ART

IRAN|USA, an original exhibition organized by the Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art, presents a program of compelling video art and prints by artist and faculty member Peter Freund through May 28. The multi-language exhibit re-envisions key moments in the politically charged history of the two countries through the lens of an experimental artist. The museum is located on campus, 1928 St. Mary’s Road in Moraga and is open from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday; $5 admission.

The Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery presents Side x Side, an exhibit featuring the paintings of James Koskinas and Julie Schumer through April 15. They both work in acrylic and tend towards a painting style of large scale abstract expressionism and figurative. There will be an opening reception with a talk and film preview at 6 p.m. on March 9. 3620 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette. www.jenniferperlmuttergallery.com.

The City of Lafayette Public Art Committee invites the public to attend a welcome reception for its newest art exhibit Use Less or Useless, featuring local photographer Melissa Moehle. The exhibit will run through March 20 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center, Library Gallery in the Community Hall.

The Diablo Fine Arts Gallery presents Travels with an Artist, a new show featuring three guest artists whose travels have defined their art and their passions. In addition to these wonderful guest artists, the 16 member artists of the Gallery will be giving a glimpse of special ways that they combine their travels and their art. The show runs through  April 1, with a reception from 4 to 6 p.m. on March 11.

MUSIC

There will be a Wine & Tapas Film Night & Fundraiser featuring “Before the Flood” from 6:30-9 p.m. on Thursday, March 16, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. Start the evening with shared wine and tapas and then watch Leonardo DiCaprio on a journey to five continents and the arctic to witness climate change firsthand. With unprecedented access to scientists, political leaders, and thought leaders, DiCaprio shares a riveting account of the changes now occurring as well as the actions we can take to prevent the disruption of life on the planet. All donations collected ($5 suggested) will go towards the host church going “Deep Green” (100 percent renewable electricity). Co-hosted by Sustainable Lafayette and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.

Diablo Choral Artists presents a choral concert of music by Dvorják, Schubert and Bruckner, featuring Dvorják’s “Mass in D Major.” The concert will play at 8 p.m. on March 17 at Walnut Creek United Methodist Church, 1543 Sunnyvale Ave, Walnut Creek, and at 3 p.m. on March 19 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 1601 Mary Drive, Pleasant Hill. Details and ticket purchase on website: www.dcachorus.org, (925) 680-7089, info@dcachorus.org

Diablo Ballet will celebrate its 23rd Anniversary with a special one-night only performance at 6:30 p.m. on March 23 at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. The celebration will feature stunning works from the Company’s 23-year history. Tickets are $33-$59. For tickets, call (925) 943-SHOW (7469) or visit www.lesherartscenter.org or www.diabloballet.org.

Experience a lovely musical offering of arias by Verdi, Schubert, Handel and more performed by the much-acclaimed “Opera Scouts” young artists of San Francisco Opera Guild, 4:30 p.m. Sunday March 26 at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Moraga. Enjoy a delicious buffet supper and wine. Tickets $45.00. Reservations through Ana Zimmank of Coldwell Banker 925-640-6008; Ana.Zimmank@camoves.com

THEATER

Town Hall Theatre Company presents “Smokey Joe’s Café,” directed by Lauren Rosi through March 25. With music such as “Poison Ivy,” “Charlie Brown,” “On Broadway,” “Stand By Me” and many more. 3535 School Street, Lafayette.  (925) 283-1557. Show times and ticket information is available at the box office or online at www.townhalltheatre.com. See story page B1.

Campolindo High School Presents “Beauty and the Beast.” Follow the “tale as old as time” as the Beast encounters Belle and races to break the spell and return to his former self with the help of his enchanted household characters. The show will run from March 17 through March 26 at Campolindo High School, 300 Moraga Road, Moraga. For info on show times and ticket prices, visit http://www.campochoir.com/ticketing/

LECTURE & LITERATURE

The Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice center is hosting a Center Monthly Forum Event, An Evening with Budd MacKenzie, with a potluck at 6 p.m. and the presentation at 7 p.m. on March 16 in the Owl Room of the Mount Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church at 55 Eckley Lane in Walnut Creek. MacKenzie is a resident of Lafayette, a peace and education activist and founder of Trust in Education. He will be speaking on his autobiography: “Off the Couch, Into the War for Hearts and Minds.” Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door, free for students and half price for MDPJC members. To purchase tickets go to www.ourpeacecenter.org . (925) 933-7850.

Orinda Library Writers Group meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, in the Orinda Library Study Room A. Meet with a friendly and supportive group of beginning writers to motivate, provide feedback, and inspire one another. The group meets every other Tuesday.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Lamorinda Arts Council is hosting its 14th Annual High School Visual Arts Competition through March 30 at the Orinda Library Art Gallery. This annual exhibition provides the community a wonderful opportunity to view a wide range of creative, original work by local students and recognizes the region’s dedicated high school art teachers. The competition is open to ninth through 12th-grade students living in or attending public or private high schools in Orinda, Lafayette and Moraga. The competition is also open to all students who attend the Acalanes Union High School District schools, including Acalanes, Campolindo, Las Lomas, and Miramonte High Schools, regardless of residence. The registration form as well as the full details of the competition can be found at www.lamorindaarts.org/vac.

