ART

The Lafayette Art Gallery’s new show, “Spring It On Me,” will run through June 28, with an artists’ reception from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 8 at the Gallery, 3420 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Suite A, Lafayette. The featured artists are Judy Feins, Jill Landau and Lauri Moffet-Fehlberg. For more info, visit www.lafayettegallery.net.

Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art presents for new exhibitions: “Visual Language: Mystery and Meaning” through June 21; “River Passage: New Work by Danae Mattes” May 25 – Sept. 6; “Andy Warhol: Prints, Polaroids and Pop” through June 14; and “The Darker Side of William Keith: Late Paintings” through Sept. 6. Museum admission: $5 adults; members and K-12 graders free; free parking. For info, call (925) 631-4379 or visit stmarys-ca.edu/museum.

The Moraga Art Gallery announces a new show entitled “Transitions,” featuring the one-of-a-kind, Asia-accented jewelry of Lafayette’s own master jeweler K. de Groot, and a collection of Raku and pit-fired pottery by guest artist Mary Leigh Miller of Moraga. The show will run until May 30. For info, visit www.moragaartgallery.com or call (925) 376-5407.

Lireille Gallery of Contemporary Jewelry and Art will exhibit new paintings by Oakland artist Ani Lucia Thompkins May 12 through June 20, with a reception for the artist from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 5. Contact the gallery for more information at (510) 547-3455, or visit the artist’s website at http://anilucia.com.

MUSIC

Maestro David Morales and The Cantare Con Vivo Chamber Ensemble join with the renowned Bay Area instrumental ensemble Quijeremá for Music of Latin America May 6 at 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.

Treat yourself to SMC Jazz Band’s lively concert of up-tempo numbers, dance tunes, and instrumental and vocal jazz soloists at 8 p.m. Friday, May 8 at Saint Mary’s Soda Activity Center: Moraga Room, 1928 St. Mary’s Rd., Moraga.  Tickets, sold at the door of event: $5 general; $2 SMC community and seniors.

The Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra closes its 2014-15 season with an unusual program, “Some Assembly Required,” featuring the full group as well as the brass, wind, and string sections performing separately. The performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 8 at Alhambra High School, Martinez, and at 2 p.m. May 10 at El Campanil Theatre, Antioch and the Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek. Tickets: $5-30 depending on location.

The Lafayette Rotary Club’s Annual Concert at the Res will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 9 at the new permanent stage at the Lafayette Reservoir. The free event showcases and raises money for 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) toward the reservoir trail. The stage is about 150 feet from the parking lot.  (See story page Ax)

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” at 8 p.m. May 12 at Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Tickets ($10-$25) are on sale at the Lesher Center at (925) 943-7469 or www.lesherartscenter.org.

THEATER

Saint Mary’s College Dance Company presents Tabula Rasa at 8 p.m. May 6-9 in LeFevre Theatre at Saint Mary’s College. Tabula Rasa will feature stunning performers, diverse dance styles, and a wide range of inspiring and thought-provoking themes which include political participation, summoning the rain, sleep and dreams, homelessness, and our connection to the moon. Tickets: $15 general; $10 seniors and non-SMC students; $5 SMC community.

Town Hall Theatre presents the comedy “Moon Over Buffalo” by Ken Ludwig and directed by Scott Fryer May 23-June 15; previews: May 21 and 22.  For show times and tickets go to www.townhalltheatre.com or call  (925) 283-1557.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

SMC Creative Writing Reading Series features Marilyn Abildskov and Jeff Chon at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 6 in the Soda Center, Claeys Lounge. Marilyn Abildskov is the author of The Men in My Country, a memoir set in Japan. Jeff Chon received his MFA from Saint Mary’s College in 2014. He is the Editor-in-Chief of The East Bay Review.

A Cosmic Voyage: A Sophisticate’s Primer about the History of the World - a presentation by Dr. Ron Olowin from 7 to 9 p.m. May 6, 14 and 20 in the Religious Resource Center St. Perpetua Church, 3445 Hamlin Rd., Lafayette.

League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley discussion, “Human Trafficking: What are the facts and solutions?” from 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 9 at the Lafayette Community Center. Human trafficking is a staggering $9.8 billion industry in the U.S. Today, it is considered one of the fastest growing criminal industries in the world, with every state in the U.S. and 167 countries reporting incidents of human trafficking. Speaker: Adriana Fruechtl, director of education and outreach for Break Free Education, powered by 3Strands Global, which educates and raises awareness about the incidence, prevalence and pervasiveness of human trafficking. Come share, discuss and learn. Light refreshments served.

