Matt Munoz / Entertainment Features / 2017 by Matt Munoz

Editor: Jennifer Self • Phone: 395-7434 • Email: jself@bakersfield.com • Online: Bakersfield.com/Entertainment

T h u r s day,

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2017

EYE STREET CHANGES OF NOTE

AT A GLANCE

Come taste the joy at Jewish Food Festival. . . . . . . . 17 Here’s a chance to get smitten with kittens. . . . . . . 18 Everything old is new again for museum. . . . . . . . . 19

The Lowdown with Cesareo Garasa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Street rods roaring at fairground show. . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-27

Rebranding of jazz festival ‘as a jazz festival’ part of new vision for Bakersfield showcase BY MATT MUNOZ

For The Californian

mprovisation works for jazz, shouldn’t it also work for jazz festivals? Bakersfield fans will find out this weekend when a slightly new vision unfolds on the stages of the annual celebration of jazz music, now in its 31st year. “I really, really wanted to book artists that would help rebrand this festival as a jazz festival,” said Jim Scully, who, for the first time, is running the festival without the help of founder Doug Davis, who retired last year. “Now that doesn’t mean it’s a straight-ahead jazz festival, but it did mean that I wanted to present amazing improvisers, creative composers, and steer more toward a lineup that was steeped in the tradition of the music but unafraid to embrace 21st century musical aesthetics.” Interpretation: Swinging tempos will give way to smooth, groovy, and in some cases, moody and oddly intense numbers. As part of the festival’s new expanded programming, the 2017 Bakersfield Jazz Festival Gala and Launch Party featuring musician and composer Jacam Manricks will take place at the Dore Theatre this evening. A fixture in the New York contemporary jazz scene, Manricks will present a jazz clinic for students and attendees, along with a live performance with the CSUB Jazz Collective. The addition of tonight’s event is one of a number of ambitious moves by Scully and his team of volunteers, an army that includes campus professors, sponsors, marketing professionals, community members and more. “I shared a lot of duties last year with Doug (Davis)

PHOTO BY JIMMY KING

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTIAN SCOTT

Christian Scott co-headlines Saturday’s lineup at the Bakersfield Jazz Festival.

31ST ANNUAL BAKERSFIELD JAZZ FESTIVAL When: Gates open at 6 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday Where: Cal State Bakersfield, 9001 Stockdale Highway Admission: Free for children under 12 and current CSUB faculty, staff and students with valid school ID. Three-day pass — $80; $35 students Two-day pass — $70, $30 students Friday only: $40, $20 students in advance; $50, $18 students at the gate. Saturday only: $45, $22 students in advance; $55, $20 students at the gate. Tickets available: vallitix.com Friday lineup: Jay Jay Hicks, Soulajar, Ghost

and was doing more the year before, but this is the first full cycle where I coordinated everything, which has been a huge learning experience. I’m not alone. I’m still talking to Doug

Note, Donny McCaslin. Saturday lineup: Kama Ruby, CSUB Jazz Players, Kern County Honor Jazz Band, Haakon Graf, the Kandinsky Effect, Moonchild, Christian Scott, Kurt Rosenwinkel. Information: Bakersfieldjazz.com 2017 BAKERSFIELD JAZZ FESTIVAL GALA AND LAUNCH PARTY WITH JACAM MANRICKS AND CSUB JAZZ COLLECTIVE When: Doors open at 5:30 p.m. today Where: Dore Theatre at Cal State Bakersfield, 9001 Stockdale Highway Admission: $15, $10 for students in advance; $20, $12 for students at the door.

weekly when a question arises, and the festival planning committee: designer Mark Ramsey, Mike Ramsey (no relation) in logistics, Sue Wallace with vendors, Ken Ouellette, marketing

and signage. Also, Jennifer Noblitt is the production manager, and the team at University Advancement from CSUB. They are a serious group of pros and sponsors, so I got a lot of help from them. It definitely takes a village.” As the sun begins to descend and gates open Friday, attendees will be greeted by the sounds of Bakersfield funk outfit J2 & the Business led by bassist Jay Jay Hicks on the festival entry stage. The main stage gets up and running with Bakersfield soul jazzers Soulajar, acclaimed Snarky Puppy rhythmatists GhostNote, and saxophonist Donny McCaslin, known for his work on David Bowie’s final recording, “Blackstar.” On Saturday, the CSUB Jazz Players and Bakersfield chanteuse Kama Ruby will be featured on the festival stage, just before the Kern County Honor Jazz Band opens the main stage. As the day warms up, keyboardist Haakon Graff and an all-star group of Southern California fusion players, including Miles Davis/ Stevie Wonder percussion

