At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

So, now the ladies of the Dietrich are totally focused on Christmas and decorating the theater for said holiday. In fact, after I write this column I have to hurry and dress and set out with Sarah and Margie and Fern to purchase the needed baubles and bangles to make our old girl simply razzle-dazzle during the days to come. No easy task, decorating for Christmas. We always go for the big “Oh,my!” effect which can be exhausting. And I am not helpful. I am the “idea” person who has…well…ideas. You know, “oh, lets put branches on the wall, or a million silver balls from the ceiling, or two million lights or….” And then someone else (usually Sarah – our resident artist and very patient person) has to figure out how to actually do it and somehow every year Sarah manages, with the help of our concession kids, some volunteers and her own ingenuity, to get it all done and ready to light up on Thanksgiving. (I’m surprised they don’t just lock me in a room with duct tape over my mouth from sometime around October when inspiration begins to hit me and Thanksgiving when it’s all done. Gosh. I don’t deserve how nice my friends are to me!)

So, you are probably asking, what movies are you going to be playing during the holidays? I will answer that to the best of my ability, knowing that last minute changes are always a distinct possibility.

For the Thanksgiving holiday I believe we will still have Fred Claus, a silly bit of holiday fluff, and I know we will have what looks to be delightful, vintage Disney – Enchanted. Taking all the animated heroes and villains of our childhood, bringing them to life and putting them in NYC looks to be great holiday fun. Then on December 7 we will bring in The Golden Compass – a fantasy conflict between good and evil in the spirit of Narnia or Lord of the Rings or that sort of story – very well done and great fun if you like grand adventures. And a few days before Christmas we bring in National Treasure 2 which I think will pack the house (at least that’s the plan).

In between these huge films I will have a week or two to bring in a movie for a week and I am trying very hard to get a film called Bella because I have had so many requests for it. It is in limited release, but Jeffrey is working on it for us – he liked it a lot, thought it deeply touching with wonderful acting, so I am trying my darndest to bring that one to you. I will definitely have it in January if not December, but I am trying very hard for December.

Our capital campaign is rolling along. Still hoping to break ground in March, so please, if you have plans to give to the theater expansion, now is the time. We so need to add those extra screens to stay competitive in a movie-eat-movie world. Speaking of which, the other day I heard a woman discussing the upcoming blockbusters for the season and saying , “Well, I think we’ll go to this one at the Dietrich and this one at the Cineplex” and I wanted to say something, but I didn’t, because I didn’t want to be rude – but really, folks, when you are spending your movie money, do remember that we need you to come right here, to the Dietrich, in downtown T’town, to see your movies. You can always call me and I’ll tell you if we’re planning on bringing a movie in – and if we’re not then you are forgiven. But you need to spend those entertainment dollars close to home. And that can be said about all your shopping – do shop locally. If you don’t support your downtown someday you won’t have one. We have a lovely, lovely downtown and from Gay’s to the Mary-Go-Round to Fitze’s to Bridge St. Marketplace to all the other wonderful little shops – there is little reason to leave here when buying gifts for your loved ones. And remember – Dietrich theater gift bags are a perfect, perfect gift, and those sales keep us afloat during the lean months of winter.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving – good food, good company, good wine – my oh my, what a wonderful day!

And to my darling cousin Johnny - -you get well now. I need you to be well. Got it?

See you at the Dietrich.

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

Well, our Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts went off without a hitch! I was able to get some of my Christmas shopping done and just enjoyed seeing all that the vendors had to offer. I really loved the delicious dipping sauces and hot sauces that Wendy Seymour of Montrose was selling. All of their products are created from homegrown garlic. I was also impressed with Linda Doucette’s woven acrylic paintings. And of course, I especially enjoyed seeing the alpacas that Endless Mountain Alpacas brought with them. They are such gentle creatures, and the kids loved them! We’d like to send out a big thank you to everyone that helped make the festival possible.

