ART

The City of Lafayette Public Art Committee welcomes its latest art exhibit “Oscar’s Excellent Year,” featuring local artist Joanne Taeuffer. The exhibit is on display in the Homework Center at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center now through June. For info, visit www.joannetaeuffer.com.

The Valley Art Gallery presents Salvador Valencia: A New Direction, with an artist reception from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 21. Valencia is a contemporary plein-air artist whose passion for life and art are vividly seen in colorful paintings. Working outdoors with watercolors enables him to capture the true effects of color in sunlight and shade.

The public is invited to attend the Art and Photography Show, featuring works by some 80 adult students at Acalanes Adult Education (AAE) from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 10. This free opening night reception includes samples of drawing, multi-media, oil/acrylic paintings, and special projects created in Art Lab. Some items will be available for sale. Refreshments will be served. AAE is located at 1963 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek. The exhibit will continue on weekdays only through July 29.

MUSIC

Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers will return to the Sunjams stage from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 21 in Orinda. Come as you are to enjoy our comfortable venue and have some delicious food and drink while you listen to this fantastic band with its world-renowned vocalist Lavay Smith and a wide repertoire of jazz, swing, country and blues tunes that are sure to get you in a dancing mood. Complementary valet parking is included. Proceeds will go toward funding music education in under-resourced elementary schools throughout the Bay Area. For info, visit sunjams.org.

Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble, directed by Dr. Anne Hege, presents “Songs of the Bygone: Traces of a Vanishing World,” a wry, sometimes bemused exploration in song of forgotten ways of life and forms of communication. The concert will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 21 at St. Perpetua Catholic Parish, 3454 Hamlin Road, Lafayette. Tickets: $25 suggested donation at the door; $20 advance; $15 students; free for children between 6 and 12. Available at the door or online at www.vocisings.org/tickets.php. For ticket information, call (510) 531-8714.

A free Sunday Concert Series with Donna Stoering, an award-winning and renowned recording artist, concert pianist, composer and Marshall Scholar from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, May 22 at The Kensington, 1580 Geary Road, Walnut Creek.  Reservations required at (925) 243-7592; www.VintageKensington.com.

“A Tribute to the Beatles.” On the 50th anniversary of the Beatles invasion and their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, the Blackhawk Chorus will present a two-hour show of the most famous music of this fabulous foursome. The shows will be at 8 p.m. on May 21, at Lesher Center for Arts in Walnut Creek, and at 4:30 p.m. on May 22 at St. Joan of Arc Church in San Ramon, 2601 San Ramon Valley Blvd. Tickets: $25 for adults; $17 for children (under 12). For tickets, call the Lesher Box Office at (925) 943-SHOW (7469).

The Diablo Symphony will feature violinist Stephen Waarts at its final concert of the season, “Kindred Spirits,” at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 22 at the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek. Mr. Waarts will be performing the iconic and beloved Beethoven Violin Concerto. The program also features two works by Jean Sibelius: King Christian II Suite and Symphony No. 7. Tickets to the event can be purchased through the DSO website (www.diablosymphony.org) or at the Lesher box office.

Indian dancers, a ukulele group and Mandarin, German, French and Spanish music highlight a free Stanley Middle School International Concert performance at 6 p.m., May 25 outside, weather permitting (rain venue: gymnasium). All students enrolled in the four foreign languages offered at the school participate. The concert precedes the school’s Open House, which begins at 7 p.m.

Lafayette’s Jazz Café at 6 p.m. June 3 in the Stanley Middle School Multi-Purpose Room. Lineup features Stanley Middle School’s Crusaders and Jazz Messengers, as well as the Campolindo and Acalanes jazz bands. Tickets: general admission $10; elementary students $5; kids under 6 free. Tortilleria El Molino Catering from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Raffle drawings for fabulous gift baskets! This is the only fundraiser for the Stanley Middle School Jazz Program. For info, email anouschkaw@mac.com.

Latin Musicfest featuring Carlos Reyes with special musical guests Rolando Morales & Esther Godinez from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 2 at Áegis Living of Moraga, 950 Country Club Dr.in Moraga. Free. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP at (925) 297-6760.

Bay Area dancer and choreographer Todd Courage and dancer, choreographer, and yogi MaryAnngeline Douvikas will premiere their thesis concerts at 8 p.m. June 3 and 4 in the LeFevre Theatre at Saint Mary’s College of California. Courage and Douvikas are members of the very first cohort of students in the MFA in Dance program at Saint Mary’s and will be presenting their work at the inaugural MFA in Dance Thesis Concerts Series. Tickets are $15, general admission, and can be purchased at the door or in advance online at http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/mfa-in-dance-thesis-concert-a.

