ART

CC14 presents “The Thrill of the Chase” through Aug. 31 at the Orinda Library Gallery, 26 Orinda Way. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.  

The newest show at the Lafayette Art Gallery, titled “H2O,” will run through Aug. 29, and will focus on water. Whether it is the use of water in the artistic process, water as subject matter, or the current absence of water, the talented group of local artists will showcase their works related to the theme of water. For info, call (925) 284-2788 or visit www.lafayetteartgallery.com.

Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art presents “Bright and Beautiful: Early San Francisco Bay Area Watercolors” featuring the collection of Roger and Kathy Carter, which runs through Sept. 13, and Stephen Joseph’s exhibition, “Inside Vasco Caves,” which runs through Sept. 6. Bright and Beautiful showcases the art of watercolor painting as it was practiced in Northern California in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Vasco Caves features the photography of Joseph, who spent 10 years exploring and documenting the windswept rock outcrops and caves, with an eye towards capturing the landscape as the native people would have experienced it. For info, visit https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/saint-marys-college-museum-of-art. (See story page B1)

Valley Art Gallery presents John Brown - “Digital Alternatives” through Sept. 10 at Valley Art Gallery, 1661 Botelho Drive, Suite 110, Walnut Creek. Prior to digital photography, a photographer had to choose between black and white or color film. Brown would carry two cameras and shoot in both. In this show, Brown presents viewers with images in both black and white and color, and asks gallery visitors to vote their choice. For info, visit www.valleyartgallery.org.

“Botanica: All Things Plant Life” – a national juried exhibition featuring over 130 artists from across the country working in a diverse reach of media runs through Sept. 6 at the Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek. Botanica showcases a deep love of nature, the embrace of its beauty, and a concern for its protection and survival. For info, visit www.bedfordgallery.org.

MUSIC

Summer Concert Series at the Moraga Commons begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13 with Spazmatics - 80’s rock and dance; Aug. 20 Houserockers - cover and dance band. For info, visit www.moragaparks.org/concert.html.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary season ‘Giving Voice to Women’ in 2015-16, WomenSing invites experienced singers to audition. WomenSing will perform Britten’s masterpiece “A Ceremony of Carols” in December, and will be participating in the Alta Pusteria International Choral Festival in Northern Italy in the summer of 2016. WomenSing is holding auditions on Aug. 20 and Sept. 3, and by appointment. All voice parts are welcome. Scholarships are available for qualified singers. Contact us by email at audition@womensing.org, or visit www.womensing.org for more information.

The 10th annual Lamorinda Idol Finals will take place on Sunday, Sept. 6 at the Orinda Theatre, featuring performances by 33 soloists and 12 groups. Winners will be selected by a panel of distinguished judges who are musical professionals in the Bay Area combined with audience votes.

THEATER

The Orinda Starlight Players will present Louis Flynn’s “Madness on Madrona Drive” Thursday through Sunday through Aug. 15 at the Outdoor Theatre in Orinda Community Center Park located at 28 Orinda Way. Cost: $16 regular admission; $8 seniors. For show times and ticket information, visit the box office, go to http://www.orsvp.org or call (925) 528-9225.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

Moraga Library Book Club meets at 1 p.m. every third Thursday. Aug. 20: “The Woman in White” by Wilkie Collins. For info, visit ccclib.org.

Lafayette Physical Therapy Lecture Series - 7 to 8 p.m. on July 28: Gait and Balance Issues Affecting Your Life with LPT Owner & Director, Valerie Watase PT.

16th Eugene O’Neill Festival. Catch a “sneak peek” of this year’s Eugene O’Neill Festival with Artistic Director Eric Fraisher-Hayes who will discuss this year’s productions “A Season of Desire” and “A Streetcar Named Desire” from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Community Hall.  For info, visit www.lllcf.org.

