Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 12/20-1/2

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

I’m not going to lie, this is awkward. How does one write about promoting a music scene while so many around us are suffering major loses? We’re suppose to be celebrating the most joyous time of the year and we find ourselves affected by one of the worst disasters our City has ever had to endure. I’m a firm believer that music helps to heal, and thankfully we have a community of artists, venues and music supporters who have been rallying to help others. That is what I plan to take from this catastrophic event. The fundraisers, the donations of one’s tip jar, bands playing for free, venues offering their facilities, and the dozens and dozens in our community planning, creating, and supporting all these efforts. Yes, Ventura does and will continue to rock.

Here now, as promised, New Year’s Eve parties around town. Please contact the venues for ticket pricing and amenities and be sure the event has not sold out. Grapes and Hops will be hosting a Speakeasy themed party with the Barrelhouse Wailers; Discovery has Hirie in the house; The Tavern offers a dress-up black and white themed event with DJ Aycer; the Hong Kong Inn has the Misunderstood band; the Star Lounge snagged Alastair Greene for their party; The Greek at the Harbor has an “Under the Sea” themed soiree with the band Awesome Sauce; Café Fiore has Young Dempsey up front and Big Adventure in the Tree House; you can party at the Copa Cubana with the Brandon Ragan Project; you’ll find What the Funk at Gigi’s; Crosscut will be at the Keynote Lounge; the House Arrest band will be at the Moose Lodge; and there’ll be plenty of dancing with DJs at Bombay’s and Sans Souci.

Quick notes: Tilford Jackson’s Christmas special will be held on Thursday, December 21, at Squashed Grapes; Smash Mouth plays Discovery on Friday, December 22; the Ventura Theater 5th annual Holiday Sing-along has been rescheduled for Friday, December 22; Hi Hat Entertainment presents James Intveld and Elvis Blue Christmas on Friday, December 22, at the Hong Kong Inn; Shaky Feelin’ is hosting a Christmas show on Saturday, December 23, at Bombay’s; there’s a Ventura Strong community holiday party on Saturday, December 23, at the Ventura Beach Club with Hard Six, Raging Arb and the Redheads, Laura Ruth Ward, and DjPj; and just a reminder, Chopper Fest was postponed, new date is February 4.

And I just got the press release that Night Demon has announced Frost and Fire has gone global with their next event to be held in London over two days, May 11 and 12, 2018. Headlining will be Cirth Ungol. Way to go boys.

I’m wishing a safe, prosperous and harmonious year for one and all.

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 12/6 – 12/19

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

How quickly time passes as we find ourselves in the final month of the year. My next column will cover New Year’s Eve parties, but for now, let’s take a look at a couple of special events you might want to support during December.

The 5th annual 4 Kids 2 Kids Toy Drive will be held Saturday, December 9th, at the Ventura Beach Club from 5-10 pm. Not only will the honorary guest and rock and roll hall of famer, Nick St. Nicolas (Steppenwolf) be on hand, but so will the jolly guy himself, old saint Nick, aka Santa Claus, as only Gary Gordon Goff can pull off. Featured artists playing include Johnny Main and the 44’s, Ray Jaurique and the Uptown Brothers, Tommy Marsh, Tom & Milo, and more.

The Brave & the Young are holding a fundraiser at Made West Brewery on Saturday, December 9, called My Brother’s Board. It will help benefit Ian Campbell (Campbell Brothers Surfboards) who is battling cancer. It’s a daylong event with board swapping, raffle, yoga and more, including of course live music. The bands start at 4 pm with Geranium, then Tim Curran, Todd Hannigan and My Brother’s Band wrapping up the event.

The Majestic Ventura Theater is holding their 5th annual Holiday Sing-along on Saturday, December 9th. It’s a great event for the entire family, and they’re only asking for a donation of an unwrapped toy from each group attending.

Hi Hat Entertainment booked Harpdog Brown & the Travelin’ Blues Show while they’re out on their US West Coast Tour in support of their new release, Travelin’ with the Blues. Based out of Vancouver, Canada, this is the band’s first Southern California appearance. Harpdog Brown is Canada’s reigning Harmonica Player of the Year since 2014 and they’ll be performing at the Hong Kong Inn on Friday, December 10.

Chopper Fest returns to the Ventura Fairgrounds on Sunday, December 10. This event is dedicated to the design, function and art of the motorcycle. While checking out some amazing rides, you can enjoy live music from The Bob Carrillo Blues Band, Kelly’s Lot and Gethen Jenkins. You can get more information including ticket prices at ChopperFestival.com.

Quick notes: Dag Nasty and the Missing 23rd will be at The Garage on Thursday, December 7; The Vonettes will do an early show at Bombay’s at 7 pm on Friday, December 8; Topa Mountain Winery has music in the afternoon on Saturday December 9th with Crooked Eye Tommy and Sunday, December 10th with Matthew Zeltzer; I’m hearing Tariqh Akoni is expected to join Shawn Jones at Grapes and Hops on Sunday, December 10; the Ventura Harbor parade of lights falls over the weekend of December 15 and 16 with music at several venues including the Boatyard Pub and Copa Cubana; there will be a Silent Night Disco at Plaza Park on Friday December 15; the Phantom Pomps CD release party will be held at the Hong Kong Inn on Saturday, December 16; the Rubicon Harmonix Concert will be on Sunday December 17 at the Rubicon; and the final SPRP event will be held at the Sewer on December 17 with FSKD, Publik Enima, I Decline and the Kane Gang.

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.