Art

Art Gallery at the Orinda Library: Soul Boxes. The Lamorinda Arts Council invites the public view Soul Boxes about gun violence deaths in the U.S., mixed media paintings by Thuy Linh Bennett King, ceramics by Karen Hildebrand, and Olympic memorabilia by Andy Toro. Meet the artists at a reception in their honor on Saturday Aug. 3 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Their exhibit runs until Friday, Aug. 30 (closed Sundays). Visit https://lamorindaarts.org/current-exhibits-library-gallery/ for details.

The Lamorinda Arts Council invites you to meet Lois Reynolds Mead in the Art Gallery at Wilder on Sunday Aug. 4 at a reception in her honor from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. where light refreshments will be served. Her solo show of colorful acrylic collages featured in “Uppercase” magazine runs from Aug. 4 to Sept. 6. Visit the gallery M-F from 3 to 5 p.m., closed weekends. Download directions if you plan on visiting at https://lamorindaarts.org/current-exhibits-wilder/.

Art Gallery at the Orinda Library: Call For Artists - “Stories We Tell” Deadline Aug. 15. The Lamorinda Arts Council seeks artwork that is visually narrative, which may include (but not require) a written narrative component for a two month exhibit (Sep. & Oct.). Narrative art includes traditional mediums like drawings, paintings, and sculpture, as well as photography, animation, manga, and comic strips. Visual artworks often accompany songs, film, theater performances and documentaries. Submissions may be abstract or representational. Please review the Prospectus at https://LamorindaArts.org/call-for-artists/ which includes a link to submit artwork.

Music

Orinda – Concerts are held at the Orinda Community Park on Thursday night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call (925) 254.2445 for information. Thursday, Aug. 1 – Tin Man; Thursday, Aug. 15 – Vintage Jukebox; Thursday, Aug. 29 – Spill the Wine; Thursday, Sept. 12 – Patron

St. Paul's Concert Series is excited to host Classical Guitarist Andrew Flory as the featured performer in their upcoming concert on Aug. 17 at 7 p.m., St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1924 Trinity Avenue, Walnut Creek. Online broadcast: visit www.stpaulswc.org/concert-series for the concert link and program. Donations graciously accepted at the door (avg. $20/$10 Students) and in online registration. All are welcome regardless of donation!

The Diablo Women's Chorale's Fall season starts on Monday, Aug. 19 at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 3051 Putnam Blvd., Pleasant Hill. Auditions will be held by appointment that evening between 6 and 9 p.m.. For information on membership and auditions, contact Nancy Hickman, Membership Chair at (925) 899-5050 or hickmandg@gmail.com www.diablowomenschorale.org

Live Outdoor Concert. Who doesn't love a good 80"s song? On Saturday, Aug. 10, 5 to 6:30 p.m. come enjoy the sound of Lafayette's own Random Nature! band. Bring chairs and a picnic to the Grove behind Lafayette Christian Church, 584 Glenside Drive, and enjoy and groove to Random Nature! under the beautiful trees of the Grove. No admission charge.

Live Music at the Library - Free concerts celebrating the Lafayette Library’s. 15th Anniversary Year! Fridays 6 to 8 p.m. Food trucks, Fun for the family, ancing! Aug 2 : Death and Taxes; Aug 9 : Diana Gameros and Patrick Wolff; Aug 16: Jinz Jones. FREE at the Amphitheatre www.LLLCF.org

Theatre

Orinda Starlight Village Players present William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing through Aug. 10. Fridays and Saturdays, at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4, 4 p.m. and Thursday, Aug. 8, 8 p.m. Orinda Park Amphitheater, 28 Orinda Way, Orinda, Tickets: Eventbrite www.bit.ly/omuchado

Different points of view clash in Town Hall Theatre’s season opener, Human Error by Eric Pfeffinger. Previews Aug. 22 and 23, performances Aug. 24 through Sept. 24. Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School Street, Lafayette. Tickets: $20-$45, Pay-What-You-Can tickets available at the door (subject to availability). www.townhalltheatre.com/human-error

Literature

The Lamorinda Arts Council presents Art Embraces Words on Saturday Aug. 24 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Enjoy presentations from writers Lucinda Jackson and Jane Blomstrand, award-winning poet Emma Wong, and local artists. Call for Artists and Writers to contribute to their 10-26 program. Visit https://lamorindaarts.org/art-embraces-words/for details.

Other

Lafayette Police Department is hosting the annual National Night Out event on Aug. 6 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Amphitheater (3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd.) from 5 to 7 p.m. to meet your local Police Officers and Fire Fighters. Food available for purchase at Ofieskitchen Food Truck.

Orinda Police Department is hosting the annual National Night Out event at their station this summer. Meet your neighbors, learn how to help fight crime, and have fun on Tuesday, Aug. 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. Join for an evening of community building over BBQ (hot dogs and hamburgers). If you bring a backpack or school supplies to donate, you'll have the opportunity to dunk the Chief of Police in the dunk tank! All supplies will be donated to the Family Justice Center in Concord.

Lamorinda Idol Finals: Sunday Aug. 18 at Orinda Theatre – 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Congratulations to all Finalists for Lamorinda Idol 2024! Join the Lamorinda Arts Council to see the Finalists perform at the historic Orinda Theatre, 2 Theatre Square, Orinda. Come for one session or stay all day. 11 a.m. K-5th Grade Solos; 1 p.m. K-12th Grade Groups; 3:15 p.m. 6-8th Grade Solos; 5 p.m. 9-12th Grade Solos; 7 p.m. Announcement of Winners! For details visit https://lamorindaarts.org/idol-2024-finalists/

Alzheimer’s, ALS, Parkinson’s ...There’s Hope. Please join us for an informative update on the latest research: Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Rossmoor Event Center,  Walnut Creek; Wednesday, Aug. 14 at 1 p.m.at the Orinda Rotary Club, Orinda Community Center;  Friday, Aug. 16 at 7 a.m.at Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Club, Lafayette Veterans Hall. Free to the public. www.BrainChemistryLabs.org

New Knitting & Crochet Club. All are welcome for free on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at the Moraga Library. Join enthusiastic beginning and experienced knitters and crocheters in the Moraga Knitting & Crochet Club. This drop-in program is open to everyone, so bring a knitting or crochet project. Give and receive tips and techniques from others. All skill levels welcome! No reservation necessary. Moraga Library, 1500 St. Mary’s Road. Free parking.