ArtScene with Erika Funke

William Chickillo, award-winning artist and founder of the Skylake Gallery in Fleetville, PA, speaking about his longtime friend and colleague, the distinguished artist Robert Stark, who passed away on March 19, 2026.Chickillo was the curator of the recent exhibit, "A Life in Art: Works byRobert Stark" at the Small Works Gallery at the Waverly CommunityHouse in Waverly, PA. There is a current show of Stark's work at theChamber Gallery, 27 N. Main Street in Carbondale, PA, running throughAugust. Hours M - F 9 am to 5 pm. www.carbondalechamber.org/On August 29, 2026, the Susquehanna Studio in Union Dale, willhost a celebration of the artist's life and launch an exhibition of hiswork at the same time. That show will run through September 2026.http://susquehannastudio.blogspot.com/

Amy Casimir of Strictly Ballet, artistic director of the Garden Party, and Trey Casimir, producer and dancer, speaking about the 8th annual Lewisburg Victorian Fairy Garden Party to be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026, on the front lawn of the GreenSpace Center,815 Market Street in Lewisburg, rain or shine, beginning at 7:30 pm and continuinguntil dark. There will be an original ballet, a costume contest, a scavenger hunt,croquet and more. The event is a benefit for the annual Victorian Nutcrackerin December produced by Strictly Ballet and RiverStage, but there is no fee to attendthe Garden Party. Donations will be very much appreciated. All guests are encouragedto come in costume. For more information: www.strictlyballetarts.com/You can find the event on Facebook and Instagram as well.

Tannis Kowalchuk, Founder & Artistic Director of the Farm Arts Collectiveat Willow Wisp Organic Farm in Damascus, PA. FAC will present the7th original production in their annual "Dream on the Farm" series:"Johnny Appleseed: An Historical Fantasia," from July 30to August 9, 2026. Shows are Thursdays to Sundays--doors openat 6:30 pm to explore The Museum of Curious History.Showtime is 7:00 pm. There will be a reception with farm-fresh foodfollowing the performance. The production is part of America 250National Endowment for the Arts programming.Farm Arts Collective, 38 Hickory Lane in Damascus in WayneCounty, PAwww.farmartscollective.org/ 570.798.9530

Marko Marcinko, co-founder and artistic director of the Scranton Jazz Festival & music director of the Scranton Jazz Festival BigBand, speaking about the 21st annual Festival taking placeAugust 7, 8 & 9, 2026, featuring at least 80 different musiciansperforming over the weekend. It's the traditional Jazz Walkthroughout downtown Scranton with venues of all kinds hostingjazz performers on Friday until 1:00 am. Saturday, August 8thwill feature The Dirty Dozen Brass Band coming from NewOrleans to play at The Theater at North, 1539 N. Main Avenuein Scranton at 7:00 pm.It's a host of jazz brunches throughout Scranton during the dayon Sunday, August 9th, building to the headlining performanceby NEA Jazz Master Ron Carter who'll join the SJF Big Bandat the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Avenueat 6:45 pm. The PA Jazz Institute Misericordia UniversityStudent Ensemble will open the show at 6:00 pm.For a complete schedule and more information:www.scrantonjazzfestival.org. Follow them onFacebook and Instagram as well.For information about the PA Jazz Institute StudentMusic Camp that begins on July 27th,www.pajazzinstitute.com/We heard from Dr. Michael Geib, Professor ofDouble Bass at the School of Music at theUniversity of Central Oklahoma and founder of theDyberry Creek Music Festival in Wayne County, PA.

