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

Cannery Art and Design Center

Jane’s Best Bets (7/27 – 7/31)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

Happy Restaurant Week! Hopefully you have already started taking advantage of some of the great deals at our area’s fabulous restaurants.  In addition to Restaurant Week, here are a few other options of things to do in Dayton.

On Wednesday, celebrate the Submarine House’s One Year Anniversary (Beavercreek Bar and Grill), where they will have great specials, as well as prizes and raffles.  During your lunch hour, listen to Frequency, an a’capella group who will be performing at Courthouse Square as part of The Square Is Where.  Wish you could be like Tiffany’s and make your own jewelry?  Consider heading to the Cannery Art and Design Center for Art by the Glass.  Learn about how to shop at farmers’ markets and what questions to ask, all the while consuming a tasty beverage as part of Dayton Green Drinks at Company7 BBQ.  Flock to Pasha Grill for their FLOC (For the Love of Children) Charity Dinner, which will help to support children who have been neglected, abused, or are in foster care.  And if it’s not too hot, consider listening to music as part of Jazz on the Green at Yankee Trace or watching the Dragons play the Fort Wayne Tincaps.

On Thursday, utilize what you learned on Wednesday at the Dayton Green Drinks event and pick up some fresh local produce at the Centerville Farmers Market.  If you love wine but don’t want to break the bank, stumble your way to Arrow Wine in Centerville for a wine tasting featuring wines under $20.  You will be able to drink wine AND exercise as part of Grape and Lotus: A Wine and Yoga Practice at Metropolitan Arts Center.  For some live music, make your way to Dublin Pub to see Nick Mitchell or to RiverScape for their Big Band Nights featuring the Dayton Jazz Orchestra.  In addition, the Dragons will continue their series against the Fort Wayne Tincaps.

On Friday, be sure to be downtown, as that is where all the best bets are.  Listen to another concert at Courthouse Square during your lunch hour for The Square Is Where, where Minions of Fate will be performing.  If you are a beer lover, you are in luck, as there will be an Epic Brewery Welcome to Ohio Party at Lucky’s.  At Victoria Theatre, watch Young Frankenstein as part of the Michelob Ultra Cool Films Series.  At Fifth Third Field, catch the Dayton Dragons as they once again play the Fort Wayne Tincaps.  And finally, whether you are Irish or not, you will not want to miss the Dayton Celtic Festival!

On Saturday, take the kids to the 2nd Street Market for Kids Day.  I told you not to miss the Dayton Celtic Festival on Friday, but if you did, you must put it at the top of your list for Saturday.  And if you already went on Friday, you can still go as well!  In addition to the many festivities already going on, there will be 5K Run/Walk in order to burn off the calories from all that Irish beer!  Also at RiverScape, you will be able to take part in the Dayton River Ride.  Over at Wegerzyn Gardens, watch A Midsummer Nights Dream, presented by Free Shakespeare.  If you feel like catching a movie in an ultra cool place, then be sure to head to Victoria Theatre for the Michelob Ultra Cool Films Series, where Blazing Saddles will be shown.  Art lovers should plan to attend DVAC’s 20th Birthday Bash.  After all, who doesn’t love a birthday party?  And if you’re caught up in good 80s music, then be sure to get your tickets to see 38 Special at the Fraze…and hold on tightly to them!

On Sunday, start your day off right with the Dayton Celtic Festival Breakfast at RiverScape, followed by their Bike Ride.  Then enjoy the rest of the Festival’s festivities.  You will also be able to listen to live music at Stubbs Amphitheater in Centerville by the Sound Body Jazz Orchestra or at Riverfront Park in Miamisburg for the Pizzazz in the Park Concert Series featuring Chazz. And if you prefer to stay indoors, watch The Producers as part of the Michelob Ultra Cool Films Series at Victoria Theatre.

Plus…don’t forget that this week is Restaurant Week, so be sure to make reservations at your favorite restaurants all week long!

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

What’s the definition of a farmer?  One who is outstanding in his field.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!  And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!

Activated Spaces is back.

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My last adventure got me out of the car and exploring the region via bus, bike and good ol’ fashioned walking. And you know what I saw? Well, in addition to the random shopping cart and dude who was arguing about drugs – I saw great local art! And not by seeking out a gallery (although I recommend that, too) – but by just walking around.

