Eye Street Entertainment / 3-22-12 by Matt Munoz

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, March 22, 2012

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

Index Any chile verde takers?............................ 18 They’ve got the beat ................................ 19 Arts Alive: A sculpting prodigy .............. 20 ‘[title of show]’ ........................................ 21 Matt Munoz breaks it down .................... 22 Dancers on their toes .............................. 23 Singer needs your vote .......................... 24 We’ll drink to that .................................... 25

“Amateur artists should not be intimidated. You have to be coachable. There’s a certain amount of technique, structure and natural talent involved.” — Entertainment industry veteran Steven Sharp, who will lead a songwriting clinic

Good advice for a song Writing clinic the latest cool idea coming out of studio BY MATT MUNOZ Californian staff writer mmunoz@bakersfield.com

fter a few rough spots and shifts in ownership and management, music of every genre and style continues to fill the halls at Bakersfield’s American Sound Recording Studios. Located just on the eastern outskirts of downtown, the 10,000-square-foot recording studio opened five years ago in an era when Pro Tools and other home equipment threatened to make traditional recording studios obsolete. But ASR has managed to keep the doors open with a diverse business plan, which includes family entertainment, a cafe and music lessons, in addition to its core mission: stateof-the-art recordings and audio services. At the helm of ASR’s latest endeavors is Bakersfield country singer/songwriter and businessman Rick Reno Stevens, who stepped in as general manager two years ago following the death of co-owner Gary Burwell and the exit of partner and designer Josh Graham. ASR is owned and run by Burwell’s widow, Cyndi, and original business partner Brad Peters. But ASR wants to stretch even farther beyond the confines of a regular recording studio and become a mecca for aspiring talents from throughout the region. The first step in Stevens’ ambitious plan is an intensive songwriting clinic presented by some of his friends in the business, who bring impressive industry cred to the table. The first Master Songwriting Session clinic and concert unfolds next weekend, March 30-31. “There are a lot of ways to create a song,” said Stevens, who’s built a career working in various areas of the music industry, including concert promotion for artists like Merle Haggard, Garth Brooks and Reba McEntire. “A song is like a movie that plays in your head for three minutes. There’s a beginning, middle and an ending. You want to give the best that you got.” Joining Stevens for the clinic is longtime friend and entertainment industry veteran Steven Sharp. Originally from Bakersfield, Sharp cut his teeth in Hollywood working in promotion at various record labels, helping to break a variety of then-up-andcoming artists like Alan Jackson and Brooks & Dunn. Following his retirement from the industry, Sharp decided to move back to his hometown and reconnect with his Bakersfield roots. Now he’d like to become a

FELIX ADAMO / THE CALIFORNIAN

Rick Stevens, left, and songwriter Steven Sharp in Studio B at ASR Studios.

mentor for artists pursuing a career in entertainment. “Bakersfield has always had such rich musical traditions with Red Simpson, Merle, Buck, Korn and Big House,” Sharp said. “I’ve known Rick for over 30 years, and we’ve always kept in touch. I called him once to help me out with an artist I was working with years ago.” As if on cue, the sounds of Alan Jackson’s “Chasin’ that Neon Rainbow,” from his 1990 debut album, “Here In The Real World,” was heard overhead through the sound system, briefly interrupting the conversation.

“That’s the song right there,” said Stevens pointing up. “Oh yeah, I remember that one,” said Sharp. “That wasn’t even his biggest hit, but it’s the one that got him noticed first.” It wouldn’t be the last time the interview between Sharp and Stevens would take a detour. There’s also the story about how Sharp brought Brooks & Dunn to the old Roxanne’s nightclub in Bakersfield for a meet-and-greet and only four people showed up. “I helped break them on the West Coast,” Sharp said. “The first time we came Please see ASR / 27

Master Songwriting Session and Clinic When: Concert is at 7 p.m. March 30 and open to the public. The clinic runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 31, by reservation only. Where: American Sound Studios, 2231 R St. Admission: $20 for the concert only. $149 for the clinic, which includes admission to the concert. Information: 864-1701 asrstudios.com

Thursday, March 22, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

BMoA springs into season Three exhibits feature wide variety of artistic styles BY CAMILLE GAVIN Contributing writer

n eclectic array of artistic styles makes up the Spring Exhibition that opens this evening at the Bakersfield Museum of Art. In all, there are three separate exhibits. One is called Legacy in Continuum: Bay Area Figuration, a selection of pieces held by private collectors in San Francisco and Piedmont. Another, “Untitled Journey,” is a solo exhibit of new paintings by Mark Harrington, a Bakersfield native now based in Germany. A third grouping is a display of sculptural vessels in the areas of glass, wood and stoneware. It features the work of four artists, one of whom is Bill Clark a local wood turner. Clark, who took up wood turning about seven years ago following his retirement from the State Board of Equalization, spends a good deal of his time enhancing the objects he makes with artistic designs. “Everything I do starts out as a block of wood on a lathe,” he said. “I’m trying to take to an artistic level instead of utilitarian (purposes) with surface embellishments or enhancements.” He uses a variety of tools to create intricate designs on the vessels he makes. Among them is a tiny drill commonly used by dentists that revolves at 350,000 rpm. Clark also uses a piercing technique that can be seen in the intricate, lacy design on the fragile lids of a bowl he calls “Ginkgo Haiku.” The outer surface of the bowl itself is enhanced by randomly placed images of ginkgo leaves etched into the surface of the bowl itself. “I used a wood-burning chisel on the veins of the leaves,” he said. “I got the inspiration from a neighbor’s (ginkgo) tree across the street.” Also displayed in the handmade vessels exhibit is the work of Dewey Garrett, who carves into his wooden forms to expose various rings; Christopher Jeffries, master of a glass-cutting technique that creates a multilayered exterior; and Adam Silverman, a ceramicist who uses his own special glazes to create a highly textured surface on the pieces he makes. The style of the 14 artists, past and present, whose works make up the Bay Area collection, is noted for its timing and importance to the art world. It began in the late 1940s when many artists in San Francisco began to shift from figurative painting to a non-objective works that were concerned more with expression than construction. Harrington’s exhibit features paintings that are being shown for the first time. A news release from the art museum includes this descriptive quote from the artist: “In their format, color and textural horizontality, my paintings focus on space and light. No narrative. No symbolism. No reference. No representation,” he says. “They

PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL CLARK

On the outer surface of a piece titled “Ginkgo Haiku,” the bowl is enhanced by randomly placed images of ginkgo leaves etched into the surface of the work.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BAKERSFIELD MUSEUM OF ART

Another example of Bill Clark’s work is titled “Ginkgo Bowl.”

may be analogous to aspects of the world and our experience, but are not evocative of conditions outside themselves. However, I want them to mean and to arouse a sense of resolve and upliftedness.” All three exhibits can be seen through May 27 during the museum’s usual open hours.

Spring Exhibition Opening reception: 6 p.m. today Where: Bakersfield Museum of Art, 1930 R St. Admission: $10; free to members Information: 323-7219

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BAKERSFIELD MUSEUM OF ART

Among the works on display at the Bakersfield Museum of Art are: above, “Self Portrait” by Joan Brown; top left, “Woman with Fur Collar” by Nathan Oliveira; and bottom left, “Game” by Waldemar Mitrowski.

