ART

The Saint Mary's College William Keith (1838 -1911) Collection will welcome visitors into the expanded galleries of the new Museum of Art thru December 18. Among never before seen recent acquisitions and newly restored paintings are magnificent early views of the Columbia River Valley, Pacific Northwest, Mt. Tamalpais and Russian River. The Hearst Art Gallery is open from Wednesdays through Sundays, 11am-4:30pm. Admission is $4 for adults; free for groups, K-12th graders. For more information, please call (925) 631-4379.

Moraga Art Gallery will feature the work of guest artist Susan Heller thru Dec. 24. Heller's work falls outside the traditional function of quilts as each piece is intended to hang as a work of art. She enjoys using applique, for its added dimension and embellishes with hand-embroidery, beading or both. Moraga Art Gallery is open Tues.-Sun from noon-5pm. MAG is tucked in a corner north of CVS in the Rheem Center in Moraga (until the end of this show).

MUSIC

The Campolindo Jazz Program presents "ALL THAT JAZZ" featuring guest artist and Campo Alumnus Geoffrey Countryman with the Campolindo Jazz Ensembles. Jazz Combo will be playing from the entire spectrum of jazz styles plus original compositions by Countryman. Camplindo Performing Arts Center, free admission, Thursday, December 8, 7:30pm.

Friday, December 9, 1:30-3pm: Annual Holiday Concert and Fundraiser - Performance by Rossmoor and Moraga Community Chorus at the Live Oak Room of the Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Road. Get in the holiday spirit with a festive afternoon of music, caroling, light refreshments, and a chance to win wonderful raffle prizes. Funds raised will go to support the Lamorinda Spirit Van paratransit program. Call 284-5050 to reserve a spot. $3 for member and $5 for non-members.

Concert: Christmas on the Hill, Saturday and Sunday, December 10 & 11, 7pm, Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church, 10 Moraga Valley Lane in Moraga. Saturday and Sunday, December 10 & 11, 7pm.

Saturday, December 10, 4pm, and Sunday, December 11, 4pm, "This Shining Night" featuring the Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church Festival Choir, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. This is great way to listen to some of your friends and neighbors raise their sixty plus voices - number of participants, not actual ages - performing traditional choral-orchestral music for the holiday. Tickets are free, but organizers ask that your reserve seats via their website at lopc.org or for more information contact Sharon Francis at (925) 283-8722 x 264.

Saturday, December 10, 10am. Beginning students from the Lafayette campus of The Contra Costa Children's Chorus will perform "Winter Awakenings" at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 1601 Mary Drive in Pleasant Hill. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children 14 and under. Please email: programs@childrenschorus.org to reserve tickets and pay at the Will Call table on the day of the event.

Sunday, December 11, 4pm, Christmas with a Flourish at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette, featuring The OSLC Choirs with an ensemble of professional instrumentalists. A festive mix of jubilant, contemplative and just-for-fun holiday music from our singing and ringing choirs. This concert features the choral music of Texas composer Randol Alan Bass, opening with his haunting arrangement of the ancient chant/carol, Personent Hodie, and ending with his dazzling carol medley, Christmas Flourish. Add our tradition of a glittering reception in the Fellowship Hall, and you have a delightful holiday experience that will leave no Christmastone unturned! For questions call: (925) 283-3722.

On Sunday, Dec 11th, a benefit concert for the California Independent Film Festival and Contra Costa Food Bank will be held at the Orinda Theatre. Scheduled to appear at the Winter Holiday Concert are Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center performer Carol Alban (flute and vocals) and keyboardist Frank Martin, who has performed with Andrea Bocelli and Al Jarreau. Ticket admission, which includes a light brunch, is $20 per person. Seating is very limited. Tickets available by going to lamorindatheatres.com/index_orinda.asp.

Monday, December 12, 7:30-9pm. "Winterfest," Maestro Duane Carroll will lead the 45-member Contra Costa Wind Symphony as they perform seasonal favorites with special guests - members of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, in the LOPC chapel, 49 Knox Drive Lafayette. Although they usually perform at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, the exceptional musicians of the Wind Symphony with singing special guests will rock the house with a variety of familiar seasonal selections including "Silver Bells," "Rhapsody for Hanukkah" and "Sleigh Ride." The concert will include an audience sing-along. Admission and parking are free.

Copeland, Ives and the Horizon Wind Quintet at 8:00 on Dec. 13th in Walnut Creek. Free 20th century classical music in beautiful Mount Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church: An Ewazen Piano Trio, 6 songs for Voice and Piano, and a Gordon Jacobs suite for Woodwinds and Piano. 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek, CA. More information and full program at www.CCPAS.org.

