Dayton937

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

Lisa Grigsby

Make it a “Fourthsome” for Fondue Fun

By Leave a Comment


The Melting Pot is  celebrating the 4th of July with one if it’s most generous offers.  It’s the perfect double date offer- 2 couples can fondue for just $70 total.

For 1 night only, they’re offering a special that ensures everyone gets their fair share of the melted goodness. Start your meal off with a cheese fondue.  You can choose from the Spinach Artichoke, Fiesta Cheese, Cheddar, Wisconsin trio or traditional swiss cheese fondue.  Then each guest will enjoy a house salad and then each couple can share a Double Date Entree: Chicken Shrimp & Teriyaki
Sirloin, served with fresh vegetables and a variety of dipping sauces.  Advance reservations are suggested and this special deal is not valid with any other offers.  An 18% gratuity will be added to the pre-discounted total of your meal.

The Melting Pot
453 Miamisburg Centerville Rd.
Centerville, OH 45459
(937) 567-8888

Carvers $20 4th of July 3 Course Meal Deal

By Leave a Comment

Carver’s Steaks & Chops is offering a special 3 course meal to celebrate Independence Day Weekend.  Enjoy a 3 course grill menu for just $20.

~ Salad Course ~
Fresh Baked Bread and your choice of Soup of the day,Romaine Salad with Bleu Cheese, Bacon, Roasted Onions & Red Peppers in a Balsamic Vinaigrette, Carvers Spinach Salad with Apple, Glazed Almonds and Honey Dijon Dressing, Mixed Baby Greens with Pinot Noir Vinaigrette, Goat Cheese and Glazed Walnuts, or Classic Caesar.

~ Entree Course ~

Every entree comes with your choice of: baked potato, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, Au gratin potatoes, French fries, wild rice pilaf or vegetable.

Filet Mignon or Prime Rib  or N.Y. Strip Steak  or Grilled Chicken  or Grilled Salmon or Tilapia

~ Dessert Course ~

Carvers Creme Brulee  or Chocolate Mousse

Offer not valid with any other promotional offer.

Carvers Holiday Hours
Thurs  5- 10pm
Fri &  Sat 5 – 10:30 pm
Closed on the 4th of July
Mon  4 – 8pm

1535 Miamisburg Centerville Road, Washington Township
(937) 433-7099

Dear Members of the Academy- now includes our very own Julia Reichert

By Leave a Comment

They are the more than 6,000 artists and professionals who bring the magic of the movies to life. They are the men and women who transport audiences to galaxies far away and to worlds long ago and who create the previously unimagined for the big screen. They are the entertainment industry’s preeminent filmmakers. They are Academy members.  And now Julia Reichert , Yellow Springs filmmaker and professor at the Wright State University Motion Picture program is a member of the hallowed Academy.  Ms Reichert joins 134 other new members just announced this week.

Julia began making films in 1970. With her partner, James Klein, she made many innovative films, including Growing Up Female, the first documentary about women from a feminist perspective; Union Maids, one of the first oral history films; Methadone: An American Way of Dealing, which challenged government policies on heroin addiction, and Seeing Red, a documentary film about American communists which earned them their second Academy Award nomination. She is a founder of New Days Films, a cooperative of filmmakers who do their own distribution. Reichert co-wrote and directed the feature film Emma and Elvis. She co-produced the acclaimed documentary Personal Belongings, directed by Steven Bognar, and the feature film The Dream Catcher, directed by Ed Radtke. Her four-hour documentary,  A Lion in the House, about children with cancer, was televised nationally on PBS and the recipient of many awards, including a featured screening at Sundance and a nomination for the 2006 Independent Spirit Award as the year’s best documentary.

Her most recent production with Steven Bognar, The Last Truck:  Closing of a GM Plant was picked up by HBO was as Academy Award nominee in 2010 in the short documentary category.

History of the Academy:

The first Academy Awards were officially presented at a black-tie dinner at the Roosevelt on May 16, 1929.  In the late 1920s and the 1930s the Academy was active in industry politics and labor-management issues, with mixed results. In 1937, during Frank Capra’s time as president, the Academy rewrote its bylaws and moved further away from involvement in labor-management arbitrations and negotiations.

A scholarship program for film students was established in the mid 1960s; starting in 1968, grants were awarded to film-related organizations and colleges for internships, film festivals and other projects. In 1972, the Academy began the National Film Information Service to offer access to library materials for historians, students and others outside Los Angeles. A year later, the Student Academy Awards Committee was established to recognize and encourage promising college and university filmmakers.

