealers and Poor Man’s Change. There’s also an after party at Discovery that evening with music from Three Bad Jacks and Moonlight Trio.

Another party to help wrap up the summer is Discovery’s Backyard Bash on Sunday, September 3, featuring Reggae all day long from bands such as Herbal Rootz, Legalizer, Rital Movement, Dirty Rice, Tribal Theory, Hirie, Common Kings and more.

Music Under the Stars wraps up its summer concert series with their two final shows, Saturday, September 2 it’s Fantastic Diamond, a Neil Diamond tribute show, then the grand finale features Lisa Haley & the Zedekates on Saturday, September 9. For ticket information on all remaining shows go to the City’s website (www.CityofVentura.ca.gov).

It’s early notice, but you won’t want to miss One’s to Watch Productions’ Topa Topa Folk Fest because this year the amazing Lucinda Williams headlines on Saturday, October 7. The event runs two days (Friday and Saturday) and also features great artists like Shooter Jennings, Lissie, Doug Pettibone, Bryan Titus, Tim Curran and many more. Get the lowdown on tickets at TopaTopaFolkFest.com.

Quick Notes: The final free concert at the Collection is Thursday, August 31 with Queen Nation, music starts at 7 pm; Hi Hat Entertainment brings back Teresa James to the Hong Kong Inn on Friday, September 1, and Joe Louis Walker on Friday, September 8; Check out Balkan Jazz at Squashed Grapes with Plotz! On Saturday, September 9; Goodnight Kiss just released a new EP called Abandon Ship; Bowlful of Blues returns to Libby Bowl September 16 you can get ticket information at BowfulOfBlues.org; and the Ventura Theater recently added Jimmy Eat World for Thursday, September 21.

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 – 5/24-6/6

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by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Are you ready for the Cajun & Blues Festival?  It falls over Memorial Day weekend May 27-28th at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park in Simi Valley. This year’s lineup looks pretty tasty with such notable acts at Doug Kershaw, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, The Yardbirds, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and the Robby Krieger Band as Krieger continues to celebrate 50 years of The Doors music. I’m also looking forward to catching Kelly’s Lot, the 44’s and getting to know all the other acts on the bill.  You can find ticket information at www.SimiCajun.org.

The Ventura County fair has released most of their grandstand concert schedule for this summer’s run.  There will be Smash Mouth and Sugar Ray on Thursday, 8/3; Huey Lewis and the News on Friday, 8/4; KC and the Sunshine Band on Saturday, 8/5; Dia de la Familia concert Sunday afternoon, 8/6; Billy Currington on Monday, 8/7; The Spinners on Tuesday afternoon, 8/8; Shinedown on Wednesday, 8/9; Gabriel Iglesias on Thursday, 8/10; and Wynonna and the Big Noise on Friday, 8/11.

Speaking of music over the summer, several of the Music Under the Stars concerts at the historic Olivas Adobe have and will sell out.  Several bands of note include WhosNext, The Swing Kings, Steely Jam, Celebration of Joni Mitchell, Dead Man’s party, Fantastic Diamond and more. Call the City to order your tickets during regular business hours at (805) 658-4726.

Reggae returns to Café Fiore’s Treehouse on Sunday afternoons with the Babylon Rockers taking the floor on Sunday, May 28. The band tells me they’ll be offering up new takes on some well-known tunes, original reggae music as well as some lesser known gems. Music runs 6-10:30 pm.

Hi Hat Entertainment is bringing back Billy Vera, but this time featuring his full band, Billy Vera and the Beaters on Friday, May 26. Enjoy their popular songs such as “Millie make some chili” and his #1 radio hit song, “At this Moment.”

Quick notes: The Pullmen are heading back to Europe (France and Italy) for another tour this time with only three members; Brothers Fortune is back in the studio working on a couple of songs; The Mighty Cash Cats just released their new CD called “Alaska Boogie”;Donna Lynn Caskey’s CD release party for “The Love Still Shows” will be at NAMBA on Saturday, May 27 and the San Francisco jazz trio, Charged Particles, return to Squashed Grapes Saturday, May 27.

