Ventura Music Scene 10/15/25 – 10/28/25

Posted on October 12, 2025 by venturarocks

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

After a seven-year hiatus, the Frost and Fire Metal Fest returns to Ventura for two days at Bombay Bar and Grill on Friday, October 25, and Saturday, October 26. Night Demon will headline on Friday, and Cirith Ungol on Saturday. While Cirth Ungol had “officially retired” in 2024, they continue to play a handful of exclusive shows, including this one in their hometown. Tickets can be purchased via FrostAndFireFest.com. Check out the Festival’s Facebook page (FrostAndFireMetalFest) for additional bands performing.

Ventura Music Festival (VMF) October Series falls over several days across a handful of venues. The Moaning Frogs play the Ventura Music Hall on Thursday, October 16; Twanguero will be at the Museum of Ventura County on Friday, October 17; Branford Marsalis at the Majestic Ventura Theater on Saturday, October 18; and they’ll wrap up the series with Delirium Musicum at Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center on Sunday, October 19. For details about each show and to purchase tickets, go to VenturaMusicFestival.org.

I posted an impromptu question on my Facebook page, “Curious…Do you consider DJs to be live music? (no judgement)” and with over 100 comments in one day, the overwhelming response was “No.” However, my takeaway is that while DJs may not be “live” music, spinning discs is entertainment, and if they’re talented and put in the work, it can be considered an art form. That being said, my article and postings on VenturaRocks.com only list live music.

Halloween is coming quick, so I suggest you go to VenturaRock’s full page calendar (click for a quick jump) and then search “Halloween.” To date, there are over 15 venues with live music. There are a couple of ticketed events: two at the Crowne Plaza, one featuring Rey Fresco and the other Shaky Feelin’, both through Eventbrite; and The Grape has Tony Ybarra’s Nylon Roses featuring classic rock, tickets through thegrapeventura.com.

Quick Notes: Braids and Dreads (Dan Grimm & JP Hesser) have secured a Friday evening residency for the time being at Gibsons on Fridays (6-8 pm); Walt Johnson Sinatra Tribute Band featuring Michael Falcone play a special show at the Manhattan on Thursday, October 16; John Waite plays the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on Saturday, October 18; there’s a free Ojai Pops Concert at the Libbey Bowl on Sunday, October 19; Ska Daddyz play Mrs. Olson’s on Saturday, October 20; Boilerman, Sharkhead & Static Voices play Gigi’s on Saturday, October 25; and Danny Carey of Tool returns to the Grape drumming for two gigs this month, Saturday, October 18 with Brian Charette B3 Funk Party, then the following Saturday, October 25, with the Doug Webb Group;

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 8/6/25 – 8/19/25

Posted on August 3, 2025 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
The highly popular Rock the Collection summer concert series kicks off August 13 with The Yellow Brick Band (formerly known as Rocket Men, a tribute to Elton John). The family-friendly free concerts run on alternate Wednesdays. You’re encouraged to arrive early (after 11 am, day of the show), and you’re welcome to bring picnic low-backed chairs and blankets. Upcoming shows: The Long Run, tribute to the Eagles on August 27; Wanted, tribute to Bon Jovi on September 10; and Kings of Queen, tribute to Queen on September 24.

Congratulations to the Ventura Music Festival’s successful 30th summer season which wrapped up last week. You might want to secure tickets now for one of their October series concerts which feature the likes of The Moanin’ Frogs, an Evening with Branford Marsalis, Twanguero, and more. Go to VenturaMusicFesival.org for information on dates and tickets.

There are more congratulations to be had, this time for Poseidon Brewing who is celebrating their 11th anniversary with live music over the weekend of August 8-10 featuring the CocoKnots on Friday, Morrison Drive and Vanise Terry Band on Saturday, and Looking West Sunday afternoon.

