Visual and Performing Arts   

In our movie series, Greg and Larry have featured great male actors from the 1930s through the 50s. It is time to recognize female movie greats from the same era. We start with the original The Thin Man with Myrna Loy, followed by Rosalind Russell’s delightful performance in His Girl Friday, and then two of our favorites, Claudette Colbert from It Happened One Night and Ingrid Bergman from Casablanca.   And then we will skip forward eight years into the 1950s and include three movies with spectacular actresses from a new generation.

Join us for a term of unforgettable stars and movies, where we show these movies and then discuss them.

• 1934- The Thin Man - Myrna Loy
• 1939- It Happened One Night - Claudette Colbert
• 1940- His Girl Friday - Rosalind Russell
• 1942- Casablanca - Ingrid Bergman
• 1950- All About Eve - Bette Davis, Anne Baxter & Celeste Holm
• 1953- Roman Holiday - Audrey Hepburn
• 1958- Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - Elizabeth Taylor
• 1959- Some Like It Hot - Marilyn Monroe

In the abbreviated format I have developed for Oscar Movies, I have selected some 24 of those same films spanning 1940 to 2018 to recap and discuss, three movies per session. These will be organized in mini-genre groups rather than by year so we can see and compare love stories, family struggles, society issues, making it, show biz behind the scenes, war, musicals, and life on the wrong side. The syllabus details which films, which weeks. We can muse over how Hollywood has evolved in its storytelling in these areas and whether the lessons have changed over time.

Join Jan, Neil, and guest speakers in exploring 298 years of various operas:

1. Perennial favorites - THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO, EUGENE ONEGIN, THE MAGIC FLUTE, MADAMA BUTTERFLY

2. Some lesser-known gems - RODELINDA, THE BALLAD OF BABY DOE

3. Two recent operas - EL ÚLTIMO SUEÑ0 DE FRIDA Y DIEGO*/2022, LILI ELBE*/2023 *Guest speakers

These operas can be seen during or soon after OLLI’s spring term, either at many local movie theaters broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera, or onstage at Opera Colorado, Central City Opera, or the Santa Fe Opera. In Jan and Neil's class, you’ll get an in-depth education on these operas, explore the historical and social worlds in which they premiered, why they still resonate, and get some fun opera nerdery. Through videos, entertaining lectures, and lively class discussions (there are no dumb questions!), you'll feel at home whether you're an opera veteran or a deer-in-the-headlights newbie.

Art in the streets (including graffiti, murals, stickers, and paste-ups) gives voice to marginalized communities, shapes urban environments, and challenges institutional norms. This course explores graffiti and street art in the U.S. and around the world, examining their histories, motivations, and social impact. Participants will consider the rise of global mural movements, efforts to preserve and present street art, and its evolving role in activism, community identity, and social change.

 

This Osher Online course, offered through the Osher National Resource Center, lets you learn with fellow lifelong learners nationwide, guided by a world-class expert. OSHER ONLINE COURSES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

What made American Bandstand more than just a dance show? From its debut in 1952 to its final broadcast in 1989, the program shaped teen identity, influenced fashion, broke racial barriers, and launched music careers. In this lively two-part course, educators Barb Kreisman and Jack Kronser will explore the show’s enduring cultural legacy, share behind-the-scenes stories, and reflect on how Bandstand influenced them while growing up. As they recall, “Watching every afternoon, we felt connected to something bigger—Bandstand shaped our tastes, our dancing, and our sense of belonging as teenagers.”

Part one examines Bandstand as a cultural time capsule. Experience the excitement of the opening theme and vintage title cards, then revisit how the show introduced a national teen culture long before social media. We’ll discuss the program’s role in spotlighting Black performers and interracial dancing on national TV, while tracing the rise of dance crazes from the Stroll and the Twist to the Hustle and the Moonwalk. Through music clips, Rate-a-Record activities, and audience reflections, we’ll uncover why Bandstand became a symbol of American youth.

