Help for budding artists
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

Big help from Big Bad Voodoo Daddy for our local schools! That’s $42,500 in funding to Ventura Unified School District earmarked to enhance existing visual and performing arts programs. The funds were made possible through the BBVD concert last April celebrating the City of Ventura’s 150^th anniversary.  I’m looking forward to seeing new upcoming artist having the chance to flourish as a result of the band’s generosity.

Local singer, Eric Harrington, recently played at Squashed Grapes to a packed house. Few knew there was a chance that drummer Vinnie Colaiuta might show up, and show up he did for the final songs of the night. Harrington told me, “What an amazing night it was, and to end it with Vinnie sitting in was just incredible, he’s just a delightful man!”  Trey O’Toole from Pulse Drumming told me that Colaiuta had been working in a session all day and was afraid he might not make it, but luckily for the house, he did.

Speaking of Pulse Drumming and Squashed Grapes, watch for the Alvino Bennett (currently working with Dave Mason) drum clinic on September 10; he’ll be joined afterwards at the Grape for an awesome jam including musicians George Hawkins, Jr. on bass and vocals (Kenny Loggins & Jim Messina), Jonathan McEuen on guitar and vocals (Dwight Yoakum, NGDB, Dave Mason), Geo Evans on guitar (Cheryl Lynn, Euge Groove) and TJ, Teddy Jack Russell on guitar and vocals (Leon Russell).

Bombay’s 32^nd End of Summer Party hits Ventura over the first weekend of September with three stages (including one outdoors with sand and a mechanical bull).  Look for musical acts all weekend long including performances from Mandex, Highway Starr, Dirty Rice, Uproots, Shakey Feelin’ and A.D.D to name but a few.

The first ever Oxnard Jazz Festival lands at Oxnard Beach on Saturday, September 10, offering a diverse mix of Jazz, Latin, Soul, Blues and R&B with Tom Brown, Nick Colionne, Howard Hewett, O’Bryan, Quatrosound and Poncho Sanchez. You can get ticket information and more on this special event at OxnardJazzFestival.com.

Alternative/Country rockers, Porter & the Bluebonnet will be swinging through town from Austin, TX, with a showcase at Sans Souci on Friday, September 9. They’ll be on the same bill as The Jelly.

The Ventura Theater has been packing in the shows for the rest of the year. You’ll want to review their line up so you don’t miss any acts such as Jackson Browne, Pennywise, Echo & the Bunnymen, Steve Vai, Good Charlotte, Yellowcard, Ben Folds, Garbage, The Common Kings, Dwight Yoakum and more! Plus, you have the Nardcore show on September 10, and Frost and Fire with the return of Cirith Ungol on October 8.  Details at VenturaTheater.net.

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.

For more events go to VenturaRocks.com

Amigos Cafe & Cantina
546 E. Main St.
805-874-2232
Mondays: Open mic
Sat 9/3: The Barrelhouse Wailers
Sun 9/4: 5 pm The Tossers; 9 pm Karaoke
Tues 9/6: Blues Bullet

Bombay Bar and Grill
143 S. California St.
(805) 643-4404
Fri 9/2 – Sun 9/4: 32nd annual Beach Party
Tues 9/6: 7 pm “Wild” Artist Open Mic
Sat 9/10: 7 pm The Vonettes and Fish Fry

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: RJ Mischo & the Down Home Trio
Thur 9/1: Martin & Macias
Fri 9/2: Lorenzo Martinez
Sat 9/3: The Swillys
Sun 9/4: Artis Ford Band
Thurs 9/8: Brandon Ragan

Dargan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
593 E. Main Street
(805) 648-3001
Sun 9/4: 4 pm The Sunday Drivers

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Wednesdays: Starlight Swing Night
Thurs 9/1: Irie Essence
Fri 9/2: Red Not Chili Peppers
Sat 9/3: Tim Polecat’s Trio, Gator McMurders Rock’n Trio, Inazuma, more…
Sun 9/4: 11 am – Tribal Seeds, Hirie, The Movement, more; 7 pm Seedless, The Steppas
Sat 9/10: Nirvanish

