The Bakersfield Jazz Festival was a Success

The 27 annual Bakersfield Jazz Festival kicked off today at The California State University Bakersfield at 7:00 PM. The Friday line-up consisted of three jazz musicians

Robin Bramlett, Billy Vera Big Band, and Roy Ayers. On Saturday, the line up featured Kern County Jazz Band, Colorblind, Rob Hutchinson, Clayton Cameron, Lao Tizer, Avance, Euge Groove.  “My favorite part of the program was the enjoyment that was had by the individuals that participated, the audience members being able to come to this and see this performance without having to go out of town, seeing it right here at home” said Suzanne Botha.

Avance performs for the audience at the CSUB Jazz Festival.

” Favorite Part of the program was the side stage and Roy Ayers. My favorite part about the side stage was that he put a lot of funk music, a lot of old oldies and I really love oldies it’s like my favorite thing in the world and Roy Ayers just because there is a lot of history in that band. Like the drummer playing with Michael Jackson and then playing with Roy Ayers. You know, that’s pretty cool. Like who gets to play with Michael Jackson? No one…”- says Natosha Ramirez.

Bakersfield’s 5th Annual Biggest Baddest Barbecue Championship

Channel Islands Gives Thumbs Up to Bakersfield

Hotel California Pays Tribute to The Eagles

Family Fun Begins When You Bring Your Chairs and Refreshments

Hotel California Pays Tribute to The Eagles

Hotel California’s Tribute to the Eagles is Family Entertainment

With the temperatures in the high 80s at 8 p.m., Bakersfield families enjoyed cooling-off with an outdoor concert at the Bright House Networks Amphitheater. Located at 11200 Stockdale Hwy., the amphitheater is unique. It is a gathering place for families to enjoy outdoor picnics while listening to a concert, sitting on the grass or bringing their own chairs. Adults are allowed to bring wine or beer, provided they check in with authorities and get the proper wristband permit. The amphitheater is located within walking distance of fine restaurants like P.F. Chang’s, California Pizza Kitchen, and Café Med. For more information on events call (661) 852-7777 or go to: www.bakersfieldamphitheatre.us.

Hotel California plays “Life in the Fast Lane”

The only problem with the concert is that several people thought The Eagles were really going to be playing and not a band named Hotel California. “I’ve never heard of a band named Hotel California,” Hermano Gonzales said as he left the park.  “I thought the Eagles were going to be playing,” Gonzales said. He indicated that the name of the band was not as clear as it could’ve been, although it was advertised as, “Hotel California gives tribute to the Eagles.” Most people stayed and enjoyed their evening regardless of the band’s name. “This is not the Eagles–only a salute,” Brian Carrici ,55, said. “I go to all of the shows in Bakersfield. The first show I ever saw was in 1971-72–The James Gang. In fact, Rare Earth will be playing June 8 here at the Amphitheatre and I intend to go to that concert as well,” Carrici said.

Hotel California is a band’s name and they pay tribute to The Eagles.

Other events coming this summer include:

Martina McBride-June 28

Air Supply-June 29

Summerland Tour-June 30

For more details go to www.ticketmaster.com

or like Bright House Amphitheatre on www.facebook.com/Bright-House-Network-Amphitheatre

Buck Owens’ Ghost Is Alive After Seven Years

BUCK OWENS’ MAUSOLEUM

PHOTO BY: WANDA WINKLER

  March 25 was the seven-year anniversary of the death of Buck Owens. So where is the country western music legend? He is buried in The Buck Owens Family mausoleum in Greenlawn Southwest Cemetery, 2739 Panama Lane, Bakersfield. The mausoleum, also named  “Buck’s Place,” is the largest structure in the graveyard except for the Georgian mansion used for the office and mortuary building. He is interred in the mausoleum which also contains his mother and the ashes of his first wife, Bonnie Campbell Owens. Some people go to the graveyard looking for Buck. Others write books about his ghost. “The Ghost of Buck Owens: And Other Tales From the San Joaquin,” by Steve Sorensen was released in 2011.                                                 

  Chris Porfiri, 47, who works at Greenlawn Southwest Cemetery said, “there have been a couple of times when folks will stop into the park and ask where they can find Buck Owens’s grave– so we direct them to the mausoleum.” For more details on finding his grave go to http://www.findagrave.com.

  Bakersfield’s most popular entertainer, Owens was born Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr., in Sherman, Texas, to a sharecropping family and moved to Bakersfield when he was 21 years old. He signed a recording contract with Los Angeles music giant Capital Records in 1957, and his career took off from there. He became one of America’s top country western musicians, singers, writers, and entrepreneurs. The Crystal Palace, his legacy museum located at 2800 Buck Owens Blvd., is a unique masterpiece exhibiting exquisite western charm, history, and hometown hospitality. Owens left a sensational mark on this city, including his last No.1 hit song titled, “The Streets of Bakersfield.” For more information go to http://www.buckowens.com.

