ArtScene with Erika Funke

Dr. George Aulisio, Dean of the Weinberg Memorial Library at theUniversity of Scranton and Director of the Schemel Forum there,speaking about the Spring 2026 offerings as part of the SchemelForum's community enrichment programs. There are evening courses,World Affairs Luncheons and events with other organizations.For more information: www.scranton.edu/schemelforum

Monica Prince, Associate Professor of English & Creative Writing at SusquehannaUniversity in Selinsgrove & director of the next show in the RSCT 2025/2026 season, & Jove Graham, President of the Board of RiverStage CommunityTheatre in Lewisburg, speaking about the upcoming production offor colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enufby Ntozake Shange, marking the 50th anniversary of its Broadwaypremiere. There will be performances February 14, 20 & 21 at 7:30 pm;February 15 & 22 at 2:30 pm, at the Greenspace Center, 815 MarketStreet in Lewisburg . www.riverstagetheatre.org/ www.monicaprince.com/

Conor Kelly O'Brien, Co-founder & Executive Director, andErin Kosisky, Festival Producer, speaking about the 2026Scranton Fringe Festival & activities planned throughout the year.The Festival is scheduled to run from October 1st throughOctober 10th with events at a wide range of venues. Theapplication period to take part opens February 9th and continuesuntil March 31st. That is also the application period for thenew Playwright Incubator project. For more informationand forms: www.scrantonfringe.org/

Gerado Edelstein, Music Director & Conductor of the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra, speaking about a concert titled, "From New York to Bohemia," at the Community Arts Center, 220 West 4th Street, on February 10, 2026, at 7:30 pm.The program will feature the Concerto in F by George Gershwin with Elizabeth Morgan as the soloist; Upbeat! by Ellen Taafe Zwilich; & Symphony No. 6 by AntoninDvorak. For more information: www.williamsportsymphony.org/

Ali Basalyga of NAC Entertainment speaking aboutthe continuing 2025-26 season of Broadway in Scrantonpresented by Broadway Theatre League andNAC Entertainment at the Scranton CulturalCenter. Kinky Boots is next, running fromFebruary 13th through the15th with shows:Friday (2/13) at 7:30 pm; Saturday at 2:00 pmand 7:30 pm; and Sunday at 1:00 pm.Chicago runs March 6th through the 8th.Clue will be featured April 24th through the 26th.The season closes with The Music Manrunning from June 12th through the 14th.For information & tickets: broadwayinscranton.com/ orat the Scranton Cultural Center Box Office, 420 NorthWashington Avenue.

Dr. Paul Salerni, award-winning composer and Professor Emeritusat Lehigh University in Bethlehem, speaking about a recital titled,"More Food and Love," featuring soprano Yunah Lee and pianistKyung-Eun Na, on Sunday, February 8, 2026, in Baker Hall at theZoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University, at 3:00 pm. The programwill feature the premiere of "Korean Love Songs" by Dr. Salerni;pieces by Maria Grever; Leonard Bernstein and more.zoellner.cas.lehigh.edu/ www.paulsalerni.com/

Mary Zbegner, discussion leader for Wyoming County Reads 2026, speaking about the project and this year's book selection: A Man Called Ove by Frederik Backman. The monthlong event is hosted by the Tunkhannock Public Library, the Dietrich Theater & The Little Book Place. There will be book discussions 2/4 at the library & 2/11 at The Little Book Place at 7 pm; 2 screenings of the film, "A Man Called Otto" at the Dietrich 2/18 at 1 pm & 7 pm, and a book/film comparison 2/25 at 7 pm at the library. There is no charge for any of the events. www.tunkhannocklibrary.org/

Sasha Margolis, NEPA Philharmonic violinist & coordinator of the orchestra'schamber series; and Rabbi Daniel Swartz, spiritual leader of Temple Hesed,speaking in anticipation of a program titled, "Klezmer & Kabbalah," on Wednesday,February 4, 2026, at 7:00 pm at Temple Hesed, 1 Knox Road in Scranton. The free lecture/discussion will prepare attendeesfor the upcoming chamber concert, "Dreams & Klezmer," featuringthe "Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind" for clarinet & string quartet by Osvaldo Golijov, and more.The concert will be presented by the NEPA Philharmonic at the WVIASordoni Theater in Pittston on Sunday, February 22nd at 3:00 pm.www.nepaphil.org/ 570-270-4444

Cheryl Boga, Conductor & Artistic Director, and Janelle Decker,Executive Director of Performance Music at the University ofScranton, speaking about the program's mission and the openingconcert of the 2026 Spring season featuring the Anderson Twinsand their Septet with a program titled, The Fabulous Dorseys,to be presented Saturday, January 31st at 7:30 in the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street & Jefferson Avenue in downtownScranton. Admission is free. www.scranton.edu/musicWill Anderson, multi-reed player & band leader, speaking aboutthe connection that he and his brother Peter have toTommy and Jimmy Dorsey,and the program they'll present in Scranton.

David Parmelee, General Manager of the Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, andClaire Joelle, Board Member and director of the current production, "One FlewOver the Cuckoo's Nest," based on the novel by Ken Kesey. The show will bepresented in Lemmond Theater at Misericordia University, 301 Lake Street inDallas, PA. The show opens on January 30 and runs through February 8, 2026.Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm; Sundays at 3:00 pm.www.ltwb.org/ box office: 570-823-1875