Category Archives: Ventura Breeze

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 5/8 – 5/21

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Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
It’s still three months away, but I cannot wait for the Ventura County Fair this year! I’m loving their music line up which is always included in the price of admission. The fair runs July 31 through August 11 with music most nights on the Grandstand stage starting with Styx on the July 31, then it’s Martina McBride on Thursday, August 1, with Melissa Etheridge on Friday, August 2. Saturday, August 3 has a triple bill with The Ohio Players, The Emotions and Evelyn “Champagne” King. Sunday is Dia de la Familia concert with X Ambassadors on Monday August 5. Tuesday has two shows, the earlier one features Tommy James and the Shondells and that evening it’s Brothers Osborne. Wednesday, August 7, it’s Daughtry, and then on his “Good to be Bad Tour” – 45 years of Rock, it’s none other than George Thorogood and the Destroyers. I’d say I’m saving my favorite for last, but it is actually the last concert of the fair, and they are one of my all-time favorite bands, it’s Collective Soul on Friday, August 9. The final two days the Grand Stand arena always hosts the P.R.C.A. pro rodeo.

There will be plenty of music at Surf ‘n’ Suds beer festival this year on Saturday, May 18, at Ventura State Beach (entrance at San Pedro Street off Pierpont Blvd). While tasting all the suds and ciders from over 65 breweries, you take in music from Soul Majestic, Flogging Seagulls and DJ Hecktik. For more information and tickets, go to www.SurfBeerFest.com/Ventura.

Quick Notes: Gindick has a new CD, you can get your own copy when he plays Grapes and Hops on Thursday, May 9; There will be a punk show at Concrete Jungle Brewing Friday, May 10; the Spring Swing Big Band Dance with Ventura Jazz Orchestra featuring Donna Greene will be held at Knights of Columbus downtown on Friday, May 10; Mother Sting Ray (formerly Strange Weather) play Oak and Main on Sunday, May 12; Ventura Music Festival presents NICO on Friday, May 10, at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center; Pizza Man Dan on Victoria hosts a Celtic Music Slow Session on the second Tuesday of the month; The Exploited play the Ventura Theater on Friday, May 17; Fluid State is celebrating their anniversary with Ventucky String Band on Saturday, May 18; Maid of Ace out of the UK play Red Cove on Saturday, May 18; The Knit Pickers play Made West on Saturday, May 18; Slim Jim Phantom’s at Discovery on Sunday, May 19; and there will be a fundraising event for Casa at Olivas Adobe on Sunday, May 9, featuring Elvis impersonator, Raymond Michael.

And finally, I’m sorry to report the passing of Patrick Buley last month. He was a well-respected musician and will be missed by our community.
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. For updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 4/24 – 5/7

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by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

It’s always a treat when Noel Paul Stookey from the iconic folk trio, Peter, Paul & Mary, performs at the Rubicon Theatre.  Stookey brings his dry wit and love of humankind in a show called “In These Times” on Sunday, April 28. His appearances always sell out, and this one did as well, so I’m happy to report there will be a second concert on Monday, April 29. I wonder what he’ll talk about.  Hmmm.

The local crew from Army of Freshmen have new music available this month, it’s an EP called “At the End of the Day” featuring acoustic tunes. That one drops April 26; the next day, they’ll perform “unplugged” up in Goleta at The Imperial sharing the stage with Nerf Herder.

Eco Fest not only provides over 80 exhibitors, green education ideas with helpful tips, and children’s activities, but they also offer great music throughout the day. This year they’ll have two stages of music with D.on Darox and the Melody Joy Bakers, Ventucky String Band, Anchor & Bear, Shay Moulder, the Midtones and more.  The annual event will be held at Plaza Park (Santa Clara and Chestnut) on April 27 from 10 am to 4 pm.  Eco Fest is free to the pubic with a bike valet available for those doing their part to reduce their carbon footprint.

Gigi’s will be hosting a couple of shows featuring bands from out of the area.  First on Monday, April 29, it’s Radio Active (Tokyo, Japan), The Wankys (Leicester, UK), Eel (Pittsburgh, PA) and No Divide (Santa Barbara); and then on Friday, May 3, they’ll have MOB 47 (Sweden), along with Phobia, Wichaven and Zoloa. I’m glad to see promoters taking advantage of this space again for live music.

