Summer music heating up!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

One of my favorite events of the year, Surf Rodeo, is finally upon us over the weekend of July 16^th and 17^th! You won’t want to miss this year’s music line up with a great eclectic mix of local, near local and national with over two dozen bands continuously playing on two different stages. The crew have it down to fine art while one stage is live, the other is tearing down and setting up the next band. Stationed between the two stages of course is where the surf competitions take place with male and female categories from 13 and under up to 45 and over including a Pro/Open category with $1,000 purse. All seriousness aside, you’ll want to catch the “greased pig” competition where oiled up surfers try to tackle the waves with grace, which of course turns out to be nothing but hilarious.

Music starts at 10 am both days; high on my list of priorities music wise include Dirty Race, Mark Masson and Phriends, Hy Brasil, The NaVaNaX, No Duh, Spencer the Gardener, The Pullmen, an obligatory set from Raging Arb and the Redheads and of course the headliner, Dave Wakeling and The English Beat who will wrap up the weekend on Sunday.

The Ventura Music Festival’s 22nd season runs July 15 through the 24th with the big ticket being Sergio Mendes, “A Celebration of 50 Years of Brasil 66” on Friday, July 22.  Ticket information can be found at VenturaMusicFesitval.org; however, there will be a couple of free events, the first one on Friday, July 15 at 6 pm at the corner of California and Santa Clara with the Festival Brass Quintet and the second one, a Master Class on Saturday morning July 16 in the Ventura college Performing Arts Center.

9 Mile Skid (Grateful Dead tribute band), are calling it day, while a few former members of Bullet Made Statues, StoneFlys, and Trash Honey have come together to form a new band, Goodnight Kiss. The band’s already making their mark on LA whilst playing our local haunts such as Amigos, W20 and Sans Souci.

The Ventura County Fair doesn’t open until the first week in August, so don’t plan on taking your vacation during their run as their music is exceptional from UB40, a return of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and one of my favorites, Third Eye Blind. Of course all music is included in the price of admission; get the lowdown at www.VenturaCountyFair.org.

And finally summer wouldn’t be summer without Music Under the Stars at Olivas Adobe on Saturday nights through September 3^rd.  July 9^th kicks off the season with Mirage – Visions of Fleetwood Mac.  All dates and ticket information can be found on the City’s website: www.CityofVentura.net/mus.

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.

American roots alive in Ventura
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

Roadshow Revival is finally here the weekend of June 25 and 26 and will once again will be held at Mission Park downtown Ventura. I asked owner and found of RSR, Ross Emery, about the shift away from a tribute to the Man in Black and he told me, “The change to Roadshow Revival came about after much consideration and moving away from restrictions and monetary investments with the JR CASH estate (I was authorized to use the Johnny Cash Music Festival name on an annual basis).   The Emery Family decided to open up the branding to a celebration of American Roots Music; so we’re now celebrating and showcasing influential music in the 21 century!”

Some of the acts to look for at this year’s Roadshow Revival include John Doe, The Paladins, The Blasters, Robert Gordon, James Intveld, along with local favorites The Vonettes, Jackass, Hard 6 plus a dozen or so more bands. Along with top-notch rockabilly, outlaw country/American Roots music you can check out the awesome Kustom cars and bikes, a Pin-up girl pageant, tons of vendors and a kid’s corral. Get more information and tickets at RoadshowRevival.com.

The City’s 41st annual Fourth of July Street Fair continues this year starting with a Pushem Pullem parade followed by over 300 arts and crafts, vendors, food booths and music.  The City is expecting 30,000 residents and visitors this year. The music line up on several stages includes Rhythm 805, Tom & Milo, Raised on Vinyl, Bar B and the Ranch Hands, the Unusual Suspects, Caliente, and the Iron Mountain Boys. If you want to beat the parking the City will be offering a free bike corral on California Street at Santa Clara as well as free shuttle service from the County Government Center.

The Mighty Cash Cats are making their fourth trip to the Emerald Isle this Summer, as The Pullmen return for their umpteenth tour of France.

