Art

ART CRAWL! April 27 from 1 to 3 p.m. at St. Mary’s College Museum. Crawl is an event in conjunction with Moraga Art in Public Spaces and SMC Museum. It will be held on SMC campus. Artists of high school age and artists from the community are invited to join the fun.

The Lafayette Public Art Committee showcases the mesmerizing world of painter Michael Robinson in the exhibition, "The Spirits of Babylon", at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. Immerse yourself in his works’ vibrant hues and enigmatic symbolism. From abstract figurative to modern surrealist styles, Robinson's artwork reflects the influences of Kandinsky, Miro, Warhol, Klee, and Basquiat. The exhibit runs through May 19 and is open to the public during library hours. Admission is free. 3491 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette.

Art Gallery at Wilder: Artistic License - A Couple of Artists Married to Art. The exhibit runs April 7 to May 5. The Gallery is now open Monday – Friday from 3 to 5 p.m.; new art is exhibited monthly. For more information or to apply to exhibit work, visit https://lamorindaarts.org/current-exhibits-wilder/, info@LamorindaArts.org (925) 359-9940

10th Congressional District Annual High School Art Competition and Exhibition Reception will be held at the Moraga Art Gallery on Friday, May 3 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Each year Congressman Mark DeSaulnier hosts the 10th Congressional District High School Art Competition and Exhibition, which includes Lamorinda. The competition is open to public, private, and home-schooled students. The event will culminate in a closing awards event with awards presented by the Congressman. The Congressional district’s first place winner will be invited to visit Washington, D.C. where the chosen work will be displayed for a year in the U.S. Capitol. The Gallery is located at 432 Center Street in the Rheem Shopping Center. For more information, visit moragaartgallery.com or call (925) 376-5407.

“Ekphrasis Exhibition 2024” opens April 29 at the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library. Please joins for Recitations & Slide Show on Saturday, May 4, from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. in the Library Auditorium,  with an artist reception to follow on the Patio from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Orinda Books Artist of the Month in April is Freddy Moran. Freddy is an internationally recognized, award-winning fabric artist whose work is highly sought after by collectors. Her exhibition displays colorful, riotous portraits. For a preview, visit www.orindabooks.com.

Music

Berkeley Chamber Performances (BCP) is presenting three chamber music concerts at the Lafayette Library, GCCP’s former venue. Their final concert of the season features the Naumburg Prize-winning Telegraph Quartet on May 4, featuring string quartets by Fanny Mendelssohn, Kenji Bunch, and Dvorak. All concerts are Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $45, with a significant discount for season ticket purchase. www.berkeleychamberperform.org

The Saint Mary’s College Guild is holding its annual Spring Concert in the Soda Center on campus on Tuesday, May 14 at 11 a.m. A formal luncheon will be served (select chicken forestier or butternut ravioli) $55 each. Entertainment by Double Treble, Dean Boysen and Christy Diggins. Send name, email, check payable to SMC Guild, c/o Cook, 4461 Alhambra Way, Martinez, CA 94553. Questions? Call (925) 229-2665.

Young People's Symphony Orchestra 87th Spring Concert is on Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. at First Church Berkeley (2345 Channing Way, Berkeley). The concert program will include two iconic pieces: Gershwin's An American in Paris and Stravinsky's "The Firebird” Suite (1945 version). Tickets: General $20, students free (must register) www.ypsomusic.org/events Mask-optional. YPSO will also host a free open dress rehearsal program on Friday April 26, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. for young children accompanied by an adult, school groups, and senior citizens. Register at www.tinyurl.com/ypso-open-rehearsal

LOPC is excited to host “Sounds of Spring: Music and Vocals” on May 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary. The program and talent is exceptional, with 16 Grammy awards among them. This unforgettable night will showcase music from all genres, highlighting performers from Santana, Steely Dan, the Dave Matthews Band, and the Blues Brothers, among others. For details, performer bios, and tickets, please visit lopc.org/tickets. There is a suggested donation of $30 and all net proceeds will go toward the purchase of musical instruments for Children of Faith Missions in India. Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette.

The Diablo Women’s Chorale present “A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening.” They blend nostalgia with contemporary flair and perform with live musicians, including the Stephen Evans Cello Choir with Joe Magdalena II. The concerts will be held on Saturday, May 18, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 19, at 3 p.m. at Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, Bortin Hall 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. Advance tickets at diablowomenschorale.org.

