Bakersfield Californian / Eye Street Entertainment 6-9-11

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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, June 9, 2011

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

Young and restless about art 18-year-old carving out a place in industry full of aspiring talent

BY JENNIFER SELF Californian lifestyles editor jself@bakersfield.com

B

erklee Comstock is a young man in hurry to become the artist he wants to be. But he’s finding, at times to his frustration, that some things can’t be rushed.

“For me, I wish I was able to develop as an artist quicker,” said Comstock, 18, who discovered his passion for art only in his final year at Stockdale High. “I love what I’m doing, but I’m also learning.”

That sense of discovery is what the student at Otis School of Art and Design in Los Angeles attempted to capture in his untitled Eye Gallery portrait. The woman in the painting is actually a representation of Comstock himself.

“When I did this, it was to show that I’m still trying to find my place in this city and in my art. I have her looking forward because she is looking forward to what is coming.”

Comstock is the youngest of the 2011 Eye Gallery artists, and one of the youngest ever to be featured in the five years of the art series. The goal this year was to find fresh perspectives and new faces, and Comstock, primarily a sculptor, certainly fits the bill.

His technique alone is pretty original.

“I start by finding a piece of wood that has been abandoned in the city. From there I get a general layout that is usually done in Sharpie.

“I usually tend to throw in spray paint when needed and where it works for the piece. Then I go back over it with Sharpie and another couple of layers of acrylic. Finally I detail with Sharpie to get thin, defined lines and more of a drawing aspect to it.”

Please see EYE GALLERY / 27

About Eye Gallery Eye Gallery, a partnership of The Californian and the Bakersfield Museum of Art, is celebrating five years of bringing the works of dozens of local artists into the homes of our readers. For weeks we’ve been featuring truly distinctive pieces of art — drawings, paintings, photographs — and interviews with the 10 artists who created them. Then, on June 16, we will celebrate the artists at a reception at BMoA, where the public is invited to see the art up close. We’ll have more details on the event in next Thursday’s Eye Street.

ALEX HORVATH / THE CALIFORNIAN

An untitled portrait by Eye Gallery 2011 artist Berklee Comstock. “The woman is a self-reflection of myself in Los Angeles,” he said.

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Thursday, June 9, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Teacher leaving a well-choreographed legacy Lenore Smith retiring after nearly 60 years in dance

BY SUSAN SCAFFIDI Contributing writer

This Saturday, legendary dance instructor Lenore Smith will retire after nearly six decades of teaching.

After toying with the idea of retiring for years, Smith has finally decided “it’s time.”

“I probably should have retired 10 years ago,” she said. “But this last weekend really told me it was time.”

Smith was referring to the photo shoots for her final summer dance recital, a grueling three-day affair.

“Taking photos is a lot harder than dancing,” Smith said.

The recital will showcase Smith’s students in a variety of numbers and will be held at 7 p.m. at the Harvey Auditorium.

The performance is the last that Smith will have choreographed and directed. But even at 87, Smith said she probably isn’t going to leave the dance world.

“I think I will somehow want to be involved in dance, dance education,” she said.

That certainly makes sense for a woman who has spent her life in dance. Born in Long Beach on Feb. 29, 1924, Smith, whose maiden name is Christensen, moved as a little girl with her family to Colorado, where they lived in a town so small it had no dance studios. But Smith did have an aunt who was a professional dancer with a career that took her all over the world.

“She would come through and she would teach me things,” Smith said. “I really got the show business bug from her.”

A move to Albuquerque, N.M., gave Smith the chance to study dance formally, and she continued her dance studies when the family moved to the Hollywood area later. There, she studied with Nico Charisse, whose biggest claim to fame is that he was the husband of the future movie star Cyd Charisse. The connection got Smith launched as professional in the 1940s.

“Her mother helped me get into the Screen Actors Guild,” Smith said.

With a SAG card, and the professional name of Chris Randall (borrowing her father’s nickname and an uncle’s first name) Smith got frequent work as a chorus dancer is several movies, and stage work for star-studded benefits, USO shows and international tours.

In 1949, Smith married her husband, Gale, and moved to Bakersfield, where he pursued his career as an educator. While

GO & DO Lenore Smith’s Dance Arts Centre 40th annual Rhythm Revue Recital & Tribute When: 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday Where: Bakersfield High School, in Harvey Auditorium, 1241 G St. Admission: $12, $7 for children 12 and under; tickets available at Harvey box office Information: 324-9287

PHOTO COURTESY OF LENORE SMITH

Lenore Smith on tour with The Three Stooges in 1948.

the move took her out of the Hollywood circle, it didn’t stop her from dancing. Smith became a choreographer for many local shows, including the first productions of “Maggie,” charity shows for Memorial Hospital, Heritage Days, and many other productions.

She also began teaching at a dance studio owned by Maidie DuFresne on 18th Street.

Except for a brief hiatus in the mid-1950s, Smith has taught there ever since, eventually buying the studio in 1988.

A lesson in dancing Smith couldn’t possibly tell you how many students she has taught over her lifetime at her Dance Arts Center. But she can tell you what she hopes they learned.

“I hope that we have taught them good ethics, and to appreciate what they have,” Smith said. “And their parents for letting them dance.”

Smith said she hasn’t had to deal with “the parent thing,” code for occasional over-anxious or competitive parents who can sour what should be a positive experience for everyone, especially children.

That’s probably because her students never really leave.

“A lot of them bring their daughters to the studio,” Smith said. “I think I had one grandmother.”

JACLYN BOROWSKI / THE CALIFORNIAN

Instructor Lenore Smith poses in her dance studio in Bakersfield on Monday.

“There is a saying around town, ‘Everyone has either danced there or knows who has.’”

(Full disclosure: The author, too, took lessons, however briefly, from Smith many

years ago.)

Smith said a few of her students have become professionals, but most of them came to her because they just loved to Please see SMITH / 27

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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, June 9, 2011

Eye Street LOVE FOR CAMILLE IN THE ARTS COMMUNITY: “Camille has been one of the only bastions of information of theater in this town. Her tireless coverage and selfless willingness to help spread the word about local productions cannot be matched. Without her, theater in Bakersfield would suffer greatly.”

— Hal Friedman, managing director, Spotlight Theatre

“Camille’s unwavering support of theater in Bakersfield comes from her deep-down love and appreciation of the art form. Her opinion of shows is thoughtful, insightful and always highly regarded. Camille’s presence in an audience is always welcomed like that of a good friend.”

— Bruce Saathoff, artistic director, Bakersfield Music Theatre

“I consider Camille Gavin a major advocate for the arts in Bakersfield. Her enthusiasm shows that she realizes that being involved in arts, or experiencing the arts, can be a rewarding, even life-changing experience. She has long been a friend and patron of both the theater and gallery of The Empty Space.”

— Bob Kempf, artistic director, The Empty Space

“Whenever Camille would call me I would instantly cheer up because I knew she was going to be promoting the arts. She wrote a wonderful piece on me when I had my first show and I know it had a lot to do with its success. Thank you, Camille.”

Christy and Camille Gavin.

“She is seriously independent and a good role model for women,” Christy said of her mother.

“When she believes in something, she just moves forward.”

— David Gordon, artist and assistant director, Bakersfield Museum of Art

“Camille Gavin has been sharing her insight, encouragement and support for the arts in our community since my first memories in Bakersfield. She is that constant that builds community and emboldens spirit. Our gratitude embraces her and applauds her contribution and her zest for life.”

FELIX ADAMO / THE CALIFORNIAN

— Doug Davis, CSUB music professor and founder of the Bakersfield Jazz Festival

“Camille has done more to promote the arts over the past 30 years in Bakersfield and Kern County than any other individual. ... For me, personally, she has always been a delight to work with and I always enjoy her take on the local arts scene.”

— Don Martin, president, Metro Galleries

“Camille has excelled in keeping the spotlight on all the arts in this community through her reviews and stories. She highlights the cultural aspects we can all enjoy, which make Bakersfield a better place to live.”

— Bernie Herman, executive director/CEO, Bakersfield Museum of Art

“When you speak of long-standing supporters of the arts in Kern County, Camille Gavin is certainly a name that will appear on your list. I remember being reviewed by her in The Californian when I was just starting my foray into acting at Bakersfield Community Theatre. ...

Promoting the arts is not just a job for Camille, it is a cause she believes in, and we are forever grateful.”

— Mandy Rees, Theatre Department chair, CSUB

She’s got it down to a fine art Californian columnist Camille Gavin honored for lifelong support for arts

BY JENNIFER SELF Californian lifestyles editor jself@bakersfield.com

I

f you’re going to give Camille Gavin a lifetime achievement award, you have to be pretty specific about which of her many lifetimes you mean to honor.

Is it Camille Gavin, third-generation Californian and author of several books chronicling local and state history?

Is it Camille Gavin, reluctant feminist, who overcame obstacles in the news business with her customary wit and class when she started her career at The Californian nearly four decades ago?

Or maybe Camille Gavin, role model for any woman trying to muster the strength to leave a troubled marriage and find the will to start over. She did it at age 36 at a time when leaving an abusive husband was seen as shameful, not empowering.

“I’ve had a very convoluted life,” said Camille, who also has worked in TV, as a librarian, volunteer — even as a writer for a

marketing publication for dentists. “You’re really taking on a lot when you ask me to give my bio.”

But in this case it’s her role as an articulate and impassioned supporter of Bakersfield’s arts scene, through her longrunning Californian column, that has earned her well-deserved praise from the Arts Council of Kern, an institution she herself co-founded in 1976.

“I am overwhelmed. It’s very nice of them, and I’m honored.

Anything I can do to promote the arts, I’m happy to do.”

Camille’s career will be celebrated Saturday at a fundraiser for the Arts Council.

“We were meeting and we just started talking about Camille and all that she's done,” said Laura Lollar Wolfe, interim executive director of the Arts Council. “I believe it was Betty Younger who just said, ‘You know, Camille’s been with us since the very beginning and we should honor her.’”

Among the attendees will be Camille’s daughter Christy Gavin, who teaches at CSUB and is librarian and coordinator of information literacy at the school’s Walter Stiern Library.

“She took me to my first art exhibit down at the LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art). I was 15 and it was a retrospective of Van Gogh’s work. That was a really big deal for a

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Thursday, June 9, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street Bakersfield girl. None of my friends’ parents ever did anything like that.

“I’m very proud to be her daughter.”

In a recent interview about her career and achievements, Camille chronicled her family’s deep roots in the city and filled in the blanks for me on her fascinating life.

Camille’s literary career

It all started on Eye Street To say that Camille goes way back with Eye Street is no exaggeration. She was born at 2615 Eye St. nearly 79 years ago — and has certainly come full circle as a columnist for The Californian’s Eye Street features section, which takes its name from the paper’s street address. Camille, her parents and older sister, Suzanne, later moved to a house her family built in the Oleander section of the city on Dracena Street, where a plaque still sits today in honor of the original owners.

Camille fondly looks back on the firstrate arts education she received at Franklin, William Penn, Emerson and Bakersfield High School. She remembers the Bakersfield of her youth, a city galvanized by patriotism as the war raged overseas, as a hub for world-class theater, music and art.

“When I was a child, there used to be all sorts of well-known operatic performers who came through town. The Fox Theater was always full for those. Those were the kinds of things I was exposed to as a child and that’s part of my appreciation for music and theater.”

But the transformative event of her childhood, without question, was the premature death of her father in 1944. Pete Beaty was a vice president at First Federal Savings and Loan, and Camille was just 12 when he died of an extreme intestinal hemorrhage.

“You never get over that. He was ill only six days and he died on his 44th birthday. He was a good man. I think of him every day.”

Her mother, also named Camille, did the best she could to raise her two children alone, but it would be just a few short years before her younger daughter would leave home to marry at age 18.

‘I left in 1974 with my typewriter and my hair dryer’ “I got married the day the Korean War started, June 25, 1950.

“I used to joke we’ve been battling ever since.”

Camille said her husband, Timothy Gavin, was “an alcoholic with violent tendencies.” But in those days, she said, wives simply had to buck up. There weren’t shelters or therapy groups or, in her case, even support within her own family.

“My mother had never been supportive of my leaving. I left the day after Christmas in 1974 with my typewriter and my hair dryer.”

Camille stayed in the marriage until the last of the couple’s three children graduated from high school.

“I stayed for economic reasons. At that time, domestic violence was really pushed under the carpet. You didn’t tell anybody.

You felt like it was your fault.”

But Camille will say this for her late exhusband: He was a good provider and had an excellent work ethic, a quality she adopted and one that she would need as a single mother trying to build a new life.

Camille earned her bachelor’s degree in social science with a concentration in history at age 36. It was 1969 and Bakersfield was a year away from opening its own fouryear college, so Camille attended an outpost of Fresno State that was across the street from Bakersfield College. She would

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAMILLE GAVIN

Camille Gavin just after she was hired by The Californian in March 1975. Camille remembers the occasion: “I don’t know who took it but it was taken in the basement of Brock’s Department Store on Chester Avenue as I (and a whole bunch of others) waited for the elevator on the night of Brock’s Party of the Year. The proceeds paid for the construction of the Lori Brock Children’s Museum, which now is called the Lori Brock Children’s Discovery Center.” later pick up a master’s degree.

“I’d hear snide remarks from students who would say I have nothing else to do but study, because I got good grades. But I had three children and an uncooperative husband.”

A new start for a single mom After working as a librarian for five years, Camille began her long association with The Californian when she was hired in 1975 as a features writer for what was then called the Scene section, a forerunner of today’s Eye Street.

“I wrote stories on the need for a women’s shelter that had a lot to do with the establishment of the first shelter. And I wrote a series on Dust Bowl migrants, based on interviews with people who were Okies. That was difficult at first to get people to even talk to me. They just didn’t want

How does writing for newspapers differ from authoring books? “It is so different,” Camille said. “(With books), You’ve got to keep so much in your head.

It’s just much more structured.”

Check out these nonfiction gems. Most are available at local libraries or bookstores.

“Kern’s Movers & Shakers” (1987): Camille and co-editor Kathy Leverett were commissioned by Ray Watson, now a Kern County supervisor who, at that time, was on the board of a mental health foundation. The book, about people who had made a significant contribution to the growth and prosperity of the county, was used as a fundraiser for the group. It’s still Camille’s favorite of the books she has written.

“How Roadrunner Got His Red Spots” (2002): A retelling of Yokut Indian tales for children.

to talk about it.”

Camille still remembers the first paragraph on the first story of that award-winning series. The focus was a woman from Texas, who told Camille: “We just closed the door and left everything behind. The only thing we brought with us was our pride.”

In those pre-email, pre-computer, prejust-about-everything days, what passed for technology in the newsroom was a phone and a manual typewriter. The result, Camille remembers, was a noisy office with phones ringing off the hook and reporters and editors shouting across the room.

But beyond the technology, there was another key element missing: women. Of the 30 to 35 staffers who made up the news staff back then, only five, including Camille, were women.

“It really wasn’t quite as bad as that. But the assistant city editor was aghast because I asked him for a pass key (to get into the building after hours) because I was covering the symphony. He said, ‘You can’t stay out that late.’ He didn’t say it was because

FELIX ADAMO / CALIFORNIAN FILE

Camille Gavin and Kathy Leverett signed copies of their book, “Kern's Movers & Shakers,” in 1987. “I’m constantly running across people who still mention it,” said Camille of her first book, which she estimates has sold about 5,000 copies.

“Biddy Mason: A Place of Her Own” (2004): The true story of a slave who walked 2,000 miles to California in 1857 to win her freedom in a Los Angeles courtroom. Also aimed at children.

“Dear Cora: A Personal History of Bakersfield’s Early Days” (2007): “These are letters my grandfather wrote between 1888 to 1904 to grandmother (Cora Bender, a teaching pioneer who taught at Walker Basin in 1876). He was a businessman, he had a title or escrow company on Chester, and he would write her just about every day when she was teaching summer school and after they got married and began to have children.

