Ventura Music Scene 7/26/23 – 8/8/23

Posted on July 26, 2023 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.comI’m happy to report Ventura survived the X Games. You’d think by some of the social media posts that the city was going to be shut down with gridlock and overtaken by outsiders. The traffic was no worse than it is for the fair (which opens August 2), in fact, it was better. Great traffic control and I was amongst those who chose to ride their bikes. Though the “live music” turned out to be DJs (not live in my book), I loved watching the competitions, and well…just being a part of this fantastic event! Plus, Tony Hawk was hanging out after the event downtown. Well done, Ventura!!

Now they’ll be tearing down all that was built up for the X Games, and the Ventura County Fair will run August 2 – 13 with eight free concerts: Midland, Patti Labelle, Collective Soul, Ashanti, Dia de la Familia, Trace Adkins, 38 Special and Tesla. Of course, outside the grandstand arena, live music abounds on a couple of different stages featuring lots of your favorite local bands including Shaky Feelin’, Operation 90s, Sean Wiggins & Lone Goat, and more.

Ventura Music Hall has added a number of shows several of which piqued my interest. First off, Keanu Reeves is back at it and touring with Dogstar making a stop here in town on Saturday, August 26 (already sold out!) with what is being called the “Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees” tour which is the name of their next release which lands on all platforms October 6. Next on my personal list, The Struts on December 6, and then Black Flag on January 14. It’s interesting that past Black Flag lead singer, Henry Rollins, will be there November 7 with a “Good to See You” spoken-word sit-down show.

Harbor View Park 2023 Concerts by the Sea series continues with shows 4-6 pm on Saturday afternoons. Nautical Thrust plays July 29 and Ray Jaurique and the Uptown Brothers on August 5. This one is located at 3850 Harbor Blvd. in Oxnard, where you’re welcomed to bring picnics, blankets and lawn chairs.

The Grape continues to bring stellar jazz musicians to town. Earlier this month Poncho Sanchez played two sold out shows. Coming up soon they have Max Haymer who has won 2nd place at the Montreux Jazz Festival Solo Piano Competition and the Great American Jazz Piano Competition in Jacksonville Florida. Ronnie Foster returns with a promoting is first record in 36 years; you’ve most likely heard his soulful playing, whether from his standout performance on “Summer Soft” from Stevie Wonder’s 1976 masterwork Songs In The Key Of Life, best-selling George Benson albums including Breezin’, or A Tribe Called Quest’s classic hip-hop track “Electric Relaxation.” And no stranger to Grape patrons, Doug Webb returns with Danny Carey of Tool for a special Sunday evening performance on August 6.

Quick Notes: Perla Batalla plays a sold out show at the Ojai Underground on Friday, July 28; Andrew DeVries plays Surfers Point Café on Saturday July 29; Dreamland, a celebration of Joni Mitchell featuring Kimberly Ford will be at the Grape on July 29. Libbey Bowl concerts include Which One’s Pink on Saturday, August 5, and Chris Isaak on Sunday, August 7; Friday evening Heritage Square Summer Concert Series continues with Los Xiquenos on July 28 and The Reunion on August 7; Rey Fresco plays the Deer Lodge on Saturday, August 5; the Saturday evening Music Under the Stars at the Historic Olivas Adobe will host the K-Tell All-Stars on July 29, and Louie Cruz Beltran on August 5; and the Red Hot Cholo Peppers play Copper Blues on Saturday, August 5.

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 7/12/23 – 7/25/23

Posted on July 10, 2023 by venturarocks

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

I’m super excited to catch the X Games at the Ventura County Fairgrounds over the weekend of Friday July 21 through Sunday, July 23, I secured tickets as soon as they went on sale. I’ve read there will be live music entertainment, what if any remains to be seen, but of course the main show will the skateboard, BMX and Moto X competitions.

Having lost their location at the Fairgrounds due to the X Games setting up for the show, Tequila and Tacos Music Festival will be held at the Ventura State Beach this year with more traditional music from Ezequiel Pena, Vilma Diaz y la Sonora and Adelaide (tribute to Selena) on Saturday, July 15, then it’s rapper/singer, Flo Rida, headlining with Vilma Diaz y la Sonora, and Upstream on Sunday, July 16.

