At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

Wow! What a weekend! I thought Wild Hogs would be a goodie, but I had no idea how much of a goodie it would be! Friday nights I work at my desk and then if we get a crowd the supervisor calls me from downstairs and I go down and make popcorn. Usually around 6:30 or so. At 6:00 my phone rang. We were having a “little rush” and would I come down and pop the corn? Since the show wasn’t until 7:00 I thought it would be a handful of folks just coming in to sort of hang out and visit with each other. Wrong! The line went to the door. 120 people were standing in line at 6:00 to make sure they got their tickets. Far out! At 6:15 when the rush was over I went back upstairs. Ten minutes later I got another phone call. The line was out to the street! I went downstairs and we were completely sold out by 6:40. That was Friday night. On Saturday night we were sold out by 6:30!

What a high! There’s not a drug in the world that can match the high of seeing the “sell-out” line going down the gallery of the Dietrich theater. There is nothing that tickles me more. The happiness of the people in the line, their laughter, their conversation, their friendliness is seriously uplifting.

There are so many people who are art snobs. If you’re not looking at a painting or listening to a symphony or…well…you know what I mean. But you know what the great American art form is? The movies, of course! The great, big, larger-than-life motion pictures that regularly steal our hearts and our laughter and our tears. If art is something that takes us out of ourselves and carries us ever so gently into another world, then there is nothing more effective than the movies. And if you don’t believe that, come to Friday’s showing of Wild Hogs and hear the audience laughing. I rest my case.

Another week of Terabithia, so you can still bring the kids and see one of the best young folks films of the year, or any year, really. It’s uplifting and intelligent and sad. Worth a look-see for you and the young-‘uns.

Festival plans are now pretty much set. I don’t know the opening film yet (we’re working on that) but the second film that night will be The Good German starring George Clooney. You must get your tix for opening night soon because they’re going fast. This year we are having hors d’oeuvres as well as dessert and wine. It just seemed kind of silly to me that one season we have food and the other we don’t. So we added food to the spring festivities.

The film list now includes The Good German, Sweet Land, The Italian, China Blue, Pan’s Labyrinth, The Last King of Scotland, The Painted Veil, God Grew Tired of Us, Copying Beethoven, Venus, Notes On A Scandal, Little Children, Curse of the Golden Flower, The History Boys and Disappearances. Fifteen films in fourteen days! And maybe…just maybe…another for opening night. But honest – if you don’t get those tix soon, you’re not going to get any. 996-1500.

Finally, do keep in mind that Wednesday, March 14, the Dietrich is hosting a drug forum sponsored by Wyoming County Cares and Luzerne/Wyoming County Drug and Alcohol. It’s called Finding Hope For A Community Facing Addiction:What You Can Do. Everyone is welcome. Admission:Free.

This problem hasn’t gone away. Drugs and alcohol haunt our lives and the lives of our children. Addiction is a terrible, wasting disease that we treat as a moral lapse. It’s not about whether you’re good or bad. It’s about whether your brain latches on to the substance and can’t let go. But there’s help out there. You just have to ask. Please – if you or a loved one are having a problem with drugs or alcohol, come to the forum next Wednesday. It can’t hurt – and it just might help. We’ll be so happy that you came.

See you at the Dietrich.

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

Last week’s Gone with the Wind discussion was fascinating. It was interesting to learn people’s views on how history is portrayed in novels and films. Today, March 7th, we will host two free showings of Gone with the Wind at 1:00 pm and 6:30 pm at the Dietrich Theater. Even if you haven’t read the book, we invite you to watch this acclaimed movie on the big screen. These showings have been sponsored by the Pennsylvania Humanities Council.

Next Wednesday at 7 pm, we will continue our Wyoming County Reads series with a special discussion at the Dietrich on the Role of Music in Film with WVIA’s Erika Funke and Julia Peterson of Keystone College. During this discussion we will examine the essential contribution that music provides to film and some of the important functions that music achieves in motion pictures. The presentation format will be interactive and will include examples from popular films.

