Supporting Our Arts Community
May-June-July 2022
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Lafayette Chamber Announcements |
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FREE Concert in Lafayette Plaza Park
Tuesday, May 17, 2022, 5pm-7:30pm
The community is invited to join us in Lafayette Plaza Park for a FREE concert, 5pm-7:30pm on Tuesday, May 17 with the Lonesome Eddie and the Saddle Sores. The concert will be during the Taste of Lafayette event but no ticket (Taste passport) is required for the music or to patronize the Chamber bar.
Free live music will also be at the following locations:
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Lafayette Chamber Connectors
Wednesday, May 18, 4:30pm, online via Zoom
Join us for a unique take on networking. This group discusses current challenges members are having with their business, big or small. Share your ideas and fresh perspectives with other members. Participation is encouraged and appreciated.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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Young Professionals May Meetup!
Thursday, May 26, 5:30pm-7pm, Headlands Brewing Company, 3420 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Ste A, Lafayette
Join the Young Professionals for a May meetup! This month we are excited to announce that entertainment will be provided by a local band, Mixed Signals, on stage at Headlands!
The Lafayette Young Professionals group is designed for the younger crowd ranging in age from 21-39 years old, with “young at heart” always welcome. This is a place where young professionals can tap into our local business community and really develop relationships that will be with us for the rest of our lives.
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"Coffee" with the City of Lafayette Mayor Teresa Gerringer
Refill your coffee and join the Lafayette Chamber and the 2022 City of Lafayette Mayor Teresa Gerringer for an online Zoom meeting at 8am on Friday, May 27.
The Lafayette Chamber will host, via Zoom, "Coffee" with the City of Lafayette Mayor Teresa Gerringer on May 27 and July 29.
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Lafayette Community Day!
Saturday, June 4, 2022, 8:30am-2:30pm, Plaza Park, Lafayette, and at select worksites.
Volunteer rally, workday, food drive for Ukrainian refugees, recognition luncheon, and music by Traveling Wilburys Revue. There is something for everyone with projects and activities in the focus areas of human services, youth development and education, seniors, arts and culture, diversity and kindness, and town beautification.
Volunteer slots are now open, and the public is welcome to sign up to volunteer on Lafayette Community Day! Sign up by visiting LafayetteCommunityDay.org.
The website provides details related to volunteer opportunities for the day and if there are any physical requirements for each project. People can choose the project best suited to them. All ages are welcome to participate in the art projects. Volunteers for other work projects need to be at least 12 years of age. Individuals under the age of 16 need to be accompanied by an adult.
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Tickets are Now on Sale for the Business Person of the Year Dinner!
Friday, June 24, 2022, 6pm-9pm, Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa
The Lafayette Chamber is thrilled to announce John McCormick as our 2022 Business Person of the Year. We will host the award dinner on Friday, June 24, 2022 at the Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa.
John McCormick, co-owner of Lamorinda Music, took the reigns as President of the Lafayette Chamber in January 2020. Little did he know what kind of year it was going to be. We began the year with President John giving a beginner’s lesson on the Ukulele to the entire board at our annual retreat. We agreed on all kinds of new programs along with debating social and political positions. We had a full agenda and John was ready for the challenge. Shortly after the retreat we found ourselves at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak. The goals and projects changed and with John’s leadership, the Chamber was able to pivot to a new purpose, saving our local economy.
We all know the sacrifices and hurdles small businesses had to endure through nearly two years. John was so dedicated to help our local businesses, he asked to stay on for a second year, and oh what a year it was. During this most challenging time for our community, John not only provided leadership to our business partners, but also ran a very successful music store with his wife Colleen, and is now finishing his Master’s in History from Harvard. During his presidency, our membership grew to over 620 members including 100 new members in 2021 alone. The Chamber worked with the City of Lafayette and Contra Costa County to advocate for our business community. By providing loan resources and facilitating online learning gatherings, Q&A sessions and updating changing Covid protocols as well as helping our restaurants create safe outdoor dining experiences all with the mission to keep Lafayette strong during a challenging time.
Learn more about John McCormick and the Lafayette Business Person of the Year at
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Become a lifetime Friend of the Chamber
A Friend of the Chamber membership provides a way for community members to support the efforts of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. We are 74 years strong and our mission continues “To promote and maintain a healthy business climate and to preserve and enhance the quality of life in Lafayette.”
