Eye Street Entertainment / 1-19-12

16

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 19, 2012

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

Index Battle of the Bands .................................. 18 Scott Cox on Danny Lipco ........................ 19 Arts Alive.................................................. 20 ‘Into the Woods’........................................ 21 The Lowdown with Matt Munoz.............. 22 Celtic music .............................................. 23 ‘South Pacific’ ........................................ 24 Calendar .............................................. 28-29

“Monster trucks are just an adrenaline rush. You’re bigger than everything out there, you’ve got more power, and there’s not a whole lot out there that can stop you.”

— Bill Payne, leader of the Monster Truck Mafia

CASEY CHRISTIE / THE CALIFORNIAN

Nathanial Laird holds a 4-pound, 3-ounce trout at the 2010 Trout Fishing Derby at the Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation area.

THEMONSTERBLOG.US

Monster X drivers will face off in wheelie contests, races and freestyle, with points being awarded based on applause. “I do what I do because there’s nothing more fun than driving a monster truck,” said Bill Payne, of the Monster Truck Mafia.

They’ve created monsters

Contributing writer

W

and constantly works to repair and maintain them out of sheer love and dedication for his sport.

“There’s a big difference between the people who do it for the money and the people who do it for the passion,” he said. “I do what I do because there’s nothing more fun than driving a monster truck. Monster trucks are just an adrenaline rush. You’re bigger than everything Please see TRUCKS: 26

Please see DERBY: 26

BY ASHLEY FISCHER Contributing writer

T

Fans got to check out the competitors at the Monster X Tour event in 2011 at Rabobank Arena. The Autograph Pit Party takes place an hour before showtime.

Rabobank Arena on Friday and Saturday as he attempts to drive his way to victory.

Payne described his entrance into the monster truck world as the result of a “little bit of luck, and a lot of hard work.”

He often drove for free, begging and pleading for the opportunity to prove himself in the arena, persevering until he finally solidified his position as one of the top drivers.

He now owns four custom-built trucks

BY GENE GARAYGORDOBIL

hen you love to fish, as Chad Cornelson does, being in charge of maintenance for Kern County lakes from Taft to Lost Hills doesn’t feel like a job at all.

Especially at this time of year, when Cornelson takes on the distinct pleasure of organizing the 2012 Trout Fishing Derby at Lake Evans, which takes place Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 6 a.m. each day.

The third annual event expects to draw hundreds of Kern County’s anglers — from retirees to 3-year-olds — all with the same thing in mind: to be the one who can claim the catch of the day, Cornelson said.

He said plans are to stock the lake today with 2,400 pounds of trout, close the lake on Friday and be ready for fishermen for the weekend contest.

“We’ve got more than a ton of fish coming, much more than last year when we only had about 1,750 pounds of trout,” Cornelson said.

A few years back, one lucky angler caught a 22-pound fish, he said. Already this year, one fisherman caught a 15-pounder.

Prizes will be awarded in two age categories: 15 and under and 16 and over. They will include first prize for heaviest trout in both divisions, and many other prizes, Cornelson said. Awards will be handed out at the Buena Vista concessions stand.

Behemoth trucks roar into Bakersfield Friday here’s about to be a Bigfoot sighting in town. No, we’re not talking about the fabled anti-social forest dweller, but the 5-ton, 12-feet-wide monster truck Bigfoot, which will be roaring into town with Rockstar, the California Kid and the rest of the car-crushing trucks on the Monster X Tour.

Kicking off earlier this month, all of the trucks and their drivers began what will be a non-stop nationwide tour to see who’s the best of the best, competing in wheelie contests, races and freestyle contests, with top points being awarded based on audience applause.

One of those drivers is Bill Payne, leader of the Monster Truck Mafia and eager contender for the title of champion. He’ll be taking the wheel of the mighty, 12,800- pound Rockstar in

Trout Derby aims to hook some winners

17

Thursday, January 19, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street Bakersfield’s Best Server contest

Singing for your supper Sorella server adds his special touch Editor’s note: On the hunt for the best server in town, The Californian solicited nominations from readers and received dozens of suggestions. We picked the top 10, who will be featured in Eye Street every Sunday and Thursday for several weeks.

When all the servers have been featured, readers may go to The Californian’s Facebook page to vote for their favorite (more details on how to vote later). The server who gets the most votes wins a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and a gift certificate to Goose Loonies.

BY JENNIFER SELF Californian lifestyles editor jself@bakersfield.com

A

s the Sinatra of Sorella Italian Restaurant, Mark Downing is more than happy to sing for your supper — after he’s steered you toward the nightly special, uncorked the wine and sold you on the dessert you weren’t sure you had room for.

But that’s all in a night’s work for this one-man cabaret with exceptional salesmanship skills.

“I don’t dread coming to work because it feels like I’m out to dinner with a bunch of people,” said Downing, 44, who has worked at the family-owned southwest Bakersfield restaurant for 15 years. “I bring people food and they give me money — it’s like, wow, I could do this every night.”

And with the exception of Wednesdays, his only day off, serving and singing are precisely what Downing does every night.

He takes to the mic at about 7:30 or 8, whenever the demand in his section dies down — or when he and owner Nancy Cristallo think the intimate setting could use a dose of amore, stat.

“I’ll sing for about an hour. My boss speaks fluent Italian, so she’ll write down the words (in Italian) and I’ll sing it. She lets me know what I’m saying.

“I have a big song list — if they want a Sinatra song.”

This guy isn’t kidding about Sinatra. Though he preferred country in his early 20s (“It took a teacher two years to get the twang out of my voice”), Down-

“I have a big song list — if they want a Sinatra song.”

— Mark Downing, waiter at Sorella Italian Restaurant

ing was turned on to the iconic crooner years ago by his former boss.

“He used to play it in the office, and I hated it. But he said ‘This is my office and I’ll play what I want.’ After three weeks, I loved it. Then he educated me on Sinatra and brought a video down, and I thought, he’s just talking. I can do that.”

And in all the years spent performing his hero’s standards, Downing has learned a little something about delivering a great tribute: It’s about nuance, not note-for-note mimickry.

“I don’t try to sound like him, but I try to emulate him.”

The singing waiter went so far in his fandom that he booked studio time at the legendary Capitol Records building in Hollywood, where Sinatra cut some of his biggest classics. He was even fortunate enough to record with an engineer Ol’ Blue Eyes himself used.

“I just recorded a bunch of Sinatra songs. Just allowing me to come in there is amazing.”

But Downing’s love for Italian singers doesn’t end with the Chairman of the Board. While living in Hollywood many years ago, he discovered a spot frequented

by Sinatra’s fellow Rat Packer Dean Martin.

“I hung out there maybe 20 times when he was there and I talked to him.”

But after being mugged, Downing was eager to return to Bakersfield and put in a call to Joseph’s Italian Restaurant for a job. The owner recommended he contact her sister, who was opening Sorella.

But that tip led to more than a job for Downing: He’s become an honorary family member of his boss and her sisters, all Italian immigrants, who obviously have a love for the food business. In addition to Sorella, owned by youngest sister, Nancy, there’s Joseph’s in Westchester, owned

by Mary DiTomaso and her family, and northeast mainstay Rosa’s, owned and operated by Rose and Frank Coughlin.

The family of eldest sister Ida,

CASEY CHRISTIE / THE CALIFORNIAN

Mark Downing, nominated for best server in Bakersfield, said the key to being a great waiter is to focus less on tips and more on providing a special night out for his customers.

Mark Downing, Sorella Italian Restaurant Nominations From Sarah Phillips: The best server in Bakersfield is definitely Mark at Sorella’s.

Mark is always efficient and makes my family and I feel well taken care of. Just wish he had more time to sing like he used to.

