CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (Sept. 4, 2022) — 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

Monument Impact Gala. With the theme “Stronger Together,” the keynote speaker is Diana Otero, senior director of special projects for the Latino Community Foundation, 6-9 p.m. Sept. 8, Hilton, 1970 Diamond Blvd., Concord. Purchase tickets by 3 p.m. Sept. 6 at https://event.auctria.com/34ce3a46-fe86-4356-af31-cd222c37059d.

Mt. Diablo Branch California Writers Club. Duffy Jennings will present “Rewrite! A Journalist Turns Author,” Sept. 10, Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Check-in 11 a.m., noon lunch, followed by business meeting and speaker. $25 members, $35 guests. Register at https://cwcmtdiablo.org/current-cwc-mt-diablo-meeting.

Roadmap to Voting 2022. A webinar with information about the Contra Costa County Election Office, the League of Women Voters’ “Voter’s Edge,” and the responsibilities of elected officials and how their offices impact residents, 4 p.m. Sept. 15. Includes simultaneous Spanish translation. Register at https://ccclib.bibliocommons.com/events/62f127e0c2fa5f462017ef4e.

Concord Park Cleanups. With Councilmember Carlyn Obringer, 8-11 a.m. Sept. 17 at Hillcrest Park and 8-11 a.m. Sept. 24 at Willow Pass Park. Register by Sept. 7 at carlyn4citycouncil@gmail.com.

ESL Tutor Training. Learn how to become an English as a Second Language tutor through the Diablo Valley Literacy Council, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 17 via Zoom and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 24, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 4000 Clayton Road, Concord. $20. Register at dvlc4esl.org.

Hope 100 Golf Marathon. A fundraise for Hope Hospice, Sept. 19, Castlewood Country Club, 700 Country Club Circle, Pleasanton. For details, visit hope100golfmarathon.com or call Marc Rovetti at 925-829-8770.

Pleasant Hill Community Service Day. Help “Build a Better Pleasant Hill” with a variety of service projects on Sept. 24. Meet 7:30-9 a.m. at Pleasant Hill Park, 147 Gregory Lane, for free breakfast. Register at www.pleasanthillca.org/volunteer.

Oktoberfest. Sponsored by the Clayton Business & Community Association (CBCA), Oct. 1-2, downtown Clayton. For details, visit https://claytoncbca.org/cbca-events/clayton-oktoberfest.

Eco Fest. Part of Walnut Creek’s Sustainability Week, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 22, Civic Park, 1375 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Ticket sales support ongoing local climate change action. For details, visit 350BayArea.org.

Festival Opera’s Masquerade Ball. Wear elaborate masks and hats, or dress as your favorite opera character. Includes multi-course meal, cocktails, live/silent auctions, entertainment and dancing, 6 p.m. Oct. 22, Lafayette Park Hotel, 3287 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. VIP pre-sale tickets available until Sept. 15. Go to www.festivalopera.org/masquerade-ball.

Farmers Market. Sponsored by the Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays year-round and 4-8 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 29, Todos Santos Plaza, Concord. pcfma.org.

For Your Health

Caregiver Classes: Sponsored by Hope Hospice, free via Zoom. “Dementia Basics,” 10 a.m. Sept. 8. “End-of-Life Legal and Financial Issues,” 10 a.m. Oct. 13. Register at Hopehospice.com/family. Call 925-829-8770 for more information.

Live Strong Health Expo. Health and human services vendors plus free health screenings and presentations, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 9, Concord Senior Center, 2727 Parkside Circle. To reserve a booth, visit concordreg.org. For more on the expo, visit www.cityofconcord.org/438/Special-Events.

Community Concerts

Veranda Unplugged Series. 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 26, Pavilion Fountain Park, 2001 Diamond Blvd., Concord. Sept. 7: Dos Pogi Boys. Sept. 14: Carlos Xavier Trio. Sept. 21: Danilo Paiz Trio. Sept. 28: Rene’s Latin Band. For details, visit https://shoptheveranda.com/event/The-Veranda-Unplugged/2145560938.

Music & Market. Music along with the Farmers Market, 6:30-8 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 29, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Sept. 8: Fast Times. Sept. 15: Steve Snyder’s Big Band. Sept. 22: Midnight Sun. Sept. 29: House of Floyd. For music details, visit cityofconcord.org/downtownevents.

Concerts in The Grove. Final concert 6-8:30 p.m. Sept. 10 with East Bay Mudd, downtown Clayton. Reserve a spot with chairs or blankets starting at 4 p.m. Free but donations welcome. Visit claytonconcerts.com for more information.

Summer Concert Series. Final concert 7-9 p.m. Sept. 15 with Fleetwood Mask in the plaza at the Downtown Pleasant Hill shopping center, 105 Crescent Dr. For details, visit www.shopdowntownpleasanthill.com.

The Arts

“Steel Magnolias.” This heartwarming yet bittersweet play is part of Pittsburg Theatre Company’s Black Box Series, Sept. 16-25, Steeltown Coffee & Tea, 695 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. For tickets, call 925-439-PLAY or visit www.ptcca.org/tickets.

Valley Art Gallery. Featuring hand-colored photographs by Lisa Rigge, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays through Sept. 17, 1661 Botelho Dr., Suite 110, Walnut Creek. For details, call 925-935-4311 or visit www.valleyartgallery.org.

Dark Fest. Showcasing short films from the dark side of cinema, 5:30-10 p.m. Sept. 17, El Campanil Theatre, 602 West 2nd St., Antioch. Get tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-dark-fest-short-film-festival-tickets-394614902797.