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. Thursday, May 22, at the La Jolla Community Center at 6811 La Jolla Blvd. as part of the Peer Learning Collaborative. The topic will be “How Can We Repair Our Ecosystems?” Free for Community Center , $35 for non-. ljcommunitycenter.org/plc
• “Explore the World of Ladino,” an intermediate course on Ladino, or Judeo-Spanish, language through readings of early-20th-century novels published in Turkey and post-Ottoman countries, is presented from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays, June 3 through July 8, online. $300. yiddishlandcalifornia.org/ladino-judeo-spanish
• “Resisting Microaggressions Through Claudio Rankine’s Micronarratives” is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. Paola Capó-García, San Diego’s poet laureate for 2025-27, will facilitate a reading and discussion of Rankine’s 2014 book “Citizen: An American Lyric” to explore racism and the concept of microaggressions. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/paola
• 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 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 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 Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents its “Acoustic Evenings” series Fridays through June 6 in the Joan & Irwin Jacobs Music Room, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. performers are: 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 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 Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is displaying “Memories of an American Past,” featuring works from MCASD’s permanent collection, at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. The exhibit highlights installations by Vito Acconci and Gary Simmons, along with works by Amy Adler, Terry Allen, Sadie Barnette, Rafael Canogar, Allan Sekula and William E. Jones. mcasd.org/about/press/memories-of-an-american-past
• 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 UCSD Bach Ensemble performs Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” at 4 p.m. Friday, May 30, in the Community Room at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/sd-early-music-society-concert-451353
• 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
• “Ballet by the Sea” is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, June 1, at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. The event will feature a performance, food and fundraising for City Ballet of San Diego. $100-$1,175. cityballet.org/events/fundraiser
• 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
• The La Jolla Music Society presents Tres Souls, a vintage boleros group, at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 1, at The JAI at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. $57-$83. theconrad.org/events/tres-souls
• Warwick’s bookstore presents author Julie Clark discussing her book “The Ghostwriter” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 3, at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $27.99 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/clark-2025
• The 2025 Athenaeum Jazz Summer Series begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 5, and runs through Saturday, June 21, in the Joan & Irwin Jacobs Music Room at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla, and at Scripps Research Auditorium, 10620 John Jay Hopkins Drive, La Jolla. The performers are: June 5, Sasha Berliner Quartet; June 11, Gillian Margot and Geoffrey Keezer; June 16, Dave Holland and Lionel Loueke; June 21, Melissa Aldana Quartet. $50-$208. ljathenaeum.org/jazz
• The San Diego Public Library’s Summer Reading Program presents music by Ralph’s World for children at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 6, in the Community Room at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. Free. bit.ly/43L5Ifh
• The La Jolla Symphony & Chorus presents “Elijah’s Triumph,” a performance of Felix Mendelssohn’s “Elijah,” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 7, and 2 p.m. Sunday, June 8, at UC San Diego’s Mandeville Auditorium, 9390 Mandeville Lane, La Jolla. $20-$45. ljsc.org/elijah
• 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
• La Jolla Playhouse presents the Tony Award-winning play “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” written by Jocelyn Bioh and directed by Whitney White, 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’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
• The Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival, commonly known as JFest, runs through Monday, June 30, including concerts, theater events, discussions and a comedy show. Several events are in La Jolla. $25-$80. sdjfest.org
• 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
• “An 80th Celebration of the Jewish Community Center” is presented by the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Centers at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 31. The event will include food, drink, a concert and more. The location will be provided upon ticket purchase. $118-$180. givebutter.com/c/80thCelebration
• The Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa hosts a Tea in the Garden Series with a rotating lineup of themed afternoon high teas on Sundays, 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. ♦
