Broadway Hill Club   

Class Overview

Enjoy watching spectacular dances in old and new movies and explore the ideas reflected about society, while enjoying the beauty and entertainment. Discuss the effect of technological, social changes, and economy on modern society over the past century and how that is expressed and revealed through dance in film. Each week we will watch together at least 5 video clips from the films selected for that day's class.

Gain new perspectives through discussion and analysis of the stories behind these dances, music, lyrics, costuming, casting, direction, and dance styles. Enjoy the company and perspectives of other people interested in these movie dances, led by an instructor who has specialized in this topic.

View, analyze, dissect and discuss the work of Busby Berkeley, Fred Astaire, Ray Bolger, Donald O’Connor, Gene Kelly, Dick Van Dyke, Moira Shearer, Cyd Charisse, Gower Champion, Jerome Robbins, and lesser-known but equally fascinating dance professionals from the film industry. You will enjoy learning about the fascinating backstories, intentions, and meaning behind the dances and the dance makers.

Step behind the scenes to learn the secrets of these incredible dances from Hollywood films. This course is part of our Senior Series, courses designed for older students offered during the daytime on diverse topics, though students of all ages are welcome.

Learning Objectives

• Gain an understanding of the history of dance in the movies
• Learn about technology and the movie industry’s learning curve as it relates to the technicalities of making dance work on a film
• Understand the social implications of how and why certain dance styles have been accepted or rejected over the past 12 decades 
• Gain insight into the economic impact of movie musicals in Hollywood and beyond, including the launching of new fashion businesses, influence on the travel industry, music industry, fitness industries, manufacturing, and more
• Develop knowledge about the role of international relations in movie dances

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

• Anyone who enjoys music, dance, and film
• People interested in the course’s selected dances, dancers, and choreographers
• History buffs and anyone interested in the development of social norms and cultural change

Course Overview

Life in the 21st century can be a challenge for anyone who is not comfortable with computers because technology is involved in almost every aspect of our lives. Gain more familiarity and understanding of computers to feel more confident doing whatever you need to do. In this class, you can learn how to use computers to keep in touch with people, do online shopping, take care of personal business, and even communicate with medical service providers. 

Learn about the hardware of the computer: the monitor, mouse, and keyboard, so you can be set up for success. No need to get tangled in cables and equipment and this class can help you get those things set up and sorted out. 

We will also focus on using different types of software. Explore email, files, photos, internet browsing, bookmarks, online accounts, and how to manage them in a way that is secure and successful for you. Other topics will include fun stuff like using social media, games, and videos, as well as issues around security, updating software, and managing passwords. 

Bring your questions and concerns and get them answered in class.

Learning Objectives

• Computer hardware: which cables are needed for what when to use an external drive, and how to adjust the display setting
• Using apps: create/edit/save/print a file, use email, manage an online calendar, cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox…etc.), manage your photos, online shopping, and online statements
• Do the fun stuff: basic internet browsing, bookmarks, screenshots, games, videos, online news, digital music, streaming services, e-books
• Stay connected: social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Facetime, Skype …etc.)
• Troubleshooting: security warnings, software updates, protecting your information, managing passwords

Who Might Enjoy This Class

• Anyone who is new to using computers
• People who would like to improve their basic computer skills and knowledge

Class Overview

Would you like to learn Italian but don't know where to begin? This friendly and relaxing class is a great place to get started! 

Build everyday vocabulary and expressions in this highly interactive class. Develop basic conversational skills while exploring Italian-speaking cultures. Get acquainted with the essentials of Italian grammar and gain basic listening, speaking, and reading skills. 

In this beginner Italian class, interact with the instructor and fellow students in short and simple conversations. You will gain a strong foundation in the Italian language that you can build upon as you gain proficiency.
 

Learning Outcomes

• Be able to say everyday expressions and phrases on familiar topics in Italian
• Have simple conversations
• Listen, speak and read in simple Italian language
• Be familiar with basic grammar
• Build basic everyday vocabulary and expressions
• Have deeper understanding of Italian-speaking cultures

Textbook Needed

Please acquire this book, which will be used for 6 levels of daytime Italian classes: Avanti Aski- Musumeci, Second Edition; ISBN 978-0-07-338624-9. Check online for best prices, or order through your favorite bookstore. .

