Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 9/28 – 10/11

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Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
Folk fest to Metal fest
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

High at the top of my list of things to do over the next few weeks is the Topa Topa Folk Fest being held at the beautiful Libbey Bowl in Ojai on Saturday, October 1. Ticket sales have been brisk, which is great because I’d love to see this one sell out as it also helps to benefit the Turning Point Foundation. Headlining the folk fest will be Jake Smith better known as The White Buffalo whose music has been featured on such TV shows as “Sons of Anarchy” and “Californication.” I’m also excited to see Grizfolk after watching local talent Brendon Willing share his adventures via social media after joining the band over a year ago. Actually, the whole lineup is pretty cool with Jaime Wyatt, Todd Hannigan, Shane Alexander, Lee Koch, Bryan Titus and so many more talented folks. Find out more at www.OnesToWatchProductions.com. You can help make a difference while enjoying a great day of music, hope to see you there!

Another Turning Point Foundation fundraising was held at the Traveler’s Café on Thursday, September 22 when Shawn Jones entertained the room. It was the perfect opportunity for people to check out one of Ventura’s newest restaurants offering up live acoustic music on select days. Shawn by the way heads back to Europe the first week in October for about a month with shows in Italy and Ireland.

The highly anticipated return of Cirth Ungol (their first show in 25 years) is finally upon us as they headline Frost and Fire II at the Ventura Theater on October 8, and to sweeten the deal even further, Metal Blade Records released the band’s classic “Paradise Lost” on CD and vinyl. Frost and Fire II actually spans three days (October 7-9) and three venues (Bombay’s, Sans Souci and the Ventura Theater). This heavy metal festival isn’t for the light of heart and will most likely sell out (Day one already sold out at press time). To get the full line up of bands and schedules go to www.FrostAndFireFest.com.

Plan B will be celebrating their 4th anniversary with their popular Second Sunday Supper for October (on the 9th), featuring The Vonettes. The venue is also working on Friday nights for live music on a regular basis.

Squashed Grapes is excited to welcome Ronnie Hudson on Saturday, October 8. Hudson is most notable for his hit song “West Coast Poplock” which would later appear on Dr. Dre and Tupac Shakur’s song, “California Love” and Snoop Dogg’s “Poplock 2”. Hudson also played bass on the legendary Grammy-winning soundtrack “Shaft” by Isaac Hayes, and his work is featured in other films including “The Social Network”, “Iron Man II” and “South Central.”

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 9/14-9/27

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Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
Suds and Tunes
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Photo: Joe Nichols Country music star courtesy of JoeNichols.com

Photo: Joe Nichols Country music star courtesy of JoeNichols.com

California Beer Festival returns to Ventura with several events all week long at different venues in the area, but on Friday, there’s a Food and Beer Pairing Competition up at City Hall with music from Ross Harper and The Bomb; on Saturday, it’s their Craft Beer Heaven at Plaza Park featuring music from The Purple Ones, Dr. M and The Caverns; and then the grand finale, Boots and Brews featuring music from Caught Red Handed, Tyler Rich, Highway Starr and a performance from Country music star Joe Nichols.  For information on all events and how to get tickets, go to CaliforniaBeerFestival.com/Ventura. On Sunday, be sure to stop by the VenturaRocks.com booth and sit a spell and share your music related tidbits with me!

Fresh off the Dave Mason tour, drummer Alvino Bennett held a drum clinic for Pulse Drumming at Squashed Grapes on September 10 and then immediately following that Saturday afternoon, he held a short jam with a handful of fellow musicians including Jonathan McEuen deeming them “Alvino Bennett and his Stellar Acquaintances.” Oh, by the way, both Jonathan and his brother Nathen will be joined by their father John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) at the Topa Topa Winery in Ojai Sunday, September 18, 3-5 pm.

And speaking of Ojai, and more Topa Topaness, One’s to Watch Productions will be holding Topa Topa Folk Fest on October 1 with headliner, The White Buffalo. Other folk acts include Grizfolk, Jaime Wyatt, Todd Hannigan, Shane Alexander, The Brambles, Dear Lemon Trees and the Bryan Titus Trio. The day-long concert benefits in part the Turning Point Foundation. You can find ticket information at OnesToWatchProductions.com.

