Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 6/1/22 – 6/14/22

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

The Ojai Blues Fest at the Ojai Art Center returns on Saturday, June 4. It’s always a treat when Tommy Marsh returns to town after picking up and leaving us for Tennessee to build a Nashville audience. Trust me when I say, the talent will not disappoint! Tickets are available on EventBrite.com. Here’s the current time lineup:

1:30 – Milo Sledge
2:00 – Crooked Eye Tommy
3:30 – Chuck Strong & SRBQ
4:30 – Ray Jaurique & the Uptown Brothers
5:30 – Sandy Haley Band
6:30 – Guy Martin
8:00 – All-star Jam Session

The 75th anniversary of the Ojai Music Festival runs June 9 – June 12 at the Libbey Bowl. Tickets for each event run between $20 and $150; but on Sunday, June 12, all are invited to two free events at Libbey Park. The first, Dance in the Park, features the dance duo Julia Eichten and Bret Easterling, celebrating tenderness, togetherness, and fierce joy; and then that afternoon, Rome is Falling is a high-energy new telling where song, spoken word, and driving music come together to contextualize the action with audience engagement and the performance of a local children’s choir. For more details on all performances and to secure your tickets, go to OjaiFestival.org.

The Glass Animals concert at the Ventura Theater wasn’t announced until 9 am on Wednesday, May 18 and tickets went on sale that day at noon which promptly sold out for their show the following Wednesday, May 25, at the Ventura Theater…which by the way was fabulous.

Future shows on sale now for the Ventura Theater include Third Eye Blind for Saturday, August 6, Billy Idol on Thursday, August 25, Hollie Cook (from all-female punk/reggae band, the Slits) on Saturday, September 24, Black Flag on Saturday, October 29, and AFI on Friday, November 25. If you don’t want to miss out, you’ll want to keep your eye on their calendar as you never know when new dates will pop up (such as the Glass Animals).

Heading around the corner and down the block (or two) to the all-new Ventura Music Hall, I’m happy to report that I’ve secured tickets for the Mike Campbell & the Dirty Knobs show for Sunday, June 12. Come on!!! He co-wrote so many hits with Tom Petty (Refugee, Here Comes My Girl, Runnin’ Down a Dream), you know it’s going to rock!! New dates added recently include Guttermouth on Sunday, July 3 (happy to say local bands False Confession and Romper will open), Memphis May Fire out of Texas plays Tuesday, July 19 and Jerry’s Middle Finger will bring in the “Deadheads” when they play Friday, July 29.

Over on Main Street, midtown Ventura, the Grape has Casey Abrams, former American Idol contestant and current member of Postmodern Jukebox, returning for a show on Saturday, June 4, then the venue will go into overdrive when they open on Sunday and Monday (traditionally closed) for two special concerts. Firstly, on June 5, it’s Dreamland band, a Joni Mitchell tribute, featuring Kimberly Ford on vocals and guitar and then on Monday, June 6, the Dave Weckl/Tom Kennedy Projects with their high energy jazz fusion. Weckl was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 2000. Tickets are available for these shows at TheGrapeVentura.com.

The Toni Jannotta Jazz Trio plays Peirano’s on the Terrazza Friday, June 3, with Terry Simcik on guitar and Tom Etchart on bass. Toni then leaves for Europe to sing in the Langtoun Jazz Festival in Kirkcaldy, Scotland.

Here’s a fun, or not-so-fun fact: all reserved tables and special ramadas for all concerts are sold out for Music Under the Stars this summer. Tickets still available for general admission include Identity Theft on July 23, Rhythm Krewe on August 6 and Lisa Haley & the Zdekats on August 27, all other shows totally sold out. You can either purchase tickets at Ventura City Hall or over the phone (805) 658-4726.

Quick Notes: just announced, Uncle Cracker will perform at BBQ Fest 2022 at Surfer’s Point Live (Ventura Fairgrounds) on Saturday, June 11; Surfers Point Café will hold a grand opening celebration on Saturday, June 11, featuring the loveable CocoKnots and their tropical blend of music with a sprinkling of pop & jazz classics from 1 -4 pm; Cadillac Zack presents Aki Kumar, Bollywood blues, at Namba on Friday, June 10; Iain Matthews and Steve Postell (founding members of British folk rock bands) play the Ojai Underground Friday, June 3; Mack and D start up their Thursday evening residency at 1901; Tickets are on sale for the Hip Hop edition of Sunday Funday with Flo Rida and Lil Jon at Surfer’s Point Live (Ventura Fairgrounds parking lot); and Mick Stover (bassist Dive Bar Messiahs, Gentlemen’s Blues Club) has started a new 80s dance cover band called ’80 Reasons 2 Dance, you can catch them at Margarita Villa on July 9.

The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour continues to support and play local artist out of the 805, as well as artists who come here to play. Mary Z Wilson continues to be a great asset talking about the history of Americana here in town; she’ll be sharing music from Donna Lynn Caskey, Merlin Snider and Cyrus Clarke on the next episode, (#162) which runs 5/31 – 6/12 and airs Tuesdays and Fridays at 5:00 pm and Sundays at noon. Tune into KPPQ-LP at 104.1 FM here in Ventura, or listen via the MyTuner radio app on your smart device, or online at CapsMedia.org/Radio.