Ones to Watch Productions have added additional shows for their showcases at Grapes and Hops on Main Street, downtown Ventura.  You won’t want to miss the Doug Pettibone Band when they play there on Saturday, July 2. As you may know, Doug Pettibone has toured with Jewel, Tracy Chapman, Lucinda Williams, Marianne Faithful and more recently supporting John Mayer on lap steel and guitar.

Sunday Punk Rock Party for June will be held on Sunday, June 26 at Sans Souci with Conquer the Martians, Public Enema, Hymen Blasters and the Schadenfreuders out of Portland, Oregon.

And finally, congratulations to Mark Masson for tying the knot. Mark’s band, Shaky Feelin’ has been racking up the views on our Ventura Rocks YouTube channel.  The next band in the studio to be featured on Ventura Rocks at CAPS Media will be The NaVaNaX!

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 6/8: Davey Miller
Thurs 6/9: Herbal Rootz
Fri 6/10: Davey Miller
Sat 6/11: DJ Erok
Sun 6/12: 5 pm Jade Hendrix; 9 pm Karaoke
Tues 6/14: Brandon Ragan
Wed 6/15: Davey Miller
Fri 6/17: 5 pm Karen Eden; 9 pm DJ Erok
Sat 6/18: Dive Bar Messiahs
Sun 6/19: 5 pm Corsican Brothers; 9 pm Karaoke
Tues 6/21: Tom and Milo

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California St.
805-643-4404
Fri 6/10: Midlife Crisis

Café Fiore
66 S. California Street
Wed 6/8: Big Adventure
Thurs 6/9: Sound Effect
Fri 6/10: Erick Tyler Experience
Sat 6/11: Otis Hayes
Sun 6/12: 6 pm Jahmark & the Soulshakers
Tues 6/14: Donna Butler
Wed 6/15: Bryan McCann & Friends
Thurs 6/16: Cosolive
Fri 6/17: Soul Infusion
Sat 6/18: Instone
Sun 6/19: 6 pm Babylon Rockers
Tues 6/21: Donna Greene

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

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Mondays: 6 pm The Estrada Band
Tuesdays: RJ Mischo & the Down Home Trio
Wednesdays: Todd’s Jazz Band
Thurs 6/9: Brandon Ragan
Fri 6/10: Todd’s Jazz Band
Sat 6/11: 1pm Andy Cahan; 7 pm Live Band Karaoke
Sun 6/12: Noon Andy Cahan; 4 pm Lorenzo Martinez
Thurs 6/16: Toni Jannotta
Fri 6/17: Brandon Ragan
Sat 6/18: 1 pm Andy Cahan; 7 pm The Swillys
Sun 6/19: Noon Andy Cahan; 4 pm Lorenzo Martinez

Dargan’s
593 E. Main Street
Sun 6/19: 4 pm The Sunday Drivers

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Wednesdays: Starlight Swing Night
Thurs 6/9: Legalizer
Fri 6/10: MarchFourth; Flashback Fridays w/ DJ Spinobi
Thurs 6/16: The Expanders
Fri 6/17: The Coat & Colors; Flashback Fridays w/ DJ Xist
Sat 6/18: Disc-o-Town Hoedown
Sun 6/19: Lee Scratch Perry

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

The Garage
1091 Scandia Avenue
Wed 6/8: Common War
Sat 6/11: Species Unknown, Come se Dice, The Kane Gang, No Advisory
Wed 6/15: Prayers

GiGi’s
2493 Grand Avenue
Thurs & Fridays: Karaoke
Sat 6/11: Free Jukebox
Wed 6/15: CB Brand
Sat /6/18: Brian Faith Band

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 6/10: Karen Eden
Sat 6/17: National Cat

Grapes and Hops
454 E. Main Street
Fri 6/10: Mr. O
Sat 6/11: Tex Pistols Duo
Sun 6/12: 3 pm Doug Miller
Fri 6/17: Shawn Jones
Sat 6/18: Jazz Junkies

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 6/10 Hi Hat Entertainment: Bruce Katz Band
Fri 6/17: Hi Hat Entertainment: Coco Montoya
Sat 6/18: Tom & Milo

Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Road
Tuesday and Wednesday: Karaoke
Thursday: Open Mic
Sunday: Karaoke
Fri 6/10: Custom Made
Sat 6/11: Celebrity Trash
Fri 6/17: What the Funk
Sat 6/18: Seventh Decade

