ART

The exhibit Born to be Wild at the Main Street Arts Gallery in Martinez, showcases the artwork of 23 Lamorinda Arts Alliance member artists. Sept. 2 - Oct. 16. Lamorinda Art Alliance member Ruth Stanton curated this exhibit of abstract and representational 2D and 3D artwork that is both colorful and captures the essence of adventure and wildness in nature. Open House Reception on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 3-5 p.m. Main Street Arts Gallery, 613 Main Street in Martinez open Wednesday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The Moraga Art Gallery announces the debut of "Unique Expressions,” an exhibit featuring world-class jewelry from the Lafayette workshop of K. de Groot and ever-enticing, abstract acrylic paintings by Irene Needoba. Aug. 31 until Nov. 6. free reception at the gallery Saturday, Oct. 15 from 5 to 7 p.m., located at 432 Center Street in Moraga's Rheem Shopping Center. Come to meet the artists, enjoy the art as well as wine, light snacks, and live music. www.moragaartgallery.com or call (925) 376-5407.

Art Gallery at the Orinda Library: “What’s Next … Art from the Edge of Discovery”. The Lamorinda Arts Council presents artwork from “The Seven,” a group of local artists who came together to display their eclectic show in the Art Gallery in the Orinda Library. Meet the artists at the reception Saturday, Sept. 10 from 3 to 5 p.m. where light refreshments will be served and Bryan Kemler plays his acoustic guitar on the patio. One hundred artworks from different genres fill the gallery during September. Visit the online gallery at www.lamorindaarts.org/online-galleries/

Music

Pacific Chamber Orchestra presents “Courageous” – music From the heart of Europe. Immerse yourself in the beauty, courage and folk wisdom of Dvorak's Serenade for Strings (Czech & Slovak Republics), Kolessa's In the Mountains (Ukraine), Kilar's Theme from the movie "The Pianist" (Poland, and more!) Purchase tickets on our website www.pacificchamberorchestra.org/calendar for concert to be held at St Stephens Episcopal Church in Orinda on Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) Adult ticket price is $8 Student ticket price is $20.

Irish Music Concert at the Veterans Memorial Building in Danville Friday, Sept. 16. A concert of traditional and contemporary Irish music. The concert celebrates the Friendship City relationship between Danville and New Ross, Ireland, from which O’Neill’s father James emigrated. Acclaimed Bay Area musicians Cormac Gannon, Erin Thompson, and Steve Gardner will sing and play a variety of instruments, including the fiddle and uilleann pipes. Tickets are only $20 at https://eugeneoneill.org/.

Left Coast Chamber Ensemble presents “Up Next!” on Sunday, Sept. 18, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at Berkeley Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar Street, Berkeley. Left Coast Chamber Ensemble kicks off its 30th anniversary with “Up Next!,” a concert celebrating the exuberance and brilliance of young composers Cost: In Advance: $30 General Admission / $10 Students; At the Door: $38 General Admission / $20 Subsidized / $15 Students. For more info see www.leftcoastensemble.org/upnext or call 415-617-5223 or email info@leftcoastensemble.org.

Brasarte presents SF Bay Brazilian Day & Lavagem Festival 2022 on Sunday, Sept. 4, from 11 am. to 7 p.m., at Casa de Cultura, 1901 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley. Celebrate Brazilian Independence Day with a free outdoor festival. Live music, Children's Village, Beer & Caipirinha Bar, Food & Artisan Booths. For more info see http://www.Brasarte.com or call (510) 847-3688 or email brasfestival@gmail.com.

Ensemble Ari String Duo Performs at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Walnut Creek Saturday, Sept. 10, 7 p.m. 1924 Trinity Avenue, Walnut Creek. Online broadcast: visit stpaulswc.org/concert-series to receive concert link. Donations graciously accepted at the door (avg. $20/$10 Students) and in our online registration. All are welcome regardless of donation! (925) 297-0134.

