Category Archives: Ventura Music Scene

Vol. 15, No. 08 – Jan 12 – Jan 25, 2022 – Music Calendar

For more up-to-the-date listings go to VenturaRocks.com

Bank of America Performing Arts Center
2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks
Wed 1/12: REO Speedwagon
Wed 1/19: David Foster

A Bar Called Country
211 E. Santa Clara Street, Ventura
Thurs 1/13: Hard Rooster, Brother Earl & the Cousins, Dan Hitchcock
Fri 1/14: Medicine Hat

Boatyard Pub
Ventura Harbor
Wednesdays: Frank Barajas
Thursdays: Jim Friery; then Bluegrass Jam
Sat 1/15: Big Adventure Duo
Tues 1/18: Karen Eden & Bill Macpherson
Fri 1/21: Teresa Russell w/ Stephen Geyer

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California St., Ventura
DJs Friday – Sunday

Cantara Cellars
126 N. Wood Road, Camarillo
Music 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Fri 1/14: Slogan Acoustic
Sat 1/15: Ray Jaurique & the Uptown Brothers
Sat 1/22: Heart and Soul

The Cave
4435 McGrath St., Ventura
Music 5:30 – 8:30
Wednesdays & Thursdays: Bobby Apostol
Fridays & Saturdays: Warren Takahashi

Chuy’s Simi Valley West
1397 E. Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley
Wednesdays: Rockstar Karaoke
Sat 1/15: Vinyl Gypsies

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Saturdays and Sundays: Kenny DeVoe 11 am
Sat 1/15: Teresa Russell
Sun 1/23: Buena Onda

Four Brix Winery
2290 Eastman Ave., Ventura
Music Fridays 6-8 pm; Saturday 1 – 3:30 pm
Fri 1/14: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples
Sat 1/15: Smokey & Friends
Sat 1/22: Brittney & Ben
Sun 1/23: Big Adventure Duo

The Garage
1091 Scandia Ave., Ventura
Wednesdays: Blues Wednesday
Sundays: Soul Sunday w/ DJ Also
Sat 1/15: The Late Knights

GiGi’s Cocktails
2493 Grand Ave., Ventura
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays: Karaoke

The Grape
2833 E. Main Street, Ventura
Tuesdays Jazz Jam
Wed 1/12: CHOMSKYJazz
Thurs 1/13: Blanco Diablo

The Greek Restaurant
Ventura Harbor Village
Wednesdays & Thursdays: Ken Devoe (4 pm)

Keynote Lounge
10245 E Telephone Rd, Ventura
Thursdays: KJ Carlos
Fri 1/14: Caliente
Sat 1/15: DJ Sherman
Fri 1/21: DJ AVG
Sat 1/22: Whiskey Business

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Music 6:30 – 8:30; Sundays 3-5
Thurs 1/13: Dylan Cunningham
Fri 1/14: Mike Belk & Swingin’ Johnny
Sat 1/15: Jacob Marque & the Good Vibes
Sun 1/16: Illunis
Thurs 1/20: Warren & Dr. Dan
Fri 1/21: John Espinoza
Sat 1/22: Mark & Guil duo
Sun 1/23: Exit 15 unplugged

Lookout & Grill
2800 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Wednesdays: Tommy Foytek’s Variety Show
Thursdays: Acoustic Open Mic

Lucas Sellers Wine
330 Zachary Street, Moorpark
Music 6-9 pm
Sat 1/15: Bombafiya
Sat 1/22: Natalie Wattre

Made West Brewing
1744 Donlon Street, Ventura
Music 3-5 pm
Sun 1/23: The Devil’s String Band Duo

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street, Ventura
Sat 1/15: Smith/Kotzen, Raised on Vinyl, Rusted Stone
Sun 1/23: The Struts

Manhattan Restaurant
5800 Santa Rosa Road, Camarillo
Fri 1/21: Tour Support

Mrs. Olson’s
2800 Harbor Blvd., Channel Islands Harbor
Music at Noon
Sun 1/16: Teresa Russell w/ Stephen Geyer

Namba Arts
47 S. Oak Street, Ventura
Sat 1/15: Franck Goldwasser
Thurs 1/20: The Listening Room Redux
Sat 1/22: Dreamland

Oxnard Performing Arts Center
Canyon at Oxnard PACC
Sundays: The House Arrest Band (1-4 pm)
Fri 1/14: Kruelty, Apparition, Slowbleed, Upon Stone
Thurs 1/20: Tommy Emmanuel
Fri 1/21: Slowbleed, Momentum, Treacherouskin

Paddy’s Cocktails
2 W. Main Street
Wednesdays: Karaoke

Pedals & Pints
156 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks
Tuesdays: Open Mic

Prime Restaurant
2209 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Tuesdays: Danny D

The Raven Tavern
1651 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
Music at 8 – 11 pm
Fri 1/14: Brittney Burchett
Sat 1/15: Holgers Heros
Fri 1/21: Sean Wiggins
Sat 1/22: Tyler James (Foo Flannels)

Ric’s Restaurant
2500 Las Posas Road, Camarillo
Tuesdays: Tour Support with Kurt Griffey & Bob DeLellis

Rock & Roll Pizza
5255 Cochran Street, Simi Valley
Tuesdays: Rockstar Karaoke
Sat 1/15: Black Daze, Stoned Temple Pilots
Sun 1/16: King Sol & the Vibes
Fri 1/21: Jetlemons
Sat 1/22: Metal Health
Sun 1/23: Dan Westerlund

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut Street, Ventura
Sun 1/16: Frenetic Trio, The Cursed Bastards

The Six Chow House
419 E Main Street, Ventura
Thurs 1/13: Mark Masson and Friends
Fri 1/21: Power Syndicate
Sat 1/22: Free Love Project

Sunland Vintage Winery
1321 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks
Music 6-9 pm
Thursdays: Dave & Kevin
Fri 1/14: Teresa Russell
Fri 1/21: Guy & Dave

Taqueria Jalisco Restaurant
4275 Tierra Rejada Rd., Moorpark
Music 5-8 pm
Tuesdays & Fridays: Jim Friery

Topa Topa Brewing HQ
4880 Colt Street, Ventura
Music 4-6 pm
Sat 1/15: Nautical Thrust

The Twist on Main
454 E. Main Street, Ventura
Wednesdays: Classic Country w/ Jesse Harris
Thursdays: LA Jazz Connection
Fri 1/14: Tex Pistols
Sat 1/15: Steve & Sally Williams (2-5 pm); Dive Bar Messiahs
Sun 1/6: Joe Delia (2-5 pm)
Fri 1/21: Littlefish
Sat 1/22: Jesse Harris Band
Sun 1/23: Jayden Secor (2-5)

Vaquero y Mar
435 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Tuesdays: The Sea Hunters (5 pm); Karaoke (8 pm)
Thursdays: Delta by the Beach (5 pm)
Sundays: Mariachi Gallos de Oro (11 am – 2 pm)

The Vine
308 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Sundays: Fire on the Mountain (2 pm)
Saturdays: Smitty and Julija and Friends

Waterside Restaurant & Wine Bar
3500 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Music at 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Sat 1/22: Déjà vu Too
Sun 1/23: Teresa Russell

Winchesters
632 E. Main St., Ventura
Music Thurs 5:30; Fri 7 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 1/13: Brandon Ragan
Fri 1/14: Guy & Dave
Sun 1/16: CRV
Thurs 1/20: James Broz Bros.
Fri 1/21: Big Adventure
Sun 1/23: Mike Scully & the Weary Travelers

1901 Speakeasy
740 South B Street, Oxnard
Music 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Sat 1/22: Tour Support

Vol. 15, No. 07 – Dec 29,2021 – Jan 11, 2022 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

I would like to thank all Ventura Breeze readers for their continued support of this publication. Publisher and owner, Sheldon Brown, truly loves this town as do all the staff. It’s pretty amazing to see what goes into publishing a newspaper and the care and respect the writers have for this town. As we usher in 2022, I would like to personally wish you a happy, safe and prosperous New Year!

In our last issue, I covered a lot of the bars and venues holding New Year’s Eve parties (which is available online on the Breeze website at VenturaBreeze.com), but you can also find the parties listed here on this page. New York style means they’ll be celebrating the New Year at 9 pm (same as New York), otherwise it’s Midnight our time. If you need more details like times and whether there is a cover charge, you can go to Venturarocks.com for more information; the website now covers all of Ventura County.

Ventura Music Festival is bringing guitarist extraordinaire, Tommy Emmanuel to town on January 20 at Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Added to the bill, English guitar star Mike Dawes. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

It’s good to see the Ventura Theater booking more concerts. Shows coming up include January 15 with Smith/Kotzen, which is a collaboration between Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden and Richie Kotzen of the Winery Dogs; The Struts, Strange Days are Over Tour, is on January 23, and Subtronics, Boogie T, Levell Up, Phonon and Space Wizard on January 27.

Quick Notes: The Ventura City Council has voted to continue Main Street Moves which means not only will that four block section will remain closed to thru traffic, but the music downtown at Main and California will continue; enjoy Mariachi Gallos de Oro Sundays at Vaquero y Mar (formerly the Hong Kong Inn) from 11 am – 2 pm; Kelly’s Lot plays Namba on Saturday, January 8; and Tharon Weighill from Dr. T and the Blues Criminals is the latest featured artist on the VenturaRockSpot.com.

And finally, condolences going out to the family and friends of Dustin Maddalone. I remember him best as the singer for the Ska Daddyz out of the Nard some 25-30 years ago. The memorial posts on social media speak to his kindness and talent, he touched so many lives. RiP Dustin.

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.

Vol. 15, No. 07 – Dec 29,2021 – Jan 11, 2022 – Music Calendar

For more up-to-the-date listings go to VenturaRocks.com

Azars
2215 Michael Dr., Newbury Park
Tuesdays: Rockstar Karaoke
Fri 12/31: NYE Party w/ Decadent Decades

Boatyard Pub
Ventura Harbor
Wednesdays: Frank Barajas
Thursdays: Jim Friery; then Bluegrass Jam
Fri 12/31: New York style NYE Party w/ Oleander Falls
Tues 1/4: Karen Eden & Bill Macpherson
Fri 1/7: Teresa Russell & Stephen Geyer

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California St., Ventura
DJs Friday – Sunday
Fri 12/31: NYE Party w/ DJs

Café Fiore
66 S. California Street, Ventura
Fri 12/31: NYE Party w/ Free Love Project

The Cave
4435 McGrath St., Ventura
Music 5:30 – 8:30 (closed New Year’s Day)
Wednesdays & Thursdays: Bobby Apostol
Fridays & Saturdays: Warren Takahashi

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Saturdays and Sundays: Kenny DeVoe 11 am
Sun 1/2: Buena Onda 4 pm

Crown & Anchor
2891 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks
Fri 12/31: NYE Party w/ The Balance

Crown Plaza
450 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura
Fri 12/31: NYE Party w/ Dance Invasion

Deer Lodge
2261 Maricopa Hwy, Ojai
Fri 12/31: NYE Party w/ Cliff Beach

Downtown Ventura
California & Main Street Stage
Music at 5 unless otherwise listed
Fri 12/31: Sepiatone (5 pm)
Sun 1/2: Erik V (11 am)

