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DCDC

Local Arts Leader Announces Retirement from Dance Company

September 27, 2022 By Dayton937

Ro Nita Hawes-Saunders, CEO of the internationally acclaimed Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC), announced her intention to terminate her tenure, effective December 31, 2022.  Ro Nita concludes an eighteen-year career at DCDC. 

After being selected to provide leadership and stewardship of the company because of her knowledge and experience as a civic-minded, community-centered entrepreneur, Ro Nita was asked in 2005 by the DCDC Board of Directors to address issues that threatened the viability and sustainability of the company including the economic recession and lack of visibility of the company.

According to Ro Nita, “organizational change and reform, fiscal discipline, and strategic planning and networking became the requirements of the situation then, and these strategies continued to be useful and helpful in enabling the company to navigate the more recent challenge represented by the COVID pandemic and its aftermath.”  Ro Nita credits the creativity and resilience of the DCDC family, including the tireless donors, outstanding staff, exquisite dancers and dedicated Board of Directors for the company’s recovery and renewal. The company has evolved from an excellent dance company into a performing arts institution.

DCDC Board Chair, Jacqueline Gamblin and CEO of JYG Innovations said “I have admired Ro Nita’s leadership and unwavering commitment to continuing the DCDC legacy of artistic excellence and education. We appreciate her contributions and are extremely grateful for her cultivation of several key partnerships, sponsors and individual donors which are the lifeline of a non-profit. Her service has left a lasting impact and solid foundation for DCDC’s continued stability, success and growth.

Ro Nita believes that DCDC is a community trust and cultural treasure, whose reason for being is to recreate and celebrate the African American heritage and experience.  Through its artistic and educational initiatives, the company reaches annually approximately 40,000 people, 25,000 of whom are youth.  An example of Ro Nita’s belief that art may be used to heal, inform, and connect our global community was experienced in the presentation of DCDC’s Young, Gifted and Black: A Transformative Experience, which brought performances of new work and residency activities by choreographers of color to students and the community of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 

Ro Nita has stated that she shares “Jeraldyne Blunden’s commitment to education, social change and cultural transformation.” She initiated new strategic educational partnerships with area Universities including the University of Dayton, Central State University and Wright State University. These partnerships resulted in initiatives that have benefited area high school and college students and the program growth of the dance company.

During Ro Nita’s tenure, DCDC has received a number of distinguished awards, including the contemporary dance world’s highest honor (New York Dance and Performance Award aka “The Bessie”) in 2016.  DCDC also received the 2016 Workplace Diversity Award from the Dayton branch of the National Conference for Community and Justice.  In May of 2018, DCDC received the prestigious Ohio Arts Council top artistic award, the Irma Lazarus Award.  DCDC has also toured internationally–Chile, China, France, Poland, and in 2018 the U.S. State Department invited DCDC to tour Kazakhstan and Russia.   

Ro Nita leaves DCDC after having created a legacy of leadership and service of her own, which includes her selection by the Dayton Business Journal in 2019 and in 2021, as one of the fifty most influential women in our area and her being honored in 2020 with the inaugural DBJ Jane Haley Award for determination, perseverance, and achievement.  Ro Nita was also awarded an honorary doctorate degree by the University of Dayton in May of 2019 for her many contributions to the vitality and quality of the community, her continuing commitment to education, and her advocacy for female and minority business ownership.

Ro Nita’s belief in the vision and mission of the company—her respect for the company’s history and the founder’s legacy, her advocacy for individual change and organizational transformation, her faith and confidence in the potential and destiny of the company and the talented and dancers will remain hallmarks of DCDC.

The board of directors, will begin the daunting task of filling her position, in order for DCDC to continue its excellence that it represents in the arts world-wide.  Vice chair of DCDC’s board and University of Dayton provost Dr. Paul Benson said, “Ro Nita has been an outstanding leader for DCDC in absolutely every dimension of her responsibilities. Her agile leadership and ambitious strategic vision for DCDC were powerful catalysts for developing the close working partnership that UD has had with DCDC for the past 12 years.” Benson noted that the Board will establish a search committee and launch a search soon for Ro Nita’s successor. “DCDC’s continued artistic excellence, rich grounding in African-American culture and artistic expression, and dramatically expanded national and regional support should make this a highly desirable leadership role.”

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, The Featured Articles Tagged With: Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, DCDC, Ro Nita Hawes-Saunders

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company presents World Premiere of “Inside Out”

February 11, 2022 By LIbby Ballengee

In February, there are two opportunities to experience the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, both in-person and Livestream.

The in-person performance is entitled, Inside Out, featuring a unique collection of interdisciplinary and collaborative pieces imagined by Debbie Blunden-Diggs, DCDC’s Chief Producing and Artistic Director. Witness the unveiling of three world premiere works rooted in DCDC’s legacy and sponsored by the Ohio Arts Council. 

If we learned anything during 2020 and 2021, we’re reminded that it’s what’s on the inside that counts. The world has changed, and we’ve evolved the way we think about craft, art, and society. DCDC’s resident choreographers embark upon new collaborations to explore life in a new world.

Nashville native Countess Winfrey collaborates with jazz composer Wesley Winfrey on new music and dance. The exquisite score is brought to life by The University of Dayton Jazz Ensemble and DCDC’s performing artists. The set design and projections created by visual artist Kanetha Scott are inspired by Winfrey’s choreography and the spirit of Memphis. Winfrey’s new work is the centerpiece of this concert, and you won’t want to miss it!

Performances will be held on February 26 at 7:30pm and February 27 at 4:00pm, LIVE at the Victoria Theater. For tickets call 937-228-3630 or daytonlive.org/dcdc. Tickets start at $15!

Livestream event alert: On February 17, 2022 | 11:30 AM – 1 PM – DCDC presents Up Close & Personal: Anatomy of a Dance. Viewers will have the opportunity to see what happens during the creative process. Countess Winfrey will share a part of the evolution of her work for the February event Inside Out. Rehearsals in the studio, practices with the band, and conversations with the creative minds for this production will be shared virtually with our audiences as they get an inside look into the World Premiere of “Human Nature.”  Tickets & info at: info.dcdc.org/performances-tickets/seasons-series/up-close-personal
 
 

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, DMM's Best Bets, On Stage Dayton, The Featured Articles Tagged With: Dayton, Dayton Club Scene, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Dayton Ohio, DaytonDining, DCDC, downtown, Downtown Dayton, Events, Things to Do, Things to do in Dayton, Victoria Theatre

DCDC’s “The Littlest Angel” is a Heartwarming Holiday Tradition

December 13, 2021 By LIbby Ballengee

The holiday rush may be in full swing, but it’s not too late to experience a meaningful holiday tradition with your friends and family. The Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’s The Littlest Angel returns reimagined and renewed! It’s a Dayton tradition for anyone looking for a reason to believe. To believe in goodness. To believe in purpose. To believe that our lives are intentional.

Imagined as a legacy gift for her child and crafted as an adaptation of Charles Tazewell’s children’s book, The Littlest Angel delights and inspires as we follow the angel on a path of discovery toward the real meaning of giving and have a few laughs along the way. Each year we look on as the littlest angel makes her way through heaven and is challenged with choosing the perfect gift for the blessed infant. This holiday story asks us all to imagine the possibilities of giving and leaves audiences changed and inspired.

