Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 4/25 – 5/8

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

It’s out with the old and in with the new, but not just quite yet. Before their final week of jazz music in their current location, Squashed Grapes played host to none other than Michael McDonald, yes that Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers and a brilliant solo career which has spanned more than 45 years. The intimate, by-invite-only setting was held Sunday, April 22. What can I say? I love this town.

And speaking of their final week, Adam and Josh of Squashed Grapes have a stellar lineup of jazz before closing their doors while they work on the new location on Main street next to Yolanda’s. Wednesday, June 25 it’s Hans Ottsen Quartet with special guest Jacob Scesney; on Thursday it’s The Ray Mehlbaum Quartet; on then finally on Friday, Doug Webb returns with drummer Danny Carey (TOOL) for a huge sendoff party.

The Ventura County Blues Festival will be held this year at the Studio Channel Islands on Saturday, April 28 with Earl Thomas, John Nemeth, Deb Ryder, Alan Wright Band, and Sandy Scott & Blues to the Bone. There will be an after party with Crooked Eye Tommy at El Rey Cantina in Camarillo.

Jeffrey Willerth, is the new director of Namba and he plans to utilize the facility at 47 South Oak Street for what is called the “Music Speaks” series. The first installment will be held on May 5 with Conjunto Tenocelomeh, a band rooted in the Son Jarocho Mexican folk music of Veracruz. Also this month, they’ll have CG Ryche, an amazing percussionist, brilliant showman and filmmaker who will perform and share his inspiring story focused on the importance of ‘perseverance’ as it relates to musicians; Duane Tudahl, author of “Prince and the Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions 1983-1984” who will explain how he got his hands on the daily recording reports from the Studios Prince visited; and Tim Wickham, a Ventura local with boundless appreciation for Hammond Organs will bring a few of his prized Hammonds and play in a trio in a historical salute to this renown musical instrument. For tickets and information go to NambaArts.com

And finally, if you haven’t already done so, don’t make any out-of-town vacation plans over the weekend of July 14th and 15th; in fact, plan for a “Staycation” for this year’s Surf Rodeo. JD Drury has started to announce the music lineup and I’m super jazzed to learn that not only will Shwayze and The Untouchables be on the bill, but the Long Beach Dub Allstars will be headlining (group features former members of Sublime). I understand a lot more bands will be added over the next month or so but we know that Highway Starr, Kyle Smith, Rising Son, Yachtley Crew, Zepp Heads and of course Raging Arb and the Redheads will be on the bill.

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 2/28-3/13

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

Our community’s heartfelt thanks go out to the Ventura Music Festival for the exceptional talent they brought for the Concert for Ventura on Sunday, February 25 at Mission Park. The free family-friendly concert featured Tom Scott and the LA Express, John Ferguson and friends as well as the VC Singers and VMF Artistic Director, Nuvi Mehta. Both Scott and Ferguson call Ventura home so it was extra special having them perform. The special event was designed to help give thanks to first responders, to solace those who have lost and to celebrate our community through the healing power of music.

JD has announced the dates for this year’s Surf Rodeo and tickets are on sale now at www.SurfRodeo.org. The music line-up is yet to be announced, but know this, the earlier you purchase your tickets, the more you save. The music and surf festival will fall over the weekend of July 14th and 15th at Pierpont Beach at the end of Seaward. Sponsorships, and vendors are lining up as we speak, if you’re interested just go to their website.

I’m sorry to report that we have lost local icon, John Robert Mosby, who passed away on February 19th. Johnny, along with his wife, Jonie, performed as Mr. and Mrs. Country Music recording over a dozen albums, charting seventeen times on the country charts and won two Academy of Country Music awards in the sixties. He was also a life time member of this Academy and served a president for two years in the early 80’s. Though the two loved to tour they decided to buy a club to play in while at home which luckily for Ventura was the Ban-Dar which would continue to be our local Honky-Tonk where the likes of Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard or Johnny Cash would drop in for a spell. Johnny owned and operated the Ban-Dar for over 42 years. There will be a special celebration of his life at the Ventura Beach Club on March 11 with a jam for any musicians who would like to pay tribute.

