ART

Irenka Kudlicki & Dalia Alekna at Samadian Gallery through December at 23 Orinda Way, Suite 301, Orinda. The exhibit includes engaging abstract paintings by Irenka Kudlicki and alluring pastels by Dalia Alekna.
Valley Art Gallery presents its 54th Annual Holiday Collection for Artful Giving through Dec. 28. Their holiday collection includes a wide variety of jewelry, ceramics, glass, textiles, holiday decorations, small paintings, and many other one-of-a-kind gifts crafted by greater Bay Area artists. In addition, unique sliding walls feature over 300 works in a variety of styles, media and prices by the best Bay Area artists. 1661 Botelho Drive, Suite 110, Walnut Creek. Website and telephone: www.valleyartgallery.org; (925) 935-4311

Art Show “Radiance Captured, Oakland Art Association, Painted Bottles & National Parks, Where Nature Runs Free,” Art Gallery at the Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda. The Lamorinda Arts Council presents the oil paintings by Judith Feins, 2D and 3D artwork from members of the Oakland Art Association, painted wine bottles by Kath Balamuth and nature-rich photography by Farzeen Taban during the month of December. Visit lamorindaarts.org for more information.

Lamorinda Arts Council presents “It’s Kind of Eclectic” from Linda Huffman through December at the Art Gallery at the Art & Garden Center at Wilder at 20 Orinda Fields Road in Orinda. https://lamorindaarts.org


MUSIC

Solo Opera presents a collaboration with Macy’s Concord, a fundraiser for their season, entitled The Twelve Days of Christmas at 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 14. The event will include breakfast treats, a concert of opera and holiday music featuring soprano Diane Squires, a fashion show, a sing-along, and 12 enter to win prizes. All proceeds benefit Solo Opera, a local nonprofit opera company and their 2020 season. Tickets - $22 at Eventbrite.


WomenSing presents The Light of Hope Returning at 8 p.m. on Dec. 11 at Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church 1601 Mary Dr., Pleasant Hill and at 4 p.m. on Dec. 15 at Temple Sinai 2808 Summit Street, Oakland. $10-$28. Tickets: https://lightofhopepleasanthill.brownpapertickets.com; https://lightofhopeoakland.
brownpapertickets.com

The singing and ringing choirs of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church present their annual Christmas concert at 4 p.m. on Dec. 15. “Faith, Fun, and a Feast” includes a little religious Christmas music, a lot of popular Christmas music, and ends with “A Feast of Carols,” composed by Randol Alan Bass for the Dallas Symphony and Symphony Chorus. 1035 Carol Lane in Lafayette; free admission/freewill offering taken, with half the proceeds going to Contra Costa Interfaith Housing, helping the homeless find permanent homes.

THEATER

Town Hall Theatre Company presents “Cinderella: A Fairytale” through Dec. 21 at 3535 School Street, Lafayette. For times, tickets, and prices: BOX OFFICE: (925) 283-1557; www.townhalltheatre.com

Celebrate the holiday season with The Peter Pan Foundation’s original holiday show, “Twas the Opening Night before Christmas” Dec. 14 and 15 at Diablo Valley College, 321 Golf Club Rd. Pleasant Hill. This seasons production includes a cast of more than 100 performers ages 8 to adult. Its original story and music tells the heartwarming story of love, hope and holiday cheer the whole family will enjoy. Tickets are $25 for adults; $15 for youth 18 and under. For tickets and showtimes visit www.brownpapertickets.
com/event/4421286.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Packets for TK-5 Registration for the next school year, 2020-21 are now available at your neighborhood elementary school. Registration for Lafayette students entering TK and kindergarten for the 2020-21 school year begins Jan. 13. Additional information can be found at www.lafsd.org. In addition, an informational presentation, “A Roadmap to Kindergarten” will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 9 at Lafayette Elementary, Multi-purpose Room at 950 Moraga Road for all interested parents. This presentation is for parents only.

Come to 5A Rent-A-Space, 455 Moraga Road in Moraga from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 14 with your children for a Visit with Santa. Be the Star You Are!r volunteers will be on hand to help kids write a letter, and take their photo with St. Nick. Crafts and treats included at this free event. For more information visit: www.bethestaryouare.org/
events

Breakfast with Santa Benefit for Lafayette Historical Society from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at Sideboard Lafayette. Advanced reservations are required and cost $29 for adults and $20 for seniors and kids age 12 and younger. To book your tickets and for more info, go to: www.localfoodadventures.
com/breakfast-with-santa

Join Mindful Littles at White Pony Express for their Family Volunteering Program from 1 to 2:15 p.m. on Dec. 15 and from 4 to 5:15 p.m. on Dec. 17 at 3380 Vincent Rd #107 Pleasant Hill. White Pony Express is one of Mindful Littles’ nonprofit partners, “working to eliminate hunger and poverty by delivering the abundance all around us to those in need.” Bring water and any snacks needed for your kids. Please also wear comfortable clothes. Programming is for families with kids 4-12. Register at: https://mindfullittles.org/events/

OTHER

Free movie screening in Orinda Theatre Square “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” at 7 p.m. on Dec. 12. The Griswold family’s plans for a big family Christmas predictably turn into a big disaster. Donations are appreciated, and help sustain the program and benefit the charity, the Makey Foundation.

Lamorinda Village’s 5th Annual Afternoon of Gratitude will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13 at LOPC, 49 Knox Drive in Lafayette. We will gather to celebrate with our members, volunteers and community supporters another great year of serving the older adults in our community. Refreshments, entertainment and a special Volunteer of the Year Award in Honor of Ed Stokes will be presented. For more information on Lamorinda Village please go to www.lamorindavillage.org

Friends Corner Book Shop in Lafayette is having a half-price sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 14. This is a wonderful opportunity to find some last-minute treasures for your holiday shopping bag! The Book Shop has a wide variety of gently used books for all ages, and half-off our already low prices is a real bargain. Proceeds benefit the Lafayette Library. https://www.lllcf.org/shop-
for-a-used-book/

Hospice East Bay’s Tree of Lights ceremonies have offered community members a way to honor the lives of friends and loved ones. This year’s last ceremony is at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 15 at Moraga Country Club, 1600 St. Andrews Drive. For further information about these special events, visit Hospice East Bay Tree of Lights.

Graduate Student Jennifer Lehmann closes out her three-part lecture series with a discussion of the ways pop culture is saturated with themes and stories traditionally reserved for the religious adherents of the major western religions; Including the wine shelf at Trader Joe’s in Lafayette labeled “water.” Part of the ongoing Sunday Morning Forum series from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. on Dec. 15, Creekside Chapel, 1035 Carol Lane. http://www.oslc.net/

Winter Solstice Event at 6 p.m. on Dec. 21 at Outdoor Courtyard, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. Fire Arts Performance, poetry, candlelight, original music by singer/songwriter Laura Zucker, warm drinks for adults and kids, all to mark the longest night of the year. Free to the public with donations welcome as we pause and honor the turn toward the sun. http://www.oslc.net/

Toys for Tots - Partnering with the Moraga Police Department, 5A is a collection site for your donation of a new unwrapped toy or a cash through Dec. 22. 5A is located at 455 Moraga Rd. Ste. F. in Moraga

5A’s “Santa’s Secret Room” will be open through Dec. 24 with free wrapping paper, tape and ribbon to wrap your gifts. 5A is located at 455 Moraga Rd. Ste. F. in Moraga. (925) 643-2026.