Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
The hot place to be the last weekend of June is at Surfers Point Live at the Ventura Fairgrounds where two full-day concerts will be held. First on Saturday, June 28, it’s a full day of reggae with Ziggy Marley headlining; supporting acts include Matisyahu, Lupe Fiasco, Rey Fresco and OnePeople, Then the following day on Sunday, June 29, it’s Boots & Brews Country Music Festival with Kane Brown headlining; supporting acts include Jackson Dean, Mackenzie Carpenter and Jayden Secor. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to SurfersPointLive.com. By the way, Surfers Point Live’s next event is Tequila & Taco Music Festival, July 19-20 with headliner, Lil Kim.
Staying with the fairgrounds, this summer’s Grandstand entertainment has mostly been announced though Sunday, August 3, remains “Announcement coming soon.” There’s a little something for everyone from a beach block party style concert to kick off the series on Wednesday, July 30, with Tone Loc, Ying Yang Twins, Fat Joe, and Pepa of Salt-n-Pepa. Then it’s Diplo on Thursday, July 31, Dirty Heads on Friday, August 1, Lee Brice on Saturday, August 2, Flo Rida on Monday, August 4, Dylan Scott on Tuesday, August 5 and wrapping up the series, it’s Scotty McCreery on Wednesday, August 6. This is the second year where the grandstand music remains free, but if you want to be closer to the action, you need to purchase VIP tickets which range from $40-$70 on top of your fair entrance fee. You can get more info at VenturaCountyFair.org.
Ozomatli is celebrating 30 years of music, activism and culture at the Ventura Music Hall on Friday, June 27. If you’ve never seen the band live, do yourself a favor and get a ticket as I’m sure you’ll love their blend of Latin, hip-hop, funk, reggae and more. You can always rewatch the Drew Barrymore movie, Never Been Kissed where you can see them perform in the club scene.
Camarillo’s Summer Concert Series features the band Gold Rush Country on Saturday, June 28 from 7 – 9 pm at Constitution Park. All their concerts will be free over the summer when you’re invited to bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnics. Food trucks will be on site.
If you want your July 4th to include live music, then you have a number of venues to choose from including Tony’s Pizzeria with House Arrest, Ojai Valley Brewing with Josephoenix and Blues Bullet, Onyx Bistro in Camarillo hosts Ray Jaurique Trio, The Ska Daddyz take over Duke’s Beach Grill in Ventura, and Heritage Square will have The Soul City Revival Band. As an aside, the Ventura Rotary Club will once again host fireworks at Ventura College with live music, but there’s no telling who will be performing from their website or social media posts.
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.