ArtScene with Erika Funke

Epizode

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  David Morris; Billy Blue Records; September 11 2026 11.09.2026 50min

  David Morris, retired journalist and award-winning bluegrass songwriter, speaking abouthis experiences as chief White House correspondent for Bloomberg News on September 11, 2001, and about his songwriting career that began in 2010. He wrote "Tenth Day of September" with his colleague John Miller, who provided the the melody and has since passed away. Billy Blue Records released the song to the public on August 14, 2026,and as of the week of September 7th, "Tenth Day of September" is number one on theRoots Music Report national bluegrass chart. Morris is a native of Berwick in Columbia County, and he has returned there to live in Benton with his wife.For more information: www.billybluerecords.com/
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  F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts; Neil Prisco; September 10 2026 11.09.2026 20min

  Neil Prisco, Marketing Director of the FM Kirby Center for the Performing Arts on PublicSquare in downtown Wilkes-Barre, speaking about the premiere of the original documentary titled, "The Diamond of Downtown," telling the history of the Kirby Center on the occasion of its 40th anniversary. The screening will be held on Saturday,September 19, 2026, at 7:00. Tickets are free but limited. Those who attend areencouraged to wear attire fit for a gala event but not required.To learn more and to reserve tickets: www.kirbycenter.org/
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  Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre; Scott Colin Woolnough; September 10 2026 11.09.2026 27min

  Scott Colin Woolnough, Artistic Director of the Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, and member of the cast of the upcoming show, speaking about the musical "Come From Away," set in Gander, Newfoundland, at the time of 9/11. The show opens on Friday, September 11, 2026, and runs for two weekends. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3:00 pm.There is a special matinee for students on Saturday, September 19th at 2:00, followed bya post-performance discussion with professors from LCCC & cast members.The Little Theatre is located at 537 North Main Street in Wilkes-Barre. And for moreinformation: www.ltwb.org/"Hero Tickets" are available for veterans and all emergency services personnelwithout charge.
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  Milford Readers & Writers Festival; Brian Carso; September 09 2026 09.09.2026 21min

  Dr. Brian Carso, Co-Chair with Carol McManus of the 2026 Milford Readers &Writers Festival, to be held September 18, 19 & 20, in Milford in Pike County.Main Stage Events will be held at the Milford Theater, and tickets are required.There will be many free events around town as well.For more information and the complete schedule:www.milfordreadersandwriters.com/
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  Greenhouse Project Scranton; Kimberly Crafton; Casie Gaylets; September 09 2026 09.09.2026 28min

  Kimberly Crafton, Coordinator, and Casie Gaylets,Master Beekeeper, speaking about the 6th AnnualHoneybee & Harvest Day Festival presented by theGreenhouse Project in Nay Aug Park in Scranton,on Sunday, September 20, 2026, from Noon to 4:00.There will be a Costume Parade at Noon withharvest demonstrations, education stations.traditional harvest dances, music, gamesmead sampling, viewing an antique applepress and more.www.scrantongreenhouse.org/
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  Northeastern PA Chamber Music Society; John Vaida; Amy Iwazumi; September 08 2026 08.09.2026 19min

  Violinist John Vaida and Violist Amy Iwazumi, co-founders of the Northeastern PA Chamber Music Society, speaking about the opening program of the 2026-27 season, featuring works by Giardini, Martinu, and the String Quintet in C major, D. 956by Franz Schubert. Concerts will be held Friday, September 11th at 7 pmin the Trachte Music Center, McIver Hall, at Lycoming College, 304 E. 4th Street inWilliamsport. And Saturday, September 12th at 7 pm, at the Circle Center for theArts, 130 S. Franklin Street REAR in downtown Wilkes-Barre.For more information: www.nepacms.org/
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  Delaware Water Gap Celebration of the Arts; George Graham; September 08 2026 08.09.2026 22min

  George Graham, longtime producer/host at WVIA Radio, recently retired, and COTAboard member, speaking about the 48th Annual Delaware Water Gap Celebration of the Arts taking place on September 12 and 13, 2026, in downtown Delaware Water Gap, PA.There will be two full days of jazz on the outdoor stage with other performances at theDeer Head Inn across from the festival site. Among the musicians, there will be Grammy-Award-winning veteran players and the COTA Cats all-star high school big band. The music will run from noon /12:30 to 8:00/8:30, rain or shine. For tickets and the complete schedule: www.COTAJazz.org/
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  Plymouth Historical Society; Joe Slusser; Pat Smith; Jim Youells; Joel Jones; September 04 2026 04.09.2026 26min

