ArtScene with Erika Funke

Gabe Hakvaag, Director, and Actors Nikki York & Sarah Elswick, speaking about "Miss Holmes Returns" by Christopher M. Walsh, to be presented by Hamilton-Gibson Productions February 14, 15, 21 & 22 at 7:30 pm & February 23, 2025, at 2:30 pm, at the Warehouse Theatre, 3 Central Avenue in Wellsboro. There will be an opening reception following the performance on February 14th. www.hamiltongibson.org/ 570-724-2079

Gabe Hakvaag, Director, and Actors Nikki York & Sarah Elswick, speaking about "Miss Holmes Returns" by Christopher M. Walsh, to be presented by Hamilton-Gibson Productions February 14, 15, 21 & 22 at 7:30 pm & February 23, 2025, at 2:30 pm, at the Warehouse Theatre, 3 Central Avenue in Wellsboro. There will be an opening reception following the performance on February 14th. www.hamiltongibson.org/ 570-724-2079

Members of the Wyoming Valley Barbershop Harmony Chorus speaking about their organization and singing here at the WVIA Benco studio: Marian Holehan, tenor; Jason Kuzmak, lead; Tom Roberts, bass & Lou Volpetti, baritone. They have activities year-round--their main concert is on June 29, 2025, at the Kirby Center for Creative Arts on the campus of Wyoming Seminary in Kingston; also their December Holiday Concert; and their February Singing Valentines. New members are welcome. For more information: www.singwb.com/ or 570- 285-4810

Gerardo Edelstein, Music Director & Conductor of the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra, speaking about a concert titled, "Marvels of Majesty," on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 7:30 pm, at the Community Arts Center, 220 West Fourth Street in Williamsport. Featured works: Piano Concerto in G by Ravel & Symphony No. 7 by Bruckner. For information: www.williamsportsymphony.org/ or CACLive.com/

Mark Biedlingmaier, art collector & graduate of the University of Scranton, Darlene Miller-Lanning, Director of the Hope Horn Gallery at the University, and Carol Maculloch, Director of Planned Giving, speaking about the second of a two-part exhibition series: "Hudson River & Delaware Valley: Selections from the Mark Biedlingmaier Collection," running from February 3 through March 14, 2025. There will be a Collectors' Lecture on February 7th at 5:00 in the Kane Forum of Leahy Hall, 243 Jefferson Avenue. That will be followed by a Gallery Reception at 6:00 on the Fourth Floor of Hyland Hall, 301 Jefferson Avenue. www.scranton.edu/

Paul Salerni. award-winning composer & NEH Distinguished Chair in the Humanities at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA, speaking about the Inaugural Salerni Bi-annual Art Song Recital presented by the LU Music Department on Sunday, February 9, 2025 at 3:00 in Baker Hall at the Zoellner Arts Center on the Lehigh campus. Also at Lehigh on March 27th, there will be a screening of a new, award-winning documentary film titled, "Earl" centering on the life and work of distinguished 20th century composer Earl Kim. The event will be held in Baker Hall at the Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh at 7:00 pm, and admission is free. www.zoellnerartscenter.org/ www.paulsalerni.com/ www.earlkimcomposer.com/

Jacqueline Engel, Executive Director of the Walk In Art Center in Schuylkill Haven, PA, giving an overview of the organization's history and activities from an interview in November 2023. The tradition of Souper Bowl Friday continues on February 7, 2025, with a lunch option between 11:30 am & 1:30 pm; and a dinner option from 5:00 to 6:30 pm. There will be an opening reception for the exhibit, "A Walk on Water: Watercolors of Donna Berk Barlup" on Feb 7th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm in the Center's Main Gallery. www.walkinartgallery.org/ Haley O'Brien, Multimedia Reporter & Host with WVIA News, with a story on Groundhog's Day in Pine Grove in Schuylkill County. www.wvia.org/news

Derek Jolley, Musician, Medical & Climate Researcher, native of NEPA, continuing his audio journal series on his journey around the world. This time from the South Island of New Zealand, where he is a Glacier Kayaking Guide & Instructor. He has completed a new album titled, "From the Flipside" by cuddle-drug set to be released 2/15/25. www.cuddledrug.com/ On Instagram@cuddledrug and www.derekjolley.com/

