BY ASHLEY FISCHER Contributing writer T here’s about to be a Bigfoot sight- ing in town. No, we’re not talking about the fabled anti-social forest dweller, but the 5-ton, 12-feet-wide mon- ster truck Bigfoot, which will be roaring into town with Rockstar, the California Kid and the rest of the car-crushing trucks on the Monster X Tour. Kicking off earlier this month, all of the trucks and their drivers began what will be a non-stop nationwide tour to see who’s the best of the best, competing in wheelie contests, races and freestyle con- tests, with top points being awarded based on audience applause. One of those drivers is Bill Payne, leader of the Monster Truck Mafia and eager contender for the title of champi- on. He’ll be taking the wheel of the mighty, 12,800- pound Rockstar in Rabobank Arena on Friday and Saturday as he attempts to drive his way to victory. Payne described his entrance into the monster truck world as the result of a “little bit of luck, and a lot of hard work.” He often drove for free, begging and pleading for the opportunity to prove himself in the arena, persevering until he finally solidified his position as one of the top drivers. He now owns four custom-built trucks and constantly works to repair and main- tain them out of sheer love and dedica- tion for his sport. “There’s a big difference between the people who do it for the money and the people who do it for the passion,” he said. “I do what I do because there’s nothing more fun than driving a monster truck. Monster trucks are just an adrena- line rush. You’re bigger than everything Eye Street Editor Jennifer Self | Phone 395-7434 | e-mail [email protected]They’ve created monsters Behemoth trucks roar into Bakersfield Friday BY GENE GARAYGORDOBIL Contributing writer W hen you love to fish, as Chad Cornel- son does, being in charge of mainte- nance for Kern County lakes from Taft to Lost Hills doesn’t feel like a job at all. Especially at this time of year, when Cornel- son takes on the distinct pleasure of organiz- ing the 2012 Trout Fishing Derby at Lake Evans, which takes place Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 6 a.m. each day. The third annual event expects to draw hun- dreds of Kern County’s anglers — from retirees to 3-year-olds — all with the same thing in mind: to be the one who can claim the catch of the day, Cornelson said. He said plans are to stock the lake today with 2,400 pounds of trout, close the lake on Friday and be ready for fishermen for the weekend contest. “We’ve got more than a ton of fish coming, much more than last year when we only had about 1,750 pounds of trout,” Cornelson said. A few years back, one lucky angler caught a 22-pound fish, he said. Already this year, one fisherman caught a 15-pounder. Prizes will be awarded in two age categories: 15 and under and 16 and over. They will include first prize for heaviest trout in both divisions, and many other prizes, Cornelson said. Awards will be handed out at the Buena Vista concessions stand. Trout Derby aims to hook some winners 16 The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 19, 2012 Index Battle of the Bands .................................. 18 Scott Cox on Danny Lipco ........................ 19 Arts Alive .................................................. 20 ‘Into the Woods’........................................ 21 The Lowdown with Matt Munoz.............. 22 Celtic music .............................................. 23 ‘South Pacific’ ........................................ 24 Calendar .............................................. 28-29 Please see DERBY: 26 Please see TRUCKS: 26 “Monster trucks are just an adrenaline rush. You’re bigger than everything out there, you’ve got more power, and there’s not a whole lot out there that can stop you.” — Bill Payne, leader of the Monster Truck Mafia CASEY CHRISTIE / THE CALIFORNIAN Nathanial Laird holds a 4-pound, 3-ounce trout at the 2010 Trout Fishing Derby at the Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation area. THEMONSTERBLOG.US Monster X drivers will face off in wheelie contests, races and freestyle, with points being awarded based on applause. “I do what I do because there’s nothing more fun than driving a monster truck,” said Bill Payne, of the Monster Truck Mafia. Fans got to check out the competitors at the Monster X Tour event in 2011 at Rabobank Arena. The Autograph Pit Party takes place an hour before showtime.
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BY ASHLEY FISCHERContributing writer
There’s about to be a Bigfoot sight-ing in town. No, we’re not talkingabout the fabled anti-social forest
dweller, but the 5-ton, 12-feet-wide mon-ster truck Bigfoot, which will be roaringinto town with Rockstar, the CaliforniaKid and the rest of the car-crushingtrucks on the Monster X Tour.
Kicking off earlier this month, all of thetrucks and their drivers began what willbe a non-stop nationwide tour to seewho’s the best of the best, competing inwheelie contests, races and freestyle con-tests, with top points being awardedbased on audience applause.
One of those drivers is Bill Payne,leader of the Monster Truck Mafia andeager contender for the title of champi-on. He’ll be taking the wheel of themighty, 12,800- pound Rockstar in
Rabobank Arena on Friday and Saturdayas he attempts to drive his way to victory.
Payne described his entrance into themonster truck world as the result of a“little bit of luck, and a lot of hard work.”He often drove for free, begging andpleading for the opportunity to provehimself in the arena, persevering until hefinally solidified his position as one of thetop drivers.
He now owns four custom-built trucks
and constantly works to repair and main-tain them out of sheer love and dedica-tion for his sport.
“There’s a big difference between thepeople who do it for the money and thepeople who do it for the passion,” hesaid. “I do what I do because there’snothing more fun than driving a monstertruck. Monster trucks are just an adrena-line rush. You’re bigger than everything
They’ve created monstersBehemoth trucks roarinto Bakersfield Friday
BY GENE GARAYGORDOBILContributing writer
When you love to fish, as Chad Cornel-son does, being in charge of mainte-nance for Kern County lakes from
Taft to Lost Hills doesn’t feel like a job at all.Especially at this time of year, when Cornel-
son takes on the distinct pleasure of organiz-ing the 2012 Trout Fishing Derby at LakeEvans, which takes place Saturday and Sunday,beginning at 6 a.m. each day.
The third annual event expects to draw hun-dreds of Kern County’s anglers — from retireesto 3-year-olds — all with the same thing inmind: to be the one who can claim the catch ofthe day, Cornelson said.
He said plans are to stock the lake todaywith 2,400 pounds of trout, close the lake onFriday and be ready for fishermen for theweekend contest.
“We’ve got more than a ton of fish coming,much more than last year when we only hadabout 1,750 pounds of trout,” Cornelson said.
A few years back, one lucky angler caught a22-pound fish, he said. Already this year, onefisherman caught a 15-pounder.
Prizes will be awarded in two age categories:15 and under and 16 and over. They willinclude first prize for heaviest trout in bothdivisions, and many other prizes, Cornelsonsaid. Awards will be handed out at the BuenaVista concessions stand.
Trout Derbyaims to hooksome winners
16 The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 19, 2012
IndexBattle of the Bands .................................. 18Scott Cox on Danny Lipco ........................ 19Arts Alive.................................................. 20‘Into the Woods’........................................ 21The Lowdown with Matt Munoz.............. 22Celtic music.............................................. 23‘South Pacific’ ........................................ 24Calendar .............................................. 28-29
Please see DERBY: 26Please see TRUCKS: 26
“Monster trucks are just an adrenaline rush. You’re bigger than everything out there,you’ve got more power, and there’s not a whole lot out there that can stop you.”
— Bill Payne, leader of the Monster Truck Mafia
CASEY CHRISTIE / THE CALIFORNIAN
Nathanial Laird holds a 4-pound, 3-ouncetrout at the 2010 Trout Fishing Derby at theBuena Vista Aquatic Recreation area.
