Eye Street Enertainment 7-12-12

14

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, July 12, 2012

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

Index ‘Troubadour Blues’ screening .................. 16 David Nigel Lloyd ...................................... 16 Irish Heritage Club.................................... 17 Arts Alive .................................................. 18 ‘Grease’ review ........................................ 19 The Lowdown with Matt Munoz ............ 20 Batman trivia .......................................... 21 Calendar .............................................. 26-27

Yanni: Show goes on and on There’s no quit in this resilient performer

BY ALAN SCULLEY Contributing writer

F

ew performers would release a concert DVD that gives the inclement weather top billing over the star. But then few concerts have been as dramatic as the one staged by Yanni in 2011 at a castle in Puerto Rico.

“Mother Nature dealt us a pretty tough blow,” Yanni said in a recent phone interview. “I had never in my whole career been rained out. We almost made it, almost made it. ... I just could not take the risk. It was dangerous.”

Conditions won’t be so brutal when Yanni performs Tuesday at Rabobank Arena. This is July in Bakersfield, so the only potential for calamity would be if the air conditioning goes on the fritz.

The current tour is a welcome stateside reprieve for the performer, famous for staging concerts in unusual venues like the Kremlin and the Acropolis and farflung locales that include Oman, Dubai and South Korea.

But it was his unforgettable concert at Castillo San Felipe del Morro, chronicled on the DVD titled “Yanni: Live at El Morro, Puerto Rico,” that stays with the performer.

It had rained every day in the month leading up to the concerts, the first of which was cut short by rain.

“I can’t begin telling you,” Yanni said, describing his feeling before the second concert. “First of all, you’re shaking like a leaf.

You’re very nervous. You know you’re only going to have a shot, maybe two, to capture the concert. And I am very aware of everything, lights, cameras, angles, I make sure everything is good and everybody is lit correctly. It’s an extremely complicated undertaking. We had to build everything, the staging, the bleachers where the people were going to sit. And lighting the entire castle, I mean we had something like 25, 30 cameras, lots of cameras. It was an enormous amount of cameras.”

As luck would have it, there was a good deal of wind that Saturday night — obvious in the “Live at El Morro” video — but no rain.

Ironically, Yanni said he thinks the uncertainty of that second

PHOTO COURTESY OF YANNI

Yanni hits the Rabobank Tuesday. “The concert is going to be over two hours, so they’re going to get quite a lot of music,” he said.

Yanni When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday Where: Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. Tickets: $56.15 to $164.90; ticketmaster.com or 800-7453000.

show helped create a feeling in the performance that translated to the DVD. “What sets this video apart from every other video is the fact that we all had to fight for it,” he said. “Nobody was on that stage that second night thinking ‘Oh, we’ve got it.’ No, we were there in the back of our minds, there was like ‘any minute now we could get rained on.’

“It shows the energy,” Yanni said of the DVD. “Something happens, the fighting spirit inside you wakes up and you go ‘This is going to happen. This is going to happen.’ People were praying, however they pray, everybody, we

held hands (before the show) and said nothing is going to happen.

This is our last chance. It’s going to happen. And it did.”

In contrast, this year’s tour through the States has been more conventional for Yanni, his 13piece orchestra and his pair of singers, Lauren Jelencovich and Lisa Lavie. They’re touring behind Yanni’s latest studio CD, the 2011 release “Truth of Touch.”

That album features a few surprises. In particular, songs like “Voyager,” “Flash of Color” and “Vertigo” displayed a rhythmic heft and a bold sound that Yanni has rarely brought to his music.

His usually peaceful and pastoral compositions earned him recognition (derision from some) as one of the founders of New Age music.

As performances of “Voyager” and especially “Vertigo” on “Live at El Morro” show, the assertive sound of “Truth of Touch” carried over and was even more pronounced in the live setting. Yanni

said fans on the current tour can expect to experience their share of uptempo moments to go with the lush, melodically rich music they’ve come to expect from Yanni during a solo career that began in 1984 with the release of his first CD, “Optimystique,” and now includes 19 CDs. “The energy level has kicked up quite considerably, because once you start playing songs like ‘Voyage’ or ‘Vertigo’ — now ‘Vertigo’ live — it’s a rocker,” he said.

“It’s straight out. I’m not holding back anything.

“I will give them their energetic moments,” Yanni said. “(But) you can’t just beat them over the head for two hours and you can’t just be playing soft stuff on the piano for two hours, either. It’s a combination of the two.”

Fans who watch “Live at El Morro” won’t have to worry that Yanni’s concert will be the same as the performance captured on the DVD. For one thing, the DVD is only an hour long, which allows

Coming Saturday Demi Lovato, who performs at the Rabobank Sunday, talks to music writer Matt Munoz about dealing with the pressures of fame.

it to be aired on PBS and other outlets.

“The concert is going to be over two hours, so they’re going to get quite a lot of music,” Yanni said.

“And the sequencing is going to be different, and (so will) the way I start the concert.

“People can expect to hear a lot of the classics, which no matter what I do I can’t get away from. I have to play those songs,” he said. “And then I have to refresh the concert enough and surprise them enough to where they feel like they’re seeing something new and experiencing something new.

It’s like telling a story when you do a concert. You have to have the audience go for a little trip.”

15

Thursday, July 12, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Dreamers wanted for karaoke competition And it takes more than just singing along to win this contest

Heaven Ponce, Bethaney Franklin and Jolene Smith sing “Baby” by Justin Bieber at Big Daddy’s Pizza.

BY JENNIFER SELF Californian lifestyles editor jself@bakersfield.com

S

he may sing party anthems about the joys of getting hammered, but Winter Bond knows one doesn’t have to live the song to sing the song. In fact, to win arguably the biggest karaoke contest in Kern County — as Bond did last year — contestants should follow what to many is a very unkaraoke-like strategy: remain stone-cold sober.

“I sang ‘Here for the Party’ by Gretchen Wilson, which is a drinky kind of song, but I’m not a drinky kind of girl,” said Bond, 30, the reigning female champ of the Road to the Fair contest.

“I like the crowd pleasers.”

Starting this week, a dozen local karaoke venues are hosting several rounds of competition, free to contestants and open to all ages.

A male and female finalist will be selected to represent each bar or restaurant at a concert at the Kern County Fair on Sept.

24.

A panel of five judges will crown the 2012 male and female winners, who will walk away with $500 and a recording session at American Sound Recording studio in Bakersfield, among other prizes.

“It could take you to the next step of your career,” said Kyle Brown, who runs the Road to the Fair contest, now in its sixth year in the present incarnation.

That’s certainly been the case for Bond, a special education teacher who wasn’t doing much to pursue her dream of a singing career until she made some valuable contacts at last year’s competition.

Now she’s part of a vocal group that meets every Monday evening.

“I’ve always wanted to be on stage entertaining people, but I wanted it to be for a good reason, so I don’t go out to karaoke, Please see KARAOKE / 25

Judging criteria for finals Each contestant is judged on a scale of 1 to 100. The following point breakdown represents the maximum that can be awarded in each category: Vocal skill: 35 points Showmanship: 25 points Presentation: 15 points Difficulty of song selection: 10 points Technical skill: 5 points Crowd response/audience support: 10 points (Judging criteria for preliminary rounds slightly different; for more on judging and other information, visit karaokeinbakersfield.com)

SHELBY MACK / THE CALIFORNIAN

Bentlee Coons, center, sings “Should’ve Said No” by Taylor Swift with her mother, Cheyenne Hall, and aunt, Summer Hall.

Road to the Fair Karaoke Contest qualifying rounds, now through Aug. 12 Mondays: 8 p.m. Trout’s and The Blackboard Stages, 805 N. Chester Ave., 399-6700.

Tuesdays: 7 p.m. Big Daddy Pizza, 6417 Ming Ave., 396-7499.

Wednesdays: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Round Table, 4200 Gosford Road, #101, 397-1111; 9 p.m.

Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany Ave., 5896749.

Thursdays: 9 p.m. The Old River Monte Carlo, 9750 Taft Highway, 837-0250; 6 p.m. Padre Hotel, 1702 18th St., 427-4900; 8 p.m. Bull Shed Bar & Grill, 2300 Camino Del Rio, 327-0681.

Fridays: 9 p.m. Prime Cut Restaurant, 9500 Brimhall Road, #100, 831-1413; 7 to 10 p.m.

Tomi’s Cowgirl Cafe, 1440 Weedpatch Highway, 363-5102.

Saturdays: 8 p.m. Lucky’s Tavern, 1914 N. Chester Ave., 333-4331; 8 p.m. Rocket Shop Cafe, 2000 S. Union Ave., 832-4800.

Sundays: 9 p.m. Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139.

Juan Martinez Guerra sings a duet with Macey Braschler as a warmup for the karaoke competition that Braschler competed in Tuesday night at Big Daddy’s Pizza, one of 12 venues participating in the Road to the Fair contest.

16

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, July 12, 2012

Eye Street

They live for the music Film documents lives of musicians scraping by

BY SUSAN SCAFFIDI

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ith all the attention paid to music legends of bygone eras, or to ridiculously famous superstars of today, it’s easy to not only overlook but not even know about the unsung hero of the music business: the solo traveling musician.

