Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More
Homegrown Horror at the Gem City Horror Film Festival is happening at The Englewood Cinema on Friday October 18th and Saturday October 19! Featuring local and Ohio made shorts and the feature shot entirely in Dayton, THRUST! With Cast and Crew in attendance.
The Dayton Jewish International Film Festival offers outstanding world cinema that promotes awareness, appreciation and pride to the diversity of the Jewish people and to the community at large. Our goal is to educate and entertain through evocative, narrative and documentary films that portray the Jewish experience from historic to current global perspectives.
JCC International Jewish Film Festival Opening Night – The Catskills
Cost:
Opening Night Reception + Individual Ticket $18
Season pass $95 (includes Opening Night)
(United States, 2023, 86 minutes) Documentary
The Catskills is a delightful account on the rise and fall of the Borscht Belt and the powerful women who made it happen. With a trove of lost-and-found archival footage and a cast of characters endowed with the gift of gab, this charming documentary journeys into the storied mountain getaway north of New York City that served as refuge for Jewish immigrants and affluent Jewish families alike. Stand-up comedians share their best shtick while former waiters, entertainers, and dance instructors recount tales of the family-run resorts and bungalows. Punctuated with expert commentary—including from Dayton’s Dr. Jenny Caplan!—The Catskills is where nostalgia and memory meets the American Jewish experience.
Jennifer Caplan is Associate Professor and The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati Chair in Judaic Studies at University of Cincinnati. Her first book Funny, You Don’t Look Funny: Judaism and Humor from the Silent Generation to Millennials was published by Wayne State University Press in 2023, and she is a co-editor of the forthcoming book No Respect: Themes and Trends in Global Jewish Humors. Currently she is working on Unmasked: Jewish Characters in DC and Marvel, which looks at the history and evolution of Jewish comic book characters.
Cost:
Individual Ticket $12
Season pass $95
Cost:
Individual Ticket $12
Season pass $95
(Israel, 2023, 111 minutes) Crime/Drama
Home, nominated for nine Israeli Academy Awards, including Best Film, is a portrayal of the tensions between religious power and personal ambition in an ultra-Orthodox enclave. Yair opens a computer store in his Jerusalem neighborhood, instigating the scrutiny of the rabbis who police the boundaries between the secular and the sacred. His wife’s distinguished family has doubts, but the stream of customers interested in “kosher” electronic products says otherwise. Yair’s success clashes with the gatekeepers of propriety in this insular community. Based on the personal story of writer-director Benny Fredman, Home’s dynamic performances and tremendous cinematography places us in the heart of contemporary Jerusalem.
Cost:
Individual Ticket $12
Season pass $95
FEATURING THE FOLLOWING FILMS:
Sevap/Mitvah
(United States, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2023, 20 minutes)
In 1941 Nazi-occupied Bosnia, a Muslim woman risks her life to save her Jewish friends and is saved by them in turn 50 years later. Inspired by a true story.
BrownWhite
(Israel, 2022, 10 minutes)
BrownWhite explores how skin color influences the development of identity. Weaving Israeli biracial kids’ life experiences with findings from academic research, the film reveals the dilemmas of identity in the blended family – a world that’s more complicated than black, white, or brown.
Mazel Tov Cocktail
(Germany, 2020, 30 minutes)
Dima is a charismatic, tough Russian-Jewish teenager living in Germany. Breaking the fourth wall he passionately and ferociously talks about his views, the Jewish condition in Germany, and about the tolerant, but hypocritical ways in which his world works.
Call Me Alvy
(United Kingdom, 2017, 10 minutes)
Brian Silver – almost 13 and preparing for Bar Mitzvah – has been obsessed with Woody Allen ever since his older brother introduced him to the film Annie Hall. Does his mother have a reason to worry, or is it just a phase?
Jack and Sam
(United States, 2023, 20 minutes)
A poignant film about two Holocaust survivors who were miraculously reunited after 80 years and are now spending time rekindling their friendship and teaching others about the dangers of hatred. NOTE: After the war, Jack Waksal moved to Dayton, Ohio, where he lived until 1992.
Cost:
Individual Ticket $12
Virtual Access Ticket $12
Season pass $95
Cost:
Individual Ticket $12
Virtual Access Ticket $12
Season pass $95
(Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria, 2018, 113 minutes) Drama/Comedy
What happens when you seek revenge but find friendship? Eighty-year-old Jiri believes he has located the former SS officer who executed his parents but finds instead the man’s wastrel middle-aged son. The bittersweet odd-couple journey to meet surviving witnesses of war and to come to some resolve about history and guilt and wisdom about life and loss. Variety’s Jessica Kiang writes “the subtlety of the film’s elegant craft, the restraint of well-known Slovakian director Martin Šulík’s characterful screenplay, and the superb chemistry between the two lead actors gives The Interpreter a respectful, quiet resonance.”
Cost:
Individual Ticket $12
Virtual Access Ticket $12
Season pass $95
**First 50 dads get in FREE!! Use code DAD50 at checkout**
(Code only available for in-person screening; can only be used one time per transaction)
Cost:
Individual Ticket $12
Season pass $95
In iconic roles from Leo Bloom to Willy Wonka, and in comedy classics like Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein, Gene Wilder (born Jerome Silberman) charmed audiences with his neurotic charisma and manic energy. Wilder also faced personal tragedy, losing his wife, comedian Gilda Radner, and later battling Alzheimer’s. A “disarmingly lovable documentary” award-winning filmmaker Ron Frank has gifted us a “captivating, insightful and profoundly moving” account of one of our great comic actors. With rare never-before-seen home videos and memorable scenes from our favorite Gene Wilder films, this winning documentary reveals intimate insights detailing his life and career with many astonishing surprises. An audience favorite at more than a dozen film festivals, do not miss the timeless comic genius of Wilder on the big screen.
Cost:
Individual Ticket $12
Season pass $95
(United States, 2023, 79 minutes) Documentary
Shortlisted for the International Documentary Association’s best films of 2023
(United States, 2023, 79 minutes) Documentary
Shortlisted for the International Documentary Association’s best films of 2023
For decades Nathan Hilu has been unable to stop drawing: his years during and after World War II, his Syrian-Jewish family, his Yiddish New York. His quirky drawings—part underground comix, part Jean-Michel Basquiat, all Nathan—have the attention of archivists, galleries, and historians. Tablet Magazine described him as the “most significant Jewish Outsider artist you’ve never heard of.” But doubts arise: was Nathan really a guard at the Nuremberg Trials? What is memory and what is invention? A compelling documentary with twists and turns of the creative spirit. Do not miss the spectacular visual kaleidoscope of urgency as Nathan races against the clock to document history.
