BY STEFANI DIASCalifornian assistant lifestyles editor

sdias@bakersfield.com

Of all of life’s great scares, itmay be the fear of changethat stops most in their

tracks. If that’s so, prepare for adose of terror as Bakersfield’s twotop haunts make way for bigchanges this year.

The major news is theannouncement that this will bethe “last year of fear in Bakers-field” for The Chamber Haunt.Frightening fans first from hisWestchester home in 2001 beforemoving the terror to Sam LynnBall Park in 2003, where it’s beenever since, owner Dave Enloe saidit’s time for something different.

“This is our eighth year. Bakers-field has had its fill of The Cham-ber. So we’re going to start some-thing new.”

Those projects include takingThe Chamber on the road, with atouring version debuting in LosAngeles in 2012; and a brand-newattraction for Bakersfield, also setfor next year.

Moving The Chamber to a larg-er market will allow it to competewith big spookfests at UniversalStudios, Knott’s Berry Farm andthe Queen Mary.

“It’s a life-changing gamble, amake-or-break decision. We’re allscared doing it, but we’re doing itbecause we need to spread ourwings.

“We’ve had this in the works forquite a few years. There’s somuch more that we’re going to doin Los Angeles. We’re making itmore involved.

“Some of those things will beincluded this year (in Bakersfield).”

While a few details are stillunder wraps for the haunt, whichkicks off Oct. 7, local patrons canexpect a return to the Fortress ofFiends, a sector filled with half-men, half-animal cross-breeds.

All new this year is IntangibleTorment, which, in contrast to thecolorful ChromaDepth art of thehaunt’s 3D attraction, touts astark black-and-white setting fea-turing the source of many night-

mares: clowns.“It’s really neat,” Enloe said of

Torment. “I’ve never seen thisdone like this particular maze.We’re always trying to reinventourselves. I think that’s what sep-arates us from our competition.Scaring outside of the box.”

Enloe said he’s proud of theteam’s work, from the aforemen-tioned art of the 3D invasion, TheDeep (complete with zombiepirates), to the makeup, includingnew pieces by Academy Award-win-ning makeup artist Barney Burman.

“I’ve always really pushed ourmakeup department. Productionvalue is the most important thing tome. Everything we use is made by us.”

Also spooking fans this year willbe a sneak peek of the new sea-

son of AMC’s “The WalkingDead,” which premieres Oct. 16.The network came on board as asponsor after being tipped off bya producer friend of Enloe’s.

“We’re going to have sneak pre-view stuff for the show and high-lights from last season” up on abig screen, Enloe said.

And while this may be the lastyear the time machine adventurewill scare local crowds, Enloe saidloyal fans will be welcome at thetouring haunt down south.

“We have plans for people whocome down from Bakersfield,” pos-sibly including discounts, he said.“We’ll keep people in the loop, viathe website, via Facebook.”

As for what he will build next in

Eye StreetEditor Jennifer Self | Phone 395-7434 | e-mail jself@bakersfield.com

HENRY A. BARRIOS / THE CALIFORNIAN

The billboard near the Talladega Frights entrance invites people to the Zombie X attraction.

Zombies in the cross-hairs!The Chamber andTalladega offerfirst-rate frights

24 The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, September 29, 2011

IndexOktoberfest .............................................. 26Porsche show .......................................... 27Arts Alive .................................................. 29Kellie Pickler ............................................ 28The Lowdown with Matt Munoz ............ 30Leon Russell .............................................. 31PRCA Rodeo ............................................ 33Calendar .............................................. 36-37

Please see 25

“You’re becoming a soldier in the Talladega Frights army. Drill sergeants will be telling you where zombies are, cheering you on.”— Adam Stubbs, operator of Talladega Frights

The entrance to The Chamber, located in the Sam Lynn Ball Parkparking lot at 4009 Chester Ave.

Thursday, September 29, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian 25

Eye Street

Bakersfield, Enloe couldn’t saymuch.

“It will be something com-pletely different. We could go fan-tasy. It will be about going back tothe drawing board, seeing whatBakersfield wants from us.

“We’ll accommodate all theold fans, but it will be com-pletely different to appeal tonew fans. It’s time for some-thing new.”

Talladega FrightsSpeaking of new (and fright-

ening), Talladega Frights hasits sights set on scaring upnew visitors with its Zombie Xexperience.

Connecting with fellowfrightmakers at TransWorld’sHalloween and Attractionsshow in St. Louis, Talladegaowners Adam Stubbs and MikeWilbur were taken with theZombie Safari at the Fear FestHaunted House in Columbia,Mo., owned by Greg Allen.

The attraction allowspatrons to take aim withpaintball guns at escapedzombies.

Knowing their market,Stubbs and Wilbur were surethe concept would be a goodfit for Bakersfield.

“(Seeing) Zombie Safari, wethought, ‘This is somethingthat we have to add this year,’”Stubbs said. “We asked, ‘Greg,how did you do it?’”

Allen did more than tell them;he created the air system to runthe paintball guns that aremounted on a double-deckertrailer, which Stubbs designed.

The X behind the name isthe experimental ammo (actu-ally glow-in-the-dark paint-balls made especially for Tal-ladega and Fear Fest) createdby the military, which hadtried to keep the undeadunder wraps.

Drill sergeants on the trail-ers will lead teams of 20through seven sectionsaround the corn maze overrunwith zombies.

“You’re becoming a soldierin the Talladega Frights army,”Stubbs said.

“Drill sargeants will betelling you where zombies are,cheering you on.”

Though there is a slightheight requirement to reachthe gun, Stubbs said there’snot much of an age limit.

“If they’re brave enough andtall enough, I’d say a 5-year-old”could do it, Stubbs said, addingthat smaller children will be ableto ride on the bottom level, on aparent’s lap to work the gun.

With the option to defendyourself, Zombie X shouldappeal to a wider audience,Stubbs said.

“People who are too afraidto go into the haunted house,they can stop the monsterfrom attacking them.”

(Luckily for the zombies,

padding and masks under thecostumes will keep the actorsfrom too many injuries.)

Even for those who are well-versed in firearms — as manyare in Bakersfield — this is anunique experience.

“I was born and raised here,hunted all my life,” Stubbssaid. “But when you get behindthat (Zombie X) gun, it’s atotally different experience.Adult men turned into kids.”

For the kids and kids atheart, the attraction also hostsfamily-friendly events duringthe day.

The pumpkin patch offersbounce house and a cornmaze with checkpoints.

After finding that keepingthe corn maze open latermade it a “teen scene,” Stubbssaid the family events will endaround 6:30 p.m. Thursdaythrough Sunday, setting thestage for the scarier events.

Guests can brave London’sWhitechapel district (home ofJack the Ripper) or the barn ofthe chainsaw-happy Bart andLester in a revamped HillbillyHell.

Playing on our fear of thedark is the new Wicked Darkmaze, which features minimallighting.

Looking to continue theexcitement later in the year,Stubbs said the site will hostMike’s Christmas Trees, whichis relocating from its formerlot, also on Rosedale Highway.

“He’s coming down, so peo-

ple will know that we’ll havethings here for Christmas,”Stubbs said.

That may one day include aZombie X-style experiencetaking on bad toy soldiers withsnowball guns.

Coming attractionsBoth Stubbs and Enloe said

that since it’s early in the run— Talladega starts Friday, TheChamber on Oct. 7 — there aremore surprises up theirsleeves.

Over in Rosedale, Stubbssaid they’re planning to hostfree movie nights.

“They’ll be done on the fly. I’llput a sign out in front of theticket booth (a few days inadvance). People can bring achair, come sit in our midwayand watch a movie” on our 150-inch movie screen, Stubbs said.

The lineup is yet to bedetermined, but you can beton some classic horror flicksmaking the list.

As for Enloe, he said plansweren’t final, but The Chamberis looking to have a big localsendoff at the end of the season.

“We have a couple of plansto do something on Halloweennight or the Saturday before.”

Whatever the date, Enloesaid that it’s all about keepingpeople entertained.

“The payoff is when thedoors open and people aresmiling, laughing and having agood time. It’s the whole ballof wax that’s worth it.”

CONTINUED FROM 24

Open nowMurray Family Farms’ October-Fest 2011. Featuring Spookley the

Square Pumpkin kiddie maze, wasp

and spider game corn maze, pig and

duck races, giant jumping pillow,

pumpkin painting craft, ant farm,

petting zoo and more, 12:30 p.m. to

6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8

a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday,

now until Oct. 31, Murray Family

Farms, 6700 General Beale Road.

Monday through Friday: $6.99 all

ages; Saturday and Sunday: $10.99.

Children 3 years and under free.

330-0100 or

murrayfamilyfarms.com.

FridayTalladega Frights HauntedAttraction, 7 p.m. Sept. 30, Oct. 1,

6-9, 13-16, 20-23, 27-31, 11811

Rosedale Highway. $15 to $25. tal-

ladegafrights.com,

facebook.com/TalladegaFrights or

699-8633.

SundayHalloween Lantern Light Tour.Ghost hunts and paranormal investi-

gations at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 1, 15, 28 to

31, Silver City Ghost Town, 3829 Lake

Isabella Blvd., Bodfish. $12, all ages.

760-379-5146.

Oct. 6Bakersfield Club of the Deaf Hal-loween Party. Games, door prizes,

socializing, 5:30 to 10 p.m., East Bak-

ersfield Veterans Hall, 2101 Ridge

Road. $2 members; $5 nonmembers;

children under 18 are free.

BCODeaf@gmail.com.

Oct. 7The Chamber Haunted House. 7p.m. Oct. 7-9, 13-17, 20-24 and 27,

Sam Lynn Ball Park, 4009 Chester

Ave. $10 The Chamber; $5 3D Inva-

sion; $14 combo ticket. chamber-

haunt.com.

Oct. 14 and 15Night at the Museum. Creep

through the halls on a flashlight-guid-

ed tour, 7 to 9:30 p.m., Buena Vista

Museum of Natural History, 2018

Chester Ave. $7 adults; $5 students.

324-6350.

Oct. 15Aspiranet’s “Murder at the FourDeuces” fundraiser. Come dressed

in your best and solve the mystery

while enjoying drinks, food and danc-

ing, 7 to 10 p.m., 1001 Tower Way.

