Bachelor of Fine Arts graduates share their final work on an online platform

What: UBCO Visual Arts Graduation Virtual Exhibition Launch: Any Moment
Who: Graduating artists in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program
When: Friday, May 15
Where: Virtual Exhibition, anymomentexhibition.ca

Each spring graduating visual arts students at UBC’s Okanagan campus prepare a final art exhibition as they complete their program.

This year’s exhibition, titled Any Moment, was scheduled to open to the public in an on-campus reception in mid-April. However, as Visual Arts Professor Myron Campbell explains, the art will now be shared as a virtual exhibition.

Due to the current COVID-19 situation and the cancellation of the event, the students had to come up with new ways to complete their work and share it with the arts community, explains Campbell.

“Each student set up space at home to complete the work, and they have been working together with a writer and web designer to create a virtual exhibition,” he says. “This vibrant cohort of students continued to produce artwork in makeshift studio spaces in bedrooms, on balconies, in kitchens, the outdoors and even a camper trailer.”

Any Moment includes a wide variety of work such as sculpture, video installation, painting, drawing and animation. Though the work is diverse, a shared element between each artist is an interest in themes addressing memory and place.

“Their collective resiliency is as impressive as it is inspiring having accomplished UBC Okanagan’s first BFA graduation virtual exhibition,” says Campbell.

The exhibition showcases a range of the best works created by 10 emerging artists.

“This year’s graduating students have been busy creating diverse artworks full of personal storytelling and connection to place,” says Lecturer Katherine Pickering. “We’re really looking forward to having this work available for the public to experience this heartfelt exhibition of work.”

Visual arts student Sara Spencer notes it is disappointing the students will not get to show their work in the usual exhibition space, however creating an online exhibition has been a great experience.

“While we can’t have everyone together at a live exhibition, it will still be good to have a virtual exhibition and be able to reach so many more people,” she says. “It will create more opportunities and help to brighten up the world around us.”

This is a great opportunity to see what the next generation of local artists in the Okanagan are producing, adds Campbell.

The exhibition opens Friday, May 15. For more information, visit: anymomentexhibition.ca

UBCO fine arts graduate Sara Fletcher works on a video while creating her art instalment for the graduate student virtual exhibition.

About UBC’s Okanagan campus

UBC’s Okanagan campus is an innovative hub for research and learning founded in 2005 in partnership with local Indigenous peoples, the Syilx Okanagan Nation, in whose territory the campus resides. As part of UBC—ranked among the world’s top 20 public universities—the Okanagan campus combines a globally recognized UBC education with a tight-knit and entrepreneurial community that welcomes students and faculty from around the world in British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley.

To find out more, visit: ok.ubc.ca

Nancy Holmes, poet and associate professor in UBC Okanagan’s Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies.

UBCO’s Nancy Holmes explains why we turn to poetry in the face of adversity

In this unprecedented time of fear, bewilderment and isolation, poetry is a beacon. It speaks to the complex emotions that are unleashed at times like this, says Nancy Holmes, poet and associate professor in UBC Okanagan’s Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies.

“It is hard to express our deepest anxieties and longings, so we turn to poetry especially in times of intense disruption,” she explains. “Poetry’s job is to try to say what cannot be said.”

This is why, she notes, we want poetry for special occasion cards, why we recite poems at funerals and why we listen to songs when we are in love. In World War I, she says, The Oxford Book of English Verse was one of the most well-read books in the trenches. Poetry is our go-to art in times of upheaval and catastrophe.

Right now, people are reeling with massive cultural and personal shifts as COVID-19 affects everything that was once normal. These changes are disturbing and incomprehensible at some level. Finding poetry that speaks to individuals might help get them through the next few weeks, Holmes says.

“These days, certain lines of poetry are coming unbidden into my head, like Irish poet WB Yeats’ ‘Things fall apart/ The centre cannot hold’ and the American poet Carmen Tafolla’s update on this phrase: ‘Things falls apart/ sometimes people too.’ These two phrases show that poetry addresses the big picture as well as the most intimate personal experiences.”

Most of us, she adds, are in the midst of both social and personal confusion this month.

As we move through the many uncertainties and alarms of this pandemic, she says poetry gives us a way to live with our inner turmoil.

