Contra Costa County Fair May 12-15 in Antioch
Contra Costa County Fair exhibit competition online entries close April 8
Fair workers also needed
ANTIOCH – Online entries for the 2022 Contra Costa County Fair exhibit competitions close Friday, April 8th. Imagine the thrill of winning a blue ribbon at the Fair for a special talent. Think you own the best pig, bake the most delicious apple pie, made a beautiful quilt, or have an uncanny knack for making crafts? Want to see who’s the best in all of Contra Costa County? Then be sure to enter the Contra Costa County Fair’s competitive exhibits!
Entry information available on the fair’s website www.contracostafair.com
Cows, Corndogs & Carnival Rides. Oh My!! May 12-15 is sure to be a fun event for children of all ages, with new exhibits & entertainment, the carnival, livestock and the always popular Fair food. Money saving pre-sale tickets will be available starting April 22 and ending May 9.
Are you interested in working at The Fair? We are looking for Parking Attendants, Ticket Takers, Ticket Sellers and Information Booth Attendants. Visit contracostafair.com for details on each job position and to print out an application. Interviews and hiring will be on April 30th from 9am to 2pm at The Fair Administration Office Board Room.
For additional information visit our website at www.contracostafair.com, or like us on Facebook.
The County Fair is held at the Contra Costa Event Park at 1201 West 10th Street in Antioch.
Local leader encourages watching Lifetime Channel premiere of powerful anti-sex trafficking film Saturday, March 26
LIFETIME CHANNEL PREMIERE
Film Title: The Lost Girls
Date: Saturday, March 26, 2022
Time: 8pm EST / 5pm PST (Check your local listing for times)
Movie trailer for “The Lost Girls” – https://play.mylifetime.com/movies/the-lost-girls/preview-the-lost-girls
HOLLYWOOD, CA, March 25, 2022 – Veteran movie Producer Julia Verdin announced today that the Lifetime Channel premiere of her film “The Lost Girls” will be on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 8pm EST. The film shows the harrowing story of 17-year-old Angie who was befriended by a good looking teen new to her area promising to help her music career and lured into a sex trafficked ring.
Verdin, owner of www.RoughDiamondProductions.net is known for successful films such as “The Merchant Of Venice”, “Stander”, and “2 Jacks”, studded with Academy Award Winning actors as well as producing a host of other great films, directed and wrote “The Lost Girls”.
After volunteering at a runaway children’s shelter and meeting many teenage survivors of trafficking, Verdin became emotionally connected to the cause of fighting for justice for them. This drove her passion to produce, direct and write the film in hopes of making a difference.
“Church groups do a lot to help survivors of trafficking,” stated Verdin. “When I was doing my research and talking to trafficking survivors, many of them told me that a big turning point in their recovery was reconnecting with their faith.”
Verdin, who is also the President and founder of www.ArtistsForChange.org, says that her hope is that if teenagers, parents and those working with youth can start to understand the signs of a teen being groomed by a trafficker, that teens could be saved from years of hell and trauma. To Verdin, education and awareness is everything. These traffickers prey on innocence and vulnerability. Verdin says they must be stopped.
For more information, please contact Julia Verdin at Julia.Verdin@Artists4Change.org or by phone at (323)848-2900.
About Julia Verdin
Long time filmmaker Julia Verdin is known as an accomplished producer, award-winning Director and screenwriter. Having been in the film business for over 30 years, Julia has established herself as one of Hollywood’s leading independent producers. She has over 36 critically acclaimed feature films under her belt with several currently in the pipeline. She is the founder and owner of Rough Diamond Productions since 1995 and president and founder of Artists For Change plus many other resume accolades. For more information you can visit: www.RoughDiamondProductions.net/julia-verdin or www.imdb.com/name/nm0893845.
Local Organization Works to End Trafficking in Contra Costa County
Pillars of Hope based in Contra Costa County, has been helping trafficking victims since the organization was founded on Sept. 17, 2010.
