Events that have not been canceled. Cancellations are ongoing, so please check individual events for updates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ART

 

Lamorinda Arts Alliance announces the exhibit "Slice of Life" at the aRt Cottage in Concord, May 4 - June 25. The concept of everyday life and adapting to the new normal has taken on an especially poignant meaning during the COVID-19 crisis. "Slice of Life" is about reflecting a moment, an era, a part of everyday life or an exceptional memory. The reception is pending Contra Costa County COVID-19 regulations. Located at 2238 Mt. Diablo Street, Concord. Open Tuesday - Friday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 1 p.m. - 5 .pm. Lamorinda Arts Alliance is an organization of local artists and friends who reside or work in the area. www.laa4art.org

 

The Moraga Art Gallery's new show pays an "Homage to Nature." During stressful times like these art and nature can provide a measure of solace. "Homage to Nature," highlighting the work of two member artists wedded to the natural world. In etchings and monoprints with a distinctive Asian flair, Lafayette's Pat Prosek renders stylized classic cranes doing what they are meant to do: fly,  nestle, groom themselves, wade, search for food, etc. A handsome four-paneled screen, "Love and Long Life," a traditional theme in ancient Asian art, serves as the centerpiece of the display. 432 Center Street in Moraga's Rheem Shopping Center, open from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. http://moragartgallery.com, moragaartgallery@gmail.com, (925)376-5407

 

Lafayette Art Fair features sculptors' work. A May 8 Art Fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. will feature artists Bill Gian and Doug Heine, two of many talented sculptors who have their works displayed outside and in the Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery on the corner of Mt. Diablo Boulevard and Moraga Road in Lafayette.

 

Art Embraces Words: Call for Writers & Visual Artists - Theme: "Courage & Heroism." Writers paint images with words. Artists tell stories with color. Together they enrich our community.  Emerging writers and visual artists are invited to apply to be presenters at this free live program on Sunday, May 30 at 2 p.m. https://lamorindaarts.org/

art-embraces-words/, email literary@lamorindaarts.org or call 925.359.9940

 

Art Gallery at the Orinda Library, May 1-30 "California Impressionism & Sailboats". The Lamorinda Arts Council is excited to announce the partial reopening of two exhibit spaces at the Library gallery. Look for paintings on two wood walls as you enter the Library. View Sydney Cheney-Thomas' oil paintings with the theme "Sail Away." Lisa Gunn's plein air paintings recall California Impressionism. All COVID-19 precautions observed. You can also see the artwork online at www.lamorindaarts.org/

online-galleries/.

 

Art Gallery at Wilder, May 1 - 30 Virtual Exhibit: "Around the World in 12 Portraits". View Annie Jacquemet-Barrington's oil paintings, many of which are based on photographs of people from around the world.  Her husband, Michael Barrington, known for his humanitarian work, often returns from faraway places with intriguing photographs of people involved in these projects. Many of these photos inspire her portrait paintings. Virtual solo show at www.lamorindaarts.org/

online-galleries/.

 

MUSIC

 

Saint Mary's College, Performing Arts: Student Music Recital. Free, On Demand April 21-May 31 stmarys-ca.edu/studentrecitals21. Please join us for our last virtual music recital for Spring 2021. This performance will feature a wide variety of vocal performances including music by Sarah Bareilles, Smokie Norful, Elton John, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. These are live and unedited performances filmed by our students! Previous Spring '21 recitals are available on the same link.

 

Saint Mary's College, Performing Arts: Choir Film. May 15 at 8 p.m. Live-streamed Release Watch Party. On Demand through May 31. Contributions welcome. stmarys-ca.edu/choirspring21. Music videos including Earth, Wind & Fire's Fantasy, Bj�rk's New World, Clean Bandit's Rather Be, and some newly created videos.

