\u2022 The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center presents podcast host Zibby Owens in \u201cNext Chapter Please!\u201d \u2014 a conversation about Jewish identity, resilience and storytelling \u2014 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<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 La Jolla Community Center\u2019s 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<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center presents \u201cAn Afternoon with Nili Margalit: Hero, Nurse and Survivor\u201d at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11 at 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. $18. lfjcc.org\/about\/upcoming_events.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Birch Aquarium\u2019s 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: \u201cFishy Friends\u201d on Oct. 11; \u201cMagical Molluscs\u201d on Oct. 18; \u201cSensational Sea Turtles\u201d on Oct. 25; \u201cPlayful Penguins\u201d on Nov. 1; \u201cMarvelous Marine Mammals\u201d on Nov. 8; and \u201cAmazing Amphibians\u201d on Nov. 15. $25 per session. aquarium.ucsd.edu\/events\/marine-science-club-aquarium-explorers-club-ages-6-7<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 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\u2019s Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation and will look at the center\u2019s history and future vision. Topics include \u201cCurrent Research, Future Impact: Student Perspectives of CMBC\u201d on Oct. 12; and \u201cVision for a Thriving Ocean\u201d on Nov. 9. Free for Birch Aquarium members or $12 for non-members. aquarium.ucsd.edu<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents Sameer Patel as he delivers a lecture, \u201cThe Podium and Beyond: Demystifying the Art of Conducting\u201d 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<\/a><\/p>\n Ongoing exhibitions<\/p>\n \u2022 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<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Quint Gallery presents \u201cChristine Lee: By Hand,\u201d 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<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 La Jolla Presbyterian Church\u2019s art gallery presents its latest exhibition, \u201cPilgrimage\u201d 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.<\/p>\n \u2022 The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego showcases its newest exhibition, \u201cVisiones Nocturnas: Queer Nightlife in Contemporary Art,\u201d through Jan. 10 at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. A free \u201cFocused Narratives\u201d public tour will take place at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, starting at MCASD\u2019s Browar Lobby. mcasd.org\/exhibitions\/visiones-nocturnas<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 The Museum of History and Culture La Jolla, formerly known as the La Jolla Historical Society, presents its newest exhibition, \u201cScientific Art of Historic Preservation,\u201d 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<\/a><\/p>\n Art & film<\/p>\n \u2022 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 \u201cDiscover the Story of Scripps Institution of Oceanography\u201d 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<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 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, \u201cThe Debut,\u201d 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<\/a><\/p>\n Music & dance<\/p>\n \u2022 Camarada presents its 32nd season of live performances, \u201cOut of this World,\u201d 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: \u201cTime Traveler\u201d on Saturday, Nov. 14; \u201cCharlie Brown Jingles & Jazz\u201d on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 19 and 20; \u201cWhere Beauty Persists\u201d on Saturday, Jan. 23; \u201cThe Art of Tango III\u201d on Wednesday, Feb. 27; and \u201cThe Wild Blue\u201d on Sunday, April 25. Tickets range between $25-110 depending on the room. camarada.org<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 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\u2019s 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<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 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\u2019s 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<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 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<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 La Jolla Music Society presents Joyce DiDonato & Time for Three\u2019s \u201cEmily \u2014 No Prisoner Be\u201d 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<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 ArtPower and Le Patin Libre present \u201cMelt\u201d at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8 at UC San Diego\u2019s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. \u201cMelt\u201d 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<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 ArtPower presents the Punch Brothers band at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 at UC San Diego\u2019s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. The show will feature music from the band\u2019s first all-instrumental album, \u201cThe Unsung Adventures of Punch Brothers.\u201d $31-81. artpower.ucsd.edu\/event\/punch-brothers<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 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<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 ArtPower and Contra-Tiempo: Activist Dance Theater presents \u201cRoots of Loving Us\u201d at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 16 at UC San Diego\u2019s 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<\/a><\/p>\n Books<\/p>\n \u2022 Author Tania Lombrozo discusses and signs her new book, \u201cWhy We Ask Why: The Science of Explanation and the Human Drive to Understand\u201d at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1 at Warwick\u2019s bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $30 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com\/event\/lombrozo-2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Warwick\u2019s bookstore presents author Cassandra Vieten as she discusses and signs her new book, \u201cImagine That\u201d 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<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Author Miriam Pawel discusses and signs her book, \u201cCalifornia Dreams: The Making and Remaking of the University of California\u201d with University of California\u2019s Board of Regents chair Maria Anguiano at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13 at Warwick\u2019s bookstore at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $32 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com\/event\/pawel-2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Warwick\u2019s bookstore presents author Lisa Cheek as she discusses and signs her new book, \u201cThe Big Day: Saying \u2018I Do\u2019 Only to Discover I Didn\u2019t,\u201d 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<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Author Donna Miscolta discusses and signs her new book, \u201cOfelia and Norma\u201d at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15 at Warwick\u2019s bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $21 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com\/event\/miscolta-2026<\/a><\/p>\n Theater \u2022 La Jolla Playhouse presents its newest world-premiere play, \u201cA Black-billed Cuckoo,\u201d through Oct. 11 at the Mandell Weiss Forum, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive. In the production, over 24 hours in Brooklyn\u2019s 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\u2019t. $30-74. lajollaplayhouse.org\/show\/a-black-billed-cuckoo<\/a><\/p>\n Galas & events<\/p>\n \u2022 Artists Paula McColl, Cherry Sweig and Ann Craig host \u201cThe Artful Masketeer\u2019s Studio Sale Fundraiser\u201d 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<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 The La Jolla Woman\u2019s 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<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Viola](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/LJL-L-BETS-VIOLA-01.jpg\")
Viola Davis will receive the Gregory Peck Award for Cinematic Excellence at the San Diego International Film Festival\u2019s Night of the Stars Tribute this month. (AB+DM)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/LJL-L-BETS-QUARTET-01.jpg\")
The Poiesis Quartet is set to perform at The Conrad Prebys Performing Art Center\u2019s 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)<\/p>\n
\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/LJL-L-BETS-PLAYHOUSE-01.jpg\")
The cast for La Jolla Playhouse\u2019s current production, \u201cA Black-billed Cuckoo.\u201d (La Jolla Playhouse)<\/p>\n