Happy New Year, UBC Arts!
This January, immerse yourself in captivating performances, thought-provoking art installations, and engaging workshops. From live music to insightful discussions, there’s something for everyone to explore. Check out this roundup of events you won’t want to miss!
the bomb: Smriti Keshari & Eric Schlosser
January 7–30 | 12:00–4:00 PM | AHVA Gallery
Free
An evocative art installation by Smriti Keshari and Eric Schlosser, blending archival footage, animation, and an electronic score by The Acid to reflect on nuclear weapons. Visit the AHVA Gallery from January 7 to 30 (open Tue-Fri from 12 to 4 pm), and join the gallery exhibit opening with artists on January 15 from 5 to 7 pm.
Network your way to career success
Tuesday, January 14 | 12:00–1:00 PM | Online
Free
Join Arts Career Strategist Robyn Stalkie and level up your networking skills! From Zoom calls to the boardroom, this session will help you navigate diverse networking opportunities to advance your career.
The Compass Open House
Thursday, January 16 | 2:00–4:00 PM | The Compass Hub
Free
Explore what the Compass Student Engagement Hub has to offer at the Open House! Discover events and programs designed to enhance your UBC Arts experience—plus, grab a FREE tote bag and some food! 🎉 Located on the third floor of Brock Commons South, with entrances on Walter Gage Road and East Mall.
Writing Queer Utopias Intensive at UBC Vancouver
January 17–19 | 9:00 AM–8:00 PM
Free
Imagine new possibilities at Writing Queer Utopias, a free retreat for queer UBC students. Collaborate with inspiring artists through writing, world-building, and reflection in a welcoming space.
Missy D and Tonye Aganaba
Saturday, January 18 | 8:00 PM
Tickets: $15–25
Experience the bold sounds of Missy D and Tonye Aganaba, two artists elevating Vancouver’s music scene. Missy D fuses hip-hop, jazz, and R&B into her “Rap & Soul,” while Tonye Aganaba’s music offers vulnerability and connection, championing social justice and decolonization.
Disability Justice Book Club: Disabled and Proud Cohort
Wednesday, January 22 | 9:00 AM–8:00 PM | Irving K. Barber Learning Centre (or Online)
Free
Connect with others and explore disability justice at the EDI Scholars-in-Residence Disability Justice Book Club. Open to self-identified disabled UBC students, it’s a space for reflection, learning, and meaningful conversations.
The Barriers First Nation Communities Face Regarding Indigenous Data Sovereignty
Thursday, January 23 | 4:00–5:00 PM | The Compass Hub
Free
Indigenous data sovereignty is more than a policy—it’s a fight for control. This talk unpacks the power dynamics that hinder First Nation communities from fully managing their own data, exploring the nation-to-nation relationship and the federal government’s influence on data governance.
Arts Career Conversations: The Art of Landing a Job
Thursday, January 23 | 6:00–8:00 PM | Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre
Free
Connect with Arts alumni and gain practical advice on kickstarting your career. From job applications to acing interviews, alumni from diverse fields will share tips for marketing your Arts degree and navigating life after graduation. Plus, enjoy free LinkedIn headshots and a chance to win exciting prizes!
Lunar New Year Market
January 25–26 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research
Tickets: $8.88
Welcome the Year of the Snake at UBC Botanical Garden’s Lunar New Year Market! Explore workshops, lion dances, and vibrant market stalls while enjoying the beauty of the Asian Garden.
UBC Bands: Symphonic Concert Winds
Wednesday, January 29 | 7:30–9:30 PM | Old Auditorium
Free
Experience the artistry of UBC Concert Winds under conductor Meijun Chen. Renowned for their creative programs and commitment to contemporary music, the UBC Bands showcase premieres, commissions, and outstanding performances.
The Arsonists
January 29 – February 8 | 7:30–9:00 PM | Telus Studio Theatre, Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
Tickets: $13–$27
In a town plagued by arson, businessman Biedermann remains oblivious as he welcomes two strangers into his home, even helping them store gasoline in his attic. Max Frisch’s The Arsonists is a dark satire on the dangers of complacency, presented by UBC’s Department of Theatre.
UBC Opera: Street Scene
January 30 – February 2 | 7:30–9:30 PM | Old Auditorium
Tickets: $25-$50
Dive into Kurt Weill and Langston Hughes’ Street Scene, an opera that fuses jazz, blues, and classical arias. Set in a New York neighbourhood, it weaves the story of Anna Maurrant’s affair and her daughter Rose’s struggles amidst the heat of a summer’s day.
UBC University Singers
Friday, January 31 | 7:30–9:00 PM | Roy Barnett Recital Hall (Music Building)
Free
Join the award-winning UBC University Singers for an unforgettable evening of chamber choir music, from Renaissance classics to modern masterpieces.
