ART

Saint Mary's College Museum of Art Exhibits: Master Artist Tribute IX: Richard McLean; River of Words Art & Poetry Exhibition; William Keith and the California Oak, 11am - 4:30pm, Wednesday -Sunday through June 10 at the Museum of Art, Saint Mary's College of California, 1928 St. Mary's Road, Moraga. Cost: Adults $5, Free for K-12 students and Saint Mary's students and faculty.

Moraga Art Gallery's new show, "Beautiful America," features the oil paintings of gallery member & local Moraga artist Ginny Ruble, as well as guest artist Linda Hanford whose work reflects her love of the nature, landscapes, and seascapes of California. The show runs through June 2.

The Lafayette Gallery's spring show "Imagine" will run through May 5 and features fresh and inspiring new work: paintings, prints, collages, ceramics, jewelry, and photography. The Gallery is open 11am-5pm, Tuesday - Saturday, 50 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette (across from Chow). For more information, visit www.lafayettegallery.net or call (925) 284-2788.

McCue Gallery 83 is excited to announce the new show for May-July at Gallery 83 (Orinda) featuring the work of Zachary Roberts. There will be an artists' reception Wednesday, May 2, 5-8 pm. For more information please call (925) 253-1719 or
mccuephoto83@gmail.com.

The Valerie Colvin Group will be on exhibit in the Orinda Library Art Gallery in May. There will be an artists' reception on Sunday, May 6, 2-4:30pm.

Exclusive showing for Northern California of Israeli Art from the Safrai Gallery of Jerusalem, a collection of over 1,500 works by more than 100 Israeli artists, May 10-13, Congregation B'nai Shalom, 74 Eckerly Lane, Walnut Creek. A special Lag B'Bomer celebration will be held on Thursday, May 10, 5:30-8pm. Art viewing begins 6-10pm Saturday, May 12, and will feature a special evening with Havdalah, appetizers, music, desserts, wine, and art exhibition from 7:30-11pm. Cost (Saturday): $10/person, which includes raffle tickets for a piece of art as well as other prizes.

MUSIC

WomenSing presents Choral Composers Symposium and Workshop: Words into Music Symposium Friday, April 27, 10am-1pm, Saint Mary's College (The Hagerty Lounge), Moraga, and the Youth Inspiring Youth Composers Workshop, Saturday, April 28, 9am-12:30pm, Lafayette Events Center, Lafayette. The choral composition panel features composers Libby Larsen and Sandra Milliken, poet Francisco Alarcon and conductor Martin Benvenuto. Cost: Free, reservations required. RSVP by email to info@womensing.org in order to reserve a place at the Symposiums luncheon and/or conversation time with the panel no later than Wednesday, April 25. For more info, visit www.womensing.org or call (925) 974-9169 or email info@womensing.org.

Maestro David Morales and The Cantare Con Vivo Chamber Ensemble join with the renowned Bay Area instrumental ensemble Quijerem  in presenting Music of Latin America May 6, Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. The audience will be treated to a concert filled with stirring selections from various South and Central American countries, the Caribbean Islands and Mexico. The history of a great people that dominate our hemisphere will come alive through their music, narration and pictures. Tickets: $25 General, $20 Senior, $10 Youth. For tickets visit www.cantareconvivo.org or call the CCV office at (510) 836-0789.

The Lafayette Rotary Club's Annual Concert at the Res will be held on the new permanent Stage at the Lafayette Reservoir Saturday, May 12, 11am-2pm. The FREE event showcases and raises money for our local school music programs. Performing will be the Stanley Symphonic Band, the Acalanes Wind Ensemble, the Big Band of Rossmoor, the Bentley School Jazz combo and a special guest band from Oakland Westlake Middle School. You can pack a picnic and don't forget your beach chairs and blankets. Once you have parked, walk east (to your left) towards the reservoir trail. The Stage is about 150 feet from the parking lot.

Music ranging from Rachmaninoff to Godzilla will be performed by Maestro Duane Carroll and the Contra Costa Wind Symphony in a concert billed as "Sublime to Silly" May 12, 8pm, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Tickets ($10-$25) are on sale at the Lesher Center, 943-7469 (www.lesherartscenter.org).

