At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

So. We have two good movies for you this week. Very, very different, but both pretty good examples of their genre.

First-off and first-run we have Because I Said So starring Diane Keaton and Mandy Moore. Keaton is absolutely one of my all time favorite actors. She is genuinely funny and always deeply touching in her portrayal of women who want love and have a hard time finding it. From her first rocko-socko starring gig in Annie Hall to her portrayal of the lonely playwright in Something’s Gotta Give, she brings humor and pathos in just the right amount to every role she takes on.

Of course, I haven’t seen it since it opens on Friday, but I looked it up on the IMDB site, and they were very flattering. Not only was it funny, they said, but it was the kind of movie that men and women can go to together and both have a good laugh. (Now guys, before you start moaning and groaning in that guy way about any movie where someone isn’t shot, stabbed or run over by a car, give the little lady a chance here. Think of all the times she goes with you to see movies she’d rather take poison than see. So it’s payback time. And the cool thing is, it’s good payback. You’re actually going to enjoy it.)

Mandy Moore is the daughter of the so, so pushy mamma, and she does a terrific job. Mandy Moore is one of those teen actresses who happens to be a nice, normal, hard working young person. She’s a young lady with a working value system, and it shows in her films and in the life she leads outside of Hollywood.

It’s a worrisome thing when you show movies with stars that are nitwits. We try to be very careful about what we bring into the Dietrich, but that’s not always easy when you see celebrities and their junk lives. I have to admit, that I don’t get the culture of celebrity. To me, Paris Hilton is a disgusting young woman whose life brings nothing to this world. She has more money than anyone should have and she behaves in immoral and repugnant ways. As does the slimy Brittany Spears. I don’t get why there are paparazzi who care. And I hate the fact that they make bad manners and bad behavior somehow acceptable to adoring teens.

Sigh. Am I showing my age? Am I being cranky about something that doesn’t matter? Well, I think I am being cranky, but I also think it does matter. And it makes me soooo mad!

The second movie is a goodie for adults. Leonardo DeCaprio in Blood Diamond. A fascinating and often violent tale about the mining and sale of what have come to be called “blood diamonds.” They can be mined most cruelly and then sold on the black market by terrorists. Today diamonds come with a certificate assuring us that they are not blood diamonds (so it’s okay to go to Wisnosky’s and buy that girl a special bit of sparkle for valentine’s day – really – it is) and therefore fine to purchase. But this film is about the dark side, the illegal side, of the industry. It’s superb and DiCaprio is a nominee for best actor for the Academy Awards.

Now, don’t forget that One Book, One County, One Movie starts next week and is a discussion of one of the most beloved and enduring novels of all times – Gone With The Wind. And after all the discussion, then in March we will show the movie.

Oh, my. Doesn’t it just make you go all weak in the knees, ladies, knowing that you’ll once again see Clark Gable, on the big screen, standing at the bottom of the staircase, looking up at the descending Scarlet with that look of amused derision on his face. Oh, dear. It simply gives me the vapors.

You have a good week, now.

See you at the Dietrich.

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

It brightens my day to see the Dietrich After School Players hard at work preparing for their performance on the Dietrich stage in March. These future thespians work so well together! Last Monday, the group learned choreography for line dances from local dance teacher Judy Weist. By the end of the week, the group looked like they had the steps down pat! If you would like to learn more about the Dietrich Theater After School Players, they have started a blog on our website (www.dietrichtheater.com) to journal their class activities. If you read their blog, you will find out that they are also a group of talented writers!

Our first Watercolor for Beginners class with Jan Henning was quite a success. In that class, students learned about watercolor techniques including washes, dry brushing and a salt and wet paint technique. Jan showed the class slides of the works of other award winning watercolor artists and she also did a watercolor demo on the spot to show the students how she paints. Students commented after the class at what an extraordinarily informative and supportive teach Jan is. We can’t wait for her second watercolor workshop at the Dietrich in March on color and composition. All of the students have signed up from her first class to take it, but we still have space available for a few new comers. For more information, call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500.

