CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (April 23, 2023) — The Pioneer Calendar lists local events, performances and activities for the whole family.

We update the Pioneer Calendar page every week so check back often to find out what’s going on near you.

If you’d like to submit your event to the Pioneer Calendar page, please send email to us at Calendar@pioneerpublishers.com.

In the Community

Contra Costa Fair. Ticket sales begin April 24. The fair will be May 18-21 in Antioch. For details, visit www.contracostafair.com.

Spring Uncorked. Stroll through downtown Walnut Creek while enjoying wine tastings, food bites and entertainment, 5:30-9 p.m. April 26, starting at City Hall, 1666 N. Main St., Walnut Creek. Presale tickets $55; onsite tickets $65. Proceeds benefit the Walnut Creek Downtown Association. For details, visit www.walnutcreekdowntown.com.

Clayton Art & Wine Festival. Sponsored by the Clayton Business & Community Association, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. April 29 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 30, downtown Clayton. For more information, visit https://claytoncbca.org/cbca-events/clayton-art-and-wine-festival.

Clayton Valley Woman’s Club Spring Fundraiser. Mark Shaw plays Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Bobby Darin, plus wine, appetizers and desserts, 4-6 p.m. May 21, Diamond Terrace, 6401 Center St., Clayton. Proceeds benefit the scholarship fund. Tickets are $35. For reservations, visit www.claytonvalleywomansclub.org or call 925-685-0394.

Farmers Market. Sponsored by the Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Todos Santos Plaza, Concord. Visit pcfma.org for more information.

Off the Grid. The popular food truck event continues 5-9 p.m. Wednesdays, Trelany Road in Pleasant Hill. For details, visit https://offthegrid.com/event/pleasant-hill/.

In the Garden

“Gardens That Inspire.” Five private gardens on a self-guided tour, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 12-13. A scholarship fundraiser by the Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek American Association of University Women. Purchase tickets at https://daw-ca.aauw.net/garden2023.

Clayton Valley Garden Club Plant Sale. Native plants, vegetables, perennials, succulents and color bowls for Mother’s Day, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. May 13, Endeavor Hall parking lot, 6008 Center St., Clayton. Proceeds benefit community projects and scholarships. For more information, call Linda at 925-672-0503.

Clayton Gardens Tour. The Clayton Historical Society will host guests at five beautiful yards, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 19 and 20. Purchase $35 tickets at www.claytonhistory.org or at R&M Pool, Patio & Gardens, 6780 Marsh Creek Road, Clayton. Tickets will be available on tour days for $40. If you’d like to help at the event, call JoAnn Caspar or Joan Bergum at 925-672-0240 or email mueum@claytonhistory.org.

Music in the Parks

Singer Songwriter Sundays. Featuring local musicians in Todos Santos Plaza, sponsored by Concord Couch Concerts, 2-4 p.m. May 7 and June 4. Free. For more information, visit concordcouchconcerts.com.

Concerts in The Grove: 6-8:30 p.m. May 13 and continuing every other Saturday through Sept. 16 in downtown Clayton. May 13: Crossman Connection. May 27: Rod the Bod. June 10: Vybe Society. June 24: Pride and Joy SF. July 8: Foreverland. July 27: Chicago Tribute Authority. Aug. 5: Houserockers. Aug. 19: Fleetwood Mask. Sept. 2: Alameda All Stars. Sept. 16: East Bay Mudd. For details, visit https://claytonca.gov/fc/Concerts-In-The-Grove-2023.pdf.

Sunset by the Lake Concert Series. 6-8 p.m. May 28 and continuing every other Sunday through Labor Day weekend at the lake in Pleasant Hill. May 28: Crossman Connection. June 11: Van Goat. June 25: Hey Hey Mama. July 9: Tom Rigney & Flambeau. July 23: Jinx Jones & the Kingtones. Aug. 6: The Groove Doctors. Aug. 20: Native Elements. Sept. 3: The Big Jangle. For details and sponsorship information, visit https://www.pleasanthillca.org/1396/Summer-Concerts.

