1. Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra: Philharmonster
Date & Time: Sunday, October 23, 3 p.m.
Location: Schuster Center
Autumn wouldn’t be complete without a family trip downtown for PhilharMonster. This year’s Halloween-themed concert. Gasps, giggles, and costumes abound during this afternoon when everyone prepares for the hauntingly hilarious Halloween season. Before the concert, the Dayton Philharmonic will provide activities and treats in the Schuster Center Wintergarden. Tickets are $26 and may be purchased here.
2. The Human Race Theatre Company: Deadline
Dates & Times: October 27–November 13, performances times vary
Location: The Loft Theatre
The Human Race Theatre has a long tradition of premiering new works in Dayton, and their latest offering, Deadline, is a world premiere comedy thriller that is described as a bit of Clue, a bit of Knives Out, and a lot of fun! When playwrights Don and Mara are hired to finish a famous mystery writer’s last play following his mysterious death, they find themselves literally sucked into the play, trapped in the very world they are trying to complete, where solving the mystery becomes a matter of life and death. Tickets range from $10-$53; click here for more information about performance dates, times and tickets.
3. Dayton Art Institute: The Art of David Levinthal & Joe Fig
Dates & Times: Currently on view through January 15, 2023
Location: Dayton Art Institute
Museum Hours: Wed./Fri./Sat., 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Thurs., 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun., 12–5 p.m.
The museum recently opened two new exhibitions, both of which are on view through January 15, 2023. American Myth & Memory: David Levinthal Photographs is a traveling exhibition organized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Using toys as his subjects, Levinthal looks at and recreates quintessential American subjects. Joe Fig: Other Artists is a DAI-exclusive exhibition presenting the painstakingly detailed miniature models of American author and artist Joe Fig, as he recreates the studios of famous artists such as Jackson Pollock and Barnett Newman. Museum general admission, which includes access to all exhibitions and the collection galleries, is $15 adults, $10 seniors, active military and groups, $5 college students and youth, free for children under 7 and museum members. Visit their website for more information.
Image: Joe Fig, Jackson Pollock 1951 (interior), 2002, mixed media. Courtesy Joe Fig and Dayton Art Institute.
4. Dayton Ballet: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Dates & Times: October 28 & 29, 7:30 p.m.; October 30, 2:30 p.m.
Location: Victoria Theatre
Dayton Ballet–the second-oldest ballet company in the United States–celebrates its 85th anniversary this season. It kicks off that celebration in spooky fashion with a brand-new production of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The haunting story of the Headless Horseman comes to life with all the characters of this familiar tale; Ichabod Crane, Brom Bones, and the full ensemble of Dayton Ballet take the stage to bring to life Artistic Director Karen Russo Burke’s fresh approach on the timeless classic. Composer Austin Jaquith provides a brand-new original score, performed live by musicians from the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra! Tickets range from $5 – $86 and may be purchased here.
5. Dayton Live: Supernatural Evening With Ghost Hunter Amy Bruni
Date & Time: Thursday, October 20, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Victoria Theatre
Honestly, we could probably do a separate post of the top five can’t-miss Dayton Live events … they have so much happening in the coming weeks! But since it’s Spooky Season, we have to go with Life With The Afterlife: A Supernatural Evening With Ghost Hunter Amy Bruni. Paranormal investigator, author, podcaster and star of Kindred Spirits and Ghost Hunters, Bruni shares hair-raising tales from her countless hours hunting ghosts at America’s most haunted locations. By the end of the night, you will likely question everything you thought you knew about the spirit world, and life after death! Tickets range from $35 – $85 and can be found by clicking here.
Bonus Pick! Taking a quick look ahead to November, Dayton Live kicks off its 2022–2023 Premier Health Broadway in Dayton series with Pretty Woman, November 1–6 at the Schuster Center! Get a peek at the series here:
This is by no means a comprehensive list, so we encourage you to explore and seek out the many other arts happenings taking place through the end of 2022. Check out the Things to Do in Dayton section of the Dayton CVB website and sign up for their monthly email newsletter to learn more!
This blog post by Eric Brockman originally appeared on the Dayton CVB’s Website and we share it with permission.
For more information on things to do in Dayton, contact the Dayton Convention & Visitors Bureau at 937-226-8211 (Monday-Friday) or download the free Visit Dayton App from Google Play or the Apple Store. Be in the Know on All Things Dayton!
