Lamorinda Arts Council

Art Gallery at the Orinda Library | May/June 2025 Artist Reception
2025-05-31 14:30 - 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Art Gallery at the Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA, 94563, United States
Please join us for this month’s Artist Reception at the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library!
May/June Exhibit 2025 | “People in Places Doing Things”
Saturday, May 31st
2:30 – 4:30pm
Meet the Artists and enjoy light refreshments.
All are welcome!

Live At the Orinda! Concert Series | David Marino
2025-05-18 17:00 - 19:00 | Orinda Theatre, 2 Orinda Theater Square, Orinda, CA, 94563, United States
Due to popular demand, the multi-lingual jazz singer from Montreal returns to the Orinda Theatre for our 2025 season finale! David Marino made his West Coast concert debut at the Orinda Theatre in March of 2024, entrancing everyone with his gorgeous voice, his charming and sincere personality, and his undeniable charisma on stage. David began singing and performing at only 6 years of age and was instantly inspired by legends such as Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Charles Aznavour, among others. In his native Canada, David is best known for his appearance as a finalist on Canada’s hit TV show The Voice, under the mentorship of famous French artist and songwriter Pierre Lapointe. Currently working on his debut album, David continues to wow audiences throughout Canada, Italy, and the US, performing regularly at New York’s Birdland Jazz Club. www.davidmarino.net
“Move over Michael Bublé, there’s a new Canadian heartthrob…and that is one David Marino. David Marino is not to be missed!” – Theatre Pizzazz
“David is a crazy natural, with an incredible talent. He belongs to the stage and the stage belongs to him.” – Pierre Lapointe, The Voice
“One word: Phenomenal! He’s just brilliant and his singing is just wonderful” – jazz/cabaret legend Marilyn Maye

"on the breath of compassion, We Arise" Choir Concert | Saint Mary's College
2025-05-17 20:00, 2025-05-15 20:00 | St. Mary’s College, 1928 St Marys Rd, Moraga, 94556, United States
Join us Thu and Sat , May 15 & 17, at 8pm in the Chapel for a dynamic choral concert celebrating diverse musical styles, and marking the 15th Anniversary of our appearance at Carnegie Hall, with special guests, the DVC Chamber Singers! Enjoy medieval and modern aleatoric chant, classics by Brahms, Debussy, and newer works by Joan Szymko, Yumiko Matsuoka Young, Linkin Park, Sting, and Stevie Wonder. Experience the Gospel power of Total Praise and the heartfelt When She Loved Me from Toy Story 2, directed by our talented music students. Don’t miss this unforgettable celebration of vocal music! Live Stream option for Sat concert will be provided here by May 10.

Jazz Double-Bill Spring Concert | Saint Mary’s College Jazz Band & Jazz Combo
2025-05-16 19:30 - 21:00 | LeFevre Theatre, 1928 St. Marys Road, Moraga, CA, 94575, United States
Join Us for an Evening of Jazz!
Come celebrate the end of the school year with the Saint Mary‘s Jazz Band and Jazz Combo, under the direction of Malachi Whitson and Sam Reider.
Enjoy an exciting evening of contemporary jazz featuring music by Tower of Power (What Is Hip), Sam Rivers, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Tony Williams, and more.
Don’t miss this dynamic performance showcasing the creativity and talent of our student musicians!

"Soaring" Dance Concert | Saint Mary's College
2025-05-10 20:00, 2025-05-10 14:00, 2025-05-09 20:00, 2025-05-08 20:00 | LeFevre Theatre, 1928 St. Marys Road, Moraga, CA, 94575, United States
The Performing Arts Department of Saint Mary’s College presents the Saint Mary’s College Dance Company’s annual spring dance concert “Soaring.”
“Soaring” showcases a variety of works choreographed by our esteemed Dance faculty and performed by our students of the Saint Mary’s College Dance Company and Baile Folklorico Guadalupano. The concert will feature Baile Folklorico (Mexican folk dance), Hip-hop, Modern/Contemporary Dance, Tap and West African Dance. Join us for this special dance concert, and enjoy the talent of our award-winning students.

