As the weather heats up, many dream of heading to the coast. A new exhibit opening at RAM may not put the sand between your toes but it evokes coastal style all the same.

If the adage "behind every great man is a great woman" holds to the highest levels of power then a president may rely on multiple women to succeed. That’s the idea behind the comedic play running this week at Bakersfield College.

It's April, and that means it's time for Prism, Bakersfield High School's annual celebration of music, dance, color and theatrics, delivered by its talented student musicians on the stage of the venerable Harvey Auditorium.

The chief curator from the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art will speak today at the Todd Madigan Gallery at Cal State Bakersfield.

The spotlight is shining bright at Independence High School as local students prepare to bring the iconic musical “Chicago” to life. Known for its sharp satire, dazzling choreography and unforgettable score, the production promises an exciting night of entertainment for the community.

A literary classic with evolving modern relevance isn’t always easy to come by but “Orlando” is no ordinary work. A play about Virginia Woolf’s gender-fluid time traveler takes the stage this week at Bakersfield College.

This month, Gaslight Melodrama is going dark with film noir. Inspired by films like “The Maltese Falcon” and “The Big Sleep” comes “The Lady from Lancaster,” a mystery and melodrama wrapped into one.

‘Oliver!’ When: 7:30 p.m. March 13, 14, 20, 21 27 and 28, 2 p.m. March 15 Where: Bakersfield Community Theatre, 2400 S. Chester Ave. Admission: $25 (plus fee), $20 for students, seniors and military; tickets at

Centennial High School is proud to bring "The Sound of Music," based on the true story of the von Trapp family in Austria, to the stage. While different from the famed Julie Andrews movie, the stage musical brings the same messages of hope, joy and the resilience of the human spirit during d…

‘Best of Wrinkles’ When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 27 and 28, 2 p.m. Feb. 22 and March 1; doors open one hour before showtime Where: Stars at The Fillbrandt, 1931 Chester Ave. Admission: $37.60 (includes fee); tickets at

If love means never having to say you’re sorry, does that apply to you hobbling your favorite author? Bakersfield Community Theatre gets to the heart of obsession and literature this weekend with its production of "Misery."

‘Groundhog Day’ When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23, 24, 30, 31, Feb. 6, 7, 13 and 14; 2 p.m. Jan. 25, Feb. 1, 8 and 15 Where: Ovation Theatre, 1622 19th St. Admission: $45, $35 for seniors (55 and older) and veterans, $25 for students;

The holidays will be merry and musical this weekend at Bakersfield Community Theatre, which will host "Jingle Bell Jukebox." The students of BCT's free Youth Theatre Workshop will celebrate with a medley of Christmas classics.