Artscene With Erika Funke

Joan Morykin of Vic's Jazz Loft in Jim Thorpe and Daniel Gonzalez, jazz drummer and artistic director for Vic's, speaking about the "Jazz Concert for Ukraine," a benefit for humanitarian relief for those affected by the crisis in Ukraine, on Thursday, April 7, 2022. There will be performances at the Lafayette Bar in Easton (noon to 4 pm); Vic's Jazz Loft (4-7 pm; 10 to midnight)and at he Deer Head Inn in Delaware Water Gap (7-10 pm)with over 50 musicians taking part. A live stream will be available, as well. jazzconcertforukraine.org/ vicsjazzloft.com/

Mark Charles Rooney, artist and educator, speaking about the retrospective of his work at the Hazleton Art League, 31 West Broad Street, in Hazleton, PA, from April 1 through April 24, 2022: "Mark Charles Rooney: Retrospective Exhibit -- Paintings 1975 - 2022. There will be an opening reception Friday, April 1 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, and a Coffee Talk on Sunday, April 3 at 1:00 at the gallery. There is no admission charge, and catalogs will be available. www.hazletonartsleague.org/

Dr. Dawn Schluetz, Associate Professor & Director of Theatre at Clarks Summit University, speaking about the world premiere of "Champion," a play by Joanna Halpert Kraus, award-winning playwright, presented by the Kindred HeARTS Players directed by Dr. Schluetz. Shows will be March 31 through April 2, 2022, Thursday and Friday at 7:30 and Saturday at 2:00 and 7:30 pm, at the Elsewhere Performance Hall. The playwright will be in attendance. www.clarkssummitu.edu/

Jeff Boam, filmmaker, playwright, reviewer, and member of the Festival committee, speaking about the 2022 Northeast Pennsylvania Film Festival taking place from April 1 through April 3, presented by the Waverly Community House & supported by the F. Lammot Belin Arts Foundation. Films Saturday and Sunday will be screened at the Ritz Theater & Performing Arts Center, 222 Wyoming Avenue in Scranton. www.nepafilmfestival.com/

Eddy A. Lopez, Artist and Assistant Professor of Art at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA, speaking about his work in connection with an exhibition titled, "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow: a Solo Exhibition by Eddy A. Lopez" at the Haas Gallery at Bloomsburg University from March 3 through April 12, 2022, with an artist's reception April 12 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and an artist's talk at 1:00 pm. www.eddyalopez.com/

John DiLeo, film historian & author of 7 books about classic movies, talking about his most recent, "There Are No Small Parts: 100 Outstanding Film Performances with Screen Time of 10 Minutes or Less", issued in February 2022 by Glitterati. DiLeo will have a book signing on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at the Tom Quick Inn, 411 Broad Street in Milford, PA, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. He will host a screening of "From Here to Eternity" at the Milford Theater on Sunday, March 27, at 4:00. www.johndileo.com/

Anne Gadwa Nicodemus, principal of Metris Arts Consulting in Easton, PA, speaking about the report issued by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Kresge Foundation titled, "We-Making: How Arts & Culture Unite People to Work Toward Community Well-Being". Metris was primary author of the report, and Tamaqua, PA, was one of three communities highlighted in the study for the positive results of its arts and cultural initiatives. For more information: https://www.arts.gov/about/news/2021/new-report-examines-role-arts-and-culture-fostering-social-cohesion-and-community-well-being/ https://metrisarts.com/

Mark Doty, award-winning poet and essayist, speaking about his work and the importance of writing in our lives, in anticipation of a visit to King's College in Wilkes-Barre, on Thursday, March 24, 2022, hosted by the English Department's Visiting Writers Program. Doty will teach an afternoon workshop for students, and at 7:30 that evening, he will present a poetry reading and question-and-answer session. A book signing will follow. The reading is free and open to the public in Burke Auditorium on the first floor of the McGowan School of Business on the campus. For information: www.kings.edu; And for more about Mark Doty, www.blueflowerarts.com/artist/mark-doty

Charles McElwee, Editor of Real Clear Politics PA & Vice President of the Greater Hazleton Area Historical Society, speaking about artist James Moran, a native of Hazleton who captured Hazleton's vibrant past in his paintings. McElwee's article about Moran in The Atlantic is titled, "Haunted in Hazleton" from November 5, 2016. For more information: www.charlesmcelwee.com/ www.hazletonartleague.org/

