Dayton Most Metro

RACC 2010 Urban Culture Arts Conference Photos

October 3, 2010 By Dayton Most Metro 3 Comments

The 2nd annual RACC Hip-Hop summit was a success as area college students came out to see and hear multiple Grammy nominee Lupe Fiasco at the Dayton Convention Center Saturday evening.

Although a dark stage and the lack of a quality external flash kept me from getting the pics I wanted, here’s a quick visual recap of the presentation, which included a surprise appearance by Yellow Springs’ resident funnyman Dave Chappelle!

[album: http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/dm-albums.php?currdir=/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/2nd RACC Lupe Fiasco/]

A Cigar, a Dress and a Hairy Chest – Jamie Farr at the Schuster Center

October 1, 2010 By Dayton Most Metro 13 Comments

(From Tamera Geesling of the Junior League of Dayton)

Before there were mash-ups on Glee, there was M*A*S*H. Whether you watched the show live or the reruns, which still air, chances are you have seen an episode or two – or even all 251 episodes of M*A*S*H. And the show wouldn’t have been complete without Jamie Farr’s character, Corporal Max Klinger. On October 14, the Junior League of Dayton(JLD) welcomes Jamie Farr to town to kick of the 55^th season of the Town Hall Lecture Series at the Schuster Center. WE HAVE FREE TICKETS – DETAILS BELOW!

Farr began his niche in television in the late 1950s. He became a regular on The Red Skelton Show and played second banana to Harvey Korman on The Danny Kaye Show. He has appeared as a panelist on numerous game shows including The Gong Show, Match Game, Hollywood Squares and The $25,000 Pyramid. In 1985, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

But despite a half-century career in television, Jamie Farr is most remembered for his outrageous portrayal of Corporal Max Klinger. It was the ultimate comedic trifecta – a cigar chomping, hairy man in a dress. Originally hired for one-day’s work, Farr impressed the producers with his over-the-top character portrayal and he became a regular on the show’s eleven-year run. His antics and dresses were all a part of his attempt to garner a Section 8 Discharge from the military. But the joke was on him. In a letter home Klinger wrote “”You see, Unc? It’s no wonder I never got a Section Eight; there’s nothing special about me. Everybody here is crazy!”Farr shared a similar backstory with Klinger – a Toledo, Ohio native with a love for Packo’s Hungarian hot dogs and the Toledo Mud Hens. He was also the only regular cast member to have served in the Korean War (on which the show was based).

The final two-and-a-half hour episode aired February 28, 1983 and set records as the most watched program in television history with 105.97 million viewers. Nearly 77% of homes with a television were tuned into the finale. The record held for 27 years until it was recently surpassed by Super Bowl XLIV in 2010 with 106.5 million viewers.

After M*A*S*H ended, Farr kept busy with television, movie and stage appearances. In 1985, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Off-screen, Farr became involved in charity work. Since 1984, the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic has been held in his hometown of Toledo, Ohio. This tournament for professional female golfers on the LPGA tour has generated over $6.5 million for local children’s charities.

Tickets are $31 each (plus handling) and can be ordered by calling 937-228-3630 or online at www.ticketcenterstage.com. Series tickets are still available for $75 and $90 and include Jamie Farr (October 14, 2010 – support provided by The DP&L Foundation and Dayton Superior Corporation), as well as Archie Griffin (November 4, 2010 – presented by AAA Miami Valley with support from Liberty Savings Bank), Nick Clooney (April 7, 2011 – presented by Freund, Freeze & Arnold: A Legal Professional Association) and Gina Barreca (May 12, 2011). The Town Hall Lecture Series is also sponsored by its media partners, Think^TV and Times Community Newspaper.

To date, the Town Hall Lecture Series has raised over $1.8 million to support local JLD community programs, such as POWER (Program of Wellness Education and Resources), a children’s advocacy program in partnership with The Children’s Medical Center of Dayton, and the Holiday Hunt, an annual tradition of the Dayton Holiday Festival.

The Junior League of Dayton is an organization of women who are committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. For more information about the JLD and its community programs, visit www.jldayton.org.

For a chance to win free tickets to this event (a $62 value), just comment below using your real email address (we won’t make it public) and then hit the Share or Like button so that your Facebook friends know about this event. We’ll announce the winner of a pair of tickets on Friday October 8th – good luck!

Granny C’s Bakery: A Family Affair

September 30, 2010 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Walking into a bakery can be an exercise in dietary discipline.

The very nature of a bakery is one of indulgence, with rows of sweet treats on display – seemingly begging to become one with all who walk through the shop doors.

Now keep in mind, when I say bakery, I mean a real bakery.

Not Wal-Mart.

Not Meijer.

A real bake shop.

Granny C’s Bakery in Huber Heights on Old Troy Pike is that genuine bake shop – where you’re greeted by the smell of sugar and warm dough fresh from the oven, the sight of crisp confections that were rolled, twisted and shaped by hand, and the sound of controlled chaos emanating from the back room as trays of cookies slide onto metal racks, mixers hum and whir in the background and bodies move vigorously to prepare the day’s delights.

Streaks of flour and frosting form abstract patterns across the aprons of bakers as these artisans create edible expressions early in the morn.

The true success of Granny C’s, however, isn’t in the frosting or fruit filling – it’s in family.

“My retirement was gonna go from my pocket to these four kids anyway,” jokes Rebecca McDaniel, owner of Granny C’s. “I may as well make ’em work and learn how to make a living.” Two of those ‘kids’ are daughters Tina Fiore and Sarah Taubert, co-owners of Granny C’s Bakery. Their husbands bake and help out as well. Travis McDaniels, Rebecca’s husband of 41 years, rounds out the nucleus of the bakery.

From left to right: Tina Fiore, Travis McDaniel, Rebecca McDaniel, and Sarah and Ben Taubert.

A true family affair.

