Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 12/23 – 1/5

Posted on December 21, 2015 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
“Ventura Rocks Another Year”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Trey O’Toole (Pulse Drumming), Rich Barth (Ventura County Jazz) Colin Bailey (Drummer extraordinaire) Pam Baumgardner (VenturaRocks.com) Tony YBarra (Guitarist)

We’re in the final stretch for 2015 and Ventura Rocks at CAPS Media is finally scheduled. The debut episode features Medicine Hat and will air several times including a Christmas evening broadcast at 8 pm. Go to Capstv.org/program-schedules for all air dates!

Nothing like being one degree of separation from Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Sinatra and more; that’s exactly what went down at Squashed Grapes when drummer extraordinaire, Colin Bailey, was in the house, Saturday, December 19. Mr. Bailey has not only played with the cream of the crop but he was also the drummer for the Charlie Brown Christmas special. Bam!

And just one final note before we move on from Christmas, giving the gift of music is always a treat, especially when you’re supporting local artists and picking up music such as Tommy Marsh’s Crooked Eye Tommy, Butterflies & Snakes; Medicine Hat’s Whiskey and Waves; the self-titled The NaVaNaX; Honey Owl’s Early Bird, The Barrelhouse Wailer’s Last Call; Nathan McEuen’s Side by Side, and so much more! Of course you can go to their websites or be old school and pick up a CD at Salzer’s, Grady’s, or Very Ventura where you’ll find the VenturaRocks.com listening station.

Opening up recently in the former Zoey’s location at 185 E. Santa Clara is Now Ventura featuring higher end Italian and Seafood fare. I went in and met Michael Anthony, one of the partners, and a former bassist for Puddle of Mudd (who are coming to Discovery in early March). Michael gave me the low down on offering live music after they’ve renovated the stage; his vision includes two 45 minute sets Thursday through Saturday. I’ll be keeping tabs and will get them listed as soon as the music is back, but meanwhile they’ll be throwing a New Year’s Eve Bash with William Rottman performing acoustic 80s and 90s covers. Call 667-2200 for reservations and more information.

Ventura will most definitely be off the hook all over town with New Year’s Eve parties, here are just some highlights: The Dive Bar Messiahs at Amigo’s Surf Cantina; Fido and DJ Philocybin at Bombay’s; Big Adventure at Café Fiore; Spencer Fischer and DJ Lunatic at Discovery; Shawn Jones and Friends at Grapes and Hops; Action Down at The Keynote Lounge; 3 in the Morning, The Free and Natural Human Beings at Red Cove; DJ Logic at Rookees; DJ Spinobi at Sans Souci; Cross Cut at the Star Lounge; DJs will be featured at a NYE Masquerade Ball at The Tavern; Shaky Feelin’, The Christopher Hawley Rollers, 9 Lives and more at the Ventura Beach Club; DJ Erok and DJ Ciera at the Watermark, The Ventura Jazz Collective at the Wine Rack and the biggest show of them all is WAR with Tierra at the Majestic Ventura Theater.

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 12/9 – 12/22

Posted on December 8, 2015 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
“Holiday Fun”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Medicine Hat recording Ventura Rocks music show at CAPS Media

Though the evening isn’t really about the music (hint: it’s about the wine), the Ventura Winter Wine Walk was a huge success with live music at the corner of Main and California. There’s nothing quite like families coming out on a gorgeous December evening with men on stilts, women hula hoop dancing, snow falling while dancing to popular R&B and funk tunes from the Bomb on a huge stage, with professional lighting while City Hall is lit up in the background. Along with the tree lighting ceremony, and the Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights, this has become my favorite holiday tradition.

Speaking of which, the Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights runs December 18 and 19. I hear you can get a pair of 3D glasses to watch the fireworks display while supplies last at Coastal Cone Ice Cream parlor. I’m not sure how the glasses will enhance fireworks as they’re already 3D, but I’m sure they’ll be in high demand. The two-day celebration includes music, a carnival with rides on the main lawn, fireworks, and decorated boats with this year’s theme, “Surf, Sand & Santa Celebrating 150 Years of Ventura.” Be sure to be on the watch for Santa making an earlier flyby during the evening.

RJ Mischo & the Down Home trio have begun a Tuesday night residency this month at the 805 Bar and Grill Cheese. I’m hearing the Copa Cubana (next to the 805 Bar) is getting close to opening soon.