“We just helped, last night, paying for a room for a victim who was testifying against her trafficker,” said Debra Brown, Executive Director. “The DA reached out to us. We’ll continue to do that until we get our house. There are several we help out, each month, with victim assistance and street outreach.
About the movie she said, “it’s typical of what happens.” She encouraged everyone to watch to see what’s happening in our county and across the country.
“We help women everywhere. We get calls directly from victims, from the Contra Costa and Alameda DA’s offices,” Brown shared. “We had one victim get a tattoo of her trafficker’s name on her chest removed. We do whatever they need. Sometimes it’s a ticket home. Sometimes it’s dental work, or even transportation to and from doctor’s appointments.”
“We have a lot of resources on our website and online training, too for those who want to get involved help end what’s happening in our own community,” she stated. “It’s happening in every community across America and that’s what’s sad.”
“They need to go after the demand side and that’s how they’ll end it,” said Brown. “If you get caught buying a kid, your face and name should be on a billboard and in newspapers in your town. There should also be astronomical fines.”
“They’re already doing heavier prison terms for traffickers. But until they deal with the ‘Johns’ on the demand side, it’s not going to stop,” she added.
To learn more and to help in Contra Costa County visit www.pillarsofhope.us.
Delta Blues Festival Benefit Concert at Antioch’s historic El Campanil Theatre Saturday, March 5
Will feature Sue Foley and her new album Pinky’s Blues, nominated for three 43rd BLUES MUSIC AWARDS (2022): Album of the Year, Traditional Blues Album and Traditional Blues Female Artist; co-headlining with Chris Cain who also has four nominations from the BMA awards. His album, Raisin’ Cain was just listed as the second most played album on Living Blues Radio Charts for 2021.
Before you get the wrong idea, Sue Foley’s new album, Pinky’s Blues, was not titled such due to her strawberry hair. Nor because of that fabulous pink leather jacket or those amazing boots. Nope. It’s her beloved pink paisley, Fender Telecaster electric guitar for which the new album is the namesake. Pinky has been with Sue for decades and continues to be an almost living extension of who Sue is, as evidenced by its strong contribution to the album as well as appearing live with Sue while on tour, guiding her through the rambunctiously deep renditions of everything Sue performs.
And the Blues part of the album title? It just might have something to do with Sue’s sizzlingly smooth voice and her chicly raw, resolute, bad-*ss style of playing, performing and songwriting. Well, check it out for yourself on the below link of one of the new songs on Pinky’s Blues:
SUE FOLEY is “Hurricane Girl” Official Music Video with live footage.
SUE FOLEY Live Interview about the new album, Pinky’s Blues on November 9, 2021.
“I’ve been on the road,” says Sue in trying to explain Pinky’s Blues. “I’ve made dozens of albums of my own. I’ve raised a child. I’ve bought and sold homes. I’ve had great successes and great failures. And all of this just makes my life richer and more colorful.”
And these are the blues Sue Foley brings to life while performing in her own way: compelling, sensual, seamlessly rich, tasty, yet with an undertone of saltiness and challenge.
“It’s a great trip and I never get tired of playing a slow blues. That’s the ultimate.” Today, in 2022, Sue Foley is surely one of the ultimate.
With Pinky right by her side.
Ya gotta come and check it out!
Doors/Show: 6:00pm/7:00pm
Tickets: $15.00 (youth) – $30.00 (Adults) plus fees
https://us.patronbase.com/_ElCampanilTheatre/Productions/R009/Performances
602 West 2nd Street in Antioch in historic, downtown Rivertown.
Enrollment for Poetry Out Loud 2021-22 competition for high school students now open
Poetry Out Loud (POL) is an exciting National competition started in 2005 by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. The contest challenges high school students to memorize and recite poetry, a chance to showcase their talents, build self-confidence, and gain both an appreciation and understanding of poetry.
The Arts and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County has been an official local partner of California Arts Council’s for Poetry Out Loud since 2007. Every Contra Costa County high school is encouraged to participate. Local arts non-profit organizations and libraries are welcome and encouraged to participate as well. Each year ten to fifteen high schools representing East, West, and Central County have participated. These include public schools, private schools, charter schools, alternative schools, court schools, and homeschool groups.
