Artscene With Erika Funke

Dr. Robert Wolensky, Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, anthracite historian, author and coordinator of Anthracite Mining Heritage Month, speaking about the events for January 2024 and offering highlights. For more information: www.ahfdn.org/ rwolensk@gmail.com/

Jaclyn Maria Fowler, Author and Educator, speaking about her book, "Jack: The Almost True Story of the Molly Maguires," recently published by Europe Books For more information: www.jaclynmariafowler.com/ or www.europebooks.co.uk

Actors Kimie Muroya and Bruce Gomez, speaking about their roles in the play "Sanctuary City" by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Martyna Majok that focuses on two young DREAMers. The Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble production opens on January 18, 2024 and runs through February 4th at the Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center Street in downtown Bloomsburg. There are shows Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, and Sunday matinees at 3:00. For tickets and more information: www.bte.org or the Box Office at 570-784-8181.

David Poyer, writer, editor, publisher, educator & US Navy veteran, speaking about his novels in the Dan Lenson series, culminating in the 22nd titled, "The Academy," issued by St. Martin's/Macmillan. www.davidpoyer.com/

Kat Bolus, WVIA News Community Reporter, with a feature on the developments at the Earth Conservancy Archives in Ashley, PA. www.wvia.org/ www.earthconservancy.org/

Bobby Kelchner, Director of Operations at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts on Public Square in downtown Wilkes-Barre, speaking about the special New Year's Eve celebration featuring Cabinet, in a return performance. Mike Miz and the Northeast Extension will open at 8:30 pm on Sunday, December 31, 2023, and Cabinet will pick up about 45 minutes later and continue playing to welcome 2024. www.kirbycenter.org/     The box office: 570-826-1100.

Annie Cohen-Solal, writer and social historian, Distinguished Professor at Bocconi University in Milan. She spoke at the University of Scranton on March 28, 2023, about her recent study, "Picasso the Foreigner: An Artist in France, 1900-1973," issued by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. www.fsgbooks.com/ www.anniecohensolal.com/ Gagosian is presenting the exhibition, "A Foreigner Called Picasso," curated by Annie Cohen-Solal and Verane Tasseau at 522 West 21st Street in New York through February 10, 2024. www.gagosian.com/

Howard Grossman, Vice-Chair of the recently-formed Luzerne County Arts Advisory Board, speaking about the board and its vision as the members prepare for a Concert Event on April 14, 2024 and look ahead to the next quarterly meeting, to which the public is invited. For more information: luzernecounty.org/1393/arts-advisory-board.

Trebbe Johnson, writer, speaker, founder of Radical Joy for Hard Times, talking about her recent book, "Fierce Consciousness: Surviving the Sorrows of Earth and Self," issued by Calliope Books in January 2023. For more information: www.trebbejohnson.com/ The conversation was first broadcast on 8/10/23

April Genevieve Tucholke, author of "Merry & Hark," and Thomas Speicher, author of "A Day with Waffles & Alexis," speaking with WVIA's Fiona Powell about their recent children's books. For more information: www.apriltucholke.com/ and www.pct.edu/public- relations-marketing/staff.

Mark Stavish of northeastern PA, authority on Western spiritual traditions, speaking about winter & welcoming the new year. He is author of 26 books including "The Path of Alchemy," "Kabbalah for Health & Wellness" and "Egregores". For more information: Facebook.com/mark.stavish.5 The interview was recorded in December 2022.

Diane Grant Czajkowski, award-winning artist, speaking about her work in connection with two current exhibitions: The Cider Painters of America International Show at the Main Street Galleries on Pierce St. in Kingston, PA, through December 28, 2023, and the 90th Anniversary exhibit of the Miniature Painters Sculptors Gravers Society, Washington D.C. Group, at the Strathmore Mansion in Bethesda, MD, through January 13, 2024. www.dianeshorses.com/ dianesart@verizon.net/ www.mpsgs.org/

Christopher Gallo, Artistic Director of the Lyric Consort, speaking about the ensemble and its annual holiday concert, "A Lyric Consort Christmas," on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 8:00 pm, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Wyoming Avenue, in Scranton. www.lyricconsort.org/

Al Jacobsen, Executive Director of the Allentown Symphony Association, and Amanda Haag, Program Manager & Choral Director of El Sistema Lehigh Valley, speaking about ESLV in anticipation of their annual holiday concert, "Songs of Peace, Hope & Cheer" on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at 6:00 at Roosevelt Elementary School in Allentown. The Allentown Pops will present a holiday concert at Miller Symphony Hall on Saturday, December 16 at 2:00 and again at 7:00 pm under the direction of Diane Wittry. www.millersymphonyhall.org/

Dr. Lalaine Little, Director of the Pauly Friedman Art Gallery at Misericordia University in Dallas, PA, and Dr. Mateusz Wosik, Paleontologist & Assistant Professor of Biology at Misericordia, speaking about an exhibition of photographs and artifacts titled "Lost Worlds" on the campus in 2022. They will be guests on the Keystone Edition Arts TV program, "Getting Creative with the Past: Dinosaurs!" that will be recorded at the WVIA studios in Pittston on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at 7:00 pm. The public is invited to be part of the studio audience. There is no admission charge. To make reservations and learn more: wvia.org/events.

Matt Vashlishian, jazz musician and composer, speaking about the annual holiday concert presented by the Water Gap Jazz Orchestra at East Stroudsburg University featuring Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite and The Grinch Suite by Matt Vashlishian. The ESU performance will take place on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 7 pm. The program will be repeated on Sunday, December 17th at 3:00 at the Morris Museum in Morristown, NJ. For more information: www.wgjo.org/

Billie Aken-Tyers, playwright with the Scranton Shakespeare Festival, speaking with WVIA's Fiona Powell about "Jack and the Beanstalk," an original Fairy Tale Pantomime for Scranton in the 2023 Holiday Season. There will be performances for two weekends at the Shakes Space at the Marketplace at Steamtown in downtown Scranton. December 8th through the 17th: 12/8 & 12/9 at 6 pm; Sunday 12/10 at 2 pm. Again 12/15 at 6 pm; 12/16 at 2 & 6 pm, & 12/17 at 2. www.scrantonshakes.com.

Greg Zelek, Principal Organist of the Madison Symphony Orchestra in Wisconsin & Curator of the Overture Concert Organ, speaking about pipe organs and their capabilities in a recording from October 2022. He will return to St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 35 William Street in Pittston, PA, to present a Christmas Celebration featuring a sing-a-long of sacred carols and organ selections by Bach, Purvis and Bedard. The Nativity story will be read and children will take part. The concert will be held on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at 3:00 and for more information: www.stjohnspittston.com/ and www.gregzelek.com/

Dr. Christopher Jackson, Artistic Director & Conductor of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem & the Bach Festival Orchestra, speaking about the 2023 Christmas Concerts on Saturday, December 9th at the First Presbyterian Church, Allentown, and Sunday, December 10th at the First Presbyterian Church, Bethlehem, at 4:00 each afternoon. The Sunday performance will feature a Live Stream option. www.bach.org/

Dr. Olapeju Simoyan, a member of the founding faculty of the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine in Scranton, speaking about the second edition of her book "Scranton, A Place to Call Home." Dr. Simoyan will take part in The Local History Emporium presented by the Lackawanna Historical Society on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at the Catlin House, 232 Monroe Avenue in Scranton from 11 am to 2 pm. www.lackawannahistory.org/ and www.thedoctorwriter.com/