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Looking Back - Happy 1st Anniversary!
Topics: bakotopia magazine, one year anniversary, Bakersfield, 1 Year, 2007, 2008, print
Posted by matt Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:26:59 PDT
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0 responses 1 comment Location: 1522 18th St., Bakersfield, CA 93301

Looking Back
Reflecting on the past year of Bakotopia

By Matt Muñoz, Bakotopia Editor

Hello everyone, join me on a fantastic voyage through a year of Bakotopia magazine.

Some of you may have been around since our first issue while others may be picking us up for the first time, scratching your heads.

My how our look has changed! But what hasn’t changed over the year are the killer articles, pics, and news you’ll only find inside Bakotopia!

Putting together every new issue is an exciting process - you never know what’s going to happen. Since the first day we decided to launch the print version of our Web site - www.bakotopia.com - questions began filling my mind, keeping me up late nights … “Are people gonna dig this?” “What will people want to read about?” “How will I fill these pages?”

The mission was on…

With the help of my colleagues and a very busy Larry Lara Jr., who designed the first prototype of Bakotopia magazine, we stopped locals in their tracks, bought them coffee, and asked them about what they liked or disliked about the magazine idea?


"I hear ya babe, more ska is always key..."

The response was overwhelming and appreciated. We took notes and kept track of everyone’s suggestions. “Write about local theater,” “What about local personalities?” “I’d like to find out what’s happening in Bako on the weekends,” and “Local bands need more exposure!” were some of the responses.

As a Bakersfield native myself, one thing I’ve always been aware of is how good Bako is for test-marketing new ideas.

The idea of an alt-publication like Bakotopia is not a new one in Bakersfield, but surviving is another situation. This business is rough, and without a team effort, you’re bound to join the rest of the heap.


"What? You're outta Tecate? Why I oughta...!"

Bakotopia magazine would literally be NOWHERE without its contributors, advertisers and readers. Interesting news reported from the underground scene in Bakersfield is due to the great writers who have seen their works printed within our pages.

I’m thankful for the trust you’ve given us with your words and images, and I hope that Bakotopia magazine has lived up to the hype - for locals, by locals.

So now, let’s re-visit the first year of Bakotopia Magazine … cocktails ready?
Cheers!


Issue No. 1 “The Premiere Issue” - May 4, 2007
The cover concept was to reflect our audience by featuring some of our locals - Bako Rollergirl, thespian, tattoo artist, DJ, blogger, musician, hangin’ in the Wall St. Alley.


Issue No. 2 “Summer Festival Survival Guide” - May 18, 2007
We explained how to survive heat of Coachella, met CubicleDweller’s twilight zone, and the Padre was remembered.


Issue No. 3 “Royally Breaking The Rules” - June 1, 2007
Local actors Claire Moles (top) and Jen Raven (bottom) raised eyebrows and Inga Barks’ blood pressure as Bakotopia made waves in the name of comedy. We had arrived indeed.


Issue No. 4 “Thrashin’ for Jesus” - June 15, 2007
08SK8 owners Jenni and Matt Martz idea was to spread the word of Christ, if you were up for it. I was then “educated” on how skateboarders would like to be portrayed in the media, through a barrage of e-mails from a disgruntled non-Christian team member. Makin’ waves …


Issue No. 5 “Blitz Girlz, Girlz Girlz” - June 29, 2007
The smiley cheerleader on the cover had been fired prior to the magazine’s release, but she managed to bask in the attention she received - much to the dismay of Blitz team owners - and “HAIR” grooved the Empty Space.


Issue No. 6 “Pumpkin: B-Town’s Charmer” - July 13, 2007
Bakersfield’s Brooke Thompson, aka “Pumpkin” from VH-1’s “Flavor of Love,” was a good sport about making it to the cover shoot after 50 phone calls, and hated her Charm School uniform, but her mom was really nice. Lost Ocean landed a major record deal.


Issue No. 7 “Roommate Wanted” - July 27, 2007
Roommate horror stories were abound, Harry Potter mania and Dirty Spanglish cast spells, Jane Friday’s rrriot girl rock, “Sicko” made Tashkajones ill.


Issue No. 8 “Adema: Rock ‘n’ Roll for Life” - Aug. 10, 2007
Rockers’ Adema try again, Bakersfield Rollergirls hit the rink, 18th St. Gallery closes amidst controversy, and “History of Rock & Roll Goes to the Movies” tests patience at The Spotlight.


Issue No. 9 “KORN Issue” - Aug. 24, 2007
James “Munky” Shaffer gives Bakotopia a rare interview and talks about drinking beer at Greenlawn cemetery, Club Bam Bam’s is remembered, KORN saves life of Bakotopian, and issue ends up on eBay auction soon after its release.


Issue No. 10 “Bakersfield’s Big Time Brawler” - Sept. 7, 2007
MMA fighter and nice guy Brian Cobb gave us some comic book worthy poses, Bud Walston - owner of The Mint passes, and Drunk Punk gets electronically ill.