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

Gone West Cellars
5963 Olivas Park Drive
Fri 9/2: JJ Frank

Grapes and Hops
454 E. Main Street
Wednesdays: The Swillys
Fri 9/2: Shawn Jones
Sat 9/3: Carolyn Sills Combo
Sun 9/4: 3 pm Jade Hendrix
Fri 9/9: Tex Pistols
Sat 9/10: Mandi Gomez
Sun 9/11: 3 pm : Lee Rollag

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

Hong Kong Inn
435 E. Thompson Blvd
Mondays: Karaoke
Thursdays: Gypsy Blues Band swing night
Fri 9/2: Hi Hat Entertainment – Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps
Sat 9/3: Del Franklin
Sun 9/4: Jon & Tom

Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Road
Tuesday and Wednesday: Karaoke
Thursday: Open Mic
Sunday: Karaoke
Fri 9/2: Tex Pistols
Sat 9/3: Rick Miller Band
Fri 9/9: Chill Factor
Sat 9/10: Green Central Station

Made West Brewing
1744 Donlon Street
Thurs music at 6:30; Sun at 2:30
Thurs 9/1: Erisy Watt
Sun 9/4: Skin and Bones
Thurs 9/8: Todd Hannigan, The Brambles
Sun 9/11: Gold and Gray

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street
Sat 9/10: RKALiens, Agression, Stalag 13, False Confession, Strand Quentin, more…

Margarita Villa
Ventura Harbor Village
Fri & Sat at 6; Sundays at 3
Tuesdays: Dave Rae
Fri 9/2: Vertigo Blend
Sat 9/3: Corsican Brothers
Sun 9/4: CRV
Mon 9/5: The Mighty Cash Cats
Sun 9/11: The Swillys

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Tuesdays: Free Jukebox
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Fri 9/2: Patience Grey
Fri 9/9: Live Band Karoke
Sat 9/10: Dylan Schmidt & the Rhythm Souls

Olivas Adobe
4200 Olivas Park Drive
Music Under the Stars
Sat 9/3: Lisa Haley & the Zydekats (Sold Out)

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

Plan B Winery
3520 Arundell Circle
Sun 9/11: The Mighty Cash Cats

Poinsettia Pavilion
3451 Foothill Road
(805) 648-1143
Sun 9/4: 2 pm Old Country Grass Band
Fri 9/9: Ventura Jazz Orchestra with Anna Kasper
Mon 9/12: Monday Night Dance Club with Wyatt Haupt

Prime
2209 E. Thompson Blvd
Tuesdays: Danny D
Fridays: Encore
Saturdays: Beach City Sound Club

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 9/1: Ventucky String Band
Fri 9/2: Anchor & Bear
Sat 9/3: Eric Tyler Experience
Fri 9/9: The Caverns
Sat 9/10: Streetlight Cadence
Sun 9/11: The Mutineers

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thurs 6 pm, Weekends noon
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 9/3: Doug Conlon
Sun 9/4: Patrick Gillham
Sat 9/10: Licity Collins
Sun 9/11: Marchal Riddle

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut
Sundays: DJ Darko
Mondays: Karaoke
Tuesdays: Twisted Tuesday w/ DJ
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Fri 9/9: Porter & the Bluebonnet, The Jelly

Squashed Grapes
2351 E. Main St.
805-643-7300
Live jazz music 7-10 pm
Wed 8/31: Dogfish
Thurs 9/1: The Lounge Trio
Fri 9/2: Maya Burns
Sat 9/3: Plotz
Tues 9/6: Jazz Jam
Wed 9/7: Denigris & Smith Quartet
Thurs 9/8: HO3 featuring Daniel Ross
Fri 9/9: Rachel Flowers
Sat 9/10: Barrelhouse Wailers

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Fri 9/2: Bad Habit
Sat 9/3: Bloody Reunion
Fri 9/9: The Sheiks
Sat 9/10: Cross Cut