Documentary filmmaker Tom Weber has been telling the story of those itinerant singer-songwriters in his film “Troubadour Blues,” which premiered at the Buffalo International Film Festival last fall and has been shown in cities around the United States ever since.

The film will be screened at the Bakersfield Museum of Art on Tuesday, sponsored by the Kern River Blues Society.

“It hearkens back to the old blues people and folk people,” said society president Beth Selzam. “That was their way of life, and they’re still doing it.”

Weber, himself a musician, journalist and university educator, became fascinated with the life of the traveling musician after watching a friend perform his own songs in a room crowded with strangers.

“Something struck me about that figure of the lone guy, the lone traveling musician with his guitar performing his music place to place,” Weber said.

So intrigued was he by that “figure” that Weber spent the next decade meeting, following and filming 16 men and women who make their living by traveling to tell their stories

Screening of ‘Troubadour Blues’ When: 7 p.m. Tuesday Where: Bakersfield Museum of Art, 1930 R St. Admission: $5 available at the door

with music. You probably haven’t heard of any of them.

“There are a lot of documentaries on famous dead people,” Weber said.

“I’m not interested in them.”

“I make no pretenses about this being a comprehensive who’s who of any kind,” Weber said. “It’s just kind of a snapshot.”

Troubadour David Nigel Lloyd, who has been a part of the Kern County arts and music scene for a dozen years, said he’s looking forward to seeing the film, which he believes he will relate to quite strongly.

“It just makes me think of all the people I know who do this,” Lloyd said.

Lloyd, who will perform a short set of his own music before the screening, takes issue with the idea of the troubadour musician as a “lonely guy.”

“I’ve been on many a tour,” Lloyd said. “That is just a delightful way to live.”

“You meet lots of delightful people and you get to perform your music for people right in front of you who get (your music),” Lloyd said.

The traveling storytelling musician is as ancient a profession as civilization. The troubadours, minstrels, bards, griot, bakhshi, poets — whatever they have been called throughout history — are storytellers who

have often been the preservers of history and culture. With established roots in a village or town, that position was considered an honorable one. But the itinerant musician — someone “just passing through” — was often met with suspicion. Fastforwarding to modern times, blues musicians and other solo performers had the added stigma of playing in juke joints, saloons and other disreputable venues, while often telling rather “earthy” stories with their songs, stories they often lived. Such a lifestyle did nothing to gain them widespread approval.

Not so much now. Those early 20th century performers such as Robert Johnson, Lead Belly and the rest have long been music gods to rock musicians since the 1950s, and along with counter-culture figures like Woody Guthrie, whose centennial is being celebrated this year, are revered by professional performers, historians and educators as well as by fans.

Weber said many younger people have been taken by acoustic music as a kind of fad.

“I call them the sons and daughters of ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?’”

Weber said. “I saw the Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan Show when I was a child; they saw this film.”

Weber said his movie is about the musician who does this as a calling.

“I feel that the artists in ‘Troubadour Blues’ represent a more organic strain of this kind of tradition because they’ve followed this for 20 or 30 years,” Weber said.

Weber, when he’s not promoting his latest film, is working on a new documentary, “Don’t Give Up Your Day Job,” about ordinary individuals with regular jobs who also take their music very seriously.

Performer wrapping up Bakersfield life

BY SUSAN SCAFFIDI Contributing writer

S COMBINATION PLATE With purchase of combination plate of equal or lesser value up to $10.00

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Between Washington and Mt. Vernon M-Th 10:30am-8:30pm Fri-Sat 10:30am-9:00pm Sun 8:30am-2:00pm

inger-songwriter David Nigel Lloyd knows well the life of an itinerant musician and will probably tell you all about it as he performs Tuesday at the Bakersfield Museum of Art to open the screening of “Troubadour Blues.”

That performance will be among his last in Kern County. The longtime Bakersfield resident is leaving town.

“We’re going to pursue better work opportunities up north,” Lloyd said.

“Up north” translates to Montague, near Yreka. Lloyd and his wife, Gita, will be moving there as soon as they can sell their mobile home, relocating to what is essentially a new artists colony a friend is starting in that area.

“For me, there’s a lot more gigs up in Oregon and Northern California,” Lloyd said. “I have a lot of contacts up there.”

Like most itinerant musicians,

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID NIGEL LLOYD

Singer-songwriter David Nigel Lloyd has been a fixture on the Kern County music scene since he moved to Bakersfield in 1998.

Lloyd is his own agent, creating and disseminating promotional packages and demo tapes, writing his own press releases and booking his own engagements. Also like many of his

contemporaries, Lloyd has enjoyed a status earlier blues and folk musicians usually didn’t have: While they may play in a bar or honky-tonk, musicians like Lloyd are sought after for schools, music festivals, art museums, even to serve on educational panels. But occasionally, they do play in some weird places.

“I performed last year in a hut in the middle of Ontario (Canada),” Lloyd said. “We were traveling on this little dirt road in the middle of nowhere and then there was this sign, and then this hut.”

“They filled it with old hippies and young hippies and it was just one of the best shows I ever did,” Lloyd said.

Lloyd and his wife, an illustrator, moved to Bakersfield in 1998 from Pine Flat, after what he called an “economic disaster.”

“My wife was a licensed illustrator,” Lloyd said. “Disney pulled the plug on Please see LLOYD / 25

17

Thursday, July 12, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street “If you have no idea about Ireland, you should come on out. We want to share our culture with the world.”

Ask A Professional

We feature local experts to answer your questions.

For info contact: Lupe Carabajal at 661-395-7563

— Kenny Mount

Club celebrates all things Irish But you don’t have to hail from Emerald Isle to join

BY MATT MUNOZ Californian staff writer mmunoz@bakersfield.com

T

he luck of the Irish has been kind to Kenny Mount. When he followed his dream to open a clubhouse in Bakersfield for friends and family to celebrate their Irish heritage, he imagined a room full of smiling eyes of all ages joined in a common bond.

Now, a year after putting his plan into action with the help of some friends and a lot of faith, he’s eager to show off the fruits of their labor when the Irish Heritage Club of Bakersfield celebrates on Saturday with a daylong party in commemoration of the milestone.

The public is welcome and admission is free.

“Our club is for people who like things about Ireland,” said Mount, 41.

“If you have no idea about Ireland, you should come on out. We want to share our culture with the world. It’s also potluck, so anything goes. You’re likely to see some shepherd’s pie, various meat and potato dishes — a lot of Irish comfort food.”

Wedged between the Saigon Vietnamese restaurant and a beauty salon, the intimate suite transports visitors back to Ireland within moments.

Mount hoped when he and his friends started the club that they’d get a good response, in part because of the success of events put on by their Celtic brethren in the Kern County Scottish Society, which boasts a large membership.

“I didn’t know how the city would receive it when we first opened our doors last year. I knew the club would be good, but the clubhouse is small. It’s not a big pub or anything like the typical Irishthemed bar.”

Decorated with furnishings you’d find in a cozy Irish tavern, the space usually surprises first-time visitors, Mount said.

“It’s an awesome feeling. The people who appreciate the club the most are the people who’ve been to Ireland. You can see the reaction right away. The longer they stay, the better it gets. Last Friday night it felt like I was in Waterford.”

The mood is set by the lighting, furniture, art, warm colors, which greet members and revelers who stop in during scheduled meetings on the first and third Friday of every month.

Anyone is welcome to join the club, regardless of affiliation with the motherland. All that’s required is an open mind, appreciation and respect. There are 130 registered members and always room for

Attorney

Q: A:

more, Mount said.

“Our membership from our first year is down a little bit at the moment. Right now, we’re at a place where the regulars are the ones who are there every meeting.”

Rent is paid by monthly membership dues, which also cover maintenance, utilities and upkeep of the venue. Anything left over pays for fun activities.

“The movie nights we throw are always good. We’ve shown ‘P.S. I Love You,’ ‘Leap Year,’ ‘The Quiet Man’ and we have plans for a ‘Boondock Saints’ night coming up,” Mount said.

Another of the club’s highlights is the bar top, where visitors chat it up while siping whiskey, beer or non-alcoholic drinks.

Alcohol is prohibited from being sold inside, but members are welcome to bring their own and are given the option of having their most prized bottle stored inside until their next visit.

“We sell no alcohol at the clubhouse, but you can bring your own drink of choice and enjoy it at the bar. The only beverages we sell are sodas and tea. There’s actually a song called ‘A Pub with No Beer.’ That’s us.

We don’t focus on the pub culture. That’s kind of a stereotype. In Ireland, you’ll see kids with families.”

And what’s an Irish club without music? On Monday nights you can check out the open Irish jam held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., featuring skilled tunesmiths on traditional instruments like the bodhran, bouzouki, fiddle, guitar, flute and pipes.

In the future, the club plans to offer an Irish dance class, dart matches, more traditional breakfast mornings, plus continue to offer instruction on how to have the ideal Ireland vacation direct from the experts.

