Bud Clydesdales in Kent tonight, barring rain

j The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales will parade through downtown Kent around 5 tonight. Unless it rains. The horses don’t march in the rain. The visit by the giant draft horses (who will pull a vintage beer wagon, just like in the commercials) was arranged by an Anheuser-Busch official who lives in Rootstown. After the parade, check out nine-time Grammy winners Asleep at the Wheel. They aren’t world-famous, like the Clydesdales, but they are the Kings of Texas Swing. Show starts at 8 p.m. at the world-famous Kent Stage,175 E. Main St. Call (330) 677-5005.

Be among the first in the world to see “Harry’s Friendly Service,” written by Youngstown native Rob Zellers. The play, set in Youngstown in 1977, opens in previews at 8 tonight at the O’Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Ave. in downtown Pittsburgh. It is being presented by the Pittsburgh Public Theater. Call (412) 316-1600.

The Scottish Rite Cathedral is celebrating its acceptance by the National Register of Historic Places with a concert by the Glenn Miller Orchestra. The evening begins with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m., and the concert following at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 for the reception, and $25 for the concert. The historic building is at 110 E. Lincoln Ave., New Castle, Pa. Call (724) 654-6683 or go to cathedralinnewcastle.com.

John Steven Bloom will present a show of magic and illusions at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the New Castle Playhouse, 202 E. Long Ave. Additional shows will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Call (724) 654-3437. k

Rick Blackson and Mary Jo Maluso are doing the cabaret thing at Stambaugh Auditorium’s grand ballroom in a show that will raise money for Second Harvest Food Bank. Tickets are $25 for the show, titled “What the World Needs Now.” Call (330) 259-0555.

Think you don’t like to polka? Maybe you just haven’t heard the right music or learned from the right teachers! Polish-Youngstown and the Krakowiaki Polish Folk Circle are joining with Kuzman’s in Girard to sponsor a monthly polka event designed to convert everyone into polka fans. “People try their hand at country line dancing and the electric slide but somehow think they can’t have fun doing the polka,” said Larry Maffitt, manager of Kuzman’s, on Route 422. Kuzman’s has been the Valley’s home for polkas for more than 50 years. The Girard bar and dance hall is featuring Polish-style music the last Saturday of every month with free dance lessons before the band begins. The first will be from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, featuring Ray Jay and the Carousels. The evening begins at 7 p.m. with free dance lessons.

Check out the photo exhibition by actress Jessica Lange on display at the Butler Institute of American Art through July 5. The exhibition, which opened Thursday, includes at least 50 of the Oscar-winner’s black-and-white photographs, taken over the years at locations worldwide. Admission to the Butler is free. Go to butlerart.com for more information. k

The Victorian Players Theatre will present Moliere’s renowned comedy, “Tartuffe.” The play opens June 5 and runs for three weekends. The theater is at 702 Mahoning Ave., just up from downtown Youngstown and across from Flynn’s Tires. Call (330) 746-5455. Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.

Jonesfest takes its jam-friendly attitude and a bevy of the region’s grooviest bands to Nelson Ledges Quarry Park this year. The festival was inaugurated last summer in downtown Youngstown. Sponsored by headlining act Jones For Revival, it will be June 6, starting at noon and running all day. The lineup also includes Jazzam, Greenleif, Rusty Van Band, Groove Prophets, Winslow, Jahman Brahman, Pro Bono, The Young Stonians, 5 Elements, Melva and Acoustic Juggernaut. Oh, and did we mention the fire dancers and belly dancers? Go to jonesforrevival.com or nlqp.com for information.