Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Here’s to wishing you holidays filled with love, laughter, and of course, lots of music! With that being said, let’s get going with what’s on everybody’s minds, “How to bring in the New Year!”

The following parties are listed in alphabetical order: The Blue Agave will have a DJ, The Boatyard has Karen Eden with Bill Macpherson, then Troy Edwards celebrating on New York time when the ball drops at 9 pm our time (Midnight New York Time), the party starts at 5:30 and goes until 9:30. Café Fiore has a DJ in the Tree House Lounge and Action Down up front. Casa Bella should be hopping with A.D.D. playing all night. It’s the Estrada Brothers at Copa Cubana at the harbor. The Crystal Method will take over Discovery. It’s DJ Sharp at The Garage where they’re putting on a masquerade ball. Grapes and Hops will have the Brandon Ragan Project in the house. It’s What the Funk at the Keynote Lounge, then another earlier celebration on New York time at Leashless Brewing with FIDO. The Saloon BBQ has an 80’s themed promo with DJ, Arockalypse Now will keep it rockin’ at The Star Lounge, and it’s Mark Masson jammin’ at Vintura at the Wine Rack.

Please be safe this New Year’s, there will be plenty of taxis, Lyft and Uber drivers available, so play it safe and plan on a designated driver or alternative ways of getting around.

Quick Notes: Do note that Oak and Main will reopen soon; Bombay’s will offer bands 1 – 11 pm on Saturday, December 22, including sets from Medicine Hat, Blues Bullet, Brother Earl & the Cousins, and Rose Valley Thorns; Discovery hosts a Holiday Jamboree on Sunday, December 23, including The Rays, Rvrboy, VOC, King’s Revenge and Aaron Pax Taylor; The Bearded Clams with actor Patrick Warburton on vocals will take over the Hong Kong Inn on Thursday, December 20, playing nothing but Pearl Jam cover tunes; The Gentleman’s Blues Club return for another Sunday Blues-filled afternoon at Grapes and Hops on December 23; and finally, the Rubicon will end it’s run of Rodger’s & Hammerstein’s South Pacific on Sunday, December 23, but don’t miss their popular fundraiser, Kids for Kids: The Circle of Life on Saturday, December 29, the musical variety show’s proceeds to providing scholarships for summer camps and other educational activities at the Rubicon.

It turns out the Hong Kong Inn plans to continue to keep their doors open while searching for new tenants and Adam and Josh from Squashed Grapes will continue to help book jazz while waiting to open their new jazz club midtown. Keep in touch on VenturaRocks.com but do note they have Tom Scott scheduled for Friday, December 21.

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

After hosting a successful fundraiser for the crew at Squashed Grapes a couple of weeks ago, the good folks at The Hong Kong Inn have temporarily offered their venue for additional events in December. Look for “The Grape Presents” shows including Tuesday night Jazz Jams, The SBCC New World Jazz on December 5, The Doug Webb Group with Danny Carey (TOOL) on December 14, Adam Clark Ensemble on December 19, The Bearded Clams featuring actor Patrick Warbuton (Pearl Jam cover tunes), and Tom Scott on December 21.

After having to cancel (then rescheduling) last year’s event due to losing the venue at the Ventura Fairgrounds due to the Thomas Fire, ChopperFest returns on December 9. Along with all the hot rides, you can check out live music from Bob Carrillo’s Awesome Blues Band, The Midnight Rider Band and The So-Cal Metal Co.

There are several concerts in December at the Ventura Theater that you might not want to miss including Iration playing two nights, December 8 and 9, Dwight Yoakam on December 13, and the 6th Annual Holiday Sing-along on December 16 which is free to the public but they are asking for an unwrapped toy for local residents.

Quick Notes: The newly renovated Star Lounge debuted during the Winter Wine Walk with an updated fresh look and a packed house; along with a live Mariachi Band during dinner on Fridays, The Blue Agave now has DJs on Friday and Saturday nights; The Rubicon Theater is offering Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific December 5 – December 23; the Harpdog Brown & the Uptown Blues Band show has moved from the Hong Kong Inn to Oak and Main on Friday, December 7; there will be a Chopper Fest pre-party at The Tavern on Saturday, December 8, with Jackass and Jan Michael & The Vincents; The Vonettes play an early show at Bombay’s on Saturday, December 8, at 7 pm; you can get into the holiday spirit with Doc the Halls featuring Doc Ventura on Friday, December 15, and the Santa Barbara Flute Ensemble Holiday Show on Saturday, December 16 at Namba; and finally, The Swilly’s play Water’s Edge (formerly Rhumbline) during the Harbor’s Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 15.