J. Michael Lennon, Emeritus Professor of English at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre and authorized biographer of Norman Mailer: "Norman Mailer: A Double Life" issued by Simon & Schuster, speaking about the recently released work by Mailer titled, "Lipton's: Mailer's Marijuana Journal: 1954-55" co-edited with G.R. Lucas and Susan Mailer. Also about a recent documentary, "How to Come Alive with Norman Mailer" by Jeff Zimbalist and released by Zeitgeist Films. For more information: www.jmichaellennon.com/ www.zeitgeistfilms.com/

Marybeth Evans, Project Director for the WVIA O'Hara Project, speaking about award-winning author John O'Hara to mark the 120th anniversary of the writer's birth--January 31, 1905--in Pottsville, PA, and remembering WVIA Radio's yearlong examination of O'Hara's life and work in 1995. For more information check the article by Peter Tourette in the 2016 Summer edition of "Humanities" from the National Endowment for the Humanities: www.neh/gov/humanities

Katherine Ann Wynne, award-winning author & screenwriter from Wayne County, PA, speaking about her recent book, "A Cabinet of Dreams," and her insights into the writing life. She has also just published "The Animals of Fernwood House" and "My Family (Probably Not Like Yours)." Her biography and information about all of her books can be found at www.amazon.com/

Angel Ackerman, President of the GLVWG, and Donna Brennan, Chair of the 2025 Write Stuff Writers Conference, speaking about the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group and its upcoming conference taking place from March 13 through March 15 at the Homewood Suites by Hilton in Center Valley, PA. The Keynote Speaker will be Tiffany Yates Martin, and there will be 20 sessions and 10 special events. For more information: www.glvwg.org/

David Hicks, Director and Faculty of Practice in the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, speaking about his recent children's book, "The Magic Ticket," illustrated by Kateri Kramer and issued by Fulcrum Books. For more information: www.david-hicks.com/ or www.fulcrumbooks.com This the second of a two-part series.

Claire Joelle, Marketing Director, & Scott Colin Woolnough, Artistic Director of the Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, speaking about the LTWB production of "The Pillowman" by Martin McDonagh. Joelle directs and Colin Woolnough plays Katurian. There will be shows from January 31–February 9, 2025; Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 3pm at Little Theatre of Wilkes Barre, 537 N. Main St, Wilkes Barre. Content warning: "The Pillowman" contains mature themes, offensive language, graphic depictions of violence, and discussions of child abuse and murder. Viewer discretion is strongly advised. ltwb.org/

Claire Joelle, Marketing Director, & Scott Colin Woolnough, Artistic Director of the Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, speaking about the LTWB production of "The Pillowman" by Martin McDonagh. Joelle directs and Colin Woolnough plays Katurian. There will be shows from January 31–February 9, 2025; Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 3pm at Little Theatre of Wilkes Barre, 537 N. Main St, Wilkes Barre. Content warning: "The Pillowman" contains mature themes, offensive language, graphic depictions of violence, and discussions of child abuse and murder. Viewer discretion is strongly advised. ltwb.org/

John Maurer, Trumpet/Flugelhorn artist and music educator, speaking about his life in music and philosophy of teaching, in an interview in 2018 coinciding with the release of his album, "Songs For My Son." John Maurer will be joined by Dr. Rick Hoffenberg, piano, for a Music Faculty recital at Marywood University in Scranton in the Marian Chapel of the Swartz Center on January 25, 2025, at 2:00 pm.  The program will include music by Arthur Honegger; Oscar Boehme; Amy Dunker and more.  For information: www.marywood.edu/mtd or www.trumpetjm.com/

Paige Balitski, Artistic Director, and Gary Rozman & Mel Uchic, Actors, speaking about the annual presentation of original One-Act Plays, produced by Diva Theater at The Olde Brick Theatre, 126 W. Market Street in Scranton. There will be shows January 30, 31 & February 1, 2025, at 8 pm, with a Sunday matinee (2/2) at 2:00. For more information you can find them on Facebook and to make reservations: 570-209-7766

BTE Resident Actors Amy Rene Byrne & Aaron White speaking about the production of "Misery" by William Goldman, based on the novel by Stephen King, that will open at the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble's Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center Street in Bloomsburg on January 23 and run through February 9, 2025. There will be shows Thursday through Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 3:00 pm. There are 2 Pay-What-You-Decide Previews 1/23 & 1/24 at 7:30 pm. The show is suitable for Mature Audiences. www.bte.org/ 570-784-8181

