Friday   

The violins of Antonio Stradivari and the guitars of Matteo Sellas have achieved near-mythological status. Join Dr. Matthew Zeller, MIM’s Curator for Europe, to explore what makes historical string instruments from the late Renaissance through the Baroque period so extraordinary. We’ll examine historical documents ranging from 15th-century lute-making instructions to architectural treatises by Italian masters. Diving into the technical aspects of violins and guitars, we’ll study the craftsmanship of Andrea Amati, Stradivari, and others. Students will even design their own string instruments in the style of the great masters. This 2.5-hour class includes a curator-led tour of MIM’s special exhibition "Stradivarius and the Golden Age of Violins and Guitars," along with a lecture and hands-on workshop.

Alfred Hitchcock was always fascinated by voyeurism and the interplay between voyeurism and film watching. In this two-week online course—a follow-up to last spring's “Best of Hitchcock” course—we’ll consider four of Hitchcock’s best films and explore his obsession with people watching other people. Students should watch the films on their own; in class, we’ll view brief film clips and discuss key themes. Expect another lively trip into the mind of a brilliant, complicated man and the strange, disturbing world he created on film. (If you didn’t attend Part One, no worries—it’s not required for this course!)

This lecture traces the evolution of maps of the Americas from the late 15th to the late 16th centuries, focusing on how Marco Polo’s "The Description of the World" shaped European expectations about the inhabitants, resources, and size of the New World. Polo’s influence endured for generations, even as exploration, colonization, and missionary efforts gradually provided Europeans with more accurate understandings of the Americas.

Grocery shopping can be overwhelming—with countless products, confusing labels, and endless marketing claims competing for your attention. Making smart choices at the store is the first step toward better nutrition and overall health for you and your family. In this engaging presentation, Tina Shepard, a Clinical Nutrition Professor at Arizona State University and a Registered Dietitian, will guide you through the essentials of smart grocery shopping. You’ll learn how to: read and understand nutrition labels with confidence; identify nutrient-dense foods and avoid misleading packaging; make budget-friendly, healthy choices in every aisle; compare products to find the best options for your family's needs. Join us and gain the tools to shop smarter, eat better, and feel more in control of your health every time you step into the grocery store.

Join an engaging expert panel exploring how social connection, community involvement, and lifelong learning contribute to healthy aging. Moderated by OLLI at ASU Director Jared Swerzenski, this session features Dr. Aaron Guest, renowned gerontologist and Assistant Professor of Aging at ASU’s Edson College, alongside Sandra Freyer from ASU’s Lodestar Center for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Innovation. Together, they will share insights into how staying socially embedded and intellectually active can enhance well-being and longevity, offering evidence- based strategies for thriving in later life.

Russia shocked the world when Putin invaded Ukraine on Thursday, February 24, 2022. Few believed that Ukraine’s military would last a week. Backed by President Joe Biden’s strong alliance of the U.S. and Europe, the Ukrainian military has fought the Russian military to a virtual standstill. Since Donald Trump has assumed office in January 2025, he has jettisoned the U.S. alliances with NATO, Europe, and Ukraine. Europe is undergoing its most profound transformation since the end of the Soviet Union in 1991. The NATO military alliance was strengthened when Sweden and Finland joined, but since U.S. withdrawal, Germany is rearming, and Europe now seeks a nuclear umbrella with France and the U.K. Europe is ending 50 years of cheap oil, gas, and coal imports from Russia. Six million Ukrainians have been welcomed by Europe in its worst refugee crisis. These two talks are a briefing on the history of Ukraine and Russia’s relations, the war and sanctions thus far, peace talks and possible outcomes.

Join us for a look behind the seemingly perfect world of a ballet dancer. Discover the latest evolution of this 400-year-old art form and witness the sweat, joy, and frustration of in-studio rehearsals. Then, reconnect with the dancers a week later and see the fruits of their perseverance and determination when they perform live at Symphony Hall in Downtown Phoenix: Sleeping Beauty. The cost of the class includes tickets to the show on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Accessible seating and other seating requests can be arranged in advance with Claire and our OLLI coordinator.

What role does politics play in choosing a romantic partner—especially for older adults? How much does politics really come up on dates, anyway? In this session, led by Dr. Cassandra Cotton, Assistant Professor of Sociology in ASU's School of Social and Family Dynamics, we'll explore how older adult daters consider potential partners’ political views—and whether perceptions of rising political polarization, especially here in Arizona, shape the preferences older adults have for new romantic relationships. Drawing on social science research conducted by Dr. Cotton in Arizona with adults aged 55 and older, we’ll delve into whether political differences might be a dealbreaker for older daters and discuss your questions on research with and about older adults.

This class offers an engaging introduction to Italy’s fascinating history, culture, art, and food. Led by Jennifer Adams, Ph.D., Instructor of Italian in ASU’s School of International Letters and Cultures, we will tour the country’s regions and highlight their exceptional culinary traditions, explore the basics of Italian art and architecture, and discover how to live the dolce vita like a true Italian. The course also includes short, practical lessons in basic Italian words and phrases useful for travel, dining, and cultural interaction.

In a recent congressional hearing, the nominee for NASA Administrator stated, "We don't have to make a binary decision when it comes to U.S. aspirations to land astronauts on both the Moon and Mars." This statement has sparked widespread discussion—and some confusion—within the space community regarding the United States' strategic direction in space exploration. Dr. Peter Swan, a distinguished expert in space systems engineering with decades of experience in both governmental and private aerospace sectors, will examine the complexities of current U.S. space policy. He will focus on the nation's plans for lunar and Martian exploration, analyzing NASA's Artemis program—which aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence—as well as the ambitions of private industry, particularly SpaceX’s progress toward Mars missions.

Please consider joining us for a night of fun and education. Chef Paul Lindsay from 2322 PHX will be treating us to a dinner that includes time-honored Asian cuisine. He comes with 25+ years of global experience, and is an innovator who will inspire us with a commitment to flavor, nutrition, and service. Our educator will be Dr. Ann, who is a Doctor of Chinese Medicine. Ann is trained and has been practicing at the highest level of her field at Harmony and Health. She will talk about her journey and answer questions about the differences between Western and Eastern Medicine. Your host, Tammy Austin, is a home cook who focuses mostly on delicious food, but always with health and nourishment in mind. She has taken cooking classes for more than 25 years and is a trained (but not practicing) Health Coach.

FEE: $75 will be added to your cart for this SIG

This is the fourth in a series of courses on the music of J.S. Bach, this time focusing on the Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, which is made up of six cantatas originally meant to be performed on six feast days in the Christmas season. The class will examine Bach’s church music and the cantata form as well as general characteristics of the Baroque period. We’ll watch a recording of each cantata. No previous musical experience is necessary. PowerPoint with YouTube examples will be used.