Ben Keiser will perform at September’s Open Mic Night.
Submitted photo
“What I love the most about the Dietrich Theater’s Open Mic is that is so eclectic. When I attend other Open Mic venues many seem to attract all poetry or all music. But our Open Mic usually attracts performers of many genres — music, poetry, writing, comedy, magic, a ventriloquist and shadow puppets. We even had a musician playing the didgeridoo and a family of ukulele players,” relates Viola Henning. And that is not all! She cited that in the past we have had drum circles, dancing, a sign language lesson, and a recitation of all 50 states in 17 seconds! Our Dietrich Fundraising Committee sponsors Open Mic, so it is always free.
Performers are requested to register at the Dietrich’s Peg Fassett Performance Studio at 6:30 on the evening of Open Mic, usually on the 4th Friday of the month from June through October. At 7 p.m. they perform first and then we have an invited featured performer. Our August featured performer was our friend Timothy Zieger, singer/songwriter. He delighted everyone with his songs, even sharing a new one that sent everyone home singing the catchy tune.
Two more Open Mics are scheduled on Fridays at 7 p.m. — Sept. 30 and Oct. 28. Mark your calendars with these dates and a chance to see all kinds of new performers and a popular seasoned performer. On Sept. 30 the featured performer is Ben Keiser, back at the keyboard with his rendition of songs you may know. Viola says he reminds her of the popular Ben Folds. I wish my college aged granddaughters were here to hear him.
On Friday, Oct.28, the featured performer is Tony Leoni, magician. He has been dubbed the “funny man of magic” and on Facebook you can check him out at “Tony Leoni Family Fun Magic Show.” A perfect time to bring family and friends to the Dietrich for the final Open Mic of 2022!
In the meantime it is time to get your reservations for our Octoberfest Opening Night Gala on Friday, Sept. 23. Two movies, hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer, and dessert between the movies. Good company, great food and drink, and the best movies. Call Mary at 570-836-1022 ext 3 to reserve your favorite seats. I will be reserving three!
Our popular free Preview Day for the Fall Film Festival is on Thursday, Sept. 8, at 1 and 6 p.m. All of the trailers for the 23 films are on screen for your viewing — a wonderful way to check the ones you want to make sure to see during the festival that lasts from Sept. 23 to Oct. 13. Bring a friend or two and make plans to see a movie or two or three and have lunch or dinner at one of our fantastic restaurants.
One of the films I will make sure to see is Tutankamen: the Last Exhibition. When my three kids were in elementary school, I took them and two of their friends to the Field Museum in Chicago to see a Tutankamen exhibit. It was the day after the last day of school and I piled them all in my car and drove them from our home in the suburbs to the
Chicago lakefront to experience an amazing exhibit. I am sure that we all still remember the mystery and grandeur of it. I cannot wait to revisit the story and the art.
What will bring you through the Dietrich Theater double doors? Blockbuster movies are on our four screens, classes are in our Sheldon Art Studio, amazing art exhibits are in our three art galleries, and Fall Film Festival and Open Mics are just around the corner. All of us at the Dietrich hope to see you soon.