$35 per person, $60 per couple. aspi-

ranet.org/murdermystery or 323-

1233.

Oct. 28Halloween Party. Music by the

Rocker Brothers, food, and first prize

for best costume, 8 p.m., Iron Horse

Saloon, 1821 S. Chester Ave. 831-1315.

Oct. 29“The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”Doors open at 10 p.m., show at mid-

night, Fox Theater, 2001 H St. $10.

324-1369.

Scary for Charity. Costume contest,

live music by DJ Margo Saylor, silent

auction, hors d'oeuvres, cocktails,

dancing, 7 p.m. to midnight, Marriott

Hotel, 801 Truxtun Ave. Tickets $50

at scaryforcharity.com or kernpart-

nership.org.

Blues & Boos Halloween MonsterMash. The Blackboard Playboys,

members of the Kern River Blues

Society, costume contest, games,

prizes, dancing, 8 p.m., Trouts, 805 N.

Chester Ave. Kernriverbluessoci-

ety@gmail.com or 399-6700.

Halloween Bash. Live music, prizes,

drink specials, Jello shots, 8 p.m. to

midnight, Ethel's Old Corral Cafe,

4310 Alfred Harrell Highway. Free.

873-7613.

Shiny Toy Guns Halloween DiscoParty, 7401 White Lane, 397-7304;

featuring Cidona, Garage Island, Auto-

matic Redial, 6 p.m. Friday. $15.

Oct. 30 and 31Safe Halloween 2011. For ages 3 to

12, with more than 35 trick-or-treat

stations, costume contest, school-

type carnival, food and beverages for

sale, 4 to 8 p.m., Kern County Muse-

um, 3801 Chester Ave. $8.

vallitix.com or 852-5000.

TRY ONE OF THESE HAUNTS

CALIFORNIAN FILE

A family makes its way through the Murray Family Farms spider mazeduring its annual harvest festival in 2009.

HENRY A. BARRIOS / THE CALIFORNIAN

This is the last year of The Chamber as we know it. OwnerDave Enloe will take the attraction to L.A. next year.

26 The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, September 29, 2011

Eye Street

BY MATT MUNOZBakotopia.com editor

mmunoz@bakersfield.com

If you’ve ever stood around nursing the Hacker-Pschorrin your vintage stein, tsk-tsking that the BakersfieldOktoberfest isn’t nearly German enough for you, no

need to get your lederhosen in a bunch this year.“This is going to be the most German of any year we’ve

had,” said Kevin Harrer, founder of the festival, now in itsthird year. “All the brew-eries, bakers and ven-dors have been pickedas the favorites or equiv-alent to what they wouldfeature back in Ger-many.”

Harrer said a varietyof authentic delightsawait everyone enteringthe Stramler Park com-plex Saturday — fromdecorations, lights, toyour hosts awaiting togreet you with a heartywelcome, or Willkom-men.

“It’s like you’re on avacation,” Harrer added.

Traditionally held over 16 wild days in Munich, Bakers-field’s one-day version of the Bavarian marathon has beengaining momentum over the three years. The idea for thefirst Oktoberfest came to Harrer when he realized therewas a hole in Bakersfield’s drinking holiday calendar.

“There’s Cinco de Mayo, St. Patrick’s Day and MardiGras,” Harrer said. “Now, this is the Oktoberfest in KernCounty. And ours stays true to a German-style event.”

Those with a hearty appetite will find no shortage ofsausages and other meats on this year’s menu, whichincludes such delicacies as Nurnberge Rostbratwurstl,Schweinebraten, Muncher Weisswurste and Riesenbr-wurst, plus pretzels, potatoes, cabbage, sauerkraut andAmerican tri-tip for those who prefer stateside cuisine.

But let’s get real: What many look forward to are thefrosty beers meant to wash down all that rich food. Organ-

izers are offering several festive beers, including Hofbrau,Hacker-Pschorr, Paulaner, Spaten, Weihenstephaner,Konig Pilsener, Tamarack, plus local favorites by BJ’s Brew-ery and Lengthwise, which brew their own seasonal Okto-berfest beers.

“We picked the best variety from each style, from lightto dark, after asking people what they liked and got thebest German equivalent from a company in Los Angelesthat handles these specialized brands,” said Harrer. “Wegot it covered.”

After you consume mass quantities, prepare to be sum-moned to the dance floor by return performers AntonSchnitzel and the Merry Makers, a hit last year. There’salso the official stein-holding contest, stein-carrying con-test, and safe beer chug to put you to the test. Start liftingthose weights — the 5-liter glass stein is no joke.

If fashion is more your thing, come dressed in your bestlederhosen trousers or dirndl. On the line for best fashionstatement is a prize in the official Bakersfield Oktoberfestbest-dressed contest.

There are two ways to enjoy this year’s fun: a generaladmission ticket or the party-pack deal, which gets you agourmet dinner and souvenir beer stein or das boot mug.Proceeds will benefit M.A.R.E., a therapeutic horsebackriding center that provides programs for children andadults with physical, cognitive or emotional challenges.

“Everyone who shows up really lets their guard down.People are doing ‘The Chicken Dance,’ or sitting acrossfrom someone they don’t know under the big tent we putup, just laughing and whoopin’ it up. There are no socialcliques.”

Bavarian rhapsodyBakersfield Oktoberfest strives tokeep German tradition authentic

Bakersfield OktoberfestWhen: 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday

Where: Stramler Park, 3805

Chester Ave.

Admission: $10 in advance;

$15, day of the event; VIP

Party Packs are $40 in

advance and $45 the day of

the event. Advance tickets

are available at both Length-

wise brewery locations:

6720 Schirra Court or 2900

Calloway Drive.

Information: bakersfieldok-

toberfest.com

CALIFORNIAN FILE

Brigitte and Mike Barr share a laugh at the BakersfieldOktoberfest in 2010.

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Thursday, September 29, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian 27

Eye Street

BY MIRANDA WHITWORTHContributing writer

The sleek lines and startling speedsstill turn heads, even though thePorsche has been on American roads

for more than 60 years. Whether you spotthem pulling out of the driveway of a nicehome or rolled out to dusty racetracksmiles from town, the elegance of a Porscheis hard to miss.

But this weekend, you won’t have tolook far to see one of the expensive beau-ties: Porsche owners from across Californiawill gather in Bakersfield to make a state-ment on German engineering that will beas educational as it is beautiful.

The 11th California Challenge Concoursd’Elegance takes place Saturday at Porscheof Bakersfield. It’s a car show unlike manyyou see in Kern County, as the judging isbased on authenticity of the vehicle, notthe after-market improvements made bycar enthusiasts.

Betsy Wadman is chairwoman of theCalifornia Challenge and knows what ittakes to win.

“It's about keeping the car as original aspossible, totally stock components. Myhusband and I have a 1973 Porsche and tryto maintain its historical integrity as muchas we can when the car was purchased in1973."

That respect for history will be on fulldisplay this weekend, as the vehicles willbe parked in a timeline showcasing andcelebrating their decades of performance.It's a design that Wadman hopes willattract and captivate attendees.

“This is about the public coming outand seeing the heritage of Porsche. Wewant them to enjoy what we have a pas-sion for.”

Wadman, a fan of Porsche for years, saidwhat sets the line of vehicles apart fromthe rest is their rich history.

“The cars began as handmade autos thatwere built for families to enjoy. You couldtake them out and race them on the week-ends and then use them every day duringthe week."

For Wadman the contemporaryPorsches are just as amazing. She and herhusband just returned from an eight-houroff-road tour in Arizona. They took their2008 Cayenne SUV through the desertbetween Flagstaff and Sedona. Wadmanwas amazed once again by the perform-ance of a car she and her husband use onKern County roads every day.

“We were just blown away by its capabil-ity and it made us fall in love with thedesert.”

The California Challenge is a two-dayevent, with the Concours d'Elegance tak-ing place Saturday. The cars will be pol-ished to perfection for show and judging,but on Sunday it's a different story.

“It's all about speed," Wadman said. Porsche owners will take their rides out

to Buttonwillow Raceway, where, after astrict safety inspection of the vehicle and areview of the driver, the autocross will getunderway.

If you have a Porsche and have neverraced, you can still get in on the action.

“We will have trained instructors anddrivers go out with you first and teach youhow to do it. It's all about safety and hav-ing fun.”

Proceeds from both days will benefit theKern County charity M.A.R.E. or MasteringAbilities Riding Equines. The organizationoffers therapy for children and adults withdisabilities through horseback riding.

“We think it's a great fit because we havehorsepower and they have horses," Wad-man said.

The California Challenge Concours d’EleganceSaturday’s show: 9 a.m. registration

($60, including lunch); judging and

show 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (free); Porsche

of Bakersfield, 6000 Wible Road.

Sunday’s autocross: 7 a.m. inspec-

tion ($60 registration); 8:30 a.m. driv-

er meeting; 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

autocross.

FELIX ADAMO / THE CALIFORNIAN

With clear blue skies matching his Porsche Carrera, Bob Holzinger of San Diego pre-pares to take a course at Minter Field last October. Cars similar to Holzinger’s beau-ty will compete Saturday in the The 11th California Challenge Concours d'Elegance.

This Porsche showis all about speed

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BY MATT MUNOZBakotopia.com editor

mmunoz@bakersfield.com

After charming the boots offaudiences on “American Idol,”country singer Kellie Pickler is

currently experiencing life in reverse.Finishing sixth on the television

competition five years ago, the NorthCarolina gal’s launch seemed aseffortless as that of her fellow “Idol”alum Carrie Underwood. Like herfriend, Pickler is beautiful and talent-ed and has enviable crossover appeal,as she proved with her first single,“Red High Heels.”

But even those elements aren’talways enough to sustain a career inan industry racing to keep up withfleeting music buyers in an age of dig-ital piracy.

“With ‘American Idol,’ you kind ofbecome a star before you even have areason to be one,” she said during atelephone interview from Nashville.“You develop backwards. So, now I’mtrying to go back and do what I didn’tget the opportunity to do, and that isreally try to develop as an artist. I lovecountry music. I know what I loveand I’m working hard to get to theplace where I can do exactly what Iwanna do.”

