Eye Street Entertainment / 3 - 7 - 13 by Matt Munoz

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, March 7, 2013

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

Index Oprah loves Sweet Surrender ................ 24 42nd annual Collectors Showcase .......... 25 Arts Alive .................................................. 26 Improvised Shakespeare Company ........ 27 The Lowdown with Matt Munoz.............. 28 This Week’s Obsessions .......................... 29 ‘Shrek the Musical’ ................................ 30 Calendar .............................................. 36-37

Rick ’n’ roll will never die Springfield nearly as hot today as he ever was BY MATT MUNOZ Californian staff writer mmunoz@bakersfield.com

ecades after stealing the hearts of teenage girls with his movie-star good looks and iconic ’80s pop radio gem “Jessie’s Girl,” Rick Springfield now has the street cred he’s always longed for, from what at first glance seems like an unlikely source: Dave Grohl, grunge pioneer and arguably the most respected rock star on the planet today. Grohl’s critically acclaimed documentary “Sound City,” in current release and available on pay-per-view, tells the story of a legendary recording studio in Van Nuys and features Springfield, who cut tracks there. “Dave is a music fan, and I think a musician especially is open to the good things in every genre of music,” Springfield said in an interview conducted via email. “We all basically came from the same garage at 15 years old, banging out crappy versions of Beatles songs, so we are all not far removed after all, even though we may have taken slightly different paths eventually.” But his involvement in “Sound City” isn’t the only exciting exposure Springfield has been getting lately. In April, he returns to his breakthrough role of Dr. Noah Drake on the ABC soap “General Hospital” and is promoting his latest album, “Songs for the End of the World.” His tour lands at Eagle Mountain Casino on Friday. Springfield, 63, was good enough to answer some questions about his early years at the dawn of MTV, plans for his upcoming return to acting, and how it feels to work his scream-inducing mojo in front of adoring female fans. “Working Class Dog,” your breakthrough album, is one of those perfectly crafted pop records that helped set the tone for the MTV era. Why do you think it’s held up so well after over 30 years? I think it’s a very honest, from-the-heart record and a good bunch of songs. The production still holds up and it has a slightly rough edge to a lot of the songs that I think moves it a little out of the overproduced sound that the ’80s is known for. I think it was the right album at the right time. Most people assume your career started with the release of that record, but you’d already been at it for a while in your native Australia. What can you remember of the fan mania surrounding the release of “Jessie’s Girl” in the U.S? It was a rocket ride. I had been playing, writing and performing music basically

Rick Springfield When: 8 p.m. Friday Where: Eagle Mountain Casino, 681 S. Tule Reservation Road in Porterville Admission: $25 to $35 Information: 559-788-6220 or eaglemtncasino.com

since I was 15. I didn’t realize it would take that much time again before I even made a dent so when it came in the early ’80s I was ready. I worked a lot and continued (and still continue) to write the best I can and have a great time on stage. How does it feel to be discovered by the kids of your original fan base? It’s very energizing. We have always had a very “current” live show, and people are always surprised at how hard it rocks, so new fans are getting us at our best. Is your return to “General Hospital” full time or a recurring role? It’s recurring, and very sporadically at that. I just don’t have time for a show like that. It’s just so much work, a lot of prep with all the dialogue and shooting all day. It’s a tough gig. Do you prefer acting over music? I love acting now though especially when the scripts are good like “Californication” and shows of that ilk. Music is my first love and as the Walker Brothers once sang, “First loves never, ever die.” What impact did the release of the “Sound City” documentary have on your career? I think there is added visibility obviously, and Dave Grohl and his mighty Foo Fighters have great street cred, so all that is very positive stuff. What did you initially think of the Nirvana/grunge movement when it first entered the scene during the ’90s? I loved it. It was a major change in everyone’s view of what was commercial but still maintained its integrity. It was very inspiring to me just like the original punk scene was when it landed in the late ’70s. “Working Class Dog” to me was a cleanedup punk album. My template for that album was Elvis Costello’s “My Aim Is True” the first Police record, Joe Jackson’s “Look Sharp” and bands like that. YouTube videos show proof you still drive women crazy when you’re onstage. How does that make you feel? It’s all in good fun. I enjoy having that amount of energy still around the band and the live show, and everyone has a bloody great time. How do you keep yourself rock-star fit? I love what I do in music, writing and acting. I also have read a lot about health

PHOTO COURTESY OF RICK SPRINGFIELD

Singer/actor Rick Springfield appears Friday at Eagle Mountain Casino.

and have always believed you are what you eat. I exercise and try to drink less red wine than I do. What should your audience expect on Friday? To get hot and sweaty! I switch the songs out a lot, and we have a new show with new production that also highlights the new CD, “Songs For The End of The

World.” Are you aware of any fans who have named their kids “Jessie” after your song? Yes, I get that; also ‘Noah’ and ‘Drake’ and variations of those. It’s very flattering. I mean, your kid is the most precious thing in the universe, so to be included in the naming process, I never take that lightly.

Thursday, March 7, 2013 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Creating a children’s choir from scratch BY SUSAN SCAFFIDI Contributing writer

T PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROBERT BEJIL

The children’s chorus assembled to perform in “Carmina Burana” gathers to rehearse for Saturday’s concert.

BSO takes on masterwork Combined choruses to perform famous piece BY SUSAN SCAFFIDI Contributing writer

erman composer Carl Orff was known as a composer and an educator who wrote music for teaching young children. But he is remembered for “Carmina Burana.” The Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, along with the combined choirs of Bakersfield Masterworks Chorale, CSUB Singers and a children’s chorus, will perform the 20th century masterwork on Saturday. “Carmina Burana” is arguably one of the most famous works of the 20th century. The hourlong work, for large chorus, children’s chorus, soloists and orchestra, premiered in Germany in 1937, and has generated so much interest since then that it has overshadowed all of Orff’s other works. Choral director Robert Provencio said the piece has always gotten “mixed reviews.” “Some people see it as a musical ‘rave’— a free-for-all party,” Provencio said. “Others see it as a monument of the choral-orchestral 20th century repertoire.” “It’s overwhelmingly rhythmic,” said BSO conductor John Farrer, who will conduct the performance. “There’s also a lot of variety in texture throughout the movements of the piece.” The text for “Carmina

Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra concert What: BSO presents “Carmina Burana” with Bakersfield Masterworks Chorale, CSUB Singers and Children’s Chorus When: 8 p.m. Saturday; pre-concert lecture by Dr. Jerome Kleinsasser at 7 p.m. Where: Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. Tickets: $34 to $50; students half price. Available at the Rabobank box office

Burana” comes from a set of manuscripts from the 11th and 12th centuries discovered at the monastery in Benedicktbeuren in Germany, inspiring the title, which is Latin for “Songs from Beuren.” Orff, who was deeply interested in ancient and medieval history, chose 24 of more than 250 texts for his composition. The texts are written in medieval Latin and German, and talk about love, love, love. “It’s a ‘scenic cantata,’ and there are three scenes,” Provencio said. “The first scene, a resurgence of spring, is about love as expressed in nature.” “Scene two is love as fellowship; set in a tavern, it discusses the highs and lows of life,” Provencio said. “Scene three is the courts of love, where a boy and a girl negotiate what their relationship will be.” Anchoring the cantata are the movements titled “O, For-

Lauren Leal, second from left, loses focus — but has a great time — at rehearsal Tuesday.

tuna” which Provencio described as a “wail to fortune, or Lady Luck.” Movements from the cantata, especially the primitive-sounding “O, Fortuna,” have been used repeatedly as soundtracks for many types of productions, so that even if words are foreign to the ear, the music will speak for itself. “With pieces like this, it’s always the music,” Farrer said. “It’s a very complex work but it comes across in a fairly straightforward way.” “Along the way the composer has supplied some very engaging and accessible music,” Provencio said. Farrer said it’s taken a long time to get Orff’s masterpiece on the BSO program. “A lot of people have requested it over the years, and

choral people in particular like to sing it,” Farrer said. “All of the streams fell into place to program it this year.” Farrer noted the orchestra has been expanded, especially in the percussion section, as the cantata demands more musical effects and color to help tell the story. Joining the performance are Los Angeles-based soprano Shana Blake Hill, who has been earning critical praise nationally for her work in contemporary opera; Los Angeles-based tenor and Shafter native Robert McNeil, who is a noted choral soloist as well as opera performer; and Bay Area baritone Zachary Gordin, who is respected for his performances in established operas as well as choral solos.

