ART

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.

An exhibit titled “The Heart of Art” will be on view at the Lafayette Art Gallery through Dec. 28, and features warm and emotional works by both the current and new members. The paintings, prints, photography, ceramics and jewelry in “The Heart of Art” offer a wonderful selection of hand-made, one-of-a-kind holiday gifts and ornaments, and will run though the holiday season. For info, call (925) 284-2788 or visit   www.lafayetteartgallery.com.

Klein Gallery is pleased to invite the Lafayette community to its new show “Prickly Point.” This month’s show includes work from nine Bay Area Artists who use a diverse array of mediums including painting, drawing, sculpture and photography. As the title suggests, the exhibition celebrates the unique character of each artist’s work while encouraging viewers to take in the show as a whole. “Prickly Point” will be up through Jan. 12 at Klein Gallery, open Tuesday through Sunday.

SMC Art and Art History Department Alumni will showcase art in all media and sizes including video and small sculpture. Come see fantastic alumni art, catch up and network with fellow Art and Art History alums and faculty at the opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, refreshments included. If you would like to volunteer and help with press, installation, opening reception or de-installation, please feel free to contact Lily Manderville, (510) 849-8935, gallery@care-gtu.org or Professor Anna Novakov, anovakov@stmarys-ca.edu.

The Glover Group: “A Legacy of Light and Color” which features the current works of 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. For info, visit www.thepamglovergroup.com.

Student Art from Afghanistan will be on display at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center, Community Hall through Jan. 13. 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

In Lumine. From flares and fireflies to more introspective illuminations, WomenSing’s wonderfully fresh holiday concert, “In Lumine” (In Light), will be the choral event to anticipate this holiday season. Full, robust and romantic elements abound in Imant Raminsh’s “Missa Brevis in C Minor.” The light of the Mother will shine in Ivo Antognini’s “Ave Maris Stella” in its string-like lines, and cluster chords that create a glow of sound. In the song cycle “Lux Lucis,” Seattle composer Karen Thomas provides two lustrous settings of 12th century texts by composer and mystic Hildegard von Bingen with numerous references to light, sun, flame and radiance. The light of fire in Dale Trumbore’s “Flare” will rush to catch you! Join WomenSing, and Guest Conductor Jeremiah Selvey this holiday season. Program begins at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18 at the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. Tickets available at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/506271.

Holiday Music Concert from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 outside the Orinda Library by teen volunteers of Be the Star You Are! literacy charity organized by Andrew Wang to raise money for Operation Disaster Relief. For info, visit         http://starstyleradio.com/Events/Entries/2013/12/21_Holiday_Concert_to_Support_Disaster_Relief.html.

Contra Costa Children’s Chorus celebrates 30 years of musical excellence in an Alumni Reunion Concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28 at Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church, 1801 Lacassie Ave. Artistic Director Martin Benvenuto and Founding Artistic Director Iris Lamanna will lead alumni and current choristers in song, featuring alumni soloists Camaron Ochs, soprano; Sylvia Baba, soprano; Matt Smart, piano; Keenan Boswell, piano; Aaron Grafton, cello. Tickets: $20 by mail to CCCC, PO Box 2518, Walnut Creek, CA 94595, or at      www.brownpapertickets.com.

Experience the joy of singing in a community of talented and dedicated women! WomenSing is holding auditions Tuesday, Jan.  7 – and by appointment for experienced singers. All voice parts are welcome, and scholarships are available for qualified singers. You may also visit www.womensing.org to review our recent repertoire and listen online. For info, email audition@womensing.org, call (925) 974-9169, or visit womensing.org.

THEATER

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!)” which runs through Dec. 21. 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.

“To All a Good Night.” Improvisation play based on audience members’ worst “home for the holidays” stories at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 at the Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary’s Rd. Tickets: $10 at the door or via                www.synergytheater.com, which also has more information about the production.

Kenn Adams’ Adventure Theater – an interactive comedy show for heroes of any age – will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 22. Audience members make all of the sound effects, become the scenery, suggest the twists and turns of the plot and jump up on the stage to play the main characters. Tickets: $5, available at the door or via              www.synergytheater.com.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Fratello Marionettes: North Pole Review. Join the fun with a puppet extravaganza, The North Pole Review, which showcases the high kicking antics of the Russian Trepak Dancers, the graceful ice skater Crystal Chandelier, and features dazzling acrobatic penguins at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17 at the Moraga Library, 1500 St. Mary’s Road, Moraga. Generously sponsored by the Friends of the Moraga Library, this is a perfect way to celebrate the holiday season!

