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San Diego New Music and the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library present the 2025 soundON Festival, exploring cutting-edge contemporary music from around the world. Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of San Diego New Music and the 25th Anniversary of San Diego New Music's ensemble-in-residence NOISE with all-time favorites alongside brand-new works. Enjoy three nights of concerts in two separate locations in San Diego! Housing for artists is generously provided by Ann Craig and Garna Muller. The soundON festival is partially underwritten by Garna Muller. Thank you to our Friends of soundON—Julia S. Falk, Ph.D., Drs. Sally and Einar Gall, Christian Hertzog and Susan Dorin, Garna Muller, Catherine and Robert Palmer, Erika and Fred Torri, Eric Starr and Sarah Skuster—and to the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library for their continued support. Thank you to Ann Craig and Garna Muller, to San Diego State University for providing rehearsal space and instruments, and to the University of San Diego for providing audio equipment. NOISE (Ensemble-in-Residence) Christopher Adler, piano Lisa Cella, flute Franklin Cox, cello Colin McAllister, classical guitar and conductor Mark Menzies, violin Morris Palter, percussion Robert Zelickman, clarinet GUEST ARTISTS Duo Entre-Nous: Jackie Glazier, clarinet, and Don-Paul Kahl, saxophone Matt Kline, conductor Stephanie Aston, mezzo-soprano Ryan Nestor, percussion Visit: https://www.ljathenaeum.org/sound-on Athenaeum Music & Arts Library on Instagram and Facebook

'Working Title" is Project [BLANK]’s fourth-annual exhibition of experimental art and music, featuring dozens of visual artists, filmmakers, sound and performance artists, composers, and musicians. This three-day, community-based event will include new works, world premieres, and thought-provoking performances featuring some of the most exciting creative voices in Southern California, Tijuana, and Baja California curated by Diana Benavidez and Leslie Ann Leytham. Join us on a pilgrimage of ideas, with bold new works that offer invocations and intercessions of sacred and profane inspiration. Visit: https://www.etix.com/ticket/o/16628/ Project [BLANK] on Instagram and Facebook

Pat Kelly Thursday, May 1 –Friday, May 2 from 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (2 days, 9 total hours of instruction) La Jolla Studio In May we will be painting urban landscapes in the village around the Athenaeum library. This two-day workshop will focus on drawing skills, perspective, and architecture, and integrating them into the plein air process and composition. Meet up at the Athenaeum entrance. Grab a coffee (there will be a demo at the beginning of class), unwind, and gear up for an enjoyable day of painting. Class will conclude with an in-person critique in the studio Materials: portable easel; four 8” x 10” or 6” x 8”, good quality canvas boards; half-dozen brushes, white bristle flat or filbert, # 2, #4, #6. One medium-size steel palette knife; small, pointed round brush for detail #2–#4. Paper towels; odorless turpentine; small jar for turpentine, wood palette; oil paints: Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red Medium, Cadmium Yellow Medium Cadmium Lemon, Phthalo Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Permalba White, Raw Umber, Cadmium Orange. Sun hat, insect repellent, old shirt, and sturdy shoes are suggested. Max students: 12 Athenaeum Music & Arts Library on Instagram and Facebook

Thursday April 3 – Friday, April 4 from 9 a.m. –1:30 p.m. (2 days, 9 total hours of instruction) On location in Barnett Ranch In April we will be painting at Barnett Ranch Preserve. It is an open grassland with views of the mountains and is especially beautiful in spring. Outdoor study is the key to painting successful landscapes in the studio and an excellent way to learn to observe color, light, and aerial perspective. This two-day workshop will focus on composition and color mixing with a limited palette. Class begins each day with a demo and plein air session followed by group critique. Meet up at the Barnett Ranch County Preserve Staging Area: 1500 Deviney Lane at San Vicente Road, Ramona, CA 92065. Materials: portable easel; four 8” x 10” or 6” x 8” good quality canvas boards; half-dozen brushes, white bristle flat or filbert, # 2, #4, #6. One medium-size steel palette knife; small, pointed round brush for detail #2–#4. Paper towels; odorless turpentine; small jar for turpentine, wood palette; oil paints: Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red Medium, Cadmium Yellow Medium Cadmium Lemon, Phthalo Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Permalba White, Raw Umber, Cadmium Orange. Sun hat, insect repellent, old shirt, and sturdy shoes are suggested. Max students: 12 Athenaeum Music & Arts Library on Instagram and Facebook

April 2025 marks 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War. In Washington, D.C., a new art exhibit offers counter-narratives of what it means to be Vietnamese American.

In a new book, writer Suleika Jaouad explains why journaling is a form of alchemy — and offers tips on how to reignite your practice if you're feeling stuck, bored or uninspired by your own writing.

Celebrate the season in San Diego with holiday-themed performances, festivals and more, from "The Nutcracker" ballet to toy trains and Kwanzaa.

Check out the films that left our staff in awe this year — from cinematic spectacles to heartfelt comedies.

Participate in two mind-bending writing excursions from the Now Write! Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror anthology: The Secret Room: a surreal group creative writing exercise designed to activate your imagination, from famed surrealist Aimee Bender, author of "The Girl in the Flammable Skirt" and "The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake." Giving Sentience to Inanimate Objects: using provided objects, or something of your own, you will follow steps to create your own unique story. Contributed by former film exec, writer/producer, artist and script consultant, Devorah Cutler-Rubenstein. Please Note: This event will be held IN PERSON at our space at Writers, Ink (upstairs in Barracks 16, 2730 Historic Decatur Rd. #204, San Diego, CA, 92106). San Diego Writers, Ink on Facebook / Instagram

Next up, on Wednesday, March 12, is a return visit by the remarkable Sullivan Fortner Trio, featuring Fortner on piano, Tyrone Allen on bass, and Kayvon Gordon on drums. New Orleans–native Sullivan Fortner has gained wide recognition as one of the most accomplished jazz musicians of his generation. His accolades include the 2015 Cole Porter Fellowship, the Leonore Annenberg Arts Fellowship, the 2016 Lincoln Center Award for Emerging Artists and, in 2020, the Shifting Foundation Grant for artistic career development. A Grammy Award–winner, he has earned recognition in multiple DownBeat Critics Polls, winning first place as both Rising Star Pianist and Rising Star Jazz Artist. His broad range of musical associations includes artists such as Roy Hargrove, Stefon Harris, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Ambrose Akinmusire, and Wynton Marsalis. The New York Times wrote, “Fortner’s fundamentals as a player could hardly be stronger, and his instincts as a composer and bandleader are almost startlingly mature ... he is an artist with his own distinct style.” Pulling elements from different eras, he finds connections among different musical styles that are at once deeply soulful and wildly inventive. Visit: https://www.ljathenaeum.org/events/jazz-25-0312 Athenaeum Music & Arts Library on Instagram and Facebook