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, March 22, 2012

Eye Street

Chile verde champ to bring the heat Big turnout expected for Amestoy’s cookoff

Chile verde cookoff When: Sunday; judging starts at 11:30 a.m. and the band Dub Seeds plays at 2 p.m. Where: Amestoy’s, 2303 River Blvd. Admission: $10, which includes food samples and one drink ticket To enter: Spots were limited Tuesday, but interested cooks can call the bar at 871-2303 to inquire; entry fee is $30

BY JENNIFER SELF Californian lifestyles editor jself@bakersfield.com

hen Daniel Arias makes chile verde for himself, he uses as his starting point the recipe his grandmother brought with her from Guanajuato, Mexico, decades ago. And he likes it hot. As in tears-in-theeyes, sweat-on-the-brow, burnbaby-burn hot. “But not a lot of people like it that spicy. I try to keep it at a 6 or 7.” A winning heat index as it turns out, considering that Arias is the reigning champ of Amestoy’s first chile verde cookoff, held at the northeast Bakersfield bar this time last year. Arias will be back with the same spicy-but-not-toospicy stew to defend his title Sunday, competing against up to 19 other teams. But if he and partner Reyna Carreno of Narducci’s win this time, they’ll be retired from the competition, said Amestoy’s manager Mike Miller, who also happens to be Arias’ boss. Yes, Arias runs the kitchen at Amestoy’s, but before anyone screams, “Shenanigans!,” Miller had this to say: “I didn’t want Daniel to win, because he works here. I cringed

when I found out. I wanted to fix it where he couldn’t win.” To remove even a whiff of impropriety, Miller has instituted a change in judging this year. A member of each team will sit on one of three judging panels, which will send two unmarked samples to compete in the final round. The winners will be selected by three celebrity judges: Californian entertainment reporter Matt Munoz, former Kern County Supervisor Pete Parra and Channel 29/Fox 58 television news producer Miranda Whitworth. “It will go really fast,” Miller said, noting a side benefit of the change. “Last year, it took a long time.” Miller is charging $10 (“to keep the knuckleheads out”), but for the price of admission, attendees will get a drink ticket and samples of the chile verde. Though com-

petitors will set up outside the bar, in the parking lot, Miller said it’s not an event for kids — “there’s so much alcohol.” Bakersfield band Dub Seeds will provide entertainment, starting at 2 p.m. About 300 people showed up for last year’s cookoff, which was born out of Miller’s desire to throw a party and drum up business. He talked up the contest to other bars, restaurants and businesses and challenged them to bring their best. “And naturally since those bars were in, their customers came,” Miller said. “Like Big Ed’s Barber Shop, two blocks up, and La Mina market, he’s going to be in. I want to keep the eastside going, but everyone is welcome.” In fact, the runner-up last year was from southwest Bakersfield, the team from B. Ryder’s bar. They’ll be back again, as will the crew from Ethel’s Old Corral, which finished third. Another competitor from last year, McMurphy’s Irish Pub, has inspired an additional competitive category this year: best-decorated booth. “They had all kinds of shamrocks,” Miller recalled. “They went with the theme of their bar, not with the Mexican theme of their food.” Though most of the teams are from local businesses, Miller is allowing some individual competitors this year. Two first-place

awards will be given, one for the business category and one among the unaffiliated competitors. Second- and third-place finishers will be chosen from the entire field, as will the best booth. Miller had filled most of the available spots as of Monday, though he said it wouldn’t hurt to call the bar to inquire about availability. The entry fee is $30, which pays for the winners’ plaques; the remainder is awarded as prize money. Last year, Arias and Carrena walked away with a trophy, $180 and invaluable insider knowledge on what it takes to win. “You have to stay original, keep with your recipe and have fun,” Arias advised. “You learn from everybody else’s flavors.” And this cook has learned from the best, quite literally, in Bakersfield. Arias worked at Red Pepper for 10 years, learning the tricks of the trade from Gilbert Sabedra, widely regarded as one of city’s best and most creative chefs. “Gilbert is like a second father to me,” Arias said. “Gilbert and I did a lot of trading recipes and working together to create new recipes. He gave me a lot of free rein in his kitchen, which I respect.” Though Red Pepper is famous for its chile verde, Arias took only knowledge of how to cook in quantity with him when he left the northeast restaurant — not

the prized formula. Arias’ stew is a combination of his family’s recipe, his own tweaks over the years and a collaboration with fellow chef Carrena. “Some people use strictly jalapenos, some use serranos,” Arias said, declining to give up his own secrets. “Some, like the Arizona Cafe, has a red color because they use red tomatoes instead of green tomatillos. It depends on what part of Mexico you’re from.” The bar offers ample opportunity to sample the winning recipe, even for those who can’t make Sunday’s cookoff: Arias’ chile verde tacos are served every Thursday from 3 p.m. to “whenever we’re sold out, usually 9.” Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. And in what has to be the best value at any kitchen anywhere in town, Amestoy’s offers a free brunch, with the purchase of a beverage, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Sunday. Eggs, biscuits and gravy, “some type of meat plate,” all for free. “We get a really good crowd,” Arias said. The success of the chile verde adventure has Miller planning for another competition. “A bloody Mary contest in June,” he said. “It will be an event and a happening, where everybody will want to come. And we’ll have sausage. A bloody Mary sausage fest.”

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Thursday, March 22, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

FELIX ADAMO / THE CALIFORNIAN

Maho Kagawa, center, and Aaron Arroyo, right, play the lead pans in a Lakeside School steel drum practice. At left is John Hendricks and Sarah Tjaarda.

Taste of da islands, mon, with steel drum students BY MATT MUNOZ Californian staff writer mmunoz@bakersfield.com

hen Lakeside Middle School music director Jonathan Barr was searching for a way to boost his campus music program, he looked to the islands. Not for vacation, but for Trinidadian steel drums. Now, five years after introducing the unconventional but joyful-sounding metallic instruments to students, Barr is presenting the school’s popular group to the public with a performance at Valley Plaza on Saturday. “When you have a concert and marching band concert, you don’t get a lot of exposure,” said Barr, who’s been happy with the response he’s received from parents and teachers since the introduction of the group. “The kids get a different kind of experience.” Barr’s decision to branch out from traditional music programs offered in most schools was inspired through his experiences both in high school in Ohio and as a drummer in the Mountaineer marching band at West Virginia University. While there he had an opportunity to study under Ellie Mannette, who has been credited as helping modernize the steel drum — or pans, as some refer to the instrument. “The sound is so unique, and they were just fun to play. Our band was huge back east, and playing the pans was a part of that experience,” he said. The evolution of the steel pan goes back to the days of slavery during the 1700s on the island of Trinidad. The very first pitched steel drums were made from smaller metal containers and were rounded in shape. Today the drum is constructed from the bottom of a 55-gallon barrel, sunk down in a bowl-shaped fashion, and tuned with notes. There are many different instruments and variations making up the

Lakeside School steel drum band concert When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday Where: The Target wing at Valley Plaza, 2701 Ming Ave. Admission: Free Information: 832-2436

family of steel band pans and drums. “The first day, the kids were so intrigued by them,” he said. “It reminded me of when I was in college. Wherever you go, people will stop and listen. They just sound happy, no matter what you play.” Barr, a teacher at Lakeside for 13 years, has helped other local schools, such as Garces Memorial High, get the instruments and implement programs. “As far as other middle schools, we’re the only one in town who have steel drums. I’ve had a really supportive school district with all the crazy things that have happened in other districts, and the parents have just been the best. We got a good group of kids playing.” The band’s repertoire includes traditional selections like “The Hammer,” as well as pop classics reworked for the instruments, like Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” “Kokomo” by the Beach Boys and “Margaritaville” by Jimmy Buffett. Saturday’s show is not a fundraiser, but the band is available for outside bookings and does accept donations through the Lakeside school associated student body. “Right now we have eight songs, and we’re very versatile,” Barr said. “The kids can typically learn a song in two to three rehearsals. We can do three sets at 25 minutes each to half an hour. “Getting the kids to play is not an issue. Right now, we have to get ourselves out there to keep our programs alive. Good publicity is always good.”