“I’ve already worked out three itineraries for travelers. We can also set them up with people over there to show them around,” Mount said, adding that the club hopes to reach nonprofit status by the end of the year, allowing it to extend many of its art and cultural outreach programs in the community.

“The more we learn about different traditions and cultures, the smarter we’ll all be. If you like U2, you’ll love the all the other things we have to share about being Irish-American.”

The typical short sale time line is the problem here. The court system may be able to assist you with the process. If all informal attempts fail, the time it will take to get it in front of a judge will likely be after the usual foreclosure sale date. More practically, have you offered anything to the other person to cooperate? If that fails, you probably will not be able to short sell it.

Kathryn Fox Attorney at Law

The Law Office of Kathryn M. Fox

Irish Heritage Club of Bakersfield One-Year Anniversary When: Noon Saturday Where: Irish Heritage Club of Bakersfield, 3117 Chester Lane Admission: Free Information: bakersfieldirish.yolasite.com

I am trying to short sale my home before the foreclosure. The person on title with me refuses to cooperate with me by signing a listing agreement with a realtor. What can I do?

1430 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301 (661) 328-1133 www.Kathrynmfox.com

End-of-Life Care

Q: A:

Can a hospice patient who shows signs of recovery or changes his mind about hospice care return to regular medical treatment?

Certainly. When patients show signs of recovery or receive an extended prognosis, they may be discharged from hospice services. A patient may choose to revoke services at any time to seek curative care. Once the patient then concludes a cure is no longer possible, he or she may return to our service at any time.

Beth Hoffmann Director of Operations & Founder Hoffmann Hospice

8501 Brimhall Road, Bldg. 100 Bakersfield, CA 93312 661-410-1010 www.hoffmannhospice.org

IRA’s and Rollovers

Q: A:

I just turned 70 1/2. When must I take my first Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)?

Typically RMDs must be taken by December 31 each year after you turn 70 1/2. However, the required date of your first RMD is April 1 of the year following the year in which you turn 70 1/2. This means that even though you may turn 70 1/2 in one year, you may delay the first RMD until April 1 of the following year. Note that only the first RMD may be delayed, and if delayed, you must take a second RMD in that same year

by December 31.

John Bush, Vice President Investments Stifel, Nicolas & Co., Inc. Member SIPC & NYSE

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc. 5060 California Avenue, Suite 1140 661.321.7300

Ask a Ref about Football

Q: A:

How can I referee football?

The KCOA will train an individual. We are a non profit group that provides the football officials for the Kern High School District. We have a 10 week class which will teach the rules and the proper field mechanics. We also provide on-field training. Our training program is taught by experienced football instructors. Season starts Aug 1 so call now. John @ 333-0762

Ken Lopez 20 years

Kern County Officials Association (661) 333-0762 kcofficials.com kenlopez@pacbell.net

18

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, July 12, 2012

Eye Street Camille Gavin CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

They’re off to see the wizard Young actors putting on 3 weekend shows

GO & DO ‘The Wizard of Oz’ When: 7 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday Where: Harvey Auditorium, 14th and G streets Admission: $10 Information: 325-1600

A

mber O’Reilly, the director of Bakersfield Music Theatre’s “The Wizard of Oz,” brings a lot of first-hand experience to the show, which will have three performances this weekend at Harvey Auditorium.

“It’s been my favorite show forever,” said O’Reilly. “I’ve played Dorothy twice, once when I was 17 and again when I was 24.”

Now 39, she’s happy to be directing a youthful cast of 65, ranging in age from 4 to 17.

“It’s been a really fun summer,” she said in a phone conversation.

“These are extraordinary kids.”

Using the original script and score, the show features all of the familiar Oz characters, including Dorothy’s little dog, Toto.

Except that this particular Toto is played by a 6-year-old girl named Taylor Henderson.

“Toto doesn’t have any lines but she barks on cue,” said O’Reilly. “Dorothy doesn’t carry her in a basket, she’s too big for that, but every now and then she picks her up and carries her.”

Cameron Aragon, 14, who has appeared in several BMT productions, has the part of Dorothy, the girl from Kansas who lands in a magical land filled with Munchkins, thanks to a tornado.

Her companions on the road to meet the wizard are Noah Evans as the Scarecrow; Evan Stevenson, the Lion; and Wylie Espinoza, the Tin Man. Kiera Gill appears as the Wicked Witch in all three performances. Two actresses portray the Good Witch, however: Chloe Dzierba has the role at the Friday performance; Beth Roy on Saturday.

Kathi Lowry did the costumes for the show and Terri Cline, the choreography. This weekend’s shows are the final performances for “The Wizard of Oz” and are the culmination of a five-week workshop at Stars School of the Performing Arts.

BCT Youth Theatre With the rising awareness surrounding the dangers of bullying, the

‘Honk!’

When: 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday Where: Bakersfield Community Theatre, 2400 S. Chester Ave. Admission: $12; $10 students and seniors; free to children age 5 and under Information: 831-8114

Sligo Rags PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN TSITAKIS

The cast of last weekend’s performance of “The Wizard of Oz” included, from left: Avery Hansen as the Scarecrow; Grace Cecil as the Cowardly Lion; Bradley Harper as the Tin Man; Courtney Kaia as Dorothy; and Britta Lowry as Glenda, the Good Witch. A different cast will perform this weekend.

ing music and dance at Juliet Thorner Elementary’s magnet program.

Fiddlers Crossing show

COURTESY OF DEBORAH HAND

Sligo Rags plays at 7 p.m. Friday at Fiddlers Crossing, Tehachapi.

BCT Youth Theatre’s production of “Honk!,” which opens Friday, is indeed timely.

The show is a musical comedy but it’s based on Hans Christian Andersen’s tale of “The Ugly Duckling” and conveys a subtle message of tolerance in an entertaining way. This version, written

by Anthony Drewe and George Stiles, tells the story of a duckling who is rejected by everyone but his mother and is captured by a cat who wants to eat him for lunch.

Like most fairy tales, “Honk!” ends happily.

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

Kenneth M. Whitchard III, the director, said the actors won’t be costumed like ducks or any other kind of animal. Instead they wear specific colors to indicate their individual roles. All of the songs sung by the cast, ranging in age from 6 to 25, will be accompanied by a pre-recorded instrumental soundtrack.

Luis Torres plays Ugly, and his arch enemy, The Cat, is portrayed

by Adam Jackson. Katie Welch is Ida, Ugly’s mother, and Collin Snitchler is Drake, his father.

Whitchard said this is his first directing job for BCT. He has been active onstage and behind the scenes at Spotlight Theatre, the YMCA and other local venues for several years. His day job, except for summertime, is teach-

Sligo Rags, a Celtic pub band based in Southern California, will make a return visit to Tehachapi on Friday, says Deborah Hand, owner of Fiddlers Crossing.

There’s been a slight change in personnel, however. Instead of a trio, which they were when they performed a few years ago at the now-defunct Mama Hillybeans, they’re now a quartet, with the addition of percussionist Jonathan Baer.

He joins Michael Kelly on fiddle and vocals, David Burns on acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin and vocals, and Gordon Rustvold on bass.

Although their repertoire is basically Celtic, the band members represent many musical influences, from Latin and jazz to classical and bluegrass, Hand said. The band plays traditional as well as original tunes and songs.

According to the Sligo Rags website, the band has an active performance schedule during July, including playing gigs two or three times a week at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim.

‘Aladdin Jr.’ enrollment Ken Fix, director of Stars School of the Performing Arts in downtown Bakersfield, said there’s still time to sign up for the “Aladdin Jr.” workshop that begins on Monday. The five weeks of

When: 7 p.m. Friday Where: Fiddlers Crossing, 206 East F St., Tehachapi Admission: $20 Information: 823-9994

Disney’s ‘Aladdin Jr.’ Workshop When: 9 a.m. to noon. Monday through Friday; July 16Aug. 10 Where: Stars School of the Performing Arts, 1927 Eye St. Cost: $345-$365; discounts available Information: 716-0316

Tonicism Theatre Workshops When: 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, July 16 to Aug. 17 Where: The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. Cost: $360 to $375, discounts available Information: 861-1314

instruction is open to ages 6 to 18 and ends with two stage performances of the show on Aug. 10-11.

A stage adaptation of the Disney film, it includes the Oscarwinning score with such songs as “A Whole New World” and “Friend Like Me.” Frank Sierra, Dallas White and Char Gaines conduct the daily sessions and also direct the final performances, which will be held the Education Center Auditorium on Baker Street.

Cost for first-time students is $365 and $345 for returning students. There’s also a discount when more than one member of Please see ARTS / 22

19

Thursday, July 12, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street Review

Summer lovin’ — you’ll have a blast Stars production of ‘Grease’ hits right notes

BY CAMILLE GAVIN Contributing writer gavinarts@aol.com

O

ne thing I can tell you for sure about “Grease,” now playing at Stars: Everyone in the cast was energized and ready to go right out of the starting gate at the matinee performance I saw on Sunday.

And that energy continued throughout the show, which is flashback to the rock ’n’ roll days of the late 1950s and early ’60s.

Overall, the cast performs as a well-balanced ensemble. The dance routines are its strong point, the vocalizing a little less so — especially for several of the male soloists attempting to hit the high notes, ala the Everly Brothers and other idols of that era.

Yet those few moments were not a distraction.

In fact, the audience in the nearly full house Sunday seemed to look at it as part of the comedy aspect and applauded the singers’ willingness to make the effort.

I’m guessing that just about everyone enjoyed Frank Sierra’s antics as a fledgling guitar player in “Those Magic Changes.”

‘Grease’ When: 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 2 p.m.

Sunday Where: Stars Restaurant Theatre, 1931 Chester Ave. Admission: $50 to $54; $30 students Information: 325-6100

After proudly strumming a few initial chords, Sierra, as Dooby, hits his pace when the melody is picked up by an unseen professional guitarist, Jeff Ardray, who accompanied him from the darkened pit at stage left.

Incidentally, the band as a whole adds a lot to the show.

In addition to Ardray, it includes Jeremy Robinson at the piano, Mark Meyer, reeds, John Barker, bass, and Dan Murillo on drums.

Murillo even became part of the preshow entertainment by tapping his sticks or striking a cowbell at appropriate — and on occasion, inappropriate — moments of executive producer Jim Fillbrandt’s audience warm-up routine.

“Grease” is a happy show about a group of teens doing things that were considered daring in the ’50s but would probably seem pretty tame by today’s youth.

One exception to the happiness is a

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the first act to the finale’s stunning temptress, wearing black tights that fit her like a second skin.

On the whole, Rowlee is very much part of the ensemble but we do get to hear her beautiful voice in the solo, “I’m Sandra Dee.” Bruce Saathoff, Stars artistic director and a veteran performer, showed his versatility by hamming it up as a disc jockey wearing a white sequined suit and a wig with heavy sideburns that’s best described as a mop.

Sheryl L. Cleveland directed the show.

Kelci Lowry did the fast-paced choreography and Char Gaines served as vocal director.

“Grease” continues weekends at Stars though July 28.

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scene in which Rizzo (Rosie Ayala) reveals she’s pregnant, giving her the opportunity to sing the poignant ballad, “There Are Worse Things I Could Do.” Her pregnancy, however, turns out to be a false alarm. And as the tough-talking leader of the Pink Ladies, Ayala enlivens a majority of the show’s comedic moments.

Shay Burke, a powerful dancer, gives a standout performance as Kenickie. At times he seems to overshadow Cody Garcia, who plays Danny, leader of the TBirds. Garcia is a fine dancer, but I’d like to see him put a bit more bravado into his role.

Bethany Rowlee is effective as she changes from a shy, goody-goody girl wearing black and white saddle shoes in

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From left, Alex Burdick, Bethany Rowlee, Leslie Thompson, Sarah Torrente and Rosie Ayala appear in a scene from the Stars Restaurant Theater production of “Grease.”

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20

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, July 12, 2012

Eye Street The Lowdown with Matt Munoz

Cool First Friday breaks the heat Author, artists open doors for crowds

E

ven in the midst of summer swelter, last week’s First Friday proved to be the epicenter of all things cool in Bako.

On this particular evening the place to be was The Foundry for the solo art show debut of Bakersfield artist and social activist Jorge Guillen, who titled the collection “Chicano — In the Last Days of the 5th Sun.” By the time I arrived, the streets were full even though the sidewalks retained the near-100degree heat from the afternoon.

My Frida Kahlo shirt, worn in honor of her birthday, was fully baptized in sweat. I wasn’t looking very embraceable, but I managed a few brief hugs from some brave friends. Right outside The Foundry, author Nick Belardes was signing copies of his book “Lords: Part One” and raising funds for his Random Writers Workshop with help from local bloggers Matildakay and Jane Hawley.

Inside, cold Mexican beer and sweet wines were being served while socializing was in full swing among a mix of local artists and supporters, including photographers Coy Townson, Tanya X Leonzo, and Foundry curator Christina Sweet.

At the center of it all stood Jorge Guillen surrounded by attendees and well wishers. I’ve gotten to know Jorge over the years as one of the more colorful personalities in the local art scene. In conversation, he speaks like his paintings look — always poetic and full of energy. I still

PHOTO COURTESY OF FRANK VIGIL

Tickets are currently on sale for the 8th annual B-Town Blues, featuring guitarist Coco Montoya, on Sept. 15.

and more.

“Chicano — In the Last Days of the 5th Sun” runs through July 26.

The Foundry is located at 1602 20th St. For more information, call 3880278.

B-Town Blues Fest MATT MUNOZ / THE CALIFORNIAN

Artist Jorge Guillen poses with his painting “La Lucha” during his debut show at The Foundry.

recall the first time I ran into him outside the Padre painting the power box on the corner of 19th and H streets. You know the one — street scene, swirly colors, a camel. It’s a work in progress with countless interpretations. For me, it’s just a really ingenious way to get noticed on some prime real estate. There isn’t a day that goes

by I don’t shoot a glance over to the corner to see if he’s there with his boom box, blasting Rage Against the Machine next to his ice chest, working on touch-ups.

Car exhaust and the elements aren’t kind to street art, so it’s nice to see that commitment to his craft.

“It makes you feel like a thousand bucks to get your own show and see people come to admire your work,” said Guillen on Wednesday about the success of Friday’s show, adding that two of his 10 featured paintings sold during the opening, with more inquiries coming in daily. “I’m elated. It’s a blessing and it motivates me to continue, that someone outside of my being wants something that I created.”

Guillen went on to share that the response from his family was equally satisfying, given his working-class roots in the fields of Lamont where the occupation of “professional artist” isn’t the pre-

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.

ferred career path.

“My family keeps me grounded. I consider myself coming from a family of artists, but we haven’t always been allowed to pursue that. My grandmother, Guadalupe, was a writer and poet. I’m just continuing that legacy. My dad said, ‘Que bueno’ (very good), but my family still says, ‘Go get a job.’ My mom was really proud too. They’ve seen these paintings every day for months at my home, so when I have a success, it justifies my work to them. It was just a great night.”

Keep an eye on Guillen in the coming months.

In September, he’ll be participating in Metro Galleries’ “Latination 4,” plus showing at a variety of community events, including Third Thursday at Mill Creek

Tickets are on sale for World Records’ 8th Annual B-Town Blues Fest on Sept. 15 with Coco Montoya, Ana Popovic and Eric Sardinas at the CSUB Amphitheater.

As in years past, there are a variety of ticketing options to suit everyone’s budget. Reserved tickets are available for tables of six for $40 each. General admission lawn seating is $30. Seniors, college students and active military are $25. High school students and children are admitted free. Dinner tickets for the catered Jake’s/Frugatti’s/Coconut Joe’s yumfest happening during the event are $10. Houchin Blood Bank will begin handing out $5 lawn seating discount coupons to blood donors on Aug. 13. For more information, call 831-3100.

World Records is located at 2815 F St. In other World Records news, according to a regular email newsletter sent out by store Please see LOWDOWN / 23

21

Thursday, July 12, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

Think you know caped crusader?

Show off your love of all things Batman at trivia event

BY ASHLEY FISCHER Contributing writer

If you’ve got some time to kill before heading over to stand in line for “The Dark Knight Rises” next week, why not get into the spirit of the evening by showing off your Batman knowledge?

The third installment in Christopher Nolan’s revered trilogy arrives in theaters at midnight July 19, so Barnes & Noble was inspired to gather fans of the caped crusader for a little fun.

Hosted by employees Ben Oliver and Tino Alvarez — avid Batman enthusiasts themselves — the “Jeopardy”-style trivia competition will take place in the music department.

“I’m always looking for events or activities to host in the store that would bring people in,” said Rhonda Green, community relations manager. “Ben approached me and asked if he could do this trivia, and with the new movie coming out and all of our in-store promotions for Batman right now, I thought it would be a great way to involve the community.”

The event begins at 7:30 p.m. and should last about an hour, so fans attending the midnight showings should still have plenty

Batman Trivia at Barnes & Noble

Bakersfield screenings

When: 7:30 p.m. July 19 Where: Barnes & Noble Bakersfield, 4001 California Ave. Admission: Free Information: 631-2175

All three local first-run movie theaters will premiere “The Dark Knight Rises,” rated PG-13, at midnight July 19.

Maya Cinemas, 1000 California Ave., 636-0490: General admission: $10. A marathon of all three films in the latest trilogy, including “The Dark Knight Rises,” is $22 and starts at 6 p.m.

Edwards Bakersfield Stadium 14, 9000 Ming Ave., 663-3042: General admission: $10.50. Edwards also will screen the three-film marathon, starting at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $25 and includes a free popcorn coupon.

Reading Cinemas Valley Plaza 16, 2000 Wible Road, 833-2230: General admission: $8.50

of time to get to a designated theater.

The questions will be divided among seven categories, including: “Allies,” “Riddle Me This” and “On the Big Screen.”

Each correct answer will be valued at 100 points, which is part of Oliver’s plan to level the playing field for those who are less familiar with all of Batman’s many trivia-worthy incarnations.

“We’ve got really simple questions, and we’ve got harder ones,” he said. “I tried to keep everything pretty equal. We’ll ask questions as simple as, ‘Who played Batman in the 1989 Batman movie?’ And we’ll ask some really obscure stuff too. One of the questions is even about the roller coaster, the Riddler’s Revenge.”

Players will be organized into teams of four, but if you can’t get a full team together, don’t worry.

For solitary participants or observers, Oliver developed the category “Trust Your Robin,” which will require a randomly

Free Public Conference:

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RON PHILLIPS / WARNER BROS.

Christian Bale as Batman in “The Dark Knight Rises.”

selected participant to complete a slightly less cerebral challenge, such as impersonating the notoriously gruff tone Christian Bale developed for his interpretation of Batman.

While the caped crusader may be fine doing things for the good of Gotham, most of us non-billionaires like to receive some

sort of reward. In the case of the trivia event, participants will be competing for movie tickets to Reading Cinemas, along with plenty of other “bat trinkets” to put in your utility belt.

Of course diehard fans and proud comic book geeks certainly will be have the advantage in this battle of bat-knowledge, but Oliver is confident the event will be enjoyed by “that little kid running around the kitchen with a towel on his back in all of us.”

22

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, July 12, 2012

Eye Street ARTS: CONTINUED FROM 18

Film still dripping talent

a family enrolls.

Tonicism workshops

Iconic musical marking 60 years since its debut “Singin’ in the Rain” celebrates its 60th anniversary with a return to the silver screen for one day only, at 7 p.m. this evening at Edwards theater in The Marketplace.

The event begins with a Turner Classic Movies original production, featuring TCM host Robert Osborne in an exclusive interview with star Debbie Reynolds. Audiences will be taken behind the scenes of what is regarded by many to be the greatest musical of all time, as Reynolds shares memories of working with the late Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor.

The film, which has been fully remastered, is set in the days of Hollywood’s transition from silent films to talkies. It stars Kelly at the pinnacle of his career, with co-stars O’Connor, Reynolds, Millard Mitchell, Jean Hagen, Cyd Charisse and Rita Moreno. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards and is the No. 1 musical on the American Film Institute’s list of the “25 Greatest Movie Musicals” and No. 5 on AFI’s “100 Years, 100 Movies” list.

“Sixty years ago, no one dreamed

AP FILE

Gene Kelly performs in the 1952 film “Singin’ in the Rain.”

‘Singin’ in the Rain’ When: 7 tonight Where: Edwards theater at The Marketplace, 9000 Ming Ave. Admission: $12.50

that we would still be watching ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ in 2012,” said Kelly’s widow, film historian Patricia Ward Kelly. “Gene would be very proud.”

Warner Home Video will release “‘Singin’ in the Rain’ 60th Anniversary Edition” on Tuesday. It features a three-disc limited and

numbered gift set that includes the remastered feature on both Blu-ray and DVD, and a new documentary, “Singin’ in the Rain: Raining on a New Generation.” In addition to another half-dozen special features, this new edition will be presented in a 48-page hard cover commemorative book highlighting the behind-the-scenes history of how the classic musical made it to the big screen. It will also contain reproductions of the original theatrical door panel displays from the film’s premier and a full-size commemorative umbrella.

— Information taken from a Fathom Events media release

The Empty Space on Oak Street is the venue for Tonicism Productions’ summer workshops for children. Separate morning and afternoon sessions start on Monday and each is devoted to a specific area of dramatics training, said Guinevere PH Dethlefson.

Students learn more than merely performing in a show, such as time management and personal responsibility, Dethlefson said.

“Children in our workshop enjoy a lot of benefits besides the obvious of how to be in a show,” she said. “In addition to having our show, we also do a longer run than many theatre workshops, providing a more authentic community theatre experience. We also teach personal responsibility and time management as students must memorize their lines, blocking and choreography.”

Dethelfson said the instruction is good way for young people to build confidence.

Some also have shown improvement in skills they need to succeed in school.

“We've seen students’ reading skills improve with script and inflection work,” she said.

“We’ve seen shy students open up after some games and the successes they feel onstage."

Encouraging children to play theater-related games is an important part of the instruction and is a way of helping them feel more comfortable

PHOTO COURTESY OF GUINVERE PH DETHLEFSON

Witney Bacon portrays Belle in Tonicism’s spring production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.”

about participating, Dethlefson added.

“Every day at class we start with warm-ups and fun theatre games,” she said. “We play fun team-building and focus games like Squirt, which also helps students learn each other’s names, and a game that is a student favorite is Whiz Bong.”

Learning the art of acting is the focus of the 8-11:30 a.m. workshop. Students will work on and eventually perform a play called “The (Almost) Totally True Story of Hansel & Gretel” by Steph DeFerie, creator of Nick Tickle Fairytale Detective. Cost is $360 per student.

Musical theater is emphasized in the 1-4:30 p.m. workshop. Students will work on “Bugsy Malone Jr.,” a musical comedy about two rival gangs set in the 1920s. Cost is $375 per student.

Instructors are Dethlefson, Amy Hall, Cory Rickard and David Rock. Both workshops conclude with final performances of the two shows.

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23

Thursday, July 12, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street

PHOTO COURTESY OF FALSE PUPPET

Santa Barbara pop punk trio False Puppet perform at B Ryder’s on Friday.

LOWDOWN: CONTINUED FROM 20

owner Pat Evans, the 28th annual Scott Schwebel Memorial Golf Classic held two weeks ago helped raise $2,000 towards a character development program at Beardsley School. Shwebel co-founded the longstanding independent music store in 1982 with Evans, but died in a tragic car accident a few months after it opened its original storefront in East Bakersfield.

Matt’s picks Of Athena, False Puppet at B Ryder’s Bar, 7401 White Lane, $3, all ages, 7 p.m.

Friday, 397-7304; followed at 9 p.m. by Barstool Saints & Crooked Folk.

Instead of heading to Camp Crystal Lake in search of a machete-wielding lunatic on Friday the 13th, we suggest a safer form of mayhem. Santa Barbara pop punk trio False Puppet just performed in front of a wild Vans Warped tour crowd and have one of the most rabid fans on the coast line.

Their latest self-titled ep is catchy fun and perfect for the summertime blues. Opening are Bakersfield’s Of Athena. Stick around for a special evening rockin’ and rollin’ punk double bill with Crooked Folk and Barstool Saints at no extra charge.

What a bargain?

Dizzy Wright at B Ryder’s Bar, $12, all ages 7 p.m. Saturday, 397-7304. This Las Vegas rapper’s “SmokeOut Conversations” album hit number two on iTunes’ hip-hop chart upon its release in April, but refuses to embrace the mainstream.

Regularly boasting of his indie status on his desire to “edutain” his listeners Wright’s rare visit to Bakersfield should not be missed.

It’s not often our area gets a chance to catch new rap acts currently making waves. Also appearing are Jarren Benton, DJ Hoppa, and Irv Da Phenom.

“Troubadour Blues” screening at Bakersfield Museum of Art, 1930 R St., $5, 7 p.m. Tuesday, 323-7219. “Troubadour Blues” is a feature-length documentary that explores the fascinating world of traveling singer-songwriters where honest, authentic songs reflecting the human experience are still being sung on street corners and coffeehouses all over the world. The film features performances by Peter Case, Chris Smither, Amy Speace, Garrison Starr, Dave Alvin, Jeff Talmadge.

Special live opening acoustic set by Bakersfield’s David Nigel Lloyd prior to the screening. Presented by the Kern River Blues Society.

YOU CAN WIN TICKETS TO SEE DEMI LOVATO, YANNI TODAY ON ‘CALIFORNIAN RADIO’ Join the Eye Street team of Jennifer Self and Matt Munoz this morning as they chat with 2011 Road to the Fair karaoke winner Heath Hoeper and contest coordinate Kyle Brown on what it takes to win.

Also tune in for the chance to win tickets to the Yanni concert Tuesday at the Rabobank Theater and Demi Lovato’s show Sunday at the neighboring arena.

Listen for your cue to call and dial 842-KERN. ZUMA PRESS “Californian Radio” broadcasts Demi Lovato performs Sunday. Catch our interfrom 9 to 10 a.m. weekdays on view with the star in Saturday Eye. 1180-AM, KERN.

24

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, July 12, 2012

Eye Street

American Made and so much more

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aking plans to trek without tickets to Eagle Mountain Casino this weekend to catch country diva Kellie Pickler on Friday night or classic rocker Pat Benatar on Sunday? You may be out of luck.

According to Eagle Mountain public relations coordinator James Valencia, the concerts are nearly sold out.

“Both shows did very good from the beginning. We always do very well with classic rock and country, and of course we’re happy when we sell out.

There are a few general admission seats left for the shows, but there’s a slim chance they’ll be still be available by the show.”

Pickler is currently touring in support of her latest album, “100 Proof,” her third release since appearing on season five of “American Idol.” During an interview with The Californian last year just before an appearance at the Kern County Fair, the country singer was in the midst of retooling her image after a swift rise to the top as a sexy blond bombshell, a representation she felt required some making over.

Benatar is one of the most iconic women in rock music, selling over 30 million records and winning four Grammys over the course of her career.

Bursting onto the scene with a mix of classically trained vocals and energetic rock style in the ’70s, the pintsized singer became synonymous with the decade to follow with a string

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of hits including “Love Is a Battlefield,” “Heartbreaker,” “Promises in the Dark” and “We Belong.” Her biggest single “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” is performed by Catherine Zeta Jones in the current big-screen musical “Rock of Ages,” starring Tom Cruise.

She and husband/guitarist Neil Giraldo have been inseparable since Giraldo was hired to assemble Benatar’s first backing band in 1977.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PAT BENATAR

Husband and wife rockers Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo appear Sunday at Eagle Mountain Casino.

Concerts at Eagle Mountain Casino 681 S. Tule Road in Porterville 559-788-6220; eaglemtncasino.com Kellie Pickler: 9 p.m. Friday; tickets $25 to $35 Pat Benatar: 8 p.m. Sunday; tickets $20 to $30

Activist crafts fundraiser for annual relay THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN

Cynthia

JASON MOORE / ZUMA PRESS

Kellie Pickler, performing at the North Carolina State Fair in October, appears Friday at Eagle Mountain Casino.

olores Rouanzoin was so moved by her first experience as a Relay for Life volunteer in the spring that she decided to start a team of her own. But her devotion to the cause didn’t end there: She and her friends have set the ambitious goal of holding one fundraiser a month through May 2013, the date of the next Relay event.

First up: a craft show, called Summer Bazaar, this Saturday at the Kern County Fairgrounds. Admission is free.

“We’re going to have 63 vendors,” said the business school student and mother of three. “We know a few people who are crafters, and we just start-

Summer Bazaar craft show When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Where: Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 P St. Admission: Free Information: 346-5870

ed spreading the word through Facebook and, before you know it, we had way more than we needed.”

A mix of businesses like Sam’s Club, Scentsy Wickless Candles and a solar energy company will be hand, but most booths will be run by individual crafters displaying blankets, clothing, bows, accessories, balloon decorations and more. All the vendors will donate an item for a series of raffles, which will be ongoing throughout the day. Each tickets is $1, and ticket buyers need not be present to

win.

Because the event benefits charity, the fairgrounds offered a reduced rate for the rental of the fine arts building, Rouanzoin said. Vendors paid $20 for booth space and will donate a portion of their profits to the Relay team.

Rouanzoin’s goal for the day is $500, a total she hopes to match at each of the other monthly fundraisers she intends to hold, which include a music event and a poker night.

Though she and the other seven members of Team Geeks are thinking big, Rouanzoin, 29, conceded she’s got a lot to learn about organizing fundraisers. Still, it’s worth it when she reminds herself of the ultimate goal.

“Just being able to help everybody and the whole aspect of fundraising,” she said. “And knowing no matter how big or small the event is, any amount of money will help.”

25

Thursday, July 12, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street LLOYD: CONTINUED FROM 16

HOW TO WIN THE ROAD TO THE FAIR KARAOKE COMPETITION Tips from 2011 female winner Winter Bond: “Don’t be afraid to make eye contact.”

“Have fun, but not too much fun because it’ll look staged.”

“If you’re at a bar competing, try not to drink too much.”

KARAOKE: CONTINUED FROM 15

to avoid the bar scene and the drunken people. But I like the spotlight, I’m not going to lie.”

And to win in this competition, the spotlight has to like you.

It’s not enough to sound like Gretchen Wilson if your idea of showmanship is reading from a video monitor.

“I did jeans and boots like she would do,” Bond said. “You try to match the singer. I put in black hair extensions and wore a straw cowboy hat. It wasn’t necessarily my best song, but I have stage presence and can dress the part.”

Echoing the point, Brown usually brings up a performer’s charisma rather than vocal ability when reminiscing about the competition’s standout moments.

There was the woman — a member of a local roller derby team — who performed “Cowboy’s Sweetheart” on roller skates, and 2008 finalist Noah Claunch, who took the

“You don’t want to sing slow songs; it bores the crowd.”

Tips from Raid to the Fair organizer Kyle Brown: “Keep it family friendly because they’re going to end up at the fair.”

“Unless you are a phenomenal

crown after leaping off the stage into the crowd.

“And then there was this little kid, I think he was 9 or 10,” Brown recalled. “He was a really, really good singer and he sang Justin Bieber’s ‘Baby, Baby’ and the crowd went wild. He didn’t win, but it was awesome.”

In fact, though pint-sized performers have made it to every fair concert, no child has ever taken top honors. Call it the curse of the cutie pies.

“I think they (kids) might have a bigger struggle in vocal ability and that’s the biggest part of the criteria,” said Brown, noting that voice accounts for 35 percent of the score.

For Bond, who like other past winners is ineligible to compete again, the best part of coming out on top was her plaque and the memories of performing in front of an audience — in particular her own personal rooting section.

singer stay away from ballads.”

“Stay away from long instrumental breaks. ‘In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida’ is not going to cut it.

“Costuming is highly recommended. You’re putting on a performance.

“Practice.”

SHELBY MACK / THE CALIFORNIAN

Macey Braschler helps Bethaney Franklin fill out the entry form for the karaoke contest that leads to a final concert at the Kern County Fair on Sept. 24.

“My parents came from Arizona, and it was the first time they had seen me sing in 10 years, so I was super-excited about that. It’s definitely a God-given talent. I have to give credit to the big man above.”

several licenses that were supposed to come through.”

“She instantly lost 71 percent of her business.”

The forced move turned out to be a blessing for the entire family, as Bakersfield proved to a better environment for the Lloyds’ then teenage daughter, Priscilla.

Lloyd also found an immediate niche.

“I cold-called the Arts Council, and they hired me,” Lloyd said.

The musician started performing traditional Celtic ballads for Kern County schoolchildren through the Young Audiences program, which is managed by the arts council.

“I learned about the universality of those ancient songs,” said Lloyd, who is known for combining those ancient songs with modern observations and situations.

One song he plans to perform at the museum is “Cύchulainn in Bakersfield.”

“He’s a Bronze Age Irish berserker, a hero of the Northern Irish,” Lloyd said.

Lloyd explained Cύchulainn is known for his warrior exploits, including defending his land against a legendary cattle raid. One can see the

connection.

“It’s my honky-tonk lament,” Lloyd said.

Lloyd has several albums to his credit, including his most recent, “Rivers, Kings and Curses,” which was featured on NPR’s Celtic Connections program in 2008.

Last year, Lloyd was a showcase performer at the Folk Alliance International Conference in Memphis, Tenn.

He also performed at the Winterfolk Festival in Toronto, and he served as a Music in Education panelist at the FarWest Folk Alliance in Eugene, Ore. Lloyd said that though it has its challenges, he has loved his life as an itinerant musician, comparing the vocation favorably against the glamour and fame of music superstars.

“It’s not that we’re not good enough for that upper level,” Lloyd said. “It’s just that the world of music is so broad that there is this as well.”

“I like being on buses, airplanes, waiting in stations,” Lloyd said.

“If a tour goes good you make OK money if you keep your expenses down,” Lloyd said. “And you just meet all sorts of wonderful people.”

26

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, July 12, 2012

Eye Street Go & Do Today

Saturday

Sunday

Concerts by the Fountain, soulful funk and groove with Soulajar, 7 to 9 p.m., The Marketplace, 9000 Ming Ave. Friends of the Kern County Library Used Book Sale, members only, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday (half-price day Saturday), Beale Memorial Library, 701 Truxtun Ave. kerncountylibrary.org or call 868-0796.

Farmer’s Market, 4 to 7 p.m., Tehachapi Blvd. and Robinson St., in downtown Tehachapi. 8226519.

Poetry Open Mic, featuring “A Sharp Piece of Awesome” poets and fiction writers; 7 to 8:30 p.m., Russo’s, 9000 Ming Ave. 6654686.

Teens Create Block Prints, part of the children’s Summer Reading Program, 4 to 5 p.m., Beale Library, Tejon Room. Free. 8687770.

Guitar Class, taught by Mark Albert, for individuals or a group, Juliana’s Art Studio & Gallery, 501 18th St. $25. call 578-4570 or 3277507 for class details.

Red Cross New Volunteer Orientation, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., American Red Cross, Kern Chapter, 5035 Gilmore Ave. 324-6427.

Bakersfield Deaf Senior Citizens Social Club, noon to 2 p.m., Don Perico Mexican Grill & Bar, 2660 Oswell St., Suite 133. Email bobby93309@gmail.com.

Taft Certified Farmers Market, 5 to 8 p.m., 5th St. Plaza, Taft.

765-2165.

Bingo, warm ups start at 5 p.m., with early birds at 6 p.m., regular games at 6:30 p.m., Volunteer Center of Kern County, 2801 F St. From $20 buy-in to “the works.”

395-9787.

