Events
The Towson University Retiree Association (TURA) offers many events throughout the year for the enjoyment, engagement and continued edification of members.
Event Information
TURA events are wide ranging and include such things as: timely talks on current affairs, social get-togethers, informative talks by invited speakers and by members on their areas of expertise, virtual and live tours of both on-campus and off-campus facilities, conversations with university administrators and project directors, film discussions, non-fiction book group discussions, bicycle rides and many other types of events.
Events are open to all members and typically are held all year long. Upcoming events are posted below. Event announcements and details are also sent to members via email. Frequently, members are invited to bring guests.
Both TURA members and non-members interested in attending additional events on campus are encouraged to explore Calendars & Events, Department of Music鈥檚 Events Calendar, College of Liberal Arts Events and .
TURA has a special relationship with the Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning at Towson. Osher offers discounted membership and tuition fees for TURA members giving discounted access to classes, lectures, trips and special events.
Members are encouraged to make suggestions for events or to create interest groups. Have an idea for an event? Email the TURA President Michael Bachman to share your suggestion.
Upcoming Events
TURA Non鈥恌iction Book Group Virtual Discussion 鈥� November 13, 2鈥�3:30 PM
Please join us on Thursday, November 13 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for a virtual discussion of the Introduction through Chapter 5 of the book The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World, by William Dalrymple (Pub. 2025, 432 pages)
"A dazzling account of the trade that enriched the subcontinent and allowed Romans to enjoy fabulous clothes, ivory, emeralds 鈥� and a dash of pepper." (The Guardian)
"It is not often that a book on ancient India is aimed at a popular readership ... Dalrymple has presented a beautifully written book, replete with colorful individuals, fascinating anecdotes, little-known facts, and dramatic events." (Times Literary Supplement)
ZOOM LINK:
If you have any questions or problems, contact book group coordinator Jo-Ann Pilardi, jpilardi AT_TOWSON.
TURA Film Club Virtual Discussion 鈥� December 5, 3鈥�4:30 PM
Join us for a virtual discussion of the film Farewell My Concubine (China/Hong Kong/Taiwan, 1993), directed by Chen Kaige.
This is a large-scale, visually beautiful film which explores the complexity of twentieth century China. It won the top prize at Cannes in 1993, the first Chinese language film to do so. Per critic Jenny Kwok Wah Lau, the film has three themes: Beijing Opera, love, and political change. It begins with two young boys undergoing cruel and sadistic training for the opera. Years later they become stars, with Xiaolou (Zhang Fengyi) playing male roles and Dieyi (Leslie Cheung) playing female roles. The love story is a triangle, with Dieyi very attached to his stage partner while Xiaolou marries Juxian (Gong Li), an ex-prostitute. The story takes place over fifty-three years and covers enormous political changes, from the Warlord Era of the 1920s to the Japanese Occupation, the Liberation of 1945, the victory of the Red Army in 1949, the Cultural Revolution of 1966, and a period of calm in 1977 when Beijing Opera is once again valued.
A fourth theme might be homosexuality, which is often evoked but never explicitly presented. Dieyi, a great star, identifies with his female role to such an extent that he has no fixed identity, he is somewhere between male and female. The film never gives us specific information about his sexual experience, though there are hints of homosexuality in his youth and adult life. China in 1993 was very conservative about sex and gender.
Farewell My Concubine was re-released in 2024 in a lovely digital version which includes 14 minutes that were censored (by the Chinese) in the original U. S. release. The film is almost 3 hours long, so leave time to watch it. Farewell My Concubine can be streamed for free on Baltimore County Library Kanopy and Pratt Kanopy. It must be requested on TU Kanopy. A streamed copy can be rented for a few dollars from Amazon and other outlets.
Zoom Link:
Meeting ID: 923 6285 6567
Passcode: 00743670
Contact Peter Lev at PLev AT_TOWSON if you have any questions.
TURA Non鈥恌iction Book Group Virtual Discussion 鈥� December 11, 2鈥�3:30 PM
Please join us on Thursday, December 11 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for a virtual discussion of Chapters 6 through 10 of the book The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World, by William Dalrymple (Pub. 2025, 432 pages)
"A dazzling account of the trade that enriched the subcontinent and allowed Romans to enjoy fabulous clothes, ivory, emeralds 鈥� and a dash of pepper." (The Guardian)
"It is not often that a book on ancient India is aimed at a popular readership ... Dalrymple has presented a beautifully written book, replete with colorful individuals, fascinating anecdotes, little-known facts, and dramatic events." (Times Literary Supplement)
ZOOM LINK:
If you have any questions or problems, contact book group coordinator Jo-Ann Pilardi, jpilardi AT_TOWSON.
TURA Non鈥恌iction Book Group Virtual Discussion 鈥� January 8, 2鈥�3:30 PM
Please join us on Thursday, December 11 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for a virtual discussion of the book Class Clown: Memoirs of a Professional Wiseass, by Dave Barry. (Pub. 2025, 256 pages)
Details to follow.
Additional Events Being Planned
- Thirsty Thursdays
- Discussion on topics of interest to members
- Bicycle rides
- Film group discussions
- Non-fiction book group discussions
Recent Past Events
- October 30 from 2 toi 4 PM: TURA Fall Forum in the South Campus Pavilion.
- October 22 from 3 to 4:30 PM: TURA Film Club 鈥� Virtual Discussionfor discussion of the documentary Faces Places (France, 2017), co-directed by Agnes Varda and the photographer JR.
- October 16 from 4 to 6 PM: TURA Thirsty Thursday Happy Hour at Racer's Cafe, Harford Road and Taylor Avenue.
- October 9 from 2 to 3:30 PM: Non鈥恌iction Book Group Virtual Discussion 鈥� The Woman Behind the New Deal: The Life and Legacy of Frances Perkins: Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, and the Minimum Wage, by Kirstin Downey.
TURA Flicker Event Photos
- Check out photos from previous events on the .
Groups
As the listing below shows, there are several active special interest groups.
TURA Non-Fiction Reading Group
This group meets regularly each month. If you are interested in participating please contact the group facilitator, Jo-Ann Pilardi at jpilardi AT_TOWSON.
TURA Film Group
The film group has been meeting regularly. If you are interested in joining, please contact Peter Lev at plev AT_TOWSON.
TURA Bicycling Group
The bicycling group plans short rides depending on the weather. If you want to get involved, contact Jim Paulsen at jpaulsen AT_TOWSON.
There are plenty of opportunities to take the lead and initiate a new group. Local theater, hikes, crafts, genealogy, etc., await a member with an interest to take the lead. TURA will support your efforts and get the word out to members.