Arts & Community Activities
Explore your passions and connect with others through diverse classes – from music and dance, recreational activities, social groups, and arts classes. There’s something for everyone!
Arts & Community Activities
Explore your passions and connect with others through diverse classes – from music and dance, recreational activities, social groups, and arts classes. There’s something for everyone!
Our Offerings
Arts
Stay tuned for upcoming dates!
Do you remember cutting and pasting back in elementary school? In this workshop we will return to those times but with a little more creativity and life experience. Materials will be provided but if you have something you want to incorporate, please bring it to the workshop. Collage is a medium open to all: first timers, experienced artists or anyone in between. Some people think making collages is fun, some think it’s therapeutic — a chance to get lost in the process — but to all it’s a chance to be creative and to play!
Registration required. Contact Christy Birch to register, 415-456-9062 x151.
Location: In-Person at Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus: 999 Third Street, San Rafael
Nurture the creative artist inside you in the beautiful Art Studio at our Healthy Aging Campus. If you are brand new to jewelry making, our Beginner Class will teach all the basics where you can learn a variety of skills for making necklaces, earrings and bracelets. Tools and supplies will be provided.
Beginner Class (Jewelry Making I)
- Weekly on Tuesdays for 6 weeks | 1:30 – 3:30pm
Intermediate Class (Jewelry Making II)
- Weekly on Thursdays for 6 weeks | 1:30 – 3:30pm
Registration required. Contract Christy Birch to register, 415-456-9062 x151.
Location: In-Person at Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus: 999 Third Street, San Rafael
Weekly on Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:30am – 12:30pm
In Debra’s class, you will discover the inner artist that you didn’t know existed. Debra will teach techniques to beginners, and experienced artists will have the opportunity to hone their skills and enjoy the creative process.
Registration required. Contact Christy Birch at 415-456-9062 x151 to register.
Location: Remote only. Zoom link provided upon registration.
Recommended Materials for Watercolors Class:
- Materials are available at Rileystreet Art Supply on 4th St. in San Rafael. Tell them you’re taking Debra Maddox’s class at Vivalon to receive a 10% discount. Also, some materials may be obtained at Michaels, DickBlick.com, Amazon or Perry’s in San Anselmo.
- Round Brushes (sizes 8, 10 and 12)
- 1” Flat Brush
- Pad of Watercolor Paper (brand recommendation: Arches)
- Watercolor set (brand recommendation: Windsor Newton
Friday, December 6, 10:30 am-12:30 pm
Give a personal and beautiful gift to a loved one this holiday season! Join Debra Maddox, our virtual watercolors instructor, for a special in-person workshop as she teaches you how to make a seasonal card using watercolors. All skill levels welcome.
Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non members.
Includes: All supplies and materials
Registration is required. Call 415-456-9062 to register.
Location: In-Person at Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus: 999 Third Street, San Rafael
An offering of Vivalon’s Cowles Active Learning Program.
Friday, December 27, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Details coming soon!
Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non members
Includes: All supplies and materials
Registration is required. Call 415-456-9062 to register.
Location: In-Person at Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus: 999 Third Street, San Rafael
An offering of Vivalon’s Cowles Active Learning Program.
Music and Dance
Weekly on Tuesdays, 11:30am – 12:00pm
Improve your guitar skills and learn new songs from the comfort of your own home. Kurt will teach a new song every week, ranging from folk to rock to jazz. Appropriate for people who may be fairly new to guitar but who already know some basic chords.
Registration not required.
Location: Remote only
Join by Zoom:
- https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88139346588?pwd=a1M0eTRaN3dMakJzdDZ0cWc2T3BQZz09
- Meeting ID: 881 3934 6588
- Passcode: 410227
With its gentle rhythm and relaxing nature you can move and sway in the spirit of aloha through the Hawaiian spiritual dance form knn as Hula (Auana). It’s good for the body and soul!
