Revitalization talk

Revitalization talk
YOUNGSTOWN -- Universal Cafe of First Unitarian Church will present "Our Northside" Monday. Take the next step to revitalizing Youngstown's North Side. Hunter Morrison of YSU's Urban & amp; Regional Center and architect David Reed of the Urban Design Center will help with revitalization ideas. Reed's 2003 appearance led to the creation of the Northside Farmer's Market on the church lawn Saturday mornings, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cafe is at 1105 Elm St., just north of Youngstown State University, across from Wick Park. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the program begins at 7. The cost is $3. Light refreshments will be available.
'HONK!' for family fun
CANFIELD -- Move Over Broadway Productions Inc. will present the familiar ugly-duckling tale in "HONK!", a musical that includes dinner. Written by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, the story's charm, humor and message of tolerance are perfect for a family audience. "HONK! is the story of Ugly (Josh Lewis), whose odd, gawky looks incite prejudice from his family and neighbors. Separated from the farm and pursued by a hungry cat (Nick Opritza), Ugly must find his way home with only his loving mother, Ida (Sue Vollmar), searching for him. Also starring are Tom Hathhorn as Drake, Carla Hill as Maureen and Dot, Tom Gent as the Bullfrog, Katianne Timko as Queenie, and JoAnn Winterbauer as Lowbutt. Featured performers are the ducklings (Tierney Chesney, Tyler Hanes, Sophia Pilolli and Hogan Russell). Marlene Menaldi Strollo directs, with musical direction by Ed Phillips and choreography by Nick Opritza. The stage manager is Cathy Hanes. "HONK!" will run for six performances: Aug. 5, 6, 12 and 13 at 8 p.m., and Aug. 13 and 14 at 2 p.m. in the St. Michael Social Hall, Rt. 46 in Canfield. Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m., but show-only tickets are also available. Dinner tickets are $26, $24 and $14; show-only tickets are $12, $10 and $6. A brunch will be served on Sunday, Aug. 14 for $24, $22 and $12 at 12:30 p.m. For reservations call (330) 533-8789. The box office is open from noon to 5 p.m. daily.
Broadway Series grant
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown Symphony Society received a $15,000 grant from the First Place Bank Community Foundation to support the Broadway Series at Powers Auditorium. The series showcases national touring productions, said Patricia Syak, executive director of the society. "First Place Bank Community Foundation makes these performances possible," Syak said. Series performances for the season include "Blast!" Nov. 14-15; The revised Cameron Mackintosh production of "Oklahoma!" Feb. 6-7; and "Thoroughly Modern Millie" May 1-2. For information and tickets call (330) 744-0264.
Concert band to play
WARREN -- The W.D. Packard Concert Band will present "Hollywood, Broadway and More" at 7 p.m. Aug. 7 at the south lawn band shell at Packard Music Hall in Warren. The program includes "The Star Spangled Banner"; "Nobles of the Mystic Shrine"; "Festive Overture"; "The Typewriter"; "Shenandoah"; "Hollywood!"; "Napoli," featuring Timothy Shade, euphonium soloist; "'Tis the Last Rose of Summer," also featuring Shade; and "The Stars and Stripes Forever." Shade, of Grove City, Ohio, is a senior music major at the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University.
Pop art at Hoyt
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Four artists will be featured in "Snap, Crackle, Pop: A Look at Contemporary Popular Culture" at the Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts in New Castle. The artists are Elizabeth Morisette, Isabella Natale, Fanky Chak and Paul LeRoy Gehres. Pop art has its roots in the 1950s, when artists such as Andy Warhol looked to media and advertising for inspiration, then incorporated techniques of commercial art into fine art. The show opens Aug. 7 with a public artists' reception from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. The show will run through Sept. 16. Normal visiting hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call (724) 652-2882 or visit www.hoytartcenter.org.
Duo to perform at park
YOUNGSTOWN -- "The Country's Premiere Cabaret Duo" Mary Jo Maluso and Rick Blackson will perform at 7 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Judge Morley Pavilion in Mill Creek Park. The 90-minute show will feature songs from present and past Broadway shows, standards and several of Blackson's original compositions. The couple have been performing together for 15 years.