Get your tickets now for The Littlest Angel, DCDC’s inspiring stage adaptation of the classic children’s book that explores the real meaning of giving. There are discounts for students, military, seniors, and young professionals.

How to Go?
December 17, 2021 7:30 PM
December 18, 2021 3 PM & 7:30 PM

Performance at: University of Dayton
Kennedy Union Boll Theatre*
300 College Park, Dayton, OH 45469

GET TICKETS HERE: LINK FOR TICKETS
You can also purchase tickets by calling Dayton Live at 937-228-3630.

*Masks will be required.

Filed Under: Community, The Featured Articles Tagged With: arts, Dayton, Dayton Club Scene, Dayton Ohio, DCDC, downtown, Downtown Dayton, Events, ohio, Things to Do, Things to do in Dayton

DCDC is “Taking It to the Streets” on Sunday at Levitt Pavilion

August 25, 2021 By LIbby Ballengee

The world-renowned Dayton Contemporary Dance Company invites the community to their 2021-2022 season kickoff party! “Taking It to the Streets” is a free performance on Sunday, August 29, 2021, at 7 pm at Levitt Pavilion in downtown Dayton.

 

For the historic local dance company, being able to host an in-person performance has been a long wait. It’s been a year and a half since their last hometown concert, so they decided to make it a free community celebration. They want to reawaken the city with their dancing, special musical guests, food trucks, and more!

 

“Taking It to the Streets” celebrates the company’s collective energy like no other.  This event combines the summer energy of a street party and the innovation of site-specific performance in an open-air concert for the community. These dancers bring the city to life with new pieces celebrating black joy and global culture. “If joy was a protest, this would be our protest march!”

 

Debbie Blunden-Diggs, the Chief Artistic & Producing Director for DCDC, told us she’s super excited about returning to live performance. “This performance lets us celebrate DCDC’s 53rd season with the community we live in!”

 

DCDC’s 53rd season is entitled Evolve(d), and is self-described as a “shift to black joy, embodied global culture, inspiration towards real change, spiritual awakenings for the soul, and communal metamorphosis, all at once and through the humanity of the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company.” The line-up for Dayton performances includes the beloved holiday piece “The Littlest Angel,” along with 2022’s “Inside Out,” “Dancing in the Light” and “Soulstice: Mahogany Nights.” For more information about season subscriptions and single tickets, visit dcdc.org. Purchase your subscription before September 15th, 2021 and save 10%.

HOW TO GO?
Performance: “Taking It to the Streets”
Date: August 29, 2021
Time: 7 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Dayton Levitt Pavilion, 134 S. Main Street, Dayton, OH 45402  Directions

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, Community, Dayton Food Trucks, DMM's Best Bets, Downtown Dayton, On Stage Dayton, The Featured Articles, Urban Living Tagged With: concert, Dayton, Dayton Club Scene, DCDC, downtown, Things to Do, things to do dayton

Spice up your holiday with a special “Holiday at Home” feature with DCDC

December 23, 2020 By LIbby Ballengee

After a year that’s kept us all at home, streaming our entertainment, I think it’s safe say we’re feeling a little Netflixed out. We’ve seen it ALL. Well, if you’re looking for something holiday themed, original, fabulous and local – check out the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’s virtual “Home for the Holidays” performance this weekend.

Whether you’re new to modern dance, or a connoisseur, this show is both an opportunity for new patrons experience dance, as well as a dose of what longtime arts fans have been missing this year. It’s a beautiful way to celebrate the holidays with our own world-class dance company through cheerful dance and song!

How to tune in? That’s the best part: it’s at your convenience. Buy a ticket and enjoy a single viewing of the performance sometime from Saturday, December 26, 2020 until Tuesday, December 29, 2020.

“This production will beckon us towards the memories that remind us of the things we treasure most: family, community, and home,” the company stated. They invite the community to “let this moving, joyful experience warm your family’s heart during the holiday season.”

Not only is this cozy production a great way to break up the online monotony with something cultural and original, purchasing access to this performance is also a great way to support this treasured local arts institution. All performing arts organizations could greatly use the community’s support during this challenging time.

After the performance, there will be a special feature where DCDC’s dancers perform their favorite holiday fireside stories. The company invites you to follow along with their special craft making session, which is perfect for the entire family. This is an up close and personal way for the dancers to share their memories of hope and joy with the community.

Ticket Information

Get your tickets at daytonlive.org or call 937-228-3630. $26.50 each.

This broadcast will be available for a single viewing between 12 a.m. on Saturday, December 26, 2020 and 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, December 29, 2020. Information about how to access the stream will be included on your email confirmation.

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company: www.dcdc.org

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, Community, DMM's Best Bets, The Featured Articles Tagged With: Christmas, Dayton, Dayton Club Scene, Dayton Live, Dayton Ohio, DCDC, Events, Holiday, home, seasonal, showtimes, Things to Do, Things to do in Dayton, Victoria Theatre, virtual

DCDC’s Retro/ACTIVE with Special Guest Sparkle

February 4, 2020 By LIbby Ballengee

After a stunning retirement announcement, Sheri “Sparkle” Williams will re-perform her final solo dance entitled Altar-ing at the up-coming Dayton Contemporary Dance Company performance Retro/ACTIVE on Saturday, February 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 9 at 4pm at the Victoria Theatre, located at 138 N. Main St. in Dayton. 

Sparkle, is an icon not only in the Miami Valley, but known through-out the contemporary dance world. She was the Individual Performance Winner of 1997 NYC Bessie Award and 2014 Ohio Governor’s Award for Individual Artist. People will be flocking to the Victoria to witness Sparkle’s final performance, and pay homage to her dance legacy.

The mixed repertory show also features a nod to Black History Month with Warren Spear’s On the Wings of Angels (premiered 1996), which is a soaring tribute to the Tuskegee airman. The performance also brings back Vespers (premiered 1986), Ulysses Dove’s touching poetic tribute to womanhood, and Indestructible (premiered 2018), Abby Zbikowski’s tribute to the endurance of those who struggle for justice. There will also be a world-premiere and special unveiling of a new work by DCDC’s Chief Artistic Administrator and Producing Director, Debbie Blunden-Diggs.

HOW TO GO?

Retro/ACTIVE 

Saturday, February 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 9 at 4pm

Victoria Theatre, located at 138 N. Main St. in Dayton. 

Tickets for Retro/ACTIVE are available at www.ticketcenterstage.com or by calling 937-228-3630.

 For the latest opportunities to engage with DCDC, visit www.dcdc.org and connect with us on social media: Facebook/Instagram: @daytoncontemporarydancecompany & Twitter: @DCDCLive. 

Filed Under: On Stage Dayton, The Featured Articles Tagged With: Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, DCDC, Retro/ACTIVE, Sheri “Sparkle” Williams

Join in DCDC’s “In the Spirit of… Abundant Blessings” Holiday Performance

December 3, 2019 By LIbby Ballengee

Dayton’s own world renowned Dayton Contemporary Dance Company is back for a hometown an unforgettable holiday extravaganza with In the Spirit of… Abundant Blessings, a celebration of the African-American church. Performances take place on Saturday, December 7 at 7:30pm or Sunday, December 8 at 4pm at the Victoria Theatre, located at 138 N. Main St. in Dayton.

This holiday performance is a switch up from recent years. The company has been performing the beloved Littlest Angel production traditionally. Although a tradition, this swap up is sure to excite Dayton audiences. Not only is the dance quality tremendous, there is live music too!

Music is provided by a collection of amazing talent including The Jeremy Winston Chorale, the Frederick Douglass Elementary Children’s Choir, Judah Band, Music Director Deron Bell with a mass community choir, and nationally renowned gospel singer – the legendary Shirley Murdock. This performance transports audiences to a higher plane of joy and belonging. It’s a holiday offering the entire family is sure to enjoy!

DCDC will also be paying tribute to Sheri “Sparkle” Williams’ 46th year with the company, as is DCDC’s and one of the nation’s most recognized contemporary dance artists.

“This is a wonderful culminating event for our 50th Anniversary. In the Spirit of .. is one of my favorite offerings because it brings the community together. It is a season for giving and sharing. Stepping into our 51st season is no small feat; if not for our dream of our founder, Jeraldyne Blunden, we would not have this wonderful legacy that lives on throughout Dayton, the nation, and the globe. I’m looking forward to celebrating with you the gifts of our abundant blessings.” – Debbie Blunden-Diggs, DCDC Chief Artistic Administrator and Producing Director.

HOW TO GO?

Saturday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m. or Sunday, December 8 at 4:00pm

Victoria Theatre, located at 138 N. Main St. in Dayton.

Tickets are $28 are available at ticketcenterstage.com (scroll to pick Sunday performance) or by calling 937-228-3630.

Group Tickets available for groups of 10+. For group tickets contact Lyndsey@dcdc.org. Student, Veteran & Senior discounts are also available.

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, Downtown Dayton, On Stage Dayton, The Featured Articles Tagged With: arts, chrismas, Dayton Club Scene, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Dayton Ohio, DCDC, december 2019, Downtown Dayton, Holiday, modern dance, onStageDayton Links, performance, sheri sparkle, The Victoria Theatre, Things to Do, Things to do in Dayton, Victoria Theatre

Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame Inducts New Honorees

October 31, 2019 By Dayton Most Metro

Three individuals and one performing arts organization joined the Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame today at the 2019 induction ceremony held at Sinclair conference Center today. The Walk of Fame, located in Wright Dunbar includes over 180 Dayton individuals and organizations.  Granite pavers are located on the sidewalks on both sides of West Third Street between Shannon and Broadway Streets and on Williams Street in Wright Dunbar
 “We have another year of outstanding inductees.  They are all excellent examples of the exceptional people who make this area a great place to live and raise a family,” said Harry Seifert, president and CEO of Wright Dunbar, Inc.
This year’s inductees are

Walk of Fame 2019 – Jessie Gooding from Knack For Substance on Vimeo.

Jessie Gooding (1926-)
One of the Dayton region’s foremost civil rights leaders, Jessie Gooding was born and raised in Minden, La. After serving in the segregated U. S. Army, he studied at Wilberforce University and became a chemist at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Witnessing—and experiencing—discrimination in the workplace, Gooding established equal employment opportunity and sensitivity training, which became mandatory in the Air Force in the 1960s. He also advocated for the Air Force to recruit top science and engineering students from historically black colleges and universities. Gooding is the longest serving president of the Dayton chapter of the NAACP (1982-2002.) Under his leadership the Dayton NAACP increased voter registration and pressed for reforms to end discrimination in education, employment, housing and law enforcement. He is co-author with Rosalind Vera Osinubi of Freedom and Justice for All: My Life and Dayton Civil Rights History.
“It’s indeed a pleasure and a great measure of honor to be among individuals chosen for the Walk of Fame,” Gooding said.
 

Walk of Fame 2019 – John Gower from Knack For Substance on Vimeo.

John Gower (1953-)
John Gower is a life-long Dayton resident who has devoted his career as an urban planner to preserving Dayton’s history and making it a more enjoyable place to live. His advocacy for Dayton began as a student at the University of Cincinnati’s School of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning, when he volunteered weekends in Dayton to board up abandoned homes in his Dayton View neighborhood. He has worked as Dayton’s downtown planner, director of community development, urban design coordinator, and most recently as reimaging strategist. The Living City Project he led has been called a catalyst for revitalizing downtown housing. He led architectural preservation efforts that resulted in the city’s Historic District Zoning and Landmarks Commission. His preservation advocacy continues even in retirement, and he has been a leading advocate for restoring the downtown Dayton Arcade.
Lifelong Dayton resident John Gower called his hometown “probably the greatest place on the face of the planet.” He said it’s “the perfect size” for individuals to be able to have an impact locally and even globally.
 
“Anybody here can make anything happen,” Gower said. “If you want to make the world a better place, you start with your city.”

Walk of Fame 2019 – Betsy & Lee Whitney from Knack For Substance on Vimeo.

Betsy and Lee Whitney (1930-, 1930-2018)
Betsy and Lee Whitney have been exemplary leaders in arts, social services, history and business organizations. Born in Yellow Springs, Betsy Baldwin  met Leon “Lee” Whitney in college at Ohio Wesleyan. They married in 1953. Lee joined his father-in-law’s insurance company, which grew to become Baldwin and Whitney with Lee Whitney as president. The Whitneys have been generous with their talents and resources.  A past president and board chair of the YWCA, Betsy served on boards and/or fundraising committees for the Dayton Art Institute, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Dayton Visual Arts Center, Human Race Theater Company, Victoria Theatre Association, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, Dayton History, Leadership Dayton, Dayton Foundation and Wright-Dunbar Inc. Lee served as president of Dayton Children’s, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Downtown Dayton Partnership and the YMCA, and as a board member of the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, United Theological Seminary, and Westminster Church. Through his countless volunteer hours at Carillon Historical Park. He saw the need for a picnic shelter for schoolchildren. The Whitney Pavilion there now proudly serves visitors of all ages. Both Whitneys served on additional nonprofit boards and committees too numerous to list here.
Betsy Whitney, speaking for herself and her late husband Leon “Lee” Whitney, said the Dayton community “welcomed us with opportunities to serve” when they arrived in 1954. While Lee built up the insurance company started by Betsy’s father, both became active philanthropists and took leadership positions in numerous community organizations. “We have enjoyed every challenge along the way,” she said.
 

Walk of Fame 2019 – DCDC from Knack For Substance on Vimeo.

