UCLA PRESENTS THE BEST in arts and culture, community events, sports and entertainment. From fabulous film screenings to wondrous workshops, February has a slew of experiences ready for you. For more UCLA events, visit community.ucla.edu.
FEBRUARY 27 | 7:30 P.M.
Some Favorite Writers: Adam Phillips
When it comes to kindness, missing out, wanting to change, getting better and giving up, “Britain’s foremost contemporary psychoanalytic thinker” (The New Yorker) has a few things to say about all of it. Adam Phillips, formerly a principal child psychotherapist and currently a visiting professor in the University of York’s English department, will deliver his legendary psychoanalysis and literary criticism as he joins UCLA English professors David Russell and Mona Simpson for a conversation at the Hammer Museum at UCLA. Phillips, Russell and Simpson will discuss a new era of melding psychology with literature — and what this interdisciplinary overlap will eventually evolve into. This is a free program at the Susan Bay Nimoy and Leonard Nimoy Studio. No tickets required; seats are on a first-come, first-served basis.
FEBRUARY 1 | 8 P.M.
A Defense of the Less Good Idea
All the way from Johannesburg, South Africa, the Centre for the Less Good Idea — which describes itself as a group that “aims to find the less good idea by creating and supporting experimental, collaborative and cross-disciplinary arts projects” — brings free-spirited experimentation and collaborative art together for a theatrical epic. In A Defense of the Less Good Idea, the Centre presents three short-form plays, dabbling with lively lecture, playful performance and exploratory ethos at the UCLA Nimoy Theater. Tickets here.
FEBRUARY 8 | MULTIPLE SHOWINGS
Borderline Visible: Collective Experience
In 77 minutes, Borderline Visible presents a type of living photo album: Fusing soundscapes and narration, Australian musician Oren Ambarchi and German-British artist Ant Hampton piece together print photography and auditory accompaniment to take audience members on a journey between Lausanne, Switzerland, and Izmir, Turkey. Along the eastern edge of Europe, Hampton creates a guided tour of voices and earthquakes, using interdisciplinary storytelling to touch on the historical themes of Sephardic diasporas and forced relocations. As Ambarchi and Hampton flip through their photobook, you will see beyond the images within it and watch them come to life through music and sound effects. See this “psychogeographical framework” on full display at the UCLA Nimoy Theater. Get tickets here.
FEBRUARY 14–15
In the middle of her storied 48-year career, actress Ida Lupino turned the camera around, transforming herself from ingénue to one of the most prominent filmmakers in midcentury Hollywood. Making her uncredited directorial debut with the 1949 melodrama Not Wanted, Lupino’s rise to directorial power marked the dismantling of the studio system and the ascent of television. Over two days, the UCLA Film & Television Archive presents the most formative and defining moments of Lupino’s filmography, beginning with her 1953 noir drama The Bigamist — a square confrontation of male fragility and matrimonial devotion — before ending with snippets from Lupino’s acclaimed work in television. Admission to the screenings, like all Archive events, is free. Seating is first come, first served.
FEBRUARY 18 | 7:30 P.M.
Coltrane on Coltrane: An Oral History
In a program that is part performance, part conversation, vocalist Michelle Coltrane (daughter of Alice Coltrane) and harpist Brandee Younger come together to share oral histories, biographical stories and songs to celebrate Alice’s incredible legacy in music. As Coltrane and Younger interweave tales of Alice’s life with vibrant performances of pieces from her career (and beyond), they’ll offer a singular, textured retelling of one of the most celebrated musicians in jazz history.
This event is a part of one of the Hammer’s newest exhibitions, Alice Coltrane: Monumental Eternal. Taking its name from her 1977 book Monumental Eternal, the exhibition reflects Coltrane’s then-newfound spiritual beliefs, the loss of her husband, saxophonist John Coltrane, and her path to healing and self-discovery. Featuring works from contemporary American artists and ephemera from Coltrane’s personal archive, this exhibition — as part of a larger initiative, “The Year of Alice” — brings undiscovered narratives about Coltrane to light while honoring her cultural output and practice. No RSVP is required for the exhibition or related events.
FEBRUARY 22 | 8 P.M.
JJJJJerome Ellis’ Aster of Ceremonies
Welcome to JJJJJerome Ellis’ world; won’t you stay a while? The Grenadian-Jamaican American artist navigates the realms of music and speech through the lens of transfiguration, using sound to change the way audiences understand disabled speech, stuttering and soundscapes. Ellis integrates speech performance and plenty of instrumentals, including piano and saxophone, in this solo performance. A Fulbright Fellow, Ellis, through the intersections of articulation and social issues, creates a new type of resistance art. Purchase tickets to Ellis’ carefully constructed world, all at the Nimoy, here.
FEBRUARY 6–9
Stacy Winsberg Memorial Softball Tournament
UCLA softball welcomes you back to Easton Stadium for its season-opening tournament, ushering in the official beginning of spring sports. UCLA will take on Cal State Fullerton and UC Riverside, among others, during this three-day tournament. Get your tickets here (starting at $8 for youth and $16 for adults) to see up to five games for the price of one.
FEBRUARY 12 | 7 P.M.
Men’s Volleyball vs. Long Beach State
It’s the Bruins against CSU Long Beach — the national champs against runners-up in the most competitive matchup of the season. Last May, UCLA won its 21st national title after decidedly beating Long Beach State 3-1. Can you say, “repeat”? Get your tickets here.
FEBRUARY 14 | 8 P.M.
They flip, they turn, they jump, they twist, they fly. What can’t UCLA’s amazing gymnasts do? This Valentine’s Day, the Bruins take on the Nittany Lions for the first time in a regular season match. Another reason to head to Pauley Pavilion: tickets to this meet start at $7.
FEBRUARY 20 | 6:30 P.M.
Women’s Basketball vs. Illinois
The women of Westwood welcome you back to Pauley Pavilion for their B1G game against the Fighting Illini. Our Bruin women’s hoops squad is No. 1 in the country (humble brag) and this game versus Illinois will feature multiple giveaway experiences and halftime performances from youth dance groups. Stay after the game for autographs from your favorite players, like star center Lauren Betts. Tickets here.
FEBRUARY 23 | 12:45 P.M.
Men’s Basketball vs. Ohio State
Delicious food trucks, exciting gameplay, gripping performances — a Sunday at Pauley Pavilion has everything you need for a fabulous outing. First, grab a great lunch outside the arena before the Bruins and the Buckeyes tip off. Then head inside for exhilarating hoops action and performances from Madison Taylor Baez of America’s Got Talent fame and the UCLA Dance team. Not to mention pompom, poster and T-shirt giveaways! Tickets here.
FEBRUARY 1 | 2:30 P.M.
Alumni Association Appreciation Day: Gymnastics vs. Michigan State
UCLA Athletics and the UCLA Alumni Association proudly invite all alumni to this Alumni Association Appreciation Day at Pauley Pavilion. Visit the ticket window to purchase $5 tickets to this meet against Michigan State.
FEBRUARY 12 | 6:30 P.M.
Celebrate Lunar New Year (of the Snake) with Asian Pacific Alumni
Join the Asian Pacific Alumni to celebrate the Year of the Snake with delicious lobster, steamed fish and French-style shaken beef at Newport Seafood Restaurant in San Gabriel. Reserve your seat for a Lunar New Year gathering that goes beyond a meal — create lasting memories with this shared culinary experience and collective celebration. So, join your fellow Bruins to ring in the Year of the Snake and indulge in a delicious communal dinner. Email [email protected] to RSVP.