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Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 11/9 – 11/22

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Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
Swing Dancers artworkYou won’t want to miss Fortunate Youth when they open for Slightly Stoopid at the Ventura Theater, Friday, November 11.  They’re the creators of one of the biggest and most successful reggae compilations in the world, with all proceeds donated to different charities that the band tries to support from Cancer Awareness to helping Children who have lost music programs due to under funding.  Also at the theater will be the local favorites Dirty Rice opening for Tribal Theory on Saturday, November 12 and then the following week it’s Pennywise with Strung Out and Unwritten Law on Friday, November 18, and of course Suicidal Tendencies with Good Riddance on Saturday, November 19.

Congratulations to Rachel Flowers who was interviewed for the November issue of Keyboard Magazine (the one with Norah Jones on the cover).  Her film “Hearing is Believing” by Lorenzo DeStefano was just featured at the 17th Annual Ojai Film Festival.

I’m all about good causes especially when good causes are in conjunction with great music, and so it goes with the fundraiser on Saturday, November 12, at the Ventura Beach Club for The Canine Adoption and Rescue League (C.A.R.L.) in Ventura.  The event will run 6-10 pm and will feature Deb Ryder, Ray Jaurique & The Uptown Brothers and Kelly’s Lot. You can always count on Kelly Zirbes for going above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to taking care of abandoned cats and dogs. Admission is only $10 and all proceeds will go to C.A.R.L.  As a side note, Kelly and husband Perry just opened for the iconic Don Mclean at the Rose in Pasadena.

I’ll be honest, I’m really looking forward to “The Pretty Things,” a David Bowie tribute band at O’Leary’s November 12. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, “My teenage years would not have been the same without Bowie.”

The Barrelhouse Wailers will be hosting another Speakeasy swing dance night on November 19 at the Ventura Beach Club.  The evening will start with lessons at 8 pm with Kim Clever and David Frutos, then live music from 9 to midnight.  Of course, costumes are encouraged but not required.

Goodnight Kiss are currently in the studio recording their first EP; Medicine Hat will be going back into the studio soon; Hard Six just finished a video soundtrack recorded at Megasound Studios; the Rubberneck Lions just released new music via social media with their first single, “Head Case by Case”; Ashford Gordon’s CD release party has been postponed until after the New Year; Smitty and Julia’s new CD, “Made in Ojai” is now available on CD Baby; and congratulations to all of the Mayor’s Arts Awards recipients with a big shout out to local musician/teacher, Jodi Farrell.  It’s well deserved my friend!

Do you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com, and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 10/26 – 11/8

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Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
Halloween and much more!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Halloween

With Halloween falling on a Monday night this year, most venues are offering up parties the weekend before:

On Friday night (the 28th), Bombay’s will host Hotel Clownafornia; The Garage has a Halloween Monster Bash with Radio Threat, Cursed Bastards and Inazuma; and there’s a Halloween party with American Hoss at the Golden China.

On Saturday night (the 29th) look for A Nightmare on Main Street at Amigos with DJ JScratch; there’s the 2nd annual Halloween Hoedown at Gigi’s with Jackass, Norco-Cryptkicker and The Kreeps; Discovery has Dawn of the Dreads with Arise Roots, Iya Terra and Ital Vibes; there’s a Zombie party at Saloon BBQ with Skin n Bones; the SPRP Halloween costume party will be at the Red Cove with Seven 40 Seven, The Kane Gang, The Airmen, The Rouse, The Lower Echelon; Café Fiore has Soul Infusion; the Sewer has DJs Darko, Pistolero and Spinobi; the Keynote has UnUsual Suspects; and it’s the Tony Ybarra trio at Squashed Grapes.

There’s a couple of worthy Blues shows coming up at the Hong Kong Inn that you won’t want to miss including Hi Hat Entertainment presenting the Shari Puorto Band on Friday, October 28, then that Sunday, October 30, Crooked Eye Enterprises presents The Forty Fours with a special show at 4 pm.

The Majestic Ventura Theater continues to bring great shows to town with Aaron Lewis (Staind) on Wednesday October 26; The Pixies on Friday, October 28; Dwight Yoakam on Thursday, November 3; and Nahko and Medicine for the People on Saturday November 5.

It’s been awhile since the Pretty Uglys have played in town so I’m looking forward to catching their punk rock/glam band show when they kick off their U.S. tour by playing at Sans Souci on Friday, November 4th. If you miss that show they’ll be on the back stage at Bombay’s on Saturday November 5.

Bad Sam Presents D.R.I. and The Dwarves at the Garage on Thursday, October 27.

Bobby West returns to Squashed Grapes on Friday, November 4 and the following day Kevin Winard will hold a drum clinic hosted by Pulse Drumming to be followed by a performance that evening with none other than saxophonist, Tom Scott.

If you’re in the Camarillo area, you won’t want to miss The Swing Shift, a big band featuring vocalist Jan Nelsen. Their next couple of gigs at the Sportsman in Camarillo will be held October 23 and then again on November 27 from 5-8 pm. They typically play the fourth Sunday of the month (except for December). And then the Starlight Supper Club will hold a fundraising event for Project Understanding on Saturday, November 5 at the Serra Event Center also in Camarillo featuring the Ventura Jazz Orchestra sextet featuring vocalist Donna Greene.

Do you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com, and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 10/12-10/25

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Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
Ebbs and Flows of our Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

161012

Nobody likes change, especially when it involves the closing of another venue which offered live music. I’ll admit to my disappointment; especially when walking by Saturday night and not hearing upbeat live music from W20 at the Watermark. I wanted to berate Hartley for letting us down, but you know, he and Kathy sort of deserve less stress in their lives. It would have made the blow easier knowing the new tenants would carry on with live music, but alas, it doesn’t appear they will. I’m trusting the other venues in town to pick up the slack and help out the bands scrambling to find places to play. I always say there are ebbs and flows with Ventura’s music scene. Guess which one we’re in.

Doing his best to pick up the slack of course is Mike Toler just around the corner from W20 at Amigos. He’s got a nice line up of music scheduled including Mi6 on Sunday October 23d. He told me that he’s looking forward to the return of his friend Wes Nile and Mi6. He said, “The last time we had them at Amigos they really brought it with something I had not seen before. Imagine listening to a DJ but the DJ was being replaced by a band, and unless you were in front of the band, you wouldn’t know the difference!”

I’m glad I was able to witness the return of Cirith Ungol at the Ventura Theater during the Frost and Fire II fest. The City of Ventura was scheduled to recognize their reuniting after 25 years at the City Council meeting on Monday the 10th. I’ve heard European dates will be coming up for them in 2017.

SteampunkFest will be held at the Heritage Square in Oxnard on October 15th and 16th. The event is being touted as kid friendly with wacky events all day. Some of the bands scheduled include 50 Sticks of Dynamite, Abby and the Myth, Cirque Des Betes, and of course the Velveteen Band. For more information and ticket prices, check out www.OxnardSteamPunkFest.com.

I’m hearing good things about the band, Big Jesus, an alt-rock band out of Atlanta, GA, who will be coming to town this month. They’ve been getting a lot of good coverage for their latest release; Rolling Stone Magazine praised them for “reviving 90’s alternative” which happens to my favorite era of music. Actually the entire week at the Ventura Theater will be rockin’ with Yellowcard on the 19th, Garbage on the 20th, Ben Folds on the 21st, Common Kings on the 22nd and wrapping up the week will be Big Jesus opening for Good Charlotte on Sunday the 23rd.

And finally, happy anniversary to Sheldon and the staff of the Ventura Breeze. I would like to personally thank Sheldon for supporting Ventura’s music scene by devoting a full page to its coverage.