The Watermark will host The Pullmen’s “Going Dark” vinyl release Xmas party on Friday, December 18. The event will be held on the ground floor as upstairs will be closed for a private party that evening.

It promises to be yet another “one of those evenings” at Squashed Grapes on Saturday, December 19th when The Frank Potenza Trio will be in the house. The trio features Potenza (Joe Pass, Dizzy Gillespie, George Van Eps and more), who is a professor of jazz guitar at USC Thorton School of Music; Jim Hughart (Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Pass and Tom Waits, Sinatra and more); and Colin Bailey. I love that Bailey was the drummer on the Charlie Brown Christmas special, in fact, he’s done over 100 jazz albums, T.V. shows and toured with Benny Goodman and Joe Pass. Earlier the same day, Bailey will be holding a drum clinic across the street at Pulse Drumming. Get tickets and/or sign up for the clinic at Pulsedrumming.com.

We’re working on post production of the debut episode of Ventura Rocks music show on CAPS Media featuring Medicine Hat. CAPS, Community Access Partners of San Buenaventura is a private non-profit television channel available through Time Warner and Charter. Check in with VenturaRocks.com for updates on when the program will air this month.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 11/25 – 12/8

Posted on November 24, 2015 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
“The Holidays are officially here!”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Everclear at the Ventura Theater November 22, 2015.

Everclear’s 20th anniversary tour featuring their release, “Sparkle and Fade” was well received Sunday, November 22 at the Ventura Theater; but with that being said, the crowd was extremely happy to hear other tunes as well from the band including the final songs of the night, ”Father of Mine” and “Santa Monica.”

Well, it’s time to confront the fact that the holidays are officially here. Bombay’s will be inspiring people to get out the night before Thanksgiving by providing two stages of music: up front it’s Tommy Marsh and the Session with a four hour blues jam being billed as biggest night in their four year history, and in the back room it’s Shaky Feelin’ and Nine Mile Skid.

As for the night after you’ve spent time with the family, you can work out the pent up frustrations at Sans Souci where you can find one hell of a punk show with F.S.K.D, Filios, We are the Underclass and Malice Thoughts. But on the off chance you’re looking for something a little tamer (and perhaps you enjoyed the time with family) you might want to check out the Jim Hendrix Birthday tribute at Squashed Grapes.

If you’re looking to get into the Christmas spirit, then there’s nothing like a Toy Drive for underprivileged kids coupled with an evening of great Blues to do the trick. The 15th annual 4 Kids 2 Kids Toy Drive will be held Sunday, December 6 at the Ventura Beach Club. $15 and an unwrapped toy gets you Deb Ryder, Kelly Zirbes, Donna Greene, Shari Puorto, and tons of other artists including honorary guest Nick St. Nicolas (Steppenwolf).

There are two workshops worth mentioning for local musicians as they are most likely to sell out and both are being held at the Pierpont Inn in January. The first is “Down to the Crossroads” five-day Blues guitar and bass retreat January 19-23 (www.Down2TheCrossroads.com) and then it’s Jon Gindick’s Blues Harmonica Jam Camp which runs January 26 – 30 (www.BluesHarmonicaJamCamp.com). You can step up your game and move up to the next level with intensive instruction in an inspiring environment!

Don’t forget, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to catch Kinky Friedman and his unique brand of storytelling in an intimate setting at the Livery (Ventura Improv Theater) on December 4. He’ll be sharing songs from his latest CD, “The Loneliest Man I Ever Met.” Ticket information at www.OnesToWatchProductions.com.

And finally, one of my favorite events of the year, the Winter Wine Walk will once again shut down Main Street Downtown Ventura for what is touted as the World’s Largest Wine Walk. Musical entertainment by The Road Brothers, SayReal, Paradium and the Bomb. Ticket information can be found at www.VenturaWinterWineWalk.com

A Call to Venues and Artists

Posted on November 14, 2015 by venturarocks

Dear Friends,

As most of you know, I use this Facebook page to administer the Ventura Rocks-Website Facebook page and to help promote Ventura’s music scene. And as you probably noticed, the rules on Facebook have evolved over the years and the magic formula for what comes up consistently on the Facebook news feeds turns out to be money, not popularity and I can not afford to pay for ads.

