Arts & Entertainment: Bakersfield.com

Judas Priest, Heaven & Hell, Motorhead, & Testament Destroy San Bernardino, Sat Aug 30th

Ok, I am about recovered from Saturday night's 'Metal Masters' show at the Glen Helen Pavilion in San Bernardino, at least enough to write a review at least. I almost did not go because of my truck situation, but I finally said 'screw it' and went anyways, even though I had to borrow somebody else's car.

I had a killer seat - Orch 2, Row w, seat 30 - dead center! Just a bit further back than when I saw Priest at Irvine Meadows in 2005, but still good enough. The bands included Testament, Motorhead, Heaven and Hell (in actuality 80s era Black Sabbath with Ronnie James Dio out in front), and the mighty Metal Gods themselves, Judas Priest.

Testament took the stage while people were still entering the venue and getting their drinks & finding their seats, but they put on a good show. I've seen em once before but am not totally familiar with their stuff. Sound was good. Pretty basic stage setup. Large artwork behind em, slightly elevated drum riser, no true props.

Motorhead came on and blew out everyone's ears of course - what else would you expect? LOL. "We're Motorhead and we play Rock n Roll" was their motto for the night. Another simple stage setup, except their drummer was a lot more elevated than was Testament's. Excellent drum solo! Set list included Ace of Spades, Metropolis, Killed by Death, and Overkill. Not sure I knew the rest of the songs.

Heaven and Hell was next, and their stage set was a lot more elaborate. Winged gargolyes to each side, with gates on each side of another elevated drum riser. Light show was fantastic, mostly to simulate the fires of hell, etc. Dio can still sing with the best of em. Setlist included Die Young, Sign of the Southern Cross, Falling off the Edge of the World, "I", Time Machine, Mob Rules, Heaven and Hell (ext version!) and Neon Knights. Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler did an amazing job, and we got the night's 2nd drum solo from Vinnie Appice. This was my main reason for coming - how many times will you get to see the two bands considered to be the Godfathers of Heavy Metal, on stage in the same night??

Judas Priest took the stage about 9:35, beginning with Dawn of Creation and Prophecy, from the new 'Nostradamus' cd - which is a masterpiece - if you haven't picked it up yet - go grab it! Rob Halford began the night dressed up as kind of a Heavy Metal Pope, with his long silver hooded trenchcoat. He remained hooded throughout 'Prophecy' and removed it in time for 'Metal Gods', which just kicked!! One of the greatest metal anthems of all time, and even better when performed live, and at the right speed, which they are definitely doing this tour. The last couple of tours I've seen them, they've played it just a bit too slow.

"Eat Me Alive" and "Dissident Aggressor", two of of the handful of songs that have never been played live before, were big highlights of the evening. Rob did appear to be using the teleprompter a lot, which is kind of a bummer to see, but still, he has The Voice. Just amazing. He struggled only on "Painkiller". KK and Glenn were in top form, Ian was at his usual post, and Scott seemed to be getting into the show more than usual. He's known for looking a little bored at times during shows, but not Sat night.

Other songs included Between the Hammer/Anvil, Hell Patrol, Rock Hard Ride Free, Angel, Devil's Child, Electric Eye, Breakin the Law, Hell Bent, Green Manalishi, and Rob bantered back and forth with the crowd just before going into Another Thing Comin as the usual show ender.

Priest is planning to come back around and play Nostradamus in its entirety in 2009. Don't miss it!

"Baby" explores the miracle of life...with singing!

Having recently experienced a variation of the story ourselves, my wife and I jumped at the chance to see Stars latest show. Baby explores the consequences of life's most universal miracle...pregnancy. The musical follows three couples at different stages of their lives as they grapple with the task (successfully or not) of bringing a baby into the world.

The audience follows thre three plot lines as the couples encounter situations that range from comical to downright moving. The comedic style and awkward predicaments reminded me of films such as 9 Months and Father of The Bride Part II (both hilarious, by the way).

