Ventura Music Scene 9/17/25 – 9/30/25

Posted on September 14, 2025 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
The second half of September features several special events, including the Banana Festival in Port Hueneme, Artwalk Ventura, and Oktoberfest.
I always found it interesting that venues started celebrating Oktoberfest in September, so I took some time to look it up, and it turns out Oktoberfest is a bit of a misnomer. The festival lasts 16 to 18 days, and an earlier start date was introduced to increase the chance of warm weather and because daylight lasts longer (source: Readers Digest). With that tidbit of information filed away, it’s good to know that several local breweries have special events lined up including Enegren Brewing Co. in Moorpark, who will celebrate the weekend of September 20-21 with live music from Festmeister Hans Und Die Sauerkrauts, Hazelnuss Das Music, Der Matterhorns, and Sauer Sam and the Tablecloth Band! Poseidon Brewing Company in Ventura will host Linda’s Polka Party Band on Saturday, September 20; Pedals and Pints in Thousand Oaks will have Sauer Sam & the Tablecloth Band on Sunday, September 21; Bright Spark celebrates on Saturday with Whole Hog Band; and Madewest hosts The Driftless Revelers, a self-proclaimed freak-folk group touring with several stops in town (see listings). Chances are extremely high that all local breweries will have specials, games, and music that same weekend, so get out and enjoy some bratwurst, sauerkraut, and a stein or two of German beer!
Artwalk Ventura 2025 falls over the last weekend of the month, September 27 and 28, featuring more than 200 artists’ works at dozens of venues and lots of live music. Outside of strolling down Main Street downtown Ventura, I suggest visiting www.ArtWalkVentura.org and review the “Venues” page. I wish a list had been provided, but you’ll need to select the dropdown menu to see all the venues and then select each one for more information. With a little bit of intel, I did manage to find out there will be two stages downtown, one at California and Main, and the other next to the Mission, which is called the Albinger Stage. WAV will also host several live performances on both days. See listings below for details.
The 12th annual Banana Festival at the Port Hueneme will be held on Saturday, September 27. This family-friendly, free event offers ships & barges, yummy treats, and of course live music to keep things lively.

Quick Notes: Presale tickets are now available for the social event of the year, the Ventura Winter Wine Walk on Saturday, December 6 (www.VenturaWinterWineWalk.com); Tickets are on sale for Kansas at the Majestic Ventura Theater for Wednesday, December 3; Modern Love, Bowie tribute band, plays Lester Family Cellars on Saturday, September 20; and The Kings of Queen will be the final Rock the Collection concert on Wednesday, September 24.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows that you would like help publicizing? Please send all information, short or long, to Pam@VenturaRocks.com. For updated music listings daily, visit www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Music Scene 9/18/24 – 10/1/24

Posted on September 18, 2024 by venturarocks

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

Looking back for just a moment, congratulations to Army of Freshmen who performed at the Ventura Music Hall on Saturday, September 14, to commemorate their 25th anniversary; their high energy show is always a crowd pleaser. I sat across from two women who traveled from Texas to catch the concert buying a pile of merch including the band’s entire catalog; now that’s dedication! During the opening act’s set, Nerfherder helped to facilitate a wedding proposal asking for a couple of people in the audience to help start their next song and of course they just happened to choose “a random couple.” After howling like wolves, the band started a fake song while he got down on one knee with a ring taking her by surprise. After jumping up and down, she said yes! I’ll admit it made me tear up as the audience cheered them on!

On a downer note, the 7th annual Oxnard Jazz Festival which was scheduled for September 14 – 15, was postponed just days before the event. According to their website it was due to “unexpected challenges…” but of course that could translate to low ticket sales. Hope that wasn’t the case and it will be back before long.

Now looking forward, I don’t know why, but I’m sure there is a reason breweries celebrate Oktoberfest in September. Poseidon Brewing Company’s will fall on Saturday, September 21, with Linda’s Polka Party Band, and Enegren Brewing in Moorpark will celebrate Oktoberfest the following weekend, Saturday, September 28, with Festmeister Hans und Die Sauerkrauts, Der Matterhorns, Hazelnuss Das Music and Ladyhosen. My theory is that these specialty bands book up years in advance and you get ‘em while you can. Just a theory.

The 11th annual Banana Festival returns to the Port of Hueneme on Saturday, September 28, with several live bands including Caliente 805, Upstream, House Arrest and One People. This free event is family friendly and a fun way to see and appreciate the Port and learn about its economic contribution to Ventura County while indulging in some sort of banana concoction.