Poetry Out Loud is a free program!
There is no cost to either the school or the students.
HOW DOES POL WORK?
Poetry Out Loud is a tiered competition structure that begins in the classroom. High school teachers use the free Poetry Out Loud teacher toolkit (https://www.poetryoutloud.org/teachers-organizers/lesson-plans/) to teach poetry recitation and run classroom competitions. Class winners advance to the school-wide competition, then one school champion enters the county competition. The County winner is eligible to compete in the state competition, and the state winner competes in the national finals in Washington D.C. for a grand prize of $20,000.
Poetry Out Loud has been made accessible to accommodate in-person and virtual teaching environments at the school level. Additional information on this year’s hybrid model will be shared with participating schools.
Please complete the form by 12/15/21! POETRY OUT LOUD 2021-22
Please feel free to email our county coordinator, Brennan DeFrisco, at bdeeppoetry@gmail.com or call (925) 984-4031 for any questions you may have.
Thank you for your interest in supporting Poetry Out Loud!
Oakley woman and friends to perform songs by the Carpenters at Lesher Center Nov. 5-14
“Laurie Sings A Song For You” A Cabaret Concert Inspired by the Music of Karen Carpenter
Presented by Laurie Roldan
November 5 – 14, 2021
Directed by Rachel Robinson. Musical Direction by Brett Strader.
Oakley resident Laurie Roldan shares personal stories and memories in an uplifting evening woven through well-known Carpenters songs. Featuring Musicians Roberta Drake on drums and Pat Tinling on bass and Special Guest Vocalists Anita Colotto, Clarisse Nichole, Stephanie Hill and Charlotte Jeffries, Roldan’s daughter.
Running Time: approx. 1 hour 45 minutes, with one intermission
Proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 is required for all guests age 12 and over, and face coverings are required to be worn by all guests age two and over when visiting the Lesher Center for the Arts.
About
On her website, Roldan writes, “I am a singer with an inexhaustible passion for inspirational music. I believe that each of us has a destiny. I know that it is my destiny to sing. It is my goal to bring hope, joy, and comfort to all those I am privileged enough to perform for.”
She is a professional singer and actor with a passion for inspirational music. She thrives on using music to inspire others and feels this is her unique purpose in life. Laurie is a guest artist at many special events throughout the West and has appeared as a soloist with symphony orchestras throughout California and performed lead roles at a variety of Bay Area Theaters.
Laurie recorded a unique inspirational album, Even That, which was created to comfort to those going through difficult times, as well as provide relaxing soothing music that relieves stress.
Laurie also loves to sing with her husband, Dan, all over Northern California. They perform concerts of best loved show tunes and standards, with a unique theme each month, for senior living, retirement communities, and at special events.
Laurie is very excited about a new chapter in her life, writing and premiering her new one-woman show Laurie Sings A Song For You.
For more information about Roldan, visit www.laurieroldan.com.
Your voice is needed to support the arts in Contra Costa
Can you please write a letter to the Board of Supervisors by Nov. 2nd?
By Arts and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County
Measure X is Contra Costa’s new countywide half-cent sales tax. The Measure X Community Advisory Board was formed to identify unmet community needs and recommend spending priorities to the Board of Supervisors. The Measure X Community Advisory Board recommended funding for the Arts and Culture Commission to the Board of Supervisors. At the Nov. 2nd meeting, Supervisors will be making final recommendations.
The current Contra Costa County $31,000 grant match budget is only a $.06 per person investment: Napa $3.55, Solano $2.19, Santa Clara $0.92, and Alameda County $0.54.
Please support signature programs that provide services to Contra Costa County: Arts and Culture Prospectus of Contra Costa County, ABOUTFACE, Poetry Out Loud, Youth Advisor, Jump StArts California Arts Council grant, Impact Projects California Arts Council grant, Art Passages, and more!
Transformational ideas include:
- District Public Art Program: Let’s build Contra Costa County’s first public art program following best practices of other Bay Counties.
- Youth Advisor in each District: We want to expand equity and opportunity to every District!
- Arts Connection: We want to connect artists and art organizations for quarterly meetings for advocacy, opportunities, and data collection.
- Community Art Fund: Support up to 5 community art projects a year!
- AIRS (Artist-in-Residency in the School) pilot program: Place teaching artists in CCC schools to work with students to create an art project.
- Build Structures: Community creates policy for new and signature programs based on equity!
Ask: $625,000 at $.54 per resident!
Supervisors:
- John Gioia, District 1 (Richmond to Pinole): john_gioia@bos.cccounty.us
- Candace Andersen, District 2 (Lamorinda, Danville, San Ramon): supervisorandersen@bos.cccounty.us
- Diane Burgis, District 3 (most of Antioch, Oakley, Brentwood & far east county): supervisor_burgis@bos.cccounty.us
- Karen Mitchoff, District 4 (Pleasant Hill, Concord, Walnut Creek, Clayton): SupervisorMitchoff@bos.cccounty.us
- Federal Glover, District 5 (Hercules, Martinez, Pittsburg & along Delta in Antioch): district5@bos.cccounty.us
District locator: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/5715/Supervisor-Who-Represents-Me
Please send email by Nov. 2nd!
Sample email: The arts are important to me and to my community. Please increase funding for the arts in Contra Costa County from $31,000 to $625,000 annually. This will help the Arts and Culture Commission demonstrate support for the arts to be competitive for national and state grants. This will support signature programs that directly impact all communities including our youth to Veterans. It will help provide public art programs in each district, a Community Art Fund, a youth advisor in each district, an Artist-In-Residency in the School pilot program, the Arts Connection and Build Structures initiative and other great programs. It will help our County stabilize arts funding and be able to plan equitably for the future. Thank you.
Let’s build an arts foundation for Contra Costa County!
Pasquale Esposito “From Italy, With Love!” at Antioch’s historic El Campanil Theatre Nov. 13
Licata-Cardinale Productions & the El Campanil Theatre
proudly present
International and PBS star
Pasquale Esposito “From Italy, With Love!”
with special guest star Anthony “Nino” Lane Band
Direct from headlining the Italian Festivals in Salt Lake City and Reno
Saturday, November 13, 2021 Doors at 5:15PM Show at 6PM
Tickets can be purchased online at the El Campanil website or by calling direct at (925) 757-9500.
The rescheduled concert from last year, due to COVID, is part of a series being brought to East County by Licata-Cardinale Productions, and partners Michael Licata from Las Vegas and local resident and businessman, George Cardinale.
“This is a guy who has been a PBS star and never been on this side of the Bay,” Cardinale said. “He’s performed all over the world. We’re happy to bring his talent to Antioch’s historic El Campanil Theatre in downtown Rivertown. You’ll enjoy the show very much. It’s really a treat for the people, here who have never seen him, before.”
PASQUALE ESPOSITO was born and raised in Naples, Italy. He immigrated to the United States winning the Green Card Lottery in 1998. He pursued his passion for music by studying at San Jose State University receiving his Bachelor of Arts Degree where he was a distinguished alumnus in 2009.
He is an international crossover recording artist, acclaimed for his pop-opera delivery of songs. Esposito released 11 albums and began touring internationally with his first musical revue: Naples … That’s Amore in 2005. Thereafter, he toured with his CD of Original Compositions: A Brand New Me (2009) and Il Tempo (2011).
Following the success of spreading his rich Italian culture through music, he embarked on writing and producing his first PBS Special: Pasquale Esposito Celebrates Enrico Caruso in 2015. The program was filmed in the historic Castello Giusso in Vico Equense on the Amalfi Coast. Esposito was accompanied by the Orchestra Santa Chiara conducted by Maestro Renato Serio. The docu-concert pays homage to Caruso by taking the audience on a musical journey in Italy highlighting the life, career and songs that made Caruso an international star. Maestro Placido Domingo collaborated in the program with an intimate interview. The PBS Special had over 220,000,000 potential viewers coupled with a live touring version. A CD, DVD and Bluray are available of the Special.
