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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 10, 2013
Eye Street Editor Jennifer Self | Phone 395-7434 | e-mail jself@bakersfield.com
Index The Bully Resolution dog show .............. 23 ‘Big Bang Theory’ visits Bakersfield ...... 23 Cody Bryant, Riders of the Purple Sage 24 Arts Alive .................................................. 26 Empty Space Awards .............................. 27 The Lowdown with Matt Munoz.............. 28 Razzie nominations .................................. 31 Calendar.............................................. 32-33
Jeff Nickell CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST
Huell Howser: Good as gold Friend recalls folksy, driven television host
Oil, cotton, culture: He saluted what made us us
During his tenure at the Kern County Museum, historian Jeff Nickell struck up a warm and lasting friendship with adventurer and bon vivant Huell Howser, who died Monday. Nickell, who now works as a coordinator at the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, was featured on a number of Howser’s television programs and has agreed to share his memories with our readers:
The Bakersfield Californian
Huell Howser was the host of several California travel shows on PBS over the years. Though his sense of wonder and awshucks charisma make each outing a gem, we’ve rounded up a list of episodes that focused on our corner of the state. All are on DVD and available for purchase at calgold.com, the source of the following episode guide:
M
y first meeting with Huell Howser outside of a large group or on the phone was at the museum to film a segment of “Visiting with Huell Howser.” He asked me about the history of the Beale Memorial Clock Tower and I gave him some facts. Filming began and he told his camera man, “Cut; let’s do that over.” We began touring the museum and I messed up and said “cut” or stuck my hands up in front of the camera to get another take. His response was, “We don’t do that on this show. It is meant to be free-flowing. People make mistakes, and there’s nothing wrong with it. So, don’t do that again.” Thus began our friendship and I am happy to say he probably filmed more episodes of his various television series in Kern County than anywhere else. Huell Howser was the ultimate professional. Don’t let his friendly and jovial personality lead you to believe otherwise. He knew exactly what he wanted his product to be and had things well-researched before he ever set foot on a site he intended to feature. Some people ask if Huell was just acting on his shows. The answer is no. He was just as friendly off camera as he was while the camera was rolling (I later learned, after my initial filming, that he meant what he said about wanting his shows to be natural; he insisted only that his intros be letter perfect). My association with Huell — his staff, at least — goes back to 1995. As a person new to the museum profession at that time, I watched most of his shows, trying to soak up as much
From the “California’s Gold” series FELIX ADAMO / THE CALIFORNIAN
Jeff Nickell, right, gives a tour of the Kern County Museum for Huell Howser, left, and cameraman Troye Jenkins in 2006 for a show on PBS.
California history as possible. Little did I know then that much of what I would learn about my own backyard would come from working side by side with the man who, in many ways, would become one of my mentors. Several years ago, Huell’s producer called me and asked me to get a historical expert on the Tejon Ranch for an upcoming feature. I gave the producer a couple of names and also said he could call the Tejon Ranch because they have the experts. My phone rang a few minutes later and it was Huell: “You must not have understood. I want you to do the show with me.” I told him that I knew only general information about the ranch, and he said, “Well, you’ll know more after we’re finished.” From that point until filming, my nights were filled with reading the “Saga of Rancho El Tejon,” which I continued to study even in the back seat while driv-
During our Hill-Lopez fundraising drive, I was asked by the museum foundation if Huell might be willing to be part of an auction package: Dinner with Huell Howser. I called him and he said, “You don’t ask for much do ya?,” before proceeding to agree to it. ing the dirt roads of the ranch. Huell told me, “You can stop reading because I know there is something I will ask that you won’t know.” He was kidding, and everything went great. But Huell’s efforts to shine the spotlight on Kern County went beyond his television programs. He had a genuine interest in preservation, agreeing to serve as the honorary co-chairman of the fundraising effort to bring the Lopez-Hill House to the museum from its location in Rosedale. Working with Huell on the relocation and restoration was awesome. He was truly inspired by the lives of the families who had lived in the house and in fact called it “the dream house.” During our Hill-Lopez fundraising drive, I was asked by the museum foundation if Huell might be
willing to be part of an auction package: Dinner with Huell Howser. I called him and he said, “You don’t ask for much do ya?,” before proceeding to agree to it. Then, after a wonderful dinner at Wool Grower’s he said, “OK, go ahead and ask.” I asked what he was referring to and he said, “What you want me to do next — I know you’re already thinking about it.” I considered Huell Howser a friend and mentor. He gave me advice on a number of occasions. But mainly what I will always remember was the way he treated people — genuine and friendly. It didn’t matter if it was during a break filming an episode or in a crowded restaurant, he would take time to talk to people, take photos with them, and make them feel special.
“Dry Lake Bed” Huell visits a dry lake bed in the Mojave Desert that is so hard and so gigantic that it is the site of Edwards Air Force Base and a landing strip for the Space Shuttle. In the 1920s and ’30s it was also used by hotrodders from all over Southern California. Though Muroc Dry Lake has remained off-limits since World War II, the Air Force recently reopened the dry lake bed, inviting back all the old-timers for a weekend of racing. “A Tale of Two Cities” Huell visits Allensworth, now a state historic park, California’s only community founded, financed and governed by African-Americans during the early 1900s. Then he tours old and new Kernville and goes whitewater rafting down the wild and scenic Kern River. “Things That Crawl in the Night” Huell encounters the endangered kangaroo rat at Carrizo Plain National Monument, considered the best example of the fragile ecosystem in the San Joaquin Valley. “Weedpatch” Huell visits the historic Kern County migrant worker camp Please see HOWSER / 30
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Thursday, January 10, 2013 The Bakersfield Californian
Eye Street
Even bullies need to have their special day Often-maligned breeds to have own dog show BY STEFANI DIAS Californian assistant lifestyles editor sdias@bakersfield.com
J
ust as every dog has its day, so too does every dog kennel club. So Saturday is a big day for Street Certified Bullyz, which is hosting its first dog show at the Kern County Fairgrounds. The club, six members strong, has been in operation for about a year but had yet to establish itself in the show circuit, according to event coordinator Crystal Verde. “We have attended quite a few shows and thought to ourselves we should throw a show to get our kennel name out there. So we had a meeting and all agreed to put together a Street Certified Bullyz show.” The Resolution, named that way because it occurs at the start of the new year, is a registered event with the American Bully Kennel Club. As such, Saturday’s main event is an ABKC show open only to American pit bull terriers, English and French bulldogs and shorty bulls. Owners
The Bully Resolution What: Dog show organized by local kennel club Street Certified Bullyz When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday Where: Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St. Cost: $20 to compete in ABKC show, $10 in fun show (free for kids); $10 for public; $3 parking Information: 319-4277
must have already registered their dogs or they may purchase a temp card, which allows their canine to compete, collecting show points if they win and register within 10 days. But since Bakersfield isn’t home just to purebred bullies, the local club plans what it calls a fun show, open to dogs with or without paperwork, that will take place after the ABKC competition. “The fun show will consist of 10 different categories that owners will be able to register their dogs in to compete against other breeds for fun. They will still receive a ribbon with the place
they took in that specific category.” Categories include best blue, best fawn and best tri — all for the dogs’ coloring — as well as best Razor’s Edge (a particular bloodline) and the great equalizer: people’s choice. “The winner is determined by however loud your crowd gets for your dog.” Young owners may compete in the “kids with pits” class. Open to those 18 and younger, the category allows “the kids to join in and show off their dogs.” Unlike the ABKC show and other fun categories — which cost $20 and $10, respectively, to enter — children compete for free. And all the dogs in that category will receive ribbons for taking part. But the contests aren’t the only excitement on tap. Vendors include Rad N Bad Collars and Rios Leather, both selling collars and leashes; Big Boy Bully Crates, which specializes in custommade dog crates; and local business CLS Pets. Chiko, a Los Angeles-based performer with Get Money Socie-
OCTAVIO JONES / TAMPA BAY TIMES
Chris Bryant of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., prepares his dog Gator for judging at the All Bully Breed Showcase in Tampa in May. Local bull dogs will be on display Saturday at the Kern County Fairgrounds at The Bully Resolution.