Anne Flaherty, great-great-granddaughter of John Kehoe, hanged in Schuylkill County PA in December 1878 as one of the alleged "Molly Maguires."  She will receive the 2025 Anthracite Heritage Foundation Book Award for "The Passion of John Kehoe and the Myth of the 'Molly Maguires" on January 23 at King's College in Wilkes-Barre where she will deliver the annual Msgr. John J. Curran lecture at 7:00 pm.  She will also take part in a program on January 22 at the Anthracite Heritage Museum in Scranton at 6:30 pm.  Anne Flaherty's blog is "From John Kehoe's Cell."  For more information about these programs that are free and open to the public: www.ahfdn.org/  or www.wvia.org/mining

Phil Haynes, Drummer, Composer, Educator, speaking about the inaugural concert of the Third Thursday at the Gallery series hosted by the Lewisburg Arts Council, getting underway Thursday, January 16, 2025, at the Gallery, 15 N. Water Street in Lewisburg, at 7:00 pm. The featured performer will be Steve Adams with a program titled, "My Favorite Things." There will be a Q & A session after the performance. Admission is free. For more information: www.lewisburgartscouncil.com/

Dellana Diovisalvo, Executive Director of the Tunkhannock Public Library, speaking about Wyoming County Reads 2025 centering on "Cold Mountain," an award-winning novel by Charles Frazier, and the subsequent film made from the book. Book discussions begin on February 5th at 7 pm at the Library, and events continue on Wednesdays through the month. There is no charge. For more information: www.dietrichtheater.com or www.tunkhannockpublic.org

Robert Wolensky, Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Adjunct Professor at King's College & founder and coordinator of Anthracite Heritage Mining Month, speaking about the events to be held in January 2025 in the region, running from January 8 through February 1. For information: www.ahfdn.org/ or www.wvia.org/mining

Lizzie Newcomb Gumula, Education Director of the Scranton Shakespeare Festival and director of the current production, and actor Nina Collarini, speaking about the musical "Spring Awakening" that will be presented by the SSF Youth Ensemble on January 10, 11 & 12, 2025, at the Marketplace at Steamtown in Scranton. Shows Friday & Saturday at 7 pm and Sunday at 1 pm. For more information: www.scrantonshakes.com/

David Yonki, Health Educator for the City of Wilkes-Barre, and Coordinator for two events taking place over the Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend. On Friday, January 17th, 2025, the Luzerne County NAACP Branch 2306 & the Wilkes-Barre Law & Library Association, will present "Martin Luther King Jr. and His Presidents," at the Luzerne County Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre at 2:30 pm. On Monday, January 20th from 8:30 to 11:30 am, the Luzerne County NAACP Branch 2306 will join with the Friedman Jewish Community Center, the O'Donnell Law Offices & the City of Wilkes-Barre to present "Blankets & Broth," at the JCC, 613 S J Strauss Lane in Kingston, PA. This is a service event to make fringe blankets to benefit local nonprofits. For information: info@naacp2306.org/

Robert Wolensky, Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Adjunct Professor at King's College & founder and coordinator of Anthracite Heritage Mining Month, speaking about the events to be held in January 2025 in the region, running from January 8 through February 1. For information: www.ahfdn.org/ or www.wvia.org/mining

David Hicks, Director and Faculty of Practice in the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, speaking about his recent children's book, "The Magic Ticket," issued by Fulcrum Press. There will be public readings from January 4th through the 9th on campus as part of the program's January 2025 residency. There is no admission charge. For more information: www.wilkes.edu/creativewriting www.david-hicks.com/

Neil Prisco, Marketing Director of the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Wilkes-Barre, speaking about the second half of the 2024-2025 season and the newly-issued brochure. Performances run from January 9th through June 8th, with new events to be added regularly. For more information: www.kirbycenter.org/ 570-826-1100

Poet Joan Selby of Maryland, speaking about her recent poetry collection titled, "Love Warp," and reading various selections. She has lived, taught and written in Pennsylvania, Ohio and now in Maryland, and she hosts the Hagerstown Writing Group. For more information: www.washingtoncountyarts.com/

Rabbi Daniel Swartz, Spiritual Leader of Temple Hesed in Scranton, and Executive Director of the Coalition on the Environment & Jewish Life, speaking about the recent interfaith, climate-focused gathering in Italy under the aegis of Wilton Park, an Executive Agency of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and the efforts to establish a lasting network to further work on behalf of the climate and environmental justice. www.coejl.org/

Violinist Sophie Till of the Marywood University Music Faculty, and clarinettist Pascal Archer, principal with the NEPA Philharmonic, speaking about the Quartet for the End of Time by Olivier Messiaen which they performed with cellist Christiane Appenheimer-Vaida and pianist Ron Stabinsky, in the Marian Chapel at the Swartz Center on the Marywood campus in Scranton on Saturday, September 28, 2024.  The event was a collaboration between Marywood Music Faculty and the NEPA Philharmonic.  For information: marywood.edu/mtd or  nepaphil.org/ The interview was first broadcast 9/20/24.

