The La Jolla Light presents this continuing listing of local in-person events and online activities.
Lectures & learning
• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library concludes the art history lecture series “Art Deco: From Paris to New York, Los Angeles & Miami” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30. La Jolla resident and architectural historian Diane Kane will highlight the art deco style in Miami. $17-$22. ljathenaeum.org/events/kane-26-series
• The La Jolla Music Society hosts photographer David McLain as he presents “Blue Zones: Unlocking the Secrets to Longevity” at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 30, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave. $36-$56. theconrad.org/events/david-mclain-blue-zones
• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and Mashonda Tifrere present “Art As Breath — A Guided Audio Experience” from 2 to 4:30 p.m., Sunday, May 3, beginning at the museum’s entrance at 650 Coast Blvd. South. The event will feature an in-gallery tour, meditations, conversation and a reception. Register at mcasd.org/events/art-as-breath.
• The Peer Learning Collaborative for May focuses on three discussions of the criminal justice system in San Diego County from 3 to 4 p.m. Thursdays starting May 7 at the La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. The schedule is: May 7, the League of Women Voters of San Diego will share its findings from a year-long study of conditions in county jails; May 14, Eric Frank, clinical director of the San Diego County Mobile Crisis Response Team, will explain the team’s work; May 21, Wes Albers will talk about the work of the county Psychological Emergency Response Team. The series is free for Community Center members, $20 for non-members. Register at ljcommunitycenter.org/plc.
Author Martha Barnette will speak at a La Jolla Woman’s Club event on Saturday, May 9. (Ariana Drehsler)
• The La Jolla Woman’s Club presents “A Way With Words,” featuring author and public speaker Martha Barnette, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at 7791 Draper Ave. Register by emailing Michelle Dykstra at mdykstrasells@gmail.com.
• La Jolla-based My Working Soul presents a 90-minute interactive webinar called “The Art of Connection: Decode, Repair and Strengthen Relationships” from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Thursday, May 14, and 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 30. The online event is designed to offer simple, practical tools to help improve communication skills, reduce misunderstandings and strengthen everyday connections. $33. Register at myworkingsoul.com/the-art-of-connection.
• Tracy Drain, an aerospace engineer who works in deep space exploration at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, discusses “Cosmic Adventures” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 14, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. theconrad.org/events/tracy-drain-cosmic-adventures
• 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: 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 offers a Saturday Morning Walkers event beginning at 9:30 a.m. May 2 at the La Jolla Recreation Center at the corner of Draper Avenue and Prospect Street and continuing through the Olivetas and Dunemere neighborhoods. The walk will last an hour. Afterward, those interested can gather for coffee at a local cafe. lajollanewcomers.org
Art & film
• 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. A “Space Maker” tour with curator Miki Iwasaki will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 30. Free. Registration is recommended for the tour. lajollahistory.org/space-maker
• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents its 2026 art exhibitions at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The remaining schedule is: “Within the Context of Time,” featuring artists 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 showcases 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
• Tasende Gallery opens an exhibition of paintings and sculptures by artist Armando Romero with a reception and preview from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at 820 Prospect St., La Jolla. 858-454-3691, tasende@aol.com, tasendegallery.com
• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego showcases exhibitions curated through its Extended School Partnership from Thursdays to Sundays through May 17 in the museum’s Axline Court at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. Students from the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, Altus Schools’ North Park Resource Center, Hoover High School and The Bishop’s School created works exploring their developing relationship with art. A public opening event is scheduled for 4 to 6:30 p.m., Friday, May 8. Free with museum admission. mcasd.org/events/esp-spring-2026
• “Electrospectrum,” an art exhibition featuring works by Roman de Salvo, continues through Saturday, May 23, at Quint Gallery, 7655 Girard Ave., La Jolla.
• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego presents “Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys,” an exhibition consisting of more than 130 works of art and set to the soundtrack of Marvin Gaye, through Sunday, Aug. 9, at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. mcasd.org/exhibitions/giants
• The San Diego Art Directory presents “In Situ: La Jolla,” a curated installation placing original works by local artists inside Unscripted Spaces, a luxury interior design showroom at 7730 Girard Ave. The show runs through September. Free.
Music & dance
• The La Jolla Music Society welcomes musician Lucía at 5:30 and 8 p.m. Friday, May 1, at The JAI at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. $70-$75. theconrad.org/events/lucia
• Indie-folk fingerstyle guitarist Glenn Vanstrum performs at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. Free.
