Exciting arena events, a concert series, carnival rides, livestock, exhibits and more!

Mark your calendar for this year’s Contra Costa County Fair happening May 28th through May 31st, at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch.

Welcome to FAIRadise, is the theme for a fun planned four day event for Fair- goers of all ages. The Contra Costa County Fair is the perfect place to enjoy live entertainment, exciting arena events, delicious food, carnival rides, animals, and hundreds of exhibits – all in a community-friendly environment and at affordable prices!

For main stage entertainment, the Fair’s 2015 concert series features Summer Beach Party and Chris Gardner Band on Thursday, May 28th, Superlicious performing on Friday, May 29th, Journey Unauthorized performing Friday, May 29th & Saturday, May 30th, Metalachi and Cover Me Badd also on Saturday, May 30th, and Hispanic Musical Celebration on Sunday, May 31st.

All concerts are FREE with admission to the Fair.

While visiting the Fair, enjoy other highlights such Circus Imagination, Splash Dogs, Great American Duck Races, Wood Carvers, Undead Betty Roller Derby, Stock Car Races, Livestock and more!!!

Visit www.contracostafair.com for more information. The fairgrounds are located at 1201 West 10th Street in Antioch.

Beginning Thursday, April 16 the international, first hip hop musical to be performed on the West Coast entitled “My Block” will be presented at the Los Medanos College Little Theater.

Lenard “The Kyd” Jackson

Starring actor/comedian/musician and Antioch resident Lenard “The Kyd” Jackson, this exciting love story is set amidst an all-too-real life of bad choices made between two friends and the consequences that result. Written by Federico C. Bartolo, III and directed by Nick Garcia, the play includes riveting performances, dancing and original music.

The musical runs everyday except Sunday through April 27. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and doors open at 7 p.m. There is one matinee on Wednesday April 22, at 10 a.m.

Tickets are available at the theater: $10 General Admission, $7 with LMC student or military ID, or $5 with high school or middle school ID.

Los Medanos College is located at 2700 E Leland Road in Pittsburg.

Pictured is Lenard The KYD Jackson and Federico C. Bartolo III

By Allen Payton

“Amen” the new single by Antioch singer Toree McGee, was released on Tuesday, March 31 on iTunes, Google play, Amazon, and Spotify.

KRTY San Jose, 95.3 FM, has been playing it for the past several weeks or so and appeared at #1 on their “Hot 9 at 9” chart, four nights in a row.

The song is receiving positive reviews from listeners on iTunes.

“Amazing! This song is so much fun! Makes me want to dance and sing along! It has a great beat and the vocals are AMAZING! Can’t wait for the whole album to come out!” wrote one commenter.

“Great song and a wonderful voice,” stated another.

The 2004 Deer Valley High grad was trained for 10 years by local voice teacher, Nuhad Levasseur.

“I always knew Toree had the potential to be a huge country star, one day,” Levasseur said. “I’m so very proud of her and excited that her journey has started.”

Toree recently spent some time in Nashville, which helped advance her musical career.

“I’m waiting to hear back from Sony on the date for the full EP release date,” Toree stated.

To hear more of her country rock songs, visit her page on Reverb Nation at www.reverbnation.com/toreemcgee. To learn more about Toree, visit www.toreemcgee.com.

6:00pm to 9:00pm: Music, Food, Fun and Libations

Featuring the music of David McClellan

An award winning actor/singer, David has performed on stages throughout the Bay Area, toured as a singer with professional shows throughout the USA, Canada and toured Japan as “El Gallo” in “The Fantasticks”.  David recently appeared in Brentwood’s “Broadway Under The Stars” production of “Guys & Dolls” as Arvide, and “Hot ‘n’ Cole, a Cole Porter Celebration!”

For more information visit www.LoneTreeGolfCourse.com.

The Instrumental Hits from TV’s MAD MEN Era with The Mads Tolling Quartet and Guest Vocalist Nicholas Crossen

Internationally renowned violinist Mads Tolling makes his El Campanil Theatre debut on Sunday, April 12 at 3pm with his program entitled Mads Men: A Celebration of Instrumental Hits from the 1960’s Mad Men Era. The program includes popular TV & Movie Themes and Top 10 hit recordings ranging from “Mission Impossible”, “The Pink Panther”, and “Meet The Flintstones” to “Georgia On My Mind” and “Classical Gas.”

Antioch’s Nicholas Crossen (“American Idol” contestant, Season 12) is the Guest Vocalist to perform classics including the Theme from “A Summer Place”, “A Time For Us” (from Romeo & Juliet), “It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing), and “What A Wonderful World.”

Having recently and triumphantly debuted his Violin Concerto composition with The Oakland East Bay Symphony, Mads is originally from Copenhagen, Denmark.  He won two Grammy Awards for Best Classical Crossover albums, was nominated for a third Grammy this year, and is a featured Yamaha Artist.

He has appeared at many of the world’s most prestigious Jazz Festivals and performance venues, and continues to tour nationally and internationally with over 1,000 concert appearances to his credit from around the globe.  He is a former member of both Turtle Island Quartet and Stanley Clarke’s band.

Joining Mads in his Mads Tolling Quartet are world-class musicians Colin Hogan at piano, Sam Bevan on bass, and Eric Garland on drums.

Mads Tolling

Two-Time Grammy Award Winner MADS TOLLING

MADS MEN: A Celebration of Instrumental Hits from the 60’s Mad Men Era

with local Guest Vocalist Nicholas Crossen

SUNDAY, APRIL 12 at 3pm

El Campanil Theatre

602 W. Second Street, Antioch CA 94509

Box Office: (925) 757-9500

Tickets: Adults $25, Seniors $20, Students $10

(Youth under 18: Free when accompanied by an Adult or Senior)

www.elcampaniltheatre.com/mads-tolling.html