At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

What a night! What a totally spectacular night! The opening night of the festival didn’t disappoint. The house was sold out, the movies were superb and Epicurean Delight outdid itself as is their custom. Some new faces, many festival regulars. A woman came up to me and said – “I love gala night – it’s like a big family reunion”. And that’s what it felt like. I look out at the sea of faces and I know most of them and they are dear to me. They are the people who love this grand old theater as much as we do and who support it in every way they can, but who particularly love films. And very particularly love the kind of films we bring in at festival time. The opening nights of film festivals are the best nights of the year, as far as I’m concerned. (Except when we show It’s A Wonderful Life, of course!)

Okay. Now I’m going to tell you which films I saw and I would say are most definitely worth your while.

Let’s start with “Being Julia”. I know it’s out in video, but so what? This is a glorious movie for which Annette Benning deserved the Oscar! It is a rich, nuanced, wondrous performance and the movie is a pure delight. Julia is a self-absorbed, amoral, witch of a woman who is a brilliant actress and a lover of life. The final scene where a young usurper gets her comeuppance is a movie classic and so much fun that I’ve seen it twice so far. The costumes are so rich, the sets so gorgeous, and the soundtrack so full to the brim of wondrous songs from the thirties, that you really need to see it on the big screen. Save the video for a time when you won’t have the choice!

“Postmen In the Mountains” is one of the loveliest films I have ever seen. When she was leaving, one woman came over and said to me – “That’s not a film, that’s a poem.” She couldn’t have been more correct. See this movie! The scenery is breathtaking. This is the mountainous region of China and it is the loveliest cinematography I’ve ever seen. But the story is a sweet one, too. It’s sentimental and loving. A perfect movie!

“Les Choristes” is a total charmer! In fact, it’s so good that I scheduled two extra showings next week. Wednesday, April 20, it will have two extra showings. I wanted everyone to be able to see it. A wonderful story of a Dickensian school for boys after World War Two and the music teacher who changes their bleak lives. It’s a two-way street. They change him, too. It’s one of those movies that has you cheering and crying almost at the same time. Don’t miss it. You’ll love it!

You must give “The Merchant of Venice” a try. It is one of the most beautiful productions of a Shakespeare play I’ve ever seen. Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons are beyond reproach as Shylock and Antonio. When you consider that it was set in a time of accepted anti-Semitism, you can only wonder at the art of the Bard at making the character of Shylock so deeply, deeply human at a time when that must have been revolutionary.

“Hotel Rwanda” is an incredible movie. A reporter’s voice asks a government official – “So, you have said that acts of genocide are taking place.” “Yes,” the official answers. “How do acts of genocide differ from genocide?” the reporter presses. “I cannot answer that question at this time,” she answers. The atrocities left one million dead, many, many of them children. The West abandoned Rwanda. Not just the United States, but all the West – Germany, France, Belgium. This movie is a must-see. The violence is more hinted at than shown. It’s not particularly bloody when you know its subject matter, but it drives the point home very well. You have to wish, when you see this film, that Rwanda sat on a bed of oil. Then maybe the industrialized countries would have cared!

So, those are what I’ve seen so far. Come out and see these terrific movies, and the four new ones showing this weekend. It’s not too late to catch most of these films. Remember, they’re only with us for the two weeks of festival, and they are absolutely the pick of the litter!

See you at the Dietrich!

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

The Dietrich’s Spring Film Festival is in full swing! Opening night was a sell-out. I was impressed with Annette Bening’s performance in “Being Julia” and of course “Merchant of Venice was great (How could it not be? - Al Pacino stars in it!). The thirteen desserts provided by Epicurean Delight were delicious and extravagant. It was also great to hear people’s opinions and views about the festival movies during our Café Conversations on opening weekend. Thank you, Dr. Philip Mosley and Dr. Warren Bareiss for leading these discussions.

Remember, there is still time to catch film festival movies. Tomorrow we start the second week of the festival with the same great movies. I still hope to catch Almost Peaceful, A Very Long Engagement, and Hotel Rwanda.

Besides hosting the film festival, we are currently registering students for May classes of “Mommy & Me Mixed Media”, “Preschool Art”, “Mixed Media, for ages 5 -12”, "Quilting for Kids", “Pottery & Sculpture for Adults, ages 13 and up”, “Decorative Painting”, and “Portfolio Prep”.

Besides our ongoing classes, the Dietrich also has some unique opportunities for kids and families in May. On Thursday, May 5th from 3:30 - 5:00 pm, Sarah Sidorek will be back for a Mother’s Day craft class. Children ages 10 and up can paint a gift box and make earrings for Mom or Grandma. Admission is $8.00. Space is limited, so register now.

Then in the middle of the May our Second Saturday Series will continue as Katina Brown from the Wyoming County Conservation District will take your little ones on an adventure in nature as they learn and play with bubbles. Katina has presented programs at the Dietrich in the past for youngsters as well as middle school students. We hope you join us on Saturday, May 14th from 11:00 am - noon for this event. Admission is free.