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, March 22, 2012

Eye Street Camille Gavin CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

Northern exposure for teen artist BHS senior taking work to Seattle

sculpture made by Madeline Ming, a senior at Bakersfield High School, is on its way to Seattle, where it will be on display from March 28 to 30 at the annual National K-12 Ceramic Exhibition. Madeline plans to be there to see her work honored. She’ll fly there next week along with her mother, Elizabeth Ming, and Yvonne Cavanagh, the BHS teacher who submitted her student’s work, a bust of a young woman. During a recent telephone conversation, Madeline gave me some details about the sculpture, including its size — 12-by-15inches — and that it was glazed and fired. She also explained why she chose to call the piece “I Won’t Tell a Soul.” “The whole sculpture is based on abusive relationships,” she said. “I have known people who have been in that kind of relationship and they’re always afraid of telling others about it.” Initially, Madeline had set out to make a smiling face but as she molded the clay, she decided to create a more emotional feeling. “I do that a lot — I start out to do one thing and then I so something else,” she said, “I love expressing my creativity.” In addition to art, Madeline enjoys sports. She’s been on the varsity Lady Drillers basketball team since her freshman year and now is a power forward. And she’s found that one activity tends to reinforce the other. “I never realized how much I enjoyed ceramics until my junior year,” she said. “I play basketball and it’s a great way to relieve stress.” Her hope is to ultimately be a teacher of ceramic arts but she recognizes there’s not a lot of demand in that field at present. Even so, after graduation in June, she plans to attend Cal State Bakersfield for two years and then transfer to USC as an art major or to California Institute of the Arts in Santa Clarita. Even with a plan, she’s open to

PHOTO COURTESY OF JEROME LAZARUS

These two images show “Dharma,” a work by Jerome Lazarus on display at the Foundry.

PHOTO COURTESY OF YVONNE CAVANAGH

“I Won't Tell a Soul” is a sculpture created by Bakersfield High School senior Madeline Ming.

GO & DO “Dharma” exhibit When: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday Where: The Foundry, 1602 20th St. Admission: Free Information: 388-0278

other opportunities and intends to look for information about other art schools during her time in Seattle. Also, as a student whose entry was selected for the 11th and 12th grade category, she has the opportunity to apply for a scholarship from the sponsoring organization. According to information provided by Cavanagh, a total of 1,114 entries were received by the exhibit organizers. More than half, or 745, were submitted in the category for high school students who are juniors or seniors. Of those, Madeline’s was one of only 97 chosen to be shown in the exhibition, which is being held in conjunction with the annual conference of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts.

Lazurus mixed media display Jerome Lazarus, a native of Sri Lanka who now makes his home in Bakersfield, is showing a new body of work at the Foundry in downtown Bakersfield. He calls the exhibit “Dharma.”

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

The word means a thing that is established, such as a law, a duty or a right. Primarily a photographer and filmmaker, Lazarus said that he’s used his craftsmanship in those areas along with materials such as metal, aluminum, plastic and paper to create the pieces in his current exhibit.

CSUB children’s theater In the performance of “The Talking Stick” I saw last Saturday, the seven-member cast performed what I’d call a miracle. Or maybe it was just plain magic — the magic of live theater. Whatever it was, the actors, all Cal State Bakersfield students, managed to capture — and more importantly, hold — the attention of the 85-member Arena Theater audience for a full 40 minutes. Not an easy task when you consider about three-fourths of those in attendance were children, many of them preschool age. Oh, there was the usual wiggling around among the youngest ones, who were seated crosslegged on the floor within inches of the stage area. And one little girl was momentarily frightened by the entrance of a shaggy headed lion, a three-foot-high puppet held by a snarling actor. But few, if any, took their eyes off any of the action as it played out before them. True enchantment, I’d say. I suggest there are several reasons for this attentiveness: The skill of the actors and their ability to work as an ensemble, their ability to assume the character of the oversized puppets that are an essential part of the

show, and perhaps most of all, the quality of the material they had to work with. An original production, “The Talking Stick” was written and directed by Kamala Kruszka, of the CSUB theater arts faculty. She based the play on five African folk tales and like many stories of that genre, each has a moral. But the lessons are not presented in a preachy manner. Rather, they unfold in a comedic way and this, combined with the actors’ clever use of their voices as they manipulate the puppets, makes for a whole lot of fun. The show comes to an exciting and humorous climax with a tale about the legendary Anansi the Spider. The scene was enlivened, at the invitation of the actors, by audience participation. Sadly for some, the five oncampus performances of “The Talking Stick” on March 17-18 were the only ones open to the general public. In about two weeks, however, the show will go on tour, visiting 15 or more elementary schools and preschools in various areas of Kern County. The CSUB theater department puts on a children’s theater production annually, and every year it’s different. The students devote the entire winter quarter to practicing the show and then pack up all the sets and props and take it on the road during the spring quarter, which begins in about two weeks. As I noted in last week’s column, it’s too late for schools to sign up for the current show. But if you want to get on the list for next year’s production, call Kruszka at 654-6070 or write to her via email at kkruszka@csub.edu.

Fundraising for ‘Avenue Q’ Normally The Empty Space issues no tickets, opting to accept donations as patrons enter the door a few minutes before the show begins. But there’s been a

temporary change in that policy. Brian J. Sivesind, executive director of The Empty Space, has announced a ticket sale two months in advance to ensure the playhouse can produce the Tony award-winning “Avenue Q.” An adult-themed musical comedy, it addresses issues like sex, drinking, and surfing the Web for porn. Anticipated cost for the show’s royalties, sets, props and the 11 puppets to be used by the threemember cast is about $5,000, which does not include the normal operating costs of rent, utilities, insurance and other expenses. Sivesind says the theater currently has enough money in the bank to stay a month ahead of funding for any of the low-budget shows it usually produces. But “Avenue Q” is much more expensive. And he, along with the board of directors, wants to continue to make smart business decisions to support the organization’s artistic vision. “Our shows have been pretty successful over the past six months and our patrons have donated generously, so we feel like we are on strong financial footing,” he said. “But a couple missteps could easily put us back into a place where we are scraping to pay the rent, and that’s why we want to make sure we can generate the resources for a big budget musical like ‘Avenue Q’ before we commit to producing it.” To make it possible to present the show, the theater is offering — through March 31 — pre-sale tickets at $25 a person for the opening gala, planned for May 18 and 19. Those who pay in advance will be listed in the program as sponsors, or in Empty Space speak, “Tenants of Avenue Q.” Of course, larger amounts are welcome as well. Additional levels of sponsorship, for $100, $250, and $500, are available. For more information, contact Sivesind at brianjsivesind@gmail.com or call 327-7529.

Thursday, March 22, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Small musical fueled by big dreams Simple tale a labor of love at Empty Space BY STEFANI DIAS Californian assistant lifestyles editor sdias@bakersfield.com

ollowing your dreams is the focus of “[title of show],” opening Friday at The Empty Space. So it’s only natural that the show came about by director Kristina Saldana following her own dream. “When I first listened to it (the show), I thought, ‘This is the show that my friends and I always say we’re going to write but never follow through on.’ It was so honest and hysterical, and I immediately knew that this would be a future project of ours.” Saldana made that plan with Justin Lawson Brooks, who stars in the show as Hunter. The show follows the journey of Hunter and pal Jeff (Chris Burzlaff) as they write a musical starring themselves and lady friends Susan (Chelsea Brewer) and Heidi (Caroline Clark). With only one other cast member — Jeff Rosbrugh as keyboardist Larry — this is a stripped-down musical, which is something Saldana said is exciting to bring to local audiences. “I think Bakersfield is all too accustomed to seeing the big Broadway spectacles with bright lights and huge dance numbers.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHELLE GUERRERO

From left, Caroline Clark, Justin Lawson Brooks, Chris Burzlaf and Chelsea Brewer appear in a scene from “[title of show],” opening Friday at The Empty Space.