Part two takes you backstage to discover insider stories about the move from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, teen dancer fan clubs, and the controversy of lip-sync versus live performances. We’ll examine Dick Clark’s influence on the record industry, including the “payola” scandals and his reputation as a music mogul. Comparisons with Soul Train, MTV, and TikTok reveal how media culture has evolved—and what might make Bandstand work today. Add in fashion-through-the-decades show-and-tell, trivia challenges, an audience-voted Bandstand Hall of Fame, and we’ll close with a finale dance party worthy of “Bandstand Boogie.”

Glass blowing, a time-honored art form with roots tracing back to 27 BC in ancient Babylon, is experiencing a renaissance in recent times thanks to popular TV shows like Blown Away, which features artisans taking part in glass-blowing competitions. In a groundbreaking addition to the Enrichment Program, glass-blowing expert Jon Wade instructs this special hands-on course in borosilicate lampworking over two, three-hour sessions. This class is structured for the total beginner and no prior knowledge or experience is expected. Wade helps you develop a basic understanding of the torches and tools used to shape glass as well as some fun, artistic techniques. The course also covers the history of glass, shop safety, proper kiln usage, and creating both hollow and solid objects.

With your own torch, you complete multiple projects that include a pendant depicting a reflective space scene, a beautiful blown holiday ornament, as well as some fun surprises. Plus, learn how to add color to the clear glass using crushed pieces of colored glass called frit. You’re given a vibrant spectrum of colors of glass frit to mix and match for your project as well as silver powder for your space pendant. All torches, safety equipment and other required materials are provided courtesy of the course’s sponsors.

Pining for Paris? Jonesing for a bite of good art (along with a fresh pain au chocolat)? Take an imaginative journey to the great museums of the French capital with art historian and Denver Art Museum educator Molly Medakovich. For centuries, Paris has been a cultural darling of Europe and an international center for art, and its famous museums house some of the most treasured masterpieces in the world. Explore the backstories of the Louvre’s Venus de Milo and Mona Lisa (how’d they get there, anyway?), Monet’s water lilies at the Musée de l’Orangerie, the dazzling “unicorn tapestries” at the Musée Cluny, and other must-see paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts housed in the city’s museums. Brush up on the long, fascinating history of the Louvre (did you know it served as the palace of the French kings for centuries?) and jump head-first into the once-shocking Centre Pompidou, a center for modern and contemporary art whose radical design was pejoratively described as an “oil refinery” by some critics when it debuted in the l970s. Discover some of the hidden gems on Paris’s map of museums with virtual visits to the Musée Rodin and its verdant gardens, the intimate environment of the Musée Jacquemart-André, a wonderland of 18th-century decorative arts and painting, or the new kid on the block in the Bois de Boulogne, La Fondation Louis Vuitton. In addition to savoring these art historical highlights, learn how Paris’s museums shed light on the rich, layered history of this dynamic city of art and culture.

Sue Bramley & Natalie Conklin will take you on a musical journey! Step back in time and rediscover the soundtrack of four unforgettable decades, the 1940s-1970s.

In this lively, engaging class, we will explore the swing and big-band brilliance of the 1940s; the birth of rock ’n’ roll in the 50s; music of the 60s crackled with rebellion changing culture forever; then on to the funky, feel-good vibes of the ’70s and lots in between. Get ready to share memories, learn some fun musical history, and celebrate the songs that defined our generation!

The Ed Sullivan show reflected - arguably defined - American entertainment culture for 23 years spanning TV's infancy to its adulthood. Families gathered around the TV set on Sunday nights year after year. Over time, recording artists developed the widespread belief that appearing on the show was essential to success. Performers covered the waterfront: rock-and-roll singers and groups, opera divas, crooners, torch singers, acrobats, animal acts, comedians, ventriloquists, and scenes from Broadway plays and musicals as well as movies. There were live interviews of news-makers (Fidel Castro!), hour-long biographies along the lines of "This Is Your Life," and international road shows. The course will trace Sullivan's pre-TV career and his heavy-handed oversight of production. It will feature abundant video clips (Elvis, Beatles, etc.) and segments of two excellent documentaries.

