ART

Lamorinda Arts Council presents “Arts Affair,” the second annual fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. on May 29. The event takes place at the Orinda Library Auditorium and surrounding rooms at 28 Orinda Way, Orinda. “Arts Affair” is an extravaganza that showcases a variety of art programs that the Lamorinda Arts Council and their arts partners bring to the community. Celebrate with board members past, present and future. Standard Tickets: $25. More Info: https://lamorindaarts.org/arts-affair.

May exhibit at the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library will be Bill Carmel paintings, Arno Kober paintings, Kate Chenok ceramics, Kim Wolfe wood turning, and Ellis Sjoberg wood working. Exhibit runs through May 31. Hours are Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 23 Orinda Way.

Lamorinda Arts Council’s inaugural free “Arts Embraces Words” event from 2 to 4 p.m. on May 19 in the Arts & Crafts Room at the Lafayette Community Center, 500 Saint Mary’s Road. This event is part of a Sunday series whereby emerging writers read their work surrounded by visual artwork. In this way the art literally “embraces” the spoken words. For more details go to https://lamorindaarts.org/art-embraces-words.

Saint Mary’s College invites you to join guest curator, Megan Wilkinson, and artist, Foad Satterfield, for a conversation exploring Satterfield’s new body of large scale paintings featured in the exhibition “THINGS KNOWN” at Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art (SMC | MoA) at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Program is free. For more information see https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/third-thurs-yoga-in-the-galleries or call (925) 631-4379.

Join Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art (SMC | MoA and the Department of Art and Art History from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 23 for the opening reception of “Emerge: Student Art Exhibition.” Emerge is on view May 20 through June 9. For more information see www.stmarys-ca.edu/museum or call (925) 631-4379.

Lamorinda Arts Alliance featured artist Zarmine Aghazarian through May 31 at Dr. Samadian’s Center for Reconstruction and Implant, 23 Orinda Way suite 301, Orinda. Dr. Amin Samadian is proud to have affiliated with the Lamorinda Arts Alliance for the opportunity to showcase the artwork of the organization’s artists and to celebrate the integration of art, science and technology.

MUSIC

Choir Concert 8 p.m. Friday, May 17 at the Saint Mary’s Chapel, 1928 Saint Mary’s Road in Moraga where the Chamber Singers will present music by Tallis, Bach, Mozart, Barber, and Alfen, and the Glee Club will share arrangements of tunes by Pink, The Beatles, The Real Group, Kerry Marsh, Kamakawiwo?ole, and Matisyahu. Free; contributions are welcome.

Pacific Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Conductor Lawrence Kohl, performs Beethoven’s Symphony #3 “Eroica” Coriolanus Overture and “Triple” Concerto with Trio Foss as soloists. Concerts are at 7:30 p.m. on May 18 at Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church 24 Knox, Lafayette and at 3 p.m. on May 19 at Bankhead Theatre, 2400 First Street in Livermore. Tickets may be purchased online at www.pacificchamberorchestra.org and additionally for the Livermore performance by calling or visiting the Bankhead box office (925) 373-6800 located at 2400 First Street, Livermore or www.bankheadtheater.org.
Gold Coast Chamber Players concert “Telegraph” at 7:30 p.m. on May 18 at Don Tatzin Community Hall, at the Lafayette Library. Pre-concert talk 30 minutes prior to concert. Tickets: $45 General, $40 Senior (65+), $15 Student. Purchase online: www.gcplayers.org; by phone: (925) 283-3728.

Stanley Middle School presents Jazz Cafe from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, May 31 in the Stanley multi-use room. This is a collaborative performance of jazz student musicians from Stanley, Campolindo and Acalanes. Support the fundraising efforts of the Stanley Middle School jazz program and enjoy a memorable evening of music. Food, raffles and silent auction also available. Single tickets: reserved $20 (all ages); unreserved (at the door; cash only) up to $15. Donations encouraged. Info: stanleymusic.org/jazz-cafe.

Cantare Con Vivo closes the season with adult and children’s choirs on stage, commemorating the 20th Anniversary of our Chorale and the Children’s choral programs at 7:30 p.m. on June 1 at Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church 49 Knox Dr., Lafayette. The concert will include a variety of American music, including contemporary, classical, folk, popular, and show tunes, in addition to spirituals and patriotic selections. Titles include Ol’ Man River, You’ll Never Walk Alone, Not One Sparrow, Angel Band, Water Night, Please Stay, Seasons of Love, and many others. Tickets: General $27.50, Senior $22, $10 Student. Tickets available at the door or online: https://cantareconvivo.secure.force.com/ticket#sections_a0F0B00000J5pLuUAJ

THEATER

California Shakespeare Theater opens its 2019 summer season with “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare, playing May 22 through June 16 at the Bruns Amphitheater in Orinda. The season launches with A Pay What You Can performance on Wednesday, May 22. Tickets will be available starting at 10 a.m. on the day of each show through TodayTix (todaytix.com) and the Cal Shakes Box Office (calshakes.org or 510.548.9666).

A beloved tradition returns to the Bay Area this Memorial Day weekend as the Peter Pan Foundation stages “Wish Upon a Star” at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill. Now in its 12th year, this family-friendly musical brings together more than 200 performers of all ages to raise money for local charities. A creative retelling of the Peter Pan story, “Wish Upon a Star” features a cast of much-loved heroes and well-known villains from traditional and contemporary fairy tales. Showtimes are at 2 and 7 p.m. on May 25, and at 10 a.m., 20 and 7 p.m. on May 26 and 27. Performances will be held at the Diablo Valley College Performing Arts Center, 321 Golf Club Road in Pleasant Hill.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

Executive Speaker Series: “Using Business as a Force of Good” 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15, Soda Activity Center, Claeys Lounge, 1928 Saint Mary’s Road, Moraga.  Brian Durkee, President of Numi Organic Tea is on a mission to make Numi a worldwide leader in sustainable supply chain management. Durkee  will  explain how businesses can focus on human rights and climate change and still maintain a positive bottom line. Register at https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/executive-speaker-series.
 