The Grape has an excellent reputation for providing top-notch entertainment and if jazz is not your cup of tea, no worries, you can find blues, Americana and rock artists as well. Case in point, blues rock legend (performed at both Monterey and Woodstock in the ‘60s), Canned Heat will be there on Friday, August 15. While the band has endured several losses over the years, drummer, Adolfo “Fito” de la Parra, is the “historian” and original member, along with New Orlean’s legend on harp, guitar and lead vocals, Dale Spalding, Rick Reed on bass (Paul Butterfield, John Mayall and Chicago Blues Reunion), and Jimmy Vivino best known as guitarist and arranger for Late Night with Conan O’Brien for over 28 years.

But if you do love jazz, and more specifically, a 16-member energetic jazz orchestra, then you won’t want to miss The BBB Featuring Bernie Dresel on Saturday, August 9. Dresel, drummer/percussionist, is one of the busiest studio and live musicians having supported Maynard Ferguson, the Brian Setzer Orchestra and Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band in the past. He also has many movie and television credits including Incredibles 2, The Simpsons and Family Guy.

Quick Notes: Winchester’s Bar and Grill opened escrow to sell to Ventiki Operations, Inc, word is they plan to continue the venue’s 28-year legacy with live music and more; tickets for the Aquabats! At the Majestic Ventura Theater went on sale via Ticketweb for Saturday, November 15; Órale 805 performs at First Thursdays Food Trucks at Plaza Park in Oxnard on August 7; and Shawn Jones, Shane Alexander and Paulo Coelho perform at Namba on Saturday, August 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 7/23/25 – 8/5/25

Posted on July 20, 2025 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
We’re quickly heading towards midsummer and with it the highlight of the season, the Ventura County Fair and specifically all the Grandstand Stage performances. On opening night, Wednesday, July 30, there will be a collective, hip hop/rap “Beach Block Party” featuring Tone Loc, Ying Yang Twins, Fat Joe and Pepa (of Salt-n-Pepa). I’m putting my money on “Wild Thing,” well maybe “Push It” as the collective post-concert earworm. Then on Thursday, July 31, it’s Diplo for a night of electronica; Friday, August 1, it’s Dirty Heads with reggae/rock; Saturday, August 2, Lee Brice, country; Sunday, August 3, La Maquinaria Norteña & La Séptima Banda ft. Mi Banda El Mexicano; Monday, August 4, Flo Rida Featuring Bubba Sparxxx, more rap; Tuesday, August 5 it’s Dylan Scott featuring Cheat Codes with modern country and the last night has more country with Scotty McCreery featuring Kruse Brothers. Don’t forget if you want to be up close to the stage, you’ll need to purchase VIP tickets. But for the rest of us, the shows are included in the price of admission to the fair. Another noteworthy tidbit, while most nights feature tribute bands on the Station Stage, The Outlaw Mariachi play August 4, Kruse Brothers August 5, and The White Buffalo will perform on Thursday, August 7

The week before the fair opens, Summer Dead Fest lands at the Crowne Plaza Hotel for four days and nights of jams. The poolside deck stage outside the Aqua Bar has free access to the bands, but if you want the Friday and Saturday night concerts which conclude a “Sunset Vibes Silent Disco” until 3 am, you’ll need tickets. For more data, go to VenturaGratefulDead.info.

The Ventura Music Festival has several more shows this week including Ventura’s own, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy with Barrelhouse Wailers opening. Their July 25 show is sold out and the venue has been moved to the College’s Performing Arts Center.

Music Under the Stars at Olivas Adobe continues its summer series of Friday night concerts with Psychedelic Summer on July 26, and Stone Soul on August 2. Both nights are sold out. As mentioned in our last issue, all shows are sold out except August 23 with Conjunto Oye, who promise to deliver high-energy danceable Latin music with Cuban rhythms and Puerto Rican flair; so, you know, take the hint.

Quick Notes: The Psychedelic Furs play the Ventura Theater on Wednesday, July 23 and Billy Vera & the Beaters on Saturday, July 26; Shawn Jones plays Bombay’s on Thursday, July 24; reuniting, it’s Preachers and Pornstars for a date at Gigi’s on Friday, July 25; it’s Bee Gee Fever over at Camarillo Constitution Park on Saturday, July 26; and Swing Shift big band plays the Sportsman in Camarillo on Sunday, July 27.