WomenSing presents “To Give Voice” at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 5 and at 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 8 at Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. WomenSing presents its 50th anniversary spring concert, giving voice to the musical traditions that have shaped America and WomenSing. Cost: $28 general admission; $10 for students and youth 18 and under. For more info see http://womensing.org/concerts/current-season/spring-concert/ or call (925) 798-4875 or email info@womensing.org.

THEATER

Mark your calendars! The Miramonte Players proudly present “The Tempest,” Shakespeare’s famous allegory of colonialism. This time, however, the play is set not on a magical island but in the far reaches of the universe, as humanity discovers the existence of alien life. Preview is at 4 p.m. May 19 (free admission), and shows are at 7 p.m. May 20 and May 21. Tickets are available on the web store and at the door.

Ever wonder what it looks like on California Shakespeare Theater Way? Get a free First Look into Cal Shakes’ first production of the summer season, Shakespeare’s sharpest comedy, “Much Ado About Nothing,” and find out what lies just beyond Highway 24! Artistic Director Eric Ting moderates a Q&A session with Much Ado About Nothing director Jackson Gay, followed by a portion of technical rehearsal open to First Look attendees. Grounds open at 6:30 p.m.; Q&A is at 7 p.m. on May 22. Free. RSVP at https://tickets.calshakes.org.

The Peter Pan Foundation is performing its 10th anniversary production of their signature original musical “Wish Upon A Star” at the Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill over Memorial Day weekend. With a cast of more than 200 performers, ranging in age from four to sixty, this ambitious production is a delight for all audiences. Full length performances are 2 and 7 p.m. May 28 through 30 with Shadow Cast performances 10 a.m. May 29 and 30. Tickets can be purchased by clicking the Box Office link at www.peterpanfoundation.org. (See story page B2)

Berkeley Repertory Theatre and Moraga Library will present a docent lecture at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 2. A docent from the Berkeley Repertory Theatre will discuss the current production, For Peter Pan on Her 70th Birthday, showing at the Roda Theatre through July 3.

Town Hall Theatre Company presents “Play It Again, Sam” by Woody Allen and directed by Soren Oliver in Lafayette June 4-25.  Tickets and exact show times are available at www.townhalltheatre.com or at by calling (925) 283-1557.

Crosslight Theater’s Youth Conservatory presents “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts, June 3-12. Thursday/Friday/Saturday at 7:15 p.m., with shows June 3, 4, 9, 10, 11; Saturday/Sunday at 2:15 p.m. with shows June 4, 5, 11, 12. Tickets $15/$17 available in person at the Lesher Center Box Office, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek; by phone at (925) 943-SHOW; and online at www.lesherartscenter.org.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

The League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley are pleased to welcome Dr. Helen Benjamin as its speaker from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 11 in the Cedar Room of the Lafayette Community Center. Dr. Benjamin is the retiring Chancellor of the Contra Costa Community College District. She will be sharing her experience in higher education and her perspective on the future of a community college system now faced with fluctuating budgets and changing demographics.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

National Paper Airplane Day Craft from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 24 at the Moraga Library. Celebrate National Paper Airplane Day a bit early by making paper airplanes and testing them for distance and time in the air. This free event is geared for children, but open to all ages.

Puppy Time Study Break from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 31 at the Moraga Library. There will be puppies from Canine Companions for Independence® to play with this afternoon. We will also have snacks, music, and fun. This free event is geared for high school students, but open to the public. No registration necessary.

Interested in studying vocal performance, acting, musical theatre, music education, or instrumental music? Attend the College Info Panel and Q&A from 7 to 9 p.m. on May 31 at the Campolindo High School Performing Arts Center. A College Admissions Performing Arts Discussion Panel made up of current college students and along with working professionals will help you become more familiar with this sometimes complicated process and the steps you need to take to prepare for auditions and interviews. Freshman through rising-seniors and their parents are encouraged to attend. Contact sponsors: Mark Roberts at Campolindo: mroberts@acalanes.k12.ca.us, Betty Schneider Voice Studio: betty@bettyschneider.com.

Author Marissa Moss Visits ... for Amelia’s Graduation! from 4 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 1 at the Moraga Library. Author Marissa Moss will talk about her Amelia series and Amelia’s Middle-School Graduation Yearbook. Books will be available for purchase, and Marissa is happy to sign them! These Moraga Library events are free and open to the public, and are geared to older elementary and middle school students.

Kids Carnival for Wishes - Fun games, face painting and more to raise money for Make-A-Wish Foundation, hosted by local junior ambassadors from 1 to 4 p.m. on June 4 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol lane in Lafayette.

OTHER

Dementia - The Road Map from Diagnosis to Family Care from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on May 18 at Eldercare Services 1808 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek. The program covers: What is dementia? Where is it diagnosed? Understanding the progression; What does a family need to do to prepare for the journey? And protecting dignity and reducing stress in all family members.

