For more events go to VenturaRocks.com

Amigos Cafe & Cantina
546 E. Main St.
805-874-2232
Mondays: 6 pm Karen Eden & Bill Macpherson; 9 pm Musician’s Night Out
Tuesdays: Open Mic
Wed 1/18: Live Band Karaoke
Thurs 1/19: CRV
Fri 1/20: Right Amount of Wrong
Sat 1/21: Dive Bar Messiahs
Sat: 5 pm music; 9 pm Karaoke

Boatyard Café
Ventura Harbor Village
Wednesday 6-9 pm: Catfish Fry

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California Street
Fridays: DJs – College Night
Saturdays DJs
Sun 1/29: 3 pm Bullet Made Statues

Café Fiore
66 S. California Street
(805) 653-1266
Wed 1/18: Big Adventure
Thurs 1/19: Rick Whitfield
Fri 1/20: Instone
Sat 1/21: Babylon Rockers
Tues 1/24: Donna Greene
Wed 1/25: Big Adventure
Thurs 1/26: Rick Jarrett
Fri 1/27: Johnny Hawthorne
Sat 1/28: Instone
Tues 1/31: Bernie Meisinger

The Cave
4435 McGrath Street
Weds & Saturdays: 5:30 – 8:30 pm Varon Thomas
Thurs & Fridays: 5:30 – 8:30 pm Warren Takahashi

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Week nights 7 pm; Sundays 3 pm
Tuesdays: The Down Home Trio
Sat 1/21: Toni Jannotta, Tom Collins, Tom Etchart & Paul Tavenner
Sun 1/22: 3 pm Karen Eden & Cary Park
Sat 1/28: Brandon Ragan

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Late Fridays 10 pm: Flashback Fridays
Late Saturdays 10 pm: Disco Bowl
Thurs 1/19: Dirty Rice
Fri 1/20: Young Dubliners, 50 Sticks of Dynamite
Sat 1/21: Metalachi
Thurs 1/26: The Expanders
Fri 1/27: The Velveteen Band, AHTCK, Once a Wolf
Sat 1/28: Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad

El Rey Cantina
294 E. Main Street
Fridays: 4 pm Xoco Moraza and Friends; 9:30 DJ/Karaoke by DJ Gold Dust
Sat 1/21: DJ Aycer
Sat 1/28: DJ Erock

EP Foster Library Topping Room
651 E. Main Street
Sat 1/28: Two Brothers, The Yesterday Child, False Reality, Stratos Waves

Gigi’s Cocktails
2493 Grand Avenue
(805) 642-2411
Thurs, Fri & Sat: Karaoke

Golden China
760 S. Seaward
(805) 652-0688
Karaoke seven nights a week 9 pm
Tuesdays 7 pm: Open Mic

Grapes and Hops
454 E. Main Street
Wednesdays: The Swillys
Fri 1/20: Pete Muller
Fri 1/27: Shawn Jones
Sat 1/28: Ashford Gordon CD Release party; Jade Hendrix opening

The Greek Mediterranean
Fri & Sats 7:30 pm
Belly Dancing, Greek music and show

Hong Kong Inn
435 E. Thompson Blvd
Mondays: Karaoke
Thursdays: Gypsy Blues Band
Fri 1/20: Hi Hat Entertainment: Lila and the Allnighters
Sat 1/21: Paulie Cerra
Fri 1/27: Hi Hat Entertainment: Dallas Hodge Band

Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Road
Tuesday and Wednesday: Karaoke
Thursday: Open Mic
Sunday: Karaoke
Fri 1/20: Sean Wiggins
Sat 1/21: Vital Itch
Fri 1/27: Crosscut
Sat 1/28: Magnificent Bastards

Made West Brewery
1744 Donlon Street
Sat 1/28: 12 pm – Foxtraxx, Lee Koch; 6 pm Big Tweed

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street
Thurs 1/19: Iration
Fri 1/20: Bone Thugs N Harmony

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Tuesdays: Free Jukebox

Paddy’s
2 W. Main Street
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Fri & Sat: DJs

Poinsettia Pavilion
3451 Foothill Road
(805) 648-1143
Mon 1/23: Monday Night Dance Club with Wyatt Haupt Band
Mon 1/30: Monday Night Dance Club with Dennis Dapper

Prime
2209 E. Thompson Blvd
Tuesdays: Danny D
Fridays: Mike Moody
Saturdays: Jessica Ash

Red Cove
1809 E. Main Street
Thursdays: Music Club Open Jam Night

Rookees Sports Bar & Grill
419 E. Main Street
(805) 648-6862
Fri and Sat: Rotating DJs

