California Beer Festival Returns; Ventura County Beer Week Leads Up To Craft Beer Heaven, Blues & BBQ Fest

     

Two-Day California Beer Festival Returns To Ventura's Mission Park; 

Ventura County Beer Week Leads Up To Craft Beer Fest, Blues & BBQ Fest   

Ventura County Beer Week: September 15-22

Craft Beer Heaven: Saturday, Sept. 21   Blues & BBQ Fest: Sunday, Sept. 22

  

    (Ventura, Calif.) - California Beer Festival, one of the most anticipated two-day live music and craft beer events of the year in Southern California, returns to Mission Park, Main St. and Figueroa St. in Ventura, with its Craft Beer Heaven on Saturday, September 21; and Blues & BBQ Fest on Sunday, September 22, respectively. Prior to that is the week-long Ventura County Beer Week, from September 15-22, with festivities all over town. Tickets priced as follows: Saturday's Craft Beer Heaven, $50.00; Sunday's Blues & BBQ Fest, $30.00; Designated Driver Ticket (Saturday only), $25.00; V.I.P. 3-Day Pass (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), $145.00. Buy tickets at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/6499499177?ref=ebtnebtckt.  

   

     

Guitar Heaven: California Beer Festival's Blues & BBQ Fest on September 22 features  guitar standouts (left to right) Ana Popovic (four-time Blues Music Awards nominee in her only California appearance); five-time Grammy nominee, Robben Ford; and Carolyn Wonderland, described as a cross between Stevie Ray Vaughan and Janis Joplin. 

           

    The Blues & BBQ Fest lineup on Sunday, September 22 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. features three of today's best contemporary guitar players: Four-time Blues Music Awards nominee, Ana Popovic (in her only California area appearance); five-time Grammy nominee, Robben Ford; and Texas native Carolyn Wonderland, described as a cross between Janis Joplin and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Also performing are two popular SoCal-based blues groups with solid followings, The Alastair Greene Band (and) Michael John and the Bottom Line; plus The Bomb. Sunday also features the 5K Run and Blue Moon BBQ Cook Off with amateur and professional teams from all over the state competing for $3,000 in prize money. Guests are encouraged to enjoy samples from each team throughout the day and vote for People's Choice.

   Saturday's Craft Beer Heaven (12:30-5:30 p.m.) is one of the largest beer festivals in the state, and with over 150 craft beers on tap, it's a great place to come sample amazing craft beer from all over the world. Sample such fine beers as Ladyface Ale Companie; Ninkasie Brewing; Fireman's Brew; Bruvado; Speakeasy Ales & Lagers; Sierra Nevada; Firestone Walker; and many more. In addition to Craft Beer Heaven, Saturday also features live music by Foreverland (Northern California-based, powerhouse/horn-driven Michael Jackson Tribute band); Ventura's own groove-masters, Shaky Feeling; and Black Crystal Wolf Kids, who are the "world's first indie-rock tribute band" performing sing-along songs from bands such as MGMT, Grouplove, and Phoenix to Pavement, Pixies and Cracker.
    

     

   California Beer Festival presents "Ventura County Beer Week," an eight-day celebration of craft beer, food and friends from September 15-22. Among the events taking place during Ventura County Beer Week: Mixology at the Tavern (Sunday, 9/15); Tap Take Over with Firestone at Winchester's (Monday, 9/16); Laughing with Lagunitas at the Ventura Harbor Comedy Club (Tuesday, 9/17); Short Pour Film Contest at Barrelhouse 101 (Wednesday, 9/18); Poker/Blackjack Tournament at Players Casino with Ninkasi (Thursday, 9/19); and the First Annual VIP Brew With A View invitational (Friday, 9/20), the latter kicking off CBF Weekend at the Crowne Plaza and presented by CBF (and) Totally Local VC. Seven restaurants team up with seven breweries to compete for your vote to win the 2013 Craft Beer and Food Paring Award! Your ticket includes the view; food (medium bites); craft beer; and a live band. Breweries competing are: Anacapa Brewery, The Lab Brewing Company, LadyFace Ale House, Surf Brewery, CBF Burt's Banana Hefeweizen, and Firestone Brewery. Restaurants Competing: Watermark On Main, Crown Plaza, Twenty 88, Sidecar, The Patio Restaurant, Plated Events with Chef Jason Collis and La Dolce Vita. Space is very limited for this VIP Event. Must be 21 years or older with a valid ID to participate in this food pairing competition. For additional information log onto www.venturacountybeerweek.com.

