CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (Sept. 10, 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

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.

Tinkers and Thinkers Innovation Faire. A STEAM-oriented event with hands-on projects and interactive exhibits, noon-3 p.m. Sept. 16, Pleasant Hill Park and Senior Center, 233 Gregory Lane. Sponsored by the Pleasant Hill Library and Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District. For details, visit www.phtinkersandthinkers.com.

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.

“What is the Reality of Immigration?” A webinar that looks at immigration in Contra Costa County, 4-5 p.m. Sept. 21. Sponsored by League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley and West Contra Costa County, CCTV and the Contra Costa County Library. Register at https://ccclib.bibliocommons.com/events/64e38660c9afc12f00962540.

Toy and Collectable Show. Includes vintage and collectable toys, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 23-24, Concord High School, 4200 Concord Blvd. For details, email Charles at dctoysandcollectibles@gmail.com.

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.

Peace, Love & Hope Benefit Concert. A benefit for the St. Bonaventure Food Pantry, in honor of longtime patron Karen Mangini, 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, at St. Bonaventure Church, 5562 Clayton Road, Concord. Organizers are also encouraging donations at https://stbonaventure.net/giving.

Festival Opera Costume Ball and Gala. Music, food, wine and celebration, 6 p.m. Oct. 21, Riggers Loft Winery, 1325 Canal Blvd., Richmond. Early bird discount: use code FOFRIEND. For details and tickets, visit https://www.festivalopera.org/costume-ball.

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/.

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.

Oktoberfests

Clayton. Carnival only, 5-10 p.m. Sept. 29. German biergarten, food, vendors, live music plus the carnival, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 30 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 1. Sponsored by the Clayton Business & Community Association (CBCA) in downtown Clayton. For details, visit https://claytoncbca.org/cbca-events/clayton-oktoberfest.

Walnut Creek. Entertainment and silent disco, 6-10 p.m. Oct. 13. German food, beer and dancing, noon-8 p.m. Oct. 14, Civic Park East, 1375 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Purchase early bird tickets at https://walnutcreekdowntown.com/marquee-events/oktoberfest.

Halloween

Spooktacular Trick or Treat Trail. For ages 2-11, sponsored by Concord Recreation Services Department, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Oct. 27, Baldwin Park. Participating organizations may host a booth to pass out giveaways or run an activity along the trick or treat trail. For information and to sign up, visit https://forms.gle/DepcfB1QRaXgSm9U9.

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. Sept. 14: The Sun Kings. Sept. 21: Johnny and June Forever. Sept. 28: House of Floyd.

Concerts in The Grove: Final concert, East Bay Mudd, 6-8:30 p.m. Sept. 16, downtown Clayton. For details, visit https://claytonca.gov/fc/Concerts-In-The-Grove-2023.pdf.

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.

“Creating Your Advanced Health Care Directive.” A presentation by Contra Costa Senior Legal Services, 4-5 p.m. Sept. 12.

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.

Clayton Memory Café. Monthly adult event consists of socialization and cognitive activities to perk up memory – special this month will be Bingo, 10-11:30 a.m. Sept. 16. Bring caregiver if necessary. Supported by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.

Magician Perry Yan. Program for the whole family with magic and storytelling, 2-3 p.m. Sept. 20. Sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.

Teen Thursday: Keeping Things in Fluxx. Those in grades 6-12 can learn how to play the chaotic card game Fluxx, 4-5 p.m. Sept. 21. Registration required. Supported by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.

The arts

Smuin Contemporary Ballet Dance Series 1. Includes “The Man in Black” danced to the music of Johnny Cash, Cuban music in “Salsa ’til Dawn” and a neoclassical work set to Vivaldi. Sept 15-16, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.

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

At the Bruns Amphitheater. “Cyberline” by SF Shakespeare, Sept. 16-24. Sewam American Indian Dance, Sept. 30. The Food Bank Players’ “Romeo and Juliet,” Sept. 29. Notes for Hope, a breast cancer awareness concert with Michael Franti, Oct. 6. “A Midsummer Night’s D&D,” Oct. 7. 100 California Shakespeare Theater Way, Orinda. For tickets, go to www.calshakes.org.

“Improv Partners.” Audience participation crime drama from Spontaneous Mind, 2:30 p.m. Sept. 17, Martinez Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St. Go to www.campbelltheater.com for ticket information.

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

“Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein the Musical. Presented by Pittsburg Theatre Company, Oct. 6-22, California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. For tickets, visit www.ptcca.org/tickets.

“Working.” Clayton Theatre Company musical based on the book by Studs Terkel, Oct. 13-28, Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St., Clayton. Go to www.claytontheatrecompany.com.

“Medal of Honor Rag.” Part of the Black Box Series from Pittsburg Theatre Company, Nov. 10-23, Steeltown Coffee and Tea, 695 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. Tickets at www.ptcca.org. “Frozen Jr.” From Pittsburg Theatre Company, Dec. 8-9, California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. Tickets at www.ptcca.org.

“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Show.” From Pittsburg Theatre Company, Dec. 9-10, California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. Also, Dec. 15-16, Martinez Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St. Tickets at www.ptcca.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.