ART

The Moraga Art Gallery’s new show running through Aug. 10 will feature the work of Lafayette artist-photographer Lucy Beck, who “paints” floral portraits with light to show the astonishing variety of colors and shapes of small flowers in our gardens, fields and woodlands, and guest artist, Oakland ceramicist Tomoko Jarrell, who specializes in the design and creation of simple, comely, Japanese-inspired functional and decorative vases, cups, bowls, and more. For hours and more information visit www.moragaartgallery.com, call (925)376-5407.

Anne Morrison Rabe will be the featured Artist at Dr. Samadian’s Center for Reconstruction and Implant, 23 Orinda Way suite 301, Orinda. The show will run through the beginning of September. 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. For more information please call the office at (925) 254-2360.

Art Embraces Words 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, July 14, Lafayette Library and Learning Center, Arts & Science Room. Emerging writers will read excerpts from their works surrounded by visual artwork by local artists. In this way art literally “embraces” the spoken word. Accepting applications online for art and writing at Lamorindaarts.org under Programs. Questions contact literary@lamorindaarts.org.

The July exhibit at the art gallery at the Orinda Library will feature illustrations and their books by Elaine and Rob Drew, paintings by Jeanette Baird and Joanne Taeuffer, and paintings and painted wine bottles by Kath Balamuth. The exhibit runs through July 31. 26 Orinda Way.

Valley Art Gallery presents “Two for the Show” Through Aug. 10 at the Valley Art Gallery, 1660 Botelho Drive, Walnut Creek. Featuring the distinctive and beloved ceramics of Gerry Wallace and the colorful abstracts of Phil Simon. Both have ties to the gallery’s long history. Phil will be present at a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 13. www.valleyartgallery.org

MUSIC

Cantare Con Vivo’s Summer Choir of 125 singers will present African-American spirituals and gospel songs, offering heartfelt passion in reflecting life rooted in American slavery at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 27 at the at Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church. We hear the perspective of an oppressed culture, embracing the promises professed in Judeo-Christian traditions that proclaim freedom, justice, equality and respect. These expressions of faith must now turn toward a spiritual plane where such promises can ultimately be trusted. Ticket price: $20. www.cantareconvivo.org.

SonoMusette: Bastille Day Concert at The Freight & Salvage at 7 p.m. on July 14 at 2020 Addison Street, Berkeley. SonoMusette’s renditions of timeless French classics provide a freshness and excitement that is contemporary, yet faithful to the spirit and tradition of the original versions. Tickets: $18 advance; $22 door. https://www.thefreight.org/
event/1813128-sonomusette-
berkeley/

Outdoor concert with local singer-songwriter Laura Zucker at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 20 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. $20 cover and bring a drink of choice to share. Laura weaves the heartbeat of the human experiences into her lyrics with guitar driven melodies that make you want to sing along. The outdoor courtyard, intimate stage, ample free parking, open tapas bar, and plenty of seating, make this a night for some Art and Soul. For more information, call (925) 876-5612. http://www.oslc.net/

Revel in the beauty of the gardens while enjoying an enchanting selection of romantic favorites by Ravel, Debussy, Chopin and more! The Gardens at Heather Farm’s Summer Concert Series continues at 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 21 at 1540 Marchbanks Drive Walnut Creek. Performers Ernie Mansfield (flute), Larisa Smirnova (harp), and Pawel Walerowksi (cello) perform for the second time in the garden as the Romance Trio, offering inspiring arrangements to thrill the spirit and soothe the soul. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Venue seating is limited. Food, blankets and lawn chairs are welcome. Outside alcohol is prohibited. Tickets: $40 General Admission Adult; children ages 12 and under are free. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to Gardenshf.org.