The Happy Together Tour lands at Libbey Bowl on Thursday, July 13. Along with The Turtles are Little Anthony, Gary Puckett & the Union Gap, The Vogues, The Classics IV and The Cowsills. Between all the bands you’re sure to hear some of the best pop tunes from the 60s including “Happy Together,” “Goin’ Out of my Head,” “Young Girl,” “Turn Around Look at Me,” “Spooky,” and “Hair.”

Heritage Days Midsummer Block Party in Old Towne Camarillo runs the weekend of Wednesday, July 12 through Sunday, July 16 with live music (Friday – Sunday). Admission is free, but tickets are required for the carnival rides. Bands scheduled to play include Highway Starr, Todd Stanford Country Band, Hard Six, SkaDaddyz, Shaky Feelin’ and more.

Harbor View Park 2023 Concerts by the Sea series has kicked off with shows 4-6 pm on Saturday afternoons. The Dive Bar Messiahs play July 15, and Psychedelic Summer on July 22 (you’ll want to sport your best hippie attire for that one). Located at 3850 Harbor Blvd. in Oxnard, you’re welcomed to bring picnics, blankets and lawn chairs.

The Rubicon Theatre has a couple of live music concerts coming up in August. Get tickets now before they sell out. First, it’s Kids for Kids Benefit Concert featuring the music of Burt Bacharach on August 19; this one helps to raise scholarship funds for young people who might not otherwise be able to afford to participate in Rubicon’s education programs. And then it’s “The Platters: Many Voices ONE Name” show with five performances over the weekend of August 25 – 27. You know their hits such as “The Great Pretender,” “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” “Harbor Lights,” and more.

Advanced tickets went on sale this week for Gordon Goodwin’s Little Phat Band for two shows on Saturday, September 9, at the Grape. This one is sure to sell out. Goodwin won the 2006 GRAMMY Award for his Instrumental Arrangement of “Incredits” from the Pixar film The Incredibles, along with three Emmy Awards, and thirteen GRAMMY nominations. Click here to secure your tickets.

Quick Notes: “Brit Floyd, Celebrating 50 years of the Dark Side of the Moon,” plays the Ventura Theater on Friday, July 14; Bombay has a special day of live music on Saturday, July 15 with Hol!day, Aaron Orbit, Brian Mikasa, Kyle Edward Hunt, Joey6Strings, and Ardi; the monthly Channel Cities Jazz Club dance event at House of Dance will feature Flattop Tom and the Jump Cats on Sunday, July 16 (1-3:30 pm); and Iam Tongi (Season 21 winner of American Idol) plays two shows at the Ventura Music Hall on Saturday, July 22.

Ventura Music Scene 6/28/23 – 7/11/2023

Posted on June 25, 2023 by venturarocks

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

Independence Day falls on a Tuesday this year with live music being offered at several venues including Ojai Valley Brewing with Blues Bullet immediately following the city’s annual parade downtown; Raging Arb and the Redheads along with the return of Jackass will rock Bombay’s during the afternoon (2-5); you’ll find the Corsican Brothers at Winchesters from 6-9; and Los Amigos play Margarita Villa in the Harbor from 7 to 10 pm. If you plan your day just right, you could possibly cover all venues and still see the fireworks show at Ventura College.

Ventura Music Hall added a few dates to take note of including this year’s American Idol winner, Iam Tongi on July 22, Then, there’s the Kottonmouth Kings who play August 18, and another show I wouldn’t want you to miss is Henry Rollins on November 7; it’s his “Good to See You,” spoken word tour which is a seated event.

If you’re in the mood for aggressive rock/punk, then you won’t want to miss Nardfest over the weekend of July 7 and 8 at the Oceanview Pavilion in Port Hueneme. Both days feature some of the greatest bands coming out of the Nardcore scene with Hirax, Downpresser, Dr. Know, Section H8, False Confession, Total Resistance, Burning Dog, Romper and Boilerman playing on Saturday; then it’s JFA, Stalag 13, Punk Rock Karaoke, Grim, iDecline, Crucial Thought, Char-Man, No Remorse, The Robot Uprising and Indignants on Sunday. This is an all ages show with tickets through EventBrite, or pay no fees at the venue’s box office.

Libbey Bowl concerts over the next two weeks include The Long Run (Eagles tribute) on Friday, June 30, Gin Blossoms on Saturday, July 1, Toad the Wet Sprocket on Wednesday, July 5; Lyle Lovett & his Large Band on Friday July 7, and the Smithereens with Marshall Crenshaw and Dishwalla on Saturday, July 8.

