Eye Street Entertainment / 5 - 16 - 13

I want to follow him but I’m afraid if I move themusic will stop.

It’s nagging me; I can’t quite place the melodyand yet it is so familiar.

I allow myself to drift off and the music envelopes

me … sounding more and more familiar.Soon it is crashing over me like an ocean wave,

building to a crescendo before drifting away. I’mnot even sure if I’m awake or not and I can stillsense the figure’s presence.

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

CHAPTER FOUR: Sound waves

22 The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, May 16, 2013

IndexCheech & Chong ...................................... 24Biggest Baddest BBQ .............................. 25Early Haggard footage found .................. 26Up-and-comer coming your way ............ 27Arts Alive .................................................. 28The Lowdown with Matt Munoz ............ 30Yellow Brick Road art exhibit.................. 31Calendar .............................................. 32-35

Thursday, May 16, 2013 The Bakersfield Californian 23

New way of telling a storyBY STEFANI DIASCalifornian assistant lifestyles editor

[email protected]

When invited to contributeas both a storyteller andartist to Eye Gallery 2013,Al Mendez immediatelyknew what he would find

most challenging.“The hardest thing I had to do with this

piece was the writing itself. ... I’m a vora-cious reader, but I’m not a writer. I tell mystories differently.”

And he was no help when discussing thestory with Sebastian Muralles, his friendand the last artist in the series.

“Sebastian, he called me and said, ‘Hey,what’s the story?’ and I said, ‘By the time itgets to you it could be about catchingdogs.’”

Mendez and Muralles have a close artis-tic relationship, having collaborated on aguitar mural at Front Porch Music, whichMendez, 54, considers his best work.

“I’m proudest of the Front Porch Music(mural) project because of the positiveimpact it’s had on the community.

“We did really good detail on the guitarsbecause we knew there would be someguitar aficionados looking at it. I said wecan get abstract with the background butwith the guitars ‘do it right.’ I’ve been con-tacted by a few of them, saying, ‘You cap-tured that really well.’”

Mendez works close to his most recentmural as the manager of Icehouse Framing& Gallery, which recently relocated fromChester Avenue to 19th Street.

Of course, Mendez isn’t far from his artanywhere in town, having work up at Har-ris Elementary, Bessie Owens Primary, Jef-ferson Middle School, the electrical boxesalong 21st Street as well as Carnitas Urua-pan in Lamont. Seasonally, the artist, whoworks primarily with airbrushes, displayshis work at BARC’s Magic Forest and TheChamber Haunted Attraction, which is setto return to town this fall.

Mendez brought his colorful style to hisEye Gallery contribution: a bold oceanwave.

“I was hoping to convey that the powerof music can physically manifest withmemories, literally like a wave.”

His departure from the more abstractlook of the first three works was intention-al.

“My work is generally pretty literalbecause that is my background in art,product illustration. Ninety-nine-point-nine percent of my art is that literal. That’swhat I do. I’m not comfortable inabstract.”

Mendez had a strong vision but stillrevised his work during the 96 hours allot-

ted to him.“In my original concept, I was going to

form musical notes in the wave. I sketchedit out and it looked kind of hokey. Tooforced. In the previous piece (a photo byKristopher Stallworth), nothing was forcedon you. The musical notes in the wavewould have done that, and I didn’t want todo that. I painted the wave and left it.”

How long have you been an artist: I’ve been drawing since I was a kid. I was

a professional illustrator right out ofschool. I worked in the advertising depart-ment at Brocks Department Store.

I didn’t know I wanted to pursue art as acareer until I got up to BC when I startedtaking classes that were geared moretoward careers in art. Technical drawingillustration, that’s the direction I want togo. Opposed to high school when you takeart just to take art. I actually got an F inhigh school. I said, ‘This is stupid,’ (but) itwas me being stupid looking back.

Memory of the first time you sold apiece of work:

My earliest memory of getting paid formy art was junior high and a local mer-chant paid me to design his restaurantmenu. It (the restaurant) no longer exists.It was on Brundage and Union, El PapaGallo. Fighting roosters at the top, theirtails came down and intertwined aroundthe menu. He paid me $25 and I was inheaven.

Favorite artist: Norman Rockwell and N.C. Wyeth. Explain your process: I usually start with a sketch then using

some photo references, I start building uplayer by layer, then I’ll start detailing andfine-tuning ’til I’m happy with it. Therewas some airbrushing in the shadows (onthe Eye Gallery piece).

Were you worried that artists afteryou might have a difficult time pickingup the narrative?

I never really thought they would. It waspretty obvious in the first few pieces thateveryone was doing their thing.

Since you often work on large-scaleprojects, is it tougher to create smaller

works like this one?It is for me because with the smaller

pieces I feel like I have to do more detail —I will really try to go out of my way to adddetail. A person is really going to come upand look at it. Whereas with the largerpieces, they’ll glance at a distance.

Do you get many commissions?I get a lot of commissions all year long.

... It’s actually 50-50 (from businesses andindividuals). I’m working with the Bakers-field City School District. I just got contact-

ed by a church. And an individual wantsme to paint a table for him. Skateboardgraphic on the top of it, flames and skullson the bottom of it. Then I might be paint-ing some skateboards for him. It goes backto the airbrushing, which is my strong suit.

What are some other non-art pas-sions?

Reading history, movies and the DallasCowboys. I love reading U.S. history. It goesback to high school. I had this teacher; hehad this way of making history come alivethat I appreciate. Even now I have a librarythat would be comparable (to any historybuff). My favorite author is StephenAmbrose.

How to learn more about my work: I always post my latest work on Face-

book (facebook.com/airbrushnaj).

About Eye Gallery The annual art series is a partnership

between The Californian and the Bak-

ersfield Museum of Art whose purpose

is to put the work of local artists in the

spotlight. This year we asked 10 artists

to collaborate on a story, in words and

pictures. Each was given 96 hours, a

canvas and all the work that had been

produced to that point. The story will

unfold in Eye Street every Thursday

through June 27, when the museum

will host a reception for the artists and

unveil other exhibitions.

Next weekPainter Christina Sweet ponders the

recurring puzzle in Chapter Five of our

story.

Artist not accustomed tousing words for message

“I was hoping to convey that the power of music can physically manifest with memories, literally like a wave.”

— Al Mendez

HENRY A. BARRIOS / THE CALIFORNIAN

Art Mendez is the manager of Icehouse Framing & Gallery, which recently relocatedfrom Chester Avenue to 19th Street.


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BY MATT MUNOZCalifornian staff writer

[email protected]

You don’t often think of theTaft desert as a prime desti-nation for spiritual rebirth.

But for Tommy Chong, one halfof the legendary comedy duoCheech & Chong, the solitude ofwest Kern’s sprawling desertoffered a chance to “blaze” a newpath in life.

Chong served a nine-monthprison stint in 2003 at the TaftCorrectional Institution for themanufacture and sale of hisChong’s Bongs and other smok-ing paraphernalia.

“It was probably the mostmemorable nine months I’veever spent of my life,” said Chong,74, during a phone interview. “Itactually turned out to be a reli-gious retreat for me because Iwasn’t able to practice doingwhat I was doing on the outside.”

Chong reteams with his long-time partner Richard “Cheech”

Marin, 66, for a pair of shows atEagle Mountain Casino thisweekend to kick-off the duo’s“Up in Smoke” tour.

(Buzz kill: If, in Cheech &Chong style, you procrastinatedbuying tickets, both shows aresold out.)

“And you know that desert areais so special,” he recalled. “I usedto walk around in the yard and Icouldn’t keep myself off theground because there were somany treasures from the desert,all the different rocks and stuff.Where we were located waswhere the tarantulas migrated.And we had rabbits that wouldcome to the yard. There werehundreds of them that wouldcome in the evening. They were

like wild dogs that had beenabandoned.”

Following his release, Chongbecame an even more vocaladvocate in the pro-pot move-ment, releasing a documentary,“a/k/a Tommy Chong,” thatchronicled his arrest.

“Everyone is embarrassed. Lawenforcement are kind of disown-ing the whole thing. They’re allblaming George Bush.”

But nowadays Chong is focus-ing on his comedy and the part-ner he met one fateful night in1971 in Vancouver, BritishColumbia.

The counterculture duo gainedmainstream popularity in theStates after releasing a series ofbest-selling albums and films, allfeaturing offbeat marijuana-lacedthemes and characters.

The two abruptly parted waysin 1985 for solo careers, but theirpopularity as one of comedy’smost revered partnerships neverfaded.

“Before we got together, weweren’t actors. I was a musicianon the road with some band andCheech was a singer in a band.

Not a very good one, but ourinabilities brought us together tomake history.”

Chong and Marin reunited fouryears ago, embarking on a suc-cessful tour that, according toChong, should continue to theirfinal puff.

“I never really got over thebreakup and I don’t thinkCheech, he ever really got over iteither. We’re deeper than broth-ers. So when we got back togetheragain, neither one of our egoswanted it, but inside it was abouttime. We’d been apart longenough.

“The great thing about ourbreakup was that we did it insuch a way that we could get backtogether.

“Too many groups break upand then it’s over, like the Beatles.

