Shared Interest Groups

Shared Interest Groups are an opportunity to meet outside of the classroom with those who share a common interest. They are intended to offer a smaller and more hands-on experience than traditional OLLI classes. The size and nature of the groups will vary.

Groups are free and open to all active OLLI members, which is anyone who registers for a class or event during the academic year. They are volunteer-led and maintained by OLLI members.

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About a Book: In-Person Book Club

We meet in person to discuss the latest book we're reading. 

Books in a pile for About a Book Book Club, a Special Interest Group at OLLI.

When You Join

When: Second Thursday of the month

Time: 11 a.m.–noon

Location: Vanderbilt Bookstore

Group Leader: F Clark Williams

Sign up to participate

Upcoming Events

Free parking is available in front of the bookstore. Free parking is available in the 2525 garage, but you must register your car with the Metropolis Parking platform, scan the garage QR code, and then scan in the bookstore to receive 4 hours of free parking.

Thursday, November 13, 11 a.m.–noon, Vanderbilt Bookstore, second floor
How to Read a Book by Monica Wood

Thursday, December 11, 11 a.m.–noon, Vanderbilt Bookstore, second floor
Book selection TBD

Past Book Selections

  • 2025

    September

Afterthoughts: Online Book Club

We meet over Zoom to discuss the latest book we're reading. 

Books in a pile for Afterthoughts: Book Club, a Special Interest Group at OLLI.

When You Join

When: First Monday of each month

2025 Dates: Jan. 6, Feb. 3, March 3, April 7, June 2, July 7, Aug. 4, Sept. 8, Oct. 6, Nov. 3

Time: 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. CST

Location: Online via Zoom

Group Leader: Anne Brandt

Sign up to participate

2025 Afterthoughts Book Club Selections

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

  • 2025

    January
    The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

    February
    A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

    March
    I Am Not Sidney Poitier by Percival Everett

    April

    Amsterdam by Ian McEwan

    June
    Shakespeare - The Man who Pays the Rent by Judy Dench

    July
    The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich

    August
    The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai

    September
    Patriot by Alexei Navalny

  • 2024

    January 
    Open Throat by Henry Hoke

    February 
    The Socrates Express by Eric Weiner

    March 
    The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

    April 
    A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: Anatomy of a Jerusalem Tragedy by Nathan Thrall

    May
    Prophet Song by Paul Lynch

    June 
    The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters

    July 
    The Canceling of the American Mind: How Cancel Culture Undermines Trust, Destroys Institutions, and Threatens Us All by Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott

    August
    The Fraud by Zadie Smith

    September
    Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting: A Novel by Clare Pooley

    October
    An Unfinished Love Story by Doris Kearns Goodwin

    November
    Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon

    December
    Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Bollywood & Beyond

Bollywood & Beyond is a community gateway to joy, culture, and connection. Inspired by the vibrant spirit of Mumbai, we bring people together in Nashville through movies, music, dance, cuisine, outdoor adventures, guest speakers, and cultural experiences. From soulful concerts to flavorful food, poetry to travel, we celebrate the magic and masala of life—building friendship, fellowship, and fun along the way.

colorful theater seats

If You Join

When: Dates vary, typically on weekends

Time: Times vary

Location: Locations vary

Group Leader: Vinny Lalka

Sign up to participate

Upcoming Bollywood & Beyond Events

BOLLYWOOD & BEYOND INFO

Looking forward to fun and exciting activities in 2026!

 

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. 

Blair Community Chorus

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

Sign up to let us know you are attending

Upcoming Events

November 16, 7:30 p.m., OLLI Steel Drumming Concert at Blair School
Blair School of Music presents the Steel ‘Dores Steel Drum Band featuring the OLLI Steel Drum students. Directed by Mat Britain, who also directs the VU Steel Drum Band program.
• Dinner at 5:30 pm, Jaspers, West End Ave
• Concert at 7:30 pm, Ingram Hall, Blair School of Music
• Free concert but tickets required. Reserve your ticket.
• Free parking is available in the Vanderbilt West Garage on Children’s Way, directly across from Blair School of Music.

