Dayton937

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

Lisa Grigsby

So Pizza Now Open Across From Dayton Mall

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Simla Oscan is a college student majoring in business administration and gets some real life experience in running a business with her family’s new eatery, So Pizza. Originally from Turkey, the family lived in Italy for a while where Simla remembers her grandfather running restaurants, which is what sparked her dream to own a restaurant.  The family moved to Ohio about when she was in junior high for her father’s granite business. Which worked out well for furnishing the tables for the eatery.

When we asked about the name, Simla just smiled and said it was her initials. On the day we visited she was working the counter and her mom was doing the the cooking.  Opened just last week in the strip center across from the Dayton Mall on  Rt. 725 is open seven days a week from 10am -10pm during the week, staying open til 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

And while the name tells you it’s a pizza place, the menu is so much more. Offering spaghetti, lasagna, and fettuccini alfredo, salads, burgers, subs, calzones and even fried chicken.  You can enjoy your food in the spacious dining room with table and booth seating surrounded by artwork of cartoons enjoying food, get carryout or have their food delivered.

Pictured here the chicken bacon ranch pizza and the deluxe pizza,  which like all their pizzas comes in 10, 12, 14 or 16 inch sizes.

They offer a lunch special Monday – Friday from noon until 2pm that is a 3 topping small pizza, fries and a 20 oz drink for $9.99.  The also offer a Family Meal Deal all day which is a 1 topping XL Pizza, 16 wings and a 2 liter dink for $30.99.

Here’s the entire menu:

Food Truck Spotlight: I Heart Ice Cream

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Liz & Danny Cortes opened a new mobile ice cream business last week, just in time for a summer of serving up  ice cream around the Miami Valley. You’ll see Dayton’s first-ever rolled ice cream truck, e I Heart Ice Cream, all over town this summer.
A Dayton native, Liz shares she comes from a family of entrepreneurs  and she has fond memories of her grandmother’s vintage ice truck, which inspired their business choice. This husband and wife team are veterans of the food service business and during the pandemic they decided to make plans to launch their own family business.  So they commissioned a 6 x 10 trailer to be built with a 1950’s look to serve a delicious sweet cream liquid based ice cream that  is poured onto a frozen pan and then chopped, mixed, spread and rolled right in front of you!

Danny  says when they were doing research they had a friend in Thailand that told him about rolled ice cream and they where seeing it in other big cities, so they are excited about being something new to the food truck scene in the Miami Valley.   They pour a fresh cream based sweet vanilla  onto a frozen stainless plate, mix it up with ingredients, like oreo’s and chocolate sauce, pressed flat and in a couple of minute it’s pressed out and then rolled into strips of frozen ice cream.
They feature 10 different flavors including vanilla, chocolate, peanut butter, cotton candy, cake batter, strawberry  and they even have a vegan option.  They have a menu featuring a dozen suggestions,
like the Strawberry & Banana Rolls pictured here–  Sweet Cream Vanilla Base + Banana + Strawberry Syrup. Topped with Whipped Cream, Strawberry Drizzle, Strawberry Pocky Stick, Banana & Strawberry Garnish. 
Since it’s a true family business, they’ve used their children, Ezra- 5 years old and Inez – 2 year olds  as taste testers, a job they are very willing to take on.
Here’s where you can find the I Heart Ice Cream cart this weekend:

 5/28 4-8pm Xenia Food Truck Rally
5/31- 2-6pm Idol Swim Club Opening Day
or check their website calendar for future dates.

Over $40,000 Raised With CTW’s Men At Work Campaign

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Clothes That Work today shared the results of their 2021 Men at Work campaign following a special virtual awards celebration on Thursday, May 20, and named Tyler Greenwood, from The Greentree Group, the 2021 Clothes That Work Ambassador of the Year.