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street
Sat 6/11: RJ Ommio, TC 4800, Ko the Legend

Margarita Villa
Ventura Harbor Village
Fri & Sat at 5; Sundays at 3
Fri 6/10: Vic Moraga
Sat 6/11: Forbidden Fruit
Sun 6/12: CRV
Sat 6/18: Crosscut
Sun 6/19: Vertigo Blend

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Wed 5/25: Karaoke
Fri 6/10: Live Band Karaoke

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

Plan B Wine Cellars
3520 Arundell
Sun 6/12: 4:30 pm Ignition

Poinsettia Pavillion
3451 Foothill Road
(805) 648-1143
Fri 6/10: Ventura Jazz Orchesta with Donna Greene
Mon 6/13: Monday Night Dance Club with Wyatt Haupt Band
Mon 6/21: 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
Sat 6/11: Group Huge
Sun 6/12: 5 pm Jeff Uzzel

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thurs 6 pm, Weekends noon
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 6/11: Rhythm 805
Sun 6/12: Dennis Russell
Sat 6/13: Licity Collins
Sun 6/14: Magallon Calderon

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut
Sundays: DJ Darko
Mondays: Karaoke
Tuesdays: Transform Tuesday
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Fri 6/10: Cruda
Sat 6/11: Don’t Trust Whitey
Sun 6/12: 6 pm Hard Six
Sat 6/18: Ska Daddyz

Squashed Grapes
2351 E. Main St.
805-643-7300
Live jazz music 7-10 pm
Wed 6/8: Adam Clark Trio
Thurs 6/9: The Lounge Trio
Fri 6/10: Adam Clark Quartet feat. Jaie Van der Sluys
Sat 6/11: Gerry Brown
Wed 6/15: Meridian Trio
Thurs 6/16: Rhythm Future Quartet
Fri 6/17: L.J. & the Boyz
Sat 6/18: Rachel Flowers Trio

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Fri 6/10: The Bomb
Sat 6/11: The Sheiks
Fri 6/17: Drunken Monkeys
Sat 6/18: Pull the Trigger

Surf Brewery
4561 Market Street
Sat 6/18: 2 pm 5th Anniversary Party: Raging Arb & the Redheads; The Slider, Tom Loughman Band

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
Sunday open mics
Karaoke Tuesdays
Metal Music Wednesdays
DJs every Thursday college night
Fri 6/10: Rich Sheldon
Fri 6/17: The Black Hips
Sat 6/18: The Caverns

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

W20 at the Watermark
598 E. Main Street
Thurs 6/9: Coso
Fri 6/10: Brandon Ragan
Sat 6/11: Action Down
Sun 6/12: 11 am David Patt; 3 pm A.D.D.
Thurs 6/16: Karen Eden
Fri 6/17: A New Vibe
Sat 6/18: The Bomb

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 5/12: Jon Gindick
Fri 6/10: Mark Heyes
Sat 6/11: Danielle Stacy
Fri 6/17: Hans Ottsens
Sat 6/18: Jeff Uzzel

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

Music and the Arts
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

Very Ventura is one of the coolest stores in town featuring local vendors. It’s also where you’ll find the Ventura Rocks Music Listening Station which offers recorded music from local musicians.  They have a gorgeous gallery towards the back of the store called Gallery V which will host a new exhibit called “Good Vibrations: A Harmony of Art & Music” on June 18th which will run through July 24.  Xavier Montes will perform at the opening reception.  I’m especially looking forward to seeing the works from one of my favorite rock photographers, Cliff Montgomery; you might have seen his work up at Bombay’s.

Surf Brewery will be celebrating their 5th anniversary with a party in the parking lot all day long featuring live music including Raging Arb and the Redheads, The Slider, Tom Loughman Band and more.  Make your plans to join in the fun on Saturday, June 18; the music runs 2-7 pm.  They’ll have several specials and are hoping to raise funds for the Notes for Notes program at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Ventura.

Reggae returns to the Tree House at Café Fiore on Sundays now through Labor Day.  Catch bands like the Babylon Rockers, Jahmark & the Soulshakers, and Casey Jones & the Reggae Train. Music kicks off at 6 pm.

