Performances & Events

This calendar reflects publicly listed events. For inquiries about rentals or hosting your event, please click here to learn more.

Loading Events

Thu October 22nd

Common Read: The Power of Poetry with Ada Limón

Moderated by Prof. Brandon Som

Ada Limón smiles at the camera, arms resting on a desk, wearing a navy blouse with coral flowers and gold earrings, before white bookshelves filled with books.

Thu October 22nd

Common Read: The Power of Poetry with Ada Limón

Moderated by Prof. Brandon Som

Date
Thursday October 22nd, 2026
Time
5:00PM

Gates open

Gates at 4 pm

Presented by

Common Read
ArtPower at UC San Diego

Pricing

UC San Diego Community: Free, RSVP Required

Share

Join us for a reading & conversation with 2026 Common Read author, Ada Limón.  She is the author of seven books of poetry, including The Carrying, which won the National Books Critics Circle Award.  Limón is the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and was named a 2024 Time MagazineWoman of the Year.
Her new short-form non-fiction book, Against Breaking: On the Power of Poetry is an invitation to see poetry as much more than just words—as a powerful force for healing, a call to action, and a vibrant celebration of humanity’s many voices.
Brandon Som is a UC San Diego professor in the Literature Dept. He is a Chicano and Chinese American poet who received his Ph.D. in Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Southern California, and an M.F.A. in Poetry at the University of Pittsburgh. He is the author of Tripas, which was awarded the 2024 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry and was a finalist for the National Book Award.

The Epstein Family Amphitheater is located at 9480 Innovation Ln, La Jolla, CA 92093.

Take the Trolley: The amphitheater is located next to the Blue Line Trolley, UCSD Central Campus Station. For more information about the trolley, visit the MTS website >

From the North: Take I-5 south and exit La Jolla Village Drive. Use the right lanes to turn right onto La Jolla Village Drive and take the first right onto Villa La Jolla Drive.

From the South: Take I-5 north and exit La Jolla Village Drive. Use the left lanes to turn left onto La Jolla Village Drive and take the first right onto Villa La Jolla Drive.

The closest parking structure is Gilman Parking Structure. UC San Diego requires parking permits 7 days a week. Permits can be purchased at permit machines or through the Parkmobile App. Visit UC San Diego Transportation for information on where to buy your permit, and costs.

Accessible Seating

Wheelchair-accessible seating is available in all seating areas for patrons in wheelchairs and their companions. 

 

If you need additional information andor assistance, please contact amphitheater@ucsd.edu.

You may bring in empty refillable water bottles, small personal bags (16” x 16 “ x 8”). All bags are subject to search by security officers. We encourage that you dress in layers and for those who have tickets to the General Lawn Section to wear shoes without heels.

Additional prohibited items include: strollers, large backpacks, flags, tobacco products, alcohol, cans, bottles, ice chests, picnic baskets, lawn furniture, weapons of any kind, umbrellas, pets, hula hoops, musical instruments, laser pointers, bicycles, and skateboards.  Cameras with a detachable lens of any kind and professional recording devices are not allowed, including GoPros. Scooters, skateboards, roller skates, and other recreational wheeled equipment are not permitted at the Epstein Family Amphitheater. UC San Diego is a smoke-free campus. 

If you have questions, please contact amphitheater@ucsd.edu.

For the safety and comfort of all, you may not bring lawn chairs or furniture. The lawn is quite steep and not safe for lawn chairs. You can bring in personal seat cushions, blankets, or seating, as long as they fit your personal space. We encourage the same for the stone bench seating areas on both General Admission and reserved seating shows.

Snack and drink will be available for purchase in the venue. Please note: Food vendors are cashless.

[reminder to update with HDH menu if they’re serving hot food]

Related Events

September 24, 2026
7:00PM
October 21, 2026
7:00PM