One-Day Events

Seniors are curious. Ideally, we have the leisure and energy to pursue learning about new things. 

One way to do it in PVSC is through One-Day Events, one-time presentations by experts on a huge range of topics. We have a vibrant and diligent committee that just keeps finding people who are willing to share their expertise for a couple of hours, for free. It's pretty amazing, when you stop to think about it.

This coming May is the perfect example. There are two such presentations. One explores the influence of social media today, on May 11; one outlines the colonial history of Fort George in Castine on May 18. Both are at 4:00. The attached flyers provide details.

These unique events are members-only. Not a member? Luckily for you, it's easy to join. Just click on the link to our website in the box to the right. On the website, click "Register now."

Zooming along

Picture this: you're trying to log into Zoom for your class, and it keeps telling you something about your calendar. You text your instructor. Five minutes later, like magic, you have a new link and you're logged in and happily chatting with your classmates. 

Behind the scenes is PVSC's unflappable Zoom guru, Administrative Assistant Sheila Krautkremer. In this case, she was in her car by the side of the road somewhere, first fielding a panicky phone call from the instructor, then somehow managing to call up the class list and correct link on her phone so she could send a quick email to the 20 people in the class.

As they say, Zoom is great except when it isn't. It takes a Sheila to train the instructors, offer tutorials to students, and, perhaps most importantly and most difficult, solve the problems on the fly. And there are problems. An instructor's video has no sound; a student's audio is blaring; someone can't log on; lots of someones can't find a particular Zoom controls on their device. More than once, Sheila has been on two phones and her computer, fielding student questions. 

We'd rather be holding classes in person. But until we can, Zoom keeps us learning. And Sheila keeps us Zooming. So thankful to have her with us!

On deck: spring courses!

They're coming, they're coming! The spring course lineup is in place and registration for members begins March 1 on our website, https://pvsc.myrec.com/info/default.aspx. If you're not a member, you can join on the website, too.

What's in store? Plenty:

• The Current Supreme Court
• Experimenting with Watercolors
• Restoration Ecology in Maine
• The Relevance of Old Stories
• Sexuality in the Greco-Roman World
• Introduction to Folklore: Genres

Sound like fun? It will be. Complete descriptions are on the website. All classes are on Zoom; help getting started in that program is readily available.

SPRING COURSES! YES!

Finally! It's been a long winter, with more to come, but it's time to think about spring learning. Classes begin the week of March 22. Registration will open at the beginning of March. Courses are being finalized as we speak, but you can look for topics including: 

• watercolor painting
• the Supreme Court
• folklore/folkways
• endangered species
• sexuality in Greek-Roman times. 

What a variety! And while you're waiting, don't miss member Judy Hakola talking to WABI-TV about the wonders of Senior College:

https://www.wabi.tv/app/2021/02/15/maine-senior-college-programs-keep-spirits-high-during-pandemic/)

Something(s) to look forward to

It's a while until spring courses begin the week of March 22. But never fear: two dynamic presentations are on the horizon!

• First comes an exploration of that gem in Bradley, the Maine Forest and Logging Museum (sometimes known as Leonard's Mills). There's lots of fascinating stuff, including the working water-powered sawmill, the famous Lombard log hauler, and more. Herb Crosby, our presenter, has been involved with the project from the beginning. He taught Mechanical Engineering Technology at UMaine.
• Then comes "Native American Studies 101," which will include a discussion of Native demographics and regional similarities/differences, with a focus on the local tribes. It will also cover perceptions of Native people in media and popular culture. Presenter Lisa Neuman teaches anthropology and Native American Studies at UMaine.

Members can sign up now on our website, at https://pvsc.myrec.com/info/default.aspx.

Not a member? Now's the time to join! Use the same link to get signed up, or call Sheila Krautkremer at 659-1359.

Slogging through January

So: we have vaccines on the horizon, if not actually here; a new administration in Washington; some warmish January days; the days getting ever-so-slowly lighter. And spring courses in the works. Let's whistle a happy tune and call the winter half over!

Our February ukulele course is on the horizon (and we finally learned to spell "ukulele"). And come March, it will be time to register for our spring semester! We've already confirmed two:

• Sol Goldman's perennial favorite, on the 2021 Supreme Court cases, and
• Kal Elmore teaching water color painting

Rabbi Darah Lerner is on deck; stay tuned for her exact topic. More courses are coming; your trusty Curriculum Committee is hard at work, as always. Everything will be on Zoom, but then, that's the way we live now, isn't it? 

