Big Bad Voodoo Daddy headlines Summerfest

July 19, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN — Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, national recording artists, will headline the Mill Creek MetroParks’ Summerfest at 7 p.m. today at the Judge Morley Pavilion in the Wick Recreation Area. “How Big Can You Get, 100 Years of Cab Calloway” is the theme.

The free concert will highlight the life and career of Cab Calloway, an American icon of the big band era. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is among bands who launched the 1990s swing revival. The seven-man group has forged a successful fusion of classic American sounds from jazz, swing, Dixieland and big band music.

Handicapped parking is available off of McCollum Road near the fire station.

Joe Kaluza benefit run scheduled July 26

YOUNGSTOWN — The Joe Kaluza Benefit Run, sponsored by the Great Lakes Medievel Fair and KFC, is planned July 26.

Riders may start gathering at 10 a.m. at the The Ice House on Route 46 in Mineral Ridge and the first bike will leave at noon. Bikers will follow their own routes to the Medieval Faire in Rock Creek, state Route 534, south of Geneva.

The event will benefit Joe Kaluza, the KFC manager of the South side restaurant, who was a victim of a crime March 24, 2008. He was shot, and was left paralyzed from the neck down. He is in a wheelchair and on a ventilator. The goal is to build the Kaluza family a 100-percent handicapped-accessible house.

Advance tickets are available at all local KFC’s or may be bought at the event.

The event is a 13th-century family fun theme park filled with entertainment, crafts, artisans, interactive games and food. Knights will battle on the open field for the favor of their favorite damsel.

Benefit concert for vets

YOUNGSTOWN — The City of Youngstown and Vetaid National will host a Youngs-town River Fest for Vets in Distress benefit concert from 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday at the B&O Station, 530 Mahoning Ave.

Bands include: Jambone, Trigger, Geo C and the Storm, Mortal Souls (3 former members of the Human Beingz) and Away from Eden.

Bright art exhibit

WARREN — Trumbull Memorial Hospital Foundation, in partnership with Trumbull Area Artists, presents “Al Bright — Recent Drawings of Current Events in National News” through July 26 in Trumbull Memorial Hospital’s Nissen Art Gallery, located on the first floor in the North lobby.

He is an abstract expressionalist, known for his performance paintings created before live audiences. He is professor emeritus of art at Youngstown State University.

Clean up Oakland Center

YOUNGSTOWN — Oakland Center for the Arts, 220 W. Boardman St., will host a clean-up session starting at 9 a.m. today to clean up and organize the scene shop, dressing room and a section of the second floor.

Jim Canaci will lead the scene-shop group and Rob Joki, the second-floor group.

Caf service returns to Akron Art Museum

AKRON — Fair trade coffees, fresh baked goods, salads, soups and sandwiches are on the menu along with gourmet chocolate desserts at Hattie’s Caf Express at Akron Art Museum.

There is indoor and outdoor seating available.

The caf is a vocation program for adults with disabilities. It’s open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays and 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays.

Visit www.ArkonArtMuseum.org; museum admission is not required to visit the caf .