The theater season begins at Youngstown State University with "Love of A Pig," which begins at 8

The theater season begins at Youngstown State University with "Love of A Pig," which begins at 8 p.m. in Spotlight Arena Theater in Bliss Hall, on the YSU campus (Wick Avenue). The play about a young musician's romantic pursuit of a fellow musician, also will be staged at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday (there is an additional performance at 11 p.m. Saturday), with a 3 p.m. Sunday matinee. For ticket information, call (330) 941-3105.
Columbiana Street Fair kicks off at 5:30 this evening and runs all weekend, in downtown Columbiana. Games, amusement rides, sales and, or course, the famous chicken dinners are all part of the festivities.
Here's what is playing on area stages this weekend:
"Tony n' Tina's Wedding," (which includes Italian buffet dinner), at 6 p.m. tonight and Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday, at Eleanor Beecher Flad Pavilion, 260 Federal Plaza West, downtown Youngstown; call (330) 744-0264 for tickets.
"The Guys" based on a true story involving firemen who perished and one who survived the Sept. 11 terror attacks, 8 p.m. tonight and Saturday, Oakland Center for the Arts, 220 W. Boardman St., Youngstown; (330) 746-0404. Firefighters and firehouse support staff will be admitted free.
"A Doll's House," 7:30 tonight and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Victoria Players Theatre, 702 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown; (330) 746-5455.
"Shadowlands," 8 p.m. tonight and Saturday, Trumbull New Theatre, 5883 Youngstown Road (U.S. route 422), Niles; (330) 652-1103.
Folk-rock singer Melanie performs at 8 at Kent Stage, 175 E. Main St., Kent. Call (330) 677-5005.
j The 33rd annual Mantua Potato Festival -- a celebration of all things spud -- runs this weekend. It features many food items made from potatoes: candy, doughnuts, pierogies, pancakes, bread, cookies and more. Children's games, rides, a craft tent, antique tractors, 15K Potato Stomp race and a potato bake-off are part of the events. A lineup of live entertainment will be on two stages, with Cleveland rock band Three Miles Out performing at 8 p.m. tonight. A parade will be held Sunday at 2 p.m., and the festival queen will be crowned. The festival opens Friday at 6 p.m. and continues today from 11 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. Mantua is in northeast Portage County, three miles north of Ohio Turnpike Exit 193 (state Route 44). The festival is held in Buchert Park on East High Street.
The Buccaneer Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at Buccaneer Campsites, state Route 307, three miles east of state Route 45, in Jefferson, Ashtabula County. Some 120 craftsmen will display their wares, and many will demonstrate how they make their products. The festival is on several acres of grass on the banks of Buccaneer Lake, with some vendors hidden in the nearby forest. Food, live music and Civil War re-enactors are on the schedule, as is an appearance by an Abraham Lincoln impersonator. Parking is free. Admission is $4 ($3 for seniors and children under 18).
The Rick Recht Band, one of the top touring Jewish rock groups, will perform at the Jewish Community Center, 505 Gypsy Lane, Youngstown, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door, or at www.jccyoungstown.org. Recht's appearance is one of the featured events of Jewish Cultural Week, Sept. 10-16.
Blue Lunch, an eight-piece blues, jazz and swing band, and singer Gayle George, entertain for free from 5 to 8 p.m. at the gazebo at Julia's Bed & amp; Breakfast, 6219 West Liberty (route 304), Hubbard. Call (330) 534-1342.
It will be a busy week at Chevrolet Centre. Rock band Staind headlines a concert that also includes Three Days Grace, Crossfade and Blackstone Cherry on Tuesday. And the Ringling Bros.-Barnum & amp; Bailey Circus opens a four-day run Thursday.
Spirit of the Dance, with Ireland's Three Tenors, kicks off the 2006-07 Monday Musical Club season. The show will be at 8 p.m. Oct. 5 at Stambaugh Auditorium. For tickets, call (330) 747-5175 or go to www.stambaughonline.com