At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

What a terrific weekend! In spite of the glorious weather (it was definitely fine for dog-walking) folks came out to see Ice Age in most respectable numbers. The matinees were a little more sparse than I’d hoped but Saturday night was as sold out as sold out can be! I’m always amazed when I see new faces in the crowd - - faces I don’t recognize, and they ask where the “big” theater is, or the restrooms and I know they haven’t been here before. It’s so cool to know that new people are always coming to the Dietrich.

Speaking of people coming to the Dietrich -- this is far out! I couldn’t wait to tell you. We thought that folks coming from New York City or Philadelphia were coming the longest distance to come to the film festival. But we were wrong. There is a couple coming from Australia!!!! Yes, you read that right. Apparently they come to visit friends every year, and last year they were here at festival time and loved it. So this year they planned their visit around the festival. How’s that for totally cool????

Oh, and since I’ve forgotten the last two weeks, I wanted to say thank you to the lovely women of the Nicholson Women’s Club. Margie and I spoke there (in a gorgeous home) to about twenty or so members, two weeks ago. What a great group of “old broads” (well, some of them were mere kids in their thirties) they are! (And I use that term in the most complimentary way.) Thanks ladies, for making our visit so much fun. If we lived in Nicholson, we’d have to join up.

Okay. Now I’m going to give you a little bit of a sketch of a few of the festival films that I think will be particularly wonderful. By the way, the brochures are headed out this week, and the films are listed on the website. If you aren’t on our mailing list, just stop in the theater to pick up a brochure.

So here is a list of my favorites for the upcoming festival. Drum roll please.

Of course, heading my list of can’t-wait-to-see is our opening night presentation of Mrs. Henderson Presents. To me, to see Judy Densch and Bob Hoskins team up is nothing short of fabulous. Densch plays a woman who brings the first Paris-like nude review to London and therein lies much humor and good (if bare-naked) fun. From everything I’ve read about it, it’s tasteful, funny and Ms. Densch has you cheering at the end!

Sophie Scholl: The Final Days won Julia Jentsch the Best Actress award at the 2005 Berlin International Film Festival. It is the true story of the immense courage of a young woman in 1943 who, along with her brother, is arrested for handing out anti-Hitler pamphlets. The outcome for Sophie and all those in the “White Rose” underground is never in doubt. But her courage in the face of insurmountable odds is breathtaking. I find it very fascinating that now, sixty years after the war, that the Germans themselves are finally coming to grips with what happened to their country, and then to the world. I think Holocaust films are always very, very important to see. I am one of those people who believe that unless we keep the memory alive and visible, it could so easily happen again.

The World’s Fastest Indian. This is just a little New Zealand film starring Anthony Hopkins, that came and went at the box-office with barely a flicker of notice. It was the number one film in New Zealand for weeks, but it didn’t spark the imagination here. But I can’t wait to see it because it’s about an old man following his dream - - and I love stories like that. His dream of having the fastest motorcycle in the world might not be mine, but he has the courage and the sense of humor to go after that dream even when the world thinks he’s a lunatic. I love it! Isn’t it a shame that just when our brains and our hearts and our vision of the world start to make sense, in our later years, the body starts to fade. Hmmmph. Somebody ought to do something about that.

See you at the Dietrich!

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

Three more days until Susan Klein and her Family of Friends are live at the Dietrich for the ventriloquism show “Everybody’s Beautiful”. Join us the morning of Saturday, April 8th from 11:00 - noon as Susan and the puppets put on a show to teach children in a gentle and fun way that although we are all different, we are also the same in many ways. This will be a great morning and terrific for teaching little ones understanding of different cultures, ethnicities, and/or physical or mental challenges. Admission is free and we would like to thank State Farm Insurance for underwriting the show. Hope to see you there!

And on Thursday, April 20th at 1:30 pm the Dietrich will be celebrating the month of the young child will a live puppet show featuring Tom Knight. Join us for a collection of songs and skits for children of all ages - about animals, the environment, food and books. Favorites include “Alligator Jump”, “The Garbage Monster” and “Henry the Magician”. Admission is free. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 for more information.

