At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

Okay. I need to get right to the “have-to-tell-you-stuff” so that I can get to the “want-to-tell-you-stuff.” So, here goes with the information I need to tell you about because you wouldn’t want to miss out on anything, would you? That’s rhetorical and the answer is - - “of course not.”

First, we are bringing in the third Mummy movie with Brendan Frasier. These are fun family adventure movies, fine for kids, although not really little ones because it is, after all, about dead folks coming to life and being a little scary. But I’d say ten an up could handle it (the rating says thirteen and up) but that depends on how easily frightened your child is. You have to make that decision. I’ve always thought the Mummy movies were sort of a kick, but then I think anything Brendon Frasier does is fun – he’s just a very likeable actor.

Second on my list – August 9, Saturday, first in a series of writer’s workshops. Jennie Pitkus, published four times in the last year in Women’s World (where they have over 50,000 submissions a year and choose 52 (!!!!) is going to talk about how to make your short story not only short, but lively and believable. This will be a great couple of hours, folks. You writers out there – sign up. We’re only accepting a limited number, so call 996-1509 to reserve your space.

So, that’s my list of “have to’s.” Now let’s get to what I want to talk about. I’ve thought all week about why I have seen Mamma Mia twice and intend to see it at least one more time, and I hope more than that. I thought about why in the same paper where I wrote a glowing review of the movie a negative review appeared with the quote that that most reviewers didn’t like it. I really had to think about why all those women have come to see the movie this week (it’s one of our most successful in history) not once, but twice and three times. And then I looked at who the reviewers were – all men. Oh, my.

Now, this is not to say all men don’t get this movie, because that wouldn’t be fair or true. I can’t even tell you how many men have come up to me to say it was a great movie and they intend to buy it immediately when it comes out on DVD. A couple said they’re wives “made” them come the first time, but they came back the second on their own.

So why the huge gender gap with the reviewers? Because they didn’t take time to “feel” the film, to think about its core and substance. They were too busy salivating over the latest comic-book hero movie that is so ultra violent that it got an R rating. So, boys, listen up. I’ll tell you what Mamma Mia is about so next time you can do it better.

Mamma Mia is about love, and life, and loss, and growing old, and rekindling old love that was lost and now is found. It’s about women and what matters to them. It’s about the richness and variety of our lives, about the external lives we lead as opposed to the stories our hearts weave. It’s about being young and making love all night and sipping champagne and dancing under the stars until the first rays of sun come to tell us it’s time to go home. It’s about the fact that every woman in that audience was a dancing queen at seventeen and every one is still a dancing queen at 70. It’s about love that simmers but doesn’t die, it’s about the chill wind of autumn creeping its’ tendrils around our hearts as we feel the coming of winter. It is about joy – the sheer joy of this dance of life and the sweetness, the exquisite, tender, intoxicating understanding that we live so briefly, and that the flame of love that lures us to it can be so easily lost, but that sometimes….sometimes…. there is a miracle and love lost is won again. And then that tap-dancing, twirling, shimmying dancing queen buried so deep inside us bubbles up and fills us with the laughter and joy that understands that love is immortal.

And that’s what it’s about, boys. And that’s why you have reviewed it badly. Because you don’t get it. Try looking at your women a little more closely – look into their hearts – look past the gray hair and the lined faces. You’ll find that girl, buried deep inside, just waiting to come out and dance with you. And then, mamma mia!, pop those champagne corks and get out your dancin’ shoes, because the party is about to start!

See you at the Dietrich.

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

What a week! There was so much activity at the Dietrich. Those zany guys of Sadie Green Sales Jugband, David Driskell and Timothy Walker, taught children and adults how to jam in a jugband. Students learned how to put spoons together to create instruments. They created and learned how to play a washtub bass and washboards. After learning different rhythms they started jamming and practiced the song they would play together at Celebrate Our River Day. For each instrument that was used in the class,
David and Timothy taught the students how each instrument produced its sound. Sadie Green Sales Jugband also gave a special performance at Tunkhannock’s Senior Center last week. This duo was such a delight that we hope to bring them back next summer!

