bakersfield californian eye street / 5 - 5 - 11

20 The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, May 5, 2011

Eye StreetEditor Jennifer Self | Phone 395-7434 | e-mail [email protected]

BY SUSAN SCAFFIDIContributing writer

It was right after the first BakersfieldJazz Festival in 1986 that musicdirector Doug Davis realized hewas in for the long haul.

“I realized we’ll have to do it again,”Davis said. “Because it was a success.”

This year marks the 25th anniversaryof the festival, a daring project when itstarted, and now a mainstay of KernCounty’s entertainment calendar.

“We had a lot of success in the veryearly concerts, even before the festivalbegan,” Davis said, referring to perform-ances by Chick Corea, Spyro Gyra andother big names, at the CSUB Dore’ The-ater.

From Dizzy to Bela, the greatshave taken bows at CSUB

The record turnout for those eventsdemonstrated to at least a few peoplethat Bakersfield might be ready for alarge-scale festival, which first began asa collaboration with Bakersfield College.Davis said the two schools scheduledtheir respective events on successivedays at their respective campuses. Butthe tandem arrangement did not lastafter the second year. In fact, the festivalitself almost didn’t survive the secondyear.

“It was pouring rain at like 11 in themorning and we were supposed to startat 2,” Davis said. “We couldn’t put any-thing up — the lights, sound equipmentwere still in the trucks.”

Davis said he came close to having tocancel the day, but at the last minute theweather cleared, and the show went on.But the unstable weather was some-thing concert-goers did not forget. Davissaid organizers tried to get around theweather by holding the festival at thefairgrounds the next year, but audiencesremained wary.

“That was the biggest threat to sur-vival after the second year because (thefestival) took such a big hit financially,”Davis said.

Davis said BC stopped participatingat that point, and he went on his own.But he hasn’t been alone. Long-timesponsors such as the late Bill Burton ofAdvance Beverage, the college itself andthe local music community have keptthe festival going. There is also Davis’wife, Adele, who has marshaled an armyof volunteers each year and has dedicat-ed as much time to the festival as Davishas.

Moving the festival to later in thespring — audiences can now count onthe festival occurring Mother’s Day

weekend — helped clear up the weatherproblem, and the festival has enjoyed asolid turnout year after year. The festivalcan boast an all-star line up performersover the years: Dizzy Gillespie, WyntonMarsalis, Freddie Hubbard, DavidBenoit, Dianne Schurr, Lee Ritenour,Yellowjackets, Bela Fleck and the Fleck-tones, and dozens of others.

But beyond promoting jazz andadding to the local entertainment calen-dar, the festival has also provided schol-arships to hundreds of CSUB students.Davis estimates that in the last 10 years

alone, the festival has provided about$30,000 each year for scholarships.

“It’s about 50 scholarships a year, sothey’re not necessarily huge checks,”Davis said. “We’re spreading out a littlebit of support over eight to 10 academicdisciplines each year, not just music.”

Who will take over when theDavises move on?

Davis has been on leave from theCSUB music department this year, butnot from the festival, an arrangementthat has left him with less, not more, freetime.

“To be perfectly frank, rehearsals andclasses were a great relief (from manag-ing the festival),” Davis said.

Davis has used the time to documenteverything he does to make the festivalhappen, hoping to leave a legacy to keepthe festival going, as he nears retire-ment.

“The last move that I can make is topass on all the decision-making tosomebody else in the hopes that it willcontinue after me,” Davis said.

“Everyone knows that Adele and Ican’t continue doing this,” Davis said.

IndexFirst Friday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2226th annual PCRA Stampede Days Rodeo . . . . . .23Arts Alive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24Back From The Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25The Lowdown with Matt Munoz . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2613th annual Crawfish Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27All-American Car Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30-33

A good idea keeps givingJazz Festival marks 25years as local institution

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BAKERSFIELD JAZZ FESTIVAL

Saxophonist Eric Darius started playing at the age of 10, and within a year was touring with the ensemble America’s Youngest JazzBand. He produced his first commercial CD, “Cruisin’,” at age 17, and has grown to become a leading solo performer.

Bakersfield Jazz FestivalWhen: 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m.

Saturday

Where: CSUB Amphitheater, 9001

Stockdale Highway

Admission: $55 for two-day

combo tickets; $35 students; $32,

$23 in advance for Friday only, $36

and $27 at the gate; $35 and $25

in advance for Saturday only, $40

and $30 at the gate. Available

through Vallitix, 322-5200.

Pete Escovedo will be making his third appearanceat the Bakersfield Jazz Festival.

Thursday, May 5, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian 21

Eye Street

BY MATT MUNOZBakotopia.com editor

[email protected]

I've experienced my share ofamazing moments at the Bak-ersfield Jazz Festival over the

years, going back to the festival’ssecond year.

Meeting the late Dizzy Gille-spie back in ’87 stands out imme-diately, as I was just a youngsaxophonist right out of McFar-land High. A new student of jazzmusic as a college freshman, myonly knowledge of the mastertrumpeter was seeing Dizzy per-form on “The Muppet Show”with those blowfish cheeks of his.I was a member of the Bakers-field College student day bandunder the direction of ChuckWoods, who knew just aboutevery living jazz legend on a first-name basis.

“Mr. John Birks Gillespie, alsoknown as 'Dizzy'” will be ourheadlining artist this year,” Irecall him saying to the class oneafternoon. Not surprisingly, aburst of excitement came overthe room, but it wasn't until thefinal rehearsal before the showthat we knew we were about totake part in something really spe-

cial. Strolling in with a laid-backswagger, wearing suspendersand a T-shirt emblazoned with abright Panama Jack rum logo,Dizzy said hello to the advancedbacking night band, glanced atthe charts on his stand beforewalking over to his horn to warmup. There it was — the signatureGillespie trumpet with the bellbent up at 45 degrees.

Counting off his classic 1942composition “A Night in Tunisia,”the opening line by Bakersfieldbassist Glenn Fong made Gille-spie's head nod in approval. Backbehind the drum set, Delanodrummer Ramon Martinez, whowas known for being a young hotshot on the traps, laid down aCaribbean cha-cha rhythm thatdidn't sit well with the song'scomposer.

“Not like that — I want you toplay it like this,” he said beforegrabbing Martinez's drumstickand tapping the high-hat cym-bals in a less busy, direct rhythmpattern. It was one of those hum-bling moments for Martinez,who listened attentively, but howcould you not respect the direc-tion? “Straight ahead,” Gillespieadded, watching and listening

closely until everything felt right. Continuing through a selec-

tion of handpicked tunes for theshow, among them TheloniousMonk's “Round Midnight” andGillespie's very own “Manteca,”credited with blending AfroCuban rhythms into mainstreamjazz, his feisty demeanor had allthe vets on their toes. Gillespiewas a jokester and storyteller,which really came out on stagethat night. He shared storiesabout his old friend saxophonistCharlie Parker, and reminiscedthat bebop was how the “cats”did it back in the '40s. I can evenrecall a few Michael Jackson jabs.I have one photo taken withDizzy after the show, and I'msure it's hidden among myarchives somewhere. Talk aboutan unbelievable brush with jazzgreatness. I still get the chills talk-ing about it.

Around that time, CSUB's rep-utation for being the go-to schoolfor up-and-coming musicianswas growing. Doug Davis haddeveloped a program for higherjazz learning and if you were seri-ous, there wasn't a better place intown to hone your skills.

Besides being taught how to

properly swing notes and followchord changes, one benefit hasalways been the annual festivalnurtured by Davis and his wife,Adele.

In addition to always bookingtop-tier acts, one of the festival'sstrong points is allowing studentsa chance to share a stage with thestars as well. It's not only awe-inspiring, but enriching for ayoung musician.

There are too many greatmemories to list here, but somefavorites include dancing to PeteEscovedo and Cecilia Noel, talk-ing to guitarist Charlie Hunterbackstage about the Bay Areamusic scene, watching saxo-phonist David Sanborn underthe moonlit sky, and of courseperforming various years withthe CSUB Jazz Ensemble and mygroup, Mento Buru.

From its beginnings at the Bak-ersfield College outdoor theaterand Kern County Fairgrounds, tothe CSUB soccer field and per-manent home at the campusoutdoor amphitheater, the annu-al Bakersfield Jazz Festival hasbecome a beloved tradition inthe community. Congratulationson 25 years.

Dizzy himself opened a world of jazz to this kid

It’s another something-for-

everyone lineup for the

Bakersfield Jazz Festival, which

celebrates its 25th anniversary

when it opens Friday night at

the CSUB Amphitheater. Friday

night is always party night at

the festival, and is capped with

returning Latin-jazz bandleader

PPeettee EEssccoovveeddoo aanndd hhiiss LLaattiinn

JJaazzzz OOrrcchheessttrraa. The 75-year-old

Escovedo, who first came to

prominence in the early 1970s

while touring with Carlos

Santana, has always made his

music a family affair, first with

his brothers, Phil and Coke, and

then with his children Sheila E.

and Peter Michael. This will

mark Escovedo’s third

appearance at the festival.

Saxophonist EErriicc DDaarriiuuss is also

returning to the festival, this

time as a mature performer

instead of the new kid. Darius

started playing at the age of 10,

and within a year was touring

with the ensemble “America’s

Youngest Jazz Band.” He

produced his first commercial

CD, “Cruisin’” at the age of 17,

and grown to become a leading

solo performer.

Festival director DDoouugg DDaavviiss

himself will open the Friday

night show in one of his several

musical incarnations — this

time as “Dr. D.” with DDrr.. DD’’ss

DDeebbrriiss, which features PPaauull

PPeerreezz and MMiikkee RRaanneeyy on

saxophones and KKeenn BBaauussaannoo

on trumpet.

Saturday begins at 2 p.m. with

the annual performance of the

KKeerrnn CCoouunnttyy HHoonnoorr JJaazzzz BBaanndd,

featuring top performers from

area high schools. The CCSSUUBB

eennsseemmbbllee RRiicckkeettyy SShhiipp and

local favorite SSoouullaajjaarr help fill

out the afternoon, followed by

trumpeter and composer KKrriiss

TTiinneerr and his quartet. Saturday

evening’s headliners include

guitarist AAllllaann HHoollddsswwoorrtthh, the

vocal quartet New York Voices,

and trumpeter Rick Braun.