For adults, we will be starting a five part lecture series conducted by Ed McMullen entitled “Art through the Ages” later this month. Utilizing hundreds of digital images representing many of the most famous and important works ever produced; this series of lectures is designed to introduce you to the fascinating story of our development as seen through extraordinary artistic & architectural achievements throughout history. All lectures will be on Wednesdays from 7:00 - 8:00 pm starting on April 19th through May 17th. Ed McMullen is a former Curator of Collections at the Everhart Museum in Scranton and is known throughout the region as an accomplished speaker and performer. Admission is $5 per lecture.

Oh, and our Spring 2006 Film Festival brochures are here! If you would like to learn more about the festival movies and schedule, call the theater at 996-1500 to request a brochure or visit www.dietrichtheater.com. Opening Night Gala tickets are going quickly, so call the theater to reserve today. Who could resist a night of great movies and great desserts?

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

2006: A Space Odyssey: Theater & Visual Arts Camp

Theater and visual arts combine to make an awesome space adventure! Learn all about outer space, aliens, planets, and intergalactic travel while creating stories, live theater, arts, crafts and so much more! For ages 5 -12.

Monday - Friday, June 19 - 23 from 10:00 am - noon.

Cost: $50, all materials provided.

Instructor: Michaela Moore & Amy Colley

All About Drawing Camp, ages 8 -12.

Using the artwork in award winning children's books as examples, students will learn about basic concepts of drawing including Line, Shape, Texture, Value, Color and Space.

Monday - Friday, July 10 - 14 from 10:00 - 11:30 am.

Cost: $50 all materials provided.

Instructors: Amy & Steve Colley

Beads and Memory Wire Bracelets (age 16 and up)

Complete a memory wire bead bracelet in one class. The bracelet will have large gem beads, medium gem beads, small gem beads and sterling silver spacer beads.

Thursday, May 18th from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Cost: $25, all materials provided.

Instructor: Jeanne Browning

Decorative Painting, ages 13 and up

Learn decorative painting techniques while creating decorative pieces for your home or to give as gifts. Each project will be completed within one to two classes. All levels of experience welcome.

Wednesdays from noon - 3:00 pm. April 5 - August 31.

Cost: $15 per class plus the cost of the painting surface. Preregistration required.

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Digital Arts Camp, ages 8 -12

Claymation, Robotics, and Special Effects.

Monday - Friday, June 26 - June 30 from 2:00 - 4:30 pm.

Cost: $50, all materials provided.

Instructor: Rand Whipple, Box of Light Theatre

Drumming Workshop for Adults, age 13 and up

Maxwell will lead the group in an amazing, interactive experience where African rhythms are incorporated into fantastical group songs. All that is needed is a desire to drum. Space is limited. Call 570-996-1500 to reserve.

Saturdays, May 6th from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Cost: $25 per workshop.

Instructor: Maxwell Kofi Donkor, Master Drummer.

Everhart Ancient Art Explorations

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

Mondays, July 10, 17, 24, 31. Ages 5 - 8: 10:00 - 11:00 am. Ages 9 - 12: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm.

Admission is free.

Instructor: Everhart Museum Staff

Fantasy, Fairy Tales & Beasts: Theater & Visual Arts Camp

This camp is all about ancient gods, wonderful tales and fantastical beasts. Children enrolled will learn about all sorts of cultures and myths and use that knowledge to create wonderful dramatic and visual works of art!

Monday - Friday, August 7 - 11 from 10:00 am - noon.

Cost: $50, all materials provided.

Instructor: Amy Colley & Michaela Moore

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".

Tuesdays, April 4 - May 23 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission is free.

Instructor: Valerie Paulus

Intergenerational Quilting, for all ages

"String Quilting" - Making something out of nothing while exploring this ancient art form. Since we will be working in miniature, the string pieces will be prepared by the teachers. Learn its history while stitch and see other string quilts.

Wednesdays April 5 - May 31 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Cost: $6 per lesson, all materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler and Peggy Lane

Introduction to Acting Camp, ages 6 -11

A fun and creative introduction to all that acting is!

