Arts and culture of Bakersfield
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Bakersfield Bakersfield is a city in Kern County, California, United States. It is the county seat and largest city of Kern County. The city covers about near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley and the Central Valley region. Bakersfield's populat ...
provides a wide variety of arts and culture.


Film and television

Bakersfield and surrounding Kern County have long been used as a major "on-site" filming location. Starting with ''Opportunity and a Million Acres'', in 1913, hundreds of movies, and countless television shows and commercials, have been at least partly filmed in the county. The lure to the area is the diverse landscape. These include: agricultural land, flat valley, rolling hills, steep mountains, deserts, and rural communities. Some tourists visit the area to see where their favorite movies were made. Although Bakersfield (and the surrounding area) has long been a draw for movie filming, the city has often been portrayed humorously or negatively in motion pictures. Some think the trend started with
Johnny Carson John William Carson (October 23, 1925 – January 23, 2005) was an American television host, comedian, writer and producer. He is best known as the host of ''The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson'' (1962–1992). Carson received six Pr ...
while he hosted '' The Tonight Show''. Some examples include the failed TV series '' Bakersfield PD'' (1993), which aired on
Fox Foxes are small to medium-sized, omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae. They have a flattened skull, upright, triangular ears, a pointed, slightly upturned snout, and a long bushy tail (or ''brush''). Twelve sp ...
and ''Baskets'' (2016), a series about a rodeo clown and his relationships with his fellow Bakersfield natives. Bakersfield is also mentioned in ''The Running Man'' (1987 film) as massacre in Bakersfield with
Arnold Schwarzenegger Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger (born July 30, 1947) is an Austrian and American actor, film producer, businessman, retired professional bodybuilder and politician who served as the 38th governor of California between 2003 and 2011. ''Time'' ...
.


Music

Bakersfield has its share of notable "native-born" musicians, including Country Music Hall of Famer Merle Haggard, renowned jazz pianist David Benoit, Hall of Fame guitarist Bill Aken (one of the founding members of 'The Wrecking Crew' inducted into the Musician's Hall of Fame in 2008), country music artist Buck Owens, American Latin jazz musician Louie Cruz Beltran, and sacred music composer and performer Gloria Roe.


Country

In the 1950s and 1960s, local musicians such as Bill Woods, Tommy Collins, Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, and Wynn Stewart developed a streamlined country music style called the Bakersfield sound, which emphasized pedal steel guitar, the Fender Telecaster electric guitar and intense vocals. Bakersfield country was considered a spinoff of the honky-tonk style of country music that emerged from Texas, appropriate since many musicians there hailed from either Texas or surrounding states. The
Buck Owens Crystal Palace Buck Owens Crystal Palace (also known as the Crystal Palace and The Palace) is a music hall located in Bakersfield, California. It was constructed by Buck Owens, and was opened in 1996. Primarily it is a performance venue for country western musi ...
is a respected concert venue, regularly featuring new recording artists as well as established country music stars. Buddy Alan (Buck's eldest son) performs with The Buckaroos (Doyle Curtsinger, Jim Shaw, Terry Christoffersen and David Wulfekuehler) regularly. Country music artist Gary Allan bases his music on the Bakersfield sound.


Rock

In 1972, Bob Weir released the song "Mexicali Blues" on his first solo album, Ace. Not only does the sound of the song pay tribute to the Bakersfield sound, the name of the city is referenced in the lyrics. In 1978, The Rolling Stones released the song "Far Away Eyes" on the album Some Girls. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards collaborated extensively on writing the song and it was recorded in late 1977. The Rolling Stones, longtime country music fans, incorporated many aspects of "Bakersfield sound" country music into this song. Bakersfield is mentioned in the first line of the song. In the early 1990s, a group of friends from the lower and middle-class parts of Northeast and East Bakersfield formed the band
Korn Korn (stylized as KoЯn, or occasionally KoRn) is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The band is notable for pioneering the nu metal genre and bringing it into the mainstream. Originally formed in 1993 ...
. The members of the band attended Highland High School ( Jonathan Davis and Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu), East High School ( James "Munky" Shaffer and former lead guitarist Brian "Head" Welch) and South High School (
David Silveria David Randall Silveria (born September 21, 1972) is an American drummer, best known as the original drummer for nu metal band Korn from 1993 until leaving the band in 2006. He then became the drummer for Infinika, which was formed in 2012 and d ...
). The band has gone on to write nine full-length albums (with a 10th in production). They have also achieved multi-platinum success and won two
Grammys The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pres ...
.


Venues

Music is performed in a variety of locations throughout the city. The
Buck Owens Crystal Palace Buck Owens Crystal Palace (also known as the Crystal Palace and The Palace) is a music hall located in Bakersfield, California. It was constructed by Buck Owens, and was opened in 1996. Primarily it is a performance venue for country western musi ...
, which symbolizes Bakersfield's country western music heritage, is a venue for that type of music. Other major theater locations include
Rabobank Theater The Mechanics Bank Theater and Convention Center (formerly Bakersfield Civic Auditorium) is a performing arts theater and convention facility located in Bakersfield, California (specifically in the Civic Center, Downtown). It is adjacent to the ...
,
Rabobank Arena Mechanics Bank Arena is a multi-purpose arena in Bakersfield, California. Located downtown at the corner of Truxtun Avenue and N Street, it was built in 1998, and was originally known as Centennial Garden, a name submitted by local resident Brian ...
, and the
Fox Theater Fox Theatre or Fox Theater or Fox Theater Building may refer to: U.S. * Fox Tucson Theatre (Tucson, Arizona) *Fox Theater (Bakersfield, California) * Fox Theatre (Fullerton, California) * Fox Theater, Westwood Village (Los Angeles, California) * Fo ...
. There are also a variety of outdoor amphitheaters. They include: Brighthouse Amphitheater at
The Park at River Walk The Park at River Walk (also known as "River Walk Park") is a public park located in Bakersfield, California. The park is , and contains two lakes connected by a stream. It is also the location of the Spectrum Amphitheater (formally known as the ...
, Outdoor Theater at Bakersfield College and Amphitheater at Cal State Bakersfield. There are additional outdoor amphitheaters (although much smaller) at
Beale Park Beale Wildlife Park is situated by the River Thames, between the villages of Pangbourne and Lower Basildon in Berkshire, England. It has three main areas of attraction: collections of small exotic animals, farm animals and birds; landscaped garde ...
, Jastro Park, and Jefferson Park. In addition, several bars and restaurants also have space for musicians. The largest is the Nile Bar and Grill, which occupies the former Nile Theater in the Arts District,
downtown ''Downtown'' is a term primarily used in North America by English speakers to refer to a city's sometimes commercial, cultural and often the historical, political and geographic heart. It is often synonymous with its central business distric ...
. In addition to these venues, two others were proposed but were never built. For years, the Bakersfield Symphony has wanted a "home theater" to perform their music. Currently, they share the Rabobank Theater. It has been suggest that the complex be a performing arts center, with multiple theaters of varying sizes similar to the Lincoln Center in New York City or the Music Center in Los Angeles. However, the proposal has never evolved beyond the conceptual phase. Hart Park in
Northeast Bakersfield Northeast Bakersfield (commonly known as simply The Northeast) is the northeast region of Bakersfield, California. It is roughly bounded by Panorama Drive and the Kern River to the north, Alfred Harrell Highway/Comanche Drive to the east, Edison H ...
was the site for a proposed 20,000-seat amphitheater, referred to as the Kern County Bowl. The theater was proposed during the Great Depression, and would have used WPA funds for construction. However, the start of World War II in 1939 removed the funding source and the project was shelved.


Art


Visual art

The region surrounding Bakersfield has historically been used as subjects in artwork. The lure is the variety of terrain in a relatively small area. It includes: flat land, rolling hills, steep mountains, and deserts (the same draw for the motion picture industry). Within the city, there are also a variety of scenes. Most people, however, choice one of the recognizable local landmarks for subjects. They include:
Beale Memorial Clock Tower Beale Memorial Clock Tower is a clock tower located in Bakersfield, California. It was a gift to the city; built by Truxtun Beale in memory of his mother, Mary Edwards Beale. It was dedicated on April 4, 1904, and was built in the middle of the in ...
,
Bakersfield Sign The Bakersfield Sign (also known as the Bakersfield Neon Arch) is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Bakersfield, California. It is located over Sillect Avenue, where the street intersects with Buck Owens Boulevard, to the northwest of Dow ...
, Mill Creek covered bridge,
Buck Owens Crystal Palace Buck Owens Crystal Palace (also known as the Crystal Palace and The Palace) is a music hall located in Bakersfield, California. It was constructed by Buck Owens, and was opened in 1996. Primarily it is a performance venue for country western musi ...
, and the
Fox Theater Fox Theatre or Fox Theater or Fox Theater Building may refer to: U.S. * Fox Tucson Theatre (Tucson, Arizona) *Fox Theater (Bakersfield, California) * Fox Theatre (Fullerton, California) * Fox Theater, Westwood Village (Los Angeles, California) * Fo ...
. The Arts District in
downtown ''Downtown'' is a term primarily used in North America by English speakers to refer to a city's sometimes commercial, cultural and often the historical, political and geographic heart. It is often synonymous with its central business distric ...
has become the center of Bakersfield's arts scene. It is also downtown's largest district. Dozens of art galleries and art related stores are located in the district; most centered around the intersection of 19th St. and Eye St. The district is also filled with public sculptures and murals. Also, most of the traffic light utility boxes have been painted, each with a unique design. In addition, the Bakersfield Museum of Art is located in neighboring Mill Creek, which is the city's only art museum.


