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Visual Voices 2020 Dayton Skyscrapers

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Each year, Victoria Theatre Association partners with Shango: Center for the Study of African American Art and Culture, and Willis “Bing” Davis, exhibit curator and director of EbonNia Gallery, to display an exhibit of art by local African-American artists inside the Schuster Center.

This year’s exhibit, at the Schuster Center February 8-April 5, titled 2020 Dayton Skyscrapers features the work of African-American visual artists from the Miami Valley. These artists have researched prominent African-American’s (living or deceased) who have made a mark in their field and are role models for the community. This year’s exhibiting artists are: ABNER COPE, SHON CURTIS, DWAYNE DANIEL, CLIFFORD DARRETT, GREGG DEGROAT, HORACE DOZIER, LOIS FORTSON KIRK, AL HARDEN, MORRIS HOWARD, JAMES PATE, FRANCES TURNER, ANDREA WALKER-CUMMINGS, and YVETTE WALKER DALTON.

The 2020 exhibit reflects the broad and diverse career fields of African-Americans in the Dayton and Miami Valley region. They are: DAVE CHAPPELLE, NORRIS COLE, MATILDA DUNBAR, NOZIPO GLENN, JULIA B. RAGLAND GREEN, DORIAN HAREWOOD, JOHN LEGEND, EDYTHE LEWIS, JOHNNY DILLARD LYTLE, JEFFREY MIMS, SYLVIA JEANNE PATE, TY A. STONE, MARY LOU TUCKER, DR. JOHN THOMAS WEBB, and MICHAEL L. WRIGHT.

The exhibit will be at the Schuster Center until April 5, 2020; at DP&L Headquarters April 6-May 4, 2020; and at EbonNia Gallery May 5-June 26, 2020.

At the Schuster Center February 8-April 5, 2020
MONDAY-FRIDAY 9 am-6 pm
SATURDAY 12 pm-4 pm

The VISUAL VOICES exhibit is closed during private events. Please call 937-228-7591 to confirm hours.

If your group would like a tour of the exhibit while it’s at the Schuster Center, please email [email protected] or call 937-228-7591, ext. 3034.

Steve Miller Band and Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives Announce Rose Date

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Steve Miller Band and Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives have announced plans for the AMERICANA TOUR – a 40-city summer tour that will start in Austin, TX on June 13th, immediately after Miller is inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame on June 11th. The tour will include a stop in Huber Heights, OH at Rose Music Center on Tuesday, June 30th. Gary Mule Deer will join Miller and Stuart as support.

Tickets for the Huber Heights show will go on sale to the public beginning at 11:00am on Friday, February 28th at www.Ticketmaster.com and www.Rosemusiccenter.com. Ticket prices include parking and are subject to applicable Ticketmaster fees.  Dates, times and artists subject to change without notice. All events rain or shine.

“Touring with Marty and the Superlatives is inspirational,” said Miller. “This is undoubtedly one of the most talented touring combinations I’ve ever been involved in. We look forward to continuing working together to explore the roots of American Music. Adding the musical comedy of Gary Mule Deer to the show will be an unexpected treat for our fans. I’m delighted to be able to tour with these great artists and to bring the Steve Miller Band audience the best of the best.”

“Touring with the Steve Miller Band,” said Stuart, “has proved to be magical. It is indeed an honor to go across the nation with Steve and the Steve Miller Band.”

“Being a part of a tour with both Steve and Marty is as great as it gets!” said Gary Mule Deer.

The last 12 months was one for the record books for Miller and Stuart. Miller released his second volume box set of collected vinyl, as well as the acclaimed Welcome to the Vault box set. He performed live in over 50 cities, played “Fly Like an Eagle” with The Roots on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, did two nights at Jazz at Lincoln Center performing Cannonball Adderley and the Blues and had seven instruments on display at the record breaking Play It Loud exhibit at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Marty Stuart was a major contributor to Ken Burns’ latest brilliant PBS series, Ken Burns: Country Music, released a Deluxe Edition of his classic album The Pilgrim and continued his work with Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music in Philadelphia, Mississippi which celebrates the rich cultural heritage of country music through live musical performance and educational programming.

