Acoustic Evenings

Spring 2025

Fridays, May 16, 23 & 30; June 6, 2025

The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library is pleased to present the 2025 spring season of the Acoustic Evenings concert series, beginning May 16. The Acoustic Evenings series at the Athenaeum showcases some of the finest acoustic musicians in San Diego. Multiple acts fill each program, and attentive audiences delight in the intimacy of the unplugged storytelling format. San Diego Music Hall of Fame founder Jefferson Jay organizes and hosts the series. The project advances the Athenaeum’s commitment to support diverse San Diego talent. Acoustic Evenings is an unforgettable and personal experience for San Diego music lovers. The series, continuing through June 6, is set in the Athenaeum’s Joan & Irwin Jacobs Music Room.

FIRST TWO SPRING 2025 CONCERTS: These concerts are underwritten by the Sleet Music Performance Fund in memory of San Diegans Don Sleet (jazz trumpeter), Marshall Sleet (band leader and composer), Anna Mae Sleet (vocalist), and Jeffery Sleet (concert cellist).

Featured
Wax, Cindy Lee Berryhill, Gayle Skidmore | Acoustic Evenings
May 16
Acoustic Evenings
Wax, Cindy Lee Berryhill, Gayle Skidmore | Acoustic Evenings
Acoustic Evenings

Friday, May 16, 2025
7:30 PM

The series opens on Friday, May 16, with Wax, Cindy Lee Berryhill, and Gayle Skidmore. Gold-record recipient Wax is mostly known as a rapper with millions of views on YouTube to show for it. He is also a producer, songwriter, singer, and comedian. A founding member of the New York City Anti-folk movement, Cindy Lee Berryhill emerged as a distinctive voice in alternative music in the late 1980s. With a legacy of critically acclaimed albums, she continues to inspire with her signature mix of folk, rock, and social commentary. Seven-time San Diego Music Award nominee Gayle Skidmore has written over 2,500 songs since she began composing at age 8. A multi-instrumentalist trained in classical piano, Skidmore has mastered over 20 instruments and blends folk, pop, and classical influences into her award-winning songwriting.

Acoustic Evenings
Jimmy & Enrique, Sue Palmer & Liz Ajuzie, Walt Richards | Acoustic Evenings
May 23
Acoustic Evenings
Jimmy & Enrique, Sue Palmer & Liz Ajuzie, Walt Richards | Acoustic Evenings
Acoustic Evenings

Friday, May 23, 2025
7:30 PM

On Friday, May 23, the series continues with Jimmy and Enrique, Sue Palmer and Liz Ajuzie, and Walt Richards. Guitarist Jimmy Patton and percussionist Enrique Platas blend flamenco, Middle Eastern, salsa, calypso, Brazilian, and other world rhythms into their fiery, virtuosic performances. Their unique world-music style captivates audiences with intricate guitar passages and exotic percussive rhythms. Known as the Queen of Boogie Woogie, Sue Palmer has been a force in the San Diego music scene for over 30 years. Inducted into the San Diego Music Hall of Fame, Palmer teams up with powerhouse vocalist Liz Ajuzie, whose dynamic voice perfectly complements Palmer’s electrifying piano playing. An expert in guitar and banjo, Walt Richards has been performing and teaching music for over 50 years. He has worked with numerous musical groups, participated in live theater productions, and even won an Emmy for his television work.

Acoustic Evenings
Tim Flannery, Lisa Sanders & Brown Sugar, Ashley Norton | Acoustic Evenings
May 30
Acoustic Evenings
Tim Flannery, Lisa Sanders & Brown Sugar, Ashley Norton | Acoustic Evenings
Acoustic Evenings

Friday, May 30, 2025
7:30 PM

The series continues Friday, May 30, with Tim Flannery, Lisa Sanders and Brown Sugar, and Ashley Norton. A celebrated singer-songwriter with 14 albums to his name, Tim Flannery blends bluegrass, country, and rock into heartfelt narratives about love, travel, and life on the road. A three-time World Series champion coach with the San Francisco Giants, he and his wife also founded the Love Harder Project, a nonprofit with an anti-bullying focus. Lisa Sanders, an acclaimed singer-songwriter with influences spanning folk, pop, gospel, rock, and jazz, has collaborated with music legends like Bonnie Raitt and BB King. Performing with longtime duo partner Karen "Brown Sugar" Hayes, the two bring soulful harmonies and masterful storytelling to the stage. Singer-songwriter-guitarist Ashley Norton is the leader of the all-female Americana band Lady Psychiatrist’s Booth and creator of the popular all-female songwriter showcase Songbirds. Her performances feature original compositions and unique renditions of beloved classics.

Acoustic Evenings
Lee Coulter, Julia Sage, Dave Booda, Monette Marino, Santiago Orozco, Jesus Gonzalez, Jefferson Jay, Bri Schillings, Michelle Lerach | Acoustic Evenings
Jun 6
Acoustic Evenings
Lee Coulter, Julia Sage, Dave Booda, Monette Marino, Santiago Orozco, Jesus Gonzalez, Jefferson Jay, Bri Schillings, Michelle Lerach | Acoustic Evenings
Acoustic Evenings

Friday, June 6, 2025
7:30 PM

The series concludes Friday, June 6, and we are expanding from our traditional three songwriters’ format for the first time ever for a special celebration of music and love. There are so many great talents in and around San Diego. For one night only, explore an array of excellent artists all assembled to deliver songs of love to you. Enjoy Acoustic Evenings exemplified, featuring Lee Coulter, Julia Sage, Dave Booda, Monette Marino, Santiago Orozco, Jesus Gonzalez, Jefferson Jay, Bri Schillings, and Michelle Lerach. One night only—and leave with a few new favorite artists.

Acoustic Evenings
 

JOAN & IRWIN JACOBS
MUSIC ROOM
Athenaeum Music & Arts Library
1008 Wall Street
La Jolla, CA 92037

CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS

CONCERTS BEGIN AT 7:30 PM.
DOORS OPEN AT 7:00 PM.

INDIVIDUAL CONCERTS:
$18 member / $23 nonmember / $5 student

SERIES OF 4 CONCERTS:
$64 member / $84 nonmember / $18 student

Online ticket sales are subject to ticketing fees.

  • The concerts will be in person at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. There are no physical tickets for these events. Your name will be on an attendee list at the front door. Doors open at 7 p.m. Seating is first-come; first-served. Priority seating will be given to Donor level members and above. 

    These events will be presented in compliance with State of California and County of San Diego health regulations as applicable at the time of each concert.

  • Payment must be received in order to reserve a spot at a concert.

    Your reservation is not complete until you receive an email confirmation. If you do not receive a confirmation email, your tickets have not been reserved. Please check your inbox and spam/junk folder or contact us at info@ljathenaeum.org or (858) 454-5872 to ensure your booking is finalized. 

  • ALL SALES ARE FINAL. No refunds or exchanges. In the event of a cancellation for which there is no rescheduled date, a refund for this ticket may be issued at the option of the management.