All aspects that make up a community are important to us: schools, residents, churches and synagogues, community organizations, activities, and the city government. Chamber members work with representatives of all these groups for the betterment of our community. A lifetime Friend of the Chamber membership is $150 per family. Learn more here>>
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Upcoming Events & Special Announcements from our Arts Community |
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Please consider supporting our arts community. Did you miss our nonprofit email blast? Read it here!
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You Will Remember me opens Friday, May 13 at the Orinda Theater for at least one week. 3 screenings daily. It is a USA commercial premiere of this film from Canada.
Synopsis: In You Will Remember Me, Edouard, a public figure and retired History teacher, is slowly starting to lose his memory. Accustomed to speaking on all the stands, he must make himself more discreet, even if he believes he still has a lot to say. Edouard’s son-in law hires his daughter Bérénice to help watch over him, even though she is a little lost herself. Their relationship will lead Edouard to revisit a time from his personal history that he had chosen to forget, and Bérénice to find meaning in her own life. Trailer: https://youtu.be/Gmq6UrYc500.
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Family Movie Night at the Lafayette Community Center
Family Movie Night will be happening tonight, May 13th, 7:45pm. We will be showing The Emperor’s New Groove outside on the Community Center Patio. The movie will start at 8 pm with a 1 hour and 20 minute run time.
Each attendee will receive a large candy bar, small popcorn bag and water. Seating will not be provided, so each attendee will need to bring something to sit on.
This a family movie night and children MUST be accompanied by and adult during the event. We look forward to seeing you there! $5 online registration. Register here.
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Meditative Sound Bath in the Garden
Saturday, May 14, 8am-9am, Ruth Bancroft Garden
Experience the Ruth Bancroft Garden in a new light with Music Therapy and Crystal Singing Bowls on Saturday, May 14 at 8am. Open to all who are ready to release and rejuvenate your mind, body + spirit.
The tones emitted from crystal singing bowls naturally shift our energy field as they enrich us with healing vibrations that tune our bodies back into natural balance. The historic roots of these sound tools can be traced back to ancient Egypt. Please bring a yoga mat and blanket, or pillow (whatever you need to feel cozy + comfortable). This is an exclusive event as the Garden isn’t open to the public until 9am! It will take place in the Eucalyptus Grove. Register at https://www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/event/sound-bath-in-the-garden.
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Lafayette Rotary Club's 27th Annual Concert at the Res
Saturday, May 14, 11am-3pm, Lafayette Reservoir Stage
Since 1996, Lafayette Rotarians have been hosting an afternoon of live music in the Lafayette Reservoir featuring local bands including Acalanes High School, Stanley Middle School, and the Rossmoor Big Band. The program has been expanded in the last few years to include young dancers and singers from the Lafayette Town Hall Education.
This annual concert raises money to support the local school music programs as well as other Rotary-sponsored programs such as Meals on Wheels, Trust in Education, and Rotary Scholarships.
The concerts are presented for FREE on the beautiful outdoor stage in the Lafayette Reservoir that was entirely built and funded by the Lafayette Rotary Club with help from the Lafayette Community Foundation and individual community donors. This event was conceived by Lafayette Rotarian Dick Holt to provide a venue to showcase and help fund our local school music programs through donations, corporate sponsorships, and the proceeds from a day-of-the-event raffle.
Along with the great live entertainment, there will be food and drinks for purchase. It is also the perfect setting for a picnic on the lawn, and chairs and shade tenting will also be provided. Though the stage is just a short walk from the parking area, golf cart transportation to and from the stage will be provided for those who may desire it. Public restrooms and a children’s play area are nearby. Parking is available for $8 all day or at metered parking.
Raffle tickets will be available for purchase for a chance to win great prizes including weekend getaways. All proceeds will directly support the local musical programs featured and our Rotary projects.
You can support us in any of the following ways:
• Buy a raffle ticket from a Rotarian at the concert, or from the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. Among the prizes include getaways in Carmel and Tahoe.
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Gold Coast Chamber Players
Immerse yourself in the sounds that inspired Dvořák’s most beloved chamber music. From uplifting African American Spirituals and songs by Florence Price to original Native American rhythms and melodies, you’ll hear why Dvořák famously asserted “in the Negro and Indian melodies of America I discover all that is needed for a great and noble school of music.”
Cultural Crossroads interweaves Dvořák’s “American” Quartet and Quintet with these inspirational elements to create a vivid musical landscape. Bringing this story of the interconnectedness of cultures to life is the world’s premier Native American flutist, R. Carlos Nakai, the Alexander String Quartet, soprano Michele Kennedy, and violist Pamela Freund-Striplen. A pre-concert interview with R. Carlos Nakai and John-Carlos Perea, PhD begins at 7pm.