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
Sunday open mics
Karaoke Tuesdays
Metal Music Wednesdays
DJs every Thursday college night
Fri 9/2: Sin Chonies
Fri 9/9: The Caverns
Sat 9/10: Nick Dean

Ventura Harbor
Rock on the Dock
3-6 pm
Sat 9/3: Carmen & the Renegade Vigilantes
Sat 9/10: Hard Times Band
VFW Hall
3801 Market Street
Saturdays: 4-8 pm Captain Ron

W20 at the Watermark
598 E. Main Street
Thurs 6 pm, Fri & Sat 9 pm, Sun 3 pm
Fri 9/2: 6 pm Karen Eden; 9 pm Dive Bar Messiahs
Sat 9/3: The Bomb
Sun 9/4: The Bomb
Fri 9/9: Rick Wakefield
Sat 9/10: Maitland Ward Allstars
Sun 9/11: Jade Hendrix

The Wine Rack
14 S. California Street
Music runs 7-11 pm, Sundays at 2:30 pm
Sundays: B&V Acoustics
Mondays: Open Mic
Tuesdays: Keith Cain
Wednesday: Danielle Stacy
Thurs 9/1: Jon Gindick
Fri 9/2: Keith Cain
Sat 9/3: Justin Spring
Sun 9/4: B&V Acoustic
Thurs 9/8: Tom & Milo
Fri 9/9: Gregg Myers
Sat 9/10: Danille Stacy

The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Sat & Sun: Noon Kenny DeVoe
Fri 9/2: Kenny Devoe
Sat 9/3: Rivera Sonnarborg Duo
Fri 9/9: Kenny Devoe

Idols, Icons, and more…
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

With the Ventura County Fair behind us leaving us with many cool memories of so many amazing concerts, I would be remissed if I didn’t share one slightly monumental event that took place on Tuesday afternoon.  One of our musical treasures we claim as our own is Jimmy Calire who you can find playing here in town with several different bands. I once wrote about stories Calire shared with me when his band Raven played in New York City and Jimi Hendrix would join in on the jam and I even once read that Janis Joplin tried to hire him at one point. Calire also toured with America in the seventies, so it was really cool when America played at the fair and invited Jimmy to join them for their final song, their most iconic tune, “Horse with No Name”.  I had to ask Jimmy about it and he modestly told me, “Joining them on the song was great, but just catching up backstage was even better.”

Another anecdotal story I must share with you involves another local artist whom you can find singing her Aussie heart out most weeks here in town, of course I’m speaking of Karen Eden.  Mark Hartley of the Watermark specifically had Eden booked for Thursday, August 4, in order to surprise her with one of Eden’s idols. Karen told me, “I was half way through a song when Hartley gave me a mischievous look and out from behind him stepped none other than Olivia Newton-John!” Karen of course immediately recognized her and smiled a huge grin. She told me, “I can’t believe I kept singing!”  After the song Karen went up to Olivia and gave her a big hug.  Karen got to tell her how she grew up listening to, learning from and loving her. Karen confessed, “She was so lovely; it was a treat of a lifetime for me.”  It also turned out that Karen’s guitarist that evening, Cary Park, had played on one of Olivia’s albums back in the 90s. What a night!

And just so you know Mark Hartley, Dave Grohl is my favorite idol.  Just sayin’.
Music Under the Stars continues Saturday nights throughout the summer at the historic Olivas Adobe with music from the Shari Puorto Band (Rock ‘n’ Blues) on August 20 and Savor (Santana tribute band) on August 27 which is already sold out.

And finally Spencer Makenzie’s Cornhole Tournament has been growing exponentially gaining recognition as the West Coast’s biggest cornhole/bean bag tournament and though their main focus is the contest, they’re also continuing their End of Summer party with a free concert Saturday, August 27, featuring Mandex.  Show starts at 6 with Andre, then Brothers Fortune and the headliners at 8.

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.

