On September 19, 2026, the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts celebrated 40 years of operation.
This special celebration included nods from downtown Wilkes-Barre neighbors like Circles on the Square, Abide Coffeehouse, and Franklin’s, in addition to a beautiful special section in the Times Leader. The page-one story of that Times Leader section can be read here!
WNEP reporter Melissa Steininger also produced a video package ahead of the anniversary that can be viewed here, while WBRE produced their own great nod to the Kirby at 40.
In the podcast medium, ArtScene with Erika Funke spoke with Director of Marketing Neil Prisco about the anniversary and the September 19 premiere of “The Diamond of Downtown” documentary. Neil and Executive Director Joell Yarmel also appeared on WILK’s The Sue Henry Show to talk about the documentary and milestone anniversary
Thank you to everyone who made the F.M. Kirby Center’s 40th anniversary special.
