YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Rust Belt Theater Company will stage a revival of its original show “Godiva: A Burlesque Musical” at the Youngstown Playhouse Downtown, 220 W. Boardman St.

Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18-19 and 2:30 p.m. Sept. 20. Tickets are available HERE or by calling the box office at 330 788 8739.

Written by Robert Dennick Joki and Josh Taylor, “Godiva” tells the story of a group of women in a small town who band together to stage a burlesque show. It was inspired by the legend of Lady Godiva, as told in the 19th-century poem “Godiva” by Alfred Tennyson, in which a woman disobeys her wealthy husband and is forced to ride naked through the town as punishment.  

“Each character in the musical has her own reason for wanting to participate in a burlesque show,” Joki said. “Body positivity is a major theme in this show … realizing that everyone is unique and beautiful in their own way.”

The show, which was last performed in 2019, intertwines classic burlesque tropes and techniques, with locally written music. 

Song titles include “Burlesque,” “Grin and Bare It,” “Betty’s Back Door,” “My Eyes Are Up There,” “Cakes and Pies,” “The Happiest Family in Town That Everyone Hates,” “A Pretty Nice Place to Live,” “Big Girls Don’t Move Like That,” “Remind Me How To Dance,” “Bonfire” and “Let Down Your Hair.” 

The cast includes Nicole Zayas, Caitlyn Murphy, Rachel Myers, Rachael Kerr, Eric McCrea, Christopher Hartman, Charity Pickup, Haley Comet, Valorie Dunch, Madi Pomeroy, Jessica Patoray, Lisa Torrence, Rachel Clifford, Bernadette Lim, Cadence Treich, Sidney Wolford, Caitlin Marie Cole and Romerio Dawkins. 

“We are very excited to be performing once again in the space where the Rust Belt Theater Company first started to come together,” Joki said. “I created ‘How the Drag Queen Stole Christmas’ 20 years ago for this venue. It’s nice to finally have the opportunity to do another one of my original productions there.” 

Residents Can Use Art to Capture ‘Day in the Loop’

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Loop Youngstown Arts + Culture Center invites residents of the Mahoning and Shenango valleys to participate in its second annual A Day in the LOOP, a community-wide creative project celebrating people, places and everyday stories.

The project will take place Friday, Sept. 25. On this single day, participants are encouraged to capture the spirit of our region through photography, video, writing or other art forms, creating a shared snapshot of what life here looks like at this moment in time. Community members are asked to preregister by Sept. 23 at LoopYoungstown.org.

A panel of local creatives will select work that represents a slice of life in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys to publish and archive on Loop Youngstown’s website. This year’s curators are Gail Trunick, a visual artist working in clay and mixed-media sculpture; Katie Passerotti, an educator, author and founder of The Scribbler’s Den; and Vash Penn, a photographer and founder of NEUR NetWorks for Creative Entrepreneurs. 

Submissions must be created between 12:01 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. Sept. 25. Individuals and groups from Mahoning, Columbiana, Trumbull, Mercer and Lawrence counties can submit up to two entries.

For full guidelines and registration details, visit LoopYoungstown.org.

Community members looking for inspiration can explore last year’s A Day in the LOOP gallery HERE.

Concert Series to Begin at St. Joseph Church

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio – The concert series at St. Blaise Church-St. Joseph campus, 4545 New Road, has lined up seven concerts for its upcoming season.

Admission to all concerts is free, but offerings will be accepted. All concerts are in the church.

Here is the schedule:

  • Sept. 13: Astralis Chamber Ensemble, 1:30 p.m.
  • Oct. 25: Jay and Clay Duo (four-hands piano), 2 p.m.
  • Nov. 22: Allan and Jennifer Mosher, 2 p.m.
  • Dec. 4: Men of Independence choral group, 7:30 p.m.
  • Jan. 9: Jason Volovar, piano and organ, 7 p.m.
  • Feb. 7: Mike Reardon on guitar, with piano by Jason Volovar, 2 p.m.
  • March 21: Exhibit A, barbershop quartet, 2 p.m.

Three Dog Night Coming to Westminster

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – Iconic American band Three Dog Night will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26 in Orr Auditorium at Westminster College. 

Celebrating its sixth decade in the music industry, Three Dog Night boasts some of the most astonishing chart statistics in popular music with 21 consecutive Billboard Top 40 hits, including three No. 1 singles and 12 straight RIAA-certified gold albums.  

Formed in 1968 by Danny Hutton, the group featured three strong vocalists who shared the lead duties, blending their voices in exquisite three-part harmony, complemented by four accomplished instrumentalists. The combination became Three Dog Night’s signature sound, both in the studio and during live performances.  

