Tag Archives: Ventura Music Hall

Ventura Music Scene 2/18/26 – 3/3/26

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

While celebrating Strey Cellars 12-year anniversary, Scott and Katie Ballew announced they’ve acquired Cantara Cellars/Flat Fish Brewing Co. and plan to build upon and brand it as their own moving forward as Camarillo Barrel Works and no worries, Strey Cellars will remain in Oxnard. Congratulations to Mike and Chris Brown on their retirement and a huge thank you for establishing Cantara Cellars so many years ago.

And speaking of rebranding, Fermentation House is ramping up on their acquisition of Four Brix in Ventura and continue their support of live music.

Hats off to Lucky Fool’s Pub in Moorpark for their professional promotion on their website and for booking more live music including Doc Rogers Band, 24 Strings, Teresa Russell, Strummed Down and Mack and D. I wish more venues did this.

The good folks at the Ventura Music Hall continue to book an eclectic mix of artists. The Sons of Legion show for February 21 is already sold out as are the two back-to-back nights for Thee Sinseers and the Altons on February 27 and 28. Recently added shows include Rich Kids on LSD and Good Riddance on April 11, Iam Tongi (Season 21 winner of American Idol) for April 17, and Collie Buddz for May 27.

photo of Baila Nova performance at Namba ArtsI am reminded once again after taking in the Baila Nova performance at Namba Arts how special listening rooms are. So, as a reminder, though wineries, breweries and smaller bars offer up live music, specifically our local solo and duo artists, there is nothing like paying the price of a ticket for a “listening room” experience where one is there to listen and not to socialize during performances. Namba Arts and The Ojai Underground are probably the best examples and neither charge exorbitant cover charges. I’ve seen frustrated artists who are playing to no one in a full room when at the end of a song, no one claps. It breaks my heart! The point? Attend a listening room performance and you’ll be grateful you did. Oh! And clap at the end of songs in bars.

Quick Notes: beginning Thursday, February 19, Winchesters will host weekly Ventura Dead Nights though May 31 featuring a rotating a cast of local musicians playing the jams of the Dead; weather permitting, Tony’s Pizzeria is ramping up their music schedule again; Chicago’s Bitchin’ Bajas play the Ojai Deer Lodge on Wednesday, February 18; Vaquero y Mar hosts the Neurotics, Spider Baby, SRA, Roshambo and Zippy Josh on Friday, February 20; Shawn Jones and Bernie Larsen team up for a show at the Ojai Underground on Friday, February 27; and the sold out Violent Femmes show at the Ventura Theater is Sunday, March 1.

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 4/30/25 – 5/13/25

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Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
Music Scene artwork
The Ventura Music Festival’s free concert this year on Saturday, May 3, is coming up fast with such bands as Ticket to Ride (Beatles covers), the Blue Mountain Tribe, Barrelhouse Wailers, Rey Fresco and more. The family-friendly event starts at Mission Park next to the museum at noon, then after the last performance, the second stage takes over at Main and Chestnut aligning with Limon y Sal’s Cinco de May celebration at around 5 pm with not only Rey Fresco, but several salsa and mariachi bands. Along with the music, vendors will be set up as well as a vintage car show.

Another Ventura Music Festival event (this one ticketed) comes the following Friday, May 9th, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel with Donny Most and his Band (Most played Ralph Malph, Richie’s redheaded friend on Happy Days). The band will perform standards from legends such as Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin and Dean Martin. Go to VenturaMusicFestival.org to see if tickets are still available.

May the 4th (be with you) will see the community gather to support The Local Love Project and their 3rd Annual Blues, BBQ & Portside Views benefit. This year features music from Kelly’s Lot and the Erik Lemaire Band and it is being held at Portside Ventura Harbor on Sunday, May 4th from 1-5 pm. Tickets are $20 and available via TotalLocalVC.com.

Namba Arts is helping to celebrate Mother’s Day with a concert featuring American Songbook Today performing, “Songs for Mothers and Those They Love.” This joyful tribute to moms everywhere will include songs from David Crosby, Stephen Sondheim, Janis Ian, Simon and Garfunkel and more. Find out more at NambaArts.com.

Ozomatli is celebrating 30 years with a show at the Ventura Music Hall on Friday, June 27. General admission tickets are on sale now. I also saw the venue added a show with Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel for Friday, July 18. This one will be a fully-seated concert featuring the son of the legendary Dickey Betts (Allman Brothers) who recently passed away in 2024.

Mackenzie Carpenter and Jackson Dean have been added along with headliner, Kane Brown, for this summer’s Boots & Brews Country Music Festival on Sunday, June 29, presented by Surfers Point Live at the fairgrounds.

Don’t forget tickets for Music Under the Stars go on sale Tuesday, May 6. You won’t want to wait too long as most concerts do sell out.

