The Empty Space is inviting you to its drive-in but there’s no movie on the schedule. Instead the Oak Street theater is setting up an outdoor stage for a variety performance that people can enjoy from the comfort of their vehicle.

With local public art in bloom these days, it's a welcome addition for The Hub of Bakersfield's latest Cash for the Arts program, which will provide artists the chance to use their skills to beautify our community.

As we're all still processing life in a pandemic, leave it to the artists to create something beautiful as a result. The Bakersfield Art Association is featuring two artists who offer creative respites from the current day to day.

The pandemic may still keep local museums closed but it won’t stop art lovers. For its winter exhibitions, the Bakersfield Museum of Art will open them with its first-ever online premiere.

In a world with a lot of uncertainty and stress, it's a respite to find something a bit whimsical. Such is the case with Bubble Pop Gallery's current Le Fae Virtual Art Show, which runs through the month.

Coming off a year of Zoom meetings and constant digital updates, people may not want to turn to a screen to experience art. Yet it’s that inundation of information in a year packed with a pandemic, politics and protest that makes "Safetyfirst&Fantasies_BLOCKCHAIN" such a timely piece. Th…

With so much uncertainty in the world, who couldn't use a good laugh these days? The Gaslight Melodrama has that and more with its latest show, "The Good, The Bad & The Funny," which opens Friday.

Local community theaters now seem well-acquainted with the benefits and challenges of Zoom as a presenting platform. The Empty Space decided to make the best use of its talent for its latest production, "The Zoom Where It Happens," which will be performed this weekend.

Come this summer, the Outlets at Tejon won’t just be the place to go for fresh kicks and housewares. Bird Dog Arts, a new art experience, will challenge preconceived notions of a gallery space. 

Community theater has looked very different over the last year. With virtually all shows since March moving online, it's been a challenge for local creatives.

Don't fall into the post-holiday doldrums this January. Start your year off with some art that you can explore from the comfort of your own home.

The Panorama Invitational, which Bakersfield College has hosted for more than 15 years to highlight the work of young adults, was not another victim of the pandemic. This time around, it's an online exhibition with student works on display now through Jan. 29.

With some last-minute decisions left about stimulus checks, the second COVID-19 package is nearly ready to go, which includes among its many provisions the Save Our Stages bill, set to provide funding to a variety of cultural venues including museums.

With some time at home this Christmas weekend, consider tuning in for a performance of budding thespians courtesy of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County.

Most of us are well-acquainted with the traditional tales of St. Nick, but The Empty Space has a fresh take on the jolly old elf with the upcoming "The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus."

There are some definite challenges to presenting a theatrical show these days but Bakersfield Community Theatre has found at least one advantage, which it is putting to use for its latest, "It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play."

With an emphasis on buying local this year, shoppers have a great opportunity to find local treasures at The Empty Space's Holiday Boutique, which continues this weekend. 

This holiday season looks a bit different but there are still some things we can count on. For local theater, that includes a holiday review from Stars Theatre Restaurant.

Although the BeeKay Theatre is not open for in-person plays, Tehachapi Community Theatre is ready and able to come to you virtually with its "The Not Late Night Telethon" on Friday.

Our sense of time may continue to be skewed but you can count on the Bakersfield Art Association having new art for the community to enjoy, whether in person or on social media.

Visions of sugar plums may dance in our heads, but it will be tea sandwiches and sweet treats in the takeout tea sets for the Bakersfield City Ballet's Nutcracker Tea on Dec. 12.

Are you up for a little adventure? Get into your car and experience live theater courtesy of The Empty Space’s “Wanderbühne.”

At the Gaslight Melodrama, the name of the show says it all: “Christmas Isn’t Cancelled.” Although its Holiday Extravaganza, like every event this year, will be a bit different: It will be the first local theatrical show taking place inside a theater since the shutdown.

In a year where nothing seems to have gone as expected, a play with complete flexibility sounds like just the right form of entertainment. Bakersfield College is presenting "Love and Information," a "theatrical kaleidoscope" on Zoom this week.

Thanksgiving is a week away but plans are already in the works for many of us. Bakersfield Community Theatre is tapping into thoughts of turkey, family time and Black Friday for a pair of one-act plays on Friday.

