At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

It is soooo beautiful! Every place you look, the expansion is simply gorgeous! From the two new theaters themselves, to the incredible new lobby, to the wonderfully efficient concession area, to the full-of-light children’s room, it is a wonder to behold. Of course, you knew I’d love it – I mean, I love everything about this grand old theater. But the thing is, everyone we show it to loves it! I feel like a kid at Christmas – I can’t wait, I can’t wait, I can’t wait!” If all goes according to plan, we will most definitely be open June 5. Of course, about a trillion things could go wrong. Murphy’s Law will reign supreme on these final dizzying days. Still, if Murphy doesn’t win, and if the Lord is willing and the cricks don’t rise, June 5th is the day we will open the “Dietrich Four” for your viewing pleasure. How totally cool is that???????

Booking the movies now is an entirely different thing. It’s not a matter of just choosing one film and knowing that is our only choice. Now it’s a matter of making calendar charts of each month and then putting in the movies we simply MUST have and then working backwards from there. It’s a little like doing Sudoku, but with the movies instead of numbers.

It’s complex and fun and hard and if it weren’t for Jeffrey I wouldn’t be able to do it on a bet. But here’s a cool thing – a lady phoned Sarah the other day and asked if we possibly knew what we’d be playing in mid-July. Now with just two screens I would have said we didn’t have a clue. But with four screens and the advanced planning that allows you to do, I could tell her that if everything goes according to plan, we will be in week two of Public Enemies and Ice Age, week three of Transformers and week four of The Proposal. Provided there are no major shake-ups.

In August, along with GI Joe and a movie about hamsters running the world, I can bring in Julie and Julia and Inglorious Bastards. So, probably the coolest thing about all of this is that we’ll be able to have kids movies, but also adult movies. For the first time since we opened, we’ll have a mix of film genres. All right here in beautiful downtown T’town. Is that too cool or what?????

Plus, we want to try for that teen audience we never get. (Someone called me the other day because she wanted a donation, and started out by saying – “We all know your main audience is teen-agers” which made me kind of chuckle, since that couldn’t be further from the truth. Our main audiences are young families, followed by empty nesters and folks my age.) But we’re going to make a run at those teens with a couple of movies they might like plus a horror movie or two (I’m trying not to shudder in …well…horror.) So these will be exciting times! Ooooh. Such fun.

And speaking of fun – we have the most gorgeous, totally wonderful children’s party room (and for adults if they want to have a bridal shower or whatever), full of light, and a huge screen telly for DVD’s and some really terrific birthday party packagers. Ladies – the Dietrich Theater Party Room means that we do all the work and you just get to party!!! Whooopppeeeee!!!!! We love kids, we have a variety of party packages and a great room to have those parties in. Once we get open, come give it a look-see. A Dietrich party will delight both Mom and Kidlets. I promise.

Terrific movies for you this weekend. Opening Night at the Museum 2 which looks to be absolutely rib-tickling funny, and the last week of Star Trek, which I finally saw last night. I can’t tell you how good it is!! The hubby and I laughed all the way through it – the acting is great, the story is so clever and it was just pure, old-fashioned fun! Do come see it before it’s gone. You’ll love it – you really, really will.

See you at the Dietrich!

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

Last Wednesday night, we enjoyed an amazing basketry presentation at the theater with Susi Nuss. Susi is not only a resident of Tunkhannock but she is a master basketry artist. Her enthusiasm for and knowledge of basketry is amazing. Through her talk, she took us on a tour across the United States visiting many of the regional basketry traditions. Some of the baskets she discussed took their makers years and years to make and were not planned out on paper but in the heads. Susi also brought a variety of baskets from her collection and natural materials that are used in basketry to show.

If you are interested in learning how to make your own natural baskets, Susi will be back at the Dietrich on Saturday, June 6 from 9:00 - 5:00 pm to teach Introduction to Twined Basketry. In this workshop, you will learn the skills of basic twining while creating a small square to round basket of natural materials. Each basket will be unique. Admission is $60 and all materials are provided.

