Eye Street / 11-17-11

22

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, November 17, 2011

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

Index Piccadilly Circus ...................................... 24 Animal House art exhibit ........................ 25 Arts Alive ..................................................26 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde ............................ 27 The Lowdown with Matt Munoz.............. 28 Winefest .................................................. 29 Yo Gabba Gabba ...................................... 30 Calendar .............................................. 34-35

“All I know about Bakersfield is the Crystal Palace and you guys have a lot of onions there.”

— Joey Santiago, Pixies guitarist

Heading to our ‘Lost City’ Fox gets coveted slot from Pixies, and fans snap up every ticket

BY MATT MUNOZ Bakotopia.com editor mmunoz@bakersfield.com

B

akersfield drummer Cesareo Garasa still remembers his first concert. It was 1989, he was 15 and he and thousands of other fans packed into Dodger Stadium to see The Cure and opening acts Love and Rockets and the Pixies, a fairly new foursome out of Boston. Garasa had heard the band’s album but didn’t really know what to expect from the Pixies, other than that they were sure to play their biggest hit, “Here Comes Your Man.” Because that’s how it works, right?

As it turns out, the young Garasa was about to get a bit of an education on independence.

“It was the first time I had ever seen a band not selling out, because they didn’t play their biggest song. It was their single and being played on MTV every single freakin’ day and they refused to play it. This brainy group of four musicians from Boston were having as much attitude as Motorhead when it came to certain ethics of the music business.”

Even today, after years of breaking up and (mostly) making up, critical success and fierce devotion among fans, the band still does things its way.

On the road to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the landmark album, “Doolittle,” the band will play the Fox Theater on Friday.

Dubbed the “Lost Cities” tour, the trek continues in the spirit of the band’s impulsive search for the unknown, said guitarist Joey Santiago.

“We’ve never played Bakersfield, so that’s the whole idea. We have this full production for ‘Doolittle’ and we just want to take it to every city we’ve never been to and where there was a demand. All I know about Bakersfield is the Crystal Palace and you guys have a lot of onions there.”

Bakersfield apparently is a little

The Pixies with Imaginary Cities When: 8 p.m. Friday Where: Fox Theater, 2001 H St. Admission: The last tickets were sold Wednesday Information: 324-1369 or vallitix.com

more familiar with the band: As of Tuesday, only 10 tickets remained for Friday’s concert.

“It’s crazy that they’re coming to Bakersfield, and I have a feeling it’s the last time they’ll come to Bakersfield and may be the last time they tour at all,” Garasa said.

“They barely tolerate each other.”

The tension between the group’s leaders, vocalist Frank Black and bassist Kim Deal, is legendary. After six releases, the Pixies, which also includes drummer David Lovering called it quits in 1993, with all four pursuing their own musical outlets alone. But band politics aside, the attraction of performing their material before audiences was too much to ignore and they reunited in 2004.

“The band will be coming out for B-sides first, and then we go right into the album front to back with various films behind us.”

The band continues to be cited as an influence on artists like Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain, who credited the sound of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” to the Pixies’ style. Santiago said he’s flattered, but not overwhelmed by the accolades.

“I feel good about it, but at the same time we were influenced by other bands and we do what we do. It’s kind of weird. It’s like complimenting me for the way I walk.

It is what it is — very natural.”

Commenting on the state of today’s indie music scene, the guitarist said he’s fascinated with how much technology has affected the DIY ethic in contrast to the scene in the 1990s. On the band’s official website, pixiesmusic.com, fans can download countless live concerts recorded throughout the various stages of the reunion all for free.

“As far as being adventurous, the scene is even more so now with people being able to pro-

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIS GLASS

The Pixies will perform on Friday at the Fox Theater. From left, Kim Deal, David Lovering, Joey Santiago and Frank Black.

mote themselves all the time. A lot of people don’t necessarily have to make a hit. Not that it’s the indie way anyways. But, it’s getting out there through the Internet, and that’s kinda cool.

The kids don’t like to be force-fed what’s on the radio anyway. They like to discover stuff on their own.”

Garasa remembers those preInternet days when discovering new music wasn’t that easy.

“The real reason I liked ‘Doolittle’ was because Columbia House sent it to me,” he said of the music club. “I’m not that cool.

The Pixies came to me by accident.”

Santiago added that there are

no current plans to do similar tours to commemorate the rest of the band’s discography, which includes “Come On Pilgrim,” “Surfer Rosa,” “Bossanova” and Trompe le Monde.” “‘Doolittle’ is our most popular record, but honestly I like ‘Bossanova.’ That’s my favorite one.”

Asked whether fans can expect any new music from the band, Santiago remains optimistic given the group’s shaky existence all these years.

“We’re just in the discussion phase of it. That’s a start. If we were to do it, I think our goal would be to not have people go to the bathroom when they hear

it.”

As for Garasa, Friday’s concert marks only his second live encounter with the band, after that day so long ago at Dodger Stadium. But, honestly, seeing the Pixies will be only half the fun.

“The main thing isn’t so much what I want to hear; it’s about seeing the people who are going to be there,” Garasa said. “I missed the X concert last year (at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace), but I know that these concerts all bring out fans that don’t usually come out. They want to go out and be reminded what it was like to be 15 all over again.”

— Californian Lifestyles Editor Jennifer Self contributed to this report

23

Thursday, November 17, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street Herb Benham CALIFORNIAN COLUMNIST

Making beautiful music together T

he last concert I went to (the Fox, and the Fox is about as good as it gets), everything was fine except the drunk guys sitting in front of us who were sparring with Jackson Browne, as if Browne needed or wanted sparring.

Great concert, but sometimes the teeming hordes can get in the way. A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to sit in a living room with Jan and Chris Harrison, a talented husband and wife duo from Nashville. They sang and I sang along, trying not to get in the way. Hard, because when you hear beautiful voices, the call is to join in.

They sang folk, bluegrass, country, gospel and show tunes. Jan does a version of “On the Street Where You Live” that will bring you to your knees. Quiet, restrained and haunting. The experience, a house concert, reminded me again of how intimate music can be and how personal. No stadium seating, large auditoriums with a drunk guy sitting in front of you baiting the performer; rather, beautiful quiet, touching and funny music that

The Adventures of Rodeo and Juliet in concert When: 7:30 today Where: Metro Galleries, 1604 19th St. Admission: $20 at the door Information: Katyglentzer@gmail.com or 331-4895.

you can hear and wrap yourself in.

Jan and Chris (their stage name is The Adventures of Rodeo and Juliet) are returning to Bakersfield at 7:30 p.m. today. The scheduling gods were smiling on us because the next day, Chris, who is on the Grammy selection committee, has a meeting in Los Angeles; hence, the trip out west.

The concert, at the intimate Metro Galleries, will include all the aforementioned genres as well as stories about the music in Nashville, requests and even a singalong. Hard not to sing when they’re around.

It should be lovely.

Tickets are $20, which includes

WWW.ADVENTURESOFRODEOANDJULIET.COM

Chris and Jan Harrison perform as The Adventures of Rodeo and Juliet.

some delicious brownies and chocolate chip cookies. We suggest, even encourage, that you bring your own wine. You can pay

at the door.

To reserve tickets, email Katyglentzer@gmail.com or call 331-4895.

Occupying Wall Street — Wall Street Alley, that is Dwarf Rat gets band back together 35 years later

Occupy Wall Street Alley show When: 2 p.m. Saturday Where: Guthrie’s Alley Cat, 1525 Wall St. Admission: Free (21 and over only) Information: djembemick@att.net or masarad@sbcglobal.net

BY JENNIFER SELF Californian lifestyles editor jself@bakersfield.com

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hen old friends start reminiscing about getting the band back together, it usually kind of ends there, in the good-intentions stage.

Not so for the members of the Bakersfield band Dwarf Rat, who have made good on their nostalgic reverie.

“We played together 35 years ago (on) the garage-band high school dance scene, went our separate ways, re-formed about a year and a half ago for kicks and decided to start gigging,” said drummer Mike Clark.

Now, the guys (in addition to Clark, there’s David Zent on vocals and rhythm guitar, Matt Sarad on guitar and George Stewart on bass), are preparing for a concert at Guthrie’s Alley Cat Saturday. Music lovers can expect “a very eclectic” set.

“Our mission is to resurrect the vibe of the ’60s and ’70s San Francisco Ballroom scene, the Avalon, Winterland, the Fillmore,” Clark said. “We don’t do ‘classic rock’ in the traditional sense. More obscure stuff. We have some originals as well. We love space-jamming, accompanied by a light show.”

