LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Spring into Summer with Fun-Filled Lamorinda Entertainment


Dancers of all ages enjoy last year's Rock the Plaza. Photo Andy Scheck

Lamorinda will ring with the sound of music, parades, games, parties and dances, most of them outdoors this June and July, taking full advantage of local parks and the warm California sun.

Feeling like rocking and rolling to a little outdoor music? Mark your calendars for Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights beginning June 6 in Lafayette, June 10 in Orinda and June 19 in Moraga. Rock the Plaza (Lafayettechamber.org) in Lafayette begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday nights June 6-27 at Plaza Park. The lineup includes: Azure Moon, Rockin' Country, Funky R&B and Classic Hits on June 6; The Floorshakers, Funk, Soul & Rock and Roll on June 13; The Big Jangle, A Tribute to Tom Petty and all things jangly on June 20; and the Lamorinda Idol finalists will perform on June 27.

Starting June 10, sit back and unwind at the free Summer Concerts in the Park on Tuesday nights from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Orinda Community Center Park, 28 Orinda Way. Sponsored by the Orinda Community Center Auxiliary, and supported by the Orinda Parks and Recreation Foundation, Orinda Community Foundation, and City of Orinda, the lineup includes: Hey Jude, '60s and '70s Rock on June 10; Brian Moran Jazz Trio, classic jazz on June 17; Extended Roots on June 24; Bay Bridge Beat, funk rhythm and blues on July 1; and David Correa and CASCADA on July 8. Concerts continue through Aug. 12. (Visit http://www.cityoforinda.org for information.)

Organized by the Moraga Parks Foundation, the weekly Moraga Summer Concert Series will be held Thursday nights at 6:30 p.m. beginning June 19 at the Commons Park, showcasing Mixed Nuts (rock and roll) on June 19; Zebop! (Latin rock) on June 26; Busta-Groove - Dance Party on July 4; Aja Vu - Chicago and Steeley Dan tribute on July 10; and Mania - Beatles tribute on July 17. Concerts continue through Aug. 21. (See http://www.moragaparks.org/concert.html for details.)

On July 19, come out to the Lafayette Reservoir from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for Operation Swingtime. In the spirit of remembering our veterans, for the first time ever Lamorinda's local Rotary Clubs (including Rossmoor) and Lamorinda Presents are organizing a free USO show to bring back a piece of history when communities would organize, have a parade and celebrate our veterans' return.

The show at the new stage and picnic area overlooking the lake will feature The Big Band of Rossmoor - a 32 member big band well known over the past 22 years for sharing music with the generations that is a part of Generations In Jazz Foundation, playing all things "American." Music will include hits from Glenn Miller, Gershwin, and the songs that Fred Astaire danced to. In addition, enjoy special guest the Swingin Blue Stars (think of the Andrew Sisters singing "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree"), military vehicles on display, and veterans honored during the program. If you know of a veteran, email Mo Levich at gto@67goat.com with name, rank, branch and years served and let organizers know they are coming. A golf cart shuttle is available for those who may need assistance. Uniforms are optional but encouraged. Bring a blanket, your lawn chairs and a picnic. (Information at http://www.rotarylafayette.org/.)

Looking for indoor musical entertainment? Don't miss Diablo Ballet's Annual Dance on Film series with the showing of "Oklahoma!" - the Academy Award winning musical starring Shirley Jones and Gordon MacRae - Thursday, June 5 at the Community Hall of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. The event will include meeting Artistic Director Lauren Jonas and dancer Edward Stegge for a pre-screening discussion of fun facts about the film. At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 10, the film will be the Oscar-nominated musical "Funny Face" (1957), with songs by George and Ira Gershwin, starring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire. (More information at http://diabloballet.org/events/)

Then get ready for the Fourth of July celebration! Lamorinda Presents, the group that includes representatives from Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda, has been working to ensure a fabulous summer of local entertainment, especially for Fourth of July coordinated events.

This year, Fourth of July festivities will take place in Orinda and Moraga. The Orinda Association sponsored events start at 7:30 a.m. with the Roadrunners' Pancake Breakfast in the Community Center Park, followed at 8 a.m. with the Roadrunners' Fun Run and Haley's Run for a Reason, which starts in front of the Community Center, and at 10 a.m. the popular Orinda Fourth of July parade will begin. (For more information, visit http://orindaassociation.org/parade-info/.)

In Moraga, the Kiddie Runs begin at 8 a.m. followed by the 5 mile run and 2 mile run/walk at 8:30 a.m. in the Moraga Shopping Center. The MYIC Pancake Breakfast at the Commons Park starts at 8 a.m., followed at 9 a.m. with the Dog Parade and the Car Show. The Bike Parade is at 10:30 a.m., and day-long games, community booths and food will continue at the Commons until the fireworks begin at 9:20 p.m. (See information at http://www.moraga.ca.us/BookingRetrieve.aspx?ID=49578.)

"The objective of [the Lamorinda Presents] committee is to support all the events and groups and get the word out to everyone," says Moraga Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kathe Nelson.

See you soon!