When the Padre was the Padre
| Wednesday, Feb 03 2010 04:17 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Feb 03 2010 04:18 PM
Art openings
Surface Gallery, 1703 20th St.
"The Padre Hotel" photo display by Felix Adamo
5-9 p.m.
Metro Galleries, 1604 19th St.
"California Contemporary" (a preview of the show, page 21)
Mary-Austin Klein, John Brosio, Tina Bluefield, Art Sherwyn, Lily Stockman, Keith Wicks
5-9 p.m. Live Music with Kama Ruby; hors d'ouerves
Julianna's Art Studio & Gallery, 501 18th St.
Mike Barker, Patti Doolittle, Bill Ryan, Daniel Ryan (read more about the artists in Saturday's Eye Street)
6-9 p.m.; wine and hors d'ouerves
Bossanova Studios, 814 18th St., Suite B
Johnny Ramos
6-9 p.m. Wine and hors d'ouerves
Dagny's Coffee Company, 1600 18th St.
"Wired to the Wall" -- paintings by Cindy Stiles
6-8 p.m.
Boutiques
Ellie Jaye's, 1608 19th St.
Valentine's Day photos and sweet treats
Kuka's Folk Art, 1609 19th St.
Free tin heart with every purchase
Biscuit Doggy Boutique & Day Spa, 1617 19th St.
"Yappy" hour; wine and hors d'ouerves
Theater
Stars Dinner Theatre, 1931 Chester Ave.
"Sound Of Music." Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. $50-$54; show only tickets $25. 325-6100.
Spotlight Theatre, 1622 19th St.
"Romeo & Juliet" 8 p.m. $20, $17 in advance; students and seniors, $18, $15 in advance. 634-0692 (Camille Gavin's review, page 26)
Comedy
Fox Theater, 2001 H St.
Martin Lawrence, doors open at 7 p.m. show at 8 p.m. $49.50-$59.50 plus fee. vallitix.com or 322-5200.
Music
Nile Theater, 1721 19th
Darren Gholston, with special guest Malcolm Jamal Warner, doors open at 7 p.m. show at 8 p.m. $20 plus fee; 21 and over only. vallitix.com or 322-5200.
BUSY FRIDAY DOWNTOWN
Photographer Felix Adamo's penchant for all things vintage Bakersfield has translated into another fine art photography exhibit filled with images that tell a story of a time, a place and a town.
For "The Padre Hotel," Adamo's focus is on the downtown Bakersfield landmark, from some of its controversial moments and quirky amenities to its quiet beauty and highly anticipated reincarnation.
A total of 20 images capture various aspects of the Padre that are now part of history. Before the interior demolition and first remodel began in 2002, Adamo was able capture the famous neon in all its glowing glory, from the Alamo/Tombstone illuminating the skyline, to the wonderful script signage of the The Downtowner Coffee Shop, and the Town Casino bar, a classic watering hole.
The Padre Hotel is entering a new era with its swank suites, hip coffee house and fine-dining establishments. Yet, for many people, there is still that sense of nostalgia surrounding the Padre -- a longing for the fame, and the infamy, that seemed to follow the Padre and its longtime owner, Milton "Spartacus" Miller.
Primarily known for his black-and-white photographs, Adamo -- an award-winning photojournalist at The Californian -- decided that, for this exhibit, a number of his Padre shots were meant to be seen in color. Included in the exhibit will be four gelatin silver prints, made when Adamo used the traditional wet darkroom to print his photographs.
On display as well are three of the original Padre protest signs -- "HOTEL," "FRAUDULENTLY" and "CONDEMNED" -- that once adorned the hotel's fire escape stairs in typical Spartacus defiance. Adamo purchased the signs, saving them from sure demolition. They were part of a large sale held just before the Padre closed its doors in the late 1990s that also included other Padre memorabilia.
-- Surface Gallery media release