I researched all the letters to identify people he talked about and verify incidents. He was a very good writer. He wrote what is considered to be the best historical record of the great 1889 fire.”

“A Bakersfield Childhood”: Camille just finished the book, so watch for it in the coming months. It’s a memoir of growing up in Bakersfield.

you’re a woman, but that’s what it was.”

And paternalistic editors weren’t the only nuisance.

“There was no women’s restroom on the third floor. The newsroom had just moved upstairs, and there were only men up there before for 50 years or whatever. We had to trudge downstairs to the first floor.

“We went in and talked to (former Californian publisher) Ted Fritts, and he said no. A couple of months later, we launched another campaign and we got a petition and all the men signed it and that’s how we got the restroom on the third floor.”

The Arts Council and moving on It was during her time at The Californian that Camille, Fritts, former Californian columnist Judy Clausen and others founded the Arts Council, an advocacy and education group.

“The focus then was on collaboration, on getting the various arts organizations to cooperate with each other. There was a lot of infighting about one theater group opening on the same night as another and that kind of thing. A lot of petty stuff.”

Camille continued her arts advocacy through the council and her column, which she continued to write on a freelance basis even after leaving the newsroom in 1983, when she joined the writing staff of an arts magazine.

When that venture folded, she took a position at KGET-17, where she produced a weekly program. Weary of the television grind, she left in 1989 and moved to San Diego to be near her other two children, Jeanine Hamilton and Daniel Gavin.

The time down south allowed her to watch her four grandchildren grow up, but by 2001 she was homesick for Bakersfield.

“I think I started writing my column again in 2003. I confess I had my ego come to the fore. I realized, at least to me, The Californian needed someone to talk about the arts. I really felt the arts were being neglected.”

And Camille has been with us since, writing about every conceivable artform, from music, to dance, to visual arts, to crafts to her favorite: live theater.

“I think about the audience that I saw at ‘Chicago’ recently at Cal State. That theater was full and I understand it was full for all six performances.

“If you put on something good, and people know it’s good, they’ll come.”

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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, June 9, 2011

Eye Street Camille Gavin CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

Americana, caught in time Snapshots provide stories for production

I

f you’ve ever leafed through an old family album and wondered about the story behind a particular picture — where it was taken and why — then you’ll have a notion of what inspired Porter Jamison to produce “American Snapshot.”

“Basically, looking at the characters and social realities of people revealed in old photos is where the idea evolved from,” he said. “At the end of most scenes, the original photograph is projected onto the back wall.”

To develop “American Snapshot,” which opens Friday at The Empty Space, he enlisted the services of several local writers. After showing each one a group of snapshots, he asked them to plumb their creativity and write a scripted story based on their impression of a particular picture.

For example, in “Paul & Angie,” Eric Tolley writes about a workingclass husband and wife on the verge of a devastating breakup who try to find a way back together before it’s too late. And Chelsea Zent’s monologue, “Coronado Beach,” is about a mature woman who learned what love is while experiencing the most beautiful time of her life.

This is the second time around for “Snapshot,” and Jamison says it’s shorter and more cohesive than the one he did four years ago.

“We’re doing eight plays in an established order instead of 14 done as a rotating playlist,” he said, explaining one of the differences between the current version and that of 2007.

Jamison, a high school English teacher, is well-known to local theatergoers as an innovative producer, director, writer and actor.

Last year he directed “The Taming of the Shrew” at Bakersfield Community Theatre.

“Snapshot” writers, in addition to Jamison, Tolley and Zent, include Jennie Babcock, Crystal Huddleston, Kaitlin Hulsy, Bob Kempf, Rob Long, Jason Monroe and Michelle Guerrero Tolley.

Sets and

GO & DO ‘American Snapshot’ When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday Where: The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. Admission: Free, donations welcomed Information: 327-PLAY

‘Summer Animals …

Summer Not’ When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, through June 29 Where: Cross Roads Gallery, 101 E. Tehachapi Blvd.

Admission: Free Information: 822-5242

properties are being kept to a minimum to allow for quick changes between each segment, but the 15-member cast will be in costume. Performances continue through June 18.

Featured artists at Cross Roads “Summer Animals … Summer Not” is the theme for the current exhibit at Cross Roads Gallery in Tehachapi. It includes pencil drawings, oils, acrylics, sculptures and photography of animals and also a few nudes, said Greg Loskorn, a photographer and volunteer in the member-run gallery.

“This is a co-op,” he said during a phone interview, “so everybody puts in a certain number of hours every month in the gallery.”

Loskorn, who lives in Santa Clarita, specializes in shooting both color and black-and-white photography. His space at the gallery includes pictures of railroads, landscapes and military aircraft.

In addition to the “summer” exhibit, four artists who live in the Tehachapi area are being featured this month: Leila Kleiman, Suzi McReynolds, Flo Sussell and Mel White.

White, a spokeswoman for the gallery, said a particular theme is designated for each month, and guest artists are welcome to submit their work.

“If you’re a budding artist — or an experienced professional or any creative type in between — you’re invited to be part of Cross

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

COURTESY OF MICHELLE GUERRERO TOLLEY

Janice Bondurant and Jared Cantrell in “Paul & Angie” by Eric Tolley, part of “American Snapshot,” opening this weekend at The Empty Space.

received from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

June 29. For more information, visit the gallery or download guidelines from its website, crossroadsgallerytehachapi.com.

Thayer finishes work at Claremont

COURTESY OF MEL WHITE

“Jack,” a pencil drawing by Flo Sussell of Bear Valley, is part of the “Summer Animals ... Summer Not” exhibit at the Cross Roads Gallery in Tehachapi.

Roads Gallery’s 2011 Guest Artist program,” she said, adding that it could be a first step in becoming a regular member.

“Freedom of Expression” is the theme for July. White said guest artwork can convey the idea of patriotism or any other form of expression that honors and respects the freedoms enjoyed by American citizens.

Art for the July show will be

After commuting from Bakersfield to Claremont for about seven years — plus additional studies at Oxford University in England — former art gallery owner Jill Thayer will be staying home for a while.

Thayer received her Ph.D. in cultural studies with an emphasis in museum studies from Claremont Graduate University on May 14.

Bakersfield will be her home base for the present, though she doesn’t plan to reopen the gallery she operated in the Fox Theater building from 1994 to 2009.

“I enjoyed bringing multifaceted artists from around the world to the community for over 15 years,” she said. “I am grateful to the community for their support in my continued art and design work.”

During the summer she’ll be working on an oral history project dealing with alumni of Claremont’s School of Arts and Humanities who have made their mark internationally. A graduate of North High School and Bakersfield College, Thayer received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees

from Cal State Bakersfield.

Camp Kiya classical guitarist A new feature at this summer’s Camp Kiya will be classical guitar instruction by Grammy-award winner William Coulter. He received the award in 2005 for his contribution to The Pink Guitar, a collection of solo guitar arrangements of the music of Henry Mancini.

Deborah Hand, an organizer of the family-oriented music camp that opens July 24, said Coulter is “the perfect choice” because he moves so easily from one genre to another — from classical, to Celtic, pop, and all kinds of traditional music.

“Considering the number of classical guitar students and teachers in Tehachapi,” Hand said, “adding classical guitar seems like a natural extension of the camp’s program.”

As it has in the past two years, the camp’s emphasis will be on traditional music and dance. Other class offerings include accordion, cello, improvisation, songwriting, and arts and crafts of the Kawaiisu Indians.

The cost to attend Camp Kiya is $200, which includes all meals and lodging. For more information, including family discounts, visit campkiya.com or call Mountain Music at 823-9994.

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Thursday, June 9, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

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PIERRE VINET / NEW LINE PRODUCTIONS VIA AP

From left: Dominic Monaghan as Merry, Elijah Wood as Frodo, Billy Boyd as Pippin and Sean Astin as Sam in a scene from New Line Cinema's “The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring,” which will be screened Tuesday.