This year’s event featured 25 local businessmen and community leaders who campaigned as Role Models for votes to earn the honor of Clothes That Work’s Ambassador of the Year. Each vote purchased was a $5 donation to Clothes That Work, and people were encouraged to vote for their favorites. The men engaged in three weeks of themed competitions, and results were tallied to determine the overall winner.

The 2021 Role Models earned the most votes ever received during the annual Men At Work campaign. The men collectively secured 5,887 votes, and when combined with sponsorships and special event revenue, they raised just over $40,000 to support Clothes That Work’s programs and services. Greenwood took home the title of Ambassador of the Year by securing 2,266 votes and personally raising $11,330 for the organization…a new record from a Men At Work winner.

Mark Brewer

Additional awards were given to the weekly themed competition winners including:

  • Tyler Greenwood from The Greentree Group received the “First Impressions Award”
  • Mark Brewer from Retail Resource received the “Workplace Image Award”
  • Tyler Greenwood from The Greentree Group received the “Casually Cool Award”

“The dedication, enthusiasm and hard work from all of the Role Models helps us make a difference in the lives of our clients,” said Clothes That Work Executive Director Cindy Garner. “We raised over $40,000 making it our most successful campaign ever. Every dollar of the money raised goes directly to the Clothes That Work mission to clothe, educate and empower individuals to prepare them for employment success and help build a stronger Dayton workforce. This campaign inspires our job seekers and shows them that being a Role Model is attainable for them as well.” Men at Work was created seven years ago with a simple goal in mind: to engage men in the mission and vision of Clothes that Work.  For years, the organization mostly served women, but today, men make up more than 58 percent of Clothes That Work clients.  Collectively, Men at Work has generated over $190,000 to support the organization’s programs and services.

DAI To Host A Virtual Backyard Ball In Place of Art Ball

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The Dayton Art Institute (DAI) has announced a new at-home fundraising event, Backyard Ball, taking place on June 26. Featuring a special selection of appetizers, wines and special surprises in a commemorative Party Pack, this online fundraiser takes the place of the museum’s traditional Art Ball gala. The DAI made the decision not to hold Art Ball in 2021, for the safety of guests and staff, and began planning for Backyard Ball earlier in the spring.

“We are excited to present Backyard Ball, a fresh, new take on Art Ball! We know how much the community treasures Dayton’s oldest gala, and this format allows the museum’s friends and patrons to continue their support. Our Art Ball chairs, Ariel and Brian Walker, along with the members of our Associate Board, have created a fun and festive event to welcome the first days of summer,” said Dayton Art Institute Director & CEO Michael R. Roediger.

As with the traditional Art Ball, Backyard Ball will be themed around a featured artwork from the DAI collection. Event chairs Ariel and Brian Walker have chosen Janet Fish’s Embroidery from Uzbekistan (2008) as the featured artwork for Backyard Ball.

Backyard Ball Party Packs go on sale May 26, at www.daytonartinstitute.org/artball.

 

Two levels of Party Packs are available, Patron and Grand Patron. Each includes two bottles of wine, a specially designed cocktail-hour party box for two guests and access to an exclusive online party taking place on June 26. Grand Patron packages also include an additional bottle of sparkling wine and a floral centerpiece from The Flower Shoppe.Grand Patron Party Packs are $395 each and Patron Party Packs are $295.

Each Party Pack includes: Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc and Terre d’OroRosé; an appetizer box from Kohler Catering featuring various mini appetizers, charcuterie board and desserts; and access to the online party on June 26. The upgraded Grand Patron level includes a bottle of Mumm sparkling Rosé and a floral centerpiece from The Flower Shoppe, specifically inspired by the Backyard Ball featured artwork, Janet Fish’s Embroidery from Uzbekistan.

Backyard Ball also includes a Grand Draw Raffle, featuring five prize packages of gift cards valued at $1,000 or more. Each gift card was purchased by a DAI Associate Board member or DAI staff member from local Dayton businesses that usually donate gift cards to the Art Ball raffle.

