Summer Festival of the Arts brings music, art and culture July 6-9
A weekend of arts, culture and music is planned for July 6-9 at numerous locations around Downtown Youngstown and at Youngstown State University. Organizers from YSU, the City of Youngstown, Mahoning County Convention & Visitors Bureau, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Eric Ryan Productions, 2Deep Events and All American Cards & Comics announced a variety of events planned for the weekend.
Events include:
- The St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Summerfest, Thursday through Sunday, July 6-9, 220 N. Walnut Street
- YSU Summer Festival of the Arts, Saturday and Sunday, July 8 and 9, at and around Youngstown State University
- All AmeriCon 2017 Comic Convention, Saturday and Sunday, July 8 and 9, at the Covelli Center
- Friday night concert, Friday, July 7 at Central Square, Downtown Youngstown
- Youngstown Wine and Jazz, Saturday, July 8, at Central Square, Downtown Youngstown
- 2 DE Gospel Fest, Sunday, July 9, at Central Square, Downtown Youngstown
St. Nicholas Greek Summerfest kicks off the weekend July 6-9 and includes live music and dancing, Greek food and pastries, and a display of cultural memorabilia. Hours are: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, July 6; 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 7 and 8; and Noon – 6:00 p.m. Sunday, July 9. 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 7, will bring the Fabulous Flashbacks together for the first time in eight years where they will perform on stage near the Central Square in Downtown Youngstown. Doors will open at 6:30; Tickets are $10 and available 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 19th annual YSU Summer Festival of the Arts will be held July 8 and 9 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 75 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 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.
New to the Summer Festival of the Arts weekend is the eighth annual All-AmeriCon Comic and Toy show, July 8 and 9. The event, presented by All American Cards & Comics, includes comics, art and cosplay. The convention, which moved to the larger Covelli Center to allow for additional vendors and activities this year, will include over 100 vendors, and guests Bob Layton, Geof Isherwood, Michael Golden, Rags Morales and Darryl Banks. Admission is $10 per day. For more information, call 330-393-3137 or visit their Facebook page. Patrons are encouraged to dress up as their favorite character.
For the seventh year, a Jazz concert will occur in Downtown Youngstown as part of the weekend. Youngstown Wine and Jazz will be Saturday, July 8 and will feature award-winning jazz pianist Alex Bugnon, a romantic yet energetic force on the contemporary jazz scene. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The stage will be set up in the middle of Wick Avenue near the Central Square. Several wineries and breweries have committed to the event and will set up adjacent to the stage. Tickets are $10 each and available at the Covelli Center Box Office, at www.ticketmaster.com or at the gate.
On Sunday, July 9 the third annual 2DE Gospel Festival 2K17 will be headlined by Grammy Award winnning artist Israel Houghton & New Breed. Tickets are $20, $40 and $60 and may be purchased online at http://www.2deepevents.com/ or via phone at 330-953-3340.
More information is available at www.youngstownlive.com, www.ysu.edu/sfa or by emailing Lori Factor, festival coordinator.
