Artscene With Erika Funke

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/

Gerardo Edelstein, Music Director & Conductor of the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra, speaking with WVIA's Fiona Powell about the annual Holiday Concert on Friday, December 8, 2023, featuring a Broadway theme, with special guest soloists. The performance will take place at the Community Arts Center, 220 W. 4th Street in downtown Williamsport at 7:30 pm,. www.williamsportsymphony.org/

David Parmelee, General Manager of Little Theatre, Walter Mitchell Jr., Artistic Director & Asst. Director, & Director Mark Finkelstein, speaking about "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. This will be the first US production of a new adaptation by Justin Haigh, a Toronto-based playwright. The show runs from December 8 through 17, 2023--Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm & Sundays at 3 pm at The Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, 537 N. Main Street. www.ltwb.org/

Matthew Rupcich, Music Director & Conductor of the Arcadia Chorale, speaking about the 2023 holiday concert program titled, "A Christmas Rose," to be presented on Saturday, December 2 at 7:30 pm at St. Luke's Church, Wyoming Avenue in Scranton, & also on Sunday, December 3 at 3:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Wilkes-Barre on South Franklin Street. The audience will be invited to join in singing some favorite carols, and there will be a reception to follow. www.arcadiachorale.org/

Jeffrey L. Bowman, Co-founder and CEO of REFRAME. He's a two-time award-winning Wiley author & a former senior partner and managing director at Ogilvy & Mather in NYC. Bowman is a national arts and cultural consultant, & he was the keynote speaker for the ArtScene Conference at WVIA in September 2023. The panel discussion from the conference will air on Keystone Edition Arts on Monday, November 27th at 7 pm on WVIA TV. The show is available on the WVIA website and app---wvia.org/ For more information: www.GetReframe.com

Comedian Tom Papa talking about his affection for radio and his time on "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" on NPR. Papa is bringing his 2023 Comedy Tour to the Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg, PA, on Saturday, December 2nd at 8:00 pm. www.shermantheater.com/ The interview was recorded before Papa's visit to Scranton in February 2023.

Artists Tim Hawkesworth and LaLa Zeitlyn, speaking about their work in connection with the current exhibition at the Circle Center for the Arts, home of the Wyoming Valley Art League, 130 Rear South Franklin Street in downtown Wilkes-Barre. The show runs through December 1, 2023. For more information: www.wyomingvalleyartleague.org/ and to learn about Tim & Lala's artist workshops: www.springhillsfarm.org/

Artists Tim Hawkesworth and LaLa Zeitlyn, speaking about their work in connection with the current exhibition at the Circle Center for the Arts, home of the Wyoming Valley Art League, 130 Rear South Franklin Street in downtown Wilkes-Barre. The show runs through December 1, 2023. For more information: www.wyomingvalleyartleague.org/ To learn about Tim & Lala's artist workshops: www.springhillsfarm.org/

Phil Ioanna, Business Manager, & Nick Driscoll, Director, speaking about the 100th anniversary of the Cino Paci Band in anticipation of a special celebration on Sunday November 26, 2023 at the F.M Kirby Center in downtown Wilkes-Barre at 2:00. The band will play, there will be a slideshow and a display of memorabilia. Admission is free, on a first-come, first served basis. www.kirbycenter.org/

Phil Ioanna, Business Manager, & Nick Driscoll, Director, speaking about the 100th anniversary of the Cino Paci Band in anticipation of a special celebration on Sunday November 26, 2023 at the F.M Kirby Center in downtown Wilkes-Barre at 2:00. The band will play, there will be a slideshow and a display of memorabilia. Admission is free, on a first-come, first served basis. www.kirbycenter.org/