First Posted: 3/14/2012

Visual Arts/Performing Arts
Original paintings by Anita Ambrose, on display at Summit Frameworks, 111 N. Abington Rd., Clarks Green. Info: 587.0162.
Catholic Choral Society 62nd season, rehearsals Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. at the IHM Center at Marywood University. The group, composed of members from both Luzerne and Lackawanna counties, performs sacred, classical, Broadway and popular music and welcomes new members. No auditions required. Ann Manganiello is music director with Jean Shields as accompanist while Brenda Grunza and Dr. Thomas Rittenhouse are co-presidents. Info: www.catholicchoralsociety.org and 587.2753.
Singers sought, Wally Gordon Community Singers, Clarks Summit United Methodist Church, Morgan Highway, Clarks Summit, Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. No auditions required. Info: Loriann Valentine Kerber, 586.2595; Judi Jones, 587.5365; Dale Thomas, 575.4708.
“An Evening at the Opera and More” presented by the Wyoming Seminary on Thursday, March 15 at 7 p.m. in the Great Hall of Wyoming Seminary, 228 N. Wyoming Ave., Kingston. Cost: Free. Info: 270.2192.
Murder Mystery: “Next of Kin” presented by The Music Box Repertory Company, March 16 to 18, Friday and Saturday performances begin at 6:30 p.m., Sunday 1:30 p.m. at The Music Box Dinner Playhouse, 196 Hughes Street in Swoyersville Cost: $30. Info: 283.2195 or 800.698.PLAY.
“ShamRaock Show,” at New Visions Studio & Gallery, 201 Vine St., Scranton on Saturday, March 16, doors open at 7 p.m. show starts at 8 p.m. featuring Blinded Passenger, Silhouette Lies, This Is A Movement (from Rhode Island), Sarah Yazkanin and Chuck Silsby. Cost: $5. Info: 878.3970 or visit NewVisionsStudio.com
Robert Dale Chorale will present the 27th Annual NEPA Bach Festival, March 17 and 18. The Festival opens March 17 at 4 p.m. with an Organ Concert at Elm Park United Methodist Church in Scranton. At 8 p.m., Tom Heinze and the Bach Festival Orchestra will present a Chamber Music Concert at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Scranton. The Bach Festival concludes with a Choral Concert March 18 at 3 p.m. in St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Scranton. Cost: Admission for the Chamber Music and Choral Concerts is $15, $12 for seniors and WVIA members, and $7 for students. Admission to the Organ Concert is free. Info: to reserve tickets, or to order a copy of the Chorale’s latest CD, contact 570.586.3921 or visit www.robertdalechorale.org.
No Impact Man, film screening on Friday, March 23 at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Wyoming Valley in Wyoming located at the intersection of Church and Mt. Olivet Roads in Wyoming. Info: 972.7856, or email office@uucwv.org.
“Yesterday and Today” an interactive Beatles Tribute, presented by Community Concerts at Lackawanna College on Friday, March 23, 8 p.m. in the Mellow Theater, 501 Vine St., Scranton. Cost: $30 and $25. Info: 955.1455, or visit www.etix.com.
Up & Coming Comedy Series with Paul Morrissey, Brian Kerns, Dave DiRienzo and musical opening act Pat Finnerty, Saturday, March 24,music and cocktails start at 7 p.m. show begins at 8 p.m. at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple, Shopland Hall, 4th Floor. Cost: $16.
“Retrospective exhibition of ceramic art” featuring the work of Professor Emeritus William Tersteeg and 20 of his former students, at The Linder Gallery at Keystone College, March 24 – April 29. A reception for the artists will be held on Saturday, March 24, 4 to 6 p.m.
“David Bender: A Show of sculptures and drawings,” at ArtWorks Gallery & Studio, 503 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton to March 29. Info: 207.1815, or visit artworksnepa.com.
“Scranton Story Slam,” at the Vintage Theater, Scranton, Saturday, March 31 doors open at 7 p.m. show starts at 8 p.m. 10 personalities from the area tell true five minute stores on the theme “Warning Signs.”