The title of Pickler’s latest single isan apt description of her new out-look: “Tough.” She’s excited to showBakersfield audiences the new Kelliewhen she appears on the BudweiserPavilion stage at the Kern County FairSaturday night.

“It’s definitely been hard to adjust,because it happened so quickly with‘American Idol,’” said Pickler, 25. “Idon’t think people realize what adrastic change it is literally overnight.I was 19 years old, and I was just aSonic car-hop waitress. My auditionaired and the next day after I wokeup, my whole life did a 180.”

Pickler’s immediate rise also trans-formed her into a bombshell of a diva,complete with sexy makeover. But hersongwriting talents have also garneredher acclaim, especially for tracks “IWonder” and “Best Days of Your Life,”a song she co-wrote with Taylor Swift.Flattered by the accolades, sheaccepts them with a grain of salt.

“I went from people treating me

like I was just nothing special at all.Then all of sudden you’re in every-body’s living room. It’s not like in theold days, where you moved toNashville and play in the honky-tonksand hopefully get discovered at theBlue Bird Cafe, singin’ all the bars.You pay your dues in a different way.”

But speaking of the dues paid bylegends who came before her drewPickler to a topic near to her heart:classic country music.

“I love Loretta Lynn, Kitty Wells,Willie and Waylon, Merle. I love thoseclassics. If I could walk into a studioand do what I want, it would be themost country record you’ve everheard. I love steel guitar. TammyWynette is one of biggest reasons I fellin love with country music. She canmake me cry.”

That return to the genre’s rootscould be good prescription for whatwhat’s ailing the industry, in Pickler’sview.

“I think everyone right now is justtrying to figure out what they can cutto get played on the radio. Recordcompanies are shutting down so fast,because people don’t buy recordsanymore. And I don’t think peoplerealize how crucial it is, when peoplejust get the songs off the Internet forfree without paying for it. It’s likewalking into a store and taking a shirtoff the rack and just walking out withit without paying for it.”

When she’s not bare-knuckle readyto stand up for what’s right, Picklerhas plenty to smile with a new mar-riage and music she’s anxious to pre-view for fans.

“It’s great to throw those songs inand see people’s reaction to it. If it’snot such a great response, thenmaybe we won’t put it on the record.”

And while those fans helped make“Red High Heels” her first hit, she’dlike everyone to know she preferscasual wear on the weekends thesedays.

“That song came out when I was 19or 20, and it was about a bad breakupand how, you know, ‘I’m gonna go outand show this guy what he’s missingout on.’ Today, people expect I’ll be inred high heels every time they see me.I’m like, ‘I’m at the grocery store. I’mnot wearing stilettos and a rhinestonedress. I am in jeans, a hat and flip-flops.’”

28 The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, September 29, 2011

Eye Street

The new (andimproved) Pickler‘American Idol’ beauty getstough after charmed start

Kellie Pickler When: 8 p.m. Saturday

Where: Kern County Fair Bud-

weiser Pavilion

Cost: Free with fair admission

Information: 833-4900 or

kerncountyfair.com

PHOTO BY ROBERT ASCROFT

Kellie Pickler has reinvented herself and will put that personality on dis-play in her show Saturday at the Kern County Fair.

“I love Loretta Lynn, Kitty Wells, Willie and Waylon, Merle. I lovethose classics. If I could walk into a studio and do what I want,it would be the most country record you’ve ever heard.”

— Kellie Pickler

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Thursday, September 29, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian 29

Ilike to call the Kern Shakespeare Festi-val the theater series that refuses to die.Two years ago Bakersfield College the-

ater professor Randy Messick, founder ofthe festival, announced its demise after a25-year run. The main reason: budget cuts.

It limped along last year, but apparentlywithout college funding, with productionsat Bakersfield Community Theatre and TheEmpty Space.

Now there seems to have been a changein thinking within the school’s administra-tion and the college has embarked on afull-scale refurbishment of both its indoorand outdoor theaters. If all goes well, KSFshould be back at BC in the fall of 2012.

Meanwhile, the festival lives on with itsperformance of “Faust,” which opened lastnight at The Empty Space. The nonprofittheater on Oak Street is acting as co-pro-ducer with BC.

Briefly, the 200-year-old drama byJohann Wolfgang Goethe, is a classic tale ofthe danger of making a deal with the devil.I have yet to see the current performancebut its strong cast makes it sound promis-ing.

Bob Kempf, who has been a part of KSFfrom the beginning, is playing Wagner, ascholar; Kevin Ganger, a former guest actorwho now is the technical director at BC,plays the title role, Dr. Faust; Messick isMephistopheles, also known as the Devil.Jessica Boles portrays Gretchen, the girlwho is unwittingly destroyed by Faustthrough the devil’s manipulations. KimChin, who also teaches theater at BC, hasthe role of the witch.

Since “Faust” was written by a Germanauthor, I asked Messick why he eschewedthe Bard for this show. Turns out he hadseveral reasons.

“First, I am anxious to return the KernShakespeare Festival to the BC outdoorstage once it is remodeled, but, in themeantime, I thought it would be fun to dosome plays that are classics from othercountries,” he said. “Goethe's ‘Faust’ iscertainly a classic. Many view it as themost important theater piece ever pro-duced in the German language.”

Messick also said “Faust” is similar toShakespeare’s plays in its use of verse, so ithas a familiar feel to it.

“Finally, it is a very interesting and funplay,” he said. “It deals with a lot of darkthemes and issues important to all

humans everywhere andat the same timeprovides plenty oflaughs.”

I also wonderedif Messick felt chal-

lenged in staging“Faust” because of

the Empty’s relativelysmall acting space and

its sparse backstage area. For the most part, he said it’s worked out

well. The space is flexible in terms ofentrances, although there is no room forbalconies or trapdoors.

“It is true that when you leave one of theupstage exits and want to re-enter from a(lobby entrance) you have to go outsideand run around the building,” he said.“But that's what makes live theater inter-esting — and it’s a good workout.”

Messick said in spite of the tragic theme,

the play has plenty of humor. And then headded a bit of his own humor regardingthe challenges of stagecraft.

“We have a sword fight in the show,which we have had to rehearse very care-fully so that we don't skewer any audiencemembers,” Messick said. “Let us keep ourfingers crossed.”

‘Faust’ artwork As a companion piece to performances

of “Faust,” The Empty Space gallery isshowing a collection of artwork by twobrothers, Jon Hauss and Greg Hauss.

Gallery curator Jesus Fidel said thebrothers, natives of Fresno, have been fas-cinated by Goethe and the legend of Faustfor many years. The exhibit contains about30 pieces and is mostly pen and ink draw-ings.

An opening reception is scheduled forFriday evening, prior to the third perform-ance of “Faust.” The exhibit will be on dis-play through Oct. 8.

Tango music at CSUBAs part of its observance of National His-

panic Heritage Month, the Cal State MusicDepartment will perform a program ofLatin American music Friday evening oncampus in the Dore Theatre.

Titled “A Night of Tango,” it will be pre-sented by members of the university’smusic faculty with guest performers fromthe Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra. Thefocus is on instrumental music only, thatis, there will be no dancers. The programincludes works by Argentine composersAstor Piazzolla and Carlos Gardel, andIssac Albeniz, a native of Spain.

The ensemble is made up of pianist Soo-Yeon Chang; violinists Julia Lawson Haneyand Donna Fraser; Paulette Shires, viola;

Karen Blockley, cello; James Dethlefson,double bass; Audrey Boyle, flute; and KristiVan Kopp, clarinet.

Parking is free in Lots B and C in front ofthe Dore Theatre.

Actors’ workshops to beginLocal actors interested in polishing their

performance techniques may be interestedin a series of fee-based workshops thatbegin on Saturday at The Empty Space.

Brian J. Sivesind, the new executivedirector at The Empty Space, said the firstone will be devoted to monologues andscene study. It is scheduled for four Satur-day meetings in October and will culmi-nate with a performance on Nov. 5.

Those who participate have an option ofbringing pieces they want to work on butSivesind will also assist them in choosingsomething that will help them grow as anartist.

“I’ve heard people say ‘I’ll never get achance to play that role,’” he said, “Thisaffords them the opportunity to finally sinktheir teeth into a dream role, albeit only viaa monologue or scene.”

Bob Kempf, the Empty’s artistic director,will join Sivesind as a workshop instructor.Both he and Sivesind have master of finearts degrees and have had experience inprofessional theater.

Depending on the demand, Sivesindplans to continue offering workshops on aregular basis. Future ones will focus on aspecific area, such as directing, voice andmovement, or auditioning.

Giving Shakespeare a break‘Faust’When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Where: The Empty Space, 706 Oak St.

Admission: Suggested donation $15;

$10, seniors and students; free to Bak-

ersfield College students

Information: 327-7529

‘The Art of Faust’ exhibitOpening reception: 5 to 7 p.m. Friday

Where: The Empty Space, 706 Oak St.

Admission: Free

Information: 327-7529

‘A Night of Tango’When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Dore Theatre, Cal State Bak-

ersfield, 9001 Stockdale Highway

Admission: $10; $5, seniors and stu-

dents; free to CSUB students with ID

Information: 654-2156

Monologue and scene studyworkshopsWhen: 2 p.m. Saturday and Oct. 8, 15,

22

Where: The Empty Space, 706 Oak St.

Fee: $99 for four weeks of workshops

Information: 327-7529 or brianj-

sivesind@mac.com

Camille Gavin CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

GO & DO

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

Write to her via e-mail at gavinarts@aol.com

Eye Street

Festival returns next year,but for now, it’s ‘Faust’

PHOTO BY MICHELLE GUERRERO

Conditions are bleak in “Faust” at The Empty Space. Clockwise from top right: BobKempf, Rod Lester, Delmos Birdwell, Matt Joseph Mizell, Robert Bowman, Jotae Fras-er and Kim Chin.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JESUS FIDEL

“Faust and the Devil” by Greg Hauss isone of the works featured in the Art ofFaust at The Empty Space.

30 The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, September 29, 2011

Eye Street

Despite busy schedules,Bakersfield’s elusiveMother Funk Conspiracy

will be reassembling for a rareshow Friday night at Fishlips.

One of the funkiest ensemblesto ever rise from the local alterna-tive jazz scene, the group plans tokick out the jams for fans who’vewaited years, in some cases, tosee the group live.