Watermark has extended their live music to include Thursday evenings 7-9 pm with more of an easy listening vibe including artists such as Karen Eden, Coso, Jade Hendrix and others.

The Ventura premiere of the Rachel Flowers documentary by Lorenzo DeStefano entitled, “Hearing is Believing” will be shown at the Century Theater on June 9; Rachel will be performing at Squashed Grapes on Saturday, June 18.

And speaking of locally produced documentaries, I caught Rain Perry’s new film, “The Shopkeeper”; it’s an amazing piece of work which gives a better understanding of the struggles musicians face. It’s evolves around the life of music producer Mark Hallman, but covers the more important aspect of the evolving music industry and asks the question, “Everybody can make a record, but nobody can make a living. Is there a problem with that?”  The film is an excellent platform for starting that dialogue not only with musicians, but with music lovers and our responsibility when it comes to supporting artists. The film will be available eventually on iTunes and Hulu. You can find a Q&A with Rain Perry at VenturaRocks.com.

And finally, by the time we go to press the next episode of Ventura Rocks at CAPS Media featuring Shaky Feelin’ should be up and available on the Ventura Rocks and CAPS Media You Tube channels. The band was super fun to work with and I think an excellent representation of what Ventura’s music scene is all about.

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 5/25: Musicians Brew
Thurs 5/26: After the Smoke
Fri 5/27: 5 pm Karen Eden; 9 pm Corsican Brothers
Sat 5/28: DJ Defcon
Sun 5/29: 5 pm Seaside Band; 9 pm Karaoke
Tues 5/31: Shure Thing
Thurs 6/2: Smokey & Friends
Fri 6/3: Freeman James & Friends
Sat 6/4: Barrelhouse Wailers
Sun 6/5: 5 pm The Tossers; 9 pm Karaoke
Tues 6/7: Blues Bullet

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California St.
805-643-4404
Wed 5/25: The Jam with Mark Masson & Friends

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

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Mondays: 6 pm The Estrada Band
Tuesdays: RJ Mischo & the Down Home Trio

Dargan’s
593 E. Main Street
Sun 6/5: 4 pm The Sunday Drivers

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Wed 5/25: Starlight Swing Night w/ Lance
Thurs 5/26: Sun Dried Vibes
Fri 5/27: Roddy Radiation & the Skabilly Rebels
Sat 5/28: Future Disco
Sun 5/29: Spencer Fischer DJ
Thurs 6/2: After the Smoke
Fri 6/3: Zoso

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

The Garage
1091 Scandia Avenue
Thurs 5/26: Louise Distras, Ryham Davidson, Brittney Burchett
Sat 5/28: Sex Tape

GiGi’s
2493 Grand Avenue
Thurs & Fridays: Karaoke
Sat 6/4: The Deaf Pilots

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 5/27: Double Trouble

Grapes and Hops
454 E. Main Street
Fri 5/27: Malynda Hale
Sat 5/28: TD Lind w/ Danny McGaw
Sun 5/29: Ones to Watch – Mimi Gilbert
Fri 6/3: Rivvrs
Sat 6/4: Ones to Watch – The Brambles

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 5/27: Hi Hat Show – Rob Rio
Fri 6/3: Hi Hat Show – Deke Dickerson & the Eccofonics

Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Road
Tuesday and Wednesday: Karaoke
Thursday: Open Mic
Sunday: Karaoke
Fri 5/27: Dive Bar Messiahs
Sat 5/28: Black Canyon Band
Fri 6/3: Action Down
Sat 6/4: Vital Itch

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street
Wed 5/25: The Expendables
Sat 5/28: Saul Hernandez
Thurs 6/2: Bad Religion

Margarita Villa
Ventura Harbor Village
Fri & Sat at 5; Sundays at 3
Fri 5/27: Steve Stafford
Sat 5/28: Action Down
Sun 5/29: Tommy Quayle
Fri 6/3: Corsican Brothers
Sat 6/4: Mike Martinez
Sun 6/5: The Swillys

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Wed 5/25: Karaoke
Fri 5/27: Live Band Karaoke

