Dayton Most Metro

Arts Volunteering Opportunity

July 14, 2011 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Each season, 1,000 volunteers from the Dayton area donate more than 60,000 hours of their time to the Victoria Theatre Association. Volunteers primarily work as the ushers for our performance theatres at the Victoria Theatre, Schuster Center and The Loft Theatre. Ushers are responsible for taking tickets, seating patrons, enforcing house policies, assisting patrons and answering questions. They also assist with mailings, staff fair and festival booths, and other tasks. We’ve just heard that the Variety Series is especially in need of volunteers.

Orientations dates are Wed, Aug 3rd at 3pm or 6:3opm and Sat, Aug 6th at 1oam. Fill out the application – download here and send it in our just bring it with you to orientation.

Here’s what’s coming up for the Variety Series:

THE FLYING KARAMAZOV BROTHERS

October 7, 2011
Location: Victoria Theatre
More

GONE MADIGAN WITH KATHLEEN MADIGAN

February 3, 2012
Location: Victoria Theatre
More

COLIN MOCHRIE & BRAD SHERWOOD: THE TWO MAN GROUP

April 28, 2012
Location: Victoria Theatre
More

Victoria Theatre Association 2011-2012 Season Brochure (PDF)

Ride the River Trails, Explore the City

July 13, 2011 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

River Ride Route - Click to open larger version

Cyclists of every spoke are welcome to join in the 2011 Dayton River Ride, a leisurely exploration of urban recreation trails and attractions on Saturday, July 30, from 9 a.m. to noon. Participation is FREE.

The Dayton River Ride kicks off at RiverScape MetroPark plaza and rolls southward to Carillon Historical Park before returning to the starting point. Optional side-trip attractions include the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Wright-Dunbar Village and historic Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum.

The nine-mile ride will progress mainly along the Great Miami River Recreation Trail, with some additional riding along dedicated street lanes. Traffic will be maintained by police and volunteers.

Cool drinks and delicious snacks will be served at the half-way point, and restrooms will be available to riders. After the ride, cyclists are welcome to join in the Dayton Celtic Festival at RiverScape. Families and groups are encouraged to participate; riders under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Check-in and on-site registration will be held from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. the day of the ride. For more information, a ride map and advance registration, visit www.daytonohio.gov/riverride.

Participants will receive a River Ride goodie bag. Early registrants will be eligible to win Dayton Dragons luxury suite tickets and other prizes.

Songs of the Undead: Encore Premieres “In My Blood”

July 12, 2011 By Dayton Most Metro 6 Comments

IN MY BLOOD

Encore Theater Company

Win Tickets to this new musical! Read on!

Vampires are everywhere. Not since Transylvania has a nation been so overrun with the undead. Is there an area of pop culture devoid of these little bloodsuckers? On television, I guess we have Joss Whedon to blame for his electrifying Buffy The Vampire Slayer all the way through more current hits like HBO’s True Blood and any of a number of copycat shows just like it. In cinema, there’s no other place to look but the Twilight series for the source of teen vampire mania. Walk into any Barnes & Noble and you’re likely to find title after title featuring some collection of sex-crazed vampires. Even in music, isn’t there a band called Vampire Weekend?

One thing’s for sure: this is not your father’s vampire craze. This new breed of vampire is less B-movie and more B-cup. (Immortality doesn’t seem so bad when everyone is ridiculously attractive, right?) Despite a marketing blitz like no other, the trend has been unable to sink its teeth into Broadway – try as it may! Elton John attempted (it’s the kindest word I can use here) a musical-adapted Anne Rice with Lestat and Jim Steinman penned the ill-fated Dance of The Vampires. Even Frank (Jekyll and Hyde) Wildhorn couldn’t capture musical thriller lightning in a bottle twice. His musical Dracula was an infamous bomb in New York. But there’s hope – this weekend in Dayton – that Encore Theater Company could break the curse when the regional premiere of Mark Weiser’s vampire rock musical In My Blood plays three performances at Sinclair Theatre’s Blair Hall.

The show, written by New-York Based composer Mark Weiser has been called “The right combination of romance, conflict, humor and drama” (Theatremania). In the tradition of contemporary vampire stories, In My Blood deals primarily with Gray and Alex, two childhood friends, who reunite for one last night of partying. They learn of an annual, secret soiree, at a hidden location called SANCTUARY. There, they meet Unique and Sasha, two of the revelers. Over the course of the evening, the pairs fall in love. The two friends come to learn that this is the home of the world’s last surviving vampires, and are offered a chance to join them, and live forever. Ultimately, everyone must choose sides – for love, for life and for family. The casts features 10 local performers including ETC Company member JJ Parkey (featuring previously this season in the title role of Hedwig & The Angry Inch). In partnership with Sinclair Theatre, the show is directed by Kimberly Borst with musical direction by John Faas.

“In My Blood deals with real people with real issues of isolation and social shunning who ALSO just happen to be vampires.”

“What works in Mark’s script that hasn’t worked in previous vampire-themed musicals is intent,” says ETC Artistic Director David Brush, “The ‘vampire’ element here is a device and not the primary concern, so people connect to the characters on real levels.” But don’t fear, there’s plenty of bloodshed for every taste level and a healthy dose of rock ‘n’ roll. ETC first came in contact with the show on their Litehouse New Musicals Reading series under the name The Cure. In My Blood continues ETC’s primary mission of developing new musicals right here in Dayton before heading off to New York. Weiser himself spent several days in Dayton last week working directly with the cast an creative team in an effort to work out some of the new material – it’s a part of the process ETC values enormously.

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In My Blood opens Thursday July 14 for three performances.

We encourage local theatre companies to submit calendar items HERE, and official press releases to [email protected].

Tickets & Performance Information

In My Blood – July 14 – 16, 8:00 pm

Encore Theater Company

Performances will be held at Sinclair Community College’s Blair Hall Theatre.

Tickets are $15 and can be reserved through http://brushfire.e-vent.info/Events/Sinclair/Default.aspx, by contacting (937) 512-2808 (be sure to leave a message as regular box office hours are not kept during the summer)

For more information, check out the Encore Theater Company.

Win Free Tickets!

Encore Theater Company & onStageDayton on DaytonMostMetro.com have teamed up to give you a chance to win tickets to In My Blood! We will be giving away up to SIX pairs of tickets for the show! All you need to do is:

Share this article on Facebook or Twitter…just click the appropriate button at the top of this page (We’ll give away one pair of tickets for every FIVE FB/Twitter Shares).
Fill out the contact form at the bottom of this post.
…and the fun part: leave a comment below, answering the following question…IF YOU WERE TO BECOME A VAMPIRE…WHAT VAMPIRE-Y TRAIT WOULD YOU MOST BE EXCITED TO HAVE?
The deadline to enter is NOON on THURSDAY, JULY 14TH.
Winners will be selected randomly from all of the entries.

