ART

Bay Area Studio Artists will present “Herd,” an exhibit of paintings in acrylics and oils at Orinda Books, 276 Village Square, Orinda, during the month of October. Stop by the bookstore during regular hours. BASA is a group of local artists who have been painting and showing their work together since 2010. Their show “Herd” explores the herd instinct, that urge to gather with others of your own kind. It explores herds of many kinds, including some whimsical varieties. For more information on BASA, see the website: http://www.bayaareastudioartists.com.

Fall Exhibitions at the Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art through Dec. 16. “Graphicanos: Contemporary Latino Prints” from the Serie Project and “Stanley Koppel: Artist as Activist.” https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/museum

Valley Art Gallery presents its new fall show “Art’s Up!” running through Nov. 10. Demonstrating a wide range of motifs, styles, media and prices, and representing the best of the best from more than 100 East Bay artists, “Art’s Up!” exhibition is a must-see show for residents of the Diablo Valley! In addition, there are beautifully crafted, ceramic, wood and glass pieces, and original designer jewelry. www.valleyartgallery.org; (925) 935-4311

In the spirit of the season, the Moraga Art Gallery presents “Holiday Magic in Porcelain and Paint,” a colorful new show featuring the works by two of Lamorinda’s most celebrated artists: Lafayette’s Donna Arganbright and Orinda’s Maria SantaStefano. The show, which includes paintings, jewelry, ceramics, photographs, and many other gifts of art by the gallery’s 14 members and guest artists, runs through Jan. 5. The public is invited to a free opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27. For more information, visit www.moragaartgallery.com or call (925) 376-5407.

MUSIC

The Sun Kings – two nights, two shows at Town Hall Theatre Company in Lafayette: Friday, Nov. 2, “Very Best of The Beatles;” Saturday, Nov. 3, “The Beatles White Album 50th Anniversary Gala Celebration.” Doors open at 7 p.m. and music starts at 8 p.m. Tickets: $35 advance; $40 at the door. Tickets and more information at www.towhalltheatre.com.

The UC Alumni Chorus presents “REMEMBER: Music for Día de los Muertos,” a concert program that remembers those who have inspired us with their work at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4 in the Hertz Hall on the UC Berkeley campus. Featured are Mozart’s Requiem, in the version completed by Robert Levin, and the premiere of a new commission by Paul Ayres, with text from a sermon by Dr. Martin Luther King. Tickets are $20 (general); $15 (senior 62+) and $10 (student) and are available at the door and online: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3625367. Visit UCAC’s web page: http://ucac.net/ or find UCAC on Facebook.

The Lamorinda Big Band featuring Terry Miller, Brian Nova, Leslie Darwin O’Brien and Michael Henning debuts at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7 at Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda (above Safeway). Tickets: $10 at the door. Questions? Visit tmkids.org.

Ensemble Ari Performs at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1924 Trinity Avenue, Walnut Creek. Ensemble Ari is a classical ensemble whose musicians are Korean-American with the mission to bridge Korea and other communities through western instruments while honoring Korean history and culture. At St. Paul’s, Ensemble Ari musicians Sharon Lee Kim (piano), Jiwon Evelyn Kwark (violin) and Sarah Hong (cello) will perform Ross Bauer’s Aplomb for Violin and Piano, and Maurice Ravel’s Sonata for Violin & Cello, Tzigane, and Piano Trio. Free parking is provided, or an easy walk three blocks from Walnut Creek BART. Donation at the door: average $20, Students $10 (all are welcome regardless of donation).

Cantare Con Vivo Chamber Ensemble presents Sing We and Chant It at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18 at the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Dr., Lafayette. Tickets: General $22, Student $10. Website: https://www.cantareconvivo.org/upcoming-events

THEATER

Diablo Ballet opens its 2018-19 season with “A Swingin’ Holiday and Carnival of the Imagination,” Nov. 9-11 at the Del Valle Theatre in Walnut Creek. Single tickets are $15-$49. Please visit www.lesherartscenter.org. or call (925) 943-SHOW (7469) for tickets. www.diabloballet.org.


