Lifelong Learning

Listen Up: Seminars on Music is a weekly gathering of music lovers every Wednesday morning, hosted by AZMF’s Resident Artist, Josh Condon.  Each session combines music history, analysis, active listening, and discussion, designed to enhance your listening experience and overall music appreciation.  Listen Up covers all genres, emphasizing our common humanity across all musical styles!  Coffee and refreshments provided. We begin our LISTEN UP series with a follow-up to our final Music & Muffins session from last May--YOUR favorite TV Show Themes! We got about halfway through the list last time, and so I wanted to pick up where we left off. If you have TV show themes that'd you like to submit that are NOT on this playlist below, please email me at josh@azmusicfest.org to submit YOUR selections for us to listen to!

Join us for a bi-weekly gathering of music lovers from June through September, held on Wednesday mornings and hosted by Josh Condon, AZMF’s Resident Artist. Each session blends music history, analysis, active listening, and engaging discussion, all designed to deepen your appreciation and enjoyment of great music. Whether you're a seasoned aficionado or simply curious, come enjoy coffee, community, and some of the greatest music ever composed. Join us for an insightful seminar exploring "Blackbird," one of the most poignant and enduring songs by The Beatles. Written by Paul McCartney and released in 1968 on the White Album, "Blackbird" has captivated listeners for decades with its delicate guitar work, poetic lyrics, and powerful message of resilience. We'll delve into the historical and social context in which the song was written—amid the Civil Rights Movement in the United States—and examine how its minimalist beauty carries a universal message of hope and empowerment. Through guided listening, lyrical analysis, and discussion of its lasting impact, this seminar offers a deeper appreciation for one of the most beloved and meaningful songs of the 20th century. Whether you're a lifelong Beatles fan or new to their work, this is a journey into music, meaning, and the power of a simple song to inspire change.

This summer, join us every other Wednesday from June through September for Musicfest at the Movies, where music takes center stage on the big screen!  This year’s series features an inspiring selection of music documentaries—spotlighting iconic artists, unforgettable performances, and the stories that shaped the soundtrack of our lives. After each film, stick around for a relaxed, engaging discussion where we’ll share insights, reactions, and reflections on what we’ve just seen.  Whether you're a lifelong music lover or simply curious, this is your chance to experience the magic of music and movies—together. Popcorn and soda provided! Take a deep dive into the life, art, and spiritual journey of one of music’s most enigmatic voices. Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song is a moving documentary that traces the evolution of Cohen’s iconic song—from its humble beginnings to its unlikely rise as a cultural anthem covered by hundreds of artists worldwide. Through rare archival footage, personal journals, and interviews with those who knew him and reinterpreted his work, the film offers a heartfelt exploration of creativity, faith, and the search for meaning. Following the screening, we’ll open the floor for a post-film discussion—reflecting on Cohen’s legacy, the power of perseverance in art, and why Hallelujah continues to resonate so deeply across generations.

Join us for a bi-weekly gathering of music lovers from June through September, held on Wednesday mornings and hosted by Josh Condon, AZMF’s Resident Artist. Each session blends music history, analysis, active listening, and engaging discussion, all designed to deepen your appreciation and enjoyment of great music. Whether you're a seasoned aficionado or simply curious, come enjoy coffee, community, and some of the greatest music ever composed. Few songs have touched the hearts of generations quite like "Over the Rainbow." First introduced by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz (1939), this iconic ballad has become a timeless anthem of longing, hope, and the belief in a better tomorrow. In this seminar, we’ll explore the song’s origins, the creative genius of composer Harold Arlen and lyricist Yip Harburg, and how "Over the Rainbow" became a cultural touchstone during some of the most challenging times in American history. We'll discuss its role in film, its musical structure and emotional depth, and how it has been reimagined by countless artists—from Israel Kamakawiwoʻole to Patti LaBelle—while retaining its magical essence. Through listening, lyric exploration, and rich storytelling, we’ll uncover why this song continues to resonate across generations and why its simple yearning for "somewhere" speaks to all of us.

This summer, join us every other Wednesday from June through September for Musicfest at the Movies, where music takes center stage on the big screen! This year’s series features an inspiring selection of music documentaries—spotlighting iconic artists, unforgettable performances, and the stories that shaped the soundtrack of our lives. After each film, stick around for a relaxed, engaging discussion where we’ll share insights, reactions, and reflections on what we’ve just seen. Whether you're a lifelong music lover or simply curious, this is your chance to experience the magic of music and movies—together. Popcorn and soda provided! Set sail on a smooth-sailing journey through the soft rock sound that defined a generation. Yacht Rock: A DOCKumentarydives deep into the breezy, sun-soaked vibes of late ’70s and early ’80s artists like Michael McDonald, Hall & Oates, Toto, and Kenny Loggins—music made for top-down convertibles, seaside escapes, and mellow grooves. This documentary explores the genre's unexpected rise, its tongue-in-cheek revival, and the musical craftsmanship behind those catchy, impeccably produced hits. Whether you're a longtime fan or just discovering the magic of this smooth genre, you’ll leave humming and maybe craving a piña colada. Stick around after the film for a fun and lively discussion as we unpack what makes Yacht Rock so irresistibly smooth—and so endlessly cool.