Ariel Walker

“This year, we really wanted to show our support for our beloved Dayton businesses who generously donated to Art Ball in previous years,” said Ariel Walker, Backyard Ball chair. “We know local businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic, and we just wanted to show the same generosity they’ve shown this event and the DAI.”

Raffle tickets are $50 each and can be purchased online atwww.daytonartinstitute.org/artball beginning May 26.  A Party Pack does not have to be purchased in order to purchase raffle tickets. Raffle winners will be drawn on June 26.

“We hope that our museum friends will host a Backyard Ball of their own and celebrate the DAI as we reach the end of the pandemic. This fundraiser is vital to us coming out of the COVID-19 crisis financially sound and stronger than before,” Roediger said. “The exclusive online party will include music, wine tasting presentations and a special gallery tour of previous Art Ball featured artworks from the DAI’s collection, as well as many other surprises,” Roediger said.

Party Packs are only available for a very limited time and must be purchased in advance via the DAI website. Sales end June 16, with pickup taking place at the museum on Saturday, June 26, from 3 to 5 p.m. This is a pickup-only event; Party Packs cannot be shipped. The DAI will announce additional details about Party Pack pickup in early June. The online party begins at 8 p.m. on June 26.

 

All proceeds from this new fundraiser help benefit operations at the Dayton Art Institute.

 

Party Pack and Grand Draw Raffle purchasers must be at least 21 years old and residents of the state of Ohio. Participants who place orders are asserting that they are 21 years old or more and are Ohio residents.  Participants must produce a valid photo identification, including proof of Ohio residency and age, when picking up Party Packs. No exceptions will be made.

The Dayton Art Institute collection galleries are open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. For more information about planning a visit, go towww.daytonartinstitute.org or call 937-223-4ART (4278).

 

Lily’s 8th Anniversary Luau

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Celebrate Lily’s 8 year birthday and the launch of Mad Tree brewing’s newest beer with a 5 course beer dinner!  Cincinnati-based MadTree Brewing is partnering with Lily’s as they launch a summer Pale Ale called MIDWEST LUAU and thus the theme of the celebration was set!


The 5:30pm seating is $60 and includes 5 courses, 5 beer pairings, tax, and tip. The 8:00pm seating is $75 and includes 5 courses, 5 beer pairings, tax, tip, fire performers, and live surf rock music from TEAM VOID!

There will be 2 seatings, each serving a Prix Fixe menu that allows folks to choose between an OMNIVORE ticket including seafood and steak, or a VEGETARIAN ticket. All menus are set and cannot be modified.

First Course:
Smoked Salmon and Roe Cucumber Boat: lemon zested dill cream cheese on sliced cucumber with brown sugar smoked salmon and ikura *or* vegetarian with smoked carrot ribbons and capers.
Paired with Mad Tree Legendary Lager

Second Course:
Spicy Shrimp or Spicy Grilled Vegetables Lettuce Wrap. Sauteed shrimp *or* vegetables and thai crispy noodles topped with fresh herbs and served with lettuce wraps and Shade-ginger dipping sauce.
Paired with Mad Tree Shade Blackberry Sour with a pinch of salt

Third Course:
Pork Tenderloin or Edamame Gyoza.
Pan seared dumplings filled with either pork and vegetables or edamame and vegetables. Served with a side of garlic soy sauce.
Paired with Mad Tree Happy Amber Ale

Fourth Course:
Surfin’ Steak or Grilled Buddha!
Grilled blackberry beer BBQ sauce marinated hanger steak, green bean poriyal and lobster rangoon *or* Grilled Buddha Bowl with purple sweet potatoes over chickpea and lentils with chopped kale, red cabbage, pickled
multi color carrots and radishes with citrus turmeric tahini sauce and fresh herbs.
Paired with Mad Tree Midwest Luau Tropical Pale Ale

Dessert Course:
Pineapple Cake: mini caramelized pineapple cakes served with house made coconut ice cream and toasted coconut.
Paired with Mad Tree Summer Camp Hazy IPA

 

Tickets are almost sold out so reserve your tickets online now!

