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 La Jolla/Riford Library hosts “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” at noon Saturday, July 20, at 7555 Draper Ave. The event will include recycling education aimed at children of elementary school age. Free, though registration is required. bit.ly/3WgA3i3

• Cheer Home Care in La Jolla hosts Total Brain Health Flex 1.0, with Director of Care Michelle Wile discussing ways for people with mild memory loss to maintain thinking skills and promote well-being. The class, developed by Total Brain Health and Dr. Cynthia Green, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 23, at 5685 La Jolla Blvd. RSVP to (858) 868-5500 or email events@cheerhomecare.com.

Health & fitness

• The Sanford Burnham Prebys medical research institute hosts “The Science Behind Addiction,” a Cancer Center open house, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, at the Chairmen’s Hall in Building 5, 10901 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla. The event is an opportunity to meet scientists who are working to better understand addiction and its relation to cancer, along with treatment options. Free. Register at bit.ly/3RzJk2T.

Arts & culture

• Quint Gallery presents the opening of artist Nancy Blum’s exhibition “Gathered” on Saturday, July 20,at 7722 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. quintgallery.com

• The Athenaeum Music & Library presents its 25th annual Summer Festival with pianist Gustavo Romero playing music by Frederic Chopin at 4 p.m. Sundays, July 21 and 28, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. Dinner will be offered after the last concert. $50 per individual concert for Athenaeum members, $55 for non-members. (858) 454-5872. ljathenaeum.org/summer-festival

• The Kiwanis Club of La Jolla presents the 2024 Concerts by the Sea series from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Sundays at Scripps Park, 1100 Coast Blvd. July 21: Jimmy’s Buffet (Jimmy Buffett tribute band); July 28: Betamaxx (’80s music); Aug. 4: Big Time Operator (big band music). Free. kiwanisclublajolla.org/concerts-by-the-sea

• The La Jolla Library Poetry Group meets at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 18, at 7555 Draper Ave. The event provides an opportunity for budding and experienced poets to share their writing with others. Free. bit.ly/3RMjetN

• Warwick’s bookstore presents “Booked for Lunch” with author Taffy Brodesser-Akner discussing her book “Long Island Compromise” at 11:45 a.m. Friday, July 19, at a location near the store. For reservations and the address, email marylee@warwicks.com. For more information, visit warwicks.com/event/booked-brodesser-akner-2024.

• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents an opening reception for the 32nd annual Juried Exhibition at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 19, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The art exhibition will run July 20 through Sept. 28. ljathenaeum.org/events/exhibition-2024-juried

• City Ballet of San Diego presents “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 19-20, at UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla. The production, with choreography by Elizabeth Wistrich, is based on William Shakespeare’s play. $39-$59. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/midsummer-july19

• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents its annual series of summer jazz concerts at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. Upcoming performers include the Peter Erskine Trio with Bob Mintzer at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 20, and Camila Meza at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4. $40 for individual shows for Athenaeum members, $45 for non-members. ljathenaeum.org/jazz

• The San Diego Public Library presents the San Diego Poetry Annual Reading at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 21, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. Free. bit.ly/4cx9YSv

• La Jolla Playhouse presents the world-premiere play “Derecho,” directed by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg, from Tuesday, July 23, to Sunday, Aug. 18, at the Mandell Weiss Forum, 9500 Gilman Drive. Show times and tickets: lajollaplayhouse.org/show/derecho

• Warwick’s bookstore presents author Dean Calbreath discussing his book “The Sergeant” in conversation with James Zimmerman at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $29.95 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/calbreath-2024

• ArtPower at UC San Diego presents “A Tale of Two Sulus” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, at UCSD’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla. The evening, featuring actors George Takei and John Cho, will be moderated by Michael Giacchino. $25-$75. bit.ly/4cvw085

• ArtPower at UC San Diego presents “Star Trek (2009) Live,” with the film score played by the San Diego Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, at UCSD’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla.  $30-$120. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/star-trek-san-diego-symphony

• Author Julia London discusses her book “Nice Work, Nora November” in conversation with Rachel McMillan at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 25, via Zoom in an event presented by Warwick’s bookstore in La Jolla. Free. warwicks.com/event/london-2024

