jam band

Werksgiving is the biggest party of Thanksgiving weekend!

November 18, 2018 By LIbby Ballengee

The Werks, who started their musical journey right here in Dayton, are always happy to come for the holidays and host their annual “Werksgiving” show. This year is even more exciting, as the band shifts locations to directly downtown, at the newest music venue: the Brightside! For years music lovers have longed for a big room to see music in Dayton, and that time is finally here!

Kicking off this special celebration is a massive group of special guests who are performing with local band Kommunity Service. The featured special guests include:

Johnny K AllDay guitar/vocals
Dino Dimitrouleas bass/vocals
Rob Brockman drums/vocals
Stephen Buttree Sax/keys/samples/vocals
Nathan Springhart keys/vocals
Megan Fitzpatrick fiddle/vocals
Aaron Armstrong percussion
Chris Houser guitar/general awesomeness
Bob Maltby guitar/genius
And many more of your favorite musicians!

This is guaranteed to be the biggest party of Thanksgiving weekend – especially for music lovers!

How to Go?

What: The 11th Annual Werksgiving

When: November 21, 2018 from 8pm-1am

Where: Brightside Music & Event Venue at 905 E 3rd St, Dayton OH

How: Tickets are $12.50 and available for advance purchase here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/werksgiving-the-werks-brightside-dayton-oh-tickets-51051330905

Dayton Jam Band fans gather at The Werk Out!

July 31, 2018 By LIbby Ballengee

If you are one of the many avid jam band fans in the Dayton area, no doubt you have heard of The Werk Out. In it’s 9th year, this major music and arts festival is one of the “don’t miss” events of the summer. It takes place on the historic grounds at Legend Valley in Thornville, Ohio, just east of Columbus, where the Grateful Dead, among others, took the stage many times. The venue’s storied past is why Dayton’s homegrown heroes, The Werks, chose to host their yearly musical extravaganza there.

The natural valley serves as an ideal spot for viewing multiple stages and comfortably camping all weekend long. You pull in right off of I-70, get parked, put your tent set up, then wander down the tree lined path, which is peppered with hammocks, vendors, food on your way to the massive stage set up. There you’ll get to see some of the most exciting national jam and rock bands touring today, including: Umphrey’s McGee (2 sets), Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (2 sets), Lettuce, Papadosio, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong (2 nights), Twiddle, Turkuaz, Spafford, The Marcus King Band, KNOWER (full band), Zach Deputy, Steady Flow, ekoostik hookah, TWERKAPOD: A Tribute to the 90s,, Rumpke Mountain Boys, Octave Cat, Ghost Light featuring Holly Bowling, Tom Hamilton, Steve Lyons, Raina Mullen, Scotty Zwang Music, Mungion, Mom and Dad (featuring Chuck Jones & Neal Evans of Dopapod), Mike Perkins, Electric Orange Peel, and Conscious Pilot.

When I think of seeing all that great music individually, it would be so expensive. That’s what makes this festival a real value for music fans like me! Plus, it’s not just music that you can take part in, as there are tons of cool classes and “Werkshops” happening as well. From yoga and classes on tarot reading, to ecological leadership classes (yeah!) and kids activities, there is something for everyone. Or just kick it at your camp site with all the new friends you are bound to make!

How to Go?

Legend Valley Music Center and Campground: 7585 Kindle Rd, Thornville, OH 43076

Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at 6:00 PM –Sunday, August 5, 2018 at 12:00 PM (EDT)

NOTE: Wednesday “early bird” admission is an extra fee.

Click here for ticketing information.

Dayton Musicians Remember Music Fan With Special Benefit Show

July 4, 2017 By LIbby Ballengee

Live music has a special way of bringing people together. Some refer to it as a scene, community, tribe, family, or simply “my people.” It’s a genuine form of self and group identity, that has a unique place in music lover’s hearts. When one of our people is tragically taken from us, it’s a ripple effect of sadness throughout the scene.

Sarah Vesey was a bright spot in the Dayton jam band family. She was a dedicated fan and friend to many in the area. This summer, Sarah died tragically, at the young age of 29, leaving behind a grieving family, parter and young son. Friends rallied together to pull together Stay Strong for Sarah Benefit Show to both remember Sarah, and help her family.

Sami Love, one of Sarah’s friends, and the organizer of this benefit described how the show came together. “Sarah’s passing has deeply affected us all. I wanted to put together this event in memory of Sarah. For all of us near and far to get together and show love for her, and for one another.”

