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Garden Station

Garden Starion Hosts HarvestFest Sunday

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Spend Sunda14409652_10154972249832971_3443918537408480064_oy at HarvestFest at Garden Station for a festival  featuring classes on preserving the harvest including canning, dehydrating, herbal tinctures, fermenting, seed saving and more! Teachers are back including Lauren from Lola’s Botanicals for herbal tinctures and more,  Eliza from Phoenix Farm to teach fermenting and pickling and
Kate and Maggie Santucci for canning and dehydrating classes

Food trucks with sustainably sourced local food will be there including Harvest Mobile Cuisine, Fronana and the Flying Santucci Brothers Organic Cotton Candy  along with booths from local educational organizations, local crafters, farmers and herbalists.

Liv music from  bands  including Seefari, Ludlow  And SPECIAL GUESTS from Chattanooga, The 9th Street Stompers  as well as local craft beer will be on tap! The event runs from noon to 6pm and admission is free!

Urban Farm Internships Available at Garden Station

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gardenstationGarden Station is a 2 acre community garden & urban farm, art park, sustainable living education center, and community meeting place in the heart of downtown Dayton, Ohio. We have demonstration gardens featuring permaculture design, natural building and educational murals. We teach over 60 free hands-on, DIY sustainable living classes each year on a variety of topics including beekeeping, organic gardening, permaculture, food preservation and preparation, herbal remedies and more; 40 of those classes occurring at EarthFest, which attracts over 4000 visitors.
Our urban farmer’s cooperative, “Dayton Urban Grown”, helps to subsidize new urban farmers through sharing of resources and equipment. Over 500 volunteers come each season to visit, take a guided tour and work for 3-5 hours at a time. Our core team are also all volunteers, we are an Ohio Non-profit organization, have no paid staff and operate entirely by community donations and small community grants. Our founder is a Master Organic Gardener, Permaculture Certified and has taken classes in urban agriculture from Will Allen and Jean Martin Fortier, natural building classes at Blue Rock Station and is a graduate of Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance Seed School. This season (2016) will be our first spring and summer with our new hoophouses and we will be constructing a wash/pack station and walk-in cooler. We are working with several partners to develop a training program in small scale, no till, intensive urban farming. We grow organically but are not certified.
Internship Starts: ASAP Internship Ends: Negotiable, would like at least 4 month commitment Number of Interns: 1 with room and board for 20 hours/week and 2 or more at 5 hours a week Minimum Length of Stay: Three months. At least four would be desired.
Meals: Meals are not provided, with the exception that many of the ingredients are as a weekly produce share.
Skills Desired: We would love someone with a strong work ethic and attention to detail who is willing to learn! You need to be in good physical condition as the work is mostly manual labor; and self-motivated, with the ability to problem solve but willing to take direction. It is likely you would also be supervising high school age workers. There may be some organizational work to do with the farmer training program and workshop series as well.
Educational Opportunities: We would love to help someone get started with their own urban farm and will share our knowledge. All our workshops are available to our interns as well.
Stipend: This is considered a volunteer position but we are willing to provide a stipend of $40/ week as well as a share of the harvest as a thank you for at least 5 hours of work per week. For twenty hours a week we will provide room and board as a shared house with one of our volunteers as well as $600 for the season. You will be responsible for taxes. Bonuses may be given based upon our success.
Housing: Housing is available for the twenty hour per week position only.
Preferred method Of Contact: Email is best, [email protected]
Internship Details: We would love someone who has a real interest in learning how to grow produce using organic methods for market! You will work a regular schedule, probably at least 5 consecutive hours in a day from 7 am – noon on a weekday (probably Monday through Wednesday), or Friday early evening to harvest for Saturday Market. You will be planting, weeding, harvesting, mulching, watering, maybe doing light construction or supervising school age volunteers. We also could use help scheduling and marketing the workshop series.

Sword Fights in Garden Station

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You read that right! Sword fighting in Garden Station. Among the garden plots of tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers a sword fight or two will happen this weekend. Dayton’s all volunteer BeSpoke Theater will be sharing their production of Macbeth for free this weekend. Bring a lawn chair and a few dollars for a cold 5th Street Brewpub beer and enjoy the show nestled into the back Garden Station.
The venue at Garden Station
Bespoke is one of Dayton’s newest production companies specializing in Classical Theatre. Shakespeare in the park is a lot different than enjoying a show in a traditional theater. The actors compete against the elements and surrounding environment. When Macduff has to pause for a passing train or Lady Macbeth has to enunciate beyond siren moving up Wayne Avenue. I was in attendance for the Sunday afternoon performance last week and found the benefits outweigh the distractions.

First, much of the story of Macbeth happens in the out of doors. The sounds of buzzing cicadas added to the story. Tonight’s show and Saturday’s as well will be visually more interesting as the torches come out as the sun sets in Dayton. Outdoor theater also allows the actors to bring the story withing feet of the audience. Having Banquo or Malcom run past you so close you feel it is an experience you normally don’t get in the Schuster or Victoria.

There are three shows remaining. 7:00 pm Friday and Saturday and a 4:00 pm start on Sunday. The show is free and donations are accepted at the end of the show. Stop in to Garden Station, soak up the city with a 5th Street Brew and take in some Shakespeare. The price point is perfect and the venue is perfect for children and families.

Call for submissions: EarthFest 2015 Poster Contest!

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2014 Earthfest Poster

EarthFest is a volunteer-created Earth Day Festival hosted by Garden Station featuring over 35 hands-on DIY Sustainable Living Workshops, Live Local Music, Booths by over 40 environmentally friendly organizations, a non-GMO Heirloom Plant Sale and more! The first EarthFest happened in 2013, was organized by 2 people and over 1000 attended. Last year a team of 7 volunteers organized the event that drew almost 5000 attendees. This year a Neighborhood Mini-Grant by the City of Dayton was awarded to expand the festival. A part of that expansion includes inviting local artists to design this year’s EarthFest poster and offering a $200 cash prize to the winning design.

Information about last year’s festival can be found at www.GoAShadeGreener.org  Artwork is needed for an event poster, the event program and newspaper ads. The theme of the artwork should reflect the purpose of the event which is to teach residents to “Go a Shade Greener” with a lifestyle that is healthier for people and the planet. Some skills that have been taught in the past are growing your own food, including organic gardening and raising chickens for eggs; food preparation including cheesemaking, homebrewing and fermenting foods; and green energy including homemade Biodiesel and installing solar panels,

A committee comprised of artists, representatives from local eco-friendly organizations and EarthFest organizers will select the winning design. Designs will be judged based on originality, appropriateness for the event and design quality.