Ventura’s Elks Lodge is holding a lodge membership drive and BBQ on Saturday, September 17th with proceeds benefiting Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Ventura; both Big Adventure and The Swillys will be performing.  The Ventura Elks Lodge is located at 2126 Knoll Drive; the event starts at 4 pm.

Discovery’s Backyard Bash was a big success! Now I’m looking forward to seeing the return of Alastair Greene on Friday September 16, the Fooz Fighters, a tribute to the Foo Fighters on Saturday September 17, and Diego’s Umbrella, San Francisco’s ambassadors of gypsy rock, on Saturday, September 24.

Rock the Dock continues on Saturday afternoons 3-6 pm during September in the Ventura Harbor.  You can catch The Phantom Riders on the 17th and Super Stoked on the 24th.

Birdbrain hosts their CD release party Friday, September 17 at Sans Souci; Youth Brigade will play with The Grim and Mothers of Dissension at The Garage on Friday, September 23; and Pat Kelly along with Carey Frank and Steve Hass will play Squashed Grapes on Saturday September 24th.

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 Music Photos: September 2016

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Ventura Theater – September 25, 2016
Tech N9ne – photo credit: Josh Adams
Tech N9ne

Taste of Local at Olivas Adobe – September 25, 2016
Bryan Titus w/Jeff Kranzler
Bryan Titus with Jeff Kranzler

Amigo’s – September 24, 2016
Goodnight Kiss – photo credit: Iris Vest
Goodnight Kiss

Boots and Brews Fest – September 18, 2016
Joe Nichols
Joe Nichols

Squashed Grapes – September 10, 2016
Alvino Bennett and his Stellar Acquaintances
Alvino Bennett and his Stellar Acquaintances

Amigo’s – September 4, 2016
The Tossers
The Tossers

Ventura Harbor – Rock the Dock – September 3, 2016
CRV, Carmen & the Renegade Vigilantes – photo credit: Jon Reese
CRV

 

Bombay’s 32nd Annual Beach Party Weekend – September 2, 2016
Shaky Feelin’
Shaky Feelin'

W20 at the Watermark – September 2, 2016
Karen Eden Trio – photo credit: Candance Marshall
Karen Eden Trio

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 8/31-9/13

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Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
Help for Budding Artists
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

©highwaystarz

©highwaystarz

Big help from Big Bad Voodoo Daddy for our local schools! That’s $42,500 in funding to Ventura Unified School District earmarked to enhance existing visual and performing arts programs. The funds were made possible through the BBVD concert last April celebrating the City of Ventura’s 150th anniversary.  I’m looking forward to seeing new upcoming artist having the chance to flourish as a result of the band’s generosity.

Local singer, Eric Harrington, recently played at Squashed Grapes to a packed house. Few knew there was a chance that drummer Vinnie Colaiuta might show up, and show up he did for the final songs of the night. Harrington told me, “What an amazing night it was, and to end it with Vinnie sitting in was just incredible, he’s just a delightful man!”  Trey O’Toole from Pulse Drumming told me that Colaiuta had been working in a session all day and was afraid he might not make it, but luckily for the house, he did.

Speaking of Pulse Drumming and Squashed Grapes, watch for the Alvino Bennett (currently working with Dave Mason) drum clinic on September 10; he’ll be joined afterwards at the Grape for an awesome jam including musicians George Hawkins, Jr. on bass and vocals (Kenny Loggins & Jim Messina), Jonathan McEuen on guitar and vocals (Dwight Yoakum, NGDB, Dave Mason), Geo Evans on guitar (Cheryl Lynn, Euge Groove) and TJ, Teddy Jack Russell on guitar and vocals (Leon Russell).

Bombay’s 32nd End of Summer Party hits Ventura over the first weekend of September with three stages (including one outdoors with sand and a mechanical bull).  Look for musical acts all weekend long including performances from Mandex, Highway Starr, Dirty Rice, Uproots, Shakey Feelin’ and A.D.D to name but a few.

The first ever Oxnard Jazz Festival lands at Oxnard Beach on Saturday, September 10, offering a diverse mix of Jazz, Latin, Soul, Blues and R&B with Tom Brown, Nick Colionne, Howard Hewett, O’Bryan, Quatrosound and Poncho Sanchez. You can get ticket information and more on this special event at OxnardJazzFestival.com.

