CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (Mar. 3, 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

“The Impact of Alzheimer’s and Dementia in Our Community.” Learn about local resources and ways you can join the fight against Alzheimer’s and all other dementia, 9:45 a.m. and 7 p.m. March 6, Parish Hall, St. Bonaventure Catholic Community 5562 Clayton Road, Concord. Presented by the Alzheimer’s Association. For more information, contact Christa Fairfield at cfairfield@stbonaventure.net.

Bead & Design Show. More than 150 exhibits featuring jewelry, artwear, beads, gems, antiquities and handcrafts, plus workshops in design, beadwork and soldering, March 15-17, Plaza Hotel, 45 John Glenn Dr., Concord. For details, visit www.beadanddesign.com.

Farmers Market. Sponsored by the Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Visit pcfma.org for more information.

Fundraisers

Opera on the Dock of the Bay. Wine, food bites and music plus live and silent auctions to support Festival Opera, 3-6 p.m. March 16, Riggers Loft Wine Co., 1325 Canal Blvd., Richmond. For more information and tickets, visit www.festivalopera.org/opera-on-the-dock-of-the-bay.

For Writers

California Writers Club/Mt Diablo Branch. Amanda McTigue will discuss what writers can learn from actors and directors, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. March 9, Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Guests welcome. To register for the meeting online, visit https://cwcmtdiablo.org/meetings-and-workshops.

Authors’ Panel. Four writers will talk about how they have turned their careers and other life experiences into novels: Mark R. Clifford (“Typhoon Coast”), Deven Greene (“Ties That Kill”), Bruce Lewis (“Angel of Mercy” series) and Suzy Orpin (“Catwalk” series), 6:30-8:30 p.m. March 11, Pleasant Hill Library, 2 Monticello Ave.

Creative Writing Class. The process of writing a novel, memoir or short stories from idea to publication with local author, book editor and journalist Janice De Jesus, begins April 11 in Pleasant Hill. For details, call Mt. Diablo Adult Education at 925-937-1530 or visit mdae.mdusd.org.

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 visit ccclib.org/events.

Homework Help. For children in grades K-5 in all subjects, 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays. Assistance in select subjects is available for those in grades 6-9. Call to make a 30-minute appointment. Drop-ins accommodated as available.

African Village Celebration. Performance by percussionist and educator Onye Onyemaechi, with audience participation encouraged to create the experience of African village life, 2-2:45 p.m. March 6. All ages welcome; sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.

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.

Insiders. Fun activities for adults with disabilities to build confidence while navigating the library and accessing library services and resources, 2-3 p.m. March 12 and 26 and every second and fourth Tuesday, Hoyer Hall.

Chair Yoga and Meditation. Adult program featuring low-impact chair yoga followed by a guided meditation, 10-11 a.m. March 14 and 28 and every second and fourth Thursday. Sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.

Book Club. “The Bad Muslim Discount” by Syed M. Masood, 6-8 p.m. March 26 and every fourth Tuesday.

The Arts

Enchanted Wilderness. Featuring watercolors by Karen Kramer, through March 16, Valley Art Gallery, 1661 Botelho Drive, Suite 110, Walnut Creek. For details, visit www.valleyartgallery.org or call 925-935-4311.

“But Why Bump Off Barnaby?” Clayton Theatre Company offers up the mystery by Rick Abbot, March 8-17, Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St., Clayton. For details, visit claytontheatrecompany.com or call 925-334-0880.

Stars & Stripes Jubilee. In honor of Diablo Ballet’s 30th season, 6 p.m. March 22 and 2 p.m. March 23, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Get tickets at www.lesherartscenter.org.

Chromatica Chorale. The Danville-based chorus has commissioned “Transfigurations,” a choral and instrumental suite in six movements by Christopher Tin with lyrics by Charles Anthony Silvestri, April 27, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 399 Wiget Lanet, Walnut Creek, and April 28, Peace Lutheran Church, 3201 Camino Tassajara, Danville. For details, visit www.chromaticachorale.org.