Saturday, May 14, 2022at 7:30pm, pre-concert interview at 7pm.
Don Tatzin Community Hall, Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, CA
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Art Gallery at the Orinda Library: Tablets, Out of Africa Photos and Watercolors
The Lamorinda Arts Council presents “Reading the Tablet” by Francesca Borgatta; “Out of Africa” photographs by Maggie Boscoe, David Fleisig, Pam Hall, Jeff Halliday and Maureen Rosati-Wee; and watercolors by Anne Fallin. The in-person show runs throughout May in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library. For more information and to view their virtual exhibit visit lamorindaarts.org/gallery-2/.
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Art Gallery at Wilder: Collage – The Art of Listening to Your Materials & Pop-Up Collage Party
The Lamorinda Arts Council’s featured artist in the Art Gallery at Wilder for May collage artist Hallie Strock. She hosted a Pop-Up Collage Party at her reception on May 8 from with Moms as the special guests; a community collage was the result. View her virtual exhibit at the Council’s online gallery, www.lamorindaarts.org/online-galleries.
📷 Mother's Day Pop-Up Collage, Group Project, Hallie Strock, May 8, 2022 Wilder Gallery Reception
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Saint Mary's College Museum of Art (SMCMoA)
Saint Mary's College Museum of Art (SMCMoA) is open through June 19, 2022, Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to all programs and events is free. A family art program featuring Dr. E and Friends will be held on Saturday, June 11, at 2 p.m. More information can be found at www.stmarys-ca.edu/museum.
Power & Purpose: Reflections from the African Art Collection features African art from the college's permanent collection. Redirecting narrative to the descendants impacted by the African Diaspora, Power & Purpose responds to the objects' histories and how this informs living identities. This exhibition is guest curated by Kathy Littles, Ph.D., with reflections by SMC students and recent alumni.
Creating through Chaos: Capstone Student Exhibition, opening on May 18, showcases the artworks of four graduating seniors. Interdisciplinary and conceptual, these four bodies of work address a range of inquiries realized through installation art, painting, fiber art, and photography. A public reception will be held on Thursday, May 19, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Image credit: Gallery view of Power & Purpose: Reflections from the African Art Collection.
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The Stanley Jazz Cafe is back!
Please join us on Friday, May 20, 5:30pm, at Stanley Middle School.
Stanley Jazz Bands, Acalanes Jazz Ensemble, Campolindo Jazz Band, and many more will be coming together for an evening of music and to honor Mr. Bob Athayde after 35 years of inspirational service to the Lamorinda Community. This is a free event with food trucks on blacktop starting at 5pm! Indoor and outdoor dining available.
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Diablo Ballet
Diablo Ballet's final program of the season, Coppélia, performs at the Lesher Center for the Arts on May 20 at 7:30 pm, and May 21 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm. This full-length, charming ballet features a brash young protagonist, a doll that comes to life, and a dash of magic. Perfect for all ages, Coppélia, will include students from Diablo Ballet School and be accompanied by the Diablo Symphony Orchestra under Music Director and Conductor, Matilda Hofman.
In addition to the in-theatre performance a virtual option, which will be a recording of the live performance, is available to stream from May 27 - June 5.
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Farmers Market Salsa Festival
The Ecology Center invites you to the Farmers Market Salsa Festival on May 21st at Martin Luther King Civic Park in downtown Berkeley. Salsa Fans, new and old, can enjoy live Latin music & dancing to the sounds of Grammy Award winner Christian Pepin y su Orquesta Bembe, keyboardist Erick Perlata, Berkeley High School Jazz Ensemble and the Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble of SF. Shop earth friendly arts & crafts and sip beer, wine and mojitos. There will be a host of environmental activities for the whole family including the Kid’s Eco-Zone. For more information go to ecologycenter.org or contact cynthia@ecologycenter.org.
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A DELIGHTFULLY ‘FRENCH’ FILM TO WELCOME SPRING!
Friday, May 20th: 7:30 PM
Saturday, May 21st: 1:30 PM, 4:30 PM & 7:30 PM
Oak View Room, Walnut Creek Library [1644 N. Broadway]
SYNOPSIS: Gifted and eccentric horticulturalist Eve Vernet (Catherine Frot) breeds exquisite roses that compete in showcases all over France. But her stubbornly artisanal approach struggles to compete with the mass market production from her corporate rivals. Facing bankruptcy, Eve hires three new employees from a prison rehabilitation program. The outcasts display fresh ideas, strong work ethics, and absolutely no gardening skills. After resisting the newcomers’ presence, Eve warms up to their idiosyncrasies. Banding together, the team comes up with a zany and risky plan to save the business. From France - Comedy / Drama - NR - 94 min.
