Lesher Center Events: Feb - Aug 2023

June 20 – 25, 2023

Fiesta Cultural

A Celebration of Latinx/a/o Art and Culture

Featuring Headliner artists, Center REP’s production of In the Heights, Bedford Gallery’s exhibition of portraits titled About Face and a free weekend street fair with music and dance from the diverse cultures of Latin America. Tickets on sale now for these Headliners:

Tuesday, June 20 at 7:30 PM

Newsmakers: Lesher Speaker Series

presents Ana Navarro

Thursday, June 22 at 7:30 PM

Comedian Gina Brillon

Friday, June 23 at 7:30 PM

Arturo Sandoval

Saturday, June 24 at 7:30 PM

Las Cafeteras

Sunday, June 25 at 3:00 PM

Mariachi Herencia de Mexico

Comedian Gina Brillon, photo courtesy of “America’s Got Talent”

22/23 Season

Red Bike

02/04 - 02/25

ASL Interpreted performance of this event on February 19, 2023, at 7:00 PM

Red Bike explores the possibilities the world has to offer from the eyes of an 11-year-old’s adventures on their red bike!

SWEAT

03/25 - 04/16

ASL Interpreted performance of this event on April 16, 2023, at 2:30 PM

A Pulitzer Prize-winning collision of race, class, and friendship at a pivotal moment in America. A group of friends in a Rust Belt town has spent their lives sharing secrets and laughs on the factory floor, but when layoffs begin to chip away at their trust, they’re pitted against each other in a heart-wrenching fight.

In the Heights

05/27 - 06/24

ASL Interpreted performance of this event on June 24, 2023, at 2:30 PM

This Lin-Manuel Miranda musical takes its cues from the diverse Latin community it represents in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York using hip-hop, salsa, merengue, and soul music in the score and with lyrics about love, life, community, and the American dream.

“Pay What You Can” preview performances for all Center REP productions. Learn more at CenterRep.org

Lesher Center Presents Headliners Series

03/10 - 03/11

College Notes A Cappella

The perfect harmony of bright minds and collegiate voices!

06/02

Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra

A joyful big band ensemble that maintains important jazz traditions.

03/16 - 03/17

Dance Theatre of Harlem

An unparalleled dance institution of global acclaim.

06/23

Arturo Sandoval

One of the most renowned musicians of our time.

04/07

Paul Taylor Dance Company

The premiere institution for American modern dance.

07/28

Dianne Reeves

Five-time Grammy Award jazz vocalist.

Photo credit: Rachel Neville

Photo credit: Steven Pisano

Photo credit: Eric Gray

Photo credit: Ben Krantz Studio

Photo credit: Lonnie Timmons III

Photo credit: Jerris Madison

Erin Fong | The Sensation of Color

On view now through April 2, 2023

Through dedicated research and experimentation, Bay Area artist and letterpress printer Erin Fong has transformed Bedford Gallery into a vibrant lab full of prints, paintings, and installations that explore how color affects emotional responses and informs our daily lives in subtle, often unconscious ways. The exhibition invites you to tap into your experience, both individually and collectively, as you are immersed in hues across the spectrum. Come see how colors make you feel, and how they foster human connection.

About Face

April 15 – June 25, 2023

About Face, a juried and invitational exhibition, continues the fascinating tradition of creating portraits, using a contemporary lens to speculate how future generations might perceive how we value beauty, power, and what we hold culturally significant.

Claire Astrow, Maeve, 2021, acrylic on wood, 16 x 20 inches.

Erin Fong, The Friendship Project Photo courtesy of Shaun Roberts.

Other Producers/Genres

Comedy & Improv

04/13 - 04/23 The Mating Game

The Improvised Game Show That’s More Than a Game

Presented by Synergy Theater

07/13 - 07/23 A Roll of the Dice

An Improvised Play at the Mercy of Chance

Presented by Synergy Theater

Dance

02/10 – 02/11 Swan Lake Suite

Presented by Diablo Ballet

03/16 - 03/17 Dance Theatre of Harlem

Presented by Lesher Center and Diablo Regional Arts Association

03/31 Diablo Ballet presents 29th Anniversary

Performance

Presented by Diablo Ballet

04/07 Paul Taylor Dance Company

Presented by Lesher Center and Diablo Regional Arts Association

04/28 - 04/29 Dance Series 2

Presented by Smuin Contemporary Ballet

05/12 - 05/13 Sleeping Beauty

Presented by Contra Costa Ballet

05/20 Ballet Joyeux Spring Concert

Presented by The Ballet School

05/26 – 05/27 A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Presented by Diablo Ballet