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

• Anyone interested in learning Italian language with no prior experience
• People who have completed the Introductory Italian class at Seattle Central College before, or who have taken previous introductory classes
• Italian language students who wish to review from the beginning to obtain their basic skills

Class Overview

Would you like to stretch and strengthen your body but need a simple and gentle approach? Discover chair-based yoga to help improve your fitness while reducing the strain on your limbs and joints. 

Explore postures, breathwork, and meditation while seated in a chair with a supportive sturdy back. Chair yoga practice promotes stability and flexibility with the body, self-awareness, clarity with the mind, and a sense of calm and balance with emotions. We will focus on different areas of the body including shoulders, arms, back, legs, and knees, as well as restorative breathing exercises. Improve your overall wellness with every session, and learn how to practice this type of yoga on your own. 

This is a non-intimidating class, perfect for anyone who is new to yoga, as well as those who have experience with yoga but would like to learn how do poses on a chair.

Supplies Needed

• Chair with a supported back
• Yoga mat or carpet to go under the chair
• Stretchy strap to aid in the poses

Learning Objectives

• Help with over wellbeing of mind, body, and spirit
• Increase flexibility and balance for everyday life 

Who Might Enjoy This Class 

• Anyone who would like a gentle approach to increasing flexibility, balance, strength and overall wellness
• People who have done yoga before, and would like to return to yoga in a safe and gentle way
• Seniors with knee or back issues to help with everyday life and overall wellness

Course Overview

Do you like to draw and want to take your skills to the next level? Focus on drawing and painting the fascinating world of animals in this engaging and informative class. 

Through the development of keen observational skills of the natural world, learn to realistically represent animals in drawing and acrylic painting. Gain knowledge and understanding of animal anatomy to be able to make more realistic portraits. Subjects will include a variety of amazing animals such as mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and more. 

Learn about form and function, highlights, shadows, details, proportion, three-dimensionality, value, contrast, and color. These basic principles in drawing and painting will help you learn to depict the animal world in a variety of vibrant and dynamic ways, and you will be able to use the skills gained in all other creative endeavors.

Supplies Needed

This supply list gives you the option to purchase a smaller selection of supplies, or a larger, more varied selection of supplies, depending on what you would like to use for class (and after class).  The more varied selections will be listed with the word "optional." For the drawing supplies, it will be good to have them for the first class, but for the painting supplies, you can wait until after we talk about them on the first day of class, since the first few days we will be drawing.

Drawing Supplies

• Pencils (Graphite): 2B, 4B, 6B; optional: 8B and 6B or 8B woodless pencil 
• Drawing paper pad - 70-90 lb. either 9"x12" or 11"x14"
• White vinyl eraser
• Pink eraser on the back of a pencil or (optional) a mechanical eraser (Tombow Mono Knock 3.8)
• Paper blending stomps - 3 or 4 in a variety of sizes, or paper towel/ tissues for blending for the first day
• Pencil sharpener - preferably with shaving collector

Painting Supplies

You can wait to get paint supplies after we talk about them in the first class. 

• Acrylic paints - you have the option of getting either:
  - an “Entry-level collection” of at least 5-6 colors: at least white, yellow, green, blue, red, black (i.e. Liquitex Basics is one brand); either 60ml/2 oz or 118 ml/4oz
  - or a more varied collection including titanium white, light yellow, medium yellow, medium orange, medium red, magenta, dioxazine purple, ultramarine blue, phthalo blue, phthalo green, and black; either in 118ml tubes, 250 ml tubes, or 400 ml jars.
• Watercolor paper pad - 8.5x11", 9x12", 11x14" or 12x16", and/ or canvases, stretched or canvas panel - 8.5x11", 9x12", 11x14" or 12x16"
• Brushes - small #1 round, a ¼" filbert brush, and a 3/8" filbert brush
• Optional brushes: ½" filbert, ¼" angle brush
• Jar or large plastic cup or container (like for yogurt or peanut butter) for water
• Paper towels
• Disposable paper palette pad (i.e., Strathmore, Canson, etc.) - 9x 12" or 12x16" (12x16" is better because it has more room)

Optional:

• 12 x 16" “stay wet” palette (to keep paints wet between sessions) or Hipiwe a4 file box (recommended) 
• Paper plates for additional paint mixing
• Acrylic matte medium 
• Spray bottle for keeping paints wet
• Small table easel or small drawing table (depending on preference for drawing/ painting on a table or upright)