There’s a new music studio called Creativity Through Music at Portside Ventura where they plan to offer ticketed events for a smaller intimate audience. Their first concert on Sunday, July 2 features Nicole Taylor, soprano and Natsha Marin on piano. Songs being performed will by Brahms, Rachmaninov, R. Strauss, Chausson and Hahn. You can find tickets on EventBrite.

Quick Notes: The Brite Room in Camarillo is offering an “adult” open mic on Wednesday, June 28; The Doug Webb Group will perform a special tribute to John Coltrane on Saturday, July 1 at the Grape; Heritage Square Summer Concert Series has the Brandon Ragan Project on Friday, July 7; Music Under the Stars kicks off the summer concert series with British Beat on Saturday, July 8 at the Olivas Adobe; Leashless Brewing celebrates their 6th anniversary with Morie & the Heavy Hitters and Kat Hall on Saturday, July 8; And Tommy Quayle returns for another night of his original music at Namba on Saturday, July 8.

Ventura Music Scene 6/14/23 – 6/27/23

Posted on June 13, 2023 by venturarocks

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

I love summer so much!!! Longer days, more activities including live music and all the beauty that our county provides. I hope you’ll take advantage of some of these events.

Free concerts in the park return to Constitution Park in Camarillo this summer with 24K Magic on June 24, the Kings of 88 on July 8, The 805 Social Club on July 22 and Garth Live on August 5. Residents are encouraged to bring low folding chairs, blankets and picnic dinners. Food trucks will be on site.

The 67^th Conejo Valley Days will run Thursday, June 15 – Sunday, June 25 at Conejo Creek Park South (Janss Road off the 23 Freeway). Typically, the event runs four consecutive days, but this year it will be over two weekends. Live music includes performances from Mike Scully and the Weary Travelers, 805 Social Club, Colette Lovejoy Band and more. Admission is $10 (kids under five are free) and includes the entertainment, but not the carnival rides.Chick Singer Night is switching locations to Namba Arts, downtown Ventura with Kimberly Ford, Karen 805, Sharon Hendrix, Annyett Royale, and Mary Scholz, on Sunday, June 25. And staying with Namba, they’ll host “Ventura City Blitz” featuring local artists such as Blurry Stars (also their summer release party), Aaron Burch, the Late Knights, Dielectric, and Ardi on Saturday, June 17.

New West Summerfest lands at Moorpark College for two days, Saturday and Sunday, June 24 and 25. It’s quite an eclectic lineup of performers such as Ilya Serov, B. Valentine, Gods of Rock, Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea and more. Ticket information available at NewWestSymphony.com.

And of course, you’ll want to mark off your calendar for which concerts you want to attend at this year’s Ventura County Fair. There’re only eight concerts this year on the Grandstand Arena stage: Midland, Patti Labelle, Collective Soul, Ashanti, Trace Adkins, 38 Special, Tesla and Dia de la Familia. And as always, the concerts are included in the price of admission to the fair. The fair runs August 2 – 13.

Hozier did an in-store Meet and Greet at Salzer’s Records on Saturday, June 3 with over 400 showing up. Salzer’s reports there were people who came as far as Canada and Brazil to meet him! He couldn’t have been more gracious, polite! Hozier plays the Santa Barbara Bowl on October 28, his newest release, Unreal Unearth drops August 18.

Quick Notes: Elvis Costello & the Imposters at the Majestic Ventura Theater on Wednesday, June 14; Duncan & the Dragonslayers, Stellar Ruins and Los Xiquenos play Bombays on Thursday, June 15; Barrelhouse Wailers will do an in store performance at Salzer’s Records to promote their latest release, “Never Look Back” on Saturday, June 17; Topa Topa Brewing will host their 8th anniversary party on Saturday, June 17, at their Colt Street location with live music throughout the day; Fausto Cuevas y la Moderna play a salsa evening of dance at Cantara Cellars on Thursday, June 22; and Danny Carey (TOOL) returns to the Grape with the Doug Webb Group on Sunday, June 25.

