Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 8/17 – 8/30

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
“Idols, Icons and more…”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Karen Eden with Olivia Newton-John at W20 at the Watermark, Thursday, August 4, 2016.

Karen Eden with Olivia Newton-John at W20 at the Watermark, Thursday, August 4, 2016.

With the Ventura County Fair behind us leaving us with many cool memories of so many amazing concerts, I would be remissed if I didn’t share one slightly monumental event that took place on Tuesday afternoon. One of our musical treasures we claim as our own is Jimmy Calire who you can find playing here in town with several different bands. I once wrote about stories Calire shared with me when his band Raven played in New York City and Jimi Hendrix would join in on the jam and I even once read that Janis Joplin tried to hire him at one point. Calire also toured with America in the seventies, so it was really cool when America played at the fair and invited Jimmy to join them for their final song, their most iconic tune, “Horse with No Name”. I had to ask Jimmy about it and he modestly told me, “Joining them on the song was great, but just catching up backstage was even better.”

Another anecdotal story I must share with you involves another local artist whom you can find singing her Aussie heart out most weeks here in town, of course I’m speaking of Karen Eden. Mark Hartley of the Watermark specifically had Eden booked for Thursday, August 4, in order to surprise her with one of Eden’s idols. Karen told me, “I was half way through a song when Hartley gave me a mischievous look and out from behind him stepped none other than Olivia Newton-John!” Karen of course immediately recognized her and smiled a huge grin. She told me, “I can’t believe I kept singing!” After the song Karen went up to Olivia and gave her a big hug. Karen got to tell her how she grew up listening to, learning from and loving her. Karen confessed, “She was so lovely; it was a treat of a lifetime for me.” It also turned out that Karen’s guitarist that evening, Cary Park, had played on one of Olivia’s albums back in the 90s. What a night!

And just so you know Mark Hartley, Dave Grohl is my favorite idol. Just sayin’.

Music Under the Stars continues Saturday nights throughout the summer at the historic Olivas Adobe with music from the Shari Puorto Band (Rock ‘n’ Blues) on August 20 and Savor (Santana tribute band) on August 27 which is already sold out.

And finally Spencer Makenzie’s Cornhole Tournament has been growing exponentially gaining recognition as the West Coast’s biggest cornhole/bean bag tournament and though their main focus is the contest, they’re also continuing their End of Summer party with a free concert Saturday, August 27, featuring Mandex. Show starts at 6 with Andre, then Brothers Fortune and the headliners at 8.
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 – 8/3 – 8/16

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
“If the Fair is a Rockin’…”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Concert Scene

Finally, it’s Fair time!!! Yippee! Deep fried foods of all kinds, here I come and I don’t feel too guilty as I’ll be burning off those empty calories dancing to all the great music coming our way. The fair officially opens on Wednesday August 3 (the Fair Parade will be held on Saturday morning the 6th on Main Street downtown Ventura), and will run through Sunday, August 14. Their full entertainment schedule can be found at the fair’s official website (VenturaCountyFair.org). I’m looking forward to Styx, Old Dominion, the return of Joan Jett, and of course one of my favorite bands, Third Eye Blind!

Music Under the Stars continues Saturday nights throughout the summer at the historic Olivas Adobe with Cuban Classica music from Orquesta Charangoa on August 6 and one of the best Beatles tribute bands around, Britain’s Finest on August 13.

Here’s an interesting tidbit, Paul Black (of LA Guns fame) will be returning to Margarita Villa on Saturday, August 13. Black had actually reached out to the venue asking for a slot to play and they were happy to oblige.

I looked over Squashed Grapes’ August calendar for jazz music and trust me, there’s going to be plenty of cool jazz for your hot summer nights culminating with the return of Doug Webb featuring Danny Carey of TOOL on Saturday, August 27. Carey missed the last engagement due to touring conflicts. Other highlights to watch for include the return of Bobby West with Adam Clark on August 3, Anne Hall & the Remarkables on the 7th, the Fair Parade band August 6 (always a good time), Rachel Flowers on the 13th, Colin Bailey on the 25th and D.on Darox and the Melody Joy Bakers on the 26th. Full line up can be found at SquashedGrapes.com/events.

