ART

“Darker Shades of Red” provides a rare opportunity to revisit the Cold War Era through the exploration of the Soviet Union’s official imagery through May 20 at the Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art. The collection of 55 posters reveals the economic, social and political ideology of the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. www.stmarys-ca.edu/museum

Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery presents “Bio-Genesis” - Jill Taffet and Judith White Marcellini through April 7. New work by Taffet and White Marcellini explores the intersection of art and science. Their curiosity extends to the moment of creation and consciousness, and results in work that asks questions, and entertains. Immerse yourself in the projections and moving imagery of Taffet’s hand-drawn cel animation. View with wonder the detailed paper sculptures of White Marcellini’s creatures inspired by the Cambrian Explosion.

12th Annual Arts Ambassadors Exhibit, celebrating music and artwork from Orinda students. The Exhibition will run through April 15 at the Orinda Library Art Gallery, with a reception from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on April 12. Gallery is open for viewing artworks while mixing and mingling with the arts ambassadors.

MUSIC

University of California Alumni Chorus and Chamber Chorus presents Voices of Change II; We Must Have a Dream - A program commemorating the life and leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the 50th anniversary of his assassination at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 4 in Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley campus. Featured works are Undine Smith Moore ‘s Scenes From the Life of a Martyr with narration by Noah Griffin, and the premiere of a new commissioned work by Paul Ayres with text from a sermon by Dr. King. Tickets: $20 - $15 - $10 at Brown Paper Tickets (brownpapertickets.com), or at the door. www.ucac.net

PoetryMusic: Where Words and Music Meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 11 in the Orinda Library Auditorium. Join us for a delightful meeting of music and poetry ranging from Shakespeare to Robert Frost and Maya Angelou. The chamber jazz duo PoetryMusic combines poetry, exquisite music and visual images for a truly unique multi-media experience.

Treat yourself to a lively concert of up-tempo numbers, dance tunes, and instrumental jazz soloists under the direction of maestro John Maltester. Saint Mary’s Jazz Band concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 13 at the Soda Center Claeys Lounge, 1928 Saint Mary’s Road, Moraga. Open to the public- tickets $5.

Pacific Chamber Orchestra director Lawrence Kohl presents “American Radio Hour” starting at 7:30 p.m. on April 21 at the Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church 49 Knox, Lafayette and at 2 p.m. on April 22 at the Bankhead Theatre 2100 First Street, Livermore. You will be the live studio audience for Scott Joplin’s delightful rag-time hit “The Entertainer”; George Gershwin’s sweet “Lullaby for Strings”; Charles Ives’ amusing “Three Short Pieces” and Aaron Copland’s masterful “Appalachian Spring”. Tickets are $10 - $59 and for both locations may be purchased through the PCO website: PacificChamberOrchestra.org.

Voci Concerts Celebrate the Elements at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 15 at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 2005 Berryman Street, Berkeley and at 2 p.m. on April 21 at St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Avenue, Oakland. The concert will feature beautiful and dramatic choral music about Earth, Air, Fire and Water from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. Tickets: $25 at the door, $20 advance, $15 students, free for children 6 to 12. Available at the door or online at www.vocisings.org.

The Founder’s Day Concert celebrates the anniversary of the creation by Rosamond Davis of the Contra Costa Performing Arts Society (CCPAS; www.ccpas.org) in 1974. This free concert features 10 different groups of performers and covers the spectrum of musical styles from classical, jazz, modern, and new compositions by members of the CCPAS. The concert will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 21 in the Sanctuary of Grace Presbyterian Church, 2100 Tice Valley Boulevard, Walnut Creek.

