Mahoning Commons Fest will unveil Calvin Center

By GUY D’ASTOLFO

dastolfo@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Mahoning Commons, the small but artsy neighborhood just west of downtown, will be busy this weekend.

It will be the scene of the Mahoning Commons Fest at six sites: the Ward Bakery Building, B&O Station, Davis Visitors Center, Star Supply, Rockview Church and Calvin Center. A free shuttle bus will run between the sites from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The fest will mark the debut of Calvin Center, the city’s newest arts venue.

Calvin Center is a former school-and-gymnasium building at 755 Mahoning Ave. It sits next to the former Hungarian Presbyterian Church.

The red-brick structure was purchased this year by Sean Timms of Boardman. It already has a tenant: Robert Joki’s new Rust Belt Theater Company, which will stage its first production in June and promises a full season beginning in the fall.

Timms, who said he has an appreciation for old buildings, said Calvin Center will be used as a home for all types of arts. “It will be a place for live music, artists, people who want to teach dance,” he said. “I want to bring in a wide range of people who do different things. It’s another addition to what’s already going on [in the arts community].”

The building, which has been dubbed Calvin Center Idea Incubator, has an open gym with a balcony and a large stage. It does not have fixed seats.

A grand-opening party for the building will take place at this weekend’s festival, from noon to midnight Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Arts Youngstown will have an exhibition on display, and food and beer will be sold. Artists of the Rust Belt will set up an art market from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, and Rust Belt Theater Company will stage performances.

DJ “Viking” Jim Allgren and Indie Wax Records will provide music.

A concert by four local bands — Sam Goodwill, Braille, Fillmore Jive and Tigerstyle — will begin at 8 p.m. There will be a $3 cover charge for this 18-and-over show.

Here is a rundown of what will be happening at the other sites:

Ward Bakery Building, 1024 Mahoning Ave.: The more than 30 artists in the building will open their studios for browsing and demonstrations in various media, including painting, jewelry, sculpture, pottery, fiber art, glass, mixed-media, photography and drawing, noon to 5 p.m. both days.

Davis Education and Visitor Center, Weller Gallery, 123 McKinley Ave. (at Fellows Riverside Gardens), will feature an exhibition of colorful hand-blown glass inspired by tropical and natural plant forms, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

B&O Station, 530 Mahoning Ave.: Rust Belt Brewing Co. will give brewery tours and tastings, noon to 8 p.m. both days.

Star Supply, 875 Mahoning Ave., will offer bargain-priced goods from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday only.

Rockview Christian Church, 925 Mahoning Ave.: Hungarian bacon fry, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday only.