YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – “Summer begins with a song,” said Eric Ryan, president of JAC Management.

It’s the tagline he’s using to tout the lineup of concerts, festivals, movies and other events coming to the city’s downtown venues.

JAC Management operates the three city-owned facilities: Covelli Centre, the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre and Wean Park.

Ryan is launching an initiative to spread the word that downtown is the place to go for big-league entertainment during the warm-weather months. He wants to encourage Mahoning Valley residents “to celebrate the season with live music and community gatherings.”

A blitz of commercials and ads will be deployed to show people what they’re missing out on.

Downtown is still hopping with activity, Ryan said.

He has  a two-word suggestion for people who don’t believe it.

“Show up,” he said. “The narrative that there isn’t a lot going on downtown is wrong. Don’t pay attention to the naysayers.”

The downtown area has been trying to get back to the level of activity enjoyed a few years ago, when bars and restaurants were busy every weekend and packed before and after concerts.

The pandemic, followed by street reconstruction projects and the Realty Tower explosion, delivered a blow to the city center, and most bars and restaurants continue to struggle.

The city recently enacted a Dora  – designated outdoor refreshment area – in the downtown nightlife district that allows folks to take their drinks outside. It helps visitors keep the party going as they walk from bar to bar and to the amphitheater.

This year’s lineup of concerts includes 11 national touring acts – which is more than usual – in a variety of genres, according to Ryan. Concertgoers can arrive early for dinner or drinks and then walk to the show.

Most bars are also open after the concerts.

The biggest draw of the summer – as always – will be the Y-Live concert Sept. 27 in Wean Park, which will feature country superstar Tim McGraw as the headliner. The Y-Live concerts typically draw about 20,000 people.

The Amp opened for the season a few weekends ago with three concerts: A sold-out show by country artist Riley Green on May 29; classic rocker Lita Ford with The Vindys on May 31; and another packed house for Coheed and Cambria, and Mastodon, on June 1.

The remaining amphitheater concerts on the schedule are:

  • June 28: I Want My ’80s tour, with Rick Springfield, John Waite, Wang Chung and Paul Young.
  • July 12: Jazz and Wine Festival, featuring Lindsey Webster.
  • Aug. 12: Train (pop rock), with Edwin McCain.
  • Aug. 17: Alice Cooper, the rock legend.
  • Sept. 17: Mudvayne (metal).
  • Sept 18: Lee Brice (country).
  • Sept. 20: Cody Jinks (outlaw country and Americana).

Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com and the Covelli Centre box office.

The first big nonmusic event of the summer was the Simply Slavic Festival, which took place at The Amp last weekend. 

Other festivals, free movies and other events on the schedule for the rest of summer include:

  • June 21-22: Juneteenth, Community Alley, between The Amp and Wean Park.
  • June 23: “Beetlejuice” movie screening, Wean Park.
  • June 30: “Iron Man” movie screening, Wean Park.
  • July 4: Fireworks and Food Trucks, Wean Park.
  • July 11: “Wicked” movie screening, Wean Park.
  • July 14: “Goosebumps” movie screening, Wean Park.
  • July 20: Color Run event, Wean Park.
  • July 28: “Happy Gilmore” movie screening, Wean Park.
  • Aug. 4: “The Wild Robot” movie screening, Wean Park.
  • Aug. 11: “Monsters Inc.” movie screening, Wean Park.
  • Aug. 15: “Crazy Stupid Love” movie screening, Wean Park.
  • Aug. 24: Panerathon, Covelli Centre.
  • Sept. 14: Oh Wow! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology’s Silly Science Fair, Wean Park.

Pictured at top: Fans are enthralled at the June 1 concert by Coheed and Cambria at The Amp.