At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

You shouldda been there! This weekend in town was so fantastic that if you weren’t strolling through the streets of fabulous T’town, you missed one of the best days ever! There was so much to do. There was the Tyler hospital antique show, breakfast with Jefferey at the Prince, the airing of the quilts, the quilt display in the Fassett Studio, the quilt raffle and bake sale in the foyer of the theater and of course, (I’m gasping for breath here the list is so long…) the superb films being shown PLUS the artwork at the Lizza Gallery. (At last! I can take in a breath!) All in one town in one day! It was positively dizzying!

Ingrid, who was giving mini-lectures to folks who came into the Fassett to see the glorious Baltimore Album quilts, said between four and five hundred people came in to see them Saturday. Is that cool or what? Hanging them in the Fassett Studio was perfect! That studio simply exudes calm and peace and was the perfect backdrop for the colorful stitching of the quilts. I have to say, Margie Hovan’s quilt is a masterpiece of talent and artistry. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so beautiful in all my life (well, except maybe a sunset or two in South Auburn). The other quilts were superb also, and all had such lovely stories. Like Betty Podlaski’s. After she died of breast cancer, her quilter friends gathered together to finish it and give it as a gift of purest love to her daughter Angie. Go ahead. Try to tell that story without a tear in your eye!

Sunday there was a meeting of the new Susquehanna/Wyoming County Foundation at the Lizza studio catered by the incomparable Epicurean Delight. What an incredible pairing! The Lizza studio is one of those rare places on this earth where you walk in and actually gasp at the beauty that surrounds you. And everything Epicurean does is a work of art. Which you can eat. Which makes it my favorite art form. Heh heh.

Friday night’s gala went swimmingly. We had such a wonderful time. Jeffrey was gracious, the five local restaurants had outdone themselves, and the movies were grand. Having Jeffrey and his lovely wife Heide with us just made our night! And the films were almost as good as those Epicurean desserts. (Lest I forget - - Lori Bogedin did the decorations and we just looked like one big party. And Lori’s right-hand lady, Karen, got everything together for that night.) The food, from Bogey’s, Remington’s, The Prince, Twigs and Carriage Inn was soooo good. Bless you all for your generosity to the theater.

Ladies in Lavender was a wonderful surprise. It wasn’t the bit of fluff I expected, but a bittersweet story of love and loss and longing. Except for about one minute of cheesy footage that should have been left on the cutting room floor (after you see it if you want to know what I think that is, just e.mail me) it is a grand film. And of course, I’d already seen Sidewalk Astronomer twice before opening night. It is superb. Come see them. They are both so entertaining in their individual ways.

Downfall is an excellent film. Very, very hard to watch, but I wish everyone would see it. It’s what happens when you have the perfect storm of lunacy and fanaticism. It’s horrendous. I haven’t yet seen Mad Hot Ballroom or Murderball, but people are coming out of them just loving what they’ve seen. And John Hovan said Beautiful Country is excellent. As Jeffrey said on gala night - - these films allow you to travel through time and space to different cultures, eras, geographies - - all in the safety of your movie seat. Come join us for the journey. There’s one week left.

From Hollywood this week we have Wallace and Grommit as well as an eleven minute short starring those wacko Madagascar penguins. It’s G rated and perfect for the kids. These are the folks who did Chicken Run, so you know it’s a quality production. Bring the kiddies to see it. You’ll have fun, too.

And next week, after festival, we will have The Constant Gardener for you. Can’t say you haven’t had a feast of quality movies lately. (Isn’t it so fun?)

Have a grand week, my friends. And to all of you who made gala night such a resounding success, bless your dear, dear hearts. We love you all!

See you at the Dietrich!

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

What a great first week of the film festival! Opening Night was fabulous - the movies, hors d’oeuvres, desserts by Epicurean Delight, our guest speaker, Jeffrey Jacobs, and all of you who were able to attend made it great! I must say The Carriage Inn, Prince Hotel, Remington’s Restaurant, Shadowbrook Inn & Resort: Bogey’s Bar & Grill, and Twig’s outdid themselves with a great selection of hors d’oeuvres.

A small group of us had Breakfast with the Director the following morning at the Prince Hotel. Jeffrey is so charming and is a wealth of information about the film industry and movie making. And of course, Tunkhannock looked beautiful throughout the day for Airing of the Quilts. And Denise Nordberg’s quilt lecture “The Fabric Made Me Do It” added greatly to the day’s celebrations.

Now let’s look to the second week of the film festival. We will be bringing in Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, Saraband, Me and You and Everyone We Know, and Look at Me. I will definitely have to see Enron; I think it will be an interesting study on business ethics. Plus we will still be playing some of the great movies we showed the first week of the festival. So if you didn’t get to see Caterina in the Big City, or would really like to catch Ladies in Lavender a second time (which I plan to do), here is your chance.

For kids and families we will also open the much-anticipated Wallace and Gromit -The Curse of the Were-Rabbit on Friday, October 7th. The claymation and storyline for this film are supposed to be amazing. The Dietrich loves to bring in family movies.

This Saturday, the Dietrich will also host a special Second Saturday event. Usually Second Saturdays are geared toward families with young children, but this time all ages are invited to learn about local hiking trails with Jeff Mitchell” from 11:00 am -noon. Mitchell is a hiking expert and author of “Hiking the Endless Mountains”. Autumn is the perfect time to hike - it’s not too hot or cold, and the foliage is brilliant. This presentation will appeal to both beginners, and more advanced explorers. Admission is free.

