HOT TICKETS

James Umble, a professor of saxophone at Youngstown State University’s Dana School of Music, will give a recital at 8 tonight at First Presbyterian Church, 600 E. State St., Sharon, Pa. Call (724) 981-4732. Umble is a nationally recognized teacher, clinician, soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. He has performed as a concerto soloist with the United States Navy Band and the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra and has joined the wind section of the Cleveland Orchestra. Umble frequently appears with members of the Cleveland Orchestra in the chamber music formation known as The Cleveland Duo and James Umble.

jGeo C and Tha Storm will throw a party in honor of “Geology” — the band’s new album, not the study of the earth’s origins — Friday night at The Lemon Grove, 122 W. Federal St., downtown Youngstown. The show gets under way around 8:30 p.m. Call (330) 744-7683.

Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” probably the most popular musical of the past three years, opens Friday at 7:30 p.m. at New Castle Playhouse, 202 E. Long Ave., New Castle, Pa. Additional shows will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Call (724) 654-3437.

Continuing this weekend on area stages:

“God’s Favorite,” 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, Trumbull New Theatre, 5883 Youngstown-Warren Road, Niles; (330) 652-1103.

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, by Easy Street Productions, Ford Family Recital Hall, 260 W. Federal St., Youngstown; call (330) 743-8555.

“The Baker’s Wife,” 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, Ford Theater, inside Bliss Hall, Wick Avenue, on the campus of Youngstown State University; (330) 941-3105.

Comedian Cal Verduchi of New Jersey takes the stage at Wildcat’s Comedy Club, which is now inside Pappa’s Sports Club, 1639 Poland Ave., Youngstown. Shows are at 8 p.m. Friday and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Call (330) 883-7063.

Ballet Western Reserve presents the beloved holiday staple “The Nutcracker” for two shows — 1 and 7:30 p.m. — Saturday at Stambaugh Auditorium, 1000 Fifth Ave., Youngstown. Call (330) 259-0555 for ticket information. Pictured rehearsing the ballet are, from left, Tamara Chevlen as the Dew Drop Fairy, Dorie Anna Chevlen as the Nutcracker Soldier and Emma Rumberg as Clara.k

Winners will be crowned Saturday in the final round of the Voice of Main Street singing competition. It’s at 7 p.m. at Main Street Theater, 5 N. Main St., Columbiana. Audience members will become the “fourth judge” and vote for their favorite contestant using hand-held responders provided by Turning Technologies. There also will be special musical appearances by last year’s winners: Gregory Sprouse, Natalie Sprouse and Isabella Starkey. The finalists are: (16 and older) Bridget McKenzie, Traci Patterson and Erich Offenburg; (11-15) Lindsay Ketchum, Harleigh Solvesky and Brittany Best; (10 and under) Logan Pasco, Marina Merlo and Tori Mollenkopf. Tickets are $10. Call (330) 482-9647.

The Warren Philharmonic Orchestra will present “Stories and Pictures,” a family-oriented concert with rousing selections and an instrumental “petting zoo,” during which children can see the instruments up close and meet the performers. It will be at Christ Episcopal Church, 2627 Atlantic St., Warren. Call (330) 399-3606.

Bars are gearing up for Thanksgiving eve parties Wednesday night. Here’s a sampling of what’s out there:

The Rage, 10 p.m., Wonderbar, 100 W. Liberty St., Girard; (330) 545-6367.

Rocket Radio, with Album, 10 p.m., Cedars, 23 N. Hazel St., Youngstown; (330) 743-6560.

Redline, 9 p.m., Rosetta Stone, 110 W. Federal St., Youngstown; (330) 480-0884.

The Zou, with 5 Elements and Captain Braskey, 9 p.m., Salty Grogs, 1203 Boardman-Poland Road, Boardman: (330) 726-6690.

Youngstown’s Total Package Band, 9 p.m., Grist Mill, 1741 Raccoon Road, Austintown; (330) 792-1949.