Thursday, March 19, 2015
One thing that has been missing from downtown Youngstown’s transformation into an entertainment district is film.
But that’s starting to change. There is still no movie theater, but film is making a comeback in the form of a couple of new cinema series.
First up is Little Youngstown Cinema, which will present classic movies twice a month at Nove Gatto Gallery, which is in the Erie Terminal Building at 110 W. Commerce St. The series kicks off Saturday with the 1921 short film “The Goat,” starring Buster Keaton, followed by “The Killers” (1946), starring Ava Gardner and Burt Lancaster.
It starts at 9 p.m. It’s a pay-what-you-want event, with a minimum of $5. For now, film-goers will just pay at the door, but plans call for online advance sales, says David Pokrivnak, who is the founder of Little Youngstown Cinema.
A large screen and folding chairs will be set up, and popcorn will be sold. Attendees also can bring their own bottle if they’d like.
Pokrivnak is a film afficionado who used to show films in the side room at Cedar’s Lounge when it was downtown. He dubbed that series the Little Cedar’s Theater.
The second film series — Movies at Madison — will begin March 29 at Dorian Books, 802 Elm St., just north of the Youngstown State University campus.
Its first offering will be “All That Jazz,” the 1979 film by famed choreographer and director Bob Fosse. It’s a semi-autobiographical fantasy based on aspects of Fosse’s life and career.
Rodd Coonce, owner of Dorian Books and founder of the Music at Madison cabaret series at the shop, said he plans to show movies the last Sunday of every month.
“All That Jazz” will start at 7 p.m. Recommended donation is $10.
Auggie Heschmeyer, a recent film school graduate, is the program director for Movies at Madison. He’s also the coordinator of the Polish Film Series presented by Polish-Youngstown, and one of the initiators of the Youngstown Film Collaborative, a cinemaphile group.
The evening will be BYOB, with snacks and stemware available for purchase. There also will be pre- and post-film discussion. Learn more at Movies at Madison’s Facebook page, or call 330-647-4600.
YOUNGSTOWN PLAYHOUSE WILL OPEN MULTI-USE ROOM
The Youngstown Playhouse is getting ready to cut the ribbon on a newly renovated space that will be used for play rehearsals, for Purple Cat programming, as an art gallery, meeting room and rental hall.
The large room is to the left as soon as you enter the lobby of the theater, and most recently held offices.
The room was completely gutted, with all interior walls removed, and all remaining drywall replaced. The drop ceiling has been removed, and the room is getting new flooring and a fresh coat of paint.
The work was made necessary because a water pipe burst in December 2008, and the water damage rendered the room uninhabitable.
The renovation was paid for by the $30,000 in grants the Playhouse recently received from local foundations.
Purple Cat Productions will use the new multipurpose room on a daily basis. The agency, which works with disabled adults, has classes and workshops at the Playhouse and also stages an annual musical production.
Purple Cat clients also have become involved with the daily operations of the theater, helping with set construction and painting.
NO MORE NO XCUSE
No Xcuse, the long-lived cover band that played hundreds of gigs in Valley clubs, is calling it quits.
Its last show will be Saturday at the Ice House Inn, 5516 W. Webb Road, in Austintown. Show starts at 9:30 p.m.
STRING ENSEMBLE AT CEDARS
Vince Scachetti and the West End Ensemble will be back in action this Sunday at 7 p.m., as its series of shows at Cedar’s West End continues.
Joseph Kromholz, a professor of violin at Youngstown State University, will join the ensemble for Sunday’s program, which includes the String Quartet in G Major, Opus 76 No. 1 by Haydn, and other varied selections. Rounding out the quartet are Lisa Kim, Akron Symphony Orchestra; Paul Miahky, Canton Symphony Orchestra; and Scachetti.
LIZ RUBINO CABARET SHOW
Liz Rubino, the Valley-born cabaret actor-singer and theater educator, will debut her latest show, “Woman Under the Covers,” on Saturday at the Metropolitan Room in New York.
In the new show, Rubino explores some of her favorite songs by artists ranging from Bing Crosby to Broadway, and Simon & Garfunkel to Michael Jackson.
Also on Saturday, members of Rubino’s youth studio will perform in their cabaret show “Tuned IN” at the Metropolitan. They include Brittany Best, Taylor Carson, Vincent Dragos, Madison Gulfo, Jessica Joerndt, Maya Kresic, Anthony Scarmack and Ava Wilson.