 

                                        www.californiabeerfestival.com

8th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival: New Name, New Venue, Legendary Lineup

8th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival
New Name, New Venue, Legendary Lineup

A Full Day Of Blues Music And Family Enjoyment 

At Our New Location, Moorpark College 

(Formerly The Simi Valley Blues Festival) 

Benefits The American Diabetes Association & Local Charities  

   (MOORPARK, CALIF) - New name, new venue, legendary lineup: Michael John's 8th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival takes place Saturday, April 27, 2013 at Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Rd., Moorpark. Gates open 10 a.m., music starts 11 a.m. Tickets $25 in advance, $30. day of show. Kids 12 and under free with adult. Plus food and craft vendors; guitar giveaway signed by all the artists; special kid's area; and silent auction including new autographed Fender guitar signed by Johnny Rivers, and photo opportunity (with Rivers). Info: www.venturacountyblues.com or call the Festival Hotline: (805) 501-7122. Festival proceeds benefit the American Diabetes Association and local charities. Presented by the Ventura County Blues Society.

    This year's 8th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival is headlined by musical living legends: Johnny Rivers and Savoy Brown featuring Kim Simmonds; plus talented national acts guitarist Kenny Neal; keyboardist-vocalist Dona Oxford; Preston Smith and the Crocodiles; and Michael John and the Bottom Line. Special Guest Emcee: Actor/musician, Mickey Jones. Another capacity crowd is anticipated this year, so purchase tickets now in advance.

                      

                                                                        Johnny Rivers                         

 
                                    

                                                     The Headliners...

    Johnny Rivers: With seventeen Gold Records, twenty-nine Chart Hits and over thirty million records sold, this legendary singer/songwriter and producer continues to perform before sellout crowds worldwide, remarkably at an age (70) when most people are happily retired. The "Secret Agent Man" has many other accomplishments and has made significant contributions to the history of rock 'n roll. River's long list of hits include "Baby I Need You Lovin," "Maybelline," "Memphis," "Mountain Of Love," "Poor Side Of Town," "Rockin Pneumonia & Boogie Woogie Flu," "Secret Agent Man," "Seventh Son," "Summer Rain," "Swayin To The Music (Slow Dancin)," "The Tracks Of My Tears" and many more. In 2009 Rivers was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame. www.johnnyrivers.com.

Savoy Brown featuring Kim Simmonds

   Savoy Brown Featuring Kim Simmonds: Legendary ... a Blues/Rock institution ... true innovators. These are just a few of the ways Savoy Brown has been described over the past forty years by music critics and fans. One of the earliest of British blues bands, Savoy Brown, with founder guitarist Kim Simmonds at the helm, helped launch the 1967 UK blues boom movement that brought blues music back to the USA invigorating the style forever. In the process, the band became part of the framework that launched the rock and roll music of the 1970's. Their influence now stretches into modern rock as we know it today. www.savoybrown.com

  
                                               Also Performing....        

                                              

   Kenny Neal: Kenny Neal is an acclaimed multi-instrumentalist widely renowned as a modern swamp-blues master. His new release, Hooked On Your Love, follows the triumph of his multi-award winning 2008 comeback album, Let Life Flow. An outstanding success, the CD raked in accolades including three prestigious Album Of The Year awards, two Song Of The Year awards for the title track, and two Artist of the Year honors for Neal. It was clear that Kenny touched something deep in the blues community with his soulful guitar playing and uplifting songwriting, and his hot streak continues. Hooked On Your Love covers the plethora of accomplished roots styles Kenny has become known for: a tasty musical gumbo of swamp-boogie, jazz, R&B, and straight-ahead blues. www.kennyneal.net.    

