ART

The Moraga Art Gallery’s show running through Aug. 10 features 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 of simple, comely, Japanese-inspired functional and decorative vases, cups, bowls, and more. For hours and more information visit www.moragaartgallery.com, call (925)376-5407.

Anne Morrison Rabe will be the featured Artist at Dr. Samadian’s Center for Reconstruction and Implant, 23 Orinda Way suite 301, Orinda. The show will run from June 6 through the beginning of September. There will be a reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 13. Bring your friends and family to sip on wine and taste hors d’oeuvres as you walk through the office to admire her beautiful work! Dr. Amin Samadian is proud to have affiliated with the Lamorinda Arts Alliance for the opportunity to showcase the artwork of the organization’s artists. For more information please call the office at (925) 254-2360.

Valley Art Gallery presents “Two for the Show” through Aug. 10 at the Valley Art Gallery, 1660 Botelho Drive, Walnut Creek, featuring the distinctive and beloved ceramics of Gerry Wallace and the colorful abstracts of Phil Simon. Both have ties to the gallery’s long history. www.valleyartgallery.org

Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art (SMC | MoA) presents two new exhibitions on view through Dec. 8. “Kal Spelletich: Significance Machines and Purposeful Robots” explores boundaries between humans and machines, integrating spirituality and mysticism through an unlikely form - robots. “New Formalism in Painting and Photography” presents the collaborative work of artists R&D (Diane Rosenblum and Joe Doyle) expanding the boundaries of painting and photography through digital manipulations. MoA admission is free. For information on programming and hours, visit www.stmarys-ca.edu/museum.

24th Annual Lafayette Art & Wine Festival from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21 and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22 in Downtown Lafayette. Four stages featuring over 20 Bay Area cover bands, 300 artist / craft booths, 3 kid zones with activities for all. New this year - The Young Maker’s Expo and the Xfinity Pigskin Party. Free admission. Free bike valet + parking at BART. Supports local education. www.lafayettefestival.com

The Moraga Art Gallery announces its end-of-summer show, “Pattern Parade,” an exhibit that features stylized portraits of exquisitely-coiffed, fashionably-clad women by Lafayette’s Angelica Samame. The show also features guest artist Irene Needoba of Orinda, whose abstract landscapes take viewers on unique visual journeys into a fragmented world where rocks may also be waves. The public is cordially invited to a free opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17. Come to meet artists and enjoy live music, light snacks and wine. The exhibit runs Aug. 14 through Oct. 19. For more information, visit the gallery’s website: www.moragaartgallery.com

MUSIC

Moraga Commons Park Summer Concerts from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday evenings in the summer. Aug. 8 features Bell Brothers, performing Country to American Rock. 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.
S’mores at Sundown Family Concert with Andy Z and the Andyland Band at 5 p.m. on Aug. 11 at The Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek. Say “So long!” to summer while enjoying sweet treats and live music at this family-oriented event. Andy engages children (and parents) with songs and stories that range from educational to silly. Venue seating is limited. Food, blankets and lawn chairs are welcome. Outside alcohol is prohibited. Tickets: $15 General Admission Adult; $10 GA Child (ages 2 and up); children under age 2 are free. Tickets available online at gardenshf.org or by phone at (925) 947-1678.

Orinda Concerts in the Park, with food trucks, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday evenings at the Community Center and Park: Aug. 13, Floorshakers.
Lamorinda Idol Finals - Don’t miss the highlight of the Lamorinda Idol summer program - the Finals Performance that will take place from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 18 at the Orinda Theatre. Soloists compete in four categories by grade, while groups compete in three categories by grade. Each performer receives immediate feedback from a panel of judges, and audience members have a chance to vote for their favorites. The day culminates in an award ceremony where winners for all categories are announced! Entrance to each of the performances is free but donations are appreciated. To donate online in advance of the event, click here:https://lamorindaarts
.org/donation/

St. Paul’s Concert Series welcomes Soprano Marina Tolstova to the stage with Musalliance duo, featuring Anna Kusner on Classical Guitar and Peter Omelchenko on Domra/Mandolin at 7 p.m. on Aug. 24 at 1924 Trinity Ave., Walnut Creek. Renowned throughout Europe and now home in the Bay Area, Marina Tolstova captivates audiences with her passionate, yet angelic voice. At St. Paul’s, Tolstova shares the stage with the world class guitar and mandolin duo Musalliance, to bring us an enchanted evening of Baroque, Classical, and Modern favorites. Donation at the door: average $20, Students $10 (all are welcome regardless of donation).