Learning Objectives

• Depict a variety of animals in pencil drawing and acrylic painting
• Draw or paint 3D forms in animals through light, shadow
• Gain skills to represent proportions and details of subjects
• Develop and use observational skills to represent animals accurately 
• Draw and paint a wide variety of animal life

Who Should Take This Class

• Anyone who is interested in enriching their lives by drawing and painting animals
• People who draw and/or paint who would like to gain or improve their skills
• Scientists, naturalists, nature lovers, or anyone who is fascinated by animal life, and would like to become more acquainted with drawing and painting the natural world
• No experience is necessary; everyone is welcome

Class Overview

Increase your imagination, creativity, and perception through the practice of drawing! Drawing is the fundamental basis of all visual art, and it can provide a lifetime of enjoyment. Get started drawing in this engaging class geared for seniors, but open to all ages.

Discover the fundamental concepts of drawing such as light, shadow, proportions, details, and perspective. Learn how to draw many subjects including animals, nature, people, and “still life” objects. Explore how you can use a pencil to create an image that looks like it has three dimensions.

You’ll be surprised how quickly your skills will improve by observing the instructor and drawing along in a step-by-step method. Class presentations make it easy to learn and put the techniques into practice. Once you learn these skills, you will find they start to become second nature. Increase your ability to represent the world around you!

Supplies Needed

• Pencils (graphite): 2B, 4B, 6B; optional: 8B; optional: woodless pencil (6B or 8B) 
• Drawing paper pad - either 9"x12" or 11"x14"
• White vinyl eraser
• Mechanical eraser, or pink eraser on the back of common pencils (for detail erasing and drawing white lines on gray areas)
• Paper blending stomps, 3-4 in a variety of sizes;  (or you can use paper towel or tissues if you can't find these for the first day)
• Pencil sharpener (preferably with shaving collector)
• Set of colored pencils (24 to 48)

Learning Objectives

• Explore the various uses for drawing tools and supplies 
• Draw representational objects and scenes
• Represent 3-dimensional space through the use of light, shadow, and detail
• Become familiar with blending techniques
• Accurately draw 3-dimensional objects, the building blocks of all other drawings
• Combine 3-dimensional objects to make more complex drawings
• Expand your use and understanding of form and line
• Be able to draw proportions accurately 
• Represent 3-dimensional objects and scenes using simple perspective
• Utilize light and dark details
• Maximize the use of value, contrast, line, marks, and details to draw with expression

Who Might Enjoy This Class 

• Anyone who is interested in enriching their lives with the joy of drawing
• People who would like to gain or improve their drawing skills and apply those skills to draw a variety of subjects
• Anyone wanting to develop new skills to express themselves
• People who would like to gain foundational drawing skills to support any other visual art medium

Class Overview

Sixty-five years after the beginning of the Space Age, there is a new resurgence to develop the resources of the domain that John Kennedy called “this new ocean.” Explore the history of the first space age and what it portends for the second, in this fascinating class.

The exploration of space is now a global phenomenon, with many new players, both nation-states and commercial entities. Learn about the history and accomplishments of humanity’s movement into space thus far. We will also read and discuss news and scientific reports on new discoveries in the space sciences. Bring your curiosity and critical thinking skills to the class. 

Expand your knowledge in astronomy and planetary science in an engaging environment. This class is an opportunity to discover ways to participate as citizen scientists and educated public citizens in the ongoing exploration of space.

Learning Objectives

• Develop knowledge in astronomy and planetary science
• Gain an understanding in the accomplishments of humanity’s movement into space
• Critically read news and scientific reports on new discoveries in the space sciences
• Discover opportunities to participate as citizen scientists in space exploration

Who Might Enjoy This Class 

• People who are curious about the universe and astronomy 
• Anyone interested in the issues around humanity becoming a space-faring species
• Life-long learners and explorers

Class Overview

Cartooning is a joyful art form that delights viewers and tells stories with minimal lines. Learn how to draw in the dynamic and expressive style of cartooning in this class.  

Discover and practice the skills to draw engaging cartoon characters. We will explore the importance of anatomy and proportions, and key cartooning techniques such as simplification, squash and stretch, movement, line of action, gestures, and facial expressions. Follow along in an engaging series of step-by-step demos, making it easy and fun to build your skills quickly. 