Journey back to Middle-earth Theater to screen extended editions

BY ASHLEY FISCHER Contributing writer

F

or many fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” series, there’s one film trilogy to rule them all.

And for three days this month, Edwards Cinemas will bring Peter Jackson’s interpretation of the muchbeloved Middle-earth back to the big screens of Bakersfield.

Beginning Tuesday, the theater will screen each film in its “extended edition” format for one 7 p.m. showing, preceded by a special introduction from director Peter Jackson. Following the “Fellowship of the Ring” screening on June 14 will be “The Two Towers” on June 21 and “The Return of the King” on June 28.

This special showing is limited to 500 theaters across the country and marks the first time the trilogy has officially been released back into theaters since 2003. “The Return of the King” screening also conveniently coincides with the release date for the 15-disc “The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy: Extended Edition” Bluray package.

For fans of the epic films, the opportunity to once again experience the sweeping landscapes of Hobbiton or Rivendell and be fully immersed in the story of Frodo Baggins and the rest of The Fellowship’s quest to destroy The One Ring is an opportunity that’s hard to pass up.

“I was really excited to find out they were releasing the films back into theaters,” said Brenna Wuillamey. “It’s a great experience — a lot of it’s because of the crowd interaction. I don’t know if you’ve ever heard someone shout

“Lord of the Rings Extended Edition” limited showings When: 7 p.m. June 14, 21 and 28 Where: Edwards Cinemas, 9000 Ming Ave. Admission: $12.50 Information: 663-3042

out ‘Wingnut!’ at a ‘Lord of the Rings’ film, but when that screen comes up, someone will shout it. You’ll hear people gasp, and you’ll hear people cry.

“You’re so immersed in it. It’s easy to get distracted when you watch the films at home, but when you see them in the theater, you pay your money, you sit down, and you see it from one corner of the room to the other. And the other people there are paying good money to be there with you, so you know they’re excited about it, too.”

As with nearly every book-to-film adaptation, Jackson’s version of the “LOTR” trilogy does have its omissions and takes some creative license with Tolkien’s tales. And while the films do have their detractors, they’ve also helped induct an entirely new generation of “LOTR” fans into a fandom whose canonical works were first published more than half a century ago.

Initially encouraged to persevere through the sometimes difficult language of the three main “LOTR” novels by a high school reading requirement, longtime fan Christeen Abee’s love of the trilogy wasn’t fully solidified until she saw “Fellowship” in 2001.

“When I heard they were making the movies, I was really excited,” Abee said. “I went whenever when I saw the first movie. With the last two, I went on the first day. I couldn’t go to a midnight showing, because I was still

under age at the time. But when ‘Return of the King’ came out, I cut school the next morning so I could see the first showing.”

Love of the series runs deep, spanning generations and providing a unifying source of material for parents and children. Wuillamey remembers her father reading “The Hobbit” to her as a child, and then years later spending an entire day at the movie theater with him and her brothers, watching the first two “LOTR” films as a leadup to the midnight release of “The Return of the King.”

“It became a sort of a family experience. We’ll always be able to crack jokes about it or make a reference to it, even if we haven’t seen the movies in four months or six months or even a year. It really means a lot. It makes us stand apart, too. People say, ‘Oh, you’re the ‘Lord of the Rings’ geek family,’ and we’re proud of it.”

Wuillamey has done her part to carry on the family tradition by giving her 2-year-old son the name Theoden, after one of her favorite characters in the series.

“We call him ‘Theo’ for short. I’m definitely proud of his name. I think he’s gonna love it. His dad’s a big fan too, and so are my parents and my brothers. Having all these people around him that love it, I can’t imagine he’s not going to. But we’re not going to force it on him,” she laughed. “He can always just go by ‘Theo’ if he wants to.”

And if you can’t make it to theaters in time to catch this brief re-emergence of the “Lord of the Rings” films, don’t worry. Part one of Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit” is scheduled to be in theaters next year — ensuring that Tolkien’s world continues to enchant fans, both old and new, for many more generations to come.

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24

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, June 9, 2011

Eye Street The Lowdown with Matt Munoz

What a weekend in Bako Menudo, guitars, music and art!

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.

W

ith some of the wildest weather in years clouding up the skies and predictions of rain, I first must hand it to the organizers of last weekend’s First Friday, Rockin’ Roots, Scott Stock, and the Latin Food Festival and 13th annual Menudo Cook-Off. Crowds came out in force, filling streets and packing venues for one of the most successful local shindig weekends the city has had in recent memory.

Beginning with last week’s First Friday, Metro Galleries owner Don Martin was more than happy with the turnout in the downtown arts district.

“The gallery was absolutely jam-packed from 5:15 to 9:30 p.m., and we had to stay open 30 minutes later than we normally do. Even by closing time, there were still about 100 people in the gallery and the streets were still packed. We had about 50 artists showing this time.”

It was also opening night for Metro’s “Chronicles: Transitions Through Time” exhibit.

Martin said openings aren’t usually known for big art sales, but that wasn’t the case this time.

“It sometimes gets so packed in the gallery people may forget, and I usually sell afterwards. So to sell things on opening night is fantastic. By June you’re kind of shack happy and wanna get out anyway. We were definitely up about 25 percent from last

PHOTO COURTESY OF HENRY GONZALES

Tejano music legend Little Joe Y La Familia performs at the Latino Food Festival and 13th Annual Menudo Cook-Off at the Kern County Fairgrounds last Sunday.

month.”

On the same night over at Stramler Park, opening night of Rockin’ Roots started with a bang with co-headliners A Day to Remember and Forever the Sickest Kids. Nicknamed the official “school’s out” party of Bako, local teens filled the event grounds, leaving just enough wiggle room to breathe.

Jesse Rivera of Bakersfield, who last attended Rockin’ Roots back in ’06, knew from word of mouth that the event had grown, but not this much.

“From the stage on the south side of the park back to the northside near the playground and fence, there were close to 2,000 kids. I was really impressed with how big this event has become.”

Rivera noted the enthusiasm of the local crowd. It was billed as a rain-or-shine show, but judging from the overall mood in the air, it could have poured and not mattered.

“The crowd was awesome, and

the security handled the crowd well, especially with all the crowd surfing going on. A Day to Remember asked how many people in the crowd remembered catching them at Jerry’s and The Dome. They remembered the city, so that was a plus.”

Saturday’s crowd numbers weren’t available from promoter Tim Gardea, but taking a quick stroll across the grounds in the late afternoon, I would estimate more than 3,000 people of all ages. Split among eight stages, some bands had bigger crowds than others but, for most, it was their group’s first big show.

After washing off the Rockin’ Roots dirt and jumping into a quick change of clothes, I headed back downtown to Fishlips for Scott Stock. This was the fifth year for the concert benefit, and hopes were high to surpass last year’s fundraising goal. Displayed across the Fishlips stage were autographed guitars from Metallica, Kiss bassist Gene Simmons and more. At the mic throughout the evening was shiny-domed radio personality Scott Cox. Never short on jokes or reasons why people should support the military or Operation Interdependence, Cox made the perfect ringleader. I even threw down some cash in hopes of winning at least one of the raffles for rare guitars on display (with no luck). By the time the big-ticket auction

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

PHOTO COURTESY OF JEREMY GONZALEZ

A Day to Remember performed Friday during last weekend’s successful Rockin’ Roots Festival at Stramler Park.

started, I knew I was way out of my league.

“I thought it was absolute magic,” said Fishlips owner Shawna Haddad-Byers, who organized the event with Cox. “Our goal was to raise $22,000 this year and take us past $100,000 from combined years. We did $25,107.”

The autographed guitar from Metallica was the biggest moneymaker of the night at $7,000, which beat last year’s Willie Nelson guitar of $3,000. It was a guiltfree party for everyone in attendance and, for Byers, the end to a perfect night.

“I can’t wait to do it again next year,” she said.

Friday and Saturday may have been busy, but Sunday’s Latin Food Festival and 13th annual Menudo Cook-Off just avoided bursting at the seams.

