By Antioch Unified School District

On Saturday, Sep 28, 2024, the Antioch and Deer Valley high school bands attended the first competition of the season and marched away winners. Held in Turlock, the bands snapped up a few trophies at the Pitman Preview of Champions, the first event in the Northern California Band Association‘s fall lineup of band reviews.

AHS: 1st place parade band division 3A and 4th place overall street percussion.

DVHS: 1st place parade band division 1A, 2nd place overall street percussion, and senior James Kyle Imperio won 1st place overall mace Drum Major.

The bands are separated into divisions based on the number of students in the bands and they compete against similarly sized schools.

Delta Band Review The 35th Annual Delta Band Review on Saturday, Oct. 5th, Delta Band Review had a record number of participating schools with 26 entries competing.

In addition to the parade component, some also competed in concert and jazz competitions.

During this 35th event, Deer Valley cleaned up with first place parade band 1A, first place concert band division 2A, 2nd place overall drumline, and Drum Major Sweepstakes (James Kyle Imperio).

Antioch High kicked off the event but, as the host, was not eligible for awards.

Courtney Emery, AHS music director, thanked the many volunteers led by its band backers group and others.

Applause to all!

See more photos at www.facebook.com/ausd.k12.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

‘Art Under the Moonlight’ tours will allow guests to explore William Randolph Hearst’s famed art collection like never before

By California Department of Parks and Recreation, Divisions of Boating and Waterways, Historic Preservation and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation

SAN SIMEON, Calif.— California State Parks is excited to announce a new limited series of evening tours at the iconic Hearst Castle® this fall. The “Art Under the Moonlight” tours will offer guests a unique opportunity to explore William Randolph Hearst’s world-renowned art collection like never before – under the enchanting glow of the moon. These guided tours will be available on select Fridays and Saturdays from Oct. 4 through Nov. 16. Due to the limited availability, reservations are highly recommended.

WHAT: ‘Art Under the Moonlight’ tours
WHEN: Select Fridays and Saturdays from Oct. 4 – Nov. 16, 2024
WHERE: Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument (Hearst Castle®)
COST: $50 for guests over 12 years old, $25 for children ages 5-12, no cost for children under 5.
ACCESSIBILITY: The tour will involve navigating 160 stairs and will take moderate effort. An ADA-accessible version of the tour that involves no stairs and can accommodate up to four people per tour is also available.
HOW TO JOIN: Visit HearstCastle.org or ReserveCalifornia.com to make your reservation. The tour lasts 100 minutes.

The new tour offers a rare chance to view illuminated outdoor works of art while learning about their significance through time and enjoying their beauty as one of Hearst’s honored guests would have done in the 1930s. Inside the historic castle, guests will get an intimate look at the art collection that the influential media mogul amassed during his time there.

“This is an incredible opportunity to be under the moonlight on the same path that Mr. Hearst and his guests strolled while smelling the fragrant blooms and hearing the calming sound of the hilltop fountains,” said San Luis Obispo Coast District Superintendent Dan Falat. “The evenings are magical here, and this one-of-a-kind art collection is shown off in the best lighting.”

About Hearst Castle®

La Cuesta Encantada, “The Enchanted Hill” high above the ocean at San Simeon, was the creation of two extraordinary individuals, William Randolph Hearst and architect Julia Morgan. Their collaboration, which began in 1919 and continued for 28 years, transformed an informal hilltop campsite into the world-famous Hearst Castle® – an estate that comprises the magnificent 115-room main house plus three sumptuous guesthouses, pools, and 127 acres of terraced gardens, fountains, and paths. The main house, “Casa Grande” and the three guesthouses, “Casa del Monte,” “Casa del Sol,” and “Casa del Mar” are home to Hearst’s extraordinary art collection and have hosted many influential guests, including President Calvin Coolidge, Winston Churchill, George Bernard Shaw, Hedda Hopper, Joan Crawford, Charlie Chaplin, and a diverse array of luminaries from the sports, show business, and publishing industries.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation, popularly known as State Parks, and the programs supported by its Office of Historic Preservation and divisions of Boating and Waterways and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at parks.ca.gov.

Visit 13 art galleries in Contra Costa County and Benicia for a chance to win prizes

By Samantha McNally, Main Street Arts Gallery

The Second Annual East Bay Gallery Tour has added six Benicia Art Galleries to the Tour this year! We now have 13 Art Galleries for you to visit during the month of October. You have the whole month to visit them and get your Gallery Tour postcard stamped for a chance to win a prize worth $300!

There will be a couple of smaller prizes if you don’t get to visit all of them. The winners will be chosen at random, picked from the completed postcards. The winners will get a certificate to purchase any artwork at any of the galleries in the Tour! This event is free and open to anyone who’d like to participate.

Visit any of the galleries listed below at the end of September or in October to pick up your postcard with a map and addresses of all the Art Galleries. The galleries will start stamping postcards on October 1.

The participating galleries are:

aRt Cottage 2238 Mt. Diablo Street, Concord www.artcottage.info
Bedford Gallery 1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek www.bedfordgallery.org/home-bedfordnew
Benicia Art Glass 309 1st Street, Benicia www.beniciaartglass.com
Benicia Plein Air Gallery 307 First Street, Benicia www.beniciapleinair.com
Blackhawk Gallery, ADAS 3416 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville www.adas4art.org
Gallery 621​ 920 First Street, Suite 203, Benicia https://gallery621.com
HQ Gallery 333-D First Street, Benicia www.hqgallery.net
JOR Clayton Gallery 1026 Oak Street Suite 102, Clayton https://jorfineartgallery.com
The Little Art Shop 129 First Street, Benicia www.thelittleartshop.com
Main Street Arts Gallery 613 Main Street, Martinez www.mainstreetarts.net
Moraga Art Gallery 432 Center Street, Moraga www.moragaartgallery.com
NY2CA Gallery 617 1st St, Benicia https://ny2cagallery.com
Valley Art Gallery 1661 Botelho Drive, Suite 110, Walnut Creek https://valleyartgallery.org

For more information visit www.mainstreetarts.net/east-bay-gallery-tour-2024.html.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/Bethel.Island.Chamber.

