Category Archives: Ventura Music Scene

Vol. 10, No. 11 – March 1 – March 14, 2017 – Ventura Music Scene

Local music and more!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

I’m extremely impressed with this year’s lineup for the Ventura Music Festival which includes headliner Michael Feinstein, but I’m really looking forward to catching Perla Batalla’s tribute to Leonard Cohen on Friday, July 21.  Yes, this is advance notice, but hopefully ticket sales will be brisk and I wouldn’t want you to miss out.  Full listings for all events can be found at VenturaMusicFestival.org (and article in this ussue).

Medicine Hat is off to Austin this month to play at SxSW (3/10 – 3/19).  They’ll be there five days, they’re currently scheduled to play four shows and working on more. In addition to acoustic shows, Medicine Hat will play a couple gigs with a full band, consisting of some of Austin’s finest.

Here’s a couple of one-liner notes of interest: Karen Eden continues her Margarita Mondays at 6 at Amigos; Chris Austin is heading up an open Jam/Mic night at Bombay’s on Wednesdays starting March 1, PA and backline will be provided and I’m told that the jams will be filmed; Yachtley Crew returns to Bombay’s on Saturday March 4; Four Brix Winery will offer live music on the first Friday of the month starting with JJ Frank on March 3; The Ventucky String Band plays every first Thursday of the month at Saloon BBQ including this month on the 2nd; Big Rig Dollhouse returns to Sans Souci on Friday, March 3; you can catch the Dive Bar Messiahs in a new venue for them at the Star Lounge, on Saturday March 4; the Social Distortion show at the Ventura Theater March 7 is sold out, but tickets are still available for the White Buffalo on Friday, March 10; there’s a Rockabilly and Blues fundraiser for El Camino High at the Ventura Beach Club on Friday, March 10; and finally, Plan B’s Second Sunday Supper is back on with Ray Jaurique and the Uptown Brothers on the 12th.

One of Ventura’s most popular bands, Rey Fresco, has new music, three songs produced by Mario C who also worked with The Beastie Boys and Jack Johnson (he’s also won three Latin Grammy awards to date).  I’m loving their new tune “You Were Wrong” which I haven’t gotten out of my head since first playing it, but you know, in Rey Fresco’s case, that’s a good thing.

And speaking of Rey Fresco and bands who record original music, don’t miss my program “The Pam Baumgardner Mostly Local Music Hour” on KPPQ-LP 104.1 FM.  I’m spinning tunes from not only Rey Fresco, but Shawn Jones, Kelly’s Lot, Steve Williams, Bryan Titus, Hot Roux, The Barrelhouse Wailers, The NaVaNaX, Medicine Hat, Charles Law, 50 Sticks of Dynamite, Jerry Breiner, Shaky Feelin’ and more. The station is rebroadcasting the show during the week, but I’m live on Tuesdays 5-6 pm with internet access coming soon. You can also give a listen to the current week’s broadcast on VenturaRocks.com.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Or would you like to submit your music for possible inclusion on my radio show? Please send all information short or long to [email protected], and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Vol. 10, No. 10 – February 15 – February 28, 2017 – Ventura Music Scene

One Degree of Separation
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

If you follow Ventura’s music scene, then you most likely know Brent Harding who can be heard playing bass in bands like the Whiskey Chimps, the Gypsy Blues Band, Hot Roux and others, but did you know he’s been Mike Ness’s bass man for Social Distortion since 2004?  Brent will be back on the road with Social D the next few months and you can see him when they play at the Ventura Theater on March 7.  That’s all awesome, but I just found out that during one of the many private parties during this year’s NAMM (National Association Music Merchants) event, Brent got a call to play at a Gretsch Guitars event with Jeff Beck.  Yeah, THE Jeff Beck.  I had to talk to Brent about it, because you know, that’s HUGE! Plus, that’s only one degree of separation for me!  Anyways, Brent was so funny when he told me there were moments where he couldn’t look at him because he’d freak out and he had to concentrate; but he said Jeff Beck was a wonderful guy, really sweet and kind.  Now that’s what you want to hear about guitar gods, no?

Grapes and Hops will once again host a special evening with Shawn Jones, Jeff Silbar and Suzie Candell. Of course, we all know and love Shawn who recently competed and made it to the semi-finals of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis this month, but Suzie is returning to Ventura from Switzerland; Shawn produced her first CD the last time she was out here called, California Streets. The two will reunite with the one and only Jeff Silbar (Grammy award winning songwriter, “Wind Beneath My Wings”) for an evening of swapping stories and tunes on Thursday, February 16.

