At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

Prepare for the flood! Of laughs, of course. Steve Carell is coming to the Dietrich as a modern day Noah in Evan Almighty, a movie that looks to be every bit as funny (or perhaps more so) than its predecessor, Bruce Almighty. The trailers are hilarious, so if you’re in the mood for light and funny and silly and time-out from your worries and woes, then this is the movie for you! When Morgan Freeman, as God, comes to tell Carell that he must build an ark, Carell’s first reaction after disbelief, is embarrassment. How can he explain this to his friends? Family? Anyone? But the Almighty is insistent and Evan has no choice but to follow directions. Steve Carell is one of the funniest actors alive, so if you want a good, good time, bring the family and come to this PG rated gem.

Then, for the grownups, for one week only, we are playing Waitress. Keri Russell stars as a pregnant waitress in the south, unhappily married, who makes superb pies. It’s a sweet, romantic comedy, a little melancholy, but a lovely story that got rave reviews from the critics. We thought it might be time to bring a film for grown-ups, even if it is for just one week.

Then next week we will bring in Ratatouille, Pixar’s latest. I really don’t have to tell you how great a film that will be – Pixar speaks for itself. They put out only quality product and we get to enjoy it! And, yes, I know Transformers will be out on July 4th, but we only have two screens, so we can’t show it. (See why we have to have another screen or two?) It was a hard choice, between Ratatouille and Transformers, but I think this town loves Pixar films and that the mayhem found in the transformers will do just as well second-run. So sometime in August we’ll play catch-up and bring in the goodies we’ve missed along the way, and Transformers, Die Hard, Nancy Drew etc. will all be on the catch-up list.

We need to thank Mauri Lawler and Claire Williams for having a wonderful fund-raising party at Mauri’s house this past Friday. Because the house belonged to Mary Lynn, it seemed as if she were there, and that was a very fine feeling. Mary Lynn had been our very first donor when we started the Dietrich project so long ago. Each party brings us one step closer to our goal. And once that goal is met we’ll be able to get things in order to add screens. Won’t it be wonderful when you can choose from four movies instead of two? (Especially when the two have been playing for weeks?) And then think of all the classes we can add! Oh, Gosh! It’s such an exciting thought!

Don’t forget the incredible events we have coming up. Celebrate Our River Day in July and the Writer’s Workshop with Charlee Ganny and the trip to the Everhart and…well…stuff. Lots and lots of stuff.

So many people wrote me about the bees. Not in their back yards, either. Not on their flowers, their clover or in their trees. This is a silent summer, with no buzzing to be heard. And yet Ronnie Vieczorek took me to see his hives on Sunday and they’re thriving. He’ll have hundreds of pounds of honey at the end of the season. So why are his domestic bees all thriving and yet the wild ones seem to have lost their way? I don’t get it. Neither does anyone else. But I miss the bees. I miss the thrum of summer only they could provide. I want to stand out on my lawn and cry “Come back! Come back! Whatever we did, we’re sorry! Please, please give us another chance.” Maybe that’s what we need to do. I just want this story to have a happy ending.

See you at the Dietrich.

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

I was delighted to see Julie White win the award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a play for her role in The Little Dog Laughed last Sunday as I watched the Tony Awards. During the fall of 2006, some of us at the Dietrich had the opportunity to take in this comedic play as well as meet the playwright Douglas Carter Beane. The show was so well cast and Julie was a riot in her role as a Hollywood agent. Douglas Carter Beane received a Best Play nomination for his work. We hope to book a bus to see his newest play soon.

Coming up in July, we have some exciting classes for teens and children. For students ages 12 and up the Dietrich will host a Ballroom Dancing for Teens class with Connie Kintner. In this class students will learn how to swing dance and do the meringue. No dance experience is required. Classes will be held on Thursday mornings from July 12 through August 9. Admission is free. Call the Dietrich to register because space is limited.

For young science buffs, we are excited to have staff from the Everhart Museum back for Everhart Explorations. In this four-week series, students will learn facts, features and fun in the world around us. From atmosphere to illusions, experimenting with science has never been so exciting. We will have a class for students ages 5 –8 from 10:00 – 11:00 am and students ages 9-12 from 11:30 – 12:30 pm on Mondays in July starting July 9th. Admission is free. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to sign up.

Then at the end of July, children will have the opportunity to learn about Leonardo Da Vinci with artist-in-residence Amy Colley. Not only was Da Vinci a master artist he also was an incredible inventor. Students ages 6 –12 will be able to explore Da Vinci’s interests and accomplishments as they sketch birds and other animals, try mirror writing, make a lute and learn a little Italian. Call the Dietrich for more information at 570-996-1500.

For those young ones who are interested in nature and art, we are having a camp in our Mehoopany satellite location focused on the Art of the Susquehanna River. Student will create projects inspired by the river itself such as clay, river stones, fossils and fish with Steve Colley. Camp will be held the week of July 16th from 4:30 – 6:00 pm.

Hope all of you have an opportunity to take in Tunkhannock’s Founder’s Day this Saturday, June 23rd from 10 am – 4 pm. The day will be full of entertainment including music and artisan demonstrations, craft items, food, and more! Remember to stop by the Dietrich for some free popcorn.

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.

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 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 - 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

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.

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

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 through July 25 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Admission is $6 per class, materials provided.

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

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.

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. 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, July 9, 16, 23, 30.

Cost: $50 for all four classes

Instructor: Steve Colley

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 through July 25 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm

Admission is $6/class, materials provided.

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

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

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 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