Wyoming County Cultural Center at the Dietrich Theater 

(Click on Movie Posters for Showtimes and Synopses.)

Coming Soon! 

Upcoming Events at the Dietrich 

At the Dietrich by Hildy Morgan     

         Okay. Here comes another blast of good stuff from Margie and Erica, or as I like to call them, “those cultural folks.”  You know, they have done so many wonderful programs ,like, forever, but it seems lately they have upped their game some. And I love the fact that so many of the programs are free, because that brings in an entirely different audience. More diverse, younger, entire families. If you charge even a modest sum of $5.00 per person for a cultural event (and we do have to charge for some) then that means the family with four kids probably can’t come. It means that  the older folks on social security might not be able to come either, because those checks don’t always keep up with the cost of living.

     And it also means that many folks won’t take a chance on something new, that they might like, but just don’t have that five or ten bucks to find out for sure. So when we don’t have to charge it’s so fun to see the kids, the teens, the elderly, men, and women  all jumbled up into a gorgeously diverse group. At the guitar concert Sunday (which, by the way, was simply terrific) there were over one hundred people of all ages, sizes, incomes and interests. And they sat there and listened to this beautiful Cuban classical music and had a great time. You could have heard a pin drop. Many thanks to John Keker and Sarah Sidorek for underwriting it, and introducing classical guitar to so many new people.

     And I just have to say a special thank you, also, to Rosemary and Jeff  Kintner for underwriting the special showing of Happy Feet. And they even included popcorn and soda. I was there to say “hey” to the folks coming in and it was so joyous! There was a little girl, teeny tiny, in a princess crown and a yellow ruffled dress who was sooo excited. And two wee brothers with their baseball caps on backwards who couldn’t wait to get their popcorn. And there were twenty-five special needs folks who could come because the event was free and who had just the best time ever! Again, all ages, all incomes. It was a pure joy and one of the things we dreamed about so many years ago when this project got started.

     So on May 14 at 7:00 p.m. we have a showing of The Anonymous People, a feature film documentary about the 23.5 million Americans living in long-term recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. There is still a stigma (believe it or not) to addiction, and the purpose of this film is to try to stop people from looking at those with addictions as “other.” They are our mothers and fathers, our sons and daughters, our teachers and friends, our bosses and workers. They are us. The difference isn’t that we’re superior, it’s so much simpler than that. Our first glass of wine or beer didn’t trip something in the brain and cause us to want more and more and more alcohol. And we don’t take a pain pill and then need (not want – NEED) more and more and more.  So come see this movie. It will inspire and educate. It’s all good. 570-996-1500 for reservations. And it’s free – won’t cost you a dime. And a panel discussion will follow. Do come.

     And on Saturday, May 10, (I guess I should have this paragraph before the last one. Then again this shows my absolute lack of order in anything!) we will show A Fierce Green Fire, a big-picture look at the Environmental Movement ranging from conservation to climate change. Narrated by Robert Redford, Ashley Judd, Van Jones, Isabelle Allende and Meryl Streep, this film premiered at Sundance and has won all kinds of awards.      There will be displays from local environmental organizations on display in the Dietrich Galleries. It’s a wonderful film, and these are people who care deeply about the fate of our beautiful earth. Again, like so many other offerings here, this won’t cost you a dime. Come see it. You’ll be glad you did. 570-996-1500 for reservations or you can get your tix at the door.

     See you at the Dietrich.

 P.S. – If you go to Perkins on May 15th between 8 and 8, Perkins will donate 20% of your bill to the Dietrich. How cool is that? So come and chow down on some terrific eats and help us out at the same time. Thank you, Perkins folks. We are so grateful!!!!!  

Live at the Dietrich by Erica Rogler 

Would you like to see a movie that is narrated by Robert Redford, Meryl Streep and Ashley Judd?  Sounds promising, right?  Well, you will have an opportunity to see such a film at the Dietrich Theater.  Join us for a free showing of A Fierce Green Fire: The Battle for a Living Planet at the Dietrich Theater on Saturday, May 10 at 10 a.m.  This documentary gives audience members a view into the history of the environmental movement from conservation to climate change. Directed and written by Mark Kitchell, A Fierce Green Fire premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2012 and has received acclaim at various festivals across the globe.   After the movie showing, you will have a chance to visit with a couple of environmental organizations from our area in the Dietrich’s galleries.  Free tickets will be available at the door or they can be reserved in advance by calling 570-996-1500.

Another free event that is coming at the Dietrich Theater is a free jazz concert on Sunday, May 18 at 3:00 p.m.  This concert will showcase Scranton-born lyricist Ned Washington’s contributions to America’s music history.  He wrote greats like “When You Wish Upon a Star”and lyrics from “High Noon” and “Rawhide”.  Vocalist Dennis Jeter and his bandmates including drummer Luca Santaniello, bassist Joseph Lepore and guitarist Joe Cohn will play Washington’s most celebrated songs, and  Dr. Philip Mosley will trace his life in songwriting. This free concert was sponsored by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.  Donations will be accepted at the door.    Tickets will be available at the door or can be reserved by calling 570-996-1500. 

This month the Dietrich will also be offering a couple of new workshops for adults, as well, including an Artifact Writing Workshop and a jewelry making class.  On Wednesdays, May 14 through June 18 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. students will be encouraged to explore new territories and topics in writing. Taught by Laurel Radzieski, participants will work with prompts focusing on content over specifications in form as they explore various genres of writing.  Writers of all levels of experience are welcome.  Admission is $55. 

Then on Thursday, May 22 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., you will have an opportunity to learn how to create a beautiful butterfly necklace.  Toni Hockman will teach students this stringing technique using needle and thread and a colorful assortment of beads.  I have taken a couple of jewelry making classes with Toni previously and am looking forward to learning this new jewelry technique.  Students will be able to choose from two color schemes: fuchsia and purple or orange and blue.  Admission is $35 and all materials will be provided.  Please call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 for more information or to register for either of these classes. 

Oh, and before I forget, Perkins Restaurant in Tunkhannock will be hosting a fundraiser for the Dietrich on Thursday, May 15.  To help out all you have to do is eat breakfast, lunch or dinner at Perkins between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. that day and 20% of your bill (less taxes and gratuities) will go to support children’s programming at the Dietrich.  To participate, please pick up a pink ticket for this event at the Dietrich’s ticket booth.  How easy!  Right?