by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

There are a number of special events lined up during the next two weeks, and of course you’ll also want to map out your Halloween plans, I’m finding a number of venues are celebrating on the days leading up to the big night. If you go to the VenturaRocks.com calendar page, you can search “Halloween” and see what I’ve found out so far. I’ll give more details in the next issue of the Breeze.

Let’s start with Boccali’s in Ojai and their Boots & Bluegrass special event featuring live music from Drea & Kellen Van Allen. This ticketed event includes a family-style Italian dinner, non-alcoholic beverage (wine & wine available for sale though), and live entertainment on Thursday, October 6 from 5:30 to 8:30 in the evening. Ticket information can be found on the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

The Seaside Highland Games return to the Ventura County Fairgrounds this year over the weekend of October 8 and 9th with live music from the Angry Brians, Sligo Rags, Browne Sisters, George Cavanaugh and the Ploughboys. This Scottish themed event is family friendly and includes such competitions as bagpipping & drumming, drum majoring, fiddling, highland dancing, and heavy athletics. Tickets can be found at SeasideHighlandGames.org.

Saturday, October 8 is also the return of Surf ‘n’ Suds. This ticketed event features rows of vendors and with lots of alcohol samplings, and this year a mega sized beer pong competition. They’re back at their San Buenaventura State Beach location (entrance at San Pedro Street). The last time I went, I visited one of their vendors selling a unique wine opening device, and I ended up on a commercial which aired on several social media platforms, so you know, you too might can become a star 😊. Live musical entertainment will feature the Free Love Project, KingQueen Band and DJ FIU. For ticket information, go to SurfBeerFest.com.

Surfer’s Point Live hosts Boots & Brews (yes this is the second one in the past few months), and it falls on a Friday, October 14, staring Tim McGraw, Michael Ray and Bailey Zimmerman. So get off early from work, pull on your country boots and head over to the Ventura County Fairgrounds when the gates open at 3 pm, grab a cold one and enjoy some of the best country music around! Secure your tickets at BootsAndBrews.com.

The Brite Room located at Music Freqs, at 2258 Pickwick Drive in Camarillo offers an all-ages live music venue with bands of all genres available to the under 21 crowd. You most likely will remember this is the space formerly known as Rock City Studios. Kudos for taking a chance, and making a safe place for kids to take in live shows. I’m hoping to share more of their listings in the future. Currently I have Feed the Beast, Disrupted Euphoria and Black Moon Lilith on Friday, October 7, and Ottto, Noah Weiland and Akila Fly on Saturday, October 8. Tickets are available via EventBrite.

Ojai Valley Day is Saturday, October 15 with lots of vendors, arts, activities and live music from 10 in the morning until 6 pm. I understand they’ll have two stages one of which is the Gazebo, and the other the Libbey Bowl where Abba Dabba Doo! (Abba tribute) plays at about 3 pm followed up by Spencer the Gardener, both of which are free to the public.

New shows on sale:

Ojai Underground:
Jamie Drake on October 15
Expandards on October 21
Perla Batalla on November 11 & 12

Ventura Music Hall
The Aquadolls, Sitting on Stacy & Strange Case on October 21
La Santa Cecilia on November 1
Sammy Johnson on November 3
Long Beach Dub Allstars on December 3
Zoso, the ultimate Led Zeppelin tribute on January 14, 2023

Ventura Theater
GlorRilla on January 14, 2023

Quick Notes: The Twist is switching hands early this month, current owner Teri doesn’t anticipate any major changes with the live music you’ve come to know and love; It’s a Flashback 90s night at Poseidon Brewings with Vinny Berry on Friday, October 7; Numbskull Productions present Dirty Rotten Imbeciles at Gigi’s on Tuesday, October 11; Cantara Winery is celebrating their anniversary on October 15 with Heart and Soul; and Rey Fresco will do an intimate performance at the Aqua Beachfront Bar located inside the Crown Plaza Hotel on Saturday, October 15.

By the time this issue rolls off the presses, The Fatty Vegan will have closed their doors for good. Sad times for you Vegans out there, but we’re much appreciative of all the live bands you brought to town. Best wishes for your family’s future.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to [email protected], and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

For more listings, additional times and genres go to VenturaRocks.com

Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts
8585 N. Ojai Road, Ojai
Sun 10/16: Anita Graef w/ Louise Chan

Boatyard Pub
1583 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Wednesdays: Frank Barajas
Thursdays: Jim Friery; Bluegrass Jam
Fri 10/7: Teresa Russell & Stephen Geyer
Tues 10/11: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples
Fri 10/14: Epitome of Dreams
Sat 10/15: Déjà vu Two
Tues 10/18: Troy Edwards

Boccali’s
3277 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Thurs 10/6: Drea & Kellen Van Allen

Boots & Brews (take II)
Ventura Fairgrounds
Fri 10/14: Tim McGraw, Michael Ray & Bailey Zimmerman

Cantara Cellars
126 N. Wood Rd., Camarillo
Fri 10/7: Katey Shorey
Sat 10/8: Doc Rogers Band
Fri 10/14: Paulie Cerra
Sat 10/15: Heart & Soul

The Cave
4435 McGrath St., Ventura
Wed & Thurs: Bobby Apostol
Fri & Sat: Warren Takahashi

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Tuesdays: Blues Tuesdays
Thursdays: Glenn Bennet

The Collection
2751 Park View Court, Oxnard
Rock the Collection
Wed 10/19: Bruno and the Hooligans

Copper Blues
The Collection, Oxnard
Fri 10/7: Bring on the Night
Sat 10/8: No Biggie
Fri 10/14: Jetlemons

Four Brix Winery
2290 Eastman Ave., Ventura
Fri 10/14: Heart and Soul
Sun 10/16: Clear Sky Trio

Gigi’s Cocktails
2493 Grand Ave., Ventura
Tues 10/11: Dirty Rotten Imbeciles, Boilerman

The Grape
2833 E. Main St., Ventura
Tuesdays Jazz Jam
Wed 10/5: Sean Riddle Quartet
Thurs 10/6: Karl Hunter (5 pm); Kavika G and Tyler Hammand (8 pm)
Fri 10/7: Fred Kaplan (5 pm); 6 Beats Apart
Sat 10/8: Fausto Cuevas y la Moderna (2 pm); WebBinney (8 pm)
Wed 10/12: Neil Elliott Dorval
Thurs 10/13: Tom Etchart & Friends (5 pm); The Urban Jazz Collective (8 pm)
Fri 10/14: Fred Kaplan (5 pm); Marina Pacowski Band (8 pm)
Sat 10/15: Barrelhouse Wailers

Harbor Cove Café
1867 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Saturdays: The Cook Hand Ukes

Keynote Lounge
10245 E Telephone Rd, Ventura
Thursdays: Open Mic
Fri 10/7: Heart and Soul
Fri 10/14: Reign
Sat 10/15: The Balance

