Calvin Center to host community events

The Calvin Center For The Arts will host two community events on April 27.

Doors will open for the Rust Belt Theater Company’s annual Repurposed Art Sale at 2 p.m. The event, now in its third year, is a celebration of music, dance and recycled artwork. It will juxtapose local performers with the work of local artists.

Contributing artists include Eric Alleman, Robert Dennick Joki, Mary Learman, Ginger Blossoms, Melanie Bolevich, Dream in Color Jewelry, Beth Farrow, Medusa’s Adornments and more. Nicole Zayas from Buffcakes will also be on hand servng up gourmet cheesecake throughout the day.

Live entertainment will begin at 5 p.m., songs from The Rust Belt Theater performers, a dance solo by Crystal Beiersdorfer and the musical talents of Bernadette Lim. Admission to the art sale is free.

From 7-9 p.m. there will be the inaugural Youngstown SOUP. Youngstown SOUP is a micro-granting dinner celebrating creative projects in Youngstown.

For $5, attendees receive homemade soups and a ballot. Four community projects are chosen which range from art, urban agriculture, social justice, social entrepreneurs, education, technology and more. Presenters have four minutes to share their idea and answer questions. After a break to sample soups, ballots are counted and the winning project takes home all the money collected that night. Winning projects report their progress at future Youngstown SOUP events.

SOUP events began in Detroit. Since 2010, they have raised tens of thousands of dollars for things such as start-up nonprofits, local businesses, after school programs and park clean-ups in the Motor City.

Other communities across the nation have caught on to the SOUP concept. Warren SOUP has hosted two events, each with near standing-room-only crowds. Their next event is May 2 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Mahoning Valley Help Center.

For more information on the Repurposed Art Show, contact Robert Joki at robertjoki@aol.com. For more information on Youngstown SOUP, contact Phil Kidd at 330-519-8712 or phil@defendyoungstown.com.