ENTERTAINMENT

10 things to do: First Friday, bunny art, Modern Electric, drag show, Elton and Billy

Ed Balint
The Repository
April's First Friday events in downtown Canton will showcase the artwork of more than 400 fifth graders in the city. Art will be displayed at more than 20 downtown businesses.

1. April First Friday is student art showcase

April's First Friday theme in downtown Canton is "The Art of Being Children."

More than 400 pieces of artwork created by local students in fifth through eighth grades will be collectively displayed at more than 20 downtown businesses, including BZTAT Studios, Patina Arts Centre, Kendall & Blue Boutique, Mal McCrea Photography, Double Tree by Hilton, Basil Asian Bistro, Lucca Downtown, Fromage du Monde, Canton Palace Theatre, Run To You Racing, Grapes In A Glass, Cantonology, Boomdyada, Escape Room Downtown, Silo Arts Studio, Starz, Carpe Diem Coffee Shop, R&J Ballroom, Creative Dreams, Just Imagine Gift Gallery, Canton Woman’s Club, LovelyInk Creative, 2 Scoopz Ice Cream and Visit Canton.

First Friday activities will be 5 to 9 p.m.

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Silo Arts Studio, 431 Fourth St. NW, will be hosting a solo exhibition from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. featuring the work of Dontay Jenkins, including illustrations of celebrities and pop culture figures.

BZTAT Studios, 209 Sixth St. NW, is featuring the "Abstract is Real" group exhibit showcasing the works of several Canton area artists. Children of all ages and abilities also can create a take-home card project for $2 per person.

Canton Museum of Art will hold an open house and awards 5 to 7 p.m. ceremony Friday for the Stark County High School Art Exhibition. Artwork is on display through Sunday. Admission is free.

R&J Ballroom, 401 Tuscarawas St. W, will host a free ballroom dance class at 6:30 followed by a dance party at 7 p.m. No partner or experience are required.

At Fromage du Monde, 340 Fourth St. NW, free popcorn cones will be given to children under age 12.

Grapes in a Glass, 575 Market Ave. N, will be featuring the live blues-inspired music of Chris Soulsby 7 to 11 p.m.

The Canton Women's Club, 822 Market Ave. N, will have its Victorian Gift Shop open. Tours also will be given.

The paintings of Cleveland area artist Timothy Herron will be featured in "The Way I See It" exhibit at Patina Arts Centre in downtown Canton. The show opens 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday.

2. Timothy Herron's art featured at Patina

Patina Arts Centre , 324 Cleveland Ave. NW, will be presenting "The Way I See It" by artist Timothy Herron .

Herron's show is open 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the first floor gallery at Patina. The event is free and open to the public.

"The Way I See It" features a collection of work made from real life observations, Patina said in announcing the event. Works include plein air and figurative oil painting.

"The Year of the Rabbit" art show is 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at The Hub Art Factory in downtown Canton.

Herron also creates portraits as a member of " The Pretentious Tremont Artists of the Literary Café ."

Also Thursday at Patina, following the exhibition opening, Herron will host a session of the Tremont group from 7 to 10 p.m. The portrait model will be Canton mayoral candidate Willis Gordon. The event is also free to attend for artists working with any medium. Bring your own materials.

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Herron's exhibition also will be on display 5 to 9 p.m. Friday.

Also at Patina on Friday, Canton-based hip-hop artist and rapper Jéan P the MC will be performing at 6 p.m. with Jorge Cervantez.

Open mic comedy night also will be at Patina on Friday hosted by Lydia Carmany of the Females of Comedy . Comedian sign-up starts at 7 p.m. Doors open to the public at 8 p.m. The free comedy event will be in Patina's lower level entertainment space.

"The Year of the Rabbit" art show is 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at The Hub Art Factory in downtown Canton.

3. 'Year of the Rabbit' art show at The Hub

Art exhibits during First Friday in downtown Canton also include "Year of the Rabbit" 6 to 10 p.m. at The Hub Art Factory , 336 Sixth St. NW.

Participating artists are Lorenzo Frazier, Heidi Fawver, Justin Randall, Aimee Lambes, Amanda Morena, Tim Carmany, Alissagrace Raynak, Erin Mulligan, Christian Harwell, Gina Kicos, Todd Bergert, Peyton Hopp, Zoemarie Strickland and John Jordan.

Spotlight Entertainment is presenting an Elton John and Billy Joel tribute show on April 15 at La Pizzaria in Jackson Township.

4. Elton John, Billy Joel tribute in Jackson Township

Spotlight Entertainment is presenting an Elton John and Billy Joel tribute show on April 15 at La Pizzaria in Jackson Township.

Featuring Jordan Potter, Mark Adkins and Ben Arrington backed by a five-piece band, the performance will be in the Crystal Room of La Pizzaria, 3656 Dressler Road NW.

