Nabu Winery – June 25, 2023
The Popravinas
Majestic Ventura Theater – June 14, 2023
Elvis Costello and the Imposters
The Twist on Main – June 11, 2023
Shawn Jones w/ Sam Bolle
Ojai Valley Brewery – June 9, 2023
TD Lind & the Aviators 
Namba Arts Studios – June 3, 2023
Michael Henszey EP Release “Fly Away” show
Salzer’s Records – June 3, 2023
Hozier Meet & Greet
Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
The Wild Oaks Country Music Festival is Saturday, June 3, with Craig Morgan, Cam, Chayce Beckham, Justin Honsinger, Chris Johnson and the Hollywood Hillbillies. This one will be held at Conejo Creek Park South in Thousand Oaks and it’s presented by the Rotary Club of Westlake Village with 100% of net proceeds going to support non-profit organizations locally and globally including the U.S. Military Veterans, First Responders, Human Trafficking, and community needs. Advance tickets available at WildOaksCMF.com.
The Ojai Blues Fest returns to the Ojai Art Center for a day of blues and roots music on Saturday, June 3, featuring Shawn Jones, Celso Salim & Darryl Carriere, Chuck Strong, TD Lind & the Aviators, Smokey & Friends, and the Brothers Marsh. Tickets may, or may not still be available the day of the show, so it’s encouraged to secure your tickets via EventBrite.com.
Ojai Music Festival takes place June 8 – June 11 at a couple of different venues, but mostly the Libbey Bowl. A number of events are free and a number of ticketed events are already sold out. The best way to plot your week is to visit the official website at OjaiFestival.org and again, don’t expect tickets to be available the day of, purchase your tickets now.
The Ventura County Concert Band will perform a free concert at the Ventura High School Auditorium on Sunday, June 4 at 3 pm offering “pop” tunes including selections from Stevie Wonder, Henry Mancini, The Beatles, Aladdin and more.
New dates at our local venues: Bob Marley’s son, Julian Marley, has been added to the Libbey Bowl’s concert line up for June 16 with the Bad Seeds opening; Daughtry was also added for Sunday, September 17. Speaking of Bob Marley, the Original Wailers will play the Ventura Music Hall on Wednesday, October 11 and Sun Room was added for November 19 at Majestic Ventura Theater.
All Kinds Studios continues to provide live music to all ages in a sober space in Zander Alley downtown Ventura. Saturday, June 3, they have The Illegal Aliens out of Santa Fe, New Mexico, along with How to Live with Robots, and Spaceyy. If you’d like to keep up on their schedule, it’s best to follow them on Instagram.
Quick Notes:
Leashless Brewing will be trying out singer/songwriter open mics with the first one Thursday, June 1; Michael Henszey will perform in support of his new EP release of Fly Away at Namba on Saturday, June 3; Shane Alexander, Renee & Jeremy, and Kat Sophia play Ojai Greater Goods on Sunday, June 4; The Local Love Project fundraiser is Sunday, June 6 with Kelly’s Lot, Scott Detweiler and Bobby Hart at the Portside Ventura Harbor Clubhouse; Michael Falcone does Sinatra at the Manhattan in Camarillo on Thursday, June 8; and there will be a Burch Studios Showcase at the Ventura Theater on Saturday, June 10.
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
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
Congratulations to Brandon, aka Anderson .Paak and his sell out annual fundraiser for the Brandon Anderson Foundation. The concert on Friday, May 12 at the fairgrounds didn’t disappoint fans with performances from local artists and headliners the Isley Brothers and none other than the legendary, Smokey Robinson. At 83, the man is still bringing it, releasing new music, Gasms, and kicking off a tour of his own. .Paak House 23 was his first date on his Summer tour.
The California Strawberry Festival will be held for the first time at the Ventura County Fairgrounds over the weekend of May 20 and May 21. Along with all the vendors, and strawberry related food items, music will fill both days on a few different stages. Among the entertainment will be performances from Arise Roots, Jayden Secor Band, Music Freqs Band, Caliente 805 and more.
And if you’re willing to travel a bit, the Happy Face Music Festival will take place on Saturday, May 27, at the Rancho Santa Susana Community Park in Simi Valley. Headlining this one will be The Spazmatics (always a hoot), along with performances from The Fabba Show, Kelly’s Lot, The Yacht Groove, and Barry Keenan. This one is hosted by the Rotary Club of Simi Runrise.
Props going out to Spencer Barnitz of Spencer the Gardener on the documentary, “More Than Just a Party” which chronicles Spencer’s musical journey from the 70s to today. The sold-out premiere of the documentary will be held at the New Vic Theater in Santa Barbara. You won’t want to miss the band performing at Tony’s Pizzeria on Thursday, May 27.