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

Plan B Wine Cellars
3520 Arundell
Sat 5/28: 3:30 pm Pete Anderson Band

Poinsettia Pavillion
3451 Foothill Road
(805) 648-1143
Sun 6/5: 2 pm Old Country-Grass Band
Mon 6/6:  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

Rookies Sports Bar & Grill
419 E. Main Street
(805) 648-6862

Saloon BBQ Co.
456 E. Main Street
Fri 5/27: Rich Sheldon
Sat 5/28: The Barrelhouse Wailers

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thurs 6 pm, Weekends noon
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 5/28: Patrick Gillham
Sun 5/29: Sabastian Gagyi
Sat 6/4: Havilah Abrego
Sun 6/5: Mikey De Lara

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut
Sundays:  DJ Darko
Mondays: Karaoke
Tuesdays: Transform Tuesday
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Fri 5/27: Sick Boy
Sat 5/28: Focke Wolves
Thurs 6/2: Mother of Dissension, Hymen Blasters
Fri 6/3: Alligator Dave

Squashed Grapes
2351 E. Main St.
805-643-7300
Live jazz music 7-10 pm
Wed 5/25: Silent Movies with Rick Friend
Thurs 5/26: Nahem Zdybel Trio
Fri 5/27: Doug Webb & Friends
Sat 5/28: Colin Bailey & Friends
Wed 6/1: D.on Darox and the Melody Joy Bakers
Thurs 6/2: Tom Buckner & Friends
Fri 6/3: Tony Ybarra & Friends
Sat 6/4: Mitch Forman Trio
Tues 6/7: Jazz Jam

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Fri 5/27: Big Adventure
Sat 5/28: Brandon Ragan Project
Fri 6/3: Gutterbing
Sat 6/4: Crosscut

Surf Brewery
4561 Market Street
Music 6-8 pm
Sat 5/28: Mitchell Blake
Sat 6/4: Mike Fishell & Friends

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
Sunday open mics
Karaoke Tuesdays
Metal Music Wednesdays
DJs every Thursday college night
Fri 5/27: The Rubberneck Lions
Sat 5/28: The Caverns
Sat 6/4: I Want My 80s

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

W20 at the Watermark
598 E. Main Street
Thurs 5/26: Addisyn Emery
Fri 5/27: GrooveSession
Sat 5/28: The Bomb
Sun 5/29: 3 pm Action Down
Thurs 6/2: Jade Hendrix
Fri 6/3: Karen Eden; Mini Driver
Sat 6/4: The Bomb
Sun 6/5: 11 am David Patt; Anchor & Bear

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 5/12: Jon Gindick
Fri 5/27: The Ventura Jazz Collective
Sat 5/28: B&V Acoustics
Fri 6/3: Jae Hatt
Sat 6/4: Jodi Farrell

The 805 Bar
Ventura Harborz
Sat & Sun: Noon Kenny DeVoe

Who to watch
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

Ones to Watch Productions will be hosting a number of showcases at Grapes and Hops on Main Street.  Mimi Gilbert will be there on Saturday, May 28, and The Brambles on Saturday, June 4^th.  Steve and Polly Hoganson (formerly of Zoey’s) most certainly have their fingers on the pulse of up and coming artists to watch for, so be sure to support their showcases here in town!

Radio Skies CD release party will be held indoors and out at the Ventura Beach Club On Saturday, May 28 with several bands and artists on the bill in what they’re calling a “One Night Micro Fest”.  If you’re not familiar with them, the band, Radio Skies is out of Ojai, and find their inspiration from the songwriting of Paul Simon, the electronic landscapes of Brian Eno and the spirit of the Grateful Dead with their sound described as folk roots, electronic, psychedelia.  Other bands on the line up include Pacific Haze, The Brambles, 9Lives and Brion Shearer.

The Libbey Bowl 2016 season has a number of events lined up for the next several months including several dates for the 70^th Ojai Music Festival in June; concerts with Rick Springfield, Ozomatli, Michael McDonald, The Zombies and a special intimate concert with Don Felder of the Eagles benefiting Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation and the Ojai Community Foundation in October; and coming up immediately is an Ojai VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) free Memorial Day concert featuring Veteran speakers, and music from Nordhoff High School, US Air Force Band and the Ventura British Brass.  For more information on Libbey shows, check out www.LibbeyBowl.org.