[contact-form 6 “Contest Entry”]

Jazz & Peace Festival in Centerville

July 5, 2011 By Dayton Most Metro 1 Comment

Nighthawk

Jazz Advocate in partnership with the Centerville Arts Commission and WDPS 89.5FM radio is please to invite you to our 5th annual Jazz & Peace Festival. The event will be co-hosted by Clay “The Cooker” Collins of WDPS-FM and Charles “Butch” Stone of Jazz Central. A true family event designed to bring people and communities together to hear America’s Music.

The BRD (Bird) House Jammers will open followed by the Latin jazz group Chango, then life time jazz achievement winner Rick Evans, who will be followed by a true international jazz vocalist Mandy Gaines, with the United States Air Force Nighthawk jazz combo closing. The Dayton International Peace Mobile and Missing Peace Arts Space will be joining us again this year with many activities for the kids.

Chango

This event is made possible through a grant from Montgomery County and support from the Kroger Company – the concert is free, so bring your lawn chairs & blankets and enjoy the music at beautiful Stubbs Park Amphitheater from 1 to 7 pm on July 9, 2011. Details, directions and map of the Jazz and Peace Festival are available here.

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The Power of Once

June 28, 2011 By Dayton Most Metro 1 Comment

Photo credit: Anna Skinner

(The following was submitted by Anna Ritchie from updayton)

Starting your own business can be a terrifying thought. In 2004, Christian Prince set aside those fears and went full speed ahead with his dream. He started Acclimate Technologies, a supply chain software design company that allows data transmission between businesses with no human interaction. The software Prince has created with his colleagues enables other corporations such as Walmart and Honda to move data efficiently and cheaply, using fewer resources with the lowest number of human errors. Since starting his company, Price has proven his software data and materials can get from one place to another more efficiently without human interaction. He wants to do data the right way, the first way—coining the phrase, “The Power of Once.”

Prince has developed two pieces of software since his beginning. A devoted and loyal Ohio State football fan, his Simplic IT Software Suite, which works as a translator, is code named “Brutus” after Ohio State’s mascot. Additionally, his shipping software is code named “Tressel” after the (former) Ohio State football coach, Jim Tressel. These two software systems are vital to the existence of his company and how well it functions on a daily basis.

Although Prince can build a software application with ease, the financial aspects of starting Acclimate were challenging to understand. Prince jokingly stated, “I am a geek, not a businessman.” Unfortunately, he was rejected from The Entrepreneur Center (TEC) five times before they allowed him to set up his company within the firm, which teaches entrepreneurs the values and skills they need to succeed. With continuous hard work, he learned what he needed to begin his business and turned his technology expertise into a revolution in software data systems.

A leader at heart, Prince believes he wouldn’t do well working for other people. Fortunately, he does have a board of advisors to keep him from running into the ground. Although he enjoys running his own business, with all of the responsibility on his shoulders, he doted that he’s married to Acclimate. Prince, who calls himself a “workaholic,” begins his typical workday at 8:30 a.m. and doesn’t quit until he picks up his children at 6:00 p.m. Once he is home, he takes time to be a husband and father, cooking dinner and assisting his wife, Shannon, with putting the children to sleep. After spending time with his wife, he works from home, troubleshooting systems, answering phone calls and developing new software. Some days end as late as midnight. Although his workday can be as long as 18 hours, he has a passion for what he does and truly enjoys his job. He feels privileged to do something he loves.

Continuing to explain, Prince said 70% of becoming a young entrepreneur was passion and having his values intact. Mr. Prince believes that skills will only get you so far, bringing the entrepreneur to a brick wall. He explained that passion gets you past that brick wall. He created his value system in the form of a pyramid, putting God first with wife and family coming in second and third. With this pyramid he is able to achieve his goals without losing his morals and obligations.

Along with his devotion to his family, Prince is passionate about what he can do for future entrepreneurs in Dayton. With the rich history of entrepreneurship in Dayton, such as the Wright Brothers, Patterson, and Paul L. Dunbar, Prince feels we have an obligation to keep the reputation of intense entrepreneurs afloat. He wants to inspire young individuals to start their businesses in Dayton. For potential young entrepreneurs who are striving to start their own business, he has several tips for taking the initial leap. First, he explained, digging deep into your contacts is crucial to starting up and being successful. Prince had several contacts from working as a consultant for other data systems before he began Acclimate. These contacts became his potential customers. This taught him that reflecting upon and relying on prior experience is vital to beginning a new business venture.

After looking to the past, he emphasized the importance of identifying a target market of potential customers in order to adapt your product or service to that person’s wants and needs. Prince used this principle, basing his concept on potential customers’ user stories, developing software that suited everyone. Lastly, he said, “Do something you love for now, don’t let other side pockets get in the way where you think you can make some extra money.” Princes shares that their were several times when colleagues would seek him to start other ventures but he learned to decline to continue his primary focus on Acclimate.

In addition to personal tips, Prince thinks local leaders should focus on supporting and promoting young entrepreneurs in the Dayton region. Dayton could be a city of confidence, encouraging young entrepreneurs to chase their dream, he explained. The city of Dayton is filled with simple people with great ideas, but he thinks we fail miserably in inspiring entrepreneurs to take that next step. Prince suggested a solution could be offering young individuals a place where entrepreneurial resources can be found, instead of sending them away with false hope. To do his part, he is creating a radio spot that provides young entrepreneurs the leads and contacts needed to start their dream. With Prince’s devotion to Dayton’s young, talented citizens, the groundwork is being laid for a community of youthful, bright entrepreneurs to bring our city back to the top.

Dayton’s First Entirely Vegan Restaurant

June 28, 2011 By Dayton Most Metro 1 Comment

The Loving Hut is an anomaly. It’s Dayton’s first and only entirely vegan restaurant, and it’s in the Dayton Mall food court. I’ve eaten there about ten times, and I keep coming back. As a vegan foodie, I love to support this place simply because I can eat ANYTHING on their menu! I don’t have to order like Sally (When Harry Met Sally) to get vegan food. You may remember that in 2010, they won the prize for Best Vegan Fastfood in Dayton (by a landslide!!) and I think they are pretty much a shoe-in for 2011 as well.

My FAVORITE thing to order at the Loving Hut is the American Panini. It’s two slices of Tofurkey deli slices, Daiya shreds, a thin smear of Vegenaise, a few pieces lettuce, and fresh basil.

As you can see, the sandwich is mostly bread, but it’s a really great bread. It’s crispy on the outside, but not greasy, and tastes more like a European bread instead of the overprocessed breads found virtually everywhere else. It’s my favorite meal there. At $6.50, it’s in my price range. I pretty much always get this panini because it’s so good. I had a bite of the the Portabello Panini (with carmelized onions) and it was great, but my husband complained to me that there were not enough mushrooms. Next, I want to try the Chicken Salad panini. I hear it’s awesome.

Sandwiches come with sweet potato fries, which are FABULOUS! You probably know that I LOVE these because sweet potatoes are on the Clean 15, and regular potatoes are on the Dirty Dozen. Sweet potato fries are still pretty obscure, too, which makes them a treat. The fries are dusted with a mysterious substance that tastes like pepper and powdered sugar.