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2013 Earthfest Poster

Multiple submissions are encouraged. Submissions may be submitted in any format or size, as long as the proposed design is clearly illustrated. Designs that can easily be used in computer design are encouraged.

Submissions are due by 6 p.m. on Saturday, January 10th and can be e-mailed to [email protected] or mailed to:

Garden Station  509 E 4th Street  Dayton, OH 45402

Additional donations are also being accepted to help fund EarthFest at http://daytongardenstation.org/ with an Indiegogo fundraiser starting in February. Environmentally friendly organizations are invited to sponsor a classroom and the music stage for EarthFest 2015. Donations help cover tents, advertising, workshop materials and other expenses. Any extra money raised will go towards expanding the urban farm at Garden Station by adding a hoophouse greenhouse and produce refrigerator next growing season.

Updates will be posted at www.facebook.com/GardenStation

EarthFest 2015 will take place at Garden Station on April 18th 2015

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Lisa at [email protected] or 937-610-3845.

Art Bike Competition at Garden Station’s EarthFest 2014

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Recycle-Art-Bike-Contest-2013-300x260Why should your best throw-aways go to the curb when those recyclables also make the best art supplies? This year you can show your neighbors just how creative you are when you participate in the first ever Garden Station Recycled Art Bike Contest. Be outrageous. Be daring. Bring on the flair and win prizes and bragging rights for the year.

Turn your bicycle in a functional work of art by reusing materials that would normally go to a landfill or recycling center. Anything you can think of can become a part of your ride when you make a statement about reuse of materials, everyday art and the best form of transportation for you and the community.

Best of Show, Most Creative, and Best use of Recycled Materials are three of the categories to win. Entries must be ride-able as you dazzle the community with your cycling-flair, talent and skills.250px-Fremont_Solstice_Parade_2007_-_airplane_cycle_02A

Bikes will be reviewed at 1pm, Saturday, April 26th at Garden Station by our panel of highly capable  judges including local artists and representatives from Bike Miami Valley. After judging, participants will embark on the parade ride lead by Courteous Mass Dayton. The ride will leave Garden Station to cruise through the Oregon District to the 2nd Street Market and back to Garden Station where the winners will be announced.

As word is getting out about this event, more prize donors are stepping up, but be prepared to win some  really fun gifts from local merchants and sponsors.  There is no entry fee and registration and the lineup of entries will take place just before the judging at  1pm.

If you would like to participate as an artist, a rider, or a prize sponsor visit the Garden Station Facebook page  or email [email protected] or join the event at the  Facebook Page: Recycled Art Bike Contest @ EarthFest!

Volunteers Wanted: A Special Wish, Bike Miami Valley & Garden Station

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volunteerVolunteering is the perfect way to feel connected to your community. The simple act of offering your skills and enthusiasm will positively impact the lives of others, as well as your own.  Volunteering provides many benefits to both mental and physical health. Volunteering can provide a healthy boost to your self-confidence, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. You are doing good for others and the community, which provides a natural sense of accomplishment. Your role as a volunteer can also give you a sense of pride and identity. And the better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life and future goals.

Reducing the risk of depression is another important benefit of volunteering. A key risk factor for depression is social isolation. Volunteering keeps you in regular contact with others and helps you develop a solid support system, which in turn protects you against stress and depression when you’re going through challenging times. Volunteering is good for your health at any age, but it’s especially beneficial in older adults. Studies have found that those who volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those who do not, even when considering factors like the health of the participants. Volunteering has also been shown to lessen symptoms of chronic pain or heart disease.

Check out these groups looking for volunteers:

 

  • A Special Wish Foundation, the wish granting organization located in the Dayton 601135_10151341921313398_331282029_nregion, is looking for 25 volunteers to help with the 4th Annual Glow Fore Wishes night time golf scramble on Friday, August 23. The event is from 6 – 11PM at Community Golf Course. “Midnight” Breakfast Buffet provided. Call Mariesa Stock at 937-641-4263 if interested in helping

 

  • Bike Miami Valley is looking for a group to handle bike valet parking at Oktoberfest229483_153810538019141_3893354_a for Sunday, 29 September! Want to support cycling? Love beer? Here’s your chance! Bike Miami Valley encourages all local festivals to have bike valet parking – and Oktoberfest is out front! We need a group to provide people to handle bike valet parking – racks provided. You have a chance to set up a table, sell t-shirts, promote your organization – and get free admission (a $12 value) to Oktoberfest! Send an email  if interested!

 

  • Garden Station is looking for  some volunteers to help organize events for Urban 183242_10150090412812971_3773463_nNights on Friday, September 20th! Garden Station is transforming a two acre lot on the northeast corner of Fourth Street and Wayne Avenue that was vacant for more than 40 years into a vibrant art park and community garden.Who wants to help showcase Garden Station as one of the coolest spots in the city? Email if interested/

 

  • FilmDayton‘s 5th annual festival is coming  Aug 23-25th, headquartered at The filmdaytonfestNeon, and they  could use a few more volunteers to cover all the bases.   They need folks for set-up, ticket takers, greeters and odd jobs, too. Fill out the online form and volunteer for a shift – you get a free movie ticket out of the deal, too!

 

MostMetro will be updating these opportunities each week.  If your organization has a need for volunteers, email us your info and we’ll include you in the next update.

City of Dayton Proposes Commercial Development of Garden Station, Organizers Plead To Save Community Garden

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The following letter was published late tonight on Garden Station facebook page:

 

Warm Greetings, Supporters and Volunteers of Garden Station,

It is with a heavy heart that I must let all our supporters know of plans of the City of Dayton to potentially destroy Garden Station in its current form to make way for future “development”.

Last year the City purchased the whole block south of us, the old HD building, and I was leery of their intent. I invited City officials on tours of Garden Station and inquired about future plans that might affect us. I was assured that they were looking at the block south of us for development and not the property we lease. In January I was informed of the posted RFQ “as a courtesy” by the Assistant City Manager Shelley Dickstein and asked for meetings with her and Nan Whaley. Their position was that we are on development property and in order to attract the best developers they had to include our property as an option, but developers may choose not to use it. They were supposed to let me know who submitted proposals after the January 31st deadline but I have not heard back.

