MUSIC

New Century Chamber Orchestra presents Adamo Premiere with Jeffrey Zeigler on Thursday, Nov. 4, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley. New Century Chamber presents an evening of illuminating American contemporary works featuring guest leader and acclaimed cellist Jeffrey Zeigler. Cost: $30 to $67.50.  For more info see http://ncco.org or call (415) 357-1111 or email info@ncco.org.

THEATER

Broken-hearted Blockbuster, the podcast, LIVE Townhall Theatre, Lafayette Nov. 1, 7 and 9 p.m. Created and Hosted by Jill Collister. With Special Guests Kelly James Tighe (7 p.m.) and Katrina McGraw (9 p.m.) Hear stories from various broken-hearted warriors and talk about the movie that got them through. One Ticket for one show: $15, both shows $25. Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School St, Lafayette.

Saint Mary's College fall production of “Everybody,” by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. “Everybody,” a finalist for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize, is a wise and joyful riff on the 15th-century morality play “Everyman.” The action follows Everybody (the lead actor chosen by lottery at each performance) on a journey towards life’s greatest mystery—mortality itself. The Saint Mary’s production will be staged outdoors in the Redwood Grove, timed to unfold from sunset through twilight into darkness. In-person Show dates: Nov. 3, 4, 5, 6, 5 p.m. and Nov. 7, 4 p.m. Pre-recorded streaming option: Nov. 14 - 12:15 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. For tickets or more info, please visit stmarys-ca.edu/everybody or call (925) 631-4670. $8 Students; $12 SMC Faculty/Staff/Non-SMC Students; $15 General. Please dress warmly and bring blankets. Masks will be required for the audience, and Covid regulations will be followed.

Diablo Ballet's 28th Season opens with a new full-length production of Julia Adam's smash holiday hit, "The Nutcracker Suite," which performs Nov. 12 - 13 at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. For in theatre or virtual tickets, call 925-943-SHOW (7469) or visit www.lesherartscenter.org or www.diabloballet.org.

LITERATURE

November events at Orinda Books 276 Village Square, Orinda. Tues. Nov. 2, 11 a.m. Pat's Book Group will read and discuss “Machines like Me” by Ian McEwan. All are welcome. Just call Orinda Books at (925) 254-7606 or email info@orindabooks.com to let us know that you are coming.

OTHER

Fifth Sunday's Car Show this Halloween Oct. 31, 8 to 10 a.m. at Si Si Caffe, 910 Country Club Drive, Moraga.

Long traditioned Halloween "Hocus Pocus" skit in Moraga moved to a new location. The about 5-minute skit will be presented on Halloween outside at 1911 Ascot Drive in Moraga.
Acalanes High School Class of 1971 - 50 year reunion. April 9, 2022, at the Coop in LaFiesta Square. For more information please contact: Katrina Neblett Silvani: 71Acalanes@gmail.com

It’s time for the Cycle Recycle again! Don’t toss that repairable bike on the garbage heap! Over the last 24 years Bobbie and Tom Preston have collected over 3,700 repairable bikes Nov. 1-31 on their driveway, 1307 Larch, Moraga. No razors or scooters unless in primo condition. Bike racks accepted. No helmets, please. Biking clothing in primo condition okay. No need to call. This year’s recipients include Waterside workshops, Trips for Kids, Keeping our Promise, Charity Bike Institute, White Pony Express, and Oakland international High School.

Canyon Club in Moraga is the venue for Sydney Paige Foundation’s “Raising the Bar” fundraiser on Nov. 2, 5 to 7 p.m. Enjoy drinks, appetizers, and bid on fabulous items at a silent and live auction hosted by the Warriors “Hype Man” Franco Finn.  There will also be a special tribute to three incredible Lamorinda teachers. Proceeds from the event will help fund Sydney Paige’s initiatives to empower low-income K-12 students by providing them with equal access to the tools they need to succeed in school.  To date, Sydney Paige has supplied over 100,000 students with new, high-quality backpacks, school supplies and books. To purchase your ticket and help make a positive impact in underserved local communities, please visit www.raisethebar.givesmart.com.

Saint Mary's College Guild Christmas Party. Come and celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season at our joyous Christmas Party, Dec. 2, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Saint Mary's College Soda Center in Moraga. They are raffling a valuable money tree and selling delicious baked goods - great for holiday desserts and or gifts. We are featuring the award-winning Saint Mary's College Chorale, directed by Dr. Judy Ford and accompanied by SMC pianist Sharon Lee Kim. Tickets are $50. Make checks payable to:  St. Mary's College Guild and send to Cynthia Jane Kelly, 628 Augusta Drive, Moraga, CA 94556. All proceeds benefit students seeking Financial Aid Scholarships. Deadline Nov. 17.

The Peace Center webinar co-organized with Veterans for Peace - set to take place Tuesday, Oct. 26 7 to 8:30 p.m. via Zoom - as a part of Walnut Creek Sustainability Week. Link to register: https://forms.gle/cppvwgD
Pztrmw3uH8. A Zoom link will be sent as a confirmation email. The webinar will be focused specifically on the Veterans for Peace campaign around Climate Change and Militarism: 1) The carbon bootprint of the U.S. military, larger than that of many countries; 2) The wars for oil and other resources – how they support the fossil fuel-based status quo; 3) The unequal burden of both climate crisis and militarism on people of color, the poor, and future generations; and 4) The resources spent on militarism and war – redirect to respond to the existential threat of climate crisis. www.sustainablewalnutcreek.org/
sustainability-week/

Mountains and Valleys: Preparing for Family Holiday Celebrations. Speaker - Brian Kay, MFT, Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church. Thursday, Nov. 18, 6:45 p.m. on Zoom. Please Register Through MVPC Website or call the church office (925) 376-4800.