ArtScene with Erika Funke

Chason Goldschmitz, Executive Director of the NEPA Philharmonic, speaking about the orchestra's candlelit performances of the Mozart Requiem on October 23, 2025, at 7:00 pm, at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Wilkes-Barre,and on October 24 at 7:00 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Scranton.The concerts will be led by Music Director Melisse Brunet and will feature 4 notablesoloists and the Marywood University Concert Choir. 570-270-4444www.nepaphil.org/

Larry Lipkis, Composer-in-Residence & Professor ofMusic at Moravian University in Bethlehem, PA. Alsoa member since 1986 of The Baltimore Consort.Dr. Lipkis will direct the Fall 2025 Early Music concerttitled, "Aspects of Love: a European Tour," onSunday, October 26th at 4:00 pm in Peter Hallon the Moravian campus. Featured will be theMostly Monteverdi Ensemble & the BaroqueEnsemble. www.moravian.edu/music

Kara Washington, Promotions Coordinator at WVIA Public Media,speaking about her new documentary, "Making NEPA Home,"that will have its broadcast premiere at 7 pm on Thursday,October 16, 2025, on WVIA TV. The film will also stream live onWVIA's Facebook & YouTube pages and at WVIA.org/WVIA is co-hosting a premiere watch party with the Black Scranton Projectat the group's Center for Arts & Culture, 1902 Main Avenue in Scranton.The event is free and open to the public, but space is limited, soreservations are suggested. There will be a post-screening discussion.www.wvia.org/events

Rick Benjamin, Founder, Artistic Director & Conductor of theParagon Ragtime Orchestra, speaking in anticipation of the inauguralSymposium on Historic American Music at Susquehanna Universityin Selinsgrove October 16 - 18, 2025. There will be performances,lectures, interactive workshops and more. The keynote speaker isJohn McWhorter of Columbia University and opinion writer for theNY Times. The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra under Rick Benjaminwill celebrate their new album titled, "Meet Me at the Fair: Soundsfrom the Great American World's Fairs" in a concert of that musicon Friday, October 17th, at 7:30 pm in Stretansky Concert Hallon the Susquehanna University campusFor more information: susqu.edu/symposium andwww.paragonragtime.comThis is the second of a two-part conversation.

Rick Benjamin, Founder, Artistic Director & Conductor of theParagon Ragtime Orchestra, speaking about his decades-longwork recording with and leading the PRO, in anticipation of a newalbum titled, "Meet Me at the Fair: Sounds from the Great AmericanWorld's Fairs" and a concert of that music on Friday, October 17, 2025,at 7:30 pm in Stretansky Concert Hall on the campus of SusquehannaUniversity in Selinsgrove. The performance is part of the inauguralSymposium on Historic American Music at Susquehanna, Oct 16 - 18, 2025.For more information: susqu.edu/symposium andwww.paragonragtime.comThis is the first of a two-part conversation.

Matthew Rupcich, Music Director & Conductor of the Arcadia Chorale,speaking about the opening concert of the 2025-26 season:"Echoes from the Cathedrals: Sacred Sounds of Western Europe."Performances: Saturday, October 11 at 7:30 pm atSt. Stephen's Episcopal Pro-Cathedral, 35 S. Franklin Street indowntown Wilkes-Barre; and Sunday, October 12 at 4:00 pm atthe First Presbyterian Church, 300 School Street in Clarks Summit.Organist Christopher Johnson, Director of Music at CovenantPresbyterian Church, will be a featured guest.For more information: www.arcadiachorale.org/

Andrea Simon, author, editor and photographer, speaking abouther writing life and three of her books: Floating in the Neversink,Esfir is Alive, and Bashert: A Granddaughter's Holocaust Quest.She has a new book titled, Did You Have the Life You Wanted?For more information: www.andreasimon.net/

Justin Costello, director, & Marcie Riebe, stage manager/actor, speaking about the production of "Subtle Bodies" by Clive Barker at Actors Circle, October 9, 10, 11 & 12,2025, at Providence Playhouse, 1256 Providence Road in Scranton. Shows Thursday,Friday & Saturday at 7:00 pm; Sunday at 2:00. For more information:www.actorscircle.com/ & reservations can be made at 570-342-9707. The show is suggested for mature audiences.

