Ventura Music Scene 11/29/23 – 12/12/23

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.comartwork
There are a number of events lined up to get you into the holiday swing of things if Thanksgiving didn’t already do that. Let’s start with the Ventura Winter Wine Walk and Holiday Street Fair where at the corner of California and Main live music will abound with dancing in the street along with a “snowfall” which delights all attendees young and old. Live music runs 2-8 pm with Upstream, The Bomb and Adelaide. The street fair runs all day and is free to the public, but in order to participate in the wine walk, tickets should be purchased in advance as this one could sell out. Keep in mind all venues are open to the public at all times.

Then there is the 25th annual 4Kids 2Kids Toy Drive which will be held on Sunday afternoon, December 3, at Cantara Cellars in Camarillo with a stellar lineup including appearances from Nick St. Nicholas (Steppenwolf), Shawn Jones, Milo Sledge, RJ Mischo, Debbie Davies, Ray Jaurique Big Band, the Vonettes, Debbie Davies Steve and Sally Williams and more. The cost of admission is $10 and one unwrapped toy.

Doc the Halls, Holiday Blues at Namba is Saturday December 9 with electrifying blues tunes and soulful melodies which will include performances from Mint Dolphin, the Sea Hunters, Brasscals, Tom Collins, and the All-Star Blues Band featuring Fito De la Parra (Canned Heat), RJ Mischo, Rick Holstrum, and Hank Van Sykle…oh! And of course, the man himself, Doc Ventura!

The Majestic Ventura Theater’s 10th annual Holiday Sing-a-Long featuring Disney and holiday songs will be held on Sunday, December 10 from 3:30 – 6:30 pm with the price of admission as one new unwrapped toy per group.

And you may want to continue your celebration of Hanukkah this year on Sunday, December 10, with your family and friends downtown at California and Main from 4 – 6:30 pm where a night full of unity, light and community awaits along with live music from Cedars of Lebanon. This free event also includes dreidel fun and games, face painting and other activities for the kids along with a candle lighting ceremony.

Non-holiday type events include a night with Willie Porter who will perform at Namba on Sunday, December 3 (He will have performed the night before at the legendary McCabe’s Guitar Shop in Santa Monica). Porter is an American rock musician singer/songwriter who was inducted into the Wisconsin Area Music Industry Hall of Fame earlier this year. He’s currently touring in support of his 13th release, The Ravine.

On the same night, an amazing singer/songwriter, Sara Lee Guthrie performs at the new space at the Ojai Underground. If Guthrie sounds familiar, well it should! She is daughter to Arlo Guthrie and granddaughter of Woody Guthrie and she’s been out on tour wrapping up the year with this date in Ojai.

Quick Notes: there’s a West Coast Jazz Jam at Copa Cubana on Thursday, November 30; the rescheduled Brit Floyd, 50 Years of Dark Side of the Moon is Friday, December 1 at the Ventura Theater; Birdbrain, Bonnie Boy and Duncan and the Dragonslayers play early evening sets at Bombay’s on Saturday, December 2; The Struts play Ventura Music Hall on Tuesday, December 5; after recently opening for Yachtley Crew at the Ventura Theater, Casual Business will play Topa Topa Brewing (Downtown, Thompson Blvd. location) on Saturday, December 9; and Margarita Villa will be taking a winter hiatus from live music after the Sunday, December 3 performance from Déjà vu Three.

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 11/15/23 – 11/28/23

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

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and the tradition of getting out the evening before and hanging with friends taking in live music continues with several venues offering up live music. Many are calling it “Friendsgiving” though that is typically reserved for Thanksgiving-themed feasts eaten with friends (as opposed to family). I look at it as a way for people to decompress preemptively before hanging with the fam.

