Tuesday   

If you think today is filled with divisiveness between red and blue then you should have lived in America the latter part of the 19th Century. The end of the Civil War with 700,000 American dead began this era of angst. The post-war era coupled with the acrimony between a growing divide between the haves and have-nots led to labor unrest and a complete revisioning of democracy in this country. The parallels are amazing!

Using only strings and a harpsichord, Vivaldi painted vivid scenes, from birdsong and thunderstorms to frozen winter landscapes. The result is one of the most enduring works in all of classical music. We explore the origins, content, and longevity of this sparkling collection of four Baroque masterpieces. No musical background needed: just bring your curiosity and your ears. Mozart trip participants will have a chance to hear this work performed live in Prague. 
 

What does a vaccine actually do and what's really in it? This two-session course takes an evidence-based look at vaccine immunology, ingredients, and safety data, then examines the modern anti-vaccine movement: its origins in a fraudulent study, the financial incentives driving its key figures, and the cognitive biases that make misinformation so persuasive. Along the way, we'll explore VAERS (the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System), vaccine court, herd immunity, and what the epidemiological data reveal about the real-world costs of vaccine hesitancy.

In this class, ASU Jazz Studies Professor Dr. Jeffrey Libman discusses the life and music of trumpeter and composer Miles Davis. Davis emerged professionally during the heyday of bebop, but then became a legendary bandleader who restlessly pushed jazz into the future, helping to develop cool jazz, hard bop, modal jazz, post bop, and jazz/rock fusion. This class is intended for jazz aficionados and those who would like to learn more about jazz. Instruments not required! The class will consist primarily of active listening to exemplary recordings with interspersed guided discussion.

 

Curious about cannabis science? This OLLI class at Grow Sciences offers an academically grounded, hands-on exploration of how cannabis goes from seed to shelf. The session begins with a seminar covering the wide range of products currently available, including their manufacturing processes, therapeutic applications, consumption methods, and bioavailability. You'll then join a guided tour of the complete cultivation and production lifecycle, from propagation and vegetative growth through harvesting, post-processing, and quality assurance. Designed to be interactive and inquiry-driven, this one-of-a-kind class offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the innovation, precision, and care that define the modern cannabis industry. *Note - the exact address for Grow Sciences is not published for safety reasons. We will meet at a nearby location and the coordinator will lead you to the warehouse. Cross streets are 43rd Ave. & Camelback Rd. Phoenix. Meet up instructions will be in the reminder email.

If not for that eponymous frothy beverage, Samuel Adams might be largely forgotten today. Yet among the Founding Fathers, Adams was the leader of the pack. Boston was the epicenter of the earliest struggle for independence and Adams was the spark that lit the fire. Long before Washington led an army or Jefferson penned the Declaration, Adams was rallying resistance to British rule and working to unify the colonies. We'll explore how his "riches to rags" family story may help explain his deep resentment of British interference in colonial life. A master of public sentiment, he stoked the flames of rebellion by channeling the crowd's growing sense of oppression and injustice. As we mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, much of the focus falls on Jefferson. Yet without Samuel Adams energizing the revolutionary movement, independence might have come eventually, but not in 1776.

Your fingerprints can reveal far more than who you are. They may also reveal what you've eaten, what medications you take, and even clues about your health. The tiny traces left in a fingerprint can contain chemical evidence from everyday life, such as caffeine, nicotine, or medication residues. Researchers are also exploring whether fingerprints could help detect conditions like diabetes and tuberculosis. Join Dr. Jang, Assistant Professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Forensics, for a fascinating look at the many surprising ways fingerprints are being used in health research, forensic investigation, and environmental monitoring.

Explore the beauty, drama, and timeless passion of Romeo and Juliet through the lens of ballet. This lecture dives into Sergei Prokofiev's powerful, emotionally rich score — examining how his music brings Shakespeare's tragic love story to life. We'll also explore Ib Andersen's choreographic vision for Ballet Arizona, highlighting how movement, storytelling, and artistic imagination shape this beloved production. Join us for an engaging look at the music, choreography, and creative choices that make Romeo and Juliet one of ballet's most captivating works. Please note: tickets for the performance will be distributed during the lecture and will not be available at another time.

Not all leisure is wholesome. In this thought-provoking class, we explore the darker side of human play, activities that are fun yet transgressive, ranging from social rule-breaking to outright illegal behavior. What drives people toward gambling, vandalism, or other taboo pursuits? Is it the thrill of defiance, a rejection of mainstream culture, or simply boredom? We'll examine the psychology and sociology behind taboo recreation, and audience contributions are warmly encouraged. A candid, fascinating look at what happens when fun crosses the line.

Undoubtedly, AI will become deeply integrated into medical education as well as clinical and research medicine. While there are many advantages, there are also challenges and details that remain to be refined. This talk will highlight controversies surrounding AI, including educational, ethical, and legal issues.

Prepare to step beyond the velvet rope of the culinary world. Crème de la Crème isn’t just a cooking class; it’s an adventurous "food-tainment" experience designed for those with a taste for the extraordinary and a thirst for the exquisite.In this immersive session, we peel back the gold leaf on the world’s most legendary flavors. You won’t just learn about luxury—you’ll touch, taste, and master the ingredients that define opulence across the globe.

Is there life elsewhere in the universe? It's one of the most compelling scientific questions of our time. Join ASU Regents Professor Phil Christensen as we explore the quest for potentially habitable worlds, beginning with Earth's neighbor Mars, then venturing to the icy "ocean world" moons of Jupiter and Saturn, and finally to primitive asteroids that hold clues to the origins of our solar system. ASU has science instruments aboard many of these missions — including five built right here on the Tempe campus — each playing a critical role in expanding our understanding of the cosmos. The discoveries so far are remarkable. The ones still to come may be even more so.

If you loved The Sheep Detectives in theaters, don't miss the book that started it all: Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann. Originally written in German and translated into thirty languages, this utterly charming mystery follows a flock of sheep as they conduct spirited debates about the borders between life and death, good and evil, with surprising philosophical depth. Class is a blend of lecture and discussion, with reading questions distributed in advance. Use whatever book format you prefer; Dr. Pacheco will reference the paperback edition (Soho Crime, ISBN-10: 1641296828) during class.

Curious about cannabis science? This OLLI class at Grow Sciences offers an academically grounded, hands-on exploration of how cannabis goes from seed to shelf. The session begins with a seminar covering the wide range of products currently available, including their manufacturing processes, therapeutic applications, consumption methods, and bioavailability. You'll then join a guided tour of the complete cultivation and production lifecycle, from propagation and vegetative growth through harvesting, post-processing, and quality assurance. Designed to be interactive and inquiry-driven, this one-of-a-kind class offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the innovation, precision, and care that define the modern cannabis industry. *Note - the exact address for Grow Sciences is not published for safety reasons. We will meet at a nearby location and the coordinator will lead you to the warehouse. Cross streets are 43rd Ave. & Camelback Rd. Phoenix. Meet up instructions will be in the reminder email.

2026 is "The Year of Craft" at Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum and this class takes you behind the curatorial curtain. Hear insights from the team whose vision shaped this landmark year, then explore the galleries firsthand with a guided walk-through and a hands-on art activity. Developed in partnership with Craft in America's Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026, the museum's spring and fall exhibitions featured contemporary artists experimenting with, challenging, and reinventing traditional American craft techniques and materials. Discover how the curatorial team brought it all to life and what's still in store before the year is out.

Arizona's "Four Southern Tribes" share deep ancestral connections, tracing their roots to people who inhabited south-central Arizona and northern Mexico, as evidenced by geographical, archaeological, linguistic, oral tradition, and historical records. These tribes refer to themselves as "O'odham" (meaning 'People') in their native language and have historically been known as the Papago and Pima Indians. While they occupy several southern Arizona reservations, many members live and work in communities well beyond those boundaries. This presentation offers a rich introduction to historical and modern O'odham cultures from their origins in the ancient Paleoindian, Archaic, and Hohokam traditions to their prominent and vital place in the world today.
 

For millennia, Nero has been the model of the bad Roman emperor, accused of cruelty, excess, and chilling indifference as Rome burned around him. He supposedly persecuted Christians, murdered family members, and drove rivals to suicide. But is that the real Nero? Contemporary sources were deeply biased against him, and recent scholarship has begun to tell a very different story. This course examines the traditional portrait of Nero alongside efforts to rehabilitate his legacy, asking whether he was truly a monstrous ruler, or a more complex, and perhaps more human, figure navigating an impossible role.

For many years, cancer was shrouded in mystery, leaving doctors and scientists searching for answers. Today, that picture has changed dramatically. We now understand the biological hallmarks that distinguish cancer from normal cell behavior and have identified many of its causes. In this class, Dr. Joshua LaBaer will introduce the fundamentals of cancer: what it is, how our understanding has evolved, and, most importantly, the encouraging ways science and medicine are making real progress in the fight against it.

How did America's founders devise a system that limited state religion while extending religious freedom to all and how has that balance been tested ever since? Drawing on landmark legal challenges to religious freedom, this class explores the revolutionary First Amendment framework the founders created, the ongoing tensions between religious liberty and competing social interests, and what it truly means to live in a pluralistic society. A timely and thought-provoking look at one of America's most enduring constitutional debates.

In 2026, Route 66, America's beloved "Mother Road" turns 100. Join acclaimed author and travel writer Roger Naylor for a lively journey through the history, culture, and enduring charm of this legendary highway. Discover how Arizona became Route 66's greatest champion and caretaker, and hear stories of the breathtaking landscapes, vibrant small towns, and beloved mom-and-pop eateries that still thrive along Arizona's storied stretch of road. Don't miss this chance to rediscover the highway that shaped a nation and still stirs the wandering spirit today.