Eye Street / 8-30-12

BY STEFANI DIASCalifornian assistant lifestyles editor

[email protected]

If enclosing yourself in a ringwith eight big cats sounds likeone of the most dangerous jobin the world, trainer AlexanderLacey says you don’t know the

circus.“I think I have the safe job in the

show, working with the lions,” saidthe man behind the lion and tigersact at Ringling Bros. and Barnum &Bailey: Dragons, which kicks off afour-day run today at RabobankArena.

But safe doesn’t mean dull. Lacey,who has been with Dragons sinceNovember, wows audiences with anextraordinary collaboration: He hashis eight lions and tigers performtogether, a rare show of inter-genuscooperation.

“The last time there was a mixedact in Ringling was 12 years ago. It’spretty uncommon. The routine isinteresting to watch. The peoplelove it. It makes a nice picture whenyou see the male lion, Masai; hestands proud, and two tigers standon his shoulders. He gets along wellwith them.”

Integration of the cubs starts at avery young age. The big cats don’tperform until they are at least 21⁄2years old, so Lacey said the animalsare raised together starting around 2months.

“Tigers get used to the lions, lionsget used to the tigers. Tigers don’trealize they’re not lions.”

Another standout feature of thebig cat act, according to Lacey, is thetype of tiger used in the show.

“The trend in circuses in generalis that people want to see tigers. Wespecialize in one type of tiger — theIndian tiger, which is very rare.Siberians are most common in cap-tivity. With Indians, there are so fewin the zoo business.

“The Indian tiger is the prettiestof the tigers in my opinion.”

Lacey and his family have raised11 generations of lions, nine oftigers and an assortment of leop-ards.

His parents, who owned zoos inEngland and trained big cats forshows, passed their love on toLacey, who started performing as ateen.

“I performed the very first time

with five tigers that my father hadtrained for me when I was nearly 18.I began to train animals when I was19.”

His menagerie of 14 cats is a mixof multiple generations. Theyoungest are still in training and theparents and “teenagers” are per-

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

Circus big cats: Me-wow!Tigers earn theirstripes; lions set up mane attraction

20 The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, August 30, 2012

Ringling Bros. and Barnum& Bailey Circus: Dragons When: 7 p.m. today and Friday;11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 1and 5 p.m. Sunday (animal openhouse, an hour and a half beforeshowtime)

Where: Rabobank Arena, 1001Truxtun Ave.

Admission: $15 to $70

Information: ticketmaster.comor 800-745-3000

IndexDeedra Patrick: survivor.......................... 22Arts Alive with Camille Gavin ................ 24Motor over to Taft .................................... 25The Lowdown with Matt Munoz.............. 26Hearing voices.......................................... 27An ode to horse and rider........................ 28Last fling on the mountain .................... 30Calendar .............................................. 32-33

Please see CIRCUS / 31

Although many eagerly anticipate the arrivalof the circus each year, there are others in Bak-ersfield who are trying to put a stop to it. Bak-ersfield Alliance for Animals, in conjunctionwith Animal Defenders International, will holdprotests outside Rabobank Arena an hourbefore each performance. In support of theTraveling Exotic Animal Protection Act — whichwould amend the Animal Welfare Act to preventthe use of exotic or wild animals in traveling cir-cuses and exhibitions — protesters plan toanswer questions and aim to educate the publicabout alleged abuses.

Courtney Clerico, an animal activist handlingpublicity for the Bakersfield group, said thereare many misconceptions about how perform-ing animals are treated by Ringling Bros.

The company, doing business as Feld Enter-tainment Inc., last year agreed to pay a $270,000fine for allegedly violating the Animal Welfare

Act (AWA) and to develop an annual AWA com-pliance training for all employees who workwith and handle animals. Clerico said she isdoubtful the settlement will improve condi-tions.

“Ringling Bros. training procedures aren’treward-based, they’re punishment-based. Ani-mals are tortured to do things that they wouldnever do in the wild. If people understood thetraining tactics and that they’re (animals)locked up on average for 26 hours at a time thatthey wouldn’t be eager to give them theirmoney or participate in the show.”

One of the show’s animal trainers, AlexanderLacey, whose family has raised big cats for 45years, said that the animals are well tended.

“I’m an animal lover. I see absolutely no pointgoing into a business that mistreats animals.Animals thrive under our care. We have a vet

Protesters plan visual presence at circus

RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS

“I think I have the safe job in the show, working with the lions,” said Alexander Lacey, the man behind the lion and tigers act with Rin-gling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Please see PROTEST / 30

Thursday, August 30, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian 21

Eye Street

Songwriters discover harmonyBY SUSAN SCAFFIDIContributing writer

If a screenwriter dreamed up aromantic comedy based onthe long-distance love story of

Craig Garrison and KathyKennedy, he’d have a hit on hishands. Consider this irresistiblepremise: The two met by acci-dent, wrote a song together thou-sands of miles apart and fell inlove in the process.

And it all started here in Bak-ersfield, with a misunderstandingover a song Garrison had written.

Garrison, who performs regu-larly at various locations, includ-ing the Chateau Lounge on SouthChester Avenue, Murphy’s Pub,and The Lode in Lake Isabella,had lived the nomadic life of amusician, playing gigs all overCalifornia, before retuning to hisnative Bakersfield in 2009.

“I came back to a place whichwas always a natural compass forme — Bakersfield, California,”Garrison said.

But wherever he is, he alwayskeeps track of a song he wrote in1993 for blues diva Trudy Lynn,titled “Instant Breakfast,” anearthy, double entendre-ladensong that puts such classics as“Empty Bed Blues” to shame. Thesong has become something of ablues standard for female vocal-ists.

“I periodically Google the songand see what kind of activitythere is regarding it,” Garrisonsaid.

Garrison said that includedradio play, Lynn’s concerts,record sales — anything thatmight earn him royalties andexpand his reputation. One dayhe was surprised when his searchled him to a Women in Blueswebsite from Winnipeg, Canada,and a concert that included aperformance of “Instant Break-fast.”

“(The song) was included onthe CD of that live concert,” Garri-son said. “I’m looking at the web-site and see it’s available for sale.

“I said, ‘Wait a minute —somebody is making money onthis,’” he said.

That “somebody” was concertproducer Kathy Kennedy, founderof the Women in Blues in Win-nipeg and producer of the CD.Garrison emailed Kennedy, tellingher she wasn’t licensed to use hissong.

“I said, ‘I don’t get it,’”Kennedy said. “‘I don’t recall youwriting ‘Instant Breakfast’; we allthought it was Trudy Lynn.’”

Kennedy said she discoveredthe Canadian performing rights

organization hadn’t completedthe paperwork for the song, andso she sent Garrison cash to coverhis royalties from the sale of therecords. But the relationship did-n’t end there.

“She said, ‘By the way, do youever collaborate?’” Garrison said.

“He said he was interestedbecause he was a writer, he was acollaborator,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy said she asked for hishelp with one of her own songs.

“I thought (‘Instant Breakfast’)was a great song,” Kennedy said.“I liked to work with him becausewe are on the same page. Theway we visualize a song — we’reon the same page.”

Garrison said that invitationgot them off and running.

“Pretty much instantly webegan collaborating over thephone, online, by mail,” he said.“We literally dug into the song-writing process several thousandmiles apart.”

That’s not all. While writingmusic together, Garrison andKennedy fell in love.

“I just did,” Kennedy said. “Itwas wonderful. We connectedinstantly; a soul connection.”

“There was nothing interfering

with our attraction to one anoth-er,” Garrison said of their personalcircumstances. “There was also akind of immediate reception ofone another, as artists, as people.”

Despite the connection, it actu-ally took awhile to say the words“I love you.” Even then, the twomusicians didn’t just come outand say them; they put the senti-ment in a song, called “Read YouBlind,” completed in April of thisyear.

“In those lyrics, I was express-ing my love for her, my feelingsfor her,” Garrison said. “I didn’ttell her what I was doing; I didn’ttell her I was writing this song forher.

“We knew we had accom-plished something significant,”Garrison said of the song. “Morethan that, we had admitted ourfeelings for one another.”

All that collaborating andfalling in love, and Garrison andKennedy had yet to meet face toface. That didn’t happen untilJuly, when Kennedy came to Bak-ersfield for a 10-day visit.

“She wrote a song about that,too,” Garrison said.

Apparently, the visit was thefinal touch — Garrison is packing

up and moving to Winnipeg,where there are plans for a wed-ding and a joint career. Garrisonsaid he will perform his last gig atthe Chateau Lounge on Sept. 4.

“We’re going to record a CD ofour songs, and be full-time song-writers and performers,” Garrison

said. “As a duo — Garrison-Kennedy, hyphenated.”

“It’s something we both want,”Kennedy said. “We both want apartner who understands whatyou do. It’s going to be quite alife. We have a lot of thingsplanned, so away we go!”

Musical collaborationblossoms into romance

PHOTO COURTESY OF CRAIG GARRISON

Craig Garrison and Kathy Kennedy have collaborated in music and in life.

PHOTO BY ROBERT BEJIL

Singer-songwriter Craig Garrison performs at Fishlips in 2011.

BY MATT MUNOZCalifornian staff writer

[email protected]

To anoint someone a “survivor”in the music world has got to bethe most played out of all rock

’n’ roll cliches. Still, it’s a pretty aptdescription of Deedra Patrick, a pow-erhouse vocalist with a sterling repu-tation, not just in Bakersfield but themany places around the countrywhere her talent has taken her.

Her life has been one struggle afteranother: crushing poverty and neg-lect as a child, the challenges of rais-ing a special-needs son and a life-altering car accident 18 years ago thatnearly killed her.

