Ventura Music Scene 8/7 – 8/20

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

We’re right smack dab in the middle of summer and though most of the big events are behind us, there is, and always will be, plenty of live music to take in throughout the county. Let’s start with Moorpark’s historic High Street Arts Center where they have a live music series kicking off Friday, August 9 and running through September 1. They’ll host a number of tribute bands featuring the music of the Rolling Stones to Billy Joel, Jimmy Buffet to Elvis Presley, and Santana to the Surf City Allstars. Over the next two weekends there’s Stevie Nicks Illusion on August 9, Mark Wood and the Parrot Head Band on August 10, Smooth Sounds of Santa on August 16 and Raymond Michael, Elvis impersonator, on August 17. For ticket prices and availability, go to highstreetartscenter.com.

For a special evening out, I recommend one of the Candlelight Concerts which return to the Majestic Ventura Theater on Friday, August 16, for two different one-hour shows featuring the Listeso String Quartet. At 6:30 it’s the music of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, then at 9 pm a tribute to Taylor Swift. Tickets available through FeverUp.com.

It always comes as a surprise to me that there is a number of locals who have never taken in a live concert at Ojai’s Libbey Bowl; it truly is a majestic setting on a warm summer evening. There are still a number of amazing shows on the docket for the season including Los Lonely Boys, Don McLean (yes, Mr. American Pie himself), Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, Pablo Cruise, Thievery Corporation, Chris Isaak and the Temptations, not to mention a number of stellar tribute bands including Queen Nation. Tickets available through axs.com.

And while the Ventura County Fair runs through Sunday, August 11, the final grandstand concert will be Wednesday, August 7 featuring country singer, Gary Allen. Of course, all the smaller stages around the fairgrounds will continue to offer mostly local bands throughout each day.

Quick Notes: tickets on sale now for Big Head Todd and the Monsters’ 40th Anniversary tour for November 23 at the Ventura Music Hall; Numbskull Productions, Los Fest, a punk rock music event on Saturday, August 24, has been postponed; an all-girl tribute band to the Rolling Stones called Some Girls, plays Copper Blues on Friday, August 9; Poseidon Brewing’s 10th anniversary celebration will be held on Saturday, August 10 featuring Steve and Sally Williams; the highly popular Rock the Collection series kicks off on Thursday, August 15 with Bruno and the Holligans; Tommy Quayle returns to Namba Arts on Friday, August 16 for another rendition of “Petty Round the Campfire” featuring all your favorite Tom Petty tunes; Invincible Benatar with Blackstar play Bombay’s on Saturday, August 17; and Psychedelic Summer returns to the Aqua Bar (poolside) on Sunday, August 18;

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.

Ventura Music Scene 6/12/24 – 6/25/24

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

Heritage Square in historic Downtown Oxnard is once again offering free Friday night concerts during the summer, though there are a number of seating options for a fee. The Individual table reservations are available online and run the gamut $54 – $100 plus service fees. There are also limited seats for $10 on a first come first served basis, otherwise bring your low-back chairs and a picnic dinner, or take advantage of the full-service food and beverage options nearby. Over the next two weeks you can catch the Impulse Band on June 14, and the Brandon Ragan Project on June 21. Find out more at HeritageSquareOxnard.com.

Poseidon Brewing Company’s annual Brews, Blues & BBQ will be held on Saturday, June 22, featuring live music from the Guy Martin Band and Looking West. The event runs 1-5 pm with the food catered by Ruff House BBQ. They’re located at 5777 Olivas Park Drive in Ventura.

A fabulous fundraising affair, New West Summerfest 2024 is the kick-off event for their 30th anniversary season calling it Denim and Diamonds to be held at Rancho de las Palmas in Moorpark on Sunday, June 23. Proceeds benefit the New West Symphony’s artistic and educational programs. Tickets are $300 for both the dinner and concert; concert only tickets are $125 while they last. The concert features Jason Scheff (long-time lead vocalist Chicago), Steve Porcaro (Toto), Rick Cowling (Kenny Loggins, Ambrosia, Phil X (Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper) and Sherry Hursey (actress/vocalist). Enjoy iconic hits such as “25 or 6 to 4,” “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” “Africa,” “Baba O’Riley” and more. Find out more at NewWestSymphony.org.