NOTE: HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS: MASKS, ID & PROOF OF VACCINATION, INCLUDING BOOSTER, WILL BE REQUIRED
Non-Member General Admission: $12.50
Tickets available for non-members on a first-come basis beginning 30 minutes before showtime. Free for Mountain Shadow members. Pro-rated memberships available.
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New Exhibition and Opening Reception at the Town Hall Theatre Gallery! Michael Robinson: Moods for Moderns
Now through May 31, 2022
The Lafayette Public Art Committee is excited to announce the opening of an exhibition of Oakland-based contemporary painter Michael Robinson at the Town Hall Theatre Gallery, located at 3535 School Street, Lafayette. The exhibit, Moods for Moderns, includes six bold spirited works. Robinson paints in abstract figurative, mid-century geometric and modern surrealist styles. He counts Kandinsky, Miro, Warhol, Klee, and Basquiat among his influences.
An opening reception will be held at the Town Hall Theatre from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 21. Light refreshments and cash bar will be hosted by the Public Art Committee and Town Hall Theatre. The event will also feature a raffle for special merchandise and live music by local jazz guitarist Dan Chicorel. The reception is free and open to the public.
The exhibition will run from through May 31 and is open to the public during theatre hours. Admission is free. Please phone the box office at 925-283-1557 to learn more about times. To see more of Robinson’s work, please visit his website: michaelrobinsonart.com.
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Bob Athayde's Retirement Party!
Stanley Middle School Music Director and Teacher Bob Athayde will be retiring at the end of this school year. For 36 years he has been inspiring students to make music part of their lives. Any family who has had children go through Lafayette’s public school knows who Bob is and what he has done for our community. He has shared the love and importance of music in our lives, leading many alumni to continue to play and sing well into their adult years. A party is being planned to honor Bob and his years of service.
Save the Date, Sunday, May 22, 2022. The gathering will be at St. Perpetua Church from 2:00pm -6:00pm. RSVP to ginreyn@comcast.net.
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Cal Shakes' Romeo y Juliet
May 25—June 19
After nearly two years of planning, the world premiere production of Romeo y Juliet is headed to the Bruns! Here's a first look at first rehearsal, with snippets of Sarita Ocón (Romeo), Eliana Lopez (Lady Capulet), Sarah Williams (Managing Director), Jessie Amoroso (Costume Designer), and KJ Sanchez (Director).
Join us at the Bruns from May 25—June 19 for Karen Zacarías' reimagined bilingual adaptation of this classic tale of star crossed lovers. Secure your single tickets today! 🎟
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Sweet Thursdays presents: Dave Zirin
Sweet Thursday presents Dave Zirin, author of The Kaepernick Effect. Taking a Knee, Changing the World. In 2016, amid an epidemic of police shootings of African Americans, the celebrated NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick began a series of quiet protests on the field, refusing to stand during the U.S. national anthem. By "taking a knee," Kaepernick bravely joined a long tradition of American athletes making powerful political statements. This time, however, Kaepernick's simple act spread like wildfire throughout American society, becoming the preeminent symbol of resistance to America's persistent racial inequality. Register for this online program here.
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Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation
This summer the Lafayette Library hosts a variety of programs including a collaborative film series From Europe with Film: Three European Directors Who Made It Big In Hollywood. The first film is Casablanca on June 1 - register TODAY. Learn about all upcoming programs by subscribing to the weekly newsletter, AdLib(rary) at www.LLLCF.org.
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Town Hall Theater Company Presents “Antigone, presented by the girls of St. Catherine’s”
By Madhuri Shekar
Directed by Claire Ganem
CAST: Sarah Hadassah Negrón, Natalie Farrell, Evelyn McCollum, Emma Simpson, Alan Coyne.
DATES: Previews: June 2nd and 3rd at 8:00pm
8:00pm Performances: June 4th,10th,11th,17th,18th,23rd,*24th, and 25th.
2:00pm Performance: June 12th and 19th
A piece written by Madhuri Shekar “Antigone, presented by the girls of St. Catherine’s” will be the second show for the 2021-2022 Mainstage Season at Lafayette’s Town Hall Theatre.