Most of the meals at the Loving Hut come with a tiny cup of slaw, shown in the picture above. It’s usually fruit mixed with cabbage in a fruity dressing. I’ve always been told to eat fruits and vegetables separately, unless you don’t mind a lot of gas. However, this is such a small portion, and it’s packed with antioxidants, that I ignore the advice. And, no, I haven’t had a problem with gas.

My first exploration there was the vegan shrimp. I haven’t eaten shrimp since I was about 8, but the vegan shrimp was about how I remember it: flavorless, globby, and not terribly interesting. However, I’m really into food with lots of flavor, so people who prefer milder tastes might like this more. The sweet chili sauce but was a bit unremarkable. As an appetizer, they were expensive (3 for $5.90). I must say that I don’t really heart this.

The “Lasagne of the day” is either layered lasagne with Daiya cheese and veggies or ravioli with cheese on top. While it was good, my own lasagne is better (with mock ricotta made from pureeing tofu, olive oil, parsley, and salt), and one of the reasons I like eating out is to try new things, get new ideas for recipes, and to eat food that I can’t make. The portion size was also a little small for the cost ($8.50). I haven’t ordered it again, but I would if I was in the mood. It was still delicious.

One of my favorite things to get there is dessert. How often can you get vegan dessert somewhere?! There are little truffles and cookies that are really great. I don’t know who bakes for them, but I am pretty sure it’s off site because I remember seeing business cards for them. They’re reasonably priced and very good. The chocolate truffles especially are so rich and decadent, and a great $1 pick-me-up. Cookies have also been decadent without being overly sugary or overly biscuit-y.

I’ve spoken with a few people who expressed concern over the seemingly religious / cultish aspects of the Loving Hut. You can see this as you wait for your food: there is a television broadcasting people meditating, people talking, and such. As far as I can tell, the “Supreme Master Ching Hai” started the Loving Hut concept to spread compassion. Reviews are mixed about the her: including positive, albeit lackadaisical, and fearful people who have family caught up in the religion / group. However, until I hear that the group is terribly wrong, I’ll continue to support them by buying their food. Also, because they are available as an alternative to McDonald’s (whom I believe are a wider-reaching, more harmful group), I will continue to get food there. It’s my opinion that the Loving Hut helps people who want to try veganism and don’t know where to begin. I’m sure a lot of them may have sampled something from the Loving Hut, and that’s a great thing.

There are rumors that they might move eventually, but until then, enjoy the mall atmosphere. Just don’t be surprised if a train blows past you while you’re tucking into your panini and fries.

P.S. Keep an eye out for their specials, including the Cheesesteak. It blew my mind! SERIOUSLY! They should have it all the time. It’s my favorite meal there, but it’s pretty random, so watch their facebook page for updates, or call and ask or beg them to have it again. And let me know so I can order a couple. 🙂

What’s your favorite meal at the Loving Hut? Leave a comment!

(The Loving Hut is located in the food court at The Dayton Mall and owned and operated by husband and wife team
Jody and Jay Picagli.)

This article originally appeared in dayton. vegan. food., a blog written by Astrea Taylor, who describes herself as ” a vegan with classy taste buds. I love to eat and like to support local restaurants. I have successfully lobbied restaurants for vegan food. I’m a great chef in my own regard but I don’t always feel like cooking. I honestly wish there as a place that made food the way I like it, but since there isn’t, I’ve discovered a bunch of restaurants that are also great at what they do. Veganism is my passion, and I want to share the local experience.” We hope to share more of her vegan experiences with you here on DaytonDining.

Slow Down Fast: How to Give a PK Presentation

June 23, 2011 By Dayton Most Metro 1 Comment

Pecha Kucha Dayton Volume 7 is at Yellow Cab, 700 East 4^th, next Thursday, June 30 at 7:30pm. It’s free. Our sponsor, Dragonfly Editorial, is providing the beer. Eight speakers will present their

creations and ideas using the fast-paced 20×20 presentation style. Twenty slides that roll by at 20 seconds each, forcing the speaker to be brief but intense. Like a shot of espresso. You should try it.

PK has been called “beat the clock performance art,” a “chaotic culture mash with a relaxed vibe,” and “both an art form and competitive sport.” If the presenter tries to say too much, the slides can get ahead of them, “like they are being dragged down the street by a big dog chasing a squirrel.”

Strangely, despite the strict 20×20 rule, there’s freedom to innovate. It’s one of those things artists understand: you can be adventurous within tight boundaries. Which is maybe another reason you should try it.

PK Night 3 at The Cannery

The goal of Pecha Kucha is to highlight the energy of ideas in a party atmosphere. PK speakers are thinkers and doers from all walks. Designers, artists, writers, activists and anyone passionate about their work who can tell a story. Storytelling is key. Architects don’t just show pictures of their work. They reveal their inspirations, the creative process, their mistakes, their epiphanies and their hopes. Or gourd art. Or funk, as has happened. And it was fascinating.

Your topic can consist of anything that has grabbed your imagination and compels you to share. At Volume 7, artist and art professor Kevin Harris has titled his presentation “Tread.” Kevin creates drawings and prints combining traditional and digital art media, mind and body, eye and hand, camera and computer, printer and press. Writer J.T. Ryder will tell how he ended up producing the “Dirty Little Secret Variety Show.” Idea guy/politico David Esrati presents “The end of coin flip politics” or how to put the people you really want in charge. Actress Megan Cooper will tell of life without a car, restaurateur Kimberly Collett will share the ongoing saga of Olive, Kidtee Hello will treat us to her strikingly beautiful photography and Jeff Opt, Creative Circus, will explain how we all ended up at the Yellow Cab building listening to him and drinking beer.

Pecha Kucha Night is one of those things that feels different every time. It’s dependent on the space, the speakers, the beer (beer is the other PK rule) and the zeitgeist. So you never know. But seriously? You should try it.

The worldwide phenomenon Pecha Kucha (Japanese for “chatter”), devised in 2003 by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Tokyo‘s Klein-Dytham Architecture, has gone around the world virally. Today, PK nights are 418 cities worldwide. www.pecha-kucha.org. Dayton was granted its own PKN via a handshake agreement with Klein-Dytham for four volume per year minimum. Matt Sauer, architect with Rogero-Buckman, serves as Dayton’s PK coordinator with the help of Jill Davis, a local freelance writer. Jason Sheets, architect at Moda4 Design is the MC, which seems to be a more agreeable term than smartass. They’ve all tried it. It was fun.

This post submitted by guest columnist Jill Davis, one of the driving forces that brought Pecha Kucha to Dayton, and who continues to recruit, promote and nurture the presenters that make each PK night a unique sensation.

Bicycle Dreams Coming To Dayton

June 16, 2011 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

(from Garry Harrington – promoter for Bicycle Dreams)

Bicycle Dreams, the award-winning feature-length documentary about the Race Across America (RAAM), will premiere at several cities along the route of the epic 3,000-mile bicycle race that will be held for the 30th year in 2011. This year’s race begins on June 14 in Oceanside, California, and will end 10 days later in Annapolis, Maryland.

