The Update | Storyteller Event at Stage Left; The Hoyt Nominated for National Award

LISBON, Ohio – Stage Left Players will present the third installment of Spark! An Evening of Storytelling at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 1, at Trinity Playhouse, 234 E. Lincoln Way.

Spark (Storytelling to Promote Acceptance, Respect and Kindness) is a Stage Left community outreach effort to promote the art of oral storytelling and share personal stories that reflect the unique struggles and successes of the community.

The April Spark cohort includes Connie Baer, Randall Brammer, Kandy Cleland (executive director and Spark coach), Susan Gregg, Chris Lydic, DeLisa Seals, Gloria Mathews, Robin Tener and Scott Weingart, who have prepared their stories to align with the theme of “Waiting …”

Admission is $10, and tickets may be purchased online at StageLeftPlayers.org or at the door. For information, call 724 426 1955.

Hoyt Named a Finalist for National Award

NEW CASTLE, Pa. – Arts & Education at The Hoyt is one of 30 finalists for the National Institute of Museum and Library Services National Medal for Museum and Library Service, and the only one in western Pennsylvania.

The medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that demonstrate significant impact in their communities. For more than 25 years, it has honored institutions that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities.

Winners will be selected from the 30 finalists in late May and will be recognized at an award ceremony in Washington, D.C., this summer.

To celebrate, the IMLS is encouraging patrons of The Hoyt to share their stories, memories, photos and videos on social media using the hashtags #ShareYourStory and #MLSmedals. For information, go to the IMLS website.

JCC Gallery Seeks Artists

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Artists are being sought for the Thomases Family Endowment of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation Art Gallery’s upcoming season.

The work of selected artists will be exhibited in the gallery in the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown, 505 Gypsy Lane. Included will be the opportunity to sell their work, the option of an opening reception and/or workshop and an article in The Jewish Journal.

Paintings, sketches, illustrations, photography, sculpture and textiles are welcome. Artists may apply as individuals or as a group. There is no exhibit fee, but sales are subject to a 25% commission. Completed applications will be reviewed on a quarterly basis. Apply HERE. 

Boardman Jazz Fest with Guest Pianist

BOARDMAN, Ohio – The 21st annual BHS Jazz Fest will take place Tuesday, April 4, at 7 p.m. in the Boardman Performing Arts Center.

It will feature BHS Jazz Ensembles 1 and 2, the eighth-grade Jazz Ensemble and the 2k23 pop-rock band.

This year’s guest artist is Warren pianist Jim Garber. Admission is $3, and senior citizens are admitted free.

Garber graduated from Youngstown State University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Music degree.

He currently performs regularly with the W.D. Packard Big Band Jazz Ensemble and Dixieland Band.

Game Night at the Steel Museum 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown Historical Center for Labor and Industry, aka The Steel Museum, will present a game night on Thursday, April 13, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Admission is $5.

Guests can bring their own games or play something from the game library. There will also be a buy/sell/trade table.

All proceeds will benefit the museum’s education and outreach efforts.

Pictured at top: Connie Baer of Leetonia shares her story, “And We’re Off,” during a recent Spark event at Stage Left Players in Lisbon.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.