      

  Dona Oxford: Santa Claritan Doña Oxford earned her reputation as a top-notch keyboardist and vocalist while playing with such legendary performers as Keith Richards, Bob Weir, Levon Helm, Phil Upchurch, Buddy Guy, Son Seals, Mark Termonti (Creed), Jimmy Vivino (Conan O'Brien Show) and her idol, former Chuck Berry sideman and Father of Rock & Roll Piano, Johnnie Johnson. www.donaoxford.com.

   Preston Smith & The Crocodiles: The 2013 VCBS IBC Winner,  Preston Smith has crafted his own irresistible original songs and colorful stage show. His expressive showmanship and varied musical influences have endeared Smith to fans all over the globe. He keeps the crowd on its feet with eyes glued to the stage, a bluesman to the core. Smith's music can be heard on Movie soundtracks as well as numerous TV commercials, and he has appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. His snarlin' guitar sound blends with his screamin' harmonica work to produce a raw, soulful treat for any music lover. In addition to his guitar, harmonica and vocal work, Preston soars over the solid backbeat set by the tightly wound rhythm section of the Crocodiles.

www.myspace.com/prestonsmithmusic.

   Michael John And The Bottom Line: Michael John, Founder and President of the Ventura County Blues Society, is also the Founder of the Ventura County Blues Festival and leads his band The Bottom Line. Since the festival's inception, Michael John & The Bottom Line have performed and donated their music which now has become an annual tradition for the festival kick off. When you combine family and lifelong friends you get a special musical bond that touches the hearts and souls of all music lovers alike. The band consists of Michael John (lead singer, guitar, harmonica), Michael John's son Mikey Mo (lead guitar), Steve Nelson (electric, stand-up Bass), Eddie Z (tenor, alto sax), Jeff Dellisanti (tenor, baritone sax), and Tom "T-Bone" Broderick (drums, backup vocals). The group attracts people of all ages with their blend of Swing to more contemporary rocking blues. They have received national airplay and have won multiple awards including placing in the top ten bands in the finals for the International Blues Challenge in Memphis Tennessee. In 2006 Michael was awarded the All Access Magazine award for "Best Male Vocalist." www.michaeljohnandthebottomline.com.

   

                       

                                                    A History....

   Michael John's Ventura County Blues Festival, formerly the Simi Valley Blues Festival, was the vision of Simi Valley resident Michael John Basowski. John (who also recently founded the  Ventura County Blues Society) has been a musician all his life and had always dreamed that someday he could do something which would make an impact on his community.

   Being a blues musician, the idea of a blues festival was the ideal way to turn his dream into reality. At the first festival - held in 2006 - Michael John teamed up with the local non-profit organization Write4Hope, who was instrumental in helping with the logistics for the event and made it possible to hold the first three blues festivals in Oak County Park in Simi Valley.

  

   Simi Valley resident musician/actor and celebrity figure Mickey Jones has emceed the Simi Valley Blues Festival every year since its beginning. In addition, Michael John's family and friends have donated their time and talent to help make this event a yearly success, with over three thousand attendees at the 2012 Simi Valley Blues Festival

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8TH ANNUAL VENTURA COUNTY BLUES FESTIVAL MEDIA CREDENTIALS ON REQUEST.            http://venturacountyblues.com/                 http://www.venturacountybluessociety.org/ 

Two-Day California Beer Festival Features Specialty Craft Beers, BBQ Contest, Big-Name Blues Acts

Are you kidding me! Take someone along to go on beer runs... you're not going to want to miss a minute! Look at this line up!

Big Two-Day California Beer Festival Features

Craft Beers, BBQ Contest, Big-Name Blues Acts

Saturday, September 15/Sunday, September 16 - Mission Park, Ventura, CA

(Ventura, Calif.) - California Beer Festival takes place Saturday, September 15 (12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.) and Sunday, September 16 (11 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.) in Ventura's Mission Park, 36 Figueroa St., in the downtown district. CBF is one of the year's biggest entertainment events featuring everyone's favorite three B's: Beer, Barbeque and the Blues!

Tickets for the California Beer Festival Craft Beer Heaven on Saturday are $50 for General Admission, $70 for a special Saturday-only "V.I.P. Meet The Brewer", or $25 for a Designated Driver Ticket. Sunday it's the CBF Blues, Brews & BBQ Blues Festival for $30 (children 5 and under are free on Sunday only). Ventura County Blues Society members receive a $5. discount with I.D. Advance tickets available at www.californiabeerfestival.com. CBF event proceeds benefit DARC (Dyslexia Awareness And Resource Center) and the Gen Giammaco Foundation. Space is limited! For more information call (805) 323-5691 or email: info@californiabeerfestival.com.

