Best Bets: A quick guide to La Jolla entertainment and experiences

The La Jolla Light presents this continuing listing of local in-person events and online activities.

Lectures & learning

• The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center presents the lecture series “In Our Image: The Intersection of Generative AI and Jewish Thought” from 10:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, Jan. 7, 14 and 21, at 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. $50 for the series for Jewish Community Center members, $60 for non-members. my.lfjcc.org/14531/14532

• The UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy presents the lecture “The Lion Uncaged: The Story of India’s Institutional and Economic Rebirth” at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, at UCSD’s Great Hall, 9810 International Lane, La Jolla. Atanu Chakraborty, former secretary of economic affairs in India, will discuss India’s burgeoning economy and its challenges in realizing its ambitions to be a world manufacturing power. Free, though registration is required. bit.ly/402EAHT

• The 2025 Peer Learning Collaborative schedule features monthly multi-part courses led by local experts starting in January at the La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. All courses will meet at 2:45 p.m. The first, led by Lori Holmes, is Jan 9, 16, 28 and 30 featuring four movies of the 1960s, watched at home and discussed in class. $15 for Community Center members, $35 for non-members. ljcommunitycenter.org/plc

Arts & culture

• Quint Gallery presents “Miniatures,” an art exhibition by Robert Ginder, from Saturday, Jan. 4, to Saturday, Jan. 25, at 7722 Girard Ave., La Jolla. A closing reception and book signing will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24. 858-454-3409

• Quint Gallery presents “The Sea Ranch, 2024,” a collection of paintings by artist Monique van Genderen, through Saturday, Jan. 4, at 7655 Girard Ave., La Jolla. There also are a related short film and poem. quintgallery.com

• Salon de Musiques presents violinist Martin Chalifour leading a concert for piano and strings featuring music by Mendelssohn, Scharwenka and Dohnanyi at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5, at the La Jolla Woman’s Club, 7791 Draper Ave. Other performers will be Jason Issokson on violin, Ben Ullery on viola, Evan Kahn on cello and Xiao Chen on piano. $120; $69 for students. lesalondemusiques.com

• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego presents “Extended School Partnership Showcase: The Bishop’s School” through Sunday, Jan. 5, at the Gordon Gray Gallery, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. Free with museum admission. mcasd.org/events/esp-bishops-24

• The School of the Arts Book Club meets at 4 p.m. Tuesdays through March 4 at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The sessions, led by Anna DiMartino, will cover: Jan. 7, “The First Ladies” by Marie Benedict; Feb. 4, “The Wildes” by Louis Bayard; and March 4, “The Secret Life of Sunflowers” by Marta Molnar. $10 for Athenaeum members, $15 for non-members. ljathenaeum.org/class/82

• San Diego New Music and the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library present the 17th annual SoundOn Festival, exploring cutting-edge contemporary music from around the world, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 9-11, at the Athenaeum, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. San Diego New Music’s ensemble Noise and guest artists will play favorites along with new works. $70 for the series for Athenaeum members, $85 for non-members, $30 for students. ljathenaeum.org/events/soundon-2025-series

• The La Jolla Music Society presents pianist Jeremy Denk at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave. A lecture by Kristi Brown Montesano will precede the performance at 6:30 p.m. $68-$120. theconrad.org/events/jeremy-denk

• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents the art exhibition “Carlos Castro Arias: The Splinter in the Eye” through Saturday, Jan. 11, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. Free. ljathenaeum.org/events/exhibition-2024-castro-arias.

•  Violinist Guido Sant’Anna performs at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $43-$68. theconrad.org/events/guido-santanna-violin

• The La Jolla Book Club meets at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. The January read is “Villette” by Charlotte Bronte. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/la-jolla-book-club-406445

• Caprice Strings plays classical music at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. Violinist Victoria Bietz, violist Annabelle Terbetski and cellist Elizabeth Brown will perform. Free.

• The La Jolla Library Poetry Group meets at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/la-jolla-library-poetry-group-407505 

• The History Matters Book Club for Middle Graders meets at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. The group is intended for children in fourth through eighth grades. The January read is “Wolf Hollow” by Lauren Wolk. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/middle-grade-book-club-404253

• The monthly Athenaeum Jazz series concludes with a performance by the Alex Kautz Quartet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. $50 for Athenaeum members, $55 for non-members. ljathenaeum.org/jazz

• Warwick’s bookstore presents author Robert Crais as he discusses his book “The Big Empty” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $30 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/crais-2025

• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego presents a talk with artist Riva Lehrer, followed by an audience Q&A session and Lehrer signing her 2020 memoir, “Golem Girl,” from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. Free. mcasd.org/events/riva-lehrer

• The La Jolla Community Center hosts the first three performances of the Center for World Music’s 2025 concert season, “Echoes Through Time,” at 7:30 p.m. the third Friday of each month from January to March at 6811 La Jolla Blvd. The local concerts are: Jan. 17: Soul of the Bandura: Music and Stories from Ukraine featuring Julian Kytasty; Feb. 21: The Art of the Ney: Contemporary Sounds of Iran with Mohammad Khodadadi; and March 21: Sounds of Dynasties: Living Traditions of China. $35-$55 per concert. ljcommunitycenter.org/specialevents

• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents the art exhibition “End Trances” by painter Julian Tan from Saturday, Jan. 18, to Saturday, April 19, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. An opening reception will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, and Tan will give a free gallery walk-through of the exhibition at 11 a.m. Jan. 18. ljathenaeum.org/events/exhibition-2025-tan

• The La Jolla Historical Society presents “Urban Ecologies” as part of “Helen and Newton Harrison: California Work” through Sunday, Jan. 19, at 780 Prospect St. The exhibition, curated by Tatiana Sizonenko, is part of the Getty Foundation series “PST Art: Art & Science Collide.” lajollahistory.org/helen-and-newton-harrison-california-work

• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego hosts “For Dear Life: Art, Medicine and Disability” through Sunday, Feb. 2, at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. The exhibition depicts illness and impairment from the 1960s to the COVID-19 era. It is part of the Getty Foundation series “PST Art: Art & Science Collide.” mcasd.org/exhibitions/for-dear-life-art-medicine-and-disability.

• The La Jolla/Riford Library hosts “Stories Imagined,” an exhibit featuring original works from the San Diego Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, through Monday, Feb. 24, at 7555 Draper Ave. A public reception will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5. 858-552-1657

• Birch Aquarium at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography hosts “Embodied Pacific: Ocean Unseen” at 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla. The installation features 11 projects blending art and science into interactive experiences focused on scientific ocean exploration. The exhibition, part of the Getty Foundation series “PST Art: Art & Science Collide,” runs until September. Included with aquarium admission. aquarium.ucsd.edu

Galas & events

• Birch Aquarium hosts “Season of Play” from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Sunday, Jan. 5, at 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla. The event includes seasonal decor, music and a sock skating rink. Included with admission to the aquarium. aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/season-play

• 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, beginning with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12, at 7555 Draper Ave. The exhibit will run through Sunday, Dec. 14. A series of speakers will be held at 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month. bit.ly/49TLiDr

Do you have an event — online or in person — that you’d like to see here? Email your leads to Rob Vardon at robert.vardon@lajollalight.com by noon Friday for publication in the following week’s edition. ♦

Originally Published: December 31, 2024 at 2:00 PM PST