But Cheech & Chong, we quitearly enough so that people neversaw the end of the road. That’swhy we’re back together, to fulfillour destiny.”

Fans lucky enough to havesnapped up tickets already willhave the distinction of beingsomething of a test audience forthe tour, which features thebands Tower of Power and War.

“We’re actually creating thenew show in Porterville thisweekend. This will be the firsttime we’re working with bands.It’s going to be more like a playthan an act. There’s going to be astory, but I can’t say anythingabout it. I don’t want you to knowbefore Cheech, because I can justsee Cheech reading this and say-ing, ‘Hey, I didn’t even know thatwe were doing that.’”

Pot shots at Taft?Not from Chong

Up in Smoke TourWhen: 8 p.m. Friday &

Saturday. Sold out.

Where: Eagle Mountain

Casino, 681 S. Tule Road in

Porterville

Information: 559-788-6220

or eaglemtncasino.com

Time in W. Kern custodyrejuvenated comedian

MATT SAYLES / AP

Comedians Tommy Chong, left, and Cheech Marin, bring their “Upin Smoke Tour” show to Eagle Mountain Casino this weekend.


Eye Street

BY STEFANI DIASCalifornian assistant lifestyles editor

[email protected]

If you’re ready for ribs and all the Qsanctioned by the Kansas City Barbe-cue Society, then head on out to the

Kern County Fairgrounds for Bakersfield’sBiggest Baddest BBQ.

This year you’ll certainly have a lot ofsavory meat to choose from with morethan 60 teams contending for the grandchampion title in a record turnout of com-petitors for the fifth annual event.

“This by far will be the biggest draw andthe biggest team count ever. It’s in groupsof six (based on judging). We’ll stop at 66teams,” said event organizer Mike George,who has registered teams from Arizona,Nevada, Utah, Oregon and Oklahoma.

The field includes some KCBS 2012event title holders such as Big PoppaSmokers (Kansas City Royal), Left Coast Q(California champion), Ridge Route BoysBBQ (Smokin’ in Mesquite) and Burnin’and Lootin’ BBQ (California rookie of theyear).

So what accounts for the influx of newand returning teams?

“Everybody likes to come to Bakersfield.They tell me it’s the people and the loca-tion. We put them on grass. A lot of theevents are held on asphalt and dirt parkinglots. We put them on grass; it’s so muchcooler. They love the Kern County Fair-grounds.”

Along with returning teams, Georgelauded the cadre of KCBS-certified judgeswho are the foundation of the event.

“Without the judges, we wouldn’t be

The best Q you can chewall year long this weekendBarbecue competition gettingbigger and juicier every year

Fifth annual Bakersfield’sBiggest Baddest BBQWhen: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 5

p.m. Saturday

Where: Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142

S. P St.

Cost: Free admission on Friday; $10,

free for children 12 and under on Satur-

day, which includes barbecue tasting

ticket (additional tasting tickets $2).

Information: bakobbq.com or 331-

3900

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W/ EVERCLEAR,

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THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN

For the last three summers, thesound and fury of the annualMemorial Stadium fireworks

show — a tradition for thousandsof Kern County families — wasreplaced by the sound of ... crick-ets.

But it’s time to light up the skyonce again, thanks to Canyon HillsAssembly of God Church and anonprofit whose mission is to pro-mote patriotism.

And the fireworks display,though the main draw, is just onecomponent amid a day of music,dramatic readings, military honors,friendly competitions — even sky-divers. Oh, and 150 choir membersfrom local churches will form tocreate a singing flag.

“It’s a big, powerful display ofpatriotic music,” said Rick Moore,a former member of Canyon Hillswho now is based in Tennessee

and runs the nonprofit organizingthe event.

“It’s going to tug on your patriot-ic strings for sure.”

The big news, of course, is thereturn of the fireworks show. TheBakersfield Firefighter’s ReliefAssociation put on a similar dis-play for more than 50 years butdiscontinued the tradition in 2010,citing dwindling ticket sales.

“I can tell you this,” Moore said.“We have a range; the bottom ofour range is equal to what the fire-men did, so it will be at least that, ifnot more.”

The evening entertainment,starting at 7:30 p.m., requires aticket, which range from $12 to $15for adults and $5 to $7 for children.However, there are steep discountsfor early purchases, Moore said.Users who “like” the event on itsFacebook page — I Love AmericaBakersfield — will receive dis-counts as well.

Preceding the show is a LibertyFestival from 2 to 7 p.m. at Bakers-field College, north of the stadium.

Admission is free.Moore noted that since the event

is being co-sponsored by a numberof churches, there will be somereligious references throughout theday.

“It’s not completely secular. It’snot completely sacred. It’s com-pletely patriotic.”


Eye Street

I Love America Liberty Festival & Freedom CelebrationWhen: July 4; daytime celebra-

tion from 2 to 7 p.m.; fireworks

and other entertainment at

7:30 p.m.

Where: Memorial Stadium at

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Vernon and University

Admission: Daytime festivalis free. Fireworks tickets are$12 to $15 for adults; $5 to $7

for children. Discounts for

early ticket purchases. Avail-

able at Canyon Hills Assembly

of God Church, Emporium

Western Store, Henley’s Photo

and the event’s Facebook page,

I Love America Bakersfield.

Sponsorships: Contact Rick

Moore at

[email protected].

BY JENNIFER SELFCalifornian lifestyles editor

[email protected]

Joe Saunders thought he wasthrough with production onhis ambitious, years-in-the-making Bakersfield Sound

documentary. But the documen-tary, it appears, was not throughwith him.

For tucked away and long for-gotten under a pile of memora-bilia in the crowded garage of hispack-rat grandfather — seminalBakersfield Sound performer BillyMize — was an artifact of tremen-dous significance, not only to themusic subgenre spawned in localbarrooms decades ago but to thehistory of country music itself:

A rusted can containing a 16-millimeter film of what isbelieved to be the first televisionappearance by Merle Haggard.

“The can was rusted shut,” saidSaunders, 34, of Los Angeles. “Ihad to get a screwdriver to get itopen. It was very exciting to find,but I had to step back into pro-duction. Very unexpected.”

The black-and-white footage,from an early 1960s episode of amusic show hosted by Mize, fea-tures a “young, nervous” Haggard

and established country stars Joeand Rose Lee Maphis, as well asAl Brumley. Saunders believes theappearance was Haggard’s firston television because of a refer-ence Mize makes to that effect onthe show.

“(Merle) looks like a hunk,”Saunders said. “He looks greatand sounds great. The beginningand end of it are a little weath-ered. It was not the best-keptfilm.”

The documentary — whichfeatures interviews with Haggard,Willie Nelson, Red Simpson andwriter Gerald Haslam, among

others — is being edited now, andthe filmmaker hopes it will becompleted by the end of June.

The working title of the film is“Billy Mize and the BakersfieldSound,” and footage like the earlyHaggard performance shouldassure a broad audience amongmusic lovers. But it is the BillyMize part of the title thataccounts for Saunders’ commit-ment to the film, largely self-financed and made between hisproducing/directing jobs on fea-ture films and commercials.Though Saunders grew up know-ing his grandfather sang andplayed guitar, he had no idea howinfluential and successful Mizewas.

“It seems so strange not havingknown that now. I kind of blamemy mother,” he joked.

But beyond its capacity foracquainting the filmmaker withhis grandfather’s legacy, the proj-ect has given a purpose and sparkto Mize, who suffered a strokeyears ago and has struggled tocommunicate since. In fact,Mize’s quest to learn to sing againis chronicled in the film.

“I show him every cut,” Saun-ders said. “He may be sick ofwatching it. I didn’t anticipatewhat it would be like to watch itwith him the first time. It wasn’tall roses for him in his life.

“It was very emotional watch-ing it with him. He said, ‘It’sgood. It’s sad but it’s good.’”

As for when Bakersfield audi-ences can expect to see the film,Saunders said it’s tough to pindown a timeline for small, inde-pendent films like his. He intendsto submit it to festivals and ishoping a distributor takes aninterest.

It is his wish that the film willhave its premiere in Bakersfield,ideally at the Fox Theater, so thatthe surviving architects of the

Bakersfield Sound can be cele-brated, red-carpet style, as theVIPs they still are.

“One of the reasons I con-vinced myself I could do this isbecause I didn’t grow up listeningto country music or knowing thisinformation about my grandfa-ther,” Saunders said. “But itallows me to come to this musicwith an outsider’s perspective. Ihope that perspective allows peo-ple from outside of countrymusic to enjoy this documen-tary.”

The holy grail of Haggard lore?How to contributeJoe Saunders’ documentary

on the Bakersfield Sound is

being financed in a variety of

ways, including: a Kickstarter

campaign that raised

$17,000, a grant of $500

from the Arts Council of Kern

and his own money.

The Kern County Sheriff’s

Mounted Posse is hosting a

poker tournament June 15 at

the Aviator Casino in Delano

to raise money toward com-

pletion of the film.

For more on the film, or to

make a direct donation, visit

billymizemovie.com.

What appears to be icon’sfirst TV appearance found

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOE SAUNDERS

A screen shot of what is believed to be the first television appear-ance by Merle Haggard, center. Performer/host Billy Mize is at left.