Art Embraces Words
2025-05-10 14:00 - 15:30 | Lafayette Library & Learning Center, 3941 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA, 94549, United States
ART EMBRACES WORDS | Every Kind of Mother
Lafayette Library & Learning Center, Arts & Science Room
3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, CA 94549
Join us for spoken word readings and art featuring “every kind of mother”. Entry is free and open to all. There will be a courtyard reception before the program, including a No Host Bar and refreshments.
After the readings and art presentations, please join us in the Courtyard for a Reception from 3:30 – 5:00 pm. Please note that the free Library parking lot closes at 5:00 pm.

Spring 2025 Gala Concert | Saint Mary's College
2025-05-01 19:30 | St. Mary’s College, 1928 St Marys Rd, Moraga, 94556, United States
Come celebrate the end of another incredible school year of music-making at our Instrumental Music Gala Concert! This year, we’re bringing the magic of French music to the stage, featuring works by legendary composers like Erik Satie, Gilles Chabenat, Jean-Philippe Rameau, Yann Tiersen, and Gabriel Fauré—all beautifully arranged by our talented resident arranger, Sam Reider. Don’t miss this enchanting night filled with breathtaking melodies and musical brilliance. Invite your friends and family and let’s celebrate together!

Poetry for the Ages
2025-04-29 12:00 - 13:00 | Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School Street, Lafayette, CA, 94549, United States
POETRY FOR THE AGES | Celebrating National Poetry Month
Town Hall Theatre Lobby, Lafayette

Join us for Poetry for the Ages on April 29! This one-hour program, held from 12:00–1:00 pm at the Town Hall Theatre, features four poets, each sharing their original work during a short reading, followed by an engaging Q&A session. With a warm, appreciative audience, this intimate setting offers a unique opportunity for poets to connect and inspire. Don’t miss this chance to connect with other local poets and fellow literary enthusiasts and share your new material with our community.
Visit lovelafayette.org/PublicArt – Call for Artists – to apply.

*Poetry for the Ages is presented in collaboration with Lafayette Public Art Committee and Town Hall Theatre

Live At the Orinda! Concert Series | Niki Haris
2025-04-27 17:00 - 19:00 | Orinda Theatre, 2 Orinda Theater Square, Orinda, CA, 94563, United States
The daughter of Grammy-nominated jazz pianist Gene Harris, Niki Haris became known around the world after co-starring in the documentary film, Truth or Dare, as “the big voice” behind Madonna, as well as being featured in many of her music videos. Throughout her 18 years with Madonna, the singer, dancer, choreographer, and actress maintained her love of jazz and the Great American Songbook, working not only with her father but jazz greats Stanley Turrentine, Joe Sample, the Jazz Crusaders, and Ray Charles. Her vocal collaborations read like a “who’s who” of the music business, from Madonna to Mick Jagger to Whitney Houston, to Sheryl Crow and many others. She’s performed everywhere from Carnegie Hall to Wembley Stadium, to President Obama’s inauguration, and remains a favorite featured artist at the Blue Note At Sea and International Jazz Festivals. This is her Bay Area solo concert debut! www.nikiharisofficial.com
“Niki Haris is perhaps best known for her long career as one of Madonna’s backup singers, but she proved that she has much more to offer. To put it simply, she is a terrific interpreter of the Great American Songbook…Her warmth, her sense of fun, and her pure joy in performing this material were evident throughout. The chemistry between her and her audience was palpable….” – Cabaret Scenes

Call For Artists - "People in Places Doing Things: How Artists Examine Culture"
2025-04-23 00:00 | Art Gallery at the Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA, 94563, United States
Lamorinda Arts Council presents the themed exhibit: “People in Places Doing Things: How Artists Examine Culture” in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library during May and June. We invite artists who make 2-D and 3-D artwork that includes ideas about this theme to submit up to 3 images of their work here.
We seek artwork of all genres that is visually narrative, which may include but not require a written narrative component for this exhibit. Narrative art includes traditional mediums like drawings, paintings, and sculpture as well as photography, animation, digital art, manga and comic strips. Visual artworks often accompany songs, film, theater performances, films and documentaries. Submissions may be abstract, representational or anything in between

