Events

Canada Day 2025 — University closed
2025-07-01 | Brandon University, 270 18th Street, Brandon, MB, Canada
O Canada! Brandon University celebrates Canada Day ??
The university will be closed on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. No offices are open and no classes are scheduled. The Healthy Living Centre is closed as well.
Brandon University will reopen on Wednesday, July 2. Enjoy the holiday!

Guitars – The Sophomore Album – an Evening of Art and Activism
2025-06-18 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Winnipeg) | Tommy McLeod Curve Gallery, John E. Robbins Library, 270-18th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 6A9, Canada
Join artist Wendy Friesen for a talk and tour of her Guitars – The Sophomore Album in the Brandon University Library Curve Gallery. This sequel exhibit continues to explore themes of music, community, inclusivity, celebration, healing, and Pride through pop art sculpture. Building upon on her 2024 works, this new series continues to showcase detailed, hand-constructed miniature guitars, both replicas and original conceptions, crafted from recycled materials. Friesen’s visual work evokes a euphoric rock and roll frenzy, formative to identities of so many!
Friesen will also speak to her recent activism work, including a parliamentary petition to ensure greater protections of 2SLGBTQIA+ rights in Canada, including a challenge to Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the “notwithstanding clause”) in allowing provincial legislatures to override human rights.
Following Friesen’s presentation, Leila Praznik, Director of the Westman Empowerment Fund will speak to work of the Fund, how it supports gender-diverse people in the Westman community, and how people can help.
Then please join Brandon University Library Assistant, PENT Instructor, and BU Queer Committee member Marian Ramage, in the Convergys Lab. Marian will provide a walkthrough of the BU Queer LibGuide: 2SLGBTQIA+ and Gender Diverse Resources. She will share information about resources available in the library’s physical collection, as well as publicly available information sources, and will provide guidance on library searching. Following the discussion, a tour of the library collection will be provided.
Light refreshments will be served at this event, sponsored by the BU Queer Committee.

BUAA Annual General Meeting
2025-06-18 17:00 - 18:30 | Clark Hall, Room 104, 270-18th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 6A9, Canada
The BUAA AGM will be held in Clark Hall, Room 104. This meeting will also be available via Zoom.
Please register in advance by emailing alumni@brandonu.ca by Friday, June 13.
If you’re interested in joining the Alumni Association board, please email alumni@brandonu.ca with a brief bio.

Brandon Pride Presents: Drag History with Flora Hex
2025-06-11 19:00 - 20:45 | Gathering Space, John E. Robbins Library, Canada
Ready to get dragged through history? Then join us on Wednesday, June 11th from 7 to 8:45 p.m., to learn the history of drag with the mother of mothers, Flora Hex!!
Come and learn the origins of the art form known as drag, how it developed through time, how it has changed the world, and what might be next! This presentation will highlight key moments, individuals and ideals that are foundational to why drag is so relevant! Flora is going to snatch your wig with this history lesson.
Light refreshments will be served, courtesy of the BU Queer Committee.

Open Horizons: Affordability and Access through Open Education
2025-06-11 - 2025-06-12 | Convergys Learning Centre, Main Floor – BU Library, 270 18th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 6A9, Canada
The time for the Manitoba Open Education Symposium on June 11th and 12th is fast approaching. It is focused on the question:
“How do we build an open and accessible education system that fosters digital innovation, cross-institutional collaboration, and student affordability?”
Disruptions due to tariffs and censorship in the U.S. is only making the question more critical.
Brandon University will be hosting a common room to live stream the event. Anyone who wishes to gather with their Westman colleagues is very welcome to attend in person.
This is a FREE event co-organized by Campus Manitoba, Assiniboine College, RRC Polytech, the University of Manitoba, and the University of Winnipeg. Lunch and break refreshments will be provided. The agenda is attached.
If anyone is unregistered, but wanting to attend in person, please contact Carmen Kazakoff-Lane at kazakoff@brandonu.ca. Online registration for in person events has closed but Carmen can register people until the end of Friday and ensure that the caterers are updated in time for the event.
If you simply wish to attend any session, you are welcome to attend without registering, but food will not be provided.
Details:

