Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 5/8 – 5/21

Posted on May 7, 2019 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
It’s still three months away, but I cannot wait for the Ventura County Fair this year! I’m loving their music line up which is always included in the price of admission. The fair runs July 31 through August 11 with music most nights on the Grandstand stage starting with Styx on the July 31, then it’s Martina McBride on Thursday, August 1, with Melissa Etheridge on Friday, August 2. Saturday, August 3 has a triple bill with The Ohio Players, The Emotions and Evelyn “Champagne” King. Sunday is Dia de la Familia concert with X Ambassadors on Monday August 5. Tuesday has two shows, the earlier one features Tommy James and the Shondells and that evening it’s Brothers Osborne. Wednesday, August 7, it’s Daughtry, and then on his “Good to be Bad Tour” – 45 years of Rock, it’s none other than George Thorogood and the Destroyers. I’d say I’m saving my favorite for last, but it is actually the last concert of the fair, and they are one of my all-time favorite bands, it’s Collective Soul on Friday, August 9. The final two days the Grand Stand arena always hosts the P.R.C.A. pro rodeo.

There will be plenty of music at Surf ‘n’ Suds beer festival this year on Saturday, May 18, at Ventura State Beach (entrance at San Pedro Street off Pierpont Blvd). While tasting all the suds and ciders from over 65 breweries, you take in music from Soul Majestic, Flogging Seagulls and DJ Hecktik. For more information and tickets, go to www.SurfBeerFest.com/Ventura.

Quick Notes: Gindick has a new CD, you can get your own copy when he plays Grapes and Hops on Thursday, May 9; There will be a punk show at Concrete Jungle Brewing Friday, May 10; the Spring Swing Big Band Dance with Ventura Jazz Orchestra featuring Donna Greene will be held at Knights of Columbus downtown on Friday, May 10; Mother Sting Ray (formerly Strange Weather) play Oak and Main on Sunday, May 12; Ventura Music Festival presents NICO on Friday, May 10, at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center; Pizza Man Dan on Victoria hosts a Celtic Music Slow Session on the second Tuesday of the month; The Exploited play the Ventura Theater on Friday, May 17; Fluid State is celebrating their anniversary with Ventucky String Band on Saturday, May 18; Maid of Ace out of the UK play Red Cove on Saturday, May 18; The Knit Pickers play Made West on Saturday, May 18; Slim Jim Phantom’s at Discovery on Sunday, May 19; and there will be a fundraising event for Casa at Olivas Adobe on Sunday, May 9, featuring Elvis impersonator, Raymond Michael.

And finally, I’m sorry to report the passing of Patrick Buley last month. He was a well-respected musician and will be missed by our community.
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. For updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 4/24 – 5/7

Posted on April 22, 2019 by venturarocks

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

It’s always a treat when Noel Paul Stookey from the iconic folk trio, Peter, Paul & Mary, performs at the Rubicon Theatre. Stookey brings his dry wit and love of humankind in a show called “In These Times” on Sunday, April 28. His appearances always sell out, and this one did as well, so I’m happy to report there will be a second concert on Monday, April 29. I wonder what he’ll talk about. Hmmm.

The local crew from Army of Freshmen have new music available this month, it’s an EP called “At the End of the Day” featuring acoustic tunes. That one drops April 26; the next day, they’ll perform “unplugged” up in Goleta at The Imperial sharing the stage with Nerf Herder.

Eco Fest not only provides over 80 exhibitors, green education ideas with helpful tips, and children’s activities, but they also offer great music throughout the day. This year they’ll have two stages of music with D.on Darox and the Melody Joy Bakers, Ventucky String Band, Anchor & Bear, Shay Moulder, the Midtones and more. The annual event will be held at Plaza Park (Santa Clara and Chestnut) on April 27 from 10 am to 4 pm. Eco Fest is free to the pubic with a bike valet available for those doing their part to reduce their carbon footprint.

Gigi’s will be hosting a couple of shows featuring bands from out of the area. First on Monday, April 29, it’s Radio Active (Tokyo, Japan), The Wankys (Leicester, UK), Eel (Pittsburgh, PA) and No Divide (Santa Barbara); and then on Friday, May 3, they’ll have MOB 47 (Sweden), along with Phobia, Wichaven and Zoloa. I’m glad to see promoters taking advantage of this space again for live music.

