Art

The Moraga Art Gallery's exhibit "Connectivity" is on view through Aug. 16. 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 https://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.

The Lamorinda Arts Council's current exhibit includes featured artists from the Oakland Art Association through July 31 at the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda. The public is invited to a free Artist Reception on July 11 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.  www.lamorindaarts.org

The Main Street Arts Gallery in downtown Martinez is featuring a group exhibition by local metal artists during July and August. The show highlights a variety of pieces ranging from sculptural and functional works to imaginative creations that demonstrate the versatility of the medium. The metal artists include Nate Holbein, Brady Prisha, Luke Heimbigner and Steen Kjorlie. Main Street Arts is located at 613 Main Street, Martinez.

Theater

The Orinda Starlight Village Players presents “Present Laughter,” July 24 to Aug. 15 in the Orinda Community Center Park Amphitheater. Set in 1941, the play revolves around a famous theatre actor Garry Essendine as he prepares to go to Africa on a theatre tour. Full of rich characters, quick wit and theatrical antics, “Present Laughter” is a perfect midsummer comedy. Tickets available at www.orsvp.org/present-laughter

Literature

Free July book club events at Orinda Books. The Poetry Circle Meeting will discuss “I Could Walk Forever and Know So Little” by Krissy Kludt on Monday, July 13 at 10:30 a.m. A discussion of “The Murder of Mr. Wickham” by Claudia Gray will take place on Thursday, July 23 at 10:30 a.m. Both events will be held at Orinda Books, 276 Village Square, Orinda. No RSVP required.

Music

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale presents Handel's Tolomeo on Friday, July 24, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley. What happens when a king loses everything? Peter Whelan launches his first season with the semi-staged opera and an all-star cast in Handel's “Tolomeo.” Cost: $40-$175, $20 tickets available for Under 30s.  For more info see https://philharmonia.org/2026-27-season/handels-tolomeo/ or call 415-295-1900 or email info@philharmonia.org.

Other

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: Outdoor film – “Zootopia” July 16, Opera in the Park July 23, and Salvage Title musical performance on Aug. 6. Go to www.cityoforinda.gov/778/Thursday-Nights-in-Orinda for the full schedule.

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/.

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 Lion’s 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: Bell Brothers, Country, Rock, American, July 9; Dirty Cello, Cello-led Blues& Rock July 16. For the full schedule see  https://moragaparks.org/summer-concert-series/

 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.

Moraga Historical Society in partnership with Michaan’s Auctions presents an appraisal fundraiser event to benefit MHS. You will receive a verbal, fair market appraisal for up to 3 items of your paintings, sculpture, stamps, coins, jewelry, watches, furniture, Asian art, sports memorabilia, and more.  There is a $20 donation for MHS members and $25 for guests. Here’s a chance for you to find out if a family heirloom has monetary value in addition to sentimental value.  Sunday, Aug. 30 (timed entry between 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.).  Casita at Hacienda de las Flores, 2100 Donald Dr., Moraga. RSVP: ranchsusan@aol.com for further instructions.