Diversions - Dec. 3, 2009

Ticketmaster events are sold at Macy’s and Giant Eagle, both Hermitage; ticketmaster.com; and at 330-747-1212.

ART

• Former Greenville resident and contemporary artist Ed Stitt shows some of his paintings through January in the Gallery Grille, 365 Mercer Road, Hempfield Township.

• Hoyt Art Center presents a new exhibit by Eva Zeisel, “The Shape of Life,” through Dec. 31 in the gallery in New Castle. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Free. Tour info: 724-652-2882, ext. 13, or hoytprograms@hoytartcenter.org

• Grove City College hosts the 18th annual Area Artists Exhibition through Dec. 16 in the Pew Fine Arts Center Gallery on campus. The exhibit is open 1 to 4 p.m. weekdays and 7 to 10 p.m. Friday during the college’s jazz ensemble and stage band concert, at 8 p.m. in Ketler Auditorium. It features 25 local artists in a variety of media.

• The Blue Heron Art Gallery, 600 Main St., Volant, will feature Betsy Hughes and her show “Cobblestone Village,” featuring garden figures – cloth dolls made on wire armatures. Photography by Sallie Mickle will accompany the display. It runs through Dec. 27, with a reception at 2 p.m. Saturday. Info:www.theblueherongallery.com

• Enjoy the rich tapestries created by fiber artists Lainie Addessi, Victoria Brogdon and Deborah Sementelli through Sunday in Campbell Pottery Store and Gallery, Cambridge Springs. Gallery is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Info: www.campbellpotterystore.com or 814-734-8800.

• Christmas “Artie Gras” starts at 5 p.m. today at Quaker Steak & Lube, Sharon. Local artists and artisans are invited to socialize and display their merchandise. Info: www.artiegras.com



HOLIDAY

• Buhl Park Concert Band’s fourth annual holiday concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the ballroom at Avalon at Buhl Park, 1030 Forker Blvd., Hermitage. Free. Info: 724-301-1112.

• Soprano Dana Victor sings with the W.D. Packard Concert Band for the annual Christmas concert at 2 p.m. Sunday in Packard Music Hall, 1703 Mahoning Ave. N.W., Warren. Free

• The Butler Institute of American Art presents its 39th annual American Holiday Arts and Crafts Show and Sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in the Butler, 524 Wick Ave., Youngstown. Admission: $5 adults and free for children younger than 12.

• The Shenango Valley Chorale plays “An Olde English Feast” tonight through Sunday at Tara, a country inn, Clark, by reservation only. Cost is $45; reservations: 724-699-6948

• Top Hat Productions presents “Nativity,” the story of the birth of Christ, by reservation at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday, or Dec. 11 and 12 in The Fairview Arts & Outreach Center, Youngstown. Reservations: www.tophatproductions.org or 800-838-3006; suggested donation: $10

• Holiday concerts are being presented by Mercer County high schools in the county courthouse in Mercer. All concerts begin at 12:30 p.m. Upcoming are: West Middlesex High School, Friday; Greenville High, Monday; Sharon High, Wednesday; Commodore Perry High, Dec. 10; Hickory High, Dec. 11; Sharpsville High, Dec. 14; Reynolds High, Dec. 15; Lakeview High, Dec. 16; West Middlesex’s Oakview Middle School, Dec. 17; Mercer High, Dec. 18; and Kennedy Catholic High, Dec. 22.

• Join Starlet O’Hara, Miraj and the rest of the cast as they embark on a memorable trip in the holiday hit “How the Drag Queen Stole Christmas” that keeps the whole town talking. Shows are at 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Dec. 11 and 12 with a special midnight show Dec. 12 at Oakland Center for the Arts, Youngstown. All tickets are $15 and include a cookies and wine reception at 7 p.m. plus a Chinese auction. Info: 330-746-0404

• Kent Trumbull Theatre presents “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” a family-oriented holiday comedy. Performances are Dec. 11 through 13 and 18 through 20 at 8 p.m. except for Sundays, which are at 3 p.m. The theater is at 4314 Mahoning Ave., Champion. Info: 330-675-8887 or trumbullboxoffice@kent.edu

• Slippery Rock University Theatre presents “Inspecting Carol,” by Daniel Sullivan, Tuesday through Sunday. Curtain times are 8 p.m., except for a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday. It’s staged in Miller Auditorium on campus. Tickets: $5 for students with ID and $10, general admission

• The Holiday Players present dinner theater performances of “It’s a Wonderful Night!” Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 and the show at 7:30 Saturday and Dec. 11 and 12 in First United Methodist Church, 237 W. Silver St., Sharon. A matinee performance begins at 1 p.m. Sunday. Info: 724-983-0200, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday or 9 a.m. to noon Friday.

