Ventura Music Scene 2/19/25 – 3/4/25

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

Namba is offering a special evening of Oscar-winning songs as performed by local artists on Saturday, March 1. The concert will include tunes you’ve come to know and love off the big screen such as “Moon River,” “Over the Rainbow,” and “The Way You Look Tonight.” The roster includes Jodi Farrel, Michael Henszey, Lauren Brown, Kerri Climber, Julie Hamann and more. For tickets and more information go to NambaArts.com.

Legendary artist from Peter, Paul & Mary, Noel Paul Stookey, returns to the Rubicon Theatre for two shows: Monday, March 3 (7p) and Tuesday, March 4 (3p). I don’t need to tell you want an honor it is to have this iconic, five-time Grammy winner, and recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame play our town, “his West Coast ‘home’ theatre.” As a proponent of safe energy, peace and civil rights, you know he has a lot on his mind as he’s quite the master storyteller sharing his thoughts in between songs such as “If I Had a Hammer,” and “Blowin’ in the Wind.” For more information and tickets go to RubiconTheatre.org.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo plays the Ventura Music Hall on Tuesday, March 4. The group out of South Africa is rich in traditional songs from their homeland, they’ve garnered five Grammy Awards over their 63 years performing (nominated for 19), and were the group featured on Paul Simon’s Graceland album in the mid-80s. The group was the brainchild of Joseph Shabalala who retired from performing and handed over the leadership to his three sons, Thulani, Sibongiseni and Thamsanqa Shabalala. This will be a fully seated concert. For more information and to secure your tickets, go to VenturaMusicHall.com.

American Pie Records/American Pie Coffee Shop in Camarillo now offers live music over most weekends. Located on Ventura Blvd., in Camarillo, you can expect an eclectic mix of artists such as Benjamin Buttner on February 21, Aspen on February 22 and Violet Rey on February 28 (most sets run 8 – 10 pm).

The crew from Boots & Brews Country Music Festival announced Kane Brown would be playing this summer, June 29 at Surfers Point Live, Ventura County Fairgrounds. Tickets are on sale now at BootsAndBrews.com.

Quick Notes: The Tom Scott & the LA Express performance at the Grape on Wednesday, February 26, is sold out (but you can hang out at the bar and still enjoy the show); Al Stewart (“Year of the Cat” fame) & the Empty Pockets play the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, February 26; The Mighty Cash Cats play Bombay’s on Friday, February 28; and
Cadillac Zack presents blues artists, Chris Cain, on Wednesday, February 19 at Cantara Cellar (Eventbrite.com); and Jay Nash cancelled his February 21 appearance at the Ojai Underground looking to reschedule later this summer.

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 2/5/25 – 2/18/25

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

This year’s Country Bar Crawl will be held on Saturday, February 15, 4-8 pm. The ticketed event provides you with either a red cup (for singles) or blue cup (committed relationship) and you get to travel with fellow participants from venue to venue downtown Ventura taking in four different country rock bands starting at the Blue Agave for Katie Leigh Trio, then it’s the Star Lounge for Jayden Secor, next it’s The Twist on Main for Lizzy Passion and the Cowboy Assassins, wrapping up at Winchester’s Saloon and Grill for the Mike Scully Band. Find out more and secure your tickets at CountryBarCrawl.com.

MadeWest Brewing celebrates their 9-year anniversary on Saturday, February 8; festivities include special releases as well as live performances from Todd Hannigan and Josh Nordgren.

Strey Cellars turns 11 years old over the Valentine’s Day weekend. They’ll pull out all the stops for their Wine Club members and the public alike with new wine releases, specials and of course live music. On Saturday, February 15, it’s Barfly, and on Sunday, it’s The Brandon Ragan Project both days 2-5 pm.

The 21st Annual Chopper Fest lands at the Ventura County Fairgrounds on February 9. This year along with all the motorcycle related exhibits, the live music entertainment will feature A Rock Legend (tribute to Thin Lizzy), Sadie Norkin and Quick Business. There will be a Pre-party at the Victorian House on Saturday, February 8, live music from The Damn Liars, and Sadie Norkin.

“They Love Each Other: A Grateful Dead Weekend” will be held at the Crowne Plaza on Saturday, February 15, featuring Ladyfinger (Santa Barbara) with acoustic Dead covers noon to 3 pm and then it’s The Peoples Dead, a 5-piece Grateful Dead tribute band. Both bands play at the Aqua Bar’s poolside location.

Quick Notes: Alain Whyte of Morrissey fame has had to cancel his gig at Gigi’s on Thursday, February 6; Dave Wakeling & The English Beat return to Ventura for a show at the Ventura Music Hall on Saturday, February 8; The Mystery Shop in Oxnard has Soft Palms, Pink Depression and Stellar Ruins on Saturday, February 15; another fundraiser for Southern California fire victims will be held at the Poinsettia Pavilion on Saturday, February 15 with Midlife Crisis and Second Wind Band; and Jackson Gillies will join Shaky Feelin when they play the Twist on Main, Saturday, February 15.

And finally, I attended my first show at Ecugreen, downtown Ventura, and was pleasantly surprised to find a great space where all ages can go and hear artists in a cool listening room atmosphere. From what I understand, they’ve been doing this mostly by promoting via Instagram and word of mouth which is how I found them when an old friend invited me to hear the project he’s been involved in, a duo called Channel 2.

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.