Cost:
No charge (seating is limited)
No charge (seating is limited)
(United States, 1986, 80 minutes) Animated Family Musical
An animated cinematic feast, not to be missed on the big screen! Steven Spielberg helped produce this now-classic tale of a young mouse named Fievel Mousekewitz who, with his family, emigrate from Russia to the United States by boat after their home is destroyed by cats. Separated from his family but aided by a team of new-immigrant ethnic mice, Fievel explores the new world, facing adventure, hardship, and reunion. An entertaining, sensitive, and unforgettable tribute to the immigrant experience, An American Tail will sensitize another young generation to the challenges of many of our forebears.
In partnership with PJ Library
Cost:
Individual Ticket $12
Season pass $95
(Italy, France, Germany, 2023, 134 minutes) Historical Drama
A captivating depiction of the controversy that shocked the world: the 1858 forced removal of a Jewish child, Edgardo Mortara, from his family by agents of the Inquisition, approved by the Pope himself. Brought to the screen with historical accuracy and striking cinematography, Kidnapped narrates a turning point in the history of Italy in general and the Jews in Europe in particular. This is the story Steven Spielberg considered filming, now brought to life by acclaimed Italian director Marco Bellocchio. Don’t miss this full-tilt drama “with the passionate vehemence of Victor Hugo or Charles Dickens” (Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian).
Cost:
Individual Ticket $12
Virtual Access Ticket $12
Season pass $95
(Canada, 2023, 67 minutes) Musical Comedy
Can the pizzazz of pop and the chutzpah of the digital age capture the spirit of tradition? At 20, Viv was a promising young singer. At 30, her failing music career has forced her back into her mother’s basement. But when this self-proclaimed “Bad Jew” lands ass-backwards into a job as a Cantor at her family’s synagogue, she’s thrown into a wild ride of illicit affairs, drug trips, family drama, self-discovery and some serious Jewish bops. It’s Shiva Baby meets A Star is Born. Modern Jewish wit and viral Hebrew Electro-Pop. Don’t miss the delightful performances which earned Less than Kosher the Audience Award at the Toronto Jewish Film Festival.
Cost:
Individual Ticket $12
Season pass $95
(Germany, 2023, 121 minutes) Historical Drama
In extraordinary times, betrayal becomes ordinary. During wartime Berlin, some Jews found ways to evade Nazi round-ups, living surreptitious lives through guile and chutzpah. But standing in the eye of the storm had its risks. This powerful film is based on the true story of Stella Goldschlag, a young German Jew who became a “catcher” for the Gestapo. Stella explores how one can transform from survivor to snitch; a portrait of how ordinary souls become corrupted by dark circumstances. With award-winning actress Paula Beer as Stella, this beautifully filmed account of complexity and loyalty will stimulate audience discussions as few films have.
(130 E. 5th St, Dayton, OH 45402)Cost:
Individual Ticket $12
Season pass $95
(Israel, Poland, Colombia 2022, 96 minutes) Comedy/Drama
In the shadow of the capture of Adolf Eichmann, Polsky, a grumpy Holocaust survivor living in the countryside begins to have suspicions about his secretive new neighbor Mr. Herzog (played by German cult-actor Udo Kier). Piecing together clues and cues, Polsky goes to risky lengths to investigate. Might his portrait-painting, dog-loving nemesis be that Adolf? In order to verify, he will have to engage and entertain his neighbor, but at what costs to his loneliness? A comedy of misrecognition and misanthropy, My Neighbor Adolf is a charming and gripping black comedy, a hit for festival audiences worldwide.
Tickets also available for purchase at the door as space allows.
Questions? Contact Laura Smith, JCC Administrative Assistant, at lsmith@jfgd.net.
For more information or help please contact Laura Smith, JCC Administrative Assistant, at lsmith@jfgd.net.
The inaugural Yellow Springs Film Festival (YSFF) is bringing in the celebrities for their weekend-long festivities. Due to popular demand (sell out) of Fred Armisen’s “In Conversation With…” special event, festival organizer’s have added a special event live music performance “Comedy For Musicians, But Everyone Is Welcome” featuring Armisen.
Armisen has been new touring this new show all over the country, so organizers are thrilled to bring this event to the area. and this will be the area’s debut performance.
The festival also features a kick-off party with Raekwon from Wu-Tang Clan, who is debuting a film he executive produced called “Taking the Groove Back.” There is also a special retrospective of Guided by Voices 40 year career, along with lots of other special film events. Tickets and information for all the festival’s events can be found at YSFilmFest.com.
HOW TO GO?
When: October 6, 2023
Doors open at 4pm
Show starts at 5pm
General Admission $30
Get festival information here: https://www.ysfilmfest.com/
Get tickets for Fred Armisen show here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fred-armisen-comedy-for-musicians-but-everyone-is-welcome-tickets-72233386904
Hello Dayton937,
Today was my final day of screenings for 2023. Over the past 9 days, I’ve gone to 35 screenings..and I’ve screened 33 films. How’s that possible? I walked out of one and I saw one film 2 times.
There are/were so many other films at the festival that I wish I had been able to see – sometimes it was a matter of scheduling, and other times it was a matter of buzz not happening until after the opportunities had passed. HIT MAN, DREAM SCENARIO, AMERICAN FICTION, SING SING, and ZONE OF INTEREST are among the films I hope to catch in the months ahead. Then there are the films of the season that didn’t screen at TIFF…they either already played at Cannes, Venice or Telluride…or they’ll be screening at NYFF – like PRISCILLA, POOR THINGS, ALL OF US STRANGERS, MAESTRO, FERRARI or KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON. So there’s still a lot to see this year!
