The La Jolla Light presents this continuing listing of local in-person events and online activities.
Lectures & learning
• “Why Ecosystems Matter,” taught by biologist Christopher Wills, is set for 2:45 p.m. Thursdays, May 8, 15 and 22, at the La Jolla Community Center at 6811 La Jolla Blvd. as part of the Peer Learning Collaborative. Topics are: May 8, “The Consequences of Biological Loss”; May 15, “How Ecosystems Evolve”; May 22, “How Can We Repair Our Ecosystems?” Free for Community Center , $35 for non-. ljcommunitycenter.org/plc
• “Bridging the Divide,” a discussion with author and journalist Yossi Klein Halevi about the ongoing search for peace in the Middle East, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, at the Price Center Theater at UC San Diego, 3135 Matthews Lane, La Jolla. hillelsd.wufoo.com/forms/w1nj7dt91duam3j
• “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
• 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
• 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
• 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: “Baby Shower Katie” by Beth Hyland, 7:30 p.m. May 8, 2 p.m. May 10, 7:30 p.m. May 13, 14 and 17, Shank Theatre; “Motherloss” by Mylan Gray, 2 p.m. May 10, 7:30 p.m. May 13, 15 and 16, Potiker Theatre; “Dirty Martini” by Katie Do and “Nerve Endings” by Quentin Nguyen-duy (presented together), 7 p.m. May 9 (preview), 2 and 7:30 p.m. May 10, 7:30 p.m. May 13 and 15, 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 9-10, 7:30 p.m. May 15, 2 p.m. May 17, Shank Theatre. $20. theatre.ucsd.edu/performances-and-events/theatre-performances
• “A Night with the Classics” features 16-year-old pianist Joe Khoury performing at 7 p.m. Friday, May 9, at the La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. Free. ljcommunitycenter.org/specialevents
• Author Laura Day discusses her book “The Prism” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 9, at Warwick’s bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $32 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/laura-day-2025
• The La Jolla Music Society presents bilingual dance band Lucky Diaz at 10 and 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 10, at The JAI at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. The concert is intended for children ages 3-8. The band won the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Children’s Music Album with “Brillo, Brillo!” $33-$43. theconrad.org/events/lucky-diaz
• The VAPA Foundation, which promotes arts education in the San Diego Unified School District, presents its “Beyond Brilliance” gala at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at the Epstein Family Amphitheater at UC San Diego, 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla. The event will feature performances including dance, musical theater, mariachi and a student orchestra. A VIP reception at 5:30 p.m. will include champagne and a Broadway-style musical performance. $250-$325. vapafoundation.org/beyond-brilliance
• The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center hosts the play “Something Rotten!” by the JCompany Youth Theatre May 10-18 at the Garfield Theatre, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. $22-$29. lfjcc.org/cjc/jco_youth_theatre.aspx
• La Jolla authors Anthony and Christina Adams, who write as A.C. Adams, sign their book “Chasing Shadows” from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 11, at Warwick’s bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. warwicks.com/event/adams-2025
• Musical group Chanticleer performs at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 11, at St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 743 Prospect St., La Jolla. $20-$65. StJamesMusicSeries.com
• The La Jolla Book Club meets at 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 12, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. May’s book is “The Elephant Whisperer” by Lawrence Anthony. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/la-jolla-book-club-406449
• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents the New Orford String Quartet in a chamber music concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 12, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. $15-$60. ljathenaeum.org/events/chamber-2025-0512
• Author Joy Callaway discusses her book “The Star of Camp Greene” in conversation with Rachel McMillan via Zoom in an event presented by Warwick’s bookstore in La Jolla at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 13. Free. warwicks.com/event/joy-callaway-2025
• The Jewish Federation of San Diego presents comedian Yohay Sponder at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, at the Mandeville Auditorium at UC San Diego, 9390 Mandeville Lane, La Jolla. Free. jewishinsandiego.org/event/holy-land-unholy-comedy-ft-yohay-sponder
• 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
• 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 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 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
• “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 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
• 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 Talk of the Town: Casablanca,” the annual benefit for the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, is set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The evening will feature food, an open bar, music, dancing and art themed to the 1940s film “Casablanca.” $250. bit.ly/42LQyGY
• 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. The exhibit’s speaker series will present Marcia Wollner on “March of the Living” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, at the library. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/ruth-exhibit-program-418125
• 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 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
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. ♦