But Patrick, 47, who has used musicto cope with every setback, is aresilient performer, which she’ll proveagain Friday when she takes the micat Pyrenee’s Café, backed by theSwamp Katz, her band of two years.

“Everything is starting over againfor me. If I sit there and tell people mystory, I’m afraid they’re going to lookat me like I’m damaged. I’m positiveabout things. God has really blessedme with being able to keep makingmusic.”

How she got the bluesBright and welcoming, Patrick’s

northwest Bakersfield home is a tran-quil haven, a world away from theimpoverished surroundings of herchildhood in Sallisaw, Okla., whereshe lived with her mother and three

siblings after her parents divorcedwhen she was 5.

“We were so poor, I remember get-ting a pair of shoes from my uncle,and I used to sleep with them on. Theonly meal was our free meal atschool. Mom was in an abusive rela-tionship. No hot water at the house,and we used hand soap for our hair.We didn’t own records. We only knewwhat we heard on the radio: Heart,Janis Joplin, rock and blues artists,anything that was current. Myfavorite band is still Boston.”

The pivotal point in Patrick’s younglife came five years later when herfather, Bob Patrick, sent a pair ofplane tickets to her and her sister,Tasha, for a holiday visit to Bakers-field. There they would be reunitedwith their two brothers, who hadsince moved to live with their father.

“Once we jumped on the plane, Iknew we were never going back. Istayed with my dad and my step-mom, Gladys, in Lamont, and finallyhad a normal life.”

Patrick lost her thick Oklahoma

accent and eventually came out ofher shell, joining a series of rock coverbands after graduating from ArvinHigh. Blazing through various localbars singing modern rock hits, sherecalled the ever-present group ofdrunken critics.

“I was doing Cyndi Lauper with allthese groups, but my voice didn’tsound like the artists we were cover-ing. Original music was not allowedin the ’80s. They used to say, ‘Youdon’t sound like anyone we know.’You don’t realize it’s a compliment atthe time, because they were actuallycriticizing you when they said it. Iwanted to stand out.”

Patrick had to go to L.A. to performoriginal music, eventually joining upwith rock group Tipsy Fox, which laterbecame Rain on Fire. She also madeamends with her mother, who cameto live with Patrick after being diag-nosed with terminal cancer. She diedin 1992.

“For three years, it was work,rehearsal and taking care of mom.”

Patrick returned to Bakersfieldbefore scoring a gig as a travelingsinger with hotel lounge band LicketySplit in 1994. It was while on tour thata major accident en route to Maple-ton, Ore., would nearly claim her life.

“It’s always been hard for me totalk about this,” said Patrick. “Wewere like pennies in a jar. The wreckwas so traumatic, the seatbeltsripped. Even the canned food we had


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HENRY A. BARRIOS / THE CALIFORNIAN

Blues vocalist Deedra Patrick appears on Friday with the Swamp Katz at Pyrenee’s Café.

Deedra Patrick and theSwamp Katz When: 7 p.m. FridayWhere: Pyrenee’s Café, 601 Sum-ner St.Admission: FreeInformation: 323-0053

exploded all over us. Just sittinghere in front of you right now ishard to believe.”

The events leading up to thatfoggy night in November 1994remain hazy for Patrick, whorecalls some details. According topolice and eyewitness reports, thevan carrying Patrick and her threebandmates jumped a 3-footembankment, snapping a tree,before smashing head-on into arailroad building. Miraculously,no one was killed.

“It was weird. Before the acci-dent, I was signing autographs,and people were getting to knowwho I was. Things were movingalong. Since I was a kid, I’vealways been Deedra Patrick, thesinger. Now I wasn’t. I woke up adifferent person in the hospital.”

The injuries suffered by Patrickwere substantial: a concussion,dislocated jaw and nine brokenribs. She’s undergone extensivereconstructive surgery, whichkept her music off the radar foryears.

“It took me a year just to walkagain. Eighteen years later, here Iam.”

But Patrick discovered yearslater that the long-term conse-quences of the accident wouldalso affect her son. Matthew, now11, was born 23 weeks prematuredue to complications attributedto Patrick’s injuries. He was diag-

nosed with several disabilities,including cerebral palsy, deafnessand autism. The single mom crieswhen she discusses her son, butshe said it’s joy rather than sad-ness that prompts the tears.

“He stayed in the hospital forseven months after he was born.He’s not mentally handicappedand doesn’t require any medica-tion. Every time I feel weak andafraid, think of him. He gives methe strength to keep moving. He’sjust amazing.”

Restarting a careerWith her son’s strength as an

example and encouragement

from loved ones, Patrick, who hadput performing on the backburner, decided to recommit toher career in 2010.

“My sister has always had acommon goal: ‘I’m going to sing.’It’s the music that helps herthrough the struggles,” said hersister, Tasha Patrick. “We’vealways been very driven, almostto the point where we have to bea perfectionist. If Dee Dee doessomething, she’s always got to bethe best.”

Two of Patrick’s originals,“When the Rain Came Down”and “Chasing the Rabbit,” show-case the essence of her vocal abil-

ities: a vintage mix of Maria Mul-daur and Heart’s Ann Wilson,with some operatic finesse.

One of Patrick’s biggest fans isacclaimed producer and long-time colleague Rick Jarrard, theman behind Jefferson Airplane’sgroundbreaking album “Surreal-istic Pillow,” hits for Harry Nils-son and others. Jarrard once hiredPatrick as a background vocalistfor a session with Jose Felicianoand has remained in close con-tact over the years. In fact, thetwo are planning a collaborationnext year.

“Deedra is simply a classicrocker, powerful voice withbluesy overtones, one of thebest,” said Jarrad via email fromhis Nashville, Tenn., office. “Incertain aspects she reminds meof the best female artists of the’60s, Grace Slick, Janis Joplin, etc.,but of course she fits right in withtoday’s market as rock is time-less.”

Swamp Katz guitarist RonBrem, who moved to Bakersfieldfrom St. Louis a year ago, said hestumbled upon Patrick one nightafter making the rounds to getacquainted with the local scene.

“I went and caught her sittingin with another band. I was like,‘Who is this?’ She’s a very dynam-ic singer who has a great interac-tion with the crowd — very out-going, professional with a focuson original material. When I first

joined the group, there were onlya few songs that were partiallywritten, but now we have over aCD’s worth of songs.”

When she’s not onstage orbeing a mom, Patrick teachescourses on live voice and studioperformance at the DeedraPatrick Voice Studio in Bakersfieldand assists others with childrenwho face challenges similar to herson’s.

“For parents with autistic chil-dren, just hearing the timbre oftheir child’s voice is somethingrare. Some children may neverspeak, but there’s somethingabout a song that can get them tovocalize.”

One of the ways Patrick incor-porates music into her methodsis by inserting a child’s name intoa simple nursery rhyme as a formof identification, should the childget lost and be unable to commu-nicate.

“Losing an autistic child inpublic is one of the scariest thingsthat can happen to you, so teach-ing useful tools like a simple songcan help save a lot of heartache.Something about music is univer-sal.”

As for the show Friday, whichwill be opened by the band Eng-lish Revolver, Patrick can’t helpbragging a little.

“This is the best band I’ve everhad behind me live,” she said. “Ifinally feel like dreaming again.”


Eye StreetPATRICK: CONTINUED FROM 22

“They used to say,‘You don’t soundlike anyone we

know.’ You don’trealize it’s a com-

pliment at thetime, because theywere actually criti-

cizing you whenthey said it. I want-

ed to stand out.”— Deedra Patrick


Eye Street

As many of us have learnedfrom recent news reportsabout teen suicides, bully-

ing can result in tragedy.In her new play, “Bullied,”

Michelle Guerrero Tolley demon-strates the pain felt by some whohave been victimized by suchacts. It opens Friday at The EmptySpace.

Its theme exposes the falsenessof the saying, “Sticks and stonesmay break my bones but wordswill never harm me.”

Alas, words can, and do hurt.Said in a certain way, they canslice like a sharp knife.

“The Bullied” opens with ascene in which three high school-age girls are taunting another girl-— calling her names and makingher feel worthless.

“Honestly, it is one of the hard-est scenes for me to watch,” saidTolley. “Victoria Lusk, who por-trays the bullied girl, doesn't sayone word, but she is able to con-vey her heartbreak and pain atwhat the girls are saying to her sowell that words are not needed.”

Tolley’s inspiration for writingthe play was the suicide of SethWalsh, a 13-year-old Tehachapiboy who hanged himself in 2010after being tormented by bulliesfor being gay.

As she searched for more infor-mation on the subject, Tolleysoon learned the problem is notlimited to Kern County.

“When I researched teen sui-cides caused by bullying I wasastounded to learn that therewere so many,” she said.

“I hope that by bringing thestories of the 36 (American teens)lost in 2010 into the light peoplewill be made aware of what bully-ing does to kids and they willmake an effort to try and bring anend to it.”

As the first act progresses, anensemble cast of 20 actors intro-duces the 36 teens who took theirown lives. Using first names only,they briefly describe what the vic-

tims wentthroughbeforetheirdeath.

A majorpart of the

material forthe script

came from interviews Tolley didwith people who have experi-enced this kind of aggressivebehavior firsthand.

“It consists of their responsesduring the interviews, their viewson the current bullying prob-lems,” she said, “And many ofthem include messages of hopeto current victims of bullying.”

Performances of “The Bullied”continue through Sept. 8.

Labor Day ghost tourA host of events are going on

this Labor Day weekend in theKern River Valley — everythingfrom antique shows, bake salesand to a farmers market offeringlocally grown fruit and produce.

