Dayton937

Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

Dayton937

My 80-Year-Old Boyfriend Now Playing at The Loft

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In this delightful new musical, Charissa, a quirky, twenty-something actress, meets Milton, a quick-witted, eighty-something millionaire who loves Schubert, Shakespeare, and Dallas BBQ. From a chance encounter to the unlikeliest of friendships, Charissa discovers there’s much she can learn from her surprising new companion. Based on the true story of performer Charissa Bertels, MY 80-YEAR-OLD BOYFRIEND reveals the thrill of chasing a dream, the power of living in the now, and all that can happen when we let ourselves say “yes.”

A Dayton premiere originally conceived and performed by Charissa Bertels, with book and lyrics by Christian Duhamel, and music and lyrics by Edward Bell.

This show is for ages 16 and up.

DAI Exhibit: Paul Laurence Dunbar A Tribute Opens Today

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Featured Image: Darin Darby (Lives in Detroit, Michigan), The Colors In A Poet (detail), 2022, Laypuzzim – Mat board. Courtesy of the artist.

Dayton was home to the acclaimed American poet, novelist and lyricist Paul Laurence Dunbar (June 27, 1872-February 9, 1906). He was born and died in Dayton, and he spent most of his life here, where he became the first African American who was able to support himself with his writing, as well as being the first African American poet to receive an international reputation. Not surprisingly, his lauded accomplishments and the continued appreciation of his writings are a point of significant civic pride among those who live in Dayton today.

This Dayton Art Institute focus Exhibition showcases artists’ responses to Dunbar, his life and work. It is part of the Dayton and state-wide “Dunbar150 Project,” through which multiple organizations will help shine a light on Dunbar’s literary contributions and help tell the story of his life and legacy.

Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906): A Tribute is free to members and included in museum general admission for non-members. Museum general admission also includes access to the collection galleries, as well as all other current Focus and Special Exhibitions.

 

 

 

 

 

456 Belmonte Park North

937-223-4ART (4278)

Wednesday 11 AM – 5 PM
Thursday 11 AM – 8 PM
Friday 11 AM – 5 PM
Saturday 11 AM – 5 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 5 PM

How to Celebrate Juneteenth in the Miami Valley

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In 1863, during the American Civil War, Pres. Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared more than three million slaves living in the Confederate states to be free. More than two years would pass, however, before the news reached African Americans living in Texas. It was not until Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, that the state’s residents finally learned that slavery had been abolished. The former slaves immediately began to celebrate with prayer, feasting, song, and dance.

Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) officially became a federal holiday in 2021.

Here’s a round up of Juneteeth Celebrations around the Miami Valley

 

Paul Laurence Dunbar: A Juneteenth Celebration

Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center 1 W 2nd St, Dayton, OH

The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra celebrates the sesquicentennial anniversary (150 years) of the birth of Paul Laurence Dunbar, acclaimed African-American poet born in Dayton, OH, to parents who had been enslaved in Kentucky prior to the civil war. Classical meets gospel as the DPO performs a beautiful program of music honoring America’s long march towards a more perfect union.

$5 – $85

Oregon District Juneteenth Celebration

Oregon District Fifth Street and Brown Street, Dayton, OH

The public can enjoy the family-friendly festivities such as face painting, jumbo Jenga, and an array of games, a wide variety of black-owned food trucks offering a selection of bites and treats, local organizations and businesses coming together to showcase the best Dayton has to offer!

Sponsors for the event include Oregon District Business Association, NW Dayton Partnership’s Learn to Earn, and venture development firm Trep House.

With the Juneteenth celebration, Genuine Work and its partners seek to highlight the success of the Black and Brown community, particularly the triumphs of minority-owned businesses within Dayton. As champions of equality, Genuine Work, ODBA, and the Northwest Dayton Partnership hope to connect the larger Dayton community to some of the thriving small businesses and entrepreneur’s integral to the fabric of western Ohio. Find a new favorite food truck, wine, boutique, service providers and more all while celebrating progress!

