Eye Street Entertainment / 5-10-12 by Matt Munoz

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, May 10, 2012

Editor Jennifer Self | Phone 395-7434 | e-mail jself@bakersfield.com

FELIX ADAMO / THE CALIFORNIAN

Jennifer Williams’ acrylic on wood, titled “A Life in Bakersfield,” was inspired by a photo. “This piece is definitely different than the idea I originally had when I did the sketches,” Williams said. “The cows and oil derrick in the background weren’t put in until after I laid everything out, to give her a sense of place. Where the painting goes depends a lot on how the paint is moving, so I’ll explore that and leave the subject matter behind.” The painting is available for sale and is priced at $1,350.

Thursday, May 10, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street “There are definitely factions in the art community. Bakersfield is cliquish like that. But I think the art community has been really working hard to overcome that. I see a lot of partnership, especially with First Friday.” — Jennifer Williams

The woman in the photo Captivated by image, Eye Gallery artist uses it for painting BY JENNIFER SELF Californian lifestyles editor jself@bakersfield.com

er dress and hairstyle suggest the picture was taken in the 1940s, and the smiling woman is standing — a bit awkwardly — in the middle of what appears to be a field of weeds. But beyond those visual clues, Jennifer Williams has no idea about the woman’s identity, where she was or what she was doing there. Still, something about the photograph spoke to the artist. What did it say? Bakersfield. “I thought she was interesting because there is something just a little off about the photo,” said Williams, who was selected to be featured in Eye Gallery, The Californian’s annual series on local artists. “She’s not standing flat. One shoulder is raised higher than the other one, she’s gripping the edges of her skirt, her shoes kind of blend in with the plants she was standing in. It looked like she was getting lifted in the air by that shoulder. So I thought it would make a cool painting. I kind of see her as a Bakersfield lady.” The 2012 theme of Eye Gallery, which debuts today and will continue over several weeks, is “A Day in the Life.” Though Williams was inspired to use as her subject a woman she never knew, her own life certainly brims with interesting possibilities. Growing up, Williams and her family were constantly on the move because of the itinerant nature of her father’s job with the phone company. Bakersfield is the 15th city that Williams has called home in her 36 years. “This is the longest I’ve ever lived in one spot my entire life,” said Williams, who moved back to the city 12 years ago to care for her grandfather. “I have a love/hate relationship with it. I feel at home in Bakersfield, but I never felt that Bakersfield was my home.” Williams would like to return to the coast someday — “I need my ocean” — but until then, she

About Eye Gallery Every year, The Californian and the Bakersfield Museum of Art ask several local artists to create original works for Eye Gallery, a series that appears in the paper over the course of several weeks. The idea is to give our readers a glimpse of the amazing work being produced by the many talented artists in Kern County. We gave this year’s participants a theme — “A Day in the Life” — and several weeks to complete their work. After all the art has been featured in The Californian, a reception will take place at the museum on June 14, and everyone is invited to come out and meet the artists and appreciate in person the art’s power, richness and scale. All the works are available for purchase.

divides her time among three jobs, as an artist, substitute teacher and employee at Russo’s Books. She feels fortunate to have so many friends in Bakersfield and, when she’s not painting or working, spends her time “writing terrible fiction and poetry and reading like a fiend.” Williams shared more about herself, her work and her Eye Gallery painting, titled “A Life in Bakersfield,” during a recent interview. Who is the woman in the photo? I don’t remember if is she is an unidentified family member from a bunch of photos we were given a couple of years ago or if she is one of the old photos I collected from an antiques store. Did your painting turn out how you had hoped? I was really happy except (for) the grass. The blades are all the same size. I knew it was happening as I was painting it, so I was using different brushes. But when I was painting, the paint was more opaque and got more translucent when it was drying. It doesn’t damage the painting, but I have to walk away from it because otherwise I’d always be nitpicking. It was a real challenge to walk away from it. I was an adult before I was able to do that. The weirdest interpretation of a piece of your work you’ve heard: It wasn’t actually my piece.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNIFER WILLIAMS

The photograph that inspired Jennifer Williams' Eye Gallery painting. “Mostly her pose spoke to me. This had been sitting in my sketch book for a few months.”

When I was in junior college, one of my classmates had done a painting and it was really kind of a muddy, not well-thought-out painting. It looked like time was running out, and so he stuck an athletic sock on it, trying to make it interesting. Someone pointed that out during the class critique, so to save face in front of the instructor, he went on this 30minute rant trying to explain the painting. So, to this day, if I don’t like a painting, I’ll tell my friend it’s a total sock. Sometimes a sock is just a sock. Does Bakersfield support the arts? I think Bakersfield is doing a much better job noticeably every year, but I think it’s more people involved in the arts getting more involved in Bakersfield than the other way around. It’s easy for anyone in Bakersfield to show their work publicly. I think First Friday is awesome for local artists and not enough of them are taking advantage of it. It’s been happening every Friday for a couple of years now and we have to support it because that kind of thing doesn’t tend to stick around this town. I wish more artists would go and set up tables or go down there and draw and sketch and stuff. It’s a cool event but it could be so much more awesome.

FELIX ADAMO / THE CALIFORNIAN

Jennifer Williams, a featured artist in Eye Gallery 2012. “Artwise, I go by Jennifer Dingbat Williams to avoid being confused with another local artist who is also named Jennifer Williams. I get Dingbat from my mother, who gave me the nickname when I was a kid. It is a nickname unlikely to be used by anybody, so it works as a unique identifier!” How do you arrive at a price for your artwork? Materials, time that went in to making it and what you want to be reimbursed for that work, the size, where it’s going to be shown. In Bakersfield, most artists can’t sell their work for what it’s worth. The people who can spend money on art are spending it on big-name artists because it’s an investment. How hard would it be to become a full-time artist: I’d love to make a living off my art, but the time and money it would take to get that started, I just don’t have the money. We were pretty poor growing up. Not food stamps poor, but we could have had them. There were days when we had peanut butter and crackers to eat. So for me to spend money on myself is hard if

Coming Saturday Get inside the head of Eye Gallery artist Samantha Garrett

I can’t see an immediate benefit from it. If I’m going to spend $30 to $40 to enter a contest, I need to have a good chance of winning because that’s a lot of money for me to blow. Do you remember the first piece of art you sold? My middle-school teacher bought a drawing I did in class to give to some friends. It was a still life of a ram’s skull, and she had gotten that skull from the friends she intended to give the drawing to. My mom and I made a copy of the $10 check she made me and I framed it. I was very excited.

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, May 10, 2012

Eye Street

Best jazz festival lineup in years Legends mix with exciting up-and-comers at CSUB BY MATT MUNOZ Californian staff writer mmunoz@bakersfield.com

t’s a year of transition for the venerable Bakersfield Jazz Festival, and if first-time talent booker Paul Perez wanted to prove he knows what he’s doing, mission accomplished. The Bakersfield sax man has pulled in some of the biggest names in jazz today, assembling the strongest lineup the two-day music festival has seen in years. Try these names on for size: • Alto-saxophonist Maceo Parker, who began his legendary career with James Brown’s band. He’s simply one of the most influential musicians working today. • Silky saxophonist Richard Elliot, who helped popularize the contemporary smooth jazz craze of the 1990s. • Veteran drummer Alphonse Mouzon, a favorite of nearly every heavy hitter in popular music. • Accomplished Cuban percussionist Melena, who puts on a dazzling high-energy show in the vein of fellow drumming live wire Shelia E. Landing the crowd-pleasing acts was an undeniable coup for Perez, who has himself played the jazz festival for years. He assumed the responsibility of seeking out talent after Doug Davis, who has organized the event since its inception 26 years ago, announced that this would be his last festival. “For me, Friday night has always been more of a party night. Bearing that in mind, the first person who popped into my mind was Maceo. He stands for party. Doug (Davis) had been trying for years to get him, so for me on my first time out booking the jazz festival, I’m really thrilled out of my mind. I think it’s perfect for Bakersfield, and doesn’t get any better than that.”

Friday: Steve Cole, R&B Bombers, Maceo Parker Friday’s traditionally upbeat partythemed kick-off features saxophonist Steve Cole, one of the top acts in smooth jazz. In addition to his own best-selling albums, Cole has recorded and toured alongside artists like guitarist Boz Skaggs and Larry Carlton and trumpeter Rick Braun. His latest CD, “Moonlight,” is a collection of classic pop songs and standards. Following Cole is the horn-heavy sound of Santa Barbara fixture R&B Bombers, who pride themselves on blending classic American music styles with the grit of a New Orleans speakeasy. It’s an approach that requires teamwork when it comes to composing effective compositions to match the group’s fat nine-piece sound, baritone saxophonist Dave Tolegian said. “We usually let our lead singer write up

PHOTO COURTESY OF RICHARD ELLIOT

Saxophonist Richard Elliot helped popularize the smooth jazz boom of the ’90s.

the vocals into a bare-bones arrangement, before handing it over to the rhythm section. Then our keyboard player will arrange the horn parts until they fit together. The horn arranging is one of the more painstaking things to do for our group, and we won’t play anything until it’s just like we want it,” said Tolegian, a member of the band since it formed nearly 30 years ago. “We’re a little different than a three-chord horn band.” The band’s latest release, “Bad Behavior,” has all the ingredients of a houseparty shaker. The CD contains original tunes from the band, penned mostly by lead singer and harmonica player Joe Wilson, who inspired the title. “He’s always singing about some kind of trouble,” Tolegian said. “He loses the girl or she wants to hurt him back; now I’m down and out, but I’ve got this money in my pocket. Do I spend it on the rent or one of my vices? There’s no fun in happy blues, right?” Headliner Maceo Parker has become one of the most influential and easily identified musicians of his generation since leaving his North Carolina home in 1964 to join the James Brown band. For the next decade he would become one of the defining elements in the Brown horn arsenal, along with saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis and trombonist Fred Wesley. Parker played on several classics with the Godfather of Soul but is most associated with “I Got You (I Feel Good),” which features a screaming Parker solo. Following his departure from the group, he found success as a member of George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic and Booty’s Rubber Band. Most recently, the funk icon, 69, has toured with Prince.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MACEO PARKER

Maceo Parker, who played with legendary funkmeister James Brown, among other heavy hitters, headlines Friday night’s lineup at the Bakersfield Jazz Festival.