Quick notes: Dylan Garcia has signed a management deal with Romulo Canizales and he’s gearing up to work with Grammy, Oscar nominated, multi-platinum, Diamond Certified Record Producer Ronnie King for his next single; Wrecking Crew member, Don Randi returns to Squashed Grapes for a CD release party on Saturday, March 3 and then he’ll be performing with Shari Puorto for a Hi Hat Entertainment show at the Hong Kong Inn on Friday, March 16; Tickets are on sale for shows at the Ventura Theater for Flogging Molly on March 19, Ministry on March 23 and the Descendants for May 3; Tickets are on sale for shows at Discovery for Donavon Frankenreiter on March 16 and Ozomatli on March 31; and finally, Winchesters Grill will start offering live music on the weekends starting March 2nd with Dan Grimm.

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 Photos – July 2017

Squashed Grapes – July 29, 2017
Doug Webb w/ Danny Carey of TOOL (photo credit: Cliff Montgomery)

Squashed Grapes – July 22, 2017
Equinox with Jimmy Calire


Surf Rodeo –  Sunday, July 16, 2017
Super Duper Kyle

Raging Arb and the Redheads
Rey Fresco

The Rouse 
Honey Owl

Aunt Jane’s Pancakes


Hong Kong Inn – July 14, 2017
Hi Hat Entertainment Presents:
Paulie Cerra


Made West Brewery – July 8, 2017
FoxTrax


Duke’s – July 8, 2017
Rin Kon Tiki


Hong Kong Inn – July 7, 2017
Hi Hat Entertainment presents The Mighty Mojo Prophets
(photo credit: Kate “BluesAholics” Bolson)

Mighty Mojo Prophets


Downtown Ventura Street Fair – July 4, 2017
Benise
Photo of Benise

Mandii Gomez
Mandii Gomez


Grapes and Hops – July 4, 2017
Maggie McClure & Shane Henry
Maggie McClure & Shane Henry

 

Roadshow Revival at Discovery – July 1, 2017

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 7/5 – 7/18

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

YAY!!! It’s time for Surf Rodeo with two days of fun in the sun at the beach and featuring not only a surf competition, but cool bands playing on two stages over the weekend of July 15th and 16th. There will be tons of music featuring artists like Rey Fresco, Thee Commons, Stoneflys, 50 Sticks of Dynamite, Bird Brain, The Rouse, Honey Owl, Mariachi El Bronx, and Super Duper Kyle who will be performing on Sunday (he’s been selling out shows in Chicago, Detroit, etc…). Be sure to swing by the VenturaRocks.com and Ventura Breeze booth on Seaward while you’re out having fun and say hello!

You won’t want to miss Women in the Round, “Voices”, at the Bell Arts Factory on Saturday, July 15 with performances from Andrea Landin, Michelle Rosenblum (aka Melody Bird), Donna Lynn Caskey, Shelby Figueroa and Amber Bassett. Show starts at 7 and it would be awesome of you to make a donation at the door to support their efforts.

Throwing Oxnard some love, the Collection at River park is offering free summer concerts on Thursday nights beginning with Dirty Rice on July 6 followed by Led Zepagain on the 13th, and Southbound and Company on July 22.

Congratulations to Jan for opening her third restaurant (she also owns Prime here in Ventura), this one is right smack dab in the middle of downtown Ventura at 391 E. Main Street. She named it Casa Bella and will be providing live music three nights a week: Tuesdays with Adam Tunney and “Rat Pack” type music, Encore on Fridays with R&B Motown sound, and cool jazz on Saturdays with Ricky Williams. All music is expected to get underway by 7 pm.