Recently I have heard through the grapevine that a developer has been selected and plans are made. I do not know what those plans are but have heard from many community leaders including priority board members that once the city announces their plans it is often too late to act.

I am asking you, our supporters and creators to ACT by calling, emailing and mailing our officials to ask for:

1. Garden Station to remain on the site we currently occupy as an amenity to potential housing/retail developments on the block south of us as well as existing residents.

2. Furthermore that our property be preserved as green space under a land trust organization, with occupancy by Garden Station as long as the property is maintained at an acceptable level.

3. Include your reasons for keeping Garden Station and tell what your personal connections are to Garden Station

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A group of HS students from Ginghamsburg church planted 2 figs, 2 chestnuts, a persimmon, 1 apple, some yarrow, bee balm and fennel and 1 serviceberry.

I know there are over 1000 of you who personally have done physical labor to build Garden Station and over 100 community groups and businesses who have contributed to its creation! Garden Station uniquely represents the heart and soul of Dayton better than any other place in our city, through unique local artwork, music, community events and connecting our citizens to each other!  Like the Whos in the beloved Dr. Seuss book “Horton Hears a Who” we need to make our voices heard that WE ARE HERE! 

SOME BENEFITS OF OUR “DEVELOPMENT” AS GARDEN STATION TO THE COMMUNITY:

 

We are a unique attraction in downtown Dayton and have had visitors from all over the world stop to see us. We are on several travel sites including Roadside America and Trip Advisor. So many other “attractions” seem like cookie cutter copies that every city has. We have unique outsider art from all kinds of residents, examples of sustainable building techniques, demonstration gardens including a new food forest, a permaculture fixture that other cities brag about http://www.weather.com/home-garden/beacon-food-forest-20130620 , and we host all kinds of community groups from elementary students to UD and Sinclair student to the AARP.

 

We are providing education and demonstration of sustainable living practices in a time where more and more people are realizing the environmental frailty and nutrition-lacking aspects of our current food system. Our EarthFest was the largest Earth Day festival ever held in Dayton with over 30 free workshops for the public and over 30 local organizations participating. We are educating our neighbors to become more food secure and developing a more resilient local food system by training urban farmers in partnership with Omega CDC, Antioch College and Miami University. We are providing fresh, local organic food from our gardens to the public on Sundays when there is no other outlet for local food available in Montgomery County. We are providing fresh local organic food to seniors at Jaycee Towers and have the only rentable wheelchair accessible community garden plots in the area. Over 20 neighbors have community garden plots at Garden Station as well, including many urban dwellers without green space of their own.

 

We serve as an outdoor community center hosting all kinds of community organizations including meetings and non-profit fundraisers, art and music festivals, free music for First Friday featuring local bands, the Really Really Free Market, workshops, community potlucks, bonfires, rallies, weddings and more. Students from all over the Miami Valley from Elementary School to University have come for tours and volunteer days to learn gardening, art and green construction techniques.

 

We are an urban green space that serves all our area residents, created entirely by over 1000 community volunteers and donations, and over 100 community organizations and businesses.

  

Garden Station is created BY the community, FOR the community!

Please let our officials know you support keeping Garden Station as a community-created green space and the reasons you want to keep us!

Thanks for all your support! Garden Station exists because of support from our whole community!

Humbly,

Lisa Helm

Volunteer Garden Station Manager

www.facebook.com/gardenstation

www.daytongardenstation.org

[email protected]

937-610-3845

 

Please write, email AND call!

Mayor Gary Leitzell

City Hall, Second Floor

101 W. Third Street

Dayton, Ohio 45402

937-333-3636

Fax: 937-333-4297

[email protected]

City Commission Office

City Hall, Second Floor

101 W. Third Street

Dayton, Ohio 45402

937-333-3644

fax: 937-333-4297

[email protected]

Commissioner Matt Joseph – [email protected]

Commissioner Dean Lovelace  – [email protected]

Commissioner Nan Whaley – [email protected]

Commissioner Joey D. Williams  – [email protected]

City Manager – Timothy Riordan   937-333-3600 [email protected] City Manager Shelley Dickstein  – [email protected],    [email protected] (937) 333-3600

Planning & Community Development Director – Aaron Sorrell – 937.333.4209 333-3670  [email protected]  [email protected]

 

Garden Station Sunday Market To Launch This Sun, June 16th

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988500_10151497637542971_1485924306_nGarden Station Sunday Market will start this Sunday as the only local produce outlet in Montgomery County which is open on a Sunday. It will start in a more compact version until more urban farmers and artists join us and consumers create more demand. It will run 11am to 2pm and will start with one booth combining produce from the Greater Dayton Urban Farmer’s group, including produce from the NEW market/demonstration farm at Garden Station.

Garden Station  feels that demand for local, organically grown produce is increasing and are encouraged by the turn out of over 1000 people for our EarthFest and almost 300 for the local March against Monsanto, but we need more individuals to step forward who are committed to help us work towards a more vibrant local food system.  Please comment below if you’d like to help Garden Saation.

Our famers have too many family and other work commitments that need to take priority this year so our larger market events will occur for First Fridays this year for “Local Day at Garden Station”. Local Day will feature at least 2 free sustainable living workshops every month as well as live local music and our Greater Dayton Urban Farmer’s Market. Local Day will run from 5:30pm to dusk on the First Friday of every month through October. The Sunday Market will run weekly from June 16th through mid October on Sundays from 11am-2pm.

The AARP is supporting the production of local produce at Garden Station by helping fund our market/demonstration gardens and arranging for a portion of the produce grown at Garden Station to be donated to seniors at Jaycee Towers, just a block from the gardens.

Please show your support for our local farmers and local, organically produced foods by shopping local!

This information originally appeared on Garden Station’s Facebook event page.