Quick Notes: Amber Olive of Amber & Smoke has a new side gig with the band Mini Driver; Margarita Villa has live music every weekend now, Friday through Sunday; Ray Jaurique and friends play The Blue Room on Wednesdays in the Harbor; Show Me the Body from New York play with Enemy on Thursday, April 25, at the Tavern; Norman Baker out of Seattle plays Namba on Friday, April 26; playing the Sewer for the first time, it’s The Guitar & Whiskey Club on Saturday, April 27; The Popravinas perform Saturday, May 4, at Dargans; Club 805 hosts The Darkside (Cosplay) on May 4; and Robin Trower plays the Ventura Theater on Sunday, May 5.

Congratulations to Adam and Josh for getting the Planning Commissions unanimous approval during their public hearing April 10. It was a standing room only crowd with so many people speaking in support of opening The Grape Jazz Club. Now, a little construction upgrades and hopefully the next time I write about the Grape will be to give their opening date. Well done boys!

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. For updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 4/10 – 4/23

Posted on April 10, 2019 by venturarocks

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

Before we get into what is currently happening, let’s ensure our future happenings include consistently great jazz by attending and supporting Squashed Grapes on their public hearing so they can reopen at their new location mid-town Ventura. It’s on Wednesday, April 10, at 6 pm in the Council Chambers at Ventura City Hall. I’d love nothing more than a full room showing their support; you don’t need to speak, but you know I will!

Discovery Ventura continues to mix it up not only placing and supporting local bands on the calendar, but they’re booking some really cool national acts like the Average White Band. In fact, I had to double check it wasn’t a tribute band, because well you know, this is extremely cool! They also have Bret Bollinger of Pepper on Thursday, April 11, and one of the best tribute bands around Queen Nation on Friday, April 12. Last year Gin Blossoms did a show there, and while they’re returning to the area, this time they’ll be at Libbey Bowl on June 23.

Namba located on Oak Street has a number of shows coming up including a singer/songwriter showcase on Friday, April 12, with Rachael Lynde, Jade Hendrix, Scott Borel and Ella Dritz. The following evening it’s Charlie Baker’s Neil Young tribute on Saturday, April 13. Sitarist, Will Marsh, performs there on Saturday, April 20.

Quick Notes: Peter Jong of Emerge performs an instrumental rock & fusion set at Red Cove on Thursday, April 11; Camarata Pacifica performs Beethoven, Mozart and more at the Museum of Ventura County on Sunday afternoon, April 14; Tommy Marsh’s Acoustic Crossroads at Winchesters will have as his special guest, his brother Paddy, on Sunday, April 14; there will be a benefit for Step Up Ventura on Saturday afternoon with The Ramblers at Grapes and Hops starting at 3 pm on April 20; Harbor Cove will start having music again (end of Spinnaker at the Harbor) with Jill Martini and the ShrunkeHeads on Friday, April 19, and Gary Ballen on Saturday, April 10; and a special “Emo” show lands at The Tavern on Thursday, April 18, with Skating Polly, Ugly Pop and Jo Passed.

By the way, if you have original music you would like to get played on the radio, just hit me up. The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour continues its bi-monthly shows on CAPS Media’s KPPQ-LP. You not only can catch it at 104.1 FM in and around Ventura, but you can download the MyTuner radio app and listen on your phone or online at www.CapsMedia.org/Radio. The program airs Tuesdays and Fridays at 5 pm and Sundays at noon. It’s an eclectic mix of music so all genres are welcome…just no profanity please.

VenturaRocks.com 10th Anniversary

Posted on March 26, 2019 by venturarocks

Holy Moly, can you believe it? It’s been ten years since launching VenturaRocks.com and as you probably realize, a lot has changed over the years; for instance, venues come and go (Zoey’s, The Good Bar, Watermark, Peirano’s, Amigo’s, The Wine Rack…) as well as musicians moving out and moving to our area. It’s a fluid state supporting an eclectic mix of music which is available on most any night of the week.

I started VenturaRocks.com to help out during economic tough times in 2009. Our mission statement has changed very little:

Our Mission is to help stimulate the economy in our favorite city in the whole wide world by promoting venues who offer music and to the artists who live in and around Ventura as well as those who travel here to play.
We want to inspire people to get out and support Ventura’s music scene.
We promise never to charge the venues or the artist to be listed on VenturaRocks.com.