My first film today was complicated subject matter. MEMORY, dir Michel Franco (USA) “Past, present, and future collide when Saul (Peter Sarsgaard) follows Sylvia (Jessica Chastain) home from a high school reunion, in this touching and masterful film by director Michel Franco.” (TIFF Catalog) Without giving too much away, Sarsgaard’s character is dealing with dementia – so his memories are inconsistent and unreliable. Chastain’s character made accusations as a young person that weren’t believed…so her memories are challenged at every step. The performances here are strong, but there are clearly moments of improvisation within the script – and some moments/performers are better than others. Though there’s some great work happening here, I found myself cringing so often at decisions that characters were making…which I found truly upsetting. But in the end, I guess that would only work if I felt an investment in them.
STRANGE WAY OF LIFE, dir Pedro Almodovar (Spain) – REPEAT VIEWING! I wanted to see the new Almodovar on the big screen again. The film is only 30 minutes, so I scurried and chose a front row seat. I wanted to be consumed by it…it’s Almodovar – so the production design and color palette are incredible, and the guys are all beautiful. One fun fact about this short is that Almodovar shot it on an old set that Sergio Leone used to shoot three Westerns with Clint Eastwood (so many classic Westerns were shot in Spain…so when uninformed actors like Sam Elliott complain that there’s no place for gay characters in Westerns…and that directors who aren’t from America shouldn’t be making American Westerns – they need a bit of education). The thrust of this film is mostly to answer a question that was posed in BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN but never answered…and because Almodovar was originally courted to direct BROKEBACK, he decided to answer the question 20 years later. (That said, Almodovar means no disrespect to BROKEBACK. He says he loves what Ang Lee created.)
My next film was new Blanchett. I couldn’t skip a chance to see Blanchett at work. THE NEW BOY, dir. Warwick Thornton (Australia) “Starring Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, this spiritual drama from Warwick Thornton (TIFF ’17’s Sweet Country) hauntingly evokes Australia’s fraught colonial legacy through the story of one very special child.” (TIFF Catalog). This story is about an Aboriginal boy who is dropped off at at place for orphans in the middle of nowhere Australia where a nun – Sister Eileen (Blanchett) – runs the shop….and Sister Eileen is also charged with converting the boys to Christianity (the pastor who is supposed to be in charge is mysteriously absent). The boy seems to have a special gift – a little light that he conjures and uses for healing and comfort. The film is gorgeously shot, relatively quiet and full of great performances. It shows us what happens when we force our own doctrines on those around us.
What a way to end my festival! My final film was a documentary about one of my favorite filmmakers/filmmaking personalities – the late, incredible Agnes Varda! VIVA VARDA, dir. Pierre-Henri Gibert (France) “This profile of filmmaker Agnès Varda brings fresh perspectives missing from her autobiographical work, as it covers her oeuvre spanning from her emergence in the French New Wave to acclaimed works such as Vagabond and The Gleaners and I.” (TIFF Catalog). I was a little nervous about this film. How could a filmmaker create something fresh and new about Varda – she spent the last several years of her career telling us all about her life. Well…In fact, there was a lot more to tell! This concise, hour+ documentary is so packed with great material that I want to see it again again – sometimes focusing on the subtitles, sometimes focusing on the visuals…and then going back to the source material and watching the films. (Next Criterion sale, I’ll be buying the 15-disc set.). Varda was a pioneer and quite a character. The director introduced the film (and did a Q&A), and he said that the French have pivoted to a positive gaze of Varda’s work due in part to North America’s embrace…France had often written her off and not included her in much talk of the French New Wave until “recently.” I can’t wait to see this film again.
Before walking into VIVA VARDA tonight, I was already mourning the end of this year’s festival. I often hear industry folks complaining about being at the festival. It’s like people complaining about where they live – what a bore. I have absolutely adored submerging myself in international cinema over the past nine days. During the last few years, I have truly missed this part of my job…and I’m so glad I was able to come back.
Over the coming days and weeks (and possibly through repeat viewings), I’m sure my feelings on certain films will evolve (sometimes due simply to more rested eyes). I know that I can be a little rough on films sometimes, but I’ve been honest with my gut responses to all 33 films immediately after seeing them. Thanks for coming along on the journey with me…I hope to see you back in Dayton.
My best,
Jonathan
Hello Dayton937!
Today was looking slim initially. My only official film on the books today was NYAD – everything else came as surprises…and we all know that not all surprises are good.
My first film was from Cuba. WILD WOMAN, dir. Alán González (Cuba). “Yolanda, a Cuban woman, goes from dancing her heart out at a house party to running against the clock to find her son and skip town once a video circulates from that gathering that seems to incriminate her.” (TIFF Catalog) Not only did I feel like this film was missing a reel (that doesn’t really happen anymore), it also is as much about the landscape as it is about the main character. Though the lead actress was quite compelling and gives an honest and rather heartbreaking performance, not everyone is as good. I ultimately was only slightly invested to find out “what happens” at the end, and I don’t see this film breaking out.
My next film was my first “early departure” from TIFF. If you’re new to my blog, you might not know that I don’t review or name names for films that I don’t finish. I don’t think it’s fair to write reviews for films that I don’t watch from beginning to end. In this case, the idiot dialog and some really poor performances (it seemed like every line was said with a knowing smile) made me cringe a lot…and my eyes were starting to hurt from rolling so much. It was noted at the start that it was being presented courtesy of Paramount+, so maybe you’ll stumble upon it there one day – let me know if you watch a movie with some really big stars there in the near future.
Next up was a film I was anxious to see…and it didn’t disappoint. NYAD, dir. Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin (USA). “Annette Bening and Jodie Foster dive into the dangerous waters of the Florida Straits, in this film based on the true story of the woman who, at the age of 64, became the first person to swim from Cuba to the US without a shark cage.” (TIFF Catalog) This film was directed by the folks who brought us the incredible doc FREE SOLO – and it’s their first time directing a narrative. They’s got the chops to do it…and with Bening and Foster as the talent, it turns into crowd-pleasing gold. As a bonus, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi & the real Bonnie (Nyad’s best friend turned coach) were in attendance to introduce the film and partake in a Q&A after. It was spectacular, and Bening is so very present and alive in this performance! The film is inspiring on a lot of levels, and every now and then, I saw a little glimmer of my friend Julia Reichert in Annette Bening. I’m sad that most people will see this on Netflix…it deserves a big screen with good sound.