  Dave Lyman, 55, from the Bakersfield Convention and Visitors Bureau said he’s never been asked about Owens’ grave site. However, “large numbers of tour buses stop here on their way to someplace else, like Fresno, Yosemite, or Sequoia National Park. They are not making a pilgrimage to Bakersfield to see the Crystal Palace specifically or to go to Buck Owens’ grave,” Lyman said.

  “The bus drivers are only allowed to drive so many hours a day, so they stop in Bakersfield because it is the midway point between several locations. Fortunately, the Crystal Palace is conveniently located and because they serve great meals, it’s a favorite location for the bus drivers and the passengers,” Lyman said.

  Buck Owens made his mark in life as a composer, singer, entrepreneur, and publisher, and in death with his majestic burial site. His mausoleum is original and available to the public free of charge at Greenlawn Cemetery. “After all,” Lyman said, “it’s not like you have a Crystal Palace or Buck Owens in every town.”

 

Get a job. Career fairs are fun

A representative from the Masters in Business Administration program waits for interested students.

Students gather around company tables in search for job opportunities and internships during CSUB Career Day.

Students were offered free pens as an incentive to sign up for the Masters program. The future prospect of a high paying job isn’t enough for the modern student.

Sophomore Traci Schnaidt tries to keep her chin above the bar at the Marines table during Career Day.

Junior Biology major Cassandra Cortez gets some information from Sergeant Major Johnson.

A Busy Weekend for the Visual Performing Arts at California State University, Bakersfield

A lot happened this weekend in the Visual Performing Arts Community at CSU-Bakersfield. For Peggy Sears, it was the culmination her 22-year career  as Voice instructor  here at CSUB.  There was a gala held in her honor at the Albertsons room inside the theater. And of course after the gala, followed An Evening of Opera and Zarzuela Scenes. The next day, as Celebrate CSUB got underway, the ground breaking ceremony took place for the new Art Department that is going to be built behind the CSUB Music Department.

• Before, the opera scenes began, there was a gala held in honor of Peggy Sears 22 year-long career at CSUB. Students gave testimonials about how she has helped them grow as musicians and how she “has pushed” them to do things that they though that they could not do. One student expressed how their previous college experience was not what she had hoped for because of negative remarks and how Sears helped and pushed her to new heights.
  

  Sears takes time to pose for a picture with Elizabeth Provencio, a CSUB Alumna and one of Sears’ former students.

• CSUB Opera Theatre held “An Evening of Opera and Zarzuela Scenes” at the Dore Thetre. The evening open with a scene from The Magic Flute by W.A. Mozart. and closed with scenes from Help, Help, the Globolinks by Gian Carlo Menotti. The play itself is about an alien invasion that can only be fought off by the power of music. Madame Euterpova, music teacher, portrayed by Elizabeth Provencio, lead the other teachers and students into battle against the Globolinks by giving everyone an instrument and motivating everyone to keep playing. The scene ends with eerie music that indicates that the Globolinks have gone away in retreat.
  

  Madame Euterpova (Elizabeth Provencio) after her victory over the Globolinks.

• On April 27, 2013, during Celebrate CSUB, there was a ground breaking ceremony held behind the Music department building, where the new Art department building will be built. The Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, Richard Collins opened by giving a brief history of how this project got started and how it hit many road blocks, many if not all financial. He as well as president Horace Mitchell, expressed their gratitude to the people who had something with making this construction happen.

  NOTE: As a matter of full disclosure, I received lessons from Professor Peggy Sears in the winter quarter of 2010 to prepare for the ACDA Western Division Collegiate Honor Choir .

“Far Eastern” Restaurants in Bakersfield

By Eric Garza

There are many restaurants in the Bakersfield area that caters to most people’s needs. Whether it is enjoying a slice a pizza from a pizza bar, or grubbing on a burger from a burger joint that serves well, Bakersfield has a wide variety of food choices. Bakersfield also has a diverse variety of delicious Asian restaurants (Relax. These restaurants aren’t located entirely on the east side of town.)

• 

  Photo by Eric Garza. Entrance to Seoul Korean restaurant on Coffee Road

  Seoul Korean Restaurant: Feel like in the Korean mood after listening to PSY’s latest song? Look no further than Seoul Korean restaurant. Located on Coffee Road, just north of the Northwest Promenade shopping center, this Korean restaurant serves the popular Korean dishes such as “bulgogi” and “bibimbap.”