Holdsworth is known as a

“guitar synthesist,” musically

hovering between progressive

rock and jazz. With his custom-

made guitars — including some

new instruments such as the

piccolo guitar and the baritone

guitar, plus the very rare

“SynthAxe,” a MIDI controller —

Holdsworth has definitely

walked his own path, producing

most of his own recordings, and

inventing his own harmonies for

such other-worldly titles as

“Tokyo Dream,” “Proto Cosmos,”

“Galaxy” and “House of Mirrors.”

Darmon Meader, Peter Eldridge,

Kim Nazarian and Lauren

Kinhan have made NNeeww YYoorrkk

VVooiicceess one of the most

respected and accomplished

vocal ensembles working today.

The group started recording in

1989 and won a Grammy Award

for their 1996 collaboration

with the Count Basie Orchestra.

The quartet has also expanded

its repertoire to include pop

music, the music of Brazil and

other genres.

Trumpeter RRiicckk BBrraauunn will close

the Saturday night show. Braun

is one of the most successful

“smooth jazz” performers,

especially in his collaborations

with Boney James, Kirk

Whalum, Norman Brown and

Richard Elliot.

Davis notes that one of the

primary purposes of the festival

is to provide scholarships for

CSUB students. Several

scholarships are awarded at

various times throughout the

festival. As he nears retirement,

Davis said he hopes that will

never change.

“The festival is unique to the

23-campus Cal State system,”

Davis said. “There is quite a lot

of community support for this

event.

“We just have to wait and see if

the festival is transformed,”

Davis said. “I hope it will stay

at CSUB with its scholarship

support.”

ANNUAL JAZZ FESTIVAL LINEUP FEATURES SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Rick Braun Allan Holdsworth

Before heading to the Bakersfield JazzFestival, Cal State Bakersfield invites thecommunity to raise a glass — andscholarship funds.

Since the CSUB Alumni Associationstarted its annual Party in the Parkevent 15 years ago, it has raised morethan $40,000 in scholarships for CSUBstudents. The event is a great way toenjoy good wine, beer, food and friendsin CSUB’s Alumni Park before headingover to the Outdoor Amphitheatre foropening night of the jazz festival. Partyin the Park will be held from 5:30 to 7:30p.m. Friday.

More than 500 attendees will experi-ence offerings by 30 wineries, such asSteinbeck, Tobin James, Rio Seco, PearValley, Bella la Vina and Las Flores.Lengthwise Brewing Co. and eventsponsor Stella Artois will offer beertastings. Guests receive two compli-mentary glasses, one for wine and onefor beer.

CSUB’s fine dining catering staff willoffer treats such as a “crunchy station,”gourmet burgers, sweet potato fries andchocolate-covered strawberries. Addi-tionally, new event sponsor EagleMountain Casino will serve appetizers,including shrimp cocktail, stuffedmushrooms and steak-wrappedasparagus.

Musical entertainment will be pro-vided by local band Elevation 406.

Last year’s Party in the Park raised$8,000, which was awarded as scholar-ships to two CSUB students. One ofthose students, Devon Lendsey, is a sin-gle dad from Antelope Valley who hasbeen commuting to Bakersfield to earnhis masters in public administration.He will graduate in June with a 4.0 GPA.The scholarship, he said, has allowedhim to stay overnight in Bakersfieldwhen necessary so he can spend moretime studying and less time commut-ing. Family members care for hisdaughter when he is at school.

“It was absolutely critical to get thisscholarship or else it would not havebeen possible to earn this degree,”Lendsey said.— Cal State Bakersfield

Event features food, drink andchance to boost scholarships

CSUB partykicks offjazz fest

Party in the ParkWhen: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday

Where: CSUB’s Alumni Park, 9001

Stockdale Highway

Admission: $50 until midnight

tonight at csub.edu/alumni. After

that, they’re $60 at the event.

Package prices for Party in the

Park and the Bakersfield Jazz

Festival are available.

Information:www.csub.edu/alumni or 654-3211


Eye Street

THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN

Everything feels fresh andnew in the spring, so it’s aperfect time for a display of

student art. For First Friday, MetroGalleries will display the worksfrom the 30th annual “An ArtisticDiscovery” Congressional ArtCompetition.

U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy willbe on hand at Friday’s receptionto honor the young artists whocompeted in the annual event.The competition was open tostudents from 12 high schools inthe 22nd Congressional District,which includes part of Kern, SanLuis Obispo and Los Angelescounties.

The overall winner among the70 entries is 15-year-old ChristianaKallemeyn for her work “Imagina-tion Soars.” Created under thedirection of her Grace ChristianAcademy art teacher Alicia Garver,the colored pencil work featuresKallmeyn’s father and two cousinsreading a book with colorful birdsin the background. The congress-man had only praise for the artistsand the competition.

“The Congressional Art Compe-tition is a great opportunity toencourage artistic expression inour communities,” McCarthy said.“I am continually impressed bythe incredible talent and creativityof our young people, and amproud of every artist who entered apiece.”

Kallemeyn will be invited toattend the exhibit opening of “An

Artistic Discovery” in Washington,D.C., on June 22 with her parents,Dennis and Tina Kallemeyn. Herartwork will be displayed in thecorridor leading to the U.S. Capitolfor a period of one year. As theoverall winner, she will also receivethree round-trip tickets to theexhibit opening, as well as a cashaward to be presented at the dis-trict reception.

Awards will also be presented tothose students who placed first,second, third or received an hon-orable mention in the categoriesof photography, computer-gener-ated art and all other mediums. Inaddition, all winners will have the

option of displaying their artworkin McCarthy’s Washington officefor one year.

Also on display Friday“Sweet 16” at The Foundry:

The sweets-themed exhibit,which benefits Teen Challenge,opens Friday. Reception guestswill have the opportunity to votefor the artwork they think bestfits the “sweets” theme.

Mike Barker at Farmacy Cafe:The local contemporary artist’sworks are still on display at thePadre Hotel’s coffeeshop.

“Modernism, ’60s, Pop, Vera,

’70s, Swank, Palm Springs inthe ’60s” at Bossanova Studios:Gallery owner and artist JohnnyRamos will display a new seriesof abstract and floral paintings.

Lila Martin at the BAA ArtCenter: The Bakersfield Art Asso-ciation’s Art Center will host areception for Lila Martin’s show“The World Through My Eyes.”

The exhibit focuses on scenesfrom her travels to France andItaly as well as her many trips toMexico, Spain and Scotland.

Norma Eaton at Dagny’s: Viewthe collage landscapes of NormaEaton, and meet the artist tolearn more about her unusualapproach to collage, using paint-ed papers.

Young artists shine at competitionFirst Friday exhibits“An Artistic Discovery”Congressional ArtCompetition Reception, 5 to

9 p.m., Metro Galleries, 1604

19th St. 634-9598.

Artist Reception & Show, for

Lila Martin, 6 p.m., Bakersfield

Art Association Art Center,

1817 Eye St. 869-2320.

“Sweet 16,” 5 to 8 p.m., The

Foundry, 1700 Chester Ave.

301-3283.

Norma Eaton, 6 to 8 p.m.,

Dagny's Coffee Co., 1600 20th

St. 634-0806.

“Modernism, ’60s, Pop,Vera, ’70s, Swank, PalmSprings in the ’60s,” 6 to 9

p.m., Bossanova Studios, 814

18th St. 369-9606.

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ADVANCED SHOWING OF INSIDIOUS12:01AM TONIGHT!ADVANCED SHOWING OF SCREAM 4 12:01AM TONIGHT!

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS (PG-13)(12:00PM, 2:40, 5:20), 7:00, 8:00, 9:45MADEA’S BIG HAPPY FAMILY (PG-13)(12:00PM, 1:15, 2:25, 3:35, 4:50, 5:55),7:15, 8:15, 9:40RIO (G) 3D: (1:00PM, 3:20, 5:45)2D: (11:45AM, 12:25, 2:00, 2:45, 4:20,5:00), 7:20, 9:50

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Dylan-Dog Dead of Night – PG-13

12:15 3:00 8:10 10:35

Fast Five – PG-13 10:30 12:40 1:00 1:30 3:30 4:00 4:30

6:30 7:00 7:30 9:30 10:00 10:30

Hoodwinked Too – PG

10:40 12:45 2:50 5:05 7:10 9:15

Prom – PG

12:00 2:45 5:35 8:00 10:25

African Cats – G

11:00 1:05 3:25 5:25 7:25 9:25

Madeas Big Happy Family – PG-13

10:50 1:25 6:50 9:20

Water for Elephants – PG-13 10:40 11:10 1:20 1:50 4:20 4:50

7:05 7:35 10:05 10:40

Rio – G

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11:15 2:25 5:10 7:45 10:15

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HOTDOGMondays

$1$1

Tickets On Sale Now For Midnight Showing Of Thor Thursday May 5

Directed by Kathleen SchafferVocals by Char Gaines

Choreography by Marnie Forzetting & Brent Rochon

Performances held at The Harvey Auditorium

1341 G Street

Tickets available online at bmtstars.com or by phoning the Ticket Office

(661) 325-6100.

Adults $35, Students $15 with

Valid ID

April 30, May 1 and May 7

Overall winnerChristiana Kallemeyn, Grace

Christian Academy in Lancaster,

“Imagination Soars”

PhotographyFirst: Jesse Starks,

Independence High School in

Bakersfield, “love”

Second: Jules Najera,


Bakersfield, “DREAM”

Third: Renee Olshefski,

Atascadero High School,

Atascadero, “Hurdling into the

Shadows”

Computer-generated art First: Sabrina Millard,


Bakersfield, “Just makes me

want to pull my hair out”

Second: Jennifer Nusser, West

High School in Bakersfield,

“Magic Music Girl”

Third: Maria Sandoval,


Bakersfield, “The Silverstein

Tree”

Honorable mention: Brianna

Symonds, Independence High

School in Bakersfield, “P.L.V.R

Life”

All other mediumsFirst: Justin Bingaman, Vista

West High School in Bakersfield,

“Play full” (linoleum carving)

Second: Hannah Macy, Grace

Christian Academy in Lancaster,

“Bundle of Joy” (colored pencil)

Third: Dakota Hokanson, Golden

Valley Virtual Charter School,

“Sunset Rust” (pastel)

Honorable mentions: Camille

McGee, West High School in

Bakersfield, “Endless

Possibilities” (cardboard);

Heather Grossbard, Frontier

High School in Bakersfield, “Jay”

(pen, ink and watercolors); and

Yasmine Suleiman, Stockdale

High School in Bakersfield,

“Raising Hope” (pencil)

CONTEST WINNERS

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN HARTE

“Imagination Soars,” by Chris-tiana Kallemeyn, is the overallwinning entry of the 30th annual“An Artistic Discovery” Congres-sional Art Competition.