Drummer Jarred Pope, guitaristDoug Sikola and San Luis Obispobassist Forrestt Williams formed atrio, originally called called Mr.Fabulous, in 1998. They thenrecruited keyboardist DennisHamm and changed the name toMother Funk Conspiracy. Saxo-phonist Paul Perez rounded outthe original lineup and soon thequartet’s “supergroup” reputa-tion began circulating throughoutmusician circles. They werefunky, jazzy and always on theedge of musical insanity — butstill a mystery to most.

After recording their first set ofdemos at a studio belonging toSmokin’ Armadillos’ guitarist JoshGraham, the band experimentedwith various entertainment web-sites, namely MP3.com, whichpreceded MySpace and othersimilar sites.

During its heyday, bands wereallowed to make money offadvertising revenue being gener-ated by the site’s “Pay for Play”system. The more listens a band’s

music received, thebigger the

monthlycheck. ForMother Funk

Conspiracy,which sat

atopthe

jazz

and funk charts, that meant a siz-able amount, and an even biggerfan base — pretty good for a bandthat had surfaced for shows onlya few times.

“Delivering a unique blend ofdanceable funk and bebop jazz,the Mother Funk Conspiracy is apower force to be reckoned with,”laughed Hamm during a recenttelephone interview from hishome in Eagle Rock. “At leastthat’s what it says on our Face-book page.”

Laughable as it may seem, theMFC story is a curious one. Pre-ferring not to elaborate on theeconomics behind that early suc-cess, Hamm said the band justhappened to find a niche at a vul-nerable time for the music indus-try.

“Once you were at the top ofthe MP3.com chart, you’d staythere for about two years, and wedid. We had 300,000 downloadsfrom that first EP.

After the site abandoned thatformat, the group continuedmaking appearances on occasionwith a few personnel changes.Perez was replaced by saxophon-

ist Steve Mettler for live shows,before Los Angeles jazz standoutZane Musa stepped in to perma-nently fill the position.

“It is kind of amazing that wewere able to get together. Wehaven’t played in Bakersfieldsince 2004,” said Pope. “The factthat we don’t play enough makesit fresh and interesting. Dennis isso full of ideas, much to his fault.It’s like a ‘Choose Your OwnAdventure’ book, pick your ownscene type of gig.”

Busy in their separate musicaloccupations, Hamm was themost difficult to snare for theshow. Living deep in the world ofSoCal studio sessions, he’s been ahired gun for producer Kenny“Babyface” Edmonds, vocalistJudith Hill, guitarist Greg Howe,bassist Jimmy Haslip, among oth-ers. Beginning next year, he’ll alsobe touring with guitarist LarryCarlton.

Pope also has been hitting theroad, performing with Nashvillecountry act Whiskey Falls andsinger/dancer/actress JulianneHough.

As for Williams, he currently

has a stint with nouveau jazz actTipsy Gypsies, while Musa tourswith trumpeter Arturo Sandoval.

According to Hamm, Sikola willnot be performing with the groupon Friday. However, there is achance he may rejoin them onfuture dates.

“All is well. Doug was a big partof writing the music. He and For-restt really inspired the powerfunk force we have. That doesn’tmean we won’t be playing withhim on other shows.”

Pope added that drummerBrian Boozer, who will be open-ing the show with his groupSoulajar, should be credited forbringing the group together.

Both groups will be sellingcopies of their latest CDs, socatch them live before they disap-pear again.

“If Brian hadn’t asked us to doit, it probably wouldn’t have hap-pened. I just hope people comeout and have a good time.”

Tickets are $10. Show starts at 9p.m. Fishlips is located at 151718th St. For more information,call 324-2557.

Choirs begin work on debutBakersfield band Choirs begin

their studio lockdown at SanDiego’s Capricorn Studios todayafter months of preparation.

Another in the growing list ofnewly formed acts sproutingfrom downtown’s indie rockcommunity, the band’s buzz onthe scene has been growing since

they formed just over a year ago.The group’s sound is a combi-

nation of each member’s formerbands — Gramercy Riff, La Vieen Rose, Vanity Avenue, TheOrder of File & Claw, and IlSogno, whose sounds rangedfrom rock to reggae, punk toexperimental.

But while scattered elementsof their pasts linger, the newsound is a fresh addition to thescene.

Having recorded locally andreleased their first two-songdemo free at shows, vocalist JoelBrewer, guitarists Tyler Slaytonand Dax Dominguez, bassistMichael Aguilar, and drummerCass Faulkenberry, said the over-whelming response to those firstofferings inspired them to seek aproduct more representative ofthe group’s live experience.

“Our band has a large sound,and we really wanted to do a fulllive recording,” said Faulkenber-ry. “We found a place that has theequipment and knows how toaccomplish what we’re lookingfor.”

The band says the goal is toreturn with five to six completesongs by the end of the 10-hoursession.

In an unconventional move,the band will be recording with-out Brewer, who will head intothe studio on a separate date.

We’ll be following up with thegroup as the project winds up.Until then, you can check out thesongs “Modus Operandi” and“It’s Somewhere in the Details,”at their Facebook band page‘choirsofficial.’

A band so cool, it hardly existsBakotopia UnpluggedOpen Mic NightWith host Matt Munoz

When: 8 to 11 p.m. Wednes-

days. Signups start at 7:30

p.m.

Where: Fishlips, 1517 18th St.

Information: 324-2557 or

visit the Facebook page for

updates.

The Lowdown with Matt Munoz

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

The Californian that devotes itself to promoting Bakersfield’s art

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

Mother Funk puts onrare show Friday

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIS WABICH

Mother Funk Conspiracy appears Friday at Fishlips. Pictured fromleft: Jarred Pope, Zane Musa, Forrestt Williams, Dennis Hamm.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEX FARIS

Choirs will begin production ona new CD in San Diego tonight.Pictured from left: MichaelAguilar, Cass Faulkenberry, DaxDominguez, Joel Brewer, TylerSlayton.

Thursday, September 29, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian 31

Eye Street

BY SUSAN SCAFFIDIContributing writer

For the past year, singer-songwriterLeon Russell has been on the come-back trail. Russell is including Bakers-

field on the journey with a performance atthe Kern County Fair on Friday evening.

In 2009, Russell was traveling in a dilapi-dated bus, playing to dwindling audiencesin D-list venues. He was, as he himselfdescribed, “in a ditch on the highway oflife.” But then on March 14 of last year,Russell was inducted into the Rock andRoll Hall of Fame by Elton John, whomRussell credits with having rescued himfrom that ditch. In 2010, the two singing,songwriting piano players recorded thealbum “The Union,” and with John’s sup-port and his own recovering health andconfidence, Russell has returned to per-forming to growing, appreciative audi-ences, in a brand new bus.

If you were a music fan in the late 1960sand early 1970s and wanted to prove howcool you were, you didn’t listen to Neil Dia-mond or Paul McCartney, Blood, Sweatand Tears or even John Lennon. You lis-tened to Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison andLeon Russell.

“They show their roots,” said HowardKramer, curatorial director for the Rockand Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.“They were among the greatest voices andinterpreters of rock and roll by staying trueto those roots.

Russell, whose real name is Claude Rus-sell Bridges, has his roots in Lawton, Okla.,where he was born in 1942. He began play-ing the piano at age 4 and, because Okla-homa had no liquor laws, being a dry stateat the time, Russell was playing in Tulsanightclubs by age 14.

By his early 20s, Russell was in Los Ange-les, a member of the legendary WreckingCrew, studio musicians who included gui-tarists Glen Campbell and Tommy Tedesco,fellow pianist Mac Rebennack, known asDr. John, and bassist Carol Kay.

They recorded for virtually every record-ing artist and ensemble in Los Angeles,from Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby to theBeach Boys and The Mamas and ThePapas, plus film and television scores.

Russell was a also musical director andmentor to musicians like John, and was adriving musical force behind Joe Cocker’s“Mad Dogs and Englishmen” and GeorgeHarrison’s “Concert for Bangladesh.” Inaddition to jump-starting John’s and Cock-er’s careers, Russell also helped revivebluesman Freddie King’s career.

Most people probably know Russell as asolo performer, with his trademark longhair and aviator sunglasses, singing with alazy drawl and gravelly voice, tinged withblues, country and jazz inflections.

His own hits, such as “Delta Lady,”

“Tight Rope,” “This Masquerade,” andespecially “A Song for You” have beenrecorded by dozens of artists, but it’s Rus-sell’s unique performance style that doeshis work the most justice.

Ironically, it’s not as a solo performer, oreven as a songwriter, that Russell wasinducted into the Hall of Fame. Kramersaid while it would have been easy to placeRussell in those categories, he was induct-ed on the basis of the totality of his career,in what used to be the “Sideman” category,but was recently renamed the award for“Recording Excellence.”

“This new category gives the (hall offame committee) some latitude to recog-nize that variety,” Kramer said.

“(Russell) was the first person in thenewly retitled category,” Kramer said.“Leon Russell’s career had such breadth.”

In addition to noting all of Russell’scredits as a part of the Wrecking Crew,music director, mentor, songwriter andperformer, Kramer said Russell representsthe ultimate kind of musician.

“He kind of distilled all the great ele-ments of rock and roll into being a singerand songwriter,” Kramer said.

Comeback tourcomes to fair

Leon Russell brings newvigor to his musical career

Leon Russell When: 8 p.m. Friday

Where: Kern County Fair Budweiser

Pavilion

Cost: Free with fair admission

Information: 833-4900 or

kerncountyfair.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF LEON RUSSELL

As part of the legendary Wrecking Crew,Leon Russell recorded for virtually everyrecording artist and ensemble in LosAngeles, from Frank Sinatra and BingCrosby to the Beach Boys and TheMamas and The Papas, plus film and tel-evision scores.

Wed. Nov. 16 • 7:30pm

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Presents

32 The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, September 29, 2011

Eye Street

BY CAMILLE GAVINContributing writer

Every year, the Fine ArtsBuilding is always my firststop at the Kern County

Fair.This year, though, I had a spe-

cial reason. I wanted to see twoawarding-winning items myfriend Chet Troudy had entered.

