jaci's review of the stage

Some incredible photos were just posted from the latest Stage. See one woman's many steps to becoming a drag queen.

"I had a great night! BTW...the next Stage will be May 22nd at 8:00pm so if you're local, get your bootie down to the Oakland!"

More here.

Options

Looking for something to do Thursday? Head out to the English Festival:

My favorite YSU event is going on right now–the YSU English Festival. This year’s is the 30th, and while I’m not on campus today, I’m conducting workshops tomorrow and Friday. And I plan to spend much of Friday morning being a festival groupie and autograph seeker (the perks of being an insider).

Or check out the Warner Brothers exhibition at the Butler Institute of American Art:

This exhibition, curated by Steve Schneider, features original drawings, paintings and animation cels from Warner Bros. created from 1930 to 1969. At their best, Warner's "Looney Tunes" and "Merrie Melodies" starring Bugs, Daffy, Porky, Sylvester, Tweetie et al., were the zaniest and most inventive of all the movie cartoons. This exhibition chronicles Warner's animation growth and development over four decades, and features all the major characters and their unique personalities. Factual matter on the directors, artists, and other talent as well as many animation drawings, layout sketches, background paintings, and color cels are displayed in this exhibit.

And at night, be at the Oakland for The Stage for the most eclectic mix of talent in the valley. It's sure to be fodder for your Friday-morning watercooler conversations:

Dr. Ray's Sideshow of Science promises new amazing acts including the World's Tiniest Box of Blades, and the incredible writing duo Panning and Liller will be debuting their skit, "Rock n' Roll Jesus," complete with live action photos (pending we get the projector set up). Don Connors is developing something or a cult following at the Stage, and he'll be back with a few songs.

The Youngstown Moxie blog reviews the Colored Museum:

"Let me say this, there is humor and satire and then there is "The Colored Museum". The satire in this play is brilliant! It will make you laugh, and then five minutes later have you crying because of sadness of it all. It is nothing short of an emotional roller coaster ride.

The author of this play is George C Wolfe. Mr. Wolfe is not a timid writer; he manages to convey the unthinkable with great wit and humor. The play was written in 1985 during the post-Vietnam War era. It is comprised of eleven vignettes which are actually a series of eleven live exhibits in the Colored Museum. The director of the play is Johnny Herbert. This is his directing debut at the Oakland. He has brought together an amazing cast and creates magic on the Oakland stage."

Moxie writes more about the actors, the art in the Oakland's Gallery, and her night out in downtown Youngstown.

see all of her thoughts here.

triple blog delight from the oakland

The Stage at the Oakland blog unleashed a triple dose of saucyness:

First, In the Moonlight Eddie Kicks Off 2008

"The play is a nostalgic show highlighting the strain between a father and son pursuing their dreams in New York City. Both creative types, they find their way back to each other as Eddie recovers from a nervous breakdown and Gil recovers from his first big hit show in years.

Second, Barzak snags Award

"It was officially announced today that CHRISTOPHER BARZAK, author of the fabulous Youngstown-based novel ONE FOR SORROW has been honored with the prestigious CRAWFORD AWARD for BEST FIRST NOVEL. There's only one winner of this award, and because it's the first literary award announced this year, it's kind of a big deal.

Check the Press Release below, and please feel free to repost the news for posterity and publicity's sake. Remeber, great things happen everywhere, everyday...but they're much better when they happen in Youngstown! "

Third, Retail Therapy

"There are no independent designers, and the few boutiques we do have stock the same designers you can find in the mall. And some other trendy, high-end ones that appeal to doctor's wives in Poland.

But no one sells locally-designed or hand-made clothing. And that's disappointing. The closest outlet we have is Ohio Vintage. We need more indie boutiques downtown, ones that stock a variety of clothes, jewelery, handbags, luggage, shoes, and fun little pieces. Christ, I'd settle for one single all-in-one boutique somewhere among the sea of bars on W. Federal."

in the moonlight eddie

The Oakland is hosting a new show this month. Check out their blog for more information.

"Also not to be missed: our facelift! We are curently undergoing a paint job, ever so generously donated and designed by Something New Florist, the area's premiere design store and event coordinators. Check out the daring new color combo adorning our walls: orange, blue, and green! We can't wait to see the final product, or you!"

Also recounted is this separate post on First Night:

"If you're like my lame loser friends, you're probably passing this begrudgingly slow time post-xmas/pre-new year by whining to anyone within hearing distance: "I have noooothing to do on New Year's Eve! There's never anything cool happening!!"

Well, here's what I have to say to you lameo squares: Ring in the new year with FIRST NIGHT YOUNGSTOWN. Something for EVERYONE from toddlers to teens, hipster 20-somethings to peppy seniors! Tix are unbelievably cheap: $10 for adults, $5 for students with valid ID, and kids under 12 FREE!!"

milk, cookies, santa, and speed reading

This entire post from First Book Mahoning Valley is awesome:

Join us one and all for the first ever First Book-Mahoning Valley Speed Read
and
Milk and Cookies with Santa
at the Oakland Center for the Arts
on Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 7:00 pm.

Register now!
We will send you a pledge packet and information on the Speed Read event and First Book- Mahoning Valley. You collect pledges in advance and then come to the event where you will be invited on stage to read as many words as you can in 15 seconds.

Every $2.50 buys a new book for a child, but we need your help!

Not interested in reading, make a donation!

Have a child who loves to read? They can Speed Read as well!

Following the highly hysterical readings, Santa will be on the premises for last minute wishes. The first 500 children will receive a new book.
Milk and cookies will be available, as well as a basket raffle.
The event is free and open to the public. We hope you will Speed Read with us and help end illiteracy in our community.

Have an organization you would like to promote at our event? Just register to read, collect pledges, and when it is your turn to read take a minute (maybe 2) to tell everyone what you do! We want everyone who is revitalizing Youngstown to be heard !
To register or request additional information, email amyneral@yahoo.com.