Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 2/14 – 2/27

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

There have been a number of events that have brought our community together over the years but few made as big an impact as the Thomas Fire Benefit Festival did. They were able to raise over $700,000.00 for victims of the Thomas Fire. One hundred percent of the ticket sales along with a percentage of the food, beverage and t-shirt sales went to the fund. Add to that the fact that day was virtually flawless what with the videos in between acts (produced by Mark Gillard), the speeches, the performances by Olivia Newton-John, Kevin Costner and Modern West, Colbie Caillat and all the others, it was an amazing day that brought us together so we could stand with those who lost everything. Mark Hartley told me that for him the most important aspect of the day was that everyone rose to the occasion to help, from City staff, PD, the artists performing for free, the sponsors, all those who rolled up their sleeves and got it done, to the people who showed up to support, he confessed that it was a tremendous feeling.

It truly was cathartic and I couldn’t love this town more.

And yet another event to help our community heal through music will be held at Mission Park on Sunday, February 25. This one features Grammy-nominated, Perla Batalla; Tom Scott and the LA Express; Grammy-winning artist, Diego Garcia; Ventura Music Festival Artistic Director, Nuvi Mehta as well as other special guests. This family friendly event is absolutely free to the public, no tickets or reservations are necessary and you’re invited to bring low profile chairs or blankets to sit on at the park. The concert is expected to run from 3 – 4:30 pm.

I’m looking forward to new music coming from Jade Hendrix, the first single, “Purpose” is set to be released February 15. Hologram Empire has a new album with a June 22 release date. It features other local artists including Danielle Stacy, Lauren Peterson as well as other guest artists; the band had their television debut January 31 on the PBS show, Celebration of Music.

Congratulations to Jon Gindick for pulling off another successful Blues Harmonica Jam Camp at the Pierpont Inn this past week. It was a treat for those who caught a couple of the outings so camp players could perform in front of an audience including gigs at the Hong Kong Inn and a Jam Camp Revue at Grapes and Hops.

Quick notes: Yachtley Crew continues their Thursday night residency at Bombay’s through February; Tribal Seeds “Roots Party” with the original Wailers and the Expanders will be at the Ventura Theater, Saturday, February 17; the Young Dubliners return to Ventura for a show at Discovery on Wednesday, February 21; and the Dive Bar Messiahs make their debut appearance at Grapes and Hops on Saturday, February 24, you know it’s gonna be a scene!

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 9/13 – 9/26

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

The California Beer Festival with three days of events highlighting and celebrating that delightful beverage, the beer, is back! First, there’s the popular “Food and Pairing” event held up at City Hall on Friday, the 15th where local chefs pair with local breweries topped off with live music by Victor Vega and The Bomb. Then on Saturday, the 16th, it’s the Craft Beer Heaven at Plaza Park with live music from Adelaide, Yachtley Crew and DJ Cue. And finally, the Boots & Brews Country Music Festival takes place Sunday in the same location featuring the young guns of Country with Michael Ray, Chris Lane, Russell Dickerson and Highway Starr. Find out more about parking, times, and tickets at CaliforniaBeerFestival.com.

The 24th annual Bowlful of Blues returns to Ojai’s Libbey Bowl on Saturday, September 16. There are both VIP and general admission tickets available for this one which features Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-Chas, Morganfield Burnett & Da Blues, The Gypsy Blues Band, Raw Silk and Cody LePow. Check out BowlfulOfBlues.org for ticket and information.

A number of local musicians will be performing The Beatles’ Rubber Soul in its entirety at Poseidon Brewery on Saturday, September 16. Who could possibly pull this off? That would be Zeke Berkley, Austin Knecht, Owen Bucey, Steve Ming and Brian Bingelson.

If you love rap, then don’t miss the “Over Worked & Under Paid Tour” with Lil Wyte (Three 6 Mafia), Los Ghost, White gold and Denim White. The US tour will make a stop in Ventura at The Garage on Saturday, September 23.

There are a number of benefits for specific causes that you’re invited to help support. Let’s start with the fundraiser for the Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer foundation at Buena High School with a concert from Paperback Writer, a Beatles tribute band, on Saturday, September 16. Tickets are $25 at the door. Grapes and Hops is hosting a fundraiser for Project Understanding on Sunday afternoon the 17th, 1-5 pm, with the Salty Suites, the Angry Brians and Vox Box Six. There’s a fundraiser for Ventura High’s water polo team at Discovery on Sunday, September 17 with Nucklehead, tickets are $12 the day of the show. And you won’t want to miss the 3rd annual Taste of Local at Olivas Adobe on Sunday, September 24, which offers music from Bryan C Titus and the Dan Grimm Band, proceeds benefit the Totally Local VC Agricultural Education Foundation.