The look of ‘[title of show]’ is incredibly simple, beautiful and unique. The authors created a world with four chairs and one keyboard that explores whether or not people simply talking and listening and being their true, honest selves without bells and whistles was enough to make an evening of musical theater. “The show fits perfectly into The Empty Space, and I think audiences are going to see how

amazingly it does work.” That work all comes together in the final number, which Saldana said is her favorite part of the show. “The harmonies in this song are completely breathtaking. Harmonies play a huge role in this musical, and when it’s four-part harmony and one person singing each part, it is simultaneously exhilarating and terrifying for the actors. And it is a delight to be

able to witness it.” Aside from stage time, Saldana has put in a lot of work online promoting the show with a YouTube video and numerous postings on the theater’s Facebook page and Twitter feed. The heavy use of social media pays tribute to the show’s creators. “This show initially gained popularity due to, in part, to the YouTube series the quartet created to showcase their journey from off-Broadway to Broadway (which you’ll catch a little snippet of in the show), so I wanted to make sure that social media played a huge part in the promotion of this show. “I think they were incredibly creative and intelligent in the way they put their show out there for people to find it. ... I found and fell in love with it through the Internet and wanted others to do so, too.” Saldana, who most recently directed “Next Fall” at The Empty Space, said newer shows appeal to her as a director. “A lot of the time I’ll focus my energy on either new shows or new playwrights because it’s really exciting mounting a production that has never been done around here before. I feel like if I tried to direct a classic or Shakespeare I’d completely murder it, so I’m happy to leave those to people like (the theater’s artistic director) Bob Kempf or (executive director) Brian Sivesind.”

LOSE WEIGHT AS IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDED ON IT.

‘[title of show]’ When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through April 7 Where: The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. Admission: Suggested donation of $15; $10, students and seniors. Information: esonline.org or 327-7529

A passion for the arts drives the show and is the reason Saldana said it will resonate with audiences. The authors “ended up creating this show that, in my opinion, every artist and every friend or family member of an artist should see. “And we are all artists, in some way or another. We all create things, whether you are a writer, singer, painter, chef, graphic designer, actor or just sit in front of your computer writing fan-fiction and making funny cat pictures.” Since “[title of show]” has been a labor of love for the director and the theater’s financial director, she’s not committed to her next show. “I have a few projects ratting around in my brain, but nothing set in stone yet. And, as always, my time not tied down to a specific project is always spent making sure The Empty Space is happy and healthy.”

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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, March 22, 2012

Eye Street The Lowdown with Matt Munoz

B-boys and b-girls break it down Breakdance event puts crews on floor

he survival of hip-hop culture in Bakersfield relies heavily on its fans. And not just any fans, but the keepers of the flame first ignited in the streets of New York City, which spread all the way to the West Coast, where it evolved into a worldwide phenomenon. From the UK to Asia and beyond, there is no escaping its influence on everything from music to fashion and, of course, dancing. Unfortunately, a lot of the movement’s original spirit has been lost over four decades, but not with hip-hop enthusiasts Omar Juarez and Sabrina Ramirez, two names you may already be familiar with as founders of the popular Mothership DJ Night at Sandrini’s. Together, they plan to raise the bar with the return of the “Break ’Em Off 2” breakdance competition and after-party at The Garden and Jerry’s Pizza on Saturday. Juarez, 29, who co-organized Saturday’s contest with friends and fellow hip-hop heads Jose Gonzalez and Joseph Hernandez, can still recall the impact breakdancing had on him growing up. “I used to see it in magazines, not on TV when I was a kid. I was 8 when I first discovered it down in TJ (Tijuana) in person,” said Juarez. “It was dope. “The story behind this culture from the Bronx — instead of gangs fighting, they danced. I really liked it because it was so aggressive. You can compete against each other. There’s no other type of dance

INMOTION.PRO PHOTOGRAPHY

Dancer JayD Cisneros competes during the first “Break ‘Em Off” event in Bakersfield in 2007.

like that: ballet, jazz. This is what I wanted to do. At the end, it’s all love and shaking hands,” Juarez said. Unless you knew where to find it, the most mainstream exposure was through the occasional latenight MTV video, a time slot designated by the network, which avoided putting rap and hip-hop videos in regular rotation. There was also the New York-based USA cable network, which would broadcast obscure mini-docs about urban street art and music on the show “Night Flight.” Juarez may have been too young to remember those days, but by the time he hit his teens, the curiosity was too much to handle. “When I was about 15, I went to a b-boy event out of town. These guys were the real deal from way back in the day. You have to have the flow and passion. You have to do it with love, and it will show in the way you dance. When I first started, I didn’t know where to start, but luckily there were some guys in town, and they used to teach us some stuff.”

As he and his friends continued to seek out knowledge, they were eventually introduced to local crews. The scene was small, but the grass-roots vibe was something they could be proud of. “There was only one crew in Bakersfield growing up. We used to look up to them, the X-Men. They were the only guys around here. There was nobody else. Then my friends and I just started dancing. There was a group of about 20 of us.” Like most styles of dance, breaking consists of four primary elements: toprock, downrock, power moves and freezes. It’s acrobatic, athletic, unconventional, and today has been integrated into many traditional and modern performance dances. According to Juarez, while many TV shows have capitalized on the allure of breaking and attracting major talents, longtime dancers frown on its commercialism. “I don’t wanna say they’re selling out, but those dancers are not doing what they wanna do. That’s not the real deal. B-boying wasn’t created to perform for people. It’s

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.

about competing. You have to have flavor and originality. All that stuff on ‘America’s Best Dance Crew’ has already been done for years. You can do those old moves but you have to change it up, twist it and make it look good.” Saturday’s event isn’t Juarez’s first round at event organizing, but “Break ’Em Off 2” is the official brand he plans to keep building for many of the younger dancers who now look to follow his lead. The first “Break ’Em Off” was held five years ago and followed up with smaller events. “We had more low-key events to see what was up. We’re all a little older and we work, but we still love the culture, watch videos and stay updated with who’s dancing now. There’s a whole new generation of kids dancing like we used to.” For Saturday’s event, DJs will spin after doors open at 2 p.m. Crews can sign up and showcase themselves in front of spectators an hour before the first round of battling begins at 6 p.m. Organizers will call out each crew individually to show their stuff and are given either the green or red light to continue. Only eight crews will be chosen into the main threevs.-three battle, before the final elimination round where dancers will put forth their best moves for the night’s $2,000 cash prize. Following “Break ’Em Off 2,” the after-party will continue downstairs at Jerry’s Pizza at 10 p.m. DJ Sabrina Ramirez, aka Sabretooth, will be joined by fellow mix masters Chito, B Kutz, Qwiz, and others who will keep the body rockin’ till the break of dawn. Ramirez is one of the few female DJs in Bakersfield, but don’t think she can’t hang with the guys. “The girls have styles. Some of them are better than the guys. When it comes to dancing they’re small and throw their body into it. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen it as a male-dominated thing. I’ve had a lot of young girls ask me how to mix.” Ramirez, who also happens to

be Juarez’s cousin, recalls her own memories of growing up in east Bakersfield, surrounded by local hip-hop. She understands the allure with the younger set. “We’re a small town, so a lot of us kind of need some kind of culture here. Anytime we start any kind of scene like punk rock, there’s always going to be someone drawn to it. In Bakersfield you have to start things yourself; that’s why I get excited about these events. It’s a way to wind down from everyone being competitive, hanging out in their habitat and just relaxing.” The Garden is at 900 22nd St. Jerry’s Pizza is at 1817 Chester Ave. bboysbreakemoff.com.

Matt’s picks Jared Michael and The Bar Room Riot at Amestoy’s Bar, 2303 River Blvd., Friday, 9 p.m., free, 871-2303. Singer/songwriter and guitarist Jared Michael has already made some noise within the edgier side of the local roots music scene with his former group, Gallows to Graves. Now he’s assembled another group of capable musicos as The Bar Room Riot. Without much fanfare, the band has just released a new CD, “Wasting All These Years,” just in time to kick off the spring season. I haven’t had time to absorb it all, so I may be revisiting it for a full review in a future column. From what I’ve heard so far, there is a lot of Old ’97s influence. Opening will be 800 Lb Gorilla. Jay Smith Group at Sandrini’s Bar, 1918 Eye St., Friday, 10 p.m., $5, 322-8900. Trust me when I say there’s never a dull moment when Bakersfield jazz keyboardist Jay Smith is onstage. This show marks the long-awaited release of his new CD, “Unashamed Portrayal,” a manic exploration into the depths of jazz’s most experimental eras. It’s free-sounding, at times exhausting, but something fans of ’70s Miles Davis and Zappa’s jazz excursions will eat up.

