Wyoming County Cultural Center at the Dietrich Theater 

(Click on Movie Posters for Showtimes and Synopses.)

Upcoming Events at the Dietrich 

Dietrich Theater Quilt Raffle

Thanks for your support!

At the Dietrich by Hildy Morgan     

          So. Sometimes I think movie critics were born with a sour taste in their mouth, and no matter how anybody tries to help them, they can’t get rid of the sour. It causes them to view life in the grumpy way critics do, and to not give a fair shake to something that fills most people with happiness. Of course, there are exceptions, like Roger Ebert, who was so full of joy that it bubbled through his reviews, and even if he didn’t personally like a movie, he always gave it a fair shake. I’m going into all that because I think the blast that Clint Eastwood’s Jersey Boys got from the critics is completely unfair! I finally got to see it this week, and  I loved it! Completely, totally loved it! Now, I understand our concession kids (who are, for the most part, really good at judging movies) and Ronnie (who, like me, is a movie fiend) were bored.

     Well, of course they were! This is about a time that they can’t relate to. It’s a completely different era, the late fifties through the seventies, when none of them were even born. And to love it – really love it – songs like Sherry and Big Girls Don’t Cry have to give you a magic carpet ride back to the days when you were young and all things were possible.  We danced, back then, dreamy slow dances, to the songs of the four seasons. The boys we danced with may have long since slipped from our memories, but the songs pack the same powerful punch they did back then. It wasn’t your dance partner that counted, it was the song, it was the crowded dance floor, it was the ride in the convertible with the top down and Ragdoll blasting as loud as the old 1957 Buick could play it.

     And besides all that, it’s a really good story, about some kids from Jersey whose talent saved them (okay, not entirely) from the life the city streets was edging them toward.  It’s really not a musical at all. It’s a biopic of a group that sold almost as many albums as The Beatles. And the songs are part of the journey. Theirs and , for those of us of a certain age, ours. Give Jersey Boys a try if you haven’t seen it. Swear to God, as the Jersey Boys would say – you’re gonna love it!!!!

    So even though the weather is supposed to be spectacular, remember, too much sun wrinkles the skin and also can make you feel woozy. So break up that outdoorsy stuff with a trip inside the Dietrich to see any one of five movies here for your weekend entertainment! Tammy, with the always funny Melissa McCarthy, 22Jump Street, How To Train Your Dragon, Transformers and, of course, Jersey Boys. Should be enough to keep everybody happy. So, save that lovely unwrinkled complexion and take refuge from the sun inside the Dietrich. What better place, really, to take shelter????

     Okay. A  heads up for July 12, Saturday at 11:00 a.m. Bill Streeter, Director of the Delaware Valley Raptor Center, will be at the Dietrich to talk about raptors. You know, golden eagles, peregrine falcons, owls. Totally fun creatures. He will bring six live raptors with him and he will tell you all about them. It’s a great education for the kidlets, and for the grown-ups, too. Those are the most fascinating birds – the birds of prey. Huge, great winged creatures. Come hear all about them – it’s free. But if you want to be assured a seat, call 570-996-1500 to reserve tickets.

     Finally, let me tell you about AmazonSmile. If you are an Amazon Prime member, Amazon will donate .05% of the purchase price of eligible items to the charity of your choice. I know, that’s not a huge amount of money, but it all adds up. It will go to funding all those wonderful cultural programs that educate and delight both children and adults. Go to AmazonSmile (http://smile.amazon.com) and support Wyoming County Cultural Center. It’s as simple as that. It doesn’t cost you a dime, and obviously, if you are a Prime member, it’s a great way to share with the folks in your community. And thanks so much. Remember, we are always incredibly grateful for all you do for us. That’s why everyone here works so hard to bring you such varied programming – we need to pay you back for your grand generosity!

     Have a wonderful Fourth! Bless you all!

     See you at the Dietrich.

Live at the Dietrich by Erica Rogler 

What a perfect day! We could not have planned for better weather for Founder’s Day in Tunkhannock.  And it was just wonderful to see the downtown bustling with entertainment, activity and great crowds.  We would like to thank everyone who came out and supported children’s programming at the Dietrich by participating in our quilt raffle and basket raffle on Founder’s Day.  From those who donated prizes to the volunteers who ran the booth to those who bought raffle chances, we are so appreciative.

Then on Founder’s Day night, to quote Bill Chapla, our community dramaturge, it felt like A Midsummer Night's Dream in Lazybrook Park instead of the dark, rainy setting appropriate for Macbeth.  Around 300 children and adults came out with their blankets and lawn chairs and joined us for a fantastic evening of Shakespeare in the Park. This was the seventh year that the Gamut Theatre Group of Harrisburg has come to Tunkhannock to perform, and they wowed us again with the tragic story of Macbeth.  It was also great to visit with the cast of five actors and director after the show to learn more about their craft, Shakespeare’s work, stage combat and more!

Turning from theatre arts to digital arts, last week was the first week of summer camps at the Dietrich. We always start the summer off with digital arts taught by Rand Whipple of Box of Light Studio.  In the morning, campers transformed into LEGO masters as they created LEGOmation films using stop motion animation techniques, created LEGO cities and more. 

Then in the afternoon classes, campers explored the world of fashion and created a fashion magazine.  One day they designed and created jewelry, including earrings, bracelets and necklaces with the Dietrich’s own Sarah Sidorek.  Another day they got their hair done and had a runway show.   The kids also worked with green screen so they could film their fashion designs from exotic locales such as Paris and Disney World. 

Next week, summer camps will continue at the Dietrich with our ever popular All About Pottery and Sculpture Camp.  Students will work on our 8 potter’s wheels and learn how to throw pots, vases and more.  They will also learn the hand-building technique of making pottery.  Plus campers will be able to experiment with sculpture techniques.  Classes will be held Monday- Friday, July 7 through 11 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.  Admission is $60 and all materials will be provided.

The following week, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts rostered artists Timothy Walker and David Driskell will be back with their Jammin’ in a Jugband Camp.  During this week of classes, children ages six to twelve years old will be able to play and create homemade instruments such as the washboard, washtub bass, the spoons, jug, saw and more.  They will also learn about conventional instruments such as the guitar, saxophone and clarinet.  Plus they will learn how to perform as a group.  At the end of the week they will be invited to perform with David and Timothy of Sadie Green Sales Jugband at River Day on Saturday, July 19 at 3:00 p.m. Classes will be held on July 14, 15, 16, and 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at the Dietrich.  And did I mention that admission is free?  It doesn’t get better than that!