bakersfield californian / eye street 7-14-11

16 The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, July 14, 2011

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

he posters have it right: “Itall Ends: 7/15.”

If you’re a Harry Potterfan, you already know what I’mtalking about. If, somehow,you’re unfamiliar with the phe-nomenon that has sold millionsof books all over the world andlaunched an eight-movie filmfranchise, you’ve still probablyseen the trailers on TV.

I know it’s unusual to begin astory with its end, but when I satdown and began to think backthrough the 10-plus years thatHarry Potter has played a role inmy life, it became impossible tothink of anything but Friday’seagerly anticipated, yet entirelydevastating, conclusion.

True, the final book in theseries, “Harry Potter and theDeathly Hallows,” was publishednearly four years ago. But in thetime since, we Harry Potter fanswere able to look forward to therelease of three films, one tiny yetenjoyable book (“The Tales of Bee-tle the Bard”), and one massivetheme park.

But with the release of “HarryPotter and the Deathly Hallows,Part 2,” I am faced with the heart-breaking realization that there willbe no more release parties toattend, no more midnight movieshowings to anxiously (and impa-tiently) wait in line for, and nomore books to sit up in bed read-ing, long past the hour I should

have beensleeping

and wellafterthe sunhasbeguntorise.At therisk of

sounding melodramatic, the finalfilm’s release will mark the endingof an era, which began back in myeighth grade English class and stillremains a part of my life, manyyears since I’ve graduated college.

For those of you who have notsuffered alongside “The Boy WhoLived” and his companions asthey’ve struggled to defeat theDark Lord Voldemort since thepublication of “Harry Potter andthe Sorcerer’s Stone” in 1997, it’sdifficult to describe what it feelslike knowing that we will all soonbe forced to leave Hogwarts andgo our separate ways. At the veryleast, even if you didn’t read thebooks, you were able to watch thefilms and see the famous trio, Har-ry Potter, Hermione Granger andRon Weasley, develop and mature.

But unlike many other well-renowned, much-beloved fantasyand science-fiction fandoms, Har-ry Potter fans were privilegedenough to experience the uniquephenomenon of actually beingable to grow up alongside theirfavorite characters. We were ableto be a part of something thatgrew and developed in conjunc-tion with our own moments ofyouthful uncertainty into full-

fledged adulthood, as we collec-tively cringed when Harryattempted to ask Cho Chang tothe Yule Ball, or wept at the loss ofa beloved mentor when we wit-nessed the death of Albus Dumb-ledore in “Harry Potter and theHalf Blood Prince.”

In fact, for many of the tradi-tional rites of passage in my life,there has been something HarryPotter-related to go along withthem.

When I was 16, my nervousnessand the absolute necessity ofpassing my driver’s test was com-pounded by the fact that if I didnot pass, I would not be able tomeet my friend to see the firstTuesday morning showing of“Harry Potter and the Chamber ofSecrets.” Fortunately, I passed andimmediately relished in my new-found vehicular freedom by driv-ing right past my high schoolcampus to the movie theater. I willforever associate the indescrib-

able teenage liberation of acquir-ing my driver’s license with HarryPotter, and that film.

Less than a year or so later, inspite of my unfortunate penchantfor truancy, my same Harry Pottercomrade and I graduated fromhigh school. Instead of joining ourclassmates at the multitude ofparties and commencement fes-tivities that were happening thatsticky evening in June, we spedthrough the wide open gates ofour school’s parking lot towardthat same theater, so we couldsecure our places in line to see“Harry Potter and the Prisoner ofAzkaban.” Now my friend is mar-ried to the man who so dutifullywaited in line seven years ago toensure we had decent seats fromwhich to watch the third big-screen interpretation of the bookseries we so deeply love.

And even though we have allchanged considerably since then,one thing steadfastly remains:

Come midnight tonight, you willfind us in line, unabashedly bear-ing the regalia of our respectiveHogwarts houses, waiting to seethe conclusion of what hasbecome so much more than asimple book or film series in ourlives.

In spite of J.K. Rowling’s vagueand monstrously overblownpromises of more Potter (I wasone of the many grumpy peoplewho set their alarm to 3:30 in themorning a few weeks ago to watchRowling’s YouTube announce-ment regarding pottermore.com),this film really does mark the endof Harry’s journey, as well as thejourneys that we’ve traveled withhim.

And, as reluctant as I am to seethe end of my fictional friends’adventures, part of me does hopethat for the next 19 years, andmany more years to come, Harry’sscar remains decidedly un-prickly,and that all continues to be well.

IndexRichard Chon and Saddle Cats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17Brides Across America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18Cash’d Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19Arts Alive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20Irish Heritage Club grand opening . . . . . . . . . . . .21The Lowdown with Matt Munoz . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22Heart of the Mountain fundraiser . . . . . . . . . . . .23Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28-29

The magic comes to an end

WARNER BROS.

Daniel Radcliffe, as Harry Potter, is confronted by Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort in the climactic bat-tle to the finish in “Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.”

Ashley Fischer CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

Screenings/events for“Harry Potter & theDeathly Hallows: Part 2”Reading Cinemas, 2000

Wible Road: Screenings at

12:01 a.m. Friday. $5.50 to

$8.50. 833-2230.

Edwards Cinema, 9000

Ming Ave.: Screenings at

12:01 and 3 a.m. Friday. $7 to

$10.50. 663-3042.

Maya Cinemas, 1000

California Ave.: Midnight

Friday screenings sold out.

636-0434. On Saturday, from

noon to 5 p.m., costume

contest, Harry Potter-themed

dance performed by students

of Lenore Smith Dance Arts

Centre/Kennedy Performing

Arts; Russo’s books will host

games and sell books and

Harry Potter merchandise in

Maya’s lobby.

But with the release of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2,” I am faced with the heartbreakingrealization that there will be no more release parties to attend, no more midnight movie showings to anxiously(and impatiently) wait in line for, and no more books to sit up in bed reading, long past the hour I should have

been sleeping and well after the sun has begun to rise.

As Harry Potter filmfranchise wraps up,fans face void

T

Thursday, July 14, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian 17

Eye Street

BY JENNIFER SELFCalifornian lifestyles editor

[email protected]

Western swing fiddlerand former Californianmusic writer Richard

Chon still remembers that night20 years ago when he was bornagain.

The place was Guthrie’s AlleyCat. The spirit was that of BobWills. And the light he saw likelyas not was the glow of a neonbeer sign.

It was on that night ofepiphany that this classicallytrained violinist from back eastdiscovered his one true religion:the church of country music.And it all started with a simplerequest for a tune on his violin.

“(Local country performer)Ronnie Wayne’s mother wasthere and she asked me if I knewhow to play ‘Faded Love,’” Chonremembered in a recent tele-phone conversation from hishome in Oakland. “I said I didn’tand she said, ‘Wow. You don’tknow how to play ‘Faded Love?You’re going to have to fix that.’”

Good advice, as it turns out,and not just because the songholds a sacred place in thecanon of country music. Chon, atransplant from Buffalo, N.Y.,had just started his career at TheCalifornian and knew next tonothing about country, thegenre of choice in Bakersfield. Iworked with him all those yearsago and remember meeting aneager but conspicuously nerv-ous music writer. This will beinteresting, I thought.

It turns out I was right, but notfor the reasons I suspected.

Country music found anunlikely convert in RichardChon, a cultured, erudite Kore-an-American in a town with atiny Asian population whoplayed classical music, was madabout jazz and had no family orfriends in the area. But there wassomething in the classic countrythemes of alienation and yearn-ing that spoke to the outsider,who began a journey of explo-ration during the early 1990s, afortuitous time for a novice inBakersfield, with legends likeBuck Owens, Bill Woods, JerryArnold and Jimmy Thomasonwilling to offer a seeker likeChon the benefit of their wis-dom.

“It’s so funny how this alloccurred,” said Chon. “I feel likeif it weren’t for Bakersfield, Iwouldn’t be doing what I’mdoing now.”

The musician’s been itching toget back to the local stage, andso he jumped at the opportunityto bring his band, the SaddleCats, to Buck Owens’ CrystalPalace on Thursday. The group’sfirst album, “Herdin’ Cats,” a joy-ous celebration of pure WesternSwing, was released to criticalacclaim in 2009, when the Catswere named Western SwingBand of the Year.

Chon, who handles most ofthe lead vocals, has surroundedhimself with top-notch musi-cians — Gordon Clegg onrhythm guitar and Bing Nathanon bass. But the fiddler is down-right reverential when he speaksof steel guitar hall-of-famerBobby Black, who has playedwith a roster of greats, includingCommander Cody and Asleep atthe Wheel.

“He plays straight steel, nopedals, the kind of steel you’dhear during a Bob Wills record-ing. ... Everywhere we play, thesteel guitar players come out ofthe woodwork to see Bobby.”

Bakersfield 101That respect for his elders isn’t

new for Chon, 51, who stilldraws upon the lessons helearned in Bakersfield.

Performer Jerry Arnold intro-duced him to the traditionaldances at the Fairfax Grange ineast Bakersfield (“it was likegoing back in a time machine”),and Chon received his earlyinstruction in Western Swingfrom Thomason, a fiddler ofnote and television host duringthe West Coast’s honky-tonkheyday.

“He played this green violinand he was very well knownamong a certain generation inBakersfield. He taught me howto play ‘Faded Love’ and ‘TheVagrant’s Prayer.’ He was teach-ing me these basic WesternSwing standard tunes, the waythey were always taught, notwritten down, but he’d teach methe melody and I’d play it backfor him.”

It was in the company ofhonky-tonk queen Rose Maddoxand former Texas Playboy JoeHolley that Chon donned hisfirst cowboy hat.

“It was in Lodi or something.We drove in this old Greyhoundbus and Joe had these bolo ties

with stars and I bought myself awestern shirt with snaps andthen he gave me his wife’s strawcowboy hat, and I rememberlooking at myself in the bath-room mirror there and thinking,‘Who is this guy?’”

‘I’ve played with Buck and Iknow what it’s supposed tosound like’

But even with those respectedtalents in his corner, the start ofhis professional music careerwas grueling for Chon, still slog-ging away at his day job as amusic writer.

The material for his first band,Go Dog Go, reflected the eclecticmusical tastes of its founder,though the group eventually set-tled into a contemporary coun-

try outfit.“Our first show was at

Guthrie’s, but we played atTrout’s a lot,” he said. “That wasreal country music. Peopleweren’t playing at it, it wasn’tcamp. A lot of so-called countrymusic in the Bay Area doesn’tseem authentic to me. There’s aband here that tries to play BuckOwens music. They get close,but not that close. I’ve playedwith Buck Owens and I knowwhat it’s supposed to soundlike.”

As a reporter, Chon also wroteabout Owens and still has atoken of appreciation from thesometimes-prickly icon.

