Ben Folds will come to the Robins Theatre in Warren on Sunday for a 7 p.m. concert that promises to be one of the best of the year in the Mahoning Valley.
The artist’s piano-based indie rock ranges from playful to deep. He’s still known for his 1997 hit “Brick” and his great 2001 album “Rockin’ the Suburbs.” But there is so much more.

On his most recent rock album, 2023’s “What Matters Most,” Folds expands on his precocious keyboard style. He also shows off his capacity for fun. Check out the video for “Exhausting Lover” HERE.

Folds followed up “What Matters Most” with “Sleigher,” a holiday album that was released late last year. In its most profound moments, the tinkling piano evokes a warm fire on a cold night as snow softly falls outside the window. 

The current tour is dubbed Ben Folds & a Piano, and that describes what to expect: The artist playing solo – which is more than enough.

By the way, Folds recorded a live album last year with the National Symphony Orchestra that will be released this year. He serves as an artistic adviser to the NSO, curating an ongoing concert series called “Declassified: Ben Folds Presents,” that pairs contemporary artists from all genres of music with the orchestra.

Tickets for Sunday’s concert at the Robins Theatre range from $88 to $43 at RobinsTheatre.com and the theater box office, 160 E. Market St. 

At Covelli Centre

The crews that set things up and tears things down at Covelli Centre will be busy this weekend, when back-to-back-to-back events take place.

It begins Friday night with a 7:30 p.m. concert by country star Dylan Scott, with opening acts George Birge and Graham Barham.

The floor will be frozen Saturday night so the Youngstown Phantoms can take on a squad from the USA Hockey team development program at 6:05 p.m.

Then on Sunday, the Harlem Globetrotters will make their annual appearance with a 3 p.m. performance.

On Area Stages

The second half of the theater season is in full swing, and there are some unique options this weekend on area stages. For example, YSU’s University Theatre has an offbeat hit on its hands with “[title of show],” and Kent State-Trumbull is presenting Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

The biggest production is “Sweeney Todd,” presented by ACTS of Sharon, Pa. 

ACTS is putting on a big-time show, with a live orchestra in the pit and great costumes by Geppetto’s.

If you have not yet seen ACTS’ eye-popping LED wall, this is a good opportunity. The theater has rented a visuals package for “Sweeney Todd” that brings London’s gloomy gaslamp era to life.

“Sweeney Todd” is a masterpiece that elevates strong actors, and that is what is happening at ACTS’ beautiful theater. In the title role is Tom Perman, who makes for a rather precise and stern Mr. T.

The role with the most potential to steal the show is always the warm but deranged Mrs. Lovett. The gruesome meat-pie baker with the cockney accent is played by Sara Campbell, who absolutely nails it.

There are just two more opportunities to see “Sweeney Todd”: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For tickets, click HERE.

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

[EDITOR’S NOTE: This weekend’s productions of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” have been canceled due to cast illness].