Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More
Pairing well with the warm weather in the Dayton region, Blind Bob’s is hosting an evening of some great Americana music. Local folk singer Wes Tirey and Dayton/Springfield bluegrass duo Sawgrass will welcome the Young Republic, a folk-rock group from Tennessee. This show should get started around 9pm.
As a preview for this great lineup, check out Wes Tirey playing live on WYSO:
Tuesdays at Canal Street Tavern are traditionally reserved Musician’s Co-Op, but every once in a while Co-Op goes on hold for a week for a special event. This Tuesday Austin’s White Rhino will stopping by Canal Street as part of their national tour for some good old fashioned rock and roll. They’ll be supported by locals Electric Smoke with Fuzz Hound opening. This show gets started around 9:30pm and is $5.
Musician’s Co-Op will return next week, but if you’re really missing it, check out this great mini documentary about Co-Cop by former Daytonians Angelle Haney Gullett and Steven Gullett.
The music doesn’t have to stop on Saturday. There are two great shows downtown on this Sunday night.
The Sunset Showdown Series at Blind Bob’s continues this Sunday night with three great acts. Singer-songwriter David Payne will perform along with Columbus band Old Worlds and Grey Leaves. This is show is 18 and up and gets started around 8pm.
The Story Changes is getting ready to go back on tour this summer. They’ll be playing an all-ages send-off show on Sunday night at South Park Tavern with Nightbeast and the Dirty Socialites. This one also gets started around 8pm.
Great live music doesn’t stop just because another Urban Nights has come and gone. There are lots of great shows happening both Friday and Saturday nights this weekend. Here are some of the highlights:
Friday:
*The ever-funky Romeo Champagne will headline Canal Street Tavern. The show gets started around 9:30pm with Cleveland’s Deja Voodoo and is $5.
*If reggae is your thing, you won’t want to miss Seefari at the Trolley Stop. This show also starts around 9:30pm.
*For local blues, check out WG Blues Unit at J’Alan’s on Ludlow.
*The Black Who’s will be playing at The Brewery in Troy with Fuzz Hound and Valley of Visions. The Black Who’s performed live on Kaleidoscope this week, and you can stream that set from WYSO’s website.
Saturday:
*New Vega and Ed vs. Radio will play host to Louisville’s The Fervor. This South Park Tavern show gets started around 9pm.
*If you’re in the mood to dance, local DJ Jay Madewell will be hosting Fab Gear at Blind Bob’s. This dance party combines some of most danceable tunes from the soul, funk, Motown and disco genres.
*Over on Brown Street, C. Wright’s Parlour Tricks and Nine False Suns will be rocking the stage at Jimmie’s Cornerstone Bar.
*Regional favorites the Psychodots will perform at Canal Street Tavern with WYSO Excursions host and musician in her own right, Niki Dakota opening.
So Dayton – which shows are you excited about/playing in/can’t miss this weekend?
Another great weekend of music in Dayton kicks off Thursday at South Park Tavern. Local favorites the Smug Brothers will will join the Turkish Delights in welcoming Columbus’ Kyle Sowashes to town. This all-ages show gets started around 9pm – perfect for grabbing a later dinner at South Park Tavern.
Urban Nights showcases some of the best that downtown Dayton has to offer, and since we have a lot to offer, deciding what to see and hear can be a bit overwhelming. So I’ve compiled a list of some of the musical highlights Friday has to offer:
*The official Urban Nights program includes entertainment on a main stage at Courthouse Square and several satellite stages. My picks for main stage entertainment are the Reece Lincoln Band (6:00-6:45 p.m.) and The Rev. Cool Arkestra & Dance Ensemble (7:00-7:45 p.m.). Reece Lincoln is one of Dayton’s rising musical stars and puts on a high energy show that combines elements of blues and classic rock and roll. The Rev. Cool Arkestra & Dance Ensemble is the brainchild of WYSO host Rev Cool (Around the Fringe). It’s a unique combination of live music, DJ mixes and dance that’s not to be missed. The satellite stages include everything from local jazz, rock and roll covers and a preview of the Encore Theatre Company’s production of RENT to a spotlight on Sinclair’s musical offerings. A full schedule and a printable program and map can be found here.
* Friday is the first day of Side Show V, which features a wide variety music, performance and art. This year’s showcase takes place at the Armory building on E. Sixth Street and Friday’s musical highlights include Noah Wotherspoon and Jessi Bair (6-6:30pm), c.wright’s Parlour Tricks (8:40-9:30pm), Sohio (10:10-10:40pm) and Outside Residential (10:50-11:20pm). For a better idea of what the Side Show is all about, check out J.T. Ryder’s featured article right here on Dayton Most Metro. The full lineup for both days of Side Show V is available on their Myspace page.
* Friday also marks the start of the 2nd FilmDayton Festival. This year’s festival is bigger and better, and in addition to featuring more films than last year, there’s also more music! Lisa Grigsby’s post here on Dayton Most Metro features the full festival lineup. There are two great great musical offerings on Friday night: Gladgirl will present “Dayton Rock and Roll Home Movies,” a free kickoff event at the old Greyhound Station on Fifth Street that’s been transformed into the festival lounge. This event will feature music videos from current and past local bands and live music from Flotation Walls. Later that night, the Lab Partners will perform at the first festival after-party at Gilly’s with the Now Device (headed by Springfield native Rod Hatified) providing a video and light show.