I tried to get a ticket to the film AMERICAN FICTION tonight, but demand was too high – and even though I waited over an hour, at least 100 of us were turned away…so instead, I chose a documentary about a performer I admire but didn’t know much about. LIL NAS X: LONG LIVE MONTERO, dir. Carlos López Estrada, Zac Manuel (USA). “Watch superstar Lil Nas X transcend genres and defy expectations in this revealing, jubilant, and inspiring musical documentary.” This documentary, though certainly a PR piece, shined some light on a performer who is breaking down barriers. I admire how unabashedly queer and flamboyant Lil Nas has become in the public eye over the past couple years, and it was nice to get some background on him as well as explore some production moments of the tour I wasn’t able to attend. For all the quick fame and money that has come his way, Lil Nas still seems a bit naive but also grounded on some level…and that’s refreshing. Madonna makes a quick appearance in the doc – which certainly seems to give a nod to TRUTH OR DARE – which was groundbreaking 30+ years ago.
Tomorrow is my last full day of screenings. On some level, it’s hard to believe it’s winding down…on another, it seems like I’ve been here for months.
Thanks for reading!
Jonathan
Hello Dayton937!
24 hours ago, my schedule for today was slim. I only had a couple potential screenings scheduled (and they were tentative)…then first thing this morning I mapped out 5 movies. And a couple of them were fantastic. It was a very full day!
My first screening of the day was a musical of sorts…all songs/performances are motivated from the radio or a boom box – and characters sing along. CHUCK CHUCK BABY, dir. Janis Pugh (UK). “A film of love, loss, music, and female friendship, set in and around the falling feathers of a chicken processing plant in industrial north Wales.” (TIFF Catalog) This love story is sweet and touching and some of it it is in a rather unlikely setting – a chicken processing plant. Though I found some of the story and motivations a little thin, there’s still a lot to like.
I had only read a little bit about my next film…and nothing had prepared me for it! MOTHER, COUCH, dir. Niclas Larsson (USA). “Three estranged children come together when their mother refuses to move from a couch in a furniture store, in this film boasting all-star talent including Taylor Russell, Ewan McGregor, Ellen Burstyn, F. Murray Abraham, Lara Flynn Boyle, and Rhys Ifans.” (TIFF Catalog) Very shortly after the start, I wondered, “Are we in purgatory? Is this an existential crisis? Is this the love-child of Charlie Kaufman and David Lynch?” With an ominous/0ften thriller-like score, this film is a strange one – set in a furniture store selling furniture from the past with current-day prices…but if you stick with with it until the end, it slowly reveals itself and has and you figure it out. I won’t give it away.
Knowing I was going to potentially screen 5 films today, I almost cancelled this one in order to meet up with some friends…but upon reading a bit more about it, I decided to keep on schedule. The original French title for this film is HLM PUSSY – a codename the young ladies of this film give to themselves – meaning low income housing pussy. I’m so glad I went to see it. SISTERHOOD, dir. Nora El Hourch (France). “Three teenage girls, inseparable friends, struggle with the aftermath of a pivotal incident that brings to light their differences in race, social class, and cultural privilege, threatening their seemingly invincible bond.” (TIFF Catalog). The performances in this film are incredible…the three young leads are all phenomenal – and I didn’t feel like I was watching performances. The story of social media and class, and race and privilege are contemporary and so honest. This is Nora El Hourch’s first feature, and I’m absolutely certain we’ll see more from her – I was shaken and moved and very invested in this great film.
My next film was my third film dealing with WWII…and it’s also based on a real person. IRENA’S VOW, dir. Louise Archambault (Canada, Poland). “In occupied Poland, a former nurse (Sophie Nélisse) risks her own life to shelter a dozen Jewish men and women from the Nazi war machine.” (TIFF Catalog). This is an absolutely fascinating story told with a lot of gloss. There were some big eye roll moments (like the Jews hidden in the basement preparing food for a dinner party so Irena could keep up with the pace)…that said, there were some good moments of tension, too. Overall, it wasn’t gritty enough for me to totally get behind it (I also questioned some of its messaging, t00)…but I think it will find an audience – particularly in the Jewish Film Fest circuit. The historical updates at the end were a treat after seeing the film.
My last film of the day turned out to be a gem….something that really spoke to me. FLIPSIDE, dir. Chris Wilcha (USA). “Chris Wilcha helped adapt This American Life to television. His new documentary embodies the spirit of that show as he tries to save a New Jersey record store, in this comic yet deeply moving reflection on opportunities lost and gained.” (TIFF Catalog). This doc is about so many things…it’s about a filmmaker who has several unfinished projects, it’s about his closets in his parents’ house – full of stuff from his childhood and teenage years, it’s about writing and working, it’s about family, it’s about a dying record store. In the course of making this film, the filmmaker is able to include segments of many unfinished films (which validates the initial work in some regard), and he went back home to talk with his parents about where he came from and what he’s achieved. I related so much to this film, and it even had me in tears. (I have to paraphrase because I can’t read my scrawling handwriting) – at one point in the film, Wilcha talks about being middle-aged and beginning to understand one of life’s great paradoxes…he said you can feel devastating, debilitating heartbreak for not accomplishing certain things you set out to do in life – while also feeling good about where you’re at and the choices you’ve made. This struck a real chord with me, and I hope we can bring this film to town.
Thanks for reading!
Jonathan
Hello Everyone.
I saw three films today, and that has my count up to 22 over the past 6 days.
I started my day with the biggest sob of the fest so far. ONE LIFE, dir James Hawes (UK). “Sir Anthony Hopkins stars as Sir Nicholas Winton, a British stockbroker who helped rescue hundreds of children from Europe on the verge of the Second World War, an act of compassion that was almost forgotten for 50 years.” (TIFF Catalog). Some might think this little film is too easy or on-the-nose…and I would understand where they’re coming from…but I don’t agree. This film works and achieves exactly what it set out to do. The narrative has parallel story lines – a more contemporary story about a man cleaning his office and remembering his past…and the memories come to life of the work he did just before WWII. It’s powerful…it’s inspiring…it speaks to current political and humanitarian issues. With handsome photography, score and production design, I know this would be a hit with our audience. I’m showing two pics from this film because Hopkins isn’t the only big star in this film.
