Born in a bar and celebrated in the street, Vexfest has grown from an ambitious idea to a force for change.

It is now a signature event for a city that was struggling with the aftereffects of a major loss of gritty but dependable employment and is now emerging as a center for creativity. It is a showcase for the area’s musical diversity and talent, and a source of pride for its citizens. And it has fostered a renewed interest in live music well beyond the one-day event.

Vexfest 6 might even change the meaning of its name.

Vex: to give trouble to, disturb, annoy, irritate; to distress, afflict, or plague; to keep bringing up…

It must indeed have been vexatious to the band Cyrus back in 2001 to have so few places to play. Fred Rafidi, the owner of Barleys, which he had designated a ‘music bar’ was sympathetic; they designed Vexfest. Though Cyrus later disbanded, Rafidi is still involved as a member of the event’s principal organizers, Youngstown Local Music (with Jimmy DeCapua, Dan Crump and John Jones). Many others are helping with this year’s event, and the city of Youngstown is an official sponsor.

The 2009 festival, which starts at noon on Sunday, August 23 and runs into Monday morning, will feature 42 bands playing continuously on four stages, an eclectic blend of genres from hip-hop to metal, of largely original work. Performances will alternate at outdoor stages at both ends of the blocked off portion of West Federal Plaza and indoors at Barleys and Downtown 36. The schedule is available at http://myspace.com/vexfest, or go to the JamBrain calendar listing and click the band names for their profile pages.

Of course there will be plenty of food and beverages as well as other activities, concessionaires and plenty of security. And it’s still FREE.

Vexfest has come to mean good vibes.