The band’s eclectic taste and arranging talents, combined with its ability to recognize and record hits in a distinctive style, resulted in years of chart dominance. Along the way, Three Dog Night earned a Grammy nomination, performed at two Super Bowls and infused American culture with music that became ubiquitous on the radio, in film and on television. 

Beginning with its self-titled debut album, Three Dog Night released 12 gold albums by 1975. Driven by chart-topping songs such as “One,” “Easy to Be Hard,” “Mama Told Me (Not to Come),” “Joy to the World,” the band sold more than 50 million records. During that time, Three Dog Night also toured relentlessly, quickly progressing from smaller venues to selling out stadiums and helping establish the modern concept of the stadium tour. 

Three Dog Night continues to perform over 80 shows each year. This year, Three Dog Night will release “Enter,” its first studio album in nearly 40 years. 

Between 1969 and 1974, no other group achieved more Top 10 hits, moved more records or sold more concert tickets than Three Dog Night.  

For tickets, call 724 946 7354 or click HERE.

Mahoning Avenue Fall Fest to Return

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Mahoning Avenue Fall Fest will take place from 11 a.m. to p.m. Sept. 19 along Mahoning Avenue, between Steel Street and Milton Avenue on the city’s West Side.

The event is sponsored by Councilman Mike Ray. Economic Action Group will host a kickoff event Sept. 18 to celebrate the event, which is in its 10th year, and recognize major contributors to its success.

The event will begin outside Trek Coffee House with a recognition of the festival’s key supporters over the years. Afterward, the celebration will continue with a round-robin reception among three anchor businesses: Casa Ramirez, Trek and Hackett’s Pub. Muy Sabroso, a Venezuelan restaurant opening soon on Mahoning Avenue, will also be featured.

The event will also include more than 60 local vendors, live music, a corn roast and children’s activities.

Butler Issues Call for Area Artists Annual Exhibition

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Butler Institute of American Art has announced a call for entries for the 87th Area Artist Annual Exhibition.

This juried exhibition is open to artists within a 75-mile radius of the museum. Eligible media include oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, photography, ceramics, sculpture, drawing/illustration, mixed media, works on paper and printmaking.

Entries are due by Sept. 27. All entries are to be submitted online at ButlerArt.com. The $30 entry fee covers submission of up to two works and is required for all entrants, including both museum members and nonmembers.

“The Area Artist Annual has been part of The Butler’s history for nearly nine decades, and its continued relevance speaks to the strength of the artistic community in this region,” said Anastasia James, executive director of the museum. “It offers artists an opportunity to present their work within the context of a major American art museum while giving our audiences a broader view of the work being made close to home.”

The exhibition will open Dec. 13 with an opening reception from 1-3 p.m. and an awards ceremony at 2 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

This year’s juror is Michael Gill, co-founder of the Collective Arts Network and founding editor/publisher of CAN Journal. His writing for publications includes the National Endowment for the Humanities Magazine, Cleveland Magazine and more. His wood block and letterpress artist books have been exhibited in galleries and museums.

For complete entry guidelines and submission information, visit ButlerArt.com.

For questions regarding entries, contact submissions@butlerart.com.

Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band at Robins

WARREN, Ohio – Tell Me Lies, a Fleetwood Mac tribute act, will come to the Robins Theatre on Sept. 25 for a 7:30 p.m. concert. Tickets can be purchased at RobinsTheatre.com.

‘Twilight’ Film with Live Music at Packard

WARREN, Ohio – “Twilight in Concert,” a special event in which the 2008 vampire romance movie is screened while the music and score are performed live, will come to Packard Music Hall on Feb. 25.

Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster.com and the Packard Music Hall box office.

250th Celebration Continues in Trumbull

WARREN, Ohio – The fireworks have faded and the cookouts are over, but the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary is far from finished in Trumbull County.

The Trumbull County Historical Society is reminding the public that the semiquincentennial commemoration continues with a full slate of programs running through the end of the year and beyond. 