The Awards:

The 83rd Annual Academy Awards will be presented on Sunday, February 27, 2011.  The ceremony will again take place at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will
be televised live by the ABC Television Network.

A New England Clambake in Kettering

By Leave a Comment

L’Auberge has announced they’ll be hosting their annual clambake starting, Wed, June 30th and running through Sat, July 3rd.  Guests will be served a whole main lobster, little neck clams, shrimp, mussels, redskin potatoes, sweet onions and corn on the cob.  All this for just $39.50 per person.  Reservations are suggested.

L’Auberge Restaurant
4120 Far Hills Ave, Kettering
Phone: (937) 299-5536

5:30 – 9:00 Mon – Thurs
5:30 – 10:00 Fri & Sat
Closed Sundays

Pecha Kucha Peeks at Atta Girl Art & Gardens

By 4 Comments

If you love Dayton, like new ideas and want to see what others who believe in our region are up to, you need to experience Pecha Kucha!  Correctly pronounced its four syllables  “peh-cha koo-cha”, but  it’s perfectly acceptable to say you’re headed to PK night!  The concept originated in Tokyo and is based on a presenter having up to 20 slides to talk about for 20 seconds each.  The images forward automatically and presenters talk along to the images.

Held once a quarter, this Friday, June 25th meeting will also be the public debut of South Park Residents Carli & Hamilton Dixon’s newest adventure: Atta Girl Art & Gardens at 905 E. Third Street, just west of Keowee. The site itself is worth the trip, as you’ll see what these brave entrepreneurs have taken on and are revitalizing an old abandoned 18,000 square foot building into:

* Performance space
* Shared studio space
* Coffee/bicycle shop
* Gallery
* Recording studio?
* Artists’ studios
* Urban gardens

And the line up for Pecha Kucha presentations is pretty amazing to:
There’s a Shakespearean actor, an independent truth telling communications major from Wright State, a cinematic art expert, a puppet theater artist, an architect’s perspective on art like Big Butter Jesus, a women’s rock promoter, an advisor on the culture of India, someone who helped bring back nature with art, a sailor and world traveler, an architect who is turning humble oddly shaped garden fruits into stage pieces, and our MC of the evening will share the odyssey of her art and garden studios.
Cost: $5 (includes 1 soft pretzel and 1 beer) Falafels and additional beer also available.  The actual meeting will take place in sculptor Hamilton Dixon’s new studio 811 E. Third Street (just west across the parking lot of the building pictured above). Event starts at 7pm.
No RSVP needed, just grab some friends and get there!

It’s A Clambake For Kids Sake!

By Leave a Comment

The Greene Change for Charity Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Miami Valley presents the 3rd Annual CLAMBAKE FOR KIDS SAKE. The event, will be held at McCormick and Schmick’s at the Greene on Saturday June 26th from 6:30pm – 11:00pm.   Back by popular demand, is Boys Gone Wild, an ALL-STAR band, made up of members from Stroke 9, Vertical Horizon, and the Pat McGee Band.

Roosevelt Chapman will be host this year at Clambake, along with MC,  Sharon Howard,  Roosevelt Chapman remains the only Flyer to score 2,000 career points and he did it in a demanding way. The relatively slight 6-foot-4 Chapman did his work in the paint before defenses were extended by the three-point line. He was a master of going around and sometimes over bigger players. Chap also was a tremendous rebounder, grabbing nearly 1000 in his career. He appears in the top 10 on nearly every all-time career stat list for the Flyers. And he finished his career with incredible style, leading UD to an amazing run in the NCAA Tournament. “Velvet” opened the tourney with a 29-point performance against LSU and then netted 41 points as the Flyers shocked No. 7 Oklahoma. He then netted 21 more against Washington before the Flyers were finally stopped by eventual champion Georgetown. Chap led the NCAA Tournament with 105 points in four games.
100% of the proceeds will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters.  Tickets are $150 per person,  click to purchase online.

Are You Willing to Get Dirty for Charity?

By Leave a Comment

Take a pile of dirt, mix it with liquid, and what do you get? The 20th annual “Muddy Gras” Mud Volleyball Tournament to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio. “Get down and dirty” for a great cause!  Mud Volleyball is the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio’s signature fundraising event. The tournament provides almost 50% of the agency’s budget. With only 1 FT and 3 PT staff members, they rely heavily on  dedicated volunteers to make this event a success!

