James Patterson, retiring Mouse King; Glen Johnson, new Mouse King, speaking about the 31st production of Tchaikovsky's ballet "The Nutcracker" by Scranton Civic Ballet under the artistic direction of Miss Helen Gaus, Friday, December 8, 2017, at 7:30 pm and Saturday, December 9 at 2:00pm at the Scranton Cultural Center.

www.scrantoncivicballet.com/

Laurie McCants and James Goode, founding members of the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, speaking about the 40th anniversary season and BTE's production of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, adapted and directed by Richie Cannaday. The show runs November 24 through December 27, 2017, at the Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center Street in Bloomsburg.

www.bte.org/ 570-784-8181

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Dr. Rick Hoffenberg, Co-chair of the Music/Theater/Dance Department at Marywood University in Scranton, speaking about the Christmas concerts to be held in the Rotunda of the Liberal Arts Center on the campus, Saturday, December 9 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, December 10, 2017, at 3:00pm. Admission is free.

www.marywood.edu/mtd 570-348-6268

Phil Jurus, artist & member of the Emil Milan Research Team with Barry Gordon & Norm Sartorius, speaking about American woodworker Emil Milan, who lived and worked in Thompson, PA. The illustrated biography titled, "Emil Milan: Midcentury Master" by Craig Edelbrock & the EMR Team will be published by The Center for Art in Wood, with advance orders taken through December 8, 2017. For more information:

www.emilmilan.org/

Nezka Pfeifer, Curator at the Everhart Museum, speaking about the exhibition "Linda Mitchell: Truth in Animals", running now through December 31, 2017. Also about the ornament signing event with artist Jack Puhl on Sunday, December 3 form 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

www.everhart-museum.org/

Dr. Philip Simon, Associate Professor of Music & Director of the Civic Band at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, speaking about the upcoming instrumental concerts: The Wilkes Chamber Orchestra on Monday, December 4, 2017 at 8:00 pm at the Darte Center on the campus; The Flute Ensemble on Saturday, December 9 at 7:30 pm at the Darte Center; The Civic Band first at the Church of Christ Uniting in Kingston, Wednesday, December 6 at 7:30 pm; also Sunday, December 10 at 3:00 pm at the Darte Center on the Wilkes campus.

www.wilkes.edu www.churchofchristuniting.org/

Dr. Matt Vashlishan, Saxophonist and Jazz Program Coordinator at the Al Cohn Memorial Jazz Collection at E. Stroudsburg University, speaking about the concert featuring Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 7:30 pm at the Cecilia S. Cohen Recital Hall, Normal & Marguerite Streets at ESU, featuring the Water Gap Jazz orchestra with narrators Nancy Reed, jazz vocalist, and Edward Ellington II, Duke Ellington's grandson.

www.esufoundation.org/duke2017 or www.esu.edu/

Dr. Steven Thomas, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Wilkes University and Music Director and Conductor of the Arcadia Chorale, speaking about the concert titled, "Christmas Joy: Music for Chorus, Brass & Organ" with the Arcadia Chorale and the Wilkes University Choral Ensembles with organist Timothy Smith. Saturday, December 2 at 7:30 at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 35 S. Franklin St in Wilkes-Barre; Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 3:00 at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Scranton. WVIA members & Seniors receive a discount; Students are admitted free.

www.arcadiachorale.org

Dr. Rick Hoffenberg, Co-Chair of the MTD Department and Associate Professor of Choral Conducting at Marywood University, on the concert featuring the Marywood Chamber Singers on Sunday, December 3 at 2:00 in the Marian Chapel on the campus in Scranton. Admission is free. www.marywood.edu/

Robert Anderson, Co-producer & reader; Patricia Lacy, WVAL board member & reader; Artist Bonnie Covaleski, Coordinator/Instructor with WVAL outreach program partner Ruth's Place, speaking about the Third Annual Reading of "A Christmas Carol" by Dickens at the Wyoming Valley Art League, 130 S, Franklin St (Rear) in downtown Wilkes-Barre, Sunday, November 27, 2017 at 3:00 pm. Donations accepted. www.wyomingvalleyartleague.org/