Four Brix Winery
2290 Eastman Ave., Ventura
Music 1 – 3:30 pm
Sat 1/8: Vanise Terry
Sun 1/9: The Jukes Band

The Garage
1091 Scandia Ave., Ventura
Wednesdays: Blues Wednesday
Fri 12/31: NYE Party w/ DJ Also
Sun 1/2: Soul Sunday w/ DJ Also

GiGi’s Cocktails
2493 Grand Ave., Ventura
Sundays: Kokopelli Karaoke w/ Betty Jean
Fri 12/31: NYE Party w/ Magnificent Bastards

The Grape
2833 E. Main Street, Ventura
Tuesdays Jazz Jam
Sat 1/8: Dave Stuckey & the Hot House Gang

The Greek Restaurant
Ventura Harbor Village
Wednesdays & Thursdays: Ken Devoe (4 pm)
Fri 12/31: NYE Party w/ CRV

Judge Roy Bean’s
2780 Tapo Canyon Road, Simi Valley
Fri 12/31: NYE Party w/ Fasha & the Flapjacks
Sat 1/1: Fasha & the Flapjacks

Keynote Lounge
10245 E Telephone Rd, Ventura
Thursdays: KJ Carlos
Fri 12/31: NYE Party w/ Breaking Bored

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Thurs 12/30: Alla Rahka
Fri 12/31: New York style NYE Party w/ Jacob Marquez & the Good Vibes
Sun 1/2: Daniela Cardillo

Lookout & Grill
2800 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Wednesdays: Tommy Foytek’s Variety Show
Thursdays: Acoustic Open Mic

Lucas Sellers Wine
330 Zachary Street, Moorpark
Music 6-9 pm
Sat 1/8: Tour Support

Made West Brewing
1744 Donlon Street, Ventura
Sun 1/9: RJ Mischo

Manhattan Restaurant
5800 Santa Rosa Road, Camarillo
Fri 12/31: NYE Party w/ Jeanne Tatum

The Moose Lodge
10269 Telephone Road, Ventura
Fri 12/31: NYE Party w/ Mighty Cash Cats & Linda Ronstadt Experience

Mrs. Olson’s
2800 Harbor Blvd., Channel Islands Harbor
Music at Noon
Sun 1/2: Teresa Russell w/ Stephen Geyer

Namba Arts
47 S. Oak Street, Ventura
Sat 1/8: Kelly’s Lot

Oxnard Performing Arts Center
Canyon at Oxnard PACC
Sundays: The House Arrest Band (1-4 pm)
Fri 12/31: War

Paddy’s Cocktails
2 W. Main Street
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Fri 12/31: NYE Party w/ DJs

Pedals & Pints
156 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks
Tuesdays: Open Mic

Poseidon Brewing Co.
5777 Olivas Park Drive, Ventura
Fri 12/31: New style NYE Party w/ Double Trouble

Prime Restaurant
2209 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Tuesdays: Danny D
Fri 12/31: Brandon Ragan

The Raven Tavern
1651 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
Music at 8 – 11 pm
Fri 12/31: NYE Party w/ Vinyl Gypsies
Fri 1/7: Jetlemons
Sat 1/8: Jayden Secor

Ric’s Restaurant
2500 Las Posas Road, Camarillo
Tuesdays: Tour Support with Kurt Griffey & Bob DeLellis

Rock & Roll Pizza
5255 Cochran Street, Simi Valley
Tuesdays: Rockstar Karaoke
Fri 12/31: NYE Party w/ Power Syndicate

The Shores
1031 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Fri 12/31: NYE Party w/ Steph’s Rockin’ Road Show

The Six Chow House
419 E Main Street, Ventura
Sat 1/8: Bring on the Night
Sun 1/9: Teresa Russell w/ Stephen Geyer

Taqueria Jalisco Restaurant
4275 Tierra Rejada Rd., Moorpark
Music 5-8 pm
Tuesdays & Fridays: Jim Friery

Tarantula Hill Brewing Company
244 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks
Fri 12/31: NYE Party w/ DJ Kutz

The Twist on Main
454 E. Main Street, Ventura
Thursdays: LA Jazz Connection
Wed 12/29: Dave Rea and Acoustic DNA
Fri 12/31: NYE Party w/ House Arrest Band
Sat 1/1: A Guy, a Guitar, a Mic and a Mick (2 pm)
Fri 1/7: The Tossers

Twisted Oak Tavern & Brewery
2433 Ventura Blvd, Camarillo
Fri 12/31: NYE Party w/ Toxic Sushi

Vaquero y Mar
435 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Tuesdays: The Sea Hunters (5 pm); Karaoke (8 pm)
Thursdays: Delta by the Beach (5 pm)
Sundays: Mariachi Gallos de Oro (11 am – 2 pm)

The Vine
308 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Sundays: Fire on the Mountain (2 pm)
Saturdays: Smitty and Julija and Friends

Waterside Restaurant & Wine Bar
3500 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Sun 1/9: Teresa Russell

Winchesters
632 E. Main St., Ventura
Music Thurs 5:30; Fri 7 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 12/30: James Broz Band
Fri 12/31: NYE Party w/ Jayden Secor
Sat 1/1: Steve and Sally Williams (2 pm)
Sun 1/2: the Tossers
Sun 1/9: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples

1901 Speakeasy
740 South B Street, Oxnard
Music 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Sat 1/1: RJ Mischo

Vol. 15, No. 06 – Dec 15 – Dec 28, 2021 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

The Breeze officially has one more issue before the end of 2021, but I know you need to make those plans now on how you want to usher in the New Year, so I have a few suggestions for you. Be sure to call places like the Crowne Plaza, Twist on Main, the Greek, the Manhattan and Café Fiore to see if advance tickets are necessary and to reserve your place.

