Southern California ensemble QUITAPENAS draws inspiration from Afro-Latin rhythms and the rich musical traditions of Latin America. Formed by first-generation sons of Guatemalan and Mexican immigrants, the group blends influences from Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Angola, and beyond into a sound shaped by movement, celebration, and joy.
“QUITAPENAS, one word – all caps, four syllables – all claps,” gives you a taste of the band’s rhythmic contagion. Named for the Spanish phrase meaning “to remove worries,” QUITAPENAS invites audiences to dance, connect, and leave their worries behind.
Los Angeles singer-songwriter Irene Diaz has earned acclaim for her captivating presence and emotionally rich songs. Drawing inspiration from artists like Sade, Nina Simone, and the dreamlike sound of Mazzy Star, Diaz pairs evocative lyrics with a voice that is haunting, soulful, and deeply expressive.
Performing selections from across her catalog, including her breakout single “Crazy Love,” Diaz offers an evening of intimate ballads at The Loft. Accompanied by piano, guitar, or ukulele, Diaz draws listeners into songs filled with longing, beauty, and quiet intensity.
With the San Diego Children’s Choir
GRAMMY-nominated brass quartet The Westerlies brings its signature blend of jazz, classical, folk, and American roots influences to Fireside Brass, a festive program featuring beloved seasonal favorites. Praised for their dynamic precision and adventurous spirit, the ensemble has earned national acclaim for bringing these sounds together in unexpected ways.
From “Carol of the Bells” and “O Holy Night” to “Joy to the World” and “Jingle Bells,” Fireside Brass celebrates the season with rich harmonies and songs everyone knows by heart. Joined by the San Diego Children’s Choir on select songs, The Westerlies create a joyful evening filled with tradition and the spirit of a family sing-along.
For nearly two decades, the Sitkovetsky Trio has been recognized as one of today’s leading chamber ensembles. Bringing together Russian-British violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky, German cellist Isang Enders, and Chinese pianist Wu Qian, the ensemble has appeared at many of the world’s foremost concert halls while earning international acclaim for its award-winning recordings.
Their program pairs Haydn’s elegant Piano Trio in E-flat Major with Schumann’s deeply expressive Piano Trio No. 3 before concluding with Beethoven’s beloved “Archduke” Trio, one of the composer’s most celebrated works.
Program:
Joseph Haydn: Piano Trio no. 36, in Eb Major, op. 71, no. 2, Hob. XV:22
Robert Schumann: Piano Trio no. 3, in G minor, op. 110
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Trio, in Bb Major, op. 97 “Archduke”
For nearly three decades, Lúnasa has been one of the leading voices in contemporary Irish music, bringing together traditional melodies, driving rhythms, and an unmistakable sense of joy. Featuring uilleann pipes, fiddle, flute, and bass, the quintet is known for inventive arrangements and remarkable ensemble interplay.
Just ahead of St. Patrick’s Day, Lúnasa brings the spirit of Ireland to Belly Up with lyrical melodies, high-energy dance tunes, and an infectious sense of celebration. It’s the perfect way to welcome the season with friends, family, and unforgettable live music.
Michael Mayo has earned international acclaim for work that combines expressive songwriting, layered harmonies, and inventive vocal techniques. The Los Angeles composer and performer has recorded and performed with artists including Herbie Hancock, Lenny Kravitz, and Josh Groban.
Drawing from Bones and his two-time GRAMMY-nominated album Fly, Mayo joins us at ArtPower with music that is expansive, richly detailed, and emotionally resonant. Blending melody, language, and soaring arrangements, he creates an evening where words and music move in conversation with one another.
An Unforgettable Night of Culture and Community
2025 NPR Tiny Desk Contest winner Ruby Ibarra and The Balikbayans blend hip-hop, jazz, spoken word, and Filipino musical traditions in a performance rooted in identity, resilience, empowerment, and community. Through multilingual lyricism and live arrangements, they explore stories of heritage, belonging, and hope.
Presented during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the evening celebrates the richness of Filipino culture while welcoming audiences of all backgrounds to connect through music and storytelling. Featuring fan favorites alongside new work, it offers a joyful celebration of heritage, belonging, and shared experience.
More than three decades after its release, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got remains the album that brought Sinéad O’Connor to international audiences and established her as one of music’s most unforgettable voices. Featuring songs including “Nothing Compares 2 U,” “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” and “Jump in the River,” the record endures through the fearlessness, vulnerability, and uncompromising spirit that defined her work.
Joining us at The Loft, interdisciplinary artist Dorian Wood performs the recording in its entirety. Created as a personal and heartfelt tribute to O’Connor, this piano-and-voice performance offers an opportunity to spend an evening with one of the most celebrated releases of the 1990s and the enduring influence of Sinéad O’Connor.
Purbayan Chatterjee and Mark Lettieri
GRAMMY-winning guitarist Mark Lettieri (Snarky Puppy) and acclaimed sitar virtuoso Purbayan Chatterjee come together for Feathered Creatures, a collaboration inspired by their forthcoming album of the same name. Blending Indian classical tradition with modern jazz and rock, the project began as an unexpected musical connection and evolved into a creative partnership.
With expressive sitar, soaring guitar, and textured compositions, Feathered Creatures reveals how two distinct musical traditions can create something entirely new.
Ringdown is the indie-pop duo of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and GRAMMY-winning musician Caroline Shaw and singer-songwriter Danni Lee Parpan. Blending folk-inspired harmonies, string arrangements, and electropop, the duo creates a cinematic sound that reflects Shaw’s contemporary classical background and Parpan’s modern songwriting.
Their debut album, Lady on the Bike, showcases richly layered vocals, expressive instrumentation, and atmospheric production. Ringdown brings its genre-bending music to life at The Loft.