The on-stage conflicts are perhaps not quite as ground breaking as they would have been in 1983 (when the show debuted on Broadway) but the incredible musical numbers and biting comedy will certainly be a delight to anyone who has been a parent...or was raised by one.

Thank you, Stars, for all that and the delicious key lime pie as well.

"Baby" continues Aug. 28-29. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Call 325-6100 or go to www.bmtstars.com.

Local Filmmakers Representing Bakersfield

A couple of days ago, I saw a guy carrying a very nice camera, and myself being a photographer, I had to go ask questions about it. As it turns out, this was 21-year-old local director M. Angel Luna. Never heard of him? Maybe you should.

He was working on a 48 hour film project for a competition in San Diego (he mentioned already having done well in L.A.). After visiting www.48hourfilm.com I realized just how serious this guy must be. I was very impressed by him and what his local crew does.

He gave me a business card and so I thought I'd pass the information on to you. It would be a good idea for you guys at our local paper to encourage this generation by running stories about people like this young (he's 21!) up-and-coming award-winning local filmmaker. This group of guys is representing our city in national competitions and they should be applauded for it.

(Info on Business Card)

ChaozFilms Productions

M. Angel Luna

661-205-9715

Lopez House Historic Films Fundraiser Aug. 1

It will be Kern County on the big screen as “The House with Three Lives” and “Wild West Country: The Lure of Gold” premier for a one night only screening at the majestic Fox Theatre in Bakersfield beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 1. Proceeds from the $10 per person, nonprofit fundraiser will be used for the ongoing preservation of the historic J.J. Lopez House at the Kern County Museum. Tickets can be purchased at http://vallitix.rdln.com or by calling (661) 322-5200.

Presented by the museum and Kern River Valley Historical Society, the event will even have a 19th Century feel outside with horses and “Wild West Country…” actors in period attire greeting visitors, along with members of the pioneer Lopez, Coppock, Hill, Rankin and Powers families.

“The House with Three Lives” is a 30-minute documentary detailing the history and preservation of the house built in downtown Bakersfield by Spanish immigrant and Tejon Ranch Manager J.J. Lopez in 1906. It became the home for Otis Coppock, who moved it to Rosedale Highway and Calloway Road in 1953, and later the Hill family that purchased it in the 1960s.

Inspired by the late Bob Powers’ books, “Wild West Country…” is a 90-minute docudrama about the county’s South Sierra region, featuring Joseph Walker’s discovery of the pass that bears his name in 1834 through the Kern River Gold Rush and the establishment of gold camp, Whiskey Flat — now known as Kernville.

The films were produced by veteran filmmaker Chuck Barbee, whose credits include work on the Peabody Award network series “Hot Dog” and Emmy Award winner “Night Court.”

For more information, please call Heather Fowler, Kern County Museum Foundation executive director, at (661) 852-5020.

Three Cheers for the Red,White and Blue

Dear Staff,
Below is the July 4 review article .
Thank you,
Lindsey
        
 
 
Three Cheers for the Red White and Blue
by Lindsey Carlson
Publicity Chair
Tehachapi Community Orchestra
 
