Bakersfield Californian Eye Street / 4-7-11 by Matt Munoz

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, April 7, 2011

Eye Street

Index Scott Cox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Night of Champions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Bakersfield Museum of Art exhibit . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Arts Alive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Bryan Adams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 The Lowdown with Matt Munoz . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Al Stewart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29-31

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

Cavalcade of soaring classics Renowned pianist in guest performance BY SUSAN SCAFFIDI Contributing writer

here are times when orchestral music is just so impressive, both for its emotional impact as well as its virtuosity. Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra conductor and music director John Farrer has chosen a program for this weekend’s concert that demonstrates the enormous range and scope orchestral music can cover. Some musical eras sought to explore the fullest possible emotional range in composition and performance. The Baroque and Romantic periods share that orientation toward music, and so it is particularly fitting that the BSO program contains music from both eras: Leopold Liszt Stokowski’s orchestral transcription of J.S. Bach’s Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor; Franz Liszt’s “Totentanz” (“Dance of Death”) for piano and orchestra; Cesar Franck’s Symphonic Variations for Piano and Orchestra; and the tone poem “Don Juan” by Richard Strauss. Soloist Anton Nel joins the orchestra for both the Liszt and the Franck. Nel came to the attention of the musical world as a 12year-old, when he performed Beethoven’s Piano Concerto in C Major after only two years of study. His prize-winning teen years led to an equally distinguished performing career as an adult, praised for his chamber music performances as much as for his performances of largescale works. He also has enjoyed a stellar academic career. Admitted to the faculty at the University of Texas at Austin in his early 20s, Nel is now the head of the Division of Keyboard Studies there and holds the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Endowed Chair in Piano at the university. He also teaches master classes around the world.

It takes a virtuoso to attempt this — and a strong one at that A blend of storytelling and the compositional exercise of variations on a musical theme, Franz Liszt’s “Totentanz” is a daring work

Rare 19th century manuscript unveiled Jerry Kleinsasser, who does the popular preview lectures one hour before every Bakersfield Symphony concert, is excited about an unusual highlight related to Saturday’s program featuring pianist Anton Nel, who will play Franz Liszt’s “Totentanz,” or “Dance of the Dead.” “What makes the event extra special” Kleinsasser said, “is the presence of Liszt’s autographed score for the work — all 30 pages (written) in the composer’s hand.” The rare manuscript was bought at an auction in London by Dr. Matthew Malerich, a local orthopedic surgeon and a member of the symphony’s board of directors. In addition, Liszt scholar Rena Charnin Mueller of New York University, will comment on the work during the Kleinsasser’s preview. Mueller also will discuss the score with Cal State Bakersfield students and other interested people at 11 a.m. Friday in the choral room which is in the music building. For more information, call 323-7928. — Camille Gavin, contributing columnist

notable for its stark contrasts in texture, timbre, emotional coloring and imagery, ranging from the darkly macabre to an ethereal introspection. Liszt’s work explores the musical possibilities of the Medieval Gregorian chant “Dies irae” (“Day of wrath”) from the Roman Catholic Requiem Mass, or Mass for the dead. Liszt was known for his fascination with death, as were many of his fellow Romantics, but not necessarily for the same religious reasons as the people of the Middle Ages. The technical demands on the soloist are extreme, from the sheer strength required to perform the percussive effects of the stormier passages, to the virtuosity needed to perform the impossible-sounding florid passages. On top of that, a level of artistic flair is necessary to bring out the dynamism of Liszt’s work. The orchestra will be tested in much the same way. Originally written for the pipe organ, Leopold Stokowski’s orchestral

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FELIX ADAMO

Jeanne Johnson, right, of the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra is on piccolo, with Marc Tipton on clarinet.

Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra With guest soloist Anton Nel When: Pre-concert lecture at 7 p.m. in the Potato Room, show at 8 p.m. Saturday Where: Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. Admission: $32 to $50; students half price. Tickets available at the Rabobank box office. Information: bakersfieldsymphony.org or 323-7928

transcription of the Bach Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor is a texturally dense work in which lines of music act independently instead of working together to support a dominant musical line. Stokowski, probably best known to younger audiences as the conductor featured in the Disney film “Fantasia,” created orchestral versions of more than 200 works, 40 of them by J.S. Bach, a practice that was not always valued during Stokowski’s lifetime but has gained respect over time. Transcribing a work from one medium (pipe organ) to another (orchestra) is an art in itself, as the transcriber or arranger must decide which instruments are best suited to carry particular musical lines. The result can

Maestro John Farrer conducting a March 2010 symphony concert.

either help the listener hear the work in an entirely new way, or fail the music completely.

Orchestra will tell a story with ‘tone-poem’ Richard Strauss’ tone-poem “Don Juan” is known for its extreme technical demands on virtually all the instruments in the orchestra. A tone-poem is a single-movement work for orchestra with a literary inspiration. The orchestra attempts to tell a story in part by using musical themes to represent characters and creating

sound effects with musical instruments. Based on a poem by Nikolaus Lenau, Strauss’ “Don Juan” captures the romantic spirit of the famed lover, or womanizer, in his quest for the perfect woman, only to realize at the end that his life is a waste. Premiered in 1889 when Strauss was only 24 years old, “Don Juan” caused a sensation and earned Strauss the title as the heir to Richard Wagner. CSUB professor Dr. Jerome Kleinsasser will preview the musical selections in a lecture starting at 7 p.m. in the Potato Room.

Thursday, April 7, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

Scott Cox CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

One heathen to another ... Cox trots out favorite topics (Austin’s purity, corporate country, etc.) with fave band

“A MUSICAL FAIRY TALE!” Writt en b y Tim A cito

by Directed l Nea x e l A

ZANNA DON’T PHOTO COURTESY OF CONQUEROO

Band of Heathens, from left: Colin Brooks, Seth Whitney, Gordy Quist, John Chipman, Ed Jurdi.

The Band of Heathens When: 8 p.m. Tuesday Where: Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace, 2800 Buck Owens Blvd. Admission: Free Information: 328-7560

latest album like he was Charlie Bucket with the last golden ticket. I listened to it. I guess I just don’t get the vinyl thing. I’m sure my dad loved it. EJ: I’ll make you a deal: I’ll send you a copy. You listen to it a couple of times, and I’ll come on your show, and one of us will have to admit that he’s wrong. Deal? SC: Fine. Bring it on, hippie! (Note: The album arrived, as promised. I listened to it, and Ed is absolutely correct: It sounds amazing. Therefore, I look forward to interviewing another member of the band on the air. Ed is banned.) SC: Here’s the question that I ask a lot: Is Texas hill country’s music scene trying to save country music as fast as Nashville is trying to destroy it? EJ: We are certainly doing our best. Austin has become the hub of Americana music. So if you like your music with a little soul, you know where to come find it. If not, Nashville has you covered. They certainly control the radio-friendly part of the business. But the true artists are all down here, and that’s the way we like it. SC: Ray Wylie Hubbard once told me that while all these Texas artists live and play down there, too many of them are compromising the quality of the product in hopes of getting that call from Nashville. I know it hasn’t affected you guys, but do you see that much? EJ: Look, everybody wants to get some radio airplay, and we all want to be able to pay the bills. So maybe a few guys have made their stuff a little more Nashvillefriendly. But all the guys in this band are way too stubborn.

SC: I always wonder why Americana artists, who are generally Texas-based, bother to do these West Coast tours. Wouldn’t you rather just stay home and sell out Antone’s and the Continental Club night after night? EJ: No way! We are proud of these songs, and we enjoy playing them for new audiences, wherever they happen to be. Besides, we love California! SC: Well, I know for a fact that anybody who sees you guys play live walks away a fan for life. I’ve seen it happen. I must’ve had 50 people thank me for talking them into going to see you guys last year at Fishlips. EJ: See, that’s why we tour! SC: Here’s another Bakersfield cliche question that I have to ask — how much influence do Buck and Merle have in and around Austin? I know that there’s the whole “outlaw” thing, with Willie and Waylon and Johnny Cash, and all those cats, but I saw a vintage Buck Owens poster on the front door of Antone’s. EJ: Well we are talking about two of the all-time greats, after all. And we all can’t help but emulate Willie Nelson and that bunch out here. When Willie settled down in Texas, he just sort of brought the whole scene with him. But any singer, country or otherwise, who isn’t affected by the Bakersfield Sound is in denial. Anybody who has ever written a song has to be in awe of Merle Haggard. Those guys created a whole new sound from scratch. So while we might not be quite as twangy as some of those old Bakersfield guys, we all love and respect their contributions to country. And not just Buck and Merle, but Red Simpson and Lefty Frizzell, and Wynn Stewart — all those guys. SC: Hey, keep up the good work, and we’ll see you at the Palace on the 12th. EJ: We’re really excited about it. It’s the one place you have to play when you’re on the West Coast. We went for a visit last time we were in town, but we want to get on that stage!

Set in a world where gays and lesbians have it easy, the boys and girls of heterophobic Heartsville High experience love and loss in quite the natural way until the unthinkable happens... BOY MEETS GIRL! Whatever will a magical matchmaker do?