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Fri 10/7: Mike Beers
Sat 10/8: Shakamon & Dread Kennedy
Sun 10/9: Jake Mclelland
Fri 10/14: Andrew Hart
Sat 10/15: Kimo Moya

Libbey Bowl
210 Signal St., Ojai
Thurs 10/6: Ben Harper
Sat 10/15: Abba Dabba Doo! (3 pm); Spencer the Gardener (5 pm)
Sun 10/16: Judy Collins and Sophie B. Hawkins

Madewest Brewing
1744 Donlon St., Ventura
Sat 10/8: Cap Quirk
Sat 10/15: Josh Nordgren

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Wed 10/5: Apocalyptica Cell-O
Thurs 10/6: Lagwaggon, Strung Out, Sack
Sat 10/8: GWAR, Light the Torch, Crobot, Nekrogoblikon
Sun 10/9: The Front Bottoms
Wed 10/12: Testament

Manhattan
5800 Santa Rosa Road, Camarillo
Wed 10/5: Richard Weiss
Fri 10/7: Lisa Ritner
Sat 10/8: Tour Support
Wed 10/12: Robert Van
Fri 10/14: Jeanne Tatum Trio
Sat 10/15: Doc Rogers Duo

Margarita Villa
Ventura Harbor
Fri & Sat 7-10 pm; Sun 5-8 pm
Fri 10/7: Urban Dread
Sat 10/8: Dive Bar Messiahs
Sun 10/9: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples
Fri 10/14: Vinyl Gypsies
Sat 10/15: Crosscut 805
Sun 10/16: Corsican Brothers

Namba Arts
47 S. Oak Street, Ventura
Fri 10/14: Dogyear, Logan Campbell, Josh Cronin, Roberto Hermosillo, Aaron Burch

Ojai Underground
616 Pearl Street, Ojai
Sat 10/8: Jude Johnstone & Amilia K. Spicer
Thurs 10/13: Jackie Bristow & Jeff Young
Sat 10/15: Jamie Drake

Ojai Valley Brewing
307 Bryant Street, Ojai
Sat 10/8: The Silent Treatment
Fri 10/14: The Moondawgs

The Raven Tavern
1651 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
Fri 10/7: Operation 90s
Sat 10/8: Jetlemons
Sun 10/9: 8 Years Gone
Fri 10/14: Doc Rogers Band
Sat 10/15: Urban Soul
Sun 10/16: Smokey & Friends

San Souci
21 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Fri 10/7: Robot Uprising, 5th Street Saints Band

Seaside Highland Games
Ventura Fairgrounds
Sat & Sun 10/8-10/9: Ploughboys, Angry Brians, Sligo Rags, Browne Sisters & George Cavanaugh

The Shores
1031 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Fri 10/7: Steve and Sally Williams
Sat 10/8: Sin Chonies

Strey Cellars
951 Rice Ave., Oxnard
Sun 10/9: Crosscut 805
Fri 10/14: Whiskey Business

Surf ‘n’ Suds
San Buenaventura State Beach
Sat 10/8: Free Love Project, KingQueen Band, DJ FIU

The Twist on Main
454 E. Main St., Ventura
Wednesdays: Americana Night
Thursdays: LA Jazz Connection
Fri 10/7: Littlefish
Sat 10/8: Vinny Berry (2 pm); Vanise Terry Band (8 pm)
Sun 10/9: Déjà vu Too (12:30 pm); Mark Masson (5 pm
Fri 10/14: Sin Chonies
Sat 10/15: Steve & Sally Williams (2 pm)
Sun 10/16: Joe Delia (12:30 pm); Kenny Devoe (5 pm)

Vaquero y Mar
435 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Sundays: Mariachi
Tuesdays: The Sea Hunter
Wednedays: Tribal Me

Ventura Harbor Village
1559 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Sat 10/8: Teresa Russell

Ventura Music Hall
1888 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Wed 10/5: Bad Suns
Thurs 10/6: Dirty Honey, Dorothy, Mac Saturn
Fri 10/7: Ocean Alley
Sat 10/8: the James Hunter Six
Thurs 10/13: Kabaka Pyramid, Jordant
Sat 10/15: LA Dispute, Sweet Pill & Pictoria Vark

The Vine
308 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Saturdays: Smitty and Julia and Friends
Sundays: Austin Vallejo
Fri 10/7: TD Lind and the Aviators

Winchesters
632 E. Main St., Ventura
Music Thurs 5:30; Fri 7 pm; Sat 2 pm; Sun 3 pm
Fri 10/7: LA Jazz Connection w/ Davey Miller
Sun 10/9: Pull the Trigger
Thurs 10/13: Brandon Ragan
Fri 10/14: Karyn 805
Sat 10/15: Crooked Eye Tommy
Sun 10/16: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples
Tues 10/18: Open mic with Jenna Rose

1901
740 S. B Street, Oxnard
Sat 10/8: Steve and Sally Williams

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

It’s not that I hate being the bearer of bad news that summer is officially over as we usher in fall, that’s because fall isn’t so bad for us here in Ventura. The autumnal equinox is September 22 and as far as I’m concerned, the weather is perfect for taking in live music; but let’s be honest, the weather is always perfect for taking in live music!

The Port of Hueneme hosts the 2022 Banana Festival on Saturday, September 24, with live music from Teka Penteriche (Brazilian Bossa), Justo Almario and his Afro Colombian Jazz Ensemble, Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps with her special brand of Texas blues rock, Richardo Lemvoy Makina Loca, with Victor Vega and the Bomb capping off the day. There is no admission and parking is free for this one at 105 E Port Hueneme Road from 10 am to 6 pm.

One of my favorite nights out is also a fundraiser for a great cause, Pier Under the Stars. This ticketed event raises money to help preserve our Ventura Pier providing emergency funds when big waves do their inevitable damage to the pilings. The non-profit is called Pier into the Future and the evening helps to keep their vision alive. From 5-8 pm on Saturday, October 1 on the beachfront promenade next to the north side of the pier, the outdoor event features food, wine, and other beverages from local merchants. The live musical entertainment this year will be from Mid Life Crisis, so plan to dance “under the stars” as well.

It’s an early start to Oktoberfest over the weekend at September 24 at Lucas Sellers Wine in Moorpark features live music from Festmeister Hans und Die Sauerkrauts, Der Matterhorn Band, Hazelnuss Das Music and Sauer Sam and & Tablecloth Band. Along with the German live music, there will be a stein hoisting competition, axe throwing, vendors marketplace, petting zoo and more! Sounds like fun for all ages; I even spotted a mention of this one on KTLA weekend news.

Marty Van Loan and Jeff Evans are at it again with the release of their CD from the Mini Bar Project. They’ll perform new songs and old favorites in a rare live performance at the Santa Paula Theater Center on October 1.

Congratulations to the one of the original dive-bars in the county, the Rudder Room, as they celebrate their 60th anniversary on Saturday, September 24, with Teresa Russell performing 1-5 pm.

