First Posted: 6/23/2014

Several years ago, the Dietrich brought Master Drummer Maxwell Kofi Donkor to Tunkhannock to teach us the art and culture of African drumming and led us in a traditional drum circle. According to Donkor, “Drumming is the heartbeat of humanity. It balances both positive and negative energies in the individual and ultimately in the community. Drumming Heals.”

It was such a joyful experience that spanned all ages. This Friday at 7 p.m., our community will have another opportunity to take part in a drum circle during Open Mic Night at the theater. After the open mic portion of the evening where we encourage musicians, poets and other talents of all ages to get on stage, Ed Crawley and the Everything Natural Drummers will lead a drumming circle. All will be invited to drum along. So bring a drum, a shaker, or any other instrument or use one of theirs. This month Open Mic will be hosted by Katie Wisnosky and admission is free. We would like to thank the Dietrich Fundraising Committee for sponsoring the event.

On Sunday, at 3 p.m., live music will continue at the Dietrich with a free concert event. Folklore and Coal Mining Songs of the Northeast will feature acclaimed musician Jay Smar. In addition to singing and playing the guitar, he also plays the banjo and fiddle and clog dances. During the event, Smar will also share coal mining photos, books and chronicles with the audience.

Smar has performed at the Dietrich for Gathering of Singers & Songwriters and a Folk Music Benefit Concert. He is an amazing performer and we are just blown away by his musical prowess. The concert will be followed by a light reception giving audience members a chance to talk about their coal mining heritage. Free tickets are available by calling 570-996-1500 or at the door.

Looking to July, the Dietrich Classical Movie Series will continue on Wednesday, July 2 with “Yankee Doodle Dandy” at 1 and 7 p.m.

On Saturday, July 12, the Dietrich will host a free nature presentation on “Close Encounters with Birds of Prey” at 11 a.m. Bill Streeter of the Delaware Valley Raptor Center will teach and show us amazing birds of prey including the golden eagle, a peregrine falcon and the saw-whet owl. He will have six raptors with him for us to meet. Bill has a B.A. in biology, an M.S. in zoology and more than 30 years of experience studying and rehabilitating raptors.

Free tickets are available by calling the Dietrich or at the door while they last. This program is a pre-event for River Day which will be held at Tunkhannock’s Riverside Park on July 19. I can hardly believe that this will be our 10th year for River Day.

Oh, and if you are looking for some fun educational programs for your children this summer, there is still time to sign up for summer camps at the Dietrich. Artists-in-residence Amy and Steve Colley are teaching All About Pottery & Summer Camps, Art Explorers Camp and Mask Making Camp. Children will be able to explore theatre arts in Introduction to Acting Camp with Michaela Moore of All About Theatre.

And Amy and Michaela will be teaming up to offer two theatre and visual arts camps – Where the Wild Things Are and Traveling Through Time. Oh, and if your child is more interested in technology, the Dietrich has added on an additional LEGO Maniacs Camp and Digital Arts Camp next week. Rand Whipple of Box of Light Theatre will be at the theater from Monday through Thursday, June 30 through July 3 to guide students in the process of creating digital films, and working with green screen, LEGOmation and much more. For details about these offerings, please visit www.dietrichtheater.com or call us at 570-996-1500.

As you can see, the Dietrich is so much more than the movies!