CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (May 18, 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

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.

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/.

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 Events

Clayton Pride Parade. The kids kick off the parade on their bikes for “Pride on Wheels,” 10 a.m. June 4, Main Street, downtown Clayton. Activities include balloon animal making and face painting. 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.

Clubs

Mt. Diablo Branch of the California Writers Club. With relationship coach and author Joey Garcia, 11 a.m. June 10, Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant. To register for the meeting online, visit https://cwcmtdiablo.org/meetings-and-workshops.

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.

Book Club. For adults, 6-7:45 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. June’s book will be “This Time Next Year We’ll be Laughing” by Jacqueline Winspear.

Camp Clayton: Children can join for STEAM focused drop-in programs and take-home activities, 2-3 p.m. Wednesdays, May 24, 31 and June 7.

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.

Summer Reading: “Find Your Voice” program for all ages, June 1-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.

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

Pride Month Treasure Hunt: Children can search the shelves for notable LGBTQIA+ Americans, June 2-30. 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.

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.

“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.