ART

The new Lafayette Library Art Gallery Exhibit features oil paintings by Geoff Meredith, pastels and watercolors by Dalia Alekna, and ceramics by Olga Jusidman. The exhibit runs through Aug. 31. It’s located at 3420 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, (925) 284-2788, www.lafayettegallery.com.

The Moraga Art Gallery announces “Creative Contrasts,” a new exhibit featuring George Ehrenhaft’s serene watercolor paintings inspired by California’s outdoor world, and also David and Reed Bowman’s brass and copper objects, shaped and hammered, ground and sanded into myriad decorative and functional works of art. The exhibit runs through Oct. 22 and includes works by the gallery’s 16 member artists and several guest artists. The gallery is located in the Rheem Shopping Center, at 522 Center Street, Moraga.

Valley Art Gallery presents their featured artist Peter McNeill, running through Sept. 9. McNeill is an accomplished figurative and landscape artist who lives and works in Walnut Creek and draws inspiration from many different locales. To learn more and see the work of all its artists, visit www.valleyartgallery.org

The Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery is pleased to present “Off The Wall” Sept. 8 though Oct. 1. This tongue-in-cheek art exhibit will show colorful works of glass, fiberglass, wood, and wire, all 3D art that pops off the wall and can be “off the wall” in character. Artist Reception from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday Sept. 8. Check the website for additional hours and events. Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery, 3620 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, CA 94549. Contact Jennifer Perlmutter at (925) 284-1485.

MUSIC

The UC Theatre Taube Family Music Hall presents Cat Power’s “SUN” at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27. Doors open at 7 p.m. at The UC Theatre Taube Family Music Hall, 2036 University Ave., Berkeley. Cat Power wrote, played, recorded and produced the entirety of “SUN” by herself, a statement of complete control that is echoed in the songs’ themes. Cost: $35. For more info see www.theuctheatre.org/event/1268863-cat-power-sun-berkeley/ or call (510) 356-4000 or email information@theuctheatre.org.

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Beatles final concert and support a great cause with an all Beatles show by Come Together, one of the Bay Area’s premier Beatles tribute bands, from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27 at the Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Lafayette. $25 at the door, all proceeds benefit the Concord Vet Center. Servicemen and women in uniform admitted free. See www.vetcenter.va.gov/ for more info.

Don’t miss the Lafayette Studio Big Band Concert from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 28 at the Lafayette Christian Church outdoor patio, 584 Glenside Drive. Cost: $20 per adult donation to support charities in CC County. Refreshments will be available. Admission at the entry. www.lafayettebigband.com.

WomenSing presents Audition to Sing with WomenSing from 7 to 9:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 30, at Lafayette/Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. Singers will be asked to vocalize, sing scales a cappella, sight-read a short passage, and present a prepared piece. Prior appointment required. No cost to audition. For more info see www.womensing.org/get-involved/audition or call (925) 798-4875 or email audition@womensing.org.

Walnut Creek Concert Band will perform a free concert in Walnut Creek’s Civic Park at 6 p.m. on Labor Day, Sept. 5.

Thursday evening concerts continue 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Moraga Commons Park: Aug. 25 FUNdamentals - Season finale cover and dance band; Sept. 24 Pear Festival concert 2 to 4 p.m. - Tune Riders.

THEATER

Role Players Ensemble presents Edward Albee’s “Seascape,” winner of the 1975 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. “Seascape,” directed by George Maguire, runs at the Village Theatre in Danville Sept. 2 through Sept. 18, at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. The show will lead off the 17th annual Eugene O’Neill Festival, which includes a Role Players co-production of O’Neill’s The Emperor Jones at the Tao House National Historic Site (more information at www.eugeneoneill.org).

California Shakespeare Theater presents “Othello” on previews Sept. 14 through 16 at California Shakespeare Theater, 100 California Shakespeare Theater Way, Orinda. In his Cal Shakes debut Eric Ting, will face our society’s fear of “the other” head on with this provocative rendition of Shakespeare’s famous tragedy Cost: $20-$84. For more info and showtimes see www.calshakes.org or call (510) 548-3422 or email info@calshakes.org.