UPDATE: As of Tuesday, Aug. 6th the concert at El Campanil Theatre has been cancelled by the promoter. For refunds visit www.twistedgypsyband.com or call the theater at (925) 757-9500.

Instead, you can see Twisted Gypsy perform in Folsom this Friday night, Aug. 9th at Crawdads on the Lake. For tickets visit Twisted Gypsy Fleetwood Mac Reimagined at Crawdads on the Lake Tickets, Fri, Aug 9, 2024 at 9:00 PM | Eventbrite

At Prewett Family Park hillside beginning Aug. 8th with Club 90

By City of Antioch Recreation Department

Are you ready to experience the ultimate summer vibes this August?

As the sun sets, the real magic begins. Picture yourself surrounded by friends and family, a cool summer breeze, and the rhythmic beats of live music. All for FREE!

Hot August Thursdays prepare to be serenaded by a diverse range of artists and bands, covering genres from rock, pop, and country to Motown, R&B, today’s hits and much, much more. Our carefully curated lineup promises to keep you grooving all evening long.

Although they’re entitled “Rhythms by the River”, the concert series will not be held at Waldie Plaza in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. Instead, the performances will be at Prewett Family Park on the hillside outside the Antioch Water Park.

In addition, elevate your concert experience with a delicious array of culinary delights, brought to you by Foodie Crew. Indulge your taste buds each Thursday with food options from all around the Bay Area. From savory to sweet, there’s something for every palate. Want to know the food options ahead of time? Visit www.foodiecrew.com/.

2024 Band Details

Club 90 – Thursday, August 8

www.club90band.com

Introducing Club 90, a dynamic 7-piece ensemble that delivers a high-powered musical experience. With three sensational vocalists- two beautiful ladies and one handsome male – alongside a four-piece ultra-talented rhythm section, our band brings unparalleled energy to every performance.

The 925 Band – Thursday, August 15

www.925band.com

“925” is best described as a Rock & Roll Party Dance Band. Our band can play in a wide variety of events including corporate, festivals, private parties & night clubs. Our goal is to put our clients at ease when planning the musical aspect of their party. We have something for a variety of generations, playing musical genres to capture everyone’s interest. Our repertoire includes songs from the 70’s and 80’s as well as current hits. 925 Band offers a visual as well as an audio experience. The band will dress to accommodate formal events. We are available for your entertainment needs to provide excellence in customer service.

Maya Latin Roots – Thursday, August 22

www.mayaband.com

“Maya Latin Roots is a well-known Latin Tribute Band based in Northern California, celebrated for their energetic performances of crossover hits in both Spanish and English. They pay homage to iconic artists like Santana, La Sonora Dinamita, Mark Anthony, and Celia Cruz. The band’s repertoire includes tributes to movie soundtracks “Selena” and “La Bamba.” with a dynamic mix of Old School hits medleys, Maya Latin Roots has become a crowd favorite, performing across California and Nevada.” Read more about Maya when you click here.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Live entertainment, dunk tank and fireworks will happen

Activities begin at 6:00 p.m.

Watch the Dunk Tank Fundraiser Livestream on Instagram @antiochrec_ca

By City of Antioch

After announcing earlier Tuesday, July 2, 2024, that the annual July 4th “parade and festivities are moving forward as planned” as of 6:05 p.m., the City of Antioch changed course and issued cancelled the parade and issued the following announcement:

The City of Antioch is cancelling the Independence Day Parade because of forecasted hot weather. The US National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area/Monterey California issued an excessive heat warning and heat advisory that will remain in effect until July 9th at 11:00 p.m.

The remainder of the event will start at 6:00 p.m. in historic Rivertown. Families can enjoy rides and games along with our dunk tank fundraiser in the Kids Zone, music by Universal Soul and Foreverland, and Food Truck Thursdays by the Foodie Crew, followed by our spectacular fireworks show over the Delta at 9:15 p.m.

Thank you to our community for your patience. Please stay cool and be safe this 4th of July!”

The National Weather Service for the San Francisco Bay Area/Monterey California issued the following Tuesday afternoon:

“An Excessive Heat Warning and a Heat Advisory is in effect now until 11 PM NEXT Tuesday. San Francisco will be under a Heat Advisory now until 7 PM Thursday. High temperatures in the upper 90s to near 110 are expected in the Excessive Heat Warning, while highs from the lower 80s to mid-90s are expected within the Heat Advisory. In addition, limited overnight cooling is expected for areas away from the immediate coast and in higher terrain. Never leave people or pets in vehicles! Limit outdoor activities during the afternoon and evening. Stay hydrated and take cooling breaks.”

As previously reported, two cooling centers plus, hydrating and misting stations in Rivertown will be provided during the celebration.

·Cooling Centers: City Hall and the Nick Rodriguez Community Center will be open as cooling centers during the event.

·Misting Stations: Stay refreshed with misting stations located throughout festivity locations.

·Hydration Stations: Free water stations will be available to keep you hydrated throughout the day.