We threw a couple of questions Clark’s way before the show, which Dwarf Rat has dubbed “Occupy Wall Street Alley.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF MATT SARAD

Dwarf Rat, from left: Dave Zent, Mike Clark, Matt Sarad and George Stewart.

Dwarf Rat bills itself as “The West’s Premier Jam Party Group.” How does a band achieve such a title? Do other “jam party groups” constantly show up on your doorstep, challenging your title?

We made it up. Marketing.

Were you inspired by the Occupy movement or is this all tongue in cheek?

Allow me to clarify something: This

thing is in no way politically inspired, influenced or motivated. We gave the event a coincidentally timely title, given that the venue is located in Wall Street Alley. The proprietors laughed at the notion when presented with it, thought it was a great idea. It’s completely tongue in cheek. All in good fun. Nothing further expressed or implied.

You're encouraging folks to occupy Guthrie's Alley Cat, but I did a little

reconnaissance work for you last Thursday afternoon and noticed it was pretty well occupied already: There was a group of regulars in a corner watching the news and another dude bogarting the juke box, sharing his love of ’80s metal with the rest of the bar. Are you expecting a different crowd? You specifically are encouraging Deadheads and old hippies to attend. I can smell the patchouli already: The Alley Cat regulars will simply be treated to a couple of hours of live music.

We do expect our own following to attend as well. As for Deadheads and old hippies, they’ll appreciate what we’ll be doing, musically speaking. Patchouli optional.

What good (besides “the general debauchery” you’re promising Saturday) has come out of the Occupy affair?

The timely opportunity to use the title with a chuckle and a wink to perform at a favorite local venue operated by old friends and good neighbors.

24

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, November 17, 2011

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Piccadilly Circus appears tonight for two shows at the Kern County Fairgrounds and features the Elephant Extravaganza, where you’ll witness Oka, a 9,000-pound Asian pachyderm standing atop a 3-foot-round ball before rolling across the ring.

Be amazed, wowed and amused at circus Traveling group celebrates 25 years in North America

BY MATT MUNOZ Bakotopia.com editor mmunoz@bakersfield.com

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adies and gentlemen, boys and girls: Piccadilly Circus is in town tonight.

Not the popular London shopping district, but a real traveling big top of trapeze artists, daredevils and exotic animals complete with all the glitz and crowdpleasing excitement audiences have come to associate with the circus.

According to a news release, Piccadilly Circus is celebrating 25 years entertaining families throughout North America. One of the busiest traveling circuses today, it boasts acts ranging from the traditional to the sublime.

Among them: the Elephant Extravaganza, where you’ll witness Oka, a 9,000pound Asian pachyderm standing atop a 3-foot-round ball before rolling across the circus ring; Motorcycle Madness, where two-wheeled daredevils somersault and

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Piccadilly Circus When: 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. today Where: Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St. Admission: $28; free for 13 and under with coupon. Limited VIP ringside is $35 for adults and $7 for children.

Tickets available at box office.

Information: 833-4900 or 941-5529952 or thefuncircus.com

spin inside the giant Globe of Doom. For those who prefer being up close and personal with bizarre beasts, there’s Katunga, the giant jungle monster; the White Tiger Spectacular; and Rocky, a 250-pound kangaroo who enjoys comedic audience participation.

High atop the flying trapeze, you’ll be astounded by a troupe of acrobats, plus world-renowned contortionists the Mongolian Angels, who can pretzel themselves with ease.

Of course, no circus would be complete without clowns, who will keep you in stitches as they try making the big top rounds in a 1923 Model T Ford with a “mind of its own.”

Doors open one hour before show time, and each show runs 90 minutes. Special pricing is available.

25

Thursday, November 17, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Bring out your inner chef.

Artists unleash love for pets with portraits Cook up

some fun

Proceeds of popular exhibit benefit SPCA

in our last cooking class in November

BY CAMILLE GAVIN Contributing writer

A

rtist Betty Blair, who will have three paintings in the “Animal House� exhibition at the Younger Gallery, has been rescuing cats and dogs for most of her life. “When my friend Diane (Barr) and I were little we gathered up all the strays,� she said. “We used to turn my backyard playhouse into an animal hospital — we even had a sign.�

And that’s a fitting background, since the exhibit, which opens Friday, is a benefit for the Bakersfield SPCA — 25 percent of sales will be given to the organization, said Nicole SaintJohn, director of visual programs for the Arts Council of Kern.

One of Blair’s paintings depicts a pair of kittens with their noses pressed against a window. Another is a portrait of a miniature Australian shepherd that miraculously survived a vicious attack. “Her name is Tillie and she’s a cow dog — she works cows,� the artist explained. “She was attacked by four coyotes and is now recuperating nicely.�

The dog belongs to a relative who lives on a ranch in Big Bear but visits Bakersfield frequently. Blair said Tillie will attend the opening reception.

Her third entry shows her 91-yearold brother, Forest Schmidt, and his mule, Buford, gathering cattle.

Schmidt, she said, is a horse and mule trainer, and both he and Buford are familiar figures in the parade that opens the mid-state fair in Paso Robles.

Jessica McEuen entered two paintings; both are portraits of Rambo, her English bulldog. In one, he is dressed in what she describes as George Washington-style clothes. “He’s a baby — very spoiled — and he sleeps in his own bedroom when I’m at work,� McEuen said. “He’s 80 pounds and all muscle — he’s like a meat bag.�

Not all of the animals shown in the exhibit are four-footed, however. Brynia Harris-Czubko, a Bakersfield College student, chose to do an acrylic painting of a rose-breasted cockatoo perched on a twisted branch. “It belongs to my grandmother and I really like the colors — light gray, cotton candy pink and light blues,� she said. “I’m glad I could capture the natural beauty of the bird.�

This is the third year the Arts Council of Kern has held the event — 50 pieces were accepted for the juried exhibition, Saint-John said. “The SPCA is the voice of abused

HENRY A. BARRIOS / THE CALIFORNIAN

Three of the artists participating in the animal-inspired exhibit at the Younger Gallery, from left: Diana Campbell Rice and her dog Papi; Betty Blair and her dog Blossom; and Joseph Vasquez with his dog Duke.

Sun., Nov. 20th 1-3pm Build a Better Brunch By guest chef Robin Noble Sponsored by

Jessica McEuen’s “Rambo.�

‘Animal House’ When: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday Where: Younger Gallery, 1430 Truxtun Ave. Admission: Free Information: 324-9000

and neglected animals, and animals which are looking for a new home,� she said. “The Arts Council and many of our local artists are very supportive of this cause.�

Saint-John drew the whimsical graphic on the front of the invitation for Animal House. It shows a house with four windows, occupied — separately — by a cat, a dog, a horse’s tail and a green snake. A bird is perched on the shingled roof.

Joseph Vasquez’s photograph, “The Duke.�

“As the curator of this exhibition, I cannot be part of the juried show, so I will donate the framed original and it will be auctioned off at the day of the opening,� she said. “Half of the proceeds of this piece will go to the SPCA and (half) to the Creating Community Program of the Arts Council.�

David Furman, an internationally known ceramic artist and professor emeritus of Claremont College, was the judge for this year’s competition.

Five awards will be presented as well as a “Curator’s Choice,� a new award being given for the first time this year.

San Joaquin Community Hospital is the sponsor of the reception.

Norma May, head of volunteer services, will speak informally about the hospital’s pet therapy program.

All classes are free, but seating is limited.

Call & Reserve Your Seat Today!

White Lane and Wible Road

Get more details from the Events tab at Urner’s Facebook page and call our operator to reserve your spot today.

26

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, November 17, 2011

Eye Street Camille Gavin CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

Museum has a killer idea Lethal Mixer not as deadly as it sounds

GO & DO Lethal Mixer

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When: 5:30 to 7 p.m. today Where: Bakersfield Museum of Art, 1930 R St. Admission: $5 Information: 323-7219

hen I first saw the term “Lethal Mixer,” I was puzzled because it seemed contradictory. After all, “mixer” usually refers to a pleasant social gathering. Put a synonym for deadly in front of it and it looks like the title for an Agatha Christie mystery.

Turns out the catchy phrase is the name of a Japanese-themed event to be held this evening at the Bakersfield Museum of Art. It’s a farewell party for the impressive exhibit of ancient Japanese armor and weapons that’s been on display in the George and Millie Ablin wing of the museum for the past two months. On Sunday, the exhibit will go back to its owner, the Clark Center for Japanese Art in Hanford.