Bakersfield Jazz Festival When: 7 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. Saturday Where: CSUB Amphitheater, 9001 Stockdale Highway Admission: $55 for two-day combo tickets; $35 students; $32, $23 in advance for Friday only, $36 and $27 at the gate; $35 and $25 in advance for Saturday only, $40 and $30 at the gate. Children under 12 free on both days. Reserved tables also available. Tickets available through Vallitix.com or call 322-5200

Perez said there’s no way to fully describe Parker’s influence on popular music. “If you play funk music at all, from Tower of Power to Kool & The Gang and beyond, there’s no way to get around his influence. Unless you were born somewhere so isolated from humanity, there’s no way you could not be influenced. The moment you get funky, it’s Maceo. Every band has to tip their hat to his playing.” Please see JAZZ / 32

PHOTO COURTESY OF MELENA

Percussionist Melena’s thrilling show incorporates Latin dance moves.

Thursday, May 10, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

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PHOTO COURTESY OF DOUG DAVIS

Doug Davis and his wife, Adele. Davis is director of the Cal State Bakersfield jazz program and organizer of the Bakersfield Jazz Festival.

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t looks like it will take a small army to replace Bakersfield Jazz Festival director Doug Davis, and with this year’s festival, Davis has already begun the change of command. Since the festival’s inception 26 years ago, Davis has been responsible for just about everything — booking the performers, securing sponsors, recruiting student performers and scholarship winners, working with Cal State, publicity and a host of other activities, including performing himself. That’s a lot of responsibility vested in one person, especially one who’s begun the university’s retirement process. “I think the festival, no matter what happens, has a life of its own,” said Davis, who took a sabbatical from the university last year, using at least part of the time to create materials to help future organizers of the festival. “They have templates for many of the items that must happen at the festival,” he said. Many of the big tasks were handed over to various individuals already long associated with the festival: saxophonist Paul Perez handled the bookings this year, and Cal State music professor Joel Haney has been heavily involved in the recruiting of scholarship winners and coordinating with the university. “(Paul Perez) really devoted himself and really pulled together a fantastic show,” Davis said. Haney will be doing many of the scholarship presentations this year to get some on-the-job training, as well as work on recruiting high school students to participate in the festival and ultimately enroll at Cal State. “Scholarships are the bottom line of the festival,” Davis said. “It seems like a fantastic party, but there’s probably about $30,000 associated with the festival that goes to scholarships.” Students from many disciplines benefit from that money, and the music department is able to give high school honor band students at least some money to encourage them to enroll at Cal State and participate in instrumental ensembles there, even if they’re not going to be music majors. “A lot of people spend a lot of time performing in band, and if we can help keep them performing, we’re going to do that,” Davis said. Perhaps more difficult than replacing Davis will be replacing his wife, Adele, who is the unsung hero of the festival. Adele Davis recruits and coordinates some 300 volunteers each year to manage the two-day festival, including crews for set-up, cleanup, security, tickets and anything else that needs doing. “The beautiful thing is, she’s got all

661-397-7447 by May 21, 2012

the templates for that,” said Davis, who acknowledged no one is immediately available to take Adele’s place. “We need that next generation for the festival to continue,” Davis said. But the man behind what has become a wildly successful event in Bakersfield’s social calendar is sanguine about finding that next generation, probably because he has already received so much help over the years. Among the legion of supporters, he credits Cal State’s Sue Wallace for taking on vendor relations some 15 years ago, and railroad engineer Mike Ramsey, who began overseeing a lot of the construction and set-up for the festival at about the same time. Graphic designer Mark Ramsey (no relation to Mike) has become essential to publicizing the festival, providing posters, ads and related work. And Jill Adams Klein is in charge of festival decorations and coordinating the artisans’ tents. “We got help because people saw me trying to do it and they said, ‘Do you need help?’” said Davis, who reserves special praise for Advance Beverage, his first and, for a time, only corporate sponsor and still a committed supporter. Meanwhile, Davis said he will take a break over the summer and fall quarter, which will afford him time to compose. “I’m going to decompress with Adele,” he said.

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CALIFORNIAN FILE

Saxophonist Paul Perez handled the bookings this year for the Bakersfield Jazz Festival.

But he’ll be back winter quarter to teach some upper division music courses and will no doubt be around the festival in some way. “I’m sure if I’m not at the center, I’m at the periphery,” Davis said. “I’m not disappearing; that’s not in the plan yet.”

3D: (12:45PM, 3:50), 7:00, 10:10 2D: (11:00AM, 11:45AM, 1:25, 2:10, 3:00, 4:35, 5:20), 6:10, 7:45, 8:30, 9:15 THE PIRATES! BAND OF MISFITS(PG) 3D: (12:20PM), 7:15, 9:20 • 2D: (2:30PM, 4:45) THE RAVEN (R) (11:30AM, 2:00, 4:30), 7:05, 9:35 I FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT (R) (11:15AM, 1:55, 4:35), 7:15, 9:55 I SAFE (R) (11:15AM, 1:25, 3:35, 5:45), 7:55, 10:10 THINK LIKE A MAN (PG-13) (11:00AM, 12:10, 1:40, 2:50, 4:20, 5:30), 7:10, 8:10, 9:45 THE LUCKY ONE (PG-13) (12:30PM, 2:45, 5:00), 7:20, 9:40 I

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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, May 10, 2012

Eye Street Camille Gavin CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

Silent film, but it won’t be quiet Organist to perform with 1927 classic

GO & DO ‘Wings’ What: Silent movie with organist Bob Salisbury When: 6 p.m. today Where: First Presbyterian Church, 17th and H streets Admission: Free Information: 325-9419

rganist Bob Salisbury has a personal connection to the composer of the music he’ll play to accompany this evening’s showing of the silent movie “Wings” at First Presbyterian Church. “I will be using the score of Gaylord Carter with some of my own music in the flying fight scenes,” Salisbury said in an email message. “Mr. Carter (was) my friend and instructor for 40 years.” Salisbury went on to say that Carter played for the showing of the original 1927 film “Wings,” which won the first Oscar for best picture at the Academy Awards ceremony held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. The story about two World War I fighter pilots in love with the same girl starred Clara Bow, Richard Arlen, Charles “Buddy” Rogers and offered a glimpse of a Gary Cooper at the very beginning of his career. A notable feature was the actual war scenes the director, William A. Wellman, included in the movie. Carter, who died in San Pedro in 2000 at age 95, was about 22 when he played the accompaniment for “Wings” and had a successful career as a musician and composer. In the silent film era, theater organists received films in advance with “thematic cue sheets” suggesting the type of music or sound effects for certain scenes, according to an obituary in the Los Angeles Times written shortly after Carter’s death. “The first time through, I'd have to wing it,” Carter is quoted as saying. “But if there was a bugle call or a steamboat whistle, at least I'd know it was coming." Salisbury, now in his late 60s, was born in Santa Monica and started taking lessons from Carter when he was 12. Two years later Salisbury and his family moved to Catalina Island where he played the organ at several venues, including the Avalon Theater, a restaurant and three churches. In 1964 he returned to the Los Angeles area and

‘Dance to the Music’ Concert: 7 p.m. Friday Workshops: 10 and 11 a.m. Saturday Where: Fiddlers Crossing, 206 E. F St., Tehachapi Admission: $20 for concert; $10 for each workshop Information: 823-9994

Children’s Gardening Workshop PHOTO COURTESY OF DEBBY HAND

Body percussionist Keith Terry and musician-clog dancer Evie Ladin during a performance.

played at a nightclub for nine years. He later worked for Princess Cruise Lines as a pianist. Currently, he is organist at a Congregational Church in Palm Springs. Salisbury is affiliated with Robert Tall and Associates, the company that designed and installed the organ at First Presbyterian in Bakersfield.

Random Writers Workshop Reading Series Presents Larry Hill When: 2 p.m. Saturday Where: The Foundry, 1602 20th St. Admission: $5 Information: 388-0278

Body percussionists in Tehachapi Musicians Evie Ladin and Keith Terry, a husband-and-wife team who incorporate clogging, buck dancing and body percussion in their performances of traditional American music, will give a concert Friday in Tehachapi followed by two workshops on Saturday morning. “This duo from the San Francisco Bay Area are in demand as teachers as well as performers,” said Debby Hand, owner of Fiddlers Crossing, where the concert will take place. Ladin sings the lead vocals on her original songs and plays an old-time-style claw hammer banjo. Hand said Terry provides “all manner of surprising backup, from his bass fiddle to his astounding repertoire of body percussion.” The couple will offer a workshops on clogging and buck dancing at 10 a.m. Saturday, followed an hour later by a one-on-

Camille Gavin’s “Arts Alive” column appears on Thursday. Write to her via e-mail at gavinarts@aol.com

When: 11 a.m. Saturday Where: Beale Memorial Library, 701 Truxtun Ave. Admission: Free Information: 868-0745

PHOTO COURTESY OF NICK BELARDES

Larry Hill is author of “Streak Hitter.”

body percussion.

Gardening for kids Few things say “I love you” better than a gift made by the giver, and on Saturday morning at Beale Memorial Library, children will have the opportunity to make something special for their mothers. A free program for children age 6 and older, it combines stories and poems about gardening along with a chance to sift a little dirt. To begin, kids who attend will listen to a poem and a story about gardening and learn some facts about plant life inside the children’s room at the library.

Then they’ll go outside to the atrium to fill a decorated pot with gardening soil and a plant to give away for Mother’s Day. All materials will be provided by the Bakersfield Green Thumb Garden Club. Andrea Apple, public services librarian, said space is limited. Tickets will be available at the children’s room desk on a firstcome-first-served basis, starting one hour before the event.

Fresno author to speak Larry Hill, a writer and visual artist who lives in Fresno, will talk about writing and read excerpts from his latest novel, “Streak Hitter,” on Saturday at The Foundry.

Local author Nick Belardes, host of the Random Writers Reading Series, said the event will be of interest to painters, readers, lovers of baseball and aspiring writers. “Hill is one of the Central Valley’s hidden gems,” Belardes said. “A painter, he is also a solid writer, with a deep grit to his prose, almost Southern in style, the way he weaves imagery of landscapes and the peoples who inhabit them.” The program also will feature Jane Hawley, Mary Morton and Belardes of the Random Writers Workshop, as well as the poetry of Jorge Guillen, and several duets from Landen Belardes and Lynsie McRoberts. Hill, 79, is currently working on “Rose Capital of the World,” a collection of his latest stories, and a second novel, “Saving Dillinger.” Another of his collections, “Saroyan’s Bookie,” published in 2008, was shortlisted for the William Saroyan International Prize for Fiction.