From Al Gutierrez: Mark Downing has been our favorite waiter for several years. Mark actually is a waiter/entertainer. He waits on his customers then sings (croons) to them, Sinatra style.

who died several years ago, owns Rosa’s in Pismo Beach. Downing has joined the family for several holiday meals at the coastal restaurant, though he tries to reciprocate their generosity when he can.

“I remember one time Rose called and said, ‘I like-a Nancy’s website. How much,’” said Downing, in a dead-on Italian accent, referring to his side business as a web designer.

“I did it for free because I liked the way she asked.”

Downing’s guiding philosophy is that if you do something unselfishly for someone else, it’ll all come back to you. And that goes double when you’re a waiter.

FELIX ADAMO / THE CALIFORNIAN

Mark Downing waits tables and sings at Sorella Italian Restaurant.

His favorite singer is Frank Sinatra. “I want to keep his music alive,” said Downing, who saw the iconic crooner in concert twice.

Call it karma tipping.

For instance, when the tables are turned and Downing is the customer, he always rewards the server, no matter what kind of service he gets. And that generosity never fails to balance the books in the big tip jar in the sky.

“If I get stiffed, I don’t worry about it. I have a guy who comes in every month and leaves me $100, sometimes $150. I have no problem taking money. I’m a

waiter, you know, so the bigger the tip, the better.”

But even the strict 15-percenters get the same song-danceand-service from Downing.

“I really like taking care of people on special occasions, even if they’re young kids. A lot of times they’re passed over, but some kids will give me great tips and I think it’s because they like being treated properly. I treat everyone the same.”

18

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 19, 2012

Eye Street Rumba, Waltz, Two Step, Cha-Cha, Foxtrot, Mambo, Bolero

Garden needs seed money

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Mom enlists bands to grow green project at school

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mber Beeson is a woman on a mission: She’s going to plant a garden at every school in Bakersfield, and she wants you to help her.

Beeson, a Bakersfield native who spent her adolescence in the Bay Area, returned to her hometown and was immediately disappointed.

“My parents are environmentalists,” Beeson said. “I was raised with the mentality to conserve, I’ve studied herbology, I’ve always had access to and been involved with farmers markets and garden projects in other communities.”

Beeson said she could find nothing comparable in Bakersfield when she returned in early 2006.

“So coming back here was kind of culture shock for me because I didn’t have access to those things.”

But that isn’t what finally motivated her to start her project. Called “The Giving Tree Project,” with a name inspired by the famous children’s book by Shel Silverstein, the project seeks to teach schoolchildren environmental and nutritional awareness by planting and maintaining gardens at their schools. The project took life when Beeson enrolled her twins at William Penn Elementary after a failed attempt to place them in another school just outside of her district.

Beeson said she was disturbed by conditions at the Oleander area school.

“I told the principal. ‘I’m really unhappy with the amount of litter, garbage and broken-down stuff here — it’s a mess,’” Beeson recalled. “She agreed with me.”

So the mother insisted on being allowed to help fix up the school, and with a “green light” from the principal, her project was born.

But it’s a different kind of green that’s needed to keep the momentum going. Beeson has scheduled a fundraiser for this weekend at the Nile Theater in downtown Bakersfield. The art and music event will feature 15 groups in a battle of the bands competition; another 15 local artists will participate in an art show, each donating pieces for sale.

Bands on the bill are The Architecture, Candace Freeman Nujazz Trio, Choirs, Holy Beast, Jay Smith Group, Kenny Reeves and the Clones, The Bird Channel, The Aviators, 2 Faded, Crooked Folk, Ruby Skye, N/A, Funeral Club and Alex Mitts, and DJ Josex.

Former KRAB radio host Meathead, cow punk musician Simon Faughn and Adema bassist David Deroo will serve as judges.

Step one in launching the ambitious project was for Beeson to advertise The Giving Tree Project on the Web. She solicited donations of materials and supplies to build the first

PHOTO COURTESY OF D.J. AMARO

Amber Beeson with her sons, Nick and Akasha.

The Giving Tree Project Battle of the Bands and Art Show Where: Nile Theater, 1721 19th St. When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday Admission: $15

garden, and the response was overwhelming. A faculty member from UC Davis contacted Beeson and offered her a full curriculum based on school gardens that teaches students to design and plant a garden, how to incorporate complementary plants and use insects, and nutritional information. She also got offers of supplies from both Kern County Waste Management and the Bureau of Land Management.

“I have an unlimited amount of stuff to place in gardens, even more than I could ever use,” Beeson said.

One fan of Beeson’s can-do spirit is William Penn principal Rona ChaconMellon. In her first year at the school, Mellon said her campus, like most in the area, had already begun implementing a “green” curriculum.

“We actually started with recycling,” said Mellon, who added that the garden project fits right in with the program.

“So our kids just learn more about the environment and the food they eat, how it’s prepared,” the principal said. “And they get a more global per-

spective and a more green perspective.”

Mellon applauded Beeson’s activism, noting she has also become the president of the school’s new booster club, motivating other parents to get involved.

“We have a very high poverty rate here,” Mellon said. “(The kids) are not exposed to a lot because of their circumstances.”

At Saturday’s all-day event, the winning band will get a full promotional package, including a music video, a recording session and a photo session, Beeson said. Secondand third-place winners will get also get some parts of a promotional package.

The hope at William Penn is that the program will teach children about community teamwork, along with environmental and nutritional awareness. In addition to building gardens at every school some day, Beeson said she has a “larger vision” that includes eventually merchandising environmentally conscious items.

“Bakersfield appears at the top of all of the worst lists,” Beeson said.

“We’re on the verge of extremely unintelligent, extremely unhealthy kids in Bakersfield.”

Though she doesn’t know what to expect, Beeson said all proceeds will go for the William Penn school project.

“If I could somehow raise $10,000 from this event, I would be floored.”

Thursday, January 19, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street If you're high enough up the food chain, there’s always another pair of tickets. And Danny would be the first to tell you that you weren't that high up the food chain. I know other show-biz types were put off by that, but I thought it was cool.

Scott Cox CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

Lipco was ‘one of the good guys’ Promoter was a consummate professional in the concert biz

A

nyone remotely connected to the Bakersfield entertainment scene is mourning the death of our friend Danny Lipco.

Danny was the rare good guy in the entertainment business. I've been around promoters enough to know that it’s a very tough gig. You need a keen awareness of marketing and a sound working knowledge of the industry, and Danny had both.

The other thing a good promoter needs is the ability to stay calm in a high-stress environment, and Danny was the one guy that I never saw rattled before, during or after shows. He was great at artist and media relations, both of which can be remarkably tedious.

I got to deal with Danny a lot promoting shows, and he was ridiculously professional, even when dealing with a crackpot like me. Anyone who was in Danny's email chain knows exactly what I mean.

People in the media expect everyone, promoters included, to treat them like they're special, but Danny treated everyone equally, and I mean everyone. I was backstage recently before the Merle Haggard show at the Fox and talked for a few minutes with Danny and Merle. Most promoters would've had a different attitude around a guy like Merle, but not Danny.

Same calm demeanor, same tone. For everybody. Perhaps the coolest thing about Danny was his honesty. If you needed an interview with an artist, he sent out all the pertinent requests to the people handling the talent. And he would keep everyone in the loop about what was happening. If he said it wasn't going to happen, that was that. You never had to wonder if he'd done all he could.

I called him a couple of days before the Joe Bonamassa show and hit him up for some tickets. He said the show was sold out, so he didn't have any comps available.

Now if most anyone else in his position had told me that, I would have been entirely skeptical. If you're high enough up the food chain, there's always another pair of tickets. And Danny would be the first to tell you that you weren't that high up the food chain. I know other show-biz types were put off by that, but I thought it was cool.