Recommended: A Thousand Sundays: The Story of the Ed Sullivan Show by Jerry Bowles

Experience the joy and energy of singing with others as you engage your body, brain, and breath in learning both new and familiar songs! Making music together creates an instant sense of community, connection, and camaraderie. In this spirited class, you’ll explore simple, empowering tools that strengthen your voice, sharpen your listening, and support healthy breathing. Together, we’ll build a vibrant shared knowledge of diverse musical styles and cultures—one song at a time. Only sing when you’re alone? Come feel the excitement of voices joining yours and the confidence that blossoms when we sing together! Think you can’t sing? If you can talk, you can sing—truly! This class is upbeat, welcoming, and full of fun. There is no music reading; we’ll learn by listening, repeating, and jumping right in. Bring your curiosity, your enthusiasm, and your voice, and discover how joyful group singing can be!

Required: 20 minutes minimum of standing/movement several times in the 2 hours.

Required: personal water bottles

Explore the expressive and flowy world of watercolor. This 8-week course is designed for those who are new to watercolor or would like to strengthen their foundational skills. Participants will learn essential watercolor techniques through step-by-step demonstrations and hands-on practice. Topics include washes, wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry techniques, layering, blending, and creating textures. You will also gain a deeper understanding of how water, pigment, and paper work together—key to painting with confidence. Each class encourages experimentation, creativity, and personal expression. No prior watercolor experience is required. Come ready to relax, explore, and enjoy the process while discovering the joy of watercolor painting.

Required Materials: Supply List will be provided in advance to all participants. But here are basics supplies like 100% cotton 140lb Paper, Brushes round fine tip #2, #6, #10 or #12, watercolors, Paper Towels, Pencil, Eraser, Sharpener, Ruler.

The music of Broadway and Hollywood musicals is an art form in and of itself. It takes a team of multi-talented performers and an orchestra to produce these entertainment extravaganzas. At the heart are creative geniuses who set the whole thing in motion: the songwriters! In this multimedia course, we will cover: Stephen Sondheim, Kander & Ebb, Frank Loesser, Harnick & Bock, Irving Berlin, Burt Bacharach, Jerry Herman, Gilbert & Sullivan, Rado & Ragni, Stephen Schwartz, Charles Strouse, Elton John, Alan Menken and Meredith Willson. Lee will share many videos to demonstrate the songs as they appear on stage and screen.

“Yada, yada, yada.”

“Stifle it.”

“I hate spunk.”

“Lucy, I’m home.”

Do you recognize these catch phrases? Can you identify the sitcom? This course will examine eight great American sitcoms: I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, All in the Family, M*A*S*H*, Cheers, The Golden Girls, and Seinfeld. Each week we will tackle a sitcom, view a full episode, and analyze and discuss how these sitcoms impacted American culture. We will review the creative minds and environment that helped develop these memorable programs. Why were we ready for an Archie Bunker or a bedroom setting or the humor of a war? Join me as we take an informative look at the role these TV sitcoms played in shaping our society, while we laugh and have fun with the memories.

In this class, we’ll take a retrospective look at the remarkable career of a filmmaker whose work brought laughter, insight, and emotional depth to audiences around the world. From the razor-sharp satire of This Is Spinal Tap to the nostalgic tenderness of Stand by Me, and from the moral urgency of A Few Good Men to the enduring charm of When Harry Met Sally, Reiner’s films balanced entertainment with humanity. In the wake of his tragic death in December 2025, this course celebrates his legacy across eight screenings, exploring how his warmth, wit, and storytelling conviction continue to resonate with viewers and enrich the art of cinema. In each session, we will screen the entire film with English subtitles followed by a lively discussion. Participants are encouraged to share their insights, making this a collaborative and enriching experience.

Discover the joy and freedom of loose watercolor painting - a playful style that favors suggestion over precision and lets color glide and flow. In this class, we’ll happily wander outside the lines to create expressive, airy pieces that focus on feeling rather than perfect form.

Each session centers on a specific subject, with a little guidance up front and plenty of relaxed time to paint together. You’ll create pieces that can turn into cards, bookmarks, or frame-worthy art, and all the materials and support you need will be right there.

Along the way, enjoy the easy conversation and camaraderie that comes from making art in good company. This class is about connecting as much as painting.

A quality watercolor set and paper will be provided for class use and is yours to keep. A $30 materials fee is due at the first class. Whether you're brand-new or just new to this loose style, come ready to loosen up and explore.

Required: $30 materials fee to be paid directly to facilitators during the first class

Walter Matthau, known for his "hangdog face" and playing world-weary characters, stars in eight dramas and comedies this quarter. We start with a confirmed bachelor with a wild girlfriend, a kindly widower helping a young lady in trouble, a bank robber on the run from the mob, an aging vaudevillian with a partner, a man exploring middle-aged dating, a horse track bookie with a problem, a liberal justice on the US Supreme Court, and an escaped mental patient with an equally crazy partner. All these movies show why Matthau won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, two Tony Awards, and two BAFTA Awards. We will have a short discussion before and after the movie to discuss the stars, the plot, and why the movie was successful. Due to the length of the movies, the class will start at 12:30 p.m. We will have a 2:00 p.m. intermission.

Poetry has no single definition, but we believe that music with lyrics is a form of poetry, presented in a musical template. The intermingling of words and melody has historic potency and has been going on for centuries. In this course, we explore how iconic singer-songwriters use poetic devices to create powerful art. Through audio and video, we'll dive into the work of four legendary 20th-century songwriters, Jackson Browne, Kris Kristofferson, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and Willie Nelson, and examine how their lyrics function as poetry. Expect plenty of music as we discover the timeless connection between words and melody.

This is an OLLI on the Move course, featured off-site courses happening throughout the Devner area. OLLI at DU membership is NOT REQUIRED for these special courses, so bring a friend!

Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring caused an actual riot in the audience at its first performance in May 1913. Its loud dissonances and wild roars of sound carried with it a raw, visceral power that still leaves audiences astounded and breathless. It's no understatement to say that The Rite created a tidal wave through the arts that we are still experiencing today. In this course, prepare, pack up your things and go on a journey to an era when all the arts were in revolt, rules were being thrown out the window, Paris was at the epicenter of it all, and five brilliant men -- Diaghilev, Stravinsky, Nijinsky, Roerich and Monteux -- would bring to life a ballet, the likes of which had never been seen. On that May night, they would forever change the world of music and dance. The class will include documentaries, interviews, lots of music and dance, and PLENTY of discussion!

Laurel Canyon is a narrow strip running from Sunset Strip through Hollywood Hills. From this unusual location, and in a very short period of time, a great 'west-coast music' would be born. Performers like The Beach Boys, The Byrds, The Mamas and Papas, The Monkeys, The Doors, Buffalo Springfield, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, The Eagles, and many more, would get their start right here in the 'Canyon of Dreams.' Come prepared to enjoy the music and experience the history unfold once again.

Come join a fun and joyful journey through 40 years of Jamaican music, designed to trigger dopamine and create a sense of well-being. You will explore the magical waters of Jamaican music and its ability to connect and unify people across cultures.  The course will feature 120 unique Jamaican singers, instrumentalists, producers, and DJ Toasters, but will not include Bob Marley. It will explore genres from the 1940s to the 1990s, including Mento/Calypso, Ska, Rock Steady, Reggae, and Dancehall. 

The format will be similar to a live radio show or DJ session, with 85% of the time dedicated to listening. You'll also participate in discussions and provide feedback on tracks and videos. Come catch the beat and dip your toes into this rich musical history. 

In this class we will shine the spotlight on the workhorse string instruments of classical music—the violin, viola, cello, and bass. We will explore the history of each of these instruments, the music they inspired, and the ways our musical world combines them to delight audiences. Along the way, we will learn how they are built, how they work, and why they have become such mainstays of the world of concerts. There will be live demonstrations of all four instruments as well as videos.