In addition to basketry, the Dietrich will be offering jewelry making classes in June. On Tuesdays, June 2 & 16 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm, Esther Harmatz will teach Introduction to Glass Fusing. Students will learn the basics of small piece fused glasswork as they create a fused glass item, which will be finished, polished and wire wrapped. I am always in awe by the beautiful pendants that are created in this class. No experience is required and admission is $60. All materials are provided.

Then on Thursday, June 11 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm, Esther will teach a metal working class. Students will learn the first steps necessary for anyone who wants to do their own metal work in jewelry fabrication. Students will learn to use a jeweler’s saw, and cut, form and polish their pieces. Everyone will leave with a finished pendant. Admission is $50 and materials are provided.

Introduction to Stained Glass will also be offered on Thursday, June 18 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. Students will learn to work with a design, cut glass, polish, foil wrap and solder. Each student will leave with a finished item in each session. All glass supplies and equipment will be provided. Admission is $55. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 for more information about or to sign up for any of these classes.

In other Dietrich news, I can’t believe how close the theaters are to being complete! In just weeks, the two new theaters will be open. Almost everyday we sneak a peek at the progress they make at the expansion and it looks so different every time. And boy are the theaters state of the art - great sound and stadium seats! And by the way, there is still time to sponsor a seat in one of the two new theaters. Honor a friend, a family, a business or an organization by sponsoring a seat. An engraved plaque will be permanently affixed to each seat. For more information about sponsoring a seat, call the Dietrich at 570-996-1509.

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

Acting Camp for Kids, ages 6 to 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 each week.

Camp 1: Monday - Friday, June 22 -26 from 2:00 - 3:30 pm. Camp 2: Monday - Friday, July 13 to 17 from 2:00 - 3:30 pm.

Admission: $50.

Instructor: Michaela Moore, All About Theatre.

African Safari: Theatre & Visual Arts Camp, ages 5 to 12

You can catch a tiger or become an elephant in this camp all about Africa and your imagination. Create African art and props for your characters and help us make up a play all about this fun land.

Monday - Friday, July 13 -17 from 10:00 am - noon.

Admission: $50

Instructors: Amy Colley and Michaela Moore

All About Pottery & Sculpture, ages 5 to 12

Students will learn hand-building techniques (coil & slab construction), glazing techniques and experience using a potter's wheel as they create their own pots, masks and musical instruments.

Monday - Friday, June 22 to 26 from 2:30 - 4:00 pm.

Admission: $50

Instructor: Steve Colley

An Artist a Day

Young artists will learn about a differnt artist each day of this multi media camp as they create their own colorful cut outs and collages, wall reliefs, carvings, and more!

Monday - Friday, July 27 to 31 from 2:30 - 4:00 pm.

Admission: $50

Instructor: Steve Colley

Animal Totems, ages 5 to 12

Choose your own animal totem from the American Indian zodiac and learn how each animal embodies certain strengths and attributes as you create your own animal totem using a variety of household items.

Monday - Friday, July 13 to 17 from 2:30 - 4:00 pm.

Admission: $50

Instructor: Steve Colley

Ballroom Dancing for Beginners

Learn how to waltz and fox trot in this introductory ballroom dancing class for adults.

Saturdays, July 11 to August 1 from 6:00 - 7:00 pm

Admission: $20 per person

Instructor: Connie Kintner

Basketmakers' Woods Walk, for ages16 and up

Take a walk in the woods to identify, harvest and process a variety of wild plant materials used in natural basketry. Participants will gather at Tunkhannock's Riverside Park Willow Dome and then travel to a local wooded site to try their hand at locating, harvesting, and processing a variety of barks, shoots, and other plant materials useful in basketmaking.

Saturday, May 30 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm.

Admisison: $10

Instructor: Susi Nuss

Chinese Dragon, ages 6 to 8

Learn all about Chinese culture, folk art and shadow puppet theatre. Students will study the mythology of Chinese dragons and their origin. Students will draw and make small Chinese dragons and learn the Dragon Dance. They will also make a shadow puppet and perform a short play on a small shadow screen.

