Music in the Jewel

The Jewel is alive with the sound of music.

Listen closely and you’ll hear a community humming with melodies ranging from the soulful to the sublime.

The good news: These musical interludes are delighting audiences gathered at neighborhood venues on any given day or night. The wonderful news: Many of these performances may be enjoyed by the simple act of showing up.

Baroque music lovers, rejoice! The Bach’s Lunch concert series presents free, mid-week chamber music performances that channel the divinity expressed in the compositions of celebrated baroque composers. The one-hour concerts take place the first Wednesday of the month, beginning at 12:30 p.m., at St. James-by-the-Sea.

The Athenaeum’s Mini Concert Series offers another joyful collision of music and lunch in the village. As sure as a morning sunrise, performances unfold, from noon to 1 p.m., every Monday, in the Athenaeum’s Music & Arts Library. Admission to this popular showcase of classical, jazz, folk and world music is free.

The magic of live opera takes center stage on the second Wednesday evening of every month at the La Jolla Community Center. Attracting California’s finest opera singers to the heart of Windansea, this beloved recital series captures opera’s passion and power in an accessible neighborhood setting. Performances begin at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but a free-will donation is encouraged as a thank you to the artists who bring Opera Wednesdays to life.

Eclectic headliners – often locals – are the hallmark of Beaumont’s signature concert experience. Savor a cocktail at the bar, or tuck into a delicious dinner in the eatery’s intimate cabaret setting, while enjoying a show. A $10 cover charge is your ticket to an evening of great music and good fun in the heart of Bird Rock.

Winter is the perfect time to venture out and take in a concert or recital. Cheers to the power of music to keep our spirits bright!