“Most of us are experiencing a shock to our daily lives, but there are also people who are sick or who have lost people they love,” Holmes says. “For millennia, poetry has been an art that people turn to in order to cope with these traumatic experiences.”

She argues that art is an essential way human beings learn about, explore and express their understanding of the world, with its final form only limited by the extent of human creativity.

“From paintings, sculptures and mosaics to literature, theatrical performances and architecture, art has helped humanity learn about ourselves and our relationship to other people and the universe,” says Holmes. “Poetry, along with music, seems to be the art we are drawn to in times of intense personal and social transformations.”

Holmes says that there is a poem for nearly every feeling and situation human beings have encountered, and new poems are being written to explore what it is like to be alive now. She says that reading poetry offers benefits of consolation, release and enlightenment. But she also encourages people to write their own poetry.

“Writing a few poems is a nourishing way to spend a few hours,” she says. “I really encourage everyone to sit down and express feelings, terrors or love for people and the planet. It can be genuinely therapeutic.”

About UBC’s Okanagan campus

UBC’s Okanagan campus is an innovative hub for research and learning founded in 2005 in partnership with local Indigenous peoples, the Syilx Okanagan Nation, in whose territory the campus resides. As part of UBC—ranked among the world’s top 20 public universities—the Okanagan campus combines a globally recognized UBC education with a tight-knit and entrepreneurial community that welcomes students and faculty from around the world in British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley.

To find out more, visit: ok.ubc.ca

Poet, editor and fiction writer will select Okanagan Short Story Contest winner

John Lent, a Vernon-based professional author, editor, singer and songwriter is this spring’s writer-in-residence at UBC Okanagan. He will be on campus from March 9 to 26 working with students, faculty and the community in various writing and literary projects.

The writer-in-residence program promotes Canadian writing and literature to Okanagan residents and provides emerging writers an opportunity to get feedback on their creative work, explains Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies Professor Nancy Holmes.

Vernon-based author, editor, singer and songwriter John Lent is this spring’s writer-in-residence at UBC Okanagan.

“Our definition of a great writer-in-residence is someone who has writing expertise and who loves to talk to emerging writers about their work,” says Holmes, a creative writing instructor at UBCO. “John more than fits the bill.”

Lent, who taught Creative Writing and Literature courses at Okanagan College for more than 30 years, has published 11 books and edited 35 volumes of poetry, fiction and non-fiction for publication.

While in residence, he will announce this year’s winners of the Okanagan Short Story Contest. Lent will also read and offer feedback on manuscripts from local writers. Writers of fiction or poetry are invited to submit manuscripts for review and feedback. Deadline for manuscripts is February 21. For details, visit: fccs.ok.ubc.ca/about/events-workshops/authors

“John is a terrific writer, a master teacher of fiction and poetry, an in-demand editor and someone who pretty single-handedly created the contemporary literary culture in the Okanagan,” says Holmes. “We are so looking forward to having John on campus again. People lucky enough to be involved will have a great experience.”

Lent will hold the inaugural Sharon Thesen Lecture on Writing. The lecture—Aspects of Poetics in Contemporary Fiction and Poetry: a practical logic of legacies, a working arc of continuance—takes place on Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m., in the University Theatre (ADM 026). This lecture is free and open to the public.

Thesen, a renowned Canadian poet and editor, was the first full professor in the department of creative studies and is now a UBC professor emerita.

“The UBC creative writing program wants to honour all that she contributes to Canadian literature and all that she did to establish the creative writing program at UBC Okanagan,” adds Holmes.

We decided an annual lecture that tackles key issues of contemporary writing, poetics and Canadian literature was the very thing that would recognize her significant contributions to British Columbia, to Canada and to UBC,” she says. “We’ll be recording each lecture which will be given by UBC faculty or visiting authors. The lectures will be a wonderful resource of contemporary thinking by writers.”

As judge of this year’s Okanagan Short Story Contest Lent will also announce the final winners. The four winning authors will host readings of their submissions on Thursday, March 25 at 7 p.m. at the Okanagan Regional Library, 1380 Ellis St., Kelowna.

