Art

Lamorinda Arts Alliance is proud to present our “Summer” Show at the Papillon Cafe & Gallery in Lafayette. The exhibit runs until Sept. 12. Fifteen member artists will be showing a selection of paintings, collage, encaustic and prints. In lieu of a reception, we will gather for a Coffee Klatch at the cafe on Saturday June 24, 2 p.m. to discuss the current art exhibit and any other art topics of interest. Papillon Quality Gourmet Coffee & Tea is located in La Fiesta Square, at 67 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette.

Music

The Rotary Club of Orinda and the City of Orinda, with Festival Opera, proudly present their 13th Annual Opera in the Park on Thursday, June 22 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Orinda Community Park. Bring the entire family, a blanket, a chair or two and enjoy a picnic from home or delicious food truck offerings. This is an evening of best-loved opera pieces and musical theater favorites performed by first-rate professional musicians. Free admission - BART and handicapped-accessible - Free parking.

Rock the Plaza Concert Series. Free live music in Lafayette Plaza Park, 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 23: Lamorinda Arts Council’s Lamorinda Idol Contestants. Plan your picnic in the park by ordering takeout from Lafayette’s restaurant row. Lawn chairs, blankets, and air guitars are welcome! Stop by vendor row for kids’ activities, to meet local nonprofits, and see and buy local art! Learn more at https://lafayettechamber.org/

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Freight & Salvage presents Ivo Dimchev's Top Faves on Wednesday, July 5, from 8 to 9:30 p.m., at Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison Street, Berkeley. Queer singer songwriter and provocateur Ivo Dimchev returns to the Bay Area for a one-night-only show of his greatest hits. Cost: $15 - $34. 18+. For more info see https://secure.thefreight.org/12884/ivo-dimchev

Theatre

Orinda Starlight Village Players present “The Sectret of Chimneys.” Directed by Laura Martin-Chapin through July 1 Fridays and Saturdays 8:30 p.m., Sunday June 25 - 4 p.m. and Thursday June 29 - 8 p.m. Tickets are available at the Box Office, call (925) 528-9225 or email info@orsvp.org

Town Hall Theatre Company announces Staged Reading “Starlight.” An original piece written by San Francisco-based playwright Christian Wilburn, “Starlight” will have a one night only staged reading on Saturday, July 8 at 8 p.m. Tickets: $15. Pay-What-You-Can tickets will be available at the door. 3535 School Street, Lafayette, www.townhalltheatre.com/starlight.

Town Hall Theatre Company & Front Porch announces: Front Porch Presents: A Folk Music Showcase. July 7 at 7 p.m. Town Hall Theatre Co., 3535 School Street, Lafayette. Tickets $15 townhalltheatre.com/front-porch

Literature

July events at Orinda Books: Saturday, July 1, 2 p.m. Dorothy Lazard will introduce her memoir, “What You Don't Know Will Make a Whole New World.” Lazard, now a librarian and a distinguished historian, connects her early intellectual pursuits to the career that made her a community pillar—as well as exploring her trajectory into adulthood, animated by curiosity, careful reflection, and deep enthusiasm for life. To register, go to www.eventbrite.com/e/dorothy-lazard-author-of-what-you-dont-know-will-make-a-whole-new-world-tickets-611554314417.

Orinda Books Pat’s Book Club will read and discuss “Foster” by Claire Keegan Thursday, July 6, at 11 a.m. Claire Keegan’s piercing contemporary classic “Foster” is a heartbreaking story of childhood, loss, and love. All readers are welcome.

Orinda Books Story Hour: Bring in your little bookworms (ages 2-6) and snuggle in for a reading of popular children’s books with Megan Thursday, July 13 and Thursday, July 27 at 11 a.m.

Tuesday, July 25, 6 p.m. Ethan Scheiner will introduce “Freedom to Win: A Cold War Story of the Courageous Hockey Team That Fought the Soviets for the Soul of Its People—And Olympic Gold.” During the height of the Cold War, a group of small-town young men would lead their underdog hockey team from the little country of Czechoslovakia against the Soviet Union, the juggernaut in their sport. As they battled on the ice, the young players would keep their people’s quest for freedom alive, and forge a way to fight back against the authoritarian forces that sought to crush them. This is a free Orinda Books event—register at www.eventbrite.com/e/ethan-scheiner-author-of-freedom-to-win-tickets-647664581197

Other

Knit a cap or scarf for a child or adult undergoing chemotherapy, a debilitating illness, or experiencing homelessness! As part of Community Service Day, new knitted items will be distributed to patients at John Muir Hospital, Kaiser Hospital, Hospice of the East Bay, Warm Winter Nights and Safe Parking. Items knitted over the summer will be gathered in late September to distribute to the agencies. Any size, style, color ... let your imagination guide you! (Items for pediatric oncology patients need to be from a pet-free home...please label them as such; other children’s items do not need to be.) Contact Bobbie Preston at barbarampreston@comcast.net to arrange drop-off of your gifts in September.