Quick Notes: The September Swing Big Band Dance with Ventura Jazz Orchestra will be on Friday, September 22, at Poinsettia Pavilion. Ventura Theater has Jimmy Eat World and Man with a Mission on Thursday, September 21; and Gov’t Mule on Saturday 9/23. Four Brix has Sista Blues with Deb Ryder, Shari Puorto and Kelly Zirbes on Saturday, 9/23. Rock on the Dock continues every Saturday (3-6 pm) in September with Freedom of Expression (reggae) on the 16th and Live Wire (rock party favorites) on the 23rd.

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 3/1 – 3/14

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
Local Music and More!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

I’m extremely impressed with this year’s lineup for the Ventura Music Festival which includes headliner Michael Feinstein, but I’m really looking forward to catching Perla Batalla’s tribute to Leonard Cohen on Friday, July 21.  Yes, this is advance notice, but hopefully ticket sales will be brisk and I wouldn’t want you to miss out.  Full listings for all events can be found at VenturaMusicFestival.org.

Medicine Hat is off to Austin this month to play at SxSW (3/10 – 3/19).  They’ll be there five days, they’re currently scheduled to play four shows and working on more. In addition to acoustic shows, Medicine Hat will play a couple gigs with a full band, consisting of some of Austin’s finest.

Here’s a couple of one-liner notes of interest: Karen Eden continues her Margarita Mondays at 6 at Amigos; Chris Austin is heading up an open Jam/Mic night at Bombay’s on Wednesdays starting March 1, PA and backline will be provided and I’m told that the jams will be filmed; Yachtley Crew returns to Bombay’s on Saturday March 4; Four Brix Winery will offer live music on the first Friday of the month starting with JJ Frank on March 3; The Ventucky String Band plays every first Thursday of the month at Saloon BBQ including this month on the 2nd; Big Rig Dollhouse returns to Sans Souci on Friday, March 3; you can catch the Dive Bar Messiahs in a new venue for them at the Star Lounge, on Saturday March 4; the Social Distortion show at the Ventura Theater March 7 is sold out, but tickets are still available for the White Buffalo on Friday, March 10; there’s a Rockabilly and Blues fundraiser for El Camino High at the Ventura Beach Club on Friday, March 10; and finally, Plan B’s Second Sunday Supper is back on with Ray Jaurique and the Uptown Brothers on the 12th.

One of Ventura’s most popular bands, Rey Fresco, has new music, three songs produced by Mario C who also worked with The Beastie Boys and Jack Johnson (he’s also won three Latin Grammy awards to date).  I’m loving their new tune “You Were Wrong” which I haven’t gotten out of my head since first playing it, but you know, in Rey Fresco’s case, that’s a good thing.

And speaking of Rey Fresco and bands who record original music, don’t miss my program “The Pam Baumgardner Mostly Local Music Hour” on KPPQ-LP 104.1 FM.  I’m spinning tunes from not only Rey Fresco, but Shawn Jones, Kelly’s Lot, Steve Williams, Bryan Titus, Hot Roux, The Barrelhouse Wailers, The NaVaNaX, Medicine Hat, Charles Law, 50 Sticks of Dynamite, Jerry Breiner, Shaky Feelin’ and more. The station is rebroadcasting the show during the week, but I’m live on Tuesdays 5-6 pm with internet access coming soon. You can also give a listen to the current week’s broadcast on VenturaRocks.com.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Or would you like to submit your music for possible inclusion on my radio show? Please send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com, and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Music Photos – February 2017

Bombay Bar and Grill – February 19, 2017
CASH BASH
The Mighty Cash Cats with Jade Hendrix (Photo: Cliff Montgomery)


Grapes and Hops – February 16, 2017
Jeff Silbar and Suzie Candell 


Bombay Bar and Grill – February 11, 2017
Yachtley Crew


Squashed Grapes – February 9, 2017
Mike Garson (Bowie, NIN, Smashing Pumpkins), Dave Liebman (NEA Jazz Masters Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Endowment for the Arts)
with special guest appearance Jacob Scesney


Discovery – February 4, 2017
The Band That Fell to Earth (Bowie Tribute)