One rather unusual event isghost hunt and lamplight tour ofthe Silver City Ghost Town inBodfish. It’s led by J. Paul Corlew,who assured me, during a phoneconversation, the lanterns are thereal thing.

“The town itself is lit by elec-tricity,” Corlew said, “but we leadthe tour with kerosene lanternsjust like they used a hundredyears ago. We’ve got the lanterns— people don’t need to bringthem.”

To help ferret out the ghosts,Danny Flores and his sister, KimFlores, members of the LakeIsabella Paranormal Society, willjoin Corlew as co-hosts.

Arts and crafts fairA daytime event during the

weekend that promises to attracta lot of browsing is the Sierra Artsand Crafts Festival. Held inKernville’s Circle Park, it’s spon-sored by members of the KernRiver Valley Artists Association,and its layout mimics the shapeof the park.

“We rent the whole park fromthe county,” said Judy Deems,spokeswoman for the group.“The booths are set up in a circlewithin a circle — kind of like theold wagon trains.”

About 40 vendors are expected,some of them from out of town,she said. For instance, an individ-ual from New Mexico who spe-cializes in American Indian hand-crafts will be there as well as amarionette maker from LosAngeles and a wildlife photogra-pher from Long Beach who’s justreturned from a trip to Africa.

Many of the association’smembers will display their handi-work, including a woman whomakes fancy slips and camisoles.

“They’re so pretty you couldwear them on the outside insteadof underneath,” Deems said. “She

makes them really fancy withantique doilies and rhinestones.”

Other items include earringsmade from fishing lures, andmobile sculptures made fromauto parts and pipes. Deems’specialty involves beautifyingsomething that normally is usedas a tool.

“I have painted saws,” she said,explaining that people buy themfor home décor. Using acrylics,she paints images of wildlife orfarm scenes on the blade.

This year’s event is the 50thanniversary of the festival and ofthe association. Deems has beena member since 1985.

Art for HealingSister Sherry Dolan has

announced the fall schedule forthe Art for Healing workshops atMercy Hospital. You don’t have tobe an accomplished artist toattend.

Dolan, who is a visual artist,initiated the program about threeyears ago and it has continued togrow.

It’s based on the idea that mak-ing art is a positive way ofbecoming “practiced in the skillsof letting go, living in themoment, artful reflection andrelaxation.”

Among those scheduled for thecoming week are painting andsketching in an open studio for-

mat, 1:30 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 6;and a Wire Sculpture workshopled by Anna Murillo and Kay Wil-son, 9:30 a.m. to noon Sept. 8.

All sessions are held in a smallrust-colored building at TruxtunAvenue and A Street that’s part ofthe hospital’s campus.

Registration is required forsome workshops. To see the com-plete schedule go to 632-5747 orgo to mercybakersfield.org/art.

The sessions are free. However,a few suggest, but not require, asmall materials fee. To help main-tain the program, a fundraisercalled Autumn Art Fest is beingplanned for 1 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 7.It will feature artwork by localprofessionals and emergingartists, as well as samples of workdone by participants in the pro-gram.

Celia Kelly updateIn an email message, Cal State

Bakersfield graduate Celia Kelly,who I wroteabout in lastweek’s column,asked for a clarifi-cation about herrole in the 2012Super Bowl. Sheattended as aspectator, not asa member of the

broadcast crew. Also, the correctspelling of the name of a profes-sor she had at CSUB is ElizabethJackson.

Play stands up to bullying ‘The Bullied’When: 8 p.m. Friday and Sat-urday

Where: The Empty Space,706 Oak St.

Admission: Free, donationswelcomed

Information: 327-7529

Lantern Light TourWhen: 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Fri-day and Saturday

Where: Silver City GhostTown, 3829 Lake IsabellaBlvd., Bodfish

Admission: $12

Information: 760-379-5146

Sierra Arts & Crafts FestivalWhen: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat-urday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1p.m. Monday

Where: Circle Park, Kernville

Admission: Free

Information: 760-378-4109

Camille Gavin CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

GO & DO

Camille Gavin’s “Arts Alive”column appears on Thursday. Write to her via e-mail at [email protected]

Writer explores awidespread problem

PHOTO COURTESY OF J. PAUL CORLEW

Visitors take part in the Lantern Light Tour at Silver City in Bodfish.

Kelly


BY MIRANDA WHITWORTHContributing writer

The city of Taft is a regular rest stop formotorcyclists making their way tothe mountains or the coast, but one

group of businessmen is transforming thetown into a destination for bikers. The Sec-ond Annual Taft Bike Fest revs into highgear Labor Day weekend, with action kick-ing off Friday morning and roaring straightthrough Monday afternoon.

Gene Jones is president of Two WheelProductions. He and his small team aresteering the party and want everyone toknow that Taft is much more than a placeto fill your tank.

“You see groups of sometimes 50 to 60riders stop here, gas up, have a soda andthen take off. We do a lot of our own rideshere and we want people to come into ourcommunity and spend some time withus.”

While many may not consider the townon Highway 33 to be an event center, Jonesbets the Taft Bike Fest will change theirminds.

“We will have everything. From conteststo stunts to a place for kids to have fun,we’ve got it all taken care of.”

The four-day event is jam-packed withnearly three city blocks worth of the Railsto Trails scenic area of Taft, which will beset aside for vendors and competition.Offering a paved path where the railwayoriginally ran, the Rails to Trails project is

flanked by grassy areas and a stage for out-door concerts and events.

Bands will play Friday, Saturday andSunday nights and flat-track racing, bikestunts and other contests will rotatethroughout each day. It’s an impressivelineup that Jones said evolved with thehelp of community input and some mildcriticism that followed the event’s debut in2011.

“Last year was a learning experience forus. After it was all over, we talked to peopleand we’ve adjusted a few things. We’llhave cooling stations in the concert area,the contests will be set up a little closer toeach other so there’s not too much walk-ing, and things will be timed so there’s notan overlap.”

Jones and his crew have had nearly acalendar year to prepare for the event’sreturn, and a win for Two Wheel Produc-tions will be a win for the city and its busi-ness owners.

“Last year we kinda guesstimated whatour attendance would be, and we saw

5,000 people come through over the threedays. We had restaurants run out of foodbefore the weekend was over. We justweren’t prepared for that kind of response.And that was just our first year.”

Jones is looking forward to putting Taftback in the spotlight in a much bigger andbetter way this time around. While busi-nesses benefit from the added patrons, thecause behind the event will flourish aswell.

As last year, proceeds from Taft Bike Fest

will go to Alpha House, a women’s shelterlocated in Taft that provides a safe havenfor victims of abuse.

Jones said when it comes to helping hiscommunity, the event is just a large scaleextension of the work of seven men whohave been riding to raise money and helpfamilies in need for years.

“It started with the What Goes AroundComes Around fund. We’d ride to raisemoney to help a family or someone introuble. If there was ever money raisedthat was left over it would get saved forsomeone down the road. That’s when wedecided to do something big to bring peo-ple into our community and really make adifference.”

With this year expected to be much big-ger than last, Jones hopes the goal will bereached and the team’s message will bedelivered loud and clear.

“Taft is still here. We do a lot of goodthings for people. Come on out and see thecommunity. It’s gonna change your mind.”

Get your motorsrunning to Taft

Taft Bike FestWhen: 10 a.m. to midnight Friday andSaturday; 9 a.m. to midnight Sunday;10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday

Fees: Dry camping/RV parking, $40weekend; entry fees for contests andraces vary; general admission is free

Information: Facebook.com/taft.bike-fest

Eye Street

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18th Street

19th Street

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Stre

et

Ches

ter

PHOTO COURTESY OF GENE JONES

Riders gather for the inaugural Taft Bike Fest in 2011.

“Last year was a learningexperience for us. After it was all over, we talked

to people and we’veadjusted a few things.”

— Gene Jones, president of Two Wheel Productions


Eye Street

When the members ofBakersfield/Taft countryact Good Question land-

ed in Nashville to soak up a weekof music and Americana culture,they never anticipated beingabsorbed into the very fabric ofthe city.

From the iconic area of LowerBroadway, where countless musi-cians have made the trek to findfame and fortune, to throwingback spicy barbecue and ice coldbeer with the natives, it was quitea party.

Recovered and ready to rockagain, the band appears Saturdayat B Ryder’s.

“Those were the six best daysof my life,” said Good Questionguitarist Alec Olivieri, seatedinside the Padre’s Brimstonelounge with band members Tay-lor Unruh, guitar; Ethan Morris,drums; and manager GarrettTuckness. Not present for theinterview was lead vocalist RyanCoulter.

“It was like the Vegas of countrymusic, and I can’t wait to goback.”

The goal of the excursion,planned earlier this year, was tomake industry contacts and see ifthe city would indeed live up toits hype.

“One of our main objectiveswas to see what the musicianshipwas like in Nashville,” saidOlivieri. “About an hour after welanded at the airport, we met this

17-year-old guitaristwho was a serious

picker. Wecouldn’t believewhat we were

hearing. This kidcould easily

hang withany vet-

eran

we’d come across before.”The prodigy who first wel-

comed them to the city was noneother than Texas ax sensationDaniel Donato, who was makinga stop at Robert’s Western World,a store and live music venuefamous for being a launch pad forcountry music revivalists BR5-49,among countless others.

“That kid’s playing was onanother level,” said Tuckness.“That’s the way it was every fivefeet.”

