Illustrations from John Quinn’s courseI Was There,fall term 2024, featuring the perspectives of OLLI memberswho were present at significant historical events
By Camille Hodges, Board Member and Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events Program Planning Group Co-Chair
In October, Americans observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month by paying tribute to the accomplishments of the men and women with disabilities whose work helps keep the nation’s economy strong and by reaffirming their commitment to ensure equal opportunity for all citizens. This effort to educate the public about the issues related to disability and employment began in 1945, when Congress enacted Public Law 176, declaring the first week of October each year as National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week. In 1962, the word “physically” was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. Some 25 years later, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Re: US Dept of Labor.
National Italian-American Heritage month was first recognized by the United States Congress in October 1989 as a tribute to all Italian-Americans' contributions to our nation, and to highlight the cultural impact of the Italian-American community. Re: City of Boston.
World Mental Health Day is October 10. October is also National Cookie month! There’s nothing better for your mental health than a chocolate chip cookie or two still warm from the oven!
By Toni Acton, Board Member and Member Services Committee Chair
Are you new and still trying to meet other OLLI members? Do you still have questions and don’t know who to ask? Are you a long-time OLLI member and miss seeing people in person as you take most of your classes on Zoom? Then join us at the informal Grab ‘n’ Gab Coffee on Friday, October 11 at 10:00 at Tallwood. Coffee, pastry, and great conversation—what’s better on a Friday morning?! Register for Event 1101 either online or by contacting the Registrar’s office.
Join OLLI Theater Lovers for Sondheim and Theater Potpourri Class this October
By Norma Jean Reck, Coordinator, Theater Lovers’ Group
Sondheim Tribute Revue
On Sunday, October 13, The Theater Lovers' Group and our guests will go to Creative Cauldron in Falls Church to see the 2pm matinee performance of Sondheim Tribute Review. Eight standout singers will take us on a scintillating musical journey featuring more than 20 titles from the Sondheim Song Book - Into the Woods, A Little Night Music, the recent Tony Award winner Merrily We Roll Along, and many more of your favorites. To purchase your tickets, which are $47, phone 703-436-9948. Be sure to tell them you are with OLLI Theater Lover's' Group (TLG).
We will lunch at Ireland's Four Provinces at 12 noon and have separate checks. Parking is free at the restaurant and in the garage to the left of the theater.
Theater Potpourri Class
Where else can you chat with a local playwright, attend a masterclass in singing, revel in a one-on-one performance of a leading Lady, and enjoy stellar performances by Mason's talented theater students of a hit play - all from the comfort of your own sofa? Just go online and sign up for F414Z Theater and Film Potpourri class, which will be on Tuesdays, 11:50 - 1:15, from October 22 to November 12.
Coming soon
TLG is planning to attend performances of Shawshank Redemption at NextStop Theater, Fiddler on the Roof at Reston's Center Stage, and 110 in the Shade at Mason's Center for the Arts. Stay tuned for details.
Meetings are being planned for those members (and guests) who will be going to Blackfriars Theater in Staunton November 1-3 and for the group going to New York November 19-20. We will get together to coordinate, discuss details of each trip, answer questions, etc. More to follow soon.
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch, Co‑Moderators
Team Bloch is proposing the topic Alcohol for the Wednesday October 9 conversation.
October 9: Alcohol
Our discussion on October 9 will focus on Alcohol: non-alcoholic beverages, abstinence, healthy habits for seniors, and Sober October vs. Come Over October.
Our social conversations are held every Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 via Zoom. The sessions are fully participatory, and all are welcome to join us. You can find the Zoom link in the daily schedule sent out by the OLLI office every Wednesday morning. There is no sign up required; just log in to the 24/7 Chat Line.
By Darden Purcell, D.M.A, Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice
Join us for our upcoming visit with our Luxembourg colleagues and two events that are FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
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DIFFERDANGE SCHOOL OF MUSIC PANEL DISCUSSION
"Jazz in Europe: From Luxembourg's Point of View "
Wednesday, Oct 9, 12:30 Harris Theatre
Free and Open to the Public
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a tiny country in the heart of Europe, easily overlooked due to its small size and population (670,000 inhabitants). But it also boasts a flourishing music scene as well as a very central location, keeping it well connected with Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Learn about the experience of living in western Europe as a musician: the pros and cons, the music, the backgrounds, the anecdotes, expectation versus reality—all told from the perspective of the Differdange music school faculty, whose members have studied jazz in European cities like Brussels, Amsterdam, or others and are now based in Luxembourg.
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MASON JAZZ FACULTY / LUXEMBOURG CONCERT
Thursday, Oct 10, 8:00 Center For The Arts
Free and Open to the Public
Faculty from the Differdange School of Music in Luxembourg team up with the George Mason University Jazz faculty for an unforgettable evening of Jazz standards and beyond. This is the culmination of a cultural exchange between these two institutions of higher learning, celebrating music education and performance. Click this link for more information.
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.
Friends of the Center for the Arts Artists in Conversation: Latin Social Dance Workshop with Ballet Hispánico
Fri, Oct 4, 7:00
Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center
3740 Blenheim Boulevard, Fairfax, VA 22030
Admission: FREE, but registration required; click here.
Ballet Hispánico
Sat, Oct 5, 8:00
Concert Hall
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier, 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Admission: $55, $47, $33.
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: Franz Schubert: The Soulful and the Sublime
Sun, Oct 13, 7:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $29.
At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus) Prince William Little Theatre: Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville, A Sherlock Holmes Mystery
Fri, Oct 4, 8:00
Sat, Oct 5, 8:00
Sun, Oct 6, 2:00
Fri, Oct 11, 8:00
Sat, Oct 12, 8:00
Sun, Oct 13, 2:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $25 Adult, $20 Senior.
Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra with Jeff Hamilton
Sat, Oct 5, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion with guest artist Jeff Hamilton begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $48, $41, $29.
Encanto: The Sing-Along Film Concert
Sun, Oct 6, 4:00
A family-friendly craft activity will take place in the Jacquemin Family Foundation Rehearsal Hall prior to this performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $48, $41, $29.
Manassas Chorale: Salute to Heroes and Heroines
Sat, Oct 12, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $25, $23.
Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra: Not all Heroes Wear Capes, But Some Do
Sun, Oct 13, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $20 Adult, $15 Senior.
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., 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 Oct 5
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Oct 7
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Oct 8
1:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Dabbling Artists Club
Chair Yoga and More – online
Bridge Club
Tallwood Book Club
Spanish Club
Memoir and More Writing Group – online
Conversation with Team Bloch – online
Thu Oct 10
1:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Literary Fiction Book Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Oct 11
9:30 am
9:30 am
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
Dabbling Artists Club
Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Grab’n’Gab Coffee Klatch
Classic Literature Club – online
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Sat Oct 12
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Oct 14
4:00 pm
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Oct 15
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Oct 16
12:00 noon
1:30 pm
1:30 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Chair Yoga and More – online
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Spanish Club
Conversation with Team Bloch – online
Thu Oct 17
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Ethnic Eats Club – online
Fri Oct 18
9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
12:00 noon
2:30 pm
Crafts and Conversation Board of Directors Meeting
Mah Jongg Club
Classic Literature Club – online
Homer, etc. – online
Cooking Club
Chair Yoga and More – online
Caregivers Support Club – online
Sat Oct 19
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club – online
Personal Computer User Group
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: [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. 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:olli.gmu.edu/" without the quotes.
Wednesday, Oct 9, 12:30 Harris Theatre
Thursday, Oct 10, 8:00 Center For The Arts