Category Archives: Ventura Music Scene

Vol. 17, No. 01 – Oct 4 – Oct 17 2023 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

We’re in the middle of celebrating Ventura County’s 150th anniversary, and the event not to be missed is coming up on Saturday, October 21 at Santa Paula Veterans Park. During the early afternoon there’s a Mountain to Sea Jubilee Family Festival free to the public, but starting at 2:30, a ticketed Jubilee Music Fest kicks off with live music from Charles Law Band, Whiskey Business, Rey Fresco, Mariachi Camarillo and the headliners, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy! There is limited capacity with presale tickets only, and they’re available on Eventbrite. There will be food trucks, a beer and wine garden and artisan fair. No outside food, drink, or dogs allowed. It’s festival style seating, so you can bring blankets or low chairs.

Tickets sold out quickly for Grammy winning and multi-platinum selling Soul Asylum show at the Deer Lodge for November 11. I’m a little sad to miss this one as I would have certainly plopped down $55 for such an intimate show with the band that gave us “Runaway Train” and “Somebody to Shove.”

Could be a blip in planning as two events are scheduled over the same weekend at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. I’m giving you the head’s up as parking could be limited; may I suggest riding your bike or hiring Lyft/Uber/Taxi?

First, the Seaside Highland Games return on October 14 and 15 with all the normal fun and games, as well as plenty of lively Celtic music from Stand Easy, Ploughboys, Brian Caldwell & Paul Castellanos, Browne Sisters & George Cavanaugh. Tickets can be secured through the event’s website at SeasideHighlandGames.com.

And then Boots and Brews falls on Sunday, October 15 to be held at Surfer’s Point Live in the parking lot of the fairgrounds. Headliner for this one is Jon Pardi with Niko Moon and recently added to the bill, Michael Ray. Tickets available on the event’s website at BootsAndBrews.com.

Quick Notes: the final Rock the Collection concert with DSB is on Wednesday, October 4; the Camarillo Old Town 9th Annual Wine Walk promises live music along with the wine, beer and vendors on hand on Saturday afternoon, October 7 (1-4 pm); Pier Under the Stars falls on Saturday October 7 from 4-7 pm with Ignition; the highly talented Phil Salazar and Tom Corbett performance at Namba is on Saturday, October 7; Sucka Punch Productions has a Tuesday night thrash/metal show at Mrs. Olson’s on October 10 starting at 5:30 with D.R.I. (Dirty Rotten Imbeciles), ACXDC, Deathwish and Brat with advance tickets on Ticketweb; Cadillac Zack presents a special Thursday evening show with John Primer and Bob Corritore Band at Cantara’s on Thursday October 19 with tickets through Eventbrite; and just announced, Lee Ving returns to Ventura with Fear for a show at the Ventura Music Hall on Saturday, November 25.

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

Dogstar, featuring actor Keanu Reeves on bass, played the Ventura Music Hall on Saturday, August 26, 2023.

Vol. 17, No. 01 – Oct 4 – Oct 17 2023 – Music Calendar

For more listings, additional times and genres go to VenturaRocks.com

All Kinds Studio
433 E. Main St., Ventura
Thurs 10/12: Exploding Flowers, Scientists & Saboteurs, The Spires, Bobi Rae

Angry Ferret
11990 Hertz St., Moorpark
Fri 10/6: Whole Hog
Fri 10/13: Morrison Drive

Aqua Beachfront Bar
Crowne Plaza; 450 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura
Wednesdays: Déjà vu Too

Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts
Logan House, 8585 N. Ojai Rd., Ojai
Sun 10/15: Chamber on the Mountain

Bellringer Brewing Company
472 E. Main St., Ventura
Fri 10/13: Katie Leigh

Boatyard Pub
1583 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Music 6-9; except Sundays 4-7
Wednesdays: Frank Barajas
Thursdays: Jim Friery; Bluegrass Jam
Fri 10/6: Teresa Russell

Bombay Bar and Grill
143 S. California St., Ventura
Wednesdays: Blues Night
Sat 10/7: Tommy Quayle, Agie and the Nightmares, Duncan and the Dragonslayers
Sat 10/14: Led Tasso

Boots and Brews
Ventura Fairgrounds 10 W. Harbor Blvd, Ventura
Sun 10/15: Jon Pardi, Michael Ray, Niko Moon

Cantara Cellars
126 N. Wood Rd., Camarillo
Sat 10/7: Brittney and the B-sides

The Cave
4435 McGrath St., Ventura
Wed & Thurs: Bobby Apostol
Fri & Sat: Warren Takahashi

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Mondays: Glenn Bennett
Tuesdays: Blues Tuesdays

Copper Blues
591 Collection Blvd., Oxnard
Fri 10/6: Jessica Ash
Sat 10/7: Siempre Selena Tribute
Fri 10/13: Caliente 805

Deer Lodge
2261 Maricopa Hwy., Ojai
Thurs 10/5: Simon Phillips
Fri 10/6: The Allegations
Sat 10/13: Dan Sadin

Enegren Brewing Co.
444 Zachary St., Moorpark
Fri 10/6: Vanise Terry Band

Four Brix
2290 Eastman Ave., Ventura
(Fridays 6-8:30; Sundays 1-3:30)
Fri 10/6: Inna Rude Mood

Garage
1091 Scandia Ave., Ventura
Fri 10/6: What the Funk
Sat 10/7: Faultline

The Grape
2733 E. Main St., Ventura
Tues: The Gratitude Jazz Jam
Wed 10/4: Paul Jost Trio
Thurs 10/5: SicNarf
Fri 10/6: Special EFX Allstars feat. Chieli Minucci
Sat 10/7: Flattop Tom’s Jumpin’ Blues Band (2 pm); Henry Franklin Quartet (8 pm)
Mon 10/9: ProgJect – The Ultimate Prog Rock Experience
Thurs 10/12: Nicole Zuraitis
Fri 10/13: Eric Harrington
Sat 10/14: The Azar Lawrence Experience

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Thurs 10/5: Singer/Songwriter Open Mic Night
Fri 10/6: Skabone Jam
Sat 10/7: Tribe Devine; Vinny Berry
Sun 10/8: Jahmon Soul
Thurs 10/12: Jacob Marquez
Fri 10/13: Keyth G & the Universouls
Sat 10/14: Mark Masson Jam Grass; Adam Lenhard
Sun 10/15: Katie Skeene Band

Libbey Bowl
210 S. Signal St., Ojai
Sun 10/8: Ojai Pops Orchestra – 805 Brass Ensemble

Magnavino Cellars
961 Rice Ave, Oxnard
Sat 10/14: Doc Rogers Band

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Thurs 10/5: Dr. Bachlava and Human Growth Hormone
Fri 10/6: The Devil Makes Three, Christopher Paul Stelling
Sat 10/7: Awolnation, Irontom
Fri 10/13: The Black Angels, The Dandy Warhols
Sat 10/14: 40 Fingers
Tues 10/17: The Offspring