Keep this one on your radar, a fundraiser for the Local Love Project will be held on Sunday, June 4th with performances from Kelly’s Lot, Shawn Jones, and the Bobby Hart Band. Along with all the music, a BBQ, local wine and beers will be available for sale. The primary goal of Totally Local VC’s- the Local Love Project is to activate and organize members of our community in the aftermath of a disaster within our 805 communities and to provide relief and support to those affected by disaster. This one will be held at the Portside Club House (1196 Portside Drive).
Congratulations to Winchesters Grill & Saloon on their 26th anniversary. Join in on the celebrations, Sunday, May 21, with the 805’s dance party band favorite, The Bomb (3-6 pm).
Quick Notes: Tickets are on sale now for Yngwie Malmsteen & Glenn Hughes at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center for September 9; Creatures of Content (Pennsylvania) play The Six on Friday May 19; Big Bad Voodoo plays the Libbey Bowl on Saturday, May 20; and The Winery Dogs (Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan and Richie Kotzen) play the Ventura Theater on Saturday, May 20.
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.
Tony’s Pizzeria – May 27, 2023
Spencer the Gardener
Burch Studios – May 18, 2023
Noah Berberea of Brother Earl & the Cousins (video tapping)
.Paak House 23 – May 12, 2023
Smokey Robinson (@paakhouse)
.Paak House 23 – May 12, 2023
Anderson .Paak & Smokey Robinson (@paakhouse)
Boots & Brews Music Festival – May 7, 2023
Chris Young (Photos: Tatiana Vasilyev, @tativphotogallery)
Boots & Brews Music Festival – May 7, 2023
Joe Nichols (Photos: Tatiana Vasilyev)
The Grape – May 6, 2023
Phoenyx Big Band
Libbey Bowl – May 6, 2023
Beth Hart (w/ Jon Nichols)
Ventura Music Hall – May 5, 2023
Violent Femmes
Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
As of press time, the 2023 Ventura County Fair had not announced their entertainment yet, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t entertainment to be had at the fairgrounds in the meantime. First off, Surfer’s Point Live will host Boots & Brews in the parking lot with headliners Chris Young and Joe Nichols on Sunday May 7.
And then…Anderson .Paak announced on April 25 that .Paak House 23 will be held at the fairgrounds on Friday, May 12. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, .Paak, aka Brandon Paak Anderson, grew up in Oxnard and attended Foothill Technology High School. Two of his albums were named Oxnard and Ventura, both produced by Dr. Dre, the latter earned him a Grammy for Best R&B Album. The fact that .Paak could hold this event anywhere, but chose Ventura, speaks volumes about this talented homegrown artist. Find out more about .Paak House and the Brandon Anderson Foundation at PaakHouse.org.
The new season kicks off at Libbey Bowl with Beth Hart on Saturday, May 6 performing an intimate pared down show. Her back stories are entertaining enough, but I’m sure she’ll be really putting it out there without a full band backing her up.
And speaking of Libbey Bowl, the Ojai Music Festival dates include several concerts at Libbey Bowl. The festival runs Thursday June 8 through Sunday, June 11, with Rhiannon Giddens, Music Director, at the helm. I noticed at least one event has already sold out, so don’t wait until the last minute to try to snag a ticket. Find out more at OjaiFestival.org.
Bombay Bar and Grill will host a celebration of life in honor of Chris Husted who passed away last month. Chris was so a great guy, so well respected throughout the music scene. He had been doing sound on the road with Yachtley Crew recently. Friends will gather on Saturday May 13 from 2-8 with music from Shawn Jones, Guy Martin, Brion Shearer, Aaron Orbit, Rising Son, Yachtley Crew and more. 20% of the sales will go to the Chris Husted fund.
Quick Notes: Rey Fresco plays Tony’s Pizzeria Thursday, May 4; The Knotty G’s from South Carolina make a stop at Surfers Point Café on Sunday, May 7; there’s a free show featuring Old-Timey Country Bluegrass at Poinsettia Pavilion on Sunday, May 7; an in store meet & greet with Ohgeesy will be held at Salzers on Wednesday, May 10; it’s all about the punk rock on Friday, May 12 when Youth Brigade, Stalag 13, False Confession, The Afraid and Crucial Thought play the Oceanview Pavilion; Julie Christensen will perform an intimate show at the Ojai Underground on Saturday, May 13; and new dates added to the Ventura Music Hall calendar include Grateful Shred on June 15, Save Ferris on July 29, and Powerman 5000 on October 20.