Springboro Juneteenth Jubilee

North Park Amphitheatre 195 Tamarack Trail, Springboro, OH

The Springboro Juneteenth Jubilee is a family-friendly community celebration being held on June 18, 2022, honoring the important day in our nation’s history, June 19, 1865, when we all truly became free. On this day, the last slaves in Galveston, Texas were finally told of their freedom, nearly two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation had abolished slavery.  On this day, we celebrate our shared history, freedom, and continued commitment to equity and inclusion for all.

WHY JUNETEENTH IN SPRINGBORO?

Springboro is a significant landmark in the history of the Underground Railroad and abolitionist movement. Our founding Quaker community played a major role as a  safe harbor for slaves paving the way for freedom for Black Americans.

Enjoy fun for the entire family as you celebrate the Springboro Juneteenth Jubilee at six unique venues across the city the weekend of Juneteenth. Attend all six or choose your favorites. On Saturday, a shuttle will be available to take you to each location. Enjoy music and live performances at North Park, explore sites of the Underground Railroad, bicycle in our Freedom Ride, or sign up for our 3-on-3 basketball tournament.a  safe harbor for slaves paving the way for freedom for Black Americans.

THE WALK: 
WHEN: Saturday, June 18th, 2022
TIME: 3:00PM – 4:00 PM
WHERE: Community March/Walk Beginning At Brukner Park Behind Troy Public Library. We Will Start Lining Up At 3:00PM & Start Walking @ 3:30PM.

THE CELEBRATION: 
WHEN: Saturday, June 18th, 2022
TIME: 4:00PM – 6:30PM
WHERE: Race & McKaig Park Across From Richards Chapel United Methodist Church, 831 McKaig Ave, Troy, OH 45373

 

This event will feature community curated opening ceremonies from 5:00-7:00 PM celebrating Juneteenth followed by the Mumu Fresh concert.

Mumu Fresh (also known as Maimouna Youssef ) is a GRAMMY-Nominated, Indigenous Music award-winning, Musical Ambassador for the US, former elected Governor of The DC Chapter of The Recording Academy & an Ambassador of The Black Music Collective. Mumu Fresh has toured internationally as a critically acclaimed singer, Emcee, songwriter, activist, workshop facilitator, and now audio engineer who’s been called a “quadruple threat” by The Roots’ Black Thought, a musical “Quasar” by Indie rap legend TechN9ne, & “groundbreaking” by Oscar-winning artist, Common. Mumu Fresh has shared the stage and or collaborated with the likes of Dave Chappelle, The Roots, Salaam Remi, D Smoke, Anderson Paak, Bruno Mars, Femi Kuti, Zap Mama, Nas, Jill Scott, Ed Sheeran, Common, Raphael Saadiq & Tobe Nwigwe just to name a few. Mumu Fresh’s music and philanthropic endeavors have been featured in publications such as Variety, Ebony, Essence, BET, Rolling Stone & more. She is committed to ‘Art Activism’ and has performed within the US prison system, Congressional Black Caucus, I.M.A.N. Central in Chicago, The W. K. Kellogg Foundation, Ford Foundation, The Indigenous People’s Movement, and more, bringing awareness to important social issues. Mumu Fresh is a global citizen, musical healer, cultural philanthropist, and community pillar.

From Wilberforce to Yellow Springs: Juneteenth Walk

National Afro American and Cultural Center 1350 Brush Row Road, Wilberforce, OH

We invite you to join the Yellow Springs Juneteenth Committee and the Daughters of the Underground on a 10-mile walk to honor the history of the Underground Railroad in Ohio and celebrate the emancipation of enslaved Black people in the United States in honor of Juneteenth 2022.

The walk will begin at the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, on the grounds of Wilberforce University and Central State University, and culminate with a celebration in the Village of Yellow Springs.

Walkers will cross over hallowed ground where enslaved people forged their way to freedom after crossing the Ohio River. Landmarks along the walk route include the Conway Colony marker noting the settlement of a colony of Black people who journeyed from Virginia and settled in the Village of Yellow Springs.

REGISTRATION opens on April 6, 2022. ALL WALKERS must register on Eventbrite BY JUNE 3, 2022 to walk. If you have not pre-registered, you will not be able to participate.

