Artscene With Erika Funke

Dr. Philip Simon of the Wilkes University Music Faculty, speaking about his return to campus following his retirement, in order to teach & direct the Civic Band and Jazz Ensemble. There will be a series of concerts presented by the Wilkes groups including: The Civic Band on December 4, 2022, at 3:00 pm, at the Darte Center on the Wilkes campus in Wilkes-Barre. The Chamber Orchestra under John Vaida on December 5 at 8:00 pm at the Darte Center. The Jazz Ensemble on December 7 at 7:30 at the Darte Center. The Choral Ensembles under Matthew Rupcich on December 11 at St. Stephen's Church, 35 S. Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre at 3:00pm. There is no admission charge for any of the concerts. www.wilkes.edu/

Maureen McGuigan, Deputy Director of Arts & Culture for Lackawanna County, speaking about the annual Winter Holiday Market scheduled for December 2, 3 & 4, 2022, on Courthouse Square in downtown Scranton, with many vendors, live music, traditional holiday crafts and more. Dec 2nd from 5-9pm; Dec 3 from 11 am to 7 pm; Dec 4 from 11 am to 4 pm. For more information: www.lackawannacounty.org/ or on Facebook or Instagram

Rebecca Sheir, host of "Circle Round," a storytelling podcast for children and adults, presented by WBUR Public Media in Boston, speaking with WVIA's Fiona Powell about the project and the related books that have been published to accompany the series. www.wbur.org/podcasts/circleround

Elaine Mehalkes, Vice President of Curatorial Affairs at the Allentown Art Museum, speaking about the New American Galleries, the first major reinstallation of the permanent collection since 2011, and the new initiative, "Free Admission for All, Forever." The Allentown Art Museum is located at 31 North Fifth Street, and can be found on the web at www.allentownartmusuem.org/

Dr. Alicia Nordstrom, Professor of Psychology at Misericordia University in Dallas, PA, and creator and producer of The Voices Project; and Kevin Amaya, Misericordia student from West Scranton, & a featured storyteller in the original documentary film, "The Voices Project: Immigration" based on Dr. Nordstrom's class project of the title. The film will have its broadcast premiere on WVIA TV on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 9:00 pm, with a rebroadcast Saturday, November 19 at 10:00 pm. www.wvia.org https://www.misericordia.edu/psychology/voices-project

Dave Reynolds, Associate Professor of Theatre, Department Chair & Production Director, & Jae Kraengel, Sophomore & Theatre Dept PR Coordinator, speaking about the musical, "Miss You Like Hell," to be presented November 10-19, 2022, by the King's Theatre Department at the George P. Maffei II Theatre, 133 N. River Street, Wilkes-Barre. Shows Nov. 10-12 & 17-19 at 7:30 pm & Sunday, Nov 13 at 2:00 pm www.kings.edu

Dave Reynolds, Associate Professor of Theatre, Department Chair & Production Director, and Jae Kraengel, Sophomore & Theatre Department PR Coordinator, speaking about the musical, "Miss You Like Hell," presented by the King's College Theatre Department November 10-19, 2022, at the George P. Maffei II Theatre, 133 N. River Street in Wilkes-Barre. Shows Nov 10-12 and 17-19 at 7:30 pm. Sunday, November 13 at 2:00 pm. www.kings.edu

Amy Byrne, Ensemble Member of BTE, speaking with WVIA's Mindy Cronk about her work with the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble and BTE's continuing efforts to increase diversity, inclusion and equity in all aspects of the organization and its offerings. Amy Byrne will be a guest on WVIA TV's Keystone Edition Arts on Monday, November 21, 2022, at 7:00 in a live broadcast before a studio audience. The topic will be, "Inclusivity & Diversity in the Theatre". Also on the panel, Brandon Hanks from Rebel Stages and Scott Colin Woolnough of The Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre. To be part of the audience: wvia.org/events. For information about BTE--bte.org/

John Ernesto, Artistic Director of the Reading Blues Festival, speaking about the 5th annual festival taking place November 17 through 20, 2022, based at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 701 Penn Street in Reading, PA. The performers are nationally-known and regional favorites. www.readingbluesfest.com/

Curtis Zunigha, enrolled member of the Delaware Tribe of Indians in Oklahoma, and Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Lenape Center in NewYork City, speaking in anticipation of his presentation on November 17, 2022, at 7:00 pm at the University of Scranton titled, "Forced Removal of the Lenape People: History & Homecoming". The program is part of "Scranton's Story; the Nation's Story" made possible through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The talk & discussion will be held in the DeNaples Center Ballroom on the campus, and admission is free. For more information: www.scranton.edu/scrantonstory.