Our Wyoming County Reads project starts next Wednesday, February 7th at 7:00 pm at the Tunkhannock Public Library. Julia Peterson and Bill Chapla will lead the discussion “Fantasy, Reality, and Idealism in the Enduring Novel and Film”. Julia teaches courses in writing and communications at Keystone College and is an advisor to the college radio station, and Bill has an M.A. in English Literature and was a part time faculty member at Penn State and the University of Scranton. In past years, people of all ages have come out for these discussions. I can’t wait to hear what people have to say about Gone with the Wind. Admission to book discussions is free and sponsored by a grant from the Pennsylvania Humanities Council. Refreshments will be provided. For the opening night, we will have goodies from Vanessa’s Bakery -what a treat! If you can’t make this first discussion, Julia and Bill will discuss the same topic on Thursday, Feb. 8 at 7 pm at the United Methodist Church in Nicholson and Thursday, Feb. 15 at 7 pm at the Mehoopany Library.

Coming up on Saturday, February 10th­­ at 11 am, Kindermusik teacher Sarah Birchard will be back for a Second Saturday for you and your little ones. Join us for a morning of interactive songs, games and movement. Admission is free.

And we are just delighted that our Intergenerational Quilting class keeps growing and growing. It is great to see mother, daughters and friends come out to learn this folk art. In this winter series, students are making a variation of the classic log cabin pattern.

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

After School Players, for Middle & High School Students - Filled

Calling all actors, actresses, dancers and musicians, the Dietrich After School Players is now casting for its upcoming spring show, "Yee Haw! A Tribute to Hee Haw". Student will learn the theater arts and perform for friends and family at the Dietrich. Call 996-1500 to register.

Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 3:30 - 5:30 pm through March 24.

Cost: Free.

Carl Canedy and Patti Dunning of First Act Children's Theater

All About Drawing & Painting, ages 9-12

Students will learn the basics of perspective, line, form, color, and value as students draw an paint from life. All levels of experience welcome.

Thursdays, February 8, 15, 22, March 1 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm

Cost: $35, all materials provided.

Instructor: Steve Colley

All About Pottery & Sculpture, ages 9-12

Students will learn hand building techniques (Coil slab construction), glazing techniques and experience using potter's wheel.

Thursdays, March 8, 15, 22, 29 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm

Cost: $35, all materials provided.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Basic Jewelry - Cutting and Stamping Metal

Students will learn to cut metal using a jewelers saw and then use various methods of achieving different finishes and/or stanped design on the metal surface. Everyone will leave with finished items. No soldering. All materials and equipment will be supplied.

Monday, February 12 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm

Cost: $45, all materials provided.

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Beginning Conversational Spanish - Filled

Learn a second language as a family! This class will introduce you to everyday Spanish conversational phrases and vocabulary. We will be using games, role plays and fun exercises to practice speaking Spanish. This is a great class to get you started on learning a second language. For ages 7 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Tuesdays, March 6 - 27 from 7:00 - 8:00 pm.

Cost: $30 for adults, children 16 and under, free.

Instructor: Victoria Romero

Decorative Painting for Adults, ages 16 and up

Learn decorative painting techniques whicle creating decorative pieces for your home or to give as gifts.

Wednesdays from noon - 3 pm through March 28.

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

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Decorative Painting for Kids

Children ages 8 and up will learn decorative painting techniques as they paint a bird house.

Tuesday, March 20 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Cost:$12, materials provided.

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Easy Beading - Three Basic Beading Techniques

Have fun learning three beading styles! Basic loom beading, peyote, and beads on fabric will be demonstrated. All materials and equipments will be supplied.

Monday, February 26 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Cost: $25, all materials provided.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

First Steps in Stained Glass

Learn the first steps of working with glass to create stained glass pieces. Students will learn to work with a design, cut glass, polish, foil wrap, and solder. Each student will leave with a finished item. All glass, supplies and equipment will be supplied.

