CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (May 12, 2024) — 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

Contra Costa County Fair. May 16-19, Antioch Fairgrounds. For details, visit contracostafair.com.

Pleasant Hill Art, Wine, and Music Festival. Includes arts and crafts, two performance stages and a kids zone, May 18-19, downtown Pleasant Hill. Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. More information and performer schedules at www.pleasanthillchamber.com.

Bay Area KidFest. Family entertainment including arts and sports, two food courts and kid-friendly rides, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 25-26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 27, Mt. Diablo High School, 2450 Grant St., Concord. For details, visit www.kidfestconcord.com/bay-area-kidfest.

Walnut Creek Art & Wine Festival. Vendors, wines, craft beer, live music, food and children’s activities, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. June 1 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. June 2, Heather Farm Park. Visit www.walnut-creek.com/art-wine-festival-2024 for details.

Clayton Pride Parade. Featuring keynote speaker Congressman Mark DeSaulnier and musician Arnold Muller, 10 a.m. June 2, downtown Clayton. For more information, visit www.claytonpride.com.

“Mis- and Disinformation: Election Edition.” Learn how to spot fake news, fact-check sources and navigate the complexities of today’s media landscape, 5:30-7 p.m. June 4, Walnut Creek Library, 1644 North Broadway. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters Diablo Valley. Free, but RSVP at www.eventbrite.com/e/mis-and-disinformation-election-edition-tickets-890582856297. For more information, contact Janet Hoy at 858-688-6646 or janeth@lwvdv.org.

CBCA Round Up. The Clayton Business & Community Association celebrates its 40th anniversary with a BBQ dinner, music, dancing, raffles and silent auction, 6-10 p.m. June 14, Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton. For tickets, visit www.claytoncbca.org.

Clayton BBQ & Brews Festival. Signups are open for the KCBS Pro Pitmaster Competition, along with vendors, sponsors and volunteers. Hosted by the Clayton Business & Community Association, the festival will be 11 a.m.-6 p.m. June 15, Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton. For details, visit https://claytoncbca.org/cbca-events/clayton-bbq-cook-off.

Juneteenth Celebration. Activities, performers and music recognizing the June 19 end of slavery, 5-9 p.m. June 19, on the lawn by Pleasant Hill City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane. Sponsored by the Diversity Commission and held in conjunction with Off the Grid.

Pleasant Hill July 4th. Firecracker 5K Race/Kids 100-yard dash, 7:45-10 a.m., downtown. Parade, 9:30-10:30 a.m., downtown. Party at Pleasant Hill Park with live music, food and fun for the kids, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 167 Gregory Lane. Fireworks, 8:45 p.m., College Park High School, 201 Viking Dr. For more information, visit https://phjuly4.com.

Concord July 4th. Rotary pancake breakfast, 8 a.m., Todos Santos Plaza. Stars & Stripes Kids Fun Run, 8 a.m., followed by Stars & Stripes 5K Run/Walk, 8:15 a.m., Todos Santos Plaza. Parade, 10 a.m., downtown Concord. Festival gates open at 4 p.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m., Mt. Diablo High School, 2450 Grant St. For more information, visit www.concordjuly4th.com.

Blues and Brews Festival. Beer garden, music and food, pre-party 6-9 p.m. July 19, and main event 3-9 p.m. July 20, Pleasant Hill Park, 147 Gregory Lane. Sponsored by Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District. For more information, visit www.bluesandbrewsfestival.com.

Off the Grid. Featuring food trucks and live music, 5-9 p.m. Wednesdays until October, on the lawn by Pleasant Hill City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane. For details, visit www.pleasanthillca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=668.

Farmers Market. Sponsored by the Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays year-round and 4-8 Thursdays June 6-Sept. 26, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Visit pcfma.org for more information.

Community Concerts

Singer-Songwriter Sundays. 2 p.m. May 12 and June 2, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. For details, email concordcouchconcerts@gmail.com.

Veranda Unplugged. 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays through July 31, Pavilion Fountain Park off Diamond Boulevard in Concord. For bands and more information, visit https://shoptheveranda.com/event/Veranda-Unplugged-2024/2145581844.

Concerts in The Grove. 6-8:30 p.m. every other Saturday May 25-Aug. 31, sponsored by the city of Clayton, downtown Clayton. May 25: Leo Vigil’s Rockin’ Horns. June 8: California Cowboys. June 22: Mixed Nuts. July 6: Strange Brew. July 20: Nick Rossi & the Swing Six +1. Aug. 3: Pride & Joy. Aug. 17: Club 90. Aug. 31: East Bay Mudd. For more information, visit https://claytonca.gov/fc/Events/concerts-in-the-grove-2024.pdf.

