Coming to Culture: Martial arts, slam poetry at MOA and dance-offs

We’re one week away from April and it’s the time of the year where the semester is winding down, but we haven’t the slightest amount of courage to face the Everest-high pile of assignments that’s amassed itself. But worry not, there are plenty of things happening at UBC this week to take your mind off all of that. Just get all your papers, labs, group projects, undergrad thesis assignments and whatever else you need to get done, accomplished next week. There are still classes then, right?


Tuesday, March 28

Kickstart your week with the annual Best of the Nest martial arts display, hosted by UBC Taekwondo. The event will run the whole day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the main atrium of the Nest. It will showcase members of different UBC martial arts and combat clubs, including UBC Kung Fu, AMS Boxing, UBC Fencing and more. Pass by and take a quick look, although we recommend not getting to close to those performing. Just a suggestion.

Wednesday, March 29

It’s UBC Arts and Culture Night at the Museum of Anthropology and that means 4$ tickets for a whole night of fun. The event will feature different acts ranging from live music to sets by both UBC Improv and the UBC Slam Poetry club, all within the beautiful interior of the museum. The event is all ages but a 19+ post-event social will follow at Koerner’s Pub, just down the street from the museum.

Thursday, March 30

Why stay at home and watch the 10th sequel to Step Up when you can go watch the real thing on campus? The Thunderbird Dance Team and AMS Events are hosting the third annual Get Schooled dance-off at the Nest, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The theme will be 80s, 90s, 2000s throwbacks, so it’s time to bust out your best moonwalk while wearing your flashiest hammer pants to the tune of “Smash Mouth.” Feel like you’ll be that one guy who pulls out their leg trying some ridiculously pathetic move? Don’t worry, spectator tickets are $5, with a chance to win a pass to Block Party.

Friday, March 31

It’s time to get international this Friday with Brasa — UBC’s yearly event carnival. Head down to Koerner’s for a night of Brazilian costumes, decor and music. DJs will be spinning away Latin and Reggaeton tunes inside while a live samba band entertains those outside. Tickets for this little taste of Rio de Janeiro range from $8 to $15, with a limited amount being sold at the door for $20. All proceeds of the event will go to Free the Children, to help build wells in India.

Saturday, April 1

Take it easy on Saturday night at the Chan Centre, with the UBC School of Music’s event, UBC Bands: (Un)Plugged. All students will get a discount price of $8 to see the UBC Symphonic Wind Ensemble and UBC Concert Winds perform a diverse set list ranging from modern classical to tango.