At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

What a glorious festival it’s been! We’ve had our best attendance yet, and people have come out of the movies thrilled with what they’ve seen. This collection of films has had something for everyone, so that if you didn’t like one film you were almost sure to like another. I think my favorites (and I’ve seen ten of them so far) have been Cache, The Three Burials of Malquiadas Estrada, Why We Fight and Mrs. Henderson Presents. All completely fascinating films with much to say about the human condition. (Send me an e.mail at hildya@epix.net and tell me which ones were your favorites and why. I love to hear what you’ve liked or didn’t. It’s what makes festival so much fun.) And guess what Jeffrey said to me on the phone the other day? He said he couldn’t wait to book the fall festival because there are going to be totally gorgeous films available at that time. Now, is that something to look forward to or what?

Okay, we have big blockbusters starting the summer season. This week we open the film that starts the summer season - - Mission Impossible 3. (You want to know something really cool? The Dietrich was still closed for the first two Mission Impossibles. Hard to remember that, isn’t it?) The reviews are good, the action non-stop. Rated PG13, it’s a film for everyone to enjoy. And yes, I know Tom Cruise is hard to take in the tabloids and on cable. But it’s Tom Cruise the actor you’re going to see, not Tom Cruise the person. You always have to keep that straight, because frankly, I can’t think of any Hollywood star (well, except maybe the gorgeous George Clooney) who is not extraordinarily irritating. (And Clooney is probably very irritating to many of you.) It’s about the work they do, not about who they are because almost to a person they are spoiled, tantrum throwing, very, very rich children. But oh, my, can they entertain us!

Hoot is a must-see for the kids (probably around eight and up) about a group of heroic children with a mission to save a little owl from the developers who think nature was created to build golf courses on. (I was with someone in the Everglades once and he looked out at that massive expanse of glorious wilderness and said “What a perfect golf course this would make - - I wonder why no one has done it yet.” I was too stunned to reply.) It’s the story of a few kids who make a difference, but it has a larger message about nature and how we deal with it. Florida, where the film takes place, is wildly overdeveloped, and in need of some restraint. The film will not only entertain but give you lots to talk about with your kids later, when the movie has concluded.

I look out at my green fields sprinkled with sunny little dandelions and I am amazed that I am writing about the summer blockbusters! Weren’t we just talking about the grayness of winter? The cold? The longing for a bit more sunshine? How can it be May already? But it is. And what a glorious month. I can’t ever for the life of me figure out why people consider dandelions to be a weed. They are so utterly cheerful. Little specks of sunshine descended to earth to welcome the oncoming summer. They are every bit as cheerful as the hyacinth and daffodil that everyone holds in such high regard. Well, in my opinion the humble dandelion is sort of a working class daffodil and deserves our respect. Hmmm. Since running for office seems quite in vogue at this time of year, do you suppose I could run on the dandelion platform? Double hmmmmm. Probably not.

So, once again, I need to say thank you for our festival sponsors, to glorious Epicurean Delight for their exquisite desserts, to Shirley Fisher who is the Queen of organization in our office and sells those sponsorships, to Margie and Erica for all their creativity and organizational skills and to Mike Rudolf and Esther for the ads they create. And to our projectionists and supervisors who are nearly dead from exhaustion by the time festival is over. Bless you all. We can never tell you the depths of our gratitude!

See you at the Dietrich!

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

Our Spring 2006 Film Festival is wrapping up and what a time we’ve had. Movies like The World’s Fastest Indian, Mrs. Henderson Presents, and Neil Young: Heart of Gold were huge hits! I still hope to catch The White Countess tonight or tomorrow. We hope you enjoyed these movies as much as we have.

Now that May is here school children and families are starting to think about summer vacation so I’d like to tell you about some of the summer camps we have coming up. During the week of June 19 through 23 from 10:00 - noon, we will have a “2006: A Space Odyssey: Theater and Visual Arts Camp”. Campers between the ages of five - twelve will have the opportunity to learn all about outer space, aliens, planets, and intergalactic travel while creating stories, live theatre, arts, crafts and so much more! Amy Colley and Michaela Moore will instruct the children in all aspects of the visual arts and dramatic arts including movement, mask making, painting, costuming, jewelry making, group art projects, theatre games and more! All of these wonderful activities will be centered on learning about the wonders of outer space. This program is a one of a kind experience for any child with any level of experience.

Later in the summer, Amy and Michaela will teach another Theater and Visual Arts Camp entitled “Fantasy, Fairy Tales and Beasts!” This camp is all about ancient gods, wonderful tales and fantastical beasts. Campers will learn about all sorts of cultures and myths and use that knowledge to create wonderful dramatic and visual works. Admission to each camp is $50. To learn more about these camps or to register, call the Dietrich at 996-1500.

While children wait for summer to arrive, the Dietrich currently hosts some great art classes for kids to keep them engaged including “Open Studio for Drawing, Painting, and Pottery”, “Mixed Media”, “Preschool Art”, and “Quilting for Kids”. Just in time for Mother’s Day, the Dietrich is offering a one-day “Making Cards” workshop with our very own Sarah Sidorek. Students will learn new and creative ways to create cards for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or any occasion. This workshop will be held on Tuesday, May 9th from 3:30 - 5:00 pm and is geared toward children age eight and up. Admission is $6. There is still time to sign up for these artist adventures.

Oh, and for adults, we have two jewelry classes coming up this month. On Monday, May 8th, Esther Harmatz will teach the basics of glass fusing. Each student will create a glass-fused piece that can be used as a pendant. And on Thursday, May 18th, students can make a memory wire bracelet using an assortment of beads under the direction of Jeanne Browning. Admission to each class is $25, all materials are provided. Call the Dietrich at 996-1500 for details or to register.

Oh, and our African Drumming Workshop is this Saturday night at 7:00 pm with Maxwell Kofi Donkor. There is still time to sign up. It’s a fun class, everyone is provided with a drum to use and no experience is required. Admission is $25.00 per person. Call the theater at 996-1500 to preregister.

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, through 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 through 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

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