For more events go to VenturaRocks.com

Amigos Cafe & Cantina|
546 E. Main St.
805-874-2232
Mondays: 6 pm Danielle Stacy; 8:30 Joey’s B’s Acoustic Blues Jam|
Tuesdays: 8:30 pm The Beers Brothers open mic
Wednesday: 8 pm Amigo’s House Band
Thursdays: 5:30 pm Karen Eden; 8 pm The Gypsy Blues Band
Fri 2/5: 8 pm Crosscut 805
Sat 2/6: 8 pm Cherry Bomb
Sun 2/7: 5 pm The Tossers; 9 pm Karaoke
Fri 2/12: 8 pm Deborah Jenssen’s Band
Sat 2/13: 8 pm Native Vibe
Sun 2/14: 5 pm Corsican Brothers; 9 pm Karaoke

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California St.
805-643-4404
Wednesdays: Tommy Marsh hosts the Session
Thursdays: Acoustic night with Andre
Fri 2/5: End Transmission; The Velveteen Band, Nathaniel Johnstone Band
Sat 2/6: Cubensis, Mark Masson

Café Fiore
66 S. California Street
Wed 2/3: Bryan McCann & the Jazzheads
Thurs 2/4: Coso Live
Fri 2/5: Soul Infusion
Sat 2/6: Instone
Tues 2/9: Donna Greene
Wed 2/10: Big Adventure
Thurs 2/11: Jade Hendrix
Fri 2/12: The Caverns
Sat 2/13: Big Adventure
Sun 2/14: Leigh Vance

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Wednesdays: DJ Spinobi Way Back Wednesdays; Starlight Swing Night
Thurs 2/4: E.N Young and Imperial Sound Ballyhoo!
Fri 2/5: Rock Cats Rock
Sat 2/6: The Main Squeeze featuring Austin Sexton
Fri 2/12: Hirie, Thrive, Sun Dried Vibes
Sat 2/13: Heavy Petty

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 2/5: The Gears, Angry Samoan Later Years, My Modern Valentine, The Rouse

GiGi’s
2493 Grand Avenue
Thursdays and Fridays: Karaoke

Golden China
760 S. Seaward
(805) 652-0688
Karaoke seven nights a week
Swing night Thursdays 6:30 pm

Gone West Cellars
5963 Olivas Park Drive
Fri 2/5: JJ Frank
Fri 2/12: Karen Eden

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
Tuesdays open mic
Sat 2/6: 6 pm Del Franklin
Sat 2/13: Ruben Estrada & the Martinez Brothers
Sun 2/14: The Mighty Cash Cats, Jade Hendrix, Joe Billingiere

Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Road
Tuesday and Wednesday: Karaoke
Thursday: Open Mic
Sunday: Karaoke

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street
(805) 653-0721
Mon 2/8: Kevin Gates
Fri 2/12: Tiger Army
Sat 2/13: STRFKR/Com Truise
Sun 2/14: Iration, New Kingston

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Saturdays: 9 pm O’Leary’s East End Blues Band

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

The Patio at Player’s Casino
6580 Auto Center Drive
Fri 2/5: Tom and Milo
Sat 2/6: Brandon Ragan
Fri 2/12: Sean Wiggins
Sat 2/13: Ashun

Pierpont Inn
550 San Jon Road
Fridays and Saturdays: 6 pm Mark Anthony on piano

Poinsettia Pavillion
3451 Foothill Road
(805) 648-1143
Mon 2/1:  Monday Night Dance Club with Dick Parent Band
Mon 2/8:  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
Friday and Saturdays
10 pm Rotating DJs

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 2/6: Jon Gindick
Sun 2/7: David Bucci
Sat 2/13: Walt Dunlap
Sun 2/14: Dennis Russell

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestsnut
Sundays:  DJ Darko
Mondays: Karoake
Tuesdays: Transform Tuesday
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Fri 2/12: Front Street Knuckle Daggers, D.on Darox & the Melody Joy Bakers

Squashed Grapes
2351 E. Main St.
805-643-7300
Live jazz music 7-10 pm
Tues 2/2: Jazz Jam
Wed 2/3: Adam Clark Organ Trio featuring Carey Frank
Thurs 2/4: Brotherhood Quintet
Fri 2/5: Jazz Hates Johnny
Sat 2/6: Jennifer Lietham
Tues 2/9: Christina Gatti and The Redux Quartet
Wed 2/10: Connie Han Piano Trio
Thurs 2/11: Meridian Trio
Fri 2/12: Rafe Hernandez & The Equinox Ensemble
Sat 2/13: Sandra Booker featuring Colin Bailey

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
(805) 6438-4709
Fri 2/5: Rio Bravo
Sat 2/6: Bloody Reunion
Fri 2/12: CRV
Sat 2/13: Timebomb

Surf Brewery
4561 Market Street
Music 6-8 pm
Sat 2/6: The Catterwailers
Sat 2/13: Wyk & Winkle

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
Sunday open mics
Karaoke Tuesdays
Metal Music Wednesdays
DJs every Thursday college night
Sat 2/16: Darkside of the Hand

W20 at the Watermark
598 E. Main Street
Fri & Sat 9 – Mid; Sun 3 – 6 pm
Fri 2/5: 6 pm Karen Eden; 9 pm Shawn Jones
Sat 2/6: The Bomb
Fri 2/12: Instone
Sat 2/13: Shari Puorto
Sun 2/14: Shawn Jones

