Discover

A World of Ideas

Silk, Spice & Secrets

A Journey Along the Silk Road

For over two millennia, a fabled network of routes stitched together great civilisations—carrying not only silk and spices, but also ideas and secrets. Now, after a long silence, these once-forbidden cities shimmer with blue-tiled mosques and bustling bazaars. Join us as we trace this seductive path, a tale of empires, explorers, and encounters that shaped our world.

    • FEE: Free for Members

    • SCHEDULE: 2 Tuesdays, November 18 to 25 from 10:00 to 11:30 AM

    • LOCATION: This is an online event

    • PRESENTER: A seasoned speaker and passionate historian, Alan Freeland specializes in the fabled Silk Roads. His expertise is both academic and personal, having followed these ancient paths from China to the mountains of Georgia. He shares his richly-researched insights through bespoke tours of the V&A and the British Museum.

A Victorian Christmas Tour

Christmas Tour of Dalnavert House

Step back in time and experience the magic of a Victorian Christmas at one of Winnipeg’s most elegant historical homes, the Dalnavert Museum and Visitors' Centre!

Join us for a festive, guided tour of this stunning National Historic Site, which has been beautifully decorated in period-authentic Christmas style. You will be captivated by the elaborate ornaments, festive greenery, and warm, inviting atmosphere that defined the holiday season in the late 19th century.

    • FEE: $5

    • SCHEDULE: Friday December 5 from 10:30 to 11:30 AM

    • LOCATION: Dalnavert Museum, 61 Carlton Street

Puccini

Puccini

A journey into the tragic beauty of Puccini's world.

Step into a world of soaring passion and heartbreaking beauty. This course is a journey into the life and work of Giacomo Puccini, the undisputed master of Italian opera. We'll surrender to the raw emotion and dramatic melodies of his most beloved masterpieces, from the tragic romance of La Bohème to the high-stakes suspense of Tosca and the devastating heartbreak of Madama Butterfly. Uncover the genius for character and orchestration that created some of the most enduring and passionate stories ever told on stage.

    • FEE: Free for Members

    • SCHEDULE: Thursday, December 4 from 10:00 to 10:45 am

    • LOCATION: This is an online event

    • PRESENTER: Sharon Harris had a career in education as a teacher, consultant and administrator while simultaneously pursuing a successful career as a fine-arts photographer. After taking an early retirement from education, she has been actively involved in the Academy for Lifelong Learning Toronto, where she has facilitated numerous courses and has participated in the administration of the organisation for many years. Sharon’s personal interests mainly involve various fields of the arts however she is curious about almost all subjects.

Only members may take part in our programs.

Our membership fee is pro-rated throughout the year and runs until August 31, 2026.

Become a Member

FAQs

  • Only members of Creative Retirement may participate in our programs. So, first you should purchase a membership. Then, you will have access to the Member Area where you can register for programs.

  • Our memberships run from September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2026. All currently valid memberships must have been purchased between these dates.

  • All accounts were reset this summer (2025). Please create a new account if you have not done so. You may use your old email and password or new.

    If you have created a new account after September 2025 and still can’t sign in, try resetting your password.