Performing arts

Bakersfield is one of the more active communities in the
San Joaquin Valley The San Joaquin Valley ( ; es, Valle de San Joaquín) is the area of the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California that lies south of the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta and is drained by the San Joaquin River. It comprises seven c ...
for the performing arts. Currently, there are six local theatre venues, each offering a different type of theater experience. The Bakersfield Music Theatre, also known as Stars Theatre, performs musical theatre productions at Harvey Auditorium. Stars Theatre is a dinner theatre which performs a variety of stage productions (although their theater does not have a scenery loft) in the Arts District, downtown. They also have a venue that do plays called Stars Playhouse. The Ovation Theatre performs small, intimate productions, also located in the Arts District, downtown. Typically, only a few actors are used and no sets, except for possibly a table, chair, etc. The Empty Space Theatre performs shows performed by local actors, producers, directors and stagehands. They used to do shows for free with people donating after the show is done, but they went to a more traditional payment structure. They still keep a minimum of ten seats available on donation to remember their past. Bakersfield Community Theatre is the longest continually running community theatre in California. It also has the only free summer youth theatre program in Bakersfield. Gaslight Melodrama performs melodramatic locally produced productions which typically require audience participation. Their theatre is located in Rosedale,
Northwest Bakersfield Northwest Bakersfield (commonly referred to simply as The Northwest) is the northwest region of Bakersfield, California. It is bounded by the Kern River/Stockdale Highway to the south and State Route 99 to the east. The other boundaries are the c ...
. In addition, Bakersfield hosts traveling productions. Most are performed at the
Rabobank Theater The Mechanics Bank Theater and Convention Center (formerly Bakersfield Civic Auditorium) is a performing arts theater and convention facility located in Bakersfield, California (specifically in the Civic Center, Downtown). It is adjacent to the ...
in the Civic Center, downtown, or the
Fox Theater Fox Theatre or Fox Theater or Fox Theater Building may refer to: U.S. * Fox Tucson Theatre (Tucson, Arizona) *Fox Theater (Bakersfield, California) * Fox Theatre (Fullerton, California) * Fox Theater, Westwood Village (Los Angeles, California) * Fo ...
in the Arts District, downtown. Sometimes (although rarely), traveling productions are also held at Harvey Auditorium.


Museums

There are currently four museums based in Bakersfield. The oldest and largest is the
Kern County Museum The Kern County Museum is a history museum located in Bakersfield, California. Its main focus is the history of Kern County. Pioneer Village, located on , contains over 50 original buildings from around the county, related to life in the late 19th ...
. Its purpose is the history of the county, and contains over 1,000,000 artifacts and 50 historic buildings moved there from around the county. The Bakersfield Museum of Art is an art museum located in Mill Creek, downtown. It hosts traveling shows, as well as a permanent collection of artwork. There is also an outdoor sculpture garden on the premise. The
Buena Vista Museum of Natural History The Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science is a natural history museum in Bakersfield, California. It is located downtown in the Arts district. The museum focuses on three areas: geology, anthropology, and paleontology. History The museu ...
is a natural history museum located in the Arts District, downtown. Primarily it focuses on local geology, paleontology, and archeology, although there are some artifacts from other parts of the world. The Bakersfield Country Music Museum focuses on the history of country western music in Bakersfield. The smallest museum of the four, it is currently housed in a portion of the Kern County Museum. In addition, there is a zoo and living museum called the
California Living Museum The California Living Museum (commonly referred to as CALM) is a zoo in Bakersfield, California. The primary focuses are plants and animals that are native to California, specifically Kern County. The California Living Museum is accredited by th ...
(CALM). It is located in the
Kern River County Park Kern River County Park is a large recreation facility located just north of Bakersfield, California, Bakersfield, California. The facility is , and includes a park, zoo, golf course, and other amenities.Northeast Bakersfield Northeast Bakersfield (commonly known as simply The Northeast) is the northeast region of Bakersfield, California. It is roughly bounded by Panorama Drive and the Kern River to the north, Alfred Harrell Highway/Comanche Drive to the east, Edison H ...
. Its primary focus are local plants and animals.


Architecture

Most of Bakersfield's historic architecture are centered in
Central Central is an adjective usually referring to being in the center of some place or (mathematical) object. Central may also refer to: Directions and generalised locations * Central Africa, a region in the centre of Africa continent, also known as ...
and
East Bakersfield East Bakersfield is a region in Bakersfield, California directly east of downtown. The region was formerly known as the town of Sumner, which was later incorporated and renamed Kern City. It is primarily a mixture of residential and commercial d ...
, which are also the oldest sections of the city. In the commercial areas, popular styles include: Second Renaissance, Mission, Art Deco, and Spanish Revival. Historically, government buildings were constructed in the Beaux-arts style, but most were destroyed in the 1952 earthquake, or heavily remolded in the mid 20th Century. More recently, modern architecture has become more popular, with an emphasis on water features.


Cuisine

Bakersfield is home to the Dewars Chew. In addition, the city has a wide variety of restaurants of different types. The region's large Basque population has resulted in one of the few areas of California to have Basque restaurants.Restaurants
Bakersfield Convention & Visitors Bureau. Accessed: April 18, 2011. Other ethnic populations have resulted in a large collection of Mexican, and Asian restaurants (including Chinese, Japanese, and Korean).


References

{{City of Bakersfield