Last week’s Gathering of Singers and Songwriters 8 was phenomenal! George Wesley, Kate Jordan, CJ McKenna, Tom Flannery and Lorne Clarke truly gave us a night of entertainment to remember. To top things off that evening, WVIA’s George Graham came out to emcee the event. In 1995 George Graham brought these talented folk musicians together for a concert. From then their friendships have grown and we were delighted to host them for a reunion concert. I just loved George Wesley’s upbeat reggae inspired music. Kate’s song “Agnes” about the flood of ’72 was moving. I felt like dancing along to CJ’s Ginger Rogers inspired song “Dancing Tonight”. And the banter between Tom and Lorne cracked me up.    I’m already looking forward to Gathering of Singers and Songwriters 9. 

 

I am also looking forward with great anticipation to the Dietrich’s Fall Film Festival which is just around the corner starting on Friday, September 18. This year Hildy and Jeffrey picked out fifteen foreign, independent, and art films for this two-week festival. Movies include 500 Days of Summer, Away We Go, Cheri, Coco Before Chanel, Departures, Every Little Step, Food, Inc., Gotta Dance, The Hurt Locker, In the Loop, Lemon Tree, O’Horten, Seraphine, Summer Hours, and Whatever Works. 

 

For opening night, the Dietrich will be showing Coco Before Chanel. We are so excited because Jeffery and Hildy got this movie for us before it will play in New York or L.A. It will only play on opening night though so if you are interesting in seeing this bio-pic about Coco Chanel starring Audrey Tautou, make your reservations now. The other feature film for opening night will be “In the Loop” starring James Gandolfini. And of course, opening night would not be complete without hors d’oeuvres from Twigs Restaurant & Café, Seasons Restaurant, and Epicurean Delight. Wine will be provided by Nimble Hill Vineyard and Winery and the desserts that Epicurean Delight will serve between the two movies will be out of this world. Tickets for opening night are $40 each and can be purchased by calling the Dietrich at 570-996-1500.

 

Quilting classes will also start up in September at the Dietrich. In Quilting for Kids, children ages 6 and up will learn quilting techniques as they create “Signature Quilts” also known as “Friendship Quilts”. Students will make these quilts with colorful fabrics and have friends and family members sign their masterpieces. Classes will be held on Wednesdays, September 16 to December 9 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm. Admission is $6 per class and all materials are provided. 

 

In Intergenerational Quilting, adults and students ages 13 and up will design their own nine-patch quilts from the time period of their choosing as they learn hand-quilting techniques. Classes will be held on the same dates as Quilting for Kids from 6:00 - 7:00 pm. Admission is also $6 per class and all materials are provided.

 

For adults and students ages 13 and up, we also invite you to take part in Pottery & Sculpture classes with Dietrich artist-in-residence Steve Colley. In these classes, students of all levels of experience will work on potter’s wheels and learn hand-building and sculpture techniques. Classes are held on Mondays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. The September session starts on September 14 and runs for four classes through October 5. Admission is $50 for the series and materials are provided. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 for more information about any of our class offerings or to register.