Bakotopia

All > Rants & Raves > Random Rants
No Shade And No Hockey At The New Bakersfield Riverwalk Park Amphitheatre
Topics:
Posted by thenovelist Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
Viewed 557 times
0 responses 0 comments I tried to get some pictures of Soulajar at the Riverwalk Park Amphitheatre.

No dice from Mike Cornett who did inform me that some Canuck named Joel Jacob won a Bakersfield music competition at KLLY 95.3 FM. Not that I hate Canadians, but it's playoff time in the NHL, and I always get a little patriotic during this time.

Did Mento Buru play the competition? Why not? Anyway, there’s a new amphitheatre in town and I’m impressed by the look and feel: the steel girders and big bright signs, decorative ponds and fountain, the big Bright House amphitheatre with lots of metal seats coated with just enough whatever it is so you won’t burn your ass on the seats in the 110 degree Bakersfield summers; and the bathrooms and dressing rooms for rock stars, complete with a mirror to fit a chorus line; lots of light bulbs surround those.

A hill rises in front of the stage where people can sit in the grass or on the seats while a small moat surrounds the stage area. And not just that, there are play toys for kids… though I saw no volleyball courts, basketball courts, and what this city really needs: an outdoor roller hockey rink. I mean what’s the deal, Bakersfield city? The city supports ice hockey, but not roller hockey?

Almost perfect. Except there is no shade.

Seems the city was only bright enough to plant little sticks held up by posts, that unless you have a waist size of three inches, you’re just not going to get cooled in the shade…for about 15 years.

And people flocked to the decorative ponds and stream, to swim! There were no lifeguards and no ‘swim here’ signs, and no ‘no swimming’ signs… yet.

The ponds were clearly not for swimming as they are rung with sharp rocks. Did people care? No. This is Bakersfield. If there is water, people will swim. And the amphitheatre points into the sun. Why? Don’t put the sun in the audience’ eyes, and don’t put the sun in the musician’s eyes. Dumb planning. Thanks Bakersfield City.

The best part was Mento Buru. But once again… no shade. It was only 90 degrees or so. But the weather just changed from cool to warm and the sun was beating down as people weren’t yet acclimated to the warmer temperatures. (read full article)

Send to a Friend

Report a Violation