The Pioneer’s Summer 2023 calendar of events and activities, June 25 update
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (June 25, 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
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/.
Fourth of July
Clayton: Rotary Club pancake breakfast, 7 a.m., Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St. Parade starts at 10 a.m. with the theme “Independence Day the Clayton Way.” Kids can just line up along Oak Street downtown. Main parade registration due June 29. For more information and registration form, visit www.claytonca.gov and click on Fourth of July Parade under “Quick Links.”
Pleasant Hill. Firecracker 5K Run and Kids 100-Yard Dash, 7:45 a.m., Gregory Lane. Downtown parade, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Party in the Park, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Pleasant Hill Park. Fireworks, 8:45 p.m., College Park. For run registration and more details, visit https://phjuly4.com.
Concord. 5K Fun Run and Diablo Rotary Club pancake breakfast, 8 a.m., Todos Santos Plaza. 8 a.m. Downtown parade, 10 a.m. Music, kids’ carnival and food vendors, 4 p.m., Mt. Diablo High School. Fireworks, 9 p.m., Mt. Diablo High School. Information and parade sign up at www.concordjuly4th.com.
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 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.
Concerts in The Grove: 6-8:30 p.m. every other Saturday through Sept. 16 in downtown Clayton. 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. 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.
Book Club. For adults, 6-7:45 p.m. every fourth Tuesday of the month. June’s book is “This Time Next Year We’ll be Laughing” by Jacqueline Winspear.
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.
Pride Month Treasure Hunt: Children can search the shelves for notable LGBTQIA+ Americans, through June 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.
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.
Tai Chi. A gentle, energizing class for adults, noon-1 p.m. every first and third Thursday. Carolyn Lee teaches in the style of Professor Cheng Man-Ch’ing. Beginners welcome, no registration required.
Summer Reading: “Find Your Voice” program for all ages, through 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.
The arts
“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. Free preview performance 4 p.m. Aug. 6 in Walnut Creek’s Civic Park.
“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.
Bev Britton
Bev Britton graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of North Dakota and moved to the Bay Area with her soon-to-be husband Jim in 1986. She was features editor at the Contra Costa Times in Walnut Creek before becoming managing editor of the Contra Costa Sun in Lafayette in 1995. She retired from newsrooms in 2001, but an ad for the Clayton Pioneer drew her back in. The family moved to Lake Wildwood in the Gold Country a few years ago - but working at the Pioneer keeps her in touch with her old neighborhoods in Concord and Clayton.