Friday, February 08, 2013 | ||
At The Dietrich by We have gone from believing that when we opened (after three years of struggle) we would, and I quote, “find someone who knew how to run a movie theater.” Oh, yeah. There was a catch to that. They would expect to be paid. So, we learned how to run a movie theater. Then it became obvious that two screens would put us in the dust bin of history if we didn’t expand to at least four screens. So, we did. We thought that would give us a more solid footing than most arts organizations ever have. And, probably more than anything else, we are an arts organization, thanks to the incredible Erica and Margie. They built an astonishingly fine cultural program with classes and concerts and lectures and, really, more than, fifteen years ago, we could ever have imagined! And then Jennifer Jenkins joined us and brought her extensive knowledge of and love for live theater to us and we now have a major production once a year that packs the house, the quality is so superb! We have worked very, very hard and we have been helped by your generosity and your kindness to us time and time again. And every year we finish the year in the black. Not a lot in the black, mind you, but still, in the black. No small accomplishment. When you think of the fact that the Met in New York has to fundraise, that Lincoln Center has to fundraise, that the great museums have to fundraise, then you come to understand that choosing to entwine one’s life with those who see the world best represented by plays and paintings, by music and dance, is a risky business.
Still, for so many of us, life without the arts (whether it be live theater or the thrill of the cinema)would be no life at all. And years ago, we old ladies fell head over heels in love with the Dietrich, and you know, once you’re in love logic flies out the window. The again, this has not been unrequited. We have received more from this grand old girl than we ever put in. We all feel that way! So why am I telling you all this? Because we need to do a little fundraising again. Sigh. Honestly, it’s not something we ever like to do, but we have to. The collapse of the economy around the time that we were trying to finish our expansion fundraising hurt us badly. The flood hurt more (and, no, flood insurance would not have helped us in any major way) and then, as if to add insult to injury, the movie companies decided that by the end of this coming year all screens had to be converted to digital or else. The or else being that you couldn’t get any more movies. Nice, hmmmm?
We managed to convert two theaters, but the final conversion of the Murray and the Evans will be around $100,000.00. We need a little help from our friends. We have 87 seats for sale that would help us. Memberships would help us. Of course, a great big fat old donation would be wonderful. But instead of that, what if five hundred of you out there (in a county of nearly 30,000) just pledged , say, $10.00 a month for the next three years. Or twenty. Or a thousand people did the same? We could do the conversion and pay off a good deal of the debt that makes life so difficult. It’s just a thought. But, really, ten dollars a month from enough people would give us a new lease on life. Would you think about it? Of course, more would be very welcome, but 500 or 1,000 people just giving us a bit would assure the theater is sustained far into the future. Talk to your friends and family. See if you could give us “old broads” a helping hand. (And the young ones, too.) See you at the Dietrich! | Now Showing www.dietrichtheater.com/movie February 8, 2013 -February 28, 2013WARM BODIES February 1, 2013 -February 14, 2013DJANGO UNCHAINED February 1, 2013 -February 13, 2013SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK January 24, 2013 -February 13, 2013 Coming Soon www.dietrichtheater.com/preview Events www.dietrichtheater.com/event March 6, 2013 - March 6, 2013 February - Dance Films & Lessons February 10, 2013 - February 24, 2013 Open Mic Night - February 22 February 22, 2013 Under the Big Top February 23, 2013 Dietrich Theater Auditions March 2, 2013 - March 3, 2013 The Power of Story March 10, 2013 Open Mic Night - March 22 March 22, 2013 Reptiles and Amphibians of Northeastern PA March 23, 2013 Spring 2013 Film Festival April 5, 2013 Philadelphia Bus Trip to the Barnes April 11, 2013 Tom Knight Puppet Show April 17, 2013 Auntie Mame - Live Theatre! April 24, 2013 - April 28, 2013 Classes www.dietrichtheater.com/class February 23, 2013 All About Pottery & Sculpture, ages 5- 8 February 8, 2013 - March 1, 2013 All About Pottery & Sculpture, ages 9 -12 February 6, 2013 - February 27, 2013 Creative Characters From Paper to Puppets April 9, 2013 - May 7, 2013 Little People & Nature - Tuesdays March 5, 2013 - March 26, 2013 Little People & Nature - Wednesdays March 6, 2013 - March 27, 2013 Mixed Media, ages 