MAC’s ‘Lunch & Learn’ Series Begins Jan. 17

CAPE MAY – Meet other curious learners during this winter’s Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities by MAC Lunch & Learn series — informative and illustrated talks on popular topics of history, culture and the arts from Jan. 17 through March 28.

This year’s series has been expanded from one venue to three due to popular demand and now includes talks at all these locations: Cape May United Methodist Church, 635 Washington St., Cape May; the Cape May campus of the Atlantic Cape Community College, 341 Court House South Dennis Rd., Cape May Court House; and, Lucky Bones Restaurant, 1200 Route 109, Cape May.

The Lunch & Learn series begins Jan. 17 and runs through March 28. All programs begin at noon. Cost varies based on the venue. Topics are:

Wednesday, Jan. 17 – Music of Olde Cape May, with Rich Chiemingo
A sight and sound review of the popular music of the Victorian Era from Sousa marches to Foster melodies that were played in the hotels and music pier of Victorian Cape May. Wednesday, Jan. 17 at noon. Cape May United Methodist Church, 635 Washington St., Cape May. Free admission for students, MAC members. $5 for non-members. Bring a bag lunch.

Saturday, Jan. 20 – America: God’s Chosen Nation, with Dr. Bob Heinly
From the Pilgrims through the Revolutionary War, Civil War, Westward Expansion, waves of immigration and Spanish American War, Americans have viewed themselves as God’s chosen people, an exceptional Biblical “City on a Hill,” as close to perfection as is humanly possible and a beacon for others to emulate. Today this concept is a bit more debatable. This illustrated program will present examples of this historically American point of view. Saturday, Jan. 20 at noon. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Lucky Bones Restaurant, 1200 Route 109, Cape May. Admission is $10 and includes lecture. Lunch may be purchased separately. Limited event.

Tuesday. Jan. 23 – America: God’s Chosen Nation, with Dr. Bob Heinly
From the Pilgrims through the Revolutionary War, Civil War, Westward Expansion, waves of immigration and Spanish American War, Americans have viewed themselves as God’s chosen people, an exceptional Biblical “City on a Hill,” as close to perfection as is humanly possible and a beacon for others to emulate. Today this concept is a bit more debatable. This illustrated program will present examples of this historically American point of view. Atlantic Cape Community College, 341 Court House South Dennis Rd., Cape May Court House. Free admission for students, MAC members. $5 for non-members. Bring a bag lunch.

Wednesday, Jan. 24 – America: God’s Chosen Nation, with Dr. Bob Heinly
From the Pilgrims through the Revolutionary War, Civil War, Westward Expansion, waves of immigration and Spanish American War, Americans have viewed themselves as God’s chosen people, an exceptional Biblical “City on a Hill,” as close to perfection as is humanly possible and a beacon for others to emulate. Today this concept is a bit more debatable. This illustrated program will present examples of this historically American point of view. Cape May United Methodist Church, 635 Washington St., Cape May. Free admission for students, MAC members. $5 for non-members. Bring a bag lunch.

Wednesday, Jan. 31 – The Splendid Little Spanish-American War, with Dr. Bob Heinly
Victory in this 1898 conflict made the United States a leading world power. There were other reasons why those who fought it thought it was “splendid” ⸺ it was thought to be fought for noble reasons, it was brief, the press endorsed it, it was full of incidents supporting the belief that “God was on our side” and the U.S. won. This illustrated presentation reviews this lesser known but highly significant war. Cape May United Methodist Church, 635 Washington St., Cape May. Free admission for students, MAC members. $5 for non-members. Bring a bag lunch.

Wednesday, Feb. 7 – Classic Movies and Their Stars of Yesteryear, with Alex Breve
Explore the Golden Age of the American film industry via this sight and sound presentation of the classic studios, stars and films of the era. Hollywood became the movie capital of the world as dream factories cranked out films and turned actors into stars. Included will be a short history of film industry and the major and minor studios of the era. Clips from classic films will highlight stars such as Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart and John Wayne. Cape May United Methodist Church, 635 Washington St., Cape May. Free admission for students, MAC members. $5 for non-members. Bring a bag lunch.

Wednesday, Feb. 14 – A Victorian Valentine – Love, Courtship and Marriage, with Mary Stewart
Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Cape May with this illustrated presentation on Victorian love, courtship and marriage. The romantic and sentimental yet entrepreneurial, status-seeking and sexist Victorians had some unique perspectives on the topic. Cape May United Methodist Church, 635 Washington St., Cape May. Free admission for students, MAC members. $5 for non-members. Bring a bag lunch.