Not quite a 60-year milestone, but it’s a milestone none-the-less as Ojai Valley Brewery celebrates their 1-year anniversary with what they’re calling Croptober Fest 2022, which also falls on Saturday, September 24. Reggae reigns from 5-10 from Cornerstone, Morie & the Heavy Hitters and Jacob & the Good Vibes. This one is a ticketed event and will help to benefit the Humane Society of Ventura County.

And my favorite jazz spot, the Grape, will also celebrate their one-year anniversary on Saturday, October 1 with the return of Casey Abrams.

New shows at Ventura Music Hall
Kabaka Pyramid with Jordant on October 13
Tai Verdes on November 9
Thee Sinseers & the Altons with Rudy de Anda on November 12
Skeggs on March 6, 2023

Mark your calendar (more details next issue) for Surf n Suds (October 8), the Highland Seaside Highland Games (October 8-9) and Boots and Brews with Tim McGraw (October 14).

Quick Notes:
Billy Vera and the Beaters play the Grape on Thursday, September 22; teen band out of Camarillo, No Idea, play El Rey Cantina on Sunday, September 25; Wednesday, September 28, is the next free Rock the Collection concert with Eagles tribute band, the Long Run; Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite play the Libbey Bowl on Friday, September 30; Fido the band play Leashless Brewing on Saturday, October 1; and the Fatty Vegan hosts a Numbskull Productions show with Powerhouse and End Days on Sunday, October 2 (ticketweb.com).

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to [email protected], and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

For more listings, additional times and genres go to VenturaRocks.com

Boatyard Pub
1583 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Wednesdays: Frank Barajas
Thursdays: Jim Friery; Bluegrass Jam
Fri 9/23: Mack and D
Sat 9/24: Epitome of Dreams
Tues 9/27: Karen Eden & Bill Macpherson
Fri 9/30: Andrew Longaker duo
Sat 10/1: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples

Cantara Cellars
126 N. Wood Rd., Camarillo
Fri 9/23: Frank Barajas & the Corsican Brothers
Fri 9/30: Ignition unplugged
Sat 10/1: Ray Jaurique and his big Band

The Cave
4435 McGrath St., Ventura
Wed & Thurs: Bobby Apostol
Fri & Sat: Warren Takahashi

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Tuesdays: Blues Tuesdays
Thursdays: Glenn Bennet

The Collection
2751 Park View Court, Oxnard
Rock the Collection
Wed 9/28: The Long Run

Copper Blues
The Collection, Oxnard
Fri 9/23: Power Syndicate
Fri 9/30: Vinyl Gypsies

Deer Lodge
2261 Maricopa Hwy, Ojai
Thurs 9/29: Cate Le Bon

El Rey Cantina
2302 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo
Sun 9/25: No Idea

Fatty Vegan
325 S. Borchard Dr., Ventura
Sun 10/2: Powerhouse, End Days

Four Brix Winery
2290 Eastman Ave., Ventura
Sun 9/25: Epitome of Dreams
Fri 9/30: Caught Red Handed
Sun 10/2: Sloan & Josh (Raw Honey Band)

The Grape
2833 E. Main St., Ventura
Tuesdays Jazz Jam
Wed 9/21: Ladd McIntosh Big Band
Thurs 9/22: Billy Vera and the Beaters
Fri 9/23: TriTone Asylum
Sat 9/24: RJ Root Guitar night featuring Ron Eschete
Thurs 9/29: Tribute to the Greats
Fri 9/30: Plotz
Sat 10/1: Casey Abrams

Harbor Cove Café
1867 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Saturdays: The Cook Hand Ukes

Keynote Lounge
10245 E Telephone Rd, Ventura
Thursdays: Open Mic
Fri 9/23: Red Rhythm

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Fri 9/23: Heavy Rotation
Sat 9/24: Evan Joffred
Sun 9/25: Kim Moya
Thurs 9/29: Anna Vera
Fri 9/30: Mike Beers
Sat 10/1: Fido the Band

Libbey Bowl
210 Signal St., Ojai
Sun 9/25: Ojai Pops
Fri 9/30: Elvin Bishop & Charlie Musselwhite

Madewest Brewing
1744 Donlon St., Ventura
Sat 9/24: Milo Sledge Trio
Sun 10/2: RJ Mischo & His Red Hat Blues Band

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Fri 9/23: Ridin’ the Storm Out, Aerorocks, Eclipsed by the Wall
Thurs 9/29: Max & Iggor Cavalera
Fri 9/30: Manchester Orchestra
Sun 10/2: Silversun Pickups
Tues 10/4: Marcus Mumford, Danielle Ponder

Manhattan
5800 Santa Rosa Road, Camarillo
Wed 9/21: Richard Weiss
Fri 9/23: Mark and Jim duo
Sat 9/24: Jeanne Tatum Trio
Fri 9/30: Tour Support

Margarita Villa
Ventura Harbor
Fri & Sat 7-10 pm; Sun 5-8 pm
Fri 9/23: Tossers
Sat 9/24: Operation 90s
Sun 9/25: CRV
Fri 9/30: Red Rhythm
Sat 10/1: TBP
Sun 10/2: Doc Rogers Band

Namba Arts
47 S. Oak Street, Ventura
Fri 9/30: Mark Hummel & RJ Mischo

Ojai Underground
616 Pearl Street, Ojai
Fri 9/23: The Salty Suites
Sat 9/24: The String Revolution
Sat 10/1: Sayed Sabrina

Ojai Valley Brewing
307 Bryant Street, Ojai
Thurs 9/22: Teresa Russell
Fri 9/23: The Late Knights
Sat 9/24: Cornerstone, Morie & the Heavy Hitters, Jacob & the Good Vibes
Fri 9/30: The Remedies
Sat 10/1: River Ripley

Onyx Bistro
2390 Las Posas Rd., Camarillo
Fri 9/23: Tom Etchart & Friends
Sun 9/25: Raw Honey Band
Fri 9/30: Jake Needham

Pier Under the Stars
Promenade next to Ventura Pier
Sat 10/1: Midlife Crisis

The Raven Tavern
1651 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
Fri 9/23: Doc Rogers Band
Sat 9/24: Free Love Project
Sun 9/25: Shay Moulder
Fri 9/30: Acoustic DNA
Sun 10/2: Steve and Sally Williams

Rudder Room
2929 Ocean Dr., Oxnard
Sat 9/24: Teresa Russell

San Souci
21 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Sat 10/1: Blackstar

Santa Paula Theater
125 S. 7th St., Santa Paula
Sat 10/1: The Mini Bar Project

The Shores
1031 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Fri 9/30: Whiskey Stone