The Moraga Historical Society is proud to present The Return of Slip Madigan and Dave Newhouse at 7:30 p.m. on May 23 in the Moraga Library Meeting Room. Newhouse, the former Oakland Tribune sportswriter, recently published a book about Slip Madigan, Saint Mary’s all-time greatest football coach. Copies of the book will be for sale. Come early for free coffee and cookies plus great conversation.

Join the Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art for “Things Known”, Poets Respond | Public Poetry Reading from 2 to 4 p.m on Saturday, May 18. Reading will feature Bay Area poetry group, Fresh Ink, followed by an open mic of poems written in response to the Foad Satterfield: Things Known exhibition. For more information see www.stmarys-ca.edu/museum or call (925) 631-4379.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Mindful Littles presents “Care for Therapy Horses” from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on May 19 at Xenophon Therapeutic Riding Center, 60 Don Gabriel Way, Orinda. Feed, groom, and play with horses. Clean stalls and paddocks, and create horse-themed arts and crafts. Bring water and any snacks needed for your kids. Please also wear comfortable clothes. $10 per person. Register at: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/NDg2MjE=

OTHER

Classic Car gatherings will begin again from 7 to 9 p.m. this Sunday and every Sunday at Perks Double Drive Thru Cafe in Lafayette. Located between the new Library and Boswells Party store. Participants get coffee and donuts. No fees or costs, stop by enjoy and then begin the rest of your day! Meet new fun folks!
The Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center is joining with the Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute, Veterans for Peace, the American Federation of Government Employees and American Legion Post 31, to present an event on the current state of healthcare for veterans. This event takes place at 7 p.m., with a reception at 6 p.m. on May 16 at the Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. Cost: $10 pre-registered; $15 at door; $5 MT. Diablo Peace and Justice Center and Our Savior Lutheran Church members; free for students and veterans. Tickets available at http://ourpeacecenter.org or call the office (925) 933-7850.

John Muir National Historic Site (John Muir NHS) will launch its second annual series of Stewardship Saturdays. Join the National Park Service for these free, Ranger-led land stewardship programs at the Martinez, California site. The programs begin at 9 a.m. at the Strentzel Creek meadow area of Mt. Wanda. This area recently came under NPS management and is currently only open to visitation with an NPS chaperone. The stewardship project will entail removing invasive plant species from the sensitive creek and surrounding meadow. All training and tools required for this project will be provided. The three 2019 Stewardship Saturday events will be on May 18. Find more information and register at: https://jomu.eventbrite.com/.

Parkinson’s Disease and You at 7 p.m. on May 21 with Brianna Munson, PT, DPT, Physical Therapist at Lafayette Physical Therapy, 3468 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Suite B110 in Lafayette. This is a free event, but space is limited, so please sign up at lafayettept.com/events or call (925) 284-6150.

Breast Cancer Seminar from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on May 22 at the Lafayette Library. Join breast cancer specialists from the Women’s Cancer Center of the East Bay for an update on cutting-edge breast cancer treatments and surgical techniques. The physicians recently attended national oncology and surgery symposiums and will discuss the latest advances presented from research, clinical trials and new FDA drug approvals. Please register by calling (925) 677-5041 x272 or email sjung@dvohmg.com.

The Art of Leadership: Creative Ways to Fuel Growth: an evening of talks for entrepreneurs, founders, and organization leaders from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on May 22 at JPG@The Bank, a pop-up art gallery/event space at 3525 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Six speakers, each a leader in their respective field, will present unusual, inventive ways to grow your endeavor. Tickets are $25 and are available at https://artofleadershipnight.eventbrite.com.

The North Orinda Fuel Break is one of the highest priority projects in California. Lamorida Village is sponsoring a presentation at 1 p.m. on May 31 at LOPC. Jerry Kent, longtime EBRPD official, will talk about the history of East Bay Regional Parks and the wildfires that have come through, and Dennis Rein of MOFD will be presenting fire break plans. Local law enforcement will be present to discuss evacuation plans, and our Community Warning System will be represented as well. www.lamorindavillage.org.

SENIORS

Contra Costa Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) will present “What Everyone Needs to Know About Medicare Regardless of Your Age” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on May 20 at the Lafayette Library. As you get closer to 65 it’s important to understand your options for getting Medicare coverage and completing enrollment in a timely manner to avoid costly mistakes. This talk is also useful for those who already have Medicare, or are helping someone who does, to ensure that you have optimal coverage and don’t overlook opportunities to save money. HICAP offers free, impartial information about Medicare and related coverage and doesn’t sell or endorse any products. For more information about HICAP, visit www.cchicap.org. Contact the Lafayette Library to register for the program.

GARDEN

The Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center presents Saving Water in Your Landscape by Contra Costa County Master Gardener Roxy Wolosenko from noon to 1:30 p.m. on June 1. CCMG’s Roxy Wolosenko will expertly guide the audience through a variety of practices that can help homeowners conserve water in their landscape. Learn about irrigation methods, plant selection and placement, water gardening and rainwater harvesting. Participants will also receive hands-on practice using irrigation components. Register online at www.lafayettecommunitygarden.org. The event is free.