The truth is, I use social media – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – to support the website I created in 2009, www.VenturaRocks.com. I update it every single morning and people are encouraged to use it when they go out to see where all the music can be found. It’s a terrific resource! We get over 10,000 hits monthly. Everything you need to follow Ventura’s music scene can be found there. Everything that I know about that is…so here’s the problem:

I still don’t get told who is playing at certain venues. So when I don’t list a venue, it is because they don’t tell me about their music lineup. Trust me, I ask. I ask EVERY SINGLE WEEK. I don’t blackball venues (or artists for that matter). And if I missed an event that I was told about, I promise you this, it was an oversight or mistake.

Here’s the bigger problem. I’m tired after almost seven years of being on alert for changes and updates and being connected on Facebook. I’ve been the only person creating VenturaRocks.com for the past couple of years, and I can’t do it anymore. And just so you know, I’ve gotten info via flyers on street corners, Facebook, Facebook messages, Facebook invites, Twitter, Instagram, word of mouth, venue websites, phone calls, texts… it’s exhausting! I actually have two jobs to do in between VenturaRocks.com. So it is time to organize so I can help more effectively and to try to avoid the exhausion which has attempted to overtake me.

So please, I want to help, but I need your help too. If you are a musician, and especially if you are a venue, please email me your information. I can’t monitor Facebook newsfeeds all day. I will check in a few times a week and if I see a poster for a gig, I will save it and schedule it to be posted (I LOVE THAT SCHEDULING FEATURING by the way!).

I’ve proven that I want to help. I’ve proven that I’m not trying to get money out of venues to advertise. The fact that a couple of venue owners and artists have made donations and bought additional advertising or t-shirts, or comp me a beverage or a meal warms my heart and I truly feel the love and support. Thank you!

I would like to continue to create VenturaRocks.com and all I ask is for music updates and/or changes be sent to me via email. Remember, MOST people are NOT on Facebook!!! And it takes just a few minutes monthly or weekly to send me your calendar.

Thank you,

Pam@VenturaRocks.com

p.s. I do appreciate being told about last minute changes, and if I’m near a computer or have my laptop with me, I will update the website.

p.s.s. I know so many musicians depend on Facebook but I truly encourage you to connect with me via email. That’s insurance I will know about your gig, and I can help promote it and I won’t feel like an idiot when I go out and see you playing somewhere that I didn’t hear about.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 11/11 – 11/24

Posted on November 11, 2015 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
“Blues to jazz and all points in between”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Ashford Gordon and Glade Rasmussen at the Hong Kong Inn’s Blues Jam Sunday.

The Hong Kong Inn has started hosting a monthly Blues Jam Session on what will be the first Sunday of the month. The kick-off session was on Sunday November 8 with Ashford Gordon supported by Ray Jaurique, Glade Rasmussen and Chris Jensen. All players of all skill levels are welcome to sit in during the second set.

Having signed a distribution deal with Mesa Blue Moon Records last month, Nathan McEuen has been pulling out all the stops, touring more aggressively and will be making a stop at Salzer’s Records on Friday, November 13. Get out and support Nathan who will have Jesse Olema and special guests with him, but more importantly, pick up a copy of his latest release, “Side by Side”.

Our good friend Dan Grimm with his brand of California Flip-Floppy-Tonkiness returns to the Wine Rack for a gig on Friday, November 20; there’s no denying Grimm’s love for Ventura when he sings original material such as “Two Trees” or “Ventucky.” Meanwhile, Mike Cregan continues his Monday night residency and Frank Barajas and Doug Johnson have taken over Tuesday nights.

The Channel Cities Jazz Club will feature Clyde Reaslinger Big Band on November 15 at the Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club in the Channel Islands Harbor. The proceeds will be split between CCJC’s Jazz Camp Scholarship fund and the Pacific Corinthian Youth Foundation. Besides giving musicians of all ages a forum to perform and share jazz, the club’s mission is to build bonds between generations and to enhance musical educational opportunities for youth.

Doug Webb returns to Squashed Grapes with not only Steve Fister, Jimmy Earl and Danny Carey of Tool, but added to the mix this time will be Mike Garson on Piano. Garson has worked with the likes of David Bowie, Nine Inch Nails, Smashing Pumpkins and No Doubt. This promises to be the epitome of the expression, “Off the Hook.” Tickets are on sale for Saturday, November 14 at Squashed Grapes; downbeat is 7 pm.