Apr. 8, 9, 15, 16 @ 11pm

Editor’s note: What does it take to win an argument with Scott Cox, Bakersfield’s biggest loudmouth? A rational argument? You obviously don’t listen to his radio program. A command of the facts? You can’t outtalk this talker, friend. Bombast? He’ll probably just hang up. You win by presenting your case musically, as The Band of Heathens did after challenging the local talk-radio host to listen to their new record. On vinyl! So what did the digital dude make of it? Read on for his epiphany. But that was just one of several interesting topics explored when Cox interviewed singer/guitarist/keyboardist Ed Jurdi, who is promoting the band’s concert Tuesday at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace. SC: Let’s talk about the new record. It’s really different from your other stuff, stylistically. EJ: Is “stylistically” a word? SC: As far as I know, yes. EJ: Well first off, we’re really proud of this album. ... We knew this was going to represent kind of a departure for us, but that’s just how the process works — we write about whatever we’re feeling at the time, and we let the songs go where they’re gonna go. We play them a few times live before committing to record them, and after playing them radically differently night after night, we just settle on the version we all like. SC: I thought that the sound of “One Foot in the Ether” was killer, but you guys managed to surpass that record, production-wise. It just sounds kinda old-school. Not really retro, but very warm. Like a Cream record from the ’70s, if that makes any sense. EJ: It totally does. We recorded the whole thing to analog tape. We wanted it to sound hand-crafted. It was a lot of work, but, like I said, we felt it was worth it. SC: Well, mission accomplished. It’s great to hear such great material recorded so well. So much music is over-digitized in the Pro Tools era. EJ: Wait ’til you hear it on vinyl! SC: Dude, come on. Vinyl is cool for nostalgia, but I’m living in the world of ones and zeroes, my friend. EJ: I’m totally serious. Listen to this record on vinyl. It’s the only way you can hear it as we wanted it to sound. SC: Where in the world can I find a Band of Heathens album on vinyl? The last time I even saw anybody else buy an actual record was last year in San Luis Obispo. By son came running out of Boo Boo Records with Ryan Bingham’s

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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, April 7, 2011

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Star athletes to meet fans Carr, Mathews highlight of dinner/fundraiser BY JENNIFER SELF Californian lifestyles editor jself@bakersfield.com

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hen you’re planning an event geared at athletes, it’s impossible to have too much meat. That was the takeaway message last year for Night of Champions coordinator Dave Washburn, Kern County director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The group, gearing up for this year’s fundraiser on Friday, learned quite a bit from the inaugural dinner in 2010, when NFL quarterback David Carr spoke. “We were initially set up for 400, but people kept coming through the doors. Hodel’s did a fantastic job catering,” Washburn said. “We learned that high school and college football players eat enough food for four people. We ran out of meat due to the extra people and the fact that the food was so good, people kept taking huge portions.” But no need to fill up on carbs before this year’s dinner. When Carr returns to the event, along with fellow Bakersfield golden boy and San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews, not only will there be plenty of meat, but Washburn has upped the ante with cupcakes as well. A further enticement are the auction items, which include four tickets to the Indy 500, a threenight stay at the Hyatt Carmel Highlands, a helmet autographed by Carr and Mathews, and four VIP Los Angeles Dodgers tickets. Washburn’s involvement in the fellowship started seven years ago while he was a counselor at North High. He left North about five years ago to take a full-time job with FCA. He and several supporters hatched the idea for Night of Champions “to highlight what is happening with FCA in Kern County, combined with a fundraiser to help offset our costs for camp scholarships and Bibles.” Last year’s event brought in about

CALIFORNIAN FILE

Fresno State products David Carr, left, and Ryan Mathews were on hand to watch the Bulldogs’ season opener last September.

Second annual Night of the Champions What: Fundraiser for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, featuring guest speakers David Carr of the San Francisco 49ers and Ryan Mathews of the San Diego Chargers When: 6 p.m. Friday Where: Riverlakes Community Church, 4301 Calloway Drive Tickets: $50; as of Tuesday, few tables remained; tickets will not be sold at the door. Call 565-6320

$20,000, Washburn said, which allowed the group to purchase more than 600 Bibles that were distributed through FCA clubs on local campuses and at sports camps. “We also scholarshiped five BC athletes to go to an FCA college leadership

camp in Missouri, we helped South High football get to a local football camp, helped North High cross-country go to camp and helped a group of female athletes from local schools go to a women’s sports camp at Hume Lake.” Washburn said the highlight of last year’s event was Carr’s question-andanswer segment. But the FCA director said the celebrity factor isn’t the only attraction. “(Fans) will learn about the ministry, be encouraged by some great athletes’ testimonies, get a great dinner and be entertained by (local television sportscaster) Greg Kerr and have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students and coaches by donating to this great ministry. “Our hope is to continue to draw athletes and coaches that are recognized nationally not only for their athletics but also the strength of their character, integrity and personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”

Youth chess masters to compete in tourney

he best young chess players in Kern County will show their superior board skills at Foothill High on Saturday during the Kern County Scholastic K-12 Chess Tournament. About 100 students from 10 public or private schools will compete in the annual event, said organizer Wade Tavorn. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with competition starting at 10 a.m. “This is a showcase event for the chess skills of many of our local students, and we’re excited about the quality of the individual and team competition we’re expecting this year,” said Tavorn, who teaches business and computer classes at Foothill High. “Students who play chess improve their analytical skills and increase their

Kern County Scholastic K-12 Chess Tournament When: Saturday. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.; competition at 10 Where: Foothill High, 501 Park Drive Admission: Free for spectators; registration is $25 Information: 366-4491

ability to problem-solve,” noted Tavorn. “This is a community event where students get a chance to display their skills to problem-solve. They also learn how to work as a team, and they learn good sportsmanship.”

Winners will be eligible for the next level of the United States Chess Federation competition. Registration will be available on the day of the competition. Entry fee is $25. Competitors are required to be members of the USCF. Membership in the USCF can be purchased or renewed on the day of the event. The public is invited and there is no admission fee. Applications for the tournament can be found at: http://foothill.kernhigh.org/Activities/Chess/News/News.html. The last round of chess competition is expected to begin about 2:30 p.m. Awards will be presented at the conclusion of the event. The day is expected to end about 6 p.m. — Kern High School District media release

Thursday, April 7, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Artists make magic with colorful fabrics BY CAMILLE GAVIN Contributing columnist cgavin@bakersfield.com

y first impression of the current show at the Bakersfield Museum of Art is its diversity. Made up of four different collections, the exhibition is decidedly eclectic, offering elements that should appeal to just about any taste. It ranges from the intricately patterned works by numerous fiber artists to the lighter-than-air creations of Cathy Breslaw, and the vibrant still-life paintings by Angus Wilson. For me, Breslaw’s installations are especially enchanting. The largest, titled “Carousel,” is an enormous skirtlike artwork — 11 feet in diameter — that occupies the center of the museum’s Ablin wing. I imagined that a dancer had stepped out of the skirt only moments before. It is made up multiple panels of pastel-colored fibers with bits of glass and beads added to create a ruffled look. In much of her work Breslaw uses industrial mesh, a textured material often used in the commercial packaging of fruits and vegetables. Through skillful laying of the mesh and various nontraditional materials the artist creates her imaginative pieces by twisting, weaving, folding and sewing. Breslaw, who lives in Carlsbad, is quoted as saying she sees her art as representative of “our constantly morphing global culture.” Sculptured wall mountings make up the majority of her exhibit. The sheerness of the fabric, especially those like “Lightness of Being,” creates an ethereal image that is reflected on the wall behind it. “Taking Flight Again,” a sculpture placed in a corner of the gallery, is made up of multiple parts suspended from nearly invisible plastic lines in a way that makes it appear that each triangular piece is floating in the air independently. Two separate collections of fiber art fill the main part of the museum — the Dezember and Cunningham galleries. In keeping with the exhibits’ theme, a large, Plexiglass sign at the entrance to the Cunningham is stuffed with wads of what looks like freshly picked cotton. “Presenters for the California Fiber Artists show are the Dolores F. Cerro Foundation and Cotton Incorporated,” said Beth Pandol, BMoA marketing director. “So much of the exhibition utilizes cotton, the sponsorship was a perfect match for both the museum and Cotton Incorporated.” California Fiber Artists is a partnership of 32 diverse, independent artists who pool their artwork to exhibit and educate the public about fiber art. Its members describe what they do as “fusion art.” Their technique includes reconstructing fiber with dye, paint,

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“Points of Light” by Sara Kelly is one of the works on display in the spring exhibition at the Bakersfield Museum of Art.

Spring exhibition Runs through May 29 Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Where: Bakersfield Museum of Art, 1930 R St. Admission: $5; $4, seniors; $2, students; members free Information: 323-7219

foil, threads, wire and plastic. Some tell a story, such as Lura Schwarz Smith’s “Universal Language: Dreams,” a distinctive piece that focuses on the face of a woman who appears to be wary of a cluster of blade-like scarlet shapes resembling flames that hovers at her back. Several are three-dimensional such as Cynthia Jensen’s “Habitat Destruction,” a prickly sculpture made from steel and barbed wire as well as soft painted leather and thread. In an accompanying statement, the artist said it “represents the impact of civilization on bird habitats.” Another piece I found fascinating is “Abracadabra.” Created by Emily Dvorin it is shaped like a hollowed-out

container and formed by brightly colored dowels or sticks, most of which are projected outward in a circular but dizzying fashion. The Kern County Quilters represent a local contribution to the exhibit, which contains the work of 11 members created over a period of several decades. Participating quilters are Laurie Britt, Judy Betz, Carolyn CampbellTaylor, Judy Dobbins, Juliet Granger, Nancy Rink, Cindy Seitz-Krug, Sally Shuppert, Carol Smith and Molly Hamilton-McNally. Some of these quilts are available for purchase. Be sure to take time to see the vibrant acrylic paintings by Angus Wilson in the small gallery adjacent to the reception desk at the museum. Titled “Simple Complexities,” it consists of canvases of various sizes — including one called “Arrangement on a Long Table,” that’s displayed in three 30-by24-inch parts. Wilson, a native of Scotland whose initial training was in photography, film and animation, spent 17 years doing work in the fields of television, video, and computer entertainment. In 2004 he began to pursue his fine art career on a full-time basis. The artist has said he’s inspired by post-impressionism and the work of Henri Matisse.