Here’s a couple of one-liner notes of interest:  Ruben Estrada returns to the Copa Cubana Monday evenings 6-9 pm through April 10; The Ventura Breeze is sponsoring the Equinox jazz band at Squashed Grapes February 24; The Johnny Cash, Cash Bash will be held on Sunday, February 19, 4-7:30 pm at Bombay’s featuring the Mighty Cash Cats and Jade Hendrix; another Cash Bash will be held on Sunday February 26 at Discovery with Hard Six, Jackass and Inazuma; Rey Fresco will be at Now Ventura on Saturday, February 25; and along with their normal Friday concerts, Hi Hat Entertainment has a special show on Sunday, February 26 at the Hong Kong Inn featuring the 2016 Muddy Award Winners, “Performance of the Year,” Karen Lovely with Lisa Mann and Ben Rice (downbeat at 7).

And finally, the all new CAPS Media radio station, KPPQ-LP has officially launched and is live on air 24 hours a day at 104.1 FM. It’s a low-powered signal so it only reaches most of Ventura, but they’ll soon be available on the internet as well; the staff is working out the programing as you read this.  Keep in mind, this is local area access and along with covering our City Council meetings and other events (parades and such), the programming is open up to CAPS members like myself.  I hope you’ll tune in when I’ll be hosting a one-hour mostly local music show, tentatively on Tuesdays 5-6 pm.

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. 10, No. 10 – February 15 – February 28, 2017 – Music Calendar

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
Sundays: 9 pm Karaoke
Sat 2/18: Dive Bar Messiahs

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

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California Street
Fridays: DJs – College Night
Saturdays DJs
Sun 2/19: (4 pm) The Mighty Cash Cats, Jade Hendrix
Sat 2/25: Herbal Rootz

Café Fiore
66 S. California Street
(805) 653-1266
Wed 2/15: Donna Butler
Thurs 2/16: Fabulous Hangovers
Fri 2/17: Drunken Monkeys
Sat 2/18: Soul Infusion
Tues 2/21: Jazz Express
Wed 2/22: Rick Jarrett
Thurs 2/23: Amber & Smoke
Fri 2/24: Pure Joy
Sat 2/25: Instone

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
Mondays: (6-9) The Estrada Band
Tuesdays: The Down Home Trio
Fri 2/17: Ian Peters
Sat 2/18: Toni Jannotta
Fri 2/24: Brandon Ragan Project
Sat 2/25: Hot Roux
Sun 2/26: Karen Eden

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Late Fridays 10 pm: Flashback Fridays
Late Saturdays 10 pm: Disco Bowl
Thurs 2/16: Pacific Dub
Fri 2/17: Sgt. Pepper
Sat 2/18: Led Zepplica
Thurs 2/23: After the Smoke
Fri 2/24: Rock Cats Rock
Sat 2/25: Disco Bowl
Sun 2/26: ( 1:30 pm) Hard Six, Jackass, Inazuma

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

Garage
1091 Scandia Ave
Wed 2/15: Final Blood Spit, Sin Kontrol, Species Unknown, The Rays, Until We Die

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
Thurs2/16: Shawn Jones, Jeff Silbar, Suzie Candell
Fri 2/17: Tex Pistols
Sat 2/18: Shawn Jones Trio
Fri 2/24: Shawn Jones Trio
Sat 2/25: The Salty Suites

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 2/17: Hi Hat Entertainment presents Carl Sonny Leyland
Sat 2/18: The Bomb
Fri 2/24: Hi Hat Entertainment presents Alastair Greene & Deanna Bogart
Sat 2/25: Big Adventure
Sun 2/26: Hi Hat Entertainment presents Karen Lovely with Lisa Mann & Ben Rice

Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Road
Tuesday and Wednesday: Karaoke
Thursday: Open Mic
Sunday: Karaoke
Fri 2/17: Brandon Ragan Project
Sat 2/18: Pull the Trigger
Fri 2/24: Sean Wiggins
Sat 2/25: Heathers on Fire

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street
Thurs 2/16: Jake Shimabukuro
Fri 2/17: Stevie B, Cover Girls…
Sun 2/19: Uli Jon Roth
Thurs 2/23: Dark Star Orchestra

Now Ventura
185 E. Santa Clara Ave
Sat 2/25: Rey Fresco, DJ Aycer

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Tuesdays: Free Jukebox
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Fri 2/17: Karen Eden
Fri 2/24: Live Band Karaoke
Sat 2/25: Karen Eden

