At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

So. We’re opening two new movies for you this weekend. Both of them first-runs and about as polar opposite as movies could be. For the grown-ups we have “Constantine” starring Keanu Reeves. This is a little out of character for us, because we usually bring in “family” films as our first-runs. But Constantine has gotten a lot of press and the feeling among movie buffs is that it’s going to hit big. Joe Constantine has committed suicide and thus has gone to hell where he is given a chance at redemption by coming back to earth and helping others. It’s a grim story of good vs. evil, the devil vs. God. The scenes of hell are straight from a Bosch painting and it will most assuredly haunt your dreams for some time to come. Fundamental in its interpretation of Biblical edicts and harsh in its depictions of what tosses you through the gates of hell, it is a compelling and vivid film. It is R rated for violence but we figure teens see this much on television and certainly in video games so we won’t enforce that with the same strictness we did on a movie like “Sideways”. It’s a big gamble for us, to try a film that is so different from what we usually get. I’ll let you know next week if the gamble paid off.

The other new film is a family film called “Because of Winn-Dixie”. This movie, aimed at the tweenie and younger set (and every adult who loves a good kid and dog story) is about a young girl whose mamma has died and whose preacher father buries his grief under a pile of work. The girl, lonely and grieving herself, finds a stray mutt at the Winn-Dixie supermarket. She brings him home and the movie follows their adventures as she comes to grips with her altered life. It’s a favorite book for middle-schoolers, and I think you will find it charming.

Obviously, when we open two new films, one will go in the Evans and one in the Murray. Here’s how we are going to do it. On Friday and Saturday nights, Constantine will play in the Evans. For Saturday, Sunday and Monday matinees (Monday is a holiday so we’ll be open) Winn-Dixie will play in the Evans. So if your kids want to see Winn-Dixie, come early on Friday and Saturday nights because it will be in the smaller theater then. But on the matinees there should be plenty of room for all the kiddies. We hope.

And don’t forget that “To Kill a Mockingbird” is coming up on Thursday. You don’t have to have re-read the book to see it, but you still have time to do so. It will be a grand evening, first seeing the movie and then a discussion led by our wonderful Warren Bareisse. He’s a charmer and so knowledgeable – you’ll have a terrific time!

Oh yeah – hats off to Rotary! In order to be fair here, I have to tell you that I am a Rotarian and therefore somewhat prejudiced. (They’re such a great group!) But they are getting special mention here because a small band of them, led by Al Noble and Patty Ehrenzeller, cleaned and scrubbed and hauled stuff away and prepped the new studio for painting. Under Amy Colley’s artistic direction, within a few hours it was ready for the next step – painting and polishing the floor. What a task! We are desperate for the space – we have classes that need to be scheduled (including Yoga for kids – is that cool or what?) but we needed a little help from our friends. And we got it. By the way – Rotary is a wonderful club – it helps build leadership qualities in kids locally and Rotary International tackles some of the biggest and most difficult problems facing our globe. If you have a little extra time (or even if you don’t) you ought to consider joining Rotary. It’s a noble cause and you won’t be sorry.

So, that’s it. I hope to see you at the theater this weekend. You’ll recognize me – I’m the only one indoors wearing a hat. But not for long. I have little teensy-weensy hairs sprouting all over my head. Far out! Keep ‘em comin’ baby – I’m soooo ready!

See you at the Dietrich!

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

On Valentine’s Day, the Dietrich played the much-loved musical “Singin in the Rain”. It was a delight to see Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds sing and dance on the big screen. After making a phone call to George Dietrich, original owner of the theater, we found out that “Singin’ in the Rain” did play at the Dietrich when it first came out in 1952.

This past Tuesday the Dietrich commemorated the 60th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima with MaryBeth Voda’s presentation “A War in Letters”. It is great that history is documented through correspondence. Letters give a more personal and different look into events in history in a way that history books can’t.

