ART

Lamorinda Arts Council presents “Arts Affair,” the second annual fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. on May 29. The event takes place at the Orinda Library Auditorium and surrounding rooms at 28 Orinda Way, Orinda. “Arts Affair” is an extravaganza that showcases a variety of art programs that the Lamorinda Arts Council and their Arts Partners bring to the community. Celebrate with board members past, present and future. Standard Tickets: $25. More Info: https://lamorindaarts.org/arts-affair.
 
The current exhibit at the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library includes Bill Carmel paintings, Arno Kober paintings, Kate Chenok ceramics, Kim Wolfe wood turning, and Ellis Sjoberg wood working through May 31. Hours are Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 23 Orinda Way.

Lamorinda Art Alliance announces “A Warm Palette” June 3-27 at the Lindsay Dirkx Brown Gallery, 12501 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon. Member artists dazzle with the warm colors of the season: yellows, oranges, reds and pinks. Other colors were always welcome, however; we were looking for the “warmest palette”. The reception will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 8. Visit with the artists, and enjoy appetizers and beverages while you browse our artwork.

The Moraga Art Gallery’s new show running June 5 through Aug. 10 will feature the work of Lafayette artist-photographer Lucy Beck, who “paints” floral portraits with light to show the astonishing variety of colors and shapes of small flowers in our gardens, fields and woodlands, and guest artist, Oakland ceramicist Tomoko Jarrell, who specializes in the design and creation simple, comely, Japanese-inspired functional and decorative vases, cups, bowls, and more. The public is invited to an opening reception from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, June 8. Come to meet the artists, sip a glass of wine, and enjoy light snacks accompanied by live music at 522 Center Street, Rheem Shopping Center, in Moraga.  For hours and more information visit  www.moragaartgallery.com, call (925)376-5407.

MUSIC

Stanley Middle School presents Jazz Cafe from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, May 31 in the Stanley multi-use room. This is a collaborative performance of jazz student musicians from Stanley, Campolindo and Acalanes. Support the fundraising efforts of the Stanley Middle School jazz program and enjoy a memorable evening of music. Food, raffles and silent auction also available. Single tickets: reserved $20 (all ages); unreserved (at the door; cash only) up to $15. Donations encouraged. Info: stanleymusic.org/jazz-cafe.

Cantare Con Vivo closes the season with adult and children’s choirs on stage, commemorating the 20th Anniversary of our Chorale and the Children’s choral programs at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 1 at Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church 49 Knox Dr., Lafayette. The concert will include a variety of American music, including contemporary, classical, folk, popular, and show tunes, in addition to spirituals and patriotic selections. Titles include Ol’ Man River, You’ll Never Walk Alone, Not One Sparrow, Angel Band, Water Night, Please Stay, Seasons of Love, and many others. Tickets: General $27.50, Senior $22, $10 Student. Tickets available at the door or online: https://cantareconvivo.secure.
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Lafayette’s Rock the Plaza series, now in its 14th season, takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday nights in June at Lafayette’s Plaza Park at the corner of Mt. Diablo Boulevard and Moraga Road. This summer, the special artist alley will open at 5:30 p.m. June 7: Fog City Swampers; June 14: Zebop!

California Shakespeare Theater presents its summer concert series, Echoes at the Bruns Amphitheater. The first concert will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 22 with headliners Thao & the Get Down Stay Down and Sudan Archives. Tickets: $30 General Admission; calshakes.org/echoes. The show is open to all ages and is ADA accessible.

Java & Jazz series will feature performer, producer, arranger, educator, composer and author Frank Dorritie who will share behind the scenes stories about recording sessions, the evolution of the industry and host a listening party with music from his private collection from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday June 22 at the Concord Historical Society. Enjoy coffee, pastries and a morning filled with all things jazz. $5 tickets. See https://concordhistorical.org for details.

Women Sing Summer Ventures Concert at 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 5 at Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church 1601 Mary Dr, Pleasant Hill. Journey over a musical landscape both playful and serene from the sonority of Arabic chant and Bulgarian folk song through the uplifting rhythms of African American spirituals to the lush settings of traditional poems and sacred texts.  Tickets: https://summerventurespleasanthill.brownpapertickets.com. Ages 30 and under $10; General: $28; WomenSing Supporter $40.

Moraga Commons Park Summer Concerts from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday evenings in the summer. June 13 features the dance party band Retroactive and June 20 will showcase the classic rock band 3 Day Weekend. Join your neighbors for a relaxing free concert. Bring your picnic blanket or lawn chairs to the grassy hillside in front of the band shell. Enjoy the music while your children enjoy the park. The volunteers of Moraga Park Foundation cook food with the Snack Bar opening at 6 p.m.

THEATER

California Shakespeare Theater opens its 2019 summer season with “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare, playing through June 16 at the Bruns Amphitheater in Orinda. The season launches with A Pay What You Can performance on Wednesday, May 22. Tickets will be available starting at 10 a.m. on the day of each show through TodayTix (todaytix.com) and the Cal Shakes Box Office (calshakes.org or 510.548.9666).