The final installment of Ventura Rocks on CAPS Media has been released. Don’t miss The NaVaNaX airing now on CAPS but it’s also available 24/7 on Ventura Rocks’ YouTube channel. The guys did a spectacular job. Many thanks to the crew at CAPS for the opportunity and for their support of Ventura’s music scene.

And finally, I caught up with lead singer/musician Eric Rachmany of Rebelution who assured me the band will return to Ventura, but on their current tour you’ll have to catch them at the Santa Barbara Bowl on August 13. Eric told me, “Ventura is just as much home for us as Santa Barbara. Back in the day us and Iration had the opportunity to open for Yellowman at the Ventura Theatre. We have some great memories in Ventura. We will be back!” You can read the full interview on VenturaRocks.com, and you’ll most likely want to pick up their latest release, “Falling Into Place.”

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 – 7/20-8/2

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
“Spicy Summer Tunes”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

The French connection back in Ventura: Jean Francois wtih Kelly Zirbes, Perry Robertson of Kelly's Lot.

The French connection back in Ventura: Jean Francois wtih Kelly Zirbes, Perry Robertson of Kelly’s Lot.

The good folks that bring you Ventura’s Wine Walk, Champange on Main and Tequila and Taco Music Festival have moved the latter from the Collection to Ventura’s Plaza Park! The event will run over two days July 23 and 24th with music from Adelaide, Patron Latin Rhythms, Instone, SambaDá and Metalachi. More ticket information can be found at tequilaandtacomusicfestival.com/ventura.

Nashville singer-songwriter Don Gallardo will be performing at Saloon BBQ on Friday, July 29. Gallardo, who’s just recently back from another successful UK tour, will be playing select shows outside of his home base of Nashville to celebrate his summer US release of his acclaimed album, “Hickory” (four stars from MOJO Magazine and named one of the best albums of 2015 by The Telegraph).

It’s the final dates of the Ventura Music Festival with Sergio Mendes, a Celebration of 50 years of Brasil 66 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on Friday July 22, and the last two dates will be held at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center with Ventura Music Festival’s musical director, Nuvi Mehta & Friends on Saturday, July 23 and wrapping it up will be a program entitled “Composers and the Movies” on Sunday July 24.

Music Under the Stars continues Saturday nights throughout the summer at the historic Olivas Adobe with New Orleans style boogie and blues from Porterhouse Bob on July 23 and Queen Nation’s tribute to the rock band Queen on July 30.

And finally, I caught up with the dynamic Kelly Zirbes of Kelly’s Lot who is super jazz that their good friend Jean Francois will be back visiting this summer.  I asked her about how their friendship between she, her husband Perry (Kelly’s Lot guitarist) and Francois began and Kelly told me, “I met Jean Francois in 2010 during a tour in France. We became instant friends and we decided it would be fun to share our love of music and community with each other. Perry and I have traveled to France three times since then to play shows that Jean Francois organized and promoted in the Auvergne region in France. The French community embraced our band so last year I invited eight friends from Ventura to join the band in France and the bonding of Auvergne and Ventura began. A couple band members and I even played on Jean’s new CD, “Death Valley Blues” which was inspired by his first trip to Southern California in 2015. At the end of July, Kelly’s Lot will host Jean Francois for 6 shows here in Southern California; two of which are in Ventura County. The first one is on July 29th at Four Brix Winery in Ventura and then on July 30 at The Maritime Museum in Channel Islands for the annual Oxnard event, Chowder Feat.

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 – 7/6 – 7/19

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
“Summer Music Heating Up”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Raging Arb at Surf Rodeo

Raging Arb at Surf Rodeo

One of my favorite events of the year, Surf Rodeo, is finally upon us over the weekend of July 16th and 17th! You won’t want to miss this year’s music line up with a great eclectic mix of local, near local and national with over two dozen bands continuously playing on two different stages. The crew have it down to fine art while one stage is live, the other is tearing down and setting up the next band. Stationed between the two stages of course is where the surf competitions take place with male and female categories from 13 and under up to 45 and over including a Pro/Open category with $1,000 purse. All seriousness aside, you’ll want to catch the “greased pig” competition where oiled up surfers try to tackle the waves with grace, which of course turns out to be nothing but hilarious.

