University of California Los Angeles - Bruin Life / Southern Campus Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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From left to right: Forced Entertainment, a group of six artists formed in 1984, performs a spectacle called Bloody Mess, wfiich attempts to reveal tfie ficrror and beauty of modern life. Compagnie Marie Chouinard. in 24 Preludes by Chopin, le Cri du Monde. sfiowcases a distinctive dance that reminds its audience how to perceive primitive things in life. Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra hold a night of jazz at the Kerckhoff Grand Salon, free of admission, with Hitomi Oba Trio as a student-based opening act, SCA and UCLA Live offered students with countless opportunities to listen to all genres of music and other forms of theater students ' would not normally see. I Photographs courtesy of UCLA Live and SCA, ' ' Everyone had a good time while listening to great music. - Alisha Flecky, women ' s studies, 3rd year devoted to the works of David Sedaris. The best-selling author, essayist and staple of National Public Radio illuminated the crowd with his witty commentary on family, jobs, education and relationships. He also treated the crowd with a taste of his new work. Students were able to enjoy the second coming of Sedaris to Royce for a mere $17. These e ents were only a small sample of the % ' ast number of offerings that SCA made available to students for a small entrance fee compared to the general ticket price. Third- year women ' s studies student Alisha Flecky, a newcomer to the committee this year, particularly enjoyed her ability to reach a crowd that otherwise might look the other way when it comes to the arts. SCA, subsequently, contributed to a movement in ending student apathy toward the arts with enticing performances by a number of the world ' s finest performers. Everyone had a good time while listening to great music, Flecky said. | striry by chnstcil lluivuiclier. Above: Actors of Piccolo Teatro di Milano play a scene of Arlecchino. Servant of Two Masters, One of the most celebrated plays in Italy, this comedy displayed brilliant costumes and masks and featured dances, food fights and weddings. I Photograph courtesy of UCLA Live.

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-1« Embrace In its 42nd year, the Student Committee for the Arts (SCA) continued to showcase the hippest and newest forms of performing arts within campus borders. In the past, SCA ' s efforts were invaluable in attracting headliners such as the controversial Bill Maher of the extant show, Politically Incorrect, and renowned funk musicians George Clinton and Isaac Shaft Hayes. SCA also strove to encourage student attendance of UCLA Live events by promoting discounted student tickets and coordinating post-performance discussions with the artists. UCLA Live was one of the most unique presenters and producers of performing arts in the country with a ariety of dance, music and spoken word entertainment. With more than 200 performances a year and over 150,000 audience members, UCLA Live appealed to a variety of both popular and uncommon interests. The variance in the production meant audience members were from all different backgrounds. the world of arts ranging from the cultural connoisseur to the novice newcomer. The London Philharmonic Orchestra made its first UCLA appearance through the combined efforts of SCA and UCLA Live. Led by esteemed conductor Kurt Masur, the London Philharmonic Orchestra came to Royce Hall equipped with a program ranging from Mozart ' s famed Symphony No. 9 to the lesser-known Simple Symphony bj ' Benjamin Britten. This popular ensemble established its reputation through international tours and has accumulated a number of award- winning recordings over the years. John Cleese, of Monty Python fame, headlined a show entitled. Se en Ways to Skin an Ocelot. which premiered at Royce Hall in the middle of March. The show, which Cleese personally referred to as a one man show with several people in it, ga -e the established British comedian an outlet to express his controversial crude sense of humor. Royce Hall also received the honor of hosting a night SCA and TI CT.A T.ivp bring- nn the arts . 28 I eve n t s

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celebrate rich cultural identities Throughout the school year, at least one cultural e ent was scheduled nearly every day in practically every venue on campus. Ranging from a small social gathering of people of differing ethnicities to a whole night de oted to grandiose exhibitions, students enjoyed numerous exposures to the world ' s cultural richness throughout the course of the year. Cultural nights allowed students to view some of the costumes, traditional dances, and music of different countries. One very popular culture nigiit was held by Samahang Filipino, appropriately entitled, Filipino Culture Night. Third-year psychobiology student Chiara Itciion received the opportunity to learn about her culture ' s customs and history through her involvement witli a few of the night ' s productions. E en though there were a lot of long practices, reflected Itchon, you get really close with a large group of really awesome people who share the same interest in promoting a rich culture. Numerous other cultural groups, including Samahang Filipino, integrated modern dance routines into their programs. Two examples of such groups were the Nikkei Student Union ' s dance troupe, otherwise kno n as NSU Modern and the Association of Chinese American ' s Hip Hop dance group, simply known to its fans as AC A Hip Hop. Over the years, these groups ha e established reputations for performing high- caliber, fast-paced dance routines to popular hip-hop and pop songs. The Chinese Cultural Dance Club focused on the public ' s fascination with dance by producing a culturally-infused program filled with traditional Chinese dances along with martial arts. Fourth-year psychology and sociology student Fatrick Fieng, who has been involved with CCDC since his first year, particularly enjoyed the club ' s ability to provide the campus and surrounding communities with the opportunity to learn and explore the diversity of China and experieces of Chinese-Americans through dance and music. Many other culturally-focused student groups successfully planned and executed numerous illuminating events that revealed the inner nuances of the international community, such as open-mic nights and art exhibits. The lifestyles and histories of foreign lands were at the fingertips of every UCLA student, as he or she was able to take a trip to a number of countries while remaining snugly in the heart of Westwood. I slorx bx christnl thaviiniirr. rprrpflting 3 traditional pas t Above: Nikkei Student Union Modern, dressed up in 1920s garb, perform in perfectly syncfironized and crisp dance mores at ttie NSU culture nigfit. Various groups, sucfi as NSU Modern performed in between acts and provided an opportunity for students to showcase ttieir talents. I Photographed by Megan Millett, 30 I-