UCLA PRESENTS THE BEST in arts and culture, community events, sports and entertainment. From film screenings to pitch competitions, June is full of exciting experiences. For more UCLA events, visit community.ucla.edu.
JUNE 2 | 11 A.M.
“Ann Phong: Re-Evaluating Normal”
Vietnamese artist Ann Phong excavates the stories behind her magnificently abstract art in this discussion of the global events that have shaped her as an artist. With vibrant hues and embedded found objects, she conveys memories of war and migration, as well as ruminations on the COVID-19 pandemic and the environment. In exposing the layers to her art, Phong seeks to unite the individual and the global, inviting viewers to re-imagine a new normal. This event will be held at the UCLA Public Affairs Building.
JUNE 5 | 12 P.M.
ChatGP-why: When, If Ever, Is Synthetic Text Safe, Appropriate and Desirable?
Is ChatGPT using language meaningfully — or is it simply modeling the distribution of word forms? Drawing on her extensive body of published research, University of Washington linguistics professor Emily Bender will dissect the risks of ChatGPT and what uses, if any, might be deemed appropriate. RSVP for the talk, which will be held simultaneously over zoom and in person at the Charles E. Young Research Library. Light refreshments will follow.
JUNE 6 | 7:30 P.M.
Deconflating L.A.’s Homeless and Mental Health Crises
Mental health and homelessness often intersect, exacerbating each other in ways that can wreak havoc on affected communities. For the second installment of this Hammer Forum series, Anna Scott, creator of the KCRW podcasts Samaritans and City of Tents: Veterans Row joins Jon Sherin, former director of the L.A. County Department of Mental Health, and Pete White, executive director of the Los Angeles Community Action Network, to shed light on how the dire circumstances of one crisis can lead to the rise of the other. Seating for this free event at the Hammer Museum at UCLA is on a first-come, first-served basis.
JUNE 7 | 6 P.M.
Israelism Film Screening and Director Q&A
Through the eyes of two young American Jews, Eric Axelman’s directorial debut grapples with the toppling of political and cultural pre-conceptions of Israel. Drawing on the generational and geographical disparities, the film delves into the impossibly complex relationship between Israel and American Jews, posing larger questions about the future of the divide while looking to the past. This sneak peek screening of the film will be held at UCLA James Bridges Theater and will be followed by a Q&A with Axelman. Register online.
JUNE 16 | 7:30 P.M.
The Hammer invites all Joyceans to share their love for the Irish author in recognition of Bloomsday, the annual worldwide celebration of James Joyce’s Ulysses. With festivities that include Guiness on tap, live traditional Irish music by Rattle Knee and actors delivering dramatic readings of the famed novel itself, there are many opportunities to celebrate the literary giant over the course of the evening. The Hammer is offering free admission to this event.
JUNE 2–4
Two operas take the stage in one evening for a spectacular double performance of vastly different and unique one-act plays. The first act features Quake, a chamber opera with a four-member choir and chamber orchestra written by UCLA professor Kay Rhie. Following this resonant performance is Les Mamelles de Tiresias, a French comedy — opéra bouffe to theater buffs — based on the surrealist play by poet Guillaume Apollinaire. Presented by the UCLA Department of Theater in collaboration with the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, the performances will take place at Freud Playhouse.
JUNE 2–18
Imagining Indigenous Cinema: New Voices, New Visions
In a magnificent celebration of Indigenous filmmakers, more than 40 films from Native artists will be screened over three weekends in June. Marking a shift from reactionary on-screen narratives that focus on Indigenous survival, Imagining Indigenous Cinema spotlights genre-defying themes and proactive world-building from a new, innovative generation of Indigenous storytellers. Presented by the UCLA Film & Television Archive and the UCLA American Indian Studies Center, the series of films and panels will be held at the Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer Museum, as well as the Vidiots Eagle Theatre. Specific screening information may be found here.
JUNE 4 | 7 P.M.
Does Hollywood magic have its limits? At least, that’s what University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign professor Julie Turnock will posit to audiences as an introduction to the musical action comedy, The Mermaid. Stephen Chow’s film about a band of mermaids fighting to save their ocean home from a billionaire developer — one of the highest-grossing films in China — defies Industrial Light & Magic’s influence on cookie-cutter visual effects. Turnock will give a brief talk, followed by a screening and on-stage conversation. The free, non-ticketed event presented by the UCLA Film & Television Archive will be held at the Billy Wilder Theater.
JUNE 22 | 8 P.M.
In this nostalgic but topical live podcast recording, Dan Froot & Company performs stories from families affected by gun violence in the style of traditional radio theater. Audience members will be fully swept up in the immersive making of this episode of the Arms Around America podcast, replete with oral histories, live music and “foley” sound effects using everyday objects. The performance will be held in the Royce Hall Rehearsal Room. Tickets may be bought online.
JUNE 29 | 7:30 P.M.
Roberto Gil de Montes in conversation with Aram Moshayedi
Just steps away from where his work el Olvido is exhibited, Roberto Gil de Montes joins curator Aram Moshayedi onstage at the Hammer Museum for a conversation about his artistic journey. With a vast creative history ranging from the Chicano Arts Movement to the more subtle surrealism found in daily life, Gil de Montes will discuss his work in the context of the Hammer’s contemporary collections. An audience Q&A and a reception with light refreshments will follow the talk. Seating for this free event is on a first-come, first-served basis.
JUNE 1 | 4 P.M.
UCLA Social Enterprise Academy Venture Showcase
Months of mentorship, market research and business plan development have led to this exciting stage, where three teams will vie for the $30,000 award to aid their venture. Representing local not-for-profit organizations, each group of students will pitch their business ventures to a panel of industry experts, angel investors and prominent members of the UCLA community for the chance to win the cash prize. Audiences will also get to cast their vote for the $5,000 Audience Favorite Award. RSVP for the zoom event here.
JUNE 10 | 10 A.M.
UCLA Athletics invites you inside the Rose Bowl for a closer look around UCLA’s home football field in this annual open house event. Bring your family and friends for a chance to scout out the very best seats for the 2023 UCLA Football season. This exciting opportunity promises a day full of giveaways and games, as well as exclusive access to team locker rooms and Spieker Field. Grab your camera — you won’t want to miss the photo opportunities! Register here.
JUNE 16 | 11 A.M.
Kick off your graduation with friends, family and fellow alums as you celebrate this profound milestone achievement. Enjoy some light refreshments, share memories and discuss bright plans for the future as you make the pivotal transition from student to lifelong UCLA alumni! This free event will take place at the James West Alumni Center.