The Lowdown with Matt Munoz / Jan. - June / 2020 by Matt Munoz

T h u r s d ay, J a n u a r y 9 , 2 0 2 0

Eye Street

Editor: Stefani Dias • Phone: 661-395-7488 • Email: sdias@bakersfield.com

Composer Doug Davis in spotlight for Bakersfield Recital Series BY SUSAN SCAFFIDI

BAKERSFIELD RECITAL SERIES

For The Californian

PHOTO BY FELIX ADAMO

Composer-performer Doug Davis will lead the latest installment of the Bakersfield Recital Series on Saturday at Emmanuel Lutheran Church.

Anyone who has worked with composer-performer Doug Davis or listened to him perform knows there are certain “Doug-isms” that define his work. For example, his composition “A Tonal Suite” (there is a pun in there, a classic Doug-ism), a three-movement duet for saxophone and flute, contains a lot of challenging chromaticism in the first and third movements, but has a lyrical — which should mean more accessible — middle movement, written in a time sig-

Featuring the music of Dr. Doug Davis When: 7 p.m. Saturday Where: Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 1900 Baker St. Admission: Free, but donations accepted

nature of 10/16. That’s 10 beats to the measure and the 16th note gets one beat. Yeesh.

“I wasn’t trying to be difficult,” Davis said. “It just worked out that way.” Doug-ism! “A Tonal Suite” is one of four Davis pieces at the heart of the latest installment of the Bakersfield Recital Series, being presented Saturday at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Saxophonist Cody Greenwell and flutist Katelyn Willey will perform the suite, joining a number of outstanding performers, including Davis.

Please see DAVIS | C2

A choral prelude for Flix film series EMA SASIC / THE CALIFORNIAN

Californian reporter Ema Sasic attended the 77th annual Golden Globes on Sunday.

An afternoon with the stars at Golden Globes COURTESY OF DECCA RECORDS

“Pavarotti,” the documentary from Ron Howard about famed tenor Luciano Pavarotti, will be screened Friday to open the Flix 2020 spring season.

Spring season begins Friday at Fox Theater, with performance by BC men’s chorus to precede screening of Pavarotti documentary BY STEFANI DIAS

sdias@bakersfield.com

lix debuts the second half of its 2019-20 season Friday night with some surprises up its sleeve, including a musical performance. That’s just some of the magic in store for the film series, now in its second year after taking over for the 36-year-running FLICS. “I think it’s one of the strongest groups of films we’ve had in a while,” said Woody White, a member of the three-person film selection committee. The slate of seven films, which will run through April 3, kicks off Friday with “Pavarotti,” a documentary about legendary

COURTESY OF JENNIFER GARRETT

The Bakersfield College Renegade Men’s Chorus will perform before a screening of the documentary “Pavarotti,” the first film in Flix’s 2020 spring season, on Friday.

opera singer Luciano Pavarotti directed by Academy Award winner Ron Howard. “We liked ‘Pavarotti’ right away,” White said. “He’s a biggerthan-life character.” Before the film, the Bakersfield College Renegade Men’s Chorus will perform two songs on stage.

Red carpet experience a dream come true

Georgia Bailey, another committee member, said they like to add to the screenings when possible. “We try to include if there is something (relevant),” she said. Ally Lara, assistant theater manager at the Fox, said she Please see FLIX | C2

here’s a meme going around the Twittersphere asking people what the best seat is in a variety of situations, such as a New York City subway, popular restaurants and even House of Representatives chambers. I had the best seat in the house when it came to this past Sunday’s 77th annual Golden Globes: front row on the red carpet. A great friend gave me the opportunity of a lifetime with an invite to the audience bleachers at the arrivals tent. To say it was surreal to be just a few feet away from my favorite EMA SASIC actors — Nicole Kidman, Reese THE CALIFORNIAN Witherspoon, Brad Pitt, Saoirse Ronan, Billy Porter, to name a few (sorry to name drop) — is the biggest understatement of 2020. So many big names in Hollywood walked past me, and I honestly don’t know how I didn’t faint. As they exited their limos to strut their stuff on the red carpet, many stars’ first stop was an interview with television personality Jeannie Mai and film critic Scott Mantz for the official Golden Globes red carpet preshow. Lucky for me, they were stationed right in front of me where I could see my dream job in action. It was also great to see how down to earth many of these big-name actors are, despite having fans scream their names and being, you know, worth millions. Leonardo DiCaprio loved hearing us chant, “Leo! Leo! Leo!,” Jennifer Lopez talked back and forth with a few fans who thought she was a knockout in “Hustlers” (including me) and Pitt was a good sport when one woman shouted, “Brad, I have a nice warm seat up here for you!” These actors and their films have meant so much to me in my life — maybe more than the average person

Please see SASIC | C2

THE LOWDOWN

It’s heartstrings and harmony at Great 48 Jam T he Great 48 Jam has beOrganized by the California come somewhat of a local Bluegrass Association, the fourinstitution for bluegrass day gathering continues to be aficionados, pickers and the grin- one of the best-attended local ners who love them. music events, attracting top blueReturning to the Bakersfield grass artists such as Rhonda VinMarriott, the event running tocent, David Parmley and Michael day through Sunday Cleveland and Flamebrings players from keeper, all of whom all over the country have performed to partake in one as featured artists of America’s most during the event. hallowed and social The jam sessions musical art form, the begin Thursday once jam session. guests have arrived Those already faand checked in, makmiliar with the Great ing their connections 48 are aware of its MATT MUNOZ inside one of the spectacle of sight and FOR THE CALIFORNIAN designated ballrooms sound, but for the where musicians of uninitiated, just imagine the halls all ages will be found interacting of the Marriott being overtaken and socializing through their by throngs of well-mannered, instruments. These sessions stringed-instrument-wielding continue into the wee hours, attendees. or until last dobro standing, or

strumming. These family-friendly music sessions are free to attend by the public. On Friday morning, the jams, workshops, band scrambles and other activities continue throughout the day until the evening’s ticketed concert showcase, featuring The Central Valley Boys and The Old Pals, at 7 p.m. Following the concert, the jams continue. I attended the Great 48 over the years dating back to its SuperGrass formative years in 2007 when low attendance nearly caused the event to go bust. Luckily another bluegrass revival and a renewed interest in folk music instruments from younger musicians have helped boost attendance. Today, hotel wing reservations

Please see LOWDOWN | C2

COURTESY OF THE CENTRAL VALLEY BOYS

Bluegrass band The Central Valley Boys will perform Friday night as part of the Great 48 Jam, which kicks off today at the Bakersfield Marriott.

The Bakersfield Californian

Thursday, January 9, 2020

EYE STREET

LOWDOWN

views and recollections from artists Mike Park of Skankin’ Pickle, Monique Powell of Save Ferris, Rob “Bucket” Hingley of The Toasters (who also signed Mento Buru to his label, Moon Ska Records, in 1996, and featured fellow local ska outfit Crawdaddy on another of its label compilations) and many more who offer a fun and heartfelt skank down memory lane. You’ll have a blast. Oi! Check out “Pick It Up! Ska in the 90’s” on Amazon Prime Video, pick it up on Blu-ray, DVD or visit skamovie.com.

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sell out in advance and the event continues to garner interest nationwide. Novices to professional players are encouraged to participate and fans are welcome to help fuel the picking with applause or just good ol’ attentive ears and toe-tapping. The Great 48 Jam runs Thursday through Sunday at the Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center, 801 Truxtun Ave. Daily jam session gatherings are free to attend. Tickets for Friday night’s concert with The Central Valley Boys and The Old Pals are $27 in advance at California Keyboards, 2408 Brundage Lane, or $30 at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m., concert at 7 p.m. For more information call 332-7207 or visit cbaweb.org.

MATT’S PICKS COURTESY OF POPMOTION PICTURES

Mighty Mighty Bosstones lead singer Dickey Barrett in a scene from the 2019 documentary “Pick It Up! Ska in the 90’s.”

When I first came across a Kickstarter campaign for a proposed documentary titled “Pick It Up! Ska in the 90’s” on the ska music craze, I couldn’t believe it. I understand why it’s a good idea — I play in a ska band (Mento Buru) from the ’90s, so of course

I connected with that nutty idea — but I didn’t expect to see the overwhelming response to their fundraising. Posting an original goal of $40,000, producers of the film ended up raising $118,076 thanks to more than 1,900 backers from all over the globe. After dropping a trailer teasing interviews with Angelo Moore of Fishbone, along with members of The Aquabats, Mad Caddies, Less Than Jake, Goldfinger, The Slackers, No Doubt and Hepcat, with narration by Tim Armstrong of

DAVIS

FLIX

Gifted soprano Caley Mayhall and pianist Patrick Bender will perform Davis’ song cycle, “Family Portraits.” “It was inspired by my daughter (Shona) sending me this poem as a Christmas present that I went in and set to music,” Davis said. Davis said he used another poem given to him by Adele, his deceased wife, about a painter creating art, and a third poem about loss that he connected to a former student who lost a child. “Which is the worst sort of loss,” Davis said. A poem by Emily Dickinson, whose work became a major theme in his early teaching career, provides the fourth song in the cycle, which finishes with a fifth song — an alleluia. That personal connection to his subject matter — verbal or melodic — is the most important and pervasive Doug-ism, as Davis’ unique perspective has informed every piece he has written and Bakersfield audiences have been treated to for almost four decades. Another vocal work, “Latino,” was inspired by four poem texts written by Cal State Bakersfield art professor Michael Heivly, who offered to pay Davis to compose music for them. “The texts are really extraordinary, and once I read them, I told him, ‘Don’t worry about paying me,’” Davis said. Davis said “Latino” is about the people of Kern County, from the tribal nations of the area, through the Spanish, Catholic missionaries and later immigrants to the area. “It finishes with Cesar (Chavez), who fought for justice on the back of a grape,” Davis said. “Latino” will be performed by Joshua Forquera and Bender. Davis will perform the fourth piece on the program, “Backwoods Butterfly,” written about his daughter, Shona Milazo, when she was a little girl. Davis said this piece began as an improvisation, which he performed, but finally decided to commit to paper. “Which is something I don’t recommend,” Davis said. Davis, who retired fully from his teaching position at CSUB in the spring of 2017, has not been idle. Besides composing, he continues to perform, including opening for Gregory Porter and Spyro Gyra for their Bakersfield concerts. Davis is also enjoying hearing his music honored and performed by other organizations, including “Passion’s Glance Beyond” recorded by the Philadelphia Sinfonia. Two of Davis’ most personal works, “Three Dream Songs” based on poems by John Berryman, and “Eleanor and Estalee,” which is based on Davis’ childhood in his hometown of Clinton, Tenn., will be honored at the national conference of the Society of Composers in March at the University of Texas at Arlington. “Occasionally, I go out and hear a piece,” Davis said. “But most of the time, I just try to stay out of trouble.” Doug-ism!

thought the new men’s chorus would be a good fit for the evening. She said previous Flix audiences have enjoyed a bit of live music. “For the Aretha Franklin film (‘Amazing Grace’ in September), we had Caley Mayhall sing beforehand,” Lara said of the local performer. “The response to that was great.” Also generating excitement is the next film in the series, “Standing Up, Falling Down,” which will screen Jan. 24. The movie stars Ben Schwartz as a struggling stand-up comic from L.A. who returns home to Eastern Long Island and strikes up a friendship with an oddball dermatologist, played by Billy Crystal. “It was so different a thing for Billy Crystal to do,” Bailey said of the film that she saw at a festival last year. “It’s real life, but it’s not grim. There is uplift and a character arc.” Lara, who handles booking for the series, said they lucked out landing the film, which will go into general release after the Flix screening, giving local audiences a chance to see it first. The enthusiasm can work both ways when it comes to booking as Lara learned with “Zulu Summer,” a documentary screening Feb. 14. “I reached out and the producer said, ‘I’m actually excited you’re showing it,’” Lara said. The filmmakers were so enthusiastic that directors Joseph Litzinger and Eric Schrader will be in attendance for a preshow Q&A moderated by Californian columnist Robert Price. “Zulu Summer” follows a radio DJ in a small town in Montana who, after receiving a suspicious email from an African prince, establishes a unique international alliance. “It’s just a heartwarming film,” White said. Bailey added, “It’s about people making connections.” The committee member, who said she’s drawn to offbeat films, said she’s also taken with “Woman at War,” an Icelandic-Ukrainian film coming Feb. 28 to the Fox. “It’s upbeat. Not a typical film about a typical person at all. She definitely has her own drummer,” Bailey said of the protagonist whose eco-activism draws her to target an aluminum plant. Bailey and White said they, along with fellow committee

SKACUMENTARY

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Susan Scaffidi is a freelance music journalist. She can be reached at scaffidi@twc.com.

Rancid, my fellow ska fiends and I waited for the film to drop. The verdict: Any film project that would even remotely make an attempt to pursue such a topic is going to get my attention, but director Taylor Morden really did it justice. The film is well-made and easy to follow whether you’re a newcomer to ska music or an old-school rude boy or rude girl who still has their favorite bands of the time in rotation. The grainy archive concert footage is reason alone to watch, along with inter-

Yachtley Crew, 8 p.m. Friday, The Well, 7401 White Lane. $23. 735-7909. The smooth rockin’ sounds of the 1970s and pre-new wave ’80s come alive with this wacky but slickly produced outfit of musicians who’ve become one of the biggest draws on the tribute circuit. Artists who fall under the category of yacht rock: Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan, Christopher Cross, Supertramp. If these artists conjure memories of making out in your favorite corduroy pants in college (or high school), then this show is for you. Also performing is Natalie Gelman. Blink-180True, Don’t Push,

8 p.m. Friday, Temblor Brewing Co., 3200 Buck Owens Blvd., Suite 200. $10. 489-4855. The weekend tributes continue and why not? While the real Blink-182 is currently playing shows sans one original member, the group’s influence has helped spawn clones like this SoCal trio who flaunt themselves as “America’s No. 1 nationally touring Blink-182 tribute band.” Teamed up with Anaheim-based Sublime tribute Don’t Push, Bakersfield is about to lose its collective stoner minds. Sing along and line up a designated driver. U2’s The Joshua Tree Tribute, 9 p.m. Saturday, Wiki’s Wine Dive & Grill, 11350 Ming Ave., Suite 260. Free. 399-4547. Veteran Bako guitarist and vocalist Travis Byler has assembled his own motley crew of local musicians for this tribute to one of rock’s greatest albums to be performed in its entirety. Joining Byler are Kyle Appleton on guitar, Ray Sadolsky on bass, Jason Blakely on drums and Tony Rinaldi on keyboards. Now, if they’d follow up with “Achtung Baby.” Contributing columnist Matt Munoz brings you the latest news on Bakersfield’s music scene every other Thursday.

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TILTED WINDMILL PRODUCTIONS

Ben Schwartz plays a failed stand-up comic who returns to his hometown and befriends his dermatologist, played by Billy Crystal, in “Standing Up, Falling Down,” playing Jan. 24 as part of Flix’s 2020 spring season at the Fox Theater.

FLIX 2020 SPRING SEASON

INTERESTING HUMAN MEDIA

Prince Sboniso Zulu in the documentary “Zulu Summer,” which will screen Feb. 14 as part of the Flix 2020 spring season at the Fox Theater. The screening will feature a Q&A with directors Joseph Litzinger and Eric Schrader, moderated by Californian columnist Robert Price.

member Susan Sainte-Marie, try to select films from as many different countries and cultures as they can. Sometimes the choice is easy, as with “Shadow,” directed by Yimou Zhang, playing March 6. The Chinese director is known to American audiences for such films as “House of Flying Daggers,” “Hero” and “Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles,” which screened as part of FLICS’ 200708 season. “They’re exceptional films, beautifully photographed,” White said. “Birds of Passage,” the next in the series, is also visually striking, following the indigenous Wayuu people of Colombia, some of

SASIC

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— so it was an exciting, overwhelming and full circle-type moment for me. I grew up with different circumstances than most people my age. My parents are refugees from the former Yugoslavia, and we immigrated to the United States in the late ’90s. My parents had to endure the trauma that comes with leaving one’s home and family in order to live to see another day. I didn’t have that experience, but I did grow up seeing what starting over and struggling to make ends meet looks like. The first few years we didn’t have much, and I got a front-row seat to low incomes, living in tight quarters and never expecting the latest toys, gadgets and treats because basic necessities were more important. I didn’t understand why things were the way they were at first, but once I did, I grew up at a young age and learned to love all the little things that were ours. One of those things were movies. I watched whatever my parents watched, and while maybe not every young child should see “Titanic,” “Eyes Wide Shut” or “Fight Club,” I developed this love and appreciation for films. It was more than just seeing the special

whom must forgo tradition to succeed in the modern world. “It was a beautifully done destruction of an old order and the picking up of a new order,” Bailey said. “It’s about as grim as I want to go but it’s beautiful.” The film is in Spanish along with Wayuu and Wiwa dialects. White said they draw bigger crowds for Spanish-language films. “We’ve even had teachers of Spanish and French say they like their students to come to our films,” he said. Instructors can put the final film in the season, “Transit,” on their lists as well. In French and German, the movie centers on a German political refugee who ends up with the identity doc-

effects or biggest blockbusters at the time. These films taught me a valuable lesson that helped me see a brighter future for myself: It all works out in the end. If Rose could find her peace by the end of “Titanic,” if Noah and Allie could find each other again in “The Notebook,” and if Andy Dufresne and Red could find their freedom in “The Shawshank Redemption,” why couldn’t I expect a happy ending for myself and my family? The more I watched and realized films, one way or another, end in a better place than they begin, I had hope that could happen to us one day. Ultimately that helped me have a better view of our future. There were tough years, but we made it out on the other side. That’s why Sunday was so much more than a cool red carpet experience. It was realizing that those crazy dreams I had as a child to see those actors in person or to be an entertainment reporter could actually come true. It was hard to head back home after that amazing day, but it was humbling to see how far I’ve come. I know I’ve got a long way to go before I’m standing on that red carpet and interviewing the stars, but my movie’s not over just yet. Ema Sasic can be reached at 661-395-7392. Follow her on Twitter: @ema_sasic.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. at Fox Theater, 2001 H St. Tickets $6 or $30 for season pass. Films are not rated but considered to be R unless noted. Friday: “Pavarotti,” with performance by BC Renegade Men’s Chorus before the film. Rated PG-13. Jan. 24: “Standing Up, Falling Down” Feb. 14: “Zulu Summer” Feb. 28: “Woman at War” March 6: “Shadow” April 3: “”Birds of Passage” April 17: “Transit”

uments of a dead writer, then poses as the man to hide in Marseille, France. There he meets the writer’s estranged wife, who was waiting for her husband so they could flee the country. Both Bailey and White are excited about the upcoming films and the continuation of the series at the downtown theater. “You get to see it in the most beautiful building in town,” White said. “What could be better than that?” Stefani Dias can be reached at 661-395-7488. Follow her on Twitter: @realstefanidias.