Quick Notes: Amber Olive of Amber & Smoke has a new side gig with the band Mini Driver; Margarita Villa has live music every weekend now, Friday through Sunday; Ray Jaurique and friends play The Blue Room on Wednesdays in the Harbor; Show Me the Body from New York play with Enemy on Thursday, April 25, at the Tavern; Norman Baker out of Seattle plays Namba on Friday, April 26; playing the Sewer for the first time, it’s The Guitar & Whiskey Club on Saturday, April 27; The Popravinas perform Saturday, May 4, at Dargans; Club 805 hosts The Darkside (Cosplay) on May 4; and Robin Trower plays the Ventura Theater on Sunday, May 5.

Congratulations to Adam and Josh for getting the Planning Commissions unanimous approval during their public hearing April 10.  It was a standing room only crowd with so many people speaking in support of opening The Grape Jazz Club.  Now, a little construction upgrades and hopefully the next time I write about the Grape will be to give their opening date.  Well done boys!

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.  For updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 4/10 – 4/23

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by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Before we get into what is currently happening, let’s ensure our future happenings include consistently great jazz by attending and supporting Squashed Grapes on their public hearing so they can reopen at their new location mid-town Ventura. It’s on Wednesday, April 10, at 6 pm in the Council Chambers at Ventura City Hall. I’d love nothing more than a full room showing their support; you don’t need to speak, but you know I will!

Discovery Ventura continues to mix it up not only placing and supporting local bands on the calendar, but they’re booking some really cool national acts like the Average White Band. In fact, I had to double check it wasn’t a tribute band, because well you know, this is extremely cool! They also have Bret Bollinger of Pepper on Thursday, April 11, and one of the best tribute bands around Queen Nation on Friday, April 12. Last year Gin Blossoms did a show there, and while they’re returning to the area, this time they’ll be at Libbey Bowl on June 23.

Namba located on Oak Street has a number of shows coming up including a singer/songwriter showcase on Friday, April 12, with Rachael Lynde, Jade Hendrix, Scott Borel and Ella Dritz. The following evening it’s Charlie Baker’s Neil Young tribute on Saturday, April 13. Sitarist, Will Marsh, performs there on Saturday, April 20.

Quick Notes: Peter Jong of Emerge performs an instrumental rock & fusion set at Red Cove on Thursday, April 11; Camarata Pacifica performs Beethoven, Mozart and more at the Museum of Ventura County on Sunday afternoon, April 14; Tommy Marsh’s Acoustic Crossroads at Winchesters will have as his special guest, his brother Paddy, on Sunday, April 14; there will be a benefit for Step Up Ventura on Saturday afternoon with The Ramblers at Grapes and Hops starting at 3 pm on April 20; Harbor Cove will start having music again (end of Spinnaker at the Harbor) with Jill Martini and the ShrunkeHeads on Friday, April 19, and Gary Ballen on Saturday, April 10; and a special “Emo” show lands at The Tavern on Thursday, April 18, with Skating Polly, Ugly Pop and Jo Passed.

By the way, if you have original music you would like to get played on the radio, just hit me up. The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour continues its bi-monthly shows on CAPS Media’s KPPQ-LP. You not only can catch it at 104.1 FM in and around Ventura, but you can download the MyTuner radio app and listen on your phone or online at www.CapsMedia.org/Radio. The program airs Tuesdays and Fridays at 5 pm and Sundays at noon. It’s an eclectic mix of music so all genres are welcome…just no profanity please.

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. For updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 3/27 – 4/9

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

I love and respect the passion that is the Deadhead and Ventura has more than our fair share of them as The Grateful Dead performed no less than 11 shows here between 1982 and 1987. Returning to the fairgrounds for the third year is the Skull & Roses festival celebrating The Grateful Dead with bands playing all day Friday through Sunday, April 5 – 7 at Seaside Park at the Ventura Fairgrounds. Just a handful of the bands will be Cubensis, Stu Allen & Mars Hotel, Oteil & Friends, Melvin Seals & JGB and a dozen or so more bands. And while Seaside Park does not allow overnight parking, SkullandRoses.com reports camping is allowed in original Lot C by the Beach, and they go on to say, and I quote, that this is, “One of the most potent deadhead power spots on planet earth.” Who knew!

