Arlington Community Education

Dante Alighieri, the father of the Italian language, wrote The Divine Comedy, a magnificent poem consisting of 14,233 hendecasyllabic verses in a form of his own invention, terza rima (aba, bcb, cdc…). La Divina Commedia profoundly influenced not only the Italian language and literature, but the entire Western culture, from Botticelli, Blake, and Dalí, to Milton, T. S. Eliot, and Beckett, among others. The last grand work of the Middle Ages, it was also a harbinger of the Renaissance and Humanism. We will examine Dante’s “Inferno,” the first canticle of The Divine Comedy, through the historical and literary point of view and enjoy reading select passages in Italian and English. Recommended for purchase and used in class is Robert M. Torrance’s Dante’s Inferno, A New Translation in Terza Rima, Xlibris, 2011. Photo: Dante shown holding a copy of the Divine Comedy, next to the entrance to Hell, the seven terraces of Mount Purgatory and the city of Florence, with the spheres of Heaven above, in Domenico di Michelino’s 1465 fresco. Source: Wikipedia

Music is a human universal. From vocal songs or simple clapping to string orchestras playing Beethoven, from all-night drumming to quiet lullabies, every culture has some form of musical expression—and usually more than one. But what is music? Why do we do it? And why don’t our closest animal relatives, chimpanzees or other apes, seem to do it, too? This survey of the comparative study of music within an evolutionary and cultural framework will draw on recent research in cognitive motor science, behavioral biology, anthropology, and even philosophy. We will discuss the surprising similarities between the rhythmic abilities of humans and birds; the possible relationship between music and language; and the role of music in social life.

The southern region of India is known for its coastal beauty, IT industries, and classical Indian music and dance. The food of South India, however, remains a secret to much of the world. Unlike the cuisine of the north, it is distinguished by a greater emphasis on rice as the staple grain, liberal use of coconut and curry leaves, and particularly, coconut oil. More vegetarian-friendly, it incorporates fewer spices and simpler ingredients. Explore this cuisine and learn to make a popular dish called uttapam (rice and lentil crepes made with cream of wheat, cumin, and yogurt), accompanied by a filling of onion and potato bhaji (stew). We will also make semiya pulao,where rice is substituted with vermicelli noodles and cooked with vegetables and spices.

Spend a weekend afternoon focused on the art of putting together an Indian lunch or dinner with step-by-step guidance, from sourcing the ingredients to cooking the meal together. We will make chicken curry with coconut milk, delicately spiced vegetable pulao with basmati rice, and minty cucumber raita to complement the meal. We will round out the meal with store bought papadum and naan breads. This menu is easy to make for friends and family and also elegant for a party. Please note: A list of ingredients and substitutions will be emailed once the class has reached minimum enrollment.

This intensive three-hour course covers adult/child CPR and AED, adult/child/infant choking, and infant CPR. Following the course, you will be comfortable assessing a victim, checking for breathing, performing rescue breaths and chest compressions, and activating the emergency response system. You will also learn how to help someone who is choking, respond in other emergency situations, and use an AED. A course completion card good for two years will be emailed to participants following the course. Ages 16+ Educators and students can register at a reduced rate. Please register first and then email us within 24 hours and we will refund you for the amount.

For players who have taken Learn American Mah Jongg or who know the basics of how to play and want to develop skills and confidence, as well as players who need a refresher. We will focus on choosing a hand, keeping your options open, finding backups, and refining aspects of the rules. Gain speed and mastery as you improve your knowledge of the game. Please note: Students need a 2022 National Mah Jongg League official card, if you don’t have one, please select the $10 option online during registration.

Air source heat pumps are widely recommended as a good way to stop heating our homes with fossil fuels—and they are also very good air conditioners. Before picking an installer, there’s plenty to learn including the difference between ducted and ductless (aka mini-split) systems, when you might want to combine the two, how to size a system correctly, and how to operate them for maximum comfort and efficiency. Get all of your questions answered from Arlington homeowners who have switched to air source heat pumps and experienced them through cold winters and hot summers. All proceeds from these events go toward the ACE Scholarship fund to help make our classes accessible to all Arlington youth.

Note: Students will be required to purchase a book for the class: Barron's American Sign Language: A Comprehensive Guide to ASL 1 and 2 with Online Video Practice illustrated edition Signing is a useful skill that can open up a new world of relationships and understanding. Level 1: This course is for those who have no experience with ASL or who need a refresher on the basics. Learn the ASL manual alphabet, numbers, greetings, feelings, expressions, family, time, clothes, body parts, and other basic conversational tools. Level 2: Further explore the beauty of this visual language and learn about Deaf culture. For those who have completed Level 1, or who have comparable experience, learn signs relating to verbs and basic conversational style. We will also focus on the basic formation of grammatically correct sentence structure.

