Hi Joe:

Looks like I will be back in Bakersfield again this October 2014.
Do you still go up there? Since my last posting have you heard of any folk venues or Meet-ups in Bakersfield for folk/acoustic music?
I also like Celtic and Scottish music, traditional and contemporary and listen to folk/rock as well. So if you know of anything new up there, please let me know.

I haven't tried Basque food yet, although I know the area has many Basque restaurants to choose from. The only hesitation I have is that most people (from reading about the Basque restaurants there) seem to draw families or large group of friends as they have long tables that everyone sits at. So would it be a little strange to visit a Basque restaurant if you are on your own? Some of the food looks interesting although I would not be interested in trying tongue. Not my cup of tea so to speak. I guess that is just one of their foods they are known for. But some of the other foods look interesting that they serve.