When: June 11 and 12, 2025
Brandon University Location: Convergys Lab, Main Floor, in the John E. Library
Sessions and schedule: Open Horizons 2025

Brandon University Vocal Institute's Spring Serenade
2025-06-03 19:30 | MB
Brandon University’s Vocal Institute presents a Spring Serenade featuring opera scenes and solo performances in a wide-ranging program from Mozart to modern! The singers, made up of current BU voice majors and recent grads, will share the fruits of their five-day intensive collaboration, led by renowned Swedish soprano, Elin Rombo and BU voice faculty Danielle Guina, Sarah Hall, Sharon Rogers and Marjorie Sparks.
Featuring performances by:
Shelby English, soprano
Faye Desjarlais, mezzo soprano
Daelyn Fefchak, soprano
Alyza Zaragoza, mezzo soprano
Ayomikun Olasunkanmi, soprano
Bennett Radcliffe, baritone
Tickets $20, available at the door only. BU students and Conservatory of Music students attend at no charge.

Incident and Hazard Reporting Drop In
2025-06-02 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-05-22 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-05-13 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-05-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Convergys Lab, John E. Robbins Library, 270-18th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 6A9, Canada
Meet in the Convergys Lab with IT Services and Health and Safety to walk through the new incident and hazard reporting form and to answer any questions you may have about the reporting process. Open to BU Employees and Students.

Friday May 9, Noon-1 pm
Tuesday May 13, Noon-1 pm
Thursday May 22, Noon-1 pm
Monday June 2, Noon-1 pm

This new web form has been tested in pilot by members of the Workplace Safety and Health Committee and will replace the existing PDF form on the BU Safety web page. This form will make incident and hazard reporting much easier and faster for BU employees and students.
Incident and hazard reporting is a critical aspect of the University’s health and safety program. Reporting allows the University to be proactive in identifying concerns and implementing corrective measures. If you see a health or safety concern, the new form will allow you to report it quickly so it can be addressed.
Some incidents, especially those resulting in injury to a person, or damage to property, require detailed investigation and recordkeeping, which the new form allows. Serious incidents require BU to conduct investigations and report upwards to provincial authorities. Hazards and near misses are just as important to report to help the University avoid an incident where someone could be injured or property damaged.
Campus education and communication on incident and hazard reporting will continue through the summer and into the fall. At this time, a walkthrough video is also available to showcase the new form.
As we move through the summer and prepare for new students joining in the Fall, Al Trotz, Cheryl Fleming and Jessica Laxdal will be including information about incident and hazard reporting in their orientation materials for students.

Elin Rombo, soprano & Sharon Rogers, piano
2025-05-29 20:00 | MB
Internationally renowned School of Music alumna, Elin Rombo (soprano) returns to Brandon University for a recital performance alongside longtime collaborator and BU faculty, Sharon Rogers (piano). Swedish soprano Elin Rombo’s unique voice and intelligent interpretations have won acclaim in Europe’s great opera houses. Rombo and Rogers who have enjoyed a collaborative partnership since the 90s will perform a program of songs and arias.
Limited seating available. Please contact Terry McMaster for more details about ticket availability.

?‍? Convocation 2025
2025-05-29 - 2025-05-30 | Brandon University, 270 18th Street, Brandon, MB, Canada

? Manitoba HoneyBee Day 2025
2025-05-29 | Brandon University, 270 18th Street, Brandon, MB, Canada
Brandon University and Bee U are buzzing! We will be the host for this year’s Manitoba HoneyBee Day, and you’re invited to see just how sweet beekeeping can be.
We’ll have:
? Observation hives
? Honey tasting
? Educational booths
? A photo area
☕️ A bee-themed café menu at Bailey’s on campus
Stay tuned for more.