Red, white and yahoo!Fireworks return to BCFestival, entertainmentadd to patriotic event

Party at Bakersfield’sown animal houseBY CAMILLE GAVINContributing writer

[email protected]

Ababy lamb, the newestaddition to CALM’s col-lection of California

wildlife, will make her debutSaturday at the zoo’s 30thbirthday party.

But don’t expect to see a cud-dly white animal like the onesin a children’s picture book.This particular lamb is a femaledesert bighorn that entered theworld on April 22 and weighed12 pounds at birth. The yet-to-be-named lamb is gray in color,has a white rump and longslender legs. Soon she’ll grow apair of thick curved horns thatgive these particular animalstheir name.

Zoo manager Lana Fain saidthat for the present, visitors cansee the baby lamb only onehour a day, from 10 to 11 a.m.,due to her young age.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CALM

CALM’s first desert bighornlamb was born April 22 —Earth Day. The femaleweighed 12 pounds at birthand is healthy and beautiful. Please see CALM / 29


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BY MATT MUNOZCalifornian staff writer

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The road to Nashville ispaved with the dreams ofcountless starry-eyed

artists, many of whom work yearsto find fame with little to no suc-cess.

Bakersfield country singerWhitney Wattenbarger knows itwill be a bumpy ride, but with thebacking of a local talent consult-ant with industry connectionsand new CD, she’s all in.

“I listen to all genres of musicbut love country the most,” saidthe Centennial High grad, 20,who will perform Saturday nightat the Spotlight Theatre to pro-mote her debut CD, the aptlytitled, “Just Getting Started.”

“I know where I want to go. Ijust didn’t know the steps on howto get there.”

Enter Bob Bender, who pro-duced Wattenbarger’s album and,as an industry veteran of 30 years,is helping her plot her next move.Bender returned to Bakersfield in2010 after working in artist devel-opment at Curb Records inNashville for years.

“As a performer, Whitney hasthat switch that lights up whenshe walks on stage and startssinging,” said Bender, 56, at hisdowntown Bakersfield office,filled with plaques that attest tohis past successes working with

LeAnn Rimes, Ringo Starr andothers.

“I take on one or two projects ayear at the most,” Bender said.“Most come from reference. Idon’t necessarily go look for busi-ness. In a situation where anartist wants to be developed,such as Whitney or any artist, thetimeline varies. On a project ofthis level and caliber, it takesabout a year from inception tocompletion.”

Following Bender’s strategy hasalready paid off for Wattenbargerif the list of high-profile appear-ances she’s had in the past year isany indication: She performedalongside country veterans BryanWhite, Mark Wills and Pam Tillis,landed a guest spot at theupcoming CMA Music Festivaland — in perhaps her biggestscore yet — the singer recentlyopened for Darius Rucker beforea sold-out crowd at the Fox.

“It’s been amazing,” she said.“The experience has really helpedme find myself. Everyone says

I’ve changed from the shy personI was in high school.”

Ever-present by her daughter’sside is Jayme Wattenbarger. Askedduring the interview to give herthoughts on the experience so far,she smiles.

“It’s what she wanted to do andwe want to support her.”

Before her recent career surge,Wattenbarger’s public perform-ances were limited to singing thenational anthem at high schoolsporting events or taking up themic for karaoke. But Bender saidcertain factors make up for hershort resume.

“They have to have that ‘it’ fac-tor,” he said. “There are a lot ofpeople that can get onstage andperform, but not a lot of peoplewho can also entertain. Are theydoing it by rote or are theyexpressing themselves and show-ing some passion when they per-form?

“In Whitney’s case, when Iheard her sing, the very first thingI asked her was, ‘Who are yourinspirations’ and ‘Who are thepeople that you listen to and helpmotivate you to be singer?’”

Using Shania Twain and Rimesas inspiration, Bender and Wat-tenbarger settled on a directionand determined what kind ofsongs would suit the young per-former, who has no originalmaterial of her own.

“She’s definitely got a very pop,

young country feel about her, butshe’s very traditional in hersinging style,” Bender said. “It’svery Appalachian mountain, thattype of inflection in her voice.”

Wattenbarger’s work on thealbum in Nashville began lastyear after a series of creativemeetings with Bender, who’dbeen sent 70 original song sub-missions to her for recording con-

sideration. After whittling the listto 10, Bender next sent a team ofsession musicians to record themusic before adding Wattenbarg-er’s vocals to the mix in Nashville.

“We sat down and picked thesongs that would suit a 19- to 20-year-old,” said Bender.

The album was recorded overtwo three-day sessions in

Do we have the next Nashville ‘it’ girl?

PHOTO BY C&B PHOTOGRAPHY

Bakersfield country singer Whitney Wattenbarger will celebratethe release of her new CD Saturday at Spotlight Theatre.

Please see WHITNEY / 31

“Just Getting Started”CD Release PartyWhen: 7 p.m. Saturday

Where: Spotlight Theatre,

1622 19th St.

Admission: Free

Information: 326-1140

Quirky characters are a key ele-ment in a successful comedyand that seems to be central toKevin Ganger’s motivation for

directing “The Nerd.”Ganger describes the play that

opens Friday at The Empty Space as“a straight-up laugh-out-loud come-dy.”

“I love an interesting character, and‘The Nerd’ is chock full of extremecharacters with unusual personalitiesand habits,” he said. “Even just read-ing the script makes you laugh, so it’sbeen fun and hilarious translatingthat to the stage.”

This is the first time Ganger hasdirected a full-length play, althoughhe assisted with The Empty Space’sproduction of “Faust” in 2011. He alsohas directed several one-act festivals,including the Third-Eye at UC Davis.

Set in 1979, “The Nerd” concernsan easygoing young architect namedWillum (Josh Evans) who has alwaysidolized a man named Rick (ChrisBurzlaff), the man who saved his lifein Vietnam.

Written by Larry Shue, the plotrevolves around what happens whenthe two men meet for the first time.Apparently, Willum was unconsciouswhen Rick dragged him to safety dur-ing combat.

When Rick turns up unexpectedlyit isn’t long before Willum realizes hisso-called hero is actually a rude,insensitive nerd. Unfortunately,Willum has already invited him to behis houseguest and is trying to figureout how to get rid of him.

Others in the cast are Cody Gangeras Tansy, who is leaving to take a jobas a meteorologist with a Washington,D.C., television station; Jessica Bur-zlaff as her friend; and Tim Fromm,portraying a wealthy businessmanwhom Willum is trying to snag as aclient. Performances continue week-ends through June 1.

Touchable art A traveling

exhibit of tac-tile art thatincludessculptures as

well as paint-ings is now

being shown at

Beale Memorial Library.Maria Rutledge, supervising librari-

an, said the exhibit is being presentedby the Arts Council of Kern and is dis-played in the lobby area near theentrance to the Beale auditorium.

All of the artwork has a texture orform that invites touching. The exhib-it, which was first shown last Octoberat the Younger Gallery, was developedas a means of giving people who areblind or visually impaired an oppor-tunity to enjoy art by touching it withthe palms of their hands or their fin-gers.

It also can be appreciated by indi-viduals who do have sight.

“For the complete ‘touch withoutseeing’ experience, eye masks can beborrowed from the library’s Informa-tion Desk,” Rutledge said in an email.“To obtain a mask, patrons mustleave a photo ID which will bereturned when they are through look-ing at the exhibit.”

Artists whose work is being showninclude Eileen Ettinger, Iva Fendrick,Enemerio Galvan, Justin Jennings,David Leitch, Marcy Holbrook, BillMalis, Brian Stanton, Dan Slayton,Marlene Tatsuno and Hank Washing-ton. Anyone interested in purchasingone or more pieces may contact theArts Council at 324-9000.

BCT awards ceremonyIf enthusiasm and a positive atti-

tude can ignite interest in the Bakers-

field Community Theatre, then artis-tic director Kenneth Whitchardshould have it made.

“I want everyone to know thatrumors of BCT closing down are nottrue; we’re here and we’re not movinganywhere,” said Whitchard. “We’restepping up the game and I want thecommunity to come back and beinvolved in our 86th season.”

For starters, he’d like to see a goodturnout at BCT’s 2012-13 awards cer-emony on Saturday evening. For thefirst 30 minutes, finger foods and bev-erages will be served in the patio thatfronts the theater. The party will thenmove inside for the awards presenta-tion and light entertainment. In arecent phone conversation, he alsomentioned some of the improve-ments that are being made to theSouth Chester Avenue facility, partic-ularly the separate structure thatserves as a lobby for the playhouse.

“We’re redoing the box officelounge and updating the restrooms,”he said. “And we’re going to have aplaque engraved with the names of allour donors — we need to do it in abig way.”

In past years, BCT has ended itsseason in early June with the Festivalof One Acts. Whitchard has shifted thefestival to August, however, and it willopen the 2013-14 season.

Pat Kerley is directing “Charlie andthe Chocolate Factory,” a youth the-ater production that opens June 7.

Whitchard, who teaches vocalmusic at McKinley ElementarySchool, will play the part of WillyWonka.


