The Ventura Music Festival kicks off the new year with a special program and briefing at 5 p.m. on January 12 at City Hall.  Focus: the concerts and artists of its 21st Season May 1-9, 2015.

The briefing, which is open to the public, includes:

Remarks by Mayor Cheryl Heitmann, herself a former Ventura Music Fesitical Executive Director.

Announcement of the 2015 program with video clips by Artistic Director Nuvi Mehta.

Performance by the winner of the Ventura Music Festival Student Jazz Competition, backed by the jazz trio Coda.  The winner will have been selected the day before on Sunday, January 11, in a program from 1 to 3 pm at the Wyndham Garden Pierpont Inn.  Press and public are invited to attend at no charge.

The Festival is already is selling tickets for its annual Latin Jazz Concert on Valentine’s Day, February 14 at the Majestic Ventura Theater.  It’s the very hot Pacific Mambo Orchestra, the surprise winner of the 2014 Grammy for Latin Jazz.  This 19-member group funded their debut album with an $11,000 Kickstarter campaign and took it all the way!  Ticket-buyers should prepare to dance in their seats or on the dedicated dance floor.  Tickets are $50 to $15, available by calling (805) 648-3146 or online at venturamusicfestival.org.