The Activated Spaces team (powered by the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan) worked with local property owners and invited artists to share their work with the community while focusing on our region’s assets. It was a great success and resulted in 17 vibrant art displays filling downtown windows and the selection of Amanda Sue Allen as the People’s Choice award (work currently on display at the Cannery Art and Design Center). Everything from photography to quilt-work and paintings to cloth and pottery to cellophane was represented (and much, much more!) It was a great, diverse and eclectic celebration of Dayton’s professional and amateur artists.

Serida checks to make sure the QR code is working on the Dayton Creative Syndicate's installation featuring the Culture Works festival.

So – they’re doing it again! They have put the call out to local artists to submit work for a second round of storefront window art displays to be unveiled at the September Urban Nights. The fall 2011 installation theme, “Spotlight Dayton,” challenges artists to focus on our many downtown neighborhoods and highlight favorite places. They hope to include aspects of all areas of downtown–neighborhoods, parks, organizations and various community assets may be featured. It may be a challenge to remain strictly faithful to the theme, but the emailed prospectus states that they welcome artists’ interpretations of the theme however loose or literal it may be; if the artwork is not an exact demonstration of the theme, the artist statement may tie the work to the theme.

Details of the project and submission guidelines are available online. Submissions are due by Friday, August 12, at 5PM.

Check out the Activated Spaces web site for more information.

Jane’s Best Bets (5/18 – 5/22)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

I have to be honest…I’m a bit exhausted from the craziness of everything that went on last week!  Here’s to another crazy busy (in a good way) week in Dayton!

On Wednesday, bring out your pedometer for the Walk! Downtown Dayton Kickoff at RiverScape…after all, swimsuit season is just around the corner!  If you have always wanted to work for yourself, don’t delay it!  Make your way to The Entrepreneurs Center for their New Business Information Session.  At The Greene County Career Center, attend their cooking class, Fresh and Lite Delight.  If you like art (notice I didn’t ask whether you were good at art) and you like to drink, head to Art by the Glass at the Cannery Art and Design Center.  If the weather gets warmer, you will want to make your way to Fifth Third Field to watch the Dragons play the Great Lakes Loons.  And if you like theater, be sure to get your tickets to see 42nd Street at WSU’s Festival Playhouse or The Women of Lockerbie at Sinclair’s Blair Hall Theater.

On Thursday, if you’re anti-gluten (or just plain allergic to it), then you’ll want to attend Naturally Gluten Free event at PNC 2nd Street Market.  All you cyclists should make plans to attend Bike Film Night at The Neon.  It’s McDonald’s Friends and Family Night at Fifth Third Field, where the Dragons will play the Great Lakes “Loons”…sounds crazy to me!  And if you’re in the Oregon District, head to The Dublin Pub for live music by Nick Mitchell or Theology on Tap at Oregon Express.

On Friday, bike your way to RiverScape for the National Bike to Work Day Pancake Breakfast…and don’t forget to wear your helmet.  Your mom will thank me.  If you love the movies, you won’t want to miss the Film Dayton Festival at The Neon.  For those of you who have read this column before, you know how much I love Chick-fil-A…and what I love even more is that at the Dayton Mall location, you can get a Free Chick-fil-A Sandwich from 4-7PM on Friday as part of their Customer Appreciation Days.  If you’re a big ham, then you’ll want to attend the Dayton Hamvention 2011.  I tried to bring my pig last year but they wouldn’t let him in the building…just wanted to let you know so you don’t make the same mistake.  Support Diabetes Dayton by attending Big Brews & Blues at Carillon Park.  Over at the Dayton Convention Center, learn about different cultures and taste delicious food at A World A’Fair…I remember going there as a kid and I still go there today!  So, there is something for people of all ages!  If you’re down in the ‘burg, make your way to Miamisburg Library Park for the Taste of Miamisburg.  Theater/music lovers should plan to attend one of these shows:  Honk! Jr. (Town Hall Theatre), 42nd Street (WSU’s Festival Playhouse), Mauritius (Dayton Theatre Guild), Opera Theatre: Vincenzo Bellini’s La Sonnambula (Schuster Center), or The Women of Lockerbie.  And finally, if you’re more of a sports guy (or girl), get your tickets to see the Dayton Dutch Lions or the Dayton Dragons.

