Dinners & Receptions

Library Rentals

For rental inquiries for private events, such as weddings, please fill out the request for proposal form below. After submission, you will be contacted by the Operations Associate, Zuzzie Kapas, at (858) 454-5872 or zkapas@ljathenaeum.org.

Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the Library Association of La Jolla (Athenaeum Music & Arts Library) is held annually on the third Tuesday of July to celebrate the end of the past and the beginning of the new fiscal year. The meeting is free and open to all members. Members vote to select the new members of the Board of Trustees for a three-year term, as well as upon any other resolutions and motions. A cocktail reception follows the meeting.  

Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 5:30–7:30 PM

The Board of Trustees invites all members to join us for the 127th Annual Meeting of the Library Association of La Jolla (Athenaeum Music & Arts Library) on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. A reception will follow the meeting.  

Members: We need your vote! If you are unable to attend the meeting, please be sure to submit your proxy ballot for the election of Trustees. There will be no mail-in ballots. Proxy ballot may be submitted online or completed in person at the front desk of either the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library or the Athenaeum Art Center. 

We look forward to seeing you there! 

Nominees to the Board of Trustees for a first three-year term: 
Carmen Cuenca, Einar Gall, Louis Lupin   

Nominees to the Board of Trustees for a second three-year term: 
Laura Perese, Abbaseh Samimi 

Members’ Holiday Party

Join us for music, refreshments, and piano-side caroling to celebrate the holiday season!

The Members' Holiday Party is held annually on the first Saturday of December for members and volunteers of the Athenaeum to celebrate the festivities of the Season. The Athenaeum is transformed with décor that will leave you feeling bright and gay, including a traditional European Christmas Village display. Enjoy eggnog, sweets, and grandiose cookie displays by Girard Gourmet. Sing along to carols with pianist John Evans, and listen to live jazz music. The Members' Holiday Party is complimentary for members at the Contributing level and above, $15 for members, and $20 for guests of members.

Saturday, December TBA, 2026, 5–7 PM

The Talk of the Town

Annual Benefit Celebration

Saturday, April 17, 2027

Open bar and delicious delights

For 127 years, the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library in La Jolla has served the San Diego community offering a robust array of cultural programs. Our annual fundraiser, The Talk of the Town, to be held in April 2027, is our major benefit event of the year and one of the community’s most popular events. This glamourous evening features a reception, auction, and entertainment all set to a yearly theme. All proceeds from this event support the library’s operating funds as well as concerts, art and music appreciation lectures, fine arts classes and exhibitions, and our growing library collections.

Patron Dinner

The Patron Dinner is held annually in June in honor of our members at the Patron level and above. The celebration includes a cocktail hour and dinner, where the signature Patron Gift and Order of the Olive members are presented. In 1994, the tradition of a Patron Gift was begun. Each year, an artist who has exhibited at the Athenaeum is commissioned to create a limited-edition artwork, often reflecting the character of the organization. The first reproduction becomes part of the Athenaeum's permanent collection. The others are given as gifts to donors who support the Athenaeum at the Patron level or higher. For more information on Patron membership, please visit our membership section.

Monday, June 15, 2026
6:30 PM Cocktail Reception
7:30 PM Dinner

RSVP essential by Friday, June 1, 2026.