18 The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, April 7, 2011

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

BY SUSAN SCAFFIDIContributing writer

There are times when orches-tral music is just so impres-sive, both for its emotional

impact as well as its virtuosity.Bakersfield Symphony Orchestraconductor and music directorJohn Farrer has chosen a programfor this weekend’s concert thatdemonstrates the enormousrange and scope orchestral musiccan cover.

Some musical eras sought toexplore the fullest possible emo-tional range in composition andperformance. The Baroque and

Romantic periodsshare that orien-tation towardmusic, and so it isparticularly fittingthat the BSO pro-gram containsmusic from botheras: LeopoldStokowski’s

orchestral transcription of J.S.Bach’s Passacaglia and Fugue in Cminor; Franz Liszt’s “Totentanz”(“Dance of Death”) for piano andorchestra; Cesar Franck’s Sym-phonic Variations for Piano andOrchestra; and the tone poem“Don Juan” by Richard Strauss.

Soloist Anton Nel joins theorchestra for both the Liszt andthe Franck. Nel came to the atten-tion of the musical world as a 12-year-old, when he performedBeethoven’s Piano Concerto in CMajor after only two years ofstudy. His prize-winning teenyears led to an equally distin-guished performing career as anadult, praised for his chambermusic performances as much asfor his performances of large-scale works. He also has enjoyed astellar academic career. Admittedto the faculty at the University ofTexas at Austin in his early 20s, Nelis now the head of the Division ofKeyboard Studies there and holdsthe Joe R. and Teresa Lozano LongEndowed Chair in Piano at theuniversity. He also teaches masterclasses around the world.

It takes a virtuoso toattempt this — and a strongone at that

A blend of storytelling and thecompositional exercise of varia-tions on a musical theme, FranzLiszt’s “Totentanz” is a daring work

notable for its stark contrasts intexture, timbre, emotional color-ing and imagery, ranging from thedarkly macabre to an etherealintrospection. Liszt’s workexplores the musical possibilitiesof the Medieval Gregorian chant“Dies irae” (“Day of wrath”) fromthe Roman Catholic RequiemMass, or Mass for the dead. Lisztwas known for his fascination withdeath, as were many of his fellowRomantics, but not necessarily forthe same religious reasons as thepeople of the Middle Ages.

The technical demands on thesoloist are extreme, from the sheerstrength required to perform thepercussive effects of the stormierpassages, to the virtuosity neededto perform the impossible-sound-ing florid passages. On top of that,a level of artistic flair is necessaryto bring out the dynamism ofLiszt’s work.

The orchestra will be tested inmuch the same way. Originallywritten for the pipe organ,Leopold Stokowski’s orchestral

transcription of the Bach Pas-sacaglia and Fugue in C minor is atexturally dense work in whichlines of music act independentlyinstead of working together tosupport a dominant musical line.Stokowski, probably best knownto younger audiences as the con-ductor featured in the Disney film“Fantasia,” created orchestral ver-sions of more than 200 works, 40of them by J.S. Bach, a practicethat was not always valued duringStokowski’s lifetime but hasgained respect over time.

Transcribing a work from onemedium (pipe organ) to another(orchestra) is an art in itself, as thetranscriber or arranger mustdecide which instruments arebest suited to carry particularmusical lines. The result can

either help the listener hear thework in an entirely new way, or failthe music completely.

Orchestra will tell a storywith ‘tone-poem’

Richard Strauss’ tone-poem“Don Juan” is known for itsextreme technical demands onvirtually all the instruments in theorchestra. A tone-poem is a sin-gle-movement work for orchestrawith a literary inspiration. Theorchestra attempts to tell a storyin part by using musical themes torepresent characters and creating

sound effects with musical instru-ments. Based on a poem by Niko-laus Lenau, Strauss’ “Don Juan”captures the romantic spirit of thefamed lover, or womanizer, in hisquest for the perfect woman, onlyto realize at the end that his life isa waste. Premiered in 1889 whenStrauss was only 24 years old,“Don Juan” caused a sensationand earned Strauss the title as theheir to Richard Wagner.

CSUB professor Dr. JeromeKleinsasser will preview the musi-cal selections in a lecture startingat 7 p.m. in the Potato Room.

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

Cavalcade of soaring classicsRenowned pianist inguest performance

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FELIX ADAMO

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

Jerry Kleinsasser, who doesthe popular preview lecturesone hour before every Bakers-field Symphony concert, isexcited about an unusualhighlight related to Saturday’sprogram featuring pianistAnton Nel, who will play FranzLiszt’s “Totentanz,” or “Danceof the Dead.”

“What makes the event extraspecial” Kleinsasser said, “isthe presence of Liszt’s auto-graphed score for the work —all 30 pages (written) in thecomposer’s hand.”

The rare manuscript wasbought at an auction in Lon-don by Dr. Matthew Malerich,a local orthopedic surgeonand a member of the sympho-ny’s board of directors.

In addition, Liszt scholarRena Charnin Mueller of NewYork University, will commenton the work during the Klein-sasser’s preview.

Mueller also will discuss thescore with Cal State Bakers-field students and other inter-ested people at 11 a.m. Fridayin the choral room which is inthe music building. For moreinformation, call 323-7928.— Camille Gavin, contributingcolumnist

Rare 19th centurymanuscript unveiled

Bakersfield SymphonyOrchestra With guest soloist Anton Nel

When: Pre-concert lecture at

7 p.m. in the Potato Room,

show at 8 p.m. Saturday

Where: Rabobank Theater,

1001 Truxtun Ave.

Admission: $32 to $50;

students half price. Tickets

available at the Rabobank box

office.

Information:bakersfieldsymphony.org or

323-7928

Maestro John Farrer conducting a March 2010 symphony concert.

Liszt

Thursday, April 7, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian 19

Eye Street

Editor’s note: What does it take to win anargument with Scott Cox, Bakersfield’sbiggest loudmouth? A rational argument?You obviously don’t listen to his radio pro-gram. A command of the facts? You can’touttalk this talker, friend. Bombast? He’llprobably just hang up.

You win by presenting your case musical-ly, as The Band of Heathens did after chal-lenging the local talk-radio host to listen totheir new record. On vinyl! So what did thedigital dude make of it? Read on for hisepiphany. But that was just one of severalinteresting topics explored when Cox inter-viewed singer/guitarist/keyboardist Ed Jurdi,who is promoting the band’s concert Tues-day at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace.

SC: Let’s talk about the new record.It’s really different from your otherstuff, stylistically.

EJ: Is “stylistically” a word?SC: As far as I know, yes.EJ: Well first off, we’re really proud of this

album. ... We knew this was going to repre-sent kind of a departure for us, but that’sjust how the process works — we writeabout whatever we’re feeling at the time,and we let the songs go where they’re gonnago. We play them a few times live beforecommitting to record them, and after play-ing them radically differently night afternight, we just settle on the version we alllike.

SC: I thought that the sound of “OneFoot in the Ether” was killer, but youguys managed to surpass that record,production-wise. It just sounds kindaold-school. Not really retro, but verywarm. Like a Cream record from the’70s, if that makes any sense.

EJ: It totally does. We recorded the wholething to analog tape. We wanted it to soundhand-crafted. It was a lot of work, but, like Isaid, we felt it was worth it.

SC: Well, mission accomplished. It’sgreat to hear such great materialrecorded so well. So much music isover-digitized in the Pro Tools era.

EJ: Wait ’til you hear it on vinyl!SC: Dude, come on. Vinyl is cool for

nostalgia, but I’m living in the world ofones and zeroes, my friend.

EJ: I’m totally serious. Listen to thisrecord on vinyl. It’s the only way you can

hear it as we wanted it tosound.

SC: Where in the worldcan I find a Band ofHeathens album onvinyl? The last time Ieven saw anybody elsebuy an actual record

was last year in SanLuis Obispo. By

son came run-ning out of BooBoo Recordswith RyanBingham’s

latest album like he was Charlie Bucketwith the last golden ticket. I listened to it. Iguess I just don’t get the vinyl thing. I’m suremy dad loved it.

EJ: I’ll make you a deal: I’ll send you acopy. You listen to it a couple of times, andI’ll come on your show, and one of us willhave to admit that he’s wrong. Deal?

SC: Fine. Bring it on, hippie!(Note: The album arrived, as promised. I

listened to it, and Ed is absolutely correct: Itsounds amazing. Therefore, I look forward tointerviewing another member of the bandon the air. Ed is banned.)

SC: Here’s the question that I ask a lot:Is Texas hill country’s music scene try-ing to save country music as fast asNashville is trying to destroy it?

EJ: We are certainly doing our best. Austinhas become the hub of Americana music.So if you like your music with a little soul,you know where to come find it. If not,Nashville has you covered. They certainlycontrol the radio-friendly part of the busi-ness. But the true artists are all down here,and that’s the way we like it.

SC: Ray Wylie Hubbard once told methat while all these Texas artists liveand play down there, too many of themare compromising the quality of theproduct in hopes of getting that callfrom Nashville. I know it hasn’t affectedyou guys, but do you see that much?

EJ: Look, everybody wants to get someradio airplay, and we all want to be able topay the bills. So maybe a few guys havemade their stuff a little more Nashville-friendly. But all the guys in this band areway too stubborn.

SC: I always wonder why Americanaartists, who are generally Texas-based,bother to do these West Coast tours.Wouldn’t you rather just stay home andsell out Antone’s and the ContinentalClub night after night?

EJ: No way! We are proud of these songs,and we enjoy playing them for new audi-ences, wherever they happen to be.Besides, we love California!

SC: Well, I know for a fact that any-body who sees you guys play live walksaway a fan for life. I’ve seen it happen. Imust’ve had 50 people thank me fortalking them into going to see you guyslast year at Fishlips.

EJ: See, that’s why we tour!SC: Here’s another Bakersfield cliche

question that I have to ask — how muchinfluence do Buck and Merle have in andaround Austin? I know that there’s thewhole “outlaw” thing, with Willie andWaylon and Johnny Cash, and all thosecats, but I saw a vintage Buck Owensposter on the front door of Antone’s.

EJ: Well we are talking about two of theall-time greats, after all. And we all can’thelp but emulate Willie Nelson and thatbunch out here. When Willie settled downin Texas, he just sort of brought the wholescene with him. But any singer, country orotherwise, who isn’t affected by the Bakers-field Sound is in denial. Anybody who hasever written a song has to be in awe of Mer-le Haggard. Those guys created a wholenew sound from scratch. So while wemight not be quite as twangy as some ofthose old Bakersfield guys, we all love andrespect their contributions to country. Andnot just Buck and Merle, but Red Simpsonand Lefty Frizzell, and Wynn Stewart — allthose guys.

SC: Hey, keep up the good work, andwe’ll see you at the Palace on the 12th.

EJ: We’re really excited about it. It’s theone place you have to play when you’re onthe West Coast. We went for a visit last timewe were in town, but we want to get on thatstage!

SP

O T

LI G

H T

Set in a world where gays and lesbians have it easy, the boys

and girls of heterophobic

Heartsville High experience love

and loss in quite the natural way -

until the unthinkable

happens... BOY MEETS GIRL!

Whatever will a magical

matchmaker do?

FOR INFORMATION CALL

661.634.0692 www.thespotlighttheatre.com

ZANNA DON’T

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

1622 19th Street Bakersfield, CA

501(c)3 not for profit organization

Written by Tim Acito

Directed by

Alex Neal

“A MUSICAL FAIRY TALE!”

