Lafayette Chamber
Welcome to our April , 2017 issue of 
"Local Events Not to Miss"
   
If you have a non-profit or fundraising event in May, 2017, we would be happy to include you in our May issue - please submit your event by April 21 to info@lafayettechamber.org .
Side x Side, James Koskinas and Julie Schumer
Now through April 15

The Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery presents Side x Side, an exhibit that features the paintings of James Koskinas and Julie Schumer. Koskinas and Schumer are married and share a studio in Santa Fe, NM. They both work in acrylic and tend towards a painting style of large scale abstract expressionism and figurative. Schumer's paintings are abstract works, with bold brushwork and color. The figure is Koskina's primary theme, part of his quest to know the human condition. They paint companionably in their Santa Fe studio, a modern day Jackson Pollack and Lee Krasner. The exhibit runs through April 15. www.jenniferperlmuttergallery.com
Moraga Art Gallery's Spring Show, "Color and Caprice"
Now through June 3

The Moraga Art Gallery's springtime show, "Color and Caprice," is an exhibit that spotlights member artist, Angelica Samame's eye-catching collection of stylized portraits of sophisticated women and guest artist, Elizabeth Russell's ceramics.

The gallery is located at 522 Center Street, Rheem Shopping Center, in Moraga and is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12 noon to 5pm. For more information, visit the gallery's website: www.moragaartgallery.com, call 925-376-5407 or email moragaartgallery@gmail.com.
Zebop! The Music of Santana
Tonight, Friday, March 31, Doors open at 7pm, Music at 8pm

Taking their name from a classic Santana album of the same name, ZEBOP! consists of seven energetic and talented Bay Area Musicians who take great pride in performing the music of Santana with passion and dedication. $25 Advance & $30 At-Door. Buy tickets here!
Moraga Gardens Farm Annual Plant Sale
Saturdays/Sundays, April 1-2, April 8-9, and April 15 (Sat. Only), 10am-3pm, 1290 Moraga Way (next to Fire Station)

Moraga Gardens Farm presents its annual sale of numerous varieties of heirloom and hybrid tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, herbs and more. All varieties have been selected and grown from seed for success in the micro-climates of Lamorinda's home gardens-old favorites and exciting new additions, all in 4-inch pots at $3 each.  Bring a box to carry your garden starters! For more information contact Maureen Freeman at freemoree@gmail.com.
Sci-Fi Day at the Rheem Theatre
Saturday, April 1, 1:30pm-8:30pm, Rheem Theatre

See these classic Sci-Fi flicks on the big screen: 1:30pm - Tobor the Great; 4:00pm - The Invisible Boy; 6:30pm - Robot Monster with co-star Pamela Paulson as special guest.
This will be Pamela's first ever public appearance to discuss the making of the movie and some behind-the-scenes stories.  Q & A will be hosted by Derek Zemrak. Admission - $10 per movie or $20 for all-day pass. www.lamorindatheatres.com
Shakey Zimmerman at Town Hall Theatre
Saturday, April 1, Doors open at 7pm, Town Hall Theatre

The Town Hall Theatre is excited to present Shakey Zimmerman on Saturday, April 1. Travel through the decades with the songs of Neil Young and Bob Dylan. Buy tickets here!
Thirsty Miles Run, Run, Run for a Water Station!
Sunday, April 2, 8:30am, Lafayette Plaza Park

Join Sustainable Lafayette, A Runner's Mind, and the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce on Sunday, April 2 at 8:30am for Thirsty Miles, a fun run to raise funds for a mobile water bottle refill station to be used year-round at civic events in Lafayette (think: Art & Wine Festival, Earth Day Festival, summer concerts on the Plaza). Get your run on, meet new friends, help us reduce the use of plastic in our community. We'll be collecting donations and offering $10 sports massages, plus bagels and coffee.
Orinda Starlight Village Players

