Visual-Performing Arts   

Tom Hanks is known for his comedic and dramatic roles, making him one of the most popular and identifiable film stars worldwide. His films have grossed over $16 billion globally. He has been the recipient of countless awards including two back-to-back Best Actor Oscars, a feat not accomplished since Spencer Tracy. Other awards include the Kennedy Center Honor, the French Legion of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. During this term we will view eight movies, including three Tom Hanks regards as his favorites, and four often judged as his finest performances. The last film will be chosen by the class. Please join me in observing some of Tom Hanks’ talented productions. There will be class discussion of each movie. The facilitator will email trivia questions to class members in advance of each class about the upcoming movie. The facilitator will also provide an explanation of why experts view the four movies as Hanks’ best works.

After World War I, the predominant German art form, Expressionism, had fallen into disrepute and was declared dead. What arose out of the ashes of the exuberant pathos of expressing one's inner emotions was the opposite: a Neue Sachlichkeit (New Objectivity), which tried to show the world through objective, dispassionate eyes. This art movement corresponds, more or less, to the years of the Weimar Republic (1918-1933), and ended with the rise of Nazism.

It is art that is little known outside of Germany, but one which also carried over to the U.S. and into contemporary times. Its most famous painters were Otto Dix, George Grosz and Max Beckmann, yet there were dozens of other artists and numerous city centers for this movement. Additionally, we will discuss Die Neue Frau (The New Woman), and the changing gender roles during the 1920s in Germany, represented in works of art, as well as the rise of photography as an art form.

Finally, we will see how Neue Sachlichkeit moved to the U.S. under the guise of Precision and Machine Aesthetic, represented by Charles Sheeler and his most important work, namely, for the Ford Motor Company - both paintings and photographs - of the River Rouge Plant in Dearborn, Michigan.

Beethoven did not invent the symphony. Both Mozart and Haydn had gotten there before him, and others before them. However, Beethoven was the first to prove that a symphony could express the composer’s view of the world: triumph, tragedy and all the emotions in between.

The summit of that journey arrived with his Symphony No. 9, premiering in Vienna May 7, 1824, and containing so famously the Ode to Joy. His concept of what symphonies could become inspired countless composers in later years, Brahms and Tchaikovsky amongst them. Even today, most composers have Beethoven in their minds when they sit down to write a symphony.

Music historian Betsy Schwarm offers a six-week online course exploring Beethoven’s symphonic vision, and how he influenced the grand works that would come with later generations. How did Beethoven change the musical world and how does he still make a difference today? We’ll find out!

In this class we will explore the profound world of animated cinema with rich narratives and mature storytelling in animated features beyond traditional children's entertainment. Through films like "Grave of the Fireflies," a poignant exploration of wartime suffering; "Mary and Max," a touching tale of friendship and mental health; "The Fantastic Mr. Fox," a witty and visually stunning adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic; and "The Little Prince" (2015), a heartfelt reimagining of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's timeless story, and four other films, we look at how animation tackles deep, complex themes. Class discussions will focus on thematic elements, artistic techniques, and the impact of these films on the audience, demonstrating the power of animation to convey intricate human experiences and emotions. This course invites you to look beyond the surface and appreciate the depth and artistry of animated storytelling. We will show each film in its entirety with English subtitles for the hearing impaired (if available).

Need a break from all the stress of another election year? Comedy Appreciation might be just the ticket. We’ll look at many of the talented people who have made us laugh over the years and right up to the present day. We’ll cover standup comedy from men and women, past and present, as well late-night comedy, ethnic humor, political humor, and sketch comedy -everything from Pat Paulsen to Paula Poundstone and that’s just the P’s.

Through this course, students will encounter the cinema of Martin Scorsese, arguably one of the most important living film directors. Beginning with his breakthrough work, "Taxi Driver" (1976), and progressing through his widely recognized masterworks Raging Bull (1980) and Goodfellas (1990), the course will culminate with a look at his modern output: The Irishman (2019) and Killers of the Flower Moon (2023). Over the course of this survey, students will be exposed to the influences, inspirations, and challenges behind Scorsese's work. We'll learn about the films' production, their critical and popular reception, and ultimately, their importance to cinema history.

Some directors have an identifiable brash style that we can all appreciate; some strive to be invisible - if you can see their efforts, they feel they have usurped the story. Whichever way, the great directors with long, successful lists of films to their credit are, in reality, supreme artists of film that can get you to laugh through tears and surprise you with unexpected story twists. How do they do that? What techniques, what film grammar do they know and use on you to tell their stories in compelling ways? Take this course and see how they do it – Quentin Tarantino, Francis Ford Coppola, Sidney Lumet, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Stanley Kubrick, Joel and Ethan Coen, Sidney Pollack. We’ll see excerpts of their work, biographic info and Interviews with them, and detailed commentaries on their techniques via YouTube videos.

