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Courteous Mass Ride

Jane’s Best Bets (5/4 – 5/8)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

Since it is May, you may be asking the question, “Is there anything fun going on this week in Dayton?”  The answer of course is an enormous “YES!”  This week, there are so many things from which to choose that you may have some very difficult decisions ahead of you!

On Wednesday, join Dayton Creative Syndicate as they welcome Guest Speaker, Jack Supple at Brixx Ice Company.  Taste some wine as part of the Weekly Wine Tasting at The Wine Gallery.  Not yet prepared to make your bets for the Kentucky Derby?  Be sure to attend the Derby Preview Party at Color of Energy Gallery where John Engelhardt from River Downs and other horse racing experts will give you some great tips…and don’t forget to have a mint julep!  Plus, there will be a live horse outside the art gallery AND live music!  Afterwards, please carefully walk to Fifth Third Field to watch the Dragons as they play the South Bend Silver Hawks.  And finally, give those vocal folds a workout by heading to Blind Bob’s for Karaoke.

On jueves (Thursday), start the day at the Presidential Banquet Center for the 2nd Annual Voices for Kids Benefit, which helps CHOICES, an organization that provides a support system for youth, their families, and foster parents.  Over at Sinclair, attend the 2011 Go Red For Women Luncheon.  Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style at one of these great restaurants:  (1) The Caroline, which offers some great Cinco de Mayo specials; (2) El Meson – starting at 3PM, they will have $1 Tequila shots and free tapas until 5:30PM…plus amazing food, music, and dancing; or (3) El Rancho Grande (or the “E.R.” as my friend Lynne calls it) for 1/2 Price Ladies Night.  Or Join the Dayton Ballet Barre for their 1st Annual Cinco de Mayo ‘Barre’ Crawl which will take place at a variety of bars in the Oregon District.  If Mexican food does not appeal to your taste buds, no problem.  You can attend the Beer & Burger Tasting at A Taste of Wine in downtown Miamisburg.  Some other possibilities for Thursday evening include listening to the Hal Melia Quartet as part of the Vectren Just Jazz Series at the Dayton Art Institute, Space Night at the Air Force Museum, Dayton Theology on Tap at Oregon Express, or watching the Dragons as they play the South Bend Silver Hawks.

On Friday, ALL young professionals should without a doubt participate in Generation Dayton’s Get Out, & Give Back Dayton! The day will consist of a lunch, followed by a variety of service projects at area non-profits, and finally a wonderful after-party at Oregon Express!  Get registered today and bring a friend!  Afterwards, attend the First Friday art hop downtown.  Also downtown, you can participate in the Courteous Mass Ride, watch the Dragons play the South Bend Silver Hawks, listen to the Paul McKenna Band at the Dayton Art Institute, or attend ‘Byron Stripling: Satchmo, Fats & The Duke’ (Dayton Philharmonic) at the Schuster Center (click here to find out how you can get discounted tickets, courtesy of jumpstART!).  And if you’re brave enough to venture outside of downtown, head to the Dayton Mall Chick-fil-A for a Free Chick-fil-A Sandwich from 4-7PM, the Baum Opera House for The Wizard of Oz, or the Centerville Performing Arts Center for Hello, Dolly!

Hopefully you spent your Friday night downtown so you can wake up and gallop your way to the Derby Day Dash 5K and Kids Fun Run at RiverScape.  Then head to PNC 2nd Street Market to Make Your Own Crepe.  Over at Garden Station Community Garden/Art Park, share your food, art, music, or whatever else you want as part of the Really Really Free Market.  Wear your favorite hat (the bigger, the better!) and support women’s wellness by attending the 2nd Annual Crown Jewels Derby Day Brunch at Brio.  I hope to see you there!  Keep that hat on so that you will be able to attend the Junior League of Dayton Derby Party at The Wine Loft.  In order to support a couple other great causes, attend the House of Bread Silent Auction at the Dayton Mall Holiday Inn or the American Red Cross’s Putting on the Glitz event at the Hope Hotel and Conference Center.  If your doctor wrote you a prescription for laughter, be sure to get your tickets to Cocktails with Larry Miller at Victoria Theatre.  Although I’m not an accountant, I don’t think this would qualify as a medical expense under your H.S.A.  Listen to the Dayton Philharmonic’s performance – ‘Byron Stripling: Satchmo, Fats & The Duke’, which takes place at the Schuster Center.  Other musical options include listening to the Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra’s Spring Concert at Shiloh Church or the The Primo Trio at the Dayton Art Institute as part of the Vanguard Concert Series.  Catch “Saturday Night Football” at Hara Arena as the Dayton Silverbacks play the Indianapolis Enforcers.  And finally, if you feel like catching a show, both The Wizard of Oz (Baum Opera House) and Hello, Dolly (Centerville Performing Arts Center) will still be running strong!