THEATER

The world famous Guys & Dolls musical is being featured by over 70 Orinda Intermediate School students (biggest casts ever), replete with New York accents and dazzling dance numbers all set in the 1920s. OIS' Bulldog Theatre Company has a wonderful new choreographer, Karen Kovac, who has worked with the Oakland Raiderettes and composed large-scale dances for halftime shows with Carlos Santana! Cast Preview Performance, April 25 and 26, 4:30pm. Performances: Friday, April 27, 5pm & 8pm and Saturday, April 28, 3pm & 7pm at Orinda Intermediate School (OIS), Multi Purpose Room, 80 Ivy Drive, Orinda. (925) 258-3090.

The Acalanes High School DramaDons theater group presents Hamlet, William Shakespeare's greatest tragedy! This fast-paced adaptation by Bay Area playwright/director Jon Tracy explores the bonds of youth and the influence that their elders exert on them, May 2-5, 7:30pm. Tickets: $10 General, $7 students/seniors; tickets may be purchased online at www.dramadons.org or at the door.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

The Contra Costa Tale Spinners Swap meets at the Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way in the Gallery Room from 7-9pm every fourth Thursday. Travel on a delightful journey along "Route 66" in 1952 with featured storyteller Susan Goldstein April 26. Goldstein's telling will tap the audience's memory of trips taken and often like Goldstein of lessons learned. Goldstein is a retired instructor of Women's studies at Diablo Valley College. She took up storytelling as a way to have an audience without having to give grades.

The Center for Environmental Literacy at Saint Mary's Kalmanovitz School of Education will host the17th annual West Coast River of Words International Creativity Awards for young eco-artists and poets on Saturday, April 28, 2-4pm, at the College's Soda Center. Guests are invited to come early to view the children's art on display at the Museum. The River of Words (ROW) International Youth Creativity Awards features award-winning children's poetry and art from around the world and recognizes educational leadership in environmental literacy. The event will be emceed by former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Hass.

The Rise and Fall of California: The Commonwealth Club presents Larry Gerston, professor of political science, San Jose State University, and author of Not So Golden After All: The Rise and Fall of California, Wednesday, May 2, 5:45pm (check-in), 6:30pm (program), Lafayette Library and Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Cost: $22 standard, $12 members, students free (with valid ID).

Friends of the Orinda Library Book Sale Thursday, May 3, 10am-1pm. Sorting Room and Book Shop (Book Shop is open until 6pm). Monthly sales offer quality books for all interests and ages. Funds raised are used for books, computers, other library materials and programs. Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda (925)254-1358).

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Roughing it Day Camp open house and family activity day Saturday, May 5, 10am-noon (drop in anytime), Lafayette Reservoir. This is a great opportunity for new families to see our site and try some camp activities. Kids can try out fishing, crafts, nature and field games. Families can take a tour of the beautiful Lafayette Reservoir. Meet our directors, Ann and Hobie, and some of our great staff. View a Camp Show and see what a typical day of camp is like. Friends and family members of all ages are welcome.

Celebrate Mama presents The Hipwaders Celebrate Mama Sunday, May 6, 11am-3pm, at Sports Basement at Ygnacio Plaza, 1881 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Walnut Creek. Award-winning rockers, the Bay Area-based Hipwaders will perform their quirky, jangle-pop for kids and families. www.hipwaders.net. Free.

OTHER

The Moraga Women's Society is presenting an appointment-only appraisal event by Michaan's Auctions April 27, 4-7pm, Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School St., Moraga. Certified appraisers are donating their time as a public service. Discover what your heirlooms or garage sale treasures are worth! Six certified appraisers will give verbal appraisals for items from the following categories: Fine Art, Furniture and Decorative Art, Jewelry, Stamps and Coins, Asian Art, and Miscellaneous. Proceeds go to Moraga Schools. Call Tammie Chambless at (510)740-0220 for an appointment. For information call Jean, (925) 376-7961.

Volunteer a few hours on the weekend of April 28- 29 to learn about Sudden Oak Death, and assist in the survey for infected trees in areas of your choice. Training: Saturday, April 28, 10am-noon, in the Garden Room of the Orinda Community Center. For training space and material planning, please notify Mr. Hudson if you will come to the Orinda training at wllhh@ymail.com.

