10 things to do: 'Dear Canton' art show, First Ladies music, 'Friday the 13th' movie
1. First ladies-inspired music at Christ Presbyterian in Canton
The National First Ladies’ Library and Museum will host the world premiere of musical compositions inspired by the country's first ladies at 2 p.m. Sunday at Christ Presbyterian Church in Canton.
Featuring a lecture-recital format, "East Wing Songs Volume II" will be performed by mezzo soprano Ann Marie Daehn, a professor at Missouri State University, alongside her longtime collaborator Elizabeth Avery. Musical compositions are the work of composer Linda Lister, professor of music and director of opera at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
The free concert will be at Christ Presbyterian Church, 530 Tuscarawas St. W. On-site parking is available.
"The work seeks to humanize the first ladies of the United States through song, sharing their stories and memorializing their achievements and challenges," the First Ladies' Library said in a news release.
"East Wing Songs Volume II" features music remembering First Ladies Louisa Adams, Ellen Wilson and Edith Wilson, Lady Bird Johnson, Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton.
The commission and world premiere is made possible through a Missouri State University faculty research grant with support from the National First Ladies' Library and Huntington Bank.
The first installment of "East Wing Songs" debuted in Canton in fall 2022 and toured across the country.
2. 'Dear Canton' show at Silo Arts Studio
Local artist Kat Francis will present her Canton-inspired works on Friday at the opening of "Dear Canton" at Silo Arts Studio.
Daily life and encounters have inspired Francis' artwork, including a friend from a laundromat near Shorb Avenue and a woman who roller skates at Memorial Park and is "bursting with joy," Francis wrote in an email about her art show.
"Whether it is a stranger genuinely giving me a smile on a difficult day, or a now long-term friend hosting an art show to raise funds for my dog's hip surgery, each moment has meant so much to me and helped shape me," Francis said of Canton.
"Dear Canton" will be 5:30 to 10 p.m. at Silo Arts Studio, 431 Fourth St. NW in downtown Canton. The exhibition is free and open to all ages. Fromage du Monde and Heritage Bread Co. will provide refreshments.
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"Thank you Canton for being part of my story," Francis said. "The good, the bad, and inspiring me daily. I am so glad I stumbled upon you, and I hope you love yourself."
Canton is "a city of dreamers filled with underdogs that start successful businesses and help their neighbors succeed anytime they can," she said. "... Unique, scrappy and a determined city, with so many talented, motivated and beautiful people."
Thirty mixed-media pieces will be showcased, including drawings, acrylic on wood paintings, sculptures and large cardboard paintings. "Dear Canton" will be on display at Silo Arts Studio during gallery hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday until Oct. 28.
"It’s basically a scrapbook or journal that’s been sprawled out across the walls," said Francis, the visual arts director for Silo Arts Studio. "The gallery will be filled."
3. 'Finding Nemo Jr.' in North Canton
North Canton Playhouse will present "Finding Nemo Jr." starting this weekend.
Friday and Saturday shows will be at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday's performance will be 2:30 p.m. Oct. 20 will be at 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 21 performances will be at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; and Oct. 22 shows will be 2:30 and 6 p.m.
Tickets, $20 for adults and $15 for ages 18 and younger, can be purchased at https://www.northcantonplayhouse.com/. Performances will be at North Canton Playhouse, 525 Seventh St. NE in North Canton (Hoover High School).
Tickets also will be available at the door while supplies last.
4. Comedian Mary Santora in Canton
Comedian Mary Santora will perform at 8 p.m. Friday at Patina Arts Centre, 324 Cleveland Ave. NW.
Tickets, $20, are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/. The performance will be in the downstairs event center. Tickets will cost $25 at the door while available.
Santora was named the Best Undiscovered Standup Comedian in Ohio by Thrillist Magazine in 2018 and the Best Local Female Comedian by Cleveland Scene Magazine in 2016, 2017 and 2019.
Santora's comedy style is described as being slightly dark and observational.
5. Justin Tibbs and Canton Symphony Orchestra
Saxophonist Justin Tibbs and members of the Canton Symphony Orchestra will perform on Oct. 19 at the Auricle Venue & Bar in downtown Canton.
The concert is part of the symphony's Divergent Sounds series.
Tibbs will be performing with JT's Electrik Blackout. Doors open 30 minutes before the 7:30 p.m. concert. The Auricle is at 201 Cleveland Ave. NW.
Tickets, $20 presale and $25 at the show, can be purchased at https://cantonsymphony.org/ or by calling the box office at 330-452-2094.
6. 'Friday the 13th' movie at the Palace
"Friday the 13th" will be shown Friday at the Canton Palace Theatre.
The classic Halloween film starts at 7:30 p.m. General admission tickets cost $7 and can be purchased in advance at https://cantonpalacetheatre.org/ and at the door starting 30 minutes before showtime. The movie is rated R.
"Friday the 13th" is about group of camp counselors who try to reopen a summer camp and get stalked by a mysterious killer.
7. 'The Kitchen Witches' at the Roxy in Minerva
Minerva’s Roxy Theatre presents “The Kitchen Witches,” a community theater production, at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
"The Kitchen Witches" is the story of Isobel Lomax and Dolly Biddle, two cable-access cooking show hostesses who have hated each other for 30 years, ever since Larry Biddle dated one and married the other.
"When circumstances put them together on a TV show called 'The Kitchen Witches,' the insults are flung harder than the food," a show announcement said.
General admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the Minerva Area Chamber of Commerce, 203 N Market St. or online at https://www.minervachamber.org/. For more information, call the chamber at 330-868-7979.
Doors open 6:15 p.m. Saturday and 1:15 p.m. Sunday.
Directed by Loni Porter and Dave Pumneo, the stage production features Chris Debo, Debi Siers, Valerie Carl and Rich Berta.
8. Album release concert for Brian Lisik
Northeast Ohio alternative and indie rock singer-songwriter Brian Lisik will perform Saturday at Rialto Theatre in Akron.
The 7:30 p.m. show will be a Brian Lisik & Hard Legs album release concert. Opening acts will be Bored Approval and Funeral Proposals.
Brian Lisik performs on vocals and guitar; Robb Myers plays guitar; and Martyn Flunoy is the drummer. Released on Friday, the band's genre-spanning new studio album, "New Wreckard" features the single, "Blood In Their Eyes."
Rialto Theater is at 1000 Kenmore Blvd. Tickets, $12 presale and $15 at the door, can be purchased at https://www.therialtotheatre.com/.
Seating is general admission. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Brian Lisik & Hard Legs also will be performing on Oct. 21 at Buzzbin, 952 Kenmore Blvd. in Akron. The 9 p.m. concert also features The Most Beautiful Losers and Jeremy Porter and the Tucos. For more information, go to https://buzzbinkenmore.com/.
9. Hagerman's Magical Mystery Show
Magician and illusionist David Hagerman will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Canton Palace Theatre.
Tickets for Hagerman's Magical Mystery Show cost $20, $25 and $30 and can be purchased at https://cantonpalacetheatre.org/ and at the door starting at 6 p.m.
10. Stark County Vintage Market
The Stark County Vintage Market is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Stark County Fairgrounds, 305 Wertz Ave. NW .
The show features antiques, collectibles, and artisan goods, including furniture, pottery, vintage clothing, jewelry, repurposed household goods, and retro toys and comics.
Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com and on X (formerly Twitter) @ebalintREP
This article originally appeared on The Repository: First Ladies Library in Canton presents 'East Wing Songs' concert
