Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 7/5 – 7/18

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

YAY!!! It’s time for Surf Rodeo with two days of fun in the sun at the beach and featuring not only a surf competition, but cool bands playing on two stages over the weekend of July 15th and 16th. There will be tons of music featuring artists like Rey Fresco, Thee Commons, Stoneflys, 50 Sticks of Dynamite, Bird Brain, The Rouse, Honey Owl, Mariachi El Bronx, and Super Duper Kyle who will be performing on Sunday (he’s been selling out shows in Chicago, Detroit, etc…). Be sure to swing by the VenturaRocks.com and Ventura Breeze booth on Seaward while you’re out having fun and say hello!

You won’t want to miss Women in the Round, “Voices”, at the Bell Arts Factory on Saturday, July 15 with performances from Andrea Landin, Michelle Rosenblum (aka Melody Bird), Donna Lynn Caskey, Shelby Figueroa and Amber Bassett. Show starts at 7 and it would be awesome of you to make a donation at the door to support their efforts.

Throwing Oxnard some love, the Collection at River park is offering free summer concerts on Thursday nights beginning with Dirty Rice on July 6 followed by Led Zepagain on the 13th, and Southbound and Company on July 22.

Congratulations to Jan for opening her third restaurant (she also owns Prime here in Ventura), this one is right smack dab in the middle of downtown Ventura at 391 E. Main Street. She named it Casa Bella and will be providing live music three nights a week: Tuesdays with Adam Tunney and “Rat Pack” type music, Encore on Fridays with R&B Motown sound, and cool jazz on Saturdays with Ricky Williams. All music is expected to get underway by 7 pm.

If you’re a TOOL fan, then you know the band just wrapped up a tour (yeah, no new album yet) which means drummer Danny Carey has some extra time on his hands so he’ll be once again joining the Doug Webb Group at Squashed Grapes when they play on Saturday, July 8. Be sure to secure tickets at (805) 643-7300.
(Show cancelled 7/5/17)

Quick notes: The Queens of the Stone Age concert at the Ventura Theater has been canceled, Kelly’s Lot is opening for Junior Brown at the Canyon Club on July 9, Music Under the Stars kicks off their summer concert season July 15 at Olivas Adobe with WhosNext; Tim Curran and The Brambles will be at Beach House Tacos on the Ventura Pier, Sunday, July 16 4-7 pm; and finally the 2017 Ventura Music Festival kicks off their “An American Season” featuring 23 performances this year including Perla Batalla’s tribute to Leonard Cohen on Friday, July 21, and Simply Three on Saturday July 22 at Ventura College Performing Arts Center, all of their events and ticket information can be found at VenturaMusicFestival.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.

New Year’s Resolutions

It’s New Year’s resolution time again.  To make promises to better ourselves or to quit doing things that we feel are harmful to us or to others.  This tradition dates back to ancient Babylonia and was first celebrated in March. Then those feisty Romans changed it to January in honor of the God Janus.  He was the patron of arches, doorways, beginnings and endings.  I contacted several locals to see what they are resolved to do and was buoyed by their positive messages and the notion that 2014 is full of promise and inspiration.  We hope you and yours have a very happy New Year!