Monday - Friday, July 31 - August 4 from 2:00 - 3:30 pm.

Admission is $50, all materials provided.

Instructor: Michaela Moore, All About Theatre.

Introduction to Glass Fusing , age 18 and up

This class will be a very basic introduction to the process of small-piece fused glass work. Each student will create a fused glass item that can then be used as a pendant.

Monday, May 8th from 7:00 - 8:30 pm.

Cost: $25, all materials provided.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Making Cards, age 8 and up

Make creative cards for Mother's Day, Father's Day or any other special occasion.

Tuesday, May 9 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Cost: $6.

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Metal Working Basic Jewelry (ages 16 and up)

Students will learn how to use a jewelers say, how to do basic metal cutting, filing and polishing. Metal used will be copper and sterling silver. Each student will create a pendant.

Monday, May 1st from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Cost: $45, all materials provided.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Mixed Media, ages 5 -12

A new artist will be introduced each week as students learn about famous artist and create their own works using materils including clay, tempera, charcoal, pastels, etc.

Fridays, 4:00 - 5:30 pm, Series 1 - April 7, 14, 21, 28. Series 2 - May 5, 12, 19, 26.

Cost: $30 for each series of four classes.

Instructor: Amy Colley, M.F.A.

Mommy & Me Mixed Media

For ages 3 and 4. Young artists and their moms, dads, or grandparents will create works of art using an assortment of materials, including clay, tempera, watercolor and collage.

Fridays, 10:30 - 11:15 am, Series 1 - April 7, 14, 21, 28. Series 2 - May 5, 12, 19, 26.

Cost: $25 for each series of 4 classes.

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

Move Over Mr. Spieberg: Digital Film Making Workshop

Learn how to create your own digital films using a digital camera and a computer. Using everything from clay actors to human ones, the class will shoot, edit, score and output several short films in the course of the week. For ages 13 to adult.

Monday - Friday, June 26 - June 30 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Cost: $50, all materials provided.

Instructor: Rand Whipple, Box of Light Theatre

Open Studio for Painting, Drawing & 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, Series 1 - April 4, 11, 18, 25. Series 2 - May 2, 9, 16, 23. Series 3 - June 6, 13, 20, 27. Series 4 - July 11, 18, 25, August 1. Series 5 - August 8, 15, 22, 29.

Cost: $45 for each series of four classes.

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

Pottery & Sculpture, ages 13 to adult

This class is designed for students of all levels of experience. Students will work on pottery wheels and learn hand building and sculpture techniques.

Mondays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Series 1 - April 3, 10, 17, 24. Series 2 - May 1, 8, 15, 22. Series 3 - June 5, 12, 19, 26. Series 4 - July 10, 17, 24, 31. Series 5 - August 7, 14, 21, 28.

Cost: $45 for each series of four classes.

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

Preschool Art - Summer

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.

Thursdays, July 6, 13, 20, 27 from 10:30 - 11:15 am.

Cost: $25 for each series of 4 classes.

Instructor: Amy Colley, 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.

Thursdays, noon - 12:45 pm, Series 1 - April 6, 13, 20, 27. Series 2 - May 4, 11, 18, 25.

Cost: $25 for each series of four classes.

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

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up

"Mystery Puzzle" - Discover design possibilities while learning how to sew. Students will then have the opportunity to embellish their finished quilts with beautiful beads.

Wednesdays, April 5 - May 31 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Cost: $6 per lesson, all materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Gloria Eastwood, Terri Keller, Mary Louise Dodge

Spring Fling Purse Felting Workshop

Create your own felted purse. Experienced and beginner knitters are welcome.

Mondays, April 3, 10, 17, 24 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm.

Admission is $45, all materials provided.

Instructor: Jean Kelly

Writers' Group

Come and read your work or listen and be inspired. Learn the craft of writing as you write. All genres and levels of writing are welcome.

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.

Mondays, Wednesdays & Saturdays, 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Call 570-996-1500 for class dates.

Cost: $10 per lesson. Children are free.

Instructors: Melissa Russo & Mary Frances Giordano: Certified Hatha Yoga Instructors