Ventura Music Scene 7/9/25 – 7/22/25

Posted on July 6, 2025 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
Over the next couple of weeks there will be plenty of live music events, some free, some family friendly, but all promise to be tons of fun. Let’s start with the Hueneme Beach Festival which falls over the weekend of July 12 and 13 at Hueneme Beach Park. No admission, but tickets can be purchased for the carnival rides and of course there will be plenty of food vendors and local artists’ displays along with live music. On Saturday there will be several local high school marching bands, InStone, Red Hot Cholo Peppers and Corazon de Mana. On Sunday, they’ll have a couple of tribute bands, Smooth Sounds of Santana and Kings of Queen, along with Banda La Veneosa and Halcones del Bajio.

The following week, starting midweek and running through Sunday, July 20, it’s Heritage Days in Old Towne Camarillo. Same deal: free admission, but you can purchase carnival ride tickets. The first few days offer up DJs, but on Friday you can catch John Surge and the Haymakers, and Just Dave Band. On Saturday it’s Hindsite, SkaDaddyz, D.on Darox & the Melody Joy Bakers, Heavy Rotation and the Brandon Ragan Project. Then finally on Sunday, you can catch Full Clip, Alejandro Medina, Mariachi Los Toreros, and Maclovia.

D.on Darox and the Melody Joy Bakers on Fat Tuesday 2025

Over at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, Surfers Point Live, the Tequila & Taco Music Festival will be held over the weekend of July 19 and 20 with Lil’ Kim, the Queen Bee, headlining on Saturday. Also performing, Adelaide Pilar and La Marcha. On Sunday, it’s Vilma Diaz Y La Sonora and Smooth Sounds of Santana. Tickets available at TequilaAndTacoMusicFesival.com.

Music Under the Stars at Olivas Adobe kicks off this Summer’s series of Friday night concerts with 4 Lads from Liverpool on July 12, and Dark Desert Highway on July 19. Both nights are sold out. By the way, all shows are sold out except August 23 with Conjunto Oye, who promise to deliver high-energy danceable Latin music with Cuban rhythms and Puerto Rican flair.

Quick Notes: Ventura Music Festival’s Big Bad Voodoo Daddy concert with Barrelhouse Wailers on Friday, July 25 is sold out plus the venue has changed to the Ventura College Performing Arts Center; The Boatyard Pub at the Ventura Harbor has wrapped up their remodeling upgrades and live music is back; Lowered Expectations will play the Downtown Ventura Summer Concert Series on Thursday, July 10 (6-8 pm) at California and Main; this year’s Bowlvolution Tiki Summer Bowl Out at Harley’s Camarillo Bowling will be held on Saturday, July 12, with Stagger & Fall, The Afraid, Toledo Panic and The Disappointments playing in the bar;
and Plan B Winery has Déjà vu (acoustic) playing the music of Crosby,Stills, Nash & Young on Sunday, July 20.

Ventura Music Scene 4/30/25 – 5/13/25

Posted on April 27, 2025 by venturarocks

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

The Ventura Music Festival’s free concert this year on Saturday, May 3, is coming up fast with such bands as Ticket to Ride (Beatles covers), the Blue Mountain Tribe, Barrelhouse Wailers, Rey Fresco and more. The family-friendly event starts at Mission Park next to the museum at noon, then after the last performance, the second stage takes over at Main and Chestnut aligning with Limon y Sal’s Cinco de May celebration at around 5 pm with not only Rey Fresco, but several salsa and mariachi bands. Along with the music, vendors will be set up as well as a vintage car show.

Another Ventura Music Festival event (this one ticketed) comes the following Friday, May 9th, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel with Donny Most and his Band (Most played Ralph Malph, Richie’s redheaded friend on Happy Days). The band will perform standards from legends such as Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin and Dean Martin. Go to VenturaMusicFestival.org to see if tickets are still available.

May the 4th (be with you) will see the community gather to support The Local Love Project and their 3rd Annual Blues, BBQ & Portside Views benefit. This year features music from Kelly’s Lot and the Erik Lemaire Band and it is being held at Portside Ventura Harbor on Sunday, May 4th from 1-5 pm. Tickets are $20 and available via TotalLocalVC.com.