To commemorate the 30th edition of what is considered by many the most challenging sporting event in the world, Bicycle Dreams will follow alongside the racers by showing the film in 10 cities along the route, including Dayton. The film will be shown at The Neon at 130 E. 5th St. at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22.

The film, which has won numerous awards at film festivals all over the world, “is an up-close look at what RAAM riders go through,” says Stephen Auerbach, the director and producer of Bicycle Dreams. “They deal with searing desert heat, agonizing mountain climbs, and endless stretches of open road. And they do it all while battling extreme exhaustion and sleep deprivation. It’s a great subject for a film.”

“Bicycle Dreams is a spectacular and heartfelt film that offers a riveting portrait of extreme courage in the face of inhuman obstacles,” writes TheLoveOfMovies.com. “It is an artistic triumph that renewed my belief in the power of desire and the strength of the human will.”

The upcoming tour of the film is scheduled to coincide with the 2011 Race Across America, which begins on June 14 when riders leave from Oceanside, California. Bicycle Dreams will be shown in Flagstaff, Arizona; Durango, Colorado; Wichita, Kansas; Columbia, Missouri; St. Louis, Missouri; Indianapolis, Indiana; Dayton, Ohio; and Cincinnati, Ohio, during the RAAM’s run across the United States. The race is expected to end on or about June 24.

“We are very excited to be able to bring Bicycle Dreams to so many locations along the route that have never had access to the film before,” says Auerbach. “Viewers will be overwhelmed by the amount of pain and suffering these riders go through, and they will be able to see it all first-hand in the days following the film when the 2011 racers come through their towns.”

To capture the mammoth scope of the race, Auerbach worked around the clock with a complement of 18 cameras. Embedded camera operators traveled inside the racers’ support crew vehicles, gaining unprecedented access to the cyclists and their teams. Their footage captured emotional and physical breakdowns, late-night strategy sessions, and great moments of personal triumph, all in intimate detail. Auerbach then took on the enormous task of editing hundreds of hours of material and forming it into a powerful and inspiring look inside the most difficult race on the planet.

Bicycle Dreams has won major awards at the Fallbrook and Breckenridge film festivals, as well as the Yosemite, Grand Rapids, Red Rock and All Sports LA film festivals, among many others.

Most recently the film added the Best Foreign Film trophy from the Krasnogorski International Festival of Sports Films in Moscow and was also invited to be included in the 2011 World Cinema Showcase in New Zealand as well as the Mountain Film Festival in Istanbul, Turkey. And before that it made its Australian debut at the Big Pond Film Festival in Adelaide.

Critical acclaim for the film continues to pour in from all sources.

“An astonishing documentary. This film is a ride of many stark contrasts; when it ended I felt both shattered and triumphant. I realized I was experiencing its genius. A central theme of Bicycle Dreams is the profoundly inspiring strength of the human in facing monumental challenge and tragedy. Bicycle Dreams is a race of truth.” – Pez Cycling.

“This film isn’t for those who want to shy away from the tragic side of the human experience, unwilling to risk the cracking of their shell of denial, not willing to risk their coping mechanism,” writes Cycling-Review.com. “Bicycle Dreams captures the human condition like few other films. Bicycle Dreams moves us to break through the barrier of the fear of death. I have seldom found a film that captures this ‘life drama’ as powerfully as does Bicycle Dreams.”

Adds Podium Café, “Bicycle Dreams is the ultimate inner journey. If you thought the life of a cyclist was an internal struggle, wait until you see what Auerbach unearths in this film. Bicycle Dreams is an unprecedented exploration of the subject of the suffering on the bike.”

About.com writes, “As we fall deeper and deeper into Bicycle Dreams, what we witness grows more terrifying, yet more compelling. Auerbach’s masterful direction exposes the raw lessons that drive people to push beyond the limits of human endurance. Revealing what lies at the heart of every impossible human endeavor is what Bicycle Dreams is all about.”

And finally, Bicycle Touring Pro comments, “If you’ve ever dreamed of challenging yourself to a place far beyond what you previously thought was possible, Bicycle Dreams is a film you must see. It’s beautiful, thought provoking, exciting, emotional and scary. The experience of watching this film will leave you with a new perspective on life that will remain with you for a very long time to come.”

Bicycle Dreams also has been named one of the top 10 adventure films of all time by both The Matador Network and Playground Magazine.

The upcoming nationwide tour to be held in conjunction with the 2011 Race Across America will include a screening at the Neon in Dayton at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. To purchase advance tickets go to www.imathlete.com/events/bicycledreams. For more information on the film, go to www.bicycledreamsmovie.com or find us on Facebook.

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Film Review – Midnight in Paris (B-)

June 13, 2011 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Midnight in Paris
@ The Neon
June 12, 2011
Grade: B-

Woody Allen’s getting a little long in the tooth to play opposite beautiful, young actresses these days, so he had Owen Wilson do it for him in “Midnight in Paris.” Wilson stars as Gil, a Hollywood screenwriter who, though successful, feels unfulfilled as a wannabe Hemingway. The ever-present romantic in Gil sees a business trip with his fiancee, Inez (Rachel McAdams) and her parents as an opportunity to “walk the streets of Paris in the rain” and to work on his novel. Inez and her conservative family have other ideas. So, when Gil finds himself walking the streets lost and alone late one night, he finds himself magically transported to 1920s Paris, a time and place occupied by his heroes, F. Scott Fitzgerald (Tom Hiddleston), Ernest Hemingway (Corey Stoll) and other artistic and literary gods.

Taking advantage of a film phenomenon that could be described as Groundhog Day combined with Field of Dreams, Gil discovers that every night at midnight he’s able to hobnob with the most influential people of the early 20th century. As if finding himself in his ideal place and time in all of human existence isn’t gift enough, Gil quickly meets and is accepted into the elite 1920s social circle that includes Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Cole Porter, Pablo Picasso and many other people you’ve heard of. Gil even gets Gertrude Stein (Kathy Bates) to proofread his manuscript.

While Gil’s initial trips back to his personal heaven are productive and fun, (we get to see what a drunken conversation between Ernest Hemingway and Pablo Picasso might look like) the nightly time travels begin to become unnecessary and stagnant, eventually coming off as little more than an effort to drop as many huge names as possible. “You’re T.S. Eliot!”

Each new intellectual giant of the era Gil encounters has less impact than the previous. It’s impossible to develop the hypothetical social behavior of so many complex individuals inside of two hours and introducing so many new characters becomes tiresome. The best and most humorous scenes of the movie involve Gil seeking the advice of Hemingway, as he’s all at once mesmerized by the unlikely circumstances and overwhelmed by Hemingway’s honesty and intensity. Even moviegoers with just a passing understanding of Hemingway’s style like myself will be able to laugh when he passes along advice to Gil on love and life. Stoll’s Hemingway was particularly entertaining and I would’ve preferred a more specific story that allowed Gil to continue to interact with Hemingway and others who could relate to Gil’s predicament. I get why we’re meeting Gertrude Stein, Gil needs help with his novel. But why are we meeting Salvador Dali?