Volunteers for Dayton! Opportunities Sep. 25-Oct. 2

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Get to know your neighborhood

The City of Dayton and it's 64 official neighborhoods. Image: City of Dayton

Some of our most effective urban revitalization comes from the city’s many neighborhood associations, yet a lot of my well-intentioned friends have never been involved with their local group. Some of them don’t even seem to know what neighborhood they live in. (No, all of Southeast Dayton is not Belmont like your realtor told you.) So I thought I’d take a minute to share with you the City of Dayton neighborhood directory and map, divided into 64 unique planning districts. Sometimes the planning district name might not be the same as the common neighborhood or historic district name – for instance Five Points is now known more as Wright-Dunbar and Historic Inner East as St. Anne’s, Huffman, and Newcom Plain. I also asked our Facebook group members to help me compile a list of neighborhoods with a web presence and here’s what we came up with. Let us know what we missed in the comments section below. Once you find your neighborhood, introduce yourself at their monthly meeting!

Get Involved

Twin Towers neighborhood teens meet with updayton to plan a new park for their neighborhood

  • Our updayton Streetvival team is moving forward with plans to turn a vacant lot at the heart of the Twin Towers neighborhood (Xenia & McClure) into an outdoor ‘reading room’ and performance space with an interactive chalkboard mural. This month we met with the neighborhood association and teens from Peace Academy and Camino de Vida after school programs. In October we will host a Fall Work Weekend to lay the groundwork for completing our pocket park at Xenia & McClure in the spring. Saturday, Oct. 13 at 10am (prep/prime wall and plant trees) and Sunday, Oct 14 at 1pm (paint chalkboard). Contact me to get involved.
  • The “Old” Yellow Cab Building is a 7,000 sqft grassroots community arts space at the eastern edge of the Oregon District near Garden Station; both began as initiatives of the Circus Creative Collective. They could always use help from handy volunteers, and in particular are looking for someone with HVAC experience to get furnaces up and running in their garage performance space. Let Jeff Opt know if you’re that person, or if you’d like to use the space for a creative event, contact Christina Lewis.
  • Garden Station still needs more volunteers at their weekly Saturday morning work sessions. Show up at 4th and Wayne from 8:30am to noon and Lisa  will put you to work!

    Bike Miami Valley found some great volunteers for their valet through this column, including these UD students!

  • What to do with that vacant lot?– Got some energy to help clear the weeds next door? Get a head start on next year’s season by registering with the City’s Care A Lot program. Or learn how to take it over as your own through Lot Links.
  • The Community Initiative to Reduce Gun Violence is hosting a community discussion on what you can do to reduce violence in your neighborhood, Thursday, Sep. 27, 5:30-7:30pm, Northwest Recreational Facility. A nice overview on Dayton’s innovative community policing and its chief can be found here.
  • Walnut Hills Delivery Crew – The mayor’s ‘hood, Walnut Hills, is building a team to hand deliver its new newsletter. So if you live in Walnut Hills, leave a comment here.
  • The last alley sweep of the year will be in Historic Huffman. I’m sure they’d welcome extra hands from everywhere!: Jeff Heath, 301-8556
  • Quick & affordable housing – Check out this cool video of how 100+ Habitat volunteers raised a house in eight minutes last Saturday. To volunteer in the future, visit their website.
  • Don’t forget the downtown dog park cleanup we mentioned last week! Deeds Point, Saturday and Sunday, Sep. 29-30, 9am to 1ish each day. Bring your dog, gloves and any brush removal tool you own. Contact Karen Stephens, 510-6900.

Just For Fun

Volunteers led creative PARK(ing) Day activities in the parklets, from yoga to stories to drumming.

  • Yarnbomb Dayton (or just knit)! – Noticed any colorful ‘knit graffiti’ around the Oregon District? It was probably the work of the Oregon Sip-n-Stitch, which meets every 4th Thursday (e.g. this Thursday) at Deaf Monty’s Inn Port d’Vino from 5-8. Open to any ‘portable handcrafts.’ Wine, beer and light snacks are available for purchase; BYO snacks to share are welcome. Contact Margot.
  • Yogic takeover of the boulevard! When the famous Olmstead Brothers designed South Park’s lovely Park Drive boulevard in the 1880s, I bet they never imagined dozens of yogis praticing their sun salutations. Join the first-ever Yoga on the Boulevard with Practice Yoga, Friday, Sep. 28, 6pm.
  • Meet your Salem Avenue-area neighbors at the Festival of Neighborhoods, Saturday, Sep. 29, 3-6pm, Grace United Methodist.
  • Blanket concert – The Patterson Park neighborhood has planned a community concert on their commons. Sunday, Sep. 30, 6-8pm.

Don’t forget to e-mail me your items and report back with your successes!

Volunteers for Dayton! Opportunities Sep. 25-Oct. 2

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Get to know your neighborhood

The City of Dayton and it’s 64 official neighborhoods. Image: City of Dayton

Some of our most effective urban revitalization comes from the city’s many neighborhood associations, yet a lot of my well-intentioned friends have never been involved with their local group. Some of them don’t even seem to know what neighborhood they live in. (No, all of Southeast Dayton is not Belmont like your realtor told you.) So I thought I’d take a minute to share with you the City of Dayton neighborhood directory and map, divided into 64 unique planning districts. Sometimes the planning district name might not be the same as the common neighborhood or historic district name – for instance Five Points is now known more as Wright-Dunbar and Historic Inner East as St. Anne’s, Huffman, and Newcom Plain. I also asked our Facebook group members to help me compile a list of neighborhoods with a web presence and here’s what we came up with. Let us know what we missed in the comments section below. Once you find your neighborhood, introduce yourself at their monthly meeting!

Get Involved

Twin Towers neighborhood teens meet with updayton to plan a new park for their neighborhood

  • Our updayton Streetvival team is moving forward with plans to turn a vacant lot at the heart of the Twin Towers neighborhood (Xenia & McClure) into an outdoor ‘reading room’ and performance space with an interactive chalkboard mural. This month we met with the neighborhood association and teens from Peace Academy and Camino de Vida after school programs. In October we will host a Fall Work Weekend to lay the groundwork for completing our pocket park at Xenia & McClure in the spring. Saturday, Oct. 13 at 10am (prep/prime wall and plant trees) and Sunday, Oct 14 at 1pm (paint chalkboard). Contact me to get involved.
  • The “Old” Yellow Cab Building is a 7,000 sqft grassroots community arts space at the eastern edge of the Oregon District near Garden Station; both began as initiatives of the Circus Creative Collective. They could always use help from handy volunteers, and in particular are looking for someone with HVAC experience to get furnaces up and running in their garage performance space. Let Jeff Opt know if you’re that person, or if you’d like to use the space for a creative event, contact Christina Lewis.
  • Garden Station still needs more volunteers at their weekly Saturday morning work sessions. Show up at 4th and Wayne from 8:30am to noon and Lisa  will put you to work!