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thurs 6 pm, Weekends noon
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 1/21: David Bucci
Sun 1/22: Brad Stewart & the Hellhounds
Sat 1/28: Patrick Gillham
Sun 1/29: Leeann Skoda (Pretty Polly)

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut
Sundays: DJ Darko
Mondays: Karaoke
Tuesdays: Transform Tuesdays w/ DJ
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Fri 1/20: Mandex
Sat 1/21: Blues Bullet
Fri 1/27: Sick Boy
Sat 1/28: Aunt Janes Pancakes

Squashed Grapes
2351 E. Main St.
805-643-7300
Live jazz music 7-10 pm
Wed 1/18: Eric Harrington & Friends
Fri 1/20: LJ & the Boyz
Sat 1/21: Ottsen, Solomen & McClendon
Wed 1/25: Dogfish
Thurs 1/26: H03
Fri 1/27: Retrofunk
Sat 1/28: Rufus Philpot Trio

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Tues & Thurs: Karaoke
Fri 1/20: Drunken Monkeys
Sat 1/21: Pull the Trigger
Thurs 1/26: James Del
Fri 1/27: Big Adventure
Sat 1/28: Inna Rude Mood

Surf Brewery
4561 Market Street
Music 6-8 pm
Sat 1/21: Mike Fishell
Sat 1/28: Annieville Blues

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
(805) 643-3264
Sundays: DJ Steezy Steve
Metal Wednesdays
Get it Right Thursday DJs
Fri 1/20: Blues Bullet
Sat 1/21: I Want my 80’s
Fri 1/27: Star Went Nova
Sat 1/28: showcase

Topa Topa Brewing Co.
104 E. Thompson Blvd
(805) 628-9255
Tuesdays: 6-9 pm Jeff Uzzel

Traveler Café
1070 E Front Street
Fridays 5-7 pm: Bernie Larsen
Sundays 11-1 pm: Bernie Larsen

The Wine Rack
14 S. California Street
(805) 653-9463
Tuesdays: Keith Cain
Thursdays: Jon Gindick
Fri 1/20: Oleander Falls
Sat 1/21: B&V Acoustics
Fri 1/27: Tom & Milo
Sat 1/28: Paul McCallum

The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Sat & Sun: Noon Kenny DeVoe
Fridays: 4 pm Kenny DeVoe

Second hand blues and more…
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

I’ve known Ashford Gordon and his music since back in the day when I was a DJ at KXBS radio here in Ventura in the 90’s, so I’ve been looking forward to his latest project the Second Hand Blues Band to make their debut and to release their self-titled CD this month.  I received an advance copy, and trust me, you won’t be disappointed. They’ll be holding a CD release party at Grapes and Hops on Saturday, January 28 where the band will perform with Jade Hendrix on hand to warm up the room.

The Santa Barbara-based reggae-influenced alternative rock band, Iration, returns to the Ventura Theater on January 19 in support of their all acoustic album, Double Up. They’re calling it their “Lost & Found Winter Tour.”

50 Sticks of Dynamite are super jazzed to once again open for The Young Dubliners, this time at Discovery Ventura, on Friday, January 20.

After an earlier Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar workshop, there will be a special intimate evening performance with guitar masters Ken Emerson and Jim Kimo West at the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts in Ojai on January 21.  If you’re not familiar with slack key guitars, the instrument is one where you can play bass, chords and melody all at once.  “It’s the most interesting acoustic guitar music in the world,” according to West.

The 11^th annual Ventura Music Festival Student Jazz Competition will be held on Sunday, January 22 from 2-3:30 pm at the Pierpont Inn and it’s free to the public.  The Students selected to perform for the judges and audience will be backed up by Bevan Manson on Piano, Tom Etchart on bass and Charles Levin on drums.  Besides cash prizes, the winners will receive numerous opportunities to perform for the public throughout the year, including February 21st when the Ventura Music Festival announces the 2017 July Festival program at Ventura City Hall. Student Jazz winners will also perform during the Rising Stars Concert in May.

Watch for the return of Bullet Made Statues with all original members at Bombay’s on Sunday afternoon, January 29 featuring Wes Pagano (acoustic guitar and lead vocals), Paul FitzGerald (bass), Mike Georgia (lead guitar), Tristan Hendy (keyboards), Rich Agren (drums), and Rene Ponce (percussion and backup vocals). Fitzgerald will be visiting from Spain, and Georgia will be coming down from San Francisco to make this happen. I understand other acts will be on the bill as well.

