At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

Oy! The movie business! It’s enough to give you a permanent migraine! (If one were younger and in the migraine business, that is.) So here is why I changed my mind and we are not going to bring in King Kong first run. Harry Potter pretty much tanked on weekend three for us. It stayed at number one in the nation for a third week in a row (which is very impressive) but it did so with only a twenty million dollar take. That means our audience was pretty small. Kong comes out on the 14th of December, so by Christmas it would be old (in the movie biz you age fast) and not likely to bring in new folks over Christmas.

Then there is the fact that we think Chronicles of Narnia is going to be very big for us. Not only is it a beloved book by C.S. Lewis, but it is a truly phenomenal movie. Our Jeffrey said that when he screened it he sat mesmerized for the entire length of the film (about two hours and fifteen minutes) and doesn’t think he so much as blinked it is so fine. From beginning to end, it is simply superb. And it’s a family film. In other words, it’s our kind of picture.
Therefore I couldn’t move it to the Murray after only five days and put Kong in the Evans. There are only eighty-seven seats in the Murray, and that would mean we’d be turning away literally dozens of people every night, for whichever film was playing there. Finally, if Kong were a normal length film we might have put it in the Murray and played it five or six times in the day. But it is three hours and six minutes long. That would give us three showings at a reasonable time and that would be it. Popular as it is going to be, it’s a case in point as to why we need that third screen. If we had another theater that held two-hundred, then we would be bringing in Kong. But we don’t, so we’re not. Sigh.

For those who really care, we will show it in January as a second-run. I promise. But a movie like Narnia simply takes precedence here. It’s a family film and we’re a family theater.

So at Christmas we will bring you Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt in Cheaper By The Dozen 2. With the addition of Eugene Levy to the cast it should be great fun, and you’ll be able to bring the kiddies to a Christmas movie.

And speaking of Narnia, we do have advanced tickets if you want them. Usually you can just come early and you’re fine, but advanced tix are on sale. If you do purchase your tickets in advance then your seat is assured. Up to you.

The writer’s workshop with Writer’s Digest Executive Editor Jane Friedman is almost full-up, so don’t hesitate to make your reservations if it’s something you think you would enjoy or benefit from. I’m cutting the number off at thirty, and there are twenty-five now, so make that call. Someone like Jane doesn’t come to our little town too often, so if you have a hankering to write and would like to know about the nuts and bolts of the writing biz, call 996-1509 to secure your place.

So this Friday night (Christmas In Our Home Town) should be just wonderful! And mother nature is even cooperating by giving us a little whirl of snow in the morning. That day takes us back to another time – to carriage rides and ice sculpting and chestnuts roasting and caroling and …well…stuff. All kinds of stuff! And this year the Dietrich’s contribution is a Christmas show by our wonderful Bloomsburg native, Rand Whipple, who will do his Weird, Wild and Wonderful show with a Christmas theme and the actors will be home-grown - - the kids he’s been teaching pantomime to lo these many weeks. Come see it. It’s free and it’s such fun. Shows at five and seven. But come early. Seating is limited.

So that’s it for this week. Oh, my, isn’t Christmas simply lovely? And isn’t Tunkhannock especially lovely at the holidays? You betcha!

See you at the Dietrich!

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

Christmas in Our Hometown is just a couple of days away! For that weekend, Tunkhannock looks even more like a quaint small town you might find on the front of a Christmas card. It’s a great time to go shopping and the kids will be definitely be entertained with all the activities that are lined up for this upcoming weekend.

On December 9th, the Dietrich will have two free live shows of “Weird, Wild and Wonderful – A Look at the Holiday Season” at 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Enjoy these performances about the holiday season through one of the quietest art forms, pantomime. Admission is free. These shows have been sponsored by the Tunkhannock Kiwanis Club.

And then on Saturday, the Dietrich’s annual Holiday Workshop will be held from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm. It will be great fun for all ages. There will be cookie decorating, holiday crafts, singing with Bill Frye, and creations by the balloon lady. Admission is free. The Holiday Workshop has been sponsored by State Farm Insurance.

And take some time to check out the Dietrich’s Christmas decorations this month. Our gallery is beautifully decorated thanks to the help of some of our volunteers and staff members. We have magnificent display cases including an “Enchanted Circus” by Emmy nominated set designer Stephen Hendrickson, a doll house made in 1905 which is owned by one of our artists-in-residence, Amy Colley, a “Christmas Tea Party”, and “Take a Bow” featuring teddy bears in a show.

And while your kids are home from school over the Christmas break, we will have a great treat for them. We will be offering a “Holiday Camp” for children ages 6 and up. Instructor Amy Colley will be teaching art in a different medium for each day of this camp. On December 27th, campers will learn how to create pottery on potter’s wheels and by using hand-building techniques. The following day, kids will learn drawing techniques. And on December 29th, students will learn about famous painters and create their own masterpiece! Camp will be from 9:30-11:00 am each day. Admission is $15 per day or $30 for all three classes. Enjoy one day of camp or explore the arts in all three classes. Call the theater at 570-996-1500 to register.

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 30 - December 14 from noon - 3:00 pm

Cost: $15 per lesson + cost of painting surface

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

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.

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

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

$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