A weekend of arts, culture and music is planned for July 5-8, 2018 at numerous locations around Downtown Youngstown and at Youngstown State University. Organizers from Youngstown State University, the City of Youngstown, Mahoning County Convention & Visitors Bureau, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, JAC Live, and All American Cards & Comics today announced a variety of events planned for that weekend.
Events include:
- The St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Summerfest, Thursday through Sunday, July 5-8, 220 N. Walnut Street
- YSU Summer Festival of the Arts, Saturday and Sunday, July 7 and 8, at and around Youngstown State University
- Youngstown Comic Con 2018, Saturday and Sunday, July 7 and 8, at the Covelli Centre
- The Fabulous Flashbacks, Friday, July 6 near Central Square, Downtown Youngstown
- Youngstown Wine and Jazz, Saturday, July 7, near Central Square, Downtown Youngstown
St. Nicholas Greek Summerfest kicks off the weekend July 5-8 and includes live music and dancing, Greek food and pastries, and a display of cultural memorabilia. Hours are: Thursday, July 5, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, July 6 and 7, 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.; and Sunday, July 8, 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Take out lunch service is available on Thursday and Friday from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Admission is free.
An opening night event on Friday, July 6, will bring the Fabulous Flashbacks together for a reunion concert on stage near Central Square in Downtown Youngstown. Doors will open at 6:30; Tickets are $12 in advance at the Covelli Centre Box Office or at Ticketmaster.com or $15 at the gate. The Flashbacks rose to fame as a classic rock and roll band, performing during the 80s and 90s in and around Youngstown.
The 20thannual YSU Summer Festival of the Arts will be held July 7 and 8 at and around Youngstown State University. Saturday’s hours are 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Sunday’s hours are 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The heart of the festival is the artists’ marketplace that showcases the work of over 85 local, regional and national artists selling original, hand-crafted pieces such as jewelry, paintings, sketches, sculptures, glass, wood and textiles. Artists’ work has been juried, or selected, from among all of the applicants.
Family activities are central to this event and include the popular hands on art tent where children are encouraged to create various pieces of artwork under the guidance of a professional art teacher. Dozens of music, theater and dance performances are also scheduled at the event which spans the entire length of the campus, from the McDonough Museum of Art to near DeBartolo Hall. Numerous YSU departments will participate with activities and displays. The Summer Festival of the Arts will also include the Festival of Nations, an ethnic festival welcoming over 20 ethnic clubs and churches that provide ethnic memorabilia, performances and food. Many local arts and cultural groups will also provide open hours and activities at their off-campus locations. Admission is free.
Three special events coinciding with the weekend include an Opening Ceremony on Saturday, July 7 at 10:00 a.m. at the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor (Steel Museum) where the rededication of the Senator Harry Meshel Classroom will occur. And, on Sunday, July 8, a Youngstown MASS Mob will be held at St. Columba Cathedral at 10:30 am. Similar to a Cash Mob where one business is selected to be supported through shopping and participation, a Mass Mob focuses on a parish, its architecture, its community, its history, and its culture. Also on Sunday, July 8, at 11:00 a.m. YSU’s Office of Alumni Engagement hosts Ladies’ Day Out at the Williamson College of Business Administration featuring a speaker, brunch and tours before encouraging attendees to shop at the Summer Festival of the Arts. Advance reservations are needed by emailing Catherine Cala at cacala@ysu.edu.
Youngstown Comic Con will occur Saturday and Sunday, July 7 and 8. The event, presented by All American Cards & Comics, includes comics, art and cosplay, and remains at the Covelli Centre to allow for additional vendors and activities. The convention will include over 125 vendors, with guests Jim Steranko and Jim Shooter among others. Admission is $15 per day available at youngstowncomiccon.com or at the gate.
For the eighth year, a Jazz concert will occur in Downtown Youngstown as part of the weekend. Youngstown Wine and Jazz will be Saturday, July 7 featuring Grammy award winning Jazz fusion keyboardist Jeff Lorber. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the stage set up on Boardman Street near the Central Square. Several wineries and breweries have committed to the event, and will be adjacent to the stage. Tickets are $10 each and available at the Covelli Centre Box Office, at www.ticketmaster.comor at the gate.
Lorber has triumphed as one of the most innovative musical minds in contemporary jazz. Last year Lorber marked his 40th recording anniversary and in January 2018, he scored his first Grammy win for his Jeff Lorber Fusion recording Prototype in the category of Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.
On August 17, 2018 Shanachie Entertainment will release Impact, Jeff Lorber’s third recording for Shanachie Entertainment. The music is the perfect nexus of jazz and funk – two ingredients that have long been at the heart of Jeff Lorber’s music.
Jeff Lorber Fusion came to life in the 70s when the pianist attended Berklee College of Music. A true clinician, Lorber has made it a point to study the long line of modern jazz pianists since 1945. “Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea have been major influences but I had to go back and try to figure out who they listened to and were inspired by,” says Lorber.
In 1977 Jeff Lorber Fusion released their self-titled debut, and their 1980 album Wizard Island made the introduction of a then little known Kenny G.
The ensemble quickly gained traction and became one of the most popular jazz acts, touring nonstop. In 1982 Lorber made his solo debut with It’s A Fact. He scored his first Grammy nomination in 1985 for his radio hit “Pacific Coast Highway” from his album Step By Step. In the 90s Lorber released a successful string of projects including West Side Stories(1994), State of Grace(1996) and Midnight(1998). During this time Lorber also stayed busy producing Michael Franks, Richard Elliot, Gerald Albright and Rick Braun, among others.
The prolific pianist continued to add to his accolades with his shining recordings Kickin’ It(2001), Philly Style(2003), Flipside(2005), He Had A Hat(2007, Grammy nominated) and Heard That(2008), Now Is The Time(2010, Grammy nominated), Galaxy(2012, Grammy nominated) Hacienda(2013, Grammy nominated) and Step It Up(2015).
Lorber made his first recordings for Shanachie as a member of Jazz Funk Soul with Chuck Loeb and Everette Harp on the albums Jazz Funk Soul and the Grammy nominated More Serious Business.
Jeff Lorber has Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), and has made it a mission to work with the PKD Foundation to raise awareness.
More information is available at www.youngstownlive.com, www.ysu.edu/sfaor by emailing Lori Factor, festival coordinator at lafactor@ysu.edu.
