WALNUT CREEK

St. Paul’s Concert Series presents classical guitarist Aaron Haas in a spectacular Performance at 7 p.m. Feb. 18. A native of Los Angeles, Haas is a prominent rising star. He completed his doctorate of musical arts at USC and has earned recognition for musical mastery in Italy and in California with solo guitar and chamber ensemble performances, many of which he arranged for winds, voice and guitar.

In his performance at St. Paul’s, Haas will present classical pieces such as “Three Schubert Lieder”(Schubert), “La Catedral” (Mangore) and “Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Minor” (Bach) and other beloved pieces after opening with a piece of his own composition. St. Paul’s Concert Series organizers invite their audience to this in-person event and will also broadcast the performance simultaneously online.

To register for the performance and receive the online link, visit stpaulswc.org/concert-series online. This site also provides the full concert program for previewing and more about the performers. Located in downtown Walnut Creek, the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church offers monthly world-class performances through its concert series to the local community for an affordable, donation-based cost. Free parking is provided, or an easy walk three blocks from Walnut Creek BART.

— St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

LAFAYETTE

Town Hall Theatre to present drama ‘The Shape of Things’

Town Hall Theatre will present a story of love, art, connection and deception in Neil LaBute’s “The Shape of Things” as part of its Main Stage season. When normal, boring Adam and unconventional and exciting Evelyn meet in a museum, Adam’s life is changed for the better … or worse. A young student drifts into an ever-changing relationship with an art major while his best friends’ engagement crumbles, unleashing a drama that peels back the skin of two modern-day relationships.

Featuring amazing, thoughtful and honest performances from Linda Maria Girón, Alejandro Eustaquio, Andrew Mondello and Mayreni Sweis under the direction of Salim Razawi, “The Shape of Things” will raise questions about truth, beauty and trust.

“My first encounter with ‘The Shape of Things’ was early on in the pandemic,” said the play’s director, Salim Razawi. “A group of artists and I were trying to nurture our artistry without being able to gather in a theater safely, so we gathered virtually to read and discuss plays. This particular work resonated with me, because one of the overarching themes is art and love.”

Performances will be March 24-25, and tickets are  $25 to $40. The March 24 show will be a “pay-what-you-can” performance. Note that masks are required for theater-goers. The theater is at at 3535 School St. in Lafayette. For more information, call 925-283-6673.

— Town Hall Theatre

ORINDA

Bookstore exhibiting iconic photos of city till month’s end

Orinda Books, an independent local bookstore in the heart of Orinda Village, is hosting a new photography exhibit, “Orinda: Photographs by Jeff Heyman,” a collection of six iconic photographs of Orinda.

The exhibit is running now through the end of February in Orinda Books at 276 Village Square in Orinda. The bookstore is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed on Sundays.

First taking photography classes at San Ramon Valley High School in Danville, Heyman went on to earn a degree in fine art photography from San Francisco State University. Heyman, a Bay Area native who lives in Orinda, has had his work featured in several photography shows. This is his second solo exhibit.

“Orinda: Photographs by Jeff Heyman” at Orinda Books features a dramatic photograph of the Orinda Theatre at sunset as well as striking landscapes of the scenic city’s hillsides. Photographs from the exhibit can be viewed online at bit.ly/orindaheyman.

— Orinda Books

ANTIOCH

El Campanil Theatre to show film ‘Malcolm X’ on Feb. 12

As part of El Campanil Theatre’s Film series, “Malcolm X” will be shown at 2 p.m. Feb. 12 in the theater at 602 W. Second St. From director Spike Lee, “Malcolm X” stars Denzel Washington in an insightful, in-depth look at the life and times of Malcolm X.

From his humble beginnings as gambler, hustler and criminal to his transformation into civil rights leader Malcolm X, Washington scorches in a tour-de-force performance. Spike Lee and Angela Bassett also star in the acclaimed film, which will be presented in 4K resolution. The film’s running time is three hours, 20 minutes. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and youth. Visit elcampaniltheatre.com online for tickets or more details.