The Wine Rack
14 S. California Street
Music runs 7-11 pm, Sundays at 2:30 pm
Sundays: Carson Boyd
Mondays: Mike Cregan
Tuesdays: B&V Acoustic
Wednesday: Carson Boyd
Thursdays: Jon Gindick
Fri 2/5: Coda
Sat 2/6: Danielle Stacy
Fri 2/12: Hans Ottsen
Sat 2/13: Road Brothers

The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Tuesdays: 7 pm RJ Mischo & the Down Home Trio
Sat & Sun: Noon Kenny DeVoe
Fri 2/5: Jerry McWorter
Sat 2/6: Smokey & Friends
Fri 2/12: Martin & Macias
Sat 2/13: Teresa Russell
Sun 2/14: 3 pm Karen & Bill

Ian Moore and the Lossy Coils at Bombay’s. Photo by Cliff Montgomery

Rockin’ February
By Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

I was delighted to see that Ian Moore made a stop at Bombay’s for his current tour with the Lossy Coils Wednesday, January 27th. We added Moore to our playlist back when I was Program Director of KXBS alternative rock radio in the 90s. Moore told me he’s been self-managing for the past 12 years, but has three records done and ready for release the first one called “Strange Days”.  Moore told me, “It’s a departure from what I have been doing for the last few years. It is funkier, and lyrically heavier, leaning in on rhythm.”

Voices – Women in the Round was held at Bell Arts Factory on Saturday, January 30.  I spoke with Jim Rice of Bell Arts who told me the night was just perfect. It was one of those events where the audience is totally engaged and the performances were heart wrenchingly beautiful. The range of music from Bach to Otis Redding to original pieces by Andrea Landin, Donna Lynn Caskey, Kate Bokoles, Maliah Pena and Mare Louise were extremely well received.  Rice told me they’re looking at having this be a regular series hopefully monthly before too long.

A last minute addition to the February calendar for Squashed Grapes is coming up on Tuesday, February 9 featuring members from the world famous Post Modern Jukebox.  This will also be the last opportunity to see them for a while before they set out on tour across the pond. Christina Gatti’s amazing vocals will front the band which includes one of our very own Jacob Scesney who also tours with PMJ.

Expect an upbeat funky time when The Main Squeeze plays Discovery on Saturday, February 6. The band is produced by Randy Jackson well known American Idol judge. Discovery has also been offering a Starlight Swing night on Wednesdays with swing dance lessons and live music.

Front Street takes over the Sewer with some down low dirty gypsy blues on Friday, February 12 with two equally unique and fun bands, The Front Street Knuckle Draggers and D.on Darox and the Melody Joy Bakers.

The Hong Kong Inn will host the 2016 Cash Bash honoring the man in black’s birthday with The Mighty Cash Cats, Jade Hendrix and Joe Billingiere. The festivities kick off Sunday, February 14 at 4 pm with no cover charge.

The Wine Rack has upped their entertainment by offering live music seven days a week.

And finally, the newest episode of Ventura Rocks on CAPS Media is now airing featuring Crooked Eye Tommy; you can get the schedule of when it airs next at www.capsmedia.org.

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.

The O’Leary’s East End Blues Band every Saturday night at O’Leary’s.

Surf to country, blues to jazz…
By Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

Talk about musical diversity!  Let’s start with something altogether different, how about a Disc-o-town Hoedown at Discovery on Saturday January 23 with karaoke, a western outfit contest, a mechanical bull and then live country music from Moonridge. It’s all ages with a $10 cover charge and I’m pretty sure line dancing will be involved.

We’d heard the rumblings of live music coming to Ven Tiki (701 E. Main where Bernadette’s use to be located) and it looks like it’s true because the venue received special permission from the City for a one-time chance to have the world famous Surfer Joe from Italy play downtown; there will be no reservations. We hope they pull this one off to a big win so they may be granted a more permanent entertainment permit.

And speaking of having music more often, we’re pleased that you can find more music at the Harbor as the Boatyard Café has been offering up more music including the Bluegrass Jam on Thursdays 6-9 and then there’s the Copa Cubana’s opening pending City approval; Andy who also owns 805 Bar and Grilled Cheese, expects no further delays, and we’re hoping by the time of the next Breeze issue, we’ll be reporting on their grand opening.

After taking over ownership a few months ago Bill Kracht, formerly of Player’s Casino, has brought live music to O’Leary’s with O’Leary’s East End Blues Band performing every Saturday night headed up by harmonica blues master RJ Mischo, Jerry McWorter, Franck Goldwasser,and Brent Harding; it also won’t be unusual to see guest players sit in from time to time.

It’s one of those special events at Squashed Grapes that lovers of jazz won’t want to miss; Sergio Bellotti’s Groove Experience comes to town on Wednesday, January 27. Bellotti will also hold a drum clinic earlier in the evening in conjunction with Pulse Drumming.

Hi Hat Entertainment brings James Intveld to the Ventura Beach Club on Friday, January 22, and Paul Oscher Band on the 29th.

After having sold the building last Fall, Saana at Peirano’s has decided to close the restaurant doors on January 24.  We’re not sure where the tango crew will land, but we know their Thursday night dance club will continue, and we’ll let you know where. In fact, it’s not completely out of the realm of possibilities that someone else will come along and reopen Peirano’s in the future.

And if hard rock is your game, then you’ll want to be at Bombay’s for the Gygax record release party on Friday, January 29.

