Community Calendar

To celebrate our 30th anniversary, the Ventura Music Festival is teaming up with the City of Ventura and the Downtown Ventura Partners to throw an unforgettable, free, all-day music festival celebrating Southern California talent and culture. Join us for the Spring Music Festival, happening Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 12 PM to 9 PM in the heart of the Downtown Ventura Cultural District. This event is open to all and promises a joyful springtime experience packed with live music, art, food, and family-friendly activities. Come early for the Ventura Farmers Market from 8:30 am to noon near Mission Park where the music festival on three stages begins. Ventura Music Festival is grateful for the generous support from its partners and collaborators for this free community event:

“The impact that Abramović has had on the contemporary-art scene cannot be underestimated.” Harper’s Bazaar

“By using the body as her medium, Abramović shows just how close art can get to life.” The Guardian (U.K.)

Renowned conceptual artist Marina Abramović has pushed the boundaries of contemporary art, not just within performance art but across the entire spectrum of the art world. Since the 1970s, her cutting-edge work has explored the body, endurance, the relationship between the performer and audience, and the possibilities of the mind. Her iconic performances include The Artist Is Present, the MOMA retrospective which sparked an HBO documentary as well as collaborations with such pop icons as Jay-Z and Lady Gaga. “Her life, performances, body art, controversial experiments and celebrity status all contribute to a larger narrative that could be considered one grand piece of art, curated by Abramović herself” (Widewalls).

Join Don Most & his 17-piece band for a spectacular night of swing, jazz, and big band classics! Best known as Ralph Malph from Happy Days, Donny brings the timeless music of legends like Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, and Dean Martin to life with his smooth vocals and captivating stage presence. Backed by a stellar band, he delivers an evening filled with high-energy swing, romantic ballads, and toe-tapping rhythms that transport audiences to the golden age of music. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to the classics, this is a show you won’t want to miss!

Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend with an unforgettable afternoon of music and heart! American Songbook Today proudly presents “Songs for Mothers and Those They Love,” a warm, joyful tribute to mothers everywhere. Immerse yourself in beloved songs from legendary artists like David Crosby, Stephen Sondheim, Janis Ian, Simon & Garfunkel, Shire & Maltby, and many more. Gather your loved ones for this musical journey filled with love, gratitude, and memories sure to touch every heart. Don’t miss this special Mother’s Day celebration—it promises to be an event filled with emotion, inspiration, and songs you’ll cherish forever.

“Words make you think. Music makes you feel. A song makes you feel a thought.” – E.Y. (Yip) Harburg
Tickets are $30.00 online or $35.00 at the door.

On Saturday May 17 at 7 p.m and Sunday, May 18 at 3 p.m., the Master Chorale will present a concert entitled Gems of Time: Choral Masterworks through the Ages.

Journey through the evolution of choral music with a carefully curated program that highlights iconic masterworks from each major era, from Medieval to Contemporary. This concert not only showcases timeless choral gems by Handel, Mozart, Brahms, Duruflé, Randall Thompson, and more, but also illustrates the rich progression of musical style and expression across the centuries.

“Of course, calling it a silent film is a misnomer – there will be plenty of music, and jazz is like a conversation between the players so there’ll be no shortage of dialogue.” – Wynton Marsalis

LOUIS is a captivating blend of vintage cinema and contemporary musical brilliance. This unique event features a silent film based loosely on the childhood of Louis Armstrong, a pivotal figure in jazz history, brought to life with a live score composed and performed by the renowned jazz musician Wynton Marsalis, Cecile Licad and an 11-piece all-star jazz ensemble. Directed by Dan Pritzker and shot in beautiful sepia tones by Academy Award-winning cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond as a modern reimagining of early silent film, LOUIS (originally released in 2010) is an homage to Louis Armstrong and the birth of American music. The grand alleys and cemeteries of 1907 New Orleans provide a backdrop of magic for 6-year-old Louis as he navigates the colorful intricacies of life in the city and acquires his first cornet.

Winner of nine Grammy awards and a Pulitzer Prize in music, Wynton Marsalis is one of the most outstanding jazz musicians and trumpeters of this – or any other – generation. A favorite among jazz musicians and audiences worldwide, he is a brilliant composer and a bandleader in the tradition of Duke Ellington, and the driving creative force behind Jazz at Lincoln Center’s creation and success. Don’t miss this nearly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience Wynton Marsalis in this very special immersive experience. (LOUIS: Dan Pritzker, 2010, R, 90 min.)

The film is rated “R” – Restricted (Some Sexual Content)

On Saturday May 17 at 7 p.m and Sunday, May 18 at 3 p.m., the Master Chorale will present a concert entitled Gems of Time: Choral Masterworks through the Ages.

Journey through the evolution of choral music with a carefully curated program that highlights iconic masterworks from each major era, from Medieval to Contemporary. This concert not only showcases timeless choral gems by Handel, Mozart, Brahms, Duruflé, Randall Thompson, and more, but also illustrates the rich progression of musical style and expression across the centuries.

Program
Bartók: Romanian Folk Dances
Ysaÿe: Sonata No. 4
Tessa Lark: Ysaÿe Shuffle
Tessa Lark: Jig and Pop
Kreisler: Chanson Louis XIII et Pavane
Kreisler: Syncopation
John Corigliano: Sonata for Violin and Piano

“Tessa Lark embodies joy in music making.” – John Corigliano, composer
Born and raised in Kentucky, versatile violinist Tessa Lark’s earliest musical influences were bluegrass and Appalachian folk. Her passion for fiddling led her well beyond these original interests, until in 2012 she won the Naumburg International Violin Competition, one of classical music’s highest honors. Since then she has pursued all facets of her wide-ranging musical talent, leading her to a Grammy nomination in 2020 for Best Classical Instrumental Solo and to her innovative 2023 release, The Stradgrass Sessions, featuring Jon Batiste, Edgar Meyer and Sierra Hull. Lark will perform a program exploring all sides of her prolific career, from Bartók to bluegrass and beyond.

A Songwriter’s Open Mic
Hosted by Ventura’s beloved troubadour, Henry Stewart

Join us for an enchanting evening of acoustic melodies and lyrical storytelling at NAMBA’s Listening Room! This special event shines the spotlight on both local and visiting talent, offering songwriters a professional yet intimate stage to share their original work—and perhaps one cherished cover song—in front of an appreciative, attentive audience.

Doors open at 6 PM, giving you plenty of time to mingle, relax, and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere of our community. At 6:45 PM, Ventura’s own Henry Stewart, known for his heartfelt and evocative songwriting, kicks things off and sets the perfect mood for a night of musical inspiration.

Each performer gets 10 minutes in the spotlight, supported by NAMBA’s exceptional sound system, microphones, direct-in jacks, monitors, and our beautiful house grand piano. Drinks will be available for purchase, adding to the warmth and camaraderie of the evening.

This event is a community fundraiser, and donations are gratefully accepted to support NAMBA Performing Arts Space.

Internationally acclaimed award-winning harpist, Alexander Boldachev, performs at Studio Channel Islands.