Is Wilkes-Barre’s Irem Temple Next On The Demolition List?

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WILKES-BARRE, PA — At some point something has to be done with the Irem Temple, and Rick Williams and others hope it’s not torn down like the nearby Hotel Sterling.

Last week demolition crews razed a good portion of the rear of the hotel.

They’re moving to the North River Street side today to continue to reduce the landmark structure to rubble.  The hotel opened in 1898, and nine years later, the temple, designed in Moorish revival architecture complete with four minarets and dome, was completed on North Franklin Street.

Like the hotel, it’s been vacant for years, and architect Rick Williams fears its brick walls could be bashed to pieces by the steel buckets and blades of excavators, like those leveling the hotel.

Read more:  http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/707441/Is-the-Irem-Temple-next

Job/Volunteer Fair – Steel River Playhouse In Pottstown

Steel River Playhouse, is holding a Job and Volunteer Fair on Sunday, July 28th from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Monday, July 29th from 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM.  Interested candidates will have the opportunity to learn about open positions, meet with Steel River’s leadership, and tour the facility.

Paid and stipend positions include Education Coordinator, Music Coordinator, Tech Director, Concessions/Retail Manager, Stage and Music Directors, Production Designers (e.g., sets, costumes, lighting, sound, props, hair and makeup), and Stage Managers. Instructors of music, voice, and acting are also encouraged to apply for future positions that are expected to become available.  Adults and students from middle school age on up can explore a host of volunteer learning and social opportunities in virtually every area of the performing arts center.  High school and college students are also eligible to sign up for internship opportunities to satisfy their volunteer or external learning requirements. Some examples of volunteer opportunities include:

Technical theater (set construction and painting, costuming, lighting and sound operation, props, hair and make-up)

Stage management and backstage run crew

Production Assistants

House management and ushers

Music support, especially piano accompaniment

Riser moves, maintenance and repairs

Administrative support (such as receptionist, phone support, filing, photocopying)

Software and data entry/utilization

Concession and retail sales

Box office

Education support/teacher aides

Event planning and hosting

Fundraising

Marketing and public relations (including social media)

Graphic design

Literary analysis and dramaturgy

Candidates for paid and stipend positions may sign up for initial interview slots ahead of time by contacting marta@steelriver.org or are welcome to request an interview slot on the day of their visit. Additional interviews may be scheduled at other times for those who are not available during the Job and Volunteer Fair.  Department representatives will also be on hand to meet with volunteer candidates to provide information and answer questions.

Steel River also welcomes area performers to visit during the Job and Volunteer Fair to learn more about Steel River’s mission and facilities.  A variety of audition opportunities and instrumental openings are available for the upcoming season.  Come learn about sharing your talent with the community.

JOB DESCRIPTIONS:

Concessions & Retail Manager

Education Coordinator

Music Coordinator

technical director

Millersville University Unveils $26 Million Arts Center

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Lancaster County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Millersville University music student Brian Doherty remembers the time — think last year — when he had to scrounge to find an open space to practice drums.

Now, he and the other 130 music department majors at MU have a choice of 17 practice modules where the 4-inch-thick steel walls mean that Doherty can bang away and not disturb a violin player mere feet away.

“This is a blessing right here,” the senior from Mechanicsburg said Sunday of the Charles R. and Anita B. Winter Visual and Performing Arts Center during an open house to introduce the $26 million facility to the public.

The three-year project has produced a complex of cutting-edge performance, concert and recital halls built around a renovated Lyte Auditorium, which had hosted the university’s major cultural offerings since 1949.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/757166_Millersville-University-unveils–26-million-arts-center.html#ixzz29NeJs74S

Musikfest Braces For Better Year After Record Loss

Musikfest was preparing to hit a high note last year, introducing the 10-day party of music and food to south Bethlehem at its ambitious new SteelStacks campus.

But rain doused the festival for six days, flooding the Monocacy Creek and closing down nearby venues on the north side. The festival lost $750,000 — triple the amount of its worst year since it began 28 years ago.

The deficit came in the very year its nonprofit organizer, ArtsQuest, could least afford it because of the uncertainty that came with launching its performing arts center at SteelStacks. The loss from Musikfest, which provides half the nonprofit’s revenue, pushed ArtsQuest into a $1 million operating loss, more than 5 percent of its budget.

So, as Musikfest opens Friday evening, its financial performance is stealing some of the spotlight.

Read more:  http://www.mcall.com/news/local/musikfest/mc-bethlehem-musikfest-preview-20120802,0,7463125.story

Sound Advice Given To Business Owners At Lansdale’s Community Action Network Meeting

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The Community Action Network is a new organization in Lansdale and Thursday was their first meeting.  Lansdale is revitalizing their downtown and organizing merchants.  The Community Action Network is part of the process.

Former Ambler Main Street Manager, Bernadette Dougherty addressed 50 Lansdale business owners and offered some great advice.   This advice could be applied to any town in America!

Here are Bernadette’s pearls of wisdom:

Let people know your town is organized and open for business.

Stores need to be open for business.  Many stores close too early and do not stay open during special events that take place downtown.

Business owners need to attend council meetings!

In Lansdale’s case, they need to get their performing arts center reopened!  She stressed this was “critical” for Lansdale.  (Some towns should feel fortunate they have a performing arts center that is alive and well and should 110% support the arts!)

Business owners should stand in front of their store and see what the public sees.  If it is not exciting to you then it will not be to your current or prospective customers either!

The Community Action Network is asking for business owners to commit to one hour a month to make this work!  We wish Lansdale much success!