It’s Dance Invasion at the Crowne Plaza, Free Love Project at Café Fiore, Magnificent Bastards at Gigi’s Cocktails, CRV at the Greek in the Harbor, Breaking Bored play the Keynote Lounge, the Mighty Cash Cats and the Linda Ronstadt Experience at the Moose Lodge in Ventura, Peirano’s has a silent DJ, it’s the House Arrest Band at the Twist on Main, Jayden Secor at Winchesters, plus your rockin’ DJs at Bombay’s, the Tavern, the Garage, Six Chow House and all the other bars around town. Nearby, it’s Jeanne Tatum at the Manhattan in Camarillo, Vinyl Gypsies at the Raven Tavern in Oxnard, Steph’s Rockin’ Road Show at the Shores in Oxnard, Toxic Sushi at the Twisted Oak Tavern & Brewery in Camarillo, plus you know it’s going to be a party when the legendary funk/rock/soul band War (“Why Can’t We be Friends?,” “Low Rider,” “Spill the Wine,” “The Cisco Kid” and more) plays the Oxnard Performing Arts Center.

And for those who can’t last until midnight, you can still have fun via “East Coast Style NYE parties” meaning they celebrate at 9 pm (Midnight East Coast time) with Jacob Marquez & the Good Vibes at Leashless Brewing and Double Trouble at Poseidon Brewing Co.

Though the Ventura Music Hall is still under construction, bands are being lined up and advance tickets are on sale for dates in late March and April including G. Love & the Juice on March 22, Collie Buddz on March 27, Gary Numan plus I speak Machine on April 5, and Hot Chip with LA Priest on April 15. Tickets are averaging just under $30. Keep up via their website VenturaMusicHall.com.

Quick Notes: Grapes and Hops with a Twist is changing their name again, this time to the Twist on Main; Cadillac Zack presents Eugene Hideaway Bridges at Cantara Cellars on Friday, December 17; Danny Carey of Tool returns to town with a jazz gig at the Grape on Friday, December 17, when he plays drums for the Doug Webb Group; it’s Punk Rock Tuesday at Rock & Roll Pizza in Camarillo on the 21st with the Robot Uprising, FUSE, and the Afraid; and Teresa Russell & Stephen Geyer host their traditional Christmas day gig at the Lookout Bar & Grill, it’s a potluck with the kitchen closed, but bar opened;

And finally, just a quick editorial comment from the peanut gallery (me): We are still in the middle of a pandemic and we still have a mask mandate in place; the Ventura County Public Health issued a health order requiring all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear face coverings when indoors in public settings, with limited exceptions. With that being said, if a venue decides to not adhere, or they don’t require their wait staff to wear masks, then I would highly recommend posting a notice before charging patrons to enter said venue; if they don’t, in my opinion. that’s just bad manners.

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.

Vol. 15, No. 06 – Dec 15 – Dec 28, 2021 – Music Calendar

For more up-to-the-date listings go to VenturaRocks.com

Angry Ferret Brewing Company
11990 Hertz Street, Moorpark
Sat 12/18: The Balance

Azars
2215 Michael Dr., Newbury Park
Tuesdays: Rockstar Karaoke
Sat 12/18: The Mini Driver Band

Boatyard Pub
Ventura Harbor
Wednesdays: Frank Barajas
Thursdays: Jim Friery; then Bluegrass Jam
Fri 12/17: Teresa Russell & Stephen Geyer
Sat 12/18: Déjà vu Too

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California St., Ventura
DJs Friday – Sunday

Cantara Cellars
126 N. Wood Rd., Camarillo
Fri 12/17: Cadillac Zack presents Eugene Hideaway Bridges
Sat 12/18: What the Funk

The Cave
4435 McGrath St., Ventura
Music 5:30 – 8:30 (closed Christmas)
Wednesdays & Thursdays: Bobby Apostol
Fridays & Saturdays: Warren Takahashi

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Music: Saturdays 11-5; Sundays 11-3 (closed Christmas)
Saturdays and Sundays: Kenny DeVoe

Deer Lodge
2261 Maricopa Hwy, Ojai
Sun 12/26: Teresa Russell (1 pm)

Downtown Ventura
California & Main Street Stage
Music at 5 unless otherwise listed
Wednesdays: Warren Takahashi
Fri 12/17: Brandon Ragan
Sat 12/18: Los Amigos
Sun 12/19: Dr. T & the Blues Criminals (11 am); The Yules

El Rey Cantina
2302 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo
Sat 12/18: Toni Jannotta Jazz Trio (Noon)

Four Brix
2290 Eastman, Ventura
Music 6-8 pm on Fridays, Sat & Sun 1 – 3:30 pm
Fri 12/17: Inna Rude Mood
Sun 12/19: Erinn Selkis

The Garage
1091 Scandia Ave., Ventura
Wednesdays: Blues Wednesday
Sat 12/18: Bombafiya

The Greek Restaurant
Ventura Harbor Village
Wednesdays & Thursdays: Ken Devoe (4 pm)

Gigi’s Cocktails
2493 Grand Ave., Ventura
Fri 12/17: Pull the Trigger
Sat 12/18: Shiva

