La Jolla’s Best Bet for events May 21-28

Surf Films on Parade

■ The San Diego Surf Film Festival runs Thursday, May 21-Saturday, May 23 at Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego’s Sherwood Auditorium, 700 Prospect St. It will include a diverse lineup of feature films, documentaries and short films (many of them U.S. and world premieres), as well as art demonstrations, an auction and a tribute to the late surf photographer and cinematographer, Sonny Miller, 7 p.m. May 21. The festival will also include a plein air painting demonstration, 9-11 a.m. Saturday with Matt Beard and colleagues at La Jolla Cove. Tickets: $5-$20. sandiegosurffilmfestival.com

It’s All About Art

■ La Jolla Art Association presents “Viva La Difference,” May 23-31, with original works by Raye Anne Marks, Gabriel Rayes, Lee Katz, Lisa Ross, Michael Morseband Judy, Judy, Judy. The opening reception starts at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 23 with wine, hors d’oeuvres and musical entertainment, 8100 Paseo del Ocaso, La Jolla Shores. Free. (858) 459-1196. lajollaart.org

■ Craft and Cocktails features an evening of painting, wine and light snacks at La Jolla Woman’s Club, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 21, 7791 Draper Ave. The event is open to the public — men included! $30 covers cost of supplies. RSVP: julia.fagin@fnf.com

■ Sculptural Etherealism, a “Reflection on Sculptures and the Human Culture,” is a group exhibit featuring work by Ira Reines, Carlos Torres and Larry Lewis on display through June 30 at Monarch | Arredon Contemporary, 7629 Girard Ave. Suite F. Gallery hours: 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Free. (858) 454-1231. monarchfineart.com

■ Tour the murals! Have you seen the latest in the Murals of La Jolla program, “Blah blah blah”? Athenaeum Music & Arts Library offers tours of all the murals, 5:30 p.m. the last Wednesday of each month (this month, May 27). Meet at the Athenaeum, 1008 Wall St. and wear walking shoes. RSVP suggested: (858) 454-5872. ljathenaeum.org

Theater Tickets

■ “Singin’ in the Rain,” the zany comedy set in 1920s Hollywood (complete with an onstage rainstorm with recycled water for that scene) starring Brandon Davidson (pictured), is the next San Diego Musical Theatre production of the 2015 season. See it May 22-June 7 at Spreckels Theatre, 121 Broadway, downtown San Diego. Tickets: $35-$65. (858) 560-5740. sdmt.org

■ Think happy thoughts and off you’ll go to the land of adventure with Peter Pan, when CYT San Diego performs the classic story of the boy who won’t grow up, May 22- 24 and May 29-30 at Pacific Beach Middle School, 4676 Ingraham St. Tickets $15 advance, $18 at the door. (619) 588-0206. cytsandiego.org

■ “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” set in 1937 Brooklyn, is a coming-of-age comedy about a teenager who experiences puberty and the search for identity as he tries to deal with his idiosyncratic family. See it at the Theatre School at North Coast Rep, May 21-24, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Suite D, Solana Beach. Tickets: $16, $12 children age 17 and younger. (858) 481-1055. northcoastrep.org

Give it up for Carol Williams!

■ San Diego Civic Organist Carol Williams will attempt to set a world record by playing the Spreckels Organ for 12 consecutive hours and 15 minutes to raise funds for local wounded warriors. Donations will go to Operation Rebound, a fitness program for American military personnel recovering from physical injuries. She begins 8 a.m. Sunday, May 24. Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park, San Diego. spreckelsorgan.org/calendar

Game Time

■ Calling all Scrabble players! La Jolla Community Center will host a Social Scrabble Group beginning at 12:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 6811 La Jolla Blvd. The next game date is May 26. Admission: $3 members, $5 non- members. (858) 459-0831. ljcommunitycenter.org

Special Events

■ Paws & Pints fundraiser returns to the La Jolla Brewing Company for the second year, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 28, 7536 Fay Ave. Proceeds benefit Friends of County Animal Shelters (FOCAS). Dogs welcome to join their owners for a beer on the patio. $10 suggested donation. RSVP is requested but not required: pawsandpintslajolla.com

■ La Jolla Community Foundation presents “Innovation Insight,” a photography and film exhibit by students in the Outside the Lens program at Muirlands Middle School, 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 26 at La Jolla Library, 7555 Draper Ave. Students will display photos telling the story of their exploration into careers in science and technology at institutions like the Venter Institute and Salk Institute. suewagener@gmail.com

La Jolla Festival of the Arts kick-off party May 28

Torrey Pines Kiwanis and San Diego Magazine will celebrate the 29th annual La Jolla Festival of the Arts with a party 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 28, at the iconic Bird’s Surf Shed, 1091 West Morena Blvd.

The event will showcase the beneficiaries of the funds generated from arts festival and provide guests an opportunity to give to those charities through a live auction and pledges to benefit San Diegans with disabilities. The auction will feature items from Honorary Ambassadors Aaron Chang Photography and Tim Bessell Surfboards, a swag bag from San Diego Magazine, and more.

Guests can expect fine cuisine from MIHO Gastrotruck, along with beer and wine, and live entertainment from DJ Daniel Peterson. Tickets are $45 in advance at ljfa.org/tickets or $55 at the door.

La Jolla Festival of the Arts runs June 20-21 on UC San Diego’s Warren Field with 200 local and national artists, food, beer and wine and musical entertainment. For more information, visit lajollaartfestival.org