On Sunday, if you do nothing else, be sure to honor your mother!  If you don’t mind (and if you do mind, sorry, I just don’t care), I’d like to give a quick shout out to mine – Thank you mom for being the best mom ever…and thank you for not just putting up with my dumb jokes, but actually laughing at them!  I love you bunches and bunches! Thanks for letting me do that, although you really had no choice.  Anyways, whatever you’re doing, I hope you will be able to have the opportunity to spend Sunday with your mother.  And don’t worry because you won’t have to cook breakfast or lunch, as many restaurants are offering Mother’s Day Specials!  Some places that are offering brunch include The Barnsider, Hilton Garden Inn, Carvers, Blind Bob’s, Boulevard Haus, Dublin Pub, and Fleming’s.  Don’t forget to take your wallet…it would be bad news if your mom had to pay!  And if your mom likes music, take her to Kettering Fairmont High School for the Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert.  Or take her to see Honk! Jr. at Town Hall Theatre.

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

Why was the racehorse named Bad News?  Because Bad News travels fast.

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!

Jane’s Best Bets (3/2 – 3/6)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

As the famous Dr. Seuss once said,

“Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!”

Hopefully you make your way to some of these great places/events this week…unless you’re a grinch and don’t like having fun!

On Dr. Seuss’s birthday (Wednesday), head to the East Branch of the Dayton Metro Library for the Dr. Seuss Birthday Bash! If you feel like catching a little art, head to the Dayton Art Institute for Folk Art from the Collection of Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP, Wright State for the Wright State University 2011 Faculty Exhibition, Gallery Saint John for Sea, Earth & Sky, UD’s Rike Center Gallery for God… Steel and a Wasted Dream: Kyle and Kelly Phelps, UD’s ArtStreet for Yasue Sakaoka: Suspended 3-D Paper Sculpture, or the Cannery Art and Design Center for Romancing the Metal.  And if you’re one of the Flyer Faithful, be sure to get your tickets to see the UD Flyers as they play Saint Louis…and this time, hopefully they win!

On Thursday, head to the Dayton Convention Center for the Dayton Home and Garden Show.  In the evening, listen to the sounds of Mara Rosenbloom at the Dayton Art Institute as part of the Vectren Just Jazz Series.  Perfect (or begin) your dancing skills as part of International Folk Dance Lessons at Michael Solomon Pavillion.  Over at Jay’s, check out their Troeg Beer Dinner.  Afterwards, catch some live music in the Oregon District – Nick Mitchell at the Dublin Pub, The Original Acoustic Revival Open Mic Stage at Trolley Stop, or the Blues Jam at Oregon Express.

On Friday, after you’ve eaten some green eggs and ham for breakfast, be sure to make your way to Chick-Fil-A for their FREE FryDay.  It’s one of my favorite restaurants, though I always seem to crave it on Sundays when they’re closed!  If you need to do some home improvements, check out the Dayton Home and Garden Show at the Dayton Convention Center.  In the evening, bring your bike downtown (I’m hoping it’s good weather!) for the Courteous Mass Ride and for the fabulous First Friday.  Be sure to check out the DMM events calendar for a listing of many of the arts events happening as part of this art hop!  If you don’t feel like hopping, the Incarnation Fish Fry, the St. Mary Fish Fry, and the Ascension Fish Fry are all excellent options!  You will be able to eat some fish, win some silent auction items, play some blackjack, and much more…all for a great cause of course!  If you love the 80s like me, wear your sunglasses at night and attend the DJ Skates: Awesome ’80s at RiverScape MetroPark.  For a “little” theater action, be sure to get your ticket to see The Wizard of Oz at Clark State Performing Arts Center or Little Women at Wright State University…after all, Dr. Seuss says that “a person’s a person, no matter how small.”  And if you want to listen to live music, enable yourself to see The Enablers at Canal Street Tavern, The Story Changes, Segments, Me and Mountains, and the Apprentice at Blind Bob’s, or The Noah Wotherspoon Band at Oregon Express.