Orinda Starlight Village Players is holding season auditions on Sunday, April 2, at the Community Center Park Amphitheater at 4pm and on Tuesday, April 4, at the Community Center Carpentry Room at 7pm. The all-volunteer group has been presenting live theater in Orinda for over 30 years and is always looking for new volunteers, both on and off-stage. For more information or to volunteer, call 925-528-9225 or email info@orsvp.org.
Town Hall with Assemblywoman Catharine Baker & Senator Steve Glazer
Monday, April 3, 6:30pm to 7:30pm, Stanley Middle School Gymnasium, 3455 School Street, Lafayette

Come share your thoughts on the issues you care about and get on update on the Legislature's plans for 2017. Please RSVP to Assemblywoman Baker's District Office: (925) 328-1515.
Central San Academy 
 
The Central San six-week program is open to members of the public to learn about everything they do, including recycling water, collecting household hazardous waste, maintaining sewer pipes, and of course, cleaning wastewater. For our first session last year, we were honored by the California Special Districts Association with the Exceptional Public Outreach & Advocacy Award, and we hope to build on that success. Classes are about 2.5 hours each, held one evening a week for six weeks from April 4 to May 9, 2017, 6:30pm - 8:30pm. The April 25 class is a daytime facilities tour from 12:30 to 3:00pm. For more information, please visit our website at www.centralsan.org/academy or view a short video on the program at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5fztYsvTyg.
A Kentucky Derby Party!
Saturday, April 8, 5:30pm-11pm

Join Hospice East Bay on Saturday, April 8, for a Kentucky Derby Party! The evening will include complimentary bourbon tastings, Kentucky bluegrass, horse races, auctions and traditional derby cuisine. This event is Hospice East Bay's opportunity to honor patients and their loved ones, while celebrating those who contribute their time and resources to ensure that quality end-of-life care is available to everyone in the our community. For tickets, please visit: www.hospiceeastbay.org/celebration.
#Adulting - A Financial Literacy Seminar
Tuesday, April 11, 6:30pm-7:30pm, Las Lomas High School, Cafeteria, 1460 South Main Street, Walnut Creek

Join Catharine Baker and CalCPA Institute for a Financial Literacy Seminar on Tuesday, April 11. To learn more, please visit the CalCPA website found here.
Orinda Trivia Bee
Saturday, April 14, Doors open at 5pm, Game Starts at 7pm, 9 Altarinda Road, Orinda

Not to BEE missed! General proceeds from this event will support the Orinda Rotary Satellite Club's project at the Rotacare Clinic in Richmond and technology projects to support the mission of the Orinda Chamber of Commerce. Make your reservations at www.orindachamber.org.
Rock Band Showcase Lafayette
Friday, April 14, 7:30pm-10:30pm, 500 St. Mary's Rd

A Brighter Day Charity, along with the Lafayette Youth Commission, is thrilled to host our first Teenage Band Showcase.  Bands will perform 2-4 songs with the judges being your local Music Teachers.  All participating members of these bands will receive a recognition/thank you award and the participants of the winning band of the evening will receive well-deserved awards.  This will be a fun evening.  Bands will be judged in two ways: First on their music, second on the amount of teenage friends they bring to the event. Food will also be available.  There is no event charge for this event. Learn more here.
Master Gardeners' Open Clinic
Saturday, April 15, 10am-noon, Lafayette Community Garden

Interested in knowing more about what is going on in the Lafayette Community Garden? Questions about your own garden? Diseases of pests interfering with the growing results you would like to have? Representatives from the Master Gardeners will be available to answer your garden questions, hand out materials, share the latest information about growing edibles in our area, and walk through the garden to answer questions about the existing crops. This event repeats on the third Saturday of every month! Open to the public. www.lafayettecommunitygarden.org
Lafayette's Bunny Brunch
Saturday, April 15, 11am-12:30pm, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St Marys Rd

Enjoy a Complete Pancake Brunch, Live Show, Egg Hunt and More!
Tickets are $10 per person. Register here.
Silent Movie Night
Saturday, April 15, 7pm, Rheem Theatre

