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/ 

The Moraga Art Gallery’s next exhibit, "From the Earth: Pottery and Blooms," opens March 18 and highlights the artwork of two of the gallery's multi-faceted favorites: photographer Lucy Beck, well known for exquisite, eye-catching floral creations and pottery specialist Mary Leigh Miller, who creates stunning "Raku" vases and jars. Art devotees of all ages are invited to a free reception on Saturday, March 28 from 5 to 7 p.m.  For more information visit  http:www.moragaartgallery.com or call 925-376-5407.

Theater

Miramonte High School Musical Theater Workshop and Stagecraft proudly present: Mean Girls at 7 p.m. on March 13 and 14 at the MHS Theater. The story follows Cady Heron, who may have grown up on an African savanna, but is completely unprepared for the social jungle of suburban high school. Tickets at https://miramontehighschooltheaterdepartment.ludus.com/index.php

Town Hall Education’s annual Young Playwrights Festival will take place March 20 at 7 p.m., at Town Hall Theatre. The festival is part of Town Hall Education's Young Playwrights Program, which connects Bay Area theatre professionals with local high school students to create, write, and develop new theatre pieces. Four finalists have been chosen whose plays will be performed by professional actors: Shrews on Mars!  by Maximilian Streubel, Miramonte High School; Stats  by Lia Camper, California Crosspoint Academy; The Stars by GG Gallagher, Acalanes High School and Yoga Moms by Alice Olson, Miramonte High School. Tickets at www.townhalltheatre.com are $20 for adults and $10 for youth. There will also be Pay-What-You-Can tickets available in advance and at the door.

Free Improv Class at Lamorinda Improv Theater on Wednesday, March 25 or Thursday, April 9 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at LIT Studio, 2 Orinda Theater Square, Ste 111, Orinda. We’ll play games, think on our feet, and create funny scenes together. No experience needed. Zero stress. Maximum fun. Space is limited, so please reserve your spot at LITimprov.com.

Music

Echo In The Canyon 3 - The Spring Equinox Jam on Saturday, March 21 from 4 to 11 p.m. at Bear Creek Music Barn, 357 Bear Oaks Drive, Briones. Suggested donation: $25 - donate at www.siestavalley.org.  Light snacks, beer and wine will be served & the pizza truck from the The 4th Bore will be there for sustenance, but feel free to BYO.  There will be an Equinox Drum Circle at 11 p.m. to Celebrate the Valley of the Spirit Sound. RSVP https://www.mixily.com/event/2450399183134277162

St. Paul's Concert Series is delighted to present Pianist Yun Janice Lu in a spectacular solo performance on Sunday, March 22 at 3 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1924 Trinity Avenue, Walnut Creek. Janice is an award winner of national and international competitions. She will present a phenomenal program including classics from Bach, Scarlatti, Scraibin, Schumann, and others. No tickets necessary.  Optional donations accepted. To obtain the online link and review the full concert program, visit St. Paul’s at stpaulswc.org/concert-series.  

Diablo Symphony Association presents Diablo Symphony Family Concert: 'Joy of the Symphony' featuring narrator Josh Kornbluth on Sunday, March 29, from 2 to 4:15 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.diablosymphony.org/events or call 559-300-4409. 

Front Porch Music PRESENTS returns to Town Hall Theatre in Lafayette for an evening of standout local performances featuring a dynamic mix of folk, Americana, and acoustic music.on Friday, April 3  at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. with a lobby music show. Tickets on sale now: https://www.townhalltheatre.com/front-porch

New Century Chamber Orchestra presents Radiance in Rhythm on Friday, April 24, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, 2407 Dana Street, Berkeley. Guitarist Pablo Sainz-Villegas joins New Century for Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez. Cost: $35-$80. For more info see https://www.ncco.org/concert-season or call 415-357-1111 or email info@ncco.org. 

Music Director Lawrence Kohl presents John Nakamatsu - Van Cliburn Gold Medalist - Debut Performance with Pacific Chamber Orchestra on April 25 at 3 p.m. at the Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. The program features Edward MacDowell's buyoyant "Second Piano Concerto" and Tchaikovsky's soaring, life affirming Symphony No. 5. Tickets and information at https://PacificChamberOrchestra.org.

Literature

Join the Sweet Thursday Author Series on Thursday, March 26 at 7 p.m. in the Don Tatzin CH at the Lafayette Library to hear author, Craig C. Harwood, discuss his book, "Bridget’s Gambit." This is a free event, but registration is required at tinyurl.com/sweetT-Mar2026. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for coffee and treats.

Poetry Event with Krissy Kludt “In Conversation with Dean Rader” at Orinda Books on Saturday, April 18, at 2 p.m., 276 Village Square, Orinda. This is a free event, but please register at  https://tinyurl.com/KrissyKludt. 

Visiting Writer Series events at Saint Mary’s College campus in Moraga run from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. and are free and open to the public.  Featuring Mia Ayumi Malhotra (Poetry) — Author of Mothersalt, a collection drawing from the realities of pregnancy and childbirth on Wednesday, March 13, Lafayette Room; Aracelis Girmay (Poetry) — Author of Green of All Heads on Wednesday, March 25, Hagerty Lounge; and Carvell Wallace (Nonfiction) — Author of Another Word for Love, Wednesday, April 8, Hagerty Lounge.

Other

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.

Let’s Run Lamorinda!  There is a new FREE homegrown running club in our own neighborhood. Sahand Shahrabani, a Miramonte grad, is a local runner and founder of this club. This group is purely for the joy of running and health enthusiasts. Gather in front of 24hr Fitness on Rheem in Moraga every Monday (rain or shine!) at 6 p.m. for a 45-to-90-minute run. 

Spring Festival and Egg Hunt: Family fun for all ages! Activities include egg hunt, Easter bunny photo op, bounce houses, games & prizes, arts & crafts, face painting, and more! March 21, 9 a.m. to noon; Moraga Commons. Hosted by Moraga Juniors Women's Club, celebrating 55 years. Proceeds benefit the Moraga Library. Visit moragajuniors.org for ticket information.

Annual Egg Hunt & Spring Celebration at the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church on Sunday, March 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at LOPC, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. Fun includes:  three egg hunts (infants–4th grade), breakfast bites & treats,  crafts, games & face painting, a special visit from the Easter Bunny. Free, but please bring your own baskets and RSVP at lopc.org/egghunt.

Wagner Ranch Nature Area Community Meetings. John Muir Land Trust will lead two interactive sessions to share information and hear your thoughts on plans to restore and reopen Wagner Ranch Nature Area. Tuesday, March 24, 7 p.m.  and Tuesday, April 28, 7 p.m. at Wagner Ranch Elementary School Gymnasium, 350 Camino Pablo, Orinda. RSVP is required at jmlt.org/wagner-meetup.

Garden

"Good Bug, Bad Bug” will be the Montelindo Garden Club’s meeting topic, presented by John R Fike, Master Gardener on Friday, March 20, 9 a.m. social time, 9:30 a.m.- business meeting, 10:15 .am.- speaker. FREE. 3491 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, Lafayette Library Meeting Hall. Parking structure: enter on Golden Gate. For more information, see 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. 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