Mansfield Playhouse season opens this weekend 

MANSFIELD – “The Mousetrap,” a classic Agatha Christie mystery, kicks off the 2020-2021 season at the Mansfield Playhouse this weekend. The whodunit murder mystery follows a group of strangers stranded in a boarding house during a snowstorm. 

Show dates are Friday, Saturday, Sept. 18 and Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 20 at 2:30 p.m.  A limited number of seats are available.

For ticket information, visit mansfieldplayhouse.com. 

Ren Backlot concert Friday and Saturday 

MANSFIELD – Renaissance Performing Arts Association continues its series of backlot concerts this weekend with “Dancing in the Streets: The Motown Sound” at 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.  

“Dancing in the Streets: The Motown Sound,” a collaboration with Alice Bond, (The Temptations, The Four Tops), and Condrea Webber, (“At Last: An Evening with Etta James,” “Ohio Idol”), is a retrospective of the all-time greatest hits that ever came out of the Motor City. 

Webber will be joined by singers Dylan Daniels, Jody Odom Jr., and Deon Taylor. Joining Bond for the onstage band is Rollie Harper on drums, Ed Jonnet on sax, and Travis Ferrell on bass. 

The concert is part of the Avita Innovation Concert Series. Tickets are $25 per car and are on sale at RenTickets.org or by calling the box office at 419-522-2726. 

Cabaret to kick of Renaissance season 

MANSFIELD – Renaissance Performing Arts Association will open its 2020-2021 Season with the Broadway classic, “Cabaret,” at 8 p.m. Oct. 2 and 3 and Oct. 9 and 10 and 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 4 and Oct. 11 in the Renaissance Theatre. The show, directed by Ryan Shealy with musical direction by Jacob Poiner, is part of the Park National Bank Broadway Series. 

Based on a 1939 novel by Christopher Isherwood and a 1951 play by John Van Druten, “Cabaret” features music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. Cliff Bradshaw, an American author working on a novel in Berlin, encounters Sally Bowles at the seedy Kit Kat Klub where she sings. When she is fired by the club’s owner, also her jealous boyfriend, she moves in with Cliff and the two fall in love. As the Nazis begin taking control of the German government, the atmosphere of the Kit Kat Klub and the lives of Cliff and Sally begin to change dramatically. 

The cast of “Cabaret” will include Leiah Lewis, Matti-Lynn Chrisman, Justin Woody, Lori Turner, Scott Smith, Jacob Poiner, Anna Scheurer, Emily Bare, Nykera Gardner, Jenna Krivosh, Elli Nickoli, Jake Sustersic, George Swarn, and Caroline Grace Williams. 

The Renaissance will be utilizing a thorough strategy for patron, staff, cast, crew, and volunteer health and safety. The complete plan can be found at RenTickets.org but will include reducing the house capacity to 15% (210 seats our of 1402) leaving six feet in all directions between groups, the scanning of tickets, HVAC systems set to maximum for fresh air ventilation and pre- or mobile ordering of concession items. Patrons are required to wear masks while in the building and will be provided one if needed. 

Tickets for Cabaret are $25 and are available now at RenTickets.org or by contacting the box office through their online form or calling 419-522-2726. The box office is currently not open for walk-ups but will arrange an appointment for patrons wishing to pay in person.  

Day of yoga, herbs and massage 

MANSFIELD – Califarmer, 705 Mansfield Lucas Road, welcomes Jackie Silva from BodyWork Culture for a day of yoga, herbs and massage on Saturday. Silva is an anthropologist, meridan-based yoga instructor, advanced Thai massage practitioner and is currently enrolled in a master of science program in complementary alternative medicine. 

There will be a day session from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.  The evening session is from 3-7 p.m.  Each session begins with a 45-minute all-levels yoga class followed by a tincture making session with lemon balm harvested from the farm. The evening session includes fresh farm pizza. 

The cost is $20 for the morning session and $35 for the afternoon session. There’s an additional charge for a Thai massage sample. 

For more information, call 562-682-9752 or visit califarmer.com. 

Tricks and Treats Fall Fest opens this weekend at Cedar Point

SANDUSKY – As the seasons transition from summer to fall, Cedar Point will welcome guests back to the park with Tricks and Treats Fall Fest, a new daytime outdoor street festival every Saturday and Sunday. With current COVID-19 safety protocols in place, the park has conjured up new ways to celebrate the season with Halloween décor, live entertainment, a new fall food and drink tasting around the park and, of course, Cedar Point’s world-famous rides and roller coasters.

Toxic Mac, Dragon’s Leg, Goblin Soup and Frankenstein’s Fries — they’re just a small sampling of the fun foods being served up with the Tricks and Treats Food Tasting. Cedar Point’s culinary team cast a scrumptious spell with 24 new fall favorite items available at select dining locations around the park. Guests can purchase a tasting card and enjoy up to six “tricks” — foods that are out of the ordinary (but still delicious), and “treats” — more recognizable and traditional food items, or a little of both. Tasting cards can be purchased at the park or online in advance with a special Tricks and Treats Bundle ticket that includes park admission.

On the midways, Brews and Booze Bars will be serving up specialty drinks and a variety of craft beers will also be on hand.

Tricks and Treats Fall Fest features fun for kids and adults alike. The whole family can transform into silly creatures with a Monster Makeover. Artists will use face coverings as a palette to create not-so-scary manifestations that add to the festive feel of the event. Kids can pick up treats at specially designed, socially distanced trick-or-treat candy stations, with some featuring mechanically driven contraptions. There will also be mask and bracelet making, coloring stations, pumpkin decorating, games, hay and corn mazes, and a costume contest several times each day.

In addition, there will be plenty of live entertainment, including Monster Mash-Up with The Shrieks Band; DJ Dr. Scream Dance Party; The Witch Sisters’ Spellcasting Ceremony; The Fangtastics; and the You’re Too Old to Trick-or-Treat Game Show for adults. All shows will take place at outdoor venues throughout the park.

Tricks and Treats Fall Fest runs every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m., Sept. 12 through Nov. 1. For complete event information, including a full listing of live shows, attractions, activities, food and ride availability, or to purchase special ticket and overnight packages, visit cedarpoint.com. 

The park anticipates that its traditional fall event, HalloWeekends, which includes The Great Pumpkin Fest and Haunt, will return in 2021. 

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