LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Calendar | Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda Event Listings

ART

The Lafayette Art and 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, call (925) 284-7404 or email festival@lafayettechamber.org.

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. The show runs through Sept. 15. For information, visit valleyartgallery.org.

MUSIC

Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble, directed by Mitchell Covington, is seeking experienced choral singers for the 2017-18 season. Fall rehearsals begin Wednesday, Sept. 6. Now beginning its 26th season, Voci is an intimate, high-level treble ensemble of 24+ singers that performs adventurous music from a wide range of historical periods. For more information or to schedule an audition please contact Artistic Director Mitchell Covington at music@mitchellcovington.com. To learn more about Voci, visit www.vocisings.org.

The Lafayette Studio Big Band will perform an outdoor concert on the back patio surrounded by oak trees from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10 at the Lafayette Christian Church, 584 Glenside Dr, in Lafayette. The suggested donation is $25 at the event, which includes all refreshments and snacks. No reservations required. For more information, contact the church (925) 283-8304. To hear a sample of the music, visit www.lafayettebigband.com.

Pacific Chamber Orchestra opens its 29th season with “Poetry in Motion” – a lyrical musical journey through Mozart’s Overture to the Opera The Abduction from the Seraglio, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 with pianist Natsuki Fukasawa and Schubert’s Symphony No. 1 in D Major. Performances will be in the Sanctuary at the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16; and in the Bankhead Theater in Livermore at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17. Tickets are $10-$59. Children with paying adult are free. Tickets are available at www.PacificChamberOrchestra.org or at the door.

THEATER

Cal Shakes presents the West Coast Premiere of “Black Odyssey” written by Marcus Gardley and directed by Eric Ting through 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.

Orinda Starlight Players present Robert Merrill’s Five-Door Farce Through Sept. 29 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. Showtimes: 8:30p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24, and 8p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28. This is an outdoor theatre so dress appropriately and bring blankets.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

Shoulder Injuries and 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.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

NorCal Kids Triathlon from 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.

Come to the Community Barbecue sponsored by the Moraga Chamber of Commerce and Safeway from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29 at the Moraga Commons Park. Enjoy hot dogs and burgers and meet chamber members, town staff and your neighbors. The BBQ and is free to attend but please RSVP to kathe@moragachamber.org.

Calling all fifth- through eighth-grade boys; join Boy Scout Troop 244! Troop 224 has been a Lafayette tradition for over 60 years and includes activities for the entire family (yes, siblings and moms, too). If you would like more information about Troop 224, please contact one of the following: Shanti Ariker at sariker100@gmail.com; or Joyce Mirabito @ mirabito@lmi.net.

The Lamorinda Arts Council (LAC) is excited to announce the 12th annual Lamorinda Idol singing competition, which 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.

Crafts with Valerie at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7 in the Orinda Library Garden Room. Open to grades 6-12. Make creative bookmarks and magnets with collage artist Valerie Adinolfi. All materials provided. No registration required.

Calling all local children and young adult book authors to attend the Chalk Walk on Saturday, Sept. 23 at the Moraga Commons Park during the Pear and Wine Festival. Each of Moraga’s five elementary and middle schools, and Saint Mary’s College will be assigned a piece of art or sculpture that is currently located within Moraga. They will research the artist and the piece. During the Chalk Walk, each school will have a 10 x 10 space where students will recreate their assigned piece in their own interpretation. Local children’s book authors may reserve a booth space in the vicinity. Booth Space is $25. For more information and to register go to www.moragachamber.org.

OTHER

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.

Ribbon cutting with the Orinda Chamber of Commerce at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24 for the new Orinda law firm D’Amato Law at 25 Orinda Way, Suite 308, Orinda. The ceremony will take place around 5:30 p.m. Light refreshment will be served.

Coffee with EBMUD Director John Coleman from 8 to 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 25 at the Lafayette City Offices, 3675 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Desco Plaza - 2nd Floor, Room 265. More than a million water users in the East Bay will see their rates take a big jump. Ward 2 Director John Coleman voted against the rate hike. The Lafayette Chamber invites you to attend this informal meeting with John to learn about the future of our water supply.

Come join the fun at the first ever Heavenly Treasures Community Flea Market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26 at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 451 Moraga Way, Orinda. Parking on-site or at nearby Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church, 433 Moraga Way, Orinda. Who knows what “treasures” you may find. Contact heavenlytreasurescfm@gmail.com for more info and to sign up.

Start your life-long love affair with a kitty! Community Concern for Cats invites you to meet our precious puss-cats at this weekend’s adoption event from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 26 and 27. Locations are Pet Food Express in Lafayette and Pleasant Hill, and Petco in Walnut Creek. For more information, see www.communityconcernforcats.org.

Come celebrate diversity and promote unity at Soul Food Lamorinda (Fuel for the Mind and Soul) from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26 at the Intercultural Center at Saint Mary’s College. Soul Food Lamorinda is a free Baha’i-inspired program that combines an audio-visual presentation with readings from various faiths, philosophers and leaders, allowing us to reflect on inspiring themes and reminding us of the oneness of humanity. This month’s program, “Reconciliation - Walking Together” will explore the essence of what reconciliation really means, and whether the human heart and soul hold the answers we have been looking for. Free. For more info, visit www.meetup.com/Soul-Food-Lamorinda/.

Introduction to Beekeeping at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30 in the Orinda Library Garden Room. Jan Pinkerton Speith from the Mt. Diablo Beekeepers Association will introduce the joys of beekeeping. Get a close up look at beekeeping equipment and taste some honey.

The Walnut Creek Aquanuts, presents their annual Fall Swim Show Labor Day Weekend starting at 7 p.m. at Clarke Memorial Swim Center in Walnut Creek. The show runs from Aug. 31 to Sept. 3. Come enjoy a spectacular evening event featuring over 100 synchronized swimming athletes and professional guests from ages 5 to 25, beginner to 2012 and 2016 Olympian Mariya Koroleva! Tickets: $20. For more info, go to www.aquanuts.org.

John Tateishi will be teaching a course starting Sept. 26 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center on the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, their campaign for redress, and the present-day implications of this part of American history. John Tateishi will also be giving an overview of his class at a free info session at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. For info, visit olli.berkeley.edu.

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

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.

From Spiritual to Material and Back Again, featuring Dr. Anna Gatmon, author of “Living a Spiritual Life in a Material World: Four Keys to Fulfillment and Balance” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13 in the Orinda Library Auditorium. Explore the challenges and treasures of discovering new interior lands. Gatmon’s rich life journey has included careers as a fashion model, an educator and a counselor. She holds a doctoral degree in transformative learning from the California Institute for Integral Studies.

GARDEN

CompostSMART Advanced Training Series. Receive over 30 hours of in-depth, hands-on organics recycling education to understand and share the importance of organics recycling, and composting. The free series includes classroom instruction, outdoor training and tours before you share your training with the community to help build healthy urban soils and support thriving landscapes throughout the area. For more information, important dates and application deadline visit www.recyclesmart.org/compostsmart.

The Walnut Creek Garden Club presents “How About A Facelift To Your Yard? What Are Some Things We Can Do To Improve Our Home’s Curb Appeal?” at 9:45 a.m. Monday, Sept. 11 at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Road. Business Meeting at 9:45 a.m.; Social at 10:30 a.m.; Program at 11 a.m.

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)

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.

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.