My next film covered some similar territory as ONE LIFE – but this biopic is itching to get Kate Winslet another Oscar nomination. LEE, dir. Ellen Kuras (UK). “Oscar winner Kate Winslet stars in this fascinating portrait of the great American war correspondent Lee Miller, whose singular talent and ferocious tenacity gave us some of the 20th century’s most indelible images.” (TIFF catalog) Lee Miller was a model turned photographer, and she most famously worked as a war correspondent for British Vogue. The film is set up as Miller is being interviewed about her life and career – so the life story is told through flashbacks that are motivated by photos that she is showing her interviewer (played by Josh O’Connor from THE CROWN). I questioned some tonal “shifts” in the film, but ultimately thought it was a strong endeavor and spurred my interest to learn more about the subject. Some people might feel cheated by the last 15 minutes…I rather liked the ending (as well as the contextual photos and “update” at the end).
My final film today was a mini crowdpleaser – complete with audience applause in the middle of the movie…but sadly, it’s not the next JOJO RABBIT. NEXT GOAL WINS, dir. Taika Waititi (USA). “Michael Fassbender, Elisabeth Moss, and Oscar Kightley star in Taika Waititi’s comedy about the American Samoa soccer team’s attempt to make a World Cup — 12 years after their infamous 31-0 loss in a 2002 World Cup qualifying match.” (TIFF catalog) This film treads familiar territory. In fact, it’s so familiar that some of the jokes seem lifted directly from TED LASSO. It’s an underdog story, and you really start rooting for the losing team – and I did find myself on the edge of my seat a few times. Unfortunately, there were moments when Michael Fassbender’s disposition changed on a dime – and I questioned a few times if I had fallen asleep and missed something. Regardless, there’s still a lot to like about this rag-tag soccer team, and I think audiences will embrace the movie together on the big screen…but it’s not great. (And I kinda hate that Waititi put himself in the film…his intro is so unnecessary, and his caricature is cringe-worthy.)
No big parties or anything crazy tonight. I’m going to write THE NEON’s newsletter and hopefully get a good night’s slepp.
Thanks for reading!
Jonathan
Hello Everyone,
My first film of the day was a story I knew in part because we’ve played material over the years at The Dayton LGBT Film Fest (now known as OUT HERE DAYTON FILM FEST) about Bayard Rustin. RUSTIN, dir George C. Wolfe (USA). “George C. Wolfe brings Bayard Rustin’s story to life, with a joyous performance by Colman Domingo as the activist who organized the 1963 March on Washington while being forced into the background because of his sexuality.” (TIFF Catalog) I was a little nervous about this film with its opening scenes. There was a little too much camera mugging and the tone seemed too easy and light…but I ultimately think it was a device to get the masses hooked into sitting down for a good history lesson. Rustin was ahead of his time for a lot of his reasons, and I hope people of all backgrounds check out this crowd pleasing film. One line that really stood out for me was when Rustin talks about his detractors. “The day I was born, I was born a homosexual. They either believe in freedom and justice for all – or they don’t.” Domingo is fantastic!
My second film of the day was a public screening, and Elliot Page and director Dominic Savage were in attendance. CLOSE TO YOU, dir. Dominic Savage (Canada, UK). “Sam (Elliot Page) has a chance encounter with an old friend (Hillary Baack) on his way home to a dreaded family reunion that forces him to confront long-buried memories.” (TIFF Catalog) This trans story about a man visiting family who hasn’t been home in almost 5 years has some really incredible moments. In fact, there’s a moment when my audience burst into applause about 80 minutes into the film. Savage’s process for filmmaking is to essentially have a draft…he knows where he wants the film to go and the trajectory of the story – but dialog is up to the actors. Some takes go 20-50 minutes long as actors play their roles and figure out the material together. Unfortunately, I felt like this rawness didn’t always work…there were some moments that seemed a little too stilted – as though some of the family members had never met (and maybe that’s the point…they never really did get to know each other) – but I can’t help but feel like more editing would help. This film is worth it for a few key moments and for the original story.
At my next screening, I fell in love. The three lead character’s in Alexander Payne’s new film are incredible. THE HOLDOVERS, dir. Alexander Payne (USA). “Paul Giamatti stars in Alexander Payne’s latest about the bond that forms between a strict professor and a belligerent student he’s stuck supervising over the winter holiday at an elite boarding school.” (TIFF Catalog) The screenplay to this film is gold, and the performances are spectacular. Underneath the bristling and biting dialog are warm and tender moments that are well-earned. Alexander Payne was in attendance, and he spoke of his love for TIFF audiences. He said he loves how cinema culture is woven into the fabric of Toronto life…and “for my money, Toronto is the Paris of North America.” Da’Vine Joy Randolph (who also had a very small part in RUSTIN) and Dominic Sessa will hopefully become even bigger stars! I loved this film…and I can’t wait to see it again.
My last film of the day has a big Dayton/Ohio connection. Produced by Daytonian Karri O’Reilly, this film had a lot of familiar names attached. I attended the premiere, and Karri was one of the very first people Ethan Hawke thanked. He said that she “willed this film into being.” WILDCAT, dir. Ethan Hawke (USA). “Ethan Hawke explores the life and art of American author Flannery O’Connor — played by his own daughter, Maya Hawke — in his latest interrogation of the artist’s way.” (TIFF Catalog) This film is a bit complicated as it is about an writer’s process…we hop around from Flannery’s life to her inspirations and her stories – being told on-screen using people from her daily life – so I can already hear some of our customers saying they’re confused. That said, if you let the film wash over you, the visual styles are different enough to let you understand where you are in Flannery’s early days of writing. For such an “intimate” story, it’s a really big film…and Karri told me they were able to do it with a very modest budget. Flannery O’Connor fans, literature fans and people who enjoy thoughtful, well-crafted films will find a lot to love in this film. The Q&A after the film and the after-party were a blast. I’ve attached a couple photos for you below. Maya Hawke, Laura Linney and Christine Dye are all terrific in this film…and they (among numerous other cast and crew) were at the party.
Maya Hawke as Flannery O’Connor in WILDCAT
Photo taken by Soozie Eastman of 502 Film in Louisville. (My hand is in the right corner taking a similar picture, but Soozie’s was better!)
The praises of Daytonian Karri O’Reilly were flowing from Ethan Hawke. I even overheard “let’s do more” while posing for this pic!
Thanks for reading. It’s super-late…and I have an 8:30 screening.
My best,
Jonathan
Hello Everyone!
I discovered a great feature about my industry pass which allows me to gain access to even more films. I was afraid some of my days would only have a couple screenings…but now I’m certain I’ll have at least 3 each day.