I know a bunch of folks, media hacks and artists alike, who appreciated Danny's management

HENRY A. BARRIOS / THE CALIFORNIAN

Danny Lipco, who brought hundreds of concerts to Bakersfield over the decades, died Saturday. He was 59.

style as much as I did. I can remember a few shows when my cavalier attitude ran afoul of Mr. Lipco's professional standards, but we never had a cross word for each other.

Some musician I know would invite me backstage (artists are well-known for their disdain for the rules of venues), and I would be hanging out without the requisite pass. He would remind me that without a pass, I was not allowed backstage. I would tell him that such-and-such guitar player was on the bus getting it for me, and he'd usually grant me a 10 minute-ish grace period. After that I’d get the look, followed by the unpleasant chat with security, followed by the graceful exit.

And here's why I loved dealing with the guy: I'd get that pass from such-and-such guitar player later, show up backstage again, only to get the barely perceptible Lipco look of approval, which was only slightly different from the Lipco look of abject irritation. Such was the working attitude of Danny Lipco, and I, for one, was a huge fan. I don't know who will replace Danny at the Fox, but I suppose someone will have to try.

But the promotion side is where he'll be nearly impossible to replicate. His calm demeanor, his professionalism, his knack for booking the right acts, his business savvy, all combined with his keen intellect and penchant for artist relations, will leave some very big shoes to fill.

I'm going to miss Danny a lot. I wish he was around to have me thrown out just one more time.

Scott Cox is a talk radio host, whose show can be heard weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m. on KERN, 1180-AM

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20

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 19, 2012

Eye Street Camille Gavin CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

Stars takes shot at Tony winner Gospel singers set to perform Friday night

I

t seems to me that in the last 12 months Brian Sivesind has set some sort of a record in the ever-changing world of local theater.

Since last January, he’s directed “Hamlet” at one theater, taken over the reins for an updated version of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at a different playhouse, and starred in a drama at a third one.

Oh, yes. And about midway through 2011 he returned to The Empty Space — an innovative theater he founded nine years ago — as its executive director.

Now, and for the first time, he’s directing a musical at a fourth venue with the opening Friday of “The Drowsy Chaperone” at Stars Theatre Restaurant.

Oddly enough, his agreement to do a show at Stars preceded all of his other activities.

“About a year ago,” Sivesind explained, “I was asked by Bruce Saathoff, the artistic director of Stars, if I would be interested in directing this season. ‘Drowsy Chaperone’ was open and worked with my schedule at the time so I signed on to do it.”

This, of course, was several months before Sivesind severed his affiliation with Spotlight Theatre.

“I was interested in directing at a different venue, and Stars does musicals really well,” he said. “I really liked the shows I saw there and was interested in working with their talent and resources.”

Now, as I look over the list of people he’s gathered for “Chaperone,” both onstage and behind the scenes, I can see he’s picked the cream of the crop.

The principal performers are Saathoff as the show’s narrator, a character referred to as The Man in a Chair; Jim Fillbrandt, Stars’ executive producer as the Underling; Virginia Lennemann, a longtime favorite of local audiences as Mrs. Tottendale; and, playing the part of Janet Van De Graaff, star of the fictional Feldzieg’s Follies, is Bethany Rowlee, who has been a standout in several

PHOTO COURTESY OF PETER W BECKMAN

The narrator, known only as The Man In Chair (played by Bruce Saathoff), tells the audience about his favorite 1920s musical, “The Drowsy Chaperone.”

GO & DO ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ Doors open at 6 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; doors open at 12:30 p.m., show at 2 p.m. Sunday Stars Theatre Restaurant, 1931 Chester Ave. Admission: $50 to $54; $30 students Information: 325-6100

‘Showdown at Shafter’ 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday Gaslight Melodrama & Music Hall, 12748 Jomani Drive Admission: $23; $21 seniors; $12 children 12 and under Information: 587-3377

Jackson Southernaires 7 p.m. Friday Church of Christ, 1416 Wilson Road Cost: $25; $20 in advance Information: 324-2897

recent shows.

Also in the cast are Tammy White; Bob Anderson; Ellie Sivesind; Brent Rochon, who doubles as choreographer with Marzie Forzetting; Dallas White; Ken Burdick; and Jill Burdick.

“It was a little intimidating to direct the two guys in charge of Stars — Jim and Bruce — in my first show, but they've both been wonderful to work with,” Sivesind

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

said. “I'm also excited to work with the Burdicks, who haven't appeared at Stars in a number of years.”

Char Gaines, another veteran of numerous Stars and Bakersfield Music Theatre productions, leads the orchestra and also serves as vocal director.

Briefly, the show is about a man who, as he sits in his living room, yearns for the halcyon days of the 1920s. After putting an old record album on a turntable next to his chair, the scene is suddenly transformed into a rousing comedic show within a show.

“The Drowsy Chaperone” won Tony awards in 2006 for best book and best score. It continues on weekends through Feb. 11 at Stars.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL PRINCE

Jennifer Prince and Jay Stodder appear in “Showdown in Shafter.”

answers the question: What happens when a group of strangers are stuck in an airport terminal when the power grid goes out and flights are canceled?

Performances of the back-toback shows continue on weekends through March 10.

Gospel singers’ concert

Melodrama set in Shafter Michael Prince, artistic director, confirmed that the Gaslight Melodrama has added three new actors to its company: Shawn Rader, Ali Dougherty and Jenny Adame.

All three, along with regulars Jay Stodder as Luke Lavender, the ruthless villain, and Jennifer Prince as Belladonna Slither, his evil lady friend, will appear in “Showdown at Shafter,” which opens Friday at the theater in northwest Bakersfield.

Although Michael writes many of the plays Gaslight performs, this one was written by David Chappelle, a playwright for the Mahoney State Park melodrama theater near Lincoln, Neb. “I only adapted it for our theater to add the local flair,” he said.

“We’ve performed a few of (Chappelle’s) plays in the past and they’re always a lot of fun.”

Prince has made the setting an

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE JACKSON SOUTHERNAIRES

The Jackson Southernaires will present a concert Friday night at the Church of Christ.

old lodge down the road from Shafter’s historic Green Hotel.

Dougherty plays the villain’s sweet and innocent mail-order bride; Rader portrays a Sam Steadfast, a rancher who ends up being a hero; and Adame is a hardened pioneer mail carrier named Carbine Molly Muldoon.

Even though it’s a classic melodrama, with plenty of reasons to hiss, boo or cheer as the occasion arises, unlike most westerns, there are no gunshots.

The show will be followed by “The Layover,” a vaudeville revue in a more contemporary vein written by the Gaslight’s multitalented music director, Warren Dobson. The revue, says Prince,

The Jackson Southernaires, a trio of nationally known gospel singers and recording artists, will present a concert Friday evening at the Church of Christ in southwest Bakersfield.

Monte Embry, owner of B Moore Christian Books & Music, arranged for their visit as part of this year’s Harlem & Beyond events.

“They were here about two years ago at Rising Star Baptist Church,” Embry said. “They were very popular, so we asked them to come back again.”

The group, which travels with its own five-piece band, was started more than 50 years ago in Jackson, Miss. Two of its current members, Huey Paul Williams Sr. and Maurice Surrell Sr., are sons of the original founders, according to the group’s website. The third member is James Burks.

Harlem & Beyond is an annual community-wide reading project that includes music, art and theatre partnerships celebrating the contributions of African Americans. Brenda Scobey, a retired librarian who was employed for many years by the county, is the coordinator.

21

Thursday, January 19, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

A fairy tale turned up to 11 Speedy production captures attention

‘Into the Woods’ When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; runs through Feb. 2 Where: Spotlight Theatre, 1622 19th St. Admission: $25; $22 for students and seniors Information: 634-0692 or thespotlighttheatre.com

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

I

t’s a good time to feel Grimm.