Do you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com, and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Music Photos: October 2016

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Grapes and Hops – October 30,2016
Paul Mars Black
Paul Mars Black

Majestic Ventura Theater – October 19, 2016
Yellowcard – The Final World Tour
Yellowcard

Duke’s – October 16, 2016
Rin Kon Kiki – Photo Credit Kim from Pulse Drumming
Rin Kon Kiki

Majestic Ventura Theater – October 8, 2016
Frost and Fire II – Cirith Ungol
Cirith UngolCirith UngolCirith Ungol

Squashed Grapes – October 8, 2016
The Doug Webb Group featuring Danny Carey from TOOL
The Doug Webb Group

Majestic Ventura Theater – October 4, 2016
Jackson Browne – photo credit Albert Munoz
Jackson Browne

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 9/28 – 10/11

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Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
Folk fest to Metal fest
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

High at the top of my list of things to do over the next few weeks is the Topa Topa Folk Fest being held at the beautiful Libbey Bowl in Ojai on Saturday, October 1. Ticket sales have been brisk, which is great because I’d love to see this one sell out as it also helps to benefit the Turning Point Foundation. Headlining the folk fest will be Jake Smith better known as The White Buffalo whose music has been featured on such TV shows as “Sons of Anarchy” and “Californication.” I’m also excited to see Grizfolk after watching local talent Brendon Willing share his adventures via social media after joining the band over a year ago. Actually, the whole lineup is pretty cool with Jaime Wyatt, Todd Hannigan, Shane Alexander, Lee Koch, Bryan Titus and so many more talented folks. Find out more at www.OnesToWatchProductions.com. You can help make a difference while enjoying a great day of music, hope to see you there!

Another Turning Point Foundation fundraising was held at the Traveler’s Café on Thursday, September 22 when Shawn Jones entertained the room. It was the perfect opportunity for people to check out one of Ventura’s newest restaurants offering up live acoustic music on select days. Shawn by the way heads back to Europe the first week in October for about a month with shows in Italy and Ireland.

The highly anticipated return of Cirth Ungol (their first show in 25 years) is finally upon us as they headline Frost and Fire II at the Ventura Theater on October 8, and to sweeten the deal even further, Metal Blade Records released the band’s classic “Paradise Lost” on CD and vinyl. Frost and Fire II actually spans three days (October 7-9) and three venues (Bombay’s, Sans Souci and the Ventura Theater). This heavy metal festival isn’t for the light of heart and will most likely sell out (Day one already sold out at press time). To get the full line up of bands and schedules go to www.FrostAndFireFest.com.

Plan B will be celebrating their 4th anniversary with their popular Second Sunday Supper for October (on the 9th), featuring The Vonettes. The venue is also working on Friday nights for live music on a regular basis.

Squashed Grapes is excited to welcome Ronnie Hudson on Saturday, October 8. Hudson is most notable for his hit song “West Coast Poplock” which would later appear on Dr. Dre and Tupac Shakur’s song, “California Love” and Snoop Dogg’s “Poplock 2”. Hudson also played bass on the legendary Grammy-winning soundtrack “Shaft” by Isaac Hayes, and his work is featured in other films including “The Social Network”, “Iron Man II” and “South Central.”

Do you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com, and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 9/14-9/27

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Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
Suds and Tunes
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Photo: Joe Nichols Country music star courtesy of JoeNichols.com

Photo: Joe Nichols Country music star courtesy of JoeNichols.com

California Beer Festival returns to Ventura with several events all week long at different venues in the area, but on Friday, there’s a Food and Beer Pairing Competition up at City Hall with music from Ross Harper and The Bomb; on Saturday, it’s their Craft Beer Heaven at Plaza Park featuring music from The Purple Ones, Dr. M and The Caverns; and then the grand finale, Boots and Brews featuring music from Caught Red Handed, Tyler Rich, Highway Starr and a performance from Country music star Joe Nichols.  For information on all events and how to get tickets, go to CaliforniaBeerFestival.com/Ventura. On Sunday, be sure to stop by the VenturaRocks.com booth and sit a spell and share your music related tidbits with me!