And finally, after winning the Southern California Blues Society Battle of the Blues Bands in November, The Shawn Jones Trio (Jones, Sam Bolle and Mario Calire) will head to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis which runs January 31 through February 4^th. Our hearts are with you boys; good luck!

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 events go to VenturaRocks.com

Amigos Cafe & Cantina
546 E. Main St.
805-874-2232
Mondays: 6 pm Karen Eden; 9 pm Musician’s Night Out
Tuesdays: Open Mic
Wed 1/4: Live Band Karaoke
Thurs 1/5: Pull the Trigger
Fri 1/6: Streetlight Cadence
Sun 1/8: 5 pm Jade Hendrix; 9 pm Karaoke
Wed 1/11: Musician’s Brew
Thurs 1/12: 5th & Birmingham
Fri 1/13: Red Muffs
Sat 1/14: DJ Jimmy Reyes
Sun 1/15: 5 pm Corsican Brothers; 9 pm Karaoke

Boatyard Café
Ventura Harbor Village
Wednesday 6-9 pm: Catfish Fry
Fri 1/6: Colette Lovejoy & Jerry Briener

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California Street
Fridays: DJs – College Night
Saturdays DJs

Café Fiore
66 S. California Street
(805) 653-1266
Wed 1/4: Bryan McCann
Thurs 1/5: Rick Whitfield
Fri 1/6: Drunken Monkeys
Sat 1/7: Action Down
Tues 1/10: Blue Vice
Wed 1/11: Donna Butler
Thurs 1/12: Coso Live
Fri 1/13: Pure Joy
Sat 1/14: Soul Infusion
Tues 1/17: Jazz Express (Bill Owen)

The Cave
4435 McGrath Street
Weds & Saturdays: 5:30 – 8:30 pm Varon Thomas
Thurs & Fridays: 5:30 – 8:30 pm Warren Takahashi

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Week nights 7 pm; Sundays 3 pm
Tuesdays: The Down Home Trio
Fri 1/6: Brandon Ragan
Sun 1/8: Jazz Express
Fri 1/13: Ian Peters
Sat 1/14: Hot Roux
Sun 1/15: Hot Roux

Dargan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
593 E. Main Street
(805) 648-3001
Sun 1/15: 4 pm The Sunday Drivers

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Late Fridays 10 pm: Flashback Fridays
Late Saturdays 10 pm: Disco Bowl
Thurs 1/5: Legalizer
Fri 1/6: Masters of Puppets
Sat 1/7: Cash’d Out
Thurs 1/12: Pato Banton
Fri 1/13: The Blasters, Raging Arb & the Redheads, Jackass
Sat 1/14: 2 pm OzoKidz; 8 pm Ozomatli

El Rey Cantina
294 E. Main Street
Fridays: 4 pm Xoco Moraza and Friends; 9:30 DJ/Karaoke by DJ Gold Dust
Saturdays: DJ Erock

Gigi’s Cocktails
2493 Grand Avenue
(805) 642-2411
Thurs, Fri & Sat: Karaoke

Golden China
760 S. Seaward
(805) 652-0688
Karaoke seven nights a week 9 pm
Tuesdays 7 pm: Open Mic

Grapes and Hops
454 E. Main Street
Wednesdays: The Swillys
The Greek Mediterranean
Fri & Sats 7:30 pm
Belly Dancing, Greek music and show
Hong Kong Inn
435 E. Thompson Blvd
Mondays: Karaoke
Thursdays: Gypsy Blues Band
Fri 1/6: Hi Hat Entertainment – San Pedro Slim with Henry Carvajal
Fri 1/13: Hi Hat Entertainment – Forty Fours

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
3994 E. Main Street
Sat 1/14: 8 pm – The Edgar Loudermilk Band featuring Jeff Autry

Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Road
Tuesday and Wednesday: Karaoke
Thursday: Open Mic
Sunday: Karaoke
Fri 1/6: Seventh Decade
Sat 1/7: Rick Miller Band
Fri 1/13: Brandon Ragan Project
Sat 1/14: CRV

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street
Sat 1/7: One More From the Road; Bad Reputation
Sat 1/14: MXPX

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Tuesdays: Free Jukebox

Paddy’s
2 W. Main Street
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Fri & Sat: DJs

Poinsettia Pavilion
3451 Foothill Road
(805) 648-1143
Mon 1/9: Monday Night Dance Club with Wyatt Haupt Band
Mon 1/16: Monday Night Dance Club with Dick Parent Band

