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St. Johns County Council on Aging



River House

Drawing 1 on Wednesdays in April at River House

$50

with David Ouellette

Calendar Apr 1, 2026 at 11:15 am, runs for 5 weeks

This course is structured to develop basic drawing techniques by concentrating on the elements of descriptive drawing through observation. 

Students will develop the qualities of line and volume with a full range of values. The course will also cover linear perspective and compositional design.

Materials needed:

  • 18" x 24" drawing paper pad (not sketching paper)
  • 16" x 20" (approx.) drawing board
  • #2 and #4 graphic pencils
  • white plastic eraser
  • kneaded eraser
  • masking tape

Class sessions will be held on Wednesdays, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 11:15 to 1:15 at the River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084).

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Guitar 2 for Beginners on Wednesdays in April at River House

$3750

with Dennis Fermin

Calendar Apr 1, 2026 at 11:30 am, runs for 5 weeks

Guitar 2 for Beginners:

  • Learning more open string chords
  • Introduction to 12 Bar Blues progressions
  • Smoother chord changes
  • Having fun learning more pop / classic rock songs

Supplies needed

  • Acoustic Guitar 
  • Compact Music Stand 
  • Pen or Pencil for notes

Dennis Fermin has been playing guitar for over 30 years and joyfully helping others learn to play along the way. As a graduate from Musician's Institute of California, he has the skills and the patience to teach on many different topics and styles of music. Currently you can hear him perform locally as Fermin Spanish Guitar.

Class sessions will be held on Wednesdays, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 11:30 to 1 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

 

Will run

Planting the Seeds on Wednesdays in April at River House

$25

with Kate Werner

Calendar Apr 1, 2026 at 12:30 pm, runs for 5 weeks

We are living in times when things are not quite as they once were. Time seems to be flying by, yet standing still. There is a sense of uncertainty and tension.This class is designed to offer you ways of responding when faced with situations of tension, uncertainty, or confusion.This class offers the seeds to help you respond in different ways.

Kate retired from teaching in 2019, having taught everything from preschool to university. She has a master's degree in education and has been very active in teaching adult education courses.

Class sessions will be held on Wednesdays, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 12:30 to 1:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Tap Dancing Level 3 on Wednesdays in April at River House

$3750

with Judy Woodruff

Calendar Apr 1, 2026 at 1:30 pm, runs for 5 weeks

For the experienced tap dancer with a good command of tap technique and vocabulary this intermediate level class emphasizes choreography. Practice includes a variety of time steps, more syncopated rhythms, developing speed with clarity, and performance quality. Choreography includes new work and some dances from the Matanzas Tap performance repertory.

Class sessions will be held on Wednesdays, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 1:30 to 3:00 pm at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084).

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Book Club on Wednesday, April 1 at River House

Free

with Peter Gaspar

Calendar Apr 1, 2026 at 2 pm, runs for 1 week

All are welcome but because of the popularity of this group pre-registration to attend is required.

The River House Book Club meets once a month to discuss a pre-chosen book. The chosen book for April's meeting is The Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai.

The facilitator for this group is Peter Gaspar.

This group will meet on Wednesday, April 1 from 2 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine St.)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Herbal Pharmacy: Making Herbal Remedies on Wednesdays in April at River House

$25

with James Carucci

Calendar Apr 1, 2026 at 2:45 pm, runs for 4 weeks

I always say that if you can make a tea, you can make a remedy. But what about a salve? Or a balm? What’s the difference? What is an electuary? How do you make a cough syrup? Whether it is a lozenge or a poultice, this hands-on course will show you the basic techniques of making herbal remedies.

James is a Professor of Biological Sciences at St. Johns River State College in St. Augustine, personal chef and is a Master Herbalist with over 20 years of experience.

James is a Professor of Biological Sciences at St. Johns River State College in St. Augustine, personal chef and is a Master Herbalist with over 20 years of experience.

Class sessions will be held on Wednesdays, April 1, 8, 15, 29 (no class session on April 22) from 2:45 - 3:45 at River House (179 Marine St.) 

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Belly Dance Basics and Beyond on Thursdays in April at River House

$25

with Gina Marie Newman

Calendar Apr 2, 2026 at 9:30 am, runs for 5 weeks

Welcome to Level 2 Belly Dance, the next step in your dance journey with Gina! This class is specifically designed for students who have successfully completed Gina's Level 1 Belly Dance class and are ready to build on their foundational skills. Please check class requirements for additional requirements.

In Level 2, we will shift our focus towards learning to perform choreography, integrating the movements and techniques you have mastered into beautiful, fluid routines.

What You'll Learn:

  • Choreography Integration: Learn to combine various bellydance movements into seamless choreography.
  • Performance Techniques: Discover how to enhance your dance with expressive gestures, emotional engagement, and stage presence.
  • Group Dynamics: Practice dancing in synchrony with a group, honing your ability to perform in unison with others.

Class Structure:

  • Warm-Up: Gentle stretching and conditioning to prepare your body for dance.
  • Technique Review: Quick recap of key movements from Level 1 to ensure a strong foundation.
  • Choreography Breakdown: Step-by-step instruction on new dance routines, with a focus on mastering each section before moving on.
  • Drills and Repetition: Practice sequences to build muscle memory and precision.
  • Performance Practice: Opportunities to perform the learned choreography, with constructive feedback from Gina.

Requirements:

  • Completion of Gina's Level 1 Belly Dance class or equivalent experience.
  • Comfortable dance attire and a willingness to explore and express through movement.

Barefoot or dance shoes. No sneakers. Comfortable clothing such as yoga wear or something you can move freely in. A coin belt or hip scarf is fun to wear if you have one.

Gina Marie is Director of Blue Lotus World Dance and is a certified SharQui Belly Dance Fitness Instructor.

Class sessions will be held on Thursdays, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 from 9:30 - 10:30 at the River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Broadway Musicals of Lerner and Loewe on Thursdays in April at River House

Free

with Thomas Hischak

Calendar Apr 2, 2026 at 9:30 am, runs for 5 weeks

The songwriting team of lyricist Alan Jay Lerner (1918-1986) and composer Frederick Loewe (1901-1988) wrote memorable scores for Broadway musicals in the 1940s and 1950s. This class will look at those musicals and listen to songs from such enduring shows as Brigadoon, Paint Your Wagon, My Fair Lady, and Camelot. Lerner and Loewe are known for their sophistication, romantic songs, and versatility, each show being very different from the other.

The class is part-lecture, part-listening to their Broadway songs.

Thomas Hischak is a retired Professor of Performing Arts from the State University of New York College at Cortland. He is the author of over thirty books on theatre, film, and popular music.

Class sessions will be on Thursdays, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30  from 9:30 to 11 at River House (179 Marine St. in St. Augustine)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run





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