'Lightasmic' coming to CALM

calmlight032: 'Lightasmic' coming to CALMThree years ago it started out as a young man’s dream and has grown into an award-winning spectacular that brought the cameras of NBC News to Bakersfield. It is “Josh Barnett’s Lightasmic” — bigger and better than ever with two million lights in 32 displays, featuring animation and thematic music — and it is coming to the California Living Museum (CALM) from November 28-December 30. Admission prices are $3.50 for children ages 3-17, $4.50 for seniors above age 60 and $6.50 for adults. Parking is $1. Proceeds benefit the non-profit CALM Foundation providing funding for developing new and exciting animal exhibits at CALM.

Dozens of families were invited to a sneak peak preview after some of the displays had been constructed in late October. When the light switch brought the sets alive, the reactions were overwhelmingly appreciative.

Lori Tholl brought her two-and a-half year-old son Jared. “We’ve been here a half hour and this is so beautiful,” Tholl said. “I am excited because Bakersfield deserves something this special. And look at Jared. He’s still having fun. If you can keep a two-and a-half year-old’s attention for this long, you really have something amazing.”

Rochelle Hendrix and six year-old son Brandon seemed mesmerized by the large, multi-colored pirate ship with sails extended as though the wind was whisking it along the high sea.

“I think all of us should use our imagination, and just looking at the ship, I could imagine myself walking the plank, “ Brandon said. “I like it. It is so huge.”

“I can’t wait until the entire Lightasmic is ready to go November 28,” said Rochelle. “Will it be worth seeing? It certainly has brought out the imagination in my child.”

Barnett’s Lightasmic started in 2001 as a 185,000 light, 500 extension cord, holiday light show run by a home computer in his parent’s own yard. Thousands of cars crowded his neighborhood to see Lightasmic, and Barnett’s innovation and creativity were rewarded with a Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce Beautiful Bakersfield Award. Last year, Barnett moved Lightasmic to Stiers RV, where the light count increased to half a million, the extension cords to 1,500 and spectators no longer had to sit in their cars to view it. The phenomenon brought NBC News, which presented it as one of “America’s Greatest Christmas Decorations” to a national audience.

This year, at CALM, Lightasmic will dazzle audiences with displays featuring pink elephants spraying water, frogs in trees and on lily pads, the north wind blowing stars and much more. Barnett and CALM started planning Lightasmic in February. Dozens of volunteer workers spent hundreds of hours assembling Lightasmic so that it would be ready by November 28. Scores of sponsors provided funding and contributed time and material to make it possible.

“I view Lightasmic as art, and the lights are my paint brush,” Barnett said. “But I want everyone to enjoy it as a family experience that can brighten their holiday spirits and help CALM at the same time.”

The nightly performance schedule is 5:30-9 p.m., Wednesday-through-Sunday, until December 14. Lightasmic will then run nightly from December 17-23. The concluding nights for Lightasmic are December 26-30.

Tickets are on sale at the CALM Gift Shop, during regular operating hours, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday and go on sale at 5 p.m. on performance nights. They can also be purchased through Vallitix on the Internet at http://www.vallitix.com.

For more information, check the CALM Web site at http://www.calmzoo.org/lightasmic or call (661) 872-2256.
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