And we have never once charged any Ventura venue to be listed, nor have we charged any artist who plays here, but a year ago, the decision was made to expand our listings to neighboring cities and for a very small fee have allowed venues outside Ventura to be listed for only $10 a week. Many thanks to Topa Mountain Winery in Ojai (first to join us), as well as The Shores, and 1901 Speakeasy in Oxnard for being on board. And, for the past few years we’ve offered advertising opportunities on our homepage for additional coverage (a link for costs can be found at bottom of homepage). We are not a non-profit; in fact, for almost six years VenturaRocks.com was solely a goodwill effort to help out whereby we covered all costs associated with the website.

Because of its popularity, I’ve been asked over the years to work on other projects such as producing half-hour Ventura Rocks shows on CAPS Media where local bands had the chance to play original music; I am the Music Scene columnist for The Ventura Breeze newspaper, I produce an hour-long radio show featuring mostly local artists on KPPQ-LP, and I just partnered with GWC Productions producing VenturaRockSpot highlighting local artists Q&A.

I’m proud of what VenturaRocks.com has accomplished over the years. Supporting Ventura’s music scene has been a pleasure and though I’ve thought about quitting on several occasions, I still get up every single morning and upload today’s music before heading off to my day job at 7 am.

But I have to warn, I am sincerely tired of badgering venues for their music. So if you don’t see a venue listed, and you know they have music, it is only because they won’t take the time to let me know, but trust me, I ask. Do with that what you may. Can you tell my patience is wearing thin?

This is how I look at it: collectively, all the venues in Ventura (and now surrounding cities) contribute to this music scene. It is bigger than one bar or venue, yet they get to reap the benefits when people get inspired to go out and support live music. Am I right? Isn’t it the best when you can go venue to venue and hear jazz, then rock, then indie-folk, and whatever ever else is available? Those are my favorite nights.

If you’re wondering what you can do to help, send me information on events you think we might be missing. Is a venue now offering music? Let me know. But most of all, get out, rally the troops and support. Remember, there are three elements to making this music scene, the venues, the artists and us music lovers. It’s like I always say, “Together, we make Ventura Rock!”

I love you man!
Pam Baumgardner
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 3/27 – 4/9

Posted on March 24, 2019 by venturarocks

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

I love and respect the passion that is the Deadhead and Ventura has more than our fair share of them as The Grateful Dead performed no less than 11 shows here between 1982 and 1987. Returning to the fairgrounds for the third year is the Skull & Roses festival celebrating The Grateful Dead with bands playing all day Friday through Sunday, April 5 – 7 at Seaside Park at the Ventura Fairgrounds. Just a handful of the bands will be Cubensis, Stu Allen & Mars Hotel, Oteil & Friends, Melvin Seals & JGB and a dozen or so more bands. And while Seaside Park does not allow overnight parking, SkullandRoses.com reports camping is allowed in original Lot C by the Beach, and they go on to say, and I quote, that this is, “One of the most potent deadhead power spots on planet earth.” Who knew!

The Ventura Theater has a number of concerts over the next two weeks including All that Remains and Attila on Thursday, March 28, The Offspring performs an acoustic show on Thursday April 4 with Johnny Two Bags opening, but in between, they’ll be helping to raise money for a good cause, with Rockin’ for Autisum featuring local bands on Saturday, March 30 with Fallen Saints, Hologram Empire, The Rays and Raised on Vinyl. It’s only a $10 cover, but I’m sure they’ll accept more.

It’s always a great outing for the entire family when the Ventura County Concert Band puts on shows at the Ventura High School Auditorium. Their next one falls on Sunday, March 31 with “March Madness” beginning at 3 pm and as always, it’s absolutely free to the community.

