Happy Tuesday, Walnut Creek!
💡 Did you know: The Lesher Center for the Arts first opened in October 1990, and now presents more than 900 productions and events each year?
In today’s edition:
A can’t-miss outdoor makers market
A night out at the Walnut Creek Library Authors Gala
A wine dinner worth planning around
Salsa night with a live band and plenty of dancing
Dance Theatre of Harlem at the Lesher Center
A free preschool art pop-up at Civic Park
Live jazz on the patio
A cacao + sound bath wellness experience
Let’s get to it.
— Sean Casey
🛍️ Makers Market at Broadway Plaza
Broadway Plaza
If you’re planning to be out this weekend, this is the easiest place to start.
Makers Market is taking over Broadway Plaza with a full lineup of local makers, artists, and small businesses set up outdoors. Expect everything from handmade goods and jewelry to home items and specialty foods, plus live music woven in throughout the day.
It’s designed to be wandered, no real start or end point, which makes it easy to pair with lunch, coffee, or just a loop around downtown.
📍 Where: Broadway Plaza (between Nordstrom & Macy’s)
📅 When: Saturday, April 25 • 11 AM – 5 PM
💲 Price: Free
📚 Author’s Gala
If you’re in the mood for something a little more elevated this weekend, this is one of the standout events.
The Walnut Creek Library Foundation’s Authors Gala is a full evening built around books, conversation, and community. Starting with drinks and hors d’oeuvres, followed by a silent auction, wine raffle, and the chance to meet featured authors. The night wraps with a seated dinner alongside Bay Area writers, all in support of the local libraries.
It’s one of those events that feels both social and meaningful. A chance to dress up a bit, meet people, and support something local at the same time.
📍 Where: Walnut Creek Library
📅 When: Saturday, April 25 • 6:00 PM
💲 Price: Ticketed | Prices Vary
🍷 Flowers Vineyard Wine Dinner
Broadway Plaza
This is less “grab dinner” and more “plan the night around it.”
Main Street Kitchen is hosting a multi-course wine dinner featuring Flowers Vineyard, with each course paired to match. It’s paced, curated, and meant to be enjoyed start to finish. A good pick if you’re looking for something a little more memorable.
📍 Where: Main Street Kitchen & Bar
📅 When: Thursday, April 23 • 6 PM – 9 PM
💲 Price: Ticketed
💃 Salsa Night: Class + Live Band
If you want something more upbeat midweek, this is a fun one to drop into.
The night starts with a beginner-friendly salsa lesson, then opens up into social dancing with a live band. Most people are there to learn and have a good time, so it’s easy to jump in even if you’ve never done it before.
📍 Where: Salsa Con Sabor at Chicken Pie Shop, 1251 Arroyo Way
📅 When: Wednesday, April 22 • 7 PM – 11 PM
💲 Price: Prices Vary
🎭 Dance Theatre of Harlem
Lesher Center
This is the one to plan ahead for.
Dance Theatre of Harlem is bringing a full performance to the Lesher Center, blending classical ballet with contemporary work. It’s a more fun night out with tickets, set time, and a full blown production. 100% worth it if you’re in the mood for something outside the usual routine.
📍 Where: Lesher Center for the Arts
📅 When: April 24–25 • 7:30 PM
💲 Price: Ticketed
🎨 Preschool Art Pop-Up
A simple, well-done option if you’ve got younger kids.
This outdoor pop-up is designed for ages 0–5, with hands-on art stations and sensory play set up so kids can move freely between activities. It’s coloring, painting, and tactile play. All easy and designed with little ones in mind.
This is a drop-in friendly event, so you can stop by, let them explore for a bit, and head out when you’re ready.
📍 Where: Civic Park (near Civic Park Preschool)
📅 When: Saturday, April 25 • 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
💲 Price: Free
🎷 A Tribute to Henry Mancini
A solid midweek option if you’re in the mood for live music without heading too far.
This concert features the Rossmoor Big Band alongside guest performers, playing a full set of Henry Mancini classics. Think Moon River, Pink Panther, and other familiar standards. It leans more traditional, but in a way that’s easy to settle into for a relaxed night out.
It’s a seated show with an early evening start, so it works well if you want something low-key that still feels like a plan.
📍 Where: Rossmoor Event Center
📅 When: Wednesday, April 22 • 7 PM – 9 PM
💲 Price: $23.18
🌿 Release & Receive: Cacao & Sound Bath
On the quieter end of the spectrum, this is more of a reset.
The evening combines a guided cacao ceremony with a sound bath, focused on slowing things down and creating a calm, low-key environment. Small group, seated, and intentionally unplugged. A nice contrast if your week’s been busy.
📍 Where: Rooted Coffee Co.
📅 When: Thursday, April 23 • 7 PM – 8:30 PM
💲 Price: $21.05
Get Tickets
Other fun notes…
🥧 Weekly Walnut recipe: Honey Walnut Shrimp – Crispy shrimp tossed in a light, creamy sauce with candied walnuts for that perfect sweet-salty balance.
🎵 Who we are listening to: Pinterest (Portuguese) – Anitta. “Easy, earthy, and endlessly replayable. The perfect soundtrack for a sunny Walnut Creek afternoon.”
🙏 Positive News: 6,500 Volunteers Build 10,000 Beds in 24 Hours for Kids Who Don’t Have One of Their Own Read Article
✨ Taking a pause doesn’t mean you’re falling behind.
As always, we read every reply and truly appreciate hearing from you. If there’s something you’d like to see more of locally, let us know. Thanks for being part of the Walnut Creek Digest community.
Have an event you want to feature or want to advertise your business to our readers in Walnut Creek? Drop us a line here → [email protected]
— Sean Casey | Publisher | Walnut Creek Digest