If the Fair is a Rockin’…
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

Finally, it’s Fair time!!! Yippee! Deep fried foods of all kinds, here I come and I don’t feel too guilty as I’ll be burning off those empty calories dancing to all the great music coming our way. The fair officially opens on Wednesday August 3 (the Fair Parade will be held on Saturday morning the 6th on Main Street downtown Ventura), and will run through Sunday, August 14. Their full entertainment schedule can be found at the fair’s official website (VenturaCountyFair.org). I’m looking forward to Styx, Old Dominion, the return of Joan Jett, and of course one of my favorite bands, Third Eye Blind!

Music Under the Stars continues Saturday nights throughout the summer at the historic Olivas Adobe with Cuban Classica music from OrquestaCharangoa on August 6 and one of the best Beatles tribute bands around, Britain’s Finest on August 13.

Here’s an interesting tidbit, Paul Black (of LA Guns fame) will be returning to Margarita Villa on Saturday, August 13. Black had actually reached out to the venue asking for a slot to play and they were happy to oblige.

I looked over Squashed Grapes’ August calendar for jazz music and trust me, there’s going to be plenty of cool jazz for your hot summer nights culminating with the return of Doug Webb featuring Danny Carey of TOOL on Saturday, August 27. Carey missed the last engagement due to touring conflicts.  Other highlights to watch for include the return of Bobby West with Adam Clark on August 3, Anne Hall & the Remarkables on the 7th, the Fair Parade band August 6 (always a good time), Rachel Flowers on the 13^th, Colin Bailey on the 25^th and D.onDarox and the Melody Joy Bakers on the 26^th.  Full line up can be found at SquashedGrapes.com/events.

The final installment of Ventura Rocks on CAPS Media has been released.  Don’t miss The NaVaNaX airing now on CAPS but it’s also available 24/7 on Ventura Rocks’ YouTube channel.  The guys did a spectacular job.  Many thanks to the crew at CAPS for the opportunity and for their support of Ventura’s music scene.

And finally, I caught up with lead singer/musician Eric Rachmany of Rebelution who assured me the band will return to Ventura, but on their current tour you’ll have to catch them at the Santa Barbara Bowl on August 13.  Eric told me, “Ventura is just as much home for us as Santa Barbara.  Back in the day us and Iration had the opportunity to open for Yellowman at the Ventura Theatre.  We have some great memories in Ventura.  We will be back!”  You can read the full interview on VenturaRocks.com, and you’ll most likely want to pick up their latest release, “Falling Into Place.”

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.

For more events go to VenturaRocks.com

Amigos Cafe & Cantina
546 E. Main St.
805-874-2232
Mondays: Open mic
Wed 8/3: Live Band Karaoke
Thurs 8/4: Dylan Schmidt & the Rhythm Souls
Sat 8/6: The Seaside Band
Sun 8/7: 5 pm The Tossers; 9 pm Karaoke

Café Fiore & Treehouse
66 S. California Street
Wed 8/3: Bryan McCann & Friends
Thurs 8/4: Rick Whitfield
Fri 8/5: Soul Infusion
Sat 8/6: Alex Nestor
Sun 8/7: Babylon Rockers
Tues 8/9: Donna Butler
Wed 8/10: Big Adventure
Thurs 8/11: Whesli
Fri 8/12: Instone
Sat 8/13: Drunken Monkeys
Sun 8/14: Casey Jones
Tues 8/16: Donna Greene

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: RJ Mischo & the Down Home Trio
Thurs 8/4: Al Martin
Fri 8/5: Artis Band
Sat 8/6: Lorenzo Martinez
Sun 8/7: Karen Eden
Thurs 8/11: Carlo Fontane
Fri 8/12: Brandon Ragan
Sat 8/13: Al Martin
Sun 8/14: Hot Roux

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Thurs 8/4: Raging Fyah
Fri 8/5: Shaky Feelin’; DJ Xist
Sat 8/6: Metalachi
Thurs 8/11: Siaosi & the Jimmy Weeks Project
Fri 8/12: Ska Daddyz, Stoneflys; DJ Spinobi
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

