The air’s a little crisper, the days a little shorter, but the energy on campus feels more alive than ever. November in Arts brings music, conversation, and connection, reminding us how creativity and community can brighten even the rainiest days.
UBC Music Ensemble Performances
Nov 8 | UBC Symphony Orchestra| $10 Student tickets
A dynamic performance by one of Canada’s leading student orchestras, led by conductor Jonathan Girard.
Nov 17 | UBC Composers Concert | Free
A feast of contemporary music! UBC School of Music students perform new works by their peers in the UBC Composition program.
Nov 19 | UBC Bands | $10 Student tickets
UBC’s student ensembles, the Concert Winds and Symphonic Wind Ensemble, take the stage with a powerful program, Sky to Stone, exploring nature, resilience, and the architecture of sound.
Nov 23 | UBC Percussion Ensemble | Free
See the UBC Percussion Ensemble bring global traditions and contemporary works to life in a dynamic celebration of rhythm and sound.
Nov 24 | UBC Jazz Ensemble | Free
Catch the UBC Jazz Ensemble in a vibrant program ranging from big band standards to boundary-pushing modern jazz.
Nov 26 | UBC Chamber Choirs | Free
Led by UBC’s graduate choral conductors, the UBC Chamber Choir fills Barnett Hall with luminous harmonies spanning centuries of choral tradition.
Nov 30 | UBC Oriana & Vox Choirs | Free
An intimate evening of beautiful choral music showcasing a vibrant and diverse repertoire for treble and lower voice ensembles.
Ray Chen 👣
Sunday, November 2 | 7:30 PM | Chan Shun Concert Hall, Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
Tickets: $30–179
Internationally acclaimed violinist Ray Chen brings his signature blend of technical brilliance and charisma to the Chan Centre stage. Known for reimagining what it means to be a modern classical artist, Chen’s program spans Bach to Saint-Saëns, offering an unforgettable evening of virtuosity and warmth.
Carrie Ayagaduk Ojanen Reads “Roughly for the North”
Wednesday, November 5 | 5:00 PM | 6201 Cecil Green Park Rd, or Online
Free
Inupiat poet Carrie Ayagaduk Ojanen shares work from her debut collection, Roughly for the North, a moving exploration of ancestry, grief, and the landscapes of Ugiuvak (King Island, Alaska).
Mariam of Amadou & Mariam
Friday, November 7 | 7:30 PM | Chan Shun Concert Hall, Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
Tickets: $30–179
Celebrate the enduring legacy of Grammy-nominated duo Amadou & Mariam in a heartfelt tribute to Amadou, featuring Mariam’s powerful voice and the duo’s band performing songs from their unreleased album L’Amour à la Folie.
Arts Career Design Studio for International Students 👣
Wednesday, November 12 | 9:00 AM–4:00 PM | The Compass: Arts Student Engagement Hub (Brock Commons South, Room 3001)
Free
Spend the day exploring what’s next after your degree in this supportive workshop designed for international Arts students. You’ll build job-search confidence, learn to share your story, and connect with professionals who’ve built their careers in Canada.
Centre for Migration Studies Sector Research Collaborations Day
Wednesday, November 12 | 8:30 AM–3:30 PM | Creekside Community Recreation Centre
Free
Explore how research and community collaboration can create change through hands-on workshops and discussions on decolonizing practices, data ethics, and inclusive research methods.
Financial Literacy for Students
Monday, November 17 | 5:30–7:30 PM | Location TBD
Free
Learn practical money skills in this interactive workshop with Kevin Maynard from the Canadian Foundation for Economic Education, covering goal-setting, budgeting, saving, and planning for your future.
Press Pause: Cookies and Cocoa Break
Wednesday, November 19 | 4:00–5:00 PM | The Compass: Arts Student Engagement Hub (Brock Commons South, Room 3001)
Free
Take a well-earned break with cookies, cocoa, and good company. Slow down, recharge, and savour the moment with one sip (and bite) at a time.
The Art of Landing a Job
Wednesday, November 19 | 6:00–8:00 PM | Brock Commons South
Free
Meet Arts alumni, swap stories, and get real-world advice on finding your first job after graduation. You’ll pick up tips for applications, interviews, and showcasing your Arts degree, plus get a free professional headshot and a chance to win prizes.
Politics of perception: Visibility and absence
Wednesday, November 19 | 12:00–1:00 PM | Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery
Free
Join Cat Prueitt (Philosophy) and Christine Evans (Theatre and Film) for a noon-hour dialogue exploring how perception, imagination, and representation shape our understanding of presence, absence, and memory in Abbas Akhavan: One Hundred Years.
Mr. Burns, a post-electric play 👣
November 19–December 6 | 7:30–10:00 PM | Frederic Wood Theatre
Tickets: $13–$27
After the collapse of society, survivors gather around a campfire to recall a Simpsons episode, transforming fragments of pop culture into myth and memory. Blending dark comedy, music, and imagination, this play redefines how stories help us endure.
Gaming: The surprising field of psychology 👣
Thursday, November 20 | 4:00–5:00 PM | The Compass: Arts Student Engagement Hub (Brock Commons South, Room 3001)
Free
Ever wondered why your favourite games are so hard to put down? Learn how psychology shapes everything from player motivation to game design, and how developers use it to make gaming both challenging and fun.
Ace Finals with the Arts Peer Academic Coaches (APACs) 👣
Wednesday, November 26 | 4:00–5:00 PM | The Compass: Arts Student Engagement Hub (Brock Commons South, Room 3001)
Free
Your first finals season doesn’t have to be stressful. Join the APACs for real talk, practical advice, and a personalized study plan to help you finish the term strong. Plus, everyone who attends gets an exam care package!
UBC Opera: Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) 👣
November 27–30 | 7:30 PM | Roy Barnett Recital Hall
Tickets: $15–50
Step into a whimsical world of fantasy, comedy, and adventure as Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte follows Prince Tamino’s quest for love, wisdom, and light. Sung in German with English surtitles, this enchanting opera offers something for both newcomers and longtime classical fans alike.
