Art

Art Embraces Words - Live Program July 23 – 2 to 3:30 p.m. Artists paint with colors, writers paint with words. Together they enrich our community. Missing your creative tribe? The Lamorinda Arts Council invites you to return to its free live program at the Lafayette Library. Emerging writers read from their work surrounded by artwork from local artists Pam Stefl and Alvin Ziegler. In this way art literally “embraces” the spoken word. AEW program dates are July 23, and October 29 (Costume Program). We invite lovers of the spoken word and visual art, writers and visual artists to register online to participate. Programs run from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Reception follows outdoors in the Library Courtyard. Visit https://lamorindaarts.org/art-embraces-words/ for more information.

Exhibit at Valley Art Gallery: Arrivals and Departures paintings by Connie Ryan, through Aug. 5. Connie Ryan, born in Ireland, lives and works in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her paintings are rooted in remembered landscapes that she carries with her, and explore ideas about land, memory and belonging. Meet the Artist from 2 to 5 p.m. July 15 and Aug. 5. Free, open to the public, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday. Valley Art Gallery: 1661 Botelho Drive, Suite 110, Walnut Creek, www.valleyartgallery.org; (925) 935-4311

Art Gallery at the Orinda Library – Paintings by Holly Bazley, Alexandra Saunders, Kendra Stone & Photographs by Jeff presented by the Lamorinda Arts. The exhibition runs from July 29 to Aug. 31 in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library. Meet the artists at a reception on Saturday Aug. 5 from 3 to 5 p.m. View their artwork at the reception or online with one click at www.lamorindaarts.org/online-galleries/.

Virtual Art Gallery at Wilder – “Nature in Abstraction”. The Lamorinda Arts Council features abstract artist David Lew of El Sobrante at his virtual Art Gallery at Wilder exhibit in August. View his artwork at https://lamorindaarts.org/current-exhibits-wilder/.

LAA Summer Exhibit and Coffee Klatch at Papillon Cafe & Gallery! Lamorinda Arts Alliance is proud to present its “Summer” Show at the Papillon Cafe & Gallery in Lafayette. The exhibit runs through Sept. 12. Fifteen member artists will be showing a selection of paintings, collage, encaustic and prints. Papillon Quality Gourmet Coffee & Tea is located in La Fiesta Square, at 67 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette.

The Lafayette Public Art Committee is pleased to announce the opening of “Freedom of Abstraction” by artist David Lew, whose work has been shown at the Bedford Gallery. This collection of vibrant abstract paintings and collages reflects the artist’s focus on freedom in life and through artistic medium. The visual effect of the paint’s fluid movement in these works invites the viewer into the process. The exhibit is on view through Aug. 3 at the Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School St, and is open to the public for free during theatre hours. Lew will be giving the featured artist’s talk on Saturday, July 15, as part of the Lamorinda

Arts Council’s Art Embraces Poetry event from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Town Hall Theatre. Immediately following the program, the Public Art Committee will host a reception for the artist from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.

Music

California Symphony presents 4-part music education course for adults, “Fresh Look: The Symphony Exposed,” at the Don Tatzin Community Hall in Lafayette Library. Award-winning instructor Scott Foglesong takes you on a journey covering what a conductor does and how the orchestra came to take shape, through to Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, and beyond. $30 for all four classes, Wednesdays, 6:30 to 8 p.m., on July 12, 19, 26, and Aug. 2. Information and tickets at www.californiasymphony.org/FreshLook

ALO (Animal Liberation Orchestra) at The Bruns Amphitheater. A two-day music festival set amongst the stunning redwoods and eucalyptus in the East Bay hills. See story on Page B1

Theatre

Bharatanatyam Arangetram by Avya Poddatoori. Bharatanatyam Arangetram, graduating performance of a classical South Indian dance by Avya, a sophomore at Miramonte High School. Avya is a disciple of Shyamjith Kiran and Viraja of Kalakshetra. The event is at 3:30 p.m. on July 29 at Hofmann Theatre, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. The event is free to general public. Details: www.avya.org

We are proud to present the premiere of the play Yellow Wallpaper 2.0 2020, which was developed at Tao House by LA playwright Jennifer Maisel, one of our artist-in-residence fellows. Performances will be held at the Veterans Memorial Building in downtown Danville. Aug. 19, 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 20, 2 p.m. Tickets will go on sale in July. For more information about the festival, go to www.eugeneoneill.org

This year’s festival will be headlined by the production of Eugene O’Neill’s “Anna Christie” in the Old Barn at Tao House, Danville. Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m., Sept. 10, 2 p.m., Sept. 15, 7:30 p.m., Sept. 16, 7:30 p.m., Sept. 17, 2 p.m., Sept. 22, 7:30 p.m., Sept. 23, 7:30 p.m., Sept. 24, 2 p.m. Tickets available in early July. For more information about the festival, go to www.eugeneoneill.org

Literature

Beginning July 15th, the Lafayette Community Garden & Outdoor Learning Center will host “Story Time in the Garden," held on three consecutive Saturdays from 10-10:30 a.m., led by Jennifer Russell. Stories are intended for 3-6 year olds, but all ages, including adults, are welcome. 3932 Mt. Daiblo Blvd., Lafayette

Other

Knit a cap or scarf for a child or adult undergoing chemotherapy, a debilitating illness, or experiencing homelessness! As part of Community Service Day, new knitted items will be distributed to patients at John Muir Hospital, Kaiser Hospital, Hospice of the East Bay, Warm Winter Nights and Safe Parking. Items knitted over the summer will be gathered in late September to distribute to the agencies. Any size, style, color ... let your imagination guide you! (Items for pediatric oncology patients need to be from a pet-free home...please label them as such; other children’s items do not need to be.) Contact Bobbie Preston at barbarampreston@comcast.net to arrange drop-off of your gifts in September.

The legendary Veranda Kids Club is taking movie magic to a whole new level this summer. Join us on July 21 to celebrate the release of the highly anticipated, "The Barbie Movie." Families will enjoy character fun from 3-6 p.m. and first 100 kids will receive a themed swag bag (no movie ticket purchase required). See more info on our site: The Veranda ::: July Fun: Kids Club Celebrates BARBIE Movie release www.shoptheveranda.com

Mocktails & Cocktails – Sunday July 24, 3 to 5 p.m. Join others who love art, literature, music and everything in between at The Coop, 32 Lafayette Circle from 3-5 p.m. Time for some artsy banter with Ani Breslin and Elana O’Loskey of the Lamorinda Arts Council. No host bar. Just show up. Questions? Email literary@lamorindaarts.org.