Thursday, March 22, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

PHOTO COURTESY OF TORRIE NICHOLAS PHOTOGRAPHY

The Imagine Ballet Company prepares for the annual spring program on Saturday at Cal State Bakersfield.

Imagine ballet in all its beautiful forms at show Hot off TV dance success, Mallory choreographs piece BY MIRANDA WHITWORTH Contributing writer

raditional elegance meets contemporary edge as a Bakersfield dance company marries ballet and modern movement at its annual spring showcase this weekend. An added benefit will be the return — in a sense — of Bakersfield native and “So You Think You Can Dance” finalist Sasha Mallory. Imagine That! 2012 takes place Saturday at the Dore Theater at Cal State Bakersfield, and according to Imagine Ballet Company Artistic Director Kristen Doolittle, toe shoes and tutus are just the beginning. “One of the things that is unique about our company is that the kids are so versatile in their dance styles. What they have trained in and really mastered varies. In our show, you see a little bit of everything. We will do the classical ballet and then flip it around and do some more contemporary stuff.” The dance company is taking the classical form head-on with a performance from one of the world’s most beloved ballets, “Le Corsaire.” Meaning “The Pirate,” “Le Corsaire” has been a staple of the dance world since it debuted in Paris in 1856 and is usually performed in three acts. Imagine will be performing Act 1, transforming the Dore Theater stage into an exotic Turkish bazaar populated by slave traders and their beautiful captives. Also on the program is a duet for the company’s two senior members choreographed by Mallory, who once studied and taught at Imagine before becoming a fan favorite on the Fox dance competition series last season. Katherine Shoe and Keira Whitaker will be performing “The Stranger,” a modern piece that was put together on the fly over

Imagine That! 2012 presented by The Imagine Ballet Company When: 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday Where: Doré Theater, Cal State Bakersfield, 9001 Stockdale Highway Tickets: $16; $12 for seniors and students; available at Civic Dance Center, 7840 Brimhall Road; by phone 7030628 or email imagineballetcompany@yahoo.com Information: imagineballetcompany.com

three days while Mallory was home in Bakersfield for a week between gigs (Mallory isn’t expect to make this weekend’s shows). Whitaker has been a student of Mallory’s for years, but this was the first time she had worked with her on choreography. “Sasha works really fast and she wants you to learn really fast,” Whitaker said. “But she just doesn’t want you to go through the motions. She wants you to understand why you are doing the movements and why you are doing them the way you are doing them. It’s dancing with a reason.” While Whitaker and Shoe have danced together countless times, the story of “The Stranger” follows two girls who meet for the first time and strike up a brief friendship. For Whitaker, the choreography is about stepping outside one’s comfort zone to make a connection. "It’s about seeing someone walking down the street that you wouldn’t normally be friends with, but then you reach out and become friends. When you leave each other, you end up leaving with a little part of that person." Whitaker, a senior at Centennial High School, will be leaving for college in the fall and plans to double major in dance and psychology. As she prepares her dance Please see BALLET / 26

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, March 22, 2012

Eye Street

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

FELIX ADAMO / THE CALIFORNIAN

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

McDonald’s employee Maureen Recalde, who has been chosen to appear in a commercial for the company, sings at an East Rotary meeting in September.

McFame already in the bag for singer First a McDonald’s TV ad, then international contest

To vote for Maureen Go to voiceofmcdonalds.com Voting ends April 23

BY JENNIFER SELF Californian lifestyles editor jself@bakersfield.com

o matter how she does in the upcoming international singing competition that could change her life, one thing is certain for Tehachapi singer Maureen Recalde: Her shoes are about to become a star. “They’re just black nonslip shoes that I wear to work every single day,” said Recalde, clearly mystified over what makes her size 8’s so special. Recalde was in the City of Industry this week to film a McDonald’s commercial, and the folks behind the camera chose her shoes for a pivotal closeup, even though there were many other pairs of perfectly fine feet standing around waiting to be discovered. Chalk it up as a lucky break in a year of lucky breaks for the young singer, who has her golden-arched employer to thank. It started last fall when Recalde entered the Voice of McDonald’s, an international singing competition open to the 1.6 million employees of the fast-food giant. Though she comes from a small town, Recalde was a breakout star with voters, who cast their ballots online. Her tally has earned her a ticket to Orlando, Fla., where she will compete against 18 other contestants next month. First prize is $25,000. But there’s another category in the contest she has her eye on, and that’s where her supporters come in. The contestant with the most votes in the fan favorite category will win $5,000. Voting at voiceofmc-

donalds.com opened on Tuesday and continues through April 23. The talent portion of the competition will be decided by a panel of judges. “I haven’t been told who the judges are, but I heard that Kelly Clarkson, Keith Urban and Ruben Studdard will be there,” said Recalde during a phone interview Tuesday as she and her shoes took a break from filming. The singer has chosen the classic “At Last” by the late Etta James to perform in the competition. “It was a last-minute decision to choose that song,” she said. “I was singing it for a few days, and it just clicked.” But before she heads to Florida, Recalde will perform at a McDonald’s awards banquet in Chicago. “It was just me they asked (from the field of competitors),” said Recalde, who is taking the special recognition as a good sign. And then, of course, there’s the commercial, which is due to wrap production today. She isn’t sure if she will be asked to speak any lines for the two spots, which will air all over the world. “My first scene was, the camera was in the refrigerator and I opened it and grabbed two eggs out of the fridge. And then my shoes, of course. “It’s such an ordeal to film a commercial!” But Recalde will take some time out to celebrate what she’s calling a milestone birthday on Friday. “It’s my golden birthday: I turn 23 on the 23rd.”

Thursday, March 22, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Raise your glass for important mission BY STEFANI DIAS Assistant Californian lifestyles editor sdias@bakersfield.com

“D

o one thing really well.” That’s the motto of Shay Trone and the rest of the committee behind the fourth annual Wine Tasting & Auction being held Saturday at Motor City Lexus. The event, a fundraiser for Coldwell Banker’s Relay for Life team “Bringing Home the Cure,” has done just that, netting $46,000 of the total $53,000 the team raised last year. “It made us No. 6 in Bakersfield in 2011,” Trone said of the team’s ranking. (Bakersfield’s Relay for Life is one of the largest such events in the world, raising just over $2 million in 2011.) The team, which had previously held a poker night, has now focused all its efforts on the tasting, planned by a committee of 10. “We’re small but mighty when it comes to planning,” Trone said. Saturday’s event will feature more than 20 wineries from throughout California, including Sculpterra Winery, Opolo Vineyards, Morovino, Las Flores and

Fourth annual Wine Tasting & Auction When: 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday Where: Motor City Lexus dealership, 5101 Gasoline Alley Drive Admission: $50; tickets can be purchased at Coldwell Banker locations and Imbibe Wine & Spirits Information: 616-3444

Bella la Vina. The evening begins with the wine tasting along with treats from 10 local restaurants and businesses: Bord A Petite Catering, Caesar’s Deli (Calloway), Cafe Med, Cubbies Chicago Style Pizza, California Pizza Kitchen, La Cabana, Lassen’s Natural Foods and Vitamins, Logan’s Roadhouse, PM Custom Catering and The Prime Cut. To the sounds of music by Robert Dimeglio, the auctions and raffle complete the evening. Along with raffle baskets and a silent auction — offering pet day care, whitewater rafting, skydiving, driving clinics, wine magnums and more — the live auc-

tion is the big show. Moderated by auctioneer Marti Barajas, the live event features eight lots valued from $300 to priceless. Items include a Cat in the Hat bed quilt by award-winning quilter Patty Young, made especially for the American Cancer Society; paintings by Jay Rider and Floyd Dillon; and season passes for Famoso Raceway. Package deals include a night on the town with food and wine at Little Italy and transportation by A Cut Above Limousine; a wine tasting weekend with a VIP tour of J. Lohr Vineyards; and an executive Lexus demo from Motor City Lexus. Also up for bid are a pair of meals that Trone said are popular auction items. “Two gourmet dinners. One is Italian and the other a family — three generations — where people can pick whatever type of food and they will come to their home and cook.” The family “dinner by design” for eight includes tried-and-true recipes from the families of Sherri Trone (Shay’s mother), Sandra Acosta and Nedra Stewart. Wine will be provided from the cellar of Stan and Susan Ferguson.