EMA SASIC / THE CALIFORNIAN

Most people in the bleacher audience screamed at the top of their lungs when they saw actor Brad Pitt make his appearance on the red carpet. He ended up winning best supporting actor in a comedy or musical for his role in “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood.” See more photos at Bakersfield.com.

The Bakersfield Californian

Thursday, January 23, 2020

EYE STREET

THE LOWDOWN

Bakersfield musician helps make love connection on ‘The Bachelor’ MATT MUNOZ FOR THE CALIFORNIAN

ollywood got a taste of Bakersfield-laced Cali country this week during an episode of ABC’s “The Bachelor” thanks to an appearance by the Just Dave Band, featuring Bakersfield native Dave Bernal. The episode, which aired Monday, found this season’s bachelor, Peter Weber, and contestant Victoria Paul out and about, visiting a western wear shop and getting some touchy-feely line dance instruction. The couple then put those skills to the test at The Canyon in Agoura Hills, surprising the crowd after Bernal and band kicked into the song “Rules to Live By” by joining in on the community line-dance of love. Bernal, who lives in Los Angeles and hosts his own country music radio show and podcast, “The California Country Show,” recalled getting the offer last year thanks to a recommendation by friend Brian Hynes, co-owner of Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks. “Brian (Hynes) was contacted by producers of the show for a country band who played dance music and write their own songs,” said Bernal. “That’s sometimes hard to do if they’re a working club band. Bryan has been a friend and fan of ours for years and recommended us.” After sending producers a selection of songs for consideration, the band got the greenlight to perform at the club in September while cameras rolled. “The rule was I could only tell people to tune in that evening, but I couldn’t spill the beans,” Bernal said. “The show producers could not have been nicer. They gave us a dressing room full of snacks.” Followers of the hugely popular show already know the outcome, but on

COURTESY OF DAVE BERNAL

The Just Dave Band, featuring Bakersfield musician Dave Bernal (center in vest), was featured in the Jan. 20 episode of “The Bachelor.” The band will release “Play the Hell Out of a Guitar,” the single performed on the show, on Friday.

fellow SoCal-based Pulley featuring front man Scott Radinsky, who moonlighted from his day gig as a relief pitcher for the Dodgers to perform energetic, melodic punk rock across three continents. Pulley is another band that’s no stranger to the streets of Bakersfield, seemingly playing here in the early aughts with consistent regularity. This all-ages show will appeal mostly to the old-school punk crowd who remember sweaty, cramped punk shows with nostalgia and no small amount of enthusiasm. The spirit is still there, just with more back pain and an allowance for sensible shoes. Find a copy of the 1984 documentary “Another State of Mind,” about Youth Brigade’s raucous cross-country ’82 tour with Social Distortion, for a refresher course. Also performing is local opener Closing In, along with The Grim, United Defiance and Infirmities. Youth Brigade and Pulley, 7 p.m. Friday, The Well, 7401 White Lane. $20. 735-7909.

MATT’S PICK

PHOTO BY SERGIO NECOECHEA

Acclaimed Bakersfield alternative pop singersongwriter Andres Aparicio will perform Friday at Jerry’s Pizza.

PHOTO BY JASON COOK PHOTOGRAPHY

L.A. punk rock legends Youth Brigade will perform Friday at The Well.

the day of filming, Bernal says they were given strict cues with multiple opportunities to get the money shot during the country courtship. “We had to stand inside waiting quietly before the surprise entrance. Then the producers had us play the instrumental section, until the cue to start singing the verse. There was a dance instructor who had the

audience rehearse as we played before filming. We pulled it off.” During the next scene, the band performed a second original for the couple to snuggle up to on the dance floor titled “Play the Hell Out of a Guitar,” a newly recorded single being released Friday. Produced by Bernal, the song was recorded at the home studio of John Schreffler,

GO & DO

The Wright Place: 8 p.m. Thursdays, 2695-G Mount Vernon Ave. 872-8831.

and 7 Thursdays, 1300 Coffee Road. 831-2777. Le Corusse Rouge: 8 p.m. Tuesdays, 4647 White Lane. 834-1611. The Library: 9 p.m. Thursdays, 1718 Chester Ave. 703-6911. djcountdownent.com. The Links at RiverLakes Ranch: 6 p.m. Wednesdays, 5201 Riverlakes Drive, 587-5465, riverlakesgc.com. Lone Oak Lounge: 10 p.m. Fridays, 10612 Rosedale Highway. 589-0412. Long Branch Saloon: Karaoke with Bree, 8 p.m. Fridays, 907 N. Chester Ave. 399-8494. McMurphy’s Irish Pub and Sports Bar: 8 p.m. Thursdays, 14 Monterey St. 869-1451. The New 1933: 9 p.m. Thursdays, 7900 Downing Ave. O’Hennings: 8 p.m. Fridays, 1312 Airport Drive. The Old West Saloon: 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1807 N. Chester Ave. Pour House: 9 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 4041 Fruitvale Ave. 589-9300. Red Zone Sports Bar and Grill: 8 p.m. Wednesdays, 3351 Panama Lane; 9 p.m. Fridays, Downtown Redzone Sports Bar, 900 Truxten Ave. 864-9856, djcountdown661@gmail.com. The Regent: 9 p.m. Fridays, 2814 Niles St. 871-4140. Shenanigans Irish Pub: 8 p.m. Tuesdays, 4715 Coffee Road, Suite E. djcountdown661@ gmail.com. Syndicate Lounge: 9 p.m. Wednesdays, 1818 Eye St. 327-0070. Stella’s Sandtrap: 9 p.m. Sundays, 3312 Niles St. 864-9856. djcountdown661@gmail.com. VIP Lounge: 9 p.m. Mondays, 5460 California Ave. 322-8431.

DA N C E

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Line Dancing Lessons with John Haskell: 6:30 p.m. Mondays, Firehouse Southwest Station, 7701 White Lane, 8314688, $5; 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Old River Monte Carlo, 9750 Taft Highway, 837-0250, $5; 7 p.m. Thursdays, The Bull Shed, 2400 Camino Del Rio Court, 634-0720, $5. Square Dancing Classes: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, Rasmussen Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane. 301-2808. Line Dancing Lessons: Taught by Rosa Stone 6 p.m. Mondays, The Junction Lounge, 2620 Buck Owens Blvd. $5, 617-0888, alphacanine@hughes.net. Free Dancing: 10:30 a.m. Mondays, Fridays and every third Wednesday, Greenacres Senior Center, 2014 Calloway Drive, call Ted McClaren for more information, 393-1474. Beginning and Intermediate Line Dance Lessons: Beginner class 5 p.m. intermediate class 6 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, Rasmussen Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane. $5. Bakersfield Rounders: Round dance beginners class, 3:30 p.m. Sundays, First Congregational Church, 5 Real Road. $7. Beginning Scottish Country Dance: 6 p.m. first and third Thursdays, All Saints Church Parish Hall, 3200 Gosford Road. $4. Kernscot.org. Country Line Dancing: Beginning and intermediate, 5:30 p.m. beginner, 6:30 p.m. intermediate, Monday, NOR Greenacres Community Center, 2014 Calloway Drive. $6. 392-2010.

YOUTH BRIGADE

guitarist for Shooter Jennings, son of late country legend Waylon Jennings. “Everything was done in an afternoon, then I rushed to send it out prep for digital release. When you got professional guys who can play, recording and mixing is easy.” Both songs will be available for download and stream at all digital outlets including Apple Music and

Cielo 9 Bar: Music by G-Six, for singles and couples, must be over 21, 8 p.m. Thursdays. 4208 Rosedale Highway, $7, 633-1116. Joaquin Squares: New beginner class. First three classes are free; 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Rasmussen Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane. $5. kernsq.org. Dancing Classes: Beginner to intermediate dancing, Wednesdays, 6 p.m. Drop in for one class or sign up for an entire six week session, Simply Irresistible Pole Fitness and Dance, Easton Business Center, 4700 Easton Drive, Suite 37, 4440133, $45-$55. Beginner Belly Dance Lessons: 5:45 p.m. Mondays, Centre Stage Studio, 1710 Chester Ave. 323-5215. $45 regular, $65 combo. bakersfieldbellydance. biz. DoubleTree Hotel: Bachata 7 p.m. Wednesdays, $5; Salsa, bachata, and cumbia lessons, 8 p.m. Thursdays, $7, Club Odyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court, 323-7111. Western Ballroom Dancing: Ballroom dance to a variety of country music, 2 p.m. Sundays, free, The Fairfax Grange, 6540 E. Brundage Lane. Country Western Dance Lessons: 4 p.m. Sundays, The Fairfax Grange, 6540 E. Brundage Lane. $5. Ballroom Dance Lessons: Swing, ballroom and Latin dance lessons, 7 and 8 p.m. Thursdays, Studio 9, 4000 Easton Drive, $9, 303-6787. Salsa and Bachata Dance Lessons: Drop in classes available, 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, Studio 9, 4000 Easton Drive, $8-$10, 333-3178, info@dancebakersfield.com. Folklorico Classes: Advance dancers and performing group 6 p.m. Fridays; Beginners, all ages, 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays, Fruitvale-Norris Park, 6221

Spotify. Visit justdaveband. com for more information on music and Bernal’s radio show and podcast. This Friday marks the long-awaited return of two iconic punk rock outfits: Youth Brigade and Pulley. A mainstay of the 1980s L.A. punk scene, Youth Brigade accurately describes itself on its Facebook page as “an L.A. institution of Punk Rock.” This show is also the band’s return to Bakersfield since its last visit to Jerry’s Pizza two decades ago. Also sharing the stage is

Norris Road. $22 per month for beginners; $25 per month for advanced dancers.

M O N DAY “Double Indemnity”: 7 p.m., Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $5. 3241369. thebakersfield.com.

T U E S DAY World War II Memorial Planning Committee Meeting: For those interested in being involved in a process of designing, planning, and implementing a new WWII Memorial in Bakersfield, 7 p.m., American Legion Post 26, 2020 H St. Free; open to all. 487-0350. kcwwiimemorial.com. Reversible Hat with Trim Sewing Workshop: 3:30 p.m., The Twisted Skein, 4609 New Horizon Blvd., Suite 3. $30-$75. 398-9276. eventbrite.com. WarmLine Groups: Connect with other moms, ask parent questions while your little one plays, Mom & Toddler, 9 to 11 a.m.; Mom & Baby 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m., RiverLakes Community Church, Room 104, 4301 Calloway Drive. 323-3531. e-warmline.org. Kern Family Health Care Community Class: “Gardening,” healthy eating and active lifestyle workshop, 9-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Curran Middle School, 1116 Lymric Way; 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Terrace Elementary School, 1999 Norwalk St., Delano. 800-391-2000. kernfamilyhealthcare.com. Elks Steak Dinner: 6 p.m., Elks Lodge, 1616 30th St. $15. 323-7535. elkslodge266@bak. rr.com. Alzheimer’s Association, Confident Caregiver Series, Part 3: Reservations required, 10 a.m., Alzheimer’s

Andres Aparicio, 7 p.m. Friday, Jerry’s Pizza, 1817 Chester Ave. $10. 633-1000. Those itching for new local sounds and eclectic live music experiences should already have this show in their reminders. Headlined by Bakersfield’s very own musical chameleon Andres Aparicio, who released his sophomore album, “Once Upon a Time in Bakersfield” last Halloween, the show is also another long overdue homecoming party. For a performer who’s always on tour, writing new music and making videos for a devoted fanbase that follow his every move, this is a catch-himwhile-you-can opportunity. Also performing at the allages show are Swell Spells, Sweatpants, Krathel Aguilar and Lanesborough. Killer lineup. More information at brownknightrises.com.

Contributing columnist Matt Munoz brings you the latest news on Bakersfield’s music scene every other Thursday.

Association, 1401 Commercial Way, Suite 210. Free. 912-3053. jardray@alz.org. Intro to Improv: 8 week class where attendees learn improv basics, 6:30-9 p.m., runs through March 17, Empire Improv, 1220 Oak St., Suite C. $185. 530-414-0050. michael@ empireimprov.com. Preschool Story Time: Kids ages 3-5 enjoy stories, songs and rhymes, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Southwest Library, 8301 Ming Ave. Free. 664-7716. kerncountylibrary.org. California Air Resources Board (CARB) Workshop: Presented by the Kern County Farm Bureau; registration required, 9 a.m., Quinn Company, Sierra/ Sequoia Room, 2200 Pegasus Drive. 397-9635. kerncfb.com.

W E D N E S DAY Book Signing: With Judy Fambrough — Billingsley, local author of “Too Brown to Keep,” 3-5 p.m., Dagny’s Coffee Co., 1600 20th St. 322-4891. bell. margie@gmail.com. “Like Me” Children’s Book Launch Party: Author Quinn Woodard introduces underrepresented communities to STEM; includes book reading and signing, Q&A, free food, and a free book to the first 25 individuals who RSVP, 6 p.m., Idea Hive, 1910 19th St. info@ qwoodard.com. Cinema Macabre: “Night of the Hunter” (1955), adults only, 6 p.m., Beale Memorial Library, 701 Truxtun Ave. Free. kerncountylibrary.org. Pathfinders and Adventurer’s Children’s Program: For kids ages 6-15, 6:30-8 p.m., Hillcrest Seventh Day Adventist Church, 2801 Bernard St. Free. 8715000. hillcrest.adventistfaith. org.

