ART

The Moraga Art Gallery’s new exhibit, “Yellowstone: Beauty, Beasts, and Boneyards,” features oil landscapes by Orinda’s Lisa Gunn, whose imaginative palette captures the primitive character and timelessness of Yellowstone National Park and its environs. Also featured is a boldly-hued collection of one-of-a-kind etched tableware, handmade by guest artist Lisa Neimeth. The show will run through Jan. 9. For more info, visit www.moragaartgallery.com or call (925) 376-5407.

The Lafayette Art Gallery presents “Artful Gifting” and its holiday boutique, which runs through Dec. 26, with a free reception from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20. For info, call (925) 284-2788 or visit www.lafayetteartgallery.com.

Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art exhibit “The Axis Mundi/Open Portals” is currently on display through Dec. 6. Also on display are oil paintings by William Keith, artwork by Luis Gutierrez, and “The Dr. Maurice Alberti Print Collection of European and American Masters.” The Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the Saint Mary’s College of California campus, 1928 Saint Mary’s Road, Moraga. For more information, visit http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/saint-marys-college-museum-of-art.

The 50th Annual Holiday Collection for “Artful Giving” at the Valley Art Gallery from Nov. 21 to Dec. 23. The new gift exhibition includes a wide variety of beautifully crafted, ceramic, wood and glass pieces, original designer jewelry, holiday decorations, small paintings and many other unique, one-of-a-kind gift items. There will be a free Open House reception from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Gallery. Stop by for a beverage and a snack, see the new show and meet the artists.

MUSIC

Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble looks to the heavens with “Celestial Bodies: The Beauty of Distant Things,” the 14th in its annual “Voices in Peace” concert series at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 at St. Perpetua Catholic Parish, 3445 Hamlin Rd., Lafayette. The Oakland-based chamber group performs a radiant selection of music that invokes the sun, moon, and stars, and that voices the longing, love, and other complex emotions they inspire.

Pacific Chamber Symphony begins the new Lamorinda Season at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Community Hall. Tickets: $10-35. Children with paying adults are free. Tickets are available at www.brownpapertickets.com or by calling 1-800-838-3006.

A sing-it-yourself Handel’s Messiah will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 66 St. Stephens Drive, Orinda. The Messiah Sing will be directed by Minister of Music Robert Train Adams, and include the Festival Choir, soloists, chamber orchestra and audience participation. There will be music for all who wish to sing. Listeners are also very welcome. Admission: $20 in advance or at the door. For more information visit www.ststephensorinda.org/messiah-sing.

Diablo Choral Artists invites you to “Once Upon A Starry Night” at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1924 Trinity Ave., Walnut Creek, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 66 St. Stephen’s Drive, Orinda. Mark Tuning, Music Director, John R.S. Walko, accompanist. Ticket details online at www.dcachorus.org.  Discount on adult and senior tickets before Dec. 1.

The Diablo Women’s Chorale invites you to join them for “Christmas Swings” at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 at Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, 399 Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. Advance tickets: $16 general admission; $10 student; $20 premium seating. Tickets at the door: $20 adult; $10 student. Tickets can be purchased at www.DiabloWomensChorale.org, or by calling 800-838-3006.

Emeritus at Diablo Valley College invites you to its fall fundraiser: A Conversation with Bach, a piano concert with award-winning pianist, Dr. Lino Rivera, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12. Dr. Rivera engages his audience by playing beautiful music and telling a story about how the musical pieces are tied to one another. Tickets: $25. For info, call (925) 969-4316.

Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church Christmas on the Hill Concert: Peace at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 and at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. at 1310 Moraga Valley Ln., Moraga. Experience a heart-warming presentation of new and traditional Christmas music. Sunday childcare available for 6 months to PreK/TK with reservation: kveitch@mvpctoday.org. For info, call (925) 376-4800 or visit www.mvpctoday.org.

THEATER

Variations, a brand new student-run production highlighting the Saint Mary’s Dance Company, is a representation of each choreographer in the concert. This production will include two different evenings of concerts (Concert A and Concert B), presenting choreography by graduating seniors. “Variations” opens Nov. 19 for a one-weekend run in the intimate LeFevre Theatre at Saint Mary’s College. Tickets: $5 general; free for SMC students with ID. Purchase online at www.stmarys-ca.edu/variations or at box office, one hour to curtain. (See story page B4)

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

International Games Day will feature board games, cards, and other fun games out to celebrate International Games Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, and there will be Thanksgiving crafts for children from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24 at the Moraga Library. Free.

Please join 5A Rent-A-Space for the 8th Annual “Free Photo with Santa” event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at 455 Moraga Rd, Moraga. Families will receive a free photo and frame. Cookies, fruit and hot cocoa and candy canes will be served and children will make a craft.

HOLIDAY EVENTS

Hospice Tree of Lights for Moraga and Lafayette from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22 at the Moraga Country Club, 1600 St. Andrews Drive. Reception to follow. 

Holiday Tree Lighting at Moraga Commons Park: 6:30 p.m. cookies and hot chocolate; 7 p.m. tree lighting
on Thursday, Dec. 3. 

Hospice of the East Bay Tree Lighting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 5 at the beautiful old oak tree in front of the Bank of America in the Village Square Shopping Center in Orinda. The festivities begin with school choirs performing traditional holiday music under the direction of their teachers. Following the performance, the tree will be lit to honor those we wish to remember and Santa Claus will arrive on a Moraga-Orinda Fire District engine with treats for the children. A contribution of $25 will help support Hospice of the East Bay, which provides invaluable end-of-life care for terminally ill patients.