AleFeast

On Saturday, if you didn’t get enough information at the Dayton Home and Garden Show on Thursday or Friday, you can head their again or you can go to the 16th Annual Miami Valley Gardening Conference at Sinclair.  Although it’s sad that you have to wait until August for Dayton AleFest, you will be able to attend Dayton AleFEAST at the Dayton Masonic Center, also on Saturday.  Great food and beer…who can turn that down?  All you car lovers should head to Daddy Katz for their Model Car Show & Swap Meet.  At Wright State, you will still be able to catch a performance of Little Women.  Due to the nature of the show, I’m guessing it would be a good idea to get a seat up front so you will be able to see the actors.  At the Dayton Liederkranz Turner German Club, celebrate Fasching – German Mardi Gras.  And if you didn’t get your opportunity to eat some fish on Friday night, head to the Mary Queen of Peace Catholic School Fish Fry.

On Sunday, start the day off by attending the Pancake Brunch at Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm.  Afterwards, learn the Fundamentals of Skating at RiverScape MetroPark.  At Wright State, you will be able to catch Little Women…no dumb jokes this time.  At Alex’s on 725, support a great cause with their Spaghetti Dinner Benefit for Deputy Hopper’s Children & Officer Blum.  And finally, although it’s not yet St. Patrick’s Day, get some Irish food as part of the Irish Buffet at The Dublin Pub and then later catch some Irish music at the Schuster Center as The Chieftains perform.

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

What is the best way to communicate with a fish?
Drop it a line!

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!

Jane’s Best Bets (11/3 – 11/7)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

Election season is over!  No matter your political stance and your state of happiness/unhappiness following the elections, at least celebrate the fact that you won’t have to deal with any more campaign commercials, fliers, or annoying phone calls!  In order to start the celebration, here are some options this week!

On Wednesday, support the Humane Society by attending Pet Afflaire 2010: 20th Anniversary at the Presidential Banquet Center, which will include dining, socializing, “barktinis”, and an auction.  Or sip a variety of wines at Dorothy Lane Market’s Wine Tasting (Centerville location) or at the The Wine Gallery’s Weekly Wine Tasting.  Even though you might be bummed that fall is here, spring is in the air at the Victoria Theatre!  Be sure to attend their presentation of the Tony Award winning musical, Spring Awakening.  Plus, if you’re a student and you bring your student ID to the Ticket Center Stage Box Office, you can get half-off tickets two hours before the show!

On Thursday, all you Buckeye fans will want to head to the Schuster Center to see Archie Griffin as part of the Junior League of Dayton Town Hall Lecture Series.  At the Dayton Art Institute, attend the last DAI 2010 Vectren Just Jazz Series, featuring Khalid Moss.  If you enjoy baking and want to perfect your cookie decorating skills, consider heading to Cooks’ Wares in Springboro for their Holiday Cookie Decorating.  If you need a taste tester or have any “goof-ups,” let me know…I’d be happy to help!  At the First Baptist Church of Dayton, attend the Local Foods Chili Dinner, where UD students from the Nutrition & Dietetics Department will prepare a meal in order to promote local foods.  In addition, all donations received will benefit the Foodbank.  And if you love musicals, attend ETC’s Big Fat Concert Series: Indulge Yourself at Sidebar in the Oregon District for cocktails and a FREE concert!

On Friday, “accord”ing to me, you should consider attending the Commemorative Banquet as part of the Dayton Peace “Accords” 15th Anniversary Event at the Hope Hotel and Conference Center.  In the evening, get your bike from out of the garage (and in my case, dust it off and put air in your tires), and participate in the Courteous Mass Ride.  While you’re downtown, check out many of the events going on there as part of First Friday.  Even though I’m typically on the side of the good guys, this weekend I’ll recommend the Bad Boys & Beer at the Belly Bomb Cafe Event at Taj Ma Garaj for fine food, samples of craft beer, and live music!  Plus, proceeds benefit the Epilepsy Foundation and Dayton History.  Or, if you want to catch a show/concert, some of your options include ‘Chopin’s Circle’at the Schuster Center, Irving Berlin’s White Christmasat La Comedia, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs at Town Hall Theatre, The 39 Steps at The Loft Theatre, The Sugar Witch at the Dayton Theatre Guild.  Also, if you are a theater lover, be sure to check out the onStageDayton section of DaytonMostMetro.com for more detailed info about the Dayton theater scene!