If you’re a TOOL fan, then you know the band just wrapped up a tour (yeah, no new album yet) which means drummer Danny Carey has some extra time on his hands so he’ll be once again joining the Doug Webb Group at Squashed Grapes when they play on Saturday, July 8. Be sure to secure tickets at (805) 643-7300.
(Show cancelled 7/5/17)

Quick notes: The Queens of the Stone Age concert at the Ventura Theater has been canceled, Kelly’s Lot is opening for Junior Brown at the Canyon Club on July 9, Music Under the Stars kicks off their summer concert season July 15 at Olivas Adobe with WhosNext; Tim Curran and The Brambles will be at Beach House Tacos on the Ventura Pier, Sunday, July 16 4-7 pm; and finally the 2017 Ventura Music Festival kicks off their “An American Season” featuring 23 performances this year including Perla Batalla’s tribute to Leonard Cohen on Friday, July 21, and Simply Three on Saturday July 22 at Ventura College Performing Arts Center, all of their events and ticket information can be found at VenturaMusicFestival.org.

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 – 7/6 – 7/19

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
“Summer Music Heating Up”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Raging Arb at Surf Rodeo

Raging Arb at Surf Rodeo

One of my favorite events of the year, Surf Rodeo, is finally upon us over the weekend of July 16th and 17th! You won’t want to miss this year’s music line up with a great eclectic mix of local, near local and national with over two dozen bands continuously playing on two different stages. The crew have it down to fine art while one stage is live, the other is tearing down and setting up the next band. Stationed between the two stages of course is where the surf competitions take place with male and female categories from 13 and under up to 45 and over including a Pro/Open category with $1,000 purse. All seriousness aside, you’ll want to catch the “greased pig” competition where oiled up surfers try to tackle the waves with grace, which of course turns out to be nothing but hilarious.

Music starts at 10 am both days; high on my list of priorities music wise include Dirty Rice, Mark Masson and Phriends, Hy Brasil, The NaVaNaX, No Duh, Spencer the Gardener, The Pullmen, an obligatory set from Raging Arb and the Redheads and of course the headliner, Dave Wakeling and The English Beat who will wrap up the weekend on Sunday.

The Ventura Music Festival’s 22nd season runs July 15 through the 24th with the big ticket being Sergio Mendes, “A Celebration of 50 Years of Brasil 66” on Friday, July 22. Ticket information can be found at VenturaMusicFesitval.org; however, there will be a couple of free events, the first one on Friday, July 15 at 6 pm at the corner of California and Santa Clara with the Festival Brass Quintet and the second one, a Master Class on Saturday morning July 16 in the Ventura college Performing Arts Center.

9 Mile Skid (Grateful Dead tribute band), are calling it day, while a few former members of Bullet Made Statues, StoneFlys, and Trash Honey have come together to form a new band, Goodnight Kiss. The band’s already making their mark on LA whilst playing our local haunts such as Amigos, W20 and Sans Souci.

The Ventura County Fair doesn’t open until the first week in August, so don’t plan on taking your vacation during their run as their music is exceptional from UB40, a return of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and one of my favorites, Third Eye Blind. Of course all music is included in the price of admission; get the lowdown at www.VenturaCountyFair.org.

And finally summer wouldn’t be summer without Music Under the Stars at Olivas Adobe on Saturday nights through September 3rd. July 9th kicks off the season with Mirage – Visions of Fleetwood Mac. All dates and ticket information can be found on the City’s website: www.CityofVentura.net/mus.

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.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 3/16 – 3/29

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
“Ventura Continues to Rock!”
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

160316_VenturaRocksFor no other reason other than the website was ready to roll out, VenturaRocks.com was launched seven years ago on St. Patrick’s Day. We started out as a comprehensive calendar of music listings for Ventura, but quickly branched out by further covering Ventura’s music scene with photo galleries, interviews, and reviews. Then Sheldon Brown asked me to write a music column for the Ventura Breeze which I’ve been doing for a little over two years now; and most recently, CAPS Media invited me to host a music program on their cable channel which has turned out to be a whole lot of fun. Watch out for the next episode to air soon featuring 50 Sticks of Dynamite. It’s been a blast and I’m looking forward to another year serving Ventura’s music community at www.VenturaRocks.com.