“I remember he sent me a Rhi-no boxed set that said some-thing like:

‘To Richard Chon for havingthe guts to do your job.’”

But the reporter fell victim toan economic layoff at The Cali-fornian in the mid-’90s and,with the exception of some free-lance work, so ended his careerin journalism.

“I feel like being a musician ismuch more honest than being amusic critic. It’s hard to sit injudgement of other people’swork. The very act of presentingyourself in front of people as anentertainer, it takes a certaincourage to do it, I suppose.

“I got my life handed back tome. It was a gift.”

But it took Chon several yearsto leave Bakersfield. He beat apath up and down the 99 to play

with the Fresno Philharmonicand respected Western bandSons of the San Joaquin, andtoured with performer DanHicks.

“Then there was really noth-ing left to keep me in Bakers-field. Inertia is a very strongforce, and I knew if I broke it, itwould be hard, but I put all mystuff in a U-Haul and off I went.”

Chon settled in Oakland in2000 — “of all the Bay Areacities, it’s the cheapest” — andeventually decided to quit fool-ing around in side projects andmake the Saddle Cats the priori-ty.

“I think what interested me inWestern Swing, why it has madesuch strong connection withme, was that I was an improvis-ing violin player. When I was inBuffalo, I wanted to be animprovising jazz player, and I’dlook for people who could teachme about jazz, but jazz and theviolin have always been an awk-ward fit. I was looking for a fitlike a piece of a jigsaw puzzleand when I found WesternSwing, it clicked into place.”

Though Chon himself is a vet-eran of local stages, the Palaceshow marks the Bakersfielddebut of the Saddle Cats.

“It’s a first-class room and thepeople are there to listen tomusic and enjoy themselves. Forme to be bringing my band backthere is so significant. It’s one ofthose huge revolutions of thewheel.”

Ex-critic says he owescareer to Bakersfield

The Saddle CatsWhen: 7 p.m. July 21

Where: Buck Owens’ Crystal

Palace, 2800 Buck Owens

Blvd.

Admission: Free.

Reservations recommended.

“Our first showwas at

Guthrie’s, butwe played atTrout’s a lot.That was real

country music.People weren’tplaying at it, itwasn’t camp.”

— Richard Chon

SCOTT WALL PHOTOGRAPHY

The Saddle Cats, from left, Bing Nathan, Bobby Black, Richard Chon and Gordon Clegg.

This Cat knows country


Eye Street

BY PAVAN VANGIPURAMCalifornian staff writer

[email protected]

Danielle Filipp, a student atNorthern Arizona University inFlagstaff, has a long drive

ahead of her.Today, she’ll make the eight-hour

journey to Bakersfield to participate inBrides Across America, a program thatdistributes wedding dresses to womenwho are engaged to soldiers andMarines fighting overseas.

Filipp hopes to be one of 45 brideswho will receive a free dress from LittleWhite Dress, a local bridal store.

“It really is very difficult,” Filipp saidof her engagement to Steve Pollacksen,a Marine in Afghanistan. “We’ve beentogether for a long time, and we’vedone long distance before when I didmy undergrad, but it’s hard not havingsomeone to talk to all the time.”

Filipp and Pollacksen had a smallcivil ceremony in December, beforePollacksen’s latest deployment, butFilipp said she wanted to have a “realwedding” when he got back.

Jennifer Barker, owner of LittleWhite Dress, said she would donate 30gowns, and Brides Across Americawould provide 15. Veils will be avail-able for $20.

Curtis Affairs and Jake’s Tex Mex willdonate food, while NYFotography,JAndrew Photography and Left CoastDesign will donate a free engagementsession to one winning bride each.

Fairy Godmother, a wedding plan-ning service, will donate half off forone 12-hour wedding.

These prizes and others will be dis-tributed via raffle.

Dresses will be distributed on a firstcome, first served basis, and averageabove $250 in value. Military brideswho don’t receive a dress can still get amilitary discount on dresses they pur-chase of either 10 percent on dressesalready marked down, or 20 percenton dresses purchased at a later date.

Barker said she hadn’t heard aboutBrides Across America until recently,but when she did, she knew she want-ed to be a part of it.

“I thought, ‘What a great opportuni-ty to give something back to peoplewho deserve it,’” she said. “I reallywanted to help these people get theirdream wedding.”

Brides Across America was foundedby Heidi Janson in 2007. The organiza-tion has given away more than 5,000gowns to date.

Program, local bridal storeteam up to give away gowns

A gift for military bridesBrides Across America When: 10 a.m. Friday

Where: Little White Dress at

1800 21st St.

To participate: To qualify, brides

must be engaged, or have had a

civil ceremony, and be planning a

wedding in the next 18 months.

Either the bride or her fiance

must have been deployed to Iraq,

Afghanistan or Qatar within the

past five years or be on active

duty and will be deploying to Iraq

or Afghanistan. Stores that wish

to participate can register at

bridesacrossamerica.com

FELIX ADAMO / THE CALIFORNIAN

Kim Clayton is a lovely reflection of herself as she models one of the wedding dresses that local wedding outfitterLittle White Dress will be giving away to brides-to-be of deployed soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the na-tional organization Brides Across America. The dresses behind Clayton are some of the ones to be given away.

Defy Gravity withDefy Gravity with Defy Gravity w ith Pilates!Pilates! Pilates!

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

Pilates Reformer

Mat Classes Are Now Available! Reformer Personal Training

Instruction By Appointment Only.

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

Named Bakersfield’s Favorite Pizza

in The Californian’s 2011 Readers

Survey

Kim Clayton models one of the wed-ding dresses that Little White Dresswill be giving away.

Do you

Facebook? Join our growing

online community. • Community Conversations

• Valuable News & Information

• Contests

• And More.

Facebook.com/BakersfieldCalifornian


Eye Street

BY MATT MUNOZBakotopia.com editor

[email protected]

ello, I’m Johnny Cash.” With that line, a swell

of applause would greetthe icon of all American icons as he’dtear into “Folsom Prison Blues” orany one of the other classics foreverlinked to his name.

And though Doug Benson, leadvocalist of tribute band Cash’d Out, isno Johnny Cash — c’mon, there’s justthe one and only — if you squint a lit-tle and really listen, you’d swear it wasthe baritone of the Man in Black him-self leading that freight-train chug-a-chug-a rhythm made famous by theTennessee Three.

The popular show band, whichreturns to Fishlips Saturday, has beencalled the closest thing to the realdeal since debuting in San Diego in2004, a year after the singer’s death.

“I’m not trying to imitate him. I’mtrying to educate people,” said Ben-son via cellphone.

A longtime fan of Cash’s music andlife story, Benson said growing upamong the local surfer crowd wasn’tthe most country-friendly environ-ment. But after becoming acquaintedwith the icon’s repertoire one sum-mer, his musical palate soonchanged.

“I can remember enjoying hismusic as a kid and that I liked hisvoice. My friend brought over a tapeto a little getaway spot we had back in

’98. We listened to that tape for fourdays straight, and I just really fell inlove with it. Since then, it’s been noth-ing but Johnny Cash, Willie Nelsonand Waylon Jennings for me.”

In the years that followed, Bensonsays he considered himself justanother casual fan, hitting karaokenights and singing along to some ofhis favorite Cash classics. Afterawhile, he noticed people began giv-ing him a second look.

“People used to tell me I soundedlike Johnny and looked like him whenI sang, but I didn’t think much aboutit.”

Benson bought his first guitar in2001 and began teaching himselfbasic chords. He decided to take hislove for the icon’s music and theiruncanny resemblance to the nextlevel and put out the word that hewas interested in starting a Cash trib-ute band for weekend kicks.

“My initial goal was to start a bandthat my friends could come hang outand watch once every couplemonths, drink some beer and havesome fun. The look just happened. It’s

just a matter of slicking my hair backand puttin’ on some black — myfavorite color. After the first six shows,we started selling out all these venueswhere they would jam people in pastcapacity. ”

Seven years later and with a boostfrom 2005 biopic “Walk the Line,”which helped reignite the late singer’spopularity with crossover audiences,Benson now performs full time tosold-out crowds wherever he goes.Bringing to life all of Cash’s hit songs,including, “A Boy Named Sue,” “Ringof Fire” and “Folsom Prison Blues,”among many others, the group’shomage goes deep.

“I probably know about 200 songs,but 150 of those we do all the time,”said Benson. “We also pull out a lot ofsongs that aren’t as well known butthat longtime fans should recognize.”

Joining Benson onstage will beSean Glitherow, bass; Kevin Manuel,guitar; and George Bernardo, drums,along with an appearance by one ofthe four rotating singers portrayingJune Carter Cash.

Benson, who said he’s been giventhe thumbs-up by surviving mem-bers of the Cash family for his onstageportrayal of their father, is always try-ing to build on the act with requestsfor renditions of some the singer’s’90s comeback-era material.

“We haven’t got there yet. I mean,where do you even start when you’retrying to do a full Johnny Cash trib-ute?”

Tribute group walks the line for Cash

Cash’d OutWhen: 9 p.m. Saturday

Where: Fishlips, 1517 18th St.

Admission: $10 advance; $13 day

of show

Information: 324-2557 or

vallitix.com

“H

PHOTO COURTESY OF CASH’D OUT

Cash’d Out will perform on Saturday night at Fishlips Bar & Grill.

VALLEY PLAZA MALL, WIBLE ROAD AT HI-WAY 99

FORMERLY PACIFIC THEATRES

Showtimes Valid Only 7/14/11Bargain Shows in ( ) � Pass/Discount Restrictions Apply

“LIKE” READING CINEMAS VALLEY PLAZA 16ON FACEBOOK FOR SPECIAL PROMOTIONS!

ADVANCE TICKETS AT READINGCINEMASUS.COM 1-800-FANDANGO #2703

SENIORS (55+)

AND KIDSONLY

$550MATINEESBEFORE

6PM ONLY

$550GENERAL

ADMISSIONONLY

$8503D$11.00

3D$8.00

3D$8.00

EVERY THURSDAY

FREEPOPCORNANYONE 55 OR OLDER

$5 VALUESIZE

READINGC I N E M A S

BAKERSFIELD’SBEST MOVIE VALUE

TRANSFORMERS 3 (PG-13)3D: (12:50PM, 4:05), 7:402D: (10:25AM, 11:30AM, 12:10, 1:40, 2:45,3:25, 5:00), 6:20, 7:00, 8:20, 9:35, 10:10LARRY CROWNE (PG-13)(11:00AM, 1:15, 3:30, 5:45), 8:00, 10:15MONTE CARLO (PG)(11:40AM, 2:10, 4:40), 7:20

CARS 2 (G)3D: (12:00PM, 2:30, 5:00)2D: (10:30AM, 1:00, 4:15), 7:05, 9:40

BAD TEACHER (R)(12:30PM, 2:45, 4:55), 7:15

MR. POPPER’S PENGUINS (PG)(12:20PM, 3:00, 5:15)

(11:10AM, 12:15, 1:30, 2:30, 3:50, 4:50),6:10, 7:10, 8:30, 9:30, 10:50

�

�

�

HARRY POTTER: DEATHLY HALLOWS PT. 2 ADVANCED SHOW TONIGHT AT 12:01AM!POTTERTHON FINAL DAY!

