ART

The Glover Group: “A Legacy of Light and Color” which features the current works 21 local plein air painters who studied under the late acclaimed landscape painter, Pam Glover, and who continue to paint together today and participate in both individual and group showings throughout the Bay Area runs through Jan. 1 at the Orinda Library Gallery. The public is invited to a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8.  For info, visit www.thepamglovergroup.com.

Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art’s Schedule of Exhibitions through Dec. 15: “Judy Dater: Edo Redux,” one of the country’s most influential living photographers (in the new Studio Gallery). “The Artist Revealed: Artist Portraits and Self-Portraits” (in the Hearst Gallery). Fifty portraits and self-portraits are on loan from the Syracuse University Art Collection. “Malcolm Lubliner: The Automotive Landscape” (in the new Armistead Gallery). “Nature’s Placid Splendor” (in the Keith Gallery). Landscape paintings with three private collection paintings never before on public view. Open 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. For info, call (925)-631-4379 or visit stmarys-ca.edu/museum. Admission: free to K-12 graders; $5 adults. Free parking.

The Moraga Art Gallery show entitled “Capturing Light: Lens and Glass” highlighting photography by resident artist Wenda Pyman, and cast sand glasswork and flamework by guest artist Janice Peacock will run through Jan.  4. The show also includes works by the gallery’s 14 resident artists and several guest artists at 522 Center Street, Rheem Shopping Center, Moraga. Free. The gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, email moragaartgallery@gmail.com or call (925) 376-5407.

Student Art from Afghanistan will be on display at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center, Library Gallery (Community Hall) through Jan. 13, 2014. Afghanistan is a country with deep roots in art and culture.  Though many beautiful treasures have been destroyed by war and political strife, Afghan children continue to create art and imagine a world of peace.  This exhibit, brought to you by Trust in Education (TIE) and the Lafayette Public Art Committee, highlights drawings created by students taking classes funded by TIE.

MUSIC

Experience the vibrant rhythms of salsa, sultry blues, and beloved Big Band standards performed by the SMC Jazz Band from 8 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Soda Activity Center, Saint Mary’s College. Cost: $5 general; $2 SMC community and seniors. Buy your tickets by phone at (925) 631-4670, at the door, or online at            http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/467632.

As part of a celebration of the Symphony’s 25th season, the Pacific Chamber Symphony, with conductor Lawrence Kohl, presents “Crazy About Bach: All Six Brandenburg Concertos” at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22 in the Community Hall, Lafayette Library and Learning Center.  To hear the complete set of the beloved Brandenburgs in one evening is a tour de force display of the virtuosity of the members of the Pacific Chamber Symphony and of Bach’s incredibly mastery of substance and form. Tickets: $30 seniors; $35 adults; $10 students with ID – children under 13 free with adult by calling Brown Paper Tickets at (800) 838-3006 or online at www.pacificchambersymphony.org/lafayette

As a holiday treat, Diablo Theatre Company offers up the delightful “A Grand Night for Singing,” a romantic, entertaining revue of music by Rodgers and Hammerstein, the duo who created songs that are standards of musical theater and American popular culture. The show will run Nov. 29 through Dec. 7 at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For tickets, call (925) 943-SHOW (7469) or visit www.lesherartscenter.org or www.diablotheatre.org.

The Walnut Creek Concert Band under the musical direction of Harvey Benstein will present the Annual Holiday Concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3 at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. This Walnut Creek tradition features many of your Holiday favorites, plus a guest appearance by the United States Air Force, Travis Brass. Tickets are available through the Lesher Center for the Arts Ticket Office by calling (925) 943-7469, or by ordering online at www.Lesherartscenter.org. Ticket Prices: adult $17; seniors and students $14. Group rates available.

Welcome Winter with warm Brazilian Jazz - a free musical event to celebrate winter with Brazilian songs, and a few seasonal tunes featuring Mary D’Orazi with Tim Campbell on piano and Greg German on drums/percussion at the Orinda Library at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4. For more info, visit ccclib.org, call (925) 254-2184, ext 15, or email bgirshma@ccclib.org.