“Amelie” Cinema Saturday, begins at sundown, Valentien Restaurant & Wine Bar, 1310 Truxtun Ave., Suite 160. 864-0397.

“The Heart of the Mountain” Fundraiser, with gourmet dinner, music and silent auction, 5 to 8 p.m., Tejon Ranch Hacienda, 491 Rochford Road, Lebec. $125. 3314741.

Bakersfield Blaze vs. Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, 7:45 p.m.

Saturday through Monday, Sam Lynn Ballpark, 4009 Chester Ave. $7-$12. bakersfieldblaze.com or 716-HITS. Cat Adoptions, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by appointments, Petco, 8220 Rosedale Highway. $65 includes spay/neuter, vaccines and leukemia testing. 327-4706.

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

Democratic Women of Kern, breakfast meeting, 9 a.m., Garden Spot, 3320 Truxtun Ave. $5 (661) 322-7411.

Irish Heritage Club’s Anniversary Celebration, celebrating one year, bring your favorite dish for the potluck, noon, Irish Heritage Club, 3117 Chester Lane.

Visit online at bakersfieldirish.yolasite.com or facebook.com/irishheritageclubbakersfield.

Kern Audubon Field Trip, to see summer birds such as Summer Tanager, at Kern River Preserve, with birder Bob Barnes, meet 6:30 a.m., at Mt. Vernon Albertson’s parking lot to carpool. Bring water, snacks, $10. Visit online kernaudubonsociety.org or 322-470.

Movies in the Park, “Dolphin Tale,” begins at dusk, Emerald Cove Park, 4303 Patton Way. Free.

392-2000.

Summer Bazaar, craft show and sale, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St. Free.

346-5870.

Tehachapi Relay for Life, opening ceremony 8:30 a.m., survivors lap 9 a.m., Luminaria ceremony 9 p.m. Saturday, closing ceremony 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Jacobsen Middle School, 711 Anita Drive, Tehachapi. Free. Visit relayforlife.org/tehachapica or 332-4975.

Twilight at CALM, bring a picnic dinner and dine with the animals, 5:30 to 8 p.m., CALM, 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway. $9 adults; $7 seniors; children under 3 are free; CALM members are free. calmzoo.org or 872-2256.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10859, Rosedale & Ladies Auxiliary, 9:30 a.m., Norris Road Veterans Hall, 400 Norris Road. 5885865.

Yokuts Park Fun Run, practice racing and earn points, 7 a.m., Yokuts Park, Empire Drive off Truxtun Avenue. Free. bakersfieldtrackclub.com or 203-4196 or 3917080.

Demi Lovato, with Hot Chelle Rae, 7 p.m., Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $29.50 to $69.50 plus fee. ticketmaster.com or 800745-3000.

Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, 8 p.m., Eagle Mountain Casino, 681 South Tule Reservation Road, Porterville. $20-$30. 559-7886220.

Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Kaiser Permanente, 8800 Ming Ave. 877-524-7373.

Friday Friday Night Street Legals, test and tune, gates 7 p.m., run 8 p.m. to midnight, Famoso Raceway, 33559 Famoso Road, McFarland. $15; kids 12 and under are free.

399-5351 or 399-2210.

Friday the 13th Night Ghost Tour, 8:30 to 10:30 p.m., Silver City Ghost Town, 3829 Lake Isabella Boulevard, Bodfish. $12 per person of all ages. 760-3795146.

Kellie Pickler, 9 p.m., Eagle Mountain Casino, 681 South Tule Reservation Road, Porterville. $20 general admission; $35 reserve.

Tickets online at eaglemtncasino.com or 888-6950888.

Movies in the Park, presents “Hop,” begins at dusk, Wilson Park, 2400 Wilson Road. Free.

326-3866.

Dream Big: Dream of Dragons — Story Time & Crafts, part of the children’s Summer Reading Program, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Beale Memorial Library, 701 Truxtun Ave. Free. 868-0750.

Marilyn Cameron, featured artist for the month of July, Dagny’s Coffee Co., 1600 20th St. 634-0806.

Stained Glass Classes, six-week class, 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Juliana’s Art Studio & Gallery, 501 18th St. $150. 327-7507.

The Art Shop Club, 9 a.m. to noon each Thursday, Friday and Saturday, The Art Shop, 1221 20th St. All mediums. 322-0544, 5897463 or 496-5153.

MUSIC

THEATER

Acoustic

“8” The Play, presented by Bakersfield LGBTQ; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. $25. 327-PLAY.

King Tut, 10606 Hageman Road; Ernie Lewis, 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

Free.

“Honk,” 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, Bakersfield Community Theater, 2400 S. Chester Ave. $12 general; $10 seniors/students; free for children 5 and under. 831-8114.

“The Wizard of Oz,” 7 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Bakersfield High School, in Harvey Auditorium, 1241 G St. $10; children under 3 are free. 716-0316.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr.!, 6 p.m. July 13 and 14; 2 p.m.

July 15, Spotlight Theatre, 1622 19th St. $10. 364-7920.

Improv Comedy Show, with Center For Improv Advancement, 8 to 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Ice House, 3401 Chester Ave., Suite M. Adults: $5, children under 12 are $1. ciacomedy.com.

ART “A Time to Write,” part of the Art for Healing program, 1 to 4 p.m. every second Saturday, Mercy Art & Spirituality Center, 2215 Truxtun Ave. 324-7070. Register online at mercybakersfield.org/art or 6325747.

Art Classes, in drawing, watercolor, oils, color theory, for beginners and advanced, Bakersfield Art Association Art Center, 1817 Eye St. 869-2320.

Art for Healing program, classes that alleviate stress, resulting from illness, or grief. All classes are free but some suggest a donation and are held at Mercy Hospital, Truxtun Campus, Truxtun and A St. Visit mercybakersfield.org/ art or to register, 632-5357.

Artwork on Display, by artist Jim Bates, now through July, Capitol Real Estate Group, 1700 Chester Ave. Free.

Exhibits on Display, Visual Arts Small Works Festival,” “Paintings

by Dennis Ziemienski,” “L.A. te: Photographs of Los Angeles after Dark,” “Eye Gallery: A Day in the Life,” now through Aug. 26, Bakersfield Museum of Art, 1930 R St. $5 adults; $4 seniors (65+); $2 students; children under 6 are free. 323-7219.

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

ages, 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays, Fruitvale-Norris Park, 6221 Norris Road. $22 per month for beginners; $25 per month for advance dancers. 833-8790.

Greenacres Community Center, 2014 Calloway Dr., offers ballroom dance, East Coast swing (jitterbug) and Argentine Tango dance classes; $35, $45 for nonmembers. 322-5765 or 201-2105.

Joaquin Squares, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Rasmussen Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane. $5. 324-1390, 325-3086 or 399-3658.

Mavericks Singles, country dancing with music by Jerry Hobbs, 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Kern City Town Hall, 1003 Pebble Beach Drive. $7 member; $9 guest. 8319241.

Pairs and Spares Dance, with Country George and the Western Edition, 7 p.m. Friday, Rasmussen Senior Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane. $7; $9 nonmembers. 3993575.

Blues-rock

DJ

Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner, 323-0053; English Revolver, Johnny Mastro & the Mama's Boys, 7 p.m. Thursday.

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

Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; DJ Brian, 7 to 11 p.m. Tuesday.

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

Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 White Lane, 834-1611; with DJ Chill in the Mixx, 5 p.m. every Friday until 2 a.m. Saturday.

Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany Ave., Suite B5, 589-6749; DJ James, 9 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Free.

The Bull Shed Bar & Grill, at Hotel Rosedale, 2400 Camino Del Rio Court, 327-0681; with Meg, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Celtic-bluegrass Fiddlers Crossing, 206 E. F St., Tehachapi, 823-9994; Sligo Rags, 7 to 10 p.m. Friday. $20.

Classic Rock Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; Sunday Snake Oil, 9 p.m. Friday.

T-Bones Steakhouse, 8020 District Blvd., 398-1300; Elevation 406, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Friday; Luckystiffs, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

Banacek’s Lounge, 4601 State Road, 387-9224; Usual Suspects, 9 p.m. Saturday.

Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner, 323-0053; Mike Montano Band, 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday.

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

Country Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace, 2800 Buck Owens Blvd., 3287560; Buddy Alan Owens & the Buckaroos, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

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

Wednesdays.

Dancing Beginner Belly Dance Lessons, 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. Mondays, Centre Stage Studio, 1710 Chester Ave. 323-5215. $45 regular session; $65 combo session. bakersfieldbellydance.biz.

Folklorico Classes, advance dancers/performing group 6 to 8 p.m. Fridays; and beginners, all

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

Golden West Casino, 1001 S. Union Ave., 324-6936; Richie Perez, 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday. Free.

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

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

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

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

27

Thursday, July 12, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian

Eye Street Steak & Grape, 4420 Coffee Road, 588-9463; Mauro Vizcarra and Rico Velazquez, 7 p.m. Saturday.

Steak and Grape, 4420 Coffee Road, 588-9463; 7 to 10 p.m.