Tomorrow, we will have another installment of our “Wyoming County Reads: One County, One Book, One Movie” project featuring “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. Our first two discussions have been well attended. We shared different viewpoints, learned more about the book and our community, and had a few laughs. Tomorrow’s discussion will be at 7:00 pm at the Dietrich Theater. Dr. Warren Bareiss, adjunct professor at Wilkes University, and Dr. Marnie Heister Idec, Associate Professor of Psychology at College Misericordia will lead a discussion on “Parenting in America”. We will look at how Atticus raised Jem and Scout as a single parent in the novel and compare it to parenting today. The following Wednesday, February 23rd at the Tunkhannock Public Library at 7:00 pm, we will look at “Justice, Race, and Class in America” as it relates to the trial in the book and to our lives. And mark your calendars, the Hollywood version of “To Kill a Mockingbird” with Gregory Peck will be shown at the Dietrich on February 24th at 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm free of charge. For more information, call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500.

Now “To Kill a Mockingbird” is the perfect example of a great movie and screenplay. If you are interested in taking a shot at creating your own screenplay, the Dietrich is offering an introductory screenwriting workshop at the Dietrich on Saturday, February 19th from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. Instructor Catherine Shefski has studied the Craft of Dialogue at NYU’s Screenwriting Department. She has two completed spec scripts being considered by producers and is currently represented by the Swetky Literary Agency. She will take you through the basics of screenwriting from format and structure to character development. Admission is $30.00. Please call 570-996-1500 to register.

Next Thursday, February 24th, the Dietrich will have its first “Decorative Painting” class at night from 6:30 – 9:30 pm. Painting instructor Eileen Balboa has a faithful following for her daytime painting class on Wednesdays. In each three-hour class, students are able to start and finish a project. You could be a beginner or experienced painter and you will leave with a beautiful piece of work. Classes are $15 each plus the cost of the painting surface. I always think their projects would make great decorations or gifts. Their work is also displayed through March in the Earnshaw gallery.

The Dietrich also has ongoing “Pottery and Sculpture” classes with instructor Steve Colley, M.F.A. You can check out some of his students work in the Earnshaw Gallery as you enter the Dietrich throughout February and March. His students have made sculptures, bowls, teapots, mugs, and more. The Dietrich’s Dorothy G. Sheldon Art Studio is equipped with pottery wheels and you can learn hand-building techniques as well. Classes are held on Monday nights from 7:00-8:30 pm.

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

Afternoon Adventures for Girls, grades 5 -8

Hey girl! You are a force to be reckoned with, an independent spirit. Celebrate yourself and your place in the world through interactive seminars on voice, body, culture, art and the environment. This series of classes will be held at the Tunkhannock Middle School. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Thursdays, March 31, April 7, 14, 21, 28. 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Free

Everhart Museum Staff

Crafts with Sarah Sidorek, ages 10 and up

Enjoy a Saturday morning of crafts with local artist Sarah Sidorek. March 19th, 10 - 11:30 am - Think Spring - Paint a Birdhouse. Call 570-996-1500 to register

Saturday March 19th, 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Cost: $1.00 per class

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Decorative Painting - New Night Sessions!

Try your hand at painting decorative pieces for your home or to give as gifts. All levels of experience welcome. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register.

Wednesdays through March 30, noon - 3:00 pm. Night Sessions: Thursdays, February 24 and March 3 from 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Cost: $15 per class + cost of painting surface

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Dialogue and Marketing for Screenwriters

Learn the art of creating great dialogue and the ins and outs of marketing a screenplay. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Saturday, March 5th from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Cost: $30

Instructor: Catherine Shefski

Dietrich's After School Players, grades 5 -12

Learn theater arts while creating a play, including costuming, set design, makeup, and performing for an audience at the Dietrich. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, 3:30 - 5:30, through March 12.

Cost: $80 ($10 per week)

Instructors: Carl Canedy and Patti Dunning

Golden Days of Radio Players Group

Come back with us to those thrilling days of radio drama and comedy. Join us as we prepare a radio play production. Together we will explore the magic of "The Theater of the Mind". Call 570-996-1500 for more information.

Tuesdays, through March 8th, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Admission is free.

Instructor: Valerie Paulus

Intergenerational Pottery & Sculpture

This class is designed for students of all ages and levels of experience. Students will work on pottery wheels and learn hand building techniques. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Tuesdays, 5:00 - 6:30 pm, Session 2 - February 8, 15, 22, 29. Session 3 - March 8, 15, 22, 29.

