Did you know that YOU can help OLLI to expand membership to keep us financially healthy and make a great program greater? A short piece that advertises the OLLI program has been approved and run in neighborhood newsletters at no cost and with good success. Would you be willing to make a phone call or send an email to have that same piece run in your neighborhood newsletter?
If you can help, we'll send you a PDF of the article with George Mason and OLLI logos. To follow up, or for any questions you may have, please contact Jim Dann at [email protected] (phone: 703-690-7982), or Debby Mossburg at [email protected] (phone: 703-973-8080).
You’ve got the power to make a real difference! Thanks.
OLLI Ink Needs Your Poetry and Prose for its 2023 Edition!
By Caroline McNeil, OLLI Ink Editor
OLLI writers—beginners and experienced—take note: here’s your chance to get your poetry and prose published. OLLI Ink is now accepting submissions, including poems, fiction, personal essays, memoirs, and more for its 2023 edition.
Now moving into its 13th year, OLLI Ink is a well-established publication whose contributors come from a wide spectrum of OLLI members, including, but not limited to, those enrolled in writing workshops.
How to Submit: Please send your entries and/or any questions to Caroline McNeil at [email protected].
Guidelines:
Poems – limit the number of lines to 30
Prose – limit the number of words to 2,500, single-spaced.
Contributions are welcome through the end of February.
The Tallwood Book Club holds its monthly Zoom meeting on the second Friday of each month from 2:30 to 4:00. The Zoom link appears in the daily schedule email. The February 10 meeting will discuss The Children Act by Ian McEwan.
The March discussion will be on Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks.
On Monday, January 23, as the sun banished the rain, Carol Esteki and Yen Tra led six Walk & Talk Club members into the woods of Fred Crabtree Park in Herndon. The well-marked trail surfaces were still muddy from the rain, and leaf-covered, but manageable.
As we ventured down the first steeper hill, the trail opened onto a beautiful stream flowing swiftly around large river rocks, a peaceful and picturesque scene. As we proceeded down the trail, we found a beautiful forest of Virginia holly trees with various green clubmosses on the ground sprouting up through the fallen leaves. We often stopped along the way to admire the many tall trees. Some fallen trees and stumps provided “holes and havens” for small birds and forest creatures. Although we didn’t see any deer or foxes, it was obvious that they were around. We made a figure 8 in trails and emerged back at the soccer field parking lot after two miles and a little over an hour. (Photo by Bob Heyer January 23, 2023)
Time for coffee and more conversation, so we headed to Le Vingt-Trois Café & Bakery in Herndon. The café was named “23” in French by the owner as it was his lucky number. For us, we were there on January 23, 2023, so it was our “lucky day” as well, being sunny in the middle of winter and comfortable outside. Thanks to our walk leaders Carol and Yen, it was a most enjoyable and beautiful walk through the woods and a great session at the Le Vingt-Trois Café & Bakery with eats, treats, and friendly conversations.
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch, Co-Moderators
Continuing our Wednesday Conversations series, Team Bloch (Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch) will moderate a Zoom discussion on February 8 at 4:00. Our chosen topic this week is “Plastics and their Ubiquity.”
Do you know what your life might be without plastics? Very different, for sure. Go back to the 1940s or 1950s and think about it. (And if you weren’t born yet in the 1950s, my apologies.) Cars made of all metal. Cellophane wrappers – oh, wait, isn’t cellophane a plastic material, too? Hair combs made of?? Razors made of?? Glass soda bottles? It boggles the mind.
Did you know that there is a Plastics Historical Society, based in London England? You do now!
Check your OLLI daily schedule for the Zoom link on Wednesdays and plan on some social time with Team Bloch.
Upcoming Mason Jazz Events in February and Spring Term
By Darden Purcell, D.M.A., Mason Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice
Here are some great Mason jazz events coming up, a couple this month and the highly anticipated Mason Jazz Camp in June. Mark your calendars.
MASON JAZZ FESTIVAL
Saturday, February 18
10:00 (am) - 10:00 (pm)
Harris Theatre
Free and Open to the Public
For more information, click here.
The Mason Jazz Festival is an invitational event open to middle school, high school, collegiate, and community Jazz ensembles. This festival will take place Saturday, February 18, 2023, on the George Mason University Fairfax campus. Community members can attend concerts of the high school bands as well as our guest groups, the Ben Patterson Group and US Navy Band Commodores! Special appearance by the Mason Jazz Ensemble, directed by Jim Carroll!
MASON JAZZ FACULTY at BLUES ALLEY
Monday, February 27
7:00 and 9:00 Shows
Tickets: Click this link.
Jazz Faculty from George Mason University return to Washington D.C.'s historic Blues Alley! Our faculty are well-respected performers and dedicated educators, current and former members of the Washington D.C. military bands as well as staples in the DC jazz scene. They have toured nationally and internationally, conducted masterclasses at universities, camps, and workshops nation-wide, and contributed to books and videos about jazz education.
The Mason Jazz faculty are Wade Beach (piano), Graham Breedlove (trumpet), Jim Carroll (saxophone), Aaron Eckert (trombone), John Kocur (saxophone), Kevin McDonald (drums), Xavier Perez (saxophone), Zack Pride (bass), Victor Provost (steel pan), Darden Purcell (voice), Shawn Purcell (guitar) and Rick Whitehead (guitar).
MASON JAZZ CAMP
June 19-23, 2023
Responsible people of all ages are welcome to attend.
For registration and camp details, click here.
The Mason Jazz Camp, held on the George Mason University Fairfax Campus, is an inclusive, intensive program, for musicians (instrumental and vocal) of all levels with a desire to advance their musical artistry and professionalism. The Mason Jazz Camp offers classes in improvisation, jazz theory, ear training, performance practice (big bands and combos), composition, arranging and jazz history. Students have the opportunity to study and participate in master classes and concerts with leading educators and performers in the Washington D.C., Virginia, and Maryland region.
For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or HyltonCenter, call 1-888-945-2468, 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.
Current vaccination policy for the Center for the Arts and Hylton Performing Arts Center is summarized as follows:
Audience members are not currently required to show proof of vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test result for most events except when required by the event organizer or artist. If proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result is required for a specific event, it will be indicated on the webpage with event details.
Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of 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 link to 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. Information can also be found at CFA ticket purchase page, Center for the Arts YouTube Channel, or the Hylton ticket purchase page.
A pre-performance discussion featuring Virginia Opera Resident Scholar, Joshua Borths, will take place in Monson Grand Tier, on the third level of the Center for the Arts Lobby, 45 minutes prior to curtain.
On Feb 4, PEN/Faulkner Award finalist Thomas Mallon, author of the 2007 novel Fellow Travelers, on which this opera is based, will participate in a post-performance discussion from the stage.
On Feb 5, Virginia Opera Resident Scholar Joshua Borths will lead a post-performance discussion with the artists in the Center for the Arts main lobby.
Admission: $110, $70, $40.
Sankofa Danzafro: The City of Others
Sat, Feb 6, 8:00
Admission: $15-$45, Pay-What-You-Wish in $5 increments. This is an on-line presentation. (click here).
11th Annual Prince William County Public Schools Student Exhibition
Through Feb 18
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Admission: Free.
Machine de Cirque
Sat, Feb 4, 8:00
Sun, Feb 5, 2:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $48, $41, $29.
Mason School of Theater: Mason Cabaret in Concert
Fri, Feb 10, 8:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $30 Adult, $15 senior.
Mark Morris Dance Group and Music Ensemble, Pepperland
Sat, Feb 11, 8:00
Merchant Hall
A pre-performance discussion with Company Director Sam Black begins one hour prior to the performance.
A post-performance discussion following Pepperland will be held on Merchant Hall stage with Mark Morris, choreographer and founder of the Mark Morris Dance Group, and with Pepperland composer, Ethan Iverson.
Admission: $55, $47, $33.
Llama Llama Live
Sun, Feb 12, 1:00 and 4:00
Merchant Hall
Wear your favorite pajamas to the performance and be sure to join us for activities from 12:00 to 12:45 and 3:00 to 3:45, including a family story time in the Jacquemin Family Foundation Rehearsal Room! Admission: $15.
Please note: Although some physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled, some may be meeting in person or, in a hybrid mode, both in person and online. 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. (bolded below). 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 4
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Feb 6
9:30 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Tue Feb 7
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Wed Feb 8
1:45 pm
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
6:00 pm
Spanish Club
Memoir and More Writing Group
Mah Jongg Club
Ethnic Eats Club
Thu Feb 9
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Feb 10
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
2:30 pm
Photography Club
Craft and Conversation
Classic Literature Club
Homer, etc.
Cooking Club
Tallwood Book Club
Sat Feb 11
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Feb 13
9:30 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Tue Feb 14
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
Walk & Talk Club
Spanish Club
Tai Chi Club
Wed Feb 15
4:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Thu Feb 16
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Feb 17
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
Craft and Conversation Board of Directors Meeting
Classic Literature Club
Homer, etc.
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, Linda Randall, Tom Appich, Jane Hassell
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: [email protected]. 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. Search E-News: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News at ENews Archives. To search the content within issues, use Search or enter your search term(s) in Google followed by “site:olli.gmu.edu/” without the quotes. An Amazon Smile Link appears here. When you shop using the Smile link designating OLLI as your charitable choice, we'll receive a 0.5 % donation, based on the value of your purchase.
admire the many tall trees. Some fallen trees and stumps provided “holes and havens” for small birds and forest creatures. Although we didn’t see any deer or foxes, it was obvious that they were around. We made a figure 8 in trails and emerged back at the soccer field parking lot after two miles and a little over an hour. (Photo by Bob Heyer January 23, 2023)
Jazz Faculty from George Mason University return to Washington D.C.'s historic Blues Alley! Our faculty are well-respected performers and dedicated educators, current and former members of the Washington D.C. military bands as well as staples in the DC jazz scene. They have toured nationally and internationally, conducted masterclasses at universities, camps, and workshops nation-wide, and contributed to books and videos about jazz education.
MASON JAZZ CAMP