Strey Cellars
951 Rice Ave., Oxnard
Sun 9/25: The 805 Social Club

The Twist on Main
454 E. Main St., Ventura
Wednesdays: Americana Night
Thursdays: LA Jazz Connection
Fri 9/23: Vinyl Gypsies
Sat 9/24: Dive Bar Steve (2 pm); Jesse Harris Band (8 pm)
Sun 9/25: Bella Lucarelli (12:30 pm); Hot Roux (5 pm)
Fri 9/30: Jen Staves and the Bluzfish

Vaquero y Mar
435 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Sundays: Mariachi
Tuesdays: The Sea Hunter
Wednedays: Tribal Me

Ventura Harbor Village
1559 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Sun 9/25: Unkle Monkey

Ventura Music Hall
1888 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Fri 9/23: Natural Science, Black Sabbatha
Sat 9/24: Sun Room
Thurs 9/29: Too Many Zooz
Sat 10/1: Protoje, Jesse Royal, Lila Ike
Tues 10/4: Tribal Seeds feat. Hector Roots Lewis

The Vine
308 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Saturdays: Smitty and Julia and Friends
Sundays: Austin Vallejo
Fri 9/23: Corey Highberg

Winchesters
632 E. Main St., Ventura
Music Thurs 5:30; Fri 7 pm; Sat 2 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 9/22: Troy Edwards
Fri 9/23: Art of Funk
Sun 9/25: The Raw Honey Band
Thurs 9/29: James Bros.
Fri 9/30: Debbie Davies
Sat 10/1: Steve and Sally Williams
Sun 10/2: CRV
Tues 10/4: Open Mic w/ Jenna Rose

1901
740 S. B Street, Oxnard
Fri 9/23: Teresa Russell, Stephen Geyer & Mama Pat

For more listings, additional times and genres go to VenturaRocks.com

Aqua Beachfront Bar – Crown Plaza Hotel
450 E. Harbor Blvd.
Sat 9/10: Shakamon

Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts
8585 N. Ojai Road, Ojai
Sat 9/17: Gypsy Meets Choro – Olli Soikkeli & Cesar Garabini

Boatyard Pub
1583 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Wednesdays: Frank Barajas
Thursdays: Jim Friery; Bluegrass Jam
Fri 9/16: Teresa Russell
Sat 9/17: Big Adventure Duo

Cantara Cellars
126 N. Wood Rd., Camarillo
Fri 9/9: Ray Jaurique and his Big Band
Sat 9/10: Ignition
Fri 9/16: Slogan Acoustic
Sat 9/17: What the Funk

The Cave
4435 McGrath St., Ventura
Wed & Thurs: Bobby Apostol
Fri & Sat: Warren Takahashi

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Tuesdays: Blues Tuesdays
Thursdays: Glenn Bennet

Copper Blues
The Collection, Oxnard
Friday 9/9: Retrospect
Sat 9/10: Brandon Ragan Project

Deer Lodge
2261 Maricopa Hwy, Ojai
Fri 9/9: Bart Davenport & Adron

El Rey Cantina
2302 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo
Sun 9/11: Vinyl Gypsies

Four Brix Winery
2290 Eastman Ave., Ventura
Fri 9/9: DRB
Sun 9/11: Jayden Secor
Fri 9/16: Caliente 805
Sun 9/18: Cary Park

Gigi’s Cocktails
2493 Grand Ave., Ventura
Thurs 9/8: Flipper, Mike Watt

The Grape
2833 E. Main St., Ventura
Tuesdays Jazz Jam
Thurs 9/8: SicNarf
Fri 9/9: Native Vibe
Sat 9/10: Barrelhouse Wailers
Wed 9/14: trio WoRK
Thurs 9/15: Dennis Mitcheltree Quartet
Fri 9/16: Beksy
Sat 9/17: One shot Deal Plays Zappa

Keynote Lounge
10245 E Telephone Rd, Ventura
Thursdays: Open Mic
Sat 9/10: Toxic Sushi
Fri 9/16: Vinyl Gypsies
Sat 9/17: Whiskey Business

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Thurs 9/8: Matt (Blown Over)
Fri 9/9: Illunis
Sat 9/10: Blues Bullet
Sun 9/11: Keyth Garcia
Thurs 9/15: Christopher Hawley
Fri 9/16: Grooves Shine
Sat 9/17: Morie and the Heavy Hitters
Sun 9/18: Hazey Autumn

Libbey Bowl
210 Signal St., Ojai
Sat 9/10: Blood Sweat & Tears
Fri 9/16: Sergio Mendes

Madewest Brewing
1744 Donlon St., Ventura
Sun 9/11: Dylan Brehm
Sun 9/18: Gianna Bella

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Fri 9/9: I Don’t Know How But they Found Me, Joywave
Fri 9/16: DJ Quik, Heck Adaptive, LilPaxxx
Tues 9/20: Panteon Rococo, Bite Me Bambi

Margarita Villa
Ventura Harbor
Fri & Sat 8-11 pm; Sun 5-8 pm
Fri 9/9: Cinnamon Whiskey
Sat 9/10: Vinyl Gypsies
Sun 9/11: Corsican Brothers
Fri 9/16: Colette Lovejoy
Sat 9/17: Crosscut 805
Sim 9/18: On Tap

Namba Arts
47 S. Oak Street, Ventura
Sat 9/10: Dirty Cello
Sun 9/11: Iona Fyfe
Sun 9/18: Tony McManus

Oceanview Pavilion Performing Arts Theater
575 E. Surfside Dr., Port Hueneme
Sat 9/10: Tomorrows Bad Seeds, Kyle Smith, Synrgy, Krooked Treez, more…

Ojai Greater Goods
145 W. El Roblar Dr., Ojai
Wed 9/7: Joe Kaplow w/ Laith

Ojai Underground
616 Pearl Street, Ojai
Sat 9/17: Severin Browne & JaKl

Oxnard Jazz Festival
Oxnard Beach Park – 1601 Harbor Blvd.
Fri 9/9: Cisco Kid, Delta by the Beach
Sat 9/10: Hiroshima, Jeffrey Osborne, Kelly’s Lot, Jeanette Harris & Alhea Rene, more…
Sun 9/11: Thee Travis Miller, Paula Atherton, Bunny Brunel, the Emotions, more…

The Raven Tavern
1651 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
Fri 9/9: Bulldawgs Blues Band
Sat 9/10: Steph’s Rockin’ Road show
Sun 9/11: Guy and Dave duo
Fri 9/16: Cinnamon Whiskey
Sat 9/17: Vinyl Gypsies
Sun 9/18: Karen Eden w/ Bill Macpherson

San Souci
21 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Sat 9/17: The Focke Wolves, Dee Skusting, the Rodents

The Six Chow House
419 E. Main St., Ventura
Wed 9/14: Owl, Black Moon Lilith, Die Healing

The Shores
1031 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Sat 9/10: Headway
Sat 9/17: Sin Chonies

The Sound Palace
1681 Beacon Pl., Oxnard
Sat 9/10: Marina V, Diana Bacon, Karri Climer, Vanise TGerry, Olivia Mucha

