ART

San Francisco-based photographer Robert Gumpert in his first exhibitions in the United States will be on display through March 15 at the Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art. Also on display are Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s environmental textile art and William Keith’s paintings of Native Americans. These other exhibits operate as counterpoint, with their vast landscapes, to Gumpert’s intimate photography. For more information about the SMC Museum of Art, visit www.stmarys-ca.edu/saint-marys-college-museum-of-art or call the gallery at (925) 631-4379.  

Bedford Gallery’s next exhibition, “The Object and the Void: West Coast Metal Sculpture,” will run through April 12. This show gathers works from renowned artists Bella Feldman, Linda Fleming, Yoshitomo Saito and Clay Jensen. The exhibition will feature both large and small scale works, made using techniques from cast bronze to cut steel, demonstrating the artists’ masterful command of their media.

Orinda Library Art Gallery Exhibitors 2015 - March: High School Art Competition.  For info, contact Natalie Wheeler at ns.wheeler@gmail.com.

Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery will present a special, one-day-only exhibit entitled “Exploring Tibet through Photographs and Paintings” from 2 to 7 p.m. on March 14. This event will feature photographs by Martin Newman and paintings by Marcella Adamski alongside traditional Tibetan thangka paintings. All proceeds from the sale of their artwork at this event will be donated to the Tibet Oral History Project in order to sponsor the videotaping of 50 elderly Tibetan refugees’ oral histories in Nepal. For more info, call (925) 284-1485 or email jp@jenniferperlmuttergallery.com.

The Glover Plein Air Group presents “Reflections” opening at the UC Botanical Garden in the Julia Morgan Building from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 28 to March 13. The UC Botanical Gardens invited the award winning Glover Group, all former students of late Pam Glover, to paint, during this past year in the Garden for this show.

The exhibit “Lamorinda Under Glass,” featuring watercolor landscapes by Moraga resident George Ehrenhaft, opens at the Moraga Library on March 3. Painted on location in Lamorinda, Ehrenhaft’s works depict local sites, including Saint Mary’s College, Mt. Diablo, the Lafayette Reservoir, Orinda’s Lake Cascade, scenes along the Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail, and several surprising lesser-known local places. The exhibit will be open during library hours March 3-31. For details, call (925) 376-6852.

The exhibit “Art Appassionata,” featuring the light-washed landscapes and portraits by Lisa Gunn of Orinda and oil paintings of the California coastline by Carol Tarzier, continues at the Moraga Art Gallery at 522 Center Street in Moraga’s Rheem Shopping Center until March 24. The 15 member artists of the gallery also have paintings, photographs, ceramics, jewelry, gorgeous silk scarves, and finely crafted woodware on display. For more info, go to www.moragaartgallery.com or call (925) 376-5407.

MUSIC

Acclaimed classical pianists, Dale Tsang and Hye Yeong Min will be joined by fellow Contra Costa Performing Arts Society (CCPAS) colleagues in their performance of works by Beethoven, Chopin, Raphael and Ginastera at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center on Mt. Diablo Boulevard in Lafayette. The hour-long program of beautiful instrumental music features the cello and clarinet as well as the piano, and ranges from the Classical and Romantic eras to the 20th century. This free event is sponsored by the Friends of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center as well as CCPAS.

The Gold Coast Chamber Players are proud to present their fourth concert of the 2014-15 Season, “Czech Mix.” The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14 at the Lafayette Library Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette. A pre-concert talk with musicologist Kai Christiansen will start the evening at 7 p.m. Tickets: $37.50 general; $32.50 senior; $10 student. Tickets are available at www.gcplayers.org and by phone at (925) 283-3728. Limited seating, please reserve early.

Tanya Gabrielian benefit concert for Trust in Education from 7 to 9:30 p.m. March 20 at Acalanes High School Theatre. Lauded by the Washington Post for her “strikingly poised nobility” and “commanding presence,” the brilliant, young pianist Tanya Gabrielian has risen to international acclaim. Donation: $35 adult; $20 student.

THEATER

Winner of the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, “Angels in America: Millennium Approaches” by Tony Kushner and directed by Joel Roster, will be presented at Lafayette’s Town Hall Theatre through Feb. 28.  For tickets and show times, visit www.townhalltheatre.com.