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Camille Gavin CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

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

her via e-mail at [email protected]

Library features artshow that is hands-on

PHOTO COURTESY OF KEVIN GANGER

From left: Chris Burzlaff, Josh Evans, Tim Fromm, Tim Anthony, CodyGanger and Jessica Burzlaff appear in The Empty Space production of “TheNerd.”

Please see ARTS / 29

Eye Street

able to do the event because we wouldn’thave fair judging. They (teams) knowthey’ll be judged fairly. ... When the teamsexceeded our expectations, we had toescalate that to 15 more judges from (lastweek’s) Long Beach KCBS championshipon the Queen Mary.”

The competition starts heating up onFriday when attendees get their first lookat these barbecue masters with a free pre-view. Some teams will compete in theoptional tri-tip contest, with meat sup-plied by Wood-Dale Market, and a $500prize on the line.

As the event continues to grow, Georgesaid the public may be able to get in onthe action.

“We’re thinking about doing a backyardcompetition next year,” where amateurbarbecue cooks can face off against regis-tered teams. “Come in and show us whatthey’ve got.”

Until then, guests can enjoy tri-tip aswell as hot dogs, chicken, sandwiches andfull dinners at the food court. Vendors willsell shaved ice, kettle corn, doughnuts andcoffee.

Mento Buru will set the sound for com-petition on Friday while Foster Campbelland Friends and Mystic Red will performSaturday.

Other entertainment on tap is the big-ger-than-ever children’s play area with arock-climbing wall.

“The kids zone has grown every year. It’sa bigger space, more to do. We were goingto have a complete carnival, but we had topare it back a bit. We always do cupcakedecorating and face painting. The bouncehouses area is off the hook.”

The kids can also pick up a spatula andget cooking at the Kids Q, which willaccept up to 25 contestants serving up thebest burger they can make.

But the barbecue big guns are on fulldisplay Saturday, with teams putting the

finishing touches on pork ribs, chicken,brisket and pork. Meat starts going beforethe judges at noon and guests can judgefor themselves with two 2 oz. samples(covered by $10 admission). Additionalsamples are $2.

After the scores are tallied and thejudges are stuffed, awards will be givenout at a ceremony at 4 p.m. A total of$10,500 will be awarded to grand andreserve champions and the top 10 con-tenders in each category (an increase fromthe top five awarded in the past).

Along with providing a good time, theevent benefits local charities. Last year’sevent raised more than $10,000 forMendiburu Magic Foundation, Children’sMiracle Network and Bakersfield RonaldMcDonald House. This year beneficiariesare Mendiburu Magic and JJ’s Legacy,which supplied members for the event’sgoverning board, helping it expand withmore vendors and sponsors.

That commitment to giving back iswhat keeps George motivated.

“We’re doing it for the love of barbecue,but remember that it’s all for local charity.... One hundred percent of net proceedsstays in Bakersfield.”


Eye Street

“This is CALM’s first lamb born inthe Bighorn Sheep Breeding Pro-gram,” she said. “It was her mother’s(Esther) seventh.”

CALM received the small herd —two ewes and one ram — in Octoberas part of a first-of-its-kind collabo-ration for the local zoo, which ispartnering with counterparts in LosAngeles and San Diego for the pro-gram. The adult bighorns are threeof only 47 such sheep on displaythroughout the country. In the wild,their numbers are even fewer; in thepast century, of 80 herds in the Cali-fornia wilds, 30 have become extinct.

Although close contact with thenewborn is off limits right now, visi-tors are allowed to feed the two olderfemales.

“You can touch the ewes becausethey were raised around (humans)and have never lived in the wild,”Fain said. “They are very tame —they lay right up against the fence.”

Not so with the one ram on thepremises.

“You can only see the malethrough viewing windows,” she said.“He is very big and powerful — hishorns are enormous and his head ismassive.”

Meanwhile, there will be plenty of

other activities for families to enjoyat the celebration, according to Fain.

Among them are demonstrationsby the Bakersfield Police Depart-ment’s K-9 Corps; Mineral Mites,whose members polish stones; and avideo presented by the Friends of theCalifornia Condors.

Another plus: Children up to age12 get in free when accompanied bya paying adult. Tickets for thebounce house or a train ride are $1.

Throughout the day, CALM’s ani-mal keepers will provide wildlife pre-sentations, docents will stroll thegrounds with “ambassador animals”and Smokey Bear will pay a visit.

A variety of nature-related andcivic organizations will be on handto give out information; food andbeverages will be available for pur-chase.

CALM’s 30th Birthday BashWhen: 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Saturday

Where: CALM, 10500 Alfred

Harrell Highway

Admission: $9; $7 seniors; free

for children up to age 12


CALM (California Living

Museum) has grown consid-

erably in the 30 years since

schoolteacher Michael Hop-

kins started it with significant

help from veterinarian Tom

Banks,architect Frank Ghezzi

and many members of the

community. It now is admin-

istered as a department of

the Kern County Superintend-

ent of Schools.

We asked Lana Fain, zoo

manager, to look back — and

ahead.

How many animals doesCALM have now comparedto the beginning?In 1983 — 100 animals; 2013

— 280. Both of these figures

include animals on and off

exhibit.

What is the budget now vs.then?In 1983, it was $60,000

annually. Currently, it is $1

million.

Number of employees?

(Originally) they had four paid

employees. Currently, we

have 22 paid employees,

which includes full-time, sub-

stitutes and part-time

employees.

How has your involvementwith the care and treat-ment of wildlife changed? In 1983, we did not have a

wildlife rehabilitation center.

We are now permitted by the

state of California to rehabili-

tate native wildlife. Last year,

we received more than 600

birds, mammals and reptiles

that we released, gave to

another facility or kept at

CALM because they were

non-releasable.

What additions or improve-ments to programs andfacilities have been made?In 2012 we established

CALM’s first cooperative

breeding program in partner-

ship with the San Diego and

Los Angeles zoos, expanding

our significance in the zoo

industry.

And we have the new

KaBOOM! playground, which

was built in a day by the

community and a train (Cen-

tral California Children’s Rail-

road) that runs on weekends

in the spring, summer and

during Holiday Lights.

Number of visitors?The first year, there were

40,000. Last fiscal year, (July-

June 2012) we had 125,459

visitors, which includes Holi-

day Lights guests.

How does the future look?Through a grant from The

Bakersfield Californian Foun-

dation, interactive signage

will soon be in place. We now

have our conditional-use per-

mit, which will allow us to

expand on an additional 50

acres.

We are exploring plans for a

challenge course and zip line

at CALM. Things like this are

very popular in the corporate

world right now.

CALM BY THE NUMBERSCALM: CONTINUED FROM 24

Treehugger updateThough Bakersfield artist Nicole Saint-

John failed to reach her initial fundraisinggoal to create a Treehugger installationhere, she hasn’t given up on the public artproject.

“Altogther, we received $1,450 in pledgemoney,” she said in an email.

“The GoFundMe campaign ended onMay 8 and even though we did not reachthe goal of $6,000 I am encouraged by thecommunity response and we will continueto find funding for this project over the nexttwo years.”

Saint-John, who started an arts consult-ing business called KernCAP in January,said she is exploring other ways to getmoney for the project, which, if it comes tofruition, will be done by internationallyknown sculptor Wiktor Szostalo.

“I am optimistic that the people whopledged will support this project when wehave found the additional funding,” shesaid.

“I am in conversations with a few organ-

izations and plan to write a grant for theproject.”

Summer art retreatLocal artist and veteran teacher Art Sher-

wyn is accepting deposits now for a three-day retreat on — or near — MoonstoneBeach and other picturesque places on thecentral coast near Cambria.

“It truly is a magical place to have aretreat due to the scenic and diverse beau-ty of the area,” he said. “I started doingretreats in Cambria in the ’90s and havehad many since.”

It is open to all levels from beginnerswho have had little experience or instruc-tion to advanced artists. Cost is $195 or $65per day and participants must arrange fortheir own lodging.

“Even though the subject matter is land-scape,” he said, “many of the lessons canbe transferred to other genres and medi-ums as well.”

For more information on the retreat andbackground on the instructor go towww.artsherwyn.com.

‘The Nerd’When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Where: The Empty Space, 706 Oak St.

Admission: Suggestion donation $15

Information: 327-PLAY

Art in TouchWhen: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to

6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to

7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday through

June 10.

Where: Beale Memorial Library, 701

Truxtun Ave.

Admission: Free


BCT’s Night at the OscarsWhen: 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday

Where: Bakersfield Community Theatre,

2400 S. Chester Ave.

Admission: $10 or $64 for a table of

eight


Art Sherwyn’s Art RetreatWhen: 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 2:30

p.m. July 9, 10 and 11

Where: Central coast near Cambria

Cost: $195


GO & DO

CASEY CHRISTIE / THE CALIFORNIAN

Thom Emery works a barbecue saucebooth at the annual Bakersfield’s BiggestBaddest BBQ in 2012.

ARTS: CONTINUED FROM 28

BBQ: CONTINUED FROM 25


Eye Street

Bizarre, amazing, twistedand funky are just a few ofthe terms fans have used to

describe the musical madness ofPrimus.