Stay warm and safe. It won't be that long until we'll see one another's faces in class
!

Lots of goodies coming up!

The holidays are pretty much over, unless you're celebrating Epiphany or another winter holiday. So what now?

Easy. Now, assuming you're a PVSC member, you make sure you're registered for the One-Day Events coming right up. The first is next week!

January 5: Climate Change and Assuring our State Plans Put Equity at the Forefront

January 12: How Observing Weather from Your Backyard can Enhance Health, Save Nature and the Planet, Reduce Anxiety, and Promote World Peace

January 19: History of Bangor’s Water System

January 26: Bioethical Issues Arising from the COVID-19 Pandemic

Registration is required, just to get a link. All are free for members. And if you're not a member? Sign up now on our website! penobscotvalleyseniorcollege.org

Something different

Some of us like what we've seen of Japanese food TV: "Samurai Gourmet" and "Midnight Diner." Here's a chance to explore longer works:

https://film.jfny.org/category/film/?fbclid=IwAR3fJFU4efwtYJ42ltAuhgOk36J9ck6wrfQjbSV6w2HfsYRc4CUMHzvs36A

The Strand Theater in Rockland has had a steady output of films (paid) and other goodies (free) to get us through the pandemic. Get on their mailing list: https://www.rocklandstrand.com/ and look for "E-news signup" at the top. While you're there, check out their current offerings, right there on the home page.

Holiday music!

Maine holiday musical events coming right up:

Friday: our own local talent, Danny Williams (Collins Center director) and Emily Cain, plus vocal director/singer Fran Vogt, present a concert of holiday music: 

https://www.collinscenterforthearts.com/home-for-the-holidays/

Saturday night, you'll have to make a tough choice. Both are on YouTube and free:

• The Bagaduce Chorale of Blue Hill presents its annual holiday concert. If you're a fan of choral music, they are sublime.  https://www.bagaducechorale.org/
• Oratorio Chorale of Brunswick's concert, with the Portland Brass Quintet and others. https://oratoriochorale.org/

A local Nutcracker on TV

Get away from your streaming device and enjoy Portland Ballet's "A Victorian Nutcracker" on your TV! Just tune in to WLBZ or WCHS on Saturday the 12th, at either 9:00 AM or 8:00 PM. This is a real, staged ballet, not a Zoom thing, but has fewer dancers because of the need to distance. You can also watch on the News Center Maine website or Roku app. 

Scrooge!

"A Christmas Carol" comes to you in different ways this season. Check the dates; most run for the bulk of December. All but one require paid tickets, but the prices are reasonable.

The New York Times praises Jefferson Mays' one-man reading at the LaJolla Playhouse. He acts all the parts, but it looks more like a movie than a reading, with a ton of special effects. Expect a darker "take" than you may be used to.
https://lajollaplayhouse.org/show/a-christmas-carol/?fbclid=IwAR193FCSbopP_6f-WdV70ERMwTL8pW7RQLN2fOraZ2f1mJjRwz7jxc8KMdA

The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis has the reputation of being one of the very best regional theaters in the country (this writer has been thrilled with the three plays she's seen there). Its version reimagines Dickens' own readings when he took the story on the road.
https://www.guthrietheater.org/shows-and-tickets/2020-2021-season/dickens-holiday-classic/?fbclid=IwAR1napwU853kugRaDFG-Xc0sfNeua0coiaXTegdR15XX8nh7Hq-pYTqd71c

And what about Scrooge with dozens of paper puppets? This double version presents contrasting approaches, one traditional and one highly contemporary.
https://www.guthrietheater.org/shows-and-tickets/2020-2021-season/dickens-holiday-classic/?fbclid=IwAR1napwU853kugRaDFG-Xc0sfNeua0coiaXTegdR15XX8nh7Hq-pYTqd71c 

And one more, from Trinity Rep in Providence; this one's free:
https://www.trinityrep.com/show/a-christmas-carol-2020/?fbclid=IwAR3m6nDGNvfu16sh-9sFB0084ahjODib7TeNvThIUIa04QKSkluNNKQLkbE

Coming right up! The Boston Symphony, Jane Austen, and more

The Boston Symphony Orchestra has a concert available for viewing through December 19:
https://www.bso.org/brands/bso/features/bso-now/american-promise.aspx?fbclid=IwAR3HKkWUyAMsrlzE0sX4JiTjP0V4C2eFKx70LMroHGAs3mZzuNov1mp0wRo

OK, this one's a little odd, but then, so are the times we're living in: a Jane Austen virtual birthday party. Send her a card by December 6, and/or join in on the live get-together (well, she's not alive, obviously, but you get the idea) on the 16th:

http://strictlyjaneausten.com/happy-birthday-jane?fbclid=IwAR1USLOzLcxsF2Vq7oSDy5i_tE2JVwHEshAzMz_TgxedFcL7xYOOiFNJwzw

Shakespeare fans, or anyone interested in the Tudor period, will enjoy browsing the Fogler Shakespeare Library's (at Harvard) digital collection. Everything from doublets to hand-written cookbooks can be found. https://luna.folger.edu/luna/servlet/FOLGERCM1~6~6

Time for theater!

The days of lots of free stuff seem to be coming to an end, as theaters struggle to make ends meet without a live paying audience. One free venue that continues to provide free productions is the Theater of War. They are doing excellent Zoom readings of mostly Greek plays, followed by discussion. It's all aimed at making social change, or at least raising awareness of vital issues. Coming up: productions centering on "Antigone," "Philoctetes," and "The Book of Job." December 3, 6, and 8. Check them out:
https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eventbrite.com%2Fe%2Fantigone-in-ferguson-cuny-tickets-126446273207&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce135536fbe9d4738b13408d890b5f856%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637418458508211773%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=wqrz9P0iiVFG2vxFOw0YYKvzOSXCMemif9njdtPIIAE%3D&reserved=0

And if you're wondering why a company devoted to social justice and health awareness is called Theater of War, have a look at https://theaterofwar.com/about.

"Almost, Maine"

The Waterville Opera House has a film of their current production, the well-known chronicle of a town in Maine called Almost, where the women are strong, the men are . . . well, you know. $40 tickets for specific dates through December 13. 
https://www.operahouse.org/shows/almost-maine?fbclid=IwAR2ld4EXV4Bl66uFzvrj_AaiWFUPRp_ep83WKQQzN_8uH7etyEGgB0sJSNs

Coming up soon!

Want to see all the lights in the Bangor area? The Bangor Rotary Club has made it easy for us. Just go to their website and download a map when the time comes. What a nice way to brighten up these long evenings, December 5-January 2!

https://www.bangorrotary.org/

On another note,

Barack Obama is the headliner in a big-time set of presentations at the PEN Gala. PEN America "stands at the intersection of writing and human rights to protect free expression," and gives annual awards for writing that furthers those goals. (PEN/Faulkner, which gives annual literary awards, is a different organization.)

This even features other familiar names, from Spike Lee to Emma Thompson.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pen-america-virtual-gala-tickets-130352705451?fbclid=IwAR2RoMMtatAIfZ-EvV5JyWFTc04_q-UO4LM39qZ4MQC4BFpmFtmLUmKwt9Q

Learning the easy way

TV and streaming documentaries may be the learning method that requires the least exertion of those brain cells. 

If you have a smart TV and/or streaming device, you have access to a ton of documentaries on YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc. This long weekend, when you may be stuck at home instead of enjoying a big family feast, might be a good time to dig in and explore things you've scrolled past before.

To name just one, the Smithsonian Channel has a wealth of possibilities, and you can enjoy them on your tablet or phone, too. Check out https://www.smithsonianchannel.com/about/ways-to-watch. 

And if you want to spend a little money on a virtual trip abroad, check out Context Travel's many offerings: https://conversations.contexttravel.com/collections/seminars?sort=created-ascending

Buy local

Short editorial here: All arts and entertainment companies are struggling, of course. Local groups are smaller and have fewer resources than, say, a major New York theater. They need our help to survive the pandemic. Maine theaters have made it easy for us, by offering things we can love from our own living rooms. And please note: it takes smarts, imagination, and a ton of persistence and hard work to switch from what you know how to do well to a completely different means of production. It also takes money.

Penobscot Theatre Company has put together an impressive, innovative season, with a sizeable variety of audio and video releases. We can be proud of our very own local productions. There's a lot of fun to be had: https://www.penobscottheatre.org/

Down the road, Waterville Opera House is offering the perennial favorite "Almost, Maine" at the beginning of December. https://www.operahouse.org/shows/almost-maine.

And Portland Stage has the romantic play "Talley's Folly" available through November 22. https://www.portlandstage.org/events/talleys-folly/?event_rdate=20201114140000,20201114153000 

More performing arts

Here's a site that lists a dozen European theaters offering streaming dance, opera, and music, including much that is free. It may be a sort of mini-travel adventure. For example, I registered in Italian--it was easy--and saw the Rome opera company performing at the stunning Roman Baths of Caracalla. Subtitles may not be in English for opera, but dance speaks no language except that of beauty.

https://www.rhinegold.co.uk/opera_now/a-quick-guide-to-watching-opera-from-around-the-world-in-your-own-home/

"Going to" the theater

Now that the pandemic is in full swing again, theaters are trying to keep or regain their audiences by offering archived movies and films of live shows. In fact, there are so many possibilities out there that it can be hard to sort through it all. They're desperate for funds, so many of the shows have a fee. But there's also a lot that's free.

We'll keep adding to this list as we go along. Here are a few sites for starters:

Highly recommended: Maine's own Jewish Film Festival, with movies you'll never see anywhere else. Many offer a glimpse at cultures unfamiliar to most of us, like ultra-conservative Israelis. It's underway right now, so check out the remaining offerings at https://mjff.org/.

A big help: the updates provided weekly by the wonderful folks at the Collins Center at UM. Get on their mailing list, if you aren't already. They include all the performing arts. For example, coming up this weekend is West End Unplugged, with performances by London musical theater stars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51imb1n9rEo,

The Stratford Festival, Canada's Shakespeare theater, offers a sizeable choice of filmed plays for a $10/month introductory subscription. (You could always drop out later.) https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/AtHome

Stay tuned for more!

Opera

Don't stop reading just because you hate opera. Do you picture screechy sopranos in helmets? Boring, unrealistic stories full of tenors dying for hours and laughable plot twists? Weird music in foreign languages?

Those images are outdated. Today, the stories and music haven't changed, but productions certainly have. Audio technology eliminates screech and today's stagings are dramatic, engaging, even exciting. Carmen in sneakers? A tattooed woman playing Nero? Sure.

The pandemic brought a few good things, and one is the chance to experience things you couldn't in normal times. You don't have to go to New York and buy an expensive ticket to see an opera; you can do it for free in your living room. In some ways, HD broadcasts are better than in the theater; the cameras put you right in the singers' faces. Subtitles translate for you. Check it out: what do you have to lose?

For a donation, you can watch Wagner in 3D! Check it out at the Minnesota Opera:

https://mnopera.org/season/fall-season/das-rheingold/

Free: The Metropolitan Opera offers a different top-of-the-line show each evening:

 https://www.metopera.org/user-information/nightly-met-opera-streams/

Also free: The San Francisco Opera offers productions on weekends:

https://sfopera.com/opera-is-on/streaming/

And, for laughs, there's this goofy comic opera that combines Mozart's music with commentary life during COVID-19, by the Finnish National Opera: 

https://operavision.eu/en/library/performances/operas/covid-fan-tutte-finnish-national-opera

There's lots more, some free and some paid, including the Met's brilliant concert series, featuring its stars in exquisite European castles, seafront terraces, chapels, and such. A good umbrella site is https://operavision.eu/en

 

What's on?

 As we move more indoors, it's time to start noting upcoming arts, learning, and entertainment opportunities. So here we go!

Broadway and more

TodayTix gives you some streaming shows, some with big-name performers (Matthew Broderick! Ellen Burstyn!). Start times begin next weekend; new shows every few weeks. See details:

https://www.todaytix.com/

Your trusty local events concierge

The good folks at the Collins Center for the Arts post their excellent, weekly "Six picks" of upcoming shows each Friday. They also include a wealth of other arts and entertainment to explore.

https://www.collinscenterforthearts.com/

Enjoy this beautiful weekend and check back for more to do indoors at the beginning of next week!