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