The Ventura Music Festival Thanks and Salutes Its Community Partners
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Community partners are essential to the vitality and success of the Ventura Music Festival. Whether through corporate sponsorships that help bring world-class artists to our stage or collaborative programming with fellow cultural organizations, these partnerships strengthen our community and enrich the Festival experience for audiences throughout the region. Simply put, what we do would not be possible without the generosity, vision, and support of these extraordinary partners.
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Earlier this year, the Ventura Music Festival joined forces with Kevin Clerici, Josh Addison, and Downtown Ventura Partners to present Make Music Ventura, a celebration of music that transformed downtown Ventura into a vibrant stage for performers of all ages and genres. The event brought thousands of residents and visitors together to experience the joy of live music, highlighting the power of the arts to connect, inspire, and energize our community.
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View more photos and add your own to the album here: app.kululu.com/mmv2026
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Together with our community partners, we are creating new opportunities for artistic excellence, cultural connection, and community engagement. Here is a look at what’s on the horizon…
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The Welcome Room Brings Acclaimed Comedian Nick Thune to Ventura
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| The Ventura Music Festival is delighted to welcome Alex Schneider and The Welcome Roomas a new corporate sponsor and community partner. |
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The Welcome Room, together with Vita Art Center, Vince Daly, and OFI Property, is serving as a concert sponsor for VMF’s October 17 performance in Mission Park featuring acclaimed Bluegrass master fiddler Michael Cleveland and his band.
The Welcome Room is an innovative new nonprofit organization and entertainment venue currently being developed in downtown Ventura. Described as a “world-class nonprofit comedy venue where laughter fuels community and every show gives back,” the organization is creating new opportunities for connection, creativity, and philanthropy through live performance.
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Nick Thune, known for his deadpan delivery and absurdist storytelling, tours frequently with Nate Bargatze and has multiple appearances on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
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While its permanent ~300-seat home is under construction, audiences can already experience The Welcome Room’s vision through a series of special events featuring some of today’s most celebrated comedians. Its inaugural event welcomes acclaimed comedian, actor, musician, and writer Nick Thune to the Rubicon Theatre on September 6. In keeping with The Welcome Room’s community-centered mission, one-third of all ticket sales will directly benefit the Rubicon Theatre.
For tickets and more information, visit The Welcome Room Presents Nick Thune.
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Museum of Ventura County and Ventura Music Festival Benefit from Longstanding Programming Partnership
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The Museum of Ventura County has long been an important partner of the Ventura Music Festival, supporting the Festival’s artistic programming and serving as a valued venue for performances, including the October 15th Classical Edge concert later this season.
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The Festival is equally pleased to support the Museum’s signature fundraising event,Taste of History 2026: The Silent Movie Era, a glamorous evening celebrating Ventura County’s remarkable role in the early days of filmmaking. The Festival will collaborate with the Museum and support the musical programming for the evening.
Guests will enjoy fine dining, vintage-inspired cocktails, live entertainment, dancing, and an exciting live auction, all in support of the Museum’s mission to preserve and share the rich history of our region. The event invites attendees to step back into the elegance and excitement of the Roaring Twenties while helping ensure the Museum’s continued impact in our community.
Taste of History 2026: The Silent Movie Era takes place on September 10 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Sherwood Country Club.
For tickets and event information, visit Taste of History 2026.
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New Art City Theatre Develops Original Musical in Association with the Ventura Music Festival
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The Ventura Music Festival is excited to collaborate with New Art City Theatre on the development and presentation of its new musical, Sunday After Next.
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As part of this collaboration, Festival Artistic Director Nuvi Mehta will appear as a featured artist in the production, reflecting the Festival’s commitment to supporting innovative new works and fostering artistic partnerships throughout Ventura County.
Inspired by Oscar Wilde’s short story Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime, Sunday After Next is a witty new musical comedy filled with memorable melodies, colorful characters, and sharp social satire. The story follows the cheerful Lord Arthur Savile, whose life takes an unexpected turn when a shocking prediction threatens to derail his upcoming wedding, setting off a series of hilarious and increasingly outrageous events.
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Written by New Art City Theatre founders Beverly Ward and Kirby Ward, with music and lyrics by Beverly Ward, the musical has been in development for more than a decade and is now receiving its workshop premiere production in association with the Ventura Music Festival.
Performance dates are November 13-22, 2026. Ticket information will be announced soon. To receive updates and be among the first to purchase tickets, visit New Art City Theatre.
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? Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors
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IMPRESARIO
The John & Glenda Hammer Family
VIRTUOSO
Jordan Laby, In Memoriam
Vita Art Center, The Welcome Room, OFI Property, and Vince Daly
COMPOSER
Boyko & Reardon Telegraph Rd, Mortuary & Cremation FD 2390
Joseph Reardon Funeral Home & Cremation Service FD 883
Freddie Contarino
The Hemming Family
Mary Ann Cohen, New Art City Theatre
The City of Ventura
CONDUCTOR
EJ Harrison & Sons – Nan Drake
The Hopps Family
Richard & Lori Reisman
Spencer & Nancy Garrett
ORCHESTRA
Jill Walker & Mark Arndt
Penny Barnds
Bob & Mary Braitman
Betsy Chess
DeeDee Dorskind & Brad Tabach-Bank
Bruce Hanifan
Bill & Elise Kearney
Patricia Lathrop-McPherson
Barbara Meister
Keith & Kathleen Richmond
Jennifer O’Toole
Nancy Sieh
Steven & Rebecca Snyder
Blake & Charlie Wade
Dr. Rosalind Warner & Dr. Michael Hogan
Leanne Wood & Rene Hubert
SOLOIST
Ann Ahlstone
Sally Crain
Ivor Davis, In Memoriam
Eric Oltmann & Susan Van Abel
Pegasus Transportation
Port of Hueneme
Louise Sherman
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