The La Jolla Light presents this continuing listing of local in-person events and online activities.
Lectures & learning
• Rabbi Susan Freeman guides “Death Over Dinner,” a discussion exploring death, grief and the soul, at 7 p.m. on a choice of three Thursdays, March 5, 12 or 19, at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. Dinner will be provided. $30 for Jewish Community Center members, $36 for non-members. my.lfjcc.org/16184/16185
• Birch Aquarium presents a Perspectives on Ocean Science Lecture with biogeochemist Julia Diaz discussing “Phosphorus: Essential for Life, from Phytoplankton to Food” at 7 p.m. Monday, March 9, at 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla. Free for aquarium members, $12 for non-members. aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/perspectives-lecture-series-march
• The Village Garden Club of La Jolla presents floral artist and designer Lewis Miller at a “Meet the Masters” event at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 12, at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar hotel, 5300 Grand Del Mar Court, Carmel Valley. $200, including lunch. Miller’s floral arrangements will be auctioned, with proceeds benefiting the garden club’s service projects. vgclj.com
• Local historian and University of San Diego professor Molly McClain speaks about “Beautifying La Jolla: Ellen Browning Scripps and the Preservation of Coast and Grove” from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. McClain will cover how Scripps’ philosophy shaped La Jolla, the Torrey Pines reserve and the character of San Diego’s coastal communities. Wine and light refreshments will be served. $40 for La Jolla Historical Society members, $55 for non-members. lajollahistory.org/mcclainlecture
• The La Jolla/Riford Library hosts the “Navigating Senior Life” lecture series from 10:30 a.m. to noon the fourth Friday of each month through August at 7555 Draper Ave. The remaining schedule is: March 27, “Simple Solutions to Safely Stay in Your Home”; April 24, “Options for Those Living with Dementia”; May 22, “How to Pay for Senior Living”; June 26, “From Family Home to New Beginnings”; July 24, “Legal, Tax, Trust Maintenance”; Aug. 28, “Living & Dying with Dignity.” Free. Register at navigatingseniorlife.com.
Health & fitness
• The La Jolla Newcomers Club presents Saturday Morning Walkers at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 7, beginning at La Jolla Hermosa Park, 5780 Chelsea Ave., for a walk south to False Point and back. Afterward, those interested will go for coffee in Bird Rock. lajollanewcomers.org
• Clinical psychologist and meditation teacher Oded Shezifi discusses “Moses, Freud and the Buddha: Paths to Mindfulness and Mental Wellness” at 10 a.m. Tuesdays, March 10, 17 and 24, at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. $36 for the series for Jewish Community Center members, $45 for non-members. my.lfjcc.org/15684/15685
Art & film
• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego presents works that will be featured in the museum’s Art Auction in an exhibition through Sunday, March 8, at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. About 60 pieces are on display, including paintings, sculptures and works on paper. The Art Auction will be at 6 p.m. Friday, March 6. mcasd.org/exhibitions/2026-art-auction
• The La Jolla Art Association presents a new artist reception and exhibition at the La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. The reception will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 7. The exhibition runs through March and features paintings and photography by members of the association. Free. lajollaartassociation.org
Works by artist Richard Allen Morris will be on display March 7-31 at R.B. Stevenson Gallery in La Jolla. (R.B. Stevenson Gallery)
• R.B. Stevenson Gallery hosts “Jazz at Midnight,” a selection of paintings and mixed media works by artist Richard Allen Morris from Saturday, March 7, to Tuesday, March 31, at 7661 Girard Ave., La Jolla. An opening reception will be from 5 to 8 p.m. March 7. The exhibit will feature works from Morris’ six decades of art. rbstevensongallery.com/pages/current_exhibitions.html
• Los Angeles-based artist Joey Terrill delivers the 2026 Russell Lecture in collaboration with the Visual Arts Department at UC San Diego at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at Jacobs Hall at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. Free to $15. mcasd.org/events/russell-lecture-joey-terrill
• “A Decade of Pop Prints and Multiples, 1962 to 1972: The Frank Mitzel Collection” runs through Sunday, March 15, at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. The exhibit marks the public debut of Mitzel’s gift to the museum of more than 60 pop art prints he collected over three decades. It includes works by Peter Blake, Richard Hamilton, Gerald Laing, Joe Tilson and more. mcasd.org
