CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (April 16, 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.

Earth Day

Clayton Cleans Up. Sponsored by Councilmember Peter Cloven, 9 a.m.-noon April 22. Meet in the courtyard outside City Hall at 9, then go clean up the town as you desire. Barbecue at noon back at City Hall.

Earth Day Beautification Project. Volunteers will paint pianos at six locations in Walnut Creek, 9 a.m.-noon April 22. Register at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c49a8ad23a2f5c43-earth#/.

Earth Day Celebration. Sponsored by Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 22, 1300 Loveridge Road, Pittsburg. For details, visit https://mdrr.com/earth-day-2023-celebrating-the-earth-together-again/

Earth Day Celebration. Information from Climate Justice, music, poetry, speakers and Kids Eco Art Zone, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. April 22, Civic Park, Walnut Creek. Sponsored by the Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center and Sustainable Walnut Creek. For details, visit www.sustainablewalnutcreek.org.

Upcycled Magazine Plant Holder Project. Earth Day crafting for sixth graders through adults, 2-3:30 p.m. April 22, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. Registration required. For details, call 925-673-0659 or visit ccclib.org/events.

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.

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

Off the Grid. The popular food truck event continues 5-9 p.m. Wednesdays on 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, 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. 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. 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 https://sirinc2.org ›branch 19.

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.

Insect Discovery Lab. Children’s program to explore the world of insects and arthropods, 2 p.m. April 19.

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.

Teen Succulent Terrarium Workshop. Sixth through 12th graders can create their own desert ecosystems, 4-5 p.m. April 20. All materials provided; registration required.

Computer/Tech Assistance. Adults can get one-on-one tech help, 10 a.m.-noon Fridays. Bring your own device or work with a volunteer on one of the library computers. Sign up in person or call during operating hours to book a 30-minute appointment. Drop-ins accommodated as available.

Homework Help. 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays through May 27. Assistance is available for all elementary school students in all subjects and for sixth-ninth graders in select subjects. Appointments strongly recommended.

Book Club. For adults, 6-7 p.m. fourth Tuesday of the month. April’s book will be “The Lost Apothecary” by Sarah Penner. No registration required.

Clayton Knit & Crochet. For adults, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. first Wednesday of the month. Staff will be present the first hour to answer questions, followed by two hours of free crafting. No registration required.

Memory Café: For older adults with or without memory concerns and their caretakers,

10-11:30 a.m. the third Saturday of every month.

The arts

“The Mating Game.” Synergy Theater presents the improvised romantic comedy, through April 23, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.

“Art Sparks.” Featuring 250 new works by gallery artists, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays 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.

“Willow & Houston Throw the Grad Party of the Century.” Conceived, written and performed by theater students at Saint Mary’s College of California, April 20-23, LeFevre Theatre, 1928 St. Marys Road, Moraga. For tickets, visit https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/willow-houston.

“Ah, Wilderness!” Eugene O’Neill’s coming of age comedy from Pittsburg Theatre Company, April 21-30. California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. Purchase tickets at 925-439-7529 or https://pittsburg-theatre-company.square.site/shop/ah-wilderness-/9.

“Piaf – No Regrets.” Christine Andreas’ tribute to Edith Piaf, April 23, Orinda Theatre, 4 Orinda Theatre Square. For reservations, go to www.orindamovies.com.

“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.

“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.