Quick Notes: Looking West plays Rincon Brewery on Friday May 2; Sick Boy plays Poseidon Brewing on Friday, May 3; Dirty Cello return to Ventura County for a show at the Ojai Underground on Saturday, May 3; Bloody Mary Morning bring new music to their show at Bombay’s on Friday, May 9; and Robyn Hitchcock plays the Deer Lodge on Tuesday, May 13 (tickets available through EventBrite).

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 9/4/24 – 9/17/24

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Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
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The 7th annual Oxnard Jazz Festival falls over the weekend of September 14 – 15 at ololkoy Beach Park, which is at 1601 Harbor Blvd in Oxnard. The two-day music event will bring world class artists such as Sheila E, Loose Ends featuring Jane Eugene, Lin Rountree, Ambrosia, Louie Cruz Beltran and a whole lot more. Though “jazz” is in the name of the festival, do know there will be a whole lot of Latin groove going on to get you on feet. For tickets and information regarding how to get there and parking, go to OxnardJazzFesival.com.

Leading up to the jazz festival, there will be a kick-off celebration the night before at Heritage Square featuring Munyungo Jackson’s Jungle Jazz with four-time Grammy Winner, Muyungo Jackson. This one is free; however, since space is limited, you will need to secure tickets at VenturaMusicFestival.org.

Another Candlelight Concert is coming up on Thursday, September 5, at the Majestic Ventura Theater with two shows. At 6:30 they’ll feature Queen vs Abba and then at 9 pm it’s the Best of Hans Zimmer. Oh! And don’t forget Dogstar (featuring Keanu Reeves on bass) returns to town playing the Majestic on Tuesday, September 17. The band played August, 2023, at the Ventura Music Hall to a full house.

And speaking of the Ventura Music Hall, they’ve recently added The Philhar Monik, Macy Gray, Brett Dennen, and the Mad Caddies. But meanwhile, I can’t wait to catch the 25th anniversary show of Army of Freshmen on Saturday, September 14 with Nerf Herder opening.

Libbey Bowl summer concert season is winding down, but there are a number of awesome shows still on the docket with Thievery Corporation on Thursday, September 5; Chris Isaak on Friday, September 6; Angel Olsen on Wednesday September 11; the Temptations on Thursday, September 12; July Collins on Friday, September 15; and the Ojai Pops Concert will offer a free show on Sunday, September 15. Do note, the Poncho Sanchez and Ozomatli show for October 5, has been cancelled which chaps my hide as I had amazing tickets for the fourth row.

On Saturday, September 7, a dual venue event presented by Poison Well Records will start at Vaquero y Mar (Noon – 6 pm) and then move over Sans Souci (7 pm – 1 am). The mostly punk rock sets will feature a whole of local legends including a reunion of Power Chicken. See listings for rundown of who is playing where.

Quick Notes: Jen Staves and the Bluzfish play Margarita Villa on Sunday, September 8; Twisted Gypsy is the featured tribute band for Thursday, September 12, at the Collection in Oxnard; Bloody Mary Morning plays Rincon Brewery on Friday, September 13; and Mrs. Olson’s hosts the Roots 805 Jam on Saturday, September 14.

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 6/26/24 – 7/9/24

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Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
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They’re back! The X Games return to the Ventura Fairgrounds Friday, June 28, through Sunday, June 30, and this year music will be a big part of the festivities unlike last year, where… there was none. Music runs throughout each day, with Grammy-nominated artists: Wiz Khalifa headlining on Friday, Kaskade on Saturday, and Sunday it’s Fever 333 out of Inglewood. Do note regarding parking, it’s recommended you take a shuttle, walk, or ride your bike as this year the X Games not only take over the fairgrounds, but the whole parking lot as well.

Leading up to and throughout the weekend, several venues around town will be welcoming the X Games to Ventura with live music such as the Ventura Harbor with Rey Fresco and Looking West (drone show included) on Wednesday, June 26, Tony’s Pizzeria offers up music each evening starting Thursday with the Heavy Hitters, then after the games each day it’s OnePeople and Singular Nature on Friday, June 28, Raging Arb and Friends on Saturday, June 29 and Heart & Soul on Sunday June 30. And not to be left out, Sans Souci has live music each evening featuring bands like Bone Maggot, Dogleg, Die Healing, Hologram Empire, Sunnie Daze and more (see listings).

One more X Games related activities I would be remiss if I didn’t mention, there will be a roller disco block party on Oak Street, downtown Ventura, on Oak Street from 4 – 10 pm on Wednesday, June 26, where you can take a spin while listening to disco music. Skate rentals available on a first-come basis.

Post X-Games fun, on the following weekend the fairgrounds will once again be taken over, this time by the crew from Surf Rodeo with headline acts Chris Janson and Iam Tongi on Friday, July 5 and Denm, Jim Lindberg and Sullvn on Saturday, July 6.