By the time gates had opened at 11 a.m., I counted at least 1,000 people in attendance. Centralized by the Budweiser Pavilion area of the Kern County Fairgrounds, it was also the perfect amount of space to accommodate the massive crowds continuing to file in.

From the kids’ play area to the vendors, there was no shortage of things to do.

With the smell of spicy food in the air and free samples from

competitors, the last thing left to do was dance. Headlining the day’s events were two of Latin music’s well-known names: Tierra and Little Joe Y La Familia. Introducing Bakersfield singer and actor Thomas G. Robinson as one of the band’s new vocalists to the stage, Tierra and Robinson gave a greatest hits set that included their 1980 Billboard charter, “Together.”

Tejano music pioneer Little Joe Y La Familia brought down the house, walking out with a rendition of “America the Beautiful,” dedicated to our U.S. military, before going non-stop for well over an hour. Casting a Tex-Mex spell over listeners, many of whom sang along to his bilingual repertoire, the music sent the event into overtime, but not before the announcement that Maria Morales of team Mi Tia was the cook-off winner.

Chamber President Jay Tamsi said the event’s ever-growing popularity is encouraging during a tough economy.

“We had approximately 8- to 10,000 people in attendance, up from 5,000 last year, and the weather was perfect.”

Who says there’s nothing to do in Bakersfield?

25

Thursday, June 9, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Get your kicks with Dan Hicks

BY MATT MUNOZ

GO & DO

Bakotopia.com editor mmunoz@bakersfield.com

Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks

G

et ready to take a trip back in time with some hothouse jazz during an outdoor concert with Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks at Bright House Networks Amphitheatre at the Park at River Walk on Saturday night.

Hicks hasn’t changed his tune since making a splash in the folk music era of ‘60s San Francisco. He’s still slow-churning out his smooth and swingin’ melodies blended with his signature wit and charm.

Growing up in Santa Rosa, Hicks became drawn to the folk troubadour sounds of Pete Seeger and The Kingston Trio as a young college student at San Francisco State, where he majored in broadcasting and radio. Picking up drums and toying around on the guitar, he took a detour after graduating in ’65 to become a member of psychedelic rockers The Charlatans, where he made a modest living as the group’s drummer. Leaving the band to pursue his love for a more vintage sound, Hicks formed the Hot Licks in ’68 stepping up front as both guitarist and lead vocalist. Releasing three critically acclaimed albums before making the abrupt decision to disband the original Hot Licks in ’74, Hicks continued making music as a solo artist and in various groupings.

Hicks, who still lives in his hometown, may have changed his mind on being a band leader on occasion, but one thing hasn’t wavered: his love for the music of his youth.

“I got into jazz in high school, when I was playing drums,” said Hicks via telephone.

“Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, the big band stuff, Dave Brubeck, those artists. I

When: 8 p.m. Saturday Where: Bright House Networks Amphitheatre at the Park at River Walk, 11200 Stockdale Highway Admission: $10 Information: 852-7777 or bakersfieldamphitheatre.us

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAN HICKS

Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks will perform at Bright House Amphitheatre at the Park at River Walk on Saturday. didn’t really get into rock and roll as much could be the reincarnation of Django Reinas everyone was.” hardt had the legend been born in the rich A young artist with an old soul in the bluegrass areas of Kentucky. dizzying ’60s, Hicks’ early popularity helped “I keep it light, and we’re kinda funny. score him a coveted spot on the cover of Kinda deadpan stuff, and nothing serious,” Rolling Stone three times. Recognizing he he said. String bass, mandolin, violin. I does possess a certain degree of bragging always liked the jazz fiddle, and there wasn’t rights for that, he’d much rather just play a lot jazz fiddle back when we started. Keep music and leave the glitz to the rock stars. it acoustic is always great for me. It gets a lit“I like being me and I like whatever taltle loud sometimes.” ents I’ve been given.”

Not accustomed to his status as roots In conversation, Hicks’ voice and music hero, Hicks has an almost cult-like demeanor are as mellow as his melodies — following with an influence among underFrench coffeehouse-style chic with a dash ground heroes. In 2000, Hicks released one of country twang and gypsy-like flair, he of the biggest records of his career, “Beatin’

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the Heat,” a project that teamed him with fellow groundbreakers Elvis Costello, Rickie Lee Jones, Bette Midler, Tom Waits and Brian Setzer. Hailed as his comeback into the mainstream, he’s done his best to up the ante on his latest CD, “Tangled Tales.”

Sounding as feisty and tight as ever with the latest incarnation of the Hot Licks, it kicks off with the shuffling “Who Are You,” and keeps on simmering with some help from his chirpy backup vocalists, the “Lickettes.”

It’s so undeniably Dan Hicks, it’ll remind you of a balmy afternoon in Georgia with a cool tall glass of sweet iced tea.

Hicks says listeners will be happy to know he hasn’t lost his knack for keeping good company in the studio and onstage, considering the caliber of players on the disc.

“I try to get guys that can cut it. I need someone who’s open enough to take suggestions. It’s like a compromise. Feel is definitely a part of the music I do. You just don’t jam on every song.”

Saturday’s show will be Hicks’ first appearance in Bakersfield, and he hopes to make a lasting impression.

“I pay attention to trying to make sure the crowd was glad they showed up and smiling on their own way home.”

26

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, June 9, 2011

Eye Street

Back in the saddle for the 63rd year Glennville rodeo holds on to charm of old days

GO & DO 63rd annual Glennville Roundup Rodeo

BY MIRANDA WHITWORTH

When: gates open at 11:30 a.m., rodeo begins at 1:30 p.m. today, events held today through Sunday Where: GMVA Rodeo Arena, located at Highway 155 and Pascoe Road, Glennville Admission: $12 adults, $8 children 12 and under in advance ; $15 or $10 at the door. Tickets available at Western Emporium Store or at the gate.

Information: glennvillerodeo.org

Contributing writer

F

or 63 years, cowboys, cowgirls and their supporters have taken the winding Highway 155 to Glennville. Waiting for them is a tiny mountain town that boasts the biggest one-day rodeo in the nation: the Glennville Roundup Rodeo.

Quartermaster Erin Rogers said the sights and sounds of the roundup keep attendees coming back to the annual event, which starts on Sunday, though the official kickoff is today.

“In general the people that we talk to love coming to our community because of the beauty of the mountains, and it just reminds them of how the rodeo was years ago.”

Glennville has the feel of a town lost in time, and the venue that holds the competition is no different as riders show their skills under open skies, which is a feature Rogers said just isn’t seen that often.

“A lot of events have moved to enclosed or covered arenas. Ours is still completely outdoors.”

Although the main rodeo events are slated for Sunday, the entire weekend is filled with festivities, starting this afternoon with the Rodeo Queen Horsemanship Competition.

The Invitational Roping Competition takes place Friday afternoon, and Friday night attendees have a chance to be wined and dined for a good cause with the Small Miracles Foundation Dinner. The dinner will benefit the Small Miracles Foundation, which helps families of children battling cancer. Ken Small began the foundation in memory of his granddaughter Lauren Paige Small, who died at the age of 15.

“It’s about helping families pay for the small things that can become overwhelming,” said Rogers. “Gas money, the PG&E

Events schedule Today 1 p.m.: Glennville Rodeo Queen Horsemanship Competition

Friday

HENRY A. BARRIOS / THE CALIFORNIAN

Mario Lango gets his money’s worth in the bull-riding competition of the Glennville Roundup Rodeo in 2010.

bill, even car payments. All stuff that doesn’t seem like that big of a deal, but when a family has a child with cancer, those are things you struggle with.”

Saturday morning kicks off with Jackpot Roping and continues with a new feature, an event primarily for women competitors, which returns for a second year.

“Last year was the first year we had barrel racing and we didn’t know if it was going to

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be a success or not. But it turned out to be huge so we are going to be barrel racing Friday and Saturday night.”

Barrel racing normally involves female riders and is one of the premier events at the Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association national event. Riders and their horses attempt to complete a clover-leaf pattern around barrels, and the fastest time wins.

The roundup’s big day — Sunday — begins at 7 a.m. with breakfast, followed by Cowboy Church, featuring nationally recognized gospel singer Alison Speer at 8:30 a.m. At 11 a.m. is the Rodeo Roundup Parade, which will wind its way through the town and finish at the rodeo grounds, where a barbecue lunch is held. The Glennville Roundup Rodeo follows.

Competition will last all afternoon with a few special announcements, like the name of this year’s rodeo queen, and a specialty act. This year Rogers is particularly excited for John Pain, known as “The One Armed Bandit” after he lost an arm to an electrical accident. He tours the country with a herd of specially trained buffalo.

“He can get all of the buffalo on top of his travel rig. He rounds them all up while he’s on his horse and it’s really just amazing to see him do it.”

Another special feature for this year’s roundup is a partnership with the Kern County Veterans Services Department.

Attendees have a chance to donate a nonperishable or canned food item as they pass through the gates Sunday. According to Rogers, the Veterans Services Department’s food pantry is running low on supplies and every little bit helps.

“We’ll have a trailer set up as you go in and all of those donations we receive will go down to Bakersfield on Monday to the Veterans Office.

9 a.m.: Registration for Invitational Roping 10 a.m.: Roping Begins (Saddle to High Money Winner of Day) 1 p.m.: Glennville Rodeo Queen Speech and Modeling Competition (in GMVA Hall) 5 p.m. Barrel Racing practice runs 6 p.m.: Small Miracles Foundation Dinner, Live Auction and Dance featuring Steve Woods 7 p.m. Barrel Race

Saturday 9 a.m.: Jackpot Roping 10 a.m.: Jackpot Roping-Saddle to High Header & Healer 5 p.m.: Barrel Racing practice runs 7 p.m.: Barrel Racing; Frankie “Punkintown” Smith Comedy Performance in GMVA Hall 8 p.m.: GMVA Rodeo Dance featuring Left Coast Groovies

Sunday 7 to 10:30 a.m.: breakfast 8:30 a.m.: Cowboy Church featuring gospel recording artist Allison Speer at GMVA Hall 11 a.m.: Rodeo Round Up Parade begins 11:30 a.m.: Parade concludes at rodeo grounds, rodeo gates open and barbecue begins 1:30 p.m.: Queen is announced/rodeo begins

They needed help and we are here for them.”

The grounds around the rodeo will be filled with food and vendors as competition gets under way. Rogers said everything from barbecue to home decor will be available to attendees.

“We even have a toy maker coming up with a booth, so there’s going to be a lot of stuff for everyone.”

27

Thursday, June 9, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street EYE GALLERY: ‘I love art that is lowbrow, custom and passionate’ CONTINUED FROM 18

More of our conversation with Berklee: Tell us about the first work you ever sold: I sold a small sculpture for about five bucks. I remember because it was a holiday sale and I was kind of disappointed because it really didn’t change anything. It was just over and done, nothing special.

What kind of art speaks to you?

I love art that is lowbrow, custom and passionate. This is everything from David Choe to The Eye Gallery Shagg.

Sunday Do you get Julia Heatherwick much criticism of certainly minds your work? her beeswax Criticism is never rare, it’s just a matter of if someone will tell you it to your face or not. But beyond all, my biggest critic is my dad. It’s because he has had formal art training as well, so he still judges things as an artist, not as a friend or a teacher, but as a peer.

Whose opinions of your art do you value most: Art Sherwyn (my high school art teacher that let me be an artist rather then a student in his class), Tony Comstock (my dad), and Gary Geraths (my current life drawing teacher who has a real education to give).

Art Sherwyn ... is still a mentor of sorts.

He helped me through the past three years and I know he is going to be a lifelong friend.

ALEX HORVATH / THE CALIFORNIAN

Eye Gallery artist Berklee Comstock: “I love what I do. I couldn’t ask for anything better to do with myself.”

Is being an artist as romantic as some people think?

No, it’s work to do and a lot of the time people don’t understand the amount of work that actually goes into something. It is hard to be an artist, but if someone is supposed to do it, then it is worth the work.

SMITH: Former student taking over dance studio this month CONTINUED FROM 19 she agrees with Smith’s artistic perspective

dance.

“We’re not really into competition,” Smith said. “My students dance for the fun of it.”

The studio has always offered ballet and tap, and has kept up with trends by adding tumbling, Riverdance and hip-hop. But whatever they were learning to perform, Smith’s students were learning lessons that could serve them in all aspects of life.

“Dependability, being where you’re supposed to be and on time,” Smith said.

“Good camaraderie and teamwork.”

“I think another thing the students have learned is respect,” Smith said.

and her philosophy, but would like to bring the business up to date with technology.

“Lenore’s run the business beautifully without a computer all these years,” Kennedy said. “I don’t think I’m that talented.”

In addition to a technology upgrade, Kennedy said she wants to incorporate other performing arts into the school, including singing, piano, acting, show choir and other disciplines.

“What we would like to do is give (students) the opportunity to take all of those things under one roof,” Kennedy said.

“I think this is the natural progression for the studio,” Kennedy said. “If a student was The next step also singing or something, Lenore was Smith has sold the studio to former stualways open to bringing that in.” dent and current teacher Janie Kennedy, Smith said she anticipates moving to well-known locally as a singer and pereither Arizona or New Mexico, as she has former as well as instructor. sons living in both states. But that won’t “Janie is the perfect person to take over,” happen right away, as she has to sell her Smith said. house.

“We’re still going to be the Lenore Smith “I’ll still be around here for quite awhile,” Performing Arts Studio for a while,” Smith said. “I haven’t ruled out teaching a Kennedy said. “I don’t want to fix what isn’t class for Janie.” broken.”

Kennedy said current students shouldn’t Kennedy will take over immediately, with see too much of a change despite Smith’s a full slate of summer courses starting June retirement. “I’m happy to keep up her lega20, and regular classes in the fall. She said cy,” Kennedy said.

28

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, June 9, 2011

Eye Street

Calendar GO&DO

KERN RESIDENTS GET DISCOUNT AT CALM

Today 63rd annual Glennville Roundup Rodeo, gates open at 11:30 a.m., rodeo begins at 1:30 p.m. today, events held today through Sunday, GMVA Rodeo Arena, located at Highway 155 and Pascoe Road, Glennville. $12 adults advance; $8 children 12 and under; $15 at the door for adults; $10 children 12 and under. glennvillerodeo.org.

Concerts by The Fountain, high octane motown and rhythm and blues with Foster Campbell & Friends, 7 to 9 p.m., The Marketplace, 9000 Ming Ave. Premiere of new works by the Kern Film Workshop, 5:30 p.m., Jastro Park, 2900 Truxtun Ave. Free. Barbecue dinner available for $8; $5 KRC caregivers/free for clients. 324-9000.

Read the Classics, for young readers ages 8 to 12, 4 p.m. , now through Aug. 11, Barnes and Noble, children’s department, 4001 California Ave. 631-2575.

Sounds of Ancient Mexico, 4 to 5 p.m., Beale Memorial Library, Auditorium, first floor, 701 Truxtun Ave. 868-0770.

Cooking Class, with chef Meir Brown, 6 to 9 p.m., Cafe Med, 4809 Stockdale Highway. $50. 834-4433.

ALPHA Canine Sanctuary Fundraiser, come out and purchase some pizza, gelato, beverages, with opportunity drawings, begins at 4 p.m., Red Brick Pizza, 9500 Brimhall Rd., Ste. 301. Percentage of sales from event will be donated to ALPHA. 3918212 or for takeout, call 829-1010.

Antelope Valley Youth Rodeo Association, accepting applications through June 15 for junior riders, event rodeo to be held on July 9 to 10 at Tejon Ranch. Visit avyrarodeo.org or 760-8688831.

Bakersfield Blaze vs. Stockton Ports, 7:30 p.m. today through Saturday; 1:30 p.m.

If gas prices still have you groaning, and the thought of planning a family getaway sends you packing in fear, consider the fun to be had close to home. The California Living Museum has you and your harried loved ones in mind with its summer saver program,which kicked off Wednesday.

