Music’s home address
From poetic bohemian-styled coffeehouse sounds to surf-influenced beats on a warm sunny day, to the heart- pumping energy of a mosh pit at the Ventura Theater, to perhaps a few stories about the man in black, Ventura’s diverse musical history has always portrayed cultural and creative fellowship for aspiring musicians. Whether reminiscing about local hangouts, witnessing the rise of up-and-comings and the legacy of the ones who have made it, all... Read More
The Sharpshooter
With the county’s busiest curatorial agenda and the return of Ink For a Cause, Christina Diaz’s Pistol Productions aims for no less than a new (Art) world order. by James Scolari Despite the rising popularity of the tattoo, the practice is anything but new. Our relationship with ink in the skin predates even our ability to put ink on paper. Some of the earliest known examples of tattooing date from as far back as the fifth millennium, BC. Yet... Read More
Home is where the art is
Red Brick Gallery and Jennifer Livia show us – again – that Art is a community affair Jennifer Livia (r) and Phyllis Gubins (l) of Red Brick Gallery. Photo by James Scolari. by James Scolari If one intends to move in the art world, the veritable ‘thick of things” is a good place to be; and in an age where Art Walk has gone private and the ArtScene at large subject to wild reinvention, the thick of things looks more and more like the... Read More
Playing at WORP Speed
An eclectic trio that’s easy to hear, but hard to pin down by James Scolari jimscolari@yahoo.com Aaron Winters, Jim Rankin and Hans Ottsen (right to left) -- WORP Trio, at a recent gig. Photo by James Scolari It’s a scene familiar to most who step out into the nightlife – people scattered about tables, eating and drinking, others perched on barstools, doing the same, servers and bartenders working the room. Anticipation is in the air as... Read More
The Man in Black is back
The Johnny Cash Music Festival returns to Ventura June 18 Ross Emery and Jim Rice, in the company of the Iconic Man In Black as they prepare for this weekend's third annual Johnny Cash Music Festival. Photo by James Scolari By James Scolari jimscolari@yahoo.com While many regard Ventura’s music scene as an emerging new sensation, in fact the roots run deep, anchored by the enduring presence of such local icons as Jim Salzer, who promoted... Read More
The Art Pedalers
Gwendolyn Alley’s ArtRides bring Mohammed to the mountain every First Friday by James Scolari Gwendolyn Alley leads ArtRide cohorts on monthly First Friday Ventura arts outings... Except for those living the veritable monk’s life, most by now are well acquainted with the monthly arts open house in Ventura that’s come to simply be known as First Friday. Each month, on the — yep, that’s right — first Friday of the month,... Read More
There’s no place like home
For four decades, Salzer’s Records has been Ventura’s home for music — and community Words and pix by James Scolari, TLVC In a world of countless individuals, culture is the great connector, building bridges between us in a way that we can share and commune, reminding us that we are more alike than different, more connected than solitary. While culture manifests in many forms, perhaps the greatest connector of all is music, its rhythm... Read More
Community Supporting All That Is Ventura
Totally Local VC is a new shop local program that will help promote the benefits of supporting small business, agriculture and the arts in our Ventura County community. Our web site features articles on why shopping locally is key to helping build a long-term sustainable economy. A local business directory with information on each business. Also featured will be easy tips on shopping local, what’s going on in our community and weekly features on... Read More
Ventura County Wine
Kerby E. Zozula, the wine rainman Ventura County is California’s newest “wine country”. Stay local and sample all types and styles of delicious wines. Plan your tasting by visiting the Ventura County Wine Trail at their website ( www.venturacountywinetrail.com ). Over a dozen wineries are listed from Ojai to Malibu. Since Ventura County has very few commercial vineyards, many of these wineries bring in grapes from some of... Read More
A Tomato is a Tomato…
BY DK Crawford Aren’t all tomatoes the same? If I can save money buying a gorgeous red tomato at a large chain grocery store isn’t that a better than spending more on one grown locally? Before you can really make that decision, you must become an informed consumer. Do you really know where the tomato you just bought was grown and in what conditions, i.e., pesticides, genetically modified etc? And do you honestly have any idea who pockets the money... Read More
