ART

Art show at Orinda Books. June features the paintings of the Bay Area Studio Artists (BASA) - a local collection of painters who have been working and showing together for 15 years. The exhibit is titled "Going to the Dogs," and you will meet the BASA artists' favorite canine friends and a couple of cats who appear a little leery about the company they find themselves in. The BASA artists include Suzun Almquist, Jeanette Baird, Lassie Colebourn, Ellen Reintjes, Ruth Stanton, Joanne Taeuffer, Sharon Tama, and Marcy Wheeler. Visit the Artist of the Month at https://www.orindabooks.com. Orinda Books is located at 276 Village Square, Orinda, (925) 254-7606.

The Lamorinda Arts Council invites you to return to free live Art Embraces Words programs at the Lafayette Library & Learning Center Arts & Science Room. Patrons are seated in the middle of the room surrounded by artwork from local artists. In this way art literally "embraces" the words spoken by emerging writers who read excerpts from their work from a podium. Program dates are June 18, July 23, and Oct. 29 (Costume Program). We invite emerging writers and visual artists to register online if they are interested in participating. Programs run from 2 to 3:30 p.m. where emerging writers read from their work, artists speak about their art and there is an audience Q&A. Reception follows outdoors in the Library Courtyard.

Every four years the Valley Art Gallery holds a juried exhibition celebrating the iconic mountain that dominates our skyline. Valley Art Gallery: 1661 Botelho Drive, Suite 110, Walnut Creek. www.valleyartgallery.org; (925) 935-4311.

East Bay Open Studios is an annual, free and family-friendly, self-guided tour of artist studios and exhibition spaces throughout the East Bay (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties) in over 12 different cities. The event is held on the weekend: 11&12, starting at 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.  Artist's profiles, map and other details are all on our website. www.Eastbayopenstudios.com

Art Gallery at the Orinda Library: The Lamorinda Arts Council presents artwork from many of the 50 creative OAA members during the month of June in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library. Visit https://lamorindaarts.org/
galleries-current/ for details and to access the virtual gallery devoted to these fine artists.

Art Gallery at Wilder: The Lamorinda Arts Council hosts Carrie Vanhouten as the featured artist at their solo Art Gallery in Wilder through July 9. The theme for her show is "Positivity." Meet the artist at a reception in her honor on Sunday June 19 from 2:30 to 5 p.m. where light refreshments will be served. Vanhouten is hosting an interactive Community Collage event - join the fun! Visit https://lamorindaarts.org/
galleries-current/ for more information and to access her virtual gallery. For directions to the reception visit https://lamorindaarts.org/
current-exhibits-wilder/.

Music

Berkeley Symphony Chamber II Concert on Sunday, June 26, from 3 to 5 p.m., at Piedmont Center for the Arts, 801 Magnolia Ave, Piedmont. Join us for an engaging mix of classic and contemporary works. Get your tickets today! Cost: $35. For more info see https://www.berkeleysymphony.org or call (510) 841-2800 or email tickets@berkeleysymphony.org.

Free Lafayette downtown concerts! Rock the Plaza Concert Series: Friday evenings, June 10, 17, 24, 6 to 8:30 p.m. June 10: Juke Joint is an experienced 6-piece horn band playing Classic Soul, R&B and Blues music. Juke Joint has been entertaining Bay Area audiences to rave reviews since 2001. June 17: A tribute to the Woodstock Generation Keep On Truckin' performs Rock, Blues, Funk and R&B, faithfully recreating the musical experience of one of the greatest events in music history. June 24: Now in its 17th year, Lamorinda Idol, a program of the Lamorinda Arts Council, is an annual singing competition open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade who attend school or reside in Contra Costa County. Lafayette's Plaza Park is located in Lafayette at the corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Moraga Road.

Orinda Rotary is sponsoring "Opera in the Park" for the 12th year on Thursday, June 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Orinda Community Park, 28 Orinda Way. This spectacular free event features Festival Opera singing and Broadway music. Bring friends or the entire family along with a blanket and chair. Enjoy the food and drink trucks provided adjacent to the event. Visit www.orindarotary.org/ for more information.

Volti Vocal Ensemble Performs at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Walnut Creek on Saturday, June 18 at 7 p.m. (1924 Trinity Avenue) or for online broadcast: visit stpaulswc.org/concert-series to receive concert link.

Chanticleer presents No Mean Reward: Chanticleer and the Golden Fleece on Friday, June 10, from 8 to 10 p.m., at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley. Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer presents an evening of exquisite Renaissance choral masterworks from the late 15th century. Cost: $20 to $62. For more info see http://www.chanticleer.org or call 415-252-8589 or email info@chanticleer.org.

Theatre

Orinda Starlight Village Players - Towards Zero now open. Fridays and Saturdays through July 2, 8:30 p.m.; Sunday, June 26 at 4 p.m. and Thursday, June 30 at 8 p.m. Regular admission: $20, Senior/Children: $10. Tickets are available at the Box Office, call (925) 528-9225 or email info@orsvp.org for reservations. Outdoor Theater, Orinda Community Center Park, 28 Orinda Way.

Literature

Join Diablo Writers' Workshop on Tuesday, June 21 at Orinda Books for Solstice, a celebration of the five-year anniversary of this growing writers' community. The evening will kick off at 6 p.m. and highlight readings by Monica Brar, Jim Gunshinan, Maria Rowland, Pat Rudebusch, Joan Smith and Yolanda Yoosten. There will be a raffle for some fun writing and reading swag, plus cake!

Other

Creekside Commons Presents: Summer Solstice Tuesday, June 21, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Come celebrate the start of summer on this the longest day. Live music with Dougie Free, Classic Taco Truck, Summer Sangria, a chance to meet your local farmers and fisheries, sunshine balloon hats, tattoos and a sunburst craft project for kids. Creekside Commons Courtyard and grounds. 1035 Carol Lane. Donations and drink vouchers at the door or visit Creekside Commons.org to pre-purchase and for more info.

Sunday Strong! Free summer fitness classes at Moraga Commons begin June 5.  Presented by MCF, with the sponsorship of the Town of Moraga Department of Parks and Recreation. This program is free and will be held every Sunday in June and July at 8 a.m. on the grassy area near the intersection of St Mary's Road and Moraga Rd. Schedule: June 12 Flow Yoga; June 19 Tai Chi; June 26 Mat Pilates; July3 Bootcamp; July 10 Flow Yoga; July 17 Mat Pilates; July 24 Bootcamp. See Moragacommunityfoundation.org to register and see our amazing instructor's bios.