A lone American flag quietly waved over the Coy Burnett Football Field as a breezy afternoon set the stage for a spectacular July Fourth Concert in Tehachapi. This flag, previously flown at America's Capital, honors World War II veteran, Jack Young, and  was presented to his family at his memorial in Aline, Oklahoma.  It had special significance during the recent July 4th concert for Carol White, his daughter, grandson Joey White and six great grandchildren, all Tehachapi residents, who were in attendance. The joyful atmosphere shared by hundreds of families, couples, and friends made the concert seem like one huge community reunion. 
     The music for the event was just as varied and spectacular as the fireworks display that followed it! Beginning in the late afternoon, everyone relaxed and enjoyed the music of Will James and Maria and Mountain Music's Patriotic Sing-Along. As the sun began to set and early evening stole across the sky, a field of voices joined in singing the Star Spangled Banner, accompanied by the Tehachapi Community Orchestra, conducted by Dr.David Newby. The performance of the orchestra's Armed Forces Salute echoed everyone's pride in America's best. The Tehachapi Symphonic Chorus, 20 voices strong, under the direction of Kathy Kelly, followed with the inspiring medley, Thankful To Be An American. The orchestra performed several stirring classical pieces from the Russian Polovtsian March to the the French Carmen Suite No. 1. The chorus also presented tongue tripping Gilbert and Sullivan operetta tunes to everyone's delight.
      Raffle tickets and July 4th souvenirs were sold during the intermission by the orchestra's Supporting Notes led by Frangel and Tere Cannizzaro and their family. After intermission, young James Solum, guest conductor for the evening, didn't miss a beat as he lead the orchestra in Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever.  Congratulations went to Michael Kemp of Tehachapi who held the winning raffle ticket for the Yamaha guitar and case. 
      As twilight came, the orchestra performed smooth renditions of Rogers & Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song to South of the Border syncopations to the familiar sounds of the Big Bands. The professional quality of the music made one wish it were all recorded to take home! As a  long round of applause went out at the orchestra's finale, the stars in the night sky made a  backdrop for the fireworks display presented by the City of Tehachapi. In the twilight, to see the simple grandeur of that special stars and stripes still waving there over the field with "bombs bursting in air" struck a memory not soon to be forgotten.
      The orchestra will be back in November with its first concert of the the 2008-2009 season, beginning its eleventh consecutive year of enriching Tehachapi with cultural beauty. All concerts are free of charge and support for the orchestra is always gratefully welcome. Whether in the form of active volunteerism or through cash donations, the community is helping to keep great music alive in Tehachapi. More information can be found at www.tehachapiorchestra.com or by phoning 822-5607.   

CAR EMERGES FROM WALL!

OK, not really. Obviously the car CAN'T be real. But what about that insouciant pedestrian? Those ubiquitous orange cones? The tenuous yellow tape? Nope - its all a painted illusion! New Bakersfield mural crashes the party at Automotive Technical Services, 3118 Union Ave.

Fourth of July: Concert With Fireworks in Tehachapi

Where can local families go on America's birthday for live patriotic music, a spectacular frontseat fireworks display in a cool mountain breeze under a star studded sky, all without leaving a picnic blanket? The place is in Tehachapi! The event will be held at Coy Burnett Football Field on East Tehachapi Boulevard with gates opening at 4 p.m. The football field will provide a park-like setting for an unforgettable July Fourth evening! The audience is invited to pack a picnic dinner, bring lawn chairs and blankets and relax to the music of Will James and Maria from 5 to 6:15 p.m. with the Traditional Sing-Along from 6:15 to 6:30 p.m.

After a brief intermission, at 7 p.m. the Tehachapi Community Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. David Newby, will perform a variety of patriotic songs, show tunes, jazz and light classical music. The orchestra will be joined by the Tehachapi Symphonic Chorus directed by Kathy Kelley, presenting beloved soul-stirring hymns of patriotism as well as a delightful collection of well known operetta tunes by Gilbert and Sullivan.

Local music student, James Solum, will show his expertise in leading the orchestra in "Stars and Stripes Forever." (Dr. Terry Warsaw won the opportunity to conduct the orchestra in the orchestra's Spring Raffle, and generously donated the chance to this deserving young musician.)

In addition, there will be festive novelty items for purchase during the evening, and a special July Fourth Raffle with tickets for one dollar each. The lucky ticket holder will win the grand prize of a guitar and case!

The grand finale of the evening begins at 9 p.m. sharp: the City of Tehachapi Fireworks Extravaganza!

Admission is free to this memorable evening honoring our country. All raffle and novelty proceeds will support the Tehachapi Community Orchestra; generous donations are always welcome to help keep this celebration an annual event.

Special thanks are also due to the City of Tehachapi, the Tehachapi Unified School District, and Mountain Music for presenting this spectacular evening. More information may be obtained by phoning Gayel Pitchford at 661-821-7511.

Lindsey Carlson is the publicity chair for the Tehachapi Community Orchestra.