Finally, our condolences go out to the family and friends of Michael DiMauro who passed away December 31. DiMauro’s most recent project was the Iron Butterfly All Star Band. Services were held at San Buenaventura Mission on January 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.

For more events go to VenturaRocks.com

Amigos Cafe & Cantina
546 E. Main St.
805-874-2232
Mondays: 6 pm Danielle Stacy; 8:30 Joey’s B’s Acoustic Blues Jam
Tuesdays: 8:30 pm The Beers Brothers open mic
Thursdays: 5:30 pm Karen Eden; 8 pm The Gypsy Blues Band
Wed 1/20: Amigo’s House Band with Mark Masson
Fri 1/22: 8pm Rebel Rose
Sat 1/23: 8 pm Vinyl Gypsies
Sun 1/24: 5 pm Daniel Hawks; 9 pm Karaoke
Wed 1/27: Amigo’s House Band
Fri 1/29: 8 pm Smokey and Friends
Sat 1/30: 8 pm Morganfield Burnett
Sun 1/31: 5 pm MI6; 9 pm Karaoke

Boatyard Café
Ventura Harbor
1583 Spinnaker Drive
Thursdays: 6-9 Blue Grass Jam
Fri 1/22: 6 pm Bobby & Steve

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California St.
805-643-4404
Wednesdays: Tommy Marsh hosts the Session
Thursdays: DJ Pisterlero
Sun 1/10: 5 pm Midlife Crisis
Sun 1/24: 5 pm The R&B Bombers
Fri 1/29: Gygax record release party
Sat 1/30: The Phantom Pomps

Café Fiore
66 S. California Street
Thurs 1/20: Donna Butler
Fri 1/21: Whesli G.
Sat 1/22: Alex Nestor Band
Sun 1/23: Instone
Tues 1/26: Donna Greene
Wed 1/27: Big Adventure
Thurs 1/28: Rick Whitfield
Fri 1/29: Little Alice & the Cats|
Sat 1/30: Soul Infusion

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Wednesdays: DJ Spinobi Way Back Wednesdays
Thurs 1/21: Through the Roots, After the Smoke
Fri 1/22: Red Not Chili Peppers
Sat 1/23: Disc-O-Town Hoedown Moonridge
Thurs 1/28: Through the Roots, Herbal Rootz, Synrgy
Fri 1/29: Wishbone
Sat 1/30: Molly Ringwald Project

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

EP Foster Library
651 E. Main Street – Topping Room
Fri 1/29: Massenger album release party, Maask

The Garage
1091 Scandia Avenue
Fri 1/22: Mbreo CD release party, DJ Mystic, Nuthin’Heads
Sat 1/23: Fallen Saints, Sisterook
Sat 1/30: Dwarves, Channel 3, Svetlanas, Mother of Dissension

GiGi’s
2493 Grand Avenue
Thursdays and Fridays: Karaoke
Sat 1/23: What the Funk
Sat 1/30: Fabulous Do You Right Brothers

Golden China
760 S. Seaward
(805) 652-0688
Karaoke seven nights a week
Swing night Thursdays 6:30 pm

Grapes and Hops
454 E. Main Street
Wed 1/20: 5 pm Melody Guy
Fri 1/22: 8 pm Ed Berghoff
Sat 1/23: 8 pm Nathan McEuen
Fri 1/29: 8 pm The Friedenthal and Rollag Band
Sat 1/30: 8 pm 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
Mondays karaoke
Tuesdays open mic
Sat 1/30: Wishbone

Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Road
Tuesday and Wednesday: Karaoke
Thursday: Open Mic
Sunday: Karaoke
Fri 1/22: Sean Wiggins
Sat 1/23: Action Rock
Fri 1/29: Dive Bar Messiahs
Sat 1/30: Tex Pistols

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street
(805) 653-0721
Fri 1/29: Bone Thugs N Harmony

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Saturdays: 9 pm O’Leary’s East End Blues Band

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

The Patio at Player’s Casino
6580 Auto Center Drive
Fri 1/22: Brandon Ragan
Sat 1/23: The Uptown Brothers
Fri 1/29: The S-Curve
Sat 1/30: Soul Machine

Pierpont Inn
550 San Jon Road
Fridays and Saturdays: 6 pm Mark Anthony on piano

Poinsettia Pavillion
3451 Foothill Road
(805) 648-1143
Mon 1/25:  Monday Night Dance Club with Wyatt Haupt Band
Mon 2/1:  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
Sat 1/23: 3 in the Morning

Rookees Sports Bar & Grill
419 E. Main Street
(805) 648-6862
Friday and Saturdays
10 pm Rotating DJs

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 1/23: Peter O’Keefe
Sun 1/24: Dennis Russell
Sat 1/30: Maggies Drawers
Sun 1/31: Eight Years Gone

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestsnut
Sundays:  DJ Darko
Mondays: Karoake
Tuesdays: Twisted Tuesday
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Fri 1/23: Alligator Dave
Sat 1/24: LAMF, Brainspoon
Fri 1/29: Birdbrain, The NaVaNaX
Sat 1/30: Focke Wolves

Squashed Grapes
2351 E. Main St.
805-643-7300
Live jazz music 7-10 pm
Wed 1/20: Bevan Manson & Hans Ottsen
Thurs 1/21: Cary NeNigris & the Dave Smith Trio
Fri 1/22: HO3
Sat 1/23: Paul McCallum & Friends
Wed 1/27: Sergio Bellotti & Friends featuring Tom Scott
Thurs 1/28: Lett, Mancini & Dutz
Fri 1/29: Tom Buckner & Friends
Sat 1/30: Barrelhouse Wailers
Tues 2/2: Jazz Jam

