Art

The Orinda Library Art Gallery featured artists for August,: Denise Nomura, Abstract Paintings; Daniel Wallace Hunter, Photography; Yingling Lin, Ceramics; and Tony DeMartile, Collage. 26 Orinda Way, Orinda. www.lamorindaarts.org
 
The Moraga Art Gallery, located at 432 Center Street in the Moraga Shopping Center, announces the Aug. 19 opening of a new exhibit entitled "Cadence," Free public reception on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 5 to 7 p.m., with live music. www.moragaartgallery.com, 925-376-5407.  

Studio 55 Martinez is excited to invite you to submit to exhibit your works at the gallery. “Summertime” is an opportunity for you to display your interpretation of art that depicts the summer season. This exhibition is open to all emerging and established artists of the Bay Area. Submission details at studio55martinez.com.

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. Tickets available at www.orsvp.org/present-laughter

Literature

Art Embraces Words Sept. 13, 2 to 4 p.m. at the main Stage at the Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School St. in Lafayette. Original Art features juried artwork from local artists which was forwarded to local poets. Each poet then chooses and interprets one 2D artwork and speaks about it through poetic language. Questions? Contact elanao@mac.com, visit https://LamorindaArts.org/art-embraces-poetry or call 925-359-9940. 
 
Sweet Thursday Author Series will discuss Leigh Steinberg’s new book, “The Comeback: A Playbook for Turning Life’s Setbacks into Victories,” on Thursday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Lafayette Library. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for guests to enjoy coffee and sweets. Books will be available for purchase. Free, but registration is required by logging into www.tinyurl.com/sweet-Sept2026.

Music

Free Summer Concerts Thursdays 6:30 - 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: Aug. 13 Dream Like Taylor/Cassie B, a special event of Taylor Swift Tribute plus Top 40 hits and Aug. 20 Fleetwood Mask, a Fleetwood Mac Tribute band. For the full schedule see https://moragaparks.org/summer-concert-series/  
 
The Lamorinda Arts Council invites you to attend the Lamorinda Idol Finals at the Orinda Theatre on Sunday, Aug. 16. More than 50 soloists and groups will compete throughout the day across several divisions: K–5 soloists (11 a.m. to 1 p.m., groups (1:30 to 3 p.m.), middle school soloists (3:45 to 5:30 p.m.), and high school soloists (6 to 8 p.m.) Free.

Free concert with Random Nature, a local band composed of six Lafayette dads who love classic rock. They will play favorite one-hit wonders and rock-n-roll hits of the 1960’s to the early 2010’s. Come to the concert on Saturday, Aug. 16, 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Grove behind "The Church on the Trail" Lafayette Christian Church, 584 Glenside Drive. Bring your chairs, blankets, and picnics. Lots of parking. 
 
Summer in the Grove Concert featuring KAHP Band, a power duo of Kyle Athayde and Heny Plumb seamlessly blending jazz, funk, soul R&B, and pop on Aug. 29 at Lafayette Christian Church in Founders Grove. Music begins at 6 p.m. Bring chairs, blankets, and a picnic. Free admission.

St. Paul's Concert Series presents award-winning pianist Mira Armij Gill, with renowned violinist Francisco Salazar in a spectacular Piano and Violin Duo performance, Saturday, Aug. 29, at 7 p.m. at 1924 Trinity Avenue, Walnut Creek. No tickets necessary. Donations accepted. Info at stpaulswc.org/concert-series/
 
An East Bay Community Extravaganza presented by Bang the Bay, Feel the Sounds brings a massive lineup of surf, punk, and garage rock to Siesta Valley Bowl in Orinda for an all-ages day of music celebrating the East Bay community on Saturday, Aug. 22 at noon. Tickets: www.siestavalleybowl.com 

Other

Fabulous Courses for Curious Minds. OLLI offers lectures, short courses, and field experiences covering topics in the sciences, social sciences, arts, humanities, history, literature, and current events taught by distinguished educators. OLLI courses are designed purely for the enjoyment of learning. An annual membership costs $60 and includes one free lecture each month. Classes are held at the Cal State East Bay Concord Center on Ygnacio Valley Road, with many additional courses available via Zoom. Visit www.campusce.net/csueastbay, email olli@csueastbay.edu, or call 925-602-6776. 