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
Nationally and internationally acclaimed local group on the dance stage and in film, DCDC has been a recognized cultural amenity in the Dayton arts scene for over 50 years. Few individuals or arts organizations in the region have represented Dayton on a larger scale. DCDC represents the Dayton region around the world. In this decade it has toured in Chili, China, Russia and Kazakhstan. PBS featured DCDC in the 2007 documentary “Dance in America: Dancing in the Light.” The film documentary “Sparkle,” which featured DCDC dancer Sheri “Sparkle Williams,” was selected to screen at Silverdocs, America’s largest and most prestigious documentary film festival in 2012. DCDC won the prestigious 2016 “Bessie” Award for Outstanding Revival for its performance of “Rainbow ‘Round my Shoulder” at the David H. Koch Theater in New York. DCDC was founded by Jeraldyne Blunden (1940-1999,) who was inducted in the Walk of Fame as an individual in 1999.
Representing the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company were Ronita Hawes-Saunders, its chief executive officer, and Debbie Blunden-Diggs, chief artistic administrator and production director and daughter of DCDC founder Jeraldyne Blunden. Diggs said her mother “planted her feet in Dayton 50 years ago because she wanted this company here.” Even as DCDC performs at venues around the world, she said, “there’s no place like home for us.”

Filed Under: Community, The Featured Articles Tagged With: Betsy Whitney, DCDC, Jessie Gooding, John Gower, Walk of Fame, Wright Dunbar Inc.

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company Kicks Off New Season with 2 Masterworks!

October 1, 2019 By LIbby Ballengee

The Dayton Contemporary Dance Company kicks off it’s 51st season with two explosive masterworks from Tony nominated, world-renowned choreographer Donald Byrd. This program is aptly titled A Byrd’s Eye View, and features vibrant onstage conversations with Byrd.

Byrd’s Eye View offers a rare and special perspective on the work of this esteemed choreographer. The program begins with Harriet Tubman Remix, which brings to life the daring abolitionist and activist, who escaped slavery and returned south to free others. The Geography of the Cotton Field, a monumental work, explores the history of cotton in all its implications and cultural manifestations.

Join DCDC October 5th or 6th for this rare opportunity to catch a glimpse inside the mind of this brilliant artistic creator!

How To Go?

Victoria Theatre, 138 North Main Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402

Saturday, October 5, 2019, 7:30pm

Sunday, October 6, 2019, 4:00pm

Tickets $28 – $48 available at www.ticketcenterstage.com OR by calling 228-3630

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, Downtown Dayton, On Stage Dayton, The Featured Articles Tagged With: DCDC, harriet tubman

Get Soulfully Funkalicious with the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company!

August 20, 2019 By LIbby Ballengee

Dayton is birthplace of amazing artistic as well as engineering feats. That spirit of innovation blossomed during the late 1960s-1980s in a couple of unique ways: the invention of funk music and the birth of modern dance.  In 1968, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company became the first modern dance company established in Ohio. Shortly after, Dayton become the proud capital of Funk music in the 1970s and 1980s.

On Saturday August, 24, 2019 both of those innovative art forms are celebrated together at DCDC’s Soulfully Funkalicious All-White Party! Enjoy delicious soul food while watching DCDC’s dance artists take to the floor in grand funk style with live music from the Dayton Funk All-Stars! Make sure to bring an appetite and your dancin’ shoes for this truly fun and fabulous way to support one of Dayton’s world-class artistic institutions!

How To Go?

What: Soulfully Funkalicious All-White Party

When: August, 24, 2019 from 6-11pm

Where: Dayton Convention Center (22 E 5th St, Dayton)

Tickets: $80 General Seating / $120 VIP Seating / $800 General Table (seats 10) / $1200 VIP Table (seats 10)

For this event only, please purchase tickets at Eventbrite or contact DCDC at 937-228-3232. Ticket purchases are non-refundable.

Please note: All white attire requested.

 

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, Charity Events, Downtown Dayton, The Featured Articles Tagged With: all star, arts, Dayton, Dayton Club Scene, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Dayton convention center, Dayton Music, Dayton Ohio, DCDC, downtown, Downtown Dayton, food, funk, ohio, soul, Things to Do, Things to do in Dayton, white party

2019 Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame Inductees Announced

April 24, 2019 By Dayton Most Metro

Three individuals and one performing arts organization will join the Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame at the 2019 induction ceremony in September, Wright Dunbar, Inc. officials announced Wednesday, April 24.
They are Jessie Gooding, John Gower, Betsy and Lee Whitney and the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company.
“We have another year of outstanding inductees.  They are all excellent examples of the exceptional people who make this area a great place to live and raise a family,” said Harry Seifert, president and CEO of Wright Dunbar, Inc.
This year’s inductees will be honored at a luncheon at Sinclair  College on Thursday, Sept. 26th.  Tickets and sponsorships for this event are available online.
Jessie Gooding (1926-)
One of the Dayton region’s foremost civil rights leaders, Jessie Gooding was born and raised in Minden, La. After serving in the segregated U. S. Army, he studied at Wilberforce University and became a chemist at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Witnessing—and experiencing—discrimination in the workplace, Gooding established equal employment opportunity and sensitivity training, which became mandatory in the Air Force in the 1960s. He also advocated for the Air Force to recruit top science and engineering students from historically black colleges and universities. Gooding is the longest serving president of the Dayton chapter of the NAACP (1982-2002.) Under his leadership the Dayton NAACP increased voter registration and pressed for reforms to end discrimination in education, employment, housing and law enforcement. He is co-author with Rosalind Vera Osinubi of Freedom and Justice for All: My Life and Dayton Civil Rights History.
John Gower (1953-)
John Gower is a life-long Dayton resident who has devoted his career as an urban planner to preserving Dayton’s history and making it a more enjoyable place to live. His advocacy for Dayton began as a student at the University of Cincinnati’s School of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning, when he volunteered weekends in Dayton to board up abandoned homes in his Dayton View neighborhood. He has worked as Dayton’s downtown planner, director of community development, urban design coordinator, and most recently as reimaging strategist. The Living City Project he led has been called a catalyst for revitalizing downtown housing. He led architectural preservation efforts that resulted in the city’s Historic District Zoning and Landmarks Commission. His preservation advocacy continues even in retirement, and he has been a leading advocate for restoring the downtown Dayton Arcade.
Betsy and Lee Whitney (1930-, 1930-2018)
Betsy and Lee Whitney have been exemplary leaders in arts, social services, history and business organizations. Born in Yellow Springs, Betsy Baldwin  met Leon “Lee” Whitney in college at Ohio Wesleyan. They married in 1953. Lee joined his father-in-law’s insurance company, which grew to become Baldwin and Whitney with Lee Whitney as president. The Whitneys have been generous with their talents and resources.  A past president and board chair of the YWCA, Betsy served on boards and/or fundraising committees for the Dayton Art Institute, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Dayton Visual Arts Center, Human Race Theater Company, Victoria Theatre Association, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, Dayton History, Leadership Dayton, Dayton Foundation and Wright-Dunbar Inc. Lee served as president of Dayton Children’s, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Downtown Dayton Partnership and the YMCA, and as a board member of the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, United Theological Seminary, and Westminster Church. Through his countless volunteer hours at Carillon Historical Park. He saw the need for a picnic shelter for schoolchildren. The Whitney Pavilion there now proudly serves visitors of all ages. Both Whitneys served on additional nonprofit boards and committees too numerous to list here.
Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
Nationally and internationally acclaimed local group on the dance stage and in film, DCDC has been a recognized cultural amenity in the Dayton arts scene for over 50 years. Few individuals or arts organizations in the region have represented Dayton on a larger scale. DCDC represents the Dayton region around the world. In this decade it has toured in Chili, China, Russia and Kazakhstan. PBS featured DCDC in the 2007 documentary “Dance in America: Dancing in the Light.” The film documentary “Sparkle,” which featured DCDC dancer Sheri “Sparkle Williams,” was selected to screen at Silverdocs, America’s largest and most prestigious documentary film festival in 2012. DCDC won the prestigious 2016 “Bessie” Award for Outstanding Revival for its performance of “Rainbow ‘Round my Shoulder” at the David H. Koch Theater in New York. DCDC was founded by Jeraldyne Blunden (1940-1999,) who was inducted in the Walk of Fame as an individual in 1999.
About the Walk of Fame and Wright Dunbar, Inc.
Since its inception in 1996 as a part of the City of Dayton’s bicentennial celebration, the Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame has recognized individuals and groups for their outstanding and enduring personal or professional contributions to the community, nation and the world. The Walk of Fame honors them by setting memorial stones in the sidewalks of Dayton’s historic Wright-Dunbar District. The stones can be enjoyed year-round on West Third Street between Broadway and Shannon and on North and South Williams Streets.
 Wright Dunbar, Inc. a private non-profit organization, serves as a catalyst for economic development on West Third Street and manages the Walk of Fame as part of its mission in Dayton’s historic West Third Street Corridor in the neighborhood of Wilbur and Orville Wright and Paul Laurence Dunbar.

