UCLA PRESENTS THE BEST in arts and culture, community events, sports and entertainment. From film screenings to art exhibits, explore the unique and intriguing experiences October has to offer. For more UCLA events, visit community.ucla.edu.
OCTOBER 2 | 4 P.M.
Locusts of Power: Border, Empire and Environment in the Modern Middle East
Professor Samuel Dolbee of Vanderbilt University comes to Bunche Hall with new takes on borders and state formation in the Middle East. From the Ottoman Empire to the Second World War, Dolbee explores the environmental, political and spatial intricacies of Middle Eastern histories through his new book, Locusts of Power: Border Empire and Environment in the Modern Middle East. In conjunction with the Armenian Genocide Research Program of the Promise Armenian Institute at UCLA, Armenian History at UCLA and the UCLA Center for Near Eastern Studies, Dolbee offers a new perspective on the modern Middle East’s geopolitical culture. RSVP for free with UCLA International Institute.
OCTOBER 23 | 4 P.M.
The Center for European and Russian Studies, UCLA History and the UCLA Alan D. Leve Center for Jewish Studies welcome you to a book talk with Megan Buskey, the author of Ukraine is Not Dead Yet: A Family Story of Exile and Return. Explore 20th century Ukraine’s nuanced history with Buskey and UCLA historian Jared McBride as they discuss Nazi collaboration, sexual violence, nationalism, emigration and contemporary socio-political themes. Buskey has a personal connection with Ukraine: Her family was deported post World War II, and she herself studied there as a Fulbright Fellow. RSVP and come to Royce 314 to learn more about Ukraine’s past and present, from the personal to the political.
THROUGH OCTOBER
Made in L.A. 2023: Acts of Living
The Hammer Museum presents Made in L.A.: Acts of Living, the sixth edition of the museum’s biennial exhibition showcasing the diverse, unique, and mind-bending talents of artists in the greater Los Angeles area. Made in L.A. celebrates cultural and artistic values mined from everyday life: community, queerness, Indigenous histories and more. In addition to more traditional art pieces, this exhibition features discussions, music, performances and screenings through November. Also: Learn about L.A. culture through film screenings about Indigenous cumbia music or conversations with artists about the Feminine Absurd — Made in L.A.’s interdisciplinary multimedia anthology has something for everyone. Admission to Made in L.A. and the rest of the Hammer is free.
OCTOBER 4–NOVEMBER 5
The Geffen Theater presents The Engagement Party, a new play that keeps the audience guessing at every twist and turn as a successful couple’s swanky New York engagement party starts with champagne and posh table settings and then devolves into something else entirely. Smart, funny and slightly disturbing, the play’s Tony Award–winning director, Darko Tresnjak, brings a fresh voice to this West Coast premiere. Purchase tickets online.
OCTOBER 5–7
Actor Alex Barlas brings Edgar Arceneaux’s play Boney Manilli to the REDCAT. This dark musical comedy uses unconventional storytelling techniques to portray the tale of Edgar, a struggling visual artist dealing with feelings of inadequacy and frustration as he attempts to finish his play about Milli Vanilli. (Yes, that Milli Vanilli.) From puppet shows and pop music videos, this performance melds the weird and bizarre into heart-aching storylines of Edgar’s depression, his brother Bro Bro’s own artistry and their Momma’s dementia. Want even more? On closing night, playwright Arceneaux hosts a post-performance chat with members of the cast. Purchase tickets here.
OCTOBER 6 | 7:30 P.M.
For one night only, the Hammer’s Billy Wilder Theater travels back in time. Come see the UCLA Film & Television Archive’s newly restored “Soundies,” musical short films produced more than 75 years ago. Originally shown on 16mm rear projection machines — movie jukeboxes called Panorams — Soundies have a rich history in Los Angeles bars, nightclubs and restaurants. Now restored to their former glory, the films take audiences on a journey through mid-century swing, gender plays, rock ‘n’ roll, and more. Come enjoy 96 minutes of toe-tapping fun with the talents of 1940s favorites such as Duke Ellington, Thelma White and the Les Paul Trio. Admission is free with no reservations; seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
OCTOBER 7–8
These Are the Ones We Fell Among
The newly reimagined UCLA Nimoy Theater welcomes a duet performed by the American-Swiss experimental dance and theater company inkBoat. Dancers Shinichi Iova-Koga and Dana Iova-Koga bring choreographer Ann Carlson’s movement to life, depicting the journeys of endangered animals in the face of extinction in a performance that intertwines humor, eccentricity, myths, metaphor and movement to create an entrancing animal dreamscape. Purchase tickets to explore Carlson’s quirky depiction of natural loss through humorous, reflective and mystical lenses.
OCTOBER 20–DECEMBER 17
The Film & Television Archive begins its screening series “Time: It’s of the Essence” this month with the classic Western drama High Noon. Thematically based on shifting concepts of time through the modern age, this film series reflects and reorients the idea of temporality in the cinematic arts. Other films in this collection include Richard Linklater’s Before Sunrise and the experimental 1998 German thriller Run Lola Run. Whether you plan on catching the series in its entirety or cherry-picking your favorites, viewers of this series will experience time in profoundly unique ways with the diverse selection of screenings on offer. Held at the Billy Wilder Theater, admission is free and no RSVP is required.
