Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 3/4 – 3/17

Posted on March 2, 2015 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
Happy Anniversary!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Photo: Louie Satchmo

Squashed Grapes already had Zack Brock, Sam Barsh, Danny Janklow and Mark Ferber on the books for February 28 even before Sam Barsh won two Grammys for his work with Rahki. The evening unfolded with stellar jams from original material (some never performed before live) to jazz standards including Thelonious Monk.

Speaking of the Grape, I’m looking forward to hitching a ride on their float during the City’s St. Patrick’s Day parade Saturday, March 14th, downtown Main Street; the band they put together is always a crowd pleaser; this year they’ll have Trey O’Toole, Franklin Murphy, RJ Root and Jacob Scesney. Later that same evening they’ll have a follow up jam performance at the Grape which is always a treat.

W20 always provides the best in entertainment for the dance lovin’ crowd and in that tradition they welcome Dirty Rice on Friday, March 6th and take note because they will be open Tuesday night, March 17, with a St Patrick’s Day party featuring Rey Fresco.

Chef Ubaldo has moved his staff into a much larger accommodating location and now offers live music to his Italian food loving patrons where Zoey’s was home for many years on Santa Clara. You’ll find live music at Padrino’s during peak dinner hours on the weekend with such artists as John Stanewich, John Hendrickson, Lola Haag and crowd favorite Del Franklin.

The Cash Bash held at Bombay’s in honor of the Man in Black’s birthday was packed to the gills proving once again Johnny Cash’s popularity is as strong as ever. It was great to be able to see the Mighty Cash Cats perform before they hit the road for their European tour this month.

Hi Hat Entertainment just added another artist to the lineup for Friday, March 20th Doug Macleod date. Maria Muldaur & the Bluesianna Band will be in the house! You should remember Muldaur who of course had the huge hit with “Midnight at the Oasis.” Advance tickets are available through their website www.hihatentertainment.com.

You can’t say Jonny doesn’t take chances on new artists. John Reese, owner of Amigo’s on Main Street, is one of the sweetest guys I know giving chances to artists like no other. John got wind that two bands were traveling through town from Santa Cruz and were looking for a place to play and he welcomed them immediately and placed them on the bill that same night. Mimur ( Gypsy/Ska/Jazz/Rock ) and Cyclops and the Owl (psychedelic Surf Jazz) played after the Gypsy Blues Band late Thursday night (February 26) and killed it! Mary Michelsen, bass player for Mimur said, “It was so fun!” Nothing like a last minute gig!!

VenturaRocks.com celebrates its six-year anniversary on St. Patrick’s Day. I launched the website on this day mostly because it was ready to roll out and because, well, why not?! Thanks for all the love and support. Ventura really does rock!

If you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 2/18 – 3/3

Posted on February 16, 2015 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
Music in the Round Rocks!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Grapes and Hops downtown has been serving up more than a stellar offering of wine and beer lately. Rufus Philpot has put together top-notch musicians calling themselves No Mad Trio featuring his mad bass beats and Steve Hass (Manhattan Transfer) on drums and Matt Rohde (Associate Music Director from American Idol) on keyboards; they’ve been playing just about monthly on early Sunday evenings. But one cooler than cooler night of music was a singer songwriter music in the round which featured our very own Shawn Jones (along with Sam Bolle) playing host to Suzie Candell (whom he’s been producing), and Jeff Silbar who won the Grammy for song of the Year when he wrote “Wind Beneath my Wings” (Bette Midler had the huge hit with it and it was featured in the movies “Beaches”). I asked Silbar if he ever gets tired of playing “Wind”, but he said he never does because he never plays it the same way twice. It was a great night watching the camaraderie and talent and hearing great stories behind the songs.

Country star, Lacy J. Dalton, played a fundraiser for the Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center at Discovery on Friday, February 13; upcoming Reggae shows to watch for include a night with Hirie and Arise Roots on Thursday, February 19, and then on February 26 it’s Tribal Theory with Dirty Rice opening.

Bombay’s will be hosting a Johnny Cash Birthday bash on Sunday, February 22 from 1-6 pm featuring live music from Hard Six, Big Tweed and the Mighty Cash Cats. Proceeds benefit the Ventura County Animal Services.