The Ventura Music Festival is coming up at the end of July. The Olivas Adobe concert features Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper on Thursday, July 25. All other concerts will be held at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center with Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Friday, July 26, Caleb Teicher & Conrad Tao on Saturday, July 27, Bach, Baroque and Bunch on Sunday, July 28, Perla Batalla on Friday, August 2, Jason Vieaux and Julien Labro on Saturday, August 3 and Anderson & Roe on Sunday, August 4. Secure tickets at VenturaMusicFestival.org.

Upcoming special events:

Ventura County Fairgrounds
X Games – Friday, June 28 – Sunday, June 30
Surf Rodeo – Friday, July 5 – Saturday, July 6
Tequila & Taco Music Festival – Saturday, July 13
Ventura County Fair – Runs Wednesday, July 31 – Sunday, August 11
The Throw Down Cornhole Festival, Friday, August 23 – Sunday, August 25

Downtown Oxnard
Oxnard Salsa Festival – Saturday, July 27 – Sunday, July 28 downtown Oxnard

Quick Notes: The Six on Main Street downtown Ventura has closed their doors; Ouro and Danielle Stacy play the Saloon on Thursday, June 20; and Reggae Sundays continue at Café Fiore with Jangala Roots on June 16 and Keyth Garcia on June 23.

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.

Ventura Rocks Music Scene Column 8/10/22 – 8/23/22

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.commusic scene artwork logoAugust is in full swing and with it a whole lotta live music in and around Ventura County. The Ventura County Fair is in its second week of its 10-day run and the final Grandstand Stage concert is Wednesday, August 10, with Cheap Trick. That being said, the Station Stage will continue to rock with local favorites through Sunday, August 14. Be sure to check out VenturaRocks.com photo gallery for band photos taken at the Fair this season.

Chick Singer Night just announced their newest City Chapter Director is Ventura’s own Jodi Farrell. Jodi has been an integral part of Ventura’s music scene fPhoto of Jodi Farrellor so many years fronting the Front Street Prophets, performing with TreCoustics, and now with Jim Rankin as a duo. So many performers have been tutored and mentored via Jodi Farrell’s Music Studio and before that when she taught at Ventura Community College. She teaches voice, guitar and piano for all skill levels. She’s received many awards along the way including the 2016 Mayor’s Art Award for Arts Educator. Congratulations Jodi, this is so well deserved!!

Cadillac Zack presents 1960’s blues & rock legends Canned Heat at Cantara Cellars in Camarillo, on Thursday, August 18. If your memory is straining to remember, let me help you out. They had hits such as “Let’s Work Together,” “On the Road Again,” and “Going Up the Country.” They played the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival and had a headlining slot at the original Woodstock. Trust me when I say, you won’t want to miss this amazing night of live music with Delta by the Beach opening.  Just text Zack for ticket information at (323) 377-5291. photo of Oliva Newton-JohnI was very sad to hear about the passing of pop icon, Olivia Newton-John.  Her music instantly brings back memories, and I can’t even count how many times I watched “Grease,” but I think I will always remember her generosity and love when she performed here in Ventura, February of 2018, for the Thomas Fire Benefit. What a sweet being, and what a tremendous loss. Poseidon Brewing will be celebrating their 8th anniversary over the weekend of 8/12-8/14 with Vanise Terry Band, The Dynasties, Morrison Drive and Let’s be Frank performing. Boots and Brews logoTo satisfy your need for live country music, there’s Boots and Brews on Saturday August 20 with Cole Swindell, Eddie Montgomery an Raelynn. Surfer’s Point Live at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Get your tickets at BootsAndBrews.com.

