Ventura Music Scene 4/17/24 – 4/30/24

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

Most people know by now that the Skull and Roses 2024 festival has been cancelled. The letter that went out to ticket buyers tried to explain the promoter’s sad circumstances and I was feeling for the guy until I got to the bottom of the letter and read (and I quote), “REFUNDS: While tickets and hotels were sold on a non-refundable basis, we sincerely wish that funds were available to refund all purchases. Unfortunately, this is simply not the case at this time.” The promoter plans to post updates as more information becomes available. I’m hearing from a lot of ticket buyers that they have already received notice that their tickets will be refunded via the ticket outlet. But what about all the deposits for hotels and airfares people invested in to be there? How about the vendors (some of which never got fully paid for last year)? I’m probably the biggest non-deadhead around, but I love the deadheads who attend these events and my heart goes out to them, and all the vendors who trusted the promoter. Let’s hope he keeps his word and does what is necessary to make good on all his debts, no matter how long it takes and can we please try to keep bankruptcy out of the equation.

Meanwhile, no need to go cold turkey on Grateful Dead covers as several of the bands have already secured shows around town. You’ll want to check out The Six who hosts the Deal on Thursday, April 18; the Crowne Plaza’s outdoor bar will host The Peoples Dead and Hyryder on Friday, April 19, Winchesters has Cats on the Bandstand Friday, April 19; and Tony’s Pizzeria has The Alligators, Shaky Feelin’ and Hyryder on Saturday, April 20. (post Breeze deadline) The Ventura Theater on Sunday will have Saviors, Spirits and Wingman, Garcia Grisman Revisited, Reed Mathis, The Alligators, No Simple Highway and more. I’ll add to the VenturaRocks.com calendar as I hear about more of these last-minute gigs.

Though the guys don’t look a day over 25, Army of Freshmen will play the Ventura Music Hall for their 25th Anniversary Show. Opening will be Nerf Herder on Saturday, September 14.

DW’s Café has been trying out live music; still to come this month the Urban Soul Band, Vanise Terry Trio, and Bossman Music. DW’s is located at 2855 Johnson Drive, Ventura.

Quick Notes: Bacon Brothers just added to Libbey Bowl schedule for Sunday, June 30; The White House will host a special dinner music event with The Kings of Queen on Wednesday, April 17; Tommy Quale’s Petty “Round the Campfire” at Namba on Saturday, April 20; Psychedelic Summer plays the Crowne Plaza’s Aqua Beachfront Bar on Sunday, April 21; Salzer’s Records will have an in-store acoustic performance by Def Leppard’s Phil Collen on Sunday, April 21; and The Robot Uprising’s final show will be on Saturday, April 27, at Vaquero y Mar playing with All-a-Blur and 5th Street Saints.

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 11/11 – 11/24

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
“Blues to jazz and all points in between”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Ashford Gordon and Glade Rasmussen at the Hong Kong Inn's Blues Jam Sunday.

Ashford Gordon and Glade Rasmussen at the Hong Kong Inn’s Blues Jam Sunday.

The Hong Kong Inn has started hosting a monthly Blues Jam Session on what will be the first Sunday of the month. The kick-off session was on Sunday November 8 with Ashford Gordon supported by Ray Jaurique, Glade Rasmussen and Chris Jensen. All players of all skill levels are welcome to sit in during the second set.

Having signed a distribution deal with Mesa Blue Moon Records last month, Nathan McEuen has been pulling out all the stops, touring more aggressively and will be making a stop at Salzer’s Records on Friday, November 13.  Get out and support Nathan who will have Jesse Olema and special guests with him, but more importantly, pick up a copy of his latest release, “Side by Side”.

Our good friend Dan Grimm with his brand of California Flip-Floppy-Tonkiness returns to the Wine Rack for a gig on Friday, November 20; there’s no denying Grimm’s love for Ventura when he sings original material such as “Two Trees” or “Ventucky.” Meanwhile, Mike Cregan continues his Monday night residency and Frank Barajas and Doug Johnson have taken over Tuesday nights.

The Channel Cities Jazz Club will feature Clyde Reaslinger Big Band on November 15 at the Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club in the Channel Islands Harbor. The proceeds will be split between CCJC’s Jazz Camp Scholarship fund and the Pacific Corinthian Youth Foundation. Besides giving musicians of all ages a forum to perform and share jazz, the club’s mission is to build bonds between generations and to enhance musical educational opportunities for youth.

Doug Webb returns to Squashed Grapes with not only Steve Fister, Jimmy Earl and Danny Carey of Tool, but added to the mix this time will be Mike Garson on Piano. Garson has worked with the likes of David Bowie, Nine Inch Nails, Smashing Pumpkins and No Doubt. This promises to be the epitome of the expression, “Off the Hook.” Tickets are on sale for Saturday, November 14 at Squashed Grapes; downbeat is 7 pm.

I’ll admit I’m a tad giddy with anticipation for a several shows coming up at the Majestic Ventura Theater.  There’s Pepper on November 21, Everclear’s 20th Anniversary of Sparkle and Fade on November 22 and Sublime with Rome on November 27.  By the way, Rebelution returns for two shows in March, don’t miss out and get your tickets soon as they always sell out.

And finally, local musician Gary Best has invited everyone out for an afternoon of Los Dudes at Grapes and Hops on Sunday, November 15 before he goes in for heart surgery.  He’s been taking care of the body and getting healthy, and we love and support him in all those endeavors.

Do you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing?  Send all information short or long to  Pam@VenturaRocks.com, and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.