Art

"Stories on Canvas,” an exhibit of evocative acrylic paintings, opens the Moraga Art Gallery's 2024 season on Jan. 3. Acrylic painter Kath Balamuth endows everyday objects. Jill Landau uses oil paint to capture everyday moments in time. Finally, guest artist Karen Mason offers works that stretch the definition of "paintings." The gallery invites the public to a free reception on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 27 from 3 to 5 p.m. (note new time). All are invited to view the art, meet the gallery's eighteen members and several guest artists, enjoy a selection of light snacks and wine, all accompanied by tasteful music suited to the gallery's congenial ambiance. 432 Center Street in the Moraga Shopping Center, open from noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday, www.moragaartgallery.com or call (925) 376-5407.

Art Gallery at the Orinda Library: Beneath the Bark. The Lamorinda Arts Council features creations from 17 members of the Bay Area Woodturning Association, painter Attila Cziglenyi, 3D collage from Kimiko Kogure and sculptures from Michael Rizza. Meet the artists at a reception in their honor while enjoying light refreshments on Saturday, Jan. 6 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. To learn more call (925) 359-9940 or visit https://lamorindaarts.org/gallery-2/.

Mocktails & Cocktails Returns on Sunday, Jan. 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. at, 32 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette, in the remodeled Hideout Kitchen & Café. Art lovers are looking forward to hearing about your creative life. Hosted by the Lamorinda Arts Council. Look for their Picassoesque poster of surrealist Dora Maar. Questions? Call (925) 359-9940 or email info@lamorindaarts.org.

Main Street Arts Gallery will be bringing in the New Year with beautiful watercolor paintings! The California Watercolor Association will display their pieces from Jan. 5 - Feb. 25. A reception will be held on Jan. 13 from 4 to 7 p.m. Main Street Arts, 613 Main Street Martinez. www.mainstreetarts.net

Music

California Symphony presents California Symphony: Gershwin In New York on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., and Sunday, Jan 28 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.. at Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. California Symphony explores the American Dream with music of Barber, William Dawson, and Gershwin on the 100th anniversary of Rhapsody in Blue. Cost: $20-$90. For more info see www.californiasymphony.org/ or call (925) 280-2490 or email info@californiasymphony.org.

Multi-platinum selling singer/songwriter, Tony nominee and jazz legend Ann Hampton Callaway returns to the Orinda Theatre for the Bay Area debut of her brand new show and to celebrate the release of her new album, Finding Beauty. Sunday, Jan. 21 at 5 p.m. at Orinda Theatre Square.

Barefoot Chamber Concerts presents The Consort Music Wars: Jenkins vs. Lawes on Friday, Jan. 5, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Saint Mary Magdalen Church, 2005 Berryman Street, Berkeley. The Barefoot All-Stars' annual mid-winter viol consort show: a battle between the two Titans of the viol consort: William Lawes and John Jenkins. Cost: $25. For more info see https://barefootchamberconcerts.com/2023-2024-season/Jan.-5-2024-the-barefoot-all-stars-with-wendy-gillespie-play-consort-music-jenkins-v-lawes or call (510) 220-1195 or email info@barefootchamberconcerts.com.

St. Paul's Concert Series is excited to host Pianist Temirzhan Yerzhanov with Baritone Daniel Cilli as  their featured performers in January. This power-packed duo are renowned throughout the Bay Area, with Cilli's leading roles with the San Francisco Opera and other opera houses across the nation, and Yerzhanov's spectacular piano mastery in performances around the globe. The concert will be held on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m., 1924 Trinity Avenue, Walnut Creek, or online broadcast: visit stpaulswc.org/concert-series for the concert link and program. Donations graciously accepted at the door (avg. $20/$10 Students) and in our online registration. All are welcome regardless of donation. Tel.: (925) 934-2324

Berkeley Chamber Performances presents Black Oak Ensemble on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., at the Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette. Berkeley Chamber Performances is excited to welcome the Black Oak Ensemble to their series at the Lafayette Library. Cost: $22.50 - $45. For more info see www.tickettailor.com/events/berkeleychamberperformances/992925 or call (510) 525-5211 or email info@bcp1.org.

Young People’s Symphony Orchestra presents: Winter Concert 2024. Supermaximum by K. Bunch (2013); Violin Concerto No. 3 in B Minor Op. 61, Mvt. 1 by C.Saint-Saëns (1880); Gloria by F. Poulenc (1959).  Saturday Jan. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church, 1801 Lacassie Ave, Walnut Creek. Tickets: $20 General | Students Free (must register at ticket site) Box Office: http://data.ypsomusic.org/tickets. (510) 849-9776, Concert info: www.ypsomusic.org/events, Venue Info: https://wcpc.church/

Theatre

Adventure Cabaret presents Adventure Cabaret on Tuesday, Jan. 30, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison st., Berkeley. Adventure Cabaret is a unique, unprecedented live theater experience that includes massive use of multimedia to bring you into the Empire of Ideas. Cost: $35. For more info see https://adventurecabaret.com or call (415) 579-2586 or email contact@adventurecabaret.com.