Known for pushing the basicthree-piece rock sound intoregions bordering on the wacky,the veteran trio’s technical profi-ciency and knack for formulatinggrooves remain a secret all theirown. As if being a band of misfitsweren’t enough, Primus is readyto attack your senses in a liveconcert experience, Primus 3D,coming Wednesday to the Fox.

“I don’t know if there’s everbeen a musical concept toPrimus, other than playing musicwe’d also enjoy listening to our-selves,” said Primus bassist LesClaypool, 49, during a phoneinterview. “Never a vision asmuch as there was an anti-vision.”

Claypool humbly dismissesthe group’s reputation as highlyinfluential despite evidence to thecontrary: guitarist LarryLaLonde’s picking and Zappa-esque finesse; Claypool’s tapping,slapping, bass-bending playing;and drummer Jay Lane’s tighter-than-thou backbeat.

“Well, I have yet to really seeany Claypool clones. I mean thereare guys who have had influenceon other people, Flea (Red HotChili Peppers) being one of thosefolk. We were kinda the first guysto take the thumpin’ and thepluckin’ into the rock world,whereas my influences were guyslike Larry Graham (Sly Stone) andLouis Johnson (Brothers John-son). In people’s minds, it was asif we had invented it. We reallyhadn’t. Now that I mention it, Ithink we’re the only band whoplayed with every incarnation ofthe Red Hot Chili Peppers.”

The group’s latest record,“Green Naugahyde,” is the themeof the 3D multimedia show that is

enjoyed by using spe-cial glasses pre-

sented at thetheater.

“I had oldoffice space in

the old Indus-trial Light

andMagic

building that used to belong toGeorge Lucas, and a buddy work-ing on ‘Transformers’ was alsoworking on this 3D project, devel-oping hardware for televisions. Iwould go in and see these 3D ele-ments. I was like ... I should usethis for one of my shows. So Iused it at the San FranciscoOpera House for New Year’s Eve,and it was amazing.”

Those prone to motion sick-ness need not be concerned with

the 3D viewing for the concert.Reminders will be posted aroundthe theater, and glasses areoptional.

“There was talk early into thisabout handing out vomit bags,but so far we haven’t had to dealwith that. If you start gettingwoozy, take your glasses off.”

Wednesday’s showtime is 8p.m. Tickets are $34.50 to $52.50.The Fox is at 2001 H St. 322-5200or vallitix.com.

KRAB Free 4 AllKRAB radio’s annual Free 4 All

concert Friday at Stramler Park isfeeling the heat of hipsterdom.

Headlined by California alt-rock quintet The Neighbourhood,the lineup features a collection ofacts from the station’s currentcollege-rock rotation, includingShiny Toy Guns, Family of theYear, The Virginmarys, and reggaepunkers Ballyhoo.

“We started doing reggae rockbefore it was even a term in Balti-more, after I first heard Sublimeand Goldfinger back in ’96,” saidBallyhoo vocalist Howi Spanglerduring a phone interview. “Weused to play in cities like St. Louisand they had no idea about thesound. Then about four yearsago, we went back and they had alot of reggae rock bands openingfor us. It’s crazy how it’s blown upsince then.”

On the harder edge of things,British buzz band The Virgin-marys have been enjoying wide-spread praise from critics andmusicians such as Guns N’ Rosesguitarist Slash, who publiclyshowered the band with acco-lades.

“It makes us feel that we’redoing something that’s not hap-pening today,” said Ally Dickaty.“We’re making timeless music,and not just some flash in thepan. It’s amazing that when youbelieve in it so much, and have

someone like Slash endorsing us,it’s like a pat on the back. You aredoing the right thing.”

If the sound of the band’s bril-liant full-length debut, “King ofConflict,” is any indication oftheir live show, you’d be foolishto miss it.

“We view a debut as veryimportant. We look at an albumlike “Appetite for Destruction” byGuns N’ Roses or “DefinitelyMaybe” by Oasis; both are amaz-ing debuts that pushed thosegroups. We give it onstage with alot of passion, energy, and grit.”

Friday’s showtime is 6 p.m.Free tickets are given awaythrough KRAB radio. StramlerPark is located at 3805 ChesterAve. Visit krab.com or call 322-9929.

JuanesThe latest major act to use Bak-

ersfield as a place to get warmedup for a big tour is best-sellingLatin rock singerJuanes, whoarrived in townseveral daysbefore his showFriday atRabobank The-ater.

The singer anda full band willembark from Bakersfield on theirlatest tour in support of theGrammy-winning release, “MTVUnplugged.” According to Juanes’publicist, the singer will be hold-ing a private rehearsal perform-ance for members of the UnitedFarm Workers Union today. Tick-ets for Friday’s show are stillavailable.

Friday’s showtime is 8 p.m.Tickets are $27.50 to $73, plusservice charge. Ticketmaster.comor 852-7777.

Matt’s pickHeralds of the Sword at The

Gate, Saturday, 7 p.m., $5.Fantasy power metal fans

should pay close attention. Bak-ersfield band Heralds of theSword are about to unleash theirnew CD, “Chronicles of Tyrinthia:Sword Sworn,” at an all-agesheadbanging extravaganza sureto rattle the bones of the ancientones. With onstage characternames like Warlord Khadgar ofValineth and Vincenzo of CastleDurnhaus, their costumes makethis group of mad metallers aband to watch. Also appearing:Nerve Shocker and SpiritDescending.

Check out the band at herald-softhesword.com.

Primus coming right at youThe 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.

Trailblazers add 3Dwhiz-bangery to show

PHOTO COURTESY OF PRIMUS

Primus appears at the Fox on Wednesday.

PHOTO BY TAYLOR FOILES

Ballyhoo will perform Friday at the KRAB Free 4 All at Stramler Park.

Juanes

Nashville in June and September. “It’s been a long process, but it was just

a really good feeling,” Wattenbarger said.“I wasn’t nervous. I loved being inNashville. It felt like a job I had to getdone right.”

All 10 tracks on “Just Getting Started”showcase Wattenbarger’s youthful confi-dence and energy, balanced with amature vocal finesse polished to aNashville shine.

“We listened to a lot of other CDs toavoid sounding like someone else’swork,” Wattenbarger siad. “I’d like listen-ers to hear that it’s more traditional coun-try. Pay attention to the lyrics. Most of all,I want them to listen over and over againand recommend it to their friends.”

The album opens with “BoyfriendStealer,” a playful romp female fans willlove, and segues into “Just Go,” an up-tempo shuffle featuring some traditionalhonky-tonk piano, organ and steel guitar.Both songs prove Wattenbarger has someedge, but it’s on the ballads that her trueidentity shines through. “Hearts Point ofView” is tender from beginning to end, asis “Honey.” Other standout tracks are“Lost in Me,” “Lovers Lane,” with vocalistAaron Hoffman, and the title track, co-written by Rimes, her idol.

“What you hear is what you get,” saidBender, noting that only minimal studioenhancement was used in production.“‘Honey’ was done on a second take. Nostudio tricks.”

Bender has a full promotional schedule

planned following the release of the CD.Wattenbarger will hire a full-time publi-cist before heading back to Nashville inJune for the CMA Music Festival, a radiostation tour and select live shows. Theyear winds down in December in LasVegas at the International Association ofFairs and Expositions, where the singerwill meet with fair circuit talent buyers.

“My goal is to be driving down the roadand hear her song on the radio,” Bendersaid. “As a producer, you don’t just stopworking when the CD is done. Anything Ican do to help, I wanna be a part of.”

For Saturday’s show, Wattenbarger willbe backed by piano and guitar accompa-niment.

Copies of “Just Getting Started” can bepurchased at La Coquette Boutique, 191019th St. (where Wattenbarger works) or fordigital download at iTunes. For moreinformation, visitwhitneywattenbarger.com.


Eye Street

BY STEFANI DIASCalifornian assistant lifestyles editor

[email protected]

In the land of Oz, the yellow brick roadled to the Emerald City. But Bakers-field’s “Yellow Brick Road” leads to The

Empty Space for a reception celebrating itslatest art exhibit Saturday.

Although gallery curator Jesus Fidel puta group show on the books for this month,he delayed choosing a theme — “I don’tplan it too far ahead to keep it fresh.”Inspiration struck at the movies when hewas out with a friend and fellow artist.

“Christina Sweet and I had a movie datewith her daughters to see ‘Oz the Greatand Powerful.’ We had been wanting tocurate a show together for a while, so afterthe movie, we had a fun idea and dis-cussed, what if we did a tribute to ‘TheWizard of Oz’?’”

Their combined curating experience —his at The Empty Space, hers at TheFoundry — resulted in an embarrassmentof artistic choices.

“Because of limited space, we had to boilit down by drawing names out of a hat.”

The show features the work of Fidel,Sweet and 13 other artists who, onceselected, were assigned characters orobjects from Oz. Each artist was allowed tochoose a medium, with the show display-ing a range from stained glass, ceramic,watercolor and acrylic to colored penciland added decoupage.

Both curators noted some standouts inthe show.