Fresh off the Dave Mason tour, drummer Alvino Bennett held a drum clinic for Pulse Drumming at Squashed Grapes on September 10 and then immediately following that Saturday afternoon, he held a short jam with a handful of fellow musicians including Jonathan McEuen deeming them “Alvino Bennett and his Stellar Acquaintances.” Oh, by the way, both Jonathan and his brother Nathen will be joined by their father John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) at the Topa Topa Winery in Ojai Sunday, September 18, 3-5 pm.

And speaking of Ojai, and more Topa Topaness, One’s to Watch Productions will be holding Topa Topa Folk Fest on October 1 with headliner, The White Buffalo. Other folk acts include Grizfolk, Jaime Wyatt, Todd Hannigan, Shane Alexander, The Brambles, Dear Lemon Trees and the Bryan Titus Trio. The day-long concert benefits in part the Turning Point Foundation. You can find ticket information at OnesToWatchProductions.com.

Ventura’s Elks Lodge is holding a lodge membership drive and BBQ on Saturday, September 17th with proceeds benefiting Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Ventura; both Big Adventure and The Swillys will be performing.  The Ventura Elks Lodge is located at 2126 Knoll Drive; the event starts at 4 pm.

Discovery’s Backyard Bash was a big success! Now I’m looking forward to seeing the return of Alastair Greene on Friday September 16, the Fooz Fighters, a tribute to the Foo Fighters on Saturday September 17, and Diego’s Umbrella, San Francisco’s ambassadors of gypsy rock, on Saturday, September 24.

Rock the Dock continues on Saturday afternoons 3-6 pm during September in the Ventura Harbor.  You can catch The Phantom Riders on the 17th and Super Stoked on the 24th.

Birdbrain hosts their CD release party Friday, September 17 at Sans Souci; Youth Brigade will play with The Grim and Mothers of Dissension at The Garage on Friday, September 23; and Pat Kelly along with Carey Frank and Steve Hass will play Squashed Grapes on Saturday September 24th.

Do you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com, and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Music Photos: September 2016

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Ventura Theater – September 25, 2016
Tech N9ne – photo credit: Josh Adams
Tech N9ne

Taste of Local at Olivas Adobe – September 25, 2016
Bryan Titus w/Jeff Kranzler
Bryan Titus with Jeff Kranzler

Amigo’s – September 24, 2016
Goodnight Kiss – photo credit: Iris Vest
Goodnight Kiss

Boots and Brews Fest – September 18, 2016
Joe Nichols
Joe Nichols

Squashed Grapes – September 10, 2016
Alvino Bennett and his Stellar Acquaintances
Alvino Bennett and his Stellar Acquaintances

Amigo’s – September 4, 2016
The Tossers
The Tossers

Ventura Harbor – Rock the Dock – September 3, 2016
CRV, Carmen & the Renegade Vigilantes – photo credit: Jon Reese
CRV

 

Bombay’s 32nd Annual Beach Party Weekend – September 2, 2016
Shaky Feelin’
Shaky Feelin'

W20 at the Watermark – September 2, 2016
Karen Eden Trio – photo credit: Candance Marshall
Karen Eden Trio

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 8/31-9/13

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Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
Help for Budding Artists
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

©highwaystarz

©highwaystarz

Big help from Big Bad Voodoo Daddy for our local schools! That’s $42,500 in funding to Ventura Unified School District earmarked to enhance existing visual and performing arts programs. The funds were made possible through the BBVD concert last April celebrating the City of Ventura’s 150th anniversary.  I’m looking forward to seeing new upcoming artist having the chance to flourish as a result of the band’s generosity.