On TV, the brothers’ popular tales are featured on “Once Upon a Time” and “Grimm,” and Vertigo Comics’ long-running series “Fables” is set to launch another spin-off in the spring.

Locally, Spotlight Theatre is getting into the act by offering some fractured fairy tales this weekend with “Into the Woods.”

Like the aforementioned TV shows and comics, the musical is far from a classic retelling of the lives of Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood and beanstalk-climbing Jack. Although the first act builds toward a happy ending for all, the second act shakes it up, something that director Jarred Clowes appreciates. “(Act two) is where the train gets off the tracks. It resolves the stories in a way we don’t expect.

You get the payoff when you stick

around for the second act.

“A lot of times, people, while liking the show, dismiss it as being ‘fairy taley,’ but it can be a very emotional show. The characters can be as real as we allow them to be. One of the goals we had was to strip that (campiness) away.”

Headlining the cast is Amy Adams as the witch, whose curse has left the baker and his wife (played by real-life couple Matt and Candice Swatzell) childless.

The couple’s adventures to break the curse have them crossing paths with the likes of Cinderella (Carolyn Fox), Jack (Steven Busch), Red Riding Hood (Paige McKeown) and wayward cow Milky White (Perrin Swanson).

Pulling triple duty are Justina Neufeld (playing Rapunzel and the mothers of Jack and Cinderella) and Kim Whitney (as Cinderella’s stepmother, Red’s granny and a homicidal giant who, excuse the pun, looms large in act two).

The Spotlight is no stranger to these “Woods” — former Spotlight artistic director Hal Friedman directed the 2004 production — but Clowes said this version departs from that show in its presentation.

“The staging before was very traditional, like the Broadway presentation. It was a storybook attitude — the set and the costumes — done very straightforward.”

This show, much like his “Jekyll and Hyde” last year, takes more of a black-box approach, eschewing set pieces for minimalist design and a focus on the performers.

“There is a place for the spectacle show. When you’re working for a specific goal, that can get in the way.

“Some of the best moments I’ve had in theater as an audience member is with no set, no lighting and rehearsal clothes. If you

PHOTO COURTESY OF JARRED CLOWES

Cinderella (Carolyn Fox) and her prince (Bryce Rankins) contemplate the future in a scene from “Into the Woods.”

put limitations on yourself, you force yourself to be creative.”

Another way the show stands out is its “breakneck pace” between scenes, with entrances for the next scene taking place as the current one plays out. Clowes said that keeps things lively for the actors and the audience.

For the actors, “it becomes more about learning choreography than breaking it down scene by scene. In effect (in the first act), we make an hour-and-15minute scene rather than 32 fiveminute scenes. We get to that sec-

ond act a lot faster than other productions (of ‘Woods’) because we chose to ‘turn it up to 11.’”

That speed keeps the audience focused on the stage.

“It’s a classic conundrum. If it’s good they’re not going to mind sitting for an hour and a half. If the show’s bad, they’re going to notice the seats are uncomfortable.

“I care how the audience is affected. I don’t want to put something on stage that the audience won’t emotionally respond to.”

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22

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 19, 2012

Eye Street The Lowdown with Matt Munoz

Country with no strings attached Indie band enjoying its artistic freedom

H

as Texas-style country music become the punk rock of the industry?

It has, if you ask unsigned phenom Josh Abbott, who has been proudly waving the flag as a fiercely independent artist along with his band of compadres for the past six years.

Making his Bakersfield debut at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace on Saturday, the Lubbock, Texas, native considers the band’s status as free agents a badge of honor.

With no mainstream chart-topping hits or awards to his name as of yet, Abbott said sticking to your principles and watching your fan base grow is rewarding enough.

“We’re on a self-imposed promotional trail,” said Abbott of his group’s incessant touring, which keeps the guys away from home much of the year. “We love touring our butts off. It’s something we wanna do, not what a record company is making us do.”

Releasing music under the band’s own imprint, Pretty Damn Tough, Abbott’s success story is one of the many anomalies sprinkled throughout the country music world. Transcending the confines many young artists find themselves restricted by after becoming signed to a major label, Abbot said their story is proof that the DIY spirit is strong outside of Nashville.

“When you look at bands on the radio, we are one of the few independent country artists out there that are successful on our own.

That’s rare.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSH ABBOTT BAND

The Josh Abbott Band will be having a free, all-ages show at the Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Abbott formed the band during his frat party days at Texas Tech.

His part-time hobby eventually pulled him away from his studies, forcing him to rethink his future with or without his original bandmates.

“I first started my band with guys in my frat. We did a few gigs and recorded a few demos to see what happens. As things began to move, some of the guys said they

couldn’t do it anymore. We reformed the band and took it in a new direction.”

Joining Abbott are Preston Wait, fiddle; Edward Villanueva, drums; James Hertless, bass; Caleb Keeter, guitar; and cofounding member Austin Davis, banjo.

“We’ve really jelled over the last few years. I couldn’t do anything without them around me.”

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.

Beginning their career at the bottom of the musical food chain, Abbott said they’ve seen it all, from average honky-tonk dive to “Urban Cowboy” deluxe.

“It’s kind of a myth that you can come to Texas and play to huge crowds in places like Austin or other cities. It’s not like that at all. What’s funny is Austin is more of a place for alternative bands, not country. We play honky-tonk dance bars. The world’s biggest is Billy Bob’s, which holds 5,500.

We’ve sold it out twice and almost a third.”

Switching back to the subject of Texas vs. Nashville artists on the radio, Abbott shared some surprising news most listeners may be unaware of.

“Texas country music has been ignored for a long time. What you hear on the radio is mostly out of Nashville, even here in Texas. But if anything, it’s gotten a little better because of singers like Randy Rogers and Pat Green, who’ve made it into regular rotation. We are also one of the few that have broken that barrier, too. That’s a big accomplishment. ” While music aficionados can argue the differences between the two, Abbott said the distinction is clear.

“To me, Texas country is a representation of our statehood.

Singing songs that just aren’t regular country songs or love songs.

These are songs that reflect our life here. Our song ‘Roadtrippin’ is about goin’ gambling in Nevada, which is what a lot of us do when we hit the road. We talk about goin’ to the lake or tailgating, and going to San Antonio with your lady.”

Abbott said many of the barriers for new artists are erected by the suits, who have a stranglehold on all aspects of the county music industry, including airplay.

“We got as high as 42 on the Billboard charts, but we still couldn’t get airplay in Georgia, Tennessee, and some other markets because we weren’t on a record label. They’re not the gate keepers to good music; the fans

are.”

Excited for the band’s Bakersfield show, Abbott said fans can expect a mix of familiar material, including their latest single, “Oh, Tonight,” from the CD “She’s Like Texas.”

“The show is mostly upbeat, a lot of energy. We communicate with fans, usually start strong, then a nice little cruise control, and end it hot. You don’t wanna hit that spell and bore people. My band is second to very few people.”

Despite his attitude toward the establishment, Abbott said he still wouldn’t mind fielding a few label offers in the future.

“We’re not saying we don’t wanna be on a label, but the great thing about being an independent artist is that there’s a whole world of possibilities out there.

You take the pros and cons and go with it.”

Saturday’s all-ages show begins at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace is located at 2800 Buck Owens Blvd.

For more information call 3287560.

Matt’s pick Giving Tree Project Battle of The Bands at the Nile, 1721 19th St., 11 a.m., Saturday, $15, 323-8575. This all-day fundraising fiesta of music and art spearheaded by local nature advocate Amber Beeson is massive. Fifteen bands, including a cross-section of the current Bako band scene, are in the mix: Funeral Club, The Aviators, Ruby Skye, Choirs, The Architecture along with DJ Josex.

