By Rick Sullivan

The soon to be award winning hip hop musical, My Block, will run February 9, 10, and 11 at the California Theatre in Pittsburg and feature Antioch’s own Lenard “The KYD” Jackson. This new, breakthrough musical, by Pittsburg native Federico Bartolo III, has been referred to by many as “The musical version of the Wire.”

You don’t want to miss this play, with an original sound track that will be one you’ll want to purchase and take home.

The story centers around Raphael, a young man living in an urban city where money is hard to come by and you have to fight for what you get. His best friends run drugs and the lead the gang that rules the streets of his block. While his friends entice him to join them in making easy money in the streets Raphie finds the love of his life. The only problem is the woman he is falling for is the little sister of his best friend. Will Raphie fight his circumstances to be with the woman he loves or be seduced by the fast life of easy money and crime? Join us for an incredible event filled with unforgettable music, explosive dancing, and breathtaking drama that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

The California Theatre is located at 351 Railroad Avenue in Pittsburg.

Performances will be Tuesday – Thursday, February 9-11 at 7 PM

Tickets are $15 General Admission, $12 with student or military ID, $10 with high school or middle school ID and can be purchased at www.pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com.

1/20/16  and 1/21/16  at 7 pm

Nick Rodriguez Theatre, 213  F  Street, Antioch

The timeless vampire play will be brought back to life this winter by The Drama Factory.

From Transylvania to London, a blood thirsty count stalks his victims under cover of night, only to return to his coffin before the sun rises. A strange illness has gripped a a doctors asylum, with no explanation of its origin….Will our band of heroes be able to stop this horrible ghoul, before a young woman dear to them falls prey to the vampire’s curse? Come and see. You may be the next.

Auditions are open to all, ages 13 and above. We encourage people of all experience levels to audition. As with all of The Drama Factory’s productions, there is no participation fee. For more information visit www.dramafactory.org.

Rangers House by Joel Summerhill.

The Arts & Cultural Foundation of Antioch (ACFA) exhibit at Antioch’s Umpqua Bank features five artists in the upcoming January – March Exhibit. The bank is a perfect venue for local artists to showcase their work, which changes every three months.

Featured artists are Gloria Cannon, Ken Tomlin, Beverly Prather-Martinez, Stanley Morgan, Joel Summerhill and  Beverly C. Turner.

Umpqua Bank is located at 3700 Lone Tree Way and is open Monday-Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM, excluding bank holidays.

ACFA is currently seeking artists for the ongoing exhibit. If you are interested in participating, please or for more information email Diane Gibson-Gray at Diane@Art4Antioch.org, call (925) 325-9897 or visit their website at  www.art4antioch.org.