 November 21, 7:30 p.m., Christmas at Belmont
Celebrate the holiday season with an annual Belmont University tradition, Christmas at Belmont. Hear the musical talent and rich diversity of the School of Music. The concert features familiar carols, classical masterworks, world music and season favorites. More than 600 student musicians will join the School of Music faculty to present this Nashville tradition. 
• Dinner at 6 pm, TBD
• Concert at 7:30 pm, Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, Belmont University
• Tickets $45 - $80 – Purchase Tickets Office Hours:•  Mon - Fri, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 615.460.2255. NOTE: tickets are available for two performances on Sat. 11/22 (not Arts SIG events)
• Free parking is available in the South Garage, located at 1521 Compton Avenue or the Curb Garage located at 1520 Bernard Avenue.

Dec. 7 Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Christmas
You know “Christmas Time’s A Coming” when 15-time GRAMMY winner and Country Music Hall
of Fame member Ricky Skaggs and his ace backing band Kentucky Thunder play all your favorite
Christmas songs in their refreshing acoustic style.
• Dinner @ 5pm TBD
• Concert @ 7pm Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, Belmont University
• Tickets $59 - $95 Reserve Tickets
• Free parking is available in the South Garage located at 1521 Compton Avenue or the Curb Garage
located at 1520 Bernard Avenue.

On Film

We come together to watch a film, followed by a post-screen discussion. 

Empty movie theater with red seats facing a large, blank white screen, dim lighting

When You Join

When: Meeting dates vary

Time: Times vary

Location: The Belcourt Theatre

Group Leader: F. Clark Williams

Sign up to participate

Upcoming Film Events

Sunday, November 16, in-person discussion of Jafar Panahi's It Was Just an Accident (winner of the Palme d'Or  at the Cannes) following the 2:20pm screening. The discussion will be upstairs in the Jackson Education & Engagement Space (aka, "the classroom").

  • Past Films
    • Nights of Cabiria
    • Zola
    • Shadow of a Doubt
    • What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael
      Rebecca
    • Portrait of a Lady on Fire
    • Redoubt
    • Picnic at Hanging Rock
    • Key Largo
    • The Asphalt Jungle
    • Leave Her to Heaven
    • The Postman Always Rings Twice
    • Invisible Life
    • A Hidden Life
    • Satantango
    • Pain and Glory
    • Volver
    • The Wind Will Carry Us
    • A Taste of Cherry
    • First Love
    • Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice
    • Anthropocene
    • Official Secrets
    • Broadcast News
    • Raise Hell
    • Ace in the Hole
    • The Nightingale
    • Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy Blache'
    • Biggest Little Farm
    • Wild Nights with Emily
    • Hail Satan
    • Faces
    • High Life
    • Charade
    • Ash Is The Purest White
    • Amazing Grace
    • The Mustang
    • The Juniper Tree
    • Transit
    • Never Look Away
    • Everybody Knows
    • All that Jazz
    • Roma
    • Capernaum
    • Cold War
    • Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
    • Monrovia, Indiana
    • Walkabout
    • Shoplifters

OLLI on the Move

We enjoy a walk outside exploring different locations in and around Nashville. Benefits of a daily walk. 

Group of hikers in colorful jackets walking on a leafy trail under a canopy of green trees.

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.

Sign up to participate

Upcoming Walks (weather permiting)

Suggested to bring personal hydration, sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, and other supplies you may need for the activity. 

Friday, November 7, 9:30 a.m.
Percy Warner Park, 6921 Highway 100, Nashville, TN 3720
Trail: White Trail / Warner Woods Trail. 2.5 mile plus .5 mi to access trail. Moderately challenging due to a natural trail with exposed roots and rocks plus significant elevation variation. Meet at 9:30 at Trail Map Kiosk, Deep Well Entrance. Brunch afterwards at a nearby restaurant.