o perform “Carmina Burana” Saturday evening, the Bakersfield Symphony had to add musicians to the orchestra, and the Bakersfield Masterworks had to combine with the CSUB Singers to have enough singers to create the power and drama of Carl Orff’s scenic cantata. They also had to create a children’s choir. While many performing organizations, such as orchestras and opera companies, have established children’s choruses, neither the BSO nor Masterworks have such an ensemble. Masterworks president Judy Houston recruited children to serve in the “ragazzi chorus” (“ragazzi” means “boys”). Orff’s score calls for children to accompany both the soprano and baritone soloists in second half of the performance. “It’s difficult not having a regular choir that’s used to performing,” Houston said. Houston was able to recruit 22 boys and girls ages 6 to 13, many of whom sang for her when she taught at Bakersfield Adventist Academy, or attend Hillcrest Adventist Church. Houston said though the score calls for a choir of boys, this choir includes boys and girls because she couldn’t find enough boys who could sing the part. “The hardest part is the notes,” Houston said. “I had to make sure they could sing high enough.” Houston spent most of February working with the children separately from the adult choir. The children joined the entire ensemble this week in the last rehearsals, where they worked first with chorus director Robert Provencio and finally, BSO conductor John Farrer. Provencio’s job has been to polish the children’s singing, and train them to follow the conductor. “What if Maestro Farrer decides to (conduct) like this?” Provencio asked the children, while slowing down the tempo. “I told them no matter what the director does, do what he tells you,” Houston said. At rehearsal this week, the children seemed well prepared as they sang for Provencio, their sweet voices making a sharp contrast to the robust, powerful singing from the adult choristers. The kids appeared to be having a good time. Leslie Martin and Melanie Beasley, both aged 11, thought the music was interesting. “I like that (the music is) very unique and it’s very different,” said Emily Stonebraker, 13. “And it’s in Latin and it’s something you don’t hear every day.” “I like that I get to sing with the choir and I like the music and what the words are,” said Zacharia Dulcich, 9. “It’s going to be powerful and loud,” said Czarina Dayahan, 9.

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, March 7, 2013

Eye Street

Oprah Magazine’s attention is sweet Popular bakery gains another celeb shoutout

Sweet Surrender open house What: Free samples of lemon white chocolate cake featured in O, The Oprah Magazine When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday Where: Sweet Surrender, 6439 Ming Ave. About O, The Oprah Magazine: The feature on Sweet Surrender reportedly will be on newsstands Friday and costs $4.50.

BY JENNIFER SELF Californian lifestyles editor jself@bakersfield.com

ne word from Oprah Winfrey and books become best-sellers, oddball products become must-haves and creative entrepreneurs stand to make serious bank. Now popular Bakersfield bakery Sweet Surrender is about to learn first-hand just how much Oprah’s seal of approval is worth. The March issue of O, The Oprah Magazine, on newsstands Friday, features the bakery’s lemon white chocolate cake on its O list, a rundown of the staff’s latest hot finds. And it couldn’t happen to a more deserving cake — or pressshy baker. “(The O staff) called and asked us if we would send them cakes, so we shipped several cakes to New York,” said bakery owner Kim Fiorini, who admitted to being a little embarrassed by all the fuss. “We sent the Matterhorn, the lemon white chocolate

and the Oreo cakes.” The last time Sweet Surrender captured national attention was in 2010 when Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis featured the Matterhorn cake — the No. 1 seller at Sweet Surrender — on the television program “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.” In fact, it was the exposure the bakery got from De Laurentiis that led to the recent endorsement in O. “Jennifer Koppelman Hutt, who lives in New York, saw the episode and she called and

ordered a cake and loved it and became a friend on Facebook and through ordering our products; she’s just darling,” Fiorini said. “She shared our bakery with Adam Glassman, creative director at the magazine, and he told Oprah.” Though Fiorini isn’t sure the media mogul herself ever tasted the cake, she has it on authority that Winfrey’s closest friend, Gayle King — literally the next best thing — did try it. Fiorini speculates that the light but decadent dessert was chosen from the contenders because it’s a perfect fit for spring. “It’s a moist lemon cake with lemon juice in it. The creme de la creme is the buttercream frosting, which has fresh lemon zest and white chocolate.” Fiorini and her crew, including manager Traci Carlon, who is celebrating 20 years at the bakery, expect the attention to boost the mail-order business, begun after the Food Network exposure. “People order from as far away as New York and Boston, and we got a lot of people who want to try what (De Laurentiis) was talking about,” Fiorini said.

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Thursday, March 7, 2013 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street The crockery and kitchen utensils featured here exemplify the theme of the 42nd Annual Collectors Showcase: “Old Kitchen Memories.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF BARBARA FIELDS

For collectors, value isn’t measured in dollars Cherished memories make old items worth holding on to BY CAMILLE GAVIN Contributing writer

ust because something is old doesn’t mean it has outlived its use. Or, as Barbara Fields of the Glass & China Collectors Club puts it: “Antiquers are the first recyclers.” You can see what she means this weekend at the group’s 42nd annual Collectors Showcase Antique Show and Sale at Hodel’s. “It isn’t like going to a swap meet,” Fields said. “It’s more about collecting than selling — a lot of people come just to look.” Among the items she plans to show — and possibly sell — are paper dolls, including an uncut set of characters from “Gone with the Wind,” dated 1939. Fields has priced the set at $150 but says, “We’re all flexible.” “We all try to bring some new things every year,” she said. “We don’t bring the same items to every sale.” Although many kinds of collectibles will be shown, this year’s emphasis is on kitchen items. “Each year we have a theme, that’s what keeps the show fresh and alive,” she said. “One year it was lighting and lamps, and someone brought some old railroad lanterns.” For this weekend’s sale at Hodel’s, the foyer will be set up like an old-fashioned kitchen and decorated with “primitive” cooking items along with historic cookbooks. Nearly 40 dealers or collectors are expected. Almost half that number are from out of town. Most are happy to identify objects brought by visitors and, in some cases, will estimate the value of the items. People can also browse through books on collecting provided on site by the sponsoring club. “It’s a family atmosphere. We see all generations,” Fields said. “As society changes, younger people want to hang onto things — I call them memory makers.” Some who attend are looking for pieces of glassware or china to fill out a partial set they have inherited. To explain, Fields cited a common example involving Fostoria, a type of American-made crystal stemware that is no longer being made.

42nd annual Collectors Showcase Antique Show and Sale When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday Where: Hodel’s, 5917 Knudsen Drive Admission: $4 Information: 399-1140

“A mother might have had 12 place settings of Fostoria. Maybe she had three daughters but instead of leaving it all to one, she divided it so that each daughter got four complete settings. Now they want to (increase) it to eight.” Provenance, a term often used by professional appraisers on the PBS television series “Antiques Roadshow,” when establishing the authenticity or line of ownership of an object isn’t that important in Fields’ opinion. “It (provenance) is only valuable monetarily,” she said. “The real value is the story that goes along with it, the cherished memory. I have a little tiny china doll that belonged to my mother. Some people would look at it and say ‘Ooh, what an ugly face.’ But I would never trade it.” Now 80, Fields was the fifth of six children born in a log cabin her father built in Missouri. She came with her family to Bakersfield when she was 2 years old and has fond memories of going to the Baker Street Library as she was growing up. Perhaps that’s why the club uses some of the proceeds from the annual sales to donate books on collecting to the Kern County Library. “We need to preserve and protect these things,” she said. “It’s a part of all of us, and we need to carry on the traditions.” Fields is a founding member of the club, which was organized 44 years ago. It began holding the show two years later. Currently it has about 30 members, and others are welcome to join. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month at the Rasmussen Center on Roberts Lane. Occasionally they travel out of town to estate sales or other shows, not so much to buy or sell but simply for the enjoyment of seeing different things and meeting people who are interested in collecting. “Nearly every year we rent a bus and go to the Rose Bowl flea market,” Fields said. “It’s just fun.”

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, March 7, 2013

Eye Street Camille Gavin CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

What’s in a name? Everything Characters’ titles offer plot clues

GO & DO ‘Sunset Trail’ When: Dinner at 5:30 p.m.; show at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday Where: Masonic Temple, 1920 18th St. Admission: $10 to $20 Information: 330-0423

ther than being a whole lot of fun for both the actors and the audience, the thing I enjoy most about melodrama is the characters’ names. And “Sunset Trail,” which opens Friday at the Masonic Temple, has several that give me mental images of the kind of characters they are. I mean, where else would you find a villain who goes by the name of Sly Vester (Chris Selzer) or an aging actress called Norma Desperate (Stephanie Lewis)? It’s obviously a parody of the Gloria Swanson movie “Sunset Boulevard,” only it’s set in the 1880s. Even the bit players in this Black Gold Productions’ show get names to help define their characters. For instance, there’s Cactus (Mike Handren) a crusty fellow who’s been with Norma for most of her career; he now runs the hotel she owns in Lizard Gulch. “Norma is an old, washed-up, has-been actress,” Handren said. “She’s a little bit off-kilter now and wants to revive her career.” Her tenants live at Hotel Desperate free of charge but in return, they are required to applaud and shout “bravo” every time she appears. Now Norma is planning a comeback with her version of “Cinderella.” Director Stacey Briseno says her favorite scene is when Norma and several maids try on the magic slipper. But instead of being gold or silver, it’s actually an old chewed-up bedroom slipper. Also playing lead roles are Dan Sliter as Johnny Straightshooter, the new sheriff; Zaelin Brown as Amy Sweet, the schoolmarm; and Rachelle Leone as Delilah Desdemonda Dilly, the villain’s sidekick. “Sunset Trail” was written by Tim Kelly with music by Bill Francouer. The actors sing live accompanied by recorded instrumental music. Marvin Ramey did the choreography. This is the 14th annual show produced by

‘Wit’ When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday Where: The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. Admission: Suggested donation $15; $10 students and seniors Information: 327-PLAY

Kray Van Kirk Concert When: 7 p.m. Friday Where: Fiddlers Crossing, 206 East F St., Tehachapi Admission: $15 Information: 823-9994 PHOTO COURTESY OF ALISON MARTIN

Barbara Gagnon and Alissa Morrow appear in The Empty Space Theatre production of “Wit.”

