ART

 

Moraga Art Gallery presents a new art exhibit and reception at the reopened gallery: “Kaleidoscope” through April 4. For more information, visit the gallery’s website: https://moragaartgallery.com, or call (925) 376-5407 or email moragaartgallery@gmail.com.

 

Valley Art Gallery’s new show “Joel Summerhill’s Wild Jazz 5” runs through March 13. See Summerhill’s watercolor jazz animals. Reception from 4 to 6 p.m. on Feb. 15. www.valleyartgallery.org; (925) 935-4311.

 

Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery presents “Translations: Painting and Poetry” - Abstract work by Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin through March 14. www.jennifer perlmuttergallery.com

 

Moraga Art Gallery Announces a special exhibit, “Witness” through April 4, created by member artist Judy Bolef Miller. “Witness” is 22 feet of collage and assemblage exploring the past eight decades, giving the viewer a feel for the politics, entertainment, sports and continuing conflicts that have been part of our lives. https://moragaartgallery.com

 

MUSIC

 

The Gold Coast Chamber Players present Grammy-nominated Aizuri Quartet in “Songs and Echoes of Home” at 7:30 p.m. March 7 in the Don Tatzin Community Hall at the Lafayette Library, 3492 Mt. Diablo Blvd. A special student showcase from the SF Conservatory of Music begins at 7 p.m.  Tickets and information - GCCPmusic.com.

 

David Auerbach, baritone, sings at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 22 at the OSLC Concert Series.  The program, entitled, “Standing, Still:  Stories from a Man’s Life,” presents a song cycle of tunes from Broadway and The Great American Songbook to tell a story from David’s personal experience, but is a story with which we can all identify.  With Martin Morley, piano; Jonah Cabral, reeds; and Daniel Williams, drums.  Free admission/freewill offering.  Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane in Lafayette, www.oslc.net.

 

THEATER

 

Town Hall Theatre Company presents “The Cherry Orchard” through March 21 at 3535 School Street, Lafayette. Tickets: $18 Previews $27-30 evenings, $25-27 Sat. & Sun. matinees. Discounts available for Seniors and youth. For tickets and showtimes: (925) 283-1557; www.townhalltheatre.com

 

Town Hall Theatre is thrilled to announce their Second Annual Playwrights’ CageMatch: AMONG THE TREES at 7:30 p.m. on March 23. Playwrights’ CageMatch is a chance for playwrights to show their stuff in an audience-decided live competition. The only requirements for aspiring contributors were that the scenes had to be 20 minutes or less, have no more than four characters and demonstrate gender parity. Admission for the Playwrights’ CageMatch is $5 (free to subscribers), and tokens to vote will be sold for $5.

 

LECTURE & LITERATURE

 

“From Reagan to Bush to Eugene O’Neill Festivals,” First Friday Forum will present Dan McGovern at 1:30 p.m. on March 6 in the Sanctuary of the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. As an explanation of the subject, McGovern served in the presidential administrations of Ronald Reagan and George H,W. Bush. He is currently the President of the Eugene O’Neill Foundation in Danville. Refreshments will be served. Free.

 

The Second Wednesday Book Group will read and discuss “Killers of the Flower Moon, the Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI” by David Grann at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 11. The World Affairs Book Group will read and discuss “Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides’ Trap?” by Graham Allison at 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 17. Both groups meet monthly at Orinda Books 276 Village Square, Orinda. New members welcome. 

 

AAUW-OML (American Association of University Women-Orinda Moraga Lafayette Branch) will host a panel discussion on U.S. immigration policy and issues from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on March 17 at the Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda. Three experts will share information on current U.S. immigration topics such as the types of visas available, and immigrants’ destinations and effect on the U.S. economy. Free and open to the public. For more information, visit our website at https://oml-CA.aauw.net.

 

White House Correspondent and co-host of NPR Politics Podcast, Tamara Keith, discusses political journalism, specifically highlighting the 2020 campaign and the challenging climate for American journalism in our current age from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on March 18 at Saint Mary’s College. Free. Register: www.stmarys

-ca.edu/tamarakeith

 

Orinda Community Church presents a discussion forum: Paths to Middle East Peace from 4 to 7 p.m. on March 22 at 10 Irwin Way. Panelists include Ellen Brotsky (Jewish Voice for Peace) and John Anderson, who recently returned from Gaza and works on the Presbyterian Board on Middle East Peace. A Middle Eastern dinner (suggested donation of $12) will also be served. Questions, visit orindacommunitychurch.org or call (925) 254-4906

 

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

 

The Friends of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center has an invitation to all Lafayette students from Kindergarten to 8th grade. Here is an opportunity to express your artistic talent in the form of a bookmark. The contest entries must be submitted by March 6. The entry forms will be available at the Lafayette Library and the Friends Corner Book Shop. The winner’s bookmarks will be framed and exhibited in the library and the Friends Corner Book Shop.

 

OTHER

 

Free Tax Preparation for the 2019 tax season is available from AARP’s Tax-Aide and United Way’s Earn It, Keep It, Save It (EKS) programs. Service is provided by volunteer tax preparers who are IRS trained and certified. For information on Tax-Aide sites, call: (925) 726-3199. For information on EKS sites, call 2-1-1 or visit www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org.

 

Yeah Buddy Awesome Time: Comedy Show from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on March 7 at Spats Berkeley, 1974 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. Yeah Buddy Awesome Time brings back room laughs to the people of Berkeley. Come to Spats to see comedians from Conan, Viceland and Comedy Central. Cost: $5. For more info see https://yeahbuddyawesometime7.eventbrite.com or call (510) 227-7477 or email chrisjohncomedy510@gmail.com.