Teams compete against a field of ABOUT 200 teams for a chance at one of six division  championship titles. There are many different opportunities to get involved with this year’s mud volleyball tournament.  They are currently looking for players, committee members, volunteers, referees, and corporate sponsors

There are three days where your help is needed most.

SET UP- Friday, July 9th – we’ll be on the fields all day starting at 9am until done (after dark usually)

DAY OF EVENT – Saturday, July 10th – starting at 6:30 am
All day we’ll have shifts of volunteers pitching in; all for a good cause! For a specific list of volunteer opportunities click here.

TEAR DOWN – Sunday, July 11th – 9am until mid afternoon
It’s a dirty job but somebody’s got to do it! It goes quickly with extra hands!

Call if you can help.  937-233-2500.

Sunday of Caring – Paella Party & Tapas Tasting

By Leave a Comment

El Meson believes in supporting the community.  This Sunday, Father’s Day, they will be hosting their 2nd annual Sunday of Caring Brunch from 11am – 2pm.  General Manager Bill Castro created this concept last year watching local nonprofits  struggle to raise operating funds in a touch economy.  “I wanted to do something that would be meaningful and beneficial to some of our great community assets, not just a $1 a meal, but something that could really help these groups raise significant dollars.” The brunch runs $28 and guests will be able to designate $10 to one of the chosen partners:  Dayton Art Institute, The Foodbank and AIDS Resource Center Ohio or split in between them all.

Chef Mark Abbott will be demonstrating the art of paella on the patio, cooking up batches of this classic Spanish dish featuring seafood, chicken, pork,  pimentos and saffron.  The tapas tasting table will feature homemade chicken empanadillas, Pisto Manchego-bread topped with Spanish cheese, garlic and onions, Chilled Gazpacho Soup, Spanish Garbanzo Beans with Chorizo and more!

Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling El Meson at 859-8229.  The restaurant is located at 903 East Dixie Drive in West Carrollton.

Cityfolk Needs You to Volunteer!!!

By Leave a Comment

It’s a 4th of July Holiday tradition in the Miami Valley, a 3 day world music festival and it needDeb Norris, John North and Arundi Venkayya Cox play and work at Cityfolk!s our help.  With less than 3 weeks to go there are literally hundreds of volunteer positions that haven’t been filled for this years Cityfolk Festival, July 2- 4 at RiverScape.  Having volunteered for the last few years, I can tell you it’s a great way to see the festival.  Last year I worked with some great friends serving up brewski’s just outside the main stage.  Our crew was dancing, laughing and having a great time.  The three hour shift just flew by. That’s Deb Norris, John North and Arundi Venkayya Cox pictured on the right there midway through our shift!  Looks like fun, huh?

Operations, logistics, the merchandise stand, artist hospitality and pop and  water sales also need volunteers.  So grab your friends, sign up online (you’ll get a groovy free t-shirt for your time).  The folks that work at Cityfolk bust their tails all year round to pull off this amazing array of international music, dancing, crafts and more that is perfect family entertainment. Aside from sponsorships, the beer and beverage sales from this weekend fund the year round operations for Cityfolk.

If you’ve ever been to the festival and enjoyed-I implore you to give just 3 hours of your time to make this the best fest ever!  I’ll be on Beer Crews Friday and Saturday, come join the fun!

Carvers to host Toasted Head Wine Dinner

By Leave a Comment

From a winery tucked away in the Dunnigan Hills of Yolo County, they set out to spread the word of toasted barrels and their distinctive influence on wine.  Toasted Head is named for the age-old practice of toasting barrel heads and staves that imparts a mellow, toasted flavor to barrel-aged wines.

On Tuesday, June 15th at 6:30pm Senior Red Winemaker Owen Smith of Toasted Head will lead guest of Carvers through a four course meal prepared by Chef William Pence.  Each course will be paired with one of Toasted Head’s distinctive wines.  During the dinner Smith will share tales about his challenge of expanding Toasted Head’s red wine program from estate Shiraz to
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir sourced from some of the best growing areas in California’s North Coast.

