ART

 

Lamorinda Arts Alliance

presents an exhibit, “Strictly Abstract,” though Feb. 28 at the Lafayette Bank of America at 3530 Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette. The new exhibit features abstract paintings by Susan Erickson, Carla W. Gelbaum, Irenka Kudlicki, Pam McCauley, Geoff Meredith and Judy Bolef Miller. https://laa4art.org

 

Moraga Art Gallery presents a new art exhibit and reception at the reopened gallery: “Kaleidoscope” from Feb. 5 though April 4. See story on next page.

 

Valley Art Gallery’s new show “Joel Summerhill’s Wild Jazz 5” runs through March 13. See Joel Summerhill’s watercolor jazz animals. Reception from 4 to 6 p.m. on Feb. 15. www.valleyartgallery.org; (925) 935-4311

 

Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery presents “Translations: Painting and Poetry” - Abstract work by Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin Feb. 15 through March 14. Reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 15. www.jennifer perlmuttergallery.com

 

JPG@ The Bank Pop up Art Gallery presents “Unknown Key: The Adventure” at 7 p.m. on Feb. 22.

 

Saint Mary’s College Museum Art (SMCMoA) is opening two new exhibitions on Feb. 12; “Feminizing Permanence” features 40 historical and contemporary artworks by 40 women artists from the permanent collection. “Sign of the Times: The Great American Political Poster 1844-2012,” a traveling exhibition, explores a variety of styles, design trends, and printing technology associated with political posters. Reception is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Feb 20. SMCMoA admission and programs are free for everyone. www.stmarys-ca.edu/museum.

 

The Lamorinda Arts Council presents a solo exhibition of photographs entitled “The Allure of Equine Beauty” by Barbara Brady-Smith of Lafayette, running through Feb 29 at the Art & Garden Center at Wilder. Reception from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 8. https://lamorindaarts.org/

current-exhibits-wilder/

 

MUSIC

 

Campolindo High School Music Department invites you to their Winter Concert from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 6 in the Campolindo Performing Arts Center, 300 Moraga Rd., Moraga. The concert will feature the Orchestra, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band performing works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, James Curnow, B‚la Bart¢k, Howard Hanson, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Randall Standridge, Guy Woolfenden, and Gustav Holst. The concert is free to attend.

 

Contra Costa Performing Arts Society presents their first concert of the 2020 season featuring original and seductive music with occasional reference to Broadway, Brahms, and New Orleans at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 7 at Grace Presbyterian Church 2100 Tice Valley Blvd. in Walnut Creek. Free, donations accepted. www.ccpas.org

 

Bowerbird Collective presents “Music For Australia: A Concert Raising Funds for the Bushfire Crisis” from 6 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 9, at the Orinda Library Auditorium, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda. Cost: $30. www.wheresongbegan.com or call (646) 384-8080 or email hello@bowerbird.productions.

 

Do you love to sing and want to bring more harmony, fun, and musical company in your life? Then audition for the Diablo Women’s Chorale at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 10 at Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, 399 Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. Auditions are by appointment only. Contact Nancy Hickman, Membership Chair, at (925) 899-5050 or hickmandg@gmail.com, to book an audition time spot. www.diablowomenschorale

.org/join-us.

 

The Gold Coast Chamber Players present Grammy-nominated Aizuri Quartet, in Songs and Echoes of Home, at 7:30 p.m. on March 7 in the Don Tatzin Community Hall at the Lafayette Library, 3492 Mt. Diablo Blvd. A special student showcase from the SF Conservatory of Music begins at 7 p.m. Tickets and information- GCCPmusic.com.

 

THEATER

 

Town Hall Theatre Company presents “The Cherry Orchard” Feb. 27 through March 21 at 3535 School Street, Lafayette. Tickets: $18 Previews $27-30 evenings, $25-27 Sat. & Sun. matinees. Discounts available for Seniors and youth. For tickets and showtimes: (925) 283-1557; www.townhalltheatre.com

 

LECTURE & LITERATURE

 

Orinda Books - The Poetry Circle will read and discuss “Father’s Day” by Matthew Zapruder at 11 a.m. on Feb. 10. They meet monthly at Orinda Books and welcome anyone interested in poetry.

