Best Bets: A quick guide to La Jolla entertainment and experiences The La Jolla Light presents this continuing listing of local in-person events and online activities. Lectures & learning • The Pen to Paper writing class is offered at 1 p.m. Thursdays at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. The weekly class is open to writers 18 and older of all experience levels. Free. (858) 552-1657 • The La Jolla Community Center presents “A Better Understanding of Border Issues” at 3 p.m. Wednesdays, May 8, 15, 22 and 29 at 6811 La Jolla Blvd. as part of the center’s Peer Learning Collaborative . The discussions, facilitated by John Holbrooke, who is retired from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, will be followed by drinks and appetizers. $15 for the four-week course for Community Center members, $35 for non-members. ljcommunitycenter.org/plc • UC San Diego presents the discussion “India’s Economy in the Next Quarter Century: Opportunities and Challenges” from 2 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9, in the Malamud Conference Room, 9899 International Lane, La Jolla. Free, though registration is required. bit.ly/44lhCw4 • Yiddishland California offers the Stronger Together Support Group for those feeling sadness, grief, anxiety or other emotions over the Israel-Hamas war. Professional mental health care and lifestyle coach Harpal Khalsa will lead a session from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, May 13, in La Jolla and on Zoom. A $5-$15 donation is requested. More information will be provided upon registration. yiddishlandcalifornia.org/stronger-together-support-group • The UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy presents “A Conversation on the Bipartisan Future of Climate Policy” at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 16, in the Malamud Conference Room, 9899 International Lane, La Jolla. The discussion will focus on author Benji Backer’s book “The Conservative Environmentalist: Common Sense Solutions for a Sustainable Future.” Free. bit.ly/4aX9DaQ Arts & culture • Yiddishland California presents guided tours of its art gallery at noon daily except Saturdays through May 2 at Hillel of San Diego at UCSD, 9009 La Jolla Scenic Drive North, La Jolla. $5. yiddishlandcalifornia.org/tour • Author Caroline Leavitt discusses her book “Days of Wonder” at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 2, via Zoom in an event presented by Warwick’s bookstore in La Jolla. Free. warwicks.com/event/leavitt-2024 • Arthur and His Knights perform their country-Western show from 4 to 7 pm. Friday, May 3, at Hennessey’s Tavern, 7811 Herschel Ave., La Jolla. Free. (858) 551-8772 • The La Jolla Music Society presents composer and guitarist Kaki King performing a show about the world of bugs at 10 and 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 4, at The JAI at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. $23-$33. theconrad.org/events/kaki-king-bugs • Author Kerry Nichols discusses her book “Puppy Brain” at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 4, in La Jolla. The address will be provided upon purchase of a ticket. $45, including a signed book copy, tacos and a $10 donation to the nonprofit First Responder Therapy Dogs. bit.ly/4byVvVx • La Jolla Presbyterian Church hosts its annual “Gifts of the HeArt” art show at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 5, at 7715 Draper Ave. The event will include food. Free. ljpres.org • The La Jolla Music Society presents the Junction Trio at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave. $48-$63. theconrad.org/events/junction-trio • Le Salon de Musiques presents music by Russian composers Tchaikovsky, Korsakov, Rachmaninoff and Gretchaninoff at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at the La Jolla Woman’s Club, 7791 Draper Ave. The concert will be introduced by musicologist Michael Gerdes, and a Q&A with the musicians and a buffet with French champagne will follow the performance. $45-$95. (310) 498-0257, lesalondemusiques.com • Mainly Mozart and Promotora de las Bellas Artes present “The Sea Unites Us — Music for Our Coast” at 5 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. The concert is part of the Binational Resilience Initiative that aims to generate a program of environmental and coastal activities with an artistic approach aimed at youths and their families. Free. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/the-sea-unites-us • The La Jolla Music Society presents violinist Joshua Bell and pianist Peter Dugan at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 6, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave., in a concert to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center. $100-$250. theconrad.org/events/joshua-bell-conrad-anniversary • Author Tommy Orange discusses his book “Wandering Stars” in conversation with Jeniffer Thompson at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, via Zoom in an event presented by Warwick’s bookstore in La Jolla. warwicks.com/event/orange-2024 • Author Doris Kearns Goodwin discusses her book “An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $38-$68. theconrad.org/events/23-24-live-talks-los-angeles • The Christopher Hollyday Quartet plays at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, in the Wu Tsai QRT.yrd at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. Free. theconrad.org/events/qrt-yrd-hollyday • Warwick’s bookstore presents author John J. Gobbell discussing his book “Danger’s Ebb” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $17.99 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/gobbell-2024 • The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego hosts its 2024 art auction from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 10, at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. The auction will feature pieces from artists such as John Baldessari, Robert Rauschenberg, Kelly Akashi and Elliott Hundley. $150-$300. mcasd.org/events/art-auction-2024 • The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library and San Diego New Music present The Sound of Community at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 10, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. Woodwinds performer, pianist and conductor Ellen Weller will lead musicians and the audience in an interactive performance of “1918.” $12-$25. ljathenaeum.org/events/sdnm-2024-0510 • The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center presents the exhibit “Documenting History Through Art: The Life and Art of David Labkovski” through Friday, May 10, at 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. Free. (858) 457-3030 • The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center hosts its fifth annual Community Arts Open House from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. The event at the home of the La Jolla Music Society will feature classes, arts and crafts, performances and other activities, as well as an exhibit of works by students in La Jolla High School’s Advanced Placement art program. Free, but registration is recommended at theconrad.org . • La Jolla Symphony and Villa Musica present Link Up — The Orchestra Sings at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla. Link Up, a program of Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute, pairs orchestras with students in grades 3-5 at schools in their communities to explore orchestral repertoire through a hands-on music curriculum. Students compose and perform their own pieces inspired by the repertoire studied. Then they attend a culminating concert in which they sing and play recorder or violin with the orchestra from their seats. The concert is free and open to the public. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/link-up-the-orchestra-sings-2 • The What Next Collective presents the debut staged reading of “Good Girls and Badassery” at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at the La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. The ensemble performance will explore womanhood through a series of vignettes. $10 suggested donation. whatnextcollective.com • The La Jolla Book Club meets at 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 13, in the Community Room at the La Jolla/Riford Library, sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/la-jolla-book-club-314495 • Warwick’s bookstore presents author Ruth Reichl discussing her book “The Paris Novel” at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 13, at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free (paid reserved seating is closed). warwicks.com/event/reichl-2024 • The La Jolla/Riford Library and Kite Flite present the kite exhibit “Up Up & Away” through Monday, May 13, in the Community Room at the library, 7555 Draper Ave. (858) 552-1657 • Author Linda Moore discusses her book “Five Days in Bogota” at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, in a book launch presented by Warwick’s bookstore in La Jolla. The event address will be provided upon registration. $18.95, including a signed book copy. warwicks.com/event/moore-2024 • The Comedy Store presents a show to benefit the nonprofit Foster the Earth at 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, at 916 Pearl St., La Jolla. Foster the Earth provides hiking and backpacking experiences for youths in foster care. Comedians Jason Rogers, John Campanelli, Brett Dodenhoff, Sal Mascali, Clay Klayman and Pamela Wardrip will perform. $20, plus a two-drink minimum. showclix.com/event/american-me-lj-221-xj358kq • The La Jolla Library Poetry Group meets at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. The group meets the third Thursday of every month for an opportunity to read and share poems you have written. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/la-jolla-library-poetry-group-22 • The La Jolla Music Society presents Pablo Ferrández at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave. $56-$88. theconrad.org/events/pablo-ferrandez-cello • Warwick’s bookstore presents author Mona Awad discussing her book “Rouge” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $18.95 for a reserved seat and paperback book copy. warwicks.com/event/awad-2024 • The 2024 Axline Lecture featuring sculptor and painter Daniel Lind-Ramos begins at 6 p.m. Friday, May 17, at Jacobs Hall at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. Lind-Ramos’ artwork is included in MCASD’s exhibition “Forecast Form: Art in the Caribbean Diaspora, 1990s-Today” through July 28. The lecture is free for museum members, $5-$15 for non-members. mcasd.org/events/axline-lecture-daniel-lind-ramos • John Beasley and the Next Generation perform theconrad.org/events/charles-friends • UC San Diego’s Theatre and Dance Department presents the Wagner New Play Festival through Saturday, May 18, at various venues. The annual showcase this year features five original plays by graduating master of fine arts students. $10-$20. bit.ly/3UDTj9v • The Martin Lawrence Gallery presents “Energy Orchestration,” an exhibit by Robert Standish , through Monday, May 20, at 1152 Prospect St., La Jolla. martinlawrence.com • The La Jolla Community Center presents its 2024 Fourth Friday Jazz Series with monthly concerts through October at 6811 La Jolla Blvd. All concerts begin at 8 p.m., with a pre-show reception at 7 p.m. Upcoming performers are guitarist Peter Sprague on Friday, May 24, flutist Lori Bell on Friday, June 28, singer Melissa Morgan on Friday, July 26, singer Rose Mallett on Friday, Aug. 23, flutist Holly Hofmann on Friday, Sept. 27, and trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos on Friday, Oct. 25. $25-$35. ljcommunitycenter.org/ffjs • The La Jolla Historical Society presents “Order/Disorder: Belonging in Nature” lajollahistory.org • The Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego presents “Synaptic Sculpture,” the first U.S. solo show by La Jolla resident and UC San Diego professor Pinar Yoldas , through Sunday, June 23, at 1439 El Prado in Balboa Park. $5-$10 suggested donation. icasandiego.org/art/pinar-yoldas-synaptic-sculpture • The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego presents “Forecast Form: Art in the Caribbean Diaspora, 1990s-Today” through Sunday, July 28, at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. The exhibition features an intergenerational group of artists who live and work across the Americas and Europe. mcasd.org • “Hold Fast,” an exhibit exploring San Diego’s kelp forests and climate change, runs until September at Birch Aquarium, 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla. The show features works of local photographer and marine scientist Oriana Poindexter, gyotaku prints created by artist Dwight Hwang and kelp forest mapping by Scripps Institution of Oceanography Ph.D. student Mohammad Sedarat. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through February and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, March 1, through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2. The exhibit is included with aquarium admission: $24.95 for adults, $19.95 for children ages 3-17. aquarium.ucsd.edu Galas & events • The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents its annual benefit gala “The Talk of the Town” at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 3, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. Guests are encouraged to dress in 1930s-style attire. $250-$1,000. ljathenaeum.org/tott • The 2024 La Jolla Mutt Strut is set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at the La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St. The event will include a scenic walk, dog contests, games and prizes, with all proceeds benefiting the Amazing Strays rescue organization. $10-$125. bit.ly/44ckgEm • The La Jolla Recreation Center offers a Parents Night Out event from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 17, to provide a place for children ages 6-12 to go while their parents take some alone time. The evening will include dinner, games, arts and crafts and more at 615 Prospect St. $35 per child. (858) 552-1658 • The La Jolla Historical Society presents the 25th annual beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 18. The event offers two options: a self-guided tour of six gardens that can be viewed in any order and a Platinum Tour that includes an exclusive seventh garden, plus transportation with a docent and lunch. Each garden will have musicians, plein air artists and dining table designs created by local florists and designers. In addition, the Secret Garden Party will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, May 17, at a La Jolla home. Tour tickets are $55-$155 ($10 off for Historical Society members). Party tickets are $115 before Saturday May 11, $85 when purchased with a Platinum Tour ticket. Secret Garden Tour lajollahistory.org/secret-garden-tour • The Shops at La Jolla Village presents “The Coastal Collective” featuring music and food on The Patio from noon to 2 p.m. Saturdays, May 18 and June 15, at 8801-8879 Villa La Jolla Drive. Free. theshopsatlajollavillage.com/events/the-coastal-collective Do you have an event — online or in person — that you’d like to see here? Email your leads to Rob Vardon at robert.vardon@lajollalight.com by noon Friday for publication in the following week’s edition. ◆
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