Oakland brings back ‘When I Knew’

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Oakland Center for the Arts, 220 W. Boardman St., will host “When I Knew ... and How It Saved Me” at 8 p.m. Saturday.

For reservations, call 330-746-0404. The show, a fundraiser for Pride Youngstown, will feature live music, locally written poetry, and testimonials from the lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender community and its supporters.

Organized by Robert Dennick Joki, the event, which is now in its second year, was designed to raise money and promote awareness.

Proceeds from the evening will benefit downtown Youngstown’s Gay Pride parade and festival, which will be June 5.

Last year, the Oakland raised more than $2,000 for the Pride event.

Performers will include Nikita Jones, Molly Galano, Nicole Zayas, Rick Morrow, Marisa Zamary, Sam Luptak, Molly Makselan, Carlos Rivera, Candy DiLullo, Tess Tessier, Meysha Harville, Crissy Thompkins and Gerri Sullivan.

The work of local writers Kelly Bancroft, Joyce Jones, Kerri Rickard, Kage Jonas and Robert Dennick Joki, as well as anonymous writers from the greater Youngstown area will also be part of the event.

A reception will follow the show.