Bus tour to visit historic theaters

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A bus tour of historic theaters in the Mahoning Valley will take place Oct. 23 from 6:30 to 9 p.m., led by local author Sean Posey.

The bus will leave from the Youngstown Playhouse, off Glenwood Avenue, and make brief stops at Stambaugh Auditorium and Powers Auditorium, as well as sites where theaters no longer exist. It will return to the Playhouse for a bit of history, sweets and drinks catered by John Noga and Jimmy Elliott Johnson.

Posey is a historian whose most recent book, “Historic Theaters of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley,” was released a few weeks ago. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase.

Tour participants who wear vintage hats will be entered into a drawing for theater tickets and other surprises. Seating is limited. Tickets are $25 and are available at the Playhouse box office (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday) and by phone at 330-788-8739 (cash or check only).

The Mahoning Valley had dozens of theaters in its heyday.

“Theaters close for many reasons, but our economic challenges lead us to look at our past and present in a distinct way,” said Karen Schubert of Power of the Arts, the local group that is sponsoring the bus tour. “I love the history, and I also want to celebrate the arts and institutions of today, and to know them more deeply.”

Schubert, who is the group’s first coordinator, said she would like Power of the Arts to promote what is already happening in the Valley, and work to increase collaboration and the economic impact of the arts.

The group’s website, powerofthearts.org, features an arts and culture calendar, a directory, a listing of calls for artists and opportunities to volunteer, and Spotlight, a series of conversations with people from a cross section of the arts.