ZUMA PRESS

The fourth annual Wine Tasting & Auction will feature varieties from more than 20 wineries throughout California.

The Italian meal, also for eight, is courtesy of duo Sandy Garone and Sandy Torigiani, a onetime finalist in The Californian’s Eye Cook contest. Along with the fun, Trone said there will be a Relay for Life booth promoting cancer survivor participation at the event in May. “There is a special survivor lap (at Relay for Life). We’ll have a booth registering people as survivors. A lot of our committee are

survivors as well.” Last year’s event drew 350 attendees, and ticket sales are keeping pace this year, despite it being a busy time of year. “We have a lot of competition this weekend. (But) ticket sales have been really great. We’re close to 200,” Trone said Tuesday. “We hope this year is as successful as years past. We always hope for more. The more the better, because that’s more we raise.”

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, March 22, 2012

Eye Street

‘Gamble’ in fundraiser for CSUB athletics program BY JENNIFER BURGER Contributing writer

Don’t hang up those beads yet. Mardi Gras season continues with CSUB’s 17th annual Casino Night & Auction presented by Econo Air Inc. at 6 p.m. Saturday at the CSUB Icardo Center. Last year’s edition of the Mardi Gras theme was so popular, it’s back again. Music, specialty drinks and food offerings will lend to the festivities. And, of course, there will be beads. “More than 800 people are expected to attend this year’s event, with an anticipated revenue of $70,000 for the CSUB Student-Athlete Scholarship Fund,” said Mark Mayes, event coordinator for CSUB Athletics. New this year is a High Rollers Room, where there will be special prize drawings, unique auction items, live music by acoustic guitarist Justin Foss, and the opportunity to place food orders with CSUB student-athlete servers. One highlight of the night is the Las Vegas-style gaming, including blackjack, craps and roulette. Attendees redeem chips with “Roadrunner Bucks,” then trade chips for raffle tickets at the end of the night for prize drawings. The other highlight is the silent auction, featuring more than 350 items, and a live

17th annual CSUB Casino Night & Auction When: 6 p.m. Saturday Where: CSUB Icardo Center, 9001 Stockdale Highway Admission: $35 pre-sale; $40 at the door include dinner (must be 21 to attend) Information: gorunners.com or 6543473

auction of 10 premium items. These include a seven-day stay in a three-bedroom condo at Kulanlani in the Mauna Lani Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii, a seven-day timeshare at the winner’s location of choice, a Toby Keith autographed guitar and case, and dugout club seats to a 2012 Dodgers game, with round-trip limousine service. Several hotel stays, golf outings, gift baskets and more are up for bid as well. There will be plenty of food and drink options to fuel event-goers’ luck. General pre-sale tickets are $35 at Econo Air Inc., Russo’s Books and Rabobank (Stockdale branch), or online at www.gorunners.com. Tickets at the door are $40. Must be 21 to attend.

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The Taft College Art Gallery will open with a reception Friday night.

Taft College ready to open doors to gallery BY CAMILLE GAVIN Contributing writer

or the first time in its 90-year history, Taft College has an art gallery. And visitors may view the new facility Friday evening at a free wine-and-cheese reception sponsored by the Taft College Foundation. The gallery occupies a separate 600square-foot section at one end of the college’s new Technical Arts Building, which covers a total of 10,800-square-feet, said Sheri Horn-Bunk, the foundation’s executive director. Cost for the art gallery was $250,000. Money for the new construction was derived from a $39.8 million campus revitalization bond passed in 2004 by voters in the West Hills Community College District. TC is member of the district. Titled “Women Working,” the exhibit currently on display will include works by two Kern County artists: watercolors by Nancy Dawson and sculpture by Betty Younger. The gallery intends to feature exhibits by guest artists as well as provide a showcase for student artwork. Sonja Swenson, who heads the TC art department, will act as

Taft College Art Gallery grand opening reception When: 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday Where: Taft College Art Gallery, 29 Emmons Park Drive in Taft Admission: Free Information: 763-7936

gallery coordinator. Entertainment at the reception will be drawn from several different areas of the arts taught at the college. Music will be provided by Desert Strings, a quartet led by Lee Smith, a Taft businessman and violinist with the Bakersfield Symphony. He also teaches music appreciation at TC. Poetry readings will be given by students in the literary classics course, and the drama department is scheduled to perform. Taft College Foundation, sponsor of the event, is a nonprofit organization established in 2002, Horn-Bunk said. It is dedicated to supporting student success through fundraising and development of community relationships.

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BALLET: CONTINUED FROM 23

sequences for Imagine That! 2012, she also is working through the emotions of knowing this will be her final spring concert with the company. “This is my last year and it’s gone by so quickly. You don’t realize how amazing it is to be in a company like this and dance with guest artists like Sasha until all of the sudden it’s your last show. But everyone has to move on at some point. Being in this company has really prepared me." Also performing Saturday will be Ballet Yuma, traveling from Arizona with seven dancers who will present pieces from their own spring concert. Featuring another company is a first for Imagine Ballet, but it’s an opportunity Doolittle is happy to have.

"I really think it’s fantastic that different companies from the region can dance together in their shows. Every town gets to see something from outside their area and we get to collaborate with other dancers, and we get to really know each other." Trying new things — like collaborations and guest artist appearances — is a driving principle behind Imagine and even inspired the name of the annual program, Doolittle said. “We like to mix it up so you never really know what you are going to see. We have traditional performances like ‘Le Corsaire’ and then you see this modern dance piece that Sasha Mallory has choreographed. Here you have this girl from ‘So You Think You Can Dance?’ helping us — imagine that!”

Thursday, March 22, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street ASR: CONTINUED FROM 16

out, nobody was interested, then ‘Brand New Man’ is released and they had their first Number 1 hit. I’ve been blessed to work with some of the best acts around when they were just starting out.”

‘That one iconic hit ...’ That type of success with developing new talents is why Sharp and Davis have teamed up for the Master Songwriting Clinic, which also features: Grammy/Emmy-nominated songwriter Steven Dorff, who has penned country hits for Kenny Rogers (“Through the Years”), “I Cross My Heart,” for George Strait, and “Every Which Randy Sharp Way but Loose” for the late Eddie Rabbit. Also appearing will be Steven’s brother Randy Sharp with his daughter Maia, both of whom have written for the Dixie Chicks, Linda Rondstadt, Edgar Winter, Bonnie Raitt, and Trisha Yearwood, Maia Sharp among others. “That one iconic hit that becomes a career-defining moment for an artist. These three have a lot to share about how to make that happen,” said Stevens. “Everyone in the major leagues is good. You have to be able to step up and keep up.” Opening the weekend will be the Master Songwriting Session,

The Green Room and Hot Smokin’ BBQ ASR’s in-house café, The Green Room and Hot Smokin’ BBQ, opened in November, featuring a menu of beef, chicken and pulled pork sandwiches, and salads. Cooks and co-owners Alan Hardin and Trevor Shuster are award-winning barbecue enthusiasts and proudly display their trophy from last year’s Bakersfield’s Biggest, Baddest, BBQ Championship. The Green Room is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. After April 3, hours will be extended to 7 p.m.

coinciding with the March 31 clinic. The night before, all three pros will be performing their most well-known compositions for attendees. The March 30 show will be at 7 p.m. inside ASR’s large Studio A and is open to the public. Admission is $20, and seating is limited. Also appearing will be 16-year-old singing phenom Justine Dorsey from Fullerton. The March 31 clinic begins at 10 a.m. at ASR Studio A, where, according to Stevens and Sharp, aspiring artists will be given an afternoon crash course: “Songwriting 101: from A to Z.” “From song conception to collecting a royalty check,” said Sharp. “How to set up a publishing company for your music, copyright, demo presentation, following through, and how to affiliate yourself with a PRO (an artist’s rights organization) like

Do you Facebook? Join our growing online community.

