Art

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 Orinda Books. November features the paintings of Lisa Gunn. Lisa has long had a prominent artistic presence in Orinda. Her style is a "California Impressionism" involving plein air, landscapes, and abstracts. She notes "I am hoping that people will connect with my painting and find some attachment that speaks to them whether it be through color, composition or some thread of energy transmitting from one human to another." Visit the Artist of the Month at www.orindabooks.com/events.

Art Gallery at the Orinda Library: Paintings, Photography, Woodburning, & Hats. Lamorinda Arts Council presents paintings by Nicole Reader, photography by Farzeen Taban, woodturning by David Fleisig and hats by Denise Goodman in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library during November. Show runs Nov. 1 through 30. Close dates at all Contra Costa Libraries are Nov. 11, Nov. 23 at 6 p.m. and all day Nov. 24. Visit www.lamorindaarts.org/current-exhibits/ to view November artwork online.

Art Gallery at Wilder: Juleen Lapporte "Celebrating 40 over 40." Lamorinda Arts Council presents portrait photography of featured artist Juleen Lapporte at her virtual Art Gallery at Wilder from Nov. 1 through Dec. 5. You can see more of Lapporte's photographs at www.lamorindaarts.org/online-galleries. Lapporte is an award-winning portrait photographer based in Lafayette who is showing 13 women over 40 and their stories.

Music

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.

Discovering Opera: Alma Deutscher's Cinderella presented by Bradford Wade, opera lover for 40 years. Based on the classic fairytale, this family-friendly work is reset at an opera company run by a scheming stepmother, in which the title character is a brilliant composer, laboring as a copyist. In this production, Cinderella is united with the prince not due to the fit of a glass slipper, but with the beginning of a melody only she knows how to continue. Wednesday, Nov. 9 1-2:30 p.m. Arts & Science Room, Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Free.

Pacific Chamber Orchestra (PCO) ushers in the holiday season with the sublime melodies, uplifting messages and sheer beauty of George Frideric Handel's beloved Messiah. This year's program Glorious will be performed in three locations on Friday Nov. 25, 7:30 p.m at St Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Pleasanton, Saturday, Nov. 26, 7:30 p.m at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Orinda and Sunday, Nov. 27, 3 p.m at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore. To purchase tickets for the performance at Livermore's Bankhead Theater, go to https://livermorearts.org/events/pco-glorious/, boxoffice@bankheadtheater.org, (925) 373-6800

Theatre

Town Hall Theatre Company presents: "Cinderella: A Fairytale" directed by Sequoia Schirmer, written by Sally Cookson and Adam Peck. Dec. 3-18. Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School Street, Lafayette. Tickets: $25-$40. Dec. 17 is Pay-What-You-Can.

Literature

The Sweet Thursday Author Series is featuring author, Barbara Quick, on Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. in the Don Tatzin Community Hall at the Lafayette Library to discuss her book "What Disappears." This free event sponsored by the Friends of the Lafayette Library requires registration at tinyurl.com/Sweet-Nov22 for either in-person or Zoom attendance. The DTCH doors will be open at 6:45 for coffee and sweets.

Other

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.

An AAUW Fund Fellowship/Grant recipient will speak at the AAUW-Orinda, Moraga, Lafayette Branch general meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda. AAUW provides fellowships and grants for post-graduate academic work and community projects. Visit our website https://oml-ca.aauw.net for more information.

Hospice East Bay is proud to be celebrating our 36th annual Tree of Lights. Our Tree of Lights ceremonies will begin Nov. 6 and run through Dec. 11. Lafayette, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 5:30 p.m.; Orinda, Saturday, Dec. 3, 4:30 p.m.; Moraga, Sunday, Dec. 11, 5:30 p.m.

Veteran's 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

Lafayette's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee presents: See Us: Hear Us, The Renters' Narrative of Life in Lafayette, facilitated by Sharon K. Sobotta. Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Don Tatzin Community Hall.

Garden

The Montelindo Garden Club meeting on Friday, Nov. 18 will feature speaker Michael Uhler of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park, on their recently-completed Alpine Crevice Garden, in their Sierra section. This garden is a haven for California endangered plants. Montelindo Garden Club membership is open to all, and interested people are welcome to visit montelindogarden.com/meetings.html for meeting and club details. Location is the Lafayette Library Community Hall at 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette. The hall opens at 9:30 am, club meeting 10 a.m., Speaker 10:45 a.m. Free.

Moraga Garden Club-Nov. 17. Speaker Katie Creighton, Garden Designer, will present "Solving Garden Design Problems and Ideas for Awkward Spaces." This is a perfect topic for Newbies to the area or those who are struggling with problem spaces or are considering redesigning their gardens. We are free and welcome new members. www.moragagardenclub.com. We begin with Social Time at 9:30 a.m. at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School Street.