Conor Kelly O'Brien, co-founder of the Scranton Fringe Festival & leading adapter of Ulysses by James Joyce, and Simone Daniels,actor, SFF youth theatre director & costume designer for theupcoming production, speaking about "Ulysses in Scranton"that will be presented on July 24 & 25, 2026 at the SanctuaryTheater, 1735 North Main Avenue in Scranton at 7:30 eachevening. Following the hometown performances, ScrantonFringe will take the show to the Edinburgh Fringe Festivalin Scotland in August. For tickets and more information:www.scrantonfringe.org/

Ronnie Harvey, General Theater Manager and Film Booker at theDietrich Theater in Tunkhannock, speaking about Summer FilmFest 2026 that opens July 17th and runs through August 6th,screening 20 different films in 21 days. There will be a postfestival film discussion on Friday, August 7th at 1:00 andadmission is free. The Theater is located at 60 E. TiogaStreet in Tunkhannock. www.dietrichtheater.com/

Jason Smeltzer, musician, a founder of The Olde Stories and the ensembleGUZHGUITREMIN, and Mark Reinhart, of the Three Pure Rivers Studio forthe Arts in Conyngham, PA, & author of Thunder Over Wind...Another DoorwayInto the Wisdom of the Yijing, speaking in anticipation of an event on Saturday,July 18, 2026, at 3:00 pm, at the Albright Memorial Library, 500 Vine Streetin Scranton titled, "Thunder Over Wind." There will be a book signing forthe third edition of Thunder Over Wind, music and readings.For information about Mark Reinhart's book and more:www.threepurerivers.com/

Kimie Muroya, ensemble member, and Jacob Challenger,guest artist, speaking about the Bloomsburg TheatreEnsemble production of Elephant and Piggie's'We Are in a Play,' a musical based on books byMo Willems, directed by ensemble member AaronWhite. The show has two preview performances:Thursday, July 16 and Friday, July 17, 2026 at 7:00,opening on Saturday, July 18th with shows at2:00 and 7:00 pm. The run continues throughAugust 2nd at the Alvina Krause Theatre,226 Center Street in downtown Bloomsburg.For the complete schedule and more information:www.bte.org/

Heather Sincavage, Associate Professor of Art andDirector of the Sordoni Art Gallery at Wilkes Universityin Wilkes-Barre, speaking about the summer exhibitionthat explores, "Remembrance, Resistance, Resilience."The show features John Gutoskey's project, "PulseNightclub: 49 Elegies," a series of monoprintsthat will be on display through August 1, 2026.There will be a "Last Look" gallery talk andbrunch with Gutoskey on July 25th at noon.There is a companion exhibit titled,"Out Loud," a community show.And a series of events of Wednesday, July 15thfeaturing Mrs. Kasha Davis, a native of Scranton.Members reception at 5 pm; Lecture (registrationis closed); performance at 7pm.For more information:www.wilkes.edu/sordoniartgallery.org/

Andrew Waggoner, violinist, composer and co-artisticdirector with Caroline Stinsonof the Weekend of Chamber Music, marking its33rd season in 2026. The theme is "My Brother'sKeeper?" And there will be works from thebaroque right up to the present day.Trevor Weston is the composer-in-residence.There will be Music Talks, Open Rehearsals,a Children's Concert and two main Saturdayevening performances.For more information: www.wcmconcerts.org/

Jack Swersie, coordinator of the Gallery Committee, speaking aboutthe Summer 2026 show at the Gallery at 530 Main in downtown Stroudsburg,titled "America--As We See It." The exhibition features works by over100 artists, and there will be an opening reception on Saturday,July 11th from 5 to 8 pm.The show will run through August 29th and general hours areFridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 4:00 pm.https://shermantheater.com/venue/gallery-at-530-main

Dr. Michael Geib, bassist, educator and founder of the DyberryCreek Music Festival in Wayne County with Meryl Geib, cellistand educator, speaking about the 2026 Festival that openson July 8th at 5:00 pm at the Wayne County Arts Alliancein Honesdale. There will be other performances--7/10 at the Himalayan Institute at 7:30;7/11 at the Cooperage Project at 7:30.The concerts are free.www.dyberrycreekmusicfest.org/

Thomas Putnam, Artistic Director of Hamilton-Gibson Productionsin Wellsboro, speaking about the musical"Big Fish," which he directs. The show will run from July 9through July 12, 2026, at the Straughn Auditoriumon the campus of Commonwealth University-Mansfield.Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 7:30 pm;matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2:30.www.hamiltongibson.org/

Sherry Emershaw, President of the 24th Connecticut MilitiaRegiment, and Jenn Ochman, new member of the 24thCMR,speaking about the Battle of Wyoming Event Weekendon July 11 and 12, 2026, in Nesbitt Park in Kingston, PA.Hours on Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm; Sunday from10 am to 3 pm. There will be cooking demonstrationsand exhibits of 18th century clothing; military music ofthe American Revolution; two "Shades of Death" walks,and the reenactment of the Battle of Wyoming Sundayat 2pm. www.24thcmr.org/or the Battle of Wyoming Event Weekend Facebookpage.