Enjoy an evening of short films starring silent screen legend, Lillian Gish, with live piano score by Patty Liedecker.  Lecture included by Leonard Pirkle. Admission is $15.  Sponsored by the Moraga Community Foundation. www.lamorindatheatres.com
Lights, Camera, Action...2nd Annual Lamorinda ShortDocs Film Fest
Submissions due April 19; Film Fest May 7

Lamorinda Arts Council invites you to register for the second annual Lamorinda ShortDocs Film Fest, today through April 19. Filmmakers of all ages, living, working, or attending school in Orinda, Lafayette, or Moraga are invited to submit short documentary films, 6 minutes or less via www.filmfreeway.com. Even if you've never made a movie before, visit http://www.lamorindaarts.org/shortdocs to register as a filmmaker and look up some resources to get you started. Finalists' films will be screened and winners announced live at the festival event on May 7 at 3:00 pm at the Lafayette Library Community Hall.
Bright Night 2017
Thursday, April 20, 6-9pm, Ed Roberts Campus, Berkeley

Celebrate Rising Sun's impact and recognize the achievements of our amazing participants! Along with meaningful stories, we'll hear from guest of honor, Danny Kennedy, co-founder of Sungevity and Managing Director of California Clean Energy Fund. We'll share great food, wine, live music, and a terrific selection of silent auction items. Get your tickets here.
Katz In The Arena - Sports and Rock Photography at Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery
Opening Reception April 20, 6pm-8pm; Limited engagement April 20, 21, 22

Sports and Rock photography by local photographer, Danny Katz. Join us for this 3 day exhibit of photographs of the Warriors Championship, Duke University, Bay Area Rock Concerts including Maroon 5 and Journey! Danny's photography captures the passion of the players and musicians. Large and small format prints available. 10% of proceeds will benefit Facing History & Ourselves. Learn more here.
Lafayette Reservoir Clean Up
Friday, April 21, noon-2pm, Lafayette Reservoir Visitor's Center

Hunsucker Goodstein PC, the Lafayette Chamber Green Committee and Byron Park are hosting the 7th Annual Earth Day Cleanup at the Lafayette Reservoir.  Please meet at the Lafayette Reservoir Visitor's Center.  Gloves, garbage buckets, litter sticks and vests will be provided. Byron Park will be providing lunch for all volunteers! Please confirm with Marie Montoya at mmontoya@hgnlaw.com or (925) 299-5113.
2017 Moraga Triathlon
Saturday, April 22, Campolindo High School

Youth, student and adult divisions! Swim, bike and run in beautiful Moraga. Individual and relays. www.moragatri.com
Orinda Action Day of Community Service
Saturday April 22, 9:30am-noon, Orinda Library Plaza on 26 Orinda Way

The City of Orinda will be beautified and cleaned during the ninth annual Orinda Action Day of Community Service by residents and friends of all ages. Check-in time is 9:30 AM at the Orinda Library Plaza on 26 Orinda Way, Orinda. The first 300 volunteers will receive a free tee-shirt, snacks and coffee upon registration.  Our D.J. and "Voice of Orinda", Steve Harwood, will be presenting prizes for unusual "finds" and pizza is served. For more information regarding the event and those interested in being a Project Manager, please visit the OCF website, orindafoundation.org, or inquire at orindafoundation@gmail.com or sign up here
Assistance League's 50th Celebration  - Ice Cream Social
Saturday, April 22, 2pm-4pm, Assistance League Thrift Shop, Way Side Inn, 3221 Golden Gate Way

Assistance League of Diablo Valley will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary of chartering by National Assistance League April 22 from 2:00-4:00pm at Assistance League Thrift Shop at the Way Side Inn, 3221 Golden Gate Way Lafayette. Mayor Mike Anderson, former Assembly Woman Lynn Leach and Chamber of Commerce President Jay Lifson will be featured speakers. Root beer floats will be served and the Stanley Jazz Messengers from Stanley Middle School will perform. All clothes and shoes will be 50% off to celebrate the event. The public is invited.
Under the Night Sky by Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center
Saturday, April 22, 7pm-8:30pm, Lafayette Community Garden

