At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

So here we are, opening a brand new Harry Potter. It’s amazing, really, how the boy wizard has captured the imagination of the entire world. I’m a big fan of J.K. Rowling, although I’ve only read the first book and have never seen an entire Harry movie. Not because I think there is anything wrong with either the books or the movies, but because I am incapable of suspending my disbelief longer than about twenty minutes. I just don’t do magic or fantasy or any of that sort of thing. But I know quality fantasy when I see it, and Harry is a quality wizard. The characters are real, the situations dire, the plotline completely absorbing. Rowling has done a wonderful job and stayed true to her characters from book one. She must feel so odd, having finished with the boy who made her one of the wealthiest women in the world. On one sense she must feel liberated, happy to be done with him, glad the long slog is finally over. But on the other hand, Harry has been very good to her and she must have the same sense of sorrow at having to say goodbye as any of her most avid readers. I think the best part about Harry is that in between Harry books, kids read anything they could get their hands on – Madeleine L’Engle was reborn in the hands of young readers once again - - because J.K. Rowling tore children away from video games and television and introduced them to the wonders of the printed page – superior in every way to any other entertainment on earth. And as an extra bonus, every one of the films has been glorious. Even the theme song is so remarkable that like Tara’s Theme from so long ago, when you hear it the images conjured up are rich and filled to the brim with emotion.

So come see Harry in all his glory. The film will be superb because they always are. Come enter the world of the young wizard and his friends and, sadly, his enemies, because a good story must always be a struggle between what is good and the evil it plays against. Because if there weren’t a struggle, what fun would that be?

Now, culturally speaking, do remember that July 21 is our Celebrate Our River Day with all the wonderful outdoor things that go along with it. And Hillside Farms Dairy will be there with their superb ice cream! Oh, yum. I can’t wait for that!

Then on the 28th Charlee Ganny will be with us for the writer’s workshop followed by the book signing. If you have any interest in writing at all, do come hear this marvelous woman. And if you don’t want to write but have a hankering to read snappy, literate, funny paranormal romances, just come to meet the author. She’s so much fun you’ll be glad you did!

So, I am writing this on the day before I leave for Las Vegas. Yeah. Vegas, baby! (I just had to say that.) My daughter invited me to come for a visit (she works at the university there) so Sandy and I are going to Las Vegas to take in the sights. Of course, I hate to fly. Did it once about twenty-five years ago. Hated it. Thought the plane was going to fall out of the sky at any moment. I’m terrified. And although I haven’t left yet, I’m horribly homesick. I am so, so small town. I don’t really like to travel – well, except to New York City which I can take a bus to and stay for two days and come home and I never have to be in the air and I only miss home a little bit.

I know once I get there I’ll have a wonderful time just being with Shannon and then seeing such an interesting place even if I think gambling is weird and it’s way, way too hot. As long as the plane stays in the sky. I just really need it to stay in the sky.

Sigh.

I’ll miss you all. And the Dietrich. And the town.

Can you tell I’m a terrible traveler?

See you at the Dietrich.

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

Harry Potter is here! There is so much excitement surrounding this movie’s release. It is fun watch Harry, Ron and the gang at Hogwarts grow and change in this series of movies. I might have to reread the book before I catch “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” on screen.

Looking at cultural, we have a fabulous camp for young artists coming up at the end of the month. Students ages 6 –11 are invited to come, learn and be inspired by studying the work of one of the greatest artists of all time – Leonardo Da Vinci. Da Vinci was a masterful artist, inventor and engineer. He is probably most famous for painting the Mona Lisa. In this camp, artist-in-residence Amy Colley will help campers learn how to sketch animals and birds. Students will also do mirror writing, make a lute and learn a little Italian. Sounds like fun, right? Leonardo Da Vinci Camp will be held the week of Monday – Friday, July 30 through August 3 from 3:00 – 4:30 pm.

For adults and teenagers, the Dietrich will host a Move Over Mr. Spielberg Digital Film Making Camp during the week of July 23- 27. What is so neat about this camp is that you learn the entire process of digital filmmaking – how to use the equipment, how to develop characters and a story line, how to do camera framing as well as editing. The films created can then be entered into the Endless Mountains Digital Film Festival. For more information about the Endless Mountains Digital Film Festival call the Bradford County Regional Arts Council at 268-2787.

There are still a few spaces available in our free writers’ workshop – Your Novel: Writing What You Know on Saturday, July 28 from 12:30 – 2:30 pm with published author Charlee Ganny. Writers of all levels of experience are welcome to attend. Call the Dietrich at 996-1500 to register.

And it's not too soon to let you all know that on August 17 and 18 at 7:30 pm the Dietrich Theater Actors will be presenting two original one-act plays written by playwright Joe Barone of New York City, and staged for the first time in our Peg Fassett Performance Studio. Casting has been completed and rehearsals have begun under the direction of Esther Harmatz. Mr.Barone will be present to introduce the plays, and the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions and chat with the playwright immediately following the performance. Light refreshments will be served. It should be an interesting and enjoyable evening as the plays are quite humorous! More information about this event will follow in upcoming newsletters. Advance tickets may be purchased by calling 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.

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 -Filled

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 - Filled

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.

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