The La Jolla Light presents this continuing listing of local in-person events and online activities.
Lectures & learning
• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego hosts “Reflections: Changing Landscapes,” at 10 a.m. Fridays through Oct. 30 at MCASD’s Prebys Education Center, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. Reflections is an art-making workshop series for adults 55 and older. Each session includes gallery discussion, coffee, mingling time and an art-making activity. The full series costs $250 for members and $300 for non-members. mcasd.org/events/reflections-showcase-2026-3
• The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center presents podcast host Zibby Owens in “Next Chapter Please!” — a conversation about Jewish identity, resilience and storytelling — at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1 at 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. $15-21 for general admission, or $28-34 for general admission and a copy of the book. lfjcc.org/about/upcoming_events.aspx
• La Jolla Community Center’s Peer Learning Collaborative for October offers lectures on how to run a successful restaurant, 3 p.m. Thursdays from Oct. 8-22 at 6811 La Jolla Blvd. Free for members, or $20 for non-members. ljcommunitycenter.org/plc
• The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center presents “An Afternoon with Nili Margalit: Hero, Nurse and Survivor” at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11 at 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. $18. lfjcc.org/about/upcoming_events.aspx
• Birch Aquarium’s Aquarium Explorers Club for children ages 6-7 returns at 1 p.m. Sundays from Oct. 11 to Nov. 15 at 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla. The sessions are as follows: “Fishy Friends” on Oct. 11; “Magical Molluscs” on Oct. 18; “Sensational Sea Turtles” on Oct. 25; “Playful Penguins” on Nov. 1; “Marvelous Marine Mammals” on Nov. 8; and “Amazing Amphibians” on Nov. 15. $25 per session. aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/marine-science-club-aquarium-explorers-club-ages-6-7
• Birch Aquarium presents its 2026 Jeffrey B. Graham Perspectives on Ocean Science Lecture Series at 7 p.m. the second Monday of every month through Nov. 9 at 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla. The fall series coincides with the 25th anniversary of the founding of Scripps Institution of Oceanography’s Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation and will look at the center’s history and future vision. Topics include “Current Research, Future Impact: Student Perspectives of CMBC” on Oct. 12; and “Vision for a Thriving Ocean” on Nov. 9. Free for Birch Aquarium members or $12 for non-members. aquarium.ucsd.edu
• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents Sameer Patel as he delivers a lecture, “The Podium and Beyond: Demystifying the Art of Conducting” 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 1008 Wall St. Patel is the music director and orchestra conductor of the La Jolla Symphony & Chorus. $13 for students, $37 for members and $47 for non-members. ljathenaeum.org/events/sameer-patel-1013
Ongoing exhibitions
• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents its 2026 art exhibitions at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The remaining schedule is: 34th annual Juried Exhibition, on view through Oct. 9; and works by Sylvia Fernandez, with an opening reception 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16. ljathenaeum.org/upcoming-exhibitions
• Quint Gallery presents “Christine Lee: By Hand,” through Oct. 10 at 7722 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The exhibition includes weavings using materials like cotton, wool, and copper wire; and hand-stacked wall compositions built from painted shims. quintgallery.com
• La Jolla Presbyterian Church’s art gallery presents its latest exhibition, “Pilgrimage” by painter Lori Mills, on view 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 8 at 7715 Draper Ave. with the access point on Eads Ave. The exhibition predominantly features images of the Camino de Santiago in Spain.
• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego showcases its newest exhibition, “Visiones Nocturnas: Queer Nightlife in Contemporary Art,” through Jan. 10 at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. A free “Focused Narratives” public tour will take place at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, starting at MCASD’s Browar Lobby. mcasd.org/exhibitions/visiones-nocturnas
• The Museum of History and Culture La Jolla, formerly known as the La Jolla Historical Society, presents its newest exhibition, “Scientific Art of Historic Preservation,” through Sunday, Jan. 31 at 780 Prospect St. This new exhibition gives visitors a look at the process behind saving historic places. mhclajolla.org/events-calendar
Art & film
• The Museum of History and Culture La Jolla, formerly known as the La Jolla Historical Society, presents La Jolla Modernism & Architecture Week Friday, Oct. 2 to Sunday, Oct. 11 at numerous locations. The yearly event offers guests access to private modernist homes and landmark architecture. Events include an evening soiree on Friday, Oct. 2 featuring music, wine, savory bites and a tour of a private modernist residence at a yet-to-be-announced location; the La Jolla Modernism Tour on Saturday, Oct. 3 with viewings of a selection of privately owned mid-century modern residence; and a “Discover the Story of Scripps Institution of Oceanography” lecture on Saturday, Oct. 10. Several ticket options are available, with members receiving 20% off their ticket purchase. mhclajolla.org/la-jolla-modernism-home-tour
Viola Davis will receive the Gregory Peck Award for Cinematic Excellence at the San Diego International Film Festival’s Night of the Stars Tribute this month. (AB+DM)
• The San Diego International Film Festival runs from Tuesday, Oct. 13 to Sunday, Oct. 18 at various locations including La Jolla. It kicks off with the Night of the Stars Tribute at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center at 7600 Fay Ave. in La Jolla on Tuesday, Oct. 13, honoring Viola Davis with the Gregory Peck Award for Cinematic Excellence. The opening night film, “The Debut,” will also be shown at The Lot movie theater at 7611 Fay Ave. in La Jolla on Wednesday, Oct. 15, followed by four full days of screenings. Three ticket packages are available: a VIP pass package for $575, a full festival pass package for $375 and a weekend pass for $250. Individual tickets are available for the Night of the Stars Tribute at $185 for general admission and $250 for VIP, and for the opening night premiere and party at the Lot for $85. sdfilmfest.com
Music & dance
• Camarada presents its 32nd season of live performances, “Out of this World,” in matinee and evening shows from Sunday, Oct. 4 to Tuesday, Feb. 23 at various locations including The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. The La Jolla shows are as follows: “Time Traveler” on Saturday, Nov. 14; “Charlie Brown Jingles & Jazz” on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 19 and 20; “Where Beauty Persists” on Saturday, Jan. 23; “The Art of Tango III” on Wednesday, Feb. 27; and “The Wild Blue” on Sunday, April 25. Tickets range between $25-110 depending on the room. camarada.org
• The 2026-2027 season of Le Salon de Musiques runs 4 p.m. the second Sunday of the month from Oct. 4 to June 6 at the La Jolla Woman’s Club at 7791 Draper Ave. The lineup is as follows: music by Schubert, Beethoven and Ferdinand Hiller on Oct. 4; music by Robert and Clara Schumann, and Woldemar Bargiel on Nov. 8; music by Mozart, Samuel Barber and Schubert on Dec. 6; music by Richard Wagner, Joachim Raff and Robert Schumann on Jan. 10; music by Edvard Grieg, Felix Mendelssohn and Henry Litolff on Feb. 7; music by Henri Duparc, Reynaldo Hahn, Camille Saint-Saens and Fernand de la Tombelle on March 7; music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Nikolai Myaskovsky and Juliusz Zarebeski on April 4; music by Johannes Brahms, Ottorino Respighi and Arthur Foote on May 2; and music by Robert Schumann, Louise Farrenc and Mendelssohn on June 6. $120 per concert ($69 for students); $432 for four-show package; $864 for full-season subscription. lesalondemusiques.com
• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents its 2026-2027 Barbara and William Karatz Chamber Concert Series on select Mondays from Oct. 5 to April 19 at the Athenaeum’s Joan & Irwin Jacobs Music Room at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The shows are as follows: Johnny Gandelsman on Oct. 5; Valencia Baryton Project on Nov. 16; Baumer Quartet with Kate Hatmaker and Alex Greenbaum on Jan. 10; Sophie Shao and John Blacklow on March 1; Owls on April 5; and Formosa Quartet on April 19. Individual tickets are $18 for students, $62 for members and $67 for non-members. Series tickets are $110 for students, $329 for members, $360 for non-members. ljathenaeum.org/events/chamber-series-2026-2027
• La Jolla Music Society and Art of Elan presents string quartet Brooklyn Rider at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6 at the JAI within the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center at 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $38-58. theconrad.org/events/art-of-elan-brooklyn-rider