DVC Drama presents the Steve Martin comedy, “Picasso” at the Lapin Agile from March 13-29. On an October evening in 1904, Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso end up at the same small bar in Paris—the Lapin Agile. The two young geniuses, joined by an eccentric cast of characters, spar over art and science, their respective libidos, where inspiration comes from, and the promise and dreams of the 20th century. For tickets and show times call (925) 969-2358 or visit www.dvcdrama.net. Free parking for all performances.

“Les Miserables” at Campolindo High School opens March 12. (See story page B1)

Acalanes High School will present “Pippin” at 7 p.m. March 5-7 in the Performing Arts Theater.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

SMC presents Afternoon Craft Conversation with Mary Volmer - “The Tourist, the Expat and the Native: A Traveler’s Guide to Writing Historical Fiction” at 2:35 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25 in Hagerty Lounge, De La Salle Hall.

“Science and Religion: A Cosmic Perspective on Matter, Life, Mind and Spirit,” a talk by Ron Olowin, Saint Mary’s College professor of Astronomy and Physics at 6:45 p.m. Feb. 28, March 4 and March 11 at St. Anselm’s Church, 682 Michael Lane, Lafayette. Olowin will discuss divine creation, the Big Bang, evolution, and how faith and belief systems respond to scientific and technological advances. Free.

The Lafayette Library and Learning Center’s Science Café presents: “The Future of Manned Missions to Mars” from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 4 in the Library’s Community Hall. Dr. Pascal Lee of Mountain View’s SETI Institute, and Andy Weir, author of “The Martian,” will discuss the science of future Mars missions. Free. Registration required at tinyurl.com/TheMartianLLLC.

“Behind Enemy Lines: The True Story of a French Jewish Spy in Nazi Germany, A Historic Evening with Marthe Cohn.”  Marthe Cohn will be sharing her story at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 15 in the Orinda Theatre as part of her first Bay Area tour. For more information and to RSVP, visit www.JewishContraCosta.com or call (925) 937-4101.

Orinda Community Church Theological Book Club: “My Bright Abyss, by Christian Wiman,” at 4:30 on March 15. Wine and snacks provided. Location: Orinda Community Church (Fireside Room), 10 Irwin Way, Orinda. For info, call (925) 254-4906, email office@orindachurch.org or visit www.orindachurch.org.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Orinda Recreation and Summer Camp Fair - The City of Orinda is providing community members an opportunity to meet summer day camp staff plus a variety of specialty class instructors during the first Recreation and Summer Camp Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Orinda Community Center located at 28 Orinda Way. Individuals who sign up for programs listed in the Winter/Spring Activity Guide and the Summer Camps Brochure during the fair will receive 10 percent off all fees. For more info, visit www.cityoforinda.org or call (925) 254-2445.

OTHER

Aegis of Moraga’s 16th Anniversary Art and Wine Celebration from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26 at 950 Country Club Drive, Moraga, will feature wine tasting by Captain Vineyards, music by Lafayette’s Gold Coast, Chamber Players, artwork by Lamorinda Artists, Aegis’ executive chef selections of fruit and cheese, and fine chocolates crafted by Powell’s Candies. For info, call (925) 478-7327.

An evening of thought-provoking discussion on the topic of “Women in Science and Engineering” comes to Bentley School on its third annual Science Thought Leaders Night at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26. The event is not limited to just Bentley School students, parents and faculty, and it is hoped that the wider East Bay community will join in a discussion to help foster a societal conversation about greater gender equity in science, engineering and all aspects of life. The panel discussion will be held in the Student Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on the Lafayette campus and admission is free. RSVP on the Eventbrite page.

During the month of February, Curves is raising funds and awareness for ALS.net. ALS is often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. As a special fundraiser, individuals can work out at Curves for five days for $5. All funds raised go directly to ALS TDI. For more information, contact Curves Walnut Creek at (925) 945-7484.

Orinda Woman’s Club is accepting applications for the major beneficiary awards of 2015. Accepted applicants will reach the criteria: Serving youth and women and children primarily in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties, and is a 501c-3 organization with an income of no greater than $2 million annually. Application forms can be acquired from Orinda Woman’s Club, Beneficiary Chair, at (925) 254-1162 or adeline@mcclatchie.com. Applications are due by 7 p.m. March 2.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Orinda Library’s newly redesigned Teen Area at 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 2. Refreshments to follow. RSVP to Beth Girshman at bgirshma@ccclib.org or (925) 254-2184, ext 15.

