CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (July 14, 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

Get to Know Clayton Valley Village. Potential new members and volunteers can learn more about the non-profit service for Clayton and Concord seniors, 11 a.m.-noon July 19, Clayton Community Church, 6055 Main St. Coffee and dessert will be served. RSVP at https://claytonvalley.helpfulvillage.com/events/3623.

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.

Clayton Valley High School Class of 1974 Reunion. 6-10 p.m. Aug. 24, Zio Fraedo’s, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. For details, email Lori Fogerson Vella at lorivella1@gmail.com.

An Intimate Gathering with Author Victor Villaseñor. From struggling to read to becoming an author, 5-7 p.m. Sept. 11, Pleasant Hill Community Center, 320 Civic Dr. Sponsored by Monument Impact. Get tickets here.

“Stronger Together” Gala. A benefit from Monument Impact, 6-9 p.m. Sept. 12, Concord Hilton, 1970 Diamond Blvd.  Early bird and VIP tickets on sale here.

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.

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

Diablo Valley Farmers Market. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, Shadelands Business Park, North Wiget Lane and Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. Upcoming special events include Kids’ Day on July 20 and the Watermelon Festival on Aug. 17. For more information, see @diablovalleyfarmersmarket, 800-806-FARM or CAFarmersMkts.com.

Community Concerts

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.

Music & Market. Farmers Market begins at 4 p.m. Thursdays, with music at 6:30 p.m. through Sept. 26, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. July 18: Zepparella. July 25: Dirty Cello. Aug. 1: Steve Snyder’s Big Band. Aug. 8: Aja Vu. Aug. 15: Maya Latin Roots. Aug. 22: Rag Dolls. Aug 29.: Mitch Polzak & The Royal Deuces. Sept. 5: The Big Jangle. Sept. 12: Twist on Taylor. Sept. 19: Annie Sampson. Sept. 26: Queenology. For details on the bands, visit www.cityofconcord.org/DocumentCenter/View/11424/Music-and-Market-Postcard-2024.

Concerts in The Grove. 6-8:30 p.m. every other Saturday through Aug. 31, sponsored by the city of Clayton, downtown Clayton. 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 through Sept. 1, plus food trucks. July 21: Dirty Cello. Aug. 4: Hot for Teacher, plus Family Fun Zone. Aug. 18: The Uninvited. Sept. 1: Zebop. For more information including food truck schedule, go to www.pleasanthillca.org/summerconcerts.

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.

Concord Library

The theme of the summer reading program is “Read, Renew, Repeat,” offering a wealth of activities for all ages. The Concord Library is at 2900 Salvio St. For more information, call 925-646-5455 or visit cclib.org.

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.

Summer Reading Program. Focusing on conservation, animals and getting invested in protecting the ecosystems, through Aug. 3. For all ages. Every completed entry is eligible for a free book and a chance to win prizes.

Magical Nathaniel. A children’s program blending magic, storytelling and a few surprises, 2-2:45 p.m. July 17. Fun for the whole family. Sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.

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.

Book Club. “Virgil Wander” by Leif Enger, 6-8 p.m. July 23. For adults. New members always welcome.

The Arts

“Much Ado about Nothing.” The Orinda Starlight Village Players present the Shakespeare comedy, July 19-Aug. 10, Orinda Community Center Park amphitheater, 28 Orinda Way. For tickets, call 925-528-9225 or email info@orsvp.org.

“Footloose.” A musical from Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble’s teens, 2 and 6 p.m. July 20, Edna Hill Theatre, 140 Birch St., Brentwood. For more information and tickets, go to https://ghostlightte.org.

“Radiant Visions.” Featuring the work of Bay Area sculptor Patty Taylor and San Francisco surrealist Yijun Ge, opening day 4-6 p.m. July 20, exhibit runs through Oct. 27, JOR Fine Art Gallery, 1026 Oak St., Suite 102, Clayton.

“The Phoenix Project: Rising from the Ashes.” A fundraiser to help Pittsburg Theatre Company after its warehouse fire, 6 p.m. reception, with 7:30 p.m. concert July 27, California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. For details, visit https://pittsburgcommunitytheatre.org.

“Off the Shelf and on the Stage.” A one-act festival from Onstage Theatre, through July 28, Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St., Martinez. For tickets, call 925-350-9770 or go to www.campbelltheater.com.

“Spontaneous Soap: An Improvised Daytime Drama.” Synergy Theatre’s show based on the early days of daytime drama, through July 28, Lesher Center for the Arts,1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.

“Spamalot.” Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble’s musical tribute to “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” Aug. 2-11, Edna Hill Theatre, 140 Birch St., Brentwood. For more information and tickets, go to https://ghostlightte.org.

“My Place in the Sun.” Featuring oil paintings by Maria SantoStefona, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday through Aug. 3, Valley Art Gallery, 1661 Botelho Dr., Suite 110, Walnut Creek. For more information, visit valleyartgallery.org or call 925-935-4311.

“Splendid Surroundings.” Ten artists featuring the open spaces of Mount Diablo and the surrounding foothills, through Aug. 11, Shadelands Ranch Museum, 2660 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek. Walnut Creek. Part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the first acquisition of open space in Walnut Creek. For more information, call 925-935-4311 or visit valleyartgallery.org.

Headliner Series. Includes a Fireside Chat with Rita Moreno Sept. 18, Mandy Patinkin in Concert Feb. 20, 2025, and the Dance Theatre of Harlem March 14-15, 2025, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For the full schedule and ticket info, visit www.lesherartscenter.org.