Rebecca’s pastry experience began back in 1969, when she was employed at Dixie Donuts as a donut maker before being promoted to shift supervisor. “I was the first woman supervisor at Dixie,” recalls McDaniel. “I worked there about a year doing donuts. I never thought I’d use it again!”

After the stint with Dixie Donuts, Rebecca stepped away to have a family and operate an in-home daycare. “My kids never got store bought cookies or anything else,” she says. “I always liked to bake and I made them home-cooked meals. They loved it, and I got to stay at home with my kids.”

When the kids got older, Rebecca worked as a real estate agent before handling accounting duties for Southern Ohio Kitchens for ten years. When the opportunity presented itself, her baking and small business backgrounds gave her the experience she needed to open up shop in Huber Heights.

She flung open her doors on February 1 and hasn’t looked back since.

“I don’t care if I get one penny back from my investment,” she says. “If we get to be profitable and these kids can make a living…I’ll be happy.”

Who is Granny C.?

Kathryn Cope, "Granny C."

“Granny C. was my grandmother,” says Rebecca McDaniel. “She was a very nice lady. I loved my grandmother very much. She was a very special person. She was my only grandparent since I was one year old and she was always there for me. She was a very active, wonderful woman.

“Granny had a girl scout troop…she was with girl scouts her whole life. In the 1930’s, she drove her girl scouts to the West Coast. To this day the girls [from that troop] get together and meet every Christmas. She was very active in church, and very active in the Harrison Township community. Grandmother was just a special person.”

Everything at Granny C’s is original. The icing, cream filling, flavorings and glazes are all from scratch. “Nothing comes from a bucket,” says McDaniel. The store’s variety of fresh baked breads are all original recipes.

“We’re always looking for recipes.”

And she means it. Customers have brought in their family recipes for the bakery to make for special occasions. The only extra charge is the cost of the ingredients. They also take special orders on pies. “We do a killer pecan pie,” boasts McDaniel.

Sarah Taubert, head cake decorator, appreciates the freedom she has from working within the family environment. She’s responsible for about ninety percent of the wedding, birthday, graduation and specialty cakes that leave the bakery. “I worked at Sam’s Club for a while and couldn’t really be creative. People walk in here and say, ‘this is what I like, this is the color I like…go for it!’

“You never know who’s going to walk through the door,” she adds.

But if you think Granny C’s is just about sweets, you’re mistaken. They have a robust catering menu from Maple Bacon Cocktail weenies, tiny sausages wrapped in bacon and smothered in brown sugar, to Southwestern Roll Ups, a zesty tortilla treat.

And if you’re on the road in the early morning driving either to or from work, the shop has an added convenience for you: a drive-through service that allows you to pick up the “Red-Eye Special”, a cup of coffee and two donuts for $2.00, without leaving your vehicle (from 6-8 a.m.).

With the commitment to quality and community, Granny C’s Bakery is poised to be around for a long time.

Granny C’s Bakery

5115 Old Troy Pike

Huber Heights, OH 45424

937-236-1230

To visit their website click here.

To visit Granny C’s facebook page, click here.

DMF 2010 Q&A: Nick Kizirnis Band//Sleep Fleet

September 30, 2010 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

…we’re coming down the homestretch toward the Sixth Annual Dayton Music Fest and we’re continuing on today with our Q&A series here on The Buddha Den. Today we have Nick Kizirnis Band and Sleep Fleet. Have a look…

Nick Kizirnis Band

BAND NAME: Nick Kizirnis Band
HOME BASE (city):Dayton, Ohio
FORMED (year): 2005
STYLE OF MUSIC: instrumental rock
MEMBERS (names and instruments played): Nick Kizirnis – guitars, theremin,
Dennis Mullins – guitars, Liz Landis – violin, Ed Lacy – keyboards, Brian
Hogarth – keyboards, Tom Salvatierra – keyboards, Jim Macpherson – drums
SHARED INTERESTS OF BAND MEMBERS: guitars, nanotechnology, vintage
keyboards
DISCOGRAPHY:”Into the Loud” 2005 on Atom Records
SONG THAT BEST REPRESENTS YOUR BAND: “Swivel Hipster Shake” an
old Mulchmen tune given a new lease on life with the current band
NUMBER OF DMF APPEARANCES: 2! 2009, 2008
LATEST NEWS: working on a full-length instrumental album
PLANS FOR 2011: release that full-length instrumental album!
WEB SITE:www.nickkizirnis.com

Sleep Fleet

Home Base : Dayton, OH
Formed : 2009
Style of Music : Indie/Punk/Rock
Members : Corey Montgomery – Lead Guitar/Vocals
Ryan Weaver – Drums/Crazy bodily movements.
Nick Shope – Bass/Facial hair
Shared Interests : UFOs, Waffles, Music.
Discography : Good Morning! Good Morning! Good Morning! Good Morning! (EP, 2010)
Song that Best Represents Sleep Fleet : Quiet Maryland. A song with several dynamic shifts and multiple movements, it showcases every side of our personality as a band.
Number of DMF appearances : 2010 will be our DMF debut.
Latest News : We are currently booking a week long run through Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana and steadily working on increasing our fan base at home.
Plans for 2011 : We hope to complete the writing process for the full length follow up to ‘Good Morning!…’ and we plan to enter a studio sometime next year to record it. It is tentatively entitled ‘Fathom’ and it will be a step toward a newer direction for us.
Website : www.myspace.com/sleepfleet

MP3: Sleep Fleet “Worms”
Download audio file (Worms.mp3)

One Pencil, One Crayon, and one Notebook

September 30, 2010 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

That is what Dayton’s Crayons to Classrooms (DC2C) believes helps disadvantaged students to succeed! Basic school supplies are a luxury for thousands of students in our community. In light of the back to school season, I met with Steve Rubenstein, Executive Director, to learn more about this organization and what they are doing to better our community.