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

Poinsettia Pavilion
3451 Foothill Road
(805) 648-1143
Mon 2/20: Dick Parent
Mon 2/27: Dapper Dennis

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
Weekend music at 10 pm
Fri 2/17: Rich Sheldon
Sat 2/18: The Black Hips
Fri 2/24: Captions, Alonzo Delano
Sat 2/25: Whelsi

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thurs 6 pm, Weekends noon
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 2/18: Angel Garza
Sun 2/19: David Bucci
Sat 2/25: Patrick Hillham
Sun 2/26: Yolonda Cunningham

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut
Sundays: DJ Darko
Mondays: Karaoke
Tuesdays: Transform Tuesdays w/ DJ
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Sat 2/18: Wooden Nomad
Fri 2/24: Bloody Reunion
Sat 2/25: Hubcap Stealers

Squashed Grapes
2351 E. Main St.
805-643-7300
Live jazz music 7-10 pm
Wed 2/15: Coda
Thurs 2/16: Skip Spiro’s Little Big Band
Fri 2/17: McClendon, Ottsen & Soloman
Sat 2/18: Bruce Forman’s Junkyard Duo
Tues 2/21: Jazz Jam
Wed 2/22: Meridian Trio
Thurs 2/23: Patrick Stokes Piano Trio
Fri 2/24: Equinox
Sat 2/25: Tizer

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Tues & Thurs: Karaoke
Fri 2/17: The Sheiks
Sat 2/18: The Flailingtons
Fri 2/24: Big Adventure
Sat 2/25: Bad Habit

Surf Brewery
4561 Market Street
Music Saturdays 6-8 pm
Sat 2/18: The Swillys
Sat 2/25: Ashun

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
(805) 643-3264
Sundays: DJ Steezy Steve
Metal Wednesdays
Get it Right Thursday DJs
Fri 2/17: Maclovia, Strange Weather
Sat 2/18: Rich Sheldon
Wed 2/22: Valor Vengeance, The Rebellion
Fri 2/24: Old Soul
Sat 2/25: The Black Hips

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

The Wine Rack
14 S. California Street
(805) 653-9463
Tuesdays: Keith Cain
Wed 2/15: Danielle Stacey
Thurs 2/16: Jon Gindick
Fri 2/17: Keith Cain
Sat 2/18: B&V Acoutics
Fri 2/24: Rich Sheldon
Sat 2/25: Paul McCallum

The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Sat & Sun: Noon Kenny DeVoe
Fridays: 4 pm Kenny DeVoe
Sat 2/25: 8 pm Jason Ho

Ventura Music Festival Student Jazz Competition

High school jazz musicians performed for the judges and audience.

On Jan. 22, in the Pavilion of the Pierpont Inn judges awarded cash prizes to outstanding Southern California’s best high school jazz musicians as the Ventura Music Festival (VMF) kicks off their new year.

This was 11th annual competition for students and was attended by over 100 who enjoyed some great jazz musicians and the rain.

Renowned musicians Bevan Manson, Eddie Arkin and Steve Marsh were the judges for the completion.

The 5 finalists that performed were Ben Farahi (guitar, 16 Hamilton Academy of Music Los Angeles), Jonah Goldstein (guitar, 16 Calabasas high School, Matthew Michalek (16, alto sax Thousand Oaks High School), Henry Urschel (also sax, 16 Dos Pueblos High School Santa Barbara) and Angelo Velasquez(drums, 18 Newbury Park High School). They were backed up by Bevan Manson on piano, Tom Etchart on bass and Charles Levin on drums.

All of the judges agreed that the students were all outstanding and how hard it was selecting the best but finally decided to award first place to drummer Angelo Velasquez who was the oldest of the students so we can expect several of them to be back next year.

They will be the performing for the public throughout the year, including on Feb. 21st when the VMF announces the 2017 July Festival program at City Hall. So be sure to attend to enjoy the music and be introduced to this year’s VMF.

