Dayton Ohio

Toronto – Day #7 – 2013

September 12, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

I saw 4 films yesterday…among them was one big, special effects movie. I rarely go for the huge, Hollywood titles while in Toronto, but I decided that because Alfonso Cuaron directed GRAVITY, I’d give it a go…but let’s start at the beginning of the day.

First off, I saw MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS – a Swiss film (in English and French) based on the book MARY STUART. Though I certainly appreciated elements of this film, there were also numerous elements that made me cringe. The score was often overbearing, and a few devices (the narration at the beginning and end, the over-use of puppets) fell flat. The costumes and sets were marvelous, but overall, it didn’t work for me.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpHckcAsES8′]

WE ARE THE BEST! is the new film by Lukas Moodysson. Set in 1982 Stockholm, the movie is about 3 13-year old girls who start a punk band. It’s a sweet portrait of rebellion and bonding, and the performances and situations are really wonderful. That said, it’s not a film I’d revisit…there’s just something missing. It’s good…just not great.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfPytPjV1xc’]

GERONTOPHILIA is a film by Canadian filmmaker Bruce LaBruce. This is a movie about a young man who realizes he is infatuated and turned on by senior-aged men…so he gets a job at a nursing home where he forms a special relationship with one of the residents. Whereas I think this film might have some interesting things to say about age and aging, I felt that the shifts in tone (some of it feels like a farce, other parts seem very serious) made me less interested. Though some parts were genuinely funny…and some parts were genuinely touching…ultimately I’m not a fan. (Below is just a clip from the film…no trailer yet.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP7Dg1fvEm0′]

Lastly, I saw GRAVITY in IMAX 3-D. Starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, I think this is biggest small film ever to come out of Hollywood. Set in space, there are only 3 on-screen characters (and 1 dies almost immediately – so it’s mostly Bullock and Clooney). After an accident (debris from a Russian satellite), an astronaut and a medical engineer are forced to figure out a way to survive . This film is simple and scary. And though there are a couple moments of on-the-nose monologue material (which kinda ruined the moment for me), I ultimately really enjoyed it.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiTiKOy59o4′]

Thanks for reading!

Toronto – Day #6 – 2013

September 11, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Today is my last day of needing to wait in line for early-morning tickets…thus my last day of waking up at 6:00am. How refreshing!

In addition to seeing 3 films yesterday, I got to hang out with a dear friend, Bill Taylor, who I met in line at a screening of TALK TO HER (one of my favorite Almodovar films) back in 2002 (my first year at TIFF). Bill just completed his first feature film (which I will soon get a chance to see), and we have played 2 of his short films at the Dayton LGBT Film Festival over the years. It was great to catch up.

VIOLETTE was the first film of the day, and it made me want to go out and pick up a bundle of books. This is a film about Violette Leduc and how she became a well-known author. A large portion of the film focuses on her relationship with Simone de Beauvoir, and several other renowned French authors work their way into the narrative. The film is gorgeously directed by Martin Provost – director of SERAPHINE (if you haven’t seen this film, I highly recommend it – available via netflix, etc.), and it’s a wonderful story of self-discovery through writing.

IDA, perhaps the most visually stunning film I’ve seen this year, is a lovely, quiet film (shot in black & white in a 1:37 aspect ratio (which means it appears more like a square than a rectangle)). A young Catholic girl – about to take her vows as a nun – goes into the city to meet her aunt for the first time. During the trip, she discovers her true roots and the life she had before being brought to the convent. I loved this film.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRzbCZtiWYc’]

TOM AT THE FARM is the new film by Xavier Dolan. Based on a play, this is the first time Dolan has directed material that was in-part written by someone else…and it works. I felt that Dolan’s last film suffered from its length – this one feels just right. Tom visits the family of his recently deceased lover, and the mother didn’t know of her son’s homosexuality. Very different in tone from Dolan’s first three films, this is a psychological thriller that becomes rather creepy. Though I questioned a couple script choices, I ultimately really liked this film. (The clip below doesn’t do the film justice…but at least you’ll get a small glance.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8bq-MGazn0′]

Thanks for reading! Off to more screenings!

Toronto – Day #4 – 2013

September 9, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello!

Yesterday was another epic day. After seeing 5 films, I still managed to meet up with a couple friends for drinks…a nap is certainly in store at some point today. One person I met up with is a Dayton native (a former Neon regular and Stivers grad) – Rachel Allen. She now lives in Brooklyn and works for a PR firm in NYC…and she’s in Toronto working with a handful of films at the festival. It was great to see her, and I was delighted to hear of her recent successes.

The first film I saw in the morning was THE F WORD – a romantic comedy starring Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan. This charming film is full of fast, witty dialog (and sadly way too many poop-obsessed jokes), and it doesn’t try to be anything beyond a sweet film targeted at young adults. The story centers on 2 young people who meet at a party. The young girl, delightfully played by Kazan, is an animator who is in a relationship. The young guy, played by Radcliffe (he has 3 films at TIFF this year), is still getting over a broken heart (the opening scene has him finally deleting a year-old voicemail from his ex-girlfriend). The 2, upon meeting, have great chemistry…but they determine that they can only be friends. Thogh predictable and at times a bit too screwball for my taste, this film ultimately works.

DALLAS BUYERS CLUB was the 2nd film of the festival that I really loved. Based on a true story, this is a film about a man in the 1980’s who is diagnosed with HIV. Frustrated by the lack of FDA-approved drugs, he sets out to smuggle non-approved treatments into the US. Matthew McConaughey plays the main character, and his performance is mind-blowing. That said, Jarred Leto – who plays a trans character – is also out of this world. With lots of interesting choices (great sound design and an urgency that makes the film not seem like a period piece), this will go down as one of the best films of the year…stay tuned for lots of award season recognition.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8utPuIFVnU’]

Next up was a romantic, modern musical by John Carney (director of ONCE) – CAN A SONG SAVE YOUR LIFE? Starring Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo, this film is full of great music and good performances. It’s the story of two broken people who begin working together to produce an album of fresh, new music. I’ve heard many people raving about this film. Though I liked it, I didn’t think it was amazing. There are some magical moments, but I didn’t buy into the film entirely. (There’s a scene where Ruffalo imagines orchestrations over Knightley’s simple, guitar-accompanied performance…and I found it terribly cheesy.) There will certainly be an audience for this film, but I don’t think the results are as successful as ONCE.

PHILOMENA, the new Judi Dench film by Stephen Frears, is absolutely wonderful. This is the story of a relationship between a journalist and an aging woman. Philomena gave birth to a boy in a convent when she was 14, and the nuns found a home for him when he was an toddler. After years of feeling guilty for her sins of the flesh (the nuns were successful at shaming her for decades), a journalist takes interest in Philomena’s attempt to locate her son. The story is ultimately a mystery, but it’s so much more. The script is absolutely terrific, and the performances are rich and layered. This film is 100% NEON material! Without harping, the film has very interesting things to say at the Catholic Church, contemporary journalism and the Republican Party.