Now let me tell you about the Easy Beading class I took at the Dietrich. Esther did a wonderful job teaching us how to bead on fabric, beading with peyote stitches and use a bead loom. What I liked is that she showed us how to create our own designs for bead loom projects and then implement them. From what I learned I have already started a bead looming project of my own!

We have a couple of events for children and families coming up at the end of March that I would like to tell you about. On Saturday, March 24th at 11 am, the Dietrich After School Players will take the stage for their live performance of “Yee Ha: A Tribute to Hee Ha” It will be a country and western musical, comedy variety show that will be fun for the entire family. Admission is $3.00.

And then for younger children, on Thursday, March 29th at 1:30 pm Tom Knight will be back at the Dietrich. Tom Knight has been writing and performing for kids since 1988 and has performed at the Dietrich for the past few years. His show is a vibrant collection of original songs and skits, with variety enough to keep even the very youngest children waiting to see what will happen next. While Tom sings to pre-recorded music tracks, puppets like Henry the Magician, the Little Elephant, Andy the Recycling Guy, and Allie the Alligator act out the stories of the songs. Besides the visual appeal, almost every segment has a part for the audience, including hand motions, singing along, or doing simple dance steps. Kids love it and admission is free.

Oh, and don’t forget to reserve your tickets for the Opening Night Gala of the Spring Film Festival (Friday, April 13th at 6 pm) now. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, two movies and desserts by Epicurean Delight. To reserve tickets, call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500.

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

Acting Camp for Kids, ages 6 -11

Use your wonderful imagination and learn all about acting and theater. Activities covered include acting techniques, theatre games, improvisation, storytelling, play making, character creation and more! Students will create their own characters and stories while learning how to act and how much fun theater is. A casual performance will end the week if time allows. Each camp will feature a completely different story and characters so students are welcome to sign up for both weeks.

Camp 1: Monday - Friday, June 18 - 22 from 1:00 - 2:30 pm. Camp 2: Monday - Friday, August 6 - 10 from 1:00 -2:30 pm.

Admission $50 per week.

Instructor: Michaela Moore of All About Theatre

After School Players, for Middle & High School Students - Filled

Calling all actors, actresses, dancers and musicians, the Dietrich After School Players is now casting for its upcoming spring show, "Yee Haw! A Tribute to Hee Haw". Student will learn the theater arts and perform for friends and family at the Dietrich. Call 996-1500 to register.

Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 3:30 - 5:30 pm through March 24.

Cost: Free.

Carl Canedy and Patti Dunning of First Act Children's Theater

Ahoy Matey! Pirates and Treasure: Theater and Visual Arts Camp

Come find hidden treasure and learn the ancient secrets of pirates! Go on treasure hunts, make a pirate costume (boy or girl...yes there were girl pirates...)and make up your own unique play about...you guessed it - PIRATES! Come aboard our ship for a week and join the fun! For ages 5 -12.

Monday - Friday, August 6 -10 from 10:00 am - noon.

Admission: $50

Instructors: Michaela Moore and Amy Colley

All About Pottery & Sculpture, ages 9-12

Students will learn hand building techniques (Coil slab construction), glazing techniques and experience using potter's wheel.

Thursdays, March 8, 15, 22, 29 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm

Cost: $35, all materials provided.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Beginning Conversational Spanish - Filled

Learn a second language as a family! This class will introduce you to everyday Spanish conversational phrases and vocabulary. We will be using games, role plays and fun exercises to practice speaking Spanish. This is a great class to get you started on learning a second language. For ages 7 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Tuesdays, March 6 - 27 from 7:00 - 8:00 pm.

Cost: $30 for adults, children 16 and under, free.

Instructor: Victoria Romero

Decorative Painting for Adults, ages 16 and up

Learn decorative painting techniques whicle creating decorative pieces for your home or to give as gifts.

