The La Jolla Light presents this continuing listing of local in-person events and online activities.
Lectures & learning
• 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.
• 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 Athenaeum Music & Arts Library hosts the art history lecture series “The Age of Baroque” with Linda Blair at 7:30 p.m. on four Thursdays beginning May 21 at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The schedule is: May 21, ” Bernini in Roma”; May 28, “Rubens in the North”; June 4, “Caravaggio”; June 11, “Velazquez in Spain.” $60 for the series for Athenaeum members, $80 for non-members. ljathenaeum.org/events/blair-26-series
• 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
Art & film
• The San Diego French Film Festival, presented by Alliance Francaise San Diego, concludes its sixth year Thursday, May 7, with screenings at The Lot La Jolla at 7611 Fay Ave. and the Carlsbad City Library. afsandiego.org/sd-french-film-festival-2026
• 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 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. 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, 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
• 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
• 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 St. James Music Series presents Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer performing “Our American Journey,” a program celebrating 250 years of American song, at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 10, at St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 743 Prospect St., La Jolla. $20-$65. stjamesmusicseries.com/events/chanticleer
• The Seaside Trio, a San Diego-based professional chamber ensemble, performs at 3 p.m. Friday, May 15, in the Community Room at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. Free. sandiego.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=344250
• 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
• Jazz singer Shenel Johns performs at 5:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at The JAI at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $55-$62. theconrad.org/events/shenel
• 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
• The San Diego Academy of Ballet presents its Spring Gala at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 17, at UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. The show will feature young dancers and professionals performing classical ballet along with original works. $35. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/sdab_gala2026
• 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
• San Diego New Music presents a celebration of the 100th birthday of late experimental composer Morton Feldman at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The event will include a performance of Feldman’s 1985 piano and string quartet featuring pianist Vicky Ray and the Eclipse Quartet. $12-$32. ljathenaeum.org/events/sdnm-2026-0520
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Author Essie Fox discusses her book “Catherine: A Retelling of Wuthering Heights” in conversation with Rachel McMillan at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 16, online in an event presented by Warwick’s bookstore in La Jolla. Free. warwicks.com/event/fox-2026
• Erin O’Brien discusses her cookbook “Dig In!” in conversation with Sivan Ayla at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, at PopUp Bagels, 637 Pearl St., La Jolla in an event presented by Warwick’s bookstore. $35, including book copy. warwicks.com/event/obrien-2026
Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie will discuss their book “A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams” on Thursday, May 21, online. (Warwick’s)
• Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie discuss their book “A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams” in conversation with Rachel McMillan at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 21, online in an event presented by Warwick’s bookstore in La Jolla. Free. warwicks.com/event/dray-and-kamoie-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
• St. Germaine Children’s Charity presents its spring “Cocktails & Conversation” from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at a private residence in La Jolla. The event will feature Golby Rahimi Saylor, executive director of the Chadwick Center at Rady Children’s Hospital. $40 for St. Germaine members, $45 for non-members. The address will be provided upon ticket purchase. stgermainechildrenscharity.org
• 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 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
• 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. ♦