LE WEEK-END – a new film about a retirement-aged, British couple during a weekend is Paris – is clearly inspired by (and even references) films of the French New Wave. Though there are several great scenes in this film, and the performances of Jim Broadbent and Lindsay Duncan are terrific, I had a hard time connecting. Duncan’s hot/cold character changes moods on a dime, and I ultimately found her so frustrating that I found it difficult to care about anybody. Though I was ultimately moved by the film, I didn’t love it overall. Directed by Roger Michell (NOTTING HILL, THE MOTHER, VENUS, HYDE PARK ON HUDSON), I don’t see a lot of commercial success with this title.

I’m about to head into a screening of BELLE…then 3 other films today.

Thanks for reading! More tomorrow!

Toronto – Day #3 – 2013

September 8, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello!

Well…I’m really exhausted this morning…but it’s my own fault. I was simply having too much fun last night, and I didn’t get to bed until about 2:00. I then got up at 6:00am and darted out the door to land in this line by 6:50. The Fox Searchlight Party was last night, and it was a winner. The cocktails were good, the food was exceptional (though I couldn’t bring myself to sample everything), and the mingling was perfect. The party was celebrating 4 films that the distributor will release this year – BELLE, DOM HEMINGWAY, ENOUGH SAID, and 12 YEARS A SLAVE. I met and chatted with several folks, and the party was full of industry folks including numerous stars (like Michael Fassbender, Alfre Woodard, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Paul Giamatti, Tom Felton, Sarah Paulson and more).

And now the films from yesterday. I saw three.

First off was HATESHIP LOVESHIP – a film by Liza Johnson starring Kristen Wiig and Guy Pearce. This film has a Dayton connection…the production design (done very well!) was by Hannah Beachler – graduate of WSU’s Motion Picture Program. The story is about a socially awkward woman – Johanna – who is hired to take care of a teenage girl with a mother who has died and somewhat absent father (the girl lives with her grandfather – played by Nick Nolte). Upon receiving a note from the girl’s father, Johanna responds with a letter that is ultimately hijacked by the girl and her friend. They devise a scheme where they respond to Johanna via e-mail and make her think that the father has developed a crush and is ultimately falling in love. It’s a cruel, teenage prank, and Johanna goes headfirst into the “relationship.” Though not without some wonderful moments, I didn’t love this film. I felt that it had some tone issues and had a few moments that I just didn’t buy. It’s nice to see Wiig do some serious material, but it was a bit of a challenge to hear her deliver some monotone, unaffected delivery and not be swept back to former SNL characters.

12 YEARS A SLAVE – I finally saw a really amazing film…one that will clearly be nominated for Best Picture along with numerous acting nominations. This new film by Steve McQueen (director of HUNGER and SHAME) is a masterpiece – based on the memoir by Solomon Northup. Northup was a free African American who was kidnapped in 1841 and sold into slavery. The film is harrowing and beautifully done, and the performances are rich and complex. After the screening, a Q&A with McQueen and several actors provided some eloquent insight into the production. Upon talking about the films of McQueen, Michael Fassbender said something that sums up the challenging material that McQueen often addresses, “As an audience member, you have to contribute. It’s not a passive experience.” Those are the films I love. I don’t want to be spoon fed, and McQueen always presents material that requires some work and introspection. One issue that I don’t think too many people want to talk about is the use of the Bible in the film. Slave owners often refer to it – justifying their rights by the Biblical text. This is not unlike people who continue to use the Bible to promote their hate-filled agendas today. Without making it a focus, I think McQueen wants us to consider how we approach this book.

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THERESE was the last film I saw yesterday. Based on the novel THERESE RAQUIN by Emile Zola, this film stars Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Felton, and Jessica Lang – who were all present for a Q&A following the film – along with director Charlie Stratton. This period story (which ultimately became the basis for THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE), is about a sexually repressed young woman who must marry a sickly cousin. Upon meeting an old family friend, she has a sexual awakening and yearns to be set free from the confines of her current surroundings. This film is a bit clunky, but the production values are lovely and the performances are solid. The director mentioned one thing that attracted him to the story – it’s rare to go into a film where you change who you’re rooting for several times. I think that’s rather interesting…and I need to think about it.

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A few of you asked which film I walked out of yesterday. You’ll have to ask me in person…as I don’t reveal the titles of films that I don’t watch in their entirety.

More soon! Thanks for reading!

Toronto – Day #2 – 2013

September 7, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone.

On my second day, I set out to see 4 films…but I really only saw 3. I sat down for my first film, and I simply couldn’t take it. After 5 minutes, I thought I might leave. After 10 minutes, I couldn’t stand it…but I thought I needed to give it more time. After 30 minutes, I simply couldn’t tolerate seeing one of my favorite actresses in such a terrible film. So I left.

A couple hours later, I made my way to LABOR DAY – the new film by Jason Reitman starring Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin. This is the story of a mother and son who live alone in a small town in the late 1980’s. Winslet’s character is extremely lonely and depressed, and her son (a nice performance by Gattlin Griffith) tries to keep her afloat. An escaped convict works his way into their home, and rather unlikely relationships ensue – new lover for mom and a father figure for her son. The movie is shot beautifully, and the performances are really wonderful – Winslet’s melancholy is palpable. I really loved a lot about this film, but it sadly has a few big annoyances…a couple bad situations and a couple moments of laugh-out-loud bad screenwriting. A slight recut could fix a lot…but I don’t think that will happen before its release.

Next up was the world premiere of the first animated feature by Chomet (director of THE TRIPLETS OF BELLVILLE) – ATTILA MARCEL. As a big fan of PARIS JE T’AIME, I was already familiar with the fact that he can direct live material with great success – he did the short about the little boy with mime parents. This film is highly stylized with lots of charm and a lot of great music. It’s the story of a mute piano player who is raised by his overbearing aunts. After meeting an herbalist who lives on a secret floor in his building, he begins to explore hidden memories of his deceased parents. Though a bit clunky (a couple devises just don’t work) and a bit long, it’s got enough magic to keep you invested…and you’ll root for the protagonist all the way through. (Sorry…there’s no trailer with subtitles.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxYhMGHKZzo’]

My last film of the day was BAD HAIR from Venezuela. This is the story of a curly-haired boy who lives in the projects with his mother and her newborn. It’s a gritty existence – surrounded by gunfire, violence and rough terrain. More than anything in the world, the little boy wants straight hair so he can be “like a singer.” The mother fears that her son is gay, and her lack of education and fear for his well-being makes her take strides to eventually “heal” her son. This is a grim film – but not without moments of sheer joy. The performances are incredible from everyone, and the material is transportive. Though I wish the film had been 10-15 minutes shorter (not a whole lot happens…it would be stronger if it was tighter), I think it’s my favorite film of the festival so far (it brings to mind two other films – the great performances of childhood in TOMBOY and the gritty style of FISH TANK).