And that was just a few hoursinto day one. After the groupscurried away to check into theirshared hotel room, they venturedinto the thick of Nashville’s glitzynightlife, where everyone is chas-ing the dream aboard different

vessels. “The majority of the musicians

aren’t necessarily in a band, butthey jump from group to groupshowcasing their material. Song-writing is the big thing,” saidTuckness.

Among the group’s more inter-esting run-ins was with their cabdriver, Marty, who claimed to be aformer tour manager for DollyParton.

“His story was cool. This guyworked for years in the industryas a manager, then tour guideand now cab driver,” said Unruh.“He became our official guidearound Nashville while we werethere.”

While the group didn’t get achance to check out the Grand

Ole Opry due to time constraints,they did make it to the Bakers-field Sound exhibit at the CountryMusic Hall of Fame. Walkingthrough the building’s replica ofthe historic “Bakersfield” signinto the exhibit’s main chambersleft each member a little chokedup.

“It was cool to see some of theitems I recognized from the Crys-tal Palace that had made its wayover to Nashville,” Unruh said.“Bakersfield country music histo-ry is represented well.”

And Tuckness said the interestin Bakersfield wasn’t relegated tojust the exhibit.

“When we told people wherewe were from, it was like theywere amazed. We tend to getslammed for being from Bakers-field. Nashville has a lot of lovefor us.”

According to the group, muchof the bar music fare was made

up of classics from Buck Owens,Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash,not from the current charts.

“‘Tiger by the Tail,’ ‘TogetherAgain,’ ‘I’ll Just Sit Here andDrink,’ all the big ones,” saidMorris.

Not to be completely outshoneby the local burners, members ofGood Question were set on mak-ing some noise during their stay.Before their arrival, Tuckness hadarranged for the group to per-form a mini-showcase at theNashville Songwriters Associationmain offices through a referral bymusic consultant Bob Mitchell,who’d worked with Gretchen Wil-son.

Seated in front of 15 NSAstaffers, they performed a fewnumbers to rousing response,before being led out the door tomake way for the next performer.During their final days, theyjumped aboard a few crampedopen mic nights, and then thingsgot really daring: They nearlypassed the security gates of Mar-tina McBride’s Blackbird Studios,where the White Stripes, Beck,Sheryl Crow and others haverecorded.

“When the gates opened, wenoticed a sign that said, ‘Do notslam, overdubs in progress,’” saidOlivieri. “We were almost all theway in, then we were stopped.”

Back to the comforts of Kern,the group says plans for another“band bonding” adventure arealready in the works.

“Austin,” said Tuckness.Saturday’s all-ages show starts

at 9 p.m. Admission is $5. BRyder’s is located at 7401 WhiteLane. 397-7304.

Matt’s picksKottonmouth Kings at B

Ryder’s Bar, 7401 White Lane,7:30 p.m. tonight, $20, 397-7304.In the war of the independents,no one can boast victory like theKottonmouth Kings. The firstglimpse of the what was tobecome a blunt-wrapped dynastyof punky hip-hop with a vanillatwist came in ’97 when the group

Taft meets Nashville: Yeehaw!The Lowdown with Matt Munoz

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.

Good Question takes insounds of iconic city

PHOTO BY GARRETT TUCKNESS

Members of Taft/Bakersfield country band Good Question pose at the iconic Broadway section ofdowntown Nashville. Pictured from left are Taylor Unruh, Alec Olivieri, Ethan Morris, Ryan Coulter.

Please see LOWDOWN / 33


Eye Street

BY SUSAN SCAFFIDIContributing writer

The Bakersfield MasterworksChorale celebrates its 80thyear this season with less than

half the membership it has histori-cally enjoyed. The primary purposeof the choir is still to sing, but theurgent purpose is to grow.

Cal State Bakersfield choral direc-tor Robert Provencio will direct theMasterworks Chorale this season,replacing Phil Witmer, who hasdirected the choir for the past fiveseasons.

Newly elected board presidentJudy Houston said membership hasdropped to around 50 singers duringthat time, from a traditional contin-gent of about 120 singers.

“We thought we needed a change,a little boost,” said Houston, whoadded the change had nothing to dowith Witmer’s performance.

“We all love Phil,” Houston said.“It’s really a recruitment thing.”

To help with the “recruitmentthing,” Houston said the Master-works board approached Provencio,who had already been collaboratingwith the choir for the past two sea-sons, adding his CSUB singers to theMasterworks Chorale so there wouldbe enough singers to perform withthe Bakersfield Symphony each year.

Houston said Provencio was a nat-ural choice, not just because of thisprior association but because he hastrained a lot of singers during histenure at CSUB.

Houston said the board hopesProvencio will be successful inrecruiting some of his alumni to thechoir.

Provencio said he has signed aone-year contract with the board,but is already making a lot of plans.

“We have established a theme forthe first year,” Provencio said. “It hasto do with honoring our traditions,while also doing some new things.”

Provencio noted that the choirwas originally created to sing Han-del’s “Messiah” annually, and saidthis year’s anniversary performancewill recall major productions of thechoir’s past, singing the “Christmassection” of the oratorio, includingorchestra and professional soloists.New this season will be the choir’sperformance of Carl Orff’s “CarminaBurana” with the Bakersfield Sym-phony.

“This is something that Master-works and the Bakersfield Sympho-ny have never done before,” Proven-cio said.

“I think the piece is immediatelyattractive and accessible,” Provenciosaid. “I think it’s very sexy.”

“It’s a piece that has entered thecultural psyche,” he said.

Houston said she doesn’t knowwhy the choir has been losingsingers, adding that the board has

not really explored the reasons. She did speculate that some of the

drop was due to people movingaway, as well as many singers agingout of the choir.

“We need to recruit younger voic-es,” said Houston, who noted thatthe decline was also of concern toBSO conductor John Farrer.

“I had an appointment with JohnFarrer to discuss this, and he said,‘I’ve never had a complaint aboutthe quality; there just haven’t beenenough of you,’” Houston said.

To address the need, Provenciohas restructured the auditioningprocess.

“We’re not holding regular audi-tions yet,” Provencio said. “Insteadwe’re holding an open rehearsal.”

Provencio said invitations weresent out to singers to attend an openrehearsal, which was held last Tues-day evening, and that regular audi-tions will be held in September.

“We asked the members to invitefriends to come and try Masterworkson for size,” he said.

“There were fewer than 50 singersat the March concert. I think we canmake a big improvement on that.”

The choir will complete the sea-son with the traditional spring con-cert, this time in the form of a birth-day bash. Plans include inviting pastconductors, including Witmer, MikeMcQuerrey, Phil Dodson, Ron Keanand Jerome Kleinsasser to partici-pate.

Provencio added the board isupdating the choir’s website, andwill be looking at other ways torebuild the choir and its audience.

Masterworks Choralemarks 80th anniversary

Masterworks Chorale Rehearses: Tuesday eveningsfrom 7 to 9 p.m.

Where: Laurelglen Bible Church,2801 Ashe Road, in the choirroom.

Information: 392-0619 [email protected]

Half the voices, all the spirit

Although no longer director ofMasterworks Chorale, Phil Witmerwill still be active in the local choralmusic scene.

Witmer has been the director ofthe Goldenaires, a senior choir, for17 years. Witmer said he will contin-ue to lead those singers.

“We always have Christmas pro-grams, some eight or nine a year,”Witmer said.

Witmer said the Goldenaires alsohave a spring program, drawingmostly from the musical theaterrepertoire.

The group rehearses on Wednes-day afternoons from 3 to 4:30 p.m. atthe Church of the Brethren at Palmand A streets, and is open to newsingers.

“Just come and sing,” Witmer said.Witmer acknowledged that the

change in leadership of the Master-works Chorale was a board decision,not his, but he was very grateful forthe time he has served as its director.

“I thank God for having had thegreat opportunity to direct Master-works Chorale for these last fiveyears,” Witmer said in a writtenstatement.

“It was truly enjoyable and I lovedbeing able to direct choir andorchestra for the concerts.”

Witmer noted some major eventssuch as the choir performingBeethoven’s Ninth Symphony andBrahms “German Requiem” with theBakersfield Symphony, but couldn’tidentify a favorite moment.

“I loved all the concerts,” Witmersaid. “As soon as I got in front of thatchoir and orchestra, I was in heav-en.”

Witmer expressed thanks to hissuccessor Robert Provencio, BSOconductor John Farrer and to theMasterworks board, as well as to hisaccompanist, Sharon Simmons Put-nam and to his wife, Betty.

FORMER DIRECTORKEEPS CHORAL MUSICFLOWING IN BAKERSFIELD

FELIX ADAMO / THE CALIFORNIAN

The Masterworks Chorale rehearses at Laurelglen Bible Church.


Eye Street

BY CAMILLE GAVINContributing writer

[email protected]

Using their creative skills, threeartists are showing their interpreta-tions of the many ways horseriding

benefits children with special needs.The exhibit — called “Walk On — Cele-

brating Abilities” — is sponsored by theArts Council of Kern and opens with areception Friday at MARE, a therapeuticriding center in northwest Bakersfieldfounded in 1990. The acronym stands formastering abilities riding equines.

Linda Brown, for example, focuses onthe link between horse and rider. In creat-ing her artwork, she drew upon her knowl-edge of anatomy and the elements of lineand color.

“Whether the connection is physical oremotional, the bond that is presentbetween horse and rider is one that canstrengthen and heal,” she says. “It is magi-cal.”

One of her pieces, titled “Heart,” demon-strates this visibly with a ribbon-like streakof scarlet paint that connects the individualhearts of the child and the horse.

Another of the artists, Nancy Putney,also sees the magical effect of the opportu-nities offered by MARE.