• La Jolla Music Society presents Joyce DiDonato & Time for Three’s “Emily — No Prisoner Be” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8 at The Baker-Baum Concert Hall within the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $70-124. theconrad.org/events/didonato-time-for-three
• ArtPower and Le Patin Libre present “Melt” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8 at UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. “Melt” blends movement, theater, and live music to tell a story about a scorching post-apocalyptic world without ice or music in which two skaters survive on what remains: humor, love and each other. $30-55. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/le-patin-libre
• ArtPower presents the Punch Brothers band at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 at UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. The show will feature music from the band’s first all-instrumental album, “The Unsung Adventures of Punch Brothers.” $31-81. artpower.ucsd.edu/event/punch-brothers
The Poiesis Quartet is set to perform at The Conrad Prebys Performing Art Center’s Baker-Baum Concert Hall at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11. The quartet won first prize in the 2025 Banff International String Quartet Competition in Canada. (La Jolla Music Society)
• La Jolla Music Society presents the Poiesis Quartet at 3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 11 at The Baker-Baum Concert Hall within the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. A pre-show interlude will be hosted at The JAI within the center at 2 p.m. $40-77. theconrad.org/events/poiesis-quartet
• ArtPower and Contra-Tiempo: Activist Dance Theater presents “Roots of Loving Us” at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 16 at UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. The world-premiere dance work explores what it means to create, sustain, and redefine family in the 21st Century. $30-55. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/contra-tiempo-activist-dance-theater
Books
• Author Tania Lombrozo discusses and signs her new book, “Why We Ask Why: The Science of Explanation and the Human Drive to Understand” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1 at Warwick’s bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $30 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/lombrozo-2026
• Warwick’s bookstore presents author Cassandra Vieten as she discusses and signs her new book, “Imagine That” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $29 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/vieten-2026
• Author Miriam Pawel discusses and signs her book, “California Dreams: The Making and Remaking of the University of California” with University of California’s Board of Regents chair Maria Anguiano at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13 at Warwick’s bookstore at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $32 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/pawel-2026
• Warwick’s bookstore presents author Lisa Cheek as she discusses and signs her new book, “The Big Day: Saying ‘I Do’ Only to Discover I Didn’t,” alongside writer and writing coach Tracy J. Jones at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $19 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/cheek-2026
• Author Donna Miscolta discusses and signs her new book, “Ofelia and Norma” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15 at Warwick’s bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $21 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/miscolta-2026
Theater
The cast for La Jolla Playhouse’s current production, “A Black-billed Cuckoo.” (La Jolla Playhouse)
• La Jolla Playhouse presents its newest world-premiere play, “A Black-billed Cuckoo,” through Oct. 11 at the Mandell Weiss Forum, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive. In the production, over 24 hours in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, a close-knit birding group is turned upside down when some of its members glimpse the rare and elusive black-billed cuckoo and others don’t. $30-74. lajollaplayhouse.org/show/a-black-billed-cuckoo
Galas & events
• Artists Paula McColl, Cherry Sweig and Ann Craig host “The Artful Masketeer’s Studio Sale Fundraiser” 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 11 at the St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church gallery at 743 Prospect St., La Jolla. Proceeds from the event will go Bodhi Tree Concerts and Episcopal Community Services. The first 60 guests will receive embellished Venetian masks. sjbts.org
• The La Jolla Woman’s Club hosts the League of Women Voters of San Diego as it offers a nonpartisan breakdown of items on state, county and local propositions, measures and initiatives at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 7791 Draper Ave. Light appetizers provided. lajollawomansclub.org
• The Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa hosts its final 2026 Tea in the Garden installment, “A Curious Mad Hatter Tea Party,” from 12-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18 at 9700 North Torrey Pines Road. $75 per person. eventbrite.com/e/tea-in-the-garden-series-tickets-1982386840404?aff=erellivmlt
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.