ART

 

The Moraga Art Gallery announces its springtime show, Color and Caprice, an exhibit that spotlights member artist Angelica Samame’s eye-catching collection of stylized portraits of sophisticated women — slender and fashionably-clad. The show also features guest artist, Elizabeth Russell, aka Liz R Honeypots, from Forestville, whose ceramics consist of utilitarian platters, mugs, casserole dishes and more. The show runs to June 3. For more information, visit the gallery’s website: www.moragaartgallery.com, call (925) 376-5407 or email moragaartgallery@gmail.com.

 

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 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 in Lafayette presents Simple Sentences, an exhibit of new paintings and explorations by Bay Area artist Bill Rushton running through May 27. www.jenniferperlmuttergallery.com

 

The Orinda Library Gallery presents The Glover Group Color and Light: The Legacy Continues through May 31. A passion for the beautiful farmland, coastal and rural geography of the San Francisco Bay Area is the inspiration for over 60 new plein air paintings. Gallery hours: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m.

 

Lamorinda Arts Alliance announces a new show at the Piedmont Center for the Arts, “Art to Soothe the Soul,” opening Saturday, May 6 and running to June 11. Join the artists of the Lamorinda Arts Alliance for this soulful exhibition and help yourself feel good. The reception will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 26; the artists will get a chance to talk about their inspiration during the Question & Answer Session.

 

Valley Art Gallery presents Works On Silk by featured artist Susan Helmer opening May 16. In addition to Helmer’s work, the new 2017 spring collection of over 300 new works by Valley Art Gallery Artists is on display, in a wide range of motifs, styles, media and prices, and representing the best of the best from more than 100 East Bay artists. There will be a free artist reception from 3 to 5 p.m. on May 20. www.valleyartgallery.com.

 

MUSIC

 

The Diablo Women’s Chorale invites you to join them in celebrating 75 years in the community with their Spring Concert “Make Them Hear You! Music for Our Times,” to be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 20 at Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church, 1801 Lacassie Avenue. Advance purchase tickets are $18. General admission, $10 Student, and $24 Premium seating. Purchase at the door for $20. Call 1-800-838-3006 or go online at www.DiabloWomensChorale.org.

 

“Music Down In My Soul” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on June 3 at the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, Lafayette. The 30th Anniversary Concert will feature numerous favorites drawn from the 1,500-plus compositions presented in past seasons — classics, folk songs, jazz, popular, show music and patriotic songs, spirituals and gospel. Ticket fnfo: $10 Student, $20 Senior, $25 General. Tickets can be purchased through our website, at www.cantareconvivo.org/upcoming-events or through the LOPC office at (510) 836-0789.

 

The Dave Rocha Jazz Trio will perform at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 3 in the Orinda Library Auditorium. The concert will kickoff the library’s Summer Reading Program with a “hot” jazz concert.

 

Diablo Choral Artists presents a choral journey of Summer Travels, featuring works by Mendelssohn, Elgar, Rossini & Copland. Includes Rossini’s Il Carnevale de Venezia, Mandelssohn’s Sechs Lieder, Op. 48, Elgar’s From the Bavarian Highlands, and more at 8 p.m. on Friday, June 9 at Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 11 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 (early adult & senior discount before May 30).

 

THEATER

 

The Peter Pan Foundation presents the annual production of “Wish Upon A Star,” a benefit musical. Bring the whole family to enjoy this musical spectacular, with princesses, villains, heroes and all your favorite characters. Younger cast performances at 10 a.m. on May 28 and 29, full length performances 7 p.m. May 27, 28, 29 and specialty matinees at 2 p.m. to accommodate seniors May 27, ASL and hearing impaired May 28 and special needs children and their families May 29. Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill. For tickets, please visit www.peterpanfoundation.org

 

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

 

“Let’s Go On A Letter Hunt” at The Saklan School kicks off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 20. Local authors Sue Tenerowicz and Lynn Champagne of Spell-It-Out Photos will read their “Seussical” adventure book, taking young readers on a marvelous journey of rhyming and hunting for letters from A-Z. Following the reading, there will be a book signing and children will go on a Letter Hunt on the Saklan playground. Recommended for Pre-K through second graders. This event is free of charge and open to the public. Drop-ins are always welcome! Information and RSVP at bit.ly/letterhuntsaklan.

 

Hats for Fun in the Sun is at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 26 in the Orinda Library Garden Room. Orinda Library invites teens to come in for some hat making for fun in the sun. Learn about our Summer Reading Program for Teens and summer volunteering opportunities at the library.

 

Face Painting with Buki the Clown at noon on Saturday, June 3 at the Orinda Library. Orinda Library welcomes Buki the Clown who will paint your face to kickoff your Summer Reading Program at the library. Have a snack while you’re there!

 

OTHER

 

The Lafayette Juniors 18th Annual Kitchen Tour is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 20. Tour six Lafayette kitchens for a great cause benefiting Contra Costa Interfaith Housing, Alternative Family Services, The Taylor Family Foundation, and Trinity Center. Tickets are $40 and available at www.lafayettejuniors.org or Premier Kitchens in Lafayette.

 

The Moraga Community Garage Sale provides an opportunity to clean out garages, attics, storage sheds and closets, while meeting neighbors and recycling unwanted items. Moraga residents are invited to hold garage sales at their homes, join with neighbors to hold block sales, or organize a community group to hold a combined sale from 9 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 20. A $15 registration fee will provide a listing in the Community Garage Sale Guide. The Town will provide marketing for the event and the sellers keep the cash — it’s that easy! Moragarec.com.

 

April showers bring May meowers! See the best big and little meowers at Community Concern for Cats adoption event from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21, at Pet Food Express in Lafayette and Pleasant Hill, and Petco in Walnut Creek. For more information, see www.communityconcernforcats.org.

 

The second Mega Challah Bake is here! Join Jewish women and girls ages 12 & up from Lafayette, Moraga & Orinda for an evening of Jewish pride, unity and inspiration at 7 p.m. on May 23 at the Lafayette Library Community Hall. Prepaid registration required. $25, or $36 for mother and daughter. Register at ChabadofLamorinda.com/Challah.

 

“The Many Faces of Skin Cancer” runs 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on May 24 in the Lafayette Library Community Room. Join an engaging panel of medical experts as they offer insights in the latest information on prevention, risk factors, new treatment options including immunotherapy, and explore the unique issues of skin cancer survivors. To reserve, call (925) 677-5041 x272.

 

Saint Mary’s undergraduate commencement begins at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 27 and the graduate and professional studies commencement begins at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 28. Traffic will be extremely heavy on Saint Mary’s Road both mornings.

 

SENIORS

 

“The Aging Brain: Myths & Facts is at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7 in the Orinda Library Auditorium. Orinda Library welcomes Dr. Patrick Arbore, founder and director of the Center for Elderly Suicide Prevention and Grief Related Services (CESP), a program of Institute on Aging in San Francisco. Bringing over 40 years professional experience in the field of aging, Arbore will dispel the myths and share the facts about the aging brain.