    Bike Miami Valley found some great volunteers for their valet through this column, including these UD students!

  • What to do with that vacant lot?– Got some energy to help clear the weeds next door? Get a head start on next year’s season by registering with the City’s Care A Lot program. Or learn how to take it over as your own through Lot Links.
  • The Community Initiative to Reduce Gun Violence is hosting a community discussion on what you can do to reduce violence in your neighborhood, Thursday, Sep. 27, 5:30-7:30pm, Northwest Recreational Facility. A nice overview on Dayton’s innovative community policing and its chief can be found here.
  • Walnut Hills Delivery Crew – The mayor’s ‘hood, Walnut Hills, is building a team to hand deliver its new newsletter. So if you live in Walnut Hills, leave a comment here.
  • The last alley sweep of the year will be in Historic Huffman. I’m sure they’d welcome extra hands from everywhere!: Jeff Heath, 301-8556
  • Quick & affordable housing – Check out this cool video of how 100+ Habitat volunteers raised a house in eight minutes last Saturday. To volunteer in the future, visit their website.
  • Don’t forget the downtown dog park cleanup we mentioned last week! Deeds Point, Saturday and Sunday, Sep. 29-30, 9am to 1ish each day. Bring your dog, gloves and any brush removal tool you own. Contact Karen Stephens, 510-6900.

Just For Fun

Volunteers led creative PARK(ing) Day activities in the parklets, from yoga to stories to drumming.

  • Yarnbomb Dayton (or just knit)! – Noticed any colorful ‘knit graffiti’ around the Oregon District? It was probably the work of the Oregon Sip-n-Stitch, which meets every 4th Thursday (e.g. this Thursday) at Deaf Monty’s Inn Port d’Vino from 5-8. Open to any ‘portable handcrafts.’ Wine, beer and light snacks are available for purchase; BYO snacks to share are welcome. Contact Margot.
  • Yogic takeover of the boulevard! When the famous Olmstead Brothers designed South Park’s lovely Park Drive boulevard in the 1880s, I bet they never imagined dozens of yogis praticing their sun salutations. Join the first-ever Yoga on the Boulevard with Practice Yoga, Friday, Sep. 28, 6pm.
  • Meet your Salem Avenue-area neighbors at the Festival of Neighborhoods, Saturday, Sep. 29, 3-6pm, Grace United Methodist.
  • Blanket concert – The Patterson Park neighborhood has planned a community concert on their commons. Sunday, Sep. 30, 6-8pm.

Don’t forget to e-mail me your items and report back with your successes!

Volunteers for Dayton! Opportunities: September 11-18

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Welcome to our new column for urban volunteer opportunities! I’ll be posting all kinds of ways to get involved in city neighborhoods – from hand-on service to crowdfunding to fun community-building events – so if you have items for submission e-mail me or add them to our Facebook group!

Spotlight on: Garden Station

Have you driven on Wayne Avenue downtown and wondered what that raucous splash of color was by the railroad tracks? Or maybe you’re a regular at the many frequent events occurring at this two-acre community art park, such as the weekly Sunday Market or ‘Free Music First Friday.’ Launched in 2008 as an initiative of the Dayton Circus Creative Collective, Garden Station is now a stand-alone organization led by Lisa Helm with a small crew of volunteers. It is an “urban hub where the Dayton community can come together to enjoy art, campfires, festivals, movies, concerts and community gardens.” They always need help on Saturday work days throughout the growing season, and this week, they are holding Wine and Weeding Wednesday to get spruced up for Urban Nights. The garden’s current fiscal sponsorship agreement expires on September 14 and its estimated monthly costs are $300, so they’d love if you made a tax-deductible donation before Friday! Or if you don’t fancy yourself a philanthropist, you can still give by eating at Blind Bob’s on the first Monday of the month and mentioning Garden Station Night. For more information, follow their page or e-mail Lisa.

Some of the 170 K12 & East End volunteers installing the mosaic

Get Involved!

  • Guide our county’s future: Montgomery County is asking citizens to give input through a series of public forums. The topic for Tuesday, Sep. 11th is “Where Do We Stand vs. Other Communities?” Seen any great ideas in other areas that you’d like to bring back here? Chime in!
  • Show your art on downtown streets: Activated Spaces, the Downtown Dayton Plan’s joint project of Generation Dayton and updayton, is conducting a final call for submissions for art to fill downtown storefronts. Artists will appreciate that they’re printing the art on vinyl window clings this time, making installation much easier! Click here for more information and to apply by the September 14th deadline.
  • The November library levy (Issue 70) includes an “upgraded main library that will be a regional information, reading and cultural attraction for downtown Dayton.” Their online volunteer form asks for help with phonecalls, going door-to-door, endorsers, poll greeters, and public speakers.
  • Bike sharing for downtown was recently a hot topic of discussion in our group, and we learned that Bike Miami Valley is exploring the idea. Fill out their brief online survey to share your thoughts on a ‘smart bike’ system!
  • Which urban neighborhoods are on Facebook? Several years ago, DMM publisher Bill Pote and I led a training at City Hall to get more neighborhoods on social media. Let us know how far we’ve come by adding to my running list.
  • Urban Nights: Still a few more slots availablefor volunteers!

    Monica Wirick-Schultz doing some park planting with other volunteers last Friday

  • Clean up North Main Street: Volunteer help is needed for cleaning up litter and overgrown vegetation; supplies such as gloves, brooms and bags are provided. Saturday, Sep. 15, 8:30am-1pm, 2141 N. Main St. For more information, contact FROC Priority Board Coordinator Verletta Jackson at 333-3288 or e-mail her.
  • Demo Day at the Fifth Street Brewpub: Meet at the community-owned brewpub (1600 E Fifth) at 10 am, Saturday, Sep 15 to demo the interior of the brewhouse. Email them if you can make it so they can plan accordingly (e.g: buy enough beer)
  • Community-Police Action Planning: Learn about community-police relations, give feedback, and sign up for volunteer opportunities at the Dayton Community Police Council’s Community Day Party. Saturday, Sep. 15 11am-3pm, Convention Center.
  • Help make peace in Dayton neighborhoods: The Dayton Mediation Center is looking for volunteer mediators to attend upcoming trainings and commit to helping with conflict resolution. More details can be found here.

