Art

Art Gallery at the Orinda Library - Ekphrasis Arts & Letters. The Lamorinda Arts Council, California Writers Club Mt. Diablo Branch, and Lamorinda Arts Alliance invite you to view 50 artworks paired with 50 bespoke writings displayed side by side in this collaborative exhibit. Ekphrasis is a term from ancient Greece meaning a literary description of visual artwork. This unusual exhibit featuring local authors and artist runs through June 28 during normal Library hours, closed Sundays. For more information email ekphrasis@LamorindaArts.org, call (925) 359.9940 or  http://lamorindaarts.org/galleries

VISTAS and HUES, the Moraga Art Gallery's new exhibit, opening on June 5, pairs artists with contrasting styles but the same aesthetic message: Art is multi-dimensional. To celebrate the show's opening, the public is cordially invited to a free reception on Saturday, June 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the gallery, 432 Center Street in Moraga's Rheem Shopping Center. Come to see the art, meet the artists, and in the congenial company of other art lovers, enjoy a glass of wine, light snacks, and live steel-drum Caribbean music played by Harry Best. For further information, visit www.moragaartgallery.com or call (925) 376-5407.

Music

Pacific Chamber Orchestra (PCO), Lawrence Kohl, Music Director, presents summer pops featuring the orchestra, PCO's 50 voice chorus, and star of stage and screen Franc D’Ambrosio Saturday, June 29 at 7:30 p.m. Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church and Sunday, June 30 at 3 p.m. Bankhead Theater, Livermore. Purchase tickets at PacificChamberOrchestra.org

Rock the Plaza Summer Concert Series. 3530 Plaza Way, Lafayette, (corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd. & Moraga Road). Bring a picnic, chairs or blanket. Bands perform 6-8 p.m. Friday June 7:  Other People’s Money; Friday June 14:  Midnight Flyer; Friday June 21:  Bay Bridge Beat and Friday June 28:  Lamorinda Idol Finalists.

Free Summer Concert Series Thursday evenings 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Moraga Commons Band Shell. June 13: East Bay Mudd – Classic Soul and R&B; June 20: Jazzphoria – Jazz Rhythm & Blues; June 27: Midnight Flyer – Eagles Tribute; July 4 : House Rockers – Rock & Soul (7pm Concert); July 11: Mumbo Gumbo – Genre-bending Americana & Musical Stew; July 18: Steve Hanson & Carousel Cowboys – Modern Country; July 25: Purple Ones – Prince Tribute; Aug. 1: Native Elements – Reggae; Aug  8: Traveling Wilburys Revue – E.L.O, Orbison, Harrison, Dylan Tribute; Aug 15:  3 Day Weekend – Motown, R&B, Classic Rock

Orinda – Concerts are held at the Orinda Community Park on Thursday night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call (925) 254.2445 for information. Thursday, June 6 – Hipster Cocktail Party; Thursday, June 20 – Opera in the Park; Thursday, July 11 – Lamorinda Idol; Thursday, July 25 – Aug. Reed Band; Thursday, Aug. 1 – Tin Man; Thursday, Aug. 15 – Vintage Jukebox; Thursday, Aug. 29 – Spill the Wine; Thursday, Sept. 12 – Patron

Lamorinda Idol Performance – Rock the Plaza on Friday June 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. Rock the Plaza is hosted by the Lafayette Chamber and is located at 3530 Plaza Way (corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd. & Moraga Rd). Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic, chairs or blanket to enjoy the Idol finalists. Lamorinda Idol, a program of the Lamorinda Arts Council, is an annual singing competition open to students in K - 12th grade who attend school or reside anywhere in Lafayette, Moraga or Orinda. Learn more here: https://lamorindaarts.org/idol-2/

The Young People's Symphony Orchestra (YPSO) is thrilled to announce its Pops/Pre-Japan Tour Concert on Sunday, June 9. The concert begins at 5 p.m., with gates opening at 3:30 p.m. Bruns Amphitheater, Cal Shakes, 100 California Shakespeare Theater Way, Orinda. 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

Barefoot Chamber Concerts presents 'Les Pieces de Violes avec la Basse Chifree par Mr. F.C.' on Monday, June 10, from 2 to 3 p.m., at Berkeley Piano Club, 2724 Haste Street, Berkeley. Francois Couperin's two famous Suites of Pieces de Violes, with some harpsichord music and some music for two viols alone. Cost: $20. For more info see http://barefootchamberconcerts.com or call (510) 220-1195 or email info@barefootchamberconcerts.com.

Theatre

Orinda Starlight Village Players present Agatha Christie's Spiders Web, directed by Jill Gelster on Fridays and Saturdays, at 8:30 p.m. through June 29, Sunday, June 23 at 4 p.m. and Thursday, June 27 at 8 p.m. Orinda Community Center Park Amphtheater www.orsvp.org, Tickets at Box Office or call (925) 528-9225 or email info@orsvp.org

Literature

Join the Sweet Thursday Author Series on Tuesday, June 18 at 7 p.m. in the Don Tatzin CH at the Lafayette Library & Learning Center to hear authors Brad Mangin and Brian Murphy discuss their book, 28: A Photographic Tribute to Buster Posey. This is a free event, but registration is required at Tinyurl.com/sweet-June2024. 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.

Other

“Ritmo y Sabor: Bay Street Bites & Beats”  June 7 through August 16 from 4 to 8 p.m. Alternate Fridays, Bay Street South Plaza, Emeryville. Delight your taste buds as cuisines of all types come together to offer an eclectic array of flavors. From savory to sweet, there’s something for everyone.

Bayareacomics presents the Laugh-ayette Standup Comedy Showcase on Friday, June 28 at the Town Hall

Theatre, Lafayette. Tickets available at: Bayareacomics.com

Opening Celebration of The Preston Memorial Fitness Zone on June 23 from noon to 3 p.m. The Preston Memorial Fitness Zone is 8 state-of-the-art pieces of outdoor exercise equipment, 2 of which are ADA compliant, located at Rancho Laguna Park in Moraga, 2101 Camino Pablo. There will be music, hot dogs and burgers, beer, wine, soft drinks, and games for the kids.

Lamorinda Movers, a social organization for adults 55+, will have an event Monday, June 10 at the Serbian Church, 1700 School Street, Moraga. Cocktails begin at 5 p.m; a "welcome summer" menu, featuring bbq ribs and chicken, along with all the fixins', will begin at 5:45 p.m. Following dinner, local educator an author, Dan Hanel, who writes the "In the Shadow of Diablo" series will be the special guest speaker. He will talk about his fourth book, "Beneath the Tangled Vines." $40 for members, $45 for guests. Reservations required; go to https://lamorindamovers.org/reservations to sign up.

Join Lamorinda Village and Lafayette Christian Church  on Friday, June 7 for coffee on the front patio at 584 Glenside Drive, Lafayette at 9:30 a.m. followed by a gentle walk on the Lafayette Moraga Trail next to the church. Parking at the church. Come out for exercise and socializing. Any questions--

stephreilly345@gmail.com.

Garden

The Walnut Creek Garden Club will hold its free monthly meeting on Monday June 10,  at The Gardens at Heather Farms in Walnut Creek. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by a brief meeting, social time and an educational program, complimentary tea, coffee and snacks are available. 1540 Marchbanks Dr, Walnut Creek. Open to the public. Please visit: www.WalnutCreekGardenClub.org for more info.