The Grape Jazz House
2833 E. Main Street, Ventura
Music 7-10 pm
Tuesdays: Jazz Jam
Wed 12/15: Ruben Estrada & Friends
Thurs 12/16: The Molly Miller Trio
Fri 12/17: Doug Webb Group feat. Danny Carey (TOOL)
Sat 12/18: Fausto Cuevas & Cinquillo (2 pm); Equinox
Wed 12/22: Bevan Manson Quartet feat. Tierney Sutton
Thurs 12/23: Barrelhouse Wailers

Keynote Lounge
10245 E Telephone Rd, Ventura
Thursdays: KJ Carlos
Fri 12/17: Heathers on Fire
Sat 12/18: DJ Joe

Lookout & Grill
2800 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Wednesdays: Tommy Foytek’s Variety Show
Thursdays: Acoustic Open Mic
Sat 12/25: Teresa Russell, Stephen Geyer & Mama Pat (Noon)

Lucas Sellers Wine
330 Zachary Street, Moorpark
Music 6-9 pm
Sat 12/18: the Appletons
Sun 12/19: Bill Rotella

Made West Brewing
1744 Donlon Street, Ventura
Sun 12/19: Milo Sledge (3 pm)
Thurs 12/23: The Yules
Sun 12/26: The Devil’s Box String Band Duo

Manhattan Restaurant
5800 Santa Rosa Road, Camarillo
Music 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Thurs 12/16: Cary Park
Fri 12/17: Tour Support Band
Sat 12/18: Pam and Hollywood
Thurs 12/23: Mary White Duo w/ Guy Thomas

Mrs. Olson’s
2800 Harbor Blvd., Channel Islands Harbor
Music at Noon
Sun 12/19: Teresa Russell w/ Stephen Geyer

Namba
47 S. Oak St., Ventura
Thurs 12/16: The Listening Room Redux
Fri 12/17: CHOMSKYJazz

Oxnard Performing Arts Center
Canyon at Oxnard PACC
Sundays: The House Arrest Band (1-4 pm)
Fri 12/17: The Midniters, Lighter Shade of Brown, Mellow Man Ace
Sun 12/19: Jose Feliciano

Pedals & Pints
156 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks
Tuesdays: Open Mic
Sat 12/18: Vinyl Gypsies

Poseidon Brewing Co.
5777 Olivas Park Drive, Ventura
Fri 12/17: Double Trouble (6:30 pm)
Sat 12/18: Katie Shorey (2 pm)

Prime Restaurant
2209 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Tuesdays: Danny D

The Raven Tavern
1651 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
Music at 8 – 11 pm
Fri 12/17: Jayden Secor
Sat 12/18: Masters of the Past

Relm
2390 Las Posas Rd., Camarillo
Music at 5:30 pm
Fri 12/17: Gianna Bella
Sat 12/18: Sam Stacy

Ric’s Restaurant
2500 Las Posas Road, Camarillo
Tuesdays: Tour Support with Kurt Griffey & Bob DeLellis
Wed 12/15: Adam & Sam

Rock & Roll Pizza
305 Arneil Road, Camarillo
Tues 12/21: The Robot Uprising, FUSE, the Afraid

Seaward Brewing
1920 Goodyear Ave., Ventura
Sat 12/18: Whiskey Glass Eye (1 pm)

The Six Chow House
419 E Main Street, Ventura
Thurs 12/16: DJ Honey
Fri 12/17: DJ Cue
Sat 12/18: Shawn Jones Trio
Wed 12/22: Duncan & the Dragonslayers
Thurs 12/23: DJ Young Josh Marley
Sun 12/26: DJ CUe

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street, Ventura
Tuesdays: Karaoke
Sat 12/18: CRV

Strey Cellars
951 N. Rice Ave., Oxnard
Fri 12/17: the Barrelhouse Wailers
Sun 12/19: The Renegades

Taqueria Jalisco Restaurant
4275 Tierra Rejada Rd., Moorpark
Music 5-8 pm
Tuesdays & Fridays: Jim Friery

The Twist on Main
454 E. Main Street, Ventura
Thursdays: LA Jazz Connection
Fri 12/17: Frank Barajas & the Corsican Brothers
Sat 12/18: Ashun (2 pm); Dive Bar Messiahs
Sun 12/19: Dave Parsonage (2 pm)
Fri 12/24: Karen Eden (2 pm)
Sun 12/26: Bella Lucareli (2 pm)

Vaquero y Mar
435 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Tuesdays: The Sea Hunters (5 pm); Karaoke (8 pm)
Thursdays: Delta by the Beach (5 pm)
Sundays: Mariachi Gallos de Oro (11 am – 2 pm)

Ventura Harbor Comedy Club
Ventura Harbor Village
Wed 12/15: The late Knights

The Vine
308 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Music 7 pm otherwise noted
Sundays: Fire on the Mountain (2 pm)
Saturdays: Smitty and Julija and Friends
Fri 12/17: Tom Collins
Sun 12/19 Steve and Sally Williams (7 pm)

Waterside Restaurant & Wine Bar
3500 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Sun 12/19: Free Love Project (5 pm)

Winchesters
632 E. Main St., Ventura
Music Thurs 5:30; Fri 7 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 12/16: Saint Pierre
Fri 12/17: Doc Ventura
Sun 12/19: Meg & Alex
Thurs 12/23: Big Adventure Rockin’ Trio
Sun 12/26: Freddy Castro & Friends

1901 Speakeasy
740 South B Street, Oxnard
Music 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Sat 12/18: Teresa Russell w/ Stephen Geyer

Local Ventura residents team up with California’s Ineffable Music Group to launch Ventura Music Hall

In the first quarter of 2022, a brand new music venue will open its doors to introduce a space to gather and enjoy culture and live music in Ventura. Renovated to feature top quality production and a cozy atmosphere, Ventura Music Hall presents a state-of-the-art live music venue with locally crafted food and a full bar. Ineffable Music has teamed up with a number of area residents, including Marc Geiger, Bruce Flohr and Cathy Duncan to launch the venue.