Black Gold Productions and is chiefly a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. The all-volunteer theater troupe is made up of people who work in the oil industry. Since its inception, Black Gold has raised more than $400,000 for the cancer society, according to Laurie Alexander. Dinner proceeds benefit the San Joaquin Valley Chapter of the American Petroleum Institute’s local scholarship fund. Final performances are on March 15-16.

Fiddlers Crossing

Drama at The Empty Space “Wit,” a Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about a woman who is dying of ovarian cancer, deals with sensitive issues that some people would prefer to avoid. In the play, which opens Friday at The Empty Space, Alissa Morrow appears as Vivian Bearing, an English professor who has an affinity for the poetry of John Donne. Porter Jamison, director of the play by Margaret Edson, says he’s wanted to do “Wit” ever since it was first published in 1999. And for a number of reasons. “It's a challenging, layered, deeply humorous text,” he said. “It speaks of the things a person begins to understand fully only when facing death.”

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

what is significant.” Others in the cast are Jared Cantrell, Barbara Gagnon, Claire Rock and Andrew Ansolabehere. Performances of “Wit” continue weekends through March 23.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALISON MARTIN

Alaskan singer-songwriter Kray Van Kirk performs Friday night at Fiddlers Crossing in Tehachapi.

He points out that even though we all know our lives will end some day, we are reluctant to let ourselves be aware of it. “On top of that, we deal with little deaths many times; careers end, lovers break up, friends move, loss of youth, loss of strength, loss of health,” he said. “Each of these is a trauma, the death of life as we knew it.”

Serving as a unifying element in the drama are the lines from Donne’s poem “Death be not Proud” that the woman recites intermittently throughout the play. “What Vivian Bearing learns during the course of the play,” Jamison said, “is what we all can learn if we're paying attention — what is actually important in life,

Alaskan singer-songwriter Kray Van Kirk will perform Friday evening at Fiddlers Crossing in Tehachapi. “Van Kirk sings in the straightahead folk ballad tradition of such north-of-the-border legends as Stan Rogers, Ian Tyson and Gordon Lightfoot,” said Debby Hand, owner of the venue, in a press release. “He accompanies himself on 12- and six-string Rainsong graphite guitars.” Hand also quoted Van Kirk on his marketing methods, which are quite a bit different from those of most touring musicians who typically bring a boxful of CDs to sell at their concerts. He no longer makes and sells CD recordings, but fans can listen to his music for free on the Internet. “Music without borders, music without cost,” is the tagline on his website. His explanation: “We’ve already got enough things headed for the landfills. “Now, every time I finish a new song I let it sit for a bit, and then it gets recorded and given a home on the music page (of his website) with all the other little digital penguins, waiting to waddle their way across the world leaving no footprints in the snow.”

Thursday, March 7, 2013 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Shakespeare, without a script Improv performance also a homecoming for founder

Improvised Shakespeare Company When: 7 p.m. Monday Where: Stockdale High School, 2800 Buena Vista Road Admission: $20; $10, students; $8 students with ASB cards. Tickets can be purchased at the Stockdale High School finance office or at the door Information: 665-2800

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

any of us left Shakespeare — along with geometry and physical education — behind in high school. But class is in session when the Improvised Shakespeare Company, led by Stockdale High grad Blaine Swen, heads back to school Monday for a benefit performance. But unlike the pained readings of “Hamlet” and “Julius Caesar” in school, the ISC brings its own comedic spin on Shakespeare by creating a unique performance made up on the spot. “Expect life-changing, mystifying comedy,” said Swen, who founded the ISC in 2005. “We ask the audience to make up a title for a play that has never been written. We then work together to create that play right there. All of the dialogue is said for the first time, the characters are created while the audience watches, and the story is developed spontaneously. We don’t plan anything that we’re going to do in advance, and nothing has been written.” Swen’s early foray into improvisation came through “Mirror, Mirror” shows at Stockdale High School under the guidance of theater instructor CJ Pope. “I had such a wonderful experience at Stockdale learning from Ms. Pope,” Swen said. “She has taught so many students to be kind, generous and confident in their

own skin. “Blaine was part of that company, but I take no credit for his talent and his brilliance,” Pope said. “I was just lucky to have such a gifted young man in my program. He is incredibly talented.” Swen’s Chicago-based group has made a name for itself in improv comedy, touring around the world and earning critical accolades for the ensemble and its founder. The troupe received an even greater honor in January, welcoming its first guest performer — Patrick Stewart, known for his roles on “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and the “X-Men” films. Of the surprise guest, Swen said: “One of the best parts was the audience’s reaction to the fact that he was there. I’ve never seen facial expressions like that. ... They were bewildered, surprised and ecstatic all at the same time. It was incredible.” Pope, who had stayed in contact with Swen via social media, said this month’s special show came about through great timing as ISC’s schedule brings them to California.

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Prep Classes—Tues/Thurs, March 12, 14, 19 & 21 Spring Break Schedule—Mon - Fri, March 25-29 Performances at Stars—Saturday, March 30th Ages 10—18

CLASS SIZES LIMITED—ENROLL NOW!!!

Call (661) 325-6100 Or (661)716-0316

“I am a Facebook friend, and he mentioned their tour in California. The dates were all on my performances here at Stockdale. I teased him and said that I would have to cancel my main stage (show) so that I could see his show. He responded by saying, ‘How about I come to you?’” Swen, who graduated from Stockdale in 1996, said he is looking forward to performing in town, something he has not done since moving to Chicago in 2001. “I thought that this would be a great opportunity to show my gratitude to Ms. Pope while also getting another chance to perform in a place that holds so many fun and special memories for me.” Along with the performance, Swen and his troupe will lead a workshop for Pope’s advanced students. “We often teach workshops while we are on the road,” Swen said. “We go over the fundamentals of improv — listening, support, confidence — and we give the students tips on how to use and understand Shakespearean language.” Proceeds from the evening performance will benefit Stockdale’s theater program. The program is primarily funded by larger performances, such as the Bad Talent Show, which raised $2,400, Pope said. “We are a self-supported theater,” Pope said. “We do not receive money from the principal’s budget, district or our ASB. We run like a business: What we earn, we can spend. The money will go into the budget for next year to support our main stage productions — costumes, sets, lighting, sound, royalties, field trips, scholarships.” Along with performing, Swen said he’s looking forward to visiting his hometown,

PHOTO COURTESY OF IMPROVISED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY

Stockdale High grad Blaine Swen heads up the Improvised Shakespeare Company, which will hold a benefit performance at Stockdale on Monday.

where his parents, extended family and close friends live. “I miss being near my family. And I grew up in such a terrific community in Bakersfield — my community at church and at school and at home and in Bakersfield improv, which all overlapped. “I miss those great people and that wonderful community. I also miss the cake at Jake’s Tex-Mex. I miss that a lot.”

Presents… Set on a tropical island during WWII, South Pacific tells the sweeping romantic story of two couples and how their happiness is threatened by the realities of war and by their own prejudices. This show is a MUST SEE!!! March 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23

(661) 325-6100 bmtstars.com

Reserve your seats today!