Manhattan
5800 Santa Rosa Rd., Camarillo
Wed 10/4: Robert Van

Margarita Villa
1567 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Fri 10/6: Mark Masson & Friends
Sat 10/7: Little Alice and the Cats
Sun 10/8: Corsican Brothers
Fri 10/13: Colette Lovejoy Band
Sat 10/14: Cinnamon Whiskey
Sun 10/15: CRV

Mrs. Olson’s
2800 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Sun 10/8: Teresa Russell
Tues 10/10: DRI, Cromags, ACXDC, Brat, Deathwish

Namba Arts
47 S. Oak St., Ventura
Sat 10/7: Phil Salazar and Tom Corbett
Sun 10/8: The Listening Room
Sat 10/14: The Salty Suites

Oceanview Pavilion
575 E. Surfside Dr., Port Hueneme
Sat 10/7: Deepest Purple, Ghost in the Machine, Katie Leigh

Ojai Valley Brewing
307 Bryant St., Ojai
Sat 10/7: Blues Bullet
Fri 10/13: Zydeco Zippers
Sat 10/14: River Ripley

Ojai Underground Exchange
616 Pearl St., Ojai
Fri 10/6: The Refugees
Sat 10/7: Bad Ass Boots

Pier Under the Stars
668 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura
Sat 10/7: Ignition

Poseidon Brewing
5777 Olivas Park Dr., Ventura
Fri 10/6: The CocoKnots
Sat 10/7: Vinny Berry
Sun 10/8: The CocoKnots
Fri 10/13: Vanise Terry Band

The Raven Tavern
1651 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
Fri & Sat 7 pm; Sunday 2 pm
Fri 10/6: Doc Rogers Band
Sat 10/7: Sonic Boomers
Sun 10/8: Jayden Secor
Fri 10/13: Jayden Secor Band
Sat 10/14: Teresa Russell
Sun 10/15: Doc Rogers

Rock the Collection
2751 Park View Ct., Oxnard
Wed 10/4: DSB

Sam’s Place
308 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Sat 10/14: Whole Hog

Seaside Highland Games
Ventura Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura
Sat 10/14: Stand Easy, Ploughboys, Brian Caldwell & Paul Castellanos, Browne Sisters & George Cavanaugh
Sun 10/15: Stand Easy, Ploughboys, Brian Caldwell & Paul Castellanos, Browne Sisters & George Cavanaugh

The Shores
1031 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Sat 10/14: CRV

Social Tap
1105 Seaward Ave., Ventura
Sat 10/7: The Elektrik Love-In

Strey Cellars
951 N. Rice Ave., Oxnard
Sat 10/7: Barrelhouse Wailers
Sun 10/8: Pull the Trigger
Sat 10/14: 805 Social Club
Sun 10/15: Holgers Heros

Taqueria Jalisco
4275 Tierra Rejada Rd., Moorpark
Tuesdays & Fridays: Jim Friery

Tony’s Pizzeria
186 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Wed 10/4: Caught Red Handed
Thurs 10/5: SkaDaddyz
Mon 10/8: Mini Driver
Wed 10/11: CRV
Thurs 10/12: Stevie Char Band

Topa Topa Brewing
2024 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo
Wed 10/11: Erinn Alissa
Sun 10/15: Katie Shorey

Topa Topa Brewing
4880 Colt St., Ventura
Tues 10/10: Jam

Vaquero y Mar
435 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Sundays: Mariachi
Tuesdays: The Sea Hunter, Lowered Expectations
Wednesdays: Tribal Me
Fridays: Conjunto Zacamandu
Sat 10/7: The Mentors, Psychotic Barnyard, Seirens, Gob Patrol

Ventura Music Hall
1888 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Wed 10/4: Glaive
Fri 10/6: Psychedelic Porn Crumpets
Sun 10/8: The Happy Fits, Small Crush & Hot Freaks
Wed 10/11: The Original Wailers
Fri 10/13: Eli Young Band
Sat 10/14: Kean Lewis, Sara Kays

Waterside
3500 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Sun 10/15: Teresa Russell

Winchesters
632 E. Main St., Ventura
Music Thurs 5:30; Fri 7 pm; Sat 3 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 10/5: Karyn 805
Fri 10/6: Doc Ventura
Sat 10/7: J Coursey Willis
Sun 10/8: Ray Jaurique Trio
Thurs 10/12: Brandon Ragan
Fri 10/13: Sage & Austin
Sat 10/14: Steve & Sally Williams
Sun 10/15: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples

Vol. 16, No. 26 – Sept 20 – Oct 3, 2023 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

Ventura Artwalk 2023 takes place over the weekend of September 23 and 24 from 11 am – 7 pm. You’ll find art from local artisans in venues throughout the city at dozens of locations, as well as live music on the downtown stage at California and Main Streets, the City Hall Atrium, WAV Courtyard stage, and Steve TV at Mission Park. Get all the details and strategize your weekend at ArtwalkVentura.org.

The end of summer Beachside Bash BBQ will be held at the San Buenaventura State Beach benefiting the Ventura Rotary Club. This one costs $10 and features live music from Nautical Thrust and The Bomb on Saturday, September 23. Along with the music, there will be a car show as well as a national ribeye steak cookoff.

The 10th annual Banana Festival is Saturday, September 30, from 10 am – 5 pm at the Port of Hueneme. This free event includes port tours, a kid’s zone, tasty eats (a lot having to do with the event’s namesake), a marketplace and of course live music! The electric mix of entertainment features Los Cool Arrows (Latin pop, reggae), Tribute to the Greats (music featuring artists such as Steve Wonder, Chaka Khan), Upstream (Calypso w/ steel drums), Fausto Cuevas Y La Moderna (Salsa), and Coso Live (R&B, high energy pop). One’s things for sure, wear comfortable shoes because you’ll want to dance!

Oceanview Pavilion in Port Hueneme has a Steely Dan tribute band called Doctor Wu on Saturday, September 23, and Robby Krieger and the Soul Savages play the following weekend on Saturday, September 30. Just a reminder, Krieger was an original member of The Doors.

Candlelight Concerts are being produced in over 100 cities worldwide including Oxnard at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. There’s a tribute to Taylor Swift in November, a haunted evening of Halloween classics (think Thriller, Tubular Bells, Beetlejuice theme, Psycho, etc…) running in October, and a number of dates featuring the music of Vivaldi in September and October. Ticket information can be found at Feverup.com.

Quick Notes: Ventura Blues Night returns to Bombay Bar and Grill on Wednesday nights; another installation of Rock the Collection is Wednesday, September 20 with Prince Again; there’s a special fundraiser/birthday bash in honor of Ted Neeley at the Rubicon on Wednesday, September 20; Swing Shift plays the Sportsman on Sunday, September 24; The Trivle Omdobble returns to Topa Topa Brewing on Colt Street, Sunday, September 24; Bloody Mary Morning plays Rincon Brewery on Friday, September 29; Todd Hannigan opens for David Burden at the Deer Lodge on Friday September 29; Salzer’s Records has a special in store acoustic set with Briston Maroney on Monday, October 2; and finally, Shawn Jones has a new release called In my Blood as he heads back overseas for a European tour for most of October.

