Revolutionary ideas, country & western music, and populist autocrats all in one week

The following courses are offered during the seventh week of the Friends of Snow Library’s 2025 Winter-Spring Lifetime Learning Session. All are available via Zoom while five are also offered in person at the Snow Library.

Monday, April 7, 1:30 to 4 p.m. “Undressing Tyranny: Four Hitchcock Films.” Marc Strauss presents Saboteur, the third film in his course highlighting Hitchcock’s warning about the false and seductive narratives of authoritarianism. The last film of the series, Lifeboat, will be shown on 4/14. Zoom only.

Tuesday, April 8: 10:30 to noon. “American Independence at 250: The Evolution of Revolutionary Thought in Massachusetts.” In this two-class course, Cape historian Ron Peterson explores the people, events, and the reasons why the colonies separated from England, focusing on the part Massachusetts played in this history. The second class meets on 4/15.

Tuesday, April 8: 1:30 to 3:15. “Art Herstory 101: Did Michelangelo Have a Sister?” Arts presenter Lois Karfunkel’s third class continues her look at the part that gender bias has played in art history from early civilizations to modern times. The course concludes on 4/15.

Wednesday. April 9: 10:30 to noon. In the course “F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Gatsby Centennial,” Joe Auciello delves into why this Fitzgerald novel is still thriving 100 years after its publication. Come join the conversation that continues 4 /16 and 23.

Wednesday, April 9: 1:30 to 3 p.m. “Country & Western Music: Late 1940s through the l970s.” John Whelan, Peter Gaines, and Denise Page reunite to tell the stories, show videos, and perform the Country/Western standards of this era. Classes continue on 4/16 and 23.

Thursday, April 10: 10:30 a.m. to noon. “Populist Autocrats and What We Can Learn From Them: Girolamo Savonarola & Huey Long.” In this second class about populist authoritarians, Stew Goodwin takes a look at 1920’s Louisiana politician Huey Long. Zoom only. The Zoom will also be available to watch in the Craine Room at Snow Library.

Thursday, April 10: 1:30 to 3 p.m. “Beethoven, The First Rock Star.” Meet Beethoven as a celebrity rock star of the 1800s with a fan base to rival any 21st century rock star! George Scharr, Arts Dept. Chair and Director of Music at Falmouth Academy, examines Beethoven’s continuing popularity and why music plays such a big role in our lives.

Friday, April 11: “Gallery Hopping: Barnstable Village.” 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Cape Cod Art Center where the main exhibit, “Warming Water,” will be presented by a representative from WHOI speaking about climate change represented in art. 12:00 to 1:30 at Barnstable Pottery where owner Kevin Nolan will demonstrate his unique creations. Offerings continue on 4/17 and 4/25. Registration is closed but there is a waitlist.

Registration for the 2025 Winter/Spring Session of Lifetime Learning is ongoing. Complete course information and registration forms are available online at www.friendsofsnowlibrary.org/lifetime-learning-program as well as at Snow Library, many local libraries, and councils on aging. To receive a Zoom link in time, please register at least 24 hours before the class. If you are coming in person to the Craine Room at the library and have not pre-registered, you may also register at the door. The suggested donation is $10 per course.

All courses are recorded and registered participants will receive a Zoom link to the class recording for future viewing, so even if you register after a course has begun, the entire course can be enjoyed. In addition to hearing loop technology in the Craine Room, all classes on Zoom provide on-screen closed captioning (also included on the recording).