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, March 7, 2013

Eye Street The Lowdown with Matt Munoz

Old hands ready to blast Bako Blasters, Horton Heat set for weekend gigs

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BLASTERS

Los Angeles rockers The Blasters appear Friday at Narducci's Cafe.

where everyone was hanging out. They were so good and had so much energy, I knew it was time to touch music again and get going again.” Alvin said the spiky-haired crowd embraced the group after their first shows opening for bands like Agent Orange that were changing the city’s soundscape. “We grew up playing in black bars, Chicano bars, some rough places, so the punk crowd was nothing new to us. Some of The Blasters music has elements of punk, but I didn’t see the difference between what we were doing and what the other bands were doing. We just had a spiritual kinship with punk.” The Blasters have toured alongside everyone from psychobilly icons The Cramps, country swingers Asleep at the Wheel, and Queen. Many of the group’s songs, including “Marie Marie,” “So Long Baby, Goodbye” and “Dark Night” have been featured in a number of movie soundtracks. Along the way, they gave a career boost to country singer Dwight Yoakam by inviting him on tour. Yoakam returned the

favor by covering Dave Alvin’s “Long White Cadillac,” helping introduce the band to country fans. Today, they continue as a traveling room-shaking outfit, with original members Bill Bateman, drums; John Bazz, bass; and guitarist Keith Wyatt, who joined the group in the late ’90s. Dave Alvin, who left for a solo career in 1986, still makes appearances when time permits. “Dave can show up and play with us whenever he wants to. He obviously provided The Blasters with a wealth of great material. He’s one of the best songwriters in the world, in my opinion. I love him dearly.” But even a charmed life isn’t devoid of the occasional rough spot. Last year, Phil Alvin nearly lost his life during a performance in Spain after being struck by an illness that swelled his throat shut, cutting off his breathing. Within moments of arriving to the emergency room, the singer flat-lined, forcing an emergency tracheotomy. Alvin has since recovered, but not without a massive medical bill. In a show of support, a group

Saturday, March 16th

Sunday, March 17th

Saturday, March 16th

Sinbad

Coasters, Drifters & Platters Sunday, March 17th

Sunday, May 19th

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 THE REVEREND HORTON HEAT

Rockabilly punk hero the Reverend Horton Heat appears at B Ryder's on Saturday.

of veteran acts whom The Blasters helped early on, including Los Lobos, X and Big Sandy — along with Dave Alvin — joined together to organize a benefit in January to help pay off the debt. “It was great to be shown so much love. It’s a little humbling to be so broke that I couldn’t pay my Spanish medical bills. I was honored. I’m healthy now. Now that it’s over, it’s time to get back on the horse. We should be blowin’ the roof off the place.” Friday’s show kicks off at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18. All ages admitted. Also appearing are Dreadful Selfish Crime, The Fruit Tramps. Narducci’s Cafe is located at 622 E 21st St. For more information, call 324-2961 or visit tpgtix.com.

Reverend Horton Heat at B Ryder’s If The Blasters haven’t worn you down, be prepared to lose what’s left of your sanity when punkabilly hero Reverend Horton Heat returns to B Ryder’s on Saturday. Guitarist Jim Heath, aka “The Rev” — credited with helping take the basic shuffle of rockabilly purity and mixing it with gunpowder and Texas chili — prides himself on being a tried-and-true

An Evening with Steve Miller Band

Texas road dog. Heath and crew trod a similar path to The Blasters when the trio was signed along with Nirvana to Seattle record label Sub Pop at the height of the grunge music era. Taking a break from his latest endless nationwide trek for a phone chat, Heath recalls the signing as peculiar, given the nature of his group’s music, which at that time leaned much more toward the country side of rockabilly. “Our first shows caught on a lot with the alternative and punk rock venues. We were actually able to play all sorts of different types of places, but I started making a little bit of an effort to be a little more turned up and more aggressive as time went on. Nirvana was playing all the same rooms as we were, but they were really on their way up and taking off about that time pretty fast. They kind of thrust way far up in the pinnacle of rockdom there when we signed.” Heath said that while he never had a chance to meet Kurt Cobain prior to the Nirvana frontman’s death, his group was always treated like family within the Seattle scene. Please see LOWDOWN / 35

Primus 3D

Sunday, May19th

On Sale Tomorrow!

Wednesday, May 22nd

akersfield will be in full “vroom” this weekend when two seriously highoctane shows roll into town just in time for some post-March Meet rockin’. Let’s start with Friday’s appearance by Los Angeles roots rock legends The Blasters at Narducci’s Cafe. Still led by original vocalist Phil Alvin, who founded the group in 1979 with brother and singer/songwriter/guitarist Dave Alvin, the self-described purveyors of “American music” have every intention of showing the locals a sweaty good time. “I’ve always performed with full energy,” said Phil Alvin, 60, during a phone interview. “There’s never been any other direction for me to go since we started. The Blasters play hard.” That’s been the group’s MO since breaking into the Hollywood punk rock scene more than three decades ago with their distinct blend of blues, rockabilly, early rock ’n’ roll, and rhythm and blues. Originally formed in East Los Angeles as a backup band for visiting blues legends, the brothers Alvin decided it was time to test the Hollywood waters and join the revolution against the grasp of disco. “I wasn’t playing much music because I had gotten tired of all the stuff that was everywhere, but in the middle to late ’70s, the punk rock thing came on strong. I went to see a group called the Screamers at a club called The Masque in Hollywood

Wedneday, May 22nd

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE FOX THEATER BOX OFFICE, RUSSO’S BOOKS AT THE MARKETPLACE, EMPORIUM WESTERN STORE – 661-322-5200 – 888-825-5484 – FoxTheaterOnline.com - Vallitix.com

Thursday, March 7, 2013 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street This Week’s Obsessions

Hot Wheels fun gets our hearts racing This Week’s Obsessions is a regular feature that touches on what has us buzzing in Eye Street. ou can laugh if you want, but my main obsession lately is Hot Wheels. See, my grandson is almost 3, and he loves these things. So now my favorite thing is to take Oliver to the store to buy Hot Wheels. They’re still dirt cheap — about a buck apiece. There’s a bunch of websites that let you really go nuts; they have tens of thousands of them for collectors. But I’m pretty sure I’m not a collector. Every single one I’ve bought gets raced — a lot — even my “expensive” cars: a ’64 AC Cobra I paid $3 for and a Ferrari 599FXX, which cost me $4. We’ve pretty much turned our extra bedroom into a Hot Wheels playland. They even have tracks that you hang on the wall now to save space. Ours even has an elevator that takes the cars to the top of the track automatically. Pretty sweet. And there’s nothing like having a 2-year-old around to keep one’s toy collection

ished product. Most great songwriters record at home. They do stuff that they love, as opposed to what record companies think is most marketable. The result in this case is “Goin’ Down Rockin’: The Last Recordings.” If you’re a fan of real country music — heck, if you can’t even remember real country music — you will love this record.

What are your current obsessions? Excited about a local band, event or concert? Is there a new book, record, band or TV show that you’re obsessed with? Share with our readers by emailing jself@bakersfield.com.

from looking creepy. And Oliver gets to grow up in the car culture. He knows his ’69 El Camino from his ’71 Cuda, and he knows that his Lotus Evora will never outrun his Porsche 959. That’s just cool. So is being able to kill 45 minutes at Target while my wife shops, then rushing home to race the cars we bought. Plus, I know what the kid will want for his birthday for the next few years. The only problem is, when he grows out of his Hot Wheels phase, how am I going to explain why I keep buying cars?

‘Deadwood’ lives

Waylon still wailin’ Though it’s been a few months ago that I got my copy of a CD that boasts the last recordings of the late country superhero Waylon Jennings, for some reason I’ve been playing it nonstop this week. I guess

Scott Cox, who hosts a daily talk show on KERN-AM, 1180, is a regular contributor to the Eye Street section.

TOYWORLDUSA.COM

This vintage Ferrari 599FXX Hot Wheel was available on e-Bay.

it’s a mood thing. Waylon’s son, Shooter, along with his original band, took the tapes Waylon had made in his home studio before he died and turned them into a fin-

Being generally uninterested in the current state of TV, I find myself loading up on boxed sets of stuff that I love and watching as time permits. The one show I can’t seem to get enough of is “Deadwood.” In fact, I never actually stop watching it; I just take a break after the end of the final season only to jump back in when I start to miss it. “Deadwood” is the story of the settling of the gold-rich mining camp in the Black Hills of South Dakota, but it could just as easily be set in anyplace where there’s quick cash to be made. It’s classic storytelling, with a lot of actual history blended with equal amounts of fiction. Yes, it’s full of violence and profanity, but so is the history of the West. You can get it on Netflix or, better yet, just buy the whole three-season boxed set. It’s about $100 for the BluRay, and it’s the best gift idea ever for anybody who likes westerns.

Former warriors sing a new tune to help their brethren BY SUSAN SCAFFIDI Contributing writer

hen Marine George Hill finished his military service in 1985, he needed help, and he couldn’t find any. For 12 years, he was homeless, living around MacArthur Park in downtown Los Angeles. Now he is the leader of the famed New Directions Veterans Choir, which uses music to spread the word that there is hope, and help, for troubled veterans. The choir will perform Sunday at the Rabobank Theater as part of their first-ever concert tour. “At that particular time, there were a lot of veterans dying — there weren’t many programs around,” said Hill, who served in the Marines from 1977 to 1985, with duty at El Toro Naval Air Station, Camp Pendleton and in South Korea at the DMZ. Hill said his time in the Marines represented the best part of his life; nevertheless, his transition to civilian life was difficult enough to drive him to substance abuse and eventually homelessness. In August of 1998, Hill entered the New Directions program at the Veterans Administration hospital in West Los Angeles. Hill said the program director, who had learned Hill could sing, suggested he start a choir. Hill did. “We just started it for one particular day,” Hill said. That “particular day” was a visit by some state legislators, one of whom was so

DATE & TIMES

Bakersfield Community Concert Association presents New Directors Veterans Choir

March 9-10 Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 10am - 4pm

When: 3 p.m. Sunday Where: Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. Admission: Veterans and their families admitted free (sign in at the farleft theater entrance); memberships to the entire season are $60; $30 for college students; $20 for other students; available at the door or call 205-8522

impressed with the choir he asked them to sing at an upcoming wedding, which led to another singing engagement. Pretty soon, the choir was singing regularly. “Now it’s just turned out to be a good thing for everyone,” Hill said. “It’s been a great boon for us.” The New Directions Veterans Choir is an a capella ensemble that sings doo-wop, soul, gospel and other styles of pop music. All the singers are recipients of care from the New Directions program — meaning they were all near or approaching homelessness at some point following their military service. The group came to national attention following an appearance on “America’s Got Talent” and has performed on stage as well as television, for the 2000 Please see CHOIR / 35

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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, March 7, 2013

Eye Street

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Donkey (Jeremy Gaston) urges Shrek (Perry Sook) to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Make A Moveâ&#x20AC;? on Fiona (Whitney Winfield) in a scene from â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shrek The Musical.â&#x20AC;?