One was a woodcarving and,the other, a Christmas tree hemade from dozens of pieces ofcostume jewelry contributed byabout 50 residents of RosewoodRetirement Community. I am oneof those residents, as are Chetand his wife, Helen Troudy.

To me, Chet is a stellar exampleof the saying, “You’re never tooold to learn.” Now 88, the retirededucator was 85 when he took upthe fine art of carving birds. Theseare not hunters’ decoys, mindyou. These are finely detailedreplicas of the real thing, rightdown to the tiniest feathers.

Finding his handsome carvingof a hummingbird feeding herbabies was easy for me. Locatingthe Christmas tree turned out tobe something of a mystery andinvolved a trek to the oppositeend of the fairgrounds.

Jerry Cook, a volunteer staffingthe woodcarving exhibit, washappy to show me Chet’s hum-mingbird, which was placedbehind glass in a display casenext to a pair of spoons carved byCook. He also made sure I

noticed the white ribbon declar-ing Chet the oldest entrant,which lay next to the humming-bird’s blue first-place ribbon.

I asked Cook if he knew where Icould find the Christmas tree buthe said, “Chet told me it’s inanother building but I don’t knowwhere.”

After leaving the woodcarvingroom, which also contains a glis-tening variety of ceramics, Icrossed the hallway and strolledthrough the colorful hand-sewnquilt section, which, as always,was a pleasure. On one side of theroom I saw a tall artificial Christ-mas tree surrounded by a whitepicket fence, but I knew it wasn’tChet’s. His is attached to a red feltbackground and mounted in apicture frame. Yet I figured if therewas one Christmas tree on dis-play there might be others. But Ididn’t find any, especially the oneI was seeking.

So I went back across the hall-way and entered the fine artroom, where paintings done byamateur and professional artistsare displayed. The first person Iencountered was Adair Stovall,who had just discovered that herpainting, “Cool One,” a charmingscene of a resort in Central Amer-ica, had been awarded secondplace in the amateur oil paintingdivision.

Hanging next to hers was“Beaches,” an Impressionisticpainting by James Baker, whichwon first place. Yet she didn’tseem too disappointed aboutbeing second.

“I’m just glad they (the judges)

recognized it after all the work Iput into it,” Stovall said. “It tookme two years to do.”

Incidentally, Baker’s paintingalso received a Bakersfield ArtAssociation scholarship award asdid several other winners. ToniLott, who was on duty at the time,said the award includes a $25 cer-tificate good for purchases orclasses at the association’s ArtCenter on Eye Street and a one-year BAA membership.

One picture that received a lotof attention from visitors was amixed-media piece done by Cas-sandra Thompson, which wasjudged best of show in the cate-gory for 13- to 17-year-old artists.Titled “Magic Isn’t Always What ItSeems,” it is made up, in part, ofpieces of a puzzle depicting a pairof beautiful and exotic ladies andincludes a faux bird with brilliant-ly colored feathers.

I ventured into several otherrooms in the Fine Arts Buildingbut, still no Christmas tree. Final-ly, when I was just about to giveup hope of ever finding it, I cameupon Melissa Medina, a memberof the Rosewood staff. It was shewho told me the tree was in Har-vest Hall.

At last, after trudging past sev-eral tantalizing food booths, thechildren’s play yard, the impres-sive Dante Italian Heritage pavil-ion and the first aid station, Ispotted Harvest Hall.

Thankfully, Chet’s Christmastree was displayed near theentrance. Mission accomplished.

It’s a little difficult to see, how-ever, because it’s placed several

feet behind a little fence. But Icould see that it bears a blue rib-bon and an additional one nam-ing it the “Judge’s Choice.”

I asked Chet if he planned tosell the tree or put it up for auc-tion. He merely smiled and shookhis head, saying “That would

defeat the purpose.”As soon as the fair is over, I’ll

get to admire Chet’s tree — dur-ing the holiday season anyway —in a special spot reserved for it onone wall of the Fireside Room atRosewood. And so will a lot ofother people.

Don’t miss the fair’s fine artsCarvings, paintings andeven quilts stunning

BY SUSAN SCAFFIDIContributing writer

In case you didn’t get enough blues acouple of weeks ago at Bakersfield’sannual festival, you can finish the

month — and start October — with moreblues, and classic rock, at the Kern RiverRock ’n’ Blues Fest on Friday and Saturdayat Fandy Park campground in Kernville.

The festival is the brainchild of OrionSanders and Funds for Freedom, a non-profit organization that raises money forveterans’ affairs and children’s causes. Thisis the group’s first attempt at a rock andblues festival.

Sanders, a former Lake Isabella andTehachapi resident who now lives andworks in the Ojai area, asked theTechachapi Veterans of Foreign Wars chap-ter if he could help with veterans causes.

“We got together back in 2004 when theannouncement was made that a nationalcemetery was going to be built in the KernCounty area,” said Sanders, who addedthat the walkway to the cemetery wasn’t

part of federal funding for the project. “So we decided to put on a motorcycle

event to raise money for that cause.”Sanders said that event grew into a toy

run and other projects. The group has alsoproduced events to raise money for veter-ans and children who were displaced bythe recent West Fire. The nonprofit groupwas formed to handle the money beingraised, Sanders said.

“We kind of come to call wheneverthere’s a need that falls into our mission,”Sanders said.

“Not having the opportunity to serve mycountry, it was my way of giving back.”

The Kernville festival is an attempt bythe group to reach more people, includingthose who aren’t motorcycle enthusiasts.

“Times are tough for everyone,” Sanderssaid. “And we wanted to open it up toeveryone and make it more accessible foreveryone to participate.”

The still-expanding line-up of perform-ers for the two-day event includes classicrock bands such as Blonde Faith andReign, and blues or rock and blues bandssuch as Cold Shot, Deedra Patrick and theSwamp Katz, Stronghold, Lil Mike and theBlues Hammers, and several other bands.Sanders said many of the events will be atthe campground, but after-hours get-togethers and more performers will bespread throughout the Kernville area.

“We didn’t want to just have music inthe campground and leave it there,”Sanders said.

“We wanted to do something where theentire community could participate.”

The outdoor concerts begin on Friday at5 p.m. and continue until 9 p.m. Music willcontinue in various venues in Kernville.Saturday morning’s events begin with amilitary tribute at 10:15 a.m., with musicstarting at 10:30 and again lasting until 9p.m., when the playing will move back tolocal clubs and restaurants. Sanders saidquieter, acoustic jam sessions will contin-ue at the campground after 9 p.m.

There is also a separate dinner cruiseshuttle to McNally’s Fairview Restaurant.

The group is keeping prices low: $40 getsyou two nights’ camping and parking inthe campground, and four wristbands forthe festival; $5 gets you a wristband for theentire weekend.

Although the group started its fundrais-ing activities in Tehachapi, Sanders saidKernville proved to be the ideal location fora music festival, especially for blues.

“(Kernville) is the only venue we couldfind in the Southern California area whereyou can find everything you need withinwalking distance,” Sanders said.

How about some blues with that mountain air? Kern River Rock n Blues FestWhen: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at Fandy Park

campground on the Kern River in

Kernville; 10:15 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday

at campground; other events after 9

p.m. around Kernville

Tickets:www.fundsforfreedominc.com, or 340-

0026

PHOTO COURTESY OF TERRY BARNETT

Chet Troudy's Christmas tree, made of costume jewelry, won firstplace at the Kern County Fair.

Thursday, September 29, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian 33

Eye Street

BY MIRANDA WHITWORTHContributing writer

The Kern County Fair takes a trip backto the Old West with an homage tocowboy life that’s bringing the

nation’s best ropers and riders here to Bak-ersfield.

Fair attendees still have the chance toenjoy the sights, sounds and traditionalfood that fills the fairgrounds every fall, butin the fair’s final weekend, it will be theshowmanship of the PRCA Rodeo thattakes center stage.

A man whose name has become synony-mous with showmanship is Cotton Rosser,who, along with the Flying U Rodeo Com-pany, is providing the livestock for theevent. The former cowboy purchased Fly-ing U in 1956 and has since grown thebusiness into a nationally traveling stockcontracting firm that embraces thepageantry and traditions of the competi-tive rodeos from yesterday. It’s an associa-tion that Kern County Fair spokeswomanPat Griffin is proud to maintain.

“Cotton Rosser is the best. He’s beenbringing the rodeo to Kern County foryears. He is great at the traditional stuff butalso adds new things every year.”

Something different that rodeo-goerscan expect is a third day of roping with aflair that will appeal to Kern County’s His-panic ranchers and riders. Sunday’s eventswill showcase a style of rodeo that can beseen across the southwestern UnitedStates and even further beyond ournation’s borders.

“This year we are going to add a day oftraditional Mexican-style riding and rop-ing,” said Griffin.

As rodeo has a long and rich history herein the western United States, the samegoes for Mexico. Mexican cowboys tracethe roots of their style all the way back toSpain, where their talents for breedinghorses was renowned across Europe. Thetraditions were established in colonialMexico and have evolved in ways that lend

themselves to practical ranching and themore stylized practices of charros who areknown for colorful clothing and participa-tion in charreada, a specific type of Mexi-can rodeo.

But Sunday’s international flair is justpart of a rodeo-packed weekend. It startsFriday and continues Saturday with thePRCA Rodeo, which will draw riders fromacross the United States to compete. Thelevel of talent on display excites fair organ-izers and attendees alike.

“These are some of the best,” Griffinsaid. “The PRCA brings some of the topcowboys and cowgirls in the nation righthere, and that’s a really fun thing to see.”

The riders will be competing alongsideKern County’s best in events like bull rid-ing, bareback, tie-down roping, team rop-ing and barrel racing. Partici-pants will be taking this weekend very seri-ously as the points they earn here will addto their national standings and help themalong their way to the PRCA NationalFinals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

For Griffin, though, it’s really about pro-viding a great show for locals and a spec-tacular ending to another Kern County Fair.

“People who come early in the fair seemto come back again for the final weekendand that always feels good. They loved itthe first time and they come back again.It’s great to see how much this communityloves this fair.”

Cowboys, cowgirls rideinto Kern County Fair

PRCA RodeoWhen: gates open at 6:30 p.m., begins

at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Where: Kern County Fairgrounds,

Grandstand, 1142 P St.