On Saturday, attend the We Care Arts Holiday Open House.  If you love Thomas, The Dayton Train Show at Hara Arena is where it’s at.  (Sorry English teachers – prepositions are what my sentences sometimes end in.)  If you can’t get enough of the King and the Rocket Man, come to the Mandalay Banquet Center for Rock the House – Elvis & Elton.  In addition to music, there will be a dinner, raffle, silent auction, and much more.  The Kettering Medical Center will thank you, thank you very much, as the proceeds will benefit oncology services there.  There will also be some theater options, including The Sugar Witch at the Dayton Theatre Guild, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs at Town Hall Theatre, The 39 Steps at The Loft Theatre, and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at La Comedia.  If you enjoy classical music, attend ‘Chopin’s Circle’ at the Schuster Center.  Also at the Schuster Center, consider attending Justin and Ryan:  A Night of Improv…I think just about anything with improv in its name is going to be funny!  Are you among the Flyer Faithful?  If so, hopefully you will be checking out Brian Gregory’s team as the Flyers play Findlay in an exhibition game at UD Arena.  Gotta love UD basketball!  And finallly on Saturday, if you want to get a head start on your Christmas shopping (after all, Christmas is less than two months away!), head down to the Dayton Visual Arts Center for the ARTtoBUY Holiday Gift Gallery for some unique options!

HRTC: The 39 Steps

The 39 Steps at The Human Race Theatre Company

On Sunday, after you enjoy an extra hour of sleep (or perhaps you used your extra hour partying on Saturday!), all active duty, reserve, guard, retired military personnel and their families should head to Young’s Jersey Dairy, where they are offering a 20% off discount as part of their Support the Troops 20% Off Weekend (just show them your military ID).  Also, The Dayton Train Show will continue on at Hara Arena.  Sundays are also great days to visit museums, so you may want to take a trip to the Dayton Art Institute for one of their many exhibits, including 100 Years of African-American Art: The Arthur Primas Collection, Marking the Past/Shaping the Present: The Art of Willis ‘Bing’ Davis, and the Max May Memorial Holocaust Art Exhibition.  If you’d like to catch more theater, here are your possibilities:  The Sugar Witch at the Dayton Theatre Guild, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs at Town Hall Theatre, The 39 Steps at The Loft Theatre, and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at La Comedia.

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

Why shouldn’t you tell secrets when a clock is around?

Because time will tell.

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!

Jane’s Best Bets (9/29 – 10/3)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

It was great seeing so many of you at Oktoberfest at the Dayton Art Institute this weekend!  Although Dayton’s Oktoberfest is officially over for the year, October is just beginning this week.  You’re probably thinking, “How in the world could this happen?”  I did too.  However, when I asked my buddy Jeeves, he told me that in another part of the world, Munich, Oktoberfest actually starts in September and ends in October.  Having this mystery solved, hopefully we can all sleep well tonight.  But before hitting the hay, let’s check out our options as Oktober…I mean October…begins.

On Wednesday, head on over to the University of Dayton’s ArtStreet for the SO Percussion: Workshop & Jam Session.  There are opportunities for audience participation, so if you have always dreamed of playing the triangle, here is your opportunity.  Are you a high school student?  If so, I’m surprised you’re reading this.  If not, do you know a high school student?  If you answered yes, encourage him/her to check out the College Prep Night presented by Fifth Third Bank at Fifth-Third Field.  Plus, there is an opportunity for those who RSVP in advance to win a $1,000 scholarship!  If you love flowers, consider going to Going Green in Dayton at GalleryBlue Man Group St. John, where you will have the opportunity to look at photos, sketches, and paintings by local artists of over 120 wild flowers in Dayton environments.  And finally on Wednesday, if you’re looking for something that is unique and fun, check out the Blue Man Group as they perform at the Schuster Center.  Although they describe themselves as blue, I have heard they are actually mauve…“mauvelous” that is!

