The University of California San Diego's Park & Market is dialing up the heat for the 2024 run of its respected Intersections concert series. Featuring a roster of award-laden homegrown talent and culturally diverse acts, it's primed to be a magnetic draw for arts folk citywide.
With celebrated names like the international recording artist Rebecca Jade and Grammy-Award winner Kamau Kenyatta thrown into the melodic mix, it's no small wonder the program is shaping up to broaden the region’s musical horizons impressively. Park & Market is set to showcase performances and deliver hard-hitting educational lectures, all under the stylish dome of the Guggenheim Theatre. According to UC San Diego, this eclectic ensemble intends “to forge connections between people, artists, educators, businesses, and innovators” — locally and globally.
Andrew Waltz, Director of Arts Management at Park & Market, tells audiences that the endeavor will "bring world-class artists, writers, leaders and experts" to the downtown stage. This ambition seemingly builds upon last year's lauded inaugural season. Waltz told UC San Diego that every event will be guided by expert narrators, ensuring spectators are set to gain knowledge and further curiosity about their local community and beyond.
The 2024 lineup, kicking off January 19 with none other than West African virtuoso Adama Bilorou, is practically bristling with innovative renditions of historical genres. The series boldly promises to stretch across a landmass of styles — from East L.A.-inspired Quetzal and ensemble to Gene Perry's Afro-Caribbean fusions. Audiences can expect to be serenaded by the strings of Grammy alumnus Jeremy Kittel and his company come September. Curator Yale Strom praises the mix as "rousing, virtuosic," setting high expectations for this year’s performances.
This festival of sound doesn’t just stop at auditory delights, either. Co-curators such as Jade and Kenyatta aim to strike a chord with their audiences, engaging in Q&A sessions post-performance to offer a deeper look into the creative process. Jade shared with UC San Diego her anticipation for "a unique musical experience" as a rookie host for the series.
For those looking to get in on the action, be it the melodious or the educational, Park & Market's got the details plastered on its website, where tickets can also be snapped up. Should any patrons feel the pull to support the continued cultural injection that is the Intersections event series, UC San Diego's digital arms are wide open for contributions.
