Shakespeare wrote movingly about youth and old age. But it is with his older characters — Prospero, Falstaff, Lear and others — that Shakespeare reveals the depth of his understanding of the human condition. With his characters, there is wisdom with age, there is rage and there is surrender to the inevitable. “Last scene of all, that ends this strange eventful history, is second childishness and mere oblivion, sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.” (“As You Like It,” Act II scene VII.)

Is it all bleak? Not by half. And that is what Broadway actress and director Dr. Jenny Egan’s interactive seminar, “Shakespeare’s Take on Aging,” is about. Said Egan, “The delights and terrors of aging are well documented by Shakespeare in both plays and sonnets. You will explore various adjustments his characters make to the aging process as you also examine your own thoughts

on aging.”

Offered by Egan at the Idyllwild Library’s Community Room, the seminar is interactive, with opportunities for attendees to hear, read and better understand Shakespeare in an informal setting. No acting experience is necessary.

“Shakespeare can sometimes seem daunting,” said Egan. “This will not be a lecture. Those who come don’t have to act. But they can read if they like. The experience is intended to have Shakespeare become less daunting. Individual and group participation is encouraged.”

Egan was an assistant director and actor with the New York Shakespeare Festival, acted in Broadway and Off Broadway productions, at Lincoln Center and in film and television.

Said Joseph Papp, founder and producer of the New York Shakespeare Festival, “Jenny Egan is that rare combination of the technical and the intuitive artist so essential to the theatre.”

Attendee reviews of Egan’s seminars have been glowing: “Jenny’s explanations were both apt and enlightening. They gave me the desire to learn. I loved the group participation and the informality.”

Egan’s seminar, sponsored by the Friends of the Idyllwild Library, is from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20. There is no charge for attending.

Middle Ridge Winery Tasting Gallery is celebrating harvest and winemaking with its newest rotating gallery exhibit called “The

Idyllwild Collection: Art Uncorked,” where artists uncork their talent with works as intriguing as harvest in the vineyard. The show kicks off with an “Afternoon with the Artists” from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. The exhibit runs through Nov. 6.

The inspiring art pieces demonstrate why Idyllwild is recognized as one of the top art communities in America. This eclectic collection includes 3-D art and sculpture; fiber art; oil and acrylic paintings; photography; and jewelry, featuring the talents of: Patrick Barry, one-of-a-kind, African trade bead jewelry; Jeni Bate, “refractured“ watercolor skyscapes; Irena Carlson, abstract acrylics that bridge the worlds of art and spirituality; Debbie Crowell, infrared photography that embraces the space between the real and unreal; Don Dietz, beautiful, functional fused glassware; Darcy Gerdes, impressionistic acrylic paintings rooted with realism; Mark Hobley, thought-provoking pop culture mixed media; Charlotte Horton, fanciful copper-wire tree sculptures; Andrea Johnston, acrylic landscapes capturing fleeting moments in time; Roger Johnston, mesmerizing algorithmic fractals that inspire reflection; Carol Landry, oil paintings with a delicate balance between contemporary and traditional themes; Martha Lumia, light and airy nuno felted scarves, wall hangings and vessels; Del Marcussen, contemporary jewelry with traditional roots and a playful “hippie” filter; Shanna Robb, intricate glass mosaics and ethereal silk paintings; Jacque Swerdfeger, textural, dimensional palette knife oil paintings in vibrant hues; Cher Townsend, imaginative, playful figurative clay sculptures; Barbara Weightman, vibrant oil paintings of nature inspired by classical botanical illustrations; and Mark Willden, beautiful and functional reclaimed barrel art, and one-of-a-kind redshank burl-wood sculptures.

“We are so fortunate to be part of such an incredible community of talented artists,” said Melody Johnston, who along with her husband and winemaker Chris, opened Middle Ridge Winery Tasting Gallery to create a space where their love of wine and art could come together.

While enjoying a glass of Middle Ridge wine created by Chris, guests will be immersed into 4,000-square-feet of art that is described as a “magical intersection of colors, shapes, light and movement.” Exclusively featuring Art Alliance of Idyllwild artists, the winery’s fourth rotating show features 18 artists and more than 80 pieces of artwork. “Afternoon with the Artists” provides an opportunity for art enthusiasts to mingle with the artists and strike up conversations about wine, their art and their inspirations.

The Tasting Gallery also will be featuring the musical talents of Joe Baldino, whose smooth, Latin-inspired jazz creates the perfect ambience to sip, talk and walk through the Tasting Gallery.

The gallery is open from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursdays, from noon to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and from noon to 8 p.m. Sundays.

Living Free, the local no-kill animal sanctuary, which rescues cats and dogs, is holding its third-annual Howl and Yowl fundraiser, Saturday, Sept. 24.

“There will be four great bands. They’ll will offer country music from progressive to traditional,” said Randall Harris, Living Free’s president. “We’ll be rocking the meadow. It’s going to be awesome.”

The musical talent will be familiar to many of the event’s faithful patrons. Returning this year will be Honey County, Jason Powers, Black Swan and Michael Thomas.

Honey County is a Southern California trio of women performing progressive country music. They travel between Southern California and Nashville offering their music to fans. Devon Eisenbarger, a member of the group, is a nearby singer from Temecula. She has developed her own following, too.

Black Swan includes local musician Don Reed on guitar and string. Barry Baughn, on vocals and guitar, Bob Gross, vocals and bass, and Larry Mitchell on drums are the other swans. The group plays very popular blues.

Jason Powers brings his powerful music and sound back to Mountain Center. “Those who saw [Honey County and Powers] last year are very happy about their return,” Harris said.

Last year, Powers found Gogi and adopted the dog before departing, demonstrating how helpful the event is for the abandoned animals.

“We are on track to find homes for about 320 animals this year, and will do about 600 total spay or neuter [surgeries] for our rescues and affordable public clinic,” Harris said proudly. “That means we’ll save about 600 [animal] lives.”

Proceeds from Howl and Yowl help to pay for these surgeries, which help to reduce future stray and abandon animals.

Harris added that the music and patrons will have protection from the summer sun because a large tent will be erected for the performance area.

Besides the wonderful musicians, the popular Big Dev is returning with his special barbecue mix and food stand.

The event will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Living Free in Mountain Center, 54250 Keen Camp Road. The phone number is 951-659-4687. The admission fee, which goes entirely to Living Free’s mission, is $15.