Ventura Music Scene 5/31/23 – 6/13/23

Posted on May 29, 2023 by venturarocks

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

The Wild Oaks Country Music Festival is Saturday, June 3, with Craig Morgan, Cam, Chayce Beckham, Justin Honsinger, Chris Johnson and the Hollywood Hillbillies. This one will be held at Conejo Creek Park South in Thousand Oaks and it’s presented by the Rotary Club of Westlake Village with 100% of net proceeds going to support non-profit organizations locally and globally including the U.S. Military Veterans, First Responders, Human Trafficking, and community needs. Advance tickets available at WildOaksCMF.com.
The Ojai Blues Fest returns to the Ojai Art Center for a day of blues and roots music on Saturday, June 3, featuring Shawn Jones, Celso Salim & Darryl Carriere, Chuck Strong, TD Lind & the Aviators, Smokey & Friends, and the Brothers Marsh. Tickets may, or may not still be available the day of the show, so it’s encouraged to secure your tickets via EventBrite.com.
Ojai Music Festival takes place June 8 – June 11 at a couple of different venues, but mostly the Libbey Bowl. A number of events are free and a number of ticketed events are already sold out. The best way to plot your week is to visit the official website at OjaiFestival.org and again, don’t expect tickets to be available the day of, purchase your tickets now.

The Ventura County Concert Band will perform a free concert at the Ventura High School Auditorium on Sunday, June 4 at 3 pm offering “pop” tunes including selections from Stevie Wonder, Henry Mancini, The Beatles, Aladdin and more.

New dates at our local venues: Bob Marley’s son, Julian Marley, has been added to the Libbey Bowl’s concert line up for June 16 with the Bad Seeds opening; Daughtry was also added for Sunday, September 17. Speaking of Bob Marley, the Original Wailers will play the Ventura Music Hall on Wednesday, October 11 and Sun Room was added for November 19 at Majestic Ventura Theater.

All Kinds Studios continues to provide live music to all ages in a sober space in Zander Alley downtown Ventura. Saturday, June 3, they have The Illegal Aliens out of Santa Fe, New Mexico, along with How to Live with Robots, and Spaceyy. If you’d like to keep up on their schedule, it’s best to follow them on Instagram.

Quick Notes:
Leashless Brewing will be trying out singer/songwriter open mics with the first one Thursday, June 1; Michael Henszey will perform in support of his new EP release of Fly Away at Namba on Saturday, June 3; Shane Alexander, Renee & Jeremy, and Kat Sophia play Ojai Greater Goods on Sunday, June 4; The Local Love Project fundraiser is Sunday, June 6 with Kelly’s Lot, Scott Detweiler and Bobby Hart at the Portside Ventura Harbor Clubhouse; Michael Falcone does Sinatra at the Manhattan in Camarillo on Thursday, June 8; and there will be a Burch Studios Showcase at the Ventura Theater on Saturday, June 10.

Ventura Music Scene 5/18/23 – 5/30/23

Posted on May 17, 2023 by venturarocks

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

Congratulations to Brandon, aka Anderson .Paak and his sell out annual fundraiser for the Brandon Anderson Foundation. The concert on Friday, May 12 at the fairgrounds didn’t disappoint fans with performances from local artists and headliners the Isley Brothers and none other than the legendary, Smokey Robinson. At 83, the man is still bringing it, releasing new music, Gasms, and kicking off a tour of his own. .Paak House 23 was his first date on his Summer tour.

The California Strawberry Festival will be held for the first time at the Ventura County Fairgrounds over the weekend of May 20 and May 21. Along with all the vendors, and strawberry related food items, music will fill both days on a few different stages. Among the entertainment will be performances from Arise Roots, Jayden Secor Band, Music Freqs Band, Caliente 805 and more.

And if you’re willing to travel a bit, the Happy Face Music Festival will take place on Saturday, May 27, at the Rancho Santa Susana Community Park in Simi Valley. Headlining this one will be The Spazmatics (always a hoot), along with performances from The Fabba Show, Kelly’s Lot, The Yacht Groove, and Barry Keenan. This one is hosted by the Rotary Club of Simi Runrise.

Props going out to Spencer Barnitz of Spencer the Gardener on the documentary, “More Than Just a Party” which chronicles Spencer’s musical journey from the 70s to today. The sold-out premiere of the documentary will be held at the New Vic Theater in Santa Barbara. You won’t want to miss the band performing at Tony’s Pizzeria on Thursday, May 27.

Keep this one on your radar, a fundraiser for the Local Love Project will be held on Sunday, June 4th with performances from Kelly’s Lot, Shawn Jones, and the Bobby Hart Band. Along with all the music, a BBQ, local wine and beers will be available for sale. The primary goal of Totally Local VC’s- the Local Love Project is to activate and organize members of our community in the aftermath of a disaster within our 805 communities and to provide relief and support to those affected by disaster. This one will be held at the Portside Club House (1196 Portside Drive).

Congratulations to Winchesters Grill & Saloon on their 26th anniversary. Join in on the celebrations, Sunday, May 21, with the 805’s dance party band favorite, The Bomb (3-6 pm).

Quick Notes: Tickets are on sale now for Yngwie Malmsteen & Glenn Hughes at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center for September 9; Creatures of Content (Pennsylvania) play The Six on Friday May 19; Big Bad Voodoo plays the Libbey Bowl on Saturday, May 20; and The Winery Dogs (Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan and Richie Kotzen) play the Ventura Theater on Saturday, May 20.

Ventura Music Scene 5/3/23 – 5/16/23

Posted on May 3, 2023 by venturarocks

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

As of press time, the 2023 Ventura County Fair had not announced their entertainment yet, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t entertainment to be had at the fairgrounds in the meantime. First off, Surfer’s Point Live will host Boots & Brews in the parking lot with headliners Chris Young and Joe Nichols on Sunday May 7.

And then…Anderson .Paak announced on April 25 that .Paak House 23 will be held at the fairgrounds on Friday, May 12. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, .Paak, aka Brandon Paak Anderson, grew up in Oxnard and attended Foothill Technology High School. Two of his albums were named Oxnard and Ventura, both produced by Dr. Dre, the latter earned him a Grammy for Best R&B Album. The fact that .Paak could hold this event anywhere, but chose Ventura, speaks volumes about this talented homegrown artist. Find out more about .Paak House and the Brandon Anderson Foundation at PaakHouse.org.

The new season kicks off at Libbey Bowl with Beth Hart on Saturday, May 6 performing an intimate pared down show. Her back stories are entertaining enough, but I’m sure she’ll be really putting it out there without a full band backing her up.

And speaking of Libbey Bowl, the Ojai Music Festival dates include several concerts at Libbey Bowl. The festival runs Thursday June 8 through Sunday, June 11, with Rhiannon Giddens, Music Director, at the helm. I noticed at least one event has already sold out, so don’t wait until the last minute to try to snag a ticket. Find out more at OjaiFestival.org.

Bombay Bar and Grill will host a celebration of life in honor of Chris Husted who passed away last month. Chris was so a great guy, so well respected throughout the music scene. He had been doing sound on the road with Yachtley Crew recently. Friends will gather on Saturday May 13 from 2-8 with music from Shawn Jones, Guy Martin, Brion Shearer, Aaron Orbit, Rising Son, Yachtley Crew and more. 20% of the sales will go to the Chris Husted fund.

Quick Notes: Rey Fresco plays Tony’s Pizzeria Thursday, May 4; The Knotty G’s from South Carolina make a stop at Surfers Point Café on Sunday, May 7; there’s a free show featuring Old-Timey Country Bluegrass at Poinsettia Pavilion on Sunday, May 7; an in store meet & greet with Ohgeesy will be held at Salzers on Wednesday, May 10; it’s all about the punk rock on Friday, May 12 when Youth Brigade, Stalag 13, False Confession, The Afraid and Crucial Thought play the Oceanview Pavilion; Julie Christensen will perform an intimate show at the Ojai Underground on Saturday, May 13; and new dates added to the Ventura Music Hall calendar include Grateful Shred on June 15, Save Ferris on July 29, and Powerman 5000 on October 20.

Ventura Music Scene 4/19/23 – 5/2/23

Posted on April 18, 2023 by venturarocks

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

Chick Singer Night, the world’s longest-running songfest for female artists, returns to the Sound Palace in Oxnard, on Saturday, April 22 with performances from Danielle Taylor, Annette DiNardo, Dawn Lunsford, Emily De La Cruz and Gaby Montiel who has been featured on the VenturaRockSpot this past year. Tickets are available through EventBrite. The evening promises to deliver stellar performances from these amazing ladies in part because CSN’s local chapter director is the one and only Jodi Farrell, who as a vocal coach can spot talent a mile away.