Thursday, May 10, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Musical challenges in store Symphony ends season on high note creatively BY SUSAN SCAFFIDI Contributing writer

he Bakersfield Symphony closes its 80th season with an allorchestra concert Saturday evening, challenging the musicians with compositions that were landmark works in their day. The orchestra will take its first stab ever at Howard Hanson’s Symphony No. 2 (the “Romantic”), one of the great works of the 20th century and a standard of the American repertoire. Also on the program is American composer Charles Griffes’ sketch “The White Peacock,” Franz Liszt’s symphonic poem “Les Preludes,” and the Overture to “The Bartered Bride,” by Czech composer Bedrich Smetana. Howard Hanson was born in 1896 in Nebraska to Swedish-immigrant parents. First learning music at home from his mother, he had a successful academic career at Luther College, the Institute of Musical Art and Northwest University. By the time he was 30 years old, Hanson had been awarded the first American Prix de Rome in Music for one of his compositions, was a successful music educator and had been appointed director of the recently founded Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., a position he held for 40 years. During his tenure there, Hanson not only continued composing, but championed other American com-

Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra Where: Rabobank Theater When: 7 p.m. lecture; 8 p.m. Saturday Tickets: $34 to $50, available at Rabobank box office

posers, commissioning and premiering an estimated 2000 works during his tenure, while also setting the standard for music education at the conservatory. Written in 1930, Hanson’s second symphony remains one of his most popular works, and at the time of its premiere, presented a dramatic contrast to the works of Igor Stravinsky and Arnold Schoenberg at the time. “It’s one of the iconic works of the America repertoire,” conductor John Farrer said of the Hanson symphony. “It’s a gorgeous work; to me it’s one of the quintessential American works.” Despite dying at the age of 35, fellow-American and contemporary Charles Griffes remains the most famous American composer in the Impressionist school. Like other Impressionist composers such as Debussy and Ravel, Griffes was enchanted with what were then “exotic” musical ideas, especially from the Middle East and Far East. “The White Peacock,” is one of his most famous works. “It’s a work filled with color,” Farrer said. “It’s a beautifully original work,

just one-of-a-kind,” Farrer said. Hungarian-born composer Franz Liszt’s “Les Preludes” was also an original at the time of its completion in 1856. One of the earliest examples of the symphonic poem, “Les Preludes” is considered by many to be the first work so named: a symphonic poem is a single-movement work for orchestra that has a “program” to it — either it depicts a story or a poem, or, in the case of “Les Preludes,” attempts to create a mood, or feeling. “Everybody will know the music when they hear it,” Farrer said. “It’s so well known we forget how original it is, how well-written, how well-orchestrated it is.” Bedrich Smetana is credited with establishing a national opera tradition for the Czech people, known as Bohemians in his time. Premiered in 1866, “The Bartered Bride” sung in Czech and musically based on Bohemian dance forms and folk melodies, eventually became an international favorite. Farrer said he is very proud of this season, and noted some of the dramatic highlights, including spectacular performances by Van Cliburn piano competition co-winner Nobuyuki Tsujii, violinist Axel Strauss and soprano Sophie Wingland. He also credited the orchestra for a job well done. “The orchestra has reached the point where it doesn’t allow itself to play below a certain level,” Farrer said. “And that’s a great source of joy and satisfaction for me.”

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Symphony confident of ending year in black BY SUSAN SCAFFIDI Contributing writer

s satisfied as it is with the music of this past season, the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra organization thinks it’s safe to be just as satisfied with its finances for the year. “We’re holding our own,” said interim development director Michael Chertok. “I would say it looks like we will complete the year in the black.” Chertok said the BSO must wait until the close of its fiscal year on June 30 to be sure of its financial position, and also for the outcome of the Symphony Gala on May 18, an event he called a “contributing factor.” “We have about 500 tickets already sold,” Chertok said. “There are about 100 left.” Chertok said the gala, which debuted last year, has replaced two long-standing events that had lost public appeal and volunteers: the annual ball and the fashion show. “After a few years people kind of lose interest, the audience changes, the venue changes,” Chertok said, noting that the gala has attracted the traditional donor base while adding

Some Enchanted Evening Gala When: May 18; 6:30 social hour, 7:30 dinner Tickets: $85; $750 table Information: 323-7928 or 6633200

new donors. Chertok said this year’s gala will feature the full orchestra performing, as well as an “opportunity drawing,” and that’s all, allowing guests to enjoy the social event. While the fortunes of the BSO have been positive this year, the organization did experience one setback — the short tenure of the new development director, Renee Goodwin, who joined the orchestra in the fall and left at the end of March. Goodwin had been hired by the BSO with the purpose of expanding the orchestra’s audience using social media and other contemporary marketing techniques to reach a younger demographic. “(Renee) returned to her previous employment in school construction,” Chertok said. BSO manager Oneida Rodenburg could not comment on the circum-

stances regarding Goodwin’s tenure or departure, other than to say that Goodwin “had gotten started” reaching out to potential new audiences. “We received her resignation March 9th, effective March 31st,” Rodenburg responded via email. “We were sorry to see her go and will miss her very much.” Chertok said he returned on an interim basis because fiscal deadlines were approaching and said he will stay until the “right person” is found. Despite that setback, it appears the BSO has high hopes for the next season. The orchestra will again perform a patriotic-themed concert in September, this time as part of the city’s concert season at the Bright House Networks Amphitheatre. Rodenburg said the orchestra is still looking for additional sponsors to cover the cost of that event. In addition, Rodenburg said the BSO has added to its 2012-13 season with guest performers at each concert, a multimedia presentation to accompany the performance of Ferde Grofe’s “Grand Canyon Suite,” at one concert, and hopes to bring back concerts that were eliminated in recent years.

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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, May 10, 2012

Eye Street The Lowdown with Matt Munoz

Sky’s the limit for Tehachapi talent Singer finds focus in McDonald’s contest

t’s been two weeks, but Maureen Recalde can barely maintain her composure. The Tehachapi resident and reigning regional champ in the Voice of McDonald’s national singing competition has just returned home from the finals in Orlando, Fla., where she joined 15 other winners from the U.S., Canada, South America, Europe and APMEA (Asia/Pacific/Middle East) for a shot at the title. Though Recalde didn’t win the competition, she met some of the biggest names in the music industry and said the experience changed her life. “I got to meet some amazing people who taught me incredible things about music, singing and life. We had schedules that were made for us each and every day. We’d meet every morning bright and early, and start our daily rehearsals. The rehearsals were long, but not tough at all.” Before taking the stage in front of judges and a crowd of 17,000, Recalde said she and the other contestants were given individual attention and instruction to help them polish on their technique and performance. Judging the final competition was a panel of entertainment heavyweights, including Grammy Award-winning R&B singer Toni Braxton, DreamWorks CEO Jef-

PHOTO COURTESY OF MAUREEN RECALDE

Tehachapi singer Maureen Recalde performs during the Voice of McDonald’s global finals in Orlando, Fla.

frey Katzenberg, music producers Ron Fair and David Foster, and entertainment attorney Ken Hertz. “The coaches taught me so much about myself as a singer and performer. I sang the song ‘At Last’ by Etta James, and the coaches helped me portray the right message and connect to my audience. I felt so alive on the stage. I wasn’t nervous at all. I felt right at home.” Beyond the competition, Recalde said the highlight was a private concert that included performances by Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Keith Urban, David Foster, Enrique Iglesias and Seal, who got up close and personal with Recalde. “He started singing my favorite

song, ‘Kiss from a Rose’ and — lucky me — I was in the front row at the private concert. He saw me jamming and brought me up on stage. He sang the song to me, and for some reason I couldn’t stop shaking. There’s even a YouTube video of it. Definitely one of the coolest moments in my life so far. Kelly Clarkson was super-chill, too.” The final four contestants were Chrislyn Hamilton of Australia, Stephanie Savage of Canada, Dyscem Mueldener of Germany and Lyam Soto of Puerto Rico. Hamilton took home top honors. In the end, Recalde earned the title of top U.S. entry out of three national finalists. She walked away with a $3,000 cash prize, a $1,000 donation in her name to the Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House, an iPod Touch, a pair of Beats by Dre and a trip to Nashville, Tenn. “Even if I didn’t place at all, I would still feel like a winner. All of the support and love has been overwhelmingly amazing. McDonald’s treated us in the most amazing way possible through this incredible journey.” Bakersfield can catch Recalde onstage when she performs for the Ronald McDonald House Charities Walk for Kids on June 2 at C.A.L.M. Recalde has a message for those who voted for her online during the first phase of the competition. “I wouldn’t have made it without you. I hope I represented Kern County, California, and the United States in the best way possible. There will never be a day that I won’t sing or hum a tune. Whether it’s singing while wrap-

Matt Munoz is editor of Bakotopia.com, a sister website of The Californian that devotes itself to promoting Bakersfield’s art scene. Matt’s column appears every Thursday in Eye Street.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MAUREEN RECALDE

Pop singer Seal, who performed during the Voice of McDonald’s competition, poses with Maureen Recalde.

ping burgers or taking an order, or getting a standing ovation from 17,000 people, I’m lovin’ it.”

Burning Image lights up One of Bakersfield’s pioneering alternative bands from the ’80s makes its long-awaited return to the stage for a rare show during Saturday’s Heresy club night at Riley’s Backstage. It marks the first official show from the veteran goth rockers in over a year, after two shows in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The story of Burning Image begins in 1982, at the dawn of

Bakersfield’s downtown punk and alternative rock scene. Lead guitarist and co-founder Moe Adame recalls the period as a turbulent but exciting time to be around his friends and bandmates: guitarist Joe Sparks, bassist Tony Bonanno and drummer Paul Burch. “They didn’t know what to make of us,” he said. “Everything was new, especially with the introduction of the punk scene in town,” Adame said. “People around here were just getting used to bands like The Clash. By the time the Los Angeles sounds had reached Bakersfield, it just exploded with the kids.” The shock factor has always been an important element in the rebellious spirit of punk rock, and for Burning Image, the idea of causing a stir would be taken to another level. Inspired by British bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees, Killing Joke and The Cure, Burning Image coined a sound that was a combination of those influences. Sporting ghoulish Please see LOWDOWN / 34