• The seventh annual Blue Water Film Festival is scheduled for Thursday through Sunday, March 19-22, with many events in La Jolla. The festival will showcase features, shorts and animated film with a focus on water, environment, innovation and human impact. An opening reception March 19 will include two short films, “Guardians of the Wild” and “Love Birds,” and the feature-length documentary “Wealth Untold” at the Scripps Seaside Forum, 8606 Kennel Way, La Jolla. Other events screenings will be at The Lot La Jolla, La Jolla/Riford Library, La Jolla Shores, Mangelsen Images of Nature Gallery and more, and a presentation of “Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story” will be held at the La Valencia Hotel. bluewaterfilmfestival.org
• Quint Gallery presents “Electrospectrum,” an art exhibition featuring works by Roman de Salvo, through Saturday, May 23, at 7655 Girard Ave., La Jolla. A reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 20. Free. quintgallery.com/exhibitions/264-roman-de-salvo-electrospectrum
• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents its 2026 art exhibitions at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The schedule is: “Dar(r)en Bader,” now through Saturday, April 25, pairing artists Daren and Darren Bader; Coralys Carter and May-ling Martinez, opening reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 1, and continuing through Saturday, July 25; 34th annual Juried Exhibition, opening reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 31, and continuing through Saturday, Oct. 10; and Sylvia Fernandez, opening reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, and continuing through Saturday, Jan. 2, 2027. ljathenaeum.org/upcoming-exhibitions
• UC San Diego’s Mandeville Art Gallery debuts the exhibition “Faith Ringgold: Full Circle — The Teachings and Her Legacy” through Friday, May 1, at 9390 Mandeville Lane, La Jolla. The show traces the life and career of Ringgold, who introduced Black women’s pictorial, narrative and craft traditions. She was a UCSD visual arts professor from 1984 to 2002. Free. mandevilleartgallery.ucsd.edu/exhibitions/faith-ringgold.html
• The La Jolla Historical Society’s “Space Maker,” an exhibit featuring a blend of historical and contemporary pieces by local artists highlighting wide-ranging interpretations of form, geometry, color and place, continues through Sunday, June 7, at 780 Prospect St. Free. lajollahistory.org/space-maker
Music & dance
• The La Jolla Community Center hosts three classes about bluegrass music from 3 to 4 p.m. Thursdays, March 5, 12 and 19, at 6811 La Jolla Blvd. The series is presented by the San Diego Bluegrass Society as part of the Community Center’s Peer Learning Collaborative. Refreshments will follow each session. Participants are encouraged to bring an instrument. The series is free for Community Center members, $20 for non-members. 858-459-0831. A series of Peer Learning Collaborative discussions about Balboa Park previously scheduled for March has been postponed to April.
• The Chucho Valdés & Arturo Sandoval Legacy Quintet performs Afro-Cuban jazz at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. A waiting list is available at theconrad.org/events/valdes-sandoval.
• Le Salon de Musiques presents “Molto Romantico,” a chamber concert with music by Schumann and Noskowski at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 8, at the La Jolla Woman’s Club, 7791 Draper Ave. The performers will be tenor Jon Lee Keenan, violinist Agatha Blevin, violist Jonah Sirota, cellist Sarah Kim and pianist Irene Kim. Musicologist Adam Gilbert will speak before the concert, and it will be followed by an audience Q&A with the musicians and a high tea buffet with French champagne. $69-$120. lesalondemusiques.com
• The Bad Plus, featuring Chris Potter, Craig Taborn, Reid Anderson and Dave King, performs at 5:30 and 8 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at The JAI at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. The jazz ensemble will revisit the repertoire of Keith Jarrett’s American Quartet. $86-$100. theconrad.org/events/bad-plus
• The La Jolla Music Society presents the lecture series “Music 101” from 2 to 3 p.m. the last Tuesday of each month through May (except for the third Tuesday in March) in The JAI at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. Michael Gerdes, director of orchestras at San Diego State University, leads the lectures. The remaining schedule is: March 17, “The Long and Winding Road: Music Takes Form”; April 28, “Purple Rain: Color as the Joy of Listening”; and May 26, “Go Your Own Way: After Sonata Form.” Free. Register at theconrad.org/events.