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After screening 3 films, I met up with Glenn Kiser – director of SABBATICAL (which won the Audience Award at last year’s Dayton LGBT Film Festival). We had a great time catching up, and he mentioned that Dayton was one of his favorite festival experiences during his travels with SABBATICAL. I don’t think he was just feeing me a line – he mentioned the great sense of community, the friends he made, and his overall experience. I think we can be proud of that!

I’m currently in line for tickets…then off to 3 films today and a big party tonight. More soon. Thanks for reading!

Jonathan

Toronto – Day #1 (5 Films)

September 6, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello!

Today was one of those packed days…and I’m thinking I might finish typing this while in line tomorrow morning (so I can get at least 5 hours of sleep).

I saw 5 films on Day #1.

First off was an Iranian film called CLOSED CURTAIN by Jafar Panahi & Kambuzia Partovi. This is a film about a man who goes into hiding with his dog – residing in a “friend’s house” where he blacks out all the windows and fears any sounds of people outside. A strange woman finds her way into the house, and tensions mount. About half way into the film, the story reveals itself. Not everything is as it seems…for this is a story being written/imagined by a director. This is a film about inspiration and character development…and how one creates under certain constraits. Not knowing Panahi’s story (of being under house arrest in Iran) could make this film a little more difficult to initially understand…though I eventually found the cinematic riddles/metaphors to be a little obtuse and tedious. (There’s a side story about how dogs are not allowed to be seen in public…and the dog in this movie steals every scene.)

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(CONTINUED at 7:00am Friday morning)

Francois Ozon’s latest film – YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL – is a sexually charged film about a girl losing her virginity over the summer…and how she eventually is drawn into the power-play of sexuality. At 17, while still in high school and living at home, she begins leading a double life of a prostitute. She uses on-line pornography as tutorials, and she steals her mother’s clothes to look more sophisticated. Told over the course of 4 seasons, this film has a couple clunky moments and on-the-nose song choices (and a little too overscored – though I do love the score). It even visually references BELLE DE JOUR – which is clearly loved by Ozon. Overall, I rather liked the sexual politics of the film…and I loved the ending. (Last year, I saw Ozon’s last film – IN THE HOUSE…it ended up being one of my favorites.)

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ABUSE OF WEAKNESS is Catherine Breillat’s latest film – based loosely on her personal story of dealing with the aftermath of a stroke and being swindled by a man who she came to admire (who was supposed to star in her next film). This film stars Isabelle Huppert, and she is out of this world! The control of her body and speech are unbelievable! Though a bit too long and sometimes a bit frustrating (though I’m guessing that might be the point…as dealing with an illness and its physical challenges can be much the same). The psychology of what makes people do things that seem out of character is a driving force of this film, and it’s worth seeing just for Huppert’s incredible performance.

KILL YOUR DARLINGS stars Daniel Radcliffe as Allen Ginsberg – which should seal the deal to mainstream America that Radcliffe can do a lot more than play a boy wizard (many already knew this given EQUUS and other examples). Though produced by Killer Films (known for a variety of indie gems over the years – BOYS DON’T CRY, FAR FROM HEAVEN, and many many more), this film seemed more “Hollywood” than anything I saw on Day #1. This is due mostly to its simplistic script. The visual style is rather nice, and most of the performances are really quite good, but it seemed a little too easy and I found myself rolling my eyes a lot – especially in the first 20 minutes (and the use of some contemporary music killed a few moments instead of making them relatable). Overall, I came away liking several things about the film – but it’s far from being a masterpiece. (Part biopic, part thriller!…you didn’t see that coming, did you? Without the opening scene set in prison, you wouldn’t really guess the film was heading that direction.)

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ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE was my final film of the day. Jim Jarmusch’s vampire movie isn’t what many might suspect. It’s not at all a horror film! This is a love story about 2 sophisticated people who have lived for hundreds of years. Told in a bit of a hallucinogenic haze, this film is actually full of humorous moments and thoughtful insights to today’s world. (Tom Hiddleston’s character – who plays opposite Tilda Swinton – is contemplating suicide…due mostly to being so disenchanted with the monstrous actions of today’s human beings – who he refers to as “zombies”). Told in a languid, poetic fashion, this is a character driven film with lots of long, slowly moving scenes with beautiful music and photography. Some might find the film boring (especially if they’re looking for a traditional genre film), but I thought it was rather lovely. Tilda was NOT there! Though disappointing, it was nice to see and hear Jarmusch and Hiddleston discuss the film (I didn’t previously know who Hiddleston was…but fans were shrieking with delight when he emerged from his car). Mia Wasikowska was also in attendance. She had little to say.

3 Films today. Maybe 4!

More later! Thanks for reading!

Toronto International Film Fest – I Made It To Town!

September 4, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Friends of THE NEON!

I made it to Toronto. With very little sleep, I ran right to registration and picked up my pass and catalog…which I looked at very quickly and made my first picks. The Toronto International Film Festival (which I’ll refer to now as TIFF) officially begins tomorrow night. That said, industry screenings begin tomorrow morning. Each day, my pass allows me to see 2 public screenings and numerous industry screenings. (The public screenings are more fun…they’re filled with film lovers…and the filmmakers and stars often attend those screenings.) Only a handful of tickets for those public screenings are put aside for people who have passes like mine…and we can only collect them 48 hours in advance. This means that I’ll be up every morning at 6:00 so I can leave my apartment and get in line by 7:00. At 8:00, I’ll hopefully be one of the first people in line so I can get the tickets I want….then I’m off to screenings for the rest of the day.

Each day, I’ll see 3, 4 or sometimes even 5 films (that’s a rarity, though…my eyes can only handle so much).

I just returned from grabbing a beer and plotting my next few days. I picked up some local publications and started to assess the buzz about any films that I might need to see, and my initial plan of attack is in place. With over 300 films to chose from, the scheduling can become madness…and I love it.

Thanks for checking in with my blog. One film I’ll be seeing tomorrow (Thursday night) is Jim Jarmusch’s new vampire film (not a genre I really like…but my favorite actress is the star – TILDA SWINTON). Tune in again (and each day thereafter) to read about each of the films I’m seeing (and each of the stars I see flitting around).

More soon,

Jonathan

Special Events Indoors and Out Part of Sept. 6 First Friday in Downtown Dayton

August 31, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

CACD is one of many locations that will display artwork during First Friday.

