ArtScene with Erika Funke

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/

Angelica Nowak and Jenna Wright, students at Bucknell University in Lewisburg,speaking about a course titled, "Film Exhibition and Programming," taught byRebecca Meyers, lecturer in film/media studies. The resulting 2026 BucknellIntercollegiate Film Festival will be held on Friday, May 1st at 7:00 pm atthe Campus Theatre, 413 Market Street in Lewisburg. BIFF will featurea program of curated short films by collegiate filmmakers from across Pennsylvania.The event is free and open to the public. www.bucknell.edu/

Margo Azzarelli and Marnie Azzarelli speaking about their originaladaptation for the stage of "The Fall of the House of Usher," byEdgar Allen Poe. The production is dedicated to DomenickAzzarelli, who passed away in August of 2025.The show runs from April 30 through May 10, 2026 atProvidence Playhouse, Providence Road in Scranton,presented by Actors Circle.There are shows Fridays & Saturdays at 7:00 pm, withSunday matinees at 3:00.There will be a special talkback after the May 8thperformance and on Mother's Day there willbe a discount for mothers who attend.www.actorscirclescranton.com/

Jeannine Luby, stand-up comedian, wellness advocate focusing on thetherapeutic power of laughter, & founder of Laugh to Live, speaking aboutcomedy in NEPA in anticipation of "Punchlines & Pretzels," theshow she is presenting on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 7:00 pm,at the Downtown Deli, 300 Biden Street in Scranton. Shewill be marking World Laughter Day on Sunday, May 3rd, byleading sessions of Laughter Yoga on her Facebook pageat 9:30 & 11:30 am. And she will be in Kingston at the community gardendeveloped by the Green Neighbors Network on Frederick Street at2:00 pm. She will lead a session of Laughter Yoga and thereis no charge. For more information,Facebook.com/jeannine.luby

Ryan Keberle, jazz trombonist, composer and educator,speaking about his instrument and his ensembleCatharsis. The trio will return to the Cooperage Project,1030 Main Street in Honesdale, PA, on Saturday,May 2, 2026, at 7:00 pm.The trio includes Camila Meza, guitarist & vocalist,and Jorge Roeder, bass.For more information: www.thecooperageproject.org/ryankeberle.com/

Composer Amanda Lee Falkenberg; Dr. Rick Hoffenberg,Director of the Marywood University Concert Choir; andChason Goldschmitz, Executive Director of the NEPAPhilharmonic, speaking about a concert titled, "Planets,Moons and Star Wars" to be presented on Friday, May 1.2026 at the Scranton Cultural Center at 7:00 pm.The program will feature the world premiere of theMoons Choral Suite by Amanda Lee Falkenberg withthe Marywood Concert Choir; also The Planets byGustav Holst with the Choral Society of NEPA underDr. Joshua Harper; and music by John Williams fromthe Star Wars films. There will be special multimediaprojections to enhance the performance & a visit fromNASA astronaut Nicole Stott. www.nepaphil.org/Thursday, April 30th at 5:30, there will be a paneldiscussion in conjunction with the concert and theEverhart Museum exhibition, "Hubble Space Telescope: NewViews of the Universe." The Everhart is located atNay Aug Park in Scranton. www.everhart-museum.org/On Saturday, May 2nd at 10:00 am, at the LackawannaCounty Children's Library, the Philharmonic will present a freeevent as part of their Once Upon an Orchestra series,featuring NASA astronaut Nicole Stott narratingBrian Greene's children's book, "Icarus at the Edgeof Time," accompanied by Philharmonic musiciansperforming music by Philip Glass.www.nepaphil.org/

William Payn, composer & music director and conductor of theSusquehanna Valley Chorale, speaking about his 30-year tenurewith ensemble, as he prepares to conduct his final performancein that role. The Pops Concert, "The Best of 30 Years (Part 2!)"will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 7:30 pm at SusquehannaUniversity's Weber Auditorium in Selinsgrove. The SVC will be joinedby the SVC Stage Band and soloists for favorites including ABBA Forever,It's A Grand Night for Singing and more.For tickets and information: www.svcmusic.org/

Seth Golden, director, and Marcie Riebe, publicity coordinator,speaking about "Extremities" by William Mastrosimone in aproduction presented by Diva Theater, Friday & Saturday,May 1 & 2 at 7:30 pm; and Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 2:00 pm.The performances will take place at the Olde Brick Theatre,126 W. Market Street in Scranton. For reservations: 570-209-7766.You can find more on Facebook: facebook.com/DivaTheaterScrantonThe interview was first broadcast in October 2024

Dr. Lalaine Little, Gallery Director, and Curlee Raven Holton, noted painter, master printmaker & founder of Raven Fine ArtEditions in Easton, PA, speaking about his work in connectionwith the current exhibition, "We Have Something to Say: Works byCurlee Raven Holton & Fellow Artists" at the Pauly Friedman ArtGallery at Misericordia University in Dallas, PA. The show will rununtil June 19, 2026, and there will be a Gallery Talk & Receptionon Friday, April 24th from 12pm to 1:30pm with the artist on hand.Admission is free. www.misericordia.edu/ www.ravenfinearteditions.com/The Pauly Friedman Gallery is located on the 2nd floor of Insalaco Hall,301 Lake Street in Dallas.

