Killer Dance Moves

Have you noticed the new dance craze that is taking over the land? It involves erratic but purposeful stomping, smooshing, swatting, and smacking. I first noticed this strange dance a couple of weeks ago when I saw someone in a parking lot doing it. Then, I found myself doing a similar dance a few days later right outside of my office building. It was there that I noticed a spotted lanternfly resting on the sidewalk. I got to stomping and smooshing. Then, I saw another and another. I moved in for the kill, one after the other. It is our civic duty to kill these little buggers no matter how pretty they might be—the Department of Agriculture says so and they want us to kill them on sight. So, there I was stomping, smooshing, swatting, and smacking leaving squished bugs in my wake as I went down the street. The spotted lanternfly is an invasive species that hitchhiked to the U.S. nearly a decade ago but is now spreading throughout the northeastern United States and beyond. While they aren’t a direct danger to humans, they wreak havoc on the ecosystem causing damage to crops, gardens, and vineyards. The economic impact could be devastating for farmers. So, the advice that is given is to kill, kill, kill—even if it goes against your nature to do so. Your spotted lanternfly dance may look different from mine. In fact, no two people do this dance the same way, and once you have the moves down, you’re hard pressed to repeat them in the exact same order. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t graceful or if you have two left feet. What does matter is that you have a killer instinct and finish with a little flourish at the end.

Stay safe and healthy,

Tracy Jacobs

A “Welcome” email has been sent out with comprehensive information. Here is a summary of what you need to know before classes start:

• Online classes are scheduled on Mondays and Fridays. If you are registered for an online class that will start in Session I, you will receive a Zoom link to join that class. Please save this link for the semester.
• Tuesday and Thursday classes meet at the Loyola Graduate Center located at 2034 Greenspring Dr., Timonium, MD 21093
• Wednesday classes meet at Edenwald Senior Living located at 800 Southerly Rd., Towson, MD 21286.
• Please send any questions to osher@towson.edu. That is the best way to reach our staff for the quickest response.

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"Towson University's impact as an anchor institution extends far beyond our campus community, and this RISE Zone designation further expands our ability to generate economic growth and business development for the region," says Melanie Perreault, interim president at TU. "We are thankful to have collaborated with Maryland Commerce and Baltimore County to support our community and its commerce."

Emory Douglas and the Art of Social Action

Thursday, September 14 at 6:30 p.m.
Center for the Arts, Towson University in the Arts Lecture Hall, CA 2032
Free and open to the public

Emory Douglas was the Minister of Culture and Revolutionary Artist for the Black Panther Party from 1967- 1980. Mr. Douglas helped define the aesthetics of protest art at the height of the Civil Rights and Black Power era, cementing his status among the 20th century’s most influential radical political artists. Following his work on the Black Panther newspaper, he spent 30 years with the black community-oriented San Francisco Sun Reporter. In 2006, his monograph, Black Panther: The Revolutionary Art of Emory Douglas, was published. He has recently had exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, the New Museum in New York, and Tate Modern, London, England among many others. He remains internationally known as a graphic designer and illustrator for his design on social issues.

Enjoy the work of Emory Douglas and the Art of Social Action and a light reception following the lecture. Presented by TU Department of Art + Design, Art History, and Art Education.

Connected as One

On view September 13–December 16 (closed Oct. 13 & Nov. 21–25)
Artist talk and Opening reception: September 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Center for the Arts, Towson University in the Asian Arts Gallery, CA 2037
Free and open to the public

Sookkyung Park’s immersive installation of large-scale sculptures and smaller works includes a merging and expansion of her two seminal pieces, “Blooming” and “Rise Up,” to simultaneously underscore the interconnectedness of life and bring people together. This airy and colorful dreamscape—saturated with symbols of hope, strength and harmony—inspires awe and optimism. Presented by the Asian Arts & Culture Center.

Seeking Osher Student Participation

Cook Library and the Center for Student Diversity invite you to participate in our Human Library Event on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 from 11:00am - 3:00pm on the 3rd floor of Towson’s University Union.

What is the Human Library? The Human Library is a conversation event, where people act as books with titles like: Muslim, Gay, Republican, Alcoholic, Lesbian, ADHD, Lower income, Transgender, etc. Essentially, people become a library of human beings! Books are checked out by readers for about 30 minutes so they can learn from one another. Ultimately, the event hopes to challenge societal prejudices and to bring a better understanding of community to everyone involved. We want to show the world, “don’t judge a book by its cover!"

Ready to participate in this year's Human Library? Volunteer to be a book or Register to be a reader.

Support Osher at Towson University. Your tax-deductible contribution helps to provide a rich experience for our members and a vibrant, affordable program for years to come.

Donate online through the link below. If you prefer to donate by check, please make check payable to “Towson University Foundation, Inc.” and note Osher fund in the memo line. Mail to: Towson University Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 17165, Baltimore, MD 21297-0219.

If you would like to honor a friend or loved one with a donation in their memory, please consider supporting Osher at Towson University with a gift to the Osher Excellence Fund.

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