New Music Club Finally Opening

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Hidden Gem Music Club, anew live music venue at the Normandy Square Shopping Center, has been in the works for a while, originally filing for their liquor permit in August of 2019.  Co-founder Tony Scmidt says the plan is for them to host local bands and musicians while  brining  in some outside acts every now and then.  The line up will include rock, blues, funk, jazz and hip hop, with the hopes to appeal to a broad audience.

Located behind The Submarine House at 507 Miamisburg- Centerville Road, this spot has a long history in Dayton nightlife, formerly housing the Normandy Banquet Center, Intrigue, The Liquid Room and so many more.

The music line up for opening week is as follows:

Thursday 5/20
Last Call duo 6-10 pm

Chris Reynolds & David Lenda, formerly of the band Last Call. They’ve been playing together for 16+ years, and cover tunes from the 60s to present day. Doors open at 5 p.m. $3 cover
Friday 5/21
Ira Stanley and Bluespower, 7-11 pm
A local, well-known blues guitarist, Ira is currently playing with Blues Power, but has also played with Dixie Peach, and is a session musician. He started playing the guitar at 13, and is influenced by such bands as the Bluesbreakers, Cream, Allman Brothers, and Jimi Hendrix, among others. $5 cover
Saturday 5/22
The Distance, 7-11 pm
A high energy rock & roll dance band.  Skillful, guitar-driven classic rock, with Greg Bell on guitar and vocals, Steve Butts on bass and vocals, and Mark McFarlan on drums. Doors open at 5 pm. $5 cover
Sunday 5/23
Janice Codispoti Jazz Trio, 3-7 pm
The first in our “Jazzy Sundays @ the Gem” series features the effervescent Janice Codispoti with her jazz Trio. $5 at the door

The Hidden Gem Music Club

507 Miamisburg Centerville Rd
Centerville, OH 45459

For booking please email: [email protected]

Take a Virtual Class on Cheese Boards

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Saint Anne’s Cheese Co. has just announced it will be offering a virtual class to teach you how to put together an elevated cheese board.  Invite some friends over to watch with you, it’s just $10/group and will take place on Tuesday, June 29th at 6:30pm and last about an hour.  Once you sign up you’ll be sent a zoom link 24 hours before the class.

June 5th they are offering an all day Farm to Table Cheese Making Experience where you’ll learn the basics of making Gouda Cheese. You’ll explore the use of fresh milk, cultures, rennet and salt to make cheese, visit aging room and see how the cheese matures.  You’ll get to enjoy plenty of samples, be served lunch and then learn to milk all the farm animals at a goat farm. Class costs $75

They also are offering a Mozzarella Class with Grist Kitchen on Sunday, June 27th  that will teach participants to stretch your own mozzarella and create your own burrata in just 30 minutes. Participants will make a pound of cheese and taste a variety of Italian food and drink.  This class runs $65.

To sign up for a cheese class visit Saint Anne’s Cheese Co website.

 

Yellow Springs Chappelle Shows Announced

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It looks like another summer of fun at the Wirrrig Pavilion is coming up.  Tickets will go on sale at noon today on ticketmaster for a series of Dave Chappelle & Friends shows.

Dave Chappelle hosts an exclusive evening of conversation and comedy in the era of social distancing. This event has extremely limited capacity to ensure the safety of all attendees. Doors open at 8:00 pm. No alcohol will be sold or permitted on the premises. As a friendly reminder, please be advised that The Wirrig Pavilion is located in a rural area where families, pets, and animals reside. We ask that all attendees please drive carefully, and adhere to all posted speed limit signs while travelling to and from The Wirrig Pavilion. MASKS MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES ONSITE AND TEMPERATURES WILL BE CHECKED UPON ENTRY.

