Eye Street Entertainment / 1-24-13

18

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 24, 2013

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

Index Levan Lifelong Learning schedule .......... 20 Robert Burns Supper ................................ 21 Arts Alive .................................................. 22 ‘9 to 5’ review .......................................... 23 The Lowdown with Matt Munoz ............ 24 Gammies Chili Cook-off .......................... 25 Rabbit Show ............................................ 26 Calendar .............................................. 30-31

Turning failure into funny Christopher Titus enjoys knack for flipping the script

BY MATT MUNOZ Californian staff writer mmunoz@bakersfield.com

C

hristopher Titus openly admits to enjoying life’s failures in all their glory.

From the rock-bottom depths of his comedic origins to being a magnet for injury, the actor and funnyman has developed an ingenious method to flip the script on many a misfortune to supply audiences with comedy gold.

Bearing that in mind, local fans should be prepared for an epic dose of mayhem when Titus brings his latest cavalcade of calamity, titled “Epick Phail,” to the Fox on Sunday.

“If you’ve ever been a horrible failure, if you’ve ever made that horrible mistake, you don’t want anyone to know about. The one where you stop hanging out with ‘those friends’ so no one can ever tell that story about you, I’m telling all those stories,” said Titus, 48, during a recent phone interview.

A freewheeling, brazen voice for the everyday American, Titus grew to prominence during his two-year stint starring in “Titus,” his own weekly dark comedy sitcom.

The show, about a dysfunctional family, was critically praised for its edgy comedy style and social commentary, with ratings to match. But following numerous battles with the censors and a creative dispute between Titus and the Fox network, the show was abruptly pulled from production.

“When we did ‘Titus,’ we actually connected the story to the characters. It seems right now, that some of these new-age sitcoms they can do whatever they want, and break the rules anytime. Everything has gotten too wacky.”

Eager to bring that self-deprecating style back to the stand-up stage, Titus says “Epick Phail’s” revealing look into his personal vaults pulls no punches.

“The thing is that I didn’t get better as I got notoriety, I got worse. I was Darth Vader at kid birthday parties for a while, and if you can imagine how badly that

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTOPHER TITUS

Comedian Christopher Titus appears Sunday at the Fox Theater. After finding fame on TV, the funny-man now hosts a weekly podcast.

Christopher Titus When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday Where: Fox Theater, 2001 H St. Admission: $25 plus service charge Information: 324-1369 or vallitix.com

went, the first and last time we did it was the same exact day. I used to do tours through some of the worst redneck areas of the country, where you if you get off your car, you keep your car running because you wanna get out as fast as you can. I even wrecked a Viper at 130 miles an hour flying off a race track with an instructor in the car.”

Titus also enjoys newfound popularity as host of his own online podcast, the Combustible Lounge at tituspodcast.com, broadcast from his home studio.

Every week, fans can tune in and get the latest censorship-free rants direct from the comedian’s twisted mind along with color

commentary from his girlfriend and co-host, Rachel Bradley, aka Bombshell Rae. “Adam Carolla (who also hosts his own online comedy podcast) is the one who got me into it. He said, ‘Titus, get into it right now. It will connect everything you do to the people and they can hear from you on a weekly basis, and they start to love you.’ The podcast gives me an outlet to just fume about different things, anger some people, which is always great because those are the people who always listen harder. It gives me a way out to vent, and I really like the audience and the format we have.”

Titus said he can get away with so much on the podcast because he refuses to take outside money.

Instead, he gets a steady flow of income selling branded merchandise.

“I won’t take a sponsor; I don’t need to. The whole thing is we get to be like pirate radio. In the beginning we used to try and hustle advertising, but after hearing these great comics do a

great bit on their show, then say, ‘Buy Coke,’ we got really turned off. Could you imagine George Carlin and Bill Hicks doing a podcast and taking advertising money?

“Is there a cost? Yeah, but the upside is, we get people coming to shows who discovered me through the podcast. They had no idea I did stand-up.”

The comedian hopes to make a return to the small screen next year with “Special Unit,” a pet project written by Titus about a disabled unit of Los Angeles police detectives. Guaranteed to push the limits of good taste, the comedian thinks the public needs to lighten up.

“I didn’t do it to mock anybody.

About eight or nine years ago, there was a protest with all these little people and handicapped actors who said they never get any work. People kiss their butt, but never give them work. I pitched it to Comedy Central and they waited eight months to say no. They said it was too edgy, even though they do ‘South Park.’”

Still in production, Titus hopes to find a home for the show, which he describes as a comedy spin on popular crime dramas.

“It’s basically ‘The Shield’ with handicapped people. The whole premise is, due to the Fairness and Disabilities Act, the LAPD is forced to hire four handicap undercover detectives. I play this totally (expletive) cop who to keep him off the street, basically assign him these four handicapped people and I have to teach them to become cops.

What ends up happening is they become this really cool unit.”

Being turned down by the network was painless in comparison to the material he plans to unleash on Bakersfield on Sunday. Rattling off a round of quick preview bits, there was one he says will leave fans counting their blessings.

“I said one sentence that cost me $30 million. I’m not going to say what it was. You have to come to the show. I had 0 million dollars when I made this mistake. So, you tell me, who’s the biggest loser? Bring it on.”

19

Thursday, January 24, 2013 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street Scott Cox CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

Read my lips: Don’t lie; sing I

don’t know how long it took the rest of the country to catch on, but about three seconds into Beyonce’s performance of the national anthem at the president’s inauguration, I knew she was lipsynching.

Immediately after, the Internet exploded with condemnation and ridicule, turning what otherwise might have been a career highlight for the superstar into an embarrassment.

But what surprised me about the whole thing is that anyone was surprised at all.

What Beyonce did was so commonplace that I’d have been shocked if she hadn’t done it. Once upon a time, singers were people who could sing. Those days, at least in modern popular music, are history.

Nowadays, we just get really attractive people with marginal talent and let computers do the rest.

And it's been working this way for years.

How easy is it to fake your own vocals?

You'll need about $400 and a Mac or PC. That's it. You can be the worst singer in town, but after a little digital alteration, you can sound like Johnny Cash or Rickie Lee Jones, or anything in between.

Even a decade ago, engineers were so good that you had to go see an artist live to see if they were any good. Records all sounded great. I still refuse to formulate an opinion of a band until I’ve seen

them live. The problem is, even that plan has been wrecked by technology. Go see any mainstream artist today, and get ready for a pristine, auto-tuned and pitch-corrected sound coming from those speakers.

Yep, it's all processed now.

The challenge of altering live vocals used to be about the delay involved, but superfast processors have made it all too easy.

When your favorite “singer” sings into a microphone, that signal goes into a mixer with all the bells and whistles attached.

What comes out the other end usually bears little resemblance to the singer's actual voice.

Frequently, as is the case with Beyonce (Kelly Clarkson's people did the same thing), they record the song in advance in a studio and play it back over the event’s sound system. A tiny earpiece gives them the playback so they know what to lipsynch to. Most big-name acts these days use a hybrid live/fake version of songs, where the singer is singing, but doing it in synch with the pre-recorded version.

A sound engineer working the board only has to turn a knob — one side is live, the other is a recording. That way, you hear all the snappy banter from the artist, creating the illusion of a live show. Once you've seen this done in a studio, it gives you a real appreciation for people who can really sing.

Just as evil as fake vocals are fake instrumentals, and

JAY MALLIN / ZUMA PRESS

Singer Beyonce Knowles performs the national anthem on Monday at the inauguration of President Obama.

they're every bit as common. There are a lot of big-name bands who lack the talent (or sobriety) to play their parts live. It's a snap in the studio, because session musicians play almost all the actual music.

But, again, this is big business onstage, so nothing is left to chance. So the next time you happen to notice that Kenny Chesney's guitar isn’t even plugged in (a personal favorite Internet photo of mine), don't sweat it. He was never playing in the first place.

And sadly, most people don't even care.

Abs and choreography have supplanted talent and passion.

It's our fault for letting it happen. A bunch of us old-school music fans can hear a pitch-corrected note a mile awayand we hate it.

The really rotten thing about all this faux musicianship is that it's just how music sounds these days. It's all so fake that we're losing our memories of what real music

sounds like. If you'd like to reconnect with actual talent, the next time you're at a music store, put down that Taylor Swift CD and find some Alison Krauss. When you hear that Faith Hill is coming to your town, get on the Internet and find out where Emmylou Harris is playing, and go there instead.

And if you're ever elected president, invite Aretha Franklin to sing at your inaugural. That lady can sing. She has to. She started in the time before ProTools.