After acquiring the affection of Picasso’s mistress, Adriana (Marion Cotillard), and besting both Picasso and Hemingway in the process (you can just picture Allen smiling as he imagines himself in this scenario), Gil learns from her that even the most interesting people living in the most interesting time can be unhappy in their present. This is a revelation that lets Gil free himself of both his unpromising engagement to Inez and his obsession with his trips to the 20s.

Ultimately, the majority of Midnight in Paris is undeniably fun, often humorous and the performances are good across the board. I just found much of it disappointing due to an engaging, exciting first half that faded away and the unfulfilled potential of the premise.

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Will You Help Fund the 5th Annual Horror Movie Marathon?

June 6, 2011 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Since 2007, the Little Art Theatre, now a nonprofit cinema, has hosted a horror movie marathon each October. The marathon has featured at least seven feature-length films annually, in addition to dozens of classic trailers, a costume contest, concessions, and more. Films have included classics as varied as Psycho, The Shining, Jaws, Videodrome, The Evil Dead, Evil Dead II, The Thing, Re-Animator, Repulsion, Night of the Living Dead, and Eraserhead. In past years the lineup has also included an area premiere, examples being Black Sheep, Splinter, The House of the Devil, and Best Worst Movie.

The cost of classic film rental and/or licensing is increasingly prohibitive. Each year, this event has grown its audience, but it’s always a struggle to break even while still putting on a worthwhile event. Though our preference would be to show 35mm prints of all the featured films, in the last couple of years we’ve turned to projecting films digitally in high-definition in an attempt to reduce costs. The event is always staffed by volunteers, and is often understaffed in critical areas like concession sales and projection.

We want this event to survive. We have a ton of fun putting it on, and we always get great feedback from our audience, who have come to look forward to the event each year. Yet each fall it becomes more and more difficult to plan the event with little feel for how it will perform, and weighing the very real risk that the event will lose money.

We need your help. We’ve set a goal of $2,500, which is the minimum cost to put on the marathon we’ve all come to know and love each year. In exchange for your $25+ contribution, you’ll be able to reserve your seat(s), and at the $100+ level you can also get a limited edition t-shirt, designed especially for the marathon.

If we exceed our minimum goal, every dollar you contribute above that will be invested in the event, too. We don’t just want the event to continue, we want it to be better than ever. That means:

1) More 35mm prints. See classic horror flicks in the highest possible resolution, in 35mm, on the big screen.

2) More films. Imagine a super-sized lineup — more than our usual seven or eight films. We’ve always reluctantly dreamed of putting on a 24-hour marathon, with a wide variety of classic fare — from suspense to hard gore. If you help us raise the money, we’ll summon the stamina.

3) More staff. Keeping a massive crowd well attended in a venue as cozy as ours for more than half-a-day is a challenge. If we can bring on more of our regular staff (in addition to our excellent volunteers) for the marathon, we’ll have the person-power to keep a better eye on the auditorium for disruptions like talkers and cell phone-abusers; to keep the concession stand fully stocked and operational throughout the entire event; and to tend to running projection more smoothly than ever.

This fest will only continue if they can reach the $2500 goal in funding by Wed, June 22nd. As of this morning they had $575 raised. If you’d like to help click on the green button to the left.

SICSA’s 13th Annual Walk for Strays Needs You!

June 1, 2011 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Join fellow animal lovers for the 13th annual charity walk beneffiting SICSA’s homeless dogs and cats on Saturday, June 4th. The Walk follows a 1.2 mile path around the green fields and fishing pond of Kettering’s Delco Park. Following the Walk there are many activities to participate in and enjoy including:

“Dressing to the K-9’s” Fashion Show – Get those creative juices flowing and design an outfit for your furry friend to compete in one of these categories: “That Special Occassion”, “Owner/Pet Look-a-Like, “Inspired by Fiction” and “Designer’s Choice”.
Paw Print Painting – $25 purchases a masterpiece created by your four-legged Artist.
Exhibitor Showcase
$10 Microchipping
Photo Booth – A photo to capture your Walk memories for only $10.
Raffle
Food

Help raise more money with your own fundraising page on their site. Solicit pledges and raise additional funds by asking friends, family, and co-workers to sponsor you (and your pet).

Raise $150 and receive a voucher good for a wash at the SICSA Dog Wash and a photo of you and your pet at the Walk. -or- Raise $500 and receive the items above plus 2 Tickets to the Red Dog Auction.

New for 2011!!! $25 Registration -All walkers registered by May 27th are guaranteed the 13th Annual Walk for Strays T-shirt! Registration after May 27th and on the day of the event will receive the goodie bag and T-shirt while supplies last.
$10 Registration – Youth (12& Under) registered by May 27th receive the Walk for Strays T-shirt.

Registration Begins at 9 AM/Walk begins at 10 AM

MV Pride Week – Thank You For Being A Friend

May 29, 2011 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

The Miami Valley Pride Partnership is planning a weeklong celebration of Pride for 2011. According to their website: “As we celebrate pride we are ever mindful of our friends and allies that have helped us to achieve the rights and freedoms we now enjoy. It is to our friends and allies that we offer our theme for our 2011 pride celebration: Thank You For Being A Friend”.

The 2011 Dayton Pride Festivities will begin on Memorial Day, May 30th, with a celebration at The Stage Door. On Tuesday May 31st the party moves to The Right Corner. On Wednesday June 1st the fun and frivolity extends to Club Masque for a night of exciting Drag. Thursday the celebration continues at MJ’s Cafe for an exhilarating evening of fun and entertainment. And as the weekend approaches the events get bigger:

Fri, June 3rd 6:30pm RoofTop Rubi

This dynamic, close-knit troupe of professional men has been performing since the late 1980’s. Comprised of elementary school teachers, an occupational therapist, a clinical counselor and business owners, the group began performing for one another in an attic during college. Now over 20 some years later, the Rubi Girls have traveled the country raising over $300,000 for HIV research and education.

Join Ann Roberts & John Smith as they host RoofTop Rubi benefit for The Miami Valley LGBT Pride Partnership. The evening will begin with drinks and food provided by The Dayton Women’s Club. Throughout the evening enjoy our fun filled Monte Carlo games and bid on our array of fabulous items during the silent auction.

$15.00 General Admission
$100.00 VIP Admission (Includes Admission for 2, Swap Bag and Sponsorship Listing)
For Ticket Information email: [email protected] or call (937) 697-1190

Sat, June 4th

Breakfast at 9am at MJ’s Cafe with the parade line up at 11AM.

10am: Rededication of Natalie Barney Historical Marker

Noon: The Parade:
The Dayton chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) has been selected as Grand Marshalls of the 2011 LGBT Pride Parade and Festival on June 4th 2011. PFLAG will feature, in the grand marshall’s car, the family of Mary and Kevin Kirkendall along with their daughter Lillie and Elizabeth Gillespie, a proud PFLAG family who support their gay son and big brother, Noah. PFLAG Dayton has been active in the Miami Valley since 1989 offering support, education and advocacy. PFLAG seeks to promote health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, their families. They offer support to help families cope with an adverse society. PFLAG offers education to enlighten an ill-informed public all the while advocating to end discrimination and secure equal civil rights.