The St. Catherine's Preparatory School Drama club is about to put on their first play when suddenly, a scandal: their beloved drama teacher has betrayed them in an unforgivable way. Their production of Sophacles' Antigone becomes a shocking parallel for their own roles in society. Posing the impossible questions: What is the right thing to do? Should the show go on? And how does a teenager stand up to authority?
“Antigone is a character that is hard to forget.” shared director Claire Ganem. “A daughter of Oedipus, she was an anarchist ahead of her time- standing up for what she believed in despite society's attempts to silence her. Many young women are introduced to Antigone during high school English class while they are growing into societies' rules of what women should be and what they should accept. Antigone, Presented by the Girls of St Catherine's introduces us to a group of these young women, embarking on a school production of Antigone. I found myself particularly drawn to these characters as they attempt to navigate the right moral choices while fighting against an environment that is trying to silence them. We cannot wait to share Shekar's retelling of this classic Greek myth with Town Hall audiences!”
“Antigone, presented by the girls of St. Catherine’s” will feature talkbacks after the
June 11th and June 18th performances with the cast and Victoria Schubert-Gardiner
For our performance on Juneteenth, all bar and audience donations will be shared with Ujima The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community. https://ujimacommunity.org.
Content Advisory for this Production: Antigone, presented by the girls of St. Catherine’s contains Strong Language and Themes of Sexual assault.
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Lamorinda Arts Alliance Announces New Exhibit: “Celebrating Summer”!!
Celebrate summer with the artwork of twenty-four local artists depicting the vibrancy of summer life! Lamorinda Arts Alliance is pleased to announce our member show, “Celebrating Summer,” at the Lindsay Dirkx Brown Gallery, from June 2 to June 29!
Summer can be sunny, hot, bright, and carefree like wearing shorts, flip flops and hanging out by the pool! Like summer, you’ll find this show is full of energy and cheer and as sweet as strawberries or as refreshing as a creamsicle on a hot day!
Please join us at the artist reception on Saturday June 4, from 4:00 – 6:00 pm.
The Lindsay Dirkx Brown Gallery is located at 12501 Alcosta Blvd, San Ramon (located inside the San Ramon Community Center). It is open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 5pm, and on weekends during special events.
Participating artists: Donna Arganbright, Kevin Boise, Helen Chu-Hirschberg, Valerie Corvin, Carla Gelbaum, Karen Giorgianni, Fiona Hughes, Nora Krauss, Melchia Kutches, Sheila Longerbeam, Pam McCauley, Samantha McNally, John Nakanishi, Irene Needoba, H. Newbury, Chelsea Pickslay, Mark Robinson, Adrienne Rogers, Marian Sims Harris, Ruth Stanton, Charlene Steen, Rosemary Therkelsen, Charlynn Throckmorton, Nancy Vachani
We want to thank the City of San Ramon for giving us this opportunity to display our artwork at the Lindsay Dirkx Brown Gallery.
Lamorinda Arts Alliance is an organization of local artists and friends who reside or work in the area. Its purpose is to provide coordination, education, and service to promote and increase knowledge, appreciation, and practice of the arts, and to enhance the cultural development of Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, and the surrounding communities. The group seeks to foster a better understanding of art within the community and encourage the exchange of ideas for the mutual benefit of all members through its programs, exhibits and other activities within the community. https://laa4art.org
Artwork: “Back to Basics” by Sheila Longerbeam
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Art Gallery at the Orinda Library: A Few Good Artists
Maya Angelou said, “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” Members of the Oakland Art Association (OAA) fulfill this creative promise because they ‘keep using it.’ The Lamorinda Arts Council presents artwork from many of the 50 creative OAA members during the month of June in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library. Meet the artists at a reception in their honor from 3 – 5 p.m. on Saturday June 4 where light refreshments will be served. Visit https://lamorindaarts.org/galleries-current/ for details and to access the virtual gallery devoted to these fine artists.
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Art Gallery at Wilder: A Proclivity for Positivity & Community Collage
The Lamorinda Arts Council hosts Carrie Vanhouten as the featured artist at their solo Art Gallery in Wilder from Sunday, June 4 to Saturday July 9. ‘s The theme for her show is “Positivity.” Meet the artist at a reception in her honor on Sunday, June 19 from 2:30 – 5 p.m. where light refreshments will be served. Vanhouten is hosting an interactive Community Collage event – join the fun! Visit https://lamorindaarts.org/galleries-current/ for more information and to access her virtual gallery. For directions to the reception visit https://lamorindaarts.org/current-exhibits-wilder/.