The Ventura Theater has a number of concerts over the next two weeks including All that Remains and Attila on Thursday, March 28, The Offspring performs an acoustic show on Thursday April 4 with Johnny Two Bags opening, but in between, they’ll be helping to raise money for a good cause, with Rockin’ for Autisum featuring local bands on Saturday, March 30 with Fallen Saints, Hologram Empire, The Rays and Raised on Vinyl. It’s only a $10 cover, but I’m sure they’ll accept more.

It’s always a great outing for the entire family when the Ventura County Concert Band puts on shows at the Ventura High School Auditorium. Their next one falls on Sunday, March 31 with “March Madness” beginning at 3 pm and as always, it’s absolutely free to the community.

Quick Notes: Smokey & Friends Monday night residency continues at Copa Cubana, the Jerry McWorter Trio plays Tuesdays; Drug Apts out of Sacramento play The Tavern on Wednesday, March 27, with Sweet Reaper and Gunpowder Empires; it’s rockabilly fun with Bad Luck Gamblers, The Cursed Bastards and Three on a Match at Red Cove on Friday, March 29; both Aaron Orbit and Owen Bucey will perform individual sets of original music at Oak & Main on Saturday, March 30; ramping up for Skull & Roses will be Jerry’s Middle Finger at Discovery on Sunday, March 31 (they also perform at Skull & Roses); Jen Leigh is the featured guest for the Session with Tommy Marsh on Thursday, April 4 at Grapes and Hops; recording artist Gary Swan will be Gypsy Blues Band’s special guest on Thursday, April 4 at the Blue Room in the Ventura Harbor; Yachtley Crew returns to Ventura for a date at Discovery on Saturday, April 6; and if you love the Glam Rock, don’t miss Dolls, The Midnight Devils and others at Red Cove on Saturday, April 6.

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. For updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 3/13/19 – 3/26/19

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

This month marks the 10-year anniversary of VenturaRocks.com. I launched the website on March 17 because…well because it was ready to roll out, no other reason. But it’s great to celebrate on a day where most everyone is happy to be out enjoying live music. So, let’s get to what’s going on music-wise for St. Patrick’s Day this year.

Dargan’s will have live music throughout the day with Irish bagpipers and such; the Brian Faith Band plays the Blue Agave; Kenny Devoe at the Boatyard Pub; Brandon Ragan Project at Copa Cubana; Shawn Jones at Grapes and Hops; along with Lauren Tannenbaum, bag pipers will make an appearance at The Shores (Oxnard); Bleeding Harp plays a special show at the VFW Hall; and as always, it’s a special treat when the Ventura Fire Department Band makes their scheduled appearances on St. Patrick’s Day starting at Social Tap at noon, then the Boat Yard Pub at 1:15, Made West at 2, Garman’s Pub (Santa Paula) at 3:30, Rincon Brewery at 4:45 and wrapping up the day with a downtown crawl at 6 pm.

The Grape has another special event I want to make you aware of, they’ll be presenting an artist out of New York City, Nir Felder, on Thursday, March 14 at the Hong Kong Inn. Felder is currently one of the hottest guitarists of the New York City jazz scene, not only are we lucky to have him play for us in Ventura, but the day before you can catch him on Ellen DeGeneres show.

Quick Notes: Margarita Villa in the Harbor is ramping up their live music again as the weather warms up; Naughty Pine out of Washington bring their brand of reggae to The Garage on Wednesday, March 13; the annual “Let’s Go Out!” ARC event with The Vonettes, and Seth Pettersen & Friends will be at Bombay’s Saturday March 16 from 5-8 pm; MisUnderstood rocks Food Truck Friday at the mall on Friday, March 15; a new duo, Heckel & Jeckel featuring Jerry Breiner and Divebar Steve (Kramer), play Winchesters on Friday, March 15; Uli Jon Roth (Scorpions) plays the Ventura Theater on Sunday, March 24; and finally the next artist to be featured on VenturaRockSpot will be Karen 805, you can find the video interview on VenturaRocks.com mid-March.

By the way, I’d like to invite you to tune in for the Pam Baumgardner Music Hour airing on KPPQ-LP at 104.1 FM, or online at www.CapsMedia.org/Radio, or using the MyTuner app (for your phone). I play local and independent artists in and around the 805 as well as artists who come here to play. The show airs Tuesdays at 5 with rebroadcasts Friday at 5 and Sundays at noon. Oh! And don’t forget to tell a friend!