On Sunday, September 16, Kim Wilson (center) and the Fabulous Thunderbirds headline a star-studded Blues lineup at the two-day California Beer Festival in Mission Park, downtown Ventura.

Saturday, September 15: Craft Beer Festival Craft Beer Heaven. Over 150 varieties of specialty craft beers on tap along with 70 microbreweries, great food and live music by popular 14-piece Michael Jackson tribute group, Foreverland. "California Beer Festival's main goal is to shine a light on the Craft Beer Movement and celebrate great beer," says CBF promoter/organizer, Vincenzo Giammanco. There's also a 5K Run on Saturday that will have you running through the streets and along the oceanfront of Ventura, crossing the finish line right inside the Festival itself!

Sunday, September 16: Blues, Brews, & BBQ Blues Festival. Blue Moon Barbeque Cook-Off featuring barbeque teams competing for $3,000 in cash prize plus 15 craft beers on tap. Sunday also features non-stop music by some of the biggest names in the world of blues - Kim Wilson and The Fabulous Thunderbirds (known for their hits "Tuff Enuf," "Wrap It Up," and "She's Tuff," among others); a Tribute To Stevie Ray Vaughan with Crossfire; blues-rock guitarist extraordinaire, Walter Trout; longtime SoCal blues standout harpist-vocalist, Rod Piazza And the Mighty Flyers; Northern California guitar ace, Chris Cain; and Simi Valley's blues stalwarts, Michael John & The Bottom Line. There will be two stages adjacent to one another that day - when one band finishes their set on one stage, the next band immediately starts playing on the other stage!

www.californiabeerfestival.com

California Beer Festival - SOUTHLAND BLUES Feature
Q and A With CBF's Vincenzo Giammanco - ALL ACCESS MAGAZINE
California Beer Festival - BLUES E-NEWS Feature
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

New Recording from: Michael John and the Bottom Line - Family and Friends - New Recording Review

I just received the newest release. Family and Friends from Michael John and the Bottom Line. This cd doesn't even give you a chance to get a breath before it's holding your head under water. The first track, Mo Shuffle, is really smoldering. This is a cooker with Mikey Mo Basowski kickin' in on some serious guitar work and having Eddie Z (Zelaznik) honkin' in behind him with a great tenor solo. This song doesn't slow down from end to end and is just a terrific track. My Baby's Smokin' starts off with a great sax intro and leads into a cool R&B style song with Michael J on vocals and harp, more cool guitar riffs from Mikey Mo. I don't mean to not mention the balance of this tight band: Chuck Lee Basowski (bass),Tom T-Bone Broderick (Drums and percussion), and special guests David B Kelly on Keys, Alan Mirikitani (guitar) and Jordan Clover on Organ. Lovin' You Is A Sin has a Latin beat and gives each player a chance to show his stuff. Strong Man starts off with a real cool guitar riff by Mikey Mo leading into a swampy funk. Guilty Of Loving You is a soul ballad with a shimmering guitar solo by Alan. Tumbleweed is a nice rolling party song that will likely get you moving in your seat. Vocals on this track are particularly pleasing, Mikey Mo pulls off a laid back guitar solo and Kelly lays down some nice piano work on this track as well. Hoochie Coochie Coo most associated with Hank Ballard keeps it's honky tonk style and really gets rolling. Michael J does some strong vocals on this track as well and Eddie Z keeps up the bottom with his tenor, and of course you can't do a song like this without some rolling keys! A really funky version of Crosscut Saw. I mean you can smell the funk! The entire band gets a chance to lay it down here...even Chuck gets a bass solo and does a nice job. The guitar solo near the end of this track digs deep fro just the right amount of grit. I'll Take You There is done straight out of the soul songbook and gives the entire band a great way to close out what is a very enjoyable recording. Michael J and the Bottom Line will be playing the 7th Annual Simi Valley Blues Festival on Saturday, April 28.
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”