Eye Street Entertainment / 3-15-12 by Matt Munoz

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, March 15, 2012

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

Index Guitar Shorty ............................................ 18 ‘Around the World of Wine’ .................... 19 Arts Alive.................................................. 20 Rock and Gem Rendezvous ...................... 21 The Lowdown with Matt Munoz.............. 22 Bakersfield in Nashville .......................... 24 New Gaslight show.................................. 25 Calendar .............................................. 28-29

Finding groove on YouTube Millions follow local couple’s parodies BY ASHLEY FISCHER Contributing writer

long time ago, before “The Dark Knight” brought cinematic street cred to comic book films, before “The Walking Dead” brought the zombie apocalypse into people’s living rooms, before every teen, tween (and their moms) dreamed of dating a vampire, a werewolf (or both) — being called a “nerd” wasn’t meant as a compliment. But Bakersfield couple Chad Nikolaus and Angie Griffin proudly wave the “nerd” banner. And judging by the popularity of their YouTube channel, which showcases the couple’s parodies of music and pop culture, it looks like they have some company. “We checked the other day and our channel had 100,000 subscribers and something like over 20 million individual views, which is really shocking,” Nikolaus said. “We never expected to get that many.” The video-making duo began contributing their own particular brand of “nerdery” to the Internet in 2008 after meeting each other online a few years before. While initial interest in their posts was slow, they managed to find a regular audience, much of it scattered around the globe. Gradually, their popularity began to snowball, thanks in large part to a little 8-bit ape named Kong. “Probably our first video to gain any sort of popularity was ‘Donkey Kong Song,’” said Nikolaus. “We have a very good following of Nintendo fans, and that was the first one that got over 1 million views.” “Donkey Kong Song” now stands at well over 2 million views, but the couple was just getting started. A video parody of the now infamous song “Friday,” by teen (and fellow YouTube sensation) Rebecca Black, was aired on NBC’s “Today” show. “Yeah, we had no idea until we started getting all of the calls from our friends and family telling us about it,” Nikolaus said. “It’s crazy to even think about it. We consider our videos, especially the Rebecca Black one, just kind of silly, goofy fun. So it was really incredible when we ended up on this show we used to watch when we were kids.”

ALEX HORVATH / THE CALIFORNIAN

Chad Nikolaus and Angie Griffin have found a way to share their pop-culture obsessions with the rest of the world by posting video parodies to their own YouTube channel. One of their videos, “Donkey Kong Song,” has received northward of 2 million views.

Screen Team screenteamshow.com

There are nearly 200 videos on the Screen Team YouTube Channel, all featuring the couple's visual ruminations on various aspects of popular culture (specifically, movies and videogames). Their posts vary in style from their simple “Screen Team Sunday” videos, in which the couple answer questions from their many followers, to their much more elaborate musical parodies, or “geekidies,” as they prefer to call them. The popular videos consist of Nikolaus and Griffin singing their self-penned lyrics, which poke fun at iconic franchises such as Batman and Pokémon, to the tune of other artists' hit songs, such as LMFAO’s “Party Rock.” Most of the videos are shot in the couple's apartment and are of a higher quality than the average YouTube effort, thanks to their willingness to appear in full costume and their extensive use of a

green screen they purchased with the intent of upping the production quality of their five-minute cinematic creations. Though they lack a certain random irony or sardonic satire, the videos are largely fun, up-tempo homages to the many pop culture franchises that have spawned fans around the world. Nikolaus and Griffin both freelance out of their home — Griffin doing online marketing and Nikolaus as a video editor. The flexibility of their work allows for a prolific production schedule; they write, shoot and edit as many as three posts a week. “We used to just, even only a year ago, put up a video whenever we could,” said Nikolaus. “But I think that in order to gain more success on YouTube, you really need to have a set schedule. That’s why we also started doing more sets of us doing lists or talking about videogames and movies. They’re smaller and easier to make, and we can put them up regularly every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.” While they approach their video-making as a second job, the

YOUTUBE.COM

Chad Nikolaus and Angie Griffin use costumes and a green screen to add flair to their videos, most of which are shot at their home.

two aren’t getting rich despite their popularity. “We do make money,” the two said in an email. “However the YouTube partner program doesn't allow you to discuss the amounts with anyone or they can take away your account. ... Some of the very biggest YouTubers make six figures a year. Of course, we're not at that level yet. “Right now, we consider YouTube a part-time job. Hopefully, sometime this year we can make it our only job.” But whether they’re able to parlay their side project into a

career or not, they’re committed to continuing their off-kilter homage to pop culture. “I think all my life I’ve had an interest in music, music and creating and entertaining, as well as geeky stuff,” Nickolaus said. “When I was a kid, I used to record myself dancing around in the basement and that sort of thing. We’ve just always had a love for music and videogames and pop culture, and even though it might seem like an odd combination, we figured we might as well combine the two — and it just worked.”

Thursday, March 15, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

CASEY CHRISTIE / THE CALIFORNIAN

From left, Marie Fontana, Jacob Moore, co-owner of Pyrenees Cafe, and Meredith McRae are gearing up for the Bakersfield Lady Leprechauns’ annual pre-St. Patty’s Day luncheon and party at Pyrenees Cafe today. The ladies are extending a rare invitation to the public to join in the fun, an offer that just might be revoked next year.

Lady Leprechauns out to play Party for informal group today, and you’re invited BY MATT MUNOZ Californian staff writer mmunoz@bakersfield.com

o one seems to remember who started Bakersfield’s Lady Leprechauns or why. There are no guidelines, dues, monthly meetings or much of anything else that would define the group as a traditional club. But there is one order of business for this not-so-secret society: Every year, two days before St. Patrick’s Day, they whoop it up like they just got off the boat from Ireland. To put it bluntly: Go wild or go home. “We encourage all things Irish: jokes and stories, dirty or clean,” said longtime member Meredith McRae. “We are bad, but we all have sober drivers.” The ladies are hoping to keep the tradition alive for a new generation: The public is invited to join them at Pyrenees Cafe today for a full day of frolic. Now in its 29th year, the Lady Leprechauns party started as a way for fun-loving ladies to gather, share stories and make new friends. “This is actually a restart for

Lady Leprechauns Party When: No-host social hour 11:30 a.m., luncheon 12:30 p.m. today Where: Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner St. Admission: $25 Information: 323-0053

this group. We’d like to draw some new interest and new ladies,” said McRae, who added there is no single leader. “Everyone is welcome to help out and take a lead if it’s for the betterment of the overall group.” There’s nothing formal about the gatherings, which feature food, drink and Irish music. “We may be a little older, but we have lots of fun all the time,” said McRae, who at 71 sounds more like a giddy 21-year-old who just got her ID. “Anything goes at this party.” This will be the 15th party for McRae, who was introduced to the group by longtime friend Judy Penny. “I remember the first time I showed up, some of the older ladies dressed really fancy, with some huge green hats. I really loved the camaraderie they had

between them. I just kept coming. It was originally by exclusive invite, but now we’re extending our invitation.” And McRae has a partner in crime: Marie Fontana, 82, who began attending 10 years ago and is equally anxious to share her excitement. “Some of the stories I’ve heard told by our ladies have been really interesting,” she said. “I’ve even seen some things that have shocked me. We had an Elvis impersonator come in once …” “I remember,” chimed in McRae. “You were the one putting money in his outfit.” The widow of LeRoy Fontana, who co-owned Fontana’s Pie Shop, Marie has a set of stories to match her colorful personality and wit. She’s not shy in sharing. “Once people find out my last name, they remember the Fontana pie shops. You know, we were inside the Wool Growers building in 1932, years before they moved in. I get asked about recipes, too, like our pecan pies. I tell them, ‘Yeah, it was in those big vats we had.’” The day’s schedule begins with a no-host cocktail hour at 11:30 a.m., before the arrival of a local bagpiper who kicks off the tradi-

tional Irish corned beef and cabbage lunch prepared by Pyrenees cooks. “The food is great, and we love to hug the bagpiper,” Fontana said. You don’t have to be Irish to attend, but for McRae, whose late grandmother was Irish, the gathering does bring up a lot of memories of her heritage. “My grandmother emigrated here from Ireland and married my grandfather, who was German. She was a very devout Catholic, true to her religion, and dedicated to her family. She wore the traditional dark gabardine dresses and loved Schnapps. Anything green reminds me of her, too.” Like McRae, Fontana said her Scotch-Irish blood has to be why she’s drawn every year. “My mom said I was even a little bit Indian, but I don’t know where she got that,” she laughed. Jacob Moore, who became coowner of Pyrenees in December, recalls being introduced to the Lady Leprechauns just a week after moving in. “About five or six ladies came in on a Saturday, hammering me about their longstanding tradition. I had no idea what to expect, but I assume it’s going to be a

“We encourage all things Irish: jokes and stories, dirty or clean. We are bad, but we all have sober drivers.” — Meredith McRae, a longtime member of Bakersfield’s Lady Leprechauns

wild time.” Following lunch, the party continues with a live deejay and karaoke. Whether you’re married or single and ready to mingle, there will be no shortage of dancing partners as many male “leprechauns” find their way from Wool Grower’s restaurant around the corner to Pyrenees. “It caught on after a while, and it’s always been that way since I’ve been coming,” said McRae. “We dance a lot.” Both added that they plan to revoke the public’s invitation after this year, depending on the response, in order to maintain control of their numbers. By Tuesday, they already had 46 reservations. “You are gonna have fun,” Fontana said.