 

Welcome to Medicare is a free class presented by Contra Costa Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP). You will learn when and how to enroll, about Medicare costs and benefits, prescription coverage, Medicare Advantage plans (HMOs), Medicare Supplements and how Medicare coordinates with other coverage. Classes are monthly on the second Wednesday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek. Upcoming dates are March 11 and April 8. See www.cchicap.org or call (925) 602-4163 to enroll. Materials provided. No products sold or endorsed.

 

Join the folks from John Muir Land Trust 5-9 p.m. on Thursday, March 12 for a pint at Canyon Club Brewery,1558 Canyon Road in Moraga to discuss Painted Rock and what’s next for public access. Learn how to get involved with the Painted Rock Trail Building event on May 16-17, hosted by JMLT and Volunteers for Outdoor California (VOCAL).  A portion of proceeds from all beer sold during the event will be donated to JMLT.

 

The MSD and the Moraga iKind Project present the documentary “And then they came for us” about Japanese internment camps from 7 to 8:45 p.m. on March 13 at the Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School auditorium. Following the showing, the panel members, now in their 80s, will speak and answer questions.

 

Double down for the Lafayette Community Center Foundation’s first Poker Party! The festivities will be held at 7 p.m. on March 14 at 500 St. Mary’s Road. Come to play poker, visit with Lafayetteians, learn a new game, win fabulous prizes. This is a night not to miss. This event is run by the Lafayette Community Center Foundation and will raise funds for its new Lafayette Community Center playground.

 

All are cordially invited to celebrate with Saint Mary’s College Guild St. Patrick’s Day Dinner / Auction / Fundraiser at SMC’s Soda Center Saturday, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. March 14. Featuring Rohan Murphy Academy Irish Dancers and The Frank O’Connor Band. A delicious traditional, Irish corned beef dinner with all the trimmings. Guinness, Harp, wine, Irish Coffee available. Tickets: $50 per person. Make checks payable to: SMC Guild and mail to: Cynthia Kelly, 628 Augusta Drive, Moraga, 94556. Questions: Call Cynthia Kelly at (925) 388-0437.

 

Lafayette resident, Papa John Kiefer, will, again, offer workshops on “How to Raise Your Own Chickens.” Topics will include raising young chicks, laying hen maintenance, and sustainable coop construction. Workshops are free and will be held in Lafayette from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on March 15. Reservations are required. Contact: chickenspapajohn@gmail.com. Location provided upon registration.

 

The Real Irish Comedy Fest from 7:30 to 9:15 p.m. on March 15 at Lesher Arts Center, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. The Real Irish Comedy Fest showcases the best blend of Irish comedic talent in the United States. Accents included. Cost: $25-30. For more info see http://realirishcomedytour

.com/ or email team@funnybizz.co.

 

The Persian Center will be hosting its 21st annual Chaharshanbeh Souri from 6 to 10 p.m. on March 17 at 2029 Durant Ave., Berkeley. Jump over bonfires to celebrate the change of seasons and to welcome spring. Enjoy Persian food, music, dancing, and children’s activities. Rain or shine. Free. www.facebook.com/

PersianCenterOrg/ www.AnotherBullwinkel

Show.com 510.334.6523

 

Our Saviors Lutheran Church presents Spring Equinox Celebration at 7 p.m. on March 19 at 1035 Carol Lane, Main Hall. Through, poetry, song, reflections, and the creation of an equinox mandala, the night will provide you and your kids a chance to honor the turning of the seasons and discover a little equilibrium in a world that often feels out of balance. To Donate and/or get tickets https://lafayette-spring-equinox.

eventbrite.com

 

GARDEN

 

The Walnut Creek Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting at 10 a.m. on March 9 at the Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, in Walnut Creek. The topic of the March program is “Behind the Scenes at the Rose Bowl.” You do not need to be a gardener to join the Walnut Creek Garden Club.

 

Please join the Orinda Garden Club for its annual community meeting at 10 a.m. on March 19 at the Orinda Library Auditorium. Brenda Coffee, one of America’s top women Bloggers, will speak about the joys and perils of a full and ambitious life. There is no charge to attend and there will be a small sampling of garden club items available for your shopping pleasure.

 

The Moraga Garden Club Monthly General Meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. on March 19 at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School Street. Goddess Gardener Cynthia Brian will speak about Fire Safe Landscaping with a Flair. You should not miss this flamboyant speaker who is sure to inspire green and brown thumbs alike. Free.

 

The Montelindo Garden Club March meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. on March 20 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center’s Community Hall. Presentation: Don’t Snub the Shrubs. Speaker: Rebecca Sweet. www.montelindogarden.com

 

Come in for some comedy at Cine Cuvee in Orinda

Submitted by Tania Sheppard

 

Looking for a way to get out of the doldrums of daily life?  The first Wednesday of the month could provide the perfect comedic respite at Cine Cuvee in Orinda’s Theatre Square, which offers free comedy at 7 p.m. in the wine bar.  Headliners at the March 4 event will include Marcus Williams, who is part of the Comedy Central Bay Area Clusterfest Showcase, Al Moffatt, who performs with the “Early Bird Special” comedy ensemble, Nicole Tran, who is a regular on the “Kill Tony” podcast at the LA Comedy Store, and Jason Toupes, who produces and hosts “Laughs on Tap” at Faction Brewery.

            Don’t miss other events at Cine Cuvee and Orinda Theatre, including: Free Movie Night at The Orinda Theatre, featuring “Giant” at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 12; Karaoke at Cine Cuvee at 7 p.m. Friday, March 13; and Live at the Orinda Concert Series at the Orinda Theatre featuring Natalie Douglas at 5 p.m. Sunday, March 15.

               For information, visit www.orindamovies.com