Nonprofit music & arts library with exhibitions, concerts, artist talks, lectures, and art classes. It truly is a feast.
The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, located in the heart of La Jolla, California, in San Diego County, is one of only 16 nonprofit membership libraries in the United States. This rare cultural institution, an important one to the greater San Diego area, offers a depth and accessibility of resources and programs found nowhere else in the region. The library, devoted exclusively to music and art, ha
s an outstanding and ever-expanding collection of books, periodicals, reference material, compact discs, videocassettes, DVDs, sheet music, and librettos, as well as one of the most significant collections of artists' books in Southern California. The library is open to the public five days a week; members can check out materials for a modest annual fee. The Athenaeum also presents an eclectic, year-round schedule of art exhibitions, concerts (classical, jazz, and new music), lectures, studio art classes through its School of the Arts, tours and special events. We invite you to browse through these pages, learn more about us, and participate in our activities. To quote the San Diego Union-Tribune, "There are few libraries in America as unusual as the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library."
06/12/2025
Bassist Dave Holland and guitarist/vocalist Lionel Loueke take the stage on June 16 at Scripps Research Auditorium, playing music from their forthcoming release, 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥, as part of our Farrell Family Athenaeum Jazz Summer Mini-Festival 🎵
Holland, an NEA Jazz Master and GRAMMY-winning legend, returns to the Athenaeum for the first time since 2007. His virtuosic technique and rhythmic feel are widely revered and in much demand. Loueke, praised by his mentor Hancock as “a musical painter,” combines harmonic sophistication, soaring melody, and conventional and extended guitar techniques to create a warm and evocative sound of his own.
Together, they offer a transcendent blend of rhythm, melody, and soul—an experience not to be missed.
📅 Monday, June 16
⏰ 7:30 PM
📍 Scripps Research Auditorium, 10620 John Jay Hopkins Dr, San Diego, CA 92121
🎟️ More info and tickets at ljathenaeum.org/jazz or by calling (858) 454-5872
06/11/2025
Concert-Lecture Series starts June 16—Songs of Alice Barnett: A San Diego Composer’s Unsung Legacy🎵
Join soprano Dr. Katina Mitchell () and pianist Dr. Yewon Lee () for a captivating three-part concert and lecture series exploring the life and music of Alice Barnett—a pioneering San Diego composer whose Impressionist-inspired art songs once drew national acclaim but have since faded from memory.
A composer and music educator who played a formative role in San Diego’s cultural and musical landscape, Barnett’s story invites us to rediscover a remarkable legacy.
🌟 Premiere night: Monday, June 16
Discover Barnett’s early years—from her training in Chicago and Berlin to the personal writings that reveal her artistic spirit. Enjoy live performances of her rarely heard early works and gain insight into the influences that shaped her compositional voice.
📅 Mondays: June 16, 23 & 30
🕡 6:30 PM
🗺️ Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla, CA 92037
🎟️ Details + tickets at link in bio [Music Lectures], ljathenaeum.org/music-lectures, or by calling 858-454-5872
06/10/2025
Our upcoming concert with and was featured on ’s 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘈𝘳𝘵! 🎙️ Dave Holland joined host Dave Drexler to talk about his music and preview the upcoming June 16 Farrell Family Athenaeum Jazz Summer Series performance with Loueke.
📅 Concert Details:
🗓️ Monday, June 16
⏰ 7:30 PM
📍 Scripps Research Auditorium, 10620 John Jay Hopkins Dr, San Diego
Dave Holland, GRAMMY winner and NEA Jazz Master, returns to the Athenaeum for the first time since 2007. He’s joined by the brilliant guitarist/vocalist Lionel Loueke for a powerful performance featuring music from their forthcoming album, 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥.
🎟️ Get your tickets at the link in bio, at ljathenaeum.org/jazz, or by calling (858) 454-5872.
06/05/2025
Athenaeum Summer Book Sale on June 14! 📚☀️
Treat yourself—or find the perfect gift—at our quarterly book sale on our La Jolla patio. Browse a wide selection of gently used books, CDs, vinyl LPs, and sheet music—you’re sure to discover some hidden gems. With hundreds of music recordings for just $1 per disc, it’s a music lover’s dream come true! 💿📖🎵
🗓 Saturday, June 14
🕙 10 AM–4 PM
🗺️ Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
06/04/2025
Drawing with Collage Workshop with Jean Krumbein on June 12! ✏️🖼️
Join us at the Athenaeum Art Center for a one-day workshop that blends drawing with playful collage techniques. Taught by artist Jean Krumbein, this class is a fun way to experiment with different mediums while strengthening drawing fundamentals—whether you’re refreshing old skills or learning something new.