Namba Arts is helping to celebrate Mother’s Day with a concert featuring American Songbook Today performing, “Songs for Mothers and Those They Love.” This joyful tribute to moms everywhere will include songs from David Crosby, Stephen Sondheim, Janis Ian, Simon and Garfunkel and more. Find out more at NambaArts.com.

Ozomatli is celebrating 30 years with a show at the Ventura Music Hall on Friday, June 27. General admission tickets are on sale now. I also saw the venue added a show with Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel for Friday, July 18. This one will be a fully-seated concert featuring the son of the legendary Dickey Betts (Allman Brothers) who recently passed away in 2024.

Mackenzie Carpenter and Jackson Dean have been added along with headliner, Kane Brown, for this summer’s Boots & Brews Country Music Festival on Sunday, June 29, presented by Surfers Point Live at the fairgrounds.

Don’t forget tickets for Music Under the Stars go on sale Tuesday, May 6. You won’t want to wait too long as most concerts do sell out.

Quick Notes: Looking West plays Rincon Brewery on Friday May 2; Sick Boy plays Poseidon Brewing on Friday, May 3; Dirty Cello return to Ventura County for a show at the Ojai Underground on Saturday, May 3; Bloody Mary Morning bring new music to their show at Bombay’s on Friday, May 9; and Robyn Hitchcock plays the Deer Lodge on Tuesday, May 13 (tickets available through EventBrite).

Ventura Music Scene 4/2/25 – 4/15/25

Posted on March 30, 2025 by venturarocks

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

If country music is your jam, then you won’t want to miss KHAY Fest 2025 featuring Justin Moore, Locash, Dillon Carmichael and Caught Red Handed. The day will be chock-full of activities including a huge dance floor for line dancing, vendors, photo-ops, food trucks and more. The event will be held at the Camarillo Airport on Saturday, April 11 with proceeds benefiting First Responders, Ride for the Blue, and Food Share. You can find out more and secure your tickets at KHAY.com.

Who new Donny Most who played one of Richie’s friend, Ralph Malph on Happy Days is now a jazz musician based out of Colorado? Well, the Ventura Music Festival did and they’re bringing his 17-piece band to the Crowne Plaza for an evening of swing, jazz and big band classics on Friday, May 9. For more information and tickets go to VenturaMusicFestival.org.

The Ojai Playhouse has finally been renovated (again), and has reopened to mostly film screenings, but on Wednesday, April 2nd, Benmont Tench will perform. Tench was a founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and played keyboards on all the Heartbreakers recordings. Do note if you plan to attend, tickets will not be available at the box office and can only be purchased via TicketWeb.com.

The Strawberry Festival music line up was recently announced. Along with all the strawberry concoctions, entertainment will be spread out over several stages. On Saturday, May 17, it’s Bruno & the Hooligans, U2Xperience, Tabu, Jayden Secor, Bad Habit, Smith, Upstream and Jeanne Tatum. And then on Sunday, May 18, it’s Radio Rebels, Kings of Queen, Son Mayor, Brandon Ragan Project, Jacob & the Good Vibes, Past Action Heroes, Santeria and Los Xiquenos. Free Shuttles will be available at six different locations to help alleviate traffic getting to the Ventura County Fairgrounds. For more information and advance tickets go to CaStrawberryFestival.Org

And congratulations to Bombay Bar and Grill as they celebrate their 40th anniversary this month. Do make it a point to swing by and give high fives to Diego and crew.

Quick Notes: Boatyard Pub will be undergoing renovations for much of April; Art City’s first Friday, 5x5x5 will feature Dear Southern Belle, Nick Jay and Pat Miskel on Friday, April 4; Ventura Theater tribute band night will be held on Saturday, April 12, featuring Ozzmania, Fair Warning, Natural Science and Fallen Angel; Aaron Burch Teen Collective, Unplugged, will be held at Namba on Saturday, April 12; Feros Ferio Winery in Ojai hosts Korel Tunador on Saturday, April 12, (Tunador has toured and played with such acts as Rob Thomas, Katy Perry, The Goo Dolls, Matchbox 20 and more); Tony’s Pizzeria Saturday, April 19 will have Shaky Feelin’ Katie Skene Band, Ashton Slater’s Grateful Get-Down and Chris Murphy from 4:20 – 11 pm; and Tierra, Malo and Los Amigos play the Fillmore Town Theater on Saturday, April 19.