And finally, be sure to tune in for my “mostly local” music show on CAPS Media’s KPPQ-LP at 104.1 FM on Tuesdays from 5 -6 pm. I’m having a blast finding local music nuggets to share like vintage music from Ariel to the Missing 23rd, plus I’m getting new music in from the likes of Ozomatli and Big Voodoo Daddy. CAPS hasn’t launched their simulcast on the internet yet, so if you’re local, be sure to tune and support!

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 2/15 – 2/28

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One Degree of Separation
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

If you follow Ventura’s music scene, then you most likely know Brent Harding who can be heard playing bass in bands like the Whiskey Chimps, the Gypsy Blues Band, Hot Roux and others, but did you know he’s been Mike Ness’s bass man for Social Distortion since 2004?  Brent will be back on the road with Social D the next few months and you can see him when they play at the Ventura Theater on March 7.  That’s all awesome, but I just found out that during one of the many private parties during this year’s NAMM (National Association Music Merchants) event, Brent got a call to play at a Gretsch Guitars event with Jeff Beck.  Yeah, THE Jeff Beck.  I had to talk to Brent about it, because you know, that’s HUGE! Plus, that’s only one degree of separation for me!  Anyways, Brent was so funny when he told me there were moments where he couldn’t look at him because he’d freak out and he had to concentrate; but he said Jeff Beck was a wonderful guy, really sweet and kind.  Now that’s what you want to hear about guitar gods, no?

Grapes and Hops will once again host a special evening with Shawn Jones, Jeff Silbar and Suzie Candell. Of course, we all know and love Shawn who recently competed and made it to the semi-finals of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis this month, but Suzie is returning to Ventura from Switzerland; Shawn produced her first CD the last time she was out here called, California Streets. The two will reunite with the one and only Jeff Silbar (Grammy award winning songwriter, “Wind Beneath My Wings”) for an evening of swapping stories and tunes on Thursday, February 16.

Here’s a couple of one-liner notes of interest:  Ruben Estrada returns to the Copa Cubana Monday evenings 6-9 pm through April 10; The Ventura Breeze is sponsoring the Equinox jazz band at Squashed Grapes February 24; The Johnny Cash, Cash Bash will be held on Sunday, February 19, 4-7:30 pm at Bombay’s featuring the Mighty Cash Cats and Jade Hendrix; another Cash Bash will be held on Sunday February 26 at Discovery with Hard Six, Jackass and Inazuma; Rey Fresco will be at Now Ventura on Saturday, February 25; and along with their normal Friday concerts, Hi Hat Entertainment has a special show on Sunday, February 26 at the Hong Kong Inn featuring the 2016 Muddy Award Winners, “Performance of the Year,” Karen Lovely with Lisa Mann and Ben Rice (downbeat at 7).

And finally, the all new CAPS Media radio station, KPPQ-LP has officially launched and is live on air 24 hours a day at 104.1 FM. It’s a low-powered signal so it only reaches most of Ventura, but they’ll soon be available on the internet as well; the staff is working out the programming as you read this.  Keep in mind, this is local area access and along with covering our City Council meetings and other events (parades and such), the programming is open up to CAPS members like myself.  I hope you’ll tune in when I’ll be hosting a one-hour mostly local music show, tentatively on Tuesdays 5-6 pm.

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 – 2/1 – 2/14

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Bringing on the Blues, Jazz and more…
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

The line-up at Squashed Grape is getting hotter and hotter as we get further into 2017.  Karl Hunter (Big Bad Voodoo Daddy) and friends return on Thursday February 2 with his band mPhaka; Bobby West (Wynton Marsalis, R.Kelly, Smokey Robinson) returns on Saturday, February 4; it will be a night of hot jazz with the international jazz manouche and Balkan music band Het Hat Club with Laura Lackey on vocals Wednesday, February 8; and Mike Garson (Bowie) and David Liebman (Miles Davis, Chic Corea) return on Thursday February 9.  If you were there the last time Garson played, then you too were blown away when Garson played “A Space Oddity” on the piano.

Discovery has several noteworthy shows lined up including Shaky Feelin’ on February 3; a Bowie tribute band, The Band that Feel to Earth on the 4th; several local musicians will be on hand to honor the late great reggae artist on Bob Marley day, February 9; the Hubcap Stealers will be there on the 10th; and finally, a Black Sabbath tribute band on Saturday, February 11. Go to the Discovery’s website for tickets and times as they vary.

