Artscene With Erika Funke

Scott Coulter, award-winning vocalist and artistic director of the Pocono Mountains Music Festival, speaking about the 14th season that opens on July 20th, 2023, running through July 29th, at Buck Hill Falls, in Stroudsburg & Swiftwater. There will be 6 musical performances and three "audience extra" events, with many styles represented--cabaret, disco, country, classical and more. Coulter also outlined the special educational experiences for regional students. For information: www.poconofest.org/

Richard Yelen, Media/Entertainment Specialist & Coordinator of "Celebrating Warmland", and David Yonki, Health Educator for the City of Wilkes-Barre, MC of the event, speaking with WVIA's Chris Norton about the legendary AM radio station WARM, in anticipation of program on July 13, 2023 at 6:30 at the Friedman Jewish Community Center in Kingston: "Celebrating Warmland's 65th Anniversary." There will be a screening of an original documentary produced by WVIA TV and guests from the WARM staff and administration. The public is invited to attend, and admission is free. Seating is limited. To reserve a seat: wvia.org/events 570-824-4646

Donald Marino, author from NEPA, speaking about Authors in the Park, an event featuring 20 regional writers, taking place in Freeland (PA)Community Park on July 29, 2023, from 11 am to 3 pm. There will be a special children's corner with book readings. For more information: authorsink@hotmail.com/

Kate Taylor, well-known singer-songwriter from Martha's Vineyard, speaking about her new album, "Why Wait!" on Red House Records, on the occasion of her appearance at WVIA Radio as part of the Homegrown Music Live Concert Broadcast series hosted by George Graham on June 14, 2023. www.katetaylor.com/ www.redhouserecords.com/

Marko Marcinko, Director of Music Performance and Artist-in-Residence at Misericordia University, speaking about the 2023 Summer Jazz Camp presented by the PA Jazz Institute July 24 through July 28 at the WVIA Public Media Studios in Pittston, from 10 am to 4 pm each day. For more information: www.pajazzinstitute.com/

Richard Grunn, theatre artist and educator, speaking about his original play, "Good Medicine," which will be presented by the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance at the Tusten Theater, 210 Bridge Street in Narrowsburg, NY, July 7 and 8, 2023, at 7:00 each evening. www.delawarevalleyartsalliance.org/

Dr. Lalaine Little, Director of the Pauly Friedman Art Gallery at Misericordia University in Dallas, PA, & Ray Mancke of the Back Mountain Railroad Club, speaking with WVIA's Chris Norton about the exhibition, "The Ties That Bind" at the Gallery now through July 28, 20223. There will be a free photography workshop on July 13 from 2:30 to 4:30 featuring Oren Helbok, with an artists' reception to follow at 5:00 pm. www.misericordia.edu/

William Kenny, Founder and Conductor of the Penn Central Wind Band, speaking with WVIA's Fiona Powell about the ensemble and two upcoming performances. There will be a concert on July 5th, 2023, at 7:00 pm, at Saint Mary’s Park Pavilion, 218 N 15th St in Lewisburg, PA, presented by the Lewisburg Arts Council. Admission is free. Rain location: Weis Center at Bucknell. The group's 30th anniversary concert will take place on Saturday, July 29 at 7:30 pm at the Weis Center on the campus of Bucknell University in Lewisburg. There is no admission charge www.lewisburgartscouncil.com/ www.penncentralwindband.org/

Dustin Douglas, guitarist, singer-songwriter & band leader, speaking about the newest release from the group--Dustin Douglas and the Electric Gentlemen. The album is titled, "Black Leather Blues," and it's issued by MoMojo Records (momojorecords.com). The band will perform July 1 & 13, 2023 at The Hive at Mohegan Pocono at 9:30 each night. They'll be at Fire & Ice in Trucksville on July 2. And on July 23 they'll perform at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, PA at Noon. www.dustindouglasmusic.com/

Tannis Kowalchuk, theatre artist and organic farmer, speaking about her original performance piece "Decompositions" to be presented at the Farm Arts Collective on the Willow Wisp Organic Farm in Damascus, PA, on July 1 and 2, 2023 at 7:30 each evening. Also on the bill, a reading by author Darcey Steinke. For more information: www.farmartscollective.org/

Jill Carletti, Creative Director of Harmony in the Woods, speaking with us about the 2023 season that will get underway at the special outdoor venue in Hawley, PA, on Friday, June 30 with The Everly Set and continuing through September 3. Shows begin at 6:00 pm unless indicated. www.harmonyinthewoods.org/

Michael Bradshaw Flynn, Co-founder and Artistic Director of the Scranton Shakespeare Festival, speaking about the 2023 season that includes Othello, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown and Rent, at the Marketplace at Steamtown in downtown Scranton in the new Shakes Space Theatre now through July 29. There is no admission fee but reservations are requested: www.scrantonshakes.com/tickets

Richard Briggs, founder and artistic director of the Briggs Farm Blues Festival, speaking about the history of the event and its vision during an interview in 2016. The 2023 Briggs Farm Blues Festival will be held July 6, 7 and 8 in Briggsville across the Susquehanna River from Berwick. Camping is available and all information can be found at briggsfarm.com/

Michael Bradshaw Flynn, Co-founder & Artistic Director of the Scranton Shakespeare Festival, speaking about a tribute to the late Stephen Sondheim, "Sunday in Steamtown with Sondheim" on Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 3:00 and again at 6:00 at the Shakes Space at the Marketplace at Steamtown in downtown Scranton. For more information: www.scrantonshakes.com/

Dr. Alan Baker, Artistic Director & Tenor, & Francis McMullen, Bass, speaking about the 30th anniversary of the Lyric Consort in anticipation of the closing concert of the 2022-23 season, "My Spirit Sang All Day!" The performance will feature the world premiere of "As The Time Draws Nigh," by Richard Wargo, commissioned by the Lyric Consort in memory of Dr. Steven Thomas. The concert will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Wyoming Avenue in downtown Scranton on May 21 at 3:00. For more information: www.lyricconsort.org/

Mona Pande, Rostered Folk Artist with the PA Council on the Arts, speaking about her work in connection with a solo exhibition at the Pauly Friedman Gallery at Misericordia University in Dallas, PA. "Indian Folk Art: Mona Pande" will run from April 21 to May 31, 2023. There will be an artist-led Indian Folk Art Workshop on May 19 from 2:30 to 4:30 pm. For more information: www.misericordia.edu/art

Mary Anne Federick, Board President; Gina Malsky & Carl Achhammer, Jr, Board Members, speaking about the 67th Annual Fine Arts Fiesta--Fiesta Together/Fiesta Juntos--running May 18 through May 21, 2023, on Public Square in downtown Wilkes-Barre. For more information: www.fineartsfiesta.org/

Brenda Grunza, Co-President, & Ann Manganiello, Music Director & Conductor of the Catholic Choral Society of Scranton, speaking about the 74th Annual Spring Concert May 19, 2023, at 7 pm, at Mary, Mother of God Parish: Holy Rosary Church in Scranton, and May 21 at 7 pm at The Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in Kingston, PA. For more information: www.catholicchoralsociety.org/

Holly Pilcavage, CEO of Coal Creative; Samuel O'Connell, Creative Director of Coal Creative; & Maureen McGuigan, Deputy Director of the Lackawanna County Arts & Culture Department, speaking about NEPA Creative and the free monthly meetups for creatives in the region. The meetups are held the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 5:00 at the THINK Center, 7 South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre or at the Penn State Scranton Campus in Dunmore. For more information: www.nepacreative.com/

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/