*As if that weren’t enough, A World A’Fair also begins on Friday at the Dayton Convention Center with tons of music, dance and delicious food from around the world. A full performance schedule can be found at their website.
*The Ohio Coffee Company is providing Urban Nights entertainment for a good cause. Hugs for Maya is a musical showcase to benefit Maya Claude, a 5 year old girl who recently had a brain tumor removed. Local artists will be selling donated pieces and a host of local musicians have donated their time including Suicide Hill, Eric Cassidy, Rob Young and more.
*If you miss Noah Wotherspoon at the Side Show, he’ll also be performing at the Oregon Express beginning around 9:30pm.
*While you’re in the Oregon District, be sure to stop by Practice Yoga. Local singer-songwriter BJSR will perform from 6 to 10pm.
*Down the street, the Eric Jerardi Band will be headlining the Trolley Stop beginning at 9:30pm.
*Over at Canal Street Tavern, the Spikedrivers will perform with Luther Wright. It’s the perfect place to go after checking out the Urban Nights showcase at the Southern Belle loft (right next door to Canal Street Tavern). This will feature the work of many local artists and musicians including music from local ukulele folk artist Henrique Couto.
*And although it’s not music-related, audiophile will want to stop by the StoryCorps airstream trailer parked in front of the Schuster Center. The mobile recording booth will be open until 7:30pm on Friday night for tours.
So what’s your must-see event this Urban Nights? Any tips for beginners on the best way to get the most out of the evening? Share your thoughts, tips, tricks and anything I may have missed in the comments.
First Fridays are always full of activity and opportunities to enjoy some of the best our area has to offer. This month is no exception. Here’s just a taste of the musical offerings this Friday night:
Canal Street Tavern will host three great local bands: The Black Who’s?, Fuzz Hound and 2006 Dayton Band Playoff winners, Orange Willard. The show starts at 9:30pm and is $5
The Rubbles will bring their 60’s style rock and roll to Blind Bob’s in the Oregon District, starting at around 8pm.
Down the street at the Trolley Stop, the Curious Animals will hit the stage around 9:30pm.
If you prefer your music with a seafood dinner, Puzzle of Light will perform at Jay’s Restaurant from 9pm until midnight. You can just come for dessert or a drink and, of course the music, but if you’re going to do dinner, call ahead for a reservation (937-222-2892).
Or if you feel like taking a drive out to Yellow Springs, Sohio will be headlining Peaches Grill with the Black Owls starting at around 9pm.
What are your musical plans for Friday night? Do you know of another great that’s not on this list? Share it in the comments!
A couple of months ago, South Park Tavern began hosting an open mic night on Wednesday nights, but instead of sticking with a traditional acoustic-style evening, they decided to do something a little different. Thus the Rock-n-Roll Play Date was born. The event is open to a wide variety of performers including comedians, rappers, acoustic and electric acts and the idea is to foster collaboration. Interested performers can sign up for a 25 minute time slot in advance on South Park Tavern’s website and even put in a request for other musicians they’d like to play with (say a drummer or bass player). It’s a good environment to try out new material or for solo musicians to meet other people to play with. The first act gets started around, and the last act goes on between 12 and 12:30am
On Saturday, May 1st, DJ Masterkid will present the latest installment in his series of local tribute shows. Life During Wartime will feature local bands playing songs by the Talking Heads as well as their own original material. Sleepfleet, The Sics, Red Blast Radio, Atomic Euphoria, David A Berry, and Nine False Suns are all on the bill, and DJ Masterkid will spin additional Talking Heads tunes that the bands aren’t performing. This all-ages show is at South Park Tavern, and admission is $5.
On Saturday, May 1st, Hospital Garden will make a trip from their new digs in Chicago to celebrate their new album here in Dayton. The self-titled full length album finds the band stronger than ever and is a steal at only $5 the night of the show.
Hospital Garden will be joined on the stage at Blind Bob’s by local band Roley Yuma and Kentucky’s Idaho, Alaska.
Friday is the last day of the month, and if you feel like celebrating with some great music, Blind Bob’s is the place to be. The Motel Beds will take a break from working on their highly anticipated new album, Feelings, to share the stage with New Vega. They’ll also be welcoming Cincinnati’s Roger Klug to town. Klug’s latest album, More Help for Your Nerves, made the rounds on quite a few Best of 2009 lists. Former Captain of Industry front-man Nathan Peters will round out a great night of music with a solo set.
Last fall the Rebel Set and Sleepybird each unveiled a highly anticipated album on the same day. These two albums, Across the Relentless Sea and The Sadness Will Last Forever, went on to tie for Best Local Album in WYSO Best of 2009 Listener Poll.