The Menu:

Reception

Toasted Head Viognier 2008, Dunnigan Hills

First Course:  Toasted Head Chardonnay 2007, Russian River Valley

Pacific Jumbo Prawn, prepared in a warm Peruvian

Style Ceviche. Served over Yuca Root

Second Course:  Toasted Head Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Alexander Valley

Filet Mignon, Spinach, Watercress, Red Grapes,

Goat Cheese Pecans, Balsamic Dressing

Third Course: Toasted Head Untamed Red“ 2007, California Blend

Chicken Quarters Marinated in Greek Olive Oil, Oregano, and Lemon

Topped with Niçoise Olive, Cucumber, Tomato, and Onion

Accompanied by Asparagus and Bell Peppar Risotto

Fourth Course: Toasted Head Pinot Noir 2006, Sonoma Coast

Assortment of Artisanal Cheeses and Fresh Fruit

To attend, contact Michael Parks to reserve at 433-7099.  Wine dinner is $45 per person plus tax and gratuity.

Dine Out for The Gulf Coast

By 1 Comment

America’s premier chefs and restaurants unite to create Dine Out for the Gulf Coast, benefiting the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund.

From June 10-12, 2010, participating restaurants throughout the United States will set aside a portion of profits to help those directly affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and to support the long-term restoration of the treasured coast.

Participating restaurants will customize their own Dine Out for the Gulf Coast benefit program. Some restaurants will contribute a percentage of total sales for the day and others will donate the sales from specific menu items, while others will offer specialty cocktails with a dollar-value from sales donated to the fund.

Many restaurants will highlight Gulf seafood offerings as a way to support the Gulf Coast fishing industry (commercial and charter fisherman), just declared a national fisheries disaster by Commerce Secretary Gary Locke.

The short-term goal of The Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund, administered by the Greater New Orleans Foundation, is to make emergency grants to nonprofit organizations helping the victims of the oil spill. The long-term goal of the fund is to address the long-term economic, environmental, cultural effects of the disaster, and strengthen coastal communities against future environmental catastrophes by investing in solutions. No administrative fees will be charged to the fund: all funds will be re-granted to the communities in need.

At this time the only local restaurant participating  is Rue Dumaine, which should be no surprise to those that know that Chef Anne Kearney spent many years cooking in New Orleans.  In 1995 she ended up purchasing the restaurant she’d worked for, Peristyle, which she ran until moving home to Ohio in 2004 to be nearer her family.  In 2007 Anne and her husband and business partner launched Rue Dumaine, named  after the street in New Olreans that housed Peristyle, their French Quarter restaurant.

Dine at Rue Dumaine June 10th, June 11th, June 12th, and help raise money for the Gulf Coast.No matter when you choose to dine,  $1 from each meal served will be contributed. Evan is mixing up a few tasty cocktails for the event, the local strawberry concoctions taste delicious laced with a touch of rum from Martinique. $3 from each specialty cocktail served will be contributed.

2nd Anniversary Celebration for Buffalo Wings & Rings

By Leave a Comment

This Centerville franchise is throwing it’s own party to celebrate their anniversary featuring lots of $2 deals.

Through this Friday, June 11th they’ll be featuring $2 well drinks, $2 domestic bottles of beer, $2 domestic pints and select appetizers also for $2.  This is in addition to their usual weekly specials, which include:  Monday- kids eat free, Tues – 49¢ wings, Wed, 49¢ boneless wings and Thurs 99¢ chicken tenders.

According to their website, Buffalo Wings and Rings was just voted #1 Chain by Restaurant Business Magazine as the fastest growing chain Nationwide.Known for their fresh, never frozen chicken, with 9 sauces and 5 heat levels, homemade Bleu Cheese dressing, healthy wraps and salads and gyros to die for.
BWR Centerville will also have some great giveaways during 2010 FIFA World Cup Matches  this week.  Check out the Team USA jerseys and other gear they’ll  be giving away!

Saturday’s Games:
FIFA WORLD CUP – USA vs. England – 1:30 p.m.
UFC 115 – Liddell vs. Franklin – 10:00 p.m.

Buffalo Wings and Rings

894C South Main Street
Centerville, Ohio(937) 438-9464 (WING)

Next to Club 51 (formerly Neo Limits Fitness)

Austrian Fest means Fun Night at Fraze!

By Leave a Comment

Litterally translated Spass Nacht means fun night and that’s exactly what the Kettering Sister City Association has planned for Wed, June 9th from 5:30-9:30pm at Fraze Pavillion.  With brats, metts, hot dogs, sauerkraut, potato salad, pretzels, baked goods, Wurst mit bier, wine, on the menu and The Schnapps Band playing polkas, waltzes, schottisches, and other traditional “oompah” tunes, how could it not be fun?

Admission is free and food is billed at being reasonably priced at this annual fundraiser to support youth exchanges with Steyr, Austria.