THEMONSTERBLOG.US
Monster X drivers will face off in wheelie contests, races and freestyle, with points being awarded based on applause. “I dowhat I do because there’s nothing more fun than driving a monster truck,” said Bill Payne, of the Monster Truck Mafia.
Fans got to check out the competitors at the Monster X Tour event in 2011 atRabobank Arena. The Autograph Pit Party takes place an hour before showtime.
Editor’s note: On the hunt forthe best server in town, The Cali-fornian solicited nominationsfrom readers and received dozensof suggestions. We picked the top10, who will be featured in EyeStreet every Sunday and Thursdayfor several weeks.
When all the servers have beenfeatured, readers may go to TheCalifornian’s Facebook page tovote for their favorite (moredetails on how to vote later). Theserver who gets the most voteswins a trip to the Monterey BayAquarium and a gift certificate toGoose Loonies.
As the Sinatra of Sorella Ital-ian Restaurant, MarkDowning is more than
happy to sing for your supper —after he’s steered you toward thenightly special, uncorked thewine and sold you on the dessertyou weren’t sure you had roomfor.
But that’s all in a night’s workfor this one-man cabaret withexceptional salesmanship skills.
“I don’t dread coming to workbecause it feels like I’m out todinner with a bunch of people,”said Downing, 44, who hasworked at the family-ownedsouthwest Bakersfield restaurantfor 15 years. “I bring people foodand they give me money — it’slike, wow, I could do this everynight.”
And with the exception ofWednesdays, his only day off,serving and singing are preciselywhat Downing does every night.He takes to the mic at about 7:30or 8, whenever the demand in hissection dies down — or when heand owner Nancy Cristallo thinkthe intimate setting could use adose of amore, stat.
“I’ll sing for about an hour. Myboss speaks fluent Italian, soshe’ll write down the words (inItalian) and I’ll sing it. She lets meknow what I’m saying.
“I have a big song list — if theywant a Sinatra song.”
This guy isn’t kidding aboutSinatra. Though he preferredcountry in his early 20s (“It took ateacher two years to get thetwang out of my voice”), Down-
ing was turned on to the iconiccrooner years ago by his formerboss.
“He used to play it in the office,and I hated it. But he said ‘This ismy office and I’ll play what Iwant.’ After three weeks, I lovedit. Then he educated me on Sina-tra and brought a video down,and I thought, he’s just talking. Ican do that.”
And in all the years spent per-forming his hero’s standards,Downing has learned a littlesomething about delivering agreat tribute: It’s about nuance,not note-for-note mimickry.
“I don’t try to sound like him,but I try to emulate him.”
The singing waiter went so farin his fandom that he bookedstudio time at the legendaryCapitol Records building in Holly-wood, where Sinatra cut some ofhis biggest classics. He was evenfortunate enough to record withan engineer Ol’ Blue Eyes himselfused.
“I just recorded a bunch ofSinatra songs. Just allowing me tocome in there is amazing.”
But Downing’s love for Italiansingers doesn’t end with theChairman of the Board. While liv-ing in Hollywood many years ago,he discovered a spot frequentedby Sinatra’s fellow Rat PackerDean Martin.
“I hung out there maybe 20times when he was there and Italked to him.”
But after being mugged, Down-ing was eager to return to Bakers-field and put in a call to Joseph’sItalian Restaurant for a job. Theowner recommended he contacther sister, who was openingSorella.
But that tip led to more than ajob for Downing: He’s become anhonorary family member of hisboss and her sisters, all Italianimmigrants, who obviously havea love for the food business. Inaddition to Sorella, owned byyoungest sister, Nancy, there’sJoseph’s in Westchester, ownedby Mary DiTomaso and her fami-ly, and northeast mainstay Rosa’s,owned and operated by Rose andFrank Coughlin.
The family of eldest sister Ida,
who died several years ago, ownsRosa’s in Pismo Beach. Downinghas joined the family for severalholiday meals at the coastalrestaurant, though he tries toreciprocate their generosity whenhe can.
“I remember one time Rosecalled and said, ‘I like-a Nancy’swebsite. How much,’” saidDowning, in a dead-on Italianaccent, referring to his side busi-ness as a web designer.
“I did it for free because I likedthe way she asked.”
Downing’s guiding philosophyis that if you do somethingunselfishly for someone else, it’llall come back to you. And thatgoes double when you’re a waiter.
Call it karma tipping.For instance, when the tables
are turned and Downing is thecustomer, he always rewards theserver, no matter what kind ofservice he gets. And that generos-ity never fails to balance thebooks in the big tip jar in the sky.
“If I get stiffed, I don’t worryabout it. I have a guy who comesin every month and leaves me$100, sometimes $150. I have noproblem taking money. I’m a
waiter, you know, so the biggerthe tip, the better.”
But even the strict 15-per-centers get the same song-dance-and-service from Downing.
“I really like taking care of peo-ple on special occasions, even ifthey’re young kids. A lot of timesthey’re passed over, but somekids will give me great tips and Ithink it’s because they like beingtreated properly. I treat everyonethe same.”
Thursday, January 19, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian 17
CASEY CHRISTIE / THE CALIFORNIAN
Mark Downing, nominated for best server in Bakersfield, said the key to being a great waiter is tofocus less on tips and more on providing a special night out for his customers.
Eye Street
Singing foryour supper
Mark Downing, SorellaItalian Restaurant
NominationsFrom Sarah Phillips: The
best server in Bakersfield is
definitely Mark at Sorella’s.
Mark is always efficient and
makes my family and I feel
well taken care of. Just wish
he had more time to sing like
he used to.
From Al Gutierrez: Mark
Downing has been our
favorite waiter for several
years. Mark actually is a wait-
er/entertainer. He waits on his
customers then sings
(croons) to them, Sinatra
style.
Sorella server addshis special touch
“I have a big songlist — if they want
a Sinatra song.”— Mark Downing, waiter at
Sorella Italian Restaurant
Bakersfield’s Best Server contest
FELIX ADAMO / THE CALIFORNIAN
Mark Downing waits tables and sings at Sorella Italian Restaurant.His favorite singer is Frank Sinatra. “I want to keep his musicalive,” said Downing, who saw the iconic crooner in concert twice.
18 The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 19, 2012
Eye Street
BY SUSAN SCAFFIDIContributing writer
Amber Beeson is a woman on amission: She’s going to plant agarden at every school in Bak-
ersfield, and she wants you to helpher.
Beeson, a Bakersfield native whospent her adolescence in the BayArea, returned to her hometown andwas immediately disappointed.
“My parents are environmental-ists,” Beeson said. “I was raised withthe mentality to conserve, I’ve stud-ied herbology, I’ve always had accessto and been involved with farmersmarkets and garden projects in othercommunities.”
Beeson said she could find nothingcomparable in Bakersfield when shereturned in early 2006.
“So coming back here was kind ofculture shock for me because I didn’thave access to those things.”
But that isn’t what finally motivatedher to start her project. Called “TheGiving Tree Project,” with a nameinspired by the famous children’sbook by Shel Silverstein, the projectseeks to teach schoolchildren envi-ronmental and nutritional awarenessby planting and maintaining gardensat their schools. The project took lifewhen Beeson enrolled her twins atWilliam Penn Elementary after afailed attempt to place them in anoth-er school just outside of her district.