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
Fri 8/5: Maggie McClure & Shane Henry
Sat 8/6: Bryan Titus Trio
Sun 8/7: Brandon Ragan
Fri 8/12: Sage Gentle-Wing
Sat 8/13: Tex Pistols
Sun 8/14: Shawn Jones

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

Hong Kong Inn
435 E. Thompson Blvd
Sundays: Jon & Tom
Mondays: Karaoke
Thursdays: Gypsy Blues Band swing night
Fri 8/5: Hi Hat Entertainment-Hunter & the Dirty Jacks
Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Road
Tuesday and Wednesday: Karaoke
Thursday: Open Mic
Sunday: Karaoke
Fri 8/5: Custom Made
Sat 8/6: Action Down
Fri 8/12: Red Rhythm
Sat 8/13: Cross Cut 805

Made West Brewing
1744 Donlon Street
Thurs 8/4: 6:30 pm Erisy Watt
Sun 8/7: 2:30 pm Fox Trax
Thurs 8/11: 5 pm Blak Jags, Noble Griswal
Sun 8/14: 2:30 pm Uproots
Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street
Fri 8/5: Natalia LaFourcade

Margarita Villa
Ventura Harbor Village
Fri & Sat at 5; Sundays at 3
Fri 8/5: Unkle Monkey
Sat 8/6: Crosscut
Sun 8/7: Vertigo Blend
Tues 8/9: Bobby Campbell
Fri 8/12: JD Broz
Sat 8/13: Paul Mars Black
Sun 8/14: The Mighty Cash Cats
Tues 8/16: Dave Rae

Montalvo Square Shopping Center
1746 S. Victoria Avenue
Music 6-8 pm
Sat 8/6: Sgt. Pepper
Sat 8/13: Renown

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Tuesdays: Free Jukebox
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Fri 8/5: Lola Haag
Sat 8/6: Kenny Devoe
Fri 8/12: Live Band Karaoke
Sat 8/13: Daisy Dukes & Cowboy Boots Jukebox

Olivas Adobe
4200 Olivas Park Drive
Music Under the Stars
Sat 8/6: Orquesta Charangua
Sat 8/13: Britain’s Finest

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

Poinsettia Pavillion
3451 Foothill Road
(805) 648-1143
Mon 8/8: Monday Night Dance Club with Wyatt Haupt
Mon 8/15: Monday Night Dance Club with Dick Parent Band

Prime
2209 E. Thompson Blvd
Tuesdays: Danny D
Fridays: Encore
Saturdays: Beach City Sound Club

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 8/6: Patrick Maher
Sun 8/7: Steve Bedau
Sat 8/13: Juan D. Mendoza
Sun 8/14: West Coast Rhythm

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut
Sundays: DJ Darko
Mondays: Karaoke
Tuesdays: Twisted Tuesday w/ DJ
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Fri 8/5: Mossman
Sat 8/6: Danny Garone Band w/ Whiskey Dick
Fri 8/12: The Jelly
Sat 8/13: Shady Ladies

Squashed Grapes
2351 E. Main St.
805-643-7300
Live jazz music 7-10 pm
Wed 8/3: Adam Clark Trio feat. Bobby West
Thurs 8/4: Hans Ottsen Trio
Fri 8/5: Chuck Johnson’s Interplay
Sat 8/6: 2016 Fair Parade Band
Wed 8/10: Anne Hall & the Remarkables
Thurs 8/11: Bill Bannister’s Blue Dog Group
Fri 8/12: Bevan Manson & Friends
Sat 8/13: Rachel Flowers Trio
Tues 8/16: Jazz Jam

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Fri 8/5: CRV
Sat 8/6: Drunken Monkeys
Fri 8/12: Pull the Trigger
Sat 8/13: Rio Bravo

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
Sunday open mics
Karaoke Tuesdays
Metal Music Wednesdays
DJs every Thursday college night
Fri 8/5: Rich Sheldon
Fri 8/12: Rich Sheldon
Sat 8/13: The Caverns

