You’ve attended (or taught) your courses and participated in the latest event… now what? If you have a particular interest or hobby, why not join or start a Special Interest Group?
Spanning diverse interests like games, jazz, birding, sports, mysteries, and more, these groups (or SIGs) are created and managed by members and provide social, cultural, and educational opportunities beyond the OLLI classroom. Groups are listed in two categories: Kitchen Sink (as in “everything but the…”) and Book Club SIGs.
Is there a SIG you'd like to join but don't see here? Consider starting your own SIG!
Kitchen Sink (Variety) SIGs
Scrabble
Play Scrabble with relaxed rules in a pleasant, congenial atmosphere. We meet on Mondays at 1 p.m. at the Lenox Community Center in Saint Louis Park from May through November, and via Zoom the rest of the year. Lenox Community Center charges ($2, nonmembers; $1, members) each time we use the facility.
Intermittent Birders
Calling all birders, from beginners on up, for birding walks during the migration seasons in spring and fall. We meet at a different location each week in September to October and April to May, 10 a.m.–noon. The pace is slow and deliberate. No experience necessary. We will learn from each other. Binoculars are highly encouraged!
Jazz Appreciation: The OLLI Cats
The OLLI Cats enjoy listening to and discussing live jazz together. We meet monthly September through November and February through May at Schmitt Music in Bloomington.
Memoir Writing
Meets via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month, 1:30 p.m.
Movie Appreciation
Do you love to watch and discuss movies? Join like-minded film buffs on two Thursday mornings each month. Location, film selection, and other specifics to be determined by the leaders and participants. This SIG does not meet during OLLI course terms.
Poetry Appreciation
The group meets via Zoom two Wednesdays each month starting at 10:30 a.m. Group members take turns choosing a topic for a future session and leading the discussion on that topic. All members contribute to the discussion and the reading of related poems. Occasionally, though not required, participants may share their own poems with the group.
Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
Members attend four concerts (Series 4A on Friday mornings at 11 a.m.) at Ordway’s new Concert Hall in Saint Paul, starting in September and running through May 2024. A complete listing of the scheduled programs may be found at www.thespco.org. We purchase tickets for the coming season early in the summer, but members are welcome to buy their own tickets and join the group. We have lunch at a local restaurant after each performance.
Sports Huddle
Do you love to discuss sports? If so, huddle with like-minded sports fans on two Monday mornings each month. Location and other specifics to be determined by the participants. This SIG does not meet during OLLI course terms.
Wednesday Bikers
The group bikes Wednesday mornings, May through September. Members take turns leading bike rides on various Twin Cities and suburban trails.
Wednesday Walkers
Group members take turns leading walks each Wednesday morning at various locations around the Metro. Lunch follows the walk for those who wish to stay.
Book Club SIGS
American History Books
Meets via Zoom on the first Thursday of each month, 1:30 p.m.
Awesome Women’s Book Club
Books by or about women. Currently meets via Zoom February through November on second Tuesdays, 1:30–3 p.m.
Fiction Books in Spanish
This book club, which meets the third Thursday of every other month, welcomes members fluent in reading the Spanish language.
Fiction Minneapolis
Meets via Zoom on the third Friday of each month, 10–11:30 a.m.
Literary Fiction Uptown
Meets monthly, in person, every third Tuesday from 1:30–3 p.m. at the Walker Library in Uptown Minneapolis.
Mysteries
Meets via Zoom on the first Tuesday of each month, 2:30–4 p.m.
Nonfiction Minneapolis
Meets via Zoom on the second Friday of each month, 1 p.m.
Nonfiction Saint Paul
Meets via Zoom on the fourth Thursday of each month, 1 p.m.
Saint Paul Contemporary Fiction
Meets via Zoom on the third Friday of each month, 10:30 a.m.
Join or Start a SIG
Are you an OLLI member who is interested in joining or starting a SIG?
To join a current group: Connect with the group’s leader by logging onto the OLLI Member site where you will find a list of SIG leader names and contact information.
To start a new group: All it takes is a member (or two) willing to organize and manage the group and its activities. All set? Contact the OLLI office and we’ll connect you with the SIG Coordinator. Once your group is established, OLLI will help you find members who share your interests.