The Levy Senior Center Foundation is proud to bring the talents of young, award-winning classical musicians to the Levy Senior Center.
The outstanding lineup continues to honor the memory of Fran Randall who loved classical music and played an important role in opening the current center.
The Levy Senior Center Foundation is proud to bring the talents of young, award-winning classical musicians to the Levy Senior Center.
The outstanding lineup continues to honor the memory of Fran Randall who loved classical music and played an important role in opening the current center.
January 29 at 1:30pm
Prerecorded Concert
CA frequent recipient of the question, "How high was that note!?", Lauren Shafer is a light coloratura soprano. Ms. Shafer received her Bachelor of Music at Illinois Wesleyan University studying under Professor Robert Mangialardi. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with her Masters under the tutelage of Professor James Doing, Ms. Shafer was honored with the opportunity to perform the national anthem at her commencement ceremony. Recent performances include featuring as a guest artist at the Champagne Gala for Prairie Fire Theatre in Bloomington, IL. Ms. Shafer was also a semi-finalist in the Harold Haugh Light Opera Competition in February 2020. Previous roles include Adele in Die Fledermaus and Gretel in Hansel and Gretel.
Sarah Williams holds a Master's in Collaborative Piano from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is particularly passionate about chamber music and accompanies a wide variety of soloists. A graduate of UW-Oshkosh, she received her bachelor's in piano performance, where she was the winner of the UW-Oshkosh Concerto Competition, the UW-Oshkosh Honors Competition, and UW-Oshkosh Celebration of Scholarship.
Besides performing as a soloist and working with duos, Sarah has accompanied a wide range of ensembles. Currently, she continues to work with soloists and ensembles within UW-Madison and throughout the community.
January 29 at 1:30pm
Prerecorded Concert
CA frequent recipient of the question, "How high was that note!?", Lauren Shafer is a light coloratura soprano. Ms. Shafer received her Bachelor of Music at Illinois Wesleyan University studying under Professor Robert Mangialardi. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with her Masters under the tutelage of Professor James Doing, Ms. Shafer was honored with the opportunity to perform the national anthem at her commencement ceremony. Recent performances include featuring as a guest artist at the Champagne Gala for Prairie Fire Theatre in Bloomington, IL. Ms. Shafer was also a semi-finalist in the Harold Haugh Light Opera Competition in February 2020. Previous roles include Adele in Die Fledermaus and Gretel in Hansel and Gretel.
Sarah Williams holds a Master's in Collaborative Piano from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is particularly passionate about chamber music and accompanies a wide variety of soloists. A graduate of UW-Oshkosh, she received her bachelor's in piano performance, where she was the winner of the UW-Oshkosh Concerto Competition, the UW-Oshkosh Honors Competition, and UW-Oshkosh Celebration of Scholarship.
Besides performing as a soloist and working with duos, Sarah has accompanied a wide range of ensembles. Currently, she continues to work with soloists and ensembles within UW-Madison and throughout the community.
The Levy Senior Center Foundation is proud to bring the talents of young, award-winning classical musicians to the Levy Senior Center.
The outstanding lineup continues to honor the memory of Fran Randall who loved classical music and played an important role in opening the current center.
The LSCF is proud to sponsor the Levy Lecture Series, an educational program for residents 55+ years who are passionate about learning. The series is free, but registration is required.
Lectures are presented on Zoom. Register and you will be receive an email with easy-to-follow steps. Need more help? Watch this video. If you are still having trouble accessing the lectures, call the Foundation at (847) 238-2659.
Do you have questions about the Levy Lecture Series? We have answers.
Enjoy virtual lectures twice a month through June.
Tuesday, May 24 at 1pm
A Black American's Experience in Theater
Tim Rhoze: Artistic Director at Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre
Presented via Zoom.
Join us for a candid conversation exploring Tim's personal journey in theatre, from the time he saw his first play, to being challenged and overcoming a learning disability through theatre, to eventually creating and sustaining a career as a theatre and performing arts creative. From game changing defining moments to the influence of mentors that still influence him today, our conversation will explore how all of these things shape and inform his creativity as well as his execution of the business side of theater. Tim's experience as a Black man in America informs his theatrical voice and output, yet today, after decades in the business, he continues to rely on his Black theatre ancestors’ experiences and teachings to guide him.
Tuesday, June 14 at 1pm
A Circumnavigator's View: The Gorillas of Rwanda with Virginia Mullin
Virginia Mullin: Ph.D., at Mullin Vickrey Communications
Presented via Zoom.
Please join Virginia Mullin for a Gorilla Trek in Rwanda, Africa. Feel the excitement of the pre-trek preparations, hear the local drums as you begin, and meet our Rwandan guides. Experience a bit of climbing to get to the desired altitude of the mountain gorillas. Observe them in their everyday life and society and look into the faces of adult gorillas and youngsters from a distance of 10 feet and more. In addition to learning about the gorillas, we will learn some of the history of this interesting country and enjoy meeting the friendly Rwandan people.
Tuesday, June 28 at 1pm
Quilting, Community, and the African American Aesthetic
Tracy Vaughn: Ph.D., Assistant Professor of African American Studies, Charles Deering McCormick Distinguished Professor of Instruction at Northwestern University
Presented via Zoom.
Dr. Vaughn-Manley discusses the distinctive aspects that define the Black aesthetic quilting tradition and how quilting is used by Black women writers: Toni Morrison, Nikki Giovanni, and others to assert individual/collective agency and build community (ies).
Tracy Vaughn-Manley is an assistant professor, Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of African American Studies, and a Charles Deering McCormick Distinguished Professor of Instruction at Northwestern University. Her current research is on 20th-century Black women's literature and the Black aesthetic quilting tradition. Dr. Vaughn-Manley is also a quilt artist/scholar. She was most recently profiled in the quarterly publication Quiltfolk, Issue 18: Illinois, April, 2021.
Recent Lectures
Visit our YouTube channel to watch more recorded Zoom lectures.
Note: Not all lectures are recorded.
Chicago by Gaslight: A History of Chicago's Netherworld
Rich Lindberg | Author, Journalist, Research Historian
Dark Money: The Money Behind Our Politics
Julie Strauss | Lecturer in American Politics
Understanding the Persistence of Unethical Behavior
Maryam Kouchaki | Associate Professor of Management and Organizations at Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
When Women Invented Television
Jennifer Armstrong | Writer
Akbar Imhotep: Frederick Douglass, Orator and Abolitionist
Akbar Imhotep | Storyteller and Puppeteer
The International Space Station
Michelle Nichols | Director of Public Observing, Astro Educator
Megan Wells: Clara Barton, Founder of the American Red Cross
Megan Wells | Professional Storyteller
Andrew Moskos | Co-Founder, Artistic Director, and Partner of Boom Chicago
Remembering Pearl Harbor 80 Years Later
Robert Watson | Professor of American History at Lynn University
Spoon River with Paddy and Jon Lynn
Paddy Lynn | Professional Storyteller, Actress
Jon Leslie Lynn | Actor, Director, Teacher
Changing the Narrative: Evanston African American Heritage Site Program
Morris (Dino) Robinson, Jr | Executive Director and Founder of Shorefront Legacy Center