🗓️ Thursday, June 12
⏰ 9:30 AM–1:30 PM
🗺️ Athenaeum Art Center Art Studio (1955 Julian Ave., San Diego, CA 92113)
📍Sign up at ljathenaeum.org/art-classes or call 858-454-5872
06/04/2025
Farrell Family Athenaeum Jazz Summer Series🎵
On June 11, we welcome a powerhouse duo back to La Jolla: vocalist Gillian Margot () and pianist Geoffrey Keezer (). They return with music from their eponymous new duo album, joined by GRAMMY-winning bassist Ben Williams () and beloved San Diego guitarist Peter Sprague () 🎵
🎤 Margot brings an exquisite voice, a disarmingly wide vocal range, and a style deeply rooted in the tradition of the great jazz vocalists. A native of Toronto, she studied under jazz legends including Oscar Peterson, Freddy Cole, Carol Welsman, and Norman Simmons.
🎹 Keezer is a GRAMMY-winning pianist, composer, arranger, and producer. He moved to New York in 1989 to become the final pianist with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, and has since toured and recorded with artists including Ray Brown, Roy Hargrove, Joshua Redman, Diana Krall, Wayne Shorter, Dianne Reeves, Sting, and Christian McBride.
Together since 2014 in music and since 2016 in life, Margot and Keezer bring a broad range of styles, grooves, and harmonic ideas to their performances. Their new album includes standards alongside songs by Hermeto Pascoal, Peter Gabriel, Chick Corea, and Donald and Dorothy Brown.
📅 Wednesday, June 11
⏰ 7:30 PM
📍 Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St, La Jolla, CA 92037
🎟️ Seating is limited—reserve now at the link in bio [JAZZ], at ljathenaeum.org/jazz, or call (858) 454-5872
📸:
06/03/2025
Summer Youth Art Classes Are in Full Swing! 🎨
Our young artists are diving into creative projects and exploring new techniques. There’s still time to sign up.🖌️
Kids ages 4–18 can join our summer art classes held in person at the La Jolla Art Studio (1008 Wall Street) and Logan Heights (1955 Julian Ave., San Diego).
✨ Each class includes:
✅ Creative, engaging sessions
✅ Guidance from experienced instructors
✅ Space to experiment and create
✅Opportunities to showcase their artwork
📍 Register at the link in bio, at ljathenaeum.org/kids-classes, or by calling 858-454-5872
📸: Photos from It’s Fantastic! class with Canada Kerwin and Carmen Baca Barnard
06/03/2025
Acoustic Evenings wraps up this Friday with something truly special! 💫🎵
Join us Friday, June 6 at 7:30 PM for “A One-Night Only Evening of Everything Acoustic Evenings Has to Offer.” We’re breaking tradition with an unforgettable lineup featuring nine phenomenal artists from across San Diego’s vibrant music scene ❤️
This final night of the season brings together
Lee Coulter, Julia Sage, Dave Booda, Monette Marino, Santiago Orozco, Jesus Gonzalez, Jefferson Jay, Bri Schillings, and Michelle Lerach—all in one evening ✨
Come celebrate local talent, connection, and community through live music!
🎤 Hosted by Jefferson Jay
🗓️ Friday, June 6
⏰ 7:30 PM
🎟️ Get your tickets at ljathenaeum.org/acoustics or call 858-454-5872
🗺️ Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
This special performance is dedicated to our friend Jamie Shadowlight. 🌙💖
Acoustic Evenings at the Athenaeum showcases some of the finest acoustic musicians in San Diego. Three acts fill each program and attentive audiences delight in the intimacy of the unplugged storytelling format. Refreshments are available at the intermission reception and post-concert meet-and-greet
05/31/2025
Join us on June 9 for a free Mini-Concert with Folias Duo (), the celebrated pairing of flutist Carmen Maret (.flute) and guitarist Andrew Bergeron (.guitar).
With over two decades of collaboration, they are renowned for their seamless fusion of classical, jazz, world music, and improvisation. Their original compositions, inspired by life on the road and the beauty of the natural world, transport audiences with vivid storytelling through music. This performance will feature highlights from their newest works, including pieces inspired by the Great Lakes.
🗓️Monday, June 9
⏰12 PM | Doors open at 11:40 AM | Last entry at 12:10 PM
🗺️Athenaeum Music & Arts Library
📌Free and open to the public! Arrive early—seating is limited.
📍Please note: There will be no Mini-Concert this Monday, June 2 due to preparation for our annual Patron Dinner that night.
🔎 Visit ljathenaeum.org/concerts to learn more
05/31/2025
Join us this Wednesday, June 4, at 10:30 AM for Creative Storytime with Ms. Katia, celebrating La Jolla and summer with a musical and artistic twist! 🌊☀️🎨🎶
Held on the first Wednesday of each month, this engaging program with introduces children (ages 2–5) to the wonders of storytelling, music, and art.