Rick Benjamin, founder and director of the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra based in Lewisburg, PA, speaking about the background of the ensemble and the PRO's invitation to accept a residency at the Spanish Expo '92 in Seville in 1992. The conversation sets thestage for an hourlong special featuring highlights from the recording, "Meet Me at theFair: Sounds From the Great American World's Fairs," to mark America250 with wonderful stories told by Benjamin.The program airs on Friday, July 3rd at Noon on WVIA Radio.For more information: www.wvia.org/

Janet Gaglione, Executive Director of the Wayne County ArtsAlliance, speaking about the WCAA's 23rd Annual Artists'Studio Tour, July 10, 11 & 12, 2026, from 10 am to 6 pmeach day. 25 artists are featured in 21 different locationsthroughout Wayne County. The tour is free, and mapsare available online or at the WCAA Gallery, 959Main Street in Honesdale, where works by eachartist are on display now through that weekend.www.waynecountyartsalliance.org/570-228-2811

Adam Randis, director; actors Ciaran Burke who plays John Adams, & David Zimmermanwho takes the role of Ben Franklin, speaking about the PA Theatre of Performing Artsproduction of the award-winning musical 1776. The show will run two weekends inHazleton and one in Lehighton.July 3 & 4 at 7 pm; 7/5 at 2 pm; July 10 at 7pm; July 11 at 5:30 (dinner) & 7pm curtain;July 12 at 12:30 (dinner) & 2:00 pm curtain, at the JJ Ferrara Center,212 W. Broad Street in Hazleton. www.ptpashows.org/July 17 & 18 at 7:00 pm at the Lehighton Area High School, 1 Indian Lane.www.thepalemoonplayers.ludus.com/

Chason Goldschmitz, Executive Director of theNortheastern PA Philharmonic, speaking aboutthe special America250 performances scheduledinto August 2026. There will be free concerts bythe full orchestra under Melisse Brunet atCourthouse Square in downtown Scrantonon Friday, July 3rd at 7:30, culminating ina complete display of fireworks. The sameprogram with the full orchestra will bepresented on Saturday, July 4th at 7:30 pmin Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre with fireworksat the conclusion. For a complete listingof all of the performances by the orchestra,check the website at www.nepaphil.org/or call the office at 570-270-4444

David McCourt and Julie McCourt, producers of the new PBS documentary titled, "Amerigo," asking the question of everyday Americans, "What does the American Dream mean today?""Amerigo" will be broadcast on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 7:00 pmon WVIA TV and it will be followed at 8:30 by, "Amerigo in NEPA:A Community Town Hall," recorded by WVIA at the GeisingerCommonwealth School of Medicine. For more information:www.wvia.org/To add comments on the American Dream to the dedicatedwebsite : www.AD250.com/

Michael Bradshaw Flynn, Founding Artistic Director;Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director and LizzieNewcomb Gumula, Director of Education, speakingabout the 15th Summer Season of the ScrantonShakespeare Festival, featuring performances in twodifferent locations this year: The Shakes Space atthe Marketplace at Steamtown, and Church of theGood Shepherd. The productions include:Carousel, Saint Joan; Henry V; Jesus ChristSuperstar; Much Ado About Nothing; & Alice ByHeart. The SSF will host a special gala onSunday, July 26th at Sergei's in Scranton at6:00 pm.For information: wwwscrantonshakes.com

