ART

Valley Art Gallery exhibition until March 18, "California Remembered" features the well-known Bay Area artist Maralyn Miller, who works in oils and pastels, painting the golden rolling hills and dramatic coastlines of California. 1661 Botelho Drive, Suite 110, Walnut Creek. www.valleyartgallery.org; (925) 935-4311 or email us at valleyartgallery@gmail.com

Music

Gold Coast Chamber Players concert Cello Extravaganza on Saturday, March 11, at 7:30 p.m., Pre-concert talk at 7 p.m. Don Tatzin Community Hall at the Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. The concert will be recorded for online viewing beginning March 21. Single tickets $15-45; Online: www.gccpmusic.com, by phone: (925) 283-3728. Pamela Freund-Striplen, (925) 283-3728

Crowden Music Center presents Sundays @ Four: Quartet San Francisco on Sunday, March 12, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Crowden Music Center, 1475 Rose Street, Berkeley. Crowden is proud to present Grammy-nominated Quartet San Francisco performing works by 20th century American legends Eddie South and Raymond Scott. Cost: Free to $25. For more info see https://www.crowden.org/quartet-san-francisco/ or call (510) 559-6910 or email concerts@crowden.org.

Benicia Chamber Players present on March 3 at 7:30 p.m. Jean Francaix, String Trio in C Major; Paul Schoenfield, Café Music and Gabriel Fauré, Piano Quartet No. 1, Op. 15. Trinity Lutheran Church, 1225 Hopyard Rd, Pleasanton. Adults $20 and students $10. www.eventbrite.com/e/benicia-chamber-players-perform-francaix-schoenfield-and-faure-tickets-552302741367

Pacific Chamber Orchestra (PCO) presents Passionate, Saturday, March 25 at 7: 30 p.m. at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Orinda and Sunday, March 26 at 3 p.m. at Livermore’s Bankhead Theater. This thrilling program welcomes audiences to experience the passionate Nuevo tango of Piazzolla's The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, an exquisite blend of classical and jazz. Tickets for the performance at Livermore’s Bankhead Theater at https://livermorearts.org/events/pco-passionate/ and for the performance at St. Stephens Episcopal Church at www.pacificchamberporchestra.org. (925) 373-6800

Diablo Ballet celebrates its 29th Anniversary with a one-night only performance featuring a mixed bill including the premiere of Confetti by Gerald Arpino in honor of his Centennial Celebration, Paquita and the premiere of company dancer, Amanda Farris’ ballet, Elevator Operator. One night only on March 31 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive in Walnut Creek. Single tickets are on sale now ($25 - $52) with senior and youth pricing available. Early bird pricing through March 8. For performance tickets, call (925) 943-SHOW (7469) or visit www.lesherartscenter.org or https://diabloballet.org/anniversary-gala/

Music ... continued

Leather jackets, poodle skirts, and Greased Lightnin’! Watch out, Orinda, Rydell High is coming to Miramonte! One of Miramonte High School’s most anticipated annual events returns in March when more than 80 cast, crew, and band members will be cruising the halls of Rydell High, dreaming of “Summer Nights” and “Beauty School Dropout’” as they perform the rollicking musical Grease. Since 1999, Miramonte has had a tradition of producing high-quality musicals that are student-centered. Friday, March 17 at 7 p.m., Saturday, March 18 at 7 p.m., Saturday, March 25 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, March 26 at 4 p.m. Purchase tickets here: www.showtix4u.com/event-details/70947

Theatre

Shotgun Players presents The Triumph of Love on March 25 at 8 p.m.; March 26 at 5 p.m.; March 30-April 1 at 8 p.m.; April 2 at 5 p.m.; April 6 at 7 p.m.; April 7-8 at 8 p.m.; April 9 at 5 p.m.; April 13 at 7 p.m.; April 14-15 at 8 p.m.; April 16 at 5 p.m.; April 20 at 7 p.m.; April 21-22 at 8 p.m.; April 23 at 5 p.m., at Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave, Berkeley. 'The Triumph of Love' follows the sly seductress Leonide as she adopts the dress and prerogatives of a man and wins the object of her desire. Cost: $8-48. For more info see http://shotgunplayers.org/

online/article/triumph-of-love or call (510) 841-6500 x303 or email boxoffice@shotgunplayers.org.

Town Hall Theatre’s Young Playwrights Festival. The Young Playwrights Festival (YPF) is a part of Town Hall Education's Young Playwrights Program, which connects Bay Area theatre professionals with local high school students to create, write, and develop new theatre pieces. From the many talented writers, four finalists have been chosen whose plays will be performed by professional actors at the Young Playwrights Festival March 12 at 7 p.m., at Town Hall Theatre. Tickets are open to the public and Pay-What-You-Can ($20 suggested ticket price). Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School Street, Lafayette.