Mondays through Fridays, June 29 to July 10 from 10:30 am to noon.

Admission: Free

Instructor: Hua Hua Zhang.

Create a Felted Handbag, for ages 16 and up

Learn how to create your own felted hand bag. All that is required to attend this class is how to make a knit stitch! All material is provided.

Thursdays, July 23 and August 13 at 7:00 pm.

Admission: $55

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Creepy Crawly Critters: Theatre & Visual Arts Camp, ages 5 to 12

Did you know that if a honey bee went into the Dietrich, its special eyes would be able to see movie being played...at once! Come to this great camp and learn more interesting facts about insects of all kinds! Create costumes, plays, pottery, jewelry, and more that is all about some of the smallest and most interesting creatures on our planet.

Monday to Friday, June 22 to 26 from 10:00 am - noon.

Admission: $50

Instructors: Michaela Moore & Amy 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. May 27. June 10, 17, 24. July 15, 22, 29. August 12, 19, 26.

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

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Decorative Painting - Clay Pots, for ages 16 and up

Learn decorative painting techniques as you paint clay pots to use as decorations or to give as gifts.

Thursdays, June 4 at 7:00 pm.

Admission: $15 includes materials.

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Exploring Color, for ages 3 to 5

In this class, little ones will explore the arts as they create color related projects that will provide a solid foundation of art experiences.

Preschoolers: Thursdays, May 7, 14, 21, 28 from noon - 12:45 pm. Mommy & Me: Fridays, May 8, 15, 29, June 5 from 10:30 - 11:15 am.

Admission: $35

Instructor: Amy Colley

Fossils, Rocks, Dirt and More!

Join us as you dig up some creativity with fossils, rocks, and dinosaurs! Discover, draw, create, and excavate great things found in the ground in our new series based on the Everhart's exhibit, Ancient Microworlds. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to sign up.

Mondays, July 6 - 27. Ages 5 - 8: 10:00 - 11:00 am. Ages 9 - 12: 11:30 - 12:30 pm.

Admission: Free

Instructor: Everhart Museum Educator

Golden Days of Radio Players Group

Do you remember old time radio? Did you always wonder how all the sound effects were made...like a door opening and closing or someone walking on gravel? Or wonder how it would feel to stand in front of a microphone and read the lines of the characters you are playing? Or to act like a hero or a villian? Or to use your voice to sound very old or very young? Join us and you will learn and experience all of this and more. Oh, did I mention that we always have a lot of fun putting a show together to be played for an audience?

Tuesdays through May 26 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: Free

Director: Valerie Paulus

Intergenerational Quilting - Spring 2009

"Mystery Wheel" - Learn quilting techniques as you experiment with color and design while making your own quilt.

Wednesdays through June 3 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Admission: $6.00 per class, materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane, & Terry Keller

Intergenerational Quilting - Summer 2009

"Star Twister: - Learn quilting techniques as you create a quilt with triangles. Learn how to create movement with fabric. Make this quilt with two fabric selections or many.

Wednesdays, June 10 - July 29 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Admission: $6.00 per class, materials provided.

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

Intro to Knitting - Make a Scarf & Hat

Learn how to knit a scarf and hat set. Students will learn how to use straight and round knitting needles. No experience is required. These hand knitted scarfs and hats make perfect Christmas gifts.

Wednesdays, August 12 and 26 at 7:00 pm.

Admission: $35, materials included.

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Introduction to Twined Basketry, for ages 16 and up

Learn the skills of basic twining while creating a small square or round basket of natural materials. Students may want to incorporate items they have collected themselves in advance of this session. Each basket will be unique.

Saturday, June 6 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $60

Instructor: Susi Nuss

Jammin' in a Jugband, ages 13 to adult

Join Timothy Walker and David Driskell, PCA rostered artists, as you create and make music with homemade instruments such as a washboard, washtub bass, spoons, whistles, saws, and jug as well as the conventional guitar, banjo, clarinet and saxophone. Find out that music is fun!

July 20, 21, 22, 24 from 1:00 - 2:15 pm.

