Kern Magazine

06/19/2026

Kern Magazine's Art Meets Storytelling debut was incredible.

Here are just a few of the beautiful moments captured by our photography sponsors, Crissy and Alie with Made You Look Studio - we're so grateful for sharing your talent and partnering with us!! More photos and a full story to come.

🧡 A huge thank you to our location sponsor Fairfax Grange 570 and to Fairfax Grange President John Harrer for serving as our interviewee and sharing the rich history of this beloved dance hall.

Thank you to all of the artists who came out to create live artwork throughout the evening and Bakersfield Art Association for your support.

Special thanks to Charlotte WhiteWhite and Kristen Freeborn for sharing your creativity and passion with our guests.

We're also incredibly grateful to our dance sponsors, Jesus and Symone with Bakersfield Country Dance Co, for bringing your beautiful spirit, talent, and love of dance to the event.

A heartfelt thank you to The Bakersfield Sound Guard Ernie Lewis, Rick"Reno" Stevens, Zack Arnold, and the legendary Norm Hamlet—for filling the hall with music and Kern County pride. Hearing Ernie's original song, "Kern County, California," was a highlight of the evening.

Thank you to the Miss Kern County Pageant queens for helping behind the scenes and supporting our debut event, and to Citizens Preserving History and Deann Smith with The Cherokee Community Of Central California for joining us. Wado!

Most of all, thank you to everyone who attended. Your support made this evening unforgettable. 🧡

With gratitude,
The Kern Magazine Team

06/16/2026

🎥 Our Kern County community deserves to be seen, celebrated, and preserved. Brandon Rose is doing exactly that.

Through his cinematic series What's the 661?, this Kern County native is capturing the soul of our community - the people, the businesses, the stories that don't always make the headlines but define who we are.

This one moved us and we are so grateful that Brandon allowed us the opportunity to travel alongside him on this beautiful journey of creating a living archival series that we all can be so very proud of.

Thank you Brandon Rose. We can't wait to follow you and witness what's ahead in your selfless journey of preserving Kern County through your gifts and passions.

Local Stories. Local Grit. We are Kern.

*Kern Magazine was created by Kern County locals for our locals. Thank you for supporting our mission to spotlight our local voices through the businesses and the people who are moving our county forward.
https://kernmagazine.com/article/brandon-rose-kern-county/

Join filmmaker Brandon Rose in Kern County as he creates a living archive that honors the community's rich narratives.

06/16/2026

Better late than never… 👊✨

Kern Magazine's May's Spotlight Honoree is finally here—and trust us, he was worth the wait. When your guy is an undefeated pro boxer, 4-time Team USA representative, signed with Golden Boy Promotions and personally fast-tracked by Oscar De La Hoya himself, schedules get a little complicated. 😅

But we finally caught up with the one and only Joel Iriarte of Warmup Athletic—and spoiler alert: there is so much more to this man than what happens inside the ring. Joel is as Kern County as it gets, and the way he gives back to the place that raised him? We can't wait for you to see his heart. 🖤

Stay tuned, the full interview is coming, and June's Spotlight Honoree is still under wraps (let's just say the fun doesn't stop here and we're taking the spotlight to Wasco 👀).

And pictured with Joel is the one and only Angie with Beecreationz because honestly, Kern Magazine's Spotlight Awards wouldn't be what they are today without our partner in crime. 🥂

06/14/2026

Girls' night done right at the 36th Annual Beautiful Bakersfield Awards gala alongside two beauties - our talented award partner Angie Lopez, owner of Beecreationz and the wonderful Amy Travis, President and CEO Kern Community Foundation Kern Community Foundation — you two make every Kern Magazine moment brighter.

So many incredible connections throughout the evening — loved running into our Kern Magazine Mother's Day Special feature interviewee Gabriela Rosales with KGET - TV 17 Bakersfield and what better place to reunite with our February Spotlight Awardee Rick Shaw of Skye's the Limit shining as bright as ever.

And to our girl Steph Thisius with North of the River Recreation and Park District — there's something extra special about seeing a fellow dance floor friend out in the world. Kern Magazine's publisher Kathleen Hokit and Steph are no strangers to the modern dance floor at Civic Dance Center - Bakersfield, CA, and it was so fun to celebrate together outside the studio! 💃

And of course, always a pleasure reconnecting with Kara Wheeless, Brand Advisor of The Marcom Group
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✨ Thank you Greater Bakersfield Chamber for the lovely evening!
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✨ Local Stories. Local Grit. We Are Kern.

06/08/2026

🛢️🎬 The story behind Kern County's oil industry is back on the big screen.