Join us under the heavens at the Lafayette Community Garden for an evening of stargazing to learn about the Spring Sky. Isabel Hawkins, former UC Berkeley professor and current Exploratorium consultant, will talk with us about the night sky and help us locate constellations and other bright objects in the sky. This will be Isabel's third year presenting at the Lafayette Community Garden and her classes are always fascinating! Learn more here.
Diablo Ballet to perform at the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at the Lincoln Theater in Yountville

Diablo Ballet is pleased to announce that the company will present a Best of Diablo Ballet performance at the Lincoln Theater in Yountville on April 22 at 7:00 pm. The program will feature Carnival of the Imagination choreographed by Diablo Ballet's Resident Choreographer, Robert Dekkers and set to Camille Saint-SaĆ«ns' famous 'The Carnival of the Animals.'  Tickets are $30- $60.  ($60 VIP ticket is limited to 100 people.) For tickets, call (707) 944-9900; www.lincolntheater.org.  For more information about Diablo Ballet, visit www.diabloballet.org.
Lafayette's 12th Annual Earth Day Festival!
Sunday, April 23, 11am-3pm, Lafayette Library & Learning Center

Lafayette will host its 12th annual Earth Day Festival on Sunday, April 23 from 11am-3pm alongside the Lafayette Library and Learning Center, mostly on Golden Gate Way. Come downtown to celebrate the community's continued progress toward sustainability. Learn more here.
Simple Sentences with Featured Artist Bill Rushton
Opening reception April 27, Doors Open at 6pm, Artist Talk at 7pm; Exhibit Through May 27

The Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery presents Simple Sentences, an exhibit of new paintings and explorations by Bay Area artist Bill Rushton. Both studio and plein-air work are complementary to the current abstract and figurative direction his work occupies, and both genres serve as points of departure for "play". Subject is not always important, but serves as a temporary way of organizing the chaos of shapes, colors and values. This exhibit is on view from April 27 through May 27 with an Artist's Reception and talk on Thursday April 27, 6-8pm. More info here.
Green Gathering: "A Plastic Ocean"
Friday, April 28, 7pm, Town Hall Theatre

Come back to Town Hall Theatre on Friday April 28 at 7pm for another fascinating and informative documentary: "A Plastic Ocean," produced by the UK's Plastic Oceans Foundation.
An international team of adventurers, researchers, and ocean ambassadors uncovered the shocking truth about what is truly lurking beneath the surface of our seemingly pristine ocean. In the center of the Pacific Ocean gyre, researchers found more plastic than plankton. "A Plastic Ocean" documents the newest science, proving how plastics, once they enter the oceans, break up into small particulates that enter the food chain where they attract toxins like a magnet. These toxins are stored in seafood's fatty tissues, and eventually consumed by us. Proceeds will help buy a mobile water bottle refill station for Town Hall Theatre, which will be able to stop selling water in plastic bottles. For ticket information, please go townhalltheatre.com.
Dogtown Downtown Dogtown Downtown
Saturday, April 29, 10am-12noon

Join us for our 4th Annual Dogtown Downtown on Saturday, April 29 from 10am-12pm at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center & the Lafayette Plaza. Dog parade, activities, contests, vendors and more! There is something for everyone at every age and it's FREE! Learn more here.
7th Annual Lafayette Community Music Festival
Saturday, April 29, Doors open at 7pm

Featuring the music of: Caroompas Room, Harrison Flynn, Way Fatt Reunion, Katy Lawrence Acoustic Trio, Meg Marry & The Locust Street Band. For more information visit www.townhalltheatre.com.
American Graffiti with 2 Oscar Nominees
Saturday, April 29, 7pm, Rheem Theatre

