Tag Archives: Rubicon

Ventura Music Scene 8/19/26 – 9/1/26

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

School is already back in session and Labor Day is just around the corner, meanwhile on the live music front: The Throw Down Cornhole Festival which now includes MMA fight night, axe throwing and two days of live music (Friday features DJs) will be held at the Ventura County Fairgrounds August 21 – 23. Many thanks to John Karayan and Spencer Makenzie’s for making this the largest cornhole festival in the world. Saturday’s music features Mandex, Camo Cali and the return of New Liberty. Sunday’s headliner is Pato Banton, along with Just a Girl, Kiona Tiger and the 805 Band, Morie and the Heavy Hitters and Nautical Thrust. Find the link for more information at SpencerMakenzies.com.

The Rubicon Theatre Company’s annual concerts series currently includes The Folk Legacy for September 4-5, Mike Beck, The Ponies for September 10 and Brush Arbor for September 11.

Mark your calendar now for the Aloha Beach Festival which falls over the weekend of September 5 – 6 at Promenade Park in Ventura. With any luck at all, the website will show their entertainment line up by the next issue of the Breeze.

Another upcoming event to note is the Oxnard Jazz Festival to be held September 10-13 at College Park in Oxnard. For line-up and tickets go to OxnardJazzFestival.com.

The city of Ojai has been fortunate to be the home of the Ojai Pops Orchestra which is celebrating its 10-year anniversary offering free concerts to the community. This year all proceeds received by donations will be used for music scholarships for music students in need. Their first concert be held on Sunday, August 30 at the Libbey Bowl.

Quick Notes: The September 20th Boot & Brews Country Music Festival has added Rodney Atkins to the lineup; Nathan McEuen will hold an album release party/show for his most recent project, “Time To Go Home” at the Ojai Arts Center on Friday, August 21; Rock the Collection free summer concert on Wednesday, August 26, with Twisted Gypsy’s tribute to Fleetwood Mac; Jimmy Dale & Surf Trio (Dale is the son of surf pop legend Dick Dale) will perform at Mrs. Olson’s on Friday, August 21 with Par Avion and Hana and the Sisters; The final summer concert at Heritage Square will be held on August 21 with Los Cools Arrows; Music Under the Stars wraps for their final concerts at the historic Olivas Adobe has the Wilbury Super Group on Saturday, August 22 and Stone Soul on August 29; Grammy-nominated and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Beth Nielsen Chapman performs at the Ojai Underground on Saturday, August 29; and finally, Doug Webb’s All-Star group returns to the Grape featuring Danny Carey of Tool on Saturday, August 29.

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.

Ventura Music Scene 8/5/2026 – 8/18/2026

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Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
artwork for music scene article

It’s the final week of the Ventura County Fair and where in all other places in Southern California are complaining of the high temperatures, we have the best sea breeze keeping temps down here in Ventura for the fair. At press time, there remained one final Grandstand concert which is country music star Nate Smith for Wednesday, August 5. But rest assured there will still be plenty of live music on all the different stages throughout the fairgrounds including the one at Surf Rodeo’s Golden Pony Speakeasy, the Pacifico Stage, Garden Stage and the Seabreeze Stage.

Namba Arts is offering an intimate evening of songs, stories, craft and connection with In The Round, showcasing seven Southern California singer/songwriters such as Art Podell, Severin Browne, Tracy Newman, Ken Holme, John Zipperer and more. Tickets for the Saturday, August 8 show are available through the venue’s website, NambaArts.com.

Rock the Collection artworkRock the Collection Summer Concert Series continues with free concerts every other Wednesday. This month it’s DSB tribute to Journey on August 12 and Twisted Gypsy’s tribute to Fleetwood Mac on August 26.