Thursday, May 10, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Lawn chair, a cool one and Firefall ’70s hit-makers promise relaxed show under stars BY MATT MUNOZ Californian staff writer mmunoz@bakersfield.com

irefall guitarist Jock Bartley has always trusted his instincts when it comes to rockin’ out. But at his first recording session, on a particularly balmy Florida night in 1975, he never anticipated getting a second opinion from his idol, Eric Clapton. Unbeknownst to Bartley, Clapton was in the control booth, observing his every lick. “Here we are with the big boys and no one had ever even heard of us. Down the hall is Stephen Stills, the Bee Gees,” said Bartley during a recent telephone conversation to promote Firefall’s show this week in Bakersfield. “So, I’m warming up for one of the main songs I get to burn on, ‘Mexico.’ I started playing, the solo’s going well. I ended up playing a one-take solo. I told the producer I really didn’t feel it and let’s do it again. The producer said, ‘No, come on into the booth.’ I was kinda ticked off and when I walked in, there sitting, having listened to me play, was my hero, Eric Clapton. I just crumbled. He stood up and said, ‘Keen playing, man,’ and he walked out. Oh my God, to play a one-take solo where I was burning and to have that happen when your hero is sitting there listening. It’s been a really fortunate ride for me, personally and for Firefall. There have been a lot of those moments.” Formed in Boulder, Colo., Firefall emerged from the burgeoning

Firefall When: 8 p.m. Saturday Where: Bright House Networks Amphitheatre, 11200 Stockdale Highway Admission: $10, plus service charge; lawn chairs, ice chests, food permitted Information: 852-7777

mountain music scene, saturating radio with hits like “You Are the Woman,” “Cinderella,” “Mexico” and “Just Remember I Love You.” “People were calling it the ‘Colorado sound,’ but really it was the Los Angeles sound of people living in Boulder,” Bartley said. “There was a time before we were signed in ’73, when guys like Stephen Stills and Dan Fogelberg would come down from their mountain getaways and sit in with us. It was just cool,” Bartley recalled. Bartley and co-founder Rick Roberts, formerly of the Flying Burrito Brothers, met through country rock pioneer Gram Parsons. Impressed with each other’s playing, the duo began practicing together and decided to form a band that would also feature bassist and vocalist Mark Andes (a founding member of the acclaimed prog rock band Spirit.) After adding singer-songwriter/ guitarist Larry Burnett to the lineup, along with former Byrds drummer Michael Clark, they dubbed themselves Firefall. A year after their formation and the recording of their first demo, they were signed to Atlantic Records. “Our first day, it was very magical,” Bartley said. “We had 30

PHOTO COURTESY OF FIREFALL

Pop rockers Firefall will perform at Bright House Networks Amphitheatre on Saturday.

original songs to work out. It was just great and all of our first record was ready to work out. When you put us together on our original songs, we sound like ourselves without even trying. “Our sound was the synergy of what the guys in the band played. There are a lot of bands who have great songs, but can’t figure out how to sound. We always sounded like Firefall.” And there couldn’t be a more fortuitous showcase for the new band than as the opening act for Fleetwood Mac, on tour in 1977 to support “Rumours,” which would become one of the best-

selling albums in history. Firefall got another key slot performing on The Band’s farewell tour, just before the filming of Martin Scorsese’s iconic concert film, “The Last Waltz.” “Playing to crowds of 60,000 to 100,000 people, five to six days a week is impossible to describe.” But two years of grinding out live shows and pressure from the record company to churn out more hits took its toll. Most of the original band members had departed over time, leaving Bartley to carry on with a series of revolving musicians until he found the current lineup: Bill

Hopkins, bass; Steven Weinmeister, guitar; Sandy Ficca, drums; and David Muse, sax, flute, and keys. They’ve remained solid for 20 years without a break. Content with being a musical source of nostalgia for fans, Bartley has no qualms about the past, adding there’s never been a good enough reason for him to hang it up. “I think I was always destined to be in Firefall and have my guitar playing prominently in our songs, just as it happened. And I’ve always known we were a lucky band to have that type of success.”

Moira Smiley: ‘The whole world in her voice’ BY CAMILLE GAVIN Contributing writer gavinarts@aol.com

oira Smiley and VOCO, a group known for its unique blend of voices and instrumentation, will visit schools and present three concerts in Kern County Sunday through Tuesday. Their first performance is a house concert on Sunday, hosted by Lynne and Bruce Joseph. Attendees will be given the address of the venue by contacting the Arts Council office when making reservations. This is the second year Smiley’s ensemble, which includes cellist April Guthrie, has toured here as part of the Arts Council’s Musicians’ Outreach Project. As she did previously, Smiley will lead workshops for students at several high schools in the county, said Jill Egland of the Arts Council.

Moira Smiley & VOCO When: 4 p.m. Sunday Where: House concert — call for location Admission: $22; $20 Arts Council members; $10 students Information: 324-9000

“Moira Smiley is a very gracious and accessible, and the students were entranced,” said Egland, recalling the ensemble’s 2011 visit. “She does vocalizations from different cultures.” Egland explained that Smiley has learned to use her voice in ways that imitate the sounds of native singers in other countries or regions. For example, for Eastern European singers, she emits a deep,

heavy sound; for Asian, a kind of pinched sound; and for the Irish, her voice is very fluid. “She tells students to close their eyes and imagine the region she is singing about,” Egland said. “One student at East High told me, ‘I could hear the whole world in her voice.’ That brought tears to my eyes.” In addition to being a vocalist, composer and arranger, Smiley plays the banjo and accordion, and also employs body percussion in her performances. A native of Vermont, she attended the Indiana University School of Music, where she received a degree in early music vocal performance. She now is based in Los Angeles. On Monday, Smiley and VOCO will visit schools in Delano and then travel to Kernville for a concert that evening at a

place to be announced. Tickets are $15 and reservations can be made by calling 760549-3697. On Tuesday, they will be in Ridgecrest for more school presentations and a final evening performance in the gallery of the Maturango Museum, 100 E. Las Flores Ave. Tickets are $15 and available at the museum gift shop. Call 760-375-6900. Now in its third year, the Musician’s Outreach Project is dedicated to featuring artists who excel in educational settings at schools throughout Kern County, Egland said. The program is an extension of the Arts Council's House Concert Series, and is sponsored in part by grants from corporations as well as individual donors, which serve as matching funds for schools that would otherwise not be able to afford this type of program.

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, May 10, 2012

Eye Street

American Made and so much more

A (super)natural in kitchen Writer turns to ‘Potter’ and ‘Twilight’ for cookbooks BY ASHLEY FISCHER

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f you love Harry Potter, chances are you’ve dreamed of sampling Butterbeer, The Three Broomstick’s most famous brew. Maybe you’ve even suffered some ill-fated attempts in the kitchen trying to create it yourself. Fortunately, Fresno author Gina Meyers is a bit more of a wizard in the kitchen than most. The creative cook has self-published several “uniquely themed” cookbooks, including “Muggles to Magic: The Unofficial Meyers Harry Potter Cookbook,” which will be featured during a book signing Saturday at Barnes & Noble, where Meyers will demonstrate different ways to prepare Harry’s favorite frothy beverage in her Butterbeer 101 demonstration. Meyers also has a book for readers who have dreamed of munching on a plate of mushroom ravioli while gazing into the eyes of their undead true love: “Love at First Bite: The Unofficial Twilight Cookbook.” “My ‘Twilight’ cookbook is really what started the ball rolling as far as my notoriety goes,” Meyers said. “I had never read the books before, but my friend invited me to a movie premiere in 2008, and I just was floored.

Gina Meyers book signing When: 11 a.m. Saturday Where: Barnes & Noble, 4001 California Ave. Admission: Free Information: 631-2575

I immediately went home and grabbed my teenage stepdaughter’s books from her room, and everything just sort of took off from there.” In “Love at First Bite” as well as “Muggles to Magic” (which is, to date, Meyers’ best-seller), readers will find recipes for dishes lifted directly from the pages of the novels that inspired them, such as cauldron cakes and chicken enchiladas (diehard Twi-hards know their significance). And then there are recipes simply inspired by the books, like pumpkin fudge and Charlie’s catch of the day

crab cakes. “It just seemed so natural to me to write these books,” Meyers said. “Because food plays such an important role in both of these series.” The majority of the dishes seem flavorful yet familiar, the recipes passed on to Meyers by members of her Sicilian family, or created by the author herself for the many cooking classes she continues to teach today. Some are a mixture of the storebought and the homemade, but all of them, according to Meyers, are easy enough for even novice cooks to prepare. “By incorporating popular culture with cooking, I hope to bring people of all ages back into the kitchen,” she said. “I want to encourage older cooks to try new things, and I intentionally made the recipes simple so that I can maybe introduce new cooks to the world of the culinary arts.” Though Meyers’ book sales don’t pay all the bills, she said between teaching her cooking classes, writing and running her own publishing company, she has managed to create a life for herself doing more than a few of her favorite things. “My life has been really magical. I’ve had these great opportunities for my passion for cooking and popular culture to translate, and it all started out with me just baking for family and friends. It’s just amazing to think about the fact that the dreams that I had for my life have somehow turned out even bigger than I once imagined.”

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Thursday, May 10, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Just call Bakersfield the Small Easy Crawfish Festival celebrates Cajun delicacies of Louisiana BY MIRANDA WHITWORTH Contributing writer

ans of the Louisiana cuisine have the chance to eat their fill Saturday without having to travel to the Deep South. Cajun cooking has found a home in Kern County with the annual Crawfish Festival at Prime Cut in northwest Bakersfield. “Back when I was a little kid you could go catch crawfish at Hart Park in the canal,” said Prime Cut president Merv Crist, who has organized the festival since its inception 14 years ago. “I would boil them with salt before the Cajuns taught me how to season them properly. They changed the game for me.” Crist’s enhanced crawfish boils include plenty of fresh onion, lemon and garlic, and enough salt to make the shells crispy. He’s also liberal with the cayenne pepper and uses an array of dry seasonings to provide a kick to the 1,000 pounds of boiled crawfish purchased and prepped for the event. But if shellfish isn’t your thing, the price of admission includes plenty of sausage, ribs and jambalaya, leaving no appetite unsatisfied, Crist said. In addition to the beer on tap, the crew will be serving the restaurant’s popular Bloody Marys and

14th Annual Crawfish Festival When: 1 to 8 p.m. Saturday Where: Prime Cut Meats and Eats, 9500 Brimhall Road Admission: $45 in advance; $50 at the gate; children $12 in advance or $15 at the gate. Information: 831-1413

Hurricanes. “We’ll have people line up to get their food and we’ll keep throwing out the crawfish until it’s gone. You are welcome to take another trip through that line and keep on eating. But people tend to get pretty full.” For little Cajun cuties, there will be bounce houses, face painting, a crawfish petting pond and kid-friendly food items. Filling the bill musically will be three bands with very different styles. Bonne Musique Zydeco is based out of Los Angeles and has been making the trip to Bakersfield for the Crawfish Festival for a decade. Local group Foster and Friends will bring the rhythm, funk and blues while The Aviators, also from Bakersfield, will perform some classic rock crowd pleasers. Crist is proud of the lineup and believes the local bands exemplify what his event is all about.