The Contra Costa Athletic Assingnors are looking for referees for boys and girls flag football. CCAA is also looking for officials in basketball, baseball and soccer. If you’re interested in contributing to the youth of America, getting some exercise, performing in front of large crowds – and earning a fair amount of money – then contact Dave Cutaia (ccaa.officials@gmail.com).

AARP Tax-Aide is looking for volunteers to become members of a team providing free tax preparation service in Contra Costa County. While prior tax preparation experience is beneficial, it is not a requirement. To learn more and apply online, visit www.aarpfoundation.org/taxaidevolunteer or call (925) 726-3199 for additional information.
 
Come join a group of knitters who have participated in community service projects in past years and are doing so again this year. Knitting and crocheting hats and scarves for children and adults in need that will be distributed in November by a nonprofit serving those in need in local communities. You may drop off completed new hand knit and crocheted items in a member's house in Orinda, Moraga or Rossmoor by the end of October. Please email kathydown@comcast.net or call or text her at (925) 997-0734 for addresses and details. 

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.

2026 Fire Safe Virtual Expo series begins Wednesday, Sept. 2. A free series of "lunch and learn" webinars features reviewed businesses in the Fire Safe Business Directory and their wildfire safety products and services. Each expo will be from noon to 1 p.m. and feature a unique slate of businesses. Free. Sign up for one or all four sessions of the Fire Safe Virtual Expo series today at https://cafiresafecouncil.org/fire-safe-virtual-expos. 

Lamorinda Arts Council announces a “Call for Writers” to present spoken word readings and a “Call for Artists” to display original artwork, all with a Halloween Theme. Held in the Arts & Science Room of the Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., the free program runs from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 31. We ask all presenters and guests to appear as their most inspired literary or artistic character for our Cosplay Contest. Contact elanao@mac.com, visit https://LamorindaArts.org/art-embraces-words or call 925-359-9940. Deadline Oct. 19.

Garden

The Montelindo Garden Club will meet on Friday, Sept. 18, at the Lafayette Library Auditorium, 3491 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette. Free. Social time: 9 to 9:30 a.m., Business meeting: 9:30 to 10 a.m., Speaker 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. The speaker will be botanical illustrator and member Lee McCaffree, describing her time as Botanical Artist in Residence at the famous Oak Spring Garden, See www.montelindogarden.com/2026-meetings.html

Community Events

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.  Go to www.cityoforinda.gov/778/Thursday-Nights-in-Orinda for the full schedule.

Moraga Rib Throwdown, a community cookoff and fundraiser benefiting the Moraga Education Foundation (MEF) and the town's five public schools at Canyon Club Brewery in Moraga on Saturday, Aug. 29 from 4 to 8 p.m. Sharing plates is encouraged, and the event is free and open to everyone; a ticket is not required to attend. Tasting and judging tickets are available in advance at ribthrowdown.com.

The Kapnek Trust USA Family Fun 5K Run, 1K Run/Walk AND Carnival will be held on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 9 a.m. at Moraga Commons Park. Participants will enjoy a commemorative T-shirt, brunch, live music, arts/crafts, carnival games, and FUN!  Strollers and dogs welcome! Go to: https://2026kapnekfunrun.eventbrite.com

The Lafayette Art & Wine Festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Downtown Lafayette. Featuring 4 stages with 20+ bands, 200+ artist / craft booths, 4 kid zones, wide selection of California varietals and craft beers, local dining and shopping. Free Admission. Free Festival parking is available in the BART Lafayette Station parking lots with an easy walk or free shuttle ride to the Festival. Complimentary bike valet is located at 81 Lafayette Circle. View music schedule and learn more at https://lafayettefestival.com