If you would like to walk in the parade, please download and fill out the Parade Application. Once complete email to: [email protected]

Sat, June 4th , HIV Testing, Dayton Library 12-5pm

AIDS Resource Center Ohio is proud to offer an orally administered,

rapid result HIV test. The test is free, painless, and quick! The test is administered confidentially and anonymously by request and requires only a swab of cheek cells from inside your mouth. Twenty minutes later and under normal circumstances, you will be presented with preliminary positive results about your current HIV status. And did we mention that the test is free?

Sat June 4th Courthouse Square Entertainment Line-Up

12:30 – 1:00 Parade arrives at Courthouse Square

1:00 – 1:30 BLESSING OF THE DAY: Liz Stutzman
1:00 – 1:30 READING OF THE PROCLAMATION: Josh West and Bret Wendell
1:30 – 1:45 Ohio Royalty: Alexis O’Hara, Brent Fabian, Sinthia D’Meanor, Rob Austin
1:45 – 2:00 Sashay Lorez, Elegance Black Lourdes, Aleksandra Grimm, Summer Day, Daray Lorez
2:00 – 2:15 MJ’s Café
2:15 – 2:30 MJ’s Café
2:30 – 2:45 AWARDS: Kris Jackson

The 2011 Theme Award Recipient is The Honorable Rhine McLin

The 2011 Frontier Award: Recipient is The Honorable Lt. Wendy Stivers.
2:45 – 3:00 Host: Amaya Sexton, Macy Kirkland, Justin Pryde, Endurance, Queen B, Claudia Cruiz

3:00 – 3:30 TBA

3:30 – 3:45 Cherry Poppins, Jenni Hoag, Foxxie Lane, Tasha Salad, Tramp Towers

3:45 – 4:00 Sky Black and The Kings of Dayton

4:00 – 4:15 Delta Blake, Shampaine Lopez, Maqualia Jaa, Arykah Alvarez, Howard Wayne

4:15 – 4:30 Jackie O’Toole, JJ Lopez, Rachel Torrez Kolbe, Niomi Necoll Onassis,

4:30 – 4:45 Diamond Black, Daray Lorez, Ashton Brooke, Patterson Michaels

4:45 – 5:00 TBA

Sat, June 4th Prdeapoloza 1-6pm Masque Parking Lot

Special appearance by recording artist Pepper Mashay! A family friendly event with entertainment, food, games, and more!! Plus Pepper and the Masque Hostess show that night!!!

Sat, June 4th 8pm Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus @ Victoria

THE ULTIMATE BOY BAND REVIEW
Get ready to scream and faint with excitement as the DGMC thrills fans of all generations with a musical look at America’s singing heartthrobs – the boy bands! The chorus has scanned the decades from the ’50s to the ’00s and everything in between to find your favorite songs; you know, the songs you crank up and sing along to while you’re in the car. They are all here for you from Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons to the Beatles, the Osmonds, Crosby Still Nash & Young, the Village People, the Bee Gees, the Temptations.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door and can be purchased through www.ticketcenterstage.com or from a chorus member.

Pride Night At The Neon

Sun, June 5th 2- 6pm Family Potluck Picnic

Ernst Park at 1030 E David Road will be the location for the family friendly cookout. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be provided. Bring along a side dish or dessert. Fun and games will be planned for all ages to have a blast.

Thurs, June 16th Pride Night at the Neon 7pm

We Were Here is the first documentary to take a deep and reflective look back at the arrival and impact of AIDS in San Francisco. It explores how the City’s inhabitants were affected by, and how they responded to, that calamitous epidemic.

Though a San Francisco-based story, We Were Here extends beyond San Francisco and beyond AIDS itself. It speaks to our capacity as individuals to rise to the occasion, and to the incredible power of a community coming together with love, compassion, and determination.

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Sat, June 25th Pride Dinner 7pm, Sinclair

The Greater Dayton LGBT Center is celebrating its 35th anniversary by hosting the annual Pride Dinner. Featuring bawdy comic Suzanne Westenhoefer and Dayton Police LGBT liaison Sgt. Wendy Stiver to act as key note speaker. In both serious and light hearted ways, these two women will help the Pride Dinner celebrate Pride 2011. The evening begins at 5 PM with an impressive business and non-profit exposition with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. At 7 PM dinner begins and is followed by awards and recognitions, Sgt. Wendy Stiver’s keynote speech, and Suzanne comedy show. The evening ends with the annual Big Gay raffle drawing for many prizes.
Tickets are $45.00 with an early bird special of $40 per person or $400.00 per table of 10 if purchased by May 1, 2011. Contact the Center for more info at 274-1776

Make the Music Happen by Volunteering

May 26, 2011 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Want to do a lil’ job that makes a major impact in keeping a fabulous and free festival alive in our community? Volunteer for Cityfolk festival! Interested volunteers should contact Kathleen Alter to select a shift.
VOLUNTEER TASK DESCRIPTION:

Cityfolk festival is requesting vibrant, outgoing volunteers to help us with the “You Make the Music Happen” suggested donation campaign. Due to a significant reduction in federal, state and corporate funding Cityfolk is asking for a suggested donation at the festival this year. We desperately want to keep the festival free but we need help to do that. We will have stations (manned by two people) at entrances and roving teams of two asking people for donations. Everyone who donates will receive a sticker saying “I Made the Music Happen”. This will ensure that people who donated money will not be asked multiple times for a donation. This is a not a high pressure sale, simply a chance to share the message about the quality of life that Cityfolk adds to Southwest Ohio.

Volunteers will be in teams of two and can choose to work at an entrance or be a rover in a designated area. We are looking for 30 people per day and the shifts are 3 hours. The buckets will be zip-tied shut and will be taken to the business office at the end of the shift. There will be no need to handle the money. All volunteers will receive a special shirt that say “Make the Music Happen” to wear while volunteering. If your groups chooses to volunteer you will be recognized in the festival program.
Other volunteer jobs include: greet Festival visitors at the entrance gates, pour beer as part of the Beer Crew, make sure the artists and staff are well fed as members of the Hospitality Crew, and much, much more. Some new opportunities are available this year, so be sure to scan all the job descriptions if you’d like to try something different. There’s a volunteer job for everyone!
BONUS: Volunteers receive a great t-shirt. PLUS if you volunteer – you’re already downtown to attend one of the hottest parties of the summer!

Volunteer Shifts Available:
Friday, July 1
5:30 – 8:30
8:00 – 11:00

Saturday, July 2
12:30 – 4:30
4:00 – 8:00
7:30 – 11:00

Sunday, July 3
12:30 – 4:30
4:00 – 8:00
7:30 – 11:00

Info on the Festival: http://www.cityfolk.org/festival/festival.html
Cityfolk shares why they’re asking for a $5 donation: http://blog.cityfolk.org/2011/04/why-were-asking-for-suggested-donation.html

******************

Sinclair presents The Women of Lockerbie

May 18, 2011 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

The Women of Lockerbie

Sinclair Theatre

Sinclair Community College welcomed to campus Award-winning playwright Deborah Brevoort, author of THE WOMEN OF LOCKERBIE, (through May 21, Blair Hall Theatre) Ms. Brevoort was on campus for a series of events culminating in a Meet-the-Artist reception after the opening night performance on May 13th.