Monday, March 12 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

Cost: $45, all materials provided.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Intergenerational Quilting, for all ages

"Sara's Squares" - Learn the art of quilting while making an uncommon variation of the classic log cabin quilt. Students will learn quilting techniques and study vintage quilts.

Wednesdays through March 28 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Cost: $6 per lesson, all materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Terry Keller and Peggy Lane

Jewelry for Kids, ages 8 and up

Make It/Bake It - Create your own beads, bake and string them into a necklace that is uniquely yours.

Tuesday, March 13 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Cost: $7

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Little Artists, ages 2-1/2 to 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, March 2, 9, 16, 23 from 10:30 - 11:15 am

Cost: $30

Instructor: Amy Colley

Little People & Nature, ages 2 1/2 to 4

Join us as we learn about animals and nature in this four class series. Learn about: When Winter Comes - Where do some of the animals go in the winter? What animal can we still see? Children will learn the answers to these questions through songs, stories, puppets and crafts. Bunny Hop - What do wild bunnies eat? Where do they live? How do they hide? Learn why domestic rabbits don't make good pets for children and meet a rescued rabbit.Going Batty - What makes a bat a bat? Can you see bats in the winter? Dress like a bat, make a puppet, listen to a story, sing a song, and pretend to be a bat. Learn about the only flying mammal. Feeder Flutter - We've gone to the birds! Meet a live bird. Make a bird feeder to take home. Exploring the discovery stations, feathers, puppets, and stories.

Tuesdays, February 6, 13, 20, 27 from 10 -11 am.

Cost: $35, students to be accompanied by an adult.

Instructor: Rebecca Lesko, Endless Mountains Nature Center

Mixed Media, ages 5- 8

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

Fridays, 4:00 - 5:30 pm, Session 2 - February 9, 16, 23, March 2. Session 3 - March 9, 16, 23, 30.

Cost: $35 for each series of four classes.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Open Studio for Painting, Drawing and Pottery

Students of all ages and levels of experience will have the opportunity to work at their own paceand with the medium of their choice.

Tuesdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Session 2 - February 6, 13, 20, 27. Session 3 - March 6, 13, 20, 27.

Cost: $15 per class or $50 for four classes.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Painting on Glass, age 16 to adult

Learn decorative painting techniques as you paint a glass picture frame.

Monday, March 5 at 7 pm.

Cost: $12, materials are provided.

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Pottery & Sculpture, ages 13 to adult

This class is designed for students of all levels of experience. Students will work on pottery wheels, learn hand-building and sculpture techniques as well as making molds and casting.

Mondays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm, Session 2 - February 5, 12, 19, 26. Session 3 - March 5, 12, 19, 26.

Cost: $50 for all four classes

Instructor: Steve Colley

Preschool Art, ages 4 and 5

Preschool students will explore the arts each week as they use a variety of materials such as clay, tempera, watercolors, collage, etc.

Thursdays, February 1, 8, 15, 22 from noon -12:45 pm

Cost: $30

Instructor: Amy Colley, M.F.A.

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up

"Snowballs" - Snips of cloth with a winter theme make up our one-of-a-kind snowball quilt. Learn quilting and design techniques - it's easy and cool!

Wednesday through March 28 from 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Cost: $6 per lesson, all materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Terry Keller & Peggy Lane

Watercolor for Beginners - Color and Composition

Learn the basics of color and composition in watercolor painting.

Friday, March 30 from 7-9 pm and Saturday, March 31 from 10 am - 4 pm.

Admission is $60. Call 570-996-1500 for a materials list.

Instructor: Jan Henning

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.

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

Young Writers' Group, ages 11-16

Come and learn about all forms of writing. Participants will share their own writings and learn to critique each other. Topics for discussion will depend on the interests of the group, but will include vocabulary of the writing professional and opportunities for publication.

Thursdays through Feb. 15 from 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm.

Admission is free.

Group Leader: Ann Vitale