Posters for health

This spring, as One Book One Bakersfield One Kern read "Fast Food Nation," local high school students participated in a poster contest to show their health consciousness.

The topics to choose from were either "National Nutrition Month" or "Your health may be affected by personal choice." Students could create a computer-generated poster, draw it by hand, or submit an original photo.

Three high schools participated: Foothill, North and Golden Valley. Pictured at left are the first, second and third place winners.

Buck Owens Studio: A final walk through history

The Day the Locks were changed at the Buck Owens Studio - Bakersfield, Ca.

Trout's spokesperson, T. Rockwell, spent several hours with Board of Trade Director, Rick Davis, as a small group followed them through the Buck Owens Studios for the very last time before the dismantling began and locks were changed. Every room, every piece of equipment, every public notice hanging on a wall, every light switch, doorway, and even the decor was documented extensively in the interest of preserving the history of what once was the source of countless eyebrow raising stories and also the springboard for many careers.

The significance of this farewell to the cornerstone of what would become known as the "Bakersfield Sound" is far reaching; all genre's of local musicians have been saddened by the loss of this valuable resource, and networking hub, of the Bakersfield Music Community. An excellent source of background information on the last days of the Buck Owens Studio, and final thoughts of the community, is very well presented in this documentary produced by N.L. Belardes www.youtube.com/watch or www.turnto23.com/news/16166966/detail.html . The documentary focuses on the local band, IRON OUTLAW, whose latest album, due to be released this summer, was the last project to be recorded at the studio. Also featured are local legend RED SIMPSON, who has performed every Monday night at 7pm at Trout's Nightclub, 805 N Chester Avenue for over 13 years. (661-399-6700 for details). The 30 minute presentation is heavy with both sentiment and optimism - very much worth watching!

It will be very interesting to see just what becomes of the location site, not to mention whether or not anyone else may step forward to fill the gap of providing the much needed resources and comraderie that this studio's demise leaves behind.

Disappointed Dater

I really did not want to write an article, but apparently there's nobody who cares about this particular subject but me. So here is my story.

In the middle of March someone at work invited me to go speed dating with them. But then they never told me exactly when or where the event was being held. So I asked google to search for the subject and found marcephne speed dating.com

I signed up for the next event that was going to be held at The Holiday Inn Select downtown on March 28. I paid my $20 using their Paypal system found on their website. Unfortunately, the email address associated with my Paypal account was my secondary email which I only check about once or twice a week.

So I get all dressed up and arrive at the Hotel downtown. It's so full of people I had to park a couple of blocks away. Inside I ask a bellhop where the speed daters were meeting. He promptly took me to the very small-and empty Kern River Room. Then he told me the daters usually meet in the bar before going to the room for the more formal part of the event.

I went to the bar area and sat down at a table full of women. And after asking about 2 questions, I realized they were Mary Kay Representatives there for a convention. They, in fact, had taken over every meeting room in the whole hotel, and seemed to be making a mass migration to the Rabbobank Arena-perhaps for some type of meeting.

When I had exhausted all of the other possible meeting rooms, I decided I was GREATLY outnumbered by women who were not there for the speed dating event and probably not even wanting to entertain the idea of changing their focus.

When I arrived back home, I went to my rarely used email account and found out they (marcephne) had sent me an email telling me the event was cancelled 2 days before -and then rescheduled for April 11.

Of course now I was checking my email daily, so as not to miss any other additional cancellations. And I really thought I checked it the morning of April 11... But it happened again! I got all dressed up and went to the Hotel downtown. This time it was really empty and quiet except for a few Massage School graduates there for their ceremony and the pianist playing relaxing tunes in the background.

After about 20 minutes of "people watching" I decided it was time to leave. When I found the email with a time stamp of about 9am on April 11, I was quite upset. They had cancelled on me a second time! This time it was because of several other people canceling-or so the email said.

It also mentioned something about a refund. But after sending at least 2 emails requesting exactly that, none has arrived in my Paypal account. As of this writing, I have submitted similar stories to both channel 29 and channel 17 news stations, and sent Marcephne another email telling them I was going to be contacting the local media.