Cost: $30 per child $45 per adult

Instructor: Steve Colley, B.F.A., M.F.A

Intergenerational Quilting for all Ages

Learn early American quilting. Recreate the classic pattern Amish Broken Bars (Chinese Coins). Bring a friend or family member. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Wednesdays, through March 30, 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Cost: $6 per lesson

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler and Peggy Lane

Introduction to Screenwriting

Take that story idea, the one you've been longing to get on the page (and screen) and develop it into a script you can pitch to Hollywood producers. A follow up class on Dialouge and Marketing will take place on March 5th. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Saturday, February 19th from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Cost: $30

Instructor: Catherine Shefski

Mixed Media, ages 5 - 8

A new artist will be introduced each week in this Mixed Media class. Students will learn about famous artists in Impressionism, Abstract Expressionism, Cubism, etc. as they create their own works using a variety of materials including clay, tempera, charcoal, pastels, etc. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Fridays, 4:00 - 5:30 pm, Session 2 - February 11, 18, 25, March 4. Session 3 - March 11, 18, April 1, 8.

Cost: $30 for each series of four classes

Instructors: Amy Colley, B.F.A., M.F.A

Mixed Media, ages 9 - 12

A new artist will be introduced each week in this Mixed Media class. Students will learn about famous artists in Impresssionism, Abstract Expressionism, Cubism, etc. as they create their own works using a variety of materials including clay, tempera, charcoal, pastels, etc. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Mondays, 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Session 2 - February 7, 14, 21, 28. Session 3 - March 7, 14, 21, 28.

Cost: $30 for each series of four classes

Instructors: Steve and Amy Colley, B.F.A, M.F.A.

Mixed Media/ Portfolio, ages 13 and up

In this class, you can build a diverse portfolio as you draw, paint, and create pottery and sculpture. Even if you are not planning a portfolio you will be able to experience art using a variety of materials and learn new techniques. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Wednesdays, 5:00 - 6:30 pm, Session 2 - February 9, 16, 23, March 2. Session 3 - March 9, 16, 23, 30.

Cost: $45 for each series of four classes

Instructor: Steve Colley, B.F.A., M.F.A.

Mommy & Me Mixed Media, ages 3 and 4

Young artists and their Moms, Dads, and grandparents will create works of art in an assortment of materials, including clay, tempera, watercolor and collage. Please call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register.

Mondays, noon - 12:45 pm, Session 2- February 7, 14, 21, 28. Session 3 - March 7, 14, 21, 28.

Cost: $25 for each series of four classes

Instructor: Amy Colley, B.F.A., M.F.A.

Pottery and Scuplture for Adults, 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 techniques as well. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Mondays, 7:00 - 8:30 pm, Session 2 - February 7, 14, 21, 28. Session 3 - March 7, 14, 21, 28.

Cost: $45 for each series of four classes.

Instructor: Steve Colley, B.F.A. and M.F.A

Preschool Art, ages 4 and 5

Preschool students will be introduced to a famous artist each week as they explore a variety of materials such as clay, tempera, watercolors, collage, etc. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Thursdays, noon - 12:45 pm, Session 2 - February 10, 17, 24, March 3. Session 3 - March 10, 17, 24, 31.

Cost: $25 for each series of four classes.

Instructor: Amy Colley, B.F.A., M.F.A.

Pull the Strings, grades 4 - 6

Lights! Camera! Action! Go behind the scenes, write an original play and create a cast of puppet characters for the final puppet theater performance in the Dietrich's very own theater! Call 570-996-1500 to register. Space is limited.

Tuesdays, March 29, April 5, 12, 19, 26. 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Cost: Free!

Instructors: Everhart Museum Staff

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up - Log Cabin Project

Cabin Fever - Warm up while cold winds blow with this Log Cabin/Barn Raising quilting project. Construct one log cabin in 4 easy lessons or build more and discover variations of this popular pattern. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register.

Wednesdays, through March 30, 3:30 - 5:00 pm

Cost: $6 per lesson

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler and Gloria Eastwood

Yoga for You - New Winter Sessions

Accomodations will be made for beginners, experienced practitioners, and those with special needs. 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.

Instructor: Melissa Russo: Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor