At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

What a treat old mamma nature had in store for us this morning! (I’m writing this on Monday afternoon.) Six inches of snow blanketing everything and looking sooo fine. The only thing missing was a Bing Crosby tune and, actually, I hear those in my head all the time. (Yes, doctor, I really really do.)

So tomorrow we start a brand new year. And even though we don’t really get a clean slate, it sort of feels like it, doesn’t it? I guess that’s why we make all those resolutions – I mean really, we could make them on any day of the year, but we save them for this new day of the brand new year. My resolutions always have to do with writing (this year I swear I’m going to write five pages a day….sigh) and eating (I am going to learn to love apples and oranges and carrots and celery and I will totally HATE cookies and cake and I’ll never even look at a piece of pie! Uh huh.)

Of course, the new year not only fills us with hope about the days to come, but gives us a moment to look back and reflect on the days that have passed and won’t be back again.

It’s been a good year at the theater. Margie and Erica have outdone themselves – as always- - with the incredible array of cultural programming they put together for the art lovers in the county. Everything from sculpting to painting to acting and concerts and even a day devoted to the environment at the river. They are incredible, those two, always looking for ways to expand programming so they can include more and more people. And they’re never satisfied with what they have accomplished – they’re always looking forward to what they will accomplish in the future. How did the community get so lucky to have two such grand women work so hard to expand the arts in our wonderful town?

I guess, with the exceptions of the movies and cultural, the project that took up the most time was the Capital Campaign for the expansion of the theater. As I write this we are looking at closing in on our 1.9 million dollar goal and it’s because of the generosity of the people who believe in the town and the theater. So many people on the committee have worked so hard that I need to mention and thank just a handful of them (with the hopes that I won’t forget anyone). So thank you Connie Kintner for your fearless leadership, Frank Oliver for your unmatched skill in explaining to people what loving philanthropy is all about, Gloria Fassett for her quiet, steady work on our behalf, John Kekker for educating us about the money end of this process, Marta Ruiz for her wonderful imagination and dogged follow-ups of potential donors, Jodi Armstrong without whom we simply couldn’t have done this. Jodi’s grant writing skills and her understanding of how to make a clear presentation to powers-that-be are so superb that she is in a class by herself. And we mustn’t forget Annette Sheldon whose kindness to us is beyond generous. Then there is the irrepressible Jerry Weber whose enthusiasm, amateur architectural skills and salesmanship have helped this come together (and made it fun, too!)

Thank you to Esther who runs the equipment at our presentations (she ran it at the gorgeous Metcalf house last week – wait til you get to see what they’ve done there – WOW!!!) and finally, once more I must mention our darling Erica who keeps all this organized, and Barbara who keeps the finances straight. Oh, my! I surely hope I didn’t forget anyone. If I did, I’m so sorry and I’ll make it up to you next week! (I promise.)

And next week I’ll talk a little about why we’re expanding and why you should care and, most importantly, why your philanthropic dollars are well spent helping us with this one time campaign.

See you at the Dietrich.

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

Well the new year is here and our yoga classes at the Dietrich begin today. Certified yoga instructor Melissa Russo will teach yoga every Wednesday from 10 - 11 am at the Dietrich. What a great way to start out 2008 by learning some yoga poses, and breathing and relaxation techniques. I plan to attend as many classes as I can this year (It’s not a resolution just a goal.) Melissa usually starts out the class by asking everyone what areas of the body they would like to work on and she also makes accommodation for student’s physical limitations. Class admission is $10 and students are invited to bring a yoga mat and blanket.

The Dietrich will also be offering some great painting classes for students of all ages this January. For adults, local watercolorist Jan Henning will be back at the Dietrich for a watercolor workshop for beginner and intermediate students on Friday, January 25th from 7:00 - 9:00 pm and Saturday, January 26th from 9:30 am - 4:00 pm. She will be teaching or reinforcing the basics of watercolor including supplies and uses, preparing watercolor paper for paint application, setting up a palette, and techniques for applying paint to paper. What is so neat about her classes is she creates her own watercolor painting as a demonstration for students in the class. For intermediate students, there will be an extra class challenge. Admission is $60 for the workshop.

For students who are more interested in decorative painting, artist Eileen Balboa will be back to teach decorative painting techniques on Wednesdays, January 23, 30, February 13, 20, 27, and March 12, 19, 26 from noon - 3:00 pm. Students will create decorative pieces for their homes or to give as gifts. Admission is $20 per class plus the cost of the painting surface. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to sign up. Preregistration is required.

For little ones, Amy Colley will be teaching a new class called “Paint Your Art Out”. In this class, children will create spatter and drip paintings and work with tempera and watercolors. Students will also learn about warm and cool colors. For preschoolers ages 3 - 5, classes will be held at the Dietrich on Thursdays, January 10, 17, 24, 31 from noon - 12:45 pm. We also will offer a Paint Your Art Out for Mommy & Me in our Mehoopany Outreach Studio where moms, dads or grandparents can accompany their little ones to the class. Paint Your Art Out for Mommy & Me will be on Wednesdays from 10:30 - 11:15 am on January 9, 16, 23, and 30.