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“Opera in the Park”
Orinda Rotary is sponsoring "Opera in the Park" for the 12th year on Thursday, June 16th from 6:00 to 8:00 at Orinda Community Park, 28 Orinda Way. This spectacular free event features Festival Opera singing and Broadway music. Bring friends or the entire family along with a blanket and chair. Enjoy the food and drink trucks provided adjacent to the event. Visit orindarotary.org for more information.
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Art Embraces Words: Call for Artists & Writers
Live Program June 18, 2 – 4 p.m.
Artists paint with colors, writers paint with words. Together they enrich our community.
Join Lamorinda Arts Council co-chairs Elana O’Loskey and Sue Farmer for a return to free live Art Embraces Words programs at the Lafayette Library & Learning Center Arts & Science Room. Patrons are seated in the middle of the room surrounded by artwork from local artists. In this way art literally “embraces” the words spoken by emerging writers who read excerpts from their work from a podium. Program dates are June 18, July 23, and October 29 (Costume Program). We invite emerging writers and visual artists to register online if they are interested in participating. Programs run from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. where emerging writers read from their work, artists speak about their art and there is an audience Q&A. Reception follows outdoors in the Library Courtyard.
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Rock the Plaza Concert Series: Lamorinda Idol Singers
June 24, 6 – 8 p.m.
Hear talented area singers from Lamorinda Idol at the Lafayette Chamber’s Rock the Plaza event in Lafayette Plaza Park, corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Moraga Rd., on June 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. Finalists performing in this summer concert will be chosen from the 120 singers who auditioned in the Idol program. Finalists are announced on June 1 at https://lamorindaarts.org/idol-2/. Lamorinda Idol is part of the Lamorinda Arts Council. The program of summer concerts and workshops culminates in the Lamorinda Idol Finals at the Orinda Theatre on August 14, where singers receive immediate feedback from a panel of distinguished judges, and where the winners in each category receive cash prizes.
Now in its 17th year, Lamorinda Idol, a program of the Lamorinda Arts Council, is an annual singing competition open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade who attend school or reside in Contra Costa County. Singers may enter as soloists or in groups.
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MORAGA ART GALLERY's "NATURAL ABUNDANCE."
The public is invited to join the celebration of the Moraga Art Gallery's new springtime show. The exhibit features floral and scenic oil paintings by member artist Jill Landau and a collection of works by Bay Area printmaker Donna Brown, whose artistry captures joyous moments, as when colorful birds congregate on the tree outside her window. Also on display are paintings, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, glassware, etchings, woodwork, photographs, monotypes, and much more by the gallery's core of eighteen artists.
Open from noon until 5:00 pm from Wednesday to Sunday, the gallery is located at 432 Center Street in Moraga's Rheem Shopping Center. For more information, visit www.moragaartgallery.com or call 925-376-5407.
Image: Zanzibar Girl by Donna Brown
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The Park Theater Trust: Show your love for Lafayette and the Park
Do you or a friend or family member have an unwanted car taking up space? The Park Theater Trust (TPTT), an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to renovate and re-open Lafayette's beloved Park Theater, is joining forces with Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary’s top-notch vehicle donation program, Cars2ndChance.
Few vehicle donation programs in the U.S. maintain such a low overhead and that means more of your donation goes to lighting up the Park! Cars2ndChance accepts vehicles of all types, in any condition, running or not. Simply visit https://cars2ndchance.com/park-theater/ to fill out the donor form and they will handle all the arrangements, including pick up or towing, at no cost to you. Your tax-deductible donation will specifically benefit the renovation of one of the East Bay’s most iconic cinemas, which hopes to reopen by Holiday 2023.
After raising $3 million of its $8 million capital campaign, TPTT acquired the Park Theater property in December 2021. The push is now on for the $5 million necessary for the renovation of this single-screen cinema into a vibrant venue offering two screens, a community space, commercial kitchen, and rooftop terrace, which will all also be available for rentals. This is a one-time need as once the renovation is complete, TPTT’s for-profit operator, highly regarded CinemaSF, will pay rent directly into a fund to cover future care of the property. Please visit https://parktheatertrust.org for more information.
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OLLI @Berkeley's summer term starts soon!
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Three Thirty Three Arts
Three Thirty Three Arts is now fundraising for a large community volunteer participation mural painting activity scheduled for June 2022 in Concord at Todos Santos Plaza.
On June 11 and 12, Three Thirty Three Arts will be hosting a volunteer Art In The Park mini mural jam at Todos Santos Plaza in Concord if anybody wants to check it out: creativeconcordca.com
Three Thirty Three Arts is in need of a lumber donor for a few thousand dollars worth of materials so we can build temporary structures and invite amateur/emerging artists of all ages from Contra Costa County to participate. Once the mural structures are completed (8' x 8'), we will donate them to various non-profit orgs in and around Concord.