HENRY A. BARRIOS / THE CALIFORNIAN

Hungry diners stay out of the sun at the Crawfish Festival in 2011.

“Foster and Friends, that band has the best musicians around. And, for Bakersfield, that is saying a lot. The Aviators are the nicest group of guys. They are young and have that great energy like when The Doors were young.” As a man who live his life in the kitchen, Crist has nothing but respect for those cooking away in the South, a region his restaurant pays homage to with popular menu items like po’ boy sandwiches,

gumbo and etouffee. “The guys in the South cook and take pride in it,” he said. “A lot of men here will get out and barbecue, but for guys in the South, they cook everything. They will never say a woman can cook better than they can, even though the women are the best and those women are usually grandma. “I wish guys in California would do the same thing.”

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, May 10, 2012

Eye Street JAZZ: CONTINUED FROM 24

Saturday: Mouzon, Melena, Elliot and more The 19-piece 2012 Kern County Honor Jazz Band takes the stage as the first act on day two, followed by Los Angeles saxophonist Ray Zepeda and his quartet, featuring veteran Bakersfield musicians Glenn Fong, bass; Zanne Zarrow, drums; and 13year-old piano phenom Jamael Dana Dean. CSUB music instructor and guitarist Jim Scully rounds out the trio of local openers with his new group, the 4tet, which fuses contemporary pop, rock and folk with instrumental jazz into his original compositions. Azerbaijan composer and pianist Amina Figarova leads off the second half of the day with her quartet. Her critically acclaimed new CD, “Twelve,” was released Tuesday. Acclaimed drummer Alphonse Mouzon’s musical associations read like a Who’s Who of modern jazz and pop music. Credited with being the rhythmic foundation for the far-reaching musical explorations of pianist McCoy Tyner, he was a charter member of the group, along with keyboardist Joe Zawinul and saxophonist Wayne Shorter. His talents cover a broad range of musical disciplines and philosophies that have led to work with artists as diverse as Stevie Wonder, guitarists Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana, and Led Zeppelin vocalist Robert Plant. “It’ll be great to be coming back,” said Mouzon during a recent phone interview from his home in Los Angeles. “The last time I performed there was with Poncho Sanchez at the junior college theater in ’88.” Mouzon will be bringing a quintet of Los Angeles heavy hitters, and the group features his 15-year-old daughter Emma Alexandra Mouzon on vocals. “She started playing my drums when she was 3 years old, and now plays violin, piano, guitar.” Mouzon’s new CD, “Angel Face,” will be available for sale at the festival. Cuban percussionist Melena speaks volumes with her drumming. She’s toured, performed and recorded with legendary artists like Barry White, Stevie Wonder, Julio Iglesias and Chayanne, and fronts her own Latin jazz and Afro-Cuban salsa band, which will perform at the festival at sunset. Born in Havana, Melena came to the States with her family at age 4. Raised around mostly American culture, she began reconnecting with her roots after picking up the drums as a teenager. Her first teacher: world-renowned percussionist Luis Conte. “He was my first percussion mentor. I was right out of high school in Los Angeles. He taught

PHOTO COURTESY OF R&B BOMBERS

The R&B Bombers appear Friday. “We’re a little different than a three-chord horn band,” said baritone saxophonist Dave Tolegian.

me Latin rhythms on drums, then he was the first person I saw playing congas, timbales, and all the family of drums. He pushed me to learn everything.” Searching for the most comprehensive instruction available, Melena found other teachers around Southern California, but after a visit to Cuba in 1988, her dedication to her musical goals intensified. “I always wanted to seek out more about the music and what it meant to me. In Cuba I found many master teachers. That put me back in touch with the music the way I had always felt it should be,” she said. “When you talk to the elders in Africa, they want the fresh new ideas from young musicians because, to them, you’re taking what they’ve done and to the next level, but the root of tradition is still there and really strong. They know that.” Her stage show incorporates drums as well as a variety of Latin dance moves, which will no doubt have hips shaking in the audience. After Melena’s ignites the stage, the annual fireworks display will light up the night, segueing into Saturday’s closing act, saxophonist Richard Elliot. Widely recognized as one of the musicians responsible for popularizing the smooth jazz subgenre in the 1990s, the Scottishborn tenor saxophonist made a name for himself performing

Also appearing at the Eagle Mountain Casino Entry Stage Friday: Velorio at 6 p.m., 7:55 p.m., and 9 p.m. Saturday: CSUB Players at 1 p.m. and 2:45 p.m., Color Blind at 3:40 p.m. and 4:50 p.m., Chesterfield King at 6:10 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 8:50 p.m.

with Bay Area funk legends Tower of Power. “They were some of best and most influential years of my entire career,” said Elliot of his five years with TOP. “I learned more with them than with any other group I’ve ever played with. I kind of look at them as my graduate school.” Although the smooth jazz craze has died down after years of oversaturation, Elliot is not complaining. He sees it as just another phase in the evolution of jazz music. “In many ways, what it was back then is very different than what it became later. Even the name ‘smooth jazz’ wasn’t added until the ’90s, when it was looked at more like contemporary instrumental music with guys like David Sanborn, Bob James and Ronnie Laws. It fused jazz with R&B together. Back then when radio stations

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALPHONSE MOUZON

Jazz drummer Alphonse Mouzon appears on Saturday’s lineup.

were open to being more accepting of that, the sound was able to flourish. Unfortunately, what I think happened later on was that the sound began to get pigeonholed as a very less aggressive, watered-down type of music. That’s why you hear less of it today, because what radio did to it.” Yet in many ways, Elliot said there’s never been a more exciting time to play jazz. “I’d like to think it’s reinventing itself. I listen to guys like Trombone Shorty and others who are pushing the boundaries, remind-

ing people what made instrumental music exciting in the first place. Everything kind of comes full circle, and right now it’s getting more grassroots and less about being homogenized.” Elliot plans to bring the house down with tracks of his latest CD, “In the Zone,” plus a wealth of career-spanning material. “We always tend to rock a little harder live than on the CD. We’ll cover a lot of ground, but most of all we like to have a good time with the audience. And of course we like to funk. That’s in my DNA.”

Thursday, May 10, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

CSUB campus hopping with Party in the Park Fundraiser features fine wines, special beers

he CSUB Alumni Association will once again pop the corks and twist the caps for the annual Party in the Park from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at CSUB’s Alumni Park. The evening will feature samplings of several fine wines, handselected by Imbibe, in addition to tasty micro-brews, food, music and fun. Party in the Park precedes the annual Bakersfield Jazz Festival, which takes place at the adjacent CSUB Amphitheatre. “Party in the Park is a great way to catch up with old friends while giving back to the university by supporting student scholarships before heading over to the jazz festival,” said Jennifer Patino, interim CSUB alumni association director. “The two events have become a Bakersfield tradition for many, many of our alumni and community members.” Attendees will have the opportunity to sample offerings from 40 labels, including Mumm Napa, Charles Krug Chardonnay Napa Valley, Alomas Melbec (Argentina), Sterling Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley, Beaulieu Vineyards, Santa Carlina Carmenere (Chile), Morgan Cotes du Crows, Mulderbosch Rose (South Africa),

Party in the Park When: 5:30 p.m. Friday Where: Alumni Park at CSUB, 9001 Stockdale Highway Admission: $45 in advance; $55 at the event (package prices for Party in the Park and the Bakersfield Jazz Festival available at bakersfieldjazz.com). Information or tickets: sub.edu/alumni or 654-3211

Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico, Marc Bredif Vouvray (France) and Duas Quintas (Portugal). For those who fancy hops over grapes, Lengthwise Brewing Company and Stella Artois will offer beer tastings. Guests will receive two complimentary glasses, one for wine and one for beer. Between sips, a variety of hors d’oeuvres will be served, including mini-sopes, pita shawarma and a gourmet burger station. Musical entertainment will be provided by local band Elevation 406. Proceeds from Party in the Park go to the Alumni Scholarship Fund, which Patino said is of increasing importance as the rising cost of a higher education becomes more unaffordable to many students. — CSUB public affairs department

Got improv skills? Local outfit looking for talented performers BY STEFANI DIAS Californian assistant lifestyles editor sdias@bakersfield.com

he CIA wants you. And lest you start worrying about alarms raised during your last flight check-in, the CIA we’re talking about is the Center for Improv Advancement, which is seeking charismatic performers to increase its ranks. On May 19, interested players have a chance at 20 slots for a five-week improv competition that will crown a winner, who will pocket a cash prize that could reach $500. “It’s like an onstage workshop, but with prize money for completion,” wrote Robert Long, CIA owner-operator, in an email. “We ran a tournament last year that was very successful. The public is absolutely welcome — the prize pool is built from admission fees.” Although there can be only one winner, contestants can still walk away happy if they opt to keep working in local improv. Developing talent is one of the goals of the event, according to Long. “We’re looking for people with a basic aptitude for the fundamental concepts of improv: listening, acceptance, commitment, and support of your teammates,” he said. “We’re looking for people who are willing to learn the skills of improv, or develop what they already have.” The group is also interested in Spanish speakers and puppeteers to help develop

CIA auditions When: noon to 4 p.m. May 19 Where: The Center for Improv Advancement, at The Ice House; 3401 Chester Ave., Suite M Information: 412-3242 or email rob@ciacomedy.com

Spanish and children’s improv troupes. Performers who want to stay involved are encouraged to attend CIA workshops for a spot on a core (or house) team, or to help build an outside satellite team. Core teams play Friday and Saturday nights at the theater as well as at private shows. The center has sent performers to events as esteemed as the New York City Improv Festival, the Los Angeles Improv Festival and the Orange County Improv Cup. Tapping into that downtown arts magic, CIA will test Thursday night performances at JC’s Place (the revamped Penney’s building) this summer. If all goes well, the group may move its operations downtown. With new shows downtown and the weekly competition at its Ice House location, Long said there’s something for everyone. “This approach will create a win-win for CIA, JC’s Place, downtown, entertainmentseeking Bakersfieldians, and our new crop of improvisers coming out of these auditions.”

