CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (May 14, 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

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.

Pleasant Hill Art, Wine & Music Festival. Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. May 20-21 along Crescent Drive in downtown Pleasant Hill. Get more information and tickets at https://pleasanthillchamberevents.org.

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.

Clayton Pride Parade. Returning for the second year on June 4. Picnic in the park; dine at one of the fine downtown establishments; balloon animal making; face painting; kiddos kick off the parade on their bikes – PRIDE ON WHEELS. For more information visit www.claytonpride.com.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Farmers Market. Sponsored by the Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Todos Santos Plaza, Concord. Thursday market starts June 1, 4-8 p.m. 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

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

Concerts in The Grove: 6-8:30 p.m. every other Saturday through Sept. 16 in downtown Clayton. 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.

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.

Spring Puppet Craft. Lisa Taft will help children create pop-up flower puppets, 2-3 p.m. May 17.

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. 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.

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.

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

“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. Also, meet the artist May 21 during East Bay Open Studios. Visit https://valleyartgallery.org/events/east-bay-open-studios for more information on the May 20-21 event.

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.

“Working” Auditions. Prepare a two-minute monologue and 32 bars from a Broadway show to audition for the Clayton Theatre Company’s musical, 7-10 p.m. May 22 and 23, Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St., Clayton. Go to www.claytontheatrecompany.com to download the audition form.

Bob Dylan Birthday Show. Presented by Martinez Music Mafia, 6:30 p.m. May 24, Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St., Martinez. Visit www.campbelltheater.com for details.

“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. Virtual link available June 2-11. Call 925-943-SHOW or visit www.lesherartscenter.org or www.diabloballet.org.

“In the Heights.” Center Repertory Company presents the Lin-Manual Miranda musical, May 27-June 24, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.

“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.

“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.