Friday   

Generative AI is revolutionizing the creation of images, videos, and digital stories. These systems can already create stunningly realistic content, but the real challenge and opportunity is learning how to guide them so that they become true creative partners. We’ll peek behind the curtain of today’s image and video GenAI tools to see how they work, where they shine, and where they stumble. We’ll cover how AI is scaled up to reach millions, how new tools give us more control over editing and style, why trust and safety are so important, and how researchers measure whether progress is real. Along the way, we’ll examine everyday examples, from personalized art to movie effects, to illustrate how generative AI is shaping the future of creativity and communication.

Long before the arrival of Europeans, the U.S. Southwest was home to a rich tapestry of Indigenous cultures. This class explores what archaeologists currently understand about these early peoples during “precontact” times, before non-Native settlers entered the region and began documenting its inhabitants. Because written records are scarce for most of the region until the late 1600s, much of what we know comes from archaeological evidence. Archaeologists have pieced together the past using material remains, organizing this long history into cultural periods: the Paleoindian, Archaic, Early Agricultural, Early Ceramic, and Formative. During the Formative period, beginning around 200 CE, the most prominent and widely recognized cultures of the Southwest emerged – Ancestral Pueblo, Mogollon, Hohokam, Patayan, Sinagua, and Salado. Join us for a journey through time as we uncover the lives, innovations, and enduring legacies of these ancient peoples whose influence is still visible across the landscape of the Southwest today.

Beethoven is one of the most significant composers of the 18th century, thanks to his ability to explore new ideas and expand the boundaries and aesthetics of his time. One of his greatest contributions as a composer was leading the music of the Classical era into the Romantic era. Join Dr. Nurit Jugend, composer and music educator, to examine Beethoven's three main periods as a composer and discuss two of his most significant and well-known works: the majestic Symphony No. 5 and the nature-inspired Pastoral Symphony No. 6. By the end of this class, you will have a deeper understanding of Beethoven’s music and his unique artistic voice.

In this thought-provoking lecture on science versus religion, Dr. David Pearson, a retired research professor from ASU’s School of Life Sciences, explores how the divide between science and religion developed – and whether it is sustained only by extremists on each side or if common ground exists. Dr. Pearson will trace the history of science and examine how its role evolved into the modern era. He will also discuss how influences from Judeo-Christian traditions contributed to the rise of modern science. Does the scientific method preclude faith, or must religion reject science? Can a scientist believe in God – and if so, how? Join the discussion as we explore these enduring questions and invite new ones of your own.

Join Dr. Terence McAteer for this two-hour class that will take you inside the highest court in the nation and demystify its inner workings. We’ll explore how cases reach the Court, the criteria the Justices use to decide which ones to hear, and the deliberative process that leads to landmark rulings. We will pull back the curtain on the often-misunderstood third branch of government. Whether you’re a news follower, history buff, or simply a curious citizen, this course will leave you with a deeper appreciation for how the Supreme Court influences nearly every aspect of American life.

"Steve Bergsman Presents Fabulous Female Singers of the Fifties" is a 90-minute multimedia presentation that combines discussion of the songs and singers of the 1950s with on-screen visuals and, of course, audio of the era’s greatest tunes. The show is based on two books Bergsman wrote: "All I Want Is Lovin’ You" (about white female singers of the era) and "What a Difference a Day Makes" (about Black female singers of the era). The program moves chronologically. With the recent passing of Connie Francis, Bergsman has updated the presentation to highlight her contributions. It begins with songs like Teresa Brewer’s "Music! Music! Music!" and Patti Page’s "Tennessee Waltz" from 1950 and concludes with Connie Francis’s "Where the Boys Are," which is actually from the 1960s.

Register for this class by clicking this link: https://azmusicfest.org/events/fabulous-females-of-the-fifties/

This four-week series explores the music of America and how it both shaped – and was shaped by – the nation’s identity from its infancy to the present day. We’ll begin by examining what America inherited musically from the European roots of its colonists and how the people and the land they encountered influenced and expanded that musical language. How did different approaches to religious life shape the music used in rituals and ceremonies? Regional influences also played a major role in the development of American music, and we’ll explore those contributions. Along the way, we’ll ask: “Is there an American sound, and if so, what might it be?” Audio, video, and visual art examples will illustrate this journey, covering the creation of popular music, jazz, country, American concert music, theatre music, rock and roll, and contemporary sounds.

Register for this class by clicking this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0844A9AF28A2FECE9-59330689-music#/

In 1935, with the breakthrough of the Benny Goodman Orchestra, jazz became the most popular music in the United States. Big bands existed before Goodman, and today we have around 100 years of this music to explore, dating back to the 1920s with early exemplars such as Fletcher Henderson and Duke Ellington, and continuing to modern masters like Maria Schneider. This class is intended for jazz aficionados and those who want to learn more about jazz – no instruments required! The class will consist primarily of active listening to exemplary recordings, interspersed with guided discussion.

Nature journaling is a practice that blends observation, curiosity, reflection, and creativity to deepen our connection with the natural world. Spending time in nature offers numerous physical and psychological benefits, and journaling enhances these effects by encouraging mindfulness and intentional engagement. In this two-part class – Friday in the classroom and Saturday in the field – participants will learn what nature journaling is, its purpose, and the benefits it provides. You will explore a variety of observational techniques to record details about the natural environment, including plants, animals, geologic landscapes, and weather. Through hands-on exercises, you will test out different journaling methods, such as drawing, labeling, mapping, and descriptive writing, discovering which approaches resonate most with your own style. In addition to recording observations, you will reflect on personal experiences in nature, deepening your awareness and appreciation of the world around you. The goal is not to become an expert artist or naturalist, but to cultivate a sustained practice of curiosity and wonder. By the end of the course, you will have the tools to slow down, notice more, and create a meaningful, mindful connection with your environment. Nature walk will be at the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, 7:00 - 8:30 a.m.

Stand up for your rights! Your high school civics teacher, Glenn Beck, and Bob Marley all urge you to stand up for your rights – but what are they? The original Constitution lists very few. Although the Bill of Rights adds several, many rights – such as the right to vote and public education – were never included by the framers. You might think of the Ninth Amendment: all those rights not listed, we still get to keep, right? The problem is, as Justice Robert H. Jackson quipped, “[T]he Ninth Amendment rights which are not to be disturbed by the Federal Government are still a mystery to me.” This presentation examines the “mystery” of what rights are, their origins, and how we balance them in law and society.