Tom Allen, JS Bach's Long Walk in the Snow
2025-05-28 19:30 | MB
More details to follow. Concert start time subject to change. Limited seating. Please contact Terry McMaster at: mcmastert@brandonu.ca for details on availability.
https://tomtomallen.com/the-shows/chamber-musicals/js-bachs-long-walk-in-the-snow/

Our Journey 2025 — Celebrating Indigenous Student Success
2025-05-23 08:00 - 19:30 | Riverbank Discovery Centre, 545 Conservation Drive, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 7L8, Canada
8 a.m. — Pipe Ceremony
9 a.m. — Registration
9 to 11 a.m. — Our Journey activities
11 a.m. — Grand Entry
Noon — Lunch
1:30 p.m. — Games
4 p.m. — Supper
5:30 p.m. — Second Grand Entry

Clear Lake Chamber Music Festival Concert #1 Alexander Tselyakov, piano
2025-05-21 19:30 | MB
The 19th Clear Lake Chamber Music Festival
A landmark event in Manitoba’s cultural landscape, the Clear Lake Chamber Music Festival returns in 2025 for its 19th season. We are excited to welcome you back to experience outstanding live performances by exceptional musicians. We invite you to our first festival concert featuring one of today’s celebrated pianists — the Festival’s Artistic Director and Professor of Piano at Brandon University, Alexander Tselyakov. This special evening will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the great French composer Maurice Ravel, with a varied program including Ravel’s masterpieces Pavane, Gaspard de la Nuit, and Mussorgsky’s famous Pictures at an Exhibition.

Recognized as one of the Canada’s most distinguished musicians, internationally acclaimed pianist Alexander Tselyakov, he has performed as guest soloist with the most renowned orchestras and as recitalist at major concert halls around the world. He went on to win one of the leading prizes at the prestigious Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, in Japan, New Orleans International competitions. His deep knowledge of the repertoire and his exquisite sense of program balance make him a valuable artistic director of the Clear Lake Chamber Music Festival in Manitoba and is well-known for his collaboration with many leading Canadian and International musicians. Currently Professor of Piano at Brandon University, Tselyakov relishes the challenges and rewards of working with the next generation of gifted young musicians.
Please join us for an unforgettable musical experience. We look forward to seeing you there!
Ticket information: Adults$30 (at the door $35); Seniors/Students: $20 (at the door $25)
Tickets available at the door or in advance, by text or phone at 204-922-4924 OR 204-727-9631 or by email request at: burba@brandonu.ca

BU Breast Cancer Awareness Walk
2025-05-08 12:00 - 12:30 | Kavanagh Courtyard, 270 18th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 6A9, Canada
Wear pink! All are welcome to join a short walk to raise awareness of breast cancer on Thursday at the lunch hour.
Brief speeches will accompany the walk, which is to be less than a kilometre, around campus, starting and finishing in the Kavanagh Courtyard.
The walk is being organized by the BU Breast Cancer Cell & Molecular Research Laboratory (BCCMRL) and the BU research office. The BCCMRL, led by Dr. Mousumi Majumder, aims to develop a highly sensitive blood test capable of spotting breast cancer early in its development.

Sweet Songs, Sweet Pies!
2025-04-25 19:00 - 21:00 | Lorne Watson Recital Hall, QEII Music Building, Room 1-60, 270 18th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 6A9, Canada
Sweet Songs, Sweet Pies! E-Gré Gala Concert and Fundraising Pie Auction
Friday April 25, Lorne Watson Recital Hall, 7:00 pm
The E-Gré National Music Competition raises profiles of contemporary Canadian composers, and provides a venue for Canada’s most talented New Music artists on the threshold of their careers. Welcome this year’s finalists, support the competition through our pie auction, and enjoy the Gala concert performed by competition jurors, Louise Bessette and Eve Egoyan.
Louise Bessette is a Montreal-based musician, renowned over her career for the excellence of her performances and for her commitment to promoting contemporary music. Eve Egoyan is an internationally celebrated Armenian-Canadian artist whose medium is the piano. She continually re-invents her relationship with her instrument through the creation and commissioning of new works, which she has performed around the world.