BACK BY BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! POPULAR DEMAND!

One heathen to another ...Scott Cox CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

PHOTO COURTESY OF CONQUEROO

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

Cox trots out favorite topics(Austin’s purity, corporatecountry, etc.) with fave band

The Band of HeathensWhen: 8 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace,

2800 Buck Owens Blvd.

Admission: Free

Information: 328-7560

20 ★ The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, April 7, 2011

Eye Street

BY JENNIFER SELFCalifornian lifestyles editor

jself@bakersfield.com

When you’re planning an eventgeared at athletes, it’s impos-sible to have too much meat.

That was the takeaway message lastyear for Night of Champions coordina-tor Dave Washburn, Kern Countydirector of the Fellowship of ChristianAthletes. The group, gearing up for thisyear’s fundraiser on Friday, learnedquite a bit from the inaugural dinner in2010, when NFL quarterback DavidCarr spoke.

“We were initially set up for 400, butpeople kept coming through the doors.Hodel’s did a fantastic job catering,”Washburn said. “We learned that highschool and college football players eatenough food for four people. We ranout of meat due to the extra peopleand the fact that the food was so good,people kept taking huge portions.”

But no need to fill up on carbsbefore this year’s dinner. When Carrreturns to the event, along with fellowBakersfield golden boy and San DiegoChargers running back Ryan Mathews,not only will there be plenty of meat,but Washburn has upped the ante withcupcakes as well. A further enticementare the auction items, which includefour tickets to the Indy 500, a three-night stay at the Hyatt Carmel High-lands, a helmet autographed by Carrand Mathews, and four VIP Los Ange-les Dodgers tickets.

Washburn’s involvement in the fel-lowship started seven years ago whilehe was a counselor at North High. Heleft North about five years ago to take afull-time job with FCA. He and severalsupporters hatched the idea for Nightof Champions “to highlight what ishappening with FCA in Kern County,combined with a fundraiser to helpoffset our costs for camp scholarshipsand Bibles.”

Last year’s event brought in about

$20,000, Washburn said, whichallowed the group to purchase morethan 600 Bibles that were distributedthrough FCA clubs on local campusesand at sports camps.

“We also scholarshiped five BC ath-letes to go to an FCA college leadership

camp in Missouri, we helped SouthHigh football get to a local footballcamp, helped North High cross-coun-try go to camp and helped a group offemale athletes from local schools go toa women’s sports camp at Hume Lake.”

Washburn said the highlight of lastyear’s event was Carr’s question-and-answer segment.

But the FCA director said thecelebrity factor isn’t the only attraction.

“(Fans) will learn about the ministry,be encouraged by some great athletes’testimonies, get a great dinner and beentertained by (local television sports-caster) Greg Kerr and have an oppor-tunity to make a difference in the livesof students and coaches by donating tothis great ministry.

“Our hope is to continue to drawathletes and coaches that are recog-nized nationally not only for their ath-letics but also the strength of theircharacter, integrity and personal rela-tionship with Jesus Christ.”

Carr, Mathews highlightof dinner/fundraiser

Star athletes to meet fans

Second annual Night of the ChampionsWhat: Fundraiser for Fellowship

of Christian Athletes, featuring

guest speakers David Carr of the

San Francisco 49ers and Ryan

Mathews of the San Diego

Chargers

When: 6 p.m. Friday

Where: Riverlakes Community

Church, 4301 Calloway Drive

Tickets: $50; as of Tuesday, few

tables remained; tickets will not

be sold at the door. Call 565-6320

The best young chess players inKern County will show theirsuperior board skills at Foothill

High on Saturday during the KernCounty Scholastic K-12 Chess Tourna-ment. About 100 students from 10public or private schools will competein the annual event, said organizerWade Tavorn. Registration begins at8:30 a.m. with competition starting at10 a.m.

“This is a showcase event for thechess skills of many of our local stu-dents, and we’re excited about thequality of the individual and teamcompetition we’re expecting this year,”said Tavorn, who teaches business andcomputer classes at Foothill High.

“Students who play chess improvetheir analytical skills and increase their

ability to problem-solve,” notedTavorn. “This is a community eventwhere students get a chance to displaytheir skills to problem-solve. They alsolearn how to work as a team, and theylearn good sportsmanship.”

Winners will be eligible for the nextlevel of the United States Chess Feder-ation competition.

Registration will be available on theday of the competition. Entry fee is$25. Competitors are required to bemembers of the USCF. Membership inthe USCF can be purchased orrenewed on the day of the event.

The public is invited and there is noadmission fee. Applications for thetournament can be found at:http://foothill.kernhigh.org/Activi-ties/Chess/News/News.html.

The last round of chess competitionis expected to begin about 2:30 p.m.Awards will be presented at the con-clusion of the event. The day is expect-ed to end about 6 p.m.— Kern High School District media release

Youth chess masters to compete in tourneyKern County Scholastic K-12Chess TournamentWhen: Saturday. Registration

begins at 8:30 a.m.; competition

at 10

Where: Foothill High, 501 Park

Drive

Admission: Free for spectators;

registration is $25

Information: 366-4491

Text Movies to 21321

PR

ES

EN

TE

D B

Y

DLP

DIG

ITA

L

Sucker Punch – PG13 10:45 11:30 1:30 2:10 4:25 5:00

7:10 7:40 10:00 10:35

Hop – PG 10:50 11:45 1:20 2:15 3:50 4:45

7:15 9:45

Insidious – PG-13 11:50 12:20 2:20 2:50 4:50 7:20

7:50 9:55 10:25

Source Code – PG-13 12:30 3:00 5:30 8:00 10:30

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2 – PG 11:20 11:55 1:50 2:25 4:20 4:50

6:50 7:20 9:20 9:50

Limitless – PG-13 11:40 2:30 4:55 7:45 10:10

Rango – PG 11:05 1:40 4:10 6:40 9:25

Battle LA - PG-13 11:00 1:55 4:30 6:30 7:05 9:30

9:55

Paul – R 12:15 2:45 5:15 8:05 10:40

Red Riding Hood – PG-13 5:20

Advanced Tickets Now On Sale For: Arthur • Your Highness • Soul Surfer

• Hanna OPENING APRIL 8

Hop – PG 10:25 11:15 1:00 1:45 3:30 4:15 6:00

6:45 8:30 9:15

Lincoln Lawyer – R 10:40 1:35 4:40 7:30 10:15

HOTDOGMondays

$1$1

Fine Chinese Cuisine Restaurant 5600 Auburn St. #K Bakersfield

(661) 872-9686

Voted Best Chinese Restaurant 2008 in Bakersfield by Pete Tittl Voted Best Chinese Restaurant 2008 in Bakersfield by Pete Tittl

We Guarantee your satisfaction in our food quality and service or it’s FREE on your next visit.

CALIFORNIAN FILE

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

Thursday, April 7, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian 21

Eye Street

BY CAMILLE GAVINContributing columnist

cgavin@bakersfield.com

My first impression of the cur-rent show at the BakersfieldMuseum of Art is its diversity.

Made up of four different collections,the exhibition is decidedly eclectic,offering elements that should appealto just about any taste.

It ranges from the intricately pat-terned works by numerous fiber artiststo the lighter-than-air creations ofCathy Breslaw, and the vibrant still-lifepaintings by Angus Wilson.

For me, Breslaw’s installations areespecially enchanting. The largest,titled “Carousel,” is an enormous skirt-like artwork — 11 feet in diameter —that occupies the center of themuseum’s Ablin wing. I imagined thata dancer had stepped out of the skirtonly moments before. It is made upmultiple panels of pastel-coloredfibers with bits of glass and beadsadded to create a ruffled look.

In much of her work Breslaw usesindustrial mesh, a textured materialoften used in the commercial packag-ing of fruits and vegetables. Throughskillful laying of the mesh and variousnontraditional materials the artist cre-ates her imaginative pieces by twisting,weaving, folding and sewing. Breslaw,who lives in Carlsbad, is quoted as say-ing she sees her art as representative of“our constantly morphing global cul-ture.”

Sculptured wall mountings make upthe majority of her exhibit. The sheer-ness of the fabric, especially those like“Lightness of Being,” creates an ethere-al image that is reflected on the wallbehind it. “Taking Flight Again,” asculpture placed in a corner of thegallery, is made up of multiple partssuspended from nearly invisible plas-tic lines in a way that makes it appearthat each triangular piece is floating inthe air independently.

Two separate collections of fiber artfill the main part of the museum — theDezember and Cunningham galleries.In keeping with the exhibits’ theme, alarge, Plexiglass sign at the entrance tothe Cunningham is stuffed with wadsof what looks like freshly picked cot-ton.

“Presenters for the California FiberArtists show are the Dolores F. CerroFoundation and Cotton Incorporated,”said Beth Pandol, BMoA marketingdirector. “So much of the exhibitionutilizes cotton, the sponsorship was aperfect match for both the museumand Cotton Incorporated.”

California Fiber Artists is a partner-ship of 32 diverse, independent artistswho pool their artwork to exhibit andeducate the public about fiber art. Itsmembers describe what they do as“fusion art.” Their technique includesreconstructing fiber with dye, paint,

foil, threads, wire and plastic. Some tell a story, such as Lura

Schwarz Smith’s “Universal Language:Dreams,” a distinctive piece that focus-es on the face of a woman who appearsto be wary of a cluster of blade-likescarlet shapes resembling flames thathovers at her back.

Several are three-dimensional suchas Cynthia Jensen’s “Habitat Destruc-tion,” a prickly sculpture made fromsteel and barbed wire as well as softpainted leather and thread. In anaccompanying statement, the artistsaid it “represents the impact of civi-lization on bird habitats.”

Another piece I found fascinating is“Abracadabra.” Created by EmilyDvorin it is shaped like a hollowed-out

container and formed by brightly col-ored dowels or sticks, most of whichare projected outward in a circular butdizzying fashion.

The Kern County Quilters representa local contribution to the exhibit,which contains the work of 11 mem-bers created over a period of severaldecades. Participating quilters are Lau-rie Britt, Judy Betz, Carolyn Campbell-Taylor, Judy Dobbins, Juliet Granger,Nancy Rink, Cindy Seitz-Krug, SallyShuppert, Carol Smith and MollyHamilton-McNally. Some of thesequilts are available for purchase.

Be sure to take time to see thevibrant acrylic paintings by Angus Wil-son in the small gallery adjacent to thereception desk at the museum. Titled“Simple Complexities,” it consists ofcanvases of various sizes — includingone called “Arrangement on a LongTable,” that’s displayed in three 30-by-24-inch parts.

Wilson, a native of Scotland whoseinitial training was in photography,film and animation, spent 17 yearsdoing work in the fields of television,video, and computer entertainment.In 2004 he began to pursue his fine artcareer on a full-time basis. The artisthas said he’s inspired by post-impres-sionism and the work of Henri Matisse.

Artists make magicwith colorful fabrics

Spring exhibitionRuns through May 29

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday

to Friday, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday

and Sunday

Where: Bakersfield Museum of

Art, 1930 R St.

Admission: $5; $4, seniors; $2,

students; members free

Information: 323-7219

Terry &

Charlotte’s

STEAK HOUSE2515 F Street • 322-9910 2515 F Street • 322-9910www.kcsteakhouse.net www.kcsteakhouse.net

Buy 1 Dinner & Get 1

FFRREEEE FREE Maximum value of $10.95 only. One

coupon per table or party. Not valid with any other offers or Holidays.

