From the Desk of the Executive Director Program Planning for a World-Class Educational Program
By Jennifer Disano, Executive Director
Although the pandemic has impacted every aspect of OLLI operations, one unwavering beacon shining through the storm is our world class educational program. Thanks to our amazing program leadership, volunteers, teachers and staff, OLLI boasts one of the most robust catalogs of courses across the national network—interesting, thought-provoking, and enjoyable courses delivered seamlessly over Zoom (and soon to be in-person and hybrid).
As many of you know, OLLI is a volunteer-driven organization and we rely on volunteers to serve on our Board of Directors, run committees and to teach and develop our amazing program. In years past, we relied on personal connections to recruit volunteers and a warm welcome to get new folks involved and interested in all aspects of OLLI. Although the pandemic has prevented us from “putting our arm around another” as a means of recruitment, you can still get involved, and I hope you do! Please know, all members of OLLI are welcome to participate in our organization through myriad volunteer opportunities. Your experience, expertise, and enthusiasm are needed to keep OLLI vibrant. Please volunteer today! Learn more by contacting volli@gmu.edu or olli@gmu.edu. Interested in program planning? There is a list of program planning groups on the OLLI website (http://ollidev.earthcare.com/our-organization-2/) or contact OLLI Program Associates staff (program@gmu.edu). And, check out the Reston/Loudoun meeting via Zoom on Monday, February 7 from 1:15-2:15. Click this link to join the meeting.
By Vera Wentworth, Loudoun Program Planning Group Co-Chair
OLLI Loudoun is continuing its popular "Country" series. Starting in fall 2022, the next academic year will feature courses or lectures covering all facets of Germany. Possible areas are History (any period), Science, Politics, Literature, Philosophy, Art, or Music. If you would like to teach a course on any of these subjects, please contact Vera Wentworth (verawent@cs.com) or Barbara Wilan (bwilan@webtv.net). We would prefer in-person teaching, but Zoom is also a possibility.
By Barbara Wilan, Loudoun Program Planning Group Co‑Chair
Please join us for the first meeting of the Reston-Loudoun Program Planning Group. We'll meet via Zoom on Monday, February 7 from 1:15-2:15. Click this link to join the meeting. Thank you!
Save the Dates: Three Theater Offerings from Theater Lovers Group
By Norma Jean Reck, Theater Lovers’ Group Coordinator
All theater lovers I know cannot wait to attend a live performance in person – to meet up with friends, hear the buzz of the crowd, see the curtain rise. Since October 2021, one more theater-going option has been added for our consideration: Capital One Hall at Tysons.
On Friday, January 21 (today) at 1:00, Matea Magnano will take us on a virtual guided tour of the newest performing arts center in Northern Virginia. We'll virtually walk (from the comfort of home) with her through the spectacular four-story high atrium, a 1,600-seat Main Hall theater, a 225-seat black box theater, learn about the sculptures, see the amphitheater, and much more. Look for the Zoom link on today’s OLLI's Daily Schedule. To register, go to the online catalog and search for 978 Winter 2022 Virtual Tour of Capital One Hall, email ollireg@gmu.edu, or phone 571-408-9133.
On Sunday, February 20, 2022, from 4:00 to 5:15, you and your friends are invited to celebrate February, the month of love, when The Friends of Theater at Mason group presents The Art of Love: For Sentimental Reasons. The musical program is all about love. Mason's incredibly talented theater students, under the direction of Erin Gardner and Joe Walsh, will present a love scene from one of Shakespeare's classic plays and perform heartfelt love songs. Stay tuned for further details.
On Friday, April 15 at 8:00 and Saturday, April 16 at 2:00 and 8:00, plan to attend Mason Cabaret: In a Sentimental Mood: The Music of Duke Ellington. The musical show, which is to be performed in TheaterSpace in Mason’s deLaski Performing Arts Building, will be co-directed by Erin and James Gardner with musical direction by Joe Walsh. It will feature the sophisticated jazz of Edward Kennedy Ellington, dubbed "The Duke" at a young age by one of his D.C. playmates. The annual show will also feature Mason's Musical Ambassadors, the Mason Cabaret, and, for the first time in a cabaret, dancers. For those of us of a certain age, it will bring back many happy memories and have people dancing in their seats. Stay tuned for when tickets go on sale.
To ensure that you receive all the emails about Theater Lovers' Group's (TLG) meetings, activities, and events, please go to the member portal and register for TLG. Just key in Theater Lovers' Group in the Search function and add it to the cart (remember to check out).
The January 2022 Photo of the Month theme was Enjoying Food. We selected John Olsen's photo "Ice Cream Lover," which may also be viewed at this page. To view other photos by members of the Photography Club, visit the club's photo website.
-- By John Olsen and Ed Marion, Photography Club Coordinators
As Mason’s campuses reopen, programs are offered at both Fairfax and Manassas campuses, along with virtual events. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result is required for all audience members. 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 send an email to Brianna Schoen at bschoen@gmu.edu. 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.
Gallery Exhibit: 10th Annual Prince William County Public Schools Student Exhibition
Tue, Jan 11 – Sun, Feb 20
Hylton Performing Arts Center
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Admission: Free.
ARTfactory Pied Piper Theatre: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Sat, Jan 22, 2:00 and 7:00
Sun, Jan 23, 3:00
Hylton Performing Arts Center
Merchant Hall
Admission: $20 adult; $16 youth (ages 12 and under).
Please note: Physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled until further notice in accordance with Mason’s guidelines. OLLI is conducting its classes and activities online. Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates and check the OLLI calendar for revised information.
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 Jan 22
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Tue Jan 25
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Wed Jan 26
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
6:00 pm
Memoir and More Writing Group
Spanish Club
Theater Lovers’ Group
Ethnic Eats Club
Thu Jan 27
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Jan 28
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
Craft and Conversation
Classic Literature Club
Homer, etc.
Photography Club
Sat Jan 29
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Tue Feb 1
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Wed Feb 2
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
History Club
Thu Feb 3
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Feb 4
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
Craft and Conversation
Classic Literature Club
Homer, etc.
OLLI E-News was created by Rod Zumbro, who served as its editor from 2005 to 2013.
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, Roz Stark, 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: 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. 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:ollidev.earthcare.com/” 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.