ASCAP, BMI and SESAC.” “A PRO is a songwriter’s biggest ally in the music business,” added Stevens. “They monitor how many spins your song gets on radio, downloaded on the Internet, and how many products are purchased. They also offer members health insurance. Everything that’s important.” Another highlight will be the critique session by the clinicians, where songwriters will get a chance to present a few songs and get direct feedback. “Amateur artists should not be intimidated. You have to be coachable,” Stevens said. “There’s a certain amount of technique, structure and natural talent involved.” Finding a potential co-writer is another of the topics they plan to address. Sharp once again pointed out Brooks & Dunn as one of his best examples. “As a soloist, Kix Brooks couldn’t find any real success, but once he and Ronnie Dunn met each other and were put in a cabin together for a week, they wrote all the songs for their first album together for Arista,” said Sharp. The clinic will be intimate, with reservations maxing out at 100. Lunch will be provided by ASR’s in-house café. Sharp and Stevens plan to hold future Master Songwriting Clinics, with different themes (the next one will be on Nashville).

PHOTO COURTESY OF ASR STUDIOS

Grammy/Emmy-nominated songwriter Steven Dorff, who has penned country hits for several performers, will be among the artists appearing at next weekend’s Master Songwriter’s Clinic and Concert at ASR Studios.

reality TV competitions like “American Idol” and “The Voice,” Stevens’ idea had been brewing for nearly a decade before he got the green light to create and produce the show with partners David Vercruysse and Jeff Cohen. “‘American Idol’ was a cool concept, but now it’s like karaoke on steroids.” The pilot for the show can be viewed online at americaisitahit.com. It’s pretty impressive, with all the glitz of a slick network production, a celebrity panel of judges and cohosts Stevens and country singer Linda Davis.

Another ‘American Idol’? And Stevens has even more projects on the horizon, most notably his pilot for “America, Is It a Hit?,” through his own VSaR Entertainment Group. Inspired by

IS IT SAFE OR IS IT LIBERTY SAFE?

Artists upload their song to the Web and if producers like it, the songwriter will be flown in for an audition. The show has three categories: pop, rock and country. Stevens is hoping the show gets picked up sometime this year, and said he’s had interest from Alist performers and writers, “but only if we get one of the networks to make it happen.” Sharp, for one, is amazed by Stevens’ energy and talent for following one big idea with another. “Rick is like an octopus,” said Sharp. “He’s always busy working on something. It’s ultimately about helping people.”

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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, March 22, 2012

Eye Street Go & Do Today 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 8615200. 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. 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. Kern Green Mixer, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Local Lending, 3500 Coffee Road, Suite B. $25. kerngreen.org. Man-Made Climate Change Lecture, with the honorary Christopher Walter Monckton, 7 to 8:15 p.m., CSUB, Student Union, Multipurpose Room, 9001 Stockdale Highway. Free. Reservations, email assemblymember.grove@assembly.ca.gov or 395-2995. 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. “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, through Friday, at CSUB, Walter Stiern Library, 9001 Stockdale Highway. Free. 6543172. Bingo, warm ups start at 5 p.m., with early birds at 6 p.m., regular games at 6:30 p.m., Volunteer Center of Kern County, 2801 F St. From $20 buy-in to “the works”. 395-9787.

Friday 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. Paint Me A Story, “It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny,” mommy and me reading and painting activity, 10 a.m., Color Me Mine at The Marketplace, 9000 Ming Ave. $15, includes pottery and supplies. 664-7366. 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 6235918.

Weill Child Guidance Foundation Wine Tasting Event, featuring wines from Mark West Winery and Martin Ray Winery with hors d’oeuvres, silent auction, and more, 5:30 to 8 p.m., Guild House, 1905 18th St. $75; proceeds go the Henrietta Weill Memorial Child Guidance Clinic. 395-7467.

Saturday 17th annual CSUB Casino Night & Auction, Las Vegas style gaming, 6 p.m., CSUB, Icardo Center, 9001 Stockdale Highway. $35 presale; $40 at the door include dinner. Must be 21 to attend. Proceeds benefit the CSUB StudentAthlete Scholarship Fund. gorunners.com or 654-3473. Breakfast & Photo, enjoy balloon art by Bo-Bo the Clown, face painting, breakfast, have your photo taken with the Easter Bunny, 8 to 10 a.m., Valley Plaza Mall, 2701 Ming Ave. $8; children 3 and under are free. All proceeds benefit Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House. To attend, purchase tickets from a store manager at Red Robin. Book signing, with author P. Allen Jones, “I Only Cry At Night,” 1 to 3 p.m., Russo’s, 9000 Ming Ave. 665-4686. Cat Adoptions, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Petco, 8220 Rosedale Highway. $65 includes spay/neuter, vaccines and leukemia testing. 3274706. 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. Design Workshop, with Leigh Anne as we sample recipes and create tablescapes inspired by the renowned “Gathering of Friends” cookbooks and entertaining series, 10 a.m. to noon, Beladagio, 9500 Brimhall Road, Ste. 705. Free. 829-2288. Easter Bunny Peep Bouquet Design Class, 10 a.m., Log Cabin Florist, 800 19th St. $35. 3278646. Fourth annual Wine Tasting & Auction, wine from 20 California wineries and local restaurants, live and silent auction, 4 to 7 p.m., Motor City Lexus Dealership, 5101 Gasoline Alley Drive. $50. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. 616-3444. 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. 5784570 or 327-7507. Gun Show & Sale, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Kern County Fairgrounds, Building #3, 1142 S. P St. $9; children 13 and under are free; $3 parking. 805-481-6726. Imagine That! Contemporary Ballet, 2 and 7 p.m., CSUB, Dore Theatre, 9001 Stockdale Highway. $16 adults; $12 children/seniors. 703-0628.

‘CALIFORNIAN RADIO’ Join the Eye Street crew — Jennifer Self, Stefani Dias and Matt Munoz — on “Californian Radio” this morning. We’ll chat with Californian Editorial Page Editor Robert Price, who will call in from Nashville to give us a report on the Bakersfield Sound exhibition at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. We’ll also give away two sets

of passes to the Chile Verde Cookoff at Amestoy’s on Sunday and a snazzy new book compilation of “Zits” comic strips. Listen for your cue to call to win the prizes, or just give us a buzz to chat: 842-KERN. “Californian Radio” airs from 9 to 10 a.m. weekdays on KERNAM 1180.

Classic Rock Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; Usual Suspects, 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Banacek’s Lounge, 4601 State Road, 387-9224; Divided Highway, 9 p.m. Saturday. Ethel’s Old Corral, 4310 Alfred Harrell Highway, 873-7613; Token Okies, 7 to 11 p.m. Friday; Angels and Outlaws, 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Comedy Kern County Teacher Job Fair, 8:30 a.m. to noon, University Square, 2000 K St. Must be fully credentialed or intern-eligible by August & can pre-register. 6364543. Kern County’s Jr. High All-Star Basketball Game, 3-point shootout, boy’s game and girl’s game, featuring top middle school male and female player’s in the county, 6 to 9 p.m., Beardsley Middle School, 1001 Roberts Lane. $2 students w/ID; $3 adults; children under 5 are free. 412-3312. Model Train Club Open House, hosted by the Golden Empire Historical and Modeling Society, will display two large model railroads, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1534 19th St., entrance in alley. 331-6695. Second annual Spring Craft Fair, hosted by Bakersfield Women’s 500 Club; many vendors, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., AMF Southwest Lanes, 3610 Wible Road. 3918791. Spring Craft Fair, many vendors, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., 3000 Mall View Road. Two-Day Roller Derby Tournament, featuring 13 Teams from across the U.S, children’s activities, music, food, beer, vendors, 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Saunders Park, 3300 Palm St. $20 one day adults, $10 children; $25 twoday adults, $15 children. Visit myderbyrevolution.com.