ty, will be on hand to perform a couple of songs before the show kicks off around 11 a.m. Verde said the musician may perform after the contests as well. Verde said she understands some people have a bad impression of the breed, but she believes that judgment is unwarranted. “I do feel the bully breed gets an unfair bad rap,” Verde said. “I myself didn’t trust the bully breed until now. I was so anti-pit bull.
Through my boyfriend — he’s in the kennel club, it’s his hobby — I now have two pit bulls myself and have had the chance to get to know the breed. I would say they are not dangerous as people make them out to be. ... It depends on the owners, how they act. “I also own a Chihuahua/ Dachshund and she is way more temperamental than my two pit bulls.”
‘Big Bang Theory’ headed to Bakersfield Hit show’s plot tonight involves trip to local Comic-Con event The Hollywood Reporter
CBS’s “The Big Bang Theory” is going to the final frontier: Bakersfield. In tonight’s episode, titled “The Bakersfield Expedition,” Sheldon, Leonard, Howard and Raj head to Bakersfield Comic-Con — in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” costumes. While they’re away, Penny, Bernadette and Amy investigate their final frontier: the comic book shop. This marks the latest “Star Trek” encounter for the series about the lovable geeks and their lady friends, with Leonard Nimoy lending his voice for an episode last season, among the show’s notable hat tips to the franchise. The Thursday night comedy, which airs at 8 p.m., is fresh off its best ratings yet, most recently eclipsing previous highs in total viewers and adults 18-49.
The guys from “The Big Bang Theory” take a road trip to a comic book convention in Bakersfield dressed as “Star Trek: The Next Generation” characters in the episode airing tonight at 8 on CBS. Pictured left to right: Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Johnny Galecki and Jim Parsons.
On TV “The Big Bang Theory” airs tonight at 8 on CBS.
MONTY BRINTON / CBS
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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 10, 2013
Eye Street
Old West, yes; new country, no Riders of Purple Sage honor traditions of cowboy music BY SUSAN SCAFFIDI Contributing writer
C
ody Bryant and the Riders of the Purple Sage are returning to perform in Bakersfield, with a repeat appearance through the Community Concert Association. Western music, or cowboy music as it is sometimes known, is a unique creation of the American experience. A mix of European folk songs, with influence from American Indian and Mexican music, Western music gets its unique sound from the environment and stories of the Western United States — through imitating the howls and bellows of coyote and cattle, and the rhythms of horses walking, trotting and galloping; and creating poetry out of famous gunfights and legendary characters, flavored with the slang of the prairie and the frontier towns. Portable instruments such as the harmonica and the fiddle helped create the characteristic sound of the cowboy song. It’s important to keep a distinction between Western, or cowboy, music and country music, which has long been associated with Western. “Country and Western music came to a parting of the ways in the 1980s,” said Marsha Short, executive director of the Western Music Association. “Country music picked up more rock music, electric guitars and such.” “Western music is acoustic guitar, maybe a bass and nice harmonies,” Short said. “And about the West and the outdoors, and the Western way of life.” Short noted that Western music became popular in the 20th century, primarily because
Cody Bryant and the Riders of the Purple Sage When: 7:30 p.m. Monday Where: Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. Admission: $80; $30 full-time college student; $20 student through high school. Available in the lobby or by calling 205-8522.
of the success of “singing cowboys” such as Roy Rogers and Gene Autry, and legendary bands such as the Sons of the Pioneers. “Cowboys were always singing around the campfire,” Short said. “But (the Sons of the Pioneers) really brought it to the fore.” Named after the Zane Grey novel, The Riders of the Purple Sage has had several incarnations. The first band was founded by performer Jack Dalton in 1932 and performed for a few years. In 1936, a second band was founded by Buck Page, a young singer and songwriter, as a staff band for Pittsburgh radio station KDKA. During World War II, Page and his band were in the military. A third band with the same name, but under the leadership of California singer Foy Willing, appeared in
several movies and is the best-known version of the Riders. The current incarnation of the Riders of the Purple Sage consists of Cody Bryant on guitar and lead vocals, Mike Ley on bass and harmonica, Evan Marshall on mandolin and fiddle, Doug Livingston on steel guitar, and Landon McCoy on drums. Band manager Steve Swartout said Bryant’s band is the descendant of the Willing band. “Sharon Willing, Foy’s widow, asked Cody to take on that name and keep the legacy of the Riders of the Purple Sage alive,” Swartout said. “She’s attended some of the band’s shows, including at the Rabobank.” Swartout said although the current version of the Riders carries on the legacy of traditional Western music, the band also performs music from other traditions, and adds new songs written in the Western style. “Our forte is Western and Western Swing, but Cody will throw in just about anything anyone wants to hear,” Swartout said. “You really get the whole spectrum.” The Riders are making their third appearance in Bakersfield with this show. Their first concert was through the Community Concert Association in November 2008, and the band performed with the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra in October 2010. Normally, the CCA doesn’t repeat concert programs, but treasurer Diane Ackley said the Riders were a special case. “Because people wanted them,” Ackley said. “It was a very popular concert and people asked for them to come back.” Ackley said tickets for the concert are available in the lobby before the performance. The $80 price is a season ticket, and is good for the remaining five concerts of the association’s 2012-13 season, including the Riders.
How the series works Season tickets to the Bakersfield Community Concert Association are available each spring for the upcoming season. The association considers the tickets as memberships, and ticket holders become members of the association for the season. This year’s season consists of eight monthly concerts from September through May, and can include any number of music genres, including classical music, folk music, Latin, Western, show tunes, choral music and many other styles. Adult membership is $80; membership for a full-time college student is $30, and membership for younger students is $20 for the year. Members are given a card they can then present at the door for each concert. Treasurer Diane Ackley said once the season reaches midpoint, the association begins to pro-rate the membership. “When there are four concerts left in the season, we will start pro-rating the price,” Ackley said. Memberships can be purchased online at bakersfieldcca.org or by calling 2058522.
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Thursday, January 10, 2013 The Bakersfield Californian
Eye Street
CASEY CHRISTIE / THE CALIFORNIAN
The almonds in this photo taken over the summer were nearly ready for harvest. Kern County will celebrate the abundant crop at the Nut Festival on June 14 and 15.
Sometimes you feel like a nut? Check out the festival The deadline is nearing for restaurants, caterers, food sellers and nonprofits to apply for participation in the Kern County Nut Festival scheduled for June 14-15 at the Kern County Museum. The festival will be a culinary celebration featuring Kern’s top nuts. Local businesses and groups are invited to participate by selling a food product or merchandise. Festival organizers estimate there will be at least 6,000 attendees. “We are looking for local chefs to come up with something amazing to sell at the festival, to share their culinary talents using Kern’s top nuts — almonds, pistachios and walnuts,” said Beth Pandol, cochair of the Kern County Nut Festival. “We want people to come to the festival hungry so they can taste all these wonderful dishes created by local cooks.” Applications, rules, and other information are on the festival website at www.kcnutfest.com. Click on the button titled “Participation” for information and applications. The deadline is Feb. 28. There are several ways local groups and businesses can participate: Sell a food product that includes almonds, pistachios or walnuts or a byproduct such as almond oil or walnut butter. (No peanuts allowed). Festival organizers are placing strong emphasis on unique foods that will become signature dishes for the event. Create or run a “nutty” adult or kid activity. Ideas include a nut toss, nutty arts and crafts booth and nut-cracking contest, though participants are encouraged to be creative. Sell merchandise. Emphasis will be on “nutty” items or items with a nut theme but other items such as jewelry, arts, crafts
and decorative items will be allowed. Host an exhibit or booth that provides information about your group. Informational exhibits should correlate to the nut theme of the festival. Nonprofit participants need not have 501(c)3 designation to take part, but each group must be a legitimate nonprofit group such as a church or youth group, service organization, athletic group, etc. There is no charge to be a food vendor, but vendors are responsible for their own equipment and for compliance with all health and safety regulations. The Kern County Nut Festival will provide the electrical hookups. Table rentals are $10 each. “This is a food-focused festival with an emphasis on nutty fun,” said Pandol. “We want local businesses and nonprofits to operate these food and activity venues so that they make money at this festival as well as help support the Kern County Museum.” The Kern County Nut Festival will keep 20 percent of the sales from nonprofit food vendors or activity managers; the festival will keep 25 percent of the sales from forprofit food vendors. All sales will take place through a scrip system. No cash will be exchanged. Merchandise vendors retain 100 percent of their revenues but there is a booth fee. Exhibitors are also charged a small fee and there are no sales of merchandise at exhibit booths. For more information about the Kern County Nut Festival, contact Beth Pandol, bpandol@gmail.com or Sheryl Barbich, Sheryl@barbich.com or call the Kern County Museum at 868-8400. — Kern County Nut Festival media release
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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 10, 2013
Eye Street Camille Gavin CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST
Classes focus on artistic healing Local bluesman earns prestigious recognition
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mong the benefits of trying your hand at any area of the arts — dance, music, visual art, theater — is the satisfaction you get from making something that is uniquely yours. Personally, the act of writing is the place I am most at home. I often refer to it as my conflict-free area. Erica Pierson takes that feeling of satisfaction one step beyond in a weekly course that begins on Monday and continues for 11 meetings through April 22. Her course is part of the Art for Healing program at Mercy Hospital coordinated by Sister Sherry Dolan. “This art therapy group will explore how to increase feelings of happiness and satisfaction in life,” Pierson said. Her method involves having each person create a piece of art that reflects a personal experience and then talking about it with the facilitator and other members of the group. As a kind of ice-breaker, she begins by letting participants choose the media they want to work with. “Providing different kinds of art materials allows participants to discover which media is most meaningful and comfortable for them as an individual,” she said, “which in turn can make their art-making process less inhibited.” Among the choices are chalk pastels, oil pastels, markers and colored pencils; acrylic and water color paints; tissue paper, collage images, fabric; and some form of clay. This is the second time Pierson has facilitated an art therapy group for the Art for Healing program. In the past year, she has led similar groups at Haven Counseling Center. Currently, she is studying art therapy at Phillips Graduate Institute in Chatsworth. The meeting on Monday is mainly for informational purposes. Group members must sign a consent to treatment form and confidentiality agreement in order to participate. For more information, write to her via email at pierson.eb@gmail.com.
Auditions, auditions Two local theater groups have announced auditions for upcoming productions. Bakersfield Community Theatre began its tryouts for “Slave Narratives”
GO & DO ‘Slave Narratives’ auditions When: 6 to 8 p.m. today Where: Bakersfield Community Theatre, 2400 S. Chester Ave. Admission: Free Information: 831-8114
‘South Pacific’ auditions When: noon to 3 p.m. Saturday Where: Stars Restaurant Theatre, 1931 Chester Ave. Admission: Free Information: 325-6100
‘Happiness with the Life You’ve Got’ When: 7 p.m. Monday Where: Art for Healing Building, 2215 Truxtun Ave. Admission: Free Information: 632-5357
Wednesday night, and the second round is slated for this evening. Kenneth Whitchard, BCT’s new artistic director, said the show is part of the theater’s annual observance of Black History Month. The script will be drawn from the hundreds of slave stories that have been published in the last 150 years. “It’s something that Drew (Hallum) and I are putting together from actual slave narratives,” he said. “Cast size will be determined after the auditions.” The production opens on Feb.15 and closes on March 13. Meanwhile, Stars Restaurant Theatre will hold auditions on Saturday afternoon for the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “South Pacific,” which runs March 1 through 23. Like most of the dinner theater’s shows, the cast must be multi-talented, so be prepared to demonstrate your ability to sing, dance and act. Makes me wonder who will have the honor of “Washing that man right out of (her) hair.”
Nat Dove’s blues award Blues and boogie pianist Nat Dove, who’s lived in Bakersfield for 10 years or so, has done a lot of traveling in the past six months. In the early part of summer he was in Bryan, Texas, which is not far from the community of Mumford, where he was born in 1939, to direct the inaugural Bryan Texas Blues Festival. Fittingly, the two-day
Camille Gavin’s “Arts Alive” column appears on Thursday. Write to her via e-mail at gavinarts@aol.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF ERICA PIERSON
Erica Pierson is facilitator of Art for Healing, an art therapy course at Mercy Hospital.
event was subtitled: “Bringing the Blues Back Home.” Two weeks later Dove was in Washington, D.C., where he was one of those who performed for an audience of more than 250,000 at the Smithsonian Institution’s 45th Folklife Festival on the National Mall. And on Jan. 29, he’ll be in Memphis, Tenn., as one of the 15 recipients of the 2013 Keeping the Blues Alive Lifetime Achievement Awards, from The Blues Foundation. Each winner is placed in a specific category. Dove is in the education category. The foundation is an international organization, something that’s evident in the countries this year’s recipients call home. Most are from the United States, but one winner is from Quebec in Canada, another lives in Norway and still another is from Spain. In a statement regarding Dove’s selection, the foundation cited his “long and successful career in music as a performer, composer and an in-demand sideman for some of the greats of music.” Yet he is being honored for his role as an educator. Dove, it said, devoted the past 30 years to teaching, writing books, and lecturing on African-American music and culture. Locally, he has visited schools as an artist in residence for the Arts Council of Kern, and has given lectures at Cal State
PHOTO COURTESY OF NAT DOVE
Blues and boogie pianist Nat Dove has done a lot of traveling in the past six months, working on projects in Texas and Washington, D.C.
