Theater to present ‘Lion, Witch, Wardrobe’

Theater to present ‘Lion, Witch, Wardrobe’

SALEM — Salem Community Theatre will present “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” for two weekends, beginning Friday. Curtain times are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Oct. 16 and 17; and 2 p.m. Oct. 11 and 18.

The play is based on the first tale of C.S. Lewis’ acclaimed children’s books, “The Chronicles of Narnia.” When four children pass through a special wardrobe closet, they discover the kingdom of Narnia, a land of talking animals and mythical creatures. But a witch’s spell has cast Narnia into eternal winter. Fearing that an ancient prophecy has come true, and that the children are Narnia’s chosen rulers, the witch tricks the younger brother into betraying his family.

Now, only Aslan, noble lion and King of the Woods, can help them defeat the witch, restore springtime to Narnia, and claim their rightful places on the throne.

The theater is at 490 E. State St. Call (330) 332-9688 for tickets.

Expert to lecture on Knights Templar

WARREN — Author and professor Joseph F. Kelly will present a free lecture on the Knights Templar at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, at the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, 444 Mahoning Ave. N.W.

The Knights Templar was a military order formed around 1118 A.D. during the Crusades. Officially endorsed by the Roman Catholic Church, the Knights become one of the most powerful organizations in Europe.

Their wealth and stature led to suspicion and hostility by secular rulers, and the order was completely disbanded by 1314. The Knights Templar continue to be a source for speculation today as legends surrounding their activities are examined in books and movies, including “The Da Vinci Code.”

Kelly is a professor of religious studies at John Carroll University, Cleveland. He has been at JCU for more than three decades and has received the university’s Distinguished Faculty Award.

His publications include 12 books, more than 50 scholarly articles, more than 200 encyclopedia articles, and more than 200 reviews of books written in three languages.

For information about more library programs and services, call (330) 399-8807, ext. 128, or go to wtcpl.org.

An Afternoon of Arts includes dance, puppets

BOARDMAN — The Davis Family YMCA, 45 McClurg Road, will have An Afternoon of the Arts from 1:30 to 4 p.m. The free event will feature an art exhibit, professional artists at work, dance demonstrations, a puppet show, poetry readings, live music, kids’ crafts and more. For a complete schedule, call the YMCA or go to ymcaart.blogspot.com.

In conjunction with the event, Y art coordinator Suzanne Bort Gray, a local artist and international volunteer for the Global Art Project for Peace, will invite people to participate in a 2010 GAP montage called Peaceful Soleutions. A montage is a large image made up of hundreds of smaller photographs. Gray needs 1,000 separate images to create the final piece, which will then be exchanged with another country in April. There is no charge for participation. Details about the project are available at 1000footprints.blogspot.com.

Chorus seeks singers for Handel’s ‘Messiah’

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Rehearsals for the New Castle Music Club Chorus’s presentation of Handel’s “Messiah” will be at 7 p.m. Monday — and every Monday until the performance — at First Presbyterian Church, North Jefferson and Fall streets.

The performance will be 3 p.m. Nov. 29 at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 1 Lucymont Drive, under the direction of Harry Cunningham.

High school and college students are especially sought. Participants may bring their own copy of the oratorio or purchase one at the church for $7.25. For more information, go to ncmusicclubchorus.org or call Margaret Sopkovich at (724) 652-8773.