Arts Fest, Jazz Concert and More Fill a Busy Weekend Downtown
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Downtown will be where it’s at this weekend, with the Summer Festival of the Arts taking over Wean Park.
Adding to the excitement will be the monthly Youngstown Flea maker and artisan market, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Summerfest, the Youngstown Wine and Jazz Fest, and a boxing card at Penguin City Brewing.
The centerpiece, of course, is the arts festival, which is presented by Youngstown State University and JAC Management. The event, which takes place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., features a juried marketplace of over 70 regional and national artists showing and selling their work.
There is also nonstop entertainment of a decidedly artsy flavor on two stages. Featured acts include The Labra Brothers and the Franchize Band, as well as theater and dance performances by Ballet Western Reserve, Trumbull New Theatre, Opera Western Reserve, Millennial Theatre Company, and the Mahoning Valley Players.
The Labra Brothers – the popular Youngstown-based rock band with a Latin flair, will bring the festival to a close, performing from 3-5 p.m. Sunday.
For a printable schedule of all performances, click HERE.
The Wine and Jazz Festival will be 7 p.m. Saturday at Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, with headliner Four80East and featuring the homecoming performance of Sharon Rae North. General admission tickets are $10 and reserved tickets are $25. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com. Click HERE for information.
The St. Nicholas Summerfest begins today and runs through Sunday at the church grounds, 220 N. Walnut St., just a few blocks from Wean Park. For hours and information, click HERE.
The SFA is family friendly and has hands-on art tent where children are encouraged to create pieces of artwork under the guidance of two professional art teachers.
Eight of the six-foot tall Canfield Fair roosters from the “Flock to the Fairgrounds” project will be on display during the two-day event.
In addition, flags created as part of “The Wishing Flag Project,” a public art project, will be on display.
The Ward Beecher Planetarium on YSU’s campus will return with five free shows on Saturday, July 9, beginning at noon, and then at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Numerous arts, culture, religious and community groups will join the festivities either on-site in a booth or at their home locations. On-site groups include Stambaugh Auditorium, DeYor Performing Arts Center, Youngstown Symphony, Opera Western Reserve, Youngstown Playhouse, Youngstown CityScape, YSU Honors College, Lit Youngstown, St. John’s Episcopal Church, YWCA Mahoning Valley, League of Women Voters of Greater Youngstown, Citizens’ Climate Lobby – Mahoning Valley Chapter, The Columbiana Cultural Collective, The Squeaky Wheel Theatre Co., Jewish Community Center/Arts & Culture, The Montessori School of the Mahoning Valley, Unitarian Universalist Church, WYSU-FM, SMARTS, Vista AST, Hopewell Theatre, Millennial Theatre Company, Eastern Gateway Community College, Oakland Center for the Arts: Kids First Theatre Initiative, YSU Campus Recreation/Athletics, Junior League of the Mahoning Valley, Ballet Western Reserve, YSU Fashion and Interiors Department, Trumbull New Theatre, the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, and the YSU Bookstore.
Others participating at their home locations include The Butler Institute of American Art, (children’s activities both days); McDonough Museum of Art, YWCA 40th Annual Women Artists Show, Art House on Elm, Trinity United Methodist Church, Tyler History Center and Arms Museum, (Buy one-get one admission, both days at both locations); Oh Wow Science Center, Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor-Steel Museum (Free admission on Saturday); Soap Gallery and the dozens of restaurants, bars and shops located in downtown Youngstown.
Some special events coinciding with the weekend include the Friends of the Library book sale at the Main Library on Saturday, July 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Youngstown Music Teachers Association will present a student recital at 11 a.m. Saturday at Trinity United Methodist Church, 30 W. Front St. A patriotic sing-along sponsored by the American Guild of Organists will follow at 1 p.m. at the church.
For information on Youngstown Flea, click HERE:
Saturday’s amateur boxing card at Penguin City Brewing’s event center, 460 E. Federal St.., sponsored by the brewery and Southside Boxing Club, will feature 12 bouts. General admission tickets will be sold at the door and are also available in advance by calling 330 501 5713.
For a complete schedule of all events taking place around the Valley this weekend and beyond, check out The List.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
