Second 5 Weeks   

This course will provide an overview of community theater (or "theatre" if you are a snoot) from an old theater hack whose first show was in 1972. (I was single, and it was a great way to meet girls. It worked altogether too well because that's how I met my wife!) Two rules: don't take yourself seriously, and have fun. The rest is the magic you create.

The countries and cities of Europe that draw us to explore them emerged from the great "ages" in European history. Starting with the Greek and Roman Empires, and ending with the modernism of the present day, we'll include The Middle Ages, Renaissance, The Ages of Exploration, Absolute Monarchy, Enlightenment, and Revolution – all while learning the backstories that bring travel to life.

You are already familiar with many works of classical music because they've been incorporated into the musical scores of some popular movies. We'll learn about the composers who originally wrote these masterworks, how and why they were first composed, and how they've been reimagined as music for the cinema. You'll find that you know more than you realized but that you don't know the whole story!

This class will survey five works of fiction from the 20th century that are pivotal and enduring in the literary lexicon and the culture at large - but that are largely unread by modern audiences. We will discuss these books in the context of their time as well as consider their relevance to our current era. Please Note: This course has recommended supplies.

Online Registration Notice:

Please note that the deadline to register for an online course is 48 hours before the start date for that individual course. This deadline allows us to get the Zoom link to you. Students who miss the cut-off date can submit a request for late registration to osher@uconn.edu with the understanding that there is no guarantee they will be able to register.

Thank you for your understanding!

Recording Notice:

OLLI is now able to record classes for students who might wish to review them. We only record classes with instructor approval. Recordings are completely private and only accessible to students. However, if you are concerned about privacy, you may, of course, stop your Zoom camera.

This course will teach you how to play the typical Latin American instruments such as bongos, guiro, claves, and maracas. You will also learn very basic rhythms and how they are used in different styles of Latin American Music such as Mambo, Son, Rumba, Guaguanco, and Bembe. From there, you'll learn the origin of Latin American music, especially from the Carribean.

The ancient game of Mahjong, very popular in the USA in the 1950s and ‘60s, has made a big comeback in recent years. Interested in its history? Want to learn how to play, but you've heard it is difficult and/or confusing to learn? This course will get you going!

This course will be based on the biography Madame Fourcade's Secret War. We will read the book over a five-week period, discuss the book, and look at the background events that influence Maire-Madeleine Fourcade and her resistance group. Please Note: This course has required supplies.

Group singing helps us feel great in mind, body, and spirit. Let's make a joyful sound with harmonies that emerge easily by singing rounds and simple songs in parts. This class is for those who participated in the spring, and for newcomers, with new and familiar songs. As a bonus, we'll sing in-the-moment songs such as Bobby McFerrin's circle songs, which are easy and fun! Everyone is welcome.

In this course, during America 250, we will explore the lives, contributions to our freedom, and failures of five interesting women, including Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, Mercy Otis Warren, Eliza Hamilton, and Peggy Shippen Arnold.

Come learn the story of how Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt became one of the most talked about and controversial presidential couples of the last century - from the earliest days up until the White House years and afterwards. This will be a class that will cover their lives in more detail that any traditional history class.