Organizers Promote 6-Day Concert Series

Mayor Jack Tingstrom received the first season pass Monday to the 1996 Ventura Chamber Music Festival, a six-day concert series featuring 16 chamber music performances at various locations throughout downtown Ventura.

Tingstrom joined concert organizers and community leaders in the atrium at Ventura City Hall to receive the series pass as promoters kicked off a campaign aimed at generating interest in the second annual concert series.

“It’s going to be a wondrous event,” said Virginia Mendoza-O’Neil, one of many festival organizers. “We will be hearing world-class musicians in the beautiful settings of downtown Ventura.”

The Monday kickoff featured harpist Marcia Dickstein and flutist Carol Lockart, who gave organizers and city officials an earful of what to expect at the festival, which begins May 7.

This year’s event will feature 16 performances at 12 venues, most of which are in downtown Ventura. Some of the locations include the Bella Maggiore Inn, the San Buenaventura Mission and Ventura City Hall.

Five of the concerts are free to the public, but most require advance ticket purchases. Prices range from $10 to $100 depending on the event, although most concerts are $18 or $28.

Passes are available at prices ranging from $95 to $250. For more information about the Ventura Chamber Music Festival or to reserve tickets, call 648-3146.