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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, April 7, 2011

Eye Street Camille Gavin CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

Theater friends team up again Levan Center presents production at BC

andy Messick is looking forward to doing “Waiting for Godot” with his longtime friend and associate Bob Kempf. “It’s super-fun to work with Bob,” Messick said. “We’ve done so much together — we know how to play off each other.” The actors have known each other since their student days at Fresno State. And Kempf assisted Messick, a Bakersfield College drama professor, with the Kern Shakespeare Festival during its 25year run. Kempf is currently the artistic director at The Empty Space. Their performance of “Godot” on Wednesday evening will be done in a readers’ theater style. The program is sponsored by the Norman Levan Center for the Humanities at BC and will take place in the center’s seminar room. “Bob and I will sit on stools and have books in front of us,” Messick said. “It’s a play that lends itself well to that format — it makes it easier for (the audience) to fasten on the dialogue, which is wellwritten and very funny.” In the play by Samuel Beckett, two apparently homeless men are waiting for something, or someone, called Godot. It’s never clear exactly who or what Godot is. Program notes describe it as “a comical work of poetry, dreamscapes, and nonsense, and an exploration of life’s meaning.” “It posits existentialism, and it’s nihilistic too,” Messick said. “It’s a nar-

GO & DO ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ When: 7:30 p.m. today Where: Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. Admission: $33 to $60 Information: 852-7308

‘Phantom of the Opera’ When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday Where: Spotlight Theatre, 1622 19th St. Admission: $15 Information: 634-0692

‘The Shadow Box’ When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; doors open at 1:15 p.m. Sunday, show at 2 p.m. Where: The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. Admission: Free on Friday and Saturday. $20 on Sunday, a benefit for Ricky’s Retreat Information: 327-PLAY

‘Reading the Classics: Waiting for Godot’ When: 7 p.m. Wednesday Where: Norman Levan Center for the Humanities at Bakersfield College, 1801 Panorama Drive Admission: Free Information: 395-4339

row way of looking at the way one person views life.” A discussion of the play will follow the performance, according to Jack Hernandez, director of the Levan Center. This is the second annual Reading the Classics program. The first, in 2010, was a performance of the ancient Greek drama, “Antigone,” with civil disobedience as the discussion topic.

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

‘Fiddler’ at the Rabobank A one-night-only performance of “Fiddler on the Roof” takes the stage this evening at the Rabobank Theater. The musical is performed by a touring professional company and is part of the Broadway in Bakersfield series. Set in Russia in 1905 when it was ruled by a tsar, it is based on a story by Sholem Aleichem and is, by turns, touching, comedic and tragic. It tells the story of a poor milkman named Tevye and includes a number of memorable songs, such as “If I Were a Rich Man.” First produced in 1964, its popularity on Broadway and at theaters in the United Kingdom, Australia and Israel has continued over the years.

‘Phantom’ at Spotlight In something of a first, Frontier High School’s production of “Phantom of the Opera” is moving downtown to the Spotlight Theatre for four additional performances. The show, starring Tanner Urmston as the mysterious Phantom and Haley Sullivan as Christine, the singer he’s in love with, opened March 18 at the school’s Performing Arts Center. Since Abby Friedman, who teaches at Frontier, is the director, and her husband Hal Friedman, is Spotlight’s manager, the change in venue begs the question: Is Frontier getting preferential treatment because of their relationship? Not so, says Hal, emphasizing Spotlight is merely the venue, but that the show is sponsored by the Frontier Drama Boosters, an independent group of parents and supporters. “This is not a special case,” he said in an email, adding that Spotlight does rent its space to outside groups or individuals on occasion and would be open to requests from other schools. “Anytime someone comes to our venue they have to pay,” he explained. “Given this is a school though, we want to help them raise more funds for their arts programs, not take away. But we are a nonprofit so we at least have to

PHOTO BY MICHELLE GUERRERO

Sundee Martineau and Barbara Gagnon as Agnes and Felicity in a scene from “Shadow Box,” which opens Friday at The Empty Space.

make enough to cover our bills.” Without stating the actual fee, Friedman said the Frontier supporters are paying only a nominal amount that has been “reduced severely” for this event. “Due to the show being a fundraiser for Frontier drama we have foregone the upfront rental price and will receive an undetermined portion of the proceeds after the success of the show can be determined,” he said. “At this point it is impossible to predict.” Friedman said he and the Spotlight board of directors are acutely aware that local public high schools have little or no money in their budgets for arts programs. “Frontier was the first to come to us and propose this kind of extension,” he said. “And as part of our new mission goals, we are making it an important part of our work to help whatever high schools want us to. Right now, we are working with several drama departments at other schools with their work.”

Hospice theme at The Empty Space Death and dying and the different ways people deal with those subjects is at the core of Michael Christofer’s “The Shadow Box,”

which opens Friday at The Empty Space, directed by Eric Tolley. Set in a hospice, it concerns three terminally ill people and their families, and the emotional reactions each is experiencing. Each group is treated as a separate entity but all come together at the end. The “interviewer,” an on-andoff stage character who poses certain questions, is played by Jared Cantrell. “Each is being interviewed about the process of dying,” said Michelle Guerrero, a cast member. “For most of the play, the interviewer is unseen, which means that characters speak directly to the audience, as if they were the interviewer.” Aaron Hicks, Jessica Delcid and Mike Bedard portray the first group; the second by Matthew Borton, Justin Brooks and Guerrero; and the third by Barbara Gagnon and Sundee Oberlies Martineau. As usual, the Friday and Saturday shows will not charge admission. The matinee performance on Sunday, however, costs $20 and includes a reception. Proceeds will be used to buy supplies for Ricky’s Retreat, a local hospice for AIDS patients.

Thursday, April 7, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Adams keeps it bare bones Hitmaker’s Fox show just him, his guitar and a pianist BY MATT MUNOZ Bakotopia.com editor mmunoz@bakersfield.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRYAN ADAMS

Who were you listening to back then? Beatles, Stones, The Who, Alice Cooper, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Humble Pie, Janis Joplin, Deep Purple ... Your U.S. breakthrough happened on MTV in ’83 with “Cuts Like a Knife.” What are some of your most vivid memories of that stage of your career? Too many to mention, but it was an exciting time to make music. MTV was really helpful, and there were many frontiers still to be broken. Not like now where every ticket and every sale of everything is on a computer. Back then, CDs were a new thing. Cassette tapes were still relevant. The irony about MTV is it was on cable, everyone liked it but no one really had it. It took years for it to all kick off and be there for the masses. Touring was still king and if you could break a record you could go on the road, there was only one great radio station in each town so you needed to be on that. It’s all changed now. You’ve watched musical tastes change. The rise of artists such as Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber has pushed rock somewhat away from mainstream radio formats. What do you think about today’s popular artists? I tip my hat to them and I tip my hat to anyone that can make it in music these days. Time will tell who the real ones are … it’s as simple as that. You’ve been ranked No. 38 on the list of “all-time top artists by the Billboard Hot 100 50th Anniversary

SFIELD CALIF OR

2010

AN NI

When: Doors open at 7 p.m., show at 8 Sunday Where: Fox Theater, 2001 H St. Admission: $40 to $62 plus fees Information: vallitix.com or 3225200

Charts.” What do you think has helped you strike a chord with audiences after all these years? Thirty-eight, eh? I wonder how they worked that out. Listen, it’s all about the music and nothing else. Music, music, music. Make music. The rest you can figure out anytime … or not. Is there any Canadian music award you haven’t won yet? The Beaver Award. It’s the highest recognition you can get. You have to be able to build a dam in a river using your teeth ... I’m lucky I still have mine. Was there a particular concept behind the “Bare Bones” CD or did you just want to add an all-acoustic record to your already lengthy discography? It was done for my show. I wanted a live album that people could take away from the show if they liked it. I might make another one at some point. I put the record together by canvassing my Twitter community. I asked them what songs they would like to hear. The response was huge and diverse. I got many ideas from it. The first thing listed at the top of the “Bare Bones” Wikipedia page is “Certified Platinum in India.” Which of your three songs would make a great Bollywood movie? Any of them! They love “Summer of ’69” there, so that would have to be one. India is an amazing place. I’ve been going there for years. We were the first band to put on a big show in India and they’ve never forgotten it. What’s next to accomplish? Touring all over the globe mostly, but I’ve got a baby coming due in May, which is very exciting, and a few songs in films coming this year. What can Bakersfield expect at your show? Me and my guitar and some piano from Gary Breit, plus all the songs you know and love and a few others for good measure. Looking forward to it … see you there!

Bryan Adams

Bryan Adams will perform Sunday night at the Fox Theater.

he ’80s — a decade of disposable ditties, one-hit wonders and really horrific hair — was rough on quite a few musicians, but it was a magical time for singer Bryan Adams, one of the most unassuming, albeit successful, rock stars of the era. In keeping with his low-key persona, Adams will be performing a “barebones” acoustic set of his vast catalog of radio and movie projects at his concert Sunday at the Fox. It’s just him, his six-string and pianist Gary Breit. The beginning of the Canadian’s career, at the dawn of the MTV era, held no hint of the success to come. Adams’ straight-ahead pop rock wasn’t immediately embraced at home or in the U.S. All that would change in 1983 with some help from the video channel, which put Adams’ single and accompanying music video “Cuts Like a Knife,” into heavy rotation to make him a crossover hit on both sides of the continent. Continuing with a string of hit records through the remainder of that decade, including a total of six Billboard charting singles taken from his 1984 release, “Reckless,” Adams showed great talent for writing radioready hits. He’s also been big in Hollywood, penning songs for movies — “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” starring Kevin Costner, as well as “The Three Musketeers” and “Don Juan DeMarco” in the ’90s. Born to diplomat parents who helped shape his world views, buying his first guitar and fulfilling his rock ’n’ roll dreams, the now-51-year-old rocker spends much of his time giving back as a philanthropist through his Bryan Adams Foundation. Via email, The Californian caught up with Adams in the U.K., where he is touring in support of his latest record, “Bare Bones,” a new live collection compiled from a series of shows in 2010. What role did music play in your youth, besides being a rite of passage for most teenagers? Music was my secret code (it still is). If you liked the same bands as I did, then we were friends, if you knew of bands I didn’t know of, we were friends. If your dad had a stereo and you were allowed to play records loud, we were friends. If you wanted to be a musician …. well say no more. Let’s start a band. Most beginning musicians experiment with different instruments before finding the right fit. Was the guitar your first pick? I wanted to be a drummer more than anything as a preteen, but I was given a flamenco guitar instead. I think my parents probably thought: If we give him this then he’ll go back to thinking about school. It was sometime after the release of “Sgt. Pepper’s” and I embraced my little guitar.