Beginner Classes
- Weekly on Thursdays, 11:00am – 12:00pm
- If you’ve ever wanted to learn the Hawaiian spiritual dance form known as Hula (Auana), now is your chance, with our wonderful instructor Charlotte Kobayashi.
- Registration required. To register, please contact Christy Birch at 415-456-9062 x 151.
- Location: Remote Class, Zoom link provided upon registration.
Experienced Classes
- Weekly on Thursdays, 12:00 – 1:00pm
- This class is for people who have already taken Beginner Hula Classes with Charlotte Kobayashi.
- Registration required. To register, please contact Christy Birch at 415-456-9062 x 151.
- Location: Remote Class, Zoom link provided upon registration.
Twice monthly on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, 2:30 – 3:30pm
Song circles are led by Terry Garthwaite, an internationally known singer, songwriter, and teacher. Her recording career dates to the late 1960s when she and Toni Brown formed the rock group Joy of Cooking. You will be singing all original music by Terri, which is an array of songs and sounds that encourages empowerment and delight and radiates the healing nature of music.
Registration is not required.
Location: In person at Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus: 999 Third Street, San Rafael
Interested in learning how to play ukulele? Learn the fundamentals in our basics class or improve your skills in our beginner and intermediate classes with Sandy, the best ukulele instructor around!
Basic
- Weekly on Tuesdays, 12:00 – 1:00 pm.
- Ukuleles available for use during class.
- Registration not required.
- Location: In-Person only at Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus: 999 Third Street, San Rafael.
Beginner
- Weekly on Wednesdays, 11:00am – 12:00pm.
- Instrument not provided.
- Registration not required.
- Location: Remote and in person at Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus: 999 Third Street, San Rafael.
- Join on Zoom:
- https://zoom.us/j/93886110799?pwd=SkZtMG56V3owTStKRHAvSTljYmhoUT09
- Meeting ID:938 8611 0799
- Passcode: 7826159
Intermediate
- Weekly on Wednesdays, 12:30 – 1:30pm.
- Instrument not provided.
- Registration not required.
- Location: Remote and in person at Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus: 999 Third Street, San Rafael.
- Join on Zoom:
- https://us06web.zoom.us/j/95999959542?pwd=eldHZzBRZXM4VW41cDhVVkpYKy9Ndz09
- Meeting ID: 959 9995 9542
- Passcode: YXQ6wb
Recreation
October 2 – November 6
Weekly on Wednesdays, 3:45 – 4:45pm
ChessPals is partnering with Vivalon to offer Chess Classes to all levels. Learn the basics, and get some expert tips to get ahead! This is a six week course.
Registration is required. Please contact Christy Birch, [email protected] to register.
Location: In-Person at Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus: 999 Third Street, San Rafael
Ready to challenge your brain and strengthen your Mah-jongg skills? American Mah-jongg is a fun, stimulating and energetic game using 152 tiles and a National Mah-jongg League Card. The goal of the game is to match your tiles with other card hands & declare a Mah-jongg!
Intermediate
- Weekly on Tuesdays (ongoing), 1:00 – 4:00pm
- Develop your skills with other intermediate players!
- Registration is not required.
- Location: In-Person at Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus: 999 Third Street, San Rafael
Open Play
- Weekly on Fridays, 1:00 – 4:00pm
- No instruction provided.
- Registration not required.
- Location: In person at Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus: 999 Third Street, San Rafael
Weekly on Fridays, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Join us for Ping-Pong fun! Instruction provided by Ping-Pong veteran, Vivian Malcy. All levels are welcome.
Registration is not required.
Location: In person at Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus: 999 Third Street, San Rafael
Social Groups
Weekly on Thursdays, 1:00 – 3:00pm
Do you want to socialize with other Asians, or learn more about Asian cultures and traditional exercises? Come and join us in the Vivalon Activity Lounge every Thursday from 1:00pm – 3:00pm. Bring your lunch and snacks!
Registration is not required.