Eye Street

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BY MIRANDA WHITWORTHContributing writer

They call it “The Biggest Little Rodeo inCalifornia,” but there’s nothing littleabout the 26th annual PRCA Stam-

pede Days Rodeo. From the event’s rich his-tory to the manpower behind theproduction, Stampede Days is putting KernCounty on the map in a big way.

Taking place this weekend, StampedeDays will bring competitors from aroundthe nation to the Kern County Fairgrounds.Stampede Days is a Professional RodeoCowboy Association event and riders will becompeting for points in their run at thePRCA national tournament in Las Vegas.Cowboys will have a chance to compete inall things rodeo, including bull riding, bare-back, saddle bronc, tie down roping, teamroping, barrel racing and steer wrestling.

Stampede Days’ premier bullfighter isHollywood Yates, a veteran stunt man andactor who competed as “Wolf” on NBC’sAmerican Gladiators. Yates has spent 25years in the rodeo arena and has earned twoworld titles and three National Final RodeoRings. He’ll be joined by veteran bullfighterDusty Duba, who has been contracted withthe PRCA for the past 13 years. Taking themicrophone at Stampede Days for the sixthtime will be rodeo announcer Doc Boene.This event is close to home for Boene, whomanages a commercial cattle operation onthe Loop Ranch in Keene.

As for the competitors, Stampede Dayschairman Richard Frank said the events willbe full.

“You never know what you’re gonna getuntil the day of. But I can tell you there willbe about 20 or so riders for every event. Thatmeans there will be about 120 guys compet-ing and they will be good. They travel allaround the country doing this and they arecoming here to give us a show.”

Formerly known as Buck Owens RodeoDays, the Kern County Sheriff’s DepartmentReserves took over management of theevent in 1985, renaming it Stampede Days.All of the event’s proceeds will benefit theKern County Sheriff’s Reserve Association.

Frank, who recently retired from thereserves, stayed on to run the event, whichhe said gives an important financial boost tothe organization.

“We are contracted for big events like theKern County Fair, March Meets and WhiskeyFlats. All of those deputies you see out there

keeping an eye on things, they are from thereserves.”

According to Frank, proceeds from eventslike this help keep reserve deputies fine-tuned.

“When you call for help, that deputy thatresponds and knocks on your door — theycould be reserves — you don’t know. They’lldo the same job. So it’s important that wehave equipment and training.”

PRCA rodeo sponsored byKern Sheriff’s Reserves

‘Stampede’ ridesinto fairgrounds

26th annual PRCA StampedeDays RodeoWhen: Gates open at 6 p.m.,

performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday and

Saturday

Where: Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142

P St.

Admission: $16 in advance, $18 at the

gate, box seats $22; $12 for kids 6-12,

free for 5 and under; parking $3

Information: stampededaysrodeo.com

or 399-3159

CALIFORNIAN FILE

Jason Amon, of Payson, Ariz., holds on fora wild ride while competing at the 22ndannual PRCA Stampede Days Rodeo.

The Californian will salute local high

school seniors in our annual college-bound

seniors issue. We need: the student’s full

name, photo, high school, name of college,

and submitter’s name and phone number,

which will not be published. Email to col-

[email protected] or bring the

photo and information to The Californian,

1707 Eye St. Photos will not be returned.

Deadline is May 11.

COLLEGE-BOUND SENIORS


Eye Street

During a preview of MonicaNelson’s solo show lastweek what impressed me

most about her oil paintings istheir radiance. She handles lightin a way that creates a pleasingglow, both in her landscapes andher portraits.

“I love playing with the light atdifferent times of the day,” theartist explained, indicating a

deeply shadoweddesert scene of asingle Joshua treethat is silhouettedagainst thegleaming rays ofthe rising sun.

Nelson’s exhib-it, which includesboth portraits and

landscapes, opens tomorrowevening at Juliana’s Art Studio andGallery.

Another distinctive feature ofher work is her attention to detail.This is especially evident in four 6-by-6-inch landscapes that arehung in a vertical line. The uppertwo show scenes along the hikingtrail along the Kern River, done atmidday. The lower ones reveal thefreshness of the grasslands nearNew Cuyama late in the afternoonafter a rainstorm.

A Bakersfield resident for nineyears, Nelson got her start at age15 as a graphic artist in her fami-ly’s advertising company inCincinnati. Then from 1988-90she majored in graphic art andjournalism at Kent State Universi-ty and about six years ago beganstudying fine art with AnthonyRyder in Santa Fe, N.M., and inLos Angeles.

Her exhibit can be seen atJuliana’s through May 31.

‘The Mikado’ at RabobankI’m sure that like a lot of other

Bakersfield Community Concertmembers I’m eager to seetonight’s production of “TheMikado” by the New York Gilbertand Sullivan Players, or NYGASP.

It’s thefinal showin theassocia-tion’s cur-rentseasonand, inmy view,

will proba-

bly be its best offering in 2010-11. But I admit I have a bias. I love

both the humor and music of justabout anything by Gilbert andSullivan. And NYGASP, now in its36th year, has a solid reputationfor putting on entertaining per-formances.

Colorful as well as comical, theoperetta is filled with livelytongue-twisting lyrics and charac-ters with such fun-to-say nameslike Nanki-Poo, Yum-Yum, Pitti-Sing and Pooh-Bah.

It’s set in the town of Titipu andtells the story of a wandering min-strel who falls in love with a beau-tiful young maiden who isengaged to someone else. After anumber of twists and turns,including a pretended beheadingand the revelation that the min-strel is actually the heir to theJapanese throne, all turns out wellin the end.

‘Stage Door’ at The EmptySpace

Back in January when BobKempf announced auditions for

“Stage Door,” I questionedwhether he’d be able to fill all 27roles, especially since more thanhalf of the characters call forfemales.

Turns out I shouldn’t havedoubted The Empty Space’s artis-tic director, who said at the timehe didn’t foresee any problemsand that his optimism stemmedfrom knowing “there are a lot ofterrific actresses in town.”

Tomorrow night the classicabout Broadway wannabes writ-ten in the 1930s by Edna Ferberand George S. Kaufman openswith what Kempf says is thelargest cast to ever fill the stage atThe Empty Space.

Although it’s not a musical,there is a lot of nostalgic music inthe show, mainly recordings fromthe ’30s. Kempf said there’s alsolive piano music from a charactercalled Olga Brandt, who is por-trayed by Chelsea Zent, a classi-cally trained Russian pianist whohas, due to hard times, resorted toplaying piano for Broadway showrehearsals.

Set in a boarding house, it tellsthe story of young women strug-gling to find stage work in themidst of the Great Depression.Some find success such as danc-ing in a nightclub, touring in aroad show or even being discov-ered by Hollywood.

Among those starring “StageDoor” are Amy Hall, KevinGanger, Justin L. Brooks, CodyGanger, Barbara Gagnon, CarolineClark, Guinevere PH Dethlefson

and Ellie Sivesind. Performancescontinue through May 28.

Mel Brooks comedy atSpotlight

Director Jarred Clowes has apersonal connection to “The Pro-ducers,” which opens tomorrowat the Spotlight Theatre.

“I've been a fan of the show forquite a while, and in fact owe it adebt of gratitude,” he says. “I metmy wife (costume designer KatClowes) while working on themusical's touring production.”

A zany musical, the showrevolves around a pair of theatri-cal producers, portrayed by AlexNeal and Kenneth Whitchard,who are trying to get rich by invei-gling investors to put money in aBroadway flop. In typical Brooks’style, it features over-the-topaccents, put-downs and carica-tures of Hitler and the Nazis, andlots of insider jokes.

Others in lead roles are Jeff Mal-one, Jason McClain, Carolyn Foxand John Paul Horn. The showalso includes a 17-member cho-rus, with choreography by MarvinRamey and vocal direction byAshton Smith. Performances endon May 28.

Youth Theater presents ‘Midas’

The Tehachapi Youth Theaterwill open the curtains tomorrowevening on a nine-performancerun of “The Midas King and theMiraculous Golden Touch.”

Kendric Bertram plays the Kingin Michele L. Vacca’s play that’sinspired by an ancient Greek mythand a 19th century story byNathaniel Hawthorne. Also in thecast are Cody Steinbach, MagnetoMorgan, Kennedy Caudle, CarsonBruner and Emma Grimes.

Monica Nadon, director, saidsome of the young thespians inthe show have gained experienceby attending Tehachapi Commu-nity Theater Junior acting classesand summer drama camps.

Artist lights up the canvas

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

via e-mail at [email protected]

Camille Gavin CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

Monica Nelson exhibitOpening reception: 5:30 to

8:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Juliana’s Art Studio

and Gallery, 501 18th St.

Admission: Free

Information: 327-7507

‘Stage Door’When: 8 p.m. Friday and

Saturday

Where: The Empty Space,

706 Oak St.

Admission: Free, donations

accepted


‘The Producers’When: 8 p.m. Friday and

Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday

Where: Spotlight Theatre,

1622 19th St.

Admission: $20; $15, seniors

and students


‘King Midas and theMiraculous GoldenTouch’When: 7 p.m. Friday and

Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday

Where: BeeKay Theatre, 110

S. Green St., Tehachapi

Admission: $10


GO & DO

Touring, local showscrowd theaters

Coming soonDon’t miss Camille Gavin’s

look back at 75 years of the

Kern women's Amateur Golf

Championships, plus a

preview of this year’s event.

CASEY CHRISTIE / THE CALIFORNIAN

Jason McClain plays the part of Franz Liebkind during a dress re-hearsal of “The Producers,” which opens at the Spotlight Theatre onFriday.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KAYLEIGH PEAKER

A scene from “Stage Door,” which opened last week at The EmptySpace. From left: David Rock, Caroline Clark, Guinevere PH Dethlef-son and James Kopp.