Think maybe I should just stick with Match.com or similar dating websites. This "speed dating" thing...well...it's just way too SLOW!!!

"Three Little Pigs" puppets to benefit Empty Space

Omnipresent Puppet Theatre will perform its rendition of “The Three Little Pigs” on June 14 as a fundraiser for The Empty Space Theatre. The production will be in Plymouth Hall at First Congregational Church, 5 Real Rd. at 1 p.m. Admission is $3, and the public is invited. Doors open at 12:30 p.m.

The entertainment will also feature an opportunity drawing with items such as a 26-inch mountain bike, a puppet program for a birthday party or special event, and season tickets to both the Flics foreign movies at the Fox and the Bakersfield Condors, according to Omnipresent chief puppeteer Don Kruszka.

“We’re Bakersfield’s only professional theatre for young audiences,” Kruszka said of his puppet company, which makes its home at The Empty Space. “We want to support
Empty Space because it’s the only theatre company locally that relies solely on public donations. It gives people a chance to see theatrical performances that might not be able to afford to go to otherwise.”

The Empty Space personnel at 706 Oak St. take pride in creating opportunities for local actors, directors and technicians to work in a creative environment that allows them to express themselves. “We have also had benefits supporting such causes as the Kaiser Permanente Latino Association funding mentoring and scholarship programs, the Kern Lifeline Project, the Bakersfield AIDS Project and the Save-a-Teacher campaign,” Executive Director Guinevere PH Dethlefson said.

Empty Space productions over the past five years have included everything from Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” to Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men” and the musical “Hair.”

Kruszka and his wife, Cal State University Bakersfield theatre instructor Kamala, founded the Omnipresent Puppet Theatre in Phoenix, Ariz. in 2003 and continued their kid-focused entertainment when arriving in Bakersfield two years ago. Kruszka, who was a fan of the Muppets and Mr. Rogers as a child, was a broadcast major in college and became a newspaper editor in Buffalo, New York before answering a want ad in a local newspaper for a puppeteer. Kruszka designs and makes his own puppets, writes most of his own scripts, and does most of the voices.

“All the voices are live, as much as possible,” he said.

The Kruszkas make themselves available for workshops, teacher in-services and private parties locally as well as on the coast and in Southern California. Productions have included “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Hansel and Gretel” and “Anansi’s Rainbow” (based on spider folktales from around the world). For more information about the Omnipresent Puppet Theatre, see www.omnipuppets.org. For details about the June 14 event, call 858-0831.

MTAC Awards Recital Features Student Performers

The Music Teachers’ Association of California (MTAC), Kern Branch, presents the annual Awards Recital on Sunday, May 18 at 1:00. The recital features selected students who received “Honors” in this year’s MTAC events. The public is invited to attend the Awards Recital, held in the choir room at Valley Baptist Church, corner of Fruitvale and Hageman.

The performers in the Awards Recital include pianists and a harpist. Students were chosen from January’s Sonata/Sonatina Festival, March’s Certificate of Merit Evaluation, April’s Kern Branch Bach Festival, and the April MTAC Recital.

The recipients of the Vaughn Malquist Memorial Scholarship and the Carol Rodgers Memorial Scholarship will also perform. These scholarship recipients were chosen by active participation in MTAC events and other music opportunities, and by audition. The names of these Scholarship Winners are engraved on perpetual plaques which are displayed throughout the year at California Keyboards.

Awards will be presented at the recital to outstanding MTAC students. Youth Scholarship Awards in the form of Music Gift Certificates are awarded to a dozen students who have been active in MTAC music events throughout the past year. These Awards are provided by California Keyboards, Stockdale Music, and Kern Branch MTAC.

Trophies will be presented to five students who earned 100% on their Theory Exam at Certificate of Merit: David Kim, Sunjung Kim, Olivia Nystrom, Kathryn Piper, and Claire Witham. Three high school seniors, Gilbert Casabar, Kelly Gerhold, and Andrew Tubbs, will be awarded the Senior Medallion in Certificate of Merit in recognition of successfully completing the Certificate of Merit Evaluation at least three of the four high school years. Certificate of Merit is an annual evaluation in performance, sightreading, technique, ear training, and theory for Preparatory through Advanced Levels. Approximately 31,000 students throughout California have participated this year, including over 150 students from Kern County.