“How to Soar in the New Phase of Your Family Life: The Launch and Empty Nest” – a presentation led by Christine Roslund, MFT, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 12 at Orinda Library Gallery Room. Roslund, a licensed Marriage Family Therapist, and Certified Professional Coach with nearly 20 years of client experience will share ways you can prepare and support your teen who is leaving home, what obstacles to watch out for and ways to overcome them. She will also discuss ways you can prepare yourself for the transition or empty nest. Free.

Many Faces of Skin Cancer from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 20 at the Walnut Creek Library, 1644 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek. This event focuses on one of the most preventable cancers. Join an engaging panel of medical experts as they offer insight into the latest information on prevention, early detection, risk factors and treatment options. Admission and refreshments free. Register by calling (925) 677-7287 or email calskincancer@gmail.com. Sponsors: Diablo Valley Oncology, Cancer Support Community and American Cancer Society.

OTHER

The Moraga Community Faire & Car Show will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 9 in the town’s Rheem Valley Shopping Center, offering a wonderful opportunity for a “family fun day” on the day before Mother’s Day with a climbing wall, bounce house, carnival games, music, arts and crafts, local food trucks, a dunk tank, local wine and amazing classic cars. Free to attend, the Faire is organized and sponsored by the Moraga Chamber of Commerce; visit www.moragachamber.org/faire. (See story page B1)

Community Concern for Cats invites you to meet our adoptable kittens and cats from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, May 9-10 at Pet Food Express in Lafayette and Pleasant Hill, and Petco in Walnut Creek. For more information see www.communityconcernfor cats.org.

The Seventh Annual Orinda Restaurant Tour. San Francisco’s East Bay area food lovers will again have the opportunity to join a fun, culinary gathering to savor and sample their way through Orinda restaurants from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 12 at Theatre Square, hosted by the Orinda Chamber of Commerce. Guests will sample fine food from restaurants throughout Orinda, with each establishment providing a small portion that best represents the establishment at no cost to ticket holders. Tickets available at www.orindachamber.org.

50’s Sci-fi Day on Saturday, May 16 at the Classic Film Hall of Fame and Museum, located in the Rheem Theatre, Moraga. The daylong event will include screenings of four of the greatest 1950s Sci-Fi movies, including “Them!” (1954), “This Island Earth” (1955), “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (1951) and “Creature from the Black Lagoon” (1954). Special guests at the event will include Billy Gray, who played Bobby Benson in “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” and Julie Adams from “Creature from the Black Lagoon.” As a special treat to Sci-fi fans and movie lovers, “The Man of Many Creatures”, Doug Jones, will host the day. Admission is free with the purchase of any movie ticket. To learn more about the Classic Film Hall of Fame and Museum go to www.CFFHOF.org.

Join a National Park Service ranger for free early Saturday morning wildflower walks beginning at 9 a.m. on May 16 at the John Muir National Historic Site. Each two-hour walk will begin with an easy saunter up Mt. Wanda to look for wildflowers. Over 82 species of native plants have been identified on Mt. Wanda, and hikers may spot California buttercups, purple Chinese houses and mule’s ears. Meet at the Park and Ride lot at the corner of Alhambra Avenue and Franklin Canyon Road, in Martinez (at the Alhambra Ave. exit off Highway 4). Bring water, a shade hat, and wear good walking shoes because the trail is steep. If it rains heavily, the walk will be canceled.

The 2nd Annual AAUW Tech Trek “Shred Fest” will provide secure document shredding on site from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 16 at 5A Rent-A-Space, 455 Moraga Road, Moraga. Just $5 per file box. AAUW volunteers will unload, empty, and return your file boxes to your car. Certificates of Destruction are available upon request.

Taste of Lafayette from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday May 19. An amazing night of food, wine, raffle prizes and fun. Prizes include a year of dining packages, Carmel getaway and much, much more. The tour begins at Lafayette Plaza with a wine and beer reception including appetizers and musical entertainment. Ticket holders go at their own pace to any or all of the participating restaurants. Then return for a dessert reception and coffee at the Plaza from 8:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $45 if purchased by May 9; $50 thereafter. For info, visit http://www.lafayettechamber.org/event/taste-lafayette.