ZOOKEEPER

BUCK(10:15AM, 11:45AM, 12:45, 2:15,3:15, 4:45, 5:45), 7:15, 8:25, 9:45

(10:40AM, 1:00, 3:05, 5:10), 7:30, 9:40(10:35AM, 12:55, 3:10, 5:25), 7:45, 10:10

(PG)

��

�

�HORRIBLE BOSSES(PG-13) (PG)

(R)

Friday and Saturday Evening, Sunday Matinee!Purchase tickets online, by phone, or at the Theatre Box Office

STARS THEATRE RESTAURANT 1931 CHESTER AVENUE325-6100 bmtstars.com

CLOSING

WEEKEND!!!CLOSING

WEEKEND!!!

T I L E BUY DIRECT & SAVE


Eye Street

Until I asked fellow colum-nist Valerie Schultz abouther appearance this

evening at Russo’s Prose and Poet-ry event, I didn’t know she hadpublished a book.

Titled “Closer,” it’s a collectionof essays on marriage and intima-cy from a Catholic perspectivepublished in 2008 by Ave MariaPress.

“I have written about marriagein plenty of Cali-fornian columns,but the book is aseparate project,”she said. “It wassupposed to beone of a series byCatholic writers,but due to achange in pub-

lishing leadership, they ended uponly publishing mine.”

Schultz’s work has appeared inthe Los Angeles Times and theChicago Tribune, as well as innumerous Catholic and parent-ing publications.

I enjoy reading Valerie’s piecesin this newspaper and becausethey are insightful, well-writtenand often deal with social issuesof national interest, I’ve oftenwondered if she had aspirationsof becoming a syndicatedcolumnist.

“Aspirations and many, manyattempts, followed by politerejection letters,” she responded.“I’m afraid I began trying to getsyndicated around the time thatnot a lot of new columnists werebeing syndicated. Blogs and theInternet and the decline in read-ership of traditional newspapersin general are tough obstacles forunknown writers to overcome.”

Nonetheless, the columnist islooking into other forms of pub-lication. One goal is to publish abook of essays that haveappeared in The Californian.Another is to do a collection ofshort fiction, most of which she’sread on Valley Writers Read, the

weekly pro-gram onKVPR-FM89.1, theNationalPublicRadio sta-tionbased in

Fresno.

For her talk at Russo’s she’llread two of her poems as well astwo essays that have appeared inThe Californian.

Kevin Shah, coordinator of theevent, said it is a spin-off of theweekly readings in observance ofNational Poetry Month that wereheld in April at Russo’s as well asopen-microphone nights held atother venues.

It’s also slightly different fromthe initial Prose and Poetryevent, which was limited to localwriters invited by the organizers,Nancy Edwards, Portia Choi andLisaAnn LoBasso.

“This is a new format,” Shahsaid. “It still offers an open mic toall who wish to read, with theaddition of (featuring) a hand-selected published poet orwriter. The goal is to showcasethe talents of this poet for thefirst 15 minutes and then open itup to all.”

Shah said the programs arescheduled to take place on thesecond Thursday of the month.Nick Belardes was featured in thefirst one in June; poet DonThompson is slated for Aug. 11.

NOR does ‘Sleeping Beauty’Happy endings have a univer-

sal appeal, which may be the rea-son fairy tales are still being told

centuries after they were firstwritten. Nowadays, whether it’sDisney or an amateur produc-tion, dramatizing them on stageis a popular way of retelling suchtales.

And with that in mind NORJunior Theatre will give threeperformances of “Sleeping Beau-ty” this weekend.

True, the script includes a fewchanges from the original writ-ten by French author CharlesPerrault in the 17th century suchas the names of some of thecharacters. Yet the story line isessentially the same. An evil fairycasts a spell on a beautifulprincess, causing her to fallasleep for 100 years until awak-ened by a visit from the perfectprince.

In the NOR production, Han-nah Schill plays Princess Aurora;Michael O’Hearn is Prince Ferdi-nand; and Jessica Theriault is theevil fairy Morgana. The goodfairies are portrayed by BeccaJensen, Lauren Hill, Jordi Medinaand Alyssa Ramos.

Directors are Julie Gaines andVickie Stricklind. Caitlin Murphydesigned the period costumes.

Theater workshops for kids Two different workshops

aimed at producing two differentshows begin on Monday at TheEmpty Space. It’s designed forages 5 to 18. Aspiring thespianscan sign up for either the morn-ing session at a cost of $325, or

the one held afternoon, which is$365. Each workshop is gearedtoward producing four perform-ances of a show after five weeksof instruction and rehearsal. Thefirst is “Saved in the Nick (Tickle)of Time”; the second is Disney’s“Camp Rock, the Musical.”

Tonicism Productions is thesponsor. Instructors are Guine-vere PH Dethlefson, Amy Hall,Cory Rickard and David Rock.

‘Cabaret’ reunion Sometimes it takes a couple of

out-of-towners to stage a localreunion. In this case it was Rogerand Bonnie Benischek of NewOrleans who organized a get-together of the cast and crew of“Cabaret,” a show that played atBakersfield Community Theatrein 1977 and was so successful itwas held over for three extra per-formances.

Even though I wasn’t part ofthe show, the Benischeks includ-ed me because, as a Californianstaffer at the time, I wrote areview of the musical.

Shirley Neff Brewer, whoplayed one of the Kit-Kat chorusgirls in the production, hostedthe party for about 25 guests atthe home she shares with herhusband, Mark Brewer.

Roger directed “Cabaret” anddesigned the complex set; Bon-nie designed the costumes. Inci-dentally, another reason for theirvisit here was to celebrate thebirthday of Bonnie’s mother, Mil-

dred Lockhart.In the early 1980s, the Benis-

cheks moved to New Jersey,where Roger taught at FairleighDickinson University and, in his“spare time” designed about 30off-Broadway shows. He now isaffiliated with the University ofNew Orleans as director of theNims Center Studios for theEntertainment Arts whichrecently got $4.5 million in feder-al and local grant money to builda 10,000 square-foot sound stageand office building.

The reunion was an informalevent, with lots of talk about“Cabaret” as well as the local the-ater community, past and pres-ent. In the background could beheard selected songs from theoriginal show by way of a CDprovided by Benischek.

Phil Babcock was among thoseattending the reunion. He was a17-year-old Highland HighSchool senior when he was castas the Emcee in “Cabaret.” Henow is a professor of economicsat UC Santa Barbara. Othersincluded Bill Ryan, a standout inhis supporting role in the showopposite the late Hazel Foxx;Rick Davis, the musical director;choreographer Lenore Smith;Lou Taylor, one of the dancers;Mack Phillips, who played a mili-tant Nazi; and other behind-the-scenes participants and support-ers such as Christine Blair, JuneGaede, Kurt Scherer and CyndiHicks.

Columnist gets the spotlight

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

via e-mail at [email protected]

Camille Gavin CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

Prose and Poetry: ValerieSchultzWhen: 7 to 8:30 p.m. today

Where: Russo’s Books at The

Marketplace, 9000 Ming Ave.

Admission: Free

Information: 665-4686

‘Sleeping Beauty’When: 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7

p.m. Saturday

Where: North High School,

300 Galaxy Ave.

Admission: $7


Tonicism SummerTheatre WorkshopsWhen: 8 to 11:30 a.m. or 1 to

4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday,

July 18 to Aug. 19

Where: The Empty Space,

706 Oak St.

Cost: Morning session, $325;

afternoon session, $365


GO & DOTheater workshopsfor kids starting up

PHOTO COURTESY OF MELISSA BRAZEAL

Cast members of NOR’s production of “Sleeping Beauty,” from left: Jessica Theriault, Curtis Jensen,Michael O’Hearn, Kyle Gaines, Hannah Schill, James O’Hearn and Kerstin Green.

Schultz


Eye Street

BY STEFANI DIASCalifornian assistant lifestyles editor

[email protected]

There’s an Irish saying thatthere are only two kinds ofpeople in the world — the

Irish and those who wish theywere. Well, everyone’s in lucktonight at the grand opening ofthe Irish Heritage Club’s club-house, open to one and all.

The club was conceived underthe guidance of Celtic-Americanduo Kenny Mount and RobbieByrne, who also play together inthe band O’Shebeen.

“Robbie and I had been mullingit over for the past couple ofyears,” Mount said. “(In April), wedecided, ‘Ah, let’s do it.’ That’swhen everything kind of cametogether.”

The club made its public debutat the April 2 Scottish Games,where Mount and Byrne had abooth.

“People said, ‘An Irish club? Yay,I’m Irish!’ A lot of people signedup.”

With interest established, thepair sought a location for a club-house, settling on a spot offChester Lane. Mount said clubmembers had a meeting at nearbyPizzaville, which later included atour of the 500-square-foot space,an empty room then.

That location has been trans-

formed into an Irish country-stylepub, complete with bar and dartboard.

“It’s not the hugest castle of aroom, but it’s like a pub. You’dhave to go to Ireland to see some-thing like this. That’s the only way.It’s a symphony of all things coun-try Irish. It will be perfect.”

Helping set the mood is a turfburner, which will burn turf fromSligo Town in Ireland, the club’ssister city, where 27 membersreside. (Other international mem-bers are spread out over Dublin,Carlow, Wexford, Waterford, Mac-room, Limerick and Belfast.)

“Out in the country, everyoneburns turf for heat. It has a sweetsmell; there’s no smell like it. You’lleven leave smelling like it.”

The sounds of O’Shebeen willfurther transport guests as willIrish television programsstreamed via Internet on the flat-screen TV and the presence ofIrish transplant Byrne behindthe bar.

What won’t be at the bar is atraditional pint, which is some-thing that won’t change even astime goes on, Mount said.

“You know the song ‘A Pub

With No Beer’? We haven’tnamed it (our bar), but we liter-ally have no beer. Members willhave to bring their own. We’renot going to promote excessivedrinking.”

What the clubhouse will even-tually offer is “pub grub” fromthe Emerald Isle, snacks likecrisps, nut assortments andsweets like Cadbury Buttons andTurkish delight.

For tonight’s event, Mount saidthey will be serving tea and softdrinks along with biscuits andother sweet treats.

The evening will start at 5:30with a ribbon-cutting by a repre-sentative from Mayor HarveyHall’s office. There will be a dedi-cation and blessing, all of whichMount said “will last a total of 15minutes.”