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

Vol. 16, No. 26 – Sept 20 – Oct 3, 2023 – Music Calendar

For more listings, additional times and genres go to VenturaRocks.com

Anna’s Cider
801 E. Main St., Santa Paula
Fri 9/29: Corey Hugh Highberg

Artwalk Ventura
Downtown Stage (California & Main)
Sat 9/23: Shaky Feelin’, Brion Shearer, Twice as Clever, Maya Lumen
Sun 9/24: The Heavy Hitters, One People, Honey Owl, Tribal Me, Cantes Folcloricos

Banana Festival
105 E. Port Hueneme, CA
Sat 9/30: Los Cool Arrows, Tribute to the Greats, Upstream, Fausto Cuevas y la Moderna, Cosolive

Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts
Logan House, 8585 N. Ojai Rd., Ojai
Sun 9/24: Gregg Karukas
Fri 9/29: Gypsy Meets Choro (Olli Soikkeli & Ceasar Garabini)

Bellringer Brewing Company
472 E. Main St., Ventura
Sun 9/24: Déjà vu Too

Boatyard Pub
1583 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Music 6-9; except Sundays 4-7
Wednesdays: Frank Barajas
Thursdays: Jim Friery; Bluegrass Jam
Fri 9/22: Bill Macpherson & Friends
Sat 9/23: Two’s Company
Tues 9/26: Noah Thoresen
Fri 9/29: Mack and D
Sat 9/30: Shore Break

Bombay Bar and Grill
143 S. California St., Ventura
Wed 9/20: Blues Night w/ Pat McClure
Wed 9/27: Blues Night w/ Milo Sledge

Café Fiore
66 California St., Ventura
Tuesdays: Open Mic and Jam
Wed 9/20: Fabulous Hangovers
Fri 9/22: Heathers on Fire
Wed 9/27: Heathers on Fire
Fri 9/29: Otis Hayes

Cantara Cellars
126 N. Wood Rd., Camarillo
Fri 9/22: The Raw Honey Band
Sat 9/23: Whiskey Kick
Fri 9/29: Whiskey Business
Sat 9/30: Lil Bit of Everything

The Cave
4435 McGrath St., Ventura
Wed & Thurs: Bobby Apostol
Fri & Sat: Warren Takahashi

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Mondays: Glenn Bennett
Tuesdays: Blues Tuesdays
Sun 9/24: Freddie and Friends

Copper Blues
591 Collection Blvd., Oxnard
Fri 9/22: The Outlaw Mariachi
Sat 9/23: Heller Highwater
Fri 9/29: The Mixxers Band

Deer Lodge
2261 Maricopa Hwy., Ojai
Fri 9/22: Weeed
Sat 9/23: The Mercer, Brother Earl
Thurs 9/28: Tommy Guerrero
Fri 9/29: David Burden, Todd Hannigan

Feros Ferio
310 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Sat 9/23: Ashford Gordon & Eric Monteith

Four Brix
2290 Eastman Ave., Ventura
(Fridays 6-8:30; Sundays 1-3:30)
Fri 9/22: Mid Life Crisis
Sun 9/24: Strummed Down
Fri 9/29: Ignition
Sun 10/1: Moxy Raven

Garage
1091 Scandia Ave., Ventura
Sat 9/23: Keyth G, Buffalo Trance
Fri 9/29: Steph’s Rockin’ Roadshow

The Grape
2733 E. Main St., Ventura
Tues: The Gratitude Jazz Jam
Wed 9/20: Why Jazz?
Thurs 9/21: David Gorospe & the Cosmic Geckos
Fri 9/22: Flamenco al Rojo Vivo!
Sat 9/23: Dr. T & the Blues Criminals (2 pm); Bassel & the Supernaturals (8 pm)
Wed 9/27: Native Vibe
Thurs 9/28: Joel Frahm & Grapham Dechter, Jordan Seigel & Alex Frank
Fri 9/29: Anthony Fung Quartet
Sat 9/30: Debbie Davis (2 pm); Barrelhouse Wailers (8 pm)

Institution Ale
3841 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo
Thurs 9/28: Delta by the Beach

Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Rd., Ventura
Thursdays: Open Mic
Fri 9/22: Pull the Trigger
Fri 9/29: Vinyl Gypsies
Sat 9/30: The Balance

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Thurs 9/21: Singer/Songwriter Open Mic Night
Sat 9/23: One People
Sun 9/24: Mark Masson Jam Grass
Fri 9/29: Boom Duo
Sat 9/30: Zeeceekeely
Sun 10/1: Midtown Modern

Libbey Bowl
210 S. Signal St., Ojai
Sat 9/30: Led Zepagain

Madewest Brewing
1744 Donlon St., Ventura
Sat 923: Josh Nordgren

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Wed 9/20: Pepper
Wed 9/27: Bad Religion
Thurs 9/28: Marc E. Bassy
Fri 9/29: Digitalism
Sat 9/30: Highway Starr

Manhattan
5800 Santa Rosa Rd., Camarillo
Wednesdays: Warren Takahashi
Thurs 9/21: Michael Falcone
Fri 9/22: Tour Support
Sat 9/23: Mark and Jim Duo
Thurs 9/28: Tom McMorran
Fri 9/29: Pam and Hollywood
Sat 9/30: Lisa Ritner Duo

Margarita Villa
1567 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Fri 9/22: Sounds like Fun
Sat 9/23: Crosscut 805
Sun 9/24: CRV
Fri 9/29: Dive Bar Messiahs
Sat 9/30: On Tap
Sun 10/1: Doc Rogers Band

Mrs. Olson’s
2800 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Sat 9/23: Sunnie Daze
Sun 9/24: Teresa Russell
Sat 9/30: Goleta Sound

Namba Arts
47 S. Oak St., Ventura
Thurs 9/21: ;Music for Connection
Fri 9/22: Listening Room Redux
Sat 9/23: Leon Rosen

Oceanview Pavilion
575 E. Surfside Dr., Port Hueneme
Sat 9/23: Doctor Wu, Faultline
Sat 9/30: Robby Krieger and the Soul Savages, Kyle Rising

Ojai Valley Brewing
307 Bryant St., Ojai
Fri 9/22: Blown Over
Sat 9/23: Jazzman Suite
Sat 9/30: Irie Nature

Ojai Underground Exchange
616 Pearl St., Ojai
Sat 8/23: Twanguero
Sat 9/30: Adam Levy
Sun 10/1: Gadan

Onyx Bistro
2390 Las Posas Road, Camarillo
Fri 9/22: Vinny Berry
Sat 9/23: Leeann Skoda
Fri 9/29: Nate Latta
Sat 9/30: Smokey & Friends

Oxnard Performing Arts Center
800 Hobson Way, Oxnard
Thurs 9/21: Listeso String Quartet performing Vivaldi

Peirano’s
204 E. Main St., Ventura
Fri 9/29: Three Cheers

Poinsettia Pavilion
3451 Foothill Rd., Ventura
Sun 10/1: Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Assoc.