See the Christmas story come to life at the 11th annual viewing of the Live Nativity at Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church at 10 Moraga Valley Lane, Moraga. The MVPC courtyard will be transformed into a Bethlehem manger from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. While the Courtyard will be a reverent scene, there will be additional activities, music and snacks in the fellowship hall. The sanctuary will be open for prayer and contemplation. Free.

Tree lighting and Santa at Orinda Theatre Square at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec 5 kicks off with a performance by Lamorinda Theater Academy and then continues with a visit from Santa, horse and carriage rides, hot chocolate, an ornament workshop and the lighting of the tree. Free movie night “White Christmas” at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10 at the Orinda Theatre, 4 Orinda Theatre Square in Orinda.

Celebrate “It’s a Wonderful Life in Lafayette” and kick off the holiday season from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4 in Lafayette’s Plaza Park, located in downtown Lafayette. This free event will include visits with Santa, official holiday tree lighting ceremony, one-of-a-kind photo ops, live musical entertainment, crafts, holiday treats and a holiday sing-a-long. For information, visit www.lafayettechamber.org.

“Harvey” by Mary Chase presented by Town Hall Theatre from Dec. 3 through Dec. 19. Gather the whole family for the magic tale of Elwood P. Dowd and his best friend- a 6-foot, 3-and-a-half-inch tall invisible rabbit named Harvey.  What better way to warm up your holiday season, than with this imaginative classic! For more details and to purchase tickets go to www.townhalltheatre.com.

Christmas concert and variety show at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13 at the Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda. The evening will feature the UC Berkeley Gospel Choir, the Campolindo High School Chamber Singers, Orinda Community Church soloists and musicians, spoken word and storytelling, a song from Santa, and many other surprises. Think Amazing Christmas Concert meets Prairie Home Companion, followed by treats in the fellowship hall.

OTHER

Shine A Light on Lung Cancer from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19 at the Walnut Creek Library Oak Room, 1644 N. Broadway. Join an engaging panel of medical experts as they cover the most current information regarding screening recommendations, genomic profiling, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy and surgical techniques. Also included will be an inspiring lung cancer survivor’s story. Q & A session will follow the presentation. Free. Reservation recommended; call (925) 677-5041.

Orinda Holiday Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Orinda Community Center with over 20 new exhibitors this year featuring succulents, handmade cards, lotions, women’s clothing, handmade bags, knitwear, decorative trays, candles and paper-mache items.

One Bread Foundation Annual Benefit Fashion Show at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. Support the fight against human trafficking and the victims with an afternoon full of food, fashion, and fun. See the latest winter/holiday looks from Francesca’s Lafayette, participate in raffle prize giveaways, get started on your holiday shopping, and enjoy entertainment by Faith Alpher from KKIQ at Oak Park Christian Center, 2073 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill. For more info and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.one-bread.org/events/.

Holiday Boutique supporting New Day for Children from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane in Lafayette. Start your holiday shopping while supporting a local faith-based Safe House for young girls who have been rescued from human trafficking. For info, visit www.newdayforchildren.com.

18th Cycle Recycle, held by Bobbie and Tom Preston, will be held throughout November. New and/or used bikes and trikes in working order or repairable, or useable bike parts, may be delivered to the side driveway of the Preston’s home at 1307 Larch Avenue in Moraga. No skateboards or plastic bikes please; no need to call beforehand, but for more information contact Bobbie at (925) 376-8474.

Join RecycleSmart at the Vermicomposting (Worms!) and Bin Building Workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 5, at Heather Farm Community Center in Walnut Creek. This is a very hands-on workshop. You will build your bin, take it home with your worms and knowledge, and start composting right away. Cost: $20; 20 household max capacity and registration required. Recyclesmart residents only. For info, visit http://www.recyclesmart.org/workshops.

Their first ever “Giving Tree” is being hosted by Community Concern for Cats’ volunteers at their Rescued Treasures Thrift Shop in Walnut Creek, Nov. 18 through Dec. 24. Their goal is to give the gift of life to as many homeless street cats as they can by providing needed medicines and medical procedures. Come down, buy a special ornament, and put it in the holiday window display. Rescued Treasures Thrift Shop is located at 1270 Newell Ave., Walnut Creek. For info, call (925) 937-3201.

SENIORS

Mindful Aging at the Moraga Library presents Eat Smart, Live Strong – Nutritional Education for Older Adults at 1 p.m. Dec. 10. Cynthia Black will show how to keep healthy and strong by following the guidelines of the Eat Smart, Live Strong program developed by the USDA Food and Nutrition Services specifically for adults between the ages of 60-74.

GARDEN

The Moraga Garden Club will hold its general meeting at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19 at the Holy Trinity Church, 1700 School Street, Moraga. Guest speaker will be Rebecca Sweet, who will give a presentation entitled “Refresh Your Garden.” Interested parties are welcome for the 9:30 a.m. social time and marketplace table, followed by the meeting at 10 a.m.

Montelindo Garden Club Meeting will be at 9 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 20 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 66 St. Stephens Drive, Orinda. Visitors welcome. Topic: Bee Friendly Gardening. The speaker will be K. Ruby Blume, gardener, beekeeper and founder of The Institute of Urban Homesteading, who will be discussing the important roles of bees in our garden.