Prime
2209 E. Thompson Blvd
Tuesdays: Danny D
Fridays: Mike Moody
Saturdays: Jessica Ash

Red Cove
1809 E. Main Street
Thursdays: Music Club Open Jam Night

Rookees Sports Bar & Grill
419 E. Main Street
(805) 648-6862
Fri and Sat: Rotating DJs

Saloon BBQ Co.
456 E. Main Street
Music starts at 10 pm (unless otherwise indicated)
Thurs 1/5: 8 pm Ventucky String Band
Fri 1/6: Anchor & Bear
Sat 1/7: Bad Leaf

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thurs 6 pm, Weekends noon
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 1/7: Daniel Stamatelaky
Sun 1/8: Luminesse
Sat 1/14: Angel Garza
Sun 1/5: Licity Collins

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut
Sundays: DJ Darko
Mondays: Karaoke
Tuesdays: Transform Tuesdays w/ DJ
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Fri 1/6: DJ Pistolero
Sat 1/7: Hubcap Steelers
Fri 1/13: Unkle Monkey
Sat 1/14: Crying 4 Kafka

Squashed Grapes
2351 E. Main St.
805-643-7300
Live jazz music 7-10 pm
Sat 1/7: Barrelhouse Wailers
Wed 1/11: Meridian Trio
Thurs 1/12: Cougar Estrada & the Lounge Trio
Fri 1/13: Adam Clark Quartet
Sat 1/14: Paul McCallum & Friends
Tues 1/17: Jazz Jam

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Tues & Thurs: Karaoke

Surf Brewery
4561 Market Street
Sat 1/7: Medicine Hat
Sat 1/14: Braid & Dreads

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
(805) 643-3264
Sundays: DJ Steezy Steve
Metal Wednesdays
Get it Right Thursday DJs
Fri 1/6: The Caverns
Sat 1/7: Rich Sheldon

Topa Topa Brewing Co.
104 E. Thompson Blvd
(805) 628-9255
Tuesdays: 6-9 pm Jeff Uzzel

Traveler Café
1070 E Front Street
Fridays 5-7 pm: Bernie Larsen
Sundays 11-1 pm: Bernie Larsen

The Wine Rack
14 S. California Street
(805) 653-9463
Tuesdays: Keith Cain
Thursdays: Jon Gindick
Fri 1/6: Keith Cain
Sat 1/7: Coda
Fri 1/13: Richardo Ash
Sat 1/14: Paul Mars Black

The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Sat & Sun: Noon Kenny DeVoe
Fridays: 4 pm Kenny DeVoe
Sat 1/14: 8 pm Jason Ho

Rockin’ in 2017
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

From the foothills of Georgia, The Edgar Loudermilk Band featuring guitarist Jeff Autry will be returning to Ventura for a show at the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) local union at 3994 E. Main Street on Saturday, January 14. Loudermilk has been out on the road touring coast to coast; you may remember him as the former bass player for IIIrd Time Out. Tickets are available the day of the show for $18; doors open at 7 with Ventura’s Bluegrass Bottom Feeders opening.

Jon Gindick’s harmonica camp returns to Ventura at the Pierpont Inn January 31 through February 4. The camp features world-class harmonica players who work one on one with new and returning students who come from all over the world to participate.  Keep your ears open for harmonica jams at local venues during that week including The Wine Rack on Monday, January 30.

Karen Eden returns to Amigos starting the first week of the new year at 6 pm for Margarita Mondays. Speaking of Amigos, owner Mike Toler will be trying out Country music for a change of pace on Thursday nights with Pull the Trigger on the 5^th of January, then it’s 5^th & Birmingham on the 12^th and CRV on the 19^th.

The Ventucky String Band returns on the first Thursday of the month at Saloon BBQ Co. Other bands to look for include Anchor & Bear on the 6^th of January and Bad Leaf on the 7^th.

There are two shows for the first two weeks of the New Year at the Majestic Ventura Theater.  The first one falls on Saturday, January 7^th featuring several local musicians in a couple of tribute bands, namely, “One More From the Road” paying homage to Lynyrd Skynyd and then “Bad Reputation” a tribute to Thin Lizzy. The following week the theater hosts the pop punk band, MXPX with Five Iron Frenzy and Dogwood opening.