The Women of Lockerbie is based on events surrounding the tragic bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. It is the winner of a Silver Medal, Onassis International Playwriting Competition and the Kennedy Center Fund for New American Plays Award.

The Women of Lockerbie - Sinclair Theatre - through May 21

"A moving, thoughtful exploration of how grief changes over time." —The New Yorker

The story revolves around a mother from New Jersey who roams the hills of Lockerbie, Scotland looking for her son’s remains, which were lost in the crash of Pan Am 103. She meets the women of Lockerbie, who are fighting the US Government to obtain the clothing of the victims found in the plane’s wreckage. The women, determined to convert an act of hatred into an act of love, want to wash the clothes of the dead and return them to the victim’s families. The Women of Lockerbie is loosely inspired by a true story, although the characters and situations in the play are purely fictional. Written in the structure of a Greek tragedy, it is a poetic drama about the triumph of love over hate.

“Playwright Deborah Brevoort has a gift for high poetry and her descriptions of the day when death came raining down on Scotland are impressively moving…endowed with character, poetry and a core of touching emotion…” —Time Out London

Director Kimberly Borst, new performance faculty member at Sinclair, has selected a cast including: Allison Husko, William Courson, Rachel Wilson, Rebecca Sebree, Angela Dermer, Laura Wagner and Chris Hahn.

-SA/SCC Press Release

We encourage local theatre companies to submit calendar items HERE, and official press releases to [email protected].

Tickets & Performance Information:

THE WOMEN OF LOCKERBIE – through May 21

Remaining performances include the Downtown Dayton Thursday Nights performance at 7 p.m. on May 19th. as well as 8pm performances on Friday and Saturday, May 20-21.

All seats are reserved and cost $15 adults and $10 for students/seniors. For more information or to purchase tickets online now go to: Sinclair.edu/arts.

Box office is open 11-3 Monday through Friday and one hour prior to performances. 937-512-2808.

NOTE: ALL Thursday tickets cost an additional $5 each and include pre-show appetizers and cash bar for Sinclair’s popular Downtown Dayton Thursday Nights.

Sinclair Theatre Fall 2011 Auditions

Sinclair Theatre Holds Auditions
For Two Fall Productions

Sinclair Community College’s Theatre Department will hold open auditions for its fall productions of The Crucible and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, on Monday, June 6 from 6-8 pm in room 2L12, building 2, on the Sinclair campus.

Performance dates for The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, are October 14-22 in Blair Hall Theatre. Callbacks will be from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on June 7th.

Performance dates for I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, book & lyrics by Joe Dipietro, music by Jimmy Roberts, are November 3-6 in the building 2 Studio. Callbacks will be from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on June 8th.

Participants may prepare an audition of up to 4 minutes and must include: a classic/dramatic monologue, AND either a contemporary/comedic monologue or
16-32 bars of a song from a Broadway musical (accompanist provided).

Call 512-4580 for an audition appointment or sign up in room 2220.

Cycling Sells Cities – 2011 Miami Valley Cycling Summit

May 18, 2011 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Portland (OR), Boulder (CO), Madison (WI), Austin (TX), Ann Arbor (MI) – these cities have often been included in lists of the most livable cities in the U.S. But they have something else in common – they are all recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as Bicycle Friendly Communities, and there is certainly a correlation between these two lists. Dayton made the latter list last year as a Bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community, and local advocates continue to plan and organize efforts that will move us up on that list. This Friday on May 20, you can learn more about some of these efforts as well as how the power of cycling drives economic development in communities both large and small.

The 2011 Miami Valley Cycling Summit, hosted by the City of Dayton at the Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Center, will bring together over 400 cycling enthusiasts from across the Miami Valley, the state, and the nation.

The cycling summit was last held in 2009 and was one of the largest in the nation reaching bike enthusiasts and community leaders from across the region. 350 people attended the day-long event that was free and open to the public. This year’s focus is on the economic development opportunities that bike friendly regions create. Other break-out session examples will include advocacy advice for creating bike friendly communities, as well as how bike communities combat obesity and promote healthy communities.

Over the past year communities and organizations spanning 4 counties have joined forces to ensure our region continues to move closer to a more connected and collaborative biking community. This level of engagement crosses jurisdictional lines and is sure to facilitate and even greater impact. Planning Committee Partners include representatives from the City of Dayton, City of Miamisburg, Clark County-Springfield, Five Rivers MetroParks, Greene County Parks, Miami Conservancy District, Miami County Parks, MVRPC, Yellow Springs Chamber, City of Troy

The summit actually begins on Thursday with a screening of the movie Veer at Downtown Dayton’s Neon Theater at 7:30pm, followed by Bike to Work Day Breakfast at Riverscape Friday morning from 6 to 9:30am. From there, the group will do a mass ride to the Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Center where the rest of the summit will be held.

The opening keynote at 10am will be Bruno Maier – Vice President of Bikes belong, a national coalition of bicycle retailers and suppliers working to get more folks on bikes more often. Bruno is a Miami Valley native who will speak about how cycling infrastructure supports economic development and increases vitality throughout the US.

From there, four different breakout sessions will happen throughout the day:

Session One (10:35am – 11:30am)
- Track One: Alternative Transportation and Impacts on Economic Development -Bruno (Bikes Belong)
- Track Two: Supersized Kids: What can be done? – Bruce Barcelo CTTS, Dayton, OH (Creating Healthy Communities Coordinator)
Lunch (11:30am – 1:00pm)
- Kroc Center Tours and Miami Valley Community Showcase
Session 2 (1:00pm – 1:55pm)
- Track One: Panel Discussion – Completing the Bike Friendly Community Application – Riverside, Troy, Dayton
- Track Two: Upping your Bike Engagement & Education; organizing events and programs -Tom Helbig (Five Rivers MetroParks) and Jeff Sorrell (Life Enrichment Center)
Session 3 (2:00pm – 2:55pm)
- Track One: Engaging Local Businesses in Bike Friendly Efforts – Jeff Stephens (Consider Biking, Columbus)
- Track Two: Regional Bikeway Master Plan Reports: What Is Next? – Matt Lindsey (Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission)
Session 4 (3:00pm – 3:55pm)
- Track One: Federal/State Funding Left On The Table – Jeff Peel (League of American Bicyclists)
- Track Two: Relaunching Bike Miami Valley; Fulfilling the needs of Miami Valley cyclists – Bike Miami Valley Board Members
Summit Closing

Then after the summit, the action continues at Brixx Ice Co. with a Bike Miami Valley Grassroots Social Happy Hour!

If you are into biking and want to learn more about the biking community here in Dayton as well as the exciting things yet to come, you’ll want to come to this summit. Don’t forget your bike!