Alternative/Country rockers, Porter & the Bluebonnet will be swinging through town from Austin, TX, with a showcase at Sans Souci on Friday, September 9. They’ll be on the same bill as The Jelly.

The Ventura Theater has been packing in the shows for the rest of the year. You’ll want to review their line up so you don’t miss any acts such as Jackson Browne, Pennywise, Echo & the Bunnymen, Steve Vai, Good Charlotte, Yellowcard, Ben Folds, Garbage, The Common Kings, Dwight Yoakum and more! Plus, you have the Nardcore show on September 10, and Frost and Fire with the return of Cirith Ungol on October 8.  Details at VenturaTheater.net.

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.

World Premiere: The Bet

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August 16, 2016
By Pam Baumgardner

The-Bet_Marquee_001

Well the guys pulled it off!  Not only did they write and co-produce their first feature length film, but they held a red carpet event at the Regal Cinema at LA Live in Los Angeles on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.  In attendance stars of The Bet, Alex Klein, Brian Allen, Amanda Clayton, Michael Consiglio and more including director Ryan Ederer.

Congratulations to Army of Freshmen members, Chris Jay and Aaron Goldberg on their raunchy comedy (not for the faint of heart), The Bet.

DSC_0082

Many thanks to photographer, Cliff Montgomery for stepping in for VenturaRocks.com who was out of town that week. I take one vacation, and Chris has one red carpet screening, what are the odds they’d be on the same week????

Final note…as a supporter of Ventura’s music scene, and supporter of Chris and Aaron’s first film, and because they asked for help, I’d like to thank them for the opportunity to be one of the extras in the film, but more than that, thanks for the shout out in the credits!  MY NAME IS IN THE FREAKIN’ CREDITS!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed watching The Bet.  I laughed, I blushed, I rolled by eyes shaking my head (boys will be boys), while loving all the Ventura locations used in the film.
Raunchy: yes
Funny: yes
Worthy: Yes!

Don’t be a putz, support Chris and Aaron and buy your very own copy today!!!

I bought mine from Amazon, but it’s available on iTunes, FandangoNow, Google Play, Vudu, and more.

Interview with Chris Jay on The Bet
The Bet Official Website
The Bet Facebook Page

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 8/17 – 8/30

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Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
“Idols, Icons and more…”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Karen Eden with Olivia Newton-John at W20 at the Watermark, Thursday, August 4, 2016.

Karen Eden with Olivia Newton-John at W20 at the Watermark, Thursday, August 4, 2016.

With the Ventura County Fair behind us leaving us with many cool memories of so many amazing concerts, I would be remissed if I didn’t share one slightly monumental event that took place on Tuesday afternoon. One of our musical treasures we claim as our own is Jimmy Calire who you can find playing here in town with several different bands. I once wrote about stories Calire shared with me when his band Raven played in New York City and Jimi Hendrix would join in on the jam and I even once read that Janis Joplin tried to hire him at one point. Calire also toured with America in the seventies, so it was really cool when America played at the fair and invited Jimmy to join them for their final song, their most iconic tune, “Horse with No Name”. I had to ask Jimmy about it and he modestly told me, “Joining them on the song was great, but just catching up backstage was even better.”

Another anecdotal story I must share with you involves another local artist whom you can find singing her Aussie heart out most weeks here in town, of course I’m speaking of Karen Eden. Mark Hartley of the Watermark specifically had Eden booked for Thursday, August 4, in order to surprise her with one of Eden’s idols. Karen told me, “I was half way through a song when Hartley gave me a mischievous look and out from behind him stepped none other than Olivia Newton-John!” Karen of course immediately recognized her and smiled a huge grin. She told me, “I can’t believe I kept singing!” After the song Karen went up to Olivia and gave her a big hug. Karen got to tell her how she grew up listening to, learning from and loving her. Karen confessed, “She was so lovely; it was a treat of a lifetime for me.” It also turned out that Karen’s guitarist that evening, Cary Park, had played on one of Olivia’s albums back in the 90s. What a night!

And just so you know Mark Hartley, Dave Grohl is my favorite idol. Just sayin’.

