Joni Mitchell: Observer of Friends, Lovers, and Us (In-person)
Fall (2-3 hours) | Registration opens 7/29/2025 12:00 AM EDT
Joni Mitchell is regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century. Starting as a folk singer and evolving through pop and jazz, Joni’s music touched the hearts of millions worldwide. Not only did she write about her friends and lovers, but she also was one of the first songwriters to sling arrows at American suburban life.
During this class, we will explore the genius of Joni’s lyrics combined with her unique melodic song structure and singular guitar tunings. Joni essentially devised her own musical language. Well-known songs like The Circle Game, Both Sides Now, Big Yellow Taxi, and A Case of You will be touched upon before diving into her more acerbic work.
This course will be presented in a lecture format.
John Peterman
After serving for 23 years as head of an elementary school in Massachusetts, John Peterman turned his attention to creating lifelong learning courses centered on the entertainment industry. Throughout his life, John has been a public speaker and a mid-20th-century music and film enthusiast. His Osher courses on film and music include “Movie Stars Born in 1919, 1920, 1921”; “Comedy in Movies and TV 1960-1964”; “Girl Groups of the ‘60s”; and “Why Must I Be a Teenager in Love: Movies, TV, and Music, 1954- 1964”.