About UBC’s Okanagan campus

UBC’s Okanagan campus is an innovative hub for research and learning founded in 2005 in partnership with local Indigenous peoples, the Syilx Okanagan Nation, in whose territory the campus resides. As part of UBC—ranked among the world’s top 20 public universities—the Okanagan campus combines a globally recognized UBC education with a tight-knit and entrepreneurial community that welcomes students and faculty from around the world in British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley.

To find out more, visit: ok.ubc.ca

Tickets on sale for annual Art on the Line fundraising event

What: Art on the Line gala and fundraiser
Who: Various artists with host UBCO Professor Michael V. Smith
When: Saturday, February 1, doors open at 6 p.m.
Where: Fipke Centre, 3247 University Way, UBC’s Okanagan Campus, Kelowna
Cost: $190 (one ticket admits two people and guarantees one piece of artwork) or $10 event entry at the door

As a special fundraising event, UBC Okanagan’s Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies (FCCS) organizes a gala evening where good luck plays a part in who takes home which piece of art.

Art on the Line is an annual event that brings the community to campus for fun method of buying an original piece of art. The artwork has been donated by community artisans—and each ticket entitles the holder to one piece of art from dozens that are on display. However, they can’t choose that art until their number is drawn. The earlier their number comes up, the better chance of getting the piece of art they have been eyeing all evening.

The event is organized in part by the Visual Arts Course Union and proceeds support visual arts student exhibitions including UBCO’s fourth-year graduating show, the visiting artist program and opportunities for travel grants and art exhibitions. The evening is hosted by FCCS Professor Michael V. Smith.

Tickets are $190 a couple, which includes appetizers and a drink and one piece of artwork. Tickets are available at artontheline.net or artontheline.eventbrite.ca. There are also $10 tickets available at the door for people who want to attend the event, but not purchase a piece of artwork. This year’s Art on the Line is sponsored by alumni UBC.

About UBC’s Okanagan campus

UBC’s Okanagan campus is an innovative hub for research and learning in the heart of British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley. Ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world, UBC is home to bold thinking and discoveries that make a difference. Established in 2005, the Okanagan campus combines a globally recognized UBC education with a tight-knit and entrepreneurial community that welcomes students and faculty from around the world.

To find out more, visit: ok.ubc.ca

UBCO professors offer free classes and tips to create a professional portfolio

Artists interested in UBC Okanagan’s visual arts program are invited to attend a special class with a professor to learn about the program and find out how to put a portfolio together.

What: Portfolio Day at UBC Okanagan
When: Saturday, January 11, 10 to 11 a.m.
Where: Creative and Critical Studies building, UBC Okanagan campus, Kelowna

Portfolio Day is an opportunity for anyone interested in applying to UBCO’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program to receive advice on assembling their entrance portfolio or obtain pre-approval for the portfolio requirement as part of their application to the program.

UBC Okanagan’s Portfolio Day is also a chance to talk to faculty and staff about program choices, meet and talk with current students, explore the campus and facilities, learn more about the application process, portfolio requirements and have questions answered.

Starting in January, the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies will also host a series of free workshops for prospective applicants. Led by professors from the program, these sessions provide the chance to learn more about a variety of subjects and media such as animation, drawing, creative writing and printmaking.

Creative Day workshops are a chance to find out more about our BFA program and facilities through fun, hands-on projects explains Visual Arts Professor Briar Craig.

“Creative Days provide students with a sense of what it’s like to take a class at university,” says Craig.  “We hope participants will leave with something that they want to share with others.”

There are limited seats available for some of the workshops and pre-registration is encouraged. To register, contact Visual Arts Coordinator Katherine Pickering at katherine.pickering@ubc.ca.

To find out more about the Bachelor of Fine Arts at UBC Okanagan, visit: fccs.ok.ubc.ca/degrees-programs/undergraduate-programs/fine-arts

Portfolio requirements are here: fccs.ok.ubc.ca/degrees-programs/undergraduate-programs/fine-arts/portfolio

Creative Day workshops

• January 11 at 10 a.m. to noon: Sculpture with David Doody
• January 18 from noon to 2 p.m.: Indigenous Centered Landscapes through Cyanotype with Tania Willard
• February 8 at 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Screen printing with Briar Craig
• March 7 from noon to 2 p.m.: Drawing with Patrick Lundeen
• March 21 from 10 a.m. to noon: Creative Writing with Nancy Holmes
• April 18 at 10 a.m. to noon: Tour of the BFA Student Exhibition with Andreas Rutkauskas
• May 30 at 10 a.m. to noon: Frame-by-frame Animation with Myron Campbell
• May 30 starting at noon to 2 p.m.: Performance Improvisation with Denise Kenney
• June 13 from noon to 2 p.m.: Life Drawing with Katherine Pickering

Budding writers are urged to submit their entries for the annual Okanagan Short Story Contest.