Issue No. 11 “Couture Clash” - Sept. 21, 2007
Bakotopia’s first fashion issue was a hit with local boutique owners, Bellydancing in Bako goes boom, The Dalloways dreampop delights listeners, and DJ Moustache selects.


Issue No. 12 “Welcome to Sandywood” - Oct. 5, 2007
My friend Sandy Serrano is one of my favorite people to catch up with. Not only is she a talented hairstylist to the stars, but absolutely gorgeous, and her tales of life in Hollywood after leaving Bako are always fun to hear. Readers also learned about the art of tattoos and their life renewing power.


Issue No. 13 “Lysa Luna: Her beautiful nightmares” - Oct. 19, 2007
Halloween is my favorite time of year, and Lysa Luna’s art embodies the spirit of the holiday. Ricky Bird gave us a cool ghost story, and HappyFeet’s costume memories cracked everyone up.


Issue No. 14 “College Buzz” - Nov. 2, 2007
BC and CSUB student bodies spoke up, complained, praised, and showed us why it’s tough being a student on a budget. “Blogging 101” by NL preached the power of the online journal, and “Sylvia” reminded us how to love.


Issue No. 15 “Rob Zombie’s Hellbilly Hayride” - Nov. 15, 2007
Mr. Zombie told us about his Buck Owens influence, the secret lives of musicians revealed by Cesareo, Rocky Nash talked Ozzy, and graffiti art hit The Dome.


Issue No. 16 “Misfit of Merch: HowCool.com founder Jim Stidham” - Nov. 28, 2007
Groovy guru Jim Stidham let Bakotopia peek into his mini-empire complete with a cast of characters put together to take his operation from the web to downtown, and Loosie Lovelace made her debut.


Issue No. 17 “Wu-Tang Clan: Reuniting Da Ruckus” - Dec. 13, 2007
Interviewing Raekwon “The Chef” of Wu-Tang was a blast, the Mixaholics spun all over Bako, The Natural Movement educated the scene, and Kottomouth Kings flexed freedoms.


Issue No. 18 “Best of 2007” - Dec. 27, 2007
The readers voted and we presented the Best of 2007 - Bakotopia style. Who would’ve thought the Best Place to Do The Nasty in Public was a downtown parking garage roof? Or the Best Place to Sneak in Booze was the movies? The secret’s out now!


Issue No. 19 “Who Are The Resoluters?” - Jan. 10, 2008
Seven individuals were chosen to be a part of an ongoing experiment. Could they stick to their new year’s resolution through 2008? Plus the first annual “Bitchies” for the hot and cold in local theater pulled no punches.


Issue No. 20 “Hectic Films’ Phantasmagoria Deluxe” - Jan. 24, 2008
Local guerilla filmmakers get crazy with latex and hot chicks with guns, local photogs talk about inspiration, and Voting Voices debuts for the big election.


Issue No. 21 “Say Anything: V-Day high and lows” - Feb. 7, 2008
An ode to one of our favorite ’80s films on the cover helped kickoff a collection of stories about being in love in Bako, the NAMM Show was crazy with the Hornback clan, and local actor Jim Padgett passed away.


Issue No. 22 “Kickin’ Edutainment at The Dome” - Feb. 21, 2008
Photographer Joseph Gomez gave us a story in photos, Bakotopia intern Chase Brockett entered the fold, Sick Puppies left Australia for U.S. fame, and Sikhs were seeked out in Bako.


Issue No. 23 “Twisted Sisterhood: Bakersfield Rollergirls” - March 6, 2008
Tough chicks on skates are always key, and we caught up with our favorite lady bruisers as they prepared for the new season, St. Paddy’s Day 2008 became complete with Mulligan’s Pennies, and Keyesville racers endure cycling pain.


Issue No. 24 “What is the Bakersfield Sound?” - March 20, 2008
On the 1st anniversary of Buck Owen’s passing, Bakotopia let music lovers vent about what this mysterious “sound,” the Buck Owens Studios close their doors, we met local pagans, and comedy was proven to not be pretty.


Issue No. 25 “Jimmy Eat World: Unapologetically Heartfelt” - April 3, 2008
Chase scored his first big celebrity interview with J.E.W., author Eric Jerome Dickey paid Russo’s a visit, and Bakobilly fashion dolled up Trout’s.


Issue No. 26 “Festival of Beers Special Edition?” - April 17, 2008
Our special double issue was a huge hit with readers, Matildakay bared almost all for erotic anthologies, McCain mania hit Bakersfield College, “The Bourgeois Gentleman” was anything but a bore at Empty Space, and chi chis went cha cha.


Issue No. 27 "One-Year Anniversary!" - May 1, 2008
Looking back a great first year of Bakotopia magazine...word!

What a great year! Hope to see you all at the Bakotopia Magazine One Year Anniversary party at Chuy’s, 2500 New Stine Road, at 5 p.m., on May 3, 2008! Let’s celebrate - you deserve it!


Also printed in Bakotopia Magazine, issue 27, 5-1-08

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Comment From: Chase

Snazzy!