The Talk of the Town: Diamonds, Jazz and Dreams

Annual Benefit Celebration

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Open bar and delicious delights
1950s cocktail attire suggested

The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library will host its annual benefit celebration, The Talk of the Town, on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in La Jolla. This year’s theme, Diamonds, Jazz and Dreams, promises a glamorous evening inspired by timeless elegance, live music, and community celebration.

Guests will enjoy an evening of live big band and jazz performances, dancing, signature cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a buffet dinner while exploring the Athenaeum’s historic spaces and distinguished art collection. The night will also feature a silent auction with a curated selection of unique experiences and items.

A VIP Hour will kick off the evening with red carpet arrivals, champagne and caviar, exclusive cocktails, live music by Ashley Anne and the Carnations, valet parking, and early access to the silent auction.

The Talk of the Town is the Athenaeum’s signature fundraising event, supporting its year-round programming, including concerts, art exhibitions, lectures, fine arts classes, and the continued growth of its renowned library collections. Now in its 126th year, the Athenaeum serves more than 100,000 visitors annually and remains one of only 17 membership libraries in the nation.

More than 200 of the Athenaeum’s most dedicated supporters are expected to attend this sparkling event which plays a vital role in sustaining accessible and inspiring arts programming for the San Diego community.

The Athenaeum is a non-profit 501(3)C organization. Corporate sponsorship and underwriting opportunities are available, offering sponsors visibility among Athenaeum members and the broader community.

Reservations for The Talk of the Town: Diamonds, Jazz and Dreams are required by April 25, 2026, at 11:59 PM. For more information about the event, sponsorship opportunities, or donations, please contact Dave Eassa at (858) 454-5872 or deassa@ljathenaeum.org.

ATHENAEUM MUSIC & ARTS LIBRARY
1008 Wall Street
La Jolla, CA 92037

CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS
Parking in downtown La Jolla is limited; please consider rideshare services or carpooling to the event.

VIP Hour: 5:30–6:30 PM
Main Event: 6:30–10 PM

VIP Tickets: $1,000
Includes:

Early VIP entry at 5:30 p.m. in the Garden
Champagne and caviar
Live Music: Ashley Anne and the Carnations
First look at silent auction offerings
Complementary valet parking
$750 is tax-deductible

General Tickets: $250
Includes:

Entry to The Talk of the Town at 6:30 p.m.
Open bar and chef stations included
Live big band music and dancing
$50 is tax-deductible

Online ticket sales are subject to ticketing fees.

Thank you to The Talk of the Town 2026 Committee Members!

Co-Chairs
Louis Lupin and Gail Myers

Committee
Ann Craig ♦ Kip Eischen ♦ Celia Henely ♦ Margaret Jackson ♦ Carolyn Oliver

Thank you to The Talk of the Town 2026 Underwriters!

Chandelier Patron, **$5,000 Level**

Carolyn Oliver and Brent Covey

Moon River Friend, $1,000 Level

Catherine and Bob Palmer

The Talk of the Town 2026
Corporate Sponsorship & Underwriting Opportunities

For the last 126 years, the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library has been a vital cultural anchor for San Diego, bringing music, art, and ideas to life for the 100,000+ visitors each year. Our work ensures that concerts, exhibitions, lectures, and hands-on classes remain accessible, inspiring, and relevant to our diverse community.

On May 9, 2026, we will gather for our annual gala, The Talk of the Town. This year’s theme, Diamonds, Dreams and Jazz will transform the evening into a sparkling celebration of art, glamour,and community. As our signature fundraising event, the gala is not only a highlight of the season but also a critical source of support that sustains the Athenaeum’s year-round programming and growing library collections.

By sponsoring Diamonds, Dreams and Jazz, you help make possible free and low-cost programs that open doors to the arts for people of all ages and backgrounds. Your support fuels creativity,nurtures lifelong learning, and strengthens one of San Diego’s rarest cultural treasures—one of only 17 membership libraries in the nation.

This very special evening brings together more than 200 of the Athenaeum’s most dedicated donors and supporters each year, making it a true community celebration. Your sponsorship ensures that you are part of this extraordinary circle, joining others who care deeply about keeping the arts vibrant and accessible in our city.

We hope you will join us in supporting this remarkable night and the important work it makes possible. Together, we can ensure that the Athenaeum continues to be a place where art, music, and community thrive.