Humanities

Look Ma, I’m Dancin’! celebrates the Broadway choreographers who elevated dance in the American Musical from entertainment to art. Featuring show stopping numbers from the Golden Age of Musical Theatre, Look Ma, I’m Dancin’! explores the creative process of the Broadway choreographer. From George Balanchine’s On Your Toes to Andy Blankenbuehler’s Hamilton, Look Ma, I’m Dancin’! is an all singing, all dancing extravaganza of dance on Broadway.

Before they stalked our books and movie screens, monsters served as powerful symbols reflecting society’s deepest anxieties. We will examine these imaginary creatures through an academic lens, using history, anthropology, and sociology to deconstruct what we fear as we trace the zombie from its Haitian origins, explore the evolution of vampire lore and analyze how werewolf trials and witch-hunting texts exposed societal fears.

Emily Dickinson is one of the best loved poets of America. Join us to explore Dickinson’s biography, her historical context, her letters, and her poetry, from early work to later poems, and even writings she left on envelopes, napkins, and recipe cards, that have only recently been discovered. We will look at the heart of her work, and at the details of her craft, to learn why she continues to challenge and inspire poets and readers to this day.

To his many admirers, Reagan restored American prosperity and greatness, at home and abroad. To his critics, however, Reagan was little more than a B-actor with few real accomplishments. How much of what we think we know about Reagan is based in liberal or conservative caricatures of Reagan? Let’s find out… Through lectures, discussions, and historic videos we will trace Reagan’s career and the ways in which his presidency continues to affect American life.

Join Tucson Jazz Festival Executive Director and talented musician Khris Dodge to explore the extraordinary musicians who transformed jazz with their unmistakable sound. Through piano performances, engaging discussions, historic recordings, and video clips, you’ll hear the music and stories of legendary pianists including Fats Waller, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Ahmad Jamal, McCoy Tyner, Keith Jarrett and others whose influence continues today.

Examine Paleoindian research in North America, with a focus on local sites and regional archaeology of the Southwest and discuss recent findings and observations from the instructor’s current research around the St. Johns region in Northern Arizona.

Discover how the Medici family created the Renaissance in art and music and conquered the world. Starting out as simple citizens of the Florentine Republic, they ended up as Dukes and absolute rulers over the Duchy of Florence and from this their influence spread throughout Europe. By patronizing the cultural developments of the day, the Medici successfully used art and music to glorify their rise and guarantee their historical legacy.

Join us at the Century Room, Tucson’s only dedicated jazz club, and enjoy a special performance for The Learning Curve presented by local jazz musicians. Hosted by Khris Dodge, this afternoon session will be the perfect way to continue your journey into jazz and ring in the New Year in style.