Now running for 22 years, the short story contest has a long tradition of introducing new and emerging writers to the Okanagan community. Past winners have gone on to publish with Penguin Random House, Arsenal Pulp Press, and NeWest Press, as well as numerous magazines and journals nationally and internationally, explains John Lent, one of this year’s judges.

“I always sound like I’m exaggerating when I talk about this, but there is a concentration of writing talent in the Okanagan Valley and Southern Interior right now that is unique, making this area one of the most talented community of writers and teachers of writing anywhere in this country,” says Lent, a Vernon-based poet, editor and fiction writer. “There is no better example of all this talent intermingling than the quiet, but sure success of The Okanagan Short Story Contest winners. Just look at the list of past winners and the judges who found them and another big classy story is told.”

Past winners include Erin Scott, Brittni MacKenzie-Dale, Karen Hofmann, Joe Dermo and Ashley Little.

Lent says while there is still plenty of time before the contest closes, he urges budding writers to perhaps use some spare time over the holidays to get their stories drafted. The contest is open to fiction writers in the Southern Interior of British Columbia: east of Hope, west of the Alberta border, north of the US border and south of Williams Lake.

All original entries must be between 1,000 and 4,000 words and writers are welcome to submit as many entries as they choose. There is a $15 entry fee for each story, but no charge for high school students. All proceeds go towards UBCO’s Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies (FCCS) Creative Writing scholarships.

FCCS is offering cash prizes to the top three stories—$1,000, $400 and $200; the first prize winner also wins a one-week retreat at The Woodhaven Eco Culture Centre in Kelowna. For the third year in a row, the top short story by a high-school student in the region receives $200 prize.

Contest deadline is 11:15 p.m. Friday, January 31, 2020.

Entries will be judged by Lent and faculty from the Creative Writing program. Winners will be announced in March at a public event where short-listed authors will be invited to read from their work.

Co-sponsors are FCCS, Amber Webb-Bowerman Memorial Foundation and the Central Okanagan Foundation. For a full list of contest details, rules and past winners, visit fccs.ok.ubc.ca/short-story

Popular fundraiser Art on the Line brings artists and community together

What: Art on the Line gala and fundraiser
Who: Various artists with host UBCO Professor Michael V. Smith
When: Saturday, February 1, doors open at 6 p.m.
Where: Fipke Centre, 3247 University Way, UBC’s Okanagan Campus, Kelowna
Cost: $190 (one ticket admits two people and guarantees one piece of artwork) or $10 event entry at door

Each year UBC Okanagan’s Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, in association with the Visual Arts Course Union, hosts a fundraiser and gala event that celebrates the work of local artists.

This popular evening brings together the local arts community in a fun evening where participants are guaranteed to leave with an original piece of artwork. Proceeds from the event support visual arts student exhibitions including UBCO’s fourth-year graduating show, the visiting artist program and opportunities for travel grants and exhibitions, explains Art on the Line Co-coordinator Aiden de Vin.

“In years past we’ve seen how Art on the Line is an event where community can come together to celebrate the arts and we are honoured to be a part of that,” says de Vin. “For us, it’s a great opportunity to be more involved in the visual arts community on campus and in Kelowna. We get to work with students from all years of the Visual Arts Program, and faculty and community members who love the arts.”

Additional funds raised at this event will be donated to The Bridge Youth and Family Services. The Bridge is a local non-profit that has provided innovative and quality programming to the children, youth and families of the Central Okanagan since 1969. Art on the Line Co-coordinator Sara Spencer says they have worked with the Bridge in the past, creating a promotional video for the organization.

“Since this relationship has been made, we feel it is important to give back to a local charity that is working to serve Kelowna and the community in the biggest way,” says Spencer. “The Bridge has a special place in our hearts.”

