The Dayton Contemporary Dance Second Company’s (D2) April performances offer a look at the next generations creative expression and this year promises to not disappoint. Artistic Director Shonna Hickman-Matlock will commission both young and seasoned choreographers to explore themes of what it means to live with and without freedom. Stories of freedom will unfold as these exquisite and mesmerizing dancers follow their desires, imagine new realities, and attempt existence in a world free from constraint.
DCDC2
Centerville Arts Commission presents “Moving Expressions” featuring DCDC2
The Centerville Arts Commission presents “Moving Expressions” at the Centerville High School Central Theater on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. featuring DCDC2. The Central Theater is located at 500 East Franklin Street. The event is free and open to the public and tickets are not needed.
DCDC2 is the pre-professional ensemble for the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. “Moving Expressions” will feature a sampler of contemporary dance works from its dance collection created by its resident choreographers. The program includes a moving tribute to the icon of civil rights, soul-stirring gospel expressions, lighthearted, energetic dances to an introspective journey within. Founded in 1975, by Founder Jeraldyne Blunden, DCDC2 – the pre-professional ensemble for the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC) is a culturally diverse ensemble committed to arts integrated education, community engagement and university partnerships, as well as the professional development of college graduates and undergraduates preparing for professional careers.
DCDC2 provides a platform for emerging performers, teachers, and choreographers to hone their technical skills and showcase their artistic talent. DCDC2 has cultivated dance artists for DCDC’ professional company as well as for other national and international dance companies and productions.
DCDC2: Definition of Exquisite
This Sunday, April 26th, from 4pm-6pm you have the opportunity to experience the Definition of Exquisite with the DCDC2, the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company‘s repertory-training ensemble. The intriguing program promises to explore the essence of exquisite, through creative choreography and modern dance. Movement is one of the most powerful tools for artistic expression, and DCDC uses it in a truly soul stirring way.
DCDC was founded in 1968 by the visionary pioneer Jeralydyne Blunden, who later established the DCDC2 ensemble. Both groups perform locally and tour regionally, performing for the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Dr Maya Angelou. Highly regarded for their artistic excellence and community partnerships, they are truly a gem in the Gem City! If you have not been to one of their productions, please do yourself a favor and attend this performance at The University of Dayton’s Boll Theatre. Tickets are only $15 and can be purchased via Ticket Center Stage (937-228-3630).
SMAG Dance Collective’s 10th Season Finale Comes to the Dayton Playhouse
Save the date! for SMAG Dance Collective’s 10th Anniversary Season Spring Fling concert which takes place on May 24h at Dayton Playhouse, 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave, Dayton, Ohio 45414.
Show times are 4:00pm and 8:00pm. Tickets can be purchased at www.smagdance.org and Brown Paper Tickets.
Spring Fling is purely devoted to the art of dance; challenging, physical, dynamic and insightful works are performed. This 10th Anniversary Season’s Spring Fling Concert features the work of many of Dayton’s OWN, so #dateyourcity
SMAG’s 10th Anniversary Season Spring Fling features the work of nearly 10 choreographers, and SMAG is proud to present the work of the exceptionally artful, Rodney Brown, Founder/Director of the Brown Dance Project, the intensely moving work of fellow dancer and life-long friend, Shonna Hickman-Matlock, Director of DCDC2, and the work of Rodney Veal, for whom there are many accolades, and yet who is a humble man who lives art in a way that only he can and our community is blessed by his amazing gifts.
SMAG’s Spring Fling also serves as a showcase for emerging choreographers such as this season’s veteran company member and Assistant Director, Taiesha Green and first year company member, Rachelle Cartee.
This 10th Anniversary Season’s Spring Fling also features the work of Deniz and Renee McClendon. These women are long time contributors to the body of work that is dance in Dayton, Ohio, and SMAG Dance Collective is excited to share the stage with these choreographers and their dancers.
Spring Fling is very much representative of the company’s mission which is to provide opportunity for dancers and choreographers, educate and entertain diverse audiences, and to bridge the gap between artists, arts organizations and the community.
SMAG Dance Collective extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the company’s Spring Fling power2give campaign and also to Culture Works!
SMAG’s programming is made possible by grant funding from the Ohio Arts Council, private donors, in kind donations from volunteers and local businesses, and most recently, with the help of Culture Works’ power2give launch.
SMAG Dance Collective is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
Jane’s Best Bets (4/27 – 5/1)
Photo Credit: Alli Shillito
I hope you were able to find many Easter eggs, and that they had some good things inside! I just found a bunch of empty ones (true story, just ask the Easter Bunny). Regardless of what was in or not in your Easter eggs, I’d like to provide you with an “inside” look at what is going on in Dayton this week!