Vintage fashion show and a "little taste of the South" in honor of Kentucky Derby Week, Saturday, April 28, 2-4pm, Collector's Choice Antiques, 3574 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette. Cost: $20 per person. RSVP (925) 299-9400. (There will be vintage cars, too.) Proceeds to benefit "Christmas on Mt. Diablo Blvd." for the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce.

Cinco de Mayo Festival at the Hacienda le las Flores, 2100 Donald Drive, Moraga, Sunday, May 6, 3pm-7pm. Admission is $2 per person or $5 per family. See article

Area residents who own classic cars are invited to participate in the 4th annual Moraga Classic Car Show, May 12, 11am-4pm, as part of the Moraga Community Faire. $25 registration fee includes lunch for two. Prizes will be awarded. The registration deadline is May 5. To register, go to www.moragachamber.org or call (925) 247-4629.

Moraga Junior Women's Club presents Through the Garden Gate Saturday, May 5, 10am-3pm, at six gardens in the Lamorinda area. The Garden Tour will be held rain or shine. Tickets are currently on sale with all proceeds going to benefit STAND! For Familes Free of Violence. Cost: $30 ($25 tax deductible). For more info see www.moragajuniors.org.

Enjoy the first days of spring by walking in the footsteps of John Muir. Join a National Park Service ranger for a free early-morning wildflower walk Saturday, May 5, at John Muir National Historic Site. The two-hour walk will begin at 9am with an easy saunter up Mt. Wanda to look for wildflowers. Over 82 species of native plants have been identified on Mt. Wanda. Meet at the CalTrans Park and Ride lot at the corner of Alhambra Avenue and Franklin Canyon Road, in Martinez (at the Alhambra Ave. exit off Hwy 4). Bring water and wear good walking shoes because the trail is steep. If it rains heavily, the walk will be cancelled. For more information, call the John Muir National Historic Site at (925) 228-8860.

Hawaiian Day at Assistance League Way Side Inn Thrift Shop, Tuesday, May 8, includes men's aloha shirts and "Hawaiiana" decorator items such as tikis, leis, pictures, shells, linens, and dishes, 3521 Golden Gate Way, Lafayette.

Please join Trust in Education for a FUN RAISING evening Friday, May 11, including wine & appetizers, silent auction and comedy. Proceeds go towards funding education in Afghanistan. Founder Budd MacKenzie will give an update and acclaimed comedian Mark Lundholm will perform. Event starts at 6:30pm. Veteran's Memorial Building at 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Adults $60/Students $30. For tickets, call (925) 299-2010 or visit www.trustineducation.org.

12th Annual AAUW Garden Tour Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek Branch, Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12, 10am-4pm. Six delightful gardens located in Alamo and Danville. Various landscape designers as well as expert gardeners will be on hand to share their knowledge. All proceeds go to AAUW Funds, the educational heart and soul of AAUW, supporting aspiring female scholars. Tickets: $30 (if postmarked by May 4), $35 thereafter; $25 for seniors 65+ (by May 4), $30 thereafter. For tickets with garden locations, mail check by May 4 payable to "AAUW Funds" with a self-addressed business-sized (#10) stamped envelope to: AAUW Garden Tour, PO Box 996, Alamo, CA 94507. For info, visit www.aauw-daw.org/garden.

The Moraga Community Faire will take place Saturday, May 12, 11am-4pm, at the Rheem Valley Shopping Center, 570 Center St., Moraga. The event will include a classic car show, music performances, wine tasting from Lamorinda wineries, food trucks and vendors, art and jewelry for sale, local merchants, and a dunk tank with local celebrities. For kids there will be carnival games, a sidewalk chalk art contest, bounce house, fire truck, County Connection bus, speed baseball throwing booth, face painting and fingerprinting. For more info, visit www.moragachamber.org/faire.

There are still a few seats available for the 5th annual Campolindo Hall of Fame Dinner May 12. This year Coach Macy is honoring the 2011 NCS Championship Team and the 1986 NCS Championship Team. This event is a tribute to the honor and tradition of Campolindo Football and is always very entertaining. Come and enjoy an evening of memorable professional films recounting these two historic seasons. Catered by Back Forty Texas BBQ, Pleasant Hill. Doors open at 6pm. Reservations recommended. Students $45. Contact Val Durantini at
v.durantini@sbcglobal.net or (925) 283-8662.

