Celebrate the small successes

This weekend was a busy one, with shows at the Oakland (“Bug”), Chevy Centre (Cirque du Soleil), and Powers (Youngstown Symphony). A group of about thirty or so took a WRTA trip from downtown to Casa Fiesta for lunch Saturday and back again, through Brownlee Woods.

There was so much going on, I had a hard time finding someone to take my extra ticket to the symphony (thanks Katie!). The symphony was pretty good. Appalachian Spring was delightful (needed more violin in that explosive section underneath the trumpets’ “Simple Gifts”), as was the Eastern piece with Pipa solo. Beethoven’s Fifth was sloppy, though, suggesting rehearsal time for it was brushed over in favor of the other two.

Reading through the Vindicator today, I came upon this letter to the editor, which is worth celebrating, given all that has been achieved of late:

Published: Sunday, March 8, 2009

Rediscovering Downtown

EDITOR:

I am a 74-year-old woman who used to work for many years in downtown Youngstown. After having not been downtown for many years due to the conditions I had observed, I was asked to go to the Dana Concert Series on Feb. 27. It was suggested that we meet at the Rosetta Stone Cafe for drinks and dinner. Quite frankly I was hesitant but decided to accept the invitation. To my astonishment and delight, I was shocked to find a beautiful Federal Street, a magnificent restaurant with excellent food and a wine list I could not believe, plus a great evening of entertainment.

The Dana at DeYor was absolutely one of the best I have seen or heard. The Austintown Fitch Band was very good. The Lakota West Symphonic Winds Orchestra was so outstanding that I could barely believe these were high school musicians. They played a Mozart Concerto conducted by Dr. Lee Brooks who had it arranged to accommodate solos by sisters Mackenzie Hammel on harp, a senior at Lakota, and Cameron Hammel on flute, a junior at Lakota. It was so beautiful that it brought tears to my eyes, and I will not soon forget it. The Youngstown State University Wind Ensemble was also extraordinary and well presented by its conductor, Dr. Stephen Gage. I would be remiss if I did not give credit to the Austintown conductor, Wesley O’Connor, and Lakota’s conductor, Gregory Snyder, as all of their programs were fantastic and well received by the audience.

I will certainly be wanting to entertain my family and friends to many delightful evenings in beautiful Downtown Youngstown. It’s alive and exciting.

BEVERLY A. PACK

Poland

Beverly, we know that if you look you’ll find plenty of reasons to continue rediscovering downtown, and we hope to see you back soon!

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