YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – An opening reception for the “America 250: The Art, Culture and History of Joseph G. Butler Jr.” exhibition will take place Thursday, March 26, at The Butler Institute of American Art.

The event will start at 5:30 p.m. with refreshments in Beecher Court. A panel discussion of the exhibition will take place from 6-7 p.m. in the Zona Auditorium. The panelists will be Joseph Lambert Jr., Paul Rohrbaugh, Dante Bernard and Traci Manning. Larry Jones, interim director of the museum, will be the moderator.

The art exhibition revisits the museum’s inaugural show, which was curated by Joseph G. Butler. It will explore how early American art helped shape ideas of what it meant to be American. 

Classic Rock Band Kansas Coming to Robins

WARREN, Ohio – Kansas, a rock band that had a string of hits in the 1970s and ’80s, will come to the Robins Theatre on July 11 for a 7:30 p.m. concert.

The act’s hits include “Carry On Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind.”

Tickets will go on sale Friday at RobinsTheatre.com and at the box office, 160 E. Market St.

Under Contract for Building, Loop Receives Grant

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Loop Youngstown has received a $10,000 grant from the Rick Shale Fund, CFMV Arts and Culture Fund and the Charles and Priscilla Latham Memorial Fund, component funds of the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley.

The grant will support daily operations as Loop works to open a new art space that will include studios, workshops, exhibitions and community programs. Loop is currently under contract to purchase the building at 805 Mahoning Ave. for this purpose.

“The support from these endowments that memorialize some of our dearest community members is an incredible honor,” said Karen Schubert, Loop board chair. 

The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley awards grants through a competitive application and review process.
Loop Youngstown is a nonprofit dedicated to incubating arts and artists in the greater-Youngstown area.

Readings by Poets for Lit Youngstown

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Readings by poets Sean Thomas Dougherty of Erie, Pa., and Ben Gulyas of Cleveland will take place at Lit Youngstown’s First Wednesday gathering at 7 p.m. April 1 at Westside Bowl, 2617 Mahoning Ave.

Erin Stubbs will co-host the event, which will be followed by an open-mic session.

The First Wednesday reading in May will feature historian Ben Lariccia of Youngstown and novelist Abby Vandiver of Cleveland.

Lit Youngstown is a literary arts nonprofit with programs for writers, readers and those who love a good story. More information is available at LitYoungstown.org. 

Women’s Association Plans Spring Tea

COLUMBIANA, Ohio – The Columbiana Women’s Association will present Spring Tea at 1 p.m. April 18 at its headquarters, 121 N. Main St.

Hosted by area tea house aficionado Pat Keylor, the event will feature sandwiches, sweet treats and spring decor.

Space is limited, and RSVPs are required. Call 330 692 2099. The cost is $25 per person (cash or check payable to Columbiana Women’s Club).

Pictured at top: The Butler Institute of American Art.