Ventura Fair
10 W. Harbor Blvd
Concerts included in price of admission
7:30 show time unless otherwise indicated
Thurs 8/4: Styx
Fri 8/5: Old Dominion
Sat 8/6: Third Eye Blind
Sun 8/7: 3 pm El Chapo de Sinaloa; Los Rieleros del Norte; El Dasa
Mon 8/8: UB40
Tues 8/9: 1 pm America; 7:30 pm Patti LaBelle
Wed 8/10: Chris Young
Thurs 8/11: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Fri 8/12: Trace Adkins

Ventura Harbor Carousel Stage
Wednesdays Noon – 1 pm: Steel Drum
Saturdays 1 -4 pm: Steel Drum
Sun 8/7: The Salty Suites
Sun 8/14: Smokey & Friends
VFW Hall
3801 Market Street
Saturdays: 4-8 pm Captain Ron

W20 at the Watermark
598 E. Main Street
Thurs 6 pm, Fri & Sat 9 pm, Sun 3 pm
Thurs 8/4: Karen Eden
Fri 8/5: Redfish
Sat 8/6: The Bomb
Sun 8/7: Shawn Jones
Thurs 8/11: Gold & Gray
Fri 8/12: CRV Band
Sat 8/13: Action Down
Sun 8/14: Zeal Levin

The Wine Rack
14 S. California Street
Music runs 7-11 pm, Sundays at 2:30 pm
Sundays: B&V Acoustics
Mondays: Open Mic
Tuesdays: Keith Cain
Wednesday: Danielle Stacy
Thurs 7/21: Jon Gindick
Fri 8/5: Déjà vu Too
Sat 8/6: The Ventura Jazz Collective
Fri 8/12: Hans Ottsen Trio
Sat 8/13: Jeff Uzzel
The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Sat & Sun: Noon Kenny DeVoe

Spicy summer tunes!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

The good folks that bring you Ventura’s Wine Walk, Champange on Main and Tequila and Taco Music Festival have moved the latter from the Collection to Ventura’s Plaza Park! The event will run over two days July 23 and 24th with music from Adelaide, Patron Latin Rhythms, Instone, SambaDá and Metalachi. More ticket information can be found at tequilaandtacomusicfestival.com/ventura.

Nashville singer-songwriter Don Gallardo will be performing at Saloon BBQ on Friday, July 29. Gallardo, who’sjust recently back from another successful UK tour, will be playing select shows outside of his home base of Nashville to celebrate his summer US release of his acclaimed album, “Hickory” (four stars from MOJO Magazine and named one of the best albums of 2015 by The Telegraph).

It’s the final dates of the Ventura Music Festival with Sergio Mendes, a Celebration of 50 years of Brazil 66 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on Friday July 22, and the last two dates will be held at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center with Ventura Music Festival’s musical director, Nuvi Mehta & Friends on Saturday, July 23 and wrapping it up will be a program entitled “Composers and the Movies” on Sunday July 24.

Music Under the Stars continues Saturday nights throughout the summer at the historic Olivas Adobe with New Orleans style boogie and blues from Porterhouse Bob on July 23 and Queen Nation’s tribute to the rock band Queen on July 30.

And finally, I caught up with the dynamic Kelly Zirbes of Kelly’s Lot who is super jazzed that their good friend Jean Francois will be back visiting this summer. I asked her about how their friendship between she, her husband Perry (Kelly’s Lot guitarist) and Francois began and Kelly told me, “I met Jean Francois in 2010 during a tour in France. We became instant friends and we decided it would be fun to share our love of music and community with each other. Perry and I have traveled to France three times since then to play shows that Jean Francois organized and promoted in the Auvergne region in France. The French community embraced our band so last year I invited eight friends from Ventura to join the band in France and the bonding of Auvergne and Ventura began. A couple band members and I even played on Jean’s new CD, “Death Valley Blues” which was inspired by his first trip to Southern California in 2015.”

At the end of July, Kelly’s Lot will host Jean Francois for 6 shows here in Southern California; two of which are in Ventura County. The first one is on July 29th at Four Brix Winery in Ventura and then on July 30 at The Maritime Museum in Channel Islands for the annual Oxnard event, Chowder Feat.