Valentine’s Day Chocolate + Beer 5k/10k

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Join us at the Chocolate and Beer 5K/10K and celebrate with your friends and loved ones! Choose your distance and and shirt (vintage style short sleeve tee or super soft French terry hoodie). After the race, join stay for the post race celebration which includes a post race beverage and appetizers.

Registration (no additional fees!)

Local Brewery Named Best New Brewer in Ohio.

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Every year RateBeer recognizes the best new brewers, best places for beer by region and country, best reviewers, best beers in the world, best beers by style and best 100 brewers in the world.  This year Dayton’s own Branch & Bone was recognized by RateBeer for Best New Brewer in Ohio.

Branch & Bone was recognized as part of the RateBeer best awards 2019  for Best New Brewer in Ohio. RateBeer tabulated over 4.2 million reviews submitted by its global community, examining more than 640,000 beers by over 33,000 brewers and over 74,000 places around the world — bars, taprooms, brewpubs and more, from Brazil to the U.S. to China.

 

“It was a pleasant surprise and we are flattered to have been recognized in a field of our peers. It’s a major award” said Brett Smith, Brewer/Founder at Branch & Bone.

 

Helping bring new life into a historic neighborhood, Branch & Bone is a small 7-barrel brewery and taproom located in Dayton,Ohio that specializes in wild and mixed fermentation beers.

 

“2019 was our most competitive year to date, seeing continued growth in the number of brewers, beers and ratings added to the site. We couldn’t be prouder to recognize these breweries for this hard-earned honor,” said Joe Tucker, founder of RateBeer.

 

For more RateBeer Best competition information, including the 2019 lists of winners, visit www.RateBeer.com/RateBeerBest.

Branch & Bone Artisan Ales

(937) 723-7608

905 Wayne Ave
Dayton, Ohio 45410

Founded in 2018, Branch & Bone Artisan Ales is an independently owned brewery located in the Historic South Park neighborhood of Dayton, OH. Constantly striving for perfection through experimentation, Branch & Bone Artisan Ales combines the ingredients of earth and the work of humankind to craft subtle, yet flavorful ales.  Inspired by European traditions and modern American eccentrics, we brew a range of ales that will encourage exploration.

The Countdown is On For the Return of Shamrock Shakes!

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McDonald’s has announced that Shamrock Shakes will be back in stores on February 19th.

The shake, which was invented by McDonald’s franchise owner Hal Rosen in 1967, was first launched at select restaurants in 1970, so this marks the minty drink’s 50th anniversary. Interesting fact, initially, the shake was lemon/lime flavored with vanilla ice cream, lemon/lime sherbet, and vanilla syrup. By 1973, the shake was merely a green colored vanilla shake, eliminating the lemon/lime sherbet. It is now mint flavored. In 1974, sales from the popular seasonal drink helped build the very first Ronald McDonald House, which helps families with children who need medical care.  .25 cent from every sale supports Ronald McDonald House Charities of Dayton

McDonald’s has also revealed a new menu item, the Oreo Shamrock McFlurry, will debut on the same day as Shamrock Shake’s return to McDonald’s menus. This new dessert consists of vanilla soft serve blended with Shamrock flavor and Oreo cookie pieces. How good does that sound?

“We’re excited to serve up a new way to experience the one-of-a-kind Shamrock flavor in our new Oreo Shamrock McFlurry,” Linda VanGosen, McDonald’s vice president of menu innovation, said in a press release. “Our chefs worked to get the perfect balance of Oreo cookies and mint for this new delicious dessert. We can’t wait for customers to get a taste this spring.”

Like every year, these items are only available for a limited time.

 

 

 

John Legend Bigger Love Tour Coming to The Rose

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EGOT winner John Legend today announced his Bigger Love Tour will kick-off on August 12 in Dallas and visit more than 25 cities across North America this summer, including a stop in Legend’s home state of Ohio to perform at Rose Music Center on Saturday, September 5th. The War and Treaty will join Legend as support.