The Bakersfield Californian

Thursday, February 6, 2020

EYE STREET

THE LOWDOWN

Venture beyond mainstream with the Melvins T he buzz surrounding Sunday’s concert at Temblor Brewing Co. with sludge metal heroes the Melvins is what happens when disbelief and excitement clash. “No way, man — Bakersfield?” “Did you mean the Melvins, as in the Melvins?” were among the most common reactions. For the record, the Melvins are coming to Bakersfield. You may now continue to be excited and/ or shocked. “We’re doing an 11-city, California-only tour, and I wanted to play Bakersfield,” said band cofounder and fuzzy-coiffed guitarist Buzz Osborne, or “King Buzzo” as he’s most affectionately known among fans. “We’ve played Bakersfield a number of times and we’re big COURTESY OF THE MELVINS Buck Owens fans. I mean you should be if you’re not. EveryThe Melvins — from left, Buzz Osborne, Dale Crover and Steven body knows who Buck Owens is. McDonald — will perform Sunday at Temblor Brewing Co. He’s one of the masters, one of my favorites.” or two about the Melvins and Described as “experimental,” Over the past three decades the the fact that the band’s not from “sludge metal,” “noise rock” and Melvins have stood as a musical Seattle, but two hours north in “doom metal,” Osborne says the foundation for bands Montesano. Melvins’ music has always been such as Nirvana, “Talking about that for listeners with tastes well beSoundgarden, Tool, stuff doesn’t bother yond the mainstream. No arguMastodon and countme,” Osborne said. ment there. less others who have “The Melvins are BC: Osborne said, “The weirdos cited the group as an Before Cobain. This and the freaks, that’s our people. influence as well as has been our main Marginalized individuals who progenitor of grunge, source of making a aren’t hip to what the vast majora sound that would living since 1988, well ity of the public are into. We’ve forever be associbefore Nirvana. We always assumed we had good ated with alternative MATT MUNOZ were already doing taste and if we made music that rock. If you’ve ever FOR THE CALIFORNIAN enough to make a we liked, then there would be been caught up in a living. To me it’s been other people with good taste who lengthy discussion about Seattle far more than anything I could would like it as well. That was the music in the 1990s, a sure way have hoped for and I never take key to what we were doing. Not to throw the conversation into a it lightly. I think it’s a very import- so much to follow trends. We’re spin will be to drop in a fun fact ant thing.” not perverse people perversely

doing something different.” Familiar early on in mostly underground touring scenes, the group benefited from Nirvana’s subsequent success, landing a major-label deal in 1993 at the height of the grunge MTV era. At last, the Melvins were seated at the table alongside multiplatinum acts Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. Following the death of Cobain and the eventual oversaturation of Seattle grunge music and fashion, the Melvins continued to play by their own rules, including first and foremost to never stop working and touring. “I always wanna do something different,” Osborne said. “If you believe in what you’re doing, then work on it 10 times harder than you would a normal job. People think they can become successful by working 40 hours a week, they’re just out of their mind. It takes a hell of a lot more work than that.” Depending on the listener, the Melvins’ sound straddles the worlds of psychedelic rock, heavy metal and punk, but for Osborne, the band really just wants you to get out and enjoy the show. “I have all kinds of ideas about music, but I didn’t spend all this time building a house to guard it,” he said. “It’s for everyone. That’s what I want people to take away from what we do. Music is art, art is extra in your life and I wanna provide you, the public, something that they can’t get in their normal life. And for a few minutes, you can come out and enjoy music the way I look at a painting or I watch a movie. It takes me out of my normal

Mayor’s Ball, black-tie events call for pomp and pageantry BY LISA KIMBLE For The Californian

It is black-tie season in Kern County, and this Saturday a new event joins an already crowded annual slate of fancy fundraising galas. Mayor Karen Goh, long an advocate for solutions to the crisis of brokenness in the community, has lent her name to the first-ever Mayor’s Ball, benefiting the nonprofit CityServe. “I don’t lend my name to just anything,” she said. “But I believe in this organization that is impacting lives.” The formal affair will stand in stark contrast to the day-to-day operations of the organization, which connects needy families with more than 100 churches of all denominations across Kern County, providing them with surplus goods from giant retailers. Tangible goods like food and furniture, microwaves and meals, anything that will put individuals back on the path toward hope. The ball itself may conjure up images of “Cinderella,” “Downton Abbey” or “The

GO & DO

Continued from PAGE C3

STARLITE LOUNGE 13423 Sierra Way, Kernville, 760-376-1895, starliteloungewinebar.com ■■ 6 p.m. Thursdays.

WIKI’S WINE DIVE & GRILL 11350 Ming Ave., Suite 260, 399-4547, wikiswinedive.com ■■ 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. ■■ 10 a.m. Sundays.

DJ s 1933 7900 Downing Ave., 864-9856, djcountdown661@gmail.com ■■ Country music with DJ Countdown, 8 p.m. Tuesdays.

THE BULL SHED 2400 Camino Del Rio Court, 327-0681 ■■ 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

LONG BRANCH SALOON 907 N. Chester Ave., 399-8494 ■■ DJ Bree, 9 p.m. Saturdays.

C O M E DY ELEVATION LOUNGE 818 Real Road, 325-6864 ■■ Live comedy and improv, with DJ after party, 9 p.m. Tuesdays.

JERRY’S PIZZA AND PUB 1817 Chester Ave., 6331000, jerryspizza.com ■■ Open mic comedy night, hosted by Curtis Taylor and DJ J-WY, sign up at 6:30 p.m.; show begins at 7:10 p.m. Tuesdays.

McMURPHY’S IRISH PUB 14 Monterey St., 869-1451 ■■ 9 p.m. Wednesdays. $5-$10.

TEMBLOR BREWING CO. 3200 Buck Owens Blvd., 4894855, temblorbrewing.com

King and I,” but attendees need not break the bank in order to be in step with the night. Black-tie signals formality, something always subject to wide interpretation, especially in a meat-and-potatoes town like Bakersfield where some consider cowboy boots and jeans lavish. Goh is tight-lipped about what she’ll be wearing, or whether it will be accompanied by one of her signature neck scarves. The event is already sold out but for those lucky enough to have snagged a ticket, the question of wardrobe may weigh heavily on their minds. Elegant fundraisers like the Mayor’s Ball are nights to look your most fabulous. A cocktail dress or simple long gown will always be a safe choice. Need ideas? Look no further than the celebrities who wore it best on the recent red carpets of the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremonies. Embrace it and have fun. There is nothing as sophisticated as a man in a classic tuxedo jacket and matching trousers, but

■■ Open mic, 7 to 9 p.m. most

Wednesdays, free, must be 21 and up.

TRIVIA CHUY’S 2500 New Stine Road, 833-3469 ■■ 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

SANDRINI’S PUBLIC HOUSE 1918 Eye St., 322-8900, sandrinis.com ■■ 7:30 p.m. Mondays.

TEMBLOR BREWING CO. 3200 Buck Owens Blvd., 4894855, temblorbrewing.com ■■ The Trivia Factory, 7-9 p.m. Mondays.

FIREHOUSE ROSEDALE STATION 2905 Calloway Drive, 8367665, firehouseeats.com ■■ Trivia Tuesday, 7 p.m. Tuesdays.

K A R AO K E Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge: 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3090 Brundage Lane. 325-2139. Blondies Cocktails: 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1914 N. Chester Ave. Bootleggers Craft Pub and Eatery: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 955 Oak St. 322-2123. The Junction Lounge, Red Lion Hotel: 7 p.m. Thursdays, 8:30 p.m. Fridays and 9 p.m. Saturdays, 2620 Buck Owens Blvd. 327-9651. Cataldo’s Pizzeria: 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, 6111 Niles St. 363-7200. Downtown Red Zone Sports Bar and Grill: 9 p.m. Fridays, 900 Truxtun Ave. 864-9856. djcountdown661@gmail.com. Elevation Lounge: 9 p.m. Wednesdays, 818 Real Road. 325-6864. Ethel’s Old Corral: 6 p.m. Wednesdays, 4310 Alfred Harrell Highway. 873-7613. Grenadier Cocktail Lounge:

life and gives me this vision of something I had to experience or hadn’t thought of myself. That’s the most important thing.” In addition to drummer and band co-founder Dale Crover, bassist Steven McDonald (Red Kross, OFF!) rounds out the trio at Sunday’s show. “He’s (McDonald) been playing with us for about five years. Fantastic bass player, (we’re) big fans of Red Kross. If you would’ve told me I’d someday not only know those guys but play with one of them I wouldn’t have believed it. The world is a strange place.” Asked whether he expects to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside Nirvana and Pearl Jam someday, Osborne isn’t holding his breath. The band has enough upcoming recording projects to fill their own museum. “If we were nominated, I wouldn’t go. Groucho Marx said it best, ‘I don’t wanna belong to any club that would have me as a member.’ So you can call me a Groucho Marxist. The Melvins are coming to Bakersfield and you should really find a way to get there. Sunday’s showtime is 7 p.m. Tickets are $20. Show is all ages. Also performing are Hepa.Titus and a band whose name we can’t run in a family newspaper. Temblor Brewing Co. is located at 3200 Buck Owens Blvd., Suite 200. For more information, call 489-4855 or visit numbskullshows.com. Contributing columnist Matt Munoz brings you the latest news on Bakersfield’s music scene every other Thursday.

Blue October returns to Fox this spring THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN STEVEN MAYER / CALIFORNIAN FILE

Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh, seen here at a news conference last month announcing the Mayor’s Ball, will surely dress to impress at the inaugural event on Saturday.

for those who don’t own a tux, a black or dark blue suit will be just as dapper. But if your slacks of choice are denim, you should hit the stores now. Whatever you decide to wear to the inaugural party hoping to raise muchneeded funds for the worthiest of causes, style experts say to be mindful of the organizer’s vision for their special night. Let that, and good taste guide you. Lisa Kimble is a member of the Mayor’s Ball Committee.

9 p.m. Fridays and Sundays, with DJ Countdown, 1721 Columbus St. 871-1004. Greenacres Community Center: 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2014 Calloway Drive. 392-2010. La Mina Cantina: 7 p.m. Sundays, 8020 District Blvd.; 7 p.m. Wednesdays, 4001 Auburn St.; and 7 Thursdays, 1300 Coffee Road. 831-2777. Le Corusse Rouge: 8 p.m. Tuesdays, 4647 White Lane. 834-1611. The Library: 9 p.m. Thursdays, 1718 Chester Ave. 703-6911. djcountdownent.com. The Links at RiverLakes Ranch: 6 p.m. Wednesdays, 5201 Riverlakes Drive, 587-5465, riverlakesgc.com. Lone Oak Lounge: 10 p.m. Fridays, 10612 Rosedale Highway. 589-0412. Long Branch Saloon: Karaoke with Bree, 8 p.m. Fridays, 907 N. Chester Ave. 399-8494. McMurphy’s Irish Pub and Sports Bar: 8 p.m. Thursdays, 14 Monterey St. 869-1451. The New 1933: 9 p.m. Thursdays, 7900 Downing Ave. O’Hennings: 8 p.m. Fridays, 1312 Airport Drive. The Old West Saloon: 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1807 N. Chester Ave. Pour House: 9 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 4041 Fruitvale Ave. 589-9300. Red Zone Sports Bar and Grill: 8 p.m. Wednesdays, 3351 Panama Lane; 9 p.m. Fridays, Downtown Redzone Sports Bar, 900 Truxten Ave. 864-9856, djcountdown661@gmail.com. The Regent: 9 p.m. Fridays, 2814 Niles St. 871-4140. Shenanigans Irish Pub: 8 p.m. Tuesdays, 4715 Coffee Road, Suite E. djcountdown661@ gmail.com. Syndicate Lounge: 9 p.m. Wednesdays, 1818 Eye St. 327-0070. Stella’s Sandtrap: 9 p.m. Sundays, 3312 Niles St. 864-9856.

The alt-rock band Blue October will return to Bakersfield this spring at the Fox Theater. This will be the third year in a row the group, now on its “Get Back Up” tour, has played Bakersfield. Originally from Houston, the band consists of lead singer Justin Furstenfeld, drummer Jeremy Furstenfeld, lead guitarist Will Knaak, bassist Matt Novesky and Ryan Delahoussaye on violin, mandolin and piano. Blue October is best known for platinum singles “Into the Ocean” and “Hate Me.” Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. May 31 at the Fox, 2001 H St. Tickets, ranging from $31 to $43, go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at the Fox Theater’s box office, by calling 324-1369 or at eventbrite.com.

djcountdown661@gmail.com. VIP Lounge: 9 p.m. Mondays, 5460 California Ave. 322-8431. The Wright Place: 8 p.m. Thursdays, 2695-G Mount Vernon Ave. 872-8831.

DA N C E Line Dancing Lessons with John Haskell: 6:30 p.m. Mondays, Firehouse Southwest Station, 7701 White Lane, 8314688, $5; 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Old River Monte Carlo, 9750 Taft Highway, 837-0250, $5; 7 p.m. Thursdays, The Bull Shed, 2400 Camino Del Rio Court, 634-0720, $5. Square Dancing Classes: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, Rasmussen Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane. 301-2808. Line Dancing Lessons: Taught by Rosa Stone 6 p.m. Mondays, The Junction Lounge, 2620 Buck Owens Blvd. $5, 617-0888, alphacanine@hughes.net. Free Dancing: 10:30 a.m. Mondays, Fridays and every third Wednesday, Greenacres Senior Center, 2014 Calloway Drive, call Ted McClaren for more information, 393-1474. Beginning and Intermediate Line Dance Lessons: Beginner class 5 p.m. intermediate class 6 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, Rasmussen Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane. $5. Bakersfield Rounders: Round dance beginners class, 3:30 p.m. Sundays, First Congregational Church, 5 Real Road. $7. Beginning Scottish Country Dance: 6 p.m. first and third Thursdays, All Saints Church Parish Hall, 3200 Gosford Road. $4. Kernscot.org. Country Line Dancing: Beginning and intermediate, 5:30 p.m. beginner, 6:30 p.m. intermediate, Monday, NOR Greenacres Community Center, 2014 Calloway Drive. $6. 392-2010.

Cielo 9 Bar: Music by G-Six, for singles and couples, must be over 21, 8 p.m. Thursdays. 4208 Rosedale Highway, $7, 633-1116. Joaquin Squares: New beginner class. First three classes are free; 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Rasmussen Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane. $5. kernsq.org. Dancing Classes: Beginner to intermediate dancing, Wednesdays, 6 p.m. Drop in for one class or sign up for an entire six week session, Simply Irresistible Pole Fitness and Dance, Easton Business Center, 4700 Easton Drive, Suite 37, 444-0133, $45-$55. Beginner Belly Dance Lessons: 5:45 p.m. Mondays, Centre Stage Studio, 1710 Chester Ave. 323-5215. $45 regular, $65 combo. bakersfieldbellydance. biz. DoubleTree Hotel: Bachata 7 p.m. Wednesdays, $5; Salsa, bachata, and cumbia lessons, 8 p.m. Thursdays, $7, Club Odyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court, 323-7111. Western Ballroom Dancing: Ballroom dance to a variety of country music, 2 p.m. Sundays, free, The Fairfax Grange, 6540 E. Brundage Lane. Country Western Dance Lessons: 4 p.m. Sundays, The Fairfax Grange, 6540 E. Brundage Lane. $5. Ballroom Dance Lessons: Swing, ballroom and Latin dance lessons, 7 and 8 p.m. Thursdays, Studio 9, 4000 Easton Drive, $9, 303-6787. Salsa and Bachata Dance Lessons: Drop in classes available, 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, Studio 9, 4000 Easton Drive, $8-$10, 3333178, info@dancebakersfield. com. Folklorico Classes: Advance dancers and performing group 6 p.m. Fridays; 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 advanced dancers.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

The Bakersfield Californian

EYE STREET

Explore all things cocoa for good cause at Chocolate Affair BY BOWEN WEST bwest@bakersfield.com

If you’re on a diet, now would be a good time to squeeze in a cheat day. There will be sweets aplenty Saturday at the annual A Chocolate Affair, now in its sixth year. Put on by the United Way of Kern County, the event raises money for College Heights Elementary School’s Boys With a Purpose, Gentlemen’s Club and other early childhood education programs at United Way of Kern County. All the chocolate dishes at the black-tie event, being held at the Westchester Hall, will be served in small portions, so guests will be able to sample every tasty treat offered. Ten local businesses are contributing cocoa-based foods, including Buttercream Cookie Co., Petroleum Club, Jake’s Tex-Mex, Baking Encanto, Hometown Buffet, Franco Baked, Central Valley Homebrew Supply and chef Ora Fink. The Gentlemen’s Club is designed to teach young men chivalry and how to find their purpose in life. Some of the funds

raised will go to purchase professional wear for the students as well as provide motivational speakers and field trips to different colleges to promote higher education, said Nathan Banks, fundraising assistant for United Way of Kern County. “It helps young boys learn to respect others and themselves,” Banks said. The Gentlemen’s Club started this school year to bring something more for male students, said Jorge Laris, the behavioral intervention specialist at College Heights Elementary. The club is for students in fourth through sixth grades because data showed that males in those grades are more likely to get into altercations, Laris said. The club covers things from dinner table etiquette to holding doors open to staying away from dangerous situations. “On Wednesday the students are seen in a different light,” Laris said. While enjoying live music and perusing the variety of chocolate, guests can bid on live and silent auction items like dinners at

COURTESY OF THE UNITED WAY OF KERN COUNTY

Chocolate treats galore at A Chocolate Affair. Contributions will be supporting College Heights Elementary School’s Boys with a Purpose, Gentlemen’s Club.

local restaurants, wine baskets and jewelry. Other items get a little more extravagant, including a Mexico getaway, signed Kobe Bryant memorabilia, box tickets for a Clippers game and a trip to Maui, Banks said. While this event is fun for attendees, it can be just as much

fun for the chefs involved. Instead of dropping off their foods and drinks, chocolatiers are encouraged to stay and interact with guests. A Chocolate Affair offers a chance for them to get creative and show off what chocolate is capable of with varied servings like chocolate martinis,

A CHOCOLATE AFFAIR When: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday Where: Westchester Hall, 2801 F St. Admission: $100, $1,000 for VIP table of eight; tickets, which must be purchased in advance, available at eventbrite.com

chocolate pizza and mole sauce, just to name a few. This is Maria Lopez’s second year baking for A Chocolate Affair. The owner and baker of Baking Encanto wants for the evening to showcase what chocolatiers can do with their favorite ingredient. “You can use chocolate in so many things,” Lopez said. “People discriminate and think of chocolate as just one thing. There are so many types of chocolate.” Last year, Lopez was surprised by how popular her choco-flans were. Lopez considers macaroons her specialty but audiences responded with excitement at her take on the beloved Mexican custard. “I hope everyone is eager to see what chocolate has to offer,” Lopez said. “Try something new and just open your mouth and take a bite.” Bowen West can be reached at 661-395-7660.