Bakersfield and the Bakersfield Museum of Art. He also has lectured in Tokyo, UC Santa Barbara and at New York University. The Blues Foundation is an international organization founded in 1980. According to its website, it has 4,500 members.
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Thursday, January 10, 2013 The Bakersfield Californian
Eye Street
Full throttle at Empty Space Awards 10th anniversary adds luster to celebration BY STEFANI DIAS Californian assistant lifestyles editor sdias@bakersfield.com
Although they sang “It Sucks to Be Me,” the cast of last year’s “Avenue Q” had many reasons to celebrate Sunday night. That’s when the production took home 11 trophies at the 10th annual Empty Space Awards. The actors performed the aforementioned song before an audience of more than 130 people, who also were given a sneak peek of the upcoming season opener, “Spring Awakening.” Whether it was the excitement of celebrating a decade in operation or the well-stocked bar at Stockdale Country Club, guests and presenters alike remained upbeat for the nearly three-hour ceremony. An opening medley from the board of directors reworked portions of songs including “Gold Digger,” “Don’t Stop,” “Sweet Escape” and “You’re Beautiful,” featuring a jab
Logan Haarsager holds his Young Actor of the Year Award, which he received for his work in “Gorey Stories” and “Hurry Up Santa/The Jack Frost Show.”
at the currently shuttered Spotlight Theatre’s plan to become an Equity theater: “We won’t charge admission / Donations only, man / And you can bet that it’ll be better than a five-year-plan.” Some presenters’ banter, written by Jason Monroe and Michael Armendariz, as well as acceptance speeches poked fun at the Spotlight and other local venues,
PHOTOS BY ROGER MATHEY
Brian Sivesind, The Empty Space’s executive director and founder, leads the theater’s board of directors in a opening song medley at the 10th annual Empty Space Awards held Sunday at Stockdale Country Club.
but most commentary focused on honoring or ribbing their own theater. Veteran actor Norman Colwell, who won the best supporting
male actor in a drama for “Boy Gets Girl” (tying with Don McPherson), declared, “Thanks for making me an overnight success.” Colwell said he started at
The Empty Space with “The Bourgeois Gentleman” in 2008. “Avenue Q” actress Alexandra Mays, awarded best lead female Please see EMPTIES / 29
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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 10, 2013
Eye Street The Lowdown with Matt Munoz
She’s got melody, he’s got lyrics Together, they’re the new pop duo Arizonity
C
hoosing the right band name can be as difficult as formulating the right musical chemistry among artists. Not for Bakersfield folk pop duo Arizoni-
ty. First introduced as the Arizona Teas through a series of homemade YouTube videos, percussionist Josiah Frazier and guitarist/vocalist Hannah DiMolfetto promptly changed their name to Arizonity to avoid legal trouble. “We realized real quickly that could be a copyright infringement. So, we changed it to the next best thing. People always asked us, ‘What does the name mean? It’s so deep.’ No, it’s not that deep. We like Arizona Tea. Arizonity is the closest thing we could do without going to jail.” Within just a few months of forming, the duo opens for post hardcore outfit The Hollowed at The Dome on Saturday. “Writing music together works really well with us. I’m a big lyric person and she’s big on melody,” said Frazier, 24. “We also have the music that Hannah has had for years.” Frazier may be familiar as the former drummer for Bakersfield alt-rockers Cidona. After leaving the group last year to pursue his latest project full time, he hasn’t looked back. “I wish them nothing but the best,” he said. “Their new drummer, Diego Barrientos, is a fantastic musician. I’m really happy for them. They got a lot of talent.” DiMolfetto, 20, who’s been performing around Bakersfield since her teens, is another well-known face from the coffeehouse and all-ages circuit. She also knows a thing or two about the benefits of the economics of music, growing up around the family business, Rosedale Music in Bakersfield. “This project was originally about me looking for musicians on my solo project, but when Josiah and I started playing music together, we really liked what we found,” she said. Between DiMolfetto’s back catalog of original material and Frazier’s collaboration, they’ve already begun making headway. Last year, they auditioned for “American Idol,” where they made it to the second round of unaired segments before being sent home. Then in November they auditioned for “America’s Got Talent.” According to Frazier, they should be receiving news from the show’s producers as to the results of their latest attempt. “The auditions were fun, but we’re really working hard on
PHOTO BY LEE IBARRA
Bakersfield drummer Cesareo Garasa, pictured above performing at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace on Dec. 31, has started a new Facebook group for local drum enthusiasts to exchange ideas.
“It can be really hard sometimes and crazy, but overall we both want the same thing. We both love music and have this completeness when we play with the harmonies and the drums.” To stay in the loop on Arizonity’s progress, visit facebook.com/arizonitymusic, or put in a search on YouTube. Saturday’s showtime is 6:30 p.m. Also appearing are Eyes on the Skyline, Far From Forever. Admission is $10. All ages. The Dome is located at 2201 V St. For more information, call 327-0190.
Active Drummers in Bakersfield
PHOTO BY DAVID CADENA
Arizonity appears Saturday at The Dome. Pictured from left are Hannah DiMolfetto and Josiah Frazier.
recording a new EP and concentrating on the business end of things. What I learned in Cidona is that you need to have something for people to get a hold of and we really want to make sure it sounds good before we get it out there.” DiMolfetto said the group is looking to add a backing group of musicians; however the marketing focus will remain on her and Frazier, who happen to be a romantic item offstage.
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.
You may have heard the cruel jokes about drummers… What's the last thing a drummer says in a band? “Hey guys, why don’t we try one of my songs?” Or: How do you get a drummer to play quieter? Put a chart in front of him. Ouch. Well, local drummers in need of some group therapy now have a place to be themselves, thanks to the new Facebook group Active Drummers in Bakersfield. Bakersfield drummer Cesareo Garasa, who teaches and performs with several local and out-of-town groups, started the group, saying that drummers often are misunderstood. “Drummers have this real special bond between each other, not like guitarists where it’s always a competitive thing,” said Garasa, 39. “When drummers show you pictures of their kit, it’s like they’re showing you proud pictures of their kids. I’ve never met one drummer that’s said, ‘I hate playing drums.’” Garasa said he was amazed at how quickly the group has grown in just a little more than a week since its activation.
