An Informative and Interpretive Presentation on Asian Art and the Lunar New Year by Charles Silver, Docent at the National Museum of Asian Art, February 6
Registration for the spring term begins February 20 at 9:00 and continues throughout the term.
Reminder: OLLI Personal Computer User Group meets Saturday, February 17 (tomorrow), 1:00, via Zoom and in person in TA‑1 at Tallwood. Check the daily schedule email.
Join OLLI Mason leaders at United Christian Parish Church (11508 N Shore Drive, Reston) to give feedback on program and venues. RSVP to Nancy Klein at nklein4@gmu.edu by February 20.
The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, March 1; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, February 27, at 6:00.
From the Desk of the Executive Director Changes at Loudoun and Possibilities in Reston
By Jennifer Disano, Executive Director
George Mason University has forfeited its lease at the Signal Hill location in Loudoun ending June 2024. Therefore, OLLI’s Loudoun programing will require a new venue beyond spring term. I am exploring options with Loudoun County officials for space in the region. After conferring with Loudoun and Reston leaders, we find there is some interest in combining the campuses at United Christian Parish Church (UCP). To better understand members' thoughts about a return to UCP, members of the OLLI Board will collect feedback at the event described below.
Please join OLLI Mason leadership to meet other OLLI members, discuss the UCP venue and programing concerns, give feedback on OLLI happenings, and hear spring term instructors who will preview their upcoming courses. The instructors attending are Jim Anderson, Steve Greenhouse, Mark Weinstein, Karen Wheeless, and Joyce Johnston. To get us excited about the spring term, each will present a brief outline of the course they’ll be presenting in Loudoun or Reston.
This event is on Friday, February 23, from 4:00-6:00 at Reston’s United Christian Parish Church (11508 N Shore Dr., Reston). Snacks and beverages will be provided. Bring a friend! We hope you’ll join us and give us feedback on our program and venues. Please RSVP to me at jdisano@gmu.edu by February 20th.
Nominating Committee Seeks Board of Director Nominees
By Marilyn Harriman, Board Member and Nominating Committee Chair
As five OLLI Mason Board of Director members end their three-year terms of office, the Nominating Committee is seeking candidates for the spring general election to fill their positions.
To be considered as a director candidate, members need to be active and willing to contribute energy, ideas, and time to support OLLI. Qualifications include having experience or an active interest in teaching, moderating, or coordinating a course, committee, event, or other volunteer work.
This election year, Board leadership is also seeking candidates with certified public accounting experience and a member who can help us engage with underrepresented groups in our membership.
Why be a candidate? Being a Board member is a great way to play an active role in OLLI Mason’s future. It’s also a great way to learn more about OLLI's inner workings, meet and work with other members and directors, and help make a positive difference in our organization.
The Board meets monthly in person/on Zoom except in December, May, and August.
If you are interested in being an OLLI Mason Board member, want additional information, or wish to nominate another OLLI member,please get in touch with the Nominating Chair, Marilyn Harriman, at mlwharriman74@gmail.com. Thank you.
Attention OLLI Mason writers: OLLI Ink needs new co-editors for its 2024 edition, members who are willing to take over as editors of this annual OLLI Mason publication after this year. I will guide you through the process of requesting and editing submissions. If you are interested, please email staff member Nancy Klein at nklein4@gmu.edu. Let’s keep this wonderful publication running smoothly! Thank you.
Theater Potpourri Course F402Z Will Replace F402/F402Z this 2024 Spring Term
By Norma Jean Reck, Coordinator
Due to unforeseen issues, Theater Potpourri, F402Z, will replace the F402/F402Z course advertised in the spring 2024 catalog. The course will still be offered on Tuesdays from 11:50 to 1:15, March 26 to April 16, but only on Zoom, to accommodate the presenters who do not live locally. I hope you find the four classes—on a veritable potpourri of theaters—as exciting and informative as I anticipate.
March 26: Artistic Director Peg McKowen of the Contemporary American Theater Festival, located in Shepherdstown, WV, will tell us about upcoming repertory picks for July. This gem of a festival—just a short drive from Fairfax—is one of the top theater festivals in the world.
April 2: Artistic Director Dietlinde T. Maazel, who with Loren Maazel founded the Castleton Festival in 2009, will present a program on the Castleton Festival. It is a cultural center that offers chamber music, opera, theater, and art year-round in Castleton, VA, a short drive from Fairfax into the beautiful rolling hills of Rappahannock County. The festival attracts many acclaimed international artists to perform, give master classes, participate in podcasts, and explore broadening their artistic experiences in a bucolic setting.
April 9: Producing Artistic Director Katy Brown and Director of Outreach and Black Stories Black Voices Terrence Jackson from Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA, will present a program on Barter Theatre, which is the nation's longest running professional theater. Founded in 1933 during the depression, it has grown into one of the last year-round professional resident repertory theaters in the country. Many well-known stage, screen, and TV stars have performed there, including Gregory Peck, Patricia Neal, and Ned Beatty. It shares a multi-cultural historic area with the nearby Museum of Country Music, curated by the Smithsonian.
April 16: Founder and Artistic Director Laura Hull Connors of the Creative Cauldron will speak about the Creative Cauldron's history, its various theatrical offerings, and its new theater slated to open this fall in Falls Church. It is a non-profit theater that aims to bring quality, affordable arts experiences to the DMV. Many of its original works are products of the creative genius of Laura, composer Matt Conner, and scenic designer Margie Jervis. The theater offers a broad array of art, artists, and educational programs.
Wednesday Team Bloch Conversations—February 21 and 28
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch, Co‑Moderators
Continuing our Wednesday Conversations series, Team Bloch (Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch) will moderate two Zoom discussions, February 21 and 28, both at 4:00.
For February 21, we want to discuss Elmo as a therapist! Specifically, there was a discussion several weeks ago on the social media X (formerly known as Twitter), where Elmo (the red puppet often seen on Sesame Street) posed the question to all his followers, “Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?” The response was overwhelming—within less than 48 hours, more than 110 million views were recorded, and the majority of respondents replied that they were struggling. While there was plenty of banter among the responses, the overall tone also reflected a sense of hopelessness that appears to be common. Note also that a recent Gallup Poll reflected a similar outcome: less than half of Americans are "very satisfied" with their lives. These responses might lead one to think that the US is suffering from a mental health crisis! What do you think has brought this on? And would you use a 3½-year-old red muppet as a therapist?
On February 28, we will host a conversation about "What to do if you want to vote for 'none of the above'?" This is also a more serious conversation than we usually suggest―we normally do shy away from controversial topics—but this one resonated with Team Bloch. We are soliciting everyone's point(s) of view and want all to be open and comfortable sharing their feedback.
Join us on Wednesday afternoons at 4:00 in February on the 24/7 Chat Line to discuss our chosen topics.
Daytime light is bright
as we live our lives
bathed in its kindness.
But twilight and night
are also a blessing
as we turn on the lights
and read then turn in to our beds
for dreams that relive
our life, fears, and dreams.
There many names for darkness:
Dusk
twilight
dream time
pitch black
molasses vecher
noch
nuit
nacht
abend
black
black beauty
For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468. You can also buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links below) or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket pageor the Hylton Center ticket purchase page.
Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of information on interesting online performances by the students and faculty of the School of Music. If you would like to receive these bulletins, just sign up at this linkto stay in touch. Also, the Center for the Arts has a website,Mason Arts at Home, which has a calendar of online events and access to many past performances.
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Concert Hall
Admission: $48, $41, $29.
Mnozil Brass: Jubilee
Sun, Feb 25, 3:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Concert Hall
Admission: $55, $47, $33.
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: Chopin and Liszt
Sun, Mar 3, 7:00
A pre-performance “Young Artists Musicale,” featuring piano students of Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association members, will take place from 6 to 6:30 in the main lobby of the Center for the Arts.
Concert Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $29.
12th Annual Prince William County Public Schools Student Exhibition
Through Feb 17
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Admission: Free.
Paloma Vianey: Juárez Lindo y Querido
Feb 20 through Apr 7
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery Admission: Free.
MALEVO Sat, Feb 17, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall Admission: $50, $43, $30.
Virginia National Ballet: Cinderella
Sun, Feb 18, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $45 Adult, $25 youth.
Giraffes Can’t Dance
Sat, Feb 24, 11:00 and 2:00
Please join us before the performance for family-friendly craft activities in our lobby.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $15.
Tray Wellington Band
Sat, Feb 24, 5:00 and 8:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $30.
National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine
Sun, Feb 25, 2:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $60, $51, $36.
Gerson Lanza
Tue, Feb 27, Lunch, 12:30, concert, 1:30
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: Lunch, concert, and dessert reception: $65,
Concert and dessert reception only: $40.
J2B2 (John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band)
Sat, Mar 2, 5:00 and 8:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $30.
Manassas Symphony Orchestra: Seriously Fun
Sat, Mar 2, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $30.
Camerata Ireland
Sun, Mar 3, 2:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $30.
Please note: OLLI Meetings and Clubs may currently take place in several formats: some are in person only, some are online only, and some are hybrid, meaning that they take place in person and are accessible online simultaneously. OLLI events and activities meeting online bear the identification "Z" in their course or event number (except clubs; you may need to check the OLLI calendar and daily schedule email for location and other event information). Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates.
The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office. The list is accurate as of mid-week, but for the most up-to-date information, please view the latest forecast of coming events on our website (News/OLLI Calendar). Note: All OLLI members are welcome at, and encouraged to attend, meetings of the Board of Directors, committees and resource groups, kick-off coffees, etc. The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members; you may also log in at the member portal and click on ZOOM CLASS LINKS.
Sat Feb 17
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Feb 19
9:30 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Writing Club
Tue Feb 20
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
7:00 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Trivia Club
Wed Feb 21
10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Memoir and More Writing Group
Mah Jongg Club
Spanish Club
Conversation with Team Bloch
Thu Feb 22
11:50 am
4:30 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Feb 23
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
1:00 pm
Outreach Video Meeting
Crafts and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Photography Club
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Sat Feb 24
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Feb 26
9:30 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Reading Club
Tue Feb 27
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
7:00 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Trivia Club
Wed Feb 28
10:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 noon
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Theater Lovers’ Group Lunch at Brio’s
Conversation with Team Bloch
Thu Feb 29
11:50 am
4:30 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Mar 1
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
1:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Crafts and Conversation
Board Game Social
Homer, etc. – online
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
OLLI E-News was created by Rod Zumbro, who served as its editor from 2005 to 2013.
Editorial Staff
Chief Editor: Paul Van Hemel
Associate Editor: David Gundry
Weekly Editor Team: David Gundry, John Nash, Sheri Siesseger,Paul Van Hemel Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Tom Appich, Martha Kossoff, Anne Hartshorn, Bonnie Becker, Carol McManus
Submissions: Members are encouraged to submit letters to the editor, letters to Ms. Ollie Ettakit (on etiquette matters), OLLI-related news items, articles, and photos. Submit material to: ollienewseditor@gmail.com. Deadline: Tuesday, 6:00, for that week's issue (Monday, 6:00, for letters to the editor); early submissions are greatly appreciated. Please limit articles to about 250 words. Note: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News on the DocStore. To search the content of issues, use Search Our Site or put your search term in Google followed by "site:ollidev2.earthcare.com/" without the quotes.