THE LOWDOWN

Live and let listen when it comes to music in office

lashback ... Working in office spaces can create dilemmas depending on the proximity between cubicles and desks. The strong smells of food, colognes and perfumes, all of which in any combination can permeate open workspaces to the point of nausea. We’ve all been there and have found a way to deal with the smells of microwaveable Asian noodles and cheap cheesy frozen lunches, but when it comes to the office playlist, my zero-tolerCOURTESY OF BROTHA LYNCH HUNG ance policy is in full effect. PHOTO BY NICOLE BOLINGER There’s nothing worse than Sacramento gangsta rap icon Brotha Lynch Hung will hearing your worst nightBakersfield pop rock soul sextet The Akoustiks will perform Friday at The Well. perform Saturday at Jerry’s Pizza. mares on repeat, all day. Many of you are nodding is asked to turn his radio audible carnage, I finally and Jason Vorhies (no relayour head right now in down by co-worker Ron. did the honorable thing tion to the maniac from the agreement. Milton, in his mumbling and quit, albeit quietly and “Friday the 13th” series, but Every workplace with a defiant tone — which I imwithout drama. I’m no rat. who knows?). semi-lax rule about playing itate regularly — responds It also makes for a great Faux Fighters, 9 p.m. music has its issues. You that he should be allowed conversation starter at Saturday, The Well, 7401 work in a large warehouse to listen to the radio at his parties. White Lane. $12. 735-7909. or car repair garage, you’re desk at a “reasonable volOn that note, respect You can argue that the bound to hear ume from nine your co-worker’s ears, or music of the Foo Fighters some oldto eleven.” not. But should you decide has become one of the inschool R&B Spoiler to go full Milton, don’t escapable guilty pleasures (Bobby Brown, alert: Later in blame me. of life. Turn on the car raMary J. Blige), the film, Mildio, your random Spotify MATT’S PICKS hip-hop/rap ton’s desk is or Pandora radio mix, and (mostly of moved to the The Akoustiks, 8 p.m. chances are the opening the mumble basement and Friday, The Well, 7401 White riff and voice of Dave Grohl assortment), he burns the Lane. $10. 735-7909. will be sonically transmitbro country building down. A little bit of soul, and a ted at full volume. Your first (Florida GeorMATT MUNOZ We can’t all be whole lot of yacht rock is reaction will be to press gia Line) or FOR THE CALIFORNIAN Milton, but we the best way to describe skip (it also happens with classic rock can dream of the musical antics of Bako Red Hot Chili Peppers, (Led Zeppelin, Pearl Jam). such a scenario for some sextet The Akoustiks. Mixdon’t lie), but do you? Of Guys in warehouses do like self-love comedic therapy. ing cover tunes from the course not. The music of COURTESY OF FAUX FIGHTERS their old-school (Zapp and To protect the not-so-inMotown era to mellow the Foos is the undeniably Roger, Lakeside, Trinere) — nocent, I won’t reveal in rockin’ years of FM radio, Foo Fighters tribute band Faux Fighters will perform catchy rock radio fare perI’m not hating; I’m down too much detail what traua good time is guaranteed Saturday at The Well. fect for the all-occasion with the old-school, too. matic experience from my at this 18-and-over show barbecue playlist. While I once worked in a beown work history inspired courtesy of these sharpChester Ave. $25. 633-1000. Hung represent the classic the real band is on another low-ground-level office this week’s rant; however, I dressed men. Also perThe 1990s gangster rap gangster/horrorcore era brief hiatus, you can catch that only had reception can say it involved multiple forming is Crimson Skye, era was breaking at the to the fullest. Hailing from this spot-on tribute to for one radio station. You computer speakers blaring who is primed for a big seams with bestselling Sacramento, their indiGrohl and company and guessed it: the old-school over each other in a seriyear, following a rousing artists such as Ice Cube, vidual back stories would sing along just like during station. ously confined office space. performance in front of a Cypress Hill, E-40 and make for a hit Netflix your daily work commute. But not every office has The playlist was a mix of packed Spectrum Amphicountless others represent- documentary, but it’s their Lipstick Revolver will also issues with clashing tunes. new country, dance music theatre crowd at the recent ing the West Coast around undeniable hustle in main- perform at the show. Rock If your office believes in and anthemic dramatic, Bernie Sanders rally and the globe, but back home taining a solid foot in the on, kids. fairness and democracy, singalong girly pop. For making her debut at Buck the real buzz was happenrap game that remains the you share the airspace in a the record, I have nothOwens’ Crystal Palace on ing in the underground. most commendable. Also Contributing columnist respectable fashion. Not. ing against most of those Fat Tuesday. Teaming up for their Reaperforming are Riddy K, Matt Munoz brings you the I’m reminded of that genres (fingers crossed), X-Raided and Brotha son of the Siccness tour, T.Davis, Crite, Ashe Blanco, latest news on Bakersfield’s scene from the film “Ofbut with no speakers of my Lynch Hung, 8 p.m. Satlongtime collaborators Fred Scummy, LYFE, Anmusic scene every other fice Space” when Milton own 2 feet away from the urday, Jerry’s Pizza, 1817 X-Raided and Brotha Lynch drew Thomas, Bryan Lovell Thursday.

‘Seize the day’ with Ovation Theatre’s ‘Newsies’ BY BOWEN WEST bwest@bakersfield.com

COURTESY OF OVATION THEATRE

“Proud and defiant, we’ll slay the giant.” Disney’s “Newsies” opens Friday at Ovation Theatre.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Disney’s “Newsies” opens Friday at the Ovation Theatre. The David vs. Goliath cult classic will serve as the final show in Ovation Theatre’s third season, said director Terri Cline. After eight weeks of grueling rehearsal, the cast of “Newsies” is ready to be the talk of the town. “To see all these little pieces all coming together, I just think, ‘Wow, I can’t believe these are all local actors,’” Cline said. Inspired by the newsboys strike of 1899 in New York City, “Newsies” is the story of rebellious Jack Kelly (Nick Ono), a newspaper delivery boy who is living among other homeless and orphaned children. Jack dreams of escaping to Santa Fe. When Joseph Pulitzer (Alex Neal) decides to raise newspaper prices to beat the competition, it takes away what little profit the newsboys made. This causes the

DISNEY’S ‘NEWSIES’ When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 2 p.m. Sunday; runs through April 5 Where: Ovation Theatre, 1622 19th St. Admission: $35, $15 for children 12 and under; tickets available at the box office, at theovationtheatre.com or by calling 489-4601

newsies to protest and go on strike. Caught in the middle of all this is burgeoning reporter Katherine Plumber (Tessa Ogles), who chronicles the situation. When Disney’s “Newsies” was released in theaters in 1992, it was a box office bomb, but later gained a cult following. The stage version debuted on Broadway in 2012, and was a critical and commercial success. In 2018, the rights for the play were made available for smaller theaters around

the country to perform. The stage boasts an impressive fivelevel set, compensating for the smaller space and mirroring a high-rise New York skyscraper, Cline said. The actors dance through the multiple layers to give a dynamic since of movement. In 2012, the original Broadway production won a Tony for choreography. The choreography features more masculine movement that is often absent in theater shows, Nick Ono said. The dance numbers for “Newsies” have an intensity unlike most shows. The musical numbers are between five to seven minutes long, and each minute takes hours to choreograph, hours of rehearsal and hours to refine, Cline said. “It’s 100 percent all of the time. It’s full speed. Nothing is held back,” Ono said. “Some people feel that every number in ‘Newsies’ is a finale.” Bowen West can be reached at 661-395-7660.

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Eye Street

Editor: Stefani Dias • Phone: 661-395-7488 • Email: sdias@bakersfield.com

Hit hard by coronavirus concerns, venues look toward future

COURTESY OF IRON LILY VENUE

Iron Lily Venue hosted the Quilting Expo on March 1. Iron Lily is one of many event venues navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. BY BOWEN WEST bwest@bakersfield.com

After two years and millions of dollars in renovations, Bryan Oberg was about to see his newest venture bloom. On Friday, Iron Lily Venue was set to have a grand opening with a large 1990s-themed party. With a capacity of more than 300, a large bar, dance floor and pool tables, the event space was created to host events of all kinds. “We designed this place for social interactions,” Oberg said. Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Monday that gatherings should stop for the foreseeable future, restaurants should turn to takeout options and health clubs and movie theaters should shut down. On the same day, the Trump administration encouraged people to limit gatherings to no more than 10 people. Venues canceling all events for the foreseeable

Please see VENUES | C2 COURTESY OF DOT X OTT

Dot x Ott is offering family meals to go, like this option with beef Bolognese, salad and rolls, for $59.95.

GET IT TO GO S Whether it’s curbside pickup, takeout or delivery, restaurants taking action BY STEFANI DIAS

sdias@bakersfield.com

o much is up in the air right now but when it comes down to it, everybody needs to eat. While many wait in lines for groceries, others are turning to restaurants to cook up some comforting dishes. Even amid further restrictions, these dining establishments want to both keep us fed and keep paying their bills. Many of these restaurants are available via third-party delivery including locally owned and operated Restaurant Runner, which has been in business for more than 25 years with its fleet of staff drivers delivering from more than 100 local restaurants. The local delivery ser-

GREG NICHOLS / FOR THE CALIFORNIAN / FILE

Call ahead to pick up this Italian trio from Sorella Ristorante Italiano. The Italian restaurant is one of many offering curbside pickup to encourage sales.

vice has waived delivery fees for the time being. UberEats has also waived delivery fees for more than 100,000 independent restaurants

across the U.S. and Canada. With more local spots also offering delivery or curbside pickup options to accommodate their

customers, here’s a list of some of the businesses that are adapting in a difficult time. Please see TAKEOUT | C6

Show will go on — at a later date — for local theaters BY STEFANI DIAS sdias@bakersfield.com

Although this was set to be a busy weekend for local theater, an unexpected intermission has been called. The community theater scene, like essentially every facet of daily life, has been disrupted by coronavirus concerns and large gatherings. Before recommendations were released Monday urging people to avoid groups of more than 10 people, most of the theaters had already planned to continue with reduced seatings and maintaining high standards of cleanliness. “We said we’ll stay open,” said Randy Jelmini, president of Stars’ board of directors. “If they (ticket holders) felt uncomfortable they could call us, but we had almost nobody call. They were happy we were open. Then everything changed.” Jelmini said it was especially important to close the Chester Avenue theater because patrons tends to be older, falling into the at-risk over-65 group. “Annie Get Your Gun” closed a week early and “Middletown” at Stars Playhouse closed after one week. The annual Dancing at the Stars fundraiser, scheduled for next weekend, will also be rescheduled. The cast of “Spamalot,” set to open April 17, is already in rehearsals, albeit in small groups. “They’re not having formal rehearsals, they’re working on their stuff at home,” Jelmini said. “They have a Facebook group to watch dance routines.” Please see THEATER | C2

THE LOWDOWN

Music community plays it safe, supports others T he Bakersfield music community is feeling the crunch of the COVID-19

Sandrini’s Public House on St. Patrick’s Day, said it was painful to cancel his show downtown but virus. he believes the health of the comBetween last-minute show munity should come first. cancellations and those sched“My first gig was canceled last uled months in advance, working week,” said Byler who added musicians who anhe’s since lost a halfticipated a solid pay dozen solo and band day on the one of the shows between four biggest party days of local venues. “But St. the year, St Patrick’s Patrick’s Day was canDay, could be mostly celed by us, the band, found at home. not the venue.” While some chose Byler added that to follow the mandate while most venues handed down by presented his group California Gov. Gavin MATT MUNOZ and others with opNewsom to limit FOR THE CALIFORNIAN tions, citing working business hours and with government patrons, others chose to take the mandates to find ways bands can loss on the chin altogether. still perform, he felt it was the Local singer-songwriter Travis right thing to do. Byler, a regular figure among local “When I talked to my guys, I watering holes who had planned didn’t want to push it, but the risk his popular U2 tribute show at is we hurt people and generate

a lot of bad publicity. The other side is we still play, have a really mediocre night for a little bit of money because it wasn’t that busy.” Almost as quickly as Newsom ordered California restaurants and bars to operate at half-capacity over the weekend, the Bakersfield music scene went on high alert. Musicians like Byler waited for the inevitable bad news for his bandmates, some of whom rely on money made at gigs. “Every decision is a tough call, because playing music is a big source of income,” Byler said. “We have to stay positive, stay strong and support each other to make it. Time to get creative.”

CENTRAL SOUND AND LIGHTING It’s not just musicians and performers looking for a way to Please see LOWDOWN | C2

PHOTO BY STEVEN DANIELS

Bakersfield singer-songwriter Travis Byler, like many local acts, has already felt the effects of cancellations amid mandates spurred by the COVID-19 outbreak to limit gatherings.

The Bakersfield Californian

Thursday, March 19, 2020

EYE STREET

VENUES

Continued from PAGE C1

future is now our reality — Mechanics Bank Arena, Fox Theater, multiple museums throughout Bakersfield and others having already announced changing plans. For owners of event venues, the growing concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic bring uncertainty for the future of their businesses. Although earlier spring events have been canceled, Oberg said he is booking for May with free cancellations, then will be back to regular bookings in June. He also realizes many events that have been postponed may need to find new venues with fall dates already claimed at other locations. The Westchester Downtown has a capacity of more than 700 people and houses events such as weddings, corporate meetings and expos. As of right now, there are no scheduled events at the Westchester until mid-April, so it’s uncertain if the event will be canceled or postponed, said managing director Tracy Powers. “I had clients call and ask what’s going to happen with their wedding,” Powers said. “We are just playing everything by ear.” Popular event venue Temblor Brewing Co. has canceled all events until further notice, while Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace announced Wednesday on Facebook that it is closing for the “foreseeable future.” Other venues are taking precautions to still host events. Prior to the suggestion that people avoid groups of more than 10, The Well owner Brian Cobb said he was planning to

ALEX HORVATH / THE CALIFORNIAN / FILE

The stage area inside The Well. Owner Brian Cobb said he will still continue to hold events with limited capacity.

host events with reduced occupancy but has said most touring artists have canceled. He took over the venue, which was formerly B Ryder’s, just over six months ago. “I’m not taking this lightly,” Cobb said. “If you don’t feel well, don’t come out. There are people that ignore what everyone says and will go out and people who shelter themselves indoors. I’m trying to navigate that somewhere in the middle.” Cobb and many other

business owners are walking a tightrope of keeping business going, giving touring artists work and keeping patrons safe. He is watching until May to see if things return to normal, but until then it’s a waiting game. “If the worst thing to happen to me is staying home with my family, then I’m doing all right,” Cobb said. “Everything is going to figure itself out financially.”

COURTESY OF THE WESTCHESTER

Bowen West can be reached at 661-395-7660.

The Westchester in downtown Bakersfield is one of many venues facing uncertainty as events are canceled or postponed.

THEATER

LOWDOWN

Over at Ovation Theatre, “Newsies” is on hold, with the nine remaining shows in the run scheduled to resume April 17. “Broadway is coming back that week supposedly, so it’s a good target week,” said Hal Friedman, one of the theater’s owners. “They will continue to work and practice,” he said of the performers in the Disney musical, noting that they will only do so alone or in small groups since the cast is a bigger group than is recommended to gather currently. “They’ll have a brush-up (rehearsal) once we have an all-clear,” Friedman said. “It will be like another tech week for us.” Jan Hefner, Bakersfield Community Theatre’s executive director, said rehearsals will continue for the drama “Sweat,” which was due to open March 28, and “The Producers,” a larger-scale musical set for May 15. Because both shows have large casts, rehearsals will also be solo and in small groups. Dates have not been finalized because the situation remains uncertain, Hefner said. “We don’t know when we’re going to feel comfortable opening our shows again in the near future. We’ve talked about a variety of options. We know we want to bring both shows to our stage.” Moving the shows back may affect the BCT youth theater and new teen theater workshops planned for the summer but Hefner said the theater is no longer at the mercy of seasonal weather. “We have air conditioning, we can work though the summer.” Michael Prince, who co-owns the Gaslight Melodrama with wife Jennifer, said plans to adjust the northwest theater’s upcoming shows came together quickly. “It’s kind of devastating to have to stop operations,” Prince said. “We pride ourselves on being an escape from the madness of the world. A getaway from the craziness, with family fun and silliness and laughter. Not being able to do what we love to do is very hard.” “The Duchess of Delano,” set to open Friday, is tentatively set to open April 3, conditions permitting,

survive as the entertainment industry prepares to adapt to a slow spring. Erik Madera and Melisa Sadler, co-owners of Central Sound and Lighting in Bakersfield, have also seen their normally busy spring schedule dwindle down to just a few events. “I didn’t think it was going to be this bad,” said Madera, who at this time would normally be planning for festival and graduation commencement season, contracting and staffing for full event staging and rentals. “Once I got the first cancellation call at the beginning of this month, I knew there was going to be a domino effect.” And so it began. Faced with a seven-show loss equaling thousands of dollars of business, the duo has parked their equipment trucks for now. “As a growing company, we started to pick up more shows as we went along,” said Madera, who founded the company in 2001. “The shows would normally be three to four big ones a month and so on. But this hit us pretty fast.” To stay busy, Madera and Sadler have begun developing a number of new additional offerings including on- and off-site audio and visual equipment repair for home, studio and corporate businesses. Local and touring bands interested in holding virtual concerts with professional lighting, sound and engineering can also stage events for online streaming at the Central Sound and Lighting work studio. “We’ve just got to stay positive and keep our hopes up,” said Sadler. “We’re all going to get through this.” For more information on Central Sound and Lighting, visit centralsoundandlighting.com.

