Zidian Family Arena will be rocking Friday night when Youngstown State University hosts Milwaukee in a basketball game that will be nationally televised on ESPN at 9 p.m.
The arena got a major facelift in the offseason, with new chairback seats and décor, and the university will be able to show it off thanks to the telecast.
YSU (12-5) and Milwaukee (11-5) are among a handful of teams fighting for first place in the Horizon League, and Friday’s game has a lot riding on it. The atmosphere inside the arena should be raucous with playoff fervor.
Upper reserved tickets are $12 today only and can be purchased HERE, by phone at 330 941 1978 or at the box office on the north end of Stambaugh Stadium.
Theater season is in full swing, with three new dramas opening this weekend.
The Youngstown Playhouse is offering the Valley premiere of August Wilson’s “Gem of the Ocean,” with performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Go to YoungstownPlayhouse.org. Learn more HERE.
At The Hopewell Theatre, “Steal Away” will begin its run with performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Go to HopewellTheatre.org.
And Selah Dessert Theater in Struthers is presenting “Searching for Eden: The Diaries of Adam and Eve” at 8 p.m. tonight, Friday and Saturday. Go to SelahDessertTheater.com.
Rock ’n’ roll season is also in full swing this weekend.
The legendary Donnie Iris will return to the area Saturday for an 8 p.m. concert at the Robins Theatre in Warren. For tickets, go to RobinsTheatre.com.
West Side Bowl in Youngstown has back-to-back great shows this weekend.
Munnycat will headline an 8 p.m. Saturday show that also includes Demos Papadimas and Ohayo.
And Ike Reilly, who has long been a Youngstown favorite, will return for a 7 p.m. show Sunday. A new documentary on the unsung rock hero was screened at West Side Bowl last Sunday. Read about Ike HERE.
For a complete look at everything going on in the Mahoning Valley, check out The List.
Pictured at top: The Youngstown State University student section cheers during last year’s Horizon League quarterfinal game against Detroit Mercy at Zidian Family Arena.