Art

Call for Art, Slopes of Diablo 2026. The subject is the artist’s perspective and interpretation of the awe-inspiring East Bay landmark Mount Diablo.  Jurors are Paul Kratter and Tia Kratter, acclaimed instructors and painters of the California landscape. Artists residing in the San Francisco Bay Area are eligible to submit with a deadline of Thursday, May 7. Exhibition dates are June 6 through Aug. 1. First Place Award $350, Second Place Award $250, Third Place Award $150. Apply at https://app.entrythingy.com/valleyartgallery/slopes-of-diablo-2026/ 

Music

Diablo Symphony presents “Mariachi Valentine” concert with Oscar Garibay and UC Davis Mariachi Ensemble on Sunday, Feb. 15, from 2 to 4:20 p.m., at Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek. Cost: Adults $45, Youth 13-17 $15, Children 12 and under free; discount of $35 each for groups of 10+ Seniors.  For more info see https://www.diablo
symphony.org/events/sounds-of-the-americas-a-mariachi-valentine/ or call (559) 300-4409 or email president@diablosymphony.org. 

Orinda Community Church is proud to present a free organ recital by the world- renowned organist Jonathan Dimmock, Sunday, Feb. 15, 4 p.m. at Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda. Jonathan Dimmock is principal organist at the Legion of Honor, organist for the San Francisco Symphony, and director of music at Congregation Sherith Israel. No tickets needed. 

Young People’s Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming Winter Concert, “Echoes of the Northern Lights,” Saturday, Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m. at First Church Berkeley. The program centers on Jean Sibelius’s Symphony No. 1, alongside William Grant Still’s Threnody: In Memory of Jean Sibelius, and features performances by YPSO’s 2025–2026 Concerto Competition winners Emma You (Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1, Mvt. I) and Catherine Shin (Zigeunerweisen by Sarasate).

Local Chamber Orchestra Presents “Romancing the Classics” Sunday, Feb. 21, at 4 p.m., Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church, 1801 Lacassie Avenue, Walnut Creek. The orchestra, whose members range from teens to octogenarians, will present selections that depict the many facets of love: jubilation, conflict and pain, tenderness and magnificence. Mozart: Three Marches, K.408; Mendelssohn: The Beautiful Melusine; Haydn: Symphony No. 104 “London.” $25 General Admission, $20 Seniors (62+), and $10 Students. At the door or www.ContraCostaChamberOrchestra.org

Join the Campolindo Instrumental Music Program for their Annual Jazz Dinner Dance on Feb. 27 from 6:30 to10 p.m. for an evening of live music, great food, and community. Enjoy performances by Campo jazz ensembles, a delicious dinner from Havana Catering, and a lively night of dancing at the Don Tatzin Community Hall in the Lafayette Library, 3491 Mount Diablo Blvd. Admission $75 (dinner + drink ticket) More info: Campomusic.org

St. Paul's Concert Series’ next concert features Rebecca Rust, cellist and Friedrich Edelmann, bassoonist in a spectacular duet performance on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at 1924 Trinity Avenue, Walnut Creek. Rust and Edelmann will present classical duet pieces by Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and other compositions especially created for them by Max Stern and Lawrence Sherr. No tickets necessary.  Optional donations accepted. The performance will be simultaneously broadcast online. To obtain the online link and review the full concert program, visit St. Paul’s website at stpaulswc.org/concert-series.

SonoMusette presents Music of 20th Century Paris on Feb. 28, 7 p.m. at Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School Street, Lafayette.  Audiences will be transported to the heart of mid-20th century Paris as they enjoy the romance, drama, and melancholic beauty of the city’s golden age of music. With a repertoire dedicated to the timeless works of Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, and their contemporaries, this exceptional group revives the intimate atmosphere of a Montmartre cabaret. Tickets are $30. Ticket Link: https://www.townhalltheatre.com/sonomusette

Literature

Join the Sweet Thursday Author Series on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. in the DTCH at the Lafayette Library to hear author, Charlotte Biltekoff. Register to attend in person at https://tinyurl.com/sweet-Feb2026.The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for coffee and sweets, and  books will be available for purchase. This program is presented by The Friends of the Lafayette Library.

