By Alex Wilson | Photos by Viktor Budnik
Alex Arriaga is lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist in the band Los Xiqueños and also writes songs inspired by living in Oxnard his whole life.
“A lot of songs that I presented were involved in folk music, Americana, and I kind of gave it a traditional and Chicano culture twist to it,” Arriaga told Ventana Monthly. “It was storytelling about our lives growing up and, you know, some fictional tales.”
The members of Los Xiqueños love sharing their music and stories, and are looking forward to the upcoming show at the Heritage Square Summer Concert Series in Downtown Oxnard. The Aug. 15 performance will be the band’s third.
“Oh man, it’s fun seeing our community come together,” Arriaga said. “A lot of sponsoring and old-time families that have been here in Oxnard for many generations. And it’s kind of cool to start seeing people who aren’t from Oxnard.”
Downtown Oxnard in the Spotlight
Gary Blum serves as superintendent of Heritage Square and chairman of the Oxnard Downtown Foundation, which took over management of the Heritage Square Summer Concert Series from the city of Oxnard after a pandemic hiatus. Oxnard’s former redevelopment agency originally founded the concerts to attract people to Downtown Oxnard who might go on to patronize local restaurants and nightlife.
Heritage Square opened in 1991 and is a collection of 14 relocated or reconstructed historic buildings, primarily Victorian-era homes now used as businesses. The indoor and outdoor spaces can also be rented for events, and the main plaza has plenty of room for a large band and dancing.
“The central outdoor plaza, I think, had its first concert in 1993, and it was a very small scale,” Blum told Ventana. “But there is a built-in stage area. There’s plenty of power. So, we knew it was a space to have performances in. It was designed for that. What we didn’t know was that the concerts would grow to the scale they are now, where the capacity was maybe 250 and now, we can have upwards of 700.”
One unusual aspect of this summer concert series is the numerous options for admission. Lawn seating is free, while chairs cost $12 each on a first-come, first-serve basis and tables seating four to eight people can be reserved for $65 to $120.
“It’s just been growing and growing and you know, it’s as popular as ever and we keep it fresh with new bands. And we had to take the prices up a little bit, you know, but no one’s complained. So, our season table holders are staying with us and our table-by night sales are strong,” Blum said.
A committee determines who plays each year and Blum said they are able to track attendance to see which bands are the most popular. They usually put on 10 concerts a year from June through August, but this year organizers staged an extra show on the Fourth of July.
“We are able to sort of track consumer tastes and what they want. But at the same time we try to mix it up, we don’t try to make it all one genre. We’ll probably bring in at least two new bands every year and bring back some others and change some out. So, we try to keep it fresh.”
A ‘Magical’ Venue
It’s not just the music and comradery; it’s the historic buildings, elaborate brick work and lush landscaping that sets the Heritage Square Summer Concert Series apart, Blum said.
“People just feel like they’re sort of transported to another place and time. And, when it gets dark and all the lights come on, it becomes, you know, very magical. And all the accent lighting we have on all the buildings. So, it’s different than one would be in a park…you’re sort of enveloped by it,” Blum said. “Anytime we have a new attendee, they always say, ‘This is so different than anything I’ve ever been to for an outdoor community concert.’”
Blum said he gets great feedback from the bands as well as the patrons.
“It’s interesting because a lot of them share with us that we’re one of their favorite places to perform. A lot of them will be doing wineries and breweries through the year, or clubs or bars. But when they come to Heritage Square, it’s like it’s a whole different experience. And they often tell us how much they look forward to it and enjoy it. And they actually usually bring in guest performers or musicians with them.”
It makes Arriaga feel very accomplished to perform at Heritage Square, since he’s loved music since he was a little kid.
“To me, it feels like it’s my true calling, and it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do. And here I am, having an opportunity and a stage and a place to be able to do it,” he said.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity that our band has been given to be able to play there.”
Arriaga said he appreciates the behind-the-scenes efforts Blum and others put into the concert series.
“Gary puts in a ton of work. I mean, countless hours. Every time I see Gary, he’s always doing something. Always organizing an event, whether it’s music events, you know, he helps organize, there’s a food truck event which also attracts a lot of people,” Arriaga said.
“They’re all great, hardworking people and just want to see their community grow.”
Heritage Square Concert Series
6-8:30 p.m. Fridays through Aug. 22
715 South A Street, Oxnard
heritagesquareoxnard.com/concerts/