Winter Concerts by Campolindo High School Choir on December 13, 14 and 15. Some concerts will be at the high school, others are at Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church. For more information, go to www.campochoir.com.

WomenSing presents Descends the Snow Holiday Concert on Wednesday, Dec 14, 8-10pm, at Lafayette/Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. WomenSing kicks off the holiday season with a concert entitled 'Descends the Snow.' Come experience every aspect of the winter landscape in song. Cost: $20 general admission; $18 seniors; $10 students/youth. For more info see http://www.womensing.org or call (925) 974-9169 or email info@womensing.org.

Holiday Sing-a-long, Thursday, December 15th 7-9pm, Collector's Choice Antiques, 3574 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Please bring a can or food item for our local food bank. Sponsored by Massage Cottage, Collector's Choice Antiques, Mark Shaw of Remax Accord. RSVP to Mark Shaw, (925) 250-5591.

The Contra Costa Children's Chorus will perform "Winter Awakenings" Friday, Dec. 16th at 7pm, Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church. The young singers will perform an eclectic mass with each movement set by a different European composer. Firefighters and their guests are offered tickets at a discounted price.
Tickets: Adults $15.00 reserved by email: programs@childrenschorus.org (bring VISA/MC or cash/check to concert), or by voicemail 925 945-7101, x2.

THEATER

Friday, December 9, 7pm w/Concerto; Saturday, Dec 10th, 2 pm; Sat., Dec 10th 7pm w/ Concerto; and Sun., Dec 11 2pm: CAPA Nutcracker Ballet: Campolindo Performing Arts Center in Moraga. Tickets available online at www.ShowTix4u.com (click on California then CAPA Nutcracker). CAPA is donating proceeds from 2011 weekday student performances to fight child hunger in Contra Costa. Please bring a jar of peanut butter to any show (donation barrels & envelopes available at all shows).

On December 16-19, The Peter Pan Foundation will present "The 13 Days of Christmas", a brand new, original holiday production written by two Lamorinda teens, Jayne Skinner (Campolindo High School) and Andrew Cope (Acalanes High School). The show also contains over 20 new songs and musical arrangements, written by Lafayette's own Leslie Noel. This new and incredible show supports a cast of over 150 community members, ages ranging from 5 to over 50! Presented by the Peter Pan Foundation, the show is a benefit musical supporting charities such as Children's Hospital Oakland. For more information visit www.PeterPanFoundation.org.

KIDS & PARENTS

Holiday Fun at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center: Holiday Cards Craft on Thursday, Dec. 8, 3:30-4:30pm in the Children's Room. Toddler Holiday Dance Party, Monday, Dec. 19, 10:15-11:00am in the Homework Center. Wear your party clothes and celebrate the holidays with music, dancing, and fun! This is a special event just for little ones ages 2-5. LLC is located at 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette; (925) 385-2280.

Saturday, Dec 10, 11am-2 pm, take a Photo with Santa at the Rheem Valley Shopping Center. Bring your own camera. Holiday clowns & balloon art. You will need your Rheem Valley Shopping Center receipts totaling $25.00 or more to participate.

Orinda Theatre is offering special free screenings of holiday classics when you bring a canned food item to these special Saturday morning shows: December 10th 11:30am - Elf ; December 17th 11:30am - Polar Express.

5A is hosting a "Free Photos with Santa" day with cocoa, treats, gifts and craft activities on Dec. 18th from 11am - 3pm. 5A rent-a-Space is located at 455 Moraga Rd., Ste F in Moraga; (925) 631-7000.

TEENS ONLY

Start your holidays off right with a visit with friends at the Lafayette Community Center. The Lafayette Youth Commission is hosting an Open Mic Night on December 9th. Anyone can participate - come play an acoustic guitar, read poetry or tell a few jokes. The event is free and open to high school students. Doors open at 7:30 and the festivities begin at 8:00. We will be service coffee and snacks but as always, the Lafayette Youth Commission ensures that this will be an alcohol and drug free event. Please call 284-2232 for more information or directions.

HOLIDAY EVENTS

December 8 from 11am-2pm Saint Mary's Guild is hosting a Merry Christmas Luncheon at Saint Mary's College Soda Center as a fundraiser for student scholarships. The Saint Mary's College Chamber Singers will sing a wide variety of selections; including classical, traditional, jazz, and Broadway songs. Enjoy champagne cocktails and a Christmas raffle. The price of the luncheon is $45. For more information call Jeffry-Lynn Dunne (925) 284-7750.