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, March 15, 2012

BAKOTOPIA

B RYDER’S

Eye Street

KELLY 95.3

PRESENTS

All day party! Live onstage! No Duh - Tribute to No Doubt Mento Buru • Good Question? Velorio • Mama’s Kitchin Less Weight For Atlas Joel Jacob • DJ Mikey

Outdoor PARTY GARDEN Drink Specials All Day! Doors open at 10AM for the NCAA Men’s March Madness Tourney!

entry good for all day access, a domestic pint and corned beef & cabbage all day, and raffle prizes including 32” LCD TV and more!

7401 White Ln

F O R M E R LY PA C I F I C T H E AT R E S

VALLEY PLAZA MALL, WIBLE ROAD AT HI-WAY 99

ADVANCE TICKETS AT READINGCINEMASUS.COM 1-800-FANDANGO #2703 “LIKE” READING CINEMAS VALLEY PLAZA 16 ON FACEBOOK FOR SPECIAL PROMOTIONS!

GENERAL MATINEES ADMISSION BEFORE ONLY 6PM ONLY

BAK

BEST M OVIE VAD’S LUE I

ERS

FIEL

SENIORS (55+) AND KIDS ONLY

8 5 5

$ 50 $ 50 $ 50 3D $11.00

3D $8.00

VALUE FREE SIZE POPCORN

ANYONE 55 OR OLDER

JOHN CARTER 3D: (1:20PM, 4:15), 7:05, 9:55 • 2D: (11:30AM, 2:20, 5:15), 8:10

3D $8.00

EVERY THURSDAY

SILENT HOUSE

(R)

A Thousand Words

DR. SEUSS’ THE LORAX (PG) 3D: (12:40PM, 3:05, 5:20), 7:35, 9:45 2D: (11:35AM, 1:30, 2:25, 3:50, 4:40), 6:10, 7:00, 8:15, 9:10 PROJECT X (R) (11:50AM, 12:50, 1:55, 2:55, 4:00, 5:05), 6:05, 7:10, 8:20, 9:15 ACT OF VALOR (R) (11:45AM, 2:15, 4:50), 7:20, 9:45 TYLER PERRY’S GOOD DEEDS (PG-13) (11:50AM, 2:20, 4:55), 7:25, 9:50 ADVANCED SHOWINGS OF

Bargain Shows in ( )

(PG-13)

(11:45AM, 1:45, 3:45, 5:45), 7:45, 9:45

(PG-13)

Guitar slinger keeps on truckin’ in long career BY PAT EVANS Contributing writer

397-7304

READING C

Need an infusion of the blues? Get Shorty

(1:15PM, 3:25, 5:30), 7:45, 9:55

GONE (PG-13) (12:00PM), 9:55 GHOST RIDER 2: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE (PG-13) (12:50PM, 3:15, 5:25), 7:40, 10:00 THE VOW (PG-13) (11:40AM, 2:00, 4:30), 7:00, 9:25 SAFE HOUSE (R) (2:10PM, 4:35), 7:15 JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (PG) (2:45PM, 5:00), 7:15 CHRONICLE (PG-13) (12:40PM), 9:30 THE WOMAN IN BLACK (PG-13) (12:35PM, 2:55, 5:10), 7:30, 9:55

21 JUMP STREET AND CASA DE MI PADRE TONIGHT AT 12:01AM! I Pass/Discount Restrictions Apply Showtimes Valid Only 3/15/12

hose who maintain that “real” blues is never fancy or pretty, never meant to accompany a latte, should use “Watch Your Back” by veteran bluesman Guitar Shorty to emphasize their point. After four decades of constant recording and touring, undeterred by elusive stardom, Guitar Shorty is a blue-collar musician, writing, playing and singing the thoughts and emotions of those who either work for a living or wish they could. Friday night, Bakersfield blues lovers finally get a chance to see firsthand the great American bluesman when he performs the 80th show of the No Stinkin’ Service Charge Blues Series. David “Guitar Shorty” Kearney was born in Houston in 1939 and raised by his grandmother in Kissimmee, Fla. At 6 years old, back when young boys looked forward to careers as cowboys, soldiers or Tarzan, David decided to be a guitar player, dedicated himself to his instrument. He turned professional when he was 13. By 17 he was the featured guitarist in a highly regarded 18-piece band in Tampa. Being much younger and shorter than the rest of the band, a club owner dubbed him “Guitar Shorty,” and the name stuck. Future Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Willie Dixon happened to catch a show and immediately took the young guitarist into the studio, where, backed by veteran guitarist Otis Rush, Shorty cut his first singles in 1957 at the age of 18. From there he hit the road as a member of Ray Charles’ band. Touring brought Shorty to New Orleans and a chance to meet his idol, Guitar Slim. Slim impressed Shorty with the need to have a signature stage show that would catch people’s attention. Slim’s was to do backflips while playing. Shorty next joined Sam Cooke’s touring band and ended up in Seattle in 1960, where he met and eventually married Marsha Hendrix, stepsister to James Marshall “Jimi” Hendrix. Guitar Shorty was a solo artist now and was building an audience, not only because of his guitar prowess, but for the somersaults and flips he did while playing. Jimi spent a lot of time watching Shorty, even going AWOL on several occasions from his Army post to catch a show. “I’d see Jimi at the clubs,” Shorty recalls. “He’d stay in the shadows,

PHOTO COURTESY OF GUITAR SHORTY

Veteran bluesman Guitar Shorty will perform on Friday night at 7 at the DoubleTree Hotel Ballroom.

Guitar Shorty — a Fighter for the People What: No Stinkin’ Service Charge Blues Series featuring Guitar Shorty When: 7 p.m. Friday Where: DoubleTree Hotel Ballroom, 3100 Camino Media Cost: Reserved tickets $25 and $20 Tickets and information: World Records, 831-3100

watching me. I hear my licks in ‘Purple Haze’ and ‘Hey Joe.’ He told me the reason he started setting his guitar on fire was because he couldn’t do the backflips like I did.” World Records dialed in to Guitar Shorty in 2004 when we began playing his release, “Watch Your Back,” a perfect match of music, lyrics, vocals and musicianship. So at 65, when others that age aspire to walk the dog, Guitar Shorty released the biggestselling album of his career, sporting lyrics such as: “In Chapter 1, I was glad to be alive. I discovered a woman along about Chapter 5. Spent all my money by Chapter 10. Been stuck in Chapter 11 ever since then.” Those are textbook Guitar Shorty lyrics — difficult, real-life circumstances told by a man who has lived through worse and is able to find some humor, confident that he will also make it through another bump in his road.

Shorty’s next release, “We the People,” continued the momentum, winning Best Contemporary Blues Album at the 2006 Blues Music Awards. Shorty writes from the trenches of the economic downturn: “I get up in the morning, go down to the store. Prices are getting’ higher, I can’t take it no more. Grab my guitar, try to bend a note. I look at my neck and even my strings are broke.” The state of the economy — jobs, bailouts and opinions about what needs to be done — get a lot of attention these days. Seems plenty of folks, even those who shower in the morning, can relate to the stance Guitar Shorty takes in his latest release, “Bare Knuckle”: “Please Mr. President, lay some stimulus on me. ’Cuz I’m just a working man tryin’ to feed my family. I don’t know how to be a bad guy. I’m not going to steal or rob. But if I’m going to feed my children, I got to have some kind of job.” Guitar Shorty is like the overwhelming majority of signed, professional recording and touring artists. They no longer just write on behalf of struggling, working people. They are in the thick of it, trying to make each recording and tour pencil out, trying to keep their job. Guitar Shorty, a scrappy bluesman in the 55th year of his recording career, offers just the right dose of passion and inspiration for We the People. — Pat Evans is founder of the No Stinkin’ Service Charge Blues Series and owns World Records downtown

Thursday, March 15, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Fundraiser great excuse to wine, dine BY CAMILLE GAVIN Contributing columnist

ith an annual operating budget of more than $1 million, Bakersfield Music Theatre finds it must raise about one-third of the total each year through donations and fundraisers. But the board likes to create events that donors can enjoy as they write that check or dig out a credit card, said BMT president Randy Jelmini. One of those is coming soon in the form of a wine-tasting set for March 25 at Stars. “Actually, it was Jeanne Fillbrandt who suggested we do things like this,” said Jelmini, referring to the wife of executive producer Jim Fillbrandt. “She said, ‘Most of these people are going to contribute anyway, so wouldn’t it be more fun if they got something for their money?’” Billed as “Around the World of Wine,” the party will include tasting stations where guests can sample selections from nine countries located on five continents: North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Australia. Each station will include hors d’oeuvres prepared by Stars’ executive chef and designed to complement each type of wine, selected by Imbibe Wine & Spirits. “The food is really special and there’s a lot of it,” Jelmini said. “It’s not advertised as a dinner but, believe me, it is dinner.” This is the second year BMT, a nonprofit organization that also serves as the umbrella for Stars, has held a wine-tasting. Jelmini said the 2011 event netted nearly $10,000. Other fundraisers are a golf tournament in October and a special $100 per person seven-course dinner and show in June, which includes a silent auction. “It’s called ‘The History of the World,’ a parody written by Dan Marble and Jim Fillbrandt,” he said. “It’s a very fun event and a lot of local business people are in it, people like Ben Stinson, Joe Drew and Harvey Hall.” These events, plus individual contributions, are a major force in enabling BMT to continue producing shows at Stars and

‘Around the World of Wine’ When: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 25 Where: Stars Theatre Restaurant, 1931 Chester Ave. Admission: $60; $120 per couple Information: 325-6100

Harvey Auditorium. In addition to paying for the rights to a show, as well as costumes and sets, they also pay rent for using the Harvey, which is on the Bakersfield High School campus. “Harvey was at one time our only venue, but we don’t make much money off of it anymore,” Jelmini said. “Stars is our biggest venue now.” About two-thirds of the total budget is derived from three sources of revenue: Stars Restaurant, its School of Performing Arts and ticket sales. Most of the individuals involved with putting on shows, including the actors, are unpaid volunteers. Jelmini, a dentist in private practice, is a longtime supporter who also appears onstage. In fact, he plays a Chinese immigrant in BMT’s current production of “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” Among those who do get paid are the director of each show, paid “a nominal fee — about $200,” Jelmini said. Also receiving small stipends are the choreographer and rehearsal accompanist. And each musician in the band is paid $25 per night. BMT has applied for a grant from the Irvine Foundation and is optimistic it will be approved. If it is, the local organization will receive $90,000 over a two-year period. Jelmini said the grant is earmarked for bringing theater and theater opportunities to underserved areas of the community. He looks at the hoped-for grant, as well as other money BMT has received from Irvine in previous years, as a marketing tool. “Instead of giving you a fish,” he said, “they (Irvine) are trying to teach you how to fish.”

Tickets for $400,000 dream home to go on sale today Tickets go on sale today for the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway at all Kern Schools Federal Credit Union branches, Ashley Furniture Homestore, or by calling 1-800-3859134. For more information visit www.dreamhome.org. This year’s house, built by Lenox Homes, will be located in Masterpiece Estates at Froehlich Ranch in northwest Bakersfield and is valued at approximately $400,000. The house will feature four bedrooms, three baths, a three-car garage and 2,850 square feet. In addition to the house, other prizes to be given away are: a Tiburon pool table, courtesy of Kern Billiard Services; a

Sweet Escape Cupcake Package, courtesy of Frosting Ink; and a family gym membership for a year, courtesy of In-Shape Clubs. Winners of the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway will be drawn on Sunday, June 17, on KERO-TV, Channel 23. Lenox Homes is coordinating construction of the St. Jude Dream Home house, and a limited number of $100 tickets will be available. The giveaway benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital treats children with cancer and other lifethreatening illnesses. — St. Jude media release

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, March 15, 2012

Eye Street Camille Gavin CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

Meet ‘Millie’ at the Harvey Madcap plot fuels a tap-happy musical

winsome love story, daring 1920s flappers, mistaken identities and even hints of white slavery make up the goofy plot of “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” Those are some of the elements — plus plenty of tap dancing — audiences can expect from the Bakersfield Music Theatre production that opens this weekend at Harvey Auditorium. Although the Broadway production of “Millie” won a Tony in 2002, it began life way back in 1967 with a film starring Julie Andrews and Mary Tyler Moore. And it was the film version that first attracted director Brent Rochon, a BMT and Stars regular who’s also a top-notch dancer and choreographer. “I remember first seeing the movie when I was in my early 20s, in the ’80s, and completely falling in love with it,” Rochon says now. “I have watched it countless times since.” Two decades later, his enthusiasm for the show was again ignited when he saw a televised performance of “Millie” on the Tony awards show. He was eager to see it in person but never had the opportunity. “So when Bruce (Saathoff) asked me to direct the show, I felt at a disadvantage,” he said. “As soon as I read the script, I was in love once again.” Rochon noted that he and Stars Artistic Director Saathoff recently appeared in Stars performance of “The Drowsy Chaperone,” also is set in the flapper era. “I love the camp and feel of the 1920s,” he said. “At least the way we portray the ’20s nowadays.” Incidentally, this is the first time he hasn’t worked on the choreography for a show he’s directing. Yet he feels fortunate that Terri Cline and Marnie Forzetting were available. “I have to admit that I thought it was going to be difficult to hand over the dance reins,” he said. “But to be honest, after choreographing three or four shows a year over the past 10 years for BMT/Stars, it was easier

GO & DO ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ When: 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday Where: Harvey Auditorium, 14th and G streets Admission: $31 to $37; $15, students Information: 325-6100

David Gordon Workshop When: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday Where: Art Center, 1817 Eye St. Admission: $25, BAA members; $35, nonmembers Information: 869-2320

‘The Talking Stick’ When: Noon, 2 and 4 p.m. Saturday, noon and 2 p.m. Sunday Where: CSUB Arena Theater, 9001 Stockdale Highway Admission: $5, free for children 12 and younger Information: 654-6070

BC Choir and Chamber Singers When: 4 p.m. Sunday Where: First Congregational Church, 5 Real Road Admission: Free Information: 327-1609

than I thought — especially with the people I have on the team.” Char Gaines is the vocal director for the show and Ron Christian will conduct the live orchestra. Erika Kern plays the part of Millie; Adam Cline is Jimmy, her love interest; Bethany Rowlee is Miss Dorothy, Millie’s best friend; Maceo Davis appears as the wealthy Trevor Graydon and Cheryl Smith-Ellis is the wily boarding house owner. Also in the cast are Dale Sheldon and Randy Jelmini, who portray a pair of Chinese immigrants, Leslie Lane, Pegeen Flannery and a 13-member chorus.

Landscape workshop David Gordon, who is this month’s featured artist at the Art Center, will teach an all-day workshop on Saturday. The focus will be on landscape painting from a photograph. The use of oils will be emphasized but participants may use any media they

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

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRENT ROCHON

Millie (Erika Kern) sings with the Office Girls (Kelci Lowry, Desiree Lopez & Danielle Martinez) in a scene from “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” which is playing at Harvey Auditorium.

choose. I’ve watched other demonstrations by Gordon and admired his step-by-step method of teaching. Both his ready wit and ability to interact with participants creates an atmosphere that is instructive yet informal. Gordon is assistant director of the Bakersfield Museum of Art and is also a landscape designer. He grew up on a small family farm south of town and has aptly titled his current exhibit, “I Took These Roads.” He is known for painting scenes that capture both the starkness and the beauty of the rural area as well as the unexpected greenery that softens city streets and concrete freeways. The artist also has an affinity for incorporating telephone poles and tall palm trees in his work.

African folktales at CSUB Seven student actors will use dance, drumming and giant puppets to carry out the ancient art of storytelling in “The Talking Stick,” which will have five performances this weekend at Cal State Bakersfield. Written by Kamala Kruszka, a member of the theater faculty, the play is drawn from four African folktales. The title refers to a stick used by storytellers in some of those cultures as well as those of American Indians. “Users believe the talking stick has a spirit inside that brings power to the storyteller and helps the person speak the truth,” she explained. “When the holder speaks, all others must listen out of respect.” In addition to its value as entertainment, the play also serves as a learning tool as it explores the

PHOTO COURTESY OF CSUB

Cal State Bakersfield student actors will perform “The Talking Stick” this weekend. From left, top row: Kara McDonald, Monica Martinez and Emily Veloz. Middle row: Hudson Sanders, Gabriel Garcia and Ariel Clark. Seated in front: Shealtiel Dow.

themes of trust, honesty, humility and forgiveness. The show is designed for children as young as 3 but Kruszka said it can be enjoyed by adults as well. Seating is limited in the Arena Theater, which is a smaller venue adjacent to the Dore Theater, and reservations are recommended. Parking is free in Lots B and C on the north side of the campus via Stockdale Highway and Don Hart Drive West. This weekend’s performances will be followed by a tour in April and May when the CSUB students take the show to local schools and day-care centers. While the off-campus performances are already booked, Kruszka invites those interested to contact her at 654-6070 or kkruszka@csub.edu to be added to the notification list when the

next production is scheduled.

BC choral groups Folk songs with an international flavor will be the emphasis for the fourth program in the Dukes Memorial concert series on Sunday at the First Congregational Church. Ron Kean of the Bakersfield College performing arts department will direct two BC choral groups, a choir and an ensemble of chamber singers. They will sing songs from Brazil, Canada, the Channel Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Finland, Italy, the British Isles and the United States. Part of the concert will feature guest artist Brenda Hunter, a local Celtic musician and teacher, who will perform music on the fiddle and hammered dulcimer.