 

SMC presents Steve Almond Q&A with Matthew Zapruder from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 19 at De La Salle Hall: Hagerty Lounge, 1928 St. Marys Road. Q&A and discussion with Steve Almond, author of William Stoner and the Battle for the Inner Life.

 

The San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium forum from 6 to 8 p.m. (5:30 to 6 p.m. registration and refreshments) on Feb. 25 at Oakland Library Rockridge Branch, 5366 College Avenue, Oakland. RSVP: Call (510) 204-5656

 

SMC Creative Writing Reading Series with Chris Feliciano Arnold from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the Soda Activity Center: Claeys Lounge, 1928 St. Marys Road. Chris Feliciano Arnold has written essays for The Atlantic, Harper’s, Outside, Vice News, The New York Times, and more.

 

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

 

Registration is open for the fifth annual AAUW-OML Techbridge STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) conference for middle school girls being held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 21 at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga. https://oml-CA.aauw.net. Fee is $25 per student.

 

Cupid Comes to Canyon Club from 10 a.m. to noon on Feb. 9 at the Canyon Club Brewery. Bring the kids to decorate cookies, pose for pics in the Valentine’s themed photo station, and enjoy festive food. $25 Adult, $15 child. Tickets: www.canyonclub.works/store/

events/

 

The Friends of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center has an invitation to all Lafayette students from Kindergarten to 8th grade. Here is an opportunity to express your artistic talent in the form of a bookmark. The Contest begins Feb. 14. All entries must be submitted by March 6. The entry forms will be available at the Lafayette Library and the Friends Corner Book Shop. The winner’s bookmarks will be framed and exhibited in the library and the Friends Corner Book Shop.

 

Join Park Rangers as we explore the life of one of our favorite feathered friends, the owl from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 8 at he John Muir NHS, 4202 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez. Young scientists will investigate first-hand what an owl eats and learn fun facts about owls. Color and take home your own owl mask. This is a drop-in program. Visitors should meet at the visitor center. All ages welcome. No reservations are required. www.nps.gov/jomu.

 

OTHER

 

Free Tax Preparation for the 2019 tax season is available starting February 2020 from AARP’s Tax-Aide and United Way’s Earn It, Keep It, Save It (EKS) programs. Service is provided by volunteer tax preparers who are IRS trained and certified. For information on Tax-Aide sites, call: (925) 726-3199. For information on EKS sites, call 2-1-1 or visit www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org.

 

All Lafayette residents are invited to attend the Lafayette Homeowners Council (LHC) Board’s Community Meeting “Issues Night” to be held at 7 p.m. on Feb. 6 at the Community Center’s Sequoia Room at 500 St. Mary’s Road. Scheduled speakers include Mayor Mike Anderson with “State of the City” remarks followed by School Superintendent Richard Whitmore on our Schools and former Mayor Don Tatzin regarding transportation and traffic issues. www. LafayetteHomeownersCouncil.org.

 

Diablo Ballet presents the second program of their 26th season, “Balanchine & Beyond” at 8 p.m. on Feb. 7 and at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Feb 8 at the Del Valle Theatre in Walnut Creek. The program features selections from five ballets. Tickets: $15-$48 (925) 943-7469; lesherartscenter.org, diabloballet.org

 

Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church 15th Annual Crab Feed and Dance from 6 to 11 p.m. on Feb. 8 at 1700 School Street, Moraga. Chicken available by special advance order request. Dinner & Dance - $60. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Call Thea at (925) 672-6799 or (925) 890-0918, or email thecubsfan23@yahoo.com.

 

Friends Corner Book Shop in Lafayette is having a half price sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 8. This is a wonderful opportunity to find some last-minute treasures for your favorite valentine (or teacher)! Proceeds benefit the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. www.lllcf.org/shop -for-a-used-book/

 

Welcome to Medicare is a free class presented by Contra Costa Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP). You will learn when and how to enroll, about Medicare costs and benefits, prescription coverage, Medicare Advantage plans (HMOs), Medicare Supplements and how Medicare coordinates with other coverage. Classes are monthly on the second Wednesday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek. Upcoming date: Feb. 12. See www.cchicap.org or call (925) 602-4168 to enroll.

