ArtScene with Erika Funke

Tom Alexander, a native of NEPA & an award-winning composer & musician, andVasilis Kostas from Greece who is a Grammy-nominated master player of the laouto,speaking about their duo Syntixi and their original music. Syntixi will perform at theLittle Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, 537 N. Main Street, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 8 PM.For more information: www.ltwb.org/ tomalexandermusic.com/ andvasiliskostasmusic.com/ Vasilis Kostas has a new album titled Lena with his own bandthat has just been released on all platforms on April 17th.

Thomas Putnam, Artistic Director of Hamilton-Gibson Productions inWellsboro, PA, speaking about "Leading Ladies," a comedy by KenLudwig that he directs. The show will run from April 17 throughApril 26, 2026, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 with Sundaymatinees at 2:30, at the Warehouse Theatre, 3 Central Avenuein Wellsboro.For more information: www.hamiltongibson.org

Award-winning writer Marjorie Maddox from Williamsport, Professor Emeritaof English & Creative Writing at the Lock Haven campus of CommonwealthUniversity, speaking with us about,and reading from, her new middle-grade biography, A Man Named Branch: The True Story of Baseball's Great Experiment, recently released bySunbury Press (sunburypress.com).Marjorie Maddox is available for readings & workshops. For moreinformation about her work: www.marjoriemaddox.org/

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 duetson Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 2 pm. 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 St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 123 Market Street in Bloomsburg.For more information: www.stmatthewbloomsburg.org/

Rev. Joseph Williams, last remaining member of the legendary gospel group The Dixie Hummingbirds, speaking about his life in music with the ensemble, in connection with arecent memoir written by Dr. Lynn Peterson titled, "Flying With the Birds: The Last Original Member of the Iconic Dixie Hummingbirds." For more information about theDixie Hummingbirds and Rev. Joe Williams, check the website of the National Museum ofAfrican American Music in Nashville: www.nmaam.org/

Violinist & Conductor Scott Yoo, Host & Executive Producer of the PBS series,"Now Hear This," presented by Great Performances,speaking about Season 7 that premieres on Friday, April 10, 2026 at9:00 pm on WVIA-TV with an episode titled, "Brahms: FreeBut Alone." The second episode, "Everyone Loves Joplin" will airon Friday, April 17th and feature Rick Benjamin, founder &music director of the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra based inLewisburg, PA. Episode 3 on April 24th is titled, "The Call ofIstanbul" & Episode 4 on Friday, May 1st will be "The IcelandSound." All of the shows will be aired Friday nights at9:00 on WVIA-TV. For more information wvia.org/www.pbs.org/

Mandy Pennington, Scranton Fringe board member & assistant director for the opening production of the 2026 season, and actor Werner Christensen,who has the role of Tom, speaking about the Scranton Fringe productionof "The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams, running Thursday,Friday & Saturday (4/9-4/11)at 7:30 each evening, at The Sanctuary Theater, 1735 North Main Avenuein Scranton, the new home of Scranton Fringe.www.scrantonfringe.org/

Jimmy Sturr, Grammy Award-Winning Musician & Bandleader,speaking about his life in music in anticipation of PennsylvaniaPolkafest 2026 on Saturday, April 11th from 4:00 to 8:00 pm atMohegan Pennsylvania on Highway 315 in Wilkes-Barre in theKeystone Grand Ballroom. The performers include: Jimmy Sturr &His Orchestra; Joe Stanky & The Cadets, & The Polka Family Band.There will be a tribute to the late John Stanky and a celebration ofAmerica 250. www.pennsylvaniapolkafest.com/www.ticketsalesnow.com/ or 570-550-6410

Chason Goldschmitz, Executive Director, & Melisse Brunet, Music Director& Conductor of the NEPA Philharmonic, speaking about "Jurassic Parkin Concert" on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 7:00 pm, at the F.M. Kirby Centerin downtown Wilkes-Barre. The film will be projected on the big screenwhile the NEPA Philharmonic performs the entire score live, exactlysynchronized with the action.For information and tickets: www.nepaphil.org/ or the Box Office at570-270-4444

David Minnich, Les Brown's cousin, founding committee member & patron of the annualfestival, and Joel Guldin, prominent music educator & band director in the WilliamsValley School District, organizer & committee chair, for the annual event to honorLes Brown & his legacy, speaking about Les Brown's family ties to Schuylkill Countyand the 18th Annual Les Brown Big Band Weekend to be held April 9, 10 & 11, 2026.The 5th Les Brown Film Fest will be held Thursday, April 9th at 7:00pm at theHistoric Pine Grove Theater, 213 S. Tulpehocken Street in Pine Grove.Admission is free.The Les Brown USO Dance will take place on Friday, April 10th, at 7:00 pmat the Wiconisco Fire Hall, 110 Arch Street in Wiconisco, featuring the"Unforgettable Big Band" of York.The Les Brown Big Band Festival Concert will be held on Saturday,April 11th beginning at 5:00 pm at Williams Valley High School,10300 Rt. 209 in Tower City. 6 bands will be featured andtwo musicians who played in Brown's band will be honored: On hand,Hal Espinosa, retired 1st trumpeter; and Jack Redmond, trombonist,who will be unable to attend.WVIA's Erika Funke will serve as MC.For more information: www.lesbrownfest.org/