Tickets will be available for 9pm shows on

Wed, May 26th
Thurs, May 27th
Fri, May 28th
Sat, May 29th

Ticket prices may fluctuate, based on demand, at any time.

 

 

 

Food Truck Spotlight: El Caporal

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Mark and Kelly Adams entry into the food truck world is quite interesting.  They had become friends with the owners of the previous Las Piramides restaurant on Wilmington Pike in Dayton; Pedro and Laura Mesa.  They ate there every Friday from the day they opened till the day they closed.  When they moved to Liberty Township due to a job change, they began  went hunting for a new Mexican hangout.  They wandered into El Caporal Restaurant on Tylersville Rd in Mason and saw Laura.  They had no idea they had opened another restaurant and  were ecstatic to see them again, and eat the amazing, authentic Mexican cuisine they had fallen in love with. They tossed around the idea of starting a food truck for years, but in 2020 everything got so crazy they figured they could go crazy, too.  So they bought a truck, had it wrapped by Vivid Wraps in Cincinnati, and fabricated by Street Food Ventures in Monroe and thus El Caporal Food Truck was born. The restaurant provides the food and the cooks, and Kelly and her  husband manage the operational side and work the window.  A true joint venture.

Kelly explained to us  “our food is restaurant quality that you can purchase from a truck.  The food is prepped in the restaurant kitchen by restaurant staff and cooked on the truck by restaurant cooks; all of whom are Mexican and have been cooking for years. Without a doubt their best selling item is tacos.

If you’d like to visit the restaurants, there are two El Caporal locations, one at 6011 Tylersville Rd in Mason and one at 7206 Towne Centre Dr. in  Liberty Township.” 
Kelly also shared that she and Mark are  both in their 50’s with 4 grandchildren; they call her Gigi, and her husband is Papa. We love working with friends and learning something new every day!
Where to find the El Caporal Food Truck:
Thurs, June 3rd 5-8pm
New Ales Brewing
1521 1st Ave, MiddletownSat, June 5th 11am -3pm
Miamisburg Craft Mall
18 N 2nd St, Miamisburg

Sat, June 12  noon-2pm
Middletown Jeep and Eats
500 Tytus Ave, Middletown

Sun, June 13th noon – 4pm
Idle Hour Swim Club
3590 Kemp Rd Beavercreek 45431

You can schedule and follow then via their Facebook page.

Miamisburg Restaurant Adds Patio and Tiki Bar

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Watermark Restaurant is getting a patio!  This Miamisburg restaurant that opened in 2017 is adding a massive patio, owner Eric Walusis says the patio will seat up to 120 people and they plan to host live music outside, sometime in June.

In addition, they will also be opening a Tiki Bar which will share the patio and is being opened in the building next door. This historic 200 year old building was the original school house in Miamisburg.  Walusis explains the feel of this bar, being called Backwater Voodoo will invoke a laid back atmosphere with a New Orleans theme that will be played out in the menu and cocktails.  Backwater Voodoo will open later this summer.

Watermark Restaurant
20 S 1st Street
Miamisburg, OH 45342

(937) 802-0891

Hours:
Tuesday- Thursday 5-9pm
Friday & Saturday 5-10pm
Sunday Brunch 10am-2pm

Centerville Grille Reopens at Yankee Trace

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It’s a fresh new look for The Golf Club at Yankee Trace that will greet you as you head into the Centerville golf club  the season.  The entire club got a remodel shares Jennifer Kelleher Wiley, an interior decorator with MODA4 Design.

lobby before

“My vision for the space at Yankee Trace was to create a comfortable, classic and sophisticated environment that can be used for multiple types of events from weddings to business events. We want the space to serve as an elegant backdrop so events can take on their own personality in the space,” Wiley said.

lobby after

“The lighter colors and updated lighting, as well as some new focal points like a bar and dressing up the fireplaces, has added a lot to the space and allowed it to stand out,” she said.