There’s also a rare gathering of artists on the same bill like personal faves Jen Raven, Nyoka Jameson, and Guilli Munster Garcia and even more to be announced. Judging the band battle portion will be 800Lb. Gorilla lead singer Simon Faughn and former KRAB jock Jarad “Meathead” Mann. All money raised will benefit The Giving Tree Project at William Penn Elementary.

Sorry, kids — 21 and over only.

23

Thursday, January 19, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Craving Celtic comfort?

s... i h t f o te o n e k a T

Performers plan local gigs with Gaelic flavor

Salate

BY SUSAN SCAFFIDI Contributing writer

C

eltic musician Brian Caldwell stresses the authenticity of his group, Highland Way, as an attraction not only for his band but for Celtic music in general.

“We’ve got Scotsmen in the band, Irishmen,” Caldwell said. “We’re very authentic; we’ve got this great feel for the authenticity of the music.”

“As long as you keep the root in Scottish and Irish music, then you don’t lose that,” Caldwell said.

Highland Way will perform in Bakersfield on Jan. 22 as part of the Community Concert Association’s 2011-12 season.

Caldwell, who is a native of Glasgow, Scotland, and has the world’s thickest brogue to prove it, agreed that the United States has proven to be a huge market for the traditional music of Scotland and Ireland, two of countries that fall under the Celtic banner. He credits two popular culture events with American interest in his music: the film “Braveheart,” and the dance phenomenon “Riverdance.”

“Those two things alone have brought the awareness of Celtic culture to the forefront,” Caldwell said.

Highland Way consists of Caldwell on guitar and vocals, Ned Giblin on mandolin, whistles and vocals, Paul Graham Castellanos on fiddle, mandolin, guitar and banjo, Freddy Faith on percussion and Sharon Whyte on accordion and keyboard. Caldwell said the group adapts its program depending on the expectations of the audience.

“I think an audience that expects traditional music, they’re going to hear that,” Caldwell said, adding that the group is influenced by the current trend in Celtic music, which is to blend it with other music traditions, including jazz, Latin and African music.

But he also stresses the discipline that serious Celtic musicians observe to learn the traditional music in its purest form first.

“The music had been banned (in the 18th century by the English),” Caldwell said. “No one could write any of the songs down, so they were handed down note for note generation to generation to keep the music alive.”

Caldwell said serious Celtic musicians learn traditional music just as it was done centuries ago.

“The pipers, the whistle players, the violin players, the guitar players — they all try to do adhere to that,” Caldwell said.

Patrick Ball at House Concert Also on the Celtic menu this weekend are two performances by Patrick Ball, known nationally as a musician

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Celtic music What: Highland Way, presented by the Bakersfield Community Concert Association Where: Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave When: 7:30 p.m. Monday Admission: $60, includes five concerts. Memberships available by calling 205-8522 or 589-2478 ••• What: Patrick Ball, Celtic harpist Where: Fiddler’s Crossing, 206 F St., Tehachapi When: 7 p.m. Saturday Admission: $15; available at Mountain Music, The Apple Shed, or by calling 823-9994 ••• What: Arts Council of Kern House Concert Where: Location available upon making reservation When: 4 p.m. Sunday Admission: 324-9000

and storyteller.

Ball, a native of San Francisco, found his true calling after being exposed to the storytelling and music traditions of both Ireland and Appalachia, which has its roots in Irish and Scottish cultures. Ball will perform on Saturday evening at Fiddler’s Crossing in Tehachapi, and on Sunday afternoon to open the Arts Council of Kern’s 2012-13 House Concert series.

Ball has become well-known for his tributes to Irish harpist and composer Turlough O’ Carolan, an 18th century musician considered by many to be Ireland’s national composer.

Many of O’Carolan’s 200-plus songs are still performed today, and Ball has created performance programs combining spoken and sung

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Anyone planning to attend this year’s Kern County Scottish Society’s Highland Games in April will need to adjust their calendars.

For the last few years, the annual event has been held at the Kern County Fairgrounds on the weekend before Easter.

Board member Tim Ryan said that because of a scheduling mix-up with the Kern County Fair, this year the games will be held on April 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Kern County Museum.

“We were double-booked at the fairgrounds so we have moved to Pioneer Village at the museum, and we will be using the playing fields at Valley Oaks Charter School for the heavy athletics,” Ryan said. “There’s really plenty of room there.”

“Heavy athletics” refers to just what the name implies, events that involve throwing very heavy objects — stones, hammers and the caber, a huge wooden pole.

Ryan said Scottish Society will offer all of the usual events, including live music, children’s activities, booths representing the various clans, and other activities.

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24

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 19, 2012

Eye Street ‘CALIFORNIAN RADIO’ Brian Sivesind, who has had an outstanding year in local theater, will be the featured guest on “Californian Radio” this morning, where he will discuss his latest production, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” at Stars Theatre Restaurant.

Sivesind Also joining Lifestyles Editor Jennifer Self and Assistant

Lifestyles Editor Stefani Dias will be Mark Downing, the second person to be featured in The Californian’s hunt for the best server in Bakersfield.

We’ll also be giving away a copy of “The Fruit Gardener’s Bible,” so make sure to listen for the cue to call, and, as always, we welcome your questions, comments, rants and raves at 842KERN. “Californian Radio” broadcasts from 9 to 10 a.m. weekdays on KERN, 1180-AM.

Ask A Professional

We feature local experts to answer your questions.

For info contact: Linda Petree at 661-395-7621

Wills, Trusts & Probate

Q: A:

What’s so bad about probate?

Contributing writer

Rosetta N. Reed Attorney at Law

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Whoa, Nellie! Classic musical hitting town

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There are many candidates for the title “Greatest Musical of All Time,” and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific” certainly qualifies as one of them.

“South Pacific,” based on James Michener’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book, “Tales of the South Pacific,” first opened on Broadway in 1949. It won 10 Tony Awards and ran for five years. The show has been revived several times; a 2008 revival at the Lincoln Center earned another eight Tony Awards, including awards for the direction and production values.

A touring production of “South Pacific” will stop in Bakersfield for one performance on at 7:30 Tuesday at the Rabobank Theater, as part of the Broadway in Bakersfield season.

“This tour that I’m currently in is based on the Lincoln Center revival in 2008,” said Cathy Foy-Mahi, who performs the role of Bloody Mary.

“This Bloody Mary has many, many layers; she’s not the typical Bloody Mary people may have come to know in the film or many productions,” said Foy-Mahi.

“First, she’s a professional business woman, selling her wares to the military personnel,” Foy-Mahi said. “Second, she’s a mother who is deeply protective of her daughter.

“She does everything in her power to get her daughter off the island and provide a better life for her,” Foy-Mahi said. “And when she sees Lt. Cable, she decides he’s the one to do that for her.”

“South Pacific” is set during World War II on an island U.S. Navy base in the Pacific Theater. Two love stories play out against this background — Lt. Nellie Forbush and French planter Emile Le Becque, and Lt. Joe Cable and the native girl, Liat. It’s a very serious story, not just because of the realities of the war, but because both love stories are darkened by racial prejudice.

Nellie rejects Emile because he has two mixed-race children from his Polynesian wife, who has died; Joe rejects Liat because he cannot face the prospect of marrying a woman of another race.

Songs such as “Some Enchanted

‘South Pacific’ Where: Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday Tickets: Start at $26.50, Rabobank Theater box office, or Ticketmaster

Evening,” “Younger Than Springtime,” “Bali Hai,” “A Cockeyed Optimist,” “There is Nothing Like a Dame” and others have become popular standards. But one song, “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught,” turned what would have otherwise been a conventional musical into a thought-provoking and controversial production, especially in 1949.

