CEDAR CITY — Are you ready to learn something new, make new friends or start a new hobby in 2019? More than 200 people have already signed up in this month to do just that through classes offered by Southern Utah University’s Community Education.
The program is offering 45 new, affordably priced classes this spring. Some of the unique course offerings outlined in a press release issued by SUU include “Stage Combat and Improvisation,” “Master’s Astronomer Program,” “Cedar City Community Band” and “Firewise Landscaping.”
Theater lovers
Community Education has partnered with the Utah Shakespeare Festival to offer Beginner Stage Combat and Improvisation classes and a chance to experience the Fred Adams Extended Shakespeare Festival Tour.
“The festival tour will have USF Props Director Ben Hohman leading an excursion exploring the backstages and hidden crevices of the Utah Shakespeare Festival theaters,” Melynda Thorpe, director of SUU Community Education, said in the press release. “In this one-time class, participants will envision the festival through the eyes of founder Fred Adams by visiting the original and current stages while discussing the history of USF and visiting historic props, costumes and scenery.”
Starry nights
Back by popular demand is the Master’s Astronomer Program taught by Cedar Breaks National Monument instructors. This 40-hour hands-on workshop teaches community members about Southern Utah’s amazing dark night skies.
The course is developed by Cedar Breaks staff with hopes that participants gain a greater understanding and appreciation for the night sky and astronomy through hands-on experiences, including learning how to operate a backyard telescope.
Making music
One of the courses will offer participants the opportunity to participate in a community band.
The Cedar City Community Band is a nonauditioned concert band for individuals from Southern Utah and surrounding areas. Its aim is to provide opportunities for those wishing to develop their instrumental performance skills by rehearsing and performing music. All high school-aged and older individuals with prior concert band performance experience are welcome.
Instructor Adam Lambert is the director of bands and brass studies at SUU. Lambert is also the assistant conductor of the Orchestra of Southern Utah.
Wildfire prep
Homeowners who want to ensure their house is as fireproof as possible may want to consider taking the Firewise Landscaping course. Participants in the course will learn about the science of wildfires and how to prepare their home, landscape and community for wildfire season.
SUU professor Jacqualine Grant will discuss how vegetation, construction and having a safety plan can help make a home safer during a wildfire event. The class will be followed with a discussion about what it means to be a fire-adapted community that is prepared to coexist with Utah’s naturally occurring wildland fires.
Plenty of choices
The four aforementioned courses are just a few of the 45 classes available this spring. Other offerings include beginner computer courses, cake-decorating classes and additional courses in art and design, business and finance, career development, culinary and tasting, dog-training, home and garden, pickleball, social dancing and many more.
For more information on these or any of the 45 new classes for spring 2019, visit the Community Education website, call 435-865-8259 or stop by the SUU Office of Community and Academic Enrichment at 136 W. University Boulevard, Suite 003, in Cedar City for help registering.
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