Editor’s note: This week’s column was written by Dietrich Theater Program Director Margie Young. Erica Rogler will return next week.

If you have not yet made a reservation for the Spring Film Festival Opening Night Gala on Friday, April 1, it is a good idea to call the Dietrich as soon as you can. There is a constant ringing of phones in the office. Calls are coming in fast and furiously to reserve favorite seats. We have already reserved more than half our available seats in our two theaters for our evening of the two movies “Brooklyn” and “Lady in the Van,” hors d’oeuvres by Twigs, Epicurean Delight, Ma Greenley’s BBQ, Seasons, and the Fireplace Restaurant, drinks including wine and beer from Nimble Hill, and dessert by Epicurean Delight. No wonder this is such a popular event.

And what a terrific choice of movies for the three week Spring Film Festival, thanks to our booker, Ronnie Harvey. Twenty-one of the best foreign and independent films of the last few months include: “Trumbo,” the story of the blacklisted screenwriter; “Spotlight” and its story of a Boston Globe investigation; “Janis,” the story of Janis Joplin and “The Big Short,” about the credit bubble of the last decade. Also scheduled are art retrospective films about Rembrandt, Manet, and Florence and the Uffizi Gallery. And so many more.

A special evening is planned 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 13 for the showing of “No Place on Earth,” when you can not only see the film that tells the harrowing story that cave explorer Chris Nicola discovers when he finds a cave that was the hiding place for Holocaust survivors in the Ukraine, but you will also have a chance to meet Chris Nicola himself.

We were astounded by the turnout last Sunday to see the Czech film “David Zeisberger, Apostle Among the Indians,” a story of a remarkable Moravian missionary, and the following discussion with Bucknell University professor, Katherine Faull. All those interested in local history should save the date of Saturday, April 23 for another special presentation from the students of Bucknell University entitled “Stories of the Susquehanna: Utopian Dreams.” We are so pleased to be able once again to partner with Bucknell University to showcase a film about our rich local history.

Whether you are a novice or a returning painter you are invited to join this class and learn from a master pastel painter. Pastel Painting with Millie Schelling classes return to the Dietrich from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays in April and May 7. Schelling uniquely uses the pastel medium to portray everyday objects and scenes in a new light. We are so grateful for her spring return to the Dietrich.

And we would like to introduce everyone – kids, families and friends – to Abby and Timothy Ziegler and other instrumentalists, who, at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 16, will present “Meet the Orchestra,” a free family-friendly event when you will all have a chance to meet nine instrumentalists and their instruments – even try playing one yourself. The Zieglers are full of fun and energy that you will find infectious. So help us fill the theater with joyous sounds of the orchestra on April 16.

http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_AJ_Dietrich_Erica_Rogler-Copy-3.jpg.optimal.jpg

More Than Movies

Erica Rogler

Reach the Abington Journal newsroom at 570-587-1148 or news@s24528.p831.sites.pressdns.com.