Unlock the power of color in your art by diving into the essentials of color theory. Whether you're new to this fascinating world or just want to brush up on your skills, understanding the color wheel, complementary colors, and the psychological effects of colors is key to creating impactful art. This course offers a fun and engaging journey into color theory and its practical applications in painting. You'll learn how to choose and use colors systematically, bridging the gap between creativity and science. By mastering these principles, you'll add depth, variety, and allure to your artwork. As you work with acrylics or watercolors, the advantages of knowing color theory will become clear, taking your artistic journey to exciting new heights. Join us and discover how to make your paintings more vibrant and dynamic!

Monet, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Matisse and Picasso - we'll explore the work and the worlds of these five amazing artists, their impact upon Modern Art and the joy and wonder they continue to prompt. Class will be a combination of lecture, discussion and video. At the end of each class Bob will do a brief demonstration exploring the painters' techniques, using inexpensive materials like crayons, colored pencils and a beginners watercolor set and work towards simulating a few of their innovative methods of application. All are invited to play along - participation is optional of course and simply observing will be of value.

For those of you who are tired of being bombarded by all the bad news on TV every day, this class is intended to lighten and brighten your world. I’ll be showing and discussing some of the most beautiful Japanese prints made over the last 150 years. Their impact is felt around the world.

When the United States ended Japan’s isolationist foreign policy around 1854, Japan entered a new period marked by rapid modernization, industrialization, and cultural change. This class will delve into Japanese print art resulting from Japanese societal changes beginning in the Meiji period (1868-1912). Out of necessity, it will show contrasts and similarities with prior Edo period prints. I will discuss the evolution of Japanese society and print artists, their lives, and their work over approximately a 150-year period (to the present). This includes the shin-hanga (new prints), sosaku-hanga (creative prints), and kindai-hanga (modern or contemporary prints) movements. Japanese prints have had a huge impact on Western art over the last 350 years.

Prepare to be awed by this art form that is infused with Western influences yet remains essentially Japanese and is still popular today. No extracurricular reading is required.

Whether you are eager to travel again and want some ideas about future trips or you're an armchair traveler who enjoys seeing the beauty of the world, you'll enjoy this class.

Come, travel with us...To the Baltic countries. Cuba, Morocco, Mexico's Yucatan (with OLLI), Scandinavia, Colombia, Israel, and a session of potpourri destinations - short videos of some of Barbara's favorite places!

Classes will consist of viewing videos of various destinations, and class participation about different kinds of travel and discussion of your favorite destinations and bucket lists. We encourage you to "talk travel"!

“Bogie” the name conjures an immediate picture of the classic tough guy with a heart of gold. Classic quotes such as “Play It Again, Sam” and “You’re Good. You’re awfully Good.” bring to life some of the most outstanding dramas from the Golden Days of Hollywood. Again, we return to watch Humphrey Bogart in eight more movies that showed the range of his talents. Bogart plays returning veteran, escaped convict, hotel visitor, gold seeker, a down-and-out scriptwriter, corporate executive, and a crusading newspaper editor. Again, we will have a short discussion before and after the movie to discuss the stars, the plot, and what made this movie successful (or not).

These movies are “A” movies and will run long. Our class will start at 12:30 to accommodate the length of the movie plus our serial of the week.

Join us for our 4th in a series of most highly rated and enjoyed films of a decade. Having done the films of the 1960s, 70s and 80s, this term we look at the films of the 1990s. Examples are Shawshank Redemption, Forrest Gump, Good Will Hunting, and A League of Their Own. We will also select from 10 other excellent films of the decade using our 1980s film class for guidance. During the course you will see many great actors (Ben Affleck, Robin Williams, Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Geena Davis, Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helen Hunt, Holly Hunter, Jodie Foster, Andie MacDowell, Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Minnie Driver) and the work of great directors and writers (Darabont, Zemeckis, Van Sant, Marshall, Fincher, Nichols, Ramis, Brooks, Hansson, Demme, Spielberg.).

Although we often think of movies as merely escapist entertainment, many filmmakers have sought to spotlight injustice and social problems. This course will study fiction films–chosen from the 1940s to today, Hollywood, independent, or foreign offerings–that seek to shape attitudes. Students will watch the film beforehand on their own; class time will be spent looking at clips and particularly studying a) how movies try to make their messages entertaining, b) how much they digress from history, and c) how they stir audience emotions.

Primary movies: The Grapes of Wrath, The Bicycle Thieves, In the Heat of the Night, Z, El Norte, North Country, Spotlight

Imagine a "Museum of Lost Art" where there are different rooms for masterpieces that have been stolen; art lost through natural disasters or vandalism; art lost in wars, plundered, or simply tucked away in attics, private homes and storage facilities.

This class will introduce you to all these "rooms of lost art." We will visit the amazing world of art forgery. The DaVinci or Picasso you are appreciating, even in the world's greatest museums, may not be by the Masters at all. But not all is lost. Many organizations are searching for these missing pieces, from the FBI Art Theft Bureau to Interpol and others.

There will be video, slides, lecture and discussion. We are not art experts, and we will not go deeply into the art itself or the artists. Instead, we will take you on a spirited adventure into this intriguing world of lost and forged art.