“Kent Porterfield and the ruby slippers(‘Road to Oz’) were a really good pair,”Fidel said. “We chose him to do the slip-pers because his choice of medium is illu-minated stained glass. Because the rubyslippers are the most sparkling, dazzling

thing in the story, we thought he would beable to come up with something prettyamazing.”

The piece features the heroes in the dis-tance nearer the Emerald City as theWicked Witch of the West lies on the road,decked out in Lady Gaga-esque ruby slip-pers in a bold red that matches the work’sframe.

The witch is the subject of Samantha

Follow ‘Yellow Brick Road’to enchanting art show

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE FOX THEATER BOX OFFICE, RUSSO’S BOOKS AT THE MARKETPLACE,

EMPORIUM WESTERN STORE 661-322-5200 • 888-825-5484 - VALLITIX.COM

Van Halen July 24th On Sale

Tomorrow

July 26th On Sale

Tomorrow

July 24th On Sale Saturday

Amy Grant

July 31st On Sale Tomorrow

With Brandon Heath

Masterworks Birthday

Celebration June 1, 2013 5:30 pm Liberty Hall at Hodelʼs

Tickets $50. Call 391-8465 Deadline for reservations: May 21 No tickets will be sold at the door.

Come join us as we celebrate our 80th Birthday with festive music under the direction of Robert Provencio. Special guest appearances by former directors Phillip E. Witmer, Jerome Kleinsasser and Phillip Dodson.

Benefactors: Phillip & Jean Dodson, Jim & Anne Marino, Marvin & Nadene Steinert & San Joaquin Community Hospital

WHITNEY: CONTINUED FROM 27

See Whitney Wattenbargerthis morning!Tune in to “First Look with Scott Cox”

at 9 a.m. this morning to listen to

Whitney Wattenbarger sing a song or

two from her debut album. Stick

around for a rundown of all the inter-

esting things happening around town

this weekend, provided by the Eye

Street crew. “First Look” streams live

at bakersfield.com or listen at KERN-

AM, 1180.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JESUS FIDEL

“I’m Just a Dandy Lion" by ChristopherO’Brien and Shelley Juhl-O’Brien is part ofThe Empty Space Gallery’s exhibit “Yel-low Brick Road,” which has a receptionSaturday.

Please see ROAD / 35

TodaySPCA Book Sale, 10 a.m. to

8 p.m. Mondays through

Saturdays; noon to 6 p.m.

Sundays, through May 25,

3501 Mall View Road, Suite

113-114. bakersfieldspca.org

or 323-8353.

Third Thursday, entertain-

ment, barbecue, games,

farmers market, 5:30 p.m.,

Central Park at Mill Creek,

21st and R streets. 325-5892.

Free Admission Day, 10

a.m. to 4 p.m., Buena Vista

Museum of Natural History,

2018 Chester Ave. 324-6350.

League of Women Voters,candidate forum for the 16th

State Senate District, 6:30

p.m., Temple Beth El, 2906

Loma Linda. Free. bakers-

field.ca.lwvnet.

org.

Bingo, warm-ups at 5 p.m.,

early birds at 6 p.m., games

at 6:30 p.m., Volunteer Cen-

ter of Kern County, 2801 F

St. Starts at $20 buy-in.

395-9787.

FridayFifth annual Bakersfield’sBiggest Baddest BBQ,(more on Page 23).

Goldenaires Choir SpringConcert, 7 p.m., Bethany

Lutheran Church, 900 Day

Ave. Free; refreshments fol-

lowing concert. Lutheran-

sonline.com/bethlutherbfl or

871-0927.

Juanes, 8 p.m., Rabobank

Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave.

$27.50 to $73, plus fee. tick-

etmaster.com or 800-745-

3000.

Kern Audubon SocietyField Trip, to Breckenridge

Mountain; meet at 7:30

p.m., at Chevron Station,

corner of Union Avenue and

Brundage Lane, off Highway

58. Bring binoculars, water,

snacks. Kernaudubonsoci-

ety.org or 805-0232.

No Limit Hold’em Tourna-ment, 6 to 9 p.m., Aviator

Casino, 1225 Airport Drive,

Delano. $50, includes buffet

and drink specials; $20 re-

buys and add-ons. Benefits

Delano Tigers Football Team.

Details, call Mario at 201-

4459.

SaturdayIndependent Film Festi-val, see “Emperor,” 10 a.m.,

Maya Cinemas, 1000 Cali-

fornia Ave. $6. 636-0484.

Bakersfield Speedway,gates open at 4 p.m.; races

at 6 p.m., Bakersfield Speed-

way, 5001 N. Chester Ave.

$10; $5 ages 6-12; under 5

free.

bakersfieldspeedway.com or

393-3373.

CALM’s 30th BirthdayBash, (more on Page 24)

Bakersfield Zombie Walk,park and meet between 6 to

6:30 p.m., near In-N-Out

Burger and Chipotle on

Stockdale Highway; walk at

6:45 p.m. Free.

Book Signing, with author

Shirley Castro of “Delly and

the Beach Town Healthy

Alphabet Challenge,” 3:30

to 5:30 p.m., Russo’s, 9000

Ming Ave.

Brains of Bakersfield, triv-

ia contest, cocktails 6 p.m.,

quiz 6:30 p.m., CSUB, Icardo

Center, 9001 Stockdale

Highway. $360 per team

(maximum 10 players), din-

ner included. 654-2428.

Electronic waste recy-cling event, 9 a.m. to 1

p.m., Chamber of Com-

merce, 1725 Eye St.

Whitney WattenbargerAlbum Release Party(more on Page 25).

Impossible Brains & Howto Deal with Them Work-shop, 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday

and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday,

Pacific Health Education

Center, 5300 California Ave,

Suite 200. $25. Registration

required, email info@paci-

fichealth.org or 633-5300.

Meet Your NeighborsHowdy Parade, for people

with disabilities, registration

9 a.m., parade begins 10:30

a.m., with a greeting given

by Mayor Harvey Hall, the

parade will march from JC

Penney to Center Court, Val-

ley Plaza Mall, 2701 Ming

Ave. Free. mynkern.org or

832-2436.

NASCAR Grand Opening,Nascar Pro Late Models,

Citgo Limited Late Models,

Legends, Bandoleros, Mini

Dwarfs, 6 p.m., Kern County

Raceway Park, 13500 Race-

way Boulevard. $10-$45.

Email sblakesley@kernrace-

way.com or 835-1264.

Spoken Word & FashionShow, share your poetry

with the community, African

dances, drums, 5:30 to 7:30

p.m., Chat ‘N Chew, 5141

Ming Ave. Free. 827-1010.

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

5 p.m. Saturdays; noon to 5

p.m. Sundays, 14604 Hen-

derson Ave. stjude-

dreamhome.org.

We Connect Health CareEnrollment & ResourceFair, receive health-care

application assistance, den-

tal screenings, health

screenings, bike repair,

healthy food giveaway, 11

a.m. to 5 p.m., Kern County

Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St.

Free. Weconnect.net.

SundayAn Evening with SteveMiller, 7:30 p.m., Fox The-

ater, 2001 H St. $48-$88.

vallitix.com or 322-5200.

Bakersfield Blaze vs. HighDesert, 1:30 p.m. Sunday,

7:30 p.m. Monday and Tues-

day, Sam Lynn Ballpark,

4009 Chester Ave. $7-$12.

bakersfieldblaze.com.

Second annual Rider'sRide Motorcycle Run, reg-

istration 8 a.m., kick stands

up 9:30 a.m., HEARTS Con-

nection, 3101 N. Sillect Ave.;

ends at Fruitvale Norris Park.

$25; $35 additional rider.

201-6649, 832-2620 or 472-

6051.

Circle of Life Remem-brance Service, memorial

service in honor of dialysis

patients and their families

who passed away from

renal failure, 11 a.m. to 1

p.m., The Park at River Walk,

11200 Stockdale Highway.

Free. Reservations, 325-

4741, ext. 173.

Greater World Gift, with

jewelry, baskets, gift items

from Third World countries;

3 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays;

and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sun-

days, First Congregational

Church, 5 Real Road. 327-

1609.

Ladies Auxiliary to theVeterans of ForeignWars, Post #10859; Every

Girl Needs a Little Bling jew-

elry party, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.,

Norris Road Veterans Hall,

400 W. Norris Road. Free.

Proceeds benefit local pro-

grams of the club. Email

marlia@unitedoilequip-

ment.com or 588-5865.

Rhapsody Ringers Hand-bell Choir, 4 p.m., First

Congregational Church, 5

Real Road. Free. 327-1609.

Spring Fling Bridal Show,noon to 3 p.m., Kern County

Museum, 3801 Chester Ave.

$10. KernCountyBridalAsso-

ciation.com.

Tehachapi Symphony,young artist competition

winner Anna McCoy playing

Saint-Saens, along with

Brahms’ Symphony No. 2,

and the Tehachapi Sym-

phonic Chorus in Verdi’s Va

Pensiero from Nabucco and

Gloria, all’Egitto from Aida,

and Wagner’s Pilgrim’s Cho-

rus from Tannhauser, 4 p.m.,

Country Oaks Baptist

Church, 20915 Schout Road,

Tehachapi. Free. 821-7511.