Success!

  • Adding color to Xenia Avenue: Over 170 volunteers participated in the year-and-a-half long mosaic mural project led by K12 Gallery for Young People in partnership with East End Community Services Corporation. The finished project can now be seen at 504 Xenia Ave. Like K12’s page to get involved in future projects! The new mosaics decorate the facade of the future location of the Corner Cupboard Charities thrift store, a volunteer-run organization that raises money for other local nonprofits. Check them out!

    One of the many streetscape transformations underway in the South Park neighborhood

  • DDR volunteers rocked it!: Over 200 volunteers came out to support the Downtown Dayton Revival Music Fest this past weekend and a good time was had by all.
  • Invest in the city through real estate! Theresa Gasper of Full Circle Development, LLC recently shared some amazing before-and-after pictures of the homes she and partners have transformed in the Historic South Park neighborhood, an area which saw a 23% value increase in the last reappraisal. There are plenty of great urban realtors who would love to get you started!
  • First Friday Park Planters: A dozen volunteers organized through our Facebook group planted about 40 shrubs and perennials at a little downtown park on Friday night before exploring First Friday together. This was made possible by a grant that volunteer Brian Ressler obtained from Keep Montgomery County Beautiful. Thanks everyone!

 

Call for Round 2 of Downtown Community Mural Project

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A team of downtown arts leaders and activists consisting of Lisa Helm (Garden Station), Jerri Stanard (K-12 Gallery) and Carli Dixon (Atta Girl), is spearheading an effort to beautify a section of East Third Street with a new mural project. In much the same way as the Wayne Avenue murals at the underpass next to Garden Station, this new set of murals at Third and Webster will be selected from submissions by local artists, and a stipend will be awarded to each winning artist. The project will be partially funded by a Neighborhood Mini Grant from the City of Dayton.

Due to the close proximity of the 2nd Street Market, a vegetable and fruit theme has been adopted for the murals. The theme may include, but is not limited to, large scale, colorful fruits and vegetables (local to the area preferred), and related items. Abstract and non-conventional interpretations of produce are also welcomed.

“If some of the images were inspired by famous artists that would be an amazing transition from the HAALO project, (on 3rd Street just west of the proposed murals) completed by 30 teens from the Montgomery County Juvenile Court program, and would allow the walk-by patrons to learn about art history in a fun and memorable way” says team member Jerri Stanard of K-12 Gallery. Some ideas for submission of artwork for the underpass at Third and Webster could include: Keith Haring “Carrots”, Giuseppe Arcimboldo “Vegetable Faces”, Edward Hoppers “Ears of Corn”, Mary Cassatt’s “Cucumbers”, Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Okra” or “Green Beans”, and Tripoli’s “Tomatoes”.

The spaces available for painting will include the areas on the retaining wall on the southeast side of the intersection as well as sections under the overpass. Spaces on the retaining wall are approximately 13’ x13’ and the underpass spaces are 8’x 8’ squares (see attached pictures, these can be used as a submission template by printing or tracing dimensions).

A committee comprised of artists, area business owners and city representatives will select the winning designs. Designs will be judged based on originality, appropriateness for the space and design quality.

Each artist whose mural design is selected will receive $125 upon completion of each mural. Sixteen gallons of

The 2009 mural project

exterior paint will be available to all of the artists to share. The colors will include red, orange, yellow, light and dark green, sky blue, lilac, and purple. Also, a $75 supply stipend per mural will be given to each artist to individualize his/her palette.

Multiple submissions are encouraged. Submissions may be submitted in any format or size, as long as the proposed design is clearly illustrated. Artists also are encouraged to submit a resume or letter outlining their qualifications to complete this type of project.

Submissions are due by 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 1. Winners will be announced at Urban Nights on September 14 at an event in Garden Station.

Submissions can be e-mailed  or mailed to:

Downtown Mural Project c/o Carli Dixon, 811 E. Third Street, Dayton, OH 45402

Winning artists will have until Friday, November 2, to finish their work. The murals will be unveiled that evening at First Friday festivities. “The City of Dayton grant to create more murals along East Third Streets puts us that much closer to competing with Philadelphia’s public art and becoming the destination where tourists will stay an extra day to experience all the incredible amenities we have in Dayton Ohio”, says Stanard.

Additional donations are also being accepted to help fund the project through indigogo. “The Neighborhood Mini Grant from the city will cover the cost of about 13 murals and requires a 50% match”, says Lisa Helm. “While we will more than meet our match requirements with the value of all the volunteer hours, we need the money for paint and artist stipends. There are 37 spaces in the intersection available to paint, it would be nice to fill them all, if not with full murals at least with bright colored spaces between some of the murals “

Clean up days are scheduled for the morning of August 25 and 26.  Volunteers will be needed to clear brush, weeds, trash and to prime the spaces. Updates will be posted at www.facebook.com/GardenStation

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Lisa at [email protected] or 937-610-3845.

Downtown Dayton’s Biggest Street Party Returns May 11

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Approximately 30,000 people come downtown for Urban Nights.

On Urban Nights, downtown will be teeming with activity and people ready to enjoy the dining, nightlife, art, music, shopping and housing that can be found only in Dayton. The next free Urban Nights will be held 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 11, in downtown, the Oregon Arts District and Wright-Dunbar Business Village.

Click here for a complete performance schedule, map of participating venues, and list of all participating locations’ events and specials.

The Green Street Project, designed to celebrate all things green and promote environmental sustainability, will include interactive and art-making activities for the whole family, exhibits on green technology, games, and more on Main Street, which will be closed between Second and Third streets. The Green Street Project is presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership, Montgomery County Solid Waste District and PNC Bank. Activities include:

• The Dayton Regional Green 3 Initiative will host fun and educational activities and booths to promote greener and more sustainable practices in the Dayton region.

• The Montgomery County Solid Waste District’s two mascots, Curby the Cardinal and Lucky the Ladybug, will be on hand, as well as its Extreme Recycling trailer.

• The Dayton Art Institute will lead a community art mural-making project using recyclable materials.

• Zoot Theatre Company will demonstrate its larger puppets and visitors will have an opportunity to create masks out of reused and found materials.

