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As the story goes: from 1960 to 1963 in a Yale basement, psychology researcher Stanley Milgram conducted an experiment on obedience that gave evidence to the idea of 'The Banality of Evil'. Normal citizens were apparently willing to shock other citizens when asked by authority. However, like many dramatic stories, important details have been left out. Milgram conducted 24 different experiments focused on different levels of obedience. Recent research and investigations by other psychology researchers such as Gina Perry reveal that the famous ‘Milgram’ experiments cited in every General Psychology classroom and documentary on obedience, may not be as Milgram actually reported. Come learn how obedient everyday people apparently were in the 1960s and how new research is challenging our view of these shocking set of experiments.

Bio:
Wesley Tierney, M.S., is currently a PhD candidate in Neuroscience at Arizona State University. He studies the mechanisms of Herpes Simplex Virus infection of neurons. He has worked in various research labs for seven years ranging from social psychology, entomology, regenerative medicine, virology, and neuroscience.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50+ years of age, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses (without the pressure of grades) for the sake of learning and social engagement.

The Ashcan School was an artistic movement known for portraying the grittiness and realism of early twentieth century New York City. In this lecture, we explore the maverick group of artists who worked in this style; including Robert Henri, John Sloan, Everett Shinn, George Bellows. Some used the dirty streets of the city as a backdrop to the portrayal of the working class, while others painted images of working class diversions such as nightclubs, circuses, boxing matches, and trips to the beach. These were not topics considered to be appropriate subjects for high art at the time, and for this reason the historian Holger Cahill coined the term “Ashcan School,” as a tongue-in-cheek reference to other schools of art. Our discussion includes the social-political backdrop in which these artists emerged and their populist views towards the art world.

Bio:
Eleanor Schrader is an award-winning educator, lecturer, and author. She lectures worldwide on art and architectural history, and leads art and architecture tours throughout the world. She has been named a Distinguished Instructor at UCLA Extension, where she teaches history of architecture, interior design, furniture, and decorative arts. She is also Professor Emeritus of Art and Architectural History at Santa Monica College. She has done graduate work in fine and decorative arts at Sotheby's Institute in London and New York. She has served as a Design Review Commissioner for the City of Beverly Hills and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the John Lautner Foundation.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50+ years of age, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses (without the pressure of grades) for the sake of learning and social engagement.

Almost one-third of the world’s population views themselves as Christians. Approximately a quarter identify as Muslims. Fifteen percent practice Hinduism. Six percent practice Buddhism, and approximately a fifth of a percent practice Judaism. Together, these religions account for over three-quarters of the world; a huge majority of the earth’s population see themselves as religious. Nevertheless, all of these religions are incredibly different and produce divergent worldviews. By contrast, 15% of the world identifies as nonreligious.

This two-part lecture will focus on two of the earliest religions: Judaism and Hinduism. It is rare for these two religious to ever be mentioned together. Yet both began prior to the first millennia BCE. How were they similar at that time? How have they changed? In these lectures, we will examine each religion's origin, beliefs, and worldview and discuss how they differ from other religions.

Bio:
Jason Hensley, PhD (Holocaust and Genocide Studies), Dmin (Biblical Studies), teaches religious studies at a private school in Los Angeles. He is a fellow of the Michael LaPrade Holocaust Education Institute of the Anti-Defamation League, a higher-education ambassador for the Council on Foreign Relations, and the award-winning author of 12 books. His work has been featured in The Huffington Post as well as the BBC, and he has served as the historical advisor for a Holocaust documentary.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50+ years of age, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses (without the pressure of grades) for the sake of learning and social engagement.

From vocal groups in the 1940s like The Mills Bros. and The Ink Spots, rhythm & blues, as well as gospel music, developed into a new style of music called doo wop. The use of non-sense syllables sung by background singers (such as shoo bee doo wop bah dah), the use of a falsetto voice above the melody, and a pronounced bass voice became the basis of this genre. This two-part lecture traces the development of doo wop throughout the 1950s and 1960s with The Ravens and The Spaniels, Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers, The Cadillacs, Dion and the Belmonts, The Penguins, and The Skyliners. We will also look at influential disc jockeys and record promoters who made the sounds mainstream - sounds which now bring back memories of a time when life was not so complex and the emphasis was on good times, simplicity and romance.

Bio:
Marv Rosenberg is one of the original members of the group The Safaris and the writer of their million selling top hit record from 1960 called “Image of a Girl." After 50 years of performing doo wop oldies with various doo wop groups all over the country (including locally at the Fred Kavil Theatre in Thousand Oaks, the Greek Theatre, and the Hollywood Bowl), Marv was once on the Board of Directors of Cash Magazine and The California Chairman of the National Music Foundation whose goal was to build a retirement home for hit artists. Dick Clark gave Marv an office in his suite of offices to run the Foundation. Over the last 5 years, Marv has had several online doo wop and oldies shows for “RememberthenRadio.com" called “Goodies About Oldies” and currently, “The Anatomy of a Hit.” Marv has a PhD. In psychology from St. John’s College in London and has worked for Kaiser Permanente Hospitals for 24 years.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50+ years of age, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses (without the pressure of grades) for the sake of learning and social engagement.