HOURS Lunch: Mon-Fri, 11-2 Dinner: Mon-Thurs, 5-10; Fri & Sat, 5-10:30

Dine In Only Expires 4-30-11

Terry &

Charlotte’s

STEAK HOUSE2515 F Street • 322-9910 2515 F Street • 322-9910www.kcsteakhouse.net www.kcsteakhouse.net

Buy 1 Lunch & Get 1

FFRREEEE FREE Maximum value of $6.95 only. One

coupon per table or party. Not valid with any other offers or Holidays.

HOURS Lunch: Mon-Fri, 11-2 Dinner: Mon-Thurs, 5-10; Fri & Sat, 5-10:30

Dine In Only Expires 4-30-11

April Special

April Special

397-7447 – Ask for Lana for all details

9000 Ming Ave. #T-3 CST#20154240

JOURNEY OF FAITHJOURNEY OF FAITHTO THE HOLY LANDTO THE HOLY LANDA CATHOLIC PILGRIMAGE TO ISRAEL

led by Msgr. Perry Kavookjian & escorted by Lana Hanson

January 29th – February 9, 2012

$ 3,370 $ 3,370 + taxes, per person based on dbl. occ.

• Walk in the Footsteps of Jesus • Sail in a boat on the Sea Of Galilee • Walk the Via Dolorosa • Visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem

• Visit the Garden of Gethesemane and many other biblical sites

• Daily Mass at sites you only read about in the Bible

• Daily Breakfast and dinner and (3) lunches included

• All tips to guide & driver included • Air from LAX included

$400 per person holds your space

PHOTO COURTESY OF BETH PANDOL

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

Randy Messick is looking for-ward to doing “Waiting forGodot” with his longtime

friend and associate Bob Kempf.“It’s super-fun to work with

Bob,” Messick said. “We’ve done somuch together — we know how toplay off each other.”

The actors have known eachother since their student days atFresno State. And Kempf assistedMessick, a Bakersfield College dra-ma professor, with the KernShakespeare Festival during its 25-year run. Kempf is currently theartistic director at The EmptySpace.

Their performance of “Godot”on Wednesday evening will bedone in a readers’ theater style.The program is sponsored by theNorman Levan Center for theHumanities at BC and will takeplace in the center’s seminarroom.

“Bob and I will sit on stools andhave books in front of us,” Messicksaid. “It’s a play that lends itselfwell to that format — it makes iteasier for (the audience) to fastenon the dialogue, which is well-written and very funny.”

In the play by Samuel Beckett,two apparently homeless men arewaiting for something, or some-one, called Godot. It’s never clearexactly who or what Godot is. Pro-gram notes describe it as “a comi-cal work of poetry, dreamscapes,and nonsense, and an explorationof life’s meaning.”

“Itpositsexisten-tialism,and it’snihilistictoo,” Mes-sick said.

“It’s a nar-

row way of looking at the way oneperson views life.”

A discussion of the play will fol-low the performance, according toJack Hernandez, director of theLevan Center.

This is the second annual Read-ing the Classics program. The first,in 2010, was a performance of theancient Greek drama, “Antigone,”with civil disobedience as the dis-cussion topic.

‘Fiddler’ at the RabobankA one-night-only performance

of “Fiddler on the Roof” takes thestage this evening at the RabobankTheater. The musical is performedby a touring professional companyand is part of the Broadway in Bak-ersfield series.

Set in Russia in 1905 when it wasruled by a tsar, it is based on a sto-ry by Sholem Aleichem and is, byturns, touching, comedic and trag-ic. It tells the story of a poor milk-man named Tevye and includes anumber of memorable songs,such as “If I Were a Rich Man.”First produced in 1964, its popu-larity on Broadway and at theatersin the United Kingdom, Australiaand Israel has continued over theyears.

‘Phantom’ at Spotlight In something of a first, Frontier

High School’s production of“Phantom of the Opera” is movingdowntown to the Spotlight Theatrefor four additional performances.

The show, starring Tanner Urm-ston as the mysterious Phantomand Haley Sullivan as Christine,the singer he’s in love with, openedMarch 18 at the school’s Perform-ing Arts Center.

Since Abby Friedman, whoteaches at Frontier, is the director,and her husband Hal Friedman, isSpotlight’s manager, the change invenue begs the question: Is Fron-tier getting preferential treatmentbecause of their relationship?

Not so, says Hal, emphasizingSpotlight is merely the venue, butthat the show is sponsored by theFrontier Drama Boosters, an inde-pendent group of parents andsupporters.

“This is not a special case,” hesaid in an email, adding that Spot-light does rent its space to outsidegroups or individuals on occasionand would be open to requestsfrom other schools.

“Anytime someone comes toour venue they have to pay,” heexplained. “Given this is a schoolthough, we want to help themraise more funds for their arts pro-grams, not take away. But we are anonprofit so we at least have to

make enough to cover our bills.” Without stating the actual fee,

Friedman said the Frontier sup-porters are paying only a nominalamount that has been “reducedseverely” for this event.

“Due to the show being afundraiser for Frontier drama wehave foregone the upfront rentalprice and will receive an undeter-mined portion of the proceedsafter the success of the show canbe determined,” he said. “At thispoint it is impossible to predict.”

Friedman said he and the Spot-light board of directors are acutelyaware that local public highschools have little or no money intheir budgets for arts programs.

“Frontier was the first to cometo us and propose this kind ofextension,” he said. “And as part ofour new mission goals, we aremaking it an important part of ourwork to help whatever highschools want us to. Right now, weare working with several dramadepartments at other schools withtheir work.”

Hospice theme at The Empty Space

Death and dying and the differ-ent ways people deal with thosesubjects is at the core of MichaelChristofer’s “The Shadow Box,”

which opens Friday at The EmptySpace, directed by Eric Tolley.

Set in a hospice, it concernsthree terminally ill people andtheir families, and the emotionalreactions each is experiencing.Each group is treated as a separateentity but all come together at theend.

The “interviewer,” an on-and-off stage character who poses cer-tain questions, is played by JaredCantrell.

“Each is being interviewedabout the process of dying,” saidMichelle Guerrero, a cast member.“For most of the play, the inter-viewer is unseen, which meansthat characters speak directly tothe audience, as if they were theinterviewer.”

Aaron Hicks, Jessica Delcid andMike Bedard portray the firstgroup; the second by MatthewBorton, Justin Brooks and Guer-rero; and the third by BarbaraGagnon and Sundee Oberlies Mar-tineau.

As usual, the Friday and Satur-day shows will not charge admis-sion. The matinee performance onSunday, however, costs $20 andincludes a reception. Proceeds willbe used to buy supplies for Ricky’sRetreat, a local hospice for AIDSpatients.

22 The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, April 7, 2011

Eye Street

Theater friends team up again

Camille Gavin’s “Arts Alive!”column appears on Thursday. Write to her

via e-mail at gavinarts@aol.com

Camille Gavin CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

‘Fiddler on the Roof’When: 7:30 p.m. today

Where: Rabobank Theater,

1001 Truxtun Ave.

Admission: $33 to $60

Information: 852-7308

‘Phantom of the Opera’When: 7 p.m. Friday and

Saturday

Where: Spotlight Theatre,

1622 19th St.

Admission: $15

Information: 634-0692

‘The Shadow Box’When: 8 p.m. Friday and

Saturday; doors open at 1:15

p.m. Sunday, show at 2 p.m.

Where: The Empty Space,

706 Oak St.

Admission: Free on Friday

and Saturday. $20 on Sunday,

a benefit for Ricky’s Retreat

Information: 327-PLAY

‘Reading the Classics:Waiting for Godot’When: 7 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Norman Levan

Center for the Humanities at

Bakersfield College, 1801

Panorama Drive

Admission: Free

Information: 395-4339

Levan Center presentsproduction at BC

PHOTO BY MICHELLE GUERRERO

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

GO & DO

Thursday, April 7, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian 23

Eye Street

BY MATT MUNOZBakotopia.com editor

mmunoz@bakersfield.com

The ’80s — a decade of disposableditties, one-hit wonders andreally horrific hair — was rough

on quite a few musicians, but it was amagical time for singer Bryan Adams,one of the most unassuming, albeitsuccessful, rock stars of the era.

In keeping with his low-key persona,Adams will be performing a “bare-bones” acoustic set of his vast catalogof radio and movie projects at his con-cert Sunday at the Fox. It’s just him, hissix-string and pianist Gary Breit.

The beginning of the Canadian’scareer, at the dawn of the MTV era,held no hint of the success to come.Adams’ straight-ahead pop rock wasn’timmediately embraced at home or inthe U.S. All that would change in 1983with some help from the video chan-nel, which put Adams’ single andaccompanying music video “Cuts Likea Knife,” into heavy rotation to makehim a crossover hit on both sides of thecontinent. Continuing with a string ofhit records through the remainder ofthat decade, including a total of sixBillboard charting singles taken fromhis 1984 release, “Reckless,” Adamsshowed great talent for writing radio-ready hits. He’s also been big in Holly-wood, penning songs for movies —“Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” star-ring Kevin Costner, as well as “TheThree Musketeers” and “Don JuanDeMarco” in the ’90s.

Born to diplomat parents whohelped shape his world views, buyinghis first guitar and fulfilling his rock ’n’roll dreams, the now-51-year-old rock-er spends much of his time giving backas a philanthropist through his BryanAdams Foundation.

Via email, The Californian caught upwith Adams in the U.K., where he istouring in support of his latest record,“Bare Bones,” a new live collection com-piled from a series of shows in 2010.

What role did music play in youryouth, besides being a rite of pas-sage for most teenagers?

Music was my secret code (it still is).If you liked the same bands as I did,then we were friends, if you knew ofbands I didn’t know of, we werefriends. If your dad had a stereo andyou were allowed to play records loud,we were friends. If you wanted to be amusician …. well say no more. Let’sstart a band.

Most beginning musicians exper-iment with different instrumentsbefore finding the right fit. Was theguitar your first pick?

I wanted to be a drummer morethan anything as a preteen, but I wasgiven a flamenco guitar instead. I thinkmy parents probably thought: If wegive him this then he’ll go back tothinking about school. It was some-time after the release of “Sgt. Pepper’s”and I embraced my little guitar.

Who were you listening to backthen?

Beatles, Stones, The Who, Alice Coop-er, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, HumblePie, Janis Joplin, Deep Purple ...

Your U.S. breakthrough happenedon MTV in ’83 with “Cuts Like aKnife.” What are some of your mostvivid memories of that stage ofyour career?

Too many to mention, but it was anexciting time to make music. MTV wasreally helpful, and there were manyfrontiers still to be broken. Not likenow where every ticket and every saleof everything is on a computer. Backthen, CDs were a new thing. Cassettetapes were still relevant. The ironyabout MTV is it was on cable, everyoneliked it but no one really had it. It tookyears for it to all kick off and be therefor the masses. Touring was still kingand if you could break a record youcould go on the road, there was onlyone great radio station in each town soyou needed to be on that. It’s allchanged now.

You’ve watched musical tasteschange. The rise of artists such asLady Gaga and Justin Bieber haspushed rock somewhat away frommainstream radio formats. What doyou think about today’s popularartists?

I tip my hat to them and I tip my hatto anyone that can make it in musicthese days. Time will tell who the realones are … it’s as simple as that.