Admission: $13, adults; $9 children 6

to 12; free for children 5 and under. Tick-

ets available through Vallitix or fair-

ground box office after 4 p.m. Friday

Information: vallitix.com or 322-5200

ZUMA PRESS

Dirk Tavenner of Rigby, Idaho, competes in steer wrestling slack during a PRCARodeo event in June in Reno, Nev.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10 TH AT 7PM Westside Church of Christ, 7300 Stockdale Hwy.

Miss Teen Bakersfield (Ages 14-17)

Miss Bakersfield (Ages 18-24)

Mrs. Bakersfield (23+ Married at least 6 months)

Contestants must Reside, Work or Attend School in Bakersfield APPLICATION DEADLINE: OCTOBER 17 TH

Applications are Available for the 2012 Bakersfield Pageant www.thebakersfieldpageant.com

Attend the Orientation Meeting for more Information

The Bakersfield Pageant has been Directed & Produced locally by GT Productions for the past 18 years

34 The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, September 29, 2011

Eye Street

BY STEFANI DIASCalifornian assistant lifestyles editor

sdias@bakersfield.com

For those who grew up withCherie Johnson on TV, first on“Punky Brewster” in the ’80s and“Family Matters” in the ’90s, it’seasy to see her as the best friend.Here’s your chance for a reunionon Saturday, when Johnson headsto Russo’s Books to sign copies ofher first novel.

The book, “Around the WorldTwice,” covers ground familiar toJohnson, telling the story of twobest friends, one a movie star andthe other an unhappy housewife.Johnson said the theme of friend-ship is a great unifier.

“Friendship is somethingeveryone can relate to no matterwhat your background is. That iswhat life is all about.

“I am comfortable being afriend. My career has given methe opportunity to grow up inmillions of households, and I liketo think of those who support meand follow my career as friends.”

Those friends have shown theirsupport by making the book thereaders’ choice winner for the

2011 African Americans on theMove Book Club. The awardcame as a surprise to Johnson,who didn’t even know she wasnominated.

“I was so honored, honestly. Iwas up against writers I reallyadmire. I never expected to win!When I did, it was one of the bestgifts I have every received.”

Although Johnson has beenacting since she was 9, she got amuch earlier start at writing.

“I have been writing since Icould hold a pen. I wrote my firstsong at 4 years old, and I made abook for my mom’s birthdaywhen I was 5 years old.

“It’s always been easier for meto express my feelings on paperrather than speak them.”

Johnson, who also lists filmproducer among her credits, saidit’s important to become multi-faceted in the entertainmentindustry to make the projectsyou’re interested in happen.

“I have been in the business for30 years. Everyone still looks atme and expects me to be 15 yearsold, not a day older. If I ever wantto grow up and keep my careerprogressing, I realized instead ofwaiting for someone to give me a

job, I have to create one.”It’s quite a role she’s carved for

herself: producer of eight films,including “I Do … I Did,” whichshe wrote; editor at large formonthly periodical Success Newsand columnist for Glam CoutureMagazine; and co-host of a sportsradio show with Penny Hardawayand Charles Oakley on thebot-tomlinesportsshow.com. That’s inaddition to acting (she leavesSunday to film a new movie inNorth Carolina) and writing (hernew book, “Peaches & Cream,”should be out by the end of theyear.

Johnson said she finds tappingher creativity in a variety of medi-ums to be extremely fulfilling.

“Acting is my passion like myhusband, producing is my chal-lenge like my Mister (men havemistresses) and writing is mytherapy! My therapy and my Mis-ter makes my ‘marriage’ relation-ship stronger. All of them com-plete me.”

With such a full slate, there’sno doubt Johnson has plenty ofmaterial to write about. While it’snot confirmed how much realityinfluenced the fictional andsometimes racy adventures in

“World,” Johnson said she doestake inspiration from her life.

“I can only write about what Iknow. I poured my heart and soulinto every page of this book, evenshared stories that I have beenthrough. Of course with a littleadded imagination to keep itfun.”

‘Family Matters’ actress books new pathCherie Johnsonreleases novel

Book signingWho: Cherie Johnson, author

of “Around the World Twice”

When: 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday

Where: Russo’s Books, 9000

Ming Ave.

Information: 665-4686

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHERIE JOHNSON

Cherie Johnson will sign copiesof her book “Around the WorldTwice” on Saturday at Russo’sBooks.

BY MADHAVI RISBUDContributing writer

Every month there seems to be somerecognition of a great leader, humani-tarian, or scientist, be it Cesar

Chavez, Albert Einstein or Martin LutherKing, Jr. It seems, however, that often weforget to pay tribute to perhaps one of themost unforgettable leaders of all time:Mahatma Gandhi, a singular revolutionarywho inspired so many leaders during andafter his time to search for peaceful andnonviolent solutions.

For decades, Gandhi struggled forIndia’s freedom and reformation by what-ever means but violence: he spoke, hewrote, he marched, he fasted.

Despite the immense regard he evoked,Mahatma Gandhi was tragically assassinat-ed on Jan. 30, 1948, on his way to address aprayer meeting. His assassin, NathuramGodse, was a Hindu nationalist who, like agood number of Indians, blamed Gandhifor weakening their country by supportingpayment to Pakistan after the Partition in1947. Gandhi’s dream to bring harmonybetween people of different faiths becameunfinished business.

Fourteen years ago, Bakersfield physi-cian Hansa Patel worked to give her idol’sunfulfilled vision to a local context. Withher tremendous admiration for MahatmaGandhi, she worked with Stafford Betty,professor of religious studies at Cal StateBakersfield, and a handful of enthusiasticfriends to start up a community event tocommemorate the great leader and tostimulate an intellectual discussion onGandhi’s views and how they apply to

issues relevant to today’s generations.What started as a small gathering has grad-ually burgeoned into the successful Bak-ersfield Interfaith Conference.

Every year, the event is held on the Sat-urday closest to Gandhi’s birthday, whichhas been deemed the International Day ofNonviolence. Each year, the program com-mittee chooses a topic incorporatingGandhi’s principles and invites speakers ofdifferent faiths to present on the issue, inhopes of promoting “peace, understand-ing, and unity among people of all faithsand beliefs.”

John Stark, chairman of the school ofbusiness management at CSUB, returns tomoderate the symposium. In the secondhalf, Betty continues his engaging, interac-tive discussion between the speakers andmembers of the audience, which over theyears has become the most popular part ofthe program.

Past topics have included women’s rolesin religion, the concept of reincarnation,religion and science, nonviolence and theconcept of God. This year’s program isfocused on “What Happens at Death…and Beyond?”

Thursday, September 29, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian 35

Eye Street

Gandhi tribute focuseson his goal of harmony

Bakersfield Interfaith Conference:A Tribute to Mahatma GandhiWhen: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Student Union at CSUB, 9001

Stockdale Highway

Admission: Free

Information: 327-9141 or 654-2181

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Jane’s Jewelers 9530 Hageman Road 661-587-6242

Tueday through Friday 10:00am – 6:00pm, Sat 10:00am – 3:00pm • Closed Sunday & Monday

Layaways Welcome Like us on

Facebook 397-7447 – Ask for Lana for all details

9000 Ming Ave. #T-3 CST#20154240

JOURNEY OF FAITHJOURNEY OF FAITHTO THE HOLY LANDTO THE HOLY LANDA CATHOLIC PILGRIMAGE TO ISRAEL

led by Msgr. Perry Kavookjian & escorted by Lana Hanson

January 29th – February 9, 2012

$ 3,370 $ 3,370 + taxes, per person based on dbl. occ.

• Walk in the Footsteps of Jesus • Sail in a boat on the Sea Of Galilee • Walk the Via Dolorosa • Visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem

• Visit the Garden of Gethesemane and many other biblical sites

• Daily Mass at sites you only read about in the Bible

• Daily Breakfast and dinner and (3) lunches included

• All tips to guide & driver included • Air from LAX included

$400 per person holds your space

GO&DOToday2011 Best in the West Jet Rally, come

see radio controlled turbine powered jets,

pyro technic show, vendors, prizes, 50/50,

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Sunday,

Elk Hills-Buttonwillow Airport, 3.5 miles

south of Buttonwillow. $5; children 12 and

under. 310-350-1320.

Aces High Night, with Rudy Salas, cock-

tails 5:30 p.m., dinner buffet 6:30 p.m.,

Golden West Casino, 1001 S. Union Ave.

$100. 375-7839.

Adult Ceramic Painting Class “MorePasta, Please!,” design on a large pasta

server, 6:30 p.m., Color Me Mine at The

Marketplace, 9000 Ming Ave. $40 prepaid

reservations. bakersfield.colormemine.com

or 664-7366.

Beginning Guitar, on chords and songs, 5

to 6:45 p.m., Beale Memorial Library, Tejon

Room, 701 Truxtun Ave. Free. 868-0770.

Bingo, warm ups start at 5 p.m., with

early birds at 6 p.m., regular games at

6:30 p.m., Volunteer Center of Kern Coun-

ty, 2801 F St. From $20 buy-in to “the

works”. 395-9787.

Find Your Own Voice, A Poetic Excursion

through Language & Music, presentation

by poet Jayne Cortez, at 10 a.m., 2 and 7

p.m., Norman Levan Center for the Human-

ities, 1801 Panorama Drive. Free admission

and free parking. 395-4011.

March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auc-tion, an evening of world-class cuisine

and live auction, 6 to 9 p.m., Marriott

Hotel at the Convention Center, 801 Trux-

tun Ave. $100 or $1,200 for a table of ten.

369-1181.

Matthew West, 8 p.m., Kern County Fair-

grounds, Budweiser Pavilion, 1142 P St.

Free w/paid fair admission. 833-4900.

Friday11th annual Boots & Bachelor Auction,

benefits Bakersfield Homeless Center,

featuring 18 eligible bachelors, live and

silent auction, no host bar, 6:30 to 11 p.m.

Friday, Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace, 2800

Buck Owens Blvd. $65, includes dinner.

Tickets available at Crystal Palace. 378-

5646.

Community Resource Fair, hosted by

the New Life Training Center, 9 a.m. to

noon, New Life Training Center, 3501 Edi-

son Hwy. 366-8003.

