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Eye St re reet THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2014 | Editor: Jennifer Self • Phone: 395-7434 • Email: [email protected] 20 AT A GLANCE Whiskey Flat Fall Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Seventh annual Bakersfield Comic-Con . . . . . . . . 23 Arts Alive! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Visual arts at CSUB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 New life for museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Arts-and-eats calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Moo Creamery’s fanciful flavors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-33 The party’s on at the Padre BY KATY HANSON For The Californian G rowing up in Bakersfield, I looked forward to Safe Hal- loween at the Kern County Museum with a passion usually reserved for cultivating sticker books and collecting My Little Ponies. But, being on the timid side, dressing up for me usually meant a costume that was decidedly benign: a princess, an angel, or a clown — the cheerful kind, not the creepy Wasco kind. The spooky part of Halloween was, after all, something to be con- quered. I wouldn’t contribute to its power by going as Freddy Krueger. Given my eyes-closed-tight approach to the holiday, it’s hard to explain, even to myself, why I became fixated with the Safe Hal- loween haunted house. I remem- ber, with astonishing clarity, step- ping into that house, gripping tightly to my grandmother’s pant leg, opening one eye every few seconds to catch sight of some ghastly ghoul or monster. Tears always ensued. But year after year, I went back. And year after year, I stood a little taller after exiting the house, hav- ing conquered the Halloween gauntlet once again. But that’s the great thing about Safe Halloween: It’s spooky enough and mild enough to satis- fy most 3- through 12-year-olds, the target audience for the annual event, which adds new reasons for families to return each year. More trick-or-treat stations will be open than ever before (50 total), and the Carnival of Fun will offer bounce houses, inflatable slides and a mechanical bull. Tickets to the inflatable attrac- tion are 50 cents each, while the Even the thrills are mom-approved at event for kids Safe Halloween at the Kern County Museum When: 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 30 and 31 Where: 3801 Chester Ave. Admission: $8 for museum members, $10 for non- members Information: 437-3330 or www.kcmuseum.org BY STEFANI DIAS The Bakersfield Californian [email protected] I f the circus is the greatest show on earth, then the Circus of Souls aims to be at least the greatest show in Bakers- field on Halloween. In an effort to brand itself the ultimate party destination, the Padre Hotel will offer “a completely interactive experience” on the spookiest night of the year, said Matt Howell, the hotel’s new food and beverage direc- tor. “We’re trying to throw an event that will be unlike any typical Halloween event,” he said. “It’s going to be an extravaganza for sure.” From the moment patrons walk in and receive a program of events, they will be part of the show. Sideshow and burlesque performers will mingle with the crowd along with magi- cian William Draven and master of cere- monies Donatella Melies, who will lead the crowd to what’s next. “You could be sitting in the lobby and someone could be swallowing a sword next to you.” Following a “nightmarish vaudevillian” theme, the hotel will feature tarot card readings in Farmacy Cafe, a performance by Mento Buru and fire dancers at outdoor bar Prairie Fire, deejays spinning in Prospect Lounge and Brimstone, and full burlesque shows every half-hour. “We wanted to throw a Halloween party that was unique but also bring elements to a hotel event that you would see on a larg- er scale in a bigger city.” Guests can capture the moment in photo booths, try their hand at carnival games and nosh on cotton candy and other carnival finger foods. Howell said staff has tried to incorporate every exciting carnival idea, but “we only have so much space.” The event goes beyond the typical “drink specials and a costume contest,” Howell said, but since both are Halloween hallmarks, the Padre will offer its own take. “I would label (the drinks) carnival favorites. We’re working with a few rep- utable liquor companies to offer some- thing.” VIP bottle service is available in Prospect Lounge in packages ranging from $350 to $750 (each includes four admission tick- ets). Howell said he’s looking forward to “see- ing all the effort people put into their cos- tumes,” which will culminate in the dress- up contest. Winners in categories such as best male, female, couple and group will receive hotel-centric prizes for food and rooms. And don’t worry that all the event sur- prises have been spoiled. Howell said he’s guarding a few secrets. Circus of Souls When: 9 p.m. Oct. 31 to 1 a.m. Nov. 1 Where: The Padre Hotel, 1702 18th St. Admission: $30; $40 at the door. Tickets available at Farmacy Cafe Information: 427-4900 Hotel ups its game with spooky, quirky Halloween Please see SAFE / PAGE 30 Please see PADRE / PAGE 30 “You could be sitting in the lobby and someone could be swallowing a sword next to you.” — Matt Howell, food and beverage director at the Padre Hotel PHOTO COURTESY OF WILLIAM DRAVEN William Draven will mix his magic with a little sideshow on Halloween night for Cir- cus of Souls at the Padre Hotel. PHOTO COURTESY OF DONATELLA MELIES Burlesque performer Donatella Melies will serve as mistress of ceremonies for Circus of Souls at the Padre Hotel.