Students of MTAC teachers have monthly performance opportunities at the Branch level as well as performing in the annual MTAC State Convention Recitals. The Music Teachers’ Association of California is a professional statewide organization of private music teachers with a degree in music, or equivalent studies and experience. Private teachers of any instrument are encouraged to inquire about membership. You may view the website at www.mtackern.com for more information about membership or events.

If you wish to be an individual or business sponsor of MTAC for the coming year, please contact Donna Calanchini at dcalanchini@bak.rr.com.

Dorothy Burgess is a member of Kern Branch, Music Teachers’ Association of California (MTAC).

Young Artist in Mother's Day Concert

Bryn Rosander, Kern County's 2008 Young Artist Competition Winner, will be the concert soloist with the Tehachapi Community Orchestra on Mother's Day, May 11 at Country Oaks Baptist Church in Tehachapi. Miss Rosander will play the first movement of Mozart's Violin Concerto No.3 in G Major. The orchestra will also present works by German composers, Mendelssohn and Beethoven.

The program will begin with the Overture to "A Midsummer Night's Dream " written by Felix Mendelssohn when he was just seventeen years old, under the spell of Shakespeare's work. The beautiful themes in this overture represent various characters in the play. Concluding the afternoon's performance, the orchestra will present Beethoven's immortal Symphony No.4.

The Tehachapi Community Orchestra offers five concerts each year and every performance is free. The orchestra depends almost exclusively on the generous donations of the audience for its ongoing support.

The orchestra's annual raffle will be held at the May 11 concert with a $1,000 first prize. Raffle tickets are available at the Apple Shed, Mountain Music and from orchestra and Symphonic Chorus members.

Make this Mother's Day, May 11, special.... give her the gift of music. Enjoy an afternoon of the world's finest music with mother and the entire family, performed by the Tehachapi Community Orchestra.

Update - Platinum Weddings at Seven Oaks Country Club May 18th 2008 ~ The Elite Bridal Experience

UPDATE Platinum Weddings at Seven Oaks will include Valet Parking for all guest who attend.

Platinum Weddings at Seven Oaks ~ The Elite Bridal Experience
Sunday, May 18th
11:00 am VIP /12 Noon General Admission to 3:00 pm
Produced by the Kern County Bridal Association 661-633-9200
Click here for more information and purchase tickets!

Thank you to our Platinum Sponsors

Click here for more information and purchase tickets!

Show Information

A truly different bridal event for the bride who wants to be pampered!
Champagne service will set this show apart from a standard "bridal fair".

$50,000 PLATINUM PRIZE
Roll our Platinum dice to spell W-E-D-D-I-N-G and you could win $50,000 cash! Use it for your wedding, have a fabulous honeymoon; or budget well and do both! Every ticket holder can roll the dice once, so bring your entire Wedding Party to improve your chances of walking away with $50,000 CASH!

11:00 a.m. Champagne Brunch These tickets are limited and will be available to the brides registered with the association before the general public.
Registration has it's perks and it's fast & free. Click here to register

12:00 noon Doors open
This is the show for the discerning Bride and Groom who demand the utmost attention to detail. It will be a smaller, upscale event showcasing the top wedding professionals in their fields. Unlike other bridal shows, this show has a limited number of tickets available to the public. Our goal is to provide couples with an opportunity to see the very best, talk with the exhibitors one-on-one and ask real questions in an intimate environment. We will not have a traditional Fashion Show; instead this event will include a New York style walk-around where the models will be mingling with the crowd throughout the event.

Click here for more information and purchase tickets!
This event is produced by
Kern County Bridal Association 661-633-9200 531 H Street Bakersfield, Ca 93304

I found a new life in Film and Television

There is life after being medically retired from the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office, Child Support Division. When I left, I did not know what to do with myself. My body was shot, but my mind is strong, and after 3 years, I have found something I can do and do well.

