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

Before we get into what is currently happening, let’s ensure our future happenings include consistently great jazz by attending and supporting Squashed Grapes on their public hearing so they can reopen at their new location mid-town Ventura. It’s on Wednesday, April 10, at 6 pm in the Council Chambers at Ventura City Hall. I’d love nothing more than a full room showing their support; you don’t need to speak, but you know I will!

Discovery Ventura continues to mix it up not only placing and supporting local bands on the calendar, but they’re booking some really cool national acts like the Average White Band. In fact, I had to double check it wasn’t a tribute band, because well you know, this is extremely cool! They also have Bret Bollinger of Pepper on Thursday, April 11, and one of the best tribute bands around Queen Nation on Friday, April 12. Last year Gin Blossoms did a show there, and while they’re returning to the area, this time they’ll be at Libbey Bowl on June 23.

Namba located on Oak Street has a number of shows coming up including a singer/songwriter showcase on Friday, April 12, with Rachael Lynde, Jade Hendrix, Scott Borel and Ella Dritz. The following evening it’s Charlie Baker’s Neil Young tribute on Saturday, April 13. Sitarist, Will Marsh, performs there on Saturday, April 20.

Quick Notes: Peter Jong of Emerge performs an instrumental rock & fusion set at Red Cove on Thursday, April 11; Camarata Pacifica performs Beethoven, Mozart and more at the Museum of Ventura County on Sunday afternoon, April 14; Tommy Marsh’s Acoustic Crossroads at Winchesters will have as his special guest, his brother Paddy, on Sunday, April 14; there will be a benefit for Step Up Ventura on Saturday afternoon with The Ramblers at Grapes and Hops starting at 3 pm on April 20; Harbor Cove will start having music again (end of Spinnaker at the Harbor) with Jill Martini and the ShrunkeHeads on Friday, April 19, and Gary Ballen on Saturday, April 10; and a special “Emo” show lands at The Tavern on Thursday, April 18, with Skating Polly, Ugly Pop and Jo Passed.

By the way, if you have original music you would like to get played on the radio, just hit me up. The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour continues its bi-monthly shows on CAPS Media’s KPPQ-LP. You not only can catch it at 104.1 FM in and around Ventura, but you can download the MyTuner radio app and listen on your phone or online at www.CapsMedia.org/Radio. The program airs Tuesdays and Fridays at 5 pm and Sundays at noon. It’s an eclectic mix of music so all genres are welcome…just no profanity please.

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. For updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.