During the week of October 10th, we will also start up our October series of art classes. Now is the time to sign up. We will offer “Discovering Great Artists” for children ages 5-12, “Mommy & Me Mixed Media” for three and four year olds, “Young at Art: Preschool Art” for ages four and five. For adults, Steve Colley, M.F.A., will teach “Open Studio for Painting, Drawing, and Pottery” and “Pottery & Sculpture”. Plus we will start the “Golden Days of Radio Players Group” on Tuesday, October 11th. Every Tuesday through December 6th, the group under the direction of Valerie Paulus will go back to those thrilling days of radio drama and comedy. Join them as they prepare a radio play production including sound effects. Classes are from 7:00-9:00 pm on Tuesdays and admission is free.

And just a reminder, Cathy Shefski will teach Village (for infants under 18 months) and Our Time (for children ages 18 months - three years) Kindermusik classes at the Dietrich starting on Thursday, October 13th. The Village Class will be at 9:15 - 10:00 am and the Our Time class will be at 10:15 - 11:00 am. Cathy Shefski has her Masters Degree in Piano Performance from New England Conservatory in Boston and has had over 20 years of experience teaching piano. To learn more about these classes call Cathy at 570-586-1977.

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, October 12 - November 16, November 30 - December 14 from noon - 3:00 pm

Cost: $15 per lesson + cost of painting surface

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Discovering Great Artists, ages 5-8

Mixed media for children ages 5-8. The art activities in each four-week session are designed to expand the creative experience and awareness of young artists in all aspects of the visual arts through drawing, painting, printing, and sculpture.

Fridays from 4:00-5:30 pm. Session 2 - October 14, 21, 28, Nov. 4. Session 3 - November 11, 18, Dec. 2, 9.

Admission is $30 per session.

Instructors: Amy and Steve Colley, M.F.A., B.F.A.

Discovering Great Artists, ages 9-12

Mixed Media for children. The art activities in each four week session are designed to expand the creative experience and awareness of young artists in all aspects of the visual arts through drawing, painting, printing, and sculpture.

Thursdays from 4:00-5:30 pm. Session 2 - October 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3. Session 3 - November 10, 17, Dec. 1, 8.

Admission is $30 per session.

Instructors: Steve and Amy Colley, B.F.A., M.F.A.

Everhart Modern Art Experiments, grades 4-6.

Got Art? The Everhart returns to the Dietrich this fall to let you get your creative juices flowing as we play with paints, pastels, and colors and learn about modern art!

Tuesdays, October 4 -October 25 from 3:45 - 5:00 pm.

Admission is free.

Instructors: Everhart Museum Staff

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". Call 570-996-1500 for more information.

Tuesdays, October 11 - December 6 from 7:00-8:30 pm

Admission is free.

Instructor: Valerie Paulus

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.

Jewelry Making - Bead Crocheting

Here is your opportunity to learn crochet with seed beads. In this class, you will be shown how to bead crochet a key fob. With this skill, you then can make bracelets and necklaces.

Wednesday, November 2 from 7:00-9:00 pm.

Admission is $35.00. All materials will be provided.

Instructor: Jeanne Browning

Mommy & Me Mixed Media, ages 3 and 4

Young artists and their Moms, Dads, or grandparents have the opportunity to engage in projects that encourage critical thinking and problem solving skills as they explore drawing, painting, paper, and sculpture.

Mondays, noon -12:45 pm. Session 2 - October 10, 17, 24, 31. November 7, 14, 21, Dec. 5.

Admission is $25 per session.

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

Open Studio for Painting, Drawing and 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. Session 2 - October 11, 18, 25, Nov. 1. Session 3 - November 8, 15, 22, 29.

Admission is $30 per child and $45 per adult.

Instructor: Steve Colley, M.F.A.

Painting on Glass for Adults, ages 13 and up

Learn the basics of painting on glass. Design your own wine glass set for your home or to give as a gift. Register by calling 570-996-1500.

Wednesday, November 16 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.

Admission is $15.00 plus the cost of your painting surface.

Instructor: Sharon McArdle

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. Evening Session - 7:00 -8:30 pm.

Admission is $60.00

Instructor: Rand Whipple, Box of Light Theatre

Pottery & Sculpture

This class is designed for students of all levels of experience. Students will work on pottery wheels and learn hand building and sculpture techniques. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register

Mondays, 7:00-8:30 pm. Session 2 - October 10, 17, 24, 31. Session 3 - November 7, 14, 21, 28.

$45 for four classes

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

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.

Tile Making

Steve Colley of Colley Tile Works will lead students through the process of creating their own handmade tiles from design, the mold making process, printing, firing, and glazing.

Thursdays, through November 3 from 7:00-8:30 pm.

Admission is $200. All materials are provided.

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

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 October 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

Young at Art - Preschool Art, ages 4 and 5

Preschoolers will have the opportunity to engage in projects that encourage critical thinking and problem solving skills as they explore drawing, painting, paper & sculpture.

Thursdays, noon - 12:45 pm. Session 2 - October 13, 20, 27, November 3. Session 3 - November 10, 17, Dec. 1, 8.

Admission is $25 per session.

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