At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

Wow! Do we have a superb film for you this weekend! This Friday we are opening Gran Torino, starring Clint Eastwood. I think I’ve been in love with that man’s movies farther back than I care to remember. I wasn’t so thrilled with the spaghetti westerns, but once he was Dirty Harry, he just made my day! And the thing about Eastwood is that he isn’t just one of the world’s best actors, but probably one of the finest directors to walk this earth. If you saw Unforgiven, or Million Dollar Baby you had to be stunned at the depth of human sadness he could plumb. The characters, the stories, are all, no matter where they are placed, about people whose souls are being eaten away by such profound melancholy and guilt that they sweep you up and suddenly you’re not in a theater at all, but walking inside this man, seeing the world through his eyes.

Except for Dirty Harry of course, who brought rough justice to a world gone mad. And justice, rough or otherwise, is a rare commodity. So, in a way, Eastwood has brought Harry back – just for a visit, mind you, while he tells the story of a man alone in a hostile world. Having just buried his wife of many years, embittered by life, hating anyone who isn’t like him (and who ever is?) and just a miserable cuss of a human being, he becomes, through a series of events involving his beloved Gran Torino, attached to the Asian family next door. Prejudices aside, Eastwood becomes their protector. In other words – Dirty Harry is back! With a vengeance!

I have to tell you, I can’t wait to see it. The reviews on it have been superb and Eastwood’s track record is impeccable. I want to pull a quote from Manohla Dargis’s review in the New York Times, because it is so lovely and so pertinent. “Melancholy,” she writes, “ is etched in every long shot of Detroit’s decimated, empty streets and in the faces of those who remain to still walk in them. Made in the 1960s and ‘70s, the Gran Torino was never a great symbol of American automotive might, which makes Walt’s love for the car more poignant. It was made by an industry that now barely makes cars, in a city that hardly works, in a country that too often has felt recently as if it can’t do anything right anymore, except, every so often, make a movie like this one.” How’s that for some gorgeous writing about an impeccable film?

We’ll have Bedtime Stories one more week in the Murray, and if the Fates are with us, we will open Marley and Me next week. So, good stuff coming – trying to make these winter days a bit more tolerable. So, forget your troubles, come on to the movies, munch some great popcorn, sip a soda and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

And while we’re at it, what a great time to sign up for an art class or two. We have the most amazing classes (and, of course, wondrous teachers) and those amazing cultural ladies are offering everything from jewelry making to knitting to sculpting, to painting, from Spanish to stained glass and yoga and…well…you get it. Just about anything you could possibly want to do to chase away the bleak midwinter blues. Call 996-1500 for more info or go to our website to browse.

So, dear friends, have a wonderful week. I’m writing this on Tuesday just as the first flakes of a threatened storm are beginning to fall. Time to get into my car and head for the hills!

See you at the Dietrich!

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

Now that the hustle and bustle of the holidays is over, it is time to start thinking of some fun activities to get us through these next few winter months. For those of you who are interested in exploring the arts, the Dietrich has a few classes and events to get you out of the house and learning and enjoying something new.

Our Sarah Sidorek will be teaching a Knit a Hat class on Tuesdays, January 13 and 27 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm. In this class, beginner or intermediate knitters will learn how to knit a hat using round needles. Students will be able to choose from three hat styles. All materials are provided and admission is $20. Sarah’s last knitting class was very popular, so we recommend registering as soon as you can. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to sign up.

Then on Mondays, January 12 and 26 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm, Esther Harmatz will be back for her first jewelry-making workshop of the season, Introduction to Glass Fusing. In this class, participants will learn the basics of small piece fused glasswork. Each student will create fused glass items, which will be finished, polished and wire wrapped. You should see the jewelry that is made in these classes; it is truly exquisite. Esther’s classes also prove to be quite popular, so sign up early. If you are not able to make the January class session, Esther will be offering it again on Mondays, March 9 and 23 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm.

If you have always wanted to learn how make pottery, then Steve Colley’s Pottery & Sculpture classes might be the right activity for you. On Monday nights from 7:00 – 8:30 pm starting on January 12, students will work on potter’s wheels and learn hand building and sculpture techniques. Admission is $50 for four classes and all materials are provided.