Sunset by the Lake Summer Concert Series. Every other Sunday, May 26-Sept. 1. New this year will be food trucks. May 26: the Great Space Coaster with hits from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. June 9: Van Goat plus a Family Fun Zone. June 23: Beaufunk featuring Michael Jeffries, plus Nash Metropolitan Car Show. For more information, go to www.pleasanthillca.org/summerconcerts.

Music & Market. Farmers Market begins at 4 p.m. Thursdays, with music at 6:30 p.m. June 6-Sept. 25, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. June 6: Andre Thierry, Cajun and Zydeco. June 13: The Houserockers salute to Earth, Wind & Fire. June 20: Sacred Fire, a Santana tribute band. June 27: Traveling Wilburys Revue, the best of George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne. For the complete schedule, visit www.cityofconcord.org/DocumentCenter/View/11424/Music-and-Market-Postcard-2024.

In the Garden

Clayton Gardens Tour. Five unique gardens, May 17-18. Sponsored by the Clayton Historical Society to raise funds for the Clayton Museum. To volunteer as a docent, call JoAnn Caspar at 925-567-6079 or Joan Bergum at 925-672-4597. Purchase $40 tickets online at www.claytonhistory.org; at R&M Pool, Patio & Gardens, 6780 Marsh Creek Road, Clayton; or by sending a check to Clayton Museum, P.O. Box 94, Clayton CA 94517. Tickets will be $45 on tour day at the Clayton Museum, 6101 Main St.

Clubs

Women Marines Association. The Bay Area chapter meets 11:30 a.m. every third Saturday, usually at Harry’s Hofbrau, 14900 E. 14th St, San Leandro. For more information, visit https://wmaca3.org or contact Janet Johnson at 925-890-4583.

Clayton Library

The Clayton Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. For more information on any of these events, call 925-673-0659 or visit ccclib.org/events.

Homework Help. For children in grades K-5 in all subjects, 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays. Assistance in select subjects is available for those in grades 6-9. Call to make a 30-minute appointment. Drop-ins accommodated as available.

Lapsit Storytime. For children aged 0-3, 11-11:15 a.m. Thursdays. Children must attend with caregiver.

Toddler/Preschool Storytime. For children ages 2-5, 11:30 a.m.-noon Thursdays. Children must attend with caregiver. Stay and play toys available afterward.

The Arts

Artist Juanita Hagberg. Featuring watercolors using the synthetic surface Yupo, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday May 14-June 24, Valley Art Gallery, 1661 Botelho Dr., Suite 110, Walnut Creek. Meet the artist 1-4 p.m. May 18. For details, call 925-935-4311 or visit valleyartgallery.org.

Meet the Authors. Featuring Mark R. Clifford, Deven Greene, Bruce Lewis and S.Q. Orpin, noon-2 p.m. May 17, Papillion Coffee, 67 Lafayette Circle in Fiesta Square, Lafayette. Clifford’s “Typhoon Coast” is a story of danger and redemption. Greene applies her love of science and medicine to her medical thrillers, including the Erica Rosen MD trilogy. Lewis is the author of four novels in the “Angel of Mercy” series. Orpin wrote the five-part “Catwalk” series and accompanying cookbooks.

“The Firebird,” “4 in the Morning” and “Light Rain.” Diablo Ballet’s “Firebird” is based on the Russian folktale. World-renown dance maker Val Caniparoli created “Morning,” and “Light Rain” has been an audience favorite since 1981, 7:30 p.m. May 17 and 2 and 7:30 p.m. May 18, Lesher Center for the Arts, Hofmann Theatre, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Get tickets at www.lesherartscenter.org or www.diabloballet.org.

“A Lovely Way to Spend the Evening.” The Diablo Women’s Chorale blends the nostalgic and the contemporary, featuring the Stephen Evans Cello Choir, 7 p.m. May 18 and 3 p.m. May 19, Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universal Church, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. For tickets, visit diablowomenschorale.org.

“Mass Appeal.” Plotline Theater Company’s comedy-drama about a young upstart and an older priest, through May 19, Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St., Martinez. For tickets, go to campbelltheatercompany.com.

“Cabaret.” Music, colorful characters and romance set against the rise of Hitler, from Center Rep, May 26-June 23, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or go to CenterREP.org.

“Ekphrasis 2024.” An exhibition of fine art that inspires literary works, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Saturday through June 28, Art Gallery at the Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way. Sponsored by the Lamorinda Arts Alliance, Lamorinda Arts Council and California Writers Club/Mt. Diablo Branch. For more information, call 925-254-2184 or visit http://ccclib.org.

“Tribute to Tina.” An art exhibit in memory of Tina Turner, through July 12, JOR Fine Art Gallery, 1026 Oak St. No 102, Clayton. For more information, visit jorfineartgallery.com.