Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 1/19/20 – 2/11/20

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

ventura breeze artworkI’m a big fan of shaking it up and seeing new things tried out in our little town, and case in point, you can spend your lunchtime at the EP Foster Library in the Topping Room on Friday, January 31, while listening to Opera Santa Barbara, and it’s absolutely free!

Oak and Main’s social media post invites you to celebrate One Love in honor of Bob Marley’s birthday on Thursday, February 6, when they will host a Bob Marley Day with Kaya Now (Marley tribute band) and LayLow.

I spoke with Josh McNutt of Squashed Grapes to get an update on the new jazz club to be simply named, The Grape, and he told me while they have had several setbacks, they continue to overcome all the barriers they’ve come across and hope to be open early Summer. Meanwhile you can catch some great jazz at the Winery Ventura several nights a week located at 4746 Market Street.

Quick Notes: now that Monday Night Football is over for the season, Boatyard Pub welcomes back Milo Sledge with his Monday night residency; it’s good to see Jade Hendrix playing more shows, she’ll be at Topa Topa Brewing on Thompson, Wednesday, January 29; the band, Nein Lives, will debut during open mic night on Thursday, January 30 at Keynote Lounge; find out what the Namba performing arts space is all about during their open house on Thursday, January 30 (4 pm); there should be a packed house for the return of Porcelain Hill at the Sewer on Friday, January 31; you won’t want to miss Jen Staves & the Bluzfish at the Winery Ventura on Friday, January 31 (they’re also celebrating Nee Sackey’s birthday); the Vinyl Gypsies play classic rock on Saturday afternoon at Cantina 31 starting at 2 pm on Saturday, February 1; proving rock is not dead, Ninefinger returns to town with a gig at Red Cove on Saturday, February 1; Concrete Jungle Brewing has a hardcore show on Monday, February 3, kicking off at 5:30 with Born from Pain, Slowbleed and several other bands; in support of their newest release, Widow’s Weeds, the Silversun Pickups play the Ventura Theater on Tuesday, February 4; the Mentors with Social Conflict play the Garage, on Friday, February 7; Caught Red Handed plays Cantara Cellars on Saturday, February 8; and Anchor & Bear duo play Peirano’s on Saturday, February 8.

Don’t forget to check out my little local radio show which actually has the potential for a worldwide audience as it’s not only in Ventura at 104.1 FM, but on the internet at CapsMedia.org/radio. The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour airs Tuesdays at 5 with rebroadcasts on Friday at 5 and Sundays at noon and features mostly local music out of the 805. Do you have music you’d like to submit? Drop me an email.

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.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 1/15/20 – 1/28/20

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

Congratulations to Made West Brewing as they celebrate their four-year anniversary this month, and you know there is no better way to pack the house (other than with their excellent suds) than with live music. On Saturday, January 25, from 11 am to 9 pm they’ll have Sam Kulchin, Brother Earl, Lauren Hall, Peter Blackwelder and Ben Schneid (formerly of Foxtraxx); then on Sunday, January 26, 1 pm to 7 pm, it’s Fire Mist, Milo Sledge Trio and Jade Hendrix.

The Winery Ventura is bringing Blues promoter out of LA, Cadillac Zack, with their first show on Friday, January 17, featuring blues guitar legend, Chris Cain.

50 Sticks of Dynamite is back with new music and a gig at Bombay’s; be sure to get in early to catch their sets from 6-9 pm on Saturday, January 18.

Namba welcomes new executive director, Lorenzo Destefano; Lorenzo is the founder of the Ventura Film Society. There will be an open house meet and greet on Thursday, January 30 from 4-7 pm when you can learn more about Lorenzo’s vision for Namba. Meanwhile this month there are a couple of interesting shows to check out including Dirty Cello out of San Francisco with their blues/bluegrass unique blend of American music on Saturday, January 18; a Celebration of Joni Mitchell featuring Kimberly Ford falls on the following Saturday, January 25. Oh! And what sounds like lots of fun will be a “Grease! Sing-along” on Friday, January 24.