And finally, be sure to tune into The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour on KPPQ-LP at 104.1 FM for local artists and artists who have come to the 805 to play who have recorded Christmas music (included a spoken word story from Andria Kidd). Included on my playlist will be original and holiday cover tunes from Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Doc Ventura, Kelly’s Lot, The Robot Uprising and even a recently recorded holiday tune from Robert Gray where I get a special mention. I am so honored!!! My show airs Tuesdays and Fridays at 5:00 pm, and Sundays at Noon.

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

There will be loads of music supporting this year’s Holiday Street Fair and Winter Wine Walk on Saturday, December 1, both from the promoters and several venues downtown. The Museum of Ventura County will host The Bomb with Victor Vega, but you’ll find music on several stages throughout downtown featuring Dax, Adelaide, DJ’s and more. Once you’ve had fun dancing at the corner of Main and California under “snowfall,” be sure to stick around and venture back to the venues for more music. Oak and Main will have Brother Earl and the Cousins, Grapes and Hops have Mikey and the Kryptonites, it’s The Tossers at Winchesters, Frank Barajas and the Corsican Brothers at Vintura at the Wine Rack, and a huge fundraiser at Iron and Resin where they’ll be raising money for Help California with several bands including Noble Grizwald, The Junglecats, Bad Leaf, Alonzo Delano and more.

Hi Hat Entertainment’s final blowout show will be held on Friday, November 23, at the Hong Kong Inn with Deke Dickerson & the Eccofonics, Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps, as well as Hot Roux with two-time Grammy winner, Albert Lee. Please don’t miss the opportunity to thank Jan and Jerry McWorter for bringing so many great blues artists to Ventura over the past ten years

And speaking of offering great artists, this time jazz, we are definitely feeling the void Squashed Grapes has left while they work on getting their new venue ready, and well, they could use a little help to get to the finish line. A benefit has been put together to help raise funds while giving us some jazz relief at the same time. The special concert will be held at the Hong Kong Inn on Sunday, November 25, with Rachel Flowers, Bevan Manson Quartet, mPhaka with Karl Hunter, Native Vibe, Coda and more.

Jodi Farrell’s Music Studio’s 24th Annual Holiday Concert will be held on Saturday, December 1, at Ventura Vineyard Christian Fellowship Church from 3-5 pm. Jodi has put together a special band for this year’s event including Ron Barnett, Jim Rankin, Brad Strickland, Manon Franklin and Ray Dean Mize.

Quick Notes: Friday, November 23, Guy Martin will be recording his show at Grapes and Hops as he hopes to get material for a new CD; classical guitarist, Yuri Liberzon, will perform at Namba on Saturday, November 24; The Gypsy Blues Band has moved their weekly Thursday night residency from the Hong Kong Inn to Oak and Main; Topa Mountain Winery’s annual Yuletide concert will be held Sunday, November 25 featuring Madrigali; Black Star, Bowie tribute band, play The Sewer on Friday, November 30; and finally, if you’re a Beatles fan, you won’t want to miss The Long and Winding Road Show at Ventura Center for Spiritual Living on Saturday, December 1.

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

It’s hard to keep up with when and where all the Halloween parties are this year as venues have been mixing it up providing spooky fun not only the weekend before, but even a few weeks ahead of the actually day. Just know this, you most likely won’t be alone when dressing up on any given day leading up to Halloween. Just a couple of parties of note on Friday, October 26: there’s the annual Halloween Hoedown at Sans Souci with All-A-Blur, Hymen Blasters and more, Leashless has Kyle Rising, at the Keynote you’ll find Classic Rock with Crosscut 805 and Anchor and Bear will play a Halloween show performing the 1969 rooftop Beatles concert at Made West Brewing.