Today I screened 4 films and popped into Janus’s industry party where I saw a few familiar faces (sometimes you have to go to Toronto to see people from Columbus and Cincinnati).
UNICORNS, dir. Sally El Hosaini, James Krishna Floyd (UK, USA, Sweden) “An alluring fusion of forbidden romance and colliding cultures, Unicorns stars Ben Hardy and newcomer Jason Patel as two people who might become lovers, if only they can build a bridge between their very different worlds.” (TIFF Catalog) Though rather predictable and familiar, this tale will find an audience based on strong performances – particularly from Ben Hardy.
My second film of the day was such a treat! WICKED LITTLE LETTERS, dir.Thea Sharrock (UK) “Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley play neighbours who get on each other’s nerves in this dark comedy about a small English town where residents start receiving anonymous, expletive-laden letters, igniting a scandal in their community.” (TIFF Catalog) Because the director and producers (one of whom is Olivia Colman’s husband) had a flight to catch, they were interviewed about the making of the film before we screened it…and I’m so glad I went in with a bit of background. Based on a true story, this cheeky comedy is laugh-out-loud funny but has so much to say (about gender and even religion). The absolutely splendid performances and production design/cinematography/costumes make for a terrific film. Certainly a favorite so far! (I was filled with glee when Eileen Atkins appeared on screen…a personal favorite!)
SEVEN VEILS, dir. Atom Egoyen (Canada). “Atom Egoyan and his Chloe star Amanda Seyfried reunite for this knotty psychodrama about a young theatre director forced to re-examine her own trauma while working on a remount of Salome.” (TIFF Catalog) Fans of opera will certainly like this visually intriguing, behind-the-scenes film about the mounting of a SALOME production – but something was missing for me. I like seeing an artist at work, and I like seeing how a show/performance/film comes together…but I never really felt an honesty in the home-video flashbacks and in Seyfried’s performance to feel like we were getting to a real place. There were some laughable moments in the material in some of the drama (as in several audience members started laughing) that had me question tone/intention.
My final film of the day was perhaps the most “mainstream” of my selections so far. KNOX GOES AWAY, dir. Michael Keaton (USA). “Michael Keaton directs and plays Knox, a hitman losing his memory, putting him in a race against time to help his estranged son (James Marsden) cover up a messy crime.” (TIFF Catalog) This entertaining film is surprisingly touching with some laughs and tense moments along the way. I think it will certainly find distribution. This film also stars Al Pacino and a sweet, small role with Marcia Gay Harden.
Off to bed. Looking forward to WILDCAT and THE HOLDOVERS tomorrow!
Thanks for reading,
Jonathan
Hello Everyone,
Just three screenings today…but a solid day. It’s hard to believe that 3 days have flown by so quickly. I’ve seen 11 films, spent time with Jake (before he returned to Dayton earlier today) run into a handful of old friends and colleagues on the street, watched a movie with a filmmaker whose work we’ve screened at OUT HERE DAYTON FILM FEST (formerly known as The Dayton LGBT Film Fest), and still managed to keep up with this blog. That said, I have yet to do the whole late night party scene…things have changed a bit since I’ve been gone – the festival and myself.
My first film was made in Montreal. SOLO, dir. Sophie Dupois (Canada). “Set in Montreal’s vivacious drag scene, this tender character study from writer-director Sophie Dupuis (Underground) focuses on a talented young performer whose past and present merge in unexpected ways.” (TIFF Catalog) Simon is a successful makeup artist and drag performer, but when a Oliver, new guy shows up in the dressing room, he sets his eyes on something new. At first, the chemistry is wonderful – but eventually we realize that Simon is willing to compromise himself for what he thinks he needs in his life..and Oliver is a master manipulator. This film is well done with great, fleshed out performances…and full of people I “know.”
HIS THREE DAUGHTERS, dir. Azazel Jacobs (USA). “A tense, captivating, and touching portrait of family dynamics starring Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen, and Natasha Lyonne as sisters who converge after their father’s health declines.” (TIFF Catalog) What this film lacks in visual appeal (there are some very strange choices about shooting people up against a blank wall), it makes up for in screenplay and performances. This little gem’s third act is terrific…and the claustrophobia of being in a relatively small New York apartment for the majority of the film works on a lot of levels in creating tension and drama. These women are all terrific.
IN CONVERSATION WITH PEDRO ALMODOVAR (with screening of STRANGE WAY OF LIFE, dir. Pedro Almodovar (SPAIN)). Today’s event with Almodovar was a treat. Almodovar talked with Cameron Bailey for about 45 minutes about his career – and it was insightful and delightful. He talked about the “transition” from screwball comedies to melodrama and the industry’s rating system. Then he screened the short film STRANGE WAY OF LIFE – a gay Western with Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal…which Almodovar explained was his sort of answer to BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (which he had been asked to direct years ago). “Two lovers reunite after 25 years apart, but secret ulterior motives threaten to spoil the relationship, in this emotional western from Pedro Almodóvar.” (TIFF Catalog) Pedro then returned to the stage to talk for a bit more before taking questions from the audience. Sadly, there wasn’t much time for questions and I didn’t get to ask mine. (Almodovar apologized to the audience that neither of the lead actors would be seen naked in the film.)
I’m about to head out and meet one of our Board members for a cocktail this evening. Susan and her husband are at the festival for the first time, and I’m anxious to hear what they’re seeing and how they like their experience so far.
Until tomorrow!
Thanks for reading,
Jonathan
Hello Dayton937,
Today was a slimmer day for screenings. Only three movies!
GONZO GIRL, dir. Patricia Arquette (USA). “Willem Dafoe and Camila Morrone star in Patricia Arquette’s high-flying, fast-paced directorial debut based on Cheryl Della Pietra’s semi-autobiographical novel chronicling her time as Hunter S. Thompson’s personal assistant.” (TIFF Catalog) Though the names have been changed for the sake of the “novel,” this story of a young woman’s time as Hunter S. Thompson’s assistant is about a person meeting their “idol,” only to be be disappointed (but nonetheless grateful for the experience and the lessons along the way…and the material). The performances are strong and Arquette’s direction is assured (Arquette has a subtle, strong supporting role, too) and the energetic “trip” is worth the ride. There’s a cautionary line that Thompson’s secretary gives the new assistant in the movie – “Water down your drinks and fake half the lines he gives you, that’s the only way to survive.” That’s not a bad life lesson.