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, May 10, 2012

Eye Street LOWDOWN: CONTINUED FROM 28

white makeup, lipstick, black attire and crucifixes, the guys in Burning Image were an instant hit with teens. But outside the venue, it was another scene altogether. “We just took it in a different direction musically and with the look,” said Adame, 49. “You had people picketing our shows, while 300 to 400 kids would be packed inside the American Legion Hall or wherever we were allowed to throw a show ourselves. They thought we were devil worshipers. We weren’t, but at the time there was the whole child molestation/devil worship thing in the news, and everyone was going crazy.” For the next five years, the group would make trips down south to record a series of independently produced 7-inch vinyl singles at Fullerton’s Casbah Studios, where Orange County heroes Social Distortion recorded their debut, “Mommy’s Little Monster.” During one of their many treks, the band made contact with Art Morales, creator of the artwork for “Monster.” Morales offered to do the cover for the band’s single, “The Final Conflict.” “Everyone knew someone and was accessible. Everyone just wanted to help each other out,” Adame said. Following the release of the single, Burch and Sparks traveled north to Berkeley to promote the record on the college radio station KPFA, where Dead Kennedys lead singer Jello Biafra happened to hear the song. He liked the single so much that he invited Burning Image to open a show in San Francisco.

Familyed Own

“It was amazing,” Adame said. “The Dead Kennedys have always been one of my favorite bands. Sitting on the side of the stage and watching the band play after they invited us to play — just incredible.” Biafra’s friendship with the band would continue years after Burning Image dissolved in 1987. In fact, in 2003 he and Adame would reconnect at one of Biafra’s spokenword engagements in Hollywood. “The first thing he asked was, ‘Do you have any more Burning Image music?’ ‘All I have is this tired old cassette,’” Adame replied. “I said I have all the masters. So he asked me to make him a CD of all the music. He wanted artwork and said, ‘I’d really like to reissue this on my label.’ Needless to say, everyone in the band was shocked and gave their blessing.” The 2004 release of “1983-1987” on Biafra’s Alternative Tentacles label is a collection of the group’s original catalog. The band’s excitement spurred a full reunion for a one-time show, more for fans and themselves in celebration of the CD. The guys parted ways on friendly terms, and Adame continued to keep the band’s flame alive, releasing another CD, “Fantasma,” in 2009 with bassist Anthony Leyva replacing Sparks, who lives in San Francisco. Bonnano and Burch remain in the lineup. Proving you can’t keep a dead band down, Burning Image is back with “Oleander,” a conceptual album loosely based on the “Lords of Bakersfield” series of stories on a shadowy cabal of power players in the city’s past, written by The Californian’s Robert Price, and the book “Lords: Part One,” by Nick

Belardes. Belardes makes an appearance on the recording for a spoken-word intro. “It’s probably just local folklore, but you never know,” Adame said. “Jello had asked my wife about ‘The Lords of Bakersfield’ after Sean Penn had given him a copy of the movie ‘Witchhunt.’ He had tucked it away for a while, but after he saw it, he asked me if we decide to record another album, he said ‘write about this.’ This material is just too good to pass up. You can hear the references to Bakersfield and what’s going on. I wanted it to sound as low-fi as possible. I wanted it to sound like an old Bad Brains album: strange, and stripped down.” The festivities begin at 10 p.m. Admission is $5 advance or $8 at the door. Riley’s Backstage is located at 1523 19th St. Copies of “Oleander” and “1983-1987” will be sold at the show, and also available for download at iTunes and Cdbaby.com. Visit the band at flavors.me/burning_image.

Matt’s pick Rachel Platten at B Ryder’s Bar, 7401 White Lane at 7 p.m. Sunday. $10, all ages, 397-7304. If mom looks bored this Mother’s Day, get her to this show, quick. Singer-songwriter Rachel Platten became a favorite of contemporary pop radio after the release of the single “1,000 Ships” last year. Her latest single, “Work Of Art,” is quirky, sugary stuff and sure to be embraced by lovestruck ladies everywhere. Also appearing is rising starlet Madi Diaz, who, like Platten, writes perfectly crafted indie gems for prime-time TV.

COMING IN EYE FRIDAY: Johnny Depp sinks his teeth into the role of tortured vampire Barnabas Collins in a campy remake of the supernatural cult soap, “Dark Shadows.” But is it a funny horror story or a thrilling comedy? Check out the review in Eye Street Friday. SUNDAY: When he’s not stirring the pot as The Californian’s Editorial Page editor, Robert Price is usually writing about a subject close to his heart: the Bakersfield Sound. He recently ventured to Nashville to tour a huge exhibit honoring the iconic style of music, and his full report appears in Eye Street. • The Highland Cafe in Oildale, which has won rapturous praise from restaurant critic Pete Tittl in the past, has changed ownership. So how is the food now? The ruling in Tittl’s weekly Dining Out column.

Dennis Payne shows his appreciation at the Ford Theater during a performance by some of the musicians who laid the foundation for what would become the Bakersfield Sound. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is showing an exhibit on the “Bakersfield Sound” that is scheduled to run through Dec. 31, 2013 in Nashville.

‘CALIFORNIAN RADIO’: WIN TICKETS! Join the Eye Street crew of Jennifer Self, Stefani Dias and Matt Munoz this morning for a chance to win tickets to the Bakersfield Jazz Festival and a concert by ’70s hit-makers Firefall. We’ll also chat with Bakersfield musician Paul Perez, who — his first time out — hit a home run booking talent for this year’s jazz fest. Get the inside scoop on what to expect at Bakersfield’s “party of the year.” The show airs from 9 to 10 a.m. on KERN-AM, 1180. Listen for your chance to win tickets and call 842-KERN.

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Thursday, May 10, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street Celebrate with us

ThursdayAnniversary Sale

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Fun race lets athletes become works of art

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Runners of many colors

Nursery & Landscaping • 1416 Calloway Drive 661 330 9010 Californian assistant lifestyles editor sdias@bakersfield.com

NEVER LOSE AN EARRING AGAIN!

akersfield is known for memorable races — the Volkslauf, the Pie Run, the Fog Run, Mr. Toad’s Wild Run — so how does a new run stand out? In a wash of bold color. On June 30, runners will lace up at the Kern County Fairgrounds for the Color Me Rad 5K, which may seem like a standard race — until runners hit the first kilometer. Upon arrival in designated color bomb zones, volunteers will launch a vibrant cloud of hyperpigmented cornstarch, covering anyone in range with color. A new color is introduced at each station until the finish line, where participants can join in an ongoing color toss, dousing one another in plumes of yellow, green, blue, pink and purple cornstarch. The inspiration for turning runners into living works of art? Holi, the spirited Hindu celebration of spring. “In Utah, we have a Hindu temple, and they have the Holi color festival every year,” said Tommy Peterson, an organizer for Bakersfield’s Color Me Rad. “There is a bunch of music and dancing, really brightly colored cornstarch they throw in the air. You see the photos in the paper of people having fun. We thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be fun to make a run out of it? Let’s take the idea and run with it.’” And what an idea. With a $40 registration ($45 after Friday) fee, participants get a bit of fashion and fun. “You get an awesome T-shirt. This race shirt is actually really nice,” said Gretchen Willard, director of public relations for the Bakersfield Color Me Rad. “You know you get some (event) shirts that you’ll just want to wear at the gym.” Sunglasses and a pigmented pack of cornstarch for the color toss also are provided in the registration packet, said Willard, who participated in the first Color Me Rad run last month in Utah. “(You receive) ‘Risky Business’-style glasses with colored frames with ‘Rad’ written on the side. The glasses are cute and give you some eye protection. I was glad I was wearing my sunglasses (during the run). You don’t want to get the color directly in your eyes.” Although only small amounts of cornstarch are thrown — either by small cup or hands — Willard recommended wearing glasses as well as keeping your mouth shut during the melee. By the end, you’ll look like you’ve gone through a Willy Wonka candy machine, but don’t worry about the stained skin. “You’ll just be covered in colors. I

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A jogger of many different colors at the Color Me Rad 5K at Utah Valley University.

Color Me Rad 5K When: Starts at 8 a.m. June 30 Where: Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St. Cost: $40 if registered by Friday; $45 Saturday through June 15 (use promo code CSUB10 for 10 percent off registration) Information: colormerad.com

was surprised that the colors came out pretty easily. My arms were covered in blue and green. I thought, ‘I’m going to be permanently dyed.’ It washed off fairly well after a scrub in the shower.” With a colorful event focused on fun rather than competition, it’s no surprise that it’s a draw for families. At the Utah race, “people brought their babies in carriers. Kids, especially once you get into 5 and older range, they have the biggest smiles on their faces (running through the color).” (Bonus for families: the event is free for children under 8.) Peterson said his wife participated in the Utah run along with their 6year-old son. “About half the people I’ve talked with have said that it’s their first 5K. It’s a party. There isn’t a clock. We care that you have a really good time doing it.” With the first two successful runs at Utah Valley University and Virginia Beach, Color Me Rad has two more stops before hitting Bakersfield as its fifth destination in June. So why Bakersfield? “Why not?” Peterson said. “It’s a great city. We took a bit of a gamble on Bakersfield, it’s a bit smaller. But we had a great response (when visiting).” A “cool buzz” and warm weather contributed to the decision as well as the city being home to two colleges, with one — Cal State Bakersfield — identified as an intended beneficiary of the event. “We called around to some of the

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GRETCHEN WILLARD

You’ll have to run fast to avoid being covered in color — but why miss out on the fun?

other charities in town,” Peterson said, mentioning each run contributes a portion of proceeds to a local organization. “CSUB (Foundation) isn’t viewed as a charity, but it will be using most of the money for PEAK (physical education and kinesiology department). “We decided that we like health and fitness. (In some cities), we support Special Olympics; at others it’s the YMCA.” Many college students have signed up, either for the run or to volunteer for the Color Bomb Squad, which operates the color stations throughout the course. Although spots are limited, Peterson said people can volunteer for the squad by emailing bombsquad@colormerad.com. Whether you’re on the sidelines or on the course, Willard said to give it your all. “If you’re in, there get dirty. There are so few times, especially as adults, that you can get in there and have fun. You might as well go all out.”

