Valley entertainment digest: New Rock music festival to come to Youngstown

Rock music festival

YOUNGSTOWN — An outdoor rock music festival dubbed JonesFest will kick off the summer in downtown Youngstown. The free festival will begin at 4 p.m. May 31 on West Federal Street. Several area bands have committed to play, including The Zou, 5 Elements, Captain Braskey, The Devotees and Jones For Revival. The festival is sponsored by Youngstown Local Music, which also sponsors VexFest. For information regarding sponsorships and/or vendor locations, contact Dan Crump at (330) 550-5995 or go to www.myspace.com/youngstownlocalmusic.

White House Fruit Farm plans weekend event

CANFIELD — White House Fruit Farm, state Route 62 at Western Reserve Road, will have White House Weekend on Saturday and Sunday. The annual event will feature vendors who will offer a variety of free samples. Additionally, locally produced maple syrup will also be available. The White House farm store specializes in Ohio cheeses and meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, an in-house bakery with homemade doughnuts, pies, breads, fudge and cookies and apple cider. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Opera singer in concert at Mount Carmel church

YOUNGSTOWN — Francisco Casanova, one of the leading tenors on the international opera scene, will give a recital at 8 p.m. Saturday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Social Hall. The recital was originally scheduled in December but was postponed because of illness. The concert will fund a scholarship for a voice student to study Italian and operatic singing in Milan, Italy. Casanova has sung many roles at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where he once sang in place of the late Luciano Pavarotti. He will be joined by soprano Samia Bahu from the Metropolitan Opera. The event will begin at 7 with appetizers and wine. Seating is limited and reservations are encouraged. Tickets are $30 per person ($20 for the concert only; $10 for students). For reservations, call (330) 750-0440 or (724) 866-4993. This concert is sponsored by Valley Lyric Opera.

Easter-season play

YOUNGSTOWN — Top Hat Productions will present five performances of “The Earth Trembled” this Easter season. The Passion play, which depicts the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and March 21 and 22, at Fairview Arts and Outreach Center, 4220 Youngstown-Poland Road. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Call (330) 755-6412.

Square dances set

SHARON, Pa. — The Shenango Valley Sashayers Western Square Dance Club will hold dances for student and “plus” dancers on Friday and March 28 at the Salvation Army Building, on the corner of Fisher Hill and Hall avenues. Both dances begin at 8 p.m. For more information, call Gary Jones at (330) 719-7286.