06/03 - 06/04 June Demonstration

Presented by The Ballet School

Music

02/04 - 02/05 Chopin in Paris

Presented by California Symphony

02/12 Aris Quartet

Presented by Chamber Music San Francisco

02/25 Carpenters Legacy: A Re-creation of the 1976 UK Tour starring Sally Olson and Ned Mills

Presented by West Coast Performing Arts Presenters

02/26 Local Stars: Juliana Athayde Plays Mendelssohn

Presented by Diablo Symphony Orchestra

02/26 Olga Kern, piano

Presented by Chamber Music San Francisco

03/02 - 03/04 Percussion Discussion

Presented by Ken Bergmann

03/02 Amy Grant

Presented by Martin Media

03/04 - 03/05 Maybe This Time: An Evening with Johnny

Orenberg with Special Guest Franc D’Ambrosio

Presented by Johnny Orenberg

03/04 The Fleetwood Mac Concert Experience starring Fleetwood Mask

Presented by West Coast Performing Arts Presenters

03/05 Diablo Wind Symphony’s Legacy

Presented by BD Performing Arts

03/10 - 03/11 Kaiser Permanente College Notes A Cappella

Presented by Lesher Center and Diablo Regional Arts Association

03/12 Pictures

Presented by Contra Costa Wind Symphony

03/18 Angela Hewitt, piano

Presented by Chamber Music San Francisco

03/19 Sinatra vs. Darin: Sex, Swagger & Swing with Jonathan

Poretz & His Swingin’ Night Orchestra

Presented by West Coast Performing Arts Presenters

03/21 March Concert

Presented by Walnut Creek Concert Band

03/25 - 03/26 Mahler’s Inner Circle

Presented by California Symphony

03/27 Girl Named Tom

Presented by Martin Media

04/01 Tetzlaff Trio

Presented by Chamber Music San Francisco

04/01 Come Together: The Beatles Concert Experience

Presented by West Coast Performing Arts Presenters

04/02 Family Concert: Tales from the Briar Patch

Presented by Diablo Symphony Orchestra, Coproduced with Festival Opera

04/08 SuperTrouper: The ABBA Concert Experience

Presented by West Coast Performing Arts Presenters

04/12 Music and Faith: An Evening with Philippine Madrigal Singers

Presented by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland

04/15 Rock the CASA, a Charity Concert featuring Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

Presented by Dan Ashley

04/22 Motown Mania: The Golden Hits of the Temptations & the Superstars of Motown starring Pete Peterkin’s Solid Gold Soul

Presented by West Coast Performing Arts Presenters

04/30 Arod Quartet

Presented by Chamber Music San Francisco

05/07 May Concert

Presented by Contra Costa Wind Symphony

05/14 Sounds of the Americas: Sounds of Brazil

Presented by BD Performing Arts

05/14 Diablo Wind Symphony’s Cherish

Presented by BD Performing Arts

05/20 - 05/21 Fresh Inspirations

Presented by California Symphony

05/20 - 05/21 Spring Piano Recital

Presented by The Ballet School Performing Arts

06/02 Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra

Presented by Lesher Center for the Arts and Diablo Regional Arts Association

06/23 Arturo Sandoval

Presented by Lesher Center for the Arts and Diablo Regional Arts Association

07/18 Summer “Pops” Concert 2023

Presented by Walnut Creek Concert Band

07/28 Dianne Reeves

Presented by Lesher Center for the Arts and Diablo Regional Arts Association

09/08 - 09/10 The Three Feathers

Presented by Solo Opera

Theatre

02/04 - 02/25 Red Bike

Presented by Center Repertory Company

*ASL Interpreted event on 02/19 at 7:00 PM

02/16 Girls Night: The Musical

Presented by Entertainment Events

03/09 - 03/12 Snow White and the Seven Dwarves

Presented by Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble

*ASL Interpreted event on 03/12 at 11:00 AM

03/10 - 03/26 Pittsburg Steal

Presented by Ed Ballou

03/16 - 03/17 Seussical KIDS

Presented by Performing Academy

03/25 - 04/16 SWEAT

Presented by Center Repertory Company

*ASL Interpreted event on 04/16 at 2:30 PM

04/14 Finding Her Voice: The Stage Play

Presented by CJ Productions

04/20 HAVANA HOP!

