Arts   

The Lincoln Symphony Orchestra chamber orchestra concert takes place this year in the magnificent space of St. Paul United Methodist Church. Composer David von Kampen’s award-winning song cycle “Under the Silver” and “Home Again,” orchestrated, composed and performed by baritone Nathanial Sullivan, will be paired with Ravel’s song cycle “Don Quixote” to “Dulcinea.” The program also includes Mozart’s “Prague Symphony” and Mendelssohn’s “The Hebrides Overture.”

Join director Ian Borden for a discussion about Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest.” This story of courtships, betrothals and confused identities is a satire of Victorian morality that has delighted audiences throughout the ages. The director will be joined by the production design team who will discuss their concepts and show examples of their drawings, illustrations, models and more. The session will include a sneak-peek at the set, lighting, costumes and sound.

“Hamlet" is one of the most quoted, studied, and produced plays in the English language. Over more than 400 years Hamlet has captivated audiences for one reason or another. A star for a leading actor. A Freudian analysis of the mother-son relationship. Even the 18th century criticism of the play as being "barbaric" piques modern audiences' interest. The text is active and intriguing - it plays directly to the listener's mind, heart, and gut while asking universal questions about life, death, and the meaning of it all. Flatwater Shakespeare's cast of talented players embody the text with passion, eye-catching movement, and overt theatricality. The show concludes with a post-performance question and answer period with OLLI attendees.

Sometimes, we need gentle reminders to slow down and be in the present moment. The harp has been called the perfect instrument for relaxation, as well as helping create wellness in our everyday lives. Learn from a therapeutic harpist as she weaves together powerful stories, practical tips, and plays harp examples, demonstrating music’s role in your life’s journey.

Sometimes, we need gentle reminders to slow down and be in the present moment. The harp has been called the perfect instrument for relaxation, as well as helping create wellness in our everyday lives. Learn from a therapeutic harpist as she weaves together powerful stories, practical tips, and plays harp examples, demonstrating music’s role in your life’s journey.

Learn about the history of Lincoln’s Kennard House, originally the home of Thomas P. Kennard, Nebraska’s first Secretary of State. The Kennard House is the oldest building still standing that was part of Lincoln’s original town plat and was restored as a memorial to Nebraska statehood in 1967. We will tour the home, discuss its construction and architectural history, and learn about archeological investigations of the property conducted by UNL’s Summer Field School in Archeology and the History Nebraska State Archeology Office in the 1990s.

Opera is a form of theater in which music has the leading role and the parts are taken by singers. It incorporates singing, acting, scenery, costumes, and dance. Learn about opera and what makes it so. Explore the genres of opera, including opera “seria,” and opera buffa, Wagner’s musical drama, and modern opera. Understand several important elements of the genre like arias, recitatives and ensembles, without which opera does not exist.

Uncork the secrets of winemaking and learn how to make wine at home. From selecting the finest ingredients to mastering fermentation and aging techniques, explore the art and science behind creating your own delicious wines. Gain insight on the basics of the process, equipment, terminology, and sanitation. Obtain practical tips, troubleshooting advice and insider insights to ensure your success; no tasting or sampling is included.

Learn about the evolution of the Kimono from the Edo period (1615-1868) to the present. Exploration begins with the origins, traditions and cultural significance of this unique garment that remains synonymous with Japanese culture. A look at the shape, structure, materials, and needle craft of the kimono will lead to an appreciation of the symbolism and artistic qualities of this distinctive form of dress. Exploration continues as we delve into the journey of the kimono to the West. After first appearing in Europe in 1867, it soon found favor among women of the Aesthetics Movement. Its form and style were next embraced by fashion designers including Paul Poiret (1919), Geofrey Beene (1965), and Ralph Rucci (2004). Its simple geometrics and abstract relation to the human form allow it to continue to serve as a dynamic canvas for creative interpretation by artists and designers worldwide.