If you're a young singer with dreams of making it big, here's my advice: Forget stuff like vocal coaches and practicing; your time is much better spent at the gym, or at a plastic surgeon's office. Any rehearsal time should be spent on dance moves instead of vocal ability. That's where the money is these days. And who knows: You just might end up singing for the president and millions of people.

Well, singing along.

West is what they do best at the Gaslight Genre a good fit, being most classic form of melodrama

‘The Good, The Bad and The Funny’

BY STEFANI DIAS

When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday

Californian assistant lifestyles editor sdias@bakersfield.com

L

iving in the 21st century, we may not think that entertainment of a different age can still thrill us. But that’s where the Gaslight Melodrama Theatre & Music Hall is set to prove us wrong, starting with its season opener, “The Good, The Bad and the Funny.”

As is Gaslight tradition, the season starts with a Western (last year was “Showdown in Shafter”), which is the hallmark of melodrama theater.

“The Western is definitely the most classic form of melodrama,” said show writer-director Michael Prince. “The style began in the early 1800s and is a true American art form.”

The production takes place in the sleepy little town of Bakerspatch, where

Where: Gaslight Melodrama Theatre & Music Hall, 12748 Jomani Drive Admission: $12 to $23 Information: 587-3377 or themelodrama.com

the sheriff has just stepped down.

Filling the power void is Black Bart — “the most dastardly bad guy that’s ever walked the plains” — played by Jay Stodder. But the mangy villain must contend with bar owner Johnny Goodman, old prospector Crusty Joe McGillicutty (both played by Matt Thompson) and the Jolly Mollys, played by Jennifer Prince, Coryn McBride, Ali Dougherty and Elisa Robinson.

For the first Gaslight Western he wrote

on his own, Prince said he took great inspiration when it came to creating the Jolly Mollys, sisters who were given the same name by their mother, the original Jolly Molly.

“I really wanted to add some of the quirkiness that our other shows have to the genre of the Western. Hence, that’s why there is the Jolly Mollys. Normally in a Western, the saloon girls are supporting characters or background eye candy, and I really wanted to bring that to the forefront and let them get the laughs.”

He credits wife Jennifer and the rest of the cast with helping ease the writing process.

“The Jolly Mollys are pretty jolly throughout the whole show. They were really fun to write. Having the cast that we had made my job much easier. ... I had such a good time writing this show.

It’s got a quick pace to it and everyone really has a chance to shine.

Please see MELODRAMA / 27

PHOTO COURTESY OF GASLIGHT MELODRAMA

Elisa Robinson and Jay Stodder appear in a scene from “The Good, The Bad and The Funny” at the Gaslight Melodrama.

20

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 24, 2013

Eye Street

Levan classes continue to challenge, enlighten

BY CAMILLE GAVIN Contributing writer

If you’re planning to take a class offered by the Levan Institute of Lifelong Learning, don’t delay. Some courses are already full, said director Robert Allison.

On Jan. 7, the day after the spring 2013 schedule was published, his office received 170 registrations.

Allison estimates the total enrollment will be about 500.

“Most people now — about 80 percent — are enrolling online,” he said. “That’s a change from the past; five years ago when we first started, it was maybe 40 percent — the rest were mail-ins or walk-ins.”

The current schedule includes about 50 courses in 16 different subjects. Fees range from $10 to $99 and as always, there are no tests to take or papers to write.

Even though the classes are designed for people age 50 and over, it doesn’t mean they’re sedentary. Indeed, quite a few offer hands-on training and others offer field trips to interesting places in Kern County.

For instance, Craig Holland, a retired Stockdale High School teacher, has put together a halfday course called Cycling for Seniors (and Others).

“This is for people we call flat-

Levan Lifelong Learning spring schedule Various dates; now through May 1 Where: Bakersfield College, 1801 Panorama Drive.

Cost: $10 to $99 Information: 395-4431

foot riders,” he said. “People like me, who rode on balloon tires in the ’50s and don’t know what all the gears are for.”

The class is slated for 1 to 4 p.m. on April 6 in front of the Bakersfield College gym, and all of the instruction will be on the campus — or if it rains, inside the gym.

Holland has invited a number of professionals and business owners to talk to participants about issues like traffic safety, balance, proper clothing, health and fitness, bike tours and how to choose a bike that’s the best “fit” for your particular body type.

“People don’t realize how lucky we are to have a first-rate bike path,” he said. “Diane Hoover and the parks department really do a good job maintaining it.”

Locally, we are also blessed with ideal weather for this kind of

activity.

“In Bakersfield,” he said, “you can go out 300 days of the year.”

Still others, such as landscape photography, taught by Ed Kreiser, combine the outdoors — halfday trips to Lake Isabella and other sites in Kern County — with indoor class time. The course is flanked by evening classes on March 2 and March 20, with four Saturday field trips in between.

“The first meeting will be an orientation,” said Kreiser, who has operated his own photography studio for 37 years. “The last meeting will be three or four hours of critique of images with class participation.”

Students can use whatever type of camera they prefer, but for the kinds of images they’ll be taking, a good tripod is essential, “because you’ve got to hold it steady.”

Kreiser will also talk about how to choose software for manipulating images.

A course that may inspire you to plan a spring or summer trip to one of America’s national parks is geology of the national parks, which meets for six Friday mornings from Feb. 22 to April 5.

Jack Pierce, who teaches geology at BC, said he’s not a tour guide but he will show some

JOHN BIEMER / AP

Bryce Canyon will be among the places discussed in a Levan Institute of Lifelong Learning class on the geology of national parks.

“really great PowerPoint images” of Yosemite, Lassen, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Lassen Volcanic Park.

“Some background in geology helps but there aren’t any prerequisites,” Pierce said. “All they need to bring is themselves and their excitement about nature.”

One-day field trips devoted to learning about historic parts of Kern County continue to be popular. Although the trip to Tejon ranch is filled, a March 2 excursion to Twin Oaks to see cattle being branded at the Cattani ranch still has open seats. Former Californian editorial page editor Dianne Hardisty will be your guide and rancher Jack Thomson will explain the process of branding, the ranch's history and answer questions.

A memory training program is one of the newest courses. The instructor is Christina Domer, who received her training at UCLA from Gary Small, a medical

doctor who has conducted research studies in age-related memory loss.

According to the course description, it targets the four most common memory complaints that people experience in daily life: forgetting names and faces; forgetting to do things in the future, like keeping an appointment, passing on a phone message, or forgetting why you walked into a room; forgetting where you put keys, glasses or wallet; and tip-of-the tongue challenges — knowing something you cannot immediately recall.

Unlike most of the Levan classes, this one meets in downtown Bakersfield at the City Centre Building, 1300 17th St. The class meets from 9-11 a.m. on April 5, 12, 19 and 26.

For complete information on classes as well as online registration, visit the Levan Institute’s website, bakersfieldcollege.edu/ levaninstitute.

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Thursday, January 24, 2013 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Scots’ national hero celebrated Burns dinner mixes revelry, reverence

BY SUSAN SCAFFIDI Contributing writer

A

ll over the world, people of Scottish ancestry are celebrating the 254th birthday of the man many Scots consider their greatest national hero — poet Robert Burns — with the annual “Burns Supper.”

No king, patriot or churchman holds the same place that Burns does. The poet, also known as Rabbie Burns to the Scottish, was born on Jan. 25, 1759, and died on July 21, 1796. Burns came from poverty and hard manual labor, struggled to earn a living most of his life, and dallied with almost every woman he encountered — from ministers’ daughters to serving maids, married and unmarried — fathering many children, 12 of whom survived him. Also during his hectic life, Burns published hundreds of poems and songs and preserved many more traditional Scottish folk songs, capturing the spirit and culture of the Scottish people at the time both were being

Kern County Scottish Society Annual Burns Supper When: social hour 6 p.m., dinner 7 p.m. Saturday Where: Junior League of Bakersfield Community Center, 1928 19th St. Cost: $40 advance; $45 at the door Information: kernscot.org

severely repressed by the British. Burns enjoyed substantial success during his lifetime, and lasting renown since his death, as his work epitomized the “Scottish soul.”

Burns’ friends and admirers held events to celebrate the poet’s memory not long after he died. On the 100th anniversary of Burns’ birthday, events were held all over Scotland and anywhere around the world Scottish expatriates could be found. That now annual tradition, which will be celebrated locally through the Kern County Scottish Society, is known as the Burns Supper, and has a set order of events.