YMTC presents the epic musical, “Les Mis‚rables,” featuring a cast of 40 and a live 30-piece orchestra. Now on stage in El Cerrito, this superb production tells Victor Hugo’s classic tale as perfectly as it can be told. The show features talented young actors (teen through college age), including Moraga’s Alex Kolm playing Marius. Final performances are at 7 p.m. on Aug. 26 and 27 and at 2 p.m. on Aug. 28 Tickets are $16-$32. For more information, visit https://www.ymtcbayarea.org.

THEATER

California Shakespeare Theater continues its 2019 summer season with the world premiere of “House of Joy” by Madhuri Shekar as part of their New Classics Initiative; playing Aug. 14 through Sept. 1 at the Bruns Amphitheater. A Pay What You Can performance will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 14. “House of Joy” is an action-adventure romance set in a harem at the beginning of the end of the Mughal Empire. Once upon a time and place, in something like 17th century Delhi, an imperial bodyguard risks her life to fight for what’s right, turning against everything she’s been raised to believe. Additional information and online ticketing are available at www.calshakes.org.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

Moraga Library Book Club at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15. This month the club discusses Christine Mangen’s book: “Tangerine.” Arriving in Tangier, with her new husband, Alice encounters the estranged best friend she has not seen in more than a year. Alice allows her friend to introduce her to the rhythms and culture of Morocco, only to be quickly stifled by the woman’s controlling nature.

OTHER

This year’s California Independent Film Festival will run Aug. 23 though 31 at the Orinda Theatre. There will be a fabulous line-up this year celebrating independent filmmakers from around the globe, and a new generation of amazing talent. Dramas, comedies, documentaries, musicals, screenplays, thrillers, shorts and animated films will all be showcased within the glamorous aesthetics of old world Hollywood that is the Orinda Theatre. For all of the featured films, times and tickets, please go to https://www.caiff.org. And, for your special Membership Early Bird 20% discount ticket purchase, please enter code: EARLY20 through Aug. 15.

Diablo Ballet’s Annual Gourmet Gallop food and wine walk returns to downtown Walnut Creek for the ninth consecutive year from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8. Diablo Ballet invites guests to sip, sample and stroll their way through 18 downtown Walnut Creek locations as they experience a one-of-a-kind culinary adventure. Tickets are on sale now to the public at only $39 if purchased on or before July 25. After that date, the price goes up to $45 per person. Special group pricing is available. Tickets are available online at: diabloballet.org or by calling (925) 943-1775.

Cancer Support Community is offering free public tours of its open space in Lafayette. Drop in between 10 and 11:30 a.m. Aug. 10 or Oct. 12 to meet CSC staff, walk the site, and hear 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.

National S’mores Day with the Moraga Library from 2 to 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 10. S’mores are not only one of the most popular North American desserts, they are the quintessential campfire treat. To celebrate, Moraga Library will be supplying s’mores material and ready-to-go S’mores for National S’mores Day, (While supplies last). All ages are welcome.
Ecology Center presents its Salsa Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, at Martin Luther King Jr Civic Center Park, 2151 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Berkeley. Eco friendly family fun and activities! Live music salsa lessons and dancing, beer, wine, mojitos, food demos, kid’s eco fun zone, arts and crafts. Cost: Free. For more info see https://tinyurl.com/SalsaFestival2019 or call (925) 421-9574 or email cynthia@ecologycenter.org.

Summer Wine Festival 2- 5 p.m. on Saturday Aug. 10, Saint Mary’s College Soda Center in Moraga. $50 per person with pre-registration at stmayrs-ca.edu/wine or (925) 631-8744.

August is a purrfect time to adopt a kitten or two. See the pick of the litters at Community Concern for Cats adoption events from 1 to 4 p.m. this weekend, Aug. 10 and 11 at Pet Food Express in Lafayette and Petco in Walnut Creek. On Saturday we will also be at Pet Food Express in Pleasant Hill and on Sunday at Pet Food Express in Concord. See www.communityconcernforcats.org online for more information.

