Highlighting artists, community and cultural events in Bakersfield, CA.

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Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Coming soon!!

I'm speechless. I'm flabbergasted. How did it get to be Tuesday and I still haven't updated Bako on the many awesome events taking place this week?? All I can offer is that, at the fair on Sunday, the extreme heat partially baked my brain into a pile of sluggish mush and only today, with the cooler weather, have I snapped back to reality. So now, get ready, because Bakersfield is about to explode with events like Oktoberfest, Via Arte, Burn the Witch, Talladega Frights Haunted House, many new theater productions and of course, First Friday, FLICS, gallery exhibit openings, craft fairs and fall festivals. Details are on the way!!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Bako this week!

Food! Concerts! Rides! The Great Kern County Fair returns. BECA sharpens up for Saturday’s Band Razor. Last chance to catch The Kern Shakespeare Festival.

Believe it or not (and I know, it is very hard to believe), it is now fall and that means lots of activity in Bako as we get ready to head toward the holidays. Thankfully this week is not quite as crazy as last–(See this week’s slideshow to get an idea of some of last week’s frenzy of events)–because Bako might need a chance to breathe before we dive into the busy season.
However, I say this on a week when the Kern County Fair begins, the Shakespeare Festival continues, MetroGalleries hosts a concert, FLICS has a film offering and BECA hosts Band Razor–a show featuring several bands.

Of course, the biggest event of the week is the return of the Great Kern County Fair! My mouth is already watering for a corn dog, cinnamon roll, tri-tip sandwich, kettle corn, baked potato... Oh, and there’s concerts, rides, exhibits and family-friendly shows too. Wednesday night’s opening act is country singer Phil Vassar, Thursday it will be Tower of Power and Friday, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. All performances start at 8:00 p.m. on the Budweiser Pavilion. The concerts are free with fair admission: $8.00/adults, $3.00/ages 6-12, children under the age of 5 are free. Parking is $5.00. Fair hours are: Monday - Thursday 3:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.; Friday the 25th from 10:30 a.m.-11:00 p.m.; Friday, October 2nd, 3:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.; Saturdays Noon - 11:00 p.m. and Sundays, Noon - 10:00 p.m. On Friday, September 25th, seniors 55 and over can enjoy free admission to the fair.

For those into the local music scene or those wanting an introduction to the alternative arts in Bakersfield, don’t miss Saturday’s “Band Razor,” sponsored by BECA (Bakersfield Emerging Contemporary Artists). Seven bands will take the stage at Le Corusse Rouge and local artwork from BECA artists will be featured in the patio. The $5.00 admission benefits BECA as it moves into production of this year’s annual “Burn the Witch” all-woman art exhibit. “Band Razor,” which was created by BECA member Amanda Rosado, allows visual artists, singers and musicians to complement and support each other through the use of their talent. If you are a local artist or art-lover who wants to know how to get involved in Bakersfield’s growing art community, consider joining BECA. Membership is free & you will be the first to know of unique art events like “Band Razor.” More information can be found at www.BECA.ws. Le Corusse Rouge is located at 4647 White Lane. Show starts at 6:00 p.m. for all ages, over 21 after 9:00 p.m.

Lastly, and I mean that in the saddest way possible, the Kern Shakespeare Festival is in its last days. And I don't mean for just this year. Due to budget cuts, the Festival ends its 25-year run this Sunday, September 27th at Bakersfield College Indoor Theater. This year's productions are King Lear, taking the stage September 22, 24 and 26th and Midsummer Night's Dream, playing September 23, 25, and 27th. Shows start at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $5.50/adults, $3.50/students, children under 6 are not allowed in the theater. Don't let this opportunity to catch the Kern Shakespeare Festival pass you by--you won't get another chance.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Coming up..

Whew! What a week!! Bakersfield you are wearing me out with your goodness! So many impressive events last week with many more coming up. Starting tomorrow the slideshow will feature pics from "Saving Grace"-- the fundraiser to benefit Ricky's Retreat, BMOA's triple-feature exhibit opening from Thursday, "Food Glorious Food" which opened at the Younger Gallery on Friday, plus celt-rockers 1916 playing at Fishlips and the awesome artists of BECA which hosted ARTaMentals on Saturday. Also, I'll be giving you the highlights for the coming week. Stay tuned...

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

This week in Bakersfield, CA—Do not miss these events!!

BAKO--I WANT TO SEE YOU OUT THERE!!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.: “Saving Grace”, a fundraiser to benefit Ricky’s Retreat, the Bakersfield’s AIDS Project Hospice House and Resource Center which has fallen into default. (Read the Bakersfield Express article by Jason Gutierrez here: “The Grassroots Effort to Save Ricky’s Retreat.”) This event will include live music from indie-rock artist Eric Himan, a silent auction featuring art from many local talent including Jill Thayer, Yvonne Cavanagh, Liz Sherwyn, Susan Reep, Barbara Reid and photography from Solorzano Photography’s Paul Pomeroy. The wonderfully ambient MetroGalleries, 1604 19th Street, will play host; Food, wine and dessert will be provided by Valentien, Spotlight CafĂ©, Imbibe and Frosting Ink. Tickets for this wonderful, worthwhile event are only $30.00. Even if you can’t attend, please consider making a bid in the auction. More info or to RSVP, call Jason Guitierrez, 661-496-9245.

Also starting Tuesday, if you can’t get enough theater in Bakersfield, the Kern Shakespeare Festival makes its fall return to Bakersfield College’s Indoor Theater. Alternating evenings, this year’s productions will be, “Midsummer Night’s Dream” (September 17, 19, 23, 25 & 27)  and “King Lear” (September 18, 20, 22, 24 & 26). Plays commence at 8:00 p.m. and tickets are $5.50 for adults and $3.50 for students. Keep in mind, no one under the age of six is allowed. Tickets may be purchased at the door or call the BC ticket office at 661-395-4326 for reservations.

On Thursday the 17th, plan to attend the opening of three fine exhibits at Bakersfield Museum of Art (BMOA), 1930 R St.: “Colors of China: Paintings, Calligraphy and Children’s Art”, “Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead)” and “Eye Gallery” (featuring local artists). A 20-30 minute traditional Mexican blessing ceremony with dancing will take place on the grounds at 5:30 p.m., just prior to the official opening of the exhibits at 6:00 p.m. Appetizers and no-host bar will be available; $10.00 non-members, admission free to members of BMOA. Click on the link in the Go. See. Do. section for full descriptions of the exhibits and to find out what else the Museum is planning.

Are you an artist with no plans for Saturday? Well now you know where to go and what to do! BECA (Bakersfield Emerging Contemporary Artists) presents ARTamentals, a day of art classes and mini-seminars at JP Jennings, 1700 Chester Avenue (corner of 17th and Chester). Classes are $5.00 each and proceeds benefit BECA. For full line-up of classes, go to BECA’s website (See Go. See. Do. on this page’s sidebar) and click on the calendar. There will be activities for kids as well as adults. Check it out & support your local art scene!

Also on Saturday, World Records presents the 5th Annual B-Town Blues Fest from 3:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at the CSUB Amphitheater. This is a benefit for Houchin Blood Bank and in fact, discounts apply for blood donors. (Call Houchin for more info: 1-877-364-5844.) Reserved tables are $40/seat; Lawn tickets $30/adult, $20/students, military & seniors; 17 and under free. Dinner tickets are $10.00. Performers include: Sonny Landreth, Janiva Magness, The Soul of John Black, A Piece of Joy and more. Sounds like a good time!

Finally, the 28th Annual Fun in the Sun Car Show, takes place on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Kern County Museum. Regular admission to the Museum will apply, $7.00-10.00. This show will feature over 150 pre-1959 cars. If you would like to register a car, contact Debbie Wilson at 661-587-6379 or Larry Coburn at 661-832-8340.

There’s a lot of other great stuff going on which I will be “tweeting” each day. Make sure you’re following me on Twitter to get the latest updates. www.Twitter.com/BACpage. And don’t forget, if you attend these events, you might see yourself in next week’s slideshow!!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Bako Sucks. O RLY.

My new Twitter friend, bakosucks, compiles amusing tweets from various individuals in the twitterverse related to how much, well…. how much Bako sucks. Apparently it requires quite the wit to take a knock at our fair city. Bako smells like cows? Yes, sometimes it does. Bako is hot. Duh. There’s nothing to do in Bako. Here, my friend, is where we part ways. My fingers would beg to differ, having spent last night typing up the new Go. See. Do. calendar of events for the next two weeks in Bakersfield. This Week’s highlights:

This Friday, Flics (Film Lovers International Cinema Society), opens their season at the Fox Theater, 2001 H St., with a film from Kazakhstan, Tulpan. The show is at 7:30 p.m. If you love to go to the movies, enjoy independent and/or foreign films and want to view films amongst an appreciative audience, Flics is for you. Best of all, each film in the season is only $5.00. For a schedule of upcoming flicks, click on the link in the Go. See. Do. section on the sidebar. Many films are family-friendly and all films are handpicked for their social impact and/or entertainment value. All films are shown on Fridays.

On Friday and Saturday 9/11 and 9/12, the 37th Annual Greek Festival will once again showcase the warmth and culture of Bakersfield’s Greek population. There will be plenty of Greek food, homemade desserts, vendors, music, dancing and for the brave and over 21 crowd, Ouzo. (If you’re not sure what that is, re-watch My Big Fat Greek Wedding.) The Greek Festival is held at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 401 Truxtun Avenue (near the Beale Memorial Library). Friday festivities run from 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Saturday, the day begins at 1:00 p.m. and ends at 11:00 p.m. Tickets are only $3.00. Don’t miss this once-a-year celebration! Opa!

If live music, unlimited food samples and plenty of beer and wine are what you’re looking for this weekend, you can have all of that and support a worthy cause too at Village Fest (formerly Brews in the Village), held this Saturday, September 12th, at the Kern County Museum, 3801 Chester Ave. Event times are 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. and will include live music on five stages with some of Bako’s favorite bands: Mento Buru, The Beagles, Soulajar, Fatt Katt and the Von Zippers plus many others. Admission includes 15 beer or wine samples of your choice from over 100 brew and 60 wine choices. Proceeds benefit the museum and Childrens’ Advocate Resource Endowment (CARE). Tickets are $63.00 in advance, $68.00 at the event.

As if all that isn’t enough, can you say, Lights, Curtains, Action—six times? No less than that many shows will be playing at Bakersfield playhouses by this weekend. Shows at The Empty Space, Stars Theater, The Gaslight Melodrama, Bakersfield Community Theatre and two offerings from Spotlight Theatre round out the highlights for this week. Not long ago, it was hard to find any players strutting or fretting upon a stage in Bako. Not so any longer! Get out there and support the many talented members of our community as they take to the various stages around town.

Next week: Even more stage offerings as the Kern Shakespeare Festival begins, a very worthy fundraiser for Bakersfield’s AIDS project takes place, exhibits open at Bakersfield Museum of Art and many other wonderful events are scheduled. Check back for updates and features—and don’t forget to check out the current slideshow for pictures of just a few of last week’s highlights.

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