Neil Prisco, Director of Marketing at the F.M.KirbyCenter for the Performing Arts in downtown Wilkes-Barre, speaking with Kara Washington, Director ofPromotion at WVIA Public Media. The 2026-2027season marks the Kirby's 40th anniversary, andthey have issued a special brochure to commemoratethe occasion. Prisco offered some history of thetheater and described some of the latest additions,such as a brand-new film projector. He describedhighlights of the educational programming that willbe part of the season as well as the musicians, thedance, movies and more. For information:www.kirbycenter.org/ or stop at the box office toreceive the souvenir 40th anniversary brochure.Prisco also announced the premiere of a newdocumentary about the Kirby Center, titled,"The Diamond of Downtown," scheduled forits initial screening on September 19, 2026at 7:00 pm. 570-826-1100

Sue Minsavage, alto with the Arcadia Chorale & Chair of itsDr. Steven Thomas Memorial Fund; and Dr. Joshua Harper, Director of Choral Activities at Wilkes University, Artistic Director of theChoral Society of Northeast PA and Guest Music Director of the 2026Summer Sing, to be presented by the Arcadia Chorale thisSaturday, June 20, 2026 at 7:00 pmat Covenant Presbyterian Church, 550 Madison Avenuein Scranton. The featured work is "The Armed Man: AMass for Peace" (Choral Suite) by Karl Jenkins.For more information: www.arcadiachorale.org

Ellen Boyer, accomplished theater educator, actor & director, from the Susquehanna Valley, speaking about the award-winningBroadway musical 1776 that she is directing at River StageCommunity Theatre, at the Greenpeace Center, 815 MarketStreet in Lewisburg.Shows Fridays & Saturdays- - June 19, 20 & 27, 2026 at 7:30 pm.There will be a special Friday performance on June 26th at6:00 in anticipation of the Lewisburg fireworks display.Sunday matinees will be held at 2:30 pm.The production is made possible, in part, by a grant fromthe Amer250PAFoundation. For more information:www.riverstagetheatre.org/

Tyler Florian, director; Scott Colin Woolnough,LTWB artistic director & actor with role of LordFarquaad; and Jacob Thomas who has the roleof Donkey, in the Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barreproduction of "Shrek the Musical", running fromJune 19 through June 28, 2026 at 537 N. MainStreet in Wilkes-Barre. Shows are Fridays andSaturdays at 7:30 pm with Sunday matinees at 3:00.For more information: www.ltwb.org/

Brandon Hanks, founder and director of Rebel Stagesin Stroudsburg, speaking about the 2026 summer seasonat RS and the summer camps to be offered by theSchool of Visual and Performing Arts.The season begins with, "For Colored Girls Who HaveConsidered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enough,"by Ntozake Shange June 19th at 8pm, 20th at 2:00 &8:00; & 21st at 6:00pmat the SVPA Black Box Theatre, 11 Foundry Streetin Stroudsburg.There will be a special Juneteenth Opening NightExperience from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pmwith a featured art showcase in collaboration withCreate & Be Studio; complimentary wine & lightrefreshments and entertainment as part of thecommunity gathering.For more information: facebook.com/rebelstagesand www.schoolofvisualandperformingarts.org

Paige Balitski, Artistic Director; Bob Balitski, actor playing Ben Franklin;and Ray Hopkins, actor playing John Adams, speaking about thespecial production of the Broadway musical "1776" that is acollaboration between Diva Productions and Actors Circle,and an America250PA Semiquin Grants-supported presentation.The show will run from June 19 through June 28, 2026,at West Scranton Intermediate School, 1401 Fellows Streetin Scranton. Performance times are Fridays & Saturdaysat 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:00. There is also a performanceon Thursday, June 25th at 7:30 pm.For information: 570-209-7766 facebook.com/DivaTheaterScrantonwww.actorscirclescranton.com/

Michele Bannon, Mayor of Carbondale, PA, speaking about the creative activities in the city including Second Saturdays that will be held through October 10, 2026, withthe next in the series taking place on Saturday, June 13th, from 4:00 to 8:00 pmthroughout the downtown area. There will be artists, live music, food and muchmore. For information: www.carbondalepa.org/ or www.visitcarbondalepa.com/To view the national documentary film, "Amerigo," that features Carbondale,WVIA TV will broadcast this exploration of the American Dream in our timeon Thursday, June 25th at 7:00. At 8:30 there will be an airing of the regional town hall meeting featuring Mayor Bannon and others fromthe documentary. For more information: www.wvia.org/

