ART

Moraga Art Gallery’s new exhibit “Precision Beauty” will feature interpretations of nature in the form of jewelry by member artist Kuniko Kay Nitta of Walnut Creek and watercolor paintings by Berkeley’s Karen Kramer. The Gallery is located at 522 Center Street in the Rheem Shopping Center. For more information visit www.moragaartgallery.com or call (925) 376-5407.

Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art and the California Watercolor Association present “The Color of Summer.” Fifty new works are on view reflecting the member artists’ charge to capture their visions of summer. CWA is one of the largest and most active watermedia organizations in the nation with a mission to create, foster, and sustain artistic growth and interest in watermedia. This exhibition will include a series of events including plein air painting, live demonstrations, and lessons for youth. The exhibition runs through Aug. 26.

MUSIC

Carol Trio with Amy Likar, presenting chamber concert of Beethoven String Trio, Mozart Flute Quartet, Duos by Martinu and Srinivasan. Brooke Aird (violin), Linda Green (viola), Cathy Aird (cello), Amy Likar (flute). Presented at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 13 at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 451 Moraga Way, Orinda. Suggested donation: $20. More info at smumcorinda@gmail.com or stmarksumcorinda.

Free “Rock the Plaza” music concert 6:30 -8:30 p.m. in Lafayette Plaza Park Friday evenings: June 15, The Big Jangle (Tom Petty Tribute); June 22, Trouble With Monkeys (“punked out” Monkees Band); June 29, Lamorinda Idol Finalist.

4th annual Music on the Lawn from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, June 15 at Saint Mary’s College Chapel Lawn. Bring your whole family and a blanket for a fun evening listening to alumni bands, dining on Damian’s famous taco buffet, and drinking beer and wine. Tickets: $20 in advance; $25 at the door; $10 Kids. Tickets at the door are cash only. Beer and wine can be purchased separately, cash only. For more information, visit: www.stmarys-ca.edu/4th-annual-music-on-the-lawn.

The St. Paul’s Concert Series venturing away from its traditionally classical performances and kicking off the Summer 2018 with WHIRL, a rock band featuring Nikki Nation, at 7 p.m. on June 16. Nikki is a critically-acclaimed singer/songwriter and has led WHIRL with performances in London, New York, and now along the West Coast. As always, no admission tickets required, all are welcome. Donation at the door: average $20, Students $10 (all are welcome regardless of donation.) For more information, please visit whirlmusic.com or stpaulswc.org.

Free summer concerts Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Orinda Community Park, 28 Orinda Way: June 19, Priceless; June 26, Kenya B Trio; July 10, Crawdad Republic.

Local public garden and nature education center, The Gardens at Heather Farm is proud to present a new series entitled Concerts in the Garden, which showcases outstanding live music in a stunning outdoor atmosphere. The first concert at 7 p.m. on June 24 features the Romance Trio, a collaboration of classical virtuosos on cello, harp and flute. The Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek. Tickets: $40 per person per show. Tickets available online at gardenshf.org or by phone at (925) 947-1678.

Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir presents “Roots from the West” OIGC and Norwegian Choir SKRUK from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 30 at Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Experience OIGC’s gospel repertoire alongside SKRUK’s Scandinavian choral music. As SKRUK’s director Prots says, the concert is ‘a new musical latte.’ Cost: $22-$25. For more info see http://www.oigc.org/oigcskruk or call (510) 839-4361 or email admin@oigc.org.

You are invited to join your neighbors from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday evenings at the Moraga Commons Park for a relaxing free concert in the 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 for you with the Snack Bar opening at 6 p.m. June 21: 3 Day Weekend - Classic rock; June 28: Beatles Flashback - Beatles tribute band.

THEATER

Orinda Starlight Village Players present Agatha Christie’s “Spider’s Web “ through June 24 at the Orinda Community Park’s outdoor amphitheater. There is tension and laughter in equal parts in an intricate plot of murder, police, drug addicts, invisible ink, hidden doorways and secret drawers. Showtimes and dates at www.orsvp.org. Call (925) 528-9225 or email info@orsvp.org for reservations.

Town Hall Theatre Company Presents “Sense & Sensibility,” based on the novel by Jane Austen, through June 23. The play follows the adventures (and misadventures) of the Dashwood sisters – sensible Elinor and hypersensitive Marianne – in gossipy late 18th century Regency England. As the play opens, their father’s unexpected demise leaves the family in dire financial straits; and both sisters must learn to navigate the rising societal pressures, preserve reputations and somehow find happiness and true love. Tickets: $18 Previews, $27-30 Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, $25-27 Sunday matinee. Discounts available for seniors and youth. Box Office: (925) 283-1557; www.townhalltheatre.com.