Orinda Rotary Club Supports Hospice Thrift Shoppes Donation Drive March 4 through April 1. Support Rotary Club of Orinda and Hospice Thrift Shoppes by donating new or gently used items. No electronics please. Items can be dropped off in Orinda at: Mechanics Bank, 77 Moraga Way or Orinda Country Club, 315 Camino Sobrante Road. For info, call Sue Breedlove at (925) 254-6262 or Steve Paddock (925) 254-0393.

The American Red Cross and Be The Match encourage eligible donors to become hometown heroes and answer the call of patients in need by donating blood and registering to be a potential bone marrow donor. Together these two organizations are hosting a blood drive and bone marrow registry from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 14 at Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church, 10 Moraga Valley Lane. To register, visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information.

The Friends of the Moraga Library will hold their semi-annual book sale at the Moraga Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 14. There will be a $5 Bag Sale from 1 to 2 p.m. when a large paper grocery bag can be purchased and filled with as many books as the bag will hold. The money raised goes to fund library material and programs, and to staff Sunday hours at the library.

St. Patrick’s Evening of Dinner, Music, and Show with Silent Auction emceed by Dick Callahan, 5:30 to 10 p.m., Sunday, March 15 at the Soda Center at Saint Mary’s College. Traditional corned beef and cabbage (chicken fettuccine) dinner. Wine included at dinner. $45 per person – inclusive. Musical review: Beach Blanket Babylon.  Sponsored by Saint Mary’s College Guild (scholarship fundraiser).  Call Cynthia Kelly (925) 388-0437 for reservations.

Moraga Women’s Society will feature a speaker from Eldercare Services, who will discuss “Safety in the Home” at 10:45 a.m. Monday, March 16. All are welcome to attend this free event.  The Society is also holding an Antique Appraisal Event by Michaan’s Auctions from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 20 at Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School St., Moraga. Hours by appointment. Cost: $20 for two appraisals or $25 for three. Receive a verbal appraisal by one of their certified appraisers for fine art, Asian art, coins and stamps, furniture and decorative arts, and miscellaneous. For info, call Jean Glaser: (925) 376-7961. Appraisers donate their services. All proceeds benefit Moraga Schools.

SENIORS

Lafayette Reservoir Walking Group led by author and columnist Jim Scala.  Every Thursday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. the group meets for camaraderie, fresh air and enjoyable exercise, all in magnificent surroundings. Optional bonus: at the end of the walk, Scala will lead you through easy yoga poses and breathing exercises in the most beautiful outdoor yoga studio: the band stage overlooking the water. Please call (925) 284-5050 to add your name to the email notification list. Meet at reservoir parking lot. Free. (See story page A1)

Sons In Retirement Lamorinda Branch 171 meets the first Wednesday each month at 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Culture Center, 1700 School St., Moraga. The March 4 after lunch speaker will be Dr. Valery Uhl. who specializes in treatment of prostate and breast cancers. She will discuss today’s treatment options for prostate cancer. For membership information, call Larry at (925) 631-9528 or Tom Lenz at (925) 278-1717.

Sons In Retirement - Branch 116 welcomes guests to socialize at monthly luncheon beginning at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 16 held at the Walnut Creek Elks Lodge, 1475 Creekside Drive. The speaker will be Bernat Rosner, author of “An Uncommon Friendship,” which tells the unique story of two youths trapped on opposite sides of the Holocaust. For lunch reservations, call (925) 322-1160.  Cost: $15.

GARDEN

The Walnut Creek Garden Club will hold its general meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, March 9 at the Gardens at Heather Farm located at 1540 Marchbanks Road in Walnut Creek. The topic of the program is “Irises – The Works!” by Stan Morgan, president of the Mt. Diablo Iris Society. For more info, visit mslittle44@gmail.com.

Get Your Garden Growing from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 15 at the Lafayette Community Garden and
Outdoor Learning Center, 3932 Mt Diablo Blvd. Topics include building raised beds and prepping your edible garden for spring. This class is free; however, a $5 donation is appreciated to support education programs. To register for classes or for more info, visit www.lafayettecommunitygarden.org.

Montelindo Garden Club will meet at 9 a.m. Friday, March 20 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 66 St. Stephens Drive, Orinda. Featuring Howard Arendtson, owner of H. Julien Designs, Berkeley. Visitors welcome. For info, visit www.montelindogarden.com.