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. For updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 2/27 – 3/12

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

Let’s talk about ensuring we have jazz in town, and not just every now and then. I’m talking about a venue where you can count on not only local artists having a place to showcase their talent, but a jazz house where world-class musicians travel to Ventura (some actually live here) to play in front of an appreciative audience. Of course, I’m talking about Squashed Grapes re-opening at their new location in mid-town Ventura. If you’d like to weigh in, then you are invited to attend the obligatory public hearing to be held at Ventura City Hall in the Council Chambers on Wednesday, April 10, at 6 pm; please mark it on your calendar now. I’ll be there, and I’m personally inviting you to come help Adam and Josh reopen Squashed Grapes. Long live The Grape!

Sorry to report we’ve lost another venue for live music. I’d like to thank Kristen Shubert for the past few years for running Vintura at the Wine Rack and offering not only a lovely place to hang, a crew happy to describe the wines available but for also supporting Ventura’s music scene by providing an eclectic mix of artists on their stage. Unfortunately, she lost her lease but she went out in fine fashion by selling everything in the venue from bottles of wine at half off, to all items in the store, cushions to artwork. Her last day for music was Monday, February 25, with artists showing up to jam as a final send off.

Quick Notes: The Black Angus at Main and Telephone now offers live music 5:30 – 8:30 pm on Thursdays; The Grape presents Doug Webb featuring Danny Carey (TOOL) at the Hong Kong Inn on Saturday, March 2; Pennywise plays the Ventura Theater, Saturday, March 2, Zoe on Friday, March 8; Salzer’s has an in-store performance from Trouble in the Wind on Friday, March 1 at 6 pm; the Ventura College Symphony Orchestra’s Concertos night will be Saturday, March 2; Bank of Books will have three bands in the house for an all ages show on Saturday, March 9, at 6 pm featuring The Crawdads, The References and King Archie; Luicidal Tendencies, featuring members of Suicidal Tendencies play The Garage on Tuesday, March 5, along with IDecline, Sick Sense and F.S.K.D.; and finally Jodi Farrell will once again highlight her students with a performance workshop at Namba on Saturday, March 9, at noon.

Just a side note, The Lantern Festival seemed to be a success if you’re solely going by the number of people participating. I hope they’ll be back next year, maybe advertise a little more and I hope the weather cooperates with less wind. Of course, it could have been worse, it could have rained.

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. For updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 2/13 – 2/26

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

I am so happy to hear that Surf Rodeo is on again for this year and I just found out it will be in a new location moving from Pierpont Beach to the Ventura Pier. No word on bands yet, but you won’t want to make any vacation plans for the weekend of July 13 and 14.

Another festival will be testing Ventura out, it’s called the Lantern Festival which will be held on Saturday, February 16, with live music from Cardiod, Nightgown and Pretty Polly. This family friendly event will of course feature hundreds of lanterns hanging, yours is included in the price of your ticket which range from $29 to $75 for VIP passes. I found this one on Facebook.

Holy moly, don’t even think I’d forget about Valentine’s Day. Okay, the long and short of it goes like this, we have lovey dovey to total animosity. Let’s start on the lovey dovey side with the Toni Jannotta Jazz Trio at Vintura at the Wine Rack, Bryan McCann at Café Fiore, Warren Takahaski Varon Thomas at The Cave, The Gypsy Blues band continues their weekly residency at The Blue Room next to the Comedy Club in the Harbor, there’s the weekly Bluegrass jam at the Boatyard Pub at the Harbor, then for the harder side of the coin, it’s Danko Jones and Nashville Pussy at Discovery and finally HeWhoCannotBeNamed and the Devros at The Tavern. Good luck!

Quick Notes: Jerry’s Middle Finger with The Alligators will be at the Golden China on Saturday, February 16; El Rey Cantina is hosting a fundraiser for The Young and Brave Foundation with Timmy Curran and Friends performing on Saturday, February 23; Several local spanning several genres have pulled their resources for a Notes for Notes fundraiser at the Ventura Theater on Saturday, February 23, featuring Astreyas, Disrupted Euphoria, Doc Martin Band and Eleven Point Two; a roots rock band out of Portland called Wanderlodge will be working their way through town with a handful of dates including one at Made West Brewing on Saturday, February 16, Topa Topa Brewing Co. on Thursday, February 21, and Winchesters on Friday, February 22; and a Johnny Cash Birthday Bash with the Mighty Cash Cats and Silver Threads will be at Bombay’s on Sunday, February 24, the show starts at 6 pm with no cover charge.