You will also learn to draw caricatures, in which the exaggeration of characteristics brings out the personality and expression of that person, animal, or cartoon character. The focus of this class is on how to create cartoon characters and characters and develop your drawing skills to be able to draw in this style more confidently and successfully. Narrative and storytelling are not the focus, though you will be well-equipped to combine those elements.

Get ready for a fun and informative hands-on drawing class!

Supplies Needed

• Pencils (graphite): 2B, 4B, 6B pencil; optional: 8B and woodless pencil (6B or 8B) 
• Set of pens (like Pigma Microns) - .01,.02,.03.,05,.08
• Drawing paper pad, 70-90lb  - either 9"x12" or 11"x14"
• White vinyl eraser
• Mechanical eraser, or pink eraser on the back of pencil (for detail erasing and drawing white lines on gray areas)
• Paper blending stomps, 3-4 (variety sizes) 
• Pencil sharpener (preferably with shaving collector)

Learning Objectives

• Draw cartoon characters
• Understand how to simplify and exaggerate your character to amplify the comic effect
• Depict characters in action through the use of gesture and dynamic anatomy
• Draw cartoon characters in their natural environments, with props or other elements, and interact with each other
• Be able to produce caricatures of famous people or people you know through comic exaggeration
• Utilize believable yet exaggerated forms and proportions

Who Might Enjoy This Class 

• Anyone interested in learning to draw and interested in enriching their lives with the joy of cartooning
• People who already like to draw with an interest in gaining or improving cartooning abilities
• Anyone who would like to learn more about creating cartoons from scratch
• People who like to draw cartoons and would like to bring more expressiveness to their cartoon characters through action, movement, dynamic poses, and facial expressions
• Anyone who would like to gain cartooning skills to tell a story or narrative in the future

Class Overview

What is fascism, what can we learn from it, and what should we know about it in today’s world? Learn about fascism by looking at history with a focus on Italy in the second World War in this engaging and fascinating class. 

Gain a better understanding of how fascism evolved in Italy, including some of the most significant events and movements that led to its rise. Learn about the horror of the Italian civil war, the Nazi occupation, and the execution of Mussolini. Examine the role the Allies played in Italy and the war.

As a class, we will reflect upon past events and their implications on the current political environment in Italy and beyond, through thoughtful discussions. No prior knowledge of the subject is required.

Learning Objectives

• Develop a general understanding of the role of Italy in WWII
• Gain a better understanding of the role the Allies played in Italy
• Be able to reflect on the implications of past events on current politics

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

• Anyone interested in history and political movements
• People passionate about Italy and its culture
• Travelers to Italy
• Descendants of veterans who fought in WWII

Class Overview

Acrylic painting can provide a lifetime of enjoyment. Learn how to express yourself using the vibrant colors of this delightful paint. 

Discover how to use the basic techniques of acrylic painting: blending, texturizing, brush handling, detailing, stippling, glazing, wet in wet, and alla prima. Learn about color mixing, complementary colors, warm and cool, hue, value, intensity, and proportions. 

You will be surprised how quickly your skills will improve by observing the instructor and painting along, during step-by-step class presentations. The format will make it easy to get started and build upon what you learn, gaining new techniques and putting them directly into practice. As you develop these skills, you’ll find them becoming second nature. Enjoy the satisfying ability to represent the world around you in liquid colors, as you create unique works of art. 

Supplies Needed

PALETTE

• 1 disposable palette pad 9x12” or 12x16” (or paper plates for the first day)

BRUSHES

• Long-handled brushes are preferable – you can use short-handled brushes if you already have them - white nylon or brown taklon bristles
• Round brushes: #1 or #2 - (1/16" or 1/32" wide) 
• Filbert brushes: 2-3 at least
• A small and a large: 1/8", 1/4", 3/8", 1/2"
• Flat: 1" wide
• Angle brush (optional): small - 1/4" wide, or less  

CANVASES

• 2-4 canvases in a size like 11x14”, 12x16”, 14x18”, or 16x20” – depending on preference and availability (students often like to start with smaller canvases and then go up in canvas size as the class goes on)
• One 9x12” watercolor pad, 120 lb for practices and exercises (or 3-5 sheets of watercolor paper)

PAINTS

Examples of brands, student-grade: Liquitex Basics, Galeria, Grumbacher Academy, Utrecht, Pebeo

Colors:

