LIVERMORE

Quirky, ingenious and hilarious — those are words to describe comedian Maria Bamford, who will perform at Aug. 5 at Livermore’s Bankhead Theater.

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Stephen Colbert called Bamford his “favorite comedian on Earth,” and Judd Apatow said she is “the funniest woman in the world.” Bamford is the first female comic to have two half-hour “Comedy Central Presents” specials, in addition to her acclaimed Netflix series, “Lady Dynamite.”

The show starts at 8 p.m. in the theater at 2400 First St. in Livermore. To purchase tickets ($45 to $75), contact the box office at 925-373-6800 or visit livermorearts.org/events/maria-bamford online.

— Bankhead Theater

WALNUT CREEK

Bedford Gallery to feature works by blind photographers

Imagine how the world looks to blind people who may hear a parade, a bird, the flow of water and picturing these in their minds. What happens when they take a photograph and share that image?

From July 8 through Sept. 17, the Bedford Gallery at the Lesher Center for the Arts will explore the nature of seeing and present works by some of the world’s most accomplished blind photographers in the exhibition “Sight Unseen: International Photography by Blind Artists.”

With photography as their medium, the 13 featured artists navigate with other senses to visualize and represent the space around them. Blind photographers are said to operate at the heart of the medium, sometimes called the zero point of photography, occupying image as idea and idea as image.

This new exhibition offers a compelling look at art that would seem impossible and leaves visitors wondering at the vision that created them. Some of the featured artists are legally blind, most are completely blind and all perceive an attenuated image of the physical world.

The Bedford Gallery is in the Lesher Center for the Arts at 1601 Civic Drive in Walnut Creek. For more details, call 925-295-1417 or visit bit.ly/bedford2023sightunseen online.

— Bedford Gallery

ANTIOCH

Drama Factory auditions for ‘Ghost Story’ set for Aug. 7-8

The Drama Factory has several shows planned for this fall and next spring, with auditions starting in August. Up first are auditions from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 7-8 for the original play “Ghost Story” to be performed Oct. 13-15 and Oct. 20-21.

Rehearsals will be Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. For more details, visit dramafactory.org online.

— The Drama Factory

Campanil Theatre to host artists Gage, Goldberg on July 5

The effervescent Jackie Gage will return July 5 to El Campanil Theatre for a special Cabaret Series engagement. Accompanied by Kevin Goldberg on guitar, join Gage as she takes theater-goers through the music of Dionne Warwick, Natalie Cole and more.

A San Jose native, Gage is an international recording artist who has performed with artists who include Marc Cary, Kim Nalley, Richie Goods, Theo Croker, Niall Connelly, and Jerome Jennings; opened for “feel good” artists like Darlene Love, Digable Planets, Eric Benét and Tony, Toni, Toné; and toured the world sharing her original music.

Tickets are $20 for chair seating, $22.50 for table seating. For more details, call 925-757-9500 or visit elcampaniltheatre.com online.

Tribute band The Kings of Queen to play July 16 at theater

If you like to sing along to all your favorite hits like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We Will Rock You,” you’ll likely enjoy the electrifying energy that only The Kings of Queen can bring to the stage.

The Queen tribute band concert will kick off at 3 p.m. July 16 in El Campanil Theatre at 602 W. Second St. in Antioch. Tickets are $32 for general admission, $29 for seniors and $15 for youths and can be purchased online. For more details, visit elcampaniltheatre.com.

— El Campanil Theatre

BRENTWOOD

Hear diverse lineup at Friday Concerts in the Park series

The city of Brentwood has put together a diverse lineup of entertainment for its Friday night Concerts in the Park series. Since 2000, the series has connected families and friends and provided a free, fun-filled event that has become a Friday night summer tradition. Over the years, some 100,000 community members have danced, picnicked and played while experiencing a variety of performing arts entertainment in downtown City Park.

The series will continue Friday with: Neverland (a rock band); Ragdolls (an Aerosmith tribute band) on Tuesday, July 4 (in lieu of Friday, July 7); In Living Cover (’80s/’90s dance) on July 14; The Floorshakers (funk and soul) on July 21; Apple Z (Top 40 dance) on July 28; Fleetwood Mask (Fleetwood Mac cover band) on Aug. 4; Smooth Sounds of Santana (Santana tribute band) on Aug. 11; and Thunder Cover (Top 40 dance) on Aug. 18.

— city of Brentwood

ORINDA

Library gallery’s current exhibits on display through July 1

The Lamorinda Arts Council is presenting “Wildlife Paintings,” “Faces of Fatherhood,” “Sister City Tabor Art” and “Miniature Figurines” through July 1 at the Orinda Library.

Included are oil paintings of wildlife by Alexandra Saunders, portraits of fatherhood by Nancy Rubin, art and artifacts from Orinda’s sister city, Tabor in the Czech Republic, and miniature figurines collected by Amelia Wilson in the library’s art gallery. Visit lamorindaarts.org/current-exhibits online for details.

— Lamorinda Arts Council

MORAGA

Art gallery’s ‘Moments in Time’ exhibit runs until Aug. 13

The Moraga Art Gallery is showing the exhibit “Moments in Time,” featuring the work of two popular local artists: Judy Miller, a sculptor who captures figures at particular moments in their lives, both ordinary and unique; and acrylic painter Debby Koonce, whose forte is colorful and appealing images of outdoor places both near (Mount Diablo) and far (other lands).

Also featured is a collection of woven art by guest artist Dinah McFarlane, whose abstract wall hangings consist of materials that have been painstakingly layered, woven, dyed, twisted, looped and shaped into strikingly colorful, eye-catching assemblages. The exhibit, which also includes the work of more that 20 other artists — photographers, ceramicists, jewelry-makers, painters, woodworkers, printmakers and more — will grace the gallery until Aug. 13.

The gallery at 432 Center St. in the Rheem Shopping Center is open from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. For more information, visit moragaartgallery.com or call 925-376-5407.

— Moraga Art Gallery

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