BATTLE OF THE BANDS

Battle of the Bands
VIENNA -- Bands are signing up for a Summer Battle of the Bands Competition at The Thunderplex events complex on state Route 193. Eight quarterfinal rounds have been scheduled, with five bands to perform each night. Winners will advance to semi-final rounds, and finalists will compete for the grand prize of $1,000. Call Adam Anderson at (330) 539-6186 for information.
Teens to perform
SALEM -- Teens in Salem Community Theater Youth Players will perform "Into the Woods, Jr." at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. next Sunday at the theater, 490 E. State St. Jon Simsic is directing the musical, which tells the story of a childless baker and his wife. As they try to break a spell cast upon them by a witch, the couple has run-ins with other fairy tale characters. Call (330) 332-9688 for tickets.
Art gallery parade
WARREN -- Trumbull Art Gallery, 196 E. Market St., is coordinating a Sidewalk Parade on the Square for children at 11 a.m. July 9. Participants must wear costumes and may bring along pets, decorated bikes and small wagons. Entry fee is $1, which will benefit the gallery's art class scholarship program. Call (330) 856-4876 for details.
SRU offers camps
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- Slippery Rock University will be offering weeklong theater and academic enrichment camps for children in grades three through seven this summer. The theater camp, which covers all aspects of theatrical production, will be June 26-30 and includes a backstage Pittsburgh theater visit. The academic enrichment camp, to be held on campus from July 12-16, will offer selections including science, art, music and languages. The fee for either program is $200. Call the university's continuing education office at (724) 738-2633 for more information and registration.
Artists to get ribbons
COLUMBIANA -- Best of show ribbons will be awarded to local artists who place original artwork in the Chamber of Commerce Tent at the 22nd annual Harvey S. Firestone Festival of the Arts on Aug. 7 at Firestone Park. Call Cristal Bonsell at (330) 482-9065 for information.
Critic will judge show
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Peter Plagens, an art critic for Newsweek magazine, will judge the 2004 Mid-Atlantic Juried Art Show at Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts. The show is open to artists ages 21 and older who live in the mid-Atlantic region. Only videos and installatios are excluded from the competition. Fee is $25 for up to two works and $5 per additional work. Deadline is Aug. 2; the exhibit will be open from Oct. 5 to Nov. 15. To request a prospectus, send a self-addressed, stamped envelop to the Hoyt, 124 E. Leasure Ave., New Castle, 16101.
Arthur Awards
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Arthur Awards, the annual program that recognizes outstanding work during the season at Youngstown Playhouse, will be Aug. 21 at the Saxon Club on Meridian Road. Awards will be given for shows from the 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 seasons. The Arthur Awards are resuming after a year's absence but will be in late summer instead of before summer because of scheduling conflicts at the Playhouse, according to play director John E. Ballantyne Jr. His company, J & amp;B Production Arts Services, will be co-producer of the awards. Participants will be notified by mail when they can pick up their Arthur Awards ballots. Call (330) 799-6176 for information. The Arthur Awards began 37 years ago in honor of former Playhouse director Arthur Sircom.
USO seeks performers
USO of Northern Ohio seeks singers, comedians, dancers and bands as volunteers to entertain military personnel, their families and communities. Prospective performers must be at least 18 years old and be available to travel for up to two days at a time. Send current photos, resumes, audio tapes and, if available, video tapes to USO, c/o Scott A. Cameron, P.O. Box 32, Thompson, Ohio 44086-0032. For information about USO programs, call (440) 717-0999 or see the Web site www.uso.org/cleveland.