On Thursday, Give the Best Pint in Town at the Community Blood Center! if you didn’t have the opportunity to do so last week.  While you’re there, get your very own, super cool Octoberfest t-shirt!  If you are looking for pointers on how to write grants (i.e. how to get free money!), check out the Southwest Ohio American Association of Grant Professionals Regional Conference at Atrium Medical Center.  If you grew up always wanting to be a princess, head on over to the Nutter Center for Disney On Ice presents Princess Classics.  Also, Tinker Bell (a.k.a. the “hottest fairy of them all”, according to a five-year old boy I know) will make an appearance.

On Friday, if fashion is your thing, check out the BRAVO! Fashion Show and Champagne Brunchat the Sinclair Ponitz Center to benefit the Dayton Opera.  If you’re feeling like a Friday after-work happy hour is in order, consider heading to Arrow Wine’s Centerville location for their 13th Annual Oktoberfest Celebration…which betcha by golly wow is actually in October!  On Friday night, downtown is definitely the place to be.  Head over to The Neon for a sneak preview of the award-winning documentary, The Elephant in the Living Room.  Or, before the weather gets too cold, get that bike out and join the Courteous Mass October Ride.  If you enjoy the outdoors, then you will definitely want to check out GearFest at Eastwood MetroPark.  This outdoor festival will feature athlete demonstrations, competitions, camping, the latest products/gear, and music!  Also, while downtown, check out First Friday, which will feature a variety of entertainment options, from live music to art galleries to bonfires!  (For more info on First Friday, click here.)   Or, head on over to the Firefly Building’s amazing rooftop for Pecha Kucha Dayton Vol. 5, which will involve snacks, drinks, social networking, and idea sharing with eight creative presenters.  And if you don’t mind the drive and would like to experience Oktoberfest again, head up to Minster for their version.  Although I’ve never been, I’ve heard that Minster’s Oktoberfest is famous for serving beer in half-gallon plastic jugs!

On Saturday, get off that couch and check out the 33rd Annual Spring Valley Potato Festival.  If you enjoy learning about other cultures, head over to Middletown for Middfest International 2010 Celebration of Botswana.  All you music fans will want to experience the Dayton Music Fest, which will feature numerous bands playing at several different Dayton venues.  If you want to be one of the first ones to get a pumpkin, head to Young’s Dairy for the 34th Annual Fall Farm Pumpkin Festival.

Also on Saturday…All you motorcycle lovers better rev up your engines and speed over to Thomas Cloud Park for the Pink And Chrome – Ride for the Cure for Susan G. Komen for the Cure! And in the evening, even though the “official” fish fry season hasn’t yet started, check out the Fenwick High School Fish Fry, Monte Carlo, & Silent Auction night…where all proceeds raised will support student athletes at my alma mater!  Also, Minster Oktoberfest, The Elephant in the Living Room – Movie, and GearFest will all still be strong options!

On Sunday, check out the 2010 Harvest Fest at Garden Station Community Garden and Art Park.  Or, head to one of the many events you may have missed this week/weekend:  the 33rd Annual Spring Valley Potato Festival, the 34th Annual Fall Farm Pumpkin Festival, Minster Oktoberfest, Blue Man Group, The Elephant in the Living Room – Movie, or Midfest International Celebrates Botswana.  It’s truly going to be a “mauvelous” week in Dayton!

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

What would you get if you crossed two fish with two elephants?
A pair of swimming trunks.

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!

Jane’s Best Bets (9/1 – 9/6)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

First of all, thank you for all the wonderful feedback with regard to the first edition of Jane’s Best Bets on DMM!  I feel so honored to have your support!  It just confirms what I already know…that the people in Dayton are truly the best!

Hopefully you had a terrific (beer) week last week…and a good DD.  Perhaps you were able to sample a new beer and learn a thing or two.  I personally learned that there are more beers than there are calories in a McDonald’s Big Mac.  To name a few, I discovered a blueberry beer, a raspberry beer, a watermelon beer, an apricot beer, and a banana bread beer.  Who knew that drinking could be so healthy?!?!  (Disclaimer 1:  I am not a registered dietician or MD.  You may want to talk to your healthcare professional before making these beverages a part of your daily diet.  Disclaimer 2:  I am not a lawyer either, so don’t trust that disclaimer 1 is properly worded.)