A former Beaux-Arts train station, the Musée d'Orsay was opened as a museum in 1986. Featuring mainly French art dating from 1848 to 1914, it holds the largest collection of Impressionist paintings by Monet, Manet, Pissarro, Morisot, and Renoir. In this two-part lecture, we explore the history of the building and the collection, as well as the major highlights of the 3000 art pieces on display.

Bio:
Katherine E. Zoraster is an Art Historian and a Professor of Art History at several local colleges specializing in Western art from the Renaissance to the 20th century. She graduated with a double major in English Literature and Art History from the University of California, Los Angeles. Following her undergraduate degree, she received a Master’s Degree with Distinction in Art History from the California State University at Northridge.
In addition to the courses Katherine teaches for other lifelong learning programs, she also works as an Art History Instructor for the full-time program at the Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Arts. Katherine also serves as a commissioner for the Burbank Cultural Arts Commission and volunteers at the Burbank Animal Shelter. In her free time, Katherine is an avid runner and travels extensively.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50+ years of age, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses (without the pressure of grades) for the sake of learning and social engagement.

Don’t miss Michael Henszey’s special unplugged performance at NAMBA on March 30, 7PM, featuring George Friedenthal on piano and Maitland Ward on guitar. This intimate evening will showcase songs from his EP, "Fly Away," as well as some classic hits. With a successful music career and collaborations with renowned musicians, Michael’s talent shines through! Tickets are $20 and can be bought on www.NambaArts.com.

Michael Henszey forged his music career in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In his early years, a recording studio he co-owned and managed pulled in top-tier clients (e.g. Cheap Trick, Talking Heads - Jerry Harrison). He also produced music for advertising clients such as Lego, Trident, Miller Brewing, and Cartoon Network. As a singer/songwriter, he’s released five albums, performed widely, and collaborated and recorded with many accomplished musicians such as Daxx Nielsen (Cheap Trick), Tim Smith (Sheryl Crow), Willy Porter, Daryl Stuermer (Genesis), Billy 'The Buddha’ Dickens (Aretha Franklin), and Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (Beck). Michael is currently performing in a duo with keyboardist, George Friedenthal, in Ventura and Santa Barbara. He is also the music director for the Ventura Chapter of the national female-led showcase, Chick Singer Night.

Bagpipes with attitude. Drums with a Scottish accent. A blazing rock band and show so hot, it carries its own health warning!

It’s Bagpipes. It’s Rock. It’s Bagrock. AC/DC meets the poet Robert Burns. Where rock anthems sit comfortably alongside the great tunes from the glens and the mountains of Scotland.

It’s The Red Hot Chilli PIPERS – (NOT the Peppers!) -- a 9-piece ensemble consisting of pipers, guitarists, keyboards, and drummers -- who have been rocking the world from New York to Beijing to Melbourne and everywhere in between with musicianship of the highest order and a passion for pipes that will leave you breathless. The band has four music degrees from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and all the pipers and drummers have played at the top level in bagpiping.

Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, or simply The Big Phat Band, is an 18-piece jazz orchestra that combines the big band swing of the 1930s and 1940s with contemporary music such as funk and jazz fusion. The band is led by Gordon Goodwin, who arranges, composes, and plays piano and saxophone with the band.

Award-winning comic Kathleen Madigan brings her uproarious new stand-up show The Potluck Party Tour to the Fred Kavli Theatre, Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 7:00 pm.

Madigan’s 34-year comedy career is showing no signs of slowing down. Madigan has been touring 250 nights a year on the road and has risen from performing in comedy clubs to performing in marquee theaters with sold-out shows. She’s squeezed in over 40 appearances on late-night talk shows and multiple comedy specials airing on Netflix, Comedy Central, and HBO. She also recently joined Jerry Seinfeld on his Netflix show Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee and made the most of the pandemic by launching a podcast, “Madigan’s Pubcast,” on all streaming outlets.

Her most recent special Hunting Bigfoot, an Amazon Original, is her sixth hour long stand-up special released on the heels of her critically acclaimed and third Netflix special, Bothering Jesus. The brand-new special, recorded at The Paramount Theater in Denver, CO explores topics including Madigan’s aging parents, interactions with millennials and hunting bigfoot.

The Brit Pack, formed in 2011 by British session musicians based in New York City, take their audience on a journey through a dynamic blend of British classics known and loved by all, including hits by The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Queen, David Bowie, Elton John, The Who, Oasis, Radiohead, The Police, Amy Winehouse and many more.