Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com
The Ventura County Fair opens July 29 with national touring acts playing the Grandstand Stage. All concerts are included in the price of admission to the fair, but if you want to get closer to the action, you now need to purchase VIP tickets which will run you between an additional $43 to $63 depending on the artist. It’s not clear whether you can buy VIP at the fair, so your best bet is to secure them ahead of time online at VenturaCountyFair.org. This year’s lineup includes Bush on July 29, Marshmello (EDM) on July 30, Iration on July 31, Jake Owen On August 1, Herencia de Patrones on Sunday afternoon, August 2, Ashanti featuring Bow on August 3, Switchfoot with Hoobastank on August 4 and Nate Smith wraps before clearing the arena for the rodeo on August 5. Speaking of rodeos, Surf Rodeo’s Golden Pony Speakeasy returns with local bands such as Guy Martin and Bloody Mary Morning. You can follow the different smaller stage schedules on VenturaRocks.com.
The Ventura Music Festival Summer Series runs July 20-26 with all shows at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center (Angel Blue’s venue was moved from Camarillo) except for Justo Almario & Jeremy Bosch who will perform at the Ventura Theatre. An opening night gala will be held at Palomino (33 S. Palm) with San Lyon The Fall Series kicks off in October.
Rock the Collection finally kicks off their Summer Concert Series which fall on every other Wednesday beginning with the July 29 show featuring the K-Tell All-Stars. The family-friendly concerts really pack them in, so I suggest you get there well before the 6:30 pm start time to secure a place to sit. Still to come, DSB tribute to Journey on August 12, Twisted Gypsy’s tribute to Fleetwood Mac on August 26 and then they wrap it up with That’s What I like, a tribute to Bruno Mars on September 9.
“The Ventura County Classical Guitar Society will meet Wednesday, July 29th, at the Studio Channel Islands Art Center – 2222 Ventura Blvd, Old Town Camarillo. Doors open at 6 pm with student performers at 7 followed by their feature guest artist at 8. The public is welcome, and admission is always free; however, any donations collected go to guest performers.
Quick Notes: Oxnard Levity Live and Copper Blues final days are counting down as they’ll be closing permanently in August; tickets on sale now for the Aquabats! along with Manic Hispanic and Sullvn at the Ventura Theatre for October 17; tickets also on sale for Stanley Simmons (yes sons of Paul Stanley & Gene Simmons of Kiss) at the Ventura Music Hall for Saturday, August 15; El Rayo-X, David Lindley’s world-music band plays the Ojai Underground on Saturday, July 25; and Saturday evening Music Under the Stars series has Fortunate Son on July 25 and Smooth Sounds of Santana on August 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.