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

Valley Art Gallery’s new show “Joel Summerhill’s Wild Jazz 5” runs through March 13. See 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 through March 14. 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 of 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.

“Fire!” A New Exhibit at Diablo Valley College Art Gallery through Feb. 28 that examines the impact of the Northern California wildfires. Visit the Diablo Valley College website at www.dvc.edu.

The Lamorinda Arts Council’s annual Visual Arts Competition (VAC) features artwork from high school students who attend schools in Orinda, Lafayette or Moraga, or who reside in Lamorinda and attend schools outside Lamorinda. Approximately 200 entries of 2D, 3D, Photography and Digital Art have been entered in this juried art competition. Student artwork is on display through Feb. 27 in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library. For more information go to http://www.lamorindaarts.org/vac.

Moragan Dave Manousos currently has an art exhibit “Big Eye Series” at Orinda Books. The exhibit runs through Feb. 29. There will be an artist reception at 7 p.m. on Feb. 24 at Orinda Books with wine and light hors d’oeuvres.

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. https://lamorindaarts.org/
current-exhibits-wilder/


MUSIC

The Gold Coast Chamber Players present Grammy-nominated Aizuri Quartet in “Songs and Echoes of Home” at 7:30 p.m. 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

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

8th annual Contra Costa Camp and School Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 23, with booths for camps, schools, preschool, S.T.E.M. and S.T.E.A.M. programs, sports, cooking, enrichment, performing arts, scouts and YMCA. Free coding workshop plus tennis, abacus and arts activities. Free admission and free parking. Acalanes High School, 1200 Pleasant Hill Rd., Lafayette. www.ContraCostaCampFair.com

The Friends of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center has an invitation to all Lafayette students from kindergarten to eighth 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.

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. March 21 at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga. https://oml-CA.aauw.net. Fee is $25 per student.

OTHER

Mountain Shadow is pleased to present its annual “Best of the Oscar Shorts” in the categories of live-action narrative, documentary and animated short films. Mountain Shadow Film Society presents the films at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 22 at the Walnut Creek Library, Oak View Room, 1644 N. Broadway St., Walnut Creek. General admission tickets are available on a first come, first served basis for $12. http://mountainshadow.org

Rev. Sophia Jackson presents a talk about Mass Incarceration and the impact of The Prison Industrial Complex on the black and brown community at 11:15 a.m. Feb. 23 at Orinda Community Church Fellowship Hall, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda. Lunch will be served. Free.

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.

Yeah Buddy Awesome Time: Comedy Show from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on March 7 at Spats Berkeley, 1974 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. Yeah Buddy Awesome Time brings back room laughs to the people of Berkeley. Come to Spats to see comedians from Conan, Viceland and Comedy Central. Cost: $5. For more info see https://yeahbuddyawesometime7.eventbrite.com or call (510) 227-7477 or email chrisjohncomedy510@gmail.com.

Double down for the Lafayette Community Center Foundation’s first Poker Party! The festivities will be held at 7 p.m. on March 14 at 500 St. Mary’s Road. Come to play poker, visit with Lafayetteians, learn a new game, win fabulous prizes. This is a night not to miss. This event is run by the Lafayette Community Center Foundation and will raise funds for its new Lafayette Community Center playground.

All are cordially invited to celebrate with Saint Mary’s College Guild St. Patrick’s Day Dinner / Auction / Fundraiser at SMC’s Soda Center Saturday, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. March 14. Featuring Rohan Murphy Academy Irish Dancers and The Frank O’Connor Band. A delicious traditional, Irish corned beef dinner with all the trimmings. Guinness, Harp, wine, Irish Coffee available. Tickets: $50 per person. Make checks payable to: SMC Guild and mail to: Cynthia Kelly, 628 Augusta Drive, Moraga, 94556. Questions: Call Cynthia Kelly at (925) 388-0437

The Persian Center will be hosting its 21st annual Chaharshanbeh Souri from 6 to 10 p.m. on March 17 at 2029 Durant Ave., Berkeley. Jump over bonfires to celebrate the change of seasons and to welcome spring. Enjoy Persian food, music, dancing, and children’s activities. Rain or shine. Free. https://www.facebook.com/PersianCenterOrg/ www.AnotherBullwinkelShow.com 510.334.6523

GARDEN

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.

The Walnut Creek Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting at 10 a.m. on March 9 at the Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, in Walnut Creek. The topic of the March program is “Behind the Scenes at the Rose Bowl.” You do not need to be a gardener to join the Walnut Creek Garden Club.

Please join the Orinda Garden Club for its annual community meeting at 10 a.m. on March 19 at the Orinda Library Auditorium. Brenda Coffee, one of America’s top women Bloggers, will speak about the joys and perils of a full and ambitious life. There is no charge to attend and there will be a small sampling of garden club items available for your shopping pleasure.

`Big Eye Series’ exhibit at Orinda Books
Submitted by Lynn Champagne

Dave Manousos’ current art exhibit, “Big Eye Series,” which features the Moraga artist’s original paintings runs through Feb. 29 at Orinda Books. An artist reception at 7 p.m. Feb. 24 will feature wine and light hors d’oeuvres.