Hi Hat Entertainment has landed at the Hong Kong Inn for their Friday night Blues concerts. Shows on their roster include the boss of boogie Woogie, Rob Rio, who will be in the house on Friday, May 27; Keke Dickerson and the Eccofonics, famous for their Western Rockabilly sound on Friday, June 3^rd; and The Bruce Katz Band will be there on Friday, June 10. Katz was inducted into the Blues hall of Fame in 2013. Hi Hat has a solid up line through August; you can check out their line up at www.HiHatEntertainment.com.

By the way, if you’re planning on catching Bad Religion at the Ventura Theater on Thursday, June 2, then you’ll want to extend the fun afterwards at Sans Souci with Mother of Dissension and The Hymen Blasters.

And of course the summer fun officially starts with Roadshow Revival, (now being called) A Celebration of American Roots Music, at Mission Park on June 25^th and 26^th.  I’m looking forward to catching John Doe, The Paladins, The Blasters, Robert Gordon, and tons of other acts performing over the weekend. Information and tickets can be found at www.RoadshowRevival.com.

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
Tuesdays: Blues
Sun 5/15: 5 pm Corsican Brothers; 9 pm Karaoke
Sat 5/21: 9 pm Dive Bar Messiahs

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California St.
805-643-4404
Wed 5/11: The Jam with Mark Masson & Friends
Sun 5/15: 11 am – Hard Six, Graveyard Kings, Phantom Pomps, Galactic Polecats, more..
Wed 5/18: Three Bad Jacks, Phantom Pomps, Cursed Bastards, Hard Six
Sat 5/21: Shaky Feelin’ CD Release party

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

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Mondays: 6 pm The Estrada Band
Thurs 5/12: Toni Jannotta, To Echart & Tom Collins

Dargan’s
593 E. Main Street
Sun 5/15: 4 pm The Sunday Drivers

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Fri 5/13: Flashback Friday
Sat 5/14: The Record Company
Thurs 5/19: Los Lonely Boys
Fri 5/20: Spencer the Gardener
Sat 5/21: Big Tweed
Sun 5/22: Fortunate Youth, Peni Dean & Sensamotion

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

The Garage
1091 Scandia Avenue
Fri 5/13: TSOL, Guttermouth, Mother of Dissension, MAASK
Sat 5/14: Widower, Hesian Wolf Child, Pale Hands
Mon 5/16: Loose Nerves, Residuals, Chill Child
Fri 5/20: Mbrero
Tues 5/24: Angelic Upstarts, The Rouse

GiGi’s
2493 Grand Avenue
Thurs & Fridays: Karaoke
Sat 5/21: The Deaf Pilots

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
5/13: Karen Eden
5/20: National Cat

Grapes and Hops
454 E. Main Street
Wed 5/11: 5 pm The Swilly’s
Thurs 5/12: 7 pm Pete Muller
Fri 5/13: 8:30 pm Jade Hendrix
Sat 5/14: 8 pm Otis Hayes
Sun 5/15: 3 pm Brian Titus Trio
Fri 5/20: 8 pm The Salty Suites
Sat 5/21: 8 pm Shane Henry
Sun 5/22: 3 pm James Broz

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 5/13: RJ Mischo & His Red Hot Blues Band
Sun 5/15: Teresa and Pat Russell
Tues 5/17: 7 pm Gil Valencia & Friends
Fri 5/20: 8 pm Dallas Hodge
Sat 5/21: 7 pm Del Franklin

Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Road
Tuesday and Wednesday: Karaoke
Thursday: Open Mic
Sunday: Karaoke
Fri 5/13: Crosscut
Sat 5/14: Rick Miller Band
Fri 5/20: New Vibe
Sat 5/21: Seymour Doolittle Band

Margarita Villa
Ventura Harbor Village
Sun 5/15: 3 pm CRV
Fri 5/20: 5 pm Forbidden Fruit
Sat 5/21: 5 pm Vic Moraga
Sun 5/22: 3 pm Sin Nobre

