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, Nov. 15, 3 p.m. will take us into the intriguing world of the cold wax process. https://www.melindacootsona.com/

Art Embraces Words – Oct. 29, 2 to 3:30 p.m. – Costume Event. Writers paint images with words. Artists tell stories with color. Together they enrich our community. The Lamorinda Arts Council invites you to show up as your favorite literary or artistic character at its free program in the Lafayette Library. Emerging writers read from their work surrounded by artwork from local artists. In this way art literally “embraces” the spoken word. The final 2022 program will be a Webinar hosted by AEW alumni Denise Nomura and Natalie Samuels Wheeler in November; date TBD. Visit https://lamorindaarts.org/art-embraces-words/ for more information. This program is made possible by a generous grant from the Lafayette Community Foundation.

Valley Art Gallery presents "Focal Points" – A New Juried Collection for Fall. Through Nov. 12. Twice a year, the Valley Art Gallery juries works from their 100+ member artists to hang in a new exhibition. 1661 Botelho Drive, Suite 110, Walnut Creek, www.valleyartgallery.org; (925) 935-4311.

The Moraga Art Gallery's lush holiday exhibit, "Variations on the Theme of Beauty," debuts on Nov. 9 with a display of works by more than two dozen area artists: ceramicists. sculptors, oil painters, etchers, and many more whose talents will be front-and-center until Jan. 15 at 432 Center Street in Moraga's Rheem Shopping Center. Ordinarily open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., the gallery will be open daily between Dec. 1 and 24. Save the date: Saturday, Nov. 19, 5 to 7 p.m., free holiday reception to view the art, meet the artists and enjoy snacks and live music. www.moragaartgallery.com, (925) 376-5407.

Art show at the Orinda Library Art Gallery. On display in November is “Looking Out, Looking In: Paintings by Nicole Reader.” View 13 paintings of contemplative people turning their eyes elsewhere. See more at www.nicolereader.com and lamorindaarts.org/current-exhibits. Join the artist for drinks and refreshments at a reception on Saturday, Nov. 5, 3-5 p.m.

Fall open studios on Nov. 5, 6, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 12, 13, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be over 110 artists to visit and view their art at this free event. All artist and event details, including map, may be viewed at: Eastbayopenstudios.com
Music

Shotgun Players presents “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812” on Nov. 5 - Dec. 31. Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 5 p.m., at Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave, Berkeley. From celebrated and award-winning composer Dave Malloy comes 'Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812,' an electro-pop opera based on “War and Peace.” Cost: $7 - $65. For more info see https://shotgunplayers.org/
online/article/great-comet or call (510) 841-6500 x303 or email boxoffice@shotgunplayers.org.

Trinity Lutheran Church presents: Celtic Concert: Jason Pollack and the Western Shore. Saturday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m. In this show, Western Shore will present the lively, energetic, compelling (and sometimes haunting) traditional music of Ireland and other Celtic lands. 1225 Hopyard Road, Pleasanton, Tickets: $20 General; $5 Student; 12 and under free. No one will be turned away! Proceeds support The Artists and our ongoing Concert Series. www.tlcpleasanton.org/, (510) 512-2623

St. Paul's Concert Series is excited to present Austin & Owens Guitar Duo, featuring Travis Austin and Robert Owens in a spectacular performance on Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. We discovered this incredible guitar duo in the town of Lakeport, California, and invited them to join the limelight with us here in the East Bay Area. 1924 Trinity Avenue, Walnut Creek. Donations graciously accepted at the door (avg. $20/$10 Students) and in our online registration. All are welcome regardless of donation! https://stpaulswc.org/concert-series/

The Saint Mary's College Dance Company proudly presents “Unveiling,” the fall dance concert created by nine senior choreographers from the Class of 2023, along with guest artist and alumna Micah Sallid. Nov. 17, 18, 8 p.m.; Nov. 19, 2 p.m. (also live-streamed); Nov. 19, 8 p.m., LeFevre Theatre, 1928 Saint Mary's Road, Moraga.

Theatre

Saint Mary's College Theatre Performance of "The Caucasian Chalk Circle" by Bertolt Brecht is the story of a big-hearted servant girl, Grusche, who rescues an abandoned baby in the midst of a military coup. Their journey of survival ultimately raises the question: who has parental rights – the rich woman who gave birth to the child, or the poor one who risks everything to protect him? LeFevre Theatre, 1928 St. Marys Road, Moraga. In-Person Show Dates: Thursday, Nov. 3, 8 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 4, 6 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 5, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 6, 2 p.m. www.stmarys-ca.edu/
Caucasian-Chalk-Circle

Literature

The Viet Nam War: Two Perspectives. Author Steven Burchik will present “Compass and a Camera, A Year in Viet Nam.” DAR member, Leslie Pfeifer, will present, “Flying Tigers and the Vietnam War.” Thursday, Nov. 10, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lafayette Library Learning Center, Don Tatzin Community Hall (across the library plaza). Free.

