A note from our CEO

Dear Friends,

You did it – thank you for voting Ventura Music Festival the Best Music Festival and Reader-Recommended Best Charity Event. What a perfect 30th-birthday present! Your votes celebrate not just great concerts, but a community that shows up for music, for each other, and for the next generation. I’m so grateful to our artists, volunteers, sponsors, board, and – most of all – you.

And we’re not done celebrating! Our final Fall festival is here with concerts 26–30, the home stretch of our “30 for 30” challenge. If you’ve been meaning to catch a show (or bring a friend who’s never been), this is the moment. These last performances are a snapshot of what makes VMF special: joy, virtuosity, and the kind of live energy you can only feel in the room. Grab your seats, make a night of it, and help us cross the finish line in style.

As our gift, you will be able to listen live to the sold-out Mozart & The Mind event, live streamed by our colleagues at Ojai Underground. The link will be sent via email just before 3PM on 10/12.

And don’t miss the rest of the season, taking place the following weekend at a series of fun venues across Ventura County!

The Moanin’ Frogs

Six saxophones!? YES!

Thurs, Oct. 16th • 7PM

Ventura Music Hall

Twanguero

A Sonic Journey

Fri, Oct. 17th • 7PM

Ventura County Museum

Branford Marsalis Quartet

Belonging Tour

Sat, Oct. 18th • 7PM

Majestic Ventura Theater

Delirium Musicum

Unbridled classical!

Sun, Oct. 19th • 3PM

Rancho Campana PAC

In the coming weeks we’ll share a full look at the impact of our 30th season — a season where we expanded in big, meaningful ways. From more music in the schools and new community partners to broader access initiatives, your support helped us reach further and serve more.

I’ll also include a sneak peek at our collaboration with Community Memorial Hospital as we develop VMF’s Music & Mental Health program, bringing the healing power of music into clinical and community settings. It’s work we’re proud of and excited to grow with you.

From our friends at Ojai Underground…

Friday, September 26th | 7:00 PM

Live: $20 | Broadcast: $10

Bernie Larsen opens with his signature blend of roots, soul, and groove. A multi-instrumentalist and producer, he has toured worldwide and worked with David Lindley, Melissa Etheridge, and Jackson Browne.

Ojai’s own Alan Thornhill follows with award-winning songs full of rich voice, poetic lyrics, and timeless storytelling featured in film, TV, and onstage.

From our friends at VCSL…

Life in Tune – A Keynote Concert with Freddie Ravel

Ventura Center for Spiritual Living

101 S. Laurel Street Ventura, CA

Blending the inspiration of a TED Talk with the exhilaration of a concert, Freddie Ravel’s patented Life In Tune® methodology reveals how music’s hidden powers can be harnessed to live with clarity, lead with purpose, collaborate with harmony, and thrive with rhythm in a world that often feels out of tune.

Get your life in tune and save $5 on tickets with code VMF!

Chumash Bear Circle – $500

Community Memorial Hospital – $3500

Downtown Ventura Partners – $2500

Missionary Church of Ventura – $1000

Museum of Ventura County – $3000

NAMBA Arts – $3800

New Art City Theatre – $1500

Ojai Art Center – $2000

Ojai Performing Arts Theater – $1500

Ojai Underground Exchange – $2000

Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corp. – $2000

Rubicon Theater – $1500

Ventura College Foundation – $2500

Ventura County Jewish Federation – $ 1500

In Honor of Barbara Meister

Ventura High School Music Dept. – $1000