After that, the doors will beopen for people to check out thespace and learn more about theclub, which has 107 local mem-bers on the books. Mount saidhe plans to have a booth outfront with club information.

“We can jam 35 people in there(the clubhouse). We expect peo-ple will trickle in throughout thenight.”

With big Irish dreams of build-ing a freestanding clubhousesomewhere south of town off the99, Mount is planning monthlyfundraisers. First off is a full Irishfry-up with rashers, black andwhite puddings, Heinz baked

beans and Irish soda bread. Alsoplanned are tea nights with theclassic beverage and scones.

Along with the fundraisingfood events, Mount said the clubis planning a dart tournament,step dancing classes and rentingout the space, which is availableto club members for a small fee.Plans discussed so far haveincluded a wedding rehearsaldinner, birthday party, man cavenight and a special requestcooked up by Mount’s wife.

“A ladies night where the menmake tea and scones and thewomen would watch ‘P.S. I LoveYou’ on the big screen TV.”

With so many exciting thingsplanned, you may be wishingyou had a wee drop of Irishblood in you to join the club, butMount said that’s not necessary.

“The club’s open to anyonewho’s interested in anythingIrish, whether it be music orfood or dancing.”

With a welcoming spirit likethat, there may be no need of theluck of the Irish to ensure thisclub’s success.

Group opening doorto gathering place

Irish eyes smiling on clubhouseGrand opening and open houseWhen: 5:30 to 9 p.m. today

Where: Irish Heritage Club,

3117 Chester Lane

Information:bakersfieldIrish.yolasite.com


Irish music with Kenny Mount, left, and Robbie Byrne

More Grind for your Buck

3100 East Belle Terrace, Bakersfield

Call 397-2121

CA Lic. #793014 Licensed, Insured

Financing Available (O.A.C.)

Always a truck in your neighborhood!

Badger 5 by InSinkErator heavy duty

motor, space-saving design. Chicken bones and fruit rinds won’t

stand a chance!

Visit our website for an additional $30 Discount Coupon

$ 259.00 www.hpsplumbingservices.com

4915 Stockdale Highway • 661-834-3068 Monday - Friday: 10-6 • Saturday: 10-5

www.shopchristines.com

• Watch Batteries While You Wait! • Watchband Sizing or Adjustments • Leather and Metal Watchbands • Watch Overhaul • Crystal Replacement • We Service Most Fine Swiss Watch Brands

• Ring Resizing-Stone Setting & Replacement

• Gold & Silver Soldering – Rhodium Plating

• Add-A-Pearl & Pearl Re-Stringing

• Sterilized Ear Piercing

Jane’s Jewelers Where Bakersfield Gets Engaged 9530 Hageman Road • 587-6242

Hours: Tuesday thru Friday 10:00 - 6:00 Saturday 10:00 – 3:00 Closed Sunday & Monday

Celebrating 50 Years of Expert Jewelry & Watch Repair!

J EWELRY R EPAIR S ERVICES

FREE W ATCH S ERVICES

INSPECTION AND CLEANING

Like us on Facebook


Eye Street

There was a time when beinga working musician in Bak-ersfield meant full-time

employment and a fair wage. Livemusic was king, and venues werepacked every night with everyconceivable kind of band — rock,jazz, R&B, country. While the era Irefer to was awhile ago, the '70sand '80s, the idea of getting paidfor a night’s work is still very muchon the mind of artists today.

B Ryder's, Sandrini's, Trout's,Fishlips, Buck Owens' CrystalPalace, Vinny's, and Lone Oak arejust a few of the local venuesactively booking regular livemusic. And they’re to be applaud-ed for it. They welcome bands ofevery genre, garage to big-nametouring acts, giving these artiststhe conduit they need to sharetheir work with an audience.

But for every satisfied artist,you're going to find a few unhap-py musicians who feel mistreated.Some of that frustration hasexploded this week on a Facebookgroup called Active Musicians inBakersfield.

After hearing some grumblingabout the Padre Hotel’s bookingand compensation practices, Iposed a question on the group'sdiscussion page looking for feed-back. I never anticipated theresponses that would follow,along with the many spinoff ques-tions it would raise about othervenues.

"I hear at least 1horror story

per weekfrom dif-ferentmusicians

and bandsaroundtown

regard-

ing The Padre. I haven't playedthere either, so I'm just going offof what I hear…,” posted BrianBoozer, drummer for Bakersfieldband, Soulajar.

But drummer Zanne Zarowcame to the defense of the venueearly in the discussion.

“I play there for the Jazz andMartinis night on Tuesdays fairlyregularly. Thank God there is avenue that supports live jazz intown. I have always been paid, noproblem…,” she said.

In the course of the discussion,it came up that the Padre oftenrequires two free auditions —which consist of full shows infront of paying customers —before any steady gigs are booked.That opened up a firestorm ofdebate among musicians. Thehotel's entertainment director,Nunzio Urbina, speaking onbehalf of himself as an outsidecontractor, explained during aphone conversation that it reallycomes down to economics beforeart.

“It's nothing of the past. You tryto get booked at a Las Vegas casi-

no or venue that has multipledepartments, and that spendsthousands of dollars a day to func-tion, (and) auditioning is normal.There's a lot of money being spenton a day-to-day basis. You want tomake sure your investment isbeing used wisely.”

Urbina said not everyone issubject to an audition, particular-ly if the band is well- known with aproven draw. He added that bandsare given the option to acceptterms before they plug in. On thetopic of show promotion, Urbinasaid that while the venue doesoffer artists free promotion as partof the booking deal, he doesexpect the bands to get the wordout.

“As musicians, we need to havea business sense and understandwhat we're getting ourselves intoand what we like. We do promo-tion for them free of cost. ... Youhave the freedom to accept or notaccept.”

Padre part owner Brett Millersaid in an email: “We are lookinginto our live music program andits viability for the Padre. I have no

further comments to make.” Boozer, who has started an

online boycott of the Padre’s audi-tions, said the problem is biggerthan just one venue.

“It's much bigger than thePadre. The thing that over-whelmed me about this particulartopic was how many people hadbeen harboring feelings about it. Igot a lot of emails from peoplewho didn't want to speak publicly.Maybe we broke the ice for Bak-ersfield as a whole that musicianswant to get paid for what they do?With a united front among musi-cians, we may start getting paidwhat they're worth. The boycottwas about uniting musicians toput their foot down. There's noth-ing wrong with an audition, butasking bands to play full nights forfree is wrong. Bands should becompensated in some form.”

Fishlips, a live music venue andrestaurant downtown, was men-tioned in the discussion. Co-own-er Andrew Wilkins, who did read

most of the Facebook group com-ments but declined to respondonline, said there's always more tothe story.

“For me it's hard to believe thatany band would go into anyagreement blind,” he said. “Ialways make it abundantly clearwhat we can do. I don't have astandardized deal. I deal withsome national acts and local actswith different needs. I've neverhad a band walk off stage and say,'Hey, you owe us this much mon-ey.'”

Tom Rockwell of Trout’s is put-ting out an olive branch — andsome free appetizers — with anopen forum at 6 p.m. Monday atthe Oildale honky-tonk, 805 N.Chester Ave. Local musicians andvenue owners are invited to dis-cuss various issues, including fairbooking and compensation.

“I want to provide a forum andallow everyone to ask questions toget different people's perspec-tives. When you're trying to pro-vide entertainment for thecommunity, it's good to have anunderstanding of one another. Icertainly understand people wantto vent. Everyone has somethingspecial to offer. It's very hard tojudge from outside the box. We'llgive everybody a chance to beheard,” he said.

The bottom line is that you canmake it as a musician in Bakers-field. You can get paid. But youhave to be willing to put in thepromotional work. There’s noth-ing wrong with being protectiveof yourself, but understand thatas much as you want to makemoney, the venues have to makemoney too.

Will play for fair compensationThe Lowdown with Matt Munoz

Musicians, venues goat it over pay, booking

Bakotopia UnpluggedOpen Mic Night With host Matt Munoz

When: 8 to 11 p.m.

Wednesdays. Signups start at

7:30 p.m.

Where: Fishlips, 1517 18th St.

Information: 324-2557 or

visit the Facebook page for

updates.

Matt Munoz is editor of Bakotopia.com, a sister website of

The Californian that devotes itself to promoting Bakersfield’s art

scene. Matt’s column appears every Thursday in Eye Street.

CALIFORNIAN FILE

Tom Rockwell of Trout’s is inviting musicians and venue owners tothe Oildale honky-tonk Monday to sort out the contentious issues ofbooking and fair compensation.


The Padre Hotel often requirestwo free auditions — which con-sist of full shows in front of pay-ing customers — before anysteady gigs are booked, whichhas opened up a firestorm of de-bate among musicians.


Eye Street

BY ASHLEY FISCHERContributing writer

Come enjoy an evening of food,wine and fine art at the beauti-ful hillside Hacienda at Tejon

Ranch at the annual Heart of theMountain Fundraiser on Saturday.

Last year, its debut, the charitableevent raised a small mountain ofmuch-needed funding to help theBoys & Girls Club of Frazier Moun-tain continue to provide the manyprograms and services offered to kidsin the community, a success the clubhopes to duplicate this year.

“It was really a great shot in the armfor our Frazier Mountain branch,”said Rickie Foster, events director forthe Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern Coun-ty. “We raised $20,000, which is reallyincredible, especially since it was thefirst year we had this event.”

Beginning at 5 p.m., guests will beable to explore the beautiful TejonRanch Hacienda, an area of theranch not typically open to guests, inthe mercifully cooler mountain tem-peratures. They will also have theunique opportunity to savor winesfrom the exclusive Tejon RanchReserve, which are produced in suchsmall quantities that they are typical-ly not available for tasting.

“I would really say this fundraiser isreally a social event,” said Foster. “Weencourage folks to come out andbring their friends, and make it theirown party. The Hacienda is beautifulvenue, and people seldom have theopportunity to go and spend timethere. We’re also doing what we call a‘strolling dinner,’ so there will beheavy hors d’ouevres, passed aroundon silver platters. We really justencourage guests to mingle andmeet new people.”

But what’s truly at the “heart” of

this fundraiser is the art.Up for bid during a silent auction

will be pieces of artwork created bythe budding Rembrandts and Picas-sos of the Boys & Girls Club. Thepieces, composed in a variety of dif-ferent mediums, are crafted by chil-dren ranging in age from 5 to 17, and,according to Foster, would impresseven the toughest of critics.

“This is definitely not ‘refrigeratorart,’” she said.

“These are really beautiful piecesthat you would be proud to hang ondisplay in your home or your office.Some of the pieces you’ll think weredone by a much older child. It blowsmy mind when I see what these kidscan create.”

Starting at the beginning of thesummer, kids work with a certifiedart instructor five days a week, at firstcreating what Foster called “testpieces.”