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COURTESY OF MICHAEL PRINCE

Victoria Tiger, left, and Ali Dougherty star in “The Duchess of Delano.” The Gaslight Melodrama show has been postponed along with all other local theatrical productions amid coronavirus concerns.

““

We pride ourselves on being an escape from the madness of the world. A getaway from the craziness, with family fun and silliness and laughter. Not being able to do what we love to do is very hard.” — Michael Prince, co-owner of the Gaslight Melodrama

with a shorter five-week run that won’t affect the rest of Gaslight’s season. A youth production of “The Legend of the Wasco Kid,” which also set to open this weekend, will now be pushed back to April 18. “We’ll keep the rest of the season the same,” Prince said. “It’s all a maybe at this point.” Plans are also tentative at The Empty Space, which intends to reschedule its production of “When We Were Young and Unafraid,” which was due to open Friday. The date will depend largely on “when our government, the CDC, and local officials have deemed it safe to resume operations,” Heather Irvin, The Empty Space’s interim executive director, wrote in an email. Auditions are still set to be held Saturday for the musical “Big Fish,” because the director is limiting the number of people with scheduled audition slots. The Oak Street theater, like its peers, is also looking at how it will financially weather this closure. “The world is a scary place right now for small businesses and independently owned and operated organizations,” Kristina Saldaña, The Empty Space’s financial director, wrote in an email. “As a completely volunteer

organization, we are lucky that the closure does not mean anyone has to lose their jobs or income.” Saldaña said they will be “exploring fun and alternative ways” to encourage patrons’ continued support, which will allow them to both meet their financial obligations and replenish reserves tapped during this closure. Jelmini said Stars has been able to retain its salaried employees but has had to cut the hourly workers on the serving staff. “As long as this doesn’t go for months, we’ll get through this,” he said. “Thankfully when it comes to overhead we’re able to fulfill all our obligations,” Friedman said of Ovation. “For now we are fine. It depends on how long it goes.” “My hope is that every theater in town is in a good place to be successful when they return. ... The arts is a tough business no matter what and this doesn’t help for sure.” Hefner said although the loss of ticket sales is concerning, BCT has been lucky to have a pretty good fundraising year from previous ticket sales and donation campaigns by members of the board and community. Right now she said the most important thing is that they know they’re doing the right thing for BCT’s performers and the audience. “We will be back, there’s no question about that. We’re hoping that our absence is short and all our fellow theaters’ absences are short. “We all support each other and we want to see theater continue — and it will — it’s just a matter of when.” Stefani Dias can be reached at 661-395-7488.

PHANTOM STRANGER INC. Local event promoter Pat Spurlock of Phantom Stranger Inc. has come to terms with losing most of his upcoming shows slated for the next few months, and is now focused on the future. “Once touring bands started seeing that shows were falling off in cities they were en route to, those same bands began

COURTESY OF PAT SPURLOCK

Bakersfield events promoter and artist Pat Spurlock of Phantom Stranger Inc. has come to terms with losing many of his upcoming shows and is now focusing on the future.

““

Once touring bands started seeing that shows were falling off in cities they were en route to, those same bands began falling off my bills and canceling tours altogether. Some bands have gotten to cities where cancellations have not been communicated until they get there. I would never do that to these bands.” — Pat Spurlock, local event promoter

falling off my bills and canceling tours altogether,” said Spurlock, who books and promotes shows at various local venues. “Some bands have gotten to cities where cancellations have not been communicated until they get there. I would never do that to these bands.” Expecting the worst in the coming months, Spurlock says he’ll be ready to begin booking acts once the dust settles and the public is given the green light to get back to the

business of rocking again. “I’ve lost seven shows between five venues. One was a charity at River Walk for cystic fibrosis that I’ve been part of for the past three years. Best-case scenario is we just deal with the short time and come out on the other side.” In the meantime, Spurlock says he’ll be uploading unreleased art and music from his record label via Bandcamp to the public for purchase. There’s also a planned online art gallery collaboration in the works that will feature other artists in the scene to help keep fans and supporters engaged. “There are lots of ways to support the scene during the break,” he said. “You can find local music by downloading through websites or however you access your music. Artists also have online Patreon (online membership programs) for artistic perks. So, there are ways still to support from the comfort of your home. Even on the social media side, you can still share YouTube links and band pages.” Visit phantomstrangerinc.bandcamp.com. Contributing columnist Matt Munoz brings you the latest news on Bakersfield’s music scene every other Thursday.

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Eye Street

Editor: Stefani Dias • Phone: 661-395-7488 • Email: sdias@bakersfield.com

BMoA urges street painting in neighborhoods with chalk art BY STEFANI DIAS sdias@bakersfield.com

Right now, people are balancing a lot of thoughts and emotions, which can be overwhelming. Luckily, some of us can channel those creatively. The Bakersfield Museum of Art put out the call to encourage residents of all ages and skills to pick up some chalk and create. The call to artists builds on a recent movement to “Chalk Your Walk,” which has been popular with students and families locally. “The movement Chalk Your Walk builds on words of encouragement,” said

museum curator Rachel Magnus. “We kind of latched on to that.” Last Thursday, Magnus took to IGTV to get the word out about the effort. Magnus said the museum has a special connection with chalk art thanks to the popular annual Via Arte Street Painting Festival, which draws artists from all over the state for three days of creating at The Marketplace each October. With 20 years of supporting artists recreating master works or designing original creations, the museum had a great starting

Artist Linda Hyatt adapted “The Child’s Bath” by Mary Cassatt, adding a face mask on the mother bathing her child, for Bakersfield Museum of Art’s Chalk Your Walk effort. Other artists are sharing their work on social media with the hashtag #bmoachalkyour walk. See more photos online at Bakersfield.com.

point for the project. Magnus said, “I sent personal emails to 10 artists so I could build an arsenal. ... That first email was greeted with overwhelming positive reception.” In addition to emailing, Magnus dropped off chalk for a few artists so they could get right to work. And they have. Linda Hyatt adapted Mary Cassatt’s ”The Child’s Bath,” adding a face mask on the mother bathing her child. Yvonne Cavanagh worked on two pieces, one with her niece and one in Please see CHALK | C2

COURTESY OF LINDA HYATT

THE LOWDOWN

THE CALIFORNIAN / FILE

The California burger at Studio Movie Grill. The theater chain, including the Bakersfield location, is reopening to offer curbside pickup of a slightly scaled-down version of its menu.

PHOTO BY KEVIN ESTRADA

From left, Bakersfield native Marvin Lemus, producer America Ferrera and show co-creator Linda Yvette Chavez on the set of “Gentefied.”

Humor, hardships and some hometown heart in

‘Gentefied’ B

orn and raised in Bakersfield but baptized in East Los might be the way to describe the artistic upbringing of Marvin Lemus, co-writer and director of the new Netflix Latinx dramedy “Gentefied.” Originally planned as a limited web series taking viewers through the historic east Los Angeles neighborhood of Boyle Heights, where the fight over gentrification rages among longtime residents, activists and business developers, the project was pulled before airing. (The 2017 trailer can still be found on YouTube as “Gente-Fied.”) Luckily, Netflix picked up the show for a full 10-episode season, which premiered on Feb. 21, featuring a new cast and bigger production but same heart and neighborhood. Lemus is still pinching himself about the opportunity to create a show with collaborator Linda Yvette Chavez and executive producer America Ferrera, who also directed two episodes and had a small role. “We’re very lucky that we’re in a time right now, especially since the start of the year,” Lemus said during a phone interview from his home in Los Angeles. “There’s so

Studio Movie Grill now offering curbside takeout BY STEFANI DIAS sdias@bakersfield.com

You’ll still be enjoying movies at home for a while, but now you can take home a theater meal. Studio Movie Grill is reopening to offer curbside takeout for a special menu of its comforting snacks, burgers and more. Pickup will be available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the theater, 2733 Calloway Drive. Call 535-2292 (press 3) for curbside takeout. The theater will only accept credit card payments. Ten percent of proceeds from food orders will go to support Studio Movie Grill team members at locations nationwide affected by theater closures.

Please see GRILL | C2

NETFLIX

From left, Karrie Martin, Carlos Santos and J.J. Soria in a scene from the Netflix dramedy “Gentefied,” which was co-created by Bakersfield native Marcus Lemus.

MATT MUNOZ FOR THE CALIFORNIAN

many more Latinx shows coming out and more opportunities because of how many platforms there are.” Not another fish outof-water or wild narco shoot-’em-up drug tale, Lemus says “Gentefied” is meant to show the struggles and joys of Latino American life, the family ties that bind us and, of course, the humor required to keep those ties from breaking loose. “In my family, we talk a lot of smack,” Lemus said. “That’s just my family, always cracking jokes at each other.” But it’s not all fun and jokes, as the show follows the lives of three cousins — aspiring chef Chris (Carlos Santos), artist/activist Ana (Karrie Martin) and young father-to-be

Erik (J.J. Soria) — and their grandfather, Casimiro aka Pop (Joaquin Cosio), who owns Mama Fina’s, the taco shop at the heart of the show. Each episode weaves its way through relatable situations Lemus says are partly pulled from his own nomadic life. “We moved around a lot. Most of my family on my mom’s side is all in Bakersfield, which is home. I must have attended 12 or 15 schools,” said Lemus, whose immigrant parents would pull up stakes, moving the family wherever work was available. “My parents have an amazing story. When I was born, they were undocumented. My mom’s Please see LOWDOWN | C6

COURTESY OF KERN POETRY

Even in quarantine, Kern County National Poetry Month celebrates 10 years.

Kern celebrates power of poetry with creative presentations BY BOWEN WEST bwest@bakersfield.com

April is National Poetry Month, which usually means gatherings at local coffee shops or bookstores to share in the written form. One would think that a pandemic would halt this creative celebration, but just because there won’t be open mics at Dagny’s Coffee Co. doesn’t mean that poetry will be ignored in Kern County. National Poetry Month started in April 1996 by the Academy of American Poets, but the celebration of haikus, sonnets and limericks wasn’t in the Kern County limelight until 10 years ago. Kern County National Poetry

Please see POETRY | C2

The Bakersfield Californian

Thursday, April 2, 2020

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JOE DIFFIE | AN APPRECIATION

’90s country music star meant something different to everyone BY EMILY YAHR The Washington Post

Even if you’re a country music fan too young to remember when Joe Diffie became one of the genre’s most popular singers in the 1990s, there’s a good chance you became familiar with him about eight years ago thanks to Jason Aldean. “Joe, Joe, Joe Diffie!” Aldean chanted on the track “1994” from his 2012 album, “Night Train.” While Aldean’s rap-singing was a bit much for country radio, it still made it to the top 10 on the airplay charts and introduced Diffie’s legacy to a new generation of fans. References to Diffie’s many hits (“C-O-U-N-T-R-Y,” “John Deere Green,” “Third Rock from the Sun”) were sprinkled in the lyrics, which celebrated the Grammy-winning singer as a symbol of mid-’90s country music: “1994, Joe Diffie comin’ out my radio / I’m just a country boy with a farmer’s tan, so help me girl, I’ll be your pickup man.” Diffie, though always modest, loved it — last fall, he released a limited-edition vinyl called “Joe, Joe, Joe Diffie!” and started to record new music. So it was especially shocking to the Nashville community on Sunday when Diffie, 61, died due to complications

COURTESY OF JOE DIFFIE / FILE

Country singer Joe Diffie, who hit it big in the mid-1990s with songs like “Third Rock From the Sun,” “Pickup Man” and “Bigger Than the Beatles,” died Sunday due to complications from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus. He was 61.

from COVID-19. He had revealed his positive diagnosis only a few days before. Almost immediately, social media was flooded with remembrances from his fellow singers, who praised his “pure” voice (Trisha Yearwood) and called him “one of the nicest stars on the planet” (Chris Janson). “Oh my God. One of the alltime GREAT vocalists. Joe Diffie was my friend. RIP buddy,” Trace Adkins wrote. “The soundtrack of every bon-

fire, parking lot, tailgate, jukebox, and cassette player back in high school. We’ll miss you Joe Diffie,” Jessi Alexander tweeted. “Joe Diffie was one of the reasons I wanted to sing country music,” Caylee Hammack wrote on Instagram. Scrolling through the dozens upon dozens of tributes, it was clear: Diffie meant something different to everyone. There were common themes, as many celebrated him as one of the best

voices in country music. Others talked about which songs they loved the most. Artists credited him as an inspiration for their careers. He had a huge impact on newer artists, who name-checked him in songs (“Got my honkytonk attitude from Joe Diffie,” Chris Young sang last year on “Raised on Country”) and appreciated his old-school country look (“Joe Diffie man. ... Our love for mullets made me feel connected to you in a special way,” Morgan Wallen tweeted.) Everyone from Luke Bryan to Dustin Lynch to Locash covered “Pickup Man” in concert. Thomas Rhett, a co-writer of Aldean’s “1994,” was four years old at the time of the song’s title, but he still idolized Joe Diffie, and he and co-writers Barry Dean and Luke Laird wrote a whole song about him. “I was a junior in high school in ’94. Joe Diffie was huge,” Aldean told Billboard about why he decided to record the track. He and his producer thought it was one of the “funniest, coolest” things they had ever heard. “There may be some younger fans that have to do some research and figure out who Joe Diffie is, but obviously people in the business know he’s a great singer and one

of the best vocalists we’ve had in this town in years.” Diffie was beyond flattered by the attention and credited the song with helping him make a comeback after he took a nearly decade-long break from releasing music in the mid-2000s. “Jason’s great. And I tell you what, I tip my hat to him, because he’s kind of revived my own career,” Diffie told a country radio station after the song was released. Other words commonly used to describe Diffie on Sunday were “underrated” and “underappreciated.” It may have been true: While Diffie had plenty of huge country hits, he never crossed over to the mainstream audience — partly because the ’90s country music explosion meant there was tons of competition. But with ’90s nostalgia all the rage these days, it’s not surprising Nashville singers and fans connect to his classic country ways (that mullet, that honky-tonk twang) more than ever. Singer Adam Sanders summed it up succinctly in a tribute Sunday: “When you think of ’90s country, you think Joe Diffie. His music will continue to impact generations to come in ways that only a few can.”

Six rom-coms that are perfect for quarantine, now that we’re in a ‘Groundhog Day’ scenario BY LISA BONOS The Washington Post

When someone writes a romantic comedy set in 2020, it might be about a workaholic lawyer confined to her home office who falls for the resourceful grocery clerk who texts her every time her favorite ice cream flavor gets restocked. Or maybe it features two doctors who used to compete with one another but bond after one of them falls ill. For now, all we have are rom-coms set in the before-times when lovesick singles walked too close to one another, sneezed their germs all over and nobody seemed to care. In a time of isolation, rom-coms offer an escape: They allow us to live out fantasies of bonding with someone new. But many are also oddly relevant to this current moment. Here are six of those to stream while waiting for your sourdough to rise. If every day seems the same ... watch “Groundhog Day” (Netflix). If staying inside all the time has made your days blur together or fed your inner misanthrope, you might be inclined to watch the abrasive weatherman Phil Connors (Bill Murray) get

stuck in a loop where every day is Feb. 2. He cycles from confused to mad ... to aggressively trying to coax his colleague Rita (Andie McDowell) into bed with him. Then he uses the time to learn new skills: piano-playing, ice sculpting, empathy. And eventually he does get the girl. But only once he stops trying so hard. You can try this at home, too. Logan Ury, a dating coach in San Francisco, says that quarantine is a good time to invest in yourself — learn a new skill or reflect on past relationships — and by the time social distancing ends, you’ll be an even better catch. If you’re trading epic texts with your latest Tinder match ... watch “You’ve Got Mail” (Amazon Prime Video). Early on in this era of self-quarantine (aka mid-March), comedian Kaitlyn McQuin tweeted about how courtship between dating-app matches was going to get slow and verbose, fast. “Welcome back to talking to a gal for WEEKS before meeting. We’re pen pals now, my dude.” Now that singles are confined to virtual flirtation (and readers are ordering