You’ve been ranked No. 38 on thelist of “all-time top artists by theBillboard Hot 100 50th Anniversary

Charts.” What do you think hashelped you strike a chord with audi-ences after all these years?

Thirty-eight, eh? I wonder how theyworked that out. Listen, it’s all aboutthe music and nothing else. Music,music, music. Make music. The restyou can figure out anytime … or not.

Is there any Canadian musicaward you haven’t won yet?

The Beaver Award. It’s the highestrecognition you can get. You have to beable to build a dam in a river usingyour teeth ... I’m lucky I still have mine.

Was there a particular conceptbehind the “Bare Bones” CD or didyou just want to add an all-acousticrecord to your already lengthydiscography?

It was done for my show. I wanted alive album that people could take awayfrom the show if they liked it. I mightmake another one at some point. I putthe record together by canvassing myTwitter community. I asked them whatsongs they would like to hear. Theresponse was huge and diverse. I gotmany ideas from it.

The first thing listed at the top ofthe “Bare Bones” Wikipedia page is“Certified Platinum in India.” Whichof your three songs would make agreat Bollywood movie?

Any of them! They love “Summer of’69” there, so that would have to beone. India is an amazing place. I’vebeen going there for years. We were thefirst band to put on a big show in Indiaand they’ve never forgotten it.

What’s next to accomplish?Touring all over the globe mostly,

but I’ve got a baby coming due in May,which is very exciting, and a few songsin films coming this year.

What can Bakersfield expect atyour show?

Me and my guitar and some pianofrom Gary Breit, plus all the songs youknow and love and a few others forgood measure. Looking forward to it …see you there!

Hitmaker’s Fox show justhim, his guitar and a pianist

Adams keeps it bare bones

Bryan AdamsWhen: Doors open at 7 p.m.,

show at 8 Sunday

Where: Fox Theater, 2001 H St.

Admission: $40 to $62 plus fees

Information: vallitix.com or 322-

5200 Opening: March 18th through April 30th

� For reservations 587-3377 12748 Jomani Drive

�

THE

BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN

READERS’ CHOICE POLL

2010

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRYAN ADAMS

Bryan Adams will perform Sunday night at the Fox Theater.

24 The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, April 7, 2011

Eye Street

Unwritten Law lead vocalist Scott Rus-so recalls that feeling: the end of theroad.

After 20 years of touring, writing andrecording, the last thing left to do was givefans one last hurrah. Laying the ground-work for the band’s swan song last year,Russo says the exit plan didn’t last oncethey hit the studio. The band is renewedand ready for the mosh pit again, and Bak-ersfield will get a chance to see them Sat-urday at B Ryder’s before they hit the roadand the Vans Warped Tour in support oftheir newly released CD, “Swan.”

“We went on an unintentional hiatus for awhile,” said Russo of the band’s six-year MIAstatus. “Some of us had kids, I was producinga lot of other acts, and we lost our recordlabel. When we were approached by KevinZinger of Suburban Noize Records abouttwo years ago, we thought, ‘OK, let’s do onelast record and put the band down.’ Aboutsix songs into the sessions, we weren’t happywith it at all. If this was going to be it, we hadto do something stronger.”

News of the breakup wasn’t what longtimefans were prepared to hear after years offaithful punk rock service by Russo and crew.Formed in 1990 in the city of Poway, Unwrit-ten Law joined bands Blink-182, Buck-O-Nine, Rocket From The Crypt and otheryoung alt-rock startups, helping build SanDiego’s reputation as the “other Seattle.”

“I was living in an abandoned house inPoway back then, and I went to a partywhere they were playing, mostly covers. I satin, they asked me to join the band, werecorded our first six songs a month later,and the rest is history,” said Russo.

Unwritten Law steadilyclimbed the ranks play-

ing local dives andparties, grabbingopening slots forestablished punkbrethren Pennywise

and Blink-182, alsoon the verge of a

breaking into themain-

stream. In 1997, they signed with InterscopeRecords, the home of No Doubt, but wereable to retain their underground reputationwith a strong grassroots following across theU.S. and overseas. In 2002, they hit the top ofthe Billboard Alternative Rock charts withthe single “Seein’ Red,” an anthemic, catchy,midtempo gem from their CD “Elva.”

“No one expected it to go to No. 1, butwe’re glad everyone picked up on it,” saidRusso. “I think any band would like to havecontinued success like that, but if you’re notwriting from the heart, it’s not going to besuccessful anyway. But this band, from thebeginning, has never written anything to beradio ready.”

Simmering comfortably on the collegemusic charts after their brush with commer-cial success, Russo says the band has alwaysbeen most content living by their own phi-losophy of keeping the music, “real,” not forradio.

“You can’t plan for a hit, it just happens.We try to write the best songs we possiblycan in whatever format. If it’s going to be aslow song, it’ll be the illest thing you’ve everheard. If it’s going all out, we’ll grab you bythe throat. You have to be real.”

Going their separate ways after complet-ing promotion for 2005’s “Here’s to theMourning,” to pursue solo projects, includ-ing Russo’s experimental alternative reggaeelectro group The Big Bang, the bandremained close. Still, they felt it might betime to go out while they were on top. Origi-nally titling their final studio release “SwanSong,” they scrapped the original sessionsand headed back to the drawing board.

“Once the label was going to start promot-ing it as our last, we knew those songs wereno way going to define a 20-year legacy,” saidRusso.

Russo said somewhere along the way, itdawned on the group that this may very wellbe their finest hour — just not their final one.

“After our ninth song, we met with thelabel again on a conference, and they wereexcited to start promoting it saying this andthat. At that point, I said there’s no way wecould go out. During the writing for thisrecord, the band had never felt love like this.We just fell in love with what we do all overagain, the whole thing. It wasn’t the death ofUnwritten Law, it was a rebirth. So, wechanged the name of the record to “Swan.”

Opening with the thunderous riffs of

“Starships and Apocalypse,” “Swan” is theheaviest record of the band’s career, with 11tracks of well-crafted rockers. “Dark Dayz,”will take listeners back to the group’s earlydays with its punkish feel, as will the hip-hopblend “Chicken,” featuring rapper Del TheFunky Homosapien. The inclusion of “Sing,”an acoustic love song with country backbeat, shows even grown-up punks have asoft spot.

“This is our defining moment, that’s forsure,” said Russo. “I have the best job in theworld.”

Saturday’s all-ages show kicks off at 6 p.m.with local openers Dead Ashling, MeditatedAssault, Dirt Head and Alast Taft. Tickets are$15, and can be purchased at B Ryder’s,World Records, Outer Limits, Going Under-ground, Impact Streetwear, Wavelengths andHoggz in Bakersfield. For more info, visittimgardeapresents.com, or call 397-7304. BRyder’s is located at 7401 White Lane.

Matt’s pickFuneral Party at Jerry’s Pizza, 1817

Chester Ave., Saturday, 6 p.m., $10, 633-1000. This Whittier band has been getting some

serious shoutouts in national music rags,most notably when they were named one of“2010’s Best New Bands” in the pages ofNME. Taking their name from a song by TheCure, the band got a confused receptionearly on when they were often assumed tobe a hardcore band. Neither hard, norpunk, The Funeral Party are a younger, lessmanic version of Mars Volta — the bandthat also helped push this young group offresh-sounding, melodic noisemakers.They just performed on Letterman’s showlast week. Their new CD, “The Golden Ageof Nowhere,” should be in your collectionnow.

Unwritten Law: We don’t quit!The Lowdown with Matt Munoz

Band brings renewedenergy to B Ryder’s

Bakotopia Unplugged Open Mic Night With host Matt Munoz

When: 8 to 11 p.m. Wednesdays.

Signups start at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Fishlips, 1517 18th St.

Information: 324-2557 or visit the

Facebook page for updates.

Matt Munoz is editor of Bakotopia.com, a sister website of The Californian that devotes itself

to promoting Bakersfield’s art scene. Matt’s column appears every Thursday in Eye Street.

PHOTO COURTESY OF UNWRITTEN LAW

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

PHOTO COURTESY OF FUNERAL PARTY

Funeral Party will perform at Jerry’s Pizzaon Saturday night.

Thursday, April 7, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian 25

Eye Street

BY MIRANDA WHITWORTHContributing writer

The best of the best in the arm-wrestling world will converge onthe city Saturday to see who is

the “Baddest Boy in Bakersfield.”The Ninth Annual Ryan Sheets

Memorial Arm Wrestling Tournament,which drew more than 100 wrestlersand about 500 spectators last year, isaimed at putting a little sweat equityinto the local wrestling community.Though North High’s wrestling pro-gram is the main beneficiary, individ-ual students — some as young as 5 —will win scholarships as well.

Billy Joe Sheets, chairman of thearm-wrestling tournament, saidselecting the scholarship recipientisn’t necessarily about grades, it’sabout heart.

“It’s given out on an as-neededbasis. You don’t have to be a 4.0 stu-dent. The coach decides on the kid, ifhe’s going off to college and he thinkshe could use a little help, then he’llpresent it to the board of directors andwe will vote on it.”

The memorial supports the NorthHigh School team by helping withequipment.

“The wrestling program gets what’sleft in the school’s budget, and usuallythat’s not much,” Sheets said. “So thisyear we bought them all head gear andsinglets.”

But funds aren’t limited to helpingNorth students.

“Last weekend we sent Frankie Hur-tado, who is a senior at Liberty HighSchool, to the senior nationals inFlorida.”

According to Sheets, the trip was asecond chance at extending the ath-lete’s wrestling career.

“By this time of year, all of the sea-son is pretty much over, but he got togo back and compete again. He wres-tled the California state champion andnow he’s being looked at by collegesbecause he was able to go out there.”

Another local wrestler made a suc-cessful trip across the country, thanksto the Ryan Sheets Memorial.

“We sent Alex Gomez out to Okla-

homa City last year for the girlsnational tournament. She went outthere and won the whole thing.”

As the memorial works to improvethe lives and educational futures ofyoung wrestlers, the founding of theorganization came from the tragic lossof a promising wrestler from north ofthe river.

Ryan Sheets began wrestling at theage of 5. He was a South YosemiteLeague champion and wrestled forNorth High School. He went on tocompete at Cal State Bakersfield, andit was there that he injured his neck.After the injury, he was involved in acar accident, and his health deterio-rated. He died in 2001, leaving theSheets family with a painful void.

But the loss galvanized Ryan’s uncleBilly Joe and the young athlete’s friendRichard Toland, who came up with theidea of using the wrestler’s legacy tohelp other kids passionate about thesport.

“After Ryan had passed, Richard wassitting in one of our local pubs and hewas talking to a guy named Brian Ban-ducci and was saying it would sure benice to do something in Ryan’s memo-ry,” said Sheets. Banducci reached outto the Sheets family and now Banduc-ci and Toland sit on the organization’sboard of directors, helping funnelmoney to deserving athletes in Bak-ersfield.

As for Billy Joe, introducing thearm-wrestling tournament into thefundraising effort came from his back-ground in the sport.

“I used to be a professional armwrestler and I still had my table, so we

decided to set it up and see whatwould happen.”

As with the first year of any event,Sheets said they weren’t sure how wellit was going to go. They aimed low,hoping for a few local arm wrestlers tocome out, donate some money andhave a good time. But the eventexploded.

“We had it out at the CaliforniaHighway Patrol’s 420 Hall and we hadso many walk-on wrestlers we packedthe place out, and now we have had tohold it at the Veterans Hall ever since.”

