William C. Kashatus, historian, educator and author, speaking aboutIndependence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, in Part Oneof a two-part conversation about his new book, "Independence NationalHistorical Park: An Insider's History," issued by Schiffer Books.Dr. Kashatus has been a seasonal ranger at the park and iscurrently a volunteer interpreter. For more information:www.schifferbooks.com/ and www.historylive.net/

Artist Trinka Ravaioli, Executive Director of the Spring HillsFoundation in NEPA, speaking about Spring Hills Farm, herartwork and her current solo show, "Iterations of Light &Dark," running now through the summer (2026)at Marquis Art & Frame, 122 S. Main Street indowntown Wilkes-Barre.www.trinkastudios.com/www.springhillsfoundation.org/

Mark Fryer, immediate past president of the boardof Actors Circle, and Amanda Rudnick, director,speaking about "Shorts for the Summer! IV"at Providence Playhouse, 1256 Providence Roadin Scranton from August 6 through 9, 2026.There will be 8 original short plays with showsThursday, Friday & Saturday at 7:00 pm, andSunday at 2 pm. www.actorscirclescranton.com/

Andrew Weaver, PhD, Professor of Musicology at the CatholicUniversity of America and violist with the Eagles MereChamber Players, speaking about Music in the Mountains,a summer music camp held in Eagles Mere, PA, and foundedby cellist Deborah Reeder and developed with violinistBarbara Sonies.Dr. Weaver and alumni from the program have beenreturning each summer since 2012 to perform aconcert as part of the Eagles Mere Friends of theArts series. This year the Eagles Mere ChamberPlayers will perform pieces by Mozart, Bach,William Grant Still, Kodaly, and more, onFriday, August 7, 2026, at 8:00 pm, at theDavid Dewire Center, 891 Laporte Avenuein Eagles Mere. www.emfoa.org/

Cody Losinger, director, speaking about the play"She Kills Monsters" by Qui Nguyen, to bepresented by Hamilton-Gibson Productionsin Wellsboro, PA.The show opens on Friday, July 31, 2026, andwill run through August 9th at the WarehouseTheatre, 3 Central Avenue. Showtimes areFridays & Saturdays at 7:30 pm, with Sundaymatinees at 2:30. For more information:www.hamiltongibson.org/

Jeffrey Dent, Director of the Repasz Band of Williamsport,speaking about the ensemble's history as it marks its195th anniversary this year. The Band will presenta USA 250 concert in Brandon Park on August 2, 2026at 7:00. Admission is free and the program will becentered almost entirely on music with ties toWilliamsport and its composers.www.repaszband.org/

William Chickillo, award-winning artist and founder of the Skylake Gallery in Fleetville, PA, speaking about his longtime friend and colleague, the distinguished artist Robert Stark, who passed away on March 19, 2026.Chickillo was the curator of the recent exhibit, "A Life in Art: Works byRobert Stark" at the Small Works Gallery at the Waverly CommunityHouse in Waverly, PA. There is a current show of Stark's work at theChamber Gallery, 27 N. Main Street in Carbondale, PA, running throughAugust. Hours M - F 9 am to 5 pm. www.carbondalechamber.org/On August 29, 2026, the Susquehanna Studio in Union Dale, willhost a celebration of the artist's life and launch an exhibition of hiswork at the same time. That show will run through September 2026.http://susquehannastudio.blogspot.com/

Amy Casimir of Strictly Ballet, artistic director of the Garden Party, and Trey Casimir, producer and dancer, speaking about the 8th annual Lewisburg Victorian Fairy Garden Party to be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026, on the front lawn of the GreenSpace Center,815 Market Street in Lewisburg, rain or shine, beginning at 7:30 pm and continuinguntil dark. There will be an original ballet, a costume contest, a scavenger hunt,croquet and more. The event is a benefit for the annual Victorian Nutcrackerin December produced by Strictly Ballet and RiverStage, but there is no fee to attendthe Garden Party. Donations will be very much appreciated. All guests are encouragedto come in costume. For more information: www.strictlyballetarts.com/You can find the event on Facebook and Instagram as well.

Tannis Kowalchuk, Founder & Artistic Director of the Farm Arts Collectiveat Willow Wisp Organic Farm in Damascus, PA. FAC will present the7th original production in their annual "Dream on the Farm" series:"Johnny Appleseed: An Historical Fantasia," from July 30to August 9, 2026. Shows are Thursdays to Sundays--doors openat 6:30 pm to explore The Museum of Curious History.Showtime is 7:00 pm. There will be a reception with farm-fresh foodfollowing the performance. The production is part of America 250National Endowment for the Arts programming.Farm Arts Collective, 38 Hickory Lane in Damascus in WayneCounty, PAwww.farmartscollective.org/ 570.798.9530

Marko Marcinko, co-founder and artistic director of the Scranton Jazz Festival & music director of the Scranton Jazz Festival BigBand, speaking about the 21st annual Festival taking placeAugust 7, 8 & 9, 2026, featuring at least 80 different musiciansperforming over the weekend. It's the traditional Jazz Walkthroughout downtown Scranton with venues of all kinds hostingjazz performers on Friday until 1:00 am. Saturday, August 8thwill feature The Dirty Dozen Brass Band coming from NewOrleans to play at The Theater at North, 1539 N. Main Avenuein Scranton at 7:00 pm.It's a host of jazz brunches throughout Scranton during the dayon Sunday, August 9th, building to the headlining performanceby NEA Jazz Master Ron Carter who'll join the SJF Big Bandat the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Avenueat 6:45 pm. The PA Jazz Institute Misericordia UniversityStudent Ensemble will open the show at 6:00 pm.For a complete schedule and more information:www.scrantonjazzfestival.org. Follow them onFacebook and Instagram as well.For information about the PA Jazz Institute StudentMusic Camp that begins on July 27th,www.pajazzinstitute.com/We heard from Dr. Michael Geib, Professor ofDouble Bass at the School of Music at theUniversity of Central Oklahoma and founder of theDyberry Creek Music Festival in Wayne County, PA.