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
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
Chick Singer Night, the world’s longest-running songfest for female artists, returns to the Sound Palace in Oxnard, on Saturday, April 22 with performances from Danielle Taylor, Annette DiNardo, Dawn Lunsford, Emily De La Cruz and Gaby Montiel who has been featured on the VenturaRockSpot this past year. Tickets are available through EventBrite. The evening promises to deliver stellar performances from these amazing ladies in part because CSN’s local chapter director is the one and only Jodi Farrell, who as a vocal coach can spot talent a mile away.
I’m happy to report Libbey Bowl’s website (LibbeyBowl.org) has been updated and it now includes new shows including Toad the Wet Sprocket on Wednesday, July 5; Chris Isaak on Sunday, August 6; 98 Degrees on Thursday, August 17; and The Monkees celebrated by Mickey Dolenz on Friday, September 15. If you’ve never been to a concert there, do yourself a favor, choose an artist and make it go right; it’s such a lovely venue in our own backyard!
One of Kelly Zirbes’ passions in life is helping our furry little friends, and specifically CARL here in town. CARL (Caine Adoption and Rescue League) advocates for animal welfare, seeking to end the needless deaths of companion animals through adoption, education and outreach programs. Kelly’s Lot featuring Rae Gordon will hold a fundraiser for CARL on Sunday, April 23 (3-6 pm) at Winchester’s Grill & Saloon on Main Street, Ventura. I hope to see you and your wallet at this one!
Tickets have gone on sale for the 6th annual Oxnard Jazz Festival over the weekend of September 9th and 10th. Saturday’s line up includes Spyro Gyra, Eric Benet, Deniece Williams and others. Sunday will be a special day for those who love Picante style music and dancing with performances from Louie Cruz Beltran, Mongrama and more. Find out more at OxnardJazzFestival.com
Abigail Fierce will drop by Surfers Point Café for a performance on Sunday, April 23 (11 – 2 pm). Abigail who is a singer/songwriter/actress can be seen on episodes of “Love, Victor,” “This is Us,” and “American Vandal.” This indie-pop singer has a way with storytelling intermingled with great lyrics that captivates audiences wherever she plays.
Quick Notes: JD Drury announced via social media that there will be no Surf Rodeo this summer; The Guitar and Whiskey Club will open for Angel at the Ventura Theater on Wednesday, April 26; Brother Earl and the Cousins will venture out to Ojai for a date at Ojai Valley Brewing on Friday, April 28; Leashless Brewing will host the CD release party for Jacob Marquez & the Good Vibes on Saturday, April 29; and Grammy award winning composer/arranger, Bill Cunliffe plays the Beatrice Wood Center for Arts on Sunday, April 30 playing selections from the George Gershwin Songbook.
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.
Majestic Ventura Theater – April 27, 2023
Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real with guest appearance by Bob Weir (photo: Chris Jensen)
Majestic Ventura Theater – April 26, 2023
Angel (photo: Jeff Donovan)
Chick Singer Night – April 22, 2023
Performers back to front: Dawn Lunsford, Emily De La Cruz, Gaby M, Jodi Farrell, Annette DiNardo, Danielle Taylor (interspersed with supporting band)
MadeWest Brewing Company – April 15, 2023
Negative Tide (photo: Harper Point Photography)
Ojai Valley Brewing – April 14, 2023
Mark Masson and Guil Juliao
Tony’s Pizzeria – April 13, 2023
Keith G and the Universouls
…
Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
Every now and then someone comes to town that just puts on a smile on my face and I’m all in on figuring out how to get tickets the day, nay, the minute they go on sale. Case in point, Elvis Costello and the Imposters with special guest Charlie Sexton was announced and I secured tickets two minutes after they went live. We’re talking about such iconic tunes as “Everyday I Write the Book,” “Pump it Up,” “Alison,” “Watching the Detectives” and “She” which was an integral part of the movie Notting Hill. Ah the memories…remember that time he interrupted the Beastie Boys on Saturday Night Live and they broke into “Radio Radio”? On the same bill, will be Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets. Lowe, by the way, produced Costello’s first five albums. Elvis has two Grammy Awards under his belt and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, and he plays the Majestic Ventura Theater on Wednesday, June 14. Hope to see you there!
Creed Bratton performs at the Ventura Music Hall on Saturday, April 8. Most people probably recognize Creed who played a fictional version of himself on nine seasons of NBC’s “The Office.” But know this, Creed is one heck of a musician having played lead guitar on the first four albums with the legendary Grass Roots. Soon after leaving the band, he continued to release solo records. His most recent record, While the Young Punks, was released in 2018 and he continued to write and record during the pandemic as did most artists with so much time on their hands.
Ventura Music Hall Ticket Link.
Here now a quick public service announcement: Do your homework! I have found anywhere from three to six different ticket vendors selling tickets to the same event, but not at the same price. Case in point, after seeing several complaints about the cost of tickets for Costello, I went to four different vendors and researched general admission tickets. The range went from $132 to $184. The service fees from $15.14 to $40.07 for each ticket. So yeah, do your homework.
