Art

Exhibit at art gallery at Orinda Library runs through Aug. 28. Cheryl Kampe, abstract wax and acrylic paintings Shiva Jafarzadeh, illustrations, Karl Stinson, photographs of animals from all around the world, Kelly Gentry, paper art, folded books.

"Wonders of Man and Nature" starts on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at the Moraga Art Gallery, located in Moraga's Rheem Shopping Center at 432 Center Street. On view until Oct. 22, the show also includes work by more than two dozen gallery members and guest artists. A free reception will be held on Saturday, Aug. 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. The public is invited to view the art, chat with the artists, enjoy wine, light snacks, tasteful music and the company of fellow art lovers. For more information, visit www.moragaartgallery.com or call (925) 376-5407.

Art show at Orinda Books. August features the bold, realistic wildlife oil paintings of Joel Kratter, which are partly drawn from his trips to Africa and Australia.  Visit the Artist of the Month for a preview at www.orindabooks.com. Orinda Books is located at 276 Village Square, Orinda, (925) 254-7606.

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/.

Music

Lamorinda Idol Concert, Wednesday, Aug. 2, 6-8 p.m. Moraga Commons Park. Congratulations to the 2023 Lamorinda Idol Finalists & Runners-Up! Visit lamorindaarts.org/idol-2023-finalists/ to see videos for each category. Don't miss your chance to watch them shine at our last summer concert in Moraga Commons on Aug. 2 and then onstage at the Finals in the historic Orinda Theatre on Aug. 20!

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. Featuring “jam-pop” band ALO, legendary drummer Jay Lane & The Mayhem (*Sunday only) plus more acts to be announced soon. Saturday, Aug. 5: Doors at 5 p.m.; Show at 7 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 6: Doors at 1 p.m.; Show at 3 p.m. Bruns Amphitheater (Home of Cal Shakes), 100 California Shakespeare Theater Way, Orinda. Tickets range from $45 (General Admission) to $75 (Limited Reserved Terrace) and are available now on www.etix.com.

Solo Opera is pleased to present the West Coast Premiere of the full version of, The Three Feathers, a family-friendly chamber opera with music by award winning composer, Lori Laitman, and libretto by former California poet laureate, Dana Gioia. Sept. 8, 8 p.m. and Sept. 10, 2 p.m. Free lecture one hour before each show. Lesher Center for the Arts. 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Running time: 85 minutes in length / No intermission. Tickets: $25-Youth 17 and under / $45-Senior / $55-Adult (925) 943-7469, or visit www.LesherArtsCenter.org

Stone Student Scholarship Concert on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 7 p.m. Grace Presbyterian Church, 2100 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. Contact Dwight Stone (510) 512-2623 stonemusique@gmail.com. Admission: $20 Adults; Seniors $15; Students and children free. www.stonemusique.com/SSS.html

Families and people of all ages can enjoy a summer Mosaic of Music concert on Aug. 12, from 3-7 p.m., at the Bruns Amphitheater in Orinda, featuring songs that embrace the challenges and joys of building peace. Arrive early to enjoy food and beverages from the café and participate in family activities like face painting, giant bubbles, nature art, and games. Tickets & more info at: www.eventbrite.com/e/mosaic-of-music-tickets-629521093537

Literature

Art Embraces Words: Aug. 12, 2 – 3:30 p.m. The Lamorinda Arts Council presents a free Art Embraces Words program held at the Lafayette Library Arts & Science Room, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Featured writers include Brad Hoge, Dita Basu and Bob Poirier. Visit https://lamorindaarts.org/art-embraces-words/ for details.

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 childrens' items do not need to be) Contact Bobbie Preston at barbarampreston@comcast.net to arrange drop-off of your gifts in September.

350 Contra Costa is delighted to host a free screening of “The Scale of Hope” on Thursday, Aug. 10, at 7 p.m., at the historic Orinda Theatre, 4 Orinda Theatre Square, Orinda. The Scale of Hope follows Molly as she prepares for an expedition in the Alaska Range while working to create a new climate narrative that centers her favorite question—”What can I do to help?”—with a surprising answer. It’s a story about struggle, hope and what it will take to solve the greatest issue of our time. This is a free event—please register at: www.eventbrite.com/e/patagonia-documentary-the-scale-of-hope-qa-with-molly-kawahata-tickets-679918443367

Native American Indian Sites in the East Bay Hills presented by the Moraga Historical Society, featuring James Benney. As a spokesperson for the East Bay Hill People, Benney enjoys discovering and preserving historic sites once inhabited by the indigenous people of the Bay Area. Join us as he brings to life the locations of these ancient habitats. Sunday, Aug. 20, 1-3 p.m. in the Casita at Hacienda de las Flores, 2100 Donald Dr, Moraga. RSVP to Susan Sperry: ranchsusan@aol.com by Aug. 15. Reservations only – limited seating.

Lamorinda Historical Society Members free, Guests $5. Refreshments will be served.

Kapnek Trust USA Family 5K/1K Fun Run and Kids Carnival will be held on Sunday, Aug. 27. Starting at 9 a.m. on the Moraga Commons Path, this family event supports preschool education and nutritious food to children and Zimbabwe. Participants enjoy a T-shirt, food, music, carnival games, and fun for all ages! To register go to https://kapnektrustusafunrun23.eventbrite.com

Mocktails & Cocktails, Sun. Aug. 27 – 3-5 p.m. at The Coop, 32 Lafayette Way, Lafayette. Join those who love art, literature, music and everything in between at The Coop, 32 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette. Whether you are deep into your creative journey or blocked; we want to hear about it. Look for our framed Piccassoesque poster of a crazy art lady – that’s us! No host bar. Just show up. Questions? Email literary@lamorindaarts.org.

Garden

The Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center is celebrating its 12th year with a Community Open House on Sunday, Aug. 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free and will feature inspirational speakers. Jim ‘Doc’ Hale will share fascinating information about wildlife in the East Bay and a beekeeper from Mt. Diablo Beekeepers will talk about the amazing nature of bees and art of beekeeping.

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