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 p.m. 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

 

Art Embraces Words: Call for Writers & Visual Artists - Theme: "Courage & Heroism" Webinar May 30. Writers paint images with words. Artists tell stories with color. Together they enrich our community.  Emerging writers and visual artists are invited to apply by May 21 to be presenters at this free live program on Sunday, May 30 at 2 p.m. For more information on how to apply, to register as an audience member or access links to previously recorded programs visit the Lamorinda Arts Council website at 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 Performing Arts Department invites you to reserve tickets to "gather `round," a new musical created with and for Saint Mary's students and the community. Join a free "gather `round" Talkback/Q&A, Friday, May 14 at 5 p.m. Members of the cast, crew, and creative team will answer questions about the production. On demand performance dates for "gather `round" run through Sunday, May 23. Tickets online www.stmarys-ca.edu/

gatherround

 

Crowden Music Center presents Hear Together: A Free Daylong Outdoor Piano Festival on Sunday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Crowden Music Center, 1475 Rose Street, Berkeley. A free day-long, outdoor celebration of the diverse range of pianists and composers in the Bay Area. Five concerts with advanced tickets only. Cost: Free; Tickets must be reserved in advance; walk-ins will not be accepted.  For more info see https://jonwinet.wixsite.com/

alternating-currents/

hear-together or call (510) 967-6977 or email concerts@crowden.org.

 

St. Paul's Concert Series is excited to present Guitarists Travis Austin and Robert Owens, as ensemble Austin & Owens, in a live performance broadcast from St. Paul's Episcopal Church Walnut Creek on Saturday, May 29 at 7 p.m. This live performance will be broadcast online only (no live audience attending). Travis Austin and Robert Owens have been performing music together now for over 15 years. As a traditional guitar duo they have performed all around northern California. Ticket registration: www.stpaulswc.org/

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LITERATURE

 

The Alta Mesa Center for the Arts presents: an afternoon with writers Maria Baranda and Paul Hoover, translators of "The Complete Poems of San Juan de la Cruz." Join us on zoom at 4 p.m. May 16 for an engaging hour-long discussion. Register here for a Zoom link: https://forms.gle/HtyVnBL72Z

gqrhtx8. Alta Mesa Center for the Arts, an interfaith arts hub, is housed and sponsored by Orinda Community Church. Questions? Contact Mary Volmer: maryvolmer@gmail.com

 

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 at 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 on May 14 with the USA premiere of "Riders of Justice" from Denmark. Trailer: https://youtu.be/j9Okx5teGBQ. (See story on page B2)

 

John Muir Land Trust's annual spring Twilight events are free, family-friendly experiences that celebrate the magic of the East Bay Hills. Join us for a little science and a lot of fun! Thursdays, May 20, May 27 and June 3; online 4 to  5 p.m. Register at https://jmlt.org/

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"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/

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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 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