THEATER“Cruisin’ Chester” TheMusical, 7 p.m. Friday and

Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday,

Gaslight Melodrama Theatre

& Music Hall, 12748 Jomani

Drive. $12 to $23. 587-3377.

“The Nerd,” (more on Page

28).

Artists Reception, for

“Yellow Brick Road” (more

on Page 27).

Improv Comedy Show,with Center For Improv

Advancement, 8 p.m. Fri-

days, JC’s Place, 1901

Chester Ave. $5. 322-8209.

Major League Improv,improvisational comedy

show, appropriate for fami-

lies, 6 p.m. Saturdays, The

Empty Space, 706 Oak St.

$10. 327-PLAY.

ARTHandmade Father’s DayGift, design and make a

photo frame for dad, for

children ages 5 to 12, 1 to 3

p.m., Bakersfield Museum of

Art, 1930 R St. $25 material

included. Registration is

highly recommended at

www.grammyshouse.com.

“Diva’s Dish & Design,”each class will feature a

project with techniques and

tools you’ll be able to use on

your projects, 6:30 p.m.

today, Color Me Mine at The

Marketplace, 9000 Ming

Ave. $50. bakersfield.col-

ormemine.com or 664-7366.

Art Exhibit, by Carol Brad-

shaw, now on display

through May, Bakersfield Art

Association Art Center, 1817

Eye St. 869-2320.

Art Exhibit “Spring-ABreath of Fresh Air,” by

Linda Brown, now on display

through May, Dagny’s Cof-

fee Co., 1600 20th St. 634-

0806.

Art for Healing program,classes that alleviate stress,

resulting from illness, or

grief. All classes are free but

some suggest a donation

and are held at Mercy Hos-

pital, Truxtun Campus, Trux-

tun and A St. Visit mercy-

bakersfield.org/ art or to

register, 632-5357.

Go & Do


Eye Street

Please see GO & DO / 33

present

INS IDE THE

STUD IOS

NASCAR Grand Opening, Nascar Pro Late Models,

Citgo Limited Late Models, Legends, Bandoleros, Mini

Dwarfs, 6 p.m., Kern County Raceway Park, 13500 Race-

way Blvd. $10-$45. Email [email protected]

or 835-1264.

START YOUR ENGINES!

CASEY CHRISTIE / THE CALIFORNIAN

Racers line up to take their turn for practice laps atthe Kern County Raceway Park.


Eye Street

• Call 661-330-2222 for

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license from City of Bakersfield, CA Sec of State approved active lending corporation,

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Call Equity 1-LOANS • Call 661-330-2222 • Hablo Español

Art: ABLE Art Education WorkshopSeries, six classes for people with disabili-

ties, with art mentor and artist Nicole Saint-

John, 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays,

now until May 30, Independent Living Cen-

ter, 5151 Office Park Drive, Suite 200. 325-

1063.

Exhibits on Display, “Architectural Mod-

els, Drawings & Images by Randall Stout,”

“Vacancy: Paintings by Matt Condron,” “the

Whey (way) n: to center: Drawings by Amie

T. Rangel,” and “Harry Wilson: The Museum

Set,” now through June 9, Bakersfield Muse-

um of Art, 1930 R St. bmoa.org.

Experimental Watercolor and MixedMedia Art Class, with Phyllis Oliver, 9 a.m.

to noon Thursday, Bakersfield Art Associa-

tion Art Center, 1817 Eye St. $25 each class.

348-4717 or [email protected].

The Art Shop Club, a quiet place to paint,

9 a.m. to noon each Thursday, Friday and

Saturday, The Art Shop, 1221 20th St. All

mediums. New members and guests wel-

come. 322-0544 or 832-8845.

MUSICBluesKern River Blues Society Jam, 2 to 8 p.m.

Saturday, Trout’s, 805 N. Chester Ave. 872-

7517.

Classic rock Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090

Brundage Lane, 325-2139; Mystic Red, 9

p.m. Friday.

Classic soulCafe Med, 4809 Stockdale Highway, 834-

4433; Mr. Trimble and Unique Soul, 6 to 9

p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Lone Oak Lounge, 10612 Rosedale High-

way, 589-0412; Diver Duo, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Friday.

Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner, 323-0053;

Elevation 406, 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday.

The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall Road, Suite

100, 831-1413; Odie Crabtree, 6 to 9 p.m.

Thursday; Blonde Faith, 9 p.m. Saturday, $5.

ComedyElevation Lounge, 818 Real Road, 325-

6864; Improv Tuesday - Live comedy with

DJ after party, 9 p.m. Tuesdays.

CountryBuck Owens Crystal Palace, 2800 Buck

Owens Blvd., 328-7560; Buddy Alan Owens

and the Buckaroos, 7:30 p.m. Friday; Buddy

Alan Owens and the Buckaroos, Jon Pardi,

7:30 p.m. Saturday. $5.

Ethel’s Old Corral Cafe, 4310 Alfred Har-

rell Highway, 873-7613; Still Kick’n, 7 p.m.

Friday; Nightlife, 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Greenacres Community Center, 2014

Calloway Drive, 392-2010; The Pals Band,

10:30 to 11:30 a.m. every Wednesday

(except the third Wednesday).

Rasmussen Senior Center, 115 E. Roberts

Lane, 392-2030; The Pals Band, 10:30 a.m.

to noon every Thursday (except the third

Thursday).

GO & DO: CONTINUED FROM 32


sbruce

Pencil


Eye Street

Sandrini’s, 1918 Eye St., 322-8900;

Vince Galindo, 9 p.m. Wednesdays.

Trout’s & The Blackboard Stages,

805 N. Chester Ave., 399-6700; Red

Simpson, 7 p.m. Monday; Steve

Woods, 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays. Free.

DancingPairs and Spares Dance, with Tony

Ernst band, 7 p.m. Friday, Rasmussen

Senior Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane. $7;

$9 nonmembers. 399-3575.

Beginner Belly Dance Lessons, 5:45

to 6:45 p.m. Mondays, Centre Stage

Studio, 1710 Chester Ave. 323-5215.

$45 regular session; $65 combo ses-

sion. bakersfieldbellydance.biz.

DoubleTree Hotel, Club Odyssey,3100 Camino Del Rio Court, 323-7111;

learn Salsa, Cumbia or West Coast

Swing, 4 to 7 p.m. every Sunday. $5

per person, per lesson.

DoubleTree Hotel, Club Odyssey,3100 Camino Del Rio Court, 633-1949;

Salsa Solution, 7 p.m. Sunday. $10.

Folklorico Classes, advance

dancers/performing group 6 to 8 p.m.

Fridays; and beginners, all ages, 10:30

a.m. to noon Saturdays, Fruitvale-Nor-

ris Park, 6221 Norris Road. $22 per

month for beginners; $25 per month

for advance dancers. 833-8790.

Greenacres Community Center,2014 Calloway Drive, offers ballroom

dance, East Coast swing (jitterbug)

and Argentine Tango dance classes;

$35, $45 for non-members. 322-5765

or 201-2105.

Joaquin Squares, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Thursday, Rasmussen Center, 115 E.

Roberts Lane. $5. 324-1390, 325-3086

or 399-3658.

Studio 9 Dance, 4000 Easton Drive,

Suite 9, 333-3178; basic West Coast

swing, 7 p.m. Wednesday, dancing.

Trouts & The Blackboard Stages,805 N. Chester Ave., 399-6700; two-

step, west coast swing, line dance les-

sons, 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays; west coast

swing, 6 p.m. Fridays. $5.

DJBellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090

Brundage Lane, 325-2139; DJ Brian, 7

to 11 p.m. Tuesday.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 3100

Camino Del Rio Court. 323-7111; live in

the mix: old school, ’80s and ’90s

music, 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. every Satur-

day.

Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 White Lane,

834-1611; with DJ Chill in the Mixx, 5

p.m. every Friday until 2 a.m. Saturday.

On the Rocks, 1517 18th St., 327-

7625; DJ Chuck One, 9 p.m. Friday to 1

a.m. Saturday. Free.

Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany

Ave., Suite B5, 589-6749; DJ James, 9

p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays.

Free.

The Bull Shed Bar & Grill, at Hotel

Rosedale, 2400 Camino Del Rio

Court, 327-0681; with Meg, 7:30 p.m.

Fridays and Saturdays.

JazzCafe Med, 4809 Stockdale Highway.,

834-4433; Richie Perez, 7:30 to 11 p.m.

Thursdays.

Imbibe Wine & Spirits Merchant,

4140 Truxtun Ave., 633-WINE; live

music and wine bar featuring local

artist and Jazz Connection, along with

24 wines, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and

Thursday; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and

Saturday.

King Tut, 10606 Hageman Road; live

Instrumental and vocal jazz, 6:30 to

7:30 p.m. each Friday and Saturday.

Free.

Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 White

Lane, 834-1611; Bakersfield Jazz

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

Wednesday.

Que Pasa Mexican Cafe, 2701 Ming

Ave., 832-5011; Jazz Invasion, 9 to 10

p.m. every Saturday.

The Nile, Jazz Music, 6 p.m. every

Sunday. Cost $10 at 1721 19th St. 364-

2620.

