PITTSBURG
See ‘Hound of the Baskervilles’ at Steeltown Coffee & Tea
Pittsburg Community Theatre will presents the second in its “Hound” black-box series at Steeltown Coffee & Tea from Feb. 25 through March 6. A lightning-quick comedy that is “gut-bustingly hilarious,” “The Hound of the Baskervilles” is a new adaptation that simultaneously spoofs and reveres Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most celebrated mystery.
In this highly theatrical adaptation by Steven Canny and John Nicholson, director Dianna Schepers brings Sherlock Holmes’ and Dr. Watson’s story to life as they set off to the moors to debunk a family “curse” and encounter dozens of suspicious characters who may be too much for Sherlock — or, for that matter, a cast of three — to handle.
The cast of “The Hound of the Baskervilles” unites three PCT veteran performers: Phillip Levya portrays Holmes (and six other characters); Brian Moore is Dr. Watson; and Bill Chessman plays Sir Henry as well as a dizzying array of other hilarious characters. Schepers has also assembled a crew of nine.
The play will be performed at Steeltown Coffee, 695 Railroad Ave. in Pittsburg. Tickets are available at pctca.org/tickets or 925-439-PLAY (7529).
— Pittsburg Community Theatre
WALNUT CREEK
Bedford Gallery’s ‘Forced to Flee’ exhibit to open Feb. 26
Bedford Gallery’s will open the exhibit “Forced to Flee,” which runs Feb. 26 through June 19. A solo installation by Boston-based artist Yu-Wen Wu will accompany the exhibit.
Organized by Studio Art Quilt Associates Inc., “Forced to Flee” is a traveling exhibit of 36 highly personal art quilts that explore the stories and journeys of refugees and immigrants. An international roster of artists considers the plight of the displaced from many points of view due to war, oppression, natural disasters or atrocious human rights violations. Quilts implore a wide range of techniques to tell powerful stories, including raw edge appliqué, burning, mark making, photo and screen-printing, stitch and appliqué.
Yu-Wen Wu’s solo installation features two works that amplify the immigrant experience — “Leavings/Belongings,” a multidisciplined traveling project, and “Tell Me,” a single-channel video. The Bedford Gallery is on the first floor of the Lesher Center for the Arts at 1601 Civic Drive in downtown Walnut Creek. For more on the gallery, go to bedfordgallery.org.
— Bedford Gallery
LIVERMORE
Rockapella group to bring full-band sound to town Feb. 9
The Bankhead Theater will follow up a music-filled January with a similar month, starting Feb. 9 with the talented Rockapella music group. As one of the progenitors of the astonishing full-band sound of “contemporary” a cappella, Rockapella has shown audiences all over the raw power of pure vocal talent and originality. This performance will take place at the Bankhead Theater in downtown Livermore.
From their early years singing doo wop on New York City street corners, to selling out performances around the world, Rockapella has become sophisticated masters of the vocal art form of a cappella. Now making a fourth visit to the Bankhead, Rockapella will rock the house with just one instrument — their voices — but with an astonishing full-band sound. Tickets are $20 to $78. For more information, go online to livermorearts.org.
Peking Acrobats’ amazing show coming to the Bankhead
Livermore Arts Bankhead will present The Peking Acrobats at 8 p.m. Feb. 4. For 34 years, The Peking Acrobats have redefined the image of Chinese acrobatics, pushing the limits of human ability, defying gravity with amazing displays of contortion, flexibility and control.
With daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs or along tall poles, they display their technical prowess with such arts as trick-cycling, precision tumbling, juggling, somersaulting and gymnastics. Tickets range from $20 to $78 each. Special rates of $20 for student/children tickets are available. Go to livermoreperformingarts.com or call the box office at 925-373-6800.
Gallery exhibit brings art together with the written word
A new exhibit bringing the written word side-by-side with art, “Double Take: Art and Literature Side by Side,” is on display at the Bankhead Theater Gallery through March 27. With artworks by East Bay artists and poetry by Tri-Valley poets and writers, some of the artwork has a phrase or poem embedded in these works of art, and a few of these pieces are even close collaborations between artist and poet and reflect a personal as well as artistic relationship.
This blending together of word and art will provide viewers with an experience that delights and inspires multiple senses. The public is invited to experience this insightful exhibit at the downtown Livermore gallery. For more information, visit livermorearts.org/visual-arts-2 online.
— Livermore Performing Arts Center
SAN RAMON
Diablo Women’s Chorale is still seeking new members
Want to have some fun? The Diablo Women’s Chorale is looking for members. The spring season has begun and auditions will be held by appointment. The nonprofit group, which has members from all over, encourages any woman with a love of music and spirited company to audition.
Simple, short auditions are required to enroll. To schedule an audition, contact Nancy Hickman at [email protected] or 925-899-5050. Be prepared to sing a short song of your choice. Choral experience and music-reading ability are a plus but not required. For more information, go online to DiabloWomensChorale.org/join-us.
— Diablo Women’s Chorale
DANVILLE
Village Theatre Art Gallery presenting ‘Threads of Change’
The Town of Danville’s Village Theatre Art Gallery is presenting a new exhibition, “Threads of Change,” showcasing unique art quilts by members of the local quilting group, Creative Fiber Artists. The group exhibited their work at the gallery in 2017 and has been busy creating more art quilts for this latest exhibit.
The art quilts are about more than just textiles and sewing, as the artists employ a variety of techniques and materials, resulting in beautiful and original works of art. The quilts feature screen printing, dye painting, mono-printing and more to create layers and depth. These imaginative works are intricate, fun and depict stunning scenery, still-lifes and animal imagery.
COVID-19 safety guidelines will be in effect, and all visitors must wear masks in the gallery. To check the latest guidelines, go to Danville’s webpage at danville.ca.gov/vtart. The Village Theatre Art Gallery is open to visitors Wednesdays through Fridays from noon to 5 p.m., on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and by appointment only on all other days. Admission is free. For more information, contact Visual Arts Coordinator Marija Nelson Bleier at 925-314-3460 or [email protected].
— Village Theatre Art Gallery
PITTSBURG
Theater company to present ‘Fences’ beginning Feb. 5
Pittsburg Community Theatre on Feb. 5-13 will present August Wilson’s “Fences,” which won a Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 1987 Tony Award for Best Play.
Performances will be on the Betty Brown Stage in The Little Theatre at the Creative Arts Building, 280 School St. in Pittsburg. Directed by LaTonya Watts, the story centers on how someone broken inside can manifest that and cause rifts in relationships with family and friends.
Main character Troy Maxson (Kirk Waller) has been literally and figuratively confronted with fences that have blocked his progress in life. The story focuses on how his life has been profoundly affected by the systemic and social racism of the times. Through the course of the play, he is forced to confront his own past and his disappointment with the way his life has turned out, as well as his goals for the present and the future and his own thinly veiled resentment for his own son, whose hopes for advancement are viewed as something of a threat. Wilson’s play is considered a classic of the American stage, with themes that still resonate today.
Along with Waller, the play features performances by Gwendolyn Sampson-Brown (Rose Maxson), Dodie Katague (Bono), Elijah Waller (Cory), Jason Anthony (Gabriel), Alijah Carter (Lyons) and Makayla Rhine (Raynell). Tickets are available online at pctca.org/tickets or via phone at 925-439-PLAY (7429). The cost is $24 for adults, $20 for senior and students. Masks and proof of COVID vaccination will be required for entry.
— Pittsburg Community Theatre
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