Saxophonist and David Bowie collaborator Donny McCaslin headlines the Bakersfield Jazz Festival on Friday. “I think it was the abandon, the energy, and all those things were appealing to him,” McCaslin said of the first time Bowie heard him play.

vet Muyungo Jackson, will kick the jazz fusion sounds up a notch before the electronica experimentation of Paris-based trio the Kandinsky Effect set the tone for the rest of the evening. They will be followed by chill neo-soul trio Moonchild, before the co-headliners of trumpet master Christian Scott and guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel. “Twenty-first century jazz is hip, fun, exciting and it flat out grooves. I made a conscious effort to bring in artists to the Bakersfield Jazz Festival that would exemplify that — and I will continue to do so,” said Scully. “Our audience, I think, will welcome the slight shift in programming and I know my musician colleagues around town are talking about this lineup with great reverence. I’m honored and happy that they get what I’m trying to do. I can’t wait to share these artists with the audience.” For Scully, who also teaches at CSUB, it doesn’t get much better than watching the community join together for a few days of fun in the sun, celebrating one of America’s most

LISTEN Check out video clips of this year’s lineup of Bakersfield Jazz Festival performers on bakersfield.com

treasured art forms. Plus, proceeds from the festival raise money for CSUB music scholarships. “Our campus is a wonderful beacon for the community, and we love sharing these artists with everyone. It raises over $22,000 a year in scholarships for CSUB students, assisted by a generous matching program enacted by University President Dr. Horace Mitchell. “I would love it if folks brought a beach chair, blanket, cooler of snacks and came out to support CSUB, the music program, our wonderful sponsors, and our students who benefit from the event. The music is amazing and will speak to everyone in one way or another, and I’m humbled to be taking this extraordinary event into its next phase of existence.” Please see JAZZ | 24

The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, April 27, 2017

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DONNY MCCASLIN Friday main stage Recording with David Bowie for the late singer’s final recording, “Blackstar,” Donny McCaslin still can recall when the two crossed paths for the first time following a performance by McCaslin and his group. The two were introduced by acclaimed composer and Grammy winner Maria Schneider, who hoped that Bowie and McCaslin would work together. “I do know that when he came to see us play for the first time, we talked afterwards,” recalled McCaslin. “One thing he was into was the energy we play with, and we were playing really loud and he was really into it. I think it was the abandon, the energy, and all those things were appealing to him.” By the time he met Bowie, McCaslin was already one of jazz music’s most celebrated improvisational figures, going back to his work with New York jazz heavies Steps Ahead, the Maria Schneider Orchestra, and countless

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE KANDINSKY EFFECT

Experimental jazz electronica trio the Kandinsky Effect perform Saturday. “How can we ignore what’s going on in the electronic, rock, hip-hop world in our compositions? It’s just not possible,” said saxophonist Warren Walker.

others. Though he was not well-versed in the world of Bowie, he did have a starting point. “The way I describe it is, the record ‘Let’s Dance’ was part of the soundtrack of my youth. It came out when I was in high school, so the three big songs ‘Let’s Dance,’ ‘Modern Love’ and ‘China Girl’ were huge, but

Magnificent, Lavish, Visually Captivating. Those were my first thoughts after the opening number of “Ragtime” which opened at Stars last Friday. Every aspect of that opening number fits those words: The amazing set by Cory McCall, the period costumes by Laura Engel and Madeline Engel, the voices and the music directed by Brock Christian, lights by Gabe Urena and sound by Sean Green and of course, the wonderful choreography by Director Bruce Saathoff. The wonderful staging of that opening number basically sets up the story: we see a massive set made of huge, steel factory-like girders, like Penn Station, or the New York overhead transit system. A strong young America early in the twentieth century, growing, capable of accepting and withstanding great challenges, offering great opportunities and hope for a better life. We see three diverse groups of society: the white upper class from New Rochelle, the lower class African -Americans from Harlem, and the immigrants from Eastern Europe. We get the idea of America as the melting pot very cleverly and effectively done. This is a huge cast of twenty-nine excellent performers with a wide age range from young to more mature. Praise must be given to Mac Medeiros

outside of that I just had a general knowledge. If you were to ask me three years ago, ‘What do you think about the Berlin Trilogy?’ I wouldn’t really know.” But as “Blackstar” began to take shape, McCaslin says the two began to recognize in one another a kindred forward-thinking spirit.