I’m happy to report Libbey Bowl’s website (LibbeyBowl.org) has been updated and it now includes new shows including Toad the Wet Sprocket on Wednesday, July 5; Chris Isaak on Sunday, August 6; 98 Degrees on Thursday, August 17; and The Monkees celebrated by Mickey Dolenz on Friday, September 15. If you’ve never been to a concert there, do yourself a favor, choose an artist and make it go right; it’s such a lovely venue in our own backyard!

One of Kelly Zirbes’ passions in life is helping our furry little friends, and specifically CARL here in town. CARL (Caine Adoption and Rescue League) advocates for animal welfare, seeking to end the needless deaths of companion animals through adoption, education and outreach programs. Kelly’s Lot featuring Rae Gordon will hold a fundraiser for CARL on Sunday, April 23 (3-6 pm) at Winchester’s Grill & Saloon on Main Street, Ventura. I hope to see you and your wallet at this one!

Tickets have gone on sale for the 6th annual Oxnard Jazz Festival over the weekend of September 9th and 10th. Saturday’s line up includes Spyro Gyra, Eric Benet, Deniece Williams and others. Sunday will be a special day for those who love Picante style music and dancing with performances from Louie Cruz Beltran, Mongrama and more. Find out more at OxnardJazzFestival.com

Abigail Fierce will drop by Surfers Point Café for a performance on Sunday, April 23 (11 – 2 pm). Abigail who is a singer/songwriter/actress can be seen on episodes of “Love, Victor,” “This is Us,” and “American Vandal.” This indie-pop singer has a way with storytelling intermingled with great lyrics that captivates audiences wherever she plays.

Quick Notes: JD Drury announced via social media that there will be no Surf Rodeo this summer; The Guitar and Whiskey Club will open for Angel at the Ventura Theater on Wednesday, April 26; Brother Earl and the Cousins will venture out to Ojai for a date at Ojai Valley Brewing on Friday, April 28; Leashless Brewing will host the CD release party for Jacob Marquez & the Good Vibes on Saturday, April 29; and Grammy award winning composer/arranger, Bill Cunliffe plays the Beatrice Wood Center for Arts on Sunday, April 30 playing selections from the George Gershwin Songbook.

Ventura Music Scene 4/5/23 – 4/18/23

Posted on April 2, 2023 by venturarocks

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

Every now and then someone comes to town that just puts on a smile on my face and I’m all in on figuring out how to get tickets the day, nay, the minute they go on sale. Case in point, Elvis Costello and the Imposters with special guest Charlie Sexton was announced and I secured tickets two minutes after they went live. We’re talking about such iconic tunes as “Everyday I Write the Book,” “Pump it Up,” “Alison,” “Watching the Detectives” and “She” which was an integral part of the movie Notting Hill. Ah the memories…remember that time he interrupted the Beastie Boys on Saturday Night Live and they broke into “Radio Radio”? On the same bill, will be Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets. Lowe, by the way, produced Costello’s first five albums. Elvis has two Grammy Awards under his belt and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, and he plays the Majestic Ventura Theater on Wednesday, June 14. Hope to see you there!

Creed Bratton performs at the Ventura Music Hall on Saturday, April 8. Most people probably recognize Creed who played a fictional version of himself on nine seasons of NBC’s “The Office.” But know this, Creed is one heck of a musician having played lead guitar on the first four albums with the legendary Grass Roots. Soon after leaving the band, he continued to release solo records. His most recent record, While the Young Punks, was released in 2018 and he continued to write and record during the pandemic as did most artists with so much time on their hands.
Ventura Music Hall Ticket Link.

Here now a quick public service announcement: Do your homework! I have found anywhere from three to six different ticket vendors selling tickets to the same event, but not at the same price. Case in point, after seeing several complaints about the cost of tickets for Costello, I went to four different vendors and researched general admission tickets. The range went from $132 to $184. The service fees from $15.14 to $40.07 for each ticket. So yeah, do your homework.