I admit that I absolutely love the different community sponsored music events such as Music Under the Stars at Olivas Adobe whose shows are all sold out for the rest of the season, but rest assured there are a number of free events nearby including the Heritage Square Summer Concert Series in Oxnard with The British Beat on Friday, August 12 6 – 8:30pm and Caliente 805 on Friday August 19; the Summer Concert Series at Constitution Park in Camarillo will have Country Nation on Saturday, August 27 from 7 -9 pm; and the Collection in Oxnard has DSB (tribute to Journey) on Wednesday, August 10 6 – 8:30 pm.

poster artwork of the movie YesterdayAnd though they’re not live music events, the Ojai Film Society is offering free screenings of a couple of music related movies at the Libbey Bowl. First the documentary, “Summer of Soul” on Friday, August 12, and then “Yesterday” which features the Beatles reimagined when a phenomena hits during a blackout and wipes out most people’s memories of the Beatles, this one screens on Friday, August 26. Though free, you’ll need to RSVP through Eventbrite.

Emmy winning artist, Camara Kambon (for his score in the HBO film, “Sonny Liston” the Mysterious Life and Death of a Champion”) performs at Namba with Javier Vergara on tenor sax, Adam Cohen on bass and Chris Blondal on drums. Tickets are only $20 for this intimate show on Friday, August 12.

New shows added at the Ventura Theater:
Silversun Pickups Sunday, October 2
Marcus Mumford Tuesday, October 4
Gogol Bordello on Saturday, November 5
The Wrecks on Saturday, November 19

New shows at Ventura Music Hall
Too Many Zooz, September 29
Ocean All, October 7
The Slackers, December 9
Squirrel Nut Zippers, December 17
Hirie, February 22

New shows at Libbey Bowl:
Elvin Bishop & Charlie Musselwhite on September 30
Ben Harper on October 6

Mark on your calendars for upcoming events: the Hueneme Beach Festival the last weekend of August, and the return of the Aloha Beach Festival along at Promenade Park (Surfer’s Point) the following weekend, September 3 and 4. What’s also so very nice is that both of these events are free!! I’ll have more in the next issue of the Ventura Breeze.

Quick Notes: Tommy Foytek’s Variety Show continues on Wednesday nights at the Lookout Bar & Grill in Oxnard; reggae Sundays continue at Café Fiore through the end of summer; Glenn Bennett has a Thursday afternoon residency at the Copa Cubana; Mustangs of the West play the Ojai Underground on Thursday, August 11; Katie Shorey has a Disco Nite at Cantara on Friday, August 12; Romper plays at date at the Deer Lodge on Friday, August 12; Barrelhouse Wailers play Strey Cellars in Oxnard on Friday, August 19; the legendary Three Dog Night play Libbey Bowl on Friday, August 19; and Pato Banton plays Mrs. Olson’s on Saturday, August 20.

Taste of Local adAnd then finally, Taste of Local returns this year on Sunday, September 11 presented by Totally Local VC Agricultural Education Foundation. I was thrill when Kat Merrick reached out and invited VenturaRocks to host the music stage where the Rose Valley Thorns will be just one of the acts performing. You can find out more about this wonderful event at TotallyLocalVC.com and I hope to see you there!

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.

Ventura Rocks Music Scene Column 7/13 – 7/26

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

This is it! After a pandemic time-out, Surf Rodeo returns to Ventura over the weekend of July 15 – July 17 at the Ventura pier with music on the southside and surf competitions on the northside at Surfer’s Point. The festivities not only include a surfing contest featuring pros and locals, the bikini cowgirl and cowboy competition and cornhole tournament, but if you ask me (which is why you’re most likely reading my column), it’s all about the live music. It will be live bands galore over three days on several stages; it’s practically non-stop, start to finish with over 40 bands scheduled! The headliners for each day are The Green, Hirie and Rob Leines on Friday, Ozomatli, Badfish, The Aggrolites & Bob Log III on Saturday, and Yachtley Crew and Highway Starr on Sunday. For a more complete music listing and to secure your tickets, go to SurfRodeo.org.