Now if you were to go to VenturaRocks.com calendar of events and sorted by the date 11/22/23, at press time, you would find 14 venues in Ventura County with live music. Here now, just the Ventura venues I’ve found with live music on Wednesday the 22nd:
Bombay Bar and Grill with Blues Night feat. Milo Sledge
Vaquero y Mar with Tribal Me
The Cave with Bobby Apostol
Winchesters with The Van Allen Twins
Boatyard Pub with Frank Barajas
Leashless Brewing with Mark Masson
Aqua Beachfront Bar with Déjà vu Too
The Twist on Main with a “battle of the bands”
Tony’s Pizzeria with The Stoneflys and Johnny Knows No One

On to other music related matters starting with the River Bottom Sessions Inaugural Bluegrass Music Festival. This one will be held on Saturday, November 18 from noon to 7 pm at Las Palmas de Ojai. Artists schedule to perform include Tarantula Banjo, Ellie Rollins Band, The Van Allen Twins and Chris Murphy followed up with headliners Mark Masson’s Jam Grass and Moonsville. This event is part of raising funds and awareness for local nonprofit, Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC). This promises to be a family-friendly event, children 12 and under are free. Tickets available on EventBrite.com.
This event is being rescheduled due to pending rain.

On sale recently: Ventura Theater added Nekromantix for Saturday, December 2 and tickets for The Third Mind featuring Dave Alvin on February 3 have gone on sale for the Ventura Music Hall.

Quick Notes: 4th Impact at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center has been postponed; Neon Blonde featuring covers from the 80s plays an early show (3-6) at Bombay’s on Saturday November 18; Tony Bennett’s Pianist for the last five years, Tom Rainier, will play an intimate show at the Beatrice Wood Centers for the Arts on Sunday, November 19; Barrelhouse Wailers is the guest band for the next House of Dance Sunday afternoon show hosted by Channel Cities Jazz Club on November 19; Fear with Lower Class Brats play the Ventura Music Hall on Saturday, November 25; Tommy Quayle returns to Namba for a show on Saturday, November 25.

If you’ve ever thought about hosting your own radio show on CAPS Media’s KPPQ here in Ventura, the station is back to hosting open houses and training sessions making it easier than ever for you to do so. Please contact Elizabeth Rodeno at Radio@CapsMedia.com.

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 11/1/23 – 11/14/2023

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

We’re at the time of year where we don’t know what the heck to wear when heading out to take in live music. Is it going to be cold? Hot? Windy? What’s going on? It changes not only day to day, but hour to hour. Your best bet is to wear layers. You’re welcome.

It turns out there may be tickets available after all for the acoustic Soul Asylum show in Ojai for Saturday, November 11. This is a rare opportunity to see Dave Pirner and Ryan Smith perform in such an intimate setting. I was surprised to no longer see “sold out” on the Deer Lodge website (DeerLodgeOjai.com); my advice is to snag ‘em before they’re really gone!

The next free Ojai Pops Orchestra show will be on Sunday November 5 at Libbey Bowl starting at 1:30 in the afternoon with classical woodwind quintet, Ventvm Qvintet followed up with Tuxedo Junction Jazz Band featuring vocalist Freda Ramey.

Poncho Sanchez returns to the Grape with his brand of hot Latin jazz with two shows on Sunday November 5. At press time, the 6 pm show was sold out with tickets still available for the 8 pm show.

Tickets are on sale now for the next Chick Singer Night returning to the Sound Palace in Oxnard for a show on Saturday, November 4. This time they’ll feature Krystal Park, Jess Bush, Rachael Lynda, Lois Mahalva and Eliya Frantz. Chick Singer Night started over 30 years ago in Chicago and has grown nationally with a local chapter here in Ventura County headed up by Jodi Farrell.

I am totally intrigued with the “Beatles vs Stones, a Musical Showdown” event at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on Saturday, November 11. Taking the part of “Beatles” is the tribute band Abbey Road, and on behalf of “Stones” is the tribute band, Satisfaction. This is a national touring show having performed on stages coast to coast and having done residencies at Harrah’s in Reno and Laughlin for five months. Tickets available through Axs.com.

Concerts just announced include Ozomatli for the Ventura Music Hall on December 14 and you know it’s going be a tongue-in-cheek night of punk fun when The 28th Annual Christmas Formal will feature The Vandals this year at the Majestic Ventura Theater on Friday, December 22.

