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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, December 30, 2010
Eye Street
Index New Year’s Eve cocktails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Polar Bear Plunge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Arts Alive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Antiques Show and Sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 The Lowdown with Matt Munoz . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 New Year’s Eve events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24-25
Editor Jennifer Self | Phone 395-7434 | e-mail jself@bakersfield.com
The show must — and did — go on Economy aside, 2010 was great in arts/entertainment
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s it was last year — and no doubt will be in 2011 — the feeble economy was the bold-faced headline for Bakersfield’s arts and culture community. Paying customers keep the doors open, but who sees a play if the gas bill is overdue? It’s been even trickier for arts organizations that depend on government funding. Show me an elected leader who would lay off a cop to keep a library open and I’ll show you a one-term wonder. Understandably, it’s tough to justify supporting the arts and cultural organizations in the face of so dire a list of choices. We have to run our households responsibly and it’s a reasonable argument that public money should be spent on things we all consider priorities (safety, roads, parks) by diverting every cent from areas only some of us care about (culture, arts, entertainment). But the escape entertainment provides is a welcome — even necessary — pressure valve to any stressed community. And we’ve never needed that escape as much as we need it now. Yet the economy was only part of the story in 2010. There was much to celebrate — and our list of the year’s top entertainment/culture stories proves Kern County knows how to celebrate in show-stopping style. By no means is this a definitive account of all the many interesting things that occurred this year. Our list does not include the Kern County Fair, the Holiday Lights at CALM, the Bakersfield Jazz Festival or other events that are popular attractions every year. Rather, it’s a subjective list whose merits (or lack thereof) can be argued over a cold one — preferably at a local establishment that could use what’s left of your discretionary income.
The mighty Merle Haggard The lion in winter? We don’t think so. Not the least bit interested in sitting around counting his gold records and industry awards, this elder statesman of country music still roars — out on the road, in his well-received 2010 album, and in his opinions, given freely with wit and honesty. But 2010 was a huge year, even by Haggardean standards. There was the revealing documentary that aired on PBS’ “American Masters,” a powerful, penetrating interview with the singer in Rolling Stone magazine, induction into a couple of
RICH PEDRONCELLI / AP
Merle Haggard and his Bakersfield fans never needed validation from the outside that he’s the best living songwriter in country music and a true American original. But it feels good anyway.
halls of fame and the crowning achievement of his career: the Kennedy Center Honors, arguably the greatest acknowledgment of artistic merit bestowed in this country. And just so we’re clear, Haggard and his Bakersfield fans never needed validation from the outside that he’s the best living songwriter in country music and a true American original. But it feels good anyway.
Opening of the Padre Hotel Yes, there have been some stumbles. The landmark was forced to restructure its debt, some folks complained they were hassled over the (rather conveniently enforced) dress code and — blunder to end all blunders — staffers turned away that cute young couple on their wedding night. Still, even the hotel’s detractors would have to admit that the combination of life, commerce and pomegranate margaritas beats what was there before: a moldering, empty hulk that loomed over 18th and H in the heart of downtown. But if the Padre is to become the Bakersfield institution it deserves to be, it must become more inclusive. A visit to the Spartacus Miller-era Padre was a richer experience because of the interesting mix: doctors
Jennifer Self CALIFORNIAN LIFESTYLES EDITOR
More year-end retrospectives Camille Gavin looks back on theater and visual arts, Page 20 Matt Munoz gives the month-bymonth Lowdown, Page 22 Humorist Dave Barry on the worst year ever in Sunday’s Eye Street Pete Tittl’s best meals of 2010 in the Jan. 9 edition of Eye Street
rubbed elbows with derelicts; librarians socialized with musicians and bar girls. The demographic at Padre 2.0 has narrowed, to put it mildly. Gone are the artsy/hip/edgy/interesting types — though you might run into their parents. A bit of free (if unsolicited) advice: We get that you’re a chic, one-of-a-kind boutique hotel, and we’re genuinely glad to have you. But it’s officially time to get over yourself.
First Friday is first rate This monthly downtown celebration didn’t start in 2010, but it feels like it finally took off, transitioning from the phase of “it’ll be cool someday ...” and just becoming, well, cool. Some months draw larger crowds than others (September, with its Latin theme, seems to be the biggie), but, thanks to Metro Galleries’ Don Martin, the
ROD THORNBURG / SPECIAL TO THE CALIFORNIAN
Violet Flores watches customers at First Friday in September. The popularity of the monthly event soared in 2010.
godfather of First Friday, the party is in full swing. Art openings, shopping, music, theater: a pu-pu platter of culture in easy-todigest, bite-sized pieces.
Still gushing over Oildorado Is there a town that loves itself more than Taft (meant as a compliment, by the way)? A city reaches the century mark but once, Please see PAGE 17