The song, sung by Lt. Cable, is an attempt to explain why he and Nellie felt forced into rejection — that it’s not something they’re born with, but something they learn in childhood. The frank discussion of prejudice generated both great praise and condemnation during the show’s first run, and even prompted some discussion of cutting the song from the show, an idea that was eventually rejected

by Rodgers, Hammerstein, co-writer and producer Joshua Logan, and Michener himself.

Foy-Mahi said she’s really amazed at the show’s lasting relevance.

“Here I am, singing these songs and saying these words that were written over 60 years ago,” Foy-Mahi said. “The thoughts and the message and the music still ring true.”

Foy-Mahi said her experience with the tour is that the show has timeless appeal, and seems to reach audiences of all ages.

“We see people in the audience singing along,” Foy-Mahi said.

She said the cast has also had a chance to interact with schoolchildren at some points in the tour.

“Children who don’t even know about the background just love the music,” FoyMahi said.

“It’s a very simple musical,” Foy-Mahi said. “We may not have flying insects or falling chandeliers, but it’s a wonderful, timeless show.”

25

Thursday, January 19, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Ask A Professional

We feature local experts to answer your questions.

For info contact: Linda Petree at 661-395-7621

End-of-Life Care

Q: A:

What is the advantage of having a nurse who is Hospice and Palliative Care certified?

The same as having any healthcare provider who is a specialist in his or her field. This certification demonstrates a mastery of all areas of endof-life care. At Hoffmann, a number of our nurses and aides have earned their certifications, with more in the process.

Tom Hoffmann Administrator

8501 Brimhall Road, Bldg. 100 Bakersfield, CA 93312 661-410-1010 www.hoffmannhospice.org PHOTO COURTESY OF HANNAH EGLAND

Last year’s Sterling Silver dinner, organized by the Bakersfield College Foundation, raised $16,000 for the college’s culinary arts program and the Renegade Fund, which directs money to projects that need it.

Raising cash by raising your glass Pair of sumptuous fundraisers are musts on culinary calendar

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

B

akersfield is known for many things, including its love of the three F’s: fundraisers, food and fun. Indulge those passions next week with a couple of annual events.

Hosting for the fourth year, Bakersfield College Foundation offers its Sterling Silver Dinner. The event is a culinary collaboration between the college’s chef’s brigade — headed by chefs Pat Coyle, Suzanne Davis, Ray Ingram and Alex Gomez — and William Bloxsom-Carter, executive chef of the Playboy Mansion West.

The event is “an all campus hands-on event,” according to Hannah Egland, the foundation’s donor relations coordinator.

“Not only is it our students fixing dinner and serving it. BC faculty member Kris Tiner is providing music (with the Kris Tiner Jazz Trio). The student government will provide students to shuttle people to and from the event to their cars. And ag leadership students help set up and tear down.”

Dishes, from the opening reception through the five-course meal, are paired with a variety of wines from around the state: Mumm Napa, Ortman Family Wines, Scott Family Estate, Merryvale, Starmont and Ficklin Vineyards. Highlighting a variety of vineyards, which donated or offered the wine at a discounted rate, is a new feature this year.

Also new this year is a photo booth, allowing guests to commemorate the evening.

Speaking of photos, the event’s silent

Assisted Living

Q: A:

Sterling Silver Dinner When: 6:30 p.m. Jan. 28 Where: Bakersfield College, John Collins Campus Center, 1801 Panorama Drive Cost: $175 per person; $325 per couple; $1,000 for table of six Information: 395-4850

auction will feature the works of Californian photographers Casey Christie and Felix Adamo as well as John Harte, BC instructor and former Californian photographer.

Other items up for bid include orchids from BC’s horticulture department; a wine tasting in the caves of Eberly Winery in Paso Robles; and a Valentine’s Day package set to include dinner at the Bell Tower Club, vehicle rental from Motor City Buick GMC (an event silver sponsor, along with the family of Don and Diane Lake) and possibly a night’s stay at the Padre Hotel.

A signature item being auctioned again this year is a private dinner for 10, held at a location, usually a home, selected by the auction winner.

The menu is planned by chef Coyle with wines selected by foundation executive director Mike Stepanovich.

Tempting guests to bid on the dinner, the night’s menu includes starters such as roasted New Zealand lamb chop “lollipops” with lemongrass-mint glaze, DunPlease see DINNERS: 26

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26

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 19, 2012

Eye Street Kern County theme.

“We’re going all local, trying to focus on local companies that people know,” said Robin Starr, publicity chairwoman and past Guild House president.

To that end, the menu features local items such as almonds, pistachios, citrus fruit, baby carrots, potatoes and Pyrenees bread, some donated by “friends of the Guild House.”

Guests will be greeted with champagne, then seated at tables decorated with grapes and Wasco roses (along with pickled tongue and Dewar’s chews).

The menu consists of a Guild Housestyle Basque soup, Pyrenees herbed garlic bread, citrus medley salad with pistachios, beef tenderloin with a Gorgonzola sauce with fanned baked potatoes and baby carrots, finished off with chocolate chip ice cream cake, featuring Dewar’s ice cream sprinkled with almonds.

(Although Kern County is also wellknown for tomatoes and melons, organizers kept those off the menu as the fruits

DINNERS: CONTINUED FROM 25

geness crab cake bouchée with creme fraiche and Tobiko caviar and Cambozola cheese tartlet with tomato chutney and garlic flower.

The five-course meal features panseared Norwegian ocean trout on a bed of risotto; osso bucco “Milanese”; cheese course with Shaft’s aged bleu vein cheese, toasted Marcona almonds, and wine-infused fruit; and “a study in chocolate”: flourless espresso chocolate torte, hazelnut-Gianduja tartlet, and white chocolate coeur a la creme.

To expedite service, the guest limit will cap at around 150 (120 people attended last year). As of Wednesday, Egland said that there were at least 50 seats left, but potential guests should call soon.

Affaire Extraordinaire The Guild House is also keeping things intimate for its Affaire Extraordinaire.

The thrice-annual event plays up the community’s bounty with its Taste of

DERBY: CONTINUED FROM 16

2012 Trout Fishing Derby

Cost to participate includes the daily entrance fee, plus a daily Lake Evans fishing wristband, which is $6 for those 16 and older, and $1 for children 15 and under.

“But catching fish is what it is all about,” he said. Anglers will be able to enjoy both shoreline and boat fishing.

However, the north side of the lake is the only one that has vehicle access. He said older fishermen can pull their vehicles right up to the lake and fish from there.

“It’s fun to watch kids catch their first trout,” Cornelson said.

“Last year, we had between 500 and 600 participants on Saturday. We didn’t have that many on Sunday.”

He expects a similar crowd this year.

When: 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday Where: Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area, Lake Evans, Highway 43.

Admission: $6 for those 16 and older, and $1 for those 15 and under; plus regular daily entrance fee: $6 for a vehicle with up to 10 people; $8, vehicle with 11 to 20 people; $11, vehicle containing more than 21 Information: 868-7000

“We have some real nice prizes this year,” Cornelson said. “And you get to take home some great trout to eat that you caught yourself. There is nothing better than that.”

aren’t in season.)

The $100 dinner, which benefits the Henrietta Weill Memorial Child Guidance Clinic, is a bargain for a good cause, Starr said.

“It includes dinner, wine, tax and gratuity. Everything is included. That’s what I like about these dinners. Compare that to other places in town. I think that’s a pretty good deal.”

A choice of red or white wine will be offered, although Starr said she was still trying to source local wines.

“I’m looking for Kern County wines. I know there are a lot of people in Kern County who drink wine.”

Starr encourages football fans to take advantage of the event, thoughtfully planned the week before the Super Bowl.

For those who can’t make the event, there will be another fundraiser on April 22 to close out the fiscal year.

Starr said those interested in attending should call the Guild House at 325-5478 for reservations.