For children, Amy and Steve Colley will be offering an array of art classes. Students ages 5 –8 can experience Mixed Media as they learn to express themselves using different types of clay, paints, and drawing materials as they create their own masterpieces. In Preschool Art and Mommy & Me Mixed Media, young artists ages 3 to 5 will explore the arts as they work with a variety of materials such as clay, tempera, watercolors, collage and more. Nine to twelve year olds will have the opportunity to take a more in depth look at the arts with Steve Colley’s All About Drawing, All About Painting, and All About Pottery class series.

For more information about any of these classes, visit www.dietrichtheater.com, pick up a brochure at the theater, or call us at 570-996-1500.

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

After School Players for Middle and High School Students

Students will learn all about theater arts as they prepare to perform the comedy "Laugh-In". Students will also provide input for the show and learn choreography. No experience is required. Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

January 5 to February 21- Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 3:30 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: Free

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

All About Drawing, ages 9 - 12

Students will learn the basic concepts of drawing including line, shape, texture, value, color, and space while creating their own masterpieces.

Thursdays, February 12, 19, 26, March 5 from 4:00 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $35

Instructor: Steve Colley

All About Painting, ages 9 - 12

Students will learn the basics of perspective, line, color and value as they paint from life. All levels of experience welcome.

Thursdays, January 15, 22, 29, Feb. 5 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Steve Colley

All About Pottery & Sculpture, ages 9 -12

Students will learn hand building techniques (coil and slab construction, glazing techniques, and experience using potter's wheels.

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

Admission: $35

Instructor: Steve Colley

Decorative Painting

Learn decorative painting techniques while creating decorative pieces for your home or to give as gifts. Preregistration is required. For ages 16 and up

Wednesdays from noon - 3:00 pm. February 11, 18, 25. March 11, 18, 25. April 15, 22, 29.

Admission: $20 per class + cost of painting surface.

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Explore and Create Fairy Tales, ages 5 -12

Go on a journey through magical lands, creative characters, and suprise endings! Write, draw, create and explore fairy tales from around the world based on the Everhart's special exhibit, Fairy Tale Art. Visit the exhibit with your family on April 3rd.

Tuesdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24 from 4:00 - 5:00 pm. Bus Trip: Saturday, April 3 from 12:30 - 4:30 pm.

Admission: Free

Sponsored by: Pennsylvania Council on the Arts

Intergenerational Quilting, ages 13 and up

"Peaks & Valleys" - Develop quilting skills with this variation on the classic log cabin pattern. Students will learn the use of color and value and explore creating variations in their designs.

Wednesdays, January 14 - March 25 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Admission: $6 per class

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane, and Terry Keller.

Jewelry Making: Art Clay Silver, for ages 16 and up

Have fun learning the basics of working with silver clay to create pieces of silver jewelry! Silver clay is made up of real silver particles, organic binder and water. After drying, the clay binder is burned off with a torch and what remains is 99.9% pure silver. Students will fabricate choice of rings, earring or pins!

Monday, March 30 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $60, materials provided.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Jewelry Making: Introduction to Glass Fusing, for ages 16 and up

Learn the basics of small piece fused glass work. Each student will create a fused glass item which will be finished, polished, and wire wrapped.

Series 1 - Mondays, January 12 & 26 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. Series 2 - Mondays, March 9 & 23 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $60 per series; materials will be provided.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Jewelry Making: Introduction to Stained Glass

Learn the first steps of working with glass to create stained glass pieces. Students will learn to work with a design, cut glass, polish, foil wrap and solder. Each student will leave with a finished item. All glass supplies and equipment will be supplied.

Monday, March 16 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $55

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Knit a Hat, ages 10 to adult

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

Tuesdays, January 13 & 27 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $20

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Little People & Nature, for ages 3 to 5

Rebecca Lesko of the Endless Mountains Nature Center will teach little ones about Porcupines & 'Possums, Owls, Black Bears, and more of nature's wonders. These classes are sponsored by the Overlook Estate Foundation.