Lafayette Rotary, Aegis Living of Moraga, and the Rossmoor Big Band will be producing the annual Tribute to the Troops at the Lafayette Reservoir Band Stand from 5 to 8:15 p.m. on July 13. This free concert honors our troops and the Blue Star and Gold Star Mothers who support our troops. Lamorinda residents are encouraged to attend and bring a picnic and enjoy music from the Rossmoor Big Band and Lafayette’s very own native son David Martin and Rob Ross from David Martin’s House Party. Seating will be provided but attendees can also bring a blanket to spread out on the grass and enjoy the concert.
 
Cantare Con Vivo presents My Lord, What a Morning, a 100-voice choir singing African-American spirituals and gospel songs that are seldom performed today. Fundamental to the formation of essential American genres such as ragtime, jazz, blues and R&B. The history of this music is rooted in American slavery mixed with Christian indoctrination, leading to these insightful and emotionally powerful personal expressions of faith at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 27 at the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church. Ticket price: $20. www.cantareconvivo.org.

Free and Fabulous Opera in the Park Concert from 5 to 7 p.m. on July 28 at the Orinda Community Park. The Rotary Club of Orinda & Solo Opera proudly present the 11th Annual Opera in the Park. Bring the entire family, a blanket and a picnic to enjoy an afternoon of best-loved opera arias/duets/ensembles and musical theater favorites performed by first-rate professional singers. Free admission - BART and handicapped accessible - free parking. For more info, contact cmroeder@comcast.net and www.soloopera.org.

Moraga Commons Park Summer Concerts from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday evenings in the summer. July 11 features the Smoking Hot Rock & Roll band Apple Z and July 18 will showcase Foreverland, an electrifying tribute to Michael Jackson. Join your neighbors for a relaxing free concert. 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 Moraga Park Foundation cook food with the Snack Bar opening at 6 p.m.

Orinda Concerts in the Park, with food trucks, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday evenings at the Community Center and Park: July 9, Flashback; July 16, Lamorinda Idol; July 23, Dirty Cello; July 30, Vintage Jukebox.

The Kyle Athayde Dance Party is coming to Lafayette on Wednesday, July 24 for a one set performance at the Lafayette Library, featuring special guest, Bijon Watson. The 20-piece big band features world class musicians from New York City, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Kyle’s music draws inspiration from a wide variety of sources, from video games and internet memes to jazz and classical masterworks. If you like the big band music of Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, or Don Ellis, then you’ll love the Dance Party! Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $20 at the door. kyleathaydedanceparty.com


THEATER

California Shakespeare Theater’s “The Good Person of Szechwan” by Bertolt Brecht; translated by Wendy Arons; adapted by Tony Kushner July 3 - 21 at the Bruns Amphitheater, 100 California Shakespeare Theater Way, Orinda. Single tickets start at $20, with discounts available for seniors, students, persons age 30 and under, and groups. For more information and showtimes, visit www.calshakes.org.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

Planned Giving: Tips & Techniques - For an Elegant and Efficient Charitable Legacy seminar at 9:30 a.m. on July 13 in the Brother Jerome West Hall at the Saint Mary’s College campus. Thoughtful charitable planning is the hallmark of any true legacy. And charitable planning is especially elegant when designed to fit efficiently with your tax and estate planning goals. Through several common-sense examples, you will learn how your gifting strategies can stretch your generosity and leverage your legacy. The event is free, but we ask that you RSVP for planning purposes to cab35@stmarys-ca.edu or (925) 631-4168.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Cinderella Story Time from 11 a.m. to noon on Aug. 3 at the Pleasant Hill Library 1750 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill. Diablo Ballet School faculty members Amanda Farris and Edward Stegge will bring the classic tale to life in this 30-minute interactive reading. Following the reading, Cinderella and her prince will teach the audience a short class demonstration. Admission is free for children of all ages. Children are invited to come dressed as their favorite fairytale character! To RSVP or for more information, visit diabloballet.org/events.
 
