CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (June 4, 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

Classic Car Show/DJ. 6-8 p.m. June 14, parking lot across from the Clayton Club, downtown Clayton. No registration required.

King of the County BBQ Competition and Musical Festival. Sponsored by the Martinez Chamber of Commerce, 5-9 p.m. June 16, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. June 17, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. June 18, Martinez Waterfront Park. For more information, visit https://countybbq.com.

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.

 

Walk & Talk with Assemblymember Tim Grayson. Discuss legislative issues and protecting the environment, co-sponsored by the East Bay Regional Park District, 9:30-11:30 a.m. June 24, Round Valley Regional Preserve, Brentwood. For details, contact Grayson’s office at 925-521-1511 or EBRPD at 510-544-2200.

Farmers Market. Sponsored by the Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays and 4-8 p.m. Thursdays (with concerts at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays), Todos Santos Plaza, downtown 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/.

Fourth of July

Clayton: Rotary Club pancake breakfast, 7 a.m., Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St. Parade starts at 10 a.m. with the theme “Independence Day the Clayton Way.” Kids can just line up along Oak Street downtown. Main parade registration due June 29. For more information and registration form, visit www.claytonca.gov and click on Fourth of July Parade under “Quick Links.”

Pleasant Hill. Firecracker 5K Run and Kids 100-Yard Dash, 7:45 a.m., Gregory Lane. Downtown parade, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Party in the Park, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Pleasant Hill Park. Fireworks, 8:45 p.m., College Park. For run registration and more details, visit https://phjuly4.com.

Concord. 5K Fun Run and Diablo Rotary Club pancake breakfast, 8 a.m., Todos Santos Plaza. 8 a.m. Downtown parade, 10 a.m. Music, kids’ carnival and food vendors, 4 p.m., Mt. Diablo High School. Fireworks, 9 p.m., Mt. Diablo High School. Information and parade sign up at www.concordjuly4th.com.

Juneteenth

Pleasant Hill Juneteenth Celebration. Food, fun and music sponsored by the Pleasant Hill Diversity Commission, 4:30-7:30 p.m. June 18 on the lawn at Pleasant Hill City Hall.

Concord Juneteenth Celebration. With the theme “Honoring the Past; Inspiring the Future,” 1-3 p.m. June 25, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. For more information, email concord.communities.alliance@gmail.com.

Pride Month

Pride in the Plaza. Mental health is the theme of this year’s event, sponsored by Rainbow Community Center, noon-6 p.m. June 17, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. For more information, visit www.bit.ly/prideintheplaza.

Clubs

Book Festival. Sponsored by the Mt. Diablo Branch of the California Writers Club, 1:30-4 p.m. June 24, Don Tatzin Community Hall at the Lafayette Library, 2491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. For details, contact Bruce Lewis at 707-813-1197.

Mt. Diablo Amateur Radio Club Field Days. June 24-25, Olympic High School, 2730 Salvio St., Concord. For details, contact Barb Whysong at bwhysong@gmail.com or 925-876-5174.

Music in the Parks

Music & Market. Listen to music while shopping at the Certified Farmers Market, 6:30-8 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 28, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. June 15: Tom Rigney and Flambeau. June 22: Majestic. June 29: Dakila. July 6: the UnOriginals. July 13: The Purple Ones. July 20: Side Note. July 27: The Carousel Cowboys. Aug. 3: Jean Fineberg & JAZZphoria. Aug. 10: Latin Touch Band. Aug. 17: Radiokeys. Aug. 24: Native Elements. Aug. 31: Zepparella. Sept. 7: Pop Rocks. Sept. 14: The Sun Kings. Sept. 21: Johnny and June Forever. Sept. 28: House of Floyd.

Concerts in The Grove: 6-8:30 p.m. every other Saturday through Sept. 16 in downtown Clayton. 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. every other Sunday through Labor Day weekend at the lake in Pleasant Hill. 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.

Tuesday Night Blues. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, July 11, 18 and 25, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. July 11: Frankie G and the Conviction. July 18: Annie Sampson. July 25: Jr. DeVille Blues Band.

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: Children can explore the world of dinosaurs in the STEM Discovery Zone, 2-3 p.m. June 14

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.

Tai Chi. A gentle, energizing class for adults, noon-1 p.m. June 15 and every first and third Thursday. Carolyn Lee teaches in the style of Professor Cheng Man-Ch’ing. Beginners welcome, no registration required.

Teen Thursday. Program and run a Sphero robot through a Lego maze or ramp, or create your own course, 4-5 p.m. June 15.

Memory Café. Adult program with memory-boosting activities and free snacks, 10-11:30 a.m. June 17. Open to all older adults with or without memory concerns and their caretakers (if applicable).

Find Your Voice Puppet Craft. Children can join Lisa Taft for a workshop to learn what it means to find your voice, then make a sock puppet to express that voice, 2-3 p.m. June 21.

Planting for Pollinators. Adults can learn how to attract native birds, butterflies, bees and more by choosing plants that will make them feel at home, 2-3 p.m. June 24. Join Master Gardener Annette Abbott to learn more about Habitat Gardening.

Pride Month Treasure Hunt: Children can search the shelves for notable LGBTQIA+ Americans, through June 30. Pick up a game sheet and find all the images in the children’s section to win a prize. Answer the questions on the back to win an extra prize.

Summer Reading: “Find Your Voice” program for all ages, through Aug. 5. Include all kinds of activities and events to help you express yourself. Every completed entry is eligible for a free book and a chance to win prizes. Visit ccclib.org/summer for information.

Book Club. For adults, 6-7:45 p.m. every fourth Tuesday of the month. June’s book will be “This Time Next Year We’ll be Laughing” by Jacqueline Winspear.

Library Foundation Used Book Sale. Members-only preview 4-7 p.m. June 30. (You can join the foundation at the door). Open hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. July 1 and noon-4 p.m. July 2. Most books $1; most kid’s books 50 cents. Fill a bag for $5 2-4 p.m. Sunday, July 2.

The Arts

“Looking Out the Window.” Derek Zemrak’s one-man show about Alzheimer’s, June 16-17, Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St., Martinez. Visit www.campbelltheater.com for details.

“It Shoulda Been You.” A new musical from Pittsburg Theatre Company, June 17-25, California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. For tickets, go to www.pittsburgcommunitytheatre.org.

Opera in the Park. Two free events with Festival Opera. 6 p.m. June 22, Orinda Community Park. And, 4 p.m. Aug. 4, Civic Park, Walnut Creek. For details, visit https://www.festivalopera.org/opera-in-the-park.

“Crumbs from the Table of Joy.” Town Hall Theatre present’s the coming-of-age story, through June 24, 3535 School St., Lafayette. For tickets, call 925-283-6673 or go to www.townhalltheatre.com.

“Paint What You Love.” Featuring the work of Samantha McNally, through June 24, Valley Art Gallery, 1661 Botelho Drive, Suite 110, Walnut Creek. For more information, visit www.valleyartgallery.org or call 925-935-4311.

“In the Heights.” Center Repertory Company presents the Lin-Manual Miranda musical, through June 24, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or go to www.lesherartscenter.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. 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.