Through her art, she endeavored to con-vey the riders’ courage as well as the hopeand joy they experienced in realizing newabilities.

The triumphant outward expression of a

child’s emotions can easily be seen in Put-ney’s portrait, “Dakota.” The artist alsosalutes the mentors who work with thechildren who come to the ranch.

“Their (the mentors) love for the chil-dren and the horses is magical, as the riderand animal become a unit and the childthereby walks on,” she said.

Scott McDonald chose to explore howthe digital age has affected the role ofhorses and riding, and how it relates to thepast.

“My work investigates what changes andwhat stays the same,” he said. Expanding

Artists capturechildren’s healing

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LINDA BROWN

“Dakota” by Nancy Putney will be part of “Walk On — Celebrating Abilities,” anexhibit sponsored by the Arts Council of Kern.

As evident in this painting titled “Bal-ance,” artist Linda Brown likes to focuson the link between horse and rider.

Exhibit focuses on therapycenter’s horses, riders

Please see MARE / 29

on that idea, he noted it’s been onlyone hundred years since the automo-bile came into common use and, ashe puts it, “We began to stop treatinghorses as disposable commodities.”

One of the ways the public’s viewof horses has changed can be seen inthe newly discovered benefits for spe-cial-needs children.

As can be seen in the familiar whitefences in McDonald’s painting,“Arena,” his work focuses on thehorse’s physical surroundings.

The MARE exhibit is the third and

final event in the Arts Council’s Creat-ing Community project for 2011-12,which was funded by a grant from the

Irvine Foundation. It was coordinatedby Nicole Saint John.

A total of 15 paintings is beingexhibited. All artwork is available forpurchase with 25 percent of the pro-ceeds going to MARE. Fridayevening’s event includes horse ridingdemonstrations, music by ZanneZarrow and Friends, hors d’oeuvresand a no-host bar.

Following the reception, the art willbe moved to the Arts Council’s head-quarters in the Access Center, 1330Truxtun Ave., and can be seen therethrough Sept. 30.


Eye Street

BY SUSAN SCAFFIDIContributing writer

There have a been a lot of highhopes, dreams and plans torevive the JC Penney building

downtown, but mostly to no avail.Now, it looks like the building is com-ing back to life.

While the JC Penney building doeshouse the California College of Voca-tional Careers, the rest of the storehas been a sore spot in the downtownlandscape — vacant for years, with noluck at finding a long-term tenant.

Since April, however, denizens ofdowntown may have noticed anincrease in activity in the old store,especially on the weekends, watchingpeople enter the building and partiesvisible through the glass doors. Thoseparties are being run by a conglomer-ate of business ventures, includingFlourishing Art, an event-planningcompany located at 407 E. 19th St.,and JC’s Place, the partnership that isremodeling the building and manag-ing the endeavor.

Event coordinator, manager andpartner Oleta Collins said the oppor-tunity to take over the building camearound the beginning of the year,when owners Kelly Blanton and MarkAbernathy approached her about theproperty.

“They came to me, because I’m anevent planner, and asked me, ‘Whatdo you think, does this have poten-tial?’” Collins said. “I said, ‘Oh, myGod, yes!’”

Collins said JC’s Place was ready forits first event in April — a rooftop din-ner for 40 people heading to theirprom.

“It was just a private, intimate din-ner party, and it was just brilliant,”Collins said. “And that set the tone forthe whole business.”

Collins said JC’s Place consists of amain ballroom that can hold 600 peo-ple standing, or 350 people seated; afull prep kitchen for caterers; a mez-zanine that currently hosts comedyshows on Thursday evenings; and arooftop space for small parties. Athird floor space is still under con-struction.

Collins said the company has six

full-time employees and hires from 15to 40 part-time workers for events.Rental for the mezzanine starts at$600; the main ballroom at $4,000.

“We’re only looking at higher-endclients who want a nice venue down-town,” Collins said.

To attract them, Collins said thecompany has already invested anestimated $100,000 in remodeling thebuilding, renovating the floors, win-dows, handles, door frames, electricalsystem and more. She expects the fullcost of remodeling could be three tofour times that amount.

“We’re trying to keep it true andtraditional to the Art Deco that (thestore) was,” Collins said. “Everypenny that we make is going backinto that building.”

Downtown Business Associationpresident Cathy Butler said she’sdelighted to see the building in useagain, even if the business plan isn’texactly what she had originally envi-sioned.

“I would have loved to have seen itbe ‘alive’ all the time,” Butler said,referring to earlier plans for a restau-rant. “I am hoping for outdoor seat-ing on the main street.”

Still, Butler said the use of thebuilding as an event venue will never-theless fit in with larger plans for thedowntown area, especially the plan tocreate an “Arts Alive” district down-

town, as well as a “Heart of Bakers-field” designation for a larger swath ofthe downtown area.

Before JC’s Place, there had beenmuch excitement about a proposedarts community for the building,including space for artists, a 100-seattheater, a marketplace and other fea-tures. The Arts Council of Kern ledthat effort, which ended in disap-pointment.

“It was really beautiful,” said JillEglund, director of special projects forthe Arts Council.

“We were applying for a grant fromthe Ford Foundation; we went quite aways down the road,” said Eglund,who noted that Blanton and Aber-nathy were very supportive of theidea, as were many in the arts com-munity.

She said there were several factorsthat led to the project’s demise,including a lack of agreement overthe Arts Council’s connection to thebuilding. In addition, she said therewas a lack of clarity and agreement asto whether the council, as holder ofthe grant, would be required to holdthe lease of the property as well. Thestate’s dissolution of redevelopmentagencies was another fatal blow to theproject, as the grant required city par-ticipation.

“Without (the redevelopmentagency) it’s a lot harder to prove thecity’s participation,” Eglund said.

Most harmful was the painful dis-covery that the Arts Council was itsown obstacle. According to Eglund,because of poor communication,including about staff absences, noone was aware the grant applicationwas behind schedule.

“Our Arts Council dropped the ball— we ended up not submitting theproposal,” Eglund said. “Without thegrant, there was no way we could puttogether a proposal for the ownersthat would have made sense to them.”

Eglund said the topic is still “a soresubject” among council staffers.

Collins said JC’s Place is busy forthe foreseeable future. Weekends dur-ing the Christmas season are booked,and there are several reservations forspring weddings. She said there areplans to move the comedy events toFriday nights, and she plans to turnthe third floor into a full-servicerestaurant.

Big plans for old buildingFormer JC Penney site findsnew life as events hall

Renting JC’s PlaceJC’s Place currently has threerental options: the rooftop, whichseats 80 people; the mezzanine,which seats 120 people for din-ing, 150 for theater seating; andthe ballroom, which seats 350 fordining, 500 people standing.

Base rates:Rooftop — Weekdays, $1,500;weekends, $2,000

Mezzanine — Weekdays, $600;weekends, $850

Ballroom (which includes themezzanine) — Weekdays,$4,000; weekends, $4,500.

Base rental includes on-site coor-dinator, elevator operator andcoat check, and maintenance per-son. Valet parking, security andcleaning are extra.

‘Walk On — CelebratingAbilities’Opening reception: 5:30 to 7:30p.m. Friday

Where: MARE Therapeutic RidingCenter, 18200 Johnson Road

Admission: Free

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Sign up at the Kern County Gun Club

Saturday, September 8th at 9:00am

Learn how to shoot Trap & Skeet, all skill levels welcome. The program is open to boys and girls in Elementary, Jr. High

and High School. Shooting days are the second Saturday of each month, September - May.

Cost: One time fee of $75.00 per shooter. Includes instruction, ammunition, targets, and lunch.

BY GENE GARAYGORDOBILContributing writer

It’s been nearly 40 years since twomen tried to start an Oktoberfest-type festival at Pine Mountain Vil-

lage and Pine Mountain Club.Cold weather pushed the festival to

Labor Day weekend, and the Fall Fes-tival has been going strong for thepast 36 years, said Carolyn Ziegler-Davenport, who heads publicity forthis year’s 37th annual event.

“It will be a nice two days of fun forthe whole family,” Ziegler-Davenportsaid. “At around 5,000 feet, it’s a greatplace to be for the Labor Day week-end. With our mountain weather, itwill be very pleasant compared toplaces in the valley — warm but nottoo hot.”

She said the festival and parkingare free.

“There will be plenty of places to sitdown and enjoy food and drink forthe whole family,” Ziegler-Davenportsaid.

About 2,000 people will descendupon the Pine Mountain community,which has about 1,800 full-time resi-dents, including Ziegler-Davenportand her husband, who moved to PineMountain Club about a decade ago.

“We have about 3,000 lots here, andmost have been built on, but not

everyone lives here full time,” shesaid.

This weekend’s festival is spon-sored by the Pine Mountain ClubProperty Owners Association, thePine Mountain Club CommercialProperty Owners Association and thePine Mountain Club Village Mer-chants Association.

A hometown parade kicks every-thing off about 11 a.m. Saturday inthe Village Center, along with familyentertainment and activities, includ-ing live music for listening and danc-ing, a variety of arts and crafts ven-dors, and games for everyone.

The arts and crafts fair starts eachday at 9 a.m. Activities for childreninclude a giant bounce house andslide, pony rides and a four-manEuro-jump. Other activities includecake walks, raffle prizes, log-sawingand nail-driving contests.

Food comes from many culturesand will include succulent sausages,Mexican and Thai/Chinese cuisinesas well as barbecued tri-tip.

For adults, there will be a beer andwine garden, and most of the com-munity’s shops are available forbrowsing.

