Upcoming Events

July 15
Monday, Jul. 15, 9:00 AM – 11:59 PM (PT)
Colorful collage of images representing fall courses

Join us this fall for an exciting new season of learning and discovery in in-person courses in Berkeley and Lafayette, and online. Fall registration opens on Monday, July 15 at 9 AM. View our fall courses now and start making plans. Many classes start the week of Sept. 16 with more launching in mid-Oct. 

September 12
Thursday, Sep. 12, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (PT)
Closeup of Thomas Farber in a grey cap and grey shirt

Author Thomas Farber's two most recent books — Acting My Age and Penultimates: The Now & the Not-Yet — are wry and sometimes mordant nonfiction writings on approaching age eighty. We are delighted to welcome Farber to this month's Vital Aging Forum to discuss what he's learned about the aging self and the world we live in.

[For members only • Registration opens soon • Learn more]

September 16
Monday, Sep. 16, 12:00 AM (PT)
Collage of fall course posters

Join us for deep dives into history, politics, film, music, literature and more in dozens of fall courses taught by Cal faculty and other star scholars. If you're insatiably curious about the world — and, given you're reading this, we suspect that you are — you have come to the right place for acquiring new and deeper knowledge and understanding in a community filled with people who share your passion for learning. New to OLLI @Berkeley? Explore membership, including our Fee Assistance Program, as well as our new Best of OLLI Subscription Series, a curated archive of our most popular pre-recorded courses.

September 27
Friday, Sep. 27, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM (PT)
A closeup of an old microphone with a tattered US flag in the background

Freedom of Speech does not include unlimited reach. Until the Internet, all electronic speech was regulated. Join us for a discussion with Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist and Emmy Award-winning television producer Lowell Bergman for a conversation about today's extremist interpretation of free speech, and what it means for the future of democracy. 

[Free and open to all • Learn more and register]

October 10
Thursday, Oct. 10, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (PT)
Handing holding one another in a circle, like sun rays

The Village Movement is a membership organization that connects older adults to the community, programming, and expertise they need to continue living lives of agency and purpose, and empowers them to remain in charge of their lives as they age. There are hundreds of Villages in the U.S. At this month's OLLI @Berkeley Vital Aging Forum, guest speaker Roberta Pressman will discuss the Movement in general, and Ashby Village specifically, which serves communities throughout the East Bay. Plus answer your questions.

[For members only • Registration opens soon • Learn more]

October 11
Painting in rainbow hues of people hands being held

Join us for a discussion about the rise of the gender affirmative model and the political push against it, with a special focus on the increase among children and young people living in genders beyond two boxes. The presentation will be done jointly by three of the directors at the UCSF Interdisciplinary Child and Adolescent Gender Center: Diane Ehrensaft, Ph.D. (Director of Mental Health); Abby Cobb-Walch, M.D. (Director of Advocacy); and Joel Baum. M.A. (Director of Education).

[Free and open to all • Learn more and register]

October 18
Friday, Oct. 18, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM (PT)
Flying screens in space filled with media images

We live in a moment of extreme contention and discord when it comes to the circulation of information, a problem made potentially far worse with the rapid spread of AI-generated speech. What role should the media play in our lives and in our societies? How can we ensure the responsible production and consumption of information in the media? This Words Over Time intergenerational dialogue between OLLI members and Cal undergraduates is intended to forge a civil discussion of the media that is engaging, innovative, transformative, and empowering. Facilitated by Berkeley's Darren Zook.

[For members only • Registration opens soon • Learn more]

November 07
Thursday, Nov. 7, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (PT)
Illustration of a watering can watering flowers

In this month's OLLI@Berkeley Vital Aging Forum, author Louise Nayer will address some of the major fears that appear before retirement: loss of community, loss of identity, health fears and also talk about the three years after retirement and beyond. She'll provide practical tools for soothing anxiety, give examples through those she's interviewed about the courage to try new adventures, as well as the courage to reach out to friends, old and new. Nourishing social connections and staying engaged and active have been great predictors of good health as we age. Everyone's journey is unique!

[For members only • Registration opens soon • Learn more]

November 08
Friday, Nov. 8, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM (PT)
Stars made out of paper US flag against a blue background

Votes have been cast and winners announced. Let's review what happened in the Nov. 5 election, and what happens now. There is much to discuss. Facilitated by Berkeley's Darren Zook.

[For members only • Registration opens soon • Learn more]