La Jolla’s Best Bets for Events: Nov. 10

Something to Hear

Named by Wynton Marsalis as “one of jazz’s future rising stars,” pianist Christian Sands takes the ArtPower stage, 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, The Loft at UC San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive. Sands incorporates stride, swing, bebop, progressive, fusion, Brazilian and Afro-Cuban sounds into his performances. Tickets from $23. (858) 534-8497. artpower.ucsd.edu

Pianist, vocalist and raconteur Bruno Leone returns to Athenaeum Music & Arts Library for a music lecture where he will play, sing and chat his way through and around the lives, music and significance composers that helped shape Broadway’s “Golden Age,” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 1008 Wall St. Tickets from $17. (858) 454-5872. ljathenaeum.org/music-lectures

The “Great American Songbook” celebration concludes 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17 with “More Facets of Love,” with baritone Walter Ritter joining Jacquelyne Silver for an evening of banter, sharing musical history, and a vocal and piano performance. Athenaeum, 1008 Wall St. Tickets from $17. (858) 454-5872. ljathenaeum.org/music-lectures

Volume Four of the “Depicted Vibrations” series presents composers Michael Patterson and Chikako Iversen with violinist Benjamin Hudson and pianist Antoinette Perry, 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13 at Congregational Church of La Jolla, 1216 Cave St. Program includes Mozart’s “Violin Sonata in A Major K.526” and Brahms’ “Violin Sonata No. 3 in D minor, Op 108,” along with works by the featured composers. Tickets $35. info@depictedvibrations.org

Quarteto Sorrento (Ondrej Lewit violin I, Michael Dvoskin violin II, Paula Simmons viola and Gordon Grubbs cello) will be joined by pianist Irina Bendetsky and soprano Audra Ragby in concert, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11 at St. James By-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 743 Prospect St. Tickets: $15. theviolinshopsandiego.com

Something to See

Does the very depiction of flora imagery enhance our ability to sense grace and beauty? Or are colors, shape and shade more important stimuli? Find out at the opening reception for “Flora Imagery in Art” 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11 at La Playa Gallery, 2226 Avenida de la Playa. Gallery hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. (858) 454-6903. laplayagallery.com

The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents three new exhibitions through Dec. 31: “Give me a minute, I’m thinking,” curated by Mark Quint; “50 studies using unmixed black,” paintings by Alida Cervantes; and “Artists to Swatch,” curated by Roy Porello. The opening reception is 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11 at 1008 Wall St. Free. (858) 454-5872. ljathenaeum.org

The work of late American photographer Lewis Baltz (1945-2014) is the focus of “Nevada” at Joseph Bellows Gallery, Nov. 15-Dec. 30 at 7661 Girard Ave. “Nevada” includes the portfolio of 15 black-and-white photos created by Baltz in 1977. Free. (858) 456-5620. info@josephbellows.com

Fall Racing Season

The third Bing Crosby Thoroughbred Horse Racing Season opens Friday, Nov. 11 (ends Dec. 4) with a Veterans Day Salute starting at 11 a.m. at the Del Mar Racetrack, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. The Friday’s activities will include the unfurling of one of the largest U.S. flags in the country; parachute jumpers; a ride-in by several veteran motorcycle clubs, barbecue concerts, and a Stars and Stripes Fashion Contest (with more than $3,000 in prizes). Tickets from $25. (858) 755-1141. dmtc.com

A Winter Tale

La Jolla Theater Ensemble presents a staged reading of “Phoebe in Winter” a comedic play about war and family bonds, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15 and 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 at La Jolla Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. Free, donations accepted. (858) 552-1657. lajollalibrary.org/events

Grinch Welcomes the Holidays?

The Old Globe Theatre’s 11th annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13 on the Globe’s Copley Plaza in Balboa Park, San Diego. Designed by Grinch scenic designer John Lee Beatty, the unique tree will be in the center of the Plaza and will remain for the run of this year’s production of Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” Festivities include a special performance by members of the Grinch cast and a delightful holiday snowfall on the Globe Plaza. Free, but reservations required: (619) 234-5623. theoldglobe.com