Concert at Ventura Theatre Attracts Giant Crowd

The largest crowd in years descended on the Ventura Theatre on Friday night to groove to harmonies laid down by nationally known hip-hop artists and rhythm and blues performers.

With some concert-goers arriving as early as 9 a.m., a line stretched around the block by the time Flava Fest 98 threw open its doors for the annual production staged by radio station Q104.

More than 500 tickets were purchased for the event, which had been sold out for weeks. It was the longest line 24-year-old Rick Serros of Oxnard had ever seen for any concert he had attended.

“Ventura County has become a very big player in the music scene,” said Serros, who was jostling for position near the front of the line. “Years ago, you couldn’t pay performers a million dollars to come out and play here. Now look at tonight. It’s going to be coming off the hinges.”

The concert was headlined by John B, and featured a mix of hip-hop and rhythm and blues artists, including Warren G, Nate Dogg and Mo Thugs.

Serros and his girlfriend, 23-year-old Tiffini Clemons, showed up at 5:30 p.m. but still managed to find a place near the head of the line, thanks to Clemons’ cousin, who had arrived hours earlier and saved them a place.

“It’s all in who you know,” Clemons said before rushing inside the theater when the concert started at 7 p.m.