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
(805) 6438-4709

Surf Brewery
4561 Market Street
Music 6-8 pm
Sat 1/23: Barb B & the Ranch Hands
Sat 1/30: About Time

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
Sunday open mics
Karaoke Tuesdays
Metal Music Wednesdays
DJs every Thursday college night
Sat 1/23: The Caverns
Fri 1/29: Dante Elephante, Welfare Talent, Grapevine, Captions

Ventura Beach Club
281 W. Main Street
Fri 1/22: Hi Hat presents James Intveld
Sat 1/23: Eye Candy

Ventura High School Auditorium
2 N. Catalina Street
Wed 1/20: Cabrillo Middle School Beginning Band, Strings, Chamber Groups

W20 at the Watermark
598 E. Main Street
Fri & Sat 9 – Mid; Sun 3 – 6 pm
Sat 1/23: The Bomb
Fri 1/29: Mini Driver
Sat 1/30: The Bomb
Sun 1/31: 50 Sticks of Dynamite

The Wine Rack
14 S. California Street
Music runs 7-11 pm, Sundays at 3 pm
Fri 1/22: Milo and the Big Show
Sat 1/23: Coda
Mon 1/25: Jon Gindick Harmonica Camp Band Night
Fri 1/29: Austin Grant
Sat 1/30: Danielle Stacey

The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Tuesdays: 7 pm RJ Mischo & the Down Home Trio
Sat & Sun: Noon Kenny DeVoe
Fri 1/22: Martin & Macias
Sat 1/23:  7 pm Unkle Monkey
Sun 1/24: 3 pm Karen Eden
Sun 1/31: 3 pm Smokey & Friends

For more events go to VenturaRocks.com

Amigos Cafe & Cantina
546 E. Main St.
805-874-2232
Mondays: 6 pm Danielle Stacy; 8:30 Joey’s B’s Acoustic Blues Jam
Tuesdays: 8:30 pm The Beers Brothers open mic
Thursdays: 5:30 pm Karen Eden; 8 pm The Gypsy Blues Band
Wed 1/6: Amigo’s House Band with Mark Masson
Fri 1/8: 8 pm Crosscut 805
Sat 1/9: 8 pm Dive Bar Messiahs
Sun 1/10: 5 pm Medicine Hat; 9 pm Karaoke
Wed 1/13: Amigo’s House Band with Ashford Gordon
Fri 1/15: 8 pm Wishbone
Sat 1/16: 8 pm Hot Roux
Sun 1/17: 5 pm Karen Eden; 9 pm Karaoke

Boatyard Café
Ventura Harbor
1583 Spinnaker Drive
Thursdays: 6-9 Blue Grass Jam
Fri 1/8: 6 pm Bobby & Steve
Sat 1/9: 6 pm Gypsy Stew
Fri 1/15: 6 pm Unkle Monkey
Sat 1/16: 6 pm Medicine Hat

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California St.
805-643-4404
Wednesdays: Tommy Marsh hosts the Session
Thursdays: DJ Pisterlero
Sun 1/10: 5 pm Midlife Crisis
Sat 1/16: 8 pm Three Bad Jacks, Hard Six, Sandbox Bullies

Café Fiore|66 S. California Street
Wed 1/6: Bryan McCann & the Jazzheads
Thurs 1/7: Jade Hendrix
Fri 1/8: Instone
Sat 1/9: Drunken Monkeys
Tues 1/12: Donna Greene
Wed 1/13: Big Adventure
Thurs 1/14: Rick Whitfield
Fri 1/15: Soul Infusion
Sat 1/16: Big Adventure
Tues 1/19: Donna Butler

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Sat 1/9: N3RD DR3AMZ; Yung Yizzo, Mo Stylez, Austen Sexton, DJ Kryptonite
Fri 1/15: Jimmy Weeks Project, Siaosi, Kiwini Vaitai 

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 1/8: Battalion of Saints, Blasting Concept, Fist Fight on Ecstasy, SixPackOfDoom

Golden China
760 S. Seaward
(805) 652-0688
Karaoke seven nights a week
Swing night Thursdays 6:30 pm
Friday and Saturday: 7 pm Polynesian Revue

Grapes and Hops
454 E. Main Street
Sat 1/16: 8:30 pm Whiskey Stone

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
Tuesdays open mic
Sun 1/10: 6 pm Brandon Ragan Jazz Trio
Sat 1/16: 6 pm John Hendrickson
Sun 1/17: 6 pm Teresa and Pat Russell

Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Road
Tuesday and Wednesday: Karaoke
Thursday: Open Mic
Sunday: Karaoke
Fri 1/8: Custom Made
Sat 1/9: Rick Miller Band
Fri 1/15: Red Rhythm
Sat 1/16: Crosscut

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street
(805) 653-0721
Thurs 1/7: Tribal Seeds, The Steppas, The Skints

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

The Patio at Player’s Casino
6580 Auto Center Drive
Fri 1/8: Sean Wiggins
Fri 1/15: Rock Cats Rock
Sat 1/16: Soul Machine

Pierpont Inn
550 San Jon Road
Fridays and Saturdays: 6 pm Mark Anthony on piano

Plan B Wine Cellars
3520 Arundell Circle
Sun 1/10:  4:30 pm Donna Greene & the Roadhouse Daddies