Arts Ambassadors 2025 | Artist Reception
2025-04-17 16:30 - 18:00 | Art Gallery at the Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA, 94563, United States
Presenting the 2025 Arts Ambassadors Exhibit!
JOIN US // Artist Reception & Jazz Band Performance
Thursday, April 17, 4:30 – 6:00 pm
• Admire the student art created in the classrooms of OUSD
• Enjoy the OIS Jazz Band & Choir Performances
• Celebrate Arts Education with Family & Friends
Presented in collaboration with ONE Orinda.

Live At the Orinda! Concert Series | Donna McKechnie
2025-04-06 17:00 - 19:00 | Orinda Theatre, 2 Orinda Theater Square, Orinda, CA, 94563, United States
Take Me To The World – The Songs Stephen Sondheim Tony Award winner and Broadway legend DONNA McKECHNIE (A Chorus Line, Company, State Fair) comes to the Orinda Theatre directly from her triumphant return to Broadway in Wicked to debut her brand new show, Take Me To the World, The Songs of Stephen Sondheim. Receiving the Best Actress Tony Award for her sensational performance as Cassie in the groundbreaking Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical, A Chorus Line (a role she helped create), Donna McKechnie is regarded internationally as one of Broadway’s foremost singing and dancing leading ladies. Recently inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame, Donna McKechnie has starred on Broadway and London’s West End in such shows as How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, Sondheim: A Musical Tribute, Promises-Promises, Company, On The Town, State Fair (Fred Astaire Award), The Visit and Stephen Sondheim’s Follies. Ms. McKechnie has also appeared with countless symphonies and on concert stages around the world. She’s been seen in dozens of TV specials and series, including HBO’s Showstoppers, Fame, Cheers, Family Ties, and Dark Shadows, and was featured in the documentary film, Every Little Step.
“She remains the essence of the heroic drive that A CHORUS LINE celebrates.” – The New York Times
“There are few entertainers who have had a career like Ms. McKechnie’s…her stories make us enthralled with every word.” – Times Square Chronicles

Art Embraces Poetry
2025-04-05 13:30 - 15:30 | Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School Street, Lafayette, CA, 94549, United States
Poets paint images with words; Artists tell stories with color; together they enrich our community!
Celebrate National Poetry Month with us…

ART EMBRACES POETRY | Town Hall Theatre Company: 3535 School Street, Lafayette, CA 94549
Local poets Alfred Garrotto, Phil Scimonelli, Claire Kwon and Elise Dirlam Ching are excited to read their work celebrating National Poetry Month at the Lamorinda Art Council’s April 5 Art Embraces Poetry program. Local artist Aerin Haro exhibits and speaks about her mixed media art. which runs from 1:30 to 2:30 pm. From 2:30 to 3:30 pm we host an All Topics 3 Min Open Mic. Got something to say? Now’s the time to show up because we will listen.

Registration for Lamorinda Idol Auditions
2025-04-01 - 2025-04-30 | CA
Registration for Lamorinda 2025 Auditions will be open April 1st-30th on our website

Live At the Orinda! Concert Series | Linda Purl
2025-03-23 17:00 - 19:00 | Orinda Theatre, 2 Orinda Theater Square, Orinda, CA, 94563, United States
POSSIBILITIES…Songs of Hope, Risk and Maybe Actress (The Office, Matlock, Happy Days) and jazz singer Linda Purl was last seen at the Orinda Theatre co-starring with her real-life partner Patrick Duffy (Dallas, Step By Step), in the play Love Letters. Now, Linda Purl returns to the Orinda stage with her music director and jazz great, Tedd Firth. Possibilities…Songs of Hope, Risk, and Maybe, is a jazzy look at what can lie ahead, featuring music from her six critically-acclaimed solo albums. www.lindapurl.com
“Purl cuts loose with all the authority of a seasoned jazz vocalist…she is mesmerizing!” – London Times
“An act that literally takes your breath away…an impressive range, perfect intonation, awesome phrasing.” – Rex Reed