Topa Topa Brewing
104 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Sat 9/17: Barn Burners

The Twist on Main
454 E. Main St., Ventura
Wednesdays: Americana Night
Thursdays: LA Jazz Connection
Fri 9/9: Heathers on Fire
Sat 9/10: Gary Ballen (2 pm); The Jetlemons (8 pm)
Sun 9/11: Karen Eden (12:30 pm; Joe Delia ( 5 pm)
Fri 9/16: The Balance
Sat 9/17: Steve and Sally Williams (2 pm); Dave Rea Acoustic DNA (8 pm)
Sun 9/18: Sean Wiggins (12:30 pm); Déjà vu Too (5 pm)

Vaquero y Mar
435 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Sundays: Mariachi
Tuesdays: The Sea Hunter
Wednedays: Tribal Me
Sat 9/10: Heart of Blues
Sun 9/11: Del Franklin

Ventura Music Hall
1888 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Wed 9/7: The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Thus 9/8: Ricky Montgomery
Sat 9/10: Noche de Verano Sin Ti
Fri 9/16: Allen Stone, Josh Damigo

The Vine
308 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Saturdays: Smitty and Julia and Friends
Sundays: Austin Vallejo
Fri 9/9: Ray Jaurique

Waterside Restaurant and Wine Bar
3500 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Sun 9/18: Teresa Russell

Winchesters
632 E. Main St., Ventura
Music Thurs 5:30; Fri 7 pm; Sat 2 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 9/8: The Brandon Ragan Project
Fri 9/9: Sean Wiggins
Sun 9/11: Tossers
Thurs 9/15: Karyn 805
Fri 9/16: Shaky Feelin’
Sat 9/17: Two’s Company
Sun 9/18: Johnny & the Love Handles
Tues 9/20: Open mic w/ Jenna Rose

1901
740 S. B Street, Oxnard
Sat 9/10: Steve and Sally Williams

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

How hot was that Labor Day weekend? I hope you were able to get out and catch some of the many live music events along the coast where it was mostly bearable. As for the rest of September, it looks like the weather should remain warm to hot…just not Vegas hot.

As always, at the top of my list of recommendations is anything I’m involved with, so I hope you’ll consider Taste of Local as it returns this year on Sunday, September 11 presented by Totally Local VC Agricultural Education Foundation. VenturaRocks (myself) will help to host the music stage where Spencer the Gardener, Dan Grimm and the Rose Valley Thorns will be performing. Along with the live music, there will be a local homebrew challenge, a farm-to-glass mixology throwdown and dozens of booths where you can taste delicious samples from local chefs. There is expected to be over 60 area chefs, farmers, purveyors, wineries, breweries and distilleries showcasing their culinary expertise. You can find out more about this wonderful event at TotallyLocalVC.com and I hope to see you there!

The 5th annual Oxnard Jazz Festival runs three days this year at Oxnard Beach Park (1601 Harbor Blvd.) Friday, September 9 – Sunday, September 11. This ticketed event will feature live music all three days. Delta by the Beach kicks off the live music on Friday; Kelly’s Lot, Hiroshima, Jeffrey Osborne, Jeff Ryan and others on Saturday, and Sunday it’s Paula Atherton, Bunny Brunel, Erin Stevenson, the Emotions and more. You can get the full list of acts, Covid-19 updates and ticket information at OxnardJazzFestival.com.

The Roots 805 Jam is Saturday, September 10 at Oceanview Pavilion in Port Hueneme from 3 – 11 pm with Tomorrows Bad Seeds, Kyle Smith, Krooked Treez, Synrgy, Morie & the Heavy Hitters, Rising son, Jacob Marquez & the Good vibes and more. Tickets range from $30 to $65 on EventBrite.

The 34th Anniversary show for Chick Singer Night will be held on Saturday, September 10, with
Martha V, Diana Bacon, Olivia Mucha, Kerri Climer and Vanise Terry. The location is Sound Palace, Studio B in Oxnard. Tickets are $25 through EventBrite.com.

Dirty Cello returns to Ventura with a show at Namba Performing Arts Space on Saturday, September 10. Band leader and cellist Rebecca Roudman is also a member of classical orchestras, but with the Dirty Cello band she lets her hair down and uses her classical training to push the cello to its limits – more Jimi Hendrix than Yo -Yo Ma. Roudman says, “We play what folks want to hear, from the Devil Went Down to Georgia to Led Zeppelin, we go on stage with a huge collection of songs and then just have a ton of fun – we don’t take ourselves too seriously, and we just want the audience to have a good time too.”

The Leashless Brewing End-of-Summer Lu’au party falls on Saturday, September 17. You’re invited to dress in your lava-lavas, sarongs, or your aloha shirts…and bring on the island vibe because this will be a party! Morie and the Heavy Hitters play from 6 to 9 with proceeds from the event donated to the Ventura State Rescue Association.

Saturday September 17 at the Beatrice Wood Center for Arts in upper Ojai will have an event being billed as Gypsy Meets Choro, featuring Finnish guitarist Olli Soikkeli and Italian-Brazilian 7-string guitarist, Cesar Garabini. The duo offers up an exquisite duet paring swinging Django Reinhardt-style gypsy jazz guitar and spicy choro style jazz guitar. You can get more information at BeatriceWood.com

New shows added at Ventura Music Hall
Tribal Seeds feat. Hector Roots Lewis – October 4
Atmosphere – October 19
Klangstof – October 25
Big Head Todd and the Monsters – November 11
Zepparella – December 8
Mat Kearney – February 11

Mark your calendar (more details next issue) for Saturday, September 24: The Banana Festival in Port Hueneme, Oktoberfest at Lucas Sellers in Moorpark and it’s the Rudder Room’s 60th anniversary with Teresa Russell.

Quick Notes: Starship feat. Mickey Thomas at Libbey Bowl on September 4 was cancelled; The Fabulous Thunders play Ventura Music Hall on Wednesday, September 7; Flipper, Mike Watt and The Robot Uprising play Gigi’s on Thursday, September 8; IDKHow plays the Ventura Theater on Friday, September 9; Bart Davenport plays the Deer Lodge on Friday, September 9;
Blood, Sweat and Tears play Libbey Bowl on Saturday, September 10; Kansas plays the Thousand Oaks Performing Arts Center on Thursday, September 15; Josh Damigo will open for Allen Stone at the Ventura Music Hall on Friday, September 16; And Panteon Rococo plays the Ventura Theater on Tuesday, September 20.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to [email protected], and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

The Ojai Pops Concert Series co-sponsored by the City of Ojai kicked off Sunday, August 21, and if you missed it, no worries, there will be four more chances to catch another one of their community concerts at Libbey Bowl. All concerts are free and start at 3:30 pm:
August 28: Tuxedo Junction Jazz Band
September 25: 805 Brass and Los Padres Sound Horn Quartet
October 23: Ojai Pops Orchestra w/ vocalists Miriam Dance & Sophie Holt
November 6: Larktown & Friends, featuring Lark Cobb (vocals) and Todd Temanson (banjo)

The Hueneme Beach Festival falls over the weekend of August 27 and 28 (1 – 6 pm) and is absolutely free to attend with live music both days:
Saturday, August 27: New Orleans Suspects, Twisted Gypsy, Taylor Sackson, CRV, Morie & the Heavy Hitters, Olivia Willhite
Sunday, August 28: Nth Power, Phantom Blues Band, Beebs & her Money Makers, the Cousins, Sade, Juano & Friends, Hand Me Down Band.