SUMMER QAMP, Jennifer Markowitz (Canada). “At Camp fYrefly in rural Alberta, queer, non-binary, and trans teens get to just be kids in a supportive space, surrounded by counsellors who can relate to their experience ― and help them toast the perfect marshmallow.” (TIFF Catalog). There are some powerful moments in this little documentary about queer youth going to summer camp…and there’s something wonderful about LGBTQIA+ kids getting such positive affirmations in a place where they don’t have to be afraid to express who they are. There’s a lot to like here (I wouldn’t mind a short film about Marshall – one of the counselors), but overall, I didn’t love this doc. I found it to be overscored and a bit repetitive. I recommend seeing it (but it’s not something I’d need to revisit).
DICKS: THE MUSICAL, Larry Charles (USA). “Larry Charles (Borat) conducts an uproarious musical-comedy riff on The Parent Trap that follows a pair of identical twins who conspire to reunite their divorced and disturbingly deranged parents (Nathan Lane and Megan Mullally).” (TIFF Catalog) A24’s raunchy, irreverent musical was my last film for the day. This movie is based on material that comedians Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson have been working on for years (they’re also the stars of the film). IndieWire wrote this about the opening night, midnight screening: “No amount of context can prepare folks for the film’s final number, with a chorus that refers to God as a slur. The song that leapt from the screen out into the audience, with a flash mob of chorus members jumping out their seats to sing along, and pride balloons and penis inflatables dropping down onto attendees.” This movie has some great melodies, fun material (Megan Thee Stallion & Megan Mullally steal the show), and some real laugh-out-loud moments. It is destined to reach cult status, but I thought it wore a little thin pretty quickly. The cast appears to be having a blast making this film (that’s almost always true when there’s a gag reel at the end), and I think it would be much more fun in a party-like environment (instead of the industry screening I attended).
Jake is heading back to Dayton tomorrow, and I’m sticking around for another week…lots more films to see.
Tomorrow is something I’m looking forward to most of all – IN CONVERSATION WITH PEDRO ALMODOVAR!
Hope you tune back in for Day #3.
Thanks for reading,
Jonathan
Raekwon from Wu-Tang
Yellow Springs Film Festival (YSFF) has just announce their opening film on October 6, 2023 is the Midwest Premiere of award-winning documentary short Taking Back The Groove. The moving portrait of disco legend Richie Weeks’ battle to reclaim the rights to his music and restore his legacy in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement is directed by Celia Aniskovich (Call Me Miss Cleo) and executive produced by Raekwon of Wu-Tang Clan and trailblazing comedian Russell Peters. A post-screening panel discussion with Weeks, Aniskovich and Raekwon will be moderated by festival Founder Eric Mahoney. Tickets for the event go on sale Thursday, August 24th at 12:00pm EST.
Additional YSFF special events include a conversation with Comedian / Actor Fred Armisen (Portlandia, SNL, Documentary Now); an immersive documentary experience, 32 Sounds, with the director Sam Green and Oscar® winning director Steven Bognar in conversation; and a 40-year retrospective of the band Guided by Voices featuring their seminal documentary Watch Me Jumpstart by Banks Tarver.
Richie Weeks
The Festival program includes documentary features The Cave of Adullam by Laura Checkoway; Rather by Frank Marshall; Citizen Sleuth by Chris Kasick; We Are Fugazi From Washington DC by Joe Gross, Joseph Pattisall & Jeff Krulik; and Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd by Roddy Bogawa & Storm Thorgerson. Narrative features include Fancy Dance by Erica Tremblay; The Secret Art of Human Flight by H.P Mendoza, Madly by Gael García Bernal, Mia Wasikowska, Anurag Kashyap, Sebastián Silva, Sion Sono, & Bat for Lashes; and a 10 Year Anniversary screening of Only Lovers Left Alive by Jim Jarmusch.
The YSFF short films program features work by Steven Bognar, Charlotte Ercoli, Adam Meeks, Stephen Michael Simon, Max Cohn and Ellie Sachs, and will include the World Premiere of Lynn’s Fire by Steve Zahn (The Righteous Gemstones, The White Lotus).
The festival will also present a retrospective of the career of longtime Yellow Springs resident and Academy Award® winning director Julia Reichert, featuring film posters, interviews and excerpts of her incredible body of work available free to the public.
All films and events will take place October 6-8, 2023 in the village of Yellow Springs, Ohio at the historic Little Art Theatre, The Foundry at Antioch College and Crome Architecture. YSFF is produced by Hotshot Robot Productions Director / Producer Eric Mahoney and Creative Director / Musician Ian Jacobs, supported by the Yellow Springs Community Foundation.
For further info or to purchase tickets and badges please visit: www.ysfilmfest.com/
This fall the village of Yellow Springs, OH will launch its first official film festival slated for October 6-8, 2023. Films and events will run at The Little Art Theatre, The Foundry at Antioch College and Crome Architecture
The first Special Event announcement is the audio immersive film experience, 32 Sounds (World Premiere, Sundance 2022). Audiences will be outfitted with headphones to explore what Rolling Stone calls, “The greatest documentary you’ve ever heard”. Oscar Award nominated director Sam Green will be attending both screenings to speak about the project and answer audience questions after.
The initial slate of additional documentary features will include, The Cave of Adullam (Tribeca ’23), Rather (Tribeca ’23), Citizen Sleuth (SXSW ’23), We Are Fugazi From Washington DC (’23), and Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd (’23).
The Shorts program will feature work from Steven Bognar, Rick Gomez / Steve Zahn, Charlotte Ercoli, Adam Meeks, Stephen Michael Simon and more. Narrative programming / special events announcements will come throughout the summer.
YSFF will also have a free retrospective of the career of Julia Reichert, a longtime Yellow Springs resident and Oscar Award Winning Director. Patrons can peruse film posters, listen to interviews and view excerpts of her incredible work.
The festival is the brainchild of filmmaker and producer Eric Mahoney. Mahoney’s work has premiered at Cannes, Tribeca and SXSW and he is the host of the film centric Kon-tiki Podcast. He most recently directed and produced the documentary, Brainiac: Transmissions After Zero (World Premiere SXSW 2019). He is co-producing the event with Ian Jacobs, a Brooklyn based editor / producer / musician and long-time collaborator.