Discovery is hitting the ground running for 2017 with Masters of Puppets (Metallica tribute) on the 6^th, Cash’d Out on the 7^th, Pato Banton on the 12^th, The Blasters on the 13^th (with Raging Arb and the Redheads, Jackass opening) and Ozomotli on the 14^th.   Oh!  Earlier on the 14^th, Discovery will also offer a special family-friendly show with Ozomatli which is geared towards performing for children as well as adults aptly named OzoKidz. The earlier show starts at 2 pm and ends by 4. Get ticket information at www.discoveryventura.com.

And finally, there will be special memorial punk show to celebrate the life of Scott Ross (The NaVaNaX) on Sunday, January 15 from 1-6 pm at the Ventura Beach Club with The Rouse, F.S.K.D. Birdbrain and The Kane Gang.

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 events go to VenturaRocks.com

Amigos Cafe & Cantina
546 E. Main St.
805-874-2232
Mondays: Open mic w/ Beers Bros.
Tuesdays: Musicians Night Out
Wed 12/21: Live Band Karaoke
Thurs 12/22: Dylan Schmidt & the Rhythm Souls
Fri 12/23: Pull the Trigger
Sun 12/25: 5 pm St Pierre Christmas Show
Wed 12/28: Musician’s Brew
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/ Wax Off
Sun 1/1: 5 pm The Tossers; 9 pm Karaoke

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California Street
Fridays: DJs – College Night
Saturdays DJs

Café Fiore
66 S. California Street
(805) 653-1266
Wed 12/21: Donna Butler
Thurs 12/22: Donna Butler
Fri 12/23: Ricky Coz
Tues 12/27: Bernie Meisinger
Wed 12/28: Bryan McCann
Thurs 12/29: Jade Hendrix
Fri 12/30: Alex Nestor
Sat 12/31: NYE Party: Instone & Big Adventure

The Cave
4435 McGrath Street
Weds & Saturdays: 5:30 – 8:30 pm Varon Thomas
Thurs & Fridays: 5:30 – 8:30 pm Warren Takahashi

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Tuesdays: The Down Home Trio
Fri 12/30: Jason Ho
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/ Artis Ford

Dargan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
593 E. Main Street
(805) 648-3001
Sun 1/1: 4 pm The Sunday Drivers

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Fridays: Flashback Fridays
Saturdays: Disco Bowl
Fri 12/23: DJ Alex & Friends
Thurs 12/29: Rital Movement
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/ One More Time

El Rey Cantina
294 E. Main Street
Fridays: 4 pm Xoco Moraza and Friends; 9:30 DJ/Karaoke by DJ Gold Dust
Saturdays: DJ Erock

Gigi’s Cocktails
2493 Grand Avenue
(805) 642-2411
Thurs, Fri & Sat: Karaoke

Golden China
760 S. Seaward
(805) 652-0688
Karaoke seven nights a week 9 pm
Tuesdays 7 pm: Open Mic

Grapes and Hops
454 E. Main Street
Wednesdays: The Swillys
Fri 12/23: TD Lind
Sat 12/24: Christmas Carols
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/ Shawn Jones

The Greek Mediterranean
Sat & Sun 7:30 pm
Belly Dancing, Greek music and show
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/DJs

Hong Kong Inn
435 E. Thompson Blvd
Mondays: Karaoke
Thursdays: Gypsy Blues Band
Fri 12/23: Hi Hat Entertainment Christmas Celebration
Fri 12/30: Hi Hat Entertainment Alastair Greene, RJ Mischo & Debbie Davies
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/ The Bomb

Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Road
Tuesday and Wednesday: Karaoke
Thursday: Open Mic
Sunday: Karaoke
Fri 12/23: Brandon Ragan Project
Fri 12/30: Karaoke w/ Crazy KT
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/ Black Canyon Band

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Tuesdays: Free Jukebox
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Thurs 12/22: Live Band Karaoke
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/Live Band Karaoke

Paddy’s
2 W. Main Street
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Fri & Sat: DJs
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/ DJs – Two dance floors

Poinsettia Pavilion
3451 Foothill Road
(805) 648-1143
Mon 1/2: Monday Night Dance Club with Dick Parent Band

Prime
2209 E. Thompson Blvd
Tuesdays: Danny D
Fridays: Mike Moody
Saturdays: Jessica Ash

Red Cove
1809 E. Main Street
Thursdays: Music Club Open Jam Night

Rookees Sports Bar & Grill
419 E. Main Street
(805) 648-6862
Fri and Sat: Rotating DJs
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/ Wiz Kid Masquerade theme

Saloon BBQ Co.
456 E. Main Street
Music starts at 10 pm
Fri 12/23: Whesli
Fri 12/30: Moonily
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/ DJ Acer