With the local community at the forefront of its mission, one dollar of every ticket sold at the venue will go towards a community fund to support local nonprofits, with the first partner in this venture being the non-profit Ventura Music Festival. The local non-profits will rotate through the year so that many organizations can benefit.

Ventura resident Bruce Flohr of Red Light Management is excited to partner with Ventura Music Hall and bring this venture to his local community, adding , “People who live in Ventura, we collectively care about our community: beaches, local restaurants, local businesses, and local causes. Being from Ventura there’s definitely a sense of pride, and having a cultural hub like the Ventura Music Hall will only add more value to the enriched experiences that we all love about our town.”

Ventura Music Hall was designed with artist and fan experiences at the forefront. With its owners having experience on all sides of the music business, the goal will be to create the best possible experience in a non-pretentious, comfortable place, where one can enjoy a great show and eat great food. Teaming up with Ventura local and BBQ expert Jason Ruffinelli, Ventura Music Hall will be the perfect location for dinner and a show, with an authentic and delicious menu to enjoy alongside your favorite music.

Ineffable Music President Thomas Cussins adds, “Ventura Music Hall will be a place where people can go and experience the thrill of live music, a place you can walk or bike to after work easily, and where 8-year-olds and 80 -year- olds can both be enjoying the same show. It’s about people discovering their new favorite bands and also being able to see their top bucket list artists right in their backyard. We look forward to being a positive member of the Midtown Ventura community.”

Marc Geiger, formerly head of music at WME and co-founder of Lollapalooza, was an early supporter of the project. Geiger sees a number of reasons to be excited about bringing live music to his backyard in Ventura.

Ventura Music Hall has received tremendous support from the local community and aims to add to the rich culture of Ventura while providing a significant economic boost to its residents.

Ineffable Music Group is a family-owned California based multifaceted modern music company founded in 2006 that owns and/or operates venues in six other California cities. Ineffable specializes in bringing famous bands of all genres to smaller venues for special once in a lifetime experiences, alongside supporting local bands just making a name for themselves and everything in between.

Ventura Music Hall is located at 1888 E Thompson Blvd in Midtown Ventura.

 

 

Just Go! Ventura Music Festival presents Tommy Emmanuel— “the world’s best guitarist”

By VMF consultant Richard Newsham

Do you know acoustic guitarist Tommy Emmanuel? You should and now you can!
Eric Clapton flatly states he is “the world’s best guitarist.” And Steve Vai calls him “the most inspired acoustic guitar player I have ever seen.”

“Emmanuel needs to be seen maybe more than heard,” says one reviewer. The spectacle of Tommy Emmanuel live is “a true honor to experience.

“Every cell, every molecule in his body was born and designed to play guitar. He beams with pure pleasure while playing.”

His purity and grace is “quite possibly the finest demonstration of acoustic guitar playing I have ever seen.”

He’s performing on Thursday, January 20, 8 pm, at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center (OPAC), 800 Hobson Way in Oxnard.

It’s the 2022 opener for the 27th “Onward!” season of Ventura Music Festival, co-presented by OPAC/Sterling Venue Ventures.

The Australian native, now an American citizen situated in Nashville, received his first guitar at the age of 4—beginning his journey to become one of the globe’s most talented guitarists, accoladed with two Grammy nominations and a closing performance at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

Inspired by guitar legend Chet Atkins—who anointed him one of only five CGPs (certified guitar players)—Emmanuel knows how to coax the most expressive melodies, rhythms and array of sounds out of his guitar.

Creating an orchestra out of his ten fingers and single six-stringed instrument.
Exploring a galaxy of genres—jazz, blues, classical, Latin, rock, country and folk.
And projecting a profound sense of joy in performance and provoking delightfully humorous interactions with his audiences.

Don’t miss “one of the best solo acoustic players to ever touch strings.”
Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster, or save fees by calling the box office directly at (888) 645-5006 for will-call-only tickets.

Lots more info and music videos at VenturaMusicFestival.org.

Vol. 15, No. 05 – Dec 1 – Dec 14, 2021 – Music Calendar

Music Calendar 12/1 – 1214
For more up-to-the-date listings go to VenturaRocks.com

Azars
2215 Michael Dr., Newbury Park
Tuesdays: Rockstar Karaoke
Sat 12/4: Heathers on Fire

Boatyard Pub
Ventura Harbor
Thursdays: Jim Friery; then Bluegrass Jam
Fri 12/3: Teresa Russell w/ Stephen Geyer
Sat 12/4: Oleander Falls

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California St., Ventura
DJs Friday – Sunday

Cantara Cellars
126 N. Wood Rd., Camarillo
Sat 12/4: Motown Christmas with Stone Soul
Sun 12/5: 21st Annual Kids 2 Kids Toy Drive w/ Ray Jaurique & the Uptown Brothers
Fri 12/10: Buena Onda

The Cave
4435 McGrath St., Ventura
Music 5:30 – 8:30
Wednesdays & Thursdays: Bobby Apostol
Fridays & Saturdays: Warren Takahashi

Chuy’s
1397 E. Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley West
Wednesdays: Rockstar Karaoke
Fri 12/3: Phill and the Blanks
Sat 12/4: CRV
Sat 12/11: The Sister Knot

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Evening music 7 pm, otherwise noted
Saturdays: Kenny DeVoe (10 am – 1 pm & 4 -6 pm)
Sundays: Kenny Devoe (10 am – 1 pm)
Tuesdays: McWorter, Berghoff & more
Sat 12/11: Teresa Russell

