ART

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 show, “Transitions,” features 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 through May 30. For info, visit www.moragaartgallery.com or call (925) 376-5407.

Hacienda Wine Social and Art Exhibit & Sale from 5 to 7 p.m. on May 28 the at the Moraga Hacienda. The featured art will be from over 25 artists affiliated with the Hacienda art program led by Marianne Brown. Guests will find a variety of work ranging from landscapes to modern abstract art. The featured wine is from Captain Vineyards, and is $8 per pour.

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

The Lafayette Art Gallery’s new show, “Spring It On Me,” will run through June 28 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

MUSIC

Clerestory presents Clerestory: Songbook at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 30 at David Brower Center, 2150 Allston Way, Berkeley. The men of Clerestory perform jazz standards and classics of the American Songbook, along with beloved spirituals, barbershop, and folk tunes. Cost: $25; $15 students/seniors. For more info, visit http://www.clerestory.org or email info@clerestory.org.

WomenSing presents “Southern Exposure III” from 8 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, June 3 at Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. In “Southern Exposure III,” WomenSing and Quinteto Latino present the premiere of Pirhekua, composed by Jose-Luis Hurtado and other southern gems. Cost: $30 premium; $25 general; $20 senior; $10 student/youth. For more info, visit http://www.womensing.org or call (925) 798-4875 or email info@womensing.org.

Jazz Café returns to Lafayette! Lafayette’s annual Jazz Café will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, June 5 in the Stanley Middle School Multi-Purpose Room. There is a fabulous lineup featuring Stanley Middle School’s Crusaders & Jazz Messengers, Campolindo’s Jazz Band & Acalanes’ Jazz Ensemble. Pre-concert entertainment by various musicians. Tickets: $10 general admission, $5 elementary students; kids under 6 are free. Los Primos Market Taco Truck will be selling scrumptious food from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dessert, coffee and beverages will also be available for purchase all evening. For info, contact Anouschka Wardy at anouschkaw@mac.com.
1st annual Lafayette Cello Bash - hear up to 100 Cellos in a free concert from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 7 in Lafayette Park Plaza. Music conducted by the esteemed Bonnie Hampton, featuring the "Dirty Cello" band.

THEATER

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.

“Willy Wonka Jr.” opens June 5 and 6 at Wagner Ranch Elementary School. Director Ron Pickett, producers Ara Jelalian and Jackie Lawrence-Knight, musical director Derek Luscutoff have worked tirelessly with the fourth- and fifth-grade actors for months, crafting a theatrical event of pure imagination suitable for all ages. Tickets are available at the door or through www.showTix4u.com. Cost: $12 reserved seats; $10 general seating.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

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.

The Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation Distinguished Speaker Series will feature Native San Franciscan David Downie from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 29, in conversation with Lynn Carey. David moved to Paris in the 1980s and has chronicled his love affair with the City of Light in three books: “Paris, Paris,” the bestselling “Paris to the Pyrenees,” and his newest “A Passion for Paris” in which he skillfully transports readers into the city's vibrant cultre and hidden locations. Registration required. Cost: $10 at door, or, register for this and the May 19 Arabella Bowen event, and pay $15 for both.

Commonwealth Club presents “Video Games and Neuroscience: A Vision of the Future of Medicine and Education” from 6:30 to 8 June 10 at the Lafayette Library Community Hall.  Brain training games offered by companies like Lumosity and Fit Brains are rapidly gaining popularity, but how do we know if they're truly able to keep our brains healthy? Come hear the latest in neuroscience as University of California, San Francisco’s Dr. Adam Gazzeley explores how video games can train our brains, fend off mental decline and reduce our reliance on medication to treat neurological and psychiatric conditions. Cost: $15 members; $25 nonmembers. Check-in starts at 6 p.m.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Kids Day begins at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, June 14 at The New Rheem Theatre, 350 Park Street in Moraga with the showing of the movie “Despicable Me,” followed by a festival from 12 to 2 p.m. with Sno-Cones, Bricks 4 Kidz, face painting, food, bounce house, petting zoo, balloons and police cars. The cost for the movie is $5 and the entire event is a benefit for the Special Olympics of Northern California.

OTHER

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. Refreshments will be served. To register go to www.womenscommission.com.

Join us for the 42nd Annual Belly Dancer of the Year Competition, Memorial Day Weekend, May 23-24, at the Orinda Library Auditorium. The competition will feature professional solo and troupe performers from the US, Mexico, and Japan. Belly Dancer of the Year is a volunteer-supported community event, and all ages welcome! Details and tickets available at www.bellydanceroftheyear.net.

Community Concern for Cats invites you to its annual Maddie's Pet Adoption weekend May 30-31. Every kitten and cat is free to a qualified home. See adorable adoptables at Pet Food Express Lafayette and Pleasant Hill, and Petco Walnut Creek from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The Pleasant Hill site opens an hour earlier. For more info, go to www.communityconcernfor cats.org. If you see a cat on the website that you would like to meet, call the name in the posting to ask where the cat will be on view.

Join Parents for a Safer Environment to decrease pesticide usage in the community, particularly in public areas where children may get exposed. We have changed policies for the MUSD, Town of Moraga, CC County Departments, AUHSD, and continue to work on other communities as our resources allow. We are currently seeking volunteers: marketing/development director to work with sustainable businesses; program manager to work with individual public agencies and help review pesticide usage data; community organizer to work on special events and over 1,000 community members on our list serve; and legal counsel to help with certain projects addressing Prop 65 and/or EPA Pesticide Injunctions. Contact Shirley@pfse.net or (925) 283-4609 for more info. www.pfse.net.

Eat to End Alzheimer’s from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, June 11 in the Desco Plaza Fountain Courtyard 3675 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. In celebration of National Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in June, the Alzheimer’s Association in Lafayette will host its third annual barbecue fundraiser. Enjoy live music, a delicious barbecue spread, and raffle prizes for a $10 donation to support the local programs and services of the Alzheimer’s Association. RSVP at https://alzbbq.eventbrite.com or Lacey Todd at Ltodd@alz.org or (925) 284-7942.

SENIORS

Enjoy one of the Bay Area’s top magicians, an interactive dementia experience and a presentation by local author Bob Nozik on how to create happiness in one’s life highlight the 7th Annual Lamorinda Senior Faire from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 2 at the Hacienda de las Flores in Moraga. Other presentations at the event, which is free to the public, will include a session focused on the Top 10 Exercises for senior balance and strength held by Sue Funkhouser and a presentation on the new direction of senior nutrition by Dorothea Michalik, RD, CDE. Free food and refreshments will be offered.

GARDEN

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.  The 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, visit http://www.goldengateaudubon.org/education/speaker-series/ or call (510) 843-2222 or email ggas@goldengateaudubon.org.

Lafayette Community Garden presents Healthy Household Cleaners from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 6 at 3932 Mount Diablo Blvd. Learn about some of the chemicals we are exposed to and how to lessen this exposure or avoid them. See how cleaning with natural homemade products can result in a healthier home and discover some easy and fun drought tips. To register, visit lafayettecommunitygarden.org/classes-and-events.