Matt Munoz: Concert etiquette at Cheech & Chong; all ale breaks loose
| Tuesday, Apr 27 2010 06:28 PM
Last Updated Tuesday, Apr 27 2010 06:28 PM
Last Friday's sold-out Cheech & Chong concert at the Fox featured a who's who of scene makers -- including local musician/tattoo artist Marc DeLeon, Thee Majestics' Phillip Villanueva and Doug McAfee of Bakersfield NORML, among others.
From opening comedian "Shelby," who also happens to be the wife of Tommy Chong, the jokes were heavy on nostalgia and references to green, leafy substances. Yes, the two comedians are older and a little less energized than we're used to seeing in the movies. But this was a 2010 Cheech & Chong. If you're a true fan, just the sight of the two performing "Santa Claus and His Old Lady" verbatim was good enough to check off my personal bucket list.
Attention Fox concert-goers: Why must some of you walk like zombies with arms extended into the reserved orchestra pit with your camera phones with no regard for the rest of us? Especially you -- the tall, rather stout audience member who decided to station yourself at both center aisles to take photos all night. Security was nice to you, but you repeatedly caused a full derriere's eclipse, blocking the view of people who paid for the "good seats." As if that weren't enough, you caused other zombie photo snappers to parade behind you and do the same all night. Maybe they should install portable tripping devices on the side of seats to deter such behavior?
Saturday's 18th annual Festival of Beers once again turned out to be quite the fabulous fandango. Thousands filed through Stramler Park to socialize and snap photos with passers-by. The Bakotopia.com booth was hopping with local art courtesy of BECA and music by DJ Mikey, much to the delight of Bakersfield's wildest. I think I caught a few breakdancers cutting it up on the grass, but I could've been crazy from the heat. Check out all the photos from the event, including my 2010 Coachella round-up at: www.bakotopia.com/seen.
Kudos to the Padre for featuring live local music with new weekly events like Sangria Sundays, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. outside in the Prairie Fire lounge. Based on some feedback I've received from frequent visitors to the place, it sounds like fun. But some advice to the Padre's out-of-town owners: Continue getting to know your new city and the fickle entertainment interests of its inhabitants. Honeymoon periods can end quickly in this town.
Matt's picks
Kelulu at Sandrinis, 1918 Eye St., 9 p.m. Friday, $5.
Advertised as the band's "debut," local world-music jazzers Kelulu have actually been performing for months around town. The group's Gypsy King-ish style is heavy on passion, courtesy of vocalist/guitarist Noel Hernandez and pianist Jay Smith.
Damage, Inc. at B Ryder's, 7401 White Lane, 9 p.m. Saturday, $5.
Southern California's premier Metallica tribute band can literally imitate every hit from the speed-metal quartet's handbook note for note. They may not look like Hetfield and crew, but once they start shredding -- it's like 1988 all over again.
"RENT" at the Spotlight Theatre, 1622 19th St., 2 p.m. Sunday, $17-$20.
Scaling down one of Broadway's most beloved socially conscious musicals is one thing, but pulling it off is another. Primed from a solid few weeks of shows, you'd be wise to take a movie house detour and check out this classic take on Puccini's "La Bohème."
Sunday, downtown, local theater, life is good ...