O R S’ C H O I C E P

587-3377

Opening: March 18th through April 30th For reservations

12748 Jomani Drive

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, April 7, 2011

Eye Street The Lowdown with Matt Munoz

Unwritten Law: We don’t quit! Band brings renewed energy to B Ryder’s

nwritten Law lead vocalist Scott Russo recalls that feeling: the end of the road. After 20 years of touring, writing and recording, the last thing left to do was give fans one last hurrah. Laying the groundwork for the band’s swan song last year, Russo says the exit plan didn’t last once they hit the studio. The band is renewed and ready for the mosh pit again, and Bakersfield will get a chance to see them Saturday at B Ryder’s before they hit the road and the Vans Warped Tour in support of their newly released CD, “Swan.” “We went on an unintentional hiatus for a while,” said Russo of the band’s six-year MIA status. “Some of us had kids, I was producing a lot of other acts, and we lost our record label. When we were approached by Kevin Zinger of Suburban Noize Records about two years ago, we thought, ‘OK, let’s do one last record and put the band down.’ About six songs into the sessions, we weren’t happy with it at all. If this was going to be it, we had to do something stronger.” News of the breakup wasn’t what longtime fans were prepared to hear after years of faithful punk rock service by Russo and crew. Formed in 1990 in the city of Poway, Unwritten Law joined bands Blink-182, Buck-ONine, Rocket From The Crypt and other young alt-rock startups, helping build San Diego’s reputation as the “other Seattle.” “I was living in an abandoned house in Poway back then, and I went to a party where they were playing, mostly covers. I sat in, they asked me to join the band, we recorded our first six songs a month later, and the rest is history,” said Russo. Unwritten Law steadily climbed the ranks playing local dives and parties, grabbing opening slots for established punk brethren Pennywise and Blink-182, also on the verge of a breaking into the main-

PHOTO COURTESY OF UNWRITTEN LAW

San Diego’s Unwritten Law heads to B Ryder’s on Saturday night.

Bakotopia Unplugged Open Mic Night With host Matt Munoz When: 8 to 11 p.m. Wednesdays. Signups start at 7:30 p.m. Where: Fishlips, 1517 18th St. Information: 324-2557 or visit the Facebook page for updates.

stream. In 1997, they signed with Interscope Records, the home of No Doubt, but were able to retain their underground reputation with a strong grassroots following across the U.S. and overseas. In 2002, they hit the top of the Billboard Alternative Rock charts with the single “Seein’ Red,” an anthemic, catchy, midtempo gem from their CD “Elva.” “No one expected it to go to No. 1, but we’re glad everyone picked up on it,” said Russo. “I think any band would like to have continued success like that, but if you’re not writing from the heart, it’s not going to be successful anyway. But this band, from the beginning, has never written anything to be radio ready.” Simmering comfortably on the college music charts after their brush with commercial success, Russo says the band has always been most content living by their own philosophy of keeping the music, “real,” not for radio.

“You can’t plan for a hit, it just happens. We try to write the best songs we possibly can in whatever format. If it’s going to be a slow song, it’ll be the illest thing you’ve ever heard. If it’s going all out, we’ll grab you by the throat. You have to be real.” Going their separate ways after completing promotion for 2005’s “Here’s to the Mourning,” to pursue solo projects, including Russo’s experimental alternative reggae electro group The Big Bang, the band remained close. Still, they felt it might be time to go out while they were on top. Originally titling their final studio release “Swan Song,” they scrapped the original sessions and headed back to the drawing board. “Once the label was going to start promoting it as our last, we knew those songs were no way going to define a 20-year legacy,” said Russo. Russo said somewhere along the way, it dawned on the group that this may very well be their finest hour — just not their final one. “After our ninth song, we met with the label again on a conference, and they were excited to start promoting it saying this and that. At that point, I said there’s no way we could go out. During the writing for this record, the band had never felt love like this. We just fell in love with what we do all over again, the whole thing. It wasn’t the death of Unwritten Law, it was a rebirth. So, we changed the name of the record to “Swan.” Opening with the thunderous riffs of

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.

“Starships and Apocalypse,” “Swan” is the heaviest record of the band’s career, with 11 tracks of well-crafted rockers. “Dark Dayz,” will take listeners back to the group’s early days with its punkish feel, as will the hip-hop blend “Chicken,” featuring rapper Del The Funky Homosapien. The inclusion of “Sing,” an acoustic love song with country back beat, shows even grown-up punks have a soft spot. “This is our defining moment, that’s for sure,” said Russo. “I have the best job in the world.” Saturday’s all-ages show kicks off at 6 p.m. with local openers Dead Ashling, Meditated Assault, Dirt Head and Alast Taft. Tickets are $15, and can be purchased at B Ryder’s, World Records, Outer Limits, Going Underground, Impact Streetwear, Wavelengths and Hoggz in Bakersfield. For more info, visit timgardeapresents.com, or call 397-7304. B Ryder’s is located at 7401 White Lane.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FUNERAL PARTY

Funeral Party will perform at Jerry’s Pizza on Saturday night.

Matt’s pick Funeral Party at Jerry’s Pizza, 1817 Chester Ave., Saturday, 6 p.m., $10, 633-1000. This Whittier band has been getting some serious shoutouts in national music rags, most notably when they were named one of “2010’s Best New Bands” in the pages of NME. Taking their name from a song by The Cure, the band got a confused reception early on when they were often assumed to be a hardcore band. Neither hard, nor punk, The Funeral Party are a younger, less manic version of Mars Volta — the band that also helped push this young group of fresh-sounding, melodic noisemakers. They just performed on Letterman’s show last week. Their new CD, “The Golden Age of Nowhere,” should be in your collection now.

Thursday, April 7, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Competitors flex muscle Arm-wrestling event benefits athletes

The Ninth Annual Ryan Sheets Memorial Arm Wrestling Tournament When: Saturday; weigh-in 9 to 11 a.m.; rules meeting at 11:15 a.m.; the competition starts around noon. Where: Norris Road Veterans Hall, 400 West Norris Road Entry: $20, which includes tournament T-shirt Admission for spectators: $10 Information: www.calarmwrestling.org

BY MIRANDA WHITWORTH Contributing writer

he best of the best in the armwrestling world will converge on the city Saturday to see who is the “Baddest Boy in Bakersfield.” The Ninth Annual Ryan Sheets Memorial Arm Wrestling Tournament, which drew more than 100 wrestlers and about 500 spectators last year, is aimed at putting a little sweat equity into the local wrestling community. Though North High’s wrestling program is the main beneficiary, individual students — some as young as 5 — will win scholarships as well. Billy Joe Sheets, chairman of the arm-wrestling tournament, said selecting the scholarship recipient isn’t necessarily about grades, it’s about heart. “It’s given out on an as-needed basis. You don’t have to be a 4.0 student. The coach decides on the kid, if he’s going off to college and he thinks he could use a little help, then he’ll present it to the board of directors and we will vote on it.” The memorial supports the North High School team by helping with equipment. “The wrestling program gets what’s left in the school’s budget, and usually that’s not much,” Sheets said. “So this year we bought them all head gear and singlets.” But funds aren’t limited to helping North students. “Last weekend we sent Frankie Hurtado, who is a senior at Liberty High School, to the senior nationals in Florida.” According to Sheets, the trip was a second chance at extending the athlete’s wrestling career. “By this time of year, all of the season is pretty much over, but he got to go back and compete again. He wrestled the California state champion and now he’s being looked at by colleges because he was able to go out there.” Another local wrestler made a successful trip across the country, thanks to the Ryan Sheets Memorial. “We sent Alex Gomez out to Okla-

homa City last year for the girls national tournament. She went out there and won the whole thing.” As the memorial works to improve the lives and educational futures of young wrestlers, the founding of the organization came from the tragic loss of a promising wrestler from north of the river. Ryan Sheets began wrestling at the age of 5. He was a South Yosemite League champion and wrestled for North High School. He went on to compete at Cal State Bakersfield, and it was there that he injured his neck. After the injury, he was involved in a car accident, and his health deteriorated. He died in 2001, leaving the Sheets family with a painful void. But the loss galvanized Ryan’s uncle Billy Joe and the young athlete’s friend Richard Toland, who came up with the idea of using the wrestler’s legacy to help other kids passionate about the sport. “After Ryan had passed, Richard was sitting in one of our local pubs and he was talking to a guy named Brian Banducci and was saying it would sure be nice to do something in Ryan’s memory,” said Sheets. Banducci reached out to the Sheets family and now Banducci and Toland sit on the organization’s board of directors, helping funnel money to deserving athletes in Bakersfield. As for Billy Joe, introducing the arm-wrestling tournament into the fundraising effort came from his background in the sport. “I used to be a professional arm wrestler and I still had my table, so we

