Polish Happy Hour is more than an excuse to go to the bar. It can transport you.

Polish Happy Hour is more than an excuse to go to the bar. It can transport you.

“We want people to feel like they are really out at a bar in Warsaw or Krakow,” says Darek Chomczyk, Polish Happy Hour Youngstown director (PolishYoungstown.com). The second gathering in the new monthly series — aimed at Poles and people interested in the culture — will take place at Barley’s, 21 W. Federal St., from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The food, drink and music are direct from the old country, but they are all modern.

The featured Polish vodka will be Zytnia, a crystal-clear vodka made with mountain water. One of the most popular rye vodkas, it has a small amounts of aromatic fruits. The featured drink will be the Polski Osioł, (Polish donkey) a slightly sweet vodka drink. The featured beer will be Tyskie, a golden lager with more taste than its American counterparts.

The music of Polish rock bands and solo artists will be played.

Come to Barley’s for the Polish vodka, and stay for Red Wanting Blue. The last time the Columbus-based rockers were supposed to play Youngstown was Sept. 12 — the final Party on the Plaza. Heavy rains washed that date out. They’ll make their way back to town on a bill that also includes Away from Eden. Show starts around 10 p.m. Barley’s number is (330) 743-6480.

Youngstown State University Theater brings the Broadway version of “Little Women” to Youngstown for the first time. The musical opens at 7:30 p.m. in Ford Theater (inside Bliss Hall on Wick Avenue) and it’s a highlight of the region’s theater season. Additional shows are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Call the box office at (330) 941-3105.

j Steve Miller Band comes to Chevrolet Centre in downtown Youngstown at 8 p.m. Check Ticketmaster outlets and the Chevy Centre box office for tickets.

Another Youngstown first this weekend is the International Pop Overthrow. The IPO is a traveling music festival that offers dozens of unsigned indie rock acts with a melodic slant. It will be at Cedars Lounge, 23 N. Hazel St., downtown Youngstown, through Sunday. For the schedule, see story inside this magazine.

“Fine-Tune,” the fine film made by Chris Rutushin of Youngstown that features local talent Noelle Nackino, Brendan Gauntner and John Maluso, will again be screened this weekend at Oakland Center for the Arts, 220 W. Boardman St., downtown Youngstown. Start time is 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Call the Oakland at (330) 746-0404.

The Youngstown Symphony Orchestra will be joined by pianist Ignat Solzhenitsyn in concert at 8 p.m. at Powers Auditorium. Call (330) 746-0404 for tickets.

Steve March Torme, the late-blooming son of singer Mel Torme, comes to Stambaugh Auditorium, 5000 Fifth Ave., Youngstown, for a 7 p.m. concert. Call (330) 743-2717 for tickets.

jDueling Divas, a program of duets for soprano and mezzo-soprano from opera, operetta and musical theater, will be at 3 p.m. in the second-floor auditorium of the Kent State-Salem’s City Center, 230 N. Lincoln Ave., in downtown Salem. The program will include performances by Denise Milner Howell, mezzo-soprano; Lara Troyer, soprano; and Amy Malyuk, pianist. Guests can park behind the building and enter directly on the second floor.

Avenged Sevenfold, Buckcherry, Shinedown and Saving Abel will rock Chevy Centre Nov. 22. Check Ticketmaster for tickets.

Christian rock superstar Michael W. Smith comes to Chevy Centre Nov. 29. As always, Ticketmaster has the tickets.k