Haute Time Summer in the City

By Marti Gacioch

Village streets will take center stage Saturday June 9 with Haute La Jolla Nights, a free evening of music, art shows and unique shopping opportunities from 6 to 9 p.m.

The La Jolla Village Merchants Association is sponsoring the event to enliven the streets along Girard Ave. from Pearl to Prospect and Herschel Ave. and Ivanhoe Ave. locations.

That evening, 13 musical groups featuring jazz, blues, contemporary, pop, and rock and roll will fill the night air — Brief Exposure will provide smooth jazz and contemporary sounds; Jennifer Cadence will sing pop and blues; Mark Pullin will offer bluegrass, country and gospel stylings; Paris Scorci plays jazz guitar, Marcos Cervallos will entertain with acoustic guitar; and Neveready will offer a mix of rock, soul, jazz and punk.

More than 75 village shops will spark the fun with events. Night visitors to Adelaide’s can sip Champagne while enjoying a floral demonstration, or taste Paella at Harvard Cookin’ Girl before sampling craft brewer beer at Warwick’s Books. Apparel mavens can take in informal fashion shows staged at La Donna boutique and Talbots. And children can enjoy Geppeto’s arts and crafts event. Many of the retail shops will offer complimentary treats, specialty drinks, as well as raffles and discounts for that evening only.

Art aficionados can visit Madison Galleries’ reception for sculpturist Matt Devine and neo-pop conceptual artist James Verbicky or drop in the Contemporary Fine Arts Gallery to experience visionary contemporary artist Orlando Agudelo-Botero’s work. The Museum of Contemporary Art will host an exhibition for John Valadez, and Africa and Beyond visitors will experience African music, wine, and an ancient currency presentation.

Night shoppers may top off the evening with dinner at one of La Jolla’s fine restaurants.

This is the first of three summer events. Two more nights of fun will follow July 21 and Sept. 15.