ART

 

The Moraga Art Gallery announces its new show entitled “East-West Portal,” signifying a mix of contrasting cultures embodied in the collages of resident artist Pamela Murray and jewelry by guest artist Jyotsna Chawla. The show runs from Aug. 16 through Oct. 21. The public is invited to a free opening reception to meet the artists, enjoy wine, light snacks and live music from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19. For more information, visit www.moragaartgallery.com, call (925) 376-5407 or email moragaartgallery@gmail.com.

 

Valley Art Gallery’s featured new artist is Ruth Hussey. For more than 40 years Hussey has concentrated on perfecting her skills, specializing in portraiture, figure and still life paintings. This exhibition will feature her works done in egg tempera, a medium used by many famous masters in the late medieval and early Renaissance periods. There will be a free reception at the Gallery from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 12.  For information, visit valleyartgallery.org.

 

LECTURE & LITERATURE

 

Shoulder Injuries & Prevention: Is it My Rotator Cuff? This free lecture will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29 at Lafayette Physical Therapy, 3468 Mount Diablo Boulevard Suite B110 in Lafayette. Learn about the anatomy and applicable biomechanics of the shoulder and how dysfunctions may contribute to pain and functional limitations in one’s activities. Rotator cuff injuries, common “wear and tear” and sports injuries will be discussed as well as how to prevent and rehabilitate. For information, visit lafayettept.com.

 

MUSIC

 

Free concerts from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. light up Thursday evenings at the Moraga Commons Park. Bring your picnic blanket or lawn chairs to the grassy hillside in front of the band shell. Enjoy the music while your children enjoy the park. The volunteers of MPF will cook dinner with the Snack Bar opening at 6 p.m.  Aug. 10:  Apple Z - Rock and roll; Aug. 17:  Fundamentals - Red hot rockin soul.

Don’t miss the final Summer Concert in the Park featuring Big Band Jazz with the food truck Kenny’s Heart & Soul (Soul Food) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15 at the Orinda Community Center Park and Tennis Courts.  For info, visit cityoforinda.org.

 

Big Band Concert:  4-6 p.m. Sunday Sept. 10, Lafayette Christian Church Courtyard Patio.

584 Glenside Drive.  16 piece band plus vocalist with some members having played with

Judy Collins, or Harry James Orchestra.  Suggested Donation of $25 will include all refreshments

and snacks provided. No reservation. www.lafayettechristianchurch.org or 925 283-8304.

To hear sample music visit www.lafayettebigband.com.

 

 

 

 

THEATER

 

Orinda Starlight Players present Malcolm Cowler’s adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s “The Wizard of Oz” in the Orinda Community Center Park, 28 Orinda Way. Regular admission: $16; senior $8. Tickets are available at the Box Office, call (925) 528-9225 or email info@orsvp.org for reservations. Last week: 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, Aug 11 and 12. This is an outdoor theatre so dress appropriately and bring blankets.

 

Cal Shakes presents the West Coast Premiere of “Black Odyssey” written by Marcus Gardley and directed by Eric Ting Aug. 9 to Sept. 3 at the Bruns Amphitheater located off the Wilder Road exit of Highway 24. There is a free, 20-minute informational Grove Talk starting 45 minutes before each and every performance with plenty of picnic benches. Tickets and exact show times available at www.calshakes.org.

 

Catch “LEGO Batman” at the final Summer Movies in the Park at 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17 at the Orinda Community Center Park and Tennis Courts.  For info, visit cityoforinda.org.

FESTIVALS

The California Independent Film Festival opens Thursday, Sept. 7 at the Rheem and Orinda Theatres. Visit www.CAIFF.org for full schedule and tickets. (See story page B7)

Don’t miss the 13th Annual Orinda Classic Car Show Weekend: “Dancing with the Cars.” Pre-party, 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8 and Classic Car Show, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9. Enter your car and buy party tickets today at www.OrindaCarShow.com. These events benefit the Seniors Around Town transportation program, Educational Foundation of Orinda and other local charities.

The Lafayette Art & Wine Festival 2017 will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17 in downtown Lafayette. An award-winning art, wine and music festival with four live stages, 20+ cover bands, 260+ artists and a KidZone. There will be food, wine and beer. Free admission. Near BART. For more info see www.lafayettefestival.com or call (925) 284-7404 or email festival@lafayettechamber.org. 

 

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

 

NorCal Kids Triathlon 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 26 at Miramonte High School, Orinda. Each participant swims, bikes and runs the triathlon course, as adjusted for age appropriateness. Age Divisions include: 6 and under, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, and 13-14. All divisions include girls and boys categories. Sign up early so you don’t miss out on the fun. Individual registration fee: $40. For info, visit  www.norcalkidstri.org

 

The Lamorinda Arts Council (LAC) is excited to announce that the 12th annual Lamorinda Idol singing competition will take place from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27 at the Orinda Theatre. This community-based event is free to the public, and Idol finalists, kindergarten to 12th grade, will compete throughout the day for the chance to become the next Lamorinda Idols.

 

OTHER

 

Food trucks and family fun from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11 at Moraga Commons Park. 

 

Botanical Drawing Workshop with botanical artist and instructor Catherine Watters, who will introduce attendees to botanical art and guide them through hands-on exercises to experience the practice of botanical drawing at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9 in the Orinda Library Garden Room. Materials provided. Space is limited. Register online at ccclib.org, call (925) 254-2184 or visit in person at the Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way.

 

Diablo Ballet’s Annual Gourmet Gallop food and wine walk returns to downtown Walnut Creek for the seventh consecutive year from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10. The event invites guests to sip, sample and stroll their way through 16 downtown Walnut Creek locations as they experience a one-of-a-kind culinary adventure. Cost: $45 per person. Tickets are available online at www.diabloballet.org or by calling (925) 943-1775. Group rates are available.

 

August is an awesome time to adopt a kitten or cat from Community Concern for Cats. Find your purrfect pet at this weekend’s adoption event from 1 to 4 p.m., Aug. 12 and 13, at Pet Food Express in Lafayette and Pleasant Hill, and Petco in Walnut Creek. For more information, see www.communityconcernforcats.org.

 

Lunch Meditation for Busy People at noon every Tuesday in downtown Orinda, Atma Yoga Studio, 99 Brookwood Rd. Suite 201. Wear comfortable clothes to sit on cushions. Free.

 

Contra Costa Tale Spinners invite you to a story swap with Linda Yemoto to hear folktales and personal stories that help us understand the natural world at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24 in the Orinda Library Garden Room. Share, listen, expand your universe.

 

House feeling cluttered? Want to have a garage sale but don’t want to organize it? Come sell your treasures at the Heavenly Treasures Community Flea Market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26. Cost: $25 plus a donation of 10 percent of proceeds to the church. The event will be held at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 451 Moraga Way. Contact heavenlytreasurescfm@gmail.com for more info and to sign up.

 

POLITICAL GATHERINGS

 

Join the Lamorinda Democratic Club for a fun evening of Frozen Drinks and Political Trivia at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10 at the Lafayette Library and Community Center. Please visit www.ldclub.org or contact Tracy Brog at t.brog@comcast.net for additional information.