The Blues in Art and Music filled the walls and the air at the Dietrich Theater last weekend as 100 attendees browsed the galleries and sat back in the rocker chairs of the Fassett Theater to listen to the music.

The overnight snowstorm did not keep blues fans away.

Painter Catrina King, photographer John Rocklin and lampmaker Scott Nichols all proudly displayed their works, and musicians in the Matt Bennick Project band and Phyllis Hopkins and the Electric Trio were in the groove of the blues for all to enjoy. Thanks to Patrick Robinson and the Kitson Arts Alliance for our very first Blues in Art and Music event. The exhibit is open to everyone when movies are shown or by appointment.

You may have heard that we celebrate books and movies based on them each February, with our Wyoming County Reads 14-year collaboration with the Tunkhannock Public Library. You may not know that we are in the third year of our collaboration with the Tunkhannock Middle School to bring a reading connection to children that we call Readers Meeting Writers. This is a program to introduce children to local writers and their books.

This year we are thrilled that acclaimed children’s author Susan Campbell Bartoletti, who wrote “The Boy Who Dared,” made time in her busy schedule to speak to students at our middle school in two assemblies. She also met with a group of interested student writers for two writing workshops. Any adult would have benefited from her two-hour workshops, which she made so engaging for students that the time sped by.

How fortunate we are that Susan Campbell, publisher of 20 books for children, Newbery Honor Book author, shared her stories and writing secrets with 300 Tunkhannock middle school students. Thank you Rotary Club of Tunkhannock, Walmart, and Claverack for making this extraordinary experience possible.

Coming up…

Did you know that preschool art and music classes at the Dietrich are free? It is our mission to make these classes accessible to all, regardless of ability to pay.

Coming up are Preschool Drawing and Painting for ages 4 and 5, from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Thursdays, Feb. 15 through March 8. Amy Colley, instructor, introduces students to tempera, watercolors and pastels. This class is sponsored by the Dietrich Fundraising Committee.

Music for Littles, Series 1, is also coming up for 2-and-a-half to 5-year-olds from 10 t0 10:45 a.m. Mondays, Feb. 5-26. This includes singing, movement and simple instruments, enjoyed with parents or caregivers, with instructor Abi Zieger. This class is also sponsored by the Dietrich Fundraising Committee.

Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register for these classes.

Winter Fest Opening Night is fast approaching as it is set for Friday, Feb. 16. Have you reserved your seats? It will feature two movies: “Ladybird” and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” Light hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine and our signature brownie dessert will be served between the films. Good food, fine drink and Golden Globe award-winning movies – all for $25. Call the theater to make reservations.

Would you like to be on our mailing list so you would get our brochures with our classes and events and film festivals? Call the theater with your information. You can also find all our events, classes and movies and sign up for our online newsletter on our website, dietrichtheater.com.

The Dietrich Theater is all about you. We wouldn’t be here without you. Remember, we want to see or hear from you soon and often.

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More Than Movies

Margie Young

Reach the Abington Journal newsroom at 570-587-1148 or news@theabingtonjournal.com.