Cornelson, an 18-year veteran of the parks department, said that at age 55, he has no plans to retire soon. But he has a pretty good idea of how he’d like to spend Chapter Two of his life when the time comes.

“I love to fish,” Cornelson said. “I’ve been to Alaska, where I fished for halibut and king salmon.

“When I retire, I’m going to get a boat that doesn’t sink, and I will be chasing fish all day,” he laughed.

The Kern County Parks and Recreation Department sponsors the annual event, but other local businesses are also providing prizes, ranging from fishing poles and tackle to gift cards, he said.

Those interested in donating prizes or being a sponsor can still contact the department at 868-7000.

DOWNTOWN BAKERSFIELD’S PREMIER BIKE SHOP

Special Monday Night 3 course prix fixe dinner.

Includes a Glass of Wine, House Salad, Entrée and Dessert.

Authorized Dealer

15

$

Reservations are recommended, please give us a call.

99

(Price per person.

Gratuity & tax excluded)

For your convenience we now offer validated parking during lunch hours at Superior Parking Garage on 18th Street.

661-326-8870 Located at 1400 17th Street, on the corner of 17th and K Street

www.uricchios-trattoria.com

Starting at

per person

$

449

www.blacktopcyclery.com 612 18th St. • Bakersfield, CA 93301 • 661.869.1140 OPEN: Tues - Fri 10 am - 6pm • Saturday 10 am - 3 pm CLOSED: Sundays & Mondays

TRUCKS: CONTINUED FROM 16

out there, you’ve got more power, and there’s not a whole lot out there that can stop you.”

Another part of being a monster truck driver is putting on a pulse-pounding, chest-rattling show that will excite monster truck fans of all ages, which is just what Payne and the rest of the drivers of the Monster X Tour intend to do, and all for a reasonable price.

“This is a show that’s based around the fans,” he said. “And it’s an action-packed show.

There’s flame throwers, there’s transformers, there’s the free stunt motocross guys; there’s just no dead time. It’s nothing but action.”

And with adult tickets starting at $10 and kids tickets at just $5, an entire family of four can enjoy an evening of action for under 30 bucks.

For an hour prior to the show (from 6 to 7 p.m., all ticket holders are welcome to visit the Autograph Pit Party. The pass is included with the full-price tickets, and those with upper discount level tickets can purchase a pass at the box office for an additional $5. In the pit, fans can meet the drivers and see their trucks up close, as well as take pictures with them.

For Payne, meeting his fans and keeping them happy is another part of his job that he’s passionate about.

“Dealing with the fans is great,” he said.

“Seeing the guys bring their kids down, and just having their kids around and seeing them react to the trucks. Some kids are scared of the trucks, and some kids love them. It’s the highlight of the show for me; that’s what we’re there for is the fans.”

Monster X Tour When: Pit Party from 6 to 7 p.m.; show starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday Where: Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. Admission: $5 to $30 Information: ticketmaster.com or 800745-3000

27

Thursday, January 19, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

FIELD CALIF OR

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2012

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Week one voting period in progress.

VOTE TODAY! Vote now thru JANUARY 21ST for the following categories: 1.

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Best Antique Store Best Bridal Wear Best Carpet Flooring Best Cell Phone Carrier Best Drycleaner Best Furniture Store Best Men’s Apparel Best Nursery/Garden Store Best Optometrist Best Real Estate Agent Best Shoe Store Best Tire Store Best Travel Agency

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Go online to to vote for your favorite places, people and business in a variety of categories.

Each week new categories will be posted. Voting weeks are:

Best Used Car Dealership Best Bakery Best Basque Restaurant Best Restaurant for Kids/Family Best Senior Special Best Wine Selection Best Annual Event Best Park Best Place For a Birthday Party Best Worthy Cause Best Buffet Best Cupcakes Best Medical Group

Week 2 voting: 01/22/12 - 01/28/12 Week 3 voting: 01/29/12 - 02/04/12 Week 4 voting: 02/05/12 - 02/11/12 Best of Kern County 2012 results will publish in the April 28th issue of Bakersfield Life Magazine.

www.BestofKern.com

28

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 19, 2012

Eye Street Go & Do Today League of Women Voters, annual planning meeting, 6 to 8:30 p.m., University Square, 2000 K St. $10, includes dinner.

Email patti.jepsen.ak8b@statefarm.com or 634-3773.

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.

Free Day at Buena Vista Museum, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, 2018 Chester Ave.3246350.

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

Friday The Jackson Southernaires: Musical Concert, (more on Page 20).

League of Dreams Gala Dinner & Auction, dinner provided by Luigi’s, entertainment by Good Question, 6 to 10:30 p.m., Garces High School, Monsignor Leddy Hall, 2800 Loma Linda Dr. $125.

Visit ourleagueofdreams.com or 377-1700.

Monster X Tour, (more on Page 16).

FLICS International Cinema Society: “Bride Flight,” 7:30 p.m., Bakersfield Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $5. flics.org or call 428-0354 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 2012 2-Day Trout Fishing Derby, (more on Page 16) 8th annual Annie Schierlitz Memorial Adult-Jr., Doubles Bowling Tournament, first squad 10 a.m.; second squad at 1:30 p.m., raffle prizes and trophies, AMF Southwest Lanes, 3610 Wible Road. $20 or $40 per team.

869-6138.

Battle of the Bands & Art Show, (more on Page 18).

Hart Park Cyclocross Race, registration at 7:30 a.m.; course opens at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nor. Cal vs. So. Cal on Sunday, Hart Park, Alfred Harrell Highway. All races $30. 321-9247.

Bird Seed Wreath, 10 a.m., Log Cabin Florist, 800 19th St. $30.

327-8646.

Certified Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to noon, next to Golden State Mall, 3201 F St. Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Brimhall Square, 9500 Brimhall Road.

Flamenco & Classical Guitar Class, taught by John Gomez, for individuals or a group, from 1:30 to 4 p.m., Juliana’s Art Studio & Gallery, 501 18th St. 496-0891 or 327-7507.

Free Electronic Waste Recycling Event, bring your unwanted electronics, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tehachapi Unified School District, 400 S. Snyder Ave., Tehachapi.

369-9861.

Joaquin Squares Dancing for Donations Square Dance, with Charlie Fagan, Chuck and Mary Ryall, 6:45 p.m.; dancing begins at 7:30 p.m., Rasmussen Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane. $10 donation.

742-5176.

KCBCC 10 Year Anniversary Gala, “A year older..a decade wiser,” with guest speakers Ron Busby, Sr. and Aubry Stone, 6 to 11 p.m., Marriott Hotel, 801 Truxtun Ave. $75; $140 couples; $700 per table. 326-1529.

Kern Audubon-Tehachapi Field Trip, field trip to Hart Park/Lake Ming to see winter birds, meet at Lake Ming near the restrooms, 8 a.m. kernaudubonsociety.org or 821-7702.

THEATER

Sunday

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

Trout’s, 805 N. Chester Ave., 872-7517, Kern River Blues Society Jam, 2 to 8 p.m. every third Saturday.

Italian Catholic Federation’s Breakfast and Lunch, Branch 281, will serve breakfast from 8 to noon and lunch from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Parish Hall, 124 Columbus St. $6; $4 under 12.

ART Nancy Merrick, artwork on display for the months of January and February, Capitol Real Estate Group, 1700 Chester Ave. ‘Lost and Foundry’ Exhibition, 4 to 9 p.m. or by appointment now until Jan. 30, The Foundry Gallery, 1602 20th St. bakersfieldfoundry.com.

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.

Beginning Acrylic Painting Class, for ages 12 and older, 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Bakersfield Art Association Art Center, 1817 Eye St. $20, some supplies provided.

869-2320.

Juliana’s Art Studio & Gallery, offers stained glass classes, 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.