Beeson said she was disturbed byconditions at the Oleander areaschool.
“I told the principal. ‘I’m reallyunhappy with the amount of litter,garbage and broken-down stuff here— it’s a mess,’” Beeson recalled. “Sheagreed with me.”
So the mother insisted on beingallowed to help fix up the school, andwith a “green light” from the princi-pal, her project was born.
But it’s a different kind of greenthat’s needed to keep the momentumgoing. Beeson has scheduled afundraiser for this weekend at theNile Theater in downtown Bakers-field. The art and music event willfeature 15 groups in a battle of thebands competition; another 15 localartists will participate in an art show,each donating pieces for sale.
Bands on the bill are The Architec-ture, Candace Freeman Nujazz Trio,Choirs, Holy Beast, Jay Smith Group,Kenny Reeves and the Clones, TheBird Channel, The Aviators, 2 Faded,Crooked Folk, Ruby Skye, N/A, Funer-al Club and Alex Mitts, and DJ Josex.Former KRAB radio host Meathead,cow punk musician Simon Faughnand Adema bassist David Deroo willserve as judges.
Step one in launching the ambi-tious project was for Beeson to adver-tise The Giving Tree Project on theWeb. She solicited donations of mate-rials and supplies to build the first
garden, and the response was over-whelming. A faculty member fromUC Davis contacted Beeson andoffered her a full curriculum based onschool gardens that teaches studentsto design and plant a garden, how toincorporate complementary plantsand use insects, and nutritional infor-mation. She also got offers of suppliesfrom both Kern County Waste Man-agement and the Bureau of LandManagement.
“I have an unlimited amount ofstuff to place in gardens, even morethan I could ever use,” Beeson said.
One fan of Beeson’s can-do spirit isWilliam Penn principal Rona Chacon-Mellon. In her first year at the school,Mellon said her campus, like most inthe area, had already begun imple-menting a “green” curriculum.
“We actually started with recy-cling,” said Mellon, who added thatthe garden project fits right in withthe program.
“So our kids just learn more aboutthe environment and the food theyeat, how it’s prepared,” the principalsaid. “And they get a more global per-
spective and a more green perspec-tive.”
Mellon applauded Beeson’sactivism, noting she has also becomethe president of the school’s newbooster club, motivating other par-ents to get involved.
“We have a very high poverty ratehere,” Mellon said. “(The kids) are notexposed to a lot because of their cir-cumstances.”
At Saturday’s all-day event, thewinning band will get a full promo-tional package, including a musicvideo, a recording session and aphoto session, Beeson said. Second-and third-place winners will get alsoget some parts of a promotionalpackage.
The hope at William Penn is thatthe program will teach children aboutcommunity teamwork, along withenvironmental and nutritional aware-ness. In addition to building gardensat every school some day, Beeson saidshe has a “larger vision” that includeseventually merchandising environ-mentally conscious items.
“Bakersfield appears at the top ofall of the worst lists,” Beeson said.“We’re on the verge of extremelyunintelligent, extremely unhealthykids in Bakersfield.”
Though she doesn’t know what toexpect, Beeson said all proceeds willgo for the William Penn school proj-ect.
“If I could somehow raise $10,000from this event, I would be floored.”
Garden needs seed moneyMom enlists bands to growgreen project at school
Motivation without Medication ™
Vaughn Barnett C.Ht., NLP, BA
Alpha Chi Honor Society American Hypnosis Assoc.
661.322.0077 PathwaysHypnosis.org
P ATHWAYS P ATHWAYS
H YPNOSIS H YPNOSIS
VALLEY PLAZA MALL, WIBLE ROAD AT HI-WAY 99
FORMERLY PACIFIC THEATRES
Showtimes Valid Only 1/19/12Bargain Shows in ( ) � Pass/Discount Restrictions Apply
“LIKE” READING CINEMAS VALLEY PLAZA 16ON FACEBOOK FOR SPECIAL PROMOTIONS!
ADVANCE TICKETS AT READINGCINEMASUS.COM 1-800-FANDANGO #2703
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO (R)(11:45AM, 3:00), 6:25, 9:40SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS (PG-13)(1:20PM, 4:10), 7:00, 9:45ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED (G)(12:05PM, 1:05, 2:05, 3:05, 4:05, 5:05),6:05, 8:05, 10:05THE SITTER (R) 8:10PM, 10:10NEW YEAR’S EVE (PG-13) (2:45PM, 5:35)
ADVANCED SHOWING OF UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING 3D TONIGHT AT 12:01AM!
Monday, January 23, 2012
1905 Wilson Rd. (behind the library)
Beginners Choreographed Ballroom Round Dance Class
Bakersfield Rounders www.bakersfieldrounders.org
Time: 7:00 - 8:45pm South Bakersfield Veterans Hall
$10.00 per couple Casual Dress
Rumba, Waltz, Two Step, Cha-Cha, Foxtrot, Mambo, Bolero
Cuers Chuck & Mary Ryall 661-747-7921
(Enrollment Dates: Jan. 23 & Jan. 30)
The Giving Tree Project Battleof the Bands and Art ShowWhere: Nile Theater, 1721 19th St.
When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Satur-
day
Admission: $15
PHOTO COURTESY OF D.J. AMARO
Amber Beeson with her sons, Nick and Akasha.
Thursday, January 19, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian 19
Eye Street
Anyone remotely connected to theBakersfield entertainment scene ismourning the death of our friend
Danny Lipco.Danny was the rare good guy in the
entertainment business. I've been aroundpromoters enough to know that it’s a verytough gig. You need a keen awareness ofmarketing and a sound working knowl-edge of the industry, and Danny had both.
The other thing a good promoter needsis the ability to stay calm in a high-stressenvironment, and Danny was the one guythat I never saw rattled before, during orafter shows. He was great at artist andmedia relations, both of which can beremarkably tedious.
I got to deal with Danny a lot promotingshows, and he was ridiculously profession-al, even when dealing with a crackpot likeme. Anyone who was in Danny's emailchain knows exactly what I mean.
People in the media expect everyone,promoters included, to treat them likethey're special, but Danny treated every-one equally, and I mean everyone. I wasbackstage recently before the Merle Hag-gard show at the Fox and talked for a fewminutes with Danny and Merle. Most pro-moters would've had a different attitudearound a guy like Merle, but not Danny.Same calm demeanor, same tone. Foreverybody. Perhaps the coolest thingabout Danny was his honesty. If you need-ed an interview with an artist, he sent outall the pertinent requests to the peoplehandling the talent. And he would keepeveryone in the loop about what was hap-pening. If he said it wasn't going to hap-pen, that was that. You never had to won-der if he'd done all he could.
I called him a couple of days before theJoe Bonamassa show and hit him up forsome tickets. He said the show was soldout, so he didn't have any comps available.Now if most anyone else in his positionhad told me that, I would have beenentirely skeptical. If you're highenough up the food chain, there'salways another pair of tickets. AndDanny would be the first to tell youthat you weren't that high up thefood chain. I know other show-biztypes were put off by that, but Ithought it was cool.
I know a bunch of folks,media hacks and artistsalike, who appreciatedDanny's management
style as much as I did. I can remember afew shows when my cavalier attitude ranafoul of Mr. Lipco's professional standards,but we never had a cross word for eachother.
