2015–2016 is UBC’s 100th Birthday. We are delighted to invite you to the Centennial Ball, not only to celebrate UBC but to celebrate the life of someone who was instrumental in helping us establish this event as a highlight of the Vancouver cultural season – Dal Richards. Dal, his wife Muriel and the Dal Richards Orchestra joined us each year for this very special evening. He always said that there was a mutual love affair between the Dal Richards Orchestra and the UBC Opera Ensemble. Indeed, there was and still is! The students loved Dal, his music, his orchestra and his wonderful wife Muriel. Dal loved to see how the students could not stand still when the orchestra began to play that incredible music and literally danced themselves silly, along with our enthusiastic Ball guests. We were one big family with the King of Swing!

Dal’s history at UBC is a rich one. UBC is 100. Dal was 97. He literally grew up at the same time UBC did. Although he was not an alumnus, Dal played dances here from the time he started his first band. He worked for UBC at one time, and in 2010 was granted an honorary degree from UBC for his contribution to music and culture and his many charitable works.

We are honoured that the members of the Dal Richards Orchestra and Muriel will once again join us in paying tribute to a man who made such a difference to so many people’s lives and who gave so much joy to so many. We will all bring Dal’s wonderful music back to life again and celebrate his life, his music and all those special memories of Dal that are so very dear to us. 

As always there is a three course dinner, with serenades from our young singers, followed by dancing to the wonderful music of the Dal Richards Orchestra.

Tickets: $150 (includes a $100 tax-receipt).  Call 604.822.6725.