Presented by Diablo Regional Arts Association

04/24 - 04/29 Ain’t Misbehavin’

Presented by Contra Costa Musical Theatre

05/11 - 05/14 Robin Hood

Presented by Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble

*ASL Interpreted event on 05/14 at 11:00 AM

05/19 Little Women

Presented by The Ballet School Performing Arts

05/27 - 06/24 In the Heights

Presented by Center Repertory Company

*ASL Interpreted event on 06/24 at 2:30 PM

07/07 Young Actors Studio Showcase

Presented by The Ballet School Performing Arts

Season 18

Newsmakers: Lesher Speaker Series seeks to nurture a community of enthusiastic conversationalists, inspired to discuss important issues with family, friends, and neighbors.

The Second City

January 31, 2023

Sketch Comedy Troupe

Sarah Thomas

June 6, 2023

The NFL’s First Female Official; One of Sports Illustrated’s 100 Most Influential NFL Figures of All Time

Michael Tubbs

February 21, 2023

Former Mayor of Stockton, CA; Founder and Chair of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income; and Author

The Right Honorable

Theresa May

March 9, 2023

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 2016-2019

Henry Winkler

April 11, 2023

Emmy Award-Winning Actor, Author, Director & Producer

Ken Jennings

May 16, 2023

Greatest Jeopardy! Player of All Time, Jeopardy! Co-Host & Best-Selling Author

SPONSORED BY

Ana Navarro

June 20, 2023

GOP Strategist, Political Contributor to CNN and Telemundo, and Co-Host of ABC’s The View

Kelly Ayotte and Claire McCaskill

August 12, 2023

(Ayotte) U.S. Senator, 2011–2017; Attorney General of New Hampshire, 2004–2009

(McCaskill) U.S. Senator, 2007-2018

Michele Norris

October 17, 2023

Washington Post Opinion Columnist, Former NPR Host and Special Correspondent, and Founding Director of “The Race Card Project”

Fiesta Cultural

General Information

Getting Here

Located at 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, the Lesher Center for the Arts is walkable from Walnut Creek BART station. Parking is available in the adjacent garage at 1625 Locust Street.

Tickets

Online 24/7 at LesherArtsCenter.org

Ticket Office

Wednesday–Sunday, 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM In person or by phone at

Group Sales

We’d love to hear from your group and assist you in organizing a group outing to the Lesher Center for the Arts! Please email us at grouptickets@lesherartscenter.org or give us a call at (925) 295-1471.

Gift Cards

Give the experience of art, entertainment, drama, dance, comedy, music, and more! Our gift cards never expire and can be redeemed online, by phone, or in person for any ticketed event.

Accessibility

The LCA is wheelchair accessible and the theatres are equipped with Assistive Listening Devices (ALD) for hearing-impaired patrons. We are also proud to present select ASL interpreted performances - please visit our website for a complete list of all Accessible Programs. To request additional information or assistance, please call the Audience Services Supervisor at (925) 295-1400.

Event Rentals

The Lesher Center for the Arts is home to three lovely theatres, the Bedford Gallery and a conference room called the Encore Room. Rentals are available for celebrations, meetings, performances, and more. Review our rental policies and submit a request online at LesherArtsCenter.org.

Safety Protocols

Learn more about the ways we are keeping artists and audiences safe at LesherArtsCenter.org/plan-your-visit

Support the Center

A charitable, tax-deductible donation through the Diablo Regional Arts Association makes an incredible impact on the arts in our region. Visit LesherArtsCenter.org/support to donate!

Volunteer

Want to join the team that helps the LCA run smoothly? Visit the LesherArtsCenter. org or call the Volunteer Coordinator at (925) 295-1402 to learn more. To become a Docent or Guild member at the Bedford Gallery, call (925) 295-1417 or visit BedfordGallery.org/support/volunteer.

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Photo credit: Ben Krantz Studio