Storytellers and story lovers, enjoy a rare Bay Area appearance by storyteller Paul Strickland on March 4, at the Orinda Community Center. Paul will conduct an interactive storytelling workshop at 4:30 p.m. and a storytelling concert at 7 p.m. Paul’s award-winning solo and collaborative performances have been featured at the National Storytelling Festival, comedy clubs, and Fringe Festival across the United States and Canada. Please go to www.storysaac.org for more information.

Other

Moraga Adobe Tours – Starting in February, you can step inside Contra Costa County’s oldest surviving home, and experience over 180 years of East Bay history. Each tour lasts about 60–90 minutes and is limited to 15 guests. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance for each person and can be made at https://moragaadobe.org/ where the available dates and times are also listed.

Connections Academy at Gateway, a tuition-free online charter school within Community Collaborative Charter School and part of Gateway Community Charters, is now enrolling students in grades K–12 across Northern California for the 2026-27 school year.  The virtual school offers a curriculum emphasizing academics and fundamental life skills, giving students the confidence they need to excel inside and beyond the virtual classroom and serves students in many Northern California areas including Contra Costa County.

Snuggles & Struggles — a Postpartum Support Group is open to all new moms. This is a free, supportive space for postpartum moms with babies in their first year to connect, feel heard, and navigate the real ups and downs of the postpartum season together. Facilitated by Dr. Katelyn Simons, Psy.D, on Thursdays, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at East Bay Health, 911 Moraga Rd., Ste 103, Lafayette. Questions? (925) 744-7600; info@eastbayhealthcare.org.

Contra Costa County Office of Education will host its Spring Job Fair on Saturday, Feb. 28 at Pleasant Hill Middle School from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring printed resumes and dress professionally for onsite interviews. For additional details about this free event, contact Morgan Broshar at (925) 942-3489.

Join Mindful Littles in assembling hygiene care kits for families in our community on Sunday Feb. 22 at Lamorinda Music for a delightful, hands-on, family-friendly experience! Together, we will assemble hygiene care kits, personalize and decorate each kit with love, learn about the communities we are supporting and why this work matters and connect with other families who value compassion and service. This event is free. Lamorinda Music is located at 81 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette.  More info at https://mindfullittles.org/

 

Our Changing Election Landscape—AAUW-OML (American Association of University Women, Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette) hosts Janet Hoy of the League of Women Voters Diablo Valley, who will speak on how new federal voting laws and Supreme Court cases may affect voters in 2026 and beyond. Open to the community. Tuesday, March 17. Doors Open 9:30 a.m., program 10 to 11:30 a.m. Orinda Community Church, Fellowship Hall, 10 Irwin Way.

Moraga Historical Society Presents a discussion about prohibition in Lamorinda by local history author Leslie Crenna. Topics include saloon culture and local “wets,” temperance crusaders and local “drys,” the county enforcement campaign of 1923, clever bootlegger tricks, and rebounding post-repeal businesses. Sunday, Feb. 22, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Hacienda de las Flores’ Casita  building, 2100 Donald Drive, Moraga. RSVP to ranchsusan@aol.com by Feb. 13. MHS members free, guests $5 (cash or check). No children under 12 years. Reservations only. Limited seating. 

Garden

Montelindo Garden Club presents "Protecting the places that make the East Bay special,” with Linus Eukel, Executive Director of John Muir Land Trust on Friday, Feb. 20.  An exciting look forward to what the land trust will be doing in the years ahead. This meeting is also Bring a Friend month – 9 a. m. social time, 9:30 a.m. business meeting, 10:15 a.m. speaker. Free. Lafayette Library Meeting, 3491 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette. https://www.montelindogarden.com/2026-meetings.html

Join the Orinda Garden Club for a free engaging community program with Douglas Kent, author of “Firescaping: Protecting Your Home with a Fire-Resistant Landscape,” at the Orinda Library Auditorium March 26 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Doug will share regenerative landscaping strategies that reduce fire risk and help homeowners prepare before, during, and after a firestorm. Doug’s presentations are known for being educational, dynamic, and inspiring. In addition, Orinda City Manager Linda Smith will present a brief State of Orinda. Seating is limited and registration is required at https://www.orindagc.org/community-events