This evening’s send-off will include a demonstration of martial arts by individuals from Bakersfield Budo, a private school on White Lane that offers instruction in a variety of Japanese warrior traditions, such as akido, karate and jujutsu. Lessons in the art of calligraphy are also available.

To make the “Lethal Mixer” even more culturally authentic, Jason Gutierrez, the art museum’s marketing director, said a sampling of Japanese foods will be served and sake will be available as well.

Woman’s Club festival “Festival of the Trees,” now in its 31st year, gets under way Saturday morning at the Rabobank Convention Center.

But unless you already have a ticket, you’ll have to wait until next year to participate, said Karen Dixon, coordinator of the Woman’s Club of Bakersfield’s annual fundraiser.

“We were sold out on Oct. 1 — all 1,700 tickets,” she said.

“Now we have a waiting list.”

This year’s event will feature

Freebo concert When: 7 p.m. Friday Where: Fiddlers Crossing, 206 E. F St.,Tehachapi Admission $15 Information: 823-9994

Festival of the Trees When: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday Where: Rabobank Convention Center Admission: $50, sold out — waiting list only Information: 325-7889

‘Await’ exhibit When: 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday Where: The Foundry, 1602 20th St. Admission: Free Information: 340-4771

Exploring the Creative Process When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday Where: Fiddlers Crossing, 206 E. F St., Tehachapi Admission: $35 Information: 823-9994

Library workshops on grants When: 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday Where: Beale Memorial Library, 701 Truxtun Ave. Admission: Free Information: 868-0770

57 trees embellished with decorations and surrounded by valuable gifts donated by local merchants and businesses. The club also has a tree and Dixon said it will have close to $2,000 worth of gifts.

Each tree is awarded to the holder of a winning ticket in an

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

PHOTO COURTESY OF DEBORAH HAND

Guitarist, singer and songwriter Freebo will have two shows this week at Fiddlers Crossing in Tehachapi.

opportunity drawing. Tickets are sold at the party, which includes lunch and a fashion show.

The festival is a major fundraiser for the club. Dixon said last year’s net profit was about $50,000. Of that amount, $30,000 was given to high school and college students in the form of scholarships; $10,000 went to various charities; and the balance was put into a reserve fund for maintenance of the club’s historic building at 2030 18th St.

Freebo performs in Tehachapi A guitarist, singer and songwriter who goes by the single name of Freebo will make two appearances at Fiddlers Crossing in Tehachapi this weekend.

On Friday he’ll perform a concert. Then on Saturday, Freebo will lead a workshop designed to show songwriters and poets how to awaken their creativity.

“Along with exploring the creative process, Freebo will give specific tools and hints for songwriting, song arrangement, chord substitutions and performing,” said Deborah Hand, owner of Mountain Music and the adjoining coffee-house-style venue, Fiddlers Crossing.

Hand met the musician a few years ago at a Folk Alliance conference in Memphis, Tenn. Her husband, Peter Cutler, engineer for the weekly Folk Scene program on radio station KPFK 90.7 FM in Los Angeles, has known Freebo for many years.

“In 1967, he acquired the name Freebo,” Hand said. “His birth name is now his well-kept

secret.”

To folk, rock and blues musicians, Freebo is an icon, she said.

As a bass player, he provided the solid foundation on stage and in the studio for 30 years for such artists as Bonnie Raitt, John Mayall, Maria Muldaur, Neil Young, Loudon Wainwright III, Ringo Starr and others. He has appeared on “Saturday Night Live,” “Midnight Special,” “Muppets Tonight,” and in concert with Spinal Tap. Freebo now lives with his wife, Laurie, in California Hot Springs, which is in the foothills of the Southern Sierras in Tulare County. He has just released his fourth CD, “Something to Believe,” which includes songs ranging from blues and rock to folk and country.

Fundraiser for artist On Saturday, Jen Raven and other members of The Foundry, are hosting “Await,” a fundraising exhibit for Jerome Lazarus, a talented photographer who is seeking permission to become a legal resident of the United States.

The event will feature artwork

by Lazarus, who was forced to leave his home country of Sri Lanka, which was at that time ravaged by civil war.

“Jerome is building a new life in the United States, and proceeds from sales of his photographs will go toward having his immigration paperwork finalized,” Raven said.

Lazarus has lived and worked in Bakersfield for about three years.

The photographer is trying to

raise money to pay legal fees in connection with a hearing scheduled for Dec. 13 in San Francisco.

Resources for finding grants Literally hundreds of foundations in the United States offer grants to nonprofit organizations, and in some cases, to students, artists, researchers and other individuals.

Yet locating the one that fits your needs can be overwhelming.

For example, a hefty hard-bound volume containing an informational index on these organizations is a staggering 2,800 pages.

Thankfully, there is an easier way, via an online database of foundations, corporate givers and grant making public charities.

This particular database is available only at specified branches of the Kern County Library: Beale in Bakersfield, Kern River Valley and Ridgecrest.

Unlike other library resources, it cannot be accessed from your home computer.

To aid in your search, the Beale Memorial Library is offering two free workshops on Saturday. The first, a two-hour session starting at 10 a.m., is a hands-on class to be held in Beale’s computer lab.

Reference librarian Scott Frederick will provide tips and tools on how to find grant funding sources.

In a related afternoon workshop to be held from 2 to 3 p.m. in the library’s Tejon Room, Frederick will show attendees how to write a grant proposal and the key components that must be included in the document.

27

Thursday, November 17, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street Mediterranean & Californian Cuisine

‘Jekyll and Hydes’: More than one villian here

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

“A moment before I had been safe of all men’s respect ... and now I was the common quarry of mankind, hunted, houseless, a known murderer, thrall to the gallows.� he duality of man — the heart of Robert Louis Stevenson’s tale of Dr. Jekyll and his alter-ego, Mr. Hyde — is something no adaptation can be without, but the Spotlight Theatre’s production takes that theme to the extreme. “It’s a very nontraditional Jekyll and Hyde,� said director Jarred Clowes. “When you deal with adaptations, they can run the gamut. (Playwright Jeffrey) Hatcher knew he couldn’t tell the whole story. He just used it as the basis.�

This unique production pits Dr. Jekyll (Rikk Cheshire) against four incarnations of Hyde (Ivan Guertzen, Steve Evans, Steven Littles and Sarah Smith) in a battle of wills.

Splitting Jekyll’s murderous other side among four actors was something Clowes eagerly explored. “I have come to understand what Hatcher wanted to do with the show.

It’s man versus his own nature. Man has several natures. There’s not one thing that defines us, good or evil.

There is a gray area. “It’s enlightening for me to get to play with that. What kind of actor can portray what side of Hyde.�

And for traditionalists who think the struggle should be played out with one actor, Clowes said there’s something for them too. “You don’t feel like you’re missing moments (with the casting). We do find several moments when Jekyll does take on some personas of Hyde.

We’re not losing that completely.�

Keeping track of the cast — in which each Hyde plays at least one other additional character — might seem like is could be confusing but Clowes said that’s not the case. “We do our best to delineate (characters). Different accents, different mannerisms, different props. “I haven’t run into anyone who had much trouble. We did a pretty strong job of not confusing people. Some wanted to come back and see it again� to catch more details.

Hatcher’s unconventional work is something to which Clowes said he responds, having directed the playwright’s “A Picasso� at Spotlight last year. “I think that there has been a big push in modern playwriting for ‘slice of life’ plays,� in which important action is implied to take place both before and after the events of the show. “Those never really appealed to me. They lack a lot of the present

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PHOTO COURTESY OF JARRED CLOWES

Rikk Cheshire, Steven Littles and Carolyn Fox appear in a scene from “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde� at the Spotlight Theatre.

‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday Where: Spotlight Theatre, annex, 1622 19th St. Admission: $15; seating limited to 30, call for reservations.

Information: 634-0692

emotional thrust. “I like shows that have a very clear beginning, middle and end. Hatcher tells complete stories, which I am most interested in as a director. He highlights a parable or emotion in the story.�

From this show, audience can take away that people — even fictionally rendered in two — are not black and white. “It is entirely gray throughout. The culmination of the show is that even though Hyde is without conscience, he still ends up being the better character because he is not a hypocrite. It is better to be who you are than someone who is pretending to be who they are.�

Exploring a different take of a wellknown tale is just one way the theater embraces an alternative approach with its Spotlight Series. “We like to provide as wide an opportunity as possible, especially for season ticket holders. (With the series), we get to stretch artistic muscles not used in the family-friendly mainstage shows. We don’t often get the chance to explore these smaller plays.�

Smaller plays as well as a smaller venue are a hallmark of the series, which stages its shows downstairs in the Spotlight’s annex.