Thursday and Friday. Free.

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

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

Banacek’s Lounge, 9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday at 4601 State Road. 387-9224.

Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursdays and Sundays.

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

Cataldo’s Pizzeria, 4200 New Stine Road, 397-5000; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday.

Cataldo’s Pizzeria, 6111 Niles St., 363-7200; 6:15 to 10:15 p.m. Tuesdays.

Chateau Lounge, 2100 S. Chester Ave., 835-1550; 9 p.m. every Saturday.

City Slickers, 1001 W. Tehachapi Blvd., 822-4939; 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Corona’s Cantina, 9817 S. Union Ave., 345-8463; 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays.

Don Perico Restaurant, 2660 Oswell St., Suite 133, 871-2001; 7 to 11 p.m. Thursdays.

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

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

DoubleTree Hotel, Club Odyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court; 8 p.m. to midnight Tuesdays.

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

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

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

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

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

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

McMurphy’s Irish Pub & Sports Bar, 14 Monterey St., 8691451; 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesdays.

Pizzeria, 4200 Gosford Road, 397-1111; 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays.

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

Trivia night

FAVORITE DISH What’s your gotta-have-it food craving at a local restaurant that you just can’t resist ordering? For Californian critic Pete Tittl, who has a favorite at nearly every restaurant he’s reviewed, some can’t-miss items include the burger at Benji’s, the chile verde at Red Pepper and the walnut shrimp at Great Castle.

Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner, 323-0053; 8 p.m. to midnight Saturdays.

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

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

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

Rocky’s Pizza & Arcade, 2858 Niles St., 873-1900; 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Round Table Pizza, 2060 White Lane, 836-2700; 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.

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

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

Wednesdays.

Rusty’s Pizza, 5430 Olive Drive, 392-1482; 6:30 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday.

Sports & Spirits, 6633 Ming Ave., 398-7077; 9 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays.

Syndicate Lounge, 1818 Eye St., 327-0070; with Alisa Spencer, 9 p.m. every Wednesday.

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

Tejon Club, 6 to 10 p.m. every Saturday at 117 El Tejon Ave. 3921747.

The Bull Shed Bar & Grill, at Hotel Rosedale, 2400 Camino Del Rio Court, 327-0681; 7 p.m.

Tuesdays and Thursdays.

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

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

The Playhouse, 2915 Taft Highway; 397-3599; 7 to 10 p.m. Sundays.

The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall Road, 831-1413; hosted by Ed Loverr, 9 p.m. to midnight Friday.

The Regent, 2814 Niles St., 8714140; 8:30 p.m. every other Friday.

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

Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The Wright Place, 2695-G Mount Vernon Ave., 872-8831, 8 p.m. every Thursday.

The Eye Street staff is working on a list of favorite menu items at local restaurants, and we need your help. Email us the name of the restaurant, the menu item and why it’s so good in 100 words, max. We need your phone number (which won’t be published) and full name. Email us at msorto@bakersfield.com by July 23.

Tomi’s Cowgirl Cafe, 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, 1440 Weedpatch Highway. 363-5102.

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.

Vinny’s Bar & Grill, 2700 S. Union Ave., 496-2502, 7 p.m.

Thursdays. 21 and over.

Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; 7 p.m. Tuesdays.

Chuy’s, 2500 New Stine Road, 833-3469; 7 p.m. every Tuesday.

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

Variety Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner, 323-0053; Mike Montano Band, 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Upcoming Events Monday 7/16

The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall Road, 831-1413; featuring local artists, 7 to 10 p.m. every Wednesday.

Horse Happy Horse Camp, for ages 8 to 17, learn about horses, grooming, horse care, riding lessons, begins every Monday, now to Aug. 24. $200 per child, per week, at Sioux City Ranch, 15101 Sunnybank Ave. 900-4880.

See Me Learn Drawing Camp, students will complete a drawing of Mario, Princess Peach, Shadow, Toad and Yoshi., 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.

Monday through Friday, St. John’s Lutheran School, 4500 Buena Vista Road. $55. 949-923-5646.

The Salvation Army Summer Day Camp, activities include field trips, arts & crafts, games, recreation, snacks, group learning, life lessons, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Monday through Friday, now through July 27, The Salvation Army Corps Community Center, 4417 Wilson Road. $25 per child/per week. Visit online at salvationarmybakersfield.org.

Oldies

Tuesday 7/17

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

Kern River Blues Society presents Troubadour Blues, Tom Weber’s documentary film exploring the world of traveling singersongwriters, 7 to 9 p.m., Bakersfield Museum of Art, 1930 R St. $5. 872-7517.

Oildale Farmers Market, 3 to 6 p.m. every Tuesday, now through August, northeast corner of N. Chester Ave. and Norris Road, Oildale. 868-3670.

Sierra Club Conditioning Hikes, three to five miles, 7 p.m., meet at corner of Highways 178 and 184.

872-2432 or 873-8107.

Summer Movie Express, see “Rio” Tuesday; and “Spy Kids: All the Time” Wednesday, starts at 10 a.m. both days, Edwards Cinema, 9000 Ming Ave. $1. 663-3042.

Toddler Summer Music Classes, 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, now through July 26, Harmony Road Music School, 5381 Truxtun Ave. $80. Visit harmonyroadbakersfield.com or 665-8828.

Yanni, 7:30 p.m., Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. $56.15 to $164.90. ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.

Latin/Salsa DoubleTree Hotel, Club Odyssey, Club Odyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court, 633-1949; various levels, 3 to 9 p.m. every Sunday. $5 per person, per lesson.

Mariachi Camino Real Restaurant, 6 to 9 p.m. every Sunday at 3500 Truxtun Ave. 852-0493.

Music showcase

Old school Que Pasa Mexican Cafe, 2701 Ming Ave., 832-5011; Al Garcia & the Rhythm Kings, 8 to 11 p.m. every Thursday.

Tam O’Shanter, 2345 Alta Vista, 324-6774; The Press, 8:30 p.m.

Friday; Rock-A-Mole, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday. $5 each night.

Open Mic Fiddlers Crossing, 206 East F St., Tehachapi, 823-9994; 7 p.m.

Wednesdays. $5.

Reggae/ska Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; Dub Seeds 9 p.m. Saturday.

On the Rocks, 1517 18th St., 3277685; Dub Seeds, 7 p.m. Friday. $5. Tickets, 742-6306.

Rock B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White Lane, 397-7304; False Puppet with Guest of Athena, 8 p.m. Friday, $5 ; Dizzy Wright, 8 p.m. Saturday, $10. All ages.

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

Wednesday 7/18 CASA Volunteer Orientation, learn how to make a difference in the life of an abused, abandoned or neglected child, noon to 1 p.m.

and 5 to 6 p.m., CASA, 2000 24th St. kerncasa.org or 631-2272.

Dream Big: Draw Your Dreams Sidewalk Chalk Art, part of the children’s Summer Reading Program, 2 to 3 p.m., Beale Library, 701 Truxtun Ave. Free. 868-0750.

Kern Photography Association, all skill levels welcome, 6 to 8 p.m., Henley’s Photo, 2000 H St. kernphotographyassociation.com or 496-3723.

Thursday 7/19 “Grease,” 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Stars Dinner Theatre, 1931 Chester Ave. $22$57. 325-6100.

Art in the Afternoon, part of the children’s Summer Reading Program, 4 to 5 p.m., Beale Memorial Library, 701 Truxtun Ave. Free.

868-0750.

Batman Trivia Event, brush up on your Batman trivia before the Dark Knight reappears, will cover TV, movie, and comic book Batman facts, all ages welcome, 1 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 4001 California Ave. 631-2575.

Concerts by the Fountain, modern country, blues and rock with Good Question, 7 to 9 p.m., The Marketplace, 9000 Ming Ave. Free Admission Day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, 2018 Chester Ave. 324-6350.

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

Third Thursdays Faire in the Park, entertainment, barbecue, arts and crafts, games, contests, farmer’s market, 5:30 p.m., Central Park at Mill Creek, 21st and R streets. 325-5892.

Friday 7/20 “Death & the Maiden,” 8 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. $15 general; $10 students/seniors. 327-PLAY. Dream Big Campfire Storytime & Craft, part of the children’s Summer Reading Program, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Beale Memorial Library, 701 Truxtun Ave. Free.

868-0750.

E-40, 9 p.m., The Nile Theater, 1721 19th St. $30 plus fees. vallitix.com or 322-5200.

Family Fun Night: Pirate’s Cove, dive for treasure, walk the plank, cannonball splash and more, 6 to 9 p.m., McMurtrey Aquatic Center, 1325 Q St. $3 per person; $10 per group (up to 6 members). 852-7430.

Movies in the Park, presents “Puss in Boots,” begins at dusk, Siemon Park, 3300 Redlands Drive. Free. 326-3866.

Willie Nelson, with opening act “The Wichitas,” doors open at 7 p.m., show 8 p.m., Bright House Networks Amphitheatre, 11200 Stockdale Highway. $25-$75 plus fee. ticketmaster.com or all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling 800745-3000.