Tyler Bridges will discuss his new book, “Five Laterals & a Trombone,” that documents the wildest finish in a college football game, the Big Game between Cal and Stanford in November, 1982. He traces the ups and downs, mood swings, and hijinks surrounding the 85th Big Game between the University of California at Berkeley and Stanford University. Wednesday, Nov. 16, 4:30 p.m. Orinda Books, 276 Village Square, Orinda, (925) 254-7606, www.orindabooks.com

Other

The W.C. Elks Lodge No. 1811 is conducting its famous Annual Haunted House is on Friday, Oct. 28 and Saturday, Oct. 29 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. located at 1475 Creekside Drive, W.C.  Come to the Scary, Spooktacular and Spine-tingling haunted house with games and treats afterwards!  Adults $12 and Kids under 18, $8.  Proceeds go to Elks charities.  Contact Mike Rittenhouse coach_ritt@yahoo.com.

Mocktails & Cocktails, Sunday Oct. 30, 3 to 5 p.m. Join those who love art, literature, music and everything in between at The Coop, 32 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette. Time for some artsy conversation with Ani Breslin and Elana O’Loskey of the Lamorinda Arts Council. Look for our framed poster of a crazy art lady – that’s us! No host bar. Just show up. Email literary@lamorindaarts.org.

Free Parent Enrichment series offered in Orinda at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Episode 1 (“The Gift of Love”) of "The Kindness Diaries" will be shown from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9. Pizza, bottled water, and childcare will be provided. There will be Q&A after this short film with a Marriage and Family Therapist. The premise of this series is that Leon travels the world relying entirely on the kindness of strangers for food, shelter, and gas for his vintage motorcycle. Looking for the good in humanity, this film looks at the nature of generosity and gives glimpses into the hearts of some truly selfless people. Random acts of kindness are repaid in unexpected gifts.
Appreciating Diversity Film Series presents Diversity Film Series: Education/Sports for Girls on Thursday, Nov. 3, from 7 to 9 p.m., at Ellen Driscoll Playhouse, 325 Highland Avenue near the corner of Oakland Avenue, Piedmont. Come see two award-winning shorts films about Education/Sports for Girls. “Mink!” and “Almost Famous: Queen of Basketball” at ADFS in-person reopening. Cost: Free, no RSVP needed. For more info see https://diversityfilmseries.org or call (510) 655-5552 or email Maude@diversityfilmseries.org.

The Cycle Recycle: Don't toss that repairable bike on the garbage heap! For the month of November, Bobbie and Tom Preston are accepting repairable bikes that will be refurbished by volunteers and various biking organizations and distributed to kids, refugees, and those in need by White Pony Express, The Bike Charity Institute of Alamo, Keeping our Promise, and Waterside Workshops. New and/or used adult or children’s bikes—in working order or repairable--or useable bike parts may be delivered to the side driveway of the Preston’s home at 1307 Larch Avenue in Moraga through the month of November only. No skateboards or plastic bikes please; no need to call beforehand, but for more information contact Bobbie or Tom Preston at (925) 376-8474.

Please join us for a Veterans Day Vigil on Monday, Nov. 11, at 4:30 p.m. at the Lafayette Hillside Memorial. The memorial is across from BART in Lafayette. Thoughts will be focused on U.S. soldiers who have served on behalf of our country and the sacrifices they’ve made. It will include short speeches, music and reflection. www.lafayettehillsidememorial.org

Mindful Littles welcomes Bay Area families, community members, and businesses to celebrate its 4th Annual Peace & Kindness Carnival in Orinda. The carnival includes community service projects benefiting local nonprofits, carnival games, face painting, food trucks and more. Sunday, Nov. 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Orinda Community Park, 28 Orinda Way, Orinda.

Garden

The Walnut Creek Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, Nov. 14 at the Elks Lodge, 1475 Creekside Dr, in Walnut Creek. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by a brief business meeting, social time and an educational program. Guest Speaker and Contra Costa Master Gardener, John Fike, will give a fascinating talk on succulents. www.walnutcreekgardenclub.org. Master Gardener Website: www.ccmg.ucanr.edu

Moraga Garden Club. Free Lecture: "Garden Tools", Thursday, Oct, 27 at 10:30 a.m. and Saturday, Nov. 5 at 10:30 a.m., Moraga Library, sponsored by the Moraga Garden Club. What to use, when and how to use them, and getting them ready to put away for the year! Master Gardener Keith Silva will tell you all you need to know! Free raffle for 6 Corona tool sharpeners. Register at MoragaGardenClubevents@gmail.com (indicate which date and how many will attend)

Lafayette Garden Club monthly meeting begins at 10 a.m. on Nov. 10 at the Veteran’s Hall, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette. John James will be the guest speaker. He comes from an artistic family with a father who was a landscape architect. As a young boy, John would create wildflower arrangements for their home. He later became a talented floral designer and landed a rewarding job with Stanley Gatti in San Francisco and then opened his own design shop in 1997. The meeting is free to attend. If interested please contact LGCMembershipCommittee.com.