 

Vol. 10, No. 9 – February 1 – February 14, 2017 – Music Calendar

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
Sundays: 9 pm Karaoke

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

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California Street
Fridays: DJs – College Night
Saturdays DJs
Sat 2/11: Yachtley Crew

Café Fiore
66 S. California Street
(805) 653-1266
Wed 2/1: Bryan McCann
Thurs 2/2: Rick Whitfield
Fri 2/3: Red Muffs
Sat 2/4: Young Dempsy
Tues 2/7: Blue Vice
Wed 2/8: Big Adventure
Thurs 2/9: Coso Live
Fri 2/10: Instone
Sat 2/11: Johnny Hawthorn
Tues 2/14: 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 2/4: Rivera & Sunnarborg
Sun 2/5: Jazz Express
Fri 2/10: Brandon Ragan Project
Sat 2/11: Hot Roux
Sun 2/12: Jazz Express

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Late Fridays 10 pm: Flashback Fridays
Late Saturdays 10 pm: Disco Bowl
Thurs 2/2: Leilani Wolfgramm & Ethan Tucker
Fri 2/3: Shaky Feelin’
Sat 2/4: The Band that Fell to Earth
Thurs 2/9: Local musicians honoring Bob Marley day
Fri 2/10: Hubcap Stealers
Sat 2/11: Black Sabbitch

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
Fri 2/3: Rhythm 805
Sat 2/11: Corrvus, Wire Werewolves, Ghost Noise, Soaked in Disillusion, Modern Color

Garage
1091 Scandia Ave
Fri 2/3: Whiskey Stone
Sat 2/4: The Aggrolites, Rising Son, Stebz Juarez

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
Sat 2/11: Crooked Eye Tommy

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 2/3: Hi Hat Entertainment presents James Intveld
Sat 2/4: RJ Mischo and an All Star Band
Fri 2/10: Hi Hat Entertainment presents Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps

Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Road
Tuesday and Wednesday: Karaoke
Thursday: Open Mic
Sunday: Karaoke
Fri 2/3: Tex Pistols
Sat 2/4: Action Down
Fri 2/10: Reign
Sat 2/11: Rick Miller Band

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Tuesdays: Free Jukebox
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Fri 2/10: Live Band Karaoke

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

Poinsettia Pavilion
3451 Foothill Road
(805) 648-1143
Sun 2/5: 2 pm Old-time Country Bluegrass Band
Mon 2/13: Valentines Ball Dance with Ventura Jazz Trio

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
Thurs 2/2: The Ventucky String Band

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thurs 6 pm, Weekends noon
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 2/4: Walt Dunlap
Sun 2/5: Nicole Campbell
Sat 2/11: Licity Collins
Sun 2/12: Eighty Years Gone

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut
Sundays: DJ Darko
Mondays: Karaoke
Tuesdays: Transform Tuesdays w/ DJ
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Sat 2/4: Stevie Char
Fri 2/10: Strange Weather
Sat 2/11: DJs Pistolero, Darko, Spinobi

Squashed Grapes
2351 E. Main St.
805-643-7300
Live jazz music 7-10 pm
Wed 2/1: Greg Spaulding Trio
Thurs 2/2: mPhaka featuring Karl Hunter of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Fri 2/3: Brad Rabuchin & Friends
Sat 2/4: Bobby West Trio
Tues 2/7: Jazz Jam
Wed 2/8: Het Hat Club & Laura Lackey’s Rhythm Revue
Thurs 2/9: Mike Garson & David Liebman
Fri 2/10: Adam Clark Quartet
Sat 2/11: Castro, Conte & Leon

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Tues & Thurs: Karaoke
Fri 2/3: CRV
Sat 2/4: Wired
Fri 2/10: 7th Decade
Sat 2/11: 80/80 Vision

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
(805) 643-3264
Sundays: DJ Steezy Steve
Metal Wednesdays
Get it Right Thursday DJs
Sat 2/4: Wee Beasties
Fri 2/10: Sick Boy
Sat 2/11: 50 Sticks of Dynamite

Topa Topa Brewing Co.
104 E. Thompson Blvd
(805) 628-9255
Tuesdays: 6-9 pm Jeff Uzzel
Sun 2/12: 3 pm The Swillys

The Wine Rack
14 S. California Street
(805) 653-9463
Tuesdays: Keith Cain
Thursdays: Jon Gindick
Wed 2/1: Danielle Stacy
Fri 2/3 Un1verse Fusion Music
Sat 2/4: Hans Ottsen Trio
Fri 2/10 Colin Kyffin
Sat 2/11: Danielle Stacey

The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Sat & Sun: Noon Kenny DeVoe
Fridays: 4 pm Kenny DeVoe
Sat 2/4: 8 pm Teresa Russell
Sat 2/11: 8 pm Jason Ho

Vol. 10, No. 9 – February 1 – February 14, 2017 – Ventura Music Scene

Bringing on the blues, jazz and more
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

The line-up at Squashed Grape is getting hotter and hotter as we get further into 2017.  Karl Hunter (Big Bad Voodoo Daddy) and friends return on Thursday February 2 with his band mPhaka; Bobby West (Wynton Marsalis, R.Kelly, Smokey Robinson) returns on Saturday, February 4; it will be a night of hot jazz with the international jazz manouche and Balkan music band Het Hat Club with Laura Lackey on vocals Wednesday, February 8; and Mark Garson (Bowie) and David Liebman (Miles Davis, Chic Corea) return on Thursday February 9.  If you were there the last time Garson played, then you too were blown away when Garson played “A Space Oddity” on the piano.