The Rubicon logoAs a part of their Ventura Live! 2026 series, The Rubicon has added two shows for Friday, Sept 4 and a matinee for Saturday, Sept 5 of the Folk Legacy Trio featuring lifetime Grammy winners and a member of the Banjo Hall of Fame, George Grove and Rick Dougherty of the Kingston Trio and Jerry Siggins from the Diamonds. The trio is revered as the “living library” of the 60s folk era and will feature music by the Weavers, the Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul & Mary plus more iconic artists. Find out more at Rubicontheatre.org.
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It’s been great weather with great shows this month at Ojai’s Libbey Bowl. Still to come this month, Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes on August 12, Ani DiFranco on August 14, The Movement with Pepper on August 16 and Cat Power August 18.

Mark your calendar for this year’s cornhole tournament, The Throw Down, from Spencer Mackenzie’s. It will run the weekend of August 22 and 23 with live bands such as Pato Banton, Just a Girl, Mandex, Camo Cali and more as well as the return of New Liberty!

Quick Notes: tickets for Keanu Reeve’s band, Dogstar are on sale now for their show at Ventura Theater, Friday, September 25 as well as for Alan Thornhill and Martin Young at Feros Ferio Winery for Sunday August 23; Shawn Jones and Shane Alexander return to Namba Arts for an intimate night of singer/songwriter music on Friday, August 7; The Saloon has Busty Bojangles and the Nevi Band for a honky-tonk night on Friday, August 7; and the 805 Day Fest, Sewer Sessions, will be held at San Souci on Saturday, August 8, with a slew of bands playing from noon until closing.

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.

Ventura Music Scene 9/3/25 – 9/16/25

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

With Labor Day behind us, the summer music season officially ends. Though fall doesn’t officially start until September 22, it’s still weird to see Halloween items popping up in stores already.

I don’t often look back on my column, but I would like to thank the Rubicon for including in their Ventura Live ’25 Festival a night for punk rockers. The emcee said the venue was trying to expand on its genres, and he wasn’t kidding. Along with the folk, Americana, Broadway and tributes to Van Morrison and Nat King Cole shows, was a night where they screened the documentary, Desolation Center, which in itself was pretty cool, but opening the evening were Mike Watt from Minutemen and Stephen Perkins from Jane’s Addiction and Porno for Pyros. Drummer and bassist rocked the venue with high intensity and precision that left goosebumps on this fan’s arms. Wow!

Photo of Stephen Perkins and Mike WattThe 2025 Ojai Fall Fest at St. Thomas Aquinas falls over the first weekend in September with live music all three days. On Friday the 5th, it’s 90s Babiez, The Breakfast Club, Maclovia and more. On Saturday the 6th, the bands include The Chillz, Old Man Group, King Bee, Moondawgs and Jacob & the Good Vibes. Then on Sunday, Brittney & the Bsides, The Renegades, Equipo Elite and Mariachi Los Arrieros. For all three days, admission is free!

Ad for Glenn Tilbrook for Ventura Music HallTickets just went on sale, and I’ve already secured mine for Glenn Tilbrook for his November 2 show at the Ventura Music Hall. Not only is this the amazing voice behind the band Squeeze, but it’s a fully seated show. Two wins! Though Tilbrook is touring with the band this year, he will be doing several solo, more intimate performances, such as the one coming to town. If you were a fan of ‘80s new wave music, then the tunes to jar your memory would be “Tempted,” “Pulling Muscles (From a Shell),” “Cool for Cats,” and my favorite, “Hot Coffee in Bed.”

 

Lost in Sound, showcasing local bands on Thursdays at Gibson’s Neighbor Bar, continues with Pondt, In Ivy, Kyler Joseph & Co. on September 4, and Varazuni, Darjeeling Photo Club, DreamHeroZero and Kilbron on September 11. Encourage local new music and get out there and support. There is a $10 cover for these shows.

