The legendary soul diva Patti LaBelle. Oscar-winning actress, comedian and talk-show host Mo’Nique. Celebrity athletes Magic Johnson and Mike Tyson.
They’re all scheduled to visit Canton as part of the O’Jays Celebration Weekend, happening Aug. 12 through 15. Organized by O’Jays members (and proud Canton natives) Eddie Levert and Walter Williams, the events are designed to raise money for the O’Jays Scholarship Foundation.
The weekend’s centerpiece is a scholarship benefit concert at Fawcett Stadium Aug. 13 at 8 p.m. starring LaBelle, The O’Jays, Eric Benet and Johnny Gill. Tickets are $30 for field seating and $20 for general admission in the stands.
Kicking things off Aug. 12 will be the Celebrity Love Train, a ride from Canton to Cleveland and back aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, featuring the O’Jays, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Mo’Nique, Mike Tyson and others to be announced. The train departs at 3 p.m. from the train on Tuscarawas St. W, arrives in Cleveland at 6, where everyone will be driven by motor coach to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum for a 7 p.m. reception hosted by Mo’Nique, with hors d’oeuvres, celebrity photo ops and an O’Jays performance. Tickets are $75 for the reception and train ride, or $60 for the reception only.
Nimisilla Park will be the scene for the O’Jay’s Family Reunion, a free family event Aug. 14 from noon to 7 p.m. with a talent show, arts and crafts, food, games and more. Scheduled to appear are ESPN commentator and aerobics instructor Donna Richardson Joyner; vocalist Howard Hewett, formerly of Shalimar; and R&B/gospel vocalist Shirley Murdock.
Other O’Jays weekend events include a 3-on-3 basketball tournament at 9 a.m. Aug. 13 at the Southeast Community Center, a celebrity golf outing with breakfast and lunch, beginning at 6:45 a.m., on Aug. 15 at Glenmoor Country Club, and the O’Jays Scholarship Awards Banquet at 6 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
EARTH, WIND, AKRON
As part of its 40th anniversary tour, Earth, Wind and Fire, whose classic R&B hits include “Sing a Song,” “Shining Star” and “That’s the Way of the World,” will appear in concert with the Akron Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Akron Civic Theatre. Tickets, $70.50, $60.50 and $40.50, go on sale at 11 a.m. today at 330-253-2488.
CLASSIC-ROCK BROADWAY
“Rock of Ages,” the long-running Broadway musical that includes songs by Bon Jovi, Journey, Styx, Twisted Sister and Pat Benatar, will be performed by a national touring company on Nov. 29 and Nov. 30 at the University of Akron’s E.J. Thomas Hall. This will mark the show’s Northeast Ohio premiere. (A film version of the show, starring Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Russell Brand, Mary J. Blige and Alec Baldwin, has begun filming.)
Other touring Broadway productions in Thomas Hall’s 2011-12 season lineup are “My Fair Lady” (Oct. 20 and 21), “The Color Purple” (Feb. 3 and 4), “Fiddler On the Roof” (March 1 and 2) and Blue Man Group, June 12 and 13. For season-subscription information, call 330-972-7570.
IT’S HERE
For those of you awaiting the release of raging anti-Semite/misogynist Mel Gibson’s latest comedy, there is good news. “The Beaver” is opening locally today at Movies 10, aka the dollar theater. The title character is a hand puppet.
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