Lafayette Senior Services Annual Holiday Concert and Fund Raiser: Performance by Rossmoor and Moraga Community Chorus. Join us for a festive afternoon of splendid music, light refreshments, caroling, and an opportunity to win any of several raffle prizes. Funds raised will go to support our Lamorinda Spirit Van program. Bring friends! Please call 284-5050 to sign up.
Friday, Dec. 9, 1:30 - 3pm, Live Oak Room, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Rd., Lafayette. Fundraiser admission fee: $3 for members/ $5 for non-members. Raffle Tickets: $1 each or $5 for six raffle tickets.

The Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek Branch of American Association of University Women presents its 7th Annual Holiday Home Tour, Friday & Saturday, December 9th & 10th, 10am-4pm. Tour five beautifully decorated homes in the Alamo, Diablo, & Danville area. Tickets are $35. Seniors 65+ tickets are $30. Tickets available at East Bay Flower Company; 206 Sycamore Valley Rd W., the Danville Livery, (cash or checks only). Please, no children under 12. Email questions to holidaytour@aauw-da.org or visit www.aauw-daw.org/hhtour/hht.html.

Lafayette Gallery Trunk Show, December 10 & 11, unique gifts hand crafted by local artisans. The Gallery is located at 50 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette (across from Chow). Free event. www.lafayettegallery.net, (925) 284-2788.

41st Annual Alameda Holiday Home Tour & Holiday Tea will feature five gorgeous Victorian homes on Saturday, December 10, 9:30am-4:30pm. Tickets $30/Day-of-Tour $35. The gourmet shop and holiday artisan boutique is free and open to the public. Tickets & Information, (510) 629-6209, www.alamedaholidahometour.info. Proceeds will benefit Alameda Family Services.

PJ Library, Jewish Community Center of the East Bay, Jewish Gateways, and Building Jewish Bridges present Hanukah Festival of Light and Isaac Zones Family Concert on Sunday, Dec 11, 10am-2pm, at Jewish Community Center of the East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley. Fun day of Hanukah activities for the whole family -- storytelling, family concert, latkes, dreidel games, arts & crafts, more! All are welcome! Cost: Suggested donation $5/person + canned food donations. For more info see http://www.jewishgateways.org/events/2011/dec/11/hanukah-festival-light-and-isaac-zones-family-concert or call (510) 410-0622 or email rabbibridget@jewishgateways.org.

Terzetto's Restaurant is hosting its annual Holiday Show of small works of art and gifts by local artists on Dec. 17th. Patrons can view the artwork of three local artists: Lauren Ekman who creates glass beads and jewelry, will be joined by Tamara Selvig, a skillful potter who also sculpts exquisite figures; Leslie Swartz will be showing her oils, Batik, pen, ink and water colour drawings, and hand painted glass ware. The art will be on display, and for sale into the new year.

OTHER

Friends of Orinda Library Book Sale, Saturday Dec. 17, 10am to 1pm at the Book Shop and Sorting Room. The sale offers good-quality books for all ages and interests, and will include many books ideal for holiday giving. Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda, (925) 254-1358.

Surfing the web carries with it inherent risks. Learn valuable tips on how to protect yourself online: backing up your data, choosing a strong password, protecting your identity and wireless network, and much more from Edward Zeidan, Nerd4Rent. To sign up, call (925) 284-5050. $1 members of Lafayette Senior Center/$3 non-members. Tuesday, December 13, 10:30-Noon, Elderberry Room, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Rd., Lafayette.

Electronic E-waste Collection/Fundraiser for Loaves and Fishes of CCC. When: Saturday Dec. 10, 9am-4pm. Where: Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church @ 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. Free to recycle televisions, monitors, laptops, cell phones, flat-screens and wires. $5.00 per item fee to recycle: stereos, telephones, CPU's, printers, DVD players, radios, fax machines, small appliances etc. Secured Document Destruction (shredding) also provided at $7.00 per Banker Box. Contact: (925) 890-1324.

CLUBS

Sons in Retirement Lamorinda Branch 171 and 174 will hold its annual Ladies Day Christmas Lunch at St. Mary's College Soda Center on December 19th. Reception starts at 1 am, with lunch at 12 noon. Miramonte High School Choral group will be featured for the entertainment. For further details on Sirs membership, or the lunch call Larry at (925) 631-9528.