Dr. William C. Kashatus, American historian, educator and author,speaking about his new study titled, "Spitballer: Stan Coveleski andthe 1920 Cleveland Indians," just released by the University ofNebraska Press. Coveleski was a native of Shamokin, PA, andhe went on to be a Hall of Fame pitcher in the Major Leagues.This is Part Two of a two-part interview.For more information: www.nebraskapress.unl.edu

Dr. William C. Kashatus, American historian, educator and author,speaking about his new study titled, "Spitballer: Stan Coveleski andthe 1920 Cleveland Indians," just released by the University ofNebraska Press. Coveleski was a native of Shamokin, PA, andhe went on to be a Hall of Fame pitcher in the Major Leagues.This is Part One of a two-part interview.For more information: www.nebraskapress.unl.edu

Dr. Joseph Stuligross, Instructor in the Department of Music,Theatre and Dance at Commonwealth University--Bloomsburg,speaking about the Spring Concert of the Bloomsburg Singers,"Americana," that will be held on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at3:00 at Wesley United Methodist Church, 130 W. 3rd Streetin Bloomsburg. The program will include "Chester" by WilliamBillings; "Bread and Roses," "The Promise of Living" by AaronCopland and more. Admission is free. For information:www.bloomsburgsingers.org/

Ali Basalyga of NAC Entertainment speaking about thefinal show in the Broadway in Scranton 2025-2026season: Meredith Willson's "The Music Man."There will be shows June 12, 13 & 14th at the ScrantonCultural Center, 420 North Washington Avenue.Performances Friday at 7:30 pm; Saturday at 2:00and 7:30 pm; and Sunday at 1:00.For more information: www.broadwayinscranton.com/Tickets are available online or at the Scranton CulturalCenter Box Office.

Award-winning guitarist Bill Frisell speaking with WVIA's George Graham about his life in musicin anticipation of his visit to NEPA to headlinethe 2026 Wilkes-Barre Cavalcade of Jazz with aperformance by the Bill Frisell Trio on Saturday,June 6th at 6:30 pm at the FM Kirby Center onPublic Square in downtown Wilkes-Barre.The festival runs from June 5th through 7thwith an opening ceremony on Fridayat 5:00 with a performance by the IndigoMoon Brass Band and a tribute to GeorgeGraham as "Champion of Jazz."A Jazz Walk follows with many venueshosting music. Saturday opens withJava & Jazz at the Abide Coffee House,with much music to follow, leading up to theBill Frisell Trio at 6:30. On Sunday, therewill be a Jazz Brunch at the Stegmaier Mansion.All the musical performances are free exceptfor the Frisell concert.www.wilkesbarrecavalcadeofjazz.org/

Adam Randis, Artistic Director of PTPA & director of the current show; and Tim Solarek, actor who has the role of Merrick, speaking about theproduction of "The Elephant Man" by Bernard Pomerance to bepresented June 12, 13 & 14, 2026, by the PA Theatre of PerformingArts at the J.J. Ferrara Center, 212 W. Broad Street in Hazleton.Friday & Saturday at 7:00 pm; Sunday at 2:00.www.ptpashows.org/

A.J. Jump and Neil Prisco of the F.M. Kirby Center, members of the Cavalcade committee, speaking about the 2026 Wilkes-Barre Cavalcadeof Jazz to be held June 5th, 6th & 7th at various venues throughoutdowntown Wilkes-Barre. The event marks the 75th anniversary of theoriginal Cavalcade of Dixieland Jazz that took place on February 23,1951, cited as the first formal jazz festival in the country.This year's headliner is the Bill Frisell Trio, and the group willperform at the F. M. Kirby Center on Public Squareat 6:30 pm. The Opening Ceremony will be held on Friday at 5:00 at the Kirby Centerwith the Indigo Moon Brass Band & a tribute to WVIA's George Grahamas Champion of Jazz. There will be a Jazz Walk on Friday evening,and many other performances throughout the weekend. For more information:www.wilkesbarrecavalcadeofjazz.org/