The evening starts early, with music starting at 6:30pm, during the dinner hour with acoustic jams from Sway. A portion of dinner sales this evening will be donated to the family to help offset medical costs, and set up a college fund for Sarah’s son. What a great reason to stop in for food and fun with friends!

Music will be running on all evening, till 2:30am, with awesome local jam bands including Cheezcake starting at 9:30pm, followed by Subterranean and The Ohio All Stars. What an incredible line-up! This is certainly a don’t miss evening! Everyone will be feeling the love at this show!

While you’re there, check out the awesome raffle items they have gathered from various restaurants, tattoo parlours, music festival passes, art work, and surprise baskets donated from national to regional bands. Seriously, cool stuff they’ve gathered!

How to Go?

Stay Strong for Sarah benefit show at Jimmie’s Ladder 11
Thursday July 7th, 2017. Music from 7pm – 2:30am
Donations graciously accepted any time. Cover charge of $5 after 10pm.

Hog Jam Adds Canoeing to the 11th Annual Music Festival

August 17, 2016 By LIbby Ballengee

One of the area’s most beloved local music showcases, Hog Jam Music and Camping Festival, is back yet again with it’s eleventh year of musical goodness. This year festival organizers have added a fun twist, by changing the location of the festival to Adventures on the Great Miami in Tipp City, adding canoeing to the list of awesome activities this event has to offer!

The best reason to go is the simply astounding line-up of local music, which includes The Almighty Get Down, Guthrie Brown, Subterranean, Tony Red Band, Jonny Dreads and the Mystiks, Sharon Lane, Reyna Spears and many more! Add camping, waterslide, vendors, canoeing, and the traditional hog roast to the event, and it’s a “don’t miss” event for music lovers and adventurers alike.

Hog Jam is family friendly, so don’t be afraid to bring the kids along! Kids under 12 are free!

How to go?

When: August 26th and 27th. Gates open 12pm Friday. Music starts at 5pm Friday. Saturday music starts at 12pm.

Where: Adventures on the Great Miami, 1995 Ross Rd., Tipp City, Ohio, 45371

Tickets: Cost is $30-$70 depending on the ticket package you purchase. (Very affordable!) Click here for ticket information.

Grover Plays Free Show at Trolley Stop

April 26, 2016 By LIbby Ballengee

Insider tip! There is a FREE show at Trolley Stop this Friday April 29th, 2016 with two incredible bands, Grover and Common Center. Plus that fabulous patio? It’s a no brainer for Friday night fun!

On the fringes of the jam band scene, local rock quartet Grover, blend funk, soul, and jazz, in a down and dirty rock band that comes across unpolished and “garage” as much as they do highly-skilled, almost veteran.

Common Center is a group of individuals from Covington, Kentucky that gather to form a collection of sonic exploration. Their all-original material arises from a vast array of influences morphing together to create a unique sound previously unheard, but longed for, by the ear. They combine powerfully upbeat as well as tranquil themes with mystic, other-world intertwining melodic elements from instrumental and vocal harmonies.

Enjoy a beautiful evening with some of the region’s funkiest talent!

Performance Schedule:
Common Center – 9:30pm
Grover 11:30pm

Grover performs free at the Trolley Stop (Photo by Dayton Music Connection)

Subterranean’s Intergalactic Meltdown this Saturday!

September 23, 2015 By LIbby Ballengee

Subterranean hosts the Intergalactic Meltdown Saturday night at Jimmie’s Ladder 11

Subterranean, a local band on the rise, is hosting their 4 year anniversary with an epic show: The Intergalactic Meltdown! The name comes from their friends The Big Black Galactic, from Sandusky, who will be sharing the stage with the Sub-T boys for this special event.

“The Big Black Galactic will have you ebbing and flowing in the intergalactic with their dance worthy improvisation and then Subterranean will continue to meltdown your faces with their intense and provocative sounds” states the band’s event page. I’m a huge fan of technical improvisation, and I couldn’t be more excited for this show!

How to go? Head over to Jimmie’s Ladder 11, on Saturday September 26th, and pay usual $5 cover charge. What you’ll get in musical value is so much more! Definitely worth the cover.

And…. It’s my birthday! Celebrate with me and one of my fave local bands, and we celebrate our personal new years!

You don’t want to miss this one!