There are a number of fundraisers coming up that I hope you’ll consider supporting. On Saturday, March 19, there will be a benefit concert at Bombay Bar and Grill for The Turning Point Foundation. After the devastating loss of Diego Hinojosa last Fall, Diego’s family and friends wanted to make sure others are aware of mental health resources available at this non-profit facility. Scheduled to perform between noon and 7 pm are Xoco Moraza & Tomas Herrera, Jackass, Crooked Eye Tommy, The Hymen Blasters, Legalizer, After the Smoke and Rey Fresco. Suggested donation is $20 for adults and $10 for kids.

The following afternoon, March 20 at Discovery, the annual Key to the Highway fundraiser will be held starting at 3 pm with a full line up stellar musicians including Guy Martin, Hoo Doo Hounds, 50 Sticks of Dynamite, Kelly’s Lot, Brian McCann, Steve and Sally Williams, Jon Gindick and more including the recipient of this year’s fundraising efforts, Ashford Gordon who is battling prostate cancer. The evening will end with an all-inclusive jam hosted by Doug Johnson. Tickets are only $10.

Surf Rodeo has started announcing their band line up for this year’s summer event and I was pleased as punch to hear Dave Wakeling and the English Beat will be on the line up. Surf Rodeo will once again take over Pierpont Beach on Seaward from Pierpont Blvd to the ocean the weekend of July 16th and 17th.

The Rubberneck Lions announced a Taiwan tour which caught my attention. I asked drummer Jaison Pearce Henderson about why they were heading to Taiwan, and he told me, “We have some Silver Strand friends who have moved to Taiwan and have made it easier to independently plan and fund a tour there. We were selected to play Taiwan’s huge Spring Scream Festival and the rest of the shows we booked around it.”

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.

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 7/8 – 7/21

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
Ventura Will Always Rock!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

Queen Nation at Discovery, Thursday, July 2, 2015

Queen Nation at Discovery, Friday, July 3, 2015

I just had to see Queen Nation at Discovery Ventura on July 3; I was such a Queen fan back in the day and saw them live at least 4-5 times. All I have to say is the band totally nailed it!

I ran into Ventura resident Nick St. Nicolas on July 4th. Nick and the boys of Steppenwolf are responsible for such quintessential rock anthems as “Born to be Wild” and “Magic Carpet Ride.” He’s been touring with the World Classic Rockers (with members of other iconic bands) and has several out-of-state dates lined up doing corporate gigs. He’s such a classy super nice gentleman; I’d love to get see him do an intimate acoustic show sometime!

Music Under the Stars finally kicks off on July 11 with Britain’s Finest, a Beatles Tribute Band, and then on July 18 it’s Porterhouse Bob serving up New Orleans Boogie & Blues. You can find a complete listing for their summer schedule on VenturaRocks.com.

The summer event of the season, Surf Rodeo, takes over Pierpont Beach on Saturday and Sunday July 11th and 12th. You won’t want to miss dozens of bands all day both days on the sand, a surf competition, a bikini cowgirl competition, a cornhole contest, vendors up and down Seaward from Pierpont Blvd to the sand, food, beverages, friends, family, and of course VenturaRocks.com will be representing! Go to SurfRodeo.org for ticket information.

I have to admit being a fan of all three, I’m totally looking forward to the Tequila and Taco Music Festival on July 18 and 19 at the Collection in Oxnard. Foreverland, 14-piece tribute band to the music of Michael Jackson, will be performing. Other bands include Caliente Band 805, Instone, Zeal Levin and the Bomb. For more information you can go to TequiliaAndTacoMusicFestival.com.

A couple of touring/studio notes: Mario Calire hits the road this summer drumming for legendary singer-songwriter and two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Stephen Stills. Shawn Jones has been touring Italy and Switzerland but he’ll be back late July, he’s also been recording new material. The Pullmen have been working on their latest Beast Records release, “Going Dark;” they’ll be returning to Europe for a Fall France tour this year.