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

Music Calendar
For more events go to VenturaRocks.com

Amigos Cafe & Cantina
546 E. Main St.
805-874-2232
Mondays: Open mic
Wed 7/20: Patience Grey
Thurs 7/21: Lamour & the Mystiks
Fri 7/22: The Right Amount of Wrong
Sat 7/23: DJ Rococo
Sun 7/24: 5 pm The Swillys; 9 pm Karaoke
Tues 7/26: Shure Thing
Thurs 7/28: Synrgy
Fri 7/29: Wax Off
Sat 7/30: DJ Cue
Sun 7/31: 5 pm Jade Hendrix; 9 pm Karaoke

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California Street
Thurs 7/21: Sparrows Gate, Ezza Rose, Honey Owl
Fri 7/22: 7 pm The Real Lifeguards

Café Fiore & Treehouse
66 S. California Street
Wed 7/20: Donna Butler
Thurs 7/21: Jade Hendrix
Fri 7/22: Boogie Wonderland
Sat 7/23: Soul Infusion
Sun 7/24: Jahmark & the Soul Shakers
Tues 7/26: Jerry & Colete Duo
Wed 7/27: Big Adventure
Thurs 7/28: Cosolive
Fri 7/29: Soul Infusion
Sat 7/30: Instone
Sun 7/31: Babylon Rockers

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: RJ Mischo & the Down Home Trio
Wednesdays: Rare Jazz Well Done
Thurs 7/21: Brandon Ragan
Fri 7/22: Lorenzo Martinez
Sat 7/23: Live Band Karaoke
Sun 7/24: “Spicco” Kenny’s Jazz
Thurs 7/28: Toni Jannota
Fri 7/29: Brandon Ragan
Sun 7/31: Laura Cozzi Soul Machine

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Thurs 7/21: Leilani Wolfgramm
Fri 7/22: Heavy Petty; Flashback Friday w/ DJ Xist
T 7/23: Bar-B and the Ranch Hands
Thurs 7/28: After the Smoke
Fri 7/29: Crosscut 805; Flashback Friday w/ DJ Defcon
Sat 7/30: DJ Honey

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
2290 Eastman Ave #109
Fri 7/29: Kelly’s Lot

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

Gone West Cellars
5963 Olivas park Drive
Music Fridays 6-8 pm
Fri 7/22: Double Trouble
Fri 7/29: Unkle Monkey

Grapes and Hops
454 E. Main Street
Fri 7/22: Rent Party Blues Band
Sat 7/30: Shelby Figueroa, Lainey Taylor

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

Hong Kong Inn
435 E. Thompson Blvd
Mondays Karaoke
Thursdays: Gypsy Blues Band swing night
Fri 7/22: Hi Hat Entertainment – The Forty Fours
Sun 7/24: John Hendrickson
Fri 7/29: Hi Hat Entertainment – Billy Vera & the Beaters
Sat 7/30: Dee Dee’s Aloha Island Dolls

Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Road
Tuesday and Wednesday: Karaoke
Thursday: Open Mic
Sunday: Karaoke
Fri 7/22: Red Rhythm
Sat 7/23: Rick Miller Band
Fri 7/29: What the Funk
Sat 7/30: Vital Itch

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street
Fri 7/22: Panteon Rococo
Mon 8/1: Anderson . Park & the Free Nationals

Margarita Villa
Ventura Harbor Village
Fri & Sat at 5; Sundays at 3
Tuesdays: 6-9: Dave Rae
Fri 7/22: Luna Crave, Stellaruins, Cooper N Queen, Galatic Polecats
Sat 7/23: Herbal Rootz
Sun 7/24: Unkle Monkey
Fri 7/29: Catifsh Fry
Sat 7/30: Jon Francis
Sun 7/31: Greasy Kids Stuff

Montalvo Square Shopping Center
1746 S. Victoria Avenue
Music 6-8 pm
Sat 7/23: The Mighty Cash Cats
Sat 7/30: Acadiana

