At The Dietrich by
Hildy Morgan A friend and I took a wondrous four mile walk on Saturday, wandering the dirt roads that wind through the hills of South Auburn, over sunny lanes that cut through flowered fields and then looked up in wonder at the trees that lock branches overhead in a woodsy section I think of as a cathedral, so holy is its ambiance. And then we get to my favorite road…No Winter Maintenance, the sign says. When I call it that it apparently irritates my husband because he always corrects me with the name of the road (which I can never remember).
But I love the poetry of it…no winter maintenance. I know it refers to plowing the snow, but to me, on a companionable walk, it has so much more meaning. On the one hand, it seems so cold and brutal. If you cross this line, it says, we cannot vouch for your safety should the north wind blow. We cannot help you. There will be no aid or comfort.
It’s such a shivery thought, isn’t it? There you are, in the deep chill of winter, completely alone, looking at the dark shadows cast by the naked trees.
Or, it can be that you stand there, looking at the sunlight reflecting off the dazzling whiteness of snow, observing a sky edged in pink with a slipper of a moon already in sight beyond the blue-gray clouds, and you are alone, utterly, totally alone, and there will be no winter maintenance, at least from the outside. But you stand there and look around at the living artwork that is our planet and the tiny space you occupy and you realize it’s okay. It’s breathtakingly, gorgeously, wondrously, brilliantly okay. Because the kind of maintenance the sign is talking about isn’t necessary, for you are overwhelmed with the beauty surrounding you and it fills you up and there is no need for anything other than what you see before you.
And as you watch the sun set, see the chippys scurry into their stone wall den, catch sight of a doe watching you with the intensity of the hunted, you can whisper an alleluia, a great cosmic thank-you, for the sweet beauty of the world that has been lent to us. The feeling of joy, of contentment, of quietude is complete.
All that from a simple road sign. Sigh.
You’ve probably guessed by now that I don’t have much new to tout at the movies. The end of August and most of September are grim as Hollywood unloads films no one really wants to see at a time when there is little spare time to actually go to the movies. Still, we try to get you the pick of the litter. Just try to remember, dear friends, that we don’t make ‘em, we just show’em. We do have, however, the best being offered right now, from Eat, Pray, Love (which everyone just loves) and The Other Guys (which my sister and Jerry said they laughed heartily all the way through) to a split of Cats and Dogs (the kids like it) and Dinner for Schmucks (great reviews and still number five at a month out) to Scott Pilgrim which got terrific reviews but has been a box office dud.
The following week we are trying for The Expendables and we will bring in Ramona and Beezus for all the little girls before they have to go back to school.
And whatever you do, don’t forget to get those gala night tix. We’re waaaay ahead of schedule with sales for them, (and remember we have reserved seating if you want it for gala) so you will want to call 996-1509 for your reservation. The films are fabulous!!!! Really fabulous!!! Both glorious examples of what great filmmaking can be if the creative folks are actually given a free hand!
So, that’s all my news and commentary on road signs. (I promise I won’t wax poetic about signs that say Stop or Go. Honest. Heh heh.)