Children who like to sing can audition from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church for Spring Semester. This internationally known chorus is recognized for excellence in vocal training and performance skills. There are choir levels for boys and girls ages 6-16, with local performances and touring opportunities for advanced choirs. The honors level choir is currently preparing to travel to Argentina during the summer of 2014. Call for an appointment or info at (925) 945-7101, ext. 1 or email frontdesk@childrenschorus.org.

OTHER

Become a Sutter Care at Home Hospice Volunteer. Provide hospice patients and families in your community with compassionate, caring support. Local training course available free of charge. For more info, call 1-800-853-7454 or email gaylesn@sutterhealth.org.

Traditional Folk Songs of the Winter Holidays at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. Kids and adults can enjoy a free holiday concert with legendary folksinger, storyteller and autoharp virtuoso Adam Miller from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19 in the Library’s Community Hall. Sing-along songs will include something for everyone: Hanukkah, winter solstice, Christmas carols and more.

Diablo Ballet will celebrate the Holidays at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20 at Steinway Piano Gallery. This festive event will have attendees ringing in the holidays with an evening of dance led by Diablo Ballet ballerina, Rosselyn Ramirez, and beloved Nutcracker characters, with food, wine, and punch and cookies for children. With a tax-deductible contribution of $200 or more to Diablo Ballet, patrons can bring up to four guests to the event! For more info, call Diablo Ballet at (925) 943-1775 or visit www.DiabloBallet.org.

The Bethlehem Experience. The Lafayette United Methodist Church presents an interactive performance that takes you back through time. Tour Guides will lead groups of 10 people through the marketplace of Bethlehem on the night of the Messiah’s birth with the smell of exotic spices, the festive sound of Jewish music, the sight of robed and sandaled merchants in their stalls, the taste of freshly baked unleavened bread, live animals in the stable and the soft feel of flaxen “swaddling clothes.” The social event that emphasizes the spiritual meaning of Christmas takes place between 5:30 and 8 p.m. Dec. 20-22 at the Lafayette United Methodist Church, 955 Moraga Road, Lafayette. Hour-long tours begin every 15 minutes. Refreshments and entertainment provided while you wait. Freewill donation: $5 per person or $20 per family. For questions call (925) 284-4765.

Join the National Park Service for a free winter solstice-themed campfire program on Saturday, Dec. 21 at John Muir National Historic Site (NHS) in Martinez. The program begins at 3 p.m. with crafts and games in the park orchards and continues with a campfire from 5 to 7 p.m. No reservations are required. Meet at the front gate of the John Muir National Historic Site, 4202 Alhambra Ave. Come with warm layers, picnic blankets, lawn chairs, marshmallows and a desire to have a good time. Rangers will direct visitors from the gate to the fire ring until 5:30 p.m. If it rains heavily, the program will be canceled.

Free gift wrapping room from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day but Sunday through Dec. 24 with wrapping paper, ribbon, and scissors at 5A Rent A Space, 455 Moraga Rd., Suite F.

Let’s Talk About It: Muslim Journeys, a community reading and discussion series. Discussions will be led by nationally-renowned scholar Hatem Bazian, Ph.D., (UC Berkeley) and will cover five unique books at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center, 233 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. The first program will explore the book “When Asia Was the World” by Stewart Gordon and will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14. For more information on the series, including links for registering and ordering the books, please visit guides.ccclib.org/journeys. For questions or comments, contact Jeff Gibson, project director at (925) 927-3240 or jgibson@ccclib.org.

SENIORS

Sons in Retirement Lamorinda Branch 171 meets the first Wednesday monthly at Holy Trinity Culture Center, 1700 School St., Moraga, with social hour at 11 a.m.; lunch at noon. The after lunch speaker on Wednesday, Jan. 8 will be Saint Mary’s College Professor Ron Olowin, of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Olowin is known for his creative and entertaining perspectives on the Universe. He will share his latest views of the cosmos. For details and membership information, call Larry at (925) 631-9528