CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (Aug. 27, 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

Rep. DeSaulnier Town Hall. An update on Congressional efforts to protect animals, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 28, Contra Costa Animal Services. 4800 Imhoff Place, Martinez. RSVP at https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp.

Monument Impact Stronger Together Gala: Secure a table of eight or purchase individual tickets by Sept. 1; sponsorship opportunities also available. The event is Sept. 7, Hilton, 1970 Diamond Blvd., Concord. Get tickets at https://event.auctria.com/0f6811e4-8be2-4d24-9128-a4c40ce3c8c7.

9/11 Remembrance. Sponsored by the city of Clayton, VFW Post 1525 and the Contra Costa County Fire Department, 11 a.m. Sept. 11, Fire Station No. 11, 6500 Center St.

Leadership in Sustainability Awards. Sponsored by Sustainable Contra Costa, 6-9 p.m. Sept. 19, Pleasant Hill Community Center, 320 Civic Dr. Purchase tickets at www.eventbrite.com/e/15th-annual-sustainability-awards-gala-fundraiser-registration-672511900197?aff=oddtdtcreator.

All-Ford Car Show. Sponsored by the Diablo Valley Mustang Association, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 14, Cobra Experience, 777 Arnold Dr., Martinez. Register by Sept. 30 at DMVA.org.

Hope 100 Golf Marathon. Registration open for players and sponsors for the fundraiser for Hope Hospice, Oct. 23, Castlewood Country Club, Pleasanton. For more information, visit hope100golfmarathon.com or call Marc Rovetti at 925-829-8770.

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/.

Clubs

California Writers Club-Mt. Diablo Branch. Attorney Kelley Way, an expert in literary law, will discuss “Protecting Intellectual Property,” 11 a.m. Sept. 9, Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Guests welcome. Register at https://cwcmtdiablo.org/meetings-and-workshops.

Community Service Days

Clayton. Volunteer for service projects at the library and schools or create your own community project. Meet at 8 a.m. Sept. 16 for coffee and doughnuts at City Hall, 6000 Heritage Trail. For more information or to register your project, email Councilmembers Peter Cloven or Holly Tillman at peterc@claytonca.gov or hollyt@claytonca.gov.

Concord. Councilmember Carlyn Obringer is sponsoring two community service projects: median planting at Grant Street and Olivera Road on Sept. 16 and tree planting at Hillcrest Community Park on Sept. 30. Both events are 8 a.m.-11 a.m. Volunteers should bring gloves and gardening tools if available. Register by Sept. 7 by emailing carlyn.obringer@cityofconcord.org.

Pleasant Hill. Volunteer for a variety of community projects. Meet at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 23 for free breakfast and T-shirts at Pleasant Hill Park, 147 Gregory Lane. Drop off an unused bike at the Pleasant Hill Police Department before Sept. 22 for use in the Bike Build-A-Thon. Or, donate food for the Food Bank of Contra Costa/Solano County at sites throughout the city. Visit www.pleasanthillca.org/csd for details.

Music Around Town

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. Aug. 31: Zepparella. Sept. 7: Pop Rocks. Sept. 14: The Sun Kings. Sept. 21: Johnny and June Forever. Sept. 28: House of Floyd.

Concerts in The Grove: 6-8:30 p.m. every other Saturday through Sept. 16 in downtown Clayton. 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. Sept. 3: The Big Jangle. For details and sponsorship information, visit https://www.pleasanthillca.org/1396/Summer-Concerts.

Concert at Pleasant Hill shopping center. Michael Jackson tribute, 7-9 p.m. Sept. 21, in the plaza near Jack’s, 106 Crescent Dr. For details, visit shopdowntownpleasanthill.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.

The Shocking Nature of Wildfires. Children’s program presented by the Lawrence, designed to spark an interest in electricity and fire safety. For TK-second graders, 4-4:50 p.m. Aug. 29. For third through eighth graders, 5:30-6:20 p.m. Aug. 29. Sponsored by Clayton Community Library Foundation.

Camp Clayton. Children’s program with STEAM focused drop-in programs and take home activities, 2-3 p.m. Aug. 30 and Sept. 6.

Lapsit Storytime. Children ages 0-3 can explore the joys of movement, books and songs while building early literacy skills you can practice at home, 11-11:15 a.m. Thursdays.

Toddler/Preschool Storytime. Children ages 3-5 can explore the joys of movement, books and songs while building early literacy skills you can practice at home, 11:30 a.m.-noon Thursdays.

Teen Thursday. Sixth to 12th graders can play one of the library’s Switch games, or tabletop games, 3:30-5 p.m. Sept. 7. Supported by Clayton Community Library Foundation.

The arts

Arts Around August. A month-long celebration sponsored by the city of Walnut Creek and 12 community organizations. Visit www.walnutcreekdowntown.com for a complete schedule.

Art to Draw For. Participate in a free drawing to win one of eight original paintings, through Sept. 2, Valley Art Gallery, 1661 Botelho Dr., Suite 110, Walnut Creek. Meanwhile, “Arrivals and Departures” exhibit ends Aug. 5. For more information, call 925-935-4311.

“The Three Feathers.” Solo Opera presents the West Coast premiere of the full version sung in English, Sept. 8 and 10, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. There will be a 30-minute pre-show lecture by opera librettist Dana Gioia. For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or visit lesherartscenter.org.

“Laurie Sings a Song for You.” Laurie Roldan’s cabaret show features the music of Karen Carpenter, Sept. 9-16, Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School St., Lafayette. For tickets, call 925-283-1557 or go to www.townhalltheatre.com.

“Crowns.” Center Repertory Company’s celebration of song, dance, cultural history and fabulous headwear, Sept. 9-Oct. 6, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.

“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.