Literature

Join the Sweet Thursday Author Series on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Don Tatzin CH at the Lafayette Library to hear author and former Lafayette City Manager Steven Falk discuss his book, California Story. This is a free event, but registration is required at www.tinyurl.com/sweet-Jan2024. The doors will be open at 6:30 p.m. for coffee and treats. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Lafayette Library.

Pat's Book Club will discuss All the Lonely People" by Mike Gayle on Thursday, Jan. 4 at 11 a.m. Jamaican immigrant Hubert Bird rediscovers the world he'd once turned his back on as he learns to find happiness after staying in isolation for so long. All are welcome. 276 Village Square. Orinda, www.orindabooks.com, (925) 254-7606

Saturday, Jan. 13, 2 p.m. Dachner Keltner will introduce and discuss her new title, Awe, a radical investigation and deeply personal inquiry into this elusive emotion. Dachner Kalten is a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and the faculty director of UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center. To Register: go to www.eventbrite.com/e/dacher-keltner-author-of-awe-tickets-773860887747?aff=oddtdtcreator Orinda Books 276 Village Square. Orinda, www.orindabooks.com, (925) 254-7606

On Saturday, Jan. 20  at 5 p.m. Adam Plantinga will introduce and discuss his debut novel, The Ascent, a thriller in which a down-on-his luck cop and the governor’s daughter team up to solve a high security prison failure. Plantinga began his career in law enforcement in 2001 as a Milwaukee police officer. He currently is a sergeant with the San Francisco Police Department assigned to street patrol. To Register: go to www.eventbrite.com/e/adam-plantinga-author-of-the-ascent-tickets-773869764297?aff=

oddtdtcreator Orinda Books 276 Village Square. Orinda, www.orindabooks.com, (925) 254-7606

The Cozy Mystery Club will discuss Murder on a Girls' Night Out by Anne George Thursday, Jan. 25 at 10:30 a.m. Cozy Mystery Club meets at Orinda Books on the 4th Thursday of the month at 10:30 a.m. and welcomes new members. Phone the store at (925) 254-7606 for more information. 276 Village Square. Orinda, www.orindabooks.com, (925) 254-7606

Other

On Jan. 27,  from 10 a.m. to noon some of Bay Area's top dermatologists and skincare leaders, including Dr. Tomi Lee Wall, Rebecca Walker, Dr. Jerome Potozkin and Dr. Paige Radell will discuss what really works, from Botox, Kybella, Microneedling, Cryofacials, Lasers to Retinoids and everything in between. Additionally, Cindy Deily, VP of Sephora Skincare will give her tips of favorite anti-aging products. Town Hall Theater, 3535 School Street, Lafayette.

Free income tax preparation for the 2023 tax season will again be offered by the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program, providing IRS certified tax counselors for local Contra Costa County residents. Service is offered to people of all ages with limited to moderate income with special attention given to those age 50 and older. Beginning in early January, call one of the site-specific appointment phone numbers listed below to make an appointment, or call (925) 726-3199 for general information about the Tax-Aide program. The tax preparation service locations: Concord Library (925) 471-5686; Concord Senior Center (925) 671-3320; Danville Veterans Memorial Bldg. of SRV (925) 272-0902; Martinez Senior Center (925) 370-8770; Pacheco Community Center (925) 709-4525; Pleasant Hill Hillcrest Congregational Church (925) 289-9790; San Ramon Senior Center (925) 973-3250; Walnut Creek – Rossmoor, Hillside Clubhouse, Vista Room Appointments made on-site.

American Assoc. University Women - Orinda Moraga Lafayette Branch will hold their Jan. 16 meeting at 9:30 a.m. at The Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way. The meeting is open to the public and the topic will be Food Insecurity in Contra Costa County. A panel of speakers will drill down on this topic and examine and discuss ways our branch can support families with Food Insecurity in both Lamorinda and Contra Costa County. The speakers are: Daniel McCarthy -Gael Pantry Coordinator St. Mary's College. Janette Kennedy -Loaves & Fishes CC and a representative from the Contra Costa Food Bank.

Garden

The Walnut Creek Garden Club will hold its free monthly meeting on Monday Jan. 8 at the Elks Lodge, in Walnut Creek. Join for a special program: Let's give some winter interest to our pots! 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. For more information, please visit: www.WalnutCreekGardenClub.com

Lafayette Garden Club monthly meeting begins on Jan. 11 at 9:30 a.m. for social time and nibbles before a short business meeting at 10 a.m. Member Wendy Shively will then give a short discussion on the care of orchids. At 11 a.m., 2 other talented members, Laurie Callaway, a landscape designer, and Valerie Ow, a floral designer, will share their knowledge of landscape design and cutting plants for optimum floral arranging. The meeting will be at Lafayette Veterans Hall, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. It is free to attend and guests are welcomed. Please visit www.lafayettegardenclub.com for more information..