Halloween Prep Guide

BOO! Did I scare ya? Whether or not you celebrate Halloween, it is certainly that ghoulish time of year. With a bevy of brewings going on in Bako that are spook-related I thought I’d give you my top picks for the rest of the week to get you in the spirit.. err.. mood.

Wednesday, October 28th: Head to Metro Special Events, 2801 F Street, from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. for The NeverEnding Comedy Show. Not only will you get laughs from local talent Brian Ross, Dane Forst, Ernesto Gomez, James Mongold, and Joe Alaniz, your holiday tie-in includes Witches! The continuing Burn the Witch all female group art show will be on exhibit to enjoy during the comedy performance. Admission to the 21 and over show is $5.00 and beer is available for only $2.50. Proceeds from the show benefit BECA (Bakersfield Emerging Contemporary Artists). Go get your ha-ha!

Thursday, October 29th: Need an adrenaline rush? This might be a good night to head to Talladega Frights, located at Fruitvale-Norris Park (6221 Norris Road), and let the cast of crazy characters at this haunted house scare a little life out of you. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. every night this week. Admission is $12.00 at the door, but you may still be able to find $2.00 off coupons at one of the attraction’s sponsors. Visit http://www.talladegafrights.com/ for more information.

Friday, October 30th: FLICS at the Fox returns with a vampire-themed presentation that will thrill and chill you. Although the film includes young actors in the lead roles, this bloody but beautiful movie (according to on-line reviews) is not a children’s film—Let the Right One In is rated R. This is sure to be a popular draw—you may wish to get there well before the 7:30 p.m. showtime. Admission is $5.00. The Fox Theater is located at the corner of H and 20th Streets.

Saturday, October 31st: It’s Halloween! Grab your costume and head to the closing reception of Burn the Witch IV at Metro Special Events, 2801 F Street, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Check out the eclectic, the weird, the beautiful, the serene, the passion and the expressions that our local women artists have created. This is a great opportunity to purchase local artwork at very reasonable prices and support BECA (Bakersfield Emerging Contemporary Artists) and The Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault. A costume contest is also on the agenda—along with food, wine and live entertainment. Admission is only $5.00.

After Burn the Witch, join the patio crowd at Valentien Restaurant and Wine Bar, 3310 Truxtun Avenue, Suite 160, where Cinema Saturdays ends its October run with a zombie double-feature: Night of the Living Dead (original version) at 7:00 p.m. followed by the comedy-horror spoof, Shaun of the Dead at 8:45 p.m. Sit on the patio, meet some cool Bako peeps (or Tweeps!), enjoy a glass of wine, a delicious chocolate souffle or even a full course meal served by a most attentive and hospitable staff. Wear a costume & you'll even receive a sweet treat--A perfect end to your trick-or-treat week!

Happy Halloweenie! See you out there!!

The Weekend Shooting Schedule--Just need YOU!!

LOTS OF FREE EVENTS THIS WEEKEND! That's right, FREE.

The Highway 99 Cruise 'n' Show begins Friday night and continues all weekend through Sunday afternoon. Come downtown for the festivities--dress for the sockhop and enter the Nifty 50's Costume Contest at Caffeine Supreme (20th & F), or let your dog wear the poodle skirt for the Nifty 50's Best Dressed Doggy Contest at Biscuit Doggy Boutique (1617 19th St). There's even a 50's Dance Contest, Fire Station One Birthday Party, Rockabilly Concert, kids area and pumpkin patch plus plenty of awesome cars.

Also Saturday and Sunday, make time to head over to The Marketplace to catch Via Arte 2009.  Now in its 11th year, the event is sure to be fantastic as always. Professional, amateur and student artists will be creating chalk masterpieces in the parking areas in front of Starbucks and Tahoe Joe's and an area open for children to create their own pieces of sidewalk art will also be available. Live music and entertainment is scheduled throughout the event including Saturday's offerings of smooth jazz with Tony O'Brien, Claydoh the Clown, Bahiyya Almas Belly Dancers, Thee Majestics, The Beagles and Mento Buru . On Sunday, AKA, Chesterfield King & the Sultans of Swing as well as Claydoh the Clown and Bahiyya Almas Belly Dancers will be performing.

Another interesting suggestion is the 2nd Annual Coptic Festival at St. Demiana Coptic Orthodox Church of Bakersfield, 9200 White Lane. Saturday and  Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. festivities will include, food, childrens's activities, photo opps with "The Kings and Queens of Egypt", books, crafts, gifts, church tours and an informational film. The Coptic faith is the largest denomination of Christianity in Egypt. Expand your cultural horizons with a visit to the Coptic Festival--admission is free!

And if you like quirky films, Saturday night don't forget to stop by Valentien Restaurant and Wine Bar, 3310 Truxtun Ave, Suite 160, for "Cinema Saturdays". Free wine-tasting at 8:45 p.m. (Get there early 'cause when it's gone, it's gone!) and free show at 9:00 p.m. "Harold and Maude" will be playing this Saturday; additional movies will be scheduled each Saturday in October.

Don't you dare say there's nothing to do in Bakersfield!!