ART

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. And “New Formalism in Painting and Photography,” which 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.

Youth Maker’s Expo at the Lafayette Art & Wine Festival. Local young entrepreneurs ages 9-16 are encouraged to display and sell their products and services during the festival, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21 and 22. Y-ME will be open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. Entrepreneurs will have the option to attend business and marketing classes before the festival. To apply for free table space visit LafayetteFestival.com/y-me/
    
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. Come to meet artists and enjoy live music, light snacks and wine. The exhibit runs through Oct. 19. For more information, visit the gallery’s website: www.moragaartgallery.com

The Lamorinda Arts Alliance is delighted to present a juried art exhibition “Under Pressure 2”, at the Main Street Arts Gallery at 613 Main Street, Martinez, through Oct. 6. All printmaking mediums were considered for exhibition with an emphasis on varied techniques. Intaglio etchings, monotypes, monoprints, solarplate etchings, Chine-coll,, relief print woodblocks and linoleum art will be represented.

Lamorinda Arts Alliance presents “Abstractly Speaking” by Artist 7 through Sept. 27 at the aRt Cottage, 2238 Mt. Diablo St., Concord. Artist 7 is a group of artists that regularly meet to discuss upcoming shows, museum events and to discuss new art techniques and media. “Abstractly Speaking” presents their current abstract work, with each artist exploring different directions in the genre. Moved by the plight of children at our southern border, the artists will donate 30% of all their sales to The Legal Service for Children in San Francisco. The aRt Cottage is open Tuesday to Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 1 to 5 p.m.

Valley Art Gallery presents “Celebrating 70 Years of Fine Art,” a new exhibition by gallery artists on its 70th Anniversary Sept. 21 though Nov. 9. There will be a free reception from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sept. 29. The gallery always features selected works by Gallery Artists on our unique sliding walls. Reflecting a wide range of motifs, styles and media, the show continues our mission to represent the best of the best of more than 100 East Bay artists. www.valleyartgallery.org

The Lamorinda Arts Alliance will hold a one-day show and sale from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 5 at the Lafayette Christian Church, just off St. Mary’s Road at 584 Glenside Drive, Lafayette. More than two dozen painters, jewelers, ceramicists, photographers, card and print-makers, and one virtuoso chocolatier will display media-spanning collections of recent works. The participants, mostly Lamorinda-based, hail also from Alameda, Benicia, Clayton, Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Pacheco, and other nearby towns. Free.

MUSIC

St. Paul’s concert series continues with Greg Dufford and Fernanda Nieto Duet at 7 p.m. on Sept. 28 at 1924 Trinity Avenue, Walnut Creek. From San Francisco Opera and Chamber Orchestra to Denver stages, Dufford bings alive the magic of his clarinet artistry. Renowned from Argentina and Colorado, pianist Dr. Fernanda Nieto joins the stage in a vibrant musical performance. Donation at the door: average $20, Students $10 (all are welcome regardless of donation). www.facebook.com/stpauls
concertseries/

Count Basie style Jazz performed by Steve Snyder’s Big Band from 4 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 6 at 584 Glenside Drive, Lafayette, Back Courtyard patio. Craft Beers and Wine for purchase. Snacks available. The concert is free with a good will donation to help cover expenses.

OSLC Concert Series presents The Black Cedar Trio (Kris Palmer, flute; Steven Lin, guitar; Isaac Pastor-Chermak, cello) in a performance spanning four centuries of music at 4 p.m. on Oct. 6 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane in Lafayette. Compositions by J.S. Bach, Paganini, Piazzolla, and a special commission (2018) Tres Colores by Javier Contreras. Free admission/freewill offering.

Devil Mountain Coffee House announces North Country Blue show at 8 p.m. on Oct. 18. at Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. North Country Blue (www.northcountryblue.com) emerged in the fall of 2017 and has quickly established itself as one of California’s freshest and finest bluegrass bands. The band combines fresh takes on the traditional bluegrass canon, thoughtful covers of challenging modern material, and a number of startlingly mature and well-crafted originals. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 students and $5 children. Sliding scale is also available at the door. Tickets are available at: www.eventbrite.com/e/north-
country-blue-tickets-7243353
3649?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

THEATER

Orinda Starlight Village Players present Malcolm Cowler’s adaptation of Wilkie Collins’ “The Woman in White” through Sept. 26 at the Outdoor Amphitheater, Orinda Community Center Park. For tickets and showtimes, visit https://www.orsvp.org. Tickets: $20 regular, $10 discount.

