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 Pen to Paper writing class is offered at 1 p.m. Thursdays at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. The weekly class is open to writers 18 and older of all experience levels. Free. (858) 552-1657

• Yiddishland California offers the Stronger Together Support Group for those feeling sadness, grief, anxiety or other emotions over the Israel-Hamas war. Professional mental health care and lifestyle coach Harpal Khalsa will lead sessions from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays, April 29 and May 13, in La Jolla and on Zoom. A $5-$15 donation is requested. More information will be provided upon registration. yiddishlandcalifornia.org/stronger-together-support-group

Health & fitness

• The Saturday Morning Walkers of the La Jolla Newcomers Club gather at 9:30 a.m. April 20 to walk along the Virginia Way and High Street area of La Jolla’s Village. The walk will last about an hour. Afterward, those who are interested will meet for breakfast or brunch. lajollanewcomers.org

• A hatha yoga class is held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays through April 23 at the La Jolla Cove Bridge Club, 1160 Coast Blvd. The weekly class is open to all levels. $20 per session. Email solyoga@yahoo.com.

Arts & culture

• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego presents “Forecast Form: Art in the Caribbean Diaspora, 1990s-Today” from Thursday, April 18, through Sunday, July 28, at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. The exhibition will feature an intergenerational group of artists who live and work across the Americas and Europe. mcasd.org

• The La Jolla Library Poetry Group meets at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. The group meets the third Thursday of every month for an opportunity to read and share poems you have written. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/la-jolla-library-poetry-group-22

• Warwick’s bookstore presents author Michelle Gable discussing her book “The Beautiful People” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $17.99 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/gable-2024

• ArtPower at UC San Diego presents “Antonio Sánchez, Birdman Live 10th Anniversary” at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at the Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla. The Academy Award-winning film “Birdman” will be screened to a live soundtrack. $20-$35. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/antonio-sanchez

• BFree Studio presents an opening reception for “The Evolving Artist” from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 19, at the Shepherd YMCA Firehouse, 7877 Herschel Ave., La Jolla. The exhibition will feature artwork from Jeff Yeomans and his painting students from the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. The show will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 20, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 21. Email info@bfreestudio.net.

• The Lot cinemas presents a film screening and Tea Time Talk at 4 p.m. Friday, April 19, at 7611 Fay Ave., La Jolla. The talk will feature cultural discussion, Taiwan teas and food from The Lot. The film will be “The Tiananmen Mission.” jointalents.com/Tiananmen-Mission

• Mixed martial arts fighter Ronda Rousey appears for a meet-and-greet for her book “Our Fight” at 6 p.m. Friday, April 19, at Warwick’s bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. $29, includes admission for two and a pre-signed copy of the book. warwicks.com/event/rousey-2024

• Afro-Cuban jazz pianist Dayramir González and Habana EnTrancé perform at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 19, at The Jai at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $68-$83. theconrad.org/events/dayramir-gonzalez-habana. González also will hold a master class at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 20, as he guides rising jazz musicians. Free. theconrad.org/events/masterclass-dayramir-gonzalez

• The Athenaeum Museum & Arts Library presents an opening reception for the exhibition “Unconscious Research” by artist Marisa Takal at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 19, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The exhibit of paintings and sculptures will run April 20 through July 13. ljathenaeum.org/events/exhibition-2024-takal

• Disco Riot presents the SPACE Pro Showcase at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 19-20, at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. The 2024 SPACE Pro Studio Residency program features resident artists Cecily Holcombe, Victor De La Fuente and Greta Nuñez. $15-$25. tickettailor.com/events/discoriot/1190767

The Martin Lawrence Gallery in La Jolla will present an exhibit by painter Robert Standish beginning Saturday, April 20.

(Martin Lawrence Gallery)

• The Martin Lawrence Gallery presents “Energy Orchestration,” an exhibit by Los Angeles-based painter Robert Standish, from Saturday, April 20, through Monday, May 20, at 1152 Prospect St., La Jolla. martinlawrence.com

“Synaptic Sculpture,” the first U.S. solo show by La Jolla resident and UC San Diego professor Pinar Yoldas, will be held Saturday, April 20, in San Diego.

(Pinar Yoldas)

• The Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego presents “Synaptic Sculpture,” the first U.S. solo show by La Jolla resident and UC San Diego professor Pinar Yoldas, from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at 1439 El Prado, San Diego. The event will include music, food and a family art activity. Free. icasandiego.org/event/c-you-saturday-april-2024

• “Animaniacs: In Concert” comes to UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla. The show stars Emmy Award-winning composer Randy Rogel on piano and the voices of Rob Paulsen and Maurice LaMarche. 20-$45. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/animaniacs-live

• The La Jolla Presbyterian Church gallery presents “Witness to Faith: The Biblical Art of Sadao Watanabe” from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sundays through April 21 at 7715 Draper Ave. Weekday appointments are available by request. (858) 454-0713, ljpres.org

• The La Jolla Music Society presents the Hiromi Quintet at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 21, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave. Pianist Hiromi will perform with the PubliQuartet in a concert merging jazz, classical and pop music. $43-$78. theconrad.org/events/hiromi-quartet-publiquartet

• “Ebb and Flow: Giant Kelp Forests Through Art, Science and the Archives,” a group exhibition presented by the UC San Diego Library and curated by San Diego-based photographer, marine scientist and Scripps Institution of Oceanography alumna Oriana Poindexter, runs through Sunday, April 21, at UCSD’s Geisel Library, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. The exhibit explores the giant kelp forest ecosystems of Southern California and how they have been observed and documented in the past 134 years. Works by featured artists Poindexter, Julia C R Gray, Dwight Hwang and Marie McKenzie are accompanied by a curated selection of archival seaweed pressings created in La Jolla between 1890 and 2023. Free and open to the public. library.ucsd.edu/news-events/events/ebb-and-flow

• The La Jolla Newcomers Club presents a book discussion of “My Antonia” by Willa Cather on Wednesday, April 24. For membership information and to receive the time and place of the meeting, visit lajollanewcomers.org.

• Warwick’s bookstore presents author Isaac G. Lee at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Lee will discuss and sign his new book, ”Hangar 4.” Free, or $18.99 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/lee-2024

• Author Nguyen Phan Quế Mai discusses her book “Dust Child” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at Warwick’s bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $18.99 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/nguyen-2024

• ArtPower at UC San Diego presents “The Beat Goes On,” Lisa McClowry’s tribute to Cher, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 26, at UCSD’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla. $20-$40. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/the-beat-goes-on

• The La Jolla Music Society presents pianist Yefim Bronfman at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 26, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave. $74-$118. theconrad.org/events/yefim-bronfman-3

• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents its Spring Jazz Series at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The next concert will feature Luciana Souza and Trio Corrente at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 26. $45 for Athenaeum members, $50 for non-members. ljathenaeum.org/jazz

• Warwick’s bookstore presents a celebration of St. Jordi’s Day in conjunction with the national observance of Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday, April 27, at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Activities include: 11 a.m., bilingual story time with Esther Riera; noon to 1 p.m., meet-and-greet with 2024 San Diego Book Crawl Author Ambassador Susan Lee; noon to 3 p.m., live music by Annela Flores; and food for purchase from Paella Lifestyle. Free admission. warwicks.com/event/independent-bookstore-day-2024

• San Diego Art Advisory presents La Jolla artist Sharon Cathey showcasing her work from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at 3977 Falcon St., San Diego Free. bit.ly/442zsnC

• ArtPower presents Queen tribute band Queen Nation at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla. $20-$40. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/queen-nation

• 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 saxophonist Christopher Hollyday on Saturday, April 27, guitarist Peter Sprague on Friday, May 24, flutist Lori Bell on Friday, June 28, singer Melissa Morgan on Friday, July 26, singer Rose Mallett on Friday, Aug. 23, flutist Holly Hofmann on Friday, Sept. 27, and trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos on Friday, Oct. 25. $25-$35. ljcommunitycenter.org/ffjs