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erhaps Kermit put it best: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not easy being green.â&#x20AC;? Keeping him company in celadon is Perry Sook, the 21year-old star of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shrek the Musical,â&#x20AC;? which comes to Bakersfield on Monday. The performer, who has previously starred in regional productions of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oliver!â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oklahoma,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Legally Blondeâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ragtime,â&#x20AC;? steps into the tall shoes of the showâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eponymous ogre. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have me in 2.5-inch shoes. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m about 6-4 in costume.â&#x20AC;? Regardless of some hardships (see below), Sook describes the show as professionally â&#x20AC;&#x153;the biggest and most blessed opportunity Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had.â&#x20AC;? The show derives from the plot of the first film, with some surprises. The tour is about wrapped up, with seven stops after next weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bakersfield show. We caught up with Sook on the phone in Bellingham, Wash., before his show on Tuesday. Are you a fan of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shrekâ&#x20AC;? films or did you know anything about it prior to joining the show? In 2001, when the first â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shrekâ&#x20AC;? movie came out I was 10 years old, so I was in one demographic. Now, 12 years later, with the release of the fourth movie (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shrek Forever Afterâ&#x20AC;?) not too long ago Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m on the

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Shrek The Musicalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; When: 7:30 p.m. Monday Where: Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. Admission: $27.50 to $55; ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000

other demographic of the show. I got to love it from all angles. What is your favorite part of playing Shrek? One thing that is amazing is that heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a superstar. Before I even step out on stage, everyone knows who he is. He has such a fan base already. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great honor to play such an icon. How long does it take you to get into costume? Quite a long time. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a 65-pound fat suit and 7 pounds of makeup. From Perry to Shrek, it is a two-hour process: one hour and 15 minutes for makeup, 10 to 15 minutes for myself to get ready and 20 minutes to get into costume. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an extensive headto-toe transformation. One thing about the show, the costumes are amazing and remarkable. What is your favorite number? At the end of Act 1, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Who Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d Be.â&#x20AC;? Shrek really opens up for the first time, realizing that life in the swamp isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t all there is. What would you say to people who think they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to see a musical Please see SHREK / 35

Thursday, March 7, 2013 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street Scottish rockers Average White Band will appear at the 2013 Park at River Walk Concert Series on April 13.

CONDORS v ONTARIO

TOMORROW AND SATURDAY!

PHOTO COURTESY OF AVERAGE WHITE BAND

Average White Band kicks off River Walk summer series The Bakersfield Californian

The lineup for the 2013 Park at River Walk Concert Series, announced Tuesday, offers classic rock, with a touch of Motown thrown in for groovin’ measure. The first concert, featuring Average White Band, kicks off April 13, and the series concludes June 8 — just before the weather gets unbearable — with Rare Earth. All concerts start at 8 p.m. at Bright House Networks Amphitheatre. Tickets — $10 per concert or $22.50 for a series pass — go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at Rabobank Arena box office, via chargeby-phone at 800-745-3000 or online at tick-

etmaster.com. Tickets will also be available at the amphitheater on the night of each show. April 13, Average White Band: The Scottish rockers, around for 40 years, have had a number of chart-topping hits, including “Pick Up the Pieces” and “Cut the Cake.” May 11, Hotel California: The tribute group offers selections from the entire catalog of the Eagles, who are enjoying a surge in popularity thanks to a recent Showtime documentary on the band’s history. June 8, Rare Earth: Authors of hit singles “I Just Want to Celebrate” and “Get Ready,” Rare Earth was originally signed by Motown Records.

BAKERSFIELD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA SATURDAY NIGHT!

SHREK THE MUSICAL MARCH 11

JEFF DUNHAM MARCH 23

JUANES MAY 17

VICTORIA JUSTICE JUNE 23

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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, March 7, 2013

Eye Street Review

Set sail for ‘South Pacific’ Award-winning musical is a tale of love, war BY CAMILLE GAVIN Contributing writer

all me old-fashioned, but as I watched Stars’ performance of “South Pacific” on Sunday it made me yearn for a time when musicals told a romantic story and left you singing at least one of the songs for hours after you left the theater. Yes, Rodgers and Hammerstein knew how to keep an audience entertained, which is what it’s all about, isn’t it? While I found the Stars production enjoyable, it is a bit long — nearly three hours, counting intermission. I also thought it could stand a bit of polishing in terms of its pacing and some of the vocalizing. Judging from the frequent applause, however, the nearly full house of fans didn’t seem to notice any flaws in the performances. “South Pacific,” as the name indicates, is set on an island somewhere in the Pacific during World War II. It’s inhabited mainly by Navy personnel, including nurses, and it’s not being run exactly by the book.

‘South Pacific’ When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday Where: Stars Restaurant Theatre, 1931 Chester Ave. Admission: $54 to $59 or $38 for show only; students $39 or $23 show only Information: 325-6100

Director Sheryl Cleveland takes advantage of that factor to create several humorous song-and-dance scenes featuring either Rosie Ayala, who’s hilarious as a tough-talking Bloody Mary, or comedic Shay Burke, the energetic leader of the sailors. All of them look like they’re having a lot of fun carrying out the choreography, designed by Kelci Lowry. And that makes it fun for the audience, too. Jennifer Prow is delightful as Nellie Forbush, the nurse who falls in love with Emile de Becque, the French plantation owner, played by Kevin Trueblood. Their voices are well-matched, and they meld nicely as their love affair progresses through its ups and downs.

The scene that ends the first act is a memorable one. It begins on a lively note with Nellie singing, “I’m gonna wash that man right of my hair” in a makeshift shower but ends in a poignant way with Emile’s touching solo of “Some Enchanted Evening.” Incidentally, the musical interpretation provided by Jeff Rosburgh and his fourpiece ensemble does a lot to set the mood for many of the scenes as well as accompanying the singers. Katerina Margariti, an exchange student from Albania, appeared as Liat, a native girl. She has only a few spoken lines but is effective in the graceful and dance-like way she moves about the stage. In her role she falls in love, seemingly at first sight, with Lt. Cable, played by Josh Hefner. The mixed-race aspect of their relationship is resolved rather neatly when he is killed in combat. The play opens with Olivia and Diego Ayala, as the plantation owner’s children, who carry on a charming conversation in French. It’s rare to see children as young as they are have such perfect timing and confident stage presence. Mickey Farley and Norman Colwell appear as the stuffy superior officers

PHOTO BY PETER BECKMAN

Lt. Cable (Josh Hefner) falls in love with Bloody Mary’s daughter Liat (Katerina Margariti) in “South Pacific.”

tasked with trying to keep order on the base. In his program notes, Stars artistic director Bruce Saathoff refers to the musical as a “great staple of the American theatre song book.” It’s hard to accept that, if it were a real person, “South Pacific,” would be close to collecting its Social Security payments. Yet it’s true. The musical opened on Broadway on April 7, 1949, and ran for almost five years, winning 10 Tony awards. It starred Mary Martin as Nellie and Metropolitan Opera star Ezio Pinza as Emile.

David Mallett: A songwriter, performer and storyteller BY PAT EVANS Californian writer

Great art of any kind, whether poetry, paintings, architecture or music, should make us stop, look up from our busyness and hopefully learn a little more about ourselves. Back in 1989 I was in Washington, D.C., and heard the opening line to a song, sat down and stared at the radio: “My old man was not a mover, nor a shaker … just a dreamer. I’m a lot like him.” The song moved me so much I drove an hour the next day because I simply had to see the artist who made it, David Mallett. David Mallett was a new name to me, but I soon learned he was no secret to the more than 150 artists who had already recorded his songs, like John Denver, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Peter, Paul and Mary, and Arlo Guthrie. Mallett’s joyous “Ballad of St. Anne’s Reel” is a treat that any fiddle player aspires to learn. And “The Garden Song” (“Inch by inch, row by row, gonna make this garden grow”) has been a children’s favorite for decades. Mallett lives in Maine’s countryside and writes like the man he is, someone who spends his time pondering various aspects of the human experience and explaining it to us in a thoughtful, gentle way. Seeing him perform turned me into a devoted Mallett fan. I went up to him after the show, told him I had a record store in Bakersfield and that one day we would

David Mallett concert What: Part 13 of the No Stinkin’ Service Charge Singer-Songwriter Showcase. Local artist Jason Badgley will open. When: 7 p.m. Friday Where: Club Odyssey at the DoubleTree Hotel, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court Admission: $25 Tickets and information: World Records, 831-3100

bring him to our town. That promise comes true for the fifth time Friday night as we welcome back David Mallett. Pat Evans, owner of World Records, is founder of the No Stinkin’ Service Charge Singer-Songwriter Showcase.

