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 Peer Learning Collaborative presents “Environmental and Ethical Dimensions of Vegetarianism​,” a three-session seminar from 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 4, 11 and 18, at the La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. The facilitator is Bruce Englebert, who spent 32 years with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy and President’s Council on Environmental Quality. Each course will be followed by drinks and appetizers. $15 for the series for Community Center members, $35 for non-members. ljcommunitycenter.org/plc

• David Moseley, who teaches religious studies and philosophy at The Bishop’s School in La Jolla, where he also is director of global education, presents a series of public online classes exploring the four Christian Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) in “The Bible …for Smarties!” The 12 weekly two-hour sessions will be held at 6 p.m. Mondays on Zoom starting Sept. 9. $295 for the series. Email drdavidmoseley@gmail.com.

• Birch Aquarium presents “Ocean Noise Pollution and Its Impact on Whales” at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, at The Galleria, 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla. Scripps Institution of Oceanography acoustical oceanographer Vanessa ZoBell will speak. Free for aquarium members, $12 for non-members. aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/ocean-noise-pollution-and-its-impact-whales

Health & fitness

• The La Jolla Newcomers Club presents Saturday Morning Walkers at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7. Participants will walk through the Olivetas and Dunemere area of La Jolla. Details: lajollanewcomers.org

• Cheer Home Care presents “Total Brain Health Flex 1.0” at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 5685 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla. The class, led by Michelle Wile, will facilitate ways to maintain thinking skills and promote well-being for people with mild memory loss. (858) 868-5500. Email events@cheerhomecare.com.

• The yoga and wellness workshop “Forever Young” is set for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the La Jolla Cove Bridge Club, 1160 Coast Blvd. $40. Email solyoga@yahoo.com.

• “Flexible Body, Peaceful Mind” is presented at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays through Sept. 24 at the La Jolla Cove Bridge Club, 1160 Coast Blvd. $20 per class. Email solyoga@yahoo.com.

• “Sunset Yoga” is offered at 4:40 p.m. Wednesdays through Sept. 25 at the La Jolla Cove Bridge Club, 1160 Coast Blvd. $20 per class. Email solyoga@yahoo.com.

Arts & culture

• The sixth edition of The Lot’s Cinema Circle program in La Jolla runs Thursdays through Oct. 3 with international movies touching on various themes and situations. Each showing will start at 6:30 p.m. at 7611 Fay Ave. The remaining films are: Sept. 5, “Shayda”; Sept. 12, “Daddio”; Sept. 19, “Wicked Little Letters”; Sept. 26, “Between the Temples”; and Oct. 3, “Didi.” thelotent.com/movie-theater/lajolla/events

• The UC San Diego Library presents the 24th annual Toy Piano Festival featuring performances beginning at noon Thursday, Sept. 5, in the Seuss Room at UCSD’s Geisel Library, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. Free. bit.ly/3MiIdlc

• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents “Golden Age of Dutch Art” at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 5, 12, 19 and 26, and Oct. 3 at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. Art history teacher Linda Blair will discuss 17th-century Dutch art. $70-$95 for the series, $16-$21 for individual lectures. ljathenaeum.org/events/blair-24-dutch-series

• Quint Gallery hosts an opening reception for Kelsey Brookes’ “Gradient Paintings” and Lee Materazzi’s “¢a$h&¢arry” from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, at 7722 Girard Ave., La Jolla. quintgallery.com

• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents its Acoustic Evenings music series at 7:30 p.m. every Friday in September. Performers are: Sept. 6, Wax, Jesus Gonzalez and Rob Deez; Sept. 13, Santiago Orozco, Bri Schillings and Sierra Marin; Sept. 20, Walt Richards, Aaron Bowen and Stephen Bulman; Sept. 27, Lisa Sanders and Brown Sugar, Fred Benedetti and Sandé Lollis. $64 for the series for Athenaeum members, $84 for non-members, $18 for students. ljathenaeum.org/events/acoustics-24-fall-series

• ArtPower at UC San Diego presents Anything for Salinas, a Selena tribute by Karol Posadas, at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, at the Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla. $25-$33 for general admission, $15 for children ages 2-12. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/anything-for-salinas

• Author Meg Evans appears for a meet-and-greet signing event for her book “Forever with Me” at noon Saturday, Sept. 7, at Warwick’s bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free. warwicks.com/event/evans-2024

• R.B. Stevenson Gallery in La Jolla hosts the art exhibition “Forest Bathing,” showcasing new paintings by Jeanne Dunn, beginning with a reception for the artist from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at 7661 Girard Ave. The exhibit will continue through Saturday, Oct. 5. (858) 459-3917, rbstevensongallery.com

• The La Jolla Recreation Center hosts an outdoor screening of the 2023 movie “Wonka” on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 615 Prospect St. Festivities will begin at 5 p.m. and the movie will start 15 minutes after sunset. Beach chairs, blankets and picnics are encouraged. (858) 552-1658

• Le Salon de Musiques presents a celebration of French music and art at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8, at the La Jolla Woman’s Club, 7791 Draper Ave. The event, in collaboration with K. Nathan Gallery, will feature performances of chamber music by Reynaldo Hahn and Louise Farrenc and paintings by post-Impressionist Paul Rivoire. $120. lesalondemusiques.com/product/special-event