Artist Charley Rude of Lackawanna County speaking about herwork in connection with an exhibition titled, "Streets of NEPA"that will open with a reception on Friday, April 24, 2026 andrun through June 12th at the Circle Centre for the Arts,130 Rear South Franklin Street in downtown Wilkes-Barre.The reception will be held from 5pm to 8pm, and the publicis invited to attend. www.wyomingvalleyartleague.org/Charley Rude will open a new gallery--Strange Birds-- onCapouse Avenue in Scranton on May 8th with a showtitled, "Strange Birds Take Flight." For more informationcheck Strange Birds NEPA on Instagram & Facebook.

Melisse Brunet, Music Director & Conductor of the NEPA Philharmonic, and Chason Goldschmitz, the Orchestra's Executive Director, speakingabout a concert titled, "Planets, Moons & Star Wars" to be held at the ScrantonCultural Center on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 7:00 pm. The program will featureThe Planets by Gustav Holst; music by John Williams for the Star Wars films,and the premiere of the Moons Choral Suite by Amanda Lee Falkenberg, whowill be on hand. The Choral Society of NEPA will be conducted by JoshuaHarper, & the Marywood University Concert Choir will be under the directionRick Hoffenberg. Also featured will be NASA Astronaut Nicole Stott.Specially designed projections will accompany the music.On Thursday, April 30th, there will be a panel discussion at the EverhartMuseum in Scranton at 5:30 with all of the special guests who will bediscussing the concert program & the Everhart Museum's currentexhibit, "Hubble Space Telescope: New Views of the Universe."On Saturday, May 2nd, at 10 am, the Lackawanna County Children'sLibrary will host NASA Astronaut Nicole Stott as she reads a children'sbook by astrophysicist Brian Greene, accompanied by a trio of NEPAPhilharmonic musicians performing music by Philip Glass.For ages 2 - 6 and above. Admission is free.For more information: www.nepaphil.org/

Dr. Brandon M. Terry, John L. Loeb Associate Professor of Social Sciences & Co-director of the Institute on Policing, Incarceration & Public Safety at theHutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University. Dr. Terry is the Sondra & Morey Myers 2026 DistinguishedFellow in the Humanities & Civic Engagement at the University of Scranton, and he will deliver a lecture titled, "Shattered Dreams, Infinite Hope" on Thursday, April 23rdat 5:30 in Brennan Hall. The public is invited to attend, and a reception will follow.Dr. Terry's critically-acclaimed study recently issued by Harvard University Press is titled,Shattered Dreams, Infinite Hope: A Tragic Vision of the Civil Rights Movement.For information: www.scranton.edu/ and https://aaas.fas.harvard.edu/people/brandon-terry

Tom Alexander, a native of NEPA & an award-winning composer & musician, andVasilis Kostas from Greece who is a Grammy-nominated master player of the laouto,speaking about their duo Syntixi and their original music. Syntixi will perform at theLittle Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, 537 N. Main Street, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 8 PM.For more information: www.ltwb.org/ tomalexandermusic.com/ andvasiliskostasmusic.com/ Vasilis Kostas has a new album titled Lena with his own bandthat has just been released on all platforms on April 17th.

Thomas Putnam, Artistic Director of Hamilton-Gibson Productions inWellsboro, PA, speaking about "Leading Ladies," a comedy by KenLudwig that he directs. The show will run from April 17 throughApril 26, 2026, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 with Sundaymatinees at 2:30, at the Warehouse Theatre, 3 Central Avenuein Wellsboro.For more information: www.hamiltongibson.org

Award-winning writer Marjorie Maddox from Williamsport, Professor Emeritaof English & Creative Writing at the Lock Haven campus of CommonwealthUniversity, speaking with us about,and reading from, her new middle-grade biography, A Man Named Branch: The True Story of Baseball's Great Experiment, recently released bySunbury Press (sunburypress.com).Marjorie Maddox is available for readings & workshops. For moreinformation about her work: www.marjoriemaddox.org/

Carl Ruck, Minister of Music at the Church of Christ Unitingin Kingston, PA, and Dr. Alan Hack,Director of Music Ministry at St. Matthew Lutheran Churchin Bloomsburg, speaking about their concert of keyboard duetson Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 2 pm. The program will featuremusic by Saint-Saens, Mascagni, Widor, as well as arrangementsof The Battle Hymn of the Republic, Simple Gifts, and a number ofhymns, with audience participation.Carl Ruck will perform at the organ, and Dr. Hack at the piano,at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 123 Market Street in Bloomsburg.For more information: www.stmatthewbloomsburg.org/