LOWDOWN Continued from PAGE C1

from Mexico, my dad from Guatemala. My mom was cleaning houses and my dad was doing landscaping. By working hard and having a little bit of talent, they ended up breaking into their own careers.” Lemus’ mother, Sylvia, became a Spanish radio personality, while his father worked for both Intel and Micron, leaving son Marvin to find ways to fit into new surroundings. “I grew up in radio stations most of my life, bobbing back and forth from being low-income to middle class, a little insecure.” Lemus moved permanently to Bakersfield with his mother, enrolling at Liberty High where he graduated in 2007. Looking to nurture his creative side, Lemus enrolled in The Art Institute in Los Angeles to study filmmaking a month after receiving his high school diploma. “I packed up, moved and I’ve been here ever since. It was a yearround program, so I locked in my bachelor’s in about three years. Then I just got to work. My first job in the industry out of school was as a personal assistant on a reality show trying to figure out what I wanted to do. It was cool, paying

delivery from their favorite local bookstores), it’s a perfect time to watch “You’ve Got Mail,” in which Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) of the big-box titan Fox Books falls for Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan), owner of the Shop Around the Corner, while exchanging emails in cyberspace and destroying her business in real life. OK, that last part isn’t so romantic. But the main idea — getting to know someone through their words, first, then meeting the rest of them months later — is suddenly incredibly timely. Watching will make you ever thankful we’re locked down with high-speed internet and not in the dial-up era. If you’re stuck in a group house ... watch “The Breakfast Club” (iTunes, Amazon Prime Video or other platforms). Before social distancing, did you have simplistic notions of your roommates? Was one person the clean freak, sending out passive-aggressive emails about the expired items in the fridge; another the party animal who’s always stumbling home late at night; the loner basement dweller who could barely say hello; the ambitious

the bills, but I wanted to write and direct movies.” When he wasn’t on set, Lemus worked weekends in his apartment developing his own viral content on YouTube, landing side jobs to sharpen his skills, and maxing out credit cards for gear. Along the way he would cross paths with director Justin Simien, the creator of “Dear White People,” who at the time was making the film version of the future Netflix series of the same name. The two became friends and colleagues. “I started tracking his journey, asking him questions,” Lemus said. “When he was promoting the theater release of the film, they didn’t have much of a budget, so they wanted to do an all-digital campaign and he asked me to direct and produce all of the viral videos.” Along with a boost to his resume, the life-altering opportunity helped spark the show’s idea. “That was one of the first things that helped me get closer to narrative storytelling and not just sketch comedy,” Lemus said. “Being around that project made me realize I had to tell my story of being the ‘new kid’ most of my life, especially moving back and forth between worlds: the white, suburban area where I didn’t feel American enough, then going back to east Bakersfield and not

COLUMBIA PICTURES

Andie MacDowell and Bill Murray in 1993’s “Groundhog Day.”

cook who would never share her elaborate meals; and the business traveler who’s rarely around and essentially uses his room as storage? Now you’re staring down several more weeks or months together, patience already frayed, tensions running high. It might be time to settle in for a group viewing of the 1985 John Hughes classic “The Breakfast Club,” in which five strangers are locked in a library for a ninehour detention on a Saturday. They start out thinking that they have each other pegged — until, of course, they’re faced with a common enemy, Vice Principal

feeling Mexican enough. I had to learn how to make friends quick and crack jokes. I was just like, ‘This has to work, I can’t move back to Bakersfield.’” The show’s title is the combination of two words — “gente” (Spanish for people) and “gentrified” — that, according to Lemus, you’ll understand if you watch the show. He said, “I wanted to do a Latino ‘Do the Right Thing,’ and that’s what led to ‘Gentefied.’” On the recommendation of another colleague, he teamed up with co-writer and native Angeleno Linda Yvette Chavez and said the collaboration could not have been more ideal. “I was sent one name (Chavez). I read and loved her work and we connected coming from such a similar background. We were both first-generation, had immigrant parents, grew up fairly low-income and had film school backgrounds working in digital. We hit it off right away.” After a brief festival run with the original web series, plans were pulled by the team to push for broader development and opportunity. Their tenacity paid off with a series order from Netflix early last year taking them back to Boyle Heights, the neighborhood that helped Lemus both find his cultural identity and de-

Vernon. Now that roommates are united against the spread of the coronavirus, is it possible to keep the peace and maybe even start to like one another? If you’re holed up with someone you love and want to protect ... watch “The Big Sick” (Amazon Prime Video). This one might be too on the nose, but hear us out. Watching “The Big Sick” is the romcom equivalent of putting on “Contagion” or “Outbreak,” both of which have been popular on Netflix and iTunes this month. If you’re worried about loved ones right now, you

velop a higher sense of self-love. “When I started to learn about gentrification, I started learning about my identity and to be proud of being Chicano, and I use that in a political sense. I was so enamored with what Boyle Heights was doing in terms of gente-fication. Go out to First Street and see all the businesses that are Mexican and American. I had never been in a physical space that had captured all of my identity in one place, the community organizations and the organizers who love their home and their community so much that they’re fighting tooth and nail to fight and keep it alive. That’s something I had never experienced growing up.” Since its premiere, “Gentefied” has been well-received by critics as well as fan groups, who are rallying viewers online to push it to the streaming channel’s top 10. Lemus says the response is a sign that audiences are hungry for more inclusive programming, with representation minus the damaging stereotypes. “I think the main thing we need to focus on is writing roles that are very authentic and reflect our community in a way that we haven’t seen before. Linda and I are very adamant about mentoring and reaching back out to the different artists and different

might find some solace in watching a movie in which a someone gets sick and makes a full recovery. Star Kumail Nanjiani highlighted the movie’s relevance recently, tweeting that a ventilator saved his “favorite person’s life.” “The Big Sick” is based on the true story of Nanjiani’s relationship with now-wife Emily Gordon. Shortly into their relationship, she fell gravely ill and ended up in a medically induced coma. By bonding with Emily’s (Zoe Kazan) parents while she’s in the hospital, Kumail finds a way to feel closer to her by proxy, even as she’s unconscious.

creators. Not just in film, but in all marketing we’ve done.” Lemus says that while there are a number of storyline jabs referenced from his bittersweet upbringing in Bakersfield sprinkled into stories, he hasn’t forgotten his roots. “Bakersfield made me, I grew up on the east side. With all the moving I’ve done, someone has always been there — my mom, my grandmother, my family. There are reminders that I love Bakersfield with all my heart, my dreams are right here. How am I going to honor and come back home as somebody ‘who did the damn thing’? I gotta make this happen.” Lemus hinted there may be some hometown love dropped in should Netflix order another season. “I had a troubled relationship with you for a long time, Bakersfield. I crack a lot of jokes at your expense, but please know I love you.” For now, catch up on the debut season. “Gentefied” is streaming now on Netflix. For more on Lemus, visit elmarvinlemus.com. Contributing columnist Matt Munoz brings you the latest news on Bakersfield’s music and entertainment scene every other Thursday.

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Editor: Stefani Dias • Phone: 661-395-7488 • Email: sdias@bakersfield.com

BAA bringing First Friday art to Facebook feed BY STEFANI DIAS sdias@bakersfield.com

Downtown streets will be quiet this Friday but it doesn’t mean all of First Friday is on hold. The Bakersfield Art Association is hosting its two shows for May virtually on social media. While actual trips to the Kern River are discouraged right now, viewers can enjoy a bit of the natural beauty with Sissy Ullmann’s solo exhibition. Originally planned as a satellite show for the Bakersfield Art Association to be displayed at Dagny’s Coffee Co., Ullmann’s col-

lection will be shared on the Bakersfield Art Association’s Facebook and Instagram pages. Six of the seven works are oil paintings, with only “The View,” depicting a view of the ocean from Pismo Beach, being a pastel work. Of those paintings, all but one (“Bakersfield,” of the original landmark sign on Union Avenue) feature scenes of or near the Kern River. “To be out in nature, so peaceful and serene, I like everything about it,” Ullmann said. Please see ART | C2

COURTESY OF THE BAKERSFIELD ART ASSOCIATION

“Shadow Path” by Sissy Ullmann is part of her solo show that the Bakersfield Art Association is presenting virtually for May.

EMA’S PICKS

Enjoy blasts from past with ‘GLOW’ and ‘Dickinson’

don’t know about you all, but quarantine has allowed me to finally watch some shows I’ve heard amazing things about but never really had the time to see. My Notes app contains a gigantic list of 37 shows I’ve been meaning to see for years now. (I told you I was rotting my brain with too much entertainment!) As I clear out my watchlist, I’ll share my thoughts on all the yeas and nays I come across. Today, I’m focusing on two unbelievably refreshing shows that even I’m surprised I zipped through in less than two weeks: “GLOW” and “Dickinson.” These two shows seem totally different from one another — the former about a women’s wrestling show set in the 1980s, and the latter about Emily Dickinson’s world in the mid-1800s. But watching them at the same time gave me a double dose of fierce leading ladies, comedy and a blast from the past. “GLOW” follows Ruth Wilder (played by Alison Brie), a Please see EMA’S PICKS | C2

EMA SASIC THE CALIFORNIAN

SE TTIN G THE

BARRE Tiler Peck, New York City ballerina and Bakersfield native, finds a new passion amid pandemic, offering remote lessons to dance enthusiasts BY BOWEN WEST

bwest@bakersfield.com

WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING? Are you streaming the latest series? Revisiting a classic on cable? Pulling out your Blu-rays or DVDs? Let us know what you’re watching by emailing eyest@bakersfield.com for possible inclusion in an upcoming column.

iler Peck started dancing from the moment she could stand. She learned to dance in her mother’s studio, Bakersfield Dance Company, formally known as Princess Studio. She moved to New York City when she was around 11 years old to perform in “The Music Man” on Broadway then, at age 15, she joined the New York City Ballet. To say that her reputation

proceeds her is a bit of an understatement. Peck has performed on stages for audiences from around the world. Now, the ballerina is dancing at a new venue — her parents’ living room — with one devoted fan — her dog, Cali — in attendance. The performer came back to Bakersfield to quarantine with her family, returning to a home that she hasn’t lived in since she was a young girl. “It’s been 15 years since we had Tiler here for an

Tiler Peck performs in front of her dog, Cali, at her parents’ home in Bakersfield. COURTESY OF TILER PECK

extended period,” said her mother, Georgia Peck. “It’s wonderful — if there’s anything good that’s come out of this, it’s that. It’s nice to slow down and have the family together. Maybe that’s a lesson we needed to be taught.” The dance teacher at Garces Memorial High School also asked her accomplished daughter if she would be willing to give her students some professional lessons over Zoom. Since the school gives an iPad to every student, Please see PECK | C2

THE LOWDOWN

Final season of ‘Vida’ celebrates Latinx culture

emember those scattered feelings of contentment and rage watching the series finale of “Game of Thrones”? “You mean that’s it? No way. We deserve one more season,” you’d say before cursing profusely, threatening to cancel your app subscription. It never happened of course, but we show-binging loyalists are known to be an emotional bunch. Now, the final season of “Vida” on Starz has left a fiercely loyal fanbase wondering if six episodes will be enough to wrap the show properly without reaching to throw a favorite bottle of tequila at the screen. Not to worry, says Ser Anzoategui, who plays Eddy in the series airing Sundays about the Hernandez sisters, Emma and Lyn (played by Mishel Prada and Melissa Barrera), who contend with gentrification drama and newly revealed secrets at the bar

KAT MARCINOWSKI / STARZ

Ser Anzoategui plays Eddy on “Vida,” which launched its final season Sunday on Starz.

they inherited from their mother, Vidalia. Season two ended with Los Vigilantes, activists fighting the gentrification of their Boyle Heights neighborhood, pro-

testing outside Vida, the bar the sisters have inherited. Things get hot, and police arrive. In the end, Lyn gets doused with laundry detergent by one of the protesters. But wait there’s more, or at least

there was going to be. While not the first TV show with “So many things ended up getLatino themes — preceded by ting cut in season one and two,” “George Lopez,” “Cristela,” “One said Anzoategui during a recent Day at a Time,” etc. — “Vida” phone call. “There were going is one of those rare new flores to be other storylines for Eddy (flowers) breaking through the that ended up getting pop culture concrete cut down to what that Latinos like me happened in season should have on their two. We have only six radar. Add in “East episodes again in seaLos High” (Hulu) and son three, but they’re “Gentefied” (Netflix) a jammed-packed six and we can’t help episodes.” but get excited for Premiering in 2018, the future of Latinos “Vida” ventured where in Hollywood. Just few shows had only MATT MUNOZ imagine your mom’s begun to scratch the FOR THE CALIFORNIAN determination colsurface or avoid altolecting newspaper gether by choosing comedy over clippings of their son or daughter drama. Helping acquaint viewers times 10 when we see ourselves with the hip, gender-neutral (and on TV and movies. It’s a real thing polarizing) term Latinx in place and “Vida” is one of the best of Latino or Latina, the show shows to come along in years. took viewers into a world seen You also don’t have to be Latino through the lens of writer and creator Tanya Saracho. Please see LOWDOWN | C6

The Bakersfield Californian

Thursday, April 30, 2020

EYE STREET

Get your message across with Fox’s Marquee Inspired initiative BY BOWEN WEST bwest@bakersfield.com

This week, the Bakersfield’s Fox Theater became the theater heard round the country. With a simple message on its marquee, the downtown venue gained the attention of the Los Angeles Times and Fox Sports Radio. The message read: NEVER FORGET HOUSTON ASTERISKS LET’S GO DODGERS A playful reminder, posted by theater manager Matthew Spindler, that even though baseball season hasn’t started, his disliking of the Astros still lingers. The message serves another purpose, to let people know that if they have something to say, it can be put on the marquee for all to see. Having had to postpone or cancel upcoming shows indefinitely, the Fox Theater, like many other businesses, is getting creative with how to cover essential bills during these times. Instead of the usual variety of shows to bring in money, the theater is looking to raise funds with personal messages displayed on its iconic marquee. Whether it’s an inspirational quote, a profession of love or a message of congratulations, all paid declarations will go to preserving the historic landmark. For $200, the donor’s message will be displayed on the marquee for 24 hours. Each message is limited to all caps, a maximum of three lines on the marquee and using the theater’s letter inventory. For an additional $100, neon lights will be

turned on for an hour at sunset. Messages deemed inappropriate, including profanity, political or religious statements, will be rejected. Payments will be taken over the phone and based on a secured payment of credit or debit cards only. “We didn’t want this to get too serious,” Spindler said. “It’s just a chance to keep things light. I’m hoping to see people come up with something creative.” The idea to use the marquee came from Fox Theater staff brainstorming how to keep the lights on and still provide for the community, Spindler said. The staff wanted to put something up to fill the void where show titles used to hang but nothing felt quite right. It wasn’t until the idea that the community should decide what words should go up that the marquee program formed. Messages will be displayed on a firstcome, first-served basis. May is almost entirely booked so anyone considering putting a message into downtown Bakersfield should jump on the opportunity while they can. Requests are getting booked far in advance. “We try to communicate with people who book far in advance that if things are back to normal they may not get shown,” Spindler said. “Which is a good problem to have.” Off to the side of the first marquee message read: PLEASE SUPPORT NIVA SAVE OUR STAGES Spindler wanted to use the opportunity to raise awareness of the National

Independent Venue Association, an organization that formed two weeks ago to represent small venues and have made an effort to be included in federal relief programs. In the short while that it’s been around, NIVA now has more than 1,000 independent community halls across the U.S. making the push for federal assistance, said NIVA communication director Audrey Schaefer. “This is not a small group looking for a handout,” Schaefer said. “Some businesses are able to adapt. You cannot pick-up and deliver the live music experience. We’re used to going at it alone but this is the time when we need help.” There’s been a phrase that’s been going around the live entertainment industry: “First to close, last to open.” There are worries that the sites for social gatherings may be forgotten during these times. Schaefer hopes that people remember how theater and live music served as more than just entertainment — these events are the soul of their communities. “So many people think of these venues as part of the heart of their community,” Schaefer said. “Without these venues where will the up and coming musicians perform at? Where will the next Bruce Springsteen or Lady Gaga perform?” Outside of just the emotional aspect, live venues also serve as a large boost to local economies. In 2017, the National Endowment for the Arts found that arts and culture contributed $877 billion to the nation’s gross domestic product. According to entertainment database Pollstar, venues are expected to lose up to $8.9 billion of revenue if they are closed for

COURTESY OF THE FOX THEATER

To promote the Marquee Inspired program, Fox’s theater manager and lifelong Dodgers fan Matthew Spindler selected a message in support of his team. “The only thing I was thinking about,” he told the Los Angeles Times, “was how much I hated the Astros.”

the rest of 2020. Independent theater owners anticipate an artistic upswing after quarantine. Spindler hopes that the community wanting to see these future shows don’t forget about the venues that host them. “I think when the time comes, when we can turn the lights on, we’re going to see artists pouring in like we haven’t before,” Spindler said. “We want to make sure that we are still here when that happens.” To inquire about your own marquee message, email info@thebakersfieldfox. com with the subject line “MARQUEE INSPIRED” or visit thebakersfieldfox.com. Bowen West can be reached at 661-395-7660.

LOWDOWN Continued from PAGE C1

COURTESY OF ANGRY CHICKZ NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN

Angry Chickz Nashville Hot Chicken is bringing the heat to southwest Bakersfield with a location opening May 22.

THE DISH

Angry Chickz bringing the heat in May BY STEFANI DIAS sdias@bakersfield.com

With so much uncertainty in the restaurant business, it’s exciting to hear news of a business opening. Angry Chickz Nashville Hot Chicken will add some spice to southwest Bakersfield next month. It announced on its Facebook page that the new location will open May 22 at 5041 Gosford Road, Suite 300 (which last housed a Burgerim). This will be the fifth location for the chain, which also has lists restaurants in Fresno, Glendale, Van Nuys and Hollywood. Angry Chickz’s menu is fairly streamlined, offering combos with hot chicken sliders or tenders. What sets its chicken apart from Bucky’s Hot Chicken or Raising Cane’s is the heat scale. There are six levels: country, mild, medium, hot, x-hot and angry, which requires a signed waiver to purchase. Side dishes include mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, fries, rice and angry fries, which are topped with a chicken tender, slaw, pickles and secret sauce. The grand opening post also said there will be raffles and giveaways on the big day including a big-screen TV. For more on Angry Chickz, visit facebook.com/theangrychickz.