Back nearly 40 years ago, two resi-dents — Rick Young and the late FredWestlund — started an Oktoberfestfestival. However, to get a biggercrowd, and enjoy better weather, theevent was moved forward to theLabor Day weekend, becoming a late-summer festival.

This year, sponsors and hosts aremoving the event to the Village Cen-ter, whose gazebo will be full of livemusic and entertainment. Arts andcrafts booths will line surroundingstreets.

“The festival brings everyonetogether to have fun, along with thosefrom elsewhere,” Ziegler-Davenportsaid. Other nearby communities,such as Lake of the Woods, FrazierPark and Lebec push the mountainarea population to more than 10,000people.

“This is a really great end-of-sum-mer event,” said Ziegler-Davenport,who worked in public relations, most-ly in the Los Angeles area, during hercareer.

“We moved here about 10 yearsago, and it was a great change,” shesaid. “We love living in this communi-ty.”

Have one last summerfling in Pine MountainThis is a 40-yearfestival with altitude

Pine Mountain ClubFall FestivalWhen: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdayand Sunday

Where: Pine Mountain Club andthe Village Center are 18 mileswest of Interstate 5, at the FrazierPark exit. Take Frazier MountainPark Road west and follow thesigns.

Admission: Free, as is parking

Information: pmcfallfestival.com

Join Eye Street editors Jennifer Self and Stefani Diasthis morning as they chat with Californian contributorSusan Scaffidi, who has been involved in the local artsscene for decades, both as a writer and talentedvocalist.

The trio will discuss all the latest news on the localentertainment and culture front, as well as giveaway a copy of a collection of “Dilbert” strips titled“Teamwork Means You Can’t Pick the Side That’s

Right.”Listen for your cue to call to win the book and, asalways, we welcome your comments, questions andrecommendations for entertainment options in thearea.“Californian Radio” airs from 9 to 10 a.m. weekdayson KERN-AM, 1180. Call 842-KERN to join in the fun.To listen to archived shows, visitwww.bakersfield.com/CalifornianRadio.

‘CALIFORNIAN RADIO’

available 24 hours a day and anotheron standby. We have the animal con-trol USDA spot checks. We don’tknow when they’ll come by.”

Addressing claims that trainers usecruel devices like bullhooks to controlanimals, Lacey said he implements aguider, which looks like an extendedconductor’s wand.

“I don’t use the guiders to protectmyself. The guiders are there to directthe animals. If you’re working with alion that weighs 550 pounds, and Iweigh 160 pounds, it’s impossible forus to come to blows. They have to

enjoy what they’re doing to be willingto perform.”

Lacey said the animal open househeld before each performance alsoaffords the public a chance to seehow things are run behind the scenes.

“We’re very open to visitors. Wehave nothing to hide. (At the openhouse,) people can come and ask us

questions, see how the animals live.The public that come to the show,that pays me and looks after the ani-mals, they need to be content withwhat they spent the money on.”

Clerico agrees people need toexpress themselves financially,although on the opposite end.

“It will take the people voting withtheir dollars. It would be really greatto see a lot of people out there (at theprotests) to show Ringling Bros. thatwe’re not OK with this and that we’refighting it. That Bakersfield will put astop to this because we’ve bandedtogether as a community.”

To learn more Read about Animal DefendersInternational at breakthechai-nus.org.

PROTEST: CONTINUED FROM 20


Eye Street

formers. And there’s at least one scene-stealer, Lacey said.

“Goldy (a lion), she’s the comedian ofthe act. I ask her to leave the arena and shedoesn’t; then I rub her belly, then sheleaves.”

Lacey described orchestrating the act asif he’s running a classroom.

“The best way to describe it, if you had aclassroom full of children. The teachermakes the subject interesting. That makesthem more eager to learn.”

Lacey said he models the act after theanimals’ usual behavior, not unnaturaltricks, which many activists say is a corner-stone of animal performances.

“When we train the animals, I watch thecats during play, watch what they like todo. The act is based on natural movement.For tigers, it’s natural to run, stand up ontheir hind legs. We don’t get them to doanything unnatural, just what the animalsare comfortable with.”

After nine months of performing withDragons, his first U.S. show, Lacey said he’sgrown more comfortable with the largerarena-style staging.

“In the beginning it was difficult. InEurope, 400 people sit within 15 feet of you.Here, with 16,000 people, they’re quite a dis-tance away. Normally at the end of the act,you do your complement (like a bow).Because the people sat so far away, it took solong to get a reaction. I couldn’t tell if theyliked it. It took awhile to get used to it all.”

Lacey said he gets more feedback,including during the open house, whenthe public is allowed a closer look at theanimals and performers before the show.

“I think people will be happy when theysee what we do here.”

Beyond the animal acts, Lacey had plen-ty to say about the show’s thrilling andsometimes death-defying performances,including the Shaolin Troupe and themotocross-racing Torres Family.

“We have an excellent ringmaster,Johnathan Lee Iverson. We have theShaolin warriors, they’re the real McCoy.They’ve been trained in China. They breakoak beams over their backs. A man israised on the points of five spears.”

Describing the Globe of Steel, a 16-footsphere that the motorcyclists ride aroundin, Lacey said, “In the globe, there are sixusually. We have eight motorbikes, and the(eighth) rider is a lady.”

CIRCUS: CONTINUED FROM 20

RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS

Alexander Lacey said he models his actafter the animals’ usual behavior, notunnatural tricks, which many activistssay is a cornerstone of animal perform-ances.


Eye Street

TodayRingling Bros. and Barnum &Bailey Circus: Dragons, animalopen house, an hour and a halfbefore show starts; show 7 p.m.Thursday and Friday; 11 a.m., 3 and7 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 5 p.m. Sun-day, Rabobank Arena, 1001 TruxtunAve. $15-$70. ticketmaster.com orcall 800-745-3000.Concerts by The Fountain,Jamaican ska, rock, salsa, and funkwith Mento Buru, 7 to 9 p.m., TheMarketplace, 9000 Ming Ave.Gloriana, with Tyler Hilton, 7 p.m.,Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace, 2800Buck Owens Blvd. $19.50-$27.50.vallitix.com or 322-5200.Grand opening, ribbon cuttingand mural unveiling, 10 a.m., grandopening reception, 4 to 6 p.m.,Riverbend Bikes, Boards and Bites,2437 Oak St. Free. Visitfacebook.com/RiverbendBikes or380-7269.Guitar Class, taught by JohnGomez, for individuals or a group,Juliana’s Art Studio & Gallery, 50118th St. Call 327-7507 for classdetails.Taft Certified Farmers Market,5 to 8 p.m., 5th St. Plaza, Taft. 765-2165.Bingo, warm ups start at 5 p.m.,with early birds at 6 p.m., regulargames at 6:30 p.m., VolunteerCenter of Kern County, 2801 F St.From $20 buy-in to “the works”.395-9787.

FridayWalk On: A Celebration of Abil-ities, featuring artists LindaBrown, Scott McDonald, NancyPutney, hors d’oeuvres, no hostbar, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., M.A.R.E.Therapeutic Riding Center, 18200Johnson Road. Free but artworkwill be sold, some proceeds bene-fit M.A.R.E. 324-9000.Second annual Taft Bike Fest,motorcycle stunt show, tattoo andpin-up girl contest, bike games,concerts, food vendors, beer gar-den, Friday through Monday, Railsto Trails, 6th and Main Streets,Taft. Some fees may apply to theconcerts. Visit facebook.com/taft-bikefest or 765-2165.Lantern Light Tour & GhostHunt, 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Fridayand Saturday, Silver City GhostTown, 3829 Lake Isabella Boule-vard, Bodfish. $12 per person of allages. 760-379-5146.

Saturday30th annual Caliente TeamPenning, junior barrel racing,team branding, team sorting, car-nival games, goat ribbon jerking,bike barrel races, begins at 8 a.m.Saturday and Sunday, Snow’sArena, 16270 Caliente Creek Road,Twin Oaks (Caliente exit off High-way 58). Free. 867-2342.

37th annual Fall Festival, enter-tainment, beer and wine garden,activities for kids, food, arts &crafts, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdayand Sunday, Pine Mountain ClubVillage Center, 16300 Mil Potrero

Highway. Free. Visit pmcfallfesti-val.com or 242-1358.Annual Sierra Arts & Crafts FallFestival, face painting, children’sworkshops and more, 9 a.m. to 5p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.to 1 p.m. Monday, Circle Park,Kernville. Free. Visit online atkrvaa.org or 760-379-2844 or 760-223-3468.Cat Adoptions, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,or by appointments, Petco, 8220Rosedale Highway. $65 includesspay/neuter, vaccines andleukemia testing. 327-4706.Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.,Brimhall Square, 9500 BrimhallRoad and 8 a.m. to noon, next toGolden State Mall, 3201 F St. Garden Project CommunityMeeting, learn how to plant yourown vegetable garden, 10 to noona.m., St. Luke Anglican Church,2730 Mall View Road. 332-3204.Just for Kids, 10:30 a.m. to noon,Buena Vista Museum of NaturalHistory, 2018 Chester Ave. $7adults; $5 students w/ID, seniors;$4 for children under 18; 5 andunder are free. Members are free.324-6350.Kern Humane Society’sSpay/Neuter Assistance, offersdiscount coupons to the public onthe first Saturday of every month,325-2589.Randy Houser, 7 p.m., BuckOwens’ Crystal Palace, 2800 BuckOwens Blvd. Free. 328-7560.Show & Prove, presented by FreeMinds Clique; rap and breakdancebattles, open mic, music by TheHerbalistics, Deep Water Culture,Kodyak Mauls, Johnny Wordswrite,7 p.m., Le Corusse Rouge, 4647White Lane. Free. Visitfacebook.com/freemindsclique.Sierra Club-Buena Vista GroupProgram & Breakfast, “Butter-field of Pine Mountain,” with guestspeaker Chuck Wright, 9 a.m.,Manuel’s, 700 Truxtun Ave. 833-1187 or 203-2619.