Finally, huge congratulations to Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps for earning a Grammy nomination for this year’s Best Contemporary Blues Album for her 10th album, “Here in Babylon” as well as a huge shout out to Jesse Siebenberg who worked with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper on “Shallow” with Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real. “Shallow” won the Grammy for Best Song Written for visual Media and for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

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 Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 1/30 – 2/12

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

Congratulations to the Ventura Music Festival as they celebrate their Silver Anniversary this year. They announced their 25th year line up earlier this week, so be sure to go to www.VenturaMusicFestival.org to see all the performances scheduled and to pick out which ones you plan on catching this summer. Meanwhile, you can get tickets for their Anderson & Roe Piano Duo at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center on Saturday, February 9.

The Los Angeles version of ARK Kizomba Festival is being held February 8-11 in Ventura this year and while their claim that our City “stays up late” might be stretching it, this is the perfect destination with our ocean breeze at the fairgrounds to help cool off dancers in between sets. As best as I can figure out, it’s three days of dancing, DJs, classes and demonstrations with an all-nighter Friday night kicking off at midnight going until 6 in the morning. For ticket information, DJs, and more understanding, go to www.AmericanRiveraKizombaFestival.com.

Squashed Grapes continues to book jazz shows at the Hong Kong with M’Phaka on Wednesday, January 30 featuring Karl Hunter (Big Bad Voodoo Daddy), Hans Ottsen, Danny Connel & Tyler Hammond; then it’s Tony Ybarra & Friends on Thursday January 31; Jen Staves & the Bluzfish Trio on Friday, February 1; and the return of The Doug Webb Group featuring Danny Carey of TOOL on Saturday, February 2.

The Ventura College Performing Arts Department will be presenting Dido and Aeneas Thursday, January 31, through Sunday, February 3. The opera which was composed over 350 years will be sung in English and has been updated with a modern interpretation covering such themes as cyber bullying, depression, peer pressure and how social medias has changed how we communicate with one another.

Quick Notes: Know, Brosky’s Revolt and Shattered Badget play Concrete Jungle Brewing on Friday, February 1; Salzer’s Records hosts a Meet and Greet with Las Cafeteras at noon on Friday February 1; Four Brix Winery continues their Friday happy hour shows 5:30 – 7:30 with Fido on February 1, and Inna Rude Mood on February 8; Anchor & Bear play Topa Topa Brewing on Friday, February 1; Ventura Bike Hub will offer music for First Fridays on February 1 with Las Criaturas, QVO, Sarah Tonein and Moon Pillow; Last in Line with Fallen Saints plays the Majestic Ventura Theater on Saturday, February 2; Rubicon Theater concert “Side by Side” fall on Saturday and Sunday February 2 and 3; Lee Scratch Perry performs at Discovery Friday, February 8; Medicine Hat and Brother Earl and the Cousins play Sans Souci Saturday, February 8; music returns to Oak and Main on Saturday, February 9 with Mandex; and Camerata Pacifica presents an afternoon of Beethoven & Reich at the Museum of Ventura County Sunday afternoon, February 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 Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 1/16 – 1/29

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

Trust me when I say, you won’t want to miss An Evening of Song & Stories with Chris Hillman at the Museum of Ventura County on Thursday, January 24. Hillman, long-time Ventura resident, was one of the original members of The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and the Desert Rose Band. I was fortunate to see Hillman perform last year at the Lobero Theater, so we are very fortunate to have him in our town in such an intimate setting. You can get tickets through the museum (this will sell out). The legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Famer also loaned the museum some of his memorabilia which is on display through March 31.

Squashed Grapes continues to book jazz shows at the Hong Kong with Jazz Jams on Tuesdays nights; Jimmy Calire and Friends will be there Wednesday, January 16; Bruce Forman performs “The Red Guitar” on Thursday, January 17; it’s Nee’s Bees (features Nee Sackey, Karl Hunter) on Friday, January 18; and Bevan Manson and Friends on Saturday, January 19.

There’s a new venue in Oxnard called 1901 with a “speakeasy” themed bar, and I’m happy to report they offer live music on Friday and Saturday nights. They’re located downstairs from La Dolce Vita Ristorante in Heritage Square.