Wednesdays from noon - 3 pm through March 28.

Cost: $15 per class plus the cost of the painting surface.

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Decorative Painting for Kids

Children ages 8 and up will learn decorative painting techniques as they paint a bird house.

Tuesday, March 20 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Cost:$12, materials provided.

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Decorative Painting for Kids, ages 8 and up

Monday, April 30 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.Learn some decorative painting techniques and turn a plain wooden box into a work of art for Mom - make wrapping paper too!Tuesday, June 12 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.Make a decorative box for Father's Day and wrapping paper to wrap it in.

Monday, April 30 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm and Tuesday, June 12 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Cost: $5 per class.

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Digital Arts Camp, for ages 8 -13

Explore the arts through claymation, robotics and special effects.

Monday - Friday, July 23 -27 from 2:00 - 4:30 pm.

Admission: $50.

Instructor: Rand Whipple, Box of Light Theatre.

Digital Film Making, for students in 7th and 8th grades

In this ten week course, students will begin with the basics of characterization and end with several short films. Learn how characters are developed, interesting scenes are created, camera framing is used to tell the story and how the editing process works. Participants will create their own comedies or dramas and learn to shoot, score and edit their films.

Thursdays from 6:00 - 7:30 pm on April 5, 12, 19, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, and June 7. Saturday, April 28 - claymation from 10 am - 12:30 pm and filmmaking from 1 - 4 pm.

Admission is free!

Instructor: Rand Whipple, Box of Light Theatre.

Dinosaurs! Dinosaurs! Dinosaurs!: Theater and Visual Arts Camp

Have a blast discovering these fascinating ancient reptiles. Make up live dinosaur adventures in costumes and create art that is all about preshistoric creatures. Stomp through fossils and long extinct mammals and reptiles while learning fantastic facts. Come be a meat eater or a plant eater for a week at the Dietrich! For ages 5 -12.

Monday - Friday, June 18 -22 from 10:00 am - noon.

Admission: $50.

Instructors: Amy Colley and Michaela Moore.

Everhart Explorations, ages 5 - 12

Make it a scienterrific summer! Discover facts, features, and fun in the world around us. From atmosphere to illusions, experimenting with the Everhart has never been so exciting!

Mondays, July 9, 16, 23, 30. Ages 5-8: 10:00 -11:00 am. Ages 9 -12: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm.

Admission is free.

Instructor: Everhart Museum Staff

First Steps in Stained Glass

Learn the first steps of working with glass to create stained glass pieces. Students will learn to work with a design, cut glass, polish, foil wrap, and solder. Each student will leave with a finished item. All glass, supplies and equipment will be supplied.

Monday, March 12 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

Cost: $45, all materials provided.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Intergenerational Quilting, for all ages

"Sara's Squares" - Learn the art of quilting while making an uncommon variation of the classic log cabin quilt. Students will learn quilting techniques and study vintage quilts.

Wednesdays through March 28 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Cost: $6 per lesson, all materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Terry Keller and Peggy Lane

Jewelry for Kids, ages 8 and up

Make It/Bake It - Create your own beads, bake and string them into a necklace that is uniquely yours.

Tuesday, March 13 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Cost: $7

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Leonardo Da Vinci - His Life and Ideas

Da Vinci's interests and accomplishments will be explored as children sketch birds and other animals, try mirror writing, make a lute, and even learn a little Italian!

Monday - Friday, July 30 - August 3 from 3:00 - 4:30 pm.

Admission is $50.

Instructor: Amy Colley.

Little Artists, ages 2-1/2 to 4

Young artists and their moms, dads or grandparents will create works of art using an assortment of materials, including clay, tempera, watercolor and collage.

Fridays, March 2, 9, 16, 23 from 10:30 - 11:15 am

Cost: $30

Instructor: Amy Colley

Making Cards, ages 8 and up

Make unique cards with decorative paper and learn to crimp paper.