During the evening 120 juried works of art are on display—art that has been donated from students, faculty, alumni and community artists. The artwork is then raffled off to guests, creating a lottery that makes for a fun and suspenseful evening, explains UBCO Bachelor of Fine Arts alumni Kristy Matilda.

“Art on the Line is a vibrant and exciting event where you get the thrill of seeing people bid for your artwork,” says Matilda. “The anticipation and excitement of the crowd generates quite the buzz for emerging artists. Everyone works together and it’s engaging and fun to get involved with your colleagues.”

Organizers are still collecting two- and three-dimensional artworks to be donated for the event. Interested artists can visit fccs.ok.ubc.ca/about/events-workshops/artontheline to download a submission form or email artontheline.aotl@gmail.com with any questions about how and where to submit.

$10 tickets are available at the door for those guests who want to attend the event, but not purchase a piece of artwork. Tickets are available at artontheline.net or artontheline.eventbrite.ca This year’s event is sponsored by alumni UBC.

About UBC’s Okanagan campus

UBC’s Okanagan campus is an innovative hub for research and learning in the heart of British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley. Ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world, UBC is home to bold thinking and discoveries that make a difference. Established in 2005, the Okanagan campus combines a globally recognized UBC education with a tight-knit and entrepreneurial community that welcomes students and faculty from around the world.

To find out more, visit: ok.ubc.ca

Learn about the world-changing discoveries and achievements

What: Nobel Night panel discussion at UBC Okanagan
Who: University researchers discuss the 2019 Nobel Prizes
When: Tuesday, December 10, beginning at 7 p.m., refreshments to follow
Where:  Room COM 201, The Commons building, 3297 University Way, UBC Okanagan, Kelowna

Planets, poverty, peace and powerful batteries. The science and activism behind all of these are tied together this year by the lasting legacy of Alfred Nobel’s annual recognition for game-changes.

On December 10, thousands of kilometres away from the Okanagan, world leaders will gather in both Stockholm and Oslo to watch as the 2019 Nobel Prizes are presented. This year, 15 laureates will be honoured for discovering planets outside our solar system, working to reduce global poverty in all forms or trying to stop a war.

At UBC Okanagan’s Nobel Night — a tradition upon its own — university professors will explain why these awards and the recognition they garner are relevant in today’s changing world. UBC professors will discuss each award, the winners and why they matter.

The event, emceed by UBC Vice-Principal and Associate Vice-President, Research and Innovation Phil Barker, takes place in the Commons lecture theatre. Following the presentations, there will be an opportunity for audience questions and a social with refreshments.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information and to register visit: 2019nobelnight.eventbrite.ca

The Nobel Prize in Physics

Tim Robishaw, adjunct professor in the department of computer science, mathematics, physics and statistics will talk about James Peebles work on theoretical discoveries in physical cosmology. The award is jointly shared this year with Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz for their discovery of an exoplanet orbiting a solar-type star.

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Jian Liu, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, will discuss the work of John B Goodenough, M Stanley Whittingham and Akira Yoshino for the development of lithium-ion batteries.

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

Glen Foster, assistant professor in the School of Health and Exercise Sciences, will highlight William G Kaelin Jr, Peter J Ratcliffe and Gregg L Semenza’s discoveries of how cells sense and adapt to oxygen availability.

The Nobel Prize in Literature

Bryce Traister, professor of English and dean of the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, will talk about Peter Handke for his influential work with linguistic ingenuity.   

The Nobel Peace Prize

Professor of Political Science Helen Yanacopulos will speak to the accomplishments of Abiy Ahmed Ali for his efforts to achieve peace and resolve the border conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

The Economic Sciences

UBC Provost and Vice-President, Academic Ananya Mukherjee Reed will discuss the work of Abhijit Banerjee, Esther Duflo and Michael Kremer for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty.

About UBC’s Okanagan campus

UBC’s Okanagan campus is an innovative hub for research and learning in the heart of British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley. Ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world, UBC is home to bold thinking and discoveries that make a difference. Established in 2005, the Okanagan campus combines a globally recognized UBC education with a tight-knit and entrepreneurial community that welcomes students and faculty from around the world.

To find out more, visit: ok.ubc.ca

New series bridges gap between professional and budding writers

The Inspired Word Café is a community-based arts organization that plans training, workshops and poetic and literary readings. Organizers are now teaming up with UBC Okanagan’s Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies and the City of Kelowna to host a series of public readings and open mic sessions.

