SO CAL EXPLORERS - Field trips for adults

Join us for a free concert (donations appreciated):

Up Close and Classical presents:

• Clarinet Quintet in A major, K. 581, "Stadler" by W.A. Mozart
• Clarinet Quintet in B minor by Johannes Brahms op. 115

Limor Toren, violin; Sakura Tsai, violin; Peter Nevin, clarinet; Nicholaus Yee, viola; Alicja Blanquart, cello

When: Sunday, September 21 at 4:00 PM (meet inside at 3:45)
Where: St. Gregory's Episcopal 6201 E. Willow St. Long Beach, CA
Optional: Post concert dinner TBD

Sponsored by the Port of Long Beach. Please bring a cash donation for the musicians.
https://upcloseandclassical.org

🎬 Double Feature: The Cinema of Kogonada – Columbus and After Yang
This screening invites you into the quiet, poetic world of Kogonada, a filmmaker known for his meditative style, visual precision, and philosophical depth.
Kogonada’s style is marked by minimalist compositions, architectural framing, and a quiet emotional resonance. He often uses space and stillness to reflect inner lives, allowing viewers to contemplate rather than consume. His films feel like visual meditations—each shot carefully considered, each moment allowed to breathe.
🏛️ Columbus (2017) In the architectural gem of Columbus, Indiana, two strangers meet under unusual circumstances. Over the course of the movie, we are treated to beautiful views of the city’s modernist landmarks, along with thoughtful reflections on purpose, place, and human connection. In my opinion almost every frame of this film could stand alone as a work of art.
🌿 After Yang (2021) Set in a near-future world, After Yang explores the subtle unraveling of a family’s routine after their android companion unexpectedly shuts down. What follows is a gentle journey through memory, identity, and the quiet ways we try to understand those we love.

Tickets are available for purchase at: https://thefridacinema.org/purchase/985003/

This is a special event created exclusively for So Cal Explorers. YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS IT.

Join us for an informative and enlightening presentation:

The Power of Protest: An American Birthright
Protest is one of the most powerful tools available in a democracy, and in the United States, it’s protected as a constitutional right. In this interactive talk, Professor Kelly Rivera (Mt. San Antonio College) will explore how protest has shaped American politics and why it remains essential to civic life. Together we’ll examine protest not just as a moment of disruption, but as a deeply rooted expression of democratic participation.

Kelly Rivera is a Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Geography and Political Science Department at Mt. San Antonio College. Her teaching and research focuses on American government, political theory, and civic engagement. She also serves as the Legislative Liaison for the Academic Senate and coordinates statewide curriculum alignment efforts. Kelly has received multiple awards for teaching and leadership, Mt. SAC’s Excellence in Teaching Award and the Outstanding Leadership Award. She is committed to making political ideas accessible, engaging, and relevant to everyday life.

When: Friday, September 26 @ 6 PM

Where: Chapter One, the modern local
227 N. Broadway
Santa Ana, CA - In the private Red Room behind the bar

Cost: $20 per person
Venmo: @yvonnebrizula
Zelle: 5628465222
(Don't fall for any BS from meetup about paying thru their app - just use venmo or zelle outside of the meetup app)

Delicious food and drinks available for purchase from Chapter One.

Paid public parking structure across the street, paid parking behind the restaurant (no validation), and limited street parking - just be sure to read the signs.

I hope to see you there!