Quick Notes: Ventura Theater added two Social Distortion shows with night one selling out almost immediately, but at press time, tickets were still available for December 4; tickets are on sale now for Letters to Cleo for November 15 at the Ventura Music Hall; Karl Hunter’s Jazz Hates Johnny plays the Grape on Friday, September 20; it’s a Grateful Dead tribute weekend at the Crowne Plaza’s Aqua Bar with Reckoning on Saturday, September 21 and Peoples Dead on Sunday, September 22; Brasscals (Santa Barbara’s one and only street brass band) and Ventura’s own, Casual Business, play Leashless on Sunday, September 22; and the final Rock the Collection free concert falls on Thursday, September 26 with The King of Queens.

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 Column 9/21/22 – 10/4/22

Posted on September 20, 2022 by venturarocks

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

It’s not that I hate being the bearer of bad news that summer is officially over as we usher in fall, that’s because fall isn’t so bad for us here in Ventura. The autumnal equinox is September 22 and as far as I’m concerned, the weather is perfect for taking in live music; but let’s be honest, the weather is always perfect for taking in live music!

The Port of Hueneme hosts the 2022 Banana Festival on Saturday, September 24, with live music from Teka Penteriche (Brazilian Bossa), Justo Almario and his Afro Colombian Jazz Ensemble, Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps with her special brand of Texas blues rock, Richardo Lemvoy Makina Loca, with Victor Vega and the Bomb capping off the day. There is no admission and parking is free for this one at 105 E Port Hueneme Road from 10 am to 6 pm.One of my favorite nights out is also a fundraiser for a great cause, Pier Under the Stars. This ticketed event raises money to help preserve our Ventura Pier providing emergency funds when big waves do their inevitable damage to the pilings. The non-profit is called Pier into the Future and the evening helps to keep their vision alive. From 5-8 pm on Saturday, October 1 on the beachfront promenade next to the north side of the pier, the outdoor event features food, wine, and other beverages from local merchants. The live musical entertainment this year will be from Mid Life Crisis, so plan to dance “under the stars” as well.

It’s an early start to Oktoberfest over the weekend at September 24 at Enegren Brewing in Moorpark features live festive German music. There will also be a stein hoisting competition, axe throwing, vendors marketplace, petting zoo and more! Sounds like fun for all ages; I even spotted a mention of this one on KTLA weekend news.

Marty Van Loan and Jeff Evans are at it again with the release of their CD from the Mini Bar Project. They’ll perform new songs and old favorites in a rare live performance at the Santa Paula Theater Center on October 1.

Congratulations to the one of the original dive-bars in the county, the Rudder Room, as they celebrate their 60th anniversary on Saturday, September 24, with Teresa Russell performing 1-5 pm.

Not quite a 60-year milestone, but it’s a milestone none-the-less as Ojai Valley Brewery celebrates their 1-year anniversary with what they’re calling Croptober Fest 2022, which also falls on Saturday, September 24. Reggae reigns from 5-10 from Cornerstone, Morie & the Heavy Hitters and Jacob & the Good Vibes. This one is a ticketed event and will help to benefit the Humane Society of Ventura County.

And my favorite jazz spot, the Grape, will also celebrate their one-year anniversary on Saturday, October 1 with the return of Casey Abrams.

New shows at Ventura Music Hall
Kabaka Pyramid with Jordant on October 13
Tai Verdes on November 9
Thee Sinseers & the Altons with Rudy de Anda on November 12
Skeggs on March 6, 2023

Mark your calendar (more details next issue) for Surf n Suds (October 8), the Highland Seaside Highland Games (October 8-9) and Boots and Brews with Tim McGraw (October 14).

Quick Notes:
Billy Vera and the Beaters play the Grape on Thursday, September 22; teen band out of Camarillo, No Idea, play El Rey Cantina on Sunday, September 25; Wednesday, September 28, is the next free Rock the Collection concert with Eagles tribute band, the Long Run; Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite play the Libbey Bowl on Friday, September 30; Fido the band play Leashless Brewing on Saturday, October 1; and the Fatty Vegan hosts a Numbskull Productions show with Powerhouse and End Days on Sunday, October 2 (ticketweb.com).

Ventura Rocks

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Tag Archives: Oktoberfest

Ventura Music Scene 9/17/25 – 9/30/25

Ventura Music Scene 9/18/24 – 10/1/24

Ventura Music Scene Column 9/21/22 – 10/4/22