At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

So, here we go! The summer blockbuster season is upon us! Three out of the four weekends of May, we will be opening a blockbuster movie! Can you believe it? (All because our Jeffrey is so brilliant at dealing with the big companies.) This Friday we open Spiderman 3 which is garnering the best reviews of the trilogy. Across the board. Phenomenal reviews! This is a must-see for the family. They not only brought a comic book character to life, but did it with such class and distinction that it’s a family film with real substance and heart. We are so excited about opening it!

In the Murray we have the recipient of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film of the Year last year – The Lives Of Others. This is a German language film, subtitled, just the sort we would bring in to the festivals. It’s not only about the politics of the Berlin wall and its fall, but about how that wall and the ensuing changes affected the lives of real people – a real family. A stunning film, and again, had we been able to book it in time for festival we would have, but we couldn’t. So, like Miss Potter, we are bringing it to you a week or two later.

Speaking of Miss Potter – it was a wondrous film. I went into the Evans on Friday night just to do a sound check for Esther and then I was going home, but I simply couldn’t leave the theater. It’s fascinating, gorgeous to look at and has so many interesting themes running through it. Not only does it talk about the dismal lives of Victorian women (they had two choices: marrying well or…well…marrying well). Of course, Beatrix Potter was an artist and before she drew her famous Peter Rabbit series, she did scientific drawings of lichen which, had they been done by a man, would have been accepted by the Royal Academy of Sciences. They would not accept anything from her. After her death they apologized. (Gee, thanks, bud.) But the film is about art, and the conservation of land – 4,000 acres to be precise, still in conservation all these years later.

So if you didn’t get to see it at the Dietrich you have one more chance to catch it on the big screen before it comes out in DVD. The Susquehanna County Heritage Preservation,Inc., in collaboration with the Edward L. Rose Conservancy and the Endless Mountains Heritage Region is doing a fund-raiser to raise the money needed to match the grant they received to nominate Montrose to the National Register of Historic Places. Their fund-raiser includes dinner at Downtown Grounds in Montrose (for $15.00) followed by the movie at the Montrose theater (for $6.00). You don’t have to go to the dinner – you can just go to the movie. So, think about what a good deed you’ll be doing seeing a really superb film and helping out a bunch of nice folks with a terrific cause! (And while you’re there, say “hi” to Rena for us – she’s doing a great job running that little theater!) Call the Montrose Theatre at 570-278-3352 for more information.

Oh, and Shirley pointed out to me yesterday that although I thanked our food and wine sponsors last week, I didn’t thank the many sponsors who, along with memberships, really underwrite the festival. (If you want to know where you should take your business, look carefully at the sponsors listed on the festival brochure. It gives you the names of those who think the arts are important enough to put their money where their mouth is, so to speak.) Thank you, dear, dear sponsors. Your underwriting pays for the food and wine, and the film deliveries and lots of other little stuff. Without you there wouldn’t be a festival! Bless your hearts!

Oh noooo! I can’t be out of space already! But…I have so much more I want to tell you! Sigh. Okay. Just one little thing – Esther is giving a class on glass fusing – very basic intro sort of thing, so if you have any interest, call 996-1500. Esther is a wonderful teacher and you’ll be so glad you took the course.

See you at the Dietrich,

P.S. _ - I want you to know that this entire column was written with Henry Dietrich Morgan (the orange tiger from last summer’s Dietrich kittens) sitting on my lap with his chin resting on my right hand. No matter how many times I moved him he came back to lie in the same position and purr. He’s a big supporter of the arts, you know.

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

You know summer is just around the corner when the blockbuster season starts. We are so looking forward to the opening of “Spider-Man 3” at the Dietrich this Friday, May 4th. Every time I see a preview for this movie, it makes me want to see the movie even more – new villains, and temptations for a favorite super hero! We will have this action packed adventure movie for three weeks.

Besides hosting great movies this May, the Dietrich has some wonderful classes, workshops, and events coming up. Esther Harmatz will be teaching a one-day “Introduction to Glass Fusing” Workshop. The pendants students have made in past classes were beautiful. This class will be a very basic introduction to the process of small-piece fused glasswork. Each student will create a fused glass item, which will be finished, polished & wire wrapped. This class will be held on Monday, May 14 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm. Admission is $50 and all materials will be provided.

On Monday nights in May, adults and students ages 13 and up also have an opportunity to learn the art of making pottery and sculpture in the Dietrich’s Dorothy G. Sheldon Art Studio. In this class, students can work on potters’ wheels; learn hand-building techniques, sculpture, and make molds and tiles. Our artist-in-residence Steve Colley teaches the class and does an excellent job working with students of all ability levels. Admission is $50 for four classes including materials. Classes are held on Monday nights from 7:00 – 8:30 pm.

