Art

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.

Art Gallery at the Orinda Library: Plein Air Painting by The Glover Group & Friends. The Lamorinda Arts Council celebrates the beauty of nature with paintings by 17 artists from The Glover Group & Friends through Nov. 3 in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library. The late, great Pam Glover taught at the Orinda Community Center for many years and these artists continue to visit plein air sites favored by Glover. “We plein air painters visit local sites outdoors and work to capture the moment on canvas,” said exhibit organizer Maria SantoStefano. View their work online at https://lamorindaarts.org/current-exhibits/.

Virtual Art Gallery at Wilder: “Bay Area Photography II” by Ryan Magpusao. The Lamorinda Arts Council presents a solo Virtual Wilder Art Gallery exhibit in featuring photographer Ryan Magpusao. He uses photography as a creative expression of the peace and beauty he finds in his relationships with people and places. This exhibit runs through Nov. 4. View and purchase his photographs with one click online at Https://lamorindaarts.org/current-exhibits-wilder/

Art Embraces Words: Oct. 28, 2 – 3:30 p.m. Costume Event with Prizes. The Lamorinda Arts Council invites you to show up as your favorite literary or artistic character at this free program in the Lafayette Library. Writers Lani Longshore, AnneMarie Gouveia and Willa Drew read from their work surrounded by visual artwork from Lance Jackson (whose work is in the 2023 de Young Open) and Helen Chu-Hirschberg. For more information visit https://lamorindaarts.org/art-embraces-words/. This program is made possible by a generous grant from the Community Foundation of Lafayette.

Music

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

California Symphony presents “Rivers of Inspiration,” a concert featuring the music of Handel, Viet Cuong, and Robert Schumann. Opening the program is the highly anticipated world premiere of California Symphony’s 2020-23 composer-in-residence Viet Cuong’s Chance of Rain. Schumann’s exuberant Symphony No. 3 and Handel’s spectacular Water Music, Suites No. 1 and No. 2 accompany Cuong’s world premiere. Artistic and Music Director Donato Cabrera leads the California Symphony through a musical journey from the Baroque period to the modern day. Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 12 at 4 p.m. www.californiasymphony.org/shows/handel-rivers-of-inspiration/; (925) 943-7469

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. Creekside Commons Main Hall 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. Tickets available online or at the door. www.creeksidecommons.org/upcomingevents

California Symphony presents “Composing the Future: A California Festival Panel Discussion” on Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Lesher Center for the Arts. Moderated by KDFC’s Dianne Nicolini, the panel delves into how collaborations shape classical music, and the challenges—and opportunities—that contemporary classical composers, performers, presenters, and audiences face. Panel participants include Resident Composer Viet Cuong, San Francisco Symphony CEO Matthew Spivey, and pianist Sarah Cahill. Reserve your free tickets at www.californiasymphony.org/calendar_events/composing-the-future-a-california-festival-panel-discussion/

Theatre

Town Hall Theatre Company present “A Christmas Story” Adapted by Philip Grecian, story by Jean Shepherd. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 (Previews), Dec. 2-17. 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

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.

Saint Mary's College, Performing Arts presents William Shakespeare’s beloved classic, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” In-person performance dates: Thursday, Nov. 2, 8 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 3, 4 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 4, 2 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 4, 8 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 5, 2 p.m. Tickets limited – reserve early. E-tickets: $8 SMC students: $12 SMC faculty and staff, non-SMC students; $15 general. Purchase tickets online at stmarys-ca.edu/midsummer at least 24 hours prior to performance. A limited number of tickets are available at the Box Office 30 minutes before curtain via cash/check only. Info: (925)631-4670 or tms8@stmarys-ca.edu

At Town Hall Theatre, Lafayette 'Front Porch Presents' is back with their Folk Music Showcase, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. This exciting quarterly collaboration brings together local musicians and performers for a showcase of talent that is both entertaining and inspiring. The event was a big success, and now a third one-night only Folk Music Showcase will happen at Town Hall Theatre. 3535 School Street, Lafayette, www.TownHallTheatre.com

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.

Join the Sweet Thursday Author Series on Thursday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. in the Don Tatzin CH at the Lafayette Library & Learning Center to hear author John Lescroart discuss his latest book, “The Missing Piece.” This is a free event, but registration is required at tinyurl.com/sweet26oct23. The doors will be open at 6:30 p.m. for coffee and treats. The program is sponsored by The Friends of the Lafayette Library.

November Sweet Thursday Author Series presents author Andrea Lankford. Beautifully written, heartfelt, and at times harrowing, “Trail of the Lost: The Relentless Search to Bring Home the Missing Hikers of the Pacific Crest Trail” paints a vivid picture of the hiker culture and its complicated relationship with the ever-expanding online realm. This program is offered on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. in the DTCH. This free event is sponsored by the Friends of the Lafayette Library, but registration is required at Tinyurl.com/sweet-nov2023. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for coffee and treats.

Other

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.

Don't toss that repairable bike on the garbage heap; it's time once again for the Cycle Recycle! Over the last 24 years Bobbie and Tom Preston have collected over 3,700 repairable bikes Nov. 1-31 on their driveway. This year, partnering with Moraga Troop 246, bikes can be dropped off at Scout Hut at 1279 Moraga Way, Moraga. No rusty bikes helmets, razors, scooters, or trikes are accepted  but bike racks, bike baskets, pumps and tools are accepted. The troops will accept biking clothing in primo condition as well (Place in a plastic sealed bag). No need to call. This year's recipients of Cycle Recycle include Waterside Workshops, Bay Area Bike Rescue, Trips for Kids, and White Pony Express.

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.

LUMC Halloween Festival. Oct. 29 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Lafayette United Methodist Church, 955 Moraga Road, Lafayette. Join us for a fun-filled afternoon in the Fellowship Hall for food, games, face painting, free pumpkin patch, crafts and more!

A Benefit Bash for Save Mount Diablo, Party for the planet. Featuring Eco-themed live music by the Jim Ocean Band and Blue-Eyed Grass. Date: Saturday, Nov. 11, Time: 6 p.m. Doors, 6:45 p.m. Show. Location: Creekside Commons, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. Admission: $20 adv/$25 door – Ages 18 and under are free. Tickets: https://P4TP_SaveMtD.

eventbrite.com Information for public: https://jimoceanmusic.com. Publicity Contact: Kathy Ocean, (707)869-9403, kathy@communityconcerts.com

Attention, Asian food aficionados: The Contra Costa Chinese School will be holding its annual carnival on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Diablo Valley College Liberal Arts Building courtyard at 321 Golf Club Road in Pleasant Hill. It will feature a variety of Asian food and drink specialties for sale, reminiscent of a traditional Asian night market. Featured delicacies will include Chinese tea eggs and egg tarts, Japanese spam musubi, as well as Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, vermicelli salad and pandan waffles. Carnival games and crafts also will be available for the kids. The proceeds from food sales will go to fund individual classroom activities at the nonprofit language school with a 48-year history in the county. For more information, go to https://cococs.org or or https://cococs.org./site/images/carnival-2023.pdf.

Garden

The Walnut Creek Garden Club will hold its free monthly meeting on Monday Nov. 13 at the Elks Lodge, in Walnut Creek. Join us for a special program Fascinating Foliage: The Drama of Variegated Plants. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by a brief meeting, social time and an educational program, Complimentary tea and coffee are available.  Address: Elks Lodge, 1475 Creekside Drive, Walnut Creek. www.WalnutCreekGardenClub.com

.