• The La Jolla Music Society stages its outdoor Wu Tsai QRT.yrd Concert Series at the Conrad Prebys Performing Center from Wednesday, March 18, to Wednesday, May 27 at 7600 Fay Ave. Here is the schedule: 4:30 p.m. March 18, Besos Jazz Trio; 4:30 p.m. April 10, Brian Levy Quartet; 4:30 p.m. April 22, Bobby Cressey; 4:30 p.m. May 15, Ali Paris; 4:30 p.m. May 27, Rebecca Jade. Free. theconrad.org
• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents its Athenaeum Jazz Winter Series with concerts in the Joan & Irwin Jacobs Music Room, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The remaining schedule is: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, Tord Gustavsen Trio; 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 23, Immanuel Wilkins Quartet. $53 per concert for Athenaeum members, $58 for non-members. 858-454-5872. ljathenaeum.org/jazz
• San Diego Baroque presents its 2025-26 Bach’s Lunch Concert Series at 12:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month through May 6 at St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 743 Prospect St., La Jolla. Upcoming performances are: April 1, Vivaldi Stabat Mater; May 6, works based on Shakespeare and Cervantes. Free. sdbaroque.com
• UC San Diego music professor Steven Schick has organized a series of public concerts on campus highlighting what he considers the most important threads of his tenure at the La Jolla university. The remaining schedule is: “The Solo Percussion Music of Roger Reynolds,” 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, Conrad Prebys Music Center Experimental Theater, 9410 Russell Lane; The Arcades Festival, Sunday, May 17, time to be announced, Conrad Prebys Music Center; “Sonic Explorations,” 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, Conrad Prebys Music Center Experimental Theater. music-web.ucsd.edu/concerts
Books
• Author Sujata Massey discusses her book “The Star from Calcutta” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, at Warwick’s bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $29.95 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/massey-2026
Rachel Hochhauser will discuss her book “Lady Tremaine” on Wednesday, March 11, at Warwick’s bookstore in La Jolla. (Warwick’s)
• Warwick’s bookstore presents author Rachel Hochhauser as she discusses her book “Lady Tremaine” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $29 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/hochhauser-2026
Warwick’s bookstore in La Jolla will host author Sara Vladic on Thursday, March 12. (Warwick’s)
• Author Sara Vladic discusses her book “The Dangerous Shore” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at Warwick’s bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $42 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/vladic-2026
• Shari Alyse and Felicia Rangel discuss their book “Joy Unleashed” at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 16, at Warwick’sbookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $19.99 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/alyse-2026
• Warwick’s bookstore presents “Booked for Lunch” with author Cynthia d’Aprix Sweeney, whose latest book is “Lake Effect,” at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, March 18, at a location near Warwick’s. warwicks.com/event/booked-sweeney-2026
• Author Andrew Curran discusses his book “Biography of a Dangerous Idea” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at Warwick’s bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $39.99 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/curran-2026
• Melisa Moore, author of “The Good Sleep Guide for Neurodivergent Kids,” discusses her book at 7:30 p.m.Thursday, March 19, at Warwick’s bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $19.95 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/moore-2026
Theater
• La Jolla Playhouse presents the world-premiere play “The Recipe” through Sunday, March 22, at the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive. The production, written by Claudia Shear, directed by Lisa Peterson and starring Christina Kirk and Norbert Leo Butz, follows the story of famed chef, author and TV personality Julia Child. $77-$124. lajollaplayhouse.org/show/the-recipe
Galas & events
• The La Jolla/Riford Library hosts “Spring into STEAM: A Virtual Reality Illusions & Wizardry Workshop” from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 7, at 7555 Draper Ave. The event will enable children ages 9-12 to explore optical illusions by experimenting with magnifying glasses and mirrors to bend light, create effects and use Oculus Quest VR headsets to brew potions, mix chemistry compounds and conjure creations. Free, though registration is required. bit.ly/4bYAM0F
• The La Jolla Historical Society and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego present the inaugural event of the “Growing Together” series of community activities from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 8, at the Historical Society’s Wisteria Cottage, 780 Prospect St., and MCASD’s Prebys Learning Center, 700 Prospect St. The event will include art making, circus arts and performances, vendor booths, a taco truck and lawn games. Free. lajollahistory.org, mcasd.org/events/play-day-3-8
• The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center hosts the 25th annual Kyoto Prize Symposium Gala at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, at 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. The event will honor 2025 Kyoto Prize laureates Shun-ichi Amari in advanced technology, Azim Surani in basic sciences and Carol Gilligan in arts and philosophy. Proceeds will help fund Kyoto Prize Symposium scholarships for high school students and youth outreach efforts. $400. theconrad.org/events/kyoto-prize-annual-benefit-gala
• The La Jolla/Riford Library hosts “Remember 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, June 28, at 7555 Draper Ave. Free. bit.ly/49TLiDr
Guri Stark, a child of Holocaust survivors, will give a presentation about Holocaust art created by victims and survivors from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, in the library’s Community Room as part of the exhibition’s Speaker Series. Free. bit.ly/3OrmN9Q
• La Jolla Playhouse’s annual gala returns Saturday, March 21, celebrating the legacy of Christopher Ashley, who served as the playhouse’s artistic director from 2007 to 2025, and welcoming Jessica Stone as the new artistic director. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Mandell Weiss Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, and will include performances by Brian Stokes Mitchell and Milck. Proceeds will benefit the playhouse’s community engagement, military and learning programs. $1,500-$5,000. lajollaplayhouse.org/support/join-the-party/gala
Do you have an event — online or in person — that you’d like to see here? Email your leads to Noah Lyons at noah.lyons@lajollalight.com by noon Friday for publication in the following week’s edition. ♦