Tickets, $42.50, include an Italian meal from La Pizzaria prior to the show. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/ by searching for La Pizzaria, or by calling the box office at 330-327-2087.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

The movie "Hop" will be shown at 10 a.m. Friday in a "Sensory Cinema" screening, following by a standard screening at 1 p.m. Admission is $2.

5. 'Hop' movie matinee showings Friday

The movie "Hop" will be shown at 10 a.m. Friday in a "Sensory Cinema" screening at Canton Palace Theatre.

A standard showing will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the Palace, 605 Market Ave. N. Tickets are $2 each.

"Sensory Cinema" is a theatre experience tailored to patrons with sensory processing disorders and their families.

The Canton Museum of Art will hold an open house and awards ceremony 5 to 7 p.m. Friday for the Stark County High School Art Exhibition. The exhibition is free and on display through Sunday. This colored pencil piece, "Isolated in Meloncholy," was created by GlenOak High School student Isabella Nagy.

6. Stark County High School Art Exhibition awards ceremony

Canton Museum of Art will hold an open house and awards ceremony Friday for the Stark County High School Art Exhibition.

The event is 5 to 7 p.m., with the awards presentation starting at 6 p.m. Between 100 to 150 art pieces are on display through April 9 at the museum. Admission is free.

The Canton Museum of Art will hold an open house and awards ceremony 5 to 7 p.m. Friday for the Stark County High School Art Exhibition. This art piece, "Alter Ego," was created by Grace Costin of Jackson High School.

Participating schools are Alliance City Schools, Canton City Schools, Canton Local Schools, Central Catholic High School, Fairless Local Schools, Jackson Local Schools, Lake Local School District, Louisville City Schools, Marlington Local Schools, Minerva Local Schools, North Canton City Schools, Osnaburg Local Schools, Perry Local Schools, Plain Local Schools, Sandy Valley Local Schools and Tuslaw Local School District.

7. Art Educator of the Year pieces on display in Canton, Massillon

The artwork of nominees and finalists for Art Educator of the Year is on display.

The annual art and music educator awards are a collaboration of the Canton Symphony Orchestra, Canton Museum of Art and Massillon Museum.

Art pieces will be displayed in the lower level lobby of the Massillon Museum through Saturday. Admission is free.

This painting by Susan Rusu is among the finalist entries for Art Educator of the Year in Stark County 2023. Artwork by other finalists is on exhibit at the Massillon Museum through April 8.

Tamela Grandjean, an art teacher at Hoover High School, was recently named the 2023 Art Educator of the Year.

Other finalists were Matthew J. Ferrell, media arts instructor, Massillon Washington High School; Rayvin Lindsey, art teacher, Crenshaw Middle School; Renee Marinchek, art teacher, Alliance Intermediate School; and Rita Walbeck, art teacher, Glenwood Intermediate School.

Melanie Mesmer, music teacher at Northwood Elementary School in North Canton, was named the 2023 Music Educator of the Year.

Artwork by those recognized for Art Educator of the Year in Stark County is on display at the Canton Museum of Art. At far right is the charcoal art piece submitted by Hoover High School art teacher Tam Grandjean of Hoover High School. Grandjean was named Art Educator of the Year.

8. Dollhaus Diva's Drag Revue at The Auricle

Dollhaus Diva's Drag Revue will be featured Saturday at The Auricle , 201 Cleveland Ave. NW in downtown Canton.

The show is being presented by The Auricle and Kardi Redd Diamond. Orion Story , a former contestant on the television show RuPaul's Drag Race, also will perform, as well as Amaya Sexton and Stevie Aura.

Kardi Redd Diamond of Canton will be among the drag performers on Saturday night at The Auricle in downtown Canton. Also performing will be Orion Story, a contestant on the television show RuPaul's Drag Race.

Doors open one hour before the 8 p.m. show, which is followed by a dance party.

Tickets are available online at https://www.ticketweb.com/ .

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 day of show. Advance VIP tickets are $25 ($30 day of show) and include admission, a meet and greet with Orion Story, one drink ticket and VIP front row seating.

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This art piece by Dorian Lindsay is part of the student art exhibition at the University of Mount Union.

9. Student art exhibit at Mount Union

A student art exhibition will be showcased through April 12 in the Sally Otto Gallery at the University of Mount Union at the Giese Center for the Performing Arts, 67 West Simpson St.

Works by 21 students include paintings, drawings and sculptures.

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This art piece by Rita Pollock is part of the student art exhibition at the University of Mount Union.

10. The Modern Electric and orchestra at The Auricle

The Modern Electric will join members of the Canton Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. April 13 at The Auricle for a Divergent Sounds concert.

The Cleveland band describes its style as piano-charged cinematic rock with influences both in film and music, including David Bowie and Electric Light Orchestra.

Tickets, $20 advance and $25 at the door, are available online at https://cantonsymphony.org/the-modern-electric/ .

Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com .

On Twitter @ebalintREP