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Talent acts take to the streets in Pig Iron downtown festival
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Dancers of Eos, Megan Thomas, Jennifer Neil, Katie Makita and Robyn DePaul perform a Romany American Tribal Style belly dance to "Yellow Rose Percussion" by Mezdeke during the Pig Iron Street Festival on Saturday afternoon.
By Denise Dick
The fifth annual event drew 17 entries for its talent show.
YOUNGSTOWN — Hundreds of people walked along Phelps Street, taking in the music, crafts, talents and sights.
They were visiting the Pig Iron Community Street Festival, which marked its fifth year Saturday with exhibits, a talent show, concessions and musical performances.
“The purpose is to build community and bring people together,” said Jim Villani, Pig Iron Press founder.
Because there was no admission fee, attendees could enjoy the day without having to spend much money, he said.
The festival has kept to the block between Commerce and Federal streets since its inception, but Villani believes the number of participants and attendees has increased over the years.
He estimated that between 600 and 700 people had visited the festival by late afternoon.
“And we’re only halfway through the event,” Villani said.
The talent show drew 17 entries — poets to rock bands, dance groups to soloists — who were evaluated by a three-judge panel.
Dressed in her silver sequined hat, Chloe Noel Housteau, 8, of Boardman wowed the audience with her rendition of the song “Fabulous.”
“I sing the song a lot,” said Chloe, who started singing and dancing when she was a toddler.
She performs with Easy Street Productions and with Top Hat Productions, both of Youngstown, and studies dance at Kathi’s Dance and Gym Center in Springfield Township.
“She’s been singing and dancing since she was 2,” said her mother, Angela.
Chloe just enjoys performing.
“I love to get up and sing,” she said.
Four East High School friends, calling themselves Dangerous Squad, impressed the festival throng with their hip-hop dance moves.
Brandon Whitman and Aric Jackson, both 16, and Jamealla Crafter and Imani Jones, both 15, performed elaborate moves to a medley of dance numbers.
Brandon said he’s been in two dance groups, but Dangerous Squad has been together for about a month.
They all work hard to learn the moves and make their timing precise.
“I just learned it yesterday,” said Aric, the group’s newest member.
The other group members began working on the dance about a month ago.
“We all grew up together,” Brandon said.
“We’re cousins,” Imani added, pointing to Brandon.
The foursome didn’t learn the moves through a professional teacher.
“I just love to dance,” Brandon said.