Poseidon Brewing
5777 Olivas Park Dr., Ventura
Fri 9/22: Hold my Beer

The Raven Tavern
1651 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
Fri & Sat 7 pm; Sunday 2 pm
Fri 9/22: Brandon Ragan Project
Sat 9/23: Breaking Bored
Sun 9/24: Shay Moulder
Fri 9/29: Jayden Secor Band
Sat 9/30: Holgers Heros

Rincon Brewery
4100 Telegraph Rd., Ventura
Fri 9/29: Bloody Mary Morning

Rock the Collection
2751 Park View Ct., Oxnard
Wed 9/20: Prince Again

Rubicon Theatre Company
1006 E. Main St., Ventura
Wed 9/20: Ted Neeley’s Birthday Bash

Salzer’s Records
5777 Valentine Rd., Ventura
Mon 10/2: Briston Maroney

Sam’s Place
308 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Fri 9/22: Toni Jannotta Jazz Trio

San Buenaventura State Beach
901 San Pedro St., Ventura
Sat 9/23: Beachside Bash BBQ with Nautical Thrust, The Bomb

The Shores
1031 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Fri 9/22: Jake McClelland (4 pm); Goleta Sound (8 pm)
Sat 9/23: Sin Chonies
Fri 9/29: CRV
Sat 9/30: The Riffs

The Six
419 E. Main St., Ventura
Sat 9/23: Rising Son
Sat 9/30: Top Shelf

The Sportsman
4426 Central Ave., Camarillo
Sun 9/24: Swing Shift

Strey Cellars
951 N. Rice Ave., Oxnard
Sat 9/23: NDR CVR SPR GRP
Sun 9/24: 805 Social Club
Sat 9/30: Bad Habit

Taqueria Jalisco
4275 Tierra Rejada Rd., Moorpark
Tuesdays & Fridays: Jim Friery

Topa Topa Brewing
2024 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo
Fri 9/22: Steve and Sally Williams

Topa Topa Brewing
4880 Colt St., Ventura
Sun 9/24: The Trivle Omdobble
Tues 9/26: Friendly Jam

The Twist on Main
454 E. Main St., Ventura
Fri 9/22: Brobots
Sat 9/23: Adam Lenhard (noon); Dive Bar Steve (4 pm)
Sun 9/24: Ashley Andrade (noon); Rick and Jenny (2:30); Keyth G (5 pm)
Wed 9/27: The Pennies and A
Fri 9/29: Mark Masson and Phriends
Sat 9/30: Jack Keough (noon); Beau James Wilding (4 pm); Jazzmen Suites (8 pm)

Vaquero y Mar
435 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Sundays: Mariachi
Tuesdays: The Sea Hunter, Lowered Expectations
Wednesdays: Tribal Me
Fridays: Conjunto Zacamandu

Ventura Harbor Village
1559 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Sat 9/23: Unkle Monkey

Ventura Music Hall
1888 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Wed 9/20: James Hunter
Thurs 9/21: Iya Terra
Sat 9/23: Stephen Marley, Old Soul unplugged
Sun 9/24: Prof, Zombie Juice, Cashinova, J. Plaza, Willie Wonka
Wed 9/27: Landon McNamara, FYAH, The Wide Eyed Kids, Chukuboy
Thurs 9/28: The Steel Woods, Zach Top
Fri 9/29: Donavon Frankenreiter
Sat 9/30: Matt Maeson
Mon 10/2: The Church
Tues 10/3: Kurt Vile and the Violator

Waterside
3500 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Sat 9/23: Unkle Monkey
Thurs 9/28: Vinny Berry
Fri 9/29: Billie Lee
Sat 9/30: Dave Blanchard

Winchesters
632 E. Main St., Ventura
Music Thurs 5:30; Fri 7 pm; Sat 3 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 9/21: Vanise & Eric
Fri 9/22: Déjà vu Too w/ Bob Nichols
Sat 9/23: Tessa & Downey
Sun 9/24: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples
Thurs 9/28: Karen Eden & Bill Macpherson
Fri 9/29: Cats on the Bandstand
Sat 9/30: Teresa Russell
Sun 10/1: Soul Machine

1901 Speakeasy
740 S. B St., Oxnard
Thursdays: D.on Darox

Vol. 16, No. 25 – Sept 6 – Sept 19, 2023 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner VenturaRocks.com

I’d like to start off with cooler than cool news that Oxnard College announced that they are set to receive a $100k grant from Metallica who picked their school here in Ventura County as one out of eleven colleges across the country targeting the Culinary Arts, Dental Hygiene, and Fire Academy programs. The All Within My Hands Metallica Scholars Initiative states it “Provides support of relevant job skill training for community college students.” Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but why not music/arts programs? I can only surmise they know earning a living in the music industry these days is like winning the lottery, so they want to help guarantee a future career…prudent, but still totally rad.

The 6th Annual Oxnard Jazz Festival will be held at Oxnard State Beach with Lakeside, Spyro Gyra, and Eric Benet among the artists performing on Saturday, September 9; then it’s a celebration of the music of Latin American on Sunday with Ricardo Lemvo, La Marcha Sound, Kleber Jorge and more. Get tickets at OxnardJazzFestival.com.

Rincon Brewery in Ventura will be hosting an Endless Summer Concert Series with the CocoKnots on September 8, Raging Arb and the Redheads on September 15, and the return of Bloody Mary Morning on September 29.

Dogstar, featuring actor Keanu Reeves on bass, played the Ventura Music Hall on Saturday, August 26, 2023.

A classic car show and motorcycle poker run supporting Echo Group Band of Brothers to support veterans will be held on Sunday, September 10 at Harbor Cove Café in the Ventura Harbor. There will be live music from Raised on Vinyl, Fallen Saints, The Alex Jolly Project and Wyred.

A quick head’s up: Boots and Brews at Surfer’s Point Live (Fairgrounds parking lot) will feature Jon Pardi with Niko Moon on October 15 and tickets are on sale for Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton at Ventura Music Hall on Saturday, December 23.

Quick Notes: Kings of Queen Rock the Collection on Wednesday, September 6; Nowhere Fast, a tribute to the Smiths & Morrissey play Copper Blues on Friday, September 8; (HED) PE plays Mrs. Olson’s on Sunday night, September 10; remaining original member, Mickey Dolenz, celebrates the Monkees at the Libbey Bowl on Friday, September 15; Cadillac Zack presents Popa Chubby on Friday, September 15 at Cantara Cellars; Poseidon Brewing Co. is celebrating Oktoberfest a bit early on Saturday, September 16 with Linda’s Polka Band; Don McClean’s 50th anniversary of American Pie at Libbey Bowl on Saturday, September 16; and Daughty plays the Libbey Bowl on Sunday, September 17.