• Warwick’s bookstore presents author Kamala Kapur discussing her book “The Privilege of Aging” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 25, at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $18.99 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/kapur-2024

• A screening of the movie “Jaws” is presented by ArtPower at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 26, at UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla. $10. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/jaws

• The La Jolla Community Center presents its 2024 Fourth Friday Jazz Series with monthly concerts through October at 6811 La Jolla Blvd. All concerts begin at 8 p.m., with a pre-show reception at 7 p.m. Upcoming performers are the Sherry Williams Trio on July 26, singer Rose Mallett on Aug. 23, flutist Holly Hofmann on Sept. 27 and trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos on Oct. 25. $25-$35. ljcommunitycenter.org/ffjs

• KC and the Sunshine Band performs at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 27, at UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla. The “Concert of Hope” is a fundraiser for Doors of Change. $52-$325. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/concert-of-hope-2024

• The La Jolla Music Society presents “Danse Macabre” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 27, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave. The evening will consist of music by Ysaye, Ravel, Butler, Saint-Saens, Ades and Schubert. $73-$113. theconrad.org/events/danse-macabre

• The La Jolla Music Society presents “Passions and Storms” at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 28, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave. The concert will feature Janáček’s “Kreutzer Sonata” and composer-pianist Thomas Adès performing his “The Tempest.” $48-$90. theconrad.org/events/passions-and-storms

• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego presents “Forecast Form: Art in the Caribbean Diaspora, 1990s-Today” through Sunday, July 28, at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. The exhibition features an intergenerational group of artists who live and work across the Americas and Europe. mcasd.org

• Authors Robyn Harding and Nina Laurin discuss their book “The Haters & the Last Thing She Saw” in conversation with Rachel McMillan at 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 30, in an online event presented by Warwick’s bookstore in La Jolla. Free. warwicks.com/event/harding-and-laurin-2024

• Warwick’s bookstore hosts author David Wroblewski discussing his book “Familiaris” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 30, at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $34.99 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/wroblewski-2024

• The La Jolla Music Society presents a Midweek Masterworks performance of music by Mozart at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave. $38-$105. theconrad.org/events/amadeus

• Author Jeralyn Glass discusses her book “Sacred Vibrations” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, at Warwick’s bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $17.99 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/glass-2024

• Author Michelle Moran discusses her book “Maria” in conversation with Rachel McMillan at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, in an online event presented by Warwick’s bookstore in La Jolla. Free. warwicks.com/event/moran-2024

• Composer and pianist Thomas Adès presents a “takeover” concert including the U.S. premiere of “Forgotten Dances” with guitarist Sean Shibe at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $50. theconrad.org/events/takeover-the-baker-baum

• The La Jolla Music Society presents “Baroque Fantasia” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave. The performance will feature music from the baroque era, including Telemann’s “Don Quixote Suite” and Purcell’s “The Fairy Queen.” $48-$105. theconrad.org/events/baroque-fantasia

• “Resilience,” a concert presented by the La Jolla Music Society, features works by Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn and compositions by artists silenced or oppressed during World War II. The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave. $48-$97. theconrad.org/events/resilience

• “Hold Fast,” an exhibit exploring San Diego’s kelp forests and climate change, runs until September at Birch Aquarium, 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla. The show features works of local photographer and marine scientist Oriana Poindexter, gyotaku prints created by artist Dwight Hwang and kelp forest mapping by Scripps Institution of Oceanography Ph.D. student Mohammad Sedarat. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2. The exhibit is included with aquarium admission: $24.95 for adults, $19.95 for children ages 3-17. aquarium.ucsd.edu

Galas & events

• The San Diego Public Library’s Summer Reading Program presents “Spin, Pop, Boom! with Mad Science” at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 19, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. The children’s program will explore chemical reactions. Free. bit.ly/3L8Hi6e

• A Mermaids & Pirates Dance Party with Dance to EvOLvE begins at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 26, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. The event for toddlers through elementary school-age children is part of the San Diego Public Library’s Summer Reading Program. Free. bit.ly/3LgkdP3

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: July 16, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.