“Everything is ceremony until the time we get fed,”

said Kern County Scottish Society immediate past chieftain Gary Lockhart. “It begins with the invitation to Rabbie Burns to sit in his rocking chair, which is set to rock.

“Then there’s the presentation of the haggis. (Burns) would bless it and then it would be taken back to the kitchen to be cut and served.”

Haggis is a national dish in Scotland comprised of a sheep’s heart, intestines, liver, plus oatmeal and other ingredients, and boiled inside the sheep’s stomach.

“Haggis used to be the peasant food of the Scots,” Lockhart said.

Organ meats were often the only food available to the poor, who couldn’t afford to waste any edible part of an animal. Burns’ ability to romanticize the humble fare of a peasant is a main factor in his stature among the Scottish people; his poem “Address to a Haggis” is read at every Burns Supper. After praising the dish, and extolling

PHOTO COURTESY OF KERN COUNTY SCOTTISH SOCIETY

Members of the Kern County Scottish Society perform the piping of the haggis at the annual Burns Supper. By tradition, the haggis would be presented to Burns, who would bless it and then it would be taken back to the kitchen to be cut and served.

its virtues beyond any other type of food, Burns concludes: “You powers, who make mankind your care,/And dish them out their bill of fare,/Old Scotland wants no watery stuff,/That splashes in small wooden dishes;/But if you wish her grateful prayer,/Give her a Haggis!”

Lockhart said eating haggis can be a gamble; if not prepared well, it can be a disagreeable experience.

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“If you don’t tell people what’s in it, they don’t know, and they usually eat it,” Lockhart said.

“The haggis in Scotland is good,” Lockhart said. “In the United States, it depends on who prepares it.”

Lockhart said the haggis purchased for the Scottish Society’s Burns supper comes from the same company that supplies the Caledonian Club of San

Francisco, hosts of the oldest organized Scottish games in the world.

Lockhart said the haggis will be served in the traditional manner, with “smushed neeps and tatties” (mashed turnips and potatoes), as well as a prime rib and other dishes.

The event includes a recitation of Burns’ life, and concludes with the singing of Burns’ famous song, “Auld Lang Syne.”

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22

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 24, 2013

Eye Street Camille Gavin CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

1890s script as relevant as ever which includes entertainment, refreshments and desserts.

Admission for subsequent shows, Jan. 31-Feb. 16, will revert to the theater’s usual policy, donations of $15 general and $10, seniors and students.

Musical touches on hot-button topics

I

’ve learned to count on The Empty Space to now and then produce shows that are both provocative and timely, and the season opener on Friday proves the point. It’s a musical called “Spring Awakening,” and even though it’s based on a German play written in the 1890s, its themes — teens dealing with abortion, homosexuality, rape, suicide — are as relevant today as they were more than a century ago. Maybe even more so.

Given the time period it depicts, I asked Brian Sivesind, who co-directs the show with Kristina Saldana, if we should be surprised that the show deals so openly with sexuality.

“Should we ever be surprised by sexuality?” he responded.

“That's one of the questions this play addresses. If we ignore it, does that make it go away? In some ways, we are just as suppressed today as they were in 1890s Germany. In other ways, of course, kids get way too much misinformation. Ultimately, it's still about effective communication.”

In one sense, “Spring Awakening” is a coming-of-age story that each of us has faced, or will face, during out growing-up years.

“This is a show about kids struggling with the transition to adulthood,” he said. “So much of what they learn is from each other — and in our modern world, (from) movies, media and video games.”

Sivesind suggests it would be better if parents were more comfortable about helping their children separate truth from fiction, myths from facts.

“What if we actually talked to our kids about the issues they will be facing?’” he said. “It's a challenging prospect, and uncomfortable of course, but ultimately necessary. This play explores those themes, and does it in an entertaining and exciting way.”

Part of that entertainment is presented in a humorous way. I haven’t seen the musical on stage but the opening

Jared Ormerod exhibit

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MICHELLE A. GUERRERO

Shawn Rader, above, and Taylor Dunn, below left, and Taylor Lozano appear in “Spring Awakening” at The Empty Space.

scene captured in a YouTube video of Tony award-winning Broadway production provides a good example.

In the scene, a young girl pleads with her mother to explain where babies come from, saying she knows the stork doesn’t bring them. Her mother, obviously

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

embarrassed about the whole situation, sits on a chair in front of her kneeling daughter and starts off by throwing her skirt over the girl’s head, as if to say “You really shouldn’t be hearing this.”

The musical features rock music and the actors sing the lyrics, but the score is prerecorded.

“We looked into the prospect of a live band,” Sivesind said, “But for our space, the acoustics make it really difficult to incorporate that kind of sound.”

Taylor Lozano plays Melchior, the young male lead struggling against a repressive society. A newcomer, Taylor Dunn, plays Wendla, a young girl exploring her newfound sexuality.

Shawn Rader is Moritz, a student who struggles with school and the expectations of his parents. Kamala Kruszka plays the Woman (who represents all the adult female characters in the play) and Sivesind has the part of the Man, a role that represents the same idea as the Woman.

For this weekend only, the theater will forgo its “admissionfree” policy and charge $25 per person for a pre-show party,

To paraphrase Dr. Seuss, you could call Jared Ormerod’s exhibit at The Foundry, “The places I’ve been, the people I’ve seen.”

A 2007 Liberty High School graduate, the emerging contemporary artist says each of the 16 pieces in the show reflects his memory of a particular place or person.

“When I look at my work, each piece brings different memories of places I've been, both physically and psychologically,” he said.

“And of all the people in my life who have been there for me and inspired me, old and new friends.”

Ormerod, a Bakersfield resident, said the list of places he’s been is too long to mention but did say he’s lived in Bremerton, Wash., and Bowling Green, Ky. Meanwhile, he and two partners, Robert Benson and Akash Patel, have formed a company called Creative Giant Clothing.

It’s based in Yorba Linda, a city in Orange County.

“I am one of the lead artists in this company,” Ormerod said.

“We have a couple of designs for sale right now and we will be selling shirts at The Foundry.”

Ormerod used many different mediums in his exhibit, including acrylic, ink, watercolor, pen, marker and mixed media on cardboard and paper.

Writing workshops Maria Rutledge, supervisor of the Beale Memorial Library, says last year’s free creative writing workshops were so popular she’s scheduled another five-week series. They will be held on the last Saturday of the month starting this Saturday and continuing through May 25.

Rutledge provided a few details on each session as well as a bit of background information on the instructors, all of whom teach at either Bakersfield College or Cal State Bakersfield.

William Mitchell, coordinator of the series, will lead off on Saturday with a discussion of the basics of creative writing and provide pointers for beginning and intermediate level writers. His articles have been published in aviation periodicals, scale modeling magazines, and his short stories in literary journals. He is currently writing a short story collec-

GO & DO ‘Spring Awakening’ Gala opening: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday Where: The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. Admission: $25 Information: 327-PLAY

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tion.

Next up, on Feb. 23, is persuasive writing, the style used for writing convincing letters to the editor, opinion pieces, reviews and online comments. Instructor Darlene Stotler has written for Bakersfield Life Magazine and has been a copy writer for KEROTV, Channel 23.

Thinking about recording your memoirs for future generations?

On March 30, Rebecca Mooney will show you how to do it. She has taught creative writing at BC for more than 15 years and her master’s thesis was an autobiographical piece about her years living over a mortuary.

“The Joy of Writing Poetry” is the title of Christopher Dison’s session on April 27. In addition to poetry, he writes short fiction, children’s stories, and was a member of the San Diego Slam Poetry team.

Of course, now that you’ve written something, you probably want to see it in print. So, in the final workshop on May 25, David Moton will provide some tips on publishing and promoting your work. His book, “Navigating America,” was published by McGraw-Hill in 2010. He has written two radio shows, two locally produced plays, and has just completed the first of a trilogy of sci-fi novels.

Each workshop takes place in the library’s Tejon Room, which is on the second floor.

23

Thursday, January 24, 2013 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street Review

This office farce gets the job done Stars Theatre cast makes film classic their own

BY STEFANI DIAS Californian assistant lifestyles editor sdias@bakersfield.com

W

hen a trio of beleaguered women of Consolidated Industries tell their boss they’ll “shine like the sun� — now that he’s being held captive at home — it’s not hard to believe in Stars Dinner Theatre’s “9 to 5.� This spirited closer to the theater’s season, which kicked off its run Friday, is rife with catchy tunes and strong performances.