  Joe Slusser; Plymouth Historical SocietyPresident; Patrick Smith,Vice-President; Jim Youells, Board Member;Artist Joel Carson Jones, speaking about theunveiling and dedication of a new muralby Jones that commemorates the AvondaleMine Disaster that took place on September 6,1869, in Plymouth Township.The event will be held on Sunday,September 13, 2026 at 10 am at the Avondalesite, off Route 11 in Plymouth Township.The Plymouth Historical Society is locatedat 115 Gaylord Avenue inPlymouth. There will be an Open Houseto follow the dedication at 2:00. There isno admission fee.For more information:www.plymouthhistoricalsocietyluzernecopa.org/or call 570-779-5840.
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  American Guild of Organists Duet Concert; Carl Ruck; Alan Hack; September 03, 2026 03.09.2026 25min

  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 duetswhich they did originally in April in Bloomsburg.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 the First Presbyterian Church of Wilkes-Barre, 97 S. FranklinStreet, on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 2:00 pm.For more information: www.fpc-wb.org/
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  Sordoni Art Gallery; Stephan Koplowitz; Heather Sincavage; September 02 2026 02.09.2026 29min

  Stephan Koplowitz, award-winning artist whose work includesinteractive media installations, photography, site-specific andstaged dance/theater performances and short films,and Curator Heather Sincavage, Associate Professor & Director of theSordoni Art Gallery at Wilkes University, speaking about theexhibition, "Of Place and Passage: Actions & Images byStephan Koplowitz," running from September 1 throughOctober 18, 2026. There will be an Art in Context lecturewith Koplowitz on Thursday, September 17th at 5:00 pmat the gallery, with a reception to follow.The Sordoni Gallery is located at 141 South Main Streeton the Wilkes campus in downtown Wilkes-Barre.www.wilkes.edu/sordoniartgalleryThis is Part One of a two-part conversation.
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  Everhart Museum Scranton; James Lansing; September 01 2026 02.09.2026 23min

  James Lansing, Curator at the Everhart Museum,Nay Aug Park in Scranton, speaking about thecurrent exhibit titled, "Hubble Space Telescope:New Views of the Universe" running throughOctober 18, 2026--a show developed byNASA & the Smithsonian Institute TravelingExhibit Service, featuring Hubble's iconicimages and many hands-on experiences.There are related photography and paintingexhibits on display, as well.For more information: www.everhart-museum.org/
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  NEPA Philharmonic; Luzerne County PA; Chason Goldschmitz; Romilda Crocamo; August 31 2026 31.08.2026 35min

  Chason Goldschmitz. Executive Director of the NEPA Philharmonic,and Romilda Crocamo, Luzerne County Manager, speaking aboutthe Luzerne County 240th Celebration concert on Friday,September 25, 2026, at 7:00 pm at the FM Kirby Center indowntown Wilkes-Barre, featuring the NEPA Philharmonicunder the direction of Melisse Brunet, with special guests.The program will feature music by Aaron Copland:Lincoln Portrait and Appalachian Spring. Appalachian Springwill be presented alongside a brand-new multimedia projection,with narration and dance, highlighting 240 years of LuzerneCounty's history. Tony Brooks will be the narrator.Broadway star Celia Hottenstein and Travis Taber willperform Broadway favorites, and Gracie Jane Sinclair willsing two of her original songs with the orchestra.There will be a special Young People's Concert thatmorning at 10:30 at the Kirby Center. Interested schoolsand homeschool families should contact the NEPA PHILfor more information: 570-270-4444.www.nepaphil.org/
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  Sullivan County Arts & Artists Tour; Jeanne Sullivan; August 28 2026 28.08.2026 19min

  Jeanne Sullivan, Chair of the Sullivan County Arts andArtists Tour, speaking about the 2nd Annual Tour to beheld on September 19th from 10 am to 4 pm, & September20, 2026, from 11 am to 4 pm. It is a self-guided tourfeaturing 35 juried local artists displaying, discussingand selling their work at venues throughout the county.For more information and the complete tour brochure:www.sullivancountyarts.comand follow them on Facebook "Sullivan County PAArt & Artists Tour."
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  Presbybop Jazz Quintet; Rev. Bill Carter; August 27 2026 27.08.2026 30min

