Arts & Humanities   

In this course you will get a full behind-the-scenes experience at ConcordTV, Your Community Media Center. We'll provide equipment for hands-on training on a variety of 4K and HD digital video equipment and Adobe Premiere Pro editing software. Each session will have a different topic so you'll get a full idea of what goes into running ConcordTV on a day-to-day basis. We design these lessons for anybody to learn so there is no prior experience necessary!

Experience the performance and discussion of a remarkable story. This is a storyteller's telling of the life of Caesar, a life formed by a circle of extraordinary women: mother, aunt, wives, daughter and mistress, and Cleopatra. This man is a philosopher, historian, writer, engineer, architect, politician and the greatest general in history. Caesar sees himself as descended from the Goddess Venus on his father's side and the Tarquin Kings of old on his mother's side. We meet Caesar in the apartment building his mother owns in Rome and follow his meteoric rise to become the first amongst men: the most powerful man in the world. No period in history has been better recorded. An extensive reading list will be offered.

We will examine five of Bob’s favorite films from his DVD library. We will begin with two American genre movies: Criss Cross, his favorite film noir, and a 50s Western to be chosen later. Then we will continue with two very different recent British films, Their Finest and I, Daniel Blake. Finally, we will discuss a genuine oddity: Roger Corman directing William Shatner in a movie with four titles.

Visit the Carroll Studio for a discussion with David Carroll who encountered a spotted turtle in the wild at age eight and became obsessed enough to follow turtles for the next seven decades and study their wetland ecology interwoven with an evolution in art and writings. David will share his art work as well as that of his artist wife Laurette. Subjects will include ways in which environmental agencies, and trusts, conservation commissions as well as individuals can make critical decisions and take measures that would impede the accelerating loss of habitats and its accompanying biodiversity.

Lenny Bruce once commented that "I'm not a comedian. And I'm not sick. The world is sick, and I'm the doctor. I'm a surgeon with a scalpel for false values." When American culture began to change in the late 1960s, most comics were looking tired and irrelevant to a younger generation experimenting with drugs and protesting the war in Vietnam. It was at this point that George Carlin evolved into the most important comedian in America. The transformation Carlin helped bring about in comedy has become so ingrained that he has become immortalized as one of America's most radical and courageous artists. This course will include a review of Carlin's life with segments from his HBO Specials and selected video pieces from his career. Please note: You will be exposed to Carlin's "colorful" language and imagery. 

Join the Memorial Bell Choir of South Congregational Church in Concord for an evening of music and music-making. They will perform a short program, and afterwards, will engage students in the basics of how to play handbells so they can successfully perform with the group. Interested students can participate as much or as little as they like. No prior music reading experience is required, however, it can be helpful. Some physical activity may be involved, including standing and swinging arms, but can be adaptable to individual students' needs and abilities. The Memorial Bell Choir is celebrating its 33rd year at South Congregational Church, and two of its members have been in the group since its beginning. They participate in worship on the third Sunday of the month between September and May, and on Christmas Eve and during Holy Week. They play on five octaves of Schulmerich handbells and five octaves of Malmark handchimes.

Two cards will have simple rubber-stamped designs and painted with watercolor. Four cards will be decorated with die cuts. Embossed backgrounds will be used on three of the six cards you will make in this class. The instructor will demonstrate use of the Sizzix die cutting machine and Misti Stamping Platform. Cardstock and papers will be pre-cut for you. Stamp some simple sentiments. Learn how to choose backgrounds and coordinate colors. Envelopes will be included so your cards are ready to mail. A total of six cards will be made. Supplies to bring: glue stick, scissors, paper towels, water container, inexpensive folding watercolor palette or Styrofoam plate, Loew Cornell #8 Ultraround (or similar) paintbrush.

Learn how to rubber stamp floral die cuts and paint with watercolors to make four charming easy to make greetings cards. The instructor will demonstrate use of the Sizzix die cutting machine and Misti Stamping Platform. Cardstock and papers will be pre-cut for you. Choose the sentiment you wish to use. Choosing papers will be discussed as well as design layout choices. Envelopes will be provided so your cards are ready to mail. Supplies to bring: glue stick, scissors, paper towels, painters tape, clipboard, water container, inexpensive folding watercolor palette or styrofoam plate, Loew Cornell #8 Ultraround (or similar) paintbrush.

Use rubber stamps and watercolors to paint four basic greeting cards. No experience required. Instructor will demonstrate use of Sizzix die cutting machine and Misti Stamping Platform. Cardstock will be pre-cut for you. Learn how to create color changes by using more water and how paint acts differently depending on wet or dry paper. Learn to coordinate paint and cardstock colors. Envelopes will be provided so your cards are ready to mail. Supplies to bring: glue stick, scissors, paper towels, painters tape, clipboard, water container, inexpensive folding watercolor palette or styrofoam plate, and Loew Cornell #8 Ultraround (or similar) paintbrush.

We will learn the history of the building currently housing the Bank of New Hampshire Stage Theater, as well as the present a history of the Kimball House at the Capitol Center for the Arts. The course will include a walking tour of each building.

The presenter will show you how to safely make soap the simple, old-fashioned way, using oils and sodium hydroxide. Each step of the process will be explained, during which questions are invited. Free soap samples will be handed out, as well as instructions on the soap making process.

You don't need a barn to display a barn quilt. These large wood paintings that look like quilts can be found hanging on inside walls, on the outside of houses, on fences, sheds, and even chicken coops. In this class you will paint your own 2 x 2-foot barn quilt in the Ohio Star Pattern. Participants will be taken through the process step by step including the wood preparation, priming, taping, painting, and sealing of your creation. While waiting for the paint to dry, you will hear about the meaning of the various barn quilt patterns and the history behind them. Various other quilt lore will be discussed. Please bring a bag lunch to enjoy. 

Chuck Annal returns for an in-class presentation of his 12th Shakespeare class for OLLI. Whether you're someone who's wondering what all the fuss is about, or a long-time Shakespeare fan, you'll enjoy this interactive approach to "Julius Caesar," a play that speaks to our contemporary social issues.. Because Shakespeare's plays were meant to be heard and not necessarily read, Chuck uses an approach that reads the entire play aloud, using class participants to read various roles in a scene (and, no, you don't have to read if you prefer not to). Along the way Chuck will lead discussions on themes, language, character, and staging. A study guide is provided as well. Required text: any copy of "Julius Caesar," with or without explanatory notes.