The La Jolla Light presents this continuing listing of local in-person events and online activities.
Lectures & learning
• “Prepared Today, Safe Tomorrow” discusses options for older adults during natural disasters at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 15, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. Representatives of Cheer Home Care, Devore Realty Group and the San Diego/Imperial chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association will speak. Free. bit.ly/4lPh8qb
• “Why Ecosystems Matter,” taught by biologist Christopher Wills, is set for 2:45 p.m. Thursdays, May 15 and 22, at the La Jolla Community Center at 6811 La Jolla Blvd. as part of the Peer Learning Collaborative. Topics are: May 15, “How Ecosystems Evolve”; May 22, “How Can We Repair Our Ecosystems?” Free for Community Center , $35 for non-. ljcommunitycenter.org/plc
• American Legion Post 275 in La Jolla presents an educational seminar about veterans burial benefits at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at the La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St.
• Parent coach Debbie Zeichner discusses “Taking the Struggle Out of Power Struggles” at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, May 18, at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. The seminar will focus on parenting tips and tools for gaining more cooperation, better listening and ending family power struggles. $65 per person, $90 per couple. my.lfjcc.org/14891/15338
• The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center hosts a “Retirement Academy” at 6 p.m. Tuesdays through June 17 at 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. The series features tips and lessons about retirement. $360 for Jewish Community Center , $400 for non-. lfjcc.org/seniors/retirementacademy.aspx
Health & fitness
• UC San Diego’s Moores Cancer Center hosts Clinical Trials Day at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 20, at the Goldberg Auditorium, 3855 Health Sciences Drive, La Jolla. The event will feature discussions and honor patients participating in cancer research. moorescancercenter.ucsd.edu
• The La Jolla Newcomers Club presents Saturday Morning Walkers at 9:30 a.m. May 24 for an hour-long walk starting and ending at the La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St., and including the La Jolla Cove area and Park Row. Afterward, participants can gather for coffee. lajollanewcomers.org
• The “Fit, Flexible & Fabulous” yoga class is presented at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays through May 27 at the La Jolla Cove Bridge Club, 1160 Coast Blvd. The class is open to all levels. $20. Email [email protected].
• “Sunset Stretch & Peaceful Ocean Savasana” is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays through May 28 at the La Jolla Cove Bridge Club, 1160 Coast Blvd. All levels are welcome. $20. Email [email protected].
Arts & culture
• The La Jolla Library Poetry Group meets at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/la-jolla-library-poetry-group-407509
• The History Matters Book Club for Middle Graders meets at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. May’s book is “The Diary of Anne Frank.” The group is intended for fourth- through eighth-graders. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/middle-grade-book-club-404257
• UC San Diego presents the Wagner New Play Festival, featuring five new works written by students in UCSD’s master of fine arts playwriting program. The plays are: “Motherloss” by Mylan Gray, 7:30 p.m. May 15-16, Potiker Theatre; “Dirty Martini” by Katie Do and “Nerve Endings” by Quentin Nguyen-duy (presented together), 7:30 p.m. May 15 and 2 p.m. May 17, Wagner Theatre; “Refuse It: A Black Woman’s Guide to 21st Century Rage” by Phanésia Pharel, 7:30 p.m. May 15 and 2 p.m. May 17, Shank Theatre; and “Baby Shower Katie” by Beth Hyland, 7:30 p.m. May 17, Shank Theatre. $20. theatre.ucsd.edu/performances-and-events/theatre-performances
• Warwick’s bookstore presents author Brian Selznick discussing his book “Run Away With Me” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $24.99 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/selznick-2025
• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents its “Acoustic Evenings” series Fridays from May 16 through June 6 in the Joan & Irwin Jacobs Music Room, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The performers are: May 16, Wax, Cindy Lee Berryhill and Gayle Skidmore; May 23, Jimmy & Enrique, Sue Palmer, Liz Ajuzie and Walt Richards; May 30, Tim Flannery, Jeff Berkley and Ashley Norton; June 6, Lee Coulter, Julia Sage, Dave Booda, Monette Marino, Santiago Orozco, Jesus Gonzalez, Jefferson Jay, Bri Schillings and Michelle Lerach. $18-$64. ljathenaeum.org/acoustics
• The La Jolla Symphony & Chorus presents its “Tides of Time” gala at 6 p.m. Friday, May 16, at Birch Aquarium, 2300 Expedition Way. The evening will serve as a celebration of the symphony’s 70th year with music, dinner and a live auction. $200-$500. tidesoftimegala.my.canva.site/-2025-gala-webpage
• The La Jolla Music Society presents organist Cameron Carpenter at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 16, at St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 743 Prospect St. $57-$77. theconrad.org/events/cameron-carpenter-2
