Art

Valley Art Gallery announces “Enchanted Wilderness”: Watercolors by Karen Kramer. The show runs through March 16. Free, open to the public. Open Tuesday - Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 1661 Botelho Drive, Suite 110, Walnut Creek, www.valleyartgallery.org; (925) 935-4311

The Lamorinda Arts Council presents Bay Area Studio Artists (BASA) group show in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library entitled “The BASA Invitational: As We See It. ” The show features BASA artists Suzun Almquist, Jeanette Baird, Lassie Colebourn, Ellen Reintjes, Ruth Stanton, Sharon Tama, Joanne Taeuffer, and Marcy Wheeler. Five local artists have been invited: Flora Baumann, Nicole Reader, Cecelia Wambach, April Ward, and Lynn Whitson. Visit http://lamorindaarts.org/gallery-2 for more information or call (925) 359-9940.

The Lamorinda Arts Council is excited to announce the Art Gallery at Wilder’s grand reopening on Sunday March 3 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. A reception is planned with light refreshments. Orinda Vice Mayor Latika Malki will officially open the Gallery to the public. Hours will be Monday - Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. Curators are readying the gallery to display featured solo artist Shiva Jafarzadeh’s artwork. Her theme is “Paintings and Drawings of Romance, Womanhood, Feminine Poems and Motherhood.” Questions? Go to https://LamorindaArts.org/galleries-2, email info@LamorindaArts.org or call (925) 359-9940.

The Lamorinda Arts Council invites students in the Acalanes High School District to register for the High School Visual Arts Competition to compete for cash prizes and merit certificates by midnight on Feb. 23. The reception in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library begins at 7 p.m. on March 14; the juried awards ceremony runs from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Library Auditorium. For information and online registration, visit www.lamorindaarts.org/vac. Questions? Call (925) 359-4490.

The Art of the African Diaspora Satellite exhibit at Gallery 2727 in Berkeley presents The Power Of Nature on Feb. 9, 16, 23-25, from 1 to 5 p.m., at Gallery 2727, 2727 California St., Berkeley. Throughout Black History Month, Gallery 2727 will host an exhibit of award-winning Black women artists' work on The Power of Nature. Cost: Free For more info see www.2727.today/calendar?view=calendar&month=02-2024 or email programs@2727.today.

Music

Step into the glitz and glamour of the Roaring ‘20s and join the Campolindo High School Music Boosters for an evening filled with live music from the talented Campo Jazz Band on March 2 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Perpetua’s in Lafayette. Get ready to dance the night away and dress to impress in your finest 1920s attire, or whatever makes you happy! You can brush up on your moves with an optional dance lesson or indulge in appetizers and a delicious buffet dinner and dessert, sip on refreshing drinks, and dive into the excitement of the raffle and silent auction. Funds raised will aid in purchasing sheet music, cover coaching fees, instrument repairs, and make musical trips and tours a reality. Tickets on sale at www.campomusic.org.

The Town of Danville presents a St. Patrick's Day celebration in association with New Ross, Ireland and the Eugene O'Neill Foundation Tao House. Green Road returns to the Village Theatre with a blend of traditional Irish ballads and the soulful tunes of American bluegrass on Friday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Tao House in Danville. Village Theatre, 233 Front Street, Danville, www.danville.ca.gov/226/Village-Theatre, (925) 314-3418

Volti presents Volti: From the Depths to the Ecstatic on Friday, Feb. 23, from 8  to 9:30 p.m., at Crowden Music Center, 1475 Rose Street, Berkeley. The professional vocal ensemble Volti sings new music by Jens Ibsen, Aaron Jay Kernis, Ingrid Stolzel, Forrest Pierce, Joanna Marsh, Emma O'Halloran. Cost: $15 to $50. For more info see http://VoltiSF.org or call (415) 771-3352 or email info@VoltiSF.org.

Cello and Bassoon Duo Perform at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1924 Trinity Avenue, Walnut Creek. Sunday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. (925) 934-2324, concertseries@stpaulswc.org, https://stpaulswc.org/concert-series/

California Symphony presents California Symphony: Mozart Serenades on Sunday, March 17, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. California Symphony performs Mozart's masterpiece 'Gran Partita' on a program showcasing the unique sounds of woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Cost: $20-$90. For more info see www.californiasymphony.org/ or call (925) 280-2490 or email info@californiasymphony.org.