Filed Under: Community, The Featured Articles Tagged With: Betsy Whitney, Dayton Region Walk of Fame, DCDC, Jesse Gooding, John Gower, Lee Whitney

Journey Into Love with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company

October 1, 2018 By LIbby Ballengee

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company will kick off their 50th anniversary season with the long-awaited, much anticipated world premiere of The Bench: Journey Into Love. Created & directed by nationally renowned choreographer Kiesha Lalama, (one of Dance Magazine’s “Top 25 to Watch”) and featuring professional singing talent, The Bench – Journey into Love will be sure to be a hit! The work features original music and lyrics.

What do you get when you cross a love story with dance, theatre and song? The world premiere of a full-evening concert, The Bench: Journey into Love, by choreographer Kiesha Lalama. See what happens when a man and woman meet by a park bench, fall in love, have a family, and continue their love into the next life. The Bench – Journey into Love is a whimsical love story told through the influential lens of Fate and Destiny, who unite the charming Antonio and the beautiful Eva through magical serendipity. Emotions run wild as the young couple experience life’s delights and obstacles. This impassioned and passionate theatrical experience weaves together innovative story-driven dance and a gripping jazz musical score to create a timeless tale of love and family.

Choreographer Kiesha Lalama

Kiesha Lalamahas created more than 50 works for stage, film and television. Kiesha choreographed feature films, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” “Sorority Row,” the hit television documentary series “Broadway or Bust” (PBS), and critically acclaimed television series “Outsiders” (WGN). Theatrical credits include The Jimmy Awards (Broadway), and many more. Lalama has created two full-length contemporary dance theater productions: HeartShakes, which premiered with DCDC in 2015 and The Bench.

How to Go?

When: Saturday, October 6 at 7:30 pm
or Sunday, October 7 at 4:00pm
 

Where: Victoria Theatre, located at 138 N. Main St. in Dayton.

Tickets start at $15.50, available at ticketcenterstage.com or by calling 937-228-3630.

Group Tickets available for groups of 10+.  Student, Veteran & Senior discounts also available.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, Downtown Dayton, On Stage Dayton, The Featured Articles, Urban Living Tagged With: arts, choreography, Dayton, Dayton Club Scene, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, DCDC, downtown, The Bench, Things to Do

Governor’s Awards for the Arts Recognize Daytonians

January 23, 2018 By Lisa Grigsby

 

The Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio is a statewide program that showcases and celebrates Ohio artists, arts organizations, arts patrons, and business support of the arts. The public is invited to nominate individuals and organizations in seven awards categories. A selection committee, made up of Ohio Arts Council board members and three individuals selected by Ohio Citizens for the Arts, chooses the winners. The program is presented by the Ohio Arts Council and the Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation and honorees will be celebrated at the annual luncheon in Columbus on May 16th.    This year Dayton is honored to have 3 award winners:

ARTS PATRON | STUART AND MIMI ROSE
SPRINGBORO (WARREN)

From dynamic performing arts centers to rare copies of ancient books, Stuart and Mimi Rose’s support of the arts spans a diverse array of fields. In May 2015, the city of Huber Heights celebrated the opening of its 4,200-seat covered amphitheatre, named the Stuart and Mimi Rose Music Center in honor of the couple’s generous donation. In its inaugural season, the center presented 29 performances and welcomed thousands of visitors to the city. Their recent support of The Dayton Art Institute, where Mimi served on the board, pays homage to the museum’s upcoming centennial in 2019, allowing many exciting projects that further strengthen the Institute to take place.

Other past philanthropic gifts have drawn from Stuart and Mimi’s personal interests. They recently funded the construction of the 300-seat Stuart and Mimi Rose Theatre at Dayton’s Miami Valley School and the 358-seat Carey Family Amphitheater at Cincinnati Country Day School.  Stuart, a rare book enthusiast, has loaned pieces from his private collection to the University of Dayton on several occasions. In 2014, following the “Imprints and Impressions: Milestones in Human Progress” exhibit featuring 49 rare books, Stuart surprised the school with the donation of a rare “He” version of the 1611 King James Bible and a colorful, whimsical edition of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland featuring illustrations by Salvador Dali.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PARTICIPATION |
Sierra Leone.  Dayton (Montgomery) 

Writer Sierra Leone is the president and artistic director of OFP Theatre Company, co-founded with her husband Robert Owens, Sr. For more than a decade, Ohio has benefitted from Sierra’s vision of creative urban arts as a powerful artistic medium to bring communities together across racial, cultural, ideological, and economic divides. Her project “The Signature: A Poetic Medley Show” presents a hybrid of urban poetry, music, dance, and visual arts from local, regional, and international talent. The show later expanded to include an energetic poetry competition called The Last Poet Standing.

Her work with youth arts organizations, schools, and community organizations has been ongoing through her company’s educational arm, Signature Educational Solutions. Sierra is continuing girls’ empowerment work through the Dayton Public Schools’ Girls Achievement program, and she has written and performed commissioned work for many local and national organizations.

IRMA LAZARUS AWARD | DAYTON CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY
DAYTON (MONTGOMERY)

The world-renowned Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC) is the oldest modern dance company in Ohio. Founded in 1968 by Jeraldyne Blunden, DCDC is one of few American dance companies of international reputation located outside a major U.S. metropolitan area. Having the world’s largest repertoire of classic works by African-American choreographers, the company continues to celebrate dance art around the world. Executive Director Ro Nita Hawes-Saunders created collaborative partnerships between the dance company and area universities, and the company delivers extensive education and outreach programs and services to elementary, middle, and high schools, both locally and while on tour.

