Capital Region

Two programs of piano music by great composers will feature a survey of significant pieces from the 16th to the 20th centuries. The first program will include well known pieces from the following composers: Bach, Purcell, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Liszt, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Messiaen, Brahms, and Chopin. As we listen, St. Colombe said, “We may realize that music exists to say something that words cannot say. “The second program will include transcriptions from opera and sacred music in addition to descriptive pieces of nature and religious significance. You will hear music that evokes memories of birdsong, poetry, Bible stories, and the musical expression of the joys and sorrows we have all experienced during our lives.

The c. 1886 Mount Tabor AME Zion Church and Cemetery is listed in the National Register of Historic places. Located in Mount Holly Springs Borough, Cumberland County, PA, the church was established by formerly enslaved and free individuals who migrated to the town after the Civil War. The church was the heart of the local African American community. The building is a locally significant example of vernacular log design. In Part I of the course Carmen James - a former member of the church - will share the history of the church and the work of Mt. Tabor Preservation Project (MTPP) and show artifacts. The Project started in 2016 by a group of descendants, former congregants, residents, and historians. This group of volunteers is dedicated to discovering, preserving, and presenting the history of the church and the cemetery. Part II is a field trip to visit the church and cemetery. It will include a tour of the Amelia S. Givin Free Library, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The tour will involve standing and some walking for about an hour and half. There are no restrooms on the church site. Restrooms are available in the library. The library is ADA compliant. *Additional fee includes transportation only. Donations to MTTP are welcome at the time of the tour.

Using a poetry anthology called Sweeping Beauty: Contemporary Women Poets Do Housework, edited by Pamela Gemin, the instructor will provide an experience in which participants will see/touch household things that may remind them of mothers, aunts, etc. and domestic life. Several poems will be emphasized with performance art using pots, serving dishes, sheets, etc. as she reads the poems. Time will be allocated for participants to share with classmates a brief recollection of a domestic experience. A variety of special resources will be available for participants to explore.

Do you receive lots of scam calls? How about robocalls? Are you afraid of having your identity stolen? Do you receive solicitations in the mail for charity contributions or information about lotteries or sweepstakes? Attend this session and learn about the latest scams and how to protect yourself. Become informed while entertained!

In 1998, the American Film Institute (AFI) polled over 1,500 artists and film industry leaders to gather their votes for the top 100 American films of all time. These “arbiters of excellence” chose from a list of 400 nominated films. The criteria included critical recognition, major awards won, popularity over time, historical significance, and cultural impact. Controversy ensued as often happens with any list of excellence. The AFI produced a revised list in 2007, and films were dropped, others added, some moved up, and others dropped down. This 2007 list will serve as the basis for the course. In Part 1 we will count down from #100 to #51. For each film, we will examine the historical and cultural context, the impact of each film on the art of feature narrative films, and discuss why this film found its way onto this exalted list. Clips will be shown for each film. Part 2 will be offered in Spring 2022.

Sacred calligraphy… oriental carpets… the glittering domes of the Taj Mahal… the lively details of Persian court painting – all show the beauty and diversity of Islamic art and architecture. Our own eyes are accustomed to Western artistic traditions: portraits, landscapes, historical drama, religious allegory. The anonymous craftsmen of the Islamic world offer a different perspective on the form and function of art. Come with an open mind, and you’ll gain a new appreciation for the achievements of this brilliant, thousand-year tradition.

The c. 1886 Mount Tabor AME Zion Church and Cemetery is listed in the National Register of Historic places. Located in Mount Holly Springs Borough, Cumberland County, PA, the church was established by formerly enslaved and free individuals who migrated to the town after the Civil War. The church was the heart of the local African American community. The building is a locally significant example of vernacular log design. In Part I of the course Carmen James - a former member of the church - will share the history of the church and the work of Mt. Tabor Preservation Project (MTPP) and show artifacts. The Project started in 2016 by a group of descendants, former congregants, residents, and historians. This group of volunteers is dedicated to discovering, preserving, and presenting the history of the church and the cemetery.  Part II is a field trip to visit the church and cemetery. It will include a tour of the Amelia S. Givin Free Library, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The tour will involve standing and some walking for about an hour and half. There are no restrooms on the church site. Restrooms are available in the library. The library is ADA compliant.

It’s your funeral, so have it the way you want it! This course explores death and dying in a non-threatening, light-hearted way. It will help attendees become comfortable talking about death; ease the burden on the loved ones; ensure that health care wishes are known; and limit unwanted financial expenses. The loved ones we leave behind deserve better than a mess to clean up after us, so let's have some fun doing what needs to be done. Participants are encouraged to attend all four sessions, do assignments between sessions, and share their thoughts, concerns, and plans with other course members.

We will trace the history of automobile styling from its horseless carriage beginnings through the decades of cultural and technological influences to its current state.

We use various sayings and phrases in our common language every day, but what do they mean and where did they come from? We will also explore some nautical sayings and look back into where the word “Okay” came from.