Desi Comedy Fest presents Mahatma Moses Comedy Caravan from 7 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 11 at Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison Ave, Berkeley. Enjoy clean, witty humor of the world’s only Indian Jewish Stand Up comedian, Samson Koletkar. Featured on NBC, CBS, NPR, his show is a must watch! Cost: $20 online. For more info see http://www.desicomedyfest.com/ or call 415-676-1371 or email info@DesiComedyFest.com.

Diablo Ballet School Open House from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 18 at 1948 Oak Park Boulevard Pleasant Hill. Come tour the building, meet Diablo Ballet School faculty and enjoy food and drinks before the brand new school opens on Aug. 26. For more information, please visit diabloballet.org.

Lafayette Hiking Group will be meeting at 9 a.m. on Aug. 18 for Buckeye Ranch Trail, Briones Regional Park. Meet at the EBRPD parking lot on Pleasant Hill Road, near Springhill School. Bring snacks, water, layered clothing, good walking shoes and sun protection. Escape the heat while enjoying a shady walk amidst towering oaks and bays with views overlooking Reliez Creek. Hear about the stables and horseback riding that used to inhabit the area which is now part of Briones Regional Park. There’s a chance we’ll be able to pick blackberries if they’re ripe. Easy 1.5-mile loop. Leader: Jennifer Russell; Questions: LafayetteHiking@comcast.net

State Boards and Commissions Appointment Workshop - Are you looking for a new and meaningful way to get involved and serve our community and our state? There are over 200 opportunities to serve our state in a wide range of subject areas, as well as numerous city and county commissions that you could apply to join. The State Boards and Commissions Appointment Workshop, co-hosted by Speaker Anthony Rendon and the League of California Cities Women’s Caucus, will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22 in San Ramon Community Center, Fountain Room. Experts will be on hand to explain how you can apply for an appointment to a State Board or Commission, and will share some best practices for a successful application. Space is limited so please RSVP no later than Aug. 19.

North Shattuck Association presents Chocolate and Chalk Art Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24 at Gourmet Ghetto, North Shattuck Ave., 1400-1800 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley. Eat chocolate and make art! Chalk Art Contest cash prizes; chocolate menu with 25+ items; live music; arts and crafts; beer and wine and food trucks. Free entry but chocolate tickets are 20/$20, Box of Chalk is $10. For more info see www.anotherbullwinkel
show.com/chocolate-chalk-art/ or call (510) 548-5335 or email Lisa@AnotherBullwinkel
Show.com

Moraga’s Leisure sport triathlon,11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday Aug. 31. Gather your friends and family and create a team for this fun alternative to the traditional triathlon where teams play Bocce Ball, Corn Hole, and Disc Golf. Teams of four rotate between the three activities throughout the day. Participants will receive an event T-shirt, event pint glass, and catered hot BBQ lunch. Info and registration at www.moraga.ca.us.

Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa and St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa, (SVdP), are excited to announce their 2019 Bocce Ball Tournament: The Big La Bocce beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7 at the Martinez Bocce Federation. The Bocce Ball Tournament will raise funds to support safety-net programs that improve the quality of life for residents of Contra Costa County who struggle to make ends meet. For more information and registration, please visit https://loavesfishescc.
ejoinme.org/BOCCE

The 2019 Orinda Classic Car Show Weekend with its Saturday Car Show and Friday Party before it will celebrate the history and excitement of classic cars. The car show will run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7 and the Friday Party will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 6 at the beautiful new Orinda Arts and Garden Center. Online car exhibitor entries and Friday party ticket sales are now available. Enter your car or buy tickets for the party at www.orindacarshow.com.  

SENIORS

Lafayette Community Foundation’s 10th Annual Senior Symposium, “Aging By Design” will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 10 at Acalanes High School. Attendees will hear from a variety of experts about the latest findings on aging while maintaining independence. In addition, many vendors and nonprofit agencies will have booths at the Symposium’s Resource Fair providing information about their products and services. Attendance is free. Please register in advance by visiting http://www.lafayettecf.org. to fill out the attendee registration and to have you name included in the raffle drawing.

GARDEN

Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center presents Home Composting for Busy People from 3 to 4 p.m. on Aug. 10. Presented by Master Gardener Marian Woodard. Registration is required. Call (925) 906-1801 x306 to register. The event is free.