As we’re officially entering the fall season, this weekend is full of Yo activities to enjoy with friends and family. All of the events are open to the public, and most of them are free.
Kick off the fun on Thursday night for an 8:00 showing of Doubt at the Oakland Center for the Arts. Join “Brooke and Rob’s Fabulous Fun Group.”
On Friday, the Yo favorite, the Zou hosts the last Party On the Plaza of the season with Red Wanting Blue. Doubt is showing again at 8:00 at the Oakland.
The Gray to Green Festival debuts on Saturday from 11-6 in Wick Park. This is a truly family-friendly event with kids’ crafts, vendors and exhibitors, and my favorite “Drop and Shop,” where folks can ”drop” things that they’re no longer using and “shop” among the dropped items for things they might need. My intent is to do more dropping than shopping, so we’ll see how that goes! Don’t forget to bring your own bags.
Also on Saturday, right across the street from Gray to Green, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, the Northside Farmer’s Market continues from 9-3 instead of its usual 9-noon. We’re extending our hours to accomodate guests from the Gray to Green Festival. Pick up some produce (I’m especially enjoying the tomatoes), baked goods, preserves, or arts, jewelry, etc.
Finish off the day on Saturday with an 8:00 showing of Doubt at the Oakland. I’ll be the Board Member on Duty on Saturday, so stop by the box office and say hello. Did I tell you that the show sold out last weekend? It did, so make sure to reserve your tickets by calling the reservation line at 330-746-0404.
On Sunday from 1-4, “Take a Tour through History” at the Mahoning Valley’s Historical Day. This family friendly event will include bounce-a-round, Jocko the Clown, storytelling, crafts, and tours of the Burt/Ross radio building, birthplace of the Good Humor ice cream bar.
Let us not forget that the Clyde Singer Retrospective opened at the Butler Institute of American Art last weekend, and the museum has both Saturday and Sunday hours. Singer is the featured of many great and diverse artists whose works are currently on display at the Butler.
If you’re looking for somewhere to eat downtown, my favorite is Cafe Cimmento on Boardman Street (near the Children’s Museum of the Valley). Top Quality food, gorgeous ambiance, friendly service…Cafe Cimmento is the total package. Also, Cedars has a new deli-style eatery (and Wifi), and while I haven’t tried it yet, I hear great things.
So let all of the grumps and whiners say that the Yo is dying, dead, taking its last breath, or whatever. It seems to me that there are plenty of unique events going on this weekend, unless of course you prefer dinner at Applebee’s and a ten dollar movie.
Update: Please read the comments for additional details provided by the lovely and informative Brooke Slanina.
The new food at Cedars is super yummy.
Grey to Green is from 11-6 with a great entertainment line up including the Market Street Muppets and youngstown Connection from 11:15-1 pm (great for kids!) plus Jim Scott, Machete and Chi Baby from 1-5, and local fave Brady’s Leap closes the show at 5 pm.
oh, and also those who reserve for Doubt under Brooke and Rob’s Fabulous Fun Group get $5 tickets!
oh, and that Staurday closing show of Doubt will feature a closing artist’s reception from 6-8 pm. Friends of Hannah can see the show (if there are tix left) at a group rate ($10 or $8 for students with valid ID).