“In the months leading up to the recording, I was getting music from him and studying it. At a certain point I was like, ‘Maybe now in doing my due diligence I will start looking at his discography. I started to listen to ‘Ziggy Stardust,’ ‘Changes’ and things like that, and I emailed him about them. His response

was, ‘Well, that’s some old stuff; I’m into new things now.’ At that point, I just stopped and focused solely on the music we were doing right now. He was hiring us to be who we are, not regurgitate anything from the past. I listened to the music he was sending me and began processing it through that lens.” Bowie’s emotional swan song would earn them both five Grammy awards — posthumously in Bowie’s case — for their collaboration. More important for McCaslin was a soul-searching experience he’ll never forget. “I don’t know for sure what it was specifically about what drew him to me because we never talked about it specifically, but my guess is that he was into my group, who is kind of exploring some new territory which is this intersection of electronica music and improvisation. And I think that exploratory spirit that we have and that sort of boundary-pushing, genre-defying music that we’re into, I think that’s what was appealing to him.” McCaslin says his latest release, “Beyond Now,” is

nifer Prow as Mother, Jake Wattenbarger as Younger Brother, Zachary Gonzalez as Harry Houdini, Kelci Cerri as Evelyn Nesbit, Shaynah Thompson as Sarah's Friend, Brent Rochon as Henry Ford, Norman Colwell as Grandfather, Kenneth Whitchard as Booker T. Washington, Mark Prow as J.P. Morgan, and Nate Pugh as Willie Conklin. Saatoff, and his right hand-lady Sheryl Cleveland, have turned out a smart and crisply paced show. It flows seamlessly from street, to Photo Credit: Peter Beckman living room, to train station, to Henry Ford's factory, to Harlem, to a steamship. He uses all of Cory as the Young Boy, Giselle Alaniz as McCall's magnificent set (his finest in the Little Girl (both members of the my opinion) to good effect. The cast the organization’s BMT Summer works as an ensemble, and it pays off. Workshop program), Riordan Banks Timing is everything in this show bein the ensemble, whose smile and cause we have actors popping up high, energy lit the stage, and little Elijah low, from the side, and under the set. Whitchard, who stole our hearts. These are fine young actors who range All 9 members of the band were excelfrom middle school to preschool, eve- lent. ry one of whom, without exception, Bravo to the unsung heroes backgave splendid performances. Stars has stage without whom there would be no some very fine talent to look forward show. Bravo to all involved. to in years to come. I loved this show. “Ragtime” is a Tevin Joslen is exceptional as timely show brought to life with meCoalhouse Walker Jr., as are Guy ticulous preparation and hot-blooded Martin as Tateh, Caley Mayhall as enthusiasm. Don't miss it. Sarah, and Stephanie Cervantes as Emma Goldman. Fine performances — Hank Webb, Professor Emeritus, came from Tim Armijo as Father, Jen- Theatre, Bakersfield College

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an extension of the “Blackstar” project. “We started recording ‘Blackstar’ in the spring of 2015, and so in the summer I had time to write the original songs for ‘Beyond Now,’ so they definitely were influenced, some directly and some not so much. I can hear the influence by Kendrick Lamar, Deadmau5, Aphex Twin, but the overwriting feeling was very connected to ‘Blackstar’ because that was such a transformative experience for me.”