Quick Notes: Numbskull Productions bring Good Riddance, Swingin’ Utters and Sweat to the Ventura Room at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on Friday, April 7; Pato Baton returns to Mrs. Olson’s for a night of reggae with Jacob Marques & the Good Vibes opening on Saturday, April 8; Dave Cipriani plays Namba, Saturday, April 8, he’ll also host a workshop at 5 pm; Will Breman from the Voice returns to Winchesters Grill & Saloon on Thursday, April 13; Shaky Feelin’ plays Ojai Valley Brewing on Friday, April 14; and Los Amigos is the band of choice for this month’s Channel Cities Jazz Club Sunday afternoon dance on April 16.

Ventura Music Scene 3/22/23 – 4/4/23

Posted on March 21, 2023 by venturarocks

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

We have a couple of music festivals lined up over the next week or two taking us from one end of the spectrum to the other, specifically punk to country, and from one end of town to the other, meaning, Ventura to Simi Valley. First, it’s Punk in the Park on Saturday, May 25 with Pennywise, Suicidal Tendancies, Strung Out, Fear, manic Hispanic and more at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, and then its Round Up Music Festival on Saturday, April 1, with Sawyer Brown, Aaron Goodvin, Justin Honsinger and more at Rancho Susana Park. Both of these are ticketed events.

I have more good news and more bad news: The good news, The Violent Femmes added a second performance of their 1983 debut album in its entirety at the Ventura Music Hall on Friday, May 5; the bad news, it’s already sold out too.

Actor Danny Trejo launched a label a few years ago to help emerging artists, and now he has a compilation album dropping March 24, “Trejo’s Music Presents, Souldiez are Forever Volume I” with tracks from Cota & the Vibes, Pepe Marquez, Tarah New, Amoraa, Raquel and more…but hang on! Trejo’s Music Concert Series will make a stop at the Fillmore Towne Theater on Saturday, March 25 with live performances from those same artists and it’s hosted by Jimmy Reyes & Danny Trejo. Tickets available through Event Brite.

The official Libbey Bowl website hasn’t quite gotten around to posting upcoming events, but a couple of ticket outlets are already promoting and selling tickets for a number of them including: Beth Hart (solo) on May 6, Oingo Boingo (former members) on May 7, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on May 20, the rescheduled Judy Collins & Sophie B Hawkins on June 3, Missing Persons on June 3, Gin Blossoms on July 1, and Lyle Lovette on July 7. Beware: all ticket outlets do not charge the same, so shop around, I found tickets on Ticket Center, StubHub and Axs.

The Grape never disappoints. I’m loving the new venue location, its décor, full bar, staff, and stellar entertainment. If you haven’t yet done so, I highly recommend getting on their weekly email list where they highlight upcoming shows. Case in point, they wrote, “Ever heard of a working musician named Paul McCartney? Well, he won’t be able to make it, but this Wednesday (March 22) Denny Seiwell of Paul McCartney and Wings will be taking the stage with John Chiodini on guitar and Carey Frank on B3 Organ. I’m talking world class musicianship on out humble little stage in Ventura California. Life is good.”

Spring Winter Wine Walk & Vendor Fair is Saturday, April 1, downtown Ventura. The wine walk is a ticketed event, but everything else is free to take part of at this event.

Quick Notes: Reggae Thursday nights continue at Tony’s Pizzaria with Morie & the Heavy Hitters on March 23; Decent Criminal plays Gigi’s on Sunday, March 26 (tickets at TicketWeb); Alyse Korn and Robert Kyle CD release performance will be held at Beatrice Wood Center in Ojai on Sunday, March 26; Roman’s Weirdos, Birdbrain and Professional Americans play El Rey Cantina in Camarillo on Sunday, March 26; Cadillac Zack brings Canned Heat to Cantara Cellars on Friday, March 31; and Duane Betts (son of Dickey Betts of the Alman Brothers Band) plays the Ventura Music Hall on Sunday, April 2.

Ventura Rocks

Yeah it Does!

Category Archives: Ventura Rocks

Ventura Music Scene 7/26/23 – 8/8/23

Ventura Music Scene 7/12/23 – 7/25/23

Ventura Music Scene 6/28/23 – 7/11/2023

Ventura Music Scene 6/14/23 – 6/27/23

Ventura Music Scene 5/31/23 – 6/13/23

Ventura Music Scene 5/18/23 – 5/30/23

Ventura Music Scene 5/3/23 – 5/16/23

Ventura Music Scene 4/19/23 – 5/2/23

Ventura Music Scene 4/5/23 – 4/18/23

Ventura Music Scene 3/22/23 – 4/4/23