The remodel centered around the lobby, ballroom and restaurant areas. The restrooms, as well, were essentially gutted and redesigned. Now each restroom has a separate lounge area for guests and event hosts, which includes new wooden lockers on the men’s side.

The next phase of the remodel will focus on the patio space behind the clubhouse. Plans call to expand the patio and create tiers of seating and event space. The bar and fireplace will likely be shared indoor-outdoor spaces, and designers are working to make many of the areas functional through the colder months.

The Centerville Grille reopens on Wed, May 12th  and will be open for service Mon – Fri from 11am – 9pm. There is seating indoors in the  dining room or outside on the patio.  You order from the counter, inside, or at the window on the outside.

Director of Food Service Jason Pajari is looking forward to welcoming guests back and hopes to be able to bring back the Sunday brunch buffet and jazz on the green, which takes place on the patio in June, when they get the all clear from the health department as the effects of the pandemic lessen.

The newly refreshed menu is as follows:

SALADS

Bourbon Salmon Salad
Mixed greens, red onions, feta cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes,
grilled filet of salmon laced with bourbon glaze / 15
The Yankee
Tomato ceviche, parmesan cheese and bacon. Served with grilled flat bread / 13 small 6

Dressing choices: Ranch, Italian, Blue Cheese, French,
Honey Mustard, 1000 Island, Honey Vinaigrette

ENTREES
Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
Roasted tomato sauce, garlic, shallots, and fresh basil tossed with pasta. Crowned with grilled chicken and balsamic reduction. Served with grilled flat bread / 18
Shrimp Mac and Cheese
Smoker white cheddar sauce tossed in a fresh pasta. Sautéed shrimp topped with green onions and Italian breadcrumbs / 20
Chipotle Chicken Wrap
Mixed greens, grilled chicken chipotle aioli, tomato ceviche, mozzarella cheese. Served w/ garlic parmesan fairway fries / 13
Coffee Crusted Medallions of Beef
Grilled medallions infused with coffee and laced
with chocolate and sea salt topping. Served with vegetables and roasted baby potatoes / 20
Double Eagle Tacos
Shrimp, beef, chicken, served on a flour tortilla, chili lime slaw, smoked white cheddar sauce and topped w/ fried tortilla strips
Served with garlic parmesan fairway fries / 15
Southwestern Quesadilla
Grilled chicken white cheddar sauce, tomato ceviche, onions. Drizzled with chipotle aioli and green onions / 13
YANKEE FAVORITES
Chicken Finger Platter
Fried chicken tenders served with garlic parmesan
fairway fries, & coleslaw / 16
choice of bbq, ranch, buffalo, or honey mustard dipping sauce
Philly Cheese Steak
Sliced ribeye, onions, and cheese sauce on a t toasted hoagie bun. Served with garlic parmesan fairway fries / 13
SANDWICHES

Gourmet Burger
  9oz grilled beef patty, lettuce, tomato, your choice of cheese on a toasted bun. Served w/ garlic parmesan fairway fries / 14
Golf Coast Cod
Fried filet of Atlantic cod, American cheese, and sun-dried tomato aioli on a hoagie bun. Served with garlic parmesan fairway fries / 15
Delmonico Burger
 9oz grilled beef patty, fried Delmonico onions, BBQ sauce, American cheese, and bacon on a toasted bun
Served with garlic parmesan fairway fries / 14

PIZZAS
Par 4 Cheese Pizza
 Mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, provolone cheeses and red sauce / 16
Spinach and Shrimp Pizza
 Sundried shrimp, spinach, sundried onions,
alfredo sauce and mozzarella cheese / 16
Southwest Chicken Pizza
 Grilled chicken, garlic butter, mozzarella cheese, tomato ceviche and onions. Laced with chipotle aioli and fried tortilla strips / 16
Due to the number of special events and weddings hosted at Yankee Trace, the Grille will only offer a limited menu on Saturday and Sunday for dining on the course or the patio:

The Main Ballroom can host 250 guests for events.