Thursday, March 15, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Rock your world at this rendezvous Free lapidary show-and-tell to feature jewelry, fun for kids BY ASHLEY FISCHER Contributing writer

or many rock hounds, fascination with the countless varieties of rocks, gems and minerals produced by our planet begins, simply enough, by picking one up off the ground. But for Lewis Helfrich, founder of Bakersfield’s annual Rock and Gem Rendezvous rock show, things weren’t quite that straightforward. Growing up in Rosamond with a father who cut opals for a living, Helfrich initially wanted nothing to do with the family trade. “I just never got into it. When I was younger, I never ever liked rocks. I had horses, so I’d go horseback riding a lot, but nothing enthused me about rock-hounding.” That all changed a couple of decades later when he and his wife, Lynn, wound up in Bakersfield and enrolled in a lapidary (jewelry making) class at Bakersfield College. After that introduction, Helfrich was hooked. And for the past 15 years, he has been sharing his love for all things geological with Kern County through classes, demonstrations and rock-hounding field trips to the Mojave Desert. He even founded his own group dedicated to learning the ancient arts of stone-cutting and jewelry making: The San Joaquin Valley Lapidary

N E I L

Society. The Rock and Gem Rendezvous show, however, which attracts approximately 3,000 people each year, is by far Helfrich’s largest endeavor. The event, formerly located at the fairgrounds, now takes place at the Kern County Shrine Club, and will attract more than 30 vendors from across the country, selling anything and everything lapidary-related: equipment, raw and finished gemstones and a treasure trove of handcrafted jewelry. “We’ll have high-end vendors and lowend vendors,” Helfrich said. “There really will be something in everybody’s price range. We have a miner from Arkansas bringing lots of crystals, and we have one coming from New York with lapis, and another one from Oregon bringing sunstone. But most importantly, 75 percent of everything there will be made directly from mother Earth. That’s one of my stipulations, that things are made from natural materials.” Incredibly, this ode to geodes is organized entirely by Helfrich and his wife. “We really don’t make very much on it,” he said. “But my wife and I both love it. We love seeing what all of the vendors have for sale, and all the different new gemstones and jewelry being made. Usually, the event ends up paying for itself, and then we’re happy if we come out of it even just a little bit ahead.” The show’s modest financial performance is due in part to the fact that this is one rock show that is completely free of

10th annual Rock and Gem Rendezvous When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday Where: Kern County Shrine Club, 700 S. P St. Admission: Free Information: 323-2663, or lewsrocks@bak.rr.com

charge, a policy Helfrich doesn’t plan on changing anytime soon. “It’s hard sometimes,” he said. “It’s really hard. Lynn and I, we should probably charge, but if we did, then I’m afraid many would not be able to pay for it, and then we wouldn’t have as many kids who are able to come.” Having performed many classroom demonstrations in his time, Helfrich enjoys teasing children with his description of rocks as “petrified dinosaur poop” and teaching them about different facets of geology. Keeping with the educational theme, this year’s Rock Rendezvous will feature plenty of hands-on demonstrations for both children and adults, including flint knapping (arrowhead making), cabochon making and silversmithing. The Buena Vista Museum of Natural History also will be providing instruction on how to dig up and clean fossils. “There’s so many kids that are stuck here in the city and so many families that don’t have the time to take their kids and go out into the desert and look for rocks,” Helfrich said. “So I get this sort of natural high — I just love seeing the kids running around and looking at everything. Not just the kids, we get people of all ages; we even have elderly folks coming in who have never seen what things look like in the rough, how they’re made or where they come from. And that’s the best part for me.”

Songwriters head up workshop The Bakersfield Californian

Rick Reno Stevens of American Sound Recording Studios in Bakersfield called to let us know of a songwriting clinic featuring some industry heavyweights. The clinic, open to amateur songwriters, is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 31. Tickets are $149, with lunch included. According to a media release, songwriters will get the undivided attention of: Steve Dorff, who wrote several hits for Kenny Rogers (“Through the Years”), George Strait (“I Cross My Heart”) Eddie Rabbit (“Every Which Way But Loose”), Mel Tillis (“Coca-Cola Cowboy”), Merle Haggard and Clint Eastwood (“Barroom Buddies”), among a long list of other country and pop greats. Randy Sharp, whose songs have been recorded by Linda Ronstadt (“Dreams of the San Joaquin”), Emmylou Harris (“The Connection”), the Dixie Chicks (“A Home”) Restless Heart (“Why Does It Have to be [Wrong or Right]); and others. Maia Sharp, a songwriter who has recorded with Grammy Award-winning producer Don Was. Artists who have recorded her songs include Trisha Yearwood and Bonnie Raitt. For tickets, call 864-1701. American Sound Recording is located at 2231 R St.

S I M O N ’ S

Escape to the nearby Kern River Valley to share Living Green Ideas all around Lake Isabella.

Purchase tickets online, by phone, or at the Theatre Box Office

STARS THEATRE RESTAURANT 1931 CHESTER AVENUE

325-6100 bmtstars.com

MARCH 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24

More than 30 events, most are FREE & family-friendly. 5K/10K Run-4-Living-Green, Arts & Crafts, Farmers Markets, Food, Garden Talks, Green EXPO, Green Fashion Show, Green Films, Kids events, Free Music Events (Acoustic Night includes Banshee in the Kitchen & 4 other bands; 3 bands Rock Night), Native Plant Sales, Raffle, Silent Auction & more.

1201 24th Street 661-328-0824

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, March 15, 2012

Eye Street The Lowdown with Matt Munoz

Where’s the country? Good Question Band wants to revive local country groups

he members of Bakersfield/Taft country rock sensation Good Question aren’t your average good ol’ boys. Hungry for a shot at national stardom, the quartet has already become a name to be reckoned with after winning last year’s Kelly 95 Battle of the Fans. It was a triumph that helped put their independent single “So They Say” into steady rotation and landed them a string of opening slots for some big names, including David Nail, Lee Brice and Chuck Mead. Now Bakersfield has a chance to get reacquainted with this band on the rise when they hit the stage at Bakotopia’s St. Patty’s Day Shamrock Shindig at B Ryder’s on Saturday. Band members say the show couldn’t have come at a better time. Not only will they be reconnecting with local fans, but they also get to show off some new material, including a sneak preview of their upcoming CD, in front of a few hundred of Bako’s wildest green day revelers. “There’s no greater feeling than playing in your hometown and people know you, your music and sing-a-along during shows,” said guitarist Taylor Unruh. “Our fans are awesome.” The story behind Good Question began four years ago, when Taft high school buds Ryan Coulter and Ethan Morris toyed with an idea to help Unruh for a senior project about the history of sound engineering. Rather than do another ho-hum presentation, the trio decided to show off an example of the process

PHOTO BY SPENCER LAWHON

Good Question will be appearing at the Shamrock Shindig at B Ryder’s on Saturday.

The Shamrock Shindig What: No Duh — Tribute to No Doubt, Mento Buru, Good Question, Velorio, Mama’s Kitchin, Less Weight For Atlas, Joel Jacob, DJ Mikey When: 2 p.m. Saturday Where: B Ryder’s, 7401 White Lane Admission: $12 Information: 397-7304

by recording their own original tune. Soon, the popularity of that song, “Outlaw’s Creed,” made them big men on campus after it was circulated among classmates. “I’d like to see that presentation,” said Alec Olivieri, the band’s guitar and piano player, who attended Stockdale High in Bakersfield. “No you don’t,” laughed Coulter, the band’s vocalist. “Kids just kept burning the copy of the CD. We thought we were movie stars back then.” Their school celebrity status ultimately led them to form a

band. Their first gig: a birthday party for Coulter’s stepmom. “We only played about three or four songs, but the response we got there and for the project was a driving force,” Coulter added. “We expected to be a garage band like knuckleheads, but we really felt we had something here.” After graduation, the group continued performing and extending their local following to Bakersfield, filling up venues like B Ryder’s, Fishlips, The Marketplace and Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace, where Coulter and Unruh also both worked. Drawing in a healthy number of young country fans to shows, they’ve helped revive a local country scene that hasn’t had much juice since the Smokin’ Armadillos were huge in the ’90s. All under the age of 25, they may just be ready to teach the old school some new tricks. “Our sound is progressive guitar-driven country,” said Olivieri. “A lot of people think country does not have a lot of young listeners. That’s just not true. We have people from age 15 all the way to 80 at our shows.”

Matt Munoz is editor of Bakotopia.com, a sister website of The Californian that devotes itself to promoting Bakersfield’s art scene. Matt’s column appears every Thursday in Eye Street.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MAMA’S KITCHIN

Frazier Park roots rockers Mama's Kitchin appear Saturday at B Ryder’s.

