Tamburitzan group to hold Polka Fest

July 20, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

VIENNA — The Happy Hearts Junior Tamburitzans of Youngstown will hold a Polka Fest on Saturday at Strossmayer Croatian Picnic Center, 4202 Smith Stewart Road (off Belmont Avenue). Gates open at 1 p.m. with the following musical performances: 2-4 p.m., The Al-Ray Combo; 4-6 p.m., Mikey Dee Band; 6-8 p.m., Jack Vasco. Croatian food specialties, including barbecued lamb and pork, will be served.

This event will raise money for group’s upcoming trip to the Croatian Junior Tamburitzan Festival next summer in Zagreb, Croatia.

Competition accepts Canfield artist’s works

CANFIELD — Two paintings by Canfield artist Christopher Leeper has had two painting accepted in the Paint the Parks 100 art competition. His works were among 100 paintings selected from more than 1,000 entries. The exhibit features paintings of U.S. national parks. Leeper’s paintings highlighted Acadia National Park in Maine and Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.

The exhibition will open in St Louis then travel to Kansas, Arizona and Utah.

Leeper was also featured in the summer edition of American Artist Watercolor magazine.

In November, his acrylic painting “Stream of Myth and legend” will be part of the Watercolor Ohio annual exhibition at the Riffe Gallery in Columbus.

Leeper, a full-time artist who works and teaches from his Canfield studio, is a member of the adjunct faculty in the School of Fine Arts at Youngstown State University. He is also the vice president of the Ohio Watercolor Society. His work can be seen at www.christopherleeper.com.

Youngstown Superstar seeks contestants

YOUNGSTOWN — Contest-ants are being sought for Youngstown Superstar, the annual talent competition now in its fourth year. Registrations are required, and can be made online at youngstownsuperstar.com, or by phone at (330) 788-9666. Registration cost is $25, which includes a professional photograph. The deadline is Sept. 22. Registrants will be required to audition a cappella (voice only) for a panel of judges. Eliminations will be made until 10 contestants remain in each category. Contestants do not have to be Youngstown residents. The finalists will receive private vocal coaching, as well as music direction with the stage band.

The judges and studio audience will determine the winners during the final rounds, which will Oct. 17 for Kindergarten through fourth grade, and fifth through eighth grades; and Oct. 18 for high schoolers and adults. The finals will be open to the public, with seats available in advance as well as at the door. The winners in each of the four age groups will receive a recording package at Kontinuous Jams Studios, 6911 Market St., Boardman, with 50 copies of their own CD.

For more information, go to youngstownsuperstar.com or call (330) 286-0371.

Opera star Brownlee receives top award

International opera star Lawrence Brownlee, a native of Youngstown, has received the Artist of the Year award from the Seattle Opera, said Speight Jenkins, general director of the company. “Larry Brownlee represents all that our Young Artists Program hopes to accomplish,” said Jenkins. “He is one of the great singers of the world, and his performances in ‘I Puritani’ will echo forever in the memory of those who attended them.”

Tickets are available for fair attractions

LISBON — Tickets for grandstand shows at the Columbiana County Fair are available at the fair office, 225 Lee Ave., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Events and ticket prices are as follows:

ULorrie Morgan concert, Aug. 1, $12.50.

UJake Owen concert, July 29, $10.

UDemolition Derby, July 30 or Aug. 3, $4.

UTruck/Tractor Pull, July 31 or Aug. 2, $4.

Also on sale are general admission tickets (sold in lots of seven for $30); membership tickets for $1; and exhibitor passes. The fair accepts all major credit cards.

Tickets can also be bought online at columbianacountyfair.org. For more information, call the fair office at (330) 424-5531.