Art

The Orinda Library Gallery presents “Glover Group and Friends,” Oct. 1 through Nov. 3. Seventeen local plein air artists will display paintings done on location in the Bay Area and beyond. Gallery Hours: Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Sundays.

Art show at Orinda Books. October features the paintings of Kath Balamuth, Jules Campbell, and Pam Jameson. Kath Balamuth, an Orinda resident, likes to create a story with a series of paintings, and her exhibit is all about books. Jules Campbell, a Lafayette resident, collages layer upon layer of paper and string creating map-like compositions, much like neighborhoods accumulate patina. Pam Jameson, a resident of Pleasant Hill, paints landscapes and urban views – finding quiet beauty in the everyday locations around her. Visit the Artist of the Month for a preview at https://www.orindabooks.com. Orinda Books is located at 276 Village Square, Orinda, (925) 254-7606.

The Moraga Art Gallery, located at 432 Center Street in the Rheem Shopping Center, announces the opening of its 2023 "holiday" exhibit "Now and Then," a striking array of artwork by more than two dozen member and guest artists, and featuring paintings by two of the gallery's favorites: Susan Erickson and Margaret Lucas-Hill. The exhibit runs from Wednesday, Oct. 25 until Dec. 31. Free gala reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18. By Dec. 1, the gallery will be bursting with an array of original gifts of art and will be open daily from noon to 5 p.m. Take note that on Thursday, Dec. 14 from 6-8 p.m., the gallery has invited the public to "Shopping Night and Craft Beer," a festive mid-week beer-tasting event with appropriate foodstuffs and holiday entertainment. www.moragaartgallery.com or call (925)376-5407.

Art that rocks and rolls at Valley Art Gallery. Among the hills. Over bridges. Along beaches and beside bays. Up mountains and down towns. Until Nov. 11. Valley Art Gallery, 1661 Botelho Drive, Suite 110, Walnut Creek. (925) 935-4311, Tuesday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Music

Berkeley Chamber Performances presents Alexander String Quartet at Lafayette on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., at Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette. Berkeley Chamber Performances proudly presents the Alexander String Quartet in Lafayette with quartets by Haydn, Ravel, and Schoenberg. Cost: $0 to $45. For more info see https://www.berkeleychamberperform.org or call (415) 531-1480 or email rcarlin16@gmail.com.

Dia de los Muertos Concert and Celebration. On Sunday, Oct. 29, you are invited to embrace the wisdom and spirit of Dia de los Muertos as we honor the tradition of connecting to the ancestors that have gone before us. A night filled with the music of Bay Area favorites, Cascada de Flores, taco truck, candlelight, sangria, pan de muerto, and projects for kids. A wonderful way to add some depth to the Halloween season. Creekside Commons Main Hall 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets available online or at the door. www.creeksidecommons.orgupcomingevents

New Century Chamber Orchestra presents Visitations on Thursday, Nov. 2, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley. Journey into the beyond with New Century as they offer music for communing with spirits in a candlelit evening of orchestral and choral works. Cost: $30 to $70. For more info see http://ncco.org or call (415) 357-1111 or email info@ncco.org.

Theatre

Improv comedy company Synergy Theater is invading the Lesher Center for the Arts, at 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, with its madcap improvised horror spoof, “Z is for…Zombie: An Improvised Zombie Apocalypse!” Oct. 19 – 29, Thursdays – Saturdays at 8:15 p.m. and Sundays at 3:15 p.m. The Lesher Center for the Arts, George & Sonja Vukasin Theatre 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, tickets: $25 buy online at www.lesherartscenter.org or by phone at (925) 943-7469.

Town Hall Theatre Company present “A Christmas Story” Adapted by Philip Grecian, story by Jean Shepherd. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 (Previews), Dec. 2-17th. Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School Street, Lafayette. Tickets: $20-45, Pay-What-You-Can tickets will be available at all performances at the door. www.townhalltheatre.com/christmas-story

Sister Theater: Campbell Theater and PlotLine Theatre Company presents "I hate Hamlet." The delightful play, by Paul Rudnick, brings John Barrymore back to life to help an L.A. soap opera star play Hamlet in the park in New York. Swordfights, romance, a seance and Shakespeare are all a part of making this a memorable night in the theatre. Running through Oct. 15, Tickets are available on www.campbelltheater.com. For more information, call (925) 350-9770.

Literature

The giant fall book sale sponsored by the Friends of the Moraga Library will be held on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Moraga Library. Books, CDs and DVDs in every category will be sold at prices ranging from 25 cents to $3. Beginning at 1 p.m., a bag can be purchased for $5 and filled with all the books it can hold. 100% of the proceeds of this sale support the Moraga Library’s children’s and adult’s programs, books, other materials and library upgrades.

Sandeep Jauhar author of “My Father’s Brain” will be the featured author on Oct. 19 at 5 p.m. on a Zoom webinar as part of the Sweet Thursday Author Series. Listen to the discussion of his relationship with his father as he succumbs to dementia. This program is free, but registration is required at tinyurl.com/sweet19oct23. The Sweet Thursday author talks are presented by The Friends of the Lafayette Library.