Now let me give you a preview of classes and camps available at the Dietrich this summer. In June, we kick off summer vacation with a theatrical flare. On Monday, June 13th through Friday, June 17th Carl Canedy and Patti Dunning of First Act Children’s Theatre in Carbondale will be back for the Dietrich’s “Theater Workshop”. Carl and Patti are the directors of our eight-week “After School Players” program we host in the winter. During this workshop, kids will have hands-on experience with sound effects, makeup, special effects and more! They will create and record a radio play. This year’s workshop will focus on Greek Mythology and the creation of Pandora’s Box. Admission is $45.00 for the week.

Then on Monday, June 21st through Friday, June 24th, Rand Whipple of Box of Light Theatre will help kids explore their creativity in the ever-growing field of technology during Digital Arts Camp. Children will experience claymation, robotics, and special effects. A morning session is available for students ages 12 and up from 10:00 am - noon and an afternoon session is available from 1:00 - 3:30 pm for students between the ages of 9 and 12.

The following week, Amy Colley and Michaela Moore will take a trip back in time as they learn about Ancient China through theater and art in our “Theatre and Visual Arts Camp”. Throughout the week of Monday, June 27 -Friday July 1st from 10 am - noon, students ages 5 -12 will learn about Ancient China through theater activities and games while creating costumes, props, and art of that culture and time. We also offer an abbreviated version of that camp on Tuesday, June 28th - Thursday, June 30th from 12:30 -1:30 pm for preschoolers. Please call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register.

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

Batik for Adults, ages 13 and up

Students will have hands-on experience with Fiber Art. They will work with pigments, different materials, and learn traditional Batik practices. Please call 570-996-1500 to register.

Mondays, April 4 - June 6, 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Cost: $80, includes materials

Instructor: Gail Jones, artist-in-residence

Batik for Kids, ages 7 -15

Students will have hands-on experience with Fiber Art. They will work with pigments, different materials, and learn traditional Batik practices. Please call 570-996-1500 to register.

Mondays, April 4 - June 6, 4:00 - 6:00 pm

Cost: $60, materials included.

Instructor: Gail Jones, artist-in-residence

Bus Trip to Everhart Museum, Nay Aug Park and Zoo

Preregistration required. Space is limited.

Saturday, July 30th, 9:30 am - 2:00 pm

Cost: $5 per person

Instructor: Everhart Museum Staff

Crafts with Sarah Sidorek, ages 10 and up

Enjoy making crafts with local artist Sarah Sidorek. Thursday, May 5th, 3:30-5:00 pm - Mother's Day gift - paint a gift box and make earrings for Mom or Grandma. Thursday, June 16th, 3:30 - 5:00 pm - Father's Day gift - Paint a frame to hold your photo and make gift wrap to wrap it. inCall 570-996-1500 to register

Thursday, May 5th, 3:30-5:00 pm and Thursday, June 16th, 3:30 - 5:00 pm

Cost: $1.00 for March Class. $8.00 for each May and June class

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Decorative Painting for Adults, age 13 and up, Spring and Summer Day Sessions

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

Wednesdays, April 6-May 18, June 8-29, July 13-20, August 3 -31. noon - 3:00 pm

Cost: $15 per lesson + cost of painting surface

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Decorative Painting for Adults, ages 13 and up, Spring and Summer Night Sessions

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

Thursdays, May 5, 12; June 9, 16; July 14, 21; August 11, 18. 6:30 - 9:30 pm

Cost: $15 per lesson + cost of painting surface

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Digital Arts Camp

Claymation, robotics, and special effects!

Monday, June 20 - Friday, June 24. Session 1 - ages 12 and up: 10 am -noon. Session 2 - ages 9 - 12: 1 - 3:30 pm

Cost: $45

Instructor; Rand Whipple

Everhart Ancient Art Explorations

Explore the art of ancient Greece and Rome, ancient Egypt, Cave art, and Babylonian art.

Fridays, July 8, 15, 22, 29. Session 1 - Ages 5-8: 10:00 -11:00 am. Session 2 - Ages 9-12: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Cost: Free

Instructors: Everhart Museum Staff

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 April 26, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Admission is free.

Instructor: Valerie Paulus

Intergenerational Oil Painting

Students of all ages and levels of experience will have the opportunity to learn the skills of oil painting.

Monday, August 1 - Friday, August 5, 9:30 - 11:00 am

Admission is $55 for adults and $30 for children

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

Intergenerational Quilting for all ages - Spring Session

Learn early American quilting. Recreate the classic Log Cabin pattern.

Wednesdays, April 6 - June 8, 6-7:30 pm

Cost: $6 per lesson, all materials provided

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler and Peggy Lane

Intergenerational Quilting for all ages, Summer Session

Make a traditional quilt sampler. The prep work will be done for you.

