ITAM launches concert series

A veterans group on the West Side is mounting a counter- attack to get itself out of a financial jam.

ITAM Post No. 3, 113 S. Mer-idian Road in Youngstown, has lined up a series of six Friday-night concerts, mostly by tribute bands, beginning this month.

Dashboard Lights (that would be the Meatloaf tribute) kicks off the twice-a-month shows Feb. 11.

The rest of the series looks like this: LaGrange (ZZ Top), Feb. 25; Tony Rio and Relentless (country pop), March 11; The Revolution (The Beatles), March 25; Panama (Van Halen), April 8; and Thunderstruck (AC/DC), April 22.

All shows start at 8 p.m., and all tickets are $12 in advance (call 330-793-5231 or 330-550-1200, or go to itampost3.org) and $15 at the door.

The post’s goal is to raise money to reverse its mounting tax debt, which tops $250,000, said Pat Fusillo, commander. The cascade of debt began under former post officials, and it has spurred an ongoing dispute, according to Fusillo.

But the post’s immediate goal is to get back on firm financial ground so that it can resume helping veterans.

The ITAM hall, which is just south of Mahoning Avenue behind a small shopping plaza, will hold about 400 for each show. Food, beer and wine will be available.

OAKLAND CUTS PRICES FOR ‘DEATH’ PERFORMANCE

This is the final weekend for “Death Defying Acts” at the Oakland, and the theater is holding preshow calling hours tonight at The Lemon Grove. But it won’t be like a funeral.

The party, which begins at 6 p.m., will include three special drinks — one for each of the one-act plays that comprise “Death Defying Acts.”

There’s the Flaming Lawnmower Shot, the Missed Connection Cocktail and the Makers Mark Manhattan. The Lemon Grove is at 122 W. Federal St., two blocks from the theater.

Also, all tickets for tonight’s 8 p.m. performance have been lowered to $5. Plus, all patrons will receive gifts: two tickets for a drawing for a gift basket valued at $65 (it includes a $25 gift certificate to the Lemon Grove); two comp tickets to the Oakland’s next production, “I Am My Own Wife”; and an Oakland T-shirt.

The cast will remain in character after tonight’s performance for a post-show improv party at the Lemon Grove. Jacob Harver, owner of the Lemon Grove, is part of the cast. It’s his first stage appearance since his days at Ursuline High School.

SEAN JONES AND HIS QUINTET IN TWO PITTSBURGH CONCERTS

Jazz star Sean Jones, a Warren native, will give a preview of his soon-to-be-released CD “No Need for Words” at a Valentines weekend show. Jones, backed by his quintet, will give two shows Feb. 12 — 10 and 11:30 p.m. — at the Cabaret at Theater Square on Penn Avenue, downtown Pittsburgh. Tickets are $25.75 and $30.75 and are available by calling 412-456-6666 or at pgharts.org.

Jones is considered one of the finest jazz trumpet players in the world. His peers consider him the heir apparent to the legacy left by Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Clifford Brown and Freddie Hubbard.

A COUPLE OF EXTRA OSCARS

SDLqThe King’s Speech” and “The Social Network” are among the 10 nominees for Best Picture in the Academy Awards. The winner likely will be one of those two.

But if they gave an Oscar for Picture That Touches the Childhood That We All Share, it would go to “Toy Story III.”

The statuette for Picture You Need to See Twice to Absorb All the Details would definitely go to “Inception.” Hands down.

The other Best Pic nominees are “The Kids Are All Right,” “True Grit,” “Black Swan,” “127 Hours,” “Winter’s Bone” and “The Fighter.”

BROWNLEE’S BUSY SCHEDULE

Lawrence Brownlee, international opera star and Youngstown native, is in the prime of his career — and his concert schedule reflects it. The former East Sider sang the National Anthem at the NFL playoff game Jan. 8 between the Seattle Seahawks and the New Orleans Saints at Seattle’s Qwest Field.

Highlights of his upcoming schedule include:

Being reunited with Ren e Fleming at the Metropolitan Opera, New York, for a revival of the much-touted 2010 production of Rossini’s “Armida” later this month and in March. A DVD of last season’s production with the two singers is being released by Decca this month.

Singing as guest artist on the Metropolitan Opera National Council Grand Finals Concert on March 13, marking the 10th anniversary of his having won first place.

Making his company debut with the Canadian Opera Company as Don Ramiro in “Cenerentola” (April 23 and 28 and various dates in May).

Singing with the Cincinnati May Festival for the first time in Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” on May 28.

Rejoining the Deutsche Staatsoper for its classic Ruth Berghaus production of “Barbiere” (June).

Making his first appearance on Danish soil for a concert of bel canto arias at Copenhagen’s famed Tivoli Gardens (June).

Returning to La Scala (scene of his 2002 European debut) for “L’italiana in Algeri” in the iconic Ponnelle production (June and July).

Concluding his summer with his debut at the Arena di Verona in “Barbiere”(July).