DCDC is one of three dance companies across the United States tapped to tour internationally through the seventh season of DanceMotion USA, a dynamic cultural diplomacy program run through the U.S. Department of State and Brooklyn Academy of Music. DCDC will travel to Russia and Kazakhstan in May 2018. Historically, this marks DCDC’s third trip to Russia.

 Other awardees:

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PARTICIPATION | DAVID POE MITZEL, PH.D.
ZANESVILLE (MUSKINGUM)

An Ohio native, David was raised in Rocky River and attended University School in Shaker Heights before moving to Cincinnati. He received a B.A. cum laude in Honors History from Williams College and an M.S. from the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University. He served as an administrator at George Washington University and at Ohio University, where he earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration.

He was elected a founding vice president of the Ohio Continuing Higher Education Association, vice president of the National Council for Resource Development, founding executive director of the Muskingum County Community Foundation, and president of the Artist Colony of Zanesville. After retirement from the Community Foundation, he founded Appalachian Hills of Ohio Territory (AHOOT), the Zanesville Prize for Contemporary Ceramics, the All Ohio Contemporary Ceramics Competition and Show, and the Arts Council of Muskingum County.

INDIVIDUAL ARTIST | RICARDO AVERBACH, DMA
OXFORD (BUTLER)

Celebrating his 16th year as director of orchestral studies at Miami University, Brazilian conductor Ricardo Averbach has also served as president of the College Orchestra Directors Association (CODA) and guest conductor of orchestras all over the world. His concerts have been broadcast on radio and television in more than 50 countries. As a dedicated advocate of contemporary music, Ricardo has performed and recorded several world premieres for major labels, which have sold more than half a million copies around the globe. The American Prize has recognized his work in the College/University Division in many different categories, including the American Prize in Conducting, which he won in 2010.

A resident of Oxford since 2002, Ricardo has been promoting the arts in the state of Ohio by collaborating with world-renowned artists, participating in multidisciplinary projects, taking his students on tours nationally and abroad, commissioning Ohio composers, and serving on the Committee for the Arts and Innovative Thinking of the Ohio Department of Education.

ARTS ADMINISTRATION | HOWARD PARR
AKRON (SUMMIT)

Howard ParrHoward Parr has more than 30 years of professional experience in the arts and entertainment industry. He has served as executive director of the Akron Civic Theatre since September 2007, having served as its director of development and planning from 1998–2004, during which the theatre completed a $22.5 million expansion and restoration project. In addition to his work with The Civic, Howard provides booking assistance to the City of Akron’s Lock Three Park and to the University of Akron’s E.J. Thomas Hall.

Prior to joining The Civic, Howard served as general manager of Ohio Ballet, general manager of Cleveland Signstage Theatre, general manager of the Danville Civic Center, and performing arts coordinator at Western Illinois University.

 

ARTS EDUCATION | CENTER FOR ARTS-INSPIRED LEARNING
CLEVELAND (CUYAHOGA)

Center for Arts-Inspired LearningFounded in 1953, the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning (CAL) creates innovative learning experiences that close learning gaps, teach creative thinking and problem solving, and help students succeed in school, in their first jobs, and beyond. CAL annually provides close to 7,000 arts-in-education programs for 200,000 young people from 150 schools across Northeast Ohio. CAL’s vision extends beyond schools through ArtWorks, a year-round arts-based college and career readiness program for teens, which has provided more than 2,300 high school students with jobs that teach important life skills since its beginning in 2005. CAL continues to be the leading provider of arts education in Northeast Ohio. In 2017, CAL moved to University Circle to provide onsite arts education programming for underserved neighborhoods.

BUSINESS SUPPORT OF THE ARTS (LARGE) | THE J.M. SMUCKER COMPANY.   ORRVILLE (WAYNE)

For 120 years, The J.M. Smucker Company has been committed to offering consumers quality products that bring families together to share memorable meals and moments. Today, Smucker is a leading marketer and manufacturer of consumer food and beverage products and pet food and pet snacks in North America. In consumer foods and beverages, its brands include Smucker’s®, Folgers®, Jif®, Dunkin’ Donuts®, Crisco®, Pillsbury®, R.W. Knudsen Family®, Hungry Jack®, Café Bustelo®, Martha White®, truRoots®, Sahale Snacks®, Robin Hood®, and Bick’s®. In pet food and pet snacks, its brands include Meow Mix®, Milk-Bone®, Kibbles ‘n Bits®, Natural Balance®, and 9Lives®. The Company remains rooted in the Basic Beliefs of Quality, People, Ethics, Growth, and Independence established by its founder and namesake more than a century ago.

BUSINESS SUPPORT OF THE ARTS (SMALL) | HEARTLAND BANK   GAHANNA (FRANKLIN)

Heartland Bank has been Central Ohio’s community bank since 1911. Experts in commercial real estate, property development, and small to medium business finance, they strive to help execute their clients’ strategic priorities. Heartland also provides vast offerings with expertise in agricultural, small business, and consumer banking services, as well as planning and wealth management.

While there are many opportunities to support the communities served, Heartland Bank steps up, time and time again, to assist local arts organizations by displaying their work in branch offices, funding public art in downtown developments, donating advertising time on Heartland’s digital billboard to support groups like the local symphony, and helping entrepreneurs purchase abandoned warehouses to transform into artist studios.  Heartland is proud to support the entrepreneurial spirit for those that live, work, and play in the communities they serve.

 

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, The Featured Articles Tagged With: DCDC, Ohio Arts Council, Sierra Leone, STUART AND MIMI ROSE

Luminaries of Dayton: Jeraldyne Blunden

December 5, 2017 By Angie Hoschouer

Jeraldyne Blunden was the founder and artistic director of the esteemed Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, the world’s largest repository of reconstructed dance works by African American choreographers. Ms. Blunden also founded Jeraldyne’s School of Dance. The school has given many Miami Valley youth the opportunity to learn about modern dance and pursue a dancing career.

Ms. Blunden received significant recognition for her work, including a 1998 Dance Magazine Award, an Individual Artist Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and a MacArthur “Genius” Fellows Award. In 1997, she was named one of five Dance Women: Living Legends, “for keeping dance alive.”

Jeraldyne Blunden died on November 2, 1999. She is located in Section 146 in the Woodland Mausoleum.

 

Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum is located at 118 Woodland Avenue off of Brown Street near the UD Campus. The Woodland Office is open Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm and Saturday 8 am to 12 pm. The Cemetery and Arboretum are open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. The Mausoleum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. For more information call 937-228-3221 or visit the Woodland website.

Filed Under: Active Living, Arts & Entertainment, Community, Dayton History, Downtown Dayton, On Stage Dayton, The Featured Articles Tagged With: Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, DCDC, Jeraldyne Blunden, Things to do in Dayton, Victoria Theatre, Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum

Read Between the Lines with DCDC March 4th & 5th

February 28, 2017 By LIbby Ballengee

Photo by Paul B. Goode

Last year, the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company was awarded the highly-coveted Bessie award for Outstanding Revival, for it’s revival of Donald McKayle’s iconic “Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder.” The Huffington Post listed it as one of the top 10 dance performances for 2016.

Daytonians have the opportunity to see this work, along with two others, as part of DCDC’s newest production “Vantage Points: A Read Between the Lines,” March 4 & 5 on Dayton’s historic Victoria Theatre stage.

 

 

“It is very interesting that a piece choreographed in 1959 — by a master choreographer — is still very resonant, and unfortunately very relevant, today,” DCDC Artistic Director Blunden-Diggs said. Alastair Macaulay, dance critic for the New York Times wrote “Rainbow evokes how much there was for many African-Americans to transcend. It’s a strong piece of American dance history; I’m grateful to have seen it.”

The concert lineup also includes the world premiere of a new work by Ray Mercer, a longtime cast member of Broadway’s “The Lion King.” Mercer’s new work pulls the viewer into the choreographer’s mind to experience dance from the choreographer’s vantage point.

 

 

The concert doesn’t quite fall in Black History Month, but the audience could extend the celebration into that first March weekend with the show, Blunden-Diggs said. “To be able to put these works on stage that have been created by us, for us, makes a really strong statement,” she said. “Come celebrate black history with us, because DCDC is black history.”

The show is sponsored by the Dayton Power & Light Foundation with media sponsor Synchrony Financial. Catch it at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 4 and 4 p.m. Sunday, March 5. Individual and group tickets are available at ticketcenterstage.com or by calling the box office at 937-228-3630.

For more information on DCDC and our upcoming shows, visit dcdc.org, and connect with us on social media: follow @daytoncontemporarydancecompany on Facebook and Instagram or @DCDCLive on Twitter.

How to Go? Vantage Points: A Read Between the Lines

Saturday, March 4, 2017 | 7:30 pm
Sunday, March 5, 2017 | 4:00 pm
Victoria Theatre, 138 North Main Street, Dayton, Ohio

Tickets start at $24.50 +

Filed Under: DMM's Best Bets, Downtown Dayton, On Stage Dayton, The Featured Articles, Urban Living Tagged With: bessie, black history, Dayton Club Scene, DCDC, performance, rainbow, Victoria Theatre

DCDC Produces a Wonderful Valentine for Dayton

January 28, 2015 By Rodney Veal

10869696_10152588672485698_5865534241906483139_oThis is definitely one of the must see dance performances of the 2014-15 season. Having had the pleasure and benefit of seeing HEARTSHAKES in rehearsal. I cannot think of a more delightful evening that one could spend at the theatre. Crafted with exquisite charm by Kiesha Lalama and set to the bluesy/soulful music of Alabama Shakes. This evening length work is ambitious theatre for Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, a perfect prelude to Valentine’s Day. You do not want to miss this concert.

HEARTSHAKES
Saturday, January 31, 2015 – 7:30 pm
Victoria Theatre, 138 North Main Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402
www.dcdc.org
Tickets: www.ticketcenterstage.com
This evening length contemporary dance theater piece takes a sneak peek into the lives of various lovers, whose relationships collide and intersect throughout the span of one evening in a quaint but moody nightclub. Emotions are stirred. Hearts break. Hearts mend. One thing is certain, hearts shake as stories unfold to the gripping, passionate, and love stricken anthems of the Alabama Shakes debut album Boys and Girls. copa_kieshalalama_250

This is a must see event choreographed by Kiesha Lalama.

Choreographer, Kiesha Lalama has created more than 50 works to date. Kiesha choreographed feature film, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Sorority Row and hit television documentary series Broadway or Bust (PBS). Theatrical credits include National High School Musical Theater Awards (Broadway), All Shook Up (North Shore Music Theatre), Jesus Christ Superstar (Kansas City Starlight Theatre), and Judge Jackie Justice, Ruthless! The Musical, and A Grand Night for Singing (Pittsburgh CLO).  Concert dance highlights include Shed (DCDC), Alegria (Giordano Dance Chicago), and Torque (August Wilson Center Dance Ensemble).

Lalama has created two full-length contemporary dance theater productions.  The Bench received rave reviews and was named by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s “Best of Dance” Top Ten list in both 2009 and 2010.  The Bench is currently under commercial development with Titus Theatricals.  HeartShakes for DCDC will launch the World Premiere in January 2015.

DMM Ticket Giveaway!

We’ve got a pair of tickets to giveaway to HeartShakes, so just fill out the form below and leave us a heartfelt comment about the someone you’ll take to the show if you win.  We’ll announce the winner Thurs night here! [form 55 “DMM Contest Entry – Generic”]

 

 

Filed Under: On Stage Dayton, On Stage Dayton Previews, The Featured Articles Tagged With: DCDC, Heart Shakes, Kiesha Lalama

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3:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Trotwood Community Market (presented by American Legion Post 613)

July 2 @ 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Trotwood Community Market (presented by American Legion Post 613)

A celebration of locally sourced foods and products from small businesses in Trotwood and the surrounding communities! Stop by and...

3:00 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

Miamisburg Farmers Market

July 2 @ 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

Miamisburg Farmers Market

Miamisburg Farmers MarketAt Miamisburg Christian Church parking lot.1146 E. Central Ave in Miamisburg.Fresh Produce, sweet treats, food trucks and more..

5:00 pm - 9:00 pm

What the Taco?!

July 2 @ 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm

What the Taco?!

Chipotle Chicken Taco GRILLED CHICKEN, SHREDDED LETTUCE, PICO DE GALLO, CILANTRO SOUR CREAM & MONTEREY JACK $10.00 Ground Beef Taco...

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Recurring

Yoga – Arcade Arts & Wellness

July 2 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Recurring

Yoga – Arcade Arts & Wellness

The 2025 Arcade Arts & Wellness Series is a rejuvenating journey with a variety of local yoga instructors amidst the...

Free
7:00 pm

Skeeball Tournament

July 2 @ 7:00 pm

Skeeball Tournament

**Skeeball Tournament – First Wednesday of Every Month!** J Welcome to the Skeeball Tournament at Level Up Pinball Bar! Get ready to roll...

$7.18
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

Trivia Night at Alematic

July 2 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

Trivia Night at Alematic

Grab some friends and join us every Wednesday night at the brewery for a pint of your favorite ALEMATIC brew...

+ 1 More
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

Lebanon Farmers Market

July 3 @ 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

Lebanon Farmers Market

The Lebanon Farmers Market is open 4 pm to 7 pm every Thursday mid-May through mid-October.  We are located in...

5:00 pm

3rd Annual Crab Rangoon Eating Contest

July 3 @ 5:00 pm

3rd Annual Crab Rangoon Eating Contest

It’s back—and bigger than ever. Join us for the 3rd Annual Crab Rangoon Eating Contest at Loose Ends Brewing. Last...

$15
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

Grapes & Groves

July 3 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

Grapes & Groves

Join us every Thursday to Taste Wine at your own pace. Each Thursday we will have one of our highly...

5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Middletown July 3rd Fireworks + Festival

July 3 @ 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Middletown July 3rd Fireworks + Festival

5-10 PM: Free Kids Zone, including face painting and inflatables 6-7:30 PM: Live Music 7:30-8 PM: National Anthem Flag Jump...