MFA in Dance Thesis Concert Series: Unearthed at 3 and 7 p.m. on June 15 and 16 at the LeFevre Theatre, 1928 St. Mary’s Road, Moraga. Presented by Saint Mary’s MFA in Dance Class of 2018. Featured works by Surabhi Bharadwaj, Stephanie Brumer, KJ Dahlaw, Emily Denham, Summer Logan, Ashley Mott, Laura Natario, and Hilary Snider. Tickets: $15 per concert, $25 for both concerts. https://wwws.stmarys-ca.edu/forms/mfa-dance-performances3/index.html

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

The Contra Costa County Library kicked off Summer Reading on Monday, June 4. The program is the Library’s yearly effort to keep kids reading during the summer months, preventing “brain drain.” This year’s theme is “Reading Take You Everywhere” and the program is filled with activities, events and reading lists designed to show you that reading can take your imagination anywhere. Summer Reading runs through Saturday, Aug. 4. For more information on Summer Reading, including a list of prizes, challenges and events, visit your local Contra Costa County Library branch or ccclib.org/summer.

OTHER

How to Market Yourself on Yelp - 6 to 7:30 p.m. on June 13 in the Lafayette Library Community Hall. Speaker: Matt Donzella, Yelp Local Business Manager. Learn how business owners can set up a strong page on Yelp and how to drive more customers to their page and ultimately their business. The lecture will cover best ways to generate reviews without “asking” for them, including tools built within the site and things they can do with their own websites, storefronts, biz cards etc. Best practices for handling reviews will also be discussed. Register at www.lafayettechamber.org/workshops

Summer is cooler with cats! Find your pick of the litter at Community Concern for Cats mobile adoption event from 1 to 4 p.m. this weekend, June 16 and 17 at Pet Food Express in Lafayette. For more information, see www.communityconcernforcats.org.

Mountain Shadow Film Society presents A Filmmaker’s Quest at 7:30 p.m. on June 16 at the Walnut Creek Library. Based on Santiago Rizzo’s own life experience growing up on the streets of Berkeley, “Quest” is a compelling story about the love between a child in crisis and an extraordinary middle-school teacher who takes him in and changes his life forever. He will preset his film by FaceTime. Tickets: $12 general admission. http://mountainshadow.org

Lamorinda Village Travel Series: Traveling with Grands at 1 p.m, Tuesday, June 19 at LOPC, 49 Knox Dr., Lafayette. There are many ways to experience adventure trips that allow you to spend quality time with your “Grands.” Join Andy and Carole Amstutz as they describe some examples, including guided trips with grandchildren. We will allow time for you to share your experiences of the best (and worst) travels with your families. Call (925) 283-3500 to register.

Celebrate the Summer Solstice at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, June 21 at 1035, Carol Lane. Event Includes a sunlight labyrinth walk, creation of a flower petal mandala, kid’s seed balm station, songs that celebrate the sun, moments of reflection, and an ice cream sundae station. Bring a salad and drink to share. Event is outdoors and donation based. Guests include, Eco-Chaplain Lauren Van Ham, Musician Dougie Free, and a team of wonderful folks who long to connect more deeply to our earth home. http://www.oslc.net/

Diablo Ballet presents its 3rd annual PAWS de Tutu dog festival from 9 to 11 a.m. on June 23 at the Lafayette Reservoir. Registered guests will be treated to the popular dog costume competitions, along with demos by the Contra Costa Sherriff’s K-9 unit, a DOGA (Dog Yoga) demo, and a dog training demo. Dog owners are invited to dress up their dogs and enter the dog costume competitions – solo competition (one dog in costume) or group competition (multiple dogs in costume). Admission is $10, with an extra $10 to enter the costume contest. Anyone interested in attending, should register online at www.diabloballet.org as participation is limited.

Lamorindans of all ages are invited to a Field Day Open House June 23 at Moraga Commons Park. This free nationwide amateur radio event runs 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and shows amateurs using 100-year-old technology in today’s world even when cell phones and electric power fail. For details see https://www.facebook.com/K6ORI/?ref=bookmarks.

Moraga Fun Run at 8:30 a.m. on July 4 at the Moraga Shopping Center. www.moragafunrun.com