Artscene With Erika Funke

Maxim Furek, writer & journalist, and John Yamrus, writer of poetry, novels, memoirs & other nonfiction, speaking about their work & their roots in northeastern PA. Furek's new book is "Coal Region HooDoo: Paranormal Tales from Inside the Pit," and Yamrus's latest collection is "Twenty Four Poems." They will take part in the second annual Authors in the Park event on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at the Public Park in Freeland, PA. Hours are 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. 20 or so writers will be on hand and there will be readings by children's authors and more. www.maximfurek.com Facebook.com/John.Yamrus/

Singer-Songwriter Paul Hayward speaking about his life and music as he begins his 2023 East Coast tour that will culminate in a benefit performance in his hometown, Forest City, PA, for the Forest City Area Historical Society, August 2 at 7:30. He'll also play at Arlo's in Union Dale on July 29; at the Berwick Brewing Company on August 4; and at Turkey Hill Brewing Company on August 5. For more information: www.paulhayward.com/

Actors Chris Fitting and Joelle Woodson, speaking about the Scranton Fringe Festival production of the Icke & Macmillan adaptation for the stage of George Orwell's "1984" in its PA premiere at the Lackawanna College Theatre, 501 Vine Street in Scranton, July 27, 28 & 29, 2023, with shows each evening at 7:30 and a matinee on the 29th, as well, at 2:00. The Saturday evening performance will be live streamed. For more information: www.scrantonfringe.org/

Maria Jacketti, poet, journalist, educator & translator, & Jennifer Ochman, historical reenactor & board member of the Luzerne County Historical Society, speaking about their work in anticipation of a poetry reading & celebration of writers in NEPA on July 29, 2023 at Susquehanna Studio in Union Dale, PA. Also featured will be singer-songwriter Lester Hirsh. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/JackettiLaureate/

Robert Morgalo, Actor, Director, Producer, Writer and CEO of Outhouse Production Films, with offices at 105 W. Broad Street in Tamaqua, PA, speaking about the company's current feature film, "Dream Devil," being shot in Tamaqua and plans for the development of Tamaqua Film Studios. For more information: www.tamaquafilmstudios.com/

Lakeetha Blakeney, Director, and Shantel Hill, Asst. Director & Choreographer, speaking with WVIA's Fiona Powell about the 2023 Lycoming College "Summer Stock" production of the musical "Matilda," based on the story by Roald Dahl, at the Community Arts Center in downtown Williamsport, July 21 and 22 at 7:30 pm, and July 23 at 2 pm. www.caclive.com/

Arrah Fisher, Executive Director of the Cooperage Project; Sam Gellerstein and Michael Spearman of the band SNACKTIME, speaking about the group's performance on Friday, July 21, 2023, as part of the Cooperage Project's event series at 1030 Main Street in Honesdale, PA.  The doors open at 7:00 and the concert begins at 7:30 pm.  For more information: www.thecooperageproject.org/  and www.snacktimephilly.com/

Joanne Oakum & Jennifer Gerhard, Members of the Board of the Greater Hazleton Concert Series, speaking about the 2023-2024 season, opening on September 6th with the Limeliters and continuing into May, with 8 performances to be held at Hazleton Area High School. For more information: www.hazletonconcertseries.org/ or call 570-436-6615

Ronnie Harvey, General Theater Manager & Film Booker at the Dietrich Theater in Tunkhannock, PA, speaking about Summer Fest 2023, the annual summer film festival featuring 22 films in 21 days, running from July 14 to August 3 at the Dietrich, 60 East Tioga Street. For more information: dietrichtheater.com/

Ronnie Harvey, General Theater Manager & Film Booker at the Dietrich Theater in Tunkhannock, speaking about Summer Fest 2023, the annual summer film festival featuring 22 films in 21 days, running from July 14 to August 3 at the Dietrich, 60 East Tioga Street. For more information: dietrichtheater.com/

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/