decided to set it up and see what would happen.” As with the first year of any event, Sheets said they weren’t sure how well it was going to go. They aimed low, hoping for a few local arm wrestlers to come out, donate some money and have a good time. But the event exploded. “We had it out at the California Highway Patrol’s 420 Hall and we had so many walk-on wrestlers we packed the place out, and now we have had to hold it at the Veterans Hall ever since.” Over the last nine years the tournament has grown into what Sheets calls a “world- class” event that is now bringing in big-name talent in the arm-wrestling arena. “The guy that won last year is Jerry Cadorette, and he is probably rated in the top two or three super heavyweight arm wrestlers in the country, if not the world. He flew in from Boston last year just to compete,” Sheets said. Left-handed champion Tom Nelson has committed to attending and will be bringing members of the Northern California Pullers from Sacramento. But Sheets does not want the big names to scare away any local arm wrestlers. “A bulk of our people that compete are locals. And a lot of locals take trophies every year. Some of the big shots come down here and get beat.” The tournament features five divisions for men and two for women. A $300 cash prize will go to the firstplace winner in all divisions and trophies will go to the first-, second- and third-place winners in their respective divisions. The big prize is reserved for those who earn trophies in their division and want to keep the competition rolling. The final throwdown is a fight for “The Baddest Boy in Bakersfield.” Sheets said anyone who has won a trophy in any class can throw their hat and arm into the ring for a shot at the 6-foot trophy and an additional $500. “You’d be surprised who wins. It’s not always the big super heavyweight.” Christian rock band Right Cross of Bakersfield will play during intermissions and breaks, and food and drinks — both alcoholic and nonalcoholic — will be sold.

Young ladies poised for scholarships College scholarships totaling $10,000 will be awarded Friday night at the Distinguished Young Women of Bakersfield Scholarship Program, formally Bakersfield’s Junior Miss. Thirty young women from 11 local high schools will compete in areas of fitness, self-expression, talent, interview and scholastic review. They have been preparing for the last three months for the opportunity to compete, and two young women will go on to represent Bakersfield at the California State program in August. This year’s mistress of ceremonies is local

news anchor personality Madelyn Jannsen from KGET, Channel 17, a former participant in the program. The public is encouraged to come out and support the young women. Entertainment is top quality during the high-energy program, and talents range from opera to ballet en pointe to cup stacking. It promises to be an exciting night in Bakersfield as the Distinguished Young Woman program invites the crowd to get “groovy” at the disco-themed event. — Distinguished Young Women of Bakersfield media release

Distinguished Young Women compete When: 7 p.m. Friday Where: Harvey Auditorium at Bakersfield High School, 1241 G St. Admission: $15; $12 for children. Tickets sold at the door. Information: Bakersfield@distinguish edyw.org or 342-7622

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, April 7, 2011

Eye Street

When pop career went flat, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Catâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; artist went folk BY SUSAN SCAFFIDI Contributing writer

Air Supply Thursday, April 14 Tickets start at $20 Show Time: 7:30pm For concert information go to tachipalace.com or call 1-866-4palace

Tachi Palace Fights 9 Friday, May 6

Main Event World No. 3 Ranked Flyweight Ian McCall vs. Undefeated Dustin Ortiz Doors open at 5 pm First fight 6 pm Tickets start at $30 tachipalace.com Streamed live on Sherdog.com Stream starts at 5:30 p.m. (PST)

Live at the Den

THIS WEEKEND April 8-10

Friday: Rock Bands Valley Cats â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 10pm to 1:30am Saturday: Country & Classic Rock Nate Pearce â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 10pm to 1:30am Sunday: Hot Latin Jams Spun by DJ Juice â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 9pm to 1am

ho remembers Al Stewart? If you were a fan of the records â&#x20AC;&#x153;Year of the Catâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;Time Passagesâ&#x20AC;? in the late 1970s, you probably remember actually having to listen to Stewartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lyrics for these songs, as they emerged from a sea of pop hits that included â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dancinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Queen,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Car Wash,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Muskrat Love,â&#x20AC;? (great era, wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it?), â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the Navy,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Y.M.C.A.â&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Le Freak.â&#x20AC;? Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because Stewart never planned on being a pop star; he always was, and still is, a â&#x20AC;&#x153;historical folk-rock singer,â&#x20AC;? as he puts it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What I do is as much about language as anything else,â&#x20AC;? Stewart said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I get English majors and history professors at my concerts.â&#x20AC;? Stewart, Scottish by birth, began his music career much the same way most British youth did in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He joined a â&#x20AC;&#x153;beatâ&#x20AC;? group, playing the music of American rhythm and blues and rock â&#x20AC;&#x2122;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; roll artists. But while his bandmates were listening to Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry, Stewart was listening to Bob Dylan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I realized that what I was singing every night wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t about anything,â&#x20AC;? Stewart said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I mean, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Shake it up, baby, twist and shout?â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Stewart said his interest in Dylanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deep lyrics inspired him to read more, and he found himself drawn to the works of Albert Camus, Jean-Paul Sartre, and then historical works, especially those covering the events of World War II, the effects of which still lingered over Europe at that time. Stewart said his literary pursuits led him to find his niche as a historical folk-rock singerrecounting real stories about real people through music. Stewart, who can count among his friends most of the up-and-coming musical stars in the London scene of the 1960s, was also a roommate of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, who were struggling to make their own careers at the same time. He said that music world, with all of its different influences, had a great impact on his own writing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Back then it was a very different scene,â&#x20AC;? Stewart said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyone knew each other, you had all different types of musical pairings.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s become Balkanized now,â&#x20AC;? Stewart said of the current musical scene. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(Musicians from different fields) rarely even talk to each other.â&#x20AC;? Stewartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts at songwriting paid off with a surprising career as a folk artist â&#x20AC;&#x201D; successful enough to get him an American agent and a stab at an international career. Adding layers of instrumental work by such artists as Jimmy Page, Rick Wakeman, Peter White and others, Stewart said he found his lyrics competing with the instrumental parts of his songs. Nevertheless, the addition of these instrumentals and the guidance from his American managers eventually led to the recording of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Year of the Cat,â&#x20AC;? which went platinum, and then a second platinum album, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Time Passages.â&#x20AC;? Suddenly, the historical folk-rock singer was a pop star. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was fun,â&#x20AC;? Stewart said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Having commercial success when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not expecting it

PHOTO COURTESY OF AL STEWART

Al Stewart with Dave Nachmanoff When: 7:30 p.m. April 16 Where: Bright House Networks Amphitheatre, 11200 Stockdale Highway Admission: $10 plus fee if purchased through Ticketmaster Information: ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000

is really nice.â&#x20AC;? But like many of his maturing colleagues, Stewart found that commercial success was becoming increasingly incompatible with his art. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People would come to hear the pop stuff, but when we would play something like â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Road to Moscowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (an eight-minute song about the Russian World War II experience), people would get confused,â&#x20AC;? Stewart said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It sort of reached a point of writing evermore dense lyrics for a band, and people couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hear them,â&#x20AC;? Stewart said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you spend a year writing lyrics, you want people to hear them.â&#x20AC;? Eventually, Stewart left the pop world and resumed his original career as that historical folk-rock singer. While he has given up the big money and fame, Stewart has earned consistent critical praise for albums such as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Famous Last Words,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Between the Warsâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Beach Full of Shells,â&#x20AC;? and for his live concerts, which are much more modest affairs consisting of Stewart and one or two other acoustic instruments. Stewart has found a solid musical partner in guitarist, singer and songwriter Dave Nachmanoff. The two collaborated on the 2005 album â&#x20AC;&#x153;Uncorked,â&#x20AC;? an all-acoustic album, and have been touring successfully ever since. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been doing this for a while and we seem to have figured each other out,â&#x20AC;? Stewart said. Stewart said he has talked about 162 historical characters in his songs, ranging from Humphrey Bogart and Peter Lorre to Louis Mountbatten and Joseph Stalin. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You could search the entire music world, or at least the English-speaking part of it and not find so many historical characters in (someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s repertoire),â&#x20AC;? Stewart said. Stewart compared his work to that of a novelist. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I write short stories and set them to music,â&#x20AC;? Stewart said.

Thursday, April 7, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Country with a twist Quirky image, music help JaneDear Girls stand out THE TENNESEAN

They don’t look like anybody else. They sure don’t sound like anybody else. And they don’t want to. The JaneDear Girls blend country, retro and rocker aesthetics, then combine traditional country instruments (though electrified) with edgy production and sassy lyrics for a unique package that country music seems to be accepting with open arms. The girls will find out if that formula is working in Bakersfield when they play Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace tonight. The duo’s lead single, “Wildflower,” from their self-titled debut album, helped them snatch their second ACM nomination recently. Danelle Leverett and duo partner Susie Brown competed Sunday for top vocal duo of the year. Though they lost to Sugarland, the nomination has helped boost the single and album, they say. Brown, whose heavy dark bangs and bright red lipstick are reminiscent of Bettie Page and an homage to the classic movies she used to watch as a child with her mother, strikes a stark contrast with Leverett’s blonde hair and rocker-meets-hippie attire. They met through an acquaintance at a show about five years ago. They made plans to go swimming, but when they got to the pool, they realized they had both brought their instruments and decided they would rather write songs. By the end of the weekend they had penned three. Leverett said that before she knew it, she had quit her job selling health insurance, and they were a duo. “When you make decisions in life to chase something, you sacrifice a lot of things,” Leverett said. “We’re both

WWW.THEJANEDEARGIRLS.COM

Susie Brown, left, and Danelle Leverett are The JaneDear Girls.

