At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

Even though it’s been warmer than usual, can’t you feel the beginning of the holiday buzz? One more week and we start to decorate the gallery. And we’re already making gift bags for the Christmas rush. Sarah is plotting how she’s going to decorate the gallery this year and in quiet moments I think about the upcoming showing of It’s A Wonderful Life. Did I tell you that this year the entire Wonderful Life shebang is being underwritten by the Tunkhannock United Methodist Church? Aren’t they a grand bunch, though? Right down to making the cookies! (Plus Jean Sick and Janet Lee came in to help make gift bags the other day - - now, really, how could you ask for more?)

Lat week I told you about our little experiment with Rand Whipple going to the Scranton School for the Deaf to teach a pantomime class. Well, thirty-one students signed up! Thirty-one! Everyone was completely delighted. And here’s one of those little cool things I just love. Everything is signed there, of course, but because Rand and Margie are of the hearing world and don’t sign, they needed an interpreter to tell them what the signer was saying. A total reversal of being outside in the hearing world. Don’t you just love it?

And our reception for the artists for MH/MR was a wonderful success. About two-thirds of the paintings sold. I bought the loveliest little bird painting - - a cunning little yellow bird just oozing good cheer. The colors were so vibrant, the artists so thrilled that their work was appreciated. And not an art snob amongst them. I find it so tedious when artists are full of themselves - - since we don’t know why people have artistic talent. It’s some kind of gift, not of ones own doing, and therefore shouldn’t lead to personal feelings of grandeur. Well, these artists are totally charming, happy to be considered “real” artists (why wouldn’t they be, for heaven’s sake?) and their work is purely delightful. Their joy is contagious. We hope to do this again in March and then if you missed it this time, do come. You’ll feel so good when you do!

Tickets are now on sale for select Harry Potter shows. Here’s how we’re going to do it. The midnight show will have advance tixs will the seven o’clock show on Friday night and Saturday night. The other shows simply come early to. And if you don’t come quite early enough for the noon show, then you’ll be able to get your tix for the next show right then and there. And we will run late shows the first weekend. So you will have plenty of opportunity to see Harry right here at your local super-terrific hometown theater. Don’t go to the cinemark to see it - - they don’t like Harry as much as we do. (If you don’t believe me, call Harry and ask - - he’ll tell you.)

This week we’re holding Chicken Little. Oh, my, he is one adorable little bird. Look, this isn’t Shrek, but it’s awfully good, and the thing that’s best about it is the little chicken. He is one of the most adorable characters Disney has come up with in years and years! The expressions they manage to get on his face are incredible! And here’s my favorite part. He wears glasses. Great big can’t-miss-’em glasses. How good of Disney to remember all the little ones who have to wear glasses and get teased about it by their school mates. Well, this little guy is brave and fierce and totally charming and he can’t see without them. Yay Disney. And hurray for all the kids who will now be envied because they wear glasses just like Chicken Little. Ain’t it grand?

In the Murray we have a serious film, well done - - our Erica says so and as you know, she’s tough. We have Charlize Theron in North Country, a film about the hardships of being a woman in a hostile workplace. It’s a tough film but intelligent and sincere. If you want to see a movie about grown-ups and for grown-ups, this is your chance.

Don’t forget the bus trip - - it’s filling up so call soon. And if you’re a writer remember that the Executive Editor of Writer’s Digest Books will be with us December 18th. That is being limited to a very small group so be sure to call now. 996-1500 will get you reservations for both.

See you at the Dietrich!

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

Last Friday was amazing at the Dietrich. We had our Autumn Colors Exhibit Reception in the Earnshaw Gallery. This exhibit which features the work of the Day Development Program of Community Counseling Services group -Ars Gratia Artis, or Art for Art’s Sake, will be displayed during regular movie times through the middle of November. I definitely recommend stopping by to see their work. It is so colorful. Several of their pieces have already sold and all proceeds go to Ars Gratia Artis.

Now lets look at upcoming events. In three days the Dietrich will host its “Therapy Dogs Second Saturday” on Saturday, November 12th from 11:00 am - noon. We encourage little ones to bring along a book to read to a dog. Kids will learn about pet safety and see dog tricks and dogs dancing. Your family will also have a chance to meet Sadie, a retired Search and Rescue dog, learn about her work, and learn more about Therapy Dogs. Plus coloring books will be handed out to participants. Admission is free.

Another event that we are excited about is the 5th Annual Twigs Benefit Eat-In. Once again Jerry and Lori Bogedin are reaching out to a local nonprofit and this time it’s the Dietrich. Come out for a great dinner at Twigs on Monday, November 21st from 5:00 pm to closing. Delicious food! Free popcorn. And a few gift bags will be raffled off too.

And then on Wednesday, November 30th, we will be off for an excursion in New York City. Join us for this fun bus trip. Experience New York City your own way. See a show, shop, visit the Museum, view holiday decorations and top the day off with a great Italian family-style dinner at Carmine’s. The bus will leave Tunkhannock at 7:30 a.m. and return home by 11:00 pm. Admission is $100 for the trip, which in includes dinner at Carmines and the bus. Space is limited; call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to make your reservations.

And we are also proud to announce a special December Writer’s Digest Workshop on Sunday, December 18th at 7:30 pm. Jane Friedman, Executive Editor of Writer’s Digest Books will give a workshop at the theater’s Peg Fassett Performance Studio. She will talk about how to find an agent and also spend some time discussing how a book is actually sold once it’s been picked up by a publisher. After the lecture there will be a question and answer session. Admission is $15. Make your reservations early, as space is limited. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to sign up.

And try a new art class this month at the Dietrich. We are offering, yoga, painting on glass, pottery and sculpture, quilting, open studio, decorative painting and for kids we have a great variety of mixed media classes for all ages.

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, November 9-16, 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. 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. November 10, 17, Dec. 1, 8.

Admission is $30 per session.

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

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 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.

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 through 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.

Kindermusik Village Class

Come to the Dietrich with your baby this winter for our new Kindermusik Village class. For children ages 18 months and younger. Call Cathy Shefski at 570-586-1977 for details or to register.

Thursdays, 9:15 -10 am from December 1st - February 3

Admission is $100 for the eight sessions

Instructor: Cathy Shefski

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. 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.

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. 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, through 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.

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 December from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm except November 21st.

$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 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.