Audiences should be well-acquainted with the show’s story, which is based on the popular 1980 film starring Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda. From its start in Los Angeles in 2008 through a Broadway run and a couple of tours, the musical has inspired mixed reviews, with many critics attacking the big production numbers.

Although the Stars stage is large enough for the 17-member cast, it would not accommodate big staging and multiple set changes. But rather than a detriment, that smaller scope keeps “9 to 5� grounded. “We don’t have fly space, automation to move sets, trap doors to have things disappear below stage, Times Square-size digital displays or million-dollar budgets,� said director Bruce Saathoff. “That being said, I think a lot of shows play better in small venues because you get to pare down the glitz and focus on the music, the story and the characters.�

‘9 to 5’ the Musical When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, runs through Feb. 9.

Where: Stars Dinner Theatre, 1931 Chester Ave. Admission: $52-$57, $37 for students; show only: $37, $22 for students; matinee: $47-$52, $37 for show.

Information: 325-6100 or bmtstars.com

That strategy proves largely successful, even though I would have loved to have seen more than one scene of boss Franklin Hart Jr. (Adam Cline) dangling from a juryrigged garage door opener in his bedroom.

Also benefitting from a bit more glitz would have been the revenge fantasies of leading women Violet Newstead, Doralee Rhodes and Judy Bernly (played deftly by Jill Burdick, Bethany Rowlee and Jennifer Resolme). Despite some simplicity, it was fun seeing ensemble actors in woodland animal hats and masks assist Burdick in poisoning Mr. Hart. And Doralee’s and Judy’s revenge songs made good use of the choreography work by Brent Rochon and Marnie Forzetting.

Setting the tempo was the live orchestra, featuring a special addition. In his opening remarks, executive producer Jim Fillbrandt introduced the drummer, Brad Briscoe, the son of John Briscoe, who had a large role in shaping Bakersfield Music Theatre.

Ensemble pieces don’t seem to suffer from the staging, especially the rousing

PHOTO BY PETER BECKMAN

In order to protect themselves against false accusations, Doralee Rhodes (Bethany Rowlee), Judy Bernly (Jennifer Resolme) and Violet Newstead (Jill Burdick) kidnap Consolidated Industries President Frank Hart Jr. (Adam Cline) and hang him from the ceiling of his own bedroom in a scene from the musical “9 to 5.�

“Change It,� which serves to underscore the show’s main message of taking charge of your life. That’s where “9 to 5� thrives, in the women’s path to growth. Rowlee’s “Backwoods Barbie� pulled back the curtain on her “country girl’s idea of glam� to convey the pain of being excluded. (On a

superficial note, her styling was spot-on, with a brassy blonde wig and curve-hugging costumes.)

Resolme performed her own show-stopper with “Get Out and Stay Out,� when Judy finally kicked her ex-husband to the Please see ‘9 TO 5’ / 28

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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 24, 2013

Eye Street The Lowdown with Matt Munoz

Rockers test their chemistry Holy Beast celebrates new album release

T

he rehearsal suite belonging to Bakersfield progressive rock quartet Holy Beast is exactly what you’d expect from a busy band’s work space.

Instrument cases and guitar amps line the wall, skateboards are scattered around, a giant Radiohead poster is tacked up for inspiration, not to mention other hodgepodge items like drums, fast-food wrappers, a girlie calendar by the restroom door. The indoor climate so frigid you could store slabs of beef all winter.

For a split second I thought I was back in college.

“Sorry about the directions,” said drummer Alejandro Tuesta, 30, as we sat down with his bandmates: bassist Carlos Contreras, guitarist Edy Hernandez, and vocalist Chanell Hall.

“Is it too cold in here?”

Very, but fans shouldn’t expect any shivers — at least temperature-related — when the group launches into a night of musical chaos in celebration of their new four-song EP, titled “Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bee Around a Pomegranate a Second Before Awakening,” at On the Rocks Saturday.

“We’re really excited about this because it’s something we put a lot of heart into,” said Contreras, 26. “And we haven’t played together in months.”

For the uninitiated, Holy Beast’s introduction into the Bakersfield music scene begins with Tuesta and Hernandez in 2010.

Both fans of The Mars Volta and Radiohead, the originally formed a jam-oriented duo. But it soon became clear they would need to find musicians to help further expand their own complicated vision of thinking man’s rock.

“In the beginning, we were all instrumental,” said Tuesta. “But after awhile, it was like, ‘Who’s going to play along with this?’”

Enter Hall and Contreras, who both answered an ad on Craigslist placed by the duo.

“I thought, ‘Oh God, what if they’re weirdos,’” recalled Hall, 22, of her initial phone

conversation with Hernandez. “I didn’t know what to expect.”

Hall, who’d never been in a band before, had always had dreams of being a performer. She jumped at the chance to meet with the guitarist, agreeing on a safe and suitable meeting place: Starbucks.

“You can scream there,” laughed Contreras.

Following a brief audio preview of some ideas the two had already tracked, Hall agreed to a vocal audition. Through the wonders of technology, she sent Hernandez a recording of herself singing along to a demo of their song “Elephant Orchestra” with lyrics pulled from poetry she’d written.

“It was perfect,” recalled Hernandez, 24. “I knew right there we were going to work together.”

That excitement didn’t last long. Hall abruptly left on what she described as a “soul-searching” journey to Hawaii, much to the disappointment of Contreras, who’d spent three lengthy rehearsal sessions with the band.

After playing with a number of local salsa, jazz and reggae acts over the years, Contreras wasn’t interested in starting from the ground up again.

“These guys were down for anything, and I wanted to be in something that was already on its way to being established,” he said.

Hall’s subsequent return to Bakersfield put the band back into an intensely creative period for the newly anointed Holy Beast — a name inspired by the book “House of Leaves” by Mark Z. Danielewski.

Through most of 2011, the group performed weekly, finetuning their sound in downtown clubs and cataloging any and all ideas for further arranging, all the while releasing music previews to the public for feedback. The band also records their weekly rehearsals.

“There is no real writing process between us, just good communication,” said Hernandez. “It’s more like therapy.”

The combination of Hernandez’s guitar arrangements and solos, matched with Contreras well-trained ear and Tuesta’s drum balance, is as erratic as it is entertaining. The Mars Volta, one of the band’s biggest influences, is heard throughout their work, and Hall’s vocals are tailored perfectly for Holy Beast’s musical

PHOTO BY JOSEPH MICHAEL RUIZ

Bakersfield progressive alt-rockers Holy Beast celebrate the release of their new EP on Saturday at On the Rocks. Pictured, from left: Carlos Contreras, Chanell Hall, Alejandro Tuesta and Edy Hernandez.

fabric, threaded in syncopation.

“There’s a pattern to what we do, because that’s what’s developed between us. We know when changes are coming,” said Tuesta, who also films and produces short-form music videos for the group. His two-part video for the song “Sangre de Pulpo” can be seen on YouTube.

This is the point where I normally insert my quick review, but after spending extra time with the group, I asked various members to instead offer up a brief synopsis of each track on “Dream.”

Opening with “Sasquatch Machine,” Hall said the song’s lyrics reflect a transformative period from her life that came full circle once she joined the band.

“I’m really dramatic when it comes to describing my feelings, and I can do that a lot with this band. These lyrics are about that feeling of being between a rock and a hard place, looking for guidance.”

Tuesta expressed a similar sentiment in paying tribute to his musical roots with the drum opening of “Xuxa.” Born and raised in Peru, Tuesta said the spirit of his homeland was very much present at the time of the recording.

“When I was a kid, I listened to a lot of Brazilian music, so this

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 BY NOA AZOULAY-SCLATER

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers appear Sunday at B Ryder’s.

was my take on their Bossanova mixed with a Peruvian-style beat.

I wanted to combine them.”

On “Jerry Garcia,” Hernandez said the well-traveled jam begins and ends at home on an instrumental solo theme.

“I remember just being in my room alone jamming with a lot of time on my hands, trying out different loops and effects, recording them and adding more space to record some more.”

The EP’s closing track, “Queen of Whales,” begins with the sounds of soothing ocean waves before launching into a midtempo, interchangeable drive anchored by Contreras.

“I wrote the intro at home, because when I play alone it’s always different. The energy here is also different because of the odd timing. My experiences with all the bands I performed with taught me about various concepts of rhythm. ” Recorded and mixed by engineer and musician Justin Martin, the project was co-produced and mastered at Hard Drive Studios in Los Angeles by famed engineer Doug Messenger.

