Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 5/24-6/6

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

Are you ready for the Cajun & Blues Festival?  It falls over Memorial Day weekend May 27-28th at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park in Simi Valley. This year’s lineup looks pretty tasty with such notable acts at Doug Kershaw, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, The Yardbirds, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and the Robby Krieger Band as Krieger continues to celebrate 50 years of The Doors music. I’m also looking forward to catching Kelly’s Lot, the 44’s and getting to know all the other acts on the bill.  You can find ticket information at www.SimiCajun.org.

The Ventura County fair has released most of their grandstand concert schedule for this summer’s run.  There will be Smash Mouth and Sugar Ray on Thursday, 8/3; Huey Lewis and the News on Friday, 8/4; KC and the Sunshine Band on Saturday, 8/5; Dia de la Familia concert Sunday afternoon, 8/6; Billy Currington on Monday, 8/7; The Spinners on Tuesday afternoon, 8/8; Shinedown on Wednesday, 8/9; Gabriel Iglesias on Thursday, 8/10; and Wynonna and the Big Noise on Friday, 8/11.

Speaking of music over the summer, several of the Music Under the Stars concerts at the historic Olivas Adobe have and will sell out.  Several bands of note include WhosNext, The Swing Kings, Steely Jam, Celebration of Joni Mitchell, Dead Man’s party, Fantastic Diamond and more. Call the City to order your tickets during regular business hours at (805) 658-4726.

Reggae returns to Café Fiore’s Treehouse on Sunday afternoons with the Babylon Rockers taking the floor on Sunday, May 28. The band tells me they’ll be offering up new takes on some well-known tunes, original reggae music as well as some lesser known gems. Music runs 6-10:30 pm.

Hi Hat Entertainment is bringing back Billy Vera, but this time featuring his full band, Billy Vera and the Beaters on Friday, May 26. Enjoy their popular songs such as “Millie make some chili” and his #1 radio hit song, “At this Moment.”

Quick notes: The Pullmen are heading back to Europe (France and Italy) for another tour this time with only three members; Brothers Fortune is back in the studio working on a couple of songs; The Mighty Cash Cats just released their new CD called “Alaska Boogie”;Donna Lynn Caskey’s CD release party for “The Love Still Shows” will be at NAMBA on Saturday, May 27 and the San Francisco jazz trio, Charged Particles, return to Squashed Grapes Saturday, May 27.

And finally, be sure to tune in for my “mostly local” music show on CAPS Media’s KPPQ-LP at 104.1 FM on Tuesdays from 5 -6 pm. I’m having a blast finding local music nuggets to share like vintage music from Ariel to the Missing 23rd, plus I’m getting new music in from the likes of Ozomatli and Big Voodoo Daddy. CAPS hasn’t launched their simulcast on the internet yet, so if you’re local, be sure to tune and support!

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 Photos – May 2017

Sponsored Event!

Cajun & Blues Music Festival – May, 28, 2017

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels
The 44’s

Alex Nester


Cajun & Blues Music Festival – May 27, 2017

Robby Krieger of The Doors
The Yardbirds

Lazy Nester

Kelly’s Lot


Bombay Bar and Grill – May 20, 2017
The Pullmen


Surf ‘n’ Suds – May 20, 2017 (State Beach)
Crosscut 805 


Traveler’s Cafe – May 14, 2017
Bernie Larsen


The Wine Rack – May 13, 2017
Jodi Farrell and Jim Rankin


Squashed Grapes – May 13, 2017
Gergo Borlai Trio (with Scott Kinsey and Jimmy Earl)


The Sewer – May 13, 2017
Birdbrain

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 5/10 – 5/23

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

Ready for a beer festival with a surf twist? Then you’ll want to check out Surf ‘N’ Suds on Saturday, May 20, at San Buenaventura State Beach (901 San Pedro Street entrance). They’ll have over 50 breweries represented and of course live music to entertain while sipping on your suds; this year it’s Synrgy, Crosscut 805 Band and DJ Hecktik. There will be a free bicycle valet, you can catch the free Ventura Trolley, or check out the other shuttles available to get to the beach. For ticket and more general information go to SurfBeerfest.com.

The Rubicon Theater is hosting “Music for Changing Times” a weeklong festival bringing together three generations of activist artists in a series of events celebrating music. It runs May 8-13 which includes performances from Grammy winners Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul and Mary). Go to RuiconTheatre.org for more information.

This year’s “Rising Stars” concert from the Ventura Music Festival will be held on Friday, May 12, at the First United Methodist Church (1338 E. Santa Clara) and it’s free to the public. Expect an outstanding mix of young choral, classical and jazz performers including the Ventura College Chamber Singers and the 2017 Student Jazz Competition winner Angelo Velasquez with his trio.

Alastair Greene has announced that he has left the Alan Parsons Live Project after seven years touring with the band. He said he’s had the opportunity to see much of the world because of his guitar and a generous man named Alan Parsons. He’ll be focusing on his solo career and other musical adventures.

Local artist, Kyle, who has been certified platinum for his song “iSpy” had a concert Saturday, April 29 at the Ventura Theater. It was great to see so many kids lined up around the block to support their local friend. You’d expect that kind of turn out from his hometown, but he’s sold out shows in Salt Lake City, Detroit and Chicago. Way to go Super Duper Kyle!

It’s finally been revealed that Los Lobos will be headlining this year’s Roadshow Revival. Don’t forget its new location is at Discovery Ventura and will be held on Saturday, July 1. Other bands on the bill include Raging Arb and the Redheads, The Walking Phoenixes, The Rockin’ Rebels, Phantom Pomps, Hard Six, and more. Get the lowdown at RoadshowRevival.com.

Quick notes: Cask Alehouse (5952 Telegraph Rd) is featuring Adam Tunney with jazz, standards and lounge tunes every Monday; Medicine Hat can be found at Cork (1930 E. Main St) Fridays 5/12 and 5/19; September Begins CD release party is Saturday, May 20, at Bombay’s; Black Dragon will open for Foghat at the Canyon Club on May 26;

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.