• Visitors can ride a segway, courtesy of Dayton Segway Tours; chalk the street; have their picture taken in an open-air photo booth, courtesy of Lift-Off Entertainment; and check out an eco-friendly bus from Greater Dayton RTA and the eco-friendly Buick LaCrosse eAssist, courtesy of Bob Ross Buick.

• The Victoria Theatre Association will provide activities inspired by the Broadway musical Wicked.

Urban Bikes @ Urban Nights is a ride through the event’s action ending at Courthouse Square.

Urban Nights visitors can get around the event by participating in Urban Bikes @ Urban Nights, a community ride through downtown that starts at 6 p.m. at Don Crawford Plaza in front of Fifth Third Field. The best way to see as much as possible during Urban Nights is to walk, and many of the destinations are just a short distance from each other. Greater Dayton RTA also will provide free event trolleys to help visitors get around.

As visitors make their way through the Urban Nights action, those locals who are professional and amateur photographers and videographers are encouraged to capture some shots or footage to submit in the 2012 Downtown in Focus photo contest and a new video contest, Downtown on Film. This year’s photo contest will include a category highlighting downtown festivals and events, and the theme for the video contest will be “Summer in the City.” Details for both contests will be announced in early summer, with deadlines in August and winners announced at the Sept. 14 Urban Nights.

Live Entertainment on Six Stages

Roaming performers will entertain visitors throughout downtown and the Oregon Arts District, and stages will be set up throughout the Urban Nights area. A performance schedule follows:

Main Stage: Courthouse Square, sponsored by DP&L
5 to 5:50 p.m.                     Al Holbrook Band
5:50 to 6:10 p.m.              Circle Nerdz (breakdance crew)
6:10 to 7 p.m.                     Wheels
7 to 7:20 p.m.                    The Dropbacks (juggling duo)
7:20 to 8:10 p.m.              Hey There Morgan
8:10 to 8:30 p.m.               Soul Fire Tribe (fire dancers)
8:30 to 10 p.m.                   TOUCH

A variety of entertainment can be found on the Urban Nights stages.

Spotlight on Sinclair: Second and Jefferson streets by the Kettering Tower
5:30 to 5:50 p.m.               Sinclair Chamber Choir
6 to 6:20 p.m.                     Sinclair Opera & Musical Theater Ensemble
6:30 to 6:50 p.m.               Sinclair “Classical Café”
7 to 7:30 p.m.                     Sinclair Men’s & Women’s Ensembles
7:30 to 8 p.m.                     Sinclair Chorale
8 to 8:30 p.m.                     Sinclair Chamber Choir
8:30 to 9 p.m.                     Sinclair Gospel Ensemble
9 to 9:30 p.m.                     Sinclair Men’s Ensemble
9:30 to 10 p.m.                  Sinclair Gospel Ensemble

Community Stage: Corner of Third and Jefferson streets
Special thanks to Harvey Lehrner, owner of Don’s Pawn Shop, for use of the parking lot.
5 to 7 p.m.                           Performances by people from the community
7 to 10 p.m.                        Open call karaoke

MetroParks Pavilion at RiverScape MetroPark: Monument Avenue and Patterson Boulevard
5 to 5:30 p.m.                     Funklab
5:30 to 6:30 p.m.              Okay Lindon
6:30 to 7 p.m.                     Party Pleasers (DJ)
7 to 8 p.m.                            Son del Caribe
8 to 8:30 p.m.                     Party Pleasers (DJ)
8:30 to 10 p.m.                  Mojo Flo

Live on Five: In the historic Oregon Arts District next to the Trolley Stop 
6 to 6:45 p.m.                     David Burris
7 to 7:45 p.m.                    White Rabbit Band
8 to 8:45 p.m.                     Nasty Bingo
9 to 9:45 p.m.                     Ape the Ghost

Wright Dunbar Entertainment: Third and Williams streets
The Plaza Stage:
5:30 to 9 p.m.                     Tribute bands featuring the music of Jimi Hendrix, Santana and Bob Marley
The Lounge:
6 p.m.                                    Cyrstal Echols and line dancing
7:30 p.m.                             Big Gil and his Funky All Stars featuring Valeria
Grillin’ & Chillin’ Tent:
5 to 10 p.m.                        Master G spinning music for the dance tent
Gospel Karaoke Cafe:
5 to 8 p.m.                           Open mic with music by DJ Jerry Sanders

Art and More for Everyone

Art is at the heart of Urban Nights and often can be found in unexpected places.

In addition to the Green Street Project, several Urban Nights venues will host activities fun for the young and young at heart. Visitors can get their hands dirty at K12 Gallery for Young People/TEJAS,510 E. Third St., by working on the community art project the Xenia Avenue Mosaic Mural. Participants will have their name added to a plaque dedicated to the volunteers who helped with the project.

Garden Station on the corner of Fourth and Wayne will host a Rock Band challenge and an urban putt-putt golf course made of pallets and old tires. The CADC, formerly the Cannery Art and Design Center, will celebrate its grand re-opening in its new location at 35 S. St. Clair St. with art, games and more. My Father’s House Childcare and Learning Center,35 S. Jefferson St., will host entertainment by a clown and offer balloon animals for children and free snow cones. The Dayton Metro Library,215 E. Third St., will offer arts and entertainment for adults and children. At the Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park North, visitors can enjoy free parking and family activities.

Tour some of downtown’s historical places during Urban Nights, including The Dayton Woman’s Club,225 N. Ludlow St., a landmark Victorian home circa 1848, and the 107-year-old First Lutheran Church,138 W. First St. Of course, lots of history can be found in the Wright-Dunbar Business Village. Hop on the Wright Flyer trolley and celebrate Dayton’s rich cultural legacy at multiple locations in this historic area along West Third Street between Broadway and Williams streets. Visit the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and the Wright Bros. Bicycle Shop; visit business open houses; and experience art, poetry, food and live entertainment.