Known for the past 10 years as Milkcraters of the Moon reading series, the newly-renamed Inspired Word Café public reading series, will bring visiting authors together with writers from the Okanagan to share their experiences and talent. It takes place in tandem with local non-profit Cool Art Society’s Community Art Night, which provides space and materials for members of the public to make visual art.

The goal is to bridge the gap between UBCO and the greater Okanagan community by bringing in professional writers and pairing them with a local author and an open mic. Writers like Amber Dawn, Ian Ferrier and UBC Okanagan’s own Margo Tamez will take the stage with some of the brightest local poets and prose writers Kelowna has to offer.

When: Thursday, November 21 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Who: Visiting authors and editors Amber Dawn and Justin Ducharme
Where: Cool Arts space in the Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston Ave, Kelowna

Event attendees will see a unique mix of visiting authors and community authors, and gain access to professional writers in an intimate setting.

What: Memoir writing workshop
Who: Amber Dawn, Canadian writer, filmmaker and performance artist
When: Saturday, November 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Okanagan Regional Library, Kelowna Downtown branch, 1380 Ellis St., Kelowna

Tough Language, Tender Wisdom is a writing workshop that invites participants to press on forward into some of the more challenging aspects of writing from personal experience. These challenges may be writers’ block or feeling out of practice, or these challenges may lie with writing specific memories or events. Come break the isolation of writing through challenges alone.

Amber Dawn will lead participants through a series of freewriting exercises, group discussion and optional peer-to-peer sharing and strategizing. Tough Language, Tender Wisdom is memoir-focused, although easily adapted for poets, playwrights, lyricists and fiction writers.

More information can be found at: www.inspiredwordcafe.com

About UBC’s Okanagan campus

UBC’s Okanagan campus is an innovative hub for research and learning in the heart of British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley. Ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world, UBC is home to bold thinking and discoveries that make a difference. Established in 2005, the Okanagan campus combines a globally recognized UBC education with a tight-knit and entrepreneurial community that welcomes students and faculty from around the world.

To find out more, visit: ok.ubc.ca

The annual opera under the stars event at UBC Okanagan draws a large crowd to UBCO’s central courtyard.

The fifth-annual concert showcases top talent under the summer skies

What: Opera Under the Stars
Who: Opera Kelowna, Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, general public
When: Wednesday, July 31, courtyard is open at 7 p.m., operatic concert starts at 8:30 p.m.
Where: UBC Okanagan’s central courtyard, outdoors

UBC Okanagan’s courtyard will once again be filled with the sounds of music as Opera Kelowna presents its annual Opera Under the Stars concert on July 31.

The evening performance will showcase professional performers from all over the world who are visiting Kelowna to study with Opera Kelowna’s summer intensive program. The evening concert will include featured soloists, such as Opera Kelowna favourites heldentenor Steeve Michaud, baritone Aaron Durand, soprano Marie-Josée Lord and mezzo-soprano Stephanie Tritchew.

The annual event, a special collaboration between Opera Kelowna and UBC Okanagan, offers local residents and summer visitors an opportunity to enjoy outstanding operatic performers in an informal and picturesque outdoor setting.

Starting at 7 p.m., the public is welcome to bring blankets and chairs, find their favourite spots around the courtyard, and settle in for an evening of entertainment. The operatic concert begins at 8:30 p.m.  For general admission, food and refreshments will be available for purchase, including wines, beers, soft drinks and food truck options.

The concert is free, however, online pre-registration is required. Register at: eventbrite.ca/e/opera-under-the-stars-tickets-63306341973. Parking for the evening is complimentary.

The concert will feature world-class soloists who have flown to Kelowna to prepare and perform at Opera Kelowna’s main stage event taking place on August 2 at Mission Hill Family Estate. Tickets for that event are still available at: www.operakelowna.com

About UBC’s Okanagan campus

UBC’s Okanagan campus is an innovative hub for research and learning in the heart of British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley. Ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world, UBC is home to bold thinking and discoveries that make a difference. Established in 2005, the Okanagan campus combines a globally recognized UBC education with a tight-knit and entrepreneurial community that welcomes students and faculty from around the world.

To find out more, visit: ok.ubc.ca.