CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (Sept. 8, 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

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

For Your Health

“Fall Into Wellness Fair.” A variety of health and wellness-focused activities and vendors, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 14, Broadway Plaza, South Main Street at Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Walnut Creek. For a schedule of events, visit broadwayplaza.com/events/fallintowellness24.

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. 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.

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.

Insiders. Fun activities for adults with disabilities to build confidence while navigating the library and accessing library services and resources, 1-2 p.m. Sept. 10 and every second and fourth Tuesday, Hoyer Hall.

Camp Clayton: Arts & Crafts. Seasonal arts and crafts for children, 2-3 p.m. Sept. 11 and every second Wednesday of the month.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Part of Festival Opera’s Recital Series, 4 p.m. Sept. 22, Piedmont Center for the Arts, 801 Magnolia Ave. For more information, visit festivalopera.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.

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

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