“It took on a life of its own. Right now, you’re getting all these people talking shop. A lot of these guys won’t meet each other in the scene, but you put them in a room together and things just go. Drummers are very open to other drummers.” A recent visit to the group revealed that drummers of all ages had already posted photos of their own drum kits, as well as videos of themselves and their favorites performing. “I like people posting videos of themselves, training videos, and what they’re practicing. Community and education, everyone gets a chance to throw their two cents in.” The group, found by putting in a search on Facebook, is free to join and comes with only a few restrictions. If you have a knack for drumming and geeking out with fellow musicians over the latest and greatest techniques and equipment, consider yourself cordially invited. “This is for drummers and percussionists in Kern County and those sympathetic to what we do. Once they start posting spam, they’re out. This is for talking about drumming and music with drummers.” Though Garasa said everything’s been positive so far, he wouldn’t be surprised if some negativity creeps in since musicians tend to be sensitive about their art. “No one’s said anything bad. No arguments yet. There’s something about us drummers, because we get to beat stuff up for fun. We don’t stay mad for long. Besides, apathy and complacency is not needed in the scene.”
Bluegrass blowout We received a nice note from Kelvin Gregory, organizer of the Great 48 bluegrass event held last weekend in Bakersfield: “The walk-up ticket sales for the showcase and the Rhonda Vincent concert were fantastic. The leukemia charity did very well and we raised approximately $4,500 for them, and Rhonda was a sell-out. Without the support of you and the Bakersfield Californian I doubt that we could have done as good. This is what I like about Bakersfield — people help each other out.”
Matt’s pick Tanked at Riley’s Backstage, 1523 19th St., 8 p.m., Saturday. Free. If there’s ever a book written on Bakersfield punk rock in the ’90s, Active Ingrediants would certainly be deserving of their own chapter. Performing for more than a decade, the trio released a string of underground favorites for a loyal fan base, both independently as well as through Beer City Records, a tiny label based out of Milwaukee. But as with most young bands, age and responsibility usually pull the brakes on the fun. After a few breaks and reunions as Active Ingrediants, members Scott Burton, Dennis Harrison and Jeremy Cravens have returned as Tanked, performing steadily at local watering holes just like the good ol’ days. They’ve also been recording new tracks, which can be previewed online at reverbnation.com/tankedband. Also appearing on the bill are Metal Fatty and Bedlam. Sounds like the perfect date night.
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Thursday, January 10, 2013 The Bakersfield Californian
Eye Street 10TH ANNUAL EMPTY SPACE AWARDS
PHOTO BY ROGER MATHEY
Jason Monroe, left, poses with his father, Sam, and the trio of awards for his work on “Avenue Q” at the 10th annual Empty Space Awards. Monroe directed the muchlauded production that received 11 awards. EMPTIES: CONTINUED FROM 27
actor in a musical and breakthrough performance for her role as Kate Monster, also celebrated the Space, describing it as the “best example of what theater can be.” Mays, who now attends Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, also said, “I don’t miss much about Bakersfield, but I do miss The Empty Space.” In accepting the award for best lead actor in a comedy for “A Day in the Death of Joe Egg,” Brian Sivesind again touched on his deep connection with the theater he founded in 2003. “Ten years ago, I played Hamlet on my 30th birthday. ... I built a theater so I could play Hamlet,” he joked. Sivesind also was recognized with his mother’s namesake honor, the Mary Sivesind Award for Significant Patronage and Leadership. His mother, who passed
away in 2001, was honored with a posthumous Best Patron honor at the first Empty Space Awards, acknowledging her financial contribution to helping start the theater. The executive director had been selected for the award by artistic director Bob Kempf. In a bit of off-stage humor, both Sivesind and Kempf approached financial director Kristina Saldana — who produced the awards show — with an idea to honor the other during the ceremony. Saldana called both up on stage for a tearful and heartfelt acceptance. (Kempf was honored with the eponymous Robert L. Kempf Lifetime Achievement Award for 10 years of service to The Empty Space. ) But the most touching moment of the night was the surprise awards for two young thespians. Logan Harsaager, who appeared in last year’s “Gorey Stories” and “Hurry Up Santa/The Jack Frost Show,”
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Best Debut Performances Kristen Noelle, “Avenue Q” Perrin Swanson, “Gorey Stories”
(Comedy) Ellie Sivesind, “The Tempest” Kevin Ganger, “The Tempest”
Best Featurted Female and Male Actors (Play) Guinevere PH Dethlefson, “The Miracle Worker” Lorenzo Salazar, “Reckless” Best Featured Female and Male Actors (Musical) Libby Letlow, “Avenue Q” Lorenzo Salazar, “Avenue Q”
Best Supporting Female and Male Actors (Musical) Robyn Lace, “Avenue Q” Justin Lawson Brooks, “Avenue Q”
Light Design Deborah Terrell, “Gorey Stories” Best Gallery Exhibit “Arboresque”: artist, Michelle Guerrero; curator, Jesus Fidel Best Supporting Female and Male Actors (Drama) Angela Poncetta, “The Miracle Worker” (Tie) Norman Colwell, “Boy Gets Girl”; and Don McPherson, “The Miracle Worker” Best Supporting Female and Male Actors
Costume Design Michelle Guerrero, “Gorey Stories” Breakthrough Performance Alexandra Mays, “Avenue Q” Sound Design Aaron Maudlin, “The Tempest” Best Lead Female and Male Actors (Drama) Amy Hall, “The Miracle Worker” Kamel Haddad, “The Unexpected Man” Best Lead Female and Male Actors (Comedy) Ellie Sivesind, “Reckless” Brian Sivesind, “A Day in the Death of Joe Egg” Best Lead Female and Male Actors (Musical)
was the first recipient of Young Actor of the Year Award. Next up, introduced as the “most professional actor at The Empty Space,” Lexie Watkins also accepted her award with tearful thanks to Kempf and co-star Amy Hall. Kempf directed Lexie in “The Miracle Worker,” in which she played Helen Keller to Hall’s Anne Sullivan. In addition, Watkins also performed in “A
Alexandra Mays, “Avenue Q” Justin Lawson Brooks, “[title of show]” Best Special Event “8” The Play Stage Manager Miranda Whipple and Linda Whipple, “The Miracle Worker” Set Design Jay-Ar Ignacio, “Avenue Q” Best Ensemble “Avenue Q” Best Director Jason Monroe, “Avenue Q” Female Actor of the Year Ellie Sivesind Male Actor of the Year Matthew Borton Best Production “Avenue Q” Young Actors of the Year Logan Haarsager Lexie Watkins The Robert L. Kempf Lifetime Achievement Award Bob Kempf The Mary Sivesind Award Brian Sivesind
Day in the Death of Joe Egg.” Along with honoring the hard work on stage and behind the scenes, the show paid a simple tribute to its patrons when Sivesind asked those in attendance who had not been involved in a show to stand up. As the crowd applauded, Sivesind declared, “Without an audience, we couldn’t have theater.”