Series 1 - Tuesdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24 from 10:00 - 11:00 am. Series 2 - Wednesdays, March 4, 11, 18, 25 from 10:00 - 11:00 am.

Admission: Free

Instructor: Rebecca Lesko

Mehoopany All About Drawing, ages 5 -12

Students will learn the basic concepts of drawing including line, shape, texture, value, color, and space while creating their own masterpieces.

Wednesdays, February 11, 18, 25, March 4 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Mehoopany All About Painting, ages 5 -12

Students will learn the basics of perspective, line, form, color, and value as they paint from life. All levels of experience welcome.

Wednesdays, January 12, 21, 28, Feb. 4 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Mehoopany All About Pottery & Sculpture. ages 5 to 12

Students will learn hand building techniques (coil and slab construction), glazing techniques and experience using potter's wheels.

Wednesdays, March 11, 18, 25, April 1 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Mehoopany Crafts fro Kids, ages 8 and up

Join Instructor Sarah Sidorek in making these fun crafts at the Mehoopany Outreach Studio. Preregistration is required. Call 570-996-1500.

Make It/Bake It Jewelry for Kids - Thursday, March 19 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Decoratively Paint a Frame - Thursday, March 26 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $5 per class.

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Mixed Media, ages 5 - 8

Students will express themselves using different types of clay, paints, and drawing materials as they create their own masterpieces.

Fridays from 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Series 1 - January 16, 23, 30, Feb. 6. Series 2 - February 13, 20, 27, March 6. Series 3 - March 13, 20, 27, April 3.

Admission: $35

Instructor: Amy Colley

Mommy & Me Mixed Media, ages 3 to 5

Young artists and their moms, dads, or grandparents will create works of art using an assortment of materials including clay, tempera, watercolor and collage.

Fridays from 10:30 - 11:15 am. Series 1- January 16, 23, 30, Feb. 6. Series 2 - February 13, 20, 27, March 6. March 13, 20, 27, April 3.

Admission: $35

Instructor: Amy Colley

Open Studio: Painting, Drawing & Pottery - Nights

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. Series 1 - January 13, 20, 27, Feb. 3. Series 2 - February 10, 17, 24, March 3. Series 3 - March 10, 17, 24, 31.

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

Instructor: Steve Colley

Open Studio: Painting, Drawing, & Pottery - Days

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.

Mondays from 9:30 - 11:00 am. Series 1 - January 12, 19, 26, Feb. 2. Series 2 - February 9, 16, 23, March 2. Series 3 - March 9, 16, 23, 30.

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

Instructor: Steve Colley

Paint on Glass, ages 16 and up

Learn decorative painting techniques as you create a patio candle holder for your home or to give as a gift. All materials are supplied. No experience is required.

Tuesday, March 31 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $12

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Pottery & Sculpture, ages 13 and up

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. Series 1 - January 12, 19, 26, Feb. 2. Series 2 - February 9, 16, 23, March 2. Series 3 - March 9, 16, 23, 30.

Admission: $50 for four classes.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Preschool Art, ages 3 to 5

Preschool students will explore the arts as they work with a variety of materials such as clay, tempera, watercolors, collage and more.

Thursdays from noon - 12:45. Series 1 - January 15, 22, 29, Feb. 5. Series 2 - February 12, 19, 26, March 5. Series 3 - March 12, 19, 26, April 2.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up

"Underground Railroad" - Go on an adventure and learn techniques of quilting and stories behind this Civil War period quilt. Use reproduction time period fabrics as you create this quilt out of four patches.

Wednesdays, January 14 to March 25 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $6.00/class

Instructors: Terry Keller, Peggy Lane, and Ingrid Rogler

Spanish for Adults, ages 16 and up

Students will learn basic Spanish phrases and vocabulary using a variety of teaching methods. Hispanic culture will also be explored. The class will be tailored to individuals' personal language learning goals.

Wednesdays, March 11 to April 15 from 7:00 - 8:00 pm.

Admission: $30.

Instructor: Victoria Romero

Writers' Group

Come and read your work or listen and be inspired. Learn the craft of writing as you write towards a goal of publication. 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