Calling all filmmakers, screenwriters and film lovers…

May 17, 2011 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

The following is from Eva Buttacavoli – Executive Director for FilmDayton.

Once again, hometown pride will infuse the FilmDayton Festival, but this year organizers have added a bonus. Themed “From Dayton/For Dayton,” the third annual festival, to be held May 20-22, 2011, will put the spotlight on the 27 filmmakers, screenwriters and producers — 21 of them native or current Daytonians — that are making compelling films in Ohio and beyond. The festival will give film-lovers a chance to meet, mingle and participate in in-depth discussions with these guest artists.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyKLp3E7Z5c&feature=player_embedded’]

Film-goers can count on Dayton-connected films created by regional filmmakers, as well as the “best of the fests” — compelling films that have been featured at such prominent film festivals as Sundance and South by Southwest — which FilmDayton brings to Dayton first. Audiences are invited to experience and interact with films and filmmakers who are addressing such hot topics as the war in Afghanistan (WHERE SOLDIERS COME FROM), the threat of nuclear meltdown (INTO ETERNITY), life in an American Muslim-community (BILAL’S STAND) mental trauma (MARWENCOL) and more.

The Dayton Connection

The hometown spotlight will be on most of the films and filmmakers. Former Daytonian, Joe Gressis’ HOMERUN SHOW DOWN is a family-friendly little league comedy featuring big-name stars Barry Bostwick, Dean Cain and Annabeth Gish. HOMERUN was partially filmed at Fifth Third Field and includes support (and sly product placement) by Joe’s friends John Stafford, Staffords Jewelers. Former Dayton TV personality, Steve Tatone, living and working in Sarasota, brings the music-themed drama BEAUTIFUL NOISE, whose rocker co-star, Kimber Cleveland, will also perform at Gilly’s on Saturday night. Wright State students Chase Whiteside and Erick Stoll, whose politically-charged documentary shorts have appeared on “The Daily Show,” will present a NEW LEFT MEDIA SHORTS program. Dayton-based co-producer and statewide film community advocate, Karri O’Reilly, brings us the horror film, HUSK. With a trailer that already has been scaring the beejeezus out of folks, the film features a group of friends stranded in a desolate cornfield . . . guess what happens next? And finally, celebrating UD professor and screenwriter, Larry Schweikert’s compelling story of rock and roll’s part in bringing down the Berlin Wall and smashing the Iron Curtain, we’ll present ROCKIN’ THE WALL.

Emerging hometown filmmakers are featured in our two “festivals within the festival,” BIG LENS, featuring shorts from Wright State University Motion Pictures Program students and grads, as well as the SUNDOG & FILMDAYTON SHORTS DOUBLE FEATURE by local High School and college students.

Looking homeward is also the theme of the 2^nd annual collaboration with Public Radio Station WYSO 91.3. SCREENLESS SCREENING presents “sound pictures” and sound-rich documentaries prevalent in popular public radio programs such as “This American Life” and “StoryCorps.” Local students from WYSO’s current “Community Voices” training project will present their radio stories for the first time as part of this film festival favorite. In addition, they will attend a master class with public radio personality, Ira Glass who will be speaking at the Victoria Theatre on Sunday evening. Neenah Ellis, general manager of WYSO said, “We are training people to tell the stories of the Miami Valley. Come and support these new radio producers!”

Celebrating more Dayton Reunions – The FilmDayton Screenwriting Conference

The two-day FilmDayton Screenwriting Conference, running concurrently with the festival , features 4 Dayton connections. The conference, held at ThinkTV, will include intensive hands-on workshops and lectures from nationally recognized writers as author and script consultant Dara Marks (“Inside Story: The Power of the Transformational Arc”) Emmy-winning writer/producer and WSU-grad, Erik Bork (HBO’s BAND OF BROTHERS), WSU-grad and Sundance award winning writer/director Nichol Simmons (DRY MOUNT) and WSU-grad and Emmy-nominated writer Kevin A. Kramer (Cartoon Network’s animated series CHOWDER.)

Film Festival offers audiences a chance to meet creators of compelling films

The FilmDayton Festival is proud to present filmmakers, screenwriters and producers for just about every event.

“There is a vibrant film community here, with many Daytonians working in the film industry throughout the country,” said FilmDayton executive director, Eva Buttacavoli. “The festival is an opportunity to showcase our local talent, bring some from LA back to their hometown, and invite the audience out to celebrate them in a full-immersion film weekend.”

Movies and more FROM Dayton — featuring films that have roots or take their cue, from right here in the Miami Valley. Films made by people who grew up and learned their craft here. And films FOR Dayton — featuring the “best of the fests” which FilmDayton brings to you first.

Audiences can participate in filmmaker Q&As after most of the screenings. Audiences can also attend events and parties that include filmmaker, screenwriter and producer guests as well. At PITCH-IT! they can watch the fun as amateur and professional filmmakers pitch their ideas to a panel of industry professionals including Dayton TV personality JIm Bucher, screenwriter and film educator Thomas Girvin and writer/director Nichol Simmons — for a cash prize. At Filmically Perfect: Imperfectly In-Person, J. Todd Anderson — Dayton-based filmmaker and storyboard artists for such directors as the Coen brothers — and George Willeman — film archivist, writer and producer — will record their WYSO 91.3-FM Public Radio show “Filmically Perfect” in front of a live audience. Hosted by Niki Dakota, WYSO music director. And closing the Festival, everyone is invited to the Filmmaker Meet and Greet & Closing Party on Sunday night.

“This very special opportunity allows our audiences to talk directly with the filmmakers about their work,” said Buttacavoli. “We are thrilled that so many of the filmmakers will be here to share their creative processes and discuss their films – all in a very relaxed atmosphere. It’s a chance for film lovers to have meaningful dialogues with the filmmakers whose work they are viewing.”

FilmDayton Board member and film producer Karri O’Reilly said, “One of the aspects of the festival that we have worked very hard on is audience access to the filmmakers. The opportunity to meet with and learn from professional filmmakers brings a dimension to the film going experience that you can’t get from a regular screening or even a DVD commentary,” she continued. “Our past filmmakers have been very gracious with their time in speaking to film students and film enthusiasts, and sharing their knowledge and experience. I anticipate that this year’s group will want to do likewise.”

“Bringing outside filmmakers to the Dayton area not only gives our local film community the chance to interact with talent from around the globe, it gives the outside world exposure to the level of talent we have right here at home.”

All film screenings will take place at NEON Movies. Parties, events, workshops and the Screenwriters Conference take place at venues close by.

Check out the website at www.filmdaytonfestival.com for film trailers, filmmakers’ biographies, a full schedule of events and locations as well as other information.

Film Festival and ScreenCon tickets are on sale at www.filmdaytonfestival.com and may be purchased at NEON Movies during the festival. All-access passes to film screenings, events and parties are $75, and individual film tickets are $7. ScreenCon is $149 for the full conference (includes meals, screenings, parties and a ticket to see Ira Glass) and $15 for single workshops.