“Boy Gets Girl,” 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. $15 general; $10 students/seniors. 327-PLAY. “Into the Woods,” (more on Page 21) “Late Night with Christopher Durang,” 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. $5. 327-PLAY. “Showdown in Shafter,” (more on Page 20).

“The Drowsy Chaperone,” (more on Page 20).

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.

MUSIC Blues

Classic Rock T-Bones Steakhouse, 8020 District Blvd., 398-1300; Usual Suspects, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Friday; Eddie Munoz and Brushfire, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

Que Pasa Mexican Cafe, 9000 Ming Ave., 664-1400; Mike Montano , 9 p.m. Saturday.

Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; TNT, 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

days, 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.

Pairs and Spares Dance, with Jerri Arnold, Country George and Ed Shelton, 7 p.m. Friday, Rasmussen Senior Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane. $7; $9 nonmembers. 399-3575.

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

DoubleTree Hotel, Club Odyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court. 323-7111; live in the mix: old school, 80’s, & 90’s music, 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. every Saturday.

Iron Horse Saloon, 1821 S. Chester Ave., 831-1315; DJ Jerome, 7 p.m. 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.

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

Ethel’s Old Corral Cafe, 4310 Alfred Harrell Highway, 873-7613; Bakersfield Rhythm Boys, 7 p.m.

Friday; CRS Riders, 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday.

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

Wednesdays.

Cafe Med, 4809 Stockdale Highway., 834-4433; Richie Perez, 7:30 to 11 p.m. Thursdays.

Imbibe Wine & Spirits Merchant, 4140 Truxtun Ave., 633WINE; live music & wine bar with featuring local artist and Jazz Connection, along with 24 wines, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

King Tut, 10606 Hageman Road; live Instrumental and vocal Jazz, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. each Friday and Saturday. Free.

Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 White Lane, 834-1611; Bakersfield Jazz Workshop, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. every Wednesday.

Que Pasa Mexican Cafe, 2701 Ming Ave., 832-5011; Jazz Invasion, 9 to 10 p.m. every Saturday.

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

Dancing

Karaoke

Bakersfield Rounders, ballroom (cued) transition class levels two and three, 7 p.m. Tuesdays, South Bakersfield Veteran’s Hall, 1905 Wilson Road. $10 per couple. 7477921.

Folklorico Classes, advance dancers/performing group 6 to 8 p.m. Fridays; and beginners, all ages, 10:30 a.m. to noon Satur-

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.

Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; Bellvedere Idol Karaoke Contest,

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

Country

prizes for winners, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursdays and Sundays.

Big Daddy Pizza, 6417 Ming Ave., 396-7499; 7 to 10 p.m. every Tuesday; 8 to 11 p.m. every Friday.

Cactus Valley, 6 to 10 p.m. every Thursday at 4215 Rosedale Highway. 633-1948.

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. karaoke.

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.

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

Diana’s Pit Stop, 10807 Rosedale Highway, 587-8888; 8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays.

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.

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

Ethel’s Old Corral, 4310 Alfred Harrell Highway, 873-7613; 6 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday.

Iron Horse Saloon, 1821 S. Chester Ave., 831-1315; 7 to 11 p.m.

Wednesdays and Thursdays.

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

Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 White Lane, 834-1611; A to Z Karaoke, 8 p.m. to midnight Tuesdays.

Lone Oak Inn, 8 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at 10612 Rosedale Hwy. 589-0412.

Magoo’s Pizza, 1129 Olive Drive, 399-7800; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Maria Bonita Mexican Restaurant, 10701 Highway 178, 3663261, 7 to 11 p.m. Fridays. All ages.

McMurphy’s Irish Pub & Sports Bar, 14 Monterey St., 869-1451; 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesdays.

Pizzeria, 4200 Gosford Road, 3971111; 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays.

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

Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner, 3230053; 8 p.m. to midnight Saturdays.

Replay Sports Lounge & Grill, 4500 Buck Owens Blvd., 3243300; 8 p.m. every Wednesday.

Please see 29

29

Thursday, January 19, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street CONTINUED FROM 28

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

Rocket Shop Cafe, 8:30 to midnight every Saturday at 2000 S. Union Ave. 832-4800.

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; 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Round Table Pizza, 2060 White Lane, 8362700; 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Round Table Pizza, 2620 Buck Owens Blvd., 327-9651; The Junction with host Mac Clanahan, 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays.

Round Table Pizza, 4200 Gosford Road, 397-1111; 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

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

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.

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

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

The Bull Shed Bar & Grill, at Hotel Rosedale, 2400 Camino Del Rio Court, 3270681; 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The Junction Lounge, 2620 Buck Owens Blvd., 327-9651; 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

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

The Playhouse, 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 Wrecking Yard, 9817 S. Union Ave., 827-9192; 7 to 10 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

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 Hwy. 363-5102.

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

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.

Music showcase The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall Road, 8311413; featuring local artists, 7 to 10 p.m. every Wednesday.

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

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

Tickets on sale Ska-punk band Sublime with Rome will return to Bakersfield on March 14.

Tickets will be available online at www.timgardeapresents.com at 10 a.m. Saturday; printed tickets will be offered at 10 a.m. Jan. 28. The band’s last stop in Bakersfield was in November 2010 at the Rabobank Convention Center. They’ll be performing at the Dome in March. Everlast is the special guest at the all-ages show, which starts at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $37, including fees, and can be purchased at World Records, Impact Streetwear, Outer Limits, True Grit, Wavelengths, Hoggz and the Dome box office. For more information, go to timgardeapresents.com.

— The Bakersfield Californian Iron Horse Saloon, 1821 S. Chester Ave., 831-1315; Lost Vinyl featuring Becky Aguilar, 7 to 11 p.m. Friday.

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 and Saturday.

Sunday, March 11, 2012 | Noon – 4pm | DoubleTree Hotel

3,000+ Expected Attendance!

Presented by

Vendors Featuring: • Medical Screening • Retail Shops • Product Samples Be An Exhibitor: • Call 395-7563 • healthybakersfield.com Keynote Speaker Cathy Rigby

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

B. Ryder's Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane, 397-7304; Glam Corbra, 9 p.m., Friday, 21 and over only; Vanity Avenue, 9 p.m. Saturday, 18 and over. $5 each night.

Songwriters The Rustic Rail Saloon, 147 E. Norris Road, 393-0456, Songwriter' s Showcase with host David Reeves Carpenter, sign up begins at 6 p.m.; 7 to 11 p.m. Thursdays.

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.

UPCOMING EVENTS Monday 1/23 Bakersfield Community Concert Association, presents “Highland Way,” (more on Page 23)

MADERA WINE TRAIL PRESENTS

Wine & Chocolate Weekend FEBRUARY 11 & 12, 2012 10 AM TO 5 PM BOTH DAYS TASTE OUR AWARD-WINNING WINES!

Wine Tasting at 10 Madera Wineries Chocolates, Delicious Food, Live Music, Local Art and Gift Shops

Tuesday 1/24 Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific-Broadway, (more on Page 24).

Wednesday 1/25 Author Ellinson Book Discussion, of her book “Wherever There’s a Fight: A History of Civil Liberties in California,” 3 to 5 p.m., CSUB, Dezember Reading Room, 9001 Stockdale Highway. Free. 654-3042.

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., CASA, 2000 24th St. kerncasa.org or 631-2272.

Condors vs. Alaska Aces, 7 p.m., Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $11 to $25. Tickets: Rabobank box office, ticketmaster.com or 324-7825.

$25 in Advance Online or at Participating Locations through February 10

$35 the Weekend of the Event

To enhance your Wine Trail experience, no large capacity buses (30+ passenger) will be allowed.

FOR TICKETS, MAP & MORE INFORMATION Visit www.MaderaWineTrail.com • (800) 613-0709