Ventura Music Scene 10/30/24 – 11/16/24

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
artwork

Go Dodgers! Thanks for indulging me; now on to taking a look at live music in and around Ventura, first focusing on Halloween. Yes, there were several parties this past weekend, and there will continue to be a few past the official day, but I don’t hear any complaining and if you invested time and some expense in a costume, why not get your bang for the buck and wear it out more than once?

The night before, Wednesday, October 30, the Ventura Music Factory will host a hardcore Halloween party with an EP release of Evil Dead, along with sets from Pito Pakeeto, Spider Baby and So Gnar.

Now let’s look at the official Halloween date, Thursday, October 31. As you should know by now, I cover live music, so if a venue is not listed, they’ll most likely feature DJs or were sadly delinquent in promoting their event. So, in no particular order: Duke’s Beach Grill has Dead Set featuring Grateful Dead covers; it’s all reggae at Tony’s Pizzeria featuring the Heavy Hitters; The Grape hosts Freda Ramey and House Arrest; it’s the Monsters of Pop along with a special set from Wyldesnake at The Garage; and the Raven Tavern hosts Vinyl Gypsies.

The party continues on Friday, November 1st at Ric’s in Camarillo with Operation 90s and the Keynote Lodge welcomes Lowered Expectations on Saturday, November 2.

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a holiday traditionally celebrated on November 1 or 2nd involving family and friends gathering to pay respects to those who have died. This year, it will be quite the celebration downtown Ventura on Saturday afternoon (11-6 pm) with Limon y Sal spearheading the effort featuring traditional dancers, mariachi bands and a car show.

The Ventura Music Festival hosts The King’s Singers at Ventura Center for Spiritual Living on Saturday, December 14. For over fifty years the group has garnered several accolades for a cappella performances around the world including two Grammy Awards and an Emmy. Yes, it’s two months away, but I would be sorely remiss if you missed out because it sold out before you even heard about it. Tickets and more information available at VenturaMusicFestival.org.

Quick Notes: The Musical Box, a tribute to Genesis and Phil Collins lands at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center for a concert on Thursday, October 31; The Deer Lodge in Ojai hosts a Hurricane Relief concert benefit featuring Hot Rise on Friday, November 1; Maya Burns with her unique blend of folk, Ranchero, world music jazz, Bolero and classic rock plays an intimate show at Namba on Friday, November 1; and the Ojai Pops Concert offers a free family-friendly show at the Libbey Bowl on Sunday, November 3 featuring the Junction Jazz Band.

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 Scene 10/16/24 – 10/29/24

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
artwork

We’re halfway through October and a lot of folks are looking forward to celebrating Halloween, but with the holiday falling on a Thursday, I’m finding a lot of venues are pre-celebrating the weekend before with a handful the weekend afterwards. This issue of the Breeze covers October 16th through the 29th, so there are a few noteworthy live music parties that fall within that time frame. Halloween parties on Saturday October 26, include Leashless with the Heavy Hitters, Strey Cellers has Ignition, and Ric’s in Camarillo has Steph’s Rockin’ Roadshow. On Sunday, there’s Heart & Soul at Tony’s Pizzeria and Kelly’s Lot will host CarlFest (CARL stands for Canine Adoption and Rescue League) with a Halloween themed fundraiser at Topa Topa Brewing’s headquarters on Colt Street in Ventura.

Ojai Day falls on Saturday, October 19, and will run 10 to 5 pm with live performances at the Libbey Fountain Stage by Josephoenix, Spencer the Gardener, Dianne Miller Band, and the Van Allen Twins. According to their official Facebook page, Ojai Day is not your ordinary festival, but a cultural explosion bursting with art, food, spiritual incantations, multi-ethic celebrations and good old fashion fun.

Two legendary women of note play in two different venues coming up. First, it’s Macy Gray (5 Grammy nods) on Wednesday, October 16, at the Ventura Music Hall, and then Maria Muldaur and Her Red Hot Bluesiana Band (Midnight at the Oasis fame) plays on Saturday, October 19. Both women have their distinctive styles and are sure to deliver amazing shows.

Aaron Burch Studios will hold its next Songwriter Showcase at the Deer Lodge on Sunday, October 20. This one will feature Ahoy!, Electric Shadow, Purely Grey, Star Synth and Dead Syndicate.

Congratulations to Rincon Brewery celebrating their 10th Anniversary with Octoberfest games and specials. You can join the party at their Ventura location on Saturday, October 19, with local legends, the SkaDaddyz, in the house.

Quick Notes: Less Than Jake brings their brand of ska to the Majestic Ventura Theater on Wednesday, October 16; Adrian Floy and THC play San Souci on Friday, October 18; Monarch Fest with Sonic Butterfly and Star Goes Nova will be held on Friday, October 18 at Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve in Ojai; a tribute to all things Phil Collins, In the Air Tonight, is at the Libbey Bowl on Friday, October 18; Guy Martin along with Jayden Secor play the Twist on Saturday, October 19; Sunday afternoon House of Dance this month features Lenny and Susan LaCroix Septet on October 20; TD Lind and the Aviators return to the Grape on Thursday, October 24;
pop band, 98 Degrees, plays the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on Friday, October 25; and the Brasscals return to Ventura Coast Brew Co on Friday, October 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.