If Only They’d Taught Science Like This When I Was in School!

By 1 Comment

Pub Science is presented by the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery to engage lifelong learners in our community. Each month, the Museum will bring engaging speakers to an informal environment in the Dayton area. This is an opportunity to learn about science in a relaxed, fun environment. Pub Science is not a lecture, but instead a conversation with experts hoping to share their research and passion for their work.  June’s “class” will be held at Blind Bob’s in the Oregon District on Tues, June 8th starting at 7pm.

This month, they’ve enlisted the expertise of one of the area’s top experts on regional ecology!   Dr James Runkle of the Biology department at WSU will share his research about changes in the ecology of Ohio forests.  Enjoy a talk about invasive species and the growth in population of certain wild animals in our area.  Get an up close look at artifacts and examples and engage in conversation with one of the top experts in local forest ecology.

Please spread the word to nature lovers, science enthusiasts, and anyone who might enjoy a tall frosty glass of beer or a snack with a light side of science.

There is no cover charge for the evenings; however, donations will be accepted at the door. In addition, participants can order food and/or drinks from the establishment where the event is held. Don’t forget to tip your server!

Fairborn’s Best Italian Eatery

By 1 Comment

Giovanni’s Pizzeria é Ristorante Italiano has been serving up authentic Italian food and pizza at 215 W. Main Street  in Fairborn since 1984.

Giovanni’s was revitalized in 1994, when Tony Spaziani purchased the restaurant, doubled its dining space, added a party/banquet room and opened an in-house bakery. Spaziani, who grew up in a family of restaurateurs, continues to  include many of his own family specialties, including the traditional Italian bread made from his grandfather’s recipe.  Having won numerous awards for Best Pizza, and most recently adding glutten free pizza and pasta to his menu’s, Giovanni’s continues to serve up some of the best Italian food found in the Miami Valley.

Enjoy Giovanni’s June Specials:

Vadalia Onion Stuffed with Homemade Italian Sausage.$5.75

Spinach Salad with our Homemade Raspberry Dressing with Strawberries & Red Onions.
Large-$4.55 Small-$2.45

Grilled Chicken with Linguine Tossed in a Lemon Cream Sauce $12.85

Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms and Spinach over Angel Hair Pasta $12.25

Gnocchi with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce over a bed of Fresh Arugula $13.45

Giovanni’s
215 W. Main Street
Fairborn OH 45324
(937)878-1611

Dayton Wine Fest- same wines, new location!

By Leave a Comment

For years the 2nd Street Market played home to this uniquely Ohio made Wine event, but after losing National City as a sponsor, the fest skipped 2009 and for 2010 has found a new home at the Boonshoft  Museum of Discorery.  The event takes place Friday, June 4, 4-9pm and Saturday, June 5, 2-9 pm.

You’ll be able to stroll the grounds of the Museum as you sample the unique vintages of 12 Ohio wineries, and enjoy food from regional vendors.  Musical entertainment includes Khalid Moss on Friday night and Saturday will feature Dan Rivers at 1:45p, Tim Jennens & Randy Villars at 3:30pm, Anne Harpen at 5:15pm and conclude with Puzzle of Light 7:15pm.

Participants may order a taste, a glass, or even bottles of the locally grown wine selections; all bottles must leave the premises still sealed.  The Adult Sampler admission of $25 (21+) includes 10 sampling tickets and a souvenir wine glass. Youth (16+) and designated driver admission to the grounds is $10.  Admission for youth 3-15 is $3; children under 2 admitted free.

Tickets may be purchased in advance by phone (800–227–6972) or online.  Adult Sampler Tickets may be purchased at the reduced rate of $20/person in advance.

Participating Wineries include:

Brandeberry Winery-Enon
Breitenbach Wine Cellars-Dover
Debonné Vineyards-Madison
Eldchrist Winery, Plain City
Ferrante Winery & Ristorante-Geneva
Firelands Winery-Sandusky
Grand River Cellars-Madison
It’s Your Winery-Akron
Maize Valley Winery-Hartville
Meranda-Nixon Winery-Ripley
Mon Ami WInery & Restaurant-Port Clinton
Valley Vineyards-Morrow
The Winery at Versailles-Versailles
Wyandotte Winery-Columbus

Food is available from street vendors including Grumpy’s Barbeque , Brock Masterson’s  Pita Pockets and Unique Eats.  This event is produced by Ohio Wine Producers.