“The annex is a wholly different kind of place to see the show. There is seating on all four sides. Actors play in the central space as well as being behind the audience. (This play) is sparsely lit, the room is filled with haze. It’s a very atmospheric show.�

The intimate venue does come at a cost: seating. Depending on staging, Clowes said the annex seats 30 to 50 in the audience. “Jekyll� is on the low end — “this is the fewest seats we’ve had� — so he advised calling the theater ahead of the show.

For those who can’t make it out this weekend, there is a possibility of more performances. “We might be extending to a third weekend in November. We’re exploring some different slots, also possibly taking it on the road.�

That plans are up in the air at Spotlight is no surprise, as the theater has some major changes in the works.

Among them is switching from an August-July season to a JanuaryDecember one, which will kick off with the already scheduled “Into the Woods,� directed by Clowes. Additional shows will be added to the ongoing season, with additions covered for current season ticket holders.

Another big move is keeping the main stage dark for three months in the summer to focus on extending educational programs. Those offerings will be headed up by longtime local theater veteran Ron Steinman and Franklin Killian, who received his masters from Juilliard.

The theater was in the process of finalizing its schedule and program information as of press time, but look for a story on the Spotlight’s changes in The Californian.

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28

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, November 17, 2011

Eye Street The Lowdown with Matt Munoz

Merry urban Christmas show Hot Fest draws range of modern genres

Bakotopia Unplugged Open Mic Night With host Matt Munoz When: 8 to 11 p.m. Wednesdays. Signups start at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Fishlips, 1517 18th St. Information: 324-2557 or visit the Facebook page for updates.

T

he lineup for Friday’s Hot Fest at Rabobank sounds like a gangster’s paradise of hip-pop.

Sponsored by Bakersfield’s KISV 94.1 FM, the annual holiday concert has always managed to attract an eclectic collection of acts from the rap and urban sub genres, with some odd inclusions.

Last year’s appearance by Nickelodeon’s Miranda Cosgrove caused a stir between kids screaming to catch a glimpse of iCarly, and concerned parents hoping to shield their wee ones from hearing singer Jeremih, whose song “Birthday Sex” was in heavy rotation. To avoid any trouble, organizers posted notices that Cosgrove would be performing early.

This year the show is kiddiefree with rapper The Game headlining along with six other familiar names pulled from the Billboard charts. Some are regular visitors, while the others make their local debut.

Here’s a brief preview of the evening’s quick fire DJ and tracked musical presentation: Born Jayceon Terrell Taylor, multi-platinum artist The Game comes from the stable of legendary producer and fellow Compton native Dr. Dre. Introduced as one of the bearers to the throne of the late Tupac Shakur along with 50 Cent, his 2005 debut, “The Documentary,” was an immediate hit.

But just like many great hiphop artists, he allowed ongoing beefs

HUBERT BOESL / ZUMA PRESS

Singer Kreayshawn arrives at the 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Aug. 28.

RICKY FITCHETT / ZUMA PRESS

Rapper T-Pain performs at Power House 2011 in Philadelphia.

with every major rapper to overshadow his music. His latest CD, “The R.E.D. Album,” isn’t as strong as his first two releases, but wisely overstuffed with cameos by everyone currently making waves.

On the flip side is YouTube phenom Natassia Gail Zolot aka Kreayshawn — you gotta love these names — whose first single, “Gucci Gucci,” is as annoyingly irresistible as it gets. Rhyming about fashion accessories and her ghetto fabulous life, she has as much street cred as Pat Boone. To boost her profile, she made the big slip of publicly dissing rapper Rick Ross during a radio interview.

That misstep prompted a violent confrontation and backlash from hackers who took control of her Twitter account to post nude photos stolen from her computer.

She’s since made amends for the sake of her career.

The controversy surrounding the over-use of the audio processor Auto-Tune can certainly be attributed to everything producer and rapper T-Pain has put his stamp on.

From Kanye West to Taylor Swift, his robotic, high-pitched vocals have endured criticism from many in the music world.

But aside from a few jabs, he keeps on pumping out the dance floor burners like the remix for

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.

Wiz Khalifa’s “Black & Yellow.”

Rounding out the lineup is pop cutie Kat Deluna, Asian electro quartet Far East Movement, soul crooner Lloyd and rapper FloRida. Together, they should provide enough collective material for the radio faithful. If any parents are reading this, you should be able to inquire about explicit lyrics at the venue.

Friday’s showtime is 7:30 p.m.

Tickets run $25 to $65, Rabobank Arena is located at 1001 Truxtun Ave., For more information call 852-7777 or visit ticketmaster.com

Kottonmouth Kings Tickets have just gone on sale for a big show featuring Kottonmouth Kings and Moonshine Bandits coming to B Ryder’s on Dec. 10. Word of caution to asthmatics who’ve never attended a KMK show before — bring an inhaler or two, it will get cloudy.

Still fiercely independent, this wild septet of hip-hoppin’ stoners have always struck a chord with Bakersfield audiences.

Miraculously, they stayed off the herb long enough to release two CDs on their own Sub Noize Records this year — “Sunrise Ses-

sions” and “Hidden Stash V: Bongloads & B-Sides.” Go figure. Stay tuned for an interview coming soon.

Tickets for this all-ages show are $20 and can be purchased through tgptix.com, or at all Tim Gardea Presents ticket outlets. B Ryder’s is located at 7401 White Lane. For more information, call 397-7304.

Matt’s picks The night before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest nights of the year, when everyone comes home to reunite and prepare for the family home invasion. From downtown and beyond, most pubs will be filled to capacity.

Please have a designated driver and party wisely. Here are your best bets for Wednesday: Bakotopia’s annual “Night B4 Thanksgiving Jam” at Fishlips, 1517 18th St., 8 p.m., $7, 3242557. Mento Buru, Velorio, DJ Mikey will deliver a cross-cultural mashup of Jamaican reggae/ska, mixed with Colombian cumbia, rock and hip-hop made for dancing. Early arrival recommended.

Members Only at Sandrini’s, 1918 Eye St., 9:30, $5, 322-8900.

It’s an all ’80s music tribute from this wacky band of costumed merrymakers. They’re totally awesome, dude.

No Duh and more at B Ryder’s, 7401 White Lane, 6 p.m., $7, 397-7304. If you’re a Gwen Stefani fanatic, you’ll dig this tribute to No Doubt with guests reggae rockers Vanity Avenue and country gents Good Question.

29

Thursday, November 17, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian

Join Msgr. Craig Harrison on a

Eye Street

Bit of mystery, with wine Many of the industry’s major wineries will pour

BY ASHLEY FISCHER Contributing writer

W

e’ve all heard of blind tastings, but your pretty face will be the only thing that’s hidden as you taste your way through the 40 wineries on full display Saturday at the Junior League of Bakersfield’s Winefest: A Bakersfield Masquerade benefit.

Hoping to bring a bit of “mystery and intrigue” to the fundraiser, now in its 47th year, first-time organizer Callie Spitzer, along with co-chair Corie Rundle, added their playfully deceptive masquerade theme to the event.

Spitzer strongly encouraged guests to come out in cocktail attire and their favorite mask, but a disguise is by no means necessary.

“Corey and I are very lucky to be organizing the event this year. There are some challenges, like the details — the little logistical things you wouldn’t normally think about,” Spitzer said.

“We’re very fortunate, our community has been so supportive in helping and giving back to us. This is almost a cookie cutter event by now, but we’ve added our own touches here and there.”

For $75, you will receive unlimited tastings of virtually every wine you can imagine — reds, whites, blends, and varietals — poured by wineries from throughout the state.

Many of the wine industry’s major players will be there, including Rombauer, Silver Oak, and Caymus, as well as smaller boutique wineries from Santa Barbara, Paso Robles and even Modesto.

Best of all, in another first-time feature, David Dobbs of Imbibe Wine

CALIFORNIAN FILE

Loren Stone takes a sip of red wine at a tasting booth during Wine Fest 2009 at the Kern County Museum.

will have a booth set up where you can order your newfound favorite wines from any of the wineries pouring that night, and pick them up in his Truxtun Avenue shop a week later.

Then, of course, there’s the food.

Local restaurants will be providing plenty of snacks and appetizers for sampling throughout the evening.

A little taste: Sweet Surrender will bake up some mini-cupcakes, Moo Creamery is providing mac and cheese bites along with homemade ice cream, Champs BBQ will grill up some sliders, Sandrini’s will prepare a few pasta dishes, and much more.