Timothy Schwarz, Violinist & Head of Strings at Rowan University and Founder & Artistic Director of Techne Music, and LawrenceStomberg, Cellist & Professor of Cello & Associate Directorfor Performance Studies at the University of Delaware School of Music,speaking about the 2026 Techne Music Festival taking place fromJune 7th through June 11th at Moravian University in Bethlehem, PA.There will be a culminating concert on Thursday, June 11that 7:00 pm, at Peter Hall, 342 Main Street on the Moravian campus.Admission is free, and no tickets are required. For more information:www.technemusic.org/

Joe Whelski, Filmmaker, Pottsville native and Festival Director,and Richard Kline, actor, director and educator, speaking aboutthe Second Annual Pottsville Film Festival running from Friday,May 29 through Sunday, May 31, 2026, featuring at least 70films from around the country and abroad. There will be acomedy workshop with Richard Kline, well-known for hislong-standing membership in the cast of "Three's Company."The workshop will take place at 10:30 on Saturday morning(5/30) at the Majestic Theater, and there will also bea Q & A with Kline from 4:00 to 6:00 at the Chopping Block,370 S. Centre Street.Most of the films will be screened at the Majestic Theater,209 N. Center Street in Pottsville, but some will be presentedat the Chopping Block. For all the details, www.majestictheater.net

Liz Tilley, artist, founding committee member of the Gallery at 530 Mainand a Corporate Sponsorship Representativeat WVIA, speaking about the 2026 Spring Show and therest of the season at the Gallery in Stroudsburg. The exhibitionhas opened and will run until June 27th, with hours Fridays,Saturdays & Sundays from Noon to 4:00. For moreinformation check their Facebook page: Gallery at 530 Main

Carl Frankel, Hazleton Art LeaguePresident, Summer Whitley, Coordinatorof AYE15 & WVIA's Robert Salsburg,speaking aboutthe 15th Annual Art Youth Expo and the1st Annual Community Art Party to beheld May 29 and May 30, 2026, at theHayden Family Center for the Arts,31 W. Broad Street in Hazleton, witha special project at the HazletonLaunchBox. There will be a GalleryOpening & Open Mic on Friday from5 - 8 pm. And the Community ArtParty will begin Saturday at 1 pm.The show will run until June 22nd.The City of Hazleton will providefree parking at the Feeley loton Wyoming Street on Saturday,May 30th.www.hazletonartleague.org/

Dr. Bernard Remakus of Susquehanna County speaking about hisnewest novel, "The Other Disney," that was released in October of2025 and is available through the regular online book sources.Dr. Remakus has practiced Internal Medicine in northeastern PAfor 45 years, and he has published six novels and three nonfictionworks in the medical realm. To learn more, you can find Dr. BernardLeo Remakus on LinkedIn.

Will McCain, Music Director & Conductor of the Wyoming ValleyBarbershop Harmony Chorus, speaking about the ensemblein anticipation of their annual Spring Concert titled,"The American Dream: A Musically Fueled Americana Road Trip,"taking place on Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 2:00 pm,at the Kirby Center for Creative Arts, Sprague Avenuein Kingston, on the campus of Wyoming Seminary.www.singwb.com/

Gerardo Edelstein, Music Director & Conductor of theWilliamsport Symphony Orchestra, speaking aboutthe 2025-2026 season finale titled,"Orchestral Wonders." The concert will featureSymphony No. 1 by Brahms and more, and it willtake place on Tuesday, May 19 2026, at 7:30 pm.at the Community Arts Center, 220 West 4th Street.For more information: www.williamsportsymphony.org/CACLive.com/

Brenda Grunza, Co-President, & Ann Manganiello,Music Director & Conductor, speaking about theCatholic Choral Society of Scranton and its77th Spring Concert titled, "An AmericanCelebration." There will be performances onFriday, May 15, 2026, at 7 pm at Mary, Mother of God Parish:Holy Rosary Church, 316 William Street, in Scranton.On Sunday, May 17, at 7 pm at the Church ofSt. Ignatius Loyola, 339 Maple Avenue in Kingston, PA,the Society will be joined by the MMI Prep Select Chorus.For more information: www.catholicchoralsociety.org/