Sasha Margolis, violinist, author, composer, arranger, speaking about his novel, "The Tsimbalist." Margolis is a violinist with the NEPA Philharmonic and the orchestra of Glimmerglass Opera. He is co-founder of the eclectic ensemble Big Galut(e). The novel is set in 1871 in eastern Europe and is a detective story with Avrom, the tsimbalist, as protagonist. For more information: Facebook.com/thetsimbalist

Chason Goldschmitz, who will become Executive Director of the NEPA Philharmonic on January 1, 2025, speaking about his life in music, his work with soprano Renee Fleming and his vision for the orchestra, as he prepares to take the helm. For more information on the NEPA Philharmonic and the 2024-2025 season as it continues: www.nepaphil.org/

Alan Stout, Executive Director of Visit Luzerne County, music journalist, radio host & event producer, speaking about the northeastern PA music scene over the years and about all the region has to offer. His long-running radio show, "Music on the Menu," can be heard Sunday nights at 9:00 on 105 The River. Facebook.com/musiconthemenu and www.visitluzernecounty.com/

Adriana Beers, owner and artistic director of In2YouArts in Stroudsburg, speaking with reporter Isabela Weiss of WVIA News at the opening of the Gallery at 530 Main about the arts, business and education in the region after the closing of the Pocono Arts Council.  Beers' arts school shares space at 530 Main with the Gallery. The inaugural exhibition is titled, "Artists of the Poconos," and it will run through February 15, 2025.  Gallery hours: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 4. www.shermantheater.com/

Dr. Darlene Miller-Lanning, Director of the Hope Horn Gallery and member of the faculty of the Art & Music program at the University of Scranton, speaking with WVIA's Mindy Cronk about celebrated artist Franz Kline who was inducted into the Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Hall of Fame on November 8, 2024. For more information: www.facebook.com/LCAEHOF

Rabbi Daniel Swartz, Spiritual Leader of Temple Hesed in Scranton, speaking about the performance of "Shterna and the Lost Voice" by the Magid Ensemble on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 6 pm, at the Jewish Community Center, 601 Jefferson Avenue in Scranton. There is a storyteller, a cranky box and live Klezmer music. Admission is free. www.scrantonjcc.org/ www.templehesed.org/

Amy Carter Casimir, Artistic Director, and Trey Casimir, Producer, speaking about "A Lewisburg Victorian Nutcracker" to be presented in partnership with the RiverStage Community Theatre, on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at the Greenspace Center, 815 Market Street in Lewisburg, at 2 pm (sold out) and at 7 pm. For information & tickets: www.riverstagetheatre.org/

Christopher Gallo, Artistic Director of the Lyric Consort, speaking about The Lyric Consort Christmas concerts to be presented on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 7:30 pm at the Hawley United Methodist Church, 315 Church Street, as part of Hawley Winterfest. And again on Saturday, December 14 at 7:30 pm at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 232 Wyoming Avenue in Scranton. www.lyricconsort.org/

12122024ChrisGallo by WVIA Public Media

William Payn, Music Director & Conductor of the Susquehanna Valley Chorale, speaking about the annual Candlelight Christmas concerts to be presented on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 7:30 pm and again Sunday, December 15 at 3:00 pm, at Zion Lutheran Church in Sunbury, PA. There will be works for chorus, organ, harp, flute, brass and percussion. www.svcmusic.org/

Gerardo Edelstein, Music Director and Conductor of the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra, speaking about the concert titled, "Magical Holiday Journey," to be presented Friday, December 13, 2024, at 7:30 pm at the Community Arts Center, 220 West Fourth Street in downtown Williamsport. Joining in will be the WAHS Choir and the Williamsport Chamber Choir. The concert will feature music from film scores by John Williams , a carol sing-along & more. www.CACLIVE.com/ or williamsportsymphony.org/