Over the last nine years the tour-nament has grown into what Sheetscalls a “world- class” event that is nowbringing in big-name talent in thearm-wrestling arena.

“The guy that won last year is JerryCadorette, and he is probably rated inthe top two or three super heavy-weight arm wrestlers in the country, ifnot the world. He flew in from Bostonlast year just to compete,” Sheets said.

Left-handed champion Tom Nel-son has committed to attending andwill be bringing members of theNorthern California Pullers fromSacramento. But Sheets does not wantthe big names to scare away any localarm wrestlers.

“A bulk of our people that competeare locals. And a lot of locals take tro-phies every year. Some of the big shotscome down here and get beat.”

The tournament features five divi-sions for men and two for women. A$300 cash prize will go to the first-place winner in all divisions and tro-phies will go to the first-, second- andthird-place winners in their respectivedivisions. The big prize is reserved forthose who earn trophies in their divi-sion and want to keep the competitionrolling. The final throwdown is a fightfor “The Baddest Boy in Bakersfield.”

Sheets said anyone who has won atrophy in any class can throw their hatand arm into the ring for a shot at the6-foot trophy and an additional $500.“You’d be surprised who wins. It’s notalways the big super heavyweight.”

Christian rock band Right Cross ofBakersfield will play during intermis-sions and breaks, and food anddrinks — both alcoholic and non-alcoholic — will be sold.

Arm-wrestling eventbenefits athletes

Competitors flex muscleThe Ninth Annual RyanSheets Memorial ArmWrestling TournamentWhen: Saturday; weigh-in 9 to 11

a.m.; rules meeting at 11:15 a.m.;

the competition starts around

noon.

Where: Norris Road Veterans

Hall, 400 West Norris Road

Entry: $20, which includes

tournament T-shirt

Admission for spectators: $10

Information:www.calarmwrestling.org

Young ladies poised for scholarshipsCollege scholarships totaling $10,000 will

be awarded Friday night at the Distin-guished Young Women of BakersfieldScholarship Program, formally Bakersfield’sJunior Miss. Thirty young women from 11local high schools will compete in areas offitness, self-expression, talent, interviewand scholastic review. They have beenpreparing for the last three months for theopportunity to compete, and two youngwomen will go on to represent Bakersfieldat the California State program in August.

This year’s mistress of ceremonies is local

news anchor personality Madelyn Jannsenfrom KGET, Channel 17, a former partici-pant in the program. The public is encour-aged to come out and support the youngwomen. Entertainment is top quality dur-ing the high-energy program, and talentsrange from opera to ballet en pointe to cupstacking. It promises to be an exciting nightin Bakersfield as the Distinguished YoungWoman program invites the crowd to get“groovy” at the disco-themed event. — Distinguished Young Women of Bakersfieldmedia release

Distinguished YoungWomen competeWhen: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Harvey

Auditorium at

Bakersfield High School,

1241 G St.

Admission: $15; $12 for

children. Tickets sold at

the door.

Information:Bakersfield@distinguish

edyw.org or 342-7622

26 The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, April 7, 2011

Eye Street

BY SUSAN SCAFFIDIContributing writer

Who remembers Al Stewart? If youwere a fan of the records “Year ofthe Cat” or “Time Passages” in the

late 1970s, you probably remember actuallyhaving to listen to Stewart’s lyrics for thesesongs, as they emerged from a sea of pophits that included “Dancin’ Queen,” “CarWash,” “Muskrat Love,” (great era, wasn’tit?), “In the Navy,” “Y.M.C.A.” and “LeFreak.”

That’s because Stewart never planned onbeing a pop star; he always was, and still is,a “historical folk-rock singer,” as he puts it.

“What I do is as much about language asanything else,” Stewart said. “I get Englishmajors and history professors at my con-certs.”

Stewart, Scottish by birth, began hismusic career much the same way mostBritish youth did in the late 1950s and early1960s. He joined a “beat” group, playing themusic of American rhythm and blues androck ’n’ roll artists. But while his bandmateswere listening to Bo Diddley and ChuckBerry, Stewart was listening to Bob Dylan.

“I realized that what I was singing everynight wasn’t about anything,” Stewart said.“I mean, ‘Shake it up, baby, twist andshout?’”

Stewart said his interest in Dylan’s deeplyrics inspired him to read more, and hefound himself drawn to the works of AlbertCamus, Jean-Paul Sartre, and then histori-cal works, especially those covering theevents of World War II, the effects of whichstill lingered over Europe at that time. Stew-art said his literary pursuits led him to findhis niche as a historical folk-rock singer-recounting real stories about real peoplethrough music.

Stewart, who can count among his friendsmost of the up-and-coming musical stars inthe London scene of the 1960s, was also aroommate of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel,who were struggling to make their owncareers at the same time. He said that musicworld, with all of its different influences, hada great impact on his own writing.

“Back then it was a very different scene,”Stewart said. “Everyone knew each other,you had all different types of musical pair-ings.”

“It’s become Balkanized now,” Stewartsaid of the current musical scene. “(Musi-cians from different fields) rarely even talkto each other.”

Stewart’s efforts at songwriting paid offwith a surprising career as a folk artist —successful enough to get him an Americanagent and a stab at an international career.

Adding layers of instrumental work bysuch artists as Jimmy Page, Rick Wakeman,Peter White and others, Stewart said hefound his lyrics competing with the instru-mental parts of his songs. Nevertheless, theaddition of these instrumentals and theguidance from his American managerseventually led to the recording of “Year ofthe Cat,” which went platinum, and then asecond platinum album, “Time Passages.”

Suddenly, the historical folk-rock singerwas a pop star.

“It was fun,” Stewart said. “Having com-mercial success when you’re not expecting it

is really nice.”But like many of his maturing colleagues,

Stewart found that commercial success wasbecoming increasingly incompatible withhis art.

“People would come to hear the pop stuff,but when we would play something like‘Road to Moscow’ (an eight-minute songabout the Russian World War II experience),people would get confused,” Stewart said.

“It sort of reached a point of writing ever-more dense lyrics for a band, and peoplecouldn’t hear them,” Stewart said. “If youspend a year writing lyrics, you want peopleto hear them.”

Eventually, Stewart left the pop world andresumed his original career as that historicalfolk-rock singer. While he has given up thebig money and fame, Stewart has earnedconsistent critical praise for albums such as“Famous Last Words,” “Between the Wars”and “A Beach Full of Shells,” and for his liveconcerts, which are much more modestaffairs consisting of Stewart and one or twoother acoustic instruments.

Stewart has found a solid musical partnerin guitarist, singer and songwriter DaveNachmanoff. The two collaborated on the2005 album “Uncorked,” an all-acousticalbum, and have been touring successfullyever since.

“We’ve been doing this for a while and weseem to have figured each other out,” Stew-art said.

Stewart said he has talked about 162 his-torical characters in his songs, ranging fromHumphrey Bogart and Peter Lorre to LouisMountbatten and Joseph Stalin.

“You could search the entire musicworld, or at least the English-speaking partof it and not find so many historical charac-ters in (someone’s repertoire),” Stewartsaid.

Stewart compared his work to that of anovelist.

“I write short stories and set them tomusic,” Stewart said.

When pop career wentflat, ‘Cat’ artist went folk

Al Stewart with Dave Nachmanoff

When: 7:30 p.m. April 16

Where: Bright House Networks

Amphitheatre, 11200 Stockdale Highway

Admission: $10 plus fee if purchased

through Ticketmaster

Information: ticketmaster.com or

800-745-3000

Air SupplyThursday, April 14Tickets start at $20 Show Time: 7:30pm

For concert information

go to tachipalace.com

or call 1-866-4palace

Live at the DenTHIS WEEKEND April 8-10��

��������� � �� �������� � ������ �

Tachi Palace Fights 9Friday, May 6

Main EventWorld No. 3 Ranked Flyweight Ian McCall vs.

Undefeated Dustin Ortiz

Doors open at 5 pm

First fight 6 pm

Tickets start at $30tachipalace.comStreamed live on Sherdog.comStream starts at 5:30 p.m. (PST)

Friday: Rock Bands

Valley Cats — 10pm to 1:30am

Saturday: Country & Classic Rock

Nate Pearce — 10pm to 1:30am

Sunday: Hot Latin Jams

Spun by DJ Juice — 9pm to 1am

PHOTO COURTESY OF AL STEWART

Thursday, April 7, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian 27

Eye Street

Kern Community Foundationawarded about $100,000 to local artsand culture organizations at MetroGalleries on Friday. The grants bringKern Community Foundation’s totalcharitable investment in local artsorganizations to more than $400,000so far this year.

Grants were awarded from KernArtsNow!, the foundation’s grant-makinginitiative, which is focused on improv-ing the operations and sustainabilityof arts and culture organizations fromacross Kern County. Organizationsthat received the top award of $10,000are Arts Council of Kern, BakersfieldMuseum of Art, Bakersfield SymphonyOrchestra and Center of the WorldFestival. Smaller grants were given toBakersfield Community Theatre($7,010), Desert Community Orches-tra Association ($4,000) Kern River Val-ley Arts Association ($3,768),Maturango Museum ($9,850),

Tehachapi Performing Arts Center($6,150) and Tehachapi Wind Museum($5,160).

“This grant-making initiative willhelp build the capacity of local artsorganizations,” said Jeff Pickering,Kern Community Foundation Presi-dent and CEO. “Instead of buying per-formances, instruments, costumes orart supplies, our grants help pay forthings like technology improvements,strategic planning and other servicesthat help these charities to improvetheir operations and hopefullybecome more sustainable.”

The inaugural grants from KernArtsNow! were made possible, in part,through support from the JamesIrvine Foundation. Future grants willbe made possible through contribu-tions from local donors to theKernArts Now! fund, as well as contri-butions made directly to the arts andculture organizations through Kern

Community Foundation’s online Non-profit Search.

“In addition to the competitivegrants, we issued a KernArts MatchChallenge to help these organizationsto raise money online using their pro-file and the tools available through ourNonprofit Search,” added Juan Avila,director of nonprofit outreach. “Wewere blown away by the response. Injust a few days, more than 125 peopledonated over $20,000 to 20 differentarts charities, which the foundationmatched dollar for dollar.”

Kern Community Foundation is anonprofit enterprise created by and forthe people of Kern County. Since itsestablishment in 1999, the foundationhas grown to hold more than 90 chari-table funds with assets of nearly $14million, and has awarded more than$7 million to various Kern agencies. — Kern Community Foundation mediarelease

Foundation hands out $100,000 in grants

THE TENNESEAN

They don’t look like anybody else.They sure don’t sound like anybodyelse. And they don’t want to. TheJaneDear Girls blend country, retroand rocker aesthetics, then combinetraditional country instruments(though electrified) with edgy produc-tion and sassy lyrics for a unique pack-age that country music seems to beaccepting with open arms. The girlswill find out if that formula is workingin Bakersfield when they play BuckOwens’ Crystal Palace tonight.

The duo’s lead single, “Wildflower,”from their self-titled debut album,helped them snatch their second ACMnomination recently. Danelle Leverettand duo partner Susie Brown compet-ed Sunday for top vocal duo of theyear. Though they lost to Sugarland,the nomination has helped boost thesingle and album, they say.

Brown, whose heavy dark bangsand bright red lipstick are reminiscentof Bettie Page and an homage to theclassic movies she used to watch as achild with her mother, strikes a starkcontrast with Leverett’s blonde hairand rocker-meets-hippie attire.

