Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
We’re wrapping up the summer season with a number of events including Bombay’s Annual Beach Party with stages indoors and out, a beer garden, mechanical bull and more. DJs will keep you dancing all night long with bands performing earlier in the evening, Dudeo Perez, Strange Case and The Swells on Saturday starting at 6:30 and Uproots on Sunday at 3 pm followed by Black Star at 6 pm.
Another event over the Labor Day weekend will be the Ventura Nationals at the fairgrounds, along with the hot rides will be plenty of live music from Jesse Dayton, Tom Kenny & the Hi-Seas, Eddie & the Scorpions, The Moontones and The Rockin’ Henrys.
Topa Mountain Winery in Ojai is hosting a Make-a-Wish fundraiser dubbing it “Rock the Wish” featuring Dennis Quaid and the Sharks; opening, will be three amazing local ladies, Cindy Kalmenson, Patricia Avis and Natalie Gelman. Music starts at 5:30 pm followed by a screening of Quaid’s movie The Rookie at 8 pm. According to a press release, Quaid said the shows are as much fun for those in attendance as they are for the band. “(The audiences) have a blast, which is all we want. I make a complete and utter fool of myself,” Quaid said. He added, “I think that’s the only way to have fun (onstage), instead of trying to pretend to be cool and all the rest of that stuff.” Okay, I’m in!
Stephen “Ragga” Marley makes a stop during his fifty-city tour across the U.S. at Discovery on Friday, September 6. Son to Bob Marley, Stephen has earned his own legacy garnering eight Grammy awards over the years. The tour name honors his father’s iconic live album with the Wailers, calling it “Babylon by Bus” tour.
The Music Under the Stars series wraps up the season on Saturday, August 31 with The Swing Kings at Olivas Adobe; unfortunately, this show is also sold out. With so many shows selling out so fast, perhaps the City will entertain adding another show on Friday nights.
Quick Notes: Don’t miss punk rock fun with The Adolescents and Love Canal at The Garage on Friday, August 30; Rey Fresco with The Collective will be at El Rey Cantina on Friday, August 30; The Lab on Azahar has Like the Morning and Edukated on Saturday, August 31; IDEAL Music Collective will land at the Golden China on Saturday, August 31; The Sunday Drivers play Dargan’s on Sunday, September 1; Flying Colors play the Ventura Theater on Thursday, September 5; First Friday music at Harvest Café features Shay Moulder on September 6; Second Sunday Supper at Plan B Wine Cellars will host The Beatunes on the 8 of September; and finally Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul at Ventura Theater Monday, September 9.
And finally, I am sad to report the passing of Neal Casal who lived locally yet work with such bands as Ryan Adams and the Chris Robinson Brotherhood. I was lucky to catch him jamming with Crazy Rust at Bombay’s in the backroom several years ago. R.I.P. Neal.
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.