Ventura Music Scene 3/5/25 – 3/18/25

Posted on March 2, 2025 by venturarocks

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

St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Monday this year, so most celebrations at local venues will offer all the bells and whistles, along with Irish Whiskey, Celtic music and more the weekend before. That being said, a number of venues will also have live music on the actual day including Boatyard Pub with Ken Devoe, Damaged Goods at the Ojai Valley Brewery and you can count on Ventura City Firefighters Pipes & Drums to make the circuit as well as Gold Coast Bag Pipes who will play 15-20 minutes from venue to venue including The Shores, Gigi’s, Ric’s in Camarillo, Lookout Bar & Grill in Oxnard and O’Leary’s. And though I couldn’t find anything documented on what Dargan’s has planned for the big day, you know there will be a line to get in, and I’m pretty sure Celtic music will be involved.

The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be hosted on Saturday, March 15, starting at 10 am on Main Street. The procession starts at Lincoln Drive and will end up at Fir Street, which is where Downtown Main Street Moves begins. This year’s theme is “Show-Me You’re Irish.” You can count on spirited dancers, amazing costumes, horses, antique cars, service organizations, high school bands, and of course floats with music typically including those from Totally Local VC, and the Grape.

As the parade ends, the Main Street Moves St. Paddy’s Street Fair begins with over 45 vendors and live music dispersed throughout downtown including the Pipes at Winchesters. Then at 4 pm, “The Ultimate St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl” begins with several venues participating; this is a ticketed event via EventBrite, but you can still take in all the fun just being downtown!

A Fundraising event for the Ventura Music Festival will be held at the Crowne Plaza on Saturday, March 22 featuring Bob Eubanks’ Backstage with the Beatles including a special performance by The Beatles tribute band, Ticket to Ride. An optional VIP dinner fundraiser will precede the event. Find out more and get your tickets at VenturaMusicFestival.org.

The Twist on Main has gone through many changes and many ownerships over the past ten or so years, and it’s going through yet another one with a new partner and new name and branding, Gibson’s Neighborhood Bar. The announcement was posted via social media on February 25.

Quick Notes: Jerry Cantrell plays the Majestic Ventura Theater on Wednesday, March 5; Raging Arb plays an afternoon gig at Bombay’s on Saturday, March 15, starting at 1 pm; Vaquero y Mar hosts a punk rock show on Saturday afternoon, March 15, starting at 3 pm with the Neurotics, Romper and All-a-Blur; Katie Skene’s album release party will be held at the Ojai Deer Lodge on Saturday, March 15 with Max Kasch opening; John Oates plays the Majestic Ventura Theatre on Thursday, March 13; and finally, on March 17, VenturaRocks.com celebrates 16 years providing live music listings to the community.

Ventura Music Scene 1/22/25 – 2/4/25

Posted on January 19, 2025 by venturarocks

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

With our neighbors down south devastated by recent fires, I know so many are looking at ways to lend a helping hand. What with our own Thomas Fire still so fresh in our collective memories, it speaks to our resilience that we want to help others in their time of need. Local artists are getting together for a benefit show at the Ojai Underground Exchange for a concert on January 25. The LA Fires Benefit Concert will feature performances by Bernie Larsen, Natalie Gelman, Vaughn Montgomery, Shylah Ray, Charles Duncan, the Mazarines and Ojai folk artist, and Alan Thornhill.

The Shores in Oxnard will also hold what they’re calling a “Play it Forward” benefit show for fire victims on Saturday, January 25, from noon to 10 pm with a long list of artists stepping up to help including Steph’s Rockin Roadshow, Wildside, Ben Garcia, Faith Jones Band and more. They’ll be accepting new items and cash donations.

