The Update | Symphony in ‘Latin Fire’; RocOpraNatra at Packard Hall
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Francisco Noya will be the guest conductor when the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra presents “Latin Fire,” a pops concert, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Powers Auditorium.
The concert will feature works by Latin composers.
A native of Venezuela, Noya is in his sixth season as the music director of the Boston Civic Symphony Orchestra. With a reputation for versatility and expertise in conducting both symphonic and operatic works, he has become a prominent figure in New England’s music community.
For tickets, click HERE.
A member of the conducting faculty at the Berklee College of Music, Noya is a former resident conductor of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, music director of the New Philharmonia Orchestra and Longwood Symphony Orchestra and conductor of the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra.
He has appeared as guest conductor with numerous orchestras, including the Boston Pops, Baltimore, Nashville, San Antonio and Omaha Symphonies. Noya made his Ravinia Festival debut in September 2021 with Ben Folds and the Ravinia Festival Orchestra.
RocOpraNatra at Packard Music Hall
WARREN, Ohio – RocOpraNatra will come to Packard Music Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 17, for a 7 p.m. concert.
The singing act is composed of Christopher Dallo, Brian Roman and Danny Scott, who fuse their rock, opera and crooner styles in their show.
Tickets are $40; go to warrencivicmusic.com.
The show is part of the Warren Civic Music Association’s 2023-24 season. Season tickets are available for $120.
Chardon Polka Band in PBS Series
KENT, Ohio – The Chardon Polka Band will return with “The World According to Polka,” a six-part series on PBS Western Reserve.
Each 30-minute episode of the weekly series will air at 8:30 p.m. on Fridays, beginning Oct. 13.
The series follows the zany CPB on a journey across northeastern Ohio and beyond as it explores the rich history and lively culture of polka music.
Hosted by Jake Kouwe, leader of the CPB, the series looks at the history of polka, starting with its origins in 19th-century Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic.
With a humorous and informative tone, it makes stops at The Pierogi Lady’s Akron kitchen and other regional eateries, and includes guest performances by Akron rocker Michael Weber and Cleveland ukulele player Sara Beth Lowe.
The Chardon Polka Band also created two other past PBS Western Reserve series: “Polka Across America” and “A Polka Christmas with the Chardon Polka Band.”
Vegas Fundraiser for Giambattista Foundation
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Vegas in the Valley, a fundraiser for the Ryan Giambattista Helms Foundation, will take place Nov. 18 at Woodland Cellars at the Manor, 3128 Logan Way.
The evening will feature many games of chance. VIP ticket holders will enjoy a cocktail hour from 6 to 7 p.m. The main event will start at 7 p.m.
Proceeds will benefit the Ryan Giambattista Helms Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing community-based art therapy services.
Tickets are $100 each and include dinner, an open bar and access to all gaming tables. Tickets to the VIP cocktail hour are $50 each.
To purchase a ticket or for information on becoming a sponsor, go to helmsmv.org.
Author of Book on Joseph G. Butler to Speak
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Local author and historian Joseph Lambert Jr. will discuss his new book, “First Citizen: The Industrious Life of Joseph G. Butler Jr.,” at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, in the meeting room of Denny’s Restaurant, 4020 Belmont Ave.
The program is sponsored by the William Holmes McGuffey Historical Society. Admission is $10 ($5 for society members). The event includes entertainment and a 50/50 raffle, with proceeds benefiting the society’s education mission. Reservations are suggested; call 330 726 8277.
Butler was an industrialist and philanthropist, best known for establishing The Butler Institute of American Art.
Lambert is a health care administrator and has also written a book on the Youngstown area’s Tod family, titled “The Political Transformation of David Tod: Governing Ohio During the Height of the Civil War.”
He is a former Girard city councilman and was a research associate at the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor.
Brian Lisik in Record-Release Concert
AKRON, Ohio – Brian Lisik & Hard Legs will perform a record release show for the band’s new album, “Nu Wreckard,” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Rialto Theatre, 1000 Kenmore Blvd.
Tickets are $12 to $15 for the all-ages show.
The Akron-based Lisik was thinking a lot about the ghosts of his musical past while making his latest album. “In the past couple years, I’ve become bored with anything but rock ’n’ roll,” he said. “And I’m talking the rawer and bleaker the better.”
This aesthetic extends to the seven-song “Nu Wreckard.” The album is short, snotty, irreverent and smart.
As Lisik put it: “I try hard not to write songs for stupid people.”
Featuring guest appearances from Ian Early (Cherry Poppin’ Daddies) and Akron rock legends The Bizarros, “Nu Wreckard” traverses an ocean of genres – from raw ’50s rock to ’90s grunge to campy ’70s TV cop show sounds.
“I hope I haven’t hit my creative peak, but if I had to sum it up, this is probably the best pure rock ’n’ roll record I’ve ever made,” Lisik said.
Nu Wreckard follows Lisik’s 2022 release, the intentionally unvarnished live album “Hotsy Totsy!” American Songwriter placed “Monk,” a single from that album, among its top 24 songs of the year.
Vintage Clothing, Costumes for Sale
SALEM, Ohio – Salem Community Theatre’s treasure seekers sale will take place Saturday, Oct. 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The sale will take place on the third floor of the theater, 490 E. State St. It will include vintage clothing and costumes. Shoppers will pay $10 and will be given a bag that they can fill.
Pictured at top: RocOpraNatra will perform at Packard Music Hall on Tuesday.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
