Welcome to 2018, UBC! There are plenty of events happening on campus in January to get you off to a good start. From activities to get you active like UBC REC’s Fit Mix Challenge to the opening of a new theatre piece by UBC Theatre & Film, there’s something for everyone to try.
1. January 7: Marine Parasites are Way Cool because…
The Way Cool lecture series at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum kicks-off in January with UBC Postdoctoral Fellow Colin MacLeod discussing how marine parasites are adapting to a rapidly changing environment.
2. January 8 – 14: UBC REC: Free Week
Free Week is a chance for new and returning students, staff and faculty, and the general public to try out any instructor-led classes with UBC Recreation. Drop-in to fitness, yoga, pilates, dance, martial arts, boot camps, and aquatics classes, and try something new!
3. January 11: Edward Luce on The Unravelling of the Liberal Order
This is a part of the Lind Initiative in U.S. Studies, an annual dialogue series hosted by the Liu Institute for Global Issues, part of the UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs to address the most urgent issues of our time. In this session, Hear renowned Chief U.S. columnist and commentator for The Financial Times, Edward Luce provide insight into American politics and the U.S. economy. 
4. January 13: Student Leadership Conference: Create Momentum
The Student Leadership Conference (SLC) is one of the largest student-run conferences in Canada. It’s an opportunity to explore your abilities, a hub for amazing individuals in the community, and a platform that inspires action. The SLC features well-known keynote speakers (George Stroumboulopoulos and Gabrielle Scrimshaw this year), workshops, featured presenters, and learning labs which all revolve around this year’s theme, Create Momentum.
5. January 18 – February 3: UBC Theatre & Film presents She Kills Monsters
Don’t miss out on this dramatic comedy laden with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres, and 90’s pop culture by acclaimed young playwright Qui Nguyen. Two years after the death of her teenage sister Tilly, Agnes Evans discovers a mysterious notebook containing her sister’s home-brewed Dungeons and Dragons campaign. Newly born hero, Agnes the Ass-hatted, undertakes an epic quest to save Tilly’s soul and to learn about her sister’s hidden life.
6. January 19: UBC Winter Classic – UBC Thunderbirds v. Lethbridge Pronghorns
Come be a part of the UBC Thunderbirds’ biggest hockey game of the year. Since the Winter Classic started in 2015, it has proved itself to be a UBC tradition that will last and cannot be missed! There will be music, community booths, prizes, food, drinks, and an epic hockey game. The UBC Thunderbirds Winter Classic is the perfect start to everyone’s weekend so head down the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre to cheer on your T-Birds!
January 19: The Singer Behind the Song — Russell Braun
Join for an insightful Masterclass evening with the UBC Opera Ensemble along with guest performer, Russell Braun. Renowned for his luminous baritone voice, Russell Braun rightfully claims his place on the concert, opera and recital stages of the world. The highlight of Russell’s 2017 season is the title role of the Canadian Opera Company’s new production of Louis Riel in Toronto and Ottawa.
7. January 24 – February 24: AHVA Curated UG Student Work Exhibition
Head down to the Audain Art Centre’s AHVA Gallery to check out the Department of Art History, Visual Art and Theory (AHVA) faculty-curated exhibition of undergraduate student works. The theme is ‘Works on Paper’. You’re sure to be impressed with what these talented UBC artists have been put together since the last term.
8. January 26: Music on the Point ft. The Alan Matheson Trio
As a part of the Music on the Point: Concerts with Personality, the Alan Matheson Trio putting on a show of incredible jazz classics and more in the intimate setting of Roy Barnett Hall. This concert will be perfect for all music lovers. Stay for light refreshments after the performances, where you’ll have the opportunity to mingle with the performers, ask questions, and connect with members of the UBC community.
9. January 26: UBC REC: Fit Mix Challenge
Compete in a series of fun fitness challenges including an obstacle course, a car pull, and tire flipping. There’s a chance to win a grand prize of a three-month Birdcoop membership including BeFit and CycleFit classes. Whether you participate as an individual or as a part of a team, just for fun or competitively, this will be a great way to get active after the winter break and to kickstart the new year!
10. January 31: Future of Food Series: Gastón Gordillo
Gastón Gordillo will be giving a talk on “The Imperial Metropolis: the Infrastructure of the Soy Supply Chain in South America,” as part of the UBC Future of Food Global Dialogue Series, a campus-wide initiative bringing together food security and sustainability experts from across the university and North America to regularly engage the UBC community and the public around the Global Food System. Join for an insightful talk accompanied by light refreshments.
There’s more to check out at UBC in January. To stay up-to-date with all the campus events, follow @UBCevents.