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CAMILLE GAVIN: The revel is in the details

The Bakersfield Californian | Wednesday, Aug 18 2010 05:52 PM

Last Updated Wednesday, Aug 18 2010 05:52 PM

It's interesting to see how skills learned in one profession can be transferred to another.

Take Bakersfield native Michael Shell, for example. He learned artistic skills during his school days. Later, he served as a Navy medic.

Now that he's doing collages, the precision skills he learned as a medic are aiding him in cutting out the images from magazines with an X-acto knife. Other tools he uses in his artwork are Sharpie Pens and Wite-Out, said gallery owner Nicole Browning.

Shell's intricate designs are carefully pieced together over a period of several months. His first solo show opens with a midday reception on Saturday at Micro Gallery.

After the opening, the artwork will be on display through Oct. 3 and can be seen by appointment only.

Two children's shows

Almost back-to-back productions of two different shows will be presented this weekend at The Empty Space. Each is performed by kids, for kids.

The first, "A Day in the Park," is a variety show set in Chicago's Lincoln Park, said Guinevere PH Dethlefson, director of the Tonicism Productions' summer workshop held at the theater on Oak Street. It features songs as well as skits written by the students themselves.

Starring in the show are Faith Hall, Griffin Hall, Isabel Mejias, Nick Lee, Ana Rios, Dorien Roberts, Skye Trevino, Elizabeth Vaughan and Jacquelynne Vaughan.

"Disney's Jungle Book Kids!" is the second show. Adapted from the film, it's a musical with a cast of 25 portraying familiar Disney characters. To mention just a few, Lucas Shearson portrays Mowgli; Andrea Ruiz, Baloo; Anusha Gogulapati, Bagheera; and Elina Malsbary as Shere Kahn.

Two more performances of each musical will be presented on Aug. 28 and 29.

Mystery with a comic twist

"The Killing Ghost," which opens Friday at The Empty Space, may seem familiar to some theatergoers.

Written originally by James Kopp and presented more than 10 years ago, he then revised it for a second performance in 2000. Now it's been revised a second time by Matt Christensen.

"I scrapped almost all of the third act and rewrote it to give it something new for those who remember either of the other two versions," Christensen said, adding, "James did give final approval on it."

One major change is the expanded role of the narrator who in this version is played by Kopp. The play takes place at the home of a billionaire named Thomas Pierce, a man who is determined to kill himself.

"Yes he literally is trying to hang himself; it's part of the plot," said Christensen. "It's also is part of a series of jokes at the beginning of the play."

Others in lead roles are Thor Reese; Norman Colwell, who portrays a female character; and Jennie Babcock. Directors are Christensen and Kristina Saldana. The play is intended for mature audiences.

Performances continue on weekends through Sept. 4.

Water works

Water affects the lives of everyone in our community.

So if art reflects life -- and I believe it does -- then it makes perfect sense that five local artists have chosen to express their feelings about this valuable resource in a way they know best. On canvas.

Their exhibit, "Ebb and Flow: Kern's Vanishing Water," introduces a new Arts Council project that opens this evening at J. P. Jennings.

The artwork is meant to reflect the beauty and the impact of the Kern River.

For some, the river and its water may be a political hot potato. But Christine McKee, one of the participating artists, says she's neutral.

"We've done a lot of research and we're trying to be nonpartisan," she said. "We're supposed to be informative, to (emphasize) that water is precious and we all must protect it."

Incidentally, "Aqueous Obsession," the first piece McKee painted for the exhibit, arose from her thoughts about the tranquility of water.

Creating Community is the name of the yearlong project. Nicole Saint-John, the coordinator, said its overall purpose is to bring awareness of pertinent topics to the community. Other subject matter will be chosen by the artists for subsequent exhibits.

"We don't want to divide, we want to create," said Saint-John. "We started this program to encourage artists to create community by cooperating with other nonprofit organizations."

Barbara Reid, who's also involved in the project, came up with the idea of doing the first exhibit as a fundraiser for the Kern River Parkway Foundation -- 25 percent of the amount each painting sells for benefits the organization.

Also participating are Stacy Holland, Becky Osterdock and Claire Putney.

The exhibit is sponsored by Chevron. It will be up through Oct. 3 and can be seen Tuesday through Friday at J.P. Jennings during the shop's regular business hours.