Mamaluke, led by singer Ron Nodder, plays Bases Loaded Friday, May 27 and again tonight, Saturday, May 28

Led by the versatile singing of Ron Nodder, Mamaluke will once again perform their variety of cover songs at Bases Loaded, in downtown, historic Rivertown, tonight, Saturday, May 28 starting at 9:00 p.m.  For more information visit www.BasesLoadedRestaurant.com Enjoy dinner before the band starts and watch the A’s game, on the 35 TV screens, too!

Fair starts Thursday, June 2 and offers many ways to save

Since 1936, the Contra Costa County Fair has made it its mission to offer wholesome fun for the entire family at an affordable price. Seventy-five years later, that tradition is going strong.

“For 75 years, the fair has been an essential thread in the fabric of our community,” said Fair CEO Lori Marshall. “While the world has changed dramatically since 1936, the appeal of the county fair endures. It truly is a great American tradition and a wonderful way to kick off the summer.”

On Thursday, June 2, when the midway lights up and the cotton candy machines begin whipping up their downy confection, residents can see more than 100 exhibits showcasing the talents of Contra Costa County’s residents in categories such as homemade wines, fine art, horticulture, livestock and more. And all for just $8.

Folks can enjoy attractions such as “The Movie Stunt Adventure,” an interactive feature that puts you in the action and be entertained by the family-friendly cowboy comedy troupe “Fables of the West.”

Between carnival rides and exhibits, residents can enjoy the stellar musical lineup that includes country group Whiskey Dawn and rockers The Lost Boys on Thursday and Friday, and tribute bands paying homage to Taylor Swift, Guns N’ Roses and Def Leppard on Saturday.

The fair runs June 2-5 at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds, 1201 West 10th St., Antioch. Admission: Adults $8; Kids 6-12 $5; Seniors $5; 5 and under FREE. Fair hours: Thursday & Friday: Noon–11pm, Saturday & Sunday: 11am–11pm.

New Programs Offer Many Ways to Save

With the economy not quite out of the woods yet and residents still pinching pennies, the staff at the Contra Costa County Fair want people to know there are a multitude of ways to get free or discounted tickets to this year’s big event from June 2-5 at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch.

“One $8 ticket buys you a full day of quality, family-friendly entertainment,” said fair CEO Lori Marshall. “And with our new savings opportunities, there are so many ways to get in for practically nothing. Bringing the whole family to the fair is a great way to start the summer, especially when you can do it without spending an arm and a leg.”

A few of the deals include:
• Free admission for everyone from noon until 3pm on June 2
• All active military personnel with ID get free admission on June 2
• Any senior 62 or older receives free admission all day June 2
• Buy tickets early and save on both admission and ride wristbands
• Special discount tickets at all Walgreens stores, on sale May 12 -June 1
• Volunteer at one of the fair’s exhibits and get one free ticket, good any day
• Get a $3 discount on admission for riding the bus to the fair
• Buy tickets early and save on admission and ride wristbands

Fairgoers will also enjoy more than 100 exhibits on cooking, fine arts, jewelry, horticulture and more. And last but not least, great bands like country group Whiskey Dawn and rockers The Lost Boys will kick off this year’s event with shows on Thursday and Friday. Tribute bands paying homage to Taylor Swift, Guns N’ Roses and Def Leppard will rock the house all day Saturday.

“There’s so much going on you can’t possibly see it all,” Marshall said, “still we always encourage folks to try, even visit more than once!”

For more information about the entertainment schedule or other general inquiries, please call (925) 757-4400 or visit www.contracostafair.com.

The Arts & Cultural Foundation of Antioch, once again in partnership with the Antioch Historical Society, will host the 7th Celebration of Art 2011 Exhibit at the Antioch Historical Society Museum.

This is a non-juried exhibit with no required theme, with 50+ local artists participating in the event. The event begins on Saturday, June 25th, with an artist reception from 2-4 PM. The exhibit continues through July 16th. The event, artist reception and entry to the museum is free. The exhibit is open to the first 50 registered artists.

For more information on the event, visit http://art4antioch.org/CelebrationofArt2011.asp. If you are interested in participating, please e-mail Diane Gibson-Gray at Diane@Art4Antioch.org or call (925) 325-9897.

2011 East Contra Costa County Artist Open Studio Tour May 20th – 23rd

The Artists’ Open Studio Tour is an annual free self-guided art discovery tour under the auspices of The Discovery Art League. The 2001 Open Studio locations will be open on the weekend of May 20, 21 & 22. The Tour is a unique experience, an opportunity for the public to meet forty-two Artists in twenty-six locations in one weekend. Visitors get a chance to meet arists personally and enjoy their work in a studio or working environment. Children welcome.

Artists in the gallery are: Laura Allen, James Allison, Sue Arkwright, Ron Beatty, Nikki Bernacchi, Alyssa Casey, Bill Chelseth, Bonnie Cichosz, Jane Connelly, Sherry Cummings,Betty Espindola, Isaac Fikre-Sellassie, Jennifer Fink, Sheila Fisher, Jenny Floravita, Miguell Flores, Jack Gaughan, Rosalinda Grejsen, Michael Grejsen, Brenda Kauffmann, Barbie Koncher, Mary Lamb, Martin Lasack, Gary Lindsay, Big Al Lopez, Vera Lowdermilk, Louise Massante, Inna Montano, Ann Muench, Karen Nelson-Kelly, Josie O’Malley, Bill Paskewitz, Marilyn Pellouchoud, Lynn Peterson, Alan Peterson, Nancy Roberts, Raul Ugarte, Bill Weber, and Anthony Woodruff.

