Join us for deep dives into the long, fraught history of military interventions in Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan, LGBTQ+ placemaking in the Bay Area, the aging brain, the cinema of Paul Thomas Anderson, California foodways, sleep and more. Plus sign up for a trio of Summer Shorts — one-time special events open to OLLI @Berkeley members and the public. Classes and Summer Shorts take place in June — online and in person.
Our spring term is off and running! Let's raise a glass in celebration at a Happy Hour mixer organized by OLLI's Member Engagement Committee on Wed., April 15, 3:30–5:30 PM, at Zino (2086 Allston Way, Berkeley) in the Hotel Shattuck. Come solo or bring a friend. New members and longtime members who've never attended a Happy Hour are encouraged to attend. The welcome will be warm! This is a no-host (but yes-fun) gathering. No need to RSVP. Hope to see you there.
Join the OLLI community and beloved faculty favorite Mick Chantler for an afternoon of baseball and camaraderie as the Giants take on the Marlins — Sunday, April 26, 1:05 PM at Oracle Park in San Francisco. This event has been organized by OLLI's Member Engagement Committee.
[For members only • Learn more]
Join us for a private tour of the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond led by longtime Rosie docent and OLLI member Simone Adair. Discover the fascinating stories of the American WWII Home Front, where ordinary people did extraordinary things to support the war effort. From workers in the defense industry to those on the home front, learn about the daily lives, social changes, and cultural shifts that shaped this pivotal period in American history.
[For members only • Learn more and register]
Join us as we explore the rich, enduring spirit of Oakland’s Chinatown on a guided 2.5-hour walking tour. For 175 years, Chinatown has been a hub for immigrants and communities across the Asian diaspora, shaped by stories of perseverance and the search for belonging that began during California’s Gold Rush. We’ll visit sites central to the neighborhood’s often untold history, meet local leaders, and savor the flavors that make Chinatown so beloved.
[Members only • Learn more and register]
In the Civil Rights Movement, music was vital to fueling the activism and lifting the spirits of African-Americans fighting for racial justice and social change. In this class, rock and soul music author and historian Richie Unterberger highlights the role music played in reflecting and inspiring the movement. Filmed and recorded performances by the likes of Curtis Mayfield, Nina Simone, Abbey Lincoln, and Marvin Gaye will be featured in this journey through Civil Rights soul (and some jazz and gospel) of the 1960s and 1970s.
[Open to all • Learn more and register]
Award-winning reporter and author John Markoff explores how libertarianism took root in Silicon Valley — despite deep ties to U.S. government funding. In conversation with Peter Richardson, he traces key moments from Apple’s 1984 ad to today’s Big Tech battles over regulation, alongside shifting public perceptions of the industry.
[Open to all • Learn more and register]