Quick Notes: Lowered Expectations will celebrate Dia de los Muertos on Wednesday, November 1, at Vaquero y Mar; Rose Valley Thorns play the Ojai Underground on Thursday, November 2; Bombay’s first Saturday live music show features Blurry Stars, Dielectric and Duncan & the Dragonslayers on November 4, 6-9 pm; D.on Darox and the Melody Joy Bakers take over Sans Souci on Saturday, November 4; and Luna Shade out of Colorado will bring reggae fusion to the Garage on Saturday, November 11.

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 Photos October 2023

Majestic Ventura Theater – October 17, 2023
The Offspring (photos: Kevin Scott Rehak)
photo Dexter Holland of the Offspring photo of Noodles of the Offspring photo of The Offspring

 

The Grape – October 16, 2023
Doug Webb Quartet feat. Jacob Scensney (photos: Seth Brandes)
photo: Jacob Scesney photo: Charles Ruggiero photo: Lyman Medeiros

 

Boots and Brews – October 15, 2023
Jon Pardi (photos: Tatiana Vasilyev, @tativphotogallery)
photo of Jon Pardi

photo of Jon Pardi

Boots and Brews – October 15, 2023
Michael Jay (photo: Tatiana Vasilyev)
photo of Michael Ray
photo of Michael Ray

 

Boots and Brews – October 15, 2023
Niko Moon (photo: Tatiana Vasilyev)
photo of Niko Moon

photo of Niko Moon

 

Cirith Ungol

Cirith Ungol photoCirith Ungol will be winding down their careers on a high note this next year.
By: Pam Baumgardner

Ventura is full of musicians who live and breath music. It’s one of the reasons I love this town so much. One of those bands is Cirith Ungol whose history sounds like a rock opera, and if I didn’t know Robert Garven (drummer) personally, I would have laid money that their story was pure fiction.
From practicing in a bedroom here in Ventura in the 70s to playing arena festivals in Europe, it truly is an inspiring story. And though the point of this article isn’t to provide their history (I hope a book and/or movie will be in the works), the point is to pay homage to Cirith Ungol who will be winding down their careers on a high note this next year.
In 1992, after releasing four albums, a number of band personnel changes, and frustrations with the industry, the stress took its toll, and the band officially called it quits. Then in 1998, co-founder, Jerry Fogle died of liver failure. There would be calls for the band to reunite, requests for interviews, and a growing fan base in Europe, but the two remaining core members, Garven and Tim Baker had become “civilians” working their normal jobs and living uncomplicated lives for just about twenty-five years. Then in 2015, Garven, Baker, former guitarists Greg Lindstrom and Jimmy Barraza got together and started to play in a rehearsal space where I’m told, the magic was rediscovered. After bassist Flint declined to rejoin, Jarvis Leatherby of Night Demon (huge fan of the band), stepped in.
Then 2016 Cirith Ungol headlined the Frost and Fire II festival at the Majestic Ventura Theater. I was there that night and the packed house of metal fans from around the world cheered and welcomed back the band with open arms. In Garven’s words, “When the ancient stars aligned, Cirith Ungol crawled out of its ancient slumber, to wreak havoc on an unsuspecting world.” Two days later, the City of Ventura declared October 10, 2016 to be Cirith Ungol Day.

Fast forward to today, after playing metal festivals in Europe to packed stadiums and venues, Cirith Ungol has announced they will retire from live performances at the end of 2024.
Cirith Ungol will release their sixth full-length album, Dark Parade this month via Metal Blade Records and will play a special record release show on October 20 at the Roxy in West Hollywood. Not only will this be the bands first Los Angeles live performance in thirty-five years, but it will commemorate The Roxy’s 50th anniversary with the band playing their new release in its entirety followed by a full set of their classic material.
I can’t imagine what a thrill it has been since reuniting and playing to packed crowds, but it couldn’t have happened to a better group of guys. Congratulations Cirith Ungol!