High School Visual Arts Competition 2025 | Artist Reception & Award Presentation
2025-03-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Art Gallery at the Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA, 94563, United States
Presenting the 2025 High School Visual Arts Exhibit!
JOIN US // Artist Reception & Award Presentation
Thursday, March 20, 7 – 8:30 pm
• Meet the Artists
• Enjoy Sweet Treats
• Celebrate Art with Family & Friends

Art Embraces Poetry - Girls + Women Influencers: Women's History Month
2025-03-08 13:30 - 15:30 | Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School Street, Lafayette, CA, 94549, United States
The Lamorinda Arts Council invites you to listen to local poets on the theme: Girls + Women Influencers: Women’s History Month.
Also view artist Ellen Reintjes’ artwork about her mother, such as “Betty Who Dared @ Age 22,” concluding at 2:30.
From 2:30 to 3:30 speak some words of poetry at our “No Topic 3 Min Open Mic” also in the Main Stage. Don’t miss this opportunity to let your creative self out to play. To reserve a spot email poetry@LamorindaArts.org – otherwise it’s first come first served.
It’s all happening on Saturday March 8, 1:30 to 3:30 on the Main Stage at Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School St., Lafayette. No Host Bar available both in the Main Stage Theatre and at the After Party in the Lobby. ADA lift available up to Main Stage.

Art Gallery at the Orinda Library | February 2025 Artist Reception "Beautiful World"
2025-02-08 14:30 - 16:30 | Art Gallery at the Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA, 94563, United States
February 2025 Exhibit | “Beautiful World” | February 3rd – 28th
Beautiful World showcases the unique perspectives of five Muslim women artists from the Bay Area: Arshia Saifuddin, Bushra Gill, Hedaya Hasan, Latifat Titilayo Apatira, and Mubarra Ahmadyar. Through diverse art forms, they explore themes of faith, identity, and nature, finding the extraordinary in everyday life. Inspired by their spirituality, they create thought-provoking works that challenge our perceptions and reveal a world both seen and unseen.
The exhibition reminds us of the interconnectedness of all things and invites us to rediscover wonder and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.
Please join us for the Artist Reception on Saturday, February 8th, 2:30 – 4:30 pm. Admire the exhibit, meet the artists, and enjoy light refreshments.
Additionally, there will be a Botanical Nature Print Demonstration by Latifat Titilayo Apatira during the reception at 3:30 pm that will include a giveaway of scented Rose Geranium leaf (Pelargonium graveolens).

Live At the Orinda! Concert Series | Alice Ripley & J. McDaniel
2025-02-02 17:00 - 19:00 | Orinda Theatre, 2 Orinda Theater Square, Orinda, CA, 94563, United States
Tony Award winner, Broadway star, and Bay Area native Alice Ripley (Next To Normal, Side Show, Sunset Boulevard) makes a rare Bay Area appearance, collaborating with Grammy and Emmy Award-winning music director John McDaniel (The Rosie O’Donnell Show, Carol Burnett’s 90th Birthday Special). Join Alice and John as they lead you through their personal musical odyssey, sharing their many gifts and stories from a lifetime spent in music and on Broadway.
“McDaniel’s vision for their collaboration, his music direction, and accompaniment brought an award-winning musical theatre actor back to the stage after a lengthy hiatus. Their show played directly into the strength of Ripley’s vocal stylings with her massive voice…these two artists gave more of themselves than most artists do.” – Broadway World

Live At the Orinda! Concert Series | Faith Prince
2025-01-12 17:00 - 19:00 | Orinda Theatre, 2 Orinda Theater Square, Orinda, CA, 94563, United States
Tony Award-winning Broadway (Guys and Dolls, Bells Are Ringing, Little Mermaid) and TV (Huff, Modern Family) star Faith Prince returns to the Orinda Theatre in her final solo concert before heading back to Broadway to star in one of the season’s most highly anticipated musicals, Boop! written by Grammy winner David Foster (Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole) and directed and choreographed by Tony winner Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray, Kinky Boots). Accompanied by Gerald Sternbach on piano.
“She’s a singer who can define a character in a few bars of music, a talent so rare and valuable, that her absence from Broadway, however temporary, is indeed a crime.” – Variety
“She’s a master at lyric-driven musical comedy…her vocal control proved enviable, as well as her ability to keep the audience entranced.” Broadway World