DC2C is a free school supply retail store that serves teachers and students in 88 Dayton area schools where more than 70% of the students live at or below the poverty line. The organization opened their doors to teachers from selected schools in January, 2009, but not before an abundance of work and research was completed to ensure the success of the organization.

Research began in 2006 when a group of Dayton businesses and nonprofit organizations began learning about the 38 resource centers across the U.S. that support student learning by collecting surplus, close out, and other useful materials for distribution to classroom teachers in schools serving lower-income families. “If parents are struggling to provide for their children, they clearly have difficulty buying notebooks, pens, and crayons – the items all kids expect to have for school,” said Steve Rubenstein, Executive Director. These civic leaders saw the need for such an organization in the Dayton area and began planning. By 2007, an Executive Director had been hired and the organization had committed financial support from the Mathile Family Foundation and the Dayton Foundation. Under a collaborative effort with Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley (GESMV), DC2C was given warehouse, retail, and office space at their facility located at 1511 Kuntz Rd. in Dayton. The partnership with GESMV provides the organization with over 12,000 sq. ft. of warehouse storage, retail store space, office space, use of GESMV telephone system and technology network, and access to a fleet of trucks for pick-up services.

Currently DC2C serves 34 area schools that are ranked based on need, which is up from 23 schools served in 2009. The retail store is open on Monday, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for teachers from approved schools to shop. The collaborative effort with Goodwill extends even further with the DC2C Classroom Solutions program, which aims to provide teachers with useful, hands-on products. Community volunteers and/or individuals in the GESMV’s Work Experience Program create shaped pieces for student learning tools using die-cut machines. Paper, cardboard, felt, and plastic can be transformed into many shapes and sizes for classroom purposes including alphabet letters, numerals, and geometric forms.

You can be a local hero to a child…DC2C is doing big things for our community with their small staff of 4! They could really use our help to spread their mission and help them with day to day operations! DC2C seeks friendly, compassionate people to help out in the retail store from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays assisting teachers with shopping and check out. Have a small group that would like to give back in a big way? Groups of 4 to 6 people are needed to process donations and re-stock the shelves of the store.

Cash and In-kind donations make it possible for DC2C to keep the shelves of the teacher free store stocked for our local classrooms in need. Local businesses, organizations, and community groups can host a school supply drive for basic supplies. To learn more about donating and ways to get involved, please visit www.dc2c.org.

This article is the first in a series that will be compiled by DMM.com contributor Jennifer Dean. If you’d like to suggest a local nonprofit for her to write about, just comment below!

Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. with Dayton Philharmonic

September 29, 2010 By Dayton Most Metro 1 Comment

The Grammy-award winning couple of Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. will open the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2010-2011 Kettering Health Network SuperPops Series on Friday and Saturday, October 8 & 9, at 8 p.m. both nights at the Schuster Center. (Click here for tickets and more info)

As lead vocalists of the smash 60s group The 5th Dimension, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. recorded such classics as “Up, Up & Away,” “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In,” (remember the final scene from “The 40 Year Old Virgin”?), “Wedding Bell Blues,” “One Less Bell to Answer,” “Stoned Soul Picnic,” and other well-known hits. After a decade with The 5th Dimension, they established themselves as a duo and had an immediate success with the single, “You Don’t Have To Be A Star (To Be In My Show).” The song was a #1 hit and earned them a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance By a Duo or Group. They went on to further success in recording and on television, including Marilyn’s five years as host of the popular 1980s music program, “Solid Gold.”

Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. will join with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Neal Gittleman to perform all their chart-topping songs. To open the program, Neal and the DPO will join with three vocalists from the USAF Band of Flight – MSgt Shawn Stanley, TSgt Felita Rowe, and SSgt Terra Mason – to perform a variety of music inspired by flight. “Up, Up & Away” indeed!

Here is a blast from the past – yes folks, this is Soul Train!

DMF 2010 Q&A: Hospital Garden//Okay Lindon

September 29, 2010 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

…with the 2010 edition of Dayton Music Fest less than a week away, we’re getting really excited around these parts to see how this year’s edition goes down. This year the DMF features a day-long schedule, new venues, and lots of new bands participating. We’re continuing to preview some of the bands you’ll see at this year’s edition and today we have for you Hospital Garden and Okay Lindon…

Hospital Garden

BAND NAME: Hospital Garden
HOME BASE (city): Chicago
FORMED (year): 2008
STYLE OF MUSIC: Rock
MEMBERS (names and instruments played): Ian Spencer (drums), Sarah Carey
(bass, vocals), Lucas Hollow (guitar, vocals)
SHARED INTERESTS OF BAND MEMBERS: drinking dad’s root beer, making up fake
80’s metal songs.
DISCOGRAPHY (release title and year): *Hospital Garden* EP (2008), *Hospital
Garden *LP (2010)
SONG THAT BEST REPRESENTS YOUR BAND (and why): Right now, I’d say it’s
“Look Alive!” because it shows the band is able to be loud and noisy, while
keeping its hooks and melodies intact.
NUMBER OF DMF APPEARANCES (and years): This is our 3rd DMF (08, 09, 10)
LATEST NEWS (what’s up?): Lucas just got married!
PLANS FOR 2011: Release our 2nd album
WEB SITE: myspace.com/hospital garden,
and, yes, we are on facebook.