Warm up for Urban Nights by attending downtown Dayton’s next First Friday, held from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6. Art exhibits, live music, dinner and drink specials, retail sales, and special events will be featured at a variety of downtown venues.

A complete list of what downtown businesses have on tap for First Friday is available on the DDP website. Highlights include:

Internationally known artist Robert Walker will display work at Clash Consignment (521 E. Fifth St.).

The Dayton Visual Arts Center (118 N. Jefferson St.) will be exhbiting Music for Teacups: Colagiovanni and Haviland, a selection of video, artist books and original prints by two artists from Athens, Ohio. The gallery will be open until 8 p.m.

Several restaurants, including Lily’s Bistro pictured here, will offer dining specials and a food truck rally also will be held during First Friday.

Garden Station (509 E. Fourth St.) will be offering an introduction to herbal remedies class at 6 p.m., a compassionate communication workshop at 7 p.m. and live music by Meghna & the Majority at 8 p.m. The Urban Farmer’s Market begins at 5:30 p.m.

The Great Dayton Flood Walk will start at 7 p.m. View vintage photos of the flood, visit buildings that made it through the flood, see high-water marks from 1913 and more. $10 per person. Call 937-274-4749 or email [email protected] for required reservations and meeting location.

Synergy Incubators hosts a food truck rally at 200 S. Jefferson St., featuring many popular local food trucks, music, children’s activities, Hope Foundation Motorcycle Raffle, Inside Out 11M Photobooth and a local artisan marketplace.

The Yellow Cab (700 E. Fourth St.) will feature exhibit “The Art of Music,” with artwork created by musicians and inspired by music. University of Dayton professor Al Carrillo will read his poetry, and an open mic will be available for anyone who wants to perform.

Steel drummer Joseph Glenn, pictured here with saxophonist Tyrone Martin, will again perform on the street during First Friday.

First Friday is presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership with support from the Oregon District Business Association and Rev. Cool’s “Around the Fringe” show that airs on Fridays from 8 p.m. to midnight on WYSO-FM 91.3. The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website has a complete list of downtown’s arts and cultural amenities, as well as a dining guide, parking map and much more. Download the Find It Downtown mobile search tool for smartphones at http://mobile.downtowndayton.org.

THE SPECTACULAR NOW Opens & BLUE JASMINE Continues at THE NEON!

August 28, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Wow! What an incredible weekend! FilmDayton had some nice crowds over the weekend (their line-up was awesome), and BLUE JASMINE became one of our biggest openings of the year! Many thanks to all of you who came out. We were busy, and it felt great!

If you still need to see THE WAY WAY BACK, you only have a couple more days. In addition, I hope many of you will come down for our special 4-day engagement of IN THE HOUSE – one of my absolute favorite films of the year (only a few people turned out on Monday). Thursday will be the last day for both films, and you can see their schedules on our official site – www.neonmovies.com. While BLUE JASMINE will certainly stick around, we have another hot, new film opening this weekend – THE SPECTACULAR NOW. This film has garnered high praise from The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Entertainment Weekly, USA Today, Variety, Chicago Sun-Times and many more. We hope you’ll support it!

Synopsis for THE SPECTACULAR NOW: “This is the tale of Sutter Keely, a high school senior and effortless charmer, and of how he unexpectedly falls in love with “the good girl” Aimee Finecky. What starts as an unlikely romance, becomes a sharp-eyed, straight-up snapshot of the heady confusion and haunting passion of youth – one that doesn’t look for tidy truths.” (taken from A24) This film stars Shailene Woodley – she played a daughter to George Clooney’s character in THE DESCENDANTS. She’s really wonderful. Click this LINK to visit the official site.

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“James Booker, the ‘Piano Prince of New Orleans,’ is resurrected in Lily Keber’s superb new documentary film – BAYOU MAHARAJA: THE TRAGIC GENIUS OF JAMES BOOKER. The documentary features concert footage, eyewitness accounts of the outrageous Booker in action and reflections from fellow New Orleans musicians Harry Connick Jr., Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, Aaron Neville and others. 2013’s most talked-about music documentary, the movie captures the essence of this underappreciated virtuoso. Meet Lily Keber at THE NEON when she introduces her film and leads a Q&A session following the screening.” (taken from VSOP Press Notes) This film will play one time only – Wednesday, September 18 at 7:30. Tickets are already on sale at THE NEON’s box office.

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I’m sad to announce that THE NEON has lost a good friend. Harish Trivedi of The India Foundation passed away earlier this month. He was such a lover of film, and he provided the community with a wealth of knowledge and passion for Indian cinema. He was a great collaborator, and his spirit and drive were infectious. He will be greatly missed.

Unfortunately, Saturday’s screening of SALMA has been cancelled. We hope it will be rescheduled for a future event, but no further details are available at this time.

Thanks for your continued support!

We hope to see you soon!
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri, Aug. 30 – Thurs, Sept. 5:

BLUE JASMINE (PG-13) 1 Hr 38 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30
Monday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:15
Tuesday – Thursday: 3:10, 5:20, 7:30

THE SPECTACULAR NOW (R) 1 Hr 35 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:40, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:40
Monday: 12:40, 3:00, 5:15, 7:40
Tuesday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:40

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
TBD – BLACKFISH
TBD – THE HUNT
Sept. 13 – SALINGER
TBD – THE PATIENCE STONE
TBD – AUSTENLAND
TBD – WADJDA
Oct. 18 – ENOUGH SAID
Oct. 18 – INEQUALITY FOR ALL
TBD – CUTIE AND THE BOXER

Taste of the Oregon Festival Takes Over Fifth Street This Sunday

August 23, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Sample the many things that make the Oregon District one of Dayton’s longest-standing hotspots this Sunday, Aug. 25, during the first Taste of Oregon festival. The event — which features food and drinks, live music, shopping, arts, vintage cars, and a home and garden tour — celebrates the area’s 40th year as a Historic District.

Fifth Street will be closed in the District for the festival, which runs from noon to 7 p.m. Admission to the event is free, and food and drink tickets are $1 each, with food items priced between $3 and $6. The event will highlight the several new District establishments that have opened recently, along with long-time District favorites.

The Menus, a popular band based in Cincinnati, will headline the festival with a set that begins at 4 p.m. Funky G and the Groove Machine will perform from 12:30 to 3 p.m.

Yuengling and craft beers, along with nonalcoholic beverages, will be available on the street, in addition to those served in the eateries and taverns.

The Oregon Historic District Society will present a home and garden tour from 1 to 4 p.m., starting at 22 Brown St. (Inn Port D’Vino/Deaf Monty’s Wine). Tickets are $5.