Numbskull Productions presents Alain Whyte co-writer and member of the Morrissey Band. Whyte is booked to play Gigi’s on February 6, but it’s worth noting that at press time, while this show is still scheduled, that could change as Alain Whyte lost everything in the Eaton Fire. If the show is still a go, what a way to help support! Find ticket information at Ticketweb.com.

The Ventura Music Festival is celebrating their Pearl Anniversary this year (their 30th season). The festival runs during the summer months, but they always have special concerts throughout the year. To start off 2025, they’re offering two concerts at the Ventura Music Hall, both are fully seated. First, it’s Stephane Wrembel on Thursday, January 30, and then Elija Fox on Friday, January 31. Wrembel is one of the world’s most celebrated guitarists originally from France; he blends jazz, gypsy swing and world music. Fox infuses elements of jazz and soul into his songwriting; his latest album “City in the Sky” is a collection of piano instrumentals capturing the essence of New York City.

The Ventura Theater has added a unique concert for Saturday, March 22, entitled, “What the World Needs Now: The Bacharach Songbook Live.” Along with the show’s namesake title, Bacharach also composed such hits as “I Say a Little Prayer,” “The Look of Love,” “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again,” and more. Bacharach passed away in 2023, so this tribute will be performed by the incredible talents of Todd Rundgren, Rob Shirakbari, Wendy Moten and others.

Quick Notes: Bone Thugs-n-Harmony’s rescheduled show is Saturday, January 25, at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center; the Blue Moon Boys play your favorite Elvis tunes at Strey Cellars on Saturday, January 25; Lowered Expectations will play Bombay’s on Sunday, January 26, while celebrating their bassist, Susan Lowe’s birthday; and the Ventura County Concert Band performs a free show called “Lounge Blizzards” in the Ventura High School Auditorium on Sunday, January 26.

Ventura Music Scene 12/11/24 – 12/24/24

Posted on December 9, 2024 by venturarocks

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

Happy holidays!!! Let’s get right to it, so much to share… First off on Thursday, December 12, Candlelight concerts return for two shows at the Majestic Ventura Theater featuring music from the Nutcracker along with several of your holiday favorites all performed by a string quartet with hundreds of candles as the backdrop (Candlelightexperience.com).

You can catch one of those rare Charles Law Band performances at Dave’s Xmas Tree Lot in Santa Paula on Friday, December 13. Dress warmly, huddle round the fire pit, and pick out your tree!

The High Street Arts Center in Moorpark presents “Christmas Magic” featuring the Walnut Canyon Elementary School Choir along with several High Street Performers. This show has several performances running Friday, December 13, through Sunday, December 15 (HighStreetArts Center.com for times and ticket info).

The Ventura Music Festival presents The King’s Singers with a special holiday performance at Ventura Center for Spiritual Living (VenturaMusicFestival.org for ticket availability).

The annual fundraiser, 4 Kids 2 Kids, will be held at Cantara Cellars in Camarillo this year on Sunday, December 15 (1-6 pm). The cost of admission is $10 and one unwrapped toy. In exchange, you’ll enjoy artists including Ray Jaurique Band, Shawn Jones, RJ Mischo, Debbie Davis, Tommy Harkenrider and Steve & Sally Williams.

The Rubicon Theater will have three show times for the Platters Very Merry Christmas Show performance. There will be one show on Monday, December 16, and two on Tuesday, December 17. This ticketed event still had some seats available at press time (RubiconTheatre.org for more details).

The newly renovated Ojai Playhouse has two performances of Christmas at the Movies on Tuesday, December 17, featuring holidays favorites from the big screen. Leading the cast will be two Broadway veterans and Ojai favorites, Douglas Ladnier and Laura Dekkers, plus very special guest appearances (OjaiPlayhouse.com for ticket availability).

The Grape will have Gregg Karukas Holiday Jazz & more Unplugged on Thursday, December 19. Karukas was a founding member of The Rippingtons and has toured with Larry Carlton, Dave Koz, Sergio Mendes, and more (secure tickets at TheGrapeVentura.com).

