La Jolla’s UCSD’s ArtPower! books cutting-edge acts

February ArtPower! Lineup

■ St. Lawrence String Quartet 8 p.m. Feb. 10 The Loft, at Price Center East Tickets: Free

■ YMUSIC 8 p.m. Feb. 13 The Loft Tickets: $18-28

■ “L’Amour des Moules” 7 p.m. food, 8 p.m. movie Feb. 14 The Loft Tickets: $34 Food +Movie; $10 Movie only

■ Aszure Barton & Artists 8 p.m. Feb. 19 Mandeville Auditorium Tickets: $20-$46

■ Dr. Lonnie Smith 8 p.m. Feb. 20 The Loft Tickets: $18-$28

■ Fatoumata Diawara 8 p.m. Feb. 26 Price Center East Ballroom Tickets: $30

■ Paul Dresher Ensemble: Schick Machine 8 p.m. Feb. 27 Mandeville Auditorium

• Tickets: $28-$46

■ Box Office: (858) 534-8497

■ E-mail: artpower@ucsd.edu

■ Website:

artpower.ucsd.edu

By Lonnie Burstein Hewitt

Like music? Classical, experimental, world music, indie rock, soulful jazz? How about cutting-edge dance, or “foovies” — movies preceded by appropriately matched three-course dinners? UC San Diego’s ArtPower program caters to all tastes in February with a jam-packed lineup of eclectic events.

First, there’s the

St. Lawrence String Quartet

, a top-flight Canadian chamber ensemble that was quartet-in-residence at UCSD this past year, and will be performing works by talented student composers they have mentored. They’ll be appearing at The Loft, the on-campus performance lounge where you can sip and snack while you listen and see.

Next up at The Loft is

YMusic

, a New York-based combo of strings, flute, clarinet and trumpet that plays a mix of classical and indie rock.

More Loft-y events:

On Valentine’s night, there’s a foovie about shellfish love — the Dutch-Belgian documentary “

L’Amour des Moules

,” which takes an intimate look at the lifecycle of mussels, preceded by a dinner featuring Mussel Bouillabaisse.

The following week brings a blast of funky charisma from

Dr. Lonnie Smith

, grandmaster of the Hammond B3 organ, whose “soul jazz” has inspired R&B artists and hip-hopsters.

Beyond The Loft, look for international rising stars like Canada’s

Aszure Barton & Artists

at Mandeville Auditorium.

A protégée of Mikhail Baryshnikov, Barton is one of today’s hottest young choreographers, and her company will be performing her full-length piece, “Awaa” (water), which had its origins in a dream where she saw herself in a rocking chair, underwater.

Then, at Price Center East Ballroom, you can check out Africa’s latest female addition to the world music scene, singer/songwriter/ guitarist

Fatoumata Diawara

, whose sensuous voice transforms the traditional sounds and rhythms of her native Mali into something new.

Closing out the month, at Mandeville, will be a performance by the Bay-area-based

Paul Dresher Ensemble

and

Schick Machine

with local percussionist Steve Schick. Whatever your musical taste, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

With interim director Kathryn Martin and interim communications director Molly Clark working double-time, ArtPower’s 10th anniversary year is moving ahead full-speed.

“We’ve just closed the application process for executive director, and have a really solid group of candidates from all over the country,” Clark said.

The process will continue with a search committee, including UCSD faculty, ArtPower staff, donors, patrons and student interns.

“We try to give everyone a voice,” Clark said. “Meanwhile, we’re planning another great ArtPower season. We already have wonderful chamber music and dance companies in place, and we’re working on jazz, global music and the rest.”

— To contribute to ArtPower’s success, there’s a special fundraising event at the Faculty Club, 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, which will include brunch and live performances. To find out more about “

The Big Bang

,” contact Paulyne Becerra, (858) 534-7424 or pbecerra@ucsd.edu