Assorted ramblings from the world of entertainment:

• Close to 50 of Tony Leonardi’s former students are expected to come back to Youngstown State University for a tribute concert to the educator on Aug. 5.

As a bass player, Leonardi worked with such performers as Buddy Rich, Nat King Cole, Chuck Mangione, Sammy Davis Jr., Bobby Darrin and Tony Bennett. As a member of Woody Herman’s band, he recorded three albums and appeared on national television. He also played with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, Warren Chamber Orchestra and in the pit band for Kenley Players’ productions.

Leonardi, who died in 2001, worked at YSU for 22 years and served as director of jazz studies. During that time, he brought in many jazz artists to work with students. The YSU Jazz Ensemble released five CDs during his tenure. He was awarded YSU’s Distinguished Professor Award in both 1990 and 2001.

This will be the fourth Tony Leonardi Legacy Alumni Reunion Tribute Concert since his death, and the event is organized by Paula Leonardi Ducato, Leonardi’s daughter; Bill Bodine, one of Leonardi’s former students who has worked with Van Morrison, Cher and others and composed scores for more than 300 commercials; and other alumni.

Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. concert at Bliss Hall’s Ford Theater are $25 with YSU students and children admitted for $10. Tickets are on sale now at www.tix.com/ticket-sales/ysu/4712/event/1328468. For more information, email tonyleonardilegacy@gmail.com.

• Summer weekends in the Mahoning Valley offer no shortage of things to do. Last weekend was particularly busy, and the much-better-than-predicted weather made it even better.

Saturday we ended up at DeBartolo Commons in Boardman for the final day of the Ribs-N-Rock Festival. Like at least a couple million other folks in the mid ’90s, I bought a copy of Gin Blossoms’ “New Miserable Experience,” and it was fun to hear those songs live along with the subsequent hits from the band’s follow-up, “Congratulations, I’m Sorry.”

And unlike many bands who’ve been together for more than 30 years, most of the musicians on stage Saturday were a part of the creation of those songs.

There were some technical glitches — frontman Robin Wilson was have trouble with his in-ear monitors and later his acoustic guitar — but the band didn’t let it detract from the performance.

Gin Blossoms drew a big crowd on Saturday, and Fuel’s crowd was bigger still on Friday.

According to promoter Corey Ward, the event attracted more than 20,000 people over three days, and he’s already making plans for 2024.

On Sunday, I think Birdfish Brewing Company might have single-handedly doubled the population of Columbiana with the crowd that came out to celebrate Bourdain Day, created to remember the life, work and spirit of chef / author / world traveler / television host Anthony Bourdain.

The brewery had two special beers on the menu for the occasion. I’d Tap That, an imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels that previously held maple syrup from Sadler Farms in Leetonia and weighed in at 11.9 percent alcohol by volume, was one of the best beers I’d ever tasted. Les Halles, named for the New York restaurant where Bourdain was executive chef, wasn’t far behind it. And while I’m the biggest complainer in my household that we have too many glasses and coffee mugs, I couldn’t resist the commemorative pint glass for the event.

JD Eicher and his band (with additional guitar from Michael Estok of Court Street Recording in Canfield) provided the perfect soundtrack for a beautiful afternoon, and a portion of the proceeds benefited the National Alliance on Mental Illness Mahoning Valley and the Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board.