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.

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.
Moraga Art Gallery's new springtime show "Natural Abundance." Reception Saturday, April 23, 5 to 7 p.m., the public is invited. The exhibit features floral and scenic oil paintings by member artist Jill Landau and a collection of works by Bay Area printmaker Donna Brown, whose artistry captures joyous moments, as when colorful birds congregate on the tree outside her window. The Gallery is open from noon until 5 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday, 432 Center Street in Moraga's Rheem Shopping Center.  www.moragaartgallery.com or call 925-376-5407.

The Lamorinda Arts Council presents ceramics by Brad Krebs, paintings by Joseph Loria and Silvia Villanueva Mallon and turned wood by members of the Bay Area Woodturners Association during April in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library.

The Lamorinda Arts Council presents Art Gallery at Wilder: Transience - Paintings of Disquiet and Uncertainty. The featured artist at the Wilder Gallery in April is painter Matthew Felix Sun. View a video preview of his show at https://youtu.be/M1iNAyeEKZ0. It runs through April 30; in-person viewings can be arranged by emailing Curator Aniston Breslin at wildergallery@lamorindaarts.org.

MUSIC

Gold Coast Chamber Players concert: Cultural Crossroads, Black and Indigenous influences on Dvo?�k in America. Saturday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m., Pre-concert interview with R. Carlos Nakai and John-Carlos Perea at 7 p.m. Don Tatzin Community Hall at the Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Concert will be recorded for online viewing beginning May 17. Tickets $15-45. Tickets online (www.gccpmusic.com) or by phone: (925) 283-3728

The Lamorinda Arts Council presents on April 20 Saint Mary's Chapel Concert. About 60 choral students and musicians from Miramonte High School in Orinda will perform in Saint Mary's Chapel on Wednesday April 20 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Three Miramonte choirs will perform individually and as a mass choir. Listen for solo and special ensemble performances as well. The concert is free.

LITERATURE

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!

Bay Area Storytelling Festival returns to Orinda Community Center at 26 Orinda Way in Orinda. Saturday, April 16, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets $25 - $60. The Bay Area Storytelling Festival shares the magic of storytelling and over 30 years of history. This year's event features five award-winning professional storytellers. For more information and tickets please visit: https://tinyurl.com/BASFestival or visit www.sfapshows.com.

Join Lamorinda Arts Council co-chairs Elana O'Loskey and Sue Farmer for a return to live Art Embraces Words programs at the Lafayette Library & Learning Center, Saturday April 23 from 2 to 4 p.m. Emerging writers will read from their work surrounded by original artwork from local artists. Call for emerging writers and original visual artwork - please apply at https://lamorindaarts.org/
art-embraces-words/.

THEATER

West Coast Performing Arts Presenters presents Motown Mania! The Golden Hits of The Temptations & the Stars of Motown on Saturday, May 7, from 8 to 10 p.m., at Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. If you love those 'Old School Oldies But Goodies' join us for an unforgettable evening of fun as we present... Motown Mania with The Best Intentions Cost: $45.  For more info see https://lesherartscenter.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=1510 or call 925-943-7469.

Orinda Intermediate School Bulldog Theatre stages Disney's "High School Musical JR.," May 5 - 7 at Town Hall Theater, 3535 School Street, Lafayette.  Disney Channel's smash hit movie musical comes to life with its inspiring message of friendship, self-discovery, and teamwork as the students of East High deal with issues of love, friends and family while balancing their classes and extra curricular activities. Tickets are $10. Visit www.townhalltheatre.com/
thed-residencies for show times and tickets or call the Town Hall Theatre Box Office at 925-283-1557.  Tickets are also available at the Town Hall Theatre Box Office one-half hour prior to performances.

The Theatre Program at Saint Mary's College is proud to announce the cast and creatives of the upcoming mainstage production, "Keeping It Real: A Festival of One-Acts," a fully-produced evening of world premiere plays under the artistic leadership of the Theatre Program Class of `22. All performances will be performed in the LeFevre Theatre, Thurs.-Sun., April 21-24. They will also be available on-demand in May. Tickets are $8-15 and can be ordered online: stmarys-ca.edu/Keeping-It-Real. ADA/Info: 925-631-4670.

Shotgun Players presents "Passing Strange Extension" on April 14 at 7 p.m., April 15-16 at 8 p.m., April 21 at 7 p.m., April 22-23 at 8 p.m., at Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave, Berkeley. A young bohemian charts a course for 'the real' through sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. Loaded with soulful lyrics and overflowing with passion. Cost: $7 - $50.  For more info see https://shotgunplayers.org/
online/article/passing-strange or call 510-841-6500 or email boxoffice@shotgunplayers.org.

San Francisco's 42nd Street Moon announces cast and creative team for first San Francisco-produced version of Five-time Tony Award Winning "Fun Home." April 21 - May 8 with an Opening Night on Saturday, April 23 at 6 p.m. Tickets range from $35 - $76 and are available now at 42ndstmoon.org/fun-home

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.  (925) 631-4670 or tms8@stmarys-ca.edu.

OTHER

Green Sofa Cinema Series and Sustainable Contra Costa present "Our Planet: Too Big to Fail," a short film that explores the connection between the financial system and the health of our planet. Learn how to align your savings with your values and invest in building a sustainable and thriving future at the free online speaker event on April 20, 7 to 8 p.m. Watch the film on Youtube and register at https://sustainablecoco.org/calendar for the event.

Paymun Real estate & Development in collaboration with city of Orinda and Taste of the World Market food trucks is organizing a community fundraiser to benefit the people of Ukraine on Thursday, April 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. in front of the Orinda Library.  Bring the family to enjoy the fun activities planned and reconnect with the community for this important cause.

The Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center invites you to view the Award-Winning Film: FANTASTIC FUNG!. Saturday, April 23 at 7 p.m. Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. The viewing is free and will be followed by discussion led by LCG and OLC mycologist Charlie Newton.

45th Annual Science Day of Discovery on May 7, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Make a volcano explode, shoot a rocket, make slime, dig for dinosaur bones and test your senses! These are just a few of the many hands-on activities at the 45th annual Lafayette Nursery School Science Day. The experiments are designed for children preschool age through third grade. It's a great experience for the whole family. Proceeds are donated to a local math or science-based charity.  Cost: $5 per child. Lafayette Nursery School, 979 First Street, Lafayette. 925-284-2448 or www.lafayettenurseryschool.org

GARDEN

Lafayette Garden Club monthly program April 14, 10 a.m. in the Veterans Hall, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Our guest speaker will be Nate Bradley, owner of Amphora Nueva in Lafayette. Amphora is a family owned and operated olive oil and balsamic vinegar company with roots in the olive industry for nearly 100 years, with tasting rooms/retail stores throughout the Bay Area. Nate will be enlightening us about olives and bringing a variety of Amphora' specialty olive oils for us to taste. It is free to attend. If interested please contact membership@famsf.org for more information.