Art

A vibrant exhibit, "Moving Energy," debuts at the Moraga Art Gallery, 432 Center Street in the Rheem Shopping Center on Wednesday, March 20. with a free public reception on Saturday, April 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. Open daily, Wednesday to Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., the gallery invites art fans of all ages to come in, browse, and linger a while. www.moragaartgallery.com or call (925) 376-5407.

Art Gallery at the Orinda Library: Students Rock the Art at VAC. The Lamorinda Arts Council’s (LAC) High School Visual Arts Competition (VAC) features artwork from students living in or attending school in Orinda, Lafayette, or Moraga, including all schools in the Acalanes Union High School District. In addition to the in-person art exhibit, which runs through April 7, the contest features cash prizes, merit certifications, and an online public exhibit on the LAC website, www.LamorindaArts.org/online-galleries/. The reception in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda, 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. (925) 359-4490. www.lamorindaarts.org/vac.

Music

Front Porch Presents: Folk Music Festival at Town Hall Theatre Co, 3535 School Street, Lafayette on April 5 at 7 p.m. Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at the door www.townhalltheatre.com/front-porch

Rebecca Bogart presents Gifts from the Darkness on Saturday, March 16, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Berkeley Piano Club, 2724 Haste Street, Berkeley. Carnegie Hall virtuoso pianist Rebecca Bogart performs at the intimate Berkeley Piano Club. Works by Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn & Chopin. Cost: $50, $70 for keyboard view, $100 for keyboard view plus pre-event lecture. For more info see https://rebeccabogart.com or call (510) 526-1787 or email info@rebeccabogart.com.

Theatre

The Great Leap will perform March 16 – April 7, at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek. It follows a University of San Francisco college basketball team that travels to Beijing in 1989 for a well-publicized exhibition game. For coaches and players, the match offers a chance to claim personal victories on and off the court.  For tickets ($42-$70) and more information, the public may visit LesherArtsCenter.org or call the box office at (925) 943-7469

Diablo Ballet presents their Stars & Stripes Jubilee program on March 22-23 at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. Performances: Friday, March 22 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, March 23 at 2 p.m. Single tickets are on sale now ($26 - $54) with senior and youth pricing available. For tickets, call (925) 943-SHOW (7469) or visit www.lesherartscenter.org or www.diabloballet.org

Town Hall Education is excited to announce that four local finalists have been chosen for production at the annual Young Playwrights Festival! The Young Playwrights Festival (YPF) is a part of Town Hall Education's Young Playwrights Program. From the many talented writers, four finalists have been chosen whose plays will be performed by professional actors on March 23 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School Street, Lafayette. Tickets: Adult $15, Youth $10, Pay-What-You-Can Tickets available at the door. www.townhalltheatre.com/young-playwrights

Other

American Assoc. University Women - OML Branch general meeting on Tuesday, March 19 at 9:30 a.m. at the Orinda Community Church. Guests are welcome to join this meeting feauturing a panel of 6 women: Pat Rudebusch, Leta McCollough Seletzky, Katharine White, Saira Pasha, Dr. Jacalyn Buettner, Dr. Jamie Textor.

Mocktails & Cocktails: Join those who love art, literature, music, and everything in between on March 24 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Tutu’s, 53 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette. Time for some conversation about your creative journey; artists of all kinds are invited to bring prompts. Look for our knockoff Picassoesque poster of surrealist Dora Maar – that’s us! No host bar. Just show up. Questions? Email Lamorinda Arts Council at literary@lamorindaarts.org or call (925) 359.9940.

Spirituality and the Land Beneath Your Feet - Wine and Tapas Speaker Series welcomes Eco-Chaplain, Lauren Van Ham on Sunday, March 24 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Lauren has spent a career tending to the sacred voice of the biosphere. Lauren is a guest writer for “Progressing Spirit,” an online publication exploring theology, spirituality,and public events. She serves as a spiritual director and guest faculty for several schools in the Bay Area. Creekside Commons - 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. Visit CreeksideCommons.org/upcomingevents for more information.

The Lamorinda Indian community is gearing up to welcome Spring with a Holi celebration Sunday, March 24 at 1 p.m. Join for an afternoon filled with colors, music, food, and community spirit. To RSVP and receive event details, please text 312-404-4469. Let's come together to make this Holi celebration a memorable and colorful experience!

Garden

The Moraga Garden Club meeting will be held on March 21 at 9:30 a.m., Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School Street. “Vegetables Love Flowers” is the topic of their presenter Heather Marano, master gardener and owner of Bush Poppy Farm in Orinda. Community-supported (CSA), Bush Poppy Farm focuses on regenerative farming and offers educational workshops on floral and gardening design. Open to the public and welcome new members. www.moragagarden

club.org

The Lafayette Garden Club monthly meeting begins on March 14 at 9:30 a.m. for social time and nibbles before a short business meeting at 10 am.m and guest speaker at 11 a.m. The guest speaker will be Kim Bancroft, a longtime teacher who became an editor and writer. Kim will present Nature, Landscapes, Farms and Gardens Through Two 19th Century Bay Area Women’s Eyes. She will bring copies of her book for sale and there will be a raffle for one of her books. The meeting will be at the Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Free to attend, guests welcome. Please visit www.lafayettegardenclub.com for more information.

Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour and Green Home Features Showcase on Saturday , March 16 and Sunday, March 17, free talks in multiple nurseries. Online tour April 6 and 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In-person tour May 4 and 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information and registration at www.bringingbackthenatives.net/

Montelindo Garden Club presents speaker and past club president Jill Appenzeller, on “Fear of Flowers,”—arranging flowers; discover your style and gain confidence in your artistic expression, on Friday, March 15 at 9 a.m. at the Lafayette Library Community Hall. Free. For more information, see www.montelindogarden.com/2024-meetings.html