Spencer Mackenzie’s is once again uniting two events into one with the world’s largest cornhole tournament called The Throwdown during the day and then once the sun (starts) to go down, it’s live music with A.D.D. on Friday; Sunny Ledfurd, and Mandex on Saturday; then starting at 2 pm on Sunday, it’s Morie & the Heavy Hitters followed up with a set by Rey Fresco. Tickets can be found at TheThrowDownCornholeTournament.com.

The 34th Anniversary show for Chick Singer Night will be held on Saturday, September 10 with Martha V, Diana Bacon, Olivia Mucha, Kerri Climer and Vanise Terry. Chick Singer Night is held at Studio B in Oxnard. Tickets are $25 through EventBrite.com.

There are several shows coming up at the Namba Performing Arts Space on Oak, downtown Ventura:
Esteban Ramirez on September 3
Dirty Cello on September 10
Iona Fyfe on September 11
Tommy McManus on September 18

Along with Hawaiian hula dancers, frisbee dog demonstrations, food trucks and more, the Aloha Beach Festival will offer up some live musical entertainment from Warren Takahashi and Friends, Free Love Project 805, Jacob Marquez and the Good Vibes, Morie & the Heavy Hitters, Jill Martini and the Shrunken Heads, Keyth & the Universouls, Heavy Rotation, the Question and Rising Son. This free family friendly event will be held at promenade park along Surfer’s Point here in Ventura on Saturday and Sunday, September 3 and 4. This year’s beneficiary will be the Merito Foundation.

New shows added at the Ventura Theater:
Max & Iggor Cavalera – September 29
Alkaline Trio – October 21

New shows added at Ventura Music Hall
Protoje, Jesse Royal, Lila Ike – Oct 1
Bad Suns – Oct 5
Dirty Honey, Dorothy, Mac Saturn – Oct 6
Knuckle Puck – Oct 22
Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore with the guilty Ones – November 15
The Rare Occasions, Hot Freaks – December 4

High Street Arts Center (HighStreetArtsCenter.com) in Moorpark has a number of tribute shows lined up called the 2022 Legends Series:
Chicago Tribute Experience (Chicago) – August 26
Raymond Michael tribute to King of Rock and Roll (Elvis) – August 27
The Heart of Rock & Roll (Huey Lewis & the News) – September 2
Fortunate Son (Credence Clearwater Revival – September 3

Quick Notes: just added to the music stage for Taste of Local on Sunday, September 11 is Spencer the Gardener; Billy Idol plays the Ventura Theater Thursday, August 25; the next Singer/songwriter showcase dinner event at Pierano’s is set for Thursday, August 25 with Dylan Brehm, Lainey Brown, Olivia Mucha, Jodi Farrell and Aaron Burch; Colbie Caillat is at the Thousand Oaks Civic Auditorium, Friday, August 26; Fantastic Diamond plays Cantara on Saturday, August 27; the final Music Under the Stars is Saturday, August 27 with Lisa Haley & the Zydekats (sold out); Elvis Costello plays the Thousand Oaks Civic Auditorium on Sunday, August 28; Switchfoot is at the Ventura Music Hall on Sunday, August 28; Nathan McEuen plays the Ojai Underground on Friday, September 2; and Starship, featuring Mickey Thomas, is at the Libbey Bowl on Sunday, September 4.

The latest episode of VenturaRockSpot (www.VenturaRockSpot.com) is live featuring Looking West. The young trio out of Ventura have been making their mark on the music scene playing such venues as, Topa Topa Brewing in Ventura, Rock & Roll Pizza in Camarillo, even Surf Rodeo last month. You can catch them live when they play MadeWest Brewing on Saturday, August 27.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to [email protected], and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

For more listings, additional times and genres go to VenturaRocks.com

Boatyard Pub
1583 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Wednesdays: Frank Barajas
Thursdays: Jim Friery; Bluegrass Jam
Fri 8/19: Teresa Russell
Sat 8/20: Big Adventure Duo

Boots & Brews
Ventura County Fairgrounds
10 W. Harbor Blvd.
Sun 8/20: Cole Swindell, Eddie Montgomery, Raelynn

Café Fiore
66 California Street, Ventura
Wed 8/10: Donna Greene
Fri 8/12: Instone
Sun 8/14: JanGala Roots
Wed 8/17: David Patt
Fri 8/19: Little Alice
Sun 8/21: Free Love Project

Channel Islands Harbor
3600 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
8/13: In Contept Band
8/20: Nautical Thrust

Cantara Cellars
126 N. Wood Rd., Camarillo
Fri 8/12: Satie Shorey “Disco Friday Nite”
Sat 8/13: The Dirty Lowdown Band
Thurs 8/18: Cadillac Zack presents Canned Heat
Sat 8/12: Heart & Soul

The Collection
2751 Park View Court, Oxnard
Wed 8/10: DSB

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Tuesdays: Blues Tuesdays
Thursdays: Glenn Bennet

Deer Lodge
2261 Maricopa Hwy, Ojai
Fri 8/12: Romper, Camino Muerto
Sat 8/20: Arielle Moire-Selvage; Ava Grace Music

Four Brix Winery
2290 Eastman Ave., Ventura
Fri 8/12: Ignition
Sun 8/14: Strummed Down
Sun 8/21: Smokey & Friends

The Garage
1091 Scandia Ave., Ventura
Thurs 8/11: Lucy Morningstar Unplugged
Thurs 812: Matt (Blown Over)
Sat 8/20: Irie Nature

The Grape
2833 E. Main St., Ventura
Tuesdays Jazz Jam
Most Saturday afternoons: Fausto Cuevas y La Moderna
Wed 8/10: Teka and New Bossa
Thur 8/11: Javier Vergara / Camara Kambon Band
Fri 8/12: Allan Hinds / Brad Rabuchin Band
Wed 8/17: Peter Curtis Trio
Thurs 8/18: The Idiomatiques
Fri 8/19: Paul McCallum and Friends
Sat 8/20: Jonathan Stout and his Campus Five feat. Hilary Alexander

Heritage Square Summer Concert Series
715 S. A Street, Oxnard
Fri 8/12: The British Beat
Fri 8/19: Caliente 805

Keynote Lounge
10245 E Telephone Rd, Ventura
Thursdays: Open Mic
Fri 8/12: Heart and Soul
Fri 8/19: Vinyl Gypsies
Sat 8/20: Pull the Trigger