MP3: Hospital Garden “Look Alive!”
Download audio file (Look_Alive.mp3)

Okay Lindon

BAND NAME: Okay Lindon

HOME BASE: Middletown, OH
FORMED: 2004
STYLE OF MUSIC: Pop
MEMBERS:Jordan Elam- drums Dustin Smith- guitar, vocals Charles Smith- guitar Eric Miller- guitar David Thomas- bass
SHARED INTERESTS OF BAND MEMBERS: pop music of all eras, 90s alt rock, punk music, good food of all sorts, funny stuff, going out, staying at home.
DISCOGRAPHY:Rotating Dates- 2010; Everything In Moderation- 2009; some old EPs and demos that you will never hear.
SONG THAT BEST REPRESENTS YOUR BAND: Table Talk- this is probably our strongest single and most successfully executed song from the new album.
NUMBER OF DMF APPEARANCES : this will be our first
LATEST NEWS : released newest full length, Rotating Dates, on August 17th 2010
PLANS FOR 2011: work jobs, hang out, make music
WEB SITE: www.arcadesoundltd.comwww.myspace.com/okaylindonhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Okay-Lindon/187506547822?ref=ts (not sure if that link works or not- but we’re on facebook- look us up)

MP3: Okay Lindon “Table Talk”
Download audio file (Table_Talk.mp3)

DMF 2010 Q&A: Jasper the Colossal//Wake Up Mordecai

September 29, 2010 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

…we’re only a week away from Dayton Music Fest 2010 and we’ve got a couple more doses of Q&A for you today. Here’s what Jasper the Colossal and Wake Up Mordecai had to say…

Jasper the Colossal

BAND NAME: Jasper the Colossal

HOME BASE (city): Dayton
FORMED (year): 2007 (2008 with current line up)

STYLE OF MUSIC: 80’s inspired Punk Rock/Indie/Post Punk/Whathaveya

MEMBERS (names and instruments played): Paige Beller- Vocals, Moriah Yux-
Guitar, Nicki Brooks- Bass, Sarah Kouse- Drums

SHARED INTERESTS OF BAND MEMBERS: Going to shows, finding new music, acting like
12 year old boys

DISCOGRAPHY (release title and year): “Jasper the Colossal-Live at Canal Street”
2007 (out of print), “Prehistoric” E.P. 2009

SONG THAT BEST REPRESENTS YOUR BAND (and why): The Back Of The Crowd
(unrecorded, but videos on youtube) This song best represents us because it
crosses genres within one song.

NUMBER OF DMF APPEARANCES (and years): 2008, 2009, and soon to be 2010

LATEST NEWS (what’s up?): Writing, writing, and more writing. We are shopping of
studio options to record at least 12 new songs. We also have purchased a screen
printer and button machine for the band so that we can be a self contained unit.

PLANS FOR 2011: With any luck we will release a new full length album, get a
van, and tour.

WEB SITE: www.jasperthecolossal.com (links to
myspace), facebook, youtube, i-Tunes.

Wake Up Mordecai

Band Name: Wake Up Mordecai

Home Base: Dayton

Formed: 2008-ish

Style: Quirky/Moody Pop

Members:
Andy Ingram/ drums, percussion, vocals. Johnny Callon/ guitar, vocals, etc.
Cooper/ bass. Brandon Clark/ guitar, synthesizer.

Shared Interests: Perfect pop songs, friendship, children’s literature, and
The Smiths.

Discography: North to the Nth Degree (2008), Too Young for the Disco (2009)
– both available for free download at http://poptek.com/store.html

Representative Song: Probably “Disco = Crack”. Even though it may not be
representative, it’s what I wish all our songs sounded like – moody and
catchy.

Number of DMF appearances: This is our first!

Latest News: Nothing really, still getting used to going from a two-piece
to now a four-piece band. It’s exciting and scary at the same time.

Plans for 2011: Hopefully a new album (but no promises).

Website: http://wakeupmordecai.com

MP3: Wake Up Mordecai “Girls Don’t Ride in Viking Ships”
Download audio file (Girls_Dont_Ride_in_Viking_Ships.mp3)

DMF 2010 Q&A: The Story Changes//Good Sir Con Artist

September 28, 2010 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

…it’s hard to believe that Dayton Music Fest 2010 is only a week away. We hope all of you are getting as excited as we are. We continue today with more Q&A sessions with the bands you’ll be able to see at DMF2010 with The Story Changes and Good Sir Con Artist…

BAND NAME: The Story Changes

HOME BASE (city): Dayton, OH

FORMED (year): 2004

STYLE OF MUSIC: Rock, Post-Punk

MEMBERS (names and instruments played): Mark McMillon – Vocals/Guitar, Christopher “Poppy” Popadak – Drums, Samples

SHARED INTERESTS OF BAND MEMBERS: Touring, Making Music, Coffee, Lost, Gadgets.

DISCOGRAPHY (release title and year):
Analogies – 2009 Future Destination Records
The Way of the Dinosaur – 2007 Future Destination Records
Dead to Me – 2006 Future Destination Records
Last Night a Rockband Saved My Life – 2005 Future Destination Records
The Story Changes / Sparechange? split – 2004 Confined Records

SONG THAT BEST REPRESENTS YOUR BAND (and why): I think our song Constellation has a good mix of a lot of the elements that make up our band. It has a fun hefty guitar riff that muscles it’s way through the song, a straight up pop style hook in the chorus, and a looped ending that basically turns into a drum solo, haha.

NUMBER OF DMF APPEARANCES (and years): I believe we have been lucky enough to play DMF the last four years, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006. It’s always a great time not only performing, but seeing a lot of friends out and about.

LATEST NEWS (what’s up?): We spent the largest part of the Summer on an seven week tour through the States. It’s been a very rewarding year and we’ve been having a lot of fun. We’ll take a short brake in November while both of us head to Europe with Hawthorne Heights. We will be finishing out the year with a run of dates through the Midwest in December, leading up to our annual HoliDayton show at the end of the year.

PLANS FOR 2011: We’re really looking forward to recording a new album early on in the new year.