THEATER

Town Hall Theatre History Guided by Local Food Adventures: The Powerful Jane Austen and The Women Behind Town Hall from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 14 at the Town Hall Theatre Company, 3535 School Street, Lafayette. Tickets: $40 Town Hall Theatre subscribers; $45 non-subscribers. Box office: (925) 283-1557; www.townhalltheatre.com

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Bay Area Kids’ Book Fair – East Bay Edition from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 8. Free event with authors, illustrators, publishers, booksellers, educational programs, toys, comics, games and commercial vendors. Meet and greet Peter Rabbit, Geronimo Stilton and The Cat in the Hat. Storytelling, free Legos play and free arts activities at Acalanes High School, 1200 Pleasant Hill Rd., Lafayette. Free admission parking. www.BayAreaKidsBookFair.com

Helping Your Teen Navigate Difficult Decisions from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 10 in the Acalanes High School Library. Choosing between two or three colleges?  Then this talk is right for you. Help teens feel more prepared to make that final college decision by learning a new way to think about making difficult choices and the trade-offs that often accompany them. The experts from Decide LLC will walk through a final-college-decision case study to impart their method for making difficult decisions that can help students move forward with clarity and confidence. Free. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/navigating-difficult-decisions-with-your-teen-tickets-44167272501

Engender Playgroup for gender variant kids and their parents. Join us for a spring activity and playtime from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 28 in Orinda. For location, please email Sandra at sandra@engendernow.org. For more information about the Engender organization, visit Engendernow.org.

OTHER

Find your best friend at Community Concern for Cats’ adoption event from 1 to 4 p.m., April 7 and 8. Locations are Pet Food Express in Lafayette and Pleasant Hill, and Petco in Walnut Creek. For more information, see www.communityconcernforcats.org.

Sarah Jones, Earthquake Consultant will discuss, “Preparation for the Big One” from 7-9 p.m. on Monday, April 9 at the April meeting of the Stroke Support Group of Contra Costa County held in the Ball Auditorium at John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus (1601 Ygnacio Valley Road). After the program, attendees will break up into three coping groups: stroke survivors without aphasia, stroke survivors with aphasia, and caregivers and families of stroke survivors -- each group led by a trained professional.  For further information contact Ann Dzuna at 925-376-6218. Meetings are free and open to the public.
 
American Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 11 at the Hacienda de las Flores, La Sala Building, 2100 Donald Drive, Moraga. Schedule an appointment at Red Cross (sponsor code: townofmoraga) or call 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767). Contact Kelly Clancy or (925) 888-7040 for more information.

Giorgio Tavechhio, a Campo grad who is a kicker for the Oakland Raiders, will be the special guest speaker at the Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church Men’s Dinner at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 11 at the Saint Mary’s College Soda Center. Tickets are $25 via www.mvpctoday.org and must be purchased by April 4.

Do you wonder what is appropriate to wear at your age? Or, if you should let your hair grow its natural gray color? Learning a few age defying secrets can help you master a flawless image. Join owner of Lafayette Beauty and Certified Image Consultant, Carrie LaShell, for an interactive class and discussion on all the questions you may have on looking your best whether you’re 30 or 75! The class will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on April 12 at Lafayette Beauty 3606 Mount Diablo Blvd in Lafayette. Cost: $29 plus receive a $15 gift card to Lafayette Beauty the night of the class. Call or email to reserve your spot. Space is limited. (925) 284-8600, carrie@suchsavvystyle.com

The Lamorinda Arts Council (LAC) announces that tickets are on sale for the Third Annual Lamorinda ShortDocs Film Fest, which takes place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 15 at the Lafayette Library Community Hall. Tickets are $10 online in advance, and will be $15 at the door.

Creative Aging: A Workshop in Renewal through Creativity at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 16 in the Orinda Library Garden Room. Join us for a highly interactive experience that will help you access your creativity and open the way to greater awareness and satisfaction. Presented by Keith Torgan of Green Golly.

Grand reopening celebration at Sanctuaire Spa in Lafayette (formerly Marilyn Monroe Spa) from 4 to 8 p.m. on April 18 at 3589 Mt. DIablo Blvd., Lafayette. Explore the spacious 2,000-square-foot spa equipped with a relaxation lounge, sauna and steam rooms, single and couple treatment rooms, a hair and blow dry salon, and pedicure and manicure room. The first 70 attendees will receive a free swag bag from Jan Marini Skin Research.

Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church invites you to “Remember, Renew and Refill—a Journey Through Grief,” a workshop and luncheon to honor our lost loved ones from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 21. The event is free to high school and adult participants, however please RSVP by April 18 online at mvpctoday.org or by calling Colleen Giovanni: (925) 376-4800 x285. 10 Moraga Valley Lane, Moraga.

The annual Wine and Dine tour will be happening this year from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 1 in and around Theatre Square in Orinda. The very fun event includes sampling foods from new and long standing restaurants, a free glass of wine from the Lamorinda Wine Growers Association, live music with Lamorinda Idols, Sunjams, school groups and more. Tickets are $40 at OrindaChamber.org, or, to support Orinda schools at OrindaEFO.org.

Area residents who own classic cars are invited to participate in the 11th annual Moraga Classic Car Show, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 12 as part of the 2018 Moraga Community Faire. The $35 registration fee includes an entry ribbon, lunch for two, a commemorative photo, and a chance for owners to display their restoration work to the public. Prizes will be awarded. The registration deadline is May 2, but space is limited to 70 cars, so register early to secure a spot. To register, go to www.moragachamber.org/faire or, call Gloria at (925) 247-4473.


The 2018 Moraga Community Faire & Car Show will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 12 at the town’s Rheem Valley Shopping Center - offering a wonderful opportunity for a “family fun day”. Kid’s Zone activities include pony rides, climbing wall, bounce house and basketball shoots. Grab a quick lunch at the food trucks, relax with a glass of local wine or beer and check out the over 70 amazing classic cars. Introduce yourself to over 50 local artists, business and organizations.  Live entertainment will be presented all afternoon from the Saint Mary’s Jazz Band to local Battle of the Bands winners. For more information, visit www.moragachamber.org/faire.

POLITICAL GATHERINGS

Lamorinda Republican Women Federated monthly luncheon from 10:15 to 1:30 p.m. on April 19 at the Orinda Country Club. The speaker is Timothy Donnelly, who is a Republican Candidate running in the primary for Congressional District 8. He has served as an assemblyman in the California State Assembly and has written for Breitbart. Cost of event: luncheon and speaker $31; speaker only $15; speaker only student discount $5.
SENIORS

Creative Aging: A Workshop in Renewal through Creativity at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 16 in the Orinda Library Garden Room. Join us for a highly interactive experience that will help you access your creativity and open the way to greater awareness and satisfaction.

GARDEN

The Walnut Creek Garden Club meeting will begin at 9:45 a.m. Monday, April 9 at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Road, Walnut Creek. “Fifty Years in the Nursery Business and I Still Love to Smell the Roses!” Buzz Bertolero is well known in the community as the former owner of Navlets Nurseries. We invite you to attend a meeting. Questions: mslittle44@gmail.com

Lafayette Garden Club April meeting from 9:45 a.m. to noon on April 12 at Lafayette Veteran’s Building located at 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Program: Aesthetic Pruning of Japanese Maples, featuring speaker Yuki Nora, who will share her extensive expertise about how best to care for these beautiful trees. The Japanese maple, when pruned well, has an essence of grace and elegance. www.lafayettegardenclub.com

Montelindo Garden Club March Meeting (third Friday of every month, September through May) will be at 9 a.m. Friday, April 20 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 66 St. Stephens Drive, Orinda. Presentation: The History of Mt. Diablo and its Open Space Preservation by Seth Adams, the Land Conservation Director at Save Mount Diablo. Since 1988, Adams has contributed to SMD’s growth into a major force for conservation in the East Bay. Everyone is welcome.

The Lafayette Garden Club will hold its first garden tour in many years from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at a series of five unique, private gardens in Lamorinda. The tour, Artful Gardens, also will include a pop-up market and a plant sale. The tour can give you good ideas of what you might want to do in your garden, to learn about new plants, and to have a fun day out with friends and family. The pop-up market, which will be located at one of the gardens, will offer a wide selection from local artisans featuring jewelry, ceramics, botanical art and specialty food items. The plant sale will include specimens propagated by club members. Tickets cost $40 or $35 each when four or more are purchased. lafayettegardenclub.com