• The La Jolla Community Center hosts an Opera Night with soprano Anna Belaya, accompanied by pianist Michele Scanlon, at 6 p.m., Saturday, May 2, at 6811 La Jolla Blvd. Musical genres will range from opera and classical art songs to Mexican and Ukrainian popular songs. $60. ljcommunitycenter.org/specialevents
• Bach Collegium San Diego presents “Far Beyond the Skies: Bach, Telemann & the Gospel Tradition” at 7 p.m., Saturday, May 2, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $15.53-$72.45. theconrad.org/events/far-beyond-the-skies
• The La Jolla Symphony & Chorus presents “The Heavenly Life” conducted by Sameer Patel at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2, and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at the Mandeville Auditorium at UC San Diego, 9390 Mandeville Lane, La Jolla. $22-$49. ljsc.org/the-heavenly-life
• Five-time Grammy Award-winning musician Angélique Kidjo performs at 7 p.m., Sunday, May 3, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. Ticket holders will get access to a free prelude lecture from ethnomusicologist and performer Meghan Hynson. A waiting list is available at theconrad.org/events/angelique-kidjo.
• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents ensemble Artifex Consort for a chamber concert at 7:30 p.m., Monday, May 4, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The concert will be preceded by a talk at 6:45 p.m. $16-$63. ljathenaeum.org/events/chamber-2026-0504
• San Diego Baroque concludes its 2025-26 Bach’s Lunch Concert Series at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, at St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 743 Prospect St., La Jolla. The performance will feature works based on Shakespeare and Cervantes. Free. sdbaroque.com
• ArtPower presents singer-songwriter and bassist Meshell Ndegeocello at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, at UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. $20-$55. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/meshell-ndegeocello
• Pianist Hayato Sumino performs at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. The concert, melding classical technique with improvisational skills, is sold out, but a waiting list is available at theconrad.org/events/hayato-sumino. The show also will be livestreamed at The JAI adjacent to the concert hall. theconrad.org/events/livestream-the-jai-hayato-sumino
• The La Jolla Music Society stages its outdoor Wu Tsai QRT.yrd Concert Series at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center through May 27 at 7600 Fay Ave. The remaining schedule is: 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 15, Ali Paris; and 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, Rebecca Jade. Free. theconrad.org
• Le Salon de Musiques presents its eighth concert of the season at 4 p.m. Sunday May 17, at the La Jolla Woman’s Club, 7791 Draper Ave. The chamber music program will feature works by Schubert, Rossini and Hummel performed by the Webern String Quartet. The concert will be introduced by musicologist Kristi Brown-Montesano. A Q&A with the musicians and a high tea buffet with French champagne will follow. $69-$120. lesalondemusiques.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 Arcades Festival, Sunday, May 17, Conrad Prebys Music Center; “Sonic Explorations,” 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, Conrad Prebys Music Center Experimental Theater. music-web.ucsd.edu/concerts
• The La Jolla Music Society completes the lecture series “Music 101” from 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, in The JAI at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. Michael Gerdes, director of orchestras at San Diego State University, will discuss “Go Your Own Way: After Sonata Form.” Free. Register at theconrad.org/events.
• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library in La Jolla concludes the Athenaeum Jazz Spring Series at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, with the Peter Erskine Trio, Alan Pasqua and Scott Colley at the Athenaeum’s Joan & Irwin Jacobs Music Room, 1008 Wall St. $53-$58. ljathenaeum.org/events/jazz-26-spring-series
Books
• Warwick’s bookstore presents author Steven J. Ross discussing “The Secret War Against Hate: American Resistance to Antisemitism and White Supremacy” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30, at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $33 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/ross-2026
La Jolla resident Elle Jauffret will discuss her new book, “Cosplayed to Death,” on Sunday, May 3, at Warwick’s bookstore. (Provided by Elle Jauffret)
• La Jolla author Elle Jauffret talks about her book “Cosplayed to Death,” her second “A Suddenly French Mystery,” at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at Warwick’s bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free. warwicks.com/event/jauffret-2026
• Terence Keel discusses his book “The Coroner’s Silence: Death Records and the Hidden Victims of Police Violence” at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 4, at Warwick’s bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $32 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/keel-2026
• Warwick’s bookstore presents Sarah Federman discussing her book “Corporate Reckoning: How Businesses Can Address Historical Wrongs” in conservation with University of San Diego professor and author Ronald Niezen at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $35 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/federman-2026
