VISUAL ARTS/PERFORMING ARTS
The Ballet Theatre of Scranton’s 40th annual presentation of ‘The Nutcracker Ballet,’ 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 26, 27 and 28 at Marywood’s Sette LaVerghetta theater. Cost: free. Reserved seat tickets are available to the general public, on a first come, first serve basis, at the Marywood box office, 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton, two hours prior to each performance. Info: 570-347-2867.
First Night Scranton: ‘Past, Present, Future,’ New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31 to midnight, New Year’s Day, Jan. 1 at various downtown Scranton locations. An alcohol-free celebration of art and culture that gives families an affordable alternative to traditional New Year’s Eve parties. Features live music, dance, magic shows, children’s activities, horse-drawn carriage rides and more. Cost: $10 for general admission, $5 for senior citizens and those with military identification. Children under age 5 are admitted free. Info: firstnightscranton.com or 570-499-6360.
New Vintage Ensemble and The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple present ‘Hamlet,’ 8 p.m. Jan. 8 and 15, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Jan. 9 and 16 in Shopland Hall at the Scranton Cultural Center. Cost: $15. Tickets: online at ScrantonCulturalCenter.org or NewVintageEnsemble.com, by phone at 570-344-1111 or 800-745-3000 or in person at the Fidelity Box Office at the Scranton Cultural Center and all regional Ticketmaster outlets, including Boscov’s, Gallery of Sound and select Walmart locations.
‘Terezin and Kurdistan – A Journey: How do we break this chain of inhumanity?’ exhibit, Jan. 23 – Feb. 28 with a gallery talk at 2 p.m. Feb. 12 at Marywood University’s Suraci Gallery. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Photographs, by Michael Mirabito, Ph.D., portray former atrocities as well as the human need for normalcy. Exhibition is the inaugural presentation of the virtual Holocaust and Genocide Studies Center at Marywood University.
2016 Scholastic Art Awards for NEPA awards presentation, 1 p.m. Jan. 30 at Marywood University’s Mahady Gallery. Gallery hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Auditions for ‘Arsenic and Old Lace,’ 12 to 5 p.m. Jan. 30 and 31 at the Dietrich Theater. Actors and actresses needed include three women, ages 20-70, and 11 men, ages 20-70, including a female and male understudy. Performances are scheduled for April 29 through May 1, 2016. To schedule an audition, call director Hoyt Keiser at 570-466-9407.
LITERARY ARTS
Writers’ Group, 7 – 8:30 p.m. every Thursday (ongoing) at the Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. All genres and levels of writing are welcome. For ages 18 and up. Cost: free. Info: 570-833-5246.
Warrior Writers, 6:30-8:30 p.m. second Mondays at the Dietrich Theater in Tunkhannock. These writing workshops support artistic exploration and expression and provide a safe space to share experiences in the military culture. Open to all veterans and service members. Cost: Free. Info/register: call 570-996-1500.
Creative Writing With Carol King Part 2: Nonfiction, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Abington Community Library. This interactive workshop will showcase the importance of word choice to be the most effective communicator to your audience. For adults. Info: 570-587-3440.
ARTS, CRAFTS AND MORE
DIY to Go for Adults, Jan. 13 at the Abington Community Library. Until supplies last, stop by the library to pick up your kit to take it home with you. The project will be a clothespin magnet.