FESTIVALS And SPECIAL EVENTS

Squeaky Clean Comedy Night at the Orinda Theatre is opening at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 31. Enjoy a fun evening of clean comedy. Not all comics have to use four letter words to make people laugh. Proceeds to benefit 19th CAIFF. Tickets: $15

The California Independent Film Festival opens Thursday, Sept 8 at the Rheem and Orinda Theatres. Visit www.CAIFF.org for full schedule and tickets.

Don’t miss the 12th Annual Orinda Classic Car Show Weekend: “Dancing with the Cars.” Pre-party, 6 p.m. Friday Sept. 9; Classic Car Show, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10. Enter your car and buy party tickets today at www.OrindaCarShow.com. These events benefit the Seniors Around Town transportation program, Educational Foundation of Orinda and other local charities.

Lafayette Chamber of Commerce presents Lafayette Art & Wine Festival 2016 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17 and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18 in downtown Lafayette, 3553 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette. The award-winning art, wine and music festival runs two days, features four stages, 20 cover bands, 260-plus artists and a KidZone. There will be Food, wine and beer. Free admission. Near BART. For more info see www.lafayettefestival.com, call (925) 284-7404 or email festival@lafayettechamber.org.

Mobility Matters Spaghetti Hop, Birthday bash and Fundraiser - Support Our Services and Celebrate Our CEO’s (ElaineWelch) 70th Birthday from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. Tickets: $35 per person, adults only. 925.284.2207 email: office@mobilitymatterscc.com. Space is limited, RSVP early to ensure your seat.

GARDEN

Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center Gardeners’ Guide To Saving Seeds is from 3 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 10. Now is the perfect time to identify which of your tomatoes and other summer vegetables were the most productive and healthy and learn how to save some of their seeds for planting next year. Trish Clifford, UC Master Gardener of Contra Costa County, will offer a presentation about how to save seeds from your vegetable garden. There will also be a talk about how to organize a seed swap for next spring, so we can share our seeds. Classes are free. However, a $5 donation is appreciated to support education programs. To register for classes or for more information, visit www.lafayettecommunitygarden.org

Lafayette Garden Club is excited to present speaker Ann Ralph, author of “Grow a Little Fruit Tree: Simple Pruning Techniques for Small-Space, Easy Harvest Fruit Trees.” Ralph is a horticulturist, nursery enthusiast and teacher. Her program and discussion will be Fruit Trees Simplified: Easy Harvest Pruning. She will cover fruit tree basics, such as the logic of pruning, how to prune for short stature and easy harvest, easy training, seasonal routines, and pest and disease control. The meeting is from 9:45 a.m. to noon on Sept. 8., 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Visitors are welcome. Please email Carolyn Poetzsch at cpoetzsch@gmail.com.

OTHER

Back to school is the purrfect time to adopt a new kitten or cat. Community Concern for Cats invites you to meet their kitties at the adoption event from 1 to 4 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 27 and 28, at Pet Food Express in Lafayette and Pleasant Hill, and Petco in Walnut Creek. For more information, see www.communityconcernforcats.org

Downsizing Made Simple. Presented by Seniors Real Estate Specialist Dayna Wilson from 5:30-6:30 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 28 at The Kensington, 1580 Geary Road in Walnut Creek.  Enjoy a complimentary dinner while Dayna shares tips on downsizing. Everyone is welcome. Please RSVP (925) 943-1121.

Many people have all been impacted by the fires raging across California. Come gather, share stories, acknowledge loss, create an expression of sympathy for Lake County, and form sacred solace. This interfaith gathering with, hopefully, fire fighters is from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 31. Potluck style dinner afterwards. St Mark’s United Methodist Church, 451 Moraga Way, Orinda, CA 94563.

Brain Remodeling: You Can Change Your Brain and Your Health. Come for a workshop at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 31 for family caregivers or those dealing with the challenges of aging with Linda Fodrini-Johnson of Eldercare Services. You will learn: How you can repair damage done by stress to your brain, Simple ways to change your chromosomes and the power of “mindfulness.” Limited Seating. No fee. Class intended for family caregivers or those dealing with the challenges of aging.

The Contra Costa County Library is hosting its annual book giveaway through Sept. 4. The book giveaway is located in the shipping and receiving area at Library Administration in Pleasant Hill, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 Monday through Saturday p.m. and is closed on Sundays. Books are available on a first-come, first-served basis and members of the public are advised to bring their own boxes or bags to transport materials. For general questions, please contact library administration at libadmin@ccclib.org or (925) 646-6423.