This hour will celebrate the baroque creativity of G. F. Handel. Interestingly, although he shared the same time frame as J.S. Bach, Handel had an entirely different client list -- for which he served as the composer of The Messiah, Water Music for King George, The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, and much more. This hour will provide a delightful selection of the finest music ever composed.

A Wider Circle’s Essential Support program provides basic items for the home to our neighbors seeking to rise out of poverty.  Volunteers help sort donations and stock the showrooms where clients select their items. With the help of volunteer groups like ours, A Wider Circle is able to furnish 10-20 homes free of charge each day for our neighbors in need. Volunteers will meet at A Wider Circle and receive a tour and orientation at the start of the visit. A Wider Circle is located at 9159 Brookville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910.  There is no onsite parking for volunteers except those with mobility concerns.  Directions for parking nearby in the neighborhood and a volunteer waiver will be emailed to you before the event. Please wear closed-toed shoes (sneakers are best) and family-friendly comfortable clothes (no political messages). The Center is not fully temperature-controlled, so please dress for the weather.

Salem, 1692: Two young girls living in the household of one of the town’s ministers are acted strangely—having fits. The doctor is called and he tells the minister that his girls are suffering from the action of the Devil’s ‘Evil Hand’ upon them.  Join University of Maryland historian Dr. Richard Bell for a deep dive into witch-hunting in early America. We’ll begin at the beginning: What did people in colonial America believe about witch-craft and how did they try to hunt it and fight it? What were the hall-marks of an American witch-hunt and why is the outbreak of witch-hunting in one sleepy port town in Massachusetts in 1692 still so well-known today? We’ll examine that infamous episode in depth, probing its most troubling corners. Why did that tragic episode in Salem claim so many innocent lives? Did anyone face justice for their role in perpetrating this outrage? And how have historians tried to explain the peculiar dynamics, impact, and legacy of what happened in Salem?

Dr. Feldman will take a look back at the 1,000 year period between classical Rome and the Italian Renaissance, during which a new style of art and architecture emerged. This “Gothic” style represents a synthesis of classical, Christian, and Germanic cultural traditions, in an era of growing cities, economies, universities, powerful church and royalty. These stunning developments refute the concept, invented by the Renaissance, of “dark ages.”

Cartography is one of our oldest forms of communication. Mapmaking probably existed before writing and a formal language was invented. Today, maps are used for everything from the GPS on our smart phones to way-finding at the local mall to the ‘mental maps’ we give to others to find ourselves. Historic maps combines science, aesthetics and scientific techniques to show a 3-dimensional world on a 2-dimensional space.

Join percussionist/multi-instrumentalist Tom Teasley for a hands-on journey through the world of percussion. Tom will demonstrate his unique approach to various percussion instruments, which is informed by his multiple trips abroad as a cultural envoy for the US Department of State. Then you’ll have the opportunity to learn and play basic rhythms from cultures around the globe. Bring drums if you have them; they’ll also be available for those who don’t have their own. Get ready to have fun drumming!

Did you know that someone in the United States experiences a stroke every 40 seconds? Stroke is a serious medical event and a leading cause of both death and disability. Join us to learn how to identify the symptoms of stroke as well as useful information about stroke prevention and treatment.

Perhaps best known as America’s first star conductor, Leonard Bernstein was an accomplished composer whose works were sometimes criticized for eclecticism as they drew from many sources including jazz and Jewish liturgical music. This course will review Bernstein’s career as composer outside of the theatre and place it in tradition of American “classical” music, including works of Charles Ives and Bernstein’s mentor Aaron Copland. The class will include numerous performance clips, including some from Bernstein’s legendary “Young People’s Concerts.” (For a related lecture on Bernstein, see class #XX.)

Deborah Kalb is a writer, book blogger, podcaster, editor, and ex-journalist based in the Washington, D.C., area. Her most recent book is the 2023 novel Off to Join the Circus.  Each month this fall, she will be chatting with a local author of note.  This month, she'll sit down with Aggie Blum Thompson. Aggie Blum Thompson is the author of three domestic thrillers, most recently the novel Such a Lovely Family. A journalist, her work has appeared in a variety of publications, including The Washington Post and The Boston Globe. Signed copies of her book will be available for sale after class. Venmo and PayPal accepted.

Perhaps best known as America’s first star conductor, Leonard Bernstein was an accomplished composer whose works were sometimes criticized for eclecticism as they drew from many sources including jazz and Jewish liturgical music. This course will review Bernstein’s career as composer outside of the theatre and place it in tradition of American “classical” music, including works of Charles Ives and Bernstein’s mentor Aaron Copland. The class will include numerous performance clips, including some from Bernstein’s legendary “Young People’s Concerts.” (For a related lecture on Bernstein, see class #XX.)

Every elected official in America, from local school board to the U.S Senate, is elected by popular vote except one: the President of the United States. Ever since 1789, the Constitution requires that the President be chosen not by popular vote, but by a body called the Electoral College. What is it? How does it work? Does it work? Join Peter Bolland, who served as one of California’s 55 electors in the 2020 Presidential election, as he shares insider details about his remarkable experience and leads an inquiry into the pros and cons of this curious political mechanism.

he story of America is complex and complicated. Come see the debut of this wonderful exploration of how the musical treats our culture.

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This program will discuss the likely outcomes of the 2022 midterm elections, focusing on particular races that illustrate broader trends underway in both parties. We will also consider the consequences of one or both houses of Congress returning to Republican majorities, the ways in which different electoral outcomes would strengthen particular factions in both parties, the likely approach and emphases of the Republicans if they regain a majority in either or both houses, and the possible impact on the 2024 presidential election.

This program will discuss the likely outcomes of the 2022 midterm elections, focusing on particular races that illustrate broader trends underway in both parties. We will also consider the consequences of one or both houses of Congress returning to Republican majorities, the ways in which different electoral outcomes would strengthen particular factions in both parties, the likely approach and emphases of the Republicans if they regain a majority in either or both houses, and the possible impact on the 2024 presidential election.

Welcome to this introduction to Spain’s southern fugue of cultures and geography - a Catholic church fully enclosed in an Islamic mosque; bustling cities (e.g., Seville and Granada), mountain villages (e.g., Ronda and Mijas), and sunny beaches (e.g., Marbella and Estepona); bullfighting and flamenco; world-class art and Picasso’s birthplace; a wild-life refuge that serves game; and local markets and orange trees everywhere. These are just some of the highlights of this virtual visit hosted by European Travel Specialist Barbara Paulson.

Join us for a relaxing hour of the Sounder Sleep System®! In this informative, interactive program participants will learn simple, gentle movements designed to bring one from an alert state to a place of deep rest. The Sounder Sleep System® is useful for anxiety management and sleep improvement. The movements will be done sitting in your chair. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a pillow or blanket for your lap.