As the saying goes, if you don’t like the March weather, just wait a few minutes. It will change.

Same goes for your entertainment options this weekend.

It starts tonight, when the Youngstown State University men’s basketball team takes on Purdue Fort Wayne in the opening round of the Horizon League tournament at Zidian Family Arena.

The Penguins (and the Mastodons) will be seeing red, as YSU is calling for a red out – fans should wear that color – to show their support. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased by phone at 330 941 1978, at YSUSports.com or in person at the Stambaugh Stadium ticket office during business hours, or at the gate. Lower reserved seats are $27, and upper reserved and general admission tickets are $17.

On Friday, the monthly First Fridays after-work event in downtown Youngstown will take place from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Smarts school for the arts, 25 E. Boardman St., in the Ohio One Building. 

The free family-friendly event will feature performances by Millennial Theatre Company (4:30 to 5 p.m.), the Dinner Theater Rejects comedy troupe (5 to 5:30 p.m.), Mahoning Valley Cabaret (5:30 to 6 p.m.), Ballet Western Reserve (6 to 6:30 p.m.), Smarts rock band (6:30 to 7 p.m.) and Youngstown Playhouse Youth Theater (7 to 7:30 p.m.).

At St. John’s Episcopal Church on Wick Avenue, the Tony Armeni and Friends jazz ensemble will perform from 6 to 9 p.m. For information, go to FirstFridaysYoungstown.org.

Things will be bouncing downtown again Saturday when newly reunited country supergroup Rascal Flatts brings its 25th anniversary tour to Covelli Centre. Before the sold-out show, expect big crowds at downtown bars, restaurants and breweries. For information, click HERE.

Two other cultural events will take place Saturday:

  • A musical Salute to The Carpenters, featuring Maureen Collins, Mary Jo Maluso and Rick Blackson, at the Youngstown Playhouse. Click HERE.
  • Building Art, the annual fundraiser for Ballet Western Reserve, at the Morley Building, 218 W. Boardman St., downtown. The event will feature BWR’s company dancers performing their own choreographic works, and also music from Rachell Joy and Mike Rich, live mural art by Patrick McGlone and building tours by Bill Lawson of the Mahoning County Historical Society. There will also be appetizers, raffles and a wine pull. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $40 ($25 for students) and can be purchased at the door or in advance HERE.

Looking ahead, Sesame Street Live will come to Packard Music Hall in Warren on Tuesday for a 6 p.m. show. For tickets, click HERE.

And Stevie Van Zandt, the rocker whose long and varied career has included stints as a social activist, actor, radio host and as Bruce Springsteen’s right-hand man, will deliver a lecture at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Stambaugh Auditorium. His appearance is part of Youngstown State University’s Centofanti Symposium. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance. Click HERE.

For a complete look at everything going on in the Mahoning Valley, check out The List.

Pictured at top: Dancers from Ballet Western Reserve prepare for Saturday’s Building Art fundraiser.