WEB SITE: www.theStoryChanges.com

MP3: The Story Changes “Move Forward”
Download audio file (Move_Forward.mp3)

BAND NAME: Good Sir Con Artist
HOME BASE (city): Gem City
FORMED (year): 2007
STYLE OF MUSIC: 90’s pop rock, indie
MEMBERS (names and instruments played):
Jacob Vox/Guitar
Andy Guitar/Vox
Evan Bass
Alex Drums
SHARED INTERESTS OF BAND MEMBERS: Money, Giggles, Talking when we Drink, and
forgetting to take pictures, Comparing Jeans, Not being mature enough for
gloves, Alex not telling what he hears
DISCOGRAPHY (release title and year): Self Titled 2007, This Just Happened
2007, Buying the Time 2009, Self Titled 2010
SONG THAT BEST REPRESENTS YOUR BAND (and why): Ones we haven’t written quite yet
NUMBER OF DMF APPEARANCES (and years): zero
LATEST NEWS (what’s up?): I tell ya the places we seen, they ain’t nowhere
to where were gonna be
PLANS FOR 2011: We’ll see what happens
WEB SITE: Type “Good Sir Con Artist” in Google

Five Rivers MetroParks – GearFest 2010

September 28, 2010 By Dayton Most Metro 2 Comments

(From Five Rivers MetroParks)

No cash for a vacation? Too strapped for that new video game console? Relax! Bet you didn’t even know the Miami Valley offers lots to do that will let you escape from the rest of the world for a while – all within 20 minutes of driving or less! Five Rivers MetroParks has offered its visitors miles of recreational trails, acres of gardens and forests, and sprawling river corridors for years, but residents haven’t always taken advantage of these amazing – and free – facilities.

Outdoor recreation offers plenty of interesting, engaging and enjoyable ways to use the outdoors for pleasure. Hard-core recreation enthusiasts have plenty to choose from, and so do families looking for fun places to spend an afternoon together or seniors with limited mobility. People are getting out, getting healthy and having fun. And so can you!

New to outdoor recreation? Many activities require no equipment at all, such as walking or a game of hide-and-seek. Enjoy hundreds of miles of hiking trails that wind their way through your favorite MetroParks. Those who are ready to take their recreational experience to the next level have even more facilities to choose from, such as the MetroParks Mountain Biking Area (MoMBA), the 22-mile Twin Valley Trail backpacking experience, or the region’s extensive network of water trails.

If you’re just starting out, you can take advantage of several options to get you on the right track to a healthy, active, outdoor lifestyle. Consider joining a club or meet-up group. Members can share tips and techniques as well as pointers on acquiring gear. You could also get started with a buddy. The best part is when you want to engage in your new hobby at one of your Five Rivers MetroParks, independent use of the facilities is free, so you can enjoy your new activity as often as you like at no additional cost.

One of the best ways to learn more about an outdoor activity and potentially start off on the right path toward your active, healthy lifestyle is to check out GearFest Presented by Subaru Oct. 1-2 at Eastwood MetroPark. Watch live demonstrations or even try out an activity, such as kayaking, disc golf or fly fishing. If you love it, you can head over to the vendors who can hook you up with the gear you need to enjoy your new hobby. Local recreation clubs also will be on hand to lend insight and talent. If you try an activity that you discover isn’t exactly your “thing,” you’re not out anything; admission and parking are free at this event!
This weekend is jam-packed with outdoor adventure and live entertainment, such as the Friday night Yakima Beer Garden and live music presented by WYSO. Too much to take in just one weekend? We understand. Further development in your new favorite outdoor activity awaits through the Five Rivers MetroParks Outdoor Recreation Department. Visit metroparks.org/recreation to learn more about progressive programs that will give you the skills you need to confidently enjoy the outdoors. You can also try something new through a variety of “Try It” programs aimed at beginners.

Get the lowdown on this weekend’s action-packed demos, hard-hitting competitions, enjoyable hands-on activities, invaluable exhibitors and exciting entertainment when you visit www.metroparks.org/GearFest.

Looking for a Sunday Farmers Market? Try the Garden Station Sunday Market and Harvest Festival

September 28, 2010 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

(from Lisa Helm of Garden Station)

Sunday, October 3^rd will be a special day at Garden Station. It’s true that local art and produce are not something new to find here. The space at 4^thStreet and Wayne Avenue is already home to 13 “urban farmers” throughout the growing season and everywhere you look there are different works of art. There are colorful murals that adorn the 600′ of wall space, sculptures dotted throughout the two acre lot, and whimsical touches such as the wooden man and the toilet planter and even the garden shed itself with its colorful bottle wall. However on Sunday, October 3rd you can take some of the local art and produce home with you during the first ever Garden Station Sunday Market and Harvest Festival.

“There are already lots of farmer’s markets in the area, but nothing on Sunday, and we would mix it with local artists and crafters that you often see at Circus events.” Garden Manager Lisa Helm says, referring to the Dayton Circus Creative Collective, the group that started Garden Station and has hosted regular underground art and music events including “The Sideshow” and “50 Under 50”.

“I would love to see something like the Portland Saturday Market here,” Helm says, “ we have the art scene to supply it and groups like Miami Valley Grown and some of the urban farms that have started in the area. Our market could attract some of the smaller growers who can’t afford to participate in the larger more established markets in the area.”

So far the line up includes fiber arts, vegetable plants, free range eggs, glass art, fresh vegetables, homemade jams, locally made color cosmetics, bird houses and more. “We especially want to showcase locally grown, locally made goods, produce and foods.” Local acoustic musicians “The Corndrinkers” will also entertain during the market, which will run from noon until 3pm. “We hope to make this a regular weekly event next season.” Garden Station is on the NE corner of 4^th Street and Wayne Avenue in downtown Dayton.

