As part of the Season of Shared Light, Cal Shakes is opening up the Bruns Amphitheater to arts and cultural institutions from around the Bay Area. Through October, safely enjoy concerts, dance performances, opera, and much more. Join us at the Bruns: https://calshakes.org/whats-happening-at-the-bruns.

Cal Shakes Shakespeare Conservatory will take place safely outside at the Bruns Amphitheater this summer for grades 6-12! Following all state and county Covid protocols, students will develop and improve their performative skills, all while rehearsing one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays for a performance on the Bruns stage! Learn more: https://calshakes.org/learn/conservatory.

Julia Adam returns with the witty and sophisticated Once Upon a Time, where a young man accidentally finds himself as the male lead in everyone’s favorite classic fairytales such as Cinderella, Snow White, Alice in Wonderland and Little Red Riding Hood.

Featuring music from Gershwin's "An American in Paris", this charming ballet will leave audiences of all ages believing in happily ever after. The performance will be streamed virtually to the comfort of your home on May 14 through May 16. The link will be available for viewing as many times as you like, whenever you like throughout the weekend. Tickets are on sale now through the Lesher Center for the Arts. Visit www.diabloballet.org for more information.

The Diablo Regional Arts Association (DRAA) is grateful for the community’s support of the Pave the Way campaign to support the Lesher Center for the Arts. Through the generosity of arts lovers across the region, 400 engraved pavers will be installed on the Rudney Plaza and over $1,000,000 has been raised to assist the Lesher Center in reopening.

Save the Date to Celebrate! With Co-Chairs Dino Riggio (Lafayette) and Todd Heintz (Martinez), DRAA is proud to announce the return of the On Broadway Gala on Saturday, October 2, 2021. Email us to receive event communications: info@draa.org.

The Diablo Symphony Orchestra is happy to announce its 2020-21 Yen Liang Young Artists Competition for Woodwind, Brass and Percussion musicians born after April 1, 1997. Details about the competition rules and a link to the application form can be found on the DSO website’s Yen Liang page at http://www.diablosymphony.org/about-us/young-artist-competition. The competition’s first round involves two separate submissions: (1) USPS mailing of the application with a non-refundable $25 fee, postmarked no later than August 31, 2021 and (2) a separately emailed link to a “YouTube” recording of the applicant’s competition piece – the link is sent to Jessica Gavello, competition coordinator, at president@diablosymphony.org. Finalists will be chosen and scheduled to appear for the final round taking place at 4 pm on September 19, 2021 at the Steinway Gallery in Walnut Creek. The Second Prize winner will receive $500. The First Prize winner will receive $1,000 and the opportunity to perform with the Symphony in its November 2021 concert set.

The Diablo Symphony, directed by Matilda Hofman, continues to enrich the lives of area residents with affordable, high-quality concerts, including an always popular Family Concert featuring interactive programs for listeners of all ages. Children ages 12 and under have always been admitted to concerts at no charge – a tradition that will continue when live performances resume (we’ve happily booked dates at the Lesher Center for the 2021-22 season!). The orchestra has also enjoyed presenting a virtual season of “First Thursday Digital Premiere” concerts featuring works recorded during past performances at the Lesher Center, as well as recently recorded chamber music works featuring string, brass and wind ensembles from the orchestra. The Digital Premiere series (now a YouTube playlist) can be viewed on the orchestra’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDZUIqlP1LYp5tuFusha0rw. Solo and ensemble performances by orchestra members are also posted on the DSO’s website at https://www.diablosymphony.org/watch-the-orchestra-online.  With plans in the works for its 2021-22 season - including special Diamond Jubilee events in 2022 - the orchestra eagerly looks forward to playing for and greeting audiences in person! In the meantime, watch for details about current and future activities on the DSO website at www.diablosymphony.org.

SAVE THE DATE! Dvořák's America

Viewing Party at the Gallery! Cultural partners Gold Coast Chamber Players and Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery team up for a viewing of Dvořák’s America, telling a unique story of the cross cultural roots of American music. Includes concert video, wine and cheese and Q& A with musicians. Limited to 25 tickets. Proof of vaccination required. Details coming soon at gccpmusic.com. 

Want to watch it now? Dvořák’s America is EXTENDED through midnight May 15. Purchase tickets here.

Our Main Stage concerts return LIVE to the Community Hall. Learn more here.

WE'RE BACK! The International Film Showcase resumes screenings on Friday May 14 - Sunday May 16 at the Orinda Theatre.

Synopsis: Markus, who has to go home to his teenage daughter, Mathilde, when his wife dies in a tragic train accident. It seems like an accident until a mathematics geek, who was also a fellow passenger on the train, and his two colleagues show up.