I’ll admit I’m a tad giddy with anticipation for a several shows coming up at the Majestic Ventura Theater. There’s Pepper on November 21, Everclear’s 20^th Anniversary of Sparkle and Fade on November 22 and Sublime with Rome on November 27. By the way, Rebelution returns for two shows in March, don’t miss out and get your tickets soon as they always sell out.

And finally, local musician Gary Best has invited everyone out for an afternoon of Los Dudes at Grapes and Hops on Sunday, November 15 before he goes in for heart surgery. He’s been taking care of the body and getting healthy, and we love and support him in all those endeavors.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 10/28 – 11/10

Posted on October 28, 2015 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
“Beauty is in the Eye of the Beer Holder”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Caption: The Kiefer Sutherland Band at W20 at the Watermark October 23, 2015.

I was happily surprised by the Kiefer Sutherland show Friday, October 23, at W20 at the Watermark. I not sure what I expected, nor why I would expect anything less from one of my favorite actors, but Kiefer was entertaining! The set was well received by his fans, some of which traveled quite a way to catch the show. He offered up original rock songs to a few covers including one from Gordon Lightfoot. His band was tight and his gravely whiskey voice was spot on sexy as hell. I caught up with him after the show and he was very happy with the response and with the outpouring of support. The man’s got talent.

Halloween is upon us and most venues will be pulling out the stops hoping to pack their joints by enticing revelers with decorations, costume contests, drink specials and of course music. From the Greek at the Harbor to the Star Lounge downtown, Ventura will be a happening place. You can check the calendar listing here in the Breeze, or go to VenturaRocks.com for any additional updates. All the popular cover bands will be rockin’ all the popular places along with Candyland at Discovery, and Mandex with Pistols ‘n’ Pilez, deemed Ventura’s drunkest Guns and Roses tribute band as they perform the entire album “Appetite for Destruction” at Bombay’s.

But to kick off Halloween you won’t want to miss the 50 Sticks of Dynamite CD release party at Bombay’s for their latest release, “Carry Me Down to My Grave.” I snagged a copy when the boys joined me at CAPS Media for the pilot program of Ventura Rocks (air date to be announced soon). They were the perfect band to kick off what we hope will be a popular feature at CAPS; and between you and me, I haven’t gotten the title track out of me head since we were in the studio…and that’s a good thing.

Polly and Steve Hoganson’s “Ones to Watch Productions” will be bringing Kinky Friedman to the Livery at the Improv Theater downtown Ventura for a show on December 4th. You know this show is going to be a hoot; Kinky was the one who originally said, “I support gay marriage. I believe they have a right to be as miserable as the rest of us.” He’s also quoted as saying, “Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.” If you have no sense of humor that you are aware of, or you’re easily offended, you might want to skip this one; otherwise, if you enjoy a quick wit, you’ll want to catch this iconic country singer; I hope you’ll help pack the joint and give him a well-deserved warm welcome. For this and other shows including those at the Carpinteria Playhouse, go to OnesToWatchProductions.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 10/14 – 10/27

Posted on October 12, 2015 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
Erin Go Bragh!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
The Seaside Highland Games came and went taking those gorgeous men and beautiful women in kilts with them. I stopped in to check out the Celtic music and I wasn’t disappointed; crowd favorites were The Angry Brians, Tannahill Weavers and Highland Way, I’m certainly looking forward to next year’s event and may even be bold enough to try haggis, but probably not.

Congratulations to Plan B Wine Cellars on their 3rd anniversary! They partied in fine form with Jen Staves and the Bluzfish on Sunday, October 11.

Local hip hop artist, Michael Crawford drops his new album “Escape Artist” on October 16 with a CD release party at the Tavern. I was sent an advance copy and yeah, the man’s got talent.

Frost and Fire, a heavy metal festival will take over Bombay’s on October 17th with such bands as Manilla Road from Wichita, KS, Ashbury from Tucson, AZ our very own Night Demon over a half dozen more bands. There will also be a meet and greet with Tim Baker and Robert Garven of Cirith Ungol. Doors open at 4:30 pm.

Mike Toler is the official new owner of Amigos and he’s brought in his good friend Luke O’Dea to help out with booking bands, promotion and social media. I’ve been assured they plan to offer a variety bands 365 days a year. It’s all good news with the exception of losing Bernadette who will be returning to England this month. Mike is throwing her a farewell party on Saturday, October 17, so swing by to say goodbye and wish her well.

