Tag Archives: Strey Cellars

Ventura Music Scene 2/4/2026 – 2/17/2026

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Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
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I’m sorry to have to squash the rumors, but Mark Hartley has no intention of reopening the Watermark anytime soon though painstaking efforts have been made to restore the woodwork and opulence of its former heyday. The venue will continue as a rental space for special events just in case you’re interested. The rumors started after the Hartleys hosted an invite-only party musicians’ reunion on Tuesday, January 27, where up to 17 local musicians performed upstairs and downstairs. Those performing included Todd Hannigan, Shawn Jones, Sam Bolle, Ed Berghoff, Guy Martin, Alvino Bennett, Nick St. Nicolas, Mario Calire, Lois Mahalia, Katie Skene, and so many more, all of whom donated their time to play. For me, the highlight of the evening was when the band jammed with Nick St. Nicolas (Steppenwolf), and performed “Born to be Wild.”

Local musicians playing the Watermark There are a couple of milestones to celebrate this month, including MadeWest Brewing’s 10th anniversary on Saturday, February 7, where live music will be provided by Big Tweed at their Donlon location in Ventura. Festivities include a beer release, food trucks, anniversary glasses and t-shirts for purchase while they last.

The following week, Strey Cellars celebrates their 12th year anniversary over the weekend of February 14 with 805 Social Club performing on Saturday, and Heathers on Fire on Sunday.

Superbowl Sunday, February 8, would be the reason why most venues have no live music. Subsequently, moving forward, more venues will have live music on Sundays with the football season be us.

Quick Notes:  Shawn Jones and Shane Alexander team up once again for a performance at Namba on Friday, February 6; Larry Dunn’s Anthology of Earth Wind and Fire lands at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, Saturday, February 7; the Monday Club returns to the Masonic Center in Ventura with Hot Roux on February 9; ChopperFest returns to the Ventura Fairgrounds, Saturday, February 7, and as of press time, website still lives live bands as TBD; tickets are on sale now for Rich Kids on LSD and Good Riddance at the Ventura Music Hall on April 11; and as for the Ventura Theater, the Violent Femmes show is sold out for March 1, but tickets are currently still available for 311 for March 4, and Circle Jerks for May 22;

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 2/5/25 – 2/18/25

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Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
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This year’s Country Bar Crawl will be held on Saturday, February 15, 4-8 pm. The ticketed event provides you with either a red cup (for singles) or blue cup (committed relationship) and you get to travel with fellow participants from venue to venue downtown Ventura taking in four different country rock bands starting at the Blue Agave for Katie Leigh Trio, then it’s the Star Lounge for Jayden Secor, next it’s The Twist on Main for Lizzy Passion and the Cowboy Assassins, wrapping up at Winchester’s Saloon and Grill for the Mike Scully Band. Find out more and secure your tickets at CountryBarCrawl.com.

MadeWest Brewing celebrates their 9-year anniversary on Saturday, February 8; festivities include special releases as well as live performances from Todd Hannigan and Josh Nordgren.

Strey Cellars turns 11 years old over the Valentine’s Day weekend. They’ll pull out all the stops for their Wine Club members and the public alike with new wine releases, specials and of course live music. On Saturday, February 15, it’s Barfly, and on Sunday, it’s The Brandon Ragan Project both days 2-5 pm.

The 21st Annual Chopper Fest lands at the Ventura County Fairgrounds on February 9. This year along with all the motorcycle related exhibits, the live music entertainment will feature A Rock Legend (tribute to Thin Lizzy), Sadie Norkin and Quick Business. There will be a Pre-party at the Victorian House on Saturday, February 8, live music from The Damn Liars, and Sadie Norkin.

“They Love Each Other: A Grateful Dead Weekend” will be held at the Crowne Plaza on Saturday, February 15, featuring Ladyfinger (Santa Barbara) with acoustic Dead covers noon to 3 pm and then it’s The Peoples Dead, a 5-piece Grateful Dead tribute band. Both bands play at the Aqua Bar’s poolside location.

Quick Notes: Alain Whyte of Morrissey fame has had to cancel his gig at Gigi’s on Thursday, February 6; Dave Wakeling & The English Beat return to Ventura for a show at the Ventura Music Hall on Saturday, February 8; The Mystery Shop in Oxnard has Soft Palms, Pink Depression and Stellar Ruins on Saturday, February 15; another fundraiser for Southern California fire victims will be held at the Poinsettia Pavilion on Saturday, February 15 with Midlife Crisis and Second Wind Band; and Jackson Gillies will join Shaky Feelin when they play the Twist on Main, Saturday, February 15.

And finally, I attended my first show at Ecugreen, downtown Ventura, and was pleasantly surprised to find a great space where all ages can go and hear artists in a cool listening room atmosphere. From what I understand, they’ve been doing this mostly by promoting via Instagram and word of mouth which is how I found them when an old friend invited me to hear the project he’s been involved in, a duo called Channel 2.

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.