Date: Thursdays, September 29 & October 6, 2022
Time: 2 - 4 PM
Place: ISU, Landini Center for Performing & Fine Arts (First
Session), ISU, University Hall 212 A (Second session)
Cost: $10

“Shall We Dance?” is the question many OLLI members will likely be asking when they attend the recital by Pianist Dr. John Spicknall and bassist Joe Deal, and as they watch the 1945 fictionalized screen Gershwin biography “Rhapsody in Blue” starring Robert Alda and Joan Leslie. Participants are encouraged to obtain and read the 1996 book THE GERSHWIN YEARS – GEORGE AND IRA by Edward Jablonski and Lawrence D. Stewart. During the recital and while watching the film, OLLI members will recognize such Gershwin works as “Rhapsody in Blue”, “Shall We Dance?”, “Summertime” from “Porgy and Bess”, “They Can’t Take That Away From Me”, “Fascinating Rhythm”, “The Three Note Waltz” and other favorites.

The film introduces two fictional romances into the Gershwin story, as well feature performances by two talented and
accomplished African-American musicians/singers Anne Brown and Hazel Scott, both of whom were child prodigies. It may be difficult to prevent OLLI members from dancing during this OLLI class.