Choral Society to sing “Wondrous Love,” The Symphonic Chorus of the Choral Society of Northeast Pennsylvania, under the direction of Dr. Alan Baker, will present “Wondrous Love: American Shape-Note Hymns & Spirituals.” This program celebrates the rich heritage of American Folk Hymns, March 31 at the Scranton Cultural Center and April 1 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Pro-Cathedral in Wilkes-Barre. Cost: Admission is $15 for adults, free for 18 years and younger. A $3 discount for seniors, students, Lackawanna Library System Card holders, members of WVIA, and members of the Raymond Hood Room at the Scranton Cultural Center. Info: 343.6707 or www.choralsociety.net.
Valley View High School’s 30th Anniversary performance of Fiddler on the Roof, April 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. and 15 at 2 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Cost: $10, adults and $8, students and are available in two weeks in advance by calling the high school 570.876.4110 or at the door.
Literary Arts
Writers Group, for ages 18 and up, at the Dietrich Theater in downtown Tunkhannock, Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m., ongoing. All genres and levels of writing welcome. Cost: Free. Info: 996.1500.
Writers Showcase at New Visions Studio and Gallery, 201 Vine St., Scranton, March 31 at 7 p.m. The event will feature poetry, fiction and non-fiction.This month’s reading includes Pittsburgh SLAM poet William James. Other featured readers include Sandee Gertz Umbach, Keith Gilman,Rachael Goetzke, Charlie O’Donnell, and Reena Ranells. The event will be hosted by local poet Brian Fanelli and fiction writer Jason Lucarelli. Cost: Free. Info: http://www.newvisionsstudio.com/or call 878.3970.
Author Sherry Skramstad Book Signing, at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 421 Arena Hub Plaza, Wilkes-Barre, on March 21 at 7 p.m. Skramstad, a Scranton resident, will sign copies of her book, “Wendy’s Wisdom: The Challenges and Accomplishments of a Woman with Down Syndrome.”
The Place I Call Home book signing by Sherman Wooden, at The Catlin House, 232 Monroe Ave., Scranton, on March 25 at 2 p.m. Info: 344.3841.
The Lackawanna Historical Society Welcomes Author Robert F. Harris, at the LHS headquartersApril 29 at 2 p.m. Harris will discuss his latest book, The Last Dispatch Rider, which relates the story of 14 year old Thomas D. Collins who fakes his age in order to serve as a Union soldier during the Civil War. Info: 344-3841.
Arts, Crafts and More
Learn to read and sing Welsh, in preparation for the North American Festival of Wales to be held in Scranton, on Labor Day weekend 2012. Classes will take place the first and third Saturday of each month, 2 to 4 p.m. at the first Congregational Church, 500 Luzerne Ave, West Pittston. Cost: free. Info: email chhmww@hotmail.com or call 905.9074.
Women’s Fitness Class, Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Newton Recreational Center, Cost: $12. Info: 587.5791.
After School Fitness Program, Wednesdays, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., ages 10-14, at the Newton Recreational Center. Cost: $70 for six weeks. Info: 587.5791.
“Here’s Looking at You!” at the Dietrich Theater in downtown Tunkhannock Wednesdays, March 14, 21 and 28, 4 to 5 p.m. ages 5-12. Students will work in drawing, painting, mixed media and sculpture to create portraits both traditional and imaginative. Cost: Free. Info: 570.996.1500.
“Little People & Nature” Tuesdays and Wednesday, March 6-28 from 10 to 11 a.m. for ages 2 ½ to 5, little ones and their favorite adults will explore and learn about various nature topics each week. Cost: free. Info: 996.1500.
“Yoga for You,” Dietrich Theater 60 E. Tioga St. Tunkhannock, Wednesdays 10 to 11 a.m. Yoga Instructor: Melissa Russo. This class will teach or reinforce the basic yoga poses (asanas) which gently stretch and strengthen the body. Attention will be given to breathing and alignment in postures. Bring a mat or beach towel. Cost: $10 per class. Info: 996.1500 or visit www.dietrichtheater.com.