We also have a fun Family Storytime coming up on Saturday, January 12 at 11 am for families and children. Storyteller and folklorist Fiona Powell will sit at her spinning wheel and spin tales from around the world for all ages. Admission is free.

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

3-D Madness, ages 9 - 12

Students will learn how to sculpt with an assortment of mediums including clay, string, paper, cardboard, etc. while learning about artists Pablo Picasso and Joseph Cornell.

Thursdays, February 14, 21, 28, March 6 from 4;00 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Steve Colley

After School Players

Students will learn all about theater arts as they prepare for the musical "50 Years of Rock 'n Roll: American Bandstand to TRL". Students will also provide input for the show and learn choreography. No experience is required!

Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 - 5:30 pm, January 7 - March 8

Admission: Free

Instructors: Carl Canedy and Patti Dunning, First Act Children's Theatre

All About Printmaking, ages 5 -12

Students will learn about printmaking while creating their own etchings, monoprints and lithographs.

Ages 5-8: Fridays, March 7, 14, 21, 28 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Ages 9-12: Thursdays, March 13, 20, 27, April 3 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructors: Amy Colley and Steve Colley.

All About Printmaking, ages 5 -12 - Mehoopany Outreach Studio

Students will learn about printmaking and create their own etchings, monoprints, and lithographs at the Mehoopany Outreach Studio.

Wednesdays, February 6, 13, 20, 27 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Steve Colley

All Kinds of Sculpture for Mommy & Me, ages 3 & 4

Create all kinds of sculpture using an assortment of media including string, paper, clay and recyclables with your mom, dad or grandparents.

Thursdays, February 7, 14, 21, 28 from 10:30 - 11:15 am.

Admission: $30.

Instructor: Amy Colley

All Kinds of Sculpture for Preschoolers, ages 3 - 5

Preschoolers will create all kinds of sculpture using an assortment of media including string, paper, clay and recyclables.

Thursdays, February 7, 14, 21, 28 from 12:00 - 12:45 pm.

Admission: $30.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Basketry Workshop - A Wearable Pouch

Students ages 16 and up will create a small basket of hand pounded black ash wood splints and various natural basketry materials such as cedar bark, elm bark, or birch bark. The basket is small enough to wear as a woven pendant. Preparation of natural basketry materials will also be covered.

Saturday, February 23 from 9:00 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $80, materials included.

Instructor: Susi Nuss

Basketry Workshop - Create a Berry Basket

Students ages 16 and up will create a small open berry basket of hand pounded back ash wood splints. The basket features a square check weave base. Besides learning basketry techniques, students will learn how to prepare black ash wood splints. No experience is required.

Saturday, April 5 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $80, materials included.

Instructor: Susi Nuss

Basketry Workshop - Twig Plant Tower

Learn what goes into harvesting and creating unique rustic twig towers for use as plant supports in the garden. The towers are great to use for climbing plantss such as morning glories, ivy or runner beans. They can be placed in large clay pots for teppe shaped topiaries or set in the landscape to provide dimension. In the winter the structures can be decorated with lights to enhance the winter garden.

Saturday, March 1 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $80, materials included.

Instructor: Susi Nuss

Decorative Painting, ages 16 and up

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

Wednesdays from noon - 3:00 pm. January 23, 30, February 13, 20, 27, March 12, 19, 26, and April 16, 23, 30.

Admission: $20/class plus the cost of painting surfaces

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Exploring Color for ages 3 - 5

Little ones will learn about color by creating works of art and by playing theater games.

Thursdays, March 6, 13, 20, 27 from 10:30 - 11:30 am.

Admission: $30

Instructors: Amy Colley & Michaela Moore

Fun and Feathers, for grades K - 6

Flock to the Dietrich this March to experience the wonderful world of birds! Based on the Everhart's exhibit, "Flocks & Feathers", learn about birds, their habitat, and their connections to us through art, writing and science. Birds are the inspiration for masks, prints, origami and even paintings on eggs!

Tuesdays, March 4, 11, 18, 25 from 4:00 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: Free

Instructor: Everhart Museum Staff

Intergenerational Quilting, ages 13 and up

The Wool Workshop - Think warm and woolly this winter. Learn quilting techniques as you experiment with wools, weaves and other textiles. Examine vintage quilts and recapture the sensibility of quilts of old.

Wednesdays, January 9 - March 26 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Admission: $6 per class, materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane and Terry Keller.

Jewelry Making - Glass Fusing, ages 16 and up

This class will be a very basic introduction to the process of small piece fused glass work. Each student will create a fused glass item which will be finished, polished, and wire wrapped.

Mondays, March 3 and 10 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $60, materials provided.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Jewelry Making - Metal Working, ages 16 and up

Students will learn how to use a jewelers saw, how to do basic metal cutting, filing and polishing. Each students will create a pendant.