Sealed with cover art work by Hall, “Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bee Around a Pomegranate a Second Before AwakenPlease see LOWDOWN / 28

25

Thursday, January 24, 2013 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Chilly? No better time for some chili Spectators asked to bring appetite for competition

BY ASHLEY FISCHER Contributing writer

T

he ladies of CSUB’s Gamma Phi Beta are working hard to change the bad rap sororities sometimes get with the first of several charitable events this year: Chilin’ with the Gammies Chili Cook-Off on Saturday.

“Our motto is ‘building strong girls,’” said the group’s philanthropy chairwoman Madison McKay, a Cal State Bakersfield sophomore who is studying communications.

“So at all of our events, that’s what we try to do. Every sorority has a different focus, but we focus specifically on younger girls between the ages of 8 and 12. We want them to remember how beautiful and strong they are, and we really stress that girls can become anyone they want and do whatever they put their minds to.”

All of the proceeds generated from the cookoff will be donated to the sorority’s primary not-for-profit organizations: Girls on the Run and Camp Fire. Both focus on providing girls with confidence and leadership-building activities, such as training for a 5K run, or generating funds to send underprivileged youth to camp.

In an attempt to involve more of the offcampus community, this year’s event will be the first to incorporate a cookoff element (last year’s event was simply a chili “feed.”) It’s also why girls opted once again to hold the event at Curran Middle School.

“We’re really trying to reach out to different organizations other than Greeks,” McKay said. “Really, it’s an effort to get more people involved so we can raise more money for our charities, which is always our ultimate goal.”

Teams of up to four members (so far 10 are registered) will compete to create the most palate-pleasing chili concoction in one of two categories: with meat, or with-

Chilin’ with the Gammies Chili Cook-off When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday Where: Curran Middle School, 1116 Lymric Way Admission: $5; $3 kids ages 12 and under Information: m.mckay@live.com

out. Acting as the judges will be members of the CSUB baseball team, who will score each 2-gallon batch of chili in a variety of categories, including appearance, smell, texture and overall taste.

While the deadline to compete has already passed, for a small admission fee spectators can chow down on the competitors’ creations. And, in addition to the formal first-, second- and third-place winners, guests will have the opportunity to vote for their “people’s choice” winner, whose lucky cooks will take home a $100 cash prize.

If the all-you-can-eat chili isn’t quite enough to fill you up, the Gammies (plural for the Gamma Phi Beta girls) will also be serving some of this cookoff classic’s favorite companions: fresh cornbread and Marie Callender’s pie.

Hoping to keep the event as familyfriendly as possible, the girls recruited the mascot from the Bakersfield Condors to come out and make an appearance, and will also set up a prop-filled photo booth.

For the money-wielding adults in attendance, there will be a raffle for 10 uniquely themed gift baskets. Tickets will be sold for $1 each, or in sets of 10 for $5.

“I think anyone who comes out will have a great time,” said McKay. “Our event is geared toward helping organizations who really need it, and I think the environment that we provide is good for anybody — whether you’re hanging out with your family and friends, or if you want to just want to come out, eat some chili, and meet some new people.”

Calling all artists: Submit your work for Nut Festival The Kern County Nut Festival is calling for artists to create the official poster for the first-ever festival, coming in June. The winning artist — who must be a California resident — will win $1,000. Deadline for entries is Feb. 11.

The committee that will judge the poster submissions is looking for works that incorporate an aspect or aspects of the nuts produced in Kern County: almonds, pistachios and walnuts.

Applications and specifics on rules and eligibility are available on the Kern County Nut Festival Website

(www.kcmuseum.org). There is no charge for artists to apply.

The works of the 25 finalists will be displayed in an art exhibition at the Kern County Museum in June and during the Kern County Nut Festival. All artworks will be offered for sale, and the Kern County Museum will receive a commission of 50 percent. Finalists will be notified in early March.

For questions, contact Beth Pandol at bpandol@gmail.com — Information taken from a Kern County Nut Festival media release

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26

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 24, 2013

Eye Street

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or some animal lovers, having a dog and cat at home just isn’t enough. And if you’re willing to hop outside the box, an animal competition this weekend just may provide all the convincing your family needs to introduce a cottontail to the menagerie.

The Annual Rabbit Show takes place Saturday at the Kern County Fairgrounds, where thousands of bunnies from across California will be on display in a competition that takes the art of rabbit breeding to a whole new level.

Kern County Rabbit Breeders Association President Angela Owens has been showing rabbits for nearly a decade. She began when her daughters were in high school and members of the Future Farmers of America.

Like many parents who have children with pets, she and her husband took on a great deal of responsibility when the furry critters came to the house, criss-crossing the state for competitions with bunnies in tow.

“At first we thought it was just once a year at the fair, but it’s so much bigger than that,” Owens said. “We

Rabbit Show When: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday Where: Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 P St. Admission: Free and the event is open to the public

would find ourselves down south for a competition on a Saturday and then up north on Sunday for another one.

It was every weekend with our daughters.”

The hard work paid off for their youngest daughter, whose black mini-rex rabbit was ranked No. 1 in its breed in the nation during her final year of competition. While her daughter has since joined the United States Navy and gotten married, Owens still raises rabbits and hits the road in search of top honors.

“We don’t show nearly as much now that the girls are gone. But we have gotten a few best in shows and multiple best of breeds, so we don’t do too bad.

“You can go to a rabbit show every weekend of the year in California, in any state in the country and even outside of the country. The camaraderie between all the people is great. You have all types from all different backgrounds, everyone from millionaires to the average everyday

person show rabbits and they all get along together."

The camaraderie found among the breeders is also evident in the production of the event itself, as the Kern County Rabbit Breeders Association strives to make every annual show free to the public.

In order to do so, Owens says the association hosts two additional rabbit shows a year as fundraisers for the big event.

“We have these backyard shows to raise money; we just make enough to make sure we can afford the big building at the fairgrounds. We want the rabbits to have enough space and everyone to come and have a good time. There are a lot of out-of-towners who come to show their rabbits."

The Annual Rabbit Show will feature breeders from every walk of life, and the rabbits on display will be no different. Approximately 20 different rabbits will be represented, from the extremely popular mini-rex, known for what Owens calls “its better-thanvelvet” coat and gentle demeanor, to the Britannia petite, a rabbit that looks built for speed with an attitude to match.

“We have about 150 to 200 people who will come to the show and every person brings multiple entries. Some bring three or four, some will bring 20. So there will be about one or two thousand rabbits there. Lots to see.”

27

Thursday, January 24, 2013 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Coming Saturday PHOTO COURTESY OF GASLIGHT MELODRAMA

Jay Stodder, center, is surrounded by the Jolly Mollys in a scene from “The Good, The Bad and The Funny” at the Gaslight Melodrama.

MELODRAMA: CONTINUED FROM 19

“I am partial to any scene involving the Jolly Mollys. My wife, Jennifer, was very helpful in what those scenes became.”

Along with this being Prince’s first Western, the show is also the 25th he’s written for the Gaslight.

He said the genre is one that’s as relevant as a form of entertainment today as it was in the 1800s.

“As far as I’m concerned, any time is a good time for melodrama. With the amount of seriousness and overwhelming negativity in the world, it’s good to break away for a couple of hours to relax and laugh.”

The laughs continue even after Black Bart gets his comeuppance thanks to the vaudeville revue “Love Makes the World Go ’Round,” written by Gaslight musical director Warren Dobson, which follows the main show.

“Warren’s vaudeville is a big love letter to love! Warren is even in the revue and plays

a giant Valentine’s Day heart. It’s like taking a tour around the world and celebrating the power of love at every stop, even in Oildale.”

Prince won’t be able to rest much even after the run of “The Good, The Bad and The Funny” ends March 6. He’s already busy working on the rest of the theater’s season.

“We have a lot of really fun shows coming up this season. I’m writing all the shows for the theater this year, so my notebooks are pretty full as of now. “‘Hooray for Hollywood’ is going to be a big musical set during the golden age of cinema with star-crossed lovers and evil studio bosses. Plus, we have ‘Cruisin’ Chester,’ which is our sort-of equivalent to “Grease” but set in Bakersfield during the 1950s. Then there’s ‘Rosedale!’ (like ‘Dallas,’ but funnier), which is our parody of all things soap opera. All in all, we have a pretty fun year planned here at the Melodrama.”

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28

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 24, 2013

Eye Street

Local organists land big honor Registration opens for June convention

BY SUSAN SCAFFIDI Contributing writer

P

hil Dodson has had many roles in his long musical career — director of music for First Baptist Church, director of Bakersfield Masterworks Chorale and organist, among many others — but it’s his latest position, as coordinator of this summer’s regional convention for the American Guild of Organists, that has him the most busy and excited.