Contra Costa Commission for Women, in partnership with the Institute of Entrepreneurial Leadership at JFK University, will present a Leadership Panel Discussion featuring powerful women who have excelled in their chosen fields from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 20. Panelists include: KPIX 5’s weekend news anchor Ann Notarangelo, Contra Costa County District III Supervisor Mary Piepho, Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney, Dominique Yancey, and Political Strategist, Mary Jo Rossi. The goal of the Women’s Commission is to inform, educate, and empower women to make more beneficial choices in their lives. Register now as seating is limited for this event. It will be held at JFK University Institute of Entrepreneurial Leadership, 2151 Salvio Street, Suite 350 Concord, CA. Refreshments will be served. To register go to www.womenscommission.com.

SENIORS

Sons In Retirement Lamorinda Branch 171 meets the first Wednesday monthly at Holy Trinity Culture Center 1700 School St. Moraga. Social hour at 11 a.m.; lunch at noon. The May 6 after-lunch speaker will be Fred Lezak, management consultant and former CEO who will speak on the demise and rebirth of civility in society and share some amusing incidences where the lack of civility in business led to some interesting results. Fred will also focus on issues that seniors contend with. For membership information, call Larry at (925) 631-9528.

Moraga Movers will hold their monthly dinner meeting at 5 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Soda Center on Monday, May 11. Speaker will be Diane Burgis of EBMUD who will share the story of the Black Diamond Mines. For more information call Linda Borelli at (925) 376 6151.

The Stroke Support Group of Contra Costa County will hold its May meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, May 11 in the Concord I Room at John Muir Medical Center - Concord Campus, (2540 East Street, Concord). The speaker will be Susan O’Grady Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist. Her topic will be “Intimacy Following Stroke”. For further information about the Stroke Support Group, contact Ann Dzuna at (925) 376-6218. Meetings are free and open to the public.

Sons In Retirement Lamorinda Branch 174, a social organization of retired and semi-retired men, meets for lunch at 11 a.m. the second Wednesday monthly at Holy Trinity Culture Center, 1700 School Street, Moraga. The May 13 guest speaker will be from The Lamorinda Village. For attendance and membership info, call Tyler at (925) 284-5561 or visit www.branch174.sirinc2.org.

Sons In Retirement Las Trampas Branch 116 – Many special activities are scheduled for the month of May, including a luncheon for our ladies with live entertainment by vocalist, Antonia, who has performed in the Bay Area, LA, New York, Italy and Africa. The event will be held at the Contra Costa Country Club, located at 801 Golf Club Road in Pleasant Hill on Thursday, May 14. This annual Spring Fling replaces the regular May meeting and includes lunch entertainment, door prizes and surprises.

Get Organized with an Estate Plan - Presented by Stefanie West, estate planning attorney, from 10:30 to noon Wednesday, May 20 in the Cedar Room, Lafayette Community Center. Are you aware of the basic documents you should have in place? Ms. West will cover the essential forms: Living Trust, Will, Health Care Directive, Financial Power of Attorney, beneficiary forms, personal items distribution list and POLST. There will be plenty of time to answer your questions, such as, Why do I need these? and What happens if I don’t have them? as well as How do I make sure they work correctly? and Are my old documents valid?  Free for Senior Services members/ $10 non-members.

GARDEN

A tour of five exceptional Orinda Gardens from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 7. The tour is organized by the Orinda Garden Club and tickets are $50 per person. Visit orindagc.org/tour to purchase tickets.

Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center - Wind Chime Workshop: Making Music for Your Garden from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 9 at 3932 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Come celebrate Mother’s Day weekend making musical wind chimes in the garden! Wind chimes can be made with an exciting mixture of elements. Bring recycled items like old keys and jewelry, drillable kitchen utensils, silverware, and garden knick-knacks. Use your imagination! There will be filament, string, drills, other fasteners and materials for you to use. For info, visit http://lafayettecommunitygarden.org/sign-up-for-events/.

The Lafayette Garden will present Dustin Strobel, store manager of Sloat Garden Center in Danville from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, May 14 at the Lafayette Veterans Memorial Hall, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Dustin’s program, “Spring and Summer in the Garden,” is sure to be both informative and entertaining. Check out their website at http://www.sloatgardens.com.
Lafayette Garden Club welcomes guests. For info, email cpoetzsch@gmail.com.

Golden Gate Audubon Society presents Gardening for Wildlife in our Drought from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 21 at Northbrae Community Church, 941 the Alameda, Berkeley. Our current drought challenges us to find new ways to design sustainable residential landscapes to also create habitat for birds and butterflies. Cost: $5 or free for members. For more info see http://www.goldengateaudubon.org/education/speaker-series/ or call (510) 843-2222 or email ggas@goldengateaudubon.org.