At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

So, was that a hullabaloo last Friday, or what? We needed to borrow money to buy the gas station next door. Our purchase agreement with Williams Oil called for us to close within thirty days of the D.E.P. clearance. I know it won’t surprise you, but we don’t have that kind of money around these offices. The good news is that bankers believe in us and we have a track record of outstanding financial management. (Thanks to our outstanding Barbara Jones and the finance committee.)

We’ve been working with two wonderful men - - USDA’s Mike Angerson and Joe Feretti of People’s bank - - for months to make sure we were ready when the D.E.P. said we were ready. About two weeks ago, Mike told us that we were just waiting on the D.E.P. clearance, but it was dependent on the Tunkhannock Borough Council passing an ordinance, which would forbid well-drilling in town (it passed at their last meeting). In other words, you can’t drill a well in town now -- although I don’t know why anyone would want to.

Suddenly early last week we heard from Congressman Sherwood’s office that the check had been cut, and that they thought a ceremony surrounding the presentation would be newsworthy. We were surprised because we didn’t realize his office was involved with the loan, but that was okay. We always like to see our local politicians - - then we can ask them for stuff -- heh heh.

Our event attracted television cameras, tons of people and all sorts of commotion and excitement! Cool! Congressman Sherwood was most gracious presenting us with a huge check for the loan, but graciousness aside, it’s a check we have to pay back.(Darn!!!) So, for all the good folks who have congratulated us on our “gift” from the Feds this week, I wish it were true. But it ain’t so, Joe. (Sigh.)

We’re so grateful. We going to purchase a local eyesore in the center of town and make it beautiful (we love doing stuff like that). We’ve been planning an expansion for about two years, and we’ve come to realize that some combination of borrowing and community gift support would be needed to turn our dreams into reality. Now that we’re sure of the direction we’ll be able to expand (due west), we can continue to define our project more fully.

Let me repeat, we’re so grateful for everyone's efforts to bring us to this point. But you just wait ‘til you see the celebration when we pay this loan off!

Good grief! I still have so much to tell you and so little space left. Two goodies this week, folks. Honest. In the Murray we have a really, really good chick-flick. (Okay, guys, I don’t even want to hear it. This is our first chick-flick all summer and you owe it to your wives and sweethearts to take them to see this movie. Yes, you do. It's the law.) “Must Love Dogs” stars Diane Lane and John Cusak and is a total charmer. A lovely end-of-summer film to sit back and relax with.

And then to scare you a bit, we have “Skeleton Key” starring the ever delightful Kate Hudson. My wonderfully cool niece, Amy, who lives in Los Angeles and goes to a ton of movies, went to see it last week. She told me she didn’t have high expectations so was totally delighted when it gave her a good solid scare! So, for those of you who love to be a little tense at the movies, this is the one for you.

Film festival films. I promised you a list of them this week. Of course, we start gala night wish “Ladies in Lavender” and “A Sidewalk Astronomer”, but then you knew that, didn’t you? So here’s the list. (And I’ll give you a brief description of each one in future columns.)

Watermarks, The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, Downfall, Mad Hot Ballroom, Me and You and Everyone We Know, Sarabande, Murderball, Beautiful Country, Caterina in the Big City, Look At Me, and Travelers and Magicians. English films, documentaries, Italian, French and Bhutanese. How’s that for a terrific list? Jeffrey always so outdoes himself. I swear he gets better every year.

See you at the Dietrich!

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

Live bluegrass music on the Dietrich stage tonight! Tennessee HeartStrings Band is my favorite concert of the summer. These musicians truly know how to entertain and involve the audience. Their tight vocal harmonies, energetic stage performances, and crowd pleasing mix of traditional and original acoustic music can’t be beat. Last year HeartStrings sold out, so if you don’t have your tickets already, call the theater for ticket availability at 570-996-1500. Admission is $10.

The end of August is a very busy time at the Dietrich! We are gearing up for our film festival and new classes and events. In case you haven’t had the chance to read Hildy’s column in The Advance, our Fall 2005 Film Festival will start Friday, September 30th and run through Thursday, October 13th – fourteen days of fourteen foreign, independent, and art films. On the opening night of the festival, you will have the chance to meet our film buyer Jeffrey Jacobs! Not only does he buy films for theaters but he also manages the Paris Theater in NYC and is a filmmaker. The reason he is coming to the festival is that we are going to feature his film, A Sidewalk Astronomer, on opening night! Jeffrey will introduce his movie and then answer questions after its showing.

Showing before Jeffrey’s film on opening night will be Ladies in Lavender, starring Judy Densch and Maggie Smith. This British film is about two sisters living in a Cornwall coastal village. After a fierce storm, a mysterious, handsome, young foreigner washes up on the beach near their home. The young man is brought back to health by the sisters who must deal with unexpected emotional fall out that this visitor brings. Ladies in Lavender is filled with delightful moments of romantic longing, humor and music. I hope it makes us laugh as much as Being Julia on opening night last fall.