Photo by Eric Garza. Chicken bulgogi (center) and beef bulgogi (upper left)

“Bulgogi” is a type of Korean barbeque that is quite popular among people in the US. You have the choice of beef, chicken, or pork and the dish comes with a bowl of rice and many condiments on the side to satisfy your taste buds including “kimchi.” “Bibimbap” (it might sound funny the first time pronouncing it) is a rice bowl dish that consists of seaweed, soy bean sprouts, an egg, and many vegetables. The exterior of the restaurant might not be so outstanding, but it’s the inside that counts. There is a special seating for parties with about 8 or more people. The seating is like a hybrid of a booth and table. One side has regular table seating’s and the other side is booth seating’s that have extra cushioning and pillows (very comfortable to sit on!).

Photo by Eric Garza. The different kinds of toppings to eat with bulgogi including kimchi and bean sprouts.

• Pho Hut: Pronounced “fuh” like in “fun,” this is a Vietnamese style restaurant that specializes with possibly the most popular Vietnamese dish in town: pho. Pho Hut is located on California Avenue and Lennox Avenue. Pho is a noodle dish that has noodles and is served with chicken or beef. It’s kind of like ramen, but the noodles are more thin and transparent and it has basil bean sprouts and a lemon. The restaurant has a simple atmosphere. Nothing too fancy and nothing too cheap; it is just a nice restaurant to sit in and have a nice lunch and dinner with a couple of friends.

• Sushi Kato: Fun fact: Sushi Kato is the only Japanese sushi restaurant that is still owned by Japanese people. Most sushi bars in town are not owned by Japanese owners. Located at the corner of the John’s Incredible Pizza shopping center, this sushi bar gives a traditional Japanese feel. The best thing about this restaurant is happy hour. Each night (except the weekend) from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Sushi Kato slashes their sushi roll prices in half. They have Las Vegas rolls which are California rolls that have tempura and spider rolls. Each sushi order comes with 6 rolls and people typically order another round to fill them up. Sushi Kato’s environment feels like what I believe a Japanese restaurant should be.  They have one teppan grill and have many Japanese-like decorations.

CSUB Runners Defeat Fresno State

On Tuesday April 23, the California State University Bakersfield baseball team played Fresno State at Hardt Field and were victorious. After beating Fresno just a week prior, Fresno was looking to redeem themselves but unfortunately they fell short of the win. Admission to the game ranges from five to ten dollars depending on the section you choose and student admission is always free.

Fans showing support for the baseball players at Hardt Field on Tuesday the 23rd of April for the CSUB home game Vs. Fresno State. (Photo by Danny Gudino)

Hardt Field during the CSUB vs. Fresno State baseball game on Tuesday night the 23rd of April. (Photo by Danny Gudino)

Fans watch as CSUB plays Fresno State at Hart Field Tuesday the 23rd of April. (Photo by Danny Gudino)

 

CSUB fans and supporters leave the baseball game at Hardt Field after the victory over Fresno State 2-0. (Photo taken by Danny Gudino)

CSUB fans leave Hardt field after the victory over Fresno State Tuesday the 23rd of April. (Photo by Danny Gudino)

 

Senior couple who are Bakersfield residents wanted to remain nameless, but are showing support for the CSUB Runners at their home baseball game on Tuesday April 23rd Vs. Fresno State. (Photo by Danny Gudino)

 

CSUB students show their support and school spirit with this poster that encourages students to attend the baseball game Vs. Fresno State on April 23rd. (Photo by Danny Gudino)

 

CSUB baseball player #2 Oscar Sanay next at the plate at Hardt Field Vs. Fresno State on Tuesday the 23rd of April. (Photo by Danny Gudino)

CSUB player tries to get to first base after getting a hit off at Hardt Field. (Photo by Danny Gudino)

CSUB player #1 Jordie Hein steps up to the plate in hopes of getting a hit off on Tuesday the 23rd Vs. Fresno State at Hardt Field. (Photo taken by Danny Gudino)

#9 Cael Brockmeyer with a focused look on his face after scoring for CSUB Tuesday the 23rd of April Vs. Fresno State at Hardt Field. (Photo by Danny Gudino)

#21 James Barragan winds up for a pitch against Fresno State Tuesday April 23rd at Hardt Field. (Photo by Danny Gudino)

RoadShow

Gear Up for The Road Show

The Road Show, by the  California State University, Bakersfield Art Department is currently on display at the Todd Madigan Gallery at 9001 Stockdale Highway in Bakersfield. Featured artists are Sarah Vanderlip, Joyce Kohl, Dan Slyton, Joey Kotting, and Jesse Sugarmann. Gallery Hours are Tuesday through Thursday’s from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For info call (661) 654-2238.

“Untitled,” by Sarah Vanderlip. New Haven Transit
Authority.

“The Entertainment Really Begins II,” by Jesse Sugarmann. Neon lights and mirror.

Interior from the work of Dan Slayton. Ford Hot Rod.

“General Motors Utility Structure II,” by Jesse Sugarmann.

“One of those Nights.” Jesse Sugarmann. Single channel digital video loop.

The poster for “The Road Show,” now open at CSUB’s Todd Madigan Gallery.