Matthew Rupcich, Artistic Director & Conductor of the Arcadia Chorale,and Bassist Doug Smith, speaking abouta Pops Concert titled, "Legends of Stage and Screen:Broadway, Hollywood, and the Golden Era of Song fromthe 1930s to the 1970s!" The performance is acollaboration between the Arcadia Chorale & theDoug Smith Jazz Trio at Covenant PresbyterianChurch, 550 Madison Avenue in Scranton, onFriday, May 15, 2026, at 8:00 pm.For information: www.arcadiachorale.org/

John Vaida, violin, and Amy Iwazumi, viola, co-founders of the Northeastern PAChamber Music Society, joined by Hollywood actor Keisuke Hoashi, narrator,speaking about the 10th anniversary celebration of NEPACMS on Friday,May 15, 2026 at 7:00 pm with a full performance of "The Soldier's Tale" by IgorStravinsky, featuring 7 chamber musicians from around the country, dancers,performers and puppetry.The production will take place at the Kirby Center for Creative Arts at WyomingSeminary, 260 N. Sprague Avenue in Kingston, PA. Admission is free, and forreservations and more information: www.nepacms.org/

Pianist John Wilson from northeastern PA, who is the pianist with the San Francisco Symphony and the San Diego Symphony. He is a winner of the Belin Scholarship administered by the Waverly Community House, which made possible his recording, "Upon Further Reflection," on the Avie label,featuring the world premiere of a work with that title by Michael Tilson Thomas. Wilson will return to the region to present a recital on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 7:30 at the Houlihan-McLean Center at the University of Scranton, as part of the Performance Music series. The program will includethe solo piano version of "Rhapsody in Blue," the Dante Sonata by Liszt and more.There is no admission charge. www.scranton.edu/musicwww.johnwilsonpiano.com/The interview was first broadcast in January of 2023.

Gina Malsky and Carl Achhammer, Jr, Board Members of theFine Arts Fiesta, and Co-chairs of the Performance Committee,speaking about the 70th anniversary of the Fine Arts Fiestato be celebrated on Public Square in downtown Wilkes-Barrefrom May 14 through May 17, 2026.There will be a range of performing artists; a dance gala,visual artists in residence, art exhibitions, and a host ofactivities for children and young people.There is no admission charge. For more information anda complete schedule: www.fineartsfiesta.org/

Dr. Joshua Harper, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Choral Society of Northeast Pennsylvania, speaking about a concert titled, "Brothers in Song"to be presented by the tenors and basses of the Society on Friday, May 8, 2026at 7:00 pm, at the First Presbyterian Church of Wilkes-Barre, 97 SouthFranklin Street. On the program, music by Grieg, Schubert and more.Admission is free, but donations will gladly be accepted at the door.For more information: www.choralsociety.net/

David Parmelee, General Manager of the Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre,and Roderick Markham, director of "PIllow Talk", speaking about the stageadaptation. The show will run from May 8 through May 17, 2026, withperformances Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 pm, and Sundays at 3:00 pm.Little Theatre is located at 537 North Main Street in Wilkes-Barre.For more information and tickets: www.ltwb.org/ or call the boxoffice at 570-823-1875

Bass Christopher Gallo, Artistic Director of the Lyric Consort,speaking about the ensemble's Spring concert titled,"Part and Palestrina" to be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026,at 7:30 pm, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 232 WyomingAvenue in Scranton. The program will feature theMissa Papae Marcelli by Palestrina and 5 worksby Arvo Part. Free will admission.For more information: www.lyricconsort.org/

Joanne Arduino, Artistic Director of Ballet Theatre of Scranton, speaking about theconclusion of the 2025-2026 season that celebrates the company's 50th anniversaryof presenting Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet as a gift to the community.The spring production is an original reimagining of the holiday classic that isset in 1940s New York City, "The Cracked Nut." There are musical adaptationsof Tchaikovsky's score by Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn, the Brian Setzer Orchestra &Pentatonix. The performance will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 7:30 pm, at theTheater at North, 1539 N. Main in Scranton. For more information:www.thetheateratnorth.com/ www.balletscranton.org/