On Saturday, there are again many options from which to choose!  Some events include the Film Dayton Festival at The Neon, Sound Bites: Short Talks About Art at the Dayton Art Institute, Dayton Hamvention 2011 at Hara Arena, FilmDayton Screenwriting Conference at ThinkTV, and A World A’Fair at the Dayton Convention Center.  Also at the Dayton Convention Center, you can catch me participating in the 4th Annual 2011 INBF Tri-State Bodybuilding and Figure Contest.  I hope you’re not so gullible that you actually believe that.  Learn how to be safe by attending the Community Problem Oriented Policing Conference at Stebbins High School – there are a wide variety of courses from which to choose!  Theatre options include 42nd Street, Honk! Jr., Mauritius, Opera Theatre: Vincenzo Bellini’s La Sonnambula, and The Women of Lockerbie.  Listen to the wonderful sounds of MUSICA! at The Salvation Army Kroc Center.  At the Wright Brothers Airport, attend the White Out Cancer event…and you totally have my permission to wear white, even though it’s not yet Memorial Day.  If you’d prefer green, then make your way to THE Greene to watch The Fries Band (it’s their only performance there this year, so don’t miss it!).  And finally, down at Fifth Third Field, you will be able to watch the Dragons take on the Lake County Captains.  Plus, you can help them celebrate Hometown Hero Night.

On Sunday, the Film Dayton Festival, A World A’Fair, and Dayton Hamvention 2011 will still be going strong!  In the afternoon, the Dragons will be playing the Lake County Captains…and you can get “free valet bike parking” as part of  MVRPC Bike to the Game.  In addition, as part of the “Drive Less, Live More” campaign, if you do bike, you will receive a free ticket to the game.  So, you don’t have to spend money on gas AND you don’t have to spend money on tickets!  Over at Carillon Park, attend Fleurs et Vin, which is a super fun event that will include more than 300 wines from all over the world, live entertainment, food from Dayton’s best independent eateries, and live and silent auctions!  Plus, money raised will support Culture Works and the AIDS Resource Center.  At the Schuster Center, attend the Dayton Opera 50th Anniversary Star Gala.  If you are over at the Dayton Art Institute, listen to the sounds of MUSICA! And finally, all you public radio fans will want to catch Ira Glass at Victoria Theatre.

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

Did you hear about the new cure for swine flu?  It’s a special kind of oinkment.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!  And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!

It’s Alive! Downtown Storefronts In Action

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Pictured below is artist Carol Stoops at work on her Activated Space on North Main Street – next to Flying Pizza – one of many original works of art that will “come alive” on Friday May 6th.
Her work, “Celebrating Dayton” is part of the Activated Spaces projects sponsored by the Downtown Dayton Partnership as part of May’s First Friday festivities. Look for more of these lively works all over downtown this Friday. There’s fun in the hunt!
Enjoy Stoop’s contribution at 223 North Main next to Flying Pizza. More of Stoop’s vibrant paintings are available for sale at the Cannery Art and Design Center, 434 East Third Street. Downtown galleries, restaurants and activated spaces will be celebrating First Friday on May 6 from 5-10 pm.

Art Is Life-Giving.

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DMM welcomes our newest columnist Marsha Pippenger who will blog about art in our region.

Some New Year’s Thoughts 2011

Art is life-giving.

It’s an intangible. How can you explain to someone who has never experienced the power of

Medusa-a-Tangled-Web by Marsha Pippenger

a piece of work, something that has sprung from the thought of one human being, brought into existence due to that person’s trials and errors, sweat, mental anguish, trying to get it right, to make physical that which he or she sees in the mind’s eye? Art adds life – to the walls of your home, your cubicle at work, your city parks, the very roadways you travel – breath and thought and feeling and connection, a communication offered from the artist to you.

It was a difficult year, 2010. Many of us felt the negatives of an economy sliding downhill, jobs moving in not equal to the companies moving out, the broad sweep of cuts to the arts because funds are stretched to the nth degree just to cover the most basic of services. Hard decisions have had to be made. We all want to live in a community with plenty of recreational opportunities and cultural offerings. Most of us realize that in our current world we must get creative to provide those amenities when our cities are pushing to fill empty buildings, entice new enterprise, appeal to and keep our young adult residents.