  Rev. Bill Carter, jazz pianist, composer, arranger, band leader, author and pastor of theFirst Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit, speaking about jazz & democracy in 2026,about the annual Labor Day jazz service at FPCC on Sunday, September 6th at 10 am,centering on the music of Chuck Mangione, and about his new album with his new band:"This is for Albert," featuring Bill Carter and the Blue Note Jazztet Live at the FirehouseStage, engineered by WVIA's George Graham. For more information:www.presbybop.com/ and www.fpccs.org/The First Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit is located at300 School Street.
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  Christ Lutheran Church Hazleton; Mark J. Pall; August 26 2026 26.08.2026 24min

  Organist Mark J. Pall, Music Director at Christ Lutheran Churchin Hazleton, speaking about the CLC organ and the concert onFriday, August 28, 2026, at 7:00 pm to rededicate the instrument.There will be music by Mendelssohn, Bach and Stamm.Christ Lutheran Church is located at 210 West Green Streetin Hazleton, and for more information: www.clchazleton.org/
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  Lehigh University Art Galleries; Florencia San Martin'; Mark Wonsidler; August 25 2026 25.08.2026 41min

  Florencia San Martin', Assistant Professor of Art Historyin the Department of Art, Architecture, & Design atLehigh University in Bethlehem, and Mark Wonsidler,LUAG Curator of Exhibitions & Collections, speakingabout the major fall exhibition, "This Land: Reimaginingthe United States of America on its 250th Anniversary."The show will run from September 1 through December4, 2026. There will be an opening reception on September1st from 5:00 to 7:00 to be followed by an evening withMartin Guitars from 7:00 to 8:30 inBaker Hall at the Zoellner Arts Center. www.luag.org/
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  Keystone College; John Pullo; Dr. Jay Nathan; Ganzorig Chimed; Narangerel Adiyasuren; August 24 2026 24.08.2026 25min

  Keystone College President John F. Pullo, Sr; Dr. Jay Nathan,Tenured Professor at St. John's University & Founder ofthe Cultural Immersion Program at Keystone College inLa Plume, PA; Dr. Ganzorig Chimed, Professor ofChemical & Biological Engineering at the NationalUniversity of Mongolia, and Narangerel Adiyasuren,Technology & International Relations Coordinatorat NUM, speaking about the many cultural artifactsthat make up the exhibit titled, "Nomadic ModernizationRooted in Mongolian History, Culture & Artistic Tradition,"presented by representatives of the National Universityof Mongolia for display in the Dr. Jay Nathan InternationalGuest House on the Keystone campus. The exhibit isopen to the public by appointment.www.keystone.edu/
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  Schemel Forum at the University of Scranton; George Aulisio; August 20 2026 20.08.2026 20min

  Dr. George Aulisio, Dean of the Weinberg Memorial Library andDirector of the Schemel Forum at the University of Scranton,speaking about the Fall 2026 Forum offerings which includeEvening Courses, World Affairs Luncheon Seminars,Collaborative Programs and the University for a DayProgram.For more information: www.scranton.edu/schemelforum
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  Circle Center for the Arts; Carolyn Harper; August 18 2026 18.08.2026 27min

  Artist Carolyn Harper of Philadelphia,speaking about her portrait quilts inconnection with the show, "Carolyn Harper:Dreaming of Freedom--Portraits of Prisoners,"running from August 21 through October 9, 2026at the Circle Centre for the Arts, 130 RearSouth Franklin Street in downtownWilkes-Barre. There will be an openingreception August 21st from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.The artist will be on hand.www.wyomingvalleyartleague.org/www.carolynharperarts.com/
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  Billtown Blues Association; Bonnie Tallman; William Hudon; August 14 2026 17.08.2026 32min

  Bonnie Tallman, co-founder, board member & events producer;and Dr. William Hudon, board member, of the Billtown BluesAssociation, speaking about the new configuration for theBBA's concert offerings and the performance on Friday,August 15, 2026, at 7:00 at The Side Bar,345 Market Street in Williamsport. Featured will beKatie Henry and her band and Ann Kerstetter andher band. www.billtownblues.org/