Girtty in Pink posterBy the way, on July 16-17, Gritty In Pink will be performing at Surf Rodeo and they’ll be hosting their own stage block that will feature their top artists such as Chastity Ashley or known as Neon Pony, Alicia Vigil, Kiki Wong (Vigil of War), Stundriver, Shiragirl, DJ Vashonda Sherra, Xtine Reckless and many more. Gritty in Pink said this festival in particular is very special to Shiragirl, because the Ventura community has been so supportive of Shiragirl since the debut of the Shiragirl Stage during the days of the Warped Tour. So, this feels like a full circle moment for them being able to build upon what they started on the Warped Tour by bringing the Gritty In Pink stage to Surf Rodeo!

Meanwhile for something a little tamer, Camarillo Old Town Heritage Days Midsummer Block Party also runs the same weekend July 14 – 17. Though you’ll need to purchase carnival ride tickets, there is no admission to the event which means the music is free!

Friday, July 15
6-10 pm – Acoustic DNA

Saturday, July16
Noon – 2 – Mariachi
2-4 pm – Full Clip
4-5 pm Rising Elijah
5-6 pm Bobby Hart & Old Town Boys
6-7:30 pm Mini Driver
8 – 10 pm Foster Campbell & Friends

Sunday, July 17
Noon – 2 pm The Martinez Bros with Ruben Estrada
2-4 pm Shaky Feelin’
4-6 pm Free Love Project

Poseidon Brewing has their Summer Saturday Music Series from 4-7 pm (unless otherwise listed):

July 16 – Zeke Berkley
July 23 – Steve and Sally Williams
July 30 – Mitch Bradford
August 6 – Muleskinner Revival
August 13 – The Dynasties (1-3 pm)
August 13 – Morrison Drive (4:30 – 7 pm)
August 20 – Cary Park
August 27 – Chris Murphy
September 3 – Dean & Lisa

The 2022 Heritage Square Summer Concert Season is underway in Oxnard on Friday evenings 6 – 8:30 pm. Individual seats are available for purchase day of show for $10 on a first come basis, or you can take your own blanket or low back lawn chairs seats for free unreserved seating.
Upcoming concerts:

7/15: The Impulse Band
7/22: Los Cool Arrows
7/29: Myst
8/5: Soul Machine
8/12: The British Beat
8/19: Caliente 805

Pedals & Pints Brewing Company and Tarantula Hill Brewing Company in Thousand Oaks are presenting the inaugural Down the Rabbit Hole Festival of Music and Beer on Saturday, July 30 from 11 am to 11 pm and it will feature 10 bands between the two breweries. Tickets are $60 for both venues, which includes your first beer at both locations, and a free shuttle between the two. Bands on the bill are Robert Jon & the Wreck, Beaux Gris Gris & the Apocalypse, Shaky Feelin’, Jacob Marquez & the Good Vibes, a Dustland Fairytail, OPM, Weekend Celebrity, Garrett Lee Robinson, Those Animals and Better off Blonde.

New shows added for the Majestic Ventura Theater include Concerts 4 Causes – Metal Help for Mental Help featuring Bone Maggot, Disrupted Euphoria, Sinsation and more on Saturday, July 23; Panteon Rococo on September 20; Lagwagon, Strung Out and SACK on October 6; and the Front Bottoms on October 9.

I was looking over the Boots & Brews Country Music Festival webpage and it shows Ventura is listed for August 20 with Cole Swindell, Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry, and Raelynn. But then they list Tim McGraw on October 14 and when you take a look, it’s a second Boots & Brews for Ventura which also features Michael Ray and Bailey Zimmerman. Hmmm, interesting; I hope it’s not a mistake.  I hadn’t heard back on my inquiry for clarification as of press time. UPDATE:  THIS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED!!!

Quick Notes: All Music Under the Stars summer concerts at Olivas Adobe are sold out; the Ojai Band plays a free concert at Libbey Bowl on Wednesday, July 13; jazz musician, Luis Munoz, will have his final show at Namba on Saturday, 7/16, before he moves out of state; there’s a Numbskull show with Subhumans, Generacion Suicida, and Head cut at Gigi’s on Saturday, July 23; Katie Shorey does ladies of the 80s at Cantara on Saturday, July 23; and don’t forget that the Ventura Music Festival runs July 29-31 & August 5-7.

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 for all of Ventura county, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.