Tickets for the Huber Heights show will go on sale to the public beginning at 10:00am on Friday, February 14th at www.Ticketmaster.com andwww.Rosemusiccenter.com. Ticket prices include parking and are subject to applicable Ticketmaster fees.  Dates, times and artists subject to change without notice. All events rain or shine.

Legend jumpstarted 2020 with the release of his newest song “Conversations In The Dark,” which hit #1 on the overall iTunes songs chart upon its release. The song was featured on NBC’s Award-winning hit television show This Is Us featuring a performance by John on the show.

MTV says, “John Legend has written the world’s sweetest vows on ‘Conversations In The Dark’,” and calls it a “tear-jerker,” while Billboard declares that “Conversations,” is “his romantic new song….[that] details the moments while falling in love.” You can listen to “Conversations in The Dark” HERE.

“Conversations in the Dark” captures the warmth and sweetness of falling in love in the only way that Legend can. The song is a sweet, stripped-down love letter that echoes the quiet conversations that happen between two people when no one else is around.

Legend, the “King of Valentine’s Day,” recently lovingly parodied the “Queen of Christmas” Mariah Carey’s buzzworthy social media video on Twitter. PopSugar says Legend, “posted a hilarious video of him getting in the Valentine’s Day spirit. Taking a note from Mariah Carey, he started the video dressed in festive holiday-season-esque clothes….and eventually woke up to a room decorated with rose petals and hearts as he shamelessly blasted his song ‘Conversations in the Dark.’”

Legend recently won his 11th GRAMMY Award for “Higher” with DJ Khaled and Nipsey Hussle. Legend, Khaled and friends performed the song at the 62ndAnnual GRAMMY Awards in honor of Nipsey, which many lauded one of the most moving highlights including the New York Times calling it one of the “Best” moments of the night. PEOPLE magazine’s reigning “Sexiest Man Alive” is also currently a coach on his third season of NBC’s “The Voice” He won his first season as a coach with his mentee Maelyn Jarmon.

 

Dayton Book Fair Chooses Beneficiaries for 2020

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The Dayton Book Fair announced that they have chosen this year’s three beneficiaries to receive proceeds from their 50th anniversary Book Sale in November 2020. Each beneficiary will receive a grant of around ten thousand dollars.

This year the three beneficiaries are:

The Dayton International Peace Museum is the only brick and mortar Peace Museum in North or South America and the houses the only interactive exhibit on the Dayton Peace Accords in the world. They are the official repository for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize and run a very successful Peace Camp for children ages 5-12. They maintain changing exhibits on the many challenges to peace and peacemaking including the effects of violence and war, gun culture, poverty, bullying, the environment, and international cooperation.

The Xenia Area Community Theater is an all-volunteer theater and gallery space established in 2005 to serve area interests in performing and fine arts and stimulate community involvement in those areas. They produce eight fully staged plays during their regular season (to date more than 100 productions) along with several summer shows and youth camps. Their plans for the grant from the Book Fair Foundation include a week-long Special Needs Children’s Initiative workshop and performance for children on the Autism Spectrum, and to improve theatre accessibility to a variety of groups whose ability to attend live theater is hampered by ticket cost.

WYSO, the public radio station long-associated with Antioch College has recently separated their university relationship to become an independent entity. While much of their budget pays for nationally syndicated public radio programming, the grant from the Dayton Book Fair will enable them to fund grassroots programming in the Center for Community Voices, for the documentary and story-telling segments produced by Dayton Youth Radio, Women’s Voices (produced by female inmates at a Dayton correctional facility) and County Lines, focusing on the rural populations in our community.

“It is challenging to choose just three,” said Dayton Book Fair Executive Director Larkin Vonalt. “It is a multi-day project for the Foundation’s board to winnow down from dozens of excellent organizations all doing important work to just three.”

Asked about criteria that the board might consider in choosing the finalists, Ms. Vonalt noted that they examine the size of the organization, the need for funding, and how the board feels that the year-long partnership will work.