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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 10, 2013
Eye Street HOWSER: CONTINUED FROM 22
immortalized in John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath” and talks with both the Okies who grew up there and the Latinos who now call it home. “Oil” Huell finds out how oil made Kern County great, visiting the vast Midway-Sunset Field, the top oil-producing field in the lower 48 states, and the West Kern Oil Museum in Taft, which has one of the last huge wooden derricks in existence. Huell’s last stop is the site of the Lakeview Gusher, which at the turn of the century was the largest gusher in the United States. “Cotton” Huell spends a day in Buttonwillow, which calls itself the “Cotton Capitol of California” and has a great time out in the fields. For historical purposes, he picks cotton the old-fashioned way, and then steps into the future and learns about a state-of-the-art cotton gin. “Noriega’s” Huell is off to the Noriega’s Hotel, where he not only enjoys an amazing meal, but he is treated to wonderful stories about the Basque culture in the area. “Shark Tooth Hill” Huell visits a massive archeological site with millions of fossils dating from the Miocene Epoch, 15 million years ago. Kern County was once at the bottom of a huge sea filled with massive prehistoric sharks called megalodons. Huell also visits the Buena Vista Museum, which houses amazing archeological finds recovered from Sharktooth Hill.
“Kern River Preserve” The Kern River Preserve, which features natural beauty, wildflowers and turkey vultures. “Randsburg” The historic and remote mining town of Randsburg. “Petroglyphs” Huell travels to the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake to see some rock art that is arguably the largest concentration within the Western Hemisphere. Though an accurate dating technique is still being sought, it is thought that some petroglyphs are 16,000 years old. “Lopez-Hill House” J.J. Lopez, the longtime manager of Tejon Ranch, built a Victorian-style home in Bakersfield in 1909. In the 1960s, the home was occupied by Arlin and Lavern Hill, who migrated from Oklahoma after the devastating effects of the Dust Bowl. Now, this longoverlooked California landmark has finally been renovated and preserved, thanks to local fundraising efforts. “Oil Workers” Huell returns to Taft to celebrate its 100 years as an incorporated city and is on hand for the dedication of the oil worker monument, a huge bronze statue that is sure to become a focal point of this historic town. “Lunar landing” Huell visits Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards, which is NASA’s primary center for atmospheric flight research and operations. “Chavez Center” Set on 187 acres, the Chavez
trucks that are two stories high, as wide as a two-car garage and longer than a city bus. “Windmills” This special on wind technology includes Enron Wind in Tehachapi, which was the biggest and most modern windmill Huell could find.
From the “Road Trip with Huell Howser” series
ALEX HORVATH / THE CALIFORNIAN
“California’s Gold” host Huell Howser speaks to Sharktooth Hill owner Bob Ernst in 2006 about some of the fossils found on his property. The segment later aired on the PBS program.
Center, once home to a tuberculosis hospital, is where the labor leader lived and worked during his last quarter century as he fought for better rights for migrant workers. “Wasco” There’s nothing like acres and acres of rose bushes to stimulate the eyes and nose. Huell gets a behind-the-scenes tour of how rose bushes are harvested, packaged and shipped to nurseries and home centers all over the
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country. “Tejon Ranch” Huell sees the diverse beauty of the 270,000-acre ranch and learns about its rich history. “Big Things in the Desert” A special on California deserts features a segment on Boron, where Huell encounters a big hole and a big truck. The big hole is the open pit mine where about 50 percent of the world’s borax comes from. To get the borax out of that huge open pit requires
“Tehachapi” Join Huell as he tries to get to Tehachapi, only to keep stumbling across many roadside gems like: a movie set built in the middle of the desert, a lake with no water, the Antelope Valley Indian Museum, and the Mojave airport. Finally, Huell arrives in Tehachapi to visit with Betty Stokoe and her backyard full of railroad signals. Also featured is the world-famous Tehachapi Loop. “Bakersfield” Huell samples Basque food, visits a Tule Elk reserve and tours country music legend Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace. “Ridge Route” Completed in 1915, the Ridge Route was carved from the San Gabriel Mountains by workers using mule-drawn dirt scrapers. From ridge top to ridge top, they cleared a 20 foot-wide roadway, which was the first direct route between Los Angeles and Bakersfield. “Oildorado” Huell attends Taft’s 95th anniversary. It’s a tribute to the families which make up the community, as well as its rich oil history.
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Thursday, January 10, 2013 The Bakersfield Californian
Eye Street
SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT
Robert Pattinson, left, and Kristen Stewart appear in a scene from “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2.”
‘Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2’ tops nominations for Razzies BY SUSAN KING Los Angeles Times
LOS ANGELES — “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2” may have earned more than $800 million internationally at the box office, but the final chapter in the romantic tale of Bella and Edward also dominated the 33rd annual Razzie nominations. The Golden Raspberry Awards celebrate “the worst accomplishments in film.” The nominations were announced Wednesday morning, the day before the Academy Award nominations will be unveiled. “Twilight Saga” received 11 nominations — including worst picture, worst actor for Robert Pattinson, worst actress for Kristen Stewart (her nomination also is for “Snow White and the Huntsman”), worst supporting actress for Ashley Green, worst supporting actor for Taylor Lautner and worst director for Bill Condon. It was also nominated in the categories of worst ensemble cast, worst screenplay, worst screen couple and worst remake, rip-off or sequel. Vying with “Twilight Saga” in the worstpicture category are “Battleship,” “Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure,” “That’s My Boy!” and “A Thousand Words.” Besides Pattinson, worst actor nominees are Nicolas Cage for “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance” and “Seeking Justice”; Eddie
Murphy for “A Thousand Words”; Tyler Perry for “Alex Cross” and “Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds”; and Adam Sandler for “That’s My Boy!” Joining Stewart in the worst actress category are Katherine Heigl for “One for the Money”; Milla Jovovich for “Resident Evil: Retribution”; Tyler Perry as Madea in “Madea’s Witness Protection”; and Barbra Streisand in “The Guilt Trip.” Rounding out the supporting actress category are Jessica Biel for “Playing for Keeps” and “Total Recall”; Brooklyn Decker for “Battleship” and “What to Expect When You’re Expecting”; Jennifer Lopez for “What to Expect When You’re Expecting”; and Rihanna for “Battleship.” Joining Lautner in the supporting actor category are David Hasselhoff as himself in “Piranha 3DD”; Liam Neeson for “Battleship” and “Wrath of the Titans”; Nick Swardson for “That’s My Boy!”; and Vanilla Ice as himself in “That’s My Boy!” Besides Condon, worst director nominees are Sean Anders for “That’s My Boy!”; Peter Berg for “Battleship”; Tyler Perry for “Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds” and “Madea’s Witness Protection”; and John Putch for “Atlas Shrugged Part II: The Strike.” The awards will be handled out on Feb. 23 — the evening before the Academy Awards — at a location to be announced.
‘CALIFORNIAN RADIO’ Join Eye Street Editor Jennifer Self this morning on “Californian Radio,” where she’ll be joined by Jeff Nickell, former director of the Kern County Museum, who will share his memories of late television great Huell Howser. Also during the hour, musician and movie buff Gary Rink will stop by to
share his take on the Oscar nominations, which are due to be announced in the wee hours of this morning. Calls, comments, recommendations and opinions are always welcome. Just call 842-KERN. The show airs on KERN-AM, 1180 from 9 to 10 a.m.