Enegren Brewing Co.
444 Zachary Street, Moorpark
Fri 12/10: Vanise Terry Band
Four Brix
2290 Eastman, Ventura
Music 6-8 pm on Fridays, Sat & Sun 1 – 3:30 pm
Fri 12/3: Heathers on Fire
Sat 12/4: Karen Eden & Bill Macpherson
Sun 12/5: Soul Machine
Wed 12/8: Jodi Farrell’s Music Studio Holiday Concert (7 pm)
Sat 12/11: Cary Park
Sun 12/12: Natalie Wattre

The Garage
1091 Scandia Ave., Ventura
Wednesdays: Blues Wednesday

Gigi’s Cocktails
2493 Grand Ave., Ventura
Fri 12/3: Marika & the Ohms
Sat 12/4: Bombafiya
Fri 12/10: Bewitcher
Sat 12/11: The Deaf Pilots
Sun 12/12: Christmas Party w/ What the Funk

The Grape Jazz House
2833 E. Main Street, Ventura
Music 7-10 pm
Tuesdays: Jazz Jam
Fri 12/3: Jennifer Leitham Trio
Sat 12/4: Jay Smith Group
Wed 12/8: The Eddie Layman Trio feat. Javier Vergara & Randy Tico
Fri 12/10: Luis Munoz with Randy Tico & Daniel Zimmerman

Grapes and Hops with a Twist
454 E Main St., Ventura
Music 7:30 pm pm unless other noted
Thursdays: LA Jazz Experience (7 pm)
Fri 12/3: The Tossers

Judge Roy Beans
2780 Tapo Canyon Road, Simi Valley
Fri 12/3: Power Syndicate
Sat 12/4: Decadent Decades

Keynote Lounge
10245 E Telephone Rd, Ventura
Thursdays: KJ Carlos
Fri 12/3: Heart n Soul
Sat 12/4: Breaking Bored
Fri 12/10: Caliente
Sat 12/12: Magnificent Bastards

Lookout & Grill
2800 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Wednesdays: Tommy Foytek’s Variety Show
Thursdays: Acoustic Open Mic

Lucas Sellers Wine
330 Zachary Street, Moorpark
Music 6-9 pm
Sat 12/4: Natalie Wattre
Sat 12/11: Singular Nature

Made West Brewing
1744 Donlon Street, Ventura
Sun 12/5: Gianna Bella (3 pm)
Sun 12/12: RJ Mischo (3 pm)

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Fri 12/3: Nekromantix, the Delta Bombers, Volk
Tues 12/7: The Dead South
Fri 12/10: The Slackers, the Aggrolites
Sat 12/11: Los Mixos, Los Cool Arrows, Dielectric, Bonnie Boy

Mrs. Olson’s
2800 Harbor Blvd., Channel Islands Harbor
Music at Noon
Sun 12/5: Teresa Russell w/ Stephen Geyer
Sat 12/11: CRV

Namba
47 S. Oak St., Ventura
Sat 12/4: Anna May, Christopher Hawley
Sat 12/11: Doc the Halls with Doc Ventura

Oxnard College Performing Arts Bldg.
4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard
Wed 12/1: The Noelles (6 pm)

Oxnard Performing Arts Center
Canyon at Oxnard PACC
Sundays: The House Arrest Band (1-4 pm)
Sat 12/4: Dokken, Jack Russell’s Great White
Fri 12/10: Baby Bash, Lil Rob, MC Magic
Sat12/11: Damien Escobar’s 25 Days of Christmas

Pedals & Pints
156 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks
Sat 12/11: Robert Jon & the Wreck

Poseidon Brewing Co.
5777 Olivas Park Drive, Ventura
Fri 12/3: Vanise Terry Band

Prime Restaurant
2209 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Tuesdays: Danny D

The Raven Tavern
1651 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
Music at 8 – 11 pm
Fri 12/3: Jetlemons
Sat 12/4: Sean Wiggins
Fri 12/10: Captain Kori
Sat 12/11: Foo Flannels

Relm
2390 Las Posas Rd., Camarillo
Music at 5:30 pm
Fri 12/3: Scott Rausch
Fri 12/4: Leeann Skoda

Ric’s Restaurant
2500 Las Posas Road, Camarillo
Tuesdays: Tour Support with Kurt Griffey & Bob DeLellis

Rock & Roll Pizza
5255 Cochran Street, Simi Valley
Tuesdays: Rockstar Karaoke
Sat 12/4: Stay in Your Lane Hip Hop Gala
Fri 12/10: Dustland Fairytale

Santa Paula Theater Center
125 S. 7th Street, Santa Paula
Sat 12/4: Honeysuckle Possums

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street, Ventura
Tuesdays: Karaoke
Sat 12/4: Dive Bar Messiahs
Sat 12/11: Vanise Terry Band

Strey Cellars
951 N. Rice Ave., Oxnard
Two sets 1:45 & 3:30 pm
Sun 12/5: Bad Habit
Sat 12/11: Ignition

Taqueria Jalisco Restaurant
4275 Tierra Rejada Rd., Moorpark
Music 5-8 pm
Tuesdays & Fridays: Jim Friery

Topa Topa Brewing Co.
341 Ojai Ave., Ojai
Wed 12/1: Tom Collins (6:30 pm)
Wed 12/8: Jess Bush (6 pm)

Vaquero y Mar
435 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Tuesdays: The Sea Hunters (5 pm); Karaoke (8 pm)
Thursdays: Delta by the Beach (5 pm)
Sundays: Mariachi Gallos de Oro (11 am – 2 pm)
Sat 12/11: Swing Shift Band
Sun 12/12: Del Franklin w/ Shea Chambers (formerly Raw Silk) (4 pm)

