UCSD concert series looks to connect with the city at large
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The Adama Bilorou Trio performs at Park & Market. Photo: Courtesy of UC San Diego
The University of California San Diego hasn't always been intertwined with the city in name, but the performing-arts series "Intersections" is doing its part to change that.
Why it matters: UCSD built its $60 million Park & Market downtown outpost specifically to combat the geographical isolation of its La Jolla campus, and the monthly series at the building's Guggenheim Theatre is part of the effort.
Driving the news: The curated series continues this month with a performance by Gene Perry and Rumba Ketumba.
- Perry, a native of Puerto Rico, has been a San Diego mainstay since 1974, playing dance-y, high-energy Afro-Cuban and Afro-Caribbean music with his ensemble, Rumba Ketumba.
- His installment of the "Interactions" series will be at 7pm Thursday, followed by a Q&A session.
What to expect: "This is a world-class, cutting-edge venue for live music, for singing, for instrumentation," said Andrew Waltz, director of arts management at UC San Diego Park & Market.
State of play: Waltz said the venue is meeting its mission of connecting the university with the outside world and driving interactions between creative people.
- He cited working last year with klezmer violinist Yale Strom, who suggested he connect with Rebecca Jade, winner of the 2020 San Diego Music Award for artist of the year.
- This year, Jade is a curator behind "Intersections."
What she's saying: "I'm trying to bring folks in who I feel would bring a unique experience that Park & Market could cater to, but just might not have a connection with them yet," she said.
- In April, she brought in Earl Thomas, a successful San Diego blues and gospel singer since the '90s, paired with other gospel singers including Sister Leola.
- "It wasn't churchy, but it was sharing the history of gospel music in this beautiful, live presentation," she said. "I've known Earl for quite a while, and we just got back in each other's world."
What's next: After Perry's show this month, "Intersections" has three more dates booked this year:
- Sept. 27: Kittel & Company, a string trio, playing "from bluegrass to Bach."
- Oct. 13: Kevin Flournoy, a keyboardist and composer playing jazz, pop and R&B.
Oct. 26: Vadim Koplakov and Nicholas Adams, "a mesmerizing fusion of gypsy music."