Unruh pointed to the noticeable lack of country bands coming out of Bakersfield, even with our reputation as a hotbed for the genre. “We don’t think we need to go to Nashville first. Who says a country band can’t make it big out of Bakersfield again,” he said. Starting out performing mostly country and rock covers, the band has finally accumulated an impressive number of originals, including “So They Say,” the song that helped spark their popularity. It’s a catchy up-tempo number that easily ranks with the best new crossover country sounds on commercial radio. Comparable to the sounds of Eli Young Band and John Mayer, it’s a well-produced sample of what fans should continue to look forward to. “We’d like to stay on mixed format radio stations,” said Unruh. The band started recording at Bakersfield’s ASR studios last summer and hopes to finally release their long-awaited sixsong EP sometime this year. Local country singer-songwriter Rick Reno Stevens co-produced the

effort, and the band is confident about the sound. “I can see a lot of things happening after the CD comes out,” said drummer Morris. “I’ve always wanted to be a successful in music. Just jump on that bus and go.” Band manager Garret Tuckness, who took the band under his wing two years ago after hearing them live in Taft, said he believes in the group and is committed to helping them reach their goals. “I love music, period,” said Tuckness, who by day works as a real estate agent. “But their music is that good that there’s no reason we shouldn’t make it.” Time will tell if Good Question has what it takes to weather the climb to country greatness, but for now, they plan to shake up the room with a special St. Patty’s Day treat at Saturday’s show. “No matter what kind of music you’re into, you’ll find something you like when you see us,” said Coulter. “So They Say” is currently available for digital download at Please see 23

Thursday, March 15, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Fundraiser to aid wellness, recovery Wine-tasting event set for March 23 at Guild House BY GENE GARAYGORDOBIL Contributing writer

he sixth annual Weill Guidance Foundation Wine Tasting Event will take place on Friday, March 23, at the Guild House in Bakersfield. The foundation was created in 1990 to support the Henrietta Weill Memorial Child Guidance Clinic through fundraising activities, including formal dinners, auctions and an annual golf tournament. The wine-tasting event will feature wines from the Mark West Winery and Martin Ray Winery, owned by Bakersfield natives Derek Benham and Courtney Benham, respectively, said Toni Ross, who has helped organize the event the past two years. There will be hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, a piano and violin player, a pasta bar, salad and bread, Ross said. Admission is $75 and the tasting takes place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Guild House, 1905 18th St. Ross, confidential secretary to the executive director, said proceeds will benefit the clinic, which provides mental health and substance abuse services and promotes

CONTINUED FROM 22

iTunes. For more information, visit Facebook.com/gqmusic.

Mama’s Kitchin I first met Frazier Park roots trio Mama’s Kitchin’ during our Bakotopia Open Mic Nights held at Fishlips. At first glance I assumed they were country musicians. They looked like mountain men, but once they plugged in, they laid down some of the swampiest grooves I’d ever heard come out of Frazier Park (do they even have a scene?). Every week, these guys would drive 45 minutes through rain, sleet and snow to get a chance to hop on stage and jam out. They got so popular with regulars that if they didn’t show, the crowd would get angry at me as if I’d forgotten to book them. Well I’m happy to announce they’ll be rejoining us at Saturday’s Shamrock Shindig to celebrate the release of their new CD, “Wide Open.” “There’s a grassroots type of scene up in Frazier Park,” said Mama’s Kitchin guitarist, vocalist and fiddle player Mike Sumser. “Old timey music and bluegrass.” Formed three years ago, the group does incorporate some of those vintage elements in their sound, but not enough to define them entirely. Just ask lead vocalist Bill Shultz, who also switches from banjo, dobro, mandolin, guitar and harp with the band. “We’re not country,” he said. “We play the way the Stones, and Black Crowes do, when they play b-side stuff. They played rock songs, but used traditional instruments.”

Weill Guidance Foundation Wine Tasting Event Where: 5:30 to 8 p.m. March 23 When: Guild House, 1905 18th St. Admission: $75 Information: 395-7467

wellness and recovery for Kern County children and adults. Ross said organizers are shooting for 100 attendees. “We think the event is pretty prosperous, and the money raised is contributing to the clinic,” she said. “We’ve had very good turnouts in the past. People have been very responsive to it. Clinic officials say the Guild was founded 53 years ago to support the work of the clinic. About five years later, the group created the Guild House. The foundation has contributed more than $600,000 to the clinic, along with other proceeds that helped build the current locations at 2001 N. Chester Ave. and 3828 Stockdale Highway in Bakersfield. For more information, call 322-1021 or 393-5836. The clinic’s web site is located at http://www.hwmcgc.org/

Mama’s Kitchin bassist Keats Gefter offered up a more scholarly description: “The eclecticism of Mama’s Kitchin’ is what makes the group what it is. Each guy kind of brings in different influences. Elements of Southern rock, or rock music played on acoustic instruments,” he said. “It’s always hard to say what we play.” The 13 tracks featured on “Wide Open” showcase everything those familiar with the band already enjoy. Opening with the soulful blues of “So It Goes,” before heading into the rockier “Bullet,” they shuffle back with “Girl from New Orleans.” One of my favorites is “Mama’s Kitchin’” a song that, name aside, best represents the outfit. “We recorded about 19 songs, and pared it down to 13 to fit our vision. I really wanted to make a cohesive album that flowed from one song to the next,” said Sumser, who recorded and helped produce the record at his home studio. Other standout tracks include “River” and “Serves Me Well.” For all of its rough edges, “Wide Open” is honest American music that will appeal to fans of the Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers and The Band. But I’m telling you, the best way to experience Mama’s Kitchin is live. Joining the band on drums will be Michael Caverhill. “We are planning on wearing kilts and having some designated drivers,” said Keats. “That’s how we roll.” The band will have copies of “Wide Open” on sale this weekend and soon at Cdbaby.com and for download at iTunes. For more information, you can find the band at Facebook or back in the mountains.

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, March 15, 2012

Eye Street Come celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the

Divas ! March 17th Doors open : 5pm - First bout: 5:30pm Adults $10 Pre-sales - $12 at the Door Seniors & Children $5

www.bakersfield diamonddivas.com Skateland 415 Ming Ave

Unblock your writing skills Spring workshop intended for aspiring local authors BY DANA MARTIN Contributing writer

LOSE WEIGHT AS IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDED ON IT. Start by losing 10 pounds in 2 weeks.** Being overweight increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and many types of cancer, it also can take years off your life. Our programs offer strategies unavailable to commercial weight loss programs. Non-surgical weight loss One-on-one with a physician

Physician customized plan 99% keep the weight off after a year*

Call Toll Free

877.445.8698

cmwl.com

INITIAL CONSULTATION FROM $19 Yadvinder Narang, MD - 3940 San Dimas, Bakersfield, CA *Based on a stratified sample of 349 patients over a six-year period. Patients must have remained on the program for a minimum of 28 days and be monitored with at least two physician visits within first 31 days to be included in the study. A variety of nutritional meal replacements were used. 99% of the patients that followed the CMWL program, including a low calorie diet and individual counseling with CMWL physicians, from one month up to a year, weighed less at their last weigh-in than their starting weight. **Based on a stratified random sample of 223 women and 99 men on a medically prescribed diet.

Familyed Own

Buy 1 Dinner & Get 1

he Writers of Kern will host its annual Open House and Spring Writers Workshop Saturday at the Clarion Hotel in Bakersfield. The workshop consists of a continental breakfast, three classes, book sales provided by Russo’s, and access to local published writers during a social meet and greet and Q&A session. Each paid attendee also receives one opportunity to win a Nook Dyer eReader, books, gift cards and other door prizes. If you’ve thought about publishing in journals as a great first step toward seeing more of your work in print, Goeffery Dyer will present a workshop on publishing in literary journals and small presses. Learn to choose the right place of publication for your work, identify the editors, and tailor a cover letter that will appeal to their tastes and needs. Dyer is the author of “The Dirty Halo of Everything.” He received his master’s in creative writing from Mills College after earning his bachelor's

Writers of Kern annual Spring Writers Workshop When: Registration, breakfast start at 7:45 a.m., workshop from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday Where: Clarion Hotel, 3540 Rosedale Highway Admission: $30 Information: Email WritersOfKern@gmail.com

from UC Santa Cruz. He currently teaches creative writing, literature, and composition at Taft College where he is faculty adviser to the student-edited literary publication, “A Sharp Piece of Awesome.” Did you finish a manuscript and are Woodard wondering about the next step? In the presentation “You’ve finished your novel, now what?” Bob Woodard will explain how to write an effective query letter and book proposal. Woodard is the author of “The Krracts Encounter,” a science-fiction adventure published in October of 2009. He is now actively marketing two more manuscripts and has six more in the works. He is also the vice

president of Writers of Kern. Finally, in “Finding Your Writing Compass through Story Mapping,” Nancy Ellen Dodd returns by popular demand to Dodd teach the elements of her book, “The Writer’s Compass: From Story Map to Finished Draft in 7 Stages,” and will cover the full creative writing process from which she draws lessons for her classes. Dodd received her master’s in professional writing from the University of Southern California with concentration in dramatic writing/screenwriting and another master’s in playwriting at USC’s School of Theatre. Having studied writing for more than 25 years, Dodd currently teaches screenwriting at Pepperdine University. Admission to the conference is $30. Workshop attendees should bring writing materials. The Writers of Kern is a branch of the California Writers Club that offers resources, education, and social functions for writers of all experience levels. Writers of Kern conducts monthly meetings in Bakersfield and weekly critique groups for all genres. New writers and guests are always welcome.

Bakersfield meets Nashville Contest will fly winner to Bakersfield Sound exhibit

FREE FREE T

THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN

Mon-Fri, 11-2 HOURS Lunch: Dinner: Mon-Thurs, 5-10; Fri & Sat, 5-10:30

STEAK HOUSE

Dine In Only Expires: 3-31-12 Maximum value of $10.95 only. One coupon per table or party. Not valid with any other offers or Holidays.