I am sorry to report that friend to the Ventura music scene and comedy improv scene, Gary Best, died of Pancreatic cancer on September 1, 2023. I will forever miss Gary’s sharp sense of humor, our discussions about music, his genuine regard and respect for others but mostly those bear hugs.

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

Vol. 16, No. 25 – Sept 6 – Sept 19, 2023 – Music Calendar

For more listings, additional times and genres go to VenturaRocks.com

Angry Ferret
11990 Hertz St., Moorpark
Fri 9/15: Mood Swing

Bellringer Brewing Company
472 E. Main St., Ventura
Fri 9/8: Katie Leigh
Sat 9/9: Jayden Secor Band

Boatyard Pub
1583 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Music 6-9; except Sundays 4-7
Mondays: Jason Ho
Wednesdays: Frank Barajas
Thursdays: Jim Friery; Bluegrass Jam
Fri 9/7: Teresa Russell & Stephen Geyer
Sat 9/8: Guy and Dave
Sun 9/9: Ken Devoe
Tues 9/11: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples
Fri 9/14: Finnhead Dave
Sat 9/15: Déjà vu Three
Sun 9/16: Epitome of Dreams
Tues 9/18: Noah Thoresen

Café Fiore
66 California St., Ventura
Tuesdays: Open Mic and Jam
Wed 9/6: Bryan McCann
Fri 9/8: Instone
Wed 9/13: Donna Butler
Fri 9/15: Little Alice

Cantara Cellars
126 N. Wood Rd., Camarillo
Fri 9/8: What the Funk
Sat 9/9: Britain’s Finest
Fri 9/15: Popa Chubby
Sat 9/16: Caliente 805

The Cave
4435 McGrath St., Ventura
Wed & Thurs: Bobby Apostol
Fri & Sat: Warren Takahashi

Copper Blues
591 Collection Blvd., Oxnard
Fri 9/8: Nowhere Fast
Sat 9/9: The Brandon Ragan Project
Sun 9/10: Los Amigos

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Mondays: Glenn Bennett
Tuesdays: Blues Tuesdays
Sun 9/10: The Brandon Ragan Project
Sun 9/17: The House Arrest Band

Deer Lodge
2261 Maricopa Hwy., Ojai
Fri 9/8: Ojai Dept of Rhythm
Sat 9/9: Rusty Tinder Band
Sat 9/16: House of Vibe w/ Chali 2NA

Feros Ferio
310 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Sun 9/17: Jerry Breiner & Frank Barajas

Four Brix
2290 Eastman Ave., Ventura
(Fridays 6-8:30; Sundays 1-3:30)
Fri 9/8: On Tap
Sun 9/17: Teresa Russell & Stephen Geyer
Fri 9/22: Mid Life Crisis

Garage
1091 Scandia Ave., Ventura
Sat 9/9: How to Live with Robots

The Grape
2733 E. Main St., Ventura
Tues: The Gratitude Jazz Jam
Wed 9/6: Ilya Dynov featuring Bill Cunliffe & Will Lyle
Thurs 9/7: SicNarf
Fri 9/8: Don Randi & Quest
Sat 9/9: Art Farmers (1 pm); Gordon Goodwin’s Little Phat Band (8 pm)
Wed 9/13: Bobby Pierce
Thurs 9/14: LA6
Fri 9/15: Kait Dunton Quartet
Sat 9/16: Lenny LaCroix (2 pm); One Shot Deal Plays Zappa (8 pm
Sun 9/17: 2nd annual Harp Fest

Harbor Cove Café
1867 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Saturdays 10 am: The Cool Hand Ukes
Fri 9/8: Vinyl Gypsies
Sat 9/9: Jill Martini & the Shrunken Heads
Sun 9/10: Raised on Vinyl, Fallen Saints, The Alex Jolly Project, Wyred

Institution Ale
3841 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo
Thurs 9/7: Solomon King

Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Rd., Ventura
Thursdays: Open Mic
Sat 9/9: Crosscut 805
Fri 9/16: The Balance
Sat 9/17: Ventu Park Band

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Thurs 9/7: Singer/Songwriter Open Mic Night
Fri 9/8: Moondawgs
Sat 9/9: Blues Bullet (2 pm); Brion Shearer (7 pm)
Sun 9/10: In Ivy
Fri 9/15: Urban Dread
Sat 9/16: Vinny Berry
Sun 9/17: Mestizo Beat

Libbey Bowl
210 S. Signal St., Ojai
Fri 9/15: The Monkees (Mickey Dolenz)
Sat 9/16: Don McClean
Sun 9/17: Daughtry

Lucky Fools Pub
75 E. High St., Moorpark
Sat 9/9: Mike Scully

Madewest Brewing
1744 Donlon St., Ventura
Sat 9/9: River Ripley

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Fri 9/8: Eyehategod, Goatwhore, Final Conflict, Cancer Christ

Manhattan
5800 Santa Rosa Rd., Camarillo
Wednesdays: Robert Van
Fri 9/8: Tour Support
Sat 9/9: Jeanne Tatum
Thurs 9/14: Tom McMorran
Fri 9/15: Lisa Ritner Duo
Sat 9/16: Wayne Boyer

Margarita Villa
1567 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Fri 9/8: Mark Masson & Phriends
Sat 9/9: Little Alice and the Cats
Sun 9/10: Déjà vu Too
Sun 9/17: Smokey & Friends

Mrs. Olson’s
2800 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Fri 9/8: Brain Vat
Sat 9/9: Grizwalds
Sun 9/10: Teresa Russell; (HED) PE
Sat 9/16: Flying Gang

Namba Arts
47 S. Oak St., Ventura
Thus 9/7: Johnny Burgin, Delta by the Beach
Fri 9/15: Shawn Jones

Oceanview Pavilion
575 E. Surfside Dr., Port Hueneme
Sat 9/16: Welcome to the Jungle, Lose Your Illusion, Ride the Lightning LA

Ojai Valley Brewing
307 Bryant St., Ojai
Fri 9/8: VIP
Sat 9/9: Chaparral
Fri 9/15: Mark Masson

Ojai Underground Exchange
616 Pearl St., Ojai
Fri 9/8: Barrelhouse Wailers

Onyx Bistro
2390 Las Posas Road, Camarillo
Fri 9/8: George Krikes
Sat 9/9: Brenda Carsey
Fri 9/15: Jesse Davis
Sat 9/16: The Fabulous Hangovers

Ox and Ocean
2101 Mandalay Beach Rd., Oxnard
Sun 9/10: Jayden Secor

Oxnard Jazz Festival
1601 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Sat 9/9: Lakeside, Spyro Gyra, DW3, Eric Benet, Deniece Williams, Kayla Waters, Kim Waters,
Sun 9/10: Ricardo Lemvo, La Marcha Sound, Kleber Jorge, Catina de Luna, Isaiah Venegas