Discovery has several noteworthy shows lined up including Shaky Feelin’ on February 3; a Bowie tribute band, The Band that Feel to Earth on the 4th; several local musicians will be on hand to honor the late great reggae artist on Bob Marley day, February 9; the Hubcap Stealers will be there on the 10th; and finally, a Black Sabbath tribute band on Saturday, February 11. Go to the Discovery’s website for tickets and times as they vary.

As you probably know, there’s a wonderful Blues community supporting this genre of music and nobody does a better job at bringing notable Blues artists to town than Hi Hat Entertainment. You’ll want to mark down on your calendar that following dates: Friday, February 3, it’s James Intveld; February 10th, Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps; Carl Sonny Leyland’s on Friday, February 17; Alastair Greene & Deanna Bogart on Friday, February 24; and a special show on Sunday, February 26 with Karen Lovely with Lisa Mann & Ben Rice. Get the lowdown at HiHatEntertainment.com. All Hat Hi shows are at the Hong Kong Inn where you’ll find one more concert to add to your calendar, RJ Mischo has a special blues party on Saturday, February 4 with Hashbrown, Fred Kaplan, Rick Reed and Johnny Morgan. All shows start at 8; covers vary.

Topa Topa Brewery launches their open mic night February 1 and thereafter on the first Wednesday of the month. Signups at 6 and it runs 6:30 – 8:30 pm.

The legendary David Nigel Lloyd is reuniting after 30 years with Jonathan Mako Sharkey for a special performance on Saturday, February 11. Nigel Lloyd, one of the pre-eminent Acid Folk performers in the world will hold a songwriting workshop at 6 pm, then he’ll join up with Sharkey (musician and Port Hueneme Councilman) for a concert at the Loft in Camarillo.

And finally, CAPS Media is launching a low-powered FM station here in Ventura and its schedule to launch in mid-February. I’ll be hosting a weekly hour-long program highlighting independent artists including local artists from the area, and artists who have played in town. I’ll let you know when we’re live and on air at 104.1 FM.

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. 10, No. 8 – January 18 – January 31, 2017 – Music Calendar

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

Public invited to free 11th annual Ventura Music Festival Student Jazz Competition

2016 winner Blake Kasting performing with other finalists .

Judges will award cash prizes to three of Southern California’s best high school jazz musicians as the Ventura Music Festival (VMF) kicks off the new year with free competition performances open to the public on Sunday, January 22, from 2 to 3:30 pm, in the Pavilion of the Pierpont Inn, 550 Sanjon Road. No RSVP is required for audience members to attend this 11th annual competition for students.

Renowned musicians and judges Bevan Manson, Eddie Arkin and Steve Marsh will select up to a half dozen musicians to compete in performance after reviewing mp3 or m4a files that were submitted online by Southern California high school students featuring their improvised solos of original or classic jazz or blues tunes.

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 on February 21st when the VMF announces the 2017 July Festival program at City Hall. Student Jazz winners will also perform during the Rising Stars Concert in May and other events to be announced.

Artistic Director Nuvi Mehta will announce the 23rd Ventura Music Festival artist line-up in a special briefing at Ventura City Hall on Tuesday, February 21, from 5 to 6 pm. The public is warmly invited to attend this free admission event with refreshments and entertainment following the presentation. The nine-concert festival will take place on the weekends of July 14-16 and July 21-24.

Full Festival details will be posted on the VMF website after February 21: www.venturamusicfestival.org. The website posts all VMF events as calendared, including a Cabaret evening benefit on April 21 and free Rising Stars Concert in May and Music in the Schools programs for children in 3rd through 5th grades.

The Ventura Music Festival, founded in 1994, is one of Ventura County’s signature arts events, presenting world-class classical, jazz and contemporary performing artists to Southern California audiences throughout the year in one of our State’s most historic beach towns.

VMF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

 

 

 

 

Vol. 10, No. 8 – January 18 – January 31, 2017 – Ventura Music Scene

Second Hand Blues Band

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 11th 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 4th. 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.

Vol. 10, No. 7 – January 4 – January 17, 2017 – Music Calendar

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