32
The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 10, 2013
Eye Street Go & Do Today South Valley Sound Chorus Acapella Practice Night, 7 p.m., Central Baptist Church, 203 South H St. Visit southvalleysound.org or 346-6190. Red Cross New Volunteer Orientation, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., American Red Cross, Kern Chapter, 5035 Gilmore Ave. 324-6427. Bingo, warmups start at 5 p.m., with early birds at 6 p.m., regular games at 6:30 p.m., Volunteer Center of Kern County, 2801 F St. From $20 buy-in to “the works.” 395-9787. Guitar Class, taught by John Gomez, for individuals or a group, Juliana’s Art Studio & Gallery, 501 18th St. Call 327-7507 for class details.
Blues
GO & DO
Kern River Blues Society Jam, 2 to 8 p.m. every second Saturday, Trout’s, 805 N. Chester Ave. 8727517.
Classic rock Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; Blond Faith, 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner, 323-0053; Elevation 406, 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Comedy Elevation Lounge, 818 Real Road, 325-6864; Improv Tuesday — Live comedy with DJ afterparty, 9 p.m. Tuesdays.
Country
Friday “Enchanted Evening,” a black and white ball with music by Speakeasy, dancing, 7 p.m., Columbus Estates, 3201 Columbus St. Free. 872-5855. FLICS International Cinema Society, presents “Le Havre,” 7:30 p.m., Bakersfield Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $5. flics.org or call 4280354.
Saturday 24th annual Victim/Witness Auxiliary 5K/10K, 9 a.m., Lake Ming. $25. Proceeds to benefit crime victims of Kern County. Visit active.com, search for Fog Run. 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; children 13 and under are free; $3 parking. 805-481-6726. Come Meet Author, with Sandy Moffett whose story appeared in "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Angels Among Us: 101 Inspirational Stories of Miracles, Faith, and Answered Prayers," 1 to 3 p.m., Russo's, 9000 Ming Ave. Free. 665-4686. The Bully Resolution, dog show, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St. $10; $3 parking. 319-4277. Electronic Waste Recycling Event, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Kern County Department of Public Health Services, 1800 Mt. Vernon Ave. Free. Email nlagness@yahoo.com or 8734011. Free Electronic Waste Recycling Event, 9 a.m. to noon, Centennial High School, 8601 Hageman Road. 873-4011. Free Home Improvement Workshops, “Martha Stewart Living Specialty Finishes,” 10 to 11 a.m. and “Kitchen Design,” 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday; “Design Storage,” 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Home Depot locations. homedepot.com or call 800-430-3376. Mayor’s Freeway Cleanup, meets prior to 9 a.m., Park & Ride lot on Stockdale Highway, west of Oak Street. Group will travel by
CASEY CHRISTIE / THE CALIFORNIAN
Sandrini’s, 1918 Eye St., 3228900; Vince Galindo, 9 p.m. Wednesdays.
Folks gather at Trout’s to participate in and listen to groups and individuals play at the Kern River Blues Society Jam.
Cover
Kern River Blues Society Jam, 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Trout’s, 805 N. Chester Ave. 872-7517.
The Bistro, 5105 California Ave., 323-3905; Brent Brown, 5 to 8 p.m. Friday.
bus/van to various cleanup locations. 326-3770. Pet Adoptions, cats, 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. 746-2140. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10859, Rosedale & Ladies Auxiliary, 9:30 a.m., Norris Road Veterans 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.
Sunday Pizza Fest With Bermuda, also appearing A past Unknown, Deserters, Those Who Fear, doors open at 5 p.m., Jerry’s Pizza, 1817 Chester Ave. $10. Visit timgardeapresents.com or 633-1000. Kern Audubon Society Field Trip, to Kern National Wildlife Refuge, meet at 8 a.m., at Kern River Parkway parking lot across from CSUB. Bring water, snacks and binoculars. 833-6705.
THEATER
Exhibits on Display, “Embracing Diverse Voices: 80 years of African American Art,” “You, Me, Them,” and “Texture of Place,” now through March 10, Bakersfield Museum of Art, 1930 R St. bmoa.org or 323-7219. Art Association Meeting, guest Kathy Schilling demonstrating the many steps when painting on silk, also showing the painting process, 9 a.m. Saturday, Bakersfield Art Association Art Center, 1817 Eye St. Free. 869-2320. 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. Art Classes, in drawing, watercolor, oils, color theory, for beginners and advanced, Bakersfield Art Association Art Center, 1817 Eye St. 869-2320. Art for Healing program, classes that alleviate stress, resulting from illness, or grief. All classes are free but some suggest a donation and are held at Mercy Hospital, Truxtun Campus, Truxtun and A St. Visit mercybaakersfield.org/ art or to register, 632-5357. The Art Shop Club, a quiet place to paint, 9 a.m. to noon each Thursday, Friday and Saturday, The Art Shop, 1221 20th St. All mediums. New members and guests welcome. Visit facebook.com/pages/art-shopclub or 322-0544, 832-8845.
Improv Comedy Show, with Center For Improv Advancement, 8 p.m. Fridays, JC’s Place, 1901 Chester Ave. $5. 322-8209.
MUSIC
ART
’80s dance
Dacey Dia Villarreal, featured artist for the month of January, Dagny’s Coffee Co., 1600 20th St. 634-0806.
B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane, 397-7304; Ultimate ’80s Flashback, 8 p.m. Saturday. $5; 21 and older only.
Dancing Beginner Belly Dance Lessons, 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. Mondays, Centre Stage Studio, 1710 Chester Ave. 323-5215. $45 regular session; $65 combo session. bakersfieldbellydance.biz. DoubleTree Hotel, Club Odyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court, 633-1949; learn Salsa, Cumbia, or West Coast Swing, 4 to 7 p.m. every Sunday. $5 per person, per lesson. Folklorico Classes, advance dancers/performing group 6 to 8 p.m. Fridays; and beginners, all ages, 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays, Fruitvale-Norris Park, 6221 Norris Road. $22 per month for beginners; $25 per month for advance dancers. 833-8790. Greenacres Community Center, 2014 Calloway Dr., offers ballroom dance, East Coast swing (jitterbug) and Argentine Tango dance classes; $35, $45 for non-members. 322-5765 or 201-2105. Joaquin Squares, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Rasmussen Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane. $5. 324-1390, 325-3086 or 399-3658. Mavericks Singles, dancing with music by Country George, 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Kern City Town Hall, 1003 Pebble Beach Drive. $7; $9 guests. 831-9241.
DJ Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; DJ Brian, 7 to 11 p.m. Tuesday. DoubleTree Hotel, Club Odyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court. 323-7111; live in the mix: old school, ’80s 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.
