Film-lecture series sets focus on rock ’n’ roll

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The America’s Music film series will focus on rock ’n’ roll this Wednesday at Stambaugh Auditorium.

The six-part free series features documentary films and live performances, followed by a scholar-led discussion.

Wednesday’s episode, which begins at 7 p.m., will include the film “The History of Rock ’n’ Roll, Episode 6: Plugging In.” As always, guests will be seated on the stage of Stambaugh, 1000 Fifth Ave., and popcorn and refreshments will be sold.

“Patrons have enjoyed being seated on the Stambaugh stage for the previous segments of this program,” said Matt Pagac, general manager of Stambaugh Auditorium. “It allows everyone to have a different perspective and a closer view.”

The discussion will be led by Ewelina Boczkowska and Ted Perkins, both of the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University. The Dana, along with the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County and Stambaugh, are the sponsors of the series.

Youngstown is one of 50 sites nationwide to host this program series, which is a project by the Tribeca Film Institute in collaboration with the American Library Association, Tribeca Flashpoint, and the Society for American Music.

The remaining two sessions focus on Latin rhythms and jazz. Here is a look at the schedule:

March 19: “Latin Rhythms from Mambo to Hip Hop,” with a performance by Lee Beitzel and YSU Dance Studio and a lecture by Boczkowska. The film will be “From Mambo to Hip-Hop: A South Bronx Tale.”

April 16: “Swing Jazz,” with a performance by YSU Jazz Ensembles and a lecture by Boczkowska. The film will be Ken Burns’ “Jazz: Episode 6 — Swing, The Velocity of Celebration and International Sweethearts of Rhythm.”

For information, call the Dana School of Music at 330-941-3636, or Stambaugh Auditorium at 330-747-5175.