Monday, March 17 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $50, materials provided.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Jewelry Making -Easy Beading, ages 16 and up

Have fun learning three beading styles. Basic loom beading, peyote, and beading on fabric will be demonstrated. All materials and equipment will be supplied.

Monday, March 24 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $25, materials provided.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Little People & Nature - Series 1, ages 2 1/2 to 4

Rebecca Lesko of the Endless Mountains Nature Center will teach us about:When Winter Comes - Where do some of the animals go in the winter? What animals can we still see? Children will learn the answers to these questions through songs, stories, puppets and crafts.Bunny Hop - What do wild bunnies eat? Where do they live? How do they hide? Learn why domestic rabbits don't make good pets for children, and meet a rescued rabbit.Going Batty - What makes a bat a bat? Can you see bats in the winter? Dress like a bat? make a puppet, listen to a story, sing a song, and pretend to be a bat. Learn about the only flying mammal.Feeder Flutter - We've gone to the birds! Meet a live bird. Make a bird feeder to take home. Explore the discovery stations, feathers, puppets and stories.

Wednesdays, February 6, 13, 20, 27 from 10 -11 am.

Cost: $35, children should be accompanied by an adult

Instructor: Rebecca Lesko, Endless Mountains Nature Center

Mask Making for Mommy & Me, ages 3 & 4

Make your own mask! Little ones will create three-dimensional masks as they learn about different cultures and explore using a variety of materials with their moms, dads or grandparents.

Fridays, January 11, 18, 25, February 1 from 10:30 - 11:15 am.

Admission: $30.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Memoir Writing for all ages

It's never to early or too late to begin writing about your personal memories. Learn to craft them into stories to be enjoyed by family and friendsin this class for novice and experienced writers of all ages.

Tuesdays, January 15 - March 4 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm.

Admission: Free

Instructor: Ann Vitale

Open Studio for Painting, Drawing & Pottery

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

Tuesdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Session 1 - January 8, 15, 22, 29. Session 2 - February 5, 12, 19, 26. Session 3 - March 4, 11, 18, 25.

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

Instructor: Steve Colley

Paint Your Art Out for Mommy & Me - Mehoopany Outreach Studio

Students and their moms, dads and grandparents will explore the arts through splatter and drip painting, the use of warm and cool colors, tempera and watercolors. For ages 3 and 4.

Wednesdays from 10:30 - 11:15 am. January 9, 16, 23, 30.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Paint Your Art Out for Preschoolers, ages 3 - 5

Learn to paint! Preschoolers will create splatter and drip paintings, learn about warm and cool colors, and work with tempera and watercolor.

Thursdays, January 10, 17, 24, 31 from noon - 12:45 pm.

Admission: $30

Instructor: Amy Colley

Pottery & Sculpture, ages 13 to 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. Session 1 - January 7, 14, 21, 28. Session 2 - February 4, 11, 18, 25. Session 3 - March 3, 10, 17, 24.

Admission: $50, materials provided.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up

Sunshine & Shadow/ Trip Around the World - Learn about these two quilts and the people who made them as you learn quilting techniques. Blend the best of both designs into one quilt. Explore the use of color to make a unique and bold design.

Wednesdays, January 9 - March 26 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $6/class, materials provided.

Instructors: Peggy Lane, Ingrid Rogler and Terry Keller.

Spanish for Children

Through listening and active participation in "hands-on" activities and games, children will gain comfort with the sound of the Spanish language, enabling a smooth transition into speech. A dynamic method of instruction based on the Natural Approach and Total Physical Response methods will be used to focus on functional language skills.

Grades 1-3: Mondays, January 21 - February 25 from 4:00 - 5:00 pm. Grades 4 - 6: Tuesdays, January 22 - February 26 from 4:00 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $30, scholarships available.

Instructor: Victoria Romero

Spanish for Professionals

This class is designed to acquaint students with a working knowledge of grammar and communication necessary for professionals in the fields of business and finance, social services and teaching to better communicate with Hispanic members of the community in the course of their daily work.

Mondays, January 21 - February 25 from 7:00 - 8:00 pm.

Admission: $50

Instructor: Victoria Romero

Trash to Treasures, age 5 -12

Learn how to create recycled art including 3-D art sculptures and relief sculptures at the Mehoopany Outreach Studio.

Wednesdays, March 5, 12, 19, 26 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Trash to Treasures, ages 5 -12

Learn how to create recycled art including 3-D sculptures & relief sculptures.

Ages 5 - 8: Fridays, February 8, 15, 22, 29 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Ages 9 -12: Thursdays, January 17, 24, 31, February 7 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructors: Amy Colley and Steve Colley

Watercolor Workshop

Learn the basics of watercolor from supplies and uses, preparing watercolor paper for paint application, setting up a palette, and techniques for applying paint to paper.

Friday, January 25 from 7- 9 pm & Saturday, Jan. 26 from 9:30 am - 4 pm.

Admission: $60

Instructor: Jan Henning

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