Ventura Music Scene 12/13/23 – 12/26/23

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
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I hope you are enjoying the holiday season, there are a few more opportunities to catch live music if you need a boost. On one end of the spectrum, the Rubicon Theater will host a Saturday afternoon Tiny Tots Christmas Concert on December 23 (2-4 pm) featuring enchanting songs of the season that will tug at your holiday heartstrings.

And then on the other end of the spectrum, if you appreciate a wicked sense of humor that is, then you won’t want to miss loveable punk rockers, The Vandals, when they play the Majestic Ventura Theater on Friday, December 22. This is the band’s 28th Annual Christmas Formal where they’re sure to play such punk holiday favorites as “My First Christmas as a Women,” “Oi to the World,” “Grandpa’s Last X-mas” and “I Don’t Believe in Santa Claus.”

Non-holiday events include a fundraiser to help get Red Headed Stephchild to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis next month. The event will be held at Bombay’s on Saturday December 16 from 2-6 pm with performances from Ray Jaurique Trio, Hot Roux, American Standard and Red Headed StephChild.

Singer/songwriter Amanda McBroom plays Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts in Ojai on Sunday December 17. So many of her songs have been recorded by a wide variety of artists such as Barry Manilow, Judy Collins, Anne Murray, Harry Belafonte, Kurt Cobain and of course Bette Midler who hit a number one hit with her tune, “The Rose”.

Albert Lee will be celebrating his 80th birthday at the Twist on Main with Hot Roux supporting the phenomenal Grammy award winning guitarist. Lee has worked with the likes of the Everly Brothers, Eric Clapton, Emmylou Harris and more. This ticketed event falls on Friday, December 22 with tickets available on the HiHatEntertainment.com website.

Keep in mind, you should firm up your New Year’s Eve party plans sooner than later. My next column will highlight some of the bigger parties, but meanwhile, go to VenturaRocks.com and on the calendar, just search “NYE” for parties throughout Ventura County.

Quick Notes: Rey Fresco opens for Ozomatli at the Ventura Music Hall on Thursday, December 14; Simon Phillips returns to the Grape for another sure-to-sell-out performance on Friday, December 15; Red Hot Cholo Peppers play Copper Blues on Friday December 15; Brendan Willing James plays the Farmer and the Cook in Ojai on Sunday December 17; and Tribal Me has reformed and renamed the group, The Jelly Jam Band.

Though I’ve placed the Pam Baumgardner Music Hour on hiatus after 200 shows, I’d like to invite you to start your very own radio show on CAPS Media’s KPPQ local non-profit radio station. You can do a talk/podcast type show, or play music of any genre. Reach out to the program director at radio@capsmedia.org.

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 9/11 – 9/24

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
The Topa Mountain MusicFest is coming up fast, it’s on Saturday, September 21, with yours truly emceeing the event this year! I hope you’ll make it out for a great cause and amazing artists in a gorgeous setting at Libbey Bowl in Ojai. National and artists out of Southern California fill the line up from Brett Dennen, The Marc Broussard Band, The Mother Hips, to Bryan Titus Trio with The Brambles, Reverend Tall Tree Band (Chris Pierce), Timmy Curran with Lee Koch, Tom Freund, and Quincy Coleman with Shane Alexander. The Topa Mountain MusicFest “Finding a Cure” Cancer Benefit net proceeds go directly to Stand up to Cancer and the Glioblastoma Foundation. Many thanks to Steve and Polly Hoganson of Ones To Watch Productions (and former owners of Zoey’s) for putting on another amazing concert. Get your tickets and more information at TopaMountainMusicFest.org.

Another full day of music, on the same day, Saturday, September 21, will be the Boots & Brews Country Music Festival with Billy Currington, Niko Moon, Easton Corbin and David Nail. This event runs 1 pm to 9 pm at the San Buenaventura State Beach Park. For more information for all you Country music fans, go to BootsAndBrews.com/Ventura.