Thursday, March 7, 2013 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Artist believes in power of the eyes Portraits evoke varied responses in viewers BY STEFANI DIAS Californian assistant lifestyles editor sdias@bakersfield.com

s the Greeks first declared, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Artist Patti Doolittle sees that beauty all around her, so it’s no wonder her latest exhibit, opening Saturday at The Empty Space Gallery, is so named. “My show is called ‘Eye of the Beholder.’ I just feel people look at things differently and often find beauty in a way you would not expect. Everyone is different, and it is fun to see what someone is attracted to in a portrait, what kind of beauty. “I think there is beauty in every living being in some way, and I try to portray that in my portraits. An artist is always a student.”

Art receptions “Eye of the Beholder: The Art of Patti Doolittle,” 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. 327-PLAY. Norma Neil, 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dagny’s Coffee Co., BAA Art Gallery, 1600 20th St.

Exhibiting nine of her favorite portraits, Doolittle said she met all her subjects through her work. “They are all portraits of people I have met and been able to photograph and use as references for my paintings, I always add a little bit more color to my people than you would normally see in a portrait. “I love any type of person, with a lot of character in their face. I love to bring them to life in my portraits.” Doolittle recalled her first portrait as a student at North High. “When I was in my history

class in high school and I painted the teacher. This was a pencil drawing, only I got caught and had to put it away.” Even before that auspicious work, Doolittle said she painted images of ladies and designed dresses for them like paper dolls. “I realized I was an artist when I was very young. You become very passionate about putting your artwork down on canvas or paper. Time, or places or situations, will interrupt that desire, but it never goes away, and I feel like I can always learn something more. You never get through learning a technique or painting material, or tools for a artist.” During her career as a hairdresser, Doolittle painted in her spare time, and now, as a retiree, she is able to focus full time on her work. Her favorite piece in the show is “Red Scarf,” a portrait of a young woman. “My favorite is of a young

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE EMPTY SPACE

“Spirit Horse,” one of the works in “Eye of the Beholder: The Art of Patti Doolittle,” which opens Saturday at The Empty Space Gallery.

woman who was a shooter on horseback in a competition. I thought she was quite lovely.” No matter the subject, Doolittle said she feels portraits offer a vital tribute. “I feel I just breathe a little life into this person or animal, and it will be for many years to come — oil and pastels last for centuries. So this is a legacy for their loved ones, or just a nice portrait for anyone to admire.” One admirer is Jesus Fidel, a

fellow artist and curator of the gallery at the Oak Street theater. “Her show is really beautiful. All of her work for ‘Eye of the Beholder’ has warm tones and soft colors. ... What interests me most about her work is that you can tell that she spends a great deal of time on it. It shows artistic integrity. “My favorite piece in the show is ‘Spirit Horse,’ because of the story behind it. She was visiting Please see ART / 34

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, March 7, 2013

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al State Bakersfield jazz students will re-create the jazz concert ensemble at 8 p.m. Friday in the 37th annual Jazz Jam in the Dore Theater. This year’s concert will feature saxophonist and composer/arranger Kim Richmond, a veteran of the great jazz concert ensembles of Stan Kenton, Louie Bellson and many others. CSUB jazz ensemble director Jim Scully said the student band will be performing a complete program of Richmond’s works. “He’s a wonderful writer, a wonderful reed player,” Scully said. “He’s got a lot of history.” Richmond began his professional career at 16 and performed in the United States Air Force big band, the Airmen of Note, while serving in the military. After his service, Richmond moved to California, performing and writing for Kenton, Bellson, Les Brown, Clare Fischer, Lalo Schifrin, Johnny Mandel, Buddy Rich and many others. He eventually formed the Kim Richmond Concert Jazz Orchestra to perform his own music, was nominated for a Grammy award for one of his recordings and continues to perform and tour extensively. His latest recording, “Artistry — a Tribute to Stan Kenton,” will be released at a concert at the RedCat Theater at the Disney Hall complex later this month.

37th annual Jazz Jam 8 p.m. Friday at CSUB’s Dore Theater, 9001 Stockdale Highway; $12; $8 for seniors; children 12 years and under and students with ID are admitted free

CSUB chamber concert 4 p.m. Sunday at the Dore Theater; $10; $5 seniors and students; free for CSUB students with ID. Free parking is available in lots C and D

Richmond is also a music educator, with 12 years on the adjunct faculty at USC, and currently teaching at CalArts. Scully said Richmond will arrive at CSUB the day before the concert to rehearse with his students. Scully said the students have been learning arrangements Richmond wrote for his original jazz concert ensemble from the 1990s. “Kim will work with the group for dress rehearsal on Thursday night from 7 to 10,” Scully said. Scully said part of the rehearsal will be to determine what pieces Richmond will play solos on. “I want him to play as much as possible,” Scully said. As pioneered by band leaders such as Kenton, the jazz concert ensemble transcended the jazz bands of the swing era by performing pieces not intended for dancing or the popular music charts, but as concert music. These works were of longer duration and more complicated musically and harmonically, challenging the listener

as much as the performer. Even the instrumentation was expanded to include instruments not normally associated with jazz. “The music really asks everything you’d want to ask of a large jazz ensemble,” Scully said. “Tricky ensemble sections, adventurous chord changes for the rhythm section, complicated rhythms.” Scully said he also had to add two French horn players and a tuba player to complete the ensemble called for in Richmond’s arrangements. On Sunday, CSUB chamber music students will perform a number of musical rarities at 4 p.m. in the Dore’ Theater. Directed by Soo-Yeon Chang, the program includes music for piano duo by Ottorino Respighi; the Dialogue for Two Trumpets by Eugene Bozza; Six Duets for Two Violins and Piano by Benjamin Godard; and Trio for Viola, Violin and Piano by Aram Khatchaturian. The composers’ works span from the latter part of the 19th century into the 20th century and present some rarely heard examples from each composer. Respighi was well-known for his orchestral work, which represented the largest part of his compositional output. Bozza’s music is rarely performed outside of the composer’s native France. Khatchaturian is best known for his piano music for children and for his ballets, some of which has been used repeatedly for film soundtracks; and Godard wrote an enormous amount of music in all genres, and was best regarded for his works of smaller scope.

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her father’s grave in the Tule Indian Reservation near Porterville, when some horses wandered in. She says that a white horse was looking at her, and she could feel her father's presence during this moment. She snapped a picture of the horse and used it as reference to her painting.” Doolittle said she was happy to display at The Empty Space Gallery for the first time: “The lighting is quite nice, and I like the venue.” The artist reception on Saturday is free, with wine and refreshments, including cupcakes, lemon bars and prosciutto-wrapped asparagus. Doolittle, who has cited teachers Bill Ryan and Betty Hay for their influence on her early work, will pass on her own expertise with an upcoming portrait class. Contact the Bakersfield Art Association’s Art Center at 8692320 for details on that workshop.

Steve Woods will be entertaining! from 2-6pm www.bakersfieldrvresort.com 5025 Wible Road Bakersfield, CA 93313

661-833-9998

PHOTO COURTESY OF STELLA MULLINS

Art show on tap at Dagny’s

“Cambria Bluffs” by Norma Neil, part of her exhibit at Dagny’s Coffee Co. A reception will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Speaking of the Bakersfield Art Association, the organization will celebrate another show this weekend at its satellite gallery at Dagny’s Coffee Co. on 20th Street. Longtime artist Norma Neil is displaying a sample showcase of her varied work and will be on hand for a

reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. The BAA monthly newsletter stated that, although Neil is known for her plein air paintings, recent major paintings have “highlighted emerging new directions in her art, which often are semi-abstract and possess a ‘mystical’ look.”

Of her process, Neil shared, “I rarely meet a new art material that I don’t wish to explore. Even one new material or technique added to a watercolor can increase the artist’s excitement with the process and frequently that translates to more exciting works of art.”