Clubs

SIR Branch 19 luncheon. A Mother’s Day celebration honoring SIR spouses, plus Rick Smith will speak about the Exxon Valdez oil spill, 11 a.m. May 4, Pittsburg Elks Lodge, 200 Marina Blvd. For more on the club, visit their website here.

California Writers Club. Author Geri Spieler will talk about internet skills for writers, 11 a.m. May 13, Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Guests welcome. Register at https://cwcmtdiablo.org/meetings-and-workshops.

For Your Health

Grief Workshops. Hosted by Hope Hospice. General Grief, May 8-June 26. Loss of a Child, May 8-June 26. Spousal/Partner Loss, May 9-June 27 or May 17-July 5. Teen group also available. Call 925-829-8770 or visit https://www.hopehospice.com/services/grief-support.

At the Clayton Library

The Clayton Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. For more information on any of these events, call 925-673-0659 or ccclib.org/events.

Book Club. 6-7 p.m. fourth Tuesday of the month, for adults. April 25 book is “The Lost Apothecary” by Sarah Penner. May’s book will be “The Personal Librarian” by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. No registration required.

Camp Clayton: Explorers. 2-3 p.m. April 26. Children can explore STEAM activities at the library and to take home.

Storytimes. Lapsit storytime for littlest ones 11-11:20 a.m. Thursdays; toddler/preschool storytime 11:30 a.m.-noon Thursdays, with a stay and play event immediately after.

Computer/Tech Assistance. 10 a.m.-noon Fridays, for adults. Bring your own device or work with our volunteer on one of our library computers. Sign up in person or call when library is open to book a 30-minute appointment. Drop-ins accommodated as available.

Homework Help. 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays. Assistance in all subjects for elementary students. Assistance for 6th-9th graders available based on the subject. Call or stop by the library to make a 30-minute appointment with a volunteer.

Clayton Knit & Crochet. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. May 3, for adults. Knit, crochet and make friends on the first Wednesday of each month. Staff will be present the first hour to answer questions, followed by two hours of free crafting. No registration required.

Camp Clayton: Arts & Crafts. 2-3 p.m. May 3, for children.

Board at the Library. 3-5:30 p.m. May 4, for tweens, teens and adults. Grab a game from our collection and play at the library.

The arts

Ceramics by College Park High School students. Through April 29, Valley Art Gallery, 1661 Botelho Drive, Suite 110, Walnut Creek. For more information, visit www.valleyartgallery.org or call 925-935-4311.

“Ah, Wilderness!” Eugene O’Neill’s coming of age comedy from Pittsburg Theatre Company, through April 30. California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. Purchase tickets at 925-439-7529 or https://pittsburg-theatre-company.square.site/shop/ah-wilderness-/9.

“Art Sparks.” Featuring 250 new works by gallery artists, through May 13, Valley Art Gallery, 1661 Botelho Drive, Suite 110, Walnut Creek. For more information, visit www.valleyartgallery.org or call 925-935-4311.

“Ain’t Misbehavin’.” Contra Costa Musical Theatre’s tribute to Fats Waller, April 24-29, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.

In the Key of Spring.” With the Diablo Women’s Chorale, 7 p.m. May 19 and 3 p.m. May 21, Walnut Creek United Methodist Church, 1543 Sunnyvale Ave., For tickets, visit www.diablowomenschorale.org.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Orange” and “Such Longing.” Diablo Ballet concludes its season May 26-27, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Early bird pricing through May 3. Virtual link available June 2-11. Call 925-943-SHOW or visit www.lesherartscenter.org or www.diabloballet.org.

“Carmen.” Festival Opera presents an updated story, Aug. 18 and 20, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Use code FOFRIEND for 20% off tickets now. Visit www.festivalopera.org/carmen or call 925-943-7469.

“Life in Clayton 1850-1870.” 2-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays for the rest of the year, 6101 Main St., Clayton. Visit claytonhistory.org.