Performances & Events

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Wed July 22nd

Up Close: A Conversation with Brad Bird and Michael Giacchino

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A side-by-side photo of two men in a dimly lit indoor setting, likely a recording studio. On the left, a man with gray hair and glasses wears a black baseball cap, a black graphic t-shirt, and a dark cardigan, standing with his hands in his pockets and a slight smile. On the right, a man with a beard and glasses laughs heartily, wearing a brown fedora-style hat, a gray long-sleeve henley, a red bandana around his neck, and a watch and bracelet on his wrist. A glass partition divides the two halves of the image, with other people and equipment visible in the background.

Wed July 22nd

Up Close: A Conversation with Brad Bird and Michael Giacchino

Buy Tickets
Date
Wednesday July 22nd, 2026
Time
7:30PM

Gates open

6:30 pm

Presented by

ArtPower at UC San Diego

Pricing

Tickets: $35–80
UCSD Students: Limited free tickets via SSO

Ticket prices are inclusive of fees.

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For the third year running, Oscar, Grammy, and Golden Globe-winning composer Michael Giacchino returns to host an intimate conversation with one of Hollywood’s most beloved filmmakers.

Brad Bird is a two-time Academy Award winner whose films—The Iron Giant, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Mission: Impossible–Ghost Protocol, Incredibles 2—have a way of sneaking up on you emotionally no matter how many times you’ve seen them.

Giacchino’s scores are inseparable from the worlds Bird creates; if you’ve felt your heart lift during the opening of The Incredibles or found yourself unexpectedly moved by a rat making soup in Paris, that’s Michael’s music doing its quiet, powerful work.

Together, they trace the arc of a filmmaking life that began with a handmade short sent to Disney at age fourteen and has never stopped reaching for something extraordinary—and along the way, share stories from over two decades of creative partnership that you won’t have heard anywhere else. Funny, candid, and deeply felt, this is an evening for anyone who has ever loved a movie.

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.

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A side-by-side photo of two men in a dimly lit indoor setting, likely a recording studio. On the left, a man with gray hair and glasses wears a black baseball cap, a black graphic t-shirt, and a dark cardigan, standing with his hands in his pockets and a slight smile. On the right, a man with a beard and glasses laughs heartily, wearing a brown fedora-style hat, a gray long-sleeve henley, a red bandana around his neck, and a watch and bracelet on his wrist. A glass partition divides the two halves of the image, with other people and equipment visible in the background.
July 22, 2026
7:30PM
Up Close: A Conversation with Brad Bird and Michael Giacchino
View Calendar
9500 Gilman Drive MC 0029 La Jolla, CA 92093-0029

AMPHITHEATER@UCSD.EDU

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