SAMPLING OF THE TASTE OF OREGON MENUS:

Blind Bob’s
Vegetarian Basket
Chicken Wing Basket

Jay’s Seafood
Jay’s Chocolate Mousse
Lobster Mac and Cheese

Lily’s Bistro
BBQ, Cheddar and Bacon Deviled Eggs
Watermelon Gazpacho
Homemade Lemonade: Watermelon Mint, Cucumber Basil and Classic Flavors

Lucky’s Taproom and Eatery
Vegan and Beef Sloppy Joes & Sliders with a Side of Slaw

Oregon Express
Gourmet Pizza Slices

Salar Restaurant and Lounge
Marinated Chicken Skewer with Spanish Rice
Fish and Chips
2 Carnitas Tacos (Pork, Rice, Cheese and Lettuce)

Smokin BBQ
BBQ Pork and Chicken

Thai 9
Chicken Spring Rolls
Vegetable Spring Rolls
Shrimp Salad
Coco Shrimp
Thai Tea
Thai Coffee

Trolley Stop
Red Beans and Rice
Organic Keener’s Farm Sliders
Ginger Lemonade

Tumbleweed
Grilled Meatloaf Sandwiches
NY Strip Kabobs

Welcome to Dayton Beer Week 2013!

August 15, 2013 By Brian Petro Leave a Comment

It is here! Who says there is nothing to celebrate in August?

Beer has flooded the country. In 2010, there were fewer than 1,800 breweries in the United States. And there were zero in Dayton. Fast forward to 2013, where there are over 2,500 breweries in the United States. Dayton is seeing its own brewing growth spurt, with the Dayton Beer Company, Fifth Street Brewpub, Toxic Brewing Company, Lock 27 Brewing, Yellow Springs Brewing, Eudora, Star City Brewing, and many others that I am sure are in the works. Beer tastings have also expanded all over the city. Brewtensils has been offering not only supplies, but classes in brewing everything from a traditional lager or pilsner to experiments on the far ranges of the flavor scale. This is the environment the 4^th Annual Dayton Beer Week will be awakening to this weekend, inviting all of Dayton to step out and discover some of the beery goodness themselves.

There are going to be some big events celebrating beer this weekend as the party kicks off at Kitty Hawk Golf Course with the 3^rd Annual Pints, Putters, & Pink Balls-2 Club Golf Scramble benefiting the Breast Cancer Foundation. Registration starts at 12:30 PM for a 1 PM start. Get out your beer gear on Sunday and join all the floats and fun for the 4^th Annual Beer Pride Parade in the Oregon district, starting at 4:30 PM at Dublin Pub (of course). The good folks at 5^th Street Wine and Deli will be having a pre-parade tasting starting at 1 PM, so you can get an incredible seat for the festivities. For those of you who are a little more health conscious, Widmer Brothers is sponsoring Biking for the Beer of It Tuesday night. It begins in West Carrollton and ends after a 10 mile ride at A Taste of Wine in Miamisburg. They are very considerate, making sure you are well hydrated with a selection of beers at the midway point. The last major event of the week will be AleFest at Carillon Park (who is also setting up a historic brewery). You can try out all of the Dayton breweries, explore the growing gluten-free beer offerings, and just generally enjoy over 375 beers from over 150 breweries. That is, of course, if you are not beered out by that point.

Beer weeks ends with a bang, celebrating over 350 craft beers!

It is not just the big events that make this week special. Restaurants all over the Miami Valley are going to be celebrating in some form or another.

Monday:

Rouge will take over the draughts beginning at 5 PM at Jimmy’s Ladder 11. They will be featuring the Double Chocolate Stout, Hazelnut Brown, and Imperial IPA. After you’ve had your beer, you can keep the glass!
From 6 to 9 PM, you can help South Park Tavern fight off the Dogfish Head invasion they are anticipating. Grab a pint and pitch in!

Tuesday:

Cincinnati favorite Mt. Carmel Brewing Company will be taking over some taps at Blind Bob’s with their Summer Wheat, Harvest Dry Hopped ESB, and others. The festivities there start at 4 PM, and you get a souvenir glass to take home with you!
What goes better with beer than pizza? Spinoza’s will be having a Full Pint Brewing Company beer dinner from 7 to 9 PM.

Wednesday:

Ohio beers are going to be taking over two bars at the midway point! Chappy’s Tap Room and Grille will be featuring a Great Lakes Brewing Company infused firkin from 5 to 7:30 PM. Blind Bob’s will be the downtown center of the Ohio beer takeover, featuring native beers from 5 to 9 PM.
An incredible beer dinner will be going on at Twisted Root, featuring Merchant du Vin beers like Samuel Smith and Orval Trappist Ale. Five beers and five courses for $50, all of it starting at 7 PM.
If you are continuing your pint glass collection, Southern Tier Brewing will take over the taps at Taggart’s Pub. They will be featuring their 2XIPA and Choklat beers.

Thursday:

Start your palates! Lucky’s Tap Room will be having a Firkin Drag Race to the Finish! The casks will be tapped at 6 PM, and go until they are empty.
Enjoy some Ballast Point beer at the Milano’s Atlantic City Subs in Beavercreek, and take home another pint glass! The festivities will go from 6 to 8 PM.
Columbus favorite Elevator Brewing will have the run of taps at Archer’s Tavern beginning at 5:30 PM.
C’est Tout Bistro is planning a beer dinner featuring Unibroue beers from Canada.

Friday:

The Trolley Stop will be rolling out the red carpet on the second last night of Dayton Beer Week. They will be featuring rare beers like Bell’s Black Note, and good music that night from 7 PM to midnight.
Raise your glasses! From 6 to 7 PM, King’s Table will be featuring a stein hoisting competition featuring Sam Adam’s beers.
Are you still shy about craft beer? The Arrow Wine on Lyons Road will be having an Oskar Blues beer tasting from 5 to 7 PM. If you purchase a four or six pack of these very good brews, you will also walk out with a special gift.

This is not even remotely close to the full list of events for the week. Many restaurants and bars will be having specials on a wide range of beers. Look over the full menu of events and plan your week accordingly.

This is a nice start to the week…

While you are out exploring Dayton, there are a few things you should remember while doing your tastings:

When you taste, it is very similar to tasting wine. You want a little foam on the top. You also want to look at and sniff the beer before you taste it, to see what aromas are coming off of it.
Do not hold the beer in direct light when you look at it. You get the best idea of color when you look at it in indirect light.
Give it a little bit of a swirl in your glass. This stirs up the carbonation a little, allowing more of the aromas to be released. Don’t underestimate the importance of scent when tasting your beer!
Hold the beer in your mouth a little bit, allowing it to roam all over your tongue. Enjoy the flavors that come out as it is in your mouth. Take a mental note on how thick the beer is. This is known as mouthfeel.
Allow the beer to warm up SLIGHTLY before you drink it. As with wine, a little bit of extra warmth unveils deeper flavors that may not be otherwise obvious.

And while you are going to Beer Week events:

Car pool. Parking is going to be very limited for some of these events, and the citizens are going to be out in force. Getting more people in one car is going to be helpful for everyone.
Get there early. You want to make sure you get there in enough time to get seats! Make sure you call the venue and check out the details.
Drink plenty of water. This is going to serve a twofold purpose. First, water will help cleanse the palate between each beer, giving you a better idea of how each beer tastes. Secondly, it will help you avoid a worse hangover than you might normally have.
Do not eat spicy foods before you go to an event. You do not want your taste buds to be still burning from the Nuclear Hot wings you just ate. Eat a little something; just tone it down.
Go to the dark side. If you are not at a pre-set beer tasting, start off with some of the lighter beers, and go to the darker ones. The darker beers tend to have heavier flavors and be thicker, which can linger a little longer.
Designate a driver. No explanation needed.

It has been a busy few years for the craft beer scene, and this is the year it looks like it is going to explode in Dayton. This is the time to go out and taste new beers, find new favorites, and meet new friends. There are so many events going on during the week we would love to know which ones you are most looking forward to. Leave a note in the comments, and we will see you around town. Cheers!

FILL THE VOID Opening at THE NEON!

August 8, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

We’re moving along this week. On Friday (Aug. 9), we will open a lovely new Israeli film called FILL THE VOID.

Synopsis for FILL THE VOID: “Fill the Void tells the story of an Orthodox Hassidic family from Tel Aviv. Eighteen-year-old Shira is the youngest daughter of the family. She is about to be married off to a promising young man of the same age and background. It is a dream-come-true, and Shira feels prepared and excited. On Purim, her twenty-eight-year-old sister, Esther, dies while giving birth to her first child. The pain and grief that overwhelm the family postpone Shira’s promised match…When the girls’ mother finds out that Yochay may leave the country with her only grandchild, she proposes a match between Shira and the widower. Shira will have to choose between her heart’s wish and her family duty.” Peter Rainer of The Christian Science Monitor wrote, “The sheer force of artistry has the power to convert outsiders into insiders. I left Fill the Void feeling privileged, however briefly, to have been brought into this world.” It’s quite possible that FILL THE VOID will only play for one week. I hope you’ll hurry down! Click the image above to be directed to the film’s official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQuWarA9KXg’]

“Roger Brown — the greatest basketball player Dayton has ever known — will be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame on Sept. 8. Without the love and sacrifice of 84-year-old Daytonian Arlena Smith, it wouldn’t be happening. Join us at THE NEON on Aug. 15 at 7:30 for a benefit screening of the acclaimed documentary UNDEFEATED: THE ROGER BROWN STORY, with all proceeds going toward Arlena Smith’s trip to Springfield, Mass., for Brown’s Hall of Fame induction. Arlena and her late husband Azariah could not have children of their own, so they regularly welcomed troubled teenagers into their modest West Side home. One of those was Roger Brown. Among the greatest young basketball players in New York City history, Brown in 1961 had been unfairly implicated in a gambling scandal just as he was finishing his freshman year at the University of Dayton. Though never charged with a crime, he was kicked out of school and banned for life by the NBA. The Smiths came to the rescue. They opened up their home, found Brown a job, gave him the strength to move on. And finally, Brown bloomed anew. In 1967, he became the first player of the ABA’s Indiana Pacers. He led them to three championships, and became an Indianapolis City Councilman. All along, until his death at age 54 of cancer, Brown credited the Smiths — his ‘second parents’ — for making it possible.” (taken from press notes) Mark your calendars now! Tickets, just $10 each, are now available at our box office and at EbonNia Gallery.

The FilmDayton Festival is putting their marketing pieces into play, and they’re gearing up for another great festival. Film screenings will take place at THE NEON, but the festival is about a whole lot more…and it’s scheduled for August 23-25. Check out their line-up on the official site.

And speaking of FilmDayton, WSU’s Annual Big Lens Film Festival will kick off the festival this year. “The 21st Annual Big Lens Film Festival will premiere on Thursday, August 22nd at the THE NEON…Every year, Big Lens screens a selection of the very best short films to come from the Wright State University Motion Picture program, and this year is no different! Ranging from documentary to narrative, these six films cover a wide variety of subjects and emotions. There will be two screenings shown concurrently, one at 7:30pm and one at 8:00. Following the screenings, there will be a Q&A with the filmmakers, emceed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Julia Reichert. Tickets to either screening are $7 each, and will soon be available at THE NEON. Some films may contain adult content.” (taken from Big Lens press notes)

We hope to see you this weekend!

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri, Aug. 9 – Thurs, Aug. 15:

FILL THE VOID (PG) 1 Hr 30 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Wednesday: 3:15, 5:30, 7:45
Thursday: 3:15, 5:30

THE WAY WAY BACK (PG-13) 1 Hr 43 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30

UNDEFEATED: THE ROGER BROWN STORY
(NR) 1 Hr 30 Min + Discussion
Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Aug. 16 – I’M SO EXCITED

Aug. 23 – BLUE JASMINE

TBD – BLACKFISH

TBD – THE HUNT

TBD – FROM UP ON POPPY HILL

TBD – IN THE HOUSE

Experience the Best of Downtown During the Aug. 2 First Friday

July 26, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Roaming performers, saxophonist Tyrone Martin and steel drum player Joseph Glenn, entertain the crowd during the July First Friday.

Art. Music. Shopping. Food. Fun. First Friday in downtown Dayton is about all of these things.

This free event will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, throughout downtown. The August First Friday is always one of the year’s largest, and this year promises to be the same with the range of activities taking place. Roaming performers — the McGovern Ceili Dancers, acoustic duo Pourover and juggler Tony Steinbach — will provide entertainment throughout downtown.

If you plan to enter the Downtown in Focus photo contest, be sure to bring your camera along. From 8 to 11 p.m., most of downtown’s buildings will be lit for photographers who would like to capture city nightscapes to enter in the competition.

Just a few events taking place during the Aug. 2 First Friday are listed below:

Are you ready to rock? Canal Street Tavern (308 E. First St.) is presenting a tribute show by American Pink Floyd. The show starts at 9 p.m. and tickets are $12. Call 937-461-9343.

In honor of the second anniversary of Clash Consignment (521 E. Fifth St.), the store will throw a party to celebrate with all its customers. Entertainment will be provided by DJs Mike Wishnewski and Matt Freeman and henna artist Lily Whitehead. Boston Bistro will cater, and a $2 sidewalk sale will be held. Work by artist Robert Walker also will be featured. Call 937-241-9434.