They met through an acquaintanceat a show about five years ago. Theymade plans to go swimming, butwhen they got to the pool, they real-ized they had both brought theirinstruments and decided they wouldrather write songs. By the end of theweekend they had penned three. Lev-erett said that before she knew it, shehad quit her job selling health insur-ance, and they were a duo.

“When you make decisions in life tochase something, you sacrifice a lot ofthings,” Leverett said. “We’re both

away from our families, and we bothlived off of nothing and were prettybroke for a pretty long time. We dideverything we could to get to thisplace.”

Leverett developed a working rela-tionship with John Rich (of the coun-try duo Big & Rich, who also works as asongwriter and producer), shortlyafter she moved to town. When shepaired with Brown, Rich mentored thetwo through every stage of their youngcareer, including songwriting.

Rich signed on as JaneDear’s pro-ducer and started helping themmanipulate their sound and imageinto a marketable product.

“It was, ‘What do you want to soundlike and look like?’” Rich explains.“They knew what it was, but knowingit in your head and it being a physicalthing a record label can understandand go, ‘Ok, I get it, we can marketthat,’ are two different things.”

Rich connected the girls with differ-ent songwriters to push them outsideof their comfort zones. When they hada set of songs he felt personified theirsound and image, he took them intothe studio to record and then set up a

series of showcases around town.The plan worked. JaneDear landed

a record deal with Warner MusicNashville.

“The challenge was to try and makea record that would not sacrifice theiroriginality, but still have the right kindof energy and commerciality to get onthe radio,” he said. That’s why it took ita little while to get it exactly dialed inright.”

Rich describes today’s version ofJaneDear Girls as the girls next doorthat kick country (butt) and says theirmusic fills a void for college-age coun-try fans.

“They are in their 20s, so they re notsinging about the stuff Taylor Swift issinging about,” he said. “They arefour years down the road from whereTaylor is at. They are writing from thatperspective, like the just-got-out-of-college girl. I think that’s missing.Right now we have soccer mom orteenage girl and I think this hits a real-ly great part of our demographic incountry music.”

With the record on store shelves,JaneDear says they are just happy theywere able to record a project thatreflects their unique tastes and per-sonalities.

“We’re really blessed to be on a labelthat gives us the freedom to musicallydo what we want and image-wise toreally be who we are,” Leverett said.“If we were trying to be somethingwe’re not, we’d be in trouble. You justhave to be the best you are and hope-fully people dig it.”

Quirky image, music helpJaneDear Girls stand out

Country with a twist

The JaneDear GirlsWhen: 7 p.m. today

Where: Buck Owens’ Crystal

Palace, 2800 Buck Owens Blvd.

Tickets: $13 to $20. vallitix.com or

call 322-5200.

Rabobank Theater • • 800-745-3000Discounted tickets for Subscribers & Groups 20+ Call 661-852-7309

April 7 • 7:30pmTonight Only!

Presented By

• Sleeplessness • Phobias & Fears

Vaughn Barnett C.Ht., NLP, BA

Alpha Chi Honor Society American Hypnosis Assoc.

661.322.0077 PathwaysHypnosis.org

P ATHWAYS P ATHWAYS

H YPNOSIS H YPNOSIS

Kids will learn to improve their eating habits and expand their culinary horizons

while having fun in the kitchen

Spring Break 2011pmaCKids o gCo kin

4809 Stockdale Hwy 661.834.4433

$185 per week!

April 18th-21st 20119am - 1pm

WWW.THEJANEDEARGIRLS.COM

Susie Brown, left, and Danelle Lev-erett are The JaneDear Girls.

28 The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, April 7, 2011

Eye Street

COURTESY OF ALICIA HAMMONS

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

BY ALICIA HAMMONSContributing writer

Fruitvale Junior High’s advanced dramaclass is proud to present its spring produc-tion of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale, “Alice inWonderland,” one night only on Friday inthe school’s multipurpose room. Doors willopen at 6 p.m.

The production should run about anhour.

Stars are: Vicky Lusk as Alice, Taylor Red-stone as the Mad Hatter, Taylor Camarilloas Cheshire Cat, Erin Jones as Caterpillar,Brooke Crosswhite as White Rabbit, Dan-nette Nolasco as the Queen of Hearts —and many other talented young actors. Infact, the script called for such a large cast,we’ve had to double up parts (even triple-up in some cases), and ask our crew mem-bers to take part on the stage (as well as do

their jobs behind the scenes!).Tickets are available at the door only.

Snacks will be available for purchase aswell.

We look forward to seeing everyonecome out.— Alicia Hammons teaches language arts anddrama at Fruitvale.

Don’t be late for Fruitvale’s very important stage date

‘Alice in Wonderland’When: 6:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Fruitvale Junior High

multipurpose room, 2114 Calloway

Drive

Admission: $4, adults; $3, children 5

to 14; free for children under 5

Information: 589-3833

San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus is kick-ing off the Southern California leg of its2011 California Freedom Tour on Saturdayat Cal State Bakersfield. The concert is co-sponsored by Bakersfield LGBTQ and theGay, Lesbian, Straight Student Network atCSUB. There will also be a special guest per-formance by Rainbow Voices, Bakersfield’sLGBT chorus.

The concert features uplifting and joyousmusic that speaks directly to the experienceof seeking freedom in the face of discrimi-nation. It starts at 7:30 p.m. in the CSUBDoré Theatre. Parking is free in Lots B, Cand D.

Tickets are $27 and $42 in advance andare available online at www.community-boxoffice.com or by calling 415-865-2787.Tickets will be available for $25 cash only at

the door.“This is an honor for CSUB to host the

renowned chorus, and a great opportunityfor our GLSSN students to work closely withBakersfield’s very active LGBT communityto make this happen,” said GLSSN facultyco-adviser Judith Pratt.

The 2011 California Freedom tour is thesecond annual tour of the state by SanFrancisco Gay Men’s Chorus, with the goalof building bridges across cultural divides,creating acceptance and galvanizing localcommunities. Last year’s tour raised nearly$20,000 for grassroots charities in Bakers-field, Fresno, Chico and Redding, said artis-tic director and conductor Timothy Seelig.For more information about the chorus,visit www.sfgmc.org.— Cal State Bakersfield media release

Renowned Gay Men’s Chorusset to perform in Bakersfield

GO&DO

TodayAn Evening of PopularMusic, featuring Bakersfield

College chamber singers

and soloists, 7:30 p.m.,

Bakersfield College, Indoor

Theater, 1801 Panorama

Drive. $8; $5

students/seniors/staff. 395-

4547.

Events for autisticchildren and theirfamilies, sensory jump time

with games, 3 to 5 p.m.,

third annual great open

jump, 6 to 9 p.m., Pump It

Up, 2841 Unicorn Road. 392-

8800.

Drama & Poetry Night,performance written by

local poets, door prizes, 7

p.m., The Ice House, 3401

Chester Ave. 717-1346.

Fiddler on the Roof-Broadway in Bakersfield,7:30 p.m., Rabobank

Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave.

$25 to $50 plus fee.

ticketmaster.com or call

800-745-3000.

Friends of the KernCounty Animal SheltersFoundation Fundraiser,opportunity drawings, items

available for sale, 4 to 9

p.m., Red Brick Pizza, 9500

Brimhall Road, Suite 301.

829-1010 or 472-6191.

Healthy Cooking on aBudget, 4 p.m., Beale

Memorial Library, Tejon

Room, 701 Truxtun Ave.

868-0770.

Relay for Life PreschoolCar Wash & Bake Sale, 9

to 10:30 a.m. today and

Friday, St. John’s Children’s

Center, parking lot, 4500

Buena Vista Road. 664-9127.

The JaneDear Girls, 7 p.m.,

Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace,

2800 Buck Owens Blvd. $13

to $20. vallitix.com or call

322-5200.

10th Semi-Annual LittleFeet Repeats FamilyConsignment Event, 10

a.m. to 8 p.m. today; 10 a.m.

to 7 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 6

p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6

p.m. Sunday (50 percent off

day), Little Feet Repeats,

5101 White Lane. 588-6936.

FridayAnnual Rummage Sale, 8

a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and

Saturday, Bakersfield

Community House, 2020 R

St. 327-8835.

Savvy Online Shopping,computer class, 10 a.m.,

Beale Memorial Library,

second floor Computer Lab,

701 Truxtun Ave. 868-0770.

Red & White Wine & FoodFestival, wine tasting from

more than 50 wineries,

assortment of food and

music, 5 to 7:30 p.m.,

Bakersfield College, North

Stadium lawn, 1801

Panorama Drive. $50

advance; $60 at the gate.

395-4800 or 395-4273.

Second annual Night ofthe Champions (See story

on Page 20)

Saturday17th annual Battle of theBadges, benefiting the

youth programs of the

Bakersfield Police Activities

League; doors open at 5:30

p.m., fights at 7 p.m., CSUB,

Icardo Center. $20; at the

door, $25; reserved seating,

$40. Tickets can be

purchased at Bakersfield

Police Dept., Police Activities

League, Mr. Tuxedo. 283-

8880.

2011 California FreedomConcert Tour, featuring the

San Francisco Gay Men’s

Chorus, 7:30 p.m., CSUB,

Doré Theatre, 9001

Stockdale Highway. $27,

$42. 302-4266, sfgmc.org or

info@bakersfieldpride.org.

2011 Relay for Life ofWasco-Shafter, 8:30 a.m.,

Wasco High School, 1900

Seventh St., Wasco.

cancer.org or

wascorfl@gmail.com.

Annual Garden Fest,gardening booths, pets, arts

and crafts, cooking, farmer’s

market, mean and green car

show, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.,

Bakersfield College,

Environmental Horticulture

Renegade Park, 1801

Panorama Drive. Free. 395-

4446.

Bakersfield SymphonyOrchestra (See story on

Page 18)

BHS Driller DrumlineCarwash, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30

p.m., Bakersfield High

School, 1241 G St.

Craft Fair, with vendors and

food, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., New

Life Christian School, 4201

Stine Road. Free. 831-6252.

CSUB RoadrunnerBaseball vs. Cal StateNorthridge, 6 p.m.

Saturday; 1 p.m. Sunday,

CSUB campus, Hardt Field,

9001 Stockdale Highway. $4

to $7. 654-2583.

“Duality,” presented by the

belly dance group Tribal

Moon Rising, noon to 9 p.m.,

Nile Theater, 1721 19th St.

$10.

Gun Show & Sale, 9 a.m.

to 5 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. to

4 p.m. Sunday, Kern County

Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St. $9;

children 13 and under are

free; $3 parking. 805-481-

6726.

March for Babies,registration starts 8 a.m.,

march begins at 9 a.m.,

Liberty Park, 11225 Brimhall

Road. marchforbabies.org or

588-4883 ext. 104.

Kids’ Hands-on Banking,11 a.m., Beale Memorial

Library, Arkelian Children’s

Room, 701 Truxtun Ave.

868-0770.

Ninth annual Ryan SheetsMemorial Arm-WrestlingTournament, (See story on

Page 25)

Poetry Reading, 7 to 8:30

p.m., Russo’s, 9000 Ming

Ave. Free. 665-4686.

Sixth annual 5K/10KWalk & Run, hosted by

Valley Achievement Center,

9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Park at

River Walk, 11200 Stockdale

Highway. $20 adults; $10

children. 617-6440.

