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The Grammy Awards were full of milestone wins, chaotic performances and viral moments, as well as speeches that frequently addressed this moment in American history.

A longtime favorite on the Athenaeum chamber music series, the Maxwell String Quartet returns with a colorful program that opens with their signature dose of Scottish folk tunes, followed by Edmund Finnis’s first quartet, a poetic work that draws inspiration from the choral music of William Byrd, which closes the first half in an arrangement by the Maxwell String Quartet. Brahms’s epic second quartet rounds out this exciting evening. Program: - Traditional - Gaelic Psalms of the Western Isles of Scotland (arr. Maxwell Quartet) - Edmund Finnis (b. 1984) - String Quartet No. 1, “Aloysius” (2018) - William Byrd (1540–1623) - Ave Verum Corpus (arr. Maxwell Quartet) Intermission - Johannes Brahms (1833–1897) - String Quartet No. 2 in A Minor, op. 51, no. 2 (1873) The Maxwell String Quartet combines a refined approach to classical works with a passion for its own folk heritage and a commitment to expanding the string quartet repertoire through wide-ranging projects. Friends since they met playing in youth orchestras in Scotland, their tight bond shows through in compelling musical interpretations and their joyous communication with audiences. Strongly connected to its own Scottish roots, the group often performs classical repertoire and new music alongside folk-inspired works. Its first two releases on Linn Records paired string quartets by Haydn with the players’ own compositions based on Scottish folk music, the first reaching number three in the classical specialist charts. They recently gave the world premiere of a new commission by Linda Buckley with bagpiper Brìghde Chambal, touring to Celtic Connections and across Europe. They also continue to tour "Worksongs," a project exploring the folk songs and cultures of Scotland’s historic industries, including the jute and tweed trades. Their 2023 CD, "Gather," brought together traditional Scottish music ranging from 1200 to the present day, such as ancient Celtic plainchant, fishermen’s songs, pipe marches, and Shetland Reels, as well as new compositions. They have worked also with soul duo Lunir and folk duo Chris Stout & Catriona MacKay. The players founded their own Loch Shiel festival in the West Highlands of Scotland and curated a concert series at Guardswell Farm in Perthshire. In 2024 they served as Artistic Directors of the Mendelssohn on Mull Festival. All concerts are preceded by a pre-concert talk at 6:45 p.m. and are followed by a reception with the artists in the Sharon & Joel Labovitz Entry Hall. Athenaeum Music & Arts Library on Facebook / Instagram

Monday, March 16 7:30 p.m. We eagerly welcome pianist Conor Hanick to the Athenaeum for the first time for an adventurous solo recital featuring Charles Ives’s monumental first sonata and two Schubert Impromptus paired with a new revision of Samuel Carl Adams’s Three Impromptus (a West Coast premiere) inspired by Schubert. Program: Franz Schubert (1797–1828) - Two Impromptus, op. 142 Samuel Carl Adams (b. 1985) - Three Impromptus (2016, rev. 2025) Intermission Charles Ives (1874–1954) - Piano Sonata No. 1 (1902–1910) Pianist Conor Hanick is regarded as one of his generation’s most inquisitive interpreters of music new and old whose “technical refinement, color, crispness and wondrous variety of articulation benefit works by any master” (New York Times). Hanick has recently worked with conductors Esa-Pekka Salonen, Ludovic Morlot, Alan Gilbert, and David Robertson; collaborated with the San Francisco Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Alabama Symphony, Orchestra Iowa, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Juilliard Orchestra; and been presented by the Gilmore Festival, New York Philharmonic, Elbphilharmonie, De Singel, Centre Pompidou, Cal Performances, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Park Avenue Armory, and Ojai Festival, where in 2022 with AMOC* (American Modern Opera Company) he served as the festival’s artistic director. A fierce advocate for the music of today, Hanick has premiered over 200 pieces and collaborated with composers ranging from Pierre Boulez, Kaija Saariaho, and Steve Reich to the leading composers of his generation, including Nico Muhly, Caroline Shaw, Tyshawn Sorey, Anthony Cheung, and Samuel Carl Adams, whose piano concerto "No Such Spring" he premiered in 2023 with Esa-Pekka Salonen and the San Francisco Symphony. This season Hanick presents solo and chamber recitals in the United States and Europe, including concerts at the Wallis, Cal Performances, Segerstrom Center, Stanford Live, Guild Hall, Musikverein, and elsewhere. He appears with the Phoenix and Alabama Symphonies; collaborates with Julia Bullock, Seth Parker Woods, Timo Andres, and the JACK Quartet; and premieres solo and chamber works by Tania León, Nico Muhly, Matthew Aucoin, and others. Hanick is the director of solo piano at the Music Academy of the West and serves on the faculty of The Juilliard School, Mannes College, and the CUNY Graduate Center. He lives with his family in the Hudson Valley. All concerts are preceded by a pre-concert talk at 6:45 p.m. and are followed by a reception with the artists in the Sharon & Joel Labovitz Entry Hall. Athenaeum Music & Arts Library on Facebook / Instagram

