Join us to explore new ideas, revisit familiar topics, and connect with others who love to learn. You’ll enjoy presentations by some of Tucson’s premier scholars in convenient locations and come away with a greater understanding of history, literature, music, writing, art, archaeology, and more. Nourish your appetite for learning and your love of fine dining with our Food for Thought series, enjoy presentations on the big screen at the newly expanded Loft Cinema, and expand your world when you take your seat in the classroom. Make your plans today.

We can’t wait to welcome you.
Susan Dick
And The Learning Curve Team
Look Ma, I’m Dancin’! The Art of the Broadway Choreographer
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.
Tuesdays, Oct 6 – Nov 10
10:00 am – noon
Instructor: Richard T. Hanson
Making New Boxes: A Multigenre Workshop for Writers
Think outside the box, we’re told, but too many choices may paralyze rather than liberate. In his new book, Inside the Box, David Epstein argues that boundaries can create breakthroughs and the right constraints can help us be more creative. In this multigenre writing workshop, we’ll examine the contents of our old boxes— the conventional, the personal —and make new ones with challenges that will lead to fresh, original writing.
Fridays, Oct 9 – Nov 13
1:30 – 4:30 pm
Instructor: Meg Files
The Monsters Among Us: A History of Fear, Myths and the Creatures We Created
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.
Thursdays, Oct 15 – Nov 5
1:30m - 3:30 pm
Instructor: Kassi Sue Bailey
Portrait of Emily: Examining the Evidence
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.
Tuesdays, Oct 20 – Nov 17
1:30 - 3:30 pm
Instructor: Charles Alexander
The Age of Reagan: Man, Myth and Reality, 1970s-1990s
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.
Wednesdays Oct 21 – Nov 11
10:00 am - noon
Instructor: Michael Schaller
Unlocking the Keys: The Great Jazz Pianists
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.
Thursdays, Oct 29 – Nov 19
2:00 – 4:00 pm
Instructor: Khris Dodge
Western Paleoindian Archaeology- Early North Americans west of the Great Plains
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.
Thursdays, Dec 3 - Jan 21
10:00 am - noon
Instructor: Matthew J Rowe
The Gifts of the Medici
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.
Tuesdays, Dec 8 – Jan 12
10:00 am – noon
Instructor: Kevin Justus
Afternoon Delight: Jazz at the Century Room
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.
Sunday, Jan 3
4:30 – 5:45 pm
Instructor: Khris Dodge

Food For Thought: a lunch lecture series
Nourish your intellect while you savor the delicious northern Italian dishes offered by Vivace Restaurant, 6440 N Campbell Ave.
The Quake that Drained the Desert – Oct 12
On May 3, 1887, an earthquake struck near the U.S.-Mexico border, changing two rivers and draining the aquifer. Hear the story of an American doctor and a Mexican engineer who went in search of the epicenter.
Monday, Oct 12
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Instructor: Mary Reynolds
The Quake that Drained the Desert – Oct 19
On May 3, 1887, an earthquake struck near the U.S.-Mexico border, changing two rivers and draining the aquifer. Hear the story of an American doctor and a Mexican engineer who went in search of the epicenter.
Monday, Oct 19
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Instructor: Mary Reynolds
Frida Kahlo’s Wardrobe – Nov 9
Explore the cultural roots of one of the world’s most iconic artists as you trace Frida Kahlo’s life from Mexico City to the isthmus of Tehuantepec, uncovering the places, people, textiles and traditions that shaped her unmistakable style.
Monday, Nov 9
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Instructor: Robyn Waters
Frida Kahlo’s Wardrobe – Nov 16
Explore the cultural roots of one of the world’s most iconic artists as you trace Frida Kahlo’s life from Mexico City to the isthmus of Tehuantepec, uncovering the places, people, textiles and traditions that shaped her unmistakable style.
Monday, Nov 16
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Instructor: Robyn Waters
The Long Christmas Dinner – Dec 7
Playwright Thornton Wilder breaks the boundaries of time as we measure it, and invites us to partake of “one long, happy Christmas dinner”-past, present and future. Enjoy selected readings of this iconic work by two of Tucson’s favorite theatre professionals.
Monday, Dec 7
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Instructor: Cynthia Meier and Joseph McGrath
The Long Christmas Dinner – Dec 14
Playwright Thornton Wilder breaks the boundaries of time as we measure it, and invites us to partake of “one long, happy Christmas dinner”-past, present and future. Enjoy selected readings of this iconic work by two of Tucson’s favorite theatre professionals.
Monday, Dec 14
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Instructor: Cynthia Meier and Joseph McGrath