away from our families, and we both lived off of nothing and were pretty broke for a pretty long time. We did everything we could to get to this place.” Leverett developed a working relationship with John Rich (of the country duo Big & Rich, who also works as a songwriter and producer), shortly after she moved to town. When she paired with Brown, Rich mentored the two through every stage of their young career, including songwriting. Rich signed on as JaneDear’s producer and started helping them manipulate their sound and image into a marketable product. “It was, ‘What do you want to sound like and look like?’” Rich explains. “They knew what it was, but knowing it in your head and it being a physical thing a record label can understand and go, ‘Ok, I get it, we can market that,’ are two different things.” Rich connected the girls with different songwriters to push them outside of their comfort zones. When they had a set of songs he felt personified their sound and image, he took them into the studio to record and then set up a

series of showcases around town. The plan worked. JaneDear landed a record deal with Warner Music Nashville. “The challenge was to try and make a record that would not sacrifice their originality, but still have the right kind of energy and commerciality to get on the radio,” he said. That’s why it took it a little while to get it exactly dialed in right.” Rich describes today’s version of JaneDear Girls as the girls next door that kick country (butt) and says their music fills a void for college-age country fans. “They are in their 20s, so they re not singing about the stuff Taylor Swift is singing about,” he said. “They are four years down the road from where Taylor is at. They are writing from that perspective, like the just-got-out-ofcollege girl. I think that’s missing. Right now we have soccer mom or teenage girl and I think this hits a really great part of our demographic in country music.” With the record on store shelves, JaneDear says they are just happy they were able to record a project that reflects their unique tastes and personalities. “We’re really blessed to be on a label that gives us the freedom to musically do what we want and image-wise to really be who we are,” Leverett said. “If we were trying to be something we’re not, we’d be in trouble. You just have to be the best you are and hopefully people dig it.”

The JaneDear Girls When: 7 p.m. today Where: Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace, 2800 Buck Owens Blvd. Tickets: $13 to $20. vallitix.com or call 322-5200.

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Foundation hands out $100,000 in grants Kern Community Foundation awarded about $100,000 to local arts and culture organizations at Metro Galleries on Friday. The grants bring Kern Community Foundation’s total charitable investment in local arts organizations to more than $400,000 so far this year. Grants were awarded from KernArts Now!, the foundation’s grant-making initiative, which is focused on improving the operations and sustainability of arts and culture organizations from across Kern County. Organizations that received the top award of $10,000 are Arts Council of Kern, Bakersfield Museum of Art, Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra and Center of the World Festival. Smaller grants were given to Bakersfield Community Theatre ($7,010), Desert Community Orchestra Association ($4,000) Kern River Valley Arts Association ($3,768), Maturango Museum ($9,850),

Tehachapi Performing Arts Center ($6,150) and Tehachapi Wind Museum ($5,160). “This grant-making initiative will help build the capacity of local arts organizations,” said Jeff Pickering, Kern Community Foundation President and CEO. “Instead of buying performances, instruments, costumes or art supplies, our grants help pay for things like technology improvements, strategic planning and other services that help these charities to improve their operations and hopefully become more sustainable.” The inaugural grants from KernArts Now! were made possible, in part, through support from the James Irvine Foundation. Future grants will be made possible through contributions from local donors to the KernArts Now! fund, as well as contributions made directly to the arts and culture organizations through Kern

Community Foundation’s online Nonprofit Search. “In addition to the competitive grants, we issued a KernArts Match Challenge to help these organizations to raise money online using their profile and the tools available through our Nonprofit Search,” added Juan Avila, director of nonprofit outreach. “We were blown away by the response. In just a few days, more than 125 people donated over $20,000 to 20 different arts charities, which the foundation matched dollar for dollar.” Kern Community Foundation is a nonprofit enterprise created by and for the people of Kern County. Since its establishment in 1999, the foundation has grown to hold more than 90 charitable funds with assets of nearly $14 million, and has awarded more than $7 million to various Kern agencies. — Kern Community Foundation media release

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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, April 7, 2011

Eye Street

COURTESY OF ALICIA HAMMONS

Erin Jones as Caterpillar in Fruitvale Junior High’s production of “Alice in Wonderland.”

Don’t be late for Fruitvale’s very important stage date BY ALICIA HAMMONS Contributing writer

Fruitvale Junior High’s advanced drama class is proud to present its spring production of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale, “Alice in Wonderland,” one night only on Friday in the school’s multipurpose room. Doors will open at 6 p.m. The production should run about an hour. Stars are: Vicky Lusk as Alice, Taylor Redstone as the Mad Hatter, Taylor Camarillo as Cheshire Cat, Erin Jones as Caterpillar, Brooke Crosswhite as White Rabbit, Dannette Nolasco as the Queen of Hearts — and many other talented young actors. In fact, the script called for such a large cast, we’ve had to double up parts (even tripleup in some cases), and ask our crew members to take part on the stage (as well as do

‘Alice in Wonderland’ When: 6:30 p.m. Friday Where: Fruitvale Junior High multipurpose room, 2114 Calloway Drive Admission: $4, adults; $3, children 5 to 14; free for children under 5 Information: 589-3833

their jobs behind the scenes!). Tickets are available at the door only. Snacks will be available for purchase as well. We look forward to seeing everyone come out. — Alicia Hammons teaches language arts and drama at Fruitvale.

Renowned Gay Men’s Chorus set to perform in Bakersfield San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus is kicking off the Southern California leg of its 2011 California Freedom Tour on Saturday at Cal State Bakersfield. The concert is cosponsored by Bakersfield LGBTQ and the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Student Network at CSUB. There will also be a special guest performance by Rainbow Voices, Bakersfield’s LGBT chorus. The concert features uplifting and joyous music that speaks directly to the experience of seeking freedom in the face of discrimination. It starts at 7:30 p.m. in the CSUB Doré Theatre. Parking is free in Lots B, C and D. Tickets are $27 and $42 in advance and are available online at www.communityboxoffice.com or by calling 415-865-2787. Tickets will be available for $25 cash only at

the door. “This is an honor for CSUB to host the renowned chorus, and a great opportunity for our GLSSN students to work closely with Bakersfield’s very active LGBT community to make this happen,” said GLSSN faculty co-adviser Judith Pratt. The 2011 California Freedom tour is the second annual tour of the state by San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, with the goal of building bridges across cultural divides, creating acceptance and galvanizing local communities. Last year’s tour raised nearly $20,000 for grassroots charities in Bakersfield, Fresno, Chico and Redding, said artistic director and conductor Timothy Seelig. For more information about the chorus, visit www.sfgmc.org. — Cal State Bakersfield media release

Thursday, April 7, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street GO&DO Today An Evening of Popular Music, featuring Bakersfield College chamber singers and soloists, 7:30 p.m., Bakersfield College, Indoor Theater, 1801 Panorama Drive. $8; $5 students/seniors/staff. 3954547. Events for autistic children and their families, sensory jump time with games, 3 to 5 p.m., third annual great open jump, 6 to 9 p.m., Pump It Up, 2841 Unicorn Road. 3928800. Drama & Poetry Night, performance written by local poets, door prizes, 7 p.m., The Ice House, 3401 Chester Ave. 717-1346. Fiddler on the RoofBroadway in Bakersfield, 7:30 p.m., Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $25 to $50 plus fee. ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000. Friends of the Kern County Animal Shelters Foundation Fundraiser, opportunity drawings, items available for sale, 4 to 9 p.m., Red Brick Pizza, 9500 Brimhall Road, Suite 301. 829-1010 or 472-6191. Healthy Cooking on a Budget, 4 p.m., Beale Memorial Library, Tejon Room, 701 Truxtun Ave. 868-0770. Relay for Life Preschool Car Wash & Bake Sale, 9 to 10:30 a.m. today and Friday, St. John’s Children’s Center, parking lot, 4500 Buena Vista Road. 664-9127. The JaneDear Girls, 7 p.m., Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace, 2800 Buck Owens Blvd. $13 to $20. vallitix.com or call 322-5200. 10th Semi-Annual Little Feet Repeats Family Consignment Event, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday (50 percent off day), Little Feet Repeats, 5101 White Lane. 588-6936.

Friday Annual Rummage Sale, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Bakersfield Community House, 2020 R St. 327-8835.

Savvy Online Shopping, computer class, 10 a.m., Beale Memorial Library, second floor Computer Lab, 701 Truxtun Ave. 868-0770. Red & White Wine & Food Festival, wine tasting from more than 50 wineries, assortment of food and music, 5 to 7:30 p.m., Bakersfield College, North Stadium lawn, 1801 Panorama Drive. $50 advance; $60 at the gate. 395-4800 or 395-4273. Second annual Night of the Champions (See story on Page 20)

Saturday 17th annual Battle of the Badges, benefiting the youth programs of the Bakersfield Police Activities League; doors open at 5:30 p.m., fights at 7 p.m., CSUB, Icardo Center. $20; at the door, $25; reserved seating, $40. Tickets can be purchased at Bakersfield Police Dept., Police Activities League, Mr. Tuxedo. 2838880. 2011 California Freedom Concert Tour, featuring the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, 7:30 p.m., CSUB, Doré Theatre, 9001 Stockdale Highway. $27, $42. 302-4266, sfgmc.org or info@bakersfieldpride.org. 2011 Relay for Life of Wasco-Shafter, 8:30 a.m., Wasco High School, 1900 Seventh St., Wasco. cancer.org or wascorfl@gmail.com. Annual Garden Fest, gardening booths, pets, arts and crafts, cooking, farmer’s market, mean and green car show, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Bakersfield College, Environmental Horticulture Renegade Park, 1801 Panorama Drive. Free. 3954446. Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra (See story on Page 18) BHS Driller Drumline Carwash, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Bakersfield High School, 1241 G St. Craft Fair, with vendors and food, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., New Life Christian School, 4201 Stine Road. Free. 831-6252. CSUB Roadrunner Baseball vs. Cal State Northridge, 6 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m. Sunday,

