UpstART Concert Season Promises Eclectic Mix of Music

Every year, UC Merced's UpstART music series ignites the senses by bringing far-ranging genres to the stages. In 2024-25, take a seat for acts ranging from revolutionary mariachi and hip hop/Caribbean/Latin fusion to an improvising, story-weaving cellist … for a start.

"The goal of the series is to bring high-quality acts to Merced, amazing artists who might fly below the radar," said Professor Jayson Beaster-Jones , a member of the university's Global Arts Studies Program. "We are particularly interested in bringing a diverse array of artists to UC Merced, Merced College and Merced County students."

The first UpstART concert of the season is this week. Previous seasons have included artists such as Bobby McFerrin, Los Lobos and Eliane Elias.

All performances start at 3 p.m. at the Art Kamangar Center at Merced Theatre in downtown Merced. College students (with IDs) and children under 18 can attend at no charge; general admission tickets are $15, and season tickets are available at a discounted rate. Audience members are encouraged to reserve their tickets (even the free student tickets) in advance to save time at the venue.

The season will be capped April 18, 2025, by the annual UC Merced Faculty Concert, featuring some of the university's incredible performers.

The UC Merced Arts site has details and tickets to UpstART performances and other 2024-25 arts season events. The UpstART season is co-sponsored by the Division of Equity, Justice and Inclusive Excellence.

Mariachi Arco-Iris de Los Angeles | Saturday, Oct. 12

Mariachi Arco-Iris de Los Angeles is the world's first LGBTQ+ mariachi band. A unique ensemble representing the traditions of Mexican culture, the group was created for mariachi musicians who identify as LGBTQ+ to come together and perform traditional Mexican regional music in an otherwise "machista" subculture of the mariachi world.

Danay Suárez | Sunday, Oct. 27

The Cuban native fuses hip hop and other world beats with Caribbean and Latin melodies. With her unique vocals, Suárez represents her origins while contributing to the new sound of global music.

OkCello | Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025

Okorie "OkCello" Johnson is an Atlanta-based cellist-composer, looper, improviser and storyteller. Drawing on experience as a teacher and writer, he immerses audiences in vivid stories and songs, creating a richly layered experience.

Las Cafeteras | Saturday, March 15, 2025

Hailing from east of the Los Angeles River, Las Cafeteras remixes roots music like modern-day troubadours. The group uses Afro-Mexican rhythms, electronic beats and rhyme to present stories about a community seeking to "build a world where many worlds fit."

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