We’re wrapping up October and music is finally resuming, albeit on a slow and cautious path. Heeding warnings and following the new guidelines is not available for all restaurants and venues as they don’t have the space to give up, specifically 20 feet to keep artist apart from patrons. Be patient, it’s happening.
When I first reported that the Beach Boys were playing Concerts in Your Car on Friday, October 23, I mentioned that John Stamos had played drums with the band in the past, so he just might show up. Well while checking for the latest Concerts in Your Car updates, the listing now has the Beach Boys with special guests John Stamos, and wait for it…Mark McGrath lead singer of Sugar Ray who has also co-hosted Extra (formerly on NBC). Other shows to look forward to include the former members of Oingo Boingo on Saturday, October 24; the voices of Godsmack & Staind, Aaron Lewis & Sully Erna together for the American Drive-in tour on Saturday, October 31; two shows on Saturday, November 14, with 311; and already sold out, Kaskade on Friday, November 20.
The New West Symphony is presenting a reimagined 2020/2021 season; and since you can’t be with them in the concert hall, they’re taking New West Symphony to you with eight virtual mini-festivals this season. “Tour of Japan” took place from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and the Kavli Theatre at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center on Sunday, October 18. The next couple of performances are “A Tour of India” on November 15, and “Violins of Hope” on January 24. Details and ticket information will be listed four weeks in advance of each show at www.NewWestSymphony.org.
The newest episode of the VenturaRockSpot has been posted and the video can be found on the homepage of VenturaRocks.com. This time around I interview Hunter Ackerman of Hunter and the Dirty Jacks who have played Grapes and Hops here in Ventura and a number of venues in Ojai including the Deer Lodge and Topa Mountain Winery. Again, many thanks to Michelle Hoover and GWC Productions for producing the show.
The mission statement for VenturaRocks.com, and the reason I write this music scene column has changed very little over the past 11 years, the mission is to stimulate the economy by promoting venues who offer music thus supporting local musicians and those who come here to play. It becomes very tricky to maintain this objective during a pandemic. Please do your part and support the venues who are offering live music and please for the love of all that is good in the world, practice safe distancing and wear your mask when not eating or drinking. We can get Ventura back to rockin’ again, but you have to do your part.
Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows (online or live) 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.
