Edhat Staff
During the October 22nd Ojai City Council meeting, actor, writer, and musician Donald Glover, renowned for creating the hit TV show “Atlanta” and musical alter-ego “Childish Gambino,” made a personal appearance to advocate for a change in the concert production team at the city’s Libbey Bowl. This move aims to bring a fresh vision to the historic venue’s future programming and events.
Donald Glover, who has called Ojai home for nearly four years, joined voices with other local musicians, including Wilco’s keyboardist Mikael Jorgensen, to support Ojai Valley Music’s bid to become the new concert producer at Libbey Bowl. This group sought to take over from Sterling Venue Ventures LLC, which has managed the venue since 2017.
Demonstrating his commitment to the community and its cultural landscape, Glover expressed his enthusiasm for the positive changes Ojai Valley Music, spearheaded by partners Marko Shafer, David Berger, and Martin Fleischmann, could bring to Libbey Bowl. Shafer, noted for his co-ownership of The Hotel Cafe in Hollywood and the Ojai Noodle House, together with Berger and Fleischmann, who have significant experience in the music and entertainment industry, propose a vision that resonates with both local residents and artists alike.
Glover’s comments during the council meeting highlighted his deep appreciation for Ojai and his desire to see Libbey Bowl, a venue that seats approximately 1,200 people, thrive as a special place for artists to perform, even at a financial loss, due to its unique appeal. His humorous and improvised speech captured the attention and smiles of the audience, emphasizing the importance of keeping the community and its artistic offerings vibrant and inviting.
“That venue is super special. As soon as I saw it I wanted to play it,” said Glover. “Artists play where they want to. I’ve lost money at venues like Red Rock just because it was special and just because I wanted to stay in town for the week.”
The city council unanimously decided to enter negotiations with Ojai Valley Music, aligning with the council’s intention to offer priority access and reduced service fees for local residents and frequent visitors, marks a promising direction for the future of Libbey Bowl.
Critiques of recent programming under Sterling Venue Ventures highlighted a desire for a refreshed and diverse lineup, paving the way for new and vibrant artists to perform in Ojai. The community’s strong support for Ojai Valley Music’s proposal reflects a collective enthusiasm for enhancing the artistic and cultural expressions within the city.
As the council moves to finalize the contract with Ojai Valley Music in their November 26 meeting, the anticipation grows for a new chapter in the life of Libbey Bowl, one that promises to celebrate the community, creativity, and connection that define Ojai.