OCTOBER 19 | 8 P.M.
Chilean singer and composer Nano Stern brings his new documentary We’ll Be Singing by September to the Nimoy. Known for his innovative rock, folk and Cuban trova musical fusions, Stern takes his talents to the world of film in order to explore the history, development and transcendence of Chilean music during the 1970s. Featuring interviews, stop-motion animation and archival records, the documentary follows a world of music, creativity, activism and artistic revolution under the socialist government of Salvador Allende. Purchase tickets today for the multimedia intersection of music, art, activism and revolution. Come back to the Nimoy the following night, Oct. 20 at 8 p.m., to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Chile’s coup d’état with Stern as he performs the songs of slain political activist Víctor Jara.
OCTOBER 29 | 7 P.M.
Twenty-time(!) Grammy-winning jazz guitarist and composer Pat Metheny comes to Royce Hall with his solo “Dream Box Tour” featuring the musician’s unique combination of diverse jazz stylings with influences ranging from Miles Davis and Wes Montgomery to the Beatles. Buy tickets to take in what The Guardian calls Metheny’s “complex and restlessly curious musical sensibility.”
OCTOBER 7 | NOON
Football: UCLA vs. Washington State
Watch the Bruins take on the Cougars in the Rose Bowl for the first time since 2015. With UCLA and Washington State University both starting their seasons strong, this matchup could be one of the best of the season. It’s also the last time the Bruins and Cougars will play before UCLA moves to the Big Ten conference next season. Get your tickets here.
OCTOBER 14 | TBD
Men’s Water Polo: UCLA vs. USC
The crosstown rivalry continues with men’s water polo taking on the University of Southern California at UCLA’s own Spieker Aquatics Center. Last year’s match saw UCLA edge out USC in a 14-13 comeback, and the Bruins will certainly be looking to repeat. Both teams are ranked top 3 in the NCAA, making this match one of the most anticipated events of the season. Admission to this tussle, like all other UCLA water polo matches, is free.
OCTOBER 26 | 4 P.M.
Women’s Soccer: UCLA vs. California
The defending NCAA champions return to the field this fall. Watch their game at Wallis Annenberg Stadium against UC Berkeley with star players like junior Quincy McMahon, who was recently named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week. UCLA continues to be ranked among the top teams nationwide, making this yet another season of potential Bruin domination. Purchase your tickets here.
OCTOBER 28 | TBD
Bring your Bruin-loving brood and friends to the Rose Bowl for this year’s Bruin Family Weekend. This season’s Homecoming and Throwback Game against the University of Colorado offers exclusive pregame festivities at BruinFest. Come enjoy food vendors, beer gardens, exhibits and exclusive performances from the UCLA Marching Band and the UCLA Dance Team. Purchase tickets here.
THROUGH OCTOBER
Don’t miss the fun of UCLA Watch Parties. Connect with other Bruin faithful at bars, restaurants and other locations that are featuring watch parties for Bruin games and sports events. Visit the Bruin watch party page to find a gathering near you — and come root for your favorite team along with other Bruin sports fanatics.
THROUGH OCTOBER
Alumni Association Appreciation Days
Friday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m.: UCLA Men’s Soccer vs. San Diego State University
Sunday, Oct. 29, Noon: UCLA Women’s Soccer vs. Stanford University
UCLA Athletics and the UCLA Alumni Association are proud to invite all alumni to Alumni Association Appreciation Days at Wallis Annenberg Stadium. Association members enjoy four free admissions to select home games.
OCTOBER 10 | 6 P.M.
Backstreet to the American Dream: Screening and Talkback
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, enjoy a screening of the award-winning 2021 documentary Backstreet to the American Dream, directed and written by Patricia Nazario ’91. A modern-day examination of the classic American dream, the story takes shape via the quintessential 21st-century entrepreneurial endeavor: food trucks. A deep dive into the $2 billion global food-truck industry from the perspective of its birthplace of Los Angeles, this 90-minute film explores the stories of two trucks, juxtaposing the experience of American entrepreneurs with that of Mexican immigrants. After the screening, stick around for a talkback from the filmmaker, who will be joined by the respective project directors of the UCLA Labor Center and the UCLA Center for Labor Research and Education, both of whom are featured in the film.
OCTOBER 19 | 6:30 P.M.
Mixin’ it Up: Empowering Communities for a Sustainable Tomorrow
From tracking air quality in Los Angeles to creating and maintaining public gardens in food deserts in South Los Angeles, Nisha Bansal ’20 has acquired expertise in equitable sustainability strategy. She shares her professional experiences in sustainability and environmental activism in government and nonprofit roles.
OCTOBER 25 | 7 P.M.
Fireside Chat with Martin Jarmond
Join a fireside chat with Martin Jarmond, UCLA’s Alice and Nahum Lainer Family Director of Athletics, as part of homecoming week. He will discuss leadership and UCLA sports culture in today’s era of name, image and likeness deals, and the upcoming move to the Big Ten. Previously the athletic director of Boston College (2017–2020), Jarmond served as deputy director of athletics at Ohio State University (2009–2017) and associate athletic director at Michigan State University (2003–2009) before beginning his tenure as UCLA’s ninth athletic director.
