Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, you know venues will be hopping with live music, specials and parties promising costume contests and more. There will also be several parties falling on both Friday and Saturday so you can get more bang for your buck when pulling together your costume this year. I’m sure there will be a few Dolly Partons, but if I had a red wig, I’d go as Aunt Gladys from the movie Weapons (so creepy!). Downtown Ventura should be busy with people walking venue to venue, “rain or shine” (or should that be “rain or no rain” as it rarely shines after dark). From Tony’s Pizzera with the Bomb and DJ Bruce Barrios to the Crowne Plaza with Electric Duke and Doctor Wu, to The Human Collective at Winchesters and Matterform at the Yard, there will be plenty of live music to keep things lively. Refer to listings below for more options.

Amanda McBroom returns to the Rubicon for one night only on Tuesday, December 8, with a holiday show called “A Christmas Rose” which is sure to get you into the holiday spirits. Tickets and more information at RubiconTheatre.org.

As previously reported, the Ojai Pub announced on Monday, September 28, that Monday, September 28, would be their final day of business due to an apparent rent dispute. That evening the place was packed to the gills and as a result, a social media post let it be known that negotiations are underway, so there is hope the Pub will return.
I’m looking forward to catching actor/musician Fred Armisen at the Ventura Theater on Saturday, November 7. You should remember Armisen from Saturday Night Live and/or Portlandia, but did you know he’s an amazing musician as well? His show promises to be a hybrid of stand-up, live drumming and guitar demonstrations, and improvised sketches built from audience suggestions.

Fair warning: Tickets on sale now for Laurence Juber at Namba Arts on February 13, Elvin Bishop at Ventura Music Hall on November 18, Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox at the Ventura Theater on December 3, and Daughtry unplugged at the Ventura Theater on February 6.

Quick Notes: Thursday, October 29, the Grape welcomes Nutty! – Classic Rock all Jazzed Up featuring a nine-piece jazz band out of LA including Jacob Scesney (baritone sax) originally out of Ojai who has toured the world on the biggest stages including sharing the stage this month with Taylor Swift; a Dia de los Muertos event will be held downtown Ventura Sunday afternoon, November 1, featuring multiple mariachi bands; and the Garage has live music on Sunday afternoon, November 8, featuring A Rock Legend and Lucifige (tributes to Thin Lizzy and Danzig), as well as Ardi with music starting about 5 pm.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows that you would like help publicizing? Please send all information, short or long, to Pam@VenturaRocks.com. For updated music listings daily, visit www.VenturaRocks.com.