We will have eight sessions to enjoy a variety of music-oriented documentaries. This class is for music lovers who will learn about many aspects of the world of classical music: how a concert grand piano is made, celebrated pianists in conversation and in concert, piano competitions for amateurs and professionals, how children learn to play music, and the meaning of music for musicians and for people in difficult times. We will view one film per session, discuss and share stories and experiences.

Few people realize that Horror Films did not develop or did not fully exist until after World War 1 when German veterans returned home and began to make the movies for which Horror and German Expressionism are still known. Some of the films to be explored and discussed:

“J’accuse” (France – 1919)

“Nosferatu” (Germany – 1921)

“The Golem” (Germany – 1920)

“The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” (Germany – 1921)

“The Phantom Carriage” (Sweden – 1921)

“Haxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages” (Sweden – 1922)

“The Phantom of the Opera” (US – 1925)

“The Fall of the House of Usher” (Spain – 1928)

“All Quiet on the Western Front” (US – 1930)

“M” (Germany – 1931) “Dracula” (US – 1932)

“Frankenstein (US – 1933)

These films may still chill us today, but they were born in the mud and stench and death of World War 1, as thousands faced the daily horror of No Man’s Land and then found a need to express their horror following the war. The great war poetry of Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen will also be explored and discussed.

We will explore seven operas available to Denver area residents in the forthcoming season. They include three Metropolitan Opera Live in HD productions of operatic masterpieces: Offenbach’s fantastical The Tales of Hoffmann, Puccini’s searingly dramatic Tosca, and Verdi’s Aida, the grandest of grand opera. They are joined by the Met’s HD production of Jeanne Tesori’s Grounded, a 21st century work addressing the ethical quandaries and psychological toll of today’s remote-controlled warfare.

A guest from Opera Colorado will speak to us during one week on their 2024-25 offerings: Donizetti’s rollicking The Daughter of the Regiment; Puccini’s beloved tale of youthful tragic love, La Boheme; and Verdi’s Il Trovatore, a drama of romance, jealousy, and fateful vengeance.

Please join us whether you are an experienced operagoer, new to the art form, or somewhere in between. If you plan to attend any of these performances, our classes will be an excellent prelude to your opera experience.

Create magazine-worthy images from smart phone travel, event, and everyday photos. The free Snapseed in-phone app offers fun and flexible tools for effective, professional edits and polish in post-production. Snapseed is great for making memory books, inspiring slide shows, and eye-catching Internet posts. The class will include detailed instruction and examples to correct, optimize, and artistically interpret photos, as well as hints for improving photo capture. A PDF presentation of more than 100 slides can be downloaded to follow along during the class and be retained for later reference.

Mandalas, with their rich history and beautiful designs, are amazing tools for meditation and self-reflection. Found in cultures all over the world, these intricate patterns have decorated temples, manuscripts, and more, symbolizing cosmic order and inner peace. Beyond their spiritual roots, mandalas also show up in modern science, illustrating energy, waves, and sound, and are used in therapy as a way to express oneself and heal. In this course, guided by an experienced OLLI facilitator and artist, you will dive into the world of mandala creation. Each session mixes theory with hands-on practice, allowing you to explore the artistry behind these fascinating designs. By combining ink, symmetry, and mindfulness, you'll learn how to create beautiful mandalas that have personal meaning and artistic flair. Join us for a fun and enlightening journey into the world of mandalas!

This course provides learners with an introduction to the history and wise teachings of the sacred folksongs called spirituals, created and first sung by African peoples enslaved in in America. Following the outline of the 2023 revised edition of Wade in the Water: The Wisdom of the Spirituals, the course highlights some of the principal functions and teachings of the spirituals, which were created in a specific time and place (chattel slavery in America, 18th and 19th centuries), but yet have transcended the circumstances of their origins to speak to universal issues of human dignity, freedom and justice. Teaching in the course employs lecture, discussion, recorded song samples, and communal singing (no worries, there is no musical talent required!). An optional field trip (attendance at a concert of The University of Denver Spirituals Project Choir) is highly recommended. Information about concert dates will be shared during the course.

Required Text: Arthur C. Jones, Wade in the Water: The Wisdom of the Spirituals (Revised Edition). Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2023

In these troubling, stressful times, a sense of humor isn't merely a luxury but a necessity. Steve hopes this class will serve as a relief from the day-to-day negativity around us. Even if you don't get a belly laugh, he hopes to at least see smiles.

Comedy is ubiquitous and we can only sample some of the comedians who have made us laugh through the years. We will consider some history and some sociology of comedy, but, hopefully, we will mostly laugh.

This course will take participants on a meaningful survey of the 5000+ women composers documented throughout history, beginning with Medieval ‘rock star’ Hildegard von Bingen and finishing with Pulitzer Prize winners and innovative newcomers of our time. No prior knowledge of music is necessary to ignite your curiosity and engage in this material. We will do a lot of listening for discovery and comparison, and we will engage in discussion from time to time. Prepare to be amazed at the richness of genius in these women!