• The Victorian Players invite people to get “In the Spirit of the Season,” at 8 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Sunday in the theater, 702 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown. Reservations and info: 330-746-5455.

• Thiel College invites the community to its 57th annual Christmas Festival at 4 p.m. Sunday in William A. Passavant Center, Greenville. Prelude music begins at 3:40 p.m. Concert free, but offerings accepted

• The Bach Society holds its Christmas concerts, “Noel We Sing,” at 8 p.m. Friday in Center Presbyterian Church, Slippery Rock, and Saturday in Tower Presbyterian Church, Grove City. Free.

• The Youngstown Playhouse presents “Miracle on 34th Street” at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays Dec. 11 through 20 in the theater, 600 Playhouse Lane. Reservations: 330-788-8739. Info: www.youngstownplayhouse.com

• Cahal Dunne presents his “Wonderful World of Christmas Concert” at 7 p.m. Saturday in McQuiston Center by the Park, 29 Railroad St., Sandy Lake. Tickets: $18, refreshments included; call 724-376-3608 or the center

• Canfield (Ohio) Community Theatre presents the holiday musical “Believe: White Christmas” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday in the Family Life Center of St. Michael Church, Canfield. Tickets: $13.50 for adults, $10 for students and senior citizens; call 330-533-3181

• The Pittsburgh Concert Chorale presents its Christmas program “Gloria” at 8 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Sunday in Ingomar United Methodist Church, Franklin Park, and 8 p.m. Saturday in Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, Fox Chapel. Tickets: 412-635-7654 or at the door

• The Keelings will play a Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Sunday in the Harvest Community Church, Kittanning; at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 in First Friends Church, Salem, Ohio; and at 7 p.m. Dec. 18 in New Beginnings Church of God, Meadville. Info: 724-253-3339, free ticket required. Take a non-perishable item for a food drive.

• The Mercer County Historical Society’s Chamber Players hold their annual candlelight Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 in Helen Black Miller Memorial Chapel, Mercer. Donations accepted

• Main Street Theatre presents “In the Spirit of Christmas” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday in Columbiana (Ohio) Main Street Theatre.

• The Youngstown Symphony Orchestra presents a Holiday Spectacular, featuring Kenny Eldridge and the Jesus Celebration Singers, dancers from Ballet Western Reserve, and Stephanie J. Block from Broadway’s “Wicked,” at 8 p.m. Dec. 12 in Edward W. Powers Auditorium. Tickets: 330-744-0264. Info: www.youngstownsymphony.com

• The Beaver County Festival of Trees, “Christmases of Years Gone By,” continues through Sunday in the lodge at Brady’s Run Park. Fifty uniquely decorated trees and wreaths transform the lodge into a winter wonderland. Info: 724-891-5842

• Youngstown brings back the downtown holiday parade at 3 p.m. Saturday. It starts on East Federal Street and ends with the Downtown Youngstown Tree Lighting Ceremony.



DANCE

• Polka with the Eric Noltkamper Band at 3 p.m. Sunday in Bessemer Croation Club, 601 E. Poland Ave. Info: 724-667-8997, dinner buffet available

• Dance to the oldies with Mansfield 5 at 8 p.m. Friday or try polka with Al Hreno at 8 p.m. Saturday in Kuzman’s Lounge, Girard, Ohio. Also, catch a jitterbug Wednesday.

• Dance to the ’80s at 8 p.m. Thursday or join a Friday night dance party at 9 p.m. in The Radisson Hotel, Shenango Township.



ETC.

• A “Cinderella Brunch,” featuring a full buffet with costumed characters interacting with guests, starts at noon Saturday and Dec. 12 in Trinity United Methodist Church, 30 W. Front St., Youngstown. Reservations required: 330-788-8739. Info: www.youngstownplayhouse.com, $10 for children and $12 for adults.

• “Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries,” is unleashed at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History through Jan. 31. Info: www.cmnh.org or 216-231-4600

• Lidia Bastianich’s new book, “Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy,” arrives just in time for holiday giving. Join her for a lecture and book signing as The Drue Heinz Lectures series brings her to Pittsburgh for this one-night appearance, 7:30 p.m. Monday. Tickets: www.pittsburghlectures.org

• Auditions for “The Fabric of a Man” will be held at 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the Youngstown Playhouse Theatre, 600 Playhouse Lane. Needed is an African-American cast of men and women ages 21 to 65 and three high school students, with singing and nonles available. It will be performed on the weekends of Feb. 5 and 12. Info: 330-788-8739

• Auditions for “Inherit the Wind” and “Blithe Spirit” will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 13 in the Youngstown Playhouse Theatre, 600 Playhouse Lane. “Inherit the Wind” requires 21 men and six women ages 21 and older, a boy, a girl, and extras. It will be performed the weekends of March 12 and 19. “Blithe Spirit” requires two men ages 40 to 60 and five women ages 25 to 80. It plays the weekends of April 16 and 23. Info: 330-788-8739

KARAOKE

• Today (12/3): Sing along to oldies with Scott at 7 p.m. in the Okay Corral, Stoneboro.

