Monthly Archives: December 2025

Ventura Music Scene 12/24/25 – 1/6/26

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

I want to wish Happy Holidays to one and all as we approach 2026. As you may or may not know, I started VenturaRocks.com in 2009 as a small way of helping when the economy took a hit and I wanted to inspire people to get out and spend money in venues who supported my favorite thing in the whole wide world, live music. A few years later in 2013 I was recruited by Sheldon Brown to write for the Ventura Breeze and with twelve years under my belt I haven’t missed a music scene deadline yet (knock on wood). So, to the community and to the Ventura Breeze, thanks for your continued support of live music!

Now on to New Year’s Eve festivities when most venues will be closing out 2025 in fine fashion. As you make your plans, I highly recommend calling the venue of your choice to find out if reservations are required, if there is a cover charge, and especially the hours they’ll be providing live music as some venues celebrate earlier with European New Year’s when the ball drops at 7 pm our time, or the East Coast timeline which is 9 pm as opposed to the most traditional time of midnight when it officially becomes 2026.

The Crowne Plaza has two parties in two different rooms, one with Mason’s Children, Katie Skene Band and Jax Plays Dead, and the other playing hit radio favorites with the Colette Lovejoy Band. Winchesters Grill & Saloon hosts Cory B. Clay & the Twains, Café Fiore has Heathers on Fire, The Garage with Operation 90s, Keynote has The Way, Gigi’s has Vault 13, the Shores with Ventu Park, Boatyard has Frank Barajas, Leashless with Jayden Secor, and it’s Nova Quartet at Twisted Oak in Camarillo. See listings for more or check out VenturaRocks.com as I add gigs almost daily.

If you’re not seeing one of your favorite venues then they may be offering up DJs such as Bombay’s, the Greek or the Ventura Music Hall who has Gimme Gimme Disco. And even comedy might be an option for you at the Rubicon or Strey Cellars. The bottom line is for you to call ahead and see what’s what.

By the way, a handful of venues will be closed as they are taking some well-deserved time off through the end of the year including The Grape, Four Brix and Cantara Cellars.

Quick Notes: The Ventura Music Hall calendar is filling up quickly with dates for 2026 including
Dave Wakeling’s English Beat on January 31, two nights for Thee Sinseers and The Altons, February 27 and 28, Silversun Pickups March 11, and Paul Thorn on April 10; Spider Baby, Neurotics, Boilerman will be playing a free show at Gibson’s Neighborhood Bar on Friday, January 2; and don’t forget to give your congratulations to Steve and Sally Williams who will be celebrating their 40th anniversary playing at Winchesters on Sunday, January 4.

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 12/10/25 – 12/23/25

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Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
Music scene artworkThe Rubicon logoHappy holidays one and all! There are several live music events to celebrate this special time of year with family and friends starting with The Rubicon Christmas Memories concert on Friday, December 12, featuring Rubicon students and alumni as well as Broadway celebrity guests David Burnham and Jennifer Leigh Warren. The following afternoon, on Saturday, December 13, it’s the Tiny Tots Concert where the kids can meet Santa, Rudolph and Frosty afterwards downstairs in the Rose Room (RubiconTheatre.org).

High Streets Art Center logoOver in Moorpark, the High Street Arts Center hosts Christmas Magic over the weekend of Friday December 12 through Sunday December 13 featuring teen and adult cast members from seasons past singing favorite holiday songs and telling the stories behind them. (HighStreetArtsCenter.com)

Vandals artworkIf you lean towards the punk end of the musical spectrum and embrace a wicked sense of humor, then you won’t want to miss The Vandal’s 30th Annual Christmas Formal at the Majestic Ventura Theater on Friday, October 19, where I’m hoping to hear such underrated hits such as “Oi to the World, “ “My First Xmas (As a Woman),” and “Grandpa’s Last Christmas.”

Hot Roux’s Rock’n Holiday Show will be held at the Grape on Saturday afternoon (2 pm), December 20, featuring special guests, Katie Skene and Grammy-award winning guitarist, Albert Lee.

Ashford Gordon’s Christmas Show will be held on Sunday (4:30 -7:30), December 21, at Bombay Bar and Grill.

And the Spirit of Christmas Concert featuring the Simi Valley Symphony Orchestra will be held on Sunday, December 21 at the Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center. This one will include music from Frozen, Home Alone, The Polar Express and more (SimiValleyOrchestras.com).

Quick Notes:

Burch Studios is a Rock and Roll High Collective where budding musicians come together to form bands and write original songs as they develop their craft. Burch will then produce concerts where the artists have the chance to perform in front of an audience. The next one will be held at the Majestic Ventura Theatre on Friday, December 12. This is a great way to support and ensure our music scene never dies!

And finally, The Beat Farmers and their brand of “wreckless western” land at the Deer Lodge on Sunday, December 14 with John Surge and the Haymakers opening. If the Farmer’s ring a bell, then you’re most likely old enough to remember they were a big part of the 80’s roots/rock/Americana movement which included Los Lobos, The Blasters and Lone Justice back in the day.

The music scene column in the next issue of the Ventura Breeze will cover New Year’s Eve Parties, but if you want to plan ahead, then go to VenturaRocks.com/Weekly-Gigs.htm and search “NYE.”

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.