Music starts at 10 am both days; high on my list of priorities music wise include Dirty Rice, Mark Masson and Phriends, Hy Brasil, The NaVaNaX, No Duh, Spencer the Gardener, The Pullmen, an obligatory set from Raging Arb and the Redheads and of course the headliner, Dave Wakeling and The English Beat who will wrap up the weekend on Sunday.

The Ventura Music Festival’s 22nd season runs July 15 through the 24th with the big ticket being Sergio Mendes, “A Celebration of 50 Years of Brasil 66” on Friday, July 22. Ticket information can be found at VenturaMusicFesitval.org; however, there will be a couple of free events, the first one on Friday, July 15 at 6 pm at the corner of California and Santa Clara with the Festival Brass Quintet and the second one, a Master Class on Saturday morning July 16 in the Ventura college Performing Arts Center.

9 Mile Skid (Grateful Dead tribute band), are calling it day, while a few former members of Bullet Made Statues, StoneFlys, and Trash Honey have come together to form a new band, Goodnight Kiss. The band’s already making their mark on LA whilst playing our local haunts such as Amigos, W20 and Sans Souci.

The Ventura County Fair doesn’t open until the first week in August, so don’t plan on taking your vacation during their run as their music is exceptional from UB40, a return of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and one of my favorites, Third Eye Blind. Of course all music is included in the price of admission; get the lowdown at www.VenturaCountyFair.org.

And finally summer wouldn’t be summer without Music Under the Stars at Olivas Adobe on Saturday nights through September 3rd. July 9th kicks off the season with Mirage – Visions of Fleetwood Mac. All dates and ticket information can be found on the City’s website: www.CityofVentura.net/mus.

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 – 6/22 – 7/5

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
“American Roots Alive in Ventura”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com160617Roadshow Revival is finally here the weekend of June 25 and 26 and will once again will be held at Mission Park downtown Ventura. I asked owner and found of RSR, Ross Emery, about the shift away from a tribute to the Man in Black and he told me, “The change to Roadshow Revival came about after much consideration and moving away from restrictions and monetary investments with the JR CASH estate (I was authorized to use the Johnny Cash Music Festival name on an annual basis).   The Emery Family decided to open up the branding to a celebration of American Roots Music; so we’re now celebrating and showcasing influential music in the 21 century!”

Some of the acts to look for at this year’s Roadshow Revival include John Doe, The Paladins, The Blasters, Robert Gordon, James Intveld, along with local favorites The Vonettes, Jackass, Hard 6 plus a dozen or so more bands. Along with top-notch rockabilly, outlaw country/American Roots music you can check out the awesome Kustom cars and bikes, a Pin-up girl pageant, tons of vendors and a kid’s corral. Get more information and tickets at RoadshowRevival.com.

The City’s 41st annual Fourth of July Street Fair continues this year starting with a Pushem Pullem parade followed by over 300 arts and crafts, vendors, food booths and music.  The City is expecting 30,000 residents and visitors this year. The music line up on several stages includes Rhythm 805, Tom & Milo, Raised on Vinyl, Bar B and the Ranch Hands, the Unusual Suspects, Caliente, and the Iron Mountain Boys. If you want to beat the parking the City will be offering a free bike corral on California Street at Santa Clara as well as free shuttle service from the County Government Center.

The Mighty Cash Cats are making their fourth trip to the Emerald Isle this Summer, as The Pullmen return for their umpteenth tour of France.

Ones to Watch Productions have added additional shows for their showcases at Grapes and Hops on Main Street, downtown Ventura.  You won’t want to miss the Doug Pettibone Band when they play there on Saturday, July 2. As you may know, Doug Pettibone has toured with Jewel, Tracy Chapman, Lucinda Williams, Marianne Faithful and more recently supporting John Mayer on lap steel and guitar.

Sunday Punk Rock Party for June will be held on Sunday, June 26 at Sans Souci with Conquer the Martians, Public Enema, Hymen Blasters and the Schadenfreuders out of Portland, Oregon.

And finally, congratulations to Mark Masson for tying the knot. Mark’s band, Shaky Feelin’ has been racking up the views on our Ventura Rocks YouTube channel.  The next band in the studio to be featured on Ventura Rocks at CAPS Media will be The NaVaNaX!