Town Hall Theatre Company presents: “The Shape of Things” written by Neil LaBute, directed by Salim Razawi. March 4-25, tickets: $25-40, March 24 is the Pay-What-You-Can performance. Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School Street, Lafayette

Literature

Orinda Books Thursday, March 2 at 11 a.m. Pat's Book Club will read and discuss “The Paris Bookseller” by Kerri Maher. This gripping novel is the dramatic story of how a humble bookseller fought against incredible odds to bring one of the most important books of the 20th century to the world. All are welcome. Note: This title had been scheduled for February but was postponed due to the book’s temporary unavailability. 276 Village Square, Orinda, (925) 254-7606, www.orindabooks.com, info@orindabooks.com

Ethical Will Workshop: Join Professional Personal Historian and Soul Forum Podcast Co-Host April Bell on Saturday, March 18 from 8:45 a.m. to noon as she leads a storytelling workshop based on the Ethical Will, offered at Creekside Commons, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. Explore, and maybe even share, the stories which have shaped your most cherished values. Refine the legacy you hope to leave. Space is limited, so reserve your spot now. For FAQ and Information, visit www.creeksidecommons.org events tab.

Other

Live At the Orinda - David Burnham. March 5 at 5 p.m. Orinda Theatre, 2, Orinda Theatre Square. Broadway's David Burnham makes his Orinda Theatre debut with his solo show, "Mostly Broadway." Burnham was last seen on Broadway in the mega-hit musical, "Wicked," playing Fiyero, a role that he originated in the developmental workshops of the show. Tix: www.OrindaMovies.com

Campolindo High School DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging) committee is hosting a showing of the Not In Our Town documentary, “Repairing the World: Stories from the Tree of Life.” It is a film that follows the aftermath of the mass shooting at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue. March 9 from 7 to 9 p.m., Del Valle Theater, 1963 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. Free. Moderated by Rabbi Jill Perlman of Temple Isaiah, there will be a Q&A session with director, Patrice O'Neill, after the film. Please register for the event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/movie-screening-repairing-the-world-stories-from-the-tree-of-life-tickets-529887476707

Spring Equinox Celebration and Dance Party: Saturday, March 25, 4:30 to 8 p.m. Creekside Commons of Lafayette hosts a special evening for the whole family. It's a moment to shake off winter and dive into all the energy of spring. Live music, hula hoop performer, projects for kids, a collective art project, Taco Food Truck, adult drinks, and even a moment of reflection from Soul Forum Podcast host, Dan Senter. It’s a party with purpose! 1035 Carol Lane, Main Hall. For more information visit www.creeksidecommons.org events tab.

Acalanes High School Color Run Sunday, March 26 at 9 a.m. The 4th annual Color Run will take place at Acalanes High School. This fundraiser supports the Classes of 2024 and Class of 2025 and is a 1- or 2-mile loop through the Acalanes campus. It is open to the entire local community – elementary, middle and high school students. Each participant receives a white T-shirt to wear through the five color stations where participants will emerge in a rainbow of colors by the end of the run. Get your tickets here: https://gofan.co/app/events/848768?schoolId=CA22846

Egg Hunt and Spring Festival: Family fun for all ages! Activities include egg hunt, Easter bunny photo op, games and prizes, arts and crafts, face painting, and more! March 25, 9 a.m. to noon; Moraga Commons. Hosted by Moraga Juniors Women's Club. Visit moragajuniors.org for ticket information.

Presentation: Ensuring Their Future: Greater Freedom to Teach and Learn in Public Education. This a broad look at how education echoes societal outlook, from Indigenous connection to our great challenges, and how education can help recover well-being. Sunday, March 19, noon to 2 p.m.; Creekside Commons, Room Oak View 3, 1035 Carol Ln., Lafayette; no charge; speaker and optional RSVP: peggymagilen@yahoo.com.

Orinda Network for Education (ONE) third anniversary celebration. March 14, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Wilder Art and Garden Center. ONE was formed in March of 2020 by a small and determined working Board of Directors, in collaboration with all six of Orinda’s school Parents’ Clubs. success. Tickets can be purchased at www.oneorinda.org/cheers

Garden

Lafayette Garden Club monthly meeting begins on March 9 at 9:30 a.m. for social time and munchies before the business meeting starts at 10 at the Veteran’s Hall, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette. Guest speaker Elizabeth Ruiz, a garden designer and aesthetic pruner, will give a talk on the art of pruning. Also at the meeting will be a special person who has volunteered to sharpen garden tools, so bring one of your clippers or other tool that needs sharpening and put your name on it. The meeting is free to attend. We welcome visitors and new members so please contact us at LGCMembershipCommittee@gmail.com.

The Walnut Creek Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, March 13 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 Rose Loveall is the mastermind and owner of Morningsun Herb Farm in Vacaville, a beautiful nature hotbed filled with medicinal and culinary possibilities. Rose shares her passion about all things growing and green as she leads you down the path with a sensory awareness. We welcome the public to visit our meetings and to become a part of the Walnut Creek Garden Club. For more information, please visit: www.walnutcreekgardenclub.org.