ART

About Face - The Arts and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County is offering two-day self-portrait painting workshops at no cost to all Contra Costa County veterans. Workshops will take place in Martinez at ARTU4iA, a working art studio led by noted artist John Kleber. No art experience required. All painting materials will be provided. Workshops are form 6 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 5, 17 and 19. Free food and beverages will be provided. Class size will be held up to 15 participants. Register online at AC5.org/ABOUTFACE.

Valley Art Gallery’s “Colorfall” exhibit runs through Nov. 7.  Fall is the most colorful time of the year, with russets and siennas joining the greens and golds of summer. Valley Art Gallery celebrates this expanded palette with a new show, with a juried selection of new work from a talented group of local members.

The newest show at the Lafayette Art Gallery is titled “Artful Gifting,” which opened Nov. 3 and runs through Dec. 26. Noted glass artist David Strock will be featured as a guest through Nov. 14. There will be a free reception showcasing Strock’s work, with beverages and snacks, from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8. For info, visit www.lafayetteartgallery.com.

The 9th Annual Artisan Faire in Orinda will be held from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5 at the Orinda Country Club, 315 Camino Sobrante. This is a perfect occasion to find holiday gifts of unique and distinctive art and craft pieces, including ceramics, glass, painting, woodwork, clothing, fiber art, clocks, jewelry, photography and more. Complimentary wine tasting will be offered at this festive event.

The SMC Museum of Art lecture “Another Kind of Truth” – in conversation with Mexican-American artist Luis Gutierrez and Peruvian, curator and arts educator, Susana Aragón, from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5 in the Clayes Lounge in the Soda Activity Center. $5 admission. For info, visit www.stmarys-ca.edu/museum. To RSVP, call (925) 631-4363.

The Moraga Art Gallery’s new exhibit, “Yellowstone: Beauty, Beasts, and Boneyards,” will feature oil landscapes by Orinda’s Lisa Gunn, whose imaginative palette captures the primitive character and timelessness of Yellowstone National Park and its environs. Also featured is a boldly-hued collection of one-of-a-kind etched tableware, handmade by guest artist Lisa Neimeth in her studio, a converted San Francisco chicken coop. The show will run from Nov. 4 to Jan. 9 with a free reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 7. The current show “Color, Clay & Fire” featuring artists Jacqueline Proulx and Marge Barta Atkins runs through Oct. 31. For more info, visit www.moragaartgallery.com or call (925) 376-5407.

“Wild” Animal Portraits and Cityscapes by Dan San Souci at the Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery, 3620 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. The Exhibit runs from Nov. 6 to Dec. 5 with an artist reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 6.

50th Annual Holiday Collection for “Artful Giving” at the Valley Art Gallery from Nov. 21 to Dec. 23. Our new gift exhibition includes a wide variety of beautifully crafted, ceramic, wood and glass pieces, original designer jewelry, holiday decorations, small paintings and many other unique, one-of-a-kind gift items. There will be a free Open House reception at the Gallery on from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21. Stop by for a beverage and a snack, see the new show and meet the artists!

Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art exhibit “The Axis Mundi/Open Portals” is currently on display through Dec. 6. Also on display are oil paintings by William Keith, artwork by Luis Guttierez, and “The Dr. Maurice Al- berti Print Collection of European and American Masters.” The Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the Saint Mary’s College of California campus, 1928 Saint Mary’s Road, Moraga. For more information, visit http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/saint-marys-college-museum-of-art. (See story page B1)

MUSIC

The Lafayette Library and Learning Center will be hosting its third annual Teen Battle of the Bands from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. In this popular event, teen bands will battle it out on stage in front of their friends and peers alike for cash and other prizes. Radio station Live 105 will make a return appearance. Local Walnut Creek-based food trucks Tonli Dumpling House and United Bites will also be present. Raffle prizes will be randomly awarded to audience members between each set.

Electric jazz concert: Charged Particles from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13 in the Lafayette Library Community Hall. Charged Particles crosses stylistic boundaries and blends multiple traditions to create vital new sounds in the electric jazz arena. The trio’s repertoire blends jazz styles with elements from Latin music, classical music, funk and more. Free.

Diablo Wind Symphony Concert at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15 at Campolindo High School, 300 Moraga Road, Moraga. The Diablo Wind Symphony includes numerous SMC wind and percussion players. Under the artistic direction of SMC faculty member John Maltester, they play a spirited range of music from marches to masterworks. Free.

The Moraga Library is pleased to present classical guitarist, Peter Fletcher, in concert at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17. This evening concert is part of a nationwide tour to promote Fletcher’s new CD “Christmas Music for Guitar.” Fletcher will perform selections from this new CD as well as music by Villa Lobos, Grieg, Albeniz, Bach and Walton. For more info, visit ccclib.org or call (925) 376-6852.

Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble looks to the heavens with “Celestial Bodies: The Beauty of Distant Things,” the 14th in its annual “Voices in Peace” concert series at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 at St. Perpetua Catholic Parish, 3445 Hamlin Rd., Lafayette. The Oakland-based chamber group performs a radiant selection of music that invokes the sun, moon, and stars, and that voices the longing, love, and other complex emotions they inspire.

Pacific Chamber Symphony begins the new Lamorinda Season at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 in the Community Hall. Tickets: $10-35. Children with paying adult are free. Tickets are available at www.brownpapertickets.com or by calling 1-800-838-3006. (See story page B7)

THEATER

“Chaste (an awful comedy )” by Ken Prestininzi and directed by Rebecca Engle, LeFevre Theatre, 1928 Saint Mary’s Road, Moraga.  A darkly delicious comedy, about a trio of free-thinking Victorians who bet their friendship on a vow of abstinence. Things get sticky quickly when their high-minded living arrangements invite desire, provoke jealousies, and fan titanic egos. Show times: 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. times available on different days from Thursday, Nov. 5 to Sunday, Nov. 8.  Tickets: $12; $8 students and seniors. Available one hour before show time or online http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/node/139301.  (See story page B5)

Join the Acalanes DramaDons in their entertaining and comedic production of “The Curious Savage,” directed by Ed Meehan, Acalanes drama teacher. The story playfully highlights how, in a world that seems motivated by greed and dishonesty at 7 p.m. Nov. 10, 12, 13 and 14 in the Acalanes Little Theatre. Tickets are available in November during lunch at AHS or online at ahsperformingarts.org. Limited ticket sales at the door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Cost: adults $12; students and seniors $7.  (See story page B4)

Variations, a brand new student-run production highlighting the Saint Mary’s Dance Company, is a representation of each choreographer in the concert. This production will include two different evenings of concerts (Concert A and Concert B), presenting choreography by graduating seniors. “Variations” opens Nov. 19 for a one-weekend run in the intimate LeFevre Theatre at Saint Mary’s College. Tickets: $5 general; free for SMC students with ID. Purchase online at www.stmarys-ca.edu/variations or at box office, one hour to curtain.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

Moraga Movers and the Moraga Library present “Book Talking” at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4 at the Moraga Library, featuring speaker Marian Neilson of Orinda Books.

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Wine & Tapas Speaker Series presents: Wealth Inequality: History and Implications from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 at 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. Ramsay Thomas’ presentation will highlight the events and trends that have led to inequality, the impacts of inequality on the current world, and the implications for the future. Free.

The Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette (OML) Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will feature Graciela Tiscareno-Sato, publisher, speaker and bilingual STEM consultant, at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17 at the Holy Trinity Serbian Cultural Center, 1700 School Street, Moraga. For membership information, visit the Branch website: http://oml-ca.aauw.net.

Lamorinda Republican Women Federated luncheon speaker will be Larry Greenfield, who writes widely on American politics and U.S. foreign policy and appears frequently in the media as a popular spokesman for economic freedom, religious liberty, America’s founding first principles, and the defense of U.S. national security interests. Greenfield will speak at 11:15 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19 at the Orinda Country Club. Cost: $26 per person with lunch; $15 per person, speaker only. Register by Nov. 13 by calling Sheri Rosen at (925) 935-4847 or email Reservations@lamorindarepublicanwomen.org.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Oakland ZooMobile animals and their ambassadors will visit the Moraga Library at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17. Look and learn about animals on this early school dismissal day. Space is limited for this free event; register online or by contacting the library. For elementary students K-5.

OTHER

A Gathering of the Tribal Knowledge – a panel discussion covering the historical, social, archival and cultural influences and aspects of the Grateful Dead with long-time members of the Grateful Dead extended family will be held at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6 and 7 at the Town Hall Theatre in Lafayette.  Following the discussion will be an historic musical celebration featuring Grateful Dead tribute band The Golden Rose. For schedule and tickets, visit www.townhalltheatre.com.

Lafayette Juniors 22nd Annual Rummage Sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. Special early bird entrance fee: $5 per adult from 7 to 8 a.m. Pre-loved designer clothes, baby and kid clothes, toys, and gear, furniture, household goods, and much more. For info, visit www.lafayettejuniors.org.

Join Joy in Motion on World Kindness Day for the Dance for Kindness at 11 a.m. on Nov. 8 at Elam and Margaret Brown Plaza across the Street from Safeway at the corner of Moraga Road and Mt. Diablo Boulevard in Lafayette. Groups from across the globe join together to perform a Kindness Freezemob/Flashmob to the same song, same dance, all happening on the same day. Everyone can participate. For info, visit www.joyinmotiondance.org.

The Stroke Support Group of Contra Costa County will hold its November meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9 in the Sterns Conference Room at John Muir Medical Center - Walnut Creek Campus (1601 Ygnacio Valley Road.) The speaker will be Rev. Suzanne Tindall, who will discuss “Grief Following Illness and Loss.” For further information about the Stroke Support Group, contact Ann Dzuna at (925) 376-6218. Free.