Quick Notes: Burch Studios will have their next student concert at the Ventura Theater on Sunday, December 15, featuring Muse Collective, Dead Syndicate, Prely Grey, Ahoy!, Electric Shadow, Band of Oneanoother, and Star Synth; The Ska Daddyz and Looking West play Mrs. Olson’s on Saturday, December 14; House of Dance will have the Phoenix Big Band with vocalist Michael Falcone on Sunday, December 15 (1p); The Grape will hold a Squashed Grapes Alumni Show on Wednesday, December 18; and Puddles Pity Party lands at the Ventura Music Hall on Thursday, December 19.

Our next issue will cover New Year’s Eve events, but if you want to look ahead, I suggest you go to VenturaRocks.com and search NYE parties.

Ventura Music Scene 10/2/24 – 10/25/24

Posted on September 29, 2024 by venturarocks

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

The Seaside Highland Games return to the Ventura County Fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday October 12 and 13 for their 20th outing. Both days will be chocked full of activities and live music, but Saturday does include the opening ceremonies and a Grand Parade at noon. In and around all the competitions such as heavy athletics, highland dancing, bagpiping and drumming, will be several bands include the Angry Brians, Ploughboys & Silo Rags, The Browne Sisters and more. If you’ve never attended (and whether you’re Scottish or not), I highly recommend this one for the entire family. Find out more at SeasideHighalndGames.org.

The second annual Panteon Fest will be held on Saturday, October 12, at Heritage Square in Oxnard. This celebration of Dia De Los Muertos is hosted by Pipiripau, a local brand representing the beauty of Mexican culture through apparel, art, and community events. You can help bridge the gap between generations in this day of unity and remembrance; tickets are only $15 and be purchased at PanteonFest.com.

This year’s Pier Under the Stars will be held on Saturday, October 5 featuring live classic rock from Ignition. The annual fundraiser for Pier Into the Future helps this non-profit organization help preserve and maintain Ventura’s pier. Find out more at PierIntoTheFuture.org.

Looking ahead in preparation for getting into the holiday spirit, you might want to secure your tickets now for the Ventura Music Festival’s final event of the year featuring the Grammy and Emmy Award winning, The King’s Singers. The early (4-6 pm) concert will be held on Saturday, December 14, at the Ventura Center for Spiritual Living on Laurel Street. Go to VenturaMusicFesstival.org for more information.

In a must dress for the occasion in order to gain entry, The Bloodsuckers Ball, will celebrate vampirism at the Majestic Ventura Theater on Saturday, October 12 with a performance by Eyeliner, a Bauhuas tribute band.

Boots & Bluegrass with the Van Allen Twins will be held at Boccali’s (on the east end of Ojai) on Thursday, October 3 (5:30 – 8 pm). This one is put on by the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce which also features quite the raffle (one of the prizes are two 50-yard line tickets for USC vs Penn State).

Quick Notes: John Waite (The Baby’s, Bad English and solo artist) plays the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on Friday, October 4; Shawn Jones Big Band plays the Grape on Friday, October 4; The next rock show at Bombay’s is set for Saturday, October 5 (6-8 pm) with Spam, Angie and the Nightmares and Duncan & the Dragonslayers; it’s a punk rock Saturday afternoon with One Square Mile, All-a-Blur, the Dissapointments and more at Vaquero y Mar on October 5; and the Mother Hips land at Ventura Music Hall for a show on Friday, October 11.

Ventura Rocks

Yeah it Does!

Tag Archives: Ventura Music Festival

Ventura Music Scene 10/15/25 – 10/28/25

Ventura Music Scene 8/6/25 – 8/19/25

Ventura Music Scene 7/23/25 – 8/5/25

Ventura Music Scene 7/9/25 – 7/22/25

Ventura Music Scene 4/30/25 – 5/13/25

Ventura Music Scene 4/2/25 – 4/15/25

Ventura Music Scene 3/5/25 – 3/18/25

Ventura Music Scene 1/22/25 – 2/4/25

Ventura Music Scene 12/11/24 – 12/24/24

Ventura Music Scene 10/2/24 – 10/25/24