Sunday, August 19, 2007
Youth Orchestra seeks
musicians for season
YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Symphony Youth Orchestra is seeking musicians for the 2007-08 season. Wind, brass and percussion auditions will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 8 and from 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 10. String auditions will be held from 1 to 9 p.m. Sept. 16 and from 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 17. Students must be between ages 13-18. Applicants must prepare a solo and demonstrate sight reading and scaling abilities. Auditions will be held at Powers Auditorium. Enter the facility through the Commerce Street entrance. Senior concerto competition auditions will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 11 at Ford Family Recital Hall. For more information and to schedule an audition time, call Youngstown Symphony Society, (330) 744-4269.
Packard museum
honors volunteer
WARREN — The National Packard Museum presented its first volunteer of the year award to Arvada Gidycz of Greene Township during the All-Makes Cruise-In portion of the 18th annual Packard Car Show Weekend. The award, named The Arvada Gidycz Spirit of the Museum Award, is presented to the volunteer that most embodies the spirit of cooperation, camaraderie and benevolence. “It is only fitting that Arvada be the first recipient of this prestigious award because it is her character and tenacious spirit of volunteerism that prompted the board members and staff to create the award,” said Charlie Ohlin, museum past president. Dubbed “the museum mom,” Gidycz has been a constant force at the museum for nearly eight years. She is responsible for coordinating volunteers to staff the admissions desk and the museum store, and also plays a key role in organizing volunteers for the annual car show and other projects.
Scottish and Irish fest
returns with music, food
GENEVA ON THE LAKE — Ohio’s longest-running Scottish and Irish Festival returns to Geneva-on-the Lake’s Old Firehouse Winery on Saturday and Aug. 26. The event includes Celtic entertainment, vendors and food. Admission is $5, but those who pay Saturday can get in the next day for free. Children under 11 are free.
Celtic band Cuyuga will kick off the Feis with a performance on the main stage at noon Saturday. Danny Malloy, an Irish balladeer, will play during band breaks, and the MacCallum Highlanders pipe band will perform at 4 p.m. Returning for their 18th consecutive Celtic Feis are the Royal Scottish Dancers and Jennie May School of Irish Dance at 3 p.m. Celtic bands will play from 7 to midnight.
“Dancing has become one of the most popular events at the festival,” said Dave Otto of the Old Firehouse. “This year, we have four different dance groups, two each day. We’re pleased that both the Leneghan Academy and Masterson Schools are returning. We’re also excited that the Burke School of Irish Dance from Youngstown will be joining us for the first time. They will dance on Sunday at 3 p.m.”
Sunday is Celtic Kid’s Day, and anyone under 18 will be admitted free. The MacCallum Highlanders, Burke School of Irish Dance and the Masterson School and Irish Heritage Club will perform.
Also Sunday, the Whiskey Island Ramblers will make their Feis debut, and John Hoyle, Ashtabula County’s Irish Tenor, will sing. “And yes, that ‘big weird guy’ with the beard, long hair, and kilt will be returning on Sunday,” said Otto, referring to West Side Steve, who will conclude the two-day festival with a performance at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 26.
A Celtic menu will be featured for both days, including Scotch eggs, scones, corned beef and cabbage, and Farfar Bridies, a meat pie in a flaky crust.
Show choir to perform
STRUTHERS — The next appearance of the Struthers Community Show Choir, under the direction of Bob Noble, will be at 4 p.m. today outdoors at Fairview Arts and Outreach Center, 4220 Youngstown-Poland Road. The choir will perform a variety of popular, jazz and Broadway favorites in their ninth appearance of the summer. Concert-goers should bring lawn chairs or blankets. There is no admission charge, although donations will be accepted.
Lake Latonka festival
MERCER, Pa. — Lake Latonka’s 28th annual Fall Festival will be held at the Big Red Barn from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 8. It will feature more than 75 arts and crafts exhibitors, entertainment by Chuck Thorpe and Friends, and homemade food. There will be a Chinese auction, bake sale, garden club mum sale and basket raffle. Part of the proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society. Admission is free, and parking is $2 per car. Take Interstate 79 to exit 121, and then Route 62 to North Cottage Road.