Today’s entertainment picks:

Today’s entertainment picks:

v“The Mousetrap,” 7:30 p.m.: Snowed-in guests at a hotel have a killer in their midst in this Agatha Christie murder-mystery. New Castle Playhouse Annex Theater, 202 E. Long Ave., New Castle, Pa.; 724-654-3437.

v“Fundraising Is a Drag,” 8 p.m.: This drag show will feature some outlandish characters. The Calvin Center, 755 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown; 330-507-2358.

v“Death Takes a Holiday,” 7:30 p.m.: The title doesn’t quite say it all. Victorian Players Theatre, 702 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown; 330-746-5455.

vAfrican-American Festival, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.: Now in its 25th year, this festival includes nearly nonstop entertainment, as well as rides, games and food. Courthouse Square, downtown Warren.

vGeo C and Tha Storm, 10 p.m.: Dance-funk band shakes up The Lemon Grove, 122 W. Federal St., Youngstown; 330-744-7683.

“2010 Scripps National Spelling Bee” (8 p.m., ABC): Just how you want to spend your Friday night: watching kids who are smarter than you. The “2010 Scripps National Spelling Bee” has little brainiacs, age 8-15, competing for the title — all without the help of computer spell-check.

TV Listings, b8

entertainment news

Eco-Art Contest at summer festival

YOUNGSTOWN

The emphasis will be on “greening” the arts at the second annual Eco-Art Contest presented by the Summer Festival of the Arts July 10 and 11 at Youngstown State University.

Artists of any level can submit an art piece made of mostly repurposed or recycled materials for exhibition. A registration form must be submitted by July 2; go to www.ysu.edu/sfa or call 330-941-3105. The art must be delivered July 9 between 1 and 6 p.m.

People’s Choice Awards will be given to the two artists whose work garners the most votes by SFA patrons.

Exhibition focuses on nature’s beauty

YOUNGSTOWN

Fellows Riverside Gardens, 123 McKinley Ave., will present “Nature Illuminated,” an art exhibition by Ellen Hoverkamp, June 18-Aug. 22 in the Weller Gallery.

Hoverkamp, a middle-school graphic-arts teacher in Connecticut, began using her flatbed scanner as a camera in 1997 to document nature’s beauty. Using floral cuttings, vegetables, nests, eggs and other objects of nature, she has produced a body of work consisting of more than 600 images.

Call 330-740-7116 for more information.

Variety show at Salem High

SALEM

Salem High School musical theater students will present “Laugh American Style” in the SHS auditorium at 8 p.m. June 18 and 19, and 2 p.m. June 20. The original musical variety show will feature popular and patriotic songs as well as skits and parodies of famous American TV shows and music videos.

Proceeds will benefit the school’s theater program. Tickets are $9 ($7 for students 17 and under) and will be available at the door.