BOARDMAN, Ohio – Project Mayhem, the rock orchestra of Boardman High School, will present its annual concert at 7 p.m. Friday, March 28, at Boardman Performing Arts Center, 7777 Glenwood Ave.

The rock project, directed by Bill Amendol, started in 2006 and continues to grow each year. The 45 students in Project Mayhem are selected by auditions and practice year-round after school. “It’s a labor of love that allows them to be rock stars on our performing arts center stage,” Amendol said.

The two-hour performance features a laser light show. Tickets are $10 and available at the main entrance door (No. 1) of Boardman High School between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Simply Slavic Festival Names Grand Marshal

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Laurel Tombazzi has been named the grand marshal of the 2025 Simply Slavic festival.

Tombazzi is known for her tireless efforts to preserve and promote Eastern European heritage across Ohio and beyond. A Carpatho-Rusyn and Hungarian American, she is the founder and chairperson of the Eastern European Congress of Ohio, an organization dedicated to recognizing and uniting Ohio residents of Eastern European descent.

Under her leadership, the Ohio Commission on Eastern European Affairs was created in 2023.

As a young performer, she danced with the Kruzhok Ensemble and later founded and directed the Karpato-Rus Ensemble. She received the Freedom Award from the American Nationalities Movement in 2023.

For the past 12 years, she has served as the master of ceremonies for the Simply Slavic Festival, which takes place every June in downtown Youngstown.

The festival is now accepting applications for food and merchandise vendors for the 2025 festival. This is an opportunity for businesses, artisans and community organizations to showcase their Slavic-inspired cuisine, handcrafted goods and cultural merchandise to thousands of people. For information, email info@simplyslavic.org.

Ballet Western Reserve to Present ‘Snow White’

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Ballet Western Reserve will present “Snow White and the Dancing Dwarfs” at 3 p.m. May 17 at Ford Family Recital Hall, downtown.

The performance is part of its annual Spring Gala, which showcases all students.

Tickets are available for purchase at ExperienceYourArts.org or by calling the box office at 330 259 9651. Discounted tickets for groups of 12 or more are available.

Fitness Expert to Give Free Presentations

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Fitness expert Jim White, a Struthers native, will return to the Mahoning Valley on Thursday to give two free talks.

In recognition of National Nutrition Month, White will give a lecture titled “Investing in Your Health” at 11 a.m. at the Davis Family YMCA in Boardman. At 5:30 p.m., he will discuss “The Future of Wellness” at St. Christine parish center.

White, an exercise physiologist, operates several exercise studios in Virginia Beach, Va.

He will address a variety of topics in his addresses, including how technology and fitness can work together, and the importance of nutrition and exercise for long-term health. His talks will also cover how advancements in IT and AI are shaping the fitness industry and how these innovations can be used to help individuals meet their wellness goals more effectively.

“Changing lives through fitness and nutrition is not just a career,” said White, who studied nutrition science at Youngstown State University. “It’s my passion.”

The future of wellness lies in the integration of technology and personalized care, said White, adding he is excited to share this vision with his hometown.

He employs 34 dietitians and trainers at his businesses, offering a comprehensive approach to wellness. To learn more, go to JimWhiteFit.com.

White also operates the LIFT Foundation, a nonprofit that provides access to fitness and nutrition education to underserved communities.

Lit Youngstown Will Host Ohio Poets 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Poets Amanda Stovicek D’Alessandro of Cleveland and Jyotsna Sreenivasan of Columbus will be the guests at a Lit Youngstown readers series presentation at 7 p.m. April 2 at Westside Bowl, 2617 Mahoning Ave.

The reading will be downstairs in the Trophy Room, accessible only by stairs. ASL interpretation will be provided by Meagan Albani. 

D’Alessandro received the Ohio Arts Council 2022 Individual Excellence Award based on her body of work. Her debut micro-chapbook, “Space Spectacular,” was published by Ghost City Press in 2018.

Sreenivasan’s latest book, “These Americans,” won a Foreword Reviews Indies award. Her novel “And Laughter Fell From the Sky” was published in 2012. Her stories have appeared in literary magazines and anthologies, and she received an Individual Excellence Award from the Ohio Arts Council in 2022.

The First Wednesday reading in May will feature poets Jon Graham of Dover, Ohio, and David Prather of Parkersburg, W.Va.

Lit Youngstown is a literary arts nonprofit with programs for writers, readers and those who love a good story. For information, go to LitYoungstown.org.

Pictured at top: Project Mayhem uses a professional light show and dozens of student musicians and vocalists. (File photo, 2022)