At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

Boyohboyohboyohboy! Is this an exciting week or what? Festival starts this Friday! I can’t believe how fast the time has gone. Opening night is sold out (thank heavens), the planning is complete, all the details tended to by Shirley and Margie and Erica and now all we have to do is sit back and enjoy the banquet of films coming our way. I know I say this at every festival, but I swear Jeffrey outdoes himself every time we do one. The films this spring are dazzling and I hope to see every one of them.

We had a lovely little surprise this week. Jeffrey’s assistant, Cynthia, is going to join us for opening night. We are thrilled! Jeffrey and his wife Heidi had loved our little town so much they told her she should come to the theater and the town and meet us all. We are delighted we’re finally going to meet her. She’s the one who handles all the little details of Jeffrey’s business, the one we call and whine to if there’s a shipping error (like they haven’t included the soundtrack with the movie). So we finally get to put a person to the phone voice. Cool.

Here’s a little fact. The opening night of the festival is Mark Mitchell’s birthday. What better way to spend a birthday than at the opening night of festival? I mention this because we know how much Mark does for the community he lives in. He and I don’t always agree on issues, but I have the highest respect for him because he loves this community and he spends many, many hours of his life devoted to making life here better for everyone. So, happy birthday, Mark. You’re a good guy in our book!

Oh, yes. I forgot to tell you last week that the Art Through The Ages class we are starting this Wednesday is free to students, both high school and college. If you’ve never heard our dear Ed McMullen speak then you are in for a treat. He is one of the most interesting lecturers I’ve ever heard, and so accessible. If you have any questions he’ll stop mid-sentence to answer you and then pick right up where he left off. I know for many people they think they sat through all the art history they could stand in school. But trust me on this. Ed makes everything come alive – you will not be sorry you came to hear him. I promise.

Many of you have been asking about our blockbuster lineup for the upcoming summer season. As far as we know right now, this is what it’s going to look like. We’ll start with Mission Impossible 2 (just forget about how crazy Tom Cruise is and think about how terrific his movies are) followed by The DaVinci Code (which looks, from the trailers, to be a very well-done version of the best-selling novel) to Pixar’s Cars to Pirates of the Caribbean 2 to The Ant Bully. Now, in-between the giants there will be some second-runs and some smaller films and then we’ll spend a good deal of August playing catch-up with what we’ve missed. But at least this gives you an idea of what the line-up will look like. Fun for all ages!

In closing I want to say hi to my darling, funny, loving cousin in Albany (and his wife and kids). His oldest son is getting married at the end of May and my sister and her husband are going to the wedding in Chicago. I wish so much I could go, but work and family keep me here. So I wanted to take this space to tell him that it seems so impossible that our kids are getting married when we were just kids ourselves such a short time ago. Johnny and I were very, very lucky because we traveled with a great bunch and our summers, spent in the still undeveloped Poconos, were the stuff dreams are made of. So many of our pals are gone now - - we’ve reached an age when the obits can leave you reeling. But he and I are still here from the old gang, and his beloved son is marrying and there is much joy and many hallelujahs. God Bless you and yours, dearest cousin. I love you.

See you at the Dietrich!

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

Okay, two days until the film festival. Opening Night is sold-out. Now don’t worry if you wanted to catch Mrs. Henderson Presents and Neil Young: Heart of Gold, they will be playing at other times during the festival besides opening night. We are all excited about the film offerings - fourteen days of fourteen films.

Tonight we will be starting our “Art through the Ages” art history lecture series with Ed McMullen at 7:00 pm. The topic will be “Strange Beginnings (Art for Eternity)”, a discussion of Pre-historic, Ancient Near Eastern, Egyptian and Aegean Art. His presentation will include digital images of Pre-Historic Cave Paintings, Stele of Hammurabi, Pyramids, Tomb Paintings, etc. Next week’s presentation will be “The Great Awakening (Empires Ascendant)”, in which Ed share ideas about Ancient Greek, Etruscan, Roman, Early Christian, Byzantine and Islamic Art. Images will include the Parthenon, Winged Victory, Mosaics, Taj Mahal, and Colosseum. etc. This series will be a great digital journey through the history of artistic achievements. Admission is $5. For students, admission is free. Join us for this enlightening series.

Our Quilting for Kids and Intergenerational Quilting classes have started up again. In the children’s class, students are making “Mystery Boxes” quilts. This quilt block allows students to experiment with color and design to create a unique quilt. Students will have the opportunity to embellish their finished quilts with beautiful beads. It is amazing to see those little hands hard at work!

And in the Intergenerational Quilting class, students are “String Quilting”. Students of all ages will make something out of nothing while exploring this ancient art form. Learn the history of string quilting and see examples of other string quilts. Both quilting classes are held on Wednesdays. Admission is $6.00 per class. Please call the Dietrich at 996-1500 for more class information. To catch a glimpse of our students’ beautiful work, stop by the Dietrich’s gallery to see their quilts in out “Art of Us” exhibit, which features the artwork of students in Dietrich Theater classes.

Also, on Saturday, May 6th at 7:00 pm, Maxwell Kofi Donkor will be back at the Dietrich for another drumming workshop. During April’s drumming circle/workshop. Maxwell taught us traditional African songs to sing while drumming. His workshops are definitely an experience. Call the theater to register or for more information.

And don’t forget, tomorrow, April 20th at 1:30 pm, Tom Knight will be at the Dietrich for a free Puppet Show for children. Hope to see you then!

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 through 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.

Saturday, 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, May 5, 12, 19, 26.

Cost: $25

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 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 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, May 4, 11, 18, 25.

Cost: $25

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

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