The Youngstown State University theater department welcomes newcomers to the world of opera with two comic one-acts. "The Impresario" and "Gianni Schicchi" begin at 8 in the new Butler North building,

The Youngstown State University theater department welcomes newcomers to the world of opera with two comic one-acts. "The Impresario" and "Gianni Schicchi" begin at 8 in the new Butler North building, formerly the First Christian Church, next to the Butler Institute of American Art. Opera-goers will be the first to see the new theater space that has been created in the building. Performances will also be held at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Call (330) 941-3105 for tickets.
The Isley Brothers, with opening act Silk, will be in concert at 8 at Chevrolet Centre.
On stage at area theaters this weekend:
"The Sound of Music," 7:30 tonight and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, New Castle Playhouse, 202 E. Long Ave., New Castle; call (724) 654-3437 for tickets.
"Same Time, Next Year" (dinner theater), 6:30 p.m. tonight and Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Moyer Room, Youngstown Playhouse, 600 Playhouse Lane (off Glenwood Avenue); (330) 788-8739.
"To Kill A Mockingbird," by the Carnation City Players,8 tonight and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Firehouse Theater, 450 E. Market St., Alliance; (330) 821-8712.
Hip hop has now been around for about 25 years, making it inevitable that an oldies tour would surface. And one has. The Legends of Hip Hop tour, featuring Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, Whodini and UTFO, comes to Stambaugh Auditorium, 1000 Fifth Ave., Youngstown. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Call (330) 747-5175.
Bel Duetto, a top-shelf vocal duo comprised of former Miss Ohio Amanda Beagle and Craig Raymaley, performs in an elegant evening of song and dance at 8 tonight (and 3 p.m. Saturday) at the Youngstown Playhouse. Call (330) 788-8739.
Greg Johnson of the Total Package jazz-funk-dance band has written a song of support for the family members of the victims of the Virginia Tech tragedy. Total Package will perform at the Radisson Hotel, Route 18 at Interstate 80, in West Middlesex tonight. Call (724) 528-2501.
The Youngstown Symphony Orchestra will conclude its season with Mahler's Titan Symphony. Guest pianist Stewart Goodyear will perform Mozart's 23rd Piano Concerto. The concert starts at 8 p.m. at Powers Auditorium, with a pre-show informational session about the composers beginning at 7 p.m. Call (330) 744-0264 for tickets.
The second annual Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament, a fundraiser for Warren Athletic Club and Tod Children's Hospital, returns to Chevrolet Centre today and Sunday. The inaugural tourney last year sold out, so more tables are being added this year. The tourney will pay out nearly 130,000 in cash prizes to the top 10 percent of the field. The winner will also get a 10,000 buy-in to a World Series of Poker tournament. Last year's winner, Mike Taninecz, won a prize package of more than 18,000. He went on to the WPT tourney at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut, where he placed 31st and picked up an additional 15,000. Tickets are available at McMenamy's in Niles, O'Donold's Pub in Austintown Plaza, and the Clear Channel radio studios at 7461 South Ave. in Boardman. For more information, call (330) 544-1867 or go to Midwestcharitypoker.com.
Kent State University-Salem Community Choir will give its annual spring concert at 3 p.m., at KSU-Salem City Center Auditorium, 230 N. Lincoln Ave., Salem. Call (330) 332-0361.
Golden Dragon Acrobats, a Chinese troupe that truly astounds with its unusual feats, comes to Powers Auditorium Monday for a 7:30 p.m. show. Tickets are available at the box office or by calling (330) 744-0264.
UPCOMING
Vicki Lawrence and her alter-ego, Mama, come to Stambaugh Auditorium at 8 p.m. May 11 for an evening of comedy. Call (330) 259-0555 for tickets or go to Stambaughonline.com