Sunday “Around the World of Wine,” wine tasting fundraiser, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Stars Dinner Theatre, 1931 Chester Ave. $60. Reservations, 325-6100. Chili Verde Cookoff, judging begins at 11:30 a.m., Amestoy's Bar, 2303 River Blvd. $10, includes food samples and one drink ticket. To enter: Spots were limited Tuesday, but interested cooks can call the bar at 871-2303 to inquire; entry fee is $30. Rockin’ For Relay for Life by Larry’s Legacy, music, raffles, prizes, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Lone Oak Lounge, 10612 Rosedale Highway. $5. Proceeds benefit American Cancer Society.

THEATER “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. Thursday through Saturday, Stars Dinner Theatre, 1931 Chester Ave. $50 to $54; $30, students. 325-6100.

ART Opening Reception of “Dharma,” mix media photography series by Jerome Lazarus, 5 p.m. Friday, The Foundry, 1602 20th St. Free. 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. 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 Alternative rock Golden State Mall, 3201 F St., I set My Friends on Fire, 6 p.m., $14 Thursday; We Came As Romans, 6 p.m. Saturday, $25 Saturday. All ages.

Elevation Lounge, 818 Real Road, 325-6864; Improv Tuesday Live comedy with DJ after party, 9 p.m. Tuesdays. T-Bones Steakhouse, 8020 District Blvd., 332-8804; Tim Gaither featuring Josh Nasar and Assad Montevesilli, 8:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday.

Country Sandrini’s, 1918 Eye St., 3228900; Vince Galindo, 9 p.m. Wednesdays. T-Bones Steakhouse, 8020 District Blvd., 398-1300; Big Dawgs, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Friday.

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. Folklorico Classes, advance dancers/performing group 6 to 8 p.m. Fridays; and beginners, all ages, 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays, Fruitvale-Norris Park, 6221 Norris Road. $22 per month for beginners; $25 per month for advance dancers. 833-8790. Greenacres Community Center, 2014 Calloway Dr., offers ballroom dance, East Coast swing (jitterbug) and Argentine Tango dance classes; $35, $45 for non-members. 322-5765 or 201-2105. Joaquin Squares, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Rasmussen Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane. $5. 324-1390, 325-3086 or 399-3658. Mavericks Singles, ballroom and country dancing with music by George Band, 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Kern City Town Hall, 1003 Pebble Beach Drive. $7 member; $9 guest. 8319241. Pairs and Spares Dance, with Lost Highway, 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.

Thursday, March 22, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street 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. Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany Ave., Suite B5, 589-6749; DJ James, 9 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Free. The Bull Shed Bar & Grill, at Hotel Rosedale, 2400 Camino Del Rio Court, 327-0681; with Meg, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Jazz Cafe Med, 4809 Stockdale Highway, 834-4433; Richie Perez, 7:30 to 11 p.m. Thursdays. Imbibe Wine & Spirits Merchant, 4140 Truxtun Ave., 633WINE; live music & wine bar with featuring local artist and Jazz Connection, along with 24 wines, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. King Tut, 10606 Hageman Road; live Instrumental and vocal Jazz, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. each Friday and Saturday. Free. Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 White Lane, 834-1611; Bakersfield Jazz Workshop, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. every Wednesday. Que Pasa Mexican Cafe, 2701 Ming Ave., 832-5011; Jazz Invasion, 9 to 10 p.m. every Saturday. Wine Me Up, 3900 Coffee Road, 588-8559; Mauro and Rico Velazquez, 7 p.m. Saturday.

Karaoke B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane, 397-7304; 8 p.m. Thursdays and Tuesdays. Banacek’s Lounge, 9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday at 4601 State Road. 387-9224. Banacek’s Lounge, 9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday at 4601 State Road. 387-9224. Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursdays and Sundays. Big Daddy Pizza, 6417 Ming Ave., 396-7499; 7 to 10 p.m. every Tuesday; 8 to 11 p.m. every Friday. 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.

SUMMER CAMP LISTINGS Do you offer activities for children over the summer? Send us your information and we will run a free listing in The Californian. Information is due by April 20. Email your event to summercamps@bakersfield.com and include the following: 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., 8691451; 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesdays. Pizzeria, 4200 Gosford Road, 397-1111; 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays. Pour House, 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at 4041 Fruitvale Ave. 589-9300. Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner, 323-0053; 8 p.m. to midnight Saturdays. Replay Sports Lounge & Grill, 4500 Buck Owens Blvd., 3243300; 8 p.m. every Wednesday. Rocket Shop Cafe, 2000 S. Union Ave., 832-4800; 8:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday. Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany Ave., Suite B5, 589-6749; 8 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays. Rocky’s Pizza & Arcade, 2858 Niles St., 873-1900; 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. Round Table Pizza, 2060 White Lane, 836-2700; 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Name of camp; address of camp; contact information (phone number, email and website of organization); dates of all sessions being offered (beginning date through end date); registration deadline; theme; age range of participants; activities; and cost. 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. 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 Nile, Jazz Music, 6 p.m. every Sunday. Cost $10 at 1721 19th St. 364-2620. 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 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 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.

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, 4803 Panama Lane, C1, 8347-5834, Prisoners of Love, 7 to 10 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; Rock-A-Mole, 8:30 p.m. Saturday. $5 per night. old school.

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 B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane, 397-7304; Glam Cobra, 9 p.m. Friday; Good Question, 9 p.m. Saturday. $5 per night. Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany Ave., Suite B5, 589-6749; live bands, 9 p.m. every Thursday. The Underground, inside Golden State Mall, 3201 F St., 633-9800; Say Anything, Kevin Devine & the Goddamn Band, Fake Problems, The Front Bottoms, 6 p.m. Friday. $19. Tickets available tgptix.com, World Records, Wavelengths, Impact Street Wear.

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 Tuesday 3/27 Treasure Hunters Roadshow, bring your collectibles, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Four Points Sheraton, 5101 California Ave. Free. 217-241-3170.

Wednesday 3/28 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. Prices range from $8 to $25. Tickets: Rabobank arena box office, bakersfieldcondors.com or 324-7825.

Thursday 3/29 “Ancient Land, Enduring People, Future Hope,” with speaker John Winchester of Christians United for Israel, 7 p.m., CSUB, Dore Theatre, 9001 Stockdale Highway. Free. Business After Hours Spring Trade Show Mixer, 5:30 to 8 p.m., Marriott Hotel, 801 Truxtun Ave. $5. 327-4421. Kelly Clarkson: Stronger Tour 2012, 7:30 p.m., Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $40.60-$81.45. ticketmaster.com or 800-7453000. Organ Recital, with Joseph Simms, 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 2216 17th Street & B. 861-6020.

Friday 3/30 Condors vs. Utah Grizzlies, Kern County 4-H Condors Fundraiser, first 2,000 children 12 and under will receive a Condors street hockey stick and puck set, 7 p.m., Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $10-$15, tickets must be purchased in advance from a 4-H club or member, prices will not be honored at the box office. 324-7825. Fish Fry for Life, sit down or take out available, 4 to 8 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi Church, Parish Hall, 900 H St. $10. 864-7508. FLICS International Cinema Society, presents “Beginners,” 7:30 p.m., Bakersfield Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $5. flics.org or call 4280354. Master Songwriting Session, with world class writers Randy Sharp, Steve Dorff and Maia Sharp, performing their hit songs, special appearance by Justine Dorsey, 7 p.m., American Sound Recording Studios, 2231 R St. $20. Visit asrstudios.com or 864-1701.

Saturday 3/31 2012 Concert Series, with Atlanta Rhythm Section, 8 p.m., Bright House Networks Amphitheatre, 11200 Stockdale Highway. $10. ticketmaster.com or all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling 800-745-3000. 23rd annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby, fishing derby contest with $250,000 in prizes, Saturday through Monday, Lake Isabella. isabellafishingderby.com or 760379-5236. CALM’s Spring Fling, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, through April 7, CALM, 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway. Children ages 3-12 are free with a paid adult admission. calmzoo.org or 872-2256.