CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (Sept. 1, 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

Emergency Preparedness Fair. Useful information and free giveaways, 5-8 p.m. Sept. 5 in conjunction with Music & Market, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Representatives from Concord Police Department, Contra Costa Fire & HAZMAT, Contra Costa Community Warning System, Contra Costa Aging and Adult Services, Contra Costa Animal Services, American Red Cross, Bill’s Ace Hardware, Dangers of Vaping Booth, Independent Living Resources, Mobility Matters, VistAbility, Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control and East Bay CPR. For more information, visit www.cityofconcord.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=757.

Merry Makers Marketplace. Noon-5 p.m. Sept. 7, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. For more information, email admin@thebombshellgroupinc.com or call 707-653-0265.

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 at https://event.auctria.com/6dc19b36-b668-45d6-8fc1-993592c26856.

“Stronger Together” Gala. A benefit from Monument Impact, 6-9 p.m. Sept. 12, Concord Hilton, 1970 Diamond Blvd. Ticket sales close Sept. 8. visit https://event.auctria.com/6dc19b36-b668-45d6-8fc1-993592c26856.

Second Saturdays at Salvio Night Market. Live music, crafts and a beer garden, 4-10 p.m. Sept. 14, Salvio Street in downtown Concord. For more information, see visitconcordca.com.

Festival Latino. Live music, family-friendly games, Ballet Folklorico and traditional Latin American artisans, noon-5 p.m. Sept. 15, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Proceeds benefit the Unity Council Cesar Chavez Head Start Program in Concord, For more information, visit www.concordchamber.com/events.

Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Project Meetings. The city of Concord is hosting two community meetings regarding a program that may change allowable land uses to facilitate the development of high-density residential housing. In-person meeting 6 p.m. Sept. 16, Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Road. Virtual meeting 6 p.m. Sept. 19 via Zoom. Register for Zoom meeting at https://cityofconcord.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUkceigrDorGtaMYdEB1J8TlVXiPAwazoHj#/registration To view a list of properties under consideration for rezoning, visit www.cityofconcord.org/AFFH.

Parks and Open Space Community Workshop. Hosted by Brookfield Properties, the master developer for the Concord Naval Weapons Station Base Reuse Project, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sept. 17, Centre Concord Ballroom, 5298 Clayton Road. For information, call 925-430-7378 or email engage.concord@brookfieldrp.com.

Roadmap to Voting Webinar. 4 p.m. Sept. 19 via Zoom. Sharon Stone of the League of Women Voters of California will introduce Vote411.org, a tool to help voters learn about candidates and issues, and panelists will explain the responsibilities of elected officials and how their offices impact you. Register at https://ccclib.bibliocommons.com/events/66ac012842fa12abcec8afb1. For more information, email programs@lwvdv.org.

Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year Celebration. Presented by the Contra Costa County Office of Education. 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 19, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For details, visit https://www.lesherartscenter.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/17371/3094.

POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony. 11 a.m. Sept. 21 aboard the USS Hornet, 707 W. Hornet Ave., Alameda. Chaired by Mark Steinberg, commander of VFW Post 1525 Concord/Clayton and sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of California. VFW/auxiliary members should provide card for access. Non-members $25, $15 seniors, military and students, $10 aged 7-17 and under 6 free. For more information, email coachsteiny@msn.com.

Low Rider Car Show. With DJ Jeff Brown playing music from the ’50s, ’60s and beyond, noon-2 p.m. Sept. 21, downtown Clayton. For more information, visit claytonca.gov/events.

Oktoberfest.  German biergarten, food, arts/craft vendors, live music and a carnival, downtown Clayton. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct 5 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 6. Carnival: 5-10 p.m. Oct. 4, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Oct 5 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 6. Free parking and admission. Hosted by the Clayton Business & Community Association. For more information, visit https://www.claytoncbca.org/oktoberfest.11 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 5 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 6, downtown Clayton. Carnival hours: 5-10 p.m. Oct. 4, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Oct 5 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 6. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 5 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 6, downtown Clayton. Carnival hours: 5-10 p.m. Oct. 4, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Oct 5 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 6. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 5 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 6, downtown Clayton. Carnival hours: 5-10 p.m. Oct. 4, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Oct 5 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 6. Free parking and admission. Hosted by the Clayton Business & Community Association. For details, visit www.claytoncbca.org/oktoberfest.

Creative Concord Art & Music Jam. Live local music, 16 artists creating large-scale canvas paintings and the unveiling of six public murals, noon-6 p.m. Oct. 5-6, Todos Santos Plaza and downtown Concord. For details, visit www.creativeconcordca.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.

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. Watermelon Festival on Aug. 17. For more information, see @diablovalleyfarmersmarket, 800-806-FARM or CAFarmersMkts.com.

Community Concerts

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. 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.

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.

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

“A Mid-Summer Day Dream.” A new selection of artwork and crafts by member artists, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays through Sept. 14, Valley Art Gallery: 1661 Botelho Dr., Suite 110, Walnut Creek, CA. For more information, visit www.valleyartgallery.org or call 925-935-4311.

“Human Error.” Eric Pfeffinger’s comedy about two very different couples with fertility issues, through Sept. 14, Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School St., Lafayette. Get tickets at www.townhalltheatre.com/human-error.

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.

“The Daughter of the Regiment.” Livermore Valley Opera presents one of Gaetano Donizetti’s most popular comic operas, which includes the memorable aria that crowned Luciano Pavarotti as “King of the High Cs.” Sung in French with English supertitles, Sept. 28, 29 and Oct. 5, 6, Bankhead Theater, 2400 1st St., Livermore. For details, call 925-373-6800 or visit LVOpera.com.

“9 to 5.” Clayton Theatre Company presents the show with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, Oct. 18-27, Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St., Clayton. Get tickets at www.claytontheatrecompany.com or 925-334-0880.

“Radiant Visions.” Featuring the work of Bay Area sculptor Patty Taylor and San Francisco surrealist Yijun Ge, through Oct. 27, JOR Fine Art Gallery, 1026 Oak St., Suite 102, Clayton. For more information, visit https://jorfineartgallery.com.