Quick Notes: Numbskull Productions bring Good Riddance, Swingin’ Utters and Sweat to the Ventura Room at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on Friday, April 7; Pato Baton returns to Mrs. Olson’s for a night of reggae with Jacob Marques & the Good Vibes opening on Saturday, April 8; Dave Cipriani plays Namba, Saturday, April 8, he’ll also host a workshop at 5 pm; Will Breman from the Voice returns to Winchesters Grill & Saloon on Thursday, April 13; Shaky Feelin’ plays Ojai Valley Brewing on Friday, April 14; and Los Amigos is the band of choice for this month’s Channel Cities Jazz Club Sunday afternoon dance on April 16.
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
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
We have a couple of music festivals lined up over the next week or two taking us from one end of the spectrum to the other, specifically punk to country, and from one end of town to the other, meaning, Ventura to Simi Valley. First, it’s Punk in the Park on Saturday, May 25 with Pennywise, Suicidal Tendancies, Strung Out, Fear, manic Hispanic and more at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, and then its Round Up Music Festival on Saturday, April 1, with Sawyer Brown, Aaron Goodvin, Justin Honsinger and more at Rancho Susana Park. Both of these are ticketed events.
I have more good news and more bad news: The good news, The Violent Femmes added a second performance of their 1983 debut album in its entirety at the Ventura Music Hall on Friday, May 5; the bad news, it’s already sold out too.
Actor Danny Trejo launched a label a few years ago to help emerging artists, and now he has a compilation album dropping March 24, “Trejo’s Music Presents, Souldiez are Forever Volume I” with tracks from Cota & the Vibes, Pepe Marquez, Tarah New, Amoraa, Raquel and more…but hang on! Trejo’s Music Concert Series will make a stop at the Fillmore Towne Theater on Saturday, March 25 with live performances from those same artists and it’s hosted by Jimmy Reyes & Danny Trejo. Tickets available through Event Brite.
The official Libbey Bowl website hasn’t quite gotten around to posting upcoming events, but a couple of ticket outlets are already promoting and selling tickets for a number of them including: Beth Hart (solo) on May 6, Oingo Boingo (former members) on May 7, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on May 20, the rescheduled Judy Collins & Sophie B Hawkins on June 3, Missing Persons on June 3, Gin Blossoms on July 1, and Lyle Lovette on July 7. Beware: all ticket outlets do not charge the same, so shop around, I found tickets on Ticket Center, StubHub and Axs.
The Grape never disappoints. I’m loving the new venue location, its décor, full bar, staff, and stellar entertainment. If you haven’t yet done so, I highly recommend getting on their weekly email list where they highlight upcoming shows. Case in point, they wrote, “Ever heard of a working musician named Paul McCartney? Well, he won’t be able to make it, but this Wednesday (March 22) Denny Seiwell of Paul McCartney and Wings will be taking the stage with John Chiodini on guitar and Carey Frank on B3 Organ. I’m talking world class musicianship on out humble little stage in Ventura California. Life is good.”
Spring Winter Wine Walk & Vendor Fair is Saturday, April 1, downtown Ventura. The wine walk is a ticketed event, but everything else is free to take part of at this event.
Quick Notes: Reggae Thursday nights continue at Tony’s Pizzaria with Morie & the Heavy Hitters on March 23; Decent Criminal plays Gigi’s on Sunday, March 26 (tickets at TicketWeb); Alyse Korn and Robert Kyle CD release performance will be held at Beatrice Wood Center in Ojai on Sunday, March 26; Roman’s Weirdos, Birdbrain and Professional Americans play El Rey Cantina in Camarillo on Sunday, March 26; Cadillac Zack brings Canned Heat to Cantara Cellars on Friday, March 31; and Duane Betts (son of Dickey Betts of the Alman Brothers Band) plays the Ventura Music Hall on Sunday, April 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.
Punk in the Park – Ventura Fairgrounds – March 25, 2023
Fear – Lee Ving below (photo: Tony Cortez
Punk in the Park – Ventura Fairgrounds – March 25, 2023
Dwarves (photo: Tony Cortez)
Punk in the Park – Ventura Fairgrounds – March 25, 2023
Romper (photo: Tony Cortez)
The Grape – March 22, 2023
Denny Seiwell
The Grape – March 18, 2023
Tom Scott featuring Grant Geissman, Mitch Forman, Chris Colangelo, Gary Novak (photo: Seth Brandes)
The Ojai Underground – March 18, 2023
Tara Jeffrey
Winchester’s Grill and Saloon – March 17, 2023
The Pipes