Tickets on sale now for John Waite’s, “40 Years of Missing You” tour, for the Oxnard Performing Arts Center October 10. The Ventura Music Hall has Strung Out with the Adolescents for September 29 and the Ventura Theater added Flogging Molly and Less than Jake for October 8 and October 16 respectively.

Quick Notes: Argentine singer/songwriter, Juana Molina, plays the Ojai Women’s Club on Friday, June 28; Danny Carrey of Tool returns to the Grape with the Doug Webb Group on Saturday, June 29; a Local Love Project fundraiser will be held at Portside Ventura Habor on Saturday, June 29, featuring Kelly’s Lot and Erik Lemaire Band; The Bacon Brothers (yes, including Kevin) play the Libbey Bowl on Sunday, June 30; and finally, the City will host the annual 4th of July Street Fair & Pushem Pullem Parade however at press time they had yet to list their live music.

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 2/21/23 – 3/5/23

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Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
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The rescheduled River Bottom Sessions’ Inaugural Bluegrass Festival is set for Saturday, March 2, noon to 7 pm, at Las Palmas de Ojai with performances by Tarantula Banjo, Ellie Rollins Band, The Van Allen Twins and Chris Murphy, and headlining the event is Mark Masson’s Jam Grass and Moonsville. Tickets can be found on EventBrite.

Jon Gindick has put together an acoustic blues night at Greater Goods in Meiners Oaks with fellow musicians, Ralph Carter, RJ Mischo, Bill Flores, TD Lind and Vaughn Montgomery. The show starts at 7 pm with donations accepted at the door.

Punk rockers John Doe and Exene are back at it taking X out on the road with a date at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on Sunday, March 24. It worth mentioning that Doe and Exene will be the special guests for the Psychedelic Furs when they play the Ventura Theater on Tuesday, May 14.

Ventura Music Hall has several great acts coming up in the next two weeks including The White Buffalo on Thursday February 22; Health, an American noise rock/industrial band on Saturday March 2; and East LA legends, Los Lobos, on Sunday, March 3.

Taking a break from playing huge arenas and festivals this past year including two shows at Crypto.com Arena in LA this month and with more tour dates continuing through June in Europe, Danny Carrey, drummer for Tool, returns for a spirited night of jazz playing with The Doug Webb Group. If you’re a fan of Tool, or just enjoy some pretty hardcore jazz, then do yourself a favor and secure tickets now for Saturday, March 30 at TheGrapeVentura.com.

You might want to snag your tickets for Forever Motown returning to the Rubicon with six performances June 6 – June 9. Performers include members of the Marvelettes, the Temptations, The Spinners and more. Find out more at RubiconTheatre.org.

Quick Notes: Limon y Sal has In Stone upstairs every Sunday afternoon 1-4 pm; Duke’s Beach Grill is offering up live music early Saturday evenings with Mark Cross on February 24 and The Zepp Heads on March 2; Margarita Villa in the Ventura Harbor is back to live music on the weekend starting Saturday February 24 with 805 Crosscut; a Tribute to Leonard Bernstein, American Songbook will be held at the Ojai Underground on Sunday February 25; Shawn Jones has a vinyl release party for his latest offering, “In my Blood,” at the Grape on Friday, March 1;
Tierra Rejada Golf Club in Moorpark has more live music with 805 Social Club on Friday, February 23, and Recharged on Saturday March 2; and 311 has two dates at the Majestic Ventura Theater on Tuesday, March 5, and Wednesday March 6 with Sitting on Stacy to warm up the crowd.

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 1/24/24 – 2/6/24

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Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
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There’s already a lot going on for 2024, so let’s get right to it. You should consider treating yourself to an intimate show with singer/songwriter, Nathan McEuen, on Friday, January 26, at the Ojai Underground. I became a fan when he had a week-night residency at Amigo’s several years ago, and I’ve played his original music on my radio show at Caps Media in the past. He’s a sweetheart of a guy and uber talented coming from a musical family including his brother, Jonathan, and father John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band fame.

Namba Performing Arts will be hosting their 2024 Winter Gala, a celebration of the diverse tapestry of talent in our community as well as to honor their late founde, Julia Campbell Namba. Featured performers include Grammy Award winning jazz pianist, Greg Karukas and Mexico City based singer/songwriter, Maya Burns. While I’m happy to report this one is sold out, that doesn’t mean you can’t still help keep Namba going by making a donation, large or small, to NambaArts.com.

On Friday, February 2, The Deer Lodge hosts British singer/songwriter, Pete Molinari, but also on the bill will be Robin Taylor Zander. Now if this name sounds familiar and you’re a fan of classic rock, well it should; his dad, Robin Zander, is founding member of Cheap Trick with whom he’s been touring with the past few years. I caught Cheap Trick in 2022 at the Ventura County Fair where it was a treat to see father and son on the same stage.

The Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts will host a Women’s Voices Concert on Sunday afternoon, January 28, featuring Grammy nominee Janet Robin, national radio chart topper Rebecca Folsom; International Singer-Songwriter Associate (ISSA) Entertainer of the Year Charu Suri; poet & NYT Bestseller Katie Hendricks; and #1 iTunes top Singer/Songwriter, Kris Angelis.

Tickets are on sale now for 311 at the Ventura Theater for Tuesday, March 5 and recently added to Ventura Music Hall are Los Lobos for Sunday, March 3, Guttermouth with Buck-O-Nine on Thursday April 18 and Steel Pulse for Friday, April 19.

Quick Notes: Julian Marley and the Uprising play the Ventura Music Hall on Wednesday, January 24; a special Sunday afternoon birthday bash will be held on January 28 at the Garage with Bloody Mary Morning in the mix starting at 3 pm; The Trivle Omdobble play Topa Topa Brewing on Sunday January 28; Jesse Harris and his band with special guest Katie Skene will play Cantara Cellars on Friday, February 2; Phil Salazar and Tom Corbett play the Ojai Underground on Saturday, February 3; and the Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Association standing monthly gig at the Poinsettia Pavilion falls on Sunday, February 4;

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 7/26/23 – 8/8/23

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Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.comartworkI’m happy to report Ventura survived the X Games. You’d think by some of the social media posts that the city was going to be shut down with gridlock and overtaken by outsiders. The traffic was no worse than it is for the fair (which opens August 2), in fact, it was better. Great traffic control and I was amongst those who chose to ride their bikes. Though the “live music” turned out to be DJs (not live in my book), I loved watching the competitions, and well…just being a part of this fantastic event! Plus, Tony Hawk was hanging out after the event downtown. Well done, Ventura!!

Now they’ll be tearing down all that was built up for the X Games, and the Ventura County Fair will run August 2 – 13 with eight free concerts: Midland, Patti Labelle, Collective Soul, Ashanti, Dia de la Familia, Trace Adkins, 38 Special and Tesla. Of course, outside the grandstand arena, live music abounds on a couple of different stages featuring lots of your favorite local bands including Shaky Feelin’, Operation 90s, Sean Wiggins & Lone Goat, and more.

Ventura Music Hall has added a number of shows several of which piqued my interest. First off, Keanu Reeves is back at it and touring with Dogstar making a stop here in town on Saturday, August 26 (already sold out!) with what is being called the “Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees” tour which is the name of their next release which lands on all platforms October 6. Next on my personal list, The Struts on December 6, and then Black Flag on January 14. It’s interesting that past Black Flag lead singer, Henry Rollins, will be there November 7 with a “Good to See You” spoken-word sit-down show.

Harbor View Park 2023 Concerts by the Sea series continues with shows 4-6 pm on Saturday afternoons. Nautical Thrust plays July 29 and Ray Jaurique and the Uptown Brothers on August 5. This one is located at 3850 Harbor Blvd. in Oxnard, where you’re welcomed to bring picnics, blankets and lawn chairs.

The Grape continues to bring stellar jazz musicians to town. Earlier this month Poncho Sanchez played two sold out shows. Coming up soon they have Max Haymer who has won 2nd place at the Montreux Jazz Festival Solo Piano Competition and the Great American Jazz Piano Competition in Jacksonville Florida.  Ronnie Foster returns with a promoting is first record in 36 years; you’ve most likely heard his soulful playing, whether from his standout performance on “Summer Soft” from Stevie Wonder’s 1976 masterwork Songs In The Key Of Life, best-selling George Benson albums including Breezin’, or A Tribe Called Quest’s classic hip-hop track “Electric Relaxation.”  And no stranger to Grape patrons, Doug Webb returns with Danny Carey of Tool for a special Sunday evening performance on August 6.

Quick Notes: Perla Batalla plays a sold out show at the Ojai Underground on Friday, July 28; Andrew DeVries plays Surfers Point Café on Saturday July 29; Dreamland, a celebration of Joni Mitchell featuring Kimberly Ford will be at the Grape on July 29. Libbey Bowl concerts include Which One’s Pink on Saturday, August 5, and Chris Isaak on Sunday, August 7; Friday evening Heritage Square Summer Concert Series continues with Los Xiquenos on July 28 and The Reunion on August 7; Rey Fresco plays the Deer Lodge on Saturday, August 5; the Saturday evening Music Under the Stars at the Historic Olivas Adobe will host the K-Tell All-Stars on July 29, and Louie Cruz Beltran on August 5; and the Red Hot Cholo Peppers play Copper Blues on Saturday, August 5.

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.