ART

 

The featured artist at the Valley Art Gallery is Shirley Nootbaar, a well-known local artist who has been a member of the gallery for over 50 years. Her exhibit is titled From Ridges, Roads and Ranches and will run through Aug. 6. Nootbaar, a third-generation Californian, earned her B.F.A. from California College of Arts and Crafts (now CCA) and is presently a freelance artist-illustrator. Working in watercolor, she has the unique skill of transforming ordinary scenes with lively technique and dramatic presentation, making her work more than just a reflection of the subject. www.valleyartgallery.org; (925) 935-4311

 

The Lamorinda Arts Alliance presents a new exhibit titled Halcyon Days at the Diablo Fine Art Gallery in Walnut Creek that runs through Aug. 5. Halcyon Days refers to a period of peace and calm, something we could all use. The artists reflect on this idea in a variety of media including paintings, photography, sculpture and ceramics. Unique jewelry is also a feature of the gallery. 1535 Palos Verdes Mall, Walnut Creek. (925) 933-4278, www.diablofineart.com.

 

MUSIC

 

Mule Ears Music presents its Battle of the Bands fundraising concert at 6 p.m. on Aug. 4, at Mighty Fine Guitars in Lafayette. Bands that perform at the event select their beneficiary of choice, and the band that raises the most donations from the audience while they perform wins the purse for their chosen beneficiary. Featured performers include Laurel Hellman, Stevie Coyle, Austin de Lone, Ruthie Gibbs, Tricia Gibbs, Avery Hellman, Judith Hellman, and Mick Hellman. Beneficiaries will be announced shortly before the event. For more info contact Colleen Gallagher, colleengallagher@me.com or (212) 920-6162.

 

It’s time to sit back and unwind at the free summer concerts in at the park series from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Orinda on Tuesday nights.

 

Free concerts from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. light up Thursday evenings at the Moraga Commons Park. Bring your picnic blanket or lawn chairs to the grassy hillside in front of the band shell. Enjoy the music while your children enjoy the park. The volunteers of MPF will cook dinner with the Snack Bar opening at 6 p.m. July 27 Mixed Nuts - Jazz, soul, blues and rock; Aug. 3 House Rockers - rock and soul

 

THEATER

 

Cal Shakes presents “The Glass Menagerie” written by Tennessee Williams and directed by Lisa Portes through July 30 at the Bruns Amphitheater located off the Wilder Road exit of Highway 24. The West Coast Premiere of “Black Odyssey” written by Marcus Gardley and directed by Eric Ting will run Aug. 9-Sept. 3. There is a free, 20-minute informational Grove Talk starting 45 minutes before each and every performance with plenty of picnic benches. Tickets and exact show times available at www.calshakes.org.

 

 

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

 

Summer Movies in the Orinda Park: “Finding Dory” begins at 8:15 p.m. on Thursday, July 27 at the Orinda Community Center Park & Tennis Courts, 28 Orinda Way in Orinda. Free event.

 

The Berkeley Kite Festival is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 29 and 30 at the  Cesar Chavez Park, Berkeley Marina. Free event with kite competitions, the “Octopile,” Candy Drop, Kite Battles, a Kid Zone with pony rides, bounce houses, and more. Food, crafts, and free kites. www.BerkeleyKiteFestival.com, (510) 235-KITE or www.AnotherBullwinkelShow.com for vendor info.

 

How to Create Comics – a workshop with Oliver Chin at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 3 in the Orinda Library Garden Room. In this Just for Teens program, Orinda Library welcomes publisher, author and artist Chin, who will teach kids how to draw characters and write stories, so they can make your own comic book. All participants receive a free comic book. Materials provided. Space is limited. Register online, by phone or in person at the Orinda Library. This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Orinda Library.

 

The Contra Costa County Library invites children, teens and library users of all ages to take part in Summer Reading. Summer Reading runs through Saturday, Aug. 5. This year’s theme is “Build Your Brain” and the program is filled with activities, events and reading lists designed to exercise your brain. Readers of all ages can participate online or use a paper reading record. Completed reading records or online completion certificates should be returned to one of the 26 Contra Costa County Library branches by Aug. 5. All finishers will receive a book prize and be entered into a drawing for a chance to win additional prizes. For more information on Summer Reading visit a local Contra Costa County Library branch or www.ccclib.org/summer.