Thursday, March 7, 2013 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street LOWDOWN: CONTINUED FROM 28

“We did a great tour with Soundgarden. We also hung out with the other guys in Mudhoney. We were almost the anti-Sub Pop group because they were supposed to be about Seattle grunge bands and here they sign a Dallas rockabilly band. But really, the Seattle scene has really been an important cornerstone for our career. We still love going up there.” Heath’s influence as a guitarist is still felt after 10 full-length releases, along with a mammoth collection, “25 to Life,” that includes a live concert CD/DVD, greatest hits collection and rarities galore. Recently signed with Victory Records, Heath plans to return with a new batch of material and stay on the road until he’s reached every soul in his musical congregation. “It’s kind of cool that we were able to get in and do this thing with Victory, because it’s more of a punk label. That’s kind of where I’m headed, and I’ve got a bunch of new song ideas that I’m working on and finishing them out.” Heath added he’d also like to bring some Bakersfield spirit into the studio, if it’s available. “I’d really like to save up some money and buy me a Mosrite guitar when I’m in Bakersfield.” Saturday’s show kicks off at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20. All ages. Also appearing is guitar extraordinaire Deke Dickerson. B

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version of a story they know? We all know the story of Shrek. So why do you need to pay money to see it when you can see it on your TV? It’s a totally different experience. It adds and supplements the original story. It’s really magical. Even 140 shows in, I find it remarkable every day to see what’s going on around me. The dragon is a giant 25-foot puppet run by four people. Without fail, in the biggest venue or the smallest venue, the dragon always receives ridiculous praise and applause — and deservedly so. It’s an amazing part of the show. With a dragon, a donkey, fairy-tale refugees, a princess with a big secret and a frantic villain as co-stars, do you see yourself as more of a straight man in the show? Definitely. When Shrek is funny, he doesn’t think he is funny. He is funny due to his odd mannerisms, so he’s not the “funny

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Democratic National Convention and for members of Congress. But the fame and attention are not what this group is about. “We’ve had the most outstanding reception,” Hill said. “Everywhere we go, people are just really touched.” “Music is a powerful healing force,” Hill said. “(Singing) turned into something we never expected — it showed us recovery is possible, and it can be fun, too.” But beyond their personal recovery, the singers are trying to encourage other veterans to seek help if they need it. Hill said that’s a tough message to get across, because many veterans are ashamed to admit they need a hand. “You most definitely suffer,” he said. “You are a hard-charging Marine, and you want to be a hard-charging Marine in

Win Blasters tickets today Tune in to “Californian Radio” from 9 to 10 a.m. this morning for a chance to win tickets to Friday’s show at Narducci’s. Listen for your cue to call and dial 842-KERN. The program airs on KERNAM, 1180.

Ryder’s is located at 7401 White Lane. For more information, call 397-7304 or visit numbskullshows.com.

Matt’s picks Eli and the Sound Cult at NX Arthouse, 2995 North Baker St., 9:30 p.m., Friday, free, all ages, 301-1362. Former Catastrophist/Mission Tonight vocalist Elijah Jenkins brings his new band for a visit to showcase his latest foray into the realm of alternative and low-fi indie music. Some familiarity in their sound, but for an early start, it’s quite catchy. For a peek, visit eliandthesoundcult.com. Velorio at On the Rocks, 1517 18th St., 9 p.m., Saturday, $7, 327-7625. Bakersfield bilingual Latin rockers’ Velorio celebrate six years together with a festive show made for the weekend. Make plans to arrive early and find a spot on the dance floor because chances are it will be jumping before downbeat. Opening the show is SoCal roc en Espanol quartet, Sonsoles Musica. Congratulations, hermanos.

man.” Lord Farquaad gets the most laughs. ... (But I don’t mind — ) as long as an audience is enjoying the show, you don’t care who gets the laughs. We’re all a team. Is this your first touring show? What is the schedule like? Yes, it is. Sometimes it’s hectic and sometimes it’s not. You get to see the world from all over: We’ve had a lovely day in Seattle, got to see the Northern Lights in Alaska. With multiple shows, when I’m in a different town, it gets a bit hectic. But we might be the biggest show they get all year. Do you get any time in the town that you’re in? It varies completely based on schedule. Yesterday (Monday) we had a travel day and we were done at 10 a.m. So we had from 10 a.m. to when we went to bed (free). It really just depends. You’re grateful when you get to see some of the local color.

every sense of the word.” “We get to tell veterans that it’s OK for a warrior to get help.” According to VA spokeswoman Cindy Young, the New Directions program provides rehabilitation, residential treatment, remedial education, job training, legal services and housing placement assistance for veterans, with additional services to veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. “This agency provides services for homeless veterans, and rapid rehousing/homelessness prevention for veteran families,” Young wrote in an email. “And we are opening our first permanent supportive housing facilities — 147 units — in the middle of this year.” “I don’t want to see another veteran go through what I went through,” Hill said.

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, March 7, 2013

Eye Street Go & Do Today Free Organ Recital, with Kathie Riebe, 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., St. Paul’s Anglican Parish, 2216 17th Street. You may purchase a lunch from the church or you may bring your own. 861-6020. Paley Fest featuring “The Walking Dead,” 8 p.m., Edwards Cinema, 9000 Ming Ave. $15. 6633042. Retro Series, see the movie “Goldfinger,” 7 p.m. today and 10 a.m. Saturday, Maya Cinemas, 1000 California Ave. $6. 6360484. Women’s History Month & More, “International Women’s Students at BC: Experiences & Perspectives,” 11 a.m., and “International Women of Greater Bakersfield: Experiences & Reflections,” 6:30 p.m., both with moderator Shohreh Rahman, Bakersfield College, Fireside Room, 1801 Panorama Drive. Free. Visit womenshistorymonthatbc.weebly.com. South Valley Sound Chorus a capella practice night, 7 p.m., Central Baptist Church, 203 South H St. Visit southvalleysound.org or 346-6190. Bingo, warm ups 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 37th annual Jazz Jam, 8 p.m., CSUB, Doré Theatre, 9001 Stockdale Highway. $12; $8 seniors; free for CSUB students with ID. 6543093. Condors vs. Ontario Reign, come see ZOOperstars, 10-foot tall mascot characters (Friday) and first 2,000 fans 5 and older receive a double bobble head of goalies Scott Greenham and Brian Stewart (Saturday), 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $8 to $30. Tickets: Rabobank box office, bakersfieldcondors.com or 324-7825. David Mallett, “No Stinkin’ Service Charge Blues Series,” presented by World Records, 7 p.m., DoubleTree Hotel, Club Odyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court. $25. 8313100. Fantastic Friday Storytime, hosted by John’s Incredible Pizza; games, prizes, guest the Incredible Bear, 10 a.m. to noon, Barnes & Noble, 4001 California Ave. Free. FLICS International Cinema Society, presents “Marwencol,” 7:30 p.m., Bakersfield Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $5. flics.org or call 4280354. March Meet Rockabilly Party, The Blasters, DJ Savage Salvador, Dreadful Selfish Crime, The Fruit Tramps, 7:30 p.m., Narducci’s Cafe, 622 E. 21 St. $18. Visit tgptix.com or email tickets@timgardeapresents.com. Oxfam America Hunger Banquet, draw a ticket which assigns you an income level, then sit

A TALK WITH ‘THE WALKING DEAD’

ans Hall, 400 Norris Road. 5885865. 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. Young Ladies Institute presents Bunco, baskets, door prizes, 1:30 p.m., St. Francis Church Hall, 900 H St. $15. 325-2840 or 3254772.

Sunday

GENE PAGE / AMC

Brought together by disaster and tragedy, a hardy band of survivors battles zombies on “The Walking Dead.” Paley Fest featuring “The Walking Dead,” 8 tonight, Edwards Cinema, 9000 Ming Ave. $15. 663-3042. based on income level where you will either enjoy a satisfying dinner, a humble meal, a few meager servings of food, 6 p.m., Bakersfield College, 1801 Panorama Drive. Free. 395-4051. Rick Springfield, 8 p.m., Eagle Mountain Casino, 681 South Tule Reservation Road, Porterville. $25 general; $35 reserved. Tickets online at eaglemtncasino.com or 559-788-6220. Search for Talent Competition, hosted by Exchange Club of Bakersfield; performers will compete as solos, duets, or trios in vocal, instrumental, dance and novelty acts, 6 p.m., Standard Middle School, 1200 N. Chester Ave. $3 adults; free for those 18 and under.