2515 F Street • 322-9910 www.kcsteakhouse.net Familyed Own

Buy 1 Lunch & Get 1

FREE FREE Mon-Fri, 11-2 HOURS Lunch: Dinner: Mon-Thurs, 5-10; Fri & Sat, 5-10:30

STEAK HOUSE 2515 F Street • 322-9910 www.kcsteakhouse.net

Dine In Only Expires 3-31-12 Maximum value of $6.95 only. One coupon per table or party. Not valid with any other offers or Holidays.

he Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville is unveiling a new exhibit honoring the Bakersfield Sound on March 23, and the Nashville Visitors and Convention Bureau is trying to ensure Kern residents get in on the fun. The Bakersfield Sound Giveaway will fly one lucky winner to Nashville to see the exhibit and attend a concert by Merle Haggard at the Ryman Auditorium on April 11. The winner also will receive two nights of hotel accommodations (April 11-12), two passes to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, two tickets to the Haggard show and two tickets to Opry Country Classics, among other prizes. Enter by April 2 by visiting the convention center’s website: visitmusiccity.com/visitors/winatrip_bakersfieldsound. The Bakersfield Sound: Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, and California Country, a 5,000-plus-square-foot exhibition, will close Dec. 31, 2013. If you don’t win the sweepstakes, you still have a chance to see Haggard

ZUMA PRESS

Country music legend Merle Haggard performs live at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez in 2010. He will be on stage at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace on March 30 and 31.

here in his hometown, when he performs at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace on March 30 and 31. The shows starts at 7 p.m.

Tickets range from $65 to $85, plus service charge, and may be purchased by calling 328-7560, 322-5200 or visiting vallitix.com.

Thursday, March 15, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Gaslight Melodrama on thin ice BY STEFANI DIAS Californian assistant lifestyles editor sdias@bakersfield.com

wo local oilmen may have just bought the Bakersfield Blaze, but it’s the sports-hating new owner of the Condors generating big news at the Gaslight Melodrama Theatre this weekend. Local hockey fans can rest assured that evil genius Amos Fastbuck is a just a villainous character in Michael Prince’s “Go Condors!” But Prince said the new show departs from the traditional melodrama of “cheer the hero, boo the villain.” “The villain is Amos Fastbuck, but we’ve set it up where anybody could possibly be the villain. We decided to change the rules of the melodrama genre up a bit, which is always fun to do. For both us and hopefully the audience as well.” Prince makes a good case though for Fastbuck, whom he plays in the show, as the big baddie. After his uncle bequeaths the team to him, Fastbuck plans to move them to Las Vegas, since he hates Bakersfield as well. Plotting with girlfriend Lorena Fondue (played by Ali Dougherty), the new owner fires the good players, replacing them with “below-the-bench talent.” Fastbuck faces a challenge from a pair described as living up to their names: cousin Mickey Le Sweet (Elisa Robinson) and Condors coach Mitch Le Brave (Don Kruszka). The idea for “Go” is rooted in the success of last year’s “Bedlam at Sam Lynn Ball Park,” a fictional adventure about the Bakersfield Blaze. “That (show) went over well so we decided this year to do something about the Condors,” Prince said. “The idea came about from just trying to think of another fun sports show we may be able to do, and the Condors

‘Go Condors!’ When: Sneak peek 7 p.m. today, (Friday show soldout), shows 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday; runs through April 28 Where: Gaslight Melodrama Theatre & Music Hall, 12748 Jomani Drive Admission: $12 to $23 Information: 587-3377

immediately popped into mind. “I've always enjoyed going to the games, and now my son is at the age where he enjoys them as well, so that’s helped with a lot of the inspiration.” Another dose of reality comes from the recorded cameos in the show: TV sportscasters Mark Haas (KGET), Greg Kerr (KBAK/KBFX) and Condors announcer Mike Hart (KERO); and The Californian’s Mike Griffith. “We have called on local folks before to add a bit more flavor to the shows. Everyone we’ve ever asked has been so great about it, and it’s definitely something we want to do more of in the future. Something else that Prince hopes to continue after this production is the Dessert Wall of Fame, which bears its inaugural photo for “Go Condors!” “This is our first dessert contest. We got the idea from our friends at The All American Melodrama Theatre in Long Beach. We added the idea of having our patrons enter recipes for a contest to throw in some more fun.” Annette Puskarich designed the winning signature dessert, The Condors Crunch Sundae, which Prince described as “a salty, sweet, crunchy, butterscotch, peanut butter, and chocolate all-in-one dessert.” Puskarich’s photo will go up on the wall and her sun-

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL PRINCE

Shawn Rader, Jay Stodder and Jenny Adame appear in “Go Condors!,” which opens this weekend at Gaslight.

dae will be sold at the show. Although the show officially starts Friday, the theater is hosting a sneak peek to benefit the Bakersfield Condors Booster Club. Call Andrea Pfugh at 301-5034 for tickets to tonight’s show. Gaslight fans who miss the sneak peek will have to wait until Saturday to see the show, since Friday’s opening night performance sold out earlier this week. Another hot ticket at the Gaslight is the children’s theater workshop, which is performing “The Tale of Snow White.” That show, finishing its tech week along with “Go Condors!,” has already booked up its three performances next week. “Those tickets sell out fast. People actually camp out hours before they go on sale just to get a good seat. These kids are like rock stars.”

‘CALIFORNIAN RADIO’ Join the Eye Street Editor Jennifer Self and music reporter Matt Munoz this morning on “Californian Radio.” We’ll chat with members of Good Question, a promising band trying to revive Bakersfield’s reputation as a country hotbed. You’ll also have the opportunity to see

Good Question at The Shamrock Shindig Saturday — along with other faves like Mento Buru, Velorio and a No Doubt tribute band — by winning free tickets to the show. Just listen for the cue to call. The show airs from 9 to 10 a.m. on KERN-AM, 1180. Call 842-KERN.

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, March 15, 2012

Eye Street

Fall under the spell of this ‘Bee’ Tony Award-winning musical at South High BY DYLAN KLAWITTER Contributing writer

he spelling bee is coming … to South High School. That is, to be exact, the Tony Award-winning musical, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” When you think of a spelling bee, you think of young kids with big smiles, standing there waiting their turn, judges saying words that you’ve never heard of, or the kid with the braces trying to spell the words without spraying the front row with saliva. But what are those kids and judges truly thinking? Members of the South High School Rebel Acting Troupe will share the inner thoughts of these spelling bee contestants through song, dance and comedy when they present the musical for several performances, starting this evening. “The Bee” is the first musical South High School has done since 2003, and the actors are excited to bring it to the South High stage. The musical centers on a fictional spelling bee set in Putnam Valley Middle School. A group of quirky adolescents

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” When: 7 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday Where: South High School Performing Arts Center, 1101 Planz Road Admission: $8; $6, students. Tickets will be sold at the door.

compete in the bee, run by three equally quirky grown-ups. The six main contestants in the bee are played by Austin Still, Amelia Rogers, Baylee Myers, Vanessa Rubinoff, Jaquelyn “John” Camarena and Jerrick Merjil. The characters, who all begin as caricatures — the overachiever, the egghead, the selfdoubter — become more complex as the audience sees flashbacks from their lives. “The audience eventually finds somebody to root for,” said Julie Ingram, the show’s director. “When a character loses, the audience usually reacts.” Lizzy Nagel, a junior, plays one of the three adult characters, Rona Lisa Peretti, a former champion speller and returning host of the spelling bee. Nagel's character introduces each speller and adds a “fun fact” about that speller. Official pronouncer, Vice Principal Panch (played by South High alum Tim Anthony), provides hilari-

THE IMAGINE BALLET COMPANY Presents

Imagine That! 2012 FEATURING: • Choreography from Sasha Mallory, finalist on So You Think You Can Dance • Le Corsaire Act I • Guest Artists, Ballet Yuma

March 24th, 2012 2:00pm & 7:00pm Cal State University, Bakersfield Dore’ Theatre

Tickets Adults: $16 Students/Seniors: $12 Tickets available @ Civic Dance Center 7840 Brimhall Rd Kern Travel – East Hills 3501 Mall View Rd, Suite 104 And at the door 661-703-0628 imagineballetcompany.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIE INGRAM

The cast of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” which will be performed at South High beginning tonight.

ous usage-in-a-sentence examples. Members of the audience also will be in the hot seat. Four victims — I mean volunteers — will be plucked out of the audience each night to participate in the musical. The audience participation aspect is what makes this musical so funny and unique.

