Santa Paula’s Melody Hall Music
Festival announces line-up
Published:  May 01, 2015

Seven bands will deliver a mix of music styles, from Latin jazz to rock ’n’ roll and rhythm and blues, at Santa Paula’s second annual Melody Hall Music Festival on June 6, from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., adjacent to the California Oil Museum at 1001 E. Main St.

The Santa Paula Historical Society is organizing the free day of music and entertainment that will include dancing, food trucks and a fenced-in Beer Garden.

Festival-goers will have a large dance floor to kick up their heels for seven hours to a lineup of bands that include Charles Law Band, Deuce, Juano & Friends, Bob DeSena Latin Jazz, Fender Bros., R&B Bombers and House Arrest. 

“The festival is a tribute to the impact music has had in our community and a tribute to the musicians of Santa Paula,” said Festival Chairman Ed Arguelles of Santa Paula, who serves on the Historical Society board. As a former Santa Paula High School history teacher for 35 years, Arguelles said he sees music “as the catalyst that throws us back into history. It is difficult to think of one’s history without the impact of music,” he said. “History is so much more than written documents and photographs. It is art, literature, history, war, politics, sports, music. They are all pieces of the puzzle that make the mosaic of history come alive.”

The eight-piece Charles Law Band will start the festival at 10 a.m. with a high-energy wakeup call. Spectators and dancers of all ages craving country rock blended in “Santa Style” funk are certain to be impressed, Arguelles said. “Featuring a throbbing mixture of horns, strings and vocals, set to crafty and flamboyant syncopation, Charles Law is an experience difficult to miss.”

Santa Paula homegrown musicians Deuce takes the bandstand second. “They will reprise not only their riveting R&B sounds that have made them legendary artists and Ventura County Battle of the Band winners but also will mesmerize its popular fan base with a new song collection and style that is sure to amaze,” Arguelles said.

If Tex-Mex, oldies and soul music is your thing, you will not want to miss the electrifying rhythms and vocals of Juano & Friends who take the stage third.   “Reserve your spot on the dance floor for their 55-minute song set as they always generate excitement among the multitude of their loyal music followers,” Arguelles said.

Nominated in 2014 for the Los Angeles Music Awards Solo Artist of the Year and again this year for International Artist of the Year, vibes/trumpet jazz artist Bob DeSena brings his polished showmanship and swinging Latin Jazz Band direct from Las Vegas to the streets of Santa Paula in the fourth set, Arguelles said. “His troubadours consist of seasoned musicians that will make for an entertaining and vibrant ensemble performing classic and Latin standards with energetic salsa flair.”

What would a music festival be without the blues? In the fifth slot are the Fender Brothers who have earned a special place in the hearts and minds of the music faithful for more than four decades, Arguelles said. “Known for their instrumental mastery and scintillating solo work, each member of this five-piece ensemble has earned special distinction among music aficionados of Ventura County.”

Festival-goers are in for a special treat as the 10-piece R&B Bombers, a powerhouse of talent, arrive in the late afternoon to jolt the crowd with the melding of genres and styles that incorporates 1940s big-band swing, modern blues, piano boogie and ’40s, ’50s and ’60s R&B, Arguelles said. “Making their first-ever appearance in Santa Paula, their four-horn frontline and big-voiced singer are sure to invigorate and test the stamina of the most ardent dance couples still boogying on the dance floor.”

The Melody Hall Music Festival will conclude with one of Ventura County’s most popular dance bands, House Arrest. “This seven-piece driving force delivers more than 20 years of performance history and its ability to keep music lovers enthused after six hours of solid entertainment value make it the perfect band to end the festival’s fantastic day,” Arguelles said.

New to this year’s festival will be the addition of food trucks. A special fenced-in Beer Garden will be provided within the exterior gates of the California Oil Museum Courtyard and no alcoholic beverages are allowed outside of its perimeter.  

Made possible through sponsorships from local businesses and residents, the Santa Paula Historical Society is still accepting donations to support this free music event for Santa Paula. Private seating, parking and refreshments are available at a special sponsorship level. Donations may be secured by contacting the Santa Paula Historical Society by mail at P.O. Box 842, Santa Paula, CA. 93061 or by calling Festival Chairman Arguelles at 805-279-3415.




Site Search

E-Subscribe

Subscribe

E-SUBSCRIBE
Call 805 525 1890 to receive the entire paper early. $50.00 for one year.

webmaster