Other

Lafayette Res Run for Education. Sunday, Oct. 22. 5K: 8a.m., 10K: 8:15 a.m., 2 mile fun run/walk: 8:45 a.m. Start/Finish Line is on Mt. Diablo Blvd. between Moraga Road and Oak Hill Road. Reservoir Challenge (Virtual Race): October 12-21. Only the 10K goes around the Reservoir. Please note, the Reservoir is closed for all but 10K runners on Race Day, Oct. 22. Healthy Lifestyles Health Fair is held at the same time as the races, Sunday, Oct, 22, 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Lafayette Circle (east side.) Includes vendors, kids' activities and more! Learn more and get the link to register at https://lafayettechamber.org/resrun.

AAUW’s October Shred Day at 5A is back on Saturday, Oct. 14, 9 a.m. to noon at 5A Rent-A-Space, 455 Moraga Road, Moraga. Rain or Shine. Drive Up to Shred. Local AAUW volunteers unload, dump your papers for the shred truck, and return empty boxes to your car. Pulverized shredding is done at the truck. $10/file box.

American Association of University Women (AAUW) Orinda Moraga Lafayette Branch will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 9:30 a.m. at the Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda. All are invited to a discussion on “Book Banning and Curricula Censorship in California?”

“How to Make Change for the Better” -- A free public talk. Sunday, Oct. 15 at 2 p.m. “Life doesn’t have to feel like it’s caving in. We can build on a new basis: life rooted in an all-good God,” says lecturer Janet Hegarty, CSB. Join us in person or online. All are welcome! www.ChristianScienceOrinda.org, Christian Science Church, 24 Orinda Way, Orinda, (925) 254-4212

Learn how to prepare for your older years or to be a family caregiver, gain legal awareness, learn about entitlements/benefits, and get support and answers to your questions and concerns. This is a free event for our community. All are welcome, but space is limited and registration is required at lopc.org/registrations. Saturday, Oct. 21, 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette

Haunted House Moving Outside! For the first time ever, the Lafayette Community Center’s Haunted House is venturing beyond its haunted halls to the great outdoors! We proudly present to you the newly named “Spooky Walk” – a hauntingly thrilling adventure on the Bellenger trail, featuring a quarter-mile stretch of bone-chilling encounters that will leave you trembling with delight! Not Too Scary: For our younger friends and those who prefer a more festive atmosphere, our “Not Too Scary” version offers a delightful, family-friendly experience with just the right amount of spookiness to keep the smiles going! When: Oct. 28 and 29 from 5-6:30 p.m. Very Scary: Are you courageous enough to confront your deepest fears? In our “Very Scary” version, fear lurks around every corner, waiting to send shivers down your spine. It’s a pulse-pounding thrill for the bravest souls! When: Oct. 28 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. and Oct. 29 from 7:30-9 p.m. Pre-registration required, get your tickets now! https://tinyurl.com/3jwwhj6x

Dan Hanel, award winning author of the historical mystery series “In The Shadow of Diablo” is Moraga Historical Society’s next featured speaker. Hanel combines fact with fiction bringing to life locations such as Brentwood’s John Marsh House; the abandoned Byron Hot Springs Resort; Antioch’s 19th century Black Diamond Coal Mine; and Contra Costa County’s Winehaven - once the world’s largest winery. Event held Sunday, Nov. 5, from 1-3 p.m. in the Casita @ Hacienda de las Flores, 2100 Donald Dr, Moraga. RSVP: ranchsusan@aol.com by Oct. 27. Reservations only -- limited seating. Moraga Historical Society members free, guests $5.

California Independent Film Festival at Orinda Theatre Nov. 9 -16. The festival will feature about 29 films from 14 countries and at least 9 Directors will offer Q&A sessions following the screening of their films. For more information and tickets go to caiff.org or visit The Orinda Theatre Box Office.

Garden

Moraga Garden Club meeting Oct. 19, 9:30 a.m. at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School Street, Moraga. The speaker Dawn Koojumjin—UCCE Master Gardener Program Coordinator— will discuss “Houseplants: Gateway to Gardening.” The club is open to all and welcome new members. www.moragagardenclub.org.

Montelindo Garden Club meets Friday, Oct. 20 at 9 a.m., at which speaker land conservation director Seth Adams of Save Mount Diablo returns to discuss accounts of his hands-on experiences preserving land, creating trails, acquiring new land, reintroducing peregrine falcons to the mountain, and a story or two about condors. He will bring the old devil mountain to life for you. See www.montelindogarden.com/current-year-meetings.html for more information. 3491 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, in the Lafayette Library Community Hall. Free.

Lafayette Garden Club monthly meeting begins on Oct. 12 at 9:30 a.m. for social time and nibbles before the short business meeting at 10 a.m. It is held at the Veteran’s Hall, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette. There will be an update on three philanthropies the club supports and to which the club has contributed. Julie Stagg will discuss the Monarch Butterfly Garden in Moraga, Kathy Bowles and Tracey Farrell  provide an update on the Lafayette Park Theater, and Hannah Hodgson will discuss the John Muir Land Trust Family Harvest Farm. It is free to attend and guests are welcome. Please visit www.lafayettegardenclub.com for more information.

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