ANTIOCH

The Celebrate Antioch Foundation will host its fifth annual Fall Fest and BBQ Cook-Off on Oct. 1. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. downtown, join the party featuring barbecue, beer and wine and music. More than 30 street vendors will also be on hand for this fun, family- and pet-friendly event. To register as an event contestant or vendor, visit celebrateantioch.org/event/fall-fest-bbq-cook-off online.

—Celebrate Antioch Foundation

‘Evening of Magic’ with performer Amyx set for Oct. 19

El Campanil Theatre’s Lobby Series will present “An Evening of Magic” with Andy Amyx at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19.

Amyx is known around the world for his dazzling and thrilling style of magic and illusions. Peers of Amyx, such as Lance Burton, applaud his enhanced style and technique, which has fascinated many for years.

His exceptional reputation in the magic industry enabled his success after many years of performing for family, friends, schools and local organizations, when Amyx began studying at the Chavez Studio of Magic in La Verne (Los Angeles County).

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  On Tap: Catch ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ at Antioch’s El Campanil

There he achieved the Chavez Certificate of Prestidigitation, which the the Chavez Studio defines as the development of manual dexterity to a degree to which the eye cannot follow the movement of a performer’s fingers during sleights of hand.

Amyx continued to perfect his magic by creating his own style of music, manipulation and original costume. He has performed private shows for celebrities such as Morgan Freeman, Nicole Kidman, Demi Moore and Tom Cruise. For tickets, which are $20 each, call 925-757-9500 or go online to elcampaniltheatre.com.

— El Campanil Theatre

‘Murder on the Orient Express’ at El Campanil starts Friday

Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble will present “Murder On The Orient Express” from Friday through Oct. 9 in El Campanil Theatre at 602 W. Second St. in Antioch.

Ken Ludwig’s clever adaptation of Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” boasts all the glamour, intrigue and suspense of Dame Agatha’s celebrated novel, with a healthy dose of humor to quicken the pace, says its director, Alexiel de Ravenswood who is assisted with artistic vision from Jo Kiech.

With eight suspects, an intriguing and suspenseful plot and loads of glamour, audiences are in for one thrilling ride. It’s winter in 1934, and the Orient Express is traveling through Europe when, just after midnight, a snowdrift stops it in its tracks. The luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by the morning it has one fewer passenger. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. Isolated and with a killer in their midst, the passengers rely on detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer — in case he or she decides to strike again.

“We are so excited to bring this show to our community — audiences will see some familiar faces, but many new ones!,” Ghostlight’s Artistic Director, Kathryn Lopez said. “We are so glad that the Ghostlight family continues to grow, and look forward to bringing one of Agatha Christie’s most famous stories to the stage.”

The stand-out cast features Bill Falcon (Hercule Poirot), David Ghilardi (Monsieur Bouc), Suzanne Pamphile (Countess Andrenyl), Helen Moore Dixon (Greta Ohlsson), Chuck Phalen (the Conductor), Carol Falcon (Princess Dragomiroff), Martie Muldoon (Helen Hubbard), John Ruzicka (Hector MacQueen), Sierra Bluebaugh (Mary Debenham), Patrick Atkinson (Samuel Ratchett), Ryan McComas (Head Waiter), and more!

Shows are Sept. 30, Oct. 1 and 7 at 7:30 p.m., and on Oct. 2, 8 and 9 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 for seniors, $28 for general admission and can be purchased online at http://ghostlightte.org/tickets.html.

— Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble

LIVERMORE

Catch Italian opera ‘Elixir of Love’ at Bankhead Theater

The Livermore Valley Opera will present “The Elixir of Love” on Oct. 1, 2, 8 and 9 at the Bankhead Theater. The opera will be sung in Italian and is appropriate for the entire family.

Love potion or snake oil? When poor Nemorino fails in his attempt to woo the lovely and wealthy Adina, he turns to quack Dr. Dulcamara, a purveyor of phony potions, who assures him that his brew will do the trick. But when it comes to love, the couple learns that the real thing — love that is — beats any elixir the doctor can concoct.

This bubbly and beloved comic opera by composer Gaetano Donizetti will charm you with laughs and memorable music, featuring one of opera’s greatest tenor arias, “Una furtiva lagrima.” Alos, this brand-new production is set just after World War I in a Livermore valley vineyard, complete with the leading soprano as the vineyard’s owner. For tickets, call 925-373-6800 or visit livermorevalleyopera.com online.

— Livermore Valley Opera

WALNUT CREEK

Bedford Gallery to exhibit African American art collection

Curated from the extensive collection of Harmon and Harriet Kelley, featured artists will include Grafton Tyler Brown, the first documented professional graphic artist on the West Coast, and contemporary printmakers such as  Margo Humphrey. The works on paper — spanning from the 20th century to this one — consist of drawings, etchings, watercolors, pastels and color screen prints that chronicle the lives of Black Americans through scenes of family and community, urban and rural workers, poverty and success, cultural pride and political turmoil.

Presented by the Bedford Gallery and organized by Landau Traveling Exhibitions in Los Angeles, the collection will be on view from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays from Sept. 29 through Dec. 18 at the Bedford Gallery in the Lesher Center for the Arts at 1601 Civic Drive in Walnut Creek. For more information or to buy tickets ($5 for general admission, free for Bedford Gallery members and children younger than 13), visit bedfordgallery.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.

— Bedford Gallery

Submit area arts-and-entertainment On Tap items to Judith Prieve at [email protected].