- This event has passed.
Clifton Gorge Music & Arts Festival
August 25, 2023 @ 4:00 pm - 11:00 pm
- Face Painting
- Crafts and Coloring
- Reading Corner
- Lawn Bowling
- Hula Hoops
- Putting Green
- Jump Ropes
- Bean Bags
- Contests
- Much more!
Other Activities include:
- Vendors & Artisans!
- Beer Tent!
- Fun activities for the kids!
- Good Food!
- Clifton Gorge Guided Hikes!
- Cruise-In & Pin-Up Contest!
- Chainsaw Carving Demonstrations!
- Lots of GREAT MUSIC!
Friday, August 25th Vendors Open 4 PM Cruise-In 4-8 PM Along Clay St. by the Opera House. Cars, trucks, or bikes – anything with wheels is welcome! Bring your ride or stop by for a look.
Devil’s Backbone 4-6 PM A group of musicians from Clifton, Yellow Springs, and Cleveland who have been together for over ten years playing a wide variety of music, from Bluegrass, to Blues, to Rock, and more.
Beer Tent Opens 5 PM
Vinyl Tap 6:30-8:30 PM This electric quartet from Yellow Springs performs classics from the ‘60s to the present, featuring bass, drums, keyboard, guitar and vocals. The four guys have a wealth of experience with other musicians and bands. They will appeal to the young at heart with funky soul songs to dance to as well as soft rock and jazz.
The Temps 9-11 PM Upbeat dance tunes from the 70’s to today, and crowd energy fuels band and costume connoisseurs. Covering songs ranging from 80’s pop, disco and dance rock with a sprinkle of their own tunes, the Springfield, Ohio, based band mixes an energy-filled performance with a spectacular light show. Adorned in Chuck Taylors and nerd glasses, The Temps embrace and explore the weekend rock star lifestyle. The Temps in the simplest summary? Crazy costumes … Crazy good tunes! Sponsored by the Clifton Mill.
Saturday, August 26th
Vendors Open 10 AM
One More Time Swing Band 10-11:30 AM A small swing band consisting of 2 trumpets, 4 saxes, 2 trombones, bass, keyboard, and drums, playing those great songs from the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s, and more.
Beer Tent Opens 11 AM
12-1:30 PM Kim Campbell & The Southern Memories Band is a Classic Country Music Band. Playing songs from favorites of Merle Haggard, George Jones, Connie Smith, Tammy Wynette, Linda Ronstadt, Lorrie Morgan, Sara Evans, George Strait, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Dixie Chicks, and many more. Together the group has over 40 years experience in the music business. Dean lnboden, Greg Wisecup, Jeff Wilson, and Dave DeCarla have worked the Dayton, Cincinnati and Columbus music clubs starting in the 80’s. Kim started sing in the 70’s. She spent her teenage years working all the Moose, Elks, Eagles clubs and the started in the Dayton Night Club scene. Over the years she worked the small Opry Houses. Now she has put together the best musicians for a fantastic country sound.
Demonstration: Dayton Celtic Academy 1:30-2 PM At the intersection of Clay Street and SR 343. The Celtic Academy of Irish Dance is celebrating more than 30 years as Dayton’s premier Irish dance school. Voted Best of Dayton by both Dayton Magazine and Dayton.com, the Celtic Academy is always in high demand to perform at events throughout the Midwest. Certified instructors instill the values of excellence and determination in both the competitive and non-competitive arenas. Dancers and instructors alike live up to the school’s motto: Dance like champions, love like family!
Heat Thunder 2-3:30 PM
Heat Thunder is a jazz/blues-funk group with local members from Clifton and Yellow Springs.
Demonstration: Troupe Roja 3:30-4 PM At the intersection of Clay Street and SR 343. Troupe Roja is an awardwinning Middle Eastern dance troupe from Dayton, OH. They study and perform many styles – from folkloric to fusion. Their dances often feature props like veil, cane, sword, and finger cymbals. They dance at many events and festivals in the area, including Dayton’s A World A’fair and the Lebanese Festival.
FinTan 4-6 PM Take acoustic instrumentation and traditional Irish pub music, toss in up-to-date arrangements and high-energy performance, and you’ll get the FinTan sound that appeals to diverse music fans. FinTan, Southwest Ohio’s finest Irish pub band, mixes fiddle and whistle tunes with multi-part vocal harmonies and a large dose of fun to get you clapping, dancing and singing along to a wide variety of traditional, current and original Celtic music. With their unbeatable combination of strong vocals, tight harmonies, and amazing instrumentals, FinTan brings the energy that gets music fans excitedly clapping their hands and stomping their feet, without ever sacrificing the roots of the traditional Irish music sound.
Demonstration: The Sayaw FilipinOH 4:30-5:30 PM The Sayaw FilipinOH is a cultural dance group from the Dayton area dedicated to showcasing the Philippine culture through dance, costume, and song. Their goal is to share the Philippine culture through their dance performances, and to pass on their love for the culture to future generations. They also dance and give all glory to God, who blesses them with committed dancers that are willing to share their time and talents so they can, in turn, share their love for others through their performances with communities in and around Ohio. During the festival, the Sayaw FilipinOH will perform several dances from their Fiesta Suite, including the most popular dance in the Philippines, the Tinikling! After their performance, they will invite the festival-goers an opportunity to learn the dance.
Demonstration: Cardinal Squares 6-7 PM At the intersection of Clay Street and SR 343. Cardinal Squares dance from 7:30-10PM on the second Friday of every month and offer weekly dance class with dance leader and instructor Ray Beavers. Their guest caller for the Festival is the talented Jason Raleigh, who has been calling for many years and will have you dancin’ in the street in no time!
The Hoppers 6:30-8:30 PM. Six guys from Yellow Springs playing tunes from the Beatles, Byrds, Beach Boys, Rolling Stones, McCoys, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Johnny Rivers, Roy Orbison, Elvis, Del Shannon, & Ritchie Valens – just to name a few! Aurora Fire (Fire Dancers) 8:30-9:00 PM At the intersection of Clay Street and SR 343. Aurora Fire is a group of fire dancers that will light up the night with fire props including hoops, fans, staff, and poi, and extravagant costumes.
Ohio Brass and Electric 9:00-11 PM Ohio Brass & Electric has been lovingly recreating classic horn band dance tunes since 2012, from artists such as Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire, Etta James, Stevie Wonder, and many more, thanks to a groovy rhythm section that lays down the perfect dance-tastic foundation for their powerful horns and vocals.