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Thurs 8/11: Blown Over
Fri 8/12: Mike Beers
Sat 8/13: Mark Masson
Sun 8/14: Katie Leigh
Thurs 8/18: Mcguire / Moffet Band
Fri 8/19: Brion Shearer
Sat 8/20: Jacob Marquez & the Bood Vibes
Sun 8/21: Kim Moya Beach Party

Libbey Bowl
210 Signal St., Ojai
Wed 8/10: Richie Kotzen
Sun 8/14: Air Supply
Thurs 8/18: Thievery Corporation
Fri 8/19: Three Dog Night

Margarita Villa
Ventura Harbor
Fri & Sat 8-11 pm; Sun 5-8 pm
Fri 8/12: Cinnamon Whiskey
Sat 8/13: Big Adventure
Sun 8/14: Corsican Brothers
Fri 8/19: Tossers
Sat 8/20: Crosscut 805
Sun 8/21: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples

Namba Arts
47 S. Oak Street, Ventura
Fri 8/12: Camara Kambon

Poseidon Brewing
5777 Olivas Park Drive, Ventura
Fri 8/12: Vanise Terry Band
Sat 8/13: The Dynasties
Sat 8/13: Morrison Drive
Sat 8/20: Cary Park

The Raven Tavern
1651 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
Fri 8/12: Jetlemons
Sat 8/13: Cinnamon Whiskey
Sun 8/14: Matt Grey
Fri 8/19: Doc Rogers Band
Sat 8/20: Vinyl Gypies
Sun 8/21: Blown Over

Topa Topa
104 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Sat 8/20: Casual Business

The Twist on Main
454 E. Main St., Ventura
Wednesdays: Americana Night
Thursdays: LA Jazz Connection
Fri 8/12: Tossers
Sat 8/13: Vinny Berry; Ray Jaurique
Sun 8/14: Bob Bishop Band; Bella Lucarelli
Fri 8/19: Dave Rea and Acoustic DNA
Sat 8/20: Hot Roux; Dive Bar Messiahs
Sun 8/21: Bobby and Steve; Mark Masson

Ventura County Fair
10 W. Harbor Blvd
Grandstand Stage
Wed 8/10: Cheap Trick
Station Stage
Wed 8/10: Breaking Bored
Thurs 8/11: Heart & Soul; Zepp Heads
Fri 8/12: Hologram Empire; Pull the Trigger; Doo Wah Riders
Sat 8/13: Raised on Vinyl; Beach Street a Go Go
Sun 8/14: Barrelhouse Wailers; Tara Macri

Ventura Music Hall
1888 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Fri 8/12: Lost Dog Street Band, Matt Heckler
Sat 8/13: Vista Kicks
Fri 8/19: Shaky Feelin’ w/ Groove Session
Sat 8/20: Doin’ Time

The Vine
308 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Saturdays: Smitty and Julia and Friends
Sundays: Austin Vallejo
Fri 8/12: Toni Jannotta Jazz Trio

Waterside Restaurant and Wine Bar
3500 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Fri 8/12: Tom & Milo

Winchesters
632 E. Main St., Ventura
Music Thurs 5:30; Fri 7 pm; Sat 2 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 8/11: Brandon Ragan
Fri 8/12: National Cat
Sat 8/13: James Bros.
Sun 8/14: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples
Tues 8/16: Open Mic w/ Jenna Rose
Thurs 8/18: The Pipes
Fri 8/19: Frank Barajas
Sat 8/20: Milo Sledge

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

August is in full swing and with it a whole lotta live music in and around Ventura County. The Ventura County Fair is in its second week of its 10-day run and the final Grandstand Stage concert is Wednesday, August 10, with Cheap Trick. That being said, the Station Stage will continue to rock with local favorites through Sunday, August 14. Be sure to check out VenturaRocks.com photo gallery for band photos taken at the Fair this season.

Chick Singer Night just announced their newest City Chapter Director is Ventura’s own Jodi Farrell. Jodi has been an integral part of Ventura’s music scene for so many years fronting the Front Street Prophets, performing with TreCoustics, and now with Jim Rankin as a duo. So many performers have been tutored and mentored via Jodi Farrell’s Music Studio and before that when she taught at Ventura Community College. She teaches voice, guitar and piano for all skill levels. She’s received many awards along the way including the 2016 Mayor’s Art Award for Arts Educator. Congratulations Jodi, this is so well deserved!!

Cadillac Zack presents 1960’s blues & rock legends Canned Heat at Cantara Cellars in Camarillo, on Thursday, August 18. If your memory is straining to remember, let me help you out. They had hits such as “Let’s Work Together,” “On the Road Again,” and “Going Up the Country.” They played the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival and had a headlining slot at the original Woodstock. Trust me when I say, you won’t want to miss this amazing night of live music! Just text Zack for ticket information at (323) 377-5291.

Poseidon Brewing will be celebrating their 8th anniversary over the weekend of 8/12-8/14 with Vanise Terry Band, The Dynasties, Morrison Drive and Let’s be Frank performing.

To satisfy your need for live country music, there’s Boots and Brews on Saturday August 20 with Cole Swindell, Eddie Montgomery and Raelynn. Surfer’s Point Live at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Get your tickets at BootsAndBrews.com.

I admit that I absolutely love the different community sponsored music events such as Music Under the Stars at Olivas Adobe whose shows are all sold out for the rest of the season, but rest assured there are a number of free events nearby including the Heritage Square Summer Concert Series in Oxnard with The British Beat on Friday, August 12 6 – 8:30pm and Caliente 805 on Friday August 19; the Summer Concert Series at Constitution Park in Camarillo will have Country Nation on Saturday, August 27 from 7 -9 pm; and the Collection in Oxnard has DSB (tribute to Journey) on Wednesday, August 10 6 – 8:30 pm.

And though they’re not live music events, the Ojai Film Society is offering free screenings of a couple of music related movies at the Libbey Bowl. First the documentary, “Summer of Soul” on Friday, August 12, and then “Yesterday” which features the Beatles reimagined when a phenomena hits during a blackout and wipes out most people’s memories of the Beatles, this one screens on Friday, August 26. Though free, you’ll need to RSVP through Eventbrite.

Emmy winning artist, Camara Kambon (for his score in the HBO film, “Sonny Liston” the Mysterious Life and Death of a Champion”) performs at Namba with Javier Vergara on tenor sax, Adam Cohen on bass and Chris Blondal on drums. Tickets are only $20 for this intimate show on Friday, August 12.
New shows added at the Ventura Theater:
Silversun Pickups Sunday, October 2
Marcus Mumford Tuesday, October 4
Gogol Bordello on Saturday, November 5
The Wrecks on Saturday, November 19

New shows at Ventura Music Hall
Too Many Zooz, September 29
Ocean All, October 7
The Slackers, December 9
Squirrel Nut Zippers, December 17
Hirie, February 22

New shows at Libbey Bowl:
Elvin Bishop & Charlie Musselwhite on September 30
Ben Harper on October 6

Mark on your calendars for upcoming events: the Hueneme Beach Festival the last weekend of August, and the return of the Aloha Beach Festival along at Promenade Park (Surfer’s Point) the following weekend, September 3 and 4. What’s also so very nice is that both of these events are free!! I’ll have more in the next issue of the Ventura Breeze.