The film will play three times daily at 1:00, 4:00 and 7:00. Due to Covid 19 we can accommodate only 50 people per screening. Watch trailer here. Tickets are $10.00 and can be purchased in advance online here.

The SHIFT Show opens June 5 at the Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery in Lafayette, 3525 Mt Diablo Blvd.

If you would like to support the Lafayette Community Foundation's mission and efforts to support Lafayette's rich culture and its local artists, please visit LCF's website at lafayettecf.org to donate.  

Congratulations Project LPIE Winners!  

LPIE received over 130 entries across 12 categories this year. Click HERE to view the winners and their projects. www.lpie.org

Each week of Art Exploration Camp is unique and will include new projects. Projects will be adjusted appropriately to meet the needs and abilities of each child's age. Offered multiple weeks in the summer. Register for this camp and many more at www.lafayetterec.org or call 925-284-2232.

Lamorinda Arts Alliance announces the exhibit Slice of Life 

aRt Cottage in Concord, May 4 through June 25, 2021

The concept of everyday life and adapting to the new normal has taken on an especially poignant meaning during the COVID-19 crisis. "Slice of Life" is about reflecting a moment, an era, a part of everyday life or an exceptional memory. 

Please join us for wine and live music at our artist reception on Saturday, May 15 from 2pm to 4pm. 

The aRt Cottage is the coolest little art gallery just off the square in downtown Concord, CA, located at 2238 Mt. Diablo Street, Concord. The gallery is open Tuesday – Friday 11am-5pm; Saturday 1pm-5pm.

Lamorinda Arts Alliance is an organization of local artists and friends who reside or work in the area. For more than two decades, the Lamorinda Arts Alliance has promoted the visual arts through exhibits in libraries and businesses, at open studio events, street fairs, and lectures, and in the community's art galleries. www.laa4art.org

Ever made a video? Use your phone to record a G-rated 3-minute or less video. It should be set in your home or outdoor location in Lamorinda. Entry categories are youth to adult and family collaboration. Submit by May 14 at midnight on FilmFreeway. Live online event announcing Winners May 19 at 7 pm.

Visit www.lamorindaarts.org/SuperShorts to learn more.

Young singers in grades K – 12^th are invited to submit in their audition videos by May 15. There are seven categories based on grade levels. Finalists are announced June 1^st. Visit www.lamorindaarts.orog/idol-2 to submit or email idol@lomorindaarts.org with questions.  

Emerging writers and visual artists are invited to apply to be presenters at our free live program on Sunday May 30 at 2 pm. For more information on how to apply, to register as an audience member or access links to previously recorded programs visit lamorindaarts.org/art-embraces-words, email literary@lamorindaarts.org or call 925.359.9940.

The Lamorinda Arts Council is excited to announce the partial reopening of two exhibit spaces at the Library gallery. Look for paintings on two wood walls as you enter the Library. View Sydney Cheney-Thomas’ oil paintings with the theme “Sail Away” and Lisa Gunn’s plein air paintings which recall California Impressionism. All COVID-19 precautions observed. You can also see the artwork online at www.lamorindaarts.org/online-galleries.

View Annie Jacquemet’s oil paintings, many of which are based on photographs of people from around the world. Her husband, Michael Barrington, known for his humanitarian work, often returns from faraway places with intriguing photographs of people involved in his projects. Many of these photos inspire her portrait paintings. View her virtual solo show at www.lamorindaarts.org/online-galleries.

During stressful times like these art and nature can provide a measure of solace. With that in mind, the Moraga Art Gallery is pleased to announce a new exhibit, "Homage to Nature," highlighting the work of two member artists wedded to the natural world. 

Comprised of roughly 350 original artworks, large and small, the show which opened on Wednesday, May 5th and closes on Saturday, July 11th, includes paintings in many genres, as well as ceramics, photographs, sculptures, wooden bowls, glassware and much more by the gallery's eighteen members. Among the guest artists, Tina Nelson combines wools, feathers, mosses and other natural materials to create eye-catching decorative objects, and Julie O'Reilly incorporates  semi-precious and other natural stones in a variety of silver and beaded necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings.

Located at 432 Center Street in Moraga's Rheem Shopping Center, the gallery is now open from 12 noon to 4:00 pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For more information, please visit moragaartgallery.com, email moragaartgallery@gmail.com, or call (925)376-5407.  