It seems 2020 will remain a trying time for live theater, especially for our own community playhouses. 

This year has given many of us time to reflect on our lives, so it may be a natural progression to watch someone do the same. In the case of this new Stars production, it's a work of staggering genius with "Einstein: A Stage Portrait."

Take a break from your screens and head out to enjoy some art for free this weekend. The Bakersfield Art Association has two new shows, and the Bakersfield Museum of Art is open late.

For many, 2020 feels like an endless year but we're really talking about living forever when it comes to "Dracula." For this Halloween weekend, Bakersfield Community Theatre is putting on a live radio play about the immortal creature and the havoc he wreaks on London.

Those naysayers who say that COVID-19 has ruined this holiday should steer clear of Ariel Dyer. The community events coordinator for Bitwise Pulse is ready to scare some sense into them with Dark Dial Haunted Radio Hour, coming Friday.

In 1938, Orson Welles terrified listeners with his radio drama "War of the Worlds," based on H.G. Wells' novel. Although modern audiences are a bit more jaded, Cal State Bakersfield's Theatre Department will do its best to thrill them with this weekend's "Tales from the Vault of Fear."

Art lovers, rejoice! The Bakersfield Museum of Art announced it will reopen to the public on Tuesday.

It’s a brave new world for the Kern Shakespeare Festival at Bakersfield College. The annual event continues with a unique spin on two of the Bard’s classics as well as a third contemporary production, all of which will be presented virtually starting Thursday.

This has been a trying year for event organizers with many activities forced to cancel due to safety guidelines. So that's all the more reason to celebrate the ones that can adapt to our current situation, like the Via Arte Italian Street Painting Exhibition, which returns to The Marketplace…

No fair? No worries since the Bakersfield Art Association found a way for its members to still display their work.

Where do a superhero and a villain go to resolve their differences? This time the showdown is in couples’ therapy in “My Hero, My Villain,” the new show from Bakersfield Community Theatre.

Think you know Shafter? If you're a local artist who has an idea for what makes the town tick, have we got a project for you.

While many events have been forced to cancel this year, it seems art will triumph — at least while safely outdoors. Bakersfield Museum of Art announced its Via Arté Italian Street Painting event will take place next month at The Marketplace. 

Stakes are high these days but at Bakersfield Community Theatre, Life and Death literally take the virtual stage in “The Game."

Admit it: We've all been watching a lot of television and movies these days. As we sort through lists of recommendations, we have a local one coming out Friday with Flix at Home. 

Art can be an outlet for healing for both the creator and the observer. With this in mind, Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services has teamed once again with local art group Creative Crossing for a community project.

Although there is no First Friday fanfare, the Bakersfield Art Association reopened its Art Center this week with limited capacity. Art lovers have an option to see the new shows at the center and at Dagny's Coffee Co. in person or online this month.

Tired of those boring Zoom meetings? Experience something more creative Thursday with a visiting artist lecture courtesy of Cal State Bakersfield.

As we all look for ways to connect remotely, painter Alexandro Zamora is using his art. A solo exhibition of his work is the latest show on display in The Empty Space's virtual gallery.

On any given day, Facebook can be a wealth of misinformation, rumors and hurt feelings. At least on Friday, everyone tuning into the latest show from Bakersfield Community Theatre will be in on the charade.

Part of the magic of live theater is connecting with the audience,  but when it's not safe to gather in person, what's the next best thing? 

After eight years in business, Nanette Bonilla was ready to grow. Her work was taking over her home and she needed more space. Luckily, she was able to find a location where many of Bakersfield’s creatives go: downtown.

In a time of uncertainty, Laura Mizrahi has found joy in a creative place: painting dogs.

Along with an audio play opening this week, The Empty Space also aims to brighten people's days virtually with an ongoing art exhibit. Victoria Olmos' "You Are Not Alone" is on display in the theater's virtual gallery.

“When We Were Young and Unafraid” could have been another victim of the pandemic. Set to open the week the state issued the shelter-in-place order, the show has been postponed since March. Now the production will go on as an audio play starting Friday.