LECTURE & LITERATURE

Town Hall Theatre is excited to announce their new staged reading series, “In the Wings,” which launches with a one-night only reading of “Placebo” – a smart, new offbeat serio-comedy by Melissa James Gibson. “Placebo” will have one performance only at 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12 at Town Hall Theatre Company, 3535 School Street, in Lafayette. Tickets are $10 general admission and free to subscribers, and are available through the Box Office at (925) 283-1557 or online at www.TownHallTheatre.com.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Trick or Treat with the kids 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31 at the Rheem Shopping Center in Moraga.

“Halloween Night Live” Halloween skit from 7 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 31 at 12 Lynwood Place, Moraga (Off of Corliss.)

Mindful Littles is partnering with some local chefs for our Cookin’ for a Cause program from 3 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 4 at Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda. For this service project, we are helping Operation Dignity. We will make dinner at a local kitchen in Orinda and then deliver the meal to Operation Dignity so that the residents can enjoy a hot meal. We will provide all supplies needed to cook the meals, so all you have to do is show up with a big heart and be ready to have some fun. Cost: $25. For more information and to register, please visit us at: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/NDEwMjA=


Lamorinda Moms 21st Annual Preschool Fair from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8 at Oakwood Athletic Club, 4000 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Teachers from over 30 local preschools are ready to talk with you about teaching philosophies, child to teacher ratios, pricing, and more!

OTHER

American Association of University Women (AAUW) members of the Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette Branch are hosting a Game Day from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Miramonte Gardens Clubhouse on Thursday, Nov. 1. After enjoying a catered lunch, guests will play Bridge, Bunko or Dominoes. Reservations are $40 and are available by contacting Laura Monin at (925) 631-6667.

Fall is the purrfect time to adopt a kitten or cat. Community Concern for Cats invites you to see our beauties at this weekend’s adoption event from 1 to 4 p.m., Nov. 3 and 4 at Pet Food Express in Lafayette and Pleasant Hill and Petco in Walnut Creek. For more information, see www.communityconcernforcats.org.

5 Steps Women Can Take to Ensure Financial Fitness at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3 in the Delphine Lounge, Saint Mary’s College. Over the next decade women will control consumer wealth in the United States, and account for 85 percent of all consumer purchases. Yet fewer than 2 in 10 women feel prepared to make sound financial decisions, and 69 percent of women don’t have a 6-month emergency fund. Financial planner Michelle Perry Higgins (‘94) will outline the 5 steps that women can take to be financially fit. To RSVP for this free event, please email Courtney Bennett at cab35@stmarys-ca.edu or call (925) 631-4168.

The music of Mexico is featured in this year’s All Souls Festival at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 4 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane, in Lafayette. With ravishing voice, an array of guitars, and beautiful violin, Cascada de Flores honors and advances Mexico’s rich musical traditions, builds multicultural bridges, and celebrates the gift of life. Families will honor loved ones by building a small altar, telling a few good family stories, sharing pan de muerto, and enjoying the amazing art of Carla Winters as she paints children’s faces in traditional Dia de los Muertos style. The morning is free but we still pass the plate around. For more details, click on the All Souls Festival banner at www.oslc.net.

The St. Anselm’s Cancer Support Group meets at 11:30 a.m. on the first Sunday every month in Jackson Hall on the grounds of St. Anselm’s Episcopal Church in Lafayette to provide support to cancer survivors and their loved ones. Although we meet in the church hall, we welcome newcomers from all backgrounds, whether religious or not. Our goal is to provide emotional support to those whose lives have been affected by cancer. If you or someone you care about would like to participate in the meetings, please contact Julie Rinkenberger at Julierinkenberger@gmail.com.

Celebrate Congo—Come for lunch, fashion show, dance performance and speaker, Educator, Mboyo Therese Okikukunda at noon on Nov. 4 in Fellowship Hall of Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. Celebrate the richness of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and learn about its poverty and need for a stable caring government. Cost: $7 donation for lunch. To reserve, call Jim Fulford, (925) 254-5419 or pay at the door.

A Veterans Day celebration honoring those who served 100 years ago in WWI will take place from 9 to 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 12 at the Veteran’s Memorial Rock in the Moraga Commons Park.

