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.

With movie theaters closed and the list of new shows running short on streaming platforms, many are looking for fresh entertainment. Over the last few weeks, a couple of local community theaters have aimed to fill the void with shows presented in a digital format. Bakersfield Community Theat…

While live entertainment venues remain closed, local community theaters continue to find ways to reach their audience. On the heels of recent streaming presentations from Bakersfield Community Theatre and The Empty Space, Stars is getting in on the fun with the launch of "Dear Elizabeth" on Friday.

Even as other forms of entertainment open up, we've still got some time until community theaters open their doors for shows. By no means does that mean these creative folks are wallowing; the team at Bakersfield Community Theatre is the first local venue to bring a performance to social medi…

Even as many Kern businesses reopen, theatrical venues remain closed, leaving children without a place to pursue their thespian dreams. Or does it? Proving the show must go on somehow, two youth programs are planning for virtual performances this summer.

ARTMIX, the Bakersfield Museum of Art’s spring fundraiser, was just weeks away when the shutdown hit California. Even as restrictions eased in Kern County, it seemed unlikely that a large gathering would be possible, so museum staff did what they do best: Get creative.

Although the Bakersfield Art Association keeps its downtown art center closed for now, it continues to support its members with a virtual celebration of First Friday. Artist Elleta Abuliel's work is being featured on the BAA's social media along with more art from painter Sissy Ullmann, who …

The curtain has yet to rise on the main stage, but Stars Theatre Restaurant is back with dinner service starting Friday.

Along with the bread baking and TikTok challenges, this pandemic has fueled some real creativity. With an eye on supporting local creatives at a difficult time, The Hub of Bakersfield chose 13 projects to help fund through its Cash for the Arts grant program.

To truly experience Peter Buchan's art, one needs to use more than just sight.

Urban sketching is more than just drawing a building or city skyline.

Downtown streets will be quiet this Friday but it doesn’t mean all of First Friday is on hold. The Bakersfield Art Association is hosting its two shows for May virtually on social media.

This week, the Bakersfield's Fox Theater became the theater heard round the country.

Gary Guinn's life has been surrounded by art.

As with so many other events, First Friday this month will be a much more solitary endeavor, but it doesn't need to be solemn. In lieu of a gallery opening, Bubble Pop Gallery will host an Online Pop Up Party via Instagram Live Friday afternoon.

Many artists are taking to social media in this time of social distancing to share their work and connect. So it makes sense that when it came time for Bakersfield College's annual Art Student Exhibition, that a little creative ingenuity was added to the mix.

Right now, people are balancing a lot of thoughts and emotions, which can be overwhelming. Luckily, some of us can channel those creatively. The Bakersfield Museum of Art put out the call to encourage residents of all ages and skills to pick up some chalk and create.

What do you do when you can’t bring an audience to your theater? You bring the show to them — or at least the cast for it. Starting this weekend, The Empty Space will host "Hindsight 2020," a series of virtual cast reunions for some of its most successful shows, streaming them for all to see…

Although this was set to be a busy weekend for local theater, an unexpected intermission has been called. 

It may seem like tough going these days. Anxiety is high and people are deep in their thoughts. What better time than now to take in a show that gets you considering your life? 

"Trolls Live!" will bring a hair-raising show to Mechanics Bank Theater on July 21 and 22.

A legendary performance is headed to Bakersfield later this month.

Beloved musical "Annie Get Your Gun" tells the story of real-life sharpshooter Annie Oakley and her experience with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. But what do you do when your star is a little bit gun-shy? Proving there's "no business like show business," the lead actress of Stars' new produ…