Aside from the wines and food, there will be live and silent auctions, as well as the opportunity drawings.

A proponent of enjoying experiences rather than stuff, Spitzer and her team of volunteers have collected an array of packages, including weekend vacations at beachside homes in

Santa Barbara, a private jet flight to Las Vegas with a stay at the Wynn Hotel, or a child’s birthday party at the Bakersfield Fire Department.

For the opportunity drawings, Imbibe has put together some packages that would delight any wine lover, including the Best Wines of 2011 collection.

This cellar-filling prize of 100 bottles of wine is valued at more than $2,000. Then there’s the “wine wagon,” which contains 36 bottles of premium wines.

Tickets for each drawing are $100, and the funds, like all the money generated that night, will go directly back to supporting the Junior League and the many organizations it supports throughout the community.

Of course, you can’t have a masquerade ball without music, but there’s no need to sign up for any last-minute ballroom dancing lessons.

Spitzer and her team have recruited local classic rock cover band Elevation 406 to perform.

While it’s easy to get caught up in all this masked wining, dining and imbibing, Spitzer hasn’t lost sight of what Winefest is truly about: “Yes, you’ll have a wonderful time with all of the food and wine you can think of, but you’re also supporting a wonderful cause,” she said. “At the end of the day, every dollar spent is another dollar that goes back to the Junior League and the community.”

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Win Paisley’s new book on ‘Californian Radio’ Today on “Californian Radio,” we’re giving away to a lucky listener a copy of Brad Paisley’s spirited new book, “Diary of a Player.”

The memoir, as lively and brisk as one of the country performer’s thrilling guitar solos, is a love letter of sorts to the musical instrument that changed his life, or, in his words, gave him his life.

Especially personal and entertaining are Paisley’s memories of the most vivid character he ever knew, his late grandfather, who bought the young lad his first Sears Danelectro guitar and begged him to

stick with it when he wanted to quit.

Paisley also writes of the legendary pickers who influenced his playing, including Chet Atkins, James Burton, Vince Gill and a few guys who will be pretty familiar to Bakersfield music fans: Merle Haggard, Buck Owens and Owens’ musical partner in crime, the late Don Rich. About Rich, Paisley writes: Take a listen to the “Carnegie Hall Concert” album by Buck Owens and His Buckaroos from 1966 — my favorite album of all time. Don is so fiery and so creative on this album and on everything he did that it still sounds fresh almost a half century later. Don was able to play anything from real coun-

try fiddle to great jazz guitar, and this gave him a real sense of adventurousness as a player. He took the guitar to some amazing and very entertaining places.

Also on the show today, I’ll host Cal State Bakersfield soccer coach Simon Tobin, who will discuss tonight’s playoff game against St. Mary’s College.

The men’s soccer squad is the first CSUB team to ever qualify for an NCAA Division I tournament.

As always, we’d love to hear from you: 842-KERN. Be sure to listen for your cue to call for the Paisley book.

The show airs from 9 to 10 a.m. on KERN radio 1180 AM. To listen to archived shows, visit www.bakersfield.com/CalifornianRadio.

— Jennifer Self, lifestyles editor

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30

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, November 17, 2011

Eye Street

It’s time to dance with monsters ‘Yo Gabba Gabba’ returns to Bakersfield

‘Yo Gabba Gabba Live!

It’s Time to Dance!’

When: 6 p.m. Tuesday Where: Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. Admission: $28.50 to $40.50, plus service fee.

Information: ticketmaster.com or 800-7453000

BY MIRANDA WHITWORTH Contributing writer

F

rom Pixar films to Nickelodeon cartoons, success in children’s programming sometimes hinges on its ability to entertain and amuse adults. “Yo Gabba Gabba” is one of those shows that appeals to parents on what co-creator Christian Jacobs would call a nostalgic level.

“The retro feel of the show comes out as an homage to the stuff we grew up being interested in. It’s really loving that flavor.”

The flavor of “Yo Gabba Gabba” will be here for everyone to taste as the series hits the Rabobank Theater for “Yo Gabba Gabba Live! It’s Time to Dance!” on Tuesday.

It’s a stage adaptation of the Nick Jr. series, and Jacobs promises it stays true to the “Yo Gabba Gabba” that kids know and love.

“We didn’t want it to be this boring narrative that some kids shows can be on stage. We wanted to do it more like a concert.

You come out and there’s all of your favorite songs, and there’s balloons and confetti. It’s like a Flaming Lips concert for 4-yearolds.”

“Yo Gabba Gabba” stars host DJ Lance Rock and characters

Muno, Brobee, Foofa, Toodee and Plex. Through star-studded guest appearances with actors, musicians and athletes, the show teaches important lessons about behavior and relationships through songs like “Don’t Bite Your Friends” to episodes devoted entirely to celebrating family.

Actors Jack Black and Andy Samburg, and bands The Roots and Weezer are among the many celebrities who have jumped on board to help with segments like “Dancey Dance Time” and “The Super Music Friends Show.”

How does a children’s show on cable television pull such a notable list of names? Jacobs, who is also the lead singer and guitarist of the band The Aquabats, said it’s a combination of good work and good connections.

“Being in a rock band and touring for a while has to do with being able to pull acts. But it’s definitely on the strength of the

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“Yo Gabba Gabba! Live!” will present “It’s Time to Dance!” on Tuesday night at Rabobank Theater.

show itself. You send people samples to see if they would be interested and they say, ‘Yes, please!’

That feels good.”

For Jacobs, “Yo Gabba Gabba” is a project that has been years in the making, with the roots of the show first planting themselves more than 20 years ago.

“Muno in particular was a character I was drawing on skateboards back in the ’80s. He was a monster on stage with The Aquabats in the ’90s, and Brobee came next. So we kinda created this family of characters that could live around this red monster and

this fury green guy.”

Jacobs and co-creator Scott Schultz have built a show that rests heavily on original art and song, a labor of love that came naturally to both.

“We are part of that generation that tries to do everything,” Jacobs said. “Whether it’s riding skateboards, music or drawing, we are interested in all of it. We are part of that explosion generation. You know, Generation X.” Schultz and Jacobs have just finished shooting season four of “Yo Gabba Gabba” and are now filming the comedy series “The

Aquabats Supershow!” for The Hub network. And for fans who saw the “Yo Gabba Gabba” live show last year, don’t worry: Jacobs said he and Schultz knew if they were going to do another tour, they owed it to their fans to give them a new show.

“There was a temptation to do the same thing again, but we wanted to keep the grownups in mind. There are changes to the set list, a different band and a different Dancey Dance. We wanted to keep in entertaining for parents because they are the gatekeepers.”

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Thursday, November 17, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

PHOTO COURTESY OF VALERIE L. NESTRICK

Jim Curry will perform a tribute to John Denver at 3 p.m. Sunday at the theater at Rabobank Convention Center.

Next-best thing to seeing the late John Denver

BY SUSAN SCAFFIDI Contributing writer

I

t’s just a fluke that Jim Curry sounds like singer John Denver. But that coincidence has given Curry a second career, honoring — not impersonating — the beloved singer-songwriter. Bakersfield audiences will be able to judge how close he gets at a tribute concert Sunday.

Curry’s vocal resemblance was noticed by his high school years, a similarity he both embraced and nurtured by specializing in Denver’s songs. While working full time and raising a family, Curry also had what he calls a “hobby band” for several years, performing Denver’s music, and becoming well known in Colorado for his performances. In 1999, two years after Denver died in a plane crash, CBS began producing a movie about Denver, “Take Me Home: The John Denver Story.” Curry heard from a friend there might be a role for him in the film.

“A friend told me CBS was looking for someone to do John Denver’s voice, and suggested I send in a tape,” Curry said. “I sent them a recording of me singing, and CBS called me and said, ‘That’s great.’”

Curry is listed with an off-camera credit as the voice of John Denver in the film, and his status as a John Denver tribute artist soared, with a growing number of performances, including official John Denver anniversary tributes and similar events.

While his “hobby” was progressing, his professional life took a downward turn.

Curry, who worked for a trade show events company said that business, like many involved in producing large-scale public events, plummeted after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, and he found himself looking for work.

“At that point I needed to make a decision about what to do, and (my wife and I) just decided to do music,” Curry said.

Curry said he gave himself a two-year trial to make a career in the music business. The trial was easily proved when he was able to sign with Holland Cruise Lines and found himself working year-round.