Music Under the Stars continues Saturday nights throughout the summer at the historic Olivas Adobe with music from the Shari Puorto Band (Rock ‘n’ Blues) on August 20 and Savor (Santana tribute band) on August 27 which is already sold out.

And finally Spencer Makenzie’s Cornhole Tournament has been growing exponentially gaining recognition as the West Coast’s biggest cornhole/bean bag tournament and though their main focus is the contest, they’re also continuing their End of Summer party with a free concert Saturday, August 27, featuring Mandex. Show starts at 6 with Andre, then Brothers Fortune and the headliners at 8.
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 Music Photos: August 2016

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Made West Brewery – August 28, 2016
Lee Koch
Lee Koch Band

Amigo’s – August 28, 2016
Karen Eden Trio
Karen Eden Trio

Bank of Books – August 27, 2016
RJ Mischo – photo credit: Evelyn Kelly Johnson
RJ Mischo & Band

Saloon BBQ Co. – August 18, 2016
Dead Country Gentlemen – photo credit: Wendell Ward
Dead Country Gentlemen

 

Squashed Grapes – August 18, 2016
Eric Harrington 
Eric Harrington

Ventura County Fair – August 9, 2016
America – Photo credit: Felix Cortez
America

Grapes and Hops – August 6, 2016
Bryan Titus
Bryan Titus

 

Ventura County Fair – August 6, 2016
Third Eye Blind
Third Eye Blind

 

Ventura County Fair – August 5, 2016
Old Dominion
Old Dominion

Ventura County Fair – August 4, 2016
Styx
Tommy Shaw of Styx

W20 at the Watermark – August 4, 2016
Karen Eden with Olivia Newton-John
Karen and Olivia

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 8/3 – 8/16

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Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
“If the Fair is a Rockin’…”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Concert Scene

Finally, it’s Fair time!!! Yippee! Deep fried foods of all kinds, here I come and I don’t feel too guilty as I’ll be burning off those empty calories dancing to all the great music coming our way. The fair officially opens on Wednesday August 3 (the Fair Parade will be held on Saturday morning the 6th on Main Street downtown Ventura), and will run through Sunday, August 14. Their full entertainment schedule can be found at the fair’s official website (VenturaCountyFair.org). I’m looking forward to Styx, Old Dominion, the return of Joan Jett, and of course one of my favorite bands, Third Eye Blind!

Music Under the Stars continues Saturday nights throughout the summer at the historic Olivas Adobe with Cuban Classica music from Orquesta Charangoa on August 6 and one of the best Beatles tribute bands around, Britain’s Finest on August 13.

Here’s an interesting tidbit, Paul Black (of LA Guns fame) will be returning to Margarita Villa on Saturday, August 13. Black had actually reached out to the venue asking for a slot to play and they were happy to oblige.

I looked over Squashed Grapes’ August calendar for jazz music and trust me, there’s going to be plenty of cool jazz for your hot summer nights culminating with the return of Doug Webb featuring Danny Carey of TOOL on Saturday, August 27. Carey missed the last engagement due to touring conflicts. Other highlights to watch for include the return of Bobby West with Adam Clark on August 3, Anne Hall & the Remarkables on the 7th, the Fair Parade band August 6 (always a good time), Rachel Flowers on the 13th, Colin Bailey on the 25th and D.on Darox and the Melody Joy Bakers on the 26th. Full line up can be found at SquashedGrapes.com/events.

The final installment of Ventura Rocks on CAPS Media has been released. Don’t miss The NaVaNaX airing now on CAPS but it’s also available 24/7 on Ventura Rocks’ YouTube channel. The guys did a spectacular job. Many thanks to the crew at CAPS for the opportunity and for their support of Ventura’s music scene.

And finally, I caught up with lead singer/musician Eric Rachmany of Rebelution who assured me the band will return to Ventura, but on their current tour you’ll have to catch them at the Santa Barbara Bowl on August 13. Eric told me, “Ventura is just as much home for us as Santa Barbara. Back in the day us and Iration had the opportunity to open for Yellowman at the Ventura Theatre. We have some great memories in Ventura. We will be back!” You can read the full interview on VenturaRocks.com, and you’ll most likely want to pick up their latest release, “Falling Into Place.”

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.

Interviews – Table of Content

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