Lafayette Historical Society Speaker Series: Water. The Lafayette Historical Society Speaker Series will feature Janet Thomas, who has lived in Lafayette for 31 years near Reliez Creek. She developed the Environmental Science curriculum for the Acalanes Unified High School District and used that creek (which borders the school and its surroundings) as an outdoor classroom. Thomas is now involved with the Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center, which is adjacent to Lafayette Creek. Cost: $10 LHS members; $15 non-members requested. Kids under 14 free with adult. For info and reservations, call LHS at (925) 283-1848, or email Lafayette.history@comcast.net.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

The Orinda Parks and Recreation Department is happy to bring back Movies in the Park for a second consecutive year. The movies will be held Thursday evenings at Orinda Community Center Park located at 28 Orinda Way. The following movies will begin at dusk: Aug. 20 “Frozen” Sing-Along.

Kids Club’s free puppet show with Jungle Joe; 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13 at Orinda Theatre Square. More info at www.orindatheatresquare.com.

Senior Girl Scout Troop 30997, in culmination of their Girltopia Journey, is hosting a free showing of Disney’s Mulan from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20 at the Moraga Library. After the movie, the Senior Scouts will use Mulan’s experiences to demonstrate different types of leadership and encourage the younger scouts to look for leadership opportunities in their own lives!

OTHER

“Row with the Champions” Rotary Regatta, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22 at San Pablo Reservoir in Orinda, sponsored by the Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary in partnership with Oakland Strokes.  Hundreds of people are expected to join in this family-friendly regatta, as well as Olympic athletes, national/ international rowing champions and members of the U.S. Olympic Synchronized Swimming Team.  Food and entertainment will be available for spectators.  Admission is free. For info, visit www.rowwithchampions.org.

Kittens, kittens, kittens! See them at the weekend adoption event held by Community Concern for Cats from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15 and 16, at Pet Food Express in Lafayette and Pleasant Hill, and Petco in Walnut Creek. For more information see www.communityconcernforcats.org

Temple Isaiah’s Annual Prospective and New Member Open House from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21 at 945 Risa Road, Lafayette. Get to know clergy, board members and become aware of and immersed into all the wonderful programming and volunteer opportunities at Temple Isaiah. Shabbat will be afterward in the amphitheater.

Lindsay Wildlife Experience: “Wild Cats at Lindsay Wildlife” Saturday, Aug. 22 at the Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Walnut Creek. Celebrate the Lindsay’s “Summer of Cats- Felines: Fierce and Friendly” with Barbara and Rob Dicely of Wild Cat Conservation and Education Fund, who will bring their big cats to the Lindsay to introduce them to the public and provide a valuable learning experience. For info, visit http://lindsaywildlife.org/summer-of-cats/.

Many Faces of Prostate Cancer. Join an engaging panel of medical experts as they discuss the latest in prostate cancer biopsy technology, minimally invasive surgical techniques, innovative treatment options, and sexual and psychosocial issues specific to prostate cancer survivors from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26 at the Oak View Room of the Walnut Creek Library, 1644 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek.  Q&A session to follow presentation.  Free admission and refreshments. Space limited, to register please call (925) 677-5041.

Lamorinda CERT Safety Fair 2015 features helicopters, horses, dogs, Search and Rescue and SWAT teams, police and fire vehicles, emergency preparedness and personal safety demos for all Lamorindans, big and small at Stanley Middle School from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30. Free. For details, visit lamorindacert.org.

Computer help available! A teen tech help program is now open at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center from noon to 2 p.m. every Saturday on a drop-in basis. Local teens can help solve most problems you might encounter with your smart phone, laptop, MPs player or e-Book reader. Just bring your device to the homework center for this free service. Questions? Call (925) 385-2280.

SENIORS

Sons In Retirement - Las Trampas Branch 116 welcomes guests to socialize at its monthly luncheon beginning at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 17 to be held at the Walnut Creek Elks Lodge, 1475 Creekside Drive. The August speaker will be Ms. Rosemary Robles, driver safety manager from the Oakland Office of the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Rosemary will be discussing the obstacles and challenges facing senior drivers and will be offering advice for the senior driver. Call (925) 322-1160 to make lunch reservations if you wish to attend. Cost for lunch is $15. For additional info, call (510) 363-6845.