Grand Opening of In-Shape Sport, 10

a.m., In-Shape Sport, 4230 California Ave.

843-3100.

History Forum, with a professor and an

American educator activist, discussing

“The Chicano Struggle for Educational Jus-

tice,” 4 p.m., CSUB, Dore Theatre, 9001

Stockdale Hwy. Free parking in Lot C. 654-

2166.

Kids’ Night Out “Animal House!,” Kids’

Night Out “Animal House!,” for ages 7 and

up, paint and design a dinner plate, pizza,

and games, 6:30 to 9 p.m., Color Me Mine

at The Marketplace, 9000 Ming Ave. $25;

$19 for additional siblings. bakersfield.col-

ormemine.com or 664-7366.

Today’s fair eventsKern County Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St.

833-4900.

Advance tickets to the fair will be sold

at Albertsons stores until Oct. 1 or until

sold out. $6 adults, $3 children.

General admission: $8 adults, sen-

iors (62+) $7, $4 children (6 to 12), free

for active military with ID, children 5

and under are free. $5 parking.

Fair hours today: 3 to 10 p.m.

8 p.m., Matthew West, Budweiser

Pavilion.

3 to 9 pm., Kids Daze, children 12 and

under are admitted free.

Please see 36

36 The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, September 29, 2011

Eye Street

Leon Russell, 8 p.m., Kern County

Fairgrounds, Budweiser Pavilion,

1142 P St. Free w/paid fair admis-

sion. 833-4900.

PRCA Rodeo, gates open at 6:30

p.m., begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday

and Saturday, Kern County Fair-

grounds, Grandstand, 1142 P St.

$9-$13. vallitix.com or 322-5200.

Talladega Frights HauntedAttraction, 7 p.m. Friday and Sat-

urday, 11811 Rosedale Highway,

between Jewetta Ave. and Old

Farm Road. $15 to $25. tallade-

gafrights.com, facebook.com/Tal-

ladegaFrights or 699-8633.

Saturday“A Night of Tango,” presented

by CSUB music faculty with guest

performers from the Bakersfield

Symphony Orchestra, 7:30 p.m.,

CSUB, Dore Theatre, 9001 Stock-

dale Hwy. $10, $5 seniors/stu-

dents, free for CSUB students

with ID; free parking in Lot B & C.

654-2156.

“Ride 4 Youth” Benefit Motor-cycle Ride, registration at 8:30

a.m., the 50-mile ride begins at

9:30 a.m. and will end at Peacock

Park, Valley Cycle & Motorsports,

3917 Buck Owens Blvd. $35 single

rider, $50 for two. $10 for barbe-

cue, children under 7 with a parent

are free. yfcride4youth.com or

323-9041.

2011 Concert Series, with Lisa

Haley and The Zydecats, 8 p.m.,

Bright House Networks Amphithe-

atre, 11200 Stockdale Highway.

$10. ticketmaster.com or all Ticket-

master outlets or by calling 800-

745-3000.

Blues Bash 2011, 7 p.m., Fishlips

Bar & Grill, 1517 18th St. $25; $40

per couple. 324-2557.

Book signing, with author Cherie

Johnson “Around the World

Twice,” 1 to 3 p.m., Russo’s, 9000

Ming Ave. 665-4686.

Eighth annual Walk to DefeatALS, check-in at 8 a.m., walk

begins at 9:30 a.m., The Park at

River Walk, 11200 Stockdale High-

way. walkgla.alsa.org or 664-1226.

Fourth annual WorldwidePhoto Walk, hosted by Kern Pho-

tography Association, 8:30 to 11

a.m., Shafter Town Square, Central

Ave. and James St., Shafter. Free.

Register required, visit worldwide-

photowalk.com or 496-3723.

Garden Project CommunityMeeting, learn how to plant your

own vegetable garden, 10 to noon

a.m., St. Luke Anglican Church,

2730 Mall View Road. 332-3204.

Just for Kids, 10:30 a.m. to noon,

Buena Vista Museum of Natural

History, 2018 Chester Ave. $7

adults; $5 students w/ID, seniors;

$4 for children under 18; 5 and

under are free. Members are free.

324-6350.

Kellie Pickler, 8 p.m., Kern Coun-

ty Fairgrounds, Budweiser Pavilion,

1142 S. P St. Free w/paid fair

admission. 833-4900.

Lancaster Bark at the Park,splash dogs, disc dogs, lure cours-

ing, agility, canine good citizen

testing, games, crafts, food, raffle

and more, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Lan-

caster City Park, 43011 10th Street,

Lancaster. Free. lancaster-

barkatthepark.org.

Murray Family Farms’ October-Fest 2011, 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to

6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, now

until Oct. 31, Murray Family Farms,

6700 General Beale Road. Monday

through Friday: $6.99 all ages; Sat-

urday and Sunday: $10.99. Chil-

dren 3 years and under free. mur-

rayfamilyfarms.com or 330-0100.

PRCA Rodeo, gates open at 6:30

p.m., begins at 7:30 p.m., Kern

County Fairgrounds, Grandstand,

1142 P St. $9-$13. vallitix.com or

322-5200.

Sierra Club-Buena Vista GroupProgram & Brunch, discussing

“Fire & California Shrublands,” 10

a.m., Camino Real Restaurant,

3500 Truxtun Ave. 323-5569.

Taft Chamber annual Golf Clas-sic, 4 person team, contests

begins at 8 a.m., shotgun at 1 p.m.,

Buena Vista Golf Course, 10256

Golf Course Road. $100 per per-

son; $400 per team. Includes

green fees, cart, drinks, goody bag,

dinner. 765-2165.

Third annual Bakersfield Okto-berfest, 3 to 10 p.m., Stramler

Park, 3805 Chester Ave. $10

advance, $15 at the gate; “party

pack” $40, $45 at the gate. Pro-

ceeds benefit M.A.R.E. Riding Cen-

ter. bakersfieldoktoberfest.com.

Tickets can be purchased at

Lengthwise Brewing Co. 327-3825.

SundayFireworks for the Soul: SoundHealing Concert, 6 to 7:30 p.m.,

Center for Spiritual Living, 222

Eureka St. $20 advance; $25 at the

door. 323-9929.

Third annual Gospel Music Fes-tival, featuring Brandon Health

and more, begins at 3 p.m., Bright

House Networks Amphitheatre,

Stockdale 11200 Stockdale High-

way. Free. bhnamphitheatre.com

or 852-7777.

THEATER“Joseph & The Amazing Tech-nicolor Dreamcoat,” 8 p.m. Fri-

day, Bakersfield High School, in

Harvey Auditorium, 1241 G St. $20

adults; $10 students/children. 325-

6100.

“Next to Normal,” 7 p.m. Friday

and Saturday, Spotlight Theatre,

1622 19th St., $25; $22

seniors/students. 634-0692.

“The Phantom of the Melodra-ma,” followed by the vaudeville

revue “Merry Olde England” 7 p.m.

Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sun-

day, Gaslight Melodrama Theatre

& Music Hall, 12748 Jomani Drive.

$12 to $23. 587-3377.

Improv Comedy Show, with

Center For Improv Advancement, 8

to 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Satur-

days, Ice House, 3401 Chester

Ave., Suite M. Adults: $5, children

under 12 are $1. ciacomedy.com.

Major League Improv, improvi-

sational comedy show, appropriate

for families, 6 p.m. Saturdays, The

Empty Space, 706 Oak St. Free but

donations are accepted. 327-PLAY.

Theater, Major League Improv,

improvisational comedy show,

appropriate for families, 6 p.m.

Saturdays, The Empty Space, 706

Oak St. Free but donations are

accepted. 327-PLAY.

ART“Tehachapi 100-year-old BirdArt Prints” Exhibition, 10 a.m.

to 4 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 4

p.m. Sunday, now until Oct. 16, U-

Neek Findz, 450 West F St,

Tehachapi. 822-7311.

Art for Healing program, class-

es that alleviate stress, resulting

from illness, or grief. All classes

are free but some suggest a dona-

tion and are held at Mercy Hospi-

tal, Truxtun Campus, Truxtun and

A St. Visit

mercybaakersfield.org/art or to

register, 632-5357.

Jim Bates, featured artist for the

month of September, Dagny’s Cof-

fee Co., 1600 20th St. 634-0806.

The Art Shop Club, 9 a.m. to

noon each Thursday, Friday and

Saturday, The Art Shop, 1221 20th

St. All mediums. 322-0544, 589-

7463 or 496-5153.

MUSIC

AcousticKern River Brewing Company,13415 Sierra Highway, Kernville,

760-376-2337; Mike Fleming and

Friends, 8 to 10 p.m. Friday.

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

Billy Russell Band 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Friday; Robert Heft Band 9 p.m.

to 1 a.m. Saturday.

Classic rockIron Horse Saloon, 1821 S.

Chester Ave., 831-1315; Sunday

Snake Oil, 9 p.m. Friday.

ComedyElevation Lounge, 818 Real

Road, 325-6864; Improv Tuesday

- Live comedy with DJ after

party, 9 p.m. Tuesdays.

CountryEthel's Old Corrral, 4310 Alfred

Harrell Highway, 873-7613; Open

Range, 7 to 11 p.m. Friday; Road

Dawgs, 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday; Bo

Porter, 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Sandrini’s, 1918 Eye St., 322-

8900; Vince Galindo, 9 p.m.

Wednesdays.

DancingAfrican Dance for Fitness,taught by national touring artists,

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

to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Su Studio

Dance Academy, 1515 21st St. $5-

$7 per class.

africandanceclasses.com or 760-

917-3685.

Folklorico Classes, advance

dancers/performing group 6 to 8

p.m. Fridays; and beginners, all

ages, 10:30 a.m. to noon Satur-

days, Fruitvale-Norris Park, 6221

Norris Road. $22 per month for

beginners; $25 per month for

advance dancers. 833-8790.

Greenacres Community Center,2014 Calloway Dr., offers ballroom

dance, East Coast swing (jitter-

bug) and Argentine Tango dance

classes; $35, $45 for non-mem-

bers. 322-5765 or 201-2105.

Joaquin Squares, 7:30 to 9:30

p.m. Thursday, Rasmussen Center,

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

325-3086 or 399-3658.

