Art

The Moraga Art Gallery's new exhibit "Connectivity" is on view through Aug. 16.  Free reception for the public to meet the artists, enjoy wine, music, and light snacks on Saturday, June 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. The Gallery is located at 432 Center Street in the Rheem Valley Shopping Center and is open noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday. For more information visit http:www.moragaartgallery.com or call 925-376-5407.  
 
Anthony’s Custom Picture Framers is pleased to present “The Sounds of Art,” a collaborative art show featuring local artist Peter Baron and special guest Ryan Price on bass and guitar on Sunday, July 12 from 2 – 5 p.m. at 1020 Brown Ave in Lafayette.  Peter Baron’s art has been featured in galleries, restaurants, festivals, and magazines such as Art in America and Art News. His paintings and drawings reflect an eclectic mix of styles and influences.  Admission is free.

Orinda Library Art Gallery’s June Exhibit featuring watercolors and botanical watercolors is open through June 27. The gallery is located at 26 Orinda Way and is open every day except Sundays. www.lamorindaarts.org

Theater

Youth Open Mic June 14, 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Chicken Pie Shop, 1251 Arroyo Way, Walnut Creek. Immerse yourself in a world of poetry, prose, visual arts and creative writing at this  free event for teens aged 13 - 18 to read their creative work or 2D artists to display their art (easel provided). Questions? Email elanao@mac.com.

The Orinda Starlight Village Players presents "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd," Mark Shanahan's all new adaptation of the classic Agatha Christie mystery directed and designed by Matt Cardigan-Smith June 5 through July 4 in the Orinda Community Center Park Amphitheater (located at 28 Orinda Way in Orinda). Set in an English village in 1926, the widowed Mrs. Ferrars is found dead by apparent suicide and shortly after her fiancé, the most prominent man in town - Roger Ackroyd, is found dead, rumors start to run rampant. https://www.orsvp.org/the-murder-of-roger-ackroyd

Lamorinda Improv Theater is back for another evening of quick wit, big laughs, and unscripted fun as LIT students take the stage—with plenty of audience suggestions – in a high-energy performance at the historic Orinda Theatre at  8 p.m. on June 19. This showcase is the graduation party for LIT students, who have spent months honing their instincts, sharpening their timing, and mastering the art of “making stuff up.”  Tickets are $20. Available at the Orinda Theatre website or  https://www.litimprov.com

Town Hall Theatre Company presents "Tiny Beautiful Things" based on the book by Cheryl Strayed and adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos through June 27 at 3535 School Street in Lafayette. Tickets available at www.townhalltheatre.com/tiny-beautiful-things for $25.

Lee Osorio's “Prisontown” directed by Richard Perez, returns for two encore performances as a co-production with Town Hall Theatre in Lafayette. Past Artist in Residence, playwright, and actor Lee Osorio performed his play last year to sold-out audiences. This important and timely play delves into the complexities of a town relying on an immigrant detention facility as its life blood resulting in moral challenges that lead to apathy and activism in the face of the dehumanizing of others. Friday, July 3 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, July 5 at 2 p.m.at the Town Hall Theatre, Lafayette. Tickets available at www.townhalltheatre.com for $30.

Other

More than $38 million is available countywide to support students as they make college and career decisions ahead of graduation and approximately 41% of public high school students in Contra Costa County are eligible for a CalKIDS Scholarship worth up to $1,500. Administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board under the California State Treasurer’s Office, CalKIDS provides scholarships to eligible California public school students to help pay for college or career training. Students and families can visit CalKIDS.org to check eligibility and, if eligible, follow the steps to claim their scholarship.

Middle and high school students living or attending school in California’s 10th Congressional District are invited to submit an original application written in any programming language, for any platform (desktop/PC, web, tablet, mobile, raspberry Pi, etc.) as part of the 2026 Congressional App Challenge. Submissions are open now through 9 a.m. PT on Monday, Oct. 26. For more information or help submitting an app, please call (925) 933-2660. To learn more about the CAC, register, and submit your app please visit https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/students/student-registration/.