Now Ventura
185 E. Santa Clara Ave.
Wednesdays: 7 pm Jazz Jam
Thursdays: 7 pm Jazz
Fridays: 7 pm Jazz; 10 pm DJ
Saturdays 10 pm DJ

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Fri 5/13: Live Band Karaoke
Sat 5/21: East End Blues Band

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

Poinsettia Pavillion
3451 Foothill Road
(805) 648-1143
Mon 5/16:  Monday Night Dance Club with Dick Parent Band
Mon 5/23:  Monday Night Dance Club with Wyatt Haupt Band

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

Rookees Sports Bar & Grill
419 E. Main Street
(805) 648-6862
Fri 5/13: DJ Steezy Steve
Sat 5/14: DJ DJ FredRock
Fri 5/20: DJ Scratch
Sat 5/21: DJ FredRock

Rubicon Theatre
1006 E. Main Street
Sun 5/15: 7 pm Noel Paul Stookey

Saloon BBQ Co,.
456 E. Main Street
Sat 5/14: 9 pm Skin & Bones
Sun 5/15: 6 pm Bob Bishop
Fri 5/20: 9 pm Battlefield
Sat 5/21: The Black Hips

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thurs 6 pm, Weekends noon
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 5/14: David Bucci
Sun 5/15: Peter O’Keef
Sat 5/21: Eight Years Gone
Sun 5/22: Jessy Spino

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestsnut
Sundays:  DJ Darko
Mondays: Karoake
Tuesdays: Transform Tuesday
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Fri 5/13: Kings Ransom
Sat 5/14: The Jelly
Fri 5/20: D.on Darox & the Melody Joy Bakers
Sat 5/21: Beach Buzz

Squashed Grapes
2351 E. Main St.
805-643-7300
Live jazz music 7-10 pm
Wed 5/11: Silent Movies with Rick Friend
Thurs 5/12: George Young & Friends
Fri 5/13: The Black Market Trust
Sat 5/14: Bevan Manson & Friends
Tues 5/17: Jazz Jam
Wed 5/18: Mphaka w/ Karl Hunter
Thurs 5/19: Bill Banister’s Blue Dog Project
Fri 5/20: L.J. & the Boyz
Sat 5/21: Jennifer Lietham Trio

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Sat 5/14: Nelson Cooper Band
Fri 5/20: 80’s Invasion
Sat 5/21: CRV

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
Sunday open mics
Karaoke Tuesdays
Metal Music Wednesdays
DJs every Thursday college night

Ventura Beach Club
281 W. Main Street
Sat 5/21: The Barrelhouse Wailers

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

W20 at the Watermark
598 E. Main Street
Thurs 5/12: 7 pm Jade Hendrix
Fri 5/13: 9 pm Redfish
Sat 5/14: 9 pm Ben Bostick Band
Sun 5/15: 3 pm Zeal Levin
Thurs 5/19: 7 pm Karen Eden
Fri 5/20: 9 pm Mini Driver
Sat 5/21: 9 pm The Bomb
Sun 5/22: 3 pm Rick Whitfield

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 5/12: Jon Gindick
Fri 5/13: Tom & Milo
Sat 5/14: Lola Haag
Thurs 5/19: Kiki & the Band
Fri 5/20: Jeff Uzzel
Sat 5/21: Keith Cain

The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Mondays: Estrada Band
Tuesdays: RJ Mischo & the Down Home Trio
Sat & Sun: Noon Kenny DeVoe
Sat 5/14: Live Band Karaoke
Sun 5/15: 3 pm The Swilly’s
Sat 5/21: 7 pm Fred Copplind

Local Artist Hitting the Big Time!

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

Jacob Scesney is making me super proud…not only has he been touring the world with various bands including Postmodern Jukebox, but he’s been making the rounds with Mike Posner on the Ellen Show and Late Night with Seth Meyers.  Jacob is one of the most talented sax players and hardest working musicians around.  If he’s not scheduled you’ll most likely find him sitting in with local bands from Squashed Grapes, to Bombay’s to Amigo’s. He told me that he’ll be out with Posner for a stadium tour all summer with Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato in the lineup, plus, they’ll be on Saturday Night Live and playing a gig at Wembley to an audience of 100,000 in June.  He’s a sweetheart of a guy and I couldn’t be more excited about his career!