As you probably know, there’s a wonderful Blues community supporting this genre of music and nobody does a better job at bringing notable Blues artists to town than Hi Hat Entertainment. You’ll want to mark down on your calendar that following dates: Friday, February 3, it’s James Intveld; February 10th, Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps; Carl Sonny Leyland’s on Friday, February 17; Alastair Greene & Deanna Bogart on Friday, February 24; and a special show on Sunday, February 26 with Karen Lovely with Lisa Mann & Ben Rice. Get the lowdown at HiHatEntertainment.com. All Hat Hi shows are at the Hong Kong Inn where you’ll find one more concert to add to your calendar, RJ Mischo has a special blues party on Saturday, February 4 with Hashbrown, Fred Kaplan, Rick Reed and Johnny Morgan. All shows start at 8; covers vary.

Topa Topa Brewery launches their open mic night February 1 and thereafter on the first Wednesday of the month. Signups at 6 and it runs 6:30 – 8:30 pm.

The legendary David Nigel Lloyd is reuniting after 30 years with Jonathan Mako Sharkey for a special performance on Saturday, February 11. Nigel Lloyd, one of the pre-eminent Acid Folk performers in the world will hold a songwriting workshop at 6 pm, then he’ll join up with Sharkey (musician and Port Hueneme Councilman) for a concert at the Loft in Camarillo.

And finally, CAPS Media is launching a low-powered FM station here in Ventura and it’s schedule to launch in mid-February. I’ll be hosting a weekly hour-long program highlighting independent artists including local artists from the area, and artists who have played in town. I’ll let you know when we’re live and on air at 104.1 FM.

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 5/25 – 6/7

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“Who to Watch”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

160427_VR-Guitar

Ones to Watch Productions will be hosting a number of showcases at Grapes and Hops on Main Street. Mimi Gilbert will be there on Saturday, May 28, and The Brambles on Saturday, June 4th. Steve and Polly Hoganson (formerly of Zoey’s) most certainly have their fingers on the pulse of up and coming artists to watch for, so be sure to support their showcases here in town!

Radio Skies CD release party will be held indoors and out at the Ventura Beach Club On Saturday, May 28 with several bands and artists on the bill in what they’re calling a “One Night Micro Fest”. If you’re not familiar with them, the band, Radio Skies is out of Ojai, and find their inspiration from the songwriting of Paul Simon, the electronic landscapes of Brian Eno and the spirit of the Grateful Dead with their sound described as folk roots, electronic, psychedelia. Other bands on the line up include Pacific Haze, The Brambles, 9Lives and Brion Shearer.

The Libbey Bowl 2016 season has a number of events lined up for the next several months including several dates for the 70th Ojai Music Festival in June; concerts with Rick Springfield, Ozomatli, Michael McDonald, The Zombies and a special intimate concert with Don Felder of the Eagles benefiting Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation and the Ojai Community Foundation in October; and coming up immediately is an Ojai VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) free Memorial Day concert featuring Veteran speakers, and music from Nordhoff High School, US Air Force Band and the Ventura British Brass. For more information on Libbey shows, check out www.LibbeyBowl.org.

Hi Hat Entertainment has landed at the Hong Kong Inn for their Friday night Blues concerts. Shows on their roster include the boss of boogie Woogie, Rob Rio, who will be in the house on Friday, May 27; Keke Dickerson and the Eccofonics, famous for their Western Rockabilly sound on Friday, June 3rd; and The Bruce Katz Band will be there on Friday, June 10. Katz was inducted into the Blues hall of Fame in 2013. Hi Hat has a solid up line through August; you can check out their line up at www.HiHatEntertainment.com.

By the way, if you’re planning on catching Bad Religion at the Ventura Theater on Thursday, June 2, then you’ll want to extend the fun afterwards at Sans Souci with Mother of Dissension and The Hymen Blasters.

And of course the summer fun officially starts with Roadshow Revival, (now being called) A Celebration of American Roots Music, at Mission Park on June 25th and 26th. I’m looking forward to catching John Doe, The Paladins, The Blasters, Robert Gordon, and tons of other acts performing over the weekend. Information and tickets can be found at www.RoadshowRevival.com.

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.