Poinsettia Pavillion
3451 Foothill Road
(805) 648-1143
Mon 1/11:  Monday Night Dance Club with Wyatt Haupt Band
Mon 1/18:  Monday Night Dance Club with Dick Parent 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
Friday and Saturdays
10 pm Rotating DJs

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 1/9: Noon Licity Collins
Sun 1/10: Noon Jeanine Shultz
Sat 1/16: Noon Walt Dunlap
Sun 1/17: Doug Conlon

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestsnut
Sundays:  DJ Darko
Mondays: Karoake
Tuesdays: Twisted Tuesday
Wednesdays: Open mic with Sin Chonies
Fri 1/15: Tattered Angels, SRA, The Underclass

Squashed Grapes
2351 E. Main St.
805-643-7300
Live jazz music 7-10 pm
Wed 1/6: Adam Clark & Friends
Thurs 1/7: Coda
Fri 1/8: Geezer Funk
Sat 1/9: Barrelhouse Wailers
Wed 1/13: Brad Rabuchin Quartet
Thurs 1/14: Pablo Sune Trio
Fri 1/15: L.J. & The Boyz
Sat 1/16: Rachel Flowers Trio
Tues 1/19: Jazz Jam

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
(805) 6438-4709
Fri 1/8: Gypsy Stew
Sat 1/9: Whiskey Stone
Fri 1/15: Drunken Monkeys
Sat 1/16: Pull the Trigger

Surf Brewery
4561 Market Street
Music 6-8 pm
Sat 1/9: Soul Purpose
Sat 1/16: The Swillys

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
Sunday open mics
Karaoke Tuesdays
Metal Music Wednesdays
DJs every Thursday college night
Fri 1/8: The Black Hips
Fri 1/15: The Caverns
Sat 1/16: Clean Spill

Ventura Beach Club
281 W. Main Street
Fri 1/15: Rick Holmstrom Band

Ventura High School Auditorium
2 N. Catalina Street
Thurs 1/14: 7 pm VUSD Jazz Band

W20 at the Watermark
598 E. Main Street
Fri & Sat 9 – Mid; Sun 3 – 6 pm
Fri 1/8: Drunken Monkeys
Sat 1/9: The Bomb
Fri 1/15: 6 pm Karen Eden; 9 pm Mini Driver
Sun 1/17: Shawn Jones

The Wine Rack
14 S. California Street
Music runs 7-11 pm, Sundays at 3 pm
Mondays: Mike Cregan
Tuesdays: Frank Barajas and Doug Johnson

The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Tuesdays: 7 pm RJ Mischo & the Down Home Trio

Happy New Year!
By Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

First off, I’d like to wish you a very happy new year.  I’m already hearing the rumblings of changes coming to Ventura’s music scene; they’re good changes too. As they’re verified and come to fruition, you know I’ll be passing along the good news to you.

Ozomatli was indeed the perfect way for Discovery Ventura to kick off their music line up for the new year with a packed-to-the-gills house. Spencer the Gardener warmed up the crowd getting everyone in the dancing mood.  Spencer Barnitz describes the band as a rotating list of stellar players and that evening they added to the mix for the first time trombone player Skabone Stan who tours with Pato Banton. Discovery’s two-year anniversary is coming up the week of January 18^th.  I’m looking forward to many more cool shows there.

As you can tell, I’m always delighted to learn and meet talented musicians who have worked as session musicians and/or have toured in support of world renowned artists because you have to be that good; and I found out first hand just how good they are as a couple of hot drummers have been playing around town.  First Shawn Jones has had drummer Herman Matthews with him the last couple times he played Sunday afternoons at W20 at the Watermark.  Matthews has toured with Tower of Power, Kenny Loggins and more than seven years with Tom Jones.  Then there’s Alvino Bennett playing with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Robin Trower, Chaka Khan and he’s about to go out on tour once again with Dave Mason; he was spotted at one of Tommy Marsh’s blues jams at Bombay’s and then sat in with Shawn Jones switching seats with Matthews for a couple of tunes this past Sunday.

Gypsy Stew will be releasing a new CD this month with half the 12 songs being originals.  Don Cook of the band said the music is what they like to call “Outlaw County,” old school as opposed to new country. The CD will be available at their shows as well as on their website GypsyStew.com. They’ll be playing at the Star Lounge Friday, January 8. The release party will be at the Chop Shop Bar & Grill in Simi Valley on Saturday January 23.

And finally, Ventura is losing one of its own, Russ Camp (4 on the Floor, Stundexim, Camp Franco) when Camp moves up north; one of his final shows will be with BOHICA at Golden China on Saturday January 9 5:30 – 9:30 pm.  Camp has been a mainstay in Ventura for over 20 years always supporting other bands and filling in when needed. He’ll be missed.