For more details on all these initiatives, including submission deadlines for a student art project, click HERE. Here is a look at what is scheduled:

  • Envisioning the Next 250 Years: A Student Art & Creativity Challenge. The historical society is challenging students of all ages to look forward. The Envisioning 250 Art Project invites young minds to imagine what the United States might look like in the year 2276. Students can submit artwork, creative writing, films, music or academic projects exploring the future of communities, technology and values. Teachers are encouraged to guide their classes in creating collaborative or individual projects. Selected submissions will be showcased at a special America250 community event in 2026.
  • Rededication of Ohio’s Oldest Civil War Monument. Mark your calendars for a once-in-a-lifetime event. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 17, the Trumbull County Historical Society and the Bristol Township Historical Society will host a free public rededication ceremony for the oldest Civil War monument in the state. The event will feature a faithful tribute to the original 1863 dedication, period actors, tintype photography, local history and merchandise booths and a kids’ scavenger hunt.
  • Trumbull Living Memories: A Digital Time Capsule. TCHS invites the public to contribute personal stories to the Trumbull Living Memories project. This digital time capsule is collecting the memories, photos and family histories of Trumbull County residents. No memory is too big or too small; every story helps capture the community’s true spirit for future generations.
  • This is Trumbull: Families can embark on a self-guided historical road trip across the county. In partnership with the Trumbull Tourism Bureau, TCHS has created the “This is Trumbull: A Local History Adventure” booklet. This free, accessible program encourages children and families to explore all 25 townships in Trumbull County by visiting historic sites at their own pace. There are no admission fees or specific hours. Participants who complete the challenge by December will be entered into a raffle for prizes. 

Bicycle Ride Through Northeastern Ohio

MECCA TOWNSHIP, Ohio – The Out-Spokin’ Wheelmen’s 53rd annual Northeast Ohio Century, or NEOC, will take place Sept. 20, bringing cyclists from northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania together for one of the Youngstown-area club’s longest-running traditions.

This year, the 25-mile route will add fall flavor with visits to the Hartford Apple Festival and Hartford Hill Winery and Brewery.

In cycling, completing a century means riding 100 miles in a single day. At NEOC, riders who want that challenge can complete both of the event’s approximately 50-mile routes to reach 100 miles.

But 100 miles is definitely not required.

Riders can choose routes of 10, 25, 50 or 51 miles. Participants ride at their own pace along color-coded routes through mostly flat terrain.

NEOC has also earned another, perhaps more delicious, nickname: the Northeast Ohio Cookie Ride.

Out-Spokin’ volunteers bake dozens upon dozens of homemade cookies to keep cyclists fueled throughout the day, and lunch is included with registration.

Riders can begin between 7 and 10 a.m. at the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge, 6400 state Route 46, Mecca Township. Helmets are required, and support vehicles will be available until 5 p.m. to assist cyclists with mechanical problems or other needs.

Nature Series on Regional Forests

KENT, Ohio – PBS Western Reserve’s original nature series “By Nature’s Design” will return for a second season Sept. 18.

The series takes viewers into the forests of northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania through scenic landscapes and approachable science that examines the plants, animals and hidden networks that make these ecosystems thrive. 

The three-episode season, “By Nature’s Design: Inside the Forest,” will air weekly at 8:30 p.m. on Fridays: 

  • “Floor to Foliage,” Sept. 18: Explore each layer of the forest, from the floor to the foliage.  
  • “Flora and Fauna,” Sept. 25: Learn about residents of the forest, both native and invasive species.  
  • “Fundamental Fungi,” Oct. 2: Discover the underground network of hidden fungi that helps trees communicate.  

Featured experts include representatives from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Holden Arboretum, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Ohio Environmental Council, Stark Parks, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and the Western Reserve Land Conservancy. Scenic footage was filmed at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Holden Arboretum and the Plain Grove Fens Natural Area in Pennsylvania.

In conjunction with the new season, PBS Western Reserve will host “Into the Forest,” a series of free community events featuring screenings of “By Nature’s Design,” Q&A sessions and educator-led forest tours. The first two events will be held in September to promote the season premiere:

Registration is required for both events. Click HERE for more information.

Car Show to Benefit Prostate Health

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio – Yellow Brick Place Cancer Support Center’s annual Cruisin’ for Prostates car show will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 19 at Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course.

The event is organized by the Prostate Life Brotherhood, a prostate cancer support group hosted by Yellow Brick Place. 

Steve Burbrink, facilitator for the group, emphasized that the event is about much more than a celebration of classic and unique cars. “It’s an opportunity to bring the community together, raise awareness about prostate cancer and remind men and their families that they don’t have to face a cancer diagnosis alone,” he said.

The event will showcase more than 100 cars from as early as the 1900s. Food truck vendors will be available throughout the event, as well as informational tables, basket raffles and other giveaways, alongside live music throughout the day. 

Admission is free. Vehicle registration is a $10 donation, with proceeds supporting Yellow Brick Place and its programs. Best in show and best car by era will be awarded. 

The Prostate Life Brotherhood meets once a month at Yellow Brick Place. Each month, those battling prostate cancer come together to discuss its challenges, provide support and connect. 

For more information, click HERE or call 234 228 9550.