Learn about the evolution of the Kimono from the Edo period (1615-1868) to the present. Exploration begins with the origins, traditions and cultural significance of this unique garment that remains synonymous with Japanese culture. A look at the shape, structure, materials, and needle craft of the kimono will lead to an appreciation of the symbolism and artistic qualities of this distinctive form of dress. Exploration continues as we delve into the journey of the kimono to the West. After first appearing in Europe in 1867, it soon found favor among women of the Aesthetics Movement. Its form and style were next embraced by fashion designers including Paul Poiret (1919), Geofrey Beene (1965), and Ralph Rucci (2004). Its simple geometrics and abstract relation to the human form allow it to continue to serve as a dynamic canvas for creative interpretation by artists and designers worldwide.

"Golden Hours" is the 2024 theme for Lincoln's sunken gardens. Explore the design process and the challenges of growing plants in Lincoln with the ever-changing weather.Please plan accordingly for weather and your comfort. A good deal of walking will be required.

"Golden Hours" is the 2024 theme for Lincoln's sunken gardens. Explore the design process and the challenges of growing plants in Lincoln with the ever-changing weather.Please plan accordingly for weather and your comfort. A good deal of walking will be required.

Register for the performance in the company of fellow OLLI members in a reserved section of the theatre or attend the production at a different time that works with your schedule by purchasing a ticket on your own. The same OLLI discount on ticket prices applies either way you attend.

Get acquainted with the medium of clay. Explore hand-built ceramics from a functional and sculptural point of view while building and carving mugs and plant pots. Discover ceramic hand-building basics and observe demonstrations and examples. Some standing is required while working with projects.

Are you eager to learn more about those monumental sculptures on the UNL campus near the Sheldon Museum of Art? Our nationally acclaimed art museum installed its sculpture garden in 1970 when it was one of only three public sculpture gardens in the nation. These weekly tours will focus on sculptures by such world-renowned artists as Claes Oldenburg, Mark di Suvero, and Richard Serra and will include highly respected sculptures with local connections such as Jun Kaneko and Catherine Ferguson. Dress for the weather and for walking comfortably throughout the garden. You may want to bring a bottle of water to keep hydrated on hot days.

The “Tales of Hoffmann” is an opera fantastique by German-born French composer Jacques Offenbach, his final opera. In Luther’s tavern in Munich, where the operate begins and ends, the poet Hoffmann, with his confidant Nicklausse, begins to tell the story of his three unfortunate love affairs, in which Councillor Lindorf has played a crucial role, dressed in three different costumes, each more diabolical than the others. We will listen to and discuss the history of this opera; its structure, information about the composer’s sources, and different musical elements which are characteristic of this opera. Other information will be shared to define additional contributions to the opera genre.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at six different Lincoln artists in their studios. See the creative environments and study the artists finished pieces or works in progress. Hear them describe their creative process and perhaps see a demonstration of their techniques. We will visit all new/different studios from past offerings of this course. 

Thomas Trevelyon, born around 1548, was still alive in 1616. He designed embroidery patterns and was a highly skilled calligrapher and artist. He created two large manuscript books known as miscellanies, which contained illustrated pages about a range of subjects. His 1608 volume is owned by the Folger Shakespeare Library and University of Nebraska owns the facsimile of it in Special Collections. We will look at several of the beautiful pages on such topics as royalty, witchcraft, embroidery, and clothing and some of the books that may have been his sources.

This course is back by popular demand. Learn about the Piedmont neighborhood, which was developed by Lincoln businessman Charles Stuart beginning in 1926. A classroom session will focus on historical concepts behind the development, as well as the area’s architects, early residents and unique landscape features. A second session will be a guided walking tour through the streets of Piedmont. As the area’s sidewalks are narrow, or nonexistent, and traffic on Cotner Boulevard can be busy. Both groups will meet in the classroom for the first session, then split into two groups for the walking tours for the second session.

This course is back by popular demand. Learn about the Piedmont neighborhood, which was developed by Lincoln businessman Charles Stuart beginning in 1926. A classroom session will focus on historical concepts behind the development, as well as the area’s architects, early residents and unique landscape features. A second session will be a guided walking tour through the streets of Piedmont. As the area’s sidewalks are narrow, or nonexistent, and traffic on Cotner Boulevard can be busy. Both groups will meet in the classroom for the first session, then split into two groups for the walking tours for the second session.