The Friends of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center is sponsoring a Bookmark Contest and invites all Lafayette students grades K-8 to enter their original art work. The entry forms are available at the Lafayette Library main desk, the Friends Corner Book Shop and at school libraries in the Lafayette School District and St. Perpetua School. The entry deadline is Friday, March 10. For more information contact Kay Pekrul:kae865@hotmail.com.

Celebrate Teen Tech Week at the Orinda Library, “Be the Source of Change” 4 to 5 p.m. through March 11. Drop by your library to learn about all the great digital resources available to help you make a positive change in life and community. Activities, giveaways and more. Open to all teens 13 – 18 years old.

ACT Free Practice Test by the Princeton Review: 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 18 in the Orinda Library Garden Room. Get realistic practice and receive a personalized score report pinpointing strengths and weaknesses. Registration required. Sign up at (510) 295-0002 or visit www.princetonreview.com/product/offerings/334922

SPEAK is a program for high school students developed in response to issues they are facing: stress, relationships, partying, sexuality, and mental health. Ninth-12th graders will have a safe space to speak their truth about their experiences and will be equipped with resources and decision making strategies. An adult program offers the opportunity for sharing of concerns and strategies to address these issues. The program runs from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sundays through March 26 at Orinda Community Church, www.speak2016.eventbrite.com or Kelsey: SPEAKlamorinda@gmail.com

Calling All Teenage Bands! Register Your Band Now for the secondnd Annual Rock Band Showcase at the Lafayette Community Center! The bands will play at 7:30 p.m. on April 14. Register at www.abrighterday.info

OTHER

International Speaker Dr. Bobbie Preston, chief operations officer, for “No One Left Behind: Local Residents Help Refugees Resettle,” a presentation of the American Association of University Women—Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette Branch at 9:30 a.m. on March 21 at Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way.

Free Tax Preperation for the 2017 tax season is available from AARP’s Tax-Aide and United Way’s Earn It, Keep It, Save It (EKS) programs. All tax preparers are trained and certified by the IRS. While both programs serve taxpayers of any age, Tax-Aide does not have an income limit in whom they can serve but EKS can only serve individuals whose incomes do not exceed $50,000. For general information and other site locations, call (925) 726-3199. For information on EKS sites call 2-1-1 or visit www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org.

Join the Lamorinda Democratic Club Panel Discussion to Take Action on Climate Change from 7 to 9 p.m. on March 9 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. Free for members. $5 for non-members. www.ldclub.com

Learn the art of making Pysanky, or Ukrainian Easter Eggs, decorated using a wax-resist and dye method in a three-hour workshop led by local folk art teacher, Evie Michon. Classes are from 9 a.m. to noon on March 10. You may attend either or both sessions at $20/session. Class sizes limited to 20 persons/session. Hosted by Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church, 433 Moraga Way, Orinda. All profits will be donated to the Moraga Rotary in support of their All-access Playground Project for Moraga Commons. Register holyshepherd.org/Upcomingevents/Pysanky.

Come celebrate diversity and promote our unity at Soul Food Lamorinda from 2 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 12 at the Intercultural Center at St Mary’s College. Soul Food Lamorinda is a free Baha’i-inspired program which combines an audio-visual presentation with readings from various faiths, philosophers and leaders, reminding us of the oneness of humanity. This month’s program, “Ode to Giving,” will explore how the simple act of giving can spiritually nourish those who give, and those who receive. Free and open to everyone. For more info: www.meetup.com/Soul-Food-Lamorinda/.

Purim in the Orient from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 12 at 1375 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Featuring interactive Megillah reading, authentic Oriental cuisine, music, Mishalach Manot, Oriental masquerade, Chinese acrobat show and more. Cost: $10, Family $36. www.jewishcontracosta.com (925) 937-4101.

Come to a Purim Celebration at 5 p.m. on March 12 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. Featuring Chinese dinner buffet, acrobat show, games, music, and masquerade party. Free. RSVP www.chabadoflamorinda.com/purim or call (925) 384-7242

The Persian Center presents Persian New Year Festiva from 6 to 10 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14 at Durant Avenue, 2029 Durant Ave., Berkeley. Jump over bonfires to shake off the darkness of winter; welcome the lightness of spring. Persian music, dancing, food, crafts, kid activities. Free. For more info see www.anotherbullwinkelshow.com/persian-fest/, call (510) 548-5335 or email Lisa@AnotherBullwinkelShow.com.