GALA CONCERT TICKETS – $25 ADULTS / $12.50 SENIORS
WEEKEND PASS – $50 ADULTS / $25 SENIORS
FINALISTS, BU STUDENTS AND CONSERVATORY STUDENTS FREE

Watch the recording: Brandon–Souris election debate 2025
2025-04-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Evans Theatre, McKenzie Building, 270-18th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 6A9, Canada
Brandon University has partnered with the Brandon Sun and Westman Communications Group to host a Brandon–Souris candidates debate on April 23 during the 2025 federal election campaign.
Watch the recorded debate thanks to WCGtv here:

This particular federal election comes at a difficult time for Canadians as our country faces pressure from the United States over issues both economic and existential.
The Brandon Sun provided news coverage and a summary at: https://www.brandonsun.com/local/2025/04/24/jackson-robinson-face-off-in-debate (subscription required).
The panel of questioners consisted of Brandon Sun columnist Deveryn Ross and BU Department of Political Science Prof. Kelly Saunders, along with Political Science instructor Chris Hunt. The event was officiated by longtime emcee Kerry Auriat.
The debate, hosted on campus at the Evans Theatre, was open to the public.

Tanner Hall, clarinet
2025-04-18 19:00 | MB
Assisted by Daniel Tselyakov, piano
No admission charge. All are welcome!

Emma Messner, voice
2025-04-18 14:30 - 17:00 | MB
Assisted by Danielle Guina, piano
No admission charge. All are welcome!

Brandon Chamber Players Concert: String Ensemble
2025-04-17 19:30 | Brandon, MB, Canada
Works premiered and commissioned by Brandon Chamber Players
Mira for solo violin and strings by Alice Ping Yee Ho (commissioned by BCP 1999)
Winter Moon, Winter Sun for clarinet, harp and strings by T. Patrick Carrabré (commissioned by BCP and Catherine Wood 2011)
Tango by Randolph Peters (performed by BCP 1998, 1999, 2012)
Solace by Jocelyn Morlock (performed by BCP 2016)
and a NEW composition by Luis Ramirez
A performance including past and long-standing members of BCP alongside students and faculty of Brandon University.
Tickets:

RSVP: By texting (431) 451 – 4105 with your name, ticket amounts, and payment preference
TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED: At the door (cash, debit, credit, e-transfer); Before the concert with e-transfer
Please specify: which concert you wish to attend, and number of tickets to reserve. Contact us directly for booking inquiries or accessibility issues.

Ticket Pricing: General – $40 Student – FREE with valid Student ID

Brandon Chamber Players website: https://brandonchamberplayers.ca/contact-us

Kurtis Johnson, Composition
2025-04-16 19:30 | Brandon, MB, Canada
GRADUATE STUDENT RECITAL
Assisted by Karissa Mohr, Trumpet; Philipp Lauter, Trombone; Zianna De Leon, Trumpet; Robyn Bock, Trumpet; Akash Ramgotra, Bass; Kyleigha McGhee, Bari Saxophone; Beth Wilson, Drums/Percussion; Rory McCallum, Trombone/Violin; Ariadna Ortega, Cello; Wesley Lipischak, Piano
No admission fee. All are welcome!

Raven McKenzie, piano
2025-04-15 20:30 | MB
STUDENT CREDIT RECITAL
No admission charge. All are welcome!

Sunqiaoyi (Joy) Zhang, piano
2025-04-15 18:00 | Brandon, MB, Canada
STUDENT CREDIT RECITAL
Assisted by Junxin (Sophia) Ye, piano; Alyza Zaragoza, mezzo soprano; Amy Brown, violin
No admission charge. All are welcome!

Lee Martel, Violin
2025-04-14 16:00 | Brandon, MB, Canada
GRADUATE STUDENT RECITAL
Assisted by Daniel Tselyakov and Jia Zhang, Piano
No admission fee. All are welcome!

Alyza Zaragoza, voice
2025-04-14 12:00 - 17:00 | MB

Juncheng (David) Yu, piano
2025-04-13 20:00 | Brandon, MB, Canada
GRADUATE STUDENT RECITAL.
No admission charge. All are welcome!

Yuefeng Du, Clarinet
2025-04-13 17:00 | Brandon, MB, Canada
GRADUATE CREDIT RECITAL
Assisted by Alfred Qiao and David Yu, Piano.
No admission charge. All are welcome!

Kelly Gray, Violin
2025-04-13 14:00 | Brandon, MB, Canada
GRADUATE STUDENT RECITAL
Assisted by Dianna Neufeld, Piano.
No admission fee. All are welcome!