Nelson


Eye Street

BY ASHLEY FISCHERContributing writer

Get your plutonium ready, andmake sure your flux capacitor ischarged to 1.21 gigawatts,

because the Gaslight Melodrama issending you and your family “BackFrom the Future.”

Beginning on Friday and runningthrough June 25, the Gaslight will paytribute to one of the most beloved filmtrilogies of all time: “Back to theFuture.”

“We’re actually building and paint-ing the time machine as we speakright now,” said Michael Prince, artis-tic director for the theater. Prince, alifelong fan of the “Back to the Future”films, wrote the script for this produc-tion and will be starring as the play’scentral character, Smarty McFry.

In case you’re not a dedicated fol-lower of the movies, Smarty is Prince’sequivalent of the film’s original star,Marty McFly, famously played by ayouthful Michael J. Fox. This is justone of the many delightful puns andparodies audiences can expect fromPrince’s original script.

“It’s more of a satire or a parody — acomedic tribute to the film,” saidPrince. “I’ve seen each of the movies atleast 150 times or more, so I wanted todo the show as a tribute to the movies.They’re such great stories — they’reuniversal.”

Prince’s script features an entirelynew (yet familiar) story, in whichSmarty and his companion, “Doc”Clown, must traipse through time inorder to rescue Smarty’s parents, whohave been captured by the evil BuffTanman, Biff Tannen’s great-great-grandfather. But fans of the originalfilms needn’t worry — the action-packed play remains true to the fran-chise’s spirit and features many iconicelements one would expect from any“Back to the Future” adventure.

“We didn’t want to get too boggeddown in the specifics,” explainedPrince. “The characters are all verymuch representative of the movies intheir costumes. And we do have aDeLorean, but it’s not a big feature,because Buff has stolen it. This is whyDoc and Marty have to use the (timemachine) prototypes, which are aYugo and a Pinto.

“The action starts off right out of thegate. Smarty gets a letter from the pastfrom his parents, very much like in themovie, where everything is propelledby a letter. The letter from his motherthat explains to him that they’ve beenkidnapped by evil Buff Tanman. Thissends Smarty on a mission to save hisfamily. Smarty and Doc travel throughtime, everywhere from the 1920s inParis, France, to the 1970s at Studio 54to the very, very distant future.”

The play features a cast of six sea-soned Melodrama performers, includ-

ing Prince as Smarty; Don Kruszka as“Doc;” Michael Kubik as the evil BuffTanman (Biff’s great-great-grandson);Jill Burdick and Jay Stodder as Smarty’sparents, Elaine and George McFry;and finally, Shaylan Trone, who plays atotal of seven smaller characters.

And while theater is traditionallyconsidered some pretty “heavy” stuff,the main goal of the Gaslight is toensure that audience membersbecome immersed in an exciting, the-atrical world, and, most importantly,have a lot of fun.

“I always tell people, ‘This is the the-ater to come to if you don’t like the-ater,’” said Prince. “What we do ismore of an experience. It’s more abouthaving fun, laughing and getting away

from life for a couple of hours, and let-ting laughter take over. It’s all family-friendly; everybody has a good time.”

Giving the traditional melodramaformat a slightly modern spin, manyof the Gaslight’s productions poke funat popular movies and television pro-grams with its over-the-top sense ofhumor. And audiences can expectplenty of opportunities to join in onthe fun.

“We like to get the audienceinvolved as much as possible,” saidPrince. “We’ll write in charactersspecifically for an audience memberto play. During our production of ‘TheMobfather,’ we had an audiencemember play a bodyguard who gotshot, and then we gave him an Oscarfor his performance.”

Prince and the rest of the crew at theGaslight are eager to get “Back fromthe Future” up and running.

“We’re all really excited about this.We love working together here — welove each other. We’re very much afamily here: my wife, my in laws, evenmy 4-year-old son — we’re all hereevery day. And we put this together forother families to come and enjoythemselves,” said Prince. “We can’twait to get this play on stage and infront of an audience.”

Theater takes slyapproach to classic

A spoof with a twist

‘Back From the Future’When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday,

2 p.m. Sunday; runs through June

25

Where: Gaslight Melodrama

Theatre & Music Hall, 12748

Jomani Drive

Admission: $12 to $23

Information: 587-3377 or

themelodrama.squarespace.com

Do you Twitter?

Sign up today and follow some very

useful Californian tweets.

twitter.com/bakersfieldcali

twitter.com/tbcbreakingnews

twitter.com/bakodeals

twitter.com/loishenry

twitter.com/bakobiz

Twitter is a free service available through twitter.com. You can find out what people are doing, what they are reading, what issues are the hot

topic of the day, and get up-to-the-minute with the latest news and events.

For reservations 587-3377 12748 Jomani Drive

�TH

E

BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN

READERS’ CHOICE POLL

2010

Opening: May 6th through June 25th

PHOTO COURTESY OF GASLIGHT MELODRAMA

From left, Michael Prince, Michael Kubik and Don Kruszka are shown in ascene from “Back From the Future.”


Eye Street

When you’re the hottestband in the country,with both a single and

album at the top of the Billboardcharts, you pretty much have yourpick of major cities and plush ven-ues to prepare for your highlyanticipated world tour. So if you’reDave Grohl of Foo Fighters, wheredo you go? Bakersfield, California— and more specifically, theRabobank Arena.

Straight off the best reviews oftheir career and a No. 1 debut fortheir latest album, “WastingLight,” the band has set up campat the Rabobank to rehearse andgo over logistics for the tour,which has no scheduled stops inBakersfield as of yet. The guyswanted to keep their time in Bak-ersfield a secret, but word is out —with a vengeance — and severalsources who work closely with theFoo Fighters have confirmed theband has been rehearsing heresince at least Monday and possi-bly as early as Friday. They areexpected to wrap rehearsals nextWednesday, according to thesources, who requested anonymi-ty.

Why did the Foo Fighterschoose Bakersfield? The reason issimple, according to our sources:affordability and proximity tohome. Band members Grohl, Tay-lor Hawkins, Pat Smear, Chris Shi-flett and Nate Mendel reportedlyare commuting from Los Angeles

semi-regularlyand are look-

ing to dosome localhonky-tonk jam-

ming.Don’t besurprised if

a few

members show up for a renditionof “Streets of Bakersfield” at somelucky venue. After all, guitarist PatSmear can be seen playing a red,white and blue Buck Owens-styleacoustic guitar in an “MTVUnplugged” Nirvana concert, withGrohl on drums. Rumor also has itthat Smear is hoping to score anofficial Owens’ guitar for his col-lection.

The band definitely seems tohave an affinity for our town —this isn’t the first time they’ve beenhere. Fans may remember theband’s last local concert in 2003 atthe venue, when it was still calledCentennial Garden. That showwas followed by a secret 2005music video shoot for the single“All My Life,” inside the arena,which masqueraded as the LosAngeles Forum.

Currently experiencing themost successful run of their 16-year career, the group’s album,“Wasting Light,” is considered tobe the band’s opus. Produced byButch Vig, Nirvana’s “Nevermind”producer, the critically acclaimed

release also features a guest spotby former Nirvana bandmate KristNovoselic on bass.

Foo Fighters kick off their 2011world tour with a show on May 14at the UK’s One Big Weekend festi-val, according to the band’s officialwebsite, foofighters.com.

The Californian’s attempts toreach the band for an interviewhave been unsuccessful, but if anyof the guys in the band are readingthis, by all means give us a ring.

Rock and country collideTwo musical worlds are about

to collide in Bako over the nextfew days.

Let’s start with tonight’s concertby the pride of Denton, Texas —The Eli Young Band at BuckOwens’ Crystal Palace. Well awareof today’s Cinco de Mayo festivi-ties, bassist Jon Jones says tocount them in.

“It’s probably a bad idea, butyeah,” he laughed. “Tequila makespeople act strange, so if we’redrinking it, you’re gonna know.”

Since appearing at Buck’s last

September, the group has beenwaiting for the ink to dry on a newlabel deal while riding high on thestrength of their last single, “Guin-evere.” Now, with another hit ontheir hands with “Crazy Girl,” anda new five-song digital-only Epreleased on Tuesday, the quartetare anxiously moving into the nextphase of their career.

“This is by far the fastest mov-ing single we’ve had, so we’re try-ing to get the ball rolling,” saidJones. “Our fans have really gravi-tated to this song and hopefully tothe rest of the new record.”

But it’s not all shiny boots andbuckle bunnies for these wild-eyed Texas boys. Last December,the group had a meltdown in frontof a stadium full of Kansas CityChiefs football fans when singerMike Eli forgot the words to “TheStar-Spangled Banner.” It was acareer blooper that would alsodog pop singer Christina Aguileraa month later at the Super Bowl.Jones recalls the sea of boos andonline flogging they enduredafterward.

“It was brutal, but we made it.You’re nervous in a completelydifferent way doing the anthem. Ithink we’ll probably start singingat high school games and workour way back up again.” There’salways more tequila, fellas.

Tickets for tonight’s show are$11.50 to $17.50. 7 p.m. at BuckOwens’ Crystal Palace, 2800 BuckOwens Blvd. 328-7560.

Papa Roach to rock StramlerOne band mindful of the perils

of taking on our national anthemin front of a crowd of rabidly patri-otic fans is radio rockers PapaRoach, who make their return toBakersfield with a big outdoorshow Friday night at StramlerPark.

“That’s a difficult song to sing,”said Papa Roach lead vocalistJacoby Shaddix, via telephonefrom a recent tour stop in Boise.“It’s all about the range. If you startyour cue too high, by the time youget to the last part of the song,you’re (expletive.) I was asked todo it for a Sacramento Kings game

once, and I said no. If I blow it, themedia will be all over it, and youknow how they like doing that.”

Whatever made him think that?Sticking to the safety of his rock

domain, Shaddix and crew aremost known for their ‘99 monsterhit “Last Resort.”

Fearful of the sophomoreslump, the Vacaville quartet chosean extreme makeover going fromsneaker wearing, skate rock hood-lums to eyeliner blazing, leather-wearing rock gods.