• La Jolla Playhouse presents “Velour: A Drag Spectacular,” a show created by drag artist Sasha Velour and directed by Moisés Kaufman, through Sunday, Sept. 8, at the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive. $30-$129. lajollaplayhouse.org/show/sasha-velour

• The La Jolla Book Club meets at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. The featured book will be “The Covenant of Water” by Abraham Verghese. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/la-jolla-book-club-314499

• Author Gary Goldstein discusses his book “Please Come to Boston” at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, in an online event presented by Warwick’s bookstore of La Jolla. Free. warwicks.com/event/goldstein-2024

• The School of the Arts Book Club meets at 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 10, Oct. 22, Nov. 12 and Dec. 10, at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. Each session, led by Anna DiMartino, will discuss a different piece of literature. $10 per session for Athenaeum members, $15 per session for non-members. ljathenaeum.org/class/82

• Warwick’s bookstore presents author Sasha Abramsky discussing his book “Chaos Comes Calling” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $30 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/abramsky-2024

• “Woodstock — An Immersive Concert Experience” featuring the La Jolla-based Gand Band commemorates classics from the Woodstock era at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, at The Living Room Coffeehouse, 1205 Prospect St., La Jolla. Proceeds will benefit the La Jolla Historical Society’s Modernism Home Tour. $45. thegandband.com

• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library hosts a book sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. Admission is free. ljathenaeum.org/events/book-sale-2024-0914

• The La Jolla/Riford Library hosts the art exhibition “Arte Latino!” beginning Sunday, Sept. 15, at 7755 Draper Ave. The show will feature the work of 15 young professional Chicano/Latino ar tists. (858) 552-1657

• Warwick’s bookstore presents author Brenda Novak discussing her book “The Banned Books Club” at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $20 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/novak-2024

• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents artist Roman de Salvo at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The talk will be in conjunction with de Salvo’s show running Sunday, Sept. 15, through Saturday, Oct. 19, at Two Rooms gallery, 5560 La Jolla Blvd., Bird Rock. The talk is $15 for Athenaeum members, $20 for non-members, $5 for students. ljathenaeum.org/events/2024-desalvo-talk

• The La Jolla Library Poetry Group meets at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/la-jolla-library-poetry-group-27

• Ben Folds plays at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla. $46-96, with limited free tickets for UCSD students. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/ben-folds

• The La Jolla Historical Society presents “Urban Ecologies” as part of “Helen and Newton Harrison: California Work” from Thursday, Sept. 19, 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” from Thursday, Sept. 19, through Sunday, Feb. 2, at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. The exhibition will depict 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

• RaSa by RaGa, a concert presented by Eppo Music, comes to the Baker-Baum Concert Hall at 6:45 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. The performance will include Indian classical music. $34-$92. theconrad.org/events/24-25-bkrs_llc

• Bodhi Tree Concerts presents “Kurt Weill Cabaret” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 743 Prospect St., La Jolla. $40-$60; $25 for students and military. bodhitreeconcerts.org/kurt-weill-cabaret

• La Jolla-based Vantage Theatre presents “Best Laid Plans,” a new play by theater co-founder Robert Salerno inspired by the story of blind architect Chris Downey, through Sunday, Sept. 22, at the Tenth Avenue Arts Center, 930 10th Ave., San Diego. $30-$35. theatrevantage.ticketspice.com/best-laid-plans

• La Jolla Playhouse presents “Primary Trust” from Tuesday, Sept. 24, through Sunday, Oct. 20, at the Mandell Weiss Forum Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive. The play, written by Eboni Booth and directed by Knud Adams, follows the life and work of a New York bookstore employee. $30-$104. lajollaplayhouse.org/show/primary-trust

• 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 flutist Holly Hofmann on Sept. 27 and trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos on Oct. 25. $25-$35. ljcommunitycenter.org/ffjs

• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents its 32nd annual Juried Exhibition through Saturday, Sept. 28, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. ljathenaeum.org/events/exhibition-2024-juried

• The La Jolla Art Association presents its summer exhibition through September at the La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. The public exhibit features paintings and photography by members of the association. Free. lajollaartassociation.org

• Found Studio presents the art exhibition “Bird Rock Renaissance” at 5490 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla, through Sunday, Oct. 13. foundstudiosd.com

• Gary Krueger’s photographic exhibition “Dogs in Cars” is presented online by the Joseph Bellows Gallery in La Jolla. The exhibit features scenes of dogs in cars across Los Angeles in the 1970s.  josephbellows.com/exhibitions/gary-krueger-dogs-in-cars

Galas & events

• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego presents its annual gala from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, in the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Building at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. This year’s theme is “Currents.” $350. mcasd.org/events/the-gala-mcasd-currents

• The La Jolla Newcomers Club presents “Coffee in the Village” at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at The Lot, 7611 Fay Ave. Club members and people who moved to La Jolla in the past two years are invited to meet others  and learn about local activities. lajollanewcomers.org

• The La Jolla/Riford Library hosts Family Board Game Afternoon from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at 7555 Draper Ave. The event is intended for children ages 2-17. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/family-board-game-program-399949

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: September 3, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.