Paige Balitski of Diva Productions speaking about the original play by Jeff Boam titled, "Behind the Six," that she directs at the Olde Brick Theatre, 126 W. Market Street in Scranton. The show runs November 11, 12, 18 & 19, 2022 at 8:00 each night, with matinees November 13 & 20 at 2:00. Facebook.com/DivaTheaterScranton

Bob Shlesinger, Executive Director of Scranton Public Theatre, speaking about an original play by Tom Flannery titled, "The Last Thoughts of Gino Merli" to be presented on Thursday, November 10, 2022, at Peoples Security Bank Theater at Lackawanna College in Scranton. Shlesinger will take the role of Gino Merli, recipient of the Medal of Honor. The Gene Dempsey Orchestra will open the program at 7:00 with the play to follow. www.scrantonpublictheatre.org/

Sondra Myers, Senior Fellow for International, Civic and Cultural Projects at the University of Scranton, & member of the Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library Committee, speaking about Pulitzer-Prize winning author Ayad Akhtar who will receive the 2022 Royden B. Davis, SJ, Distinguished Author Award from the Friends on November 18th in the Ballroom of the DeNaples Student Center. There will be a book signing at 5:00 open to the public without charge; a dinner reception at 6:00 followed by the award presentation. Reservations & tickets are required for the dinner & award presentation. www.scranton.edu/authaward

Brenda Grunza, Co-President, and Ann Manganiello, Music Director & Conductor, speaking about The Generations Sing Concert to be presented by The Catholic Choral Society of Scranton on Sunday, November 13, 2022, at 3:00 pm, at Holy Rosary Church, 316 William Street in Scranton. The group will be joined by young singers from elementary to high school levels. Admission is free, but a free will offering will be accepted. www.catholicchoralsociety.org/

Benedict Sheehan, composer & conductor, artistic director/founder of the St. Tikhon Choir, & director of music at St. Tikhon's Monastery & Seminary in Wayne County, PA; and Lydia Given, vocalist and General Manager of the St. Tikhon Choir, speaking about the world premiere performances of Sheehan's Vespers 11/11/22 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in NYC at 7:30 pm; 11/12 at St. Stephen's Pro-Cathedral in Wilkes-Barre at 7:30 pm; and 11/13 at the First Presbyterian Church, Center Street in Bethlehem, PA at 4:00pm Cappella Records has released a recording of the work. For more information: www.sainttikhonchoir.org www.cappellarecords.com

Dr. Rick Hoffenberg, Co-chair of the Department of Music, Theatre & Dance at Marywood University, and music director & conductor of a complete production of Mozart's "The Magic Flute" on November 12, 2022 at 7:00 pm, and November 13 at 2:00 pm, at the Sette LaVerghetta Center on the campus in Scranton. Admission is free. There will be a compressed version for middle & high school students on November 10 at 10 am. For more information: www.marywood.edu/news/mtd-events-fall-2022

Roselee Blooston, award-winning author of the memoir, "Dying in Dubai," the novel, "Trial by Family" and more, speaking about her writing life in anticipation of a free talk to be hosted by the Bradford County and Wyalusing Public Libraries and the Keystone Theater in Towanda, on Sunday, November 6, 2022, at 3 pm, at the Keystone Theater, 601 Main Street. There will be a book signing and a Q & A segment. www.roseleeblooston.com/

Ryan Mayers and Matt Mayers, award-winning filmmakers and natives of Wilkes-Barre, speaking about their feature-length documentary film, "Walk with Frank" about the life and work of Vietnam veteran Frank Romeo, that will be broadcast on WVIA TV on November 3, 2022, at 7:00 pm; November 4 at 4:00 pm, and November 11 at 1:00 pm. www.walkwithfrank.org/ www.mayersfilms.com/ www.wvia.org/

Heather Sincavage, Director of the Sordoni Art Gallery at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, & Co-curator of the exhibition, "David C. Driskell & Friends: Creativity, Collaboration & Friendship," opening November 1, 2022 and running through February 26, 2023. There will be a Curators Panel Discussion 11/2 fro 5 to 7pm with a reception to follow, and admission is free. For a complete listing: www.wilkes.edu/ sordoniartgallery

Canon Mark Laubach, organist and choir master at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 35 S. Franklin Street in downtown Wilkes-Barre, speaking about the 200th anniversary of French composer Cesar Franck and the 3-part recital series Laubach will present featuring all of the major organ works by Franck--Part 1 on Friday, November 4, 2022, at 7:30 pm; Parts 2 & 3 on Sunday, November 13 at 4 pm & Sunday, November 20 at 4pm. There is no admission charge, but a free-will offering will be gratefully accepted. The series will be live-streamed as well on the church's website: www.ststephenswb.org/