Location: In-Person at Vivalon’s Healthy Aging Campus, 999 Third Street, San Rafael
Every 2nd and 4th Friday, 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Join Jean Harrison, Stephanie DalPorto, and others for meaningful and insightful book discussions. Come share your thoughts and ideas about favorite books and help make book selections. Everyone is welcome to join at any time. Copies of books are available for check-out from Guest Services.
Registration is not required.
Location: In-Person at Vivalon’s Healthy Aging Campus, 999 Third Street, San Rafael
Weekly on Thursdays, 9:00am – 12:00pm
Te invitamos a nuestro nuevo encuentro social hispano, Cafecito@Vivalon. Este encuentro social ha sido diseñado para la comunidad hispana en nuestro querido vecindario. Nosotros proveeremos el café, venga a compartir historias, conocer nuevos amigos y celebrar nuestra maravillosa cultura.
No es necesario registrarse.
Ubicación: En persona a Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus: 999 Third Street, San Rafael
Weekly on Wednesdays, 2:00 – 3:00pm
Meet other game lovers at our weekly club! Regardless of your skill level, this club gives you a chance to develop your skills and learn chess techniques from other players or choose from our library of other fun board games.
Registration is not required.
Location: In person at Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus: 999 Third Street, San Rafael
Weekly on Thursday, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Welcome all knitters and crocheters to our Handiwork Social Group. Join the group for fun, companionship, and a time to share your creative projects with others. Supplies are not provided and there is no formal instruction. Please bring your own project to work on.
Registration is not required.
Location: In person at Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus: 999 Third Street, San Rafael
Explore Our New LGBT+ Programs at Vivalon!
LGBT+ Discussion Group
- Monthly on the First Tuesday, 1:00 – 2:30pm
- Location: In person at Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus: 999 Third Street, San Rafael
- This monthly, discussion group offers a safe and welcoming space for LGBT+ older adults to connect, share, and support each other on topics relevant to their lives and experiences. Led by Bill Blackburn, the group meets on the first Tuesday of each month for two hours. This is a wonderful opportunity to build friendships and discuss issues important to the community.
Monthly Support Group: Learning About Your LGBT+ Family and Friends
- Monthly on the first Thursday, 1:00 – 2:30pm
- Location: In person at Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus: 999 Third Street, San Rafael
- Open to all older adults in Marin County, this group provides insight and understanding into the lives of LGBT+ family members, friends, neighbors, and the broader community. Facilitated by Bill Blackburn and featuring LGBT+ older adults who will share their personal stories, this support group creates a space to ask questions, learn, and grow in appreciation for diverse identities. This group starts December 5 and will continue on the first Thursday of each month.
Stay tuned for a special event in January! Details coming soon.
Weekly on Mondays, 12:00 – 4:00pm
This is a social group led in Farsi by Mrs. Esmaili. Anyone is welcome to join in the lounge for coloring and social interaction. The group often has lunch at Vivalon Cafe.
Registration is not required.
Location: In person at Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus: 999 Third Street, San Rafael
First Friday of the Month, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Join our monthly gathering designed to create a supportive community for those affected by hearing loss. In these meetings, you’ll have the opportunity to share your experiences, discuss challenges and successes, and receive thoughtful feedback from others who truly understand. This group is open to everyone and takes place on the first Friday of every month. Registration is not required and assistive listening devices are available.
Registration is not required.
Location: In person at Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus: 999 Third Street, San Rafael
Community Lounge
Visit the community lounge to socialize with friends or relax awhile with a good book. Here are just some of the things you can do:
- Gather around a table and chat with new and old friends
- Enjoy puzzles and other games
- Play chess
- Read a book from our library
- Bring your knitting or sewing
Located in our Healthy Aging Campus at 999 Third Street, San Rafael.
Open Monday 9:00am to 3:00pm and Tuesday – Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
News, Classes & Events!
LGBT+ Social Groups
Discussion Group | Monthly on the First Tuesday | 1:00 -2:30 pm
Support Group | Monthly on the First Thursday | 1:00 -2:30 pm
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