Golden China will feature live music on Thursday, February 19, when the Vic Moraga Band will get the swing dance crowd swinging, then on Saturday, February 21, Coven will bring their own brand of Goth Rock to the big room.

Hi Hat Entertainment continues to bring on the best of the blues to the Ventura Beach Club; shows to watch for include Lightnin’ Willie on February 20, The Forty Fours on February 27, and always a crowd favorite Billy Vera and the Beaters on March 13.

The good folks at Green Art People have been bringing live shows weekly in a family environment for over six years every Wednesday and now they are offering their weekly shows in the privacy of your own home for as low as $1 a show which you’ll receive Monday mornings. You can contribute more per show and cancel at any time. It’s a great way to support this non-profit who will be splitting the donations with the bands. Upcoming shows include GrooveSession on the February 18 and Rooster Ra with Kyle Swan opening on the 25.

Loving social media? You can follow us on Twitter at VenturaRocks1; Instagram at VenturaRocksWebsite and on the granddaddy of them all Facebook at Ventura Rocks-Website.

If you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Music Photos: May 2014

Posted on May 2, 2014 by venturarocks

Music in Ventura
Amigos – May 25, 2014
Cougar Estrada – The Lounge Trio

Squashed Grapes – May 24, 2014
Tom Buckner & the Ventura Connection w/ special guest Theo Saunders

Squashed Grapes – May 24, 2014
TreCoustics

Discovery Ventura – May 23, 2014
Wailing Souls

Squashed Grapes – May 21, 2014
Skip Spiro’s Little BIG Band

Cafe Fiore – May 21, 2014
Big Adventure

Private Home – May 19, 2014
Zack

Squashed Grapes – May 17, 2014
Donna Deussen & the Paul Weitz Trio

Pulse Drumming Drum Clinic – May 17, 2014
Vinny Appice

Yolie’s – May 16, 2014
Kim Wilson

Gone West Cellars – May 16, 2014
National Cat

W20 at the Watermark – May 15, 2014
Ventura Social Club

Surf Brewery – May 13, 2014
Swing Cheese

Salzer’s Records – May 13, 2014
Keb Mo

Squashed Grapes – May 10, 2014
Ventura Jazz Collective: Pablo Plasencia, Trey O’Toole, Patrick Martin, Bill Bannister

Golden China – May 9, 2014
Angie’s Curse

Bombay Bar and Grill – May 9, 2014
sleepercub

Bombay Bar and Grill – May 9, 2014
Taylor Rae

Green Art People – May 6, 2014
Jonathan and Nathan McEuen

Amigo’s Surf Cantina – May 5, 2014
Los Dudes

Ventura Beach Festival – May 3, 2014
Martha Davis and The Motels

Ventura Beach Festival – May 3, 2014
The Surfaris

Ventura Beach Festival – May 3, 2014
Rey Fresco

Ventura Beach Festival – May 3, 2014
Spencer the Gardener

Ventura Beach Festival – May 3, 2014
Dirty Rice

Squashed Grapes – May 1, 2014
Emmy Award Winner Chieli Minucci and Special EFX

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 4/2 – 4/15

Posted on March 31, 2014 by venturarocks

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

VenturaRocks.com’s 5th anniversary party was a blast. Many thanks to Those Lousy Drunken Uncles who kicked off the festivities and especially to one of Ventura’s favorites, Rey Fresco, for hitting it out of the park. Diego and the crew at Bombay’s are the best; I can’t thank them enough for their hospitality and for their continued support. The night was a long one to be sure with family, friends and VenturaRocks.com supporters coming and going as they celebrated their St. Patrick’s Day in their own way. Many heartfelt thanks to those who did stop in including Sheldon Brown from the Ventura Breeze, Sally Williams representing the Swillys (thanks for the bubbly dear!), Shawn Jones, Owen Bucey, Dan Grimm, Doug Johnson, Kat Merrick from Totally Local VC, JR from Winchesters, Armand John Lizzy, Tommy Marsh and Tammy Aren, Eve Mimiaga, John Reese of Amigos, Brother Rob from KXBS and all my family and friends who made the time to come by, that meant a lot. Oh! Big thanks to Maggie McKinney for the beautiful flowers and all that delicious cake!