We also have a few spaces remaining for our Introduction to Basketry class with Susi Nuss. You may have seen her work in the exhibit in the Dietrich’s Earnshaw Gallery – it is beautiful. Not only will you learn how to a weave a basket, but you will learn how to gather and process natural materials, including sweet grass, black ash, white oak, elm bark, day lily leaves and more! Those materials can then be incorporated into your weaving. This workshop will be held at the Dietrich on Friday, May 11 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm and Saturday, May 12 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Admission including materials is $80. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register.

On Monday, May 7th at 7:00 pm at the Dietrich, the Lower Tunkhannock Creek Watershed Association will present a talk on “Watershed Problems and Possible Solutions”. Bob Daniels will discuss watershed problems including runoff, erosion, damage, lost acreage and more. Possible solutions to these problems will also be presented. All are invited to attend this free presentation in the Dietrich’s Peg Fassett Performance Studio.

And join us for our upcoming Second Saturday on Saturday, May 12 at 11 am. Children and families are invited to meet local singer and songwriter Donna Hill and her guide dog, Hunter. Sing along with us and also learn how guide dogs can make life easier for blind people. Admission is free.

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

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

Ballroom Dancing for Beginners

Learn how to waltz and fox trot in this five week introductory ballroom dancing class for adults.

Saturdays, April 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Admission: $30 per person.

Instructor: Connie Kintner.

Ballroom Dancing for Kids, ages 12 and up.

Learn how to do the merengue and swing dance in this five week introductory ballroom dancing class for kids.

Thursdays, July 12, 19, 26, August 2, 9, from 10:00 - 11:30 am

Admission is free. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Instructor: Connie Kintner

Decorative Painting for Adults - Spring and Summer

Learn decorative painting techniques while creating decorative pieces for your home or to give as gifts. All levels of experience welcome. Preregistration required. Call 570-996-1500 to sign up.

Wednesdays from noon - 3:00 pm through August 29.

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

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

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 ages 14 to adult

In this ten week course, students will begin with basic characterization and end up 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 7:30 - 9:00 pm on April 5, 12, 19, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and June 7. Saturday, April 28th - Claymation: 10 am - 12:30 pm. Film Making: 1:00 - 4:00 pm.

Admission: Free

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

Golden Days of Radio Players Group

Come back with us to those thrilling days of radio drama and comedy. Join us as we prepare a radio play production. Together we will explore the magic of "The Theater of the Mind".

Tuesdays through May 15 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: Free!

Instructor: Valerie Paulus

Intergenerational Quilting, for all ages - Spring

"Rolling Stone" - Learn about and use unique Pennsylvania fabrics as you create your own interpretation of this classic quilt design that was popular in the 1800s.

Wednesdays through May 30 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Admission: $6/ class, materials provided.

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

Intergenerational Quilting, for all ages - Summer

"Farmers Market" - Quilting is food for the soul! Fashion a tablerunner or throw for an indoor or outdoor setting made with fruit and vegetable print fabrics, homespuns and more. Learn the basics of sewing and quilting.

Wednesdays, June 6 - July 25 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Admission is $6 per class, materials provided.

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

Introduction to Natural Basketry

This class is designed for students to learn how to recognize, process and weave natural materials. Each student will have the opportunity to weave their own rectangular basket. For adults and students ages 16 and up.

Friday, May 11 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm and Saturday, May 12 from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Admission: $80, materials are provided.

Instructor: Susi Nuss

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.

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. May 11, 18, 25, June 1.

Admission is $35 for four classes.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Move Over Mr. Spielberg, for ages 14 to adult

Learn how to create your own digital films using a digital camera and a computer. Using everything from clay actors to human ones, the class will shoot, edit, score and output several short films in the course of a week.

Monday - Friday, July 23 -27 from 6:00 - 8:30 pm.

Admission is $50.

Instructor: Rand Whipple, Box of Light Theatre.

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. Session 2 - May 1, 8, 15, 22. Session 3 - July 10, 17, 24, 31.

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

Instructor: Steve Colley

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, Session 2 - April 30, May 7, 14, 21. Session 3 - July 9, 16, 23, 30.

Cost: $50 for all four classes

Instructor: Steve Colley

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 through 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

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. Meetings are ongoing.

Admission is free.

group format - no instructor

Yoga for Beginners

Create a strong foundation of breath awareness and training to support your gentle yoga practice. Variations will be given to meet all physical needs including chair variations as alternatives to floor poses. Dress comfortably and bring a mat or blanket and pillow.

Tuesdays from 10 -11 am. May 1, 18, 15, 22.

Admission: $10/class

Certified Yoga Instructor: Melissa Russo.

Yoga for You

This class will teach and reinforce the basic yoga poses (asanas)which gently stretch and strengthen the body. Attention will be given to breathing and alignment in postures. Call 570-996-1500 to confirm dates. Please bring yoga mat or beach towel.

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

Cost: $10 per lesson. Children are free.

Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor: Melissa Russo