— El Campanil Theatre

ORINDA/ANTIOCH

Chamber Orchestra to spotlight acclaimed composer

Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra will present “Discoveries and Revivals” Feb. 25-26 under the baton of conductor and music director Geoffrey Gallegos.

First up on the program is a rousing piece titled “Anniversary Overture” by the accomplished composer Anthony Doherty, of Antioch. Doherty’s numerous compositions have been heard around the world and include two notable commissions by Bay Area orchestras. Also on the program is Max Bruch’s opulently romantic and light-hearted “Concerto for Clarinet, Viola and Orchestra.” This rarely performed composition will be a new discovery for some listeners and a revival for others.

The concert will close with Howard Hanson’s lyrical and uplifting “Symphony No. 2,” also called “Romantic.” Since its premiere in 1930, this work has been performed many times in traditional orchestral settings and then rediscovered, revived and reconfigured as part of the soundtracks for the films “Alien,” “ET” and “Boss Baby.”

The Antioch performance will be at 2 p.m. Feb. 25 in El Campanil Theatre at 602 W. Second St. in Antioch. Tickets can be purchased online at elcampaniltheatre.com or at the door. The cost for adults is $20, for seniors is $15 and for students is $7.

On Feb. 26, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, at 66 St. Stephen’s Drive in Orinda, will host a 4 p.m. concert of the same music. For tickets, visit contracostachamberorchestra.org online or at buy them at the door. Ticket prices in Orinda are the same as in Antioch.

— Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra

South Korea’s ‘Decision to Leave’ to play in area theaters

The International Film Showcase will present South Korea’s submission for this year’s Academy Awards, “Decision to Leave.” The film was a finalist for the Golden Globe.

The film will premiere Friday at the Orinda Theatre for at least one week and at the Jarvis Conservatory in Napa on Feb. 11 as part of the conservatory’s film showcase. It will also be shown at El Campanil Theatre in Antioch at 2 p.m. Feb. 19.

In the film, a detective investigating a man’s death in the mountains ends up meeting and developing feelings for the dead man’s mysterious wife in the course of his dogged sleuthing. The romantic mystery film is produced, co-written and directed by Park Chan-wook.

— International Film Showcase

DANVILLE

Village Theatre to present standup comedy show Feb. 11

The town of Danville is bringing back comedy to the Village Theatre with a live standup event Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m.

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Enjoy a night of laughs from nationally known local comedians. Hosting the performance is radio DJ and actor Roman Guzman, heard every morning on The River 105.5 and seen in recent movies “Agent 11” and “Soul Cage.”

Headlining the show is Chicago Steve Barkley, whose credits include performances on HBO, A&E and ABC’s “America’s Funniest People.” He has appeared with comedy legends including Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Lovitz, Robin Williams, Dana Carvey, Jay Leno and Whoopie Goldberg.

Featured is comedian and U.S. Navy veteran Mike Betancourt. His standup comedy career started in 2004, and he has since been featured in commercials as well as several award-winning movies. He also won the Sacramento Film and Music Festival’s award for best supporting actor in the 2014 short film “Love Rules.”

Tickets can be purchased in advance online at danville.ca.gov/vtshows for $30 or at the door for $35. Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended, and the show is for those age 18 or older only. For more details, contact Performing Arts Program Coordinator John Dunn at 925-314-3418 or [email protected].

— town of Danville

BRENTWOOD

Community chorus seeks new members for spring season

The Brentwood Community Chorus, under the direction of Susan Stuart, is preparing for its spring season and looking for new members. The chorus meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays at Brentwood Community United Methodist Church and is open to all ages and abilities.

If it sounds like fun, but you’re afraid you can’t commit to every Tuesday, organizers have a solution. Rehearsal tracks are provided when you register so you can practice on your own. Registration information is available online at brentwoodcommunitychorus.com.

— Brentwood Community Chorus

Submit area arts-and-entertainment On Tap items to Judith Prieve at [email protected].