“After this, I just might throw away my computer,” Dodson said.

From June 22 through 27, the Kern County chapter of the AGO will host organists and guests from Utah to South Korea and Australia for a week of workshops and performances. Members of the local chapter have been working on the convention since their application to host the event was accepted over two years ago, lining up presenters and performers, plus hotels and local trans-

HENRY A. BARRIOS / THE CALIFORNIAN

Phil Dodson, director of Masterworks Chorale, poses in a period costume at the Bakersfield Museum of Art in 2007 prior to directing the annual performance of Handel’s “Messiah.”

portation, restaurants and sponsors. Now the chapter is ready for attendees to register.

“We’re online now and the Christmas season is over, so we’re

just seeing registration coming in,” Dodson said.

The official convention occurs June 24 to 26, and includes professional workshops on performance, teaching, managing local chapters and other professional development topics, with registration required. There is a young artists’ competition in which student performers throughout the region can compete for prize money and a command performance. Professional performances before, during and immediately following the convention are open to the public. Among those performing and presenting are such internationally-recognized artists as Hector Oliveira, Christoph Bull, Robert Tall, Fred Swann, Eileen Guenther, Allan Petker, Angela Craft-Cross and many others.

“We have some extraordinary, gifted, world-class artists coming to our convention, from all over,” Dodson said.

The Kern County chapter of AGO belongs to their Region 9, which stretches from Utah to South Korea and Australia, and is part of the 25,000-member international guild. Dodson said the

interest in the organ has spread so far in part because of the recent investment in the instrument in major concert venues around the world.

“There are extraordinarily beautiful new instruments in the symphony halls all over the world,” Dodson said.

Dodson pointed to Disney Hall in Los Angeles as an example, which was designed to include a pipe organ.

“Literature for the organ and orchestra is limited but it is beautiful,” Dodson said. “Those halls are also used for choral concerts and organ recitals.”

So how did Bakersfield become the center of gravity for performers from over half the world?

Dodson said one of the selling points for Bakersfield was the availability of a variety of exceptional instruments from the very traditional to what he called the “bleeding edge” of technology — including an American classic organ at Olive Drive Church, a Baroque organ at St. John’s Lutheran Church, an English organ at St. Paul’s Anglican Church and the latest digital hybrid instruments at First Pres-

‘Mad Men’ to start new season on April 7

BY MARTIN MILLER Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES — April may be a little less cruel this year for “Mad Men” fans as the highly acclaimed period drama is set to return for its sixth season Sunday, April 7. Creator and executive producer Matt Weiner made the announcement to a handful of journalists Tuesday afternoon, with the information embargoed until Wednesday morning.

Fans looking for hints about where the AMC show’s penultimate 13 episodes may be headed will be disappointed, however. Weiner, who said he was in the middle of writing this season’s eighth

LOWDOWN: CONTINUED FROM 24

ing,” (also the title of a 1944 painting by Salvador Dali) will be available for purchase at Saturday’s show for $5 or for online download through the band’s website, holybeastmusic.com.

“I hope listeners see the pictures that we’ve painted in these songs,” said Hall.

Saturday’s showtime is 9 p.m. Admission is $5. Also appearing are local indie quartet The Nature and downtown troubadour Chris Carton. On the Rocks is located at 1517 18th St. For more information, call 327-7625.

Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers San Francisco alt-country singer songwriter Nicki Bluhm makes her Bakers-

episode, was characteristically tightlipped about details.

“I’m not really prepared to talk about the new season specifically right now,” he said. “The show will be advancing in time. I can’t say how much. It will be more than a week.”

But the show runner of the four-time Emmy winner for best drama still had plenty to add.

“We ended up with a story this season that seems very related to what our anxieties are right now,” he said. “The show seems to tap into an internal state that is based on anxiety, a loss of national selfesteem, an alienation that has been cre-

ated from technology and a turning inward from the things you can’t control to the things you can.”

The show will have a special two-hour premiere, which Weiner likened to a movie.

“It has a lot of foreshadowing,” he said.

“It will answer a lot of questions of where we left off last year. I’m really very proud of its mood.”

Weiner confirmed that after this season there will only be 13 more episodes before the series ends. It’s still unclear whether those final 13 episodes will be aired consecutively or split into two parts.

field debut Sunday at B Ryder’s.

Although Bluhm has been performing for years with husband Tim Bluhm of Northern California Americana rock heroes, The Mother Hips, she became a viral video sensation last year with the release of her “Van Sessions” cover song series. Their cover of Hall & Oates’ “I Can’t Go For That” reached over a million views during its first week on YouTube.

“It was a just a cool way to pass the time while we were on tour,” said Bluhm during a recent phone interview before a show in Alabama.

“Touring is what makes a band real.

You have to go out and reach people in person and play your music for them because, really, we want to get our origi-

nal music out to people. The “Van Sessions” were a great kick-start to let people know who we are, but that’s not really what we do.”

Bluhm’s voice is as soulful as it is country, and with a tour that will keep them on the road most of this year, the rest of America should be catching on, beginning with Sunday’s show.

“I actually used to date somebody from Bakersfield,” recalled Bluhm. “That was a long time ago.”

Sunday’s showtime is 7 p.m. with opening act Rainbow Girls. Admission is $10. All ages admitted. B Ryder’s is located at 7401 White Lane. For more information, call 397-7304 or visit numbskullshows.com.

byterian Church and First United Methodist Church.

Regional coordinator Leslie Wolf Robb, who will be one of the presenters at the convention, said that like the usual host cities such as San Francisco and San Diego, and the much smaller Kern County chapter had to prove it had the resources — instruments, active members and finances — to host a conference. Robb said the local group has proven they may be small, but they’re mighty.

“They’re hard-working, extremely enthusiastic and very proud to show off the organs in their area,” Robb said.

Robb said guild members are becoming increasingly excited about the convention and are getting a very different impression of Bakersfield than they may have had.

“I think most people didn’t have a clue that Bakersfield had an organ that was once at Harvard,” Robb said. “I don’t think our members thought of Bakersfield as a destination place.” “(The committee) has got some wonderful things planned, and I think it’s going to be great,” Robb said.

‘9 TO 5’: CONTINUED FROM 23

curb in order to focus on her dreams. Her powerful performance drew notable applause from the nearly full audience on opening night. With such a moving number, it’s easy to understand why playwright Patrick Resnick chose to end Judy’s story with writing a best-seller on being single (rather than marrying the Xerox salesman, as her character did in the movie).

All three women hold their own musically, but acting-wise, this is Burdick’s show. From a brief scene with her son at home to a borderline-slapstick hospital adventure, she dominates the stage with wisecracks and knowing mannerisms and a little razzle dazzle, as seen in the dancing performance for “One of the Boys.”

This workplace comedy proved big on the laughs, but some of those unintentionally undermined the drama. The audience couldn’t help but be amused by supporting actress Leslie Lane who, as office alcoholic Margaret, amusingly handled a hidden flask. Unfortunately, that happened while Resolme sang of her hopes to rebuild her life in “I Just Might.”

Overall, though, the comedy was well-timed, especially as Mr. Hart lusts for Doralee in “Here for You” and his assistant, Roz (played by Tamara White), lusts for him in “Heart to Hart.”

White pushed her performance to the edge of camp but avoided going over the edge.

Additional credit goes to Rowlee, who performed for the last quarter of Act 1 with a problematic mic. Her voice still rang out in the theater, only fading when more than one person sang or spoke.

One final note is that if you’re interested in dinner and a show, reserve your seats in advance. Space may be available the day of the show, but you’ll probably be out of luck to snag a meal.

29

Thursday, January 24, 2013 The Bakersfield Californian

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30

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 24, 2013

Eye Street Go & Do Today John McCutcheon Concert, 7 p.m., DoubleTree by Hilton Bakersfield, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court. $20-$25. Visit shopworldrecords.com.

Randy Rogers Band, 7:30 p.m., Buck Owens Crystal Palace, 2800 Buck Owens Blvd. $15.50-$23.50 plus fee. vallitix.com or 322-5200.

South Valley Sound Chorus Acapella Practice Night, 7 p.m., Central Baptist Church, 203 S. H St. Visit southvalleysound.org or 346-6190.

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.

Guitar Class, taught by John Gomez, for individuals or a group, Juliana’s Art Studio & Gallery, 501 18th St. Call 327-7507 for class details.