 

OTHER

 

Enjoy the Contra Costa Tale Spinners at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 27 in the Orinda Library Garden Room. There will be a story swap with Jeff Byers, well-known to Bay Area audiences, who believes longing drives every good story.

 

There is an ESL Conversation Circle at 1 p.m. every Thursday at the Orinda Library. Practice speaking and listening to English in a casual group guided by trained ESL instructors. No registration required and free of charge.

 

Join the fun at Hacienda Nights from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, July 28, featuring food trucks, lawn games and fun for all ages. Beer, wine, and margaritas will be available for purchase with proceeds benefiting the Hacienda Foundation.  The Hacienda de las Flores is located at 2100 Donald Dr. in Moraga.

 

Friends Corner Book Shop (sponsored by Friends of the Lafayette Library) is having a half price sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 29. The Shop is located at the corner of First Street and Golden Gate Way in Lafayette.

 

The California Retired Teachers Association invites all educators from the Lamorinda area to its next luncheon from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 2 at the Pleasant Hill Community Center, 320 Civic Drive, Pleasant Hill. Featured speaker is State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. Cost is $25. Call Lorrie at (925) 937-2898 or email jalosborn@gmail.com before July 22.

 

State Senator Steve Glazer will discuss the State of the State during the noon lunch meeting of the Orinda Rotary on Wednesday, Aug. 2 at the Orinda Community Center, 28 Orinda Way next to the Orinda Library. Senator Glazer will update us on the latest legislative issues and provide insight into California’s current political climate. The meeting starts at noon. The public is welcome. Cost is $20 per person and includes lunch.  www.orindarotary.org. Your payment is your reservation.  

 

Miwok for All from 9:30 to noon on Saturday, Aug. 5, at the Lafayette Community Garden, 3932 Mt Diablo Blvd. Children, parents, grandparents, and other relatives can share in the joyous and abundant way of life of local Saclan Miwok Natives. Learn Native values sitting in connective circle, creating family names and necklaces, pounding acorns, practicing hunting skills, and enjoying games and music. Return home with a special sense of Native belonging. Classes are free. However, a $5 donation is appreciated to support its education programs. www.lafayettecommunitygarden.org

 

The Lamorinda Safety Faire, organized by the Lafayette Emergency Preparedness Commission, will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5 at Saint Mary’s College, 1928 St. Mary’s Rd. Learn how to protect yourself and your family while children enjoy seeing and sitting in helicopters just after they land. Other special emergency vehicles will be available. CERT booths will be there with information and demonstrations. (See story page B3.) 

 

Botanical Drawing Workshop with Catherine Watters at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 9 in the Orinda Library Garden Room. Orinda Library welcomes botanical artist and instructor, Catherine Watters, who will introduce attendees to botanical art and guide them through hands-on exercises to experience the practice of botanical drawing. Materials provided. Space is limited. Register online, by phone or in person at the Orinda Library.

 

Diablo Ballet’s Annual Gourmet Gallop food and wine walk returns to downtown Walnut Creek for the seventh consecutive year from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 10. The event invites guests to sip, sample and stroll their way through 16 downtown Walnut Creek locations as they experience a one-of- a-kind culinary adventure. $39 per person on or before July 2, $45 per person starting July 28 are available online at www.diabloballet.org or by calling (925) 943-1775. Group rates are available.

 

 

SENIORS

 

The ninth annual Senior Symposium, “Aging By Design,” is from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 5 at Lafayette Elementary School, 950 Moraga Road, Lafayette. Presentations by local aging experts. Free. Register online: www.lafayettecf.org or call (925) 284-8214. (See story page A3.)

 

Free Peer Counseling: Contra Costa Health Services offers free one-to-one counseling with trained senior counselors who use their life experiences to help other older adults (55-plus) cope with life changes, problems, crises, and challenges. 10 a.m. to noon second Tuesday monthly. Confidentiality is strictly observed. Appointment required. Please call Lafayette Senior Services to sign up for one of the 60-minute appointments: 284-5050. Check in at Lafayette Community Center front office.