Visitors also can tour Activated Spaces’ Street Level Art Competition. Check out local artists’ displays of works focused on the theme “Naturally Dayton” in windows throughout downtown. Vote for your favorite artist by scanning the QR code in the respective storefront window. The Urban Nights People’s Choice winner will receive gallery space for an exhibition of his or her work at a local gallery or restaurant. Artwork can be viewed at:

• 100 E. Third St.: Bethany Ramsey, Robin Dakin and Amanda Sue Allen
• Talbott Tower, 131 N. Ludlow St.: Philipe Payne, Talia Shade and Spire Arts/Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services
• Main Street Garage, corner of Main and First streets: Mikee Huber and John Murphy
• The Biltmore, 210 N. Main St.: Dayton Creative Syndicate

While you’re touring about, check out some of downtown’s living options. The following housing units will be open:

• The Cannery Lofts,500 E. Third St.
• First Place,330 W. First St.
• The Landing,115 W. Monument Ave.
• Litehouse Living at Canal Block,135 N. Patterson Blvd.
• Patterson Square Townhomes,237 E. First St.
• St. Clair Lofts,35 S. St. Clair St.

Grown-Ups’ Night Out

Visitors never know what they might see during Urban Nights.

For those families who’d rather drop off the kids before exploring Urban Nights, Mini University at Miami Valley Hospital, 28 Hill St., and Montgomery County’s Mini University, 40 Vista View Dr., will offer discounted childcare. Care will be offered from 6 to 11 p.m., which includes dinner, for $30 per child or $50 for two children. All teachers have been fingerprinted and have completed background checks. Children must be pre-registered; call and reserve a spot at 224-3916.

And for those who’d like to get an early start on Urban Nights ― or stay late ― several venues will host events that fit the bill. The Crowne Plaza Hotel’s Stars Lounge will host “Start and Finish,” a dinner event to bookend Urban Nights, in the rooftop restaurant and lounge. From 4 to 6 p.m., enjoy a happy hour buffet of hors d’oeuvres, free to all bar guests. Join the “10 O’Clock Cast Party” from 10 p.m. to midnight for half-priced light dinners, including burgers, sandwiches and wings. In addition, the bars, restaurants and nightclubs in the Oregon Arts District and throughout downtown will keep the Urban Nights party going past 10 p.m. Click here for a complete list of downtown’s nightlife hotspots.

A weekend-long event also will open during Urban Nights and continue after the event ends. The Dayton Circus Creative Collective will host its seventh annual multimedia arts event, Sideshow 7, at the Yellow Cab building, 700 E. Fourth St. This two-day multimedia arts and music extravaganza includes an event after-party until 1 a.m.

Shop for a variety of one-of-a-kind items, such as original artwork; used and vintage clothing, furniture, records and books; gift items and much more. More than 20 stores downtown will offer sales and special events. Be sure to visit the new Pop-Up Shops:

• American π, 37 S. St. Clair St.: This gift and accessories boutique carries items made in the United States, including handbags, greeting cards, candles and food items.
• Arin 27 S. St. Clair St.: Shop owner and jewelry designer Brooke Medlin collaborates with Dayton’s creatives to showcase beautifully designed goods for self and home, along with Medlin’s line of jewelry. Visitors will be able to watch the creation process in action at Arin’s on-site studio.
• Vintage Barbershop 110 W. Fifth St.: This old-school, classic barbershop offers haircuts, hot steam towel shaves, facials and more.

Of course, all this running is bound to make a person hungry ― and thirsty. More than 30 downtown restaurants, taverns, coffee shops and nightclubs will get into the Urban Nights spirit by offering themed drinks and menu items, special discounts, hosting arts events, and more. For example, look for volunteers from the City of Dayton’s Sister Cities outside Boulevard Haus, 329 E. Fifth St.; check out brewing demos at Press, 257 Wayne Ave.; try one of the more than 60 bourbons and view an exhibit of sculptures by artist Ron Hundt at The Century Bar,10 S. Jefferson St.; try a pint from a firkin of craft beer at Lucky’s Taproom & Eatery,520 E. Fifth St.; and enjoy music by Puzzle of Light at Jay’s Seafood, 225 E. Sixth St.

Urban Nights is presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership, Montgomery County and the City of Dayton, with additional support from PNC Bank, Montgomery County Solid Waste District, DP&L, Greater Dayton RTA, Bud Light Lime, the Downtown Priority Board, Sinclair Community College, Mix 107.7-FM and the Ohio Arts Council.

Follow Urban Nights on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UrbanNightsDayton for regular updates and more information or call 937-224-1518.

Side Show 6 Lineup Announced, Preview Party Friday Night

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As Urban Nights draws closer, the excitement for Side Show 6 is mounting.  The two free evenings of art and music (May 13th and 14th) presented by the Dayton Circus Creative Collective have become a staple of spring in Dayton.  One of the many things that makes this event great is the location; each Side Show transforms an unused space downtown into a colorful arena for art, music and community.  Side Show 6 will actually take place in two locations: the former Yellow Cab building on 4th and Walnut and across the street, Garden Station, the community garden and arts space maintained by the Dayton Circus.

Visual art will include drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, fashion, mixed media and installation pieces all housed in the Yellow Cab building.

Music will mostly alternate between two stages (on in the Yellow Cab building and one at Garden Station) both nights.  Here’s a tentative lineup:

Friday, May 13th
6:00 C. Wright’s Parlour Tricks (Yellow Cab)
6:45 Dan Raridan & The Calientes (Garden Station)
7:30 The Al Holbrook Band (YC)
8:15 Team Void (GS)
8:15 Todd the Fox (YC)
9:00 Sleep Fleet (YC)
9:45 Floods (GS)
10:30 The Fair Shakes (YC)
11:15 Wetnight (GS)
11:15 Tranquility Kingdom (YC)
12:00 Skratchmatic (YC)

Saturday May 14th
6:00 Jonathan Hamilton (GS)
6:45 Lurchbox (YC)
7:30 Side Show! (GS)
7:30 Two Suns (YC)
8:15 Heart of the Whore, Mandible, and California Girls (YC)
8:15 A Shade of Red (GS)
9:00 Northwest Ordinance (GS)
9:00 Emevol (YC)
9:45 The White Soots (YC)
10:30 Oxymoronatron (GS)
11:15 The Professors (YC)
12:00 Outside Residential (YC)

If you want to learn more while dancing to some great tunes, the Dayton Circus will be hosting a preview party this week as part of First Friday events at the Yellow Cab building following the free music Garden Station provided by local lucha rockers, Team Void (who will also appear at Side Show 6) and White Powder.  ComeSee is both a preview and fundraiser for Side Show 6 and will feature a sneak peak of some of the visual art that will appear in the full show and music and dancing provided by DJ Jay Madewell of Fab Gear.  The party gets started at 10pm and admission is $5.