“Horizons,” the fall dance concert slated for 8 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 5, 6 and 7 in LeFevre Theatre is presented by Saint Mary’s College Dance Company. Featuring the work of eight Saint Mary’s seniors, and exploring many facets of the human experience, including love, magic, faith, innocence, sacrifice, and competition, this concert will appeal to and entertain a wide variety of audience members. Tickets are $5 general admission and free to Saint Mary’s students with ID. For info and reservations call (925) 631-4670. Online tickets are also available at brownpapertickets.com.

Voices of Musica Sacra sings a variety of Christmas favorites, featuring Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols” with harp accompaniment, plus other holiday music by Ives, Byrd, Burt, Thomas, and more, plus a carol sing-a-long at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1924 Trinity Ave., Walnut Creek, and at 3 p.m. on Dec 8, at St. Stephen Catholic Church, 1101 Keaveny Ct., Walnut Creek. For info, visit www.vmschorus.org, email info@vmschorus.org, or call (925) 228-1181.

The Merola Opera Program Holiday Concert is coming to the Lafayette Library at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 for a performance by two of its renowned opera artists in the library’s Community Hall. The hour-long recital will star Kristen Clayton and Bojan Knezevic, who have performed with the San Francisco Opera and around the world. Tickets: $10, with all proceeds going to the Lafayette Library Learning Center Foundation. It will feature a repertoire of selections from popular operas as well as holiday favorites. To purchase tickets, call the Library at (925) 283-6513 x103 or email reserve@LLLCF.org. Tickets may be available at the door.

Diablo Women’s Chorale presents their December concert “Home—for the Holidays” – an intimate concert of home, hearth…and chimney at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. The house band and special guests will delight and amuse your whole family. DWC is directed by Mary Sorenson and accompanied by pianist Steven Evans. Tickets: $15, students $10 at the door or online at www.diablowomenschorale.org.

THEATER

Saint Mary’s College, Performing Arts Department Theatre Program proudly presents the West Coast premiere of “And When We Awoke There was Light and Light,” Laura Jacqmin’s contemporary fable about teenage idealism and activism in the age of global connections. Guest director Susannah Martin stages the production, which opens Thursday, Nov. 14 and performs for two weekends on the Saint Mary’s College campus. “And When We Awoke” performs at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 21-23, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24. Tickets: $10 general; $8 seniors (65+) and non-SMC students; $5 SMC students, faculty and staff. Tickets are available online (www.brownpapertickets.com), by phone at (925) 631-4670 or at the door. (See story page B4)

Snow falls onstage and the Christmas tree magically grows to great heights in the beloved annual California Academy of Performing Arts presentation of “The Nutcracker.” Performances at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6; at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7; and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 at the Del Valle Theatre, 1963 Tice Valley Boulevard, Walnut Creek.  Tickets: $22, can be purchased at      http://www.lesherartscenter.org/ticket-office-information/ and more information can be found at www.capadance.net. Contact:  lynnkdavis@comcast.net.

Town Hall Theatre has been the go-to place for theatrical holiday family fun in Contra Costa County for generations. This season Town Hall mixes it up with a three-person comic tornado, “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)” runs from Dec. 7 to 21, with previews on Dec. 5 and 6. Just as the title suggests, three actors take on the entire Christmas canon from “A Christmas Carol” to “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” to “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” – Gustav the Green-Nosed Reingoat and beyond. For exact times and prices, contact the Town Hall Theatre Box Office at (925) 283-1557 or visit                www.TownHallTheatre.com.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

The LLLCF Authors and Athletes series presents Tim Green, best-selling author of young adult novels, former NFL star, lawyer and TV broadcaster, who will discuss his latest book, and share his wisdom about finding success at home, on the field and in the classroom at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20 at the Lafayette Library. Green will sell and sign books after the presentation. Tickets: free for youth, $5 adults. For info, visit www.lllcf.org.

Have holiday book shopping to do? If so, why not do it at Barnes & Noble Nov. 24 and 25? Part of every purchase at the Walnut Creek Barnes and Noble store (or on their website,         www.barnesandnoble.com) will benefit the Lafayette Youth Writing and Photography Contest. Pick up a voucher at the Walnut Creek store to use at checkout. If you shop online, use the checkout code: 11219672.

Come enjoy a special reading of “Trap the Elf” by author Susan Oppelt at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at the J. Colleen Holiday Event, 261 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette. Twenty percent of the book sales on the day of the event will go to the lilysarahgracefund.org (supporting the arts in underfunded elementary schools across America).