GRAND REOPENINGS Other restaurants and busi-

MARK NESSIA / THE CALIFORNIAN / FILE

Cloud 9 Coffee Co. will reopen Monday with online ordering for curbside or contactless pickup.

SOMETHING TO DISH? Do you have a tip, question or recommendation on Bakersfield restaurants, trends or food news in general? Email thedish@ bakersfield.com, and your input might wind up in a future column.

nesses are coming back, some with limited hours. Those include: Cloud 9 Coffee Co. (5060 California Ave., Suite 130): The coffee shop will reopen Monday with orders taken online at cloud9coffeeco.com for curbside or contactless pickup. Customers will be able to choose from their coffee and tea beverage favorites as well as pastries and Cloud 9 merchandise. Cloud 9 will also offer

“quarantine canteens,” 64 ounces of your favorite drink served in empty glass milk jugs, which can be recycled at locations around town. Mamma Mia (1804 Chester Ave.): The other downtown Italian restaurant has reopened with limited days, most recently 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Menu posted on its Instagram page (@mammamia.bakersfield). Call 493-0433 to order

and to confirm hours. La Costa Mariscos at the Ice House (3401 Chester Ave. #B): On Friday this location rejoins its sister Riverwalk operation in serving up Mexican seafood and other favorites. La Costa was recently named in The Californian’s Best of Readers’ Choice Poll as the best Mexican and seafood restaurant as well as a favorite in the happy hour and family restaurant categories. Hours of operation will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Call 322-2655 to order. Sweet Surrender (6439 Ming Ave., Suite B): The bakery just named a favorite in the 2020 Best of Readers’ Choice Poll is open again, offering curbside pickup and delivery within a limited area (with $6 fee). Current menu and merchandise posted on the bakery’s social media (facebook. com/sweetsurrenderbakery and @sweetsurrenderbakersfield on Instagram). Call 835-8530 to order. Birria Bros (1620 Brundage Lane): Opened about six months ago, this food truck came in strong and just won best Taco Tuesday in the Californian’s poll. It will reopen Friday at 6 p.m. serving birria tacos, mulitas, burritos and more. Call 448-0318 to order. Stefani Dias can be reached at 661-395-7488. Follow her on Twitter at @realstefanidias.

or Latinx to watch “Vida,” where drama and comedy is also non-gender-specific. For Anzoategui, who identifies as nonbinary (not strictly male or female and uses the pronouns they/ them), response to the character of tough but sensitive Eddy, wife of Vidalia, has been overwhelming from the start. “People will message me on Instagram and Facebook Messenger like it’s a confessional, so it’s really beautiful to see how they all connect to it, and it’s also good to hear as an actor and producer as well to know that it does matter when people are responsive. It’s not just because you’re an actor, or because you wanna make a story to create a show or a character. It does bring that much needed connection, feelings and the relief that finally we get that representation.” Anzoategui added developing their character came organically, drawing from real-life experience. “I’ve spent a lot of time in Boyle Heights, I’ve lived there, and I was doing work there on gentrification, so it was sort of like it was perfect timing and meant for me because of so many layers that I could understand and bring to life.” Like all the characters on the show, Eddy’s life also experiences a number of troublesome spots including homophobic violence. Through it all, Anzoategui says Eddy’s unflinching loyalty is all heart. “People that have to be the strongest are the ones that hurt the most inside. So this really shows not only that, but how much of a sacrifice she makes to have the love of her life and to be able to care for the ones that she loves, the tenants and the community.” Along with a big secret Eddy reveals to Emma and Lyn, the final season also features a big “queerceañera” with drag queens. “That’s very important because drag queens have become part of our culture and part of the mainstream culture. And I’m glad we got to have some of that in there, even though it’s only six episodes,” said Anzoategui. “It’s week by week, so there’s no binging. We gotta have people savor it.” Heading off to another audition, Anzoategui is ready to continue breaking new ground for more inclusivity in Hollywood. “I’m pitching myself. Because there’s not a whole lot of roles like Eddy, once you play an Eddy role, you can’t play a small role anymore. You have to play something that’s meaningful that has impact, so I’m creating my own roles. It’s very important for me.” Bravx, Vida. Season three of “Vida” airs Sundays on Starz. For more information, visit starz.com/ series/vida. Matt Munoz brings you the latest on local music and entertainment every other Thursday.

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Eye Street

Editor: Stefani Dias • Phone: 661-395-7488 • Email: sdias@bakersfield.com

Party animals head to social media for CALM’s 37th Birthday Bash BY STEFANI DIAS sdias@bakersfield.com

People have found ways to celebrate birthdays under quarantine so it’s no surprise that California Living Museum would also find a way to party with the animals. Closed since mid-March, the museum had to reevaluate its upcoming event calendar, including canceling the Spring Fling in April.

When it came to the annual Birthday Bash, zoo manager Lana Fain started brainstorming. “We weren’t going to have Spring Fling — that was right before Easter — and I understood that, but I couldn’t get past not acknowledging CALM’s birthday,” she said. “We can’t not recognize CALM’s birthday.” She found a solution in

Tortoises at California Living Museum will celebrate the museum’s 37th Birthday Bash on Saturday with a cactus flower. Animals, keepers and friends and fans will take part in the celebration happening on Facebook.

social media. Since the shutdown began, the museum has stepped up its engagement with the community via social media. “I’ve been posting videos of the keepers and pictures of the flowers,” Fain said. “So I thought, ‘We can have our entire birthday on Facebook.’”

COURTESY OF LANA FAIN

Please see CALM | C6

EMA’S PICKS

Get whole family together to watch ‘Schitt’s Creek’

POP TV

From left, Annie Murphy as Alexis, Eugene Levy as Johnny, Catherine O’Hara as Moira and Dan Levy as David on “Schitt’s Creek.”

I ERIC MCCANDLESS / ABC

Dillon James, a Bakersfield local, is one of seven finalists for season 18 of “American Idol.” The finale airs Sunday on ABC.

One step closer Bakersfield musician Dillon James is one of seven with his eye on the big prize in ‘American Idol’ finale BY BOWEN WEST bwest@bakersfield.com

illon James has turned tribulation into a triumph. Now one of the final seven contestants in the current season of “American Idol,” the Bakersfield native has been open about his struggles with addiction that left him homeless sleeping in a parking garage. He turned to his family and religion to help him on the road to recovery. “I am grateful every day for the second chance that I have been given at life and want to help people that are ready to give up, see that there can be light at the end of that tunnel,” James said in a previous interview with The Californian. In the season’s penultimate

episode, which aired on Mother’s Day, James sang a cover of “Our Town” and “Hang On, Hang On” as an ode to his mother. This performance helped him advance to this weekend’s “American Idol” finals. “American Idol” finishes its 18th season with the live show, airing 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC, that will feature judges and contestants filming from their homes, which is a first for the long-running singing competition. James answered seven questions with The Californian before the finale of “American Idol.” Q: How does it feel to be in the final seven of “American Idol”? A: It feels like a dream, like an out-of-body experience, but it feels great to be in the top seven.

Q: Obviously the production of the show has changed, with the contestants performing from their homes. How does this affect your performance? Do you miss the energy of a huge crowd? A: Well, everything for “American Idol” is being filmed in my backyard with the help of my family, so I feel pretty relaxed in that environment. Although when it comes time to film the performance for the show, I still get nervous. Performing in front of a crowd is always great, you feed off all that energy like in H awaii, but to be honest I am just glad that “American Idol” found a way to keep the show going even from home. Please see JAMES | C2

f you’re quarantining with family members, consider yourself one of the lucky ones. Sure, parents, grandparents and siblings can drive us crazy, but I think this pandemic has shown us who and what truly matters most in the world. My family is back home in Chicago, so I’ve been missing them quite a bit lately. I worry about their health constantly, and I’m checking in on them daily, sometimes more than once a day. I was supposed to fly back home two weeks ago, but obviously some plans had to change. Since I’ve been sulking a bit, nothing has been EMA SASIC more comforting than THE CALIFORNIAN seeing all the family love on “Schitt’s Creek.” Whether you’re in the same boat as me, or you’re surrounded by loved ones constantly, this is a show people of all ages can get behind. When viewers are introduced to the wealthy Rose family — businessman Johnny (Eugene Levy), soap opera star Moira (Catherine O’Hara), socialite Alexis (Annie Murphy) and David (Daniel Levy), who is pretty much over it all — they’re at the lowest point of their lives. They find themselves completely broke with only one asset remaining: a “charming” small town called Schitt’s Creek. With nowhere to go, they head to this town that Johnny bought for David’s birthday one year as a joke. One look at Schitt’s Creek and you realize why that’s an appropriate name. This family, used to living the high life in mansions, yachts and other fancy-schmancy places, now has to call a rundown motel their home.

Please see EMA’S PICKS | C2

THE LOWDOWN

Chill out with new tunes by local artists

ne ray of light breaking seph Andreotti who was named through the clouds of an alternate for 2019-20 Kern gloom caused by this County teacher of the year. pandemic has been the uninterDownload the digital EP at rupted release of new music from obeahrecords.bandcamp.com local indie artists of every genre. or preorder the limited-edition Let’s do a quick review of the blue vinyl version at goingunderlast couple of months, groundrecords.com. shall we? Also last month, In April, post-punk/ local rock quintet Art dream poppers Fawns and The Resistance of Love, featuring released “Gusano the husband-and(the Medicine Man),” wife duo of Joseph a psychedelic cumbia and Jenny Andreotti, rock single in Spanish released “Part Time that is a departure Punks Session: Perfrom the band’s manent Revisited,” a MATT MUNOZ heavy rock sound. five-song EP through FOR THE CALIFORNIAN The track was also Obeah Records in released with a music Bakersfield. With a nod to classic video featuring footage from the New Order and its mixed bag of 1968 anti-drug animated short, eclectic influences (Jenny is a “Curious Alice.” Both the song huge fan of Sparks, yay) these reand short complement each worked live sessions should keep other perfectly and the eerie music fans engaged and chilled. keyboard sound will remind you My mistake for letting them slip of those old cumbia amazonica by me. Additional kudos to Jorecords your grandparents played

COURTESY OF AFTA

Bakersfield rapper Jonathan “Afta” Hunter has released a plethora of singles recently, all suitable for poolside listening. COURTESY OF FAWNS OF LOVE

Real-life couple Jenny and Joseph Andreotti make up Fawns of Love, which released the “Part Time Punks Session: Permanent Revisited” EP in April.

on Sundays. If I had my own true crime miniseries for Netflix, vocalist Art Machuca would sing the show’s theme song. Viva El

Gusano (the worm)! Just in time for summer, local rhyme poet and battle rapper Jonathan “Afta” Hunter has also

been on his own roll releasing a string of independent singles for digital streaming and download, including “Anywhere,” “Move On” and “Care About You,” which also features backing vocals by Please see LOWDOWN | C2

The Bakersfield Californian

Thursday, May 14, 2020

EYE STREET

LOWDOWN

Bakersfield/Los Angeles singersongwriter Celeigh Chapman released her latest California country single, “Not Foolin’ Me,” online last week.

Continued from PAGE C1

Therese Muller. There’s also my personal favorite, “Priorities of a Playa,” which also has a music video you can check out on YouTube. Add these tracks to your pooltime playlists at Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora and follow his adventures in rhyme on Instagram @afta1986. Local soul funkateers Soulajar also released a single, “Ain’t Me,” featuring vocalist Jerome Wheeler, who performs by the name ModernDayRome, with an accompanying music video submission for NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest. According to the video submission page at YouTube, the song was written and filmed completely in isolation while following California’s stay-at-home orders.

JAMES

Continued from PAGE C1

Q: Speaking of being in quarantine, how has it been treating you? Have you found yourself more productive during this time? A: Being quarantined really hasn’t been that different for me, I am a homebody. I do all my music from my studio in my house and I have been so busy with “American Idol” that the days are flying by. What has been nice is spending so much time with the whole family because they are all home, too, except for my older brother, Garrett, who lives in Kansas. Q: After your performance of “Yesterday,” Lionel Richie said you had a voice that was identifiable to you — which seems like the highest praise a singer could achieve. What’s your secret to having a sound that is so uniquely yours? A: I did feel it was a great compliment when Lionel Richie told me I had a sound that was uniquely mine. I think every artist strives to be unique, to be set apart from the rest, to stand on their own. So to hear those words from someone that I admire so much was a moment I won’t forget. Q: You’ve covered some classic songs on “American Idol” so far. Are there any songs that would be a dream to cover? A: (Canadian singer-songwriter) Dallas Green is someone that I have looked up to my entire life. It would be an honor for me to cover any of his songs. Q: You performed your original song “Tierra Dulce” on “American Idol.” Do you feel more vulnerable playing your own music as opposed to covers? A: If I had a choice to do covers or play originals, originals would win hands down. I have always been more comfortable playing my own songs than doing a cover of someone else’s. Q: So far, how has your time on “American Idol” changed your life? A: My family and I are literally filming a television show in my backyard, so I would have to say everything has changed. It has been such a great experience getting to know all of the people at “American Idol.” I have made lifelong friends. Although it has been a lot of work, I’m so grateful for the opportunities the show has given me and I wouldn’t change a thing.

James’ music can be found at iTunes, Spotify, YouTube and most streaming services. For more on the performer, visit his Instagram @Dillonjames21 or go to dillonjames.com. Bowen West can be reached at 661-395-7660.

PHOTO BY BRENDAN WILLING JAMES

Each band member recorded their own instruments and videos quarantined at home with additional video production by Keaton Punch. A solid Soulajar feel-good jam available for download and stream everywhere. Good luck, fellas. Last week, east Bakersfield/Los Angeles singer-songwriter Celeigh Chapman released her latest California country single, “Not Foolin’ Me,” online. Teaming up with longtime collaborator John Spiker (Tenacious D) on bass, she’s also joined in studio by Shania Twain guitarist Joshua

Ray Gooch for this go-round. Another winning combination of original music and lyrics from Chapman, who deserves more recognition from the country (and pop) songwriting establishment. She’s the real deal. “Not Foolin’ Me” is available on all digital outlets. For more information on Chapman, visit Facebook. com/celeighchapman. This list is just the beginning. If you have a recent or upcoming new release deserving of more ears and eyes, contact me (mattomunoz@gmail.com or Facebook. com/mattomunoz) with the essentials. Be patient if I don’t respond right away. Please continue to practice safe social distancing and keep making music. Contributing columnist Matt Munoz brings you the latest on Bakersfield’s music and entertainment scene every other Thursday.

ARTISTS’ CORNER

Kernville painter developing a touch for online marketing BY BOWEN WEST bwest@bakersfield.com

To truly experience Peter Buchan’s art, one needs to use more than just sight. Eschewing more traditional art supplies, Buchan sources most of his tools at a hardware store. By drizzling paint with a chopstick onto a wooden panel, he creates art that celebrates exploration within the medium. Throughout the process, Buchan will continue to add layers of oil-based enamel to his canvas. Looking at his paintings is only half the experience, he said. To touch and feel the work put into them is the final touch that allows viewers to appreciate the work. “I get bored doing the same things others have done,” Buchan said. “There’s something to them. People can feel them. The texture, the solidity. They resonate.” Usually, Buchan sells his paintings after someone sees it in person, where they are allowed to experience the texture and see the vibrant colors for themselves. But during these times he has to reinvent how to sell his work. With California juried art festivals and museum exhibits on hold, the Kernville artist has turned to online marketing efforts to sell paintings. For more than 20 years, Buchan has worked as a professional painter and finally, he is making the shift to online sales to support his business. Buchan’s wife, Marsinah Ramirez Buchan, has helped with running his website and social media. “The festival aspect has been taken out from under us,” Marsinah said. “There’s a lot of artists going through this.” To appeal to potential buyers, the duo has created different sales, including every painting half off or free shipping, Marsinah said. “We’re being flexible,” Marsinah said. “These times are crazy. Artwork can ease that pain.”

EMA’S PICKS Continued from PAGE C1

Seeing them struggle and hate every part of their new life is pure comedic gold. But over the course of six seasons, you’ll notice a chance in the Rose family. Once they were at each other’s throats over the tiniest inconvenience, and now they can’t stand the thought of not being together. Once they went months, maybe even years, without seeing each other, and now they finally understand the meaning of family time. They even manage to find a way to make Schitt’s Creek a home. “Schitt’s Creek” is the show we all need during this time, and one I heavily suggest you check out, if you haven’t done so already. It’s a comedy, and this family really does deal with some ridiculous situations, but at the end of the day, it shows us just how important kindness, love and sticking together

PHOTOS COURTESY OF PETER BUCHAN

Peter Buchan creates art in his studio using his signature style of chopstick drip painting.