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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, May 10, 2012

Eye Street Go & Do Today “Winescapes,” auction, wine tasting and gourmet food, 6 p.m., Bakersfield Museum of Art, 1930 R St. $40 advance; $75 per couple, $50 at the door, $500 for table of eight. bmoa.org or call 323-7219. 40th annual CSUB Spring BBQ, with live entertainment, dinner served 5:30 to 9 p.m., CSUB, Icardo Center, 9001 Stockdale Highway. $30 presale; $35 at the door. gorunners.com or 654-3473. An Old Fashioned Night at the Theater, with organist Robert Salisbury playing to silent movie “Wings,” 6 to 8 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 1705 17th St. Free, but freewill offering will be accepted at the door. 325-9419. Bakersfield Deaf Senior Citizens Social Club, bring your favorite potluck food, games, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., East Bakersfield Veterans Hall, 2101 Ridge Road. $5 (55+); $3 (50-54); $2 members. Email bobby93309@gmail.com. California Reads: An Evening With Rebecca Solnit, author of “A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities that Arise in Disaster,” 7 p.m., Beale Memorial Library, 701 Truxtun Ave. 868-0770. Guitar Class, taught by Mark Albert, for individuals or a group, Juliana’s Art Studio & Gallery, 501 18th St. $25. call 578-4570 or 3277507 for class details. Poetry Open Mic, featuring poet Julia Bloch; others are welcome to bring prose and poetry, sign-ups begin at 6:45 p.m., readings begin at 7 p.m., Russo’s, 9000 Ming Ave. 665-4686. Red Cross New Volunteer Orientation, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., American Red Cross, Kern Chapter, 5035 Gilmore Ave. 324-6427. Right to Life of Kern County Quarterly Breakfast, speakers Gladis Gonzalez and Michael Varga sharing their experiences as interns with the Right to Life of Kern County, 7 to 8 a.m., Hodel’s Country Dining, 5917 Knudsen Drive. $25. Visit kernforlife.com or 864-7508. SPCA Book Sale, daily, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays; noon to 6 p.m. Sundays until May 28, near the old Michael’s store near East Hills Mall, 3501 Mall View Road, Suite 113-114. bakersfieldspca.org or 323-8353. St. Jude Dream Home, open to the public 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; noon to 5 p.m. Sundays, now through June 10, 13501 Da Vinci Drive. stjudedreamhome.org or 1800-385-9134. Taft Certified Farmers Market, 5 to 8 p.m., 5th St. Plaza, Taft. 7652165. Zonta Bakersfield “Women of the Year” Dinner Gala, honoring five women that have each impacted the community, 7 to 9 p.m., The Padre Hotel, 1702 18th St. $75. Email zontabakersfield@gmail.com or 873-1866.

GO & DO

FELIX ADAMO / THE CALIFORNIAN

“Screaming Eagle 1992,” an acrylic by Linda Osburn, will be at the Bakersfield Museum of Art’s “Winescapes” fundraiser. “Winescapes,” auction, wine tasting and gourmet food, 6 p.m. this evening, Bakersfield Museum of Art, 1930 R St. $40 advance; $75 per couple, $50 at the door, $500 for table of eight. bmoa.org or call 323-7219. Bingo, warmups start at 5 p.m., with early birds at 6 p.m., regular games at 6:30 p.m., Volunteer Center of Kern County, 2801 F St. From $20 buy-in to “the works.” 395-9787.

Friday 26th annual Bakersfield Jazz Festival, 7 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. Saturday, CSUB, Amphitheater, 9001 Stockdale Highway. Two-day combo $55; students $35; children under 12 free. vallitix.com or call 322-5200. 98th Commencement Ceremony, 7 p.m., Bakersfield College, Memorial Stadium, 1801 Panorama Drive. Free. 395-4256. Boys & Girls Club Golf Tournament, check-in 11 a.m.; tee off 12:30 p.m.; awards 6 p.m., Rio Bravo Country Club, 15200 Casa Club Drive. $200; $700 team of four. bgclubsofkerncounty.org or 325-3730. CSUB Community Engagement Conference, 1 to 5 p.m., CSUB, Doré Theatre, 9001 Stockdale Highway. Free. 654-2782. CSUB Geology Club Spring Dinner, 5 to 10 p.m., American Legion Post 26 Hall, 2020 H St. $20 advance; $25 at the door. All proceeds benefit the Geology Club’s activities. Email epowers@csub.edu or 654-3274. FLICS International Cinema Society, presents “The Trip,” 7:30 p.m., Bakersfield Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $5. flics.org or call 428-0354.

Saturday “Like Water for Chocolate” Cinema Saturday, begins at sundown, Valentien Restaurant & Wine Bar, 1310 Truxtun Ave., Suite 160. 864-0397.

13th annual Banquet, hosted California Wrestling Hall of Fame, reception 4 to 6 p.m.; dinner banquet 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Bakersfield Marriott Hotel, 801 Truxtun Ave. $70. 408-978-9543. 14th annual Crawfish Festival, live music, 1 to 8 p.m., The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall Road. $45 presale; $50 at the gate. 831-1413. 2012 All-American Powered Car Show, with 50/50 drawing, door prizes and more, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Bakersfield RV Resort, 5025 Wible Road. $35 entry fee. 2890151. 2012 Concert Series, with Firefall, 8 p.m., Bright House Networks Amphitheatre, 11200 Stockdale Highway. $10. ticketmaster.com or all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling 800-745-3000. Afternoon Tea & Fashion Show, music by Hannah DiMolfetto, raffle drawing, 2 to 4 p.m., Timeless Furnishings, 1918 Chester Ave. Free. 326-0222. Art Day for Children, noon to 4:45 p.m., CSUB, Education Building, 9001 Stockdale Highway. 6543031 Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, presents “Orchestral Paintings on Display,” 8 p.m., the theater at Rabobank Convention Center, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $34 to $50; full-time students half price. bakersfieldsymphony.org or call 3237928. Book Signing, with author Gina Meyers of “Love at First Bite: The Unofficial Twilight Cookbook” and “From Muggles to Magic, The Complete Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook,” 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 4001 California Ave. 631-2575. Cat Adoptions, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays; 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays, Petco, 8220 Rosedale Highway. $65 includes spay/neuter, vaccines and leukemia testing. 327-4706. Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to noon, next to Golden State Mall, 3201 F St., and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Brimhall Square, 9500 Brimhall Road. Democratic Women of Kern, breakfast meeting, 9 a.m., Garden Spot, 3320 Truxtun Ave. $5, 3227411. Diamond Diva Roller Derby, Roughcuts vs. Roller Kitties, 6 p.m., Skateland, 415 Ming Ave. $10 advance for adults; $12 adults; $5 children and seniors. Tickets can be purchased online at brownpapertickets.com. E-Waste Recycling Event and Yard Sale Fundraiser, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., West High School, 1200 New Stine Road. jenchrisbren@sbcglobal.net. Kern Audubon Society, field trip to Sycamore Canyon in Bear Valley Springs, meet 8 a.m. in Tehachapi at the Burger King parking lot. Bring water, snacks and binoculars. kernaudubonsociety.org or 304-6816. Kern Valley Museum History Day, contests, demonstrations, entertainment, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,

Kern Valley Museum, 49 Big Blue Road, Kernville. Free. 760-3766683. Mothers Day Tejano Dance, with Conjunto Califas and Elena y Los Tejano Riders, 7 p.m. Saturday, Fandango City Palace, 3510 Wible Road. $20. 327-1095 or 301-8051. National Train Day Model Train Exhibit, featuring a portable model train display, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Amtrak Station, 601 Truxtun Ave. Free. Visit nationaltrainday.com. Pyles Boys Camp Annual Bar-BQ, with $10,000 in prizes, barbecue tri-tip, noon to 5 p.m., Kern River Golf Course, picnic area, Rudal Road. Adults, $15; kids under 12 are free. 805-5766 or 703-7663. Random Writers Workshop Reading Series, with writer Larry Hill, Q&A, reading from his novel, “Streak Hitter,” signing books, featuring Jane Hawley, Patty Wonderly, Nick Belardes, 2 to 4 p.m., The Foundry, 1602 20th St. $5. 3016142. Second annual Disaster Preparedness Workshop, food, giveaways, entertainment, activities for children, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., The Friendship House Community Center, 2424 Cottonwood Road. Pre-register for event, 428-3828. The Great Dinosaur Hunt, learn about dinosaurs and fossils, 10 a.m. to noon, Kern County Museum, 3801 Chester Ave. $10 adults; $9 seniors/students (13-17); $8 students (6-12); $7 (3-5); children under 3 and members are free. 868-8425. Tiger Hunt Activity Day, for current kindergarten-age boys and their parents, 10 a.m. to noon, Greystone Park, 5709 Mountain Vista Drive. Free. 599-2487. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10859, Rosedale & Ladies Auxiliary, 9:30 a.m., Greenacres Community Center, 2014 Calloway Drive. 588-5865. Yokuts Park Fun Run, practice racing and earn points, 7 a.m., Yokuts Park, Empire Drive off Truxtun Avenue. Free. bakersfieldtrackclub.com or 203-4196 or 3917080.

Sunday CALM’s Mother’s Day Special, mothers and grandmothers will be admitted for Mother’s Day for $5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., CALM, 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway. You’ll have a chance to win a free CALM family membership. calmzoo.org or 872-2256. Elk’s Mothers Day Brunch, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Elks Lodge, 1616 30th St. $10. 323-7535. Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Kaiser Permanente, 8800 Ming Ave. 877-524-7373. Mother’s Day Music Fest, noon to 7 p.m., Kern County Fairgrounds, Budweiser Pavilion, 1142 P St. Free admission and parking. 327-9711. Mother’s Day Painting Party, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Color Me Mine at The Marketplace, 9000 Ming Ave.

$25. bakersfield.colormemine.com or 664-7366.

THEATER “Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show,” 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Bakersfield Community Theater, 2400 S. Chester Ave. $15 adults; $12 seniors/students/military. 831-8114. “Trouts” The Musical, 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, Gaslight Melodrama Theatre & Music Hall, 12748 Jomani Drive. $12 to $23. 587-3377. Bakersfield College One Acts, 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. $5. 327PLAY. Improv Comedy Show, with Center For Improv Advancement, 8 to 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Ice House, 3401 Chester Ave., Suite M. Adults: $5, children under 12 are $1. ciacomedy.com. Major League Improv, improvisational comedy show, appropriate for families, 6 p.m. Saturdays, The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. Free but donations are accepted. 327-PLAY.

ART “A Time to Write,” part of the Art for Healing program, 1 to 4 p.m. every second Saturday, Mercy Art & Spirituality Center, 2215 Truxtun Ave. 324-7070. Register online at mercybakersfield. org/art or 632-5747. Art Classes, in drawing, watercolor, oils, color theory, for beginners and advanced, Bakersfield Art Association Art Center, 1817 Eye St. 869-2320. Art for Healing program, classes that alleviate stress, resulting from illness, or grief. All classes are free but some suggest a donation and are held at Mercy Hospital, Truxtun Campus, Truxtun and A Street. Visit mercybakersfield. org/art or to register, 632-5357. Beginning Drawing Class, for high schoolers, 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Bakersfield Art Association Art Center, 1817 Eye St. $15 per session. 869-2320. The Art Shop Club, 9 a.m. to noon each Thursday, Friday and Saturday, The Art Shop, 1221 20th St. All mediums. 322-0544, 5897463 or 496-5153.