And finally, while catching 8Stops7 at the Pierpont Inn on July 2, I caught up with Chris Jay of Army of Freshmen, and longtime writer for the VC Reporter. We reflected on the state of music in Ventura and how there are ebbs and flows, venues come and go, bands peak then disappear, and through it all, supporting Ventura’s music scene are a number of media including The Ventura Breeze, The VC Reporter, The Ventura County Star and of course websites like VenturaRocks.com. What a privilege it is to be a part of such an amazing music scene. Ventura will always 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, and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com .

Ventura Music Photos: July 2015

W20 at the Watermark – July 30, 2015
Anchor & Bear
Anchor & Bear


Sans Souci – July 26, 2015
My Modern Valentine
My Modern ValentineAll-A-Blur
All-A-Blur


The Wine Rack – July 26, 2015
The Swilley’s – Steve and Sally Williams
Steve and Sally Williams


 

The Star Lounge – July 25, 2015
Arockalypse Now
0725_Arock_002 0725_Arock_003 0726_Arock_001


Squashed Grapes – July 24, 2015
Jerry Vivino & Friends, guest appearance by Jacob Scesney
Jerry Vivino and Friends


 Surf Rodeo 2015

Pam Baumgardner, Staci Brown and Mark Hartley

Pam Baumgardner, Staci Brown and Mark Hartley

Pierpont Beach – July 11 – 12, 2015
Surf Rodeo

 


Saloon BBQ – July 10, 2015
Charles and Christine Law

Charles Law


Ventura Beach Club – Hi Hat Entertainment – July 10, 2015
Hot Roux CD Release Party
Hot Roux


Peirano’s – July 10, 2015
Lola Haag & the Back Beat Boys
Lola Haag


Sandbox Coffeehouse – July 4, 2015
Kevin Stanley
Kevin Stanley


Ventura Street Fair – July 4, 2015
UnUusual Suspects
UnUsual SuspectsVentura Street Fair – July 4, 2015
Iron Mountain Boys
Iron Mountain BoysVentura Street Fair – July 4, 2015
Singing Valentines (for hire!)
Singing Valentines


Discovery Ventura – July 3, 2015
Queen Nation
0703_QueenNation_001


Sans Souci – July 2, 2015
Burien (Seattle, WA)
Die Nasty Die NastyDie Nasty

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 6/24 – 7/7

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

Xocoyotzin Moraza and Wyatt Hull of Hy Brasil, Saturday, June 20, at Bombay's.

Xocoyotzin Moraza and Wyatt Hull of Hy Brasil, Saturday, June 20, at Bombay’s.

Before we get into what’s coming up, let’s cover what came down recently: Saturday, June 20, Margarita Villa had D. Henry Fenton who featured Dave Krusen on drums. Yes, the Dave Krusen who was Pearl Jam’s original drummer on their debut release TEN. The Bob Bishop Band played at Saloon BBQ with Jon Woodhead on guitar; Woodhead has toured with the likes of Maria Muldaur and Leon Russell in recent years, they’ll be back soon. And as expected, local talent have once again been collaborating on new material and the result is the highly anticipated Hy Brasil who made their Bombay debut to a packed house on the 20th. You will want to watch out for this band which includes Xoco and Jenkins from Rey Fresco, and Wyatt Hull on vocals. Haunting vocals, rhythmic grooves with music that builds and before you know it you’re captivated and can’t help but move with the band; yeah, these guys nailed it. I’m looking forward to when they release their EP to the masses.

A Celebration of Joni Mitchell featuring Kimberly Ford takes place Sunday, July 5, at the Ojai Art Center as a part of the Jamming at the Art Center Series. Ford is backed up by George Friedenthal, keys; Lee Rollag, guitar; Tom Buckner, saxophone; Tom Etchart, bass; and Charles Levin, drums.