Daniel and the lions den mosaic by K12 Gallery students

This is why we need the life sustaining power of art more than ever, and it is also why it is time for those of us who live and breathe and work in the arts to do more – I know, I know, we all are always being asked to do more – but small things can truly add up to big accomplishments. There is strength in numbers, and while competition is healthy, there really is great power in collaboration.

Dayton is remarkable in its offerings in the arts; it has more than most cities its size (a provable statistic by the way). We have more talented professional artists than most, we have fine galleries that could use more traffic and support, and we have an art institute that rivals those of many larger metropolitan areas. Dayton has been blessed by the philanthropy of past citizens who loved this city and its people; we are still enjoying the fruits of that generosity today. Moreover, we are charged with living up to that legacy. We need to, now more than ever before.

NOW, what is that next step? Patronizing art spaces of course. Listed below (in random order so keep reading) are some fine commercial galleries, museums and art centers where you will find quality original art in a range of prices. It is by no means a definitive list; if you know of others, please add them!

Cannery Art and Design Center, 434 East Third St, Dayton, (937) 313-9883

Visceral Gallery, 65 W. Franklin St,Centerville, (937) 409-0069

Willis Bing Davis Art Studio, 1135 W 3rd St, Dayton, (937) 223-2290

Zig Zag Gallery, 101 E Alex Bell Rd, Dayton, (937) 434-3565

Town & Country Fine Arts Gallery, 300 E Stroop Rd, Dayton, (937) 293-5381

Dayton Visual Arts Center, 118 N Jefferson St, Dayton, (937) 224-3822

High Street Gallery, 48 High St, Dayton, (937) 228-4532

Gallery 510, 510 E 5th St, Dayton, (937) 222-5151

Hotel Gallery, 109 E Main St, Tipp City, (937) 667-3696

Village Artisans Gallery, 100 Corry St, Yellow Springs, (937) 767-1209

Gallery St John, 4400 Shakertown Rd, Dayton, (937) 320-5405

Alley Fine Art & Framing, 269 W Central Ave, Springboro, (937) 748-0822

Dayton Society Of Painters & Sculptors, 48 High St, Dayton, (937) 228-4532

K12 Gallery For Young People, 510 E 3rd St, Dayton, (937) 461-5149

Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton, (937) 223-5277

Rosewood Art Centre, 3600 Shroyer Road, Kettering, (937) 296-2400

Springfield Art Museum, 107 Cliff Park Road, Springfield, (937) 324-3729

Jane’s Best Bets (11/10 – 11/14)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

Sunday’s Patriots vs. Browns game may be considered an upset, but to be quite honest, I’m not sure why.  My family sure wasn’t upset…GO BROWNIES!  If you weren’t watching the game, hopefully you were out having fun participating in one of the many events going on in Dayton this past week!  Here’s to another week with a variety of things to do!

On Wednesday, sip some wine at The Wine Gallery downtown for their Anniversary Tasting! Approximately 50 different wines will be featured and they will have complimentary food.  Or if you’re more of a beer lover, then attend the Beer Tasting at The Caroline in Troy.  Drive to The Winds Café and Bakery in Yellow Springs for their 21st Annual Garlic Dinner if you don’t mind a little garlic on your breath.  If you’re like me and love G-O-D, then you will want to attend the Children’s Performing Arts of Miamisburg’s production of the wonderful musical Godspell at the Baum Opera House.  I heard that the kids put on an outstanding performance!  For a good drum roll (and perhaps a dumb joke to follow!), see DRUMLine Live at the Schuster Center.  Also, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra will be performing at the Nutter Center if you prefer to get in the Christmas spirit a little early this year.  And finally, if you would like to give back, then bring your canned goods to the “Can”nery for their Holiday Food Drive, which will benefit the Foodbank.  Or, purchase a new toy or clothing item to help needy kids as part of the YWCA Dayton Holiday Wish List Donation Drive.