Sinclair Theatre presents: Puffs

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Sinclair Theatre proudly presents the hilarious comedy PUFFS, by Matt Cox, LIVE ON STAGE, beginning May 14-23 in Blair Hall Theatre on Sinclair’s downtown campus. Limited seating will be available and all COVID 19 safety protocols will be enforced.
The New York Times proclaims PUFFS, “A fast-paced romp through the ‘Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic.’ “
Licensing agent Concord Theatricals claims: “This clever and inventive play ‘never goes more than a minute without a laugh’ (Nerdist) giving you a new look at a familiar adventure from the perspective of three potential heroes just trying to make it through a magic school that proves to be very dangerous for children. Their hilariously heartfelt and epic journey takes the classic story to new places and reimagines what a boy wizard hero can be.”
Directed by Chris Harmon, the cast includes: Kasaahn Johnson, DeAndre Swann and Lilly Robillard as the three friends; Meredith Sandstorm as narrator; with David Shockey, Kylee Pauley, Mark Kreutzer, Callista Kinney, Leia Gaddis, Christopher Koehler and Grace Baumgardner.
PUFFS also provides unique opportunities for student designers Aurora Azbill (costumes), Carter Paige (props) and Liv McNamara (asst. scenic). Design team also includes: Chris Harmon (set), Daniel Brunk (sound) with Sinclair alums Jessy Henning (lighting) and Brian Morgan (stage manager).
“This production has been a long time in coming,” says Gina Neuerer, chair of Sinclair Music, Theatre & Dance. “PUFFS was originally planned as our opener in the fall and it has taken great coordination to be able to finally produce it on stage safely. We’re extremely grateful to Sinclair administration for approving our safety plan and allowing our students to perform live.”
Tickets cost $18 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. All tickets must be purchased online in advance at www.sinclair.edu/tickets The box office will not be open for will call or sales at the door. Patrons can show their e-ticket on their phone at the theatre doors for touchless scanning or they can print their tickets at home.
“Our software algorithm provides for social distancing by automatically seating every other row and maintaining 3 empty seats between groups,” says Patti Celek, Sinclair Theatre marketing and box office manager. “We encourage people to plan who they want to be in their party and purchase all tickets at the same time.”
All patrons will be required to wear a mask while on Sinclair’s campus. Free parking is available in the new lot directly across Fourth St. from Blair Hall which is in building 2 OR in the student parking garage on 5th Street.

There Is A New Gyro In Town!

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Filling the void left when Gyro Palace closed this past January in the Airway Shopping Center, Haytham Dahadha opened Gyro Maximus earlier this week  in the very same spot at 4864 Airway Road.  Haytham says he “opened the restaurant because I love to cook and I enjoy to see people enjoy their food. I have been in the restaurant business for many years. My brother and I had worked for other restaurant’s and  decided to take a leap of faith to open up our own. I have always loved to cook Mediterranean food because it’s a part of my culture and a very healthy menu.” The business is so new, there isn’t a sign outside yet, just a shwarma neon in the window.

Inside it is crisp and clean and got a total makeover.  Enter the business, order at the counter and your meal is made quickly with your choosing the fresh toppings you’d like on your bowl or sandwich.  Haytham wants people to know “that Gyro Max is a place people can come to eat a delicious meal with their friends and family. We also have set-up TV’s to catch the news or watch your favorite sporting events. ”

Quite a heft sandwich for just $6.99.  Fountain drinks are Pepsi products and there was a cooler with a selection of bottled juices. A cooler of desserts sits tempting just to the left of the register. Tables and booths available for dine in.

