ART

Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery presents: Kurt Oskar Weber (1938-2011) “Boundless.” The Exhibit runs March 24 through April 23, with a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, March 24.

Painting the Natural World runs at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3 at the Moraga Library. Local artist and naturalist Barbara Hudler Cella will share her process and motivation in creating works of art inspired by the natural world. It’s part of the National Parks Service’ Centennial Celebration event.

The City of Lafayette Public Art Committee welcomes its latest art exhibit “Oscar’s Excellent Year,” featuring local artist Joanne Taeuffer. The exhibit is on display in the Homework Center at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center now through June. For info, visit www.joannetaeuffer.com.

MUSIC

Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School student Owen Pan will give an hour-long piano recital presented by Diablo Valley College, performing with Miramonte junior and DVC graduate Hannah Pan as guest pianist. He will perform the works of Scarlatti, Mozart, Schubert, Chopin, Balakirev and Bartok. 7 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at the DVC Music Building, Room M101.

Boundless, the fifth and final concert of Gold Coast Chamber Player’s 2015-2016 series, showcases music by J.S. Bach, Claude Debussy and Dmitri Shostakovich for piano and strings. The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, at the Lafayette Library Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette. A pre-concert talk will start the evening at 7 p.m. Ticket price includes complimentary champagne, the pre-concert talk and a reception with the musicians following the performance. Tickets are $37.50 general, $32.50 seniors and $15 for students and are available at www.gcplayers.org and by phone at (925) 283-3728.

The Lafayette Rotary Club’s Annual Concert at the Res will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 14 at the Lafayette Reservoir stage. Pack a picnic and enjoy performances by the Stanley Symphonic Band, the Acalanes Wind Ensemble, the Big Band of Rossmoor, the Bentley School Jazz combo and a special guest band

THEATER

The Acalanes Drama Dons present “Macbeth” at 7 p.m. on April 27, 28, 29 and 30 in the Performing Arts Center little theater. Tickets are available in April during lunch at Acalanes High School and online at ahsperformingarts.org. Limited ticket sales available day of the show. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Adults $12; students and seniors $7. (See story on page B4)

Orinda Intermediate School’s Bulldog Theater presents “James and the Giant Peach JR.” at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. April 28 and 29 and 2 and 5 p.m. April 30, 80 Ivy Dr., Orinda. Ticket prices range from $3-10 and are available for advance purchase at www.showtix4u.com. Tickets will also be sold at the door.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

A Conversation with Two Bay Area Authors: Stories Focus on Women Risking All. Join Lafayette’s Lynn Carey as she hosts a conversation with two up-and-coming Bay Area authors at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 21at the Del Valle Theatre, 1963 Tice Valley Rd. Sponsored by Acalanes Adult Education with Carey, former Contra Costa Times Book Club host, the event features Jan Ellison and Meg Waite Clayton who will read from and discuss their novels. Books will be available for purchase. Tickets are $15 and can be ordered online at www.acalanes.k12.ca.us/adultedonlineregistration or by calling 925.3980 x.4133.

Wine and Tapas Speaker Series: “The Future of Food - From Nutritional Poverty to Sacred Relationship.” Our Savior’s Lutheran Church hosts a local panel to discuss the challenges and possibilities as we work to reimagine our relationship with food and our local food shed from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 23. With a particular focus on children’s nutrition and awareness, farmer Bill Durkin, chef Lynda Rextroat, and author Lisa Ota will share thoughts and insights. A host of other organizations will provide display tables.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Free Practice exams for the new SAT and ACT at the Moraga Library. ACT on April 23 with the review on May 5. Sign up online or at the Moraga Library. Signups include the test return and review date.

The Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center presents its 19th annual Peace Through Art and Writing Challenge. This year’s topic: “Cherish these Natural Wonders.” The contest is open to middle and high school students in Contra Costa County, who may submit works in three categories: essay, creative writing and art. Submissions are due April 22 to Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center, 55 Eckley Ln., Walnut Creek, 94596. For detailed contest requirement info, visit www.creatingpeacefulschools.weebly.com or call (925) 933-7850.

The Friends of the Orinda Library announces the 2016 Poul Anderson Creative Writing Contest, open to all high school students who reside and/or attend high school in Orinda. Entry Categories are science fiction/fantasy, essay/memoir/biography, poetry and short story. Students may submit one entry in any of the four categories for a total of not more than three entries. Submission deadline is noon on Friday, April 22. Entries should be submitted to individual school representatives or at the Orinda Library. For additional info, go to www.friendsoftheorindalibrary.org or email contest@friendsoftheorindalibrary.com.

