Stay Cool This Summer with CHILL at IPH

As summer rolls into Charlotte, bringing its sunny skies and somewhat overwhelming humidity, there’s plenty to look forward to. And from community festivals to outdoor adventures, there’s one annual program this summer that will help you stay cool and learn something new: CHILL at IPH.

CHILL — or CHESS Initiative in Lifelong Learning — at IPH is a joint initiative between UNC Charlotte’s College of Humanities, Earth and Social Sciences (CHESS) and The Independent Picture House (IPH). This program brings 10 relaxed, discussion-based sessions designed for lifelong learners to Charlotte’s only nonprofit cinema.

All sessions, held from June through August, meet four times over a two-week period, and are each two hours long (from 10 a.m. to noon). With registration at $150 per session, participants enjoy a welcoming academic environment without the stress of grades or uncomfortable seats.

The subjects explored this year span all areas:

1. A New Birth of Freedom: Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass and the Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877 (June 1, 3, 8, 10)
2. Jesus at the Movies (June 2, 4, 9, 11)
3. Writing Flash Memoir & Personal Stories (June 15, 17, 22, 24)
4. Goodbye, Lenin! and Hello, Berlin! (June 16, 18, 23, 25)
5. Barbie: An American Icon (June 29, July 1, 6, 8)
6. Wes Anderson’s Elaborate Archaeology of Moving Pictures (June 30, July 2, 7, 9)
7. Silver, Hook, and Sparrow: Disney and the History of Caribbean Piracies (July 13, 15, 20, 22)
8. AI: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly In Charlotte And Around The World (July 14, 16, 21, 23)
9. What Does Pinocchio Still Have to Tell Us? (July 27, 29, Aug. 3, 5)
10. Capitalism in Action (July 28, 30, Aug. 4, 6)

And along with the cool environment, the best part of CHILL at IPH is the connection it brings! Each session includes a dedicated “CHILL time” where you can connect directly with your instructor and fellow classmates.

Higher learning belongs to everyone and CHILL at IPH aims to foster a welcoming space for curiosity and growth. So, learn something new this summer, CHILL at IPH.

(Learn more about each course and instructor and register here.)

Nick Hazleton

McClatchy Commerce

Nick Hazleton is a performance marketing writer specializing in sponsored content, contributor editing, and revenue-focused content across McClatchy Media brands, including Miami Herald, The Sacramento Bee, Us Weekly, and Woman’s World. He focuses on optimizing content workflows and monetization strategies to drive measurable results.