Join me at Fresno State’s Osher program for some great classes on the arts

Are you ready to talk with me about the local arts scene?
Or how about traveling with me to San Francisco with me to see Sting star in “The Last Ship”?
If you’re 50 years or older, you can join me for my spring Osher classes at Fresno State.
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is designed for students “who wish to continue learning and exploring for the sheer joy of it. Renew your enthusiasm for learning in a relaxed atmosphere, without entrance requirements, grades or exams.”
I’ve taught several Osher courses over the years, and I love the experience. The first two classes listed below are open to Osher members ($40 semester membership fee includes free parking and admission to four keynote speeches), while the field trip is open to non-members as well.
Conversations on the Local Arts Scene: Four classes devoted to some of the major luminaries on the Fresno-area arts scene. Extended interviews will get up close and personal with the most fascinating people in the world: artists. Guests will come from the world of theater, visual arts and classical music, and several of the sessions will be keyed to local performances and exhibitions that you can see afterward. The class meets 2-3:30 p.m. on four Mondays. Dates are Feb. 3 (which is coming right up), Feb. 24, March 16; and April 13. Cost for the four classes is $35. You’re welcome to register at the door.
Introduction to “The Last Ship”: This preview class is designed as a companion class to the OLLI field trip for “The Last Ship,” led by me, in San Francisco on March 18. Inspired by the rock musician Sting’s album “The Soul Cages” and his childhood experiences in an English shipbuilding town, this 2014 Broadway musical is coming to San Francisco with Sting himself playing a leading role. This class will help prepare you to appreciate the production even more with historical background on the decline of the shipbuilding industry, an account of the musical’s fate on Broadway and an appreciation of Sting’s original score. The class meets 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 3.
“The Last Ship” field trip: Spend the day with me! I’ll be leading a field trip to San Francisco to see Sting perform in this 2014 Broadway musical at the Golden Gate Theatre. Price includes transportation and admission. You’ll get a chance to talk with me about the show on the way home. The trip is 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday, March 18. The price includes transportation and admission. Prices are $200 (Osher members) and $225 (non-members). Maximum Capacity is 40. Last Day to Register: Feb. 21.
You can find registration information and lots more details in the Osher spring brochure.