Anyways, with last week being such a busy week, you’re probably thinking there isn’t much going on this week.  Wrong!  Get ready to celebrate the beginning of September…and another wonderful week in Dayton!  Plus, it’s a holiday weekend to boot!

On Wednesday, head on over to the first day of the Montgomery County Fair.  Don’t worry, if you can’t make it, you’ll still have five more days to check it out!  Or bring the whole family to watch the Dayton Dragons play against the Bowling Green Hot Rods (I wonder if there is any relation to A-Rod) for their Friends and Family Night.  Also, give yourself a day off of cooking and don’t feel guilty about it because it will be for a good cause!  For every meal sold at Coco’s, $1 will be donated to the Victoria Theatre Association’s Physicians for Kids as part of the Coco’s Cares – Dine for a Cause Program.

If you have ever thought about starting your own business, head on over to “One-On-One Business Counseling” provided by the Dayton Area Chapter of SCORE at the Dayton Metro Library’s Main Branch on Thursday.  Also on Thursday, if you’re a fan of smooth jazz, check out the J.T. Fedrick Band as part of the Dayton Art Institute’s 2010 Vectren Just Jazz Series.  Kill two, three, or four birds with one stone by also visiting the Modern Masters Exhibit from the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Investigation Destination:  Science and Math in Art Exhibit, and/or the Prints from the Great Depression exhibit.  If you’re an animal lover like me and don’t feel like killing ANY birds, then head on over to The Greene to see First Call Acoustic.  And finally, if you like to sample delicious food, you MUST  head over to the Fraze for “The Taste”.  Experience multiple “tastes” from places like Tumbleweed, the Oakwood Club, Belmont Catering, and Fleming’s.

On Friday, learn what people are thinking about you without them having to say a word at Generation Dayton’s Lunch with Dan Edwards presenting “Body Language“.  I need to ask him how to improve my poker face, even though I have no intention of turning into Lady Gaga.  Speaking of ladies, later on in the evening, head on downtown for Ladyfest 2010 at c{space (which continues through Saturday) or Dayton’s First Friday, which will give you an opportunity to explore many of Dayton’s artistic offerings.  If you enjoy biking, join the Courteous Mass Ride with fellow cycling enthusiasts.  Or have fun listening to Stranger, a super fun 80s cover band that is playing at Sharkey’s.  I still remember what my parents said about talking to strangers, so if you go, just be careful or bring your mom and dad with you.

On Saturday, start your day off right by heading to the PNC Second Street Market for breakfast and a little shopping with some of their amazing vendors.  Another “must attend” event is Alterfest, which has been a Labor Day weekend staple in Dayton for many years.  No matter your age, there is something for you to do, from great live bands (Saturday’s lineup includes The Johnsons, The Fries, and This Side Up) to rides and games to their famous chicken dinners.  If you don’t feel like taking a chance with the weather at Alterfest, then check out the Producers at the Dayton Playhouse or get tickets to the Sandra Rutledge Jazz Show at Gilly’s.

On Sunday, the fun continues at Alterfest with several bands performing, including Spungewurthy and Last Call, along with the other festivities.  Or head on over to the Holiday at Home Festival where there will also be numerous things to do, including listening to live music, singing karaoke, and arts and crafts booths.  This is a family friendly event, as there will also be activities for the kids.  If you enjoy reggae music, head on over to the Michelob Dayton Reggae Festival. And if music from from the 50s, 60s, and 70s is more your style, then check out the band Legend at Stubbs Amphitheater in Centerville.

And finally on Monday, if you’re not having friends and family over for a cookout to celebrate Labor Day, Kettering is definitely the place to be.  You can still celebrate “at home” with the annual Holiday at Home Parade in Kettering.  Following the parade, again check out the numerous activities going on in Kettering as part of the Holiday at Home Festival, including an auto show (only on Monday), arts and crafts, and live music from The Fries, as well as music from some other great performers!  And, if you would like to BE one of the entertainers, you will have the opportunity to do so.  Just check out the karaoke going on there.  Or, if you haven’t had an opportunity to go to Alterfest or the Montgomery County Fair, this is your last chance for the year!   So, with so many great things to do, you have absolutely no excuse not to celebrate the holiday!  And if your boss is actually making you labor, let me know and I’ll see what I can do.  Just don’t count on anything.

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

Did you hear the joke about Labor Day?  It works for me.

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!