Queer Faith Festival, a free LGBTQ+ interfaith community celebration Sunday, June 14 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lafayette. Festival activities will include live performances, interfaith speakers, drag artistry, community organizations, kids' activities, the Kona Ice truck, food offerings, and opportunities for reflection and conversation. The event is free. 1035 Carol Ln, Lafayette. Website: www.queerfaithfestival.org

Join the Orinda community, Miramonte Boosters, and MatsNation on Friday, June 26, as we celebrate Miramonte alumna Sabrina Ionescu—WNBA and Olympic champion, record-setting three-point shooter, and one of basketball’s most inspiring leaders. A free, all-ages community celebration takes place at Miramonte High School from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., and includes a gymnasium dedication at 5:30 p.m. featuring Sabrina herself! The evening continues with a ticketed VIP reception at Moraga Country Club. Learn more at matsfund.org/all-project/gymnasium.

Sweet Thursday will discuss “The Peach Seed” with Anita Gail Jones on Thursday, June 18 at 7 p.m. at the Lafayette Library. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for guests to enjoy coffee and sweets. Her debut novel, “The Peach Seed” explores the repercussions of a single choice and how an enduring talisman challenges and holds a family together. The program is free, but registration is required by logging into www.tinyurl.com/sweet-June2026.

Sustainable Contra Costa is Calling for Sustainability Award Nominations - Do you know an individual, nonprofit, government program, school, or business that deserves to be recognized for their good work?  The Leadership in Sustainability Award nominations are open now and will close on July 3rd. Nomination form: https://www.tfaforms.com/5219122

Free Summer Concerts Thursdays 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Moraga Commons Band Shell. Loard’s ice cream will serve from the lawn at every concert; while the Moraga Lions and Moraga Kiwanis clubs will serve beer and wine from the bandshell. Taste of the World Market and Ofie’s Kitchen food trucks will be on hand to provide food options too. Upcoming concerts: Sun Kings, June 11, a Reggae, a Beatles tribute band; Purple Ones, June 18, a Prince tribute band; and Refugees, June 25, a Tom Petty tribute band. For the full schedule see  https://moragaparks.org/summer-concert-series/

Rock the Plaza is a free concert series held at Lafayette Plaza on Fridays in June from 6 to 8 p.m. Bring a blanket or chairs, grab some take-out, or pack a picnic to enjoy during the concert. Featured bands & performers: J, June 12 – The Kyle Athayde Dance Party, and June 26 – Lamorinda Idol Finalists. For more event information, visit: https://lafayettechamber.org/rock  

Thursday Nights in Orinda. Turn your summer into a weekly celebration on Thursday nights through September at the Orinda Community Center Park located at 28 Orinda Way.  With events rotating throughout the season, there’s always something to enjoy. Upcoming events: The Lion King 10 on June 11, music by the Good Time Collective Band on June 18, and a theater performance by the Orinda Starlight Village Players on July 2.  Go to www.cityoforinda.gov/
778/Thursday-Nights-in-Orinda for the full schedule.

Hacienda Nights brings the community together for live music, local food vendors, family activities, and relaxed outdoor fun under the trees at the Hacienda De Las Flores once a month on Tuesday evenings from June through August. Guests are invited to grab dinner from a rotating lineup of food trucks and vendors, enjoy drinks and desserts, connect with neighbors, and soak in the atmosphere of one of Moraga’s most scenic gathering spaces. Bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic in the park on Tuesday, July 7 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Hacienda de las Flores Park great lawn, 2100 Donald Drive, Moraga.

Fourth of July

Fourth of July Parade in downtown Orinda 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 4.  Arrive early to find a good viewing spot. The parade begins in the Theatre District and continues to the Village side of town. Following the parade, there will be a carnival and music in Orinda Community Park beginning at 11:30 a.m. with food trucks and beer booths.

Fourth of July festivities at Moraga Commons Park run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a dog parade, inflatable jumpies, games, live music and entertainment. The fun resumes at 7 p.m. with a free concert at the bandshell featuring Neon Velvet followed by fireworks around 9:30 p.m.