ArtScene with Erika Funke

Sam Zavada, member of the Luzerne County Arts & EntertainmentHall of Fame steering committee, and author of biographies of the 20 inducteesin the class of 2026, introducing a number of those who'll be honored at apublic ceremony on Saturday, October 3rd, at the Kirby Center for Creative Artson the campus of Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, PA.There will be a reception from 5:30 to 7:00, and the event will get underwayat 7:00 pm. There will be performances by a number of the inductees,including the Cino Paci Band and Mere Mortals.For more information and tickets: www.luzernecountyaehof.org/This is the second of a two-part conversation.

Sam Zavada, member of the Luzerne County Arts & EntertainmentHall of Fame steering committee, and author of biographies of the 20 inducteesin the class of 2026, introducing a number of those who'll be honored at apublic ceremony on Saturday, October 3rd, at the Kirby Center for Creative Artson the campus of Wyoming Seminary in KIngston, PA.There will be a reception from 5:30 to 7:00, and the event will get underwayat 7:00 pm. There will be performances by a number of the inductees,including the Cino Paci Band and Mere Mortals.For more information and tickets: www.luzernecountyaehof.org/This is the first of a two-part conversation.

Thomas Putnam, Artistic Director of Hamilton-Gibson Productionsin Wellsboro, speaking about two plays running this weekendand next at the Coolidge Theatre, 104 Main Street."Red," directed by Putnam, and "The Rembrandt" directed bySarah Lawton, will run on alternating days."The Rembrandt" opens Thursday, September 24, 2026and can be seen 9/26, 9/27, 10/2 & 10/3."Red" will be presented 9/25 & 9/26; 10/1, 10/3& 10/4. Check the website for times.www.hamiltongibson.org

Tim Novotney, award-winning filmmaker, part of WVIA's production staff, speaking about his new documentary, "The Secrets Beneath Hazleton," that will have its broadcastpremiere on Monday, September 21, 2026 at 7:00 pm, on WVIA TV. The program willbe available on WVIA's YouTube channel and at various screenings throughout theregion in the days ahead. For more information: www.wvia.org/

David Morris, retired journalist and award-winning bluegrass songwriter, speaking abouthis experiences as chief White House correspondent for Bloomberg News on September 11, 2001, and about his songwriting career that began in 2010. He wrote "Tenth Day of September" with his colleague John Miller, who provided the the melody and has since passed away. Billy Blue Records released the song to the public on August 14, 2026,and as of the week of September 7th, "Tenth Day of September" is number one on theRoots Music Report national bluegrass chart. Morris is a native of Berwick in Columbia County, and he has returned there to live in Benton with his wife.For more information: www.billybluerecords.com/

Neil Prisco, Marketing Director of the FM Kirby Center for the Performing Arts on PublicSquare in downtown Wilkes-Barre, speaking about the premiere of the original documentary titled, "The Diamond of Downtown," telling the history of the Kirby Center on the occasion of its 40th anniversary. The screening will be held on Saturday,September 19, 2026, at 7:00. Tickets are free but limited. Those who attend areencouraged to wear attire fit for a gala event but not required.To learn more and to reserve tickets: www.kirbycenter.org/

Scott Colin Woolnough, Artistic Director of the Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, and member of the cast of the upcoming show, speaking about the musical "Come From Away," set in Gander, Newfoundland, at the time of 9/11. The show opens on Friday, September 11, 2026, and runs for two weekends. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3:00 pm.There is a special matinee for students on Saturday, September 19th at 2:00, followed bya post-performance discussion with professors from LCCC & cast members.The Little Theatre is located at 537 North Main Street in Wilkes-Barre. And for moreinformation: www.ltwb.org/"Hero Tickets" are available for veterans and all emergency services personnelwithout charge.

Dr. Brian Carso, Co-Chair with Carol McManus of the 2026 Milford Readers &Writers Festival, to be held September 18, 19 & 20, in Milford in Pike County.Main Stage Events will be held at the Milford Theater, and tickets are required.There will be many free events around town as well.For more information and the complete schedule:www.milfordreadersandwriters.com/

Kimberly Crafton, Coordinator, and Casie Gaylets,Master Beekeeper, speaking about the 6th AnnualHoneybee & Harvest Day Festival presented by theGreenhouse Project in Nay Aug Park in Scranton,on Sunday, September 20, 2026, from Noon to 4:00.There will be a Costume Parade at Noon withharvest demonstrations, education stations.traditional harvest dances, music, gamesmead sampling, viewing an antique applepress and more.www.scrantongreenhouse.org/

Violinist John Vaida and Violist Amy Iwazumi, co-founders of the Northeastern PA Chamber Music Society, speaking about the opening program of the 2026-27 season, featuring works by Giardini, Martinu, and the String Quintet in C major, D. 956by Franz Schubert. Concerts will be held Friday, September 11th at 7 pmin the Trachte Music Center, McIver Hall, at Lycoming College, 304 E. 4th Street inWilliamsport. And Saturday, September 12th at 7 pm, at the Circle Center for theArts, 130 S. Franklin Street REAR in downtown Wilkes-Barre.For more information: www.nepacms.org/