If the children like their first draw-ing, they are then encouraged tothink of ways to improve it — such asprogressing from a pastel drawing toa watercolor or an oil or acrylic paint-ing. For many of the pieces, thisprocess continues through the sum-mer until September, when they are

sold during a live auction at the Boys& Girls Club’s signature event,Artfest.

The Heart of the MountainFundraiser will feature some of thekids’ early works where instructorssaw little room for improvement.

“True, they’re ‘testers,’” said Foster,“but we were looking at the piecesand we thought, ‘These came out sogreat, let’s use them for Heart of theMountain.”

In a time when art programs aredwindling in schools, Foster is happythat the Boys & Girls Club is able toprovide an opportunity for childrento show their true colors and expressthemselves through art, while poten-tially discovering a new talent. Andselling the pieces at events like Art-fest and Heart of the Mountainallows kids the chance to participatein their own fundraising and giveback to the club while receivingsome well-deserved recognition fortheir talents.

“Our kids work on these art piecesknowing that they’re going to bedonating it back to the club. This istheir way of supporting their ownprogram. Then kids have opportuni-ty to see community place a value onsomething that they’ve done, andthat instills confidence.

“It means so much to them. Even ifthey have a painting or piece of artthat goes for $50 or $75 at auction,that might as well be a million bucksto a 12-year-old. It blows their mindsaway, and they walk away feeling likea legitimate artist.”

Tejon fundraiser aidslocal Boys & Girls Club

A mountain of goodwillHeart of the MountainFundraiserWhen: 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday

Where: Tejon Ranch Hacienda,

491 Rockford Road in Lebec

Admission: $50


Terry &

Charlotte’s

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

Buy 1 Dinner & Get 1

FFRREEEE FREE Maximum value of $10.95 only. One

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

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

Dine In Only Expires 8-31-11

Terry &

Charlotte’s

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

Buy 1 Lunch & Get 1

FFRREEEE FREE Maximum value of $6.95 only. One

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

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

Dine In Only Expires 8-31-11

June Special

June Special

877.445.8698 cmwl.comCall Toll Free

LOSE WEIGHT AS IF YOURLIFE DEPENDED ON IT.

*Based on a stratified sample of 349 patients over a six-year period. Patients must have remained on theprogram for a minimum of 28 days and be monitored with at least two physician visits within first 31 daysto be included in the study. A variety of nutritional meal replacements were used. 99% of the patients thatfollowed the CMWL program, including a low calorie diet and individual counseling with CMWL physicians, fromone month up to a year, weighed less at their last weigh-in than their starting weight. **Based on a stratifiedrandom sample of 223 women and 99 men on a medically prescribed diet.

INITIAL CONSULTATION FROM $19Yadvinder Narang, MD - 3940 San Dimas, Bakersfield, CA

Start by losing 10 pounds in 2 weeks.**

Being overweight increases your risk of heart disease, stroke,diabetes and many types of cancer, it also can take years offyour life. Our programs offer strategies unavailable to commercialweight loss programs.

Non-surgical weight loss

One-on-one with a physician

Physician customized plan

99% keep the weight off after a year*

4809 Stockdale Hwy 661.834.5522484880909009 SSS Sttototo kkckckckdddadadalllelele HHH Hwywywy 6666666611.838344.55522

Family Style Dinners To Go

Feed the entirefamily for only

$28.99*Offer only available in deli. Offer can not

be combined with any other offer, discount or promotion.

Mon -Chicken Cacciatore

Tues -Chicken Linguini Carbonara

Wed -Homemade Meatloaf

Thurs -Lasagna

Fri -Chicken Picatta

Sat -Whole Chicken

Sun -Beef or Chicken Stroganoff

Daily Specials

Mediterranean & Californian Cuisine

Everyday we also have Spaghetti & Meatballs and even some new dinner items. Call for more information!

PHOTO COURTESY OF RICKI FOSTER

“Rolling Hills” by Sean, 17, is one of the works by young artists that will be auctioned off at the Boys & Girls Clubs'Heart of the Mountain Fundraiser on Saturday.

“Funky Cow” by Guadalupe, 8, is oneof the works that will be auctionedoff at the Boys & Girls Clubs' Heartof the Mountain Fundraiser.


Sofas Etc.

Appliance Center

*All Rebates vary by manufacturer. Free standard curbside delivery offer available on appliance purchases of $799 or more and is available to local zip codes within a 15-mile radius of Urner’s store. Not applicable to builder sales and standard delivery terms apply. See store for complete details. All finance offers available

on a qualified minimum purchase of $799, and are subject to credit approval by GE Money, and require monthly payments. Entire balance must be paid in full within the promotional period to avoid finance charges Please see store for all details, restrictions, and qualifications. 1Not applicable to prior purchases or clearance

items and cannot be combined with any other coupon or offer. 2 Limited to Sealy Posturepedic brand queen and king mattress sets only. All offers good 7/14/11-7/17/11 only, unless otherwise specified. See store for complete details.

Mon–Fri, 10am–7pm; Sat & Sun, 10am–6pmPero le atendemos en español.

White Lane and Wible Road396-8400 • www.urners.com

� � � � � � � �

��

Appliance CenterA

Extra-Large Capacity Washer 14 wash cycles and 2 wash/spin speed

combinations that are matched to fabric type for great clothes care. GTWP2000MWW

6.0 Cu. Ft. DuraDrum™ Electric Dryer Auto Dry function, 4 heat

selections provide the right temperature for the right drying results. GTDX200EMWW

18 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator Humidity-

controlled crispers, SpillMizer glass shelves and Energy Star

compliant! 123031964

25.2 cu. ft. Side by Side Refrigerator Adjustable Spill-

Catcher glass shelves and external ice& water dispenser. MSD2572VES

��

��

��

��

on your Appliance purchase of $799

or more!*

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

StainlessSteel

Big Screen City

��

��

�� !"#$�

��%&'(

42" Class 720p Plasma Flat Panel HDTVThin design and swivel base. 20,000:1 Contrast Ratio, SRS TruSurroundXT, and 3 HDMI inputs. 373048086

60" Class 1080p 3D Ready Home Cinema HDTVPlush 1080p, 6 color processor™, DeepColor™, 3 HDMI™ inputs. WD-60638

All Entertainment Centers and TV Stands!1

Queen & King mattress sets!2

%��

��)��

*��%��+�

�� "$��"�� !"#$�

��)&'(

15% OFF

$200OFF

"Chloe" Rocker Recliner Available in Pebble Tan Microfiber Only.

Limited Quantities

GOLDENDALE

PLUSH EURO PILLOW TOP

��

��

��

Z’s Please Sleep Center

72-HOUR SALE!

Friday - Sunday,Get Extra MarkdownsandSavings on Clearance, Special Purchases, Overstocks, and More!

"C"Chlh oe" Rocker Recliner

��

��

All

BY MATT MUNOZBakotopia.com editor

[email protected]

Musicians of all ages and skill lev-els are invited to play in themountains during the upcom-

ing Camp Kiya Family Traditional MusicCamp, taking place July 24 to 27 atTehachapi Mountain Park.

Now in its third year, the musicalinstruction and recreation camp offersmultilevel workshops, concentrating pri-marily on stringed folk instruments,including fiddle, guitar, cello, acousticand electric bass, dulcimer, banjo, as wellas accordion.

Camp director Debby Hand looks for-ward to another healthy turnout butadded there’s always room for more.

“We’d like to double what we havesigned up already. The last two yearswe’ve had some great turnouts, with a lotof people returning this year.”

Described as an exploration of music“from the inside out,” Hand says thecamp’s easygoing atmosphere among thebeauty of the mountain surroundingshelps ensure four days of melodic tran-quility.

“A lot of music camps are intense. Oursis much more laid back. There’s musiceverywhere. After the workshops, peopleare very free to go play where they want toin the mountains.

“The teachers may go off with the stu-dents and do some jamming. It really isjust like this feast of music.”

The camp opens for its first session onthe afternoon of the 24th, a Sunday, andresumes each morning at 8 a.m. withbreakfast followed by the early beginnerworkshops, which lead into classesthrough the afternoon.

After dinner, there’s a special contra folkdance session, ending with a campfiregathering with more music and opportu-nities to jam in the moonlight.

“We place a lot of emphasis on the con-cept of jamming and playing from withinyourself, and not just on music from apage of music. We’ve had quite a few clas-sically trained musicians who’ve onlyplayed sheet music. Once they’ve donethis, people say, ‘Wow.’ It’s pretty excit-ing.”

Camp organizers have assembled anextensive list of instructors, including:Andrea Beaton, who specializes in Celtic-style Cape Breton fiddling, as well as tra-ditional step dancing; professional cellistAlex Wilson, who’s worked extensively

with the Bakersfield Symphony; andaccordionist Michael Gutin, who alsospecializes in contra dance instruction.

For those looking to expand their range,vocal instructor Candace Semasek will beoffering a special class titled “So YouThink You Can’t Sing?,” designed to helpaspiring vocalists; and gypsy and Irishdancing instructors Brynn Albanese andAria Curzon are on the teaching roster aswell.

According to Hand, more levels of fid-dle and guitar instruction will be offeredthis year. Instructor Jan Tappan will be incharge of the program, and campers willhave a choice of learning tunes by ear orby using sheet music. Guitarist Zac Leger,who taught for the first two years of CampKiya, will head up the guitar program,teaching intermediate and advancedCeltic guitar.

This year there will be four guitar teach-ers, including Tehachapi bassist MaxValentino, who will teach a workshop forbeginners, as well as join with campadviser and self-described “creative mad-man” Joe Craven for a class on “looping”technology.

When it’s time to take a break, natureand American-Indian culture instructorJohn Hammond will be leading interestedparties on various nature walks to someof the areas surrounding historical desti-nations.

“The name ‘kiya’ is a Kawaiisu Indianword meaning “fun in laughter,” saidHand also referring to the tribe native tothe Tehachapi valley region.

“We have some incredible teachersjoining us, and you don’t have to be apro.”

Once campers have worked up a bigappetite, all meals will come courtesy ofresident cook Holly Hart.

“The food here is excellent and realgourmet stuff,” Hand said. “Everyone willlove her cooking, guaranteed.”

The cost for attending all four days is$200, which includes cabin camping andmeals, although there are optional pack-ages available, including special work-shops.

Plus, there are family plans available,along with financial assistance from the

Kern County Scottish Society, whichstepped in to help.

Information on individual workshops,financial aid and pricing, a full list of

instructors, events, camping info, andcontact information can be found by vis-iting the Camp Kiya website at camp-kiya.com, or calling 823-9994.


Eye Street

Music camp emphasizesfun and improvisation

Putting play inplaying music

Camp KiyaWhen: July 24 through 27

Where: Tehachapi Mountain Park,

Tehachapi

Cost: $200 includes cabin camping,

meals, and workshops

Information and online registration:823-9994 or campkiya.com

“A lot of music camps are intense. Ours is much more laid back. ... The teachers may go off withthe students and do some jamming. It really is just like this feast of music.”

— Debby Hand

w w w. b a ke r s f i e l d .c o m /j o b s

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAMP KIYA

Camp Kiya Family Traditional Music Camp emphasizes play and improvisation as muchas structured lessons. Here, campers bang on some pots and pans in the kitchen.


Eye Street

The Kern County Fair has announced the contestsand categories for community exhibits to be dis-played at this year’s event, which will run Sept. 21-

Oct. 2. Entry catalogs are now available at the Kern CountyFair, 1142 South P St., and also online atkerncountyfair.com. Most contests have closing dates inAugust.

Whether you’re an amateur photographer or gourmetcook, you’ll find a way to share your interests with visitorsto the fair. Some of the contests revolve around this year’stheme, “It’s Magic!”

Following trends in the arts and other fields, the KernCounty Fair has added a number of new contests and cat-egories for 2011. There also are many contests designedfor children, from special cooking competitions to theLego-building contests.

Offerings include a recipe contest that gives partici-pants an opportunity to “Bake for the Cure” and join thefight against breast cancer with their kitchen skills. Thecontest, sponsored by Fleishmann’s Yeast, gives local cashprizes, plus winners compete for national grand prizes.For each entry, Fleishmann will donate $10 to the non-profit organization “Susan G. Komen for the Cure.”

For more information, contact the Kern County FairEntry Department at 833-4914 or visit the contest sectionof kerncountyfair.com.— Kern County Fair media release

Fair expands itscontest roster

BY CAMILLE GAVINContributing columnist

Irrepressible television news pho-tographer Lilly Hawkins roars backinto action in Nora McFarland’s

new novel, “Hot, Shot and Bothered.”We first met Lilly in “A Bad Day’s Work,”which focused on the Weedpatch areaof Kern County.

This time she’s covering a fast-mov-ing 70,000-acre wildfire in the SierraNevada when she finds herself in themiddle of a murder mystery that isoddly linked to her former hell-raisingyears as a teenager.

It’s set in a tightly knit mountaincommunity that sounds very much likesome of the small towns in the KernRiver Valley. But it’s not, as McFarland,a former Bakersfield resident who nowlives in Macon, Ga., explains in a noteat the front of the book.

“Although Lilly Hawkins’ hometownof Bakersfield is a real place, the settingof Lake Elizabeth is completely fiction-al. Some residents of Southern Califor-nia may recognize similarities toIsabella Lake near Sequoia NationalForest but except for a shared proximi-ty to Bakersfield, there is no connec-tion.”

McFarland wastes no time gettinginto the fast-paced story. In the first fewpages we learn that Lilly, who has astrong nose for news, has just finisheddoing a live report of a forest fire that’sfar from being controlled. As she’s put-ting away her gear, she spots a coro-ner’s van that’s headed in the oppositedirection.

“I dropped the cable I’d been careful-ly coiling,” says Lilly, the first-personnarrator.

“A surge of adrenaline carried meinto the live truck in one jump. Myhand shook as I rushed to hit the but-tons and switches to shut down thetruck,” adding that for safety reasonsshe couldn’t drive the vehicle until theboom had shut down completely.

It turns out the victim is Jessica Egan,a young woman who is connected withan environmental organization thatoccupies acreage that developerswould like to get their hands on. Lillyhad known Jessica 13 years beforewhen both lived in Elizabeth.

To add to the plot, there’s a so-called

mad scientist from UCLA who’s doingresearch on a salamander known local-ly as a tiger lizard. The reptile was onceon the endangered list but now is over-running the valley. The professor refus-es to evacuate until all of his precioussamples have been removed to a safeplace.

The fire, as described by Lilly, seemsvery real. For example, in one com-pelling passage she says: “The explo-sions of yellow and orange reachedinto the night sky and turned the entirehorizon blood red … miles of pine treeswere lit from within by a burning forestfloor. … It looked to me as if the mass offire, scorched ground, and smokecould swallow a person like the watersof an ocean.”

Lilly is both funny and likeable, andreaders will enjoy reading about herexploits, even though some are a bitunbelievable. For example, after beingairlifted by helicopter to a hospital inBakersfield, she talks two lackadaisicalstation photographers — nicknamedTeddy and Freddy — into driving her toVenice, Calif., so she can find clues tounravel the mystery. At this point, Lillyhad been working for 24 hours straightand the trio made the trip without theknowledge of their no-nonsense newsdirector. Such a situation could happenbut in my experience it’s not too likely.

Among the colorful characters areTracy Fitzgerald, a sweet-talking mayor

who runs around in high-heeledpumps; Bud, Lilly’s irascible uncle whohas a criminal background; and thevictim’s brother, a former football herowho has lost his way.

A budding love story also winds itsway through the narrative. Readerswere first introduced to the relation-ship between Lilly and Rod, a popularand handsome anchor, in McFarland’sfirst book. In “Hot, Shot, and Both-ered,” they have become less antago-nistic — in fact they’ve been livingtogether for seven months. Rod, whohas chosen to give up his on-air job towork behind the scenes, briefly returnsas a reporter during the fire coverage.

For a lot of readers I suspect a minorcharacter called Leonore, a motherlyhistorical reporter, will bring to mindthe late Vivian Tucker. McFarland livedand worked in Bakersfield for a shorttime.

I knew she had become friends withVivian, who worked for KGET-TVChannel 17 for many years. So I askedher about the similarity.

“Yes! It is Vivian Tucker,” the authorsaid in an email. “Obviously it’s a fic-tional character, but I did base it on her.Vivian was such a dear, sweet person. Imiss her very much, as do so manypeople. I think she would have beentickled to be a character in a mystery.”

I agree.

Ex-Bakersfield writerserves up 2nd helping

Mystery buster returns

“Hot, Shot, and Bothered,” by

Nora McFarland; Touchstone, 288

pages, $14.99

• Varicose veins, spider veins • Leg pains, night cramps • Rest pains, Leg ulcers • Leg swelling • Aneurysm • Stroke • Blood clots • Comprehensive Vascular Lab • P.A.D. (Peripheral Arterial Disease)

Mallik Thatipelli, MD, FACC, FSVM Board Certified: • Vascular Medicine • Endovascular Medicine • Phlebology

• Trained at world renowed Mayo Clinic

California Vascular & Vein Center

(Dedicated for Arterial and Vein disorders)

2808 F Street, Suite A, Bakersfield, CA 93301 T: (661) 873-4216 F: (661) 873-4218 • Open Mon. - Sat.

For appointment contact: Fabi at

(661) 873-4216 or email:

[email protected]

Eating out remains one of our favorite pastimes,

even in this challenging economy. But the food is

only part of the reason we make tracks to our

favorite local restaurants. It’s the waiters and

waitresses who have the ability to turn a meal into

a memorable experience. Who are the most

charming/capable/friendly/caring/funny servers in

town? Send us your nominee and include your

name and phone number, the server’s name, the

restaurant’s name and why this server is so great

(250 words, max). The top server has the chance to

win a $50 gift card to Goose Loonies and a four-

pack of tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Email Lifestyles Editor Jennifer Self at

[email protected].

THE BEST SERVER AROUND

FFrriiddaayy: “Harry Potter and the Deathly

Hallows, Part 2” brings to a close a

book, movie and cultural juggernaut.

But with so much hype and

expectation, can filmmakers possibly

satisfy fans? Check out the review.

SSaattuurrddaayy: From pruning shears to

head gear, gardening columnist

Richard Shiell shares with readers

some of his favorite must-haves.

SSuunnddaayy: A frosty snack on a summer

day in Bakersfield is not just an

excuse for a treat — it’s a valid

method of cooling down your body

temperature. But you can’t give the

family dog a double-scoop of your

mint chip. And now you don’t have

to. Discover where to buy and how

to make an array of frosty treats for

our four-legged friends.

• The shops around East Hills Mall

and — let’s face it — East Hills Mall

itself has seen better days, but don’t

hold it against the humble Hacienda

Grill, located near the big

construction project at Walmart.

Find out what’s worth sampling and

what to skip in restaurant critic Pete

Tittl’s weekly column.

COMING IN EYE

CALIFORNIAN FILE

Nora McFarland has her characterLilly Hawkins investigating the deathof a woman who is connected withan environmental organization in“Hot, Shot and Bothered.”


& PRESENTS:

CAPTURE KERN COUNTY ™

5 2 4 3

1

CAPTURE KERN features the best of our county photos, and you are in control. These photos were submitted in Capture Kern County’s Nature categories. Start shaping the CAPTURE KERN contest by visiting Capture K ern C ounty. c om to upload your own photos or to vote on others. It’s free, easy and fun.

Capture K ern C ounty. c om

1 Tysun McMullan

2 John Hernando

3 Ann Littlefield

4 Mark Schmitt

5 Brent Wheeler


Eye StreetGO&DO

TodayConcerts by The Fountain, rock

and classic oldies with Triple

Threat, 7 to 9 p.m., The


Grand opening, with ribbon

cutting, dedication and blessing,

presentations, Irish music,

refreshments, 5:30 to 9 p.m., Irish

Heritage Club, 3117 Chester Lane.

bakersfieldIrish.yolasite.com.

Full Moon Poker Run, 5 to 11

p.m., Pyrenees Cafe , 601 Sumner.

323-0053.

Kern Independent PC UsersGroup, come and ask your

questions of members from

novice to expert computer users,

7 to 9 p.m., NOR Greenacres

Community Center, 2014 Calloway

Drive. kipug.org or 831-1132.

Mystery & Adventure BookGroup, with host Marcia

Stephens, 7 p.m., Barnes and

Noble, in the cafe, 4001 California

Ave. 631-2575.

Read the Classics, for young

readers ages 8 to 12, 4 p.m.,

Barnes and Noble, children’s

department, 4001 California Ave.

631-2575.

San Joaquin Children’s MobileImmunization Clinic, 9 a.m. to 2

p.m., Canyon Hills Church, 7001

Auburn St. Visit sjch.us or 869-

6740.

Bakersfield Rescue MissionBack to School Supply Drive,donations of school supplies,

including paper, pencils, pens,

glue, notebooks, and more can

be brought to seven different

locations, now through Aug. 10.

Call 325-0863, ext. 219 for

locations.

FridayFloat-In Movie, watch “How To

Train Your Dragon” on your raft,

doors open at 7:30 p.m., movie

begins at 8:30 p.m., McMurtrey

Aquatic Center, 1325 Q St. $3

person; $10 for groups of 4 to 6.

852-7430.

Harry Potter events, “Harry

Potter and the Deathly Hallows:

Part 2” will be shown at 12:01 a.m.