The walk will take place from 8AM to 1PM with a culminating celebration

Juneteenth Music Festival

Eichelberger Amphitheater 8625 Brandt Pike, Huber Heights, OH
Free

BROADWAY IN THE PARK: Free showing of Pippin

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There’s magic to do when a prince learns the true meaning of glory, love and war in the Tony Award-winning musical, PIPPIN. With a score from 4-time Grammy winner, 3-time Oscar winner and musical theatre giant, Stephen Schwartz, PIPPIN is the story of one young man’s journey to be extraordinary.

The young prince Pippin is in search of the secret to true happiness and fulfillment. He seeks it in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh, and the intrigues of political power (after disposing of his father, King Charlemagne the Great). In the end, though, Pippin finds that happiness lies not in extraordinary endeavors, but rather in the un-extraordinary moments that happen every day.

This Springfield Arts Council BROADWAY IN THE PARK production of PIPPIN is presented and performed by a cast of “players” from the Springfield/ Clark County area.

Admission-free event; donations are encouraged at intermission

Jungle Jim’s International Craft Beer Festival This Weekend

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With more than 400 beers from 100 breweries, our International Craft Beer Festival lets you try imported and local beers of all kinds! Discover new favorites from craft breweries across the country and try brews from all around the world! We might even have a few surprises

Once beers for 2022 are confirmed, you can check out the full lineup on our Untappd menu HERE!

Early Admission
With an Early Admission ticket, you’ll enter the festival a full hour early at 6:30 PM. This means that you’ll be among the first to sample some of the rarest and most popular brews at the festival!

Brew Crew Exclusive Beers
For everyone attending our festival, remember that if you’re signed up for Brew Crew, you’ll have special access to reserved Brew Crew-only subs! If you’re not a Brew Crew member, make sure to sign up before the festival by visiting our website HERE.

Only Brew Crew Members can taste the Brew Crew Beers at the festival.

Young’s Jersey Dairy’s 13th Cheese Anniversary

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Young’s Jersey Dairy has been making and selling our own cheese for almost 13 years now. The idea for cheese curds came from some of their customers, specifically customers from Wisconsin and Minnesota. They hadn’t even heard about curds until then.

After we started making the cheese curds we decided to serve them as fried breaded curds. Dan Young, Chief Ice Cream Dipper, started experimenting with different breaded cheese curd recipes that he created. After trial and error Young decided to reach out to his friend, Chef Stanziano, for a different recipe. We’ve been using that breaded curd recipe since! Young’s now has a scholarship in Chef Stanziano’s name that is awarded once a year to a student in the culinary program at the Miami Valley Career Technology Center.

Not only does Young’s have deep fried cheese, they also make and sell squeakers. Squeakers are cheese curds that have been aged like other cheddar cheese.

 

Young’s Deep Fried Cheddar Cheese Curds on sale during our Cheese Anniversary at $4.59. Regular, Buffalo or Sweet Chili style!

Sample Young’s Farmstead Cheese, which is on sale all week.  Purchase one piece of homemade cheese, pint of fresh cheddar curds, or sampler package, get one of equal or lesser value for only $4.00!

  • Colby
  • Jersey Girl Cheddar
  • Red Barn Cheddar
  • Toreador Aged Cheddar
  • Vintage 2+ yr Cheddar
  • Natural Wood Smoked Cheddar (using apple wood)
  • Bourbon Oak Barrel Smoked Aged Cheddar
  • Baby Swiss
  • Natural Wood Smoked Baby Swiss
  • Chili Cumin Smoked Cheddar

Fresh Cheddar Curds (cheese before it is pressed and aged)

  • White Cheddar Curds
  • Garlic Cheddar Curds
  • Cajun Cheddar Curds
  • Italian Cheddar Curds
  • Dill Cheddar Curds
  • Cheddar Ranch Curds
  • Sweet Basil Garlic Cheddar Curds

See How They Make Cheese

Farmstead Cheese Making Tours will happen in front of the production area in the Dairy Store on Saturday & Sunday from Noon – 5pm.

12 Years Ago “Touchdown Jesus” Hit By Lightning

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It was 12 years ago that the big statue of Jesus outside Monroe caught fire after a lightning strike  and burned to the ground.