The full menu:

Gyro Max

4864 Airway Road
Dayton, OH 45431
(937) 938-8355

Hours:

Mon – Sat 11am – 9pm
Sun 12-8pm

Foodtruck Spotlight: The Painted Pepper

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Louie Ortega’s first entrance into the food scene was catering with his grandmother in El Paso, Tx. He washed dishes, bussed tables, served, but hardly ever cooked, as his Grandma was the only one allowed to cook. Eventually he was able to cook and  learned so much about Mexican food and went on to be French trained in culinary school.
He knew he  wanted to start a food truck when he grew weary of the corporate hotel/restaurant world. Since he  grew up with Mexican food he wanted to share his  version of southwest/ Mexican cuisine with the Midwest. He knew he wanted to be independent with food, but not start a brick and mortar restaurant, mobile cuisine was the way to go and test my market.

Painted Pepper’s signature and best selling item for the last 7 years has been their Texas Chicken Quesadilla. It has fresh roasted chicken, Texas caviar (black beans, onion, roasted red bell peppers, cilantro and spices), and cheese, all stuffed in a 12 inch flour tortilla seared and served with house made salsa and sour cream.

He wants his customers to know that they serve homemade fresh southwest cuisine, food from some local farms that is prepped daily. He says, “when people eat our food, I want them to enjoy the delicious flavors, and know they are also supporting a local family.”

Breakfast pockets – flour tortilla stuffed with eggs, chorizo and cheese, then deep fried and served with a side of salsa verde.

While the food truck is still out and about, Louie and his wife Amanda are now also “slingin’ tacos and more with a permanent location in Downtown Springfield, Ohio inside COhatch “The Market.”   Located at 101 S. Fountain  in downtown Springfield, Painted Pepper is one of several food vendors in this dining hall. Others include Crust & Company, North High Brewing, Ironworks Waffle Cafe, Fresh Abilities and The Market Bar.
Their Co-Hatch location is open Monday 8am -1:30pm and Tues- Sat 8am- 8pm and you can even place your order online. The menu includes breakfast burritos, chicken quesadillas, tacos, corncakes, dessert chips and chips, salsa and guacamole.

The Food truck is still out and about and here’s where you can catch them:

Sat, May 8th 9am-5pm
Asphalt Row at Springfield Health and Fitness
202 N Limestone St, Springfield
Sat, May 15 & Sun, May 16 noon 7pm
Columbus Taco Fest at  Ohio History Connection near MAPFRE Stadium
800 E. 17th Ave., Columbus Ohio, 43211
For future dates, keep an eye on their facebook page.

Centerville Brewery Has New Owners!

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A dream came true yesterday for Jen and Ian Bock!   After 10 years of dreaming and fantasizing about owning a brewery yesterday they bought Sojourners in Centerville!  It was opened in Feb of 2020 by husband and wife Jeff and Laura Marjamaa, but they decided it was time to sell.  It will take some time to transition it, but eventually it will become Bock Family Brewing.

The location will be called Bock Hall, which is a family-friendly celebration hall with European Old-World inspired ales and lagers with a comforting, fun atmosphere for all ages.  They will have a German themed main hall, a Nordic lounge, and an Irish room with a kids corner.  The hall is equipped with a pool table, shuffle board, ping pong, foosball, jukebox, a 10,000 arcade game system, a Wii, coloring books, five TVs, a kids play house and more.

They plan to  hold events such as trivia, BockFest,stein holding and perfect pour competitions; polka, Irish step, and salsa lessons; costume contests around Oktoberfest, St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween, kids crafts and contests, and more.  They will also be starting a Stein Club Membership for customers.

Ian has been a homebrewer for 15 years and has 23 awards from various competitions, including a Best In Show, 4 Gold medals and 6 Silver Medals.   Jen has been brewing for 3 years thanks to Ian’s insistence, but already has two Silver Medals.   They’ve been encouraged to start a brewery for years from family and friends and are seizing this amazing opportunity we have been given.  She was a brand ambassador for the alcohol industry for 10 years as well as a bartender and front-of-house bar manager for 4 years before she became a civil lawyer.

Sojourners Brewstillery (for now)

8150 Washington Village Drive
Centerville, OH 45458

Wed – Fri: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Sat: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Sun: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM