Film & Music Appreciation   

Take a cinematic journey through the lives and legacies of three unforgettable Hollywood greats: Robert Redford, Diane Keaton, and Gene Hackman. With curated film clips, behind-the-scenes insights, and lively guided discussions, the classes will explore how each of these icons shaped American film and culture through their groundbreaking performances, creative vision, and lasting influence on the industry.

Sign up for the series and receive a 10% discount. To sign up individually, follow links below:

• Legends of the Silver Screen: Robert Redford, Thursday, 1/29
• Legends of the Silver Screen: Diane Keaton, Thursday, 2/12
• Legends of the Silver Screen: Gene Hackman, Thursday, 3/19

This class explores the all-American icon, Robert Redford. From his golden-era stardom in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting to his deeply personal directing work on Ordinary People, to his portrayal of Bob Woodward in All the President’s Men, Redford helped define an entire generation’s idea of authenticity, charisma, and political consciousness. In this two-hour seminar, we’ll trace Redford’s evolution as an actor, director, activist, and founder of the Sundance Institute. Through curated film clips, historical context, and guided class discussion, we’ll explore how Redford’s onscreen image shaped American masculinity and how his behind-the-camera vision reshaped independent filmmaking.

In this class, we will explore and pay homage to one of the pioneering actresses of New Hollywood, Diane Keaton. From her Oscar-winning performance in Annie Hall to her portrayal of Kay Adams in The Godfather, Keaton has spent decades reinventing herself across drama, comedy, and romance. This course celebrates her as an actress, cultural trendsetter (those scarves!), and creative force, examining her collaborations with Woody Allen, Francis Ford Coppola, and Nancy Meyers, as well as her work as a director, author, and photographer. Through curated film clips, historical context, and guided class discussion, we’ll explore how Keaton’s singular blend of vulnerability, eccentricity, and strength made her a legend of the silver screen.

By the end of 1966, the world of music was undergoing a dramatic transformation. What had once been known as "rock and roll" was now simply called "rock," and the genre was branching out in exciting new directions. Bands were experimenting with sound, giving rise to subgenres like folk-rock, psychedelic rock, blues-rock, and hard rock. Supergroups such as Cream, Led Zeppelin, and Crosby, Stills & Nash began to dominate the scene, captivating audiences with their innovative styles. The years that followed, from 1967 to 1971, marked an era of extraordinary creativity. Artists like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, and Bob Dylan pushed the boundaries of what rock music could be, introducing listeners to progressive rock, funk rock, and country rock. Each new sound reflected the spirit of the times—restless, imaginative, and eager to break free from tradition. This class invites you to step into the pivotal year of 1967, a turning point in rock history. Together, we’ll explore how the innovations and experiments of these years set the stage for what many consider to be the greatest moment in rock: the legendary year of 1971.

This class will explore the complexity and genius of Gene Hackman. Whether playing morally gray policemen, quiet outsiders, or explosive villains, he brought an unmatched intensity to every role. This session explores Hackman’s extraordinary body of work, from The French Connection and The Conversation to Hoosiers, Unforgiven, and even his unexpected comedic roles. Through curated film clips, historical context, and guided class discussion, we’ll unpack how Hackman broke leading-man conventions, how his performances reflect the anxieties of 1970s American cinema, and why he remains one of the industry’s most respected actors.