Typically Squashed Grapes has shows scheduled Wednesday – Saturday, but on Sunday, June 28, they’ll have a special performance of Doug Webb featuring Danny Carey of TOOL; and while we’re on the subject of the Grape, Skip Spiro’s 10-piece jazz band will include the amazing Dave Tull on drums, Thursday, July 2. Tull has toured with Chuck Mangione, Maynard Ferguson and others.

I have to admit, I’m really looking forward to 8Stops7 performance on Thursday, July 2, for the Pierpont Inn Summer BBQ & Concert series. I asked Evan Sula-Goff (singer) if they’d be toning it down for this one and he said, “A rough estimate…we’re just a bit louder than Neil Diamond.” Gotta love Evan. He also added, “We’ll be playing two long sets. That pretty much forces us to look at our entire catalog and bring in some tunes you haven’t heard us play in a while.”

Two major events at hand are Roadshow Revival June 27 and June 28 with their Tribute to the Music of Johnny Cash at Mission Park Downtown, and then Surf Rodeo descends on Pierpont Beach for two days of surf, and music on July 11 and 12 with a wide variety of genres from the likes of Pato Banton, GrooveSession, Bob Log III, Brothers Fortune, Rainbow Girls, Honey Owl, Raging Arb and the Redheads along with a dozen or so more bands. Go to their official websites for tickets and more details at www.SurfRodeo.org. and www.RoadshowRevival.com.

If 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 .

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze 4/15 – 4/28

Ventura MusVentura Breeze logoic Scene
Toast the Train!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

150415_JenStavesWe had a blast at the Second Sunday Supper at Plan B Wine Cellars feathering the amazing Jen Staves and the Bluzfish.  Plan B is also hosting the Afternoon Blues Series now through September with Blues lined up on the first Saturday of the month.  The next soiree will be on May 2nd with the Shari Puroto Band.  Bring your chair and toast the train!

You’ll find music both days downtown on Main Street the weekend of the 18th and 19th.   On Saturday, it’s Champagne on Main, the Spring Wine Walk and Street Fair with music from Zeal Levin, Road Brothers, Kalyde and Ross Harper, then on Sunday Paint Ventura with live music from Paulina Logan and The Star Bandits.  And then continuing with the outdoor theme, head down to the Promenade for EcoFest on Saturday, April 25, for live performances from Spencer the Gardener, Dan Grimm, Heather Locke, Trans Van Santos, Afishnsea The Moon, Soul Tree and more.

Surf Rodeo has been rolling out weekly announcements for their music line up (a shrewd maneuver I might add), so far to date they’ll have the Rainbow Girls, Bob Long III, The NaVaNaX, Brothers Fortune, the Iron Outlaws and Raging Arb and the Redheads (who didn’t see that one coming a mile away?).

Darkside of the Hand will be there the following night along with Dead of Night, Die Evil Die and Shady Ladies.

The Mighty Cash Cats will hold their CD release party on Sunday, April 26, at Amigos.  The CD will be available featuring a blend of Country, Rock ‘n’ Roll and Blues, along with the title cut, an original duet “The Ballad of Johnny and June.”

Shawn Jones will be joined by Stephen Inglis at Grapes and Hops on Saturday, April 18.  Confidence is high they’ll have copies of their new CD, Global Guitar Greats, “Common Ground,” available.

Be sure to put this one on your calendar, Ozomatli at Ventura College Athletic Field, Sunday, May 3.  You can get tickets for all Ventura Music Festival events at www.VenturaMusicFestival.org.  (Ill Repute cancelled gig at Garage).

And finally we’re sorry to report the passing of a friend to so many local musicians, Doug Sax.  Sax was a mastering engineer, direct-to-disc pioneer, co-founder of Sheffield Labs, founder of The Mastering Lab; he would have been 79 on April 26.

If you’re missing us on Facebook, we had to convert to a business page.  So if you want to see our listings, you should not only Like our page, but you’ll have to continue to Like posts, and write comments to have them show up on your news feed on a regular basis.  I know!  What a pain!! www.facebook.com/venturarockswebsite.

If you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing?  Send all information short or long to  Pam@VenturaRocks.com.