October | 2025 | Ventura Rocks

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

Get your costume together and map out your evening because Halloween is finally here! When it comes to parties, costumes, spooking lighting and of course a whole lot of live music, then downtown Ventura is the perfect place to hang because you can travel from venue to venue including Tony’s Pizzeria, Leashless, Winchesters, Café Fiore and the Crowne Plaza where they have two different events (one with Rey Fresco and the other with Shaky Feelin’). There’s also a Halloween pub crawl with venues offering DJs and other specials (Eventbrite).

If you’re into punk, then Gigi’s with Preachers & Pornstars, All-a-Blur and Neurotics might be your jam. Or there’s Tony Ybarra’s Nylon Roses (GenX experience of classic hard rock) at the Grape, or Sick Boy (Social D covers) at Poseidon Brewing. There’s a whole lot going on. Keep in mind, some venues may have a cover charge, so be prepared and do your research before heading out.

The next day downtown Ventura will host a special celebration of Dia De Los Muertos with two stages of performances and live mariachi bands. There will be street vendors, a lowrider car show, arts and crafts, community alters, face painting and more. This all-ages free event will run from 11 am to 6 pm on Saturday, November 1. By the by, there is a free bar/business crawl, find out more at DiaDeLosMuertosVentura.com.

The Rubicon Theatre’s 2025/2026 season has opened with their first production, Million Dollar Quartet running now through November 9. I caught the show this past weekend and I can’t recommend it enough. The play is based on a true story that brought the names we all know and love together for one special jam at Sun Studios in Memphis. The top-notch performances cover tunes ingrained in our rock and roll psyche from legendary icons Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis. If you’re a lover of 50’s rock and roll and enjoy straight up fun storytelling, then get your tickets now at RubiconTheatre.org.

Quick Notes: The Glenn Tilbrook show at the Ventura Music Hall for Sunday, November 2, has been cancelled; Mims will be at Gibson’s on Thursday, November 6 ($50 cover); Parrotheads unite for Jammy Buffet (picking up where Jimmy left off) at the Ventura Music Hall on Sunday, November 9; A fundraiser for Dalton Cruz will be held at Mrs. Olson’s on Sunday, November 9, featuring Bloody Mary Morning, Looking West, Eric Lemaire and more; The Aquabats land at the Majestic Saturday, November 15; tickets are on sale for local legends, Mandex and Blackstar at the Ventura Theater for Friday, November 28; and tickets on sale for the social event of the year, the Ventura Winter Wine Walk which falls on Saturday, December 6.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows that you would like help publicizing? Please send all information, short or long, to Pam@VenturaRocks.com. For updated music listings daily, visit www.VenturaRocks.com.

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

After a seven-year hiatus, the Frost and Fire Metal Fest returns to Ventura for two days at Bombay Bar and Grill on Friday, October 25, and Saturday, October 26. Night Demon will headline on Friday, and Cirith Ungol on Saturday. While Cirth Ungol had “officially retired” in 2024, they continue to play a handful of exclusive shows, including this one in their hometown. Tickets can be purchased via FrostAndFireFest.com. Check out the Festival’s Facebook page (FrostAndFireMetalFest) for additional bands performing.

Ventura Music Festival (VMF) October Series falls over several days across a handful of venues. The Moaning Frogs play the Ventura Music Hall on Thursday, October 16; Twanguero will be at the Museum of Ventura County on Friday, October 17; Branford Marsalis at the Majestic Ventura Theater on Saturday, October 18; and they’ll wrap up the series with Delirium Musicum at Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center on Sunday, October 19. For details about each show and to purchase tickets, go to VenturaMusicFestival.org.

I posted an impromptu question on my Facebook page, “Curious…Do you consider DJs to be live music? (no judgement)” and with over 100 comments in one day, the overwhelming response was “No.” However, my takeaway is that while DJs may not be “live” music, spinning discs is entertainment, and if they’re talented and put in the work, it can be considered an art form. That being said, my article and postings on VenturaRocks.com only list live music.

Halloween is coming quick, so I suggest you go to VenturaRock’s full page calendar (click for a quick jump) and then search “Halloween.” To date, there are over 15 venues with live music. There are a couple of ticketed events: two at the Crowne Plaza, one featuring Rey Fresco and the other Shaky Feelin’, both through Eventbrite; and The Grape has Tony Ybarra’s Nylon Roses featuring classic rock, tickets through thegrapeventura.com.

Quick Notes: Braids and Dreads (Dan Grimm & JP Hesser) have secured a Friday evening residency for the time being at Gibsons on Fridays (6-8 pm); Walt Johnson Sinatra Tribute Band featuring Michael Falcone play a special show at the Manhattan on Thursday, October 16; John Waite plays the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on Saturday, October 18; there’s a free Ojai Pops Concert at the Libbey Bowl on Sunday, October 19; Ska Daddyz play Mrs. Olson’s on Saturday, October 20; Boilerman, Sharkhead & Static Voices play Gigi’s on Saturday, October 25; and Danny Carey of Tool returns to the Grape drumming for two gigs this month, Saturday, October 18 with Brian Charette B3 Funk Party, then the following Saturday, October 25, with the Doug Webb Group;

Ventura Rocks

Yeah it Does!

Monthly Archives: October 2025

Ventura Music Scene 10/29/25 – 11/11/2025

Ventura Music Scene 10/15/25 – 10/28/25