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BAMS is back!
By: Greg Goodsell, Bakotopia.com contributor
Description: THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 5! Attention film freaks — The Bakersfield Alternative Movie Society returns in 2008

Topics: BAMS, Bakersfield Alternative Movie Society, Bakotopia, Greg Goodsell, bct, Bakersfield Community Theater, theatre, Enrique Acosta, Action Folk Singer
Posted by Bakontributor Thu Dec 27, 2007 13:40:11 PST
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0 responses 2 comments
Location: 2400 S. Chester Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93304

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B.A.M.S. is back!
Attention film freaks — The Bakersfield Alternative Movie Society returns in 2008



By Greg Goodsell, Bakotopia.com contributor

If CGI makes you sigh, if your humor, like your clothing, runs to the dark, and your ideal movie heroine is big, busty and viciously karate chops male aggressors - you have reasons to be cheerful.

After a lengthy hiatus, The Bakersfield Alternative Movie Society (or BAMS, for short) is back in business.

Furthermore, BAMS has found a more conventional venue in which to screen offbeat film fare.

The original BAMS was the brainchild of Jenny Gia-Briggs. Movie fans would gather in borrowed chairs in her driveway, the films projected on a screen hung over the garage door.

BAMS had its final showings at the now closed Maestri Gallery on Chester Avenue in downtown Bakersfield.

“Action Folk Singer” Enrique Acosta has resurrected BAMS, and says that the upcoming screenings will be at Bakersfield Community Theater - 2400 S. Chester Ave. The films will be projected on a big screen in a theatrical environment.

One thing Acosta says that will remain unchanged from the BAMS of yore will be that all screenings will be free of charge.

“I expect those who attend the free shows to kick in donations and to buy lots of snacks from the concession stand,” Acosta says. “We still have to make the screenings ‘economically viable’ for the hosting venue.”

BAMS shows will be the first Saturday of every month at 11 p.m.

The late night showings, Acosta says, hopefully will recreate the atmosphere of the midnight screenings he enjoyed while living in Southern California.

BAMS has a tentative calendar for the 2008 season, but Acosta says that this is liable to change. BAMS hopes to attract filmmakers living in Los Angeles who don’t mind jumping over the Grapevine to introduce their movies while chatting up local fans.

BAMS’ first show, Saturday, Jan. 5, will be the durable Russ Meyer classic “Faster, Pussycat! Kill Kill!” Black leather-clad Tura Satana and her fellow go-go dancing henchwomen take to the desert in their sports cars for a weekend of murder, kidnapping and interpretive moves. This black-and-white “roughie” has attracted ever-more appreciative audiences over the years, and has been referenced in countless films forever afterward.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day on Saturday, Feb. 2, will be Hal Ashby’s offbeat tale of May-December romance, “Harold and Maude” (1968.) A wealthy, death-obsessed young man (Bud Cort) finds the meaning of life and love with a spry octogenarian (Ruth Gordon). A romantic comedy for those who detest romantic comedies, Harold and Maude contains potent shock value that never would be attempted in today’s “politically correct” climes.


BAMS goes into far edgier territory on Saturday, March 1, with the “Dresden Dolls Live at the Paradise.” This neo-cabaret group has attracted a worldwide following with their elaborate stage shows and offbeat Tin Pin Alley songs. This screening is expected to draw a lot of local fans, as well as make new followers of the uninitiated.

Further screenings throughout the year will be announced, and Acosta promises a lot of surprises.

Even those movie fans who claim to have seen everything will be pleasantly surprised when an unannounced film hits the screen in August.

This feature will be the responsibility of yours truly, and to quote a Clive Barker bad guy, this writer can only promise: “We have such sights to show you!”

Originally printed in Bakotopia Magazine, Issue 18, 12-27-07
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Comment From: Ninpire

Fri Jan 4, 2008 13:38:41 PST
Love it <3
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Comment From: MaryFafito

Mon Jan 7, 2008 16:55:34 PST
I had an great time, can not wait until next months showing. Please open up the bathroom during the show. We had to leave 1 hour into the show....to much pressure!
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