OTHER

Pacific Gas and Electric Company is hosting open houses in Oakland and Walnut Creek for customers in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to share information about its Community Wildfire Safety Program. Topics will include expansion of the Public Safety Power Shutoff program, accelerated safety inspections of electric infrastructure, enhanced vegetation management around power lines, and hardening the electric system for the future by replacing equipment and installing stronger and more resilient poles and covered power lines. PG&E is inviting customers to participate by dropping in any time between 6 and 8 p.m. Webinars will also be available for those who are unable to attend an event in person. More information, as well as the schedule for upcoming open houses and webinars can be found at pge.com/wildfiresafety.

Summer Rose Care Workshop 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 13, at McDonnell Nursery on Moraga Way in Orinda. A rose expert from the East Bay Rose Society will review the best way to care for your roses during the summer. Email info@mcdonnellnursery.com or call (925) 254-3713 to reserve a seat.
 
Golden Gate Audubon Society presents Sahul - A Paradise for Birds from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 18, at Northbrae Community Church, 941 the Alameda, Berkeley. Australia, New Guinea and Tasmania compose Australia’s geological plate, or Sahul. We’ll discuss geological history, taxonomy, and bird families. Cost: $5 donation for non-members. For more info see http://www.goldengateaudubon.org or call (510) 843-2222 or email ggas@goldengateaudubon.org.

Document Shredding Fundraiser from 10 a.m. to noon on July 20 at 400 Taylor Blvd., Pleasant Hill (Back Parking Lot). Bring old tax returns, bills, business records, bank statements and other documents containing personal information to our shredding event. Make a charitable donation to the Cancer Support Community and all of your documents will be shredded on site by Diablo Paper Shredding Company. (925) 677-5041 x272

The Contra Costa County Library is hosting its annual book giveaway 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from July 16 through 20 at Pleasant Hill Library, Shipping and Receiving Area, 75 Santa Barbara Road Pleasant Hill. Tens of thousands of paperback and hardcover fiction, non-fiction and children’s books from the 26 Contra Costa County community libraries are available to the public during the five-day giveaway. All books available at the giveaway have been removed from the library collection due to lack of circulation, poor condition or relevance. Books are available on a first-come, first-served basis and members of the public are advised to bring their own boxes or bags to transport materials.

Prostate Health Seminar from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on July 23 at the Walnut Creek Library - Oak View Room, 1644 N. Broadway. This seminar will highlight newer approaches to treating enlarged prostate without medication or major surgery. The presentation will also include a discussion about in-office therapies for treating incontinence. Q & A session to follow the presentations. Hosted by Pacific Urology. Please RSVP by calling (925) 677-5041 x272.

Fascia: The Mystery Tissue That Holds You Together at 7 p.m. on July 30 with Tim Appleford, PT, MPT, OCS, ATC, Clinic Manager at Lafayette Physical Therapy at 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.

HighlineKites.com presents Berkeley Kite Festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 27 and 28, 2019 at Berkeley Marina’s Cesar E. Chavez Park, 11 Spinnaker Way. Arts & Crafts, Bounce Houses, Pony Rides, Petting Zoo, Candy Drop, Free Kitemaking, Team Kite Flying, Giant Kites, Japanese Kites, Kite Shop on site Cost: Free For more info see http://BerkeleyKiteFestival.com or call (510) 235-5483 or email HighlineKites@gmail.com.

POLITICAL GATHERINGS

State Assemblywoman Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (CA District 16) will address the Rotary Club of Orinda at its luncheon meeting at noon on July 10 at the Orinda Community Center. She will provide an update on important issues facing our District, as well as statewide initiatives and their potential impacts on our community. The public is welcome. Cost of the luncheon is $20 and reservations can be made online at www.orindarotary.org.

SENIORS

Lafayette Community Foundation’s 10th Annual Senior Symposium, “Aging By Design” will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 10 at Acalanes High School. Attendees will hear from a variety of experts about the latest findings on aging while maintaining independence. In addition, many vendors and non-profit agencies will have booths at the Symposium’s Resource Fair providing information about their products and services. Attendance is FREE. Please register in advance by visiting http://www.lafayettecf.org. to fill out the attendee registration and to have you name included in the raffle drawing.