Art

Wednesday, June 7 new exhibit, "Moments in Time," at the Moraga Art Gallery, 432 Center Street in the Rheem Shopping Center. Featuring the work of two popular local artists: Judy Miller, a sculptor who captures figures at particular moments in their lives, both ordinary and unique, and acrylic painter Debby Koonce, whose forte is colorful and appealing images of outdoor places both near (Mt. Diablo) and far (other lands). A free reception will be held on Saturday, June 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. The gallery, is open Wednesday to Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.moragaartgallery.com or call (925) 376-5407.

Valley Art Gallery announces new exhibition: “Paint what you love!” New works by featured artist Samantha McNally. Also, East Bay Open Studios McNally exhibition May 13 through June 24. East Bay open Studios May 13/14 and May 20/21. Free, open to the public, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday. 1661 Botelho Drive, Suite 110, Walnut Creek, www.valleyartgallery.org; (925) 935-4311

Music

The Rotary Club of Orinda and the City of Orinda, with Festival Opera, proudly present their 13th Annual Opera in the Park on Thursday, June 22 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Orinda Community Park. Bring the entire family, a blanket, a chair or two and enjoy a picnic from home or delicious food truck offerings. This is an evening of best-loved opera pieces and musical theater favorites performed by first-rate professional musicians. Free admission - BART and handicapped-accessible - Free parking.
Rock the Plaza Concert Series: Friday evenings June 2, 9, 16 and 23. Free live music in

Lafayette Plaza Park, 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 2: Sausalito; Friday, June 9: The 925 Band; Friday, June 16: Hot Dog Chicken; and Friday, June 23: Lamorinda Arts Council’s Lamorinda Idol Contestants. Plan your picnic in the park by ordering takeout from Lafayette’s restaurant row. Lawn chairs, blankets, and air guitars are welcome! Stop by vendor row for kids’ activities, to meet local nonprofits, and see and buy local art! Learn more at https://lafayettechamber.org/rock.

Theatre

2727 California Street Gallery presents Rupurrr's Cat Drag Queen Art Show! on Saturday, June 10, from 5 to 10 p.m., at 2727 California Street Gallery, 2727 California Street, Berkeley. This is an art show about paintings of cats in drag, painted by Colin Hurley, curated by Christine Thompson, and manifested by a cat named Rupurrr! Cost: $5 Suggested donation. For more info see www.rupurrr.com or call (510) 295-9079 or email thepainterofcats@gmail.com.

Hurricane Diane at Aurora Theatre Company on June 16 - July 17: Tues-Wed 7 p.m.; Thurs-Sat 8 p.m.; Sun 2 p.m., at Aurora Theatre Company, 2081 Addison Street, Berkeley. Carol wants her house to have a garden that will be the envy of her neighbors. The Greek God Dionysus returns in the guise of a butch gardener, Diane. Cost: $20-70. For more info see https://auroratheatre.org/hurricanediane or call (510) 843-4042 or email info@auroratheatre.org.

Literature

The Magic, Mystery and Mastery of Vermeer – Tuesday, May 30, 2 to 3 p.m. at the Orinda Library Auditorium, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda. Join art lecturer Avril Angevine as she helps us celebrate the once-in-a-lifetime Vermeer exhibit at Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum. View 28 of Vermeer’s 37 known works — more than ever before seen together. Free; no reservation necessary, just show up. Call 925-254-2184 for information.

"The Sweet Thursday Author Series is on June 15 at 7 p.m. in the Don Tatzin Community Hall at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. Author John Shea will discuss his book “24: Life Stories and Lessons from the Say Hey Kid.” This is free event is sponsored by the Friends of the Lafayette Library. Registration is required at tinyurl.com/sweet-june23.

Other

Lafayette's 2nd Annual Community Day--Saturday, June 3. Lafayette's three Cs--Community Foundation, City and Chamber of Commerce will once again partner for the second annual Lafayette Community Day. This special day of volunteerism and celebration will include an opportunity for attendees to sign up for day-of volunteer opportunities in the categories of youth development and education, seniors, arts and culture, diversity and kindness and town beautification. www.lafayettecommunityday.org

Please join us for a Memorial Day Vigil on Monday, May 29, at 5:30 p.m. The vigil will take place at the Lafayette Hillside Memorial, across from BART in Lafayette. It will include short speeches, poetry, music and reflection. The land may be sold soon, so this may be our last vigil. Also, please join a community work party to tidy the site on Saturday, May 27 from 10 a.m. to noon. www.lafayettehillside
memorial.org

Mocktails & Cocktails: Sunday, May 28, 3 to 5 p.m. at The Coop. Join friends of the Lamorinda Arts Council for artsy talk about the creative life. Please bring whatever art, digital art, music, writing, etc. you are working on as a prompt to start the conversation. We want to know what is stirring up (or blocking) your creative juices. Look for our knockoff Picassoesque poster of Dora Maar (Picasso’s muse and model) — that’s us! No Host Bar – just show up. Questions? Email literary@lamorindaarts.org or call (925) 359-9940.

Lafayette Hillside Memorial annual Memorial Day vigil will be held Monday, May 29 at 5:30 p.m. and is open to all. There will be music, poetry and remarks by selected area representatives. Please park in the Lafayette BART parking lot across the street and use the crosswalk. For more information, visit www.lafayettehillside
memorial.org

Be the Star You Are! charity SHOE DRIVE: Clean out your closets of shoes you no longer want or need to support families in poverty in developing countries. Shoes may be dropped off at Moraga schools through June 1 and through June 30 at https://5aspace.com/, 455 Moraga Rd. #F, Moraga or www.TeamHoogs.com, 629 Moraga Road (next to 7/11), Moraga. For more information, visit www.bethestaryouare.org/
shoedrive

The 32nd edition of Bay Area KidFest, one of the Bay Area's longest-running family events, is on the May 27-29 Memorial Day Weekend featuring three days of jam-packed entertainment and attractions, activities, food, KidFest Marketplace, rides and fun in Downtown Concord. KidFest is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Memorial Day Monday at Mt. Diablo High School, 2450 Grant St. in downtown Concord just off Highway 242. Admission is just $8 with a donation of canned food to the Monument Crisis Center or $9 without a can donation.

Garden

The Walnut Creek Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, June 12 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 educational program. The program “Trees, Parks and Volunteers” will be presented by Roger Ravenstad. Roger will share lessons he’s learned in his 25 years designing and managing the growth of a premier public park system in Fremont. 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