Tom Heinze, oboist & artistic director of the chamber music concert of the 35th Annual NEPA Bach Festival presented by the Arcadia Chorale--Music Director Matthew Rupcich--featuring members of the Arcadia Festival Orchestra in concert March 19, 2022, at 7:30 pm, at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 550 Madison Avenue in Scranton. For information: www.arcadiachorale.org/

Harriet Kelley, educator and art collector, and Dr. Lalaine Little, Director of the Pauly Freedman Art Gallery & Adjunct Professor, at Misericordia University in Dallas, PA, speaking about the exhibition, "The Harriet and Harmon Kelley Collection of African American Art: Works on Paper", running to April 10, 2022, with a free public reception on Saturday, March 19 at the Gallery, featuring live music and light refreshments. For information: www.misericordia.edu/art

John Pivovarnick, actor, and Art Walsh, director, speaking about the play by Marie Jones, "Stones in His Pockets" to be presented March 18-27, 2022, at the Olde Brick Theatre, 126 West Market Street in Scranton, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 pm; Sundays at 2:00. Conor McGuigan rounds out the cast. For reservations, 570-290-7766 www.dietrichtheater.com/

Alexander Monelli, award-winning filmmaker and WVIA producer, speaking about his documentary, "Marionette Land," to be aired on WVIA-TV on Monday, March 14, 2022, and screened on Sunday, April 3 at 3:30 as part of the Annual NEPA Film Festival at the Ritz Theater, 222 Wyoming Avenue in downtown Scranton. www.wvia.org/ www.monellifilms.com/ www.waverlycomm.org/

Brenda Grunza, Co-President, and Ann Manganiello, Music Director & Conductor, speaking about the Catholic Choral Society and its annual Lenten Concert, Sunday, March 13, 2022, at 3:00 pm, at the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 1090 Carmalt Street in Dickson City, PA. Admission is free, but a free will offering will be taken. www.catholicchoralsociety.org/

Michael Stretanski of the Slovak Heritage Society of Northeast PA, speaking about the ongoing collaboration with World Artists Experiences, to bring international performers to northeastern Pennsylvania in a spirit of learning and cultural exchange. There will be a concert featuring 4 musicians from Italy, on tour, presenting an original work by composer & conductor Frederico Longo, as well as opera arias and classical songs, Monday, March 14 at 7:00 pm, at the First Presbyterian Church, 97 South Franklin Street, in Wilkes-Barre. Admission is free, and a reception will follow.

Angel Berlane Mulcahy, Director, speaking about the production of the musical "Footloose" that is part of the 100th Anniversary Season of The Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, running Fridays and Saturdays, March 11, 12, 18 & 19, 2022, at 8 pm; and Sundays, March 13 and 20 at 3pm. 537 North Main Street in Wilkes-Barre www.ltwb.org/

Matthew Rupcich, Music Director & Conductor of the Arcadia Chorale, speaking about the 35th Annual NEPA Bach Festival to be held March 19 & 20, 2022 in Scranton, PA. There will be a free organ recital with Mark Laubach on March 19 at 4:00 pm at Elm Park Methodist Church, 712 Linden Street; also a Chamber Music Concert on March 19 at 7:30 pm, at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 550 Madison Avenue; and the Arcadia Chorale Concert on March 20 at 3:00 pm at Covenant Presbyterian Church under the direction of Matthew Rupcich, with music by Monterverdi, Bach and Handel. www.arcadiachorale.org/

Rosemary Hay & Rudy Caporaso, Co-artistic directors and Founders of REV Theatre, speaking about their partnership with NEPA Youth Shelter to present an original theater piece, "Soda Pop Can: An American High School Shooting," on Friday, March 11, 2022, at 7:00 pm, at The Space at Olive, 541 Wyoming Avenue in Scranton. Admission is free. www.nepayouthshelter.org/

Shara McCallum, Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of English at Penn State University, writer and poet, speaking with WVIA's Fiona Powell about her recent book titled, "No Ruined Stone," released in 2021 by Alice James Books. For more information: www.sharamccallum.com/

Melisse Brunet, Music Director & Conductor of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, speaking about the upcoming Masterworks concert, "Celebrating Beethoven", to be presented Saturday, March 12, 2022, at the Kirby Center for Creative Arts on the Wyoming Seminary campus in Kingston, PA, at 8:00 p.m. Guest pianist Fei Fei Dong will join the orchestra for Beethoven's "Emperor" Concerto. www.nepaphil.org/ 570-270-4444