For more information visit artistsopenstudiotour.com.

Local artist Evaline Webb, a former art teacher for the Antioch recreation department, who was well-known for her artworks depicting Antioch and surrounding areas in the 1970s-90s, will be honored in memoriam with an exhibit at the Lynn House Gallery, June 4th – 25th. A reception will be held on June 4th, from 2-4 PM. Both the exhibit and the reception are free.

Evaline had a great love for art and was well known for her watercolors. She was active in her community; she co-founded the Delta Art Association in Antioch and was an honorary life member of the PTA. Many of her works of art can be found in Antioch homes and businesses. Her distinctive style and her ability to capture local scenery made her artwork popular. She also created the Antioch Historical Society logo, which is still used today.

Included in the exhibit will be artworks from former Delta Art Association members, Shirley Smith Diethelm, Nordyn Anderson, Kirby, Celia Huddleston, Kathleen Henderson, and Frances Rodriquez.

The Lynn House Gallery, 809 West First Street, is located in the Rivertown District (downtown Antioch) and is open Wednesdays and Saturdays, 1-4 PM. For more information visit http://art4antioch.org/Evaline_Webb_2011.asp, email Diane@Art4Antioch.org or call (925) 325-9897.

El Campanil Children’s Theatre and Vagabond Players Present “The King and I”
May 13, 14 7:30 pm
May 15 2:00 pm
May 21 7:30 pm
May 22 2:00 pm

The Vagabond Players and El Campanil Children’s Theatre again collaborate—this time with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical, THE KING & I, a long running Broadway success t hat is acted out by a cast of almost 50, most of which are children, with beautiful color, costumes, choreography, and music.

THE KING & I started as a diary by Anna Leonowen, an English schoolteacher of the 1860s who spent time in Siam looking after the numerous children of that country’s monarch King Mongkut. That diary was later turned into a best-selling novel ANNA AND THE KING OF SIAM by Margaret Landon which became the basis of the musical containing some of the most beautiful music ever written for the stage – “Getting to Know You”, “I Whistle a Happy Tune”, “Shall We Dance?” – and was awarded the Tony Award for Best Musical, and subsequently was made into a box office hit movie.

The King & I takes place in the 1860s in the Kingdom of Siam (known today as Thailand), where in an attempt to modernize the country and gain a better understanding of western culture, the King of Siam, hires a widowed English governess to teach his children. When Anna makes preparations to return to England, Anna finds she cannot leave a country, a people, and most of all, the pupils she has come to love.

Adults: $ 18 Seniors (62 and Over): $ 15
Child (17 and Under): $ 10

El Campanil Theatre
602 W Second Street
Antioch, Ca 94509

(925) 757-9500
http://www.elcampaniltheatre.com
————
If you’ve ever thought you’d like to support El Campanil Theatre as an usher, now is the time to make that happen.

Volunteers are an important aspect of the El Campanil Theatre. Special events, rentals and in-house productions are all a part of the volunteer experience. There are many opportunities to help the Theatre with a variety of events and times! All persons age 15 and older are welcome to participate in our volunteer program.

Volunteers are required to fill out the Volunteer Application and will be contacted to participate in one training session. Training sessions will be held throughout the year and attendance at one is required before participation can begin.

Kids,
Ever wanted to act on a real stage? The curtain is going up…on a summer filled with the excitement and magic of theater!

Students, from 7-17 will enjoy performing on the grand stage of the El Campanil Theatre.

Two week Performing Arts Camp begins with campers participating in theatre games and drama exercises in an encouraging environment. Morning instruction includes improvisations, skits and role-play.

Afternoons involve auditioning for a role in the play and beginning play rehearsal. The following days students learn how to create a character, develop the role, and rehearse the play to be performed at end of camp. Props and costumes make it all real.

Students will develop acting skills, and use their imaginations to create characters. Through drama, they will learn the importance of teamwork.Through creative drama, we will create a fun staged-production! We will work with a script, act, and end up with a play that friends and family are bound to enjoy!

It’s all under the guidance of our talented Artistic Director, Sharon Redman

Session 1: June 20—24 & June 27—July 1 9:30—3:30 Cost: $195.00
Session 2: July 11—15 & July 18—July 22 9:30—3:30 Cost: $195.00

FORMS AVAILABLE AT THE THEATRE
604 W. SECOND ST.
OR CALL (925) 757-9500
OR ONLINE:http://www.elcampaniltheatre.com/childrens_theatre.htm

By Terry Karp, owner, Bases Loaded Restaurant & Bar

The PhD’s playing latin, salsa, merengue – not entirely sure what that is? Thought it was the top of a lemon pie, but I’ve seen other Cinco de Mayo parties advertise it so I will too! Come see the PhD’s at Bases Loaded Thursday to find out! See flyer above for details. Music starts at 9 p.m. No cover! For more information on Bases Loaded, click here.