John Reese of Amigos announced something extremely cool. Nathan McEuen will be playing at Amigos every Tuesday night 6-8 pm through the month of April. Yeah baby!

The Ventura Beach Festival announced the line-up for the May 3rd event at San Buenaventura State Beach with Martha and the Motels headlining. Other bands on the bill include The Surfaries, Rey Fresco, Spencer the Gardener, Dirty Rice and Barley Legal. This one helps benefit Friends of Channel Coast State Parks. For ticket information, visit www.VenturaBeachFestival.com.

It looks like more music will be happening down at the Ventura Harbor Village Carousel Stage as the weather continues to warm up. All shows run noon – 3 pm. Just a few lined up: Rusty Rounders on April 6, Beach Bums on April 13, Main Street Jazz Band on April 20 and Jill Martini Soiree on April 27.

Shows to watch out for at the Majestic Ventura Theater include The Pet Shop Boys on April 11, and Latin-ska band, Panteon Rocoxco, which will be in town on April 19. Both Ellie Goulding on April 16 and Cage the Elephant on April 18th are sold out.

Ventura’s music scene is incredible because we have three different elements coming together here in this amazing town. First and foremost, we have amazing talent, secondly we have the venues which support live music (and a great deal of it original), but it wouldn’t come together without the third element which is us music lovers. Together, we make Ventura Rock!!!

Do you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 1/22/14 – 2/4/14

Posted on January 21, 2014 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
Colbie Coillat’s Special
Appearance at the Watermark
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Ventura’s music scene was just about as hot as it gets Thursday night, January 17, when the Watermark’s W20 played host to a new artist showcase. Grammy winning producer, Ken Callait (Fleetwood Mac, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd…) brought several acts from his own label, Sleeping Giant Music Group. Backing up the first three artists were three of Ventura County’s finest musicians, Joe Baugh (guitar), Sam Bolle (bass) and Mario Calire (drums). Andrea Russett, super popular with the social media crowd with over half a million Twitter followers, was the emcee. On the bill were Laura Rizzoto, Caitlin Edge, Lola Delon, Bean and New Hollow. Several of the acts have music on radio already with the latter getting spins on KROQ. The announcement for the showcase also promised the debut of Colbie Coillat’s new music video and a special guest appearance, which turned out to be none other than Colbie herself performing two of her songs live. The night was amazing and I’ll be watching for big things from all artists with special attention on Lola Delon.

Discovery Ventura has been open since mid December during what is called a “soft opening”. Their New Year’s Eve party as expected was a sold out event. But now, it’s going to be official as they pull out all the stops for their grand opening celebration kicking off with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, January 22. The weekend’s music will be off the hook with Dirty Rice and Shaky Feelin’ together on Friday and then Rey Fresco rockin’ the house on Saturday the 25th. Get advance tickets at www.DiscoveryVentura.com.

Jukebox Mutiny recently brought on board Ryan Reynolds (additional guitars and synth) joining Ron Dusky (bass), Jaymes Quirino (guitar) and Jeremiah Esparza (percussion). Duskey told me, “It’s been a very good and dynamic addition.” The band has been working on new material and polishing up their older stuff. I’m looking forward to their next gig, which may be a Sunday afternoon stint at Sans Souci.

Things should get interesting for the Breaking Banjos 2014 Tour, making its first stop at Bombay Bar and Grill on Saturday, February 1. On the bill will be three acts featuring banjos, 50 Sticks of Dynamite, Whiskey Chimp and 5th and Birmingham.

I’m also looking forward to Send Medicine who will be coming to town from L.A. to play one of Green Art People’s (GAP) Wednesday night concerts on January 22. Julian Hacquebard of Send Medicine told me they heard about GAP from sources whose opinions they trust describing their sound as, “A mix of psychedelic/folk/blues with hints of tribal percussion and garage.” Shows start earlier than most here in town at 6:30 pm, so the GAP crowd has been moving to The Tavern afterwards for more music from Mark Masson (Shaky Feelin’) who is the master at keeping the parting going.

Have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help on publicizing? Send all information short or long: Pam@VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Rocks

Yeah it Does!

Tag Archives: Dirty Rice

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 3/4 – 3/17

Ventura Music Photos: May 2014

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 4/2 – 4/15

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 1/22/14 – 2/4/14