CSUB campus, Hardt Field, 9001 Stockdale Highway. $4 to $7. 654-2583. “Duality,” presented by the belly dance group Tribal Moon Rising, noon to 9 p.m., Nile Theater, 1721 19th St. $10. Gun Show & Sale, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St. $9; children 13 and under are free; $3 parking. 805-4816726. March for Babies, registration starts 8 a.m., march begins at 9 a.m., Liberty Park, 11225 Brimhall Road. marchforbabies.org or 588-4883 ext. 104. Kids’ Hands-on Banking, 11 a.m., Beale Memorial Library, Arkelian Children’s Room, 701 Truxtun Ave. 868-0770. Ninth annual Ryan Sheets Memorial Arm-Wrestling Tournament, (See story on Page 25) Poetry Reading, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Russo’s, 9000 Ming Ave. Free. 665-4686. Sixth annual 5K/10K Walk & Run, hosted by Valley Achievement Center, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Park at River Walk, 11200 Stockdale Highway. $20 adults; $10 children. 617-6440. Spanish Storytime, with Clara Castillo, 3 p.m., Barnes and Noble, 4001 California Ave. 631-2575. Street Teams, opportunity to reach the hurting and needy parts of our community with food, love and prayer, 10:30 a.m., Jesus Shack, 1326 30th St. jesusshack.com or call 3240638. Tehachapi Loop Railroad Club Model Train Spring Show, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, West Park, Recreation & Parks District, 491 West D St., Tehachapi. Free. 821-5271. Third annual “Fun Under the Son” Spring Car and Motorcycle Show, with activities, drawings, goodie bags, food, music, 50/50 drawing and more, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Calvary Bible Church, 48 Manor St., just below the bluffs. Free. 3275921 or gocbc.org. Third annual “The Key Event,” hosted by

COLLEGE-BOUND SENIORS The Californian will salute local high school seniors in our annual collegebound seniors issue. We need: the student’s full name, photo, high school, name of college, submitter’s name and phone number, which will

not be published. Email to collegebound@bakersfield.com or bring the photo and information to The Californian, 1707 Eye St. Photos will not be returned. Deadline is May 11.

Bakersfield Christian High School, dinner, silent and live auction, Broadway-style production by students, 5:30 p.m., Seven Oaks Country Club, 2000 Grand Lakes Ave. $150 per person; $1,200 table of eight. 410-7000. Veterans Information Day, for veterans attending community colleges who want to pursue a four-year college degree, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., CSUB, Doré Theatre, Albertson Room, 9001 Stockdale Highway. Free. Continental breakfast and lunch will be served. 6543277. Yokuts Park Fun Run, practice racing and earn points, 7 a.m., Yokuts Park, Empire Drive off Truxtun Avenue. No fee. bakersfieldtrackclub.com or 203-4196 or 391-7080.

Concert Association, 3 p.m., the theater at Rabobank Convention Center, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $30 for two

remaining concerts. bakersfieldcca.org or 2058522 or 589-2478. Please see PAGE 30

Sunday “Affair Extraordinaire,” five-course gourmet meal, wine, take a tour of the house, 5 p.m., Guild House, 1905 18th St. $100 per person. 619-4488. Bryan Adams solo acoustic concert (See story on Page23) “Jim Witter — The Piano Man,” presented by Bakersfield Community

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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, April 7, 2011

Eye Street CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

THEATER “Driving Miss Daisy,” doors open at 6 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. today through Saturday; doors open at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Stars Dinner Theatre, 1931 Chester Ave. $45 to $55; show-only, $35; matinee $46 to $50. 325-6100. “Bedlam at Sam Lynn Ball Park,” 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, Gaslight Melodrama Theatre & Music Hall, 12748 Jomani Drive. $12 to $23. 587-3377. “The Night Time Show with Michael Armendariz,” variety show with guests Eric Tolley, Amy Hall and Morgan Roy, 11 p.m. Friday, The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. $5. 327-7529. “The Phantom of the Opera,” 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Spotlight Theatre, 1622 19th St. 634-0692 or thespotlighttheatre.com. “Zanna Don’t,” 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Spotlight Theatre, 1622 19th St. 634-0692 or thespotlighttheatre.com. 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 on Friday and Saturdays, children under 12 are $1 every day. 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.

ART Artist reception, photographs from Greece and Puerto Rico by Susan Anderson from New York, 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, End of Times Gallery, 428 Center St., Taft. 7654790. “A Time to Write,” part of the Art for Healing program, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Mercy Art & Spirituality Center, 2215 Truxtun Ave. 324-7070. Design Concepts, that are essential for improving your art, with Norma Eaton, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Bakersfield Art Association, 1817 Eye St. Free. 869-2320. All Media Class, by instructor Phyllis Oliver, all media welcome, with color theory stressed. For more information or to register, email pegolivert@ix.netcom.com or call 348-4717. Art classes, beginning watercolor, beginning drawing, advanced drawing and watercolor painters’ group, taught by Carol Bradshaw. Call or email for details and enrollment. bradshawartist@earthlink.net or 760-376-6604. Art classes, stained glass, clay sculpture, oil painting, youth art and silver jewelry, Juliana’s Art Studio & Gallery, 501 18th St. For times and dates call 327-7507.

Basic Beading & Wire Wrapping Workshop, with Susi Klassen, private instruction or by appointment, The Bead Hut, 610 18th St. To schedule an appt., call 324-0975 or 706-6490. Beginning Oil Painting, with instructor Glen Jelletich, classes held 1 to 3 p.m. Mondays. Call 3993707 for more information or to register. Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Drawing, by instructor Nina Landgraff, series of five twohour classes. Call for more information or to register. 3047002. Framing Clinic, with Toni Lott, for artists who want to frame their work, running noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays. Call 205-3488 for more information or to register. Free art classes, for home-school children, 11 a.m. Thursdays, Moore’s Art School, 837-1037. Preschool Hour, with music, stories, art with Jeannie Truitt, 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Bakersfield Art Association Art Center, 1817 Eye St. 869-2320. The Art Center, 1817 Eye St., 8692320; offers a variety of painting and drawing classes. Call for details.

MUSIC Blues Kern River Blues Society Jam, 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Trout’s, 805 N. Chester Ave. 872-7517. Sinaloa, 910 20th St., 327-5231; Glenda Robles & The Bandoleros, 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday. $5. The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall Road, 831-1413; Chuck Seaton and Billy Russell’s Songwriters’ Showcase featuring Rudy Parris, 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Classic rock Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; Mike Montano, 9 p.m. Friday; Usual Suspects, 9 p.m. Saturday. Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner, 3230053; Big Dawg, 8 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday.

Comedy Elevation Lounge, 818 Real Road, 325-6864; Improv Tuesday — live comedy with DJ after party, 9 p.m. Tuesdays. Country Trout’s & the Blackboard Stages, 805 N. Chester Ave., 399-6700:, offers karaoke, line dancing, West Coast Swing among other various activities. Call for times and days. Ethel’s Old Corral, 4310 Alfred Harrell Highway, 873-7613; Two Timers, 7 to 11 p.m. Friday; Still Kickin’, 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Tejon Club, 117 El Tejon Ave., 3921747; Crossroads, 6 to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Dancing 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. Mavericks Singles, ballroom and country dancing with music by Crossroads, 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Kern City Town Hall, 1003 Pebble Beach Drive. $6 member; $8 guest. 831-9241. Pairs and Spares Dance, 7:30 p.m. each Friday, Rasmussen Senior Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane. $5; $7 nonmembers. 399-3575 or 332-1537. Dance classes, beginning west coast swing, intermediate/advanced west coast swing with instructor Mimi Johanson, at 8214 Mossrock Drive. Call 927-7001 for details. Whirlaways Square Dance Club, has workshops/classes every first, third, fourth and fifth Mondays, Park Stockdale Civic Association Community Center, 205 Rio Bravo Drive. whirlaways.org or 213-3105. African Dance for Fitness, taught by national touring artists, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 1 to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Su Studio Dance Academy, 1515 21st St. $5$7 per class. africandanceclasses.com or 760917-3685. Beginner Belly Dance Lessons, 8 p.m. every Tuesday, Centre Stage Studio, 1710 Chester Ave. 3235215. Whirlaways Square Dance Club, workshop/class with caller Rick Hampton every second Monday, Greenacres Community Center, game room, 2014 Calloway Drive. whirlaways.org or 213-3105.

DJ Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany Ave., Suite B5, 589-6749; DJ James, 9 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Free. Banacek’s Lounge, 4601 State Road, 387-9224; with DJ Casey Overstreet, 9 p.m. Fridays. Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 White Lane, 834-1611; with DJ Chill in the Mixx, 5 p.m. every Friday until 2 a.m. Saturday. The Bull Shed Bar & Grill, at Hotel Rosedale, 2400 Camino Del Rio Court, 327-0681; with Meg, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Jazz Cafe Med, 4809 Stockdale Highway., 834-4433; Richie Perez, 7:30 to 11 p.m. Thursdays. Imbibe Wine & Spirits Merchant, 4140 Truxtun Ave., 633-WINE; live music & wine bar with featuring local artists, along with 24 wines, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday; featuring Jazz Connection, along with 24 wines, 7 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Imbibe Wine & Spirits Merchant, 4140 Truxtun Ave., 633-WINE; live music & wine bar with featuring Jazz Connection, along with 24 wines, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

Intimate Theatre & Music Hall, 2030 19th St., 323-1976; Ron Christian and his Big Band, 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 White Lane, 834-1611; Bakersfield Jazz Workshop, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. every Wednesday.