Friday, November 14, 9:30 a.m.
Richland Creek Greenway, 4601 Murphy Rd, Nashville, TN 37209.
Trail: Golf Course Loop. 2.8 mi. Paved and easy trail, some elevation variation. Meet at 9:30 beside the McCabe Golf Course Clubhouse. Brunch afterwards at a nearby restaurant.

Friday, November 21, 9:30 a.m.
Narrated Walk to Shy’s Hill, 4800 Belmont Park Terrace, Nashville, TN 37220
Trail: We will walk through safe neighborhoods to the destination. 2 mi. Moderately challenging with a significantly steep hill to climb at the end
Meet at 9:30 am at Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church. Brunch afterwards at a nearby restaurant.

Friday, November 28, 9:30 a.m.
No scheduled activity due to Thanksgiving.

  • Past Walks
    • Percy Warner Park
    • Nashville City Cemetary
    • Ransom Mills Dam, Murfreesboro Greenway System
    • Peeler Park and Greenway
    • Gaucho Road Trailhead, Percy Warner Park
    • Mound Bottom Archaeological Area in Cheatham County
    • Long Hunter State Park
    • Centennial Park
    • Marcella Vivrette Smith Park
    • Cumberland River Greenway
    • Ellington Agricultural Center (Rogers Walk Trail)
    • Taylor Hollow State Natural Area
    • Larkspur Conservation
    • Granny White Park
    • Bowie Nature Park
    • Beaman Park, Henry Hollow Trail
    • Edwin Warner Park, Burch Reserve Trail
    • Deep Wells Entrance, Percy Warner
    • Park, Mossy Ridge (Red Trail)
    • Richland Creek Greenway, McCabe Trailhead
    • Montgomery Bell State Park
    • Shelby Bottoms Greenway and Nature Area
    • Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary
    • Aspen Grove Park Trails
    • Deerwood Arboretum
    • Harpeth Woods Trail (Blue Trail) at Edwin Warner Park
    • Radnor Lake State Park Aviary Education Center
    • Crockett Park
    • Hidden Lake Trail at the Harpeth River State Park
    • Belmont University Campus
    • Vanderbilt University Campus
    • Ganier Ridge at Radnor Lake
    • White Trail at Percy Warner Park
    • Moss Ridge Trail
    • Burch Reserve Trail
    • Parmer Park
    • Richland Creek Greenway
    • Harpeth River Greenway
    • Percy Warner Park
    • Sevier Park
    • Green Hills Park
    • Radnor Lake State Park
    • Edwin Warner Park Blue Trail

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.

Vanderbilt University

When You Join

When: Monthly

Time: Times vary

Location: Vanderbilt University Campus

Group Leader: Tracy Stadnick

Sign up to participate

Upcoming Explorer Events

November 16, 7:30 p.m., OLLI Steel Drumming Concert at Blair School
Blair School of Music presents the Steel ‘Dores Steel Drum Band featuring the OLLI Steel Drum students. Directed by Mat Britain, who also directs the VU Steel Drum Band program.
• Concert at 7:30 pm, Ingram Hall, Blair School of Music
• Free concert but tickets required. Reserve your ticket.
• Free parking is available in the Vanderbilt West Garage on Children’s Way, directly across from Blair School of Music.

Volunteer with OLLI

Join other OLLI members for a monthly experience of volunteering in the community. The group will visit different nonprofits each month.

group volunteering

When You Join

When: Monthly

Time: Times vary

Location: Locations vary

Registration: Use links listed below to sign up

Group Leader: Jan Hulme Shepard

Sign up to let us know you are attending

Upcoming Volunteer Events

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


Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Vanderbilt logo

PMB 407760
2301 Vanderbilt Place
Nashville, TN 37240
615-343-0700
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