Three-time Grammy winner Tom Scott returns to Squashed Grapes October 24, and it will be another first for the Grape when they offer two seatings in one night. Both are only $10 with 7 and 9 pm show times.

Oh! And I have to share about the extraordinary night recently at Squashed Grapes when Bruce Forman performed the Red Guitar. The place was at capacity, and you literally could have heard a pin drop the audience was so captivated. The second set Forman brought up his special guest whom he had teased earlier on social media stating he couldn’t say who it was for “contractual reasons.” Well it turned out to be Tierney Sutton who sang requests the entire second set. Five time Grammy nominated and the 2005 Jazzweek Vocalist of the year, Sutton heads up the Tierney Sutton Band who have headlined the Hollywood Bowl, the Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. Yeah, it was intense and a privilege to witness.

And finally, don’t forget Kiefer Sutherland will be at W20 at the Watermark on Friday, October 23. Ten-dollar tickets will be available the night of the show. Doors open at 7 pm.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 9/30 – 10/13

Posted on September 28, 2015 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
The Hits Keep on Coming
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

The Pullmen played to a packed house at Bombay’s on Friday, September 25th. Their new CD, “Going Dark” hits the streets October 9. They’ll be touring Europe through the end of October.

Keifer Sutherland will be rolling into town with his band on Friday, October 23, when he’ll be playing an intimate show at W20 at the Watermark. Even though there are no advance tickets (everyone pays at the door day of the show), you should mark this on your calendar now. Only 120 people will be admitted and tickets are only $10. Mark Hartley, owner of W20/Watermark told me he’s really looking forward to this one and it turns out he’s a big fan of “24”.

Robert Cray’s latest CD/DVD was released this summer featuring some of the footage of his show last year in Ventura. The “4 Nights of 40 Years Live” is available everywhere including Amazon.com and locally at Salzer’s. Shawn Jones opened for Cray that night and apparently open doors as he’s been asked to tour with The Robert Cray Band this month in Europe. I asked Shawn about it. He said, “It’s one of the biggest honors of my career! I have been a Cray fan for over 30 years now. This is another level of respect for me! Knowing he is a fantastic guy as well helps; I am beside myself actually!”

The Wine Rack has been busy booking stellar bands and artists. You can ease back into the work week with their Monday night residency though October with Michael Cregan, then the Tim Carroll band on Tuesdays with Doug Johnson on drums. They also have live music most Thursdays and every Friday and Saturday. Dirk Shumaker (Big Bad Voodoo Daddy) and Trey O’Toole (Pulse Drumming) will be back on Friday, October 2^nd, and I’m also looking forward to Christine Olive an Australian artist who is a surfer, environmentalist and singer/songwriter who has been touring the Southern California area making a stop at the Wine Rack on Friday October 9.

The annual Seaside Highland Games take over the Ventura Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday October 9^th and 10^th with fun and games for the entire family including live music from Tannahill Weavers, Celtic Spring, The Angry Brians, Golden Bough and Highway Way.

And finally there’s a new performance venue – Namba – which will be featuring “Music Speaks” on four consecutive Sundays in October. The event will be hosted and moderated by jazz vocalist and songwriter, Toni Jannotta. The four early evening performances will be featured in this order: October 4^th with three-time Emmy award winner Bill Richmond, October 11^th with Alan Thornhill, October 18 Hekar Rivera and Steve Sunnarborg, and then finally on October 25^th it’s Kiki Ebsen, daughter of the late Buddy Ebsen. Namba is nestled in the middle of downtown Ventura at 47 South Oak Street. Call (805) 628-9250 for ticket information.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 9/16 – 9/29

Posted on September 14, 2015 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
Ventura Keeps Rockin’
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Michael John and the Bottom Line return this year to the California Blues and Brews Festival.

It’s that time of year again when the California Beer Festival rolls into town with several events during the week including a food pairing competition, a Craft Beer Heaven day and of course the highlight of the event the California Blues and Brews Festival on Sunday, September 20 at Mission Park, downtown Ventura. The day promises to be filled with the some of the hottest blues around on two stages featuring Walter Trout, Booker T, Mingo Fishtrap, Mr. Sipp, The Bomb and Michael John and the Bottom Line. You can get all the ticket information at www.CaliforniaBluesFestival.com. While you’re there, be sure to swing by the VenturaRocks.com tent to say hello!