  • Cheryl HeitmannCHERYL HEITMANN
    Mayor Ventura, CA – “Better time management!”
  • ShelbySHELBY FIGUEROA
    Singer/Songwriter – “Spend more time with friends & family and to take more pictures!!”
  • SHANE ALEXANDER
    Musician/SingerShane Alexander/Songwriter – “I’m a Buddhist so I literally start EVERY day with resolutions – to be the best man I can be, to be the best artist I can be, to develop and maintain a blissful life condition and to keep my home-life balanced and flourishing.”
  • bill locey_100BILL LOCEY
    Music writer Ventura County Star – “I live as if every day is New Year’s Eve, Christmas and my birthday”
  • DOUG PETTIBONE
    Doug PettiboneMusician/Singer/Songwriter John Mayer band – “This year I will try to be the best father, husband, friend I can be.”
  • GUY MARTIN
    Blues/Rock Musicianguy martin_t – “My New Year’s resolution is to write, record and produce a long overdue original album. My last effort was in 2000.  Lots of unfinished music has been written since then!”
  • MB HanrahanMB HANRAHAN
    Artist/Muralist – “Never do something ‘only for the money'”
  • KYLE HUNT
    Musician/Singer/Songwriter – “Aside from the usual resolutions like trying to live Kyle Hunthealthier and get in shape, I’d really like to release the new songs I’ve been working on. I’m looking forward to sharing them with everybody. On top of that I’d like to go see a lot more live shows. I’d like to check out some of the bands I haven’t had a chance to see.”
  • Todd HanniganTODD HANNIGAN
    Musician/Singer/Songwriter/Producer – “No resolution this year.  I usually end up breaking them all year.”
  • MARK MASSON
    Mark MassonMusician Shaky Feelin’ – “My New Year’s resolution is to live everyday to the fullest appreciate all my friends, family and even all of my lovely acquaintances around Ventura. Life is short and we never know when it’s going to be taken away from us. Oh yeah and work out and stay in shape, drink only the best beer and keep on playing my music and rocking hard to pursue my dreams for me and other people who are pushing for me. Basically my resolution is to just try and be a better person.”
  • Jodi FarrellJODI FARRELL
    Music/Voice teacher/Singer -“To thine own self, be true”
  • LISBET FREY
    Owner/Partner Green Art People – “I can tell you this I have Lisbet Freyresolved to have more fun (unrelated to work) and to connect authentically with friends, family and music. I want to be more present and live and make connections out of love, not obligation. I also plan on working on my own music this year and getting back into singing/writing.”
  • Brendan Willing JamesBRENDAN WILLING JAMES
    Musician/Singer/Songwriter Member of Grizfolk- “I resolve to be conversational in Swedish by the end of the year, to meet Steven Colbert, and eat sushi in Japan.”
  • Christina DiazCHRISTINA DIAZ
    Artist/Editor in Chief E-Volved Magazine – “My 2014 resolution is to continue to stay sober (I have a 15+ months) and keep moving forward.”
  • Amanda PeacockAMANDA PEACOCK
    Rock Photographer –“I think my New Year’s resolution is: Less time spent on social media, less time spent in bars (did you know that I don’t even drink?), more time with Family and friends, connecting on a deeper level. The past year has brought me new insight to what matters most.”
  • DiegoDIEGO GAMBA
    Manager Bombay Bar & Grill – “To make downtown (Ventura) safe and thriving and to provide quality local entertainment in a safe and fun environment.”
  • PerlaPERLA BATALLA
    Musician/Singer/Songwriter/Producer – “Every moment counts so I plan to pay close attention and take regular tech breaks for goodness sakes!! And most importantly I plan to continue to love big, always love big!!!”
  • Jim RiceJIM RICE
    Executive Director Bell Arts Factory – “My resolution is to have a new resolution every day …not just once a year….but a lifestyle resolved to simply be… “BETTER”.
  • TOMMY MARSH
    Blues/Rock Musician “My resolutions are many…Tommy MarshLOL, lose some weight… Love my friends and family more apparently and deliberately… To give more of my time and substance or help others find their path or get back onto it… And of course the biggie…To WIN IN MEMPHIS!”
  • John ReeseJONNY REESE
    Owner Amigo’s Surf Cantina  “I am resolving to take better care of myself and the people I love. Be more open to new and different music styles!”
  • Samantha RossSAMANTHA ROSS
    Comedian/Acct Exec VC Reporter – “I’m looking forward to 2014. Although this year was positive creatively, 2013 was challenging professionally. I was afraid of change, but in the end it was the best thing for me. This next year, I’m going to embrace new experiences and focus on a little thing called follow through.”
  • Tom HiltonTOM HILTON
    Radio personality KVTA Tom & Sandy’s 805 – “My New Year’s resolution it’s to lose 10 LBS without cutting down on beer LOL!”
  • pamPAM BAUMGARDNER
    Owner VenturaRocks.com – “My New Year’s resolution is to create and maintain a well organized office. It will help smooth the way for getting more projects done. Oh! and dance more!”
  • POLLY HOGANSON
    Music Advocate and Writer VenturaRocks.com – “Well I hope to travel to where ever Paul McCartney is and enjoy a once in a lifetime live concert.  Pick up an instrument, I think I have time now, and live a simple, healthy life, physically, mentally and spiritually. Here’s to 2014!”

Steve and Polly Hoganson