This Academy Award-nominated classic film features the coming of age of 4 teenagers on their last summer night before college.  Rediscover drag racing, Inspiration Point, and drive-ins in this nostalgic look-back at the early 60's. Special guests include Oscar nominees: Candy Clark and Bo Hopkins.Admission is $15. www.lamorindatheatres.com
Free Skin Lesion Exams at One Day Skin Clinic with Dr. Vera Singleton
Sunday, April 30, 9am-12n, Still Point Wellness Center, 953 Mountain View, Lafayette

Skin lesion examinations are free, pay only if you choose to have something removed.  You can have unwanted spots and lesions removed for aesthetic reasons or health reasons with no cutting and guaranteed results. Click here to book your appointment. You can also check out our newsletter for a guide on self checking for skin cancer and a free informative video on skin lesions.
What's In Our Hat? - Boots & Bling
Sunday, April 30, 3pm-6:30pm, Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa

Join Las Trampas and support individuals with developmental disabilities at What's In Our Hat? - Boots & Bling on April 30, 3pm-6:30 pm at the Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa for food, cocktails, and music.  Tickets are $125 - Silent auction, raffle, and dream vacation drawing for 2!  Visit www.lastrampas.org
Upcoming Lafayette Chamber Events

Using Facebook Live for Business Success in 5 Easy Steps
Wednesday, April 12, 6-7:30pm (check-in begins 5:50), Homework Center, Lafayette Library and Learning Center
In this workshop, we'll cover how to get started with Facebook Live for business, including what to share, how to share it - and when to go live. Instructors:  Julia Glyde, Speaker & Trainer and Robin S. Fox, Digital Strategist.  Register here.

Lamorinda Business Forum: The Future of Retail
Tuesday, April 25, 6pm-8pm, Orinda City Offices-Sarge Littlehale Room, 22 Orinda Way
Are you impacted by online businesses? Do you wonder how downtown can survive?
A panel of local experts, business people, city officials and academics will discuss: What new tools will retailers use in the future to fight online competition? What does it mean to "go digital" for downtown businesses? What kind of retail environment are most conducive to getting people to shop downtown? What can cities do to support their downtown communities?
A Forum Brought to you by the Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda Chambers. Free event, registration: orindachamber.org.

April Mixer at Lily Dong Photography

Wednesday, April 26, 5:30pm-7pm, 3506D Mt. Diablo Blvd.
Join us for our April mixer at Lily Dong Photography. Bring your smile and your business cards!

2017 Diablo Valley Mayors' Summit
Thursday, April 27, 11:30am-1:30pm, Concord Clarion Hotel, 1050 Burnett Ave., Concord
The Greater Concord, Lafayette, Martinez, Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek Chambers invite you to the 2017 Diablo Valley Mayors' Summit with special guests Assemblymember Tim Grayson and Contra Costa County Supervisor Karen Mitchoff. Register here.

Coffee with the Mayor, Mike Anderson
Friday, April 28, 8am, Lafayette Chamber Conference Room
Join us for Coffee with the Mayor on Friday morning at 8am at the Lafayette Chamber Conference Room. Please park on the street!

Taste of Lafayette
Tuesday, May 16, 5:30pm-9pm, Downtown Lafayette
A tour of Lafayette's finest dining establishments and the opportunity to sample the signature cuisine of each restaurant. The tour begins in Downtown Lafayette at the corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Lafayette Circle near Bank of the West, 3583 Mount Diablo Blvd. From there, ticket holders will go at their own pace to any - or all - of the participating restaurants. The evening wraps up with dessert and coffee, more music, raffles, silent and live auction. Learn more here.


If you'd like to receive a text message reminder about these and other upcoming Lafayette Chamber events, email your full name and cel phone number to Sara at sara@lafayettechamber.org .

What's happening at the Lafayette Chamber? View our Events Calendar.

Jay Lifson, Executive Director