Friday FLICS International Cinema Society, presents “The Other F Word,” 7:30 p.m., Bakersfield Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $5. flics.org or call 428-0354.

Kern Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, presents Angela Kraft Cross, 7:30 p.m., Olive Drive Church, 5500 Olive Drive. $5. 832-9661.

The Warriors Cage, 8 p.m., Eagle Mountain Casino, 681 S. Tule Reservation Road, Porterville. $25 general; $35 reserved. Visit eaglemtncasino.com or 559-7886220.

Saturday Annual Rabbit Show, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St. Admission is free and open to the public. 3453995.

BHS Drumline & Color Guard Pancake Breakfast, with performance, 8 to 11 a.m., Bakersfield High School, Cafeteria, 1241 G St. $5 adults; $3 for children 8 and under. Proceeds benefit the 2013 competition season. Visit drillerband.com.

Celebrating Mozart’s Birthday, 11 a.m., Beale Memorial Library, Auditorium, 701 Truxtun Ave. Free.

868-0770.

Chili’n With The Gammies Chili Cook-Off, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Curran Middle School, 1116 Lymric Way. $5; $3 children; $30 for competing team of four. m.mckay@live.com.

Flag Football, 4-on-4 team, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St. $100-$125 per team.

Registration deadline is Jan. 21.

324-0638.

Free Electronic Waste Recycling Event, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Stockdale High School, 2800 Buena Vista Road. Free. Email nlagness@yahoo.com or 8734011.

GO & DO

Pet Adoptions, cats from The Cat People, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Petco, 8220 Rosedale Highway. $65 includes spay/neuter, vaccines and leukemia testing. 327-4706; pets from the Shafter Animal Shelter; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., PetSmart, 4100 Ming Ave. $75, includes spay/neuter and vaccines. 7462140.

Sunday

PHOTO COURTESY OF DON SHOROCK

John McCutcheon performs at the Tumbleweed Festival in Garden City, Kan., in 2007.

John McCutcheon Concert, 7 tonight, DoubleTree by Hilton Bakersfield, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court. $20-$25.

Visit shopworldrecords.com.

Free Electronic Waste Recycling Event, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., West High School, 1200 New Stine Road. Email nlagness@yahoo.com or 873-4011.

Free Home Improvement Workshops, “Martha Stewart Living Specialty Finishes,” 10 to 11 a.m. and “Kitchen Design,” 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday; “Design Storage,” 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Home Depot locations. homedepot.com or call 800-430-3376.

Holy Beast EP Release Party, with Chris Carton, The Nature, 9 p.m., On the Rocks, 1517 18th St. $5. 327-7625.

Kern Audubon Society Field Trip, to Waste Water Treatment ponds, meet at 10 a.m., at end of Mt. Vernon south of Highway 58.

Bring water, snacks and binoculars. 805-0232 or kernaudubonsociety.org.

Kern County Scottish Society Annual Burns’ Supper, celebrating the life of Robert Burns, no host social hour 6 p.m., supper and festivities 7 p.m., Junior League of Bakersfield Community Center, 1928 19th St. $40 advance; $45 at the door. Visit kernscot.org.

Kern County: Real Birth, Real Issues, speaker Ana Paula Markel, registration 8:45 a.m., conference 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mommy Matters, 930 18th St. $30 advance; $40 at the door. Includes lunch.

Register online at mmdoula.com/calendar-ofevents.html.

Kids Free Day, CALM, 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway. 872-2256.

Mayor’s Freeway Cleanup, meets prior to 9 a.m., Park & Ride lot on Stockdale Highway, west of Oak Street. Group will travel by bus/van to various cleanup locations. 326-3770.

Monthly Writing Workshops, join writers and college instructors for a series of workshops, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Beale Memorial Library, Tejon Room, 701 Truxtun Ave. Free.

868-0701.

Christopher Titus, 7:30 p.m., Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $25 plus fee. vallitix.com or 322-5200.

Guild House “Affaire Extraordinaire” Dinner, five-course gourmet meal, 5 p.m., Guild House, 1905 18th St. $100 per person.

325-5478.

Wedding 2013, VIP 11:30 a.m. and general admission noon to 3 p.m., Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St. $5; $10 VIP advanced; $10 at the door for general admission only. 633-9200.

Chester Ave. $52-$57, $37 for students; show only: $37, $22 for students; matinee: $47-$52, $37 for show. 325-6100.

“Spring Awakening” Musical Opening Weekend Gala, includes desserts, refreshments, raffle ticket, pre-show entertainment, 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. $25. 327-PLAY. “The Good, The Bad & The Funny,” 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, Gaslight Melodrama Theatre & Music Hall, 12748 Jomani Drive. $12 to $23. 587-3377.

Improv Comedy Show, with Center For Improv Advancement, 8 p.m. Fridays, JC’s Place, 1901 Chester Ave. $5. 322-8209.

Major League Improv, improvisational comedy show, appropriate for families, 6 p.m. Saturdays, The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. $10.

327-PLAY.

MUSIC ART “Paint Me A Story,” for toddlers and preschoolers, first we read the story and then you and your child complete a hand-print dinner plate project together, 10 a.m. Saturday, Color Me Mine at The Marketplace, 9000 Ming Ave. $15. bakersfield.colormemine.com or 6647366.

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.

Dacey Dia Villarreal, featured artist for the month of January, Dagny’s Coffee Co., 1600 20th St. 634-0806.

Exhibits on Display, “Embracing Diverse Voices: 80 years of African American Art,” “You, Me, Them,” and “Texture of Place,” now through March 10, Bakersfield Museum of Art, 1930 R St. bmoa.org or 323-7219.

Stained Glass Classes, six-week class, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursdays, Juliana’s Art Studio & Gallery, 501 18th St. 327-7507.

The Art Shop Club, a quiet place to paint, 9 a.m. to noon each Thursday, Friday and Saturday, The Art Shop, 1221 20th St. All mediums. New members and guests welcome. Visit facebook.com/pages/art-shop-club or 322-0544, 832-8845.

THEATER “9 to 5” the Musical, 7:30 p.m.

Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, Stars Dinner Theatre, 1931

’80s dance B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane, 397-7304; Members Only, 9 p.m. Saturday. $5. 21 & over only.

Classic rock Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; Really Big Midgets, 9 p.m. Friday; Juke Boxx, 9 p.m. Saturday. Free.

Lone Oak Lounge, 10612 Rosedale Highway, 589-0412; Sister D, 9 p.m. Friday; Elevation 406, 9 p.m. Saturday.

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., 3287560; Monty Byrom Band and the Buckeroos, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. $5.

Ethel’s Old Corral Cafe, 4310 Alfred Harrell Highway, 873-7613; Lil Gritty, 7 to 11 p.m. Friday; Still Kickin’, 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Sandrini’s, 1918 Eye St., 3228900; Vince Galindo, 9 p.m.

Wednesdays.

Trout’s & The Blackboard Stages, 805 N. Chester Ave., 399-6700; Red Simpson, 7 p.m.

Monday. Free.

Dancing 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.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court, 6331949; learn Salsa, Cumbia or West Coast Swing, 4 to 7 p.m. every Sunday. $5 per person, per lesson.

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. 3241390, 325-3086 or 399-3658.

DJ Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; DJ Brian, 7 to 11 p.m. Tuesday.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court. 3237111; 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.

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.

The Nile, Jazz Music, 6 p.m. every Sunday. Cost $10 at 1721 19th St. 364-2620.

Wine Me Up, 3900 Coffee Road, 588-8556, Mauro with Rico Velazquez and Jamie, 7 to 11 p.m.

Saturday. Free.

Karaoke Banacek’s Lounge, 4601 State Road, 387-9224; 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Fridays.

Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursdays and Sundays.

31

Thursday, January 24, 2013 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street Best Western, 2620 Buck Owens Blvd., 327-9651; The Junction with host Mac Clanahan, 8:30 p.m.

Tuesdays through Fridays.

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 by Hilton Hotel, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court; 8 p.m. to midnight Tuesdays.

El Torito Restaurant, 4646 California Ave., 395-3035, Karaoke with Irish Monkey Entertainment, 8 p.m. Saturdays.

Elevation Lounge, 818 Real Road, 325-6864; 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Ellis Island Pizza Co., 3611 Stockdale Highway, 832-0750; karaoke contest, four $25 gift certificates will be given away, 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.

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.

Long Branch Saloon, 907 N. Chester Ave., 399-8484; 8 p.m. every Wednesday.

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.

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 Wednesday.

