First Posted: 4/11/2012

Do I ever have exciting news for you about the opening weekend of the Dietrich’s Spring Film Festival! Not only will we be celebrating with hors d’oeuvres, wine, desserts and magnificent films for the Opening Night Gala on Friday, April 13, but we will also have two special guests with us. The Dietrich’s film buyer from New York, Jeffrey Jacobs, will be with us to explain why he chose the films “The Kid With a Bike” and “The Women on the Sixth Floor” to launch opening night, and Dr. Philip Mosley will introduce the films. Coincidentally, Dr. Mosley has written a book about the directors of “The Kid With a Bike” called “The Cinema of Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne: Responsible Realism,” which will be released later this year. We still have a few tickets for opening night if you would like to join us for a night of food, film, and fun. Tickets are $35 each and can be purchased by calling 570.996.1500.

The morning after the opening night gala Saturday, April 14 at 10:30 a.m., the Dietrich will be hosting a special, free event called “Meet the Film Buyer” with Jeffrey Jacobs. During this discussion Jeffrey will explain how the film business works followed by a Q & A session. Movies are so fascinating and I think it will be great to learn the ins and outs of the business from an expert. We hope to see you there.

Jeffrey Jacobs is President of Jacobs Entertainment Inc, a film buying and marketing firm. He is the film buyer for the Dietrich Theater and a total of 50 screens across, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, Florida and as far west as Park City, Utah. He was the film buyer for two of New York City’s best-known cinemas, the Angelika Film Center from 1989 until 1997 and the Paris Theatre from 1997 to 2009. As a filmmaker, he produced and directed a feature-length documentary, “A Sidewalk Astronomer” which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and has been widely seen on public television.

The following Saturday, April 21 at 11 a.m., the Dietrich will be hosting a free Mid Festival Movie Discussion. This will give all of us a chance to discuss the meaning and significance of the some of the festival films with other who have seen them. Or if you haven’t seen a certain movie, it might help you decide whether you want to see it. Hildy Morgan and Bill Chapla, film buffs extraordinaire, will facilitate the discussion. There is no need to register. All you have to do is show up!

The Dietrich will also be starting off a new session of Kundalini Yoga Saturday, April 14 from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. During this six-week class, attendees will experience the gifts that Kundalini yoga has to offer as they explore breath, movement and mantra leading you into a deep connection with their own truths. According to instructor Barbara Tierney, Kundalini yoga is challenging to everyone yet can be done by everyone. Admission is $60 for a series of six consecutive Saturday classes or students can drop in at $15 per class. Students are asked to bring a yoga mat and blanket. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 for more information or to register.

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