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Tuesdays: Free Jukebox
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Fri 7/22: Live Band Karaoke
Sat 7/23: Wishbone
Fri 7/29: Ben Garcia

Olivas Adobe
4200 Olivas Park Drive
Music Under the Stars
Sat 7/23: Porterhouse Bob
Sat 7/30: Queen Nation

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

Poinsettia Pavillion
3451 Foothill Road
(805) 648-1143
Mon 8/1: Monday Night Dance Club with Dick Parent Band

Prime
2209 E. Thompson Blvd
Tuesdays: Danny D
Fridays: Encore
Saturdays: Beach City Sound Club

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
Fri 7/22: The Seaside Band
Fri 7/29: The Battlefield, Don Gallardo

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thurs 6 pm, Weekends noon
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 7/23: Ted West
Sun 7/24: Walt Dunlap
Sat 7/30: Patrick Gillham
Sun 7/31: Salvador Magallon Calderon

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut
Sundays: DJ Darko
Mondays: Karaoke
Tuesdays: Twisted Tuesday w/ DJ
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Fri 7/ 22: DJ Pistolero
Sat 7/23: DJ Pistolero
Fri 7/29: Moonridge, Rick Miller Band
Sat 7/30: Don’t Trust Whitey

Squashed Grapes
2351 E. Main St.
805-643-7300
Live jazz music 7-10 pm
Wed 7/20: CODA
Thurs 7/21: Hans Ottsen Trio
Fri 7/22: O’Toole Quartet
Sat 7/23: Fair Parade Band
Thurs 7/28: Ventura Jazz Collective
Fri 7/29: Equinox
Sat 7/30: Tom Buckner & Friends
Tues 8/2: Jazz Jam

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Fri 7/22: Big Adventure
Sat 7/23: Arockolypse Now
Fri 7/29: 80/80 Vision
Sat 7/30: Time Bomb

Surf Brewery
4561 Market Street
Sat 7/23: Southside Richie
Sat 7/30: Soul Purpose

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
Sunday open mics
Karaoke Tuesdays
Metal Music Wednesdays
DJs every Thursday college night
Wed 7/20: Iconoclasm, Toxin, Hellfunk, Ubiquity
Fri 7/22: The Black Hips
Sat 7/23: Blues Bullet
Sat 7/30: Rubberneck Lions

Tequila & Taco Music Festival
Plaza Park – Santa Clara & Chestnut
Sat 7/24: Adelaide, SambaDa, Patron Latin Rhythms
Sun 7/25: Instone, Metalachi Band, SambaDa

Ventura College Performing Arts Center
Ventura Music Festival
Sat 7/23: Nuvi Mehta & Friends
Sun 7/24: Composers & the Movies

Ventura Harbor Carousel Stage
Wednesdays Noon – 1 pm: Steel Drum
Saturdays 1 -4 pm: Steel Drum
Sun 7/24 1-4 pm: Smokey & Friends
Sun 7/31 1-4 pm: Acousticats

VFW Hall
3801 Market Street
Saturdays: 4-8 pm Captain Ron

W20 at the Watermark
598 E. Main Street
Thurs 7 pm, Fri & Sat 9 pm, Sun 3 pm
Thurs 7/21: Karen Eden Trio
Fri 7/22: Instone
Sat 7/23: The Bomb
Sun 7/24: Alastair Greene
Thurs 7/28: Jade Hendrix
Fri 7/29: Rick Whitfield
Sat 7/30: The Bomb
Sun 7/31 11 am David Patt; 3 pm CRV Band
The Wine Rack
14 S. California Street
Music runs 7-11 pm, Sundays at 2:30 pm
Sundays: B&V Acoustics
Mondays: Open Mic
Tuesdays: Keith Cain
Wednesday: Danielle Stacy
Thurs 7/21: Jon Gindick
Fri 7/22: B&V Acoustic
Sat 7/23: Road Brothers
Fri 7/29: Danielle Stacy
Sat 7/30: Rare Jazz Well Done

The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Sat & Sun: 1 pm Kenny DeVoe