Ventura Music Scene 10/18/23 – 10/31/23

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.comartworkWe have two huge events landing on the same day, Saturday, October 21, celebrating two different municipalities. Both offer up great live music, so it’s going to be tough deciding which camp you want to hang out with. First, it’s Ventura County’s 150th anniversary with a free family festival followed up with a ticketed event (EventBrite) at Santa Paula Veterans Park with Big Bad Voodoo headlining along with Rey Fresco, Mariachi Camarillo, Whiskey Business and the Charles Law Band.

Then across the hills it’s Ojai Day with live music 11 am to 10 pm featuring Buck Moon, Spencer the Gardener, Beau Red & the Tailor Maide, Those Darn Amigos, Sick Boy, Van Allen Twins, Virtual Nobodies, Dylan Cunningham and Dan Grimm. May the best camp win!

Once you have this special weekend chocked full of live music choices behind you, it’s time to look ahead at Halloween, Tuesday, October 31, and the week leading up to it. I’ve been seeing costume parties pop up as far ahead as the week before, so it’s best to map out your choices and where you’ll be meeting up with friends. I recommend (as always), going to VenturaRocks.com and use the calendar to search “Halloween” for all events leading up to the big day, currently there are 18 listed.

Head’s up for this one, the Ventura Harbor’s Thriller Zombie Dance Flash Mob will be held on the main lawn around 2:15 pm on Sunday, October 29. I’m thinking “flash mob” implies it’s a seemingly random act…but if it’s being publicized…then it’s just a performance. In any case, you’re welcome to join in, if you’re dressed up in costume.

Studio Channel Islands in Camarillo will host The Black Market Trust on Saturday, October 28. The band features world class musicians and will perform material from the Great American Songbook infused with a romantic and virtuosic flavor, added with some intricate vocal harmonies and a dash of Rat Pack-style comedy. Find out more at StudioChannelIslands.org.

I saw a “Save the Date” post on social media for Skull and Roses 2024 which will return to the Ventura County Fairground April 19 – 21. Plenty of advance notice so you don’t plan a vacation that same weekend.

Tickets are on sale now for the next Chick Singer Night returning to the Sound Palace in Oxnard for a show on Saturday, November 4. This time they’ll feature Erinn Alissa, Jess Bush, Rachael Lynda, Lois Mahalva and Elyia Frantz.

Quick Notes: Namba has a punk show with Frequency Within, Intenable and Promotive on Friday, October 20; there’s a free Ojai Pops Orchestra show at Libbey Bowl with Miriam Dance on Sunday, October 22; Dead Kennedys play the Ventura Music Hall on Saturday, October 28; and Tony Ybarra plays a intimate concert at Logan House at Beatice Wood Center for the Arts on Sunday afternoon, October 29;

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 10/4/23 – 10/17/23

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

THIS JUST IN….10/6/2022…not included in the Breeze:
A fundraiser called Let it Flow Fest will be held at the Ojai Libbey Bowl on Saturday, October 14 (2 – 10 pm) with Pato Banton and Friends!  Others performing will be The Chillz, Ojai Department of Rhythm, Ted Lennon, Bernie Larsen and Cassidey Linder, Tyler Hammond Jazz Experience and SicNarf.  All proceeds to to Ventura County Community Foundation & the City of Ojai. for the restoration of historic Coyote Creek and supporting the community of Foster Park.  Get tickets at AXS.com

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Original article starts here:

We’re in the middle of celebrating Ventura County’s 150th anniversary, and the event not to be missed is coming up on Saturday, October 21 at Santa Paula Veterans Park. During the early afternoon there’s a Mountain to Sea Jubilee Family Festival free to the public, but starting at 2:30, a ticketed Jubilee Music Fest kicks off with live music from Charles Law Band, Whiskey Business, Rey Fresco, Mariachi Camarillo and the headliners, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy! There is limited capacity with presale tickets only, and they’re available on Eventbrite. There will be food trucks, a beer and wine garden and artisan fair. No outside food, drink, or dogs allowed. It’s festival style seating, so you can bring blankets or low chairs.

Tickets sold out quickly for Grammy winning and multi-platinum selling Soul Asylum show at the Deer Lodge for November 11. I’m a little sad to miss this one as I would have certainly plopped down $55 for such an intimate show with the band that gave us “Runaway Train” and “Somebody to Shove.”

