ART

Lamorinda Arts Alliance is pleased to announce its member show “Wellness & Wellbeing” at the John Muir Health Auxiliary Gallery at John Muir Health, Aspen Center, Walnut Creek, April 11 – May 19. Soak in the power of healing through art at the Lamorinda Arts Alliance exhibit. Wellness and wellbeing are reflected in the artwork, creating an ambiance of healing which is important to the patients, their families and friends, staff, volunteers, and healthcare practitioners. The show features 22 artists and 36 original artworks in pastels, oils, acrylics, watercolors, etchings, photography, mixed media, and collage.

"Natural Abundance" Blooms at Moraga Art Gallery's new show April 13 through June 19 featuring floral and scenic oil paintings by member artist Jill Landau and a collection of works by Bay Area printmaker Donna Brown, who specializes in capturing joyous moments in time, as when colorful birds congregate on the tree outside her window. The public is invited to view the art, meet the artists, enjoy light refreshments, hear live music, and mingle with other art lovers at a free reception on Saturday, April 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. The gallery, open from noon until 5 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday, is located at 432 Center Street in Moraga's Rheem Shopping Center.  For more information, visit www.moragaartgallery.com or call 925-376-5407

New show at Valley Art Gallery: Talking Pictures March 19 - May 7. Talking Pictures, our latest edition, is sure to extend our over 70-plus-year tradition of presenting the best of the best East Bay artists — a record we're quite proud of. So please, drop by the gallery and have a listen. 1661 Botelho Dr, Ste 110, Walnut Creek, www.valleyartgallery.org.

The Lamorinda Arts alliance is pleased to invite members to submit their entry for the “Celebrating Summer” show at the Lindsay Dirkx Brown Gallery. The Exhibit Dates: Thursday, June 2 to Wednesday, June 29. The Entry Period: Friday, April 1 to Friday, April 15. Reception: Saturday, June 4 from 4 to 6 p.m. Registration Fee is $20 for LAA members http://LAA4Art.org

MUSIC

The acclaimed Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble presents Sacred Baroque, featuring Pergolesi’s masterwork Stabat Mater and other choral treasures on Sunday, April 3 at 4 p.m. at St. Perpetua Catholic Church, 3454 Hamlin Road in Lafayette and on Saturday, April 9 at 8 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Church 2005 Berryman Street, in Berkeley. Voci will be joined by Jubilate Baroque Orchestra and soloists Elysha Massatt and Lisa Sanders. The program also includes treasures from Archedelt, Hasse, Legrenzi, Palestrina and Porpora. Tickets: $15-$30 at VociSings.org

LITERATRE

It’s back!  The giant spring book sale sponsored by the Friends of Moraga Library will be held on Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Moraga Library (1500 St. Mary’s Road).  Books, CDs and DVDs in every category will be sold at prices ranging from 25 cents to $3. Beginning at 1 p.m., a bag can be purchased for $5 and filled with all the books it can hold. Proceeds from the sale are used to fund library materials and programs. See you there!

THEATER

Town Hall Theatre Lafayette announces the second in their “new voices” series-“amémonos // let us love each other” by Linda Maria Girón April 1, 2 & 8, 9 at 8 p.m. TICKETS: $25.  April 9 is a Pay-What-You’d-Like performance.

Happy Valley Elementary is proud to welcome back its annual musical! This year, fourth- and fifth-graders will perform “Cats the Musical.” Performances are Wednesday, March 30 at 7 p.m.; Thursday, March 31 at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. All shows are at the Acalanes High School Performing Arts Center. Cost is $15 for adults; $10 for students/children - general admission seating. Link to purchase tickets: https://hvpc.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/178536

The Orinda Starlight Village Players will be holding auditions, by appointment only (email info@orsvp.org), for OrSVP’s season April 3 and 5. Actors will be asked to read from scripts. Prepared monologues will not be required. As of now, masks and proof of vaccination will be required. OrSVP, willing to train, is also actively searching for volunteers interested in stage managing, running lights and sound for performances. The first production of the season will be Agatha Christie’s "Towards Zero," directed by Beth Hooper. Performances are set for June 3 through July 2, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:30 p.m.; Thursday, June 30 at 8 p.m.; and a Sunday matinee June 26 at 4 p.m. Rehearsals start in April. For information, visit www.orsvp.org, email info@orsvp.org or call (925) 528-9225.

The Performing Arts Department of Saint Mary’s College presents the Saint Mary’s College Dance Company annual spring dance concert “In the Slipstream.” Being in the slipstream refers to the “turbulence behind a moving object that pulls us along." The concert features Modern/Contemporary Dance, Tap, West African, Dance Theatre, Asian Dance and Ballet Folklorico.  The evening culminates with a tribute to our graduating seniors called “Reposar la Juventud en la Victoria (Standing in Your Victory).” Thursday, May 5, 8 p.m.; Friday, May 6, 8 p.m.; Saturday, May 7, 2 p.m. (also live-streamed) Saturday, May 7, 8 p.m. LeFevre Theatre, 1928 Saint Mary's Road, Moraga. For more information, contact Tara Sundy, Performing Arts Department Coordinator & Events Manager at (925) 631-4670 or tms8@stmarys-ca.edu.

OTHER

Acalanes High School Class of 1971 - 50 year reunion. April 9, at the Coop in LaFiesta Square. For more information please contact: Katrina Neblett Silvani 71Acalanes@gmail.com