Wednesdays, June 15 - July 27, 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Cost: $6 per lesson, all materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler and Peggy Lane

Landscape Drawing and Painting

Ages 6 to adults are invited to experience drawing and painting landscapes as they see it. Classes will be held at Riverside Park. All materials will be provided. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Monday, August 1 - Friday, August 5, 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Cost: $55 for adults and $30 for children

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

Mask Making

A mask is an ideal structure for exploring three-dimensional art with children. Children will create their own masks as they discover a variety of mediums. Children will be exposed to masks of various cultures and discuss how masks have been worn and decorated throughout history and what purpose they served.

Ages 5-12: Monday, July 18 - Friday, July 22 from 9:30 - 11:00 am. Ages 4 and 5: Tuesday, July 26 - Thursday, July 28 from 10:00 am - 10:45 am.

Cost: $45 for ages 5- 12, $30 for ages 4 and 5.

Instructors: Michaela Moore and Amy Colley

Mixed Media Fridays, ages 5- 12

A new artist will be introduced each week as 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.

Fridays, 4:00 - 5:30 pm, Session 1 - April 15, 22, 29, May 6. Session 2 - May 13, 20, 27, June 3. Session 3 - June 10, 17, 24.

Cost: $30 for each series of four classes or $25 for each series of three classes

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

Mixed Media Wednesdays, ages 5- 12

A new artist will be introduced each week as students will learn about famous artists in Impressionism, Cubism, etc., as they create their own works using a variety of materials including clay, tempera, charcoal, pastels, etc.

Wednesdays, 4:00 - 5:30 pm, Session 1 - April 6, 13, 20, 27. Session 2 - May 4, 11, 18, 25.

Cost: $30 foreach series of four classes

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

Mommy & Me Mixed Media, ages 3 and 4

Young artists and their Moms, Dads, or grandparents will create works of art in an assortment of materials including clay, tempera, watercolor and collage.

Mondays, noon - 12:45 pm, Session 1 - April 4, 11, 18, 25. Session 2 - May 2, 9, 16, 23. Session 3 - June 6, 13, 20.

Cost: $25 for each series of four classes or $20 for each series of three classes

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

Open Studio

Students of all ages and levels of experience will have the opportunity to work at thier own pace and medium of their choice with instructor Steve Colley. A model will be provided for an additional fee if the group chooses. Please call 570-996-1500 to register.

Tuesdays, 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Session 1 - June 7, 14, 21, 28. Session 2 - August 9, 16, 23, 30.

Cost: $30 per child, $45 per adult

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

Portfolio Prep, ages 13 and up

In this class, you can build a diverse art 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. Please call 570-996-1500 to register

Tuesdays, 4:00 - 5:30 pm, Session 1 - April 5, 12, 19, 26. Session 2 - May 3, 10, 17, 24.

Cost: $45 for each series of four classes

Instructor: Steve 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.

Wednesdays, 7:00 - 8:30 pm, Session 1 - April 6, 13, 20, 27. Session 2 - May 4, 11, 18, 25.

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 1 - April 7, 14, 21, 28. Session 2 - May 5, 12, 19, 26. Session 3 - June 2, 9, 16, 23.

Cost: $25 for each series of four classes.

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

Quilting Kids Spring Session, ages 6 and up

Take an Amish adventure. Kids will learn the art of the Amish while recreating classic quilt designs.

Wednesdays, April 6 - June 8, 3:30 - 5:00 pm

Cost: $6 per class, materials provided and not prepartion is necessary

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler and Gloria Eastwood

Theater Workshop

Hands-on activities with sound effects, makeup, special effects, and more!

Monday, June 13 - Friday, June 17th, 10 am - noon

Cost: $45

Instructors: Carl Canedy and Patti Dunning of First Act Children's Theatre

Theatre & Visual Arts Camp - Ancient China

Theatre and art activities centered around Ancient China

Ages 5 - 12: Monday, June 27 - Friday, July 1 from 10 am-noon. Ages 4 -5: Tuesday, June 28 - Thursday, June 30 from 12:30 - 1:30 pm

Cost: $45 for ages 5 -12, $30 for ages 4-5

Instructors: Amy Colley and Michaela Moore

Theatre and Visual Arts Camp - Knights, Princesses, & Dragons

Theater and art activities centered around medieval times.

Ages 5-12: Monday, August 8 - Friday, August 12 from 10 am - noon. Ages 4 and 5: Tuesday, August 9 - Thursday, August 11 from 12:30 - 1:30 pm

Cost: $45 for ages 5 - 12, $30 for ages 4 and 5

Instructors: Amy Colley and Michaela Moore

Writers Group

Love to write? The group celebrates all different types of writing styles and formats. Join at any time. Admission is free.

Thursdays, March 17 - August 25, 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Admission is free.

group format - no instructor

Yoga for You

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