A deep dive into a shallow pond—Wham!—to explore the creation of the greatest cartoon characters in American history (Pow!). Not even Mickey Mouse could hold a candle to the loud, rough, rude, scatter-shot, machine-gun humor of Bugs, Daffy, Elmer, Porky, Taz, Yosemite Sam, Road-Runner, Coyote, Tweety, Sylvester, Speedy, Witch Hazel, Foghorn Leghorn, and more. The most extraordinary talents in the business (Need Proof? Chuck Jones, Friz Freleng, Tex Avery, Bob Clampett, Frank Tashlin – ALL CERTIFIABLY MAD AS HATTERS!!!!!!) developed the most fantastic characters in animation. They changed the very face of American comedy ** Crash! ** from vaudeville patter to rapid-fire machine-gun action, wisecracks, biting sarcasm, and outrageous fun. Join the Wascally Wabbit on Michigan J. Frog's eight-week wild ride!

This course explores the birth of cinema as a long, evolving process. Rather than beginning with the traditionally recognized start dates of film history, we will look back thousands of years to examine our earliest attempts to tell stories with moving pictures. From ancient caves and magic lanterns to optical experiments and pre-cinematic devices, students will trace the technological and artistic developments that eventually gave rise to the movies—and to sound, color, and other foundational elements of cinematic language.

The early '60s witnessed the explosion of a charming social phenomenon—a guitar-strummed sing-along known as the hootenanny, inspired by such folk singers as the Kingston Trio, Joan Baez, Peter, Paul and Mary, Pete Seeger and some kid from Minnesota named Dylan. But let's also remember the pioneers: Woody Guthrie, Cisco Houston, Leadbelly, Ramblin' Jack Elliott and others. Centered in New York City's Greenwich Village, this craze soon led to a rash of guitar and banjo sales here and in England. Everyone wanted to learn to play and add their voices to old standards and hip new songs from such young singer-songwriters as Donovan, Paul Simon and Joni Mitchell. Even the Beatles and Stones would add acoustic-guitar songs to their albums. Folk was in and it produced more than laid-back campfire ditties. It gave us influential protest songs, Top 40 hits, legendary artists (many still with us!) and who knows how many guitars still being played in American homes. In this fun participatory class, led by Marc Shulgold (armed with his 6- and 12-string guitars) we'll revisit the music and musicians of that era through videos and recordings, as we learn about the role that folk music has played in pop and world culture.

Opera isn’t all tragic sopranos and bombastic baritones. Sometimes, it’s a light-hearted, danceable blend of singing and spoken dialog. Welcome to operetta! More than just light opera, it’s an art form of its own: predecessor of modern musical theater.

In late April, DU’s Lamont School of Music will present the most popular of all classic operettas. J. Strauss Jr.’s Fledermaus (1867) blends flirtation, song and dance, practical jokes, and much champagne, all leading to an ebulliently happy ending. Frequent DU Enrichment instructor and music historian Betsy Schwarm celebrates the occasion with a three-session course on operetta and Fledermaus. One session is a live performance of the Lamont production.

First, we’ll consider operetta before Fledermaus, then delve into Strauss’ most popular work. Next comes the performance itself. In the final session, we’ll share impressions of the experience, as well as explore where operetta went as it entered a new century. Strauss Jr.’s work anticipated what Stephen Sondheim would be doing a century later.

Since the birth of the documentary (Nanook of the North, 1922), filmmakers have invited us to witness the world’s uncomfortable truths — exposing injustice, inspiring reform, and reframing our view of reality.

In this course, you will explore powerful films that reveal the cracks in our environment, politics, and economies. Select documentaries, including An Inconvenient Truth, The Fog of War, Paris Is Burning, and Inside Job challenge what we think we know — and what we may choose to ignore.

Each week, short readings, film screenings*, and guided discussion introduce us to storytellers who dared to speak truth to power. Together, we’ll ask: what did these documentaries change — and what still needs changing today?

We’ll also identify the documentary style each film used – was that effective or not? Would you use another technique?

Numerous actors have brought Agatha Christie’s Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, to the screen. We will see Albert Finney, Peter Ustinov, David Suchet, and the latest to join the ranks, Kenneth Branagh. Tony Randall and John Malkovich’s performances will also be covered. There are various attempts to choose who best portrays the Belgian detective. Now it's your turn to join the dispute. In this class, we will view and discuss 15 of Agatha Christie’s 40 Poirot creations. Near the conclusion of our eighth week adventure, your vote will be cast to decide the contest.