LP2 Special Interest Groups (SIGs) provide a wide range of activities, special interest discussion groups, and supplemental programs that go beyond the classroom. Notices of the programs and activities organized by the SIG’s appear in The Observer and on the Upcoming Events and News page of this website. If you are interested in getting more involved in a SIG’s planning process or have suggestions, contact the group leader. If you are interested in starting a new SIG, contact a member of the LP2 Executive Committee and the CUNY GC Director.
Art SIG
The Art SIG schedules events for those who make art and for those who want to look at art. The committee arranges docent-led tours to galleries, museums, auction houses, and art fairs. The focus is on the lesser-known art institutions. To showcase the work of members who create art, Art Sig arranges a bi-annual art show and features their work every week in the Observer, LP2’s newsletter.
Leaders: Carol Borelli and Nancy Small
Men’s Group
The Men’s Group organizes weekly discussions focused on personal issues that the participants bring for discussion. Many men have trouble expressing intimacy, displaying emotions, and discussing private problems. The Men’s Group meets weekly and helps participants overcome these limitations by sharing personal issues. A member introduces a problem of personal or general interest that becomes the focus of the meeting. Popular topics have included aging and health, end of life concerns, and relationship issues.
Leader: Jay Fleishman
Music SIG
The Music SIG organizes activities for exploring and appreciating music such as presentations, lectures, and group trips for live performances. The interests of its members drive the selection of the Music SIG’s activities which have included presentations on musical subjects such as jazz, Broadway musicals, cabaret, opera, classical music as well as on individual composers such as Stravinsky and Brahms. Through relationships with NYC conservatories and other venues, members have enjoyed live performances of opera and classical music, often preceded by lectures with musicians and, occasionally, group dinners.
Leader: Mark Dichter
Photo SIG
The Photo SIG organizes visits to photography exhibits at galleries, museums, and photographers’ studios all over the city. Photography is a big topic and we explore it all: the work of current and classic photographers; and all styles: documentary, nature, portraiture and more, with the goal of identifying trends in the evolution of photography as an art. We have lunch after our trips in a local restaurant during which we discuss what we saw and plan for future expeditions and other offerings, such as group photo shoots and critique sessions
Leader: Alec Rill
Theatre SIG
The Theater SIG allows our theater buff members to see and then meet to discuss new on and off Broadway productions. The group’s leader selects several new plays and revivals that are scheduled to open during an upcoming semester and schedules discussions well in advance so members can see the show before the discussion. Plays are selected based on the leader’s evaluation of the potential for a positive theatre experience, although past experience suggests that disappointing productions can be as interesting to talk about as those that get rave reviews.
Leader: Steve Kalinsky
Women’s Group
The Women’s Group meets weekly to discuss issues involving women,including personal experiences as well as the way gender informs our lives. The Group grew out of an IRP study group based on a book of essays, Her Own Accord: American Women on Identity, Culture, and Community. When the study group ended it was clear that there was much more to talk about, and the Women’s Group was formed.
Leader: Arlyne LeSchack
Our Stage of Life
After a hiatus during the pandemic, the Our Stage of Life SIG was reconstituted in Fall 2023. Our goal is to sponsor two events each semester on issues related to aging, health and wellbeing. We welcome suggestions for topics and/or speakers.
Leader: Jan Blustein
