Art

Annual 57th Artful Giving exhibition at Valley Art Gallery, which continues to Dec. 31, includes a wide variety of beautifully crafted ceramics, wood and glass pieces, original designer jewelry, fiber arts, small paintings, and many other unique, one-of-a-kind gift items all handcrafted by our talented East Bay artisans. Valley Art Gallery: 1661 Botelho Drive, Suite 110, Walnut Creek, www.valleyartgallery.org; (925) 935-4311.

Music

Diablo Ballet’s 29th season continues with a mixed bill titled Swan Lake Suite, featuring selections from the classic ballet staged by Sean Kelly performed to Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s majestic score. Swan Lake Suite performs Feb. 10 – 11 at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601, Civic Drive in Walnut Creek. Get your tickets now and take advantage of early bird pricing through Jan. 18. For tickets, call (925) 943-SHOW (7469) or visit www.lesherartscenter.org or www.diabloballet.org.

Gold Coast Chamber Players concert: Connections in Time with the Horszowski Trio. Saturday, Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m. Don Tatzin Community Hall, Lafayette Library 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Tickets www.gccpmusic.com

Theatre

Synergy Theater returns to the Lesher Center for the Arts, at 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, with the world-debut of Spontaneous Myth and Magic: An Improvised Ancient Mythology! This completely improvised two-act comedy will keep the audience in laughter from the dawn of time until the end of days! It plays Thursday, Jan. 12, through Sunday, Jan. 22, at 8:15 p.m., Thursdays – Saturdays, and 3:15 p.m. on Sundays.

Literature

January 2023 events at Orinda Books: Thursday, Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. Stuart Florsheim will read and discuss his new book of poetry, “Amusing the Angels,” a collection focusing on grief and loss that was recently awarded the Blue Light Book Award. Saturday, Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. Andrea Mein DeWitt, will discuss her new book, “Name Claim & Reframe: Your Path to a Well-Lived Life.” DeWitt is a life coach and lives in Orinda. Her new book encourages readers to step into their power, their potential, and their truth. 276 Village Square, Orinda, (925) 254-7606, www.orindabooks.com, info@orindabooks.com

Sweet Thursday Author Series presents Camper English, author of “Doctors and Distillers” on Thursday, Jan. 12, at 7 p.m. at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center in the Don Tatzin Community Hall. We will learn how the Gimlet, Gin & Tonic, and Old-Fashioned were born as remedies for diseases and discomforts. The talk will be presented in-person with a Zoom Livestream option. The talk is free, but registration is required at Tinyurl.com/sweet-Jan23.