On Wednesday, watch the Dragons as they play the West Michigan Whitecaps. If you enjoy opera, make your way to the UD Opera Workshop Performance. Get those dirty little secrets out of the closet at Wiley’s with the Dirty Little Secret Speakeasy. Don’t worry, it’s a variety show featuring many different types of performers, so you really don’t have to reveal anything about yourself! Hungry AND thirsty? Participate in the Belgian & Euro Craft Beer Dinner at Spinoza’s. At the Loft Theatre, catch Permanent Collection. And finally, make sure you stop at Baskin Robbins for their 31 Cent Scoop Night! For those of you who don’t like to do math, that means date night will only cost you 62 cents…or, ice cream for a family four will only cost $1.24!
On Thursday, have a Girls Night Out at The Melting Pot. If you’re a boy, then don’t go there…well, on second thought, you may want to go since there will be a pretty good ratio for you! Since the weather is getting warmer, you may want to attend Five Rivers MetroParks’ Intro to Smart Cycling. Head to Oregon Express for a wonderful combination of beer and theology (and their amazing pizza too!) for Dayton Theology on Tap. If you don’t feel like cooking dinner, head to the Dayton Canoe Club for their Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser. At the Dayton Art Institute, you can listen to the sounds of the DPO Concertmaster & Friends. Permanent Collection, although not permanent, will still be playing at The Loft Theatre. And over at Fifth Third Field, see some Dragons and “Tin Men,” as the Dragons play the Fort Wayne Tincaps.
On Friday, get up bright and early and head to The Pub for a Royal Wedding Brunch. If you love horse racing and beer, you won’t want to miss The Kentucky Ale Trail: Horses & Hops, which will start at Jungle Jim’s. I just found out that another specialty grocery store, Trader Joe’s, discontinued one of my favorite items (salmon and spinach 
crepes), so I would be very much interested in going to the Kids Crepe Making Demo which will be going on at the PNC 2nd Street Market. Bid on some wonderful, one-of-a-kind pieces of art at the DVAC Annual Art Auction. If you’re out in the Oregon District, head to Oregon Express for Half-Price Happy Hour Pizzas and Old Skool Acoustic Duo…featuring cover tunes by some great artists including Journey! Or make a stop at the Trolley Stop to listen to The Eric Jerardi Band. Some other musical options include Encore Theatre Company’s BIG fat CONCERT SERIES, vol. II – ‘I Feel So Much Spring’ and the University of Dayton Jazz Ensembles. Wear your green and take the kids to watch the Dragons vs. Fort Wayne Tincaps…which is also McDonald’s Friends & Family Night. At the Dayton Liederkranz Turner German Club, you will be able to celebrate Spring Bierfest. And finally, some Friday theater options include Centerville’s Hello, Dolly!, Permanent Collection at The Loft Theatre, The Wizard of Oz at Baum Opera House, and Zoot Theatre Company’s Phantom Tollbooth at the Schuster Center.
On the last day in April (Saturday), learn Smart Cycling Basics at Five Rivers MetroParks’ St. Clair Building or participate in the 5k Run for the Health of It at Archers Tavern. Avid readers will want to attend the Dayton Book 
Expo 2011 at Sinclair. Head to South Park to see some beautiful homes for their Historic South Park Spring Home Tour. Some art options include Sound Bites: Short Talks about Art at the Dayton Art Institute and the Free Artist Workshop at the Dayton Visual Arts Center. Any Germans out there? If so, make plans to attend the Spring Concert, followed by the Westphaelische Beef Rouladen Dinner (I’m part German but I have no clue how to say that) at the Dayton Liederkranz Turner German Club. If you haven’t yet, consider getting tickets to one of the many shows going on: Phantom Tollbooth at the Schuster Center, The Wizard of Oz at Baum Opera House, Hello, Dolly! at Centerville Performing Arts Center, Gem City Ballet Victoria Theatre Gala (at Victoria Theatre), ETC’s BIG fat CONCERT SERIES, vol. II – ‘I Feel So Much Spring’ at Color of Energy Gallery, Permanent Collection at The Loft Theatre, or The Apple Tree at Stivers School for the Arts. And if the weather is nice, you’ll be able to catch the Dragons as they play the Fort Wayne Tincaps at Fifth Third Field.
On Sunday, get off the couch and participate in the Kettering Medical Center Walk for Women’s Wellness at Carillon Historical Park. At the Dayton Masonic Center, attend the Graeter’s Symphony Sundaes Series: The Symphonic 
Sibelius…complete with ice cream from Graeter’s. Now how great is that?!?! At the University of Dayton, attend the Art of Foreseen Beauty – DCDC2’s Spring Concert. If you can, I encourage you to attend in order to witness some of the most remarkable dancing out there! If opera is your thing, catch some up-and-comers at the Opera Guild of Dayton Tri-State College Vocal Competition in Kettering. And if you haven’t yet had an opportunity to do so, luckily the show Permanent Collection seems to be a permanent fixture (this week only) at The Loft Theatre. Or spend part of the day with Dorothy and Toto (I do love the song “Africa”) at the Baum Opera House for The Wizard of Oz.
And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…
Three skunks went to church. The priest made them sit in their own pew.
These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar. There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today! Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE! And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!
Have a great week Dayton!