Some musician I know would invite mebackstage (artists are well-known for theirdisdain for the rules of venues), and Iwould be hanging out without the requi-site pass. He would remind me that with-out a pass, I was not allowed backstage. Iwould tell him that such-and-such guitarplayer was on the bus getting it for me, andhe'd usually grant me a 10 minute-ishgrace period. After that I’d get the look, fol-lowed by the unpleasant chat with security,followed by the graceful exit.
And here's why I loved dealing with theguy: I'd get that pass from such-and-suchguitar player later, show up backstageagain, only to get the barely perceptibleLipco look of approval, which was onlyslightly different from the Lipco look ofabject irritation. Such was the working atti-tude of Danny Lipco, and I, for one, was ahuge fan. I don't know who will replaceDanny at the Fox, but I suppose someonewill have to try.
But the promotion side is where he'll benearly impossible to replicate. His calmdemeanor, his professionalism, his knack
for booking the right acts, his businesssavvy, all combined with his keenintellect and penchant for artist rela-tions, will leave some very big shoesto fill.
I'm going to miss Danny a lot. Iwish he was around to have me
thrown out just one more time.Scott Cox is a talk radio host,whose show can be heard week-days from 3 to 6 p.m. on KERN,1180-AM
Lipco was ‘oneof the good guys’
Promoter was a consummateprofessional in the concert biz
If you're high enough up the food chain, there’salways another pair of tickets. And Danny would be
the first to tell you that you weren't that high up thefood chain. I know other show-biz types were put off
by that, but I thought it was cool.
Scott Cox CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST
HENRY A. BARRIOS / THE CALIFORNIAN
Danny Lipco, who brought hundreds ofconcerts to Bakersfield over thedecades, died Saturday. He was 59.
20 The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 19, 2012
Eye Street
It seems to me that in the last12 months Brian Sivesind hasset some sort of a record in
the ever-changing world of localtheater.
Since last January, he’s directed“Hamlet” at one theater, takenover the reins for an updated ver-sion of Dickens’ “A ChristmasCarol” at a different playhouse,and starred in a drama at a thirdone.
Oh, yes. And about midwaythrough 2011 he returned to TheEmpty Space — an innovativetheater he founded nine yearsago — as its executive director.
Now, and for the first time, he’sdirecting a musical at a fourthvenue with the opening Friday of“The Drowsy Chaperone” at StarsTheatre Restaurant.
Oddly enough, his agreementto do a show at Stars preceded allof his other activities.
“About a year ago,” Sivesindexplained, “I was asked by BruceSaathoff, the artistic director ofStars, if I would be interested indirecting this season. ‘DrowsyChaperone’ was open andworked with my schedule at thetime so I signed on to do it.”
This, of course, was severalmonths before Sivesind severedhis affiliation with Spotlight The-atre.
“I was interested in directing ata different venue, and Stars doesmusicals really well,” he said. “Ireally liked the shows I saw thereand was interested in workingwith their talent and resources.”
Now, as I look over the list ofpeople he’s gathered for “Chaper-one,” both onstage and behindthe scenes, I can see he’s pickedthe cream of the crop.
The principal performers areSaathoff as the show’s narrator, acharacter referred to as The Manin a Chair; Jim Fillbrandt, Stars’executive producer as the Under-ling; Virginia Lennemann, a long-time favorite of local audiences asMrs. Tottendale; and, playing thepart of Janet Van De Graaff, star of
the fictionalFeldzieg’sFollies, isBethanyRowlee,who has
been astandout in
several
recent shows.Also in the cast are Tammy
White; Bob Anderson; EllieSivesind; Brent Rochon, whodoubles as choreographer withMarzie Forzetting; Dallas White;Ken Burdick; and Jill Burdick.
“It was a little intimidating todirect the two guys in charge ofStars — Jim and Bruce — in myfirst show, but they've both beenwonderful to work with,” Sivesind
said. “I'm also excited to workwith the Burdicks, who haven'tappeared at Stars in a number ofyears.”
Char Gaines, another veteranof numerous Stars and Bakers-field Music Theatre productions,leads the orchestra and alsoserves as vocal director.
Briefly, the show is about aman who, as he sits in his livingroom, yearns for the halcyon daysof the 1920s. After putting an oldrecord album on a turntable nextto his chair, the scene is suddenlytransformed into a rousingcomedic show within a show.
“The Drowsy Chaperone” wonTony awards in 2006 for bestbook and best score. It continueson weekends through Feb. 11 atStars.
Melodrama set in ShafterMichael Prince, artistic direc-
tor, confirmed that the GaslightMelodrama has added three newactors to its company: ShawnRader, Ali Dougherty and JennyAdame.
All three, along with regularsJay Stodder as Luke Lavender, theruthless villain, and JenniferPrince as Belladonna Slither, hisevil lady friend, will appear in“Showdown at Shafter,” whichopens Friday at the theater innorthwest Bakersfield.
Although Michael writes manyof the plays Gaslight performs,this one was written by DavidChappelle, a playwright for theMahoney State Park melodramatheater near Lincoln, Neb.
“I only adapted it for our the-ater to add the local flair,” he said.“We’ve performed a few of(Chappelle’s) plays in the pastand they’re always a lot of fun.”
Prince has made the setting an
old lodge down the road fromShafter’s historic Green Hotel.Dougherty plays the villain’ssweet and innocent mail-orderbride; Rader portrays a SamSteadfast, a rancher who ends upbeing a hero; and Adame is ahardened pioneer mail carriernamed Carbine Molly Muldoon.
Even though it’s a classic melo-drama, with plenty of reasons tohiss, boo or cheer as the occasionarises, unlike most westerns,there are no gunshots.
The show will be followed by“The Layover,” a vaudeville revuein a more contemporary veinwritten by the Gaslight’s multi-talented music director, WarrenDobson. The revue, says Prince,
answers the question: What hap-pens when a group of strangersare stuck in an airport terminalwhen the power grid goes outand flights are canceled?
Performances of the back-to-back shows continue on week-ends through March 10.
Gospel singers’ concert The Jackson Southernaires, a
trio of nationally known gospelsingers and recording artists, willpresent a concert Friday eveningat the Church of Christ in south-west Bakersfield.
Monte Embry, owner of BMoore Christian Books & Music,arranged for their visit as part ofthis year’s Harlem & Beyondevents.
“They were here about twoyears ago at Rising Star BaptistChurch,” Embry said. “They werevery popular, so we asked themto come back again.”
The group, which travels withits own five-piece band, wasstarted more than 50 years ago inJackson, Miss. Two of its currentmembers, Huey Paul Williams Sr.and Maurice Surrell Sr., are sonsof the original founders, accord-ing to the group’s website. Thethird member is James Burks.
Harlem & Beyond is an annualcommunity-wide reading projectthat includes music, art and the-atre partnerships celebrating thecontributions of African Ameri-cans. Brenda Scobey, a retiredlibrarian who was employed formany years by the county, is thecoordinator.
Stars takes shot at Tony winner
‘The Drowsy Chaperone’Doors open at 6 p.m., show
at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday;
doors open at 12:30 p.m.,
show at 2 p.m. Sunday
Stars Theatre Restaurant,
1931 Chester Ave.
Admission: $50 to $54; $30
students
Information: 325-6100
‘Showdown at Shafter’7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2
p.m. Sunday
Gaslight Melodrama & Music
Hall, 12748 Jomani Drive
Admission: $23; $21 seniors;
$12 children 12 and under
Information: 587-3377
Jackson Southernaires 7 p.m. Friday
Church of Christ, 1416 Wilson
Road
Cost: $25; $20 in advance
Information: 324-2897
Camille Gavin CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST
GO & DO
Camille Gavin’s “Arts Alive”column appears on Thursday. Write to
t’s a good time to feel Grimm.On TV, the brothers’ popular
tales are featured on “OnceUpon a Time” and “Grimm,” andVertigo Comics’ long-runningseries “Fables” is set to launchanother spin-off in the spring.Locally, Spotlight Theatre is get-ting into the act by offering somefractured fairy tales this weekendwith “Into the Woods.”
Like the aforementioned TVshows and comics, the musical is farfrom a classic retelling of the lives ofCinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Rid-ing Hood and beanstalk-climbingJack. Although the first act buildstoward a happy ending for all, thesecond act shakes it up, somethingthat director Jarred Clowes appreci-ates.
“(Act two) is where the traingets off the tracks. It resolves thestories in a way we don’t expect.You get the payoff when you stick
around for the second act.“A lot of times, people, while
liking the show, dismiss it asbeing ‘fairy taley,’ but it can be avery emotional show. The charac-ters can be as real as we allowthem to be. One of the goals wehad was to strip that (campiness)away.”
Headlining the cast is AmyAdams as the witch, whose cursehas left the baker and his wife(played by real-life couple Mattand Candice Swatzell) childless.The couple’s adventures to breakthe curse have them crossingpaths with the likes of Cinderella(Carolyn Fox), Jack (StevenBusch), Red Riding Hood (PaigeMcKeown) and wayward cowMilky White (Perrin Swanson).
Pulling triple duty are JustinaNeufeld (playing Rapunzel andthe mothers of Jack and Cinderel-la) and Kim Whitney (as Cinderel-la’s stepmother, Red’s granny anda homicidal giant who, excuse thepun, looms large in act two).
The Spotlight is no stranger tothese “Woods” — former Spot-light artistic director Hal Fried-man directed the 2004 produc-tion — but Clowes said this ver-sion departs from that show in itspresentation.
“The staging before was verytraditional, like the Broadwaypresentation. It was a storybookattitude — the set and the cos-tumes — done very straightfor-ward.”
This show, much like his “Jekylland Hyde” last year, takes more ofa black-box approach, eschewingset pieces for minimalist designand a focus on the performers.
“There is a place for the specta-cle show. When you’re workingfor a specific goal, that can get inthe way.
“Some of the best momentsI’ve had in theater as an audiencemember is with no set, no light-ing and rehearsal clothes. If you
put limitations on yourself, youforce yourself to be creative.”
Another way the show standsout is its “breakneck pace”between scenes, with entrancesfor the next scene taking place asthe current one plays out. Clowessaid that keeps things lively forthe actors and the audience.
For the actors, “it becomesmore about learning choreogra-phy than breaking it down sceneby scene. In effect (in the firstact), we make an hour-and-15-minute scene rather than 32 five-minute scenes. We get to that sec-
ond act a lot faster than otherproductions (of ‘Woods’) becausewe chose to ‘turn it up to 11.’”
That speed keeps the audiencefocused on the stage.
“It’s a classic conundrum. If it’sgood they’re not going to mindsitting for an hour and a half. Ifthe show’s bad, they’re going tonotice the seats are uncomfort-able.
“I care how the audience isaffected. I don’t want to putsomething on stage that the audi-ence won’t emotionally respondto.”
Cinderella (Carolyn Fox) and her prince (Bryce Rankins) contem-plate the future in a scene from “Into the Woods.”
I
22 The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 19, 2012
Eye Street
Has Texas-style countrymusic become the punkrock of the industry?
It has, if you ask unsigned phe-nom Josh Abbott, who has beenproudly waving the flag as afiercely independent artist alongwith his band of compadres forthe past six years.
Making his Bakersfield debut atBuck Owens’ Crystal Palace onSaturday, the Lubbock, Texas,native considers the band’s statusas free agents a badge of honor.With no mainstream chart-top-ping hits or awards to his nameas of yet, Abbott said sticking toyour principles and watchingyour fan base grow is rewardingenough.
“We’re on a self-imposed pro-motional trail,” said Abbott of hisgroup’s incessant touring, whichkeeps the guys away from homemuch of the year. “We love tour-ing our butts off. It’s somethingwe wanna do, not what a recordcompany is making us do.”
Releasing music under theband’s own imprint, Pretty DamnTough, Abbott’s success story isone of the many anomalies sprin-kled throughout the countrymusic world. Transcending theconfines many young artists findthemselves restricted by afterbecoming signed to a major label,Abbot said their story is proofthat the DIY spirit is strong out-side of Nashville.
“When you look at bands onthe radio, we are
one of the fewindependentcountry artistsout there that
are successful onour own.
That’srare.”
Abbott formed the band duringhis frat party days at Texas Tech.His part-time hobby eventuallypulled him away from his studies,forcing him to rethink his futurewith or without his original band-mates.
“I first started my band withguys in my frat. We did a few gigsand recorded a few demos to seewhat happens. As things began tomove, some of the guys said they
couldn’t do it anymore. We re-formed the band and took it in anew direction.”
Joining Abbott are PrestonWait, fiddle; Edward Villanueva,drums; James Hertless, bass;Caleb Keeter, guitar; and co-founding member Austin Davis,banjo.
“We’ve really jelled over the lastfew years. I couldn’t do anythingwithout them around me.”
Beginning their career at thebottom of the musical food chain,Abbott said they’ve seen it all,from average honky-tonk dive to“Urban Cowboy” deluxe.
“It’s kind of a myth that youcan come to Texas and play tohuge crowds in places like Austinor other cities. It’s not like that atall. What’s funny is Austin is moreof a place for alternative bands,not country. We play honky-tonkdance bars. The world’s biggest isBilly Bob’s, which holds 5,500.We’ve sold it out twice andalmost a third.”
Switching back to the subjectof Texas vs. Nashville artists onthe radio, Abbott shared somesurprising news most listenersmay be unaware of.
“Texas country music has beenignored for a long time. What youhear on the radio is mostly out ofNashville, even here in Texas. Butif anything, it’s gotten a little bet-ter because of singers like RandyRogers and Pat Green, who’vemade it into regular rotation. Weare also one of the few that havebroken that barrier, too. That’s abig accomplishment. ”
While music aficionados canargue the differences between thetwo, Abbott said the distinction isclear.
“To me, Texas country is a rep-resentation of our statehood.Singing songs that just aren’t reg-ular country songs or love songs.These are songs that reflect ourlife here. Our song ‘Roadtrippin’is about goin’ gambling inNevada, which is what a lot of usdo when we hit the road. We talkabout goin’ to the lake or tailgat-ing, and going to San Antoniowith your lady.”
Abbott said many of the barri-ers for new artists are erected bythe suits, who have a strangleholdon all aspects of the county musicindustry, including airplay.
“We got as high as 42 on theBillboard charts, but we stillcouldn’t get airplay in Georgia,Tennessee, and some other mar-kets because we weren’t on arecord label. They’re not the gatekeepers to good music; the fans
are.”Excited for the band’s Bakers-
field show, Abbott said fans canexpect a mix of familiar material,including their latest single, “Oh,Tonight,” from the CD “She’s LikeTexas.”