So enjoy a night of abundant hors d’oeuvres provided by five area restaurants, two films, desserts by Epicurean Delight, and insight into filmmaking and the movie industry from Jeffrey Jacobs. Festivities on September 30th begin at 6:00 pm and tickets are available now. Admission is $25.00 for the night. Call 570-996-1500 to reserve.

Our fall film festival brochures will be available by the end of the month. If you would like to receive a festival or cultural events brochure in the mail, call 570-996-1500.

Now lets look at cultural events. We are currently registering children and adults for our variety of fall classes. You can visit www.dietrichtheater.com to view our class schedule. And we have also planned a new way for you to learn about classes. On Saturday, September 10th from 6:00 –8:00 pm, the Dietrich will host a “More Than the Movies Open House”. This is the perfect opportunity for you to learn about classes, meet Dietrich Theater instructors, enjoy hands-on activities and register for classes. You can visit the Open House before or after a movie, or just pop in!

One new class we are featuring this fall is “Jewelry for Kids”. On Tuesday, September 13th from 3:30 – 5:00 pm kids ages 8 and up will make necklaces with instructor Sarah Sidorek and on Tuesday, September 27th from 3:30 – 5:00 pm students will learn how to make earrings and a bracelet. Each class is $7.00. Students can register by calling 570-996-1500.

The Dietrich will also have a new Improv group. On Friday, September 9th and 16th from 7:00-9:00 pm, the Dietrich will be holding auditions for a comedy improv troupe, “Improv at the Dietrich”. Auditions will be held in the Dietrich’s new Peg Fassett Performance Studio. Come try out for a part! If you have a quick wit and can think on your feet, you might have what it takes. We are looking for four men and four women to create this troupe under the direction of Gregg Childress. Call 570-996-1500 for more information.

Besides hosting our own schedule of classes this fall, we are also featuring Kindermusik. If you listened to “Art Scene” on WVIA FM this past week, you would have heard Erika Funke interview Tonya St. Clair, Kindermusik instructor, about the program and the classes she plans to teach at the Dietrich this fall. Tonya will also be taking part in our Second Saturday Series with a Kindermusik class for children ages six and under on Saturday, September 10th from 10:00 – 11:00 am. Admission is free. If you would like more information about Kindermusik offerings, please call Tonya at 570-945-5098.

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

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

Learn the skills and techniques of decorative painting as you create decorative pieces for your home or to give as gifts. All levels of experience welcome. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Wednesdays, August 24, 31. September 14 - 28. October 12 - November 16, November 30 - December 14 from noon - 3:00 pm

Cost: $15 per lesson + cost of painting surface

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Discovering Great Artists, ages 5-8

Mixed media for children ages 5-8. The art activities in each four-week session are designed to expand the creative experience and awareness of young artists in all aspects of the visual arts through drawing, painting, printing, and sculpture.

Fridays from 4:00-5:30 pm. Session 1 - September 16, 23, 30, Oct. 7. Session 2 - October 14, 21, 28, Nov. 4. Session 3 - November 11, 18, Dec. 2, 9.

Admission is $30 per session.

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

Discovering Great Artists, ages 9-12

Mixed Media for children. The art activities in each four week session are designed to expand the creative experience and awareness of young artists in all aspects of the visual arts through drawing, painting, printing, and sculpture.

Thursdays from 4:00-5:30 pm. Session 1 - September 15, 22, 29, Oct. 6. Session 2 - October 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3. Session 3 - November 10, 17, Dec. 1, 8.

Admission is $30 per session.

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

Everhart Modern Art Experiments, grades 4-6.

Got Art? The Everhart returns to the Dietrich this fall to let you get your creative juices flowing as we play with paints, pastels, and colors and learn about modern art!

Tuesdays, October 4 -October 25 from 3:45 - 5:00 pm.

Admission is 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, October 11 - December 6 from 7:00-8:30 pm

Admission is free.

Instructor: Valerie Paulus

Holiday Camp, ages 6 and up

Young artists will become familiar with pottery, drawing, and painting as well as famous artists in those fields in this holiday camp. Enjoy one day of camp or explore the arts in all three days. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

December 27 from 9:30 -11:00 am - Pottery. December 28 from 9:30 - 11:00 am - Drawing. December 29 from 9:30 - 11:00 am - Painting.

Admission is $15 per class or $30 for all three classes.

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

Improv at the Dietrich

Come try out to be a part of the "Improv at the Dietrich" comedy troupe. If you have a quick wit and can think on your feet, you might have what it takes! Call 570-996-1500 for details.

Auditions: Fridays, September 9th and 16th from 7:00-9:00 pm in the Peg Fassett Performance Studio

Admission is free.

Organized by Gregg Childress

Intergenerational Quilting, for all ages.

A Study in Color - Following a series of simple exercises, students will explore color in a new way. A sampler will be created by studying 6" blocks. You will rethink how you use color in your next quilt after taking this class. For beginners and advanced quilters.

Wednesdays, September 14 - December 14 from 6:00-7:30 pm.

Admission is $6.00 per class. All materials will be provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane, Terri Keller.

Jewelry for Kids, ages 8 and up

September 13th - Make a Necklace.-Choose from a large selection of beads and learn how to knot them into your own jute necklace.September 27th - Learn how to bend wire and crimp beads to make your own pierced earrings and bracelet.

