Walnut Creek's Summer of Arts, Culture and Fun

There's so much to do in Walnut Creek this summer.

You can hear live concerts that are edgy or soul soothing, take a stroll with friends through a sculpture-filled garden or get out and enjoy the beauty of the town's open spaces.

There is also plenty for families to do with their kids, including sword-fighting demonstrations and a children's theater festival at the Lesher Center for the Arts.

>> July 4 >> The Walnut Creek Concert Band concert, Monday, July 4
Walnut Creek's official band will ring in Independence Day with a free concert at the Civic Park gazebo. Get a flag, pack the kids in the jalopy and celebrate having found a parking place in time for the 6 p.m. kickoff.

>> Visual Arts >> Outlandish: Contemporary Depictions of Nature, Bedford Gallery, opening July 6
 The juried exhibit brings the outside in, with landscape-centric art from leading contemporary artists. All perspectives, from global to zoomed-in, from traditional oil painting to video, portray natural surroundings as seen by Vaughn Bell, Phyllis Shafer, Gary Brewer and others.

>> Music >> Broadway Plaza Summer Jazz Concerts,
Thursdays, July 7, 14 and 21
Live jazz at Broadway Plaza blasts off with Chieli Minucci on July 7. One week later, Jeff Kashiwa heats up the parking lot. The final Thursday concert features Brenda Russell; all concerts run from 6:30-8 p.m.

>> Fundraiser >> 2011 Walnut Creek Relay for Life Event,
Saturday, July 16
Battle the big one for 24 hours, (or a portion of it) by participating in the American Cancer Society’s fundraiser. Teams of people camp out at Bancroft Elementary School and take turns walking or running. Because cancer never sleeps, relays are 24-hour events. This one starts at 9 a.m. July 16.

>> Opera >> La Traviata, July 9-17
Festival Opera opens its summer season with Giuseppe Verdi's classic story of love, loss and betrayal. Mark Foehringer directs with the opera company's artistic director, Michael Morgan, conducting. The Most Happy Fella breaks free with Frank Lowesser’s musical set in that magical land up north, Napa. Ted Weis, Festival Opera founder, will appear in the role of Tony during the production's run from Aug. 6-14.

>> Visual Arts >> The Community Art Gallery Exhibit at the Downtown Library, opens Sunday, July 17
The exhibit, a collaboration between the city of Walnut Creek, the library and the nonprofit , presents artwork by Bay Area artists. Most of the artwork is available for rent or purchase, and ceramics and jewelry also will be on display. Docent-led tours are offered the first Saturday of each month. Tours are $5 and include a pass to the nearby Bedford Gallery.

>> Library >> Happy Birthday, Walnut Creek Library, Monday, July 18
The one-year birthday celebration for the downtown library will be full of surprises, with Fratello Marionettes who, according to legend, blow up balloons and perform acrobatic hula dances. Get in line early, as only the first 240 people will be admitted from 10:30-11:10 a.m.

>> Operetta >> Gilbert and Sullivan's HMS Pinafore, July 22-24
Lamplighters Music Theatre sets sail with G&S's classic comic opera. Set aboard an English naval ship, it’s class warfare and the power of love that rule the day. Just four performances in Walnut Creek before the show travels to Yountville, Yerba Buena and Mountain View.

>> Family Theater >> Chevron Family Theatre Festival, Saturday, July 30
The fifth annual festival will fill the Lesher Center and the sidewalk outside with family-friendly performances: Storytelling, puppets, and sword fights accompany music and theatre groups such as The Sippy Cups and Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble. Outside activities are free. 

>> Theater >> The Dixie Swim Club, Aug. 19-Sept. 11
Onstage Theatre presents this comedy-drama that travels through four weekends that span a 33-year period and tells the story of female friendships among five Southern women. The company presents this play at Lesher Arts Center for the Art's Knight Stage 3 Theatre.

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