Friday (movie sold out as of

Tuesday) with a costume contest,

Harry Potter themed dance

performed by students of Lenore

Smith Dance Arts Centre/Kennedy

Performing Arts; also, Russo’s

Books will be in the lobby with

games, books, Harry Potter

merchandise for sale, noon to 5

p.m. Saturday, Maya Cinemas,

1000 California Ave. 636-0484.

Isaiah Morfin concert, 7 p.m.,

Metro Galleries, 1604 19th St. $8.

873-1731.

Lantern Light Tour & GhostHunt, 9 p.m., Silver City Ghost

Town, 3829 Lake Isabella

Boulevard, Bodfish. $12 per

person of all ages. 760-379-5146.

Book Signing, with author D.G.

Flamand of “Sophia at a Royal

Wedding,” 3 to 5 p.m., Dress Me

Up Children’s Clothing, 6437

Lake Isabella Blvd, Lake Isabella.

760-379-8927.

Children’s Summer ReadingProgram “One World, ManyStories,” Food from Many Lands,

10:30 a.m., Beale Memorial Library,

701 Truxtun Ave. Free. 868-0770.

Fantastic Friday Storytime, with

Miss Olivia, 10 a.m., Barnes and

Noble, 4001 California Ave. 631-

2575.

Teen Gaming, Wii Kinect, 3:30 to

4:30 p.m., Beale Memorial Library,

auditorium, 701 Truxtun Ave. Free.

868-0750.

Watercolor Painting withDuane Anderson, 9 a.m. to noon,

Bakersfield Art Association Art

Center, 1817 Eye St. $120 for six

classes; $25 per lesson. 869-2320.

SaturdayCash’d Out, ultimate tribute to

Johnny Cash, 9 p.m., Fishlips Bar &

Grill, 1517 18th St. $10; 21 and over

only. vallitix.com or 322-5200.

“An American in Paris” CinemaSaturday, begins at sundown,

Valentien Restaurant & Wine Bar,

1310 Truxtun Ave., Suite 160. 864-

0397.

Bakersfield Green ThumbGarden Club, meeting with

Michael Prestridge of Buck’s

Landscaping, 9 a.m., Church of the

Brethren, in the social hall, 327 A

St. 393-3657.

Barks & Books for children,build reading skills by sharing

stories with a therapy dog, 11 a.m.

to noon, Beale Memorial Library,

children’s room, 701 Truxtun Ave.

Free. 868-0770.

Certified Farmers Market, 8

a.m. to noon, next to Golden State

Mall, 3201 F St.

Kern Audubon Society, field trip

to Kern River Preserve to see

summer birds, meet in the

Albertsons parking lot on Mt.

Vernon and Highway 178 at 6:30

a.m.

Kids Discover Music, classically

trained musician performs, reads a

story and lets the kids learn up

close and personally about the

music and the instrument, 11 a.m.

to noon, Russo’s, 9000 Ming Ave.

665-4686.

Pirates & Princess CostumeParty Storytime, with Miss

Olivia, 2 p.m., Barnes and Noble,

4001 California Ave. 631-2575.

“The Heart of the Mountain”Fundraiser, with wine tasting and

art auction, 5 to 8 p.m., Tejon

Ranch Hacienda, 491 Rochford

Road, Lebec. $50. 331-4741.

Twilight at CALM, with a wildlife

presentation, scavenger hunt, 5:30

to 8 p.m., CALM, 10500 Alfred

Harrell Highway. Regular admission

prices apply; CALM members are

free. calmzoo.org or 872-2256.

Writing Workshop, 11 a.m. to

noon, Beale Memorial Library,

Tejon Room, 701 Truxtun Ave. Free.

868-0770.

ART“Connections,” an exhibition of

works by artists participating in

the visual arts festival, on display

until August 28, The Bakersfield

Museum of Art, 1930 R St. 10 a.m.

to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; noon to

4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Closed Mondays. 323-7219.

I Dream of Art, youth art

workshop, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 16

and 23 and Aug. 6, gallery

reception on Aug. 27, The Empty

Space, 706 Oak St. $150, includes

supplies, lunches and instruction.

Register at esonline.org.

All Media Class, by instructor

Phyllis Oliver, all media welcome,

with color theory stressed. For

more information or to register, e-

mail [email protected] or

call 348-4717.

Art classes, beginning watercolor,

beginning drawing, advanced

drawing and watercolor painters’

group, taught by Carol Bradshaw.

Call or e-mail for details and

enrollment.

[email protected] or

760-376-6604.

Art for Healing program, of

Mercy Hospitals of Bakersfield has

many unique classes that may

help alleviate stress and anxiety

resulting in illness, loss, grief or

caring for another. All classes are

free but some suggest a donation

and are held at Mercy Hospital,

Truxtun Campus, Truxtun and A St.

Visit mercybakersfield.org/art or to

register, 324-7070.

Basic Beading & WireWrapping Workshop, with Susi

Klassen, private instruction or by

appointment, The Bead Hut, 610

18th St. To schedule an

appointment call 324-0975 or 706-

6490.

Beginning Oil Painting, with

instructor Glen Jelletich, classes

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

3707 for more information or to

register.

Beginning, Intermediate andAdvanced Drawing, by instructor

Nina Landgraff, series of five two-

hour classes. Call for more

information or to register. 304-

7002.

Framing Clinic, with Toni Lott, for

artists who want to frame their

work, began April 7, running noon

to 4 p.m. Wednesdays. Call 205-

3488 for more information or to

register.

Free art classes, for home-school

children, 11 a.m. Thursdays,

Moore’s Art School, 837-1037.

Juliana’s Art Studio & Gallery,stained glass, youth art and silver

jewelry, Juliana’s Art Studio &

Gallery, 501 18th St. For times and

dates call 327-7507.

Flamenco Guitar Lessons, for

intermediates, 2 p.m. Saturdays,

Juliana's Art Studio & Gallery, 501

18th St. 327-5429.

Native American ArtsAssociation, meets to learn

basketry, beadwork and more, 9

a.m. to noon each Thursday, The

Stockdale Moose Lodge, 905 Stine

Road. 852-5050.

The Art Center, 1817 Eye St., 869-

2320; offers a variety of painting

and drawing classes. Call for

details.

The Art Shop Club, 9 a.m. to

noon each Thursday, Friday and

Saturday, The Art Shop, 1221 20th

St. All mediums. 322-0544, 589-

7463 or 496-5153.

Watercolor Painting withDuane Anderson, 9 a.m. to noon

Fridays, Bakersfield Art Association

Art Center, 1817 Eye St. $120 for

six classes; $25 per lesson. 869-

2320.

THEATER“Dreamgirls,” 7 p.m. Thursday; 8

p.m. Friday and Saturday, Spotlight

Theatre, 1622 19th St. $25; $22

students/seniors. 634-0692 or

thespotlighttheatre.com.

“Curtains,” doors open at 6 p.m.,

show at 7:30 p.m. Friday and

Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, Stars

Dinner Theatre, 1931 Chester Ave.

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

matinee $46 to $50. 325-6100.

Improv Comedy Show, with

Center For Improv Advancement, 8

to 9:30 p.m. Fridays and

Saturdays, Ice House, 3401

Chester Ave., Suite M. Adults: $5

on Friday and Saturdays, children

under 12 are $1 every day.

ciacomedy.com.Comedy.

“Rocky Horror Picture Show,”presented by The Velvet Darkness,

doors open at 11 p.m., show at

midnight Friday and Saturday, The

Empty Space, 706 Oak St. $10.

327-PLAY.

“The Wild Party,” 8 p.m. Friday

and Saturday, The Empty Space,

706 Oak St. Free, suggested

donation of $10, $8 for

students/seniors. 327-PLAY.

Major League Improv,improvisational comedy show,

appropriate for families, 6 p.m.

Saturdays, The Empty Space, 706

Oak St. Free but donations are

accepted. 327-PLAY.

MUSIC

AcousticKern River Brewing Company,13415 Sierra Highway, Kernville,

760-376-2337; Mike Fleming &

Friends, 8 p.m. Friday.

BluesKern River Blues Society Jam, 2

to 8 p.m. every third Saturday,

Trout’s, 805 N. Chester Ave. 872-

7517.

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

Glenda Robles & The Bandoleros, 8

to 11 p.m. Saturday. $5.

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

Reverend Horton Heat, 7 p.m.

Thursday. $30. tgptix.com.

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

Really Big Midgetz, 9 p.m. Friday

and Saturday.

The Old River Monte Carlo,9750 Taft Highway, 837-0250; No

Limit, 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

ComedyElevation Lounge, 818 Real Road,

325-6864; Improv Tuesday - Live

comedy with DJ after party, 9 p.m.

Tuesdays.

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

dancing, West Coast Swing among

other various activities. Call for

times and days.

Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace,2800 Buck Owens Blvd., 328-

7560; Monty Bryom & the

Buckeroos, 7:30 p.m. Friday; Monty

Byrom and the Buckeroos with

special guest Bradley Gaskin, 7:30

p.m. Saturday. $5 per night.

Ethel’s Old Corral, 4310 Alfred

Harrell Highway, 873-7613; Still

Kickin, 7 p.m. Friday; Angels and

Outlaws, 3 p.m. Sunday.

Tejon Club, 117 El Tejon Ave., 392-

1747; Crossroads, 6 to 10 p.m.

Sunday.

CoverSandrini’s, 1918 Eye St., 322-

8900; Chrisanova, 9 p.m. each

Monday.

DancingJoaquin Squares, 7:30 to 9:30

p.m. Thursday, Rasmussen Center,

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

325-3086 or 399-3658.

Float-In Movie, watch “How To Train Your Dragon” on your raft,

doors open at 7:30 p.m. Friday; movie begins at 8:30 p.m.,

McMurtrey Aquatic Center, 1325 Q St. $3 person; $10 for groups of 4

to 6. 852-7430.

GO & DO

DREAWWORKS

Hiccup, voiced by Jay Baruchel, befriends an injured Night Fury— the rarest dragon of all — in “How to Train Your Dragon.”


Folklorico Classes, advance

dancers/performing group 6 to 8

p.m. Fridays; and beginners, all

ages, 10:30 a.m. to noon

Saturdays, Fruitvale-Norris Park,

6221 Norris Road. $22 per month

for beginners; $25 per month for

advance dancers. 833-8790.

Pairs and Spares Dance, 7:30

p.m. each Friday, Rasmussen

Senior Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane.

$5; $7 nonmembers. 399-3575 or

332-1537.

Dance classes, beginning west

coast swing,

intermediate/advanced west coast

swing with instructor Mimi

Johanson, at 8214 Mossrock Drive.

Call 927-7001 for details.

Whirlaways Square DanceClub, has workshops/classes

every first, third, fourth and fifth

Mondays, Park Stockdale Civic

Association Community Center,

205 Rio Bravo Drive.

whirlaways.org or 213-3105.