Karaoke B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane, 397-7304; 8 p.m. Thursdays. Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursdays and Sundays. 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 Pizza, 4200 New Stine Road, 397-5000; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday. Corona’s Cantina, 9817 S. Union Ave., 345-8463; 7 to 10 p.m. Thursdays. Don Perico Restaurant, 2660 Oswell St., Suite 133, 871-2001; 7 to 11 p.m. Thursdays. Pour House, 4041 Fruitvale Ave., 589-9300; 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. T-Bones Steakhouse, 8020 District Blvd., 398-1300; with Irish Monkey Entertainment, 6:30 to 11 p.m. Thursdays. The Old River Monte Carlo, 9750 Taft Highway, 837-0250; 8:30 p.m. every Thursday. The Wright Place, 2695-G Mount Vernon Ave., 872-8831, 8 p.m. every Thursday. Tomi’s Cowgirl Cafe, 1440 Weedpatch Highway, 633-1949; Karaoke King Show, all ages, 7 to 10 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. Julie’s The Branding Iron Saloon, 1807 N. Chester Ave., 6 to 10 p.m. every Friday. Maria Bonita Mexican Restaurant, 10701 Highway 178, 366-3261, 7 to 11 p.m. Fridays. All ages. The Pourhouse, 4041 Fruitvale Ave., 589-9300; 9 p.m. every Friday. 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. Chateau Lounge, 2100 S. Chester Ave., 835-1550; 9 p.m. every Saturday. Del Rio Cocktail Lounge, 5840 State Road, 393-0262; 8 p.m. every Saturday. Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner, 3230053; 8 p.m. to midnight Saturdays. Rocket Shop Cafe, 2000 S. Union Ave., 832-4800; 8:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday. Sports & Spirits, 6633 Ming Ave., 398-7077; 9 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays. Tejon Club, 117 El Tejon Ave., 3921747; 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday. The Playhouse, 2915 Taft Highway; 397-3599; 7 to 10 p.m.

Sundays. Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany Ave., Suite B5, 589-6749; 8 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays. Schweitzer’s Pit Stop, 10807 Rosedale Highway, 587-8888; 8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. The Wrecking Yard, 9817 S. Union Ave., 827-9192; 7 to 10 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane, 397-7304; 8 p.m. Tuesday. Cataldo’s Pizzeria, 6111 Niles St., 363-7200; 6:15 to 10:15 p.m. Tuesdays. DoubleTree Hotel, Club Odyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court; 8 p.m. to midnight Tuesdays. Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 White Lane, 834-1611; A to Z Karaoke, 8 p.m. to midnight Tuesdays. Lone Oak Inn, 10612 Rosedale Highway, 589-0412; 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Magoo’s Pizza, 1129 Olive Drive, 399-7800; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. McMurphy’s Irish Pub & Sports Bar, 14 Monterey St., 869-1451; 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesdays. Round Table Pizza, 2060 White Lane, 836-2700; 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. The Bull Shed Bar & Grill, at Hotel Rosedale, 2400 Camino Del Rio Court, 327-0681; 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Trout’s & The Blackboard Stages, 805 N. Chester Ave., 3996700; 7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Ethel’s Old Corral, 4310 Alfred Harrell Highway, 873-7613; 6 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday.

Latin/salsa Latin Salsa Dancing, 8 p.m. Thursdays, DoubleTree Hotel, Club Odyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court. 323-7111. Tam O’Shanter, 2345 Alta Vista, 324-6774: Salsa dancing, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Mariachi Camino Real Restaurant, 3500 Truxtun Ave., 852-0493; Mariachi Imperial, 6 to 9 p.m. Sundays.

Oldies KC Steakhouse, 2515 F St., 3229910; Jimmy Gaines, Bobby O and Mike Halls, 6:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Old School Que Pasa Mexican Cafe, 2701 Ming Ave., 832-5011; Al Garcia & the Rhythm Kings, 8 to 11 p.m. every Thursday. Maria Bonita Mexican Restaurant, 10701 Highway 178, 366-3261; Savor with Valerie Rubin, 9 p.m. Saturday. Iron Horse Saloon, 1821 S. Chester Ave., 831-1315; The Press, 9 p.m. Monday. Please see PAGE 31

Thursday, April 7, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30

Open Mic Fishlips, 1517 18th St., 324-2557; Bakotopia Unplugged Open-Mic Night, 8 p.m., sign-up sheet begins at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

Rock Jerryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pizza, 1817 Chester Ave., 633-1000; The Artery Young Guns Tour featuring The Air I Breathe, Ten After Two, Scarlett Ohara, The Plot in You, Lions!, Tigers! Bears!, 6 p.m. today. The Dangerous Summer with Sparks the Rescue, The Graduate, The Scenic and Streetside Vinyl, 6 p.m. Friday. The Funeral Party, 6 p.m. Saturday. All shows $10 each. Tickets at tgptix.com or World Records, Wavelengths, Impact Streetwear, Outer Limits or Hoggz Surfshop. Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany Ave., Suite B5, 589-6749; live bands, 9 p.m. every Thursday. The Gate, 2010 O St., 323-4162; The Divergence Point, Company to Keep, Forever I, A Day of Atonement, For Every King A Crown, 7 p.m. Friday. $7. B. Ryderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane, 397-7304; Unwritten Law with Dead Ashling, Meditated Assault, Dirt Head and Alast Taft, 7 p.m. Saturday. $15.

Rockabilly B. Ryderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane, 397-7304; Bob Wayne, 9 p.m. Friday. $5.

Songwriters The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall Road, 8311413; Chuck Seaton and Billy Russellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Songwriterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Showcase, 7 p.m. Wednesdays.

Top 40 DoubleTree Hotel, Club Odyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court. 323-7111; 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Fridays.

Trivia night Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Sandriniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, 1918 Eye St., 322-8900; Trivia Night with Dave Rezac, 10 p.m. Tuesdays.

Variety Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 White Lane, 8341611; Hooker Spit, 9 p.m. Saturday. Golden State Mall, 3201 F St., Dance to Joe Loco, 2 to 5 p.m. Sundays.

UPCOMING EVENTS Monday 4/11 Kern County Rose Society, with Anna Smith discussing â&#x20AC;&#x153;Landscaping with Roses,â&#x20AC;? socializing 6:30 p.m., meeting 7 p.m., Calvary Bible Church, 48 Manor St. 3273228. Magician Ariann Black, 7:30 p.m., Intimate Theatre & Music Hall, 2030 19th St. $15. 809-4826.

The Bakersfield Winds Concert, 7:30 p.m., Olive Drive Church, 5500 Olive Drive. $5. 323-7928.

BE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THE FUN & EXCITEMENT!

Tuesday The Band of Heathens, 8 p.m., Buck Owensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Crystal Palace, 2800 Buck Owens Blvd., 328-7560. Free. Bakersfield Republican Women Federated, with guest speaker Mike Williams, trustee to the Kern High School District, social hour at 11:30 a.m.; meeting noon to 1 p.m., The Petroleum Club, 5060 California Ave. $20. 477-7004. Creative Corner Bazaar, featuring handmade items such as fabric art, kitchen accessories, quilts, childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s items and more, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., The Villas at Scenic River, 4015 Scenic River Lane. 871-3340 or 619-4153. Randy Fendrick & The Intrepid Trombones, presented by the Creative Arts Cafe, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Intimate Theatre & Music Hall, 2030 19th St. $5; free for children under 12. 477-6853. Teen Advisory Group, meeting, 3:30 p.m., Beale Memorial Library, Lake Room, 701 Truxtun Ave. 868-0770.

Wednesday Four Perspectives on Valley Fever, panel with Dr. Hans Einstein, George Martin and others, preview documentary including interviews with local families affected, 11 a.m., Hodelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Country Dining, 5917 Knudsen Drive. $20. Paid reservations required, 7466056. Kern Audubon Society, field trip along the Kern River near Hart Park for birding and wildflowers, meet at Sugar Mill Cafe, 2523 N. Chester Ave., 8:30 a.m. Bring water, binoculars, walking shoes and snacks. 3992282 or kernaudubonsociety.org. Reading the Classics: Waiting for Godot, public performance by the BC Drama Department, 7 p.m., Norman Levan Center for the Humanities, seminar room, 1801 Panorama Drive. Free. 395-4011.

Thursday 2011 Freedom from Prejudice 20th annual Banquet & Awards Ceremony, hosted by Kern County Human Relations Commission, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Hodelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Country Dining, 5917 Knudsen Drive. $25. 428-5653. 21st annual Easter Craft & Bake Sale, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Adaptive Aquatics Center, 1800 Westwind Drive. 3229411. Bo Bice, 7 p.m., Buck Owensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Crystal Palace, 2800 Buck Owens Blvd. $16 to $23. Web site vallitix.com or call 322-5200. CSU Bakersfield Guitar Art Series, featuring Florian Larousse, 7:30 p.m., Metro Galleries, 1604 19th St. 654-2511. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hotel Rwanda,â&#x20AC;? 6:30 p.m., CSUB, Student Union, Multipurpose Room, 9001 Stockdale Highway. Free; free park in Lot K after 6 p.m. 654-3149.

SHARE NEWS OF YOUR SUMMER CAMP 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 22. Email your event to summercamps@bakersfield.com and include the following:

TACHI PALACE HOTEL & CASINO

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; cost.

Now, through April 30, you are invited to relax in the quiet luxury of your own room at the special rate of only

$69.00* WEEKDAYS

$ 89 Fridays and Saturdays

This is your opportunity to enjoy all the fun, food and excitement Tachi Palace has to offer, conveniently accessible from the luxury of your own room. Play your favorite games anytime you want. Relax in the spa, enjoy fine dining and indulge yourself in the wide array of outstanding amenities the resort is known for. *Our traditional rooms at these special rates are limited. Use code MADWD69 for weekdays, and code MADWE89 for Fridays and Saturdays to receive this discount. Make your reservations now at tachipalace.com or call 1-866 4 Palace.