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thurs 6 pm, Weekends noon
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 12/31: Dennis Russell

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut
Sundays: DJ Darko
Mondays: Karaoke
Tuesdays: Twisted Tuesday w/ DJ
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi

Squashed Grapes
2351 E. Main St.
805-643-7300
Live jazz music 7-10 pm
Wed 12/21: Colin Bailey Trio
Thurs 12/22: Tilford Jackson Christmas show
Fri 12/23: Ventura Jazz Collective
Fri 12/30: Doug Webb & Friends

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Tues & Thurs: Karaoke
Fri 12/23: Big Adventure
Fri 12/30: Pull the Trigger
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/ Brandon Ragan Project

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
(805) 643-3264
Metal Wednesdays
Get it Right Thursday DJs
Wed 12/21: Snakefist, Hellfunk
Fri 12/23: DCMOFO
Fri 12/30: Rubberneck Lions
Sat 12/31: NYE Party w/DJ Steezy Steve

Topa Topa Brewing Co.
104 E. Thompson Blvd
(805) 628-9255
Tuesdays: 6-9 pm Jeff Uzzel

Traveler Café
1070 E Front Street
Fridays 5-7 pm: Bernie Larsen
Sundays 11-1 pm: Bernie Larsen

The Wine Rack
14 S. California Street
(805) 653-9463
Mondays: Open mic w/ Catfish Fry
Tuesdays: Keith Cain
Wed 12/21: Daniel Stacey
Thurs 12/22: Jon Gindick
Fri 12/23: Keith Cain
Wed 12/28: Bluegrass open jam
Fri 12/30: Mark Heyes
Sat 12/31: Paul Mars Black

The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Sat & Sun: Noon Kenny DeVoe
Fridays: 4 pm Kenny DeVoe

To another rockin’ year!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

Here we are ushering in another year. It’s when we take time to reflect back and it’s when we take time to look forward. If you know me at all, then you know that I’m a “glass-half-full” sort of gal. So, I’m looking forward to and postulating a year of growth, a year of success, a year of new music and a year of harmony for all.

Before we hit the ground running in 2017, we have to send off 2016 with a bang!  So here we go with New Year’s Eve parties in and around Ventura.  You’ll want to do your own due diligence with reservations and keep in mind that a number of venues who typically don’t, will be charging a cover for the night; most everyone will have specials and party favors. And if I may suggest, be sure to have a designated driver or a well-thought out exit plan on getting home safe.

Amigos will feature the pop 80’s band Wax Off; Café Fiore has two bands in the front room, Big Adventure and Instone with Colette Lovejoy in the Treehouse; Chinaland in Oxnard has the Grooveline featuring Dora Sanchez and guest DJ Frank Ramirez; the Copa Cubana in the harbor will have Artis Ford; The Crown Plaza has their popular annual event with DJ Bruce Barrios; Discovery features One More Time, a Daft Punk tribute band; Gigi’s has a Karaoke countdown; there will be a masquerade party at Grapes and Hops with the Shawn Jones trio; the Greek Mediterranean will have a Great Gatsby theme party with a DJ; The Hong Kong Inn has The Bomb; The Hut in Ojai has Wishbone with special guest Alastair Greene; there’s definitely no cover at the Keynote Lounge with the Black Canyon Band; O’Leary’s has a Roaring 20’s party with Live Band Karaoke; Paddy’s has DJs with two dance floors all night; Rookees will also feature a masquerade theme with Wiz Kid at the helm; Saloon BBQ Co has DJ Acer; Brain Faith & Friends will be at the Sportsman in Camarillo. The Tavern has DJ Steeze Steve; and former LA Guns singer, Paul Mars Black will be at the Wine Rack.

And finally, if you’ll be ringing in the New Year anywhere near a television, then be sure to tune in to Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2017 with Ryan Seacrest. I realize that’s an odd recommendation from me, but you won’t want to miss seeing the newly Grammy nominated Mike Posner Band with local artist, Jacob Scesney on saxophone in his band.  I can’t even express how proud I am of Jacob, he’s truly living the dream!