KaraokeBanacek’s Lounge, 4601 State Road,

387-9224; 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays.

Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090

Brundage Lane, 325-2139; 9 p.m. to 1

a.m. Thursdays and Sundays.

Best Western, 2620 Buck Owens

Blvd., 327-9651; The Junction with host

Mac Clanahan, 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays

through Fridays.

Big Daddy Pizza, 6417 Ming Ave.,

396-7499; 7 to 10 p.m. every Tuesday;

8 to 11 p.m. every Friday.

Cataldo’s Pizzeria, 4200 New Stine

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

Thursday.

Cataldo’s Pizzeria, 6111 Niles St., 363-

7200; 6:15 to 10:15 p.m. Tuesdays.

Chateau Lounge, 2100 S. Chester

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

City Slickers, 1001 W. Tehachapi

Blvd., 822-4939; 7 p.m. Tuesdays and

Thursdays.

Don Perico Restaurant, 2660 Oswell

St., Suite 133, 871-2001; 7 to 11 p.m.

Thursdays.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 3100

Camino Del Rio Court; 323-7111, 8 p.m.

to midnight Tuesdays.

El Torito Restaurant, 4646 California

Ave., 395-3035, Karaoke with Irish

Monkey Entertainment, 8 p.m. Satur-

days.

Elevation Lounge, 818 Real Road,

325-6864; 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Ethel’s Old Corral, 4310 Alfred Har-

rell Highway, 873-7613; 6 to 9 p.m.

every Wednesday.

Iron Horse Saloon, 1821 S. Chester

Ave., 831-1315; 7 to 11 p.m. Wednes-

days and Thursdays.

Julie’s The Branding Iron Saloon,1807 N. Chester Ave., 6 to 10 p.m.

every Friday.

Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 White Lane,

834-1611; A to Z Karaoke, 8 p.m. to

midnight Tuesdays.

Lone Oak Inn, 8 p.m. every Tuesday

and Thursday at 10612 Rosedale High-

way. 589-0412.

Lone Oak Lounge, 10612 Rosedale

Highway, 589-0412; 9:30 p.m. Friday

to 1 a.m. Saturday.

Long Branch Saloon, 907 N. Chester

Ave., 399-8484; 8 p.m. every Wednes-

day.

Magoo’s Pizza, 1129 Olive Drive, 399-

7800; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Maria Bonita Mexican Restaurant,

10701 Highway 178, 366-3261, 7 to 11

p.m. Fridays. All ages.

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

to 1 a.m. Tuesdays.

Pour House, 9 p.m. Fridays and Satur-

days at 4041 Fruitvale Ave. 589-9300.

Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner, 323-

0053; 8 p.m. to midnight Saturdays.

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.

Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany

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

days through Wednesdays.

Rocky’s Pizza & Arcade, 2858 Niles

St., 873-1900; Joey Zaza’s Karaoke and

Stuff, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

Round Table Pizza, 2060 White Lane,

836-2700; 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Round Table Pizza, 4200 Gosford

Road, 397-1111; 6 to 9 p.m. Wednes-

days.

Rusty’s Pizza, 5430 Olive Drive, 392-

1482; 6:30 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday.

Sky Bar and Lounge, 4208 Rosedale

Highway, 633-1116, Karaoke with Ben

Lara, 7 to 11 p.m. Tuesdays.

Sports & Spirits, 6633 Ming Ave.,

398-7077; 9 p.m. Thursdays and Satur-

days.

Syndicate Lounge, 1818 Eye St., 327-

0070; with Alisa Spencer, 9 p.m. every

Wednesday.

Tejon Club, 6 to 10 p.m. every Satur-

day at 117 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

Owens Blvd., 327-9651; 8:30 p.m.

Tuesdays through Saturdays.

The Old River Monte Carlo, 9750

Taft Highway, 837-0250; 8:30 p.m.

every Thursday.

The Playhouse Lounge, 2915 Taft

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

days.

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. Fridays.

The Wright Place, 2695-G Mount

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

Thursday.

Tomi’s Cowgirl Cafe, 7 to 10 p.m. Fri-

day, 1440 Weedpatch Highway. 363-

5102.

Trouts & The Blackboard Stages,805 N. Chester Ave., 399-6700; open

jam session, 4 p.m. Sundays.

Trouts & The Blackboard Stages,

805 N. Chester Ave., 399-6700; 7

p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, 8:30

p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays,

Saturdays and Sundays.

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Welcomes



Steve Miller in concertAn Evening with Steve Miller,7:30 p.m. Sunday, Fox Theater,

2001 H St. $48-$88. vallitix.com or

322-5200.

Garrett’s “Witch of the West,” a watercolordepicting the villain as more womanlythan caricature with a skeletal simian com-panion. Fidel said it is his favorite piece inthe show.

For Sweet, the standout piece is “I’m Justa Dandy Lion,” a collaborative work fromhusband and wife Christopher O’Brien andShelley Juhl-O’Brien.

“I love that they are a couple able to cre-ate such a spot-on rendition together,”Sweet said via email.

Having curated the couple’s show inSeptember, Fidel is well-acquainted withtheir process.

“She does the watercolor, the underlay.He uses dipped ink and different ink pensto do the finishing touches. I knew theywere going to do this kind of piece, but thedetail of all the curls and wrinkles, they willalways surprise.”

Other artists in the show are AlexandraOrtiz, Susan Roussel, Alison Beitzel, CorkyBlaine and Brynia Czubko.

At the reception, which will feature arainbow fruit spread and “upside-down

cupcakes with feet sticking out,” there willbe an audience vote for best in show,announced at the end of the afternoon.

Guests can also encourage the artist intheir children by picking up a packet forthe theater’s coloring contest.

Children up to age 18 are challenged tocolor a version of The Empty Space logo(drawn by Fidel). Winners will be selectedin five age brackets as well as a “too old tocolor” category for adults who want toenter.

Entries are $20 each, part of the theater’sfundraising efforts, which will culminate atthe next month’s art exhibit. “Too ManyLogos!” will feature board members’ ver-sions of the logo, with each piece beingauctioned off for ay least $100.


Eye Street

MariachiCamino Real Restaurant, 6 to 9 p.m.

every Sunday at 3500 Truxtun Ave. 852-

0493.

Music showcaseThe Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall Road, 831-

1413; featuring local artists, 7 to 10 p.m.

every Wednesday.

Old school

Que Pasa Mexican Cafe, 2701 Ming

Ave., 832-5011; Al Garcia & the Rhythm

Kings, 8 to 11 p.m. Thursday.

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, comedians,

9 p.m. every Wednesday. Free.

ReggaeBellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090

Brundage Lane, 325-2139; Dub Seeds, 9 p.m.

Saturday.

R&BSeñor Pepe, 8450 Granite Falls Drive, 661-

588-0385, Rebecca Aguilar and Lost Vinyl, 7

to 10 p.m. Thursday.

The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall Road, 831-

1413; Left Coast Groovies, 7 to 10 p.m.

Wednesday.

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

Lane, 397-7304; Truxtun Mile, 9 p.m. Friday

to 1 a.m. Saturday, $7. 21 and over only;

Pragmatics, The Easy In, 8 p.m. Saturday,

$5.

KC Steakhouse, 2515 F St., 322-9910;

Jimmy Gaines, 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through

Thursday; Jimmy Gaines, Bobby O and Mike

Hall, 6:30 to 11:30 p.m., featuring Glenda

Robles, 8 to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany Ave.,

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

every Thursday.

Soft rockSteak and Grape, 4420 Coffee Road, 588-

9463; 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Sat-

urday. Free.

SongwritersThe Bistro, 5105 California Ave., 323-

3905; Brent Brown, 6 to 8 p.m. Fridays.

Trivia nightBellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090

Brundage 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; 8 to

10 p.m. Monday.

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

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

VarietyGolden State Mall, 3201 F St., 872-2037,

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

Trouts & The Blackboard Stages, 805 N.

Chester Ave., 399-6700; The Blackboard

Playboys, 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. $5

after 8 p.m.

UPCOMING EVENTSMonday 5/20Children’s Art Class: Birds, with artist

Charlotte White, for ages 4 to 5, includes

drawing, sculpture, collage, crafts, color the-

ory, blending, value scale, perspective, print-

ing and painting with acrylics, 2:30 to 3:30

p.m., Bakersfield Art Association Art Center,

1817 Eye St. $10 per class, includes snack

and art supplies. 869-2320 or 330-2676.

Program and Dinner, hosted by the Mili-

tary Officers Association of America; guest

author Nonie Darwish of “Now They Call Me

Infidel,” door prizes, raffle, 6 p.m., Hodel’s

Country Dining, 5917 Knudsen Drive. $25.

Reservations required, 834-7653 or 836-

8605.

SPCA Book Sale, daily, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Mondays through Saturdays; noon to 6 p.m.

Sundays, now until May 25, near the old

Michael’s store near East Hills Mall, 3501

Mall View Road, Suite 113-114. bakersfield-

spca.org or 323-8353.

‘Yellow Brick Road’When: 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday

Where: The Empty Space, 706 Oak St.

Admission: Free

Information: 327-PLAY

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Eye Street Entertainment / 5 - 16 - 13

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