Monday, April 23 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $6.00.

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek.

Mixed Media, ages 5 -12

A new artist will be introduced each week as students learn about famous artists and create their own works using materials including clay, tempera, charcoal, pastels, etc.

Fridays from 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Session 1 - April 13, 20, 27, May 4. Session 2 - May 11, 18, 25, June 1.

Admission is $35 for four classes.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Mixed Media, ages 5- 8

A new artist will be introduced each week as students learn about famous artists and create their own works using materials including clay, tempera, charcoal, pastels, etc.

Fridays, 4:00 - 5:30 pm, March 9, 16, 23, 30.

Cost: $35 for each series of four classes.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Open Studio for Painting, Drawing and Pottery

Students of all ages and levels of experience will have the opportunity to work at their own paceand with the medium of their choice.

Tuesdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. March 6, 13, 20, 27.

Cost: $15 per class or $50 for four classes.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Painting on Glass, age 16 to adult

Learn decorative painting techniques as you paint a glass picture frame.

Monday, March 5 at 7 pm.

Cost: $12, materials are provided.

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Pottery & Sculpture, ages 13 to adult

This class is designed for students of all levels of experience. Students will work on pottery wheels, learn hand-building and sculpture techniques as well as making molds and casting.

Mondays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm, March 5, 12, 19, 26.

Cost: $50 for all four classes

Instructor: Steve Colley

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up

"Snowballs" - Snips of cloth with a winter theme make up our one-of-a-kind snowball quilt. Learn quilting and design techniques - it's easy and cool!

Wednesday through March 28 from 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Cost: $6 per lesson, all materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Terry Keller & Peggy Lane

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up - Spring

"Outside the Box" - Play with courageous and unique color choices as you learn to quilt these magical boxes. Learn about old and new quilts inspired by a classic quilt design.

Wednesdays, April 4 - June 6 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $6 per class, materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane and Terry Keller.

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up - Summer

"Secret Garden" - Design and sew a garden quilt. Make this quilt all your own with colorful fabrics. With a seed of imagination, you might find dandelions, bugs and a cat in your garden patch quilt.

Wednesdays, June 13 - July 25 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm

Admission is $6/class, materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane, and Terry Keller.

Theatre Workshop, for Middle and High School Students

Middle and high school students are invited to join us for a week of fun as they learn about stage combat, improv, Pandora's Box, games, dance choreography and more!

Mondays - Fridays, June 25 -29 from 10 am - noon.

Admission: $50.

Instructors: Patti Dunning and Carl Canedy of First Act Children's Theatre.

Under the Sea: Theater and Visual Arts Camp, ages 5 -12

Mermaids, sharks and underwater adventures! Ever wonder what it would be like to live uder the sea, be a mermaid or even a shark? Come find out at this salt water camp that is all about the ocean. Create costumes, pottery, watercolors (how appropriate), stories and plays for a week of splashy fun!

Monday - Friday, July 9 - 13 from 10 am - noon.

Admission is $50.

Instructor: Michaela Moore, All About Theatre

Watercolor for Beginners - Color and Composition

Learn the basics of color and composition in watercolor painting.

Friday, March 30 from 7-9 pm and Saturday, March 31 from 10 am - 4 pm.

Admission is $60. Call 570-996-1500 for a materials list.

Instructor: Jan Henning

Writers' Group

Come and read your work or listen and be inspired. Learn the craft of writing as you write. All genres and levels of writing are welcome.

Thursdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Meeting are ongoing.

Admission is free.

group format - no instructor

Yoga for You

Accomodations will be made for beginners, experienced practitioners, and those with special needs. Call 570-996-1500 to confirm dates. Please bring yoga mat or beach towel.

Wednesdays & Saturdays, 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Call 570-996-1500 for class dates.

Cost: $10 per lesson. Children are free.

Instructors: Melissa Russo & Mary Frances Giordano: Certified Hatha Yoga Instructors