The extremely dynamic Kelly Zirbes will once again be raising funds for C.A.R.L. This is their 6th annual fundraiser for the Canine Adoption and Rescue League featuring her band Kelly’s Lot. The event will be held at Four Brix Winery on Saturday, January 26 (5:30 – 8:30 pm), featuring Scott Detweiler, Elizabeth Hangan and others in the band.

Made West will be celebrating their third anniversary on Saturday, January 26, with performances from noon until 8 pm featuring Brother Earl and the Cousins, Amargosos, Shay Moulder, Hannah Jobus and Matt Sayles.

Quick Notes: the popular “Celebration of Joni Mitchell” will be performed at Namba, on Friday, January 18; Vendo 81 plays during the Food Truck Friday at the Pacific View Mall on January 18; E.P. Foster Library will offer a free performance at noon by Opera Santa Barbara on Friday, January 18; a benefit for SPARC with Lacy J. Dalton and Dale Poune will be at the Ventura Theater (hosted by actor Malcolm McDowell) Saturday, January 19; local jazz artist, Toni Jannotta will perform her “My Little Heart Ruthie” at Bell Arts Factory on Saturday, January 19; The Rubicon presents Red Hot Mama: The Sophie Tucker Songbook for two performances on Saturday, January 19 and Sunday, January 20; traveling through town, DBT (Driven by Turmoil) and Steeltoe, will make a stop at The Garage on Friday, January 25; and the Unity Theater Collective will hold a fundraiser at Namba on Saturday, January 26 with a “Mamma Mia Sing-along.”

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 Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 1/2 – 1/15

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

Happy New Year! I’m wishing you a year of prosperity, love, friendship and of course lots of live music!!

Let’s start off the year right by helping Crooked Eye Tommy get to Memphis to compete in this year’s International Blues Challenge by attending a fundraising concert at Grapes and Hops on Saturday, January 5. Along with a $20 donation to help out, there will be raffle items including one of Tommy’s guitars. Performers slated on the bill include Michael John, Joey Delgado, Mikey Mo, Ian Mcfadyen, Jodi Farrell, Kelly Zirbes, Shawn Jones, Perry Robertson, Ray Jaurique, Dan Grimm, Eddie Dies and more! The show is scheduled to start at 6 pm.

The Channel Cities Jazz Club is moving their monthly shows to the Pierpont Inn this year. Their first performance will be Sunday, January 27 (1 pm) with an open jazz session. Headlining will be Jimmy McConnell’s Super Big Band. It’s only $10 for members, and $15 for nonmembers.

Congratulations to the Majestic Ventura Theater for partnering with Live Nation on booking future shows this year. We’ll be looking for upgrades on the facility including their sound system. Meanwhile don’t miss the benefit show for SPARC hosted by Malcolm McDowell on Saturday, January 19, with performance from Lacy J. Dalton with Dale Poune.

The good folks from Squashed Grapes will continue to book jazz shows at the Hong Kong Inn while the current owners look for new owners to take over the lease. Jazz Jams return to Tuesdays nights, Dogfish plays Wednesday, January 9, Coda on the 10th, Ben Clatworthy & Friends on the 11th and it’s the Barrelhouse Wailers on Saturday, January 12.

Quick Notes: The Jerry McWorter Trio return to their Tuesday night residency at Copa Cubana on January 8; Rapper Shwayze plays Discovery on Wednesday, January 9; Bluegrass jams continue in the New Year on Thursdays at the Boatyard Pub in the Ventura Harbor; The Hell Toupees and Sick Boy play Sans Souci, Friday, January 11; The Ventura Music Festival Student Jazz Competition will be held at Namba downtown on Sunday, January 13; The Swillys will be entertaining as you enjoy brunch at Traveler’s Café on Sunday, January 13; and finally, Café Fiore will not be having live music on Thursdays for the time being.

Don’t forget to tune in for The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour airing on CAPS Media’s KPPQ-LP every Tuesday and Friday at 5 pm and Sunday’s at noon. I’m grateful for this platform to play artists who might not have the opportunity to have their music played on the radio as I play artists out of the 805 and artists who come to the 805 to play. Listen in at 104.1 FM in and around Ventura, or online at CapsMedia.org/Radio.

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.