Curry now tours the United States with

‘Take Me Home: The Music of John Denver’ Part of the Bakersfield Community Concert Association series When: 3 p.m. Sunday Where: The theater at Rabobank Convention Center, 1001 Truxtun Ave. Admission: $60, which includes seven concerts for 2011-12 season.

Information: 205-8522 or 589-2478

his band, records and appears at the annual tribute to Denver in Aspen. He is not the only Denver tribute artist, but Curry said he believes he is the most well-known and highly regarded.

“We’ve been leading the pack,” Curry said. “When we started this 10 years ago, there weren’t really any other John Denver tribute artists at the career level.”

Curry stresses that he is not an impersonator.

“I just have the uncanny coincidence of sounding like (Denver) and looking a little like him,” Curry said.

Despite the connection, Curry said he never met Denver, although he did see him perform live. Curry has met and performed with members of Denver’s original backup group and collaborators, and said he’s involved in a project to reconstruct orchestral scores for Denver’s songs that had been destroyed after Denver died.

“There was a big mistake there,” Curry said. “Someone didn’t know what they had and threw those all away.”

Curry said the response from audiences is always enthusiastic because he feels the performer showed a “timeless” appeal on hits like “Take Me Home, Country Roads” “Rocky Mountain High” and “Annie’s Song.”

“John was wondering if his music would enter that category of ‘traditional,’” Curry said.

“Jim Connor (who wrote “Grandma’s Featherbed”) told me that John’s music was more timeless than others.”

31

32

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, November 17, 2011

Eye Street

Who knew comedy could be so deadly?

BHS fall play explores classic family farce

BY REBECCA NELSON Contributing writer

W

eeks of running lines, building the set, and applying makeup in preparation for Bakersfield High School’s fall play, “Arsenic and Old Lace,” has paid off. Today through Saturday, students in the theater department will be showing off all their hard work when the curtain rises at around 7:30 p.m. in Harvey Auditorium at BHS. Jacquie Thompson-Mercer, BHS theater director, decided she wanted her students to perform this play because she simply loves it. “It’s the 70th anniversary of the play, and it is still funny,” Thompson-Mercer said with a smile. “It’s a classic but it isn’t a classic that is painful to sit through.”

The play is set in 1941 in Brooklyn, N.Y., and takes place in the house where the main characters live. The set designer did a painstaking job re-creating a house set in the 1940s but built

‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ When: 7:30 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday Where: Harvey Auditorium, 1241 G St. Admission: $8; $5 for children under 12 Information: 324-9841

years before. The house is two stories, and yes, the second floor can actually be walked upon. It took set builders a couple of weeks just to build and paint the set.

“A lot of research and designing helped us decide what (props) we would be using,” said Cherish Jessee, a tech crew member.

Norma Camorlinga has worked as a makeup artist for six of BHS’ productions.

“Depending on the character and what needs to be done, each person could take up to 20 minutes.”

Costumer Jo O'Meara was so detailed that even the costumes were antiques so that they would fit perfectly into the time frame of the play.

Two of the main characters are Martha, played by freshman Cas-

sidy Fraley, and Abby Brewster, played by junior Alice Verderber.

The two play old ladies — spoiler alert — who are the cause most of the drama. Verderber prepared herself for auditions this year by observing her grandma to perfect her “Grandma voice.”

The two play aunt to another main character, Mortimer Brewster, portrayed by senior Eric Dains.

“He goes through a lot, and yet he somehow holds everything together even though there is craziness around him,” said Dains.

Mortimer’s love interest is Elaine Harper, played by junior Sadie Elizondo, who “appears surprisingly smart for a minister’s daughter.” While trying to investigate strange behaviors in the Brewster’s house, she appears to make the situation even more complicated.

The theme of the play is simply “you can’t choose your family.

Whether that be murderers or believe they are the president of the United States, or if they are sweet old ladies poisoning people, family is family. But you can always learn to love their …

PHOTO COURTESY OF LISA RUDNICK

Cassidy Fraley as Martha, Tyler Palo as Teddy, and Alice Verderber as Abby appear in Bakersfield High's “Arsenic and Old Lace.”

umm, good qualities,” Elizondo said with a laugh.

“I feel comfortable enough with my fellow actors that I’m more excited than nervous for opening night,” Fraley said.

Thompson-Mercer and the students recommend the play to

anyone who wants to simply laugh and laugh.

“This isn’t your conventional comedy,” Dains said. “BHS hasn’t put on a play like this recently, so it will be really interesting to see.”

— Rebecca Nelson is a student at Bakersfield High School.

33

Thursday, November 17, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street High school actors head through looking glass

South High School presents “Clue” tonight, Friday and Saturday.

BY JONATHAN CANEZ

T

PHOTO COURTESY OF PHOTOGRAPHY

BY SILVIA

‘Clue’ presents different ending every night

BY YOLANDA CASICA Contributing writer

M

urder, mystery and comedy all come together on the South High School stage with the Rebel acting troupe’s first production of the year: “Clue.”

Based on the 1985 movie, which, in turn, was based on the popular board game, the play features six strangers who are invited to a mansion, where it is revealed that no one can be trusted and someone is blackmailing them all.

But before they can figure out who the blackmailer is, weapons are revealed and bodies start dropping left and right.

Anyone could be the murderer. Was it Professor Plum in the study with the revolver or maybe Mrs. Peacock in the kitchen with the dagger? They'll have to look for clues and discover who killed whom before none of them is left alive!

Trapped in a mansion with a killer on the

‘Alice in Wonderland’

Contributing writer

‘Clue’ When: 7 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday Where: South High School Performing Arts Center, 1101 Planz Road Admission: $7; $6 for students. Tickets will be sold at the door. The show is not recommended for children 10 and under.

loose is not fun and games, or is it? Matching the play’s feel for mystery and horror are the witty and humorous characters. What makes “Clue” amazing are the hilariously eccentric and manic characters who partake in classic slapstick humor reminiscent of the Three Stooges. In particular, Wadsworth, the butler, offers comedic relief as he seeks to help the guests and confuse them at the same time.

With such an energetic and talented cast playing the roles, by the end of the play everyone will have had a pleasant and fun-filled evening trying to keep up with all the excitement.

The audience will be able to get involved in the action as it unfolds before them by trying to figure out who killed Mr. Body before the play ends for a chance to win a prize. Each night there will be a different ending and, thus, a different killer.

Yolanda Casica is a student at South High.

hroughout my four years at East High, I have been involved in a number of different activities. I was asked recently to share my defining moment as a student leader on campus and it was then that I realized how important my role as student director of “Alice in Wonderland” is to me.

Being involved in productions here at East High, I’ve learned how truly amazing it is to share my talent and love of theater with others. I’ve always known that the stage was my calling.

Now that I’m on the outside looking in, I’ve realized how difficult it is to put on a production. At the same time, being on a different side of the production has a lot of benefits. For example, I’ve learned that organizing 50 to 75 high school students on a daily basis is a lot like herding cats, but I love them anyway.

Another example would be trying to remember every actor’s little dentist appointments, family vacations, and field trips that conflict with the rehearsal schedule. It gets a little overwhelming, but that’s one of the benefits of student directing. It taught me how to “keep my temper,” just as the ornery Caterpillar advises Alice to do.

It has also taught me how to manage schedules and work around conflicts.

Regardless of how many days I wanted to rip my hair out strand by strand, seeing the growth in our cast and set from day one when we had

When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday Where: East Bakersfield High School auditorium, 2200 Quincy St. Admission: $8; $4 for children 5 to 10; free for children 4 and under

our first read-through, to just days before opening night, has truly been the most rewarding aspect of my entire experience student directing this show. Between the 121⁄2-foot tall tree that Alice actually travels through, the 7-foot tall mushroom that carries the caterpillar, or the 12foot rabbit house, complete with a chimney that an actor actually falls down, this show is not only filled with hilarious characters, but is also visually stunning.

So, take a peek through the looking glass and join East Bakersfield High School and Alice in her magical adventure through the whimsical, mad world known as Wonderland. In her trek through this mystical, mysterious place, Alice meets many interesting and wise creatures who help her understand the proper, or not so proper, rules of growing up, much like my own experience growing up while student directing alongside my wonderful drama teacher, Jenna Odlin.

Jonathan Canez is a student at East Bakersfield High

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34

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, November 17, 2011

Eye Street GO&DO Today Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, featuring Newsboys, Kutless, Matthew West, Fireflight, KJ-52, doors open at 6 p.m., show begins at 7 p.m., Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $10 at the door. jamtour.com.