Originating in the 6th century, the Arabic language has become one of the most widely spoken and recognizable languages in the world today. This version of Arabic is the formal language of news, media, and books. These classes are taught by a native speaker. Level 1: This beginning level class introduces the 28 Arabic letters and focuses on basic reading and writing skills through an interactive and practical instructional method. Some basic everyday vocabulary and conversations such as greetings and courtesy expressions are also part of the course. Level 2: For those who are able to read and write simple words. Use your Arabic skills to learn basic conversations that include nationalities, family members, describing neighborhoods and residences, food and drink, clothing and colors, weather, and more. Level 3: Expand your Arabic proficiency. This course will put your conjugation and other grammar skills to use as you learn to write more elaborate paragraphs.

Make Armenian cookies and coffee while learning about the vibrant, creative culture in Armenia. We’ll knead the dough and learn the technique to sculpt perfectly symmetrical khurebehs, which are traditional Armenian sugar cookies, and mahmours, which are artisan cookies filled with a buttery date and walnut mixture that’s infused with a touch of brown sugar and Madagascar bourbon vanilla. We’ll also make a homemade rosewater infused marshmallow dip and Armenian coffee to pair with our delicious cookies.

Enjoy some of ballroom’s most popular social dances. Whether you want to float like Fred and Ginger or put a little sexy hip action into those Latin dances, come join in the dancing fun. Couples and singles welcome. Beginning: We will break down the basics of footwork, musicality, and partnering in swing, salsa, rumba, and more. Two left feet? No rhythm? No problem! Once you learn the basic steps, you’ll be able to spice up any dance floor you step on. Continuing: Ready to move past the basics? We will cover a variety of moves like crossovers, turns, and combinations to up your dance game. We will also dive into more styling and technique, to give you a more polished look. Please note: If attending as a couple, both dancers must register individually.

Learn to play the banjo in the old time clawhammer style. Beginning: For beginners and those with a bit of experience. We’ll start with right hand technique and chords. The goal will be to learn a handful of melodies that people actually play in open G and, hopefully, in double C and G modal tuning. Learning by ear will be stressed but handouts of banjo tab will also be available. Continuing: For clawhammer banjo players who can already play at least a handful of tunes and who are looking to learn more in G, G modal, and in double C tuning. We will focus on the right hand technique as well so that you can get the best sound that you can. Note: Students must bring their own banjo.

Make gorgeous beaded jewelry, including multi-strand necklaces, earrings, or eyeglass/mask chains, using a simple crochet stitch. Customize your creation by selecting the type of cords, beads, color combinations, sizes, patterns, and the number of strands you’d like to include. There will be a wide variety of stringing materials and loads of colorful beads to choose from. No experience required. Tuition includes some materials.

Learn how to upcycle ordinary guitar strings into colorful bangle bracelets by combining them with wire and beads in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. Leave with your finished bracelet and the skills to complete future projects, such as a necklace and earrings to go with your bangle. Tuition includes some materials.

Welcome to the fascinating hobby of beekeeping. This class will cover the benefits and how-tos of keeping bees. Get started or get a refresher on everything from honey bee biology and behavior to how to acquire your first bees and where to place your hive. We’ll discuss equipment, how to conduct inspections, seasonal management of your colonies, and being a good neighbor.

Willkommen! While German has the reputation of being a difficult language this course is meant to show you otherwise. From simple greetings to real life situations like shopping or eating out you will learn useful phrases to get around and express yourself. Expect to listen to recordings, watch video clips, and engage in dialogues with your fellow students. Basic grammar will be introduced through reading and writing exercises. For new and continuing students.

If you thought you knew everything about your mobile devices, you’ll be amazed to learn about loads of new features. We’ll explore fun and helpful text messaging tricks, a new keyboard, document scanner, new Do Not Disturb functions, password sharing, many new features in Photos and Siri, a more useful Reminders app, and much more. For those with a basic working knowledge of their iPhone or iPad.

BollyX is a Bollywood-inspired dance-fitness program that combines dynamic choreography with the hottest music from around the world. It’s a cardio workout that cycles between higher and lower-intensity dance sequences to get you moving, sweating, and smiling. At the very core of a BollyX workout is the inspiration it draws from the music and dance of Bollywood, the film industry of India. BollyX embodies the infectious energy, expression, and movement of Bollywood. This class is the low impact version of the fantastic BollyX choreographies. Moves can be modified for any fitness level. No experience necessary.