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 June 8 – June 21

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
“Music and the Arts”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Good Vibrations: A Harmony of Art & Music at Very Ventura.

Good Vibrations: A Harmony of Art & Music at Very Ventura.

Very Ventura is one of the coolest stores in town featuring local vendors. It’s also where you’ll find the Ventura Rocks Music Listening Station which offers recorded music from local musicians. They have a gorgeous gallery towards the back of the store called Gallery V which will host a new exhibit called “Good Vibrations: A Harmony of Art & Music” on June 18th which will run through July 24. Xavier Montes will perform at the opening reception. I’m especially looking forward to seeing the works from one of my favorite rock photographers, Cliff Montgomery; you might have seen his work up at Bombay’s.

Surf Brewery will be celebrating their 5th anniversary with a party in the parking lot all day long featuring live music including Raging Arb and the Redheads, The Slider, Tom Loughman Band and more. Make your plans to join in the fun on Saturday, June 18; the music runs 2-7 pm. They’ll have several specials and are hoping to raise funds for the Notes for Notes program at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Ventura.

Reggae returns to the Tree House at Café Fiore on Sundays now through Labor Day. Catch bands like the Babylon Rockers, Jahmark & the Soulshakers, and Casey Jones & the Reggae Train. Music kicks off at 6 pm.

Watermark has extended their live music to include Thursday evenings 7-9 pm with more of an easy listening vibe including artists such as Karen Eden, Coso, Jade Hendrix and others.

The Ventura premiere of the Rachel Flowers documentary by Lorenzo DeStefano entitled, “Hearing is Believing” will be shown at the Century Theater on June 9; Rachel will be performing at Squashed Grapes on Saturday, June 18.

And speaking of locally produced documentaries, I caught Rain Perry’s new film, “The Shopkeeper”; it’s an amazing piece of work which gives a better understanding of the struggles musicians face. It’s evolves around the life of music producer Mark Hallman, but covers the more important aspect of the evolving music industry and asks the question, “Everybody can make a record, but nobody can make a living. Is there a problem with that?” The film is an excellent platform for starting that dialogue not only with musicians, but with music lovers and our responsibility when it comes to supporting artists. The film will be available eventually on iTunes and Hulu. You can find a Q&A with Rain Perry at VenturaRocks.com.

And finally, by the time we go to press the next episode of Ventura Rocks at CAPS Media featuring Shaky Feelin’ should be up and available on the Ventura Rocks and CAPS Media You Tube channels. The band was super fun to work with and I think an excellent representation of what Ventura’s music scene is all about.

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 5/25 – 6/7

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
“Who to Watch”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

160427_VR-Guitar

Ones to Watch Productions will be hosting a number of showcases at Grapes and Hops on Main Street. Mimi Gilbert will be there on Saturday, May 28, and The Brambles on Saturday, June 4th. Steve and Polly Hoganson (formerly of Zoey’s) most certainly have their fingers on the pulse of up and coming artists to watch for, so be sure to support their showcases here in town!

Radio Skies CD release party will be held indoors and out at the Ventura Beach Club On Saturday, May 28 with several bands and artists on the bill in what they’re calling a “One Night Micro Fest”. If you’re not familiar with them, the band, Radio Skies is out of Ojai, and find their inspiration from the songwriting of Paul Simon, the electronic landscapes of Brian Eno and the spirit of the Grateful Dead with their sound described as folk roots, electronic, psychedelia. Other bands on the line up include Pacific Haze, The Brambles, 9Lives and Brion Shearer.

The Libbey Bowl 2016 season has a number of events lined up for the next several months including several dates for the 70th Ojai Music Festival in June; concerts with Rick Springfield, Ozomatli, Michael McDonald, The Zombies and a special intimate concert with Don Felder of the Eagles benefiting Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation and the Ojai Community Foundation in October; and coming up immediately is an Ojai VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) free Memorial Day concert featuring Veteran speakers, and music from Nordhoff High School, US Air Force Band and the Ventura British Brass. For more information on Libbey shows, check out www.LibbeyBowl.org.