Quick Notes: Smokey & Friends Monday night residency continues at Copa Cubana, the Jerry McWorter Trio plays Tuesdays; Drug Apts out of Sacramento play The Tavern on Wednesday, March 27, with Sweet Reaper and Gunpowder Empires; it’s rockabilly fun with Bad Luck Gamblers, The Cursed Bastards and Three on a Match at Red Cove on Friday, March 29; both Aaron Orbit and Owen Bucey will perform individual sets of original music at Oak & Main on Saturday, March 30; ramping up for Skull & Roses will be Jerry’s Middle Finger at Discovery on Sunday, March 31 (they also perform at Skull & Roses); Jen Leigh is the featured guest for the Session with Tommy Marsh on Thursday, April 4 at Grapes and Hops; recording artist Gary Swan will be Gypsy Blues Band’s special guest on Thursday, April 4 at the Blue Room in the Ventura Harbor; Yachtley Crew returns to Ventura for a date at Discovery on Saturday, April 6; and if you love the Glam Rock, don’t miss Dolls, The Midnight Devils and others at Red Cove on Saturday, April 6.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 3/13/19 – 3/26/19

Posted on March 13, 2019 by venturarocks

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

This month marks the 10-year anniversary of VenturaRocks.com. I launched the website on March 17 because…well because it was ready to roll out, no other reason. But it’s great to celebrate on a day where most everyone is happy to be out enjoying live music. So, let’s get to what’s going on music-wise for St. Patrick’s Day this year.

Dargan’s will have live music throughout the day with Irish bagpipers and such; the Brian Faith Band plays the Blue Agave; Kenny Devoe at the Boatyard Pub; Brandon Ragan Project at Copa Cubana; Shawn Jones at Grapes and Hops; along with Lauren Tannenbaum, bag pipers will make an appearance at The Shores (Oxnard); Bleeding Harp plays a special show at the VFW Hall; and as always, it’s a special treat when the Ventura Fire Department Band makes their scheduled appearances on St. Patrick’s Day starting at Social Tap at noon, then the Boat Yard Pub at 1:15, Made West at 2, Garman’s Pub (Santa Paula) at 3:30, Rincon Brewery at 4:45 and wrapping up the day with a downtown crawl at 6 pm.

The Grape has another special event I want to make you aware of, they’ll be presenting an artist out of New York City, Nir Felder, on Thursday, March 14 at the Hong Kong Inn. Felder is currently one of the hottest guitarists of the New York City jazz scene, not only are we lucky to have him play for us in Ventura, but the day before you can catch him on Ellen DeGeneres show.

Quick Notes: Margarita Villa in the Harbor is ramping up their live music again as the weather warms up; Naughty Pine out of Washington bring their brand of reggae to The Garage on Wednesday, March 13; the annual “Let’s Go Out!” ARC event with The Vonettes, and Seth Pettersen & Friends will be at Bombay’s Saturday March 16 from 5-8 pm; MisUnderstood rocks Food Truck Friday at the mall on Friday, March 15; a new duo, Heckel & Jeckel featuring Jerry Breiner and Divebar Steve (Kramer), play Winchesters on Friday, March 15; Uli Jon Roth (Scorpions) plays the Ventura Theater on Sunday, March 24; and finally the next artist to be featured on VenturaRockSpot will be Karen 805, you can find the video interview on VenturaRocks.com mid-March.

By the way, I’d like to invite you to tune in for the Pam Baumgardner Music Hour airing on KPPQ-LP at 104.1 FM, or online at www.CapsMedia.org/Radio, or using the MyTuner app (for your phone). I play local and independent artists in and around the 805 as well as artists who come here to play. The show airs Tuesdays at 5 with rebroadcasts Friday at 5 and Sundays at noon. Oh! And don’t forget to tell a friend!

Ventura Music Photos – March 2019

Posted on March 3, 2019 by venturarocks

The Blue Room – March 28, 2019
Gypsy Blues Band w/ special guest Jimmy Calire

Grapes and Hops – March 6, 2019
The Swillys w/ special guest Jon Gindick

Ventura Theater – March 2, 2019
Pennywise

Ventura Music Photos – February 2019

Posted on February 28, 2019 by venturarocks

Hong Kong Inn – February 1, 2019
The Grape presents
Jen Staves and the Bluzfish Trio

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 2/27 – 3/12

Posted on February 27, 2019 by venturarocks

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

Let’s talk about ensuring we have jazz in town, and not just every now and then. I’m talking about a venue where you can count on not only local artists having a place to showcase their talent, but a jazz house where world-class musicians travel to Ventura (some actually live here) to play in front of an appreciative audience. Of course, I’m talking about Squashed Grapes re-opening at their new location in mid-town Ventura. If you’d like to weigh in, then you are invited to attend the obligatory public hearing to be held at Ventura City Hall in the Council Chambers on Wednesday, April 10, at 6 pm; please mark it on your calendar now. I’ll be there, and I’m personally inviting you to come help Adam and Josh reopen Squashed Grapes. Long live The Grape!

