The Brightside Music & Event Venue has announced their 2021-2022 concert season (listing below), which will run from November 2021 through early April 2022. The season offers a mix of concerts ranging in genre from jazz to metal, dinner theater, shopping events, burlesque, drag and wellness events.
The Brightside is a newer venue downtown, opening in the spring of 2019, just a year before the covid shutdown. After years of sitting in disrepair, the multi-purpose event space was rehabbed by local artists Carli and Hamilton Dixon
The venue hosted a mix of entertainment and private events their first year. During the covid shutdown, they didn’t stop working. While the building was empty, they took the opportunity to continue improving the space, by adding a second-floor loft and giving the exterior a facelift.
Financially, covid was very tough on independent venues across the nation. Pivoting to weddings helped the team make it through the shutdown. Through it all, the team has remained passionate about getting back to live music and public events.
“We were so grateful we got to host some really memorable concerts this summer,” Libby Ballengee, the venue’s event creator shared with us. “However, we’ve collectively decided that our time to shine is autumn through spring when the big outdoor venues like Levitt, Fraze, and Rose are closed for the season. We’re excited to host to bring Dayton audiences amazing up-and-coming national and local acts.”
The Nth Power performs at The Brightside on Nov 9, 2021.
The Brightside kicks off the season on Tuesday, November 9th with a very funky dance party featuring The Nth Power, a sensational trio born out of New Orlean’s Jazz Fest. They’ll be paired with Ernie Johnson From Detroit, a 10 piece afro-funk-rock band that is known for their electric on-stage energy.
Their season also features annual events with Ekoostik Hookah, Scythian, The Werks, and Miss May I, two all-day music festivals, and the Dayton Battle of the Bands. This season includes Sunday evening Dayton Dinner Theater engagements, with live jazz, dinner, and a cult favorite film.
“The winter gets so dark and depressing, I like to host events that lift people’s spirits, including my own!” John Boucuvalas, Dayton Dinner Theater’s owner told us.
Ballengee told us that more dates are to be confirmed soon yet. “We’re not done booking yet, so look for more dates to be announced! We may have a big show over the summer, here or there, but by and large, we’re going to enjoy our summers along with everyone else!”
Ekoostik Hookah performs at The Brightside on Nov 19, 2021.
They’re also focused on providing a safe, indoor experience. The venue has installed UV-C air sanitation filters in their HVAC units. There are also asking guests to wear masks unless a patron shows proof of vaccination, negative covid test, or antibody test result.
Tickets and information for The Brightside events can be found at https://www.thebrightsidedayton.com/event-calendar. See list to date of events planned below. Note: Not all events tickets are available for purchase yet.
The Brightside is located at 905 E 3rd St in downtown Dayton and has free, on-site parking.
2021-2022 The Brightside Season
Ernie Johnson From Detroit performs at The Brightside on Nov 9, 2021
Tuesday, Nov 9, 2021 – Power Funk from The Nth Power & Ernie Johnson From Detroit
Sunday, Nov 14, 2021 – “A Night in Paris” featuring Howard Hewett & fashion from Curvy Kouture
Thursday, Nov 18, 2021 – Jazz Fusion with Jonathan Scales Fourchestra
Friday, Nov 19, 2021 – Ekoostik Hookah with special guests Subterranean
Sunday, Nov 21, 2021 – Dayton Dinner Theater premiere featuring Star Wars & live jazz
Friday, Nov 26, 2021 – Celtic Rock with Scythian and Arbo
Saturday, Nov 27, 2021 – The 10th Annual Werksgiving Celebration featuring The Werks and Dustin Smith & The Daydreamers
Friday, Dec 3, 2021 – Soul-Reggae-Funk Dance Party with Jah Sol and Solistic
Scythian performs at The Brightside on Nov 26, 2021
Sunday, Dec 5, 2021 – Daytime: Katrina Reelfish Presents a Holiday Drag Brunch
Evening: Dayton Dinner Theater featuring Christmas Vacation & live jazz
Friday, Dec 10, 2021 – HoliDayton
Sunday, Dec 12, 2021 – Dayton Dinner Theater featuring Elf
Friday, Dec 17, 2021 – Miss May I with special guests TBA
Thursday, Jan 13, 2021 – Dayton Battle of the Bands – Round 1 featuring Funk, Rock’n’roll, & Jam
Sunday, Jan 16, 2021 – Dayton Dinner Theater premiere featuring Wizard of Oz & live jazz
Thursday, Jan 20, 2022 – Dayton Battle of the Bands – Round 2 featuring Hip-Hop, R&B, & Soul
Jah Sol performs at The Brightside on Dec 3, 2021
Thursday, Jan 27, 2022 – Dayton Battle of the Bands – Round 3 featuring Alternative, Punk, & Metal
Sunday, Jan 30, 2022 – Dayton Dinner Theater premiere featuring The Princess Bride & live jazz
Thursday, Feb 3, 2022 – Dayton Battle of the Bands – Round 4 featuring Folk, Americana, & Singer-Songwriter
Friday, Feb 4, 2022 – Punk Rock Prom with Nightbeast, Safe Money, & Knavery
Sunday, Feb 6, 2022 – Dayton Dinner Theater featuring Caddyshack & live jazz
Thursday, Feb 10, 2022 – Dayton Battle of the Bands – Round 5 featuring Dance, Electronic, & Experimental
Monday, Feb 14, 2022 – Valentine Day Dinner & Jazz with the Blue Heron Trio
Thursday, Feb 17, 2022 – Dayton Battle of the Bands Finale
Friday, Feb 18, 2022 – Femme Fatale Dayton Burlesque Revue
Friday, Feb 25, 2022 – ENMY with special guests TBA
Blue Heron Trio performs at The Brightside on Valentine’s Day, 2022
Saturday, Feb 26, 2022 – Sound Valley Winter Music Festival – featuring the winner of the Dayton Battle of the Bands
Sunday, Feb 27, 2022 – Dayton Dinner Theater featuring Airplane & live jazz
Saturday March 5, 2022 – Mardi Gras Extravaganza featuring Solistic & special guests
Sunday, March 13, 2022 – Daytime: Venus Rising Wellness Workshop
Evening: Dayton Dinner Theater featuring The Holy Grail
Sunday, March 27, 2022 – Dayton Dinner Theater featuring Napoleon Dynamite
Sunday, April 10, 2022 – Dayton Dinner Theater featuring The Big Lebowski & live jazz
Tickets and information for The Brightside events can be found at https://www.thebrightsidedayton.com/event-calendar. See list to date of events planned below. Note: Not all events tickets are available for purchase yet.
