Art

The Moraga Art Gallery's new exhibit, "Let the Light In" is on view through March 15. Artwork will fill the gallery's elegant space with an enticing display of creativity, featuring landscape paintings by two member artists – Irene Needoba and Elizabeth Kennan. The exhibit also features other member artists and a celebrated guest artist, photographer Edgar Tumbaga, whose camera captures nature's wonders in jaw-dropping color. On Saturday, Jan. 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. the gallery will host a free reception for the public to view the exhibit, meet the artists and chat with fellow art lovers while enjoying light snacks, wine, and congenial live music. The gallery is located at 432 Center Street in the Rheem Valley Shopping Center in Moraga and is open Wednesday to Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information visit moragaartgallery.com or call (925)376-5407.

Lamorinda Arts Council presents an exhibition featuring assemblage sculpture by artist Dave Kwinter at the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library. Artist Reception on Saturday, Feb. 7 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. More information online at https://tinyurl.com/LAC0226 

Valley Art Gallery presents Color of Joy - Gouache Paintings by MaryLou Correia. Artists Reception and Demo: Saturday, Jan. 31, 1 to 3 p.m., Exhibition Jan. 13 through Feb. 21, at Valley Art Gallery, 1661 Botelho Drive, Ste 110, Walnut Creek. Reception & Painting Demo: Jan. 31, 1 to 3 p.m. Paintings of Garda & Venice, Italy; California and Oregon Coasts; and Ruth Bancroft Garden. Free. For more info see https://valleyartgallery.org/ or call (925) 935-4311 or email valleyartgallery@gmail.com. 

Registration for the 23rd Annual High School Visual Arts Competition (VAC) is now open to high school students who live in or attend school in Orinda, Lafayette, Moraga, or any of the schools in the Acalanes Union High School District. VAC celebrates student artwork in four categories: 2D, 3D, Photography, and Digital Art and features cash awards, merit certificates, an in-person art exhibit in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library, and an online public exhibit of entries on our website. Registration closes on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 11:59 p.m. 

Music

The Campolindo Wind and Percussion Student Command Performance Winners and the Campolindo String Student Command Performance Winners will be performing alongside with distinguished faculty The Wind and Peerecussion students will perform on Monday Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. and the String Students will perform on Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Campolindo High School Performing Arts Center. This annual event is a cornerstone of the music program, bringing together the most dedicated young musicians and the teachers who mentor them. 

Theatre

Lamorinda Improv Theater is offering expert-led, small group improv comedy classes for both adults and teens starting Jan. 14 at the Orinda Community Center. Learn the art of collaborative, unscripted storytelling and harness the power of your imagination. Classes will culminate in a student performance at the Orinda Theater on March 20. Register at https://www.litimprov.com/

East Bay Story Game at Town Hall Theatre. Step into a world where everyone helps create the story! Story Games blend improv theatre, imagination, and tabletop play—no scripts, no game master, just shared creativity. Together we’ll dream up new worlds, surprising twists, and unforgettable characters—all in one evening. Perfect for writers, performers, gamers, and anyone who loves stories. No experience needed—just bring curiosity!  Second Monday each month, 6:30 to 9:45 p.m. at Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School St, Lafayette. Upcoming dates are Feb. 9 , March 9, and April 6.  Free, with a suggested donation to the theatre.

“The Little Mermaid” will be performed Feb.  6 and 7 at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive in Walnut Creek. Performances are Friday, Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Single tickets are on sale now ($30 - $59) with senior and youth pricing available. Early Bird pricing is available through Jan. 7. For tickets, call 925-943-SHOW (7469) or visit www.lesherartscenter.org or www.diabloballet.org.

Literature

Join the Sweet Thursday Author Series on Thursday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. in the Don Tatzin CH at the Lafayette Library to hear author Terry Healy discuss his book, “The Resilience Mindset.” This is a free event, but registration is required at tinyurl.com/sweet-Jan2026. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for coffee and treats.
    
PlayGround has announced and officially opened the submission window for their 18th annual Young Playwrights Contest, a showcase celebrating the best budding new voices for the stage. The Young Playwrights Contest will feature original short plays inspired by the prompt "Tales of the City.”  Four finalists will be selected from plays submitted by high schoolers from any of the nine Bay Area counties. For more information and the complete guidelines, visit https://playground-sf.org/ypp-guidelines.

Other

Community Conversation webinar “Shock & Awe: Rising Costs of California Fire Insurance!” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 15. The webinar will address how insurance rates are determined and strategies for fire mitigation. A panel of experts will discuss current state legislation impacting insurance rates and efforts by community groups to inform homeowners about ways to protect their property.   Register for the webinar here:  https://ccclib.bibliocommons.com/events/694448ea8b29ea2800c4dd25
 
The East Bay Regional Park District launched the 2026 Trails Challenge on Jan. 1— the program’s 33rd annual edition — inviting the public to explore trails that show off the region’s stunning natural beauty. The guidebook can also be downloaded at www.ebparks.org/trailschallenge. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/trailschallenge  
 
Starting in February, free income tax preparation will again be offered by the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program. Service is provided by IRS certified tax counselors and is available to people of all ages.  Appointments can be made by visiting tinyurl.comand/tax-ccc or calling one of the phone numbers listed below. Concord Senior Center: (925) 671-3320, Ext 1; Pleasant Hill Hillcrest Congregational Church: (925) 289-9790. General information about the Tax-Aide program is available by calling (925) 726-3199 or emailing taxaideccc@gmail.com.

Garden

The "Joy of Photography" will be the topic of the guest presenter photographer Barbara Brady (with special emphasis on flowers and dogs) at the Moraga Garden Club’s meeting on Jan. 15 at 9:30 a.m.  Meetings are free and open to the public. The Moraga Garden Club meets every third Thursday of the month at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School Street in Moraga. www.moragagardenclub.org.

The Montelindo Garden Club's own Glenn Phillips, Executive Direction of the Golden Gate Bird Alliance, on Friday, Jan. 16 will speak on "Manzanita: The world in a bush." If you could only plant one native shrub, manzanita is the perfect choice.  Learn about the amazing ecosystem that manzanitas create and discover the many varieties and species.  Free. Lafayette Library Meeting Hall. Social time: 9 a.m., business meeting: 9:30 a.m., Speaker: 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. See www.montelindogarden.com/2026-meetings.html for more information.