St. Paul's Concert Series is excited to host MUSAE Treble Vocal Ensemble as their featured performing group in their concert on May 4. at 7 p.m. at 1924 Trinity Avenue, Walnut Creek. 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! (925) 934-2324, https://stpaulswc.org/concert-series/

Theatre

New Voices Series: Lucía Fuentes at Town Hall Theatre. June 14, 15, and 21 at 7 p.m.., and June 22 at 2 p.m. Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School Street, Lafayette. TICKETS: $20, Pay-What-You-Can tickets available at the door (subject to availability). www.townhalltheatre.com/lucia-fuentes

Bay Area Comics presents a Stand-up Comedy Showcase of the TOP independent comedians. Event: Laugh-ayette Standup Comedy Show at Town Hall Theatre 3535 School St. Lafayette on Thursday May 2.from  7 to 9 p.m. Ticket link: www.bayareacomics.com/event/laugh-ayette-town-hall-theatre/

Literature

Join Reasonable Books on May 11 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. as local author & Mystery Writers of America NorCal president, Claire Johnson will interview local author Michael J Cooper about his prize-winning historical mystery, Wages of Empire. 3645 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette Free event with refreshments. For further details re: book, visit https://michaeljcooper.net/ For venue details: Reasonable Books: https://reasonable.online/

Poetry for the Ages: Tuesday, April 30, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School Street, Lafayette. Celebrate National Poetry Month with a Spring-themed salon-style poetry reading sponsored by the Lafayette Public Art Committee. Bring your own lunch and immerse yourself in the ambiance of a welcoming literary salon. Free event with limited space. Register by emailing jrosen@lovelafayette.org. For more information or to apply to read as a poet visit www.lovelafayette.org/PublicArt

Other

The 25th Annual Lafayette Juniors Lifestyle Tour will take place on May 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more than twenty years, The Lifestyle Tour presented by Lafayette Juniors has continued to be one of Lamorinda’s most beloved events and the Juniors’ largest fundraiser. The Lafayette Lifestyle Tour (formerly known as The Kitchen Tour) is a self-guided tour featuring beautiful Lafayette homes with masterfully designed, unique and awe-inspiring indoor and outdoor spaces. Tickets are available at www.LafayetteJuniors.org.

Health Care for All - Contra Costa and Alameda County Chapters invites the public to a presentation and discussion about current healthcare costs, quality, equity, access, and remedies for our healthcare system’s problems. May 9, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Lafayette Library and Learning Center Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, registration appreciated tinyurl.com/HCAMay

Lafayette Artisan Walk Saturday, May 11 from 1 to 4 p.m. Walk through downtown with family & friends, shop local, support local! The Lafayette Chamber’s Retail sub-committee is excited to announce and promote Lafayette’s local businesses and local artists. Businesses throughout Lafayette will be showcasing local artisan items – perfect gifts for upcoming occasions – Mother’s Day, Graduation, Father’s Day.

AARP Tax-Aide will be providing Free Tax Clinics 1 Saturday per month starting in May and running through September at the Concord Library. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call: (925) 471-5686

Try award winning micro batch wines from the Lamorinda Appellation on April 28 from noon to 5 p.m. Come for an afternoon of wine tasting, food, and entertainment! Taste your old and new favorite Lamorinda Appellation wines from many Lamorinda vineries. Tickets include a LWGA wine glass to keep, and 5 tickets to use for tasting or a glass pour. Additional tasting tickets can be purchased for $20 for 5 tickets. Pre event: $35 On the day: $40. Wine Thieves Parking Lot, 3401 Mount Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette

Moraga Juniors Women's Club invites you to an evening filled with delectable cuisine, captivating live music by The Ripplers, mesmerizing magic, and an exhilarating silent auction on May 11. Come together to support a noble cause: raising funds and awareness for this year’s designated beneficiary, the Bay Area Crisis Nursery. Join for a night of joy and philanthropy, uniting to make a meaningful impact in our community. For more information visit: www.moragajuniors.org/events/2024_spring_fling/

The giant spring book sale sponsored by the Friends of the Moraga Library will be held Saturday, April 27, 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 to $2. 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 children and adult programs, books, periodicals and library upgrades. Come and buy your summer reading!

Garden

Online Tours and In Person Tours - Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour and Green Home Features Showcase. See Your Neighbors’ Native Plant Gardens and Electrified Homes! Four days of inspiration: Online and In-person. Online Garden Tour, April 6 & 7, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. In-person Garden Tour, May 4 & 5, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. See how 60 of your neighbors have greened their gardens with California native plants, and learn how they have electrified their homes. Free. Registration is required here. www.bringingbackthenatives.net