ART

Lamorinda Art Alliance presents: Enhance and Abstract the Human Figure in Art with Melinda Cootsona, who will be conducting two instructional Zoom chats with LAA members on the topic of abstracting the human figure. Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 3 p.m. will concentrate on the human form in drawing, painting, and virtually all mediums. Tuesday, Nov. 15, 3 p.m. will take us into the intriguing world of the cold wax process. www.melindacootsona.com/

Art show at Orinda Books. October features the paintings of Sussana Griswold and the woodturnings of Steve Griswold. Sussana's award-winning oil and pastel work focuses on portraits, both human and animal, which are her favorite subjects. For Steve, wood has always been a source of wonder: "Within the ordinary trees we walk by every day, there are miracles waiting to be discovered, and through turning wood on a lathe I try to reveal those miracles." Visit the Artist of the Month at www.orindabooks.com. Orinda Books is located at 276 Village Square, Orinda, (925) 254-7606.

The Valley Art Gallery presents a new fall selection of "Focal Points” that you can use to dramatize your décor. In addition to paintings and photography, this fall the Gallery introduces a new category of art: sculpture! Free, open to the public. 1661 Botelho Drive, Suite 110, Walnut Creek, www.valleyartgallery.org; (925) 935-4311

Bedford Gallery presents: The Harmon & Harriet Kelley Collection of African American Art: Works on Paper. Now until Dec. 18, from noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday at Bedford Gallery in the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For more information or to purchase tickets ($5, free for children under 13 and Bedford Gallery members), visit www.bedfordgallery.com.

Theatre

Synergy Theater, the folks who brought you “Improvisors in Space!” and “Spontaneous Dickens!” returns to the Lesher Center for the Arts, at 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, with the world-debut of “Spontaneous Hitchcock: An Improvised Thriller in the Style of the Master of Suspense!” This completely improvised two-act comedy pays homage to Sir Alfred Hitchcock and his beloved legacy of the Hollywood thriller. It plays Thursday, Oct. 20, through Sunday, Oct. 30 at 8:15 p.m., Thursdays – Saturdays, and 3:15 p.m. on Sundays. www.SynergyTheater.com

Orinda Starlight Village Players present: George Bernard Shaw's “Pygmalion” through Oct. 1. Fridays, 8:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 8:30 p.m.; and Thursday, Sept. 29, 8 p.m. Outdoor Theater, Orinda Community Center Park, 28 Orinda Way. www.orsvp.org/

Town Hall Theatre Company presents: “The Body Play”. Written by Madison Wetzell, directed by Lisa Anne Morrison, cast: Alyxaundrea Munson, Sierra Camille and Maeron Yeshiwas. Dates: Oct. 7, 8, 14 & 15 at 8 p.m., at Town Hall Theatre, Lafayette. Tickets: $25. Oct. 15 is a Pay-What-You-Can performance. www.TownHallTheatre.com.

Aurora Theatre Company presents “Colonialism is Terrible, But Pho is Delicious” on Tuesday-Wednesday 7 p.m., Thursday, Friday & Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m., Nov. 4 - Dec. 4 (no show 11/24), at Aurora Theatre Company, 2081 Addison Street, Berkeley. This comedy spans centuries, continents, and cultures, where the argument around culture, ownership, and authenticity comes to a roaring boil. Cost: $20-70. For more info see www.auroratheatre.org/Pho or call (510) 843-4042 or email info@auroratheatre.org.

Literature

Sweet Thursday Author Series is offering on Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. in-person in the Don Tatzin Community Hall at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Debbie Chinn, author of “Dancing in Their Light.” Chinn gives us a glimpse into the world of hospitality, dining and live entertainment in restaurant/nightclub business she grew up in. This free event in sponsored by the Friends of the Lafayette Library. Register at tinyurl.com/Sweet-Oct22.

Orinda Books will host a book launch for Isidra Mencos, featuring her new book, “Promenade of Desire” Oct. 15, 2 p.m. Her new book is a rich journey into the life of a woman once contained, who finds a way to set herself free. Email info@orindabooks.com to register.

Lauren Groff, 2022 Joyce Carol Oates Prize Winner will read from and sign copies of her books, including, the most recent title and just out in paperback, “Matrix,” as well as “Fates and Furies,” “Florida” and “Arcadia.” Orinda Books is partnering with the New Literary Project to bring Lauren Groff to the bookstore. Saturday Oct. 15 at 3:30 p.m. To register, go to the Orinda Books website or email info@orindabooks.com

Pat's Book Club will read and discuss “Voices in the dead house” by Norman Lock, a masterful dual portrait of two iconic authors—Walt Whitman and Louisa May Alcott—who, during the Civil War, took different paths toward chronicling a country beset by prejudice and at war with itself. All are welcome. Just call, (925) 254-7606 or email info@orindabooks.com to let us know that you are coming. Thursday Oct. 6 at 11 a.m. Orinda Books, 276 Village Square, Orinda.

Other

AAUW-Orinda Moraga Lafayette will hold its annual Tech Trek paper shredding fundraiser at 5A Rent-A-Space in Moraga on Saturday, Oct. 8. Plan to securely shred three full boxes of papers to help us meet our Tech Trek goals to send local middle school girls to AAUW’s own Tech Trek science and math camp. $10 per file box. You may also destroy, separately: metal CDs, DVDs and computer hard drives removed from computers and laptops. Any questions, email Lana Reichick at lanasan@aol.com.

On view at Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art (SMCMoA) are two original exhibitions featuring work from the museum's permanent collection. “Fake It Till You Make It: A Quest For Authenticity” embarks on an exploratory journey of painting, photography, sculpture, mechanical advances of printing, and digital media to discover how authenticity shifts through time and context. “Interdisciplinary Voice” features 11 unique responses from faculty, staff, and scholars to objects in the permanent collection. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Dec. 11. Admission and programs are free. Public tours are offered Saturdays at 2 p.m. For more information, visit: www.stmarys-ca.edu/museum

The Moraga Chamber of Commerce, along with several Moraga service organizations, have come together to create the first Moraga Community Service Day! It will be held Saturday, Oct. 1 and Sunday, Oct. 2. There are activities for all ages, from painting pots for seniors and the homebound to blood/food drives, planting trees in Moraga Commons, school beautification, as well as fire abatement on our lovely hillsides. http://moragaserviceday.org/

AAUW-Orinda Moraga Lafayette and the League of Women Voters will hold a Zoom webinar on the Pros and Cons of November 2022 California ballot propositions on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. The webinar is free and open to the public; all are invited to attend. There will be a short video about each proposition followed by Q&A. Advance registration required. To register visit our website https://oml-ca.aauw.net.

Join Sokol SF members and friends at the Community Center and Park in Orinda on Saturday, Oct. 8 for a festival-style "Day of Czech Culture" from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Program includes Moravian dancing, by the Karicka Dance Group from San Diego in their beautiful traditional costumes. The students from the Czech School of California who will be on hand with some entertaining singing and historical presentations, followed by musical Sokol members who hope to engage our audience in sing-alongs of beloved Czech songs!

Garden

Lafayette Garden Club monthly meeting begins at 10 a.m. on Oct. 13 at the Veterans Hall, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Shawna Anderson will be the guest speaker. She is an Advanced Certified Nursery Professional and Certified Horticulturist for Orchard Nursery in Lafayette. The meeting is free to attend. If interested please contact LGCMembershipCommittee@gmail.com.