 

LITERATURE

 

Author Rachel Michelberg visiting Orinda Books. Her first book, "CRASH: How I Became a Reluctant Caregiver," comes out on April 27 from She Writes Press. Michelberg will appear at Orinda Books on May 19, 7 p.m., where she will be in conversation with Mark Lukach. Michelberg's memoir tackles a pervasive dilemma in our culture: the moral conflicts and societal expectations involved in caregiving for a disabled or cognitively impaired family member.

 

OTHER

 

International Film Showcase. IFS will open in Orinda is on May 14 with the USA premiere of "Riders of Justice" from Denmark. To start with and observing the COVID-19 restrictions, we will play at the middle size theater restricting attendance to 50  people at each screening. There will be three screenings per day at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. No screenings during the week. The film has won several awards, many nominations and received very high marks from about 5,000 people on IMDB. It is starring Mads Mikkelsen. Synopsis: Markus, who has to go home to his teenage daughter, Mathilde, when his wife dies in a tragic train accident. It seems like an accident until a mathematics geek, who was also a fellow passenger on the train, and his two colleagues show up. Trailer: https://youtu.be/j9Okx5teGBQ

 

The Orinda and Danville Christian Science Churches are presenting a free webinar "How Spiritual Perception Brings Healing." Alex Fischer of Paris, France will give an overview of Christian Science. Hear examples of prayer based healings. 11 a.m., May 8. Healing101Talks.org.  

 

Climate Change: Causes, Consequences and Solutions is the topic for the webinar presentation by David Seaborg for First Friday Forum on May 7 at 10 a.m.   He says, "We must solve the problems of climate change for many species to survive and for society to survive.  Human survival depends on us solving the problem soon.  Time is short."  Seaborg is founder and president of the World Rain Forest Fund.  Locally, he serves as director of the Seaborg Open Space Fund.  Registration is required and ,may be made at lopc.org/first friday forum and then click on the registration link.

 

Audition Videos for Lamorinda Idol due May 15. Young singers in grades K - 12th are invited to submit in their audition videos by May 15.  There are seven categories based on grade levels. Finalists are announced June 1. Visit www.lamorindaarts.orog/idol-2/ to submit or email idol@lomorindaarts.org

 

Lamorinda SuperShorts Movie Challenge: Deadline May 14 at Midnight. Ever made a video? Use your phone to record a G-rated 3-minute or less video. It should be set in your home or outdoor location in Lamorinda. Entry categories are youth to adult and family collaboration. Submit by May 14 at midnight on FilmFreeway. Live online event announcing Winners May 19 at 7 p.m. Visit www.lamorindaarts.org/

SuperShorts to learn more.

 

"Taste of Lafayette" Restaurant Stroll! Tuesday, June 22, 5 to 8 p.m., Downtown Lafayette. Yes, you saw that correctly! The Lafayette Chamber is preparing for its first community event of the year, the Taste of Lafayette! Tickets are now on sale, $50 early bird through May 31, $55 thereafter. The "stroll" begins when ticket holders head out at their own pace to stop at any or all of the participating restaurants for sampling. Open-air shuttle bus will be provided. Will call and bar will be at Lafayette Plaza Park from 5 to 8 p.m. Evening includes music throughout the stroll. Tickets are limited and the event will account for any state/county health and safety guidelines. Please note you may be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result within 72 hours of the event. High risk or those not feeling well should not attend. Face coverings will be required unless immediately eating or drinking.  This is a fundraising event for the Lafayette Chamber and the Lafayette Community Foundation. Purchase Early Bird Tickets at https://lafayettechamber.org/taste/

 

 

GARDEN

 

This year's Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour starts Sunday! If you haven't already, now is the time to register. The free, virtual 17th Annual Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour will take place on Sundays May 2, 16, and 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m..  This award-winning tour, which will be kicked off with a presentation by the inspirational Doug Tallamy, feature 25 beautiful native plant gardens, Q&A sessions with garden hosts, "Ask the Experts" opportunities, garden design and plant selection information, and more. www.bringingbackthenatives.net