OLLI at BSC

10/20/2026

🍂🎶 Join us for the BSC Fall Concert! 🎶🍁

The Bismarck State College Department of Performing Arts invites you to an evening of live music featuring our talented student musicians!

Enjoy performances by the Concert Band, Jazz Band, String Ensemble, Men's Ensemble, Women's Ensemble, and Concert Choir.

Our students have been working hard this semester, and we're excited to share their music with the community. Come out, enjoy a great evening of music, and support the performing arts at BSC!

10/20/2026

Join us for an afternoon movie this Friday for Pan's Labyrinth (2006, 118 min)
Watch the acclaimed dark fantasy film about a young girl in post–Civil War Spain who discovers a mysterious labyrinth and is drawn into a magical world filled with strange creatures, challenging tasks, and difficult choices. Rating: R

Friday Oct., 23 | 1-3PM
Please pre-register: https://tinyurl.com/OLLI-Pans33209

10/19/2026

Historical Fact of the Day: The Hodag Hoax of Wisconsin (1893)

In 1893, residents of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, began hearing about a terrifying creature supposedly roaming the forests of northern Wisconsin. The beast became known as the Hodag, and it was described as a bizarre monster with horns, huge claws, a frightening face, and a spiny back.

The story originated with local lumberman Eugene Shepard, who claimed to have encountered the strange creature in the woods. A few years later, Shepard took the story even further by claiming that he and a group of men had captured a live Hodag. The creature was put on display, drawing curious spectators eager for a glimpse of Wisconsin's mysterious monster.

There was just one problem: the Hodag wasn't real. Shepard's captured monster was eventually revealed to be part of an elaborate hoax. But instead of disappearing, the Hodag became a beloved piece of Wisconsin folklore and remains closely associated with Rhinelander today.

Fun Fact: More than 130 years after the hoax began, Rhinelander still proudly embraces the Hodag. The legendary monster has been celebrated through statues, festivals, and even as a local high school mascot!

10/17/2026

Step into the world of classic Hollywood creature features and explore the films that helped define monster cinema from the 1940s through the 1960s.
This class will examine the studios, directors, and filmmaking techniques behind the rise of the creature feature, along with the cultural fascination that made these films so popular during the early days of Hollywood horror and science fiction.

Thursday Oct., 22, 1- 3 PM
BSC NECE Rm 101
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/OLLI-Creature33203

The class will be followed by a screening of Pan's Labyrinth on Friday, October 23 from 1:00–3:00 p.m. Register for the screening here : https://tinyurl.com/OLLI-Pans33209

10/16/2026

Before today’s bridges connected Bismarck to the other side of the Missouri, there was the Wagon Bridge.

Step back in time and uncover the story behind this fascinating piece of local history.

The Wagon Bridge at Bismarck
W Nov 4 | 1 PM – 3 PM
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/OLLI-Wagon33201

10/16/2026

10/13/2026

Instructor Spotlight: Ben Kubischta

From helping shape North Dakota's highways to preserving its rich history, Ben Bennett spent more than 40 years making a lasting impact across our state.

Join us as we hear stories from Ben's remarkable career, including major transportation projects, scenic byways, rest area improvements, and historic landmarks that continue to serve North Dakotans today.

Learn more with Ben at his class: "The Wagon Bridge at Bismarck" Wed., Nov. 4, 1-3 PM. https://tinyurl.com/OLLI-Wagon33201
Don't miss this fascinating look at North Dakota's roads, history, and progress!

10/10/2026

Look at our new enrichment offerings coming up!

Let’s Get Organized!
Learn the fundamentals of organization, including planner use, home organization, time management, and prioritization. Participants will identify their personal priorities and develop an organizational system that works for their lifestyle. Each participant will leave with a personalized plan to help them get started on creating a more organized and manageable daily life.
Tu Nov 3 &10 (Online)
6 PM- 8 PM
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/BSC-Organized33222

Paper Crafting 101
Cardstock, patterned paper, wet vs. dry adhesive… what do these all mean? If you have ever been interested in learning how to make your own greeting cards or scrapbook pages but don’t know where to start, this class is for you!
We will go over the basic supplies and terms for papercrafting, and finish class by creating a few cards.
Tu Nov 3
6 PM – 9:30 PM
Register Here: https://tinyurl.com/BSC-Papercraft33226

Aging Gracefully
Aging Gracefully is a vibrant, adaptive dance program designed for older adults who want to enhance movement, coordination, balance, and overall well-being. Unlike typical chair-based classes, this experience blends seated and supported standing exercises inspired by gentle modern, ballet, and social dance styles—uplifting both body and spirit. Each session begins with a rhythmic warm-up and stretch, followed by dance-influenced movement sequences that can be performed seated or standing, depending on your comfort. These exercises help build strength, flexibility, posture, and coordination, while significantly reducing fall risk. Gentle aerobic activity promotes cardiovascular health and joint mobility, flooding the brain with mood-boosting endorphins. Participants also engage cognitively by learning simple movement patterns that stimulate memory, focus, and spatial awareness.
W Nov 4 -25
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Northern Plains Dance
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/BSC-Aging33217