The Update | Free Comic Book Day; Project Mayhem at Stadium; Baby Animals at MetroParks Farm

Several Mahoning and Shenango valley shops will participate in the annual Free Comic Book Day event on Saturday, May 7.

They will join with comics shops nationwide in giving away books specially made for this day by all of the major publishers, including Marvel, DC, Image Valiant and Dark Horse. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At All-American Cards and Comics in downtown Warren and Boardman, guests are invited to to browse and pick up free comics. The stores will give away over 2,000 books. Local artists will be set up at both locations to sell their creations.

Guests at either All-American shop can enter a raffle that day to win a copy of the recent and rare Avengers-Justice League crossover collection. The shops are at 161 W. Market St., Warren; and 52 Boardman Canfield Road, Boardman.

The limited-edition Avengers-JLA crossover series was published in 2003 and re-released this year. It was the last time the two companies ever cooperated on a crossover. The re-release honors George Perez, who created the art for the crossover.

Pérez is a founding member of the board of directors of the Hero Initiative, a charitable organization that assists comics creators with medical and other quality-of-life expenses. His long and storied career included stints at both Marvel and DC Comics, during which his work redefined characters like Wonder Woman, the Avengers, and the Teen Titans. In December, Pérez announced that he has pancreatic cancer and that he will forgo radiation therapy in favor of spending his limited time with loved ones.

Other local stores taking part in Free Comics Day include Liberty Comics, 5474 Mahoning Ave., Austintown; Watchtower Heroes, 6 S. Main St., Columbiana; and Bennie’s, 462 Sharpsville Ave., Sharon, Pa.

For information, go to freecomicbookday.com.

High School Rock Orchestra in Outdoor Concert

BOARDMAN, Ohio – For the first time in its 15-year history, Boardman High School’s rock orchestra Project Mayhem will hold an encore performance.

It will take place at 8 p.m. Friday, June 3 at Spartan Stadium. The crowd is expected to be Project Mayhem’s biggest.

Tickets are $10 (general admission) and available at the high school’s main entrance on school days between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

There will be seating in the home stands and blanket-only lawn seats on the field. 

The two-hour concert will combine the talents of Project Mayhem with vocals by students in a Trans-Siberian Orchestra-style performance. 

MetroParks Farm Baby Animal Shower

CANFIELD, Ohio – Mill Creek MetroParks will present its annual Farm Animal Baby Shower at the MetroParks Farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road, on Saturday, May 7.

The free, family-oriented event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests will see the new arrivals at the MetroParks Farm, including goats, piglets, calves, chicks, alpacas, a peacock and more. There will also be mother animals who are still expecting.

Mahoning County Junior Fair participants will  be on site with their animals and available to share their knowledge. Mill Creek MetroParks merchandise, tractor wagon rides, cones with feed for animal feedings, concession trailers and drinks will be available for purchase. Credit cards are accepted, cash preferred for tractor wagon rides and animal feeding. Parking is free on-site with additional free parking available across the street at the Canfield Fairgrounds.   

 The barns at the MetroParks Farm are currently open for the season to the public for viewing the animals daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with extended hours until 6 p.m. from June to October. 

 For information, call 330 702 3000 or go to www.millcreekmetroparks.org.

Comedy Night at The Confluence

NEW CASTLE, Pa. –The Confluence coffee shop downtown will present a comedy show by Slapstick Productions of Pittsburgh on Saturday, May 7, at 7:30 p.m.

Standup comedy performers will include nationally known John Evans of Los Angeles.
The lineup will also include Pittsburgh’s Suzanne Lawrence and host David Kaye.

Tickets are $25 and must be purchased in advance at confluencecoffee.org or at the shop, 214 E. Washington St., downtown. Tickets can also be purchased by phone at 724 698 7604.

Guests must be at least 21 years old for this PG-13 show.

Beer and wine will be available for purchase as well as select items from VentiSei Wine Bar and pizzeria.

Millennial Theatre Sets ‘Grease’ Auditions

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Auditions for Millennial Theatre Company’s production of “Grease” will take place May 12 and 13 from 6-9 p.m., and May 14 from noon to 3 p.m., at The Youngstown Playhouse.

Rehearsals will begin May 23. All performers must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by the first day of rehearsals. Those who have received their two-dose vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) more than six months ago will be required to get a booster shot. Those who have received their one dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson) will be required to receive a second dose. Proof of vaccination will be required before the first rehearsal. 

The show will be performed July 29-31 and August 5-7 at The Youngstown Playhouse with rehearsals running Monday-Friday from 6-9 p.m. The show is being directed by Joe Asente, with music direction by Anthony Ruggiero and choreography by Aubrie Morrison.

Auditioners (ages 16 and up) should prepare a 30- to 60-second cut of a song in the style of the show. An accompanist will be provided. There will also be a cold read from the script. Please come dressed comfortably and prepared to learn a short dance combination. Dancers interested in non-singing roles are also welcome and will only be asked to complete the dance portion of the audition (no reading or singing necessary). All roles are open. Non-union, unpaid.

Casino Fundraiser for Walnut Grove

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Walnut Grove, the Valley’s Iinclusive and accessible playground facility, will present its annual fundraiser, Casino Royale, on May 21 at The Maronite Center.

The event includes casino-style gaming, open bar, basket raffles, dancing, and more. Tickets are $100 per person and sponsorships are still available. To purchase, contact Shar Fabiill at 330.347.5981 or email [email protected]. Deadline to purchase tickets is May 7.

Youth Orchestra Presents Spring Concert

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Seventy area middle and high school students in the Youngstown State University Youth Orchestra, under the direction of Michael S. Butler and Richard Smrek, will perform their spring concert on Monday, May 9, 7at :30 p.m. at Stambaugh Auditorium, 1000 Fifth Ave.

Tickets are $5 (free for children under 12 and those with a valid YSU ID) and are available at www.stambaughauditorium.com or at the door.

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