Spring and music go hand in hand, especially in Ventura County. Here, as the short, cool days of winter stretch into the warm, long days of spring, the music scene begins to hum with action. It’s as if local music lovers and musicians take their cue from the birds, who sing joyfully during the spring months.
First Ventura breaks into song during the eclectic and sophisticated Ventura Music Festival in May. Then in June, Ojai unleashes a thunder of shakes and rattles during the glorious, outdoor Ojai Music Festival, which has an experimental slant on classical music. Both festivals bring world-class musical talent into our own backyard, making it possible to see some giants of the music world without traveling far from home.
Both the Ventura Music Festival and Ojai Music Festival take center stage in this music-themed issue, along with Oxnard musician (and former pro-surfer) Timmy Curran and longtime singer and songwriter Fred Schmitt, who lives in Oak View. Our shopping guide also features delightful goodies that are perfect for enjoying music under the wide open sky.
As Ventana’s editor, it was a dizzying task to try to narrow down Ventura County’s diverse, talented and active music scene into just a few stories for this issue. I searched for stories that highlighted a wide range of musical genres and that covered both beginning and experienced musicians. Looking over the final results, I think our writers and Assistant Editor Saundra Sorenson exceeded my wildest expectations. Like a chorus of song birds, each of this month’s stories has its own pitch, timbre and melody, but the combined result is a beautiful symphony of information.
The only question now is how to map out my musical spring without missing a beat. For now, in celebration of the longer days and warmer nights, I have to find a moment for my own spring music ritual. If you hear a mediocre trumpet player blowing into the waves on the beach at night, don’t be surprised to see me stumbling through an impassioned (though stumbling) version of “Summertime.” It’s my own way of celebrating spring and getting ready for summer.
05-01-2007