Three Thirty Three Arts is going to handle all of the community activation for Local Edition Creative placemaking programming. Learn more at creativeconcordca.com and www.333arts.org.
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Diablo Symphony Orchestra
The Diablo Symphony Orchestra will perform its annual Family Concert on June 19, at 2:00 p.m. at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. The program, postponed in February due to Covid-19 concerns, includes The Carnival of the Animals suite for orchestra and two pianos by Camille Saint-Saëns, featuring Bay Area pianists Julian Fong and Kirsten West. Greg Brown, recently retired instrumental music director at Northgate High School in Concord, will also be featured as saxophone soloist in Henry Mancini’s theme from “The Pink Panther”. Jazz band programs developed by Brown during his 24 year tenure at Northgate have been recognized at prestigious Monterey Jazz Festivals. A poetry contest is currently being held for poems that will introduce the various animals portrayed in Saint-Saëns’s suite. Visit the DSO website for contest details and a list of animals that still need a poem.
The orchestra, the oldest aggregation of volunteer musicians in Contra Costa County, looks forward to celebrating its sixty year anniversary during its 2022-2023 Diamond Jubilee anniversary season featuring special events and performances in addition to five regular concerts featuring the orchestra, guest artists and collaborators such as the Blackhawk Chorus and Festival Opera. Anticipating the season, a special concert for all ages will be performed at 5:30 p.m. on May 29 on Walnut Creek’s Broadway Plaza. Members of the orchestra will also perform on Concord’s Todos Santos Plaza on June 16 at 6:30.
The 2022-2023 anniversary season opens at the Lesher Center for the Arts on October 23, 2022, with Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 and Aaron Copland’s Canticle of Freedom with the San Ramon Valley Chorale. The orchestra’s December holiday concert will again be performed at the Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church. The Diablo Symphony, in collaboration with the Blackhawk Chorus, will present an uplifting program of holiday favorites. Additionally, violinist Anna Presler and cellist Leighton Fong will premiere Alex Saratsky’s “jazzy double concerto” inspired by Ukrainian folk songs. The DSO is particularly excited to be bringing Orinda native Juliana Athayde back to perform Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in its February, 2023, concert at the Lesher Center for the Arts. The daughter of well-known Stanley Middle School music director and teacher Bob Athayde, Ms. Athayde made her solo debut at the age of 16 with the San Francisco Symphony and performed with the DSO in 2004, one year before becoming concertmaster of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in 2005 at age twenty-four. She is an Associate Professor of Violin at the Eastman School of Music and has served as a Visiting Professor at Cornell University. For its annual family concert in April, 2023, the DSO and Walnut Creek’s Festival Opera are coproducing a mini-opera inspired by the stories of the famous trickster Brer Rabbit. The season’s fifth and final concert, titled “Sounds of the Americas,” features Brian Rice and the Berkely Choro Ensemble in music from Brazil, including a concerto for pandeiro, the Brazilian tambourine. A new work by local composer Jean Ahn, celebrating the Diablo Symphony’s 60th anniversary, will be followed by a screening of Charlie Chaplin’s The Adventurer accompanied by Darius Milhaud’s lighthearted Le Boeuf sur le Toit (literally "the ox on the roof"), originally conceived by Milhaud as incidental music for any one of Chaplin’s comic silent films. The DSO looks forward to seeing you at any one or all of the orchestra’s performances or events!
Tickets for the June 19, 2022 concert are available through the Lesher Center Box Office and on the DSO’s website at www.diablosymphony.org, or at the door. You can also visit the website for information about the orchestra’s concerts, programs and special events; inquiries about concerts and events can be sent by email to info@diablosymphony.org.
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Exciting things are happening at the Lesher Center for the Arts! Big names in arts and entertainment continue to appear in Contra Costa County through the Lesher Center Presents Headliner Series with Broadway star and tv sensation Laura Benanti on June 25 and observational comic (often riffing on the absurdity of his own wholesomeness) Ryan Hamilton on July 9. Before then, stay tuned for the Season Announcement of Center Repertory Company, Bedford Gallery, and the 22/23 Headliners on May 25! Diablo Regional Arts Association, the nonprofit partner of the Lesher Center, is proud to support these professional resident productions. See you at the Center! www.LesherArtsCenter.org
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Support our Local Artists ... |
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Art Room by Chari
Chari began painting when the COVID-19 struck the world as a form of therapy. Most of her subject matter is abstract. She likes to experiment with techniques and form art in colors. She adds her personality and opens her work to your interpretation, encouraging conversation.