Tuesdays, September 13 and 27 from 3:30-5:00 pm

Admission is $7.00 per class.

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Jewelry Making - Bead Crocheting

Here is your opportunity to learn crochet with seed beads. In this class, you will be shown how to bead crochet a key fob. With this skill, you then can make bracelets and necklaces.

Wednesday, November 2 from 7:00-9:00 pm.

Admission is $35.00. All materials will be provided.

Instructor: Jeanne Browning

Kindermusik with Tonya

Classes begin the week of September 12, 2005."Our Time" is designed for children ages 1 1/2 - 3 1/2 years of age. With a parent or caregiver, children enjoy singing, moving, listening and interacting socially, and playing instruments each week."Village", for children newborn to 1 1/2 years of age, incorporates the most current research on early childhood development and provides families a special place for learning and connecting with other families through music and movement.

Classes begin the week of September 12. Village classes: Tuesdays 9:15 am & Saturdays 10:15 am. Our Time classes: Tuesdays 10:15 am & Saturdays 11:15 am.

Call Tonya at 570-945-5098 for more information and to register.

Instructor: Tonya St. Clair

Mommy & Me Mixed Media, ages 3 and 4

Young artists and their Moms, Dads, or grandparents have the opportunity to engage in projects that encourage critical thinking and problem solving skills as they explore drawing, painting, paper, and sculpture.

Mondays, noon -12:45 pm. Session 1 - September 12, 19, 26, October 3. Session 2 - October 10, 17, 24, 31. November 7, 14, 21, Dec. 5.

Admission is $25 per session.

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. August 9, 16, 23, 30.

Cost: $30 per child, $45 per adult per session

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

Open Studio for Painting, Drawing and Pottery

Students of all ages and levels of experience will have the opportunity to work at their own pace and medium of their choice with instructor Steve Colley. A model will be provided for an additional fee, if the group chooses.

Tuesdays from 7:00-8:30 pm. Session 1 - September 13, 20, 27, Oct. 4. Session 2 - October 11, 18, 25, Nov. 1. Session 3 - November 8, 15, 22, 29.

Admission is $30 per child and $45 per adult.

Instructor: Steve Colley, M.F.A.

Painting on Glass for Adults, ages 13 and up

Learn the basics of painting on glass. Design your own wine glass set for your home or to give as a gift. Register by calling 570-996-1500.

Wednesday, November 16 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.

Admission is $15.00 plus the cost of your painting surface.

Instructor: Sharon McArdle

Pantomime, ages 8 to adult

Learn how to tell a story without words. Rand will teach students ages 8 and up a series of mime techniques, as well as moonwalking and invisible walls. In pantomime you will learn how to focus your coordination and concentration to communicate without words. This class will culminate with a Christmas in Our Hometown performance of "Weird, Wild and Wonderful - A Look at the Holiday Season" with Box of Light Theatre.

November 1,7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, Dec. 6, 7, 8, 9. Afternoon Session - 4:30 -6:00 pm. Evening Session - 7:00 -8:30 pm.

Admission is $60.00

Instructor: Rand Whipple, Box of Light Theatre

Pottery & Sculpture

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

Mondays, 7:00-8:30 pm. Session 1 - August 8, 15, 22, 29. Session 2 - September 12, 19, ,26, October 3. Session 3 - October 10, 17, 24, 31. Session 4 - November 7, 14, 21, 28.

$45 for four classes

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

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up

Maple Medley - Create a Maple Leaf quilt sampler. The more you sew, the move leaves you collect. Let nature teach us about color and learn about the beautiful maple trees that grow here.

Wednesdays, September 14 to December 14 from 3:30-5:00 pm

Admission is $6.00 per class. All materials are provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane, Gloria Eastwood, Mary Louise Dodge, and Terri Keller.

Tile Making

Steve Colley of Colley Tile Works will lead students through the process of creating their own handmade tiles from design, the mold making process, printing, firing, and glazing.

Thursdays, September 15 to November 3 from 7:00-8:30 pm.

Admission is $200. All materials are provided.

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

Writers Group

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

Thursdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Meeting are ongoing.

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

Yoga for You at Night!

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.

Mondays through October from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

$10 per class

Instructor: Mary Frances Giodano, certified Hatha yoga instructor

Yoga for You -Saturdays

This class will teach or reinforce the basic yoga poses (asanas) which gently stretch and strengthen the body. Special attention will be given to proper breathing and alignment in the postures. Please bring a yoga mat or beach towel. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Saturdays, through December from 10:00 am -11:00 am

Admission is $10 per class.

Instructor: Mary Frances Giordano, certified Hatha yoga instructor

Young at Art - Preschool Art, ages 4 and 5

Preschoolers will have the opportunity to engage in projects that encourage critical thinking and problem solving skills as they explore drawing, painting, paper & sculpture.

Thursdays, noon - 12:45 pm. Session 1 - September 15, 22, 29, Oct. 6. Session 2 - October 13, 20, 27, November 3. Session 3 - November 10, 17, Dec. 1, 8.

Admission is $25 per session.

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