“The show is mostly upbeat, alot of energy. We communicatewith fans, usually start strong,then a nice little cruise control,and end it hot. You don’t wannahit that spell and bore people. Myband is second to very few peo-ple.”
Despite his attitude toward theestablishment, Abbott said he stillwouldn’t mind fielding a fewlabel offers in the future.
“We’re not saying we don’twanna be on a label, but the greatthing about being an independ-ent artist is that there’s a wholeworld of possibilities out there.You take the pros and cons andgo with it.”
Saturday’s all-ages show beginsat 7 p.m. Admission is free. BuckOwens’ Crystal Palace is locatedat 2800 Buck Owens Blvd.
For more information call 328-7560.
Matt’s pickGiving Tree Project Battle of
The Bands at the Nile, 172119th St., 11 a.m., Saturday, $15,323-8575. This all-day fundraisingfiesta of music and art spear-headed by local nature advocateAmber Beeson is massive. Fifteenbands, including a cross-sectionof the current Bako band scene,are in the mix: Funeral Club, TheAviators, Ruby Skye, Choirs, TheArchitecture along with DJ Josex.
There’s also a rare gathering ofartists on the same bill like per-sonal faves Jen Raven, NyokaJameson, and Guilli Munster Gar-cia and even more to beannounced. Judging the bandbattle portion will be 800Lb.Gorilla lead singer Simon Faughnand former KRAB jock Jarad“Meathead” Mann. All moneyraised will benefit The Giving TreeProject at William Penn Elemen-tary.
Sorry, kids — 21 and over only.
Country with no strings attachedThe 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.
Indie band enjoyingits artistic freedom
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSH ABBOTT BAND
The Josh Abbott Band will be having a free, all-ages show at theCrystal Palace on Saturday.
BY SUSAN SCAFFIDIContributing writer
Celtic musician Brian Caldwellstresses the authenticity of hisgroup, Highland Way, as an
attraction not only for his band butfor Celtic music in general.
“We’ve got Scotsmen in the band,Irishmen,” Caldwell said. “We’re veryauthentic; we’ve got this great feel forthe authenticity of the music.”
“As long as you keep the root inScottish and Irish music, then youdon’t lose that,” Caldwell said.
Highland Way will perform in Bak-ersfield on Jan. 22 as part of the Com-munity Concert Association’s 2011-12season.
Caldwell, who is a native of Glas-gow, Scotland, and has the world’sthickest brogue to prove it, agreedthat the United States has proven tobe a huge market for the traditionalmusic of Scotland and Ireland, two ofcountries that fall under the Celticbanner. He credits two popular cul-ture events with American interest inhis music: the film “Braveheart,” andthe dance phenomenon “River-dance.”
“Those two things alone havebrought the awareness of Celtic cul-ture to the forefront,” Caldwell said.
Highland Way consists of Caldwellon guitar and vocals, Ned Giblin onmandolin, whistles and vocals, PaulGraham Castellanos on fiddle, man-dolin, guitar and banjo, Freddy Faithon percussion and Sharon Whyte onaccordion and keyboard. Caldwellsaid the group adapts its programdepending on the expectations of theaudience.
“I think an audience that expectstraditional music, they’re going tohear that,” Caldwell said, adding thatthe group is influenced by the currenttrend in Celtic music, which is toblend it with other music traditions,including jazz, Latin and Africanmusic.
But he also stresses the disciplinethat serious Celtic musicians observeto learn the traditional music in itspurest form first.
“The music had been banned (inthe 18th century by the English),”Caldwell said. “No one could writeany of the songs down, so they werehanded down note for note genera-tion to generation to keep the musicalive.”
Caldwell said serious Celtic musi-cians learn traditional music just as itwas done centuries ago.
“The pipers, the whistle players, theviolin players, the guitar players —they all try to do adhere to that,”Caldwell said.
Patrick Ball at House ConcertAlso on the Celtic menu this week-
end are two performances by PatrickBall, known nationally as a musician
and storyteller. Ball, a native of San Francisco,
found his true calling after beingexposed to the storytelling and musictraditions of both Ireland andAppalachia, which has its roots inIrish and Scottish cultures. Ball willperform on Saturday evening at Fid-dler’s Crossing in Tehachapi, and onSunday afternoon to open the ArtsCouncil of Kern’s 2012-13 HouseConcert series.
Ball has become well-known for histributes to Irish harpist and composerTurlough O’ Carolan, an 18th centurymusician considered by many to beIreland’s national composer.
Many of O’Carolan’s 200-plussongs are still performed today, andBall has created performance pro-grams combining spoken and sung
storytelling depicting O’Carolan’swork.
Change for Highland GamesAnyone planning to attend this
year’s Kern County Scottish Society’sHighland Games in April will need toadjust their calendars.
For the last few years, the annualevent has been held at the KernCounty Fairgrounds on the weekendbefore Easter.
Board member Tim Ryan said thatbecause of a scheduling mix-up withthe Kern County Fair, this year thegames will be held on April 21 from 9a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Kern CountyMuseum.
“We were double-booked at thefairgrounds so we have moved to Pio-neer Village at the museum, and wewill be using the playing fields at Val-ley Oaks Charter School for the heavyathletics,” Ryan said. “There’s reallyplenty of room there.”
“Heavy athletics” refers to just whatthe name implies, events that involvethrowing very heavy objects —stones, hammers and the caber, ahuge wooden pole.
Ryan said Scottish Society will offerall of the usual events, including livemusic, children’s activities, boothsrepresenting the various clans, andother activities.
Thursday, January 19, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian 23
Eye Street
Performers plan localgigs with Gaelic flavor
Craving Celtic comfort?
Celtic musicWhat: Highland Way, presented
by the Bakersfield Community
Concert Association
Where: Rabobank Theater, 1001
Truxtun Ave
When: 7:30 p.m. Monday
Admission: $60, includes five
concerts. Memberships available
by calling 205-8522 or 589-2478
•••
What: Patrick Ball, Celtic harpist
Where: Fiddler’s Crossing, 206 F
St., Tehachapi
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Admission: $15; available at
Mountain Music, The Apple Shed,
or by calling 823-9994
•••
What: Arts Council of Kern
House Concert
Where: Location available upon
making reservation
When: 4 p.m. Sunday
Admission: 324-9000
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832-9054
at at
PHOTO COURTESY OF CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Combining a superb blend of vocals, instrumentation and unique arrange-ments, San Diego-based Highland Way is one of the most acclaimed bandsperforming Scottish and Irish music.
PHOTO COURTESY OF PATRICK BALL
The melodic sounds of the wire-strung Irish harp have been revivedby San Francisco-born Patrick Ball.
BY SUSAN SCAFFIDIContributing writer
There are many candidates for the title“Greatest Musical of All Time,” andRodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacif-ic” certainly qualifies as one of them.
“South Pacific,” based on James Michen-er’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book, “Tales ofthe South Pacific,” first opened on Broad-way in 1949. It won 10 Tony Awards andran for five years. The show has beenrevived several times; a 2008 revival at theLincoln Center earned another eight TonyAwards, including awards for the directionand production values.
A touring production of “South Pacific”will stop in Bakersfield for one perform-ance on at 7:30 Tuesday at the RabobankTheater, as part of the Broadway in Bakers-field season.
“This tour that I’m currently in is basedon the Lincoln Center revival in 2008,” saidCathy Foy-Mahi, who performs the role ofBloody Mary.
