Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
Namba is offering a special evening of Oscar-winning songs as performed by local artists on Saturday, March 1. The concert will include tunes you’ve come to know and love off the big screen such as “Moon River,” “Over the Rainbow,” and “The Way You Look Tonight.” The roster includes Jodi Farrel, Michael Henszey, Lauren Brown, Kerri Climber, Julie Hamann and more. For tickets and more information go to NambaArts.com.
Legendary artist from Peter, Paul & Mary, Noel Paul Stookey, returns to the Rubicon Theatre for two shows: Monday, March 3 (7p) and Tuesday, March 4 (3p). I don’t need to tell you want an honor it is to have this iconic, five-time Grammy winner, and recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame play our town, “his West Coast ‘home’ theatre.” As a proponent of safe energy, peace and civil rights, you know he has a lot on his mind as he’s quite the master storyteller sharing his thoughts in between songs such as “If I Had a Hammer,” and “Blowin’ in the Wind.” For more information and tickets go to RubiconTheatre.org.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo plays the Ventura Music Hall on Tuesday, March 4. The group out of South Africa is rich in traditional songs from their homeland, they’ve garnered five Grammy Awards over their 63 years performing (nominated for 19), and were the group featured on Paul Simon’s Graceland album in the mid-80s. The group was the brainchild of Joseph Shabalala who retired from performing and handed over the leadership to his three sons, Thulani, Sibongiseni and Thamsanqa Shabalala. This will be a fully seated concert. For more information and to secure your tickets, go to VenturaMusicHall.com.
American Pie Records/American Pie Coffee Shop in Camarillo now offers live music over most weekends. Located on Ventura Blvd., in Camarillo, you can expect an eclectic mix of artists such as Benjamin Buttner on February 21, Aspen on February 22 and Violet Rey on February 28 (most sets run 8 – 10 pm).
The crew from Boots & Brews Country Music Festival announced Kane Brown would be playing this summer, June 29 at Surfers Point Live, Ventura County Fairgrounds. Tickets are on sale now at BootsAndBrews.com.
Quick Notes: The Tom Scott & the LA Express performance at the Grape on Wednesday, February 26, is sold out (but you can hang out at the bar and still enjoy the show); Al Stewart (“Year of the Cat” fame) & the Empty Pockets play the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, February 26; The Mighty Cash Cats play Bombay’s on Friday, February 28; and
Cadillac Zack presents blues artists, Chris Cain, on Wednesday, February 19 at Cantara Cellar (Eventbrite.com); and Jay Nash cancelled his February 21 appearance at the Ojai Underground looking to reschedule later this summer.
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.