‘Windows’ concert
Fairlawn Lutheran Church, 3415 W. Market St., is sponsoring a free concert by Leslie Parker-Barnes and the Arlington Church of God Gospel Choir at 3 p.m. today. It kicks off a celebration of the church’s 37 stained-glass windows, created by Cleveland artist Doug Phillips. The public is invited to view the windows during business hours in February for Black History Month. Call 330-867-3082.
Hartville shopping fun
Now that your credit card has recovered from Christmas shopping, it’s time to venture out. But skip the malls and strip plazas. Instead, check out the Hartville MarketPlace & Flea Market.
Open Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the market has 110 indoor shops and, if the weather’s cooperating, more vendors outdoors.
On Saturday, the MarketPlace is hosting an indoor Fabulous ’50s bash, complete with classic cars. Crooner Ryan Parkinson will bring back the tunes, and the memories.
For information visit www.hartvillemarketplace.com.
Monthly foodie gathering
On Monday, the Countryside Conservancy is sponsoring its next monthly mixer at 7 p.m. at Crave, 57 E. Market St., downtown Akron.
If you have an interest in food or local farming, come to join in the conversation. The meet-ups are free, and no registration is required. Some food is provided with a cash bar.
Get ‘Smash’ed again
NBC’s drama with music Smash begins a second season at 9 p.m. Tuesday, and it’s hard to imagine that the drama on TV can match what has happened off-camera. There have been casting changes, and the departure of series creator Teresa Rebeck, who had disagreed with producers about the direction the characters should take.
The two-hour season premiere, which continues the saga of getting the musical Bombshell to Broadway, is dramatically wobbly; as uneven as the first season was, the second does not on first look seem improved.
On another Smash note, a soundtrack of songs from Bombshell is being released on Feb 12.
On local stages
Indie rock icons Yo La Tengo will perform two sets of music from their newly released 13th album Fade and other favorites at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland. Tickets are $20; call 216-383-1124.
Contemporary R&B singer Avant will bring his smooth soulful voice to the House of Blues Cleveland at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Tickets are $22-$28 at 800-598-8703 or www.livenation.com.
Stock up on books
Fill your shelves with gently used books on home- and garden-related topics during the Home & Garden Book Sale all this month at the Library Shop on Main in downtown Akron.
Books on topics including home improvement, woodworking, decorating and gardening are available. This week only, specially marked books are half price from Tuesday through Thursday.
The shop is in the Akron-Summit County Main Library, 60 S. High St. It’s open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays.