El Campanil Theatre — Attraction in Antioch

What a great asset for eastern Contra Costa county. This theater, built in 1928, has been so lovingly restored and as a result, is a great place to see a show, whether live music or a film. I was there once to see a Steely Dan cover band and just before the intermission the drummer was doing his drum solo. There was a little old lady in front of us, and two minutes into the solo, she rose from her seat. I figured she was on her way out but instead she raised her hands above her head and started clapping along. It was then that I decided I needed to know her story. So, she was raised in Antioch and as a little girl would attend shows right here. She explained that whenever a big act came from the East coast to tour the West coast they would hit Seattle, San Francisco, Antioch and Los Angeles. The entertainers would take the ferry from SF up to Antioch and here we are 90 years later enjoying this...

I went here for a musical performance, but this review is about the theater specifically. First, the people who work there are wonderful. The Manager is amazing, the staff attentive, the bathroom facilities clean and wonderful. However, the actual seats in the theater are....small. very narrow, a s very low to the ground, which dramatically affected my ability to enjoy the show. I'm not exaggwrating when I say the seats are literally the size of cheap airplane seats. If you're a fellow fat-bottom girl, this theater will not make your world go round. I am also a shorty (5'5") and my knees were hitting the back of the seat in front of me. I don't know if this theater was built in the days when the average person was of smaller vertical and horizontal stature, but be warned. Wear very comfortable clothes (just like a plane) and be prepared to walk the aisles and have others walk the aisle (just...

Since this was my first time stepping inside this facility, I did not know what to expect; perhaps, a hole in the wall. Was I surprised?!! This is a hidden treasure right in downtown Antioch!!!! I was extremely and pleasantly surprised at the elegance of the interior. The exterior appearance does not convey the opulence and the supreme artistic craftmanship spread all over the interior walls and ceiling. Additionally, the cavenous seating area does not give any hint of its presence when looking at the theater's antique street view. I loved it. It was very clean and there was ample sitting, good view from all corners and all the staff members were very professional, pleasant and knowledgeable. And the...