CALM is offering a special group admission rate for Kern County residents and their families every Wednesday throughout the summer. Just show the attendee your ID as proof that your ZIP code is in Kern County and you’re set. Adults get in for $5 and children 12 and younger are $3.

“Last year, almost 3,000 county residents took advantage of this summer special,” said Lana Fain, zoo manager. “This is our way of thanking the ‘locals’ for supporting the zoo for the past 28 years. For those who have never visited CALM, this is our way of welcoming you and encouraging you to discover your zoo.”

The zoo features approximately 200 native California animals, as well as plants indigenous to the state. CALM is home to animals that because of injury, abandonment or dependency cannot be released into the wild.

The only local zoo is home to a variety

Sunday, Sam Lynn Ballpark, 4009 Chester Ave. $8-$12.50. bakersfieldblaze.com or 716-HITS. Mystery & Adventure Book Group, with host Marcia Stephens, 7 p.m., Barnes and Noble, in the cafe, 4001 California Ave. 6312575.

Toddler Time, music, stories, nursery rhymes for children through 2-years-old, 11 to 11:30 a.m., Southwest Branch Library, 8301 Ming Ave. Free. 664-7716.

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***Special Engagements

FELIX ADAMO / CALIFORNIAN FILE

A bobcat peeks around the corner at visitor Holly Lazzerini, who is safely on the other side of the glass, at the Cats of California Exhibit at CALM in January.

The zoo is offering a special admission rate for Kern County residents.

of native California plants, fossils, artifacts and animals, including recent additions Willow and Sage, young mountain lions in the new exhibit that opened in January.

CALM, located at 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway (between Lake Ming and Hart Park), is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information call 872-2256 or visit the website calmzoo.org.

— California Living Museum news release

come and ask your questions of members from novice to expert computer users, 7 to 9 p.m., NOR Greenacres Community Center, 2014 Calloway Drive. kipug.org or 831-1132.

Friday Seventh annual Sheriff’s Activities League Golf Tournament, noon, Riverlakes Ranch Golf Course, 5201 Riverlakes Drive. $100 per player includes dinner, T-shirt, golf cart, entry into prize drawing. 391-7771.

Movies in the Park, presents “Yogi Bear,” begins at dusk, the Park at River Walk, Stockdale Highway and Buena Vista Road.

326-3866.

Murphy Auctioneers, 5 to 10 p.m., Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 P St. Free. 8334917.

Optimal Hospice CarePals Social, learn how you and your pet can brighten the lives of families affected by terminal illness, open to pet therapy teams, 2 to 4 p.m., Centennial Park, dog area, 400 Montclair Street. Email rfrankhouser@optimalcares.com or 7164000.

Watery Stories & Crafts from Around the World, part of the children’s summer reading program, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Beale Memorial Library, 701 Truxtun Ave. Free.

868-0750.

Fantastic Friday Storytime, with Miss Olivia, 10 a.m., Barnes and Noble, 4001 California Ave. 631-2575.

Saturday Wine Fest 2011, premier winemakers from around California, live music, silent auction, food, 8 to 11 p.m., Kern County Museum, 3801 Chester Ave. $60; $750 VIP table of 10. bakersfieldwinefest.com or 852-5020.

2011 Concert Series, with Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks, 8 p.m., Bright House Networks Amphitheatre, 11200 Stockdale Highway. $10. ticketmaster.com or all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling 800-745-3000.

2011 Kern County Four Ball Championship, two day event: tee time is 8 a.m., North Kern Golf Course, 17412 Quality Road. Entry deadline is June 8. $180 per team of two. Includes green fees and range balls. 399-0347.

Hole-in-One Golf Contest, take a shot for a hole-in-one for a chance to win $10,000, the top 10 closest to the hole win gift certificates, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and

29

Thursday, June 9, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street Sunday, Kern River Golf Course. $10 donation and you can only enter once. 805838-6237.

Girls Get Your Grill On, get some juicy grilling ideas, 10 a.m. to noon, Beladagio, 9500 Brimhall Road, Ste. 705. Free. 8292288.

Bonfire, a tribute to AC/DC, 9 p.m., Fishlips Bar & Grill, 1517 18th St. $15; 21 & over only. vallitix.com or 322-5200.

Book signing, with author Delia Latham of The Solomon’s Gate Series, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Russo’s, 9000 Ming Ave. 665-4686. “The History of the U.S.A., Part 1,� enjoy dinner, a silent auction, live auction and show, 6 p.m. Saturday, Stars Dinner Theatre, 1931 Chester Ave. $100 per person or $700 for a table of 8. 325-6100.

Caring for the Caregiver 2011 Seminar, hosted by the Alzheimer’s Disease Association of Kern County; topics include legal matters, hospice, hygiene and homecare, keynote speakers Dr. Jennifer Black and Dr. Richard Alexan, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Olive Drive Church, 5500 Olive Drive.

Free. Light breakfast and lunch will be served. Reservations needed by June 1, 3938871.

Cruise in for a Cure Car Show, benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, registration 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Meadowbrook Park, 21750 Westwood Blvd, Tehachapi. $20 pre-registration online; $25 registration day of event. cruiseinforacure.com.

Democratic Women of Kern, breakfast meeting with speaker Ray Gonzales, a former Kern County assemblyman and retiree from the California State University system, 8:30 a.m., Garden Spot, 3320 Truxtun Ave. $5 members; $7 nonmembers.

322-7411.

Barks & Books for children, build reading skills by sharing stories with a therapy dog, 11 a.m. to noon, Beale Memorial Library, children’s room, 701 Truxtun Ave. Free. 868-

STARS FUNDRAISER Show your support for local theater this Saturday at “The History of the U.S.A., Part 1� fundraiser at Stars Dinner Theatre. The annual evening starts at 6 and will include dinner and a silent and live auction. Capping off the fun is a performance by a star-studded local cast including Teri Bjorn, Signee Hoffman Swartley, Joe Drew, Pat Collins, Greg Gallion, Bill Bruce, Ben Stinson, Duane Keathley and Kristy Allen. Tickets are $100 or $700 for a table of eight. Call 325-6100 for more information.

0770.

First Book Fundraiser, with celebrity readers, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Russo’s, 9000 Ming Ave. 631-4808.

Kern River Valley Hiking Club, trip to Peppermint Falls & Freeman Creek Grove, leave at 7 a.m., meet at Chevron located at the intersection of Hwy. 178 and Hwy. 184 (Weedpatch Highway). Bring lunch and 2 quarts of water. Dress appropriately. For directions, visit lakeisabella.net/hiking or 747-5065 or 778-3453.

Lenore Smith’s Dance Arts Centre 40th annual Rhythm Revue Recital & Tribute, 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Bakersfield High School, in Harvey Auditorium, 1241 G St. 324-9287.

Parents’ Night Out, with pizza, ice cream, bounce house, crafts, games and more, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., YMCA of Kern County, 5880 District Blvd., #13. $15 per child; free to YMCA members. 837-9622.

Presentation on The Archaeology of Tehachapi, by Catherine Lewis Pruett, 6 to 8 p.m., Tehachapi Depot, 101 W. Tehachapi Blvd, Tehachapi. $10. 822-8152.

Seventh annual Josh Farler Poker Tournament & Barbecue, memorial fight against cancer, music, raffle, children activities, 11 a.m., John Michelson Hall Local #460, 6718 Meany Ave. 832-5327.

Spanish Storytime, with Clara Castillo, 3 p.m., Barnes and Noble, 4001 California Ave. 631-2575.

Star Party with Kern Astronomical Society, 8 to 10 p.m., The Marketplace, 9000 Ming Ave. 487-2519.

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 324-0638. “The Graduate� Cinema Saturday, begins at sundown, Valentien Restaurant & Wine Bar, 1310 Truxtun Ave., Suite 160. 8640397.

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.