Spanish Storytime, with

Clara Castillo, 3 p.m., Barnes

and Noble, 4001 California

Ave. 631-2575.

Street Teams, opportunity

to reach the hurting and

needy parts of our

community with food, love

and prayer, 10:30 a.m., Jesus

Shack, 1326 30th St.

jesusshack.com or call 324-

0638.

Tehachapi Loop RailroadClub Model Train SpringShow, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4

p.m. Sunday, West Park,

Recreation & Parks District,

491 West D St., Tehachapi.

Free. 821-5271.

Third annual “Fun Underthe Son” Spring Car andMotorcycle Show, with

activities, drawings, goodie

bags, food, music, 50/50

drawing and more, 9 a.m. to

3:30 p.m., Calvary Bible

Church, 48 Manor St., just

below the bluffs. Free. 327-

5921 or gocbc.org.

Third annual “The KeyEvent,” hosted by

Bakersfield Christian High

School, dinner, silent and live

auction, Broadway-style

production by students, 5:30

p.m., Seven Oaks Country

Club, 2000 Grand Lakes Ave.

$150 per person; $1,200

table of eight. 410-7000.

Veterans Information Day,for veterans attending

community colleges who

want to pursue a four-year

college degree, 9 a.m. to 1

p.m., CSUB, Doré Theatre,

Albertson Room, 9001

Stockdale Highway. Free.

Continental breakfast and

lunch will be served. 654-

3277.

Yokuts Park Fun Run,practice racing and earn

points, 7 a.m., Yokuts Park,

Empire Drive off Truxtun

Avenue. No fee.

bakersfieldtrackclub.com or

203-4196 or 391-7080.

Sunday“Affair Extraordinaire,”five-course gourmet meal,

wine, take a tour of the

house, 5 p.m., Guild House,

1905 18th St. $100 per

person. 619-4488.

Bryan Adams soloacoustic concert (See

story on Page23)

“Jim Witter — The PianoMan,” presented by

Bakersfield Community

Concert Association, 3 p.m.,

the theater at Rabobank

Convention Center, 1001

Truxtun Ave. $30 for two

remaining concerts.

bakersfieldcca.org or 205-

8522 or 589-2478.

Thursday, April 7, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian 29

Eye Street

Everything you need to get your day

started! Wake up with Tony In The

Morning, weekdays from 5 a.m. - 9 a.m.

All your soft rock favorites from

the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and Now,

Thank You

to Our

Sponsors! LodgeSS o eShoreShoreShoreShoreShoreShoreShoreShoreShoreShore CC fClifClifClifClifClifClifClifClifClif Clifffffffffff SSSSSSSSSSSShhhhhhhhhhooooooooooorrrrrrrrrererereeeeeeerere CCCCCCCCCCCCllllllllllifififififififififfffffffffiiiiiiiiiifffffffffffffffffffff���������������

Please see PAGE 30

The Californian will salute local high

school seniors in our annual college-

bound seniors issue.

We need: the student’s full name, pho-

to, high school, name of college, submit-

ter’s name and phone number, which will

not be published. Email to college-

bound@bakersfield.com or bring the pho-

to and information to The Californian,

1707 Eye St.

Photos will not be returned.

Deadline is May 11.

COLLEGE-BOUND SENIORS

30 The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, April 7, 2011

Eye Street

THEATER“Driving Miss Daisy,” doors

open at 6 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m.

today through Saturday; doors

open at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Stars

Dinner Theatre, 1931 Chester Ave.

$45 to $55; show-only, $35;

matinee $46 to $50. 325-6100.

“Bedlam at Sam Lynn BallPark,” 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday;

2 p.m. Sunday, Gaslight

Melodrama Theatre & Music Hall,

12748 Jomani Drive. $12 to $23.

587-3377.

“The Night Time Show withMichael Armendariz,” variety

show with guests Eric Tolley, Amy

Hall and Morgan Roy, 11 p.m.

Friday, The Empty Space, 706 Oak

St. $5. 327-7529.

“The Phantom of the Opera,” 7

p.m. Friday and Saturday,

Spotlight Theatre, 1622 19th St.

634-0692 or

thespotlighttheatre.com.

“Zanna Don’t,” 11 p.m. Friday

and Saturday, Spotlight Theatre,

1622 19th St. 634-0692 or

thespotlighttheatre.com.

Improv Comedy Show, with

Center For Improv Advancement,

8 to 9:30 p.m. Fridays and

Saturdays, Ice House, 3401

Chester Ave., Suite M. Adults: $5

on Friday and Saturdays, children

under 12 are $1 every day.

ciacomedy.com.

Major League Improv,improvisational comedy show,

appropriate for families, 6 p.m.

Saturdays, The Empty Space, 706

Oak St. Free but donations are

accepted. 327-PLAY.

ARTArtist reception, photographs

from Greece and Puerto Rico by

Susan Anderson from New York,

4 to 7 p.m. Friday, End of Times

Gallery, 428 Center St., Taft. 765-

4790.

“A Time to Write,” part of the

Art for Healing program, 1 to 3:30

p.m. Saturday, Mercy Art &

Spirituality Center, 2215 Truxtun

Ave. 324-7070.

Design Concepts, that are

essential for improving your art,

with Norma Eaton, 9 a.m. to noon

Saturday, Bakersfield Art

Association, 1817 Eye St. Free.

869-2320.

All Media Class, by instructor

Phyllis Oliver, all media welcome,

with color theory stressed. For

more information or to register,

email pegolivert@ix.netcom.com

or call 348-4717.

Art classes, beginning

watercolor, beginning drawing,

advanced drawing and watercolor

painters’ group, taught by Carol

Bradshaw. Call or email for details

and enrollment.

bradshawartist@earthlink.net or

760-376-6604.

Art classes, stained glass, clay

sculpture, oil painting, youth art

and silver jewelry, Juliana’s Art

Studio & Gallery, 501 18th St. For

times and dates call 327-7507.

Basic Beading & WireWrapping Workshop, with Susi

Klassen, private instruction or by

appointment, The Bead Hut, 610

18th St. To schedule an appt., call

324-0975 or 706-6490.

Beginning Oil Painting, with

instructor Glen Jelletich, classes

held 1 to 3 p.m. Mondays. Call 399-

3707 for more information or to

register.

Beginning, Intermediate andAdvanced Drawing, by instructor

Nina Landgraff, series of five two-

hour classes. Call for more

information or to register. 304-

7002.

Framing Clinic, with Toni Lott, for

artists who want to frame their

work, running noon to 4 p.m.

Wednesdays. Call 205-3488 for

more information or to register.

Free art classes, for home-school

children, 11 a.m. Thursdays,

Moore’s Art School, 837-1037.

Preschool Hour, with music,

stories, art with Jeannie Truitt, 10

to 11 a.m. Thursday, Bakersfield Art

Association Art Center, 1817 Eye

St. 869-2320.

The Art Center, 1817 Eye St., 869-

2320; offers a variety of painting

and drawing classes. Call for

details.

MUSIC

BluesKern River Blues Society Jam, 2

to 8 p.m. Saturday, Trout’s, 805

N. Chester Ave. 872-7517.

Sinaloa, 910 20th St., 327-5231;

Glenda Robles & The Bandoleros,

8 to 11 p.m. Saturday. $5.

The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall

Road, 831-1413; Chuck Seaton

and Billy Russell’s Songwriters’

Showcase featuring Rudy Parris,

7 p.m. Wednesday.

Classic rock Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge,3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139;

Mike Montano, 9 p.m. Friday; Usual

Suspects, 9 p.m. Saturday.

Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner, 323-

0053; Big Dawg, 8 p.m. Friday, 1

p.m. Saturday.

ComedyElevation Lounge, 818 Real Road,

325-6864; Improv Tuesday — live

comedy with DJ after party, 9 p.m.

Tuesdays.

Country

Trout’s & the BlackboardStages, 805 N. Chester Ave.,399-6700:, offers karaoke, line

dancing, West Coast Swing among

other various activities. Call for

times and days.

Ethel’s Old Corral, 4310 Alfred

Harrell Highway, 873-7613; Two

Timers, 7 to 11 p.m. Friday; Still

Kickin’, 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Tejon Club, 117 El Tejon Ave., 392-

1747; Crossroads, 6 to 10 p.m.

Sunday.

DancingFolklorico Classes, advance

dancers/performing group 6 to 8

p.m. Fridays; and beginners, all

ages, 10:30 a.m. to noon

Saturdays, Fruitvale-Norris Park,

6221 Norris Road. $22 per month

for beginners; $25 per month for

advance dancers. 833-8790.

Mavericks Singles, ballroom and

country dancing with music by

Crossroads, 7 to 10 p.m. Friday,

Kern City Town Hall, 1003 Pebble

Beach Drive. $6 member; $8

guest. 831-9241.

Pairs and Spares Dance, 7:30

p.m. each Friday, Rasmussen

Senior Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane.

$5; $7 nonmembers. 399-3575 or

332-1537.

Dance classes, beginning west

coast swing,

intermediate/advanced west

coast swing with instructor Mimi

Johanson, at 8214 Mossrock

Drive. Call 927-7001 for details.

Whirlaways Square DanceClub, has workshops/classes

every first, third, fourth and fifth

Mondays, Park Stockdale Civic

Association Community Center,

205 Rio Bravo Drive.

whirlaways.org or 213-3105.

African Dance for Fitness,taught by national touring artists,

5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 1

to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Su Studio

Dance Academy, 1515 21st St. $5-

$7 per class.

africandanceclasses.com or 760-

917-3685.

Beginner Belly Dance Lessons,8 p.m. every Tuesday, Centre Stage

Studio, 1710 Chester Ave. 323-

5215.

Whirlaways Square DanceClub, workshop/class with caller

Rick Hampton every second

Monday, Greenacres Community

Center, game room, 2014 Calloway

Drive. whirlaways.org or 213-3105.

DJRockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany

Ave., Suite B5, 589-6749; DJ

James, 9 p.m. Thursdays through

Saturdays. Free.

Banacek’s Lounge, 4601 State

Road, 387-9224; with DJ Casey

Overstreet, 9 p.m. Fridays.

Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 White

Lane, 834-1611; with DJ Chill in the

Mixx, 5 p.m. every Friday until 2

a.m. Saturday.

The Bull Shed Bar & Grill, at

Hotel Rosedale, 2400 Camino Del

Rio Court, 327-0681; with Meg,

7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Jazz Cafe Med, 4809 Stockdale

Highway., 834-4433; Richie

Perez, 7:30 to 11 p.m. Thursdays.

Imbibe Wine & SpiritsMerchant, 4140 Truxtun Ave.,

633-WINE; live music & wine bar

with featuring local artists, along

with 24 wines, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Friday; featuring Jazz Connection,

along with 24 wines, 7 to 9:30

p.m. Saturday.

Imbibe Wine & SpiritsMerchant, 4140 Truxtun Ave.,

633-WINE; live music & wine bar

with featuring Jazz Connection,

along with 24 wines, 6 to 8:30

p.m. Tuesdays.

Intimate Theatre & Music Hall,2030 19th St., 323-1976; Ron

Christian and his Big Band, 5:30

p.m. Tuesdays.

Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 White

Lane, 834-1611; Bakersfield Jazz

Workshop, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

every Wednesday.

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

Thursdays.

Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge,3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; 9

p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursdays and

Sundays.

