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Nelly returns to Youngstown for Covelli date

Staff report Rapper Nelly, who drew a huge crowd at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre in 2021, returns to the Mahoning Valley for a Sept. 13 concert at the Covelli Centre. In 2000 Nelly released his debut album, “Country Grammar,” which sold more than 10 million copies and included the hits “Ride Wit Me” and the title track. Its blend of hip-hop, pop and country was barrier-breaking at the time and remains prevalent in modern country today. The three-time Grammy winner’s other hits include “Hot in Herre,” “Dilemma,” “Air Force Ones” and “Just a ...

July calendar of events in the Valley

1-4 — 80th Newton Falls 4th of July Festival at community park 1 — TLC Acoustic and Sandy’s Melt Down at Kinsman Free Public Library at 5:30 p.m. 1 — Lit Youngstown First Wednesday Reader Series: Meredith Doench and Erin Flanagan at Westside Bowl, Youngstown, at 7 p.m. 1 — ...

Simply Slavic grows in its 15th year

Simply Slavic turns 15 — and three — this year. It’s the 15th anniversary for the festival created to celebrate the traditions of the European countries and their immigrants that make up Slavic culture. It’s also the first time the festival has expanded to three days, running this ...

Todd Maki knows the score when it comes to orchestral passion

Todd Maki wants to bring orchestral passion to the concert band world. The Youngstown native is the new conductor and music director of the Youngstown Area Community Concert Band, succeeding Joseph Pellegrini, who retired in 2025 after leading the group for 35 of its 42 years. Maki has ...

Gray Areas: Fireworks in Austintown, movie makers in Mespo

Assorted rambling from the world of entertainment: • There will be a lot of fireworks in the Mahoning Valley over the next couple of weeks, probably more than usual thanks to America250 celebrations. But only one that I’m aware of boasts athletes familiar to local sports fans. The Austintown Firework Celebration will deliver the big booms at 10 p.m. Sunday at Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Valley Race Course in Austintown, but plenty of activities are planned before the loud and colorful finale. Both Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns fans will be served by the special guests. ...

Reader series features authors from Dayton

Dayton novelists Meredith Doench and Erin Flanagan will be the featured authors at Lit Youngstown’s next First Wednesday Reader Series event. Doench is the author of the Luce Hansen sapphic thriller series and the stand-alone novels “Whereabouts Unknown” and “Never Say Die.” Doench is an avid armchair detective and amateur web sleuth who loves all things mystery. She’s also a board member of Mystery Writers of America, Midwest Chapter and a principal lecturer of creative writing and literature at the University of Dayton. Flanagan is the author of five books, including ...