Saint Mary’s College MFA in Dance Program presents Convergence, premiering thesis concerts at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 13 and Friday, June 14 at Saint Mary’s College of California campus, LeFevre Theatre, 1928 St. Mary’s Road, Moraga. A 2 p.m. showing will be on Saturday, June 8. Convergence offers a kaleidoscope of perspectives on the human condition expressed in movement, theatre, music, poetry and design. Ticket link and more information: https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/
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Lectures

 “Making Political Art: Expression of a Movement” brings together renowned Bay Area artist activists in a panel discussion, moderated by Oakland-based art critic Jeff Kelley from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 5 at The Crown: Royal Coffee Lab & Tasting Room, Oakland’s Uptown District, 2523 Broadway. In this first speaker event of Oakland Art Murmur’s new series, we ask important questions about the confluence of art and politics, such as How do deep divisions in our political scene affect the way we view art today? and Should we perceive political art differently; and if so, through what lens? Limited Tickets: In advance $15/per person; $20/per person at the door, subject to availability. Information/ticket purchase https://oaklandartmurmur.org/
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OTHER

The North Orinda Fire Break is one of the highest priority projects in California. Lamorida Village is sponsoring a presentation at 1 p.m. on May 31 at LOPC. Jerry Kent, former Assistant General Manager of Operations of the Park District, will talk about the history of East Bay Regional Parks and the wildfires that have come through, and Dennis Rein of MOFD will be presenting fire break plans. Local law enforcement will be present to discuss evacuation plans, and our Community Warning System will be represented as well. www.lamorindavillage.org

Friends Corner Book Shop in Lafayette will be having a bag sale on Saturday, June 1, from 9-12; fill our bag for $10.  Located at the corner of First Street and Golden Gate Way.  All proceeds benefit the Lafayette Library and Learning Center.

Dogtown Downtown - the dog’s morning out in Lafayette from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday June 1. Bring yourself and your downtown-friendly pooch. Businesses and vendors will be open throughout downtown to greet you and perhaps offer treats. Interim City Manager, Niroop Srivatsa will be do a doggie reading at 11 a.m. at Bel and Bunna’s Books. Dogs must be social, friendly and on leash at all times. More details:
https://lafayettechamber.org/
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Community Concern for Cats invites you to meet kittens, kittens, and kittens at our adoption event from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 1 and 2 at Pet Food Express in Lafayette and Pleasant HIll, and Petco in Walnut Creek. For more information, see communityconcernforcats.org online.

Cancer Support Community is offering free public tours of our open space in Lafayette. Drop in between 10 and 11:30 a.m. June 8 to meet CSC staff, walk the site, and hear our plans for building a cancer community center. Location: south side of Mt. Diablo Blvd, across from Lafayette Community Garden. Contact Libby Eppinga at leppinga@cancersupport.net or (925) 953-1216 for more information.

Alzheimer’s Association to host The Longest Day Event: Sunrise Stroll to End Alzheimer’s Disease from 8 to 10 a.m. on Friday, June 21 at the Lafayette Reservoir, 3849 Mount Diablo Blvd Lafayette. The Longest Day is held annually on the summer solstice; the duration of this sunrise-to-sunset event symbolizes the challenging journey that so many living with the disease and their caregivers are asked to endure. Walk around Lafayette Reservoir followed by a picnic. Water, snacks, and brunch provided. Recommended $10 donation. Event Page: https://tinyurl.com/sunrisestroll

Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan hosts a free Lamorinda Fire Prevention and Preparedness Workshop from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on June 27 in the Campo HS multi-purpose room. Receive updates on the new North Orinda Fuel Break, learn how to use the Community Warning System in case of wildfire or other emergencies, and get tips on preparing for the upcoming fire season. RSVP: asmdc.org/cf-events
 
Native living was all-age inclusive. Do you long to experience Native connective belonging to the land and would you love to experience this in the presence of the innocence of youth? Come, open your heart and receive this regenerative connection that had been ours from the beginning as we do many and all things Native. Saclan/Miwok Camp, 8 to 11:30 a.m. July 9-12. Cost: $65; address: 3932 Mt. Diablo Blvd (across from and just west of the Lafayette Reservoir). To register for classes, please visit http://www.lafayettecommunitygarden.org. For more information contact us at: marthaharrislcg@gmail.com.

Piedmont Appreciating Diversity Committee presents ‘Dolores’; Piedmont Appreciating diversity film series 7-9 p.m. June 6 at Ellen Driscoll Playhouse, 325 Highand Ave., Piedmont. Dolores Huerta co-founded the first farm workers unions with Cesar Chavez in 1965. ‘exuberantly inspiring . . . makes you want to march and dance.’ Cost: Free, no RSVP needed. For more info see http://www.diversityfilmseries.org or call (510) 599-9227 or email Julie@diversityfilmseries.org.

SENIORS

HOPE: Homeownership Protection for Elders with Victoria Snyder and Jessica Neugebauer, Contra Costa Senior Legal Services (CCSLS) from 10:30 a.m. to noon on June 23 in the Sequoia Room, Lafayette Community Center. You will learn about tools and techniques to protect your home and its equity; why it is important to file your homestead declaration; and how you might qualify for a property tax postponement. To reserve your spot contact Lafayette Senior Services: Seniors@LoveLafayette.org or 284-5050. Members: Free; Non-Members: $10

GARDEN

The Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center presents Saving Water in Your Landscape by Contra Costa County Master Gardener Roxy Wolosenko from noon to 1:30 p.m. on June 1. CCMG’s Roxy Wolosenko will expertly guide the audience through a variety of practices that can help homeowners conserve water in their landscape. Learn about irrigation methods, plant selection and placement, water gardening and rainwater harvesting. Participants will also receive hands-on practice using irrigation components. Register online at www.lafayettecommunitygarden.org. Free.

Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center presents a discussion and brief walking tour highlighting Our Wonderful Native Plants, Presented by Susan Agnew and Janet Thomas from noon to 1:30 p.m. on June 22. To register for the class visit www.lafayettecommunitygarden.org. Free.