For more information please visit art_room_by_chari on Instagram or call 510.381.4634.
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Take Self Love, Harmony, Courage wherever you go with you or buy them as a gift for a beloved one.
Dinart is all about finding joy in creativity and all the good energy that we need to carry with us everyday and everywhere we go. To fulfill this goal I came up with the idea to transform my watercolor painting to different types of custom wearable arts. My hand-crafted art pieces can be seen at www.etsy.com/shop/dinartgift and din-art.com. Currently, my handmade painting jewelry is available online and is also sold exclusively at a local high-end boutique in Oakland, CA. Every collection has a name which is inspired by my personal journey such as Self Love, Harmony, Courage, Wisdom, Hope, ....
To learn more about me and my art, please refer to the above links. I was recently highlighted in the Lamorinda Weekly & Rossmoor News.
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Enumero Cribbage Boards
Enumero Cribbage Boards are hand crafted in small batches using beautiful, warm hardwoods and richly colored inlay. Each and every board is unique in its appearance, name, and the series (or batch) it belongs to. I humbly believe that an Enumero Cribbage Board will be played on and enjoyed for generations to come.
Enumero is derived from the latin word "enumeratus" which means "to count". Cribbage has been played for over 400 years and continues to grow in popularity.
An Enumero Cribbage board can enhance your playing experience or can be given as a memorable gift to your favorite Cribbage Player. Each Enumero Cribbage Board comes with metal pegs that are kept in a small storage compartment at one end of the board. This compartment is secured with a small threaded hardwood cap.
Meet Enumero Cribbage Boards and shop at the Rock the Plaza concert series on Friday, June 3. Jeff will be offering some of his latest Cribbage Boards for sale, including the biggest Cribbage Board he's ever made! It’s a 4 player board and measures 3 ½ Feet long and about 1 foot wide and weighs in at over 10 Pounds! Will also be selling knick-knack boxes (my version of a jewelry box).
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Metz Gallery
I’m a mixed media collage graffiti-style pop/street artist, born and raised in the gritty, industrial city of Bradford, Yorkshire, in the North of England; living there for most of my childhood until moving to London in my late teens. The effects of growing up in these urban environments have obviously left an indelible mark on me. I’m very passionate about photography, music and entertainment, vintage movies and icons within pop culture and politics. My approach to art is to capture, memorialize and transform fleeting fragments of the world around us. I’ve taken these somewhat disparate elements and selectively layered pieces together, blending them into transform into a patchwork. I add colored acrylics and spray paint that adds depth and a multi-dimensional aspect to my work.
As part of my process, I try to first create and then develop common linkages and themes. I develop these unique fragments into a multi-layered, mixed media collage that that connects to create a common thread and overall narrative. Ultimately, I like my art to be dramatic, vibrant, colorful and provocative, evoking a sense of energy and passion.
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Onodaart
If you like California land you will like my work! I paint the joy I see in our landscapes. Most of my work is done on location within 60 miles of Lamorinda. I paint Napa, the Bay, small farms, orchards, and trees that I fall in love with. Teresa Onoda, www.onodaart.com.
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Tom Taneyhill Art
Drawing and painting the local landscape. Connect with me!
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Whitchurch Glass Designs
📷 The Classic, Glass Beverage Coasters, $45/set
Beautiful colored glass is adorned with dots and stringers. These beautiful glass beverage coasters have been sold at art galleries and art/wine festivals in Northern California. Each set contains four 4” x 4” coasters, with rubber pads affixed at base to protect furniture. They make the perfect bridal, housewarming, birthday or host/hostess gift. Various colors are available online at www.WhitchurchGlassDesigns.com.
Lafayette artist and resident, Cynthia Whitchurch creates her art by melting and bending colored glass into custom molds producing beautiful pieces including bowls, plates, dishes, coasters, night lights and more. She welcomes the opportunity to partner with local retailers to showcase her work. Contact Cynthia at WhitchurchGlassDesigns@yahoo.com.
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Quick Links to Lafayette Chamber Resources
Please note: to signup via text you will be asked for your birthdate. This information is not stored, it is only used for verify you are over 21 years of age.
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Jay Lifson, Executive Director
251 Lafayette Circle, Ste 150, Lafayette, CA
Office hours by appointment only:
Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm, Friday 9am-1pm
(925) 284-7404
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