The Update | WAR Coming to Robins; Tribute to The Carpenters at Westminster

WARREN, Ohio – WAR, one of the most enduring soul/funk groups, will bring its “The World Is a Ghetto” 50th anniversary tour to the Robins Theatre on Thursday, May 16.

Tickets for the 8 p.m. concert range from $40 and $70 (plus applicable fees) and will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, March 8, at robinstheatre.com and the box office, 160 E. Market St. A presale will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday exclusively for members of Friends of the Robins Theatre.

WAR was founded in 1962 with former Animals lead singer Eric Burdon as singer and produced the hit “Spill the Wine.”

In 1973, their smash album “The World is a Ghetto” vaulted to No. 1 on Billboard’s pop and R&B charts behind the crossover success of two top-10 singles, the album’s socially conscious title song and its rollicking follow-up “The Cisco Kid.”

This year, fronted by co-founding member Lonnie Jordan, the group will celebrate 50 years of that top-selling album.

Helen Welch Sings Music of The Carpenters

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – Westminster College Celebrity Series will present “Superstar. The Songs. The Stories. The Carpenters” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9, in Orr Auditorium. 

The concert, featuring Broadway artist Helen Welch, showcases the songs and backstage stories of the Carpenters, who rose to fame in the 1970s.

Welch’s alto voice embraces new arrangements of songs such as “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Top of the World,” “Close to You” and the title song, “Superstar.”

With Richard Carpenter’s blessing, the show will honor the duo while taking audience members down memory lane through rare stories and timeless songs filled with nostalgia.

For tickets, call Georgene Gib, box office manager, at 724 946 7354 or go to Westminster.edu/celebrity.

Friendly Squares Dance at Scope Center

NILES, Ohio – The Friendly Squares will host its monthly square dance Saturday, March 9, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at the Niles Scope Center, 14 E. State St. 

Neil Harner will be the caller, and Frankie Hammond will cue the line dances. St. Patrick’s Day will be the theme. This will be a high/low dance with alternating tips for new dancers currently taking lessons and tips for more experienced dancers. Dress is casual, and light refreshments will be served. There is a $7 donation per person at the door. 

For information, call Gene Hammond at 330 506 3370.

Fashion Week Shows at Eastwood Mall

NILES, Ohio – Eastwood Mall is celebrating Fashion Week with a series of chic events designed to delight and inspire.  

Fashionistas will be able to take in several shows on the stage in the mall’s Center Court. Here is the schedule:

• Tuesday, March 5, 6 p.m.: Prom Show, with the latest styles for prom or other formal events. Fashions will be from the collections of Lavish and Coral Rose Boutique. 

• Friday, March 8, 6 p.m.: Geneva Winterfest Spring Show. The Pageant Group from  Geneva Winterfest has assembled stunning looks from Eastwood Mall merchants to showcase the latest spring fashions.

• Saturday, March 9, 6 p.m.: JCPenney Style Show, featuring beautiful fashion for real women. This dazzling show brings everyday work and casual wear to the forefront, coordinated by Geoffrey Henning, JCPenney’s vice president of design. 

While all shows are free to the public, preferred seating is available for $10 (includes a custom gift bag). Click HERE.

Night Markets at Penguin City Brewing

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Penguin City Brewing will launch a series of monthly night markets this year.

Each will feature vendors selling crafts and art. The event will also feature specialty drinks and food trucks and will be family and dog friendly.

Vendors of food, crafts, books, records, jewelry, vintage items or anything else can reserve a space by messaging [email protected].

Artists, workshop teachers and nonprofit organizations who want to be featured can also contact the brewery for information.

The markets will take place at the brewery from 5 to 9 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month, starting March 21.

Roaring ’20s Fundraiser at Packard Museum

WARREN, Ohio – The National Packard Museum will present a glittering “Roaring ’20s” fundraiser Saturday, March 9.

Former WFMJ TV-21 personalities Glenn and Regina Stevens are producing and directing this theatrical presentation that will bring history to life.

Guests are encouraged to come dressed in “flapper” attire. The museum’s Great Hall will be  transformed into the spacious living room of Kitty Packard’s beautiful “Packard Place” mansion on Mahoning Avenue.

Reenactors will portray Kitty Packard and her distinguished guests, including Warren and Dorothy Packard, James Ward and Bess Packard, Carlotta Packard and Stull and Marie Harris, before they disclose family secrets and dish on their high society friends. Chauffeur George Tibbs will also be there to tell you what it was like to work for the Packard family. All the accounts are based on true stories.

Guests are welcome to bring their own bottle of wine or other beverage of choice.

Doors will open at 6 pm, and the program will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $20 per person and may be purchased HERE or by calling the museum at 330 394 1899. The museum is at 1899 Mahoning Ave. NW.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.