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Thursday, January 21, 2010 The Bakersfield Californian
Eye Street
A breath of fresh airwaves ‘Bakotopia Radio’ brings ‘lowdown’ vibe to KRAB Sunday nights are about to become eclectic. Bakersfield Clear Channel affiliate KRAB Radio (106.1 FM) will be introducing its newest show, “Bakotopia Radio” to the airwaves at 9 p.m. Sunday. The weekly hourlong program will be cohosted by Bakotopia.com web guru Matt Munoz and KRAB on-air personality, Miranda Whitworth. According to Munoz, the show will feature in-studio interviews and news taken from the Bakotopia.com website (a Californian affiliate), which boasts over 10,000 registered users, bloggers and bands. “We're really excited about the show,” Munoz said. “It’s a new opportunity for us to spread the Bakotopia gospel on the airwaves, and continue rallying the arts community together.” Like the local Bakotopia.com social networking site and magazine, the duo plan on keeping “lowdown” local. “We have a lot of creative freedom with the show, and hopefully listeners will have as much fun as we plan on having,” he said. “We're planning on playing some new music, have concert ticket giveaways, have some laughs, and really broaden the concept of local radio.” KRAB program director Danny Spanks, who approached Munoz about hosting the show, is looking forward to the station’s big radio “experiment.” “We wanted to really expand the Bakersfield universe and give some much needed air time to bands that otherwise would go unknown in the radio world. Bakotopia
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSEPH GOMEZ
Matt Munoz and Miranda Whitworth host “Bakotopia Radio.”
Listen up What: “Bakotopia Radio” When: 9 p.m. Sundays Where: KRAB Radio, 106.1 FM
Radio will be a great way to showcase that local talent and all of the other great events going on in town,” he said. As the Bakersfield arts and entertainment scene continues to grow, Spanks hopes KRAB’s contribution will help local up-and-comers and the city as a whole. “It’s important that we focus on the scene here in town. Getting people interested in local music, artists, theater and
events will only make our city stronger. I hate it when people say you have to travel to LA to have a good time,” he said. It’s simply not true — let’s let Bakotopia Radio kill that myth.” As KRAB commits itself to promoting Bakersfield’s artistic side, Spanks hopes the town will respond with the same fervor. “This is really a great chance for local musicians to produce and promote the best they have to offer. I hope bands out there really step up to show the world that Bakersfield is back on the map when it comes to music and culture.” Visit www.bakotopia.com for more information on Bakotopia Radio. — Bakotopia Radio media release
Howser salutes Kern County in specials KVPT-Valley Public Television will present a two-hour salute to Kern County at 8 tonight with back-to-back episodes of “Road Trip with Huell Howser.” The block will re-air at 6 p.m. Sunday, with an additional hour of content at 8 p.m. Each program includes a special introduction from Howser shot at the Kern County Museum.
The lineup: “Oildorado,” from “Road Trip with Huell Howser” 8 p.m. tonight; 6 p.m. Sunday Howser attends Taft’s 95th anniversary, a celebration filled with food, parades, dances and many other activities. It’s a tribute to the families that make up the community, as well as its rich oil history. “Bakersfield,” from “Road Trip with Huell Howser” 9 p.m. tonight; 7 p.m. Sunday Bakersfield is the destination
PHOTO COURTESY OF HUELL HOWSER PRODUCTIONS
Huell Howser, center in sunglasses, with the families of the Lopez-Hill House before it was moved.
and Howser samples Basque food, visits a Tule Elk reserve and tours country music legend Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace.
“Lopez-Hill House,” from “California’s Gold” 8 p.m. Sunday J.J. Lopez, longtime manager of the Tejon Ranch, built his
Victorian-style home in Bakersfield in 1909. In the 1960s, the home was occupied by Arlin and Lavern Hill, who migrated from Oklahoma after the devastating effects of the Dust Bowl. Now, this long-overlooked California landmark has finally been renovated and preserved, thanks to local fundraising efforts. Howser meets the descendants of the Lopez and Hill families, who share their story of how their house was moved to its permanent location at the Kern County Museum in Bakersfield. “Red Rock Canyon State Park,” from “California’s Golden Parks” 8:30 p.m. Sunday Located just off Highway 14, Red Rock Canyon State Park features scenic desert cliffs, buttes and spectacular rock formations. The park is not only rich in natural beauty, but has a deep human history as well.