Oxnard Performing Arts Center
800 Hobson Way, Oxnard
Sat 9/9: Yngwie Malmsteen & Glenn Hughes

Poseidon Brewing
5777 Olivas Park Dr., Ventura
Sat 9/16: Linda’s Polka Band

The Raven Tavern
1651 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
Fri & Sat 8 pm; Sunday 2 pm
Fri 9/8: The Balance
Sat 9/9: Soul Machine
Sun 9/10: Doc Rogers
Fri 9/15: Vinyl Gypsies
Sat 9/16: Teresa Russell
Sun 9/17: Unkle Monkey

Rincon Brewery
4100 Telegraph Rd., Ventura
Fri 9/8: CocoKnots

Rock the Collection
2751 Park View Ct., Oxnard
Wed 9/6: King of Queen

Sam’s Place
308 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Fri 9/8: Whole Hog

San Souci
21 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Fri 9/8: The Robot Uprising Black Adidas, RAW

The Shores
1031 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Fri 9/8: Jake McClelland (4 pm); Pull the Trigger (8 pm)
Sat 9/9: Blues Ramblers
Fri 9/15: Nuestro
Sat 9/16: Checkpoint

Strey Cellars
951 N. Rice Ave., Oxnard
Sun 9/10: Vinyl Gypsies
Sat 9/16: Pull the Trigger
Sun 9/17: David Brookings & the Average Lookings

Taqueria Jalisco
4275 Tierra Rejada Rd., Moorpark
Tuesdays & Fridays: Jim Friery

Tony’s Pizzeria
186 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Wed 8/23: Caught Red Handed
Thurs 8/24: Stoneflys
Sun 8/27: Heart & Soul

Topa Topa Brewing
2024 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo
Sat 9/8: Milo Sledge Trio
Fri 9/14: Teresa Russell
Sat 9/16: Katie Shorey

Topa Topa Brewing
4880 Colt St., Ventura
Sun 9/16: Katie Leigh

The Twist on Main
454 E. Main St., Ventura
Fri 9/7: Brittney and the B Sides
Sat 9/8: Vinny Berry, Electrik Love, Mark Masson
Sun 9/9: Mandii Gomez, Dave Blanchard, Beau James Wilding
Thurs 9/13: Mark Masson Jam Session
Fri 9/14: Jesse James Harris
Sat 9/15: Anthony Kouglaz, Joe Delia, CRV
Sun 9/16: Matt Kelley, Morrison Drive, Keyth G

Vaquero y Mar
435 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Sundays: Mariachi
Tuesdays: The Sea Hunter
Wednesdays: Tribal Me
Fridays: Conjunto Zacamandu
Thurs 9/13: Lowered Expectations

Ventura Harbor Village
1559 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Sat 9/9: Preston Smith
Sun 9/10: Tony Lee and Forbidden Fruit
Sat 9/16: Teka
Sun 9/17: Unkle Monkey

Ventura Music Hall
1888 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Thurs 9/7: Foy Vance
Sat 9/9: Vintage Trouble
Thurs 9/14: Shordie Shordie
Sat 9/16: Struggle Jennings

Waterside
3500 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Sun 9/9: Teresa Russell
Thurs 9/13: Jake McClelland
Fri 9/14: Michael Quest
Sat 9/15: Unkle Monkey
Sun 9/16: The CocoKnots

Winchesters
632 E. Main St., Ventura
Music Thurs 5:30; Fri 7 pm; Sat 3 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 9/6: Jayden Secor
Fri 9/7: Medicine Hat (acoustic)
Sat 9/8: Mack & D
Sun 9/9: CRV
Thurs 9/13: Brandon Ragan
Fri 9/14: The James Brothers Band
Sat 9/15: McGuire/Moffett Band
Sun 9/16: Colette Lovejoy

1901 Speakeasy
740 S. B St., Oxnard
Sat 9/9: Steve and Sally Williams

Tickets on Sale for “Pier Under the Stars”

Raise funds to get the historic Ventura Pier reopened. Photo by Michael Gordon

Tickets are now on sale for Pier Under the Stars—the 28th annual benefit for the historic Ventura Pier on Saturday, October 7th, from 4-7pm. Each year more than 500 residents and visitors attend this beachfront culinary event adjacent to the pier to sample the county’s best food, wine and spirits provided by over 25 area businesses. This year the event is needed more than ever to raise funds to get the historic Ventura Pier reopened.

Restaurants, cafes, wineries and breweries serve their signature dishes and beverages from tented booths along the seaside Promenade while guests enjoy live music and dancing under the stars and an amazing silent auction.

The sell-out event hosted by Pier into the Future–-a non-profit organization-

“is a much anticipated community gathering of friends that raises funds for our beloved Pier”, said Pier Into the Future Executive Director Jenise Wagar-Hernandez. The organization was founded by a group of dedicated

community leaders, in partnership with the City of Ventura, to establish an endowment fund to maintain and enhance the historic Ventura Pier for future generations to enjoy. The organization has contributed over $1,128,000 to the City of Ventura over the last 30 years to enhance the Pier.

General admission tickets are $95 and include food and beverage tasting and a commemorative Pier wine glass. A limited number of VIP tickets are offered at $185. VIP tickets include all of the benefits associated with General Admission, plus a reserved seat at a VIP table along the promenade and a special wine tasting in the VIP area.

Tickets are available on line at www.eventbrite.com.

Visit www.pierintothefuture.org for more information.

Vol. 16, No. 24 – Aug 23 – Sept 5, 2023 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

I cannot believe Labor Day is almost here and with it what most call the “end of summer.” Of course, nothing could be further from the truth as summer doesn’t official end until Friday, September 22, and even then, we typically have warm gorgeous weather up until the middle of October. But I’m not a weather person and all I care about is that we have live music all year round! So, let’s get started…

Spencer Makenzie has outgrown their original location on the public street next to their restaurant and they’re now hosting their annual Throw Down Cornhole Festival at the Ventura County Fairs. Along with all the competition will be live music featuring Morie & the Heavy Hitters, Acoustic DNA, and Prince Again on Friday, August 25; then on Saturday the 26, it’s Highway Starr and Whiskey Business. This is a ticketed event.

There’s free admission for the Hueneme Beach Fest, but do plan to spend money on parking ($10, though a free shuttle will be provided as well) and carnival rides and of course all the delicious food offered by all the food vendors. Along with all the arts and crafts vendors and chalk art exhibition, there will be plenty of live music both days with Morie and the Heavy Hitters, Joyas Prestadas (tribute to Jenni Rivera), and Led Zepagain on Saturday, August 26, then it’s Always Tina, Anything for Selena and Britain’s Finest on Sunday, the 27 of August.

The Rubicon Theatre hosts The Platters, Many Voices ONE name, for five shows over the weekend of August 25 through the 27 with two shows on Friday and Saturday. You’ll enjoy timeless classics such as “Only You,” “The Great Pretender,” “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” My Prayer,” and more. Find out more at RubiconTheatre.org.