Theatre

Shotgun Players presents “Man of God” on Sept. 3-Oct. 2: Sept. 3 and 8-10, 8 p.m.; Sept. 4 and 11, 5 p.m.; Sept. 14-Oct 1: Wed-Thur 7 p.m., Fri-Sat 8 p.m., Sun 5 p.m., at Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave, Berkeley. A feminist thriller about that moment when girls realize the male gaze has been watching all along - and decide they are going to do something about it. Cost: $7-36. For more info see https://shotgunplayers.org/online/article/man-of-god or call (510) 841-6500 x303 or email boxoffice@shotgunplayers.org.

California Shakespeare Theater (Cal Shakes) the world premiere modern verse translation of William Shakespeare’s “King Lear” by playwright and Oakland-native Marcus Gardley (“black odyssey” at Cal Shakes). “LEAR” performs at the Bruns Memorial Amphitheater (100 California Shakespeare Theater Way, Orinda) Sept. 7–Oct. 2. Single tickets (ranging from $35–$70) are available online at calshakes.org or by calling (510) 548-9666.

Literature

Orinda Books and Firewise Orinda present on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 2 p.m. Katherine Blunt, author of “California Burning: The Fall of Pacific Gas & Electric & What It Means to America’s Power Grid” who will be in conversation with Carol Pogash. 276 Village Square, Orinda, www.orindabooks.com, info@orindabooks, (925) 254-7606

“Sweet Thursday Author Series is starting on Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. in person in the Don Tatzin Community Hall at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. Author Kirsten Chen will be discussing her new book “Counterfeit.” This free event is sponsored by the Friends of the Lafayette Library. Register at tinyurl/sweet-Sept22.”

Other

The 2022 Lafayette Art & Wine Festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 18, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in downtown Lafayette. The Festival offers complimentary bike valet parking at 81 Lafayette Circle. Driving? The Festival is an easy walk or free shuttle ride from free Festival parking in the BART parking lot. Music on four stages features some of the Bay Area’s top cover bands. https://lafayettefestival.com.

The Gardens of Heather Farms and members of the Diablo Valley Quilt Guild will be hosting the first ever outdoor quilt show in Walnut Creek. Over 120 quilts will be on exhibit – made by members of Diablo Valley Quilt Guild and quilters from all corners of Contra Costa County including Lamorinda quilters. Cost: $10 (good for both days). Children under six free. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10 and 11. Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek. Quiltsandblooms.org

Scottish Country Dancing! Adult Beginner’s Class Starting Sept. 8. Lessons are with the Lafayette class of the San Francisco Branch located at The Danville Grange 743 Diablo Road, Danville. We meet on Thursday nights 7 to 8:30 p.m. and lessons are $8 each. It's great exercise, give it a fling! Come and enjoy the music, and friendly people. Please wear comfortable clothes and soft shoes. No partner required and you don’t have to be Scottish or have a kilt. (Proof of Covid vaccination required). (925)934-6148 or Monica (925)575-7637

Kids Art Table at Lafayette Art & Wine Festival – Sept. 17-18. The Lamorinda Arts Council invites art lovers to join us in Local Artists Alley on Sept. 17 - 18 at our Kids Art Table. Spend an hour or two helping young artists take a break from the crowds to create something colorful and fun from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. We provide all materials in our two sheltered booths. Advance sign up helpful for planning – email info@lamorindaarts.org or call 925.359.9940.

Garden

The Walnut Creek Garden Club meets the second Monday of the month at 9:30 a.m. at The Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek. The Sept. 12 program is Olive Trees, Olives and Olive Oil by our guest speaker Nate Bradley, owner of Amphora Nueva, a family-owned olive oil and balsamic company. You are invited to attend our program and consider becoming a member of the WalnutCreek Garden Club. www.walnutcreekgardenclub.org

Lafayette Garden Club Monthly program begins at 10 a.m. Sept. 8 in the Veterans Hall, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Randall Barnes, horticulturist from Orchard Nursery in Lafayette will focus on how to grow Cool Season Vegetables. His education in horticulture and landscaping covers all aspects of growing all varieties of plants. Growing vegetables is of special interest shared with his father. It is free to attend. If interested please contact membership@famsf.org for more information.