Art

Art Gallery at Wilder: Hilary Mills Lambert’s “Carnival of Animals”. Lamorinda Arts Council presents a virtual gallery of original oil paintings by featured artist Hilary Mills Lambert in the Art Gallery at Wilder, Saturday, March 4 through Saturday, April 1. Lambert's life-long love of animals is evident in all her work; it pulls you in. To view her work go to https://lamorindaarts.org/online-galleries.

Art Gallery at the Orinda Library 20th High School Visual Arts Competition. The Lamorinda Arts Council is thrilled to kick off the 20th High School Visual Arts Competition through March 31 in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library. The competition showcases and acknowledges art in four categories: 2D, 3D, Photography, and the Lamorinda Arts Alliance Digital Art category. Student artist reception and awards ceremony March. 16 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. All work is by high school students who live in or attend school in Orinda, Lafayette, or Moraga, including all schools in the Acalanes Union High School District. Learn more at https://lamorindaarts.org/vac/.

Art Embraces Words: Saturday March 18, 2 – 3:30 p.m.; Featured Poet & Scientist David Seaborg. The Lamorinda Arts Council features poet and scientist David Seaborg with writers Alvin Ziegler and Quynh Trin; artists Kim and Jeanette Lavoie plus Jennifer Lothrigel at its first program in 2023. Lafayette Library Arts & Science Room, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Reception follows outdoors in the Library Courtyard. Visit https://lamorindaarts.org/art-embraces-words/ for more information or call (925) 359-9940.

Music

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. Tickets 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 ($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/

Final Gold Coast Chamber Players concert, “Souvenir.” Saturday, April 15, Concert- 7:30 p.m. Pre-concert talk- 7 p.m. Reception follows performance DTCH at Lafayette Library. Purchase Tickets: https://www.gccpmusic.com/

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

“Chromatica,” a popular local chorus that sold out its fall 2022 concerts, will perform the Dvorak D Major Mass with organ accompaniment along with a second half of eclectic vocal music on April 15 at 7 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Danville and on April 16 at 4 p.m., at Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church in Orinda. The Danville concert includes a wine reception after the performance. Tickets and other information at www.chromaticachorale.org

The Diablo Symphony and Festival Opera present Tales from the Briar Patch on April 2 at 2 p.m. at the Lesher Center for the Arts. Based on African stories of Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox, this short opera by African American composer Nkeiru Okoye portrays the antics of these archenemies with wit and wisdom. Also featured is “Rhapsody in Blue” with DSO’s Young Artist Competition winner Minna Fu. Visit www.diablosymphony.org for information and a ticketing link.

“Mahler’s Inner Circle,” conducted by California Symphony’s Music Director Donato Cabrera, will be presented Saturday, March 25, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 26, 4 p.m. at the Hofmann Theatre at Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. A 30-minute pre-concert talk and Q&A led by Cabrera will begin one hour before each performance. Information and tickets ($49-$79) are available at CaliforniaSymphony.org.

Pipe Organ Concert with Poland's Marek Kudlicki at St. Paul’s in Walnut Creek. Saturday, March 25, 7 p.m. 1924 Trinity Avenue, Walnut Creek. Online broadcast: visit stpaulswc.org/concert-series to receive concert link. Donations graciously accepted at the door (avg. $20/$10 Students) and in our online registration. All are welcome regardless of donation!

Literature

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

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.

The Contra Costa Chinese School, one of the leading and oldest-running Chinese language schools for both kids and adults in the San Francisco East Bay, is holding their annual Open House on Saturdays, March 18 and March 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m at Diablo Valley College, Liberal Arts Building at 321 Golf Club Road in Pleasant Hill. Families can come and learn about the school's Chinese learning environment and its classroom spaces, as well as meet its teachers. They can also attend demonstrations of Chinese calligraphy and brush painting by its instructors. The school offers kindergarten to 10th grade Mandarin instruction during the school year, as well as a summer program for children, ages 5 to 9. For more information, visit www.cococs.org.

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.

Norm's Place presents Norm's Saint Patrick's Day Celebration on Friday, March 17, from 11 a.m. to noon, at Norm's Place, 356 Hartz Avenue, Danville. Celebrate with multiple bar locations, outdoor games, special entertainment, live music, Irish food & drink specials & more! Cost: Free For more info see http://www.normsgrille.com or call (925) 552-6676 or email Hayley@normsgrille.com.

Join our rally on March 21 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on the corner of Mt. Diablo and Main St. in Walnut Creek. We'll be challenging the Big Banks to stop bankrolling the oil companies. Sign up here to join us or find other events like ours. https://thirdact.org/national-day-of-action/ We'll have music, songs, dancing, speakers and signs. Our rally is part of ThirdAct's National Day of Action. For further information email moneyoutnow@yahoo.com

Sustainable Lafayette, in partnership with Saint Mary's College, presents a free screening of “The Game Changers: Elite athletes, special ops soldiers, scientists, cultural icons and everyday heroes shift the way people eat and live.” "The Game Changers" makes the case that a vegan diet is not only the most advantageous diet for long-term health, but also for an athletic edge. Among the executive producers are James Cameron ("Titanic" and "Avatar"), Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chris Paul, Novak Djokovic, and Jackie Chan. Lafayette Room of the Soda Center at Saint Mary's College on Tuesday, March 21 at 6:30 p.m.

Shawl-Anderson Dance Center Queering Dance Festival presents FROLIC 2023 on April 1-2, 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. both days, at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley. Five new works by commissioned LGBTQ+ dance artists! Saturday-Sunday, April 1-2, 5:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Cost: $15-40, NOTAFLOF. For more info see www.eventbrite.com/

cc/queering-dance-festival-frolic-2023-1727969 or call (510) 654-5921 or email jessi@shawl-anderson.org.

Mocktails & Cocktails, Sunday, March 26, 3 – 5 p.m. – The Coop, 32 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette. Join friends of the Lamorinda Arts Council for conversations about the creative life. Bring whatever artwork, music, digital art, writing, etc., you are working on as a “prompt.” We want to know what is stirring up (or blocking) your creative juices. Look for our Piccassoesque poster of a crazy art lady – that’s us! No host bar. Just show up. Questions? Email literary@lamorindaarts.org.

April 1 at 10 a.m. to noon — RecycleSmart and Moraga Garden Club are sponsoring a worm-composting workshop at the Moraga Library. “Vermicomposting” is easy, perfect for small spaces and what kid doesn’t like a worm? The $25 registration fee includes plastic bins and composting worms. Registration required and limited to 20 families: www.recyclesmart.org/workshops

Garden

Orinda Garden Club Plant Sale Saturday, April 15, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Orinda Library Plaza. We will have Perennials, Pollinators, Succulents, Drought Resistant, Vegetable Plants (including over 20 varieties of tomatoes) and more. The club also plans to provide informational tables on various horticultural topics. And lastly, there will be a Garden Marketplace with fun, garden-related products. Sale will be located throughout the outdoor plaza at the Orinda Library, located at 26 Orinda Way, Orinda. Open to the public. For more information, see www.orindagc.org/plantsale-public.html or email communcations@orindagc.org.

Moraga Garden Club — March 16, 9:30 a.m. “Loving our Trees: Best Practices for Tree Care” is the topic of our speaker, arborist Dorothy Abeyta, California Urban Forests Council. What are beautiful flowerbeds and hard scapes in a garden without well-tended trees? Learn about what to expect from a professional arborist and the difference between good and bad pruning. Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School Street. We are free and open to the public. Visit us: www.moragagardenclub.com