Quick Notes: Golden China’s open mic has moved to the Hong Kong Inn on Tuesdays 6-10 pm (drums and backline provided); Discovery has the English Beat Friday, January 17, and Ozomatli on Saturday, January 18; Leashless Brewing hosts a Singer/Songwriter showcase on Sunday, January 19; there will be a memorial fundraiser for Kanyon Morales on Sunday, January 19, at Oak and Main with the Question, Rising Son, After the Smoke, True Zion, the Ghetto Lions and more; Paradise Pantry’s debut Cabaret Series with Chris Pierce on Sunday, January 19, has sold out; Isla Vista Jazz Trio plays Grapes and Hops on Friday, January 24;
Club Fall takes over the Ventura Beach Club with dark electronic music on Friday, January 24;
get your punk rock fill with Agent Orange at Discovery on Saturday, January 25; and there will be live music at the Ventura Harbor Comedy Club on Sunday afternoon, January 26, with Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps.

Two final notes of interest: first, Motown Live at the Rubicon was simply fabulous, now I’m looking forward to the Platters performing this June! And just so you know, there is not a bad seat in the house. And finally, a big congratulations to Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on their 3000th show this month! They continue to make Ventura proud!!

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.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 1/1/20 – 1/14/20

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

graphicHappy New Year my friend! We are back to business as usual and as always already looking forward to a year filled with music which science has proven increases happiness and reduces stress as well as depression.  Now the type of music that soothes the average soul is totally subjective. As for me? I love punk to jazz and “most” points in between.

That being said, I’ll admit, I’m a sucker for musicals from Broadway plays to small-town theater.  Here in Ventura we are so lucky to have the Rubicon which always offers stellar productions. This month and for three days only, the Rubicon will play host for a special event, “Forever Motown” with favorite hit songs from Motown Legends. The production not only features nine singers and a five-piece band, but includes special guests Glenn Leonard from the Temptations and G.C. Cameron, original lead singer of the Spinners. While the production is in town for only three days, there will be two shows on Friday, January 10 (2 and 8 pm), three shows on Saturday, January 11 (2, 5:30 and 8 pm), and two final shows on Sunday, January 12 (2 and 7 pm). Find out more at RubiconTheatre.org.

Discovery Ventura has a number of shows lined up later in the month including Dave Wakeling and the English Beat on Friday, January 17, Ozomatli’s 25th year celebration on Saturday, January 18 (Ozomatli presents Ozokids earlier that afternoon), Agent Orange on Saturday, January 25 and the Spazmatics on Friday, January 31. It’s always more affordable to get your tickets in advance at DiscoveryVentura.com.

Surf Rodeo tickets are already on sale with big news that they’ve expanded to three days!  Dates run July 17, 18 and 19 with prices going up as you get nearer the event.  Find out more at SurfRodeo.org.

Quick Notes: the 12th Night Masquerade Ball at 1901 Speakeasy with Teresa Russell, Stephen Geyer and Mama Pat Russell on Saturday, January 4; brand new at the Saloon, it’s DJ Cid Hernandez and the Disco Soul Club every Friday at 9 pm; Pennywise and the Adolescents play the Ventura Theater on Saturday, January 11 and the Winery of Ventura plays host for a Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research benefit on Saturday, January 11, featuring Joe La Barbera and Coda.

Along with reading my music scene article here in the Ventura Breeze, I’d like to invite you to check out a few of my other projects I either produce myself or give a platform to such as the VenturaRockSpot which highlights a band or artist every month, you can find that on my main outlet for supporting our music scene which is VenturaRocks.com and you can listen in for original music from artists out of the 805 on the Pam Baumgardner Music Hour on KPPQ out of CAPS Media at 104.1 FM.

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.