“One of the great things about this show is each night the show is different,” Ingram said. “The actors really have to be on their toes.” The musical is recommended for audience members 11 and older. — Dylan Klawitter is a senior at South High

Musical makes way from film to Frontier ‘Legally Blonde’ a recent release to high schools BY MICHAEL MAYFIELD Contributing writer

fter months of rehearsal and hard work, “Legally Blonde: The Musical” is finally making its way to the Frontier stage. Based on the 2001 movie of the same title, the musical follows the story of Elle Woods, a ditzy blonde from California, who follows her ex-boyfriend to Harvard Law School in pursuit of becoming “serious” and getting him back. She is faced with many obstacles while trying to win him over, but soon comes to realize that she’s more than just the color of her hair. The rights to “Legally Blonde” were just recently made available, making this the

Do you Facebook? Join our growing online community. • Community Conversations • Valuable News & Information • Contests And More. Facebook.com/BakersfieldCalifornian

‘Legally Blonde’ When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday Where: Frontier High School Performing Arts Center, 6401 Allen Road Admission: $10; $8, students and children.

second consecutive year that Frontier will be one of the first high schools to perform a newly released show. Theater teacher Abby Friedman has distinguished Frontier by choosing to do shows not typically done by high schools, including “Les Miserables,” “Grand Hotel” and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera.” During auditions in December, 75 students auditioned for one of the 25 roles. The show consists of some of Frontier’s finest talents. “Legally Blonde” stars Kara Nolan as Elle Woods, John Maese as Emmett Forrest, Brett Walker as Warner Huntington III, Chloe Kesler as Vivian Kensington, Kelsea Johnson as Brooke Wyndham, and Brian Gardiner as Professor Callahan. — Michael Mayfield is assistant director of “Legally Blonde”

Thursday, March 15, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Jazz great Hancock gets his Gershwin vibe going LA Philharmonic presents taped concert of composer’s best The Bakersfield Californian

Do you like a Gershwin tune? So does the Los Angeles Philharmonic, which teamed up with jazz great Herbie Hancock to perform several of the American composer’s most beloved standards. Bakersfield music lovers will have the opportunity to watch the pretaped concert Sunday at Edwards Bakersfield 14 at The Marketplace. According to a media release distributed by NCM Fathom, audiences can expect: LA Phil LIVE: Musical Director “Gustavo Dudamel and Herbie Hancock Celebrate Gershwin” was pre-recorded from the LA Phil’s 2011-12 season opening night concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall and features some of the composer’s best-loved works, including “Cuban Overture,” “An American in Paris” and “Rhapsody in Blue,” as well as intimate improvisations by Hancock of “Embraceable You” and “Someone to Watch Over Me.” The event also features exclusive footage of Hancock — the LA Phil’s creative chair for jazz — in his home, playing Gershwin and providing insights into his improvisational process.

ZUMA PRESS

Herbie Hancock, shown performing in September at the Balboa Theater in San Diego, will be seen in a pretaped concert with the Los Angeles Philharmonic on Sunday at Edwards Bakersfield 14 at The Marketplace.

LA Phil LIVE: Gustavo Dudamel and Herbie Hancock Celebrate Gershwin When: 2 p.m. Sunday Where: Edwards Bakersfield 14 at The Marketplace, 9000 Ming Ave. Admission: $20; $18, seniors; $16 for children 3 to 12

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, March 15, 2012

Eye Street Go & Do Today “On Friendship” Lecture, with Walter Sterling, dean of St. John’s College, 7 p.m., Bakersfield College, Norman Levan Center, 1801 Panorama Drive. Free with free parking. “The Courage to Remember” Exhibit, narrating the Holocaust created and sponsored by the Museum of Tolerance that includes nearly 200 original and many unseen photographs, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, until March 23, at CSUB, Walter Stiern Library, 9001 Stockdale Highway. Free. 654-3172. 2012 Lady Leprechauns Party, with corn beef, cabbage, fried chicken, wine, bag pipe player, DJ and more, 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner. $25. 323-0053. High Speed Rail Discussion, with Congressman Kevin McCarthy and Dan Richard, Chairman of the California High Speed Rail Authority, 6 to 7:30 p.m., CSUB, Icardo Center, 9001 Stockdale Highway. Reservations, 6542175. 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. CSUB Guitar Recital, 4 p.m., CSUB, Music Building, Room 127, 9001 Stockdale Hwy. Free. 6543093 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. LP Release Concert, of “Ritual Inscription” by the Nakatani Tiner Drake Trio, doors open at 7:30 p.m., concert at 8 p.m., Metro Galleries, 1604 19th St. $5 at the door. Organ Recital, with Ty Woodward, 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 2216 17th Street & B. 861-6020. Sixth annual Bunco Night, hosted by Canyon Hills Women’s Ministry, 5:30 to 8 p.m., Christine’s, 4915 Stockdale Highway. $25. 8711150. Beginning Guitar, on chords and songs, bring your own guitar, 5 to 7 p.m., Beale Memorial Library, Tejon Room, 701 Truxtun Ave. Free. 868-0770.

Friday 11th annual Rock & Gem Rendezvous, large international collection of rocks and minerals, demonstrations, seminars, gift drawings and food, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Kern County Shriners Club, 700 S. P St. Free admission and parking. 3232663. 46th annual Bakersfield Fiesta, sponsored by The United Square Dancers Association, with mainstream, plus, advanced, challenge

and round dancing, Friday through Sunday, Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 P St. $14 to $40. bakersfieldfiesta.com or 324-1390. Condors vs. Utah Grizzlies, first 2,000 fans ages 17 and under will receive a Condors skateboard deck, 7 p.m., Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $11. 324-7825. CSUB Concert Band, featuring compositions of guest composers Rob Hutchinson and Dan Musselman plus works by Malcolm Arnold, Gilroy, Hazo and Shostakovich, 7:30 p.m., CSUB, Doré Theatre, 9001 Stockdale Highway. $10; $5 students/seniors; CSUB students w/ID are free. 6542511. No Stinkin’ Service Charge Blues Series Concert, Guitar Shorty, 6:30 p.m., Doubletree Hotel, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court. $25. 831-3100. Paleo Digs at Ernst Quarries near Sharktooth Hill, 8 hours of hunting per day, keep all teeth, Friday through Sunday, Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, 2018 Chester Ave. $85 single day; $160 two-day; $225 three-day. 3246350.

Saturday Bakersfield Diamond Divas Roller Derby, vs. Undead Bettys and Bakersfield Diamond Diva Roughcuts vs. San Diego Rockettes in a double header, doors open at 5 p.m., first about at 5:30 p.m., Skateland, 415 Ming Ave. $10 adults advance; $12 adults; $5 children and seniors. Visit bakersfielddiamonddivas.com or 831-5567. Bakotopia’s 2012 St. Patty’s Day Shamrock Shindig, doors open at 10 a.m. for the NCAA Men’s March Madness Tournament, music at 2 p.m., with No Duh — Tribute to No Doubt, Mento Buru, Good Question, Velorio, Less Weight For Atlas, DJ Mikey, Joel Jacob, Mama’s Kitchin’, B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7701 White Lane. $12; 21 and over only. 3977304. St. Patrick's Day Party, special drink specials, 10 a.m. Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane. 325-2139. St. Patrick's Day 5K Run, 8:30 a.m., the Park at Riverwalk, 11200 Stockdale Highway. $22 day of race. 654-2378. Book signing, with author Francis Hamit, “The Queen of Washington” and “The Shenandoah Spy,” 1 to 3 p.m., Russo’s, 9000 Ming Ave. 665-4686. Boys & Girls Club Dodgeball Tournament, registration 8:30 a.m., tournament at 9 a.m., Boys & Girls Club, 801 Niles St. $200 per team of six. 325-3730. Cat Adoptions, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Petco, 8220 Rosedale Highway. $65 includes spay/neuter, vaccines and leukemia testing. 327-4706. CBCC’s St. Patricks Day Relay for Life Fundraiser, door prizes, music by Arvizu Brothers, 3 to 7 p.m., Ethel’s Old Corral Cafe, 4310

Alfred Harrell Highway. Free. 3222206. Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays, next to Golden State Mall, 3201 F St., and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Brimhall Square, 9500 Brimhall Road. Condors vs. Las Vegas Wranglers, Condors fight cancer and conclude the annual 24-hour Hockey-Thon raising money for breast cancer awareness, 7 p.m., Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $11. 324-7825. Condors vs. Las Vegas Wranglers, 7 p.m., Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. Prices range from $8 to $25. Tickets: Rabobank arena box office, bakersfieldcondors.com or 324-7825. Dave Ramsey’s “Total Money Makeover” LIVE, 11:45 a.m. to 5 p.m., Calvary Bible Church, 48 Manor St. $39. 334-0500. FLICS International Cinema Society, presents “Gainsbourg (Vie heroique),” 7:30 p.m., Bakersfield Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $5. flics.org or call 428-0354. Guitar Class, taught by Mark Albert, for individuals or a group, 1 to 3 p.m., Juliana’s Art Studio & Gallery, 501 18th St. $25. 578-4570 or 327-7507. Kern Audubon Society, field trip to Wind Wolves Preserve, meet 7:30 a.m., Park ‘n’ Ride, Stockdale Highway between Real Road and Highway 99. Bring water, bagged lunch, snacks and binoculars. $10. kernaudubonsociety.org or 3227470. Ninth Annual Bakersfield Spring Ring Concert, featuring five handbell choirs, one pipe organ, a cellist and flautist, 5 to 6 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church, 4500 Buena Vista Road. Free. 6657815. School Bus ‘Road-e-o’, see why school bus drivers are skillful at safely transporting children, barbecue, vendors, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., California Association Student Transportation Organization, 8711 Kerrnita Road. Sixth annual Mikella’s Magical Evening, no-host cocktail 5:30 p.m., casino night at 7 p.m., food, raffle prizes, dancing and more, Stockdale Country Club, 7001 Stockdale Highway. Proceeds help provide transportation for lowincome children with cancer to pediatric cancer treatment centers. $75. Visit http://bit.ly/Mikella or 616-8810 or 301-6759. Sporting Clay Tournament, hosted by Beardsley School Community Foundation, 9 a.m. to noon, Five Dogs Shooting Range, 20238 Woody Road. $85. 393-8550. The Talking Stick: CSUB Theatre for Young, noon and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 4 p.m. Saturday, CSUB, Doré Theatre, 9001 Stockdale Highway, $5; children ages 12 and under are free. 6546070. Used Motor Oil and Oil Filter Recycling, hosted by The California Department of Resources

Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Autozone, 1615 Brundage Lane.