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
Tuesdays: 8:30 pm The Beers Brothers open mic
Thursdays: 8 pm The Gypsy Blues Band
Wed 12/23: The Deal
Fri 12/25: 4 pm St Pierre Christmas show
Sat 12/26: The Frank and Doug show
Sun 12/27: 5 pm Jade Hendrix; 9 pm Karaoke
Mon 12/28  6 pm Karen Eden & Bill Macpherson; 8 pm Joey’s Acoustic Blues Jam
Wed 12/30: 6 pm Micheal Baggs; 8 pm Mark Masson
Thurs 12/31: NYE Party with Dive Bar Messiahs
Sat 1/2: Barrelhouse Wailers
Sun 1/3: 6 pm The Tossers; 9 pm Karaoke
Mon 1/4: 6 pm Danielle Stacy; 8 pm Joey’s Acoustic Blues Jam

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California St.
805-643-4404
Wednesdays: Tommy Marsh hosts the Session
Wed 12/23 special guests Alastair Greene, Ed Berghoff & Phil Gates
Fri 1/1: The Velveteen Band, Sin Chonies
Thurs 12/31: NYE Party with Fido, DJ Philocybin

Café Fiore
66 S. California Street
Wed 12/23: Big Adventure
Sat 12/26: Little Alice
Tues 12/29: Kristen Lee
Wed 12/30: Donna Greene
Thurs 12/31: NYE Party with Big Adventure

Dargan’s
593 E. Main Street
Sun 1/3: 4 pm The Sunday Drivers

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Wed 12/23: DJ Nick Dean
Thurs 12/31: NYE Party – Spencer Fischer, DJ Lunatic
Sat 1/2/: 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

The Garage
1091 Scandia Avenue
Fri 1/1: Luicidal, Public Nuisance, All-a-Blur

Golden China
760 S. Seaward
(805) 652-0688
Karaoke seven nights a week
Swing night Thursdays 6:30 pm
Friday and Saturday: 7 pm Polynesian Revue

Grapes and Hops
454 E. Main Street
Sat 12/26: 9 pm Otis Hayes
Thurs 12/31: NYE Party with Shawn Jones and Friends

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
Tuesdays open mic
Thurs and Fridays: 5pm Kenny Devoe
Sun 1/3: Ashford Gordon & Friends

Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Road
Tuesday and Wednesday: Karaoke
Thursday: Open Mic
Sunday: Karaoke
Sat 12/26: Open mic
Thurs 12/31: NYE Party with Action Down

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street
(805) 653-0721
Thurs 12/31: NYE Party with War, Tierra

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

Paradise Pantry
222 E. Main Street
7 pm Elkke

Pierpont Inn
550 San Jon Road
Fridays and Saturdays: 6 pm Mark Anthony on piano

Poinsettia Pavillion
3451 Foothill Road
(805) 648-1143
Mon 12/28:  Monday Night Dance Club with Wyatt Haupt Band
Mon 1/4:  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
Thurs 12/31: NYE Party with 3 in the Morning, The Free, Natural Human Beings

Rookees Sports Bar & Grill
419 E. Main Street
(805) 648-6862
Friday and Saturdays
10 pm Rotating DJs
Thurs 12/31: NYE Party with DJ Logic

Saloon BBQ
456 E. Main Street
Sat 12/26: 9 pm Big Adventure
Sun 12/27: 4 pm Ted Waterhouse

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 12/26: noon Alex Forester
Sun 12/27: noon Peter O’Keefe
Sat 1/2: noon Rhythm 805, Xavier Canchola

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestsnut
Sundays:  DJ Darko
Mondays: Karoake
Tuesdays: Twisted Tuesday
Wednesdays: Open mic with Sin Chonies
Sat 12/26: Narthex, Structure, We are the Underclass, All-a-Blur
Thurs 12/31: NYE Party with DJ Spinobi
Fri 1/1: 2-6 pm The Lower Echelon, The Rouse

Squashed Grapes
2351 E. Main St.
805-643-7300
Live jazz music 7-10 pm
Wed 12/23: Tilford Jackson’s “Carols and Wine”
Sat 12/26: Danny Janklow band featuring tap dancer, Sarah Reich of Postmodern Jukebox

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
(805) 6438-4709
Sat: 12/26: Whiskey Stone
Thurs 12/31: NYE Party with Cross Cut
Fri 1/1: Karaoke

Surf Brewery
4561 Market Street
Sat 12/26: Braids & Dreads (Dan Grimm and Friends)

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
Sunday open mics
Karaoke Tuesdays
Metal Music Wednesdays
DJs every Thursday college night
Thurs 12/31: NYE Masquerade Ball with DJs

Ventura Beach Club
281 W. Main Street
Thurs 12/31: NYE Party with Shaky Feelin’, The Christopher Hawley Rolers, Koyote, 9 Lives, more…

W20 at the Watermark
598 E. Main Street
Fri & Sat 9 – Mid; Sun 3 – 6 pm
Sat 12/26: The Bomb
Sun 12/27: The Legalizers
Thurs 12/31: NYE Party with DJ EROK and DJ Ciera
Sat 1/2: Ben Bostick

The Wine Rack
14 S. California Street
Music runs 7-11 pm, Sundays at 3 pm
Mondays: Mike Cregan
Tuesdays: Frank Barajas and Doug Johnson
Wed 12/23: Carson Boyd
Thurs 12/24: Jon Gindick and Friends
Sat 12/26: Road Brothers
Thurs 12/31: NYE Party with Ventura Jazz Collective
Fri 1/1: Hans Ottsen
Sat 1/2: Ventura Jazz Collective

The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Tuesdays: 7 pm RJ Mischo & the Down Home Trio

Ventura rocks another year!
By Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

We’re in the final stretch for 2015 and Ventura Rocks at CAPS Media is finally scheduled. The debut episode features Medicine Hat and will air several times including a Christmas evening broadcast at 8 pm. Go to Capstv.org/program-schedules for all air dates!

Nothing like being one degree of separation from Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Sinatra and more; that’s exactly what went down at Squashed Grapes when drummer extraordinaire, Colin Bailey, was in the house, Saturday, December 19.  Mr. Bailey has not only played with the cream of the crop but he was also the drummer for the Charlie Brown Christmas special. Bam!