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 events go to VenturaRocks.com

Amigos Cafe & Cantina
546 E. Main St.
805-874-2232
Mondays: Open mic w/ Beers Bros.
Tuesdays: Musicians Night Out
Wed 12/7: Live Band Karaoke
Thurs 12/8: After the Smoke
Fri 12/9: Dive Bar Messiahs
Sat 12/10: Inna Rude Mood
Sun 12/11: 5 pm Jade Hendrix; 9 pm Karaoke
Wed 12/14: Musicians Brew w/ Coso
Thurs 12/15: Smokey & Friends
Fri 12/16: 6 pm Karen Eden; 9 pm The Tossers
Sat 12/17: DJ Cue
Sun 12/18: 5 pm Corsican Bros; 9 pm Karaoke

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California Street
Fridays: DJs – College Night
Saturdays DJs

Café Fiore
66 S. California Street
(805) 653-1266
Wed 12/7: Donna Greene
Thurs 12/8: Fabulous Hangovers
Fri 12/9: Young Dempsy
Sat 12/10: Red Muffs
Tues 12/13: Fabulous Hangovers
Wed 12/14: Big Adventure
Thurs 12/15: Coso Live
Fri 12/16: Instone
Sat 12/17: Drunken Monkeys
Tues 12/20: Blue Vice

The Cave
4435 McGrath Street
Weds & Saturdays: 5:30 – 8:30 pm Varon Thomas
Thurs & Fridays: 5:30 – 8:30 pm Warren Takahashi

Chopper Fest
Ventura Fairgrounds
10 W. Harbor Blvd
Sat 12/10: One More for the Road, Shari Puorto Band, Hard Six

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Tuesdays: The Down Home Trio
Fri 12/9: Brandon Ragan Project
Sat 12/10: Al Martin
Sun 12/11: 4 pm Hot Roux
Fri 12/16: Avery Dalton
Sat 12/17: Live Band Karaoke
Sun 12/18: 3 pm On Tap

Dargan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
593 E. Main Street
(805) 648-3001
Sun 12/18: 4 pm The Sunday Drivers

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Fridays: Flashback Fridays
Saturdays: Disco Bowl

El Rey Cantina
294 E. Main Street
Fridays: 4 pm Xoco Moraza and Friends; 9:30 DJ/Karaoke by DJ Gold Dust
Saturdays: DJ Erock

Four Brix Winery
2290 Eastman Avenue #109
(805) 256-6006
Sat 12/10: 7 pm Kelly’s Lot

The Garage
1091 Scandie Avenue
Wed 12/7: Keep the Giraffe Burning
Sat 12/17: Shattered Faith, Hymen Blasters, Mother of Dissension, COA, Side Effects

Gigi’s Cocktails
2493 Grand Avenue
(805) 642-2411
Thurs, Fri & Sat: Karaoke

Golden China
760 S. Seaward
(805) 652-0688
Karaoke seven nights a week 9 pm
Tuesdays 7 pm: Open Mic
Grapes and Hops
454 E. Main Street
Wednesdays: The Swillys
Fri 12/9: Salty Suites
Sat 12/10: Ricky Z
Fri 12/16: Noah Nola
Sat 12/17: Tex Pistols

The Greek Restaurant
Ventura Harbor
Sat & Sun 7:30 pm
Belly Dancing, Greek music and show

Hong Kong Inn
435 E. Thompson Blvd
Mondays: Karaoke
Thursdays: Gypsy Blues Band
Fri 12/9: Hi Hat Entertainment presents Sugaray Rayford
Sat 12/10: Del Franklin’s Christmas party
Fri 12/16: Hi Hat Entertainment presents Rent Party Blues Band
Sun 12/18: 4 pm Hot Roux

Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Road
Tuesday and Wednesday: Karaoke
Thursday: Open Mic
Sunday: Karaoke
Fri 12/9: Action Down
Sat 12/10: Tex Pistols
Fri 12/16: Reign
Sat 12/17: Vital Itch

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Tuesdays: Free Jukebox
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Thurs 12/8: Live Band Karaoke
Sat 12/17: Karen Eden

Paddy’s
2 W. Main Street
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Fri & Sat: DJs

Poinsettia Pavilion
3451 Foothill Road
(805) 648-1143
Mon 12/12: Monday Night Dance Club with Wyatt Haupt Band
Fri 12/16: The White Buffalo, Bryan Titus Duo, The Brambles
Mon 12/19: Monday Night Dance Club with Dick Parent Band

Prime
2209 E. Thompson Blvd
Tuesdays: Danny D
Fridays: Mike Moody
Saturdays: Jessica Ash

Red Cove
1809 E. Main Street
Thursdays: Music Club Open Jam Night

Rookees Sports Bar & Grill
419 E. Main Street
(805) 648-6862
Fri and Sat: Rotating DJs

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thurs 6 pm, Weekends noon
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 12/10: David Bucci
Sun 12/11: Dennis Russell
Sat 12/17: Sympatico Pat & Bob
Sun 12/18: Tisa Adamson