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

THEATER“Oliver,” 7:30 p.m. today throughSaturday, Stars Dinner Theatre,1931 Chester Ave. $22-$57. 325-6100.

“The Bullied: A Play Based OnTrue Events,” 8 p.m. Friday andSaturday, The Empty Space, 706Oak St. $15 general; $10 stu-dents/seniors. 327-PLAY.

“The Real Housewives of Oil-dale,” 7 p.m. today, GaslightMelodrama Theatre & Music Hall,12748 Jomani Drive. $12 to $23.587-3377.

Team Improv I, learn short-formcomedy improv for third to eighthgraders, 10 a.m. to noon Satur-days, now through Sept. 8, TheEmpty Space, 706 Oak St. $150.tonicism.com.

ARTArt Classes, in drawing, watercol-or, oils, color theory, for beginnersand advanced, Bakersfield ArtAssociation Art Center, 1817 EyeSt. 869-2320.

Art for Healing program, class-es that alleviate stress, resultingfrom illness, or grief. All classesare free but some suggest a dona-tion and are held at Mercy Hospi-tal, Truxtun Campus, Truxtun andA St. Visit mercybaakersfield.org/art or to register, 632-5357.

Family Day, 10 a.m. Saturday,Buena Vista Museum of NaturalHistory, 2018 Chester Ave. twoadults and up to six children,admission only $20. 324-6350.

Stained Glass Classes, six-weekclass, 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays,Juliana’s Art Studio & Gallery, 50118th St. 327-7507.

The Art Shop Club, 9 a.m. tonoon each Thursday, Friday andSaturday, The Art Shop, 1221 20thSt. All mediums. 322-0544, 589-7463 or 496-5153.

MUSIC

BluesKRBS Open Blues Jam, The KernRiver Saloon, 20 Tobias St.,Kernville, 760-376-4786; KernRiver Blues Society Open BluesJam, 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday.

Classic rockEthel’s Old Corral Cafe, 4310Alfred Harrell Highway, 873-7613;Open Range, 7 to 11 p.m. Friday.

Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge,3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139;Really Big Midgets, 9 p.m. Friday;Sunday Snake Oil, 9 p.m. Saturday.

T-Bones Steakhouse, 8020 Dis-trict Blvd., 398-1300; Elevation406, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Friday; BadBoyz, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

ComedyBakersfield’s Longest RunningComedy Night, 8:30 to 10 p.m.Thursday, Jerry’s Pizza, 1817Chester Ave. $5.Elevation Lounge, 818 Real Road,325-6864; Improv Tuesday - Livecomedy with DJ after party, 9 p.m.Tuesdays.

CountryEthel’s Old Corral Cafe, 4310Alfred Harrell Highway, 873-7613;Road Dawgs, 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday;Still Kick’n, 7 p.m. Sunday; TheBluetooth Cowboys, and bring aside dish, noon to 4 p.m. Monday.

Sandrini’s, 1918 Eye St., 322-8900; Vince Galindo, 9 p.m.Wednesdays.

CoverThe Mint, 1207 19th St., 325-4048; Red Bullet Rising, 9 pm.Saturday. Free.

DancingBeginner Belly Dance Lessons,

5:45 to 6:45 p.m. Mondays, CentreStage Studio, 1710 Chester Ave.323-5215. $45 regular session; $65combo session. bakersfieldbelly-dance.biz.

Folklorico Classes, advancedancers/performing group 6 to 8p.m. Fridays; and beginners, allages, 10:30 a.m. to noon Satur-days, Fruitvale-Norris Park, 6221Norris Road. $22 per month forbeginners; $25 per month foradvance dancers. 833-8790.

Greenacres Community Center,2014 Calloway Dr., offers ball-room dance, East Coast swing(jitterbug) and Argentine Tangodance classes; $35, $45 for non-members. 322-5765 or 201-2105.

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

Pairs and Spares Dance, withLost Highway, 7 p.m. Friday, Ras-mussen Senior Center, 115 E.Roberts Lane. $7; $9 nonmembers.399-3575.

Whirlaways Square DanceClub, has workshops every first,third, fourth and fifth Mondays,Park Stockdale Civic AssociationCommunity Center, 205 Rio BravoDrive. whirlaways.org or 213-3105.

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

DoubleTree Hotel, ClubOdyssey, 3100 Camino Del RioCourt. 323-7111; live in the mix: oldschool, ’80s and ’90s music, 9p.m. to 1:30 a.m. every Saturday.

Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 WhiteLane, 834-1611; with DJ Chill in theMixx, 5 p.m. every Friday until 2a.m. Saturday.

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

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

JazzCafe Med, 4809 Stockdale High-way., 834-4433; Richie Perez, 7:30to 11 p.m. Thursdays.

Imbibe Wine & Spirits Mer-chant, 4140 Truxtun Ave., 633-WINE; live music & wine bar withfeaturing local artist and Jazz Con-nection, along with 24 wines, 6 to8:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday;6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Satur-day.

King Tut, 10606 Hageman Road;live instrumental and vocal jazz,6:30 to 7:30 p.m. each Friday andSaturday. Free.

Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 WhiteLane, 834-1611; Bakersfield JazzWorkshop, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.every Wednesday.

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

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

KaraokeBanacek’s Lounge, 4601 StateRoad, 387-9224; 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.Fridays. Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge,3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; 9p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursdays and Sun-days. Big Daddy Pizza, 6417 Ming Ave.,396-7499; 7 to 10 p.m. every Tues-day; 8 to 11 p.m. every Friday. Cataldo’s Pizzeria, 4200 NewStine Road, 397-5000; 6:30 to9:30 p.m. Thursday. Cataldo’s Pizzeria, 6111 Niles St.,363-7200; 6:15 to 10:15 p.m. Tues-days.Chateau Lounge, 2100 S.Chester Ave., 835-1550; 9 p.m.every Saturday.City Slickers, 1001 W. TehachapiBlvd., 822-4939; 7 p.m. Tuesdaysand Thursdays. Corona’s Cantina, 9817 S. UnionAve., 345-8463; 7 to 10 p.m. Fri-days. Don Perico Restaurant, 2660Oswell St., Suite 133, 871-2001; 7to 11 p.m. Thursdays. DoubleTree Hotel, ClubOdyssey, 3100 Camino Del RioCourt; 8 p.m. to midnight Tues-days. Elevation Lounge, 818 Real Road,325-6864; 9 p.m. Wednesday. Ethel’s Old Corral, 4310 AlfredHarrell Highway, 873-7613; 6 to 9p.m. every Wednesday. Iron Horse Saloon, 1821 S.Chester Ave., 831-1315; 7 to 11 p.m.Wednesdays and Thursdays. Julie’s The Branding IronSaloon, 1807 N. Chester Ave., 6 to10 p.m. every Friday. Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 WhiteLane, 834-1611; A to Z Karaoke, 8p.m. to midnight Tuesdays. Lone Oak Inn, 8 p.m. every Tues-day and Thursday at 10612Rosedale Hwy. 589-0412. Magoo’s Pizza, 1129 Olive Drive,399-7800; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tues-day.Maria Bonita Mexican Restau-rant, 10701 Highway 178, 366-3261, 7 to 11 p.m. Fridays. All ages. McMurphy’s Irish Pub & SportsBar, 14 Monterey St., 869-1451; 7p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesdays.Pizzeria, 4200 Gosford Road, 397-1111; 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays. Pour House, 9 p.m. Fridays andSaturdays at 4041 Fruitvale Ave.589-9300. Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner, 323-0053; 8 p.m. to midnight Satur-days. Replay Sports Lounge & Grill,4500 Buck Owens Blvd., 324-3300; 8 p.m. every Wednesday. Rocket Shop Cafe, 2000 S.Union Ave., 832-4800; 8:30 p.m.to midnight Saturday.

Go & Do

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Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany Ave.,Suite B5, 589-6749; 8 p.m. Mondaysthrough Wednesdays. Rocky’s Pizza & Arcade, 2858 Niles St.,873-1900; 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. Round Table Pizza, 2060 White Lane, 836-2700; 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Round Table Pizza, 2620 Buck OwensBlvd., 327-9651; The Junction with host MacClanahan, 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fri-days. Round Table Pizza, 4200 Gosford Road,397-1111; 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays.Rusty’s Pizza, 5430 Olive Drive, 392-1482;6:30 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday.Sports & Spirits, 6633 Ming Ave., 398-7077; 9 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays. Syndicate Lounge, 1818 Eye St., 327-0070;with Alisa Spencer, 9 p.m. every Wednesday. T-Bones Steakhouse, 8020 District Blvd.,398-1300; 7:30 to 11 p.m. Thursdays.Tejon Club, 6 to 10 p.m. every Saturday at117 El Tejon Ave. 392-1747. The Bull Shed Bar & Grill, at HotelRosedale, 2400 Camino Del Rio Court, 327-0681; 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.The Junction Lounge, 2620 Buck OwensBlvd., 327-9651; 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays throughSaturdays. The Old River Monte Carlo, 9750 TaftHighway, 837-0250; 8:30 p.m. every Thurs-day.The Playhouse, 2915 Taft Highway; 397-3599; 7 to 10 p.m. Sundays. The Prime Cut, 9 p.m. every Friday at9500 Brimhall Road. 831-1413. The Regent, 2814 Niles St., 871-4140; 8:30p.m. every other Friday. The Wrecking Yard, 9817 S. Union Ave.,827-9192; 7 to 10 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdaysand Thursdays.The Wright Place, 2695-G Mount VernonAve., 872-8831, 8 p.m. every Thursday. Tomi’s Cowgirl Cafe, 7 to 10 p.m. Friday,1440 Weedpatch Highway. 363-5102.Trouts & The Blackboard Stages, 805 N.Chester Ave., 399-6700; 7 p.m. Mondaysand Thursdays, 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays,Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sun-days. Vinny’s Bar & Grill, 2700 S. Union Ave.,496-2502, 7 p.m. Thursdays. 21 and over.