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. jazz. 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. Corona’s Cantina, 9817 S. Union Ave., 345-8463; 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays. Don Perico Restaurant, 2660 Oswell St., Suite 133, 871-2001; 7 to 11 p.m. Thursdays. DoubleTree Hotel, Club Odyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court; 8 p.m. to midnight Tuesdays. 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. Please see GO & DO / 33
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Thursday, January 10, 2013 The Bakersfield Californian
Eye Street GO & DO: CONTINUED FROM 32
Ellis Island Pizza Co., 3611 Stockdale Highway, 832-0750; karaoke contest, four $25 gift certificates will be given away, 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Ethel’s Old Corral, 4310 Alfred Harrell Highway, 873-7613; 6 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday. Iron Horse Saloon, 1821 S. Chester Ave., 831-1315; 7 to 11 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. Julie’s The Branding Iron Saloon, 1807 N. Chester Ave., 6 to 10 p.m. every Friday. Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 White Lane, 834-1611; A to Z Karaoke, 8 p.m. to midnight Tuesdays. Lone Oak Inn, 8 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at 10612 Rosedale 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., 8691451; 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, 323-0053; 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. Sports & Spirits, 9 p.m. every Thursday and Saturday at 6633 Ming Ave. 398-7077. 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.
Salsa
GO & DO
DoubleTree Hotel, Club Odyssey, Club Odyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court, 633-1949; various levels, 3 to 9 p.m. every Sunday. $5 per person, per lesson.
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 Golden State Mall, 3201 F St., 872-2037, Joe Loco Duet, 2 to 5 p.m. Sundays.
UPCOMING EVENTS Monday 1/14 CASEY CHRISTIE / THE CALIFORNIAN
A black-crowned night heron blends in well with his surroundings in this marshy area of the Kern National Wildlife Refuge. Kern Audubon Society Field Trip, to Kern National Wildlife Refuge, meet at 8 a.m. Sunday, at Kern River Parkway parking lot across from CSUB. Bring water, snacks and binoculars. 833-6705. 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, 7 to 10 p.m. every Sunday at 2915 Taft Highway. 397-3599. The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall Road, 831-1413; hosted by Ed Loverr, 9 p.m. to midnight Friday. The Regent, 2814 Niles St., 8714140; 8:30 p.m. Fridays. The Wright Place, 2695-G Mount Vernon Ave., 872-8831, 8 p.m. every Thursday. Tomi’s Cowgirl Cafe, 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, 1440 Weedpatch Highway. 363-5102’s & The Blackboard Stages, 805 N. Chester Ave., 399-6700; 7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Mariachi Camino Real Restaurant, 6 to 9 p.m. every Sunday at 3500 Truxtun Ave. 852-0493.
Music showcase The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall Road, 831-1413; featuring local artists, 7 to 10 p.m. every Wednesday.
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., 327-7625; musicians, spoken word, poets, comedians, 8 p.m. every Wednesday, On the Rocks, 1517 18th St. Free.
R&B Senor Pepe, 8450 Granite Falls Dr., 661-588-0385, Rebecca Aguilar and Lost Vinyl, 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday.
Rock B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane, 397-7304; Metalachi and The Aviators, 9 p.m. Friday. $10; 21 and older only. KC Steakhouse, 2515 F St., 3229910; Jimmy Gaines, 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; Jimmy Gaines, Bobby O and Mike Hall, 6:30 to 11:30 p.m., featuring Glenda Robles, 8 to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany Ave., Suite B5, 589-6749; live bands, 9 p.m. every Thursday.
“Cody Bryant with the Riders of the Purple Sage,” presented by Bakersfield Community Concert Association, 7:30 p.m., Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $80 for five remaining concerts. bakersfieldcca.org or 205-8522 or 5892478. “Happiness with the Life You’ve Got” Art Therapy, facilitated by Erica Pierson, 7 p.m., Art for Healing Building, Mercy Hospital, 2215 Truxtun Ave. Free. Email pierson.eb@gmail.com. Kern County Rose Society Meeting, 7 p.m., Calvary Bible Church, 48 Manor St. 327-3228 Ron Saylor in “Celebrities of Magic,” 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Gaslight Melodrama Theatre & Music Hall, 12748 Jomani Drive. $20. 587-3377.
Tuesday 1/15 Sierra Club Conditioning Hikes, three to five miles, 7 p.m., meet at corner of Highways 178 and 184. 872-2432 or 873-8107.
Wednesday 1/16 Kern Photography Association, all skill levels welcome, 6 to 8 p.m., Henley’s Photo, 2000 H St. kernphotographyassociation.com or 496-3723.
Thursday 1/17 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 Rd. 834-3128. South Valley Sound Chorus Acapella Practice Night, 7 p.m.,
Central Baptist Church, 203 South H St. Visit southvalleysound.org or 346-6190.
Friday 1/18 “9 to 5” the Musical, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, Stars Dinner Theatre, 1931 Chester Ave. $52-$57, $37 for students; show only: $37, $22 for students; matinee: $47-$52, $37 for show. 325-6100. Greg Bates, 7 p.m., Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace, 2800 Buck Owens Blvd. $12.50 to $18.50. vallitix.com or call 322-5200. He's My Brother She's My Sister, also appearing Jenny O, doors open at 7 p.m., Elements Venue, 3401 Chester Ave. $15. Visit timgardeapresents.com or tickets can be purchased at World Records, Impact Streetwear, Wavelengths. Monster X Tour, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $10-$40 plus fee. ticketmaster.com or 800-7453000. No Stinkin’ Service Charge Blues Series, featuring Ray Manzarek, Roy Rogers, with opening act, Suzanne Thomas and the Blues Church, show at 7 p.m., DoubleTree by Hilton Bakersfield, Club Odyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court. $30-$35. 831-3100. Paleo Digs at Ernst Quarries near Sharktooth Hill, 8 hours of hunting per day, keep all teeth and fossils (some exceptions apply), Friday through Sunday, Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, 2018 Chester Ave. $85 single day; $160 two-day; $225 three-day. Attendees must be members of the museum. 324-6350.
Saturday 1/19 “Hell and Mr. Fudge” Film, 7 p.m., Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $3 plus fee. vallitix.com or 322-5200. “Learn How to Make Pizza,” for ages 5 to 12, 1 to 3 p.m., Bakersfield Museum of Art, 1930 R St. $25. Register at grammyshouse.com. CSUB Men’s Basketball, vs. Nebraska-Omaha, 7 p.m., CSUB, Icardo Center, 9001 Stockdale Highway. $5-$50. gorunners.com or 654-BLUE. Free Home Improvement Workshops, “Martha Stewart Living Specialty Finishes,” 10 to 11 a.m. and “Kitchen Design,” 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday; “Design Storage,” 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Home Depot locations. homedepot.com or call 800-430-3376. Glinn & Giordano Rio Bravo Rumble, 5/10K trail run, mountain bike duathlon, registration 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., starts at 9 a.m., Rio Bravo Ranch, 15701 Hwy. 178. $35$70 by Jan. 14, $10 late fee added after that date; free kids race. ggphysicaltherapy.com or 3274357. No Limit Hold ‘Em Tournament, 6 p.m., The Aviator Casino, 1225 Airport Drive, Delano. $75 includes dinner buffet; $20 re-buys and add-on. Proceeds benefit Brain Injury Association of California. 201-9782 or 872-4903.