About a Book: In-person Book Club
We meet in person to discuss the latest book we're reading.
When You Join
When: TBD - Organizing in September 2025
Time: TBD
Location: Vanderbilt Bookstore
Group Leader: F Clark Williams
Upcoming Events
Come by our information table at the OLLI Vanderbilt open house from 10am to noon on Thursday, September 11, at the Second Presbyterian Church, 3511 Belmont Boulevard.
Afterthoughts: Online Book Club
We meet over Zoom to discuss the latest book we're reading.
When You Join
When: First Monday of each month
2025 Dates: Jan. 6, Feb. 3, March 3, April 7, June 2, July 7, August 4, September 8, October 6, November 3
Time: 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. CST
Location: Online via Zoom
Group Leader: Anne Brandt
2025 Afterthoughts Book Club Selections
October
My Friends by Fredrik Backman
November
Henry V by Dan Jones
December
The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
January 2026
Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War by Tony Horowitz
February 2026
The Silk Roads: A New History of the World by Peter Frankopan
Past Book Selections
Bollywood & Beyond
Bollywood & Beyond is a gateway not only to movies, but also musicals, dance performances, and multicultural events. This group will meet in person for screenings, performances, and have discussions about the film over a meal or a cup of tea.
Bollywood refers to the film industry based in Mumbai, engaged in the production of motion pictures in Hindi language. The industry is a part of the larger Indian cinema, which also includes South Indian cinema and other smaller film industries.
If You Join
When: Dates vary, typically on weekends
Time: Times vary
Location: Locations vary
Group Leader: Vinny Lalka
Upcoming Bollywood Events
Sunday, September 14, 5:15–9 p.m., The Yard at ONEC1TY, 8 City Blvd., Nashville
Merry Wives of Windsor presented by The Nashville Shakespeare Festival
Shakespeare fans - join Bollywood and Beyond for an evening of musical comedy! Attend the pre-show food trucks, lecture, and/or performance. A variety of ticket options are available. Direct message Vinny at 865-692-4829 or email vinvin1984@aol.com if you are attending the event so we can connect.
September - October
International Lens, a film series with a global perspective, provides a forum to promote conversation among Vanderbilt’s diverse students, faculty, staff, and the greater Nashville community. View the schedule. Screenings are free and open to the public. Direct message Vinny at 865-692-4829 or email vinvin1984@aol.com if you are attending a film so we can connect.
Tuesday, September 16, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Patel Brothers, 420 Harding Place, Nashville
Spice up Your Life! Join your host Vinny Lalka for a one-hour Spices & Shopping at Patel Brothers. We will cover a brief overview of Indian cuisine and the importance of spices in Indian culture, cooking, and health. We will cover tips on shopping for various spices, masalas, snacks, sweets, and frozen foods. Limited to only six enthusiasts. After shopping, we have lunch at Surati - an unpretentious cafe across Patel Brothers that offers delicious vegetarian food. Sign up and direct message Vinny at 865-692-4829 or email vinvin1984@aol.com if you are attending.
OLLI at the Arts
OLLI at the Arts group attends concerts and musical events each month during the academic year, featuring Vanderbilt Blair School of Music, Belmont University School of Performing Arts and other local academic and community cultural organizations. The group gathers pre- or post-concert for socializing over lunch or dinner.
When You Join
When: Dates vary
Time: Times vary
Location: Vanderbilt Blair School of Music and other locations
Event Tickets: Purchase on you own using links below
Group Leader: Jim and Perkie Cannon
Upcoming Events
Blair Yusef Lateef Celebration Concert
September 12, 7:30 p.m., Turner Recital Hall - Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University
Collaborative concert event featuring Blair School of Music faculty, students, and special guest artists, as we celebrate the life, music, and legacy of Yusef Lateef. Performers will include Jeff Coffin and Brian Utley, saxophone; Jared Hauser, oboe; Molly Barth, flute; Blair student jazz combos, the Blair Big Band, and The BlueNote Combo, with program moderation by Doug Shadle. Tickets (free to attend, but tickets required) - Contact Joe Barth jbarth@aol.com. Limited tickets available. Free parking is available in the Vanderbilt West Garage on Children’s Way, directly across from Blair School of Music. Sign up to let us know you are attending. We will meet at Ted's Montana Grill for a pre-concert dinner at 6 p.m.
