Tag Archives: The Watermark

Ventura Music Scene 2/4/2026 – 2/17/2026

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Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
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I’m sorry to have to squash the rumors, but Mark Hartley has no intention of reopening the Watermark anytime soon though painstaking efforts have been made to restore the woodwork and opulence of its former heyday. The venue will continue as a rental space for special events just in case you’re interested. The rumors started after the Hartleys hosted an invite-only party musicians’ reunion on Tuesday, January 27, where up to 17 local musicians performed upstairs and downstairs. Those performing included Todd Hannigan, Shawn Jones, Sam Bolle, Ed Berghoff, Guy Martin, Alvino Bennett, Nick St. Nicolas, Mario Calire, Lois Mahalia, Katie Skene, and so many more, all of whom donated their time to play. For me, the highlight of the evening was when the band jammed with Nick St. Nicolas (Steppenwolf), and performed “Born to be Wild.”

Local musicians playing the Watermark There are a couple of milestones to celebrate this month, including MadeWest Brewing’s 10th anniversary on Saturday, February 7, where live music will be provided by Big Tweed at their Donlon location in Ventura. Festivities include a beer release, food trucks, anniversary glasses and t-shirts for purchase while they last.

The following week, Strey Cellars celebrates their 12th year anniversary over the weekend of February 14 with 805 Social Club performing on Saturday, and Heathers on Fire on Sunday.

Superbowl Sunday, February 8, would be the reason why most venues have no live music. Subsequently, moving forward, more venues will have live music on Sundays with the football season be us.

Quick Notes:  Shawn Jones and Shane Alexander team up once again for a performance at Namba on Friday, February 6; Larry Dunn’s Anthology of Earth Wind and Fire lands at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, Saturday, February 7; the Monday Club returns to the Masonic Center in Ventura with Hot Roux on February 9; ChopperFest returns to the Ventura Fairgrounds, Saturday, February 7, and as of press time, website still lives live bands as TBD; tickets are on sale now for Rich Kids on LSD and Good Riddance at the Ventura Music Hall on April 11; and as for the Ventura Theater, the Violent Femmes show is sold out for March 1, but tickets are currently still available for 311 for March 4, and Circle Jerks for May 22;

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 Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 5/14 – 5/27

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Rixton

Ventura Breeze logoVentura Music Scene
Ventura Rocks!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

W20 at the top of The Watermark played host Thursday, May 8, for a special invite only Rixton concert.  About 30 lucky 105.5 radio contest winners attended the intimate noon time show.  The British pop rock R&B band have been getting traction with their first single, “Me and My Broken Heart.”  You may have caught them performing it in the past month on both the Voice and the Ellen DeGeneres Show.

How cool is it that Nathan McEuen can be found playing at Amigos for Happy Hour on Tuesdays; and how cool is it that his Nitty Gritty Dirt Band dad, John McEuen, stopped by to sit in for a few songs on Tuesday, May 6?   VERY COOL.

The headliner for the Roadshow Revival:  a Tribute to the Music of Johnny Cash will be Grammy Award Winners, Los Lobos.  Other acts on the bill for the all day festival June 14 at the Fairgrounds will be The Paladins, Dale Watson, James Intveld, and much more.  See www.RoadshowRevival.com.

It’s out with the old and in with the new as The Chaotic Knights retire their name as they welcome their new lead singer, David Cunningham on board. They’re renaming the band Whiskey Stone.

By the way, Martha Davis of the Motels never sounded better when she headlined the Ventura Beach Festival May 3; the Surfaris kicked some serious butt as well.

Hi-Hat Entertainment welcomes Kim Wilson (Fabulous Thunderbirds) to Yolie’s on Friday, May 16; Reverend Horton Heat will be at the Majestic Ventura Theater on May 23, the Green on the 26th and Against Me! on the 27th.  And not only is the restaurant back, but the Hong Kong Inn is offering late night music on most weekends again.

Discovery has been ramping up getting ready to offer music on a more consistent basis.  Look for Wailing Souls and Prezident Brown on May 23, and Hollywood U2 (tribute band) on May 25.  Ticket information can be found on their website www.DiscoveryVentura.com.   They’re also looking for local bands to showcase throughout the summer, just so you know.

Special guest, Doug Webb, will join Tico Trio later this month at Squashed Grapes on Saturday, May 31.  Webb has been featured on over 500 recordings for hundreds of artists including Quincy Jones, Freddie Hubbard, and Stanley Clarke; he also has recorded for hundreds of movies and television shows including The Family Guy orchestra.

And finally, work continues for Ventura Music Week; mark it on your calendar now for June 6 – June 15th with the official kickoff party on Thursday, June 5; details coming soon.

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