Kittens are coming! It’s that time of year when we have adorable, adoptable fluff balls. See them at Community Concern for Cats Adoption Event from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22, at Pet Food Express in Lafayette and Pleasant Hill, and Petco in Walnut Creek. For more information, visit www.communityconcernforcats.org.

Come participate in celebrating biodiversity and the National Park Service Centennial during the National Parks BioBlitz at John Muir National Historic Site (NHS) on Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21. A BioBlitz is an event focused on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time. Community members work together to get an overall count of the plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms that live in a place. Species inventories will occur in shifts of two to three hours from noon to 9 p.m. on Friday and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. To register, go to http://tinyurl.com/BioBlitz-John-Muir or call (925) 228-8860.

Shred your papers at 5A Rent-A-Space, 455 Moraga Rd. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 21. $7 per file box.

Annual Interfaith Picnic and More starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 21 at the Lafayette Reservoir. Join us as we meet and deepen our connections with our neighbors of different faiths, enjoy each other’s foods, play and pray together in a fun, family atmosphere designed for all ages. Please bring a vegetarian dish that reflects your tradition to share with 8-plus people. Extra food will be distributed to homeless and hungry. Beverages and paper goods will be provided. To attend, please register online at http://www.temple-isaiah.org/n2n or contact the Temple Isaiah front office at (925) 283-8575.
Come celebrate the special day of Lag B’omer with Chabad of Lamorinda at 5:30 p.m. on May 26 at Lafayette Plaza Park, Corner of Mt. Diablo and Moraga Road. Features full barbecue dinner, bounce house, snow cones, music, and fun for all ages. Celebrating Jewish unity and pride.  Free.

Porsche Club of America - Diablo Region 32nd Annual Car Show Sunday, May 29 at the Livery Shopping Center, 400 Sycamore Valley Road West, Danville. Registration 8 a.m., show starts at 9 a.m., lunch at noon, and awards at 1 p.m. Live music, beautiful cars, fun people. Lunch included for all participants and all Diablo PCA Members. Pre-register: $25 - use the link to registration on the website www.DiabloPCA.org, or late registration $35 (after Sunday, May 22) and on event day.

Salute and Scoot 10K/5K Fun Run. A Runner’s Mind Productions is planning its first Lamorinda event, the “Salute and Scoot 10K/5K Fun Run,” starting at 7 a.m. Monday, May 30 at A Runner’s Mind Lafayette, 3541 Plaza Way. “After the race we’ll crank up the tunes and let the festivities begin,” Event and Community Outreach Director Shannon Keleher said. “We will be serving up pancakes and coffee to all runners as well as playing some good old fashioned lawn games. And all runners will be treated to exclusive in-store discounts.”  To register, visit www.armsaluteandscoot.com.

Is rowing your sport? This is your opportunity to find out. Join Artemis Rowing Club and USRowing for National Learn to Row Day 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 4 at the Jack London Aquatic Center. Artemis Rowing is a competitive community-based rowing program for East Bay youth in grades 6-12. Please visit www.ArtemisRowingClub.org for more information.

The 35th Annual Walnut Creek Art and Wine Festival kicks-off summer with art, wine, food and fun for all ages from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5. Free to attend, Heather Farm Park will be filled with more than 250 arts and crafts booths, live music, craft brews, wine tasting, dozens of food options, a Kids Zone and more. For additional information, visit www.artwinefestivalwc.com.

SENIORS

Lamorinda Nature Walk and Bird-Watching, led by Ben Pettersson, experienced hiker and bird-watcher from 9 a.m. to noon every Wednesday. Experience nature at its finest along our local trails. Delight in the beauty that unfolds around each bend, all the while learning to identify a variety of birds. Bring a water bottle; binoculars are helpful if you have them. Meet at Lafayette Senior Services (Alder Room at the Community Center). For more information or to place your name on the route email/phone list contact Lafayette Seniors Services, (925) 284-5050 or seniors@lovelafayette.org.

Cooking for One or Two: Fresh and In-Season - presented by Mike Weller, Byron Park executive chef, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 24 at Byron Park, 1700 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. Seasonal cooking allows you to embrace the bounty of healthy, fresh and colorful ingredients available at the farmers’ market and grocery store. Chef Mike will discuss what is currently in season and share recipes using those ingredients. Space is limited; RSVP to Lafayette Senior Services by Tuesday, May 17: (925) 284-5050. Members free; non-members $10.

Mindful Aging at Moraga Library: Introduction to Chi Gong at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 26. Join Martha Scheer to learn how Chi Gong can help you improve your balance and flexibility, increase coordination and mobility, relieve stress, and promote greater vitality. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes.

GARDEN