Let's All Go to the Movies: Film Critique and Conversation *Two locations*

June 9, 16 & 23
6:30 p.m. - 8: 30 p.m. (lectures)
KU Edwards Campus, 12610 Quivira Road, Overland Park, Kansas
July 11: Noon - 3 p.m. (film screening)
KU Edwards Campus, 12610 Quivira Road, Overland Park, Kansas
Cost: $75

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Description
Learn how to watch a movie like a film critic with veteran film critic Abby Olcese and join other Osher students for a specially curated film screening and discussion. This is a three-part course explores the fundamentals of filmmaking and film criticism designed to help the everyday movie fan understand how critical thinking works when watching a movie - and how to apply those concepts to watching movies at home or with friends and expanding their cinematic horizons. To top it off, we'll meet on a Saturday to view a film curated by Abby. She'll lead a discussion following the screening. We'll bring the popcorn and candy! Abby Olcese is the film editor at The Pitch, a contributor to Sojourners, Rogerebert.com and Paste and the author of Films for all Seasons: Experiencing the Church Year at the Movies. She is an experienced film critic with a special interest in the connections between movies, social justice and Christian spirituality.

Includes three-session class, private film screening and refreshments.

US Presidents and Their First Ladies: Ulysses S Grant and Julia Grant

July 16 (choose one session)
10 AM 

2 PM
Brandon Woods at Alvamar, 1501 Inverness Court, Lawrence, KS
Cost: FREE

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Description
Osher members are invited to attend a special event at Brandon Woods about President Ulysses S Grant and First Lady Julia Grant. Presented by William and Sue Wills, this event is free to Osher members as a gift from our partner, Brandon Woods at Alvamar. Refreshments will be provided by Brandon Woods at Alvamar. Seating is limited. You can register for either the 10 AM or 2 PM event.

Broadway Musicals of the 1950s
Instructor: Paul Laird

June 24, July 1 & 8
2 - 4 p.m.
KU Osher Institute, 1515 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence, Kansas
 
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Description
The 1950s were a very special decade in the history of the musical with such figures as Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe, Frank Loesser, Leonard Bernstein and Jule Styne writing such shows as The King and I, The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, Guys and Dolls, West Side Story and Gypsy for the Broadway stage. This will be survey of the decade's most popular shows, the people who wrote them and the stars who played in them.

Paul Laird is a professor emeritus of musicology who taught at KU for 30 years. He has published widely on the American musical theater and taught dozens of Osher courses over the last three decades.

The Life and Music of George Gershwin
Instructor: Paul Laird

June 9, 23 & 30 (Note: No class June 16)
1-3 p.m.
Brewster Place Events Center, 900-B SW 31st St., Topeka, KS
 
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Description
One of the leading musical figures in the history of the United States, George Gershwin (1898 - 1937) combined influences from Tin Pan Alley, classical music, jazz and blues into a distinctive musical style heard in his numerous Broadway musicals, songs for Hollywood films and concert works. This course explores his biography and each aspect of his musical output. Emphasis will be placed on two of his musicals ("Girl Crazy" and "Of Thee I Sing"); his opera "Porgy and Bess"; and the concert works "Rhapsody in Blue," "Piano Concerto in F" and the tone poem, "An American in Paris."

Paul Laird is a professor emeritus of musicology who taught at KU for 30 years. He has published widely on the American musical theater and taught dozens of Osher courses over the last three decades.