Sunday Beale Band Concert, performed by the Bakersfield Municipal Band, pre-concert show at 7:15 p.m., concert at 8 p.m., Beale Park, Oleander Avenue between Dracena and Palm streets. Free. 326FUNN. Carnales Unidos Show & Shine Car Show, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lowes, parking lot, 1601 Columbus St. Free admission; $20 vehicle entry and $15 for motorcycle entry.

Benefits the Jamison Center. 340-0004.

Expo de Novias y QuinceaĂąeras, noon to 5 p.m., Kern County Fairgrounds, Building #2, 1142 P St. Free. 637-2323.

Kern River Valley Hiking Club, trip to Needles Lookout in the Western Divide Mountains, leave at 7:30 a.m., from

Chevron, junction of highways 178 and 184 (Weedpatch Highway). Bring lunch and 2 quarts of water. Dress appropriately. For directions, visit lakeisabella.net/hiking or 747-5065 or 778-3453.

THEATER “The Demon’s Roommate,� 8 p.m. today through Saturday, Spotlight Theatre, 1622 19th St. $25; $22 students/seniors. 6340692 or thespotlighttheatre.com. “American Snapshot,� 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. $15; $10 students/seniors. 327PLAY. “Back from the Future,� followed by the vaudeville revue “The Best Day Ever� 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 on Friday and Saturdays, children under 12 are $1 every day. ciacomedy.com.Comedy.

Major League Improv, improvisational comedy show, appropriate for families, 6 p.m. Saturdays, The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. Free but donations are accepted. 327PLAY.

ART Art on Display, “Just Desserts,� now until June 30, Bakersfield Art Association Art Center, 1817 Eye St. 869-2320. “Changing of The Guard� Exhibition, by graduating seniors, now on display through Friday, CSUB, Todd Madigan Gallery, 9001 Stockdale Highway. Gallery hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays. 654-2238.

Art on Display, “Bridging Heaven & Earth: International Healing Art,� now through

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4915 Stockdale Highway • 661-834-3068 Monday - Friday: 10-6 • Saturday: 10-5

30

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, June 9, 2011

SEEKING INFORMATION REGARDING POSSIBLE UNDERSTAFFING We are presently investigating claims against

EVERGREEN ARVIN HEALTHCARE and are seeking information regarding possible understaffing at the above facility.

If you are a former employee, current or former resident or a loved-one of a current or former resident of the above facility and you have any information regarding staffing or the treatment of residents, please contact Attorneys W. Timothy Needham or Michael J. Crowley or paralegal Karen Ellis, at Janssen, Malloy, Needham, Morrison, Reinholtsen, Crowley & Griego, LLP

888/526-7736 (toll free) 707/445-2071 or e-mail: kellis@janssenlaw.com

Eye Street June 30, Russo’s, 9000 Ming Ave. 6654686.

Watercolor Painting with Duane Anderson, 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Bakersfield Art Association Art Center, 1817 Eye St. $120 for six classes; $25 per lesson.

869-2320.

Bakersfield Art Association Meeting, installation of new board members, potluck after meeting, white elephant sale to raise funds for projects, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Bakersfield Art Association Art Center, 1817 Eye St. 869-2320.

Opening Reception for “High Sierra Mustangs,” by Jenn Williams, 2 to 5 p.m.

Saturday, The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. Suggested donation $15; $10 students/seniors. Refreshments served.

327-PLAY.

MUSIC Acoustic Kern River Brewing Company, 13415 Sierra Highway, Kernville, 760-376-2337; Mike Fleming 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Alternative B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane, 397-7304; UFC 131, Tall, Dark & Ridiculously Two Faded, 7 p.m. Saturday. $10 includes dinner.

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

Oak Tree Country Club - Oak Branch Saloon, 29500 S. Lower Valley Road, 8215521; Tracy Barns Band, 8 p.m. Saturday.

Sinaloa, 910 20th St., 327-5231; Glenda Robles & The Bandoleros, 8 to 11 p.m.

Saturday. $5.

Classic Rock B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane, 397-7304; Latin Breeze, 9 p.m.

Thursday.

Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; Sunday Snake Oil, 9 p.m. Friday; Mike Montano Band, 9 p.m. Saturday.

Lone Oak Lounge, 10612 Rosedale Highway, 589-0412; The Rockaholics, 9 p.m. Friday.

The Old River Monte Carlo, 9750 Taft Highway, 837-0250; No Limit, 9 p.m. Friday.

Bakersfield Speedway, 5001 N. Chester, 393-3373, No Limit, 4 p.m. Saturday.

Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner, 323-0053; Left Coast Groovies, 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Comedy Tam O’Shanter, 2345 Alta Vista, 3246774: Open mic, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays.

Elevation Lounge, 818 Real Road, 3256864; Improv Tuesday - Live comedy with DJ after party, 9 p.m. Tuesdays.

Country Trouts & 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.

Buck Owens Crystal Palace, 2800 Buck Owens Blvd., 328-7560; Monty Byrom Band and the Buckeroos, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. $5.

Tejon Club, 117 El Tejon Ave., 392-1747; Crossroads, 6 to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Cover Padre Hotel, Prairie Fire, Roof Top, 1702 18th St., 427-4900; Wine Wednesdays with cover bands, 6 to 10 p.m. weekly.

Dancing Joaquin Squares, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Thursday, Rasmussen Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane. $5. 324-1390, 325-3086 or 399-3658.

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, with Red Simpson/Ed Rogers, 7 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.

Whirlaways Square Dance Club, workshop/class with caller Rick Hampton every second Monday, Greenacres Community Center, game room, 2014 Calloway Drive. whirlaways.org or 2133105.

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, 3879224; 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, 3270681; with Meg, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Jazz Cafe Med, 4809 Stockdale Highway., 8344433; 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.

Jazz at the Nile, open to all jazz artists, bring your instrument, 6 p.m. every Sunday, The Nile Theater, 1721 19th St. $10.

Imbibe Wine & Spirits Merchant, 4140 Truxtun Ave., 633-WINE; featuring Jazz Connection, 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.

Padre Hotel, Prarie Fire, Roof Top, 1702 18th St., 427-4900; Jazz & Martinis, 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesday.

31

Thursday, June 9, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian

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

Karaoke 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.

B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane, 397-7304; 8 p.m. Thursdays and Tuesdays.

Pour House, 4041 Fruitvale Ave., 5899300; 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., 5899300; 9 p.m. every Friday.

The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall Road, 8311413; hosted by Ed Loverr, 9 p.m. to midnight Friday.

The Regent, 2814 Niles St., 871-4140; 8:30 p.m. every other Friday.

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, 323-0053; 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., 3987077; 9 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays.

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

The Playhouse, 2915 Taft Highway; 3973599; 7 to 10 p.m. Sundays.

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

Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany Ave., Suite B5, 589-6749; 8 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays.

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

Best Western, 2620 Buck Owens Blvd., 327-9651; The Junction, 8:30 p.m.

Tuesdays through Fridays.

Cataldo’s Pizzeria, 6111 Niles St., 3637200; 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, 3997800; 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, 3270681; 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Trouts & The Blackboard Stages, 805 N. Chester Ave., 399-6700; 7 p.m.

Mondays and Thursdays, 8:30 p.m.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

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, 3246774: 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., 322-9910; 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. Thursdays.

Tam O’Shanter, 2345 Alta Vista, 3246774: Los Moonlighterz, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

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

Rock Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany Ave., Suite B5, 589-6749; 9 p.m. Thursdays.

Songwriters The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall Road, 831-1413; Chuck Seaton and Billy Russell's Songwriter's Showcase, 7 p.m.

Wednesdays.

Soul B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane, 397-7304; Cervantes, 9 p.m.

Thursday.

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.

Chuy’s, 2500 New Stine Road, 8333469; 7 p.m. Tuesdays.

Sandrini’s, 1918 Eye St., 322-8900; with Dave Rezac, 10 p.m. Tuesdays.

Variety Golden State Mall, 3201 F St., Dance to Joe Loco, 2 to 5 p.m. Sundays.

Thursday, June 23

For concert information go to tachipalace.com or call 1-866-4palace

Early bird special

$5 off on tickets now through June 16th!