MUSIC Blues Kern River Blues Society Jam, 2 to 8 p.m. every second Saturday, Trout’s, 805 N. Chester Ave. 8727517.

Buckdancing Fiddlers Crossing, 206 E. F St., Tehachapi, 823-9994; Evie Ladin and Keith Terry, 7 p.m. Saturday. $20.

Classic Rock The Old River Monte Carlo, 9750 Taft Highway, 837-0250; No Limit, 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Thursday, May 10, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street T-Bones Steakhouse, 8020 District Blvd., 398-1300; Mystic Red, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

GO & DO

Comedy Elevation Lounge, 818 Real Road, 325-6864; Improv Tuesday — Live comedy with DJ after party, 9 p.m. Tuesdays.

Country Buck Owens Crystal Palace, 2800 Buck Owens Blvd., 328-7560; Monty Byrom & the Buckaroos, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Ethel’s Old Corral, 4310 Alfred Harrell Highway, 873-7613; Honky Tonk Truckers, 7 p.m. Friday; Lil Gritty, 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Sandrini’s, 1918 Eye St., 3228900; Vince Galindo, 9 p.m. Wednesdays.

Dancing Bakersfield Rounders, ballroom (cued) transition class levels two and three, 7 p.m. Tuesdays, South Bakersfield Veteran’s Hall, 1905 Wilson Road. $10 per couple. 7477921. Beginner Belly Dance Lessons, 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. Mondays, Centre Stage Studio, 1710 Chester Ave. 323-5215. $45 regular session; $65 combo session. bakersfieldbellydance.biz. Folklorico Classes, advance dancers/performing group 6 to 8 p.m. Fridays; and beginners, all ages, 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays, Fruitvale-Norris Park, 6221 Norris Road. $22 per month for beginners; $25 per month for advance dancers. 833-8790. Greenacres Community Center, 2014 Calloway Drive, offers ballroom dance, East Coast swing (jitterbug) and Argentine Tango dance classes; $35, $45 for nonmembers. 322-5765 or 201-2105. Joaquin Squares, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Rasmussen Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane. $5. 324-1390, 325-3086 or 399-3658. Maverick’s Singles, with music by Jerry Hobbs, 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Kern City Town Hall, 1003 Pebble Beach Drive. $7 member; $9 guest. 831-9241.

DJ Banacek’s Lounge, 4601 State Road, 387-9224; with DJ Casey Overstreet, 9 p.m. Fridays. Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; DJ Brian, 7 to 11 p.m. Tuesday. DoubleTree Hotel, Club Odyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court. 323-7111; live in the mix: old school, ’80s & ’90s music, 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. every Saturday. Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 White Lane, 834-1611; with DJ Chill in the Mixx, 5 p.m. every Friday until 2 a.m. Saturday. Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany Ave., Suite B5, 589-6749; DJ James, 9 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Free. The Bull Shed Bar & Grill, at Hotel Rosedale, 2400 Camino Del Rio Court, 327-0681; with Meg, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNIFER BURGER

Adam Icardo, left, and Tom Antongiovanni grill steaks at the CSUB barbecue. 40th annual CSUB Spring BBQ, with live entertainment, dinner served 5:30 to 9 p.m. today, CSUB, Icardo Center, 9001 Stockdale Highway. $30 presale; $35 at the door. gorunners.com or 654-3473.

Jazz Cafe Med, 4809 Stockdale Highway, 834-4433; Richie Perez, 7:30 to 11 p.m. Thursdays. Imbibe Wine & Spirits Merchant, 4140 Truxtun Ave., 633WINE; live music & wine bar with featuring local artist and Jazz Connection, along with 24 wines, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. King Tut, 10606 Hageman Road; live instrumental and vocal jazz, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. each Friday and Saturday. Free. Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 White Lane, 834-1611; Bakersfield Jazz Workshop, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. every Wednesday. Que Pasa Mexican Cafe, 2701 Ming Ave., 832-5011; Jazz Invasion, 9 to 10 p.m. every Saturday. Steak and Grape, 4420 Coffee Road, 588-9463; 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Free. The Nile, Jazz Music, 6 p.m. every Sunday. Cost $10 at 1721 19th St. 364-2620.

Karaoke B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane, 397-7304; 8 p.m. Thursdays and Tuesdays. Banacek’s Lounge, 9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday at 4601 State Road. 387-9224. Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursdays and Sundays. Big Daddy Pizza, 6417 Ming Ave., 396-7499; 7 to 10 p.m. every Tuesday; 8 to 11 p.m. every Friday. Cataldo’s Pizzeria, 4200 New Stine Road, 397-5000; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday. Cataldo’s Pizzeria, 6111 Niles St., 363-7200; 6:15 to 10:15 p.m. Tuesdays. Chateau Lounge, 2100 S. Chester Ave., 835-1550; 9 p.m.

every Saturday. City Slickers, 1001 W. Tehachapi Blvd., 822-4939; 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Corona’s Cantina, 9817 S. Union Ave., 345-8463; 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays. Don Perico Restaurant, 2660 Oswell St., Suite 133, 871-2001; 7 to 11 p.m. Thursdays. DoubleTree Hotel, Club Odyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court; 8 p.m. to midnight Tuesdays. Elevation Lounge, 818 Real Road, 325-6864; 9 p.m. Wednesday. Ethel’s Old Corral, 4310 Alfred Harrell Highway, 873-7613; 6 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday. Iron Horse Saloon, 1821 S. Chester Ave., 831-1315; 7 to 11 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. Julie’s The Branding Iron Saloon, 1807 N. Chester Ave., 6 to 10 p.m. every Friday. Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 White Lane, 834-1611; A to Z Karaoke, 8 p.m. to midnight Tuesdays. Lone Oak Inn, 8 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at 10612 Rosedale Highway. 589-0412. Magoo’s Pizza, 1129 Olive Drive, 399-7800; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. Maria Bonita Mexican Restaurant, 10701 Highway 178, 3663261, 7 to 11 p.m. Fridays. All ages. McMurphy’s Irish Pub & Sports Bar, 14 Monterey St., 869-1451; 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesdays. Pizzeria, 4200 Gosford Road, 3971111; 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays. Pour House, 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at 4041 Fruitvale Ave. 589-9300. Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner, 3230053; 8 p.m. to midnight Saturdays. Replay Sports Lounge & Grill, 4500 Buck Owens Blvd., 3243300; 8 p.m. every Wednesday. Rocket Shop Cafe, 2000 S.

Union Ave., 832-4800; 8:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday. Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany Ave., Suite B5, 589-6749; 8 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays. Rocky’s Pizza & Arcade, 2858 Niles St., 873-1900; 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. Round Table Pizza, 2060 White Lane, 836-2700; 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Round Table Pizza, 2620 Buck Owens Blvd., 327-9651; The Junction with host Mac Clanahan, 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Round Table Pizza, 4200 Gosford Road, 397-1111; 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Rusty’s Pizza, 5430 Olive Drive, 392-1482; 6:30 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday. Sports & Spirits, 6633 Ming Ave., 398-7077; 9 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays. Syndicate Lounge, 1818 Eye St., 327-0070; with Alisa Spencer, 9 p.m. every Wednesday. T-Bones Steakhouse, 8020 District Blvd., 398-1300; 7:30 to 11 p.m. Thursdays. Tejon Club, 6 to 10 p.m. every Saturday at 117 El Tejon Ave. 3921747. The Bull Shed Bar & Grill, at Hotel Rosedale, 2400 Camino Del Rio Court, 327-0681; 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Junction Lounge, 2620 Buck Owens Blvd., 327-9651; 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. The Old River Monte Carlo, 9750 Taft Highway, 837-0250; 8:30 p.m. every Thursday. The Playhouse, 2915 Taft Highway; 397-3599; 7 to 10 p.m. Sundays. The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall Road, 831-1413; hosted by Ed Loverr, 9 p.m. to midnight Friday. The Regent, 2814 Niles St., 8714140; 8:30 p.m. every other Friday. The Wrecking Yard, 9817 S. Union Ave., 827-9192; 7 to 10 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Wright Place, 2695-G Mount Vernon Ave., 872-8831, 8 p.m. every Thursday. Tomi’s Cowgirl Cafe, 7 to 10 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at 1440 Weedpatch Highway. 3635102. Trouts & The Blackboard Stages, 805 N. Chester Ave., 3996700; 7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Vinny’s Bar & Grill, 2700 S. Union Ave., 496-2502, 7 p.m. Thursdays. 21 and over.

Mariachi

Latin/Salsa

Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner, 3230053; Mike Montano, 1 p.m. Saturday. Sound Stories, music from local bands, 8 p.m. Saturday, The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. $5. 327-PLAY.

DoubleTree Hotel, Club Odyssey, Club Odyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court, 633-1949; various levels, 3 to 9 p.m. every Sunday. $5 per person, per lesson.

Camino Real Restaurant, 6 to 9 p.m. every Sunday at 3500 Truxtun Ave. 852-0493.

Music showcase The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall Road, 831-1413; featuring local artists, 7 to 10 p.m. every Wednesday.

Oldies KC Steakhouse, 2515 F St., 3229910; Jimmy Gaines, Bobby O and Mike Halls, 6:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Old school Que Pasa Mexican Cafe, 2701 Ming Ave., 832-5011; Al Garcia & the Rhythm Kings, 8 to 11 p.m. every Thursday. Tam O’Shanter, 2345 Alta Vista, 324-6774; The Latin Lobos, 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. $5 per night.

Open Mic Fiddlers Crossing, 206 E. F St., Tehachapi, 823-9994; 7 p.m. Wednesdays. $5. The Canna Cafe, 6 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday, East Hills Mall, Food Court, 3000 Mall View Road, 428-0170.

Pop B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane, 397-7304; Rachel Platten, 8 p.m. Sunday. $14. vallitix.com or 322-5200.

R&B T-Bones Steakhouse, 8020 District Blvd., 398-1300; Mind, Body & Soul, 4 p.m. Sunday.

Rock B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane, 397-7304; Travis Byler Project, 9 p.m. Thursday; J Bombs, 9 p.m. Friday; Black Water Soul, 9 p.m. Saturday. $5 each night. Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany Ave., Suite B5, 589-6749; live bands, 9 p.m. every Thursday. B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane, 397-7304; Andre Nickatina, guests Prof and Mumbls, 7 p.m. Wednesday. $21. vallitix.com or 322-5200. Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; UNB, 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Trivia night Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Chuy’s, 2500 New Stine Road, 833-3469; 7 p.m. every Tuesday. Sandrini’s, 1918 Eye St., 3228900; Trivia Night with Dave Rezac, 10 p.m. Tuesdays.

Variety