Things To Do

WEEKEND MATTERS | Youngstown documentary to be screened at Fall Literary Festival

By Mahoning Matters staff
Ian Beniston, executive director of the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation, is shown in a scene from the documentary “The Place That Makes Us.” (Image captured from video | greenefortproductions.com)
Ian Beniston, executive director of the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation, is shown in a scene from the documentary “The Place That Makes Us.” (Image captured from video | greenefortproductions.com)

Here are some of the events happening around the Mahoning Valley this weekend. For more events, check out our Events Calendar.

Click here for a list of Halloween and fall events.

The big ticket

Lit Youngstown’s sixth annual Fall Literary Festival kicked off Thursday with a reception at Concept Studio in Youngstown and will conclude Saturday with the screening of the documentary “The Place That Makes Us” at 7 p.m. at The Youngstown Playhouse, 600 Playhouse Lane.

The documentary by PBS journalist Karla Murthy was filmed in Youngstown over three years and highlights “the efforts of a new generation of residents who have chosen not to abandon their hometown, as so many have, but to stay, rebuild and make a life for themselves.”

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion and a question and answer session. Panelists will include Murthy; Alexandra Nikolchev, co-producer; Bill Mullane, educator and artistic director; Nate Offerdahl, owner of Westside Bowl; and A.J. Sumell, Youngstown State University urban economist.

Also this weekend, three short films will be screened at the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor, 151 W. Wood St.:

More information and a full schedule of festival events are available here.

Also this weekend

  • Tribute show: ABBA tribute band MANIA will return to Robins Theatre in Warren for an 8 p.m. performance Friday. Tickets, ranging in price from $25 to $45 plus applicable fees, can be purchased here and at the Robins Theatre Box Office, 160 E. Market St. MANIA, formerly called ABBA MANIA, will perform hits such as “Dancing Queen,” “Waterloo,” “Mamma Mia,” “The Winner Takes it All,” “Super Trouper,” “Fernando” and “Take A Chance On Me.”
  • Artist visit: Artist Carole A. Feuerman will bring her solo show, “The Importance of Being Human,” to the Medici Museum of Art, 9350 E. Market St., Warren on Friday. A free exhibition reception and opening is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m., and visitors will have an opportunity to meet Feuerman. The museum expects the exhibition to be on display until Feb. 1, 2023.
  • ‘Mastodons’ at KSU at Trumbull: Kent Trumbull Theatre, 4314 Mahoning Ave. NW, Warren, will present “The Impracticality of Modern Day Mastodons.” The show, written by Rachel Teagle, will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Oct. 28 and 29, and at 2 p.m. Sunday and Oct. 30. Tickets, which can be purchased here, are $10 for adults; $8 for non-KSU students and seniors; and $6 for children younger than age 13.
  • Music of Kenny Rogers: The Kenny Rogers Band featuring Don Gatlin will bring the music of Kenny Rogers to Robins Theatre on Saturday. The “Through the Years” performance is scheduled for 8 p.m. Doors will open at 7 p.m. Tickets, ranging in price from $15 to $35 plus applicable fees, can be purchased here and at the Robins Theatre Box Office, 160 E. Market St.
  • Ohio’s Strongest: Iron Fit Crew will host its third annual Ohio’s Strongest competition at 10 a.m. Saturday at CASTLO Industrial Park, 100 S. Bridge St., Struthers. Admission is free. Molnar’s Family Concessions will sell food, and local vendors will sell merchandise. Proceeds will be donated to the family of Philip Igo, who died from cancer in April at age 6. More information about the event is available here.
  • Craft show: A Holiday Craft Show will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Yankee Lake Ballroom, 1814 state Route 7, Brookfield. There will be more than 150 craft and artisan tables, and homemade food will be available for purchase. The event will also feature basket and 50/50 raffles. Admission is $1, and free for children younger than age 12.

Next week

  • Music at Noon: Youngstown State University’s Dana School of Music will present a concert by the Percussion Ensemble at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday at The Butler Institute of American Art, 524 Wick Ave., as part of the Music at Noon concert series. The performance is free and open to the public.
  • Pleasant performance: Gospel singer Guy Penrod will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday at Pleasant Valley Church, 2055 Pleasant Valley Road, Niles. The performance is free; a freewill offering will be collected.

Other matters

  • Classes for veterans: Students Motivated by the Arts is offering free online classes for veterans. Enrollment is ongoing, and students can join at any time. After completing a New Adult Student application here, participants can enroll in classes here. No experience is necessary to participate.
  • Groundhog Craft Beerfest: Tickets for the Rotary Club of Youngstown’s fifth annual Groundhog Craft Beerfest, which will take place Feb. 4, 2023, at Stambaugh Auditorium in Youngstown, will go on sale Sunday at the Rotary’s Pints vs. Polio fundraising event at Penguin City Brewing, 460 E. Federal St., Youngstown, from 1 to 4 p.m. Tickets, $45 for general admission and $65 for VIP, will also be available on Stambaugh’s website or by calling 330-259-0555.