Could be a blip in planning as two events are scheduled over the same weekend at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. I’m giving you the head’s up as parking could be limited; may I suggest riding your bike or hiring Lyft/Uber/Taxi? I understand that there will be a shuttle from the State Beach (San Pedro), but keep in mind parking is $10 there too.

First, the Seaside Highland Games return on October 14 and 15 with all the normal fun and games, as well as plenty of lively Celtic music from Stand Easy, Ploughboys, Brian Caldwell & Paul Castellanos, Browne Sisters & George Cavanaugh. Tickets can be secured through the event’s website at SeasideHighlandGames.com.

And then Boots and Brews falls on Sunday, October 15 to be held at Surfer’s Point Live in the parking lot of the fairgrounds. Headliner for this one is Jon Pardi with Niko Moon and recently added to the bill, Michael Ray. Tickets available on the event’s website at BootsAndBrews.com.

Quick Notes: the final Rock the Collection concert with DSB is on Wednesday, October 4; the Camarillo Old Town 9th Annual Wine Walk promises live music along with the wine, beer and vendors on hand on Saturday afternoon, October 7 (1-4 pm); Pier Under the Stars falls on Saturday October 7 from 4-7 pm with Ignition; the highly talented Phil Salazar and Tom Corbett performance at Namba is on Saturday, October 7; Sucka Punch Productions has a Tuesday night thrash/metal show at Mrs. Olson’s on October 10 starting at 5:30 with D.R.I. (Dirty Rotten Imbeciles), ACXDC, Deathwish and Brat with advance tickets on Ticketweb; Cadillac Zack presents a special Thursday evening show with John Primer and Bob Corritore Band at Cantara’s on Thursday October 19 with tickets through Eventbrite; and just announced, Lee Ving returns to Ventura with Fear for a show at the Ventura Music Hall on Saturday, November 25.

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 9/20/23 – 10/3/2023

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.comartworkVentura Artwalk 2023 takes place over the weekend of September 23 and 24 from 11 am – 7 pm. You’ll find art from local artisans in venues throughout the city at dozens of locations, as well as live music on the downtown stage at California and Main Streets, the City Hall Atrium, WAV Courtyard stage, and Steve TV at Mission Park. Get all the details and strategize your weekend at ArtwalkVentura.org.

artworkThe end of summer Beachside Bash BBQ will be held at the San Buenaventura State Beach benefiting the Ventura Rotary Club. This one costs $10 and features live music from Nautical Thrust and The Bomb on Saturday, September 23. Along with the music, there will be a car show as well as a national ribeye steak cookoff.

artworkThe 10th annual Banana Festival is Saturday, September 30, from 10 am – 5 pm at the Port of Hueneme. This free event includes port tours, a kid’s zone, tasty eats (a lot having to do with the event’s namesake), a marketplace and of course live music! The electric mix of entertainment features Los Cool Arrows (Latin pop, reggae), Tribute to the Greats (music featuring artists such as Steve Wonder, Chaka Khan), Upstream (Calypso w/ steel drums), Fausto Cuevas Y La Moderna (Salsa), and Coso Live (R&B, high energy pop). One’s things for sure, wear comfortable shoes because you’ll want to dance!

Oceanview Pavilion in Port Hueneme has a Steely Dan tribute band called Doctor Wu on Saturday, September 23, and Robby Krieger and the Soul Savages play the following weekend on Saturday, September 30. Just a reminder, Krieger was an original member of The Doors.

artworkCandlelight Concerts are being produced in over 100 cities worldwide including Oxnard at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. There’s a tribute to Taylor Swift in November, a haunted evening of Halloween classics (think Thriller, Tubular Bells, Beetlejuice theme, Psycho, etc…) running in October, and a number of dates featuring the music of Vivaldi in September and October. Ticket information can be found at Feverup.com.

