Big Band Dance
Friday, May 7th, 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. (Dance lesson begins at 7:00 p.m.) Veterans Memorial Bldg., 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Tickets ($10) are on sale at the Chamber of Commerce, 100 Lafayette Circle, Suite 103, www.lafayettechamber.org.
Itching to kick up your heels at the Big Band Dance but not sure which foot to start with? Fear not! Come early and dance instructor Gail Enright will have you gliding across the dance floor by the time the baton rises and the Big Band of Rossmoor begins to play.
Big Band Director Maurice Levich says that dance lessons are being offered in response to popular demand and that Enright, who is also a Lafayette resident, is just the person to teach them. "Gail is a wonderful, professional dance instructor who has graced our community for years," states Levich, who met Enright several years ago when his daughter attended Stanley Middle School.
"I first worked with her in about 1999. Gail was instructing our young people who were associated with Cotillion. The Big Band of Rossmoor was furnishing the music," recalls Levich. "I was very excited to have the Rossmoor Big Band play for us one night to introduce them to the real thing and play the music we had been learning to dance to," Enright adds. "These were young 7th and 8th graders learning how to dance; I was most impressed with her efficiency. In a matter of moments she had the young dancers in motion and they seemed to very much enjoy the experience," concludes Levich.
Enright, who says she has been a Ballroom Dance instructor for most of her adult life, currently teaches classes at Rossmoor and is looking forward to the Big Band Dance. "I enjoy working with large groups," she explains, "and this will be another great opportunity to get people out on the dance floor!"
Dance lessons begin at 7:00 p.m.; the Big Band Dance is from 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. "Gardens for Gardeners Tour"
Thursday, May 13th, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Lafayette Garden Club presents its annual tour. Come and tour four, beautiful, private gardens in Lafayette and the Burton Valley School Garden Classroom. There will be a boutique with handcrafted items, refreshments and plants for sale at one of the gardens. Proceeds from this tour will benefit area schools and Lafayette Seniors' garden education projects. Price: $25 per ticket. Tickets will be available the day of the tour for $30. For Ticket Sales contact: Julie Carlson, 925-284-7547, jacaris@comcast.net. Tour of Lafayette's Kitchen
Saturday, May 15th, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Experience the 11th Annual Tour of Lafayette's Kitchens, hosted by Lafayette Juniors. Tour six spectacular new and newly remodeled kitchens and receive a comprehensive program detailing all elements of each kitchen. Tickets are $35 and available for purchase through Lafayette Juniors members or in person at these Lafayette locations: Douglah Designs (284-4560) or Premier Kitchens (283-6500). Proceeds benefit Brighter Beginnings and other local charities. For more information go to www.lafayettejuniors.org. Taste of Lafayette
Tuesday, May 18th, 5:30 p.m. The Taste of Lafayette is a tour of Lafayette's finest eateries that lets you sample the signature cuisine of each restaurant. The event begins in Lafayette Plaza at 5:30pm where you will check in, listen to music provided by Red House Studios, enjoy a glass of wine sponsored by Wine Thieves, nosh on appetizers, and get a chance to join in on a spectacular raffle that will raise money for the projects that the Lafayette Community Foundation will fund. Next you can stroll down Lafayette's Restaurant Row on Mt Diablo Blvd. or board the shuttle bus that will take you up and down the boulevard. 15-20 local restaurants and catering companies will be participating. At each stop, comes another "taste." Finally, we gather back in the park to enjoy coffee and dessert. Proceeds from the event benefit the Lafayette Community Foundation and the Services and Programs of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. If you would like to view the Taste of Lafayette on YouTube, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r74ISEvnQsI. Tickets for the event will be available through the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, located at 100 Lafayette Circle, Suite 103. Visit our website at www.lafayettechamber.org or call 284-7404. Concert at the Reservoir
Saturday, May 15th, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Rotary of Lafayette's annual band-fest, presented in one of Lafayette's favorite spots. Listen to the bands from Stanley Middle School, Bentley and Acalanes as well as the Big Band of Rossmoor. Food and drink will be available for purchase, or bring your own picnic. Gold Coast Chamber Players
Saturday, May 22nd, 8:00 p.m.
Community Hall, Lafayette Library and Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
Chamber Music: "At the heart of this art form is a spirit of collaboration. Democratic in essence, chamber music demands that each individual engage in a close musical dialogue with the other performers. Their collective musical instinct, experience, knowledge, and talent guide the process of interpreting, rehearsing, and performing." (As defined by Chamber Music America) The Gold Coast Chamber Players present the season finale: Fantasy Phantasies. This candlelight performance features San Francisco Symphony oboist Russ deLuna and cellist Amos Yang, from the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, concertmaster Robin Sharp and violist Pamela Freund-Striplen as well as pianist Roxanne Michaelian, violinist Julie Kim, and violist Jenny Douglass. The program includes hidden jewels in the chamber music repertoire, showcasing sensual music in Phantasy form by Vaughn Williams and Frank Bridge, and equally captivating pieces by Charles Loeffler and Arnold Bax. Artistic Director, Pamela Freund-Striplen carefully matched the performers and the musical selections to provide an exceptionally engaging and transporting experience for the Gold Coast audience. Make sure to get your tickets early as the concerts sell out quickly. For tickets ($10-$30) call the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce at (925) 284-7404 or get them online at www.gcplayers.org. Motorama World of Wheels
Sunday, June 20th (Father's Day), 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Motorama is sponsored by, and is the main fundraising event for, the Rotary Club of Lamorinda Sunrise. The event will be located at 3565 Mt. Diablo Boulevard in Lafayette, in the parking lot behind Postino's Restaurant, the Clock Tower Building, and Bank of the West. Enjoy a display of classic cars, boats, motorcycles, and bicycles. There will be awards for the entrants. There will also be food and beverages, wine tasting, a raffle, car swag, venders and live entertainment. Admission is free but families can purchase a VIP ticket for $50.
Friday, May 7th, 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. (Dance lesson begins at 7:00 p.m.) 
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA