Artscene With Erika Funke

Gerardo Edelstein, Music Director & Conductor of the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra, speaking with WVIA's Fiona Powell about the final concert of the 2022-23 season on Tuesday, May 16 at 7:30 pm at the Community Arts Center in downtown Williamsport. There will be music of Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev & Moncayo. CACLive.com or www.williamsportsymphony.org/

Jazz Saxophonist Louis Fouche´, who grew up in Mountain Top, PA, speaking about his music in anticipation of his return to NEPA to perform at the F.M. Kirby Center in downtown Wilkes-Barre: Live from the Chandelier Lobby on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 7:30 pm. www.kirbycenter.org/ www.louisfouche.com/

Paige Balitski, Artistic Director & Co-founder with Bob Balitski, of Diva Theater in Scranton, marking its 25th anniversary, speaking about the original production, "Perceptions: Stories from the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Communities". The show will be presented May 12 and May 13, 2023, at 8 pm, at the Olde Brick Theatre, 126 West Market Street in Scranton. Diva can be found on Facebook at Facebook.com/DivaTheaterScranton or by calling 570-209-7766

Alexander Monelli, award-winning filmmaker from the WVIA Public Media staff, speaking about his new documentary film, "ROAR: The Story of the Southern Columbia Football Tigers," that will receive its broadcast premiere on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 8 pm, on WVIA TV and online at wvia.org/ For more information: www.wvia.org/ a

Dr. Christopher Jackson, Artistic Director & Conductor of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem and the Bach Festival Orchestra, speaking about the 115th Bethlehem Bach Festival--May 12 & 13; May 19 & 20, 2023 in & around Bethlehem, PA. For more information: www.bach.org/

Artist Mark Loughney, native of Dunmore, PA, & Dr. Darlene Miller-Lanning, Director of the Hope Horn Gallery at the University of Scranton, speaking about the exhibition titled, "Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration by Mark Loughney," running through May 12, 2023 at the Hope Horn Gallery. For more information: www.scranton.edu/

Dr. Steven Sametz, Ronald J. Ulrich Professor of Music at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, speaking about the concert program titled, "A Sacred Garden," featuring music by Bernstein, Durufle & Dr. Sametz. The performances will take place May 5 & May 6, 2023, at the Zoellner Arts Center at 8 pm, under the direction of Steven Sametz and Sun Min Lee. For more information: www.choralarts.lehigh.edu/

Donna Doherty, arts advocate & friend of Judith Youshock, speaking about the celebration of Judy's life and legacy on First Friday at the AFA Gallery in Scranton from 5 to 9 pm--May 5, 2023. An exhibit of her work will run through May 27th. For more information: www.artistsforart.org/

Cheryl Boga, Performance Music Conductor & Director, & Philip Kuehn, Conductor & Co-Director at the University of Scranton, speaking about the 40th Annual World Premiere Composition Series Concert featuring 2 new works by Kuehn. The performance will take place on May 6, 2023, at 7:30 pm, at the Houlihan-McLean Center on the U of S campus. Admission is free. www.scranton.edu/music

Marjorie Maddox, Professor of English & Creative Writing at Lock Haven University, poet and editor, speaking with WVIA's Mindy Cronk about her new collection of poems, "In the Museum of My Daughter's Mind," a collaborative project with artist Anna Lee Hafer, her daughter. The book will be released on May 14, 2023, by Shanti Arts, and there will be a book signing on May 5 from 6 to 8 pm at the Otto Bookstore, 107 W. 4th Street in Williamsport, PA. www.marjoriemaddox.com/

Dr. Joy Hirokawa, Founder & Artistic Director of the Bel Canto Youth Chorus; Julia Sobrinsky, Bel Canto chorister & composer; Dr. Larry Lipkis, Professor of Music & Composer-in-Residence at Moravian College, speaking about "Remember," an original work by Julia Sobrinsky that will have its premiere at Bel Canto's 30th Anniversary Spring Concert on May 6, 2023, at Wesley United Methodist Church at 4 pm. www.bach.org/

Joanne Arduino, Artistic Director of Ballet Theatre of Scranton, speaking with WVIA's Larry Vojtko about the upcoming performance of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" set to music by Dvorak and presented on May 5, 2023, at 7:00 pm at the Theater at North in Scranton. www.balletscranton.org/ 570-347-2867

Maria MacDonald, Executive Director of the Center for the Living City & founding faculty member of Marywood University's School of Architecture, speaking about Scranton native Jane Jacobs in anticipation of "Observe Scranton: Jane Jacobs's First City Festival," May 4th & 5th, 2023, to mark the 107th birthday of Jane Jacobs. One of the highlights will be a first look at the Historic Lace Village on Friday. For more information: www.observescranton.org/

Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM, Professor of Art Emerita & artist at Marywood University, and Patricia Rosetti, Leadership Annual Giving Officer there, speaking about Sr. Cor & her works of art, in anticipation of Marywood's 10th Annual Community Leadership Celebration, during which Sr. Cor will receive the University's "Lead On Award," on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 5:30 at the Center for Athletics & Wellness on the campus in Scranton. There will be a special art auction as part of the program. www.marywood.edu/clc or 570-348-6238

Dr. Philip Simon, Associate Professor of Music Emeritus at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, speaking about the upcoming spring concerts of Wilkes' musical ensembles: The Chamber Orchestra under John Vaida on Monday, May 1, 2023; The Civic Band under Dr. Simon's direction, on Tuesday, May 2; and the Jazz Ensemble directed by Dr. Simon on Wednesday, May 3, at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts on the Wilkes Campus. www.wilkes.edu

Sara Kelley of the Lewisburg Arts Council, and Jane Albin, featured artist, speaking with WVIA's Fiona Powell about the 2023 Lewisburg Arts Festival, "Spring Beauty". The event will be held on April 29th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm in downtown Lewisburg, PA. For more information: www.lewisburgartscouncil.org/

Dr. Rick Hoffenberg, Associate Professor & Co-Chair of the Department of Music, Theatre & Dance at Marywood University in Scranton, speaking about the German Requiem of Johannes Brahms before 2 performances by the Marywood University Concert Choir & the Wyoming Seminary Civic Orchestra. The 1st will take place on April 29, 2023, at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Wilkes-Barre at 7:30 pm; the 2nd on April 30 at 2:00 pm in the Sette LaVerghetta Center on the Marywood campus. There is no admission fee. www.marywood/edu

David Minnich, musician & cousin of Les Brown, Joel Guldin, retired music teacher from the Williams Valley Elementary School in Tower City, PA, speaking about the 2023 Les Brown Big Band Festival taking place April 28-30. Their 3rd annual film festival will feature a free screening of "The Nutty Professor" at the Pine Grove Theatre at 7 pm 4/28; The Les Brown Festival Dance will be talk place from 6 to 8 pm on 4/29 at Tower City American Legion Post 468; & A Celebration of Music will be held at 3 pm on 4/30 at St. Peter's United Church of Christ in Tower City. www.lesbrownfest.org/

Ronnie Harvey, General Theater Manager & Film Booker for the Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga Street in Tunkhannock, PA, speaking about the 2023 Spring Film Festival running from April 21 through May 11, with 21 films in 21 days. www.dietrichtheater.org/ 570-836-1022

Kelly Spitler and Peter Williams of the Pajama Factory in Williamsport, speaking with WVIA's Fiona Powell about "Pajama Factory Unbuttoned," on April 22, 2023 from 3:00 to 7:00 pm. There will be tours, open studios, live music and more. The Pajama Factory is located at 1307 Park Avenue in Williamsport. For more information: www.pajamafactory.net/