Rev. Joseph Williams, last remaining member of the legendary gospel group The Dixie Hummingbirds, speaking about his life in music with the ensemble, in connection with arecent memoir written by Dr. Lynn Peterson titled, "Flying With the Birds: The Last Original Member of the Iconic Dixie Hummingbirds." For more information about theDixie Hummingbirds and Rev. Joe Williams, check the website of the National Museum ofAfrican American Music in Nashville: www.nmaam.org/

Violinist & Conductor Scott Yoo, Host & Executive Producer of the PBS series,"Now Hear This," presented by Great Performances,speaking about Season 7 that premieres on Friday, April 10, 2026 at9:00 pm on WVIA-TV with an episode titled, "Brahms: FreeBut Alone." The second episode, "Everyone Loves Joplin" will airon Friday, April 17th and feature Rick Benjamin, founder &music director of the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra based inLewisburg, PA. Episode 3 on April 24th is titled, "The Call ofIstanbul" & Episode 4 on Friday, May 1st will be "The IcelandSound." All of the shows will be aired Friday nights at9:00 on WVIA-TV. For more information wvia.org/www.pbs.org/

Mandy Pennington, Scranton Fringe board member & assistant director for the opening production of the 2026 season, and actor Werner Christensen,who has the role of Tom, speaking about the Scranton Fringe productionof "The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams, running Thursday,Friday & Saturday (4/9-4/11)at 7:30 each evening, at The Sanctuary Theater, 1735 North Main Avenuein Scranton, the new home of Scranton Fringe.www.scrantonfringe.org/

Jimmy Sturr, Grammy Award-Winning Musician & Bandleader,speaking about his life in music in anticipation of PennsylvaniaPolkafest 2026 on Saturday, April 11th from 4:00 to 8:00 pm atMohegan Pennsylvania on Highway 315 in Wilkes-Barre in theKeystone Grand Ballroom. The performers include: Jimmy Sturr &His Orchestra; Joe Stanky & The Cadets, & The Polka Family Band.There will be a tribute to the late John Stanky and a celebration ofAmerica 250. www.pennsylvaniapolkafest.com/www.ticketsalesnow.com/ or 570-550-6410

Chason Goldschmitz, Executive Director, & Melisse Brunet, Music Director& Conductor of the NEPA Philharmonic, speaking about "Jurassic Parkin Concert" on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 7:00 pm, at the F.M. Kirby Centerin downtown Wilkes-Barre. The film will be projected on the big screenwhile the NEPA Philharmonic performs the entire score live, exactlysynchronized with the action.For information and tickets: www.nepaphil.org/ or the Box Office at570-270-4444

David Minnich, Les Brown's cousin, founding committee member & patron of the annualfestival, and Joel Guldin, prominent music educator & band director in the WilliamsValley School District, organizer & committee chair, for the annual event to honorLes Brown & his legacy, speaking about Les Brown's family ties to Schuylkill Countyand the 18th Annual Les Brown Big Band Weekend to be held April 9, 10 & 11, 2026.The 5th Les Brown Film Fest will be held Thursday, April 9th at 7:00pm at theHistoric Pine Grove Theater, 213 S. Tulpehocken Street in Pine Grove.Admission is free.The Les Brown USO Dance will take place on Friday, April 10th, at 7:00 pmat the Wiconisco Fire Hall, 110 Arch Street in Wiconisco, featuring the"Unforgettable Big Band" of York.The Les Brown Big Band Festival Concert will be held on Saturday,April 11th beginning at 5:00 pm at Williams Valley High School,10300 Rt. 209 in Tower City. 6 bands will be featured andtwo musicians who played in Brown's band will be honored: On hand,Hal Espinosa, retired 1st trumpeter; and Jack Redmond, trombonist,who will be unable to attend.WVIA's Erika Funke will serve as MC.For more information: www.lesbrownfest.org/

Sarah Elizabeth Yorke, BTE Creative Producer & director of the next show in the 48thBTE season, speaking about the adaptation by Chicago playwright Heather Chrisler of"Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott, running from April 9 through April 26, 2026, atthe Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center Street in Bloomsburg.There will be previews April 9th & 10th at 7:30, with the official opening on Saturday,April 11th at 7:30 pm, followed by a talkback with Heather Chrisler, Sarah E. Yorke,& actors. There are performances Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 pm,and Sunday matinees at 3:00. On April 11 at 1:00 pm, there will be a special program titled, "On Stage & Screen," centering on practices of adaption of works ofliterature to stage and screen, at the Campus Theatre in Lewisburg. The panel willfeature Heather Chrisler; Sarah Elizabeth Yorke, BTE actors & professors from Bucknell,with a screening of the 1994 film version of "Little Women."For information: www.bte.org/

Dr. Larry Lipkis, Starner Professor of Music and Composer-in-Residenceat Moravian University in Bethlehem, speaking about the 50th anniversaryof the Early Music Program that he founded in 1976 andthe Anniversary Concert to celebrate the occasion on Saturday, April 11,2026, at 4:00 pm in Peter Hall on the Church Street campus.There will be performances by various instrumental and vocalensembles as part of the program and participatory Renaissancedancing. For more information: www.moravian.edu/