Artscene With Erika Funke

Brenda Grunza, Co-President, and Ann Manganiello, Music Director & Conductor, of the Catholic Choral Society of Scranton, speaking about the group's 75th Anniversary Spring Concert program to be presented Friday, May 17, 2024 at Mary, Mother of God Parish: Holy Rosary Church, 316 William Street in Scranton; Also Sunday, May 19th at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, 339 N. Maple Avenue in Kingston. Each concert begins at 7:00 pm. www.catholicchoralsociety.org/

Bob Eckstein, award-winning writer, illustrator cartoonist, educator, speaking about his newest book, "Footnotes From the Most Fascinating Museums: Stories and Memorable Moments from People Who Love Museums," issued by Princeton Architectural Press. www.bobeckstein.com/ www.papress.com/

Rick Markham, Actor/Set Designer, & Linda Sensenbach Miller, Director, from the Legion Theatre Group of White Haven, PA, speaking about their production of "Now and Then" by Sean Grennan, Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 8 pm, & Sunday, May 19 at 2 pm, at The Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, 537 North Main Street. For information: www.legiontheatregroup.org/ The show is a benefit for the United Way of Wyoming Valley.

Gina Malsky & Carl Achhammer, Jr, Members of the Board of the Fine Arts Fiesta in Wilkes-Barre, speaking about Fiesta 2024 running from May 16 to May 19 on Public Square, featuring live music & dance as well as visual arts, children's activities, food and much more. The headliner on Saturday evening at 7:30 is Michael Glabicki of the Rusted Root Uprooted Trio. The entertainment is free and open to everyone. www.fineartsfiesta.org/

Gerardo Edelstein, Music Director and Conductor of the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra, speaking with WVIA's Fiona Powell about the season finale: "Romantic Escapes: Dvorak & Rachmaninoff," to be presented on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 7:30 pm, at the Community Arts Center in downtown Williamsport. Cellist Andrew Rammon will join the orchestra as soloist for the Dvorak Cello Concerto. Also featured: Symphony No.2 by Rachmaninoff. www.CACLive.com/ or www.wiliamsportsymphony.org/ (570) 326-2424

Chris Jarrett, esteemed pianist, organist, composer, educator, who was born in Allentown, PA, speaking about his life and music in anticipation of a solo performance at the Deer Head Inn, 5 Main Street in Delaware Water Gap, on Sunday, May 12, 2024, at 5:00 pm. The program is titled, "Tales of our Times." www.deerheadinn.com/ www.chrisjarrett.de/

Jan Lokuta, arts advocate from northeastern PA, speaking about his annual tour of regional churches, this year to be held in McAdoo, PA, on Sunday, May 19, 2024. The group will gather at the Hazleton Art League on West Broad Street and leave for McAdoo at 9:00 am. 5 churches are on the itinerary, and there is no admission charge. Registration is requested. lokutajan784@gmail.com/

Dr. Sheldon Spear, historian and educator from northeastern PA, speaking about his recent study titled, "1938 American Historical Panorama" issued by Archway Publishing. Available online and for more information: www.archwaypublishing.com/

Seth Resnick, acclaimed photographer, writer and educator, speaking about his life and work in anticipation of a program titled, "Unleashing Creativity: Mastering the Art of Visual Storytelling" as part of the Social Fabric Collective's Artist Lecture Series at the Circle Center for the Arts in downtown Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.  There will be a reception at 5:00 pm in the Maffei Galley, and the lecture will begin at 6:00. Admission is free. Reservations are suggested: www.socialfabriccollective.org/events For information about the artist: www.sethresnick.com/

Dr. Joel M. Graham, Director of Bands at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, speaking about the Spring Concerts of his two groups: The Wilkes University Jazz Ensemble will perform "Jazz Band Time Machine" Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 7:30 pm at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center on the campus. Admission is free. The Wilkes University Civic Band will present "Music of the Silver Screen" on Wednesday, May 1st at 7:30 pm also in the Darte Center, and admission is free. www.wilkes.edu/

Peterson Toscano, master storyteller, writer, podcast host and producer, community activist & Biblical scholar, speaking about his various projects in anticipation of an event on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 4:00 pm at the Albright Center for the Arts, 450 Chestnut Street in Sunbury. The program is part of the Storyteller Art & Music series and it is titled, "Not Your Grandma's Bible Storytime." Admission is free and it is presented by Sunbury Revitalization, Inc. The Sunbury Sandwich Stroll will be held on Saturday June 8th on Main street. www.sunburyrevitalization.org/ www.petersontoscano.com/

Dr. Steven Sametz, award-winning composer, conductor, & Ronald J. Ulrich Professor of Music at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA, speaking about the spring concerts of Lehigh University Choral Arts, marking his retirement after 45 years. The program is titled, "I Have Had Singing," featuring the German Requiem by Brahms, and there will be two performances: Friday and Saturday, May 3 & 4 2024 at 8:00 each night, in Baker Hall at the Zoellner Arts Center on the Lehigh campus. www.stevensametz.com/ www.zoellner.cas.lehigh.edu/

Dr. Jennifer Black, Associate Professor of History & Government at Misericordia University in Dallas, PA, speaking about her new study, "Branding Trust: Advertising and Trademarks in 19th- Century America," issued by the University of Pennsylvania Press. Dr. Black will have an author's talk and book signing on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 5:30 pm. at the Pauly Friedman Art Gallery on the Misericordia campus, coinciding with the current exhibition, " The Mark: Graphic Design & Consumer Culture Since 1800," that will continue through May 11th. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. www.misericordia.edu/art www.jennifermblack.org/

Writer Cliff Lewis, native of NEPA, speaking about his recent young adult novel titled, "We the Future," centering on the climate crisis. The book has been issued by Jolly Fish Press. (www.jollyfishpress.com/) For more information: www.heyclifflewis.com/

Rev. Bill Carter, jazz pianist, pastor & head of staff at the First Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit and leader of the Presbybop Quartet/Quintet/Sextet, speaking about his new book, "Thriving on a Riff: Jazz & the Spiritual Life," issued by Broadleaf Books. There will be a spring concert on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at 4:00 at the First Presbyterian Church, 300 School Street in Clarks Summit with a book signing and reception to follow. The concert is free and open to the public; A free-will offering will be taken. And the performance will be live-streamed on the church's website: www.fpccs.org/ For more information: 570-586-6306

Rev. Bill Carter, jazz pianist, pastor & head of staff at the First Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit and leader of the Presbybop Quartet/Quintet/Sextet, speaking about his new book, "Thriving on a Riff: Jazz & the Spiritual Life," issued by Broadleaf Books. There will be a spring concert on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at 4:00 at the First Presbyterian Church, 300 School Street in Clarks Summit with a book signing and reception to follow. The concert is free and open to the public; A free-will offering will be taken. And the performance will be live-streamed on the church's website: www.fpccs.org/ For more information: 570-586-6306

Playwrights Marcie Riebe and Paul Gallo speaking about their new original play, "Inconveniences: A Comedy in Two Acts " presented by Diva Theater April 19, 2024 through April 28th--shows Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 with Sunday matinees at 2:00 at the Olde Brick Theatre, 126 W. Market Street in Scranton. 570-209-7766

Maria Santomauro, Artist Acquisition & Program Manager at the Scranton Cultural Center, and Dave Brown, co-artistic director of the annual String Fling, speaking about the 2024 concert on Friday, April 19th at 7:30 (doors open at 7:00) in Shopland Hall at the Scranton Cultural Center.  The show will feature a number of bands including Dave Brown & The Dishonest Fiddlers. For more information: www.scrantonculturalcenter.org/

Filmmaker Doug Claybourne speaking with WVIA's Larry Vojtko about his most recent movie, "The Rainbow Prince" in anticipation of his appearance as keynote presenter at the 2024 NEPA Film Festival at the Waverly Community House, Waverly PA. Claybourne will be featured on Friday, April 12th beginning at 6:00 with an opening night reception, followed by a screening of his new film and then a Q & A with WVIA's Julie Sidoni. The festival runs from April 12th through the 14th with workshops and a full roster of screenings. For more information: www.nepafilmfestival.com/

Christopher Jackson, Artistic Director & Conductor of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem, speaking about the Spring 2024 Concert, "Bach Inspired," on Sunday, March 17th at 4:00 at the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, 2344 Center Street. On the program: Cantata No.80, "Ein Feste Burg" and more. www.bach.org