CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (May 28, 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

Memorial Day Ceremony. Sponsored by the city of Clayton and VFW Post 1525, 10 a.m. May 29, The Grove, downtown Clayton. Pearl Harbor survivor Chuck Kohler will be the guest of honor.

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.

Farmers Market. Sponsored by the Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays and 4-8 p.m. Thursdays (with concerts at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays), Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. 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.

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.

Mt. Diablo Amateur Radio Club Field Days. June 24-25, Olympic High School, 2730 Salvio St., Concord. For details, contact Barb Whysong at bwhysong@gmail.com or 925-876-5174.

Music in the Parks

Music & Market. Listen to music while shopping at the Certified Farmers Market, 6:30-8 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 28, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. June 1: Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps. June 8: Fast Times Band. June 15: Tom Rigney and Flambeau. June 22: Majestic. June 29: Dakila. July 6: the UnOriginals. July 13: The Purple Ones. July 20: Side Note. July 27: The Carousel Cowboys. Aug. 3: Jean Fineberg & JAZZphoria. Aug. 10: Latin Touch Band. Aug. 17: Radiokeys. Aug. 24: Native Elements. Aug. 31: Zepparella. Sept. 7: Pop Rocks. Sept. 14: The Sun Kings. Sept. 21: Johnny and June Forever. Sept. 28: House of Floyd.

Singer Songwriter Sundays. Sponsored by Concord Couch Concerts, 2-4 p.m. June 4, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. For more information, visit concordcouchconcerts.com.

Concerts in The Grove: 6-8:30 p.m. every other Saturday through Sept. 16 in downtown Clayton. 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. every other Sunday through Labor Day weekend at the lake in Pleasant Hill. 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.

Tuesday Night Blues. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, July 11, 18 and 25, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. July 11: Frankie G and the Conviction. July 18: Annie Sampson. July 25: Jr. DeVille Blues Band.

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.

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

Book Club. For adults, 6-7:45 p.m. every fourth Tuesday of the month. June’s book will be “This Time Next Year We’ll be Laughing” by Jacqueline Winspear.

Library Foundation Used Book Sale. Members-only preview 4-7 p.m. June 30. (You can join the foundation at the door). Open hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. July 1 and noon-4 p.m. July 2. Most books $1; most kid’s books 50 cents. Fill a bag for $5 2-4 p.m. Sunday, July 2.

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 Heights.” Center Repertory Company presents the Lin-Manual Miranda musical, through 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. 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.