MCASD’s Monte Carlo Night

Written by Emily Shaw

On September 7 join the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla for an unforgettable night at the annual event, entitled Monte Carlo: A Night at Les Caves. Guests will take an imaginative tour of the South of France, a night of living the high life in St. Tropez.

This glitzy fundraiser will be organized by chairs Sonia and Gavin Mandelbaum. As an exciting first in the event’s history, the museum has snagged a contemporary artist, local Kelsey Brookes, to be its art ambassador. His psychedelic original works have garnered fame in the local art world, and Brookes will contribute his unique vision to ensure that the museum’s Monte Carlo event is one special night.

Starting at 6:30 pm, the night will consist of a cocktail reception, followed by a dinner, and then an after party stretching into the wee hours of September 8.

The fundraiser goes to a great cause, aiding in funding the museum’s exhibitions and educational programs. Tickets are available for purchase beginning July 26. You may also contact April Farrell at 858 454 3541 x162, or aefarrell@mcasd.org for tickets.

After or before the big night at the museum, be sure to stop by another one of La Jolla’s art havens, Thumbprint Gallery. The La Jolla art gallery is located at 920 Kline Street and features contemporary, urban, lowbrow and graffiti art from local artists. It is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Sources

https://www.mcasd.org/events/monte-carlo-night-les-caves-0

La Jolla Snake Makes One Pause for Thought

Snake Path-Smith

They say ignorance is bliss. However, through curiosity, through study, through knowledge does one truly find oneself. It is a theme that has been discussed in countless texts, including the Bible. Artists and authors have toyed with the boundaries of moralistic stories related to the theme of knowledge and sin. The Stuart Collection at the University of California San Diego in La Jolla has their own piece that explores this idea: “Snake Path” by Alexis Smith.

The path is constructed of colored hexagonal slate tiles that create the scales of a serpent. The body of the snake makes a 560-foot, winding path, with its head and tongue leading the pedestrian to the Geisel Library. The snake wraps its body around part of the concrete walkway. Coils of the tail create small circular gardens. One of the gardens is representative of the Garden of Eden with pomegranate and other fruit trees. A bench in the garden is inscribed with a quote from Thomas Gray: "Yet ah why should they know their fate/When sorrow never comes too late/And happiness too swiftly flies/Thought would destroy their Paradise/No more, where ignorance is bliss, tis folly to be wise." A large granite book sits beside the Snake Path with a quote from Milton’s Paradise Lost: “And wilt thou not be loath to leave this Paradise, but shalt possess a Paradise within thee, happier far."

The connections of the snake, the garden, and the book are clear. The Snake Path leads students and pedestrians, around the garden, towards the knowledge held within Geisel Library. The Snake Path may also allude to the growth of the students, their development, and preparation for the “real” world.

The Snake Path is a meditative walk, allowing one to think about the meanings and ideas behind its construction, and location. To learn more about contemporary, lowbrow, and local art in La Jolla, visit ThumbprintGallery on Kline Street. The gallery is open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Source:
http://stuartcollection.ucsd.edu/artists/smith-a.shtml

La Jolla Gets a 'Bite' of The East Coast

Boston: the word itself brings to mind a myriad of images and sensations. The Boston Tea Party, Colonial America, a major financial center, fine art, and amazing food are some of things people associate with the city of Boston. A little bit of it, the food to be exact, has found it’s way to the west coast, and imbedded itself in San Diego. Bite of Boston, is a family owned submarine shop serving traditional New England fare. They first opened shop in Rancho Bernardo, and have more recently opened a branch in La Jolla, University City, a few months ago.

Bite of Boston serves all of their sandwiches on New England breads and rolls. They’re made in Massachusetts and shipped to San Diego specifically for Robert Major, the owner of Bite of Boston. Along with all natural, Philadelphia cold cuts and meats, the shop also offers mouthwatering chowders and soups. A specialty of the shop is the Lobster Roll. Twice a week, 200 pounds of fresh lobster is flown in from Maine for these signature sandwiches. Giant lumps of lobster meat are mixes with spices, celery, and mayonnaise and served on a buttered and grilled roll. They are to die for. Pair that with a cup of steaming New England style clam chowder and you would think you had magically been sent to the East Coast for lunch.

Before heading to University City for a delicious Bite of Boston meal, work up your appetite by visiting Thumbprint Gallery, on Kline Street, which is also in La Jolla. The La Jolla art gallery showcases local contemporary urban and lowbrow artists and is open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12-4pm.

Sources:

http://www.sdnews.com/view/full_story/14706764/article-New-digs--Lobster-rolls?instance=dining
http://www.biteofboston.net/Home_Page.html

SummerFest Returns to La Jolla for the 26th Year

There is something magical about the combination of warm summer nights and beautiful music. The La Jolla Music Society has been bringing these two wonderful elements together since 1986, with the SummerFest. This festival features chamber music from over 70 artists and ensembles from around the world. SummerFest begins on July 31, and runs through August 24th.

Besides bringing spectacular musicians and composers to La Jolla for locals to enjoy, the SummerFest also offers what the Music Society calls “encounters.” Every Thursday during SummerFest, members of the roster will gather for intimate discussions on the process of music composition, the competitive nature of chamber music, and a lecture by leading Schubert scholar, Susan Youens. SummerFest is also a residency for conservatory students. Master classes are held and conducted during the festival by senior artists from SummerFest, culminating in a performance by the students after three weeks.

The La Jolla Music Society also offers open rehearsals. These rare opportunities allow for limited amounts of people to experience a working rehearsal with a behind-the-scenes taste of what happens before the stage lights are turned on.

Before you head to Ellen Browning Scripps Park or the La Jolla Playhouse, warm up your cultural right brain by visiting Thumbprint Gallery, on Kline Street in La Jolla. The gallery features contemporary, lowbrow, and urban art by local artist. Thumbprint is open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12-4pm (so you won’t miss your 7:30pm concert!).

Sources:
http://www.ljms.org/About-Us/HISTORY/
http://www.ljms.org/SummerFest-2012-/Community-Engagement-Activities/
http://www.ljms.org/SummerFest-2012-/Community-Engagement-Activities/Open-Rehearsals.html
http://www.ljms.org/SummerFest-2012-/Community-Engagement-Activities/Coaching-Workshops.html
http://www.ljms.org/SummerFest-2012-/Performances/