Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
Deadheads rejoice with the inaugural Maybe It was the Roses music festival to be held at the Crowne Plaza running Friday, May 29 through Sunday, May 31. The ticketed event promotes music, spirit and connection, inspired by the legacy of the Grateful Dead (GoldenRoadFestival.com). Typically, concerts are either held upstairs in the ballroom, or along the beachfront promenade, but this three-day festival will take over the Crowne Plaza’s parking lot. I highly recommend using a rideshare service or park downtown as the City’s parking structure will fill up quickly. Some of the highlights to look forward to include special performances with artists sitting in with several bands such as the legendary Don Was, Kanika Moore, Jeffrey Brown (Blue Man Group sans blue make up), Zoe Ellis (Phil Lesh and Frends) and more.
The final week of May also offers the Ojai Blues Fest at the Ojai Art Center which runs Friday and Saturday with several local blues artists including Ray Jaurique, TD Lind and the Aviators, Ashford Gordon, Tommy Marsh (who returns from Nashville to produce the event) and several other artists. For ticket information go to OjaiArtcenter.org/special-events. But if you’re in town, and low on cash, then you can check out two extra side shows for free: Eric Lemaire will be at Sam’s Place on Friday and Milo Sledge at Feros Ferio on Saturday.
With two months to go, the Ventura County Fair has finally started rolling out this year’s Grandstand Stage concerts. By my press deadline, the lineup includes Bush on Wednesday, July 29, Iration on Friday, July 31, Jake Owen on Saturday, August 1, Ashanti featuring Bow Wow on Monday, August 3, Switchfoot & Hoobastank on Tuesday, August 4 and Nate Smith on Wednesday, August 5. Don’t forget, all concerts are included in the price of admission to the fair, however if you want VIP to get closer to the stage, you’ll need to pay an additional fee which is available starting Wednesday, May 27 (VCfair.org)
The Boots & Brews Country Music Festival will be held at Plaza Park this year on June 13 with Cole Swindell, Gretchen Wilson, Lanco, Jayden Secor and Caiden Wallace. Get your tickets at BootsandBrews.com.
Quick Notes: OakHeart Music Festival is being held Saturday, May 30 in Thousand Oaks with Tyler Hubbard, Uncle Kracker and more; Downtown Ventura hosts line dancing on Wednesdays with Jayden Secor and the Ventucky Stompers; Palomazo Music Series continues with LaOx on Friday, May 29, downtown Oxnard; and Santa Paula Cruise night hosts the Red Rock Road Band on Friday, June 5.
Finally, I’m sorry to report Onyx is closing their doors with their last day of business being Sunday, May 31. Their new chapter is Olive & Quince, a catering & personal chef business.
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.
