by Pam Baumgardner of VenturaRocks.com
They’re back! The X Games return to the Ventura Fairgrounds Friday, June 28, through Sunday, June 30, and this year music will be a big part of the festivities unlike last year, where… there was none. Music runs throughout each day, with Grammy-nominated artists: Wiz Khalifa headlining on Friday, Kaskade on Saturday, and Sunday it’s Fever 333 out of Inglewood. Do note regarding parking, it’s recommended you take a shuttle, walk, or ride your bike as this year the X Games not only take over the fairgrounds, but the whole parking lot as well.
Leading up to and throughout the weekend, several venues around town will be welcoming the X Games to Ventura with live music such as the Ventura Harbor with Rey Fresco and Looking West (drone show included) on Wednesday, June 26, Tony’s Pizzeria offers up music each evening starting Thursday with the Heavy Hitters, then after the games each day it’s OnePeople and Singular Nature on Friday, June 28, Raging Arb and Friends on Saturday, June 29 and Heart & Soul on Sunday June 30. And not to be left out, Sans Souci has live music each evening featuring bands like Bone Maggot, Dogleg, Die Healing, Hologram Empire, Sunnie Daze and more (see listings).
One more X Games related activities I would be remiss if I didn’t mention, there will be a roller disco block party on Oak Street, downtown Ventura, on Oak Street from 4 – 10 pm on Wednesday, June 26, where you can take a spin while listening to disco music. Skate rentals available on a first-come basis.
Post X-Games fun, on the following weekend the fairgrounds will once again be taken over, this time by the crew from Surf Rodeo with headline acts Chris Janson and Iam Tongi on Friday, July 5 and Denm, Jim Lindberg and Sullvn on Saturday, July 6.
Tickets on sale now for John Waite’s, “40 Years of Missing You” tour, for the Oxnard Performing Arts Center October 10. The Ventura Music Hall has Strung Out with the Adolescents for September 29 and the Ventura Theater added Flogging Molly and Less than Jake for October 8 and October 16 respectively.
Quick Notes: Argentine singer/songwriter, Juana Molina, plays the Ojai Women’s Club on Friday, June 28; Danny Carrey of Tool returns to the Grape with the Doug Webb Group on Saturday, June 29; a Local Love Project fundraiser will be held at Portside Ventura Habor on Saturday, June 29, featuring Kelly’s Lot and Erik Lemaire Band; The Bacon Brothers (yes, including Kevin) play the Libbey Bowl on Sunday, June 30; and finally, the City will host the annual 4th of July Street Fair & Pushem Pullem Parade however at press time they had yet to list their live music.
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.