Join us for this two-part class on Leon Russell, a gifted musician, songwriter, performer, and producer. This afternoon class will feature the screening of the 1971 documentary 'Mad Dogs and Englishmen.' The documentary captures live concert performances from Joe Cocker with Leon Russell as the musical director for the musicians and singers who are backing Mr. Cocker. Join us for part two the next morning.

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Monday, April 13, TBD - UR Campus ( No seats currently available )

This part of our class will look in depth at Leon Russell. Early in his career, Mr. Russell was a much sought-after session musician in Los Angeles. Gradually, his skills as a songwriter allowed him to make the transition to becoming a very successful solo artist. From his recordings to his concert performances, Mr. Russell was known around the world for quality of his work.

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Tuesday, April 14, TBD - UR Campus ( No seats currently available )

This feature-length documentary explores the quiet yet profound crisis unfolding on Tangier Island, where climate change isn't an abstract concept but a daily reality threatening to erase an entire community. It is not a climate film filled with statistics or expert testimony, but simply a story told by the islanders about losing a way of life. After a screening of the film on Tangier, one resident said, 'It felt true.'

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Tuesday, April 21, TBD - UR Campus ( No seats currently available )

The class is designed to capture the most common and important photography concepts. The class will cover both cell phone and regular camera applications.

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Monday, March 23, TBD - UR Campus ( No seats currently available )

If you are familiar with the library resources but want to go beyond the basics, this session will explore some of the more interesting and unusual digital collections and databases. This is an advanced session that builds on the information introduced in Bounty of Boatwright.

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Every day, starting on 02/19/26 and ending on 02/19/26, Synchronous Online

Learn how to find books, articles, and other resources that are of interest to you. This session provides an overview for beginners or those new to Osher and includes a virtual tour of the library.

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Friday, Jan 16, Synchronous Online

Join Dan in his quest for the funniest movies. We'll view these films: 'Monkey Business' (1952) with Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers, and Marilyn Monroe; 'Road to Morocco' (1942) with Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Dorothy Lamour; and A League of Their Own' (1992) with Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, and Madonna.

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No session is currently available for registration

Join Dan in his quest for the funniest movies. We'll view these films: 'Annie Hall' (1977) with Diane Keaton (Oscar winner) and Woody Allen; 'That Touch of Mink' (1962) a sophisticated love affair with Doris Day and Cary Grant; and 'Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell' (1968), a WWII confusion with Gina Lollobrigida, Phil Silvers, Telly Savalas, and Peter Lawford.

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Fridays; Mar 13, 20, 27, TBD - UR Campus ( No seats currently available )

This iteration of Four Friday Films presents movies that invite us to think about our experience and perception of the world. As usual with this course, the films are fun to watch, but the emphasis this semester is less on 'feel good' than on 'hmmm, I hadn't considered that before.' We'll watch 'Stranger Than Fiction,' 'Brother From Another Planet,' and 'The Man From Earth,' finishing with Anne Hathaway in 'Colossal.'

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No session is currently available for registration

We begin a brief homage to the late Robert Redford with two films: his tremendously fun 'Sneakers' from the 90s, then a lovely film, made when he was 82: 'The Old Man and the Gun,' based on a real-life octogenarian bank-robber. Then we'll see a very different view of banking with the charming English film 'Bank of Dave.' We'll finish with Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt in 'As Good As It Gets.'

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Fridays; Feb 13, 20, 27, Mar 6, TBD - UR Campus ( No seats currently available )

Crisis communication isn't just for governments or corporations. Whether you're leading a nonprofit or coordinating volunteers, how you communicate in the heat of the moment shapes outcomes. In this session, you'll learn how organizations prepare messages under pressure and manage misinformation, even when the situation is chaotic. You'll also leave with tools you can apply to your community organizations or volunteer roles.

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Wednesday, May 13, TBD - UR Campus

Learn the skills and techniques used to create professional quality images of your adventures in the natural world. Topics will include exposure, depth of field, motion effects, the principles of visual communication, and the qualities of natural light. The course will incorporate slide-illustrated lectures and group discussions, and provide ample time for student feedback.

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Mondays; Jan 26, Feb 2, 9, 16, 23, Mar 2, Synchronous Online

This engaging, video-rich course tells the story of American television from its 1920s origins to today's streaming era. We will explore decades of iconic shows, genres, and cultural moments that shaped the medium and its audiences. From sitcoms and dramas to news and sports, we will rediscover how TV evolved, adapted, and transformed American culture one broadcast, cable channel, and streaming service at a time.

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Mondays; Jan 26, Feb 2, 9, 16, 23, Mar 2 , Synchronous Online (4 seats (31%) remaining)

Discover how film music enhances storytelling, sets mood and place, defines character, and blends styles such as jazz, classical, and pop into powerful cinematic impressions. We will discuss how composers shape emotions across genres like drama, romance, comedy, sci-fi, and westerns. From 'The Jazz Singer' to James Bond, we will trace the evolution of film scores, spotlighting legendary composers such as Bernard Herrmann, Ennio Morricone, and John Williams.

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Wednesdays; Jan 14, 21, 28, Feb 4, 11, 18, Synchronous Online ( No seats currently available )

Every photo worth showing or sharing is worth editing. The class is designed to cover cell phone editing in the first hour and computer-based editing in the second hour. Before class, participants should download 'Snapseed' for cell phones and Photoshop Elements for computers.

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Monday, March 30, TBD - UR Campus ( No seats currently available )

UR's Dr. Sonja Bertucci's most recent feature-length documentary, 'The Diamond Couple' (2024), is an intimate meditation on love, aging, and the transmission of memory. The film premiered at the Arizona International Film Festival, where it received the Jury Prize for Inspirational Filmmaking, and continues to screen internationally. Join us for Dr. Bertucci's opening remarks, the film screening, and Q&A.

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No session is currently available for registration

Retired columnist Bob Levey revisits the era of Watergate at The Washington Post. He'll share stories about legendary editor Ben Bradlee, famous reporters Woodward and Bernstein, and longtime publisher Katharine Graham. He'll also take questions about the current status of the newspaper, and journalism in general.

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Tuesday, Jan 13, TBD - UR Campus ( No seats currently available )

This class offers a visual journey through the changing seasons in and around Richmond. From spring blooms and nesting birds to summer butterflies, fall migrations, and winter's quiet beauty, the presentation highlights the rhythms of local wildlife and landscapes. Filled with Jim's beautiful photographs, it also includes suggestions and brief descriptions of nearby parks, gardens, and natural areas, encouraging viewers to explore and connect with local nature.

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Monday, Feb 9, TBD - UR Campus ( No seats currently available )

Join us for tips about being a savvy news consumer in this difficult climate with the rise of social media and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as the decline in local newspapers. Virginia Public Media President Jayme Swain will provide an update on what's happening in the news landscape and share how you can tell fact from fiction.

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Tuesday, April 7, TBD - UR Campus ( No seats currently available )