by With 32 performances spanning nine months and ten genres at six venues, UC San Diego’s ArtPower is showcasing its 22nd season. The season begins on Tuesday, September 23 at the Epstein Family Amphitheater with a double-bill tribute to John Coltrane featuring trumpeter Keyon Harrold and drummer Nate Smith.
ArtPower is launching curated ticket packages this season that cost $100 and include four carefully chosen performances arranged by topic.
Our 22nd season may have the most ambitious program to date, according to Elizabeth Bradshaw, associate director of creative development and outreach. Our mission is to introduce San Diegans to dynamic, internationally touring performers and captivating lecturers who arouse curiosity, joy, and a sense of community while welcoming everyone into the thriving and inclusive performing arts scene that is so unique to our area.
The season is a component of UC San Diego’s ArtsConnect program, which seeks to link students and the community at large with campus arts activities. These collaborations have expanded over the last three years, and ArtsConnect helps bring attention to that work, stated Colleen Kollar Smith, executive director of the Campus Performances and Events Office. It improves our capacity to connect more people to the diverse array of artistic possibilities on campus and to reach new audiences.
Eight of the 32 artists are performing in San Diego for the first time, while 22 are making their ArtPower debut. Among the highlights are:
- Sept. 24: Bia Ferreira, Brazilian singer and activist, The Loft.
- Sept. 26: LA LOM, Los Angeles instrumental trio blending Cumbia Sonidera and boleros, Epstein Family Amphitheater.
-
Oct. 24: La Mezcla, San Francisco dance and music ensemble presenting
Ghostly Labor
about labor history on the U.S. Mexico border, Epstein Family Amphitheater. -
Nov. 22:
Don t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical
, based on Mo Willems s children s book, Epstein Family Amphitheater. - Nov. 23: Ganavya, transdisciplinarian singer raised in Tamil Nadu, The Loft.
-
Dec. 5 6:
The Golden Gals Live! A Christmas Musical
, a drag parody starring RuPaul s Drag Race star Ginger Minj, Epstein Family Amphitheater. - Feb. 25, 2026: SML, Los Angeles jazz quintet, The Loft.
-
April 9: Chlo Arnold s
Syncopated Ladies Live!
, an all-female tap dance show celebrating sisterhood, Epstein Family Amphitheater. -
April 21:
The Making of Our Planet: Frozen Worlds
, live show featuring behind-the-scenes stories from the Netflix nature documentary, Epstein Family Amphitheater.
The speaker series consists of:
-
Nov. 6: Priya Krishna,
New York Times
food reporter and cookbook author, speaking at Price Center East Ballroom about food and cross-cultural understanding. - April 1: Anne Lamott and Neal Allen, author and writer-spiritual coach, in conversation at the Balboa Theatre.
Highlights of the humor include Reggie Watts, who performs entirely improvised comedy and music on October 4 at the Epstein Family Amphitheater.
Artists pushing the frontiers of several genres are featured in the Asterisk* series, including:
- Nov. 13: Bang on a Can All-Stars with a tribute to Ryuichi Sakamoto, Mandeville Auditorium.
-
April 15: Attacca Quartet and Caroline Shaw performing Grammy-winning album
Evergreen
, The Loft. - May 29: Mivos Quartet performing Steve Reich s complete string quartets, Conrad Prebys Concert Hall.
The Epstein Family Amphitheater will host indie-pop performer Kishi Bashi on May 30 to wrap up the season.
Packages for Tickets
For $100, ArtPower provides a number of well chosen packages that include four themed shows:
-
Taste of ArtPower
: audience favorites across dance and speaker series. -
Adventure Package
: boundary-pushing performances of sound and soul. -
Beyond Strings Package
: string instrument-focused performances. -
In Her Voice
: spotlight on female performers. -
Borderless Beats
: Latinx music and dance performances.
Additionally, there is a Choose Your Own option that offers a 20% discount for purchases of five or more events.
Types of Music Shown
-
Chamber Music
: classical music in intimate settings. -
Dance
: performances by emerging and established troupes. -
Jazz
: rising stars and veterans of jazz.. -
Global
: music and dance reflecting cultures worldwide -
American Routes
: Americana music, including blues, folk, gospel -
Speaker
: influential voices sharing stories and perspectives. -
Family
: music series for young audiences. -
Comedy
: stand-up and musical comedy acts. -
Asterisk
:* experimental and boundary-pushing artists.
Tickets and the entire season
You can purchase tickets and view the complete schedule at artpower.ucsd.edu.
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