Seedlings Preschool’s 22nd Annual Wheel Day is from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 23 at Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. Bring the whole family to climb inside a giant tractor, sit on a real motorcycle and hear a real fire engine siren. Children can also enjoy face painting and even take a train ride around the parking lot. Free. Snacks and refreshments will be available for minimal cost.

Button Making, Bookface & Bookspine Poetry from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27 in the Lafayette Library Teen Center.

The Bay Area Storytelling Festival, which promotes the timeless, contemporary art of storytelling by presenting today’s finest talents, starts on Friday, April 29 with one or more master-level workshops and an evening performance by all tellers. It continues with several performances for adults and older kids, and a special family program for the younger kids on Saturday and Sunday April 20 and May 1 at the Orinda Community Center. The festival showcases the power of stories to bridge generations, celebrate diverse cultures, and build and connect communities. For info, visit www.bayareastorytelling.org.

The Lamorinda Idol 2016 auditions will be held May 19-21. Registration is open to all Lamorinda students or residents. Groups can include members outside Lamorinda. Register at www.LamorindaArts.org through April 30. The Lamorinda Idol program includes workshops, multiple performance opportunities, parties and the Finals at the Orinda Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 4.

OTHER

The internationally acclaimed documentary ”An American Ascent,” about the first African American expedition to tackle North America’s highest peak, Denali, will be screened at the Orinda Library Auditorium at 7 p.m. on April 20. Expedition member Scott Briscoe will introduce the film and speak about his on-going work. Free and open to the public. First come, first seated. For more information, call (925) 254-2184 or email bgirshma@ccclib.org.

Join National Park Service rangers for a full moon walk beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday April 21 on Mt. Wanda, part of the John Muir National Historic Site in Martinez, CA. This free, two-hour program begins with a one-mile, moderately strenuous hike to watch the full moon rise over nearby Mt. Diablo. Bring water, a flashlight, warm clothes, and binoculars (if you have them). If it rains heavily, the walk will be canceled. Please call the John Muir NHS visitor center at (925) 228-8860 to make your reservations or if you have questions. For more information, please visit the park website at www.nps.gov/jomu.

The City of Orinda will be beautified and cleaned during the eighth annual Orinda Action Day of Community Service by community volunteers from 9:30 to noon Saturday, April 23. A new theme this year is “Keep Orinda Beautiful!” There is a poster contest for K-12 students in conjunction with Orinda Action Day, with cash prizes for the winners. Completed posters are due by noon April 23. They may be turned in at the Library Plaza on Orinda Action Day April 23, or dropped off before at Mechanics Bank, 77 Moraga Way, Orinda. Back of poster must be marked with name, grade and contact information.

Join Friends of Orinda Creeks for Orinda Action Day 2016 and help clean up San Pablo Creek from 9:30 to noon on Saturday, April 23. Meet at the booth in front of the Library. Wear long pants and a hat, bring gloves if you have them. Other tools will be provided.

Make this Earth Day a true celebration by opening your home to a new kitten or cat. See the precious kitties of Community Concern for Cats at an adoption event from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, April 23 and 24 at Pet Food Express in Lafayette and Pleasant Hill, and Petco in Walnut Creek. For more information see www.communityconcernforcats.org .

The Lafayette Earth Day Celebration will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 24 at the Lafayette Library & Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd.

The City of Lafayette’s Downtown Creeks Plan is moving forward. A third public workshop is now scheduled for 7 p.m. on April 27 at the Lafayette Library’s Community Hall. At this workshop the City will present the draft plan and review implementation strategies. For more information, contact Steven Goetz via email at sgoetz@ci.lafayette.ca.us and visit our website at www.lovelafayette.org/creeksplan.

Celebrate Judy Dinkle as Moraga’s 2016 Citizen of the Year on Friday, April 29 at the Soda Center at Saint Mary’s College. Social hour will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the dinner and program at 7 p.m. Cost is $55 and reservations may be made at www.moragachamber.org or by contacting Kathe Nelson at the Chamber of Commerce, kathe@moragachamber.org or 925 323-6524. Reservation deadline is Monday, April 25.

Area residents who own classic cars are invited to participate in the eighth annual Moraga Classic Car Show, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 14 as part of the 2016 Moraga Community Faire. The $30 registration fee includes an entry ribbon, lunch for two, a commemorative photo, and a chance for owners to display their restoration work to the public. Prizes will be awarded. The registration deadline is May 1. To register, go to www.moragachamber.org/faire or call Gloria at (925) 247-4473.