And just one final note before we move on from Christmas, giving the gift of music is always a treat, especially when you’re supporting local artists and picking up music such as Tommy Marsh’s Crooked Eye Tommy, Butterflies & Snakes; Medicine Hat’s Whiskey and Waves; the self-titled The NaVaNaX; Honey Owl’s Early Bird, The Barrelhouse Wailer’s Last Call; Nathan McEuen’s Side by Side, and so much more! Of course you can go to their websites or be old school and pick up a CD at Salzer’s, Grady’s, or Very Ventura where you’ll find the VenturaRocks.com listening station.

Opening up recently in the former Zoey’s location at 185 E. Santa Clara is Now Ventura featuring higher end Italian and Seafood fare. I went in and met Michael Anthony, one of the partners, and a former bassist for Puddle of Mudd (who are coming to Discovery in early March).  Michael gave me the low down on offering live music after they’ve renovated the stage; his vision includes two 45 minute sets Thursday through Saturday. I’ll be keeping tabs and will get them listed as soon as the music is back, but meanwhile they’ll be throwing a New Year’s Eve Bash with William Rottman performing acoustic 80s and 90s covers.  Call 667-2200 for reservations and more information.

Ventura will most definitely be off the hook all over town with New Year’s Eve parties, here are just some highlights:  The Dive Bar Messiahs at Amigo’s Surf Cantina; Fido and DJ Philocybin at Bombay’s; Big Adventure at Café Fiore; Spencer Fischer and DJ Lunatic at Discovery; Shawn Jones and Friends at Grapes and Hops; Action Down at The Keynote Lounge; 3 in the Morning, The Free and Natural Human Beings at Red Cove; DJ Logic at Rookees; DJ Spinobi at Sans Souci; Cross Cut at the Star Lounge; DJs will be featured at a NYE Masquerade Ball at The Tavern; Shaky Feelin’, The Christopher Hawley Rollers, 9 Lives and more at the Ventura Beach Club; DJ Erok and DJ Ciera at the Watermark, The Ventura Jazz Collective at the Wine Rack and the biggest show of them all is WAR with Tierra at the Majestic Ventura Theater.

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:  6 pm Karen Eden & Bill Macpherson; 8 pm Joey’s Acoustic Blues Jam
Tuesdays: 8:30 pm The Beers Brothers open mic
Thursdays: 8 pm The Gypsy Blues Band
Wed 12/9: 8 pm Nathan McEuen
Fri 12/11: 8 pm Pull the Trigger
Sat 12/12: 8 pm Dive Bar Messiahs
Sun 12/13: 5 pm Daniel Shoemaker; 9 pm Karaoke
Wed 12/16: 8 pm Mark Masson
Fri 12/18: 8 pm Wishbone
Sat 12/19: 8 pm Hot Roux
Sun 12/6: 9 pm Karaoke

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California St.
805-643-4404
Wednesdays: Tommy Marsh hosts the Session
Thursdays: DJ Pistolero
Sat 12/12: Darkside of the Hand EP Release Party
Fri 12/18: The Vacant Shapes, Wish Radio, Welfare Talent
Sat 12/19: 50 Sticks of Dynamite

Café Fiore
66 S. California Street
Wed 12/9: Big Adventure
Thurs 12/10: Rick Whitfield
Fri 12/11: Ricky Coz
Sat 12/12: Freddie Lopez
Tues 12/15: Donna Greene
Wed 12/16: Donna Butler
Thurs 12/17: Whelsi Gamble
Fri 12/18: Soul Infusion
Sat 12/19: Otis Hayes
Tues 12/22: Jade Hendrix

Dargan’s
593 E. Main Street
Sun 12/20: 4 pm The Sunday Drivers

El Rey Cantina
294 E. Main Street
Wed 11/25: DJ Larz
Fridays: 4 pm Xoco Moraza and Friends; 9:30 DJ/Karaoke by DJ Gold Dust
Saturdays: DJ Erock

Ventura First Assembly of God
346 N. Kimball Road
Sat 12/12: 2 pm – Jodi Farrell’s Music Studio’s Student Annual Holiday Recital

The Garage
1091 Scandia Avenue
Fri 12/18: Poison Idea, Stalag 13, Bad Samaritans, Love Canal, The NaVaNaX

Gigi’s Cocktails
2493 Grand Avenue
Mondays Jam Night with Maggie’s Drawers
Thursdays & Fridays: Karaoke

Golden China
760 S. Seaward
(805) 652-0688
Karaoke seven nights a week
Swing night Thursdays 6:30 pm
Friday and Saturday: 7 pm Polynesian Revue
Cumbia music Fridays with DJ Carlos at 9:30 pm

Gone West Wine Cellars
5963 Olivas Park Drive
Music 6-8 pm
Fri 12/11: Karen Eden
Fri 12/18: National Cat

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

Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Road
Tuesday and Wednesday: Karaoke
Thursday: Open Mic
Sunday: Karaoke
Fri 12/11: Reall Deall
Sat 12/12: Actoin Down
Fri 12/18: Reign
Sat 12/19: 4 on the Floor

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street
(805) 653-0721
Thurs 12/10: The Reverend Horton Heat, The BellRays, the Lords of Altamont
Fri 12/11: Dwight Yoakam, Brian Whelan

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

The Patio at Player’s Casino
6580 Auto Center Drive
Fri 12/11: Brandon Ragan Project
Sat 12/12: Soul Machine
Fri 12/18: Ashun
Sat 12/19: Electricity

