The Music and Memories of Our Past

Featured Speaker: Guri Stark, M.B.A.

Guri Stark, M.B.A.

Music has always been a significant factor in bringing back memories. In these three lectures, Guri Stark will take us back to musical and political memories from the 1920s to the 1970s as only Guri Stark can do. Come ready to sing along with some icons of our musical history!

July 31: Elvis and the Music of the 50s and 60s

Elvis Presley was, for most of us, our first vivid musical superstar: brash, daring, out-of-the-mold, challenging the “peaceful” music of the early 50s. He transformed the prevailing music convention by introducing popular rock. He opened the door for the Beatles, the Who and so many great groups that followed. He was affectionately known as “The King” and earned the title through his songs and lifestyle.

August 14: Yesterday: The Beatles and the 60s

Walk with us down memory lane and remember the 60s. We will discuss the Beatles — their lives and their cultural influences — and sing their songs. We will consider major historical events of the 60s, including JFK’s election and assassination, the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the invention of the Pill, landing on the moon, the hippie counter-culture, Woodstock, Israel in the 60s (including the Six-Day War), Che Guevara, the first heart transplant and much more. Bring the spirit of the 60s and come ready to sing the Beatles.
 

August 21: American Folk Music from the 1920s to the 1970s

Come learn, discuss, listen and sing along to some of the greatest American folk singers — from Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger through Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell and all the way to John Denver and The Mamas & the Papas. This program will cover 50 years of American Folk Music from the late 1920s to the late 1970s. We will discuss protest songs and their impact on key political and social events, such as the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights movement and the Beatnik culture. We will discover the power of the lyrics and their relevance even to today’s world.

Presenter Biography

Presenter: Guri Stark was born in Israel and moved to the United States 35 years ago. He earned a degree in engineering from the Israel Institute of Technology (Technion) in Haifa and had a career as an executive in the high-tech industry. A frequent and popular Osher lecturer in both art history and music, Stark describes himself as anartist and musician (jazz harmonica) trapped in an engineer’s body.

Coordinator: Steve Clarey