The statue, built in 2004 and dubbed “Touchdown Jesus,” was on the grounds of the Solid Rock Church. Standing six stories high, it was named “King of Kings” but colloquially became called “Touchdown Jesus” — the arms approximate the signal a referee makes for a touchdown in football.

Comedian Heywood Banks memorialized the statue in song:

In southern Ohio
Just north of Cincinnati
I beheld a vision
Next to the expressway
Was a 60-foot Jesus
With his hands in the air
Looked like he’s carved out of butter
Just like at the state fair

Big butter Jesus
Sweet cream Jesus
O country-fresh Jesus
Unsalted Jesus
O promise Jesus
Imperial Jesus
Can’t believe it’s not Jesus
Oleo Lord

Well you see him from his chest up
Like he’s about to do a backflip
Or maybe scored a touchdown
Or maybe melting or about to drown
You know I been to the state fair
Seen a calf made out of golden corn
Stephen Hawking out of string cheese
And the virgin out of olives

Big butter Jesus
Sweet cream Jesus
O country-fresh Jesus
Unsalted Jesus
O promise Jesus
Imperial Jesus
Can’t believe it’s not Jesus
Oleo Lord

Shipped in pieces on a flatbed
Staring backwards was his big head
Drivers stuck in traffic backups
Desperately avoiding eye contact
Well don’t you make no graven images
I think it’s one of the ten commandments
I hope the grading curve is kindly
You get into heaven with a ninety

Big butter Jesus
Sweet cream Jesus
O country-fresh Jesus
Unsalted Jesus
O promise Jesus
Imperial Jesus
Can’t believe it’s not Jesus
Oleo Lord

One night Big Butter
Got hit by lightning
It burned to the frame wire
Like a giant grease fire
Some blamed it on Satan
And boy, that would be frightening
But I thought it was Jesus’ father
Who was in charge of lightning

Extra crispy Jesus
Flaming shot Jesus
Opa Jesus
Charbroiled marshmallow Jesus
Bananas foster Jesus
I’m put out it’s not Jesus

Dayton Restaurant Makes 100 Most Loved Restaurants in the US List

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DoorDash  unveiled its first annual awards list honoring the top 100 Most Loved All Star Restaurants in the United States for 2022. The restaurant partners on this list are not only good at their craft, they’re also reliable, top-rated by consumers, and exceptional at operations — fewer than 1% of restaurants on DoorDash qualified.  DoorDash’s 2022 Most Loved All Stars list celebrates the local restaurants that go above and beyond for their customers’ online orders, time and time again.

The only Ohio restaurant to make the list is Dayton’s own Amar India. While the eatery across from the Dayton Mall was named, Surjit Singh Mattu, a native of India, owns two other Dayton-area restaurants: Jeet India near The Mall at Fairfield Commons and Amar India North on Miller Lane.  His family has been serving Indian food in the area for over thirty years.

 

 

 

 

 

Chicken Tikka Masala with garlic naan,  Tandoori chicken,  Samosas, Aloo Paneer and the veggie Korma seem to get the most raves, according to their Yelp reviews.

The Most Loved All Stars list was generated by analyzing data from April 2021 to April 2022. All restaurants who achieved Most Loved status for at least 10 months qualified for All Star in-app promotion and relevant local lists. Those merchants with five stores or less who had achieved Most Loved status for 12 consecutive months were ranked by average overall customer rating with the top 100 being named to the US list.

Amar India Restaurant - Logo #2

Centerville Location

Amar India Restaurant

2751 Miamisburg Centerville Rd
Centerville, OH 45459
Phone: 937-439-9005

Chicken Tikka Masala

Dayton Location

Amar India North Restaurant

7070 Miller Ln
Dayton, OH 45414
Phone: 937-387-6505

Beavercreek Location

Jeet India Restaurant

Saag Paneer

2750 North Fairfield Road
Beavercreek, OH 45431
[Across from Fairfield Commons Mall, next to Chilli’s]
Phone: 937-431-8881
Fax: 937-439-1971

One Day Celtic Fest is Back at Renaissance Park!

