April is a full month at Aster's senior centers. Whether you're looking for creative outlets, peer support, lifelong learning, or just good company, there's something on the calendar for you. Here's a look at what's happening across our locations this month.
New This Month
We're excited to welcome two new recurring offerings in April. Romance Book Club meets every Monday from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, sponsored by New Frontiers for Lifelong Learning of Mesa Community College. This month the group explores the works of Georgette Heyer — a great entry point for anyone new to the genre.
Arts & Creativity
April has no shortage of creative programming. Veterans' Art, presented by the Mesa Art League, meets every Thursday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and is open to all Veterans looking to make art alongside fellow participants. Portrait Painting Workshop at Red Mountain runs Fridays from 8:30 to 11:00 am, with participants drawing from live models. Art in Action at Mesa Downtown meets Tuesdays from 9:30 to 10:30 am to discuss art history from all eras and parts of the world. And Quilting & Sewing continues Wednesdays at Mesa Downtown — Sewing from 12:00 to 1:00 pm and Quilting from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, with some supplies provided. This one carries a $25/month fee and requires pre-registration.
Reading & Writing
For the literary-minded, Book Club — facilitated by New Frontiers of Mesa Community College — meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday from 10:00 to 11:30 am at Mesa Downtown, and on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday at Red Mountain during the same hours. The Writer's Guild at Mesa Downtown meets Fridays from 9:30 to 10:30 am as a space to share work, learn, and spark creativity. And don't forget: the Mesa Public Library at Aster is available at Mesa Downtown every Wednesday from 10:00 to 11:00 am — a great opportunity to loan books, sign up for a library card, and more.
Learning & Discussion
Hall of Fame, led by Downtown Senior Center participant Art, meets every Wednesday from 9:00 to 11:00 am for wide-ranging conversation about all things baseball. World History Class at Mesa Downtown meets Tuesdays from 2:00 to 3:00 pm, exploring remarkable events from across history. On April 21st, Red Mountain hosts Culture and Language II from 9:30 to 10:30 am — a thoughtful follow-up to last month's discussion on the intersection of culture and language.
On April 29th from 2:00 to 3:00 pm, students from Westwood High School's Spanish and French National Honor Society will join us for a Tech Workshop — an informative, intergenerational conversation about technology and the devices that shape our daily lives.
Wellness & Support
Chair Yoga at Mesa Downtown meets Thursdays from 9:45 to 10:45 am — a gentle way to calm the mind and move the body. Cost is $3 per person and pre-registration is required. Grief & Loss Support, facilitated by EMPACT, is a bereavement group for seniors meeting Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00 pm at Mesa Downtown and Fridays from 10:00 to 11:00 am at Red Mountain. The Deaf Support Group at Red Mountain meets every Tuesday from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm, offering a weekly space for those with hearing loss to connect and find support.
Veterans' Programming
Veterans have dedicated programming this month on two fronts. Veterans' Art (see above) meets weekly on Thursdays. The Veterans' Social — coffee and donuts with fellow veterans — meets on the 1st Monday at 8:30 am at Mesa Downtown and the 2nd Friday at 9:00 am at Red Mountain.
Special Events at Red Mountain
Red Mountain has a few one-time events worth marking on your calendar:
- April 1 | Karaoke (10:30–11:30 am) — Karaoke is back! Join us before lunch to sing your favorite songs.
- April 6 | Parkinson's Support Group (1:00–3:30 pm) — In partnership with the Muhammad Ali Parkinson's Center and Duet, this support group is open to people living with Parkinson's Disease and their loved ones.
- April 15 | April Birthday Party (11:30 am–1:00 pm) — Celebrating everyone born in April. There will be cake.
Activities marked with an asterisk (*) have fees and require pre-registration. For a full schedule or to register for a program, contact your nearest Aster senior center location.
