Last chance to see hilarious 'Odd Couple'

ANTIOCH — Hapgood Theatre Company closes its season opener, "The Odd Couple," this weekend at the Nick Rodriguez Communtiy Center theater, 213 F St.

Performances are at 8 tonight and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Directed by Jack Stauffer, the classic Neil Simon comedy will star Equity actors Michael Barrett Austin as Felix Unger and Allen Pontes as Oscar Madison.

Tickets are $15 to $40. For more information, call 925-757-9500 or see www.hapgoodtheatre.org.

Model train show is this weekend at BDL club

ANTIOCH — Black Diamond Lines Model Railroad Club will host its annual fall train show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The show features a detailed layouts for anyone interested in or learning about model trains. The clubhouse is at 425 Fulton Shipyard Road, Antioch.

Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for seniors and children 6-12. Children under 6 will be admitted free. For more information, see www.blackdiamondlines.org.

'Sleeping Beauty' plays in Antioch

ANTIOCH — Antioch Children's Theatre's Frank J. Ballesteros Productions presents "The Sleeping Beauty" this weekend at the Virginia J. Calisesi Studio Theatre

Performances at 7:30 tonight; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $12 adults, $10 seniors and children.

For more information, call 925-777-0859 or see www.antiochchildrenstheatre.com.

Weber Gallery has local show

BRENTWOOD — The Weber Gallery and MCM Framing and Masking presents the art of watercolorist Marie Pascal through Nov. 20.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

In addition, it will also host classes in pencil drawing, oil painting, watercolor and ceramics. Drawing classes are from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays. Cost is $25 a class. For more information, call 925-634-7742 or 925-303-0252. The gallery is at 700 Harvest Park Road.

'Day of the Dead' art on exhibit in Pittsburg

PITTSBURG — Los Medanos College Art Gallery hosts an "Unforgettable/Inolividable" exhibit through Thursday.

The exhibition is a celebration of the Mexican holiday "Day of the Dead," and is in observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Carmen Aguilar-Ochoa, executive director of Give Always to Others & Co., will guest curate the exhibit, which will feature several artists who use Day of the Dead imagery in their work.

Day of the Dead altars also will be on display. These will be created by several groups, including La Puente, Raza Club, and faculty from Los Medanos College. The exhibition will culminate with a Day of the Dead celebration on Sunday, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the gallery.

The gallery is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Admission is free; parking is $2.

For more information call 925-439-2181, ext. 3463 during regular gallery hours.

Auditions set for 'Nutcracker,' 'Humbug'

ANTIOCH — Antioch Children's Theatre's Frank J. Ballesteros Productions will hold auditions for "Humbug!" and "The Nutcracker" next month at the Virginia J. Calisesi Studio Theatre at 512 W. Second St.

Auditions for the troupe's new rendition of "Humbug!" will be at 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Directed by Frank J. Ballesteros, who also plays Scrooge, there is no participation fee, and all parts — except Scrooge — are open. All ages may audition.

Performances are set Dec. 11-13 and 18-24.

Also on tap are auditions for "The Nutcracker" at 7 p.m. Nov. 9-10. This unique version captures the magic of the story without dancing. Auditions are open to anyone 7 and older. There is a $100 fee if cast.

"Nutcracker" performances are Dec. 21-24 and Dec. 26.

For more information, call 925-777-0859 or go to www.antiochchildrenstheatre.com.

Stompy Jones to perform Nov. 7 at El Campanil

ANTIOCH — El Campanil Theatre presents Stompy Jones, a vintage jump style rhythm and blues group, at 8 p.m. Nov. 7.

The band recreates the historic sounds of the 1940s such as shuffle drumming and bounce piano and combines them with a sense of the contemporary. The San Francisco-based sextet is renowned for its jumpin' rhythm, wailing improvisations, hip charm and explosive stage show.

Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors (62 and older), $10 for youths.

Also on tap is Vagabond Players' "Standing Room Only," a one-of-a-kind cabaret show at 8 p.m. Nov. 14 and 2 p.m. Nov. 15.

For more information on either show, call 925-757-9500 or visit www.elcampnailtheatre.com.

Fridley Gallery to hold social gathering Nov. 21

BRENTWOOD — The Fridley Art Gallery will host a social gathering from 4 to 8 p.m. Nov. 21 to give the community an opportunity to meet local artists.

The event will feature music, food and wine at the gallery at 1185 Second St., Suite J.

The gallery is open from 11 a. m. t o 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and by appointment.

The gallery also hosts art classes at a cost of $200 for six classes or $35 for a single class (supplies included).

For more information, call Saunie Fridley at 925-783-2853.

Roberts to give lecture on plein air painting

ANTIOCH — Local artist Mark Roberts, curator of the Lynn House Gallery, will give a lecture "A Historical Overview on Plein Art Painting" from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 12 at the gallery at 809 First St.

For reservations or more information on this Arts and Cultural Foundation of Antioch event, call 925-325-9897.

Kinsella Theater to debut 'Auction Gallery'

WALNUT CREEK — The Kinsella Conservatory Theater, along with Walnut Creek author Phillip Canville and Bay Area composer Chris Elise Keller, will debut the musical "Auction Gallery" Nov. 6-22 at the Lesher Arts Center.

The work, to be directed by KCT Artistic Director Steve Kinsella, features a cast of award-winning actors from New York to San Francisco.

"Auction Gallery" has been nearly 20 years in the making. Canville was inspired to write the libretto after viewing great works of art and enjoying world-class theater while on London excursions with the theater faculty of Diablo Valley College.

Canville began to formulate a sort of "Night at The Museum" idea, minus the animals and replaced by characters and situations filled with deeper questions of human existence. Soaring melodies created by Chris Elise Keller complement the rich libretto.

"There are delightful twists and turns you won't see coming," Kinsella said. "'Auction Gallery' has us look at art and ourselves."

For more information, visit www.AuctionGalleryTheMusical.com. or call 925-943-SHOW.

— Judith Prieve