Stanley Middle School Holiday Gift and Book Fair Sunday through Tuesday, Dec. 8-10 at Barnes & Noble in Walnut Creek. Shop for the holidays while supporting Stanley Middle School. Free concerts will be performed by the Stanley Chorus from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 and by the Stanley Jazz Band from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday Dec. 9. Up to 20 percent of purchases will go directly to Stanley.

“A Night of Many Colors” presented by the Friends of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center will feature award-winning artists Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson, who have collaborated on over 45 picture books as well as pre-production set and character designs on movies including “Toy Story” and “A Bugs’s Life.” This husband and wife team uses an unusual approach wherein both artists conceive, design and paint together.  They will speak at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 at the Lafayette Library & Learning Center.  For info, visit flllc.org.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Teen Art Session for teens ages 13-19 at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20 in the Arts and Science Discovery Room at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. Come and create art to be publicly displayed at the library or to take home. Supplies, food and art examples will be provided.

Young Adult Author Talk. Local author Corina Vacco, winner of the 30th Annual Delacorte Prize for a First Young Adult Novel, will discuss “My Chemical Mountain” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 in the Community Hall at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center.

Jingle Festival. Everyone is invited for an afternoon of family fun from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 at 451 Moraga Way, Orinda.  Come decorate gingerbread houses, sing holiday karaoke, and make ornaments and other crafts. There will be a holiday bazaar for your shopping pleasure featuring handmade scarves, crafts, jams, jewelry, baked goods, and books. After the festival stay from 3 to 4 p.m. for the Jingle Festival Holiday Concert. For more info, contact (925) 254-5965.

HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTINGS

Refuge Community Church Christmas Tree Lighting at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1. Dress warm for this outdoor celebration featuring hot apple cider and cocoa, catered hors d’oeuvres, children’s activities, Christmas carols with the Refuge band and the lighting of the 25-foot Blue Spruce Christmas tree at 155 Moraga Rd.

Moraga Commons Park Christmas Tree lighting. Music, cookies, and cocoa begin at 6:30 p.m., tree lit promptly at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6 at the Commons.

Hospice of the East Bay invites the public to participate in its 27th Annual Tree of Lights Ceremonies to be held in Contra Costa County throughout November and December at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, 31 on Orinda Way, Orinda (by Bank of America) and at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 at the Moraga Country Club, 1600 St. Andrews Dr. The tree lightings offer community members a way to honor the lives of their friends and loved ones. Funds raised allow Hospice of the East Bay to provide essential programs and services such as the Vigil Program which ensures no one has to die alone. For light dedications, donations, sponsorships and event questions, call (925) 887-5678 or visit www.hospiceeastbay.org.

The first-ever “It’s a Wonderful Life in Lafayette” community celebration is scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6 in Lafayette’s Plaza Park, located at the corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd and Moraga Rd. in Lafayette.  Free admission. Arrive early and plan to stay! This fun and festive event includes visits with Santa, one-of-a-kind photo ops, live musical entertainment and a holiday sing-a-long. Santa will be arriving at Lafayette Plaza at approximately 4:30 p.m. and the official lighting of the Lafayette holiday tree is planned for 6 p.m.

OTHER

Celiac/Gluten-Free Discussion Group from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 in Meeting Room 3 at the Rossmoor Creekside Clubhouse. Guest Speaker: Jody Dragon, R.D. - Clinical Dietician at John Muir Medical Center. Guests welcome.  For info, call Walter at (925) 930-8875.

Due to Thanksgiving the “Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church Taize” service will be on Thursday, Nov. 21. Come as you are and refresh your spirit. The candle-lit Sanctuary, quiet songs, silence, and scripture reading (but no sermon) invite you to rest at this non-denominational service. Child care is provided if there are at least three children and two business days notice. Email Susan Wentworth at childcare@LOPC.org. Other questions? Contact           rlspalding@earthlink.net.

The 35th annual Community Thanksgiving Breakfast will be held from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 22 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. Cost: $20 per person. Begin the holiday season in a significant and meaningful way. Register online at www.lafayettechamber.org or call (925) 284-7404. Keynote speaker will be Semifreddi’s CEO and president Tom Franier.