5:00 pm - 10:30 pm

Centerville Americana Festival

July 3 @ 5:00 pm - 10:30 pm

Centerville Americana Festival

The Americana Festival Committee is excited to bring the Centerville – Washington Township community together once again for what promises...

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

Member’s Group Crit Night

July 3 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Recurring

Member’s Group Crit Night

Thursdays / 5:30-7 p / Jun 12 / Jul 3 / Aug 7 Exclusive for Co Members / Become a...

6:00 pm Recurring

Matilda: The Musical

July 3 @ 6:00 pm Recurring

Matilda: The Musical

Winner of 47 International Awards! Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence, and special powers. She's unloved by...

$39 – $79
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Recurring

Open Collage Night

July 3 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Recurring

Open Collage Night

Admission is $10 per person at the door / Free for Co Members / Become a Member at codayton.org/membership Join...

$10
+ 4 More
8:00 am - 9:00 am

West Milton Red, White & Run 5k

July 4 @ 8:00 am - 9:00 am

West Milton Red, White & Run 5k

Description The Red, White, and Run 5k in West Milton will be held on July 4th!  This fun and enjoyable...

$30
4:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Cruise In at the Roadhouse

July 4 @ 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Cruise In at the Roadhouse

Cruise In at the Roadhouse is taking place at Rip Rap Roadhouse, which is located at 6024 Rip Rap Rd. in Huber Heights....

4:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Kevin Sonnycalb Memorial Fireworks Festival

July 4 @ 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Kevin Sonnycalb Memorial Fireworks Festival

The Kevin Sonnycalb Memorial Fireworks Festival is Xenia’s signature Independence Day celebration, held at Shawnee Park. This event is hosted alongside the Red, White &...

4:00 pm - 10:00 pm

What The Taco?!

July 4 @ 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm

What The Taco?!

Chipotle Chicken Taco GRILLED CHICKEN, SHREDDED LETTUCE, PICO DE GALLO, CILANTRO SOUR CREAM & MONTEREY JACK $10.00 Ground Beef Taco...

5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Wheel Fresh Pizza

July 4 @ 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Wheel Fresh Pizza

Pepperoni Pizza Classic pepperoni, mozzarella, provolone and fresh-made sauce $17.00 Cheese Pizza Mozzarella/Provolone blend, and fresh-made pizza sauce $16.00 Sausage...

6:00 pm Recurring

Matilda: The Musical

July 4 @ 6:00 pm Recurring

Matilda: The Musical

Winner of 47 International Awards! Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence, and special powers. She's unloved by...

$39 – $79
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

LIVE TRIVIA with Trivia Shark

July 4 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

LIVE TRIVIA with Trivia Shark

Join us every Friday night at 6pm for Dayton's Best LIVE TRIVIA with Trivia Shark at Miami Valley Sports Bar!...

6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Kettering Go Fourth!

July 4 @ 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Kettering Go Fourth!

Go Fourth! is Kettering’s premier Independence Day celebration, featuring live entertainment, food trucks, bounce houses, and a spectacular fireworks and drone show. Hosted...

+ 6 More
8:00 am - 11:00 am

Cars and Coffee

July 5 @ 8:00 am - 11:00 am

Cars and Coffee

Join SW Ohio's most passionate car enthusiasts with this nationally recognized gathering. As the largest Cars and Coffee gathering in...

Free
8:00 am - 12:00 pm Recurring

Yellow Springs Farmers Market

July 5 @ 8:00 am - 12:00 pm Recurring

Yellow Springs Farmers Market

For over 20 years this market has been made up of a hardworking group of men, women and children, dedicated...

8:30 am - 12:00 pm Recurring

Downtown Franklin Farmers Market

July 5 @ 8:30 am - 12:00 pm Recurring

Downtown Franklin Farmers Market

Join us every Saturday through Sept 13, 8.30 a.m. - 12 p.m. for local products including fresh produce, honey/jams, and...

9:00 am - 12:00 pm Recurring

Oakwood Farmers Market

July 5 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Recurring

Oakwood Farmers Market

The 2025 Oakwood Farmers’ Market will be held Saturdays, June 7th thru October 11th, from 9 am until 12pm. The...

9:00 am - 1:00 pm Recurring

Greene County Farmers Market

July 5 @ 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Recurring

Greene County Farmers Market

The outdoor Farmers Market on Indian Ripple Rd. in Beavercreek runs Saturdays, 9-1 even during the winter months. Check out...

9:00 am - 2:00 pm Recurring

Shiloh Farmers Market

July 5 @ 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Recurring

Shiloh Farmers Market

The farmers’ market is located on the corner of Main St. & Philadelphia Dr, in the parking lot of Shiloh...

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

The Buzz about Bees

July 5 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

The Buzz about Bees

Dive into the fascinating world of bumblebees and bees as we explore the vital roles and ecosystem services that these...

$3
10:00 am - 2:00 pm Recurring

Farmers Market at The Heights

July 5 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Recurring

Farmers Market at The Heights

Join us for the Farmers Market at The Heights Saturdays 10a-2pm. All products are either homemade or homegrown or support...

+ 8 More
9:00 am - 12:00 pm Recurring

Downtown Troy Farmers’ Market

July 6 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Recurring

Downtown Troy Farmers’ Market

Downtown Troy Farmers' Market will run Saturday mornings 9:00 am to 12:00 pm from June 22nd, 2013 through September 21st,...

11:30 am - 5:00 pm

Filled Pasta Class

July 6 @ 11:30 am - 5:00 pm

Filled Pasta Class

Join Chef Casey in a hands-on culinary adventure and learn what makes our pasta so delicious! You'll try your hand...

$128
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Recurring

Mozzarella & Mimosas

July 6 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Recurring

Mozzarella & Mimosas

$30
12:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Montgomery County Fair – Red White & Bloom

July 6 @ 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Montgomery County Fair – Red White & Bloom

Summer's biggest celebration is just around the corner!  This year's theme, "Red, White & Bloom," promises a week-long celebration of community,...

6:00 pm Recurring

Matilda: The Musical

July 6 @ 6:00 pm Recurring

Matilda: The Musical

Winner of 47 International Awards! Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence, and special powers. She's unloved by...

$39 – $79
7:00 pm

24K Magic: #1 Tribute to Bruno Mars

July 6 @ 7:00 pm

24K Magic: #1 Tribute to Bruno Mars

All concerts are free. Food trucks and beer sales will be available for guests to enjoy. Friday night Party in the...

Free
7:30 pm Recurring

Dayton Poetry Slam

July 6 @ 7:30 pm Recurring

Dayton Poetry Slam

Dayton's longest running poetry show is celebrating it's 24th year.  Open mics, competitions, and featured poets await you twice a...

$3
7:30 pm - 11:30 pm Recurring

Becca’s LOTD Dart Tournament

July 6 @ 7:30 pm - 11:30 pm Recurring

Becca’s LOTD Dart Tournament

Every Sunday night at Miami Valley Sports Bar -- a Luck of the Draw Dart Tournament hosted by Becca. $10...

$10.00
+ 2 More
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