Esposito had his successful debut at San Francisco Opera in June 2015 with the premiere of Marco Tutino’s Two Women (an opera adaptation of the 1960s film La Ciociara –with Sophia Loren whom he had the pleasure of sharing the stage with in her recent US Tour). The New York Times stated that Esposito sang with “airy charm” for his performance of Ragazzo del Popolo while the San Francisco Chronicle described Esposito as “a charismatic and dulcet-toned singer.”
In Spring 2018, Esposito released his second, public TV special on PBS stations: Pasquale Esposito Celebrates Italian Piazzas. Esposito was accompanied by the Orchestra Talenti Napoletani conducted by Maestro Adriano Peninno. This docu-concert is a unique musical journey of culture, art, and tradition where Esposito dedicates a song to each of the beautiful piazzas (squares) performed in the prestigious Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples, Italy. A live concert version of the special followed with a robust 2018/2019 national tour.
In January 2020, Esposito filmed two new PBS TV Specials in Naples, Italy at the historic Teatro Politeama. The first a Christmas Special: In the Spirit of Christmas (August 2021 release) conducted by Maestro Adriano Peninno and the second is a special titled: Il Tempo (Time) (November 2020 release) conducted by Maestro Ettore Gatta. Pasquale is accompanied in both specials by the Orchestra Talenti Napoletani. The second special comprises of a collection of songs that have influenced Pasquale Esposito’s career and personal life.
Esposito established Notable Music and Arts Organization (www.notable-music.org), a 501 (c) 3 non-profit charitable organization promoting music education in Spring 2012. The organization provides music instruction to underserved students in the San Francisco Bay Area and develops and produces educational programming for public television. Esposito travels nationally to major universities and colleges offering Master Classes in vocal technique and also provides private instruction at his studio in San Jose, California.
For more information about Pasquale Esposito, visit www.pasqualeesposito.com
Discography:
My Passion 2000
My Destiny 2004
Naples … That’s Amore 2005
Il Fornaio: Authentic Italy 2008
A Brand New Me 2009
Il Tempo 2012
Pasquale Esposito Celebrates Enrico Caruso 2015
Pasquale Esposito Celebrates Italian Piazzas 2018
In the Spirit of Christmas 2019
Il Tempo 10th Anniversary Edition 2020
In the Spirit of Christmas 2021 – PBS Edition
El Campanil Theatre is located at 602 W. Second Street in Antioch. The concert was first planned for March 21, 2020 but had to be postponed due to COVID. (See related article with interview of Esposito, here)
Video by Joey Travolta and crew promoting Stand Down on the Delta in September released
By Allen Payton
The video about the bands that perform at the biennial Stand Down on the Delta, to promote this year’s event, entitled “Music Heals” was released last week. Director and producer Joey Travolta and his Inclusion Films crew of predominately students, shot and edited the almost 8-minute video at Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill in May. (See related article)
“Delta Veterans Group is proud to bring Stand Down on the Delta 2021 to Contra Costa County September 10-13, 2021,” said J.R. Wilson, the organization’s president. “This year we are starting a new program called ‘Music Heals’ conducted by our Entertainment Director Darlyn Phillips. This program will engage our veterans in music, to calm the soul.”
“Music often times breaks down barriers that might be obstacles to reintegration,” he continued. “The music brings out the inner joy in those that may have PTSD or other Health problems…. Bands from around the Bay Area will be coming to the CCC Fairgrounds to participate in this great event.”
Travolta’s film crew includes youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who are students in his program throughout the state. Five of the students helped shoot the Music Heals video.
“Darlyn enlisted the help of Joey Travolta and his crew to shoot the promo video, which we’re excited to have for this year’s event,” Wilson shared. “We very much appreciate his and the Inclusion Films team work on this project.”
The video includes interviews with the various singers and musicians from the bands that perform at each Stand Down, as well as some of the songs they will be playing, including originals.
For more information or to volunteer visit the Stand Down on the Delta Facebook page or Delta Veterans Group website.
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