Hi Hat Entertainment has landed at the Hong Kong Inn for their Friday night Blues concerts. Shows on their roster include the boss of boogie Woogie, Rob Rio, who will be in the house on Friday, May 27; Keke Dickerson and the Eccofonics, famous for their Western Rockabilly sound on Friday, June 3rd; and The Bruce Katz Band will be there on Friday, June 10. Katz was inducted into the Blues hall of Fame in 2013. Hi Hat has a solid up line through August; you can check out their line up at www.HiHatEntertainment.com.

By the way, if you’re planning on catching Bad Religion at the Ventura Theater on Thursday, June 2, then you’ll want to extend the fun afterwards at Sans Souci with Mother of Dissension and The Hymen Blasters.

And of course the summer fun officially starts with Roadshow Revival, (now being called) A Celebration of American Roots Music, at Mission Park on June 25th and 26th. I’m looking forward to catching John Doe, The Paladins, The Blasters, Robert Gordon, and tons of other acts performing over the weekend. Information and tickets can be found at www.RoadshowRevival.com.

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 5/11 – 5/24

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
“Local Artist Hitting the Big Time”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Jacob Scesney warming up for the Squashed Grapes St. Patrick's Day Parade float 2015.

Jacob Scesney warming up for the Squashed Grapes St. Patrick’s Day Parade float 2015.

Jacob Scesney is making me super proud…not only has he been touring the world with various bands including Postmodern Jukebox, but he’s been making the rounds with Mike Posner on the Ellen Show and Late Night with Seth Meyers. Jacob is one of the most talented sax players and hardest working musicians around. If he’s not scheduled you’ll most likely find him sitting in with local bands from Squashed Grapes, to Bombay’s to Amigo’s. He told me that he’ll be out with Posner for a stadium tour all summer with Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato in the lineup, plus, they’ll be on Saturday Night Live and playing a gig at Wembley to an audience of 100,000 in June. He’s a sweetheart of a guy and I couldn’t be more excited about his career!

Shaky Feelin’ CD release party will be held at Bombay’s on Saturday May 21 which is perfect timing as the band will be in the studio with me at the end of the month recording the next episode of Ventura Rocks at CAPS.

A couple of bands coming up at Discovery you won’t to miss, Los Lonely Boys on Thursday, May 19, Spencer the Gardener on Friday the 20th, Big Tweed on Saturday the 21st and Fortunate Youth on Sunday, the 22nd.

Bad Sam Presents TSOL and Guttermouth at The Garage on Friday May 13. And Numbskull Productions is bringing English punk rock band Angelic Upstarts to the Garage with The Rouse opening on Tuesday, May 24.

Noel Paul Stookey of Peter Paul & Mary, will be at the Rubicon Theater for one special performance on Sunday, May 15.

You should get your tickets soon for the Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival for May 28th and 29th with Booker T, Leon Russell, Eric Burdon & the Animals, Barbara Morrison, and more including local musicians and friends, Guy Martin and Kelly’s Lot. See www.SimiCajun.org for tickets.

I’m sorry to report that Blues artist Candye Kane passed away May 6. Kane had performed at the Ventura Blues Club for Hi-Hat Entertainment this past December; Jerry McWorter of Hi-Hat said, “Candye was one of our favorites…a true entertainer, singer, song writer and musician.” Kane was known as “the toughest girl alive” and had been battling cancer for eight years.

And finally, a lot of bands are going into the studio lately and a lot of bands are using crowd funding resources to help cover costs. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that unless the band/artist is not giving anything back in return. If I’m contributing $25 or more of my hard earned dollars, then I want a CD or digital download after the recording process is done. Just sayin’.

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 4/27 – 5/10

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
“Ventura Kids Rock”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

160427_VR-Guitar

I originally moved to Ventura for a radio job at 96-ZTR where I used the air name of Stephanie Rose for several years. Do you remember that classic rock station at 95.9 on the FM dial? Well it’s changed formats a few times over the last few decades and currently they’re known as Old School 959 and they’ll be introducing their new morning show host Jimmy Reyes at Amigo’s Surf Cantina on Friday, May 6. Swing by and enjoy “Old School” tunes with JScratch and DJ Wicked in the mix and Miss Alynette who will be hosting the evening.