On Thursday, get your exercise and “Jump” into Art with jumpstART at the Dayton Visual Arts Center’s ARTtoBUY Holiday Gift Gallery.  Although ARTtoBUY will be happening for a while, on Thursday only, jumpstART will be providing light food, good wine, and some art appreciation.  If you are an introvert and would prefer to buy art-type gifts by yourself, then attend Live Art, Give Art at the Cannery Art and Design Center’s fourth annual holiday gift gallery.  Are you a young professional that would like to meet other young professionals in the Dayton area?  If so, come to Champps, grab a drink, and do some social networking as part of Generation Dayton’s Thirsty Thursday.  Plus, you will have a chance to win a $25 gift card to Champps, which you are welcome to use to buy me a drink!  At The Neon, the Ohio Liberty Film Festival will be going on, so if movies are your thing, then you should plan to attend. And if can’t wait until Thanksgiving for your turkey dinner, then gobble your way to the Stockyards Inn for their Turkey Thursdays.

On Friday, all you businesswomen will want to attend the Women in Business Networking winstitute at the Dayton Racquet Club. If you’re sick and tired of that old couch but don’t have the money to purchase a new one (or are just environmentally conscious), consider turning it into a beautiful work of art at the Reinvent Your Furniture Workshop at the Cannery Art and Design Center.  If you are a college student who would like to learn a little bit about leadership, then attend Leadership Truths: Everything A College Student Needs to Know at Urbana University.  In addition, the premier young professional groups in the Dayton region will be on hand to help you get connected with all things Dayton!  (Honestly, this is how I have become connected in the Dayton community, so I highly recommend it!)  At the Schuster Center, join the Philharmonic Orchestra and some top vocalists for Broadway Rocks.  I’m not sure if they will be of the igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic type, but the performance will feature several hits from wonderful shows such as Wicked and Phantom of the Opera.  For more info, be sure to check out this article on DMM!  Also downtown, the Ohio Liberty Film Festival will be happening at the Engineers Club.  And, if you’re looking for an evening of dining and dancing in a beautiful setting, be sure to get your tickets today for the Dayton Urban League Gala at the Dayton Art Institute!

On Saturday, head to the Dayton Women’s Club for their Annual Holiday Bazaar.  If you feel like you’re wearing the same thing over and over again and need something new in which to put your arms and legs, but don’t want something that will cost you an arm and a leg, attend the Swap ‘n Shop ’til You Drop Charity Benefit.  Grab three friends and register your team for the URS Oregon District Barstool Open, which is a 9-hole, 9-bar indoor miniature golf outing.  From those who have attended in the past, I have heard it is a super fun time.  Plus, proceeds benefit local children and adults with disabilities, so I’m all “fore” it!  In the evening, you can also support the Cystic Fibrosis Association by attending the Dayton Shining Stars Gala at the Engineers Club.  For some musical/theater options, see the Children’s Performing Arts of Miamisburg’s production of Godspell at the Baum Opera House, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at La Comedia, Playing by Life’s Rules’ at the Ray & Joan Kroc Theatre, Broadway Rocks at the Schuster Center, An Evening with Sutton Foster at Clark State Performing Arts Center, or the Choral Concert at Sinclair’s Blair Hall Theatre.  Are you already missing the summer?  If so, attend an Indoor Tropical Bash at Norton’s featuring the Parrots of the Caribbean, a wonderful Jimmy Buffett Tribute band that is sure to put on a great show!  Or make your way to UD Arena to watch the Flyers take on Mount St. Mary’s.  Go UD!

On Sunday, if you’re not watching the Browns’ next victory, consider making the drive to Fairfield for Jungle Jim’s International Wine Festival, where there will be over 400 wines!  That is a lot of alcohol, so be sure to bring a DD…or rather have a DD bring you.  Downtown, celebrate the 20thAnniversary of the renovation and re-opening of the Victoria Theatre with Viva Victoria!.  The celebration is absolutely free…just be sure to get your ticket from Ticket Center Stage.  If you didn’t get a chance to check out the Ohio Liberty Film Festival at The Neon, Playing By Life’s Rules’ at the Ray & Joan Kroc Theatre, or Godspell at the Baum Opera House, now is your opportunity to do so.  And finally, if you want to get in the spirit of Christmas with a little spirits (which is much more acceptable than non-stop Christmas music in November!), attend the Holiday Tasting at Arrow Wine in Centerville.

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

I was trying to write a song about drinking but I couldn’t get past the first few bars.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!   And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!