African Dance for Fitness,taught by national touring artists,

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

to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Su Studio

Dance Academy, 1515 21st St. $5-

$7 per class.

africandanceclasses.com or 760-

917-3685.

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

Studio, 1710 Chester Ave. 323-

5215.

DJRockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany

Ave., Suite B5, 589-6749; DJ

James, 9 p.m. Thursdays through

Saturdays. Free.

Banacek’s Lounge, 4601 State

Road, 387-9224; with DJ Casey

Overstreet, 9 p.m. Fridays.

Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 White

Lane, 834-1611; with DJ Chill in the

Mixx, 5 p.m. every Friday until 2

a.m. Saturday.

Sandrini’s, 1918 Eye St., 322-

8900; Wax On featuring DJ

Mustache, 9 p.m. Friday. DJ.

Tam O’Shanter, 2345 Alta Vista,

324-6774: DJ Frankie Perez in the

mixx, 8 p.m. Friday.

The Bull Shed Bar & Grill, at

Hotel Rosedale, 2400 Camino Del

Rio Court, 327-0681; with Meg,

7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Jazz Cafe Med, 4809 Stockdale

Highway., 834-4433; Richie Perez,

7:30 to 11 p.m. Thursdays.

Imbibe Wine & SpiritsMerchant, 4140 Truxtun Ave.,

633-WINE; live music and wine bar

with featuring local artists, along

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

Friday; featuring Jazz Connection,

along with 24 wines, 7 to 9:30

p.m. Saturday.

Jazz at the Nile, open to all jazz

artists, bring your instrument, 6

p.m. every Sunday, The Nile

Theater, 1721 19th St. $10.

Imbibe Wine & SpiritsMerchant, 4140 Truxtun Ave.,

633-WINE; live music & wine bar

with featuring Jazz Connection,

along with 24 wines, 6 to 8:30

p.m. Tuesdays.

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

Christian and his Big Band, 5:30

p.m. Tuesdays.

Padre Hotel, Prairie Fire, RoofTop, 1702 18th St., 427-4900; Jazz

& Martinis, 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesday.


Lane, 834-1611; Bakersfield Jazz

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

every Wednesday.

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

Thursdays and Tuesdays.

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

Bellvedere Idol Karaoke Contest,

prizes for winners, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Thursdays and Sundays.

Cactus Valley MexicanRestaurant, 4215 Rosedale

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

p.m. Thursday; beer pong and

happy hour all day Sunday.

Cataldo’s Pizza, 4200 New Stine

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

Thursday.

Corona’s Cantina, 9817 S. Union

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

Thursdays.

Don Perico Restaurant, 2660

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

to 11 p.m. Thursdays.

Pour House, 4041 Fruitvale Ave.,

589-9300; 9 p.m. Thursday

through Saturday.

T-Bones Steakhouse, 8020

District Blvd., 398-1300; with Irish

Monkey Entertainment, 6:30 to 11

p.m. Thursdays.

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

8:30 p.m. every Thursday.

The Wright Place, 2695-G Mount

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

every Thursday.

Tomi’s Cowgirl Cafe, 1440

Weedpatch Highway, 633-1949;

Karaoke King Show, all ages, 7 to

10 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays.

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

10 p.m. every Friday.

Maria Bonita MexicanRestaurant, 10701 Highway 178,

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

ages.

The Pourhouse, 4041 Fruitvale

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

Friday.

The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall

Road, 831-1413; hosted by Ed

Loverr, 9 p.m. to midnight Friday.

The Regent, 2814 Niles St., 871-

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

Chateau Lounge, 2100 S. Chester

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

Saturday.

Del Rio Cocktail Lounge, 5840

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

every Saturday.

Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner, 323-

0053; 8 p.m. to midnight

Saturdays.

Rocket Shop Cafe, 2000 S. Union

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

midnight Saturday.

Sports & Spirits, 6633 Ming Ave.,

398-7077; 9 p.m. Thursdays and

Saturdays.

Tejon Club, 117 El Tejon Ave., 392-

1747; 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday.

The Playhouse, 2915 Taft

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

Sundays.

Diana’s Pit Stop, 10807 Rosedale

Highway, 587-8888; 8 p.m.

Mondays and Thursdays.

Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany

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

Mondays through Wednesdays.

The Wrecking Yard, 9817 S.

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

Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Best Western, 2620 Buck Owens

Blvd., 327-9651; The Junction with

host Mac Clanahan, 8:30 p.m.

Tuesdays through Fridays.

Cataldo’s Pizzeria, 6111 Niles St.,

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

Tuesdays.

DoubleTree Hotel, Club Odyssey,

3100 Camino Del Rio Court; 8 p.m.

to midnight Tuesdays.


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

p.m. to midnight Tuesdays.

Lone Oak Inn, 10612 Rosedale

Highway, 589-0412; 8 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday.

Magoo’s Pizza, 1129 Olive Drive,

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

Tuesday.

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

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

Round Table Pizza, 2060 White

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

Tuesday.

The Bull Shed Bar & Grill, at

Hotel Rosedale, 2400 Camino Del

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

Tuesdays and Thursdays.

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

6700; 7 p.m. Mondays and

Thursdays, 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays,

Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays

and Sundays.

Ethel’s Old Corral, 4310 Alfred

Harrell Highway, 873-7613; 6 to 9

p.m. every Wednesday.

Latin/SalsaLatin Salsa Dancing, 8 p.m.

Thursdays, DoubleTree Hotel, Club

Odyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio

Court. 323-7111.

Tam O’Shanter, 2345 Alta Vista,

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

Fridays and Saturdays.

DoubleTree Hotel, ClubOdyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio

Court, 633-1949; various levels, 3

to 9 p.m. every Sunday. $5 per

person, per lesson.

Mariachi Camino Real Restaurant, 3500

Truxtun Ave., 852-0493; Mariachi

Imperial, 6 to 9 p.m. Sundays.

Oldies KC Steakhouse, 2515 F St., 322-

9910; Jimmy Gaines, Bobby O and

Mike Halls, 6:30 p.m. Thursday

through Saturday.

Old School Que Pasa Mexican Cafe, 2701

Ming Ave., 832-5011; Al Garcia &

the Rhythm Kings, 8 to 11 p.m.

every Thursday.

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

Bakotopia Unplugged Open-Mic

Night, 8 p.m., signup sheet

begins at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

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

Question, 9 p.m. Friday; Stars &

Stripe Burlesque Show with The J

Bombs, 9 p.m. Saturday. $5.


8900; Louis Buhler, Almost

Underground, 9 p.m. Saturday;

Nothington, Semi Evolved Simians,

9:30 p.m. Sunday.

Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany

Ave., Suite B5, 589-6749; live

bands, 9 p.m. every Thursday.

Jerry’s Pizza, 1817 Chester Ave.,

633-1000, Greeley Estates, The

Plot in You, Life on Repeat, Miracle

on St. Anna, Everyone Dies in Utah,

6 p.m. Monday. $10.

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

Legendary Front Man of Bad

Brains, 7 p.m. Sunday. $10.

SongwritersThe Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall

Road, 831-1413; Chuck Seaton

and Billy Russell’s Songwriter’s

Showcase, 7 p.m. Wednesdays.

Top 40DoubleTree Hotel, ClubOdyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio

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

every Friday.

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

p.m. Tuesdays.

Chuy’s, 2500 New Stine Road,

833-3469; 7 p.m. every Tuesday.


8900; Trivia Night with Dave

Rezac, 10 p.m. Tuesdays.

VarietyCrest Bar & Grill, inside

Bakersfield RV Resort, 5025 Wible

Road, 833-9998; Steve Woods, 6

to 9 p.m. Saturday.

Golden State Mall, 3201 F St.,

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

Sundays.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday 7/18“Art Around the World”Summer Workshop, for ages 7

to 11, 2 to 4 p.m. Monday through

Thursday, Color Me Mine at The


$145. bakersfield.colormemine

.com or 664-7366.

Cardio Kickboxing Classes, with

heavy Muay Tai bags, 6 p.m.

Monday through Thursday; 7 a.m.

Saturday, Kickboxing Bakersfield,

9601 S. H St. 374-5728.

Cartooning & Scrapbookingwith Jeanie Truitt, for ages 7 to

12, 10 a.m. to noon Mondays,

Bakersfield Art Association Art

Center, 1817 Eye St. Free, materials

provided. 869-2320.

“Color Me Groovy!” SummerWorkshop, for ages 7 to 11, 10

a.m. to noon Monday through

Thursday, Color Me Mine at The


$145. bakersfield.colormemine

.com or 664-7366.

CSUB Volleyball Camp, all skills

camp, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday

through Wednesday, CSUB, 9001

Stockdale Highway. Visit

gorunners.com.

Disney Musical Revue SummerWorkshop, featuring songs from

“Aladdin,” “Brother Bear,” “Beauty

and the Beast” and more; for ages

6 to 16, Mondays and

Wednesdays, 6 to 8:30 p.m., now

through July 20, YMCA of Kern

County, 5880 District Blvd., #13.

$75 plus $25 deposit. 837-9622.

Kids & Critters Day Camp, for

ages 8 to 11, obedience training,

grooming, shelter care for pets,

activities and more, 9 a.m. to 4

p.m. Monday through Friday,

Bakersfield SPCA, 3000 Gibson St.

$150 for week. 323-8353 ext. 2.

Kids Summer Cooking Camp,for all ages, 9 a.m. to noon

Monday through Friday, Cafe Med,

4809 Stockdale Highway. $195 per

week. 834-4433.

Recreational Swim Team, for

ages 5 to 18, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. or

5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through

Thursday, Bakersfield College, 1801

Panorama Drive. Open enrollment.

395-4663.

Roller Hockey Beginners Clinic,6 to 6:45 p.m. Mondays,

Rollerama, 1004 34th St. $5. 327-

7589.

Senior Discovery Days, for

seniors 60 and older receive 50

percent off admission, 10 percent

discount in the gift store, CALM,

10500 Alfred Harrell Highway. 872-

2256.

Tonicism Theatre Workshops,with morning session, “Saved in

The Nick (Tickle) of Time,” from 8

to 11:30 a.m., and afternoon

session, “Rock the Musical,” from 1

to 4:30 p.m. Monday through

Friday, July 18 through Aug. 19, The

Empty Space, 706 Oak St. $325 for

morning session; $365 for

afternoon session. 304-2440.

Eye Street

Isaiah Morfin concert, 7

p.m. Friday, Metro Galleries,

1604 19th St. $8. 873-1731.

GO & DO

PHOTO COURTESY OF ISAIAH MORFIN

bakersfield californian / eye street 7-14-11

Documents

ofharry potter

potter fanswere able

harry potter fans

plus years thatharry

harry potterfan

release of harrypotter

finalfilms release

able tomeet