Town Hall Theatre opens their milestone 75th “Transformations” 2019-20 Season with Matthew Lopez’s comedy “The Legend of Georgia McBride,” a celebratory piece about a young man discovering his inner drag queen Sept. 26 though Oct. 19. There will be an opening reception at 8 p.m. on Sept. 28. For tickets and showtimes: BOX OFFICE: (925) 283-1557;
www.townhalltheatre.com

LECTURE & LITERATURE

SMC Afternoon Craft Conversation with Ingrid Rojas Contreras from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 25 at De La Salle Hall: Hagerty Lounge, 1928 Saint Mary’s Road, Moraga. Often, the image that comes to mind when we think of dramatic structure is Freytag’s pyramid, a shape that visually illustrates rising action, climax, and denouement. In this lecture, we will move away from Freytag’s European understanding of structure, and we will investigate how other cultures understand story, how different writers have thought of dramatic structure in architectural and visual language, and how these artists arrived at their visions.

Diablo Writers’ Workshop is excited to present “Launching” a creative writing reading program from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17 at Orinda Books. Eight local writers will share debut stories developed with the Diablo Writers’ Workshop. The reading is being held in conjunction with San Francisco’s an annual literary festival-Litquake-and hosted by DWW founders and teachers Janine deBoisblanc and Andrea Firth. Come out for refreshments, great storytelling, and a fun evening.
 
KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Moraga Library presents Movie and a Craft at 3 p.m. on Sept. 18. You’ve got a friend in the library! Come watch the first “Toy Story” as you make your own Forky. Craft supplies will be provided by the library. Best for ages 4 and up.
Henna program at the Moraga Library at 4 p.m. on Sept. 19. Rachel Palacios will showcase the art of Henna. Patrons will be able to use the materials to draw temporary body art. Teens and adults.

“Love & Logic - Parenting Made Fun.” For parents of children of all ages. Learn simple and proven techniques that teach responsibility and character, lower your stress level, and have immediate and positive results. Taught by Connie Kellaher, Director of MVPC Nurtury Preschool, and Love and Logic Independent Facilitator. Join us for any or all of 7 sessions on Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Moraga Valley Pres Church, 10 Moraga Valley Lane, Moraga. Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and Nov. 6 and 13. Each session stands alone, so come when you can! No charge, and no pre-registration needed. Free childcare is available by emailing ckallaher@mvpctoday.org at least one week in advance. For more info, visit www.thenurturypreschool.com
/programs/parenteducation/

OTHER

Join Saint Mary’s College in celebrating Afro-Latinx/Latinx/Indigenous Heritage month with art-making, food, and music from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 19. The evening will feature the Sanctuary Print Cart, a mobile print shop created by artists Sergio De La Torre and Chris Treggiari. The Sanctuary Print Cart raises awareness about the impact of immigration policies on our communities and support immigrants’ rights through community silkscreening. Free. For more information visit: www.stmarys-ca.edu/museum.

Mountain Shadow’s 5th Annual Short Film Competition at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 20 and at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 21 at Las Lomas High School Theater, 1460 S. Main St. (across from Kaiser Hospital) in Walnut Creek. Categories include animated, live action/narrative and documentary short films. The 11 finalists will be present to compete for cash prizes and the audience choice awards. General admission tickets will be available for $12 at the door beginning a half hour before the start of the competition. Capital One Cafe will host a free reception between the two Saturday shows from 5:30 to 7 p.m. to meet the filmmakers. All are welcome.

Middle Eastern Festival 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 on the grounds of the St. John the Evangelist Orthodox Church at 501 Moraga Way in Orinda. All are welcome to enjoy the food, live entertainment, folk dancing, exhibits, games and more. Admission is $2.

Join the Contra Costa County Library Accessibility Committee for a screening of “Pick of the Litter” from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sept. 24 at the Moraga Library. This documentary follows five puppies as they are trained to become guide dogs for the blind. Over the course of their first two years of life, each dog’s ability to protect a blind human is rigorously honed and tested by professional instructors. If volunteers are available they will bring puppies from Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Pain! What is it and what can we do about it? at 7 p.m. on Sept. 24 with Tim Appleford, PT, MSPT, OCS, ATC, Clinic Manager at Lafayette Physical Therapy at 3468 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Suite B110 in Lafayette. This is a free event, but space is limited, so please sign up at lafayettept.com/events or call (925) 284-6150.

Las Trampas invites you to join them and the Morgan Family for their 10th Annual Walk n’ Roll 1 mile or 5K Run fundraiser from 8 a.m. to noon on Sept. 28. Walk, Roll or Run from Lafayette Plaza Park where there will be refreshments, music, face painting and more. Your registration fee of $25 ($30 if you register at the Walk) includes a T-shirt, raffle prizes. refreshments. Enjoy entertainment by The Jen Coogan Band, and KKDV music and game wheel. 8 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. start time. Register at www.lastrampas.org or call (925) 310-2363.

