The Pioneer’s Spring 2023 calendar of events and activities, May 7 update
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (May 7, 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. Advance tickets on sale for the May 18-21 fair in Antioch. For details, visit www.contracostafair.com.
Concord Mayor’s Cup. Golf event to benefit Concord Junior Giants, Concord Ambassadors and the First Tee of Contra Costa Youth Golf Program, May 19, Diablo Creek Golf Course. For more information, call 925-686-6266.
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. For reservations, visit www.claytonvalleywomansclub.org or call 925-685-0394.
Father’s Day Run for Rotary. A benefit for Clayton schools sponsored by the Clayton Valley/Concord Sunrise Rotary Club, June 18, Clayton Community Park. To sign up, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/Clayton/FathersDayRunforRotary. To volunteer, contact Jeff Wilson at 925-286-1827 or jeffwilson@kw.com.
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 museum@claytonhistory.org.
Music in the Parks
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.
Singer Songwriter Sundays. Featuring local musicians in Todos Santos Plaza, sponsored by Concord Couch Concerts, 2-4 p.m. June 4. For more information, visit concordcouchconcerts.com.
Clubs
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.
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.
Camp Clayton: Discovery Zone. Children can explore the world of simple machines, 2-3 p.m. May 10.
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. Adults can bring their own devices or work with a volunteer on a library computer, 10 a.m.-noon Fridays. Sign up in person or call when library is open to book a 30-minute appointment. Drop-ins accommodated as available.
Homework Help. Assistance in all subjects for elementary students and help for 6th-9th graders available based on the subject, 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays. Call or stop by the library to make a 30-minute appointment with a volunteer.
Make Your Travel Dreams a Reality. Insider tips for adults from Joseph Whitehouse, 2-4 p.m. May 13.
Spring Puppet Craft. Lisa Taft will help children create pop-up flower puppets, 2-3 p.m. May 17.
Tai Chi. Carolyn Lee teaches a gentle, energizing class for adults, in the style of Professor Cheng Man-Ch’ing, noon-1 p.m. May 18 and continuing the first and third Thursdays of the month. Beginners welcome; no registration required.
Teen Thursday: DIY Paracord Bracelet Workshop. Learn how to create a single cord survival bracelet, 4-5 p.m. May 18. Multiple colors to choose from; all supplies provided.
Memory Café. Adults can socialize and connect with other adults experiencing memory loss, 10-11:30 a.m. May 20 and every third Saturday of the month. Memory-boosting activities and free snacks. Open to all older adults with or without memory concerns and their caretakers.
Book Club. For adults, 6-7 p.m. May 23 and every fourth Tuesday of the month. May’s book is “The Personal Librarian” by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. No registration required.
The arts
“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.
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.
Bev Britton
Bev Britton graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of North Dakota and moved to the Bay Area with her soon-to-be husband Jim in 1986. She was features editor at the Contra Costa Times in Walnut Creek before becoming managing editor of the Contra Costa Sun in Lafayette in 1995. She retired from newsrooms in 2001, but an ad for the Clayton Pioneer drew her back in. The family moved to Lake Wildwood in the Gold Country a few years ago - but working at the Pioneer keeps her in touch with her old neighborhoods in Concord and Clayton.