Piccadilly Circus, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m., Kern County Fairgrounds, Budweiser Pavilion, 1142 S. P St. $28 adults advance; $11 children advance; $30 adults VIP; $18 children VIP. Ticket prices increase day of show. 833-4900.

CSUB Guitar Recital, 4 to 5 p.m., CSUB, Music Building, Room 127, 9001 Stockdale Highway. Free.

654-2511.

Disaster Volunteer Meeting, 6 p.m., American Red Cross, Kern Chapter, 5035 Gilmore Ave. 3246427.

Feed It Forward Ten, Thanksgiving feast, 5 to 8 p.m., DMS Building, 930 18th St. Free. 371-1587.

Free Admission Day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, 2018 Chester Ave. 324-6350.

Kern County Mineral Society, meeting, 7:30 p.m., East Bakersfield Veterans Hall, 2101 Ridge Road. 834-3128.

The Adventures of Rodeo and Juliet Concert, Jan and Chris are a husband and wife duo from Nashville who sing country, bluegrass, gospel and show tunes; bring wine, chocolate dessert will be provided, 7:30 p.m., Metro Galleries, 1604 19th St. $20. Reservations, email hbenham@bakersfield.com.

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 The Pixies, 8 p.m., Bakersfield Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $39-$75. vallitix.com or 322-5200.

Hot Fest 2011, with The Game, TPain, Far East Movement, Kat Deluna, Kreayshawn and more, 7:30 p.m., Rabobank Convention Center, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $20-$50 plus fee. ticketmaster.com or call 800745-3000.

19th Annual Teen, Miss & Mrs. Bakersfield Pageant, 7:30 p.m., Bridge Bible Church, 12225 Stockdale Highway. $15 at the door.

664-6038.

CSUB Chamber Music, 7:30 p.m., CSUB, Dore Theatre, 9001 Stockdale Highway. $10; $5 students/seniors; free for CSUB students with ID. 654-2156.

Strung Out with Jughead’s Revenge, 9 p.m., Fishlips Bar & Grill, 1517 18th St. $12. vallitix.com or 322-5200.

“Solutions to Bullying” Training Workshop, presented by Wayne Sakamoto, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., University Square Building, Room US-1, 2000 K St. $35 includes continental breakfast. 636-4652.

Saturday Wine Fest 2011, with premier wine vintners, food, silent and live auction, 6 p.m., Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St. $75 per person; $1,000 for VIP table of eight. juniorleagueofbakersfield.org or 322-1671.

19th annual Olive Knolls Craft Fair, with over 50 vendors, breakfast and lunch available for $5, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Olive Knolls Church, 6201 Fruitvale Ave. 399-3303.

Second annual Turkey Trot Charity Motorcycle Ride, motorcycle ride from the Kern High School District parking lot at 5801 Sundale Ave.to the Bakersfield Rescue Mission, 10 a.m. cbeatty@khsd.k12.ca.us or jeff_larma@khsd.k12.ca.us.

Amtrak’s 40th Anniversary Celebration, with train display, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Bakersfield Amtrak Station, 601 Truxtun Ave. 5890391. Visit amtrak40th.com Bakersfield Homeless Center Turkey Trot Walk/Run, registration 6:30 a.m., walk/race begins at 8 a.m., lil’Gobbler run at 9 a.m., Yokuts Park, 4200 Empire Drive. $25 registration day of event for those 17 and under; $30 adults; $15 Lil Gobbler Run. 322-9199.

Casino Night, benefitting the Tehachapi Fire Survivors Fundraiser, 6 to 11 p.m., 18100 Lucaya Way, Tehachapi. $40 advance; $60 Texas Hold’em Tournament. Visit canyonfire.eventbrite.com.

Central Coast Gun Show & Sale, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St. $9; $3 parking. 805-481-6726.

Certified Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to noon, next to Golden State Mall, 3201 F St. Craft Fair, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., New Life Christian School, 4201 Stine Road. Free; interested vendors pay for space. 831-6252 ext. 321.

Creativity & songwriting workshop, with singer-songwriter “Freebo,” 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fiddlers Crossing, 206 E. F St., Tehachapi. $35. 823-9994.

CSUB Concert Band, featuring guest composers Seth Custer and Aaron Stanley, 7:30 p.m., CSUB, Doré Theatre, 9001 Stockdale Highway. $10; $5 students; CSUB students with ID are free. 654-2511.

CSUB Men’s Basketball, vs. Pepperdine, 7 p.m., CSUB, Icardo Center, 9001 Stockdale Highway. $5$20. gorunners.com or 654-BLUE. Fall Craft Fair, hosted by McKee Middle School; with arts and crafts, food, clothing, purses and more, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Christ Cathedral, 2301 White Lane. Free.

873-3460.

Fall Gala, with silent auction, entertainment and dinner, 6 p.m., Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, 2018 Chester Ave. $25 members; $35 nonmembers. 3246350.

Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Brimhall Square, 9500 Brimhall Road.

FLICS International Cinema Society, presents “Nora’s Will,” 7:30 p.m., Bakersfield Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $5. flics.org or call 4280354.

Holiday Open House, with The Cat People, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., The Cat People, 1930 18th St. 3274706.

Nebraska Cornhusker Booster Club, game against Michigan, 9 a.m. to noon, Goose Loonies, 816 18th St. Free. 827-8719.

Sunday Bakersfield Community Concert Association, presents “Take Me Home: The Music of John Denver,” 3 p.m., the theater at Rabobank Convention Center, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $60; includes 7 concerts for 2011-2012 season. 2058522 or 589-2478.

Bakersfield Youth Symphony Orchestra, 4 p.m., CSUB, Doré Theatre, 9001 Stockdale Highway. $10 adults; $5 students at the door. 654-2511.

Art Classes, in drawing, watercolor, oils, color theory, 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.

Juliana’s Art Studio & Gallery, offers youth art, clay sculpture, stained glass, and silver jewelry, Juliana’s Art Studio & Gallery, 501 18th St. For times and dates call 327-7507.

The Art Shop Club, 9 a.m. to noon each Thursday, Friday and Saturday, The Art Shop, 1221 20th St. All mediums. 322-0544, 5897463 or 496-5153.

West High School student artwork on display, through November, The Dream Center & Coffee House, 1212 18th St. 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

327-2402.

THEATER

MUSIC

“First Fall,” 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. $15 general; $10 students/seniors. 327-PLAY. “Mirror, Mirror — In the Attic,” presented by the Stockdale High School’s Performing Arts Department, doors open at 6:30 p.m., curtain at 7 p.m. now through Saturday, Stockdale High School Theater, 2800 Buena Vista Road. $8 adults; $7 students; $6 students with ASB sticker, seniors and children under 12. 665-2800.

“Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde,” 7 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Spotlight Theatre, 1622 19th St. $15.

634-0692.

“T'was the Tuesday Before Thanksgiving,” doors open at 10:45 p.m., show at 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. $5. 327-PLAY. Improv Comedy Show, with Center For Improv Advancement, 8 to 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Ice House, 3401 Chester Ave., Suite M. Adults: $5, children under 12 are $1. ciacomedy.com.

Major League Improv, improvisational comedy show, appropriate for families, 6 p.m. Saturdays, The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. Free but donations are accepted. 327-PLAY.

Acoustic

ART “Lethal Mixer,” live DJ, martial arts demonstrations, Japanese beer and sake for sale, 5:30 to 7 p.m. today, Bakersfield Museum of Art, 1930 R St. $5. bmoa.org or 323-7219.

Opening Reception, for “Animal House,” 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Younger Gallery (located in the Bank of America tower), 1430 Truxtun Ave., Suite 105. 324-9000.

“Wake Up & Smell the Coffee,” group art show for the month of November, Dagny’s Coffee Co., 1600 20th St. 634-0806.

Kern River Brewing Company, 13415 Sierra Highway, Kernville, 760-376-2337; Slideways with Tom Corbett and Keith Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Friday.

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

Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner, 3230053; White Boy James & Blues Express, doors open at 6 p.m. Friday. $15.

Classic Rock Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; Usual Suspects, 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Guthrie’s Alley Cat, 1525 Wall St., 324-6328; Dwarf Rat, 2 p.m.

Saturday.

Jacalito Grill, 900 Truxtun Ave., Suite 110, 325-2535; Prisoners of Love, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday.

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

Dancing 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.

Joaquin Squares, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Rasmussen Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane. $5. 324-1390, 325-3086 or 399-3658.

Laf-A-Lot Dance Club Dance, 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Kern City Town Hall, 1003 Pebble Beach Drive. $5 members; $10 guests.