Wednesday, Feb. 21 – Two Women, Two Worlds, with Mary Stewart
This illustrated presentation contrasts the life of the servants with the served in the Victorian Era. Life in the family rooms in a Victorian home was quite different than life in the servants’ rooms. Cape May United Methodist Church, 635 Washington St., Cape May. Free admission for students, MAC members. $5 for non-members. Bring a bag lunch.

Saturday, Feb. 24 – Classic Movies of Yesteryear and Their Stars, with Alex Breve
Explore the Golden Age of the American film industry via this sight and sound presentation of the classic studios, stars and films of the era. Hollywood became the movie capital of the world as dream factories cranked out films and turned actors into stars. Included will be a short history of film industry and the major and minor studios of the era. Clips from classic films will highlight stars such as Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart and John Wayne. Saturday, Saturday, Feb. 24 at noon. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Lucky Bones Restaurant, 1200 Route 109, Cape May. Admission is $10 and includes lecture. Lunch may be purchased separately. Limited event.

Tuesday, Feb. 27 – Classic Movies of Yesteryear and Their Stars, with Alex Breve
Explore the Golden Age of the American film industry via this sight and sound presentation of the classic studios, stars and films of the era. Hollywood became the movie capital of the world as dream factories cranked out films and turned actors into stars. Included will be a short history of film industry and the major and minor studios of the era. Clips from classic films will highlight stars such as Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart and John Wayne. Atlantic Cape Community College, 341 Court House South Dennis Rd., Cape May Court House. Free admission for students, MAC members. $5 for non-members. Bring a bag lunch.

Wednesday, Feb. 28 – Tales of the Underground Railroad in Cape May, with Ted Bryan
While not on the main line of this route from slavery to freedom, Cape May nevertheless made some unique and interesting contributions to this epic crusade. This illustrated presentation, created jointly by MAC and the Cape May Center for Community Arts, includes local incidents, sites and personalities. Cape May United Methodist Church, 635 Washington St., Cape May. Free admission for students, MAC members. $5 for non-members. Bring a bag lunch.

Wednesday, March 7 – Sherlock Holmes and Music, with Rich Chiemingo
There’s more afoot in a Sherlock Holmes mystery than crime solving. The books and films about Holmes are full of musical references and fine music. This sight and sound presentation explores this lesser known aspect of the Holmes genre. Cape May United Methodist Church, 635 Washington St., Cape May. Free admission for students, MAC members. $5 for non-members. Bring a bag lunch.

Wednesday, March 14 – Lessons from the Barbary Wars, with Dr. Bob Heinly
There is much to be learned from America’s first clash with Islamic civilization in the early 1800s, lessons applicable to today. Explore the importance of understanding a different culture and its values, the advantages of negotiating from a position of power, the importance of a navy, the principle of enlightened self- interest, the power of religion and economics, and much more. Cape May United Methodist Church, 635 Washington St., Cape May. Free admission for students, MAC members. $5 for non-members. Bring a bag lunch.

Wednesday, March 21 – American Victorian Literature, with Dr. Leonard Smith
America developed its own unique version of Victorian culture and as part of it its own unique literature of during the era. This illustrated presentation will explore the works of Poe, Twain, Stowe, Cooper, Irving, Thoreau, Whitman and the Muckrakers, and many others. Cape May United Methodist Church, 635 Washington St., Cape May. Free admission for students, MAC members. $5 for non-members. Bring a bag lunch.

Saturday, March 24 – An Afternoon with Sinatra, with Rich Chiemingo
A sight and sound presentation of the memorable music of Frank Sinatra by a member of his orchestra based in New York. In addition to highlights of Sinatra’s music, get insights into the man and what it was like to work with him. Saturday, March 24 at noon. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Lucky Bones Restaurant, 1200 Route 109, Cape May. Admission is $10 and includes lecture. Lunch may be purchased separately. Limited event.

Tuesday, March 27 – Tales of the Underground Railroad in Cape May, with Ted Bryan
While not on the main line of this route from slavery to freedom, Cape May nevertheless made some unique and interesting contributions to this epic crusade. This illustrated presentation, created jointly by MAC and the Cape May Center for Community Arts, includes local incidents, sites and personalities. Atlantic Cape Community College, 341 Court House South Dennis Rd., Cape May Court House. Free admission for students, MAC members. $5 for non-members. Bring a bag lunch.

Wednesday, March 28 – Music and Memories of Guy Lombardo, with Rich Chiemingo
The finale of this year’s series is a sight and sound presentation of the music of Guy Lombardo. There is more to the music and legend of Guy Lombardo beyond New Year’s Eve. Learn more about the man and his music from a former member of his band in this sight and sound presentation. Cape May United Methodist Church, 635 Washington St., Cape May. Free admission for students, MAC members. $5 for non-members. Bring a bag lunch.

For more information, call (609) 884-5404 or (800) 275-4278, or visit www.capemaymac.org.