Sorry to report we’ve lost another venue for live music. I’d like to thank Kristen Shubert for the past few years for running Vintura at the Wine Rack and offering not only a lovely place to hang, a crew happy to describe the wines available but for also supporting Ventura’s music scene by providing an eclectic mix of artists on their stage. Unfortunately, she lost her lease but she went out in fine fashion by selling everything in the venue from bottles of wine at half off, to all items in the store, cushions to artwork. Her last day for music was Monday, February 25, with artists showing up to jam as a final send off.

Quick Notes: The Black Angus at Main and Telephone now offers live music 5:30 – 8:30 pm on Thursdays; The Grape presents Doug Webb ~~featuring Danny Carey (TOOL)~~ at the Hong Kong Inn on Saturday, March 2; Pennywise plays the Ventura Theater, Saturday, March 2, Zoe on Friday, March 8; Salzer’s has an in-store performance from Trouble in the Wind on Friday, March 1 at 6 pm; the Ventura College Symphony Orchestra’s Concertos night will be Saturday, March 2; Bank of Books will have three bands in the house for an all ages show on Saturday, March 9, at 6 pm featuring The Crawdads, The References and King Archie; Luicidal Tendencies, featuring members of Suicidal Tendencies play The Garage on Tuesday, March 5, along with IDecline, Sick Sense and F.S.K.D.; and finally Jodi Farrell will once again highlight her students with a performance workshop at Namba on Saturday, March 9, at noon.

Just a side note, The Lantern Festival seemed to be a success if you’re solely going by the number of people participating. I hope they’ll be back next year, maybe advertise a little more and I hope the weather cooperates with less wind. Of course, it could have been worse, it could have rained.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 2/13 – 2/26

Posted on February 12, 2019 by venturarocks

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

I am so happy to hear that Surf Rodeo is on again for this year and I just found out it will be in a new location moving from Pierpont Beach to the Ventura Pier. No word on bands yet, but you won’t want to make any vacation plans for the weekend of July 13 and 14.

Another festival will be testing Ventura out, it’s called the Lantern Festival which will be held on Saturday, February 16, with live music from Cardiod, Nightgown and Pretty Polly. This family friendly event will of course feature hundreds of lanterns hanging, yours is included in the price of your ticket which range from $29 to $75 for VIP passes. I found this one on Facebook.

Holy moly, don’t even think I’d forget about Valentine’s Day. Okay, the long and short of it goes like this, we have lovey dovey to total animosity. Let’s start on the lovey dovey side with the Toni Jannotta Jazz Trio at Vintura at the Wine Rack, Bryan McCann at Café Fiore, ~~Warren Takahaski~~ Varon Thomas at The Cave, The Gypsy Blues band continues their weekly residency at The Blue Room next to the Comedy Club in the Harbor, there’s the weekly Bluegrass jam at the Boatyard Pub at the Harbor, then for the harder side of the coin, it’s Danko Jones and Nashville Pussy at Discovery and finally HeWhoCannotBeNamed and the Devros at The Tavern. Good luck!

Quick Notes: Jerry’s Middle Finger with The Alligators will be at the Golden China on Saturday, February 16; El Rey Cantina is hosting a fundraiser for The Young and Brave Foundation with Timmy Curran and Friends performing on Saturday, February 23; Several local spanning several genres have pulled their resources for a Notes for Notes fundraiser at the Ventura Theater on Saturday, February 23, featuring Astreyas, Disrupted Euphoria, Doc Martin Band and Eleven Point Two; a roots rock band out of Portland called Wanderlodge will be working their way through town with a handful of dates including one at Made West Brewing on Saturday, February 16, Topa Topa Brewing Co. on Thursday, February 21, and Winchesters on Friday, February 22; and a Johnny Cash Birthday Bash with the Mighty Cash Cats and Silver Threads will be at Bombay’s on Sunday, February 24, the show starts at 6 pm with no cover charge.

Finally, huge congratulations to Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps for earning a Grammy nomination for this year’s Best Contemporary Blues Album for her 10th album, “Here in Babylon” as well as a huge shout out to Jesse Siebenberg who worked with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper on “Shallow” with Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real. “Shallow” won the Grammy for Best Song Written for visual Media and for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

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.