398-5590.

Tam O’Shanter, 2345 Alta Vista, 324-6774; 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

DJ Banacek’s Lounge, 4601 State Road, 387-9224; with DJ Casey Overstreet, 9 p.m. Fridays.

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.

Tam O’Shanter, 2345 Alta Vista, 324-6774; Deejay Redeemed, Deejay SoFly and more, 8:30 p.m. Friday. $5.

The Bull Shed Bar & Grill, at Hotel Rosedale, 2400 Camino Del Rio Court, 327-0681; with Meg, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Folk Fiddlers Crossing, 206 E. F St., Tehachapi, 823-9994; singer-songwriter “Freebo,” 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. $15.

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 artists, along with 24 wines, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday; featuring Jazz Connection, along with 24 wines, 7 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

Padre Hotel, 1702 18th St., 4274900; Mauro and Rico Velazquez, 7 p.m. Thursday.

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

Karaoke B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane, 397-7304; 8 p.m.

Thursdays and Tuesdays.

Banacek’s Lounge, 9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday at 4601 State Road. 387-9224.

Banacek’s Lounge, 9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday at 4601 State Road. 387-9224.

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

Cactus Valley Mexican Restaurant, 4215 Rosedale Highway, 633-1948; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Thursday; beer pong and happy hour all day Sunday.

Cataldo’s Pizzeria, 4200 New Stine Road, 397-5000; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday.

Chateau Lounge, 2100 S. Chester Ave., 835-1550; 9 p.m. every Saturday.

Corona’s Cantina, 9817 S. Union Ave., 345-8463; 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays.

Del Rio Cocktail Lounge, 5840 State Road, 393-0262; 8 p.m. every Saturday.

Don Perico Restaurant, 2660 Oswell St., Suite 133, 871-2001; 7 to 11 p.m. Thursdays.

35

Thursday, November 17, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street Julie’s The Branding Iron Saloon, 1807 N. Chester Ave., 6 to 10 p.m. every Friday.

Le Corusse Rouge, 8 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at 4647 White Lane. 834-1611.

Lone Oak Inn, 8 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at 10612 Rosedale Highway. 5890412.

Maria Bonita Mexican Restaurant, 10701 Highway 178, 366-3261, 7 to 11 p.m. Fridays.

All ages.

Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner, 323-0053; 8 p.m. to midnight Saturdays.

Pour House, 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at 4041 Fruitvale Ave. 589-9300.

Rocket Shop Cafe, 2000 S. Union Ave., 832-4800; 8:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday.

Sports & Spirits, 6633 Ming Ave., 3987077; 9 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays.

T-Bones Steakhouse, 8020 District Blvd., 398-1300; with Irish Monkey Entertainment, 6:30 to 11 p.m. Thursdays.

Tejon Club, 6 to 10 p.m. every Saturday at 117 El Tejon Ave. 392-1747.

The Old River Monte Carlo, 9750 Taft Highway, 837-0250; 8:30 p.m. every Thursday.

The Old River Monte Carlo, 9750 Taft Highway, 837-0250; 8:30 p.m. every Thursday.

The Playhouse, 2915 Taft Highway; 3973599; 7 to 10 p.m. Sundays.

The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall Road, 8311413; hosted by Ed Loverr, 9 p.m. to midnight Friday.

The Regent, 2814 Niles St., 871-4140; 8:30 p.m. every other Friday.

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

Tomi’s Cowgirl Cafe, 7 to 10 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at 1440 Weedpatch Highway. 363-5102.

Vinny’s Bar & Grill, 2700 S. Union Ave., 496-2502, 7 p.m. Thursdays. 21 and over.

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

Mariachi Camino Real Restaurant, 6 to 9 p.m. every Sunday at 3500 Truxtun Ave. 8520493.

Oldies KC Steakhouse, 2515 F St., 322-9910; Jimmy Gaines, Bobby O and Mike Halls, 6:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Old school Que Pasa Mexican Cafe, 2701 Ming Ave., 832-5011; Al Garcia & the Rhythm Kings, 8 to 11 p.m. every Thursday.

Tam O’Shanter, 2345 Alta Vista, 324-6774; The Press, 8:30 p.m. Friday; The Rock A Mole Band, 8:30 p.m. Saturday. $5 per night.

Open Mic Fishlips, 1517 18th St., 324-2557; Bakotopia Unplugged Open-Mic Night, 8 p.m., signups begin at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

Sandrini’s, 1918 Eye St., 322-8900; 9 p.m.

Wednesdays.

Rock B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane, 397-7304; Ghost Town Hangmen and The Infamous Swanks, 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

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

Ska/reggae B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane, 397-7304; UFC 138, 5 p.m., Mento Buru immediately following Saturday. $10 includes dinner.

Top 40 DoubleTree Hotel, Club Odyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court. 323-7111; 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. every Friday.

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Trivia night Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; 7 p.m. Tuesdays.

Chuy’s, 2500 New Stine Road, 833-3469; 7 p.m. every Tuesday.

Sandrini’s, 1918 Eye St., 322-8900; Trivia Night with Dave Rezac, 10 p.m. Tuesdays.

Variety Padre Hotel, 1702 18th St., 427-4900; Sunday Funday with local bands, 6 to 10 p.m. Sundays.

T-Bones Steakhouse, 8020 District Blvd., 398-1300; Elevation 406, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.

Friday.

Vinny’s Bar & Grill, 2700 S. Union Ave., 867-2898; Blue Moon, Rear View Mirror and Blue Payne, 9 p.m. Friday.

UPCOMING Monday 11/21 The Bakersfield Winds Concert, 7:30 p.m., Olive Drive Church, 5500 Olive Drive. $5. 204-0334.

Reserve your seat today for a free seminar and learn more about Health Net’s comprehensive medical and prescription drug plans.

Thur.,11/17 at 10 a.m. & 1 p.m.

Clarion Hotel 3540 Rosedale Hwy. Bakersfield Tue.,11/29 at 10 a.m. & 1p.m.

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Monthly Plan Premiums Deductibles Preventive Care Copays

Ask if you qualify for dental and vision coverage, and a ride to your doctor.*

Tuesday 11/22 Condors vs. Alaska Aces, 7 p.m., Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $11 to $25. bakersfieldcondors.com or 324-7825.

Murs, 8 p.m., Fishlips Bar & Grill, 1517 18th St. $15. vallitix.com or 322-5200.

Yo Gabba Gabba!, Live! It’s Time to Dance!, 6 p.m., Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $28.50 to $40.50 plus fee. ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000.

Wednesday 11/23 Bakotopia’s annual Night B4 Thanksgiving Jam, featuring Mento Buru, Velorio and DJ Mikey 8 p.m., Fishlips Bar & Grill, 1517 18th St. $7; 21 and over only. 324-2557.

CASA Volunteer Orientation, learn how to make a difference in the life of an abused, abandoned or neglected child, noon to 1 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, CASA, 2000 24th St. kerncasa.org or 631-2272.

ThanksGiving Party, with No Duh, Vanity Avenue & Good Questions, DJ Juice, 6 p.m., B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane. $7. Visit timgardeapresents.com.

Friday 11/25 Santa’s Secret Workshop, for ages 7 and up, paint holiday gifts, pizza, games, and a classic holiday movie, 6 to 9 p.m., Color Me Mine at The Marketplace, 9000 Ming Ave. $38. bakersfield.colormemine.com or 6647366.

Saturday 11/26 34th annual Lake Isabella Christmas Parade, “A Christmas Salute-A Decade of Remembrance 9/11 First Responders,” parade will begin at 11 a.m., at Lake Isabella Post Office Center, 6441 Lake Isabella Blvd., and end at Crestview Avenue, Lake Isabella.

760-379-5236.

BB King with Elvin Bishop, 6:30 p.m., Fox Theater, 2001 H St., $35-$115 plus fee. vallitix.com or 322-5200.

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*Medically necessary services to plan approved locations. Health Net. A Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. The benefit information provided herein is a brief summary, not a comprehensive description of benefits. For more information contact the plan. Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, premium and/or copayments/coinsurance may change on January 1, 2013. A sales person will be present with information and applications. For accommodation of persons with special needs at sales meetings, call 1-877-827-6888 (TTY/TDD: 1-800-929-9955), 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., 7 days a week. CA86160 (10/11) SC6888 Health Net of California, Inc. is a subsidiary of Health Net, Inc. Health Net is a registered service mark of Health Net, Inc. All rights reserved.

Material ID # H0562_2012_0421 10262011