Back by popular demand, Kern Oil returns to Bakersfield every Wednesday throughout June at Studio Movie Grill.
Kern Oil Documentary by local director, filmmaker Rickey Bird Jr. of Hectic Films explores the people, history, and communities behind one of California's most important energy-producing regions.

More than a documentary about oil production, Kern Oil shines a light on the hardworking men and women whose lives are connected to the industry. Through personal stories, the film explores the resilience, challenges, and contributions of the people who have helped power California while navigating an ever-changing energy landscape.

Whether you have ties to the oilfields or simply want to learn more about a major part of our region's history, this documentary offers a unique local perspective.

🍿 Upcoming Bakersfield screenings:

🎟️June 10
🎟️ June 17
🎟️ June 24
🎥 Matinee: 1:30 p.m.
🎥 Evening: 7:10 p.m.

https://kernmagazine.com/article/kern-oil-documentary-returns-to-the-big-screen-at-bakersfields-studio-movie-grill/

06/08/2026

We had a blast today celebrating the debut of "100 PROOF" at Ethels Old Corral!

Local Stories. Local Grit. We are Kern.

06/05/2026

We are honored to sponsor these Highland High School artists for the month of June at Bakersfield Art Association! Come join us this evening to celebrate these young artists. See details below.

06/02/2026

Incredible debut of Kern Magazine’s Art Meets Storytelling event. Some of the images shared here are credited to local artist Charlotte White. Special thanks to our sponsors Fairfax Grange 570 Made You Look Studio Bakersfield Country Dance Co. and our special guest artists Charlotte White, Kristen Freeborn and all the other artists and attendees who joined, including Citizens Preserving History. Special thanks for Miss Kern County Pageant queens coming out and helping us with our snacks and refreshment table! Thank you to The Bakersfield Sound Guard, namely Ernie Lewis Norm Hamlet Zack Arnold and Rick Reno Stevens.

Thank you Deann Smith of The Cherokee Community Of Central California, Cherokee Nation for coming out and showing your support!

We are incredibly grateful to John Harrer who we interviewed during this debut, learning about him along with the beautiful history of the historic Fairfax Grange 570 - starting with learning what exactly a "grange" is!

Such a fun night! More to come.

06/01/2026

Did you forget to RSVP? Don't let that stop you. Come out and enjoy the free show - Art Meets Storytelling - Tonight at Fairfax Grange - Doors open at 6:15pm. Live Interview. Live Art. Live Dancing. Live Music!

We have an exciting announcement!

Kern Magazine's inaugural event, Art Meets Storytelling, is happening this Monday, June 1, and we're honored to welcome Bakersfield Sound legend Norm Hamlet alongside Bakersfield Sound Guard members Ernie Lewis, Rick "Reno" Stevens, and Zack Arnold.

A cornerstone of the Bakersfield Sound, Norm Hamlet is best known as Merle Haggard's bandleader and steel guitarist, a role he held for nearly five decades while helping shape one of America's most influential musical traditions.

Join us for an immersive evening inside the historic Fairfax Grange dance hall, where local artists will create live works of art, dancers will bring the dance floor to life, photographers will capture the moment, and musicians will fill the hall with the unmistakable sounds of Kern County.

During this special night, we'll have a sit-down interview with John Harrer, President of Fairfax Grange 570, to learn about his history, and the story behind the historic dance hall.

We can't wait to share this special night with you.

Art Meets Storytelling is an immersive evening that celebrates the people, places, history, and creativity that make Kern County unique.

Bring your easel and capture the experience or just sit back, enjoy the show, and get up and dance if you'd like to!

For Media Inquiries or RSVPs contact [email protected]

Interested in hosting a Kern Magazine's Art Meets Storytelling event? Contact us at [email protected]

This event is sponsored by Fairfax Grange 570, Made You Look Studio, and Bakersfield Country Dance Co.

Doors open at 6:15!

06/01/2026

Come join us this month at Pine Mountain Club's Wine in the Pines!

Wine in the Pines is more than a tasting event—it’s a mountain escape. Set among the towering pines of Pine Mountain Club, this 21+ experience invites guests to slow down and savor unlimited wine tastings, craft beer, mead and cider, culinary bites, live music, and unique entertainment in a relaxed alpine setting designed for genuine connection.

Just an hour from , attendees receive a commemorative tasting glass, free parking, and the opportunity to meet the makers behind the pours.

Come see us during the VIP early entry!

VIP tickets include early entry from noon to 1 p.m. for a more intimate experience.

General Admission and VIP tickets are on sale now, with limited day-of tickets potentially available at the gate. Please note: no pets allowed.

Check out the story and more details in the comments!