Theatre

Miramonte High School's upcoming spring musical Footloose! Join for a toe-tapping, hip-shaking journey that'll have you dancing in the aisles and cheering for more. With electrifying music, exhilarating choreography, and a 90-member cast and crew that's ready to rock, this year’s musical production is sure to make you feel like you've been transported straight to the heart of the '80s. Friday, March 8, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 9, at 7 p.m.; Friday, March 15, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 16, at 4 p.m., Tickets are available here: www.showtix4u.com/event-details/80916

Town Hall Theatre is thrilled to invite the community to celebrate at their Season Announcement Party on March 2, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at their esteemed venue, 3535 School Street, Lafayette. Come celebrate as they unveil their highly anticipated 80th season with a theme that delves into the heart of humanity: "Family: Born into and Chosen." To reserve your place and be part of the excitement, please RSVP at www.townhalltheatre.com/2024-2025-season.

Literature

Calling all kids who like to draw! The Friends of the Lafayette Library Bookmark Contest is happening again! The contest is open to all Lafayette Students in grades K-8th. Entry forms may be obtained from your school library and at the main desk of the Lafayette Library. The deadline for the entries is Friday March 1. Each winner will receive a gift certificate for a local bookstore and the Friends Corner Book Shop, and a complimentary framing of the winning bookmark by Anthony's Custom Picture Framers. Our Awards ceremony will take place April 25. All winning bookmarks will be printed and given to patrons of the Lafayette Library, Friends Corner Book Shop and the individual school libraries. For more information contact: Kae865@hotmail.com

The Lamorinda Arts Council invites you to celebrate Black history Month with poets Senait Mesfin Piccigallo & Dorothy Edwards on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School St. in downtown Lafayette. A No Host Bar is open during the event which features five poets and artist Bushra Gill. A reception immediately follows in the lobby. This program is generously funded by the Community Foundation of Lafayette. Questions? Email literary@LamorindaArts.org or call (925) 359.9940.

Other

Leta McCollough Seletzky, J.D., Author, Essayist, Memoirist will be speaking at the Lafayette Rotary meeting. In the iconic photo of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination at Memphis's Lorraine Motel, a figure kneels beside him, attempting to stem the bleeding with a borrowed towel. Little known is that this person, a member of the Invaders, a "black power" activist group, was also an undercover Memphis police officer. This mysterious figure is Lita's father. Lita will share the gripping story of her father's undercover career in her book, "THE KNEELING MAN: My Father's Life as a Black Spy Witnessing MLK's Assassination." Lafayette Veterans Memorial Building, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, March 1 at 7 a.m., https://lamorindasunrise.org/speakers

Contribute your family recipes to Moraga's 50th Anniversary Community Cookbook. This cookbook will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the town and will be a keepsake for your family for years to come. Be a part of history! Visit https://cc.recipes/moraga. Recipes are due Feb. 28. Cookbooks will be available to purchase beginning summer of 2024.

Volunteer Opportunity at Diablo Valley Literacy Council. “Each one teach one”. English need not be your first language. No teaching experience is required. We will teach you how to be a tutor! The next workshop will be held Saturday, March 2, from 10 to noon via ZOOM & Saturday, March 9, from 10 to 1 p.m in person at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 4000 Clayton Road in Concord. Register at dvlc4esl.org. For more information leave a message at (925) 685-3881

Celebration of Norouz, Persian New Year Celebration and Spring Equinox on March 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wilder Art and Garden Center, Orinda. Open to the public, Family Friendly. Persian food & sweets, apparel, jewelry and accessories, pottery, bags and shoes.

Moraga Historical Society presents resident train expert Sam Sperry for a fascinating discussion about the passenger and freight trains that once serviced our town. Join us as we go back in time to 1913, when the Oakland, Antioch & Eastern Railway’s route between Oakland and Sacramento took commuters to work and pears to market. In 1928, with a merger of railroads, the 185-mile-long Sacramento Northern Railway was formed which included two stops in town: The Moraga Station and St. Mary’s Station. Make your reservations now for Sunday, March 3 from 1to 3 p.m. @ Hacienda de las Flores -- Casita Building, 2100 Donald Dr, Moraga. RSVP to Susan Sperry: ranchsusan@aol.com by Feb. 18. Moraga Historical Society members free, guests $5. Limited seating.

Garden

“Plant Propagation for Fun!” will be the topic of the Moraga Garden Club's February meeting, by speaker Garth Jacob, former owner of Mt. Diablo Nursery. Feb. 15 at 9:30 a.m. Moraga Garden Club, Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School St, Moraga. For many, gardening and fun are synonymous ergo there is never enough of either. Free, open to the public and welcome new members. Visit at: www.moragagarden club.org.

Montelindo Garden Club presents “Continuing Tradition of Botanical Art,” by speaker Lee McCaffree, botanical artist, on Friday, Feb. 16 at 9 a.m. Social time, 10:20 a.m. speaker. Learn about the history of botanical illustration and Lee’s fascination with wildflowers that inspired her to learn and excel at her art. Lafayette Library Community Hall. Free. For more information, see www.montelindogarden.com/2024-meetings.html