Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 10/1 – 10/14

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
It’s a Colorful Fall Music Season!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Lee KochCongratulations to Plan B Wine Cellars as they celebrate their 2-year anniversary with good food, wine and of course live music! You can “Toast the train” while listening to Cuppa Joe; dancing shoes and lounge chairs are encouraged.

Speaking of local wineries and music, Squashed Grapes welcomes back The Doug Web Group with Danny Carey of TOOL on drums. This one is guaranteed to sell out once again; it’s highly recommended you get your tickets sooner than later.

Bombay Bar and Grill has a number of events to look out for this month. Ones to Watch Productions present the Lee Koch Band, Derek Jennings & Zeke Berkley on Friday, October 3. There will be a fundraiser to benefit Notes for Notes and the Boys and Girls Clubs of greater Ventura featuring a performance by Sgt. Pepper on Sunday, October 12, 4-7 pm. And if you are a fan of reggae, you won’t want to miss Junior Marvin & Nappy Ridden on Friday, October 10. Marvin joined Bob Marley & the Wailers in ’77 and over the past few decades has played with Soja and O.A.R. His latest collaboration with Nappy Ridden joins the two forces for Foundation to Creation supporting the creation of a new American reggae sound, steeped in funk, soul and rock.

One of my favorite annual fundraisers is Pier Under the Stars where local restaurants, breweries and wineries offer very nice samplings. The event is down next to the pier on Saturday, October 4 with music from Caliente. This one always sells out so get your tickets while they last at www.PierIntoTheFuture.org.

I’m pleased as punch that Monday, September 29, Ventura’s City Council unanimously approved the pilot concert series license agreement with Fitzgerald-Hartley Company and Nederlander Concerts for 2015.  As Councilman Tracy put it, “The proof will be in the pudding”, which is true, but the potential is so exciting!

The Majestic Ventura Theater has been busy booking shows for October: Jimmy Eat World on 10/2; The Aquabats on 10/4; The Dirty Heads on 10/10; Belanova on 10/11; Joey Bada$$ on 10/16; Matisyahu on 10/21; Ab-Soul, Simply Ty & Geezus on 10/24 and Erasure on 10/26.

If you’re a fan of Buffalo Springfield, Poco and Loggins & Messina, you won’t want to miss out on a special performance called, “An Evening with Jim Messina with Rusty Young ‘Sittin’ In’” on Saturday, October 11 at Ojai’s Libbey Bowl. A former resident of Ojai, Messina will be back treating fans with their hit songs while fundraising for Community Memorial Health System construction projects in Ojai.

And finally, Ventura Rocks will be amongst the vendors 4-6 pm on Sunday, October 4, hoping to raise funds for Strides Against Cancer at Amigos. Local artists, Karen Eden and Joe Hamilton, will be donating their time and The Tossers will perform afterwards at 6 with British cover tunes.

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

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 9/17 – 9/30

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
Suds, Music and Rockin’ History
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Calire's Hammand B3I seriously can’t remember a year with more music bursting at the seams than this past year, and we’re only about two thirds done! Coming events, and starting on the water, the Ventura Harbor is capitalizing on all this great weather by bringing back the popular Rock on the Dock series every Saturday in September. Still to come on the 20th is Smokey and Friends and the 27th The Hard Times Band.

The 2014 California Beer Festival is finally upon us. I’m looking forward to learning all about craft beer on Saturday the 20 while chillin’ to Petty Theft, Dr. M and Rey Fresco; and then on Sunday, the 21, it’s the Blues & BBQ Festival with Tab Benoit, Trampled Under Foot, Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds, Michael John & the Bottom Line as well as Jonathon Boogie Long. I’ll be out selling Ventura Rocks t-shirts on Sunday, so be sure to swing by and hang a spell.

A free family-friendly night of music featuring music from popular radio and Broadway will be held at the Ventura Theater on September 19 and 21 featuring Loanne Wullaert with vocal support from some of the county’s best vocalists including Aaron Orbit and Marcella Tambouris. Look for numbers from Les Miserables, A Star is Born, Frozen, Dreamgirls and more. In between the two nights being called “September Song” will be The White Buffalo on the 20th. See VenturaTheater.net for times.

The good folks from Zoey’s have officially kicked off their new music venture in the form of Ones to Watch Productions. Steve and Polly Hoganson continue their support of up and coming artists as they produce local showcases. The next one will be Friday, October 3, at Bombay Bar and Grill with The Lee Koch Band, Derek Jennings and Zeke Berkley. For more information see OnesToWatchProductions.com.

One of my favorite blues singers with some serious spunk is Kelly Zirbes who has this never ending contagious energy about her. She’s always there when a helping hand is needed and it’s always a treat to see Kelly along with her husband Perry Robertson and their band Kelly’s Lot perform. She’s sure to make you laugh, but more than that, the band will get you up off your tush jamming to their special brand of rockin’ blues. Kelly’s Lot CD release party for their latest CD, “Don’t Give My Blues Away” will be held on Friday, September 19, at Yolies with a $10 cover. If you’re not able to make it, you’ll want to add this one to your collection for sure. Visit KellysLot.com to pick one up today.

And finally, just a quick little anecdote: While hanging out with Jimmy Calire the other night at Squashed Grapes, I knew the Hammond B3 organ he had brought in for the show that evening with Karl Hunter had some stories behind it, but none could be cooler than the one he share with me that evening where he would be jamming on it with his band, Raven at The Session in the Theater District in New York City and Jimi Hendrix would jump up on stage and join in the action. Seriously, how cool is that? This town has such an abundance of talent and history reinforcing what I’ve always said, Ventura Rocks!

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