Melanie Safka

No talent who came out of Woodstock and who continued actively performing is as closely associated with the 1960s and “flower power” than Melanie Safka, who is more commonly known simply as Melanie. Perhaps best known for

her 1971 hit “Brand New Key,” which is about — at least on its surface — roller skates. Melanie performs a Christmas show at the Kent Stage 175 E. Main St., Kent, at 8 p.m. Call (330) 677-5500.

Downplay, the Columbus-based rock band with members from Salem, plays a rare Mahoning Valley show tonight at the Salem Elks Lodge, 824 E. State St., Salem. Call (330) 337-3322.

“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” is one of the funnest and funniest musicals of recent decades, and a staple on community theater stages. New Castle Playhouse gives it a whirl, with an opening curtain at 7:30 p.m. (additional shows this weekend at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday). The Playhouse is at 202 E. Long Ave., New Castle, Pa. Call (724) 654-3437.

“Guys and Dolls” enters its final weekend at Trumbull New Theatre, 5883 Youngstown-Warren Road, Niles. Curtain time is 8 p.m. (3 p.m. Sunday). Call (330) 652-1103.

“Little Women” continues at Youngstown State University Theater, with a 7:30 p.m. show (additional shows at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday). The venue is Ford Theater, which is inside Bliss Hall, on Wick Avenue, across the street from the Butler museum. Call (330) 941-3105 for tickets.

Rudy & the Professionals bring a Caribbean dance groove to Rosetta Stone, 110 W. Federal St., downtown Youngstown. The post-dinner show begins at 9 p.m. Rudy, the lead singer, is a native of the Bahamas, where he fronted the house band at the Royal Oasis Casino in Freeport. He has also opened shows for Earth Wind & Fire and Kool and the Gang. Rudy & the Pros will be back at the Rosetta Stone on Thanksgiving night.

Tony Richards launches the cabaret series at Stambaugh Auditorium’s Christman Hall. Performance is at 7 p.m. Call (330) 259-0555 for tickets.

Four of the hottest acts on rock radio are Buckcherry, Avenged Sevenfold, Shinedown and Saving Abel. Catch all four in one show at Chevy Centre at 6:30 p.m. For tickets, go to the Chevy box office or Ticketmaster.

Warren Philharmonic presents “Stories in Colors and Sounds,” a family concert at Packard Music Hall in Warren. It starts at 3 p.m. Call (330) 841-2931 for tickets.

Youngstown’s Total Package Band returns to the B&O Banquet Hall, 530 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown, at 10 p.m. Nov. 29, for a 25-and-over Thanksgiving Weekend Jam, featuring DJ Ray “D”. Tickets are $7 at the door ($5 with a nonperishable food item for the Rescue Mission).

The Average White Guy Comedy Tour, featuring Mark Riccadonna, comes to The Wedge, in the Wedgewood Plaza (corner of Raccoon Road and New Road) in Austintown, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Call (330) 792-1216 for tickets.k