For more information contact [email protected] 937-610-3845 or [email protected] 937-276- 7053

More information about Garden Station can be found at www.facebook.com/GardenStation and the Dayton Circus at www.DaytonCircus.org

DMF 2010 Q&A: Astro Fang//Kuan

September 27, 2010 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

…we’re continuing on today with our previews featuring bands you will be able to see live on Saturday, October 2 at Dayton Music Fest 2010. Today we’re featuring two of Dayton’s favorite live acts, Astro Fang and Kuan…

Astro Fang

BAND NAME: ASTRO FANG
HOME BASE (city): DAYTON OHIO
FORMED (year): 2006
STYLE OF MUSIC: PROGRESSIVE PUNK
MEMBERS (names and instruments played): BRIAN BAKER GUITAR, BRYAN
SAUNDERS GUITAR, CHRISTIAN ROERIG BASS, COLIN CROOM DRUMS
SHARED INTERESTS OF BAND MEMBERS: KING CRIMSON WEEZER BLACK SABBATH LADIES
AND FAST CARS
DISCOGRAPHY (release title and year): ASTRO FANG EP
SONG THAT BEST REPRESENTS YOUR BAND (and why): GALACTIC DRACULA LANDING – IT
IS THE TALE OF OUR ORIGINS, INTERESTS, AND ANTICS
NUMBER OF DMF APPEARANCES (and years): VIRGINS
LATEST NEWS (what’s up?): RECORDING MORE TRACKS AND MUSIC VIDZ
PLANS FOR 2011: RECORDING TOURING PLAYING BARFING
WEB SITE: WWW.MYSPACE.COM/ASTROFANG
THIS IS OUR FACEBOOK LINK I GUESS
http://www.facebook.com/pages/ASTRO-FANG/101617948240?ref=search

MP3: Astro Fang “Galactic Dracula Landing”
Download audio file (Galactic_Dracula_Landing.mp3)

Kuan

BAND NAME: Kuan
HOME BASE (city): Dayton, Fairborn, Yellow Springs
FORMED (year): 2006
STYLE OF MUSIC: The kind that makes sweet sounds
MEMBERS (names and instruments played): Brett-Drums, Bryan-Bass and keys, Chip-Guitar, Paul-Guitar and keys
SHARED INTERESTS OF BAND MEMBERS: Haven’t figured that out yet
DISCOGRAPHY (release title and year): On/Standby-2009 Colors-2010
SONG THAT BEST REPRESENTS YOUR BAND (and why): N- it’s hard to pick one, but N probably best represents our love for jazz and our roots in angular rock.
NUMBER OF DMF APPEARANCES (and years): 0
LATEST NEWS (what’s up?): Just released our new ep Colors & got back from a national tour
PLANS FOR 2011: We’re going to work hard on trying to write material for full length. While we we’re on tour we got attention from a pretty sweet label that doesn’t do eps so we’ve got our work cut out.
WEB SITE: http://www.myspace.com/kuankuankuan

MP3: Kuan “M”
Download audio file (M.mp3)

DMF 2010 Q&A: Human Reunion//Bonneville

September 27, 2010 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

…we’re continuing our Dayton Music Fest 2010 Q&A sessions today with two more excellent local talents that have both recently issued excellent new albums that were featured on this very website recently, Human Reunion and Bonneville…

Human Reunion
AND NAME: *HUMAN REUNION*
HOME BASE (city): *DAYTON, OH*
FORMED (year): *2004*
STYLE OF MUSIC: *WEIRDO POST-POP / INDIE QUIRK WRANGLERS*
MEMBERS (names and instruments played): *JEREMY FREDERICK: VOCALS,
SYNTHESIZER, GUITAR / TIM KRUG: VOCALS, SYNTHESIZER, GUITAR / ALAN BAKER:
VOCALS, BASS, SYNTHESIZER / MIKE CHASE: DRUMS, DRUMS, DRUMS*
SHARED INTERESTS OF BAND MEMBERS: *music, synths, strange noises, dumb
things that we think are funny, not getting beat up, pizza, long drives,
sleeping on your floor*
DISCOGRAPHY (release title and year):
*DEMO CDr: 2005*
*CARBONICS 7″: 2010*
*PRELUDE TO A MISS CASSETTE: 2010*
*ARC DE SQUARE CD: 2010*
SONG THAT BEST REPRESENTS YOUR BAND (and why): Let’s say *the Rub,* people
like to yell that at our shows. It’s dark, weird, annoying, dancy, and
abrasive, yet palatable. Just like us!
NUMBER OF DMF APPEARANCES (and years): *DMF07, DMF08, DMF09*
LATEST NEWS (what’s up?): *Our full-length album, Arc de Square, produced by
John Schmersal is finally available. 13 songs of “**time-warped synth
sounds, twisting grooves and joyous rock absurdism” ***
*** YouIndie.com*
PLANS FOR 2011: WRITE MORE NEW SONGS, PRESENT MORE RELEASES
WEB SITE:
www.humanreunion.com
www.facebook.com/humanreunion
www.myspace.com/humanreunion
www.last.fm/music/human+reunion
www.reverbnation.com/humanreunion
www.stereokiller.com/humanreunion

MP3: Human Reunion “Carbonics”
Download audio file (Carbonics.mp3)

Bonneville

*BAND NAME:* BONNEVILLE

HOME BASE: Columbus, Ohio

FORMED: 1999

STYLE OF MUSIC: Alternative Pop Rock

MEMBERS:
Ryan Pitts (Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards)
David Miklos (Guitar, Vocals)
Kevin Sanders (Bass, Vocals)
Nick Frye (Drums, Vocals)

SHARED INTERESTS: Other than music, Art of all forms; be it painting,
cinema, comedy, architecture, literature. etc.. This probably goes without
saying, but we’re all pretty interested in women.. Tube amps, vintage
guitars. World News.. We all enjoy NPR (National Public Radio). South Park

DISCOGRAPHY:

*Drawing Maps LP (2010)

In Stereo EP (2006)

Bonneville Self-titled EP (2005)

*SONGS THAT BEST REPRESENT US:

We just completed a new song titled “The Uniform”. We think this song best
represents us for a number of reasons. It’s a song that began with a simple
chord progression that we’d been toying around with about a year. Then at a
band practice a few months ago, we started jamming on the idea, and ended up
creating an entire arrangement. Ryan had some vocal melodies in the works
and at the next practice we spent about two hours collaboratively finishing
the lyrics and creating the vocal melodies. Ryan leads sings the song, while
Kevin, Nick, and I sing backup harmony. The song is a great example of the
direction we’ve been moving in with our songwriting. More collective
creativity and contribution from every member. We just love to share ideas
and build off of each others strengths.