Moving on to Saturday, October 27, the Hong Kong Inn has music all day long starting at 1 pm with over a half dozen bands including Sin Chonies, Beers Brothers, and Hot Cuppa Three; the Darling Dames 3rd annual Halloween Bash will be at The Garage with Sick Boy and The Rip Katz, and The Barrelhouse Wailers will be the featured band for a Halloween “Spookeasy” swing dance party at the Ventura Beach Club.

And then on Sunday, Mick Stover presents a Gentlemen Blues Club production, Jumpin’ Jack Benny, at Grapes and Hops from 4-7 pm. You may know Mick as the bass player for Dive Bar Messiahs, well he’s super stoked to be bringing this award-winning act to Ventura for an afternoon of dancing to Rockin’ Blues, and yes, there will be a Halloween costume contest as well.

Halloween night? All bets are off. Get out, have fun and hopefully music will be involved.

Ambrosia by Caffrodite, recently located at 1987 E. Main Street in midtown Ventura, has launched a Friday night dinner and music weekly series for those who prefer organic Vegetarian and Vegan dinners with light music. Already lined up are Steve Williams, Greg Korzen and Brad Strickland.

Queen Nation returns to Ventura County for a show at Discovery on Friday, November 2, just in time to coincide with the movie “Bohemian Rhapsody in theaters the same day. I recommend you hold off on the movie, and see these guys live first.

Quick Notes: Doug Webb with Danny Carrey (Tool) play the Hong Kong Inn, Wednesday, October 24; Morrisey will play the Ventura Theater on Halloween night with Mazzy Star on the following evening; Tommy Marsh’s the Session this month will feature Mark Sells at Grapes and Hops on Thursday, November 1; and finally, the Ventura County Concert Band will hold their free annual Veteran’s concert featuring patriot music at the Ventura High School Auditorium on Sunday, November 4.

The Star Lounge is closed. I’m hearing they’re undergoing renovations. I’ll keep you updated.

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

After closing their popular music venue Zoey’s in 2014, Steve and Polly Hoganson have found other ways of supporting indie artists mostly of the Americana genre with their Ones to Watch Productions. They sponsor shows throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara counties and the next one will feature Tim Curran with full band, The Brambles and Max Kasch on Thursday, September 27th, in the backroom at Bombay’s Bar and Grill. The backroom allows intimate listening room style concerts; tickets will be available at the door.

The Rubicon Theatre Company will be offering the following two concerts in the next few weeks. First David Burnham (Broadway’s Wicked) and Tami Tappan for two nights, Saturday and Sunday, September 29 and 30; this one is a part of The Goldenson Broadway Concert Series. Then it’s “The Folk Legends” with George Grove, Rick Dougherty and Jerry Siggins (The Kingston Trio, The Limeliters) on Monday and Tuesday, October 1 and 2. Ticket information can be found at RubiconTheatre.org.

Grapes and Hops starts a new monthly show on the first Thursday of the month called The Session Reboot with Tommy Marsh and his first guest on Thursday, October 4, will be Guy Martin. I for one am very happy Tommy has new venue supporting these Blues jams.

Frost and Fire 2018 will fall over three days at the Ventura Theater. Cirith Ungol returns after reuniting a couple of years ago and will headline Thursday night’s show along with Gygax and Sloughfeg; Friday has Midnight, Warbringer and Night Demon; and Saturday’s concert features Satan, Ashbury and Visigoth. To get a complete list of all bands (just a handful mentioned here) go to VenturaTheater.net. By the way, just announced at the Ventura Theater, an evening with Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians, Mazzy Star and Morrissey.

Quick notes: Tony Ybarra will be at Café Fiore Thursday, September 27; Hail the Sun has an in-store performance at Saltzer’s on Friday, September 28 at 6 pm; Rock on the Dock wraps up September shows with Decadent Decades on Saturday the 29th; Vitamin X out of Amsterdam plays a punk show at the Garage on Thursday, October 4; the Colette Lovejoy Band plays Pier Under the Stars on Saturday, October 6; and the Army of Freshmen 20th anniversary show at Discovery October 13, more on that next issue.