Carpenter also will perform his original score for “Metropolis,” Fritz Lang’s 1927 silent science-fiction film classic, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at St. James. $51-69. theconrad.org/events/cameron-carpenter-metropolis
• La Jolla Playhouse presents the Tony Award-winning play “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” written by Jocelyn Bioh and directed by Whitney White, from Saturday, May 17, through Sunday, June 15, at the Mandell Weiss Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive. $30-$90. lajollaplayhouse.org/show/jajas-african-hair-braiding
• UC San Diego presents Middle Aged Dad Jam Band in a comedy/musical performance at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at the Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla. $15-$43. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/middle-aged-dad-jam-band
• The Arcades, a music festival featuring more than 200 UC San Diego undergraduates playing a wide range of genres in nearly 40 performances, is set for noon to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at UCSD’s Conrad Prebys Music Center, 9410 Russell Lane, La Jolla. Free. today.ucsd.edu/story/introducing-uc-san-diegos-newest-music-festival-the-arcades
• The San Diego Academy of Ballet presents its Spring Gala at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla. The event will feature a performance by academy students, alumni and professional guest artists. $20. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/sdacademyballetgala2025
• La Jolla United Methodist Church hosts its spring concert, “In All things Love,” at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at 6063 La Jolla Blvd. The performance will include the chancel choir, Dorian bells and soloists. lajollaunitedmethodist.org
• The La Jolla/Riford Library presents the spring art exhibition “Culinary Arts” through Sunday, May 18, at 7555 Draper Ave. The exhibit, featuring depictions of all things edible, showcases the work of 15 artists who study at La Jolla’s Athenaeum Music & Arts Library under artist and teacher Jeff Yeomans. All art is for sale, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the La Jolla Library. 858-552-1657
• The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center hosts the play “Something Rotten!” by the JCompany Youth Theatre through Sunday, May 18, at the Garfield Theatre, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. $22-$29. lfjcc.org/cjc/jco_youth_theatre.aspx
• ArtPower at UC San Diego presents “Celebrate the Arts Live!” a concert of classical music by the Symphonic Student Association and Room 264 Chamber Music Club, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, at UCSD’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla. Free. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/celebratetheartslive
• The Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival, commonly known as JFest, opens Wednesday, May 21, and runs to Monday, June 30, including concerts, theater events, discussions and a comedy show. Several events will be in La Jolla. $25-$80. sdjfest.org
• The documentary film “Saltwaterx” by La Jolla residents Brett and Stephanie Hoffman is set to be screened at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 22, at the Scripps Seaside Forum, 8610 Kennel Way, La Jolla. The film discusses the positive effects of ocean therapy. The screening will be accompanied by a short film on tide pool etiquette and a discussion with mental health care practitioners. $25. saltwaterx.org
• Warwick’s bookstore hosts author Connie Bennett discussing her book “I Blew My Diet! Now What?” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 22, at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $28.95 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/bennett-2025
• The La Jolla Community Center presents its 2025 Fourth Friday Jazz Series at 6811 La Jolla Blvd. performances, beginning at 8 p.m., are: May 23: Sherry Williams, “Sentimental & Swingin’”; June 27: Lori Bell, “Higher Standards”; July 25: Brian Levy, “Jazz Standards & Ballads”; Aug. 22: Rose Mallett, “Standards Exuding Peace & Joy”; Sept. 26: Holly Hofmann, “Autumn Jazz”; and Oct. 24: Gilbert Castellanos, “Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz Celebration.” $25 per concert for Community Center and $30 for non- in advance; $35 at the door. ljcommunitycenter.org/ffjs
• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, along with San Diego Social and Sofar Sounds, present “Night at the Museum” at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 24, at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. The evening will feature local music and art. $27. mcasd.org/events/sofar-5-24
• “La Jolla Surf: Culture, Art, Craft,” an exhibition featuring artists, surfers and surfboard builders of La Jolla, runs through Sunday, May 25, at the La Jolla Historical Society, 780 Prospect St. Free. lajollahistory.org/la-jolla-surf
• The Tim Bessell gallery hosts the art exhibit “Synthesizing Form and Color:New Work by Anne Varick” from Monday, May 26, to Tuesday, July 1, at 515 Westbourne St., La Jolla. The exhibit will feature about 30 works by Varick in her first solo show in La Jolla since 1977. 858-344-7080. Email [email protected].