Titanium white, any light yellow (examples: cadmium yellow light hue, Acra or Hansa yellow light, light yellow, or lemon yellow), any medium yellow: (cadmium yellow medium hue, Acra or Hansa yellow medium, or medium yellow), any medium red: (cadmium red medium hue, Acra or Hansa red medium, or medium red), magenta, ultramarine blue, phthalo blue, Mars black

Optional Colors (but very useful):

Any medium orange: (cadmium orange medium hue, Acra or Hansa orange medium, or medium orange), dioxazine purple, phthalo green, burnt sienna, burnt umber 

Miscellaneous:

• Water jars, glass or plastic (such as peanut butter, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc or large plastic cups or containers)
• Paper towels
• Pencil: 2B or HB 
• White vinyl eraser (or pink pearl)
• Sharpener (preferably with shavings catcher)
• Optional: palette knives (plastic or metal) 

Learning Objectives

• Color mixing: proportions, hue, value, intensity, complementary colors, and warm/cool
• Using color schemes to add extra interest to your paintings: monochromatic, analogous, complementary, split complementary, and triadic
• Techniques such as blending, texturizing, and detailing; might include stippling, glazing, washes, alla prima, dry brushing, impasto, swirling and dabbing, etc.
• Various painting styles such as realistic, impressionistic, abstract, etc.
• Ability to paint a variety of subject matter such as animals, plants, landscapes, still life, etc.
• Represent 3-dimensional form in painting, in both black and white and in color, by using value, contrast, light, and shadow 
• Atmospheric perspective makes entire scenes and landscapes appear more 3 dimensional, with the illusion of depth and space
• Apply proportion and perspective to your paintings

Who Might Enjoy This Class 

• Anyone who is interested in enriching their lives with the joy of painting
• People who would like to gain or improve their painting skills and apply those skills to paint a variety of subject matter
• Anyone who would like to learn to express themselves through the medium of painting
• Budding artists who would like to gain the foundational skills of painting to apply to any visual art medium 
• No experience is necessary; everyone is welcome!

Class Overview

You can stop apologizing that your photos are just from your phone camera. The key to good photography is mostly due to rather straightforward principles of composition, and you can easily learn them! It’s also important to know how to apply these principles, when to apply them, and, believe it or not, when not to.  

In this class, explore the powerful principles of composition while looking at many photographs, including your own, with the guidance of a professional photographer.  

By the time the class is over, we assure you that your phone photographs will be more compelling, evocative, and memorable. Whether your subjects are family and friends, pets and wildlife, nearby or far away, you will be able to capture better images of what you see in front of your lens.

The class will meet online via Zoom. Everyone will complete three photo assignments of subjects we all agree on, shooting new images and/or harvesting from existing work. Then we will share our results on flickr.com for feedback in and outside of our Zooms.  

This course is part of our Senior Series, classes designed for older students, offered during the daytime on diverse topics, though students of all ages are welcome.

Learning Objectives

• Know and understand the core principles of composition used in all visual art mediums, including photography with any camera, as well as painting
• Decide when to apply those principles, but also when not to
• Better evaluate any photograph for what makes it compelling
• Make photographs like you never have before 
• Compose your own photographs that will turn your friends and family’s heads

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

• Anyone using a phone camera for photos
• Everyone who likes photographing family, friends, grandkids, and more
• Practiced photographers or a complete newbie, everyone is welcome

Class Overview

Tai Chi is a health sustaining exercise and a tool for improved body awareness. Practiced by the elderly for balance and circulation and the young for relaxation and martial arts, it is a wonderful holistic activity for all ages.

During this class, you'll learn:

• the Yang Tai Chi short form, which is comprised of 35 individual movements
• Chi Kung, a warm-up exercise and relaxation activity with 18 movements
• elements of Chinese Medical Philosophy, such as Yin/Yang theory and Five Elements transformation
• the basics of Taoist philosophy

We'll focus on learning the entire Yang short form, and you'll receive guidance in developing your own regular practice at home.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this class, you will be able to:

• learn basic warm-up stretches to improve your overall movement
• discover the Yang-style short form of Tai Chi
• practice the Yang-style under the direction of an expert instructor
• gain knowledge about the history and background of Tai Chi

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

• Individuals seeking a low-impact exercise routine
• Anyone interested in improving their coordination and balance
• People interested in developing their focus, relaxation and overall wellness