NUMBER OF DMF APPEARANCES: This will be our first appearance at DMF

LATEST NEWS:
We’ve been playing shows as often as possible to promote our latest release
*Drawing Maps*. The summer went really well, and we’re going into fall with
several shows in Columbus and Dayton. We’ll be playing at Canal St. Tavern
with Vanity Theft on November 12th. We’re really looking forward to that
show. We’re already thinking about recording a new album as well. We’ve
written two new songs since the release of *Drawing Maps* and have a lot of
ideas that we’re excited to start working on. We’re considering recording
the album at Reel Love Studios in Nashville, and having Patrick Himes be our
engineer/producer. Nothing is set in stone, but we’re scheming.

PLANS FOR 2011:
Hopefully we’ll be releasing a new album. We’ve been talking about creating
a list of labels to shop a new record to. We have lots of ideas on how to
keep moving forward and take it to the next level. We’re hoping to make our
way back down to South Carolina sometime next year to play with our friends
Sequoyah Prep School. The first time we played down there we had a great
time and made a lot of new fans. We’ll have to wait and see what’s in store.

WEBSITES:
http://www.bonnevilleband.blogspot.com
http://www.myspace.com/bonneville

Search “Bonneville” on Facebook to find our page.

MP3: Bonneville “Drawing Maps”
Download audio file (Drawing_Maps.mp3)

Lupe Fiasco, Poets, Spoken Word Artists Convene in Dayton

September 27, 2010 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Atlantic Records recording artist Lupe Fiasco is the keynote speaker at the RACC music/entertainment summit on Oct. 2.

Grammy-nominated, national recording artist Lupe Fiasco is the keynote speaker at the second annual Regional Academic and Cultural Collaborative (RACC) – an urban arts and entertainment showcase and networking event -Saturday, Oct. 2 at the Dayton Convention Center.

The Chicago native, who has recorded with hip-hop heavyweights Kanye West, Pharrell Williams and Snoop Dogg, will present “Being a Hip Hop Artist in the 21st Century: What Does Hip-Hop Mean to You?”, a examination of the hip-hop movement, the state of music industry and the responsibilities of the hip-hop artist today.

The 28-year old, one of the brightest, wittiest and lyrically gifted artist in rap, tackles a broad range of topics in his rhymes. He skillfully avoids traveling down the well-worn formula of “sex, drugs and money” by remaining true to the core values of hip-hop music and crafting songs that inspire, educate and entertain. Since the release of his debut album, 2006’s Lupe Fiasco’s Food and Liquor, the outspoken activist has addressed social issues like terrorism, poverty and religious intolerance in his music.

“When the music cuts off, you have to go home and live with what you say.”

Preceding the keynote presentation Saturday is a music seminar featuring local and national music and entertainment industry executives. Aspiring artists or anyone interested in breaking into the music industry will find the Business of Entertainment/Music Seminar informative and well worth the price of admission.

“We are examining numerous areas of music so everyone will find the seminar informative and beneficial,” said Andrew Bryce Hudson, event co-organizer. “We hope everyone who loves music, Hip Hop, business entertainment and more will support this collaborative effort from greater Dayton’s colleges and universities.”

After Lupe Fiasco’s keynote presentation, RACC continues with “The Signature: A Poetic Medley Show,” a spoken word and poetry showcase with headliners Lemon Andersen, who has appeared in Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam on Broadway, and author, actress and musician Jessica Care Moore. Local poetry and spoken word artists will also be featured.

Tickets to the events are available through Ticket Center Stage by calling 937-228-3630 or visiting www.ticketcenterstage.com. Prices are:
• Business of Entertainment/Music Seminar, $15
• Lupe Fiasco’s keynote presentation, $10
• The Signature: A Poetic Medley Show, $15 in advance, $20 at the door

Regional Academic and Cultural Collaborative
Schedule of Events

Friday, Oct. 1

Hop Hop Tribute: The Cipher
8 p.m. to midnight: c{space, 20 N. Jefferson St.
$5 donation
Philly Phill Entertainment and Wright State University present DAS EFX, along with opening acts Yeti Master; world champion beat boxer Amotions; Ohio Hip Hop Award winners Status Flo, Money Baby and JR 150; and the Skratchmatik DJ Crew featuring Many Styles and Bah Daddy Shabazz. 18 and older.

Saturday, Oct. 2

The Business of Entertainment/Music Seminar
presented by the International College of Broadcasting
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. Fifth St.
$15

• 10:30-11 a.m.: registration

• 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: workshops

• 12:30-12:45 p.m.: business card exchange session

• 12:45-2 p.m.: celebrity panel discussion

• 2-3 p.m.: workshop action session

Learn more about the entertainment/music industry during this seminar, which will offer two workshop tracks: one for independent artists and the other for aspiring executives. The seminar will include small workshop sessions and a panel discussion with national and local entertainment executives and artists. Workshop presenters and panelists include:

• Byron Wright, director of writer/publisher relations for Broadcast Music Inc.
• Luther Adamson, A & R and special events for Disturbing The Peace
• Dr. Ebony Utley, hip hop expert
• Rockey Love from Urban Radio 95.7, The WMIX in Toledo, Ohio
• Keith Harrison, a Grammy Award winner, producer and singer
• Scott Sharp, WDHT-FM 102.9
• Lee L. Croxx, CEO of Tripple Croxx Entertainment
• Jay, CEO of JManagement “Pretty Boy Swag Production Rep”
• Lemon Andersen, actor and spoken word artist
• representatives from the International College of Broadcasting, studio engineering and TV broadcasting

Dear Dr. Hip Hop Keynote Presentation by Lupe Fiasco
“Being a Hip-Hop Artist in the 21st Century: What Does Hip-Hop Mean to You? In its Realist and Essence … Is Hip Hop Dead?”
5 to 7 p.m.: Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. Fifth St.
$10*

Grammy award-winning hip hop artist, community activist and actor Lupe Fiasco will give a presentation on the basic elements of hip hop, the core culture of hip hop as a movement and what it means to be a hip hop artist in the 21st century. Also a producer and the CEO of 1st and 15th Entertainment, Lupe Fiasco hit the scene in 2006 with his album Food & Liquor. He also has made music with such well-known artists as Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Pharrell Williams, Jay Z and others. Lupe Fiasco recently finished his third album, rumored to be titled Lasers and set to be released by the end of the year.