Laf-A-Lot Dance Club Dance, 7

to 10 p.m. Saturday, Kern City

Town Hall, 1003 Pebble Beach

Drive. $5 members; $10 guests.

398-5590.

Whirlaways Square DanceClub, has workshops every first,

third, fourth and fifth Mondays,

Park Stockdale Civic Assocation

Community Center, 205 Rio

Bravo Drive. whirlaways.org or

213-3105.

Pairs & Spares Dance, with

music by Crossroads, 7 p.m. Fri-

day, Rasmussens Senior Center,

115 E. Roberts Lane. $5 members;

$7 nonmembers.

DJBanacek’s Lounge, 4601 State

Road, 387-9224; with DJ Casey

Overstreet, 9 p.m. Fridays.

Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 White

Lane, 834-1611; with DJ Chill in the

Mixx, 5 p.m. every Friday until 2

a.m. Saturday.

Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737

Meany Ave., Suite B5, 589-6749;

DJ James, 9 p.m. Thursdays

through Saturdays. Free.

The Bull Shed Bar & Grill, atHotel Rosedale, 2400 Camino

Del Rio Court, 327-0681; with Meg,

7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Jazz Cafe Med, 4809 Stockdale High-

way., 834-4433; Richie Perez, 7:30

to 11 p.m. Thursdays.

Imbibe Wine & Spirits Mer-chant, 4140 Truxtun Ave., 633-

WINE; live music & wine bar with

featuring local artists, along with

24 wines, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Fri-

day; featuring Jazz Connection,

along with 24 wines, 7 to 9:30

p.m. Saturday; live music & wine

bar with featuring Jazz Connec-

tion, along with 24 wines, 6 to

8:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

Le Corusse Rouge, 4647 White

Lane, 834-1611; Bakersfield Jazz

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

every Wednesday.

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

Sunday. Cost $10 at 1721 19th St.

364-2620.

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

Thursdays and Tuesdays.

Banacek’s Lounge, 9 p.m. every

Friday and Saturday at 4601 State

Road. 387-9224.

Bellvedere Cocktail Lounge,3090 Brundage Lane, 325-2139; 9

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

days.

Big Daddy Pizza, 6417 Ming Ave.,

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

day; 8 to 11 p.m. every Friday.

Cactus Valley Mexican Restau-rant, 4215 Rosedale Highway,

633-1948; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Thursday; beer pong and happy

hour all day Sunday.

Cataldo’s Pizzeria, 6111 Niles St.,

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

days.

Cataldo’s Pizzeria, 4200 New

Stine Road, 397-5000; 6:30 to

9:30 p.m. Thursday.

Cataldo’s Pizzeria, 6:30 to 9:30

p.m. every Thursday at 4200 New

Stine Road. 397-5000.

Chateau Lounge, 2100 S.

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

every Saturday.

City Slickers, 1001 W. Tehachapi

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

and Thursdays.

Corona’s Cantina, 9817 S. Union

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

days.

Del Rio Cocktail Lounge, 5840

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

every Saturday.

Diana’s Pit Stop, 10807 Rosedale

Highway, 587-8888; 8 p.m. Mon-

days and Thursdays.

Don Perico Restaurant, 2660

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

to 11 p.m. Thursdays.

DoubleTree Hotel, ClubOdyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio

Court; 8 p.m. to midnight Tues-

days.

Elevation Lounge, 818 Real Road,

325-6864; 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Ethel’s Old Corral, 4310 Alfred

Harrell Highway, 873-7613; 6 to 9

p.m. every Wednesday.

Iron Horse Saloon, 1821 S.

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

Wednesdays and Thursdays.

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

10 p.m. every Friday.

Le Corusse Rouge, 8 p.m. every

Tuesday at 4647 White Lane. 346-

5771.

Lone Oak Inn, 8 p.m. every Tues-

day and Thursday at 10612

Rosedale Hwy. 589-0412.

Magoo’s Pizza, 1129 Olive Drive,

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

day.

Magoo’s Pizza, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

every Tuesday at 1129 Olive Dr.

399-7800.

Maria Bonita Mexican Restau-rant, 10701 Highway 178, 366-

3261, 7 to 11 p.m. Fridays. All ages.

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

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

Pizzeria, 4200 Gosford Road, 397-

1111; 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays.

Pour House, 9 p.m. Fridays and

Saturdays at 4041 Fruitvale Ave.

589-9300.

Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner, 323-

0053; 8 p.m. to midnight Satur-

days.

Replay Sports Lounge & Grill,4500 Buck Owens Blvd., 324-

3300; 8 p.m. every Wednesday.

Please see 37

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Thursday, September 29, 2011 The Bakersfield Californian 37

Eye Street

Rocket Shop Cafe, 2000 S. Union Ave.,

832-4800; 8:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday.

Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany Ave.,

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

through Wednesdays.

Rocky’s Pizza & Arcade, 2858 Niles St.,

873-1900; 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Round Table Pizza, 2060 White Lane, 836-

2700; 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Round Table Pizza, 2620 Buck Owens

Blvd., 327-9651; The Junction with host Mac

Clanahan, 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fri-

days.

Round Table Pizza, 4200 Gosford Road,

397-1111; 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

Round Table Pizza, 6:30 p.m. every

Wednesday at 4200 Gosford Road. 397-1111.

Rusty’s Pizza, 5430 Olive Drive, 392-1482;

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

Rusty’s Pizza, 5430 Olive Dr., 835-5555;

6:30 p.m. every Wednesday.

Sports & Spirits, 9 p.m. every Thursday

and Saturday at 6633 Ming Ave. 398-7077.

T-Bones Steakhouse, 8020 District Blvd.,

398-1300; with Irish Monkey Entertainment,

6:30 to 11 p.m. Thursdays.

Tejon Club, 6 to 10 p.m. every Saturday at

117 El Tejon Ave. 392-1747.

The Bull Shed Bar & Grill, at HotelRosedale, 2400 Camino Del Rio Court, 327-

0681; 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The Junction Lounge, 2620 Buck Owens

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

Saturdays.

The Old River Monte Carlo, 9750 Taft

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

day.

The Playhouse, 2915 Taft Highway; 397-

3599; 7 to 10 p.m. Sundays.

The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall Road, 831-

1413; hosted by Ed Loverr, 9 p.m. to mid-

night Friday.

The Prime Cut, 9 p.m. every Friday at

9500 Brimhall Road. 831-1413.

The Regent, 2814 Niles St., 871-4140; 8:30

p.m. every other Friday.

The Wrecking Yard, 9817 S. Union Ave.,

827-9192; 7 to 10 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays

and Thursdays.

The Wright Place, 2695-G Mount Vernon

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

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

Tuesday and Thursday at 1440 Weedpatch

Hwy. 363-5102.

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

Tuesday and Thursday at 1440 Weedpatch

Hwy. 363-5102.

Trouts & The Blackboard Stages, 805 N.

Chester Ave., 399-6700; 7 p.m. Mondays

and Thursdays, 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays,

Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sun-

days.

Latin/SalsaB. Ryder’s Sports Bar & Grill, 7401 White

Lane, Ste. 8, 397-7304; Latin Breeze, 9 p.m.

Thursday. Free.

DoubleTree Hotel, Club Odyssey, Club

Odyssey, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court, 633-

1949; various levels, 3 to 9 p.m. every Sun-

day. $5 per person, per lesson.

Mariachi Camino Real Restaurant, 6 to 9 p.m. every

Sunday at 3500 Truxtun Ave. 852-0493.

Music showcaseThe Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall Road, 831-

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

every Wednesday.

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

Jimmy Gaines, Bobby O and Mike Halls, 6:30

p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Old schoolQue Pasa Mexican Cafe, 2701 Ming Ave.,

832-5011; Al Garcia & the Rhythm Kings, 8

to 11 p.m. every Thursday.

Open MicFishlips, 1517 18th St., 324-2557; Bakotopia

Unplugged Open-Mic Night, 8 p.m., signups

begin at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

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

Wednesdays.

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

Lane, Ste. 8, 397-7304; Vanity Avenue, 9

p.m. Friday; Alien Ant Farm, 7 p.m. Saturday.

$5 Friday; $15 Saturday.

Rockstarz Party Bar, 7737 Meany Ave.,

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

Thursday.

Top 40DoubleTree Hotel, Club Odyssey, 3100

Camino Del Rio Court. 323-7111; 9 p.m. to

1:30 a.m. every Friday.

Trivia nightBellvedere Cocktail Lounge, 3090

Brundage Lane, 325-2139; 7 p.m. Tuesdays.

Chuy’s, 2500 New Stine Road, 833-3469; 7

p.m. every Tuesday.

Fishlips Bar & Grill, 1517 18th St., 324-

2557; Streets of Bakersfield theme hosted

by Golden Empire Ladies Active 20-30

#1038, 7 p.m. Thursday. $5.

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

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

VarietyT-Bones Steakhouse, 8020 District Blvd.,

398-1300; Elevation 406, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.

Friday.

UPCOMING

Monday 10/32012 Teen, Miss & Mrs. BakersfieldPageant, Orientation Meeting, 7 p.m.,

Westside Church of Christ, 7300 Stockdale

Hwy. thebakersfieldpageant.com or 664-

6038.

First annual Golf for Thought Tourna-ment, hosted by Brain Injury Association of

California (BIACAL); check-in 11 a.m., shot-

gun at noon, dinner at 5 p.m., Bakersfield

Country Club, 4200 Country Club Drive.

$125 per person. Visit biacal.org or 872-

4903.

Murray Family Farms’ OctoberFest 2011,12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday;

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, now

until Oct. 31, Murray Family Farms, 6700

General Beale Road. Monday through Friday:

$6.99 all ages; Saturday and Sunday: $10.99.

Children 3 years and under free. murrayfam-

ilyfarms.com or 330-0100.

Senior Discovery Days, for seniors 60 and

older receive 50 percent off admission, 10

percent discount in the gift store, CALM,

10500 Alfred Harrell Highway. 872-2256.

Third annual “Swing for the Stars” GolfTournament, shotgun begins at noon, Rio

Bravo Country Club, 15200 Casa Club Drive,

Arvin. $150 per person; $600 team of four.

Includes lunch, green fees, cart, balls. 325-

6100.

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