5 - 8 - March 2013 March 8, 2013 - March 29, 2013 Mixed Media, ages 9-12 - March 2013 March 6, 2013 - March 27, 2013 Movement & Storytelling for Preschoolers February 6, 2013 - April 24, 2013 Preschool Mixed Media March 7, 2013 Preschool Pottery & Sculpture February 7, 2013 - February 28, 2013 Quilting for Kids January 9, 2013 - March 27, 2013 Writing Your Hat Off: Creative Writing for Kids March 5, 2013 - March 26, 2013 Quilting for Everyone January 9, 2013 - March 27, 2013 Decorative Painting January 16, 2013 - March 27, 2013 Design a Painted Silk Scarf March 18, 2013 Eating for Health February 21, 2013 - March 14, 2013 Fused Glass Artistry February 25, 2013 - March 4, 2013 Intro to Resin Molded Jewelry March 11, 2013 Introduction to Felting February 7, 2013 - February 21, 2013 Jewelry Making: Beaded Necklace & Bracelet March 5, 2013 Kundalini Yoga January 19, 2013 - May 18, 2013 Little Leather Luxuries February 11, 2013 Nia February 5, 2013 - February 26, 2013 Open Studio for Drawing, Painting & Sculpture January 8, 2013 - March 26, 2013 Recycled Glass Artwork January 7, 2013 - March 25, 2013 Simply Yoga January 2, 2013 - March 20, 2013 Writers' Group December 13, 2012 - March 28, 2013 | Live at The Dietrich by Live at the Dietrich for Feb. 6, 2013
Ragtime music helped define the time in American History leading up to World War I. Last Sunday we went to WVIA’s Media Center to experience rags from this time period through the 1990’s. Narrating the rise and revival of this enduring musical style, Dr. Gary Boerckel, pianist and WVIA radio host of "Music to My Ears" allowed us to explore the music of Scott Joplin, Zez Confrey, Joe Jordan and other ragtime greats. Soprano Bernadette Boerckel sang along to tunes including "A Bird in a Gilded Cage" and "Rings on My Fingers". I especially enjoyed how Dr. Boerckel’s commentary related so much to our selection for Wyoming County Reads - Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow. He even played "Wall Street Rag" which is the song that Coalhouse Walker, Jr. played on Mother and Father’s piano in the novel! We are grateful to WVIA for hosting this event and putting us in touch with the Boerckels. WVIA is such a valuable resource to our area. This program was made possible by the Apple Wagon Antique Mall, Ron and Sandy Vieczorek and a sponsorship made in honor of the Rampola and Kozloski families.
Our next event for Wyoming County Reads is tonight. Join us for our first of four book discussions on E.L. Doctorow’s acclaimed novel at the Tunkhannock Public Library. Facilitated by local scholar Bill Chapla, these discussions will be held on Wednesdays, February 6, 13, 20, and 27 at 7:00 p.m. Tonight we will discuss, plot, setting, characters and more. Admission is free and light refreshments will be provided. We hope to see you there.
If you are more interested in film, we encourage you to join us for Ragtime the movie on Wednesday, March 6 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Dietrich Theater. Admission is free. As a fan of Downton Abbey, I can’t wait to see Elizabeth McGovern in her role as Evelyn Nesbitt in this acclaimed film from 1981, which also stars James Cagney.
Speaking of films, in February the Dietrich will feature dance films and dance lessons. Come view the films The Tango Lesson on Sunday, February 10, Singin’ in the Rain on February 17 and Shall We Dance on February 24. After each film, there will be a dance lesson at Father Nallin Hall (across the street from the theater) taught by local dance instructors. Admission is just $10 per movie-lesson combo and no experience is required. We invite pairs and singles. This series has been sponsored by NEPA Tango in the Tent. For more information or for tickets, please call us at 570-996-1500.
In February, the Dietrich will also be presenting a variety of classes and workshops. This Thursday night we will be starting up an Introduction to Felting class with instructor Emily Rancier. During this series, we will learn the basics of wet felting as we create unique small felted purses that we will design and shape from start to finish. No experience is required and admission is $40 including materials. Classes will be held on Thursdays, February 7, 14 and 21 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
We will also be offering a Little Leather Luxuries Workshop on Monday, February 11 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Taught by Esther Harmatz, participants will learn how to create original jewelry using leather strand. Class members will fashion earrings, bracelets and leather pendant necklaces. Come join in the creative fun! Admission is $30 and no experience is required. For more information or to register for Dietrich classes, please call us at 570-996-1500.
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Movie Times: (570)836-1022 General Information: (570)996-1500 |