MOONCHILD Saturday, main stage Bringing things down just a notch following the Kandinsky Effect on Saturday is mellow Los Angeles neo soul trio Moonchild, which consists of vocalist Amber Navran, Max Bryk and Andris Mattson. Moonchild’s music is as soulful as it is soothing, with Navran’s vocals engaging listeners with an irresistible calm, as can be heard on any of the group’s releases, especially the brilliant “Please Rewind” from 2015. “We’ve embraced the Please see JAZZ | 25

#bmtstars

Thursday, April 27, 2017 The Bakersfield Californian

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‘neo soul’ label, though it’s just one of our many influences,” Bryk said. “There is something so magical about albums like D’Angelo’s ‘Voodoo’ and Erykah Badu’s ‘Mama’s Gun’ and we will always be drawn to that. We listen to a ton of music and recently we’ve been drawing inspiration from new artists like Emily King and Taylor McFerrin, but the classics are the classics.” Check out the remix of their track “The Truth” from “Please Rewind” by DJ Jazzy Jeff and James Poyser at your favorite digital music site. One listen and you’re guaranteed to add it to your favorite weekend chill playlist. You can also find a handful of well-produced music videos at YouTube. The group’s new album, “Voyager,” is set for release May 26. “I found that, generally, people are more likely to check a video than just a Soundcloud link. Something about having multiple senses engaged really draws people in,” Mattson said. “The very first song we ever released as a group (‘Be Free’) we released as a music video, and it really helped the band gain some traction early on in our development.” Advocating music education and scholarships, the goal of the Bakersfield Jazz Festival, Navran offered their support. “We absolutely benefited from music education; it’s what brought us together and what introduced us to our favorite music. Although the experience of working with the professional faculty is amazing, the thing I think we all felt was most beneficial in school was being around our peers. Being a part of an inspiring, incredibly talented, hardworking, and loving community of musicians helping each other grow and pushing each other up was the biggest blessing. Music school brings so much passion and talent together.”

THE KANDINSKY EFFECT Saturday, main stage The Kandinsky Effect will carry main stage listeners into unexplored sonic territories with a wide range of influences. Formed by saxophonist Warren Walker after an unplanned extended stay in Paris, the trio prides itself on not being boxed into any genre, jazz or

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAY JAY HICKS

Bakersfield bassist Jay Jay Hicks performs Friday. “The audience can expect a lot of energy, excitement and a variety of genres mixed with funky bass lines performed on a one-of-kind instrument,” Hicks said. PHOTO COURTESY OF KAMA RUBY

Bakersfield singer Kama Ruby appears Saturday. “The audience can expect jazzed-up versions of Joan Baez’s ‘Diamonds and Rust,’ a groovy version of Gnarls Barkley’s ‘Crazy,’ and a funky version of Moby’s ‘Mistake’ and a performance of an original piece, titled ‘Treasure Island,’ written by Jane Getz,” Ruby said.

otherwise. “How can we ignore what’s going on in the electronic, rock, hip hop world in our compositions? It’s just not possible,” said Walker during a recent interview. “We all listened to jazz as we grew up learning our instruments. If we ignored everything around us, I just think that would be silly.” Straddling a number of those styles live and in the studio, Walker said he and his musical comrades are just keeping it real — in the spirit and essence of what jazz was meant to be. “If anything, we’re upholding a jazz tradition. If Miles Davis or Coltrane were still alive and saw these musicians just trying to uphold these old jazz standards, they’d probably give them funny looks asking, ‘Why are still you doing this 70 years later?’ Guys playing ‘On Green Dolphin Street’ in 2017, I mean it’s a lovely tune and all and these standards are great pieces of music, but if you look at their path (Davis and Coltrane), every album was pushing the edge towards something different and new. You look at Miles in the latter part of his career, when he did the ‘Doo Bop’ record, which was something completely away from his quartet work, he was moving.” Joining Walker Caleb Dolister on drums and Sam Minaie on bass. “If anything, we’re up-

holding the jazz tradition more so than those who are trying to say they’re upholding the tradition,” Walker said. “I’m not pretentious in that manner, but I feel that in playing improvised music, your ideas should constantly be pushing music in new directions, not necessarily boxing yourself in.” The group’s latest release “Somnambulist” offers listeners a deep look into the minds of the group, which takes the trio concept into interesting territory. It’s a collection sure to please jazz purists and those into the eclectic.

JAY JAY HICKS / KAMA RUBY Friday and Saturday, side stage The festival side stage will feature two of Bakersfield’s hardest-working artists: bassist Jay Jay Hicks on Friday and singer Kama Ruby on Saturday. “I’m really excited to be part of this year’s jazz fest in a lead role as a bassist, walking the path of Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten,” said Hicks, whose become a familiar name in local music circles as both a band leader and sideman. “The audience can expect a lot of energy, excitement and a variety of genres mixed with funky bass lines performed on a one-of-kind instrument.” Hicks will front his band

J2 & the Business, performing a mix of jazz and funk crossover styles. Joining Hicks will be drummer Rodrick Pleasants, guitarist Nick Bonner; Jorge Santos, trumpet; saxophonist Isaiah Morfin; and vocalists Austyn Williams and Jehdiah Woodrow. Making her debut at the festival on Saturday, Kama

Ruby will bring her jazzy takes on some of pop’s biggest hits along with originals. Ruby will be joined by Jane Getz, keys; Ray Zepeda, saxophone; Glen Fong, bass; Pete Burns, guitar; Bob Tucker, guitar; Joy Wright, backup vocals. “I am both excited and nervous. I received my BA from Cal State Bakers-

field, so I really want to deliver nice sets of music. The audience can expect jazzed-up versions of Joan Baez’s ‘Diamonds and Rust,’ a groovy version of Gnarls Barkley’s ‘Crazy’ and a funky version of Moby’s ‘Mistake’ and a performance of an original piece, titled ‘Treasure Island,’ written by Jane Getz.”

Thursday, February 9, 2017 The Bakersfield Californian

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‘Voice’ reunion hits Bako, and RaeLynn can’t wait BY MATT MUNOZ For The Californian

ver wonder what happens to some of your favorite contestants from “The Voice”? In the case of country singer Racheal “RaeLynn” Davis, a Season Two alum of the television singing competition, life has been brimming with opportunity — and hit singles. Bakersfield will get a chance to get reacquainted with Davis when the 22-year-old country trendsetter appears with former TV coach Blake Shelton on Feb. 16 at Rabobank Arena. “They can look forward to a party,” she said by phone Monday. “My job is to get the crowd amped up for Blake and I just can’t wait for the people to see what I’m all about. If they haven’t seen me since ‘The Voice,’ they’re going to be very surprised.” Adding to the Team Blake reunion is an appearance by singer Sundance Head, winner of the most recent season of “The Voice.” The two Team Blake star pupils have yet to meet. “I can’t wait to see him in Bakersfield,” Davis said. “My dad is pretty freakin’ excited about it. I think he’s more excited about getting to see Sundance than he is

LOWDOWN Continued from PAGE 18

creators on polar opposite sides of the spectrum. Portland’s Cambrian Explosion plays ethereal psychedelic music with a kick — kind of like a mix between The Doors and a John Carpenter soundtrack. Louis Cole, the multi-instrumental powerhouse behind LA’s Knower is a bonkers genius. The music he will be performing with local vocalist Marlon Mackey (a powerhouse in his own right) will be a combination of Cole’s ultra-percolating, syncopated funky synths and four-on-the-floor bass drum combo with Mackey’s vocal gymnastics and layering. It will be the aural equivalent of watching lights in traffic at night sped up to a tight dance beat

BLAKE SHELTON, RAELYNN AND SUNDANCE HEAD When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16 Where: Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave. Admission: $27.50, $57.50, 77.50, plus fees; axs.com; 888-929-7849.

to see me.” Davis’ appearance at the arena as part of the “Doin’ It to Country Tour” marks her fourth visit to Bakersfield following her “Voice” success in 2012, when she made it to the quarterfinals before being eliminated. “It’s been an amazing ride and crazy to think I was 17 years old on that show. So much has changed in my world. I went from living in Baytown, Texas, to living in Nashville writing songs every day for a living and going on tour with some of the biggest names of country music. That’s something I only dreamed of doing, and it came about because of an amazing show that really got my name out there.” Davis was signed to a major label immediately following the show and has since made strides as a performer and singer-song-

while Seal trades verses with Sam Cooke. Friday’s show is the release party for Modern Wives’ debut album, “City Sleeps.” The quartet features veterans of the local music scene and it shows: The album is a confident, sonic slab of power pop and early aughts indie rock. There’s some Cheap Trick, there’s some Queens of the Stone Age; there’s even some Franz Ferdinand! The musicians’ influences — and they are legion — are packed in here good but given enough room to breathe. If the show is half the good time the guys are having on this release, it’ll be a heck of a party. As with gigs of this kind, expect to run into friends you haven’t seen since 2004. Also on the bill are two more bands featuring stal-

writer in Nashville and with country radio. “The music industry is such a unique workplace to be in because after five years, it feels like I’ve been in this business for 20. When I first moved here, I didn’t know anybody. I went to so many coffee dates and met people and networked. It’s funny because now I know practically everybody here and I have this amazing group of friends I’ll have for the rest of my life.” Her inspiration: A mix of Dolly Parton and family. “Dolly’s such a prolific writer and entertainer. She’s honestly one of my favorite people in the world. Her voice and the songs that she writes, she just lands a knockout. My whole family also sings and plays all different kinds of instruments. They’re awesome.” Davis’ first single, “Boyfriend,” reached a respectable place on the country charts, as did a pair of follow-up radio hits, “God Made Girls” and “For a Boy.” Her latest single, the heart-tugging “Love Triangle,” draws upon Davis’ own experience as a child of divorce. It’s her most requested song to date, she said. “That song really did a job of raising its own hand

to be the next single. I’ve been performing this song for the last four years. I wrote it when I was 18, and every time I would sing it, everybody would want to talk about it at the aftershow meet n’ greet. That means a lot to me, and it’s my story. Writing about something so personal and to be so vulnerable can be a risk, but at the same time, so rewarding when it does work.” On the strength of “Love Triangle,” Davis will release a full-length debut, called “Wildhorse,” in March. “Not everyone gets to put out a full record, especially new artists. I’ve been waiting to put this record out for years. So many different names and so many different songs, and to see the set 12 songs that are gonna be on the record, the final cut, is just a dream come true. It’s the best debut record I could put out.” So, what’s it like to be hitting the road again with her former TV coach Blake Shelton? “Blake is like my uncle/ cousin/brother, you know? He’s like all those things in one. “We are so close, so to be on tour with him is such a dream come true, because with Blake, everything is

wart soldiers in our local music contingent: Niner Niner and ALMNC, the latter a duo featuring guitarist/vocalist Zachary Spier and drummer Evan Ware playing their own dreamy

brand of ambient chillwave. Contributing columnist Cesareo Garasa brings you the latest news on Bakersfield’s music scene every other Thursday.

Proudly serving Bakersfield for 77 years.

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PHOTO BY JOSEPH LLANES

Country singer RaeLynn appears with Blake Shelton and Sundance Head at Rabobank Arena on Feb. 16.

just so easy, if that makes sense? I don’t have to stress about little things.” Just a few days away from the tour, Davis is eager to bring local fans the goods.

“I think it’s such an amazing place to start this tour. I only have 30 minutes, so it’s going to be really dynamic, and packin’ a punch.”

Thursday, February 23, 2017 The Bakersfield Californian

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Bakersfield resonates in that show as the backdrop, but is not picked out to be picked on.” — Comedian Louie Anderson, on his Bakersfield-set TV comedy “Baskets”

Louie Anderson makes his ‘Baskets’ case to Bako BY MATT MUNOZ

LOUIE ANDERSON

For The Californian

t’s a Bakersfield as opposed to the Bakersfield. That’s the way comedian Louie Anderson explains the setting of his hit FX comedy “Baskets,” for which he has won an Emmy playing the mother — yes, mother — of a down-and-out rodeo clown. “Bakersfield resonates in that show as the backdrop, but is not picked out to be picked on,” said Anderson, 63, during a recent phone interview to promote his upcoming concert at Temblor Brewing Company. “Some spots are right on, but I’m not quite sure enough people know Bakersfield unless they live there to make a discrepancy of it. Certainly when you see the rodeo you think, ‘That could be in Bakersfield, couldn’t it?’ And definitely the Arby’s.” Actually, Anderson is more connected to Bakersfield than we know, citing as an example an episode of a game show he hosted in 2001. “I was on ‘Family Feud’ with Buck Owens, the Dixie Chicks and Keith Urban. Buck Owens was one of my mom’s favorite country singers,” he said before launching