Sunday Bakersfield College and Chamber Singers Concert, led by Dr. Ron Kean, 4 p.m., First Congregational Church, 5 Real Rd. 327-1609. CSUB Chamber Orchestra, featuring compositions by Beethoven, Chaminadem Copland, Gilere and Debussy, 4:30 p.m., CSUB, Dore Theatre, 9001 Stockdale Highway. $20; $5 students/seniors/staff; CSUB students with ID are free. 654-2541. LA Philharmonic presents AllGershwin Concert, featuring Herbie Hancock, 2 p.m., Edwards Cinema, 9000 Ming Ave. 6633042

THEATER “25th annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” Musical, doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, South High School, Performing Arts Center, 1101 Planz Road. $8 adults; $6 students at the door. 831-3680. “Dangerous Liaisons,” 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Spotlight Theatre, 1622 19th St. $15. 634-0692 “Go! Condors,” 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, Gaslight Melodrama Theatre & Music Hall, 12748 Jomani Drive. $12 to $23. 587-3377. 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. ‘The Odd Couple: Female Version’, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, Stars Dinner Theatre, 1931 Chester Ave. $50 to $54; $30, students. 325-6100.

ART “A Night at the Gallery,” showing of Wes Wheeler photo gallery, with silent auction, door prizes and appetizers, 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Doubletree Hotel, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court. 209-7802. 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. Color Art Class, with artist Phyllis Oliver, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursdays, Bakersfield Art Association Art Center, 1817 Eye St. $100

or $25 per class. 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. Oil Painting Workshop, with David Gordon, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Bakersfield Art Association, 1817 Eye St. $30; $25 for BAA members. 869-2320. 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.

MUSIC Acoustic Fiddlers Crossing,, 206 E. F St., Tehachapi, 823-9994; The Refugees, 3 p.m. Sunday. $20.

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

Classic Rock Banacek’s Lounge, 4601 State Road, 387-9224; No Limit, 9 p.m. Saturday. Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; TNT, 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Jacalito Grill, 900 Truxtun Ave., Ste. 110, 325-2535; Prisoners of Love, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday. T-Bones Steakhouse, 8020 District Blvd., 398-1300; The Beagles, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Friday; Elevation 406, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday. Que Pasa Mexican Cafe, 9000 Ming Ave., 664-1400; Mike Montano, 9 p.m. Saturday.

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

Country Ethel’s Old Corral Cafe, 4310 Alfred Harrell Highway, 873-7613; Noah Claunch, 7 p.m. Friday; CRS Riders, 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Julie’s The Branding Iron Saloon, 1807 N. Chester Ave., Ray McDonald, Tanner Byrom band, 7 p.m. Friday. Sandrini’s, 1918 Eye St., 3228900; Vince Galindo, 9 p.m. Wednesdays.

Dancing 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. 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.

Thursday, March 15, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street 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. Pairs and Spares Dance, with Country George and the Western Edition, 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. 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, & ’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. Tam O’Shanter, 2345 Alta Vista, 324-6774; 7 p.m. Friday. The Bull Shed Bar & Grill, at Hotel Rosedale, 2400 Camino Del Rio Court, 327-0681; with Meg, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany Ave., Suite B5, 589-6749; DJ James, 9 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Free.

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. Padre Hotel, 1702 18th St., 4274900; Mauro and Rico Velazquez, 7 p.m. Tuesday. Free. Que Pasa Mexican Cafe, 2701 Ming Ave., 832-5011; Jazz Invasion, 9 to 10 p.m. every Saturday. The Nile, Jazz Music, 6 p.m. every Sunday. Cost $10 at 1721 19th St. 364-2620.

Karaoke 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; 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. 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. 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. Pour House, 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at 4041 Fruitvale Ave. 589-9300. Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner, 3230053; 8 p.m. to midnight Saturdays.

Replay Sports Lounge & Grill, 4500 Buck Owens Blvd., 3243300; 8 p.m. every Wednesday. Rocket Shop Cafe, 2000 S. Union Ave., 832-4800; 8:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday. Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany Ave., Suite B5, 589-6749; 8 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays. Rocky’s Pizza & Arcade, 2858 Niles St., 873-1900; 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. Round Table Pizza, 2060 White Lane, 836-2700; 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 Drive, 392-1482; 6:30 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday. Sports & Spirits, 6633 Ming Ave., 398-7077; 9 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays. Syndicate Lounge, 1818 Eye St., 327-0070; with Alisa Spencer, 9 p.m. every Wednesday. T-Bones Steakhouse, 8020 District Blvd., 398-1300; with Juan, 7 to 11 p.m. Thursday. 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. 3921747. The Bull Shed Bar & Grill, at Hotel Rosedale, 2400 Camino Del Rio Court, 327-0681; 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Junction Lounge, 2620 Buck Owens Blvd., 327-9651; 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. The Old River Monte Carlo, 9750 Taft Highway, 837-0250; 8:30 p.m. every Thursday. The Playhouse, 2915 Taft Highway; 397-3599; 7 to 10 p.m. Sundays. 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. 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. 3635102. Trouts & The Blackboard Stages, 805 N. Chester Ave., 3996700; 7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Vinny’s Bar & Grill, 2700 S. Union Ave., 496-2502, 7 p.m. Thursdays. 21 and over.

Latin/Salsa

Wednesday 3/21

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.

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. Colorado Eagles, 7 p.m., Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. Prices range from $8 to $25. Tickets: Rabobank arena box office, bakersfieldcondors.com or 324-7825. Kern Photography Association, all skill levels welcome, 6 to 8 p.m., Henley’s Photo, 2000 H St. kernphotographyassociation.com or 496-3723. Optimal Hospice New Volunteer Orientation, volunteer orientation for individuals interested in volunteering time to hospice families, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 4700 Stockdale Highway, Suite 120. 716-4000. Prison Realignment Discussion, with Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood, 7 p.m., CSUB, Student Union, Multipurpose Room, 9001 Stockdale Highway.

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.

Oldies KC Steakhouse, 2515 F St., 3229910; 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. 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 6 p.m. Saturday. $5 per night.

Open mic Fiddlers Crossing, 206 East F St., Tehachapi, 823-9994; 7 p.m. Wednesdays. $5. The Canna Cafe, 7 to 10 p.m. every Friday, East Hills Mall, Food Court, 3000 Mallview Road.

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; Sunday Snake Oil, 9 p.m. Friday. $5.

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. trivia night. Sandrini’s, 1918 Eye St., 3228900; Trivia Night with Dave Rezac, 10 p.m. Tuesdays

UPCOMING EVENTS Monday 3/19 “The Courage to Remember” Exhibit, narrating the Holocaust created and sponsored by the Museum of Tolerance that includes nearly 200 original and many unseen photographs, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, until March 23, at CSUB, Walter Stiern Library, 9001 Stockdale Highway. Free. 654-3172.

Tuesday 3/20 CSUB Theatre Senior Project, 7 p.m., CSUB, Dore Theatre, 9001 Stockdale Highway. Free admission. 654-2782.

Thursday 3/22 Career Day, “Successful Pathways to Careers,” 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., KRV Veterans/Senior Center, 6405 Lake Isabella Blvd., Lake Isabella. careerservicescenter.com. Greg & Steve, children’s concert at 10 a.m. Thursday and Friday, Valley Baptist Church, 4800 Fruitvale Ave. $7 and can be purchased online at kernchildcare.org or 861-5200. Kern County Cattle Women’s “A Night at Buck Owens,” steak or salmon dinner for two, cocktails, Monty Byrom band, silent auction, cash giveaway, 5:30 p.m., Buck Owens Crystal Palace, 2800 Buck Owens Blvd. $150. Visit kerncattlewomen.org. Kern Green Mixer, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Local Lending, 3500 Coffee Road, Suite B. $25. kerngreen.org. Organ Recital, with Meg Wise and Susan Scaffidi, 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 2216 17th Street & B. 861-6020.

Friday 3/23 CBCC Golf Tournament, benefitting children with cancer in Kern Country; registration and lunch, 10:30 a.m., shotgun at noon, Bakersfield Country Club, 4200 Country Club Drive. $1,500 per four man team. 862-7145. Poker Tournament, held by Delano Regional Medical Center’s Courage Under Fire, 6 to 9 p.m., Aviator Casino, 1225 Airport Dr, Delano. $50. Benefiting Relay for Life. 319-6628. WarmLine’s Fourth annual Dinner & Silent Auction, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., Coconut Joe’s Private Beach Club, 4000 Easton Drive. $40; $400 table of 10. Email warmline@earthlink.net or 623-5918.