• Friday: Jim Hicks runs karaoke at 9 p.m. in Sidebar & Grille, Mercer; Simply Ed Karaoke plays at 9:30 p.m. in Tully’s Irish Pub in the Quaker Steak and Lube complex, Sharon.

• Saturday: D.J. Party and karaoke is at 9 p.m. in Rock-A-Billies Bar and Grill, Masury.

• Sunday: Sherryokie plays at 9 p.m. Sunday in Jerry’s Tavern, Sharpsville.

• Tuesday: Catch CD’s Karaoke with Dave at 9 p.m. in Rock-A-Billies Bar and Grill, Masury.



LOCAL BANDS

• Remedy rocks at 9:30 p.m. Saturday in the Okay Corral, Stoneboro. www.remedybandrocks.com

• Steve Vuich and The River Saints play at 10 p.m. Saturday in Nick’s Inn 62, Hermitage. They take the stage again 9 p.m. Monday in Tully’s Irish Pub, Sharon. Vuich joins Greg LeDonne to host an open mic night at 8 p.m. Tuesday in Sharon Elks Lodge.

• Soundbite plays classic rock just the way you remember it at 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Clark House, Clark. Info: 724-347-2508

• Variety on the Square presents Glorybound from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in the old G.C. Murphy Building at 110 N. Pitt St., Mercer. There is an admission charge. Take a chair. Info: 724-662-1490

• Enjoy the music in Millbrook this week, featuring Allegheny Boys from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday in the former Schoefield Methodist Church. Admission at the door; snacks and beverages available.

• Groove Clinic cuts a rut at 9:30 p.m. Saturday in Harry’s, Sharpsville. Band info: www.grooveclinic.net

• There’s an open jam at 8 tonight in the Gateway Tavern, Vernon Road, West Salem Township. Jam with Jam Jimmy Burns from the Lost Highway Band. PA, mics, drums, amps provided – take guitar, keyboard, etc., and plug in. Info: 724-646-1429

• Tyler Jenkins and the Skank Spankers play at 9:30 p.m. Saturday in Gateway Tavern, Vernon Road, West Salem Township.

• See The Intent plays rock ’n’ roll at 9:30 p.m. Saturday in Jacob’s Gable Inn, Jamestown. Band info: www.theintent.com

• Catch Tommy Chris and Company Friday in Razzy’s, in the Quality Inn, Hermitage. Then, Howard and The Point 5 Band plays Saturday. Info: 724-704-7535.



MUSICAL STAGE

• The New Castle Playhouse presents Disney’s classic “Beauty and the Beast” at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Saturday in the theater, 212 E. Long Ave. Reservations: 724-654-3437. Tickets: www.TicketLeap.com and at the door. Info: info@newcastleplayhouse.org

• The 2009-10 Grove City College Guest Artist Series concludes with Turtle Island Quartet, which plays a fusion of jazz and chamber music at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 in Ketler Auditorium of the Pew Fine Arts Center on campus. Info: $10, at tickets@gcc.edu or 724-264-4460

• The Performing Arts Series at Slippery Rock University is bringing American Stars in Concert for the Holidays at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 in Miller Auditorium on campus. The show features American Idol Stars: R.J. Helton, Season 1; Trenyce Cobbins, Season 2; Mikalah Gordon, Season 4; and Chikezie, Season 7. Tickets: 724-738-2018.

• Youngstown Playhouse Youth Theatre presents “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the theater at 600 Playhouse Lane,. Box office: 330-788-8739

• The Butler County Symphony Orchestra’s featured performer for its upcoming holiday concert is internationally renowned opera singer Marianne Cornetti. The concert is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Butler Intermediate High School, 551 Fairground Hill Road. Tickets and info: 724-283-1402 or www.butlersymphony.org.

• The Warren Civic Music Association presents the concert Three Men & A Maestro at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 in Packard Music Hall, Warren, Ohio. Tickets: 330-399-4885 and www.packardmusichall.com



Send items for publication to diversions@sharonherald.com or by fax to: 724-981-5116. Information is not taken over the phone.

Compiled by Herald Staff Writer Matthew Snyder

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