Then in All Kinds of Sculpture Camp, students made the most inventive creations out of the most common household items. They created shoe sculptures, and marshmallow/toothpick structures under the direction of Amy and Steve Colley. Campers also learned how to throw bowls on potter’s wheels and create sculptures out of clay. Students also learned how to create sculptures with clay.

Coming up in August, in conjunction with Penn Writers, we will be offering an exciting writing workshop called “Finding Yourself in Short Romantic Fiction” on Saturday, August 9th from 9:00 am - noon. Jennie Pitkus, who has been published four times in WOMAN'S WORLD, will lead this interactive workshop which will explore the structure of short, romantic fiction; development of character, plot and setting within 800 words; and ways to make writing precise and interesting. Participants are encouraged to bring a short story to be critiqued. Admission is $15 per person. Penn Writer members’ admission will be $10. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register. Space is limited.

The Dietrich will also offer a Mount Olympic! Theater and Visual Arts Camp in August. In this camp, children will learn all about the Olympics. They can become an Olympic hero or a super talented gymnast while making up a fabulous play! Plus students can make medals, trophies, laurel wreaths, togs, torches, and flags to celebrate this wonderful tradition and our country! Camp will be held the week of August 11th through the 15th. Campers ages 5 to 12 will meet from 10 am - noon that week and there will be a camp in the afternoon from 1:30 - 2:30 pm for children ages three to five. Call the Dietrich for more information.

Oh, we would like to thank everyone who made Celebrate Our River Day such a success including the event sponsor BP Alternative Energy and additional sponsors including Waste Management, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and Tunkhannock’s Riverside Park Commission.

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

Acting Camp for Kids, ages 6 -11

Use your imagination and learn all about acting through theater 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.

Monday - Friday, August 11 - 15 from 3:00 - 4:30 pm.

Admission: $50

Instructor: Michaela Moore, All About Theatre

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. August 13, 20, 27.

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

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Finding Yourself in Short Romantic Fiction

Jennie Pitkus, who has been published four times in WOMAN'S WORLD, will lead an interactive workshop which will explore the structure of short, romantic fiction; development of character, plot and setting within 800 words; and ways to make writing precise and interesting.Participants are encouraged to bring a story to be critiqued. Presented by the Wyoming County Cultural Center/Dietrich Theater in conjunction with Penn Writers.

Saturday, August 9th from 9:00 am - noon.

General Admission: $15; Penn Writers Member Admission: $10. Call 570-996-1500 to register. Space is limited.

Instructor: Jennie Pitkus

Knit a Hat, ages 10 through adult

Learn how to knit a hat using round knitting needles. Choose from three hat styles. All materials are included.

Tuesdays, July 29 & August 12 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $20.

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Mehoopany All Kinds of Sculpture Camp

Create all kinds of sculpture using an assortment of media including string, paper, clay, and recyclables at the Mehoopany Outreach Stuido. Call the Dietrich Theater at 570-996-1500 to sign up.

Monday - Friday, August 11 - 15 from 1:00 - 2:30 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Mount Olympic Theater & Visual Arts Camp

Learn all about the Olympics, its orgins in ancient Greece and Beiing China in this unique camp that arrives just in time for the summer Olympics. Become an Olympic hero or super talented gymnast while creating a fabulous play! Plus make medals, trophies, laurel wreaths, togas, torches, and flags to celebrate this wonderful tradition and our fantastic country! Tons of fun and lots of learning! For ages 5 -12

Monday - Friday, August 11 - 15. Ages 5 -12: 10 am - noon. Preschoolers: 1:30 - 2:30 pm.

Admission: Ages 5 - 12: $50. Preschoolers: $35.

Instructors: Amy Colley & Michaela Moore.

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 August 5, 12, 19, 26.

Admission: $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 and learn hand-building and sculpture techniques.

Mondays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. August 4, 11, 18, 25.

Admission: $50, materials provided.

Instructor: Steve Colley

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 Kids, ages 8 and up

Explore yoga postures, relaxation, and breathing techniques with Melissa Russo, certified yoga Ed. instructor, that will help calm the body, strengthen muscles, and stretch your mind. Bring a yoga mat or beach towel.

Wednesdays, July 30, August 6, 13, 20 from 1:00 - 2:00 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Melissa Russo

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