“There are so many intangibles,” she added, “and at the very end when we’ve narrowed it to just a few, it often comes down to what kind of fit it will be for all of us.”

The Dayton Book Fair board handles grant-making a little differently than other foundations, requiring a year-long informal partnership with the beneficiaries. Organizations chosen are asked to promote the sale through a variety of means, they are encouraged to hold a book drive and required to volunteer at least 40 hours over the year.

Since 2015 the Foundation has made grants to 16 different organizations in the Dayton Community, giving away more than $130,000 over the last five years. The Dayton Book Fair is Ohio’s largest used book sale and each year rehomes about 40 tons of books, records, puzzles, and games.

“While the grant-making is an essential part of our existence, and we are delighted to be able to support so many exceptional Dayton-area non-profits, we have discovered that we have another remarkably important mission in providing a meaningful and purposeful venue where people can donate their beloved books,” Ms. Vonalt commented, noting that they collect books all year round at their office at 2181 Embury Park Rd as well as offering a free pick up service for those who need it and collaborating twice a year with all the Dayton area Grismer Tire Stores for book “round-ups” the last week of May and August.

Those donated books are then sorted, priced and packed for the sale held each year the second weekend in November at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, and the proceeds from that sale used in making grants to community non-profit organizations working in the areas of arts, education, social welfare, literacy and community development.

 

2019 Dayton Mayor’s Award Winners Announced

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Mayor Nan Whaley announces six winners of the 2019 Dayton Mayor’s Award, celebrating people and organizations that make Dayton thrive. Award winners were nominated by the community, selected by a committee, and may designate a non-profit organization to receive a $1,000 donation.

The award categories and honorees are:
Community Service (two winners): Families of Addicts and Melissa Rodriguez

Melissa Rodriguez

This award celebrates individuals or organizations supporting and promoting service to the community. Families of Addicts is a nationally recognized support organization that emerged from the opioid addiction crisis, providing information, referrals, resources, meetings, a community rally and more. Melissa Rodriquez is an activist and volunteer who, in addition to supporting a number of causes and communities, responded with determination and compassion to the tornado, hate group rally and mass shooting event.
Giving Back to Neighborhoods (two winners): Gwen Buchanan and Twin Towers Neighborhood Association
This award recognizes an individual or community group supporting and inspiring their neighborhood. As president of the Carillon Civic Council, Gwen Buchanan facilitated a productive dialogue among residents and OneFifteen, an addiction treatment campus now under construction, and is leading the creation of a long-term redevelopment plan for the Carillon-Edgemont area. The Twin Towers Neighborhood Association, with the leadership of Leslie Sheward, has successfully tackled long-standing problems through plenty of hands-on work and collaboration with the City of Dayton and community groups.

Lisa Babb

Education Champion: Lisa Babb

This award recognizes an organization or person working to provide a brighter future for Dayton’s children. As Miami Valley strategic director of 4C for Children, Lisa Babb leads a staff that works to help parents choose high-quality early childhood education and to help providers deliver high-quality learning programs.
Daytonian of the Year: You, Me, Us (Citizens of Dayton)
This award honors an individual making the greatest contribution to Dayton in the previous year. For 2019, a year of great challenge, Dayton’s citizens are recognized for their resilience, generosity and demonstrated commitment to helping others.
 The awards were presented at the Feb. 5 City Commission meeting.

Send Your Sweetheart A Singing Valentine

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The Gem City Chorus, Sweet Adelines International continue their tradition of delivering serenades for sweethearts.  For just $40 you can engage a quartet to show up at a location of your request (think workplace, restaurant, hospital or retirement center) and present a flower, card and a special song.  You can also arrange a Ringing Valentine, where a small chorus can deliver a song over the phone to anyone across the country for just $20.

Order before February 8th and you’ll save $5.  Secure your singing Valentine by calling 937-433-1014.

New Café Opens Inside the Northwest Branch Library

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“Patricia’s Delicious Café” is open for business inside the Northwest Branch of the Dayton Metro Library. Serving coffee, snacks, sandwiches and breakfast items, the café hours are Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Saturday hours will be added soon. The Northwest Branch Library is located at 2410 Philadelphia Drive, 45406.

 

Patricia Rucker is the owner/operator of Patricia’s Delicious Café. She says her passion for the culinary industry is in her DNA.

 

“My dad, Luther Rucker, was a chef at the Dayton Engineers Club and my mom, Minnie Rucker, started out as a pastry chef,” Rucker says. “They met at a restaurant called Goody Goody’s, which was on Salem Avenue, not that far from the Northwest Branch Library.”

 

Rucker has been a caterer for more than 10 years. She studied Culinary Arts at Sinclair, and in recent years she has participated and won the Ambucs Chili Cook Off and the Chili Cook Off at Central State West in 2019. So far, the most popular items at her Library café have been the breakfast and lunch sandwiches, and smoothies.

 

“I enjoy meeting new people daily, and I am delighted to have so many repeat customers,” says Rucker. “It is always a pleasure to meet and greet children who are excited to see me here. It is an honor and a blessing to have been chosen to have Tricia’s Delicious Café here at the Northwest Library.”

 

USPA: Love to Lift

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Held at The Dirty Gym Barbell Club, this will be a very accessible venue for first-time competitors. No big stage. No massive crowds (well maybe). Just lifters supporting new lifters!

Neighborhood Leadership Institute Now Accepting Applications

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NLICover2014The Neighborhood Leadership Institute (NLI) is an annual 14-week program that trains Dayton residents for current or future leadership opportunities in city communities. Workshops are held at various locations and presentations cover topics such as Dayton’s history; the role of City government, the criminal justice system and cultural diversity; skill-building components such as public speaking and small-group dynamics; and a bus tour of Dayton neighborhoods. Class members also complete field assignments to expand their knowledge of Dayton, City government and the community at large.

NLI offers the opportunity to meet and talk with government officials and other decision-makers. It encourages participants to develop a citywide perspective and establish a network of activists across the City.

Any adult residing or working in the city of Dayton may apply; however, each class is limited to
30 people.   There is no charge for participation. The program consists of 13 evening and/or Saturday sessions over a three-month period. Classroom and/or workshop sessions are held at various locations related to the session topic. Presenters include current neighborhood, business, and government leaders. Each participant must attend all sessions in order to be certified as having completed the program. In addition, outside field assignments are required.
This year’s deadline to apply is February 7. Download the application.  Direct questions to the Department of Planning and Community Development by calling 937-333-3670 or email to [email protected].

Carl Allen’s Art Blakely Centennial Band

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In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Art Blakey — known worldwide for his leadership of The Jazz Messengers– Carl Allen is touring a tribute band. Blakey has long been an inspiration for Allen, who has his own impressive history as a jazz drummer, with over 200 recordings and a stint as director of jazz studies at the Juilliard. He’ll be in town to conduct clinics as well as perform in concert.

The Root Beer Stande Season Starts Today!

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One of the first signs of spring in the Miami Valley is the opening of  The Root Beer Stand located  at 1727 Woodman Drive. She’s all spruced up  with a new paint job for the new season! This Dayton gem has been serving up root beer and foot-long hot dogs in 1961.  Originally an A&W Root Beer Stand, it changed to The Root Beer Stande decades ago, delivering great, casual food ever since.  Gone are the rollerskating waitresses, but much has remained the same over the decades.

This place is  a “Drive-in” where patrons drive up, park and are served in their vehicle by “car-hops” who work on tips, just like waitresses.  There is  car port parking where oldies tunes are heard overhead on a speaker system.   Parking is also available in various uncovered spots around the building.  It is a great dining experience, and the young staff is very friendly.  When they are busy, you may have to wait a little bit to get your food, so don’t go there if you are in a hurry.   The fun begins when you pull in, and one of the cute servers slaps a small plastic sheet on patron’s windshields with a serving number.  After your order is taken, make sure you roll your window up a third, so they can place the tray with your food on the window as an overhang.  One little known tradition is that putting your car headlights on lets the server know that you are ready to leave and need to have your tray removed.