Be the Star You Are's booth at the Moraga Faire May 12 features two live broadcasts of Express Yourself!(tm) Teen Radio. For a small donation of $20, businesses and the general public are invited to record a short promo for their company, products, service, etc. In addition, teen bands are invited to record a song. For sign up info, email btsyateenradio@gmail.com. Visit www.BTSYA.com, go to EVENTS.

10th Annual "Taste of Lafayette" 5:30-9pm, Tuesday, May 15. Enjoy "tastes" at close to 20 participating restaurants along "Restaurant Row". Tickets for the event will be available through the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, located at 100 Lafayette Circle, Suite 103. Visit www.lafayettechamber.org or call (925) 284-7404.

Capoeira Equilibrio is hosting a Batizado, a traditional Capoeira promotion ceremony where young students play capoeira with an instructor or master to earn their first cordao (belt), May 19, 10am, Walnut Creek's Civic Park Assembly Room. Following the ceremony at 12:45pm, participants and masters will march to the Lesher Center for the Arts for a street roda from 1-1:45pm -Capoeira in the streets, just like one might see in Brazil! The street roda is sure to be exhilarating entertainment for all. $10 requested donation, all proceeds benefit the non-profit California Against Slavery.

Divorce Options Workshop, an informational seminar open to those who want to learn more about the process of divorce Saturday, May 12 (and repeated the second Saturday of every month), 9:15am -12:30 pm, Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church (LOPC), 49 Knox Drive, Room 201, Lafayette. Hear how mediation, collaboration and other alternatives to litigation from a local divorce lawyer, financial specialist and a mental health specialist. Understand the legal, financial, psychological and social issues of divorce. Learn how to talk about divorce with your children. Cost: $45 (cash or check only). Collaborative Practice of the East Bay, a non-profit organization www.cpeastbay.org. Contact: (925) 943-7456 or divorceoptions.eastbay@gmail.com.

Hospice of the East Bay is pleased to offer a variety of support groups and workshops for adults, children and teens experiencing grief after the death of a loved one. Classes are offered at Hospice's administrative offices, 3470 Buskirk Avenue, Pleasant Hill. Support Groups for Adults include: Adults Who Have Lost a Parent, Widow and Widowers and Drop-In Bereavement Support Group, Grief Class for Adults, and Understanding Grief. Bereavement Services are provided free of charge to all community members in need; however, donations are greatly appreciated. To register, please call Hospice of the East Bay: (925) 887-5681. Pre-registration is required. You can also find the most current Bereavement Services calendar at www.hospiceeastbay.org.

CLUBS

Sons in Retirement Lamorinda Branch 171 meets the first Wednesday monthly (social hour 11am, lunch at noon), Holy Trinity Culture Center 1700 School St., Moraga. The next after-lunch speaker will be LtCol. Thomas B. Savage, an active duty Marine Corps Officer. LtCol Savage was commissioned in 1991 and has been deployed to many overseas operations including Somalia, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. LtCol Savages personal decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with one gold star and the combat Action Ribbon with one gold star. LtCol Savage's topic will be "An Afghanistan Update." For details and Sirs membership information, call Larry at (925) 631-9528.

Lafayette Garden Club's annual plant sale, Thursday, May 10, 10am, Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. Fabulous and unique plants, great prices, fun event!

The Montelindo Garden Club will host Barry Hoffer as their speaker on the topic of Japanese maples Friday, May 18, 10:30am, Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda. Barry and Sue Hoffer are arborists and owners of Maples for All Seasons in Pleasanton. The Hoffers have been involved in the growing, care and pruning of Japanese maples for over 15 years. Barry Hoffer regularly teaches classes on Japanese maples and both Barry and Sue Hoffer are officers in the Northern California Japanese Maple Society. The program is preceded by a plant sale and social hour at 9am.

Royal Doulton Collectors' Club Meeting and Sale Saturday, May 19, 10am-2pm, Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church, Davies Room. Everyone who enjoys Royal Doulton collectibles is welcome; admission is free. Guest speaker Anita Venezia will share estate sales selling tips. Club members offer a large selection of Doulton collectibles for sale at great prices. Contact Gayle at (925) 686-6974 or royaldoultonwest@yahoo.com.