“We started out in an era of noimage. Part of the creative processof our band was to evolve theimage, in the creative process withour music. The way we connectwith our fans is still the same,along with our passion and con-victions to our performances.Since ‘Last Resort,’ we’ve had aslew of rock hits. We’ve been pret-ty blessed.”

One of the few rock bands toscore slots on both the VansWarped and Ozzfest tours, PapaRoach continues to infest air-waves with their latest record,“Time For Annihilation.”

Shaddix says Bako fans won’t bedisappointed with Friday’s liveassault.

“It’s full on knock down, dragout, savage rock and roll. We’reone of the most energetic rockbands on the planet right now.Straight up, man.”

Also appearing are FingerEleven, The Councilmen, AndreasFault and Dirt Head. Tickets are$29.75.

Pre-party begins at 4 p.m., gatesat 6 p.m. For more information,visit timgardeapresents.com.

Foo Fighters in BakersfieldThe Lowdown with Matt Munoz

Hottest band in U.S.rehearsing for tour

Bakotopia UnpluggedOpen 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.

NICKI THOMAS / TORONTO STAR

Foo Fighters are in Bakersfield rehearsing for their tour. From left:Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Taylor Hawkins, Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear.


Eye Street

BY STEFANI DIASCalifornian assistant lifestyles editor

[email protected]

From the South to the Southland,they come in search of the delec-table crustaceans that bring a

taste of the bayou to Bakersfield. Findout what all the fuss is about at PrimeCut’s 13th annual Crawfish Festival onSaturday.

Held for years at Stramler Park, theevent will be at the restaurant in north-west Bakersfield this year. Prime Cutco-owner Merv Crist said the decisionwas made in part because of the econ-omy. At its maximum, the festival had600 to 800 in attendance, but in recentyears that number has been halved.

Moving the event from the park toPrime Cut also gives Crist the opportu-nity to show off the restaurant.

“Let’s drive people there. There are alot of people who come to the CrawfishFestival, but they haven’t been to therestaurant,” Crist said.

Those dedicated attendees are a mixof locals and those willing to travel forgood food, Crist said, and includeSouthern transplants, Louisiana StateUniversity alumni, a man claiming tobe the great-grandson of New Orleansvoodoo priestess Marie Laveau — “I’veseen him three times,” Crist said —and a yacht club group of 15 or 20 thatcomes up in motorhomes.

“People from all over town, allwalks of life. They come together andhave a good time,” Crist said.

They will be a bit more tight-knitthis year as the event will take placein a fenced-in area around therestaurant.

“With people closer, there will bemore socialization.”

And there will be lots to talk about,including the music. This year’s musi-cal headliners hail from the Los Ange-les area but sound very Southern.Bonne Musique Zydeco plays tradi-tional zydeco and blues.

Also playing the blues will be localband Foster & Friends, complete witha horn section and backup singers,said Prime Cut co-owner MichelleCrist.

“They love what they do and itshows.”

George the Giant will be on hand,performing sideshow acts includingsword swallowing and making bal-loon animals for the kids. Other activ-ities include face painting byFUNominal FACES, bean bag andwater balloon tosses, a bounce houseand a crawfish petting pond.

For those kids, like the Crists’daughter Alexis, who might pet thecrustacean but won’t eat them, a

plate with a hot dog, chips and adrink will be available as well as cot-ton candy.

Crawfish, of course, is the star ofthe event menu. Flown in fromLouisiana, it’s boiled along with redpotatoes and corn in a mix fra-granced with garlic, onion andlemon. Further beefing up the offer-ings are andouille and boudinsausages, a chicken and sausagejambalaya and barbecue pork ribs.

Don’t expect to load up your platewith everything at once though.Unlike many other local events, theCrawfish Festival is not a “wait inline, sitdown meal”-type day.

“It’s an experience, not a meal,”Merv Crist said. With food stationsand booths for beer and Hurricanes,the festival is designed for grazingand gabbing.

You may really start chatting if youdon’t pace yourself on the Hurri-canes. The drink popularized in NewOrleans is a potent rum-based cock-tail that has been served at the festi-val for years.

“Hurricanes are pretty nice, butthey’re called that for a reason.They’ll sneak up on you. At leastdon’t try to underestimate them,”

Merv Crist said.With warm and dry weather pre-

dicted, Crist advised to stay hydrated(water and soda are also available)and plan for a designated driver ifyou really want to imbibe.

“We want them to have all the funthey can stand and be safe. Getsomething, listen to a band ... It’s atwo- to four-hour eating experience,”Crist said.

Whether you start eating as soon asfood is served at 1 p.m. or linger,make sure to save room for treatsserved later in the day: raw oysters onthe half shell and sliced watermelon.

“We started with watermelon fiveor six years ago. Lips were burningfrom all the spicy food” and the freshmelon was a hit, Crist said.

Pleasing people is what the festi-val, which developed as a customerappreciation event, is all about,Michelle Crist said.

“My favorite part is seeing the joyin people's faces while they are at theevent. Watching them get a littlebounce in their step or chair whilethey are listening to the music.

“It’s great to see people laughingand having a good time with theirfriends, making new ones and beingwith family, too,” she said, mention-ing that along with her children thather mother-in-law is coming fromOklahoma.

Time with family is great, but don’tforget about the food. Crist, who saidthe restaurant’s crawfish etouffee isone of her favorite dishes, alsoenjoys getting her hands dirty at theevent.

“I like doing the whole ‘peel ’em,suck ’em, eat ’em’ thing. Sure, it ismessy, but it is tasty!”

Crawfish fest moves to Prime Cut this year

A little bayou boogiein Bakersfield

13th annual CrawfishFestivalWhen: Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall

Road

Admission: $40 for adults, $12

for kids, pre-sale; $45 and $15 at

the door


2nd Location

Now Open 6801-B1

White Lane 836-0070

www.RandDLeatherFurniture.com

2180 Wible Road • 661-833-8167

DOORS OPEN AT 7PM MUST BE 21+ NO COVER

NIGHTCLUB THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2011

NILE NIGHTCLUB - 1721 19TH ST. BAKERSFIELD, CA - 661-323-8575

THE MENU: TEQUILA SHOT SPECIALS ALL NIGHT $3 DOS XX – $3 CORONAS – $3 MARGARITAS

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THE PRESS

HENRY A. BARRIOS / THE CALIFORNIAN

Jeri Campbell prepares to crack into a crawfish at the 11th annual CrawfishFestival held at Stramler Park in 2009. This year’s event moves to Prime Cuton Brimhall Road on Saturday.


Eye Street

BY MIRANDA WHITWORTHContributing writer

Many of life’s milestones take placebehind the wheel of a car. Whenyou talk to auto enthusiasts about

the vehicles they have owned and the rea-son they are passionate about a certainbrand, stories that define their lives tumbleout as they describe the car they were driv-ing — way back when.

For Lloyd Hines, president of the MoparMuscle Club International of Bakersfield,that statement rings true. Whether it is thestory of his first car purchase or how hemet the love of his life, his affinity forMopar has been a driving force behindmany of his big moves.

Mopar is short for Motor Parts and is theparts and service arm of Chrysler GroupLLC. When you hear people say they loveMopar, that means they drive Chrysler,Plymouth, Jeep, Dodge and any otherbrand associated with the group. Hinesand the Mopar Muscle Club Internationalof Bakersfield will be putting that devotionon display this weekend at the Kern Coun-ty Museum for the 2011 All-AmericanPowered Car Show. While he is a Mopardriver through and through the show itselfis open to all — almost all, that is.

“As long as it’s American powered youare welcome to come,” said Hines. “It canbe any year, just as long as you can drive itonto the museum. No towing.”

Hines’ love for the Chrysler line beganwhen he bought his first car from his dadat the age of 13. Hines said he spent $45 onthe 1954 Plymouth Savoy and then pro-ceeded to make it his own.

“I took out the engine, rebuilt the trans-mission, did the upholstery and paint.Then I drove it to school.”

Hines joked that growing up in a smalltown back east had its perks: “When youlive in a 600-person village and have a lotof family in law enforcement or who werejudges you can get away with a lot.”

Hines eventually found himself in Bak-ersfield working in oil and continuing tobuy, fix and sell Mopar. He said he first laideyes on his future wife, Candi, when sheaccompanied her father to his house on amission for parts. Within a few years he raninto Candi again while he was out cruisingin Hart Park. She was driving a a 1971Dodge Challenger and remembered Hinesimmediately.

“She told me she wanted to date me formy parts and I wanted to date her for hercar,” recalled Hines. “A year later we weremarried. We ended up selling the Chal-lenger and I’ve still got her.”

The couple’s current everyday cars arenot as exotic, but Hines said they still havea classic tucked away. He calls the car theirbaby, a 1970 Dodge Challenger Convert-ible. According to Hines, only 211 weremade in 1970 and he keeps the rare pieceof machinery up on jacks in the pair’sgarage. The Challenger was purchased byHines from the original owner in Kernville.He said he got it running the weekend afterhe brought it home.

“It’s red with a white convertible top andwhite interior. We used to drive it all thetime around town and to car shows. Butonce we bought a house with a garage 18years ago it went into the garage and I wasgoing to do some work on it. But there it’ssat ever since.”

Hines isn’t the only car lover with stories,and if you head to the Kern County Muse-um Saturday the anecdotes will continueto flow. Twenty-five different classes of carwill be on display, with awards being givenfor the top three in each class. The trophiesare handed out by people’s choice exceptfor the Memorial Award which Hines saidis chosen by the Mopar Club members.

“We give out that trophy kinda based onthe people we have had in the club thatpassed away. We look at the cars and seewhich particular one reminds us of some-one and the car they used to drive and wegive it out that way.”

In addition to the competition amongthe cars, there is a competition on brandknowledge for the entrants. The club willhave trivia associated with vehicleemblem recognition and trivia regardingthe museum itself with awards handed outto the highest scorers. A 50/50 drawing willalso take place and raffle prizes will becalled all day. Every entrant will get a good-ie bag donated by vendors and sponsorsand as a special gift from the Mopar Club,each vehicle owner will get a professionalphotograph of their car.

In addition to the games and rides ondisplay vendors selling everything frombarbecue to baby items will be on themuseum grounds. All proceeds from thisyear’s event will benefit the BakersfieldRonald McDonald House.

Car club president asucker for Chrysler

2011 All-American Powered Car ShowWhen: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: Kern County Museum, 3801

Chester Ave.

Admission: Adults, $10; seniors (60

and older) and students 13 to 17, $9;

ages 6 to 12, $8; 3 to 5, $7; free for

museum members and children under

3


“She told me she wanted to date me for my parts and Iwanted to date her for her car. A year later we were married.

We ended up selling the Challenger and I’ve still got her.”— Lloyd Hines

100% Americanunder the hood


Eye Street

BY JENNIFER SELFCalifornian lifestyles editor

[email protected]

Adowntown Bakersfield theater istesting just how far its spotlight willreach with the help of $10,000 in

funding from the county — “our firstmajor grant,” said Steven Littles, schoolcoordinator at the Spotlight Theatre.

The Kern County Board of Trade is dol-ing out grants totalling $100,000 to 13organizations attempting to lure touristsand their wallets to the area, fortuitoustiming considering how hard cultural andartistic groups have been hit in the cur-rent economic climate.

Littles, one of four full-time employeesat the theater, said beyond the obviousshot in the arm, the money will enableSpotlight to remain on track with anambitious five-year development plan tobecome an Equity theater, a distinctionthat could attract professional actors andother perks, not to mention a measure ofprestige.

“It’s going to take more than Kern Coun-ty audiences for us to hit our goals,” Littlessaid. “There’s more than a half a millionpeople in the county and only 7 percent gosee a show regularly once a year. We havefive theaters here working off 7 percent ofthe population. This helps with exposure.If people are coming from Southern Cali-fornia to see shows, it helps the populationhere realize they have something great.”

The Spotlight’s budget is about $300,000a year, most of it from private donors. Lit-tles credited the Spotlight board of direc-tors — particularly members Mary HelenBarro and Lauren Franconi — with secur-ing the grant.

“The good thing is with this grant andother things in the works, we’re starting to

rebuild a stronger theater,” Littles said.“But we still have a long way to go. We’dlove for more people to come out andenjoy the theater.”

And there’s plenty of theater to enjoy.Littles noted the Spotlight season runsfrom September to August, with basicallyno dark periods (“we’re kind of killing our-selves”). Most shows run over four week-ends, filling on average a little more thanhalf of the 99 seats. The Spotlight has 14productions lined up for next season.

But though the terms of the grant dic-tate that the theater expand its focus toareas outside the county, Littles said theSpotlight is in no way giving up on home-grown audiences. In fact, a recent buy-one-get-one-free season ticket promotionhas worked out well, drawing new faces tothe theater.

And the Spotlight is offering its stage tooutside productions as well. Frontier Highjust ended a run there, and East Bakers-field High will present a play based on theRandom Acts of Kindness campaign cre-ated by Bakersfield educator and entre-preneur Chuck Wall. That show will takethe stage May 13, 14, 27 and 28.

But is Bakersfield theater excitingenough to entice Southern Californians tospend $4.27 a gallon to get here?

“I’m going to be very honest, and youprobably won’t believe me, but Bakers-field has a lot of good theater going on,and that’s not just at the Spotlight but TheEmpty Space, BCT and Stars,” Littles said.“For a population of this size to have the-ater going on at all times is just unheardof.”

Also receiving the highest grant of$10,000 were campaigns to market theKern River Valley, Ridgecrest and the Cali-fornia Hot Rod Reunion at Famoso Race-way. Groups receiving smaller grantsinclude the National Chavez Center, WestKern Oil Museum and a spiritual festivalin Pine Mountain Club.

Theater gets $10,000to attract customers

Live at the DenTHIS WEEKEND May 6-8

��

Friday: Rock Bands

Mr. Rude — 10pm to 1:30am

Saturday: Classic Rock

The Parris Bros. — 10pm to 1:30am

Sunday: Hot Latin Jams

Spun by DJ Juice — 9pm to 1am

��

Tachi Palace Fights 9Friday, May 6

Main EventWorld No. 3 Ranked Flyweight Ian McCall vs.

Undefeated Dustin Ortiz

Tachi Outdoor Event CenterDoors open at 5 pm

First fight 6 pm

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

For concert information

go to tachipalace.com

or call 1-866-4palace

�� Tickets $20 to $50

Paul Rodriguez

BY MATT MUNOZBakotopia.com editor

[email protected]

Cinco de Mayo is Bakersfield’s favoriteexcuse to party, second only to St.Patrick’s Day. Adopted by Americans

as a day for dancing, tequila and spicyfood, the real story behind the Mexicanholiday goes all the way back to May 5,1862, in the city of Puebla, Mexico.

Commemorating a small victory by Mexi-can forces against the occupying French inthe region, the victorious but brief Battle ofPuebla was followed by defeat at the handsof their French enemies.

No one is sure how today’s Cinco de Mayocame to be such a holiday hit in the States,but most point to the decadent ’80s and thenational marketing of Corona beer.

Here’s a list of some Bakersfield’s best betsto celebrate today’s Cinco de Mayo. Pleasehave a designated driver and always be

good amigos!Fishlips: “Pachanga 2011,” with Mento

Buru, Glenda Robles and Bandoleros, Vanity

Avenue, DJ Frankie P., 6 p.m. 1517 18th St. $7.

Iron Horse Saloon: dancing, drink specials,

food, music, 7 to 11 p.m. 1821 S. Chester Ave.

La Minda Cantina: Cabo Wabo and Jager

girls, DJs, music by Latin Breeze and Sunday

Snake Oil, party favors, 5 p.m., 4001 Auburn

St. $10 advance; $13 at the door.

Sandrini’s: Velorio, 9 p.m., 1918 Eye St. $5.

B. Ryders: Thee Majestics, food and drink

specials, 7:30 p.m., 7401 White Lane. $5.

Aguie’s: Club Myst, Sunny Rose, The

Beatnuts, DJ, DJ Redeemed, DJ In Da Mix, DJ

Adub, 9 p.m., 2781 Calloway Drive. $15.

The Nile: The Press, 7 p.m., 1721 19th St.

Padre Hotel: Jay Smith Jazz Band, with DJ

Noe G., 5 p.m., 1702 18th St.

Jacalito Grill: Prisoners of Love, 7 p.m.,

900 Truxtun Ave., Suite 110.

Party planner: Your Cinco in a blink-o

County awards Spotlight as partof $100,000 in tourism grants


Eye StreetGO&DO

Today18th annual Spring SteakBarbecue, Harris Ranch

steak and chicken dinner,

beans, salad, roll, ice cream,

5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Our Lady

of Perpetual Help, 124

Columbus St. $25. 323-3108

or 809-2491.

Bank of America Essay &Speech Contest Finals,featuring students who

must deliver a three-to-five

minute speech; 6:30 to 8:30

p.m., University Square,

2000 K St. Awards will be

given. 636-4330.

Bookseller’s Book Group,7 p.m., Barnes and Noble, in

the cafe, 4001 California

Ave. 631-2575.

DiGiorgio School P.T.F.Annual Deep Pit BBQ, with

carnival, meal includes deep

pit barbecue, chili beans,

salad, roll and dessert, take

out 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., dining

room 6 to 8 p.m., DiGiorgio

School, 19405 Buena Vista

Blvd, Arvin. $7; $4 children.

854-2604.

Eli Young Band, 7 p.m.

Details, Page 26.

Hoffmann Hospice 17thannual Voices ofInspiration Dinner,featuring Marcus Luttrell,

entertainment, dinner, raffle,

silent and live auction, doors

open at 5:30 p.m.,

DoubleTree Hotel, 3100

Camino Del Rio Court. $100.

410-1010.

SPCA Book Sale, 10 a.m. to

8 p.m. Mondays through

Saturdays; noon to 6 p.m.

Sundays, near the old

Michael’s store near East

Hills Mall, 3501 Mall View

Road Ste. 113.

bakersfieldspca.org or 323-

8353.

“The Mikado” Details,

Page 24.

Friday15th annual Party in thePark, Details, Page 21.

25th annual BakersfieldJazz Festival, Details,

Pages 20-21.

26th annual PRCAStampede Days Rodeo,Details, Page 23.

Annual “Junk-A-Tique”Yard Sale, furniture,

clothing, books, toys,

appliances, collectibles and

more; 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday, 6 a.m. to noon

Saturday, Calvary Bible

Church, 48 Manor St., just

below the bluffs. All

proceeds go toward

missions work. 327-5921.

Cubensis-Grateful DeadTribute, with Moonalice

Details, Page 26.

First Friday Downtown.Details, Page 22.

Mike Montano, solo guitar,

5:30 to 8 p.m., Ellie Jaye’s,

1608 19th St. classic rock.

Papa Roach, with Finger

Eleven and Pop Evil. Details,

Page 26.

Seventh annual Tri-TipLunch Fundraiser,sponsored by Mossman’s

Dinner and Catering

Company, drive-through

pickup 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., First

Presbyterian Church, 1705

17th St. $10; proceeds

benefit the Salvation Army

summer camps. 836-8438.

Saturday12th annual Rotary CarShow, with a lake cruise,

pet parade and more, 9 a.m.

to 3 p.m., Riverside Park,

Kernville. Free to watch. $40

pre-entry fee, $45 day of

show. rotarycarshow.com or

760-378-3888.

13th annual CrawfishFestival. Details, Page 27.

2011 All-AmericanPowered Car Show.Details, Page 28.

Annual Carnival; car show,

games, bingo, auction, raffle,

door prizes, food, 11 a.m. to

3 p.m., Shirley Lane

Elementary School, 6714

Shirley Lane. 363-7684.

Art & Craft Faire,demonstrations, opportunity

drawing, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.,

Enchanted Cottage, 30 H St.

Free. 319-9977.

Bakersfield Diamond DivaRough Cuts Roller Derby,vs. Central Coast Rough

Diamonds, 6 p.m.,

Skateland, 415 Ming Ave.

$10 advance for adults; $12

adults; $5 children and

seniors. 831-5567 or 331-

1003.

Bakersfield Speedway“Racing for Wishes,”silent auction, raffle, IMCA

Modifieds, Hobby Stocks,

Mini Dwarfs, races begin at

6 p.m., Bakersfield

Speedway, 5001 N. Chester

Ave. $15; $5 children.