Quick Notes: The final sold out Music Under the Stars with Classic Journey is Saturday, September 6; Tuxedo Junction Jazz Band and Phoenyx Big Band play a free show at the Libbey Bowl on Sunday, September 7; Bon Jovi tribute band, Wanted, plays the Rock the Collection series on Wednesday, September 10; Albert Lee plays the Grape on Friday, September 12; and Country is Dead, Country inspired Grateful Dead Favorites plays the Rubicon on Friday, September 12.

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.

Ventura Music Scene 5/15/24 – 5/28/24

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

The Strawberry Festival returns to the Ventura Fairgrounds for the second year in a row and let’s hope lessons were learned on traffic control because last year was a hot mess. Go to their website which provides information on free shuttle services which not only saves you $20 in parking fees, but you also won’t have to deal with stop and go traffic. There will also be a free bike valet (first come, first served) for those of us close enough to ride our bikes to the fairgrounds. Enjoy live music which is included in the price of admission from Drew Dolan, Smooth Sound of Santana, Surf City All-Stars, Petty or Not, Conner Cherland, Will Breman, Rey Fresco and more. Tickets for Saturday, May 18 and Sunday May 19 can be found at CaStrawberryFestival.org.

The Rubicon concert series, Ventura Live, continues with a special event coming up on May 26 called The Palomino Nights Country and Rhythm Revue benefit concert. There will be performances by Mark Masson & Jam Grass, Beau Ted & Tailor Maide, the Van Allen Twins, Buck Moon, Josephoenix and Jay Ponti. The evening is sure to get your toes tapping and your heart racing to the sounds of bluegrass and true-blue country standards. Proceeds support Rubicon’s leadership and acting programs to empower economically challenged young people. Find out more at RubiconTheatre.org.

I kept waiting to find out what the music would be for X Games hailed as sports & music festival last summer to no avail, but I’m pumped to announce there will be live music included in the price of admission for X Games Ventura 2024. As a press time, Grammy and Golden Globe nominated rap artist Wiz Khalifa will perform on Friday, June 28 and eight-time Grammy nominated Kaskade will offer up electronic dance music on Saturday, June 29. More to come as they roll the artists out.

Shout Outs: Firstly, congratulations to local musician Jayden Secor for graduating Magna Cum Laude with both a music production degree and a business administration degree from Cal Lutheran; and secondly, I couldn’t be more proud of Gaby Montiel for being selected by Successfully, a global outlet, which highlights a handful of people for 2024 from around the world from all different walks of life who inspire. I hope you take a moment to click here and read Gaby’s story on Successfully.World.

Quick Notes: Angry Ferret in Moorpark is celebrating their 3rd anniversary with DVR on Saturday, May 18; Gigi’s has a free show with Popperz and Dogsled out of Houston, TX, on Thursday, May 16; locals Romper open for Stiff Little Fingers and Ricky Warwick at the Majestic Ventura Theater on Thursday, May 23; and reggae legends, Burning Spear play the Ventura Music Hall on Tuesday, May 28.

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 in the Ventura Breeze 6/15/22 – 6/28/22

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

Summer officially arrives with the summer solstice on June 21 and with it a whole lot of special events involving music. From Surf Rodeo to Tequila & Taco Festival, from Conejo Valley Days to the Ventura County Fair, this summer promises to make up for lost time when we missed out on special events during the pandemic and then last year’s slow and cautious return to just getting out and about.

Conejo Valley Days will run from June 16 – June 18 with Mike Scully and the Weary Travelers, Psychedelic Summer, Fat Daddy Special and other bands performing throughout the weekend; this one ends with a John Denver sing along with Rick Shuler on Sunday. For all the band schedules, and ticket and parking information, go to ConejoValleyDays.us.

Surf Rodeo runs July 15 – July 17 with over 40 bands including Ozomatli, the Aggrolites, the Green, Rey Fresco, Aquadolls, Yachtley Crew and of course Raging Arb and the Redheads. For the complete lineup and the lowdown on tickets, go to SurfRodeo.org.

