Categories
Business music

Your New Go-To Bar: The Grape

Are you tired of throwing your money away on overpriced drinks and going to the same rowdy dive bars? Then a jazz club might be what your soul needs. The lights are dim, there are whispers of conversation in between songs, the piano and saxophone notes fill the room. This defines a great jazz club. We are so lucky to have one of the best spots in southern California right here in Ventura.

Musicians from all around the world have performed at The Grape. The drummer from Tool, Danny Carrey has performed there quite a few times. Also musicians from Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band including Wayne Bergeron and Eric Marienthal. The Grape is a magnet for talent from all around the world. This is why it’s got such a rich and exquisite ambiance.

Danny Carrey (third from left) performing at The Grape.

The Grape also prides themselves with their extensive bar menu. They truly have one of the largest menus in Ventura and at affordable prices as well from wine to whiskey, gin, tequila, mezcal, to beer. Their wall is decorated with so many bottles. You must check it out for yourself. If it’s your first time going, I definitely recommend to check out their Happy Hour. Very college-friendly! The drinks are at amazing prices and they also have someone performing jazz or blues music to accompany your drink. If you do not drink, they have tea, etc. Light snacks can also be ordered to be paired with your drink. During their official evening showtimes, a ticket can range from $10-$25. If you would still like to experience the jazz magic but without the price, you may do so by sitting on some of the bar stools facing the inside of the other room where the performer/s are. A visit here is always worth it.

Here is someone sharing an image of them enjoying a hot tea at The Grape.

We all know college life can be very stressful. A great solution for that is going to The Grape to listen to some live music. Jazz and Blues music is known to be very beneficial for our brain health. This genre helps lower stress and anxiety levels. It also helps with creativity by activating theta brain waves and improves cognitive functions like memory and attention. A lot of college students can benefit from visiting this local gem.

This jazz club has an exclusive feeling to it, but it is very welcoming. I had a conversation with a guest who was relaxing at the bar, Miss Dana. I mentioned to her how the demographic at The Grape tends to be an older crowd and I wish there were more of my college peers spending their evenings here.

I was able to spot a few younger people in the crowd. I conversed with Mathew. I asked him about his experience and how often does he attend The Grape.

I did not expect to enjoy being at The Grape as much as I did. It ended up being one of the most relaxing and fun nights I’ve had in a while. Carve out some time to go relax at our local jazz club. It is 100% worth it. The staff is wonderful and very accommodating. The other guests are friendly and chatty. The bar is full of options for drinks and the price range is amazing. Listening to live music on a regular basis has been a game-changer for me! Hopefully I’ll see you there!

This was the performance on April 15.

This performance took place on February 11.

Categories
Advice Arts & Entertainment music

Top Essentials & Attending a Festival on a Budget

In this episode, we discuss our personal top 5 essentials and we also reached out to our audience for their opinions. We also go into detail about our wonderful experience on how we indulged on our last festival on a budget. 

Meet the hosts:

Mary A. IG-  ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/pinkchampxgne?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr⁠⁠

vc social page- About Me

Sidney P. IG- ⁠https://www.instagram.com/sid_posey16?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==⁠

links:

where to find volunteering opportunities-  ⁠⁠https://www.shifthappensvolunteers.com/⁠⁠

my fave brand of ear protection- https://us.loopearplugs.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_id=23480220875&utm_campaign=&utm_content=188816043021&utm_term=loop+earplugs&gadid=793652174105&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=23480220875&cq_con=188816043021&cq_term=loop+earplugs&cq_med=&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_plt=gp&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23480220875&gbraid=0AAAAACj0PVxGyBFykOPDhpAMrrRoNtemj&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1ZjOBhCmARIsADDuFTDag2lxd0OgIR4c7Najz-2A15Ui0e5xQMoinKzwUCWPCr-HJo9JXegaAkb9EALw_wcB

my fave festival- ⁠⁠https://www.ssbdfest.com/⁠⁠

Categories
Business Nature & Outdoors plants

Tucked Away Garden

some places sell plants. others help you grow a home. explore this garden center located at a hardware store in midtown ventura.

Do you like plants, but feel unsure of where to start? I wanted to focus on this small garden center located at Franklin’s Ace Hardware in Ventura. Miss Jackie is the wonderful human who runs it, alongside Stacey and Nick. She has helped so many clients with great tips and by boosting their confidence to start digging and planting. This is a family owned franchise. I love supporting local businesses and feeling like a part of their community.

Ace Hardware is known for their amazing customer service and that is definitely experienced at this location. They opened their doors back in October 2024. Their garden center is a newer addition. It’s only been one year of serving the community this March 2026.

As college students, we are always looking for budget friendly places and I believe this place is a great start. Miss Jackie takes amazing care of the plants and they have a small “plant recovery” section where they sell plants for a huge discount so they may be nursed back to health.

I’m not necessarily a plant guru but this place has my heart because it brings me so much peace even just walking through it and admiring all the beautiful plants and listening to the bubbling coming from all the fountains. There are disco balls glistening and birds enjoying the bird baths. It truly is a tiny magical oasis.

“I enjoy the uniqueness of our plant selection and helping customers with which plants would suit their garden the best.” – Stacey

“I love coming out here during my breaks to listen to the fountains and birds chirping in their bird baths. The ambience is everything.” – Mary

From succulents, tropical plants, jasmine trees, to petunias and marigolds, their plant selection is very vast and Miss Jackie is always taking recommendations. Come on in and get started on your gardening journey with customized picks and tips!