At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

I wonder if all cancer patients divide their lives into BC and AC – Before Cancer and After (we hope) Cancer. And if they do, I wonder if they, too, have an appreciation of life that they didn’t have before. I don’t remember the poet who wrote – “Oh world, I cannot hold thee close enough!” (Perhaps Edna St. Vincent Millay?) but it is a perfect explanation of how it feels to look out at God’s earth and be overwhelmingly part of it. I was walking the Jacks the other day and the birds were on the wires overhead singing, and the electric blue dragonflies were darting about the wildflowers at the pond, and the sky was the pale blue of a hot summer day, and I looked around at all I could see and whispered “thank you.” Because what else can you say about the beauty of creation? There are times when only a simple “thank you” will do. All else is superfluous. None of us know the number of days we will get on this earth, but to have been part of it at all is such a privilege, such a joy. I wonder if the dragonflies bow in supplication to the creator who made the flowers and the water they dart so lightly above? I wonder if the birdsong we hear at eventide is a hymn of praise?

So, from the sublime to the…well…movies! Ratatouille is on it’s way! Friday we open the latest Pixar film. I really don’t have to say anything but Pixar and you movie buffs know that you’re in for some fine entertainment. And this one looks particularly funny and dear. It’s the story of a little rat who lives in Paris and longs to be a gourmet chef. Only, of course, most restaurants won’t allow a rat in the kitchen. So he has to come up with a way to become the first great chef in Paris who is also a four legged critter. It’s delightful, the reviews are great (aren’t they always on Pixar?) and it’s G rated. G rated! ( I thought that was worth repeating, it so seldom happens.) So that means you can bring anyone from little Billy who is three to Aunt Tillie who is ninety-seven and hasn’t seen a movie since Rhett Butler used the “d” word at the end of Gone With The Wind. She’s safe with a G rating. So bring the family and come and enjoy a delightful movie about a wee furry creature with high hopes.

Evan Almighty will be in the Murray for the next two weeks. It didn’t do well nationally, and I’m not sure why. I saw it on Friday night and although I admit it’s a little slow getting off the ground, it’s a delightful movie. I’m a big Steve Carrel fan, it’s got Morgan Freeman (who doesn’t like him?) and mainly it’s got the cutest animals on earth (literally) who come two-by-two to get on the ark. It’s very respectful of the Bible story it brings to film, and is funny and dear. The main character is very sweet and likeable and there is no way you can see the critters and not go “awwwww.” So give it a try, if you’re in the mood for light and silly and just fun.

For those who are asking, we will begin selling advance tix for the Harry Potter midnight show within a few days. They’re releasing Harry early – on July 11, so the show will be the Tuesday night (well…really Wednesday morning) at 12:01. The trailers on it look fabulous, and I’m not even going to bother trying to talk you into seeing Harry. These movies sell themselves. They are high quality productions, so call in a few days if you want to know about the tickets. Or better yet, we’ll get a sign on the marquee when the advanced tix are ready.

And speaking of the marquee – how do you like the ruby red neon? Isn’t it gorgeous? Many, many thanks to Bill Dieffenbach and Bob Boyce for the hours and hours they spent doing the electrical hookups for the marquee facelift. They worked on the hottest days of the summer so far, bless their hearts. Thanks, guys. You’re champs in our book!

See you at the Dietrich.

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

Our first week of summer camp was pure fun! In dinosaur camp, children made their own dinosaur costumes and created characters for a play they performed for family and friends at the end of the week. They also worked with clay to create dinosaur figures and they painted papier-mâché dinosaur eggs. I think one of my favorite things the campers did was create a very large dinosaur statue. It was a wonderful group project and each camper got to paint a different part of the cardboard dinosaur. We look forward to our next theater and visual arts camp in July with artist-in-residence Amy Colley and Michaela Moore of All About Theatre.

Michaela also taught a week of Acting Camp for Kids in the afternoon. I can tell you those young thespians loved it. They enjoyed dressing up in costumes and playing theater games. Their big project for the week is that they wrote a script based on characters they created and performed for family at the end of the week. We will hold another week of Acting Camp the week of August 6 –10 from 1:00 pm-2:30 pm.

With summer vacation here, we were delighted to see some children attending our yoga classes with their parents or grandparents. Kids are so flexible and make yoga look so easy. It is also great for young people to learn relaxation techniques at such an early age.

Young scientists are invited to take part in our Everhart Explorations class in a few weeks. With the guidance of one of the Everhart’s educators, students will perform science experiments and make projects regarding the world around them. Topics covered may include optical illusions, weather, light and color, and flight. Classes will be held on Mondays starting July 9th. Students ages 5 –8 will meet from 10 – 11 am, and students ages 9 –12 will gather from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm. Admission is free. Call the Dietrich to register.

For adults and teens we are offering a July class of Pottery and Sculpture with Steve Colley. In this class, students learn how to work on potters’ wheels, hand building and sculpture techniques as well as mold making. You should see all of the beautiful pottery that is made by students in that class. Students of any experience level are welcome. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 for more information.

And later in July, the Dietrich will host a writers’ workshop with local author Charlee Ganny. She took part in a workshop for us last winter and gave some great practical advice to those who came. In this workshop Charlee will provide guidance about writing what you know, how to plot a novel, how to position your book to sell and more. Participants are invited to bring the first page of a work in progress to be critiqued. This workshop will be held on Saturday, July 28th from 12:30 – 2:30 pm and admission is free. Following the workshop, Charlee Ganny, writing as Lucy Finn, will talk about and sign her latest novel “Careful What You Wish For”. Call now for reservation at 996-1500. Space is limited.

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 - 8

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.

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