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut
Sundays: DJ Darko
Mondays: Karaoke
Tuesdays: Twisted Tuesday w/ DJ
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi

Squashed Grapes
2351 E. Main St.
805-643-7300
Live jazz music 7-10 pm
Wed 12/7: Adam Clark Trio
Thurs 12/8: Dogfish
Fri 12/9: Hans Ottsen Trio
Sat 12/10: Barrelhouse Wailers
Wed 12/14: Skip Spiro’s Little Big Band
Thurs 12/15: Brad Rabuchin & Friends
Fri 12/16: L.J. & the Boyz
Sat 12/17: Charged Particles

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Tues & Thurs: Karaoke
Fri 12/9: 7th Decade
Sat 12/10: Masters of the Past
Fri 12/16: Bloody Reunion
Sat 12/17: Jan Michael & the Vincents

Surf Brewery
4561 Market Street
Music 6-8 pm
Sat 12/10: Hard Times Band
Sat 12/17: Wyk & Winkle

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
(805) 643-3264
Metal Wednesdays
Get it Right Thursday DJs
Fri 12/19: Rubberneck Lions
Sat 12/17: Dojo Loach
Sun 12/18: DJ Steezy Steve

Topa Topa Brewing Co.
104 E. Thompson Blvd
(805) 628-9255
Tuesdays: 6-9 pm Jeff Uzzel

Traveler Café
1070 E Front Street
Fridays 5-7 pm: Bernie Larsen
Sundays 11-1 pm: Bernie Larsen

The Wine Rack
14 S. California Street
(805) 653-9463
Mondays: Open mic
Tuesdays: Keith Cain
Thursdays: Jon Gindick
Wed 12/7: Daniel Stacey
Fri 12/9: Frank Barajas
Sat 12/10: Mark Heyes
Wed 12/14: Bluegrass open jam
Fri 12/16: Hans Ottsen
Sat 12/17: Paul McCallum

The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Sat & Sun: Noon Kenny DeVoe
Sat 12/17: 8 pm Teresa Russell

Swing into the Season!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

There are plenty of music related holiday events to get you into the swing of the season. Let’s start with the Ones to Watch Productions hosting their first show at the Poinsettia Pavilion on Friday, December 16, with The Brambles and Bryan Titus Duo opening up for The White Buffalo. As you may know, Steve and Polly Hoganson (formerly of Zoey’s) continue to help artists featuring showcases such as this around the Gold Coast. This intimate holiday concert being called “I’m dreaming of a White Buffalo Christmas” features the incredibly talented Jake Smith whose songs have been featured in many films and television shows including “Sons of Anarchy.”  Polly told me, “We’re excited to bring Jake The White Buffalo back to Ventura for another holiday concert and food drive to benefit Turning Point Foundation. It’s OTW Productions first time show at the lovely Poinsettia Pavilion and we hope to bring more concerts to this event center.”  If you’ve caught one of Jake’s concert before, you won’t want to miss him up close and personal, Polly said, “The White Buffalo’s rare solo performances are special because you get an intimate insight into his songwriting and a connection that you don’t normally get at an arena show.”

Kelly’s Lot will be at Four Brix Winery on Saturday, December 10.  The band recently released a new song, “Colours of December” in honor of members of the military and their families. There will be a silent auction and donations accepted for TAPS, an organization that provides assistance to families who have lost a family member in the military.  Four Brix will be offering tri-tip dinners and pizzas, doors open at 5, Kelly’s Lot plays at 7.

Chopper Fest arrives at the Ventura Fairgrounds on Sunday, December 11 with live music from The Shari Puorto Band, Hard Six and One More From the Road, a Lynryd Skynyrd tribute band; there will be a pre party the night before at The Tavern with music from Revolution Mother and the Rubberneck Lions.

Big props to Tommy and Paddy Marsh who will open for The Robert Cray Band at the Rose in Pasadena on December 9.

The 14th annual Nardcore Xmas food drive will be at The Garage on Saturday, December 17 featuring music from Shattered Faith, Hymen Blasters, Mother of Dissension, COA and Side Effects.  Along with accepting canned goods, the organizers are asking for new blankets and/or cash donations which will go to Food Share of Oxnard. Tax deductible receipts available.

You finally you should take a break from shopping and take the whole family out for a good old fashion holiday sing-along at the Ventura Theater. This event will be held on Sunday December 18 from 3-5 pm. Price of entry is one new unwrapped toy per family.

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