COLUMBIANA, Ohio – The locally made film “Brier Hill” will get its fourth screening at 5 p.m. Feb. 15 at Columbiana Arts Theatre.

The film was written and directed by Jimmy Taaffe of Struthers. It takes place in the Mafia-riddled late 1970s in the Brier Hill neighborhood of Youngstown.

Go to AtTheCat.com to purchase tickets. All seats are general admission.

Free Lecture on Ohio Originals

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio –  Traci Manning will lecture on “Firsts and Originals: From the First Peoples and Pilots to Entrepreneurs and Artists” at noon Jan. 15 at the Tyler History Center, 325 W. Federal St., downtown.

Admission is free.

Manning is the curator of education for the Mahoning Valley Historical Society.

River Rock at the Amp, 717 Credit Card

WARREN, Ohio – The River Rock at the Amp concert series and 717 Credit Union are offering a Visa credit card.

To apply, go to any 717 branch or the Sunrise Inn in downtown Warren, or click HERE.

River Rock at the Amp concerts take place at the Warren Community Amphitheatre every summer.

Every time a holder uses the credit card, 717 will donate $7.17 to the amphitheater.

The card has no annual fee and a 7.17% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers.

Ceramic Art Exhibition at Westminster

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – “If I Could,” an exhibition of ceramic vessels and figurative sculpture by artist Leah Sydney, will open Jan. 12 at Westminster College’s Foster Art Gallery and run through Feb. 6.

A gallery reception and artist talk will take place from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. Jan. 15.

Leah Sydney stands near her ceramic art.

A ceramic sculptor from Youngstown, Ohio, Sydney is a graduate of Youngstown State University. Inspired by African and Black American culture, her work uses three-dimensional forms that invite deeper connection.

“If I Could” features hand-built ceramic vessels and large-scale figurative sculptures that explore themes of race, identity and personal history. The vessels often function as proxies for the human body, while the figures personify hidden emotions.   

In her artist statement, Sydney reflects on imagining a world free from “White supremacy” and reclaiming dignity through material and form. 

Foster Art Gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and is located in Patterson Hall, adjacent to Orr Auditorium.

Winter Writing Camp by Lit Youngstown

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Lit Youngstown’s ninth annual winter writing camp will take place Feb. 28 at the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County’s Main Library, 305 Wick Ave. Admission is free.

The daylong camp offers writing activities led by regional writers and has dedicated tracks for youths and adults, with no experience necessary. 

Children in kindergarten and first grade require an adult with them throughout the day, and children under age 10 require an adult in the building. Adult campers can select sessions on writing memoir, fiction or poetry and learn more about publishing. 

This year’s workshop leaders are Christopher Barzak, John Burroughs, Russell Brickey, JRW Case, Meghan Cliffel, Makenna Liller Dahman, Bella Davis, Teresa Leone, Isabella Moreno, Trennae Roe, Abby Vandiver, Shaunda Yancey and Kara M. Zone.

Registration is required and closes Feb. 1 or when all seats are filled. Go to LitYoungstown.org. The event includes a lunch catered by Aladdin’s Eatery.   

That ’70s Rock Show Coming to Robins Theatre 

WARREN, Ohio – That ’70s Rock Show will come to the Robins Theatre on March 27 for a 7:30 p.m. concert.
The act performs classic rock from the 1970s.

Tickets can be purchased at RobinsTheatre.com and the theater box office, 160 E. Market St.

Gutchies for Kids Program Seeks Donations

NEW CASTLE, Pa. – The annual Gutchies for Kids program, which collects and distributes underwear for needy students in all Lawrence County districts, is now accepting donations.

The drive is seeking underwear, socks, pajamas and long underwear in all sizes, from  size 4 to 3X. Several drop-off sites are accepting items, including Connerly’s Cleaners, Challenges Options in Aging, People in Need, Berkshire Hathaway Services-New Wilmington and United Way of Lawrence County. 

Organizations, churches, clubs and businesses that would like to participate can call the United Way at 724 658 8528 or go to the agency’s website.

‘Postscript’ Art Show Seeks Entries

BOARDMAN, Ohio – The Davis Family YMCA’s annual “Postscript” hybrid art show is seeking submissions.

Artists accepted in the juried show have the option of donating a postcard-size piece of their art that will be offered for sale to benefit the ARTreach program.
Pieces must be submitted as a 4-inch-by-6-inch piece. Each entry is $25, and the price drops to $20 if the piece is donated. The postcards will be matted and presented for sale at varying prices. While the juried show is limited to adults, anyone of any age can donate a postcard-size piece.
Pieces must be dropped off at the Davis Family YMCA, 45 McClurg Road, from 2-5 p.m. Jan. 23 or 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 24.

Donated pieces must accompany entered pieces. Those donating without entering the juried show can drop off an original 4-inch-by-6-inch postcard at the desk or mail it directly to Suzanne Gray via the Davis Family YMCA. Labels must be attached to the back of each piece, and an entry form has to be filled out.

The show is open to all adults in the tri-county area. The works must be original pieces. All family-friendly, two-dimensional and small three-dimensional pieces will be accepted. Two-dimensional art must be framed and wired, ready to hang.
For information, contact Gray at sgray@youngstownymca.org.

SALEM, Ohio – Four Salem businesses are teaming up with the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce for a Valentine’s Day raffle to benefit the chamber’s Gallery of Art.

The winner will receive dinner for two from Coaches Burger Bar, an assortment of chocolates from Heggy’s Confectionery, a fresh floral arrangement from The Flower Loft and shopping at Olive & Ivy Boutique.

Tickets are $10 each or three for $20 and can be purchased by Feb. 9 at The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, Olive & Ivy and The Flower Loft. The drawing will be held Feb. 11.

Pictured at top: Pete Lucic and John D’Andrea in a scene from “Brier Hill.”