Artist Reception, December 2024 | Art Gallery at Wilder
2024-12-08 14:30 - 16:30 | Art Gallery at Wilder, 20 Orinda Fields Lane, Orinda, CA, 94563, United States
John Brown: A Life Rooted in the Power of Photography
Please join us at the Wilder Art & Garden Center for this month’s Artist Reception in honor of artist John Brown presenting his solo exhibit “A Life Rooted in the Power of Photography!”
A lifelong photographer, iconic moments in John’s life are memorialized by his fascination with photography.
Meet John, view the photography, and enjoy light refreshments…
Artist Reception
Sunday, December 8, 2:30- 4:30 pm
Wilder Art & Garden Center
20 Orinda Fields Lane
*Parking is available in the parking lots next to Field 3. Accessible parking spaces are available near an adjacent Accessible ramp leading up to the Art & Garden Center. Look for our Wilder Gallery signage to direct you.
All the details, including driving directions to the gallery, are available on our website. You may also view and purchase art from this exhibit in our Wilder Online Gallery.

Artist Reception, December 2024 | Art Gallery at the Orinda Library
2024-12-08 14:30 - 16:30 | Art Gallery at the Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA, 94563, United States
December 2024 Exhibit | Creative Strokes Painting Group, Floral Photography, Fused Glass, and Ceramic Sculpture
Join us for a special Artist Reception where you can view the December exhibit, meet the Artists, and enjoy light refreshments. Free admission for all!
ARTIST RECEPTION

Sunday, December 8th, 2:30 – 4:30 pm, Library Gallery

All the details here.

Saint Mary's College Chamber Players & Concert Ensemble Concert
2024-12-08 14:00 - 15:30 | St. Mary’s College, 1928 St Marys Rd, Moraga, 94556, United States
Please join us for an afternoon of music in Saint Mary’s College Chapel with the Chamber Players & Concert Ensemble, featuring American folk tunes and music by Gershwin, Florence Prince, and Samuel Reider.
FREE, contributions are welcome. Parking is 50 cents per hour via texting the app publicized at the guest parking lots.

"Keep Looking Up" Saint Mary's College Choir Concert
2024-12-07 20:00 - 21:00 | St. Mary’s College, 1928 St Marys Rd, Moraga, 94556, United States
Please join the Saint Mary’s College and Diablo Valley College combined Choir concert “Keep Looking Up” at the SMC Chapel for an evening of music!

St. Mary's College Museum of Art (SMCMoA) | Ensemble Assemblage: Music & Dance in the Galleries
2024-12-07 15:00 - 16:00 | Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art, 1928 St. Marys Road, Moraga, CA, 94575
Ensemble Assemblage brings forward Desiree Sturrock’s (SMCMoA student assistant) senior music capstone project. Saint Mary’s artists—musicians Adanna Ogu (voice + guitar), Reeya Dharmadhikari (voice), and Sara Karkal (violin), alongside dancers Cadence Godwin, Lu Price, and Erica Hardy—will collaborate and perform through music and movement to respond to work from the exhibition Isole: A Voyage Among My Dreams.
The ensemble will select a painting and a related poem for inspiration and lyrics for each performance. The composition will take shape around those elements as the artists explores the relationship between creativity and its ability to channel through instruments (physical, vocal, or our bodies). Through this work, Ensemble Assemblage seeks to de-stigmatize artistry through multidisciplinary, improvisatory performance.

"Double Bill" | Saint Mary's College Jazz Band & Jazz Singers Concert
2024-12-06 19:30 - 21:30 | St. Mary’s College, 1928 St Marys Rd, Moraga, 94556, United States
Join SMC for an evening of jazz music at LeFevre Theatre!
