Revamping Summer Festival of the Arts

By Amanda Tonoli | May 31, 2017 at 12:05a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Community leaders have banded together to revamp a bigger and better Summer Festival of the Arts weekend.

“A lot of times, people think events and politics don’t mix, but behind the scenes, they do mix quite a bit,” said Michael McGiffin, the city’s director of downtown events and citywide special projects. “Summer Festival of the Arts will be a great testament of what this city has to offer and what’s in store for the future here. A collaboration like this is the future of the city of Youngstown, and [its] future is going to look better and better.”

State Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan of Youngstown, D-58th, said, “We have very dedicated community members representing organizations that are only concerned with enhancing the quality of life in our community and providing opportunities for us to join together and support the renaissance of Youngstown.”

Organizers of the new-and-improved festival include: Youngstown State University, the city of Youngstown, Mahoning County Convention and Visitors Bureau, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Eric Ryan Productions, 2Deep Events and All American Cards and Comics.

Terrill Vidale of 2Deep Entertainment said without the teamwork of the organizers, the upgraded festival wouldn’t have been possible.

From July 6-9, various events will take place throughout the city including live music and dancing, various ethnic foods, a marketplace of hand-crafted goods and, for the first time, the All-AmeriCon Comic and Toy show.

In addition, jazz pianist Alex Bugnon will headline the seventh annual jazz concert in downtown Youngstown on July 8. Bugnon is “billed as a romantic yet energetic force on the contemporary jazz scene,” according to a Summer Festival of the Arts news release.

Bugnon studied at a music conservatory in Paris before coming to America to continue at the Berklee College of Music. He has worked with R&B stars such as Patti Austin and James Ingram, Melba Moore, Freddie Jackson and Keith Sweat.

“Whether in Youngstown or Catalina, Calif., you won’t be able to tell the difference,” said Ken Bigley, vice president of JAC Management Group, speaking about the event schedule for the July 6 weekend.

For information, visit www.youngstownlive.com, www.ysu.edu/sfa or email Lori Factor, festival coordinator, at lafactor@ysu.edu.