I continue to produce radio shows bi-monthly for CAPS Media’s KPPQ-LP at 104.1 FM in and around Ventura, and if you didn’t know, they also stream their radio station on the internet at CAPSMedia.org/Radio. The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour features mostly local artists out of the 805 and airs Tuesdays at 5 with rebroadcasts on Friday at 5 and Sundays at noon. Please help spread the word and support our local musicians!

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

I’m beginning to see several venues pull back on music during the week as summer comes to an end and fall officially begins (September 23), but music continues to abound with special events. Let’s start with two epic celebrations at Plaza Park over the weekend of September 15 and 16. First it’s a “throwback” Boots & Brews on Saturday featuring Montgomery Gentry, Deana Carter, winner of the Voice, Sundance Head and more. And then Sunday it’s the grand finale of the California Beer Festival which is also celebrating its 10-year anniversary; musical performances will feature Hip Hop & R&B legends, Tone Loc and Sir Mix-a-Lot. For all the low down on the different ticket levels for each day, go to CalifornaBeerFestival.com.

The 25th anniversary of Bowlful of Blues falls on Saturday, September 22, and will be held at the beautiful Libbey Bowl in Ojai with performances from Selwyn Birchwood Band, Rod Piazza with special guest Carl Sonny Leyland, Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps, Hot Roux and Kwan Telifaro Project. Tickets can be purchased online at BowlfulofBlues.org.

There’s going to be an End of Summer Block Party hosted by Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation at Buena High School on Saturday, September 15. This family friendly event will feature the Beatles tribute band, Paperback Writer. The event starts at 5 pm with the concert at 7 pm. Tickets start at $20.

In honor of her 10-year anniversary release, Rain Perry will perform Cinderblock Bookshelves at Kim Maxwell Studio over the weekend of September 14 and 15. Advance tickets are recommended at RainPerry.com.

Both Josh Damigo and Brother Earl will perform at Made West Brewing on Wednesday, September 19, for Toast for a Cure, Real Men Wear Pink fundraising event for the American Cancer Society.

You might want to get your tickets now for a couple of upcoming Ventura theater concerts, including Hoobastank, SuicideGirls (two nights), The Selector and the English Beat as well as a Bowie Celebration featuring several artists who played with Bowie over the years including Mike Garson, Mark Plati, Carmine Rojas, Earl Slick and others. For dates and ticket information, go to VenturaTheater.net.

Quick notes: Jodi Farrell’s Music Studio presents their singer’s showcase at Namba on Saturday, September 15; Dad Brains has an in store performance at Salzer’s Records 3 pm on Saturday, September 15; The Rubicon Theatre’s “I Dig Rock and Roll Music” continues through September 16; Cracker plays Discovery on Friday, September 14 with the Morgan Leigh Band opening; Rock on the Dock continues through September with performances on the 15th from Crosscut 805, and a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, Fleetwood’s Bac on the 22nd; and The Shaky Hand String Band out of Colorado will be at Made West Brewing Sunday, September 23.

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

School is back in session, summer is drawing to an end, and yet, Ventura continues to rock! It doesn’t matter what time of year it is in our beachside community, you can always count on an abundance of live music to keep things lively!!

Much love to Discovery these days for the bands they’ve been pulling in. Yes, I love our local bands playing, but that being said, I also love seeing bands like The Original Wailers and Ozomatli (9/7), Blind Melon (9/8) and Gin Blossoms (9/11) play this smaller venue where you can not only get a great meal, but you can get up and close and see these amazing national artists play. I was personally thrilled to see Gin Blossoms on the bill. I caught up with the band’s lead singer, Robin Wilson, who told me about their new album, Mixed Reality, and not only did he tell me it’s been receiving fantastic and positive response both from critics and fans, he also said it’s certainly the band’s best work in the past twenty-five years. Now that’s saying a lot! You can hear more from Robin on The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour which airs on KPPQ-LP 104.1 FM, and online at www.CapsMedia.org/Radio Tuesdays and Fridays at 5 and Sunday at noon.

Rock on the Dock returns to the Ventura Harbor kicking off their unique way to stage concerts with the bands playing on a floating dock, Saturday, September 1 featuring The Bomb, and then it’s Sean Wiggins and Lone Goat on Saturday, September 8. Concerts run 3-6 pm.

The Aloha Festival is back this year and falls over the Labor Day weekend at Promenade Park. No cover, so get out and enjoy the music with performances from Bombafiya, The Question, Rising Son, After the Smoke and Kyle Smith.

The Ventura Nationals cruise into town at the Ventura Fairgrounds on Saturday, September 1 with musical performances from Gamblers Mark, Blazing Haley, Lance Lipinski and the Lovers, Abby Girl and the Real Deal, and Hard Six.

Quick notes: The Rubicon Theater is running the musical, “I Dig Rock and Roll Music for the next couple of weeks; Hat Hat Entertainment at the Hong Kong Inn has Lenny Goldsmith and The New Old Band on Friday, August 31, and Chris Duarte on Friday, September 7; Music Under the Stars wraps up their season Saturday, September 1, with Janeen Puente and her Latin Orchestra; Labor of Love, big band dance, will be held at Poinsettia Pavilion on Friday, September 7, with the Ventura Jazz Orchestra featuring Donna Greene; and Camerata Pacifica will perform Beethoven, Haydn & Brahms at the Museum of Ventura county on Sunday September 9.

And just one final note, Bombay has their annual Beach party over Labor Day; however, no advance listing of bands was submitted for publication. My apologies.

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

And the summer music keeps warming up with several more events this month. First let’s take a look at Beachside Pride 2018 on Saturday, August 18, at Promenade Park. There will be special events from Friday to Saturday but the main event will be held Saturday with music from Lauren Ruth Ward and Echo V and entertainment from drag legends Jackie Beat and Sherry Vine. General admission is $5-$10. By the way, Paddy’s will be hosting a post Pride party that evening.

Spencer Mackenzie’s Throw Down tournament continues to grow with the pot increasing every year. One of the highlights over the weekend is their End of Summer Block Party with a free live concert 6-10 pm on Saturday, August 18. This year they’ll have Johnny and the Love Handles, A.D.D. and Mandex.

The 2018 Wild & Scenic Film Festival is being held outdoors at the Ventura County Credit Union at 2575 Vista Del Mar where you’re invited to bring low-back chairs for the outdoor screening along with performances from Bill Jones & J.Peter Boles, and Midlife Crisis. This one benefits Ventura Land Trust. Get information at www.VenturaLandTrust.org.

Don’t miss the Spazmatics when they perform at the 38th annual Wings Over Camarillo Air and Car Festival on Saturday, August 18th (5-7 pm). This ultimate 80’s cover band will be family friendly and is included in the price of admission. www.WingsOverCamarillo.com.

I have a couple of upcoming events to mark on the calendar, first it’s the California Beer Festival which will be celebrating their ten-year anniversary with two days of suds and music September 15 and 16 at Plaza Park. Just announced for Saturday’s Boots and Brews Country Music Festival are Montgomery Gentry, Deana Carter, Sundance Head (Winner of NBC’s The Voice), Arnie Newman Band and Alexandria Corn. Then on Sunday you won’t want to miss Tone Loc and Sir Mix-a-Lot. Get ticket information at www.CaliforniaBeerFestival.com/Ventura.

And then it’s the 25th Anniversary of Bowlful of Blues which returns to Ojai on Saturday, September 22, with The Selwyn Birchwood Band, Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps, James Harman, Carl Sonny Leyland and Hot Roux. Tickets on sale at www.Bowlfulofblues.org. Post press announcement: Harman had to cancel, the Kwan Telifaro Project will play instead.

Quick notes: Grady Records Refuge has an in store performance on Wednesday, August 15 with The Sheen from Bellingham, WA, Uranium Orchard, Rob Magill and Daniel Masiel; Toy Shop Ghost will perform “art plunk” at Namba on Friday, August 17; Samonky sings Sinatra at the Rubicon on Sunday, August 19; in the house at the Ventura Theater will be Otep on Saturday, August 18, Gavin DeGraw and Phillip Phillips on Sunday, August 19, Ski Mask the Slump God on the 22nd, and Bone Thugs N Harmony on the 25th; Hickoids play Red Cove on Thursday, August 23; and Alan Thornhill and Martin Young play Topa Mountain Winery on Sunday August 19 (3 pm).

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.