UC San Diego’s ArtPower 2025/26 season announced

UC San Diego’s ArtPower is presenting its 22nd season with 32 performances over nine months, covering 10 genres across six venues. The season opens Tuesday, Sept. 23, at the Epstein Family Amphitheater with drummer Nate Smith and trumpeter Keyon Harrold in a double-bill tribute to John Coltrane.

This season, ArtPower introduces curated ticket packages offering four hand-picked performances by theme for $100.

Elizabeth Bradshaw, associate director of artistic planning and outreach, said: “Our 22nd season may be our most ambitious lineup yet. Our goal is to bring San Diegans closer to dynamic, globe-trotting performers and engaging speakers—artists who spark joy, curiosity, and connection, and who make everyone feel welcome as part of the vibrant and inclusive performing arts community that makes our region so special.”

The season is part of UC San Diego’s ArtsConnect initiative, which aims to connect campus arts programs to students and the broader community. Colleen Kollar Smith, executive director of the Campus Performances and Events Office, said: “Over the past three years, those partnerships have grown, and ArtsConnect helps shine a light on that work. It strengthens our ability to reach new audiences and connect more people to the wide range of arts opportunities on campus.”

Of the 32 performers, 22 are making their ArtPower debut, with eight performing in San Diego for the first time. Some highlights include:

• 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: Chloé 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 includes:

• 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.

Comedy highlights include Reggie Watts on Oct. 4 at the Epstein Family Amphitheater, known for 100% improvised music and comedy.

The Asterisk* series features artists pushing boundaries across genres, 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 season concludes May 30 with indie-pop artist Kishi Bashi at the Epstein Family Amphitheater.

Ticket Packages

ArtPower offers several curated packages for $100, each including 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.

There is also a “Choose Your Own” option allowing purchase of five or more events with a 20% discount.

Genres Represented

• 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.

Full Season and Tickets

The full schedule and ticket purchases are available at artpower.ucsd.edu.