Oh! And don’t forget the Oxnard Jazz Festival falls over the weekend of September 9 and 10 at Oxnard State Beach. Secure tickets at OxnardJazzFestival.com.

Quick Notes: adding to the list of venues offering open mic/jam nights is Café Fiore on Tuesdays; As of press time, only the first of two nights has sold out for The Offspring at the Majestic Ventura Theater (Tuesday, October 17, and Wednesday, October 18); Rock the Collection kicks off their summer concert (while others are wrapping theirs up) with Bruno and the Hooligans on Wednesday, August 23; City of Caterpillar, the Discussion and Head Cut play Gigi’s on Saturday August 26; Music Under the Stars wraps up the summer season with Lisa Haley & the Zydekats on Saturday, August 26; Neon Blonde plays Sans Souci on Saturday, August 26; Bell Arts Factory hosts Juan D. Mendoza on Sunday, August 27; The Trivle Omdobble plays Topa Topa Brewing on Sunday, August 27; and there’s an extra night of music at Leashless on Tuesday, August 29 with Spring Loaded Band;

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

Vol. 16, No. 24 – Aug 23 – Sept 5, 2023 – Music Calendar

For more listings, additional times and genres go to VenturaRocks.com

Aqua Beachfront Bar (Crowne Plaza)
450 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura
Sat 9/2: Rey Fresco

Bell Arts
432 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura
Sun 8/27: Juan D. Mendoza

Bellringer Brewing Company
472 E. Main St., Ventura
Fri 9/1: Déjà vu Three

Boatyard Pub
1583 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Music 6-9; except Sundays 4-7
Mondays: Jason Ho
Wednesdays: Frank Barajas
Thursdays: Jim Friery; Bluegrass Jam
Fri 8/25: Mack and D
Sat 8/26: Flattop Tom
Sun 8/27: Ken Devoe
Tues 8/29: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples

Café Fiore
66 California St., Ventura
Tuesdays: Open Mic and Jam

Cantara Cellars
126 N. Wood Rd., Camarillo
Fri 8/25: Heathers on Fire
Sat 8/26: Cash Cats

The Cave
4435 McGrath St., Ventura
Wed & Thurs: Bobby Apostol
Fri & Sat: Warren Takahashi
Tues 8/29: Benjamin Hillel

Copper Blues
591 Collection Blvd., Oxnard
Wed 8/23: Checkered Past
Fri 8/25: Heller Highwater
Sat 8/26: Los Amigos (11 am); NDR CVR SPR GRP (7 pm)
Sun 8/27: Red Rhythm
Fri 9/1: Caliente 805
Sat 9/2: Strange Days

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Mondays: Glenn Bennett
Tuesdays: Blues Tuesdays
Sun 8/27: Freddie and Friends
Sun 9/3: The House Arrest Band

Deer Lodge
2261 Maricopa Hwy., Ojai
Fri 8/25: Daily Specials
Sat 8/26: Virtual Nobodies
Wed 8/30: Alabaster Deplume
Fri 9/1: Glenn Annie, Will Warden

Enegren Brewing Co.
444 Zachary St., Moorpark, CA
Thursdays: Glenn Bennett

Feros Ferio
310 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Sun 8/27: Two Tossers

Four Brix
2290 Eastman Ave., Ventura
(Fridays 6-8:30; Sundays 1-3:30)
Sun 8/27: Smokey & Friends
Sun 9/3: Cary Park

Garage
1091 Scandia Ave., Ventura
Fri 8/25: Buena Onda
Sat 8/26: Bombafiya

Gigi’s Cocktails
2493 Grand Ave., Ventura
Sat 8/26: City of Caterpillar, The Discussion, Head Cut

The Grape
2733 E. Main St., Ventura
Tues: The Gratitude Jazz Jam
Wed 8/23: Tom Rizzo Group
Thurs 8/24: Little Wooden Bridge
Fri 8/25: Phoenyx Big Band
Sat 8/26: Heart of Blues (2 pm); Jonathan Stout & his Campus Five (8 pm)
Thurs 8/31: Skip Spiro’s 10 Piece Jazz/Blues Project
Sat 9/2: Ray Jaurique Band (2 pm); Paul McCallum & Friends (8 pm)

The Greek
1583 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Fridays: Jim Seargeant

Harbor Cove Café
1867 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Saturdays 10 am: The Cool Hand Ukes
Fri 8/25: Sea Hunters
Sat 8/26: The Rincons
Fri 9/1: CocoKnots
Sat 9/2: Rising Son

Harbor View Park: Concerts by the Sea
3850 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard (4-6 pm)
Sat 8/26: Ignition
Sat 9/2: Brandon Ragan Project

High Street Arts Center
45 E. High St., Moorpark
Fri 9/1: Laurel Canyon Band
Sat 9/2: U2xPerience
Sun 9/3: Surf City Allstars

Hueneme Beach Fest:
E. Surfside Dr., Port Hueneme
Sat 8/26: Morie and the Heavy Hitters, Joyas Prestadas, Led Zepagain
Sun 8/27: Always Tina, Anything for Serena, Britain’s Finest

Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Rd., Ventura
Thursdays: Open Mic
Fri 8/25: Reign
Sat 8/26: The Balance

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Thurs 8/24: Singer/Songwriter Open Mic Night
Fri 8/25: Steph’s Rockin’ Roadshow
Sat 8/26: Mark Masson (2 pm); Grooveshine (7 pm)
Sun 8/27: Soul Majestic
Tues 8/29: Spring Loaded Band
Fri 9/1: Top Shelf
Sat 9/2: B-Foundation
Mon 9/4: One People

Libbey Bowl
210 S. Signal St., Ojai
Thurs 8/24: Belinda Carlisle
Sun 8/27: Ojai Pops Orchestra
Fri 9/1: Dionne Warwick
Sat 9/2: Gino Vannelli

Lucas Sellers Wine
330 Zachary St., Moorpark
Sat 8/23: Lauren & Silas

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Sun 8/27: Atreyu & Memphis May Fire
Fri 9/1: Common Kings
Sun 9/3: De Parranda con la Banda

Manhattan
5800 Santa Rosa Rd., Camarillo
Wed 8/23: Robert Van
Fri 8/25: Tour Support
Sat 8/26: Jeanne Tatum
Wed 8/30: Warren Takahashi

Margarita Villa
1567 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Thurs 8/24: John Franco
Fri 8/25: Operation 90s
Sat 8/26: Crosscut 805
Sun 8/27: CRV
Fri 9/1: Dive Bar Messiahs
Sat 9/2: Vinyl Gypsies
Sun 9/3: Doc Rogers Band
Mon 9/4: Los Amigos

Music Under the Stars
Olivas Adobe, 4200 Olvias Park Dr., Ventura
Sat 8/26: Lisa Haley & the Zydekats

Namba Arts
47 S. Oak St., Ventura
Fri 8/25: The Listening Room Redux
Sat 9/2: Mary Scholz

Ojai Valley Brewing
307 Bryant St., Ojai
Fri 8/25: Jayden Secor Band
Sat 8/26: Kid Memphis
Sat 9/2: Beau Red and the Tailor Made

Ojai Underground Exchange
616 Pearl St., Ojai
Sat 8/26: Aurora

Onyx Bistro
2390 Las Posas Road, Camarillo
Fri 8/25: Nate Latta
Sat 8/26: Eliya Frantz

Oxnard Performing Arts Center
800 Hobson Way, Oxnard
Fri 8/25: Louie the Singer
Sat 9/2: Lisa Lisa

Peirano’s
204 E. Main St., Ventura
Thursdays: Mack and D
Sat 8/26: Frank Barajas
Sun 8/27: Mack and D
Tues 8/29: Olivia Mucha, Dylan Brehm, Michael Henszey, Dawn Lunsford, Gaby Montiel, Krystal Park

Poinsettia Pavilion
3451 Foothill Rd., Ventura
Sun 9/3: Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Assoc.