Proceeds benefit Make-A-

Wish Foundation. 472-8734.

BHS Driller Drumline &Color Guard CarwashFundraiser, 8:30 a.m. to

1:30 p.m., Bakersfield High

School, on the corner of

California Ave. and G St.,

1241 G St. $5 per car. 326-

8461.

Booker Kilgore MemorialGolf Tournament, raffle

prizes, registration at 11

a.m., shotgun at 12:30 p.m.,

Sundale Country Club, 6218

Sundale Ave. $85 per

person, includes dinner.

Proceeds benefit West High

School athletics. 204-4763.

Bulky Waste & ElectronicRecycling Event, bring

your unwanted electronic

items, paper shredding, 8

a.m. to noon, Stallion

Springs Community Services

District, 27800 Stallion

Springs Drive, Tehahchapi.

Free. [email protected]

or 369-9861.

Celebrate National TrainDay, with The Golden

Empire Historical and

Modeling Society who will

have an operating train

display, from 10 a.m. to 4

p.m., Bakersfield Amtrak

Station, 601 Truxtun Ave.

589-0391.

CSUB RoadrunnerBaseball vs. LoyolaMarymount, 6 p.m., CSUB

campus, Hardt Field, 9001

Stockdale Highway. $4 to $7.

654-2583.

Elks Kids’ Carnival, with

games, food, prizes, bounce

house, dunk tank, 11 a.m. to

3 p.m., Kern River Elks

Lodge #2358, 6708 Wofford

Boulevard, Wofford Heights.

476-6812.

“Every Light in theNations On” CandlelightVigil, with a welcoming

and closing prayer, table of

honor ceremony, open mic,

recognition to soldiers and

more, 7 p.m., Crossroads to

Recovery, parking lot, 201

E. Brundage Lane. 487-

8682.

FACT Open House, 1 to 4

p.m., CSUB, Facility for

Animal Care and Treatment,

9001 Stockdale Highway.

664-3167.

Free Comic Book Day,with costume contest,

Darkstar Records & Books,

next to Ben & Jerry’s inside

the East Hills Mall, 3000

Mall View Road.

Garden ProjectCommunity Meeting,learn how to plant your

own vegetable garden, 10

to noon a.m., St. Luke

Anglican Church, 2730 Mall

View Road. 332-3204.

Great Spirit Lodge’s Firstannual Mother’s DayFundraiser, spaghetti

dinner, 5 to 9 p.m., Knights

of Columbus Hall #977, 108

Goodman St. $8 adults; $5

children. 243-6367.

Kern Audubon Society,field trip to Waste Water

Treatment Ponds, with

Michael McQuerry, meet 8

a.m., take Mt. Vernon exit

of Highway 58, go south,

follow Mt. Vernon until it

ends at the gate where we

will meet.

kernaudubonsociety.org or

832-1820 or 342-9309.

Kings, Queens, Knights &Pawns, learn the game of

chess, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,

Beale Library, Tejon Room,

701 Truxtun Ave. 868-0770.

Merle Haggard, 8 p.m.,

Bakersfield Fox Theater,

2001 H St. $35 to $85.

vallitix.com or 322-5200.

Model Train Club OpenHouse, hosted by the

Golden Empire Historical

and Modeling Society, will

display two large model

railroads, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,

1534 19th St., entrance in

alley. 589-0391.

Mother’s Day Bazaar,face painting, fashion show,

11 a.m., East Hills Mall,

Center Court, 3000 Mall

View Road. 302-1878.

Psychic Faire, 11 a.m. to 4

p.m., Jackie’s Magical

Treasures, 616 Jackson St.

$20 for 15-minute reading.

328-0661.

St. Jude Dream Home,open to the public 9 a.m. to

5 p.m. Saturdays; noon to 5

p.m. Sundays, now through

June 12, in the Tiburon

subdivision community in

northwest Bakersfield,

14206 Sante Fe Court.

stjudedreamhome.org or

800-385-9134.

Tae Ryong TaekwondoSchool presents “BoardBreaking” event,benefitting Child Guidance

Clinic, 9 a.m. to noon,

Frontier High School, 6401

Allen Road. $10 to break a

board. 589-5425.

Third annual HealthExtravaganza, with health

screenings, informational

booths, door prizes and

more, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.,

Advanced Spinal Clinic,

1001 Tower Way. Free. First

150 people receive a goody

bag. 327-7074.

Watch & Wager, The

Kentucky Derby, gates

open at 9 a.m., Kern

County Fairgrounds, Sports

Pavilion, 1142 S. P St. $4;

free parking. Must be 18 or

older. 833-4929.

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 5-31-11

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 5-31-11

May Special

May Special

Please see PAGE 32


PRESENTED BY:

GOOD PHOTO? THINK YOU CAN DO BETTER?

If so, we want to see your photos!The Bakersfield Californian is excited to announce a new photography contest,

Capture Kern County. Later this year, we’ll be publishing a coffee-table art

book on the best of Kern County in photography! We want your help. If you

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in the book. We’re giving away tons of prizes too! The best part is, your votes

determine which photos will be published in the book, and which photos win

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photos, and you are in control. So login at capturekerncounty.com and

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and it’s all in hopes of finding the best photos of Kern County!

Submit your photos of Kern County. Vote for the photos you think are the best. Win prizes, getpublished, and shape the Capture Kern Countycontest.

GO TO: capturekerncounty.com

PHOTO BY CONTRIBUTOR CHRIS FENISON


Eye StreetWine, Women & Shoes, fashion

show, auction, wines from more

than 10 wineries, 2 to 6 p.m., at a

private residence. $125 per

person. Proceeds benefit CASA of

Kern County. 631-2272.

SundayCALM’s Mother’s Day Special,mothers and grandmothers will be

admitted at half price, 9 a.m. to 5

p.m., CALM, 10500 Alfred Harrell

Highway. You’ll have a chance to

win a free CALM family

membership. calmzoo.org or 872-

2256.

Mother’s Day Brunch with LiveMusic, non-buffet brunch with

French toast, leek and mushroom

tart, asparagus and parmesan

omelet, wild game sausage, ahi

tuna and more, while listening to

gentle guitar sounds by Mauro, 10

a.m. to 2 p.m., Valentien

Restaurant & Wine Bar, 1310

Truxtun Ave., Suite 160. $6 to $25.

864-0397.

Mother’s Day Jazz TributeConcert, 6 p.m., The Nile Theater,

1721 19th St. $25 advance; two

tickets for $50; four tickets for

$100. 1-877-738-8320.

Mother’s Day Music Fest, noon

to 7 p.m., Kern County

Fairgrounds, Budweiser Pavilion,

1142 P St. Free admission and

parking. 327-9711.

Vicente Fernandez, 7 p.m.,

Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun

Ave. $48 to $169 plus fee.

ticketmaster.com or 800-745-

3000.

THEATER“West Side Story,” 7 p.m. today

and Friday, Ridgeview High School,

8501 Stine Road. $7; $6 students,

children under 5 are free. 398-

3100.

“Back to the Future,” followed

by the vaudeville revue “The Best

Day Ever” 7 p.m. Friday and

Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, Gaslight

Melodrama Theatre & Music Hall,

12748 Jomani Drive. $12 to $23.

587-3377.

“The Mikado,” 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, Liberty High

School, Performing Arts Center,

925 Jewetta Ave. $7. 587-0925.

“Stage Door,” 8 p.m. Friday and

Saturday, The Empty Space, 706

Oak St. Free but donations

accepted. 327-7529.

“The Night Time Show withMichael Armendariz,” variety

show with guests Amy Hall,

Kristina Saldana and Therese

Muller, 11 p.m. Friday, The Empty

Space, 706 Oak St. $5. 327-7529.

“The Producers,” 8 p.m. Friday

and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday,

Spotlight Theatre, 1622 19th St.

$20; $15 students/seniors. 634-

0692 or thespotlighttheatre.com.

“Hairspray,” 8 p.m. Saturday,

Bakersfield High School, in Harvey

Auditorium, 1241 G St. $30-$35

adults; $15 students/children. 325-

6100.

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 & Show,featuring the work by artist Lila

Martin, 6 p.m. Friday, Bakersfield

Art Association Art Center, 1817

Eye St. 869-2320.

All Media Class, by instructor

Phyllis Oliver, all media welcome,

with color theory stressed. 348-

4717 or

[email protected].

Art classes, beginning

watercolor, beginning drawing,

advanced drawing and watercolor

painters’ group, taught by Carol

Bradshaw. 760-376-6604 or

[email protected].

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.

Art for Healing program, of

Mercy Hospitals of Bakersfield has

many unique classes that may

help alleviate stress and anxiety

resulting in illness, loss, grief or

caring for another. All classes are

free but some suggest a donation

and are held at Mercy Hospital,

Truxtun Campus, Truxtun and A

St. 324-7070 or

mercybakersfield.org/art.

Basic Beading & WireWrapping Workshop, with Susi

Klassen, private instruction or by

appointment, The Bead Hut, 610

18th St. 324-0975 or 706-6490.

Beginning Oil Painting, with

instructor Glen Jelletich, classes

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

3707.

Beginning, Intermediate andAdvanced Drawing, by

instructor Nina Landgraff, series of

five two-hour classes. 304-7002.

Framing Clinic, with Toni Lott,

for artists who want to frame

their work, began April 7, running

noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays. 205-

3488.

Free art classes, for home-

school children, 11 a.m. Thursdays,

Moore’s Art School, 837-1037.

Native American ArtsAssociation, meets to learn

basketry, beadwork and more, 9

a.m. to noon each Thursday, The

Stockdale Moose Lodge, 905 Stine

Road. 852-5050.

The Art Center, 1817 Eye St.,

869-2320; offers a variety of

painting and drawing classes. Call

for details.

The Art Shop Club, 9 a.m. to

noon each Thursday, Friday and

Saturday, The Art Shop, 1221 20th

St. All mediums. 322-0544, 589-

7463 or 496-5153.

Golden Acrylic Demonstration& Workshop with Chris Cozen,“Faux Encaustic Techniques,”

demonstration 9 a.m. to noon,

workshop 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday,

Bakersfield Art Association Art

Center, 1817 Eye St. Free

demonstration; $60 members; $70

nonmembers for workshop. 869-

2320.