You might want to go ahead and secure tickets before it sells out for the Frost & Fire II concert as the show features the return of Cirith Ungol. Last year dozens of folks showed up from around the globe just to get an autograph from a couple of the band members, but this year drummer Robert Garvan (and Ventura resident) is reuniting the band for their first live performance in over 25 years. A European tour can’t be far behind.

The 11th Annual Ventura county Blues Festival with the Delgado Brothers is Saturday, April 30th in Camarillo. This year the festival is dedicated to Alan (BB Chung King) Mirikitani.

Now Ventura has been offing up a DJ on Friday and Saturdays but they’re stepping it up with a “Return to Jazz” evening headed up by Davey Miller on Fridays and then a weekly jazz jam on Wednesday which will be hosted by the likes of monster players like bassist, Bruce Lett and Ric Fierabracci. Other names expected to participate will be Andy Langhamm, Mitch Forman, Nick Mancini and Dennis Hamm.

Copa Cubana in the Ventura Harbor Village has opened its doors with the Estrada Band every Monday night; more music and a fuller menu to come soon. And with the weather warming up, Margarita Villa also in the Ventura Harbor Village is once again providing music out on their patio area and Saloon BBQ downtown is once again consistently providing bands over the weekend.

Bombay’s is hosting a fundraising event supporting the Gull Wings Children’s Museum running all day starting at 11 am until closing with music from Sin Nombre, The Right Amount of Wrong, Phantom Train, Galactic Polecats Hard Six and more. There will also be a car show and a Little Miss Gull Wings pageant hosted by Ms. Cash Bash 2016 and Roadshow Revival contestant, Christini Martini, so mark it on your calendar for Saturday, May 14.

And staying with our kids, the Ventura Music Festival presents its most diverse Rising Stars concert on Friday May 6 at the First United Methodist Church (1338 E. Santa Clara). The 75-minute program begins at 8 pm and includes a 30-member high school choir, seven classical musicians from middle school to college and a jazz quartet. Admission is free.

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 4/13-4/26

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
“Rockin’ from the Avenue to the East End”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

breeze

Pam Baumgardner with Whiskey for Kittens Photo: Elizabeth Rodeno

I met up with owner Mike Toler at Amigos where they’ve been shaping up the menu and fine tuning their nightly music line up. A few of the band/artist residencies have been switched out and he’s offering up Reggae for downtown on Thursdays and will be creating Tuesday Bluesday in early May. Also coming in May, Mondays will be reserved for an open mic with a twist; they’ll be doing a six-week contest where winners win a paid gig at Amigos on a Sunday afternoon.

SPRP (Sunday Punk Rock Party) will be celebrating their first birthday party on Sunday April 24th 1-6 pm at the Garage on the East end of town featuring music from Mother of Dissension, The Lower Echelon, We the Underclass, The Rouse and The NaVaNaX.
Singer songwriter and powerhouse guitar player, Zack Bramhall makes his California debut Friday, April 15th at Ventura Beach Club; he’ll be joined by RJ Mischo.

The Velveteen Band is going back into the studio for their second release with a soft target of Fall 2016. The whole band is taking part in producing it and taking their time on the mixing and mastering process. Baron von Velveteen told me, “After almost 2 years as a band, we’ve really grown together as a team. At its core, this band is going to continue doing what we’ve done from the beginning, being as creative as we can, and having as much fun as possible. Fun and imagination, is the soul of this band, and this world needs to have way more of it! We hope to achieve an album, that tells that story!” You can catch the Velveteen Band on the first Friday of the month at Bombay’s.

Bell Arts Factory on the Avenue will host a screening of John Phaneuf’s film “Points of Light” with a performance by Dan Grimm on Saturday, April 16 at 7 pm. You probably know Phaneuf best as lead singer for Ill Repute, but he’s becoming quite the filmmaker. “Points of Light” highlights the inspiring lives of Barbara Flitt, Becca Porter and Al Earle. There is no cover, but a donation to Bell Arts would be appreciated.

And speaking of Dan Grimm, we’re working on the next episode of Ventura Rocks on CAPS Media with Dan Grimm in the studio featuring solo material and his new band Whiskey for Kittens. You can catch our most recent show with 50 Sticks of Dynamite on VenturaRocks.com.

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.