Get ready to polka

Get ready to polka
SNPJ, Pa. -- Are you ready for a taste of Slovenia? Of course you are. Featuring 27 bands, the 24th annual Slovenfest will open here Friday and run through next Sunday. The fest will be at the SNPJ Recreation Center, 270 Martin Road, where performances will be on two outdoor stages, the indoor club room and the air-conditioned Alpine Room inside the center's main building. For information, call (800) 843-7675 or the center, (877) 767-5732.
Art camp coming
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The Hoyt Institute's summer art camps will run July 12-29 for children in four age ranges: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 and 13-15. Children can be registered for one, two or three weeks, at $30 per week or $85 for all three. Classes run 9-11 a.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Members get a discount. For information, call the institute, (724) 652-2882 or visit the Web site, www.hoytartcenter.org.
Rib Burn Off moves
NILES -- The Mahoning Valley Rib Burn Off -- scheduled for Thursday through next Sunday -- moves to state Route 46 in front of Super Kmart this year to avoid conflicts with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers schedule. The Burn Off runs from noon til midnight each day.
Entertainment includes the Gin Blossoms on Friday night and Michael Stanley on Saturday night. Gold Circle seats will be available for both shows at $15 and include your admission to the Burn Off. Tickets are available at the Super Kmart customer service desk in Niles, Cordy's Cigar on Route 422 in McKinley Heights or charge by phone at (330) 799-3111.
The Mahoning Valley Rib Burn Off is free each day from noon til 5 p.m. After that, admission ranges from $4 to $7, depending on the day. Seniors get half-price tickets, and under 12 admitted free. Show a Mahoning Valley Scrappers ticket stub from the weekend's games and get in the Rib Burn Off free.
Drum circle
CANFIELD -- Ellie Kihonia, a well-traveled Afriday drummer, dancer and singer will conduct a hand drumming event 6-9 p.m. Friday at Treat Yourself Holistic Center, 3837 Starr Center Drive. No experience is required to participate, and drums will be available. Tickets are $10 advance or $15 at the door. For information, call (330) 533-1870.
Musical planned
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- The Greenville Area Community Theater and Greenville Symphony Orchestra will collaborate to present "School of Scandal," a romance laced with comedy. Performances will be 8 p.m. July 28-30 and 3 p.m. July 31 in Bly Auditorium in the academic center of the Thiel College campus. Tickets are $12 adults, $9 students, available at the door.
Annual highlight
WARREN -- The W.D. Packard Concert Band offers its annual Fourth of July show at 8 p.m. Monday at the South Lawn Band Shell at the Packard Music Hall. One of the highlights is the band's rendition of the "1812 Overture" by Tchaikovsky. The program is free.
Singer returns
CHESTER, W.Va. -- Truly, it's not unusal to have Tom Jones at the Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort these days. He'll be back for another show July 24, still singing his standards as well as covering favorite songs of the present. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in The Harv. Tickets are $40-60, available through Ticketmaster locations.
Gospel event
SALEM -- Salem Community Theatre will host its third annual Gospel Jubilee at Salem High School at 7:30 p.m. July 15. This year's show, "A Celebration of God & amp; Country" directed by Michael J. Moritz, Jr. of the Kontinuous Jams Media Group, will feature several soloists and duets. Mary Catley ("Just a Closer Walk with Thee"), Carla Gibson ("His Eye is on the Sparrow") and Tommy Reviere ("Go Out and Tell") will sing. Other featured performers are Stephanie Ottey, Michael Moritz, Susan McQueen, Tim Burke, Rozz Chapman, Paula Strobel and Nikita Jones. In addition to gospel standards, the show will feature some contemporary Christian and patriotic numbers. Tickets can be purchased at the Salem community Theatre, the Young & amp; Merrill Insurance Agency or the Lion & amp; Lamb Bookstore in Salem. For information, call (330) 332-9688.