The Moraga Movers will hold its regularly scheduled dinner meeting at the St. Mary’s Soda Center at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, preceded by social hour at 5 p.m. An “activities evening” is planned with staffed tables to encourage interest in bridge, book club, board games and an informal bocce ball court set up. For info, or to make reservation before midnight on Nov. 4, call (925) 376-6622.

Veterans Day Ceremony from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11 at Moraga Commons Park to honor all who served in times of war and in times of peace. Speakers and refreshments sponsored by the Town of Moraga and Moraga Boy Scout Troops 212, 234, 246 and 249.

Saint Mary’s College Guild’s Harvest Luncheon, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12 at the SMC Soda Center. A traditional Thanksgiving luncheon will be served.  Cost: $35 per person. All donations will benefit the Saint Mary’s Scholarship fund. Mail checks to: SMC Guild, 828 Crossbrook St., Moraga, CA 94556. Questions? Call Dolores at (925) 376-4339.

Lafayette Nursery School Open House from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14.  Come see what Lafayette Nursery School is all about. This school admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin. For info, visit www.lafayettenurseryschool.org.
“Walk For A Cure” Oakmont Memorial Park Cancer Walk from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 at the Oakmont Memorial Park and Mortuary, Lafayette. $20. Register at www.OakmontCancerWalk.com.

Shine A Light on Lung Cancer from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19 at the Walnut Creek Library Oak Room, 1644 N. Broadway.  Join an engaging panel of medical experts as they cover the most current information regarding screening recommendations, genomic profiling, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy and surgical techniques.  Also included will be an inspiring lung cancer survivor’s story. Q & A session will follow presentation.  Free. Reservation recommended; call (925) 677-5041.

Orinda Holiday Bazar from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 21 at the Orinda Community Center. There are over 20 new exhibitors this year featuring succulents, handmade cards, lotions, women’s clothing, handmade bags, knitwear, decorative trays, candles and paper mache items.

Holiday Boutique supporting New Day for Children from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane in Lafayette. Start your holiday shopping while supporting a local faith-based Safe House for young girls who have been rescued from human trafficking. For info, visit www.newdayforchildren.com.

18th Cycle Recycle, held by Bobbie and Tom Preston, will be held throughout November. New and/or used bikes and trikes in working order or repairable, or useable bike parts may be delivered to the side driveway of the Preston’s home at 1307 Larch Avenue in Moraga. No skateboards or plastic bikes please; no need to call beforehand, but for more information contact Bobbie at (925) 376-8474.

SENIORS

Drop-In Mah Jongg - Calling all Mah Jongg players! Bring your card and mah jongg set every Tuesday afternoon from to 3 p.m. in the Lafayette Community Center Cedar Room. This group is for all levels. No need to RSVP – just show up and pay at the door. Free for Senior Services members; $10 non-members.

Dementia Roadmap: From Diagnosis to Family Care at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11 at the Eldercare Walnut Creek office at 1808 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. Join Linda Fodrini-Johnson as she discusses what you need to know, what you need to plan, and what you and your family can do when faced with the challenges of dementia. No fee and limited seating. Advance registration required. To register for an event call (866) 760-1808 or email info@eldercareanswers.com.

GARDEN

The Walnut Creek Garden Club will meet from 9:30 a.m. to noon Monday, Nov. 9 at the Gardens at Heather Farm located at 1540 Marchbanks Road in Walnut Creek. The topic of the program is Special Flowers and Arrangements for the Holiday Season. Anna Cambell grows unusual flowers on her own farm and will share her “live art” with a hands-on demonstration of unique and simple arrangements. You do not need to be a gardener to join the WCGC. For more info, email mslittle44@gmail.com.

Lafayette Garden Club, November meeting and program will feature Najat Nicola, owner of “Floral Design By Najat” and longtime exhibitor for the annual Bouquets to Art, who will demonstrate her renowned floral designing talent in a program entitled “Holiday Arrangements” from 9:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, Nov. 12 at the Lafayette Veterans Memorial Hall, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Guests welcome! For info, email cpoetzsch@gmail.com.

The Moraga Garden Club will hold its general meeting at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19 at the Holy Trinity Church, 1700 School Street, Moraga. Guest speaker will be Rebecca Sweet, who will give a presentation entitled “Refresh Your Garden.” Interested parties are welcome for the 9:30 a.m. social time and marketplace table, followed by the meeting at 10 a.m.

Montelindo Garden Club Meeting will be at 9 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 20 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 66 St. Stephens Drive, Orinda. Visitors welcome. Topic: Bee Friendly Gardening. The speaker will be K. Ruby Blume, gardener, beekeeper and founder of The Institute of Urban Homesteading, who will be discussing the important roles of bees in our garden.