Join us for a bi-weekly gathering of music lovers from June through September, held on Wednesday mornings and hosted by Josh Condon, AZMF’s Resident Artist. Each session blends music history, analysis, active listening, and engaging discussion, all designed to deepen your appreciation and enjoyment of great music. Whether you're a seasoned aficionado or simply curious, come enjoy coffee, community, and some of the greatest music ever composed.

This summer, join us every other Wednesday from June through September for Musicfest at the Movies, where music takes center stage on the big screen!  This year’s series features an inspiring selection of music documentaries—spotlighting iconic artists, unforgettable performances, and the stories that shaped the soundtrack of our lives. After each film, stick around for a relaxed, engaging discussion where we’ll share insights, reactions, and reflections on what we’ve just seen.  Whether you're a lifelong music lover or simply curious, this is your chance to experience the magic of music and movies—together. Popcorn and soda provided!

Join us for a bi-weekly gathering of music lovers from June through September, held on Wednesday mornings and hosted by Josh Condon, AZMF’s Resident Artist. Each session blends music history, analysis, active listening, and engaging discussion, all designed to deepen your appreciation and enjoyment of great music. Whether you're a seasoned aficionado or simply curious, come enjoy coffee, community, and some of the greatest music ever composed.

This summer, join us every other Wednesday from June through September for Musicfest at the Movies, where music takes center stage on the big screen!  This year’s series features an inspiring selection of music documentaries—spotlighting iconic artists, unforgettable performances, and the stories that shaped the soundtrack of our lives. After each film, stick around for a relaxed, engaging discussion where we’ll share insights, reactions, and reflections on what we’ve just seen.  Whether you're a lifelong music lover or simply curious, this is your chance to experience the magic of music and movies—together. Popcorn and soda provided!

Join us for a bi-weekly gathering of music lovers from June through September, held on Wednesday mornings and hosted by Josh Condon, AZMF’s Resident Artist. Each session blends music history, analysis, active listening, and engaging discussion, all designed to deepen your appreciation and enjoyment of great music. Whether you're a seasoned aficionado or simply curious, come enjoy coffee, community, and some of the greatest music ever composed.

This summer, join us every other Wednesday from June through September for Musicfest at the Movies, where music takes center stage on the big screen!  This year’s series features an inspiring selection of music documentaries—spotlighting iconic artists, unforgettable performances, and the stories that shaped the soundtrack of our lives. After each film, stick around for a relaxed, engaging discussion where we’ll share insights, reactions, and reflections on what we’ve just seen.  Whether you're a lifelong music lover or simply curious, this is your chance to experience the magic of music and movies—together. Popcorn and soda provided!

Join us for a bi-weekly gathering of music lovers from June through September, held on Wednesday mornings and hosted by Josh Condon, AZMF’s Resident Artist. Each session blends music history, analysis, active listening, and engaging discussion, all designed to deepen your appreciation and enjoyment of great music. Whether you're a seasoned aficionado or simply curious, come enjoy coffee, community, and some of the greatest music ever composed.

This summer, join us every other Wednesday from June through September for Musicfest at the Movies, where music takes center stage on the big screen!  This year’s series features an inspiring selection of music documentaries—spotlighting iconic artists, unforgettable performances, and the stories that shaped the soundtrack of our lives. After each film, stick around for a relaxed, engaging discussion where we’ll share insights, reactions, and reflections on what we’ve just seen.  Whether you're a lifelong music lover or simply curious, this is your chance to experience the magic of music and movies—together. Popcorn and soda provided!

Join us for a bi-weekly gathering of music lovers from June through September, held on Wednesday mornings and hosted by Josh Condon, AZMF’s Resident Artist. Each session blends music history, analysis, active listening, and engaging discussion, all designed to deepen your appreciation and enjoyment of great music. Whether you're a seasoned aficionado or simply curious, come enjoy coffee, community, and some of the greatest music ever composed.

This summer, join us every other Wednesday from June through September for Musicfest at the Movies, where music takes center stage on the big screen!  This year’s series features an inspiring selection of music documentaries—spotlighting iconic artists, unforgettable performances, and the stories that shaped the soundtrack of our lives. After each film, stick around for a relaxed, engaging discussion where we’ll share insights, reactions, and reflections on what we’ve just seen.  Whether you're a lifelong music lover or simply curious, this is your chance to experience the magic of music and movies—together. Popcorn and soda provided!

Join us for a bi-weekly gathering of music lovers from June through September, held on Wednesday mornings and hosted by Josh Condon, AZMF’s Resident Artist. Each session blends music history, analysis, active listening, and engaging discussion, all designed to deepen your appreciation and enjoyment of great music. Whether you're a seasoned aficionado or simply curious, come enjoy coffee, community, and some of the greatest music ever composed.

This summer, join us every other Wednesday from June through September for Musicfest at the Movies, where music takes center stage on the big screen!  This year’s series features an inspiring selection of music documentaries—spotlighting iconic artists, unforgettable performances, and the stories that shaped the soundtrack of our lives. After each film, stick around for a relaxed, engaging discussion where we’ll share insights, reactions, and reflections on what we’ve just seen.  Whether you're a lifelong music lover or simply curious, this is your chance to experience the magic of music and movies—together. Popcorn and soda provided!