NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – Chris Mann of NBC’s “The Voice” and the Broadway musical “The Phantom of the Opera” will perform a concert of Tony Bennett songs at 7:30 p.m. March 29 in Orr Auditorium on the Westminster College campus.

Mann’s debut album, “Roads,” rose to No. 1 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart and appeared on the Billboard Top 200 and iTunes charts. His sophomore release, “Constellation,” followed suit, also topping the charts.

The singer gained a global audience with his 2012 performance on “The Voice,” which was watched by a record-breaking 37.6 million viewers. Mann then starred in his own concert and holiday TV specials for PBS and later toured North America and Asia.

He was personally cast by Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber as the Phantom in “The Phantom of the Opera’s 25th anniversary tour in 2015. He played the role for two years and over 700 shows.

During his career, he has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra, headlined at The John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and sang in New York City’s famed Christmas in Rockefeller Center concert.

Tickets can be purchased online HERE or by contacting the Celebrity Series box office at 724 946 7354.

Tony Armeni Sculpture Is Raffle Prize

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – A unique sculptural birdbath by Youngstown steel artist Tony Armeni is the prize of Lit Youngstown’s annual fundraising raffle.

The winner will receive delivery and installation (local) or shipping to anywhere in the continental U.S.

The winning ticket will be drawn July 13 during the 2025 Summer Festival of the Arts. Tickets are two for $5; proceeds will be split between the artist and Lit Youngstown. Tickets can be purchased online HERE or at any Lit Youngstown event.

Armeni has been an artist and educator in Youngstown for more than 30 years. His work evokes Youngstown’s steelmaking history. 

Marketing Workshop for Local Authors 

ASHTBULA, Ohio – A marketing workshop for authors on how to make the most of a book event will take place from 1-2:30 p.m. March 29 at Pretty Good Books, 4535 Main Ave.

Presented by Nancy Christie, author of 10 books including “Rut-Busting Book for Writers” and “Rut-Busting Book for Authors,” the workshop will include tips and strategies to help authors make the most of their book signing and reading events. Christie will cover how to promote the event, what authors should bring to the event and how to interact effectively with store patrons without using a hard-sell approach.

The cost is $20 per person, with the first five attendees receiving a free copy of Christie’s book “Rut-Busting Book for Writers.” Space is limited, so advance registration is recommended. Christie will sign copies of her books after the workshop.

For information or to register, contact Joe at 440 858 1420.

Lecture on Isaly’s, Good Humor and Arby’s 

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Tom Welsh, a local author, artist and historian, will give a lecture on “Isaly’s, the Good Humor Bar, and Arby’s” at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 22, at the Denny’s restaurant meeting room, 4020 Belmont Ave., as part of the William Holmes McGuffey Historical Society’s Memories of a Lifetime series.

Admission is $15 ($10 for members), and includes refreshments and live entertainment. A 50/50 raffle will benefit the WHMHS education mission. Reservations are suggested. Walk-ins will be admitted based upon seat availability.

For reservations or information, call 330 726 8277.

The talk will focus on the three Mahoning Valley food companies whose products were distributed nationwide.

Student Art Exhibition at McDonough Museum

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The 88th annual juried student art and design exhibition will open Friday, March 21, at the McDonough Museum of Art with an awards ceremony at 5 p.m. 

The exhibition, which will run through April 4, is sponsored by the Youngstown State University art department, the McDonough and the Student Art Association at YSU.

The show is a tradition that features works by students who have taken art classes at YSU during the current academic year.  

Award categories include ceramics, photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, digital media and graphic and interactive design. 

Sidney Mullis, a Pittsburgh-based sculptor, is the juror for the exhibition.  

The McDonough Museum, 525 Wick Ave., is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.

YSU Music Students Earn Top Honors

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Two students from Youngstown State University’s Dana School of Music have earned top honors at regional music competitions, advancing to higher levels of competition.

Erika Walker claimed first place in her category at the National Association of Teachers of Singing Great Lakes regional auditions. With this achievement, Walker has qualified to compete at the NATS National Competition, where she will represent both YSU and the Great Lakes region.

Laura Bowden has been selected as one of three individuals in her division to advance to the final round of the collegiate division at the Central Ohio Flute Association Competition. Bowden will now prepare a 20-minute recital for the final round of competition.

Pictured at top: Chris Mann will come to Westminster College on March 29.