40th Annual Community Thanksgiving Breakfast will be held 7 to 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 16 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church located at 1035 Carol Lane in Lafayette. Everyone is invited to come together to share in a breakfast. Donna Wright Sommerville, co-founder of Grateful Gatherings will be the keynote speaker. Tickets are $25 per person and are available online at LafayetteChamber.org.  Tickets will not be sold at the door.

Saint Mary’s College Guild’s Thanksgiving luncheon will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15 in the Soda Center on the Saint Mary’s College campus. All are invited to attend. A traditional Thanksgiving meal with turkey, stuffing and all the trimmings will be available. Our speaker will be Dr. Mary Volmer, SMC faculty member and author of two books. Reservations should be sent to Carmen Hughes, 26 Inverleith Terrace, Moraga, CA 94556. Tickets are $35. Questions may be directed to her at (925) 376-7365. All proceeds benefit Students seeking financial aid scholarships.

“The Old Yellow House” 100-year celebration of sustainable technology tours from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 17. Join us in celebrating Charles Nelson family’s 1918 sustainable living features preserved throughout the land of The Old Yellow House 1890, which has now been married with Biomimicry, a Geo/Solar systems integrated by James Phillip Wright Architect’s transformation. There will be no parking and shuttle service can be taken from nearby Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Women of Spirit is a monthly gathering of inclusive, curious women seeking connection, shared learning and growth with other women of diverse faith traditions. First 1/2 hour is social time, followed by a gathering to include a warm welcome, inspiring speakers, discussion at table groups, and warm group closing. The next meeting is from 7 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 27 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 3776 Vía Granada, Moraga. We are not affiliated with any religious institution, and are open to all. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/womenofspiritlamorinda/

For the 21st year, Bobbie and Tom Preston will be holding the Cycle Recycle, collecting repairable bikes to be refurbished and given to charitable groups to distribute at Christmas. This year the recipient organizations include Oakland International High School’s Earn-A-Bike program, Marsh Creek Detention Center, and Trips for Kids in Marin. New and/or used bikes and trikes—in working order or repairable, or useable bike parts may be delivered to the side driveway of the Preston’s home at 1307 Larch Avenue in Moraga, throughout the month of November only. No skateboards or plastic bikes please; no need to call beforehand, but for more information contact Bobbie or Tom Preston at (925) 376-8474.

POLITICAL GATHERINGS

Lamorinda Republican Women Federated’s meeting will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 15 at the Orinda Country Club. Please join us to hear Allison Johnson discussing water conservation and the importance of Central Valley Farmers. Ms Johnson is the Co-President of the Saint Mary’s College Republican Club. Cost: luncheon and speaker $36; speaker only $15; speaker only student discount price $5. Reservations needed; please contact Elsie Euing at ejeuing@comcast.net or (925) 254-8614. For more information http://www.lamorindarepublicanwomen.org/

GARDEN

Walnut Creek Garden Club meeting beginning at 9:45 a.m. on Nov. 12 at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Road, Walnut Creek. Program: Designer Barbara Gordon Holiday Designs. Barbara is a National Garden Clubs Master Flower Show Judge and a gardener. She will inspire us with creative and unique designs for decorating our homes during the holidays. 9:45 a.m. Business Meeting, 10:30 a.m. Social, 11 a.m. Program.

The Moraga Garden Club will hold their next meeting at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 15, at the Holy Trinity Church, 1700 School Street, Moraga. The guest speaker will be Jenny Papka, who will discuss “Live Birds, Taxidermy, Artifacts and Fun.” Interested parties are welcome to attend the 9:30 a.m. social hour, the 10 a.m. meeting and the presentation by Jenny Papka, immediately following the meeting.

The Montelindo Garden Club’s November meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 16 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center’s Community Hall. Presentation: Saving the Monarch Butterfly. Victoria “Tora” Roche, the former Park Supervisor for the City of Oakland until her retirement, is a champion of Monarch butterflies. She will speak about the alarming decline in their population and resulting local efforts to foster the development of Monarch caterpillars and to create habitat for Monarchs.