ART

 

Lamorinda Arts Alliance Announces "Inspired by the Greats" – a member show at the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library, Dec. 2-31. The “Inspired by the Greats” theme gave 30 local artists the opportunity to pay tribute to influencers each artist counts as “great” for them. Reception with the artists at the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library, Saturday, Dec. 4, 3 to 5 p.m. The Art Gallery at the Orinda Library is located at 26 Orinda Way in Orinda. The Gallery is open Mon. through Thurs., 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fri. and Sat., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

Art show at Orinda Books. November features the paintings of Lisa Gunn, who has long had a prominent artistic presence in Orinda.  Gunn’s style is a "California Impressionism" involving plein air, landscapes, and abstracts.  She notes, "I am hoping that people will connect with my painting and find some attachment that speaks to them whether it be through color, composition or some thread of energy transmitting from one human to another."  Visit the Artist of the Month at www.orindabooks.com/events.

 

The public is invited to an outdoor reception honoring sculptor Rue Whittaker who will answer questions about "Indigo Animal and Dame Eleanor Marmot" on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2-4 p.m. in front of the Orinda Community Center, 28 Orinda Way, Orinda. Light refreshments will be served. Families and children are most welcome. Hosted by the City of Orinda Art in Public Places Committee and Lamorinda Arts Council. Rain or shine event. All COVID-19 precautions observed. For more information about APPC visit www.artspaceorinda.org/; visit LAC online at www.lamorindaarts.org

 

MUSIC

 

The acclaimed East Bay Vocal Ensemble Voci presents the holiday concert “Message of Peace: Beloved Seasonal Gems” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 at St. Perpetua Catholic Church 3454 Hamlin Road, in Lafayette and at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12 at St. Mary Magdalen Church 2005 Berryman Street, in Berkeley. Price: $15-$30 - Buy Tickets Today at VociSings.org.

 

Prize winning young international pianist and artistic director of France's "En Blanc et Noir Music Festival" Bobby Mitchell returns to Lamorinda and dazzles audiences at Santa Maria Church in Orinda at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4. Free. Donations accepted (www.FracturedAtlas.org BobbyMitchellPiano). For info, call Vicki Nakamura (925) 708-1915.

 

Berkeley Chamber Performances presents “Milou Trio and Friends”. The concert will be available from Monday, Nov. 22 - Sunday, Dec. 5, 2315 Durant Avenue, Berkeley. Please join the Milou Trio and Friends virtually! Milhaud: Sonatine for Clarinet and Piano; Poulenc: Sonata for Piano Four Hands Ravel: Piano Trio; Cost: $20.  For more info see www.berkeleychamberperform.org or call 510-525-5211 or email info@bcp1.org.

 

Berkeley Symphony presents Berkeley Symphony Special Chamber Concert: “Stuart Canin & Friends” on Sunday, Nov 21, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Piedmont Center for the Arts, 801 Magnolia Ave, Piedmont. “Stuart Canin & Friends” will feature Canin on violin along with pianist Helene Wickett, performing works by Shostakovich, Stravinsky, & Beethoven. Cost: $35.  For more info see www.berkeleysymphony.org or call 510-841-2800 or email tickets@berkeleysymphony.org.

 

St. Paul’s Concert Series presents violinist Heeguen Song and cellist Peter Myers in a live performance. This performance will be broadcast online from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 1924 Trinity Avenue, Walnut Creek, on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.  We also have limited seating for in-person attendance. Online Live Link Provided through Website. Contact: Deborah Webster 925-297-0134, ConcertSeries@stpaulswc.org, https://stpaulswc.org/concert-series/

 

Pacific Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Conductor Lawrence Kohl, presents a concert production of Handel’s Messiah with soprano Hope Briggs, mezzo-soprano Kindra Scharich, tenor Jonathan Smucker, and bass Kirk Eichelberger and the Pacific Chamber Orchestra Chorus with Dwight Stone, Chorus Master. Performances are Saturday, Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1225 Hopyard Road in Pleasanton and Sunday, Nov. 28 at 3 p.m. at Bankhead Theatre, 2400 First Street in Livermore. Tickets online at pacificchamberorchestra.org.

THEATER

 

California Academy of Performing Arts returns to the stage! Kick off the holiday season with a Moraga tradition. CAPA’s “The Nutcracker” runs Dec. 2 - 5 at the Campolindo Performing Arts Center in Moraga. Join us for this special narrated ballet! Tickets go on sale Nov. 8. Visit capadance.net to grab your seat.

 

OTHER

 

Lafayette's Community Conversation No. 3 about Race and Equity. Thursday, Nov. 18, from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Community Hall at the Lafayette Library. Using the Equity lessons from the AUHSD, we will explore definitions of race and equity, the importance of multiple perspectives, and the best tools for engaging in challenging conversations about race and racism. This event is sponsored by Lafayette DEIB Committee in support of Lamorinda Cities' United Against Hate Week.

 

Hospice East Bay is proud to be celebrating its 35th annual Tree of Lights: Lafayette, Tuesday, Nov. 16, 5:30 p.m.; Moraga, Sunday, Dec. 12, 5:30 p.m.; Orinda, Saturday, Dec. 4, 4:30 p.m. www.hospiceeastbay.org/tol

 

Free carwash on Saturday Nov. 13 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at 3776 Via Granada Moraga. It's completely free and facilitated by missionaries and members from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

 

Toys for tots toy drive. Drop off toys from Nov. 1 to Dec. 10, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lafayette Community Center Main Office 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette. Toys should be unopened and in original packaging.

 

Teen Talent Showcase submissions are free and open to all teens (11 & Up) and young adults! Just fill out the Registration Form and submit your audition video. Deadline to submit is Nov. 21. https://abrighterday.info/events/teen-talent-showcase-lafayette-youth-commission/

 

The Lafayette Hillside Memorial is hosting its annual Veterans Day Vigil at 5 p.m. Nov. 11. Join Zoom Meeting:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4137479233. Meeting ID: 413 747 9233

 

GARDEN

 

Lafayette Garden Club Nov. 11 meeting will start at 10 a.m. in the Veterans Memorial Bldg. 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Lafayette. Laurel Winzler, floral designer and owner of Flaurel Design, began her career working for the SF Symphony preparing welcome bouquets for visiting conductors and musicians. SF Symphony is still her client today! She presents “Festive Holiday Decor” with an emphasis on materials that can be sourced locally or in your own garden. There is no charge to attend. For details please  Contact: LGCMembershipCommittee@gmail.com.