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Celtic Fest Ohio returns to Renaissance Park on Saturday, June 18 with exciting experiences and activities for all ages. Celtic Fest Ohio will utilize approximately half of the Renaissance festival village for its one-day Celtic extravaganza. Featuring two stages of music from traditional to Celtic Rock, tastings galore, 50+ vendors, and so much more, this year’s event offers something for everyone. 

Eat. You won’t leave Celtic Fest Ohio hungry! The event features fare from Bangers & Colcannon Potatoes to Corned Beef & Cabbage, Shepherd’s Pie to Fishermen’s Pie, and blueberry scones and Bailey’s cheesecake. Bring your appetite and save room for dessert!  For true foodies, check out the Taste of the Isles– small plate tasting being offered in the Main Feast Hall at 3 pm and 7 pm.  The $50 ticket includes

  • Cornish Pasty with Guinness Demi
  • Pork Pie with Sage Cream Sauce
  • Guinness Beef Stew
  • Haggis with Ale Onion Gravy & Soda Bread
  • Irish Soda Bread Cookies
  • Irish Slammer Cupcake

Drink. Celtic Fest Ohio proudly serves Guinness along with a variety of ciders, ales, and mead. Keepsake stainless steel pints are available at the pubs or grab a tumbler from the official merch booth and keep your drink cold until its gone. Soft drinks and iced tea are also available. 

If you are 21+, tastings galore can be found at Celtic Fest Ohio. A Guinness etching event with a tasting conducted by a Guinness Ambassador will teach you everything you ever wanted to know about this beloved Irish brew. Roe & Co Irish Whiskey tastings featuring neat pours and cocktails is available with an ambassador to teach you all about this up-and-coming Irish Whiskey. The crew from Woodchuck Hard Cider will deliver a little Cidercation featuring hard to find varieties and dive into the history of hard apple cider. 

Rock. This is a big one at Celtic Fest Ohio. . .The event features the most diverse Celtic music lineup found anywhere. From the traditional Celtic of Poor Man’s Gambit and Father Son and Friends to the Celtic Rock of Bastard Bearded Irishmen, to the thunderous pipes and drums of Albannach the two stages will be filled all day long. Whether you want toe tapping jigs or subtle listening, there is a sound for every ear.  

Shop. Celtic Fest Ohio boasts 50+ vendors in the marketplace. Each shop is full of handmade wares, a service to offer, or unique items to fill your closet or decorate your home. Browse the marketplace while you make your way through the festival grounds from one stage to another. 

Celtic Fest Ohio happens Saturday, June 18 at Renaissance Park in Waynesville. Hours are 11am to 10pm, rain or shine. Visit www.celticfestohio.com for more information

City-Wide Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 18th

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Genuine Work, the Dayton community’s premier full-service collaborative, co-working firm, announces its Juneteenth National Independence Day celebration, championing the progress of Dayton’s great Black and Brown entrepreneurs and this vibrant community. Genuine Work has partnered with the Oregon District Business Association (ODBA), Northwest Dayton Partnership’s Learn to Earn Program, and venture development firm Trep House for an afternoon full of activities, camaraderie, and laughter.

The celebration kicks off at 11 am on Saturday, June 18th at Genuine Work, 15 McDonough St. Until 2 pm, Daytonians can enjoy the family-friendly festivities such as face painting and classic children’s games, a wide variety of black-owned food trucks offering a selection of bites and treats, and local organizations and businesses coming together to showcase the best Dayton has to offer.

“It is with a full heart and gratitude, I have the opportunity as Genuine Work’s Community Builder to host an event that is intentional and necessary for Dayton’s Black and Brown community. We look forward to celebrating this joyous and impactful holiday with all who call Dayton home and to taking time to honor the ancestors that realized this holiday for us.” – Dana Graham, Community Builder, Genuine Work

With the Juneteenth celebration, Genuine Work and its partners seek to highlight the success of the Black and Brown community, particularly the triumphs of minority-owned businesses within Dayton. As champions of equality, Genuine Work, ODBA, and the Northwest Dayton Partnership hope to connect the larger Dayton community to some of the thriving small businesses and entrepreneurs integral to the fabric of western Ohio. Find a new favorite food truck, wine, boutique, service providers, and more while celebrating progress.