After Storytime, families are encouraged to browse the Athenaeum’s exceptional children’s collection—a curated selection of books celebrating music and the arts. 📚🎵
📅 First Wednesday of the month (Wednesday, June 4)
⏰ 10:30 AM
🌟 Geared for ages 2–5
✔️ Free admission, no RSVP needed
🗺️ Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, La Jolla
05/30/2025
Our upcoming jazz concerts made the ’s list of 64 summer shows you won’t want to miss! ☀️🎶
The Farrell Family Athenaeum Jazz Summer Series kicks off on Thursday, June 5, at 7:30 PM with the Sasha Berliner Quartet. A former San Francisco rock drummer turned vibraphonist, Sasha Berliner () is now a UC Irvine jazz professor and one of the most gifted young artists in the genre today. Her new album “Fantôme” (coming March 2025) has been praised as her most accomplished yet—sparkling, lyrical, and full of poetic depth.
🌟 She leads her quartet in her San Diego headlining debut, joined by pianist Javier Santiago (), bassist Max Gerl (), and drummer Myles Martin ().
🎟️ Seating is limited—get tickets now via the link in bio, at ljathenaeum.org/jazz, or by calling (858) 454-5872.
📍 Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St, La Jolla
📅 Thursday, June 5
⏰ 7:30 PM
🎸 Also featured in the SDUT’s roundup: our June 16 concert with jazz legends Dave Holland () and Lionel Loueke () at Scripps Research Auditorium—part of a summer lineup you won’t want to miss!
📸: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘢𝘯 𝘋𝘪𝘦𝘨𝘰 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯-𝘛𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘶𝘯𝘦, May 30 by George Varga
🔗 Full article at link in bio
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The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, located in the heart of La Jolla, in San Diego County, is one of only 16 nonprofit membership libraries in the United States. Founded in 1899, the Athenaeum provides library resources in music and the arts and presents over 200 programs and cultural events annually at four venues in four different zip codes in San Diego. This rare cultural institution offers a depth and accessibility of resources and programs found nowhere else in the region. The library, devoted exclusively to music and art, has an outstanding and ever-expanding collection of books, periodicals, reference material, compact discs, DVDs, sheet music, and librettos, as well as one of the most significant collections of artists' books in Southern California. The Athenaeum also presents an eclectic, year-round schedule of art exhibitions, concerts (classical, jazz, acoustics, and new music), lectures, studio art classes through its School of the Arts, tours, and special events.
The library is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The library is closed on Sunday and Monday. Members can check out library materials for a modest annual fee. For information on the benefits of becoming a member, call (858) 454-5872 or visit www.ljathenaeum.org.
In 2016 the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library expanded its offerings to a satellite location in Logan Heights, the Athenaeum Art Center (AAC), which is being developed as a multicultural community center and hub for local artists. The AAC features an art school studio, a print studio (Rotunda Press), and an events space, with a bilingual manager, for exhibitions, lectures, and concerts. The AAC offers a wide variety of art classes from painting and sculpture to multimedia and printmaking through the School of the Arts.
The Athenaeum Art Center is located at 1955 Julian Avenue in Logan Heights in the Bread & Salt complex, open Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., and for scheduled programs and classes.
We invite you visit us or browse our website www.ljathenaeum.org , learn more about us, and participate in our activities. It truly is a feast. To quote the San Diego Union-Tribune, "There are few libraries in America as unusual as the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library."
OUTREACH and EDUCATION
The Athenaeum Music & Arts outreach program provides free educational opportunities on music, the visual arts and art practice to K-12 students throughout San Diego County. The following programs are currently available: Journey Through Music, Journey Through Art History, and Journey Through Art Practice. Each presentation adheres to the Visual and Performing Arts standards, intertwining music and the visual arts with math, geography, science, social studies, and history. In addition, we offer free teen programs in La Jolla and Logan Heights.
YOUTH ARTS
LA JOLLA> PEEC Youth Arts {PARTICIPATE. EXPLORE. ENGAGE. CREATE.}
OPEN STUDIO for TEENS (13-18 yrs. old) >> FRIDAYS 4:30–6:30 PM
PEEC Youth Arts, the Athenaeum’s new, free, program for teens offers a rotation of multidisciplinary art instructors and curricular activities involing the use of the Athenaeum library resources as a starting point for projects.
2018 Class schedule: January 12, 19, 26; February 2, 9, 23; March 2, 9, 16, 23; April 6,13,20,27; May 4, 11, 18, 25.
LOGAN HEIGHTS> The Athenaeum Art Center will inaugurate a FREE afterschool program for youth 13-18 years of age in January 2018. The program teaches local youth new art forms, helps them develop a portfolio for college submission, and/or explore art-making as a career option. Youth work side-by-side in a studio environment where they are taught a variety of techniques and media ranging from drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking and public art.
For information or to schedule a program, please use the following contacts:
Journey Through Music: Judith Oishei; (858) 454-5872; [email protected]
Journey Through Art History, Journey Through Art Practice, Teen Program in Logan Heights: Daniela Kelly; (619) 269-1995; [email protected]
PEEC Youth Arts, teen program in La Jolla: Lidia Rossner; (858) 454-5872; [email protected]