Image: Artwork by Dalia Alekna 

Synopsis: Aharon has devoted his life to raising his son Uri. They live together in a gentle routine, away from the real world. But Uri is autistic, and now as a young adult it might be time for him to live in a specialized home. While on their way to the institution, Aharon decides to run away with his son and hits the road, knowing that Uri is not ready for this separation. Or is it, in fact, his father who is not ready? Drama - 94 min - Hebrew, with English subtitles. TRAILER 

$12.50 General Admission tickets are available via the Mountain Shadow Film Society here.

Ready to do something new this summer? Say, explore the history of Sicily, the works of Cheever, the greatest documentaries? Then by all means check out all the live, online courses taught by Cal faculty and other scholars through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UC Berkeley.

In 1941, the Park Theater came into being out of a desire for arts, culture, entertainment – and community – in downtown Lafayette. This is 2021 and those desires have not changed. In fact, with the far-ranging impact of the global pandemic on all of our lives, they are even greater than before. Although it seems like eons ago, it was only in 2005 that the Park’s iconic marquee went dark. Now, thanks to the tireless efforts of the hardy band of volunteers who make up the nonprofit Park Theater Trust, that marquee is poised to cast its welcoming glow once more. TPTT has just launched an $8mm capital campaign to finish its acquisition of the property and initiate the remodel. If all goes according to plan, the cinema will reopen late 2022, the year of the Park’s 81st birthday. TPTT just received its third consecutive LCF Excellence Grant, which has been critical to progressing its mission to revitalize the beloved theater into an accessible and inclusive, community-centered cinema, arts, and culture hub.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to save this architectural gem. Minimal fundraising after the opening will be just enough to maintain the Trust’s nonprofit status. The time to get involved is NOW! This is also the chance – everyone’s chance – to help lead the economic recovery of our very special town. The Park Theater can light up Lafayette again but to bring it back to life, TPTT needs community - we need YOU! Please visit www.parktheatertrust.org to see how together, we can create a downtown space designed to entertain and engage us all. Together, let’s light up the Park – and light up Lafayette!

Come see Peter Pan Foundation's beloved benefit musical! This magical show, written in 2006 for our original Peter Pan, has grown and adapted over the years-adding a little something special with each performance. And this year is certainly no exception - our performers have been hard at work to create a fantastical and safe production for all to enjoy! You can watch our livestreams from anywhere, no matter if you're at home or visiting Neverland.

During the moth of June, a selection of my work will be on display at Pax Winery tasting room in Sebastopol. For more information contact the show’s curator, Molly Kars and check the website www.paxwine.com.

The painting “Nature’s Edge” (a local vista) and St. Mary’s prints are now available at Venture Quality Goods in Lafayette.

My work is also available at Studio Seven Arts in Pleasanton, Nancy Dodds Gallery in Carmel, and prints on www.fineartamerica.com (search Tom Taneyhill).

EMAIL tom@taneyhill.com

FACEBOOK @taneyhillart

INSTAGRAM @taneyhillart

FantasticLand - All 10 episodes now available at TownHallTheatre.com/fantasticland!

Featuring over twenty actors from California to New York, director Alysia Homminga has crafted a compelling and innovative online experience that fans of Town Hall Theatre and of the original novel will find enthralling and electrifying.

We’ve all done such a good job wearing our masks and staying 6ft away that we can FINALLY meet in person again! This Summer Town Hall Education’s classes will be held outside and follow guidelines set by the city, county, and state so that our students and Teaching Artists STAY SAFE. Featuring 3 sessions of our innovative "Re-Told Tales" for 2nd to 5th graders and "Romeo & Juliet & Aliens" for middle schoolers. Space is limited! Register or get more information at https://www.townhalltheatre.com/summer-2021

⇒ Sign up to receive text alerts for Coffee with the Mayor!

Sign up now for our first in-person MIXER of the year, Wednesday, June 16, 5pm-7pm at Pillar Cowork! Learn more here>>

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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>>

The City of Lafayette is urging everyone to sign-up for the latest information for Lafayette residents and businesses.

You can subscribe to City of Lafayette notifications at https://bit.ly/LafayetteNotifications.

You can also find the latest Information on Covid-19 on the City's website here.

For wildfire resources, go to http://bit.ly/LafAreYouReady.

During the Covid-19 emergency, here is how to contact City of Lafayette

offices: https://bit.ly/LafayetteCovid-19Contact.

The physical office of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce will remain closed until July 2021. Our staff is still here to help you, just virtually. You can reach us by calling (925) 284-7404 or by sending an email to info@lafayettechamber.org. We'll get back to you as quickly as possible. See our calendar for both virtual events and in-person events!

The Chamber will be posting applicable updates for our businesses and the community to our COVID-19 news page and posting on social media. Check out our posts on Facebook and on Instagram.