Music Fest Has Something for Everyone

The Ventura Music Celebration promises to have something for everyone when it starts in downtown Ventura this weekend. Events will be held in four parks and many cabarets and restaurants. And if it’s music you want, it’s music you’ll get--jazz, rock, Latin, classical, reggae, country and Western, big band and blues.

Just some of the details:

Starting at 4 p.m. Friday with a T.G.I.F. Party at Mission Park, Lula and Afro Brasil get things going with a Brazilian beat. Afterward, the party moves to the Ventura Theater as Les Brown and His Band of Renown recall memories of the 1930s and ‘40s big-band era. Tickets are $20. Also Friday, for those with more contemporary tastes, the Holiday Inn is featuring rock and reggae (also see Performances on page 7).

Saturday at Mission Park on Main Street, the emphasis is on salsa and sizzle, with a full day of Latin music starting at 10 a.m. Watch for the Estrada Brothers at 12:30 p.m., Poncho Sanchez at 3:15 p.m. and Luis Conte at 5 p.m.

Saturday at Plaza Park, Chestnut and Santa Clara streets, rock and blues get going at 10 a.m. (also see Performances on page 7).

Country and bluegrass fans can gather at Plaza Park at 10 a.m. Sunday, with square dancing starting things off. At 12:30 p.m., the Acousticats take the stage. Other performers include the Steve Hill Band, 1:45 p.m., and Caught Red Handed, 3:15 p.m.

Included in a full lineup of classical music will be soprano Linda Folsom Ottsen at 4 p.m. Saturday in the City Hall atrium. At 4 p.m. Sunday, classical pianist Lincoln Mayorga performs at HomeFed Bank, 1220 S. Victoria Ave.

After a jazz lineup Sunday at Mission Park, featuring the T Lavitz Trio and Scott Henderson and Tribal Tech, the world-touring Rickey Grundy Chorale presents hand-clapping, foot-stomping gospel music at 5 p.m.

All programs in the parks are free; admission for other venues varies. For a complete lineup of entertainment and venues, call 654-7850.