Arts   

We will learn and practice several art skills in drawing and painting, some basics in calligraphy, perspective drawing, and three aspects of color (hue, value, intensity) to make a personal portfolio of ideas. All skill levels are welcome.

Join Guest Director Keira Fromm for a discussion about Diana Son’s poignant love story “Stop Kiss.” Keira will be joined by her production design team who will discuss their concepts and show examples of their drawings, illustrations, models and more. Get a sneak- peek at the set, lighting, costumes, and sound.

When the Black Death hit Florence in 1348 it wiped out more than half of the population. However, like a burnt field yielding to new growth, Florence became fertile grounds for the rebirth of the “Humanism” of Greek and Roman Times. In two parts we will explore, first, the end of the Dark Ages in the “Early Renaissance of Rome, Venice, and Florence.” Then we will examine the “High Renaissance of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.” We will end with Savonarola’s attempt to eradicate sin in Florence’s “Bonfire of the Vanities.” This anti-renaissance conflagration destroyed many works of art including books like Boccaccio’s “Decameron”. Although it is said that Sandro Botticelli threw several of his paintings on the fire, he didn’t toss “The Birth of Venus.”

When the Black Death hit Florence in 1348 it wiped out more than half of the population. However, like a burnt field yielding to new growth, Florence became fertile grounds for the rebirth of the “Humanism” of Greek and Roman Times. In two parts we will explore, first, the end of the Dark Ages in the “Early Renaissance of Rome, Venice, and Florence.” Then we will examine the “High Renaissance of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.” We will end with Savonarola’s attempt to eradicate sin in Florence’s “Bonfire of the Vanities.” This anti-renaissance conflagration destroyed many works of art including books like Boccaccio’s “Decameron”. Although it is said that Sandro Botticelli threw several of his paintings on the fire, he didn’t toss “The Birth of Venus.”

Are you interested in focusing on photography using your mobile devices—smart phones and tablets (not limited to Apple products)—and doing some limited post-processing of these photographs? The small class size provides for personalized assistance. In preparation for the course, please download Snapseed for photo processing to your device.

You hopefully have learned a lot more about your camera and are making much better pictures, after taking the OLLI Intro to Digital Photography course. This course has been designed to help you turn great photos into masterpieces through post-processing/editing. You will learn how to control brightness, contrast, sharpness, cropping, and much more. You will need a laptop with an editing program such as Photoshop, Affinity Photo, Nikon NX Studio, Luminar, Canon Digital Professional 4, DXO PhotoLab or another comparable recent editing program. Bring at least two photos in RAW format and two photos in JPEG format to the class to get started. The prerequisite for this course is having previously completed the OLLI Digital Photography course. Contact John Keller, the instructor, if you have questions about what program(s) can be used for this course or if you have any other related questions.

Creating a play based on history can be a creative challenge, particularly when staging plays about recent history and living people. Join the creative artists in Angels Theatre Company’s production of “Predictor” for a fascinating behind-the-curtain look at creating and staging a new play. “Predictor” is the real-life story of Margaret Crane who, in 1967, defied all odds and expectations to become the inventor of the first home pregnancy test. Registrants are encouraged to attend the production of “Predictor” at the Johnny Carson Theatre in the Lied Center for Performing Arts. Performances run February 10-19. Please check the Lied Center website at liedcenter. org/events-page for showtimes and availability. OLLI members receive a discounted ticket rate of $23.80 per ticket. The cost of tickets to attend the performance is not included in the cost of the course.

Creating a play based on history can be a creative challenge, particularly when staging plays about recent history and living people. Join the creative artists in Angels Theatre Company’s production of “Predictor” for a fascinating behind-the-curtain look at creating and staging a new play. “Predictor” is the real-life story of Margaret Crane who, in 1967, defied all odds and expectations to become the inventor of the first home pregnancy test. Registrants are encouraged to attend the production of “Predictor” at the Johnny Carson Theatre in the Lied Center for Performing Arts. Performances run February 10-19. Please check the Lied Center website at liedcenter. org/events-page for showtimes and availability. OLLI members receive a discounted ticket rate of $23.80 per ticket. The cost of tickets to attend the performance is not included in the cost of the course.

We will listen to and discuss the history of this opera along with its structure, the different musical elements and other information outlining its contributions to the genre. Composed by Richard Wagner in 1848, the opera tells the story of Lohengrin, Holy Grail ambassador, in the form of a knight in shiny armor, who comes to defend Elsa, wrongfully accused of murdering her little brother. They fall in love, yet the desire to possess power and reign over the whole country of Burgundy pushes Elsa's relative count Telramund and his evil wife Ortrud to use magic spells and treachery. Lohengrin successfully defends Elsa. Because of Telramund’s and Ortrud’s actions, Elsa, who promised never to ask Lohengrin of his origin, breaks her promise. Lohengrin must leave the earth and return to the Holy Temple of Grail to Monsalvat. Before Lohengrin vanishes, he returns Elsa’s brother to her and announces him as a ruler of Brabant.

Do you have a Mac computer, or an iPad, or an iPhone, or an Apple Watch…or, even a Home Pod? From editing photos to word processing to spreadsheets to turning on and off the lights in your home, these incredibly high-tech devices can be both easy to use and fun. We will touch on some of the more useful features of Apple’s amazing products, as well as demonstrate some practical features and apps to help with “what ails ya,” or, to make your life a bit easier.

On the eve of Women’s History Month, reflect upon the work of Nebraska women in time past. Through photographs from the collections of History Nebraska, view women at work in a wide variety of settings: home, field, shop, office, restaurant, factory, and others. Consider the contributions of this work— paid and unpaid—to the nation’s economy.

On the eve of Women’s History Month, reflect upon the work of Nebraska women in time past. Through photographs from the collections of History Nebraska, view women at work in a wide variety of settings: home, field, shop, office, restaurant, factory, and others. Consider the contributions of this work— paid and unpaid—to the nation’s economy.

Dance Fitness is perfect for older adults who want to add some movement to their lives but would like to adapt the easy-to-follow choreography to their own fitness levels. You will be encouraged to do what works for you and will be shown options for raising and lowering the intensity. In the process, you’ll move to great show tunes, standards and world music while improving your balance, brain function and cardiovascular endurance. If you wear comfy clothing and come prepared to move, then you’re ready for Dance Fitness. And yes, you can dance in a chair.

Pianist Anne-Marie McDermott is the featured artist in this LSO concert featuring Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 25 in C major. Also performed will be Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5 “Reformation,” featuring Martin Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”

Do you have a Mac computer, or an iPad, or an iPhone, or an Apple Watch…or, even a Home Pod? From editing photos to word processing to spreadsheets to turning on and off the lights in your home, these incredibly high-tech devices can be both easy to use and fun. We will touch on some of the more useful features of Apple’s amazing products, as well as demonstrate some practical features and apps to help with “what ails ya,” or, to make your life a bit easier.