 

Updates from the Breast Cancer Symposium from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 19 at 3276 McNutt Ave, Walnut Creek. Dr. Svahn will cover exciting new data from the latest clinical trials, new FDA approved treatments and advances in treatment strategies. Please register by emailing: sgoldberg@dvohmg.com or call (925) 677-5041.

 

Salary Negotiation Seminar from 2 to 4 p.m. on Feb. 23 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center in Lafayette. Come learn about salary negotiation and how to better articulate your worth at work or as a volunteer. https://oml-CA.aauw.net

 

Lafayette resident, Papa John Kiefer, will, again, offer workshops on “How to Raise Your Own Chickens.” Topics will include raising young chicks, laying hen maintenance, and sustainable coop construction. Workshops are free and will be held in Lafayette from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on March 1 and 15. Reservations are required. Contact: chickenspapajohn@gmail.com. Location provided upon registration.

 

GARDEN

 

The Walnut Creek Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting at 10 a.m. on Feb. 10 at the Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, in Walnut Creek. The Walnut Creek Historical Society will be speaking and showing a visual presentation.

 

Lafayette Garden General Meeting starting at 10 a.m. on Feb. 13 in the Lafayette Veteran’s Bldg, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Guest Speaker John Greenlee is an expert in grass ecology and champion of sustainable design. Free. twalklet@comcast.net.

 

The Moraga Garden Club Monthly General Meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 20 at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School Street. Garden Designer Katie Creighton will speak about “Brightening your Garden with Variegated Plants”. www.moragagardenclub.com

 

The Montelindo Garden Club February meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 21 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center’s Community Hall. Presentation: Soil, a Sexy Subject; Speaker: Carole Frost a.k.a. Seductress of Soil.

 

Moraga Art Gallery announces a new art exhibit and reception

Submitted by Carla Gelbaum

 

The Moraga Art Gallery announces “Kaleidoscope,” its first show of 2020, highlighting the art of two dozen member and guest artists. Guests entering the gallery  see a diverse collection — a kaleidoscope of surprising and satisfying media, styles, and color.

            An opening reception on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. will offer live music, complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres, and an opportunity to mingle with the artists as well as with other devotees of painting, sculpture, jewelry, print media, ceramics, photography, woodworking, and much more.

            Curated by member artists Judy Miller and Margaret Lucas-Hill, the exhibit will run from Feb. 5 to April 4.

            Create your own whimsical and unique Valentine card at the Moraga Art Gallery on Sunday, Feb. 9. Drop-in between 1 to 3 p.m. The free Valentine making workshop will be led by local artists who specialize in bringing out the whimsy and creativity in everyone.

            The gallery is located at 432 Center Street, Rheem Shopping Center, in Moraga. Hours are Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

            Moraga Art Gallery is a cooperative featuring the work of established local artists and artisans. Each member is accomplished in their field and meets high standards of workmanship and originality in order to qualify for membership.

            For more information, visit https://moragaartgallery.com or call (925) 376-5407 or email moragaartgallery@gmail.com.

 

‘Strictly Abstract’ grand reopening reception, Feb. 12

Submitted by Carla Gelbaum

 

The Lamorinda Arts Alliance will hold a free grand reopening reception for “Strictly Abstract” from 8 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12 at the Lafayette Bank of America. “Strictly Abstract” features artwork by local artists Susan Erickson, Carla Gelbaum, Irenka Kudlicki, Pam McCauley, Geoffrey Meredith and Judy Miller and will continue to be available for viewing during banking hours through Feb. 28. The bank is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more than two decades, the Lamorinda Arts Alliance has promoted the visual arts though exhibits in libraries and businesses, at open studio events, street fairs, and lectures, and in the community’s art galleries.

              For information, visit: https://laa4art.org