“This Bloody Mary has many, many lay-ers; she’s not the typical Bloody Mary peo-ple may have come to know in the film ormany productions,” said Foy-Mahi.
“First, she’s a professional businesswoman, selling her wares to the militarypersonnel,” Foy-Mahi said. “Second, she’sa mother who is deeply protective of herdaughter.
“She does everything in her power to gether daughter off the island and provide abetter life for her,” Foy-Mahi said. “Andwhen she sees Lt. Cable, she decides he’sthe one to do that for her.”
“South Pacific” is set during World War IIon an island U.S. Navy base in the PacificTheater. Two love stories play out againstthis background — Lt. Nellie Forbush andFrench planter Emile Le Becque, and Lt.Joe Cable and the native girl, Liat. It’s avery serious story, not just because of therealities of the war, but because both lovestories are darkened by racial prejudice.Nellie rejects Emile because he has twomixed-race children from his Polynesianwife, who has died; Joe rejects Liat becausehe cannot face the prospect of marrying awoman of another race.
Songs such as “Some Enchanted
Evening,” “Younger Than Springtime,”“Bali Hai,” “A Cockeyed Optimist,” “Thereis Nothing Like a Dame” and others havebecome popular standards. But one song,“You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught,” turnedwhat would have otherwise been a con-ventional musical into a thought-provok-ing and controversial production, especial-ly in 1949.
The song, sung by Lt. Cable, is anattempt to explain why he and Nellie feltforced into rejection — that it’s not some-thing they’re born with, but somethingthey learn in childhood. The frank discus-sion of prejudice generated both greatpraise and condemnation during theshow’s first run, and even prompted somediscussion of cutting the song from theshow, an idea that was eventually rejectedby Rodgers, Hammerstein, co-writer andproducer Joshua Logan, and Michenerhimself.
Foy-Mahi said she’s really amazed at theshow’s lasting relevance.
“Here I am, singing these songs and say-ing these words that were written over 60years ago,” Foy-Mahi said. “The thoughtsand the message and the music still ringtrue.”
Foy-Mahi said her experience with thetour is that the show has timeless appeal,and seems to reach audiences of all ages.
“We see people in the audience singingalong,” Foy-Mahi said.
She said the cast has also had a chanceto interact with schoolchildren at somepoints in the tour.
“Children who don’t even know aboutthe background just love the music,” Foy-Mahi said.
“It’s a very simple musical,” Foy-Mahisaid. “We may not have flying insects orfalling chandeliers, but it’s a wonderful,timeless show.”
24 The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 19, 2012
Katie Reid and Shane Donovan perform “My Girl Back Home” in “South Pacific.”
We feature local experts to answer your questions.
For info contact: Linda Petree at 661-395-7621
Ask A Professional Ask A Professional Wills, Trusts & Probate
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A:
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Brian Sivesind, who has had an out-
standing year in local
theater, will be the fea-
tured guest on “Cali-
fornian Radio” this
morning, where he will
discuss his latest pro-
duction, “The Drowsy
Chaperone,” at Stars
Theatre Restaurant.
Also joining Lifestyles
Editor Jennifer Self and Assistant
Lifestyles Editor Stefani Dias will be
Mark Downing, the second person to be
featured in The Californian’s hunt for
the best server in Bakersfield.
We’ll also be giving away a copy of
“The Fruit Gardener’s Bible,” so make
sure to listen for the cue to call, and, as
always, we welcome your questions,
comments, rants and raves at 842-
KERN.
“Californian Radio” broadcasts from 9
to 10 a.m. weekdays on KERN, 1180-AM.
‘CALIFORNIAN RADIO’
Sivesind
Thursday, January 19, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian 25
Eye Street
BY STEFANI DIASCalifornian assistant lifestyles editor
Bakersfield is known for many things,including its love of the three F’s:fundraisers, food and fun. Indulge
those passions next week with a couple ofannual events.
Hosting for the fourth year, BakersfieldCollege Foundation offers its Sterling SilverDinner. The event is a culinary collabora-tion between the college’s chef’s brigade— headed by chefs Pat Coyle, SuzanneDavis, Ray Ingram and Alex Gomez — andWilliam Bloxsom-Carter, executive chef ofthe Playboy Mansion West.
The event is “an all campus hands-onevent,” according to Hannah Egland, thefoundation’s donor relations coordinator.
“Not only is it our students fixing dinnerand serving it. BC faculty member KrisTiner is providing music (with the KrisTiner Jazz Trio). The student governmentwill provide students to shuttle people toand from the event to their cars. And agleadership students help set up and teardown.”
Dishes, from the opening receptionthrough the five-course meal, are pairedwith a variety of wines from around thestate: Mumm Napa, Ortman Family Wines,Scott Family Estate, Merryvale, Starmontand Ficklin Vineyards. Highlighting a vari-ety of vineyards, which donated or offeredthe wine at a discounted rate, is a new fea-ture this year.
Also new this year is a photo booth,allowing guests to commemorate theevening.
Speaking of photos, the event’s silent
auction will feature the works of Californ-ian photographers Casey Christie and FelixAdamo as well as John Harte, BC instructorand former Californian photographer.
Other items up for bid include orchidsfrom BC’s horticulture department; a winetasting in the caves of Eberly Winery inPaso Robles; and a Valentine’s Day packageset to include dinner at the Bell TowerClub, vehicle rental from Motor City BuickGMC (an event silver sponsor, along withthe family of Don and Diane Lake) andpossibly a night’s stay at the Padre Hotel.
A signature item being auctioned againthis year is a private dinner for 10, held at alocation, usually a home, selected by theauction winner.
The menu is planned by chef Coyle withwines selected by foundation executivedirector Mike Stepanovich.
Tempting guests to bid on the dinner,the night’s menu includes starters such asroasted New Zealand lamb chop “lol-lipops” with lemongrass-mint glaze, Dun-
Raising cash byraising your glass
Affaire ExtraordinaireWhen: 5 to 9 p.m. Jan. 29
Where: Guild House, 1905 18th St.
Cost: $100 per person
Information: 325-5478
Sterling Silver DinnerWhen: 6:30 p.m. Jan. 28
Where: Bakersfield College, John
Collins Campus Center, 1801 Panorama
Drive
Cost: $175 per person; $325 per couple;
$1,000 for table of six
Information: 395-4850
We feature local experts to answer your questions.
For info contact: Linda Petree at 661-395-7621
Ask A Professional Ask A Professional
Q: A:
IRA’s and Rollovers What is the tax advantage of an IRA?
The one thing that makes all IRAs similar, regardless of type, is the transactions inside the account incur no tax liability. IRAs shelter interest, dividends and capital gains earnings realized in the IRA until their owners withdraw the money.
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Q:
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Corporate Office: 2029 21st Street Bakersfield, CA 93301• 661-631-2036
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PHOTO COURTESY OF HANNAH EGLAND
Last year’s Sterling Silver dinner, organized by the Bakersfield College Foundation,raised $16,000 for the college’s culinary arts program and the Renegade Fund,which directs money to projects that need it.
Please see DINNERS: 26
Pair of sumptuous fundraisersare musts on culinary calendar
26 The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 19, 2012
Eye Street
Cost to participate includes the dailyentrance fee, plus a daily Lake Evans fish-ing wristband, which is $6 for those 16and older, and $1 for children 15 andunder.
“But catching fish is what it is allabout,” he said. Anglers will be able toenjoy both shoreline and boat fishing.
However, the north side of the lake isthe only one that has vehicle access. Hesaid older fishermen can pull their vehi-cles right up to the lake and fish fromthere.
“It’s fun to watch kids catch their firsttrout,” Cornelson said.
“Last year, we had between 500 and600 participants on Saturday. We didn’thave that many on Sunday.”
He expects a similar crowd this year.
“We have some real nice prizes thisyear,” Cornelson said. “And you get totake home some great trout to eat thatyou caught yourself. There is nothingbetter than that.”
Cornelson, an 18-year veteran of theparks department, said that at age 55, hehas no plans to retire soon. But he has apretty good idea of how he’d like tospend Chapter Two of his life when thetime comes.
“I love to fish,” Cornelson said. “I’vebeen to Alaska, where I fished for halibutand king salmon.
“When I retire, I’m going to get a boatthat doesn’t sink, and I will be chasingfish all day,” he laughed.
The Kern County Parks and RecreationDepartment sponsors the annual event,but other local businesses are also pro-viding prizes, ranging from fishing polesand tackle to gift cards, he said.
Those interested in donating prizes orbeing a sponsor can still contact thedepartment at 868-7000.
out there, you’ve got more power, and there’snot a whole lot out there that can stop you.”
Another part of being a monster truck driveris putting on a pulse-pounding, chest-rattlingshow that will excite monster truck fans of allages, which is just what Payne and the rest ofthe drivers of the Monster X Tour intend to do,and all for a reasonable price.
“This is a show that’s based around thefans,” he said. “And it’s an action-packed show.There’s flame throwers, there’s transformers,there’s the free stunt motocross guys; there’sjust no dead time. It’s nothing but action.”
And with adult tickets starting at $10 andkids tickets at just $5, an entire family of fourcan enjoy an evening of action for under 30bucks.
For an hour prior to the show (from 6 to 7p.m., all ticket holders are welcome to visit theAutograph Pit Party. The pass is included withthe full-price tickets, and those with upper dis-count level tickets can purchase a pass at thebox office for an additional $5. In the pit, fanscan meet the drivers and see their trucks upclose, as well as take pictures with them.
For Payne, meeting his fans and keepingthem happy is another part of his job that he’spassionate about.
“Dealing with the fans is great,” he said.“Seeing the guys bring their kids down, andjust having their kids around and seeing themreact to the trucks. Some kids are scared of thetrucks, and some kids love them. It’s the high-light of the show for me; that’s what we’re therefor is the fans.”
DERBY: CONTINUED FROM 16
geness crab cake bouchée with cremefraiche and Tobiko caviar and Cambozolacheese tartlet with tomato chutney andgarlic flower.
The five-course meal features pan-seared Norwegian ocean trout on a bedof risotto; osso bucco “Milanese”; cheesecourse with Shaft’s aged bleu veincheese, toasted Marcona almonds, andwine-infused fruit; and “a study inchocolate”: flourless espresso chocolatetorte, hazelnut-Gianduja tartlet, andwhite chocolate coeur a la creme.
To expedite service, the guest limit willcap at around 150 (120 people attendedlast year). As of Wednesday, Egland saidthat there were at least 50 seats left, butpotential guests should call soon.
Affaire ExtraordinaireThe Guild House is also keeping things
intimate for its Affaire Extraordinaire.The thrice-annual event plays up thecommunity’s bounty with its Taste of
Kern County theme.“We’re going all local, trying to focus
on local companies that people know,”said Robin Starr, publicity chairwomanand past Guild House president.
To that end, the menu features localitems such as almonds, pistachios, citrusfruit, baby carrots, potatoes and Pyreneesbread, some donated by “friends of theGuild House.”
Guests will be greeted with cham-pagne, then seated at tables decoratedwith grapes and Wasco roses (along withpickled tongue and Dewar’s chews).
The menu consists of a Guild House-style Basque soup, Pyrenees herbed gar-lic bread, citrus medley salad with pista-chios, beef tenderloin with a Gorgonzolasauce with fanned baked potatoes andbaby carrots, finished off with chocolatechip ice cream cake, featuring Dewar’sice cream sprinkled with almonds.
(Although Kern County is also well-known for tomatoes and melons, organ-izers kept those off the menu as the fruits
aren’t in season.)The $100 dinner, which benefits the
Henrietta Weill Memorial Child GuidanceClinic, is a bargain for a good cause, Starrsaid.
“It includes dinner, wine, tax and gra-tuity. Everything is included. That’s whatI like about these dinners. Compare thatto other places in town. I think that’s apretty good deal.”
A choice of red or white wine will beoffered, although Starr said she was stilltrying to source local wines.
“I’m looking for Kern County wines. Iknow there are a lot of people in KernCounty who drink wine.”
Starr encourages football fans to takeadvantage of the event, thoughtfullyplanned the week before the Super Bowl.
For those who can’t make the event,there will be another fundraiser on April22 to close out the fiscal year.
Starr said those interested in attendingshould call the Guild House at 325-5478for reservations.
DINNERS: CONTINUED FROM 25 TRUCKS: CONTINUED FROM 16
2012 Trout Fishing DerbyWhen: 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday
and 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Buena Vista Aquatic Recre-
ation Area, Lake Evans, Highway 43.
Admission: $6 for those 16 and older,
and $1 for those 15 and under; plus
regular daily entrance fee: $6 for a
vehicle with up to 10 people; $8, vehi-
cle with 11 to 20 people; $11, vehicle
containing more than 21
Information: 868-7000
Monster X TourWhen: Pit Party from 6 to 7 p.m.; show
starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Where: Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun
Ave.
Admission: $5 to $30
Information: ticketmaster.com or 800-
745-3000
Special Monday Night 3 course prix fixe dinner.
Located at 1400 17th Street, on the corner of 17th and K Street www.uricchios-trattoria.com
661-326-8870
Includes a Glass of Wine, House Salad, Entrée and Dessert.
$ 15 99 per person
Reservations are recommended, please give us a call.
For your convenience we now offer validated parking during lunch hours at
Superior Parking Garage on 18th Street.
(Price per person. Gratuity & tax excluded)
DOWNTOWN BAKERSFIELD’S PREMIER BIKE SHOP
www.blacktopcyclery.com
612 18th St. • Bakersfield, CA 93301 • 661.869.1140
$ 449 Starting
at
Authorized Dealer
OPEN: Tues - Fri 10 am - 6pm • Saturday 10 am - 3 pm
CLOSED: Sundays & Mondays
Thursday, January 19, 2012 The Bakersfield Californian 27
1. Best Antique Store2. Best Bridal Wear3. Best Carpet Flooring4. Best Cell Phone Carrier5. Best Drycleaner6. Best Furniture Store7. Best Men’s Apparel8. Best Nursery/Garden Store9. Best Optometrist10. Best Real Estate Agent11. Best Shoe Store12. Best Tire Store13. Best Travel Agency
14. Best Used Car Dealership15. Best Bakery16. Best Basque Restaurant17. Best Restaurant for Kids/Family18. Best Senior Special19. Best Wine Selection20. Best Annual Event21. Best Park22. Best Place For a Birthday Party23. Best Worthy Cause24. Best Buffet25. Best Cupcakes26. Best Medical Group
www.BestofKern.com
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