Saturday “Remembering One, Once Again” Interactive Workshop, with author Tamm Homes, using the principles of her book, readings, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Enchanted Cottage, 30 H St. $25 323-9929. 10th annual Bakersfield Spring Ring Concert, featuring eight handbell choirs, a handchime soloist, 5 to 6 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church, 4500 Buena Vista Road. Free. 665-7815. 42nd annual Collectors Showcase Antique Show Sale, sponsored by Glass & China Collectors; glassware, pottery, china, dolls, silver, linens, toys, furniture, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Hodel’s, Kern Rooms, 5917 Knudsen Drive. $4. 399-1140 or 399-7074. Bakersfield Speedway, Late Models, Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, American Stocks, gates open at 4 p.m.; races begin at 6 p.m., Bakersfield Speedway, 5001 N. Chester Ave. $15; $5 ages 6-12; under 5 free. bakersfieldspeedway.com or call 393-3373. Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, presents “Karl Orff: Carmina Burana,” 8 p.m., Rabobank Theater,

1001 Truxtun Ave. $34 to $50; fulltime students half price. bakersfieldsymphony.org or 323-7928. Book Signing, with Robb Fulcher of “The Snake Who Would Not Bend,” 1 to 3 p.m., Russo’s, 9000 Ming Ave. 665-4686. Entertaining Spring Fling, theme: Spring! learn about tablescapes and entertaining, 10 to 11 a.m., Beladagio, 9500 Brimhall Road, Ste. 705. Free. 829-2288. Model Railroad Show & Swap Meet, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St. $7; children 13 and under are free. Email carldw@aol.com or 3316695. National Wild Turkey Federation Fundraiser, 5 to 11 p.m., Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 P St. $75 single; $100 couple; $1,250 for a table of eight. 333-3395. 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. The Reverend Horton Heat, 8 p.m. Saturday, B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane. $20. vallitix.com or 322-5200. Sixth annual Walk, Run & Ride for Brain Injury, health fair, music, entertainment, food, carnival games, face painting, bake sale, arts & crafts, drawing for prizes, motorcycle poker run 8:45 a.m., bicycle ride and 5K run 9:30 a.m., survivor victory walk 11:30 a.m., Kern County Museum, Pioneer Village, 3801 Chester Ave. $25 adults; $15 person w/brain injury. Visit biacal.org or 872-4903 or 201-9782. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10859, Rosedale & Ladies Auxiliary, 9:30 a.m., Norris Road Veter-

CSUB Chamber Music, 4 p.m., CSUB, Doré Theatre, 9001 Stockdale Highway. $10; $5 seniors/students; free for CSUB students with ID. 654-3093. Geocaching on Campus (CSUB), a GPS based treasure hunt type game where we hide it and you find it, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., CSUB Alumni Park, 9001 Stockdale Highway. $5. Proceeds benefit the student computer lab. Visit csub.edu/psychclub. New Directions Veterans Choir, presented by Bakersfield Community Concert Association, 3 to 5 p.m., Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $60 for three remaining concerts. bakersfieldcca.org or 205-8522 or 589-2478. Porn Kills Tour, with poetry, spoken word, messages, videos, guests Craig Gross, Levi the Poet, Jeff Bethke, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Valley Bible Fellowship, 2300 E Brundage Lane. Free. Visit pornkillstour.com. Tehachapi Symphony, featuring Brahms’ Violin Concerto, and Poulenc Sinfonietta, 4 p.m., Country Oaks Baptist Church, 20915 Schout Road, Tehachapi. Free. 8217511.

THEATER “A Dark & Stormy Night,” 7 pm. today through Saturday, Stockdale High School, 2800 Buena Visit Road. $10 adults; $8 students; $6 w/ASB card. 665-2800. “Legally Blonde” The Musical,” 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, East Bakersfield High School, Auditorium, 2200 Quincy Street. $8. 8717221. “Once Upon a Mattress,” presented by Bakersfield High School’s Theatre Department, 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Bakersfield High School, Harvey Auditorium, 1241 G St. $10 students/ adults; $5 for children under 12. 324-9841. “South Pacific,” 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, Stars Dinner Theatre, 1931 Chester Ave. Adults dinner/show: $54-$59; $38 show only; students dinner/show: $39; $23 show only. 325-6100. “Sunset Trail,” 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, Masonic Temple, 1920 18th St. $20 for dinner shows; $10 matinee. Visit bgpplays.com or 330-0423. “The Good, The Bad & The Funny,” 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, Gaslight Melo-

drama Theatre & Music Hall, 12748 Jomani Drive. $12 to $23. 587-3377. “Wit,” 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. $15 general; $10 students/seniors. 327PLAY. 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.

ART Artist Reception, for Patti Doolittle of “Eye of the Beholder,” 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. 327-PLAY. Side by Side, for children ages 38, art projects, painting, sculpting and more, 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Bakersfield Museum of Art, 1930 R St. $10 members; $15 nonmembers; children need to be accompanied by an adult. 3237219 or bmoa.org. “Divine Love” Soulful Exhibit, art, books, and greeting cards by artist Aliza McCracken, now until April 30, Moorea Banquet Centre, 8700 Swigert Court, Suite 109. Visit alizamccracken.com. Art After School, for ages 6-12, 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Bakersfield Museum of Art, 1930 R St. $70 members; $75 non-members per four week session. 323-7219 or bmoa.org. Art Classes, in drawing, watercolor, oils, color theory, for beginners and advanced, Bakersfield Art Association Art Center, 1817 Eye St. 869-2320. Art Exhibit “Windows & Doors,” now on display through March, 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 St. Visit mercybakersfield.org/art or to register, 632-5357. Bakersfield Art Association Meeting, guest artist Iva Cross Fendrick sharing her method for keeping a sketchbook, 9 a.m. Saturday, Bakersfield Art Association Art Center, 1817 Eye St. Free. 8692320. 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. 322-0544 or 832-8845. Youth Art Contest Show, on display, now until March 23, Bakersfield Art Association Art Center, upstairs, 1817 Eye St. Free. 8692320.

Thursday, March 7, 2013 The Bakersfield Californian

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

Acoustic Folk Fiddlers Crossing, 206 E. F St., Tehachapi, 823-9994; Kray Van Kirk, 7 p.m. Saturday. $15.

Blues Kern River Blues Society Jam, 2 to 8 p.m. every second Saturday, Trout’s, 805 N. Chester Ave. 8727517. Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; English Revolver, 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall, Suite 100, 831-1413; Unplugged featuring Bunky Spurling and Friends, 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday.

Celtic Lengthwise Brewing Company, 2900 Calloway Drive, 589-7394; Whiskey Galore, 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday.

Classic rock Ethel’s Old Corral Cafe, 4310 Alfred Harrell Highway, 873-7613; Token Okies, 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Lone Oak Lounge, 10612 Rosedale Highway, 589-0412; No Limit, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Wine Me Up, 3900 Coffee Road, 588-8556, Jim Robinson, 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday. Free. Long Branch Saloon, 907 N. Chester, 399-8494; Elevation 406, 9 p.m. Saturday to 1 a.m. Sunday. The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall Road, Suite 100, 831-1413; The John Hollins Band, 9:30 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; Buddy Alan Owens & the Buckaroos, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Ethel’s Old Corral Cafe, 4310 Alfred Harrell Highway, 873-7613; Still Kick’n, 7 p.m. Friday. Sandrini’s, 1918 Eye St., 3228900; Vince Galindo, 9 p.m. Wednesdays. Trout’s & The Blackboard Stages, 805 N. Chester Ave., 3996700; 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. bakersfieldbelly-

dance.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 Dr., offers ballroom dance, East Coast swing (jitterbug) and Argentine Tango dance classes; $35, $45 for non-members. 322-5765 or 201-2105. DoubleTree Hotel, Club Odyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court, 323-7111; learn Salsa, Cumbia, or West Coast Swing, 4 to 7 p.m. every Sunday. $5 per person, per lesson. Joaquin Squares, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Rasmussen Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane. $5. 324-1390, 325-3086 or 399-3658. Mavericks Singles, ballroom and country dancing with music by Steve Woods Band, 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Kern City Town Hall, 1003 Pebble Beach Drive. $7 member; $9 guest. 831-9241. Pairs and Spares Dance, with Jerri Arnold,, 7 p.m. Friday, Rasmussen Senior Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane. $7; $9 nonmembers. 399-3575.

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 and ’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. On the Rocks, 1517 18th St., 3277625; DJ Chuck One, 9 p.m. Friday to 1 a.m. Saturday. Free. 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.

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. 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. 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; 3237111, 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. 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 Hwy. 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 Wednesdays. 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. 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, qualifying round, first 10 get to compete to qualify, 9 p.m. to midnight Friday, with finals on March 22, The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall Road. 831-1413. 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., 3996700; 7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Latin On the Rocks, 1517 18th St., 3277685; Velorio, Sonsoles, 9 pm. Saturday to 1:30 a.m. Sunday. $7. 21 & over only.

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

Oldies The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall Road, Suite 100, 831-1413; Odie Crabtree, 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday.

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 East 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. Free.

R&B Señor Pepe, 8450 Granite Falls Dr., 661-588-0385, Rebecca Aguilar and Lost Vinyl, 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday.

Rock 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. On the Rocks, 1517 18th St., 3277685; The Lebecs, Crooked Folk, Mama’s Kitchen, 9 p.m. Friday. $5. 21 & over only. On the Rocks, 1517 18th St., 327j7685; Crooked Folk, Mama’s Kitchen, 9 p.m. Friday to 1:30 a.m. Saturday. $5. 21 & over only. Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany Ave., Suite B5, 589-6749; live bands, 9 p.m. every Thursday.

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.

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. Golden State Mall, 3201 F St., 872-2037, Joe Loco Duet, 2 to 5 p.m. Sundays.