ART

 

Art and Nature Celebration at the Moraga Art Gallery. As it inches toward normalcy, the Moraga Art Galley cordially invites art fans young and old to a free reception on Saturday, June 12 from 5-7 p.m. This unique outdoor/indoor event is being held to express thanks to the public for its support during these trying times and to celebrate "An Homage to Nature," a show that features luminous pastels and jewelry by Dalia Alekna and the distinctive monoprints of Pat Prosek.  In addition, an array of paintings, photos, ceramics, glassware, jewelry, woodworking, sculpture and other media by more than 25 member- and guest-artists will grace the gallery, located a 432 Center Street in Moraga's Rheem Shopping Center.  Besides a sumptuous visual smorgasbord, guests will also be treated to live music, wine and light snacks. Starting June 1, the gallery will be open Thursday-Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.  For more information, please call (925) 376-5407, or visit http://moragaartgallery.com or email moragaartgallery@gmail.com.

 

Chocolate & Chalk Art Festival, Saturday, June 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., North Shattuck District, Berkeley. Chalk Art Contest! Chocolate Treats! Free Admission. www.ChocolateandChalkArt.com

 

Lamorinda Arts Alliance announces the exhibit "Slice of Life" at the aRt Cottage in Concord, through June 25. The concept of everyday life and adapting to the new normal has taken on an especially poignant meaning during the COVID-19 crisis. "Slice of Life" is about reflecting a moment, an era, a part of everyday life or an exceptional memory. The reception is pending Contra Costa County COVID-19 regulations. Located at 2238 Mt. Diablo Street, Concord. Open Tuesday - Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 1 to 5 p.m. Lamorinda Arts Alliance is an organization of local artists and friends who reside or work in the area. www.laa4art.org

 

Art Gallery at the Orinda Library: June 1-30 Reframing Aging, Peaceful Watercolors and Raku - Gallery Reopening. The Lamorinda Arts Council invites you to view the June exhibit in the Art Gallery in person at the Orinda Library on all four wood walls near the entrance to the Orinda Library and in the adjacent three-shelf glass case. Nancy Rubin and Cynthia Overbeck Bix's "Reframing Aging" exhibit explores eight vital people aged 70 to 96 including former UC Berkeley Vice Chancellor Russ Ellis. Wendy Liang, a recent California College of the Arts grad's theme "The Peaceful Life," is reflected in her luminous watercolors. Karen Hildebrand's 40 ceramic pieces, done with multiple firing techniques, includes art vessels as well as utilitarian ceramics. All required COVID-19 restrictions are observed in the Gallery for your health and safety. The exhibit runs from June 1 to 30 and can also be seen online at www.lamorindaarts.org/

online-galleries/. At press time a reception date is planned but not confirmed; see www.lamorindaarts.org/

current-exhibits/ for more information.

 

Art Gallery at Wilder, June 1 - 31 Virtual Exhibit: "Deja vu on the Wall - Paintings of Faraway Lands." Artist Janell Lumley and her husband - prior to COVID-19 - traveled to faraway places where they took copious photos. Lumley derives her portraits from these photographs. She says viewing her oil paintings allows her to revisit faraway places. Deja vu is the feeling that one has lived through the present situation before. Lumley invites you to view her paintings at www.lamorindaarts.org

/online-galleries/ to see if you travel with her to any faraway places.

 

MUSIC

 

Concert Pianist Natsuki Fukasawa's music career has taken her throughout U.S. cities as well as to Europe, Scandinavia, Israel, Australia, Brazil, Japan and China, performing at such venues as Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center and Copenhagen's Tivoli Concert Hall.  Fukasawa has won many accolades and international prizes, including rave reviews in Strad and Fanfare magazines and the Best Chamber Music Recording of the Year from the Danish Music Awards. This performance is being broadcast online; in-person performances at St. Paul's have been postponed until it is safe to congregate again. Please visit www.stpaulswc.org/concert-series to access the ticket registration, donation links. and links to the Concert Program.

 

Diablo Ballet virtually presents the final program of its 27th season, "Love Stories," June 18-27, featuring three ballets, including the romantic duet Carousel (A Dance) inspired by the Broadway musical by renowned choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. Virtual tickets are being sold one per household for $30 through June 9, after the price goes up to $35 per household, through the Lesher Center for the Arts by calling 925-943-SHOW (7469) or online at lesherartscenter.org. For additional information, visit diabloballet.org or call 925-943-1775.

 

OTHER

 

KPFA Radio 94.1 FM presents David & Margaret Talbot: By the Light of Burning Dreams on Tuesday, June 15, 6-7 p.m. at Online webinar, 1929 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Berkeley. David & Margaret Talbot will discuss their new book, By the Light of Burning Dreams:  The Second American Revolution. Hosted by Greg Bridges Cost: Suggested Donation $5-$20.  For more info see www.eventbrite.com/e/david-talbot-margaret-talbot-by-the-light-of-burning-bridges-tickets-151915694933.

 

The "Green Sofa Cinema Series" debuts Tuesday, June 15 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. In advance, watch the film "Plastic Wars" on YouTube from the comfort of your own sofa. On June 15, join a Zoom chat to talk about the film and hear from a local advocate for reducing plastic use. The free film series is sponsored by four local environmental groups. Register for the Zoom chat at: https://bit.ly/3fnOLy4

 

Whether you know someone who hoards or are just interested in learning about this disorder, we invite you to join us for a free Zoom workshop called "Hoarding: How to Help Your Loved One," on Thursday, June 17 from 6 to 7 p.m. Hoarding is a major health and safety issue that affects many seniors and is often a major concern adult children have with aging parents. The workshop includes presentations by a marriage and family therapist, a professional organizer, and a code enforcement officer. If you don't know where to turn for help with the person in your life who hoards, start here with this free Zoom presentation. Register in advance at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsdOGhpzMiE9H_yWQL-pHntNA8yWl-XqDr

 

Wildfire Preparedness: Are You Ready? California's fire season will be starting earlier this year. The more prepared we are as a community, the better we will be able to respond. Fire Marshal Jeff Isaacs will speak via Zoom on fire abatement and how the community can get involved on Sunday, June 27 from 7 to 8 p.m.  To register: go to the  MVPCtoday.org website home page and scroll to find the appropriate article with sign up information.