This Saturday you’ll have a chance to see both bands in one place: the stage at South Park Tavern. They’ll be joined by Andy Smith (Andrew and the Pretty Punchers) who will open the show with an acoustic set. As with other shows at South Park Tavern, this one is all-ages and starts (and ends) a little earlier so it’s a good idea to arrive close to 9pm.
There’s nothing wrong with starting to dream of the weekend this early, and likewise, there’s nothing wrong with getting your weekend started on a Thursday night. So here are a few shows happening this Thursday to get you rolling…and rocking:
Canal Street Tavern will present the very catchy Dan Raridan and the Calientes. They’ll be joined onstage by Yellow Springs band Mercury Mouth and the Fair Shakes. The show starts at 9pm.
Over at South Park Tavern, locals Ed vs. Radio and Bernoulli will play host to Brooklyn’s Breaking Laces. This all-ages show gets underway at 9pm and is $5.
If an open mic night is more of your thing, Blind Bob’s has it covered with its weekly open mic night.
Do you know of another great show happening this Thursday? Share it in the comments!
What do a barn, a rap battle and Ben Folds have in common? All three will be part of the Dayton music scene this weekend. So round up your friends and check out one (or all three) of these events…
UD’s ArtStreet will be hosting a Freestyle Rap Battle/Slam Jam at the ArtStreet Amphitheatre on Saturday, April 17th from 9-11 pm. The event was initiated by Navigators, a Christian student organization on campus, and has been a regular hit at ArtStreet’s Thursday Night Live over the past year. Think you have what it takes to be the next Rap Battle champion? Freestylers of all experience levels are welcome to participate, and no pre-registration is required. The event starts out casual, transitioning into one-on-one battles where a winner is eventually selected. The event is free, so if you are missing that college campus atmosphere, come check out this unique event. ArtStreet is located on the 300 block of Kiefaber Street on the University of Dayton campus. For more information and directions, visit http://artstreet.udayton.edu.
If freestyle rapping isn’t your style, then pack up your camping gear and head out to Eric and Meg Suttman’s farm for a night under the stars at the 24th semi-annual Barnjam. Gates open at 6 pm on Saturday, April 17, and the music starts at 7 pm. The lineup includes Jahman Brahman, Drew LaPlante, Kelly Fine, Todd Day Wait, Rory Carroll, Pat McInnis, Jersey Joe and an all night drum circle. Admission is $10 and benefits the University of Dayton Appalachia Club. For more info and directions to the farm, visit http://barnjam.com/.
Finally, wrap up your weekend with Ben Folds and a Piano at the UD arena on Sunday, April 18th. The concert is sponsored by the UD Charity Concert Committee, and all concert profits will be donated to the American Cancer Society. The concert begins at 8 pm with opener Kate Miller-Heidke. Great seats are still available to the general public for $27 each (plus Ticketmaster fees). On a budget? Tickets are only $15 each for upper level seats when you buy in groups of 4; order your tickets from Ticketmaster.
This Thursday, April 8th, Club Vex will host Disco of the Dead, an art show/concert/costumed dance party to benefit the Dayton Circus’ Sideshow event that happens during Urban Nights in May (we’ll be bringing you more details on the Sideshow and Urban Nights in the coming weeks). The evening will include DJ sets from Etch a Scratch, Yeti Master, and 209 Sins as well as a performance by hip hop act, Zombies of Phunk. The cost is $5 dollars and zombie attire is encouraged.
Before a certain rabbit brings baskets of chocolates and marshmallow birds, there’s going to be a lot happening in Dayton. You’ve got a lot of choices when it comes to live music this weekend, so here’s a rundown of just some of the shows worth hearing and seeing:
FRIDAY – 
-Singer/songwriter, BJSR will perform at Practice Yoga on Fifth Street as part of First Friday celebrations. Practice Yoga’s spring party runs from 7 to 10pm and will feature a photography display from Matthew J. Cline, free yoga class passes for first time visitors and more.
-Also part of First Friday, Puzzle of Light will perform at Jay’s Seafood Restaurant in the Oregon District. Call ahead for dinner reservations, but if you’re planning on coming for dessert or a drink and the music, it’ll get started around 9pm.
–Bonneville and Shrug will be hitting the stage at Canal Street Tavern around 9:30pm. This show is $5 and promises to be a great way to usher in the weekend.
SATURDAY-
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Me & Mountains will perform at South Park Tavern with recently reformed Ed vs. Radio and Covington’s Frontier Folk Nebraska. This all-ages show begins at 9pm and the cost is $5.
-Touring band Lollipop Factory will stop by Canal Street Tavern to celebrate the release of their new EP. They’re sharing the bill with the Luxury Pushers and The Dirty Socialites who are making their local debut. This show should be getting underway around 9pm.
–Mountain Screamer will celebrate the release of their debut album at Jimmie’s Cornerstone on Brown Street. They’ll share the stage with Northwest Ordinance and last year’s Dayton Band Playoff winners, the Turkish Delights. This show is $5 and the music starts at 9pm.
These are just some of the great shows you can catch this weekend right here in Dayton. Who are you excited about seeing this weekend? What other weekend plans do you have?
