Bodhi Tree Concerts Celebrate Local Artists, San Diego’s Diverse Community

Bodhi Tree Concerts is now entering its 14th season with a fresh new lineup.

The annual concert series, which says on its website that it “strives to create a community of local artists presenting music that celebrates and honors people across race, class, gender, communities, and other differences,” features local Afro-Cuban jazz and Mexican artists, as well as the return of the “Music en la Calle” street music festival.

The season, which consists of four dates spanning February to June, celebrates local artists and different cultures within the San Diego community. 

Beginning Feb. 9, all concerts will be hosted at St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in La Jolla. 

The first performance will feature San Diego jazz artist Irving Flores and opera singer Salvador Padilla in a benefit for City Heights Community Development’s New Roots Garden. The three-acre urban farm provides a growing space for refugee families. 

On March 9, the second concert will highlight the voices of Mexico through the performances of soprano Mariana Flores Bucio and tenor Miguel Zazueta. In an effort to support Earth Discovery Institute’s mission to conserve San Diego’s biodiversity, the concert will benefit their Monarch Butterfly Garden program.

On May 3, Mariachi Cali and Danz Arts San Diego will take the stage to showcase the history and geography of Mexico through music and dance. This also will be a benefit to support the Friends of Friendship Park. The community organization advocates for preservation of Friendship Park, a symbol of unity at the U.S.-Mexico border. 

To bring the 2025 season to a close, Bodhi Tree Concerts will host the free international music festival “Music En La Calle” on June 14 in the heart of City Heights.

The festival will include music and food from around the globe, including places like Mexico, Japan, Burma, and West Africa, while also acknowledging the contributions of Indigenous Americans.

Founders Diana and Walter DuMelle have been organizing Bodhi Tree events together since 2012. They want not only to create a platform for local artists but also give back to the community by donating a portion of the profits to charity. 

Built on the foundation of performing “intentional acts of kindness through music,” Bodhi Tree Concerts has donated more than $60,000 to charitable organizations such as Mama’s Kitchen, Voices for Children, and Erase Poverty.

“We are thrilled to share an exciting season of concerts that promise to uplift, inspire and unite us through the universal language of music,” Diana DuMelle said. 

This season, she said, is in preparation for the world premiere of Bodhi Tree’s new chamber opera, Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote, scheduled for both San Diego and Tijuana in January 2026.

“We believe the power of music will help build up community and create joy,” she said.

Visit Bodhi Tree Concerts online for more information on ticket prices and event hours for the upcoming season.