What are the insights, points of view and messages shared by Chagall and Michelangelo, in their grand efforts to portray religion artistically? How did the ancient biblical, neo-platonic, and Kabbalah writings influence these artists? Come explore with me!
“Darby gives personal views as well as facts about the artists”…
Etta James once said, “A lot of people think the blues is depressing…When I’m singing blues, I’m singing life.” The blues is among the most misunderstood music genres, often associated with being “outa luck,” a self-pitying statement of a hapless victim of fate. More than a century ago, the marketing strategies by publishers of sheet music and record companies added to the confusion.
Drawing on cutting-edge research, we explore these strategies, untangle key terminology, and reveal something of the vast stylistic diversity of vocal and instrumental music that the term encompasses, ranging from its folk origins, to jazz, popular music and the concert hall.
World War II was man’s greatest industrialized conflict; we focus on the European Theater. We study the opposing strategies; the war on the factory floor; the battles of the Atlantic, North Africa, Sicily and Italy; the liberation of France and Eastern Europe; the air war, especially the bombing of Germany and the breaking of the German code Enigma. We discuss war leaders such as Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, Churchill, Roosevelt and de Gaulle.
May contain some material from LLI courses offered previously…
Every week brings surprises as we view works of contemporary and historic ballet and modern dance and examine their creators, historical periods and the performers who have brought these pieces to life. The course schedule is flexible, and includes rare videos shared by the instructor.…
We look at Manet and Degas, Picasso and Matisse, Freud and Bacon, and Pollack and de Kooning. Join us to understand the creative process of each individual artist as they explore their own work and that of their rivals. Expand our knowledge of art by viewing it through the lens of the influences of their time.
What did you like best about this class? “Darby’s personal views as well as facts about the artists” …
At the end of each class, your dinner is ready! Join us to cook and discover new ingredients and combinations, and enhance your cooking techniques, including cooking with seasonal vegetables. By the end of the course you will have made six unique main dishes and sides that you can fit into your weeknight cooking or a dinner with friends and family.
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Join us for interesting and stimulating discussions on news issues and subjects of current interest. Each week, we discuss three topics for 30 minutes each, led by one of the facilitators. Class members are asked to suggest topics for discussion.
“Very well run, non-judgmental open discussions.”
“Three presenter format adds interest”
Facilitators:
Mike Davis, a graduate of Bucknell University, remains a loyal alumnus. After eight years with Price Waterhouse, he spent 28 years with US Industries before retiring 19 years ago from his last position as Controller. He has traveled the world extensively and volunteers for the Alzheimer’s Association, Norwalk Hospital and other charitable entities.
Vicenta Guerin retired from her position as an account executive for Con Edison of New York, where she sold and managed energy efficiency projects to the federal government and others. She now enjoys traveling, playing pickleball and volunteering with LLI.
Fay Ruotolo, a former English teacher, president of a teachers’ union and Director of Human Resources for the Stamford and Norwalk Public Schools, is an avid reader, theatergoer, traveler, tennis player and news junkie. She has been an active member of LLI for nine years.…
We take a panoramic view of a misunderstood nation, beginning with the Neolithic Age, through Chinese 
domination on and off for 1,000 years. We focus on the European and American encroachments, 1800’s to 1973. Particular attention is given to the first and second Indochina Wars, highlighting the eviction first of the French, then the Americans. We come to understand the Maoist-Ho Chi Minh version of peasant-oriented Communism, its accent on People’s War and the misunderstood ideal of Revolutionary Nationalism.
“Clear presentation of class”…
It’s 1960, and Elvis is out of the Army and busy reclaiming his throne as the King of Rock ’n’ Roll. We look at his post-army recording sessions, his famous appearance on Frank Sinatra’s Welcome Back Elvis TV special, his attempts to become a serious actor and how they were thwarted. We examine his impact on pre-Beatles England and Europe, particularly in the form of early English and European Rock ’n’ Rollers. Finally, we explore the emergence and increasing popularity of both the Twist phenomenon and the Girl Group sound—the pioneers, writers and producers, with special attention to the role played by Phil Spector and the Brill Building in the development (and exploitation) of these artists.Week 1: Rock ’n’ roll in pre-Beatles England: Tommy Steele and Cliff Richard
“Gary is so knowledgeable, animated, fun and interesting”.…
Join us to explore the history of mystery and detective fiction, including the subcategories of the genre: the cozy, the soft- and hard-boiled detective novel, the psychological, spy, techno and true crime novels. Short stories, novels and cinematic representatives may be recommended, but not required reading. Depending on time and interest, we work as a group to plot an original mystery, creating characters, means, opportunities and motives.
