Tag Archives: St. Patrick’s Day

Ventura Music Scene 3/6/24 – 3/19/24

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Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
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March 17th is coming up and several venues will offer live music to entice patrons through their doors to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and the Irish culture. Of course, the City of Ventura will have their annual St. Patrick’s Day parade; but, on the day before, Saturday, March 16. So, if you plan to head out for some rollicking fun on Sunday then may I suggest you celebrate the patron saint of Ireland along with a very special milestone? That would be the 15th anniversary of VenturaRocks.com. That’s right! I launched the website on March 17, 2009, and have never charged the venues or the bands to be listed on the calendar of events, and it’s always been free to the end users, so many of which swear it’s their bible when it comes to live music in our town. Many thanks to Bruce Barrios for offering to host the party at Tony’s Pizzeria from 3-7 pm with live music from the Brandon Ragan Project as well as special appearance by the Ventura City Firefighters Pipes and Drums. I hope you can swing by!

Billed as Jazz in the House, the Ventura Theater will host a Sunday afternoon concert, free to the public, featuring the award-winning jazz bands from Cabrillo Middle School and Ventura High School. It’s truly inspiring that these schools continue to offer music programs when so many other schools cannot. Both programs are supported by the memberships of their Booster organizations (both 501(c)3 non-profits). This is a perfect way to support budding musicians by attending and showing them some love.

The City of Ventura has announced this year’s Music Under the Stars lineup for the summer of 2024; however, tickets do not go on sale until May 9, so you have plenty of time to map out which shows you plan to attend. Here now, the lineup: an 80s dance party with Identity Theft on July 13; the Smooth Sounds of Santana play on July 20; a Steely Dan revue with Pretzel Logic on July 27, it’s a fun combo of Stones vs Rod Stewart with Start Me Up on August 3; a unique spin on blues, Rock & Americana with Dirty Cello on August 10; R&B, pop, jazz top-40 with Phazze One on August 17; an Eagles tribute with Dark Desert Highway on August 24 and a high-energy Latin dance band, Susie Hansen Latin Band to wrap up the series on August 31.

Quick Notes: tickets are on sale now for Todd Rugren’s June 23rd concert at Libbey Bowl in Ojai; Jodi Farrel will hold a Master Class at Namba on Saturday, March 9; Spencer the Gardener plays the Ojai Underground on Saturday, March 9; it’s the debut of Mick Stovers Blues Band at Margarita Villa on Saturday, March 9; and Save Ferris plays the Ventura Music Hall on Saturday, March 16.

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 3/8/23 – 3/21/23

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

If the recent English Beat show at the Ventura Music Hall got your motor running for more ska, then you’re in luck! The 805 Ska Festival will be held at Oceanview Pavilion Performing Arts theater in Port Hueneme on March 18 with 8 Kalacas (Skacore from Orange County), Chencha Berrinches, Los Waraperos and more. This all ages show is $35 in advance (Eventbrite) or $40 at the door.

I have good news and bad news: The good news, The Violent Femmes will perform their 1983 debut album in its entirety at the Ventura Music Hall on Saturday, May 6; the bad news, it’s already sold out. BUT WAIT!!!  A second show has been added for May 5.

There are a number of local artists holding CD/Album release parties including: Night Demon who will play a special show at Bombay’s on Thursday, March 16 with opening act Romper; Tommy Quayle will perform at Namba Performing Arts in support of his new release, Awakenings, on Saturday, March 18, and Karyn 805 will release her third recording, Gratitude, at Winchester’s on March 31. Meanwhile, Medicine Hat just released their new single, “She Comes and She Goes” and Anchor and Bear are back in the studio, so looking forward to new music from them.

With St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Friday this year, most venues are offering up Irish music and Irish specials to entice you into their doors. If you’d like something a little tamer, but a feast for the senses, then consider Phil Salazar and the Kin Folk at Namba Arts Studio. Phil is a legend around these parts being a fiddle champ and having played with legends such as Bob Weir. Joining him will be Tom Corbett on mandolin and guitar, Bill Knopf on banjo, Rick Borella on bass and Bill flores on everything else including steel guitar, and accordion. The program will include several genres such as rock, blues, country, jazz pop, bluegrass and of course traditional Irish.

Mark your calendars now: Joe Nichols has been added to the bill for Boots & Brews on May 7th; Ventura Theater just added Angel for a show on April 26, Angel has been rockin’ since the mid 70s; the Ventura Spring Wine Walk and Street Fair falls on Saturday, April 1; tickets for the Canned Heat show at Cantara on March 31 can be secured by contacting Cadillac Zack at (323) 377-5291; and the Guitar and Whiskey Club will open for Quiet Riot at the world famous Whiskey A-Go-Go on Saturday, March 25.

Quick Notes: Cool Hand Ukes play Saturday mornings at Harbor Cove Café; pianist Natasha Kislenko and Friends perform at the Ojai Art Center on Sunday, March 12; Los Lobos plays the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on Sunday, March 12; Tony’s Pizzaria is offering live music again with the Stoneflys on Thursday, March 16, and Old School on Sunday, March 19; and finally, Barrelhouse Wailers will get you dancing at the House of Dance on Sunday, March 19.

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 3/4 – 3/17

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

Mimur

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.