Testimonials
We work hard to bring a wide variety of talent to enrich our community
We can’t thank you enough. From all of us at Combined Artform and the 30 Minutes or Less Festival, thank you for hosting us in your wonderful space.
We had such a great time, and everyone kept talking about how incredible the audiences, the community, the theater, and Ventura as a whole are. The VibeWell partnership brought everything to another level — from the funding support to the talkback and the additional bonus, all of it is deeply appreciated.
A special shoutout to your team — Cathy was wonderful, and Gavin, wow, he made the entire tech process feel effortless. It was truly a pleasure working with everyone.
Theatre Asylum / Combined Artform
I’m so grateful for your organization’s willingness to reach out beyond your immediate community. I so enjoyed being able to do my show at your facility. Your staff was helpful and available. The audience was engaging and wonderfully diverse.
Please continue to do what you do. Theater is needed to continue to show the world possibilities through the eyes of others.
Mamaisms
With Ventura’s limited performance venues, Unity Theatre Collective feels so grateful to NAMBA for taking a chance on us, as a brand-new theatre company. They have given us the support we needed to grow and partner with us on our mission to provide performances for every person. From our sold-out ‘Grease Sing Along’ to performances of classic plays, they have been there with us every step of the way. We want to thank everyone at NAMBA for their support and can’t wait to collaborate with them again.
Unity Theatre Collective
As an organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the arts in our community, we have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the positive impact that NAMBA has had on both artists and audiences alike. The diverse range of performances and events hosted by NAMBA not only entertain and inspire, but also foster a sense of community and cultural appreciation that is invaluable in today’s fast-paced world.
In addition to providing a space for artists to showcase their work, NAMBA has also been a valuable partner in our efforts to support and promote local artists through collaborative events and programs – including hosting FOTM’s Artist Spotlight Interview series. Their commitment to supporting and uplifting the arts community in our area is truly commendable, and we believe that their continued success is crucial to the cultural vibrancy of our community.
Focus on the Masters Arts Archive and Library
Artists also have been struggling these past two years to continue earning a living teaching and handing down their traditions to the next generations, especially because the arts, and thereby traditions, are getting less and less credit as a societal necessity.
NAMBA’s mission is to bring cultural education and entertainment to the community, and they have chosen several of our artists for that reason; that they represent more than just the traditional music of their heritage and culture, but also the joy in presenting and upholding their traditions to all audiences.
It is to their credit that NAMBA, while struggling financially themselves, is also looking towards ways to compensate artists fairly and adequately for bringing their life’s cultural work and passion to their stage.
Owner, Celtinental Music
Namba’s vision to create community through the arts, to make art experiences accessible and to give experimental art forms and performers a home, fully aligns with my own. Because Namba is centrally located in what is now a thriving and bustling downtown, because they have provided accessible studio space and fair theater rental rates, my program and in turn my business has grown. I provide an art and cultural education to often underrepresented members of our community.
There is no place like Namba around.
Flamenco Dance Artist
Namba is our artistic home. It is a place to perform, experiment, connect to our fellows, and share the joy and challenge of being creative. It has always been there and has always been a safe (and clean) space for our Ventura Comedy Improv class every Monday evening at 7 pm. NAMBA is the constant gem in an ever changing Ventura arts scene, where you can find great concerts and performances presented in an intimate setting.
We can not afford to lose this asset to our community and the artists who go in and out of the space will be eternally grateful today, tomorrow, and into the future.
Keep NAMBA …. NAMBA!
I’d like to express our deep gratitude to NAMBA for hosting our Community Research Forum on January 31, 2020. Having this type of resource centrally located in Downtown Ventura is a huge boon to our community. It is an ideal space for meetings, presentations, and art shows of all kinds. The staff was very hospitable and accommodated our every need. We are greatly looking forward to working with NAMBA again in the future.
Alzheimer’s Association-Central Coast Chapter
Namba has been absolutely essential to the growth of my dance school. The atmosphere of community and family that they have cultivated has made it easy to build classes that share the same values. My adult customers feel comfortable and welcomed, while my school age students are always super happy to be there. NAMBA has been a creative leader in Ventura showcasing amazing talent from around the world and from our own county. It has been such a pleasure to partner with a creative space that truly understands the arts. I am so grateful for the insight, generosity, and creativity that NAMBA encourages and inspires in others.
Rivers Dance Arts
Namba Performing Arts Space provides a critical community space for music, drama and dance — a much needed platform for local talent and a weigh station for regional and national artists to show off their stuff.
Artist Manager, Dreamland Featuring Kimberly Ford – A Celebration of Joni Mitchell
If Namba didn’t exist in Ventura we would have to invent it. A performance studio that provides so many multidisciplinary groups the opportunity to have classes and shows without the onus of renting their own space is absolutely essential to the artistic community. We should all be grateful for Namba!
Artistic Director/Ventura Improv Company