For the 16th year Bobbie and Tom Preston will be holding the Cycle Recycle, collecting repairable bikes to be refurbished and given to charitable groups to distribute at Christmas. New and/or used bikes and trikes—in working order or repairable – or useable bike parts may be delivered to the side driveway of the Preston’s home at 1307 Larch Avenue in Moraga throughout the month of November only. No skateboards please; no need to call beforehand. For info, contact Bobbie or Tom Preston at (925) 376-8474.

Annual Holiday Dinner, Orinda Historical Society. Be there or be square for what is sure to be one of the community’s most enjoyable and memorable evenings this holiday season! Laugh and learn while dining on scrumptious salmon, chicken or vegetarian delights. Presentations: History of Holden School (Joel Weber and Caroline Cogan); What’s New at the Old Yellow House (James Wright). Social hour begins at 6 p.m.; dinner begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4 at the Orinda Community Church. Cost: $40; mail checks to Orinda Historical Society, P.O. Box 82, Orinda, CA 94563. For more info, call the Orinda Historical Society at (925) 254-1353.

The Orinda Arts Council board’s annual holiday luncheon will feature holiday songs by Lamorinda Idol singers and the “Trial of Robin Hood” highlights by the Orinda Intermediate School Theater Company actors from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3 at the Orinda Country Club. Cost: $22 per person. RSVP by Nov. 27 to OrindaArtsCouncil.org/holiday/or Contact Myrna Witt at keyofm@aol.com.

Family Science Night Inventors Festival.  Kids ages 4-12 can step into the shoes of an engineer as they investigate, experiment, and problem solve solutions to real world problems at this free event from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Community Hall, sponsored by the Lawrence Hall of Science.

A community sing of Handel’s Messiah will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 66 St. Stephens Dr., Orinda. The Messiah Sing will be directed by Minister of Music Robert Train Adams, with Festival Choir, professional soloists and chamber orchestra with harpsichord and organ to benefit the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties. Childcare is available by reservation. A free-will offering will be taken. For more information contact Brenda Free, office@ststephensorinda.org or (925) 254-3770, ext. 10.

Santa’s Bag Boutique - A Lafayette tradition from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Lafayette Community Center. Don’t Miss the annual Celebrity Gift Baskets at the boutique. All sales benefit the Lafayette Community Center Foundation. For more information, call Judy Gregerson at (510) 918-2280 or email santasbag@comcast.net.

The LLLCF Distinguished Speaker Series welcomes noted travel expert and TV personality Rick Steves at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 at the Orinda Theatre. Steves, host of the PBS series Rick Steves’ Europe and best-selling author of over 50 European travel books, will share tips on becoming a “temporary local” and connecting with your destination more intimately and authentically. Post-presentation book signing; books available for purchase at the event. For info, visit www.lllcf.org.

The White Kitty Foundation is hosting a holiday photo session with esteemed photographer Michael Tedesco from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at Danville Paw Spa, 581 San Ramon Valley Blvd. Plan for your holiday photos with your furry family members today! All proceeds will benefit the White Kitty Foundation to help needy cats and dogs. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins welcome! Cost: $40, which includes one full-size digital image emailed to you. All images will be posted online and available for separate purchase. For info, contact Cris at (925) 837-2411.

POLITICAL GATHERINGS

Two distinguished panelists, professor Ronald Ahnen and Aaron Owens, will be discussing capital punishment from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20 at the Saint Mary’s College Soda Center.

Join the Town of Moraga for the annual Moraga State of the Town Address and Volunteer Recognition Night on Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Moraga Country Club, 1600 Saint Andrews Drive, Moraga. Doors open at 6 p.m. with appetizers and refreshments. Meet your local elected officials and socialize with community groups, residents, and neighbors as Mayor Trotter reports Town achievements from the past year and recognizes all of the volunteers who have completed their terms on town committees, commissions and boards. Email mbeasley@moraga.ca.us or call (925) 888-7021 to RSVP or for more information.

GARDEN

Moraga Garden Club meeting will feature Dr. Anthony O’Geen, soil specialist at UC Davis, who will discuss “Fascinating Information about Soil and Its Ecosystems” at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 at Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School St., Moraga. Guests are welcome.