The monthly Courteous Mass Ride will meet for two rides this month at Don Crawford Plaza in front of Fifth Third Field, (220 N. Patterson Blvd.). The first will ride leaves at 5:30 p.m. and the second at 7 p.m. Rides are free of charge and all skill levels are welcome. This month’s route will go past the downtown dog park, hit spots in Old North Dayton and surrounding areas (DATV, Mike Sell’s Potato Chips, Charlie’s Deli and Whitewater Warehouse) and head down the Mad River bike path back.

Synergy Incubators will produce their fourth First Friday Food Truck Rally. Street Food is all the ragea and Dayton Food Park (2oo S. Jefferson St.) will have 14 of Dayton’s food trucks lined up from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. After you grab some grub, browse through the booths of local artisans that include jewelry, homemade soaps, pottery and other crafts.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Great Dayton Flood, the Dayton Visual Arts Center (118 N. Jefferson St.) is showcasing artwork by local artists around the theme “Water, Water Everywhere.” Visitors can talk to the featured artists from the exhbit. The gallery will be open until 8 p.m. Call 937-224-3822.

Green Baby (31 S. St. Clair St.) will exhibit work by local artist Bley Hack, offer free chair massages to visitors and host a sale on select children’s items. The store will be open until 8 p.m. Call 469-8665.

Miami-Jacobs (110 N Patterson Blvd.) will host a Summer Block Party. HOT-FM 102.9 and WROU-FM 92.1 will broadcast live from the event, and entertainment includes a photo booth, indoor cornhole tournament and outdoor games. Call 937-668-0213.

As part of the First Friday Salsa Music Series, Son del Caribe will play live music from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at RiverScape MetroPark (111 E. Monument Ave.) on the MetroPark Pavilion Stage. Experience sounds that include salsa and other styles of Latin dance music. Call 937-274-0126.

Sew Dayton (16 Brown St.) will showcase artist-of-the-month Craig Galentine, creator of the The Kokeshi Clan. A group of local children will be selling lemonade for Hanna’s Treasure Chest outside the store and the winner of the “Make It Work” contest will be announced, along with the next challenge. Call 937-234-7398.

Wiley’s Comedy Niteclub (101 Pine St.) presents Cutthroat Freakshow by Dirty Little Secrets. This off-the-beaten-track show begins at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 for 18 and older. Call 937-224-5653.

A complete list of what downtown businesses have on tap for First Friday is available on the DDP website. Call 937-224-1518 or email [email protected] for more information.

FRUITVALE STATION and THE WAY WAY BACK Open at THE NEON!

July 25, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

As much as we’d like to hold THE KINGS OF SUMMER (it performed very well over the weekend, and audiences loved it), we have to keep moving (otherwise we’d have to skip this weekend’s titles). On Friday (July 26), we will open 2 of the biggest indie hits of the summer – FRUITVALE STATION and THE WAY WAY BACK. Thursday will be your last chance to see 20 FEET FROM STARDOM and THE KINGS OF SUMMER. For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com.

Synopsis for FRUITVALE STATION: “Winner of both the Grand Jury Prize for dramatic feature and the Audience Award for U.S. dramatic film at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, director Ryan Coogler’s FRUITVALE STATION follows the true story of Oscar Grant (Michael B. Jordan), a 22-year-old Bay Area resident who wakes up on the morning of December 31, 2008 and feels something in the air. Not sure what it is, he takes it as a sign to get a head start on his resolutions: being a better son to his mother (Octavia Spencer), being a better partner to his girlfriend Sophina (Melonie Diaz), and being a better father to Tatiana (Ariana Neal), their beautiful four year-old daughter. His resolve takes a tragic turn, however, when BART officers shoot him in cold blood at the Fruitvale subway stop on New Year’s Day. Oscar’s life and tragic death would shake the Bay Area – and the entire nation – to its very core.” (The Weinstein Company) With production design from WSU Motion Picture Alum Hannah Beachler! Beachler will be available for Q&As after screenings on Friday (July 26) at 7:30 and Saturday (July 27) at 5:10. Click THIS LINK to visit the film’s official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhfuZo0Vju4′]

Synopsis for THE WAY WAY BACK: “THE WAY, WAY BACK is the funny and poignant coming of age story of 14-year-old Duncan’s (Liam James) summer vacation with his mother, Pam (Toni Collette), her overbearing boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell), and his daughter, Steph (Zoe Levin). Having a rough time fitting in, the introverted Duncan finds an unexpected friend in gregarious Owen (Sam Rockwell), manager of the Water Wizz water park. Through his funny, clandestine friendship with Owen, Duncan slowly opens up to and begins to finally find his place in the world – all during a summer he will never forget.” The cast in this film is terrific – featuring one of Dayton’s own – Allison Janney! Click THIS LINK to visit the film’s official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwNo1i3jkCo’]

“The Libertarian Party of Ohio is hosting an evening of film, food, and discussion in support of the rights of individuals, families, and farmers to make healthy choices about what to grow and eat without interference from government. Food, Freedom and Farmageddon begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, with the film Farmageddon: The Unseen War on American Family Farms screening at 7:30 p.m at the The Neon, 130 E. Fifth St., Dayton. Fressa and Harvest Mobile Cuisine, two of Dayton’s most popular food trucks, will be parked right outside, and local food vendors will have their goods for sale. Also co-sponsoring the event is The Heights Cafe of Huber Heights. Admission is $5.” (taken from Libertarian Party Press Notes) Click THIS LINK to reserve your seat.
Hope to see you this weekend!

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. July 26 – Aug 1:

FRUITVALE STATION (R) 1 Hr 25 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45

THE WAY WAY BACK (PG-13) 1 Hr 43 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
TBD – FILL THE VOID
TBD – IN THE HOUSE
Aug. 2 – I’M SO EXCITED
Aug. 23 – BLUE JASMINE
TBD – BLACKFISH
TBD – THE HUNT

Keep the Rum Coming

July 19, 2013 By Brian Petro Leave a Comment

Yes, I would love to have a glass of rum. Thank you for asking!

George Washington is remembered as being one of the most respected individuals in American history. He was the General of the Army that defeated the British, he was the first President, and he was one of the great provocateurs before the American Revolution. He was a distiller, making his own beer and whiskey. He also knew quite well what spirits the people of colonial America liked to drink. He ordered 28 gallons of a particular spirit to distribute while he was running for the House of Burgess in Virginia. He also demanded it as a ration for his troops during the brutal winter they spent at Valley Forge and made sure that the fighting men got it before the officers did. When the war was over and Washington attended his inauguration, he (illegally) had a barrel of the finest imported. Whiskey was not a major American drink until after the war. The spirit that Washington, and all colonists were so fond of, was rum.

Rum was rough when it was first made. It was called kill-devil by most, but also referred to by several British slang words like rumbustion or rumbullion, both of which were terms referring to an upheaval. As it started to rise through the gentry, it became more refined with very basic distilling technology. It also became more popular as a drink to take on long voyages. Most ships of the era were outfitted with large supplies of beer and water. Rum did not go bad like the beer eventually did, nor did it suffer the same contamination that water was suspect to. Moreover, it was discovered that the long trips to Britain and America in oak barrels mellowed the rum and made it a much better quality liquor. It became a staple not only in the British navy, but on the pirate ships that were attracted to the Caribbean area for its developing wealth. The British were not prepared for the strength of the new spirit over beer. Rum started to be mixed with water, brown sugar, and lime. This had two effects: it stopped the sailors from being dead drunk and it gave them enough vitamin C to prevent scurvy. This gave the British a distinct advantage in sea combat. It remained a staple until 1970, when having buzzed sailors and modern weapons seemed to be a bad idea.

Barrels of rum aging.

America loved it as well. Rhode Island created rum that was as good, if not better, than rums coming from the tropics. The colonies were awash with it. Rum was in punches and any other drink you could ask for while traveling. It was also part of the slave trade, with people selling molasses to the colonies to get money to buy slaves. On average, colonists were drinking about four gallons per person per year. England took note of that, and imposed the Molasses Act in 1733 and Sugar Act in 1764, taxing the ingredients that helped to make rum. In 1775, the American Revolution began, and the rum started to flow out of America. Molasses became harder to come by. Not long after the revolution, as Americans moved west, whiskey started to be made in larger quantities in Ohio and Kentucky. Rum fell out of favor for a very long time, making a brief reappearance during Prohibition, then again after World War Two during the Tiki drink craze that swept the fifties and sixties.

Rum is distilled from one of two sources, either of which must come from sugar: molasses or sugar cane juice. Sugar cane juice is a little rarer (and known as rhum), so the bulk of the rum we all drink is made from molasses. It makes sense; the original rums were distilled from molasses, which was no more than a sticky, hard to dispose of byproduct when people were making sugar. There was just enough sugar left in it, with the help of some yeast, to turn it into something that was drinkable. Since rum was originally distilled among the many islands of the Caribbean, there is no one way for any particular rum to be created. Different yeast strains, stills, and methods are all employed by the various companies, making no two rums alike. It is hard to categorize all of the rum that is available in the market, but these are some common distinctions:

Light (silver) rum – They are milder and sweeter in general than most rums. The bulk of silver rum comes from Puerto Rico or Brazil (called cachaca). These are the ones you will find in most cocktails.
Gold rum – They usually have been aged in charred oak barrels, which gives them a little more color than the younger silvers. These barrels usually come from bourbon, which adds richness to the flavor.
Dark rum – Deep brown or red in color, these are more often used in cooking. They are aged longer, adding richer molasses and caramel tones to them. Dark rums usually come from Jamaica, Haiti, or Martinique.
Overproof rum – Gold colored rum with a very high ABV (Alcohol by Volume), usually around 151 proof.
Spiced rum – Spices are added, usually to gold rums, to enhance the natural flavor of the rum. They can also be darkened with caramel color.
Flavored rum – Usually silver in color and lower in ABV, they make up for it with added flavors. The flavors selected, usually tropical in nature, blend well with the natural sweetness of the rum. They are usually added to a mixer as an enhancement.

Fish House Punch, a staple of the Founding Fathers. This may explain some of the government.

Some places still offer gunpowder rum (exactly as it sound: run mixed with gunpowder), and there are many fine sipping rums as well that are made in pot stills and very small batches.

Rum is starting to make a comeback from a very long hiatus. The craft cocktail movement, with its love of the classics, has brought this spirit back. The first cocktails were made of rum, littering the early years of America with recipes. Fish House Punch, flips, shrubs, and daiquiris (who have their own day on July 19^th) all are cocktails that have a strong rum base. Mojitos are a wonderful summer cocktail, and the mai tai is considered a classic of the tiki era. Everything about rum invites fresh and tropical, perfect summer sipping. The complexity of rum offers an excellent base for cocktails.

From pirates to presidents, rum has been a spirit that has stayed close to the hands of people who enjoy a cocktail or two. Bourbon is considered the “spirit of America”, but the people who built America were fonder of their rum than whiskey of any sort. In recognition of the spirit and the day, find a restaurant with a patio that will make you a classic daiquiri. Summer is only going to last for so long, so enjoy!

Annual Downtown Dayton Photo Contest

July 8, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Amateur and professional photographers are invited to participate in Downtown in Focus, a photo contest aimed at finding new and distinctive shots of our downtown. The City of Dayton, Downtown Dayton Partnership, Kaplan College and Dayton Daily News are sponsoring the contest.

One amateur winner and one professional winner will be selected in each of the following categories:

Downtown Living: You know that place you and your friends go to every Saturday night downtown? Now is your chance to win some money for being a regular! Take photos showing off Dayton’s vibrant dining and nightlife scene, urban housing or anything else unique to living and playing downtown.
I Heart Downtown: The architecture of one of the historic buildings you have always admired. Your favorite spot along the river. That coffee shop where you buy your morning brew — this category is wide open to photograph anything and everything you love about downtown Dayton.
Skyline: It’s hard to single out the best thing about Dayton, so why not just capture the whole city? Show us your best shot of our downtown Dayton skyline!

A panel of judges ― consisting of professional photographers, photography editors and instructors, and arts community leaders ― will select the winners in each category and award a $250 cash prize to the Best in Show winner in each division. Honorable mentions also will be awarded at the discretion of the judges. In addition, City of Dayton Mayor Gary Leitzell will select one photo that best represents the City’s “Dayton Originals” motto. This photographer will receive a gift basket from the City of Dayton. Contest winners will be recognized at the Sept. 20 Urban Nights, and all entries will be displayed in a special exhibit during Urban Nights.

From approximately 8 to 11 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 2, during First Friday, many of downtown’s buildings will be lit for photographers who would like to capture night shots of the city.

The deadline to submit photos is 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, 2013. There is no fee for application or participation.

Photographers are not required to be Dayton-area residents, but winners must be age 18 or older. Photos must have been taken in Greater Downtown ― which includes the Central Business District, Oregon Arts District, Webster Station and the ring of neighborhoods that surrounds downtown ― within the past calendar year. Official contest guidelines and entry forms are available at www.downtowndayton.org and www.daytonohio.gov.

For more information, contact:

Kristen Wicker: 937-224-1518, ext. 228, or [email protected]

Courtney Deutsch: 937-224-1518, ext. 231, or [email protected]

For contest submission details and entry forms: www.downtowndayton.org