I moved with my wife back to Texas, where her children reside. I met my wife, Susan Rodrigues (formerly of Prunedale/Salinas), at the 1994 California International Air Show. She was looking down and saw a pair of shiny black cowboy’s boots coming towards her and the rest was history. We married on July 2, 1995 at a barn dance in Hollister, CA.

I had a military and public service career that spanned more than 20 years. During that time, I was recognized with many awards for service and hard work. I had a loss of self worth after retirement as a Professional Child Support Officer. I did not know what I could do again if anything. With Susan’s encouragement and intensive rehabilitation to strengthen my body physically and mentally, I was able to take up the art of living again.

I took my love of watching movies and TV shows a step further, and began acting. I took a stock trading course and became an accredited investor/money fund manager in capital ventures and investments with my own money. This is another school of hard knocks story (a hobby turned necessity.) I used conventional wisdom and that dramatically enhanced my capability to pick good stocks and make good returns. I’m doing well, too.

I grow my own grapes and make my own wines in a micro vineyard behind my home, now Fanucchi Wine Cellars of Keller, Texas. So far the wine is for personal use and the growing part is fun for me, but gets on wife’s nerves. She looks at the backyard and sees vines growing all over the place. (Not a visionary like me)

I am studying acting with two of the best acting coaches in Texas, and in the business, Cathryn Hartt of the Hartt and Soul Studios in Addison, Texas, and Dennis O’Neill of Fort Worth, Texas. Cathryn is the younger sister of the Dallas/Hollywood/ New York Film and TV Star Actor Morgan Fairchild. I found myself again as the old Bob Fanucchi a hard-working, dependable actor who can take direction. My resume is building after three years of study and work.

I’ve done many types of roles. I’m still wanting and looking to do a good old-fashioned western, but so far no luck.

I have learned that I have to take what life throws at me and make lemonade; and look for new opportunities and capitalize and develop them. Like a farmer growing a plant from a seed, I see the final product with the help of visualization. I am now on the sacred journey of growing.

I’m not there yet, but I’m not finished. I just landed my first lead role in “Revenge with No Regard!” (It is an exciting feature length film to be released sometime in the near future)

So far, this is what I have done:

Film
The Gospel Truth Revenge With No Regard Blackmail Between the Line Denial Home Grown Harlem Sunset Night Inspector Mom Ivory	Co-Starring Lead / Starring Co-Starring Lead/ Starring Supporting Co-Starring Supporting Supporting Featured Featured	Jeff Niems Eloy Francisco G. Martinez Shane Bierley Robert Joseph Chase Praveen Chand Corey Frey Jeff Miller Michael Carpenter Brad Keller Andrew W. Chan

Television
Prison Break 4 Episodes (FOX) Friday Night Lights (NBC) Inspector Mom (LMN) Eye for an Eye (WB)	Prisoner, Auto Shop Mechanic, Tourist, and Man on Bicycle Booster Dad Detective Dentist	Dewight H. Little Jeffrey Reiner Brad Keller/ Danica McKellar Jerry Bryant

Training

On-Camera, Scene Study, Improv, Personal Coach

On-Camera, Scene Study, Stage movement

Country Dance

Country Dance
Martial Arts, Stage Combat

    Cathryn Hartt, Texas
     Dennis O’Neill, New York

     LarParkLincoln, Texas

Pam McCrumb, Salinas California & Ken Hammer, Bakersfield, California

Master Dewey Sutton, Texas

Broadway musical “Evita” set to take stage at CSUB

A musical that has racked up over 1,500 performances on Broadway is coming to California State University, Bakersfield. Theatrefest presents “Evita,” the story based on Eva Duarte de Peron, Argentina’s controversial first lady, beginning May 15 at 8 p.m. in the Doré Theatre.

The production will run May 15 – 17 and May 23 – 24 at 8 p.m. with a matinee performance on Sunday, May 25 at 2 p.m.