Shaky Feelin’ CD release party will be held at Bombay’s on Saturday May 21 which is perfect timing as the band will be in the studio with me at the end of the month recording the next episode of Ventura Rocks at CAPS.

A couple of bands coming up at Discovery you won’t to miss, Los Lonely Boys on Thursday, May 19, Spencer the Gardener on Friday the 20th, Big Tweed on Saturday the 21st and Fortunate Youth on Sunday, the 22nd.

Bad Sam Presents TSOL and Guttermouth at The Garage on Friday May 13. And Numbskull Productions is bringing English punk rock band Angelic Upstarts to the Garage with The Rouse opening on Tuesday, May 24.

Noel Paul Stookey of Peter Paul & Mary, will be at the Rubicon Theater for one special performance on Sunday, May 15.

You should get your tickets soon for the Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival for May 28th and 29th with Booker T, Leon Russell, Eric Burdon & the Animals, Barbara Morrison, and more including local musicians and friends, Guy Martin and Kelly’s Lot.  See www.SimiCajun.org for tickets.

I’m sorry to report that Blues artist Candye Kane passed away May 6. Kane had performed at the Ventura Blues Club for Hi-Hat Entertainment this past December; Jerry McWorter of Hi-Hat said, “Candye was one of our favorites…a true entertainer, singer, song writer and musician.” Kane was known as “the toughest girl alive” and had been battling cancer for eight years.

And finally, a lot of bands are going into the studio lately and a lot of bands are using crowd funding resources to help cover costs.  I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that unless the band/artist is not giving anything back in return.  If I’m contributing $25 or more of my hard earned dollars, then I want a CD or digital download after the recording process is done. Just sayin’.

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.

by Ana K. Gonzalez

Local musical initiative is launching their national tour right here at Bell Arts Factory on April 29th. Project PrayerSong is an initiative of Naomi Sioux and J. Scott G. They have set out to create a “world choir” from human beings from all over the world.

This couple is on a mission to spread the healing through the power of music. They believe that through their song and this opportunity they will be offering people a chance to be part of something larger than themselves and a chance to express their story. “The PrayerSong’s intention is to paint a picture of some of the daily hurdles we face as human beings and to unite everyday people.” Scott says.

Don’t be fooled by the name, they are not a religious organization. They believe that regardless of race, religion, nationality, or status quo, music can unite people to create incredible beauty.

The project began on January 22, 2016  and it will be continuously developing throughout their tour as they source the vocals and instruments from all over the globe. So far, “We’ve gotten hundreds of submissions all over, including over 40 states, and 6 countries” Naomi says, “We’ve been absolutely honored to have had such an overwhelmingly positive response to what we initially thought would be a very small one.”

In addition to creating this song, they will be filming the process to create a micro video blog series and a documentary film with Summer Channel. The video blog series will contain not only the production process, the tour experience of Scott and Naomi but also the personal stories of those who have been positively affected by this initiative.

They plan on spreading their U.S. tour over 60 cities. They will be hosting small recording parties with communities, colleges and even private groups. If you wish to schedule one, you should contact them on their site. You can also support them on this journey, by donating on their website.

Through their site you can also check out their progress  and watch  some of the inspiring personal stories from the people who have contributed to the project. The website is projectprayersong.com.

The first draft of their song can be found on YouTube under Project PrayerSong and be sure to subscribe to follow them on their journey.

For more information contact [email protected]

While not a native Venturan, Walt Dunlop feels like one, having lived here over 30 years.  He stated “I’m a folk musician and an urban hiker who often walks miles around our city capturing musical inspiration.  On my CD I’ve written songs about the Mission San Buenaventura, Cemetery Park, the Goodwill store, tragically murdered resident Zack Lee, William Randolph Hearst, Monarch the State Grizzly bear, and other people and places.” You Are Here is a vibrant collection of all-original, acoustic Folk, Folk-Rock and Americana music…melodic, upbeat and charming.

To hear samples of Walt Dunlop’s You Are Here visit CDBaby.com, where you can also order the album, if you wish.  Or visit Walt Dunlop’s website at www.waltdunlop.com .