Jack Swersie, artist & arts advocate, speaking about the exhibition titled, "Artists of the Poconos" at the Gallery at 530 Main in downtown Stroudsburg. There will be an opening reception on Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 5 to 8 pm, and the show will run until February 15, 2025. Gallery hours: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 pm. For more information: www.shermantheater.com/

Melisse Brunet, Music Director & Conductor of the NEPA Philharmonic, and Chason Goldschmitz, newly-appointed Executive Director, speaking about the 2024 Holiday Concerts on Saturday, December 7 at 7 pm at the FM Kirby Center in downtown Wilkes-Barre, and again Sunday, December 8 at 3 pm at the Scranton Cultural Center. www.nepaphil.org or 570-270-44440

Justin O'Hearn, Director, speaking about the original holiday play "Grandpa's Jazz Christmas Adventure" by Tony Schwartz and Roxann Schwartz, presented by Diva Theater at the Olde Brick Theatre, 126 W. Market Street in Scranton from December 6 through December 15, 2024. There will be shows Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm. Facebook.com/DivaTheaterScranton.com

Dr. Christopher Jackson, Artistic Director & Conductor of the the Bach Choir of Bethlehem, speaking about the 2024 Christmas concerts on Saturday, December 7 at 4 pm at the First Presbyterian Church, 3231 W. Tilghman Street in Allentown; Also Sunday, December 8 at 4 pm at the First Presbyterian Church, 2344 Center Street in Bethlehem. The concert will be available via Livestream on December 8 at 4 pm (bach.org). There will be music by Bach and Kile Smith with carols for an audience sing-along. www.bach.org/

Dr. Alan Hack, Founding Music Director & Conductor, and David Hamilton, President of the Board and Choir Member, speaking about the holiday concert titled, "The Work of Christmas" to be presented by the Jubilate Choir & Brass Ensemble on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 7 pm and Sunday, December 8 at 3pm, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 123 N. Market Street in Bloomsburg. The program will feature John Rutter's Gloria and other pieces of the season. Joining the Choir will be organist Carl Ruck. Admission is free. For more information, you can find them on Facebook or call 570-784-4515

Dr. Olapeju Simoyan, practicing addiction medicine physician & professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Drexel University College of Medicine, who is affiliated with Reading Hospital, speaking about her new book titled, "I Played My Best for Him: The Inspiring Stories Behind The Little Drummer Boy & Other Christmas Favorites." There is a companion CD/Album as well. Dr. Simoyan will be part of Take Heart Counseling's "Deck the Stalls" on December 7, 2024 in Wernersville, PA--at 11:30 am & 12:30 pm. There will be a book signing/launch on December 8 in Gilbertsville, PA at The Crossroads Guitars and Art from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. www.the doctorwriter.com/

Matthew Rupcich, Music Director & Conductor of the Arcadia Chorale, speaking about the program titled, "Love's Light Abounds: A Holiday Celebration in Song," to be presented Saturday, Dec 7, 2024 at 3 pm at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 35 S. Franklin St. in downtown Wilkes-Barre, and again on Sunday, Dec 8 at 3 pm at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 232 Wyoming Avenue in Scranton. Admission is free. www.arcadiachorale.org/

Bob McCormick, Artist & Author, and Mark Peterson, Executive Director of the Hazleton Art League, speaking about the exhibition of McCormick's work titled, "Reclamation: From Coal Dust to Hope," which will open at the HAL Gallery on December 6, 2024 and run through January 19, 2025. There will be an opening reception on December 6th from 5:00 to 8:00 and a Coffee Talk on December 8th from 1:00 to 3:00. There is a companion book of the same title that will be available as well. The HAL Gallery is in the Hayden Family Center for the Arts at 31 West Broad Street in Hazleton, and for more information: www.hazletonartleague.org/

Marko Marcinko, drummer & band leader, speaking about the Scranton Jazz Festival Big Band and its concert titled, "The Swinging Jazz Nutcracker Suite" at Misericordia University in Dallas, PA on Friday, December 6, 2024 at 7:00, in Lemmond Theater. The program will include narration and a light reception beginning at 6:00. For tickets and information: misericordia.edu/nutcracker

David Parmelee, Director; Actors Walt Mitchell & Mariah Kohn, speaking about the 2024 holiday production of "It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play," at the Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, 537 Main Street, from December 6th through December 15th. Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm; Sundays at 3 pm. www.ltwb.org/