The Ventura Theater has a number of show coming up over the next two weeks, it’s Black Label Society on September 11, Xavier Rudd on the 13, heavy rockers, Last in Line (former members of Dio, Black Sabbath, Def Leppard, the Offspring and Ozzy Osbourne) on the 15 and Bob Weir and Wolf Bros. on September 20.

Quick Notes: I Dig Rock & Roll Music opens at the Rubicon and runs September 11 through the 29 with the big opening night official gala on Saturday, the 14; Lol Goodman Band out of the UK roll into the Red Cove on Wednesday, September 11; Stalag 13, Goat Rhythm and The Pegs take over Concrete Jungle Brewing on Friday, September 13; One Hundred Paces record release party’s at Bombay’s on Saturday, September 14 with Owen Bucey opening (7 pm); there will be a Paddle Out honoring Neal Casal on Sunday, September 15 at 10 am at Promenade Park; there’s a special Spayghetti No Balls fundraiser for spaying and neutering pets at Four Brix Winery on Sunday, September 15 with Fishfry; the SMO, Smoke Me Out tour 2019 hits the Ventura Fairgrounds on Friday, September 19; Abel Garcia’s CD release party’s at Oak and Main on Thursday, September 19; Goodnight Kiss has a date at The Tavern, on Friday, September 20; Another Tech805 show lands at the Hong Kong Inn on Saturday, September 21; and finally, Cholos on Acid with IDecline, Scheisse Minnelli, Civil Conflict and more play Sunday Punk Rock party at the Garage 2-6 pm on the 22.

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. For updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 5/10 – 5/23

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Local Music and More!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Ready for a beer festival with a surf twist? Then you’ll want to check out Surf ‘N’ Suds on Saturday, May 20, at San Buenaventura State Beach (901 San Pedro Street entrance). They’ll have over 50 breweries represented and of course live music to entertain while sipping on your suds; this year it’s Synrgy, Crosscut 805 Band and DJ Hecktik. There will be a free bicycle valet, you can catch the free Ventura Trolley, or check out the other shuttles available to get to the beach. For ticket and more general information go to SurfBeerfest.com.

The Rubicon Theater is hosting “Music for Changing Times” a weeklong festival bringing together three generations of activist artists in a series of events celebrating music. It runs May 8-13 which includes performances from Grammy winners Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul and Mary). Go to RuiconTheatre.org for more information.

This year’s “Rising Stars” concert from the Ventura Music Festival will be held on Friday, May 12, at the First United Methodist Church (1338 E. Santa Clara) and it’s free to the public. Expect an outstanding mix of young choral, classical and jazz performers including the Ventura College Chamber Singers and the 2017 Student Jazz Competition winner Angelo Velasquez with his trio.

Alastair Greene has announced that he has left the Alan Parsons Live Project after seven years touring with the band. He said he’s had the opportunity to see much of the world because of his guitar and a generous man named Alan Parsons. He’ll be focusing on his solo career and other musical adventures.

Local artist, Kyle, who has been certified platinum for his song “iSpy” had a concert Saturday, April 29 at the Ventura Theater. It was great to see so many kids lined up around the block to support their local friend. You’d expect that kind of turn out from his hometown, but he’s sold out shows in Salt Lake City, Detroit and Chicago. Way to go Super Duper Kyle!

It’s finally been revealed that Los Lobos will be headlining this year’s Roadshow Revival. Don’t forget its new location is at Discovery Ventura and will be held on Saturday, July 1. Other bands on the bill include Raging Arb and the Redheads, The Walking Phoenixes, The Rockin’ Rebels, Phantom Pomps, Hard Six, and more. Get the lowdown at RoadshowRevival.com.

Quick notes: Cask Alehouse (5952 Telegraph Rd) is featuring Adam Tunney with jazz, standards and lounge tunes every Monday; Medicine Hat can be found at Cork (1930 E. Main St) Fridays 5/12 and 5/19; September Begins CD release party is Saturday, May 20, at Bombay’s; Black Dragon will open for Foghat at the Canyon Club on May 26;

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.