Youngstown amphitheater to ring in first summer with community events

The Youngstown amphitheater and its community partners will ring in its inaugural season with several events designed to bring the community downtown. 

The Community Event Series, sponsored by Home Savings, will kick off The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre's summer with a "First Look Friday." 

First Look Friday will be a free event, held on Friday, June 14th, that will invite the entire community to be the first to experience the new amphitheater "in all its grandeur." 

The first of the Home Savings Community Event Series, First Look Friday will feature a free concert by local and regional artists including The Sensations, GEO C and Tha Storm, and more. 

A release lists several other community events scheduled through September: 
Saturday, July 13th Youngstown Wine and Jazz Festival
o A celebrated downtown summer tradition has a new home inside The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre. In conjunction with the YSU Summer Festival of the Arts, The Youngstown Wine and Jazz Festival will continue to offer the best in wine and national Jazz Artists.

Saturday, July 27th "Drive In Movie Night"
o Bring the kids, classmates, friends, and neighbors and enjoy FREE ADMISSION to our showing of an all-time classic Jurassic Park (93') Movie Provided by The Youngstown Summer Movie Series & the City of You. Take a stroll back in time, bring a blanket and enjoy the movie under the stars!

Saturday, August 17th The City Of YOU- Funk, Soul and R&B night
o Ohio-grown, but nationally known, the iconic Ohio Players are bringing their signature sounds of American funk, soul and R&B to the amphitheater stage. Tickets start at just $10 thanks to Home Savings' sponsorship of this special event.

Friday, September 13th "Free Friday Throw Back"
o Get your bell bottoms out and shine your dancing shoes; it's retro Disco night at The Amp Featuring Disco Inferno. Another FREE ADMISSION night at The Amp provided by Home Savings.

Saturday, September 28th Youth Spoken Word & Poetry Festival "I AM A POEM"
o The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre proudly welcomes the first ever youth spoken word & poetry festival, "I AM A POEM." Founded by The Colony of Youngstown, this event will showcase the City of You and the Mahoning Valley talented youth. P.O.E.M (which stands for PRODUCT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MOTIVATION) is a movement that provides a creative outlet for our community's youth.

"The Home Savings Community Event Series will serve as a symbol of exactly why the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre was built; to provide a dynamic space that will be a cornerstone for our community," remarked JAC Management President, Eric Ryan. 

Ryan continued in a release, explaining, "We can schedule events that appeal to all members of the community, and most importantly, keep them affordable. The partnership with Home Savings will
allow us to have reduced ticket prices and even host free community events that appeal to our entire community that otherwise would not be possible."

Mayor Jamael Tito Brown echoed Ryan's sentiments, "I want to thank Home Savings for their investment in Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. They are an example of what a private/public partnership truly looks like. This is the kind of investment we need to continue to move Youngstown forward."

Home Savings said in the release that they have been fostering community growth and service for decades, yet their sponsorship of the community series offers them a chance to foster community involvement in a new way: "The park and amphitheater are an important addition to the transformation that continues to bring growth and revitalization to downtown Youngstown. At Home Savings, we're honored to support our community with enriched experiences for all to enjoy," explains Gary Small, Home Savings President, and CEO. "We believe in the future success of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley and are proud to be a founding supporter of this community enrichment project."