While we are on the subject of crafts, if you ever wanted to learn how to knit, now is your chance. Our own Sarah Sidorek will be teaching an Introduction to Knitting class starting at the end of the month. In this two-session class, student will learn how to knit and purl while making a scarf. Classes will be held on Wednesdays, November 28 and December 12 at 7 pm. Admission is $15 and materials are provided. Sarah is a wonderful knitter; she knits the most beautiful purses, scarves and hats. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register or for more information.

I can’t believe the middle of November is already here. The ladies are already planning and working hard to create their always-magnificent Christmas display in our Earnshaw gallery. I can’t wait for it to be unveiled on Thanksgiving night. Then the Dietrich will celebrate holidays with some of our favorite traditional events. Join us on Friday, December 7th for two free showings of “Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas” at 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm as Tunkhannock celebrates Christmas in Our Home Town. And then on Saturday, the festivities will continue with our free Holiday Workshop from 11 am -12:30 pm. It will be a fun morning full of singing, cookie decorating, ornament making and balloon creations by the balloon lady. And this year our two free showings of “It’s a Wonderful Life” will be on Tuesday, December 18th at 2 pm and 7 pm.

And if you have already started thinking about Christmas shopping, Dietrich gift bags are great for kids, teens and adults. Who doesn’t love a night out at the movies! Gift bags are really a double gift. They not only provide friends and family with some cinematic entertainment, but they help support the Dietrich.

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

All About Impressionist Painting, ages 9 -12

Students will learn about Impressionist painters such as Monet, Manet, and Seurat as they experiment with different painting techniques.

Thursdays, November 8, 15, 29, Dec. 6.

Admission: $35, materials provided.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Crazy Creatures for Mommy & Me, ages 3 & 4

Create fantastic, fuzzy, feathered and fury friends using a variety of materials including clay, paint, colorful pastels and more with your mom, dad, or grandparents.

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

Admission: $30, materials provided.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Decorative Painting for Adults

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 Dec. 19

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

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Holiday Camp, ages 6 -12

Young artists will become familiar with pottery, drawing and painting as well as famous artists in this camp.

Thursday, December 27 from 9:30 - 11 am -Pottery; Friday, December 28 from 9:30 - 11 am - Drawing & Painting

Admission: $25, materials provided.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Intergenerational Quilting, ages 13 and up

"School House 101" - Learn quilting techniques as you create a community quilt rediscovering variations of the classic school house pattern. Explore exciting block setting options and learn how to boldly mix colorful fabrics.

Wednesdays through December 12 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Admission: $6 per class, materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane, and Terry Keller

Introduction to Knitting, ages 10 - adult

Learn to knit and purl and end up with a scarf. All materials included.

Wednesdays, November 28 and December 12 at 7 pm.

Admission: $15

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Mehoopany Outreach Studio Mixed Media, ages 6 -12

Mixed Media at the Mehoopany Outreach Studio(87 Main Street). Students will learn about famous artists and create their own works using materials including clay, tempera, watercolors, collage, etc. Call 570-996-1500 to sign up.

Wednesdays from 3:30 - 5:00 pm. November 7, 14, 28, Dec. 5.

Admission: $20 for four classes.

Instructor: Steve 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 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm. November 9, 16, 30, Dec. 7.

Admission: $35 for a series of four classes.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Open Studio for Painting, Drawing & Pottery, for all ages

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

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

Admission: $15/class or $50 for 4 classes.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Pottery & Sculpture for Preschoolers, ages 4 & 5

Preschoolers will learn all about pottery and sculpture as they create fun sculptures, and make pottery using a potter's wheel and hand-building techniques.

Thursdays, November 8, 15, 29, Dec. 6 from noon - 12:45 pm.

Admission: $30, materials provided.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Pottery & Sculpture, ages 13 - adult

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

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

Admission: $50 for four classes.

Instructor: Steve Colley, M.F.A.

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up

"There Goes the Neighborhood" - Design a house or create a village in your own quilt. Have fun learning quilting techniques and the history of this traditional quilting block.

Wednesdays through December 12 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $6 per 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