The Update | SounDoctrine Releases Song from Archives
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – SounDoctrine, a Youngstown-based contemporary jazz ensemble led by Jere B, released its new single, “Coulditbu?,” today.
The song was written in 1991 by local musician Robert Christian for Chocolate Pulse, a band that was led by Jere B. The band knew it would be a hit, but the song was never released for a variety of reasons, said Jere B, whose real name is Gerald Beulah.
After more than three decades, Chocolate Pulse members are releasing songs from their archives. Through advances in AI, Jere B was able to transfer and use all of the original vocals from the cassette multitracks and align it with brand new instrumentation composed around the voices.
“Coulditbu?,”a soulful, R&B ballad that showcases Youngstown natives Tracie Prisby, now residing in Georgia; Roosevelt Griffin, who performs with LeVert II under the pseudonym Blaq Rose; April (Lampley) Stevens, who lives in Colorado; and George “Spanky” Chavis will be billed as SounDoctrine presents Chocolate Pulse feat. Tracee. The song will be available for download at SounDoctrine.com and across select streaming platforms, including StageDive.com.
JCC Accepting Participants for Swim Team
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown is accepting participants for its Logan Ducks and Ducklings swim team.
The team is part of the Youngstown Swim League and competes throughout the summer. It runs Monday through Friday from June 3 to July 26. Advanced swimmers age 11 and older practice from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Beginners 10 and under practice from 10 to 11 a.m.
Swimmers must be able to swim the length of the pool to participate. All swimmers competing in the Youngstown Swim League must be a member of the club they represent. Special swim team memberships are available.
The Ducklings is for ages 3 to 7 and focuses on stroke technique and endurance. Participation is from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday from June 10 to July 19. Swim meets are optional for Ducklings.
Both meet at the JCC’s Logan Campus, 3245 Logan Way. Daily attendance is not mandatory but is encouraged.
Private or semi-private swim lessons are also available. Days and times are flexible and can be held outdoors at the JCC Logan Campus, or indoors at the JCC Main Campus.
Visit jccyoungstown.org to register for the swim team or swim lessons.
Lecture on ‘Jews and the Garment Industry’
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown is kicking off its summer J. Newman Levy Speaker Series with historian Sean Martin from 5 to 7 p.m. June 6 at the JCC, 505 Gypsy Lane.
Martin will present “A Stitch in Time: Jews and the Garment Industry in Northeast Ohio.” The free event includes dinner. Register HERE by June 3.
Jewish immigrant families played the leading role in the garment industry in the United States from the late 19th century and throughout the 20th century.
These families made the clothing that Americans wore for both work and play, and they helped other immigrants find work, become Americans and start on a path toward financial stability.
Men wore suits by companies such as Richman Brothers, and young women sported the coordinating colors of Bobbie Brooks.
Martin is curator for Jewish history at Western Reserve Historical Society and is the co-editor, with John J. Grabowski, of “Cleveland and the Making of a Midwestern Community” and the author of “A Stitch in Time: The Cleveland Garment Industry.”
Other speakers in the series include comedian Ophira Eisenberg on July 25 and professor Samantha Baskind presenting “Up, Up, and Oy Vey!: Jews, Comics, and the Graphic Novel” on Aug. 25.
LGBTQ Color Run Presented by The Hoyt
NEW CASTLE, Pa. – Arts and Education at the Hoyt is gearing up for its annual celebration of inclusivity, the Color Fun and Run from 4 to 8 p.m. June 15.
The growing event offers more than just a race through clouds of colored powder. It features arts activities, music, games, art and vendors and resources for the LGBTQ+ community.
Admission is open to everyone and free.
Those attending can expect to be greeted by costumed characters distributing ribbon streamers in the parking lot. A code of conduct must be acknowledged before entering to ensure a fun experience for all. Once inside, there will be activities for all ages reiterating messages of kindness, acceptance and love in shrinky dink charms, friendship bracelets, spin art hearts and souvenir mugs.
Those who want to tie dye a garment can bring a white T-shirt to participate or purchase an event shirt for $5 (racers will be provided one at check-in).
Dressing to express yourself is encouraged. Prizes will be awarded for the most creative, colorful, funniest and other categories on the half-hour, including a special category for pets.
Attendees will also find selfie stations, giant coloring boards, chalk on the walk and other activities before, during and after the races. Bet on who will win the costumed character race in a free kids run at 5:30 p.m.
Vendors will include Pittsburgh Crepes and Rita’s Ice, as well as an assortment of art stickers, prints, books, jewelry, candles, crocheted items and custom blended teas from LGBTQ+ friendly artists and artisans.
The event will also debut the completion of the Oneness poem compiled by local author Michael Dittman from contributions collected at the Oneness event this past April.
To register for the race, go to hoytartcenter.org/colorfunandrun up until the day of the race. All participants will receive a T-shirt and finishing medal. Results will be posted online.
Author to Sign Copies of Her Novel
AUSTINTOWN, Ohio – Author Nancy Christie will appear at several northeastern Ohio locations in June, signing copies of her novel “Finding Fran,” the second in her Midlife Moxie Novel Series.
Christie will kick off her June events with a signing at Barnes & Noble – Mentor/Great Lakes Mall in Mentor from 1 to 3 p.m. June 1, followed by a signing at Trumbull Regional Medical Center Gift Shop in Warren from noon to 2 p.m. June 4. On June 8, Christie will be at Leana’s Books & More in Austintown from noon to 3 p.m.
Lit Youngstown to Present Poet, Author
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Lit Youngstown’s First Wednesday Reader Series will present poet Isaiah Hunt and prose writer Hilary Plum at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, at Westside Bowl, 2617 Mahoning Ave.
The reading will be downstairs in the Trophy Room, accessible only by stairs.
Hunt is a writer whose work focuses on near-future stories of his community, the entertainment industry and Black cyberculture. His work can be found through the Wick Poetry Center, Luna Negra and Camel Coat Press.
Plum is a writer, editor and teacher living in Cleveland Heights.
Pictured at top: Gerald Beulah of SounDoctrine.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
