Since opening its doors in the 1930s, UCLAs cultural compass has welcomed everybody from Duke Ellington to Elvis Costello.

Not only will sitting in the great Royce Hall bring back memories of college lectures (or memories of college lectures as seen on TV), but chances are there will be something intellectually stimulating on stage. Modeled after a church in Milan, the hall was built in 1929, making it one of the oldest buildings on UCLA's campus. In 1937, the hall hosted its first performing-arts series, and the venue hasn't stopped since (save for a seismic renovation). Now home to the university's performing-arts presenter UCLA Live, Royce Hall welcomes a broad range of musical, comedic, theatrical and dance acts throughout the academic year. The hall is no stranger to dance companies from Israel, African singers, theater groups from Ireland or Tibetan choirs. In addition to its globally minded performance repertoire, Royce books widely known personalities like David Sedaris, Sandra Bernhard, Wynton Marsalis, Aimee Mann, John Waters, Lucinda Williams and Woody Allen. —Elisa Jacobs