Rocky’s Pizza & Arcade, 2858 Niles St., 873-1900; Joey Zaza’s Karaoke and Stuff, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

Round Table Pizza, 2060 White Lane, 836-2700; 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Round Table Pizza, 4200 Gosford Road, 397-1111; 6 to 9 p.m.

Wednesdays.

Rusty’s Pizza, 5430 Olive Drive, 392-1482; 6:30 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday.

Rusty’s Pizza, 5430 Olive Drive, 835-5555; 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday. Family.

Sky Bar and Lounge, 4208 Rosedale Highway, 633-1116, Karaoke with Ben Lara, 7 to 11 p.m.

Tuesdays.

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.

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 Lounge, 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. Fridays.

The Wright Place, 2695-G Mount Vernon Ave., 872-8831, 8 p.m. every Thursday.

Tomi’s Cowgirl Cafe, 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, 1440 Weedpatch Highway. 363-5102.

Trouts & The Blackboard Stages, 805 N. Chester Ave., 399-6700; 7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

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

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.

Thursday.

Open mic Fiddlers Crossing, 206 E. F St., Tehachapi, 823-9994; 7 p.m.

Wednesdays. $5.

Juliana’s Art Cafe, listen to local performing artists, guitar and saxophone players, 7 to 9 p.m. Fridays, 501 18th St. 327-7507. Free.

On the Rocks, 1517 18th St., 3277625; musicians, spoken word, poets, comedians, 8 p.m. every Wednesday, On the Rocks, 1517 18th St. Free.

Reggae Elements Venue, 3401 Chester Ave., 215-9407; Natural Vibrations, doors open at 6 p.m. Friday. $10. Visit timgardeapresents.com.

R&B Señor Pepe, 8450 Granite Falls Drive, 588-0385, Rebecca Aguilar and Lost Vinyl, 7 to 10 p.m.

Thursday.

Rock B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane, 397-7304; So Cal Trash, 8 p.m. Friday. $10; $12 at the door.

KC Steakhouse, 2515 F St., 3229910; Jimmy Gaines, 6 to 10 p.m.

Tuesday through Thursday; Jimmy Gaines, Bobby O and Mike Hall, 6:30 to 11:30 p.m., featuring Glenda Robles, 8 to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany Ave., Suite B5, 589-6749; live bands, 9 p.m. every Thursday.

Salsa DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court, 6331949; various levels, 3 to 9 p.m. every Sunday. $5 per person, per lesson.

Soft rock Steak and Grape, 4420 Coffee Road, 588-9463; 7 to 10 p.m.

Thursday through Saturday. Free.

Songwriters The Bistro, 5105 California Ave., 323-3905; Brent Brown, 6 to 8 p.m. Fridays.

The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall Road, 831-1413; Songwriter Showcase featuring Freebo and the Blues, 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Soul B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane, 397-7304; Nicki Bluhm & the Gamblers, 7 p.m.

Sunday. $10 advance; $12 at the door. All ages.

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.

On the Rocks, 1517 18th St., 3277625; 8 to 10 p.m. Monday.

Sandrini’s, 1918 Eye St., 3228900; Trivia Night with Dave Rezac, 10 p.m. Tuesdays.

Variety Crest Bar & Grill, inside Bakersfield RV Resort, 5025 Wible Road, 833-9998; Steve Woods, 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday. variety.

Golden State Mall, 3201 F St., 872-2037, Joe Loco Duet, 2 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Variety Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner, 3230053; Mike Montano Band, 1 p.m.

Saturday. Variety Steak and Grape, 4420 Coffee Road, 588-9463; Mike Montano & Richard Gonzalez, 7 to 10 p.m. Friday. Free. Variety

UPCOMING EVENTS Tuesday 1/29 “It’s a Grand Night for Music,” the annual showcase of Kern County’s finest high school musicians and singers, 7 p.m., Rabobank Convention Center, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $5. 636-4330.

Sierra Club Conditioning Hikes, three to five miles, 7 p.m., meet at corner of highways 178 and 184.

872-2432 or 873-8107.

Thursday 1/31 “9 to 5” the Musical, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday through Saturday, Stars Dinner Theatre, 1931 Chester Ave. $52-$57, $37 for students; show only: $37, $22 for students. 3256100.

Jackson Browne, with opening act Sara Watkins, 8 p.m., Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $41-$162.50 plus fee. vallitix.com or 322-5200.

Kevin Loucks and Iryna Krechkovsky, 7:30 p.m., CSUB, Music Building, Room 127, 9001 Stockdale Highway. $10; $5 students/seniors; free for CSUB students with ID. 654-3093.

South Valley Sound Chorus Acapella Practice Night, 7 p.m., Central Baptist Church, 203 S. H St. Visit southvalleysound.org or 346-6190.

Thomas Rhett, 7 p.m., Buck Owens Crystal Palace, 2800 Buck Owens Blvd. $14-$20 plus fee. vallitix.com or 322-5200.

Friday 2/1 “Lord of the Flies...& More Tales of High School,” 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Golden Valley High School, 801 Hosking Ave. $5; $4 students with ID. 827-0800.

“Rocky Horror Picture Show,” presented by The Velvet Darkness, doors open at 11 p.m., show at midnight Friday and Saturday, The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. $10.

327-PLAY. “Spring Awakening,” a new musical, doors open at 7:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. $15; $10 students/seniors. 327-PLAY. “The Good, The Bad & The Funny,” 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, Gaslight Melodrama Theatre & Music Hall, 12748 Jomani Drive. $12 to $23. 587-3377.

Condors vs. Colorado Eagles, 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $8 to $30. Tickets: Rabobank box office, bakersfieldcondors.com or 324-7825.

CSUB presents “An Evening of Opera Scenes,” 7:30 p.m., CSUB, Doré Theatre, 9001 Stockdale Highway. $10; $5 seniors/students;

free for CSUB students with ID. Email psears@csub.edu or 6542168.

First Friday Downtown, featuring live music, art openings, specialty shops, galleries and boutiques, artists will set up their artwork, 5 to 9 p.m., Downtown Arts District. Email don@themetrogalleries.com or info@themetrogalleries.com.

Guild House First Friday, music

by Ken Fahsbender and Larry Peal, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Guild House, 1905 18th St. $10, includes light appetizers, dessert, one glass of wine. 325-5478.

Wine & Beer Tasting, enjoy wine and beer tasting along with appetizers, 5 to 7 p.m., Steak and Grape Restaurant, 4420 Coffee Road, $20. 588-9463.

Saturday 2/2 Bakersfield LGBTQ Valentine’s Dinner and Dance, no-host cocktails, silent auction and 50-50 raffle, 6 p.m., DoubleTree by Hilton, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court. $50.

Email info@bakersfieldpride.org or gayprideinfo@gmail.com.

Clint Black, 8 p.m., Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $39.59-$59.50 plus fee. vallitix.com or 322-5200.

CSUB Men’s Basketball, vs. Utah Valley, 7 p.m., CSUB, Icardo Center, 9001 Stockdale Highway. $5-$50. gorunners.com or 654-BLUE. Fifth annual Sterling Silver Dinner, gourmet six-course meal designed by William BloxsomCarter, executive chef at the Playboy Mansion West in Los Angeles, 6:30 p.m., Bakersfield College, in the John Collins Campus Center, 1801 Panorama Drive. $175 per person. 395-4850.

Garden Project Community Meeting, learn how to plant your own vegetable garden, 10 a.m. to noon, St. Luke Anglican Church, 2730 Mall View Road. 332-3204.

Help Ashley Smile Again Benefit & Car Show, for 22-year-old Ashley who has Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy; music, petting zoo, vendors, raffle, food, noon to 6 p.m., B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane. Money will go toward her dental bills. 397-7304, 204-3661 or 332-3979.

Just for Kids, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, 2018 Chester Ave. $7 adults; $5 students with ID, seniors; $4 for children under 18; 5 and under are free. Members are free. 324-6350.

Sierra Club-Buena Vista Group Breakfast Program, with Bill Cooper and Rich O’Neill with Joan Jones Holtz, 8 a.m., Hodel’s, 5917 Knudsen Drive. $12. 322-4891.

St. Francis Altar Guild Game & Card Party, 1 to 4 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi Church, Parish Hall, 900 H St. $5. 829-1779.

“Sharktooth Hill: A Kern County Fossil Treasure,” presentation by geologist Tim Elam, 3 p.m., Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, 2018 Chester Ave. $7 adults; $5 students/seniors; $4 children. 324-6350.