The Grape continues to bring stellar jazz acts to our town. I can’t stress enough how helpful it is to be on their email newsletter list which gives a head’s up on upcoming shows that are sure to sell out such as the return of Poncho Sanchez on November 5m or Jeff Lorber Grammy-winning artist plays on Saturday, November 18. photo Jeff LorberQuick Notes: Ventura Blues Night returns to Bombay Bar and Grill on Wednesday nights; another installation of Rock the Collection is Wednesday, September 20 with Prince Again; there’s a special fundraiser/birthday bash in honor of Ted Neeley at the Rubicon on Wednesday, September 20; Swing Shift plays the Sportsman on Sunday, September 24; The Trivle Omdobble returns to Topa Topa Brewing on Colt Street, Sunday, September 24; Bloody Mary Morning plays Rincon Brewery on Friday, September 29; Todd Hannigan opens for David Burden at the Deer Lodge on Friday September 29; Salzer’s Records has a special in store acoustic set with Briston Maroney on Monday, October 2; and finally, Shawn Jones has a new release called In my Blood as he heads back overseas for a European tour for most of October.

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 9/6/23 – 9/19/23

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.comartworkI’d like to start off with cooler than cool news that Oxnard College announced that they are set to receive a $100k grant from Metallica who picked their school here in Ventura County as one out of eleven colleges across the country targeting the Culinary Arts, Dental Hygiene, and Fire Academy programs. The All Within My Hands Metallica Scholars Initiative states it “Provides support of relevant job skill training for community college students.” Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but why not music/arts programs? I can only surmise they know earning a living in the music industry these days is like winning the lottery, so they want to help guarantee a future career…prudent, but still totally rad.

The 6th Annual Oxnard Jazz Festival will be held at Oxnard State Beach with Lakeside, Spyro Gyra, and Eric Benet among the artists performing on Saturday, September 9; then it’s a celebration of the music of Latin American on Sunday with Ricardo Lemvo, La Marcha Sound, Kleber Jorge and more. Get tickets at OxnardJazzFestival.com.

Rincon Brewery in Ventura will be hosting an Endless Summer Concert Series with the CocoKnots on September 8, Raging Arb and the Redheads on September 15, and the return of Bloody Mary Morning on September 29.

Harpfest artworkThe 2nd annual Harp Fest will be held on Sunday, September 17 from 3-6 pm at the Grape in Ventura. Frank “Cisco” Hinojosa will be the emcee with performances by Mitch Kashmar, RJ Mischo, Dale Spalding, Flat Top Tom, Jason Keene and more.  It’s advised to get tickets ahead of the event as this one will most likely sell out. (click for tickets)

A classic car show and motorcycle poker run supporting Echo Group Band of Brothers to support veterans will be held on Sunday, September 10 at Harbor Cove Café in the Ventura Harbor. There will be live music from Raised on Vinyl, Fallen Saints, The Alex Jolly Project and Wyred.

A quick head’s up: Boots and Brews at Surfer’s Point Live (Fairgrounds parking lot) will feature Jon Pardi with Niko Moon on October 15 and tickets are on sale for Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton at Ventura Music Hall on Saturday, December 23.

Quick Notes: Kings of Queen Rock the Collection on Wednesday, September 6; Nowhere Fast, a tribute to the Smiths & Morrissey play Copper Blues on Friday, September 8; (HED) PE plays Mrs. Olson’s on Sunday night, September 10; remaining original member, Mickey Dolenz, celebrates the Monkees at the Libbey Bowl on Friday, September 15; Cadillac Zack presents Popa Chubby on Friday, September 15 at Cantara Cellars; Poseidon Brewing Co. is celebrating Oktoberfest a bit early on Saturday, September 16 with Linda’s Polka Band; Don McClean’s 50th anniversary of American Pie at Libbey Bowl on Saturday, September 16; and Daughty plays the Libbey Bowl on Sunday, September 17.

Photo Gary Best

Gary Best w/ VenturaRocks owner, Pam Baumgardner

I am sorry to report that friend to the Ventura music scene and comedy improv scene, Gary Best, died of Pancreatic cancer on September 1, 2023. I will forever miss Gary’s sharp sense of humor, our discussions about music, his genuine regard and respect for others but mostly those bear hugs.

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.