Introducing UC San Diego’s Newest Music Festival: The Arcades
The free, seven-hour event will span two dozen musical genres
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On May 18, more than 200 UC San Diego students will perform as part of a new music festival called The Arcades, designed to celebrate the talent of undergraduate composers, vocalists and instrumentalists across the university. The entire Conrad Prebys Music Center will be transformed into a site of simultaneous performances featuring over two dozen musical genres—from jazz and rap to alternative rock and chamber orchestra—with a focus on original works.
“Art is an essential connection point, and The Arcades is an exciting new musical tradition that unites students who are both formally studying music as well as those perfecting their skill outside of the classroom,” said Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities Cristina Della Coletta. “I’m impressed by the ingenuity and ambition of our students in taking the lead on this exciting project.”
The Arcades is designed to function like a musical collage where listeners can explore the panorama of undergraduate music by dropping in and out of five performance spaces, sampling each room for as long as they’d like.
- The outdoor courtyard will feature a range of energetic bands, from Indie rock to saxophone and hip hop-Indian fusion.
- In the Conrad Prebys Concert Hall, guests will enjoy chamber orchestras as well as ensembles featuring Persian music, jazz and percussion.
- At the Experimental Theater, hear an opera, explore an immersive sound installation as well as listen to performances that bridge classical and contemporary music.
- The Recital Hall will be dedicated to classical chamber music, from piano soloists to acapella performances.
- A songwriter’s circle will transform the Orchestra Rehearsal Room into a lounge ambiance with acoustic and single instrument acts.
“There’s nowhere else you can catch a hip-hop performance and an opera in the same building,” said Michael McLaughlin, a music major who is a member of the marketing committee. He’s also part of a six-piece jazz-funk band performing called the Honeytones. “What makes The Arcades special is that we get to see the variety of genres and the creativity of all our performers.”
The festival also offers an opportunity for student musicians to perform for a live audience—a first time for many at The Arcades. “As a solo artist, I know how hard getting your work out to the world can be; joining the Arcades has given me the opportunity to help my peers gain valuable exposure and experience,” said Annabel Metcalf, a music major and member of the marketing committee who will be performing in the songwriter’s circle as Sapphire Gray. “I can’t wait for the attendees of our festival to hear all the amazing things our performers have to offer!”
An overwhelming 400 performer submissions were received when planning the inaugural festival. Many are undergraduates in the Department of Music, part of the School of Arts and Humanities, who are studying composition and performance as well as the intersections of computer science, art and cultural theory. Others participate in one of the campus’s two dozen music and performance clubs. The bonds made through these musical exchanges is a key goal of the university’s ArtsConnect initiative, which offers pathways to study art, attend an event or express creativity in a multitude of ways.
"There’s nowhere else you can catch a hip-hop performance and an opera in the same building. What makes The Arcades special is that we get to see the variety of genres and the creativity of all our performers.”
From left to right: Sapphire Gray, an indie singer-songwriter and classically trained pianist whose resonant ballads tackle heavy topics such as grief and identity; the Honeytones, a six-piece jazz-funk band that blends soulful vocals, tight horn lines and infectious rhythms to create fresh and timeless sound; and Felix Fan, a cellist performing in the Bridge Music Series, which will present undergraduate student compositions that bridge classical and contemporary music to create cultural connections.
Behind the music: building a festival from scratch
The Arcades project has been years in the making, originating from a 2023 gift from Marco Londei and Liquin Wang, founders of the Farfy Foundation. They were inspired to give after meeting students and faculty who are pushing the boundaries of musical creation and performance. The support sparked an idea in Distinguished Professor of Music Steven Schick: what if we launch a course that teaches students how to execute a music festival, and then help them realize it?
A new, two-part course was established in the Department of Music in fall 2024, piloted by Schick, with the first students enrolling in the winter. Students learned a range of skills, from establishing a budget and booking venues to curating artists and designing publicity. This spring, the steering committee has progressed to paid positions as students assume leadership roles to bring the festival to life, which include managing programming, live audio capture, marketing and more.
“We have created not just a festival, but the mechanism for the students themselves to organize, budget and execute it,” said Schick. “These are passionate young musicians, and they are dedicated to making a lively environment with and for their colleagues. The diversity of music is extraordinary and the energy palpable.”
The Arcades will pay homage to the 18th-century Paris arcades, covered passageways lined with shops that were designed for strolling, shopping and leisure. The student team has incorporated a video game theme to connect to the contemporary meaning of arcades. The event will also offer food trucks to sustain music lovers through their music marathon journey.
Performers will include rapper Kate (left), who brings a vibrant and playful energy while embracing her identity and celebrating self-love; and uglyfruit, an indie singer-songwriter who presents emotionally raw original music with poetic lyrics on acoustic guitar.
Whether student leaders plan to pursue music as a career or another field, the experience gained in planning the inaugural Arcades music festival has proven to be valuable for all. For Natalie Yousefi, a public health major, the project has helped her build leadership and communication skills that she believes will strengthen her medical school application. “You definitely need these skills as a physician, from communicating with different teams to overseeing logistics and managing your time,” she said.
Yousefi was also motivated to join the team because she wanted to draw people together across cultures and backgrounds. “What excites me most is helping to spotlight a diverse range of student talent and amplifying student voices that aren’t always heard. I’m proud to be part of making this happen.”
Learn more about The Arcades and register for the event here.
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