• LOS/NR (Level of Service Not Required) hosts the art exhibition “Writings,” featuring works from C Fodoreanu, through Monday, May 26, at the gallery, 7910 Ivanhoe Ave., La Jolla. The exhibit includes paintings, photographs, video work and a site-specific installation composed of water, wood, acrylics and silks. losnotrequired.com
• Warwick’s bookstore presents author Katherine Center discussing her book “The Love Haters” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $29 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/center-2025
• Authors and UC San Diego alumni Sarina Dahlan and S.B. Divya MEng present an evening of storytelling and conversation at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, in the Seuss Room at UCSD’s Geisel Library, 9701 Hopkins Drive, La Jolla. The discussion will cover how fiction can tackle timely societal issues, identity, technology and cultural memory. Free. lib.ucsd.edu/dahlandivya
• The Rosin Box Project presents “Unified Harmonies,” a contemporary ballet performance, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, May 28-29, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $33-$63. theconrad.org/events/24-25-rosin-box-project
• Dr. Eric Topol, executive vice president and professor of molecular medicine at Scripps Research in La Jolla, discusses his book “Super Agers” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at Warwick’s bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $32.50 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/topol-2025
• The La Jolla Music Society presents singer Helena Holleran and her seven-piece band at 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 30, at the Wu Tsai QRT.yrd at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. Free. theconrad.org/events/qrt-yrd-helena-holleran
• Warwick’s bookstore presents author Craig Johnson discussing his book “Return to Sender,” a continuation of his Longmire mysteries, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 30, at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $30 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/johnson-2025
• The La Jolla Music Society presents Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason on cello and piano, respectively, playing classical music at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 31, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave. $62-$97. theconrad.org/events/sheku-isata-kanneh-mason
• Le Salon de Musiques presents its 2024-25 season finale at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 1, at the La Jolla Woman’s Club, 7791 Draper Ave. The concert will include music by Schumann, Beethoven and Goldmark performed by mezzo-soprano Christina Pezzarossi, violinists Sheng-Ching Hsu and Chiai Tajima, violist Alexander Granger, cellist Ben Solomonow and pianist Xiao Chen. The performance will be introduced by musicologist Malachai Bandy and followed by an audience Q&A with the musicians and a high tea buffet with French champagne. $69-$120. lesalondemusiques.com
• La Jolla artist Ed Whitmore displays about 40 of his paintings in the exhibit “Forging Beauty” in the Gotthelf Art Gallery at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center through Sunday, June 8, at 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. lfjcc.org/cjc/gag.aspx
• UC San Diego’s Mandeville Art Gallery presents “Border Craft,” featuring contemporary artists highlighting border regions, through Sunday, June 15, at 9390 Mandeville Lane, La Jolla. Free. mandevilleartgallery.ucsd.edu/exhibitions/border-craft.html
• K. Nathan Gallery in La Jolla presents an exhibition of paintings from early California to French post-Impressionism through June at The Lodge at Torrey Pines hotel, 11480 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla. knathangallery.com
• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents the exhibition “Harvest & Gather: Missed Connections” through Saturday, July 19, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The exhibit features papier-maché sculptures and fiber installations made with paper waste. ljathenaeum.org/events/exhibition-2025-harvest-gather
• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego hosts the art exhibition “An Artful Life: A Tribute to Matthew C. Strauss” through Sunday, Aug. 3, at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. mcasd.org/exhibitions/an-artful-life
• Birch Aquarium at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography hosts “Embodied Pacific: Ocean Unseen” at 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla. The installation features 11 projects blending art and science into interactive experiences focused on scientific ocean exploration. The exhibition, part of the Getty Foundation series “PST Art: Art & Science Collide,” runs until September. Included with aquarium ission. aquarium.ucsd.edu
• “Land and Sea: Selections from the Collection,” an exhibit featuring land and seascapes by more than 20 artists with connections to the region, runs through Wednesday, Dec. 31, at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. It includes pieces in the museum’s current collection, as well as new acquisitions. mcasd.org/exhibitions/new-on-view
Galas & events
• The La Jolla Newcomers Club presents a Triple Crown Party at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 16, at the La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. The party will be the evening before the 2025 Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, the second leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown, and will include live music and a hat contest. $75. lajollanewcomers.org
• The La Jolla Historical Society presents its 26th annual Secret Garden Tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 17, featuring six locations throughout La Jolla with the self-guided tour and seven with the Platinum Tour. Self-guided tour: $45-$55 in advance, $55-$65 the day of the tour. Platinum Tour: $145-$155 through Friday, May 9, or until sold out. lajollahistory.org/secret-garden-tour
• The 2025 Moonlight Ball is set for 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine hotel, 3777 La Jolla Village Drive. The evening of music, food, drink and auctions will benefit Episcopal Community Services programs for homelessness, behavioral health, substance-use treatment and early-childhood education. $350-$5,000. ecscalifornia.org/moonlightball2025
• The Windansea Surf Club presents its third annual fundraiser from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Duke’s restaurant, 1216 Prospect St., La Jolla. The event, including live and silent auctions, will benefit the club’s outreach programs. windanseasurfclub.org
• The Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa hosts a Tea in the Garden Series with a rotating lineup of themed afternoon high teas on Sundays, May 18, June 8, July 13, Aug. 10, Sept. 14 and Oct. 19, at 9700 N. Torrey Pines Road. $75. bit.ly/4jZblwR
• La Jolla Playhouse presents “59 Acres — An Immersive Speculative Soundwalk” through June. Participate by ing the “59 Acres” app for audio and then walking a scenic route between La Jolla Playhouse’s Potiker Theatre and UC San Diego’s Geisel Library. Free. lajollaplayhouse.org/59-acres
• The La Jolla/Riford Library hosts “ Us the Holocaust,” or “RUTH,” an exhibit that features stories of Holocaust survivors living in San Diego County and artifacts from the Holocaust and World War II, through Sunday, Dec. 14, at 7555 Draper Ave. bit.ly/49TLiDr. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/ruth-exhibit-program-418125
Do you have an event — online or in person — that you’d like to see here? Email your leads to Rob Vardon at [email protected] by noon Friday for publication in the following week’s edition. ♦
