Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
While celebrating Strey Cellars 12-year anniversary, Scott and Katie Ballew announced they’ve acquired Cantara Cellars/Flat Fish Brewing Co. and plan to build upon and brand it as their own moving forward as Camarillo Barrel Works and no worries, Strey Cellars will remain in Oxnard. Congratulations to Mike and Chris Brown on their retirement and a huge thank you for establishing Cantara Cellars so many years ago.
And speaking of rebranding, Fermentation House is ramping up on their acquisition of Four Brix in Ventura and continue their support of live music.
Hats off to Lucky Fool’s Pub in Moorpark for their professional promotion on their website and for booking more live music including Doc Rogers Band, 24 Strings, Teresa Russell, Strummed Down and Mack and D. I wish more venues did this.
The good folks at the Ventura Music Hall continue to book an eclectic mix of artists. The Sons of Legion show for February 21 is already sold out as are the two back-to-back nights for Thee Sinseers and the Altons on February 27 and 28. Recently added shows include Rich Kids on LSD and Good Riddance on April 11, Iam Tongi (Season 21 winner of American Idol) for April 17, and Collie Buddz for May 27.
I am reminded once again after taking in the Baila Nova performance at Namba Arts how special listening rooms are. So, as a reminder, though wineries, breweries and smaller bars offer up live music, specifically our local solo and duo artists, there is nothing like paying the price of a ticket for a “listening room” experience where one is there to listen and not to socialize during performances. Namba Arts and The Ojai Underground are probably the best examples and neither charge exorbitant cover charges. I’ve seen frustrated artists who are playing to no one in a full room when at the end of a song, no one claps. It breaks my heart! The point? Attend a listening room performance and you’ll be grateful you did. Oh! And clap at the end of songs in bars.
Quick Notes: beginning Thursday, February 19, Winchesters will host weekly Ventura Dead Nights though May 31 featuring a rotating a cast of local musicians playing the jams of the Dead; weather permitting, Tony’s Pizzeria is ramping up their music schedule again; Chicago’s Bitchin’ Bajas play the Ojai Deer Lodge on Wednesday, February 18; Vaquero y Mar hosts the Neurotics, Spider Baby, SRA, Roshambo and Zippy Josh on Friday, February 20; Shawn Jones and Bernie Larsen team up for a show at the Ojai Underground on Friday, February 27; and the sold out Violent Femmes show at the Ventura Theater is Sunday, March 1.
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.