The stage version of “Evita” made its American debut on Broadway in 1979 and starred Patti Lupone in the title role and Mandy Patinkin as Che Guevara. Directed by Harold Prince with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and lyrics by Tim Rice, “Evita” ran for a total of 1,567 performances.

The story is told entirely through song and dance. It follows Eva’s life throughout her poor girlhood, through her various careers of modeling and acting and finally to her marriage to General Juan Peron. It tells of her humble beginnings and illustrates her rise to power in her short life. She died of cancer at the age of 33.

It is only when Juan Peron decides to run for president of Argentina and wins, that Eva becomes the first lady of Argentina. Eva was known both for her unending dedication to the plight of the lower classes as well as her extravagant lifestyle. She was hated by the rich and the military and was an ardent supporter of women’s rights. Near the time of her death the Argentine Congress named her the “Spiritual Leader of The Nation.”

Some of the most commonly known songs from the show include, “Santa Evita,” “High Flying Adored” and “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina.”

The CSUB cast features Jessica Trevino as Evita and Danvir Grewal as Guevara. Grewal was drawn to his character because, “Che Guevara has always been an idol of mine. When Mandy Rees told me that he appeared in the play, I was hooked. I knew I wanted to audition,” Grewal said.

Grewal hopes the performance will make the audience seek out other plays and musicals in the city.

Rees, CSUB theatre professor and department chair, is directing the production. Rees believes the musical is “a fascinating story of a very complex person.” It was actually chosen because of its difficulty, she said.

“‘Evita’ will challenge our students and build their singing and dancing skills,” Rees said. The CSUB performance will include a full orchestra.

Though many people might have seen the 1996 movie version starring Madonna, Rees wants people to know that the play is different. “The stage version is much more exciting and effective than the film,” she said.

The undertaking of such a musical is very challenging with 23 scenes.

“The cast is only a part of the whole production; even the cast doesn’t understand the hours and hours of work being done behind the scenes. We have designers, choreographers, musicians, a conductor, and a scene shop working at full speed. It’s a tremendous undertaking,” Rees detailed.

The CSUB production involves some 20 students including Trevino, Grewal, Michael Mejia, Francisico Aragon, Chris Baden, Alessandra Banducci, Jessica Boles, Maria del Rosario Diez de Medina, John Paul Horn, Steve Kinnison, Missy Lonsinger, Diana Melgar, Gabriel Ramirez, Marco Rodriguez, David Sandoval, Cassie Schiemdel, Amanda Verdugo and Alyssa Wiley.

General admission is $12; $5 for students with ID, $10 for seniors, CSUB faculty and staff. For ticket information, please call the box office at (661) 654-3150.

Rockstar Energy Drink ‘Get a Life Tour’ coming to CSUB

California State University, Bakersfield is gearing up for a rock revolution in support of education as Rockstar Energy Drink presents the “Get a Life Tour” slated for Monday, May 5, in the Icardo Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. and all ages are welcome.

The concert features five bands including The Used who performed at “Ozzfest,” the “Vans Warped Tour” and Linkin Park’s “Projekt Revolution” tour. They have performed 600 shows since 2002.

Street Drum Corps, Straylight Run, Army of Me, and Lights Resolve will also be performing.

The tour’s mission is to promote the necessity of higher education.

“The fans that these bands will draw in, will come onto the campus and the kids will say ‘Oh look what a beautiful campus, I want to go here,’” said Tim Gardea, event organizer.

General admission is $26 and $10 for CSUB students with identification. CSUB student tickets are limited and may be purchased at the Student Union. General tickets are available at timgardeapresents.com, Wavelengths SBI, Impact Street Wear, both Mainland store locations, Outer Limits, Stockdale Music, Going Underground, Rockit Records at the East Hills Mall and How Cool.com.

The tour is sponsored by Samsung mobile and Rockstar Energy Drink.

For more information contact Gardea at (661) 301-1146 or [ mailto:timgardea@sbcglobal.net ]timgardea@sbcglobal.net or the CSUB Student Union at (661) 654-2496.