Cactus Valley MexicanRestaurant, 4215 Rosedale

Highway, 633-1948; 6:30 to 9:30

p.m. Thursday; beer pong and

happy hour all day Sunday.

Cataldo’s Pizza, 4200 New Stine

Road, 397-5000; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Thursday.

Corona’s Cantina, 9817 S. Union

Ave., 345-8463; 7 to 10 p.m.

Thursdays.

Don Perico Restaurant, 2660

Oswell St., Suite 133, 871-2001; 7

to 11 p.m. Thursdays.

Pour House, 4041 Fruitvale Ave.,

589-9300; 9 p.m. Thursday

through Saturday.

T-Bones Steakhouse, 8020

District Blvd., 398-1300; with Irish

Monkey Entertainment, 6:30 to 11

p.m. Thursdays.

The Old River Monte Carlo,9750 Taft Highway, 837-0250;

8:30 p.m. every Thursday.

The Wright Place, 2695-G Mount

Vernon Ave., 872-8831, 8 p.m.

every Thursday.

Tomi’s Cowgirl Cafe, 1440

Weedpatch Highway, 633-1949;

Karaoke King Show, all ages, 7 to

10 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays.

Julie’s The Branding IronSaloon, 1807 N. Chester Ave., 6 to

10 p.m. every Friday.

Maria Bonita MexicanRestaurant, 10701 Highway 178,

366-3261, 7 to 11 p.m. Fridays. All

ages.

The Pourhouse, 4041 Fruitvale

Ave., 589-9300; 9 p.m. every

Friday.

The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall

Road, 831-1413; hosted by Ed

Loverr, 9 p.m. to midnight Friday.

The Regent, 2814 Niles St., 871-

4140; 8:30 p.m. every other Friday.

Chateau Lounge, 2100 S. Chester

Ave., 835-1550; 9 p.m. every

Saturday.

Del Rio Cocktail Lounge, 5840

State Road, 393-0262; 8 p.m.

every Saturday.

Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner, 323-

0053; 8 p.m. to midnight

Saturdays.

Rocket Shop Cafe, 2000 S. Union

Ave., 832-4800; 8:30 p.m. to

midnight Saturday.

Sports & Spirits, 6633 Ming Ave.,

398-7077; 9 p.m. Thursdays and

Saturdays.

Tejon Club, 117 El Tejon Ave., 392-

1747; 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday.

The Playhouse, 2915 Taft

Highway; 397-3599; 7 to 10 p.m.

Sundays.

Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany

Ave., Suite B5, 589-6749; 8 p.m.

Mondays through Wednesdays.

Schweitzer’s Pit Stop, 10807

Rosedale Highway, 587-8888; 8

p.m. Mondays and Thursdays.

The Wrecking Yard, 9817 S.

Union Ave., 827-9192; 7 to 10 p.m.

Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

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

Tuesday.

Cataldo’s Pizzeria, 6111 Niles St.,

363-7200; 6:15 to 10:15 p.m.

Tuesdays.

DoubleTree Hotel, Club Odyssey,

3100 Camino Del Rio Court; 8 p.m.

to midnight Tuesdays.

Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 White

Lane, 834-1611; A to Z Karaoke, 8

p.m. to midnight Tuesdays.

Lone Oak Inn, 10612 Rosedale

Highway, 589-0412; 8 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday.

Magoo’s Pizza, 1129 Olive Drive,

399-7800; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Tuesday.

McMurphy’s Irish Pub & SportsBar, 14 Monterey St., 869-1451; 7

p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesdays.

Round Table Pizza, 2060 White

Lane, 836-2700; 6 to 9 p.m.

Tuesday.

The Bull Shed Bar & Grill, at

Hotel Rosedale, 2400 Camino Del

Rio Court, 327-0681; 7 p.m.

Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Trout’s & The BlackboardStages, 805 N. Chester Ave., 399-

6700; 7 p.m. Mondays and

Thursdays, 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays,

Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays

and Sundays.

Ethel’s Old Corral, 4310 Alfred

Harrell Highway, 873-7613; 6 to 9

p.m. every Wednesday.

Latin/salsaLatin Salsa Dancing, 8 p.m.

Thursdays, DoubleTree Hotel, Club

Odyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio

Court. 323-7111.

Tam O’Shanter, 2345 Alta Vista,

324-6774: Salsa dancing, 7:30 p.m.

Fridays and Saturdays.

Mariachi Camino Real Restaurant, 3500

Truxtun Ave., 852-0493; Mariachi

Imperial, 6 to 9 p.m. Sundays.

Oldies KC Steakhouse, 2515 F St., 322-

9910; Jimmy Gaines, Bobby O and

Mike Halls, 6:30 p.m. Thursday

through Saturday.

Old School Que Pasa Mexican Cafe, 2701

Ming Ave., 832-5011; Al Garcia &

the Rhythm Kings, 8 to 11 p.m.

every Thursday.

Maria Bonita MexicanRestaurant, 10701 Highway 178,

366-3261; Savor with Valerie

Rubin, 9 p.m. Saturday.

Iron Horse Saloon, 1821 S.

Chester Ave., 831-1315; The Press,

9 p.m. Monday.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

Please see PAGE 31

Thursday, April 7, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian 31

Open Mic Fishlips, 1517 18th St., 324-2557;

Bakotopia Unplugged Open-Mic Night, 8

p.m., sign-up sheet begins at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesdays.

RockJerry’s Pizza, 1817 Chester Ave., 633-1000;

The Artery Young Guns Tour featuring The

Air I Breathe, Ten After Two, Scarlett Ohara,

The Plot in You, Lions!, Tigers! Bears!, 6 p.m.

today. The Dangerous Summer with Sparks

the Rescue, The Graduate, The Scenic and

Streetside Vinyl, 6 p.m. Friday. The Funeral

Party, 6 p.m. Saturday. All shows $10 each.

Tickets at tgptix.com or World Records,

Wavelengths, Impact Streetwear, Outer

Limits or Hoggz Surfshop.

Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany Ave.,

Suite B5, 589-6749; live bands, 9 p.m. every

Thursday.

The Gate, 2010 O St., 323-4162; The

Divergence Point, Company to Keep, Forever

I, A Day of Atonement, For Every King A

Crown, 7 p.m. Friday. $7.

B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White

Lane, 397-7304; Unwritten Law with Dead

Ashling, Meditated Assault, Dirt Head and

Alast Taft, 7 p.m. Saturday. $15.

RockabillyB. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White

Lane, 397-7304; Bob Wayne, 9 p.m. Friday.

$5.

SongwritersThe Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall Road, 831-

1413; Chuck Seaton and Billy Russell’s

Songwriter’s Showcase, 7 p.m.

Wednesdays.

Top 40DoubleTree Hotel, Club Odyssey, 3100

Camino Del Rio Court. 323-7111; 9 p.m. to

1:30 a.m. Fridays.

Trivia nightBellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090

Brundage Lane, 325-2139; 7 p.m. Tuesdays.

Sandrini’s, 1918 Eye St., 322-8900; Trivia

Night with Dave Rezac, 10 p.m. Tuesdays.

VarietyLe Corusse Rouge, 4647 White Lane, 834-

1611; Hooker Spit, 9 p.m. Saturday.

Golden State Mall, 3201 F St., Dance to

Joe Loco, 2 to 5 p.m. Sundays.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday 4/11Kern County Rose Society, with Anna

Smith discussing “Landscaping with Roses,”

socializing 6:30 p.m., meeting 7 p.m.,

Calvary Bible Church, 48 Manor St. 327-

3228.

Magician Ariann Black, 7:30 p.m.,

Intimate Theatre & Music Hall, 2030 19th St.

$15. 809-4826.

The Bakersfield Winds Concert, 7:30

p.m., Olive Drive Church, 5500 Olive Drive.

$5. 323-7928.

TuesdayThe Band of Heathens, 8 p.m., Buck

Owens’ Crystal Palace, 2800 Buck Owens

Blvd., 328-7560. Free.

Bakersfield Republican WomenFederated, with guest speaker Mike

Williams, trustee to the Kern High School

District, social hour at 11:30 a.m.; meeting

noon to 1 p.m., The Petroleum Club, 5060

California Ave. $20. 477-7004.

Creative Corner Bazaar, featuring

handmade items such as fabric art, kitchen

accessories, quilts, children’s items and

more, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., The Villas at Scenic

River, 4015 Scenic River Lane. 871-3340 or

619-4153.

Randy Fendrick & The IntrepidTrombones, presented by the Creative Arts

Cafe, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Intimate Theatre &

Music Hall, 2030 19th St. $5; free for

children under 12. 477-6853.

Teen Advisory Group, meeting, 3:30 p.m.,

Beale Memorial Library, Lake Room, 701

Truxtun Ave. 868-0770.

WednesdayFour Perspectives on Valley Fever, panel

with Dr. Hans Einstein, George Martin and

others, preview documentary including

interviews with local families affected, 11

a.m., Hodel’s Country Dining, 5917 Knudsen

Drive. $20. Paid reservations required, 746-

6056.

Kern Audubon Society, field trip along the

Kern River near Hart Park for birding and

wildflowers, meet at Sugar Mill Cafe, 2523

N. Chester Ave., 8:30 a.m. Bring water,

binoculars, walking shoes and snacks. 399-

2282 or kernaudubonsociety.org.

Reading the Classics: Waiting forGodot, public performance by the BC

Drama Department, 7 p.m., Norman Levan

Center for the Humanities, seminar room,

1801 Panorama Drive. Free. 395-4011.

Thursday2011 Freedom from Prejudice 20thannual Banquet & Awards Ceremony,hosted by Kern County Human Relations

Commission, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Hodel’s Country

Dining, 5917 Knudsen Drive. $25. 428-5653.

21st annual Easter Craft & Bake Sale, 9

a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Adaptive

Aquatics Center, 1800 Westwind Drive. 322-

9411.

Bo Bice, 7 p.m., Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace,

2800 Buck Owens Blvd. $16 to $23. Web

site vallitix.com or call 322-5200.

CSU Bakersfield Guitar Art Series,featuring Florian Larousse, 7:30 p.m., Metro

Galleries, 1604 19th St. 654-2511.

“Hotel Rwanda,” 6:30 p.m., CSUB, Student

Union, Multipurpose Room, 9001 Stockdale

Highway. Free; free park in Lot K after 6 p.m.

654-3149.

Eye Street

This is your opportunity to enjoy all the fun, food and excitement Tachi Palace has to offer, conveniently accessible from the luxury of your own room. Play your favorite games anytime you want. Relax in the spa, enjoy fine dining and indulge yourself in the wide array of outstanding amenities the resort is known for.

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

special rate of only

*Our traditional rooms at these special

rates are limited. Use code MADWD69 for

weekdays, and code MADWE89 for Fridays

and Saturdays to receive this discount. Make

your reservations now at tachipalace.com

or call 1-866 4 Palace.

TACHI PALACE HOTEL & CASINOBE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THE FUN & EXCITEMENT!

������������� ������ ��

$69.00*$89 Fridays and Saturdays

WEEKDAYS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30

Do you offer activities for children over

the summer?

Send us your information and we will

run a free listing in The Californian. Infor-

mation is due by April 22. Email your

event to summercamps@bakersfield.com

and include the following:

Name of camp; address of camp; con-

tact information (phone number, email

and website of organization); dates of all

sessions being offered (beginning date

through end date); registration deadline;

theme; age range of participants; activi-

ties; cost.

SHARE NEWS OF YOUR SUMMER CAMP