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

At the Theater

Weekend matinee live theater performances, followed by dinner nearby. One or two per month. Leaders: Ron and Marghe Tabar

Exploring Ancient America

Explore the 10,000 years (13,000 BCE to 1400 CE) of human history which unfolded in the centuries before Europeans ever saw the Americas! We will meet monthly, ideally in person, often featuring a presentation by a local scholar on a selected topic. We will explore the possibility of visiting various places. Leader: Rick Menzel (plus other OLLI member leader TBD).

Intermittent Birders

Calling all birders, from beginners on up, for birding walks during the migration season in spring and fall. We meet at a different location each week for Sept./Oct. and April/May, 10 a.m.–noon. The pace is slow and deliberate. No experience necessary: we will learn from each other. Binoculars are highly encouraged! Leaders: Julia Classen, Ruth Hiland, and Lisa Thornquist

Jazz Appreciation: The OLLI Cats

The OLLI Cats enjoy hearing live performances by vocalists and instrumentalists and discussing jazz together. We meet monthly in September–November and February–May at Schmitt Music, 7800 Harmony Dr., Bloomington. Contact the Leader to learn about the plans. Leader: Cecelia Boone

Memoir Writing

Currently meets via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month, 1:30 p.m. Leader: Ken Rich

Movie Appreciation

Do you love to watch and discuss movies? If so, join like-minded film aficionados on two Thursday mornings each month. Location, film selection, and other specifics to be determined by the leaders and participants. NOTE: This SIG does not meet during the OLLI terms and does not meet during the summer. Leaders: Bonnie Nelson, Swami Sundaram, and Tom Rooney

Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra

Members are again going to 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 2025. A complete listing of the scheduled programs can be found at www.thespco.org. We have already purchased tickets for the coming season, but anyone is invited to buy their own and join our group as we have lunch at a local restaurant after each performance. Leader: Dave Bucheck

Scrabble

Play Scrabble with relaxed rules and a pleasant, congenial atmosphere. Pop-ins are welcome! Come give us a try. We meet on Mondays at 1 p.m. at the Lenox Community Center at 6715 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park 55426. Lenox Community Center charges ($1 for their members and $2 for nonmembers) each time we use their facility. Leader: Laurie Lykken

Sports Huddle

Do you love to discuss sports? If so, join like-minded sports aficionados on two Monday mornings each month. Location and other specifics to be determined by the participants. NOTE: This SIG does not meet during the OLLI terms. Leader: Tom Rooney

Wednesday Bikers

The group bikes Wednesday mornings May through September. Members take turns leading bike rides on various Twin Cities and suburban trails. Rides average about 15 miles. Leaders: Susan Verrett and Ginny Mahlum

Wednesday Walkers

Members take turns leading walks each Wednesday morning at various locations around the Metro area. This is a friendly, sociable group that enjoys eating lunch together after the walks. Leader: Judy Remington

Book Club SIGS

American History Books

Meets via Zoom on the first Thursday of each month, 1:30 p.m. Leader: Bill Wittenbreer

Awesome Women’s Book Club

Books by or about women. Meets February through November on second Tuesdays, 1:30–3 p.m. New members are welcome. Leaders: Kathleen Bognanni and Mary Jo Robinson-Jamison

Fiction Books in Spanish

This book club, which meets the third Thursday of every other month, welcomes members fluent in reading in the Spanish language. Leader: Hector Sztainer

Fiction Minneapolis

A small group of dedicated readers meets 10:00–11:30 a.m. every third Friday of the month for lively discussion via Zoom. New members should be able to participate in most of the meetings and love to search for meaning and quality in the books. Currently accepting new members. Leader: Judy Remington

Literary Fiction Uptown

Meets monthly in the Walker Library. Third Tuesday from 1:30–3 p.m. Not accepting new members at this time. Leader: Janet Herbert

Mysteries

Meets via Zoom on the first Tuesday of each month, 2:30–4 p.m. Leader: Karen Koepp

Nonfiction Minneapolis

Meets via Zoom on the second Friday of each month at 1 p.m. Leader: Kate Anderson

Nonfiction Saint Paul

Meets over lunch or via Zoom, on the fourth Thursday of each month at 1 p.m. Leader: Ron Tabar

Saint Paul Contemporary Fiction

This SIG is open for 3–4 new members. Meets via Zoom on the third Friday of each month at 10:30 a.m. Leader: Dan Vogel

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.

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