UWSP at Marshfield Art Gallery
Dates vary | 6-9 p.m.
Details
Join us for an unforgettable evening of cinema, cuisine, and conversation, led by emeritus English Professor, Julie Tharp. Each class features a thoughtfully selected film paired with a meal (including drinks and dessert) inspired by its themes, setting, or culture. Whether you’re a movie buff, a foodie, or simply looking for a unique night out, this series promises to entertain, enlighten, and satisfy all your senses.
British murder mysteries, likely first inspired by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie, have been a dominating force in television and film for many years. This fall we will consider two traditional whodunits, a new spin on the genre, and a biographical mystery. The game is afoot.
Fall 2026 – Registration Open
“Romancing the Stone” | Tuesday, August 25
A mousy romance novelist sets off for Colombia to ransom her kidnapped sister, and soon finds herself in the middle of a dangerous adventure, hunting for treasure with a mercenary rogue. Starring Kathleen Turner, Michael Douglas, and Danny DeVito, our Colombian adventure will feature ceviche, bistec a la criolla (creole steak), rice, fried plantains, avocado salad, arepas (corn cakes), and tres leches cake.
“The Sheep Detectives” | Tuesday, September 22
George Hardy, played by Hugh Jackman, is a shepherd who loves to read murder mysteries to his sheep, never suspecting that they can understand him. When George is found dead under mysterious circumstances, the sheep decide to solve the crime themselves. Because George is a vegetarian and our main characters are sheep, we will be dining on Greek food WITHOUT the lamb. This will include briami and pita bread, halloumi, moussaka, spanakopita, salad, and baaaklava.
“Thursday Murder Club” | Tuesday, October 20
Four retirees spend their time solving cold case murders for fun, but their casual sleuthing takes a thrilling turn when they find themselves with a real whodunit on their hands. Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Celia Imrie, and Ben Kingsley will bring us safely home to our Autumn High Tea of butternut squash soup, roast beef and tarragon sandwiches, turkey croissant sandwiches, mini quiches, harvest salad, and coffee and walnut cake.
“Wake Up Dead Man” | Tuesday, November 17
A baffling death inside a quiet church draws Benoit Blanc into a tense investigation where faith, secrets, and suspicion blur as a close community turns against itself. Starring Daniel Craig and Glenn Close, this is a dark and moody mystery. Our dinner will be caught bread-handed with sinister salad, crime scene coq au vin, murderous mash, Benoit’s beans, and death by chocolate cake.
“The Man Who Invented Christmas” | Tuesday, December 15
The mystery of this film is the journey that led Charles Dickens to creating “A Christmas Carol,” a timeless tale that fashioned the holiday as we know it today. Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer, and Jonathan Price bring this puzzle to life. We will enjoy a “traditional” (for 100+ years anyway) British Christmas dinner of pigs in blankets, cranberry brie bites, roast turkey, roast potatoes, stuffing, brussels sprouts with bacon, honey-glazed carrots, port wine cranberry sauce, and Christmas trifle.
Registration Information
- $55 per movie (includes dinner, drinks and film screening)
- Registration Deadline: Thursday prior to week of event.
Instructor
Julie Tharp
Julie Tharp, Ph.D., is a professor emeritus of English on the Marshfield campus with courses in Composition, Multicultural Literature, Women’s Studies, Film Studies, and lots of other areas. She has a deep interest in global film, cuisine, and travel. As a Fulbright recipient in 2001, she taught at the National University of Singapore. She has taken students to Ireland, studied in Mexico, taught at the Wisconsin in Scotland program, and taught in Hangzhou, China. In 2016, she received a six month Fulbright fellowship to do research in Mumbai, India on Bollywood film. Julie has been instructing these enjoyable classes for years.
Cancellation Policy
Refunds will be granted if the Continuing Education and Outreach office is contacted at least seven (7) days before the start of a class. No refunds will be given with less than seven (7) days notice. Programs that involve pre-ordering of materials and/or travel will not qualify for a refund unless your space can be filled from a waiting list. We reserve the right to cancel a course due to low enrollment, severe weather, or instructor illness. BE SURE to provide your email address and phone number when registering so we can contact you if a class is cancelled for any reason. Email Continuing Education Customer Service at uwspceweb@uwsp.edu to cancel your registration.
For additional information contact Rebecca Bauer at rbauer@uwsp.edu.
continuing education Information
Please contact Continuing Education and Outreach at 715-346-3838 or uwspceweb@uwsp.edu for registration questions.
Please identify any accessibility needs at registration, including mobility, seating, transportation, dietary, and communication needs. Some activities involve stairs, walking, uneven surfaces, or limited accessibility. Early notice helps us plan reasonable accommodations. We are unable to guarantee last-minute changes or provide personal physical assistance that requires staff to lift, carry, or physically support participants. Requests are reviewed individually so we can plan appropriate accommodations in advance.