When: 7 p.m. March 2 Where: Temblor Brewing Company, 3200 Buck Owens Blvd. Tickets: $32.64; available at Temblor or online at temblorbrewing.com. 18 and over.

into a few lines from Owens’ 1966 hit “Waitin’ in Your Welfare Line.” ‘I got the hungrys for your love and I’m waitin’ in your welfare line’… OK, you got us. All “Baskets”-related Bakersfield jokes are forgiven. “I used to go antiquing there all the time. I love antiques. I’d always say it feels very Midwestern up here, very blue collar.” Anderson said he didn’t have to look far for inspiration after being approached by comedian and “Baskets” co-producer Louis C.K. to portray the mother of twin brothers Chip and Dale Baskets, both played by Zach Galifianakis. As the second youngest of 11 children, the comedian relied on his own childhood in Saint Paul, Minn.

“I think I drew directly from my roots, my mom and my five sisters, the Midwestern women that I was around my whole life. I also think that I have a maternal instinct. I’m always trying to help comics and say, ‘This would be better for you,’ and stuff that a mom would do.” And it shows in “Baskets,” where Anderson’s lovable nature deepens his performance, earning the veteran comic an Emmy last year and new territory to explore. “I could have been content, but I did see that there was an acting piece missing from my repertoire and I thought that I could do a piece that would be remembered. My cartoon (‘Life with Louie’) was a sitcom in itself, but animated, and that’s a whole different world. I always wanted to play my dad character, because he was so strong, but it turned out to be that it was my mom who was the strongest one. So I would have to say that I was not content but could have lived with the career that I had.” When asked whether the show might actually shoot in Bakersfield one day, Anderson couldn’t say; however, he did leave with

PHOTO COURTESY OF LOUIE ANDERSON

Comedian and actor Louie Anderson appears March 2 at Temblor Brewing Company in Bakersfield.

a message for local fans of the show. “I couldn’t be happier representing Bakersfield every Thurs-

Dear governor: What Kern needs on its fair board

Fair raises admission, parking fees BY JENNIFER SELF

jself@bakersfield.com

Just like the gravity-defying carnival rides, the cost of attending the 2017 Kern County fair is going up, up, up after the fair’s board of directors approved increases in adult ticket prices, parking and carnival wristbands at its monthly meeting Tuesday. Adults will now pay $12, up from $10, and parking — already increased to $8 last year — will be $10. Wristbands will cost $30 Monday through Thursday and $35 Friday through Sunday. It appears from a search of the fair’s website that the wristbands had been $30 every day. Purchasing tickets and wristbands presale will save a few bucks, board members noted. Director Ned Dunphy, who recommended the increase, and fair CEO Mike Olcott said that charging $10 for

day night at 10 o’clock on ‘Baskets,’ and there are no plans of the Baskets moving from Bakersfield to Fresno.”

HENRY A. BARRIOS / THE CALIFORNIAN

The 2016 Kern County Fair. The cost of attending is going up after the fair board approved increases in adult admission, parking and wristbands.

adult admission was too low, placing the local fair “in the bottom third” of what similar fairs charge. But Director Lucas Espericueta said he saw no reason to present guests with “sticker shock at the door,” and, joined by Director Justin Lawson, voted against the boost in admission and parking. (Director Blodgie Rodri-

guez abstained from the admission vote, not explaining why.) “It’s not like our revenue is going to be hurt,” Espericueta said. Dunphy, in an email to The Californian Wednesday, addressed the financial challenges the fair faces. Please see FAIR | 25

ith the resignacredibility issue over its tion of Rusty livestock operation, fair Graham from the management has shut Kern County Fair board of down communications, directors, Gov. at least with Jerry Brown has this news the opportunity organization. to appoint a Emails to the community CEO are not member who answered, and understands phone calls are the board’s obnot returned. ligation to be Any request for open, honest information is JENNIFER SELF and accountforwarded to THE CALIFORNIAN able to the the legal counpublic — the sel of the Calisame public that makes the fornia Department of Food fair the most popular, even and Agriculture, whose beloved, entertainment and staff works to process these cultural attraction in the requests, all at taxpayer area. Lately, facing a serious Please see BOARD | 21