ABOUT THIS SERIES Artists’ Corner is an exploration and celebration of the art that Bakersfield residents create, whether inspired by their past, made while in quarantine or with an eye on the future. In this series, local artists share their techniques, tools of the trade and tips for up-and-coming creators.

COURTESY OF PETER BUCHAN

The pieces “Cherry Girl,” left, and “Night Time in California,” right, are made using Buchan’s signature chopstick drip painting. The Kernville artist had planned to participate in California juried art festivals and museum exhibits but has turned to online marketing efforts to sell paintings.

There’s a fear for the painter during these times when there is a fear to touch anything. “This is going to change how people do things,” Buchan said. “The world will change and you

is, through the good and bad times. It’s exactly what we need in our world, whether or not a pandemic is taking place. It’s also nice to see what all could be possible if we got along and respected one another. Schitt’s Creek may look like (insert homonym here), but I’d live there if I got to be around some caring people. Of course, I can’t forget to mention how truly hilarious everyone is on this show, especially Moira and Alexis. These two are a tour de force when it comes to comedic timing, crazy voices and insane facial expressions. A personal favorite running joke is the way Moira says the word “baby,” which I have since incorporated it into my vocabulary. The show just recently wrapped up its final season, and while I’m sad the Rose family is gone for now, creators Daniel and Eugene Levy ended the show perfectly and gave us a true gem that can be en-

have to change with it.” To take away the sense of touch from his paintings is to take away an essential element of what makes it uniquely his. Buchan recalls the first time a customer who

was visually impaired purchased his artwork. At the time there was some self-deprecation. Buchan thought, “Of course, the only person that would buy my artwork can’t see it.” That was when he realized that the things he creates could be so much more than a visual experience. “Being able to touch the work and still see it, that’s important,” Buchan said. “The intention is to create things people can relate to.” Bowen West can be reached at 661-395-7660.

NETFLIX

Poorna Jagannathan plays Nalini Vishwakumar in “Never Have I Ever.”

joyed for years to come. Speaking of family love, I just recently wrapped up “Never Have I Ever.” Created by Mindy Kaling, another great comedian, this show takes family drama to a whole new level with a scary lead: a teenage girl (dun, dun, dun!). Devi Vishwakumar is a first-generation Indian high school girl who just wants a normal life filled

with love and fun times after the unexpected death of her father. That proves to be a little more complicated than she hoped for, especially since her mother, along with her own grief and anger, stand in her way too often. A lot of scenes broke my heart while watching this show, especially seeing Devi explode on her family members and friends. But

it was refreshing to see writers not fall into the usual trap of having this Indian girl be a total nerd. My task for all of you this week is to watch one or both of these shows, give your loved ones a call and tell them you care about them. “Schitt’s Creek” and “Never Have I Ever” are available for streaming on Netflix and Hulu.

T h u r s d ay, J u n e 1 1 , 2 0 2 0

Eye Street

Editor: Stefani Dias • Phone: 661-395-7488 • Email: sdias@bakersfield.com

‘It’s a lifestyle’: Cruising returns to downtown BY BOWEN WEST bwest@bakersfield.com

While some may see cars as a tool to get from point A to point B, others are all about the journey. These bold and brave souls aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty with oil and grease to find the beauty of these machines. On Friday night, cars of every style will roll through downtown Bakersfield in an old-fashioned cruise. The tradition of cruising Ches-

ter Avenue and supporting local restaurants came about in May. The Facebook group Chester Ave Downtown Cruise was created as a way to inform and organize convoys in the area for flashy drives downtown. The cruises are going to be a biweekly tradition, alternating with rides in Hart Park, said participant Jordan Tyack. According to May participant Todd Hansen, about 200 cars

Car enthusiasts are revving up for Friday’s cruise through downtown Bakersfield. COURTESY OF JORDAN TYACK

Please see CRUISING | C6

EMA’S PICKS

Courage of women shines in many ways

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE BAKERSFIELD MUSEUM OF ART

“Poolside” by Kelly Wonderly, who is one of the dozens of artists being featured in the online art sale for the Bakersfield Museum of Art’s ARTMIX.

GET INTO THE

elieve it or not, I do make time to pick up a book in the midst of my movie and television binge-watching. My overly stimulated, entertainment-filled brain needs to recharge every once in a while, and reading a great book can do that for me. Plus I need to prove to all of you that I have a life outside of sitting on my couch and staring at my television. The latest EMA SASIC book I decided THE CALIFORNIAN to pick up is all about Hollywood — surprise, surprise — and a heartbreaking secret that so many people tried to cover up. “Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators” recounts the good, the bad and the ugly that journalist Ronan Farrow encountered while reporting on decades of sexual misconduct and sexual assault allegations against Hollywood producer

ARTMIX

Please see EMA’S PICKS | C2

BMoA changes up event with online art sale, restaurant partnerships BY STEFANI DIAS sdias@bakersfield.com

RTMIX, the Bakersfield Museum of Art’s spring fundraiser, was just weeks away when the shutdown hit California. Even as restrictions eased in Kern County, it seemed unlikely that a large gathering would be possible, so museum staff did what they do best: Get creative. The off-the-wall art sale, which is the hallmark of the event, is going online, starting today and running through July 11. Along with a month-

long opportunity to purchase small works from local and regional artists, this ARTMIX will also partner with restaurants and businesses that were already in talks to participate in the fundraiser. “We were in the final stretch of it before we closed March 17,” Amy Smith, BMoA’s executive director, said of preparing for the annual event originally planned for April 2. “We wanted to still be able to showcase the art, which is our mission.” More than 70 artists will be part of the sale featuring more than 130

Sara Hahn’s “Golden Girl” is one of more than 130 works in the online art sale for BMoA’s ARTMIX.

pieces. The majority are local and some names will be familiar to museumgoers. Curator Rachel Magnus said the sale will include a serigraph from artist Marion Cunningham, for whom the museum was named when it opened as The Cunningham Gallery.

LITTLE BROWN AND CO.

Please see ARTMIX | C6

“Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators” by Ronan Farrow.

THE LOWDOWN

Celebrating the tenor of Scott Thompsett’s legacy

ow do you pay trib- in the Bakersfield music ute to a friend to scene. whom you owe the I first met Scott Thompbeginnings of your musical sett as an “undeclared” career? sophomore member of the For me, Scott Thompsett Bakersfield College marchwas that friend. Beyond being band in the late 1980s, ing a bandmate while Scott for decades, was a saxohe was also a phone-playing, professional reentry student mentor and with goals set part-time guidin stone to ance counselor become an without a judgengineer. He mental bone in was also one his body. of the older He passed MATT MUNOZ members in away June 4 at FOR THE CALIFORNIAN the band who, age 64, leaving despite the age a legacy of music and love difference, seemed to fit in for his family, friends and with the rest of the misfits every musician whose life (underscore misfits) in the he touched. group. I’m not the eulogy-writAs time went on and our ing type, but what I can bond as band members do is share some personal grew, his history in the lomemories of a friend who cal music scene also began meant as much to me as to reveal that Scott was he did to countless others somewhat of a local rock

COURTESY OF TIM MURRAY

Musician Scott Thompsett passed away June 4 at age 64.

star. Yes, Scott was the man downtown. I was a total newbie around the scene in the 1980s, only having been a face in the crowd at one of a handful of smoky, beerstained dive bars downtown, checking out a live show here and there. Live music filled clubs all over town and Scott was one of the many gatekeepers still in the thick of it all as a member of The News Brothers, a group that modeled itself after The Blues Brothers. Similar repertoire, but instead of black suits, it was Hawaiian shirts and jeans. The group was a Bakersfield staple and a blast to be around, with Scott out front playing all the classic tenor saxophone licks and lines pulled from the history of rock, rhythm and blues, even TV show tunes. The band’s mantra: “The

more you drink, the better we sound.” Amen. After tagging along to a few more shows, I eventually built up the nerve to ask if I could sit in with the band. Expecting a polite “maybe later, but not right now” response, I was surprised when he brought me along to a midweek jam session at Suds Tavern (now Two Goats & The Goose). That night, guitarist Lanny Ray, bassist Larry Valaderas and Scott blazed through a set of blues standards performed with all the finesse required of the genre. Once I got the wave to join the group on stage, there was no turning back. Hefty baritone sax in hand, I stepped up to the mic scared as hell. “When it’s your turn to solo, just follow the bass,” Please see LOWDOWN | C2

The Bakersfield Californian

Thursday, June 11, 2020

EYE STREET

Learn to live in the moment with Zen Fellowship of Bakersfield BY BOWEN WEST bwest@bakersfield.com

There’s a misconception with meditation that the mind has to be a blank void. That couldn’t be further from what meditation is. For Gary Enns, it’s about the thoughts you have that make meditation important. “The only time we have a blank mind is when we’re dead,” said Enns, director of the Zen Fellowship of Bakersfield. “People say, ‘My mind was racing. I’m not good at this.’ I tell them they are just fine. It’s about simply noticing the thoughts. It’s not about jumping the tracks but noticing the trains passing by.” Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, the fellowship hosts morning meditations through Zoom. The Zen meditations, or zazen, take about 25 minutes and usually focus on posturing and breathing. No membership is re-

ZEN MEDITATION The Zen Fellowship of Bakersfield is hosting Zoom meditation meetings every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning until June 30. Learn more at zenbakersfield. blogspot.com or email zen. fellowship@gmail.com.

quired and the practice is open to all religious denominations. For those new to zazen, it’s a sitting meditation. An individual will sit on a pillow with their head raised and spine straight. There is an emphasis on breathing. A common question with mediation is: “What are the benefits?” While it can help with migraines or moderate pains throughout the body, the desire to meditate shouldn’t be goal-ori-

ented, Enns said. Without a desire to succeed or gain something, that’s when true peace is found in zazen. “It’s best to come to the practice with no goals,” Enns said. “Just come with a full-hearted desire to surrender. The benefit is that it doesn’t matter.” Paul Boatman, a longtime mediation practitioner, found Zen while studying Buddhism. He’s been a member of the Zen Fellowship since its creation in 2011. Everything from posture to breathing has been a constant work in progress. The cancer survivor also guides meditations at Adventist Health Bakersfield’s AIS Cancer Center. Usually, it consists of a small but devoted group of patients who seek even just a momentary escape, he said. “People are under a lot of stress there,” Boatman said. “I try to

COURTESY OF THE ZEN FELLOWSHIP OF BAKERSFIELD

Gary Enns, director of the Zen Fellowship of Bakersfield, leads a Zoom meditation class three times a week.

remind people that you can drop that stress off and come to the cushion. There’s this relief after the session.” Meditation isn’t for everyone but those that can take a moment to take everything in will find it worth their while, said Lindsay Sharp. The yoga and meditation enthusiast said it has helped her deal with stress and anxiety in daily life.

“At the end of my life, I want to know I was here,” Sharp said. “It enhances the flavors of life. I want to take a moment to smell the flowers.” For more on the Zen Fellowship of Bakersfield, visit zenbakersfield.blogspot.com or facebook.com/zenfellowship. Bowen West can be reached at 661-395-7660.

LOWDOWN Continued from PAGE C1

Scott would always say. I probably honked my way through a few numbers, earning sparse rounds of courtesy applause that night, but more importantly my musical baptism at Suds was complete. Scott invited me to join The News Brothers a few weeks later, where I continued to follow his lead until it was obvious that having one live show every five months wasn’t going to cut it. Scott had broken the seal on me and there was no turning back from the joy of live music. When it came time to branch out and plan the formation of a new group, fellow Bakersfield College band member Joe Vazquez and I had only person in mind to help begin the process: Scott Thompsett. Thankfully we had the same musical influences: Oingo Boingo, Bob Marley, Tower of Power, The Specials, etc., but it was going to take some convincing. Scott was the rock star, while we were just student unknowns. The band that would eventually become Mento Buru went through a few changes prior to becoming an official group in 1992, but without Scott’s guidance who knows if it would have happened at all. One thing about being in a band is trying your best to maintain a level of democracy with a common goal to succeed. While we bumped heads trying to figure out what exactly it is

COURTESY OF TIM MURRAY

Scott Thompsett, left, and Larry Valaderas perform in this photo from the 1970s.

COURTESY OF THE NEWS BROTHERS

Scott Thompsett, second from right, with his band The News Brothers, from left, Greg DeRego, Ken Hunter, Kevin Keeshan, Tim Murray, Artie Niesen, Karl Schweitzer and Bill Woodward.

COURTESY OF TIM MURRAY

Scott Thompsett performs at Village Fest in 2008.

were trying to accomplish, Scott had a cool-headed approach to every heated

situation, offering an illustrative anecdote or story from his past.

Here was Scott, working hard to set off onto his new life and career path, a college degree and what does he do? He joins a fledgling ska reggae band on the streets of Bakersfield. Just as he had as a member of The News Brothers, The Press and countless other local iconic bands, Scott owned those early Mento Buru shows by showing us how to run a group from the garage to the stage. Be a showman, but know your parts, stay in tune and when it comes time to solo, follow the bass if you get lost. We shared a lot of milestones over the years including getting signed to our first record deal and performing up and down

EMA’S PICKS Continued from PAGE C1

APPLE

Jennifer Aniston, left, as Alex Levy and Reese Witherspoon as Bradley Jackson in “The Morning Show.”

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Harvey Weinstein. Most of us may be familiar with Weinstein’s story at this point. Three years ago, several women in the entertainment industry bravely came forward with their stories on how Weinstein allegedly lured them into his hotel rooms, used his elite status over them and raped them. With Farrow’s book, readers learn more about how these women decided to come forward and the drama with the story behind the scenes. The journalist began reporting on this explosive story with NBC News, and at first many of the women were afraid to go on camera, or say Weinstein was the individual who assaulted them. He includes each of these women’s encounters with Weinstein, and each one makes you wonder why people try to hurt other people. Farrow writes that as momentum built for the story, and more women were willing to go on the record, NBC News executives began to push back, citing missing sources and interviews. Was an outside force trying to kill this story? Was NBC News ultimately trying to save one of its own employees who would later be accused of sexual assault? How do spies come into play? That’s only a taste of the drama you’ll find in this book. “Catch and Kill” shows readers the pain a powerful

the Central Coast and on the Los Angeles nightclub circuit. The road trips we shared and the adventures we had will be never be forgotten, especially those we narrowly escaped alive. I compare them to old war stories every veteran musician loves to recall sitting around with a few beers, and usually told in the privacy of those who also lived to tell. Outside of all the years performing together, Scott was also a best friend you could always count on when you were in a bind. Any hour of the day or night, you could call Scott to vent, share some good news, hitch a ride, get words of encouragement, and maybe a small loan he’d never worry about

WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING? Are you streaming the latest series? Revisiting a classic on cable? Pulling out your Blu-rays or DVDs? Let us know what you’re watching by emailing eyest@ bakersfield.com for possible inclusion in an upcoming column.

man in Hollywood caused so many women, who had to keep it all to themselves, until these brave souls decided to speak out. It ultimately sparked the #MeToo movement, which has helped expose other instances of abuse in various industries. Farrow’s story, which was published in The New Yorker, won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for public service. I loved reading this book as a journalist because I learned more about my field, and it reminded me just how important our work is on a daily basis. Maybe not every story is big or impactful, but good journalism and storytelling can always make a difference. I love the way Farrow ends his book: “In the end, the courage of women can’t be stamped out. And stories — the big ones, the true ones — can be caught but never killed.” Around the same time I was reading “Catch and Kill,” I started watching Apple TV Plus’ “The Morning Show,” which deals with similar issues. The show starts with all heck breaking loose: The

getting paid back. That was my friend. Scott loved everything about the art and history of music. He loved every genre, explored them thoroughly, and shared his knowledge with musicians of every age and skill level. Even after he stopped performing with Mento Buru we stayed in touch, talking as often as we could. The conversations and laughs would pick up exactly where we left off. We’re all going to miss you, brother Scott. Thank you for everything. Contributing columnist Matt Munoz brings you the latest news on Bakersfield’s music and entertainment scene every other Thursday.

lead anchor of a morning news show, Mitch Kessler (Steve Carell), is accused of sexual misconduct and is subsequently fired. Farrow’s book also includes a portion on allegations of sexual misconduct against “Today” show anchor Matt Lauer, and I couldn’t help but think of that while watching this show. As Kessler’s co-anchor, Alex Levy (Jennifer Aniston), tries to deal with the aftermath, she causes quite a few problems for herself, mainly with the person she chooses as her partner. After a video with Virginia field reporter Bradley Jackson (Reese Witherspoon) goes viral online, she gets the reporting gig of a lifetime. Things are far from happy-go-lucky. Jackson doesn’t know how to listen well and says whatever comes to mind, and that doesn’t particularly work with Levy. Initial reviews about this show didn’t make it seem very promising, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it so far (I’m about halfway through the series). The issues discussed in this show are so important, and I appreciate that we’re getting more stories like this. Pick up a book, pop in a movie or binge a TV show; it doesn’t matter. Just make sure you consume stories that matter every once in a while. The Californian’s Ema Sasic can be reached at esasic@ bakersfield.com or 661-3957392. Follow her on Twitter: @ema_sasic.