Blair Masters Series with Molly Barth: "Together We..."
September 14, 2:30 p.m., Turner Recital Hall - Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University
Experience the mesmerizing artistry of Grammy-winning flutist Molly Barth, as she is joined by star Blair faculty colleagues Felix Wang, cello; and Heather Conner, piano, for a special Blair Master Series performance. Tickets are $17.50. Free parking is available in the Vanderbilt West Garage on Children’s Way, directly across from Blair School of Music. Purchase your tickets and sign up to let us know you are attending. We will meet at Jaspers, 1918 West End Ave. for a pre-concert lunch at 12:30 p.m.
On Film
We come together to watch a film, followed by a post-screen discussion.
When You Join
When: Meeting dates vary
Time: Times vary
Location: The Belcourt Theatre
Group Leader: F. Clark Williams
Upcoming Film Events
Next monthly Zoom discussion: August 12
Upcoming Events of interest at The Belcourt:
- Nashville X-Rated (seminar 7 p.m.) followed by screening of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (8 p.m.), Tuesday, August 5.
- Akira Kurosawa retrospective: 14 films screening August 8 through August 26.
- Throne of Blood (Kurosawa’s take on Macbeth), introduced by Bob Roberts, Belcourt staffer and Nashville Shakespeare Festival Grants Manager, Wednesday, August 13, 7 p.m.
- Ran (Kurosawa’s take on King Lear) introduced by Nashville Shakespeare Festival Artistic Director Jason Spelbring, Saturday, August 16, 1:10 p.m.
- Nashville in Hollywood’s Golden Age (seminar, 11 a.m.), followed by screening of The Yearling, Saturday, September 13.
OLLI on the Move
We enjoy a walk outside exploring different locations in and around Nashville. Benefits of a daily walk.
When You Join
When: Weekly
Cancellations: The walk will be canceled if the weather is raining, sleeting, snowing or other extreme conditions.
Group Leader: Jan Goddard
RSVP: Please RSVP via the link below. RSVP is required.
Upcoming Walks (weather permiting)
Suggested to bring personal hydration, sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, and other supplies you may need for the activity.
Please note the move back to 9:30 a.m. start time in September!
September 5, 9:30 a.m.
Stones River National Park, Stones River Battlefield Loop Trail. 3501 Old Nashville Hwy, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Park at the Visitor Center. The Stones River Battlefield Loop Trail (partially paved) is a 3.1-mile, mixed-surface (trail, gravel, pavement) loop that offers an easy hike through the historic battlefield in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Lunch at a nearby restaurant following the activity.
September 12, 9:30 a.m.
Cedars of Lebanon State Park, Cedar Forest Trail Loop. 328 Cedar Forest Rd. Lebanon, TN 37090
Park at the Park Office. This approx. 2 mi trail winds through beautiful cedar glades and forested areas.
Known for its unique limestone rock formations and diverse plant life, including rare wildflowers, the trail offers a moderately easy hike. The mostly flat terrain and shaded paths make it accessible for hikers of all skill levels.
Lunch at a nearby restaurant following the activity.
September 19, 9:30 a.m.
Crockett Park, Crockett Park Loop. 1500 Volunteer Parkway, TN Brentwood, 37027
Park at Crockett Park parking lot. The Crockett Park Loop offers a pleasant, 2 mile, accessible, and easy outdoor experience around the park's ball fields in Brentwood, TN.
Lunch at a nearby restaurant following the activity.
September 26, 9:30 a.m.