Admission: Free

Instructors: David Driskell and Timothy Walker

Jammin' in a Jugband, ages 5-12

Join Timothy Walker and David Driskell, PCA rostered artists, as you create and make music with homemade instruments such as the washboard, washtub bass, spoons, whistles, saws, and jug, as well as the conventional guitar, banjo, clarinet, and saxophone. Find out that music is fun.

July 20, 21, 22, 24 from 10:00 - 11:15 am.

Admission: Free

Instructors: Timothy Walker and David Driskell

Jewelry Making: Introduction to Glass Fusing, 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 - Tuesdays, June 2 & 16 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm Series 2 - Tuesdays, July 28 & August 11 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $60 per series, materials provided.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Jewelry Making: Introduction to Metal Working, ages 16 and up

Students will learn the first steps necessary for anyone who wants to do their own metal work in jewelry fabrication. Students will learn to use a jewelers saw, cut, form, and polish. Everyone will leave with a finished pendant.

Thursday, June 11 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $50, materials 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 in each session. All glass supplies and equipment will be provided.

Session 1 - Thursday, June 18 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. Session 2 - Tuesday, August 18 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $55 per session.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Mamma Mia!: Theatre & Visual Arts Camp, ages 5 to 12

Oh, the beautiful art and wondrous acting you will do in this fantastic camp! Learn all about the fascinating land of Italia! Make Roman pottery and create a play about pizza and Michelangelo! Feast your mind on art and theatre.

Monday - Friday, July 27 to 31 from 10:00 am - noon.

Admission: $50

Instructors: Amy Colley & Michaela Moore

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. Session 4 - June 2, 9, 16, 23. Session 5 - June 30, July 7,14, 21. Session 6 - July 28, August 4, 18, 25.

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. Session 3 - May 4, 11, 18, June 1.

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

Instructor: Steve Colley

Photography Workshop

Improve your photography skills with an experienced instructor. Students will meet at the Dietrich each week and then proceed to a variety of locations to photograph. Gain practical shooting experience along with personalized instruction.

Wednesdays, May 20, 27, June 3, 10, 17 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Saturday, June 13 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm

Admission: $75

Instructor: Kenny Ganz, Steamtown Historic Site Photographer.

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. Session 3 - June 8, 15, 22, 29. Session 4 - July 6, 13, 20, 27. Session 5 - August 3, 17, 24, 31.

Admission: $50 for four classes.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up - Spring 2009

"Dancing with the Stars" - Learn quilting techniques as you take a simple design, make many quilt blocks, turn them in all sorts of directions and you get a tumbling dancing star quilt.

Wednesdays through June 3 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm

Admission: $6 per class

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

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up - Summer 2009

"Sky Gardens" - Create a bold butterfly quilt as you learn quilting techniques.

Wednesdays, June 10 - July 29 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $6 per class, materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Terry Keller, and Peggy Lane

Shadow Mask Theatre, ages 9 to 14

Learn all about Chinese literature, culture, language, and writing as you explore Shadow Mask Theatre. Design and create scenery as you adapt the famous Chinese novel "Journey to the West" to create a show called Monkey King's Adventure.

Mondays to Fridays, June 29 to July 10 from 1:30 - 3:00 pm.

Admission: Free.

Instructor: Hua Hua Zhang

Trash to Treasures Camp, ages 5 to 12

Turn an old pile of junk into an artistic treasure. Explore how to create this 3-D form of collage as you learn about the environment and recycling.

Monday - Friday, August 3 to 7 from 2:00 - 3:30 pm.

Admision: $50

Instructor: Steve Colley.

Trash to Treasures, ages 5 to 12

Turn an old pile of junk into an artistic treasure. Explore how to create this 3-D form of collage as you learn about the environment and recycling.

Fridays, May 8, 15, 29, June 5 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Cost: $35

Instructor: Steve Colley

Woodwinds Master Class, for all ages

David Driskell, a classically trained clarinet player, will conduct a woodwinds master class for all ages. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Monday, July 20 from 2:30 - 3:30 pm.

Admission: free

Instructor: David Driskell

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