(Contra Costa County, CA, April 2022) — The Pioneer Calendar lists local events, performances and activities for the whole family.

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

Climate Justice Awards. Sponsored by 350 Bay Area. Winners include Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia. 6-7 p.m. April 21, online. Register at https://earthday2022.bpt.me.

Clayton Art & Wine Festival. Arts/crafts, wine/beer, food court, kids zone and live music. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. April 23 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 24, downtown Clayton. Sponsored by the Clayton Business & Community Association. Free parking, shuttle and admission. For details, visit https://claytoncbca.org/events/clayton-art-wine-festival-923/.

Concord State of the City/Mayor’s Reception. Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the city. 5-7 p.m. April 27, Hilton, 1970 Diamond Blvd., Concord. $30, includes one drink. Purchase tickets here. Watch online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWj4Jy4Eiek.a

Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour. In-person tours April 30-May 1. Gardens in Concord and Clayton featured 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 1. Free but donations accepted. Pre-register at bringingbackthenatives.net.

Clayton Gardens Tour. Sponsored by the Clayton Historical Society, the event begins at the Clayton Museum, 6101 Main St., and features in-person tours of five gardens. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 6-7. $35 in advance; $40 in person. For tickets and more information, visit claytonhistory.org.

Concerts in The Grove. 6-8:30 p.m. Saturdays, May 7-Sept. 10, downtown Clayton. Reserve a spot with chairs or blankets starting at 4 p.m. Free but donations welcome. May 7: The Fundamentals with “Red Hot Rockin’ Soul.” May 21: Night Moves and Creedence Classic Revival, two classic rock tribute bands. June 4: Brickhouse with dance-rock. June 18: Pride and Joy SF, featuring Motown’s greatest hits. July 2: The Boys of Summer, an Eagles tribute band. July 16: Cut Loose with your favorite rock, pop and R&B. July 30: Mixed Nuts dance music. Aug.13: The Houserockers, powerhouse of rock and soul. Aug. 27: The Sun Kings, a Beatles tribute band. Sept. 10: East Bay Mudd with classic soul, funk and R&B.

Digital Art Showcase. Featuring work from Mt. Diablo Unified School District’s Art & Digital Media Pathways. Opening reception 5-7 p.m. May 9 in the Grand Court at Sunvalley Shopping Center, 1 Sunvalley Mall Road, Concord. Artwork will then be displayed at various locations throughout the mall May 11-25.

Contra Costa County Fair. May 12-15. Contra Costa Event Park, 1201 W. 10th St., Antioch. Presale tickets begin April 22. Visit www.contracostafair.com for details.

Pleasant Hill Art, Wine & Music Festival. Arts/crafts, wine/beer, food court, kids zone and live music. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 21 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. May 22, downtown Pleasant Hill. Sponsored by the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce. For details, visit www.pleasanthillchamber.com/art-wine-music-festival.

Animals on Broadway. Fundraiser, pet walk and outdoor festival, sponsored by the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF). 11 a.m.-1 p.m. May 22, Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek. Sign up at arflife.org/help/aob.

Sunset by the Lake Concerts. 6-8 p.m. every two weeks beginning Sunday, May 29, at the lake by Pleasant Hill City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane. May 29: Unauthorized Rolling Stones. June 12: Tom Rigney & Flambeau. June 26: Frankie G & the Conviction. July 10: The Bell Brothers. July 24: East Bay Mudd. Aug. 7: Cut Loose. Aug. 21: The Landbirds. Sept. 4: The Big Jangle. For more information, contact community relations manager Geoff Gillette at 925-671-5229 or ggillette@pleasanthillca.org.

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

Outdoors

Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline/Martinez. Learn about the relationship between flowers and butterflies and other winged insects during a three-mile hike with naturalist Kevin Dixon. 9-11:30 a.m. For ages 10 and older with parent participation. April 24. Free; registration required. Call 888-327-2757, option 2.

The Arts

“Spontaneous Charles Dickens.” Synergy Theater’s improvised tale in the style of Charles Dickens. Through April 24, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For tickets, call 925-943-SHOW or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.

“Talking Pictures.” Featuring a wide spectrum of media, motifs, formats, sizes and price points. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday through May 7, Valley Art Gallery, 1661 Botelho Dr., Suite 110, Walnut Creek. Details at valleyartgallery.org or 925-935-4311.

“Our Town.” Center Repertory Company’s take on the drama about ordinary people and their relationships. Through May 7, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For tickets, call 925-943-SHOW or go to www.lesherartscenter.org. [NOTE: The opening for “Our Town” was postponed from Apr. 15 to the 22 after a member of the production crew tested positive for COVID-19]

“Keeping It Real: A Festival of One-Acts.” Student written, directed and performed plays under the leadership of Saint Mary’s College’s Theatre Program Class. April 21-24, LeFevre Theatre, 1928 St. Mary’s Road, Moraga. Information and tickets at www.stmarys-ca.edu/keeping-it-real.

“Belated Beethoven Birthday Bash.” Celebrate the composer’s belated 250th birthday with the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra. 2 p.m. April 23, El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. 2nd St., Antioch. For tickets, go to www.elcampaniltheatre.com.

“Oliver!” Pittsburg Community Theatre presents the popular family musical based on the novel “Oliver Twist.” April 30-May 8, El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. 2nd St., Antioch. For tickets, call 925-757-9500 or visit www.elcampaniltheatre.com.

“Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits” auditions. 3-5 p.m. May 1 and 7-9 p.m. May 2, Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St., Clayton. No appointment needed but prepare a two-minute monologue and 32 bars from a Broadway show. Download audition form at www.claytontheatrecompany.com. Show will be performed in October by Clayton Theatre Company.

Submit calendar items to Calendar@pioneerpublishers.com.