Join Moraga’s annual Pear and Wine Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept.  28 at the Moraga Commons Park. This is a family friendly event with activities for all ages celebrating Moraga’s Pear history. Activities include bounce houses, face painting, and a petting zoo as well as  musical entertainment, wine tasting, community booths, and more.   For more information see www.moraga.ca.us.

Serbian Food Festival from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church 1700 School Street, Moraga. Serbian favorites like sarma, kobasice, cevapcici, live Serbian music, delicious homemade pastries and a bounce house for the kids.

Lafayette Juniors 25th Annual Rummage Sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5. Special Early Bird Entrance fee $10 per adult from 7 to 8 a.m. Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Dr., Lafayette. Pre-loved designer clothes, baby and kid clothes, toys, children’s gear, furniture, household goods, and much more. Visit www.lafayettejuniors.org.

Volunteers will remove Fire Blight - damaged branches from the 106-year old pear orchard adjacent to Joaquin Moraga School in Moraga from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 5. The trees are doing better after several years of fire blight removal, treatment with an organic fertilizer last year, and our winter rains in 2016. The Fire Blight infection threatened to kill this historic orchard, which is a source of great local pride and the impetus for the annual Moraga Pear Festival. There will be instruction, tools, and a lot of fun. Bring gloves, sunscreen, hats and sturdy shoes. If you have them bring (labeled with your name), loppers, hand pruners and (especially needed) pole pruners and orchard ladders.

The giant fall book sale sponsored by the Friends of the Moraga Library will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Moraga Library, 1500 St. Mary’s Road. Books, CD’s and DVDs in all categories will be sold at prices ranging from $0.25 to $3 Beginning at 1 p.m. a bag can be purchased for $5 and filled with all the books it will hold. Proceeds from the sale go to fund library materials and programs in addition to paying for staffing of the library’s Sunday hours.

Pivotal Twist Presents - Improv Your Intro: A Fun Way to Craft Your Personal Introduction from 7 to 10 p.m. on Oct. 23 at JPG@The Bank, 3525 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Expect good energy, a fun group, and a non-judgmental playground where you can try new ideas. Led by Sean Perlmutter and Henry Caplan of Pivotal Twist, Improv Your Intro is built on their background as actor/writer/directors, speaker coaches, and brand consultants. Limited to 30 participants. $45 registration includes light snacks and soft drinks. https://improvyourintro.e
ventbrite.com

GARDEN

The Moraga Garden Club Monthly General Meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 19 at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School Street. Alex Friedman from Sloat Garden Center will speak on the topic of Fall Planting and Pruning. General meetings are free and open to the public. New members are welcomed! For more information: www.moragagardenclub.com

The Montelindo Garden Club will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 20 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center’s Community Hall. Presentation: Bringing Color to Your Garden With Succulents and Their Friends. Speaker: Cricket Riley. After completing degrees in landscape architecture, history, broadcast journalism and Near Eastern Studies, in April of 2017 Riley joined the Ruth Bancroft Garden staff. She loves to help people select appropriate plants to produce lush, beautiful and sustainable gardens. To illustrate her presentation, Riley will be bringing succulents that can be purchased at the meeting’s conclusion.

Bringing Back the Natives workshop California native plant propagation for beginners: How to create native plants from seeds, cuttings, and divisions from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 28 in Walnut Creek. Join renowned environmental educator Judy Adler in a hands-on workshop at her half-acre garden, where you will learn how to propagate California native plants from seeds, cuttings, and divisions, and take home plants you have propagated yourself! $40, limited to 15 people. Register: www.bringingbackthenatives.
net/fall-2019-workshops

The Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center hosts its eighth annual Harvest Fest from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sep. 29. The garden is located at 3932 Mt. Diablo Blvd., across from the Lafayette Reservoir entrance. There will be tours, talks, music, crafts, scarecrow making, games, food and drink and lots of fun. Free.

The Walnut Creek Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 14 at the Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, in Walnut Creek. The featured speaker will be Dr. John Fike, who is a master gardener and retired biomedical researcher. His presentation titled “Those Darn Pests” will introduce Integrated Pest Management (IPM), an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term control using biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and resistant varieties.

The Montelindo Garden Club October meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 18 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center’s Community Hall, 3491 Mt Diablo Blvd. Everyone is welcome. Presentation: Bulbs, Bulbs, and More Bulbs! Speaker: William Welch, a.k.a. Bill the Bulb Baron. Bill has been growing and hybridizing bulbs his entire life and has bred and named several new varieties. He grows all of his bulbs organically, and will be bringing with him a wide selection of bulbs for sale after the talk. www.montelindogarden.com