Pierpont Inn
550 San Jon Road
Fridays and Saturdays: 6 pm Mark Anthony on piano

Plan B Wine Cellars
3520 Arundell Circle
Sun 12/13: Britain’s Finest

Poinsettia Pavillion
3451 Foothill Road
(805) 648-1143
Mondays:  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
Fri 12/11: 3 in the Morning

Rookees Sports Bar & Grill
419 E. Main Street
(805) 648-6862
Friday and Saturdays
10 pm Rotating DJs

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 12/12: De Lacoustic
Sun 12/13: Maggies Drawers
Sat 12/19: Doug MaCrae & Angie Marie
Sun 12/20: Peter O’Keefe

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestsnut
Sundays:  DJ Darko
Mondays: Karoake
Tuesdays: Twisted Tuesday
Wednesdays: Open mic with Sin Chonies
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Fri 12/11: Jan Michael & the Vincents
Sat 12/12: Focke Wolves
Fri 12/18: Bloody Reunion
Sat 12/19: Cursed Bastards

Squashed Grapes
2351 E. Main St.
805-643-7300
Live jazz music 7-10 pm
Wed 12/9: Urning Ghosts, The Daniel Rosenbloom Quartet
Thurs 12/10: Rufus Philpot’s B.A.D. Trio
Fri 12/11: H03
Sat 12/12: Lao Tizer Trio featuring Karen Briggs
Tues 12/15: Jazz Jam
Wed 12/16: Sammy Miller & the Congregation
Thurs 12/17: The Lounge Trio featuring Cougar Estrada
Fri 12/18: L.J. & the Boyz
Sat 12/19: The Frank Potenza Trio w/ Colin Bailey on drums

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
(805) 6438-4709
Fri: 12/11: Big Adventure
Sat 12/12: Rio Bravo
Fri 12/18: 80’s Invasion
Sat 12/19: Brandon Ragan Project

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
Fri 12/18: Hot Roux with special guest Albert Lee

Ventura College Performing Art Center
4700 Loma Vista Road
Thurs 12/10: 8 pm The First Step Ventura College Jazz Band

W20 at the Watermark
598 E. Main Street
Fri & Sat 9 – Mid; Sun 3 – 6 pm
Fri 12/11: Brandon Ragan Project
Sat 12/12: The Bomb
Sun 12/13: Los Dudes
Fri 12/18: (downstairs) The Pullmen
Sat 12/19: Shari Puorto Band
12/20; Shawn Jones

The Wine Rack
14 S. California Street
Music runs 8-11 pm, Sundays at 3 pm
Mondays: Mike Cregan
Tuesdays: Frank Barajas and Doug Johnson
Thurs 12/10: Jon Gindick & Friends
Fri 12/11: Rich Sheldon
Sat 12/12: Sons of Jimi
Fri 12/18: Tom & Milo
Sat 12/19: Tim Carroll Band

The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Tuesdays: 7 pm RJ Mischo & the Down Home Trio

TBA
By Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

Though the evening isn’t really about the music (hint: it’s about the wine), the Ventura Winter Wine Walk was a huge success with live music at the corner of Main and California.  There’s nothing quite like families coming out on a gorgeous December evening with men on stilts, women hula hoop dancing, snow falling while dancing to popular R&B and funk tunes from the Bomb on a huge stage, with professional lighting while City Hall is lit up in the background.  Along with the tree lighting ceremony, and the Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights, this has become my favorite holiday tradition.

Speaking of which, the Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights runs December 18 and 19. I hear you can get a pair of 3D glasses to watch the fireworks display while supplies last at Coastal Cone Ice Cream parlor.  I’m not sure how the glasses will enhance fireworks as they’re already 3D, but I’m sure they’ll be in high demand. The two-day celebration includes music, a carnival with rides on the main lawn, fireworks, and decorated boats with this year’s theme, “Surf, Sand & Santa Celebrating 150 Years of Ventura.”  Be sure to be on the watch for Santa making an earlier flyby during the evening.

RJ Mischo & the Down Home trio have begun a Tuesday night residency this month at the 805 Bar and Grill Cheese.  I’m hearing the Copa Cubana (next to the 805 Bar) is getting close to opening soon.

The Watermark will host The Pullmen’s “Going Dark” vinyl release Xmas party on Friday, December 18. The event will be held on the ground floor as upstairs will be closed for a private party that evening.

It promises to be yet another “one of those evenings” at Squashed Grapes on Saturday, December 19^th when The Frank Potenza Trio will be in the house.  The trio features Potenza (Joe Pass, Dizzy Gillespie, George Van Eps and more), who is a professor of jazz guitar at USC Thorton School of Music; Jim Hughart (Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Pass and Tom Waits, Sinatra and more); and Colin Bailey.  I love that Bailey was the drummer on the Charlie Brown Christmas special, in fact, he’s done over 100 jazz albums, T.V. shows and toured with Benny Goodman and Joe Pass.  Earlier the same day, Bailey will be holding a drum clinic across the street at Pulse Drumming.  Get tickets and/or sign up for the clinic at Pulsedrumming.com.

We’re working on post production of the debut episode of Ventura Rocks music show on CAPS Media featuring Medicine Hat. CAPS, Community Access Partners of San Buenaventura is a private non-profit television channel available through Time Warner and Charter. Check in with VenturaRocks.com for updates on when the program will air this month.

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.