Percy Warner Park, Steeplechase Overlook to Warner Woods Trail (white). 61 Vaughn Rd, Nashville, TN 37221
Park at the Steeplechase Overlook (behind the Steeplechase Grandstand). Walk from Steeplechase Overlook to the Warner Woods Trail (blazed white), a total of 3 miles, rated moderately challenging, natural trail with significant elevation variations.
Lunch at a nearby restaurant following the activity.
Vanderbilt Explorers
Explore Vanderbilt University through interactive experiences. Engage in tours and experiences covering anything from architecture history, landscapes, the Wondr'y, food, and more.
When You Join
When: Monthly
Time: Times vary
Location: Vanderbilt University Campus
Group Leader: Tracy Stadnick
Upcoming Explorer Events
September 3, 10–11 a.m.
Vanderbilt Museum of Art, 1220 21st Avenue S., Nashville, TN 37212
Talk and tour about the paperbacks exhibit. Paper Backs highlights physical aspects of works on paper that are often hidden in exhibition settings, including stamped collectors’ marks, offhand doodles, and improvised mounts. Focusing on both the fronts and backs of prints, the exhibition traces their movement between artists and collectors, demonstrating the changing value of paper images over time and introducing visitors to key aspects of art historical detective work. The exhibition is generously supported by a grant from the IFPDA Foundation. Free. Sign Up.
Paid parking in front of the building and on the street.
September 18, 10–11 a.m.
Vanderbilt Special Collections Library, 1101 19th Ave. South, Nashville, across from Scarritt Bennett
Curator talk about the Flannery O'Conner exhibit. Paid street parking is available in the area. Sign Up.
October 24, 9:30–10:30 a.m.
Walking tour of campus with Landscape architect, James Moore. Meet at Kirkland Hall, 2201 West End Avenue, Nashville, 37212.
Dress for the weather, long walk with hills, stars, etc. We will meet at Kirkland Hall at 9:20 a.m. Kirkland Hall is located at the northern edge of Vanderbilt University's campus, near West End Avenue. It's a prominent building, easily recognizable by its clock tower and Italianate architecture. Paid street parking in the area. Paid parking is also available at the 2525 West End garage.
Volunteer with OLLI
Join other OLLI members for a monthly experience of volunteering in the community. The group will visit different nonprofits each month.
When You Join
When: Monthly
Time: Times vary
Location: Locations vary
Registration: Use links listed below to sign up
Group Leader: Jan Hulme Shepard
Upcoming Volunteer Events
September 3, noon–2 p.m.
Nashville Humane Association, 12 people
213 Oceola Ave, Nashville 37209
Volunteer activities will include a tour, working the drive-thru Pet Food Bank program for low-income neighbors by processing request forms, plus packaging & distributing pet food & supplies, etc. Seating is available. Optional team post-event lunch at a nearby restaurant. Volunteers are encouraged to make a monetary or supplies donation (supply list will be provided).
Sign up to volunteer by August 22.
October 1, 9:30–11:30 a.m.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle TN, 20 people
Volunteer activities include a tour, unpacking boxes, sorting donations, filling distribution boxes, breaking down boxes, etc. No seating is available. Optional post-event lunch at a nearby restaurant. Sign up to volunteer
November 4, 1–3 p.m.
Thistle Farms Warehouse, 10 people
Join OLLI Volunteers as we work in Thistle Farm’s active warehouse. Volunteer activities include a tour, unpacking & shelving raw materials, pouring lotions, assembling gift boxes, placing wicks in candle vessels, etc. No seating is available. Optional - OLLI Volunteers are encouraged to meet at the Thistle Farm’s Cafe for a pre-shift team lunch then carpool to the event. Sign up to volunteer
December 2, 10 a.m.–noon
Community Resource Center, 15 people
Join OLLI Volunteers as we unpack, sort & pack boxes of essential hygiene products for children & adults. Wheelchair accessible, plus limited seating is available. Optional - OLLI post-event lunch at a nearby restaurant. Sign up to volunteer
PMB 407760
2301 Vanderbilt Place
Nashville, TN 37240
615-343-0700
Email