The Tequila & Taco Festival will be held on July 9 – July 10 and will have Sugar Ray, Bone Thugs n Harmony, Adelaide, and more on the big stage. This event will be held at Surfers Point Live in the parking lot at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. For ticket information, go to TequilaAndTacoMusicFestival.com.

The Ventura County Fair runs August 3 – August 14 and I have to say that this has got to be the latest the fair has ever released their Grandstand concert schedule, I’m told artists’ management won’t authorize the publicizing of their bands until later this month…so standby. VenturaRocks.com will post as soon as the lineup is announced otherwise, I will report it in the next issue of the Breeze.

The 2022 Rock the Collection concert series features four dates with family friendly tribute bands: July 27 it’s Twisted Gypsy (Fleetwood Mac), August 10 they have DSB (Journey), September 28 it’s the Long Run (Eagles) and October 19 they wrap it up with Bruno and the Hooligans (Bruno Mars Tribute). The free Wednesday night concerts run 6:30 – 8:30 pm; be sure to bring beach chairs and blankets to sit on.

I just saw that tickets have gone on sale for a two-day benefit for the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy at Libbey Bowl featuring full days of music both capped off with a full three hour set by Grateful Shred on July 30 and 31. You can find out more at OVLC.org.

If reggae is your thing, then you’ll want to be downtown Ventura for Reggae Sundays at Café Fiore 5 pm – 9 pm. The series is now running through September 4 and will feature such bands as Urban Dread, Babylon Rockers, JanGala Roots and Free Love Project.

Speaking of which, tickets are on sale for the September 10th Roots 805 Jam in Port Hueneme at the Oceanview Pavilion. Bands on the bill include Tomorrows Bad Seeds, Kyle Smith, Jacob Marquez and the Good Vibes, Synrgy and more. Tickets available on EventBrite starting at $30 for general admission.

Lonesome Traveler: Generations is currently running at The Rubicon Theatre through June 26. This musical event features multiple generations of artists who come together to celebrate the unifying power of song. The concerts feature the dynamic vocals and awe-inspiring instrumental talents of Lifetime Grammy Award-winners George Grove (formerly with The Kingston Trio for more than 40 years), Rick Dougherty (formerly with both The Kingston Trio and The Limeliters), and Jerry Siggins (best known as the lead singer of The Diamonds). These legendary performers are joined onstage by favorite folk and gospel singer/musicians from Lonesome Traveler and I Dig Rock ‘n Roll Music, along with fresh young artists new to Rubicon audiences. Lonesome Traveler: Generations tickets are available at RubiconTheatre.org.

The Billy Howerdel of a Perfect Circle date got postponed to Sunday, July 24 at the Ventura Music Hall due to immigration issues; tickets will be honored for the rescheduled date. I thought I’d highlight just a few of the venue’s upcoming shows which include Jerry’s Middle Finger on July 29, Aaron Lewis and the Statelines on August 25, Switchfoot on August 28, and the Fabulous Thunderbirds on September 7. I’ve seen Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds play several times here in Ventura at different Hi Hat Entertainment blues shows, so it will be great to see him belt out such tunes as “Tuff Enuff” and “Wrap it Up” when they play. Wilson was nominated for Best Traditional Blues album for his solo album, Take Me Back this year. Be sure to bookmark VenturaMusicHall.com to keep in the loop on all their shows.

Quick Notes: the Legendary Wailers play Ojai Libbey Bowl on Thursday, June 16 and Gov’t Mule on Sunday, June 19; Dan Grimm plays the Vine on Friday, June 17; Area 51 will have folks dancing at the 34th Ojai Wine Festival on Saturday, June 18; Shay Moulder plays Anna’s Cider in Santa Paula on Saturday, June 25; Punk show at Gigi’s on Saturday, June 25 with iDecline, SRA, Romper and more; and tickets are on sale for Black Flag at the Ventura Theater for Saturday, October 29.

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.