The Big Ragu have been frequenting this establishment since 1973 and has some recommendations.  First and foremost, nothing beats one of their cold root beers on a hot summer’s day.  In our opinion, this is the star of the menu and of course their namesake.  Homemade root beer with an original taste is why we love it.  Our tip here is to make sure and order the root beer in a glass mug, because it just doesn’t taste as good in paper “to go” cups.  The root beer here is so good, that your Food Adventurers have been known to order a second mug during the meal.

The Big Ragu loves a good hot dog and The Root Beer Stande serves up some decent “short dog” and “footlong” options.  We usually get the footlong hot dog.  It is simple and the taste is a great memory from our childhood.   Various topping choices include mustard, relish, chili, ketchup, onions and more.  Grab one and enjoy the view.

The Big Ragu loves their hamburger options and usually grabs a “Ladyburger.”  Yes, we realize the name of this smaller hamburger may be a bit embarrassing, but The Big Ragu is in touch with his feminine side from time to time.   The Big Ragu also recommends that you try the deep fried mushrooms.  Beware, these breaded mushrooms are made to order and served hot, so do not scald yourself by biting into one of these crispy, yet juicy treats.

Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame Nomination Due Feb 5th

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The deadline to nominate a Daytonian for the Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame is 5pm on February 5, 2020. The online nomination form and narrative, along with any accompanying materials must be emailed to [email protected]  
NOTE: Nominations will be considered active for three years from the date of submission after which a new form must be submitted, officials from Wright Dunbar, Inc. advised.
The Walk of Fame began in 1996 as part of the Dayton Bicentennial celebration. The Walk honors individuals or groups from the Dayton region who have spent a significant amount of time in the region and have made an enduring impact on the local community, the region, the nation and/or world. Memorial stones for each honoree are placed in the sidewalks of Dayton’s historic Wright-Dunbar District along West Third Street between Shannon and Broadway Streets.
“We look forward to the community nominating those who have done great work in support of the region, the nation, and the world,” said Harry Seifert, Wright Dunbar Inc. president and chair. “We know there are many in business, community service and other actives who deserve to be recognized. The region’s Walk of Fame provides recognition to those who are worthy and helps motivate a new generation to do great things.”

The Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Betsy Whitney, John Gower and Jessie Gooding were the class of 2019 Inductees.

Nominations may be made in the categories of arts and culture, aviation, business and corporate, education, entertainment and media, environment, government and military, invention and innovation, law, medicine, philanthropy, science, significant personal achievement, and sports.
Nomination forms are available for download at: https://www.daytonwalkoffame.citymax.com/walk-of-fame-application.html . The website includes a list of past inductees.
The 2020 inductees will be honored at a luncheon at Sinclair Community College on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020.

Dayton’s Best Rock Bands Unplug for Rare Acoustic Show

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On Saturday February 1st, three of Dayton’s coolest original rock bands join together for a rare “unplugged” show at The Brightside. This intimate, all acoustic showcase featuring The New Old Fashioned, Salvadore Ross and RIND, is one of the “don’t miss” shows of the weekend.

When they describe this as a rare show, they mean it. Salvadore Ross has never performed acoustic before. And rumor has it, the headliners, RIND, are busting out percussion instruments they normally wouldn’t be able to use when performing electric. Their friends, The New Old Fashioned, rounds out and kicks off this truly unique evening in The Brightside’s cozy listening room!

This show kicks off a series of date night friendly concerts in February at this new downtown venue. Libby Ballengee, the music programmer at The Brightside explained: “We’ve hosted a lot of really great rock shows recently, but they’ve definitely been on the harder side. February is a romantic month, so we’re exploring a softer side this month. We are thrilled to start the month with this special ”

HOW TO GO?

WHEN: February 1, 2020. Doors 7pm. Show 8 – 11:30pm.

WHERE:  The Brightside –  905 E 3rd St, Dayton, OH

WHO: All ages welcome!

COST:  $10 presale, 15 day of show.

TICKET LINK: https://www.soundvalleydayton.com/events/unplugged-at-the-brightside-rind-salvadore-ross-the-new-old-fashioned