This event also will include live music and performances by the Stivers School for the Arts Dance Ensemble and the Street Style Hip Hop Dancers: 20/Twenty Cru and Mighty Zulu Kingz .

The Signature: A Poetic Medley Show featuring Lemon Andersen and Jessica Care Moore
9 to 11 p.m.: Dayton Convention Center
$15 in advance, $20 at the door

RACC /Oral Funk Poetry Productions presents The Signature: A Poetic Medley Show. This monthly showcase features a vibrant production that includes local and national poets, musicians, actors, vocalist, dancers and visual arts. This month’s theme is “flowing lava.”

Lemon Andersen is an original member of the Tony Award-winning Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam on Broadway who will be on tour in South Africa this fall performing his staged memoir, Country of Kings. Andersen also has appeared in several films, including Inside Man, Sucker Free City, The Soloist and the upcoming Son of No One, starring Al Pacino and Channing Tatum.

Jessica Care Moore is an internationally known award-winning poet and author of three books, including God is Not an American. In addition, she had a lead role in the film Love Never Gets Lost and currently is recording the rock music album Black Tea. Moore also is the CEO of Moore Black Press and executive producer for Spoken TV.

In addition, El Coats and The Funk Point will perform a melting pot of R&B and jazz with a neo-soul twist. This month’s host will be spoken word artist Cola Rum, a poetic icon in the South. This two-hour production also will include a variety of local poets and singers, and Lupe Fiasco will make a special guest appearance

Detroit Lives… Dayton Next?

September 26, 2010 By Dayton Most Metro 5 Comments

Detroit is the poster child for failed rust belt cities, having lost over a million people in the past few decades – not to mention auto manufacturing jobs and possibly the city’s soul itself . The massive scale of abandonment combined with the stunning architecture from a golden era long gone has made Detroit a ground zero for photography and documentary films in what has been called “ruin porn”, but there is much more to the story that hasn’t been told nearly as much. A fashion company called Palladium Boots decided to (in a possibly genius buzz marketing strategy) tell the other story of Detroit by producing a short film series that may leave you with a much more optimistic feeling about the future of this once great city.

Before you watch the videos (below), consider the parallels between Detroit and Dayton you may have heard others talk about. Some claim Dayton to be a smaller version of Detroit, with its own rich manufacturing legacy and subsequent decline and abandonment. Like Detroit, many have given up on Dayton altogether and have left for other cities or have retreated to the burbs where jobs, shopping and entertainment have followed to the point that many no longer have a reason to go into the city-proper. Yet while many have given up on Dayton, there are others who have figured out that they can do things in this city that are almost impossible in most other cities – like pursuing creative passions while enjoying an extremely low cost of living, being part of an inviting community of like-minded urban dwellers, or getting involved and being able to make a real impact on the reinvention of the city.

Watching “Detroit Lives”, I saw many similarities in some of the cool things happening in Detroit and Dayton. Russell Industrial is Detroit’s version of Front Street in Dayton. Northend Studios is Detroit’s version of c{space in Dayton. Greg Willerer of Brother Nature Produce is doing in Detroit what Ken Carman and Feed Dayton are doing in Dayton. Yes, the parallels are there indeed, though I did notice the differences that may give Detroit the advantage. It seems as though many of Detroit’s young creatives (most from other cities) have moved into abandoned neighborhoods where they can buy a house for less than the price of a used car; Dayton has certainly seen its share of abandonment but young creatives are nowhere to be found in Dayton’s empty neighborhoods, instead choosing to live in historic districts that are vibrantly thriving in comparison but sometimes with entrenched “you can’t do that here” attitudes. And while Dayton’s government is struggling with perhaps its worst budget crisis ever, there are still at least for now enough resources to make sure that strict downtown building codes are enforced – making efforts such as c{space still enormously difficult if not impossible without large amounts of money. I’m not suggesting that building codes shouldn’t be enforced but I sense that Detroit’s lack of enforcement resources compared to its massive size (not to mention decades of corrupt and inept government) has allowed for the DIY creative culture there to thrive in an almost wild wild west environment. It is ironic that Dayton may have failed to fail enough to become known as a creative magnet like Detroit!

Still, after watching Detroit Lives I was left with a new optimism for the future possibilities in Dayton. That optimism has been a series of ebbs and flows in my seven years of living downtown (with the past couple years being the most challenging) but I continue to be energized by the MANY people who have planted their stakes in the ground here and fight to make Dayton into what we all know it can be. And for non-believers who say it is impossible, just take a look at what people are doing to bring back Detroit – it can happen here.

(more interesting commentary about Detroit at the excellent blog The Urbanophile, including this money-quote: “Though a lot of the examples in the film are old hat, it is very exciting to see the Urban Laboratory/New American Frontier/Rust Belt Chic meme continuing to spread like crazy. I’m telling you, for many people now is the time to be alive in many of these Rust Belt cities. How often do you have the opportunity to get in on the ground floor like this, to be a pioneer, to be a founder? This is the generation and these are the people that will be written about in tomorrow’s history books. The call of being able to shape history is worth more than all the triple soy half-caf lattes you could sip by the light rail in some other city where your presence won’t make one bit of difference good or bad.“)

Dayton Most Metro

Regional Academic and Cultural Collaborative Schedule of Events

Regional Academic and Cultural Collaborative
Schedule of Events