• Author Laura Zigman discusses her book “The Author Weekend” in conservation with Mona Awad at 5 p.m. Monday, May 11, online in an event presented by Warwick’s bookstore in La Jolla. Free. warwicks.com/event/zigman-2026
Author Deborah Santana will appear at Warwick’s bookstore in La Jolla on Wednesday, May 13. (Warwick’s)
• Deborah Santana discusses her book “Loving the Fire: Choosing Me, Finding Freedom” in conservation with Ken Druck at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, at Warwick’s bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $30 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/santana-2026
Theater
• “Purpose,” winner of a Tony Award for best play and a Pulitzer Prize for drama in 2025, comes to the La Jolla Playhouse for its West Coast debut Tuesday, May 12, through Sunday, June 7, at the Mandell Weiss Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive. The show, written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and directed by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg, tells the story of an influential Chicago family. $30-$99. lajollaplayhouse.org/show/purpose
Galas & events
• The La Valencia Hotel’s annual Spring Tea series returns from 2 to 3 p.m. Fridays through May 1 at the hotel’s Mediterranean Room, 1132 Prospect St., La Jolla. In addition to tea, the event will include scones, quiche, tea sandwiches and seasonal pastries, along with a complimentary glass of bubbly. $95. lavalencia.com/events/la-jolla/spring-tea-at-la-valencia-11667542
• San Diego Opera presents its Opera Ball for All Cocktail Hour from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, 9700 N. Torrey Pines Road. An after-party will begin at 9:30 p.m. $600-$1,200; $100 for the after-party. sdopera.org/support/opera-ball-for-all
• The Windansea Surf Club presents its fourth annual fundraiser from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at Duke’s La Jolla, 1216 Prospect St. Money raised will benefit local group Y-Strong Girls, Day at the Beach events for Father Joe’s Villages, and the La Jolla High School Scholarship Foundation. $100-$125. windanseasurfclub.org
• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego’s Avant Garde Ball returns with the theme “Larger Than Life” from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday, May 2, at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. The 21-and-older event will include an open bar, food, music, DJ listening rooms, art installations and more. $162-$540. mcasd.org/events/larger-than-life
• The La Jolla Historical Society’s free, youth-focused “Growing Together” series continues from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3, with an event presented with Murals of La Jolla, including a scavenger hunt, music and “passports” for kids to fill out. Other events in the six-part series will take place in June, August, November and a fall date to be determined. lajollahistory.org
• The La Jolla Historical Society’s signature Secret Garden Tour fundraiser returns from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 16, with at least six gardens at locations throughout La Jolla and featuring musicians, plein air artists and dining table designs. Multiple packages are available. $55 for Historical Society members, $65 for non-members. Bonus-garden tickets are sold out. The Secret Garden Tour Boutique will be held the same day at the Historical Society’s Wisteria Cottage, 780 Prospect St. lajollahistory.org/secret-garden-tour
Horticulturist John Clements will give a pre-tour lecture at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, at the Historical Society about California’s citrus heritage and growing practices. $25-$35. secure.qgiv.com/for/secretgardentour/event/citruscarewithjohnclements
• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents its annual benefit “The Talk of the Town,” this year themed “Diamonds, Jazz and Dreams,” from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The 1950s-inspired event will feature big band and jazz performances, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a buffet dinner and a silent auction. A VIP hour will start at 5:30 p.m. and the main event an hour later. $250-$1,000. ljathenaeum.org/tott
• 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
People whose parents survived the Holocaust will share items they saved from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, at the library as part of the exhibit’s Speaker Series. bit.ly/3QuISW2
• The San Diego chapter of the ARCS Foundation (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists) holds its annual Scientist of the Year fundraiser from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 17, at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. This year’s honoree is Sonia Ancoli-Israel, a leader in sleep and circadian rhythm research and a professor emeritus of psychiatry at the UC San Diego School of Medicine in La Jolla. The program also will honor this year’s ARCS Scholars and Scholars alumnus Noah Milman. Proceeds from the event will support future ARCS Scholars. $255. san-diego.arcsfoundation.org/2026-SOY-celebration
• The Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa invites guests to its Tea in the Garden series from noon to 3 p.m. one Sunday a month through Oct. 18 at 9700 N. Torrey Pines Road. The remaining events are: May 31, “Bridgerton & Blooms High Tea”; June 28, “Solstice Garden Tea”; July 19, “Mediterranean Daydream”; Aug. 23, “A Gilded Garden Tea”; Sept. 27, “Harvest & Herb Tea”; Oct. 18, “A Curious Mad Hatter Tea Party.” $75 per person per event. 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. ♦