Award-winning organist Jason Roberts, Director of Music Ministries at Blessed Sacrament in NYC, speaking about his visit to Scranton to perform as part of the "Music to Feed the Soul" Concert Series at Covenant Presbyterian Church on Friday, October 3rd, 2025, at7:00 pm. The concert is free but an offering will be taken to support the Dr. Jane MartinMusic Endowment. Covenant Church is located at Madison Avenue & Olive Street, andfor more information: www.covenantscranton.org/

Hannah Beaudry, Director of Institutional Partnerships at the NEPA Philharmonic,speaking about the orchestra's first Battle of the Bands, inviting bands of any genre tocompete for a chance to win $5000 in cash and an opportunity to perform with theNEPA Philharmonic in the 2026-2027 season. There will be a panel of judges, including Music Director/Conductor Melisse Brunet. The deadline to apply is October 11, 2025. The finalists will be announced on November 7, and those 15 will perform on January 31, 2026 at Mohegan PA. For information: www.nepaphil.org/

Elizabeth Powers, Adjunct Professor at King's College & Director of the Fall 2025 production of "Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really" by Kate Hamill at the George P. Maffei ll Theatre on the King's campus, 133 N. River Street in Wilkes-Barre.Shows October 2 and 3 at 7:30 pm; October 4 at 2:00 and 10:00 pm, and October 5at 2:00 pm. https://www.onthestage.tickets/kings-college-theatre/or by phone at (570) 208-5828.

Julie Esty, founder & artistic director of the Dearly Departed Players, and Roger Mattes,a member of the troupe, speaking about the 2025 Dunmore Cemetery Tour taking place October 5th and 12th at 2:00 pm on the grounds in Dunmore PA. The tour is free and lasts 2 hours and walking shoes are recommended. For more information: Facebook.com/TheDunmoreCemeteryTour/

Resident Artists/Ensemble Members Amy Rene Byrne, Kimmie Muroya& Aaron White, actors in the cast of "The 39 Steps" adapted by PatrickBarlow from the novel by John Buchan & the film by Alfred Hitchcock,running at the Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center Street in downtownBloomsburg October 2, 3, 4, & 5; October 9, 10, 11, &12, 2025.Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3:00 pm.www.bte.org/

Ty Kim, Emmy Award-Winning filmmaker and director of the recent documentary titled, "Earl." The film tells the story of the life and music of the distinguished 20th composer and educator who retired from Harvard University in 1990 and died in 1998. Earl studied with Arnold Schoenberg and Ernest Bloch and taught Paul Salerni and John Harbison, award-winning composers in their own right. Earl Kim's association with writer Samuel Beckett is explored in the film as well as Earl's service during World War II. We hear in this feature Dr. Salerni's memories of Earl Kim as his teacher & mentor, as well. The documentary has been screened internationally and has won a number of prizes. For more information: earlkimcomposer.com

Bill O'Boyle, Member of the Steering Committee of the Luzerne CountyArts & Entertainment Hall of Fame, and columnist & staff writer for theTimes Leader, speaking about the 2025 Induction Ceremony takingplace on Saturday, October 4th, at the F.M. Kirby Center on PublicSquare in downtown Wilkes-Barre. There is a special VIPreception at 5:00 and tickets should be purchased by 5:00 pm onMonday, September 29th. There are still general admissiontickets available--doors opening at 6:30 with showtime at 7:30 pm.You can find information on Facebook and at kirbycenter.org/We heard briefly in the prologue from Heather Sincavage, Directorof the Sordoni Art Gallery at Wilkes University.