YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The works of watercolor painter Tracy McCarty will be featured in the Thomases Family Endowment of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation Art Gallery from March 3 through April 20. 

A reception will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 6 in the gallery, located in the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown, 505 Gypsy Lane.

“‘Beginnings’ is a story of water and its influence in our lives,” McCarty said. “Water is where life starts. It shapes landscapes, nourishes bodies and stirs emotions.”

Polka, Paczki & Piwo Celebration

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio – PolishYoungstown’s annual Pączki, Polkas & Piwo celebration will take place from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, at Kravitz Deli, 3135 Belmont Ave.

The event, now in its 15th year, is the last hurrah before Lent. It features pączki donuts, Polish food and beer, live music, dancing, games and giveaways.

The Pączki Slider – a grilled pączek stuffed with kielbasa, brown mustard, red onion and a pickle – will again be sold.

Paczki will be sold in four flavors: rose hip jam, homemade custard, apricot and half rose-half custard. Pricing is $3.50 per paczki, or $19 for six.

YSU Jazz Combos in Free Concert

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown State University jazz combos will give a free concert of classic jazz selections at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, in Spotlight Theater, Bliss Hall. 

The Jazz Sextet, led by Kent Engelhardt, features Niko Kawalick (trumpet), Nick Komara (saxophone), Osa Omoregie (guitar), Carter Ulery (piano), Javin Shafer (bass) and Anthony DeMain (drums). Engelhardt’s sextet will perform “Little Sunflower” by Freddie Hubbard, “Veird Blues” by Miles Davis and “Pent Up House” by Sonny Rollins.

The Jazz Trio, led by Glenn Schaft, features Aaron White (piano), Nick Steeves (bass) and Evan Stefancin (drums) and will bring its interpretation of jazz standards to the stage.

Sock Hop at St. Michael’s Hall

CAMPBELL, Ohio – Tickets for Rock Around the Clock, a ’50s sock hop, are $25 and available by calling Celeste at 330 755 4256.

The event will take place April 26 at St. Michael’s Hall, 463 Robison Road, and will feature music by Guys Without Ties from 6 to 10 p.m.

Attendees must be at least 21 years old. They can bring appetizers for themselves or their table. Pop, water, mixers, coffee and ice will be available, but guests must bring their own bottle.

Guests can learn The Stroll and other dances from the 1950s and 1960s from 5 to 5:30 p.m. There will be a hand jive dance-off and a DJ and photo booth.

Student Art Exhibition at The Butler 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Butler Institute of American Art’s annual art exhibition for students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 1.

The awards ceremony will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 2. Awards will be given for the top three works, plus honorable mention, for each grade.

Laufey to Perform with Cleveland Orchestra

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland Orchestra will perform with Laufey, the Grammy-winning Icelandic jazz singer and composer, on Aug. 7 at Blossom Music Center.  

The concert will blend Laufey’s unique, soulful style with the depth and precision of one of the world’s finest orchestras.  

The program will include original songs, as well as a few surprises. The orchestra will be led by conductor Ross Jamie Collins in his Cleveland Orchestra debut.

Laufey: A Night at the Symphony is part of the Orchestra’s 2025 Blossom Music Festival.

Presale tickets will be available to eligible Cleveland Orchestra donors and patrons from 10 a.m. to midnight Wednesday, February 26. An artist presale will run from 10 a.m. to midnight Thursday, February 27. Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Feb. 28. 

Parking passes are available for $80 for Lot A, and $50 for lots C, D and E. 

For tickets, contact the Severance Music Center Ticket Office by phone at 216 231 1111. Tickets to this performance and Blossom Music Festival packages can also be purchased online HERE.    

Laufey: A Night at the Symphony is not eligible for Blossom Festival Lawn Ticket Books or the Under 18s Free program. 

Roaring ’20s Fundraiser for Alta Care

STRUTHERS, Ohio – Chips for Kids: A Roaring ’20s Casino Royale, a fundraiser for Alta Care Group, will take place Friday, March 7, at The Embassy in Struthers. 

This casino-themed evening will directly benefit local children and families served by Alta’s mental and behavioral health programs.

“This is a chance for our community to chip in and support life-changing programs for children and families across the Valley,” said Joe Shorokey, CEO of Alta Care Group. “And if we can have a little fun while doing it, even better.”

Attendees are encouraged to don black-tie attire for the 1920s-inspired event that will include casino games, a jazz quartet, a Youngstown cookie table and raffle baskets.

Doors will open at 6 p.m., with gaming tables running from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $80 per person, which includes a buffet dinner. Guests can also purchase funny money and poker chips for gameplay, along with drink tickets for the bar.

Sponsorship opportunities are available at various levels, starting at $500. For information, to purchase tickets or to become a sponsor, contact James Potts at JamesP@AltaCareGroup.org.

Pictured at top: “Expanding,” a watercolor painting by Tracy McCarty, whose works will be displayed at the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown.