Lifelong Learning Academy Announces its
Winter and Spring 2016 Semesters
January 11-April 28
Open Registration for Both Semesters Begins December 8!
The winter and spring semesters include more than 150 courses on a wide variety of topics; lectures by a noted news analyst and the only child of jazz legend Louis Armstrong; two new history workshops conducted by noted archaeologist Steven Derfler; a reception and in-depth tour of the South Florida Museum, and the return of the popular Einstein’s Circle forums.
(Sarasota-Manatee) “Twentieth-Century Writings by Native Americans,” “Is Baseball a Business or a Sport? “Playreading: The Human Experience,” “The Joy and Intrigue of Street Photography,” and “Perspectives on the End of Life.” This is only a sampling of the more than 150 in-depth courses offered this winter and spring by Lifelong Learning Academy. Courses are now offered at 10 different locations, including on the campus of USF-Sarasota-Manatee in Sarasota; State College of Florida in Lakewood Ranch; Center of Anna Maria in Anna Maria Island; Westminster Towers & Shores in Bradenton; Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota; Florida Maritime Museum in Cortez; Players Theatre in Sarasota; South Florida Museum in Bradenton; Art to Walk On Gallery in downtown Sarasota; and the Edwards Building in north Sarasota. Weekly classes run two to eight weeks, January 11-April 28. Open registration begins December 8. No refunds on lectures, workshops, or special events; registration is transferrable. For more information about Lifelong Learning Academy, call 941-359-4296 or visit www.lla-sm.org to view or request a catalog.
According to Janna Overstreet, Lifelong Learning Academy’s executive director, the winter and spring semesters hail several new changes.
“For the first time, our catalog and website includes courses for both the winter and spring terms of 2016,” she says, noting that students can register for both winter and spring courses at the same time. Overstreet also notes that LLA is adding one extra time block of classes on the USFSM campus. New class starting times are 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon and 1:30 p.m.
The winter and spring semester also includes special events, workshops and lectures:
“Nureyev: Personal Memories of a Genius.” A three-part workshop series presented by Robert de Warren: Robert de Warren met Rudolf Nureyev first as an admired colleague, and then as a dance collaborator. Over the years, they developed a true friendship. This workshop represents a quarter-century discovery of the workings of a genius. Dates and time are:
Jan. 28, 3-4:30- p.m.: “Childhood to Defection”
February 4, 3-4:30 p.m.: “The Dance Genius”
Feb. 18, 3:30-5 p.m.: “The Choreographer” and an awards ceremony and reception to follow.
Tickets are $135 (three workshops, awards ceremony, and reception); $75: Final workshop, awards ceremony, and reception; $50: Reception only. Selby Auditorium on the University of South campus, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. To register or for more information, call 941-359-4296; or go online to www.lla-sm.org. No refunds. Purchased tickets are transferrable. Proceeds to benefit Lifelong Learning Academy and Sarasota International Dance Festival.
“Let’s Get Critical: Find Out How to Become a Better Viewer, Reader, and Listener of the News” (January 21, 3-4:30 p.m.) is presented by Al Tompkins, a senior faculty member for broadcast and online at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg. Tompkins, an Emmy and Peabody award-winning journalist, will help audiences learn how to dissect news stories and to question information. $10 general admission; free to LLA members. Selby Auditorium at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. For more information, call 941-359-4296 or visit www.LLA-SM.org.
“Life, the Universe, and Everything at the South Florida Museum” (February 15; 5-8 p.m.), is presented by Jeff Rodgers, and includes a wine and cheese reception, a journey to the edge of space using the Bishop Planetarium’s 3D map of the observable universe, and a walking tour of the museum’s exhibitions, tracing the natural history and life of Florida 500 million years ago. Fee is $40 general admission. South Florida Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. For more information, call 941-359-4296 or visit www.LLA-SM.org. Proceeds to benefit South Florida Museum and Lifelong Learning Academy.
Conversation Series: “Sarasota’s Own: Wall Street Week” (six sessions; Tuesdays, 9-10:20 a.m., starting March 8) Donald Hagan, CFA, and Regan Teague will lead a weekly discussion on the topics that are most affecting the global financial markets, as well as investors’ portfolios. The group will discuss current events, economic news, political hot-buttons, and dissect individual companies from an investment perspective. $80 general admission; $72 for LLA members. University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee.
“Little Satchmo: Living in the Shadow of My Father Louis Daniel Armstrong”
(March 24; 3-4:30 p.m.) is presented by Sharon Preston-Folta, the only child of acclaimed jazz musician Louis Armstrong. Preston-Folta will discuss the important role her parents played in black vaudeville and share stories of the time she and her mother spent with Louis as a family, while her existence remained a secret to most of the world. “Not knowing your family history is painful enough. Being forced to keep it a secret—to pretend you are not who you really are—well, that sears.” $10 general admission; free to LLA members. Selby Auditorium at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. For more information, call 941-359-4296 or visit www.LLA-SM.org.
Steven Derfler Workshop Series: World Heritage Sites Workshop I: Israel
(March 18; 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.) Noted archaeologist, historian and author Steven Derfler explores the best Israel has to offer, ranging from pre-historic caves to Solomonic fortified cities, the Nabatean Spice Route with several fortresses crossing the desert, to a 12th century Crusader fortress, as well as a 16th century Ottoman Turkish city, and the 20th century Bauhaus “White City” of Tel Aviv. $99 general admission; $89 for LLA members and includes a boxed lunch. Selby Auditorium at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. For more information, call 941-359-4296 or visit www.LLA-SM.org.
Steven Derfler Workshop Series: World Heritage Sites Workshop II: Egypt
(April 1; 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.) Archaeologist, historian and author Steven Derfler concludes his exploration of world heritage sites with an exploration of Egypt and the 12 singular places that have achieved that designation, including the only remaining site of the Seven Wonders of the World, Giza, Sinai’s St. Catherine’s Monastery, pre-historic Wadi el Hitan, New Kingdom sites of Luxor, King’s Valley, Abu Simbel, and more. $99 general admission; $89 for LLA members and includes a boxed lunch. Selby Auditorium at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. For more information, call 941-359-4296 or visit www.LLA-SM.org.
The winter Einstein’s Circle series will be announced in late December. These open forums, moderated by knowledgeable experts in a variety of topics, provide an opportunity for participants to engage in a thoughtful exchange of ideas, opinions and information. Einstein’s Circles are held at 3 p.m. in Selby Auditorium on the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus.
Janna Overstreet says that lifelong learning is both her passion and profession. “Having attended and been a speaker at meetings and conferences on aging across the United States for many years, I am encouraged by the growing body of research and media attention now recognizing the value of lifelong learning.
“We provide seniors with that vital intellectual and cultural stimulation in an informal, supportive atmosphere. Our students experience lively discussions promoting personal growth and social engagement. It’s a true meeting of the minds.”
Lifelong Learning Academy offers four course terms annually. Each course lasts two to eight sessions; most classes meet for an hour and 20 minutes weekly. For more information about Lifelong Learning Academy, call 941-359-4296 or visit www.lla-sm.org to view or request a catalog.