• The Joseph Bellows Gallery in La Jolla presents “Passing Time,” a photographic exhibit by Sage Sohier, through Saturday, April 27, at 7661 Girard Ave. The gallery also is presenting “Pulp Fiction,” an online exhibition of photographs by Thomas Allen. Free. josephbellows.com/exhibitions

• The La Jolla/Riford Library hosts “Tiny Beautiful Things” presented by Breakthrough Workshop Theatre at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at 7555 Draper Ave. The performance is based on the book by Cheryl Strayed. Free. bit.ly/3xBXytf

• La Jolla United Methodist Church presents Mark Hayes as guest conductor for a concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at 6063 La Jolla Blvd. The concert will be performed by an expanded community choir, soloists and an orchestra and include classic hymn arrangements, original compositions, secular favorites and the world premiere of Hayes’ newest choral work. Free and open to the public. lajollaunitedmethodist.org

• San Diego Master Chorale presents a performance of Duruflé’s “Requiem” at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 743 Prospect St., La Jolla. $10-$35; free for children younger than 13. stjamesmusicseries.com/sdmc

Cellist Santiago Cañón-Valencia will perform Tuesday, April 30, at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library in La Jolla.

(Athenaeum Music & Arts Library)

• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents cellist Santiago Cañón-Valencia at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. $50 for Athenaeum members, $55 for non-members, $15 for students. ljathenaeum.org/events/chamber-2024-0430

• Author Caroline Leavitt discusses her book “Days of Wonder” at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 2, via Zoom in an event presented by Warwick’s bookstore in La Jolla. Free. warwicks.com/event/leavitt-2024

• Mainly Mozart and Promotora de las Bellas Artes present “The Sea Unites Us — Music for Our Coast” at 5 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. The concert is part of the Binational Resilience Initiative that aims to generate a program of environmental and coastal activities with an artistic approach aimed at youths and their families. Free. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/the-sea-unites-us

• The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center presents the exhibit “Documenting History Through Art: The Life and Art of David Labkovski” through Friday, May 10, at 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. Free. (858) 457-3030

• The La Jolla/Riford Library and Kite Flite present the kite exhibit “Up Up & Away” through Monday, May 13, in the Community Room at the library, 7555 Draper Ave. A kite-making workshop will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6. (858) 552-1657

• The La Jolla Historical Society presents “Order/Disorder: Belonging in Nature” through Sunday, May 26, in the Wisteria Cottage gallery, 780 Prospect St. The exhibition explores the beauty and complexities of La Jolla’s natural environment through a collection of sculptures, cyanotypes and more by artists Kline Swonger, Britton Neubacher, Oscar Romo, Annalise Neil and Courtney Mattison. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Free. lajollahistory.org

• “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 5 p.m. daily through February and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, March 1, 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 2024 La Jolla Concours d’Elegance runs Friday through Sunday, April 19-21. It features a VIP party from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday in Scripps Park, the La Jolla Concours Tour d’Elegance starting at 7 a.m. Saturday and featuring a parade through the Avenida de la Playa business district between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., the free “Porsches on Prospect” event from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday and the signature classic-car show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Scripps Park. lajollaconcours.com

• The Shops at La Jolla Village presents “The Coastal Collective” featuring music and food on The Patio from noon to 2 p.m. Saturdays, April 20, May 18 and June 15 at 8801-8879 Villa La Jolla Drive. Free. theshopsatlajollavillage.com/events/the-coastal-collective

• The Coastwise Spelling Prize contest is at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, at La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, 2000 Spindrift Drive. The spelling bee will feature two contests with students from La Jolla, Bird Rock and Torrey Pines Elementary schools, La Jolla Country Day School, Gillispie School, The Children’s School, All Hallows Academy, The Evans School and Stella Maris Academy. coastwisespellingprize.com

• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents its annual benefit gala “The Talk of the Town” at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 3, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. Guests are encouraged to dress in 1930s-style attire. $250-$1,000. ljathenaeum.org/tott

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. ◆