The Moraga Valley Kiwanis Club’s Lobster Fest is at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 18 at the St. Mary’s College Soda Center. The evening’s entertainment starts at 6 p.m. and includes a silent auction, music, raffles, dancing and LOBSTER. This is one of the two largest annual events sponsored by the club. Tickets are $55 per person and are available at moraga.kiwanis.event@gmail.com or (925) 899-9536.

Allie’s Pals Cat Rescue presents its Feline Fundraiser from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on March 22 at Mangia Pizzaria at 975, Moraga Rd, Lafayette. www.alliespals.org

ARF presents the 13th annual Business of Saving Lives conference for animal welfare professionals and volunteers from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 25 at ARF in Walnut Creek. This powerhouse conference packs practical information and valuable tools into one full day of learning at an affordable price, to help attendees save more lives. Register now to ensure a spot, tickets are $45. Continental breakfast and a vegetarian lunch are provided to all attendees. For registration, agenda information, and session details, visit www.arflife.org.

Moraga Classic Car Show registration is now open to residents who own classic cars and would like to participate in the ninth annual Moraga Classic Car Show, which takes place from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Saturday May13, as part of the 2017 Moraga Community Faire. The $35 registration fee includes an entry ribbon, lunch for two, a commemorative photo. Prizes will be awarded. The registration deadline is May 1, but space is limited to 70 cars, so register early to secure a spot. Register at www.moragachamber.org/faire or, call Gloria at (925) 247-4473.

SENIORS

Learn Cooking for One or Two: Breakfast & Brunch with Jaime Rios, Byron Park Executive Chef from 2 to 4 p.m. on March 29 at Byron Park, 1700 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. As we all know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. In this demonstration-style class, Chef Jaime will help attendees find new inspiration with recipes that will transform breakfast and brunch routines. Space is limited; these classes fill up quickly. RSVP to Lafayette Senior Services by Wednesday, March 22. For info, Seniors@LoveLafayette.org or 284-5050.

Anne Randolph Physical Therapy presents the Art of Balance from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on March 22 in the Cedar Room, Lafayette Community Center. People worried about falling or are at risk of falling should know about simple ways to improve balance. Learn how to gain increased balance and avoid the risk of falling. Fee per class members: No charge/ Non-Members: $10

GARDEN

The Lafayette Garden Club presents “Gamble Garden, Landscape of Optimism” presented by author Susan Woodman and Gamble Board member Jane Stocklin from 9:45 a.m. to noon on March 9 at the Lafayette Veteran’s Building, located at 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd. The garden is showcased as a place for hands-on practical and creative classes, a magnet for artists, and a venue for seasonal events and celebratory occasions including the Garden Tour held every April. Books available. Visitors are welcome. Email Carolyn Poetzsch cpoetzsch@gmail.com.

The Gardens at Heather Farm and The Garden Conservancy will host an afternoon “Meet the Authors” event at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 10, as San Francisco-based landscape designers Stefani Bittner and Alethea Harampolis present their new book “Harvest: Unexpected Projects Using 47 Extraordinary Garden Plants” set for release next month. $5 for Gardens at Heather Farm and Garden Conservancy Members; $15 General Public. Make a reservation online at www.gardenshf.org or call (925) 947-1678

The Walnut Creek Garden Club monthly meeting is held at the Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek. Business meeting is at 10 a.m., social time 10:30 to 11 a,m,, program from 11 a.m. to noon. March 13 Program: Special Decorated Eggs from Czechoslovakia Using Natural Dyes — Lenka Glassner, folk artist. She will talk about the colorful history, traditions and techniques of the ancient art of egg decorating and share her unique collections. The public is invited to attend and consider becoming a member. Maureen Little: mslittle44@gmail.com, (925) 820-1476

The Moraga Garden Club Monthly Meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, March 16, at the Holy Trinity Church, 1700 School Street, Moraga. Guest speaker will be Rosemary Lovell, owner of Morningsun Herb Farm in Vacaville. She will be discussing “Companion Planting with Herbs.” Interested parties are welcome to attend the 9:30 a.m. social hour, the 10 a.m. meeting, as well as the presentation by Rosemary Lovell, immediately following the meeting.

The Montelindo Garden Club, which meets the third Friday of every month, September through May, will gather at 9 a.m. on Friday March 17 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 66 St. Stephens Drive, Orinda. Everyone welcome. Presentation: Wonderful Western Wildflowers. Speaker: Heath Bartosh, one of the California Native Plant Society’s top rare plant experts and is co-founder of the Bay Area ecological consulting firm Nomad Ecology, LLC.

The Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center presents its Historical Houses presentation and tour from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 25. Learn of our local valley’s history through the chronicles of three old houses from the 1800’s: the Old Yellow House in Orinda, Rodgers Ranch in Pleasant Hill, and the John Muir House in Martinez. To register, go to LafayetteCommunityGarden.org/classes-and-events. $5 donation appreciated.