A weekend of arts, culture and music is planned for July 11-14, 2019 at Youngstown State University and numerous locations around Downtown Youngstown. Organizers from Youngstown State University, the City of Youngstown, Mahoning County Convention & Visitors Bureau, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, and JAC Live, announce a variety of events planned for that weekend.
Events include:
- The St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Summerfest, Thursday through Sunday, July 11-14, 220 N. Walnut Street
- YSU Summer Festival of the Arts, Saturday and Sunday, July 13 and 14, at and around Youngstown State University
- Youngstown Wine and Jazz, featuring Norman Brown, Saturday, July 13, Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, Downtown Youngstown
St. Nicholas Greek Summerfest kicks off the weekend July 11-14 and includes live music and dancing, Greek food and pastries, and a display of cultural memorabilia. Hours are: Thursday, July 11, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, July 12 and 13, 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.; and Sunday, July 14, 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., and patrons may call ahead for lunch at 330-743-5493. Admission is free.
The 21st annual YSU Summer Festival of the Arts will be held July 13 and 14 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. Some of the groups performing, among others, include Pan Tropix Steel Drums, The Labra Brothers, Radio Lark, Beck-Ward Project, County Mayo, JD Eicher, Del Sinchak Band and Moustache Yourself.
Numerous YSU departments will participate with activities and displays including at the McDonough Museum of Art, Maag Library, Ward Beecher Planetarium, which will offer five shows each day and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, Clarence R. Smith Mineral Museum, Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor and WYSU, among others.
The Summer Festival of the Arts will also include the Festival of Nations, an ethnic festival welcoming 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.
Special events coinciding with the weekend include a Pipe Organ Crawl on Saturday, July 13 at 1:00 p.m. where short organ performances and a historical talk will take place in Bliss Recital Hall, St. Columba Cathedral and St. John’s Episcopal Church. Marlene Aron: An Artist’s Path, an exhibition celebrating the life and work of the late Marlene Aron, Youngstown native and Youngstown State University alumna, runs through July 13 in Bliss Hall’s Judith Rae Solomon Gallery. A free reception will take place on Saturday, July 13 from 1:00-3:00 pm. On Sunday, July 14, a Youngstown MASS Mob is scheduled at St. Columba Cathedral at 4:00 p.m. 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 14, 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 required by emailing Catherine Cala at cacala@ysu.edu. Among the over 25 community arts and culture tents located on the grounds, an Authors’ Tent will feature published local authors who will provide readings, book signings and public interaction. The YSU Student Art Association will hold a silent auction featuring donated artwork from area artists.
More information is available at www.ysu.edu/sfa, www.youngstownlive.com, or by emailing Lori Factor, festival coordinator at lafactor@ysu.edu.