Halloween Night Friday Oct 31st 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. - 12 p.m. Thursday Oct 30th at 10 p.m. Saturday Nov 1st at 10 p.m. Descend into the mysterious realms of the supernatural with the seasoned ghost hunters and venture into the heart of Downtown San Diego’s century-old Tenth Avenue Arts Center, known for its historical significance and the chilling tales that have echoed through its halls for over a hundred years. Join us as we delve into the eerie history of this four-story building, guided by our team of expert paranormal investigators and psychic mediums. Stay close to our security escorts as we traverse the old building – we wouldn’t want any of our guests to mysteriously disappear… Bring along your ghost hunting equipment and join us in our search for signs of the spectral inhabitants rumored to reside within the Arts Center. Tune in to your inner psychic, communicate with the ethereal entities alongside our experienced mediums, and who knows, if the spirits are willing, a séance may even be on the cards. Join us if you dare, for a night of history, mystery, and possibly, a glimpse into the other side. This is a 2-hour event that is sure to leave you with a thrilling memory and perhaps, a ghostly tale of your own to tell. Visit: Halloween Lockdown by Haunted San Diego Ghost Tours The Tenth on Instagram and Facebook

The Smithsonians, National Gallery of Art and other sites that receive federal funding are announcing their reopening plans now that the government shutdown is over. Past closures have been costly.

Schools across the country are offering courses and retreats for people 50+ who want to reinvent themselves and embrace lifelong learning and discovery.

Join OMA's Artist Alliance at Sparks Gallery for the reception of "Elemental" on Sunday, May 25, from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. OMA's artist alliance is thrilled to present 38 artworks in their third exhibition at Sparks Gallery in San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter downtown. Selected by juror Sonya Sparks, many of the artworks are loosely themed to the title, "Elemental," work that explores the vibrancy and vitality of the core elements—earth, air, fire, and water—that shape the world around us. The exhibition aims to evoke the raw, powerful essence of these elements, revealing their interconnectedness with life and the environment. The Elemental theme highlights how these fundamental components permeate our daily existence, inspire creativity, and foster growth, yet also have the capacity for destruction and transformation. Visit: https://sparksgallery.com/product-category/gallery-exhibitions/elemental-oceanside-museum-of-art-artist-alliance?_gl=1 Sparks Gallery on Instagram and Facebook

A look at the extreme winter storm impacting two-thirds of the U.S.

As several global tensions simmer, the Pentagon is removing thousands of transgender troops under an anti-DEI push. How might a focus on gender identity distract from mission readiness?

Tuesday, November 11 from 1 – 4 p.m. Ages 8-12 years welcome! This Woodworking Camp is all about building and designing in wood! Children will learn about the safe use of tools as well as the properties of wood while making their own wooden pencil box. The project and depth of skill exploration is matched up to the children’s age/ability. Join us this November for this fun, hands-on woodworking afternoon! This camp is recommended for children 8-12 years. OPTIONAL | Crafty Lunch Hour: Click here to read more & add the lunch break. Need a full day of Camp support? Visit The Music & Arts Center — The MAAC — to see other camps in our building! • Military, first responders and sibling discounts: Email us for more information. • Scholarships available: Click here for an application. • If this class is full, join the Interest List to be notified. San Diego Craft Collective on Facebook / Instagram