Local singer, Eric Harrington, recently played at Squashed Grapes to a packed house. Few knew there was a chance that drummer Vinnie Colaiuta might show up, and show up he did for the final songs of the night. Harrington told me, “What an amazing night it was, and to end it with Vinnie sitting in was just incredible, he’s just a delightful man!”  Trey O’Toole from Pulse Drumming told me that Colaiuta had been working in a session all day and was afraid he might not make it, but luckily for the house, he did.

Speaking of Pulse Drumming and Squashed Grapes, watch for the Alvino Bennett (currently working with Dave Mason) drum clinic on September 10; he’ll be joined afterwards at the Grape for an awesome jam including musicians George Hawkins, Jr. on bass and vocals (Kenny Loggins & Jim Messina), Jonathan McEuen on guitar and vocals (Dwight Yoakum, NGDB, Dave Mason), Geo Evans on guitar (Cheryl Lynn, Euge Groove) and TJ, Teddy Jack Russell on guitar and vocals (Leon Russell).

Bombay’s 32nd End of Summer Party hits Ventura over the first weekend of September with three stages (including one outdoors with sand and a mechanical bull).  Look for musical acts all weekend long including performances from Mandex, Highway Starr, Dirty Rice, Uproots, Shakey Feelin’ and A.D.D to name but a few.

The first ever Oxnard Jazz Festival lands at Oxnard Beach on Saturday, September 10, offering a diverse mix of Jazz, Latin, Soul, Blues and R&B with Tom Brown, Nick Colionne, Howard Hewett, O’Bryan, Quatrosound and Poncho Sanchez. You can get ticket information and more on this special event at OxnardJazzFestival.com.

Alternative/Country rockers, Porter & the Bluebonnet will be swinging through town from Austin, TX, with a showcase at Sans Souci on Friday, September 9. They’ll be on the same bill as The Jelly.

The Ventura Theater has been packing in the shows for the rest of the year. You’ll want to review their line up so you don’t miss any acts such as Jackson Browne, Pennywise, Echo & the Bunnymen, Steve Vai, Good Charlotte, Yellowcard, Ben Folds, Garbage, The Common Kings, Dwight Yoakum and more! Plus, you have the Nardcore show on September 10, and Frost and Fire with the return of Cirith Ungol on October 8.  Details at VenturaTheater.net.

Do you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com, and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

World Premiere: The Bet

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August 16, 2016
By Pam Baumgardner

The-Bet_Marquee_001

Well the guys pulled it off!  Not only did they write and co-produce their first feature length film, but they held a red carpet event at the Regal Cinema at LA Live in Los Angeles on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.  In attendance stars of The Bet, Alex Klein, Brian Allen, Amanda Clayton, Michael Consiglio and more including director Ryan Ederer.

Congratulations to Army of Freshmen members, Chris Jay and Aaron Goldberg on their raunchy comedy (not for the faint of heart), The Bet.

DSC_0082

Many thanks to photographer, Cliff Montgomery for stepping in for VenturaRocks.com who was out of town that week. I take one vacation, and Chris has one red carpet screening, what are the odds they’d be on the same week????

Final note…as a supporter of Ventura’s music scene, and supporter of Chris and Aaron’s first film, and because they asked for help, I’d like to thank them for the opportunity to be one of the extras in the film, but more than that, thanks for the shout out in the credits!  MY NAME IS IN THE FREAKIN’ CREDITS!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed watching The Bet.  I laughed, I blushed, I rolled by eyes shaking my head (boys will be boys), while loving all the Ventura locations used in the film.
Raunchy: yes
Funny: yes
Worthy: Yes!

Don’t be a putz, support Chris and Aaron and buy your very own copy today!!!

I bought mine from Amazon, but it’s available on iTunes, FandangoNow, Google Play, Vudu, and more.

Interview with Chris Jay on The Bet
The Bet Official Website
The Bet Facebook Page