Ventura Harbor Comedy Club
Ventura Harbor Village
Sun 12/5: Kelly’s Lot (Noon)

The Vine
308 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Music 7 pm otherwise noted
Sundays: Fire on the Mountain (2 pm)
Saturdays: Smitty and Julija and Friends

Waterside Restaurant & Wine Bar
3500 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Music 6 – 9 pm unless otherwise noted
Sat 12/11: Big Adventure Duo
Sun 12/12: Teresa Russell (11:30 am)

Winchesters
632 E. Main St., Ventura
Music Thurs 5:30; Fri 7 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 12/2: Mack & D
Fri 12/3: Karen805
Sun 12/5: The Tossers
Fri 12/10: Big Adventure
Sun 12/12: CRV

1901 Speakeasy
740 South B Street, Oxnard
Music 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Fri 12/3: RJ Mischo

Vol. 15, No. 05 – Dec 1 – Dec 14, 2021 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

With Thanksgiving officially behind us, the holiday season is in full swing and Ventura has a variety of events to get you in the mood, so many of which involve live music.

Let’s start with Ventura Winter Wine Walk which falls on Saturday, December 11 this year with over 80 tasting locations offering up wine, sparkling wine and craft beer. Every year tickets sell out, but that shouldn’t stop you from missing out on the festivities. Head downtown and join in the fun shopping at the holiday street fair all along Main Street from noon till 8 pm, dine in your favorite restaurant, and then enjoy the free entertainment at California and Main; plus, weather permitting, there will be snowfall!

To get the whole entire family in the holiday spirit, you won’t want to miss Christmas Magic 2021 at the High Street Arts Center in Moorpark. The show runs two weekends from Friday, December 3 through Sunday, December 12.

The 21st Annual 4 Kids 2 Kids Toy Drive will be held at Cantara Cellars in Camarillo on Sunday, December 5 with Ray Jaurique & the Uptown Brothers, Truth Jones & her band, Sandy Haley, Debbie Davies, Flat top Tom, Milo Sledge and Steve and Sally Williams. Cost of entry is $5 and an unwrapped toy.

The next Bubbly, Brunch & Blues event at the Ventura Harbor Comedy Club will be on Sunday, December 5th with Kelly’s Lot. This is also Kelly’s annual fundraiser for C.A.R.L., the Canine Adoption and Rescue League. The non profit places unwanted, sick, abandoned and homeless dogs in pre-screened, loving and secure homes. Tickets are $20 through EventBrite or at the door.

Quick Notes: There’s a free holiday concert with The Noelles doowop group at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Building on Wednesday, December 1; Moorpark’s historic High Street Arts Center presents Christmas Magic 2021, music and stories of the holidays December 3 – 12, get tickets and more info at HighStreetArtsCenter.com; Poseidon Brewing is hosting a Holiday Pajama Party on Friday, December 3 with Vanise Terry Band; Cantara Cellars is hosting a Motown Christmas with Stone Soul on Saturday, December 4; Shaky Feelin’ is celebrating 10 years as a band with a show at The Six Chow House on Saturday, December 11; Jon & the Wreck play Pedals & Pints Brewing Company in Thousand Oaks on Saturday, December 11; Jose Feliciano: Celebrating the Holidays at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on 12/19, that would be the 50th anniversary of “Feliz Navidad;”

The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour will be offering Christmas music produced by local artists for the next couple of weeks. Don’t forget, not only can you listen locally in Ventura on your FM radio dial at 104.7, but you can use the MyTuner radio app on your smart device or online at www.CapsMedia.org/Radio. The program airs Tuesdays and Fridays at 5 pm and Sundays at noon.

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.

The Black Couch Ventura Music Show Down

Guy Martin and Jerry McWorter have joined together to promote local talent.

Ventura based Black Couch Studio and Hi Hat Entertainment have joined together in a creative collaboration with the singular focus of promoting the talents of Ventura’s musicians.

A list of 16 musicians were invited to contribute to a musical stew. The names of four drummers, four bass players and eight guitar players/singers were thrown in a hat and randomly drawn to assemble four bands. Next, a handful of classic rock ‘n’ roll song titles were thrown into a hat, one of which was drawn at random. Each band was given three hours in the studio to arrange, perform and secretly record that song. The randomly selected song was “Midnight Rambler.”

This is where the fun began. As the musicians entered the studio at their appointed time and date, none of them had any idea who they would be playing with or what song they would be recording. The musicians selected for this project represented a cross section of styles, ages and genres and were brought together to celebrate the artistry of making music. The results were amazing. The performances and creative ideas were fresh, inspired and totally different from one interpretation to another.

Most of all, this venture was a barrel of musical fun for all of the artists. It was a great opportunity for musicians to meet and work with fellow players from Ventura that they have never met before.

Now…the public is invited to listen to the results of this project and give their opinion and feedback. On November 19th two of the tracks were released on Black Couch Studio’s Facebook, Instagram and YouTube accounts for the world to hear. But… no names were released…just the music. Through comments on all of the social media, Black Couch will tally the votes and see which song is the favorite of round 1. The following week two more songs will be released and again the public votes will be counted and a favorite for round 2 will be announced. The final elimination will be a matchup of the two previous favorites and the public will vote for the final time.

Then…one of the bands will be crowned the first winner of The Black Couch Ventura Music Show Down.

Finally a music video will be released showing all of the musicians involved in the project with some great behind-the-scenes footage of exactly how much fun and music was had by all.

Jerry McWorter Hi Hat Entertainment

Guy Martin Black Couch Studio