Punk Rock Sunday features seven hours of punk-filled music on Sunday, September 27th with the Hymen Blasters, Cupcake, the NaVaNaX, All-a-Blur, My Modern Valentinue, Kang Gang and more. This one’s being held at the Ventura Beach Club at the very end of Main Street right before the 33 Freeway.

The Rock on the Dock series continues at the Ventura Harbor on Saturday, September 19, with the Hard-Times Band, then the following week they’ll have two days of music, first Friday the 25th with two sets at 2:00 and 4:30 with Unkle Monkey, then Saturday the 26th with Smokey & Friends. Saturday set times run 3-6 pm.

The Pullmen will be releasing their new album, “Going Dark” on October 9, then they’ll hit the road to support it with their first stop in Paris, France; but before they go all European on us, you’ll be able to catch them live at their Europe Tour Pre-party at Bombay’s on Friday, September 25th. The new release includes ten new songs featuring their high energy alt/rock thrashing country vibe which will also be available on vinyl.

Congratulations to Zachary James and Alexandra for tying the knot earlier this month up in Oakland, California. The two have been supporting each other the past few years musically speaking with their bands, Zachary James and the All Seeing Eyes, and Alexandra and the Starlight Band.

And finally, just a head’s up that the good folks at CAPS TV have approached me recently to talk about hosting a music program highlighting local bands and I’m happy to report the project has been given the “Green Light!” More to come as we close in on our debut episode, but we will feature Ventura music news updates, we will have local photographers sharing their favorite photos of live music, and we will have bands and solo artists in the studio performing along with a Q&A session. If you don’t have cable, the programs will be available online, and soon, we plan to offer live streaming. Yeah, this is going to ROCK!

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 9/2 – 9/15

Posted on September 1, 2015 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
Summer in the City
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

The Velveteen Band will perform at Bombay’s 31st Annual Beach Party on Friday, September 4.

There are plenty of “End of Summer” bashes – though summer isn’t officially over until September 23, but who’s keeping tabs? The Pierpont Inn’s BBQ series ends with a huge bang as they welcome back Dirty Rice on Thursday, September 3rd. If you were there the last time the band played, then you know you should get there early to nab a seat and order up some delicious grub!

And then of course Bombay’s 31st annual End of Summer Beach Party runs the first weekend of September with bands rockin’ the joint on the front stage, back stage, and outdoor stage. Their full itinerary is listed on VenturaRocks.com, but some of the bands to watch for are Hy Brasil, The Velveteen Band, Rubberneck Lions, Raging Arb and the Redheads, Rey Fresco, The Darkside of the Hand, 50 Sticks of Dynamite, Bloody Mary Morning, The Jelly, Brother Fortune, and of course Gygax!

Here are just a few concerts coming up at the Ventura Theater that you may not want to miss: The Deftones on Saturday, October 31; The Misfits on Thursday, November 12; Pepper on Saturday, November 21; Dwight Yoakam on Friday, December 11 and I already snagged my ticket for the 20th Anniversary of Everclear’s Sparkle and Fade Tour, on Sunday, November 22.

W20 at the Watermark has been offering more Thursday night Guitar Pulls with Shawn Jones and friends. If you’re a fan of flat out amazing guitar playing, you should make it a point to attend the next one. Thursday, August 27th, Shawn and Joe Baugh had Tariqh Akoni in the house; Akoni has played with such artists as Josh Groban, Christina Aguilera, Elton John, Smokey Robinson and Tom Scott (to name just a few).

Speaking of Tom Scott, we can all call him neighbor the next time we bump into him at the supermarket having just moved to Ventura; but more importantly, don’t miss him the next time he plays at Squashed Grapes which we hope will be often. His sold out performance on Friday, August 28, was flat out amazing. He’s not only uber talented, but the audience enjoyed the back story from Scott on many of the songs the band performed. He happily shook hands and signed CDs; he’s a class act for sure.

And then finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t report that Squashed Grapes will be leaving their jazz format for the night of Friday, September 18 when they’ll have a Jimi Hendrix Memorial Performance with Jimi’s cousin, Riki Hendrix who has recorded and toured with Buddy Miles, and Billy Cox who were both original members of Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsies. The night will be hosted by Rosa Lee Brooks, Jimi’s legendary love interest who was featured on the first two songs he ever recorded. Reserve your seat ASAP.

Ventura Rocks

Yeah it Does!

Category Archives: Ventura Rocks