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 5/18 – 5/31

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

25 years in business is quite the milestone, so congratulations go out to the crew at Winchester’s Grill and Saloon in downtown Ventura! You’ll want to be on hand when they celebrate with live music in their covered parking lot on Saturday, May 21 from 1 to 8 pm featuring CRV, the Brandon Ragan Project and Ray Jaurique & the Uptown Brothers. There will be drink specials, giveaways and as usual, no cover charge!

Heading to the other end of downtown Ventura on Main Street, you’ll find a special singer/songwriter dinner event when Peirano’s and Jodi Farrell team up on Thursday, May 26. Artists on the bill include Michael Henszey, Karyn 805, Dylan Brehm, Luke Hannington, Ella Robles, Aaron Burch, Oliva Mucha and Caroline Lloyd. Reservations are strongly encouraged via Peiranosmarket.com.

There are a couple of country music events coming up the next two weeks, first it’s the KHAY Fest with Josh Turner, Dylan Scott and Tenille Arts on Sunday, May 22 at the Ventura Fairgrounds and then on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, it’s the Gold Coast Country Music Festival with Richie McDonald (Lonestar), Heidi Newfield (Trick Pony), Heath Wright (Ricochet), Coffey Anderson, Wade Hayes, Jamie O’Neal and a whole bunch more; this one is being held at the Camarillo Airport. You can find more info at GCCFest.com.

Dreamland is back post pandemic featuring Kimberly Ford celebrating the music of Joni Mitchell. The seven-piece band will make a stop at the Grape here in Ventura for a special performance on Sunday, June 5. Modeled on Mitchell’s mid-1970’s band with Tom Scott and the L.A. Express, Dreamland features Lee Rollag, guitar and violin; Tom Buckner, saxophone; Tom Etchart, bass; Dave Hunt, drums; George Friedenthal, keyboards, piano and melodica; and Sven Holcomb, backup vocals, guitars and percussion.

Another special event at the Grape features NYChillharmonic. This 18-piece progressive-rock orchestra is a female fronted band where their music fuses multiple genres including rock, pop and jazz. Having played multiple jazz festivals including Montreal, Melbourne, Buenos Aires, and Tokyo to name a few, you won’t want to miss this two-time “Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award” winners when they play this intimate venue here in town on Friday, May 27.

Quick Notes: Tickets are already on sale for Billy Idol on August 25 for the Ventura Theater; the Happy Face Music Festival out in Simi Valley is worth the trip for Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs, Sam Morrow, Hardcastle and Kelly’s Lot on Saturday, May 28; Christine Law’s Star Goes Nova project releases a new CD on May 19; Stellar Ruins is holding an album release party on Saturday, May 28 at Sans Souci; and Moorpark’s High Street Arts Center’s production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music runs June 3 – July 3.

Just added (5/17) at the Ventura Theater, Glass Animals for Wednesday, May 25.

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 5/4 – 5/17

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

There are a number of special events lined up as the weather gets warmer and most of these events will be held outdoors including KHAY Fest on Sunday, May 22, at Surfer’s Point Live (Ventura Fairgrounds) with Josh Turner, Dylan Scott and Tenille Arts. You can find all the ticket information at on the CBFProductions.com website.

Winchesters Grill on Main Street in downtown Ventura is celebrating their 25th anniversary with an outdoor party featuring live music from CRV, Brandon Ragan Project and Ray Jaurique & the Uptown Brothers. The fun starts at 1 pm and goes all day Saturday, May 21.

Ozomatli has been added to the Surf Rodeo music lineup along with Bob Log III, the Aquadolls, Sitting on Stacy, Hirie, Sik Sik Sicks, Death Lens, Badfish, Yachtley Crew, and more. It will be great to hit the sand once again for a weekend of great music, surf competitions, the cornhole tournament, and some serious people watching. Tickets are on sale for July 15 – 17 at SurfRodeo.org.

The Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Festival has been rebranded as the Happy Face Music Festival and it still falls over the Memorial Day weekend on May 28. Headlining will be Mike Campbell the Dirty Knobs along with performances from Sam Morrow, Hardcastle and Kelly’s Lot. Get ticket information at HappyFaceMusicFest.com.

Tickets went on sale May 1st for the 27th season of the Ventura Music Festival which will run July 29 – 31 and August 5 -7. All the performances will be held at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center except for the popular free concert at Mission Park on Wednesday, July 27. This year it will feature Adaawe, an all -female acoustic, vocal and drumming band performing a contemporary world-fusion mix which will be fun for the whole family. Be sure to bring blanket or low-chair for comfortable seating. You can find more information on all performances at VenturaMusicFestival.org.

Quick Notes: A Bar Called Country has cancelled all live bands and opting once again for DJs; the Ventura Harbor Comedy Club’s 1st annual Harmonica Festival for May 15 has already sold out; Tony’s Pizzaria is firing up their Sunday Funday Beach Parties live music 3-6 and their reggae Thursdays start on Cinco de Mayo with Forbidden Fruit; Don Randi and Quest (Wrecking Crew) is back for repeat performance at the Grape, Saturday, May 7; Caffrodite monthly dinner & music features Déjà vu Too on Friday, May 13; X plays the Ventura Music Hall on May 11; and 311 plays the Majestic Ventura Theater on Thursday, May 12.

Finally, it is with a heavy heart that I send out my sincerest condolences to the Ventura jazz community as we mourn the passing of local artist, Hans Ottsen. His grace, talent, and sweet soul will be forever missed.

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.