See you at the Dietrich.;
| Now Showing www.dietrichtheater.com/movie
or (570)836-1022 for times EAT PRAY LOVE
August 13, 2010 -August 26, 2010THE OTHER GUYS
August 6, 2010 -August 26, 2010Dinner for Schmucks
August 20, 2010 -August 26, 2010Cats&Dogs:Revenge of Kitty Galore
July 30, 2010 -August 26, 2010SCOTT PILGRIM VS. The WORLD
August 13, 2010 -August 26, 2010
Coming Soon www.dietrichtheater.com/preview
or (570)836-1022 for times 2010 FALL FILM FESTIVAL
September 24, 2010 -October 7, 2010The EXPENDABLES
August 27, 2010
Events www.dietrichtheater.com/event
or (570)996-1500 to reserve Gathering of Singers & Songwriters 9
August 25, 2010
Illusions with Jeremy
September 18, 2010
Fall 2010 Film Festival Opening Night Gala
September 24, 2010
Airing of the Quilts Exhibit
October 1, 2010 - November 12, 2010
From Concept to Cloth
October 2, 2010
A Tribute to Segovia
October 10, 2010
Fall Foliage Trip to the Finger Lakes
October 13, 2010
Barbershop Vocal Clinic
October 16, 2010 - October 30, 2010
Political Refugees in 18th Century NEPA
October 20, 2010
Tasting the Big Apple: Movie & Bus Trip
November 1, 2010 - November 3, 2010
Yoga Journeys: Yoga for Kids
November 13, 2010
Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas
December 3, 2010 - December 3, 2010
Holiday Workshop
December 4, 2010
Dietrich Radio Players Performance
December 7, 2010
It's a Wonderful Life
December 14, 2010 - December 14, 2010
Classes www.dietrichtheater.com/class
or (570)996-1500 to enroll Open Studio: Painting, Drawing, & Pottery - Nights
April 6, 2010 - August 24, 2010
Pottery & Sculpture
April 5, 2010 - August 30, 2010
| Live at The Dietrich by
Erica Rogler On Wednesday, August 25, some of the finest singers and songwriters in our area will be taking the Dietrich stage for the 9th Annual Gathering of Singers and Songwriters. Join us at 7:30 p.m. for an evening of acoustic folk music by artists including Michael Jerling, KJ Wagner, Tom Flannery and Lorne Clarke. We are delighted to announce that WVIA’s George Graham will emcee the event for the second year in a row. It’s always great to get his insight about these artists’ music. You will not want to miss this night of great music, stories, and fun banter between the musicians on stage. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at the door or by calling the Dietrich at 570-996-1500.
Our next big event will be the Dietrich’s 8th Annual Fall Film Festival from September 24 through October 7. The festival will be kicked off with the Opening Night Gala on Friday, September 24. Gala night films include Get Low, starring Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Bill Murray and Lucas Black, and Mao’s Last Dancer, which is based on the true story of ballet dancer Li Cunxin’s journey from rural life in China to stardom on the international stage. Both movies have received great acclaim. We are so pleased that WVIA’s Erika Funke will be on hand to introduce both films. Another feature of gala night will be the delicious hors d’oeuvres provided by Twigs Restaurant, Epicurean Delight and Seasons Restaurant, and wine supplied by Nimble Hill Vineyard and Winery. The food they provide is always out of this world. And in between movies, Epicurean Delight will provide a sumptuous spread of desserts. Tickets are $50 each and all proceeds will support cultural programming for children at the Dietrich. Call us at 570-996-1500 for reservations. We now have reserved seating, and a door prize of a 6-month movie pass for two will be given away that evening.
If you can’t attend gala night, you will still have an opportunity to check out Get Low, Mao’s Last Dancer and the thirteen other festival films. They all sound tremendous. I was surprised to see how many of the movies focus on family. In Cyrus, you get to take a funny and insightful look at love and family in contemporary Los Angeles. Two teenage children seek out their biological father/donor and introduce him into the family life that their mothers have built for them in The Kids Are All Right. The comedic drama Please Give is a story about a New York family who, while looking for some extra space, gets drawn into a difficult relationship with the folks next door. And in Winter’s Bone, you will see a determined young woman try to track down her father in order to help out her younger siblings and her mother.
In addition to the films I just mentioned I also want to see The Girl Who Played with Fire that is based on the second installment of the highly acclaimed trilogy written by Stieg Larsson, which began with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I also think Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work will be interesting. She has had such a long career. For a complete listing of all festival movies and show times, visit our website www.dietrichtheater.com <http://www.dietrichtheater.com>.
We also have our new brochure of classes and events available. There is something for everyone at the Dietrich this fall. Please stop by the theater to pick up a copy or call us at 570-996-1500 to request that a copy be mailed to you. You can also check out all of our classes and events on www.dietrichtheater.com http://www.dietrichtheater.com. |