Help support children and families affected by AIDS in Zimbabwe. Get your family and friends together for the 13th Annual JF Kapnek Trust Family Fun Run and post-race brunch from 9 a.m. to noon on May 1 at Miramonte High School, 750 Moraga Way, Orinda. All race participants receive a T-shirt and a post-race brunch. There will also be music, a kids’ craft booth, face painting, prizes for the top finishers and more.

Come out and Party for a Purpose at Bay Functional Fitness (BFF) from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 6 in Rockridge, 5255 College Ave., Oakland. BFF is hosting a fun event and donating ALL proceeds to benefit ARM (Art, Recreation, Movement) of Care. ARM’s mission is to use the Creative Arts to restore and empower local girls and young women who have been commercially sexually exploited through human trafficking. Tickets are $20 at http://partyforapurpose.brownpapertickets.com/ ($25 at the door.) www.armofcare.net.

Friends Corner Book Shop Half Price Sale is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 7, Corner of 1st & Golden Gate Way, Lafayette.

Lafayette Juniors 17th Annual Kitchen Tour. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 14. Tour six Lafayette kitchens for a good cause benefiting Youth Homes, Diablo Ballet’s PEEK Outreach Program, the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, and Lamorinda Spirit Van. Tickets are $40 and available at www.lafayettejuniors.org and Lafayette’s Premier Kitchens.

The Moraga Community Faire & Car Show will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 14 in the town’s Rheem Valley Shopping Center, offering a wonderful opportunity for a “family fun day” with a climbing wall, bounce house, games, music, arts and crafts, local food trucks, local wine and over 70 amazing classic cars. Free to attend, the Faire is organized and sponsored by the Moraga Chamber of Commerce; visit www.moragachamber.org/faire.

The Orinda Park and Recreation Foundation is hosting the Doggone Fun Fest at the Orinda Community Center Park from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 15. Join the fun with your dogs on leash to parade around the park. Prizes for best dressed, looks most like their owner, and best in show. Rescue organizations will have dogs for adoption and there will be dog product vendors in attendance. Contact Carolyn Mills at 254-5292 or bandcmills@comcast.net if you need more details.”

Don’t Miss the Hacienda de las Flores Centennial de Mayo celebration from noon to 5 p.m. on May 15, 2100 Donald Drive. Step back in time, enjoy the beautiful grounds and learn about the Hacienda’s rich history. Fun for all ages! Free admission, authentic Mexican food and drinks, live Mariachi Band, hourly piñata contests, tortilla making, Mexican tile painting, cupcake walks and more. Limited onsite parking; shuttle available from Rheem Elementary, 90 Laird Drive.

Mark your calendars for A Taste of Lafayette, the city’s 14th Annual Restaurant Walk on Tuesday, May 17. This is an opportunity to tour Lafayette’s finest dining establishments and sample the signature cuisine of each restaurant. Cost is $45 per person if purchased by May 6, 2016; $50 per person after that date. Visit www.lafayettechamber.org/events/taste-of-lafayette/ for more information.

CCI Greenheart is currently seeking volunteer host families in the Lafayette area. Program Dates: July 7 through 27. Provide a secure and inviting home for a teenaged student from France for three weeks. Families with or without children, single parents, empty nesters all welcome. Please contact Local Coordinator Randi Grant for more information Email: rgrant194@gmail.com Phone: (805) 660-1314

SENIORS

Mindful Aging at the Moraga Library: Technology Petting Zoo at 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 28. Join us for a demonstration of wireless streaming devices, eReaders, IPads and tablets by Best Buy’s GeekSquad. Have questions about using your smartphone? Bring your own device (BYOD) for assistance.

GARDEN

UC Master Gardeners of Contra Costa and Moraga Library present Container Gardening & Gardening in Small Spaces at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26. Master Gardener Terry Lippert will inspire you to grow your own fruits and vegetables even in limited space. The program will cover building and preparing raised beds, conventional and unique methods for container gardening, watering and how to espalier fruit trees.

Man’s War Against Weeds, Insects and Rodents: How we shoot ourselves in the foot with pesticides, and smarter, least toxic alternatives for a decent future. 3 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 1, at the Lafayette Community Garden, 3932 Mt Diablo Blvd. Be ready for an hour of funny stories and serious data that provides evidence for taking a precautionary approach to commonly used pesticides. You will become informed on topics you took for granted and learn about the least toxic alternatives to any pest problem. There will be a Q&A. Classes are free. However, a $5 donation is appreciated to support their education programs.

The Gardens at Heather Farm is celebrating “National Public Gardens Day” between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday, May 6. There will be free activities throughout the day in its six-acre public garden and wildlife habitat nestled on a picturesque hillside in Walnut Creek. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the day. For more information, visit www.gardenshf.org.