Quick Notes: Tommy Foytek’s Variety Show continues on Wednesday nights at the Lookout Bar & Grill in Oxnard; reggae Sundays continue at Café Fiore through the end of summer.
Glenn Bennett has a Thursday afternoon residency at the Copa Cubana; Mustangs of the West play the Ojai Underground on Thursday, August 11; Katie Shorey has a Disco Nite at Cantara on Friday, August 12; Romper plays at date at the Deer Lodge on Friday, August 12;
Barrelhouse Wailers play Strey Cellars in Oxnard on Friday, August 19; the legendary Three Dog Night play Libbey Bowl on Friday, August 19; and Pato Banton plays Mrs. Olson’s on Saturday, August 20.

And then finally, Taste of Local returns this year on Sunday, September 11 presented by Totally Local VC Agricultural Education Foundation. I was thrilled when Kat Merrick reached out and invited VenturaRocks to host the music stage where the Rose Valley Thorns will be just one of the acts performing. You can find out more about this wonderful event at TotallyLocalVC.com and I hope to see you there!

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to [email protected], and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

The traditional free concert to the community once again opens the Ventura Music Festival (VMF) in Mission Park and this year it features Adaawe. The international women of voice and drum perform a global fusion of African rhythm, thrilling harmony, and world soul to uplift the spirt, celebrate diversity, and unite humanity. Low-back chairs are allowed, but honestly, I’m thinking we’ll be up and dancing for most of their performance which starts at 5:30 pm. Why not make it a family event and bring a blanket, picnic dinner while enjoying the sounds of Adaawe.

Following the Wednesday free performance, there will be six ticketed VMF performances held at the Ventura College Performing Arts Theater over the next two weekends featuring We Banjo 3, Django Festival Allstars, Sean Chen, the Moanin’ Frogs, Veronica Swift and The Crossing. To secure tickets, go to VenturaMusicFestival.org.
The Ventura County Fair returns this summer with a fine line up of musical entertainment both on the Station Stage featuring local artists, and the Grandstand Stage featuring national touring acts. It’s such a treat knowing all shows are included in the price of admission. By the way, did you know the fair is free for those five and younger and for those 100 or older? For the rest of us, it’s only $15 for adults; $10 kids 6-12; seniors 65 and older $10.

Check out VenturaRocks.com for the Station Stage lineup. Here is the Grandstand Stage list of acts:
Wednesday, 8/3: Martina McBride
Thursday, 8/4: KC & the Sunshine Band
Friday, 8/5: The All-American Rejects
Saturday, 8/6: Blue Oyster Cult
Sunday, 8/7: Dia de la Familia concert
Monday, 8/8: The Beach Boys
Tuesday, 8/9: Clay Walker
Wednesday, 8/10: Cheap Trick

New shows added for the Majestic Ventura Theater include Marcus Mumford and Danielle Ponder on Tuesday, October 4, GWAR on Saturday, October 8; Black Flag on Saturday, October 29, Gogol Bordello on Saturday, November 5, and Tegan and Sara on Friday, November 11.

The Hueneme Beach Festival falls over the last weekend of August (27- 28; 11 – 7 pm) with free admission. Do note that parking is $10 but BikeVentura will be hosting a free bike valet, so if you can, ride your bike there. There will be music on two stages featuring New Orleans Suspects, Twisted Gypsy, Taylor Sackson, CRV, Marachi Camarillo, Oliva Willhite, and Morie & the Heavy Hitters on Saturday. And then on Sunday, it’s Nth Power, Beebs & Money Makers, the Phantom Blues Band, Sade, the Hand me Down Band, Juano & Friends, and the Cousins.

Spencer Mackenzie Throwdown Cornhole Festival will be held at Surfer’s Point Live (Ventura Fairgrounds parking lot) over the last weekend of August. The acts scheduled to perform this year are Sunny Ledfurd, Mandex, A.D.D., Rey Fresco and Morie & the Heavy Hitters. This is a ticketed event at $25 a day, or $40 for 3-day pass.

The New West Symphony announced their 2022/2023 Masterpiece Series Season recently where performances will be held Saturday evenings at the Thousand Oaks Performing Arts Center and with Sunday matinees in Camarillo at the Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center. It all kicks off with their Winter Spectacular starring Sam Harris in December 2022 and will run through next November 2023 with a production of “Beethoven to Brubeck.” You can download their brochure at NewWestSymphony.org.

If you enjoy the punk end of the music spectrum, then you won’t want to miss NardFest on August 6, at the Oceanview Pavilion Performing Arts Theater in Port Hueneme. Bands on the bill include Head Heat, Ill Repute, Stalag 13, Dr. Know, False Confession, iDecline, Civil Conflict, Romper and Boilerman. The event runs 3 – 11 pm; tickets are only $20.

The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy benefit concert runs two days July 30-31 from 2-9 pm at the Libbey Bowl featuring Grateful Shred headlining both days. Leading up to the main act: Saturday, Cayucas, Gifted & Blessed, Chuck & Luisa, Barbarelle and on Sunday, Nate Mercereau, Carlos Nino, Dan Horne, Service Human, Shelley Burgon, Melody Bird and Barbarelle. Ticket information can be found at OVLC.org/shred.

Quick Notes:
Vincenzo Giammanco, CEO and founder of Boots and Brews confirmed there will in fact be two Boots and Brews for Ventura this year with Cole Swindell on August 20 and Tim McGraw on October 14 (tickets for both are on sale at BootsAndBrews.com); Tony’s Pizzaria continues with the Thursday free reggae shows with Morie & the Heavy Hitters on Thursday, July 28; Myst plays the Heritage Square Summer Concert Series on Friday, July 29 and it’s Soul Machine on Friday, August 5; Jerry’s Middle Finger plays the Ventura Music Hall on Friday, July 19; Hip Hop Mindset at the Oceanview Pavilion Performing Arts Theater on Saturday, July 30; Pedals & Pints Brewing Company and Tarantula Hill Brewing Company in Thousand Oaks are presenting the inaugural Down the Rabbit Hole Festival of Music and Beer on Saturday, July 30; Donna Lynn Caskey will open for the Dennis and Laura Show at Namba on Saturday, July 30; Poseidon Brewing will be celebrating their 8th anniversary over the weekend of 8/12-8/14; it’s Third Eye Blind at the Ventura Theater on Saturday, August 6; and finally, the Oxnard Salsa Festival is postponed for yet another year (fingers crossed for 2023);

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to [email protected], and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.