CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (Sept. 15, 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

Hispanic Heritage Month. A variety of events highlighting the cultural contributions of the local Hispanic population, through Oct. 15. Sponsored by Walnut Creek Arts + Rec. For details, visit www.walnutcreekartsrec.org.

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.

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.

“Lumina” Premiere. Directed by Gino McKoy, the film redefines the horror genre by bringing its most terrifying elements into the glaring light of day, Sept. 20, Brenden Theatre, 1985 Willow Pass Road, Concord. For more information, visit brendentheatres.com.

Party in Pleasant Hill Park. Food trucks, lawn games, snow cones, a DJ and an exhibit chronicling the 20-year history of Community Service Day, 6-8 p.m. Sept. 20, Pleasant Hill Park, 147 Gregory Lane. Sponsored by the Civic Action Commission.

Pleasant Hill Community Service Day. Begins at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 21 with breakfast by the Lions Club, Pleasant Hill Park, 147 Gregory Lane. Teams complete their projects 9 a.m.-noon. For more information, visit www.phillca.gov/csd.

Pleasant Hill Citywide Food Drive. In conjunction with the 20th anniversary of Community Service Day. Bring donations to the Party in the Park or Community Service Day events on Sept. 20 and 21 in Pleasant Hill Park (see above listings) or sign up online for a pickup. For a list of items needed or to arrange a pickup, visit www.phillca.gov/csd.

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 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, plus interactive and experiential booths, 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.

November Election

Roadmap to Voting Webinar. 4 p.m. Sept. 19 via Zoom. Sharon Stone 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.

Pros and Cons of Ballot Measures Webinar. 4 p.m. Sept. 26 via Zoom. Hosted by the League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley. Register at https://ccclib.bibliocommons.com/events/66ac026442fa12abcec8afcb.

For the Military

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.

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.

Halloween

Halloween Home Tour. Tour five Clayton homes with décor ranging from whimsical to truly frightening, 2:30-6:30 p.m. Oct. 19. Proceeds benefit the Clayton Historical Society. Purchase $40 tickets in advance at the Clayton Museum, 6101 Main St.; R & M Gardens, 6780 Marsh Creek Road; or online at claytonhistory.org. Tickets for children 10-15 are $20, and they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. No children under age 10 admitted. Tickets will be $45 on tour day.

Trunk or Treat. Games, candy, bounce houses and live entertainment, plus a community Ofrenda where families can add handmade mementos for those who have passed as part of the Día de los Muertos holiday, 2-5 p.m. Oct. 25. Civic Park, 1375 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For details, visit www.walnutcreekartsrec.org.

For the Holidays

St. Agnes Holiday Boutique. Crafts, vendors and raffle prizes to get you in the mood for the holidays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 28, Cauchi Hall at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 3966 Chestnut Ave., Concord. For more information, email cmwoodmk@comcast.net or call 925-529-2360.

Holiday Craft Fair. Unique items, collectibles and gifts, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 16-17, Elks Lodge, 200 Marina Blvd., Pittsburg. For details, visit www.elks1474.org/craft.

Light Up the Night. Family event to launch the holiday season, including music, dancing, crafts, train rides, Christmas tree lighting, visits with Santa and hot chocolate, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 23, Crescent Drive in downtown Pleasant Hill. For more information, call 925-671-5229 or email ggillette@pleasanthillca.org.

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. 19: Annie Sampson. Sept. 26: Queenology. For details on the bands, visit www.cityofconcord.org/DocumentCenter/View/11424/Music-and-Market-Postcard-2024.

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.

Mariela’s Music Time. A program celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, young school-age children and their families, 2-2:30 p.m. Sept. 18. 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.

Teen Thursday: Diamond Painting. Kits for teens in 6th-12th grades to start and take home to finish, 4-5 p.m. Sept. 19. Register online. Sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.

Insiders. Fun activities for adults with disabilities to build confidence while navigating the library and accessing library services and resources, 1-2 p.m. every second and fourth Tuesday, Hoyer Hall.

Camp Clayton: Arts & Crafts. Seasonal arts and crafts for children, 2-3 p.m. every second Wednesday of the month.

The Arts

Lesher 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.

“Lucky in Love.” Mezzo-soprano Kindra Scharich and pianist Jeffrey LaDeur perform “La Bonne Chanson” by French composer Gabriel Fauré, 4 p.m. Sept. 22, Piedmont Center for the Arts, 801 Magnolia Ave. Part of Festival Opera’s Recital Series. For more information, visit festivalopera.org.

“Blithe Spirit.” A séance goes wrong in Noel Cowards classic comedy from Plotline Theatre Company, through Sept. 22, Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St., Martinez. For tickets, go to www.campbelltheater.com.

“Arsenic and Old Lace.” Center Rep’s new version is a gender-bender with two men in the lead roles, through Sept. 29, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or go to 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.

East Bay Gallery Tour. Visit 13 galleries, including new options in Benicia, in October. Get your postcard stamped at all the galleries and enter for a chance to win $300. Find a gallery map here.

“9 to 5 the Musical.” 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.

“Nothing to Fear.” Contralto Sara Couden and pianist Derek Tam perform works of Schubert, Strauss, Wieck, Weill and more, 4 p.m. Oct. 27, Piedmont Center for the Arts, 801 Magnolia Ave. Part of Festival Opera’s Recital Series. For more information, visit festivalopera.org.

“The Nutcracker Suite.” Diablo Ballet presents a newly expanded, full-length production of Julia Adam’s smash holiday hit, Nov. 15-16, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Get tickets at 925-943-7469 or www.lesherartscenter.org.

“Muses & Musings of an Impresario.” Baritone Zachary Gordin and pianist Daniel Lockert perform works of Schumann, Mahler, Reynaldo Hahn, Jake Heggie and more, 4 p.m. Nov. 17, Piedmont Center for the Arts, 801 Magnolia Ave. Part of Festival Opera’s Recital Series. For more information, visit festivalopera.org.