MUSIC

AcousticKern River Brewing Company,13415 Sierra Highway, Kernville,

760-376-2337; Mike Fleming, 8 to

10 p.m. Friday.

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

Glenda Robles & The Bandoleros, 8

to 11 p.m. Saturday. $5.

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

Twang Bangers, 9 p.m. Friday; live

music, 9 p.m. Saturday.

Lone Oak Lounge, 10612

Rosedale Highway, 589-0412; Mike

Montano Band, 9 p.m. Saturday.

Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner, 323-

0053; Usual Suspects, 1 p.m.

Saturday.

ComedyTam O’Shanter, 2345 Alta Vista,

324-6774: Open mic, 7:30 p.m.

Thursdays.

Elevation Lounge, 818 Real Road,

325-6864; Improv Tuesday - Live

comedy with DJ after party, 9 p.m.

Tuesdays.

CountryTrouts & 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;

Crossroads, 7 to 11 p.m. Friday.

Tejon Club, 117 El Tejon Ave., 392-

1747; Crossroads, 6 to 10 p.m.

Sunday.

Sandrini’s, 1918 Eye St., 322-

8900; Vince Galindo, 9 p.m.

Wednesday.

DancingJoaquin Squares, 7:30 to 9:30

p.m. Thursday, Rasmussen Center,

115 E. Roberts Lane. $5. 324-1390,

325-3086 or 399-3658.

Folklorico Classes, advance

dancers/performing group 6 to 8

p.m. Fridays; and beginners, all

ages, 10:30 a.m. to noon

Saturdays, Fruitvale-Norris Park,

6221 Norris Road. $22 per month

for beginners; $25 per month for

advance dancers. 833-8790.

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.

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.

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.

DJRockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany

Ave., Suite B5, 589-6749; DJ

James, 9 p.m. Thursdays through

Saturdays. Free. DJ.

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.


8900; DJ Aaron and Flex, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday.

Jazz Cafe Med, 4809 Stockdale

Highway., 834-4433; Richie Perez,

7:30 to 11 p.m. Thursdays.

Crest Bar & Grill, inside

Bakersfield RV Resort, 5025 Wible

Road, 833-9998; Kama Ruby, 6 to

9 p.m. Friday.

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.


Lane, 834-1611; Bakersfield Jazz

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

every Wednesday.

Karaoke 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. karaoke.

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.

Diana’s Pit Stop, 10807 Rosedale

Highway, 587-8888; 8 p.m.

Mondays and Thursdays.

Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany

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

Mondays through Wednesdays.

The Wrecking Yard, 9817 S.

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

Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

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.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30

Please see PAGE 33


DoubleTree Hotel, Club Odyssey,

3100 Camino Del Rio Court; 8 p.m.

to midnight Tuesdays.


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.

Trouts & 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. Wednesdays.

Latin/salsaLatin Salsa Dancing, 8 p.m.

Thursdays, DoubleTree Hotel, Club

Odyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio

Court. 323-7111.


8900; Velorio, 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

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.

Que Pasa Mexican Cafe, 2701

Ming Ave., 832-5011; Mario the

Rockin’ Elvis, 8 to 11 p.m. Thursday.

Old School B. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill,7401 White Lane, 397-7304; Thee

Majestics, 9 p.m. Thursday. $5.

Que Pasa Mexican Cafe, 2701

Ming Ave., 832-5011; Al Garcia &

the Rhythm Kings, 8 to 11 p.m.

every Thursday.

The Nile Bar & Grill, 1721 19th

St., 323-8575; The Press, 7 p.m.

Thursday.

Iron Horse Saloon, 1821 S.

Chester Ave., 831-1315; Lost Vinyl,

9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

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.

RockRockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany

Ave., Suite B5, 589-6749; live

bands, 9 p.m. every Thursday.

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

Barstool Saints CD Release Party,

with Backlight Revelation,

Meditated Assault, 9 p.m. Friday.

SongwritersThe Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall

Road, 831-1413; Chuck Seaton

and Billy Russell's Songwriter's

Showcase, 7 p.m. Wednesdays.

Top 40DoubleTree Hotel, ClubOdyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio

Court. 323-7111; 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

every Friday.

Trivia nightBellvedere Cocktail Lounge,3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; 7

p.m. Tuesdays.


8900; Trivia Night with Dave

Rezac, 10 p.m. Tuesdays.

VarietyGolden State Mall, 3201 F St.,

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

Sundays.

’80sB. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill,7401 White Lane, 397-7304; Dub

Seed, 9 p.m. Friday. $5.

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

Members Only, 9 p.m. Saturday.

$5.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday 5/9Comedy with Eric Buss, 7:30 to

8:30 p.m., Intimate Theatre &

Music Hall, 2030 19th St. $15.

809-4826.

Farmer’s Insurance 2011 Marchof Dimes Golf Tournament,benefitting March of Dimes, 8

a.m., Rio Bravo Country Club,

15200 Casa Club Dr. $110 per

person; $440 per team. Includes

breakfast, lunch, cart. $10 per

person for lunch only. 588-4883

ext. 114.

Kern County Rose Society, with

Chuck Hobbs discussing roses,

socializing 6:30 p.m., meeting 7

p.m., Calvary Bible Church, 48

Manor St. 327-3228.

SPCA Book Sale, 10 a.m. to 8

p.m. Mondays through Saturdays;

noon to 6 p.m. Sundays, now until

May 28, near the old Michael’s

store near East Hills Mall, 3501

Mall View Rd, Ste., 113.

bakersfieldspca.org or 323-8353.

Tuesday 5/10California Writers Series, with

authors Mona Simpson and

Samara Kanegis, 7 to 10 p.m.,

CSUB, Walter Stiern Library,

Dezember Reading Room, 9001

Stockdale Highway. Free; parking in

Lot D is $2. 654-6503.

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.

International Coin CollectorsAssociation, will examine your

rare coins, silver coins, collections,

gold bullion, proof sets, investment

gold and more, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tuesday through Saturday, Four

Points Hotel by Sheraton, 5101

California Ave. Free. Visit

thrassociates.com or 217-726-

7590.

League of Women Voters,meeting; 6:30 p.m., UC Merced

Center, 2000 K St. 634-3773.

Sierra Club Conditioning Hikes,three to five miles, 7 p.m., meet at

corner of Highways 178 and 184.

872-2432 or 873-8107.

Social Media: How to Protectyour Kids & What to Know, with

The Californian’s Community

Engagement Coordinator Jamie

Butow who will give tips on ways

to keep your kids safe from social

networking sites such as

Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google

and more, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Four

Points Hotel by Sheraton, 5101

California Ave. Free. 322-5204.

Zonta Club of Bakersfieldannual Luncheon, guest speaker

Sherri Bergamo, 11:30 a.m. to 1

p.m., The Petroleum Club, Fifth

floor, 5060 California Ave. $20

per person. Reservations needed

by May 6, 201-3505.

Wednesday 5/1175th annual Kern CountyWomen’s Amateur GolfChampionship, two-day event:

registration 7 a.m. Wednesday and

Thursday; shotgun begins at 8:30

a.m. both days. First day event is

held at Sundale Country Club, 6218

Sundale Ave., second day event is

held at Kern River Golf Course with

a luncheon immediately following

tournament. $120 includes green

fees, cart, balls, prizes for two-day

event. (Luncheon Thursday only).

587-1077 or 832-6639.

Day of the Teacher CommunityCelebration, games, raffles,

dinner, 4 to 7 p.m., Yokuts Park,

4200 Empire Drive. Reservations

needed by May 6, visit

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s

/dayoftheteacher.

Ladies Night, learn about

stretching, bike fit, bike repair,

nutrition and more, 6:30 to 7:30

p.m., Action Sports, 9500 Brimhall

Road, Suite 400. 833-4000.

“Public or Privacy Information?Right to Know vs. Right toPrivacy,” hosted by the Kegley

Institute of Ethics and Kern Press

Club, 7 p.m., CSUB, Doré Theatre,

Albertson Room, 9001 Stockdale

Highway. Free. 654-2555.

Eye Street

1001 Tower Way • (661) 327-2622 (Off Mohawk St., behind Stockdale Tower Bldg.)

Join us for our 3rd Annual

Health Extravaganza! SATURDAY, MAY 7TH 2011

9:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. HEALTH INFORMATION, SCREENING,

PRIZES & MORE FOR THE FAMILY!

• Stroke Screening • Blood Pressure Screening • Glucose Testing • Body Composition Testing • Spinal Evaluations • Nutritional Screening • Houchin Blood Bank On-Site!

NO COST!HealthHealth Health

Screenings!Screenings! Screenings!

RaffleRaffle Raffle Prizes!

Prizes! Prizes!

www.advanced spinalhealth.net

• Improve Flexibility • Relieve Stress • Create A Strong & Lean Body • Develop A Strong Core

Give Yourself AGive Yourself A Give Yourself A Beach Body SummerBeach Body Summer Beach Body Summer

Look!Look! Look! Pilates Reformer

Mat Classes Are Now Available! Reformer Personal Training

Instructions By Appointment Only.

1405 Commercial Way, Ste. 110 • 661-324-7848 1405 Commercial Way, Ste. 110 • 661-324-7848

$ 7 99 Reg. $8.99 Ages 3 - 8 Half Price Expires 6/05/11

Must Bring in Coupon

2309 Brundage Lane, Bakersfield 93304 (661) 631-0680 • 10AM - 9:30PM

7 Days a Week

ADULTS

$ 5 99 ADULTS

Reg. $6.39 Ages 3 - 8 Half Price Expires 6/05/11

Mon - Fri 10AM - 3:30PM Must Bring in Coupon

Mon - Fri 3:30PM - 9:30PM Sat., Sun, & Holidays All Day

CHINESE • AMERICAN • JAPANESE CUISINES

ALL YOU CAN EAT A L L Y O U C A N E A T TAKE OUT TAKE OUT AVAILABLE

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 32

bakersfield californian eye street / 5 - 5 - 11

Documents

onthe festival

keptthe festival

bakersfieldjazz festival

davis estimates

asolid turnout year

alargescale festival

musicdirector doug davis

bakersfield college