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

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

Oldies KC Steakhouse, 2515 F St., 322-9910;Jimmy Gaines, Bobby O and Mike Halls, 6:30p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

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

Old schoolQue Pasa Mexican Cafe, 2701 Ming Ave.,832-5011; Al Garcia & the Rhythm Kings, 8to 11 p.m. every Thursday. Tam O’Shanter, 2345 Alta Vista, 324-6774;Los Moonlighterz, 8:30 p.m. Friday and Sat-urday. $5 per night.

Open MicFiddlers Crossing, 206 East F St.,Tehachapi, 823-9994; 7 p.m. Wednesdays.$5. On the Rocks, 1517 18th St., 327-7625;musicians, spoken word, poets, comedi-ans, 8 p.m. every Wednesday, On theRocks, 1517 18th St. Free.

RockB. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 WhiteLane, 397-7304; Kottonmouth Kings, Big P,Prozak, 8 p.m. Thursday, $20; Aesop Rock 8p.m. Friday, $17 advance, $19 at the door;Good Question, 7 p.m. Saturday, $5; SexSlaves and Black Water Soul, 8 p.m. Sunday,$5; Rehab, Moonshine Bandits, Too Faded,7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, $12 advance; $15at the door.Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany Ave.,Suite B5, 589-6749; live bands, 9 p.m. everyThursday.

Soft rockSteak and Grape, 4420 Coffee Road, 588-9463; 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Satur-day. Free.

Trivia nightBellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090Brundage Lane, 325-2139; 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Chuy’s, 2500 New Stine Road, 833-3469;7 p.m. every Tuesday. On the Rocks, 1517 18th St., 327-7625; 8to 10 p.m. Monday. Sandrini’s, 1918 Eye St., 322-8900; TriviaNight with Dave Rezac, 10 p.m. Tuesdays.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday 9/3Kern County Rose Society Meeting, 7p.m., Calvary Bible Church, 48 Manor St.327-3228

Senior Discovery Days, for seniors 60 andolder receive 50 percent off admission, 10percent discount in the gift store, CALM,10500 Alfred Harrell Highway. 872-2256.

Tuesday 9/4Farmer’s Market, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.,at James St. and Central Ave., Shafter.Guild House Restaurant Reopening,come join us for lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30p.m., Guild House, 1905 18th St. 325-5478.Sierra Club Conditioning Hikes, three tofive miles, 7 p.m., meet at corner of High-ways 178 and 184. 872-2432 or 873-8107.

Wednesday 9/5Film Club, with Cody Meek, 7 p.m., Barnes& Noble, 4001 California Ave. 631-2575.First Wednesday, special events andrefreshments, 9:30 to 11 a.m., BakersfieldMuseum of Art, 1930 R St. $4 non members.323-7219.Indie Night Wednesdays, see the movie“Your Sister’s Sister,” 7 p.m., Maya Cinemas,1000 California Ave. $6. 636-0484.

Thursday 9/6“The Real Housewives of Oildale,” 7p.m. Thursday, 2 p.m. Sunday, GaslightMelodrama Theatre & Music Hall, 12748Jomani Drive. $12 to $23. 587-3377.Bookseller’s Book Group, 7 p.m., Barnesand Noble, in the cafe, 4001 California Ave.631-2575.Fashion Night Out, trunk show, do-it-your-self stations, find out the latest trends infashion, jewelry, hair, 5 to 9 p.m., Tangerine,

9000 Ming Ave. Free. 664-9500.Taft Certified Farmers Market, 5 to 8p.m. , 5th St. Plaza, Taft. 765-2165.

Friday 9/740th annual Greek Food Festival: ATaste of Greek, music, dancing, children’sgames, shopping, 4 to 11 p.m. Friday; 1 to 11p.m. Saturday, St. George Greek Orthodox,401 Truxtun Ave. $5 adults; children under12 are free. 325-8694.

Dustbowl Fundraising Dinner, dinner,entertainment, 6 p.m., David Head Center,10300 San Diego St, Lamont. $25 per per-son and can be purchased at JoroncoRentals, Bear Mountain Sports. 854-3620 or664-3933.

First Friday Downtown, featuring livemusic, art openings, specialty shops, gal-leries and boutiques, artists will set up theirartwork, 5 to 9 p.m., Downtown Arts Dis-trict. Email [email protected] [email protected].

Friday Night Street Legals, test and tune,gates 7 p.m., run 8 p.m. to midnight, FamosoRaceway, 33559 Famoso Road, McFarland.$15; kids 12 and under are free. 399-5351 or399-2210.

Wine & Beer Tasting, enjoy wine and beertasting along with appetizers, 5 to 7 p.m.,Steak and Grape Restaurant, 4420 CoffeeRd., $20. 588-9463.

Saturday 9/82012 Wasco Festival of Roses, pancakebreakfast, parade, rose field tours, fun run,art show and faire, tennis tournament, roseshow, golf tournament and more, 7:30 a.m.to 4:30 p.m., Parker Park, 12180 Poplar Ave.,Wasco. www.ci.wasco.ca.us or 758-2614.

Democratic Women of Kern, breakfastmeeting, 9 a.m., Garden Spot, 3320 TruxtunAve. $5 (661) 322-7411.

Iron Breed Poker Run, registration 8 to 9a.m., kick stands up at 9:30 a.m., Bikersfield,2622 Fairhaven Dr. $20 single rider; $30double. Includes lunch. Proceeds benefitRonald McDonald House. To pre-register, goto Bikersfield, email [email protected].

Tehachapi Oktoberfest, German music,bratwurst, traditional German food, vendorspolka dancing, noon to 8 p.m., TehachapiDepot, 101 W. Tehachapi Blvd, Tehachapi. $5per beer. 822-6519.

Third annual Sacred Work Sabbath,musical guests include Christian Edition, Jar-rod McNaughton, Sandy Johnson, 10:30 a.m.to noon, the theater at Rabobank Conven-tion Center, 1001 Truxtun Ave. sjch.us or869-6560.

Third annual St. Baldrick’s FoundationFundraiser, volunteers collect donationsand shave their heads in solidarity with chil-dren fighting cancer, 1 to 5 p.m., Chuy’s,8660 Rosedale Highway. Visit online atStBaldricks.org/events/Bakersfield or 496-4536.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10859,Rosedale & Ladies Auxiliary, 9:30 a.m., Nor-ris Road Veterans Hall, 400 Norris Road.588-5865.

Village Fest 2012, featuring over 100 dif-ferent brews from 60 breweries, food sam-ples, entertainment from 17 bands, 6 to 10p.m., Kern County Museum, 3801 ChesterAve. $63; $68 day of show at the gate. 21and over only. bakersfieldvillagefest.com orvallitix.com or 322-5200.

Yokuts Park Fun Run, practice racing andearn points, 7 a.m., Yokuts Park, EmpireDrive off Truxtun Avenue. Free. bakersfield-trackclub.com or 203-4196 or 391-7080.

scored a shot on the soundtrack to“Scream 2” with the song “SuburbanLife.” That was just the tip of the icebergfor the brotherly collective from Placen-tia who, after nearly 20 years of non-stop revelry, have released 12 full-lengthCDs and an endless amount of singlesand humorous music videos. Their 13threlease, “Mile High,” was released onAug. 11, just three days before the sud-den death of longtime collaboratorPatrick “Pakelika” Cochrun from car-diac arrest during an asthma attack.Although Cochrun had left the group in2010, he was an integral part of shapingthe Kings’ wild image. Also appearing:Big B and Prozak.

Aesop Rock at B Ryder’s Bar, 7401White Lane, 8 p.m. Friday, all ages, $17,397-7304. Critically acclaimed San Fran-cisco-based MC Ian Matthias BavitzAKA Aesop Rock is no slouch when itcomes to the business of making musi-cal connections. Originally from NewYork, his name has been brewing in theunderground rap game since the ‘90s,when he began circulating a series ofindependently produced releases. Hislyrics have been described as beingboth complex and abstract, while oth-ers dismiss them as an incoherent ver-bosity. But that’s what makes his per-sona so enigmatic among hip-hop affi-cionados. His new CD, “Skelethon,” fea-tures guest appearances from the likesof the Moldy Peaches’ Kimya Dawson,Allyson Baker of Dirty Ghosts, RobSonic, DJ Big Wiz, and the Grimace Fed-eration. The album is dark and quirky;Bavitz knows how to craft his narrativesand engage listeners. Don’t miss thisrare opportunity to catch the elusiveartist in Bakersfield. Also appearing:Rob Sonic & DJ Big Wiz, Dark Time,Open Mike Eagle.

GO & DO: CONTINUED FROM 32

LOWDOWN: CONTINUED FROM 26

PHOTO BY CHRISSY PIPER

Bay Area rapper Aesop Rock appearsFriday at B Ryder’s.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KOTTONMOUTH KINGS

Kottonmouth Kings appear tonight atB Ryder’s.

Eye Street / 8-30-12

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