This year the festival has partnered with the Yellow Springs Community Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit, who is acting as the fiscal sponsor. YSFF has been able to launch from the immense generosity of private donors, local sponsors and is now in the midst of a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. Backers can get first access to special events, purchase a badge for the duration of the festival or get merchandise while helping the YSFF to establish what they hope will be an annual and scalable event.
Hello Dayton NEON Fans!
Today was my second day, and I’m calling it an early night…in bed by 11:00. It has been a wonderful and emotional day. I was delighted to see my all-time favorite director just steps away from my seat. (This wasn’t the first time I’ve seen Almodovar, but it’s been several years…and tonight’s film will be a stand-out for the festival as well as the year.) I quickly snapped the picture to the left.
RADIOACTIVE was my first film of Day #2. “Based on Lauren Redniss’s award-winning graphic novel, Marjane Satrapi’s (Persepolis) biopic stars Rosamund Pike as two-time Nobel Prize–winning scientist Marie Curie, highlighting the groundbreaking discoveries she made with her husband, Pierre (Sam Riley).” (taken from TIFF catalog) This film gave a great historical background on Curie and posed a lot of interesting questions (through the use of flash-forwards to historical nuclear events) as to whether her discoveries and work were “for good” or ultimately the destruction of societies. Though not without some wonderful moments that were both enlightening and even powerful, this film seemed rather clunky with its attempts to keep it “fresh and modern” while telling a very true story about an incredible woman.
VARDA BY AGNES “The last film from the late French New Wave filmmaker Agnès Varda (Faces Places) traces her legendary career and life with characteristic humour and vibrant energy, presenting a portrait of an artist who lived through her films and revealed the extraordinary in the ordinary.” (taken from TIFF catalog) This film, largely assembled from numerous lectures/master classes from recent years, is a long-form, cinematic essay as to how and why Varda worked. It’s full of wonderful moments, incredible artistry and ultimately a realization that there’s so much more of her work for me to discover. There was a lovely post-screening discussion with three women working in the industry…one being Lulu Wang, director of THE FAREWELL – who had incredibly insightful and inspiring things to say about Agnes and particularly THE GLEANERS AND I (a film that truly resonates with me, too). Though I don’t see this film getting a traditional release, I would love to bring it for a couple special screenings. The still photo below the trailer is a pic I took during the talk-back.
PAIN AND GLORY “An aging filmmaker (Antonio Banderas) grapples with an uncertain future and the circumstances that shaped his successful but troubled life, in Pedro Almodóvar’s self-reflexive consideration of identity and desire.” (taken from TIFF catalog) This gorgeous new film starring Antonio Banderas as well as other Almodovar favorites like Penelope Cruz Cecilia Roth, is a true winner – with the trademark Almodovar touches like a great score and incredible production design. It’s about recalling childhood, dealing with physical and mental pain, and the return of an old lover. I got emotional several times during this film, and I think we’ll be seeing it on some level this Oscar season. Almodovar and Banderas were in attendance. They gave a very moving and fun curtain speech and then returned to the stage after the screening for an insightful Q&A. For various reasons, there were tears throughout the evening, and Almodovar is always a charming and appreciative festival guest. I’m so glad I got to see him in conjunction with this wonderful film – which received a very long and heartfelt standing ovation.
I’ve got a few films tomorrow and will meet up with a couple different folks throughout the day. Looking forward to perhaps one more night of good sleep before some of the crazy long nights begin.
Thanks for tuning in!
Jonathan
Hello NEON Fans,
Thanks for checking in with me as I prepare to immerse myself in new cinema for the next several days. I’ve toiled over the line-up and come up with a list of about 15 must-see films. I’ve also got over 40 “possible” titles that I will continue to explore and try to fit into my 30+ films that I’ll cram in between Sept. 5 and Sept. 14.
I’m now in Toronto, I’ve picked up my credentials, and I have secured a handful of tickets that were high on my list…but the next step is to start listening to buzz, check in with friends from the industry and structure my first few days at the festival.
Here are a few trailers for a smattering of films that I’m excited to see:
Check in again soon at www.mostmetro.com/tag/tiff for new entries. I’ll blog each day so I can try to keep my thoughts straight!
Thanks for reading,
Jonathan
What do Bette Midler, Danny Glover, Danny DeVito, Laura Linney, Ian McKellen and Laverne Cox all have in common? They all have films playing at The Dayton LGBT Film Festival this year!
Titles are locked down, marketing materials are ready to go, and visiting artists are securing their travel plans for The 12th Annual Dayton LGBT Film Fest – taking place next month at THE NEON in Downtown Dayton.
During the weekend of Oct. 13-15, the festival will screen 17 films (a combination of shorts and features) with ties to the LGBT community – ranging from American comedies to International dramas…from narratives to documentaries. Directors, stars and other creative individuals from a handful of the selections are slated to attend.
One special guest will be Jill Alexander, an accomplished actress and co-star of SENSITIVITY TRAINING (pictured above on the left). The committee selected the film from over 100 submissions this year and was unaware (until after booking the film) that Alexander grew up right here in the Miami Valley and attended Beavercreek High School. The festival is thrilled to bring Alexander back home to share her work with the community and her family.
On Friday, October 13, attendees of the Opening Night Film FREAK SHOW will be invited to the Opening Night Party at The Mudlick Tavern – just a few blocks from THE NEON. For $8, guests will see the movie and then enjoy a complimentary cocktail and appetizers – this is certain to be a very hot ticket.
Though festival passes sold out in record time this year, patrons will have a chance to get single tickets for each of the screenings beginning Friday, September 8. Details about the films and how to get tickets can be found on the official site – www.daytonlgbt.com
Sponsors for this year’s festival include PFLAG Dayton, The Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus, Sue Spiegel & Lisa Hanauer, The Human Race Theatre Company, Miami Valley Fair Housing, AARP Ohio, The Greater Dayton LGBT Center, MJ’s On Jefferson, Johnny Dangerously, Equitas Health, David Lauri, Square Once Salon & Spa, Marion’s Piazza, Ken Byers, Kurt Fleagel & Warren Riffle, and Westminster Financial.
THE NEON is located at 130 E. 5th St in downtown Dayton. For additional information, visit the official site – www.daytonlgbt.com – or call THE NEON at (937)222-8452.