Poseidon Brewing
5777 Olivas Park Dr., Ventura
Fri 9/1: Cocoknots

The Raven Tavern
1651 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
Fri & Sat 8 pm; Sunday 2 pm
Fri 8/25: Brandon Ragan Project
Sat 8/26: Black Mountain Thieves
Sun 8/27: Doc Rogers
Fri 9/1: Operation 90s
Sat 9/2: Delta by the Beach
Sun 9/3: Vinny Berry

Rock the Collection
2751 Park View Ct., Oxnard
Wed 8/23: Bruno and the Hooligans

The Rubicon Theatre
1006 E. Main St., Ventura
Fri 8/25: The Platters (2 shows)
Sat 8/26: The Platters (2 shows
Sun 8/27: The Platters

San Souci
21 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Sat 8/26: Neon Blonde

The Shores
1031 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Fri 8/25: Doc Ventura & Eddie (4 pm); CRV (8:30 pm)
Sat 8/26: The Jazzmen Suites
Sun 8/27: No Biggee

The Six
419 W. Main St., Ventura
Mon 7/31: Stuuuu’s Open Mic
Fri 9/1: Twisted Gypsy
Sat 9/2: Kimo Moya & Da Island Style

Spencer Mackenzie’s Throw Down Cornhole Festival
Fairgrounds; 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura
Fri 8/25: Morie & the Heavy Hitters, Acoustic DNA, Prince Again
Sat 8/26: Highway Starr, Whiskey Business

Strey Cellars
951 N. Rice Ave., Oxnard
Sat 8/26: Vinyl Gypsies
Sun 8/27: Holgers Heros
Sat 9/2: Ignition

Taqueria Jalisco
4275 Tierra Rejada Rd., Moorpark
Tuesdays & Fridays: Jim Friery

Tony’s Pizzeria
186 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Wed 8/23: Caught Red Handed
Thurs 8/24: Stoneflys
Sun 8/27: Heart & Soul

Topa Topa Brewing
2024 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo
Fri Aug 25: The Virtual Nobodies

Topa Topa Brewing
4880 Colt St., Ventura
Sun 8/27: The Trivle Omdobble

The Twist on Main
454 E. Main St., Ventura
Fri 8/25: Brobots
Sun 8/27: Jack Keough; Jetlemons, Chris Murphy

Vaquero y Mar
435 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Sundays: Mariachi
Tuesdays: The Sea Hunter
Wednesdays: Tribal Me
Fridays: Conjunto Zacamandu

Ventura Music Hall
1888 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Sat 8/26: Dogstar
Fri 9/1: Lil Rob

Waterside
3500 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Thurs 8/24: Déjà vu Too
Fri 8/25: Bushwackers
Sat 8/26: Goleta Sound
Sun 8/27: Tres CocoKnots
Thurs 8/31: Vinny Berry

Winchesters
632 E. Main St., Ventura
Music Thurs 5:30; Fri 7 pm; Sat 3 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 8/24: Steve and Sally Williams
Fri 8/25: Doc Ventura
Sat 8/26: Blown Over
Sun 8/27: 4 on the Floor
Tues 8/29: Blues Jam featuring Bobby Hart
Thurs 8/31: Karyn 805
Fri 9/1: Brittney & Ben
Sat 9/2: Mack and D
Sun 9/3: Medicine Hat
Mon 9/4: Nautical Thrust

Midland: Making Old Country New a last look at the Fair

Midland’s trio jamming out at the Fair.

by Kylee Brown California Polytechnic University San Luis Obispo 

In the early 2010s, Mark Wystrach (lead vocals), Cameron Duddy (bass guitar, vocals), and Jess Carson (guitar, vocals) got together and formed a country music trio named Midland. The band initially bonded over their shared love of classic country music and aspired to add a retro flair to modern country music. From Midland, Texas, the band reportedly chose their name in homage to an old Dwight Yoakum song, “From Here to Midland.” Their eclectic brand of music is said to make old country new and appeals to a broad range and age of fans. Much like the Ventura County Fair itself, which brings young and old together to share live music, rides, and other excitements, the trio brought a large and enthusiastic crowd of all ages when they performed at the fair on August 2nd, 2023, kicking off the entertainment for the fair’s opening night.

22-year-old Ventura native David Koger attended the concert with his dad John Allen Koger. David shared that Midland is his favorite country band after being introduced to the band a little over a year ago. “This is definitely the best country concert I have ever been to,” he said. “It feels more local and more energetic, and granted, I was at the front; it felt pretty amazing.” David had attended Ventura County Fair concerts in the past and gushed about Midland, stating that it was his favorite country music experience. When asked what appeals to David about live music, he responded, “It’s slightly different every time you go to a live show–it’s not the same recording you hear every time on the radio.” David’s father, John Allen Koger, is a fan of a wide range of country music, from Kenny Rogers, Brad Paisley, and Garth Brooks to Midland. John said, “Classic country has a ‘feel-good’ to it and tells a really good story which is kind of the definition of country music in general.” John shared that upbeat styles of country music appeal to him, and that’s what he enjoys about the Grammy Nominated band the most.

The crowd included many local Ventura folks as well as people who traveled to attend the concert. Hailey Johnson is a self-proclaimed cowgirl, a dedicated country music fan, and spent many years as a competitive equestrian. The 20-year-old college student drove down from her hometown in Santa Ynez to see Midland live at the fair. “I was happy to make the drive out to Ventura for this concert,” said Johnson, “I think this was the first concert where I was able to get close and right up front, the energy was immaculate, and the people up front were true fans. I loved it.” Johnson said she also appreciated the diverse crowd that attended. ‘I liked being with my friends in real-time, bonding over a band we would listen to in our cars, and now finally seeing them live and being able to sing along with the band,” she said.

As John Koger reflected, the concert was a unifying event for the entire crowd. “I’d heard Midland on the radio, and I knew they were one of David’s favorite bands,” he said. “The highlight was just the fun vibe and people all having a good time, dancing and singing together.”