 

Dayton Dance Initiative presents ART BASH

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Get ready for ART BASH! Meet and mingle with the artists of DDI while enjoying live music, live art, open bar, raffles, silent auctions and more! You’ll get a sneak preview of DDI’s upcoming Making Moves show. An ARTfull evening to support Dayton Dance Initiative, don’t miss out on the party of the summer at ART BASH!

Travis Tritt Takes on The Fraze

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Travis Tritt is coming off his most recent album release, Set In Stone; his first original full-length studio album in more than a decade. Released through Big Noise Music Group and produced by Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, The Highwomen, Sturgill Simpson), the album features 11 new songs, 8 of which were co-written by Tritt.

Travis Tritt’s albums, seven of which are certified platinum or higher, have led him to amass more than 30 million in career album sales, two GRAMMY® Awards, four CMA Awards, including the CMA Horizon Award (now known as the New Artist Award); a Billboard Music Award for Top New Artist, an invitation to become a member of the world-famous Grand Ole Opry and a devoted fan base that has filled venues coast-to-coast. He is also dubbed one of “The Class of ‘89,” which includes Country music superstars Garth Brooks, Clint Black, and Alan Jackson, who dominated the charts in the ‘90s.

Boy George & Culture Club Coming to The Rose

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Grammy award-winning pop sensation Boy George & Culture Club will bring their 2022 tour to Huber Heights, OH for a performance at Rose Music Center at the Heights onThursday, September 15 with special guest The English Beat.  Fans can expect to hear classics including “Karma Chameleon” and “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me,” among other chart-topping hits.

Culture Club needs little introduction. With a career spanning over 30 years, the GRAMMY® Award-winners first shot to international stardom in the 1980’s as one of the UK’s biggest exports of the 20th Century.

Culture Club was formed by front man Boy George and bassist Mikey Craig and were joined by Jon Moss (who had drumming stints with the Damned and Adam and the Ants) and then guitarist Roy Hay shortly thereafter. Realizing they had a crossdressing Irish singer (George), a black-Briton (Craig), a Jewish drummer (Moss) and an ethnic Englishman (Hay), they settled on the name Culture Club, referring to the various ethnic backgrounds of the members. A multi-racial band, with an openly gay front man, Culture Club was ahead of the curve.

When Boy George and Culture Club exploded onto the scene in 1982, they sent shockwaves around the world and changed popular culture forever. Simultaneously shifting perception in music, fashion and art. Over the next three decades, the Boy George/Culture Club name has become an iconic global brand.

In 1984, the band picked up the Grammy Award for Best New Artists, and the awards for Best British Group and Best British Single at the BRIT Awards. Culture Club became the first group since The Beatles to have three Top 10 hits in America from a debut album, and the first group in music history to have an album certified diamond in Canada. The New Romantic pop sensations went on to achieve seven UK Top 10 singles, nine Top 10 singles in the USA, and nine Top 20 singles in Australia – including ‘Karma Chameleon’ and ‘Do You Really Want to Hurt Me’ and went on to sell over 100 million singles and 50 million albums worldwide.

Culture Club are without a doubt living legends, with their front-man Boy George recognized as one of the first true, unapologetic innovators in the music and fashion world and irrevocably, of our time – they are clearly back to stay.

Tickets will go on sale to the public beginning at 10am on Friday, June 17th at Ticketmaster.comand RoseMusicCenter.com.

Hot Sauce DIY by JuicyMelt Supreme!

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If you love hot sauces then we have the program for you.  Get the inside scoop on JuicyMelt Supreme, one of Dayton’s premiere hot sauce companies, when owner and flavor connoisseur Jeffrey McElfresh shares how a passion for heat and taste inspired him to create his own brand.

McElfresh will also share some of the basic techniques to creating your very own sauce, as well as talk about the importance of finding a defining flavor.  To capitalize on the notion that flavor is just as important as heat, McElfresh will have some unique samples for community members to try.  Hot or not, you’re in for a treat!