We’re very excited at THE NEON. In less than two weeks, LA LA LAND has become our #5 highest grossing film of all time. To put that in perspective, every other film in our Top 10 played at THE NEON for at least six weeks…so LA LA LAND has performed exceptionally well. Many thanks to everyone who has helped to make the end of 2016 and the beginning of 2017 such a success.
This weekend, we are holding both LA LA LAND and MANCHESTER BY THE SEA – both of which are certain to be “Best Picture” contenders during this year’s Oscar Race.
To read about everything that’s happening at THE NEON in the next few weeks (as well as to find showtimes for this weekend), please check out our weekly newsletter by following this LINK.
Thanksgiving weekend was bustling at THE NEON. Many thanks to everyone who came out to support our two award-winning films. Speaking of awards, we were very happy to read about MOONLIGHT cleaning up at the Gotham Awards this week (the first big awards of the season). Over the past two years, the Gotham Awards have predicted the Oscar for “Best Picture” (SPOTLIGHT and BIRDMAN)…thus we think MOONLIGHT will continue to be a major player this year.
We will hold both LOVING and MOONLIGHT for another week. In addition, we have one more treat to rotate back into the mix – A MAN CALLED OVE. We had to let go of OVE last week because we had other commitments…but now, due to popular demand and the fact that we have space, we’re bringing OVE back for a handful of screenings. Don’t let it slip by!
This Saturday will mark the beginning of the Family Holiday Film Series . On Saturdays in December, we’ll present films that are suitable for the entire family – sponsored by The Dayton Holiday Festival, Channel 99.9 and THE NEON. These films are FREE for children 12 and under and only $2 for general admission. On December 3 at Noon, we’ll screen ARTHUR CHRISTMAS . On December 10, we’ll screen HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS – starring Jim Carrey. And lastly, on December 17, we’ll screen the holiday classic IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (the big screen is the best way to see it). Please spread the word with your friends and neighbors…we’d like to see packed auditoriums each week.
Our friends at 4Mary.org have two more screenings of APPARITION HILL on the books. “Join 4Mary.Org for a night at the movies! A few years ago, 4Mary.Org organized screenings of the independent film THE TRIUMPH, and it was a terrific success. Now, from the same director, comes the new feature film APPARITION HILL about an unlikely group of pilgrims who journey to the same little-known village of Medjugorje. Two screenings remain: Thurs Dec 8 at 7:30pm and Mon Dec 12 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $10 each and are only available online via this LINK. All proceeds benefit the 4Mary Youth Pilgrimage to Fatima in 2017. For more info, contact [email protected]” (taken from press notes) To watch a trailer for this film, click this LINK.
We just received permission to have a preview screening of NOCTURNAL ANIMALS on Thursday, December 8 at 7:30. This was one of my “Top 3” films at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. It’s a stylish and dark thriller from famous fashion designer Tom Ford, and I’m so glad we’re able to bring it to town. (My other 2 favorites from the festival were MOONLIGHT and LA LA LAND.) I’ll provide more details about this film in next week’s newsletter.
Don’t forget that we offer NEON Gift Certificates in $5 and $10 denominations – perfect for all of the film lovers in your life! Gift certificates are available in our lobby during traditional hours of operation.
Thanks for your continued support!
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan
SHOWTIMES for Tuesday, Nov. 29 – Thursday, Dec. 8:
A MAN CALLED OVE (PG-13) 1 Hr 56 Min
Friday (Dec 2): 12:00, 5:00
Saturday (Dec 3): 5:00
Sunday (Dec 4): 12:00, 5:00
Monday – Thursday (Dec 5-8): 2:45
ARTHUR CHRISTMAS (PG) 1 Hr 37 Min
Saturday: Noon
APPARITION HILL (PG-13) 1 Hr 55 Min
Thursday: 7:30
NOCTURNAL ANIMALS (R) 1 Hr 56 Min
Thursday: 7:30
COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
Dec 8 – NOCTURNAL ANIMALS
TBD – MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
TBD – LA LA LAND
TBD – LION
TBD – EAGLE HUNTRESS
TBD – ELLE
Jan 27 – JACKIE
Everybody is talking turkey, turkey turkey… giving pointers on grilling a turkey, baking one, deep frying one, etc, etc and so on.
Well, the Food Adventures crew says .. STUFF IT ! Literally. We want to share our secret or not so secret tips for stuffing, which is just as important as the turkey!
*** CHEF HOUSE’S TAKE ON STUFFING: Try Bread Pudding as an alternative. Always use quality ingredients.
—Stuffing vs. Bread Pudding by Chef House: I love both equally. My step dad makes an insanely good oyster stuffing every year for Christmas. It is loaded up with stock, butter and of course lots of oysters. I think gizzards are in there too.
Chef House in the Living Dayton TV Kitchen
—Bread pudding is a pretty cool alternative in that it can be sweet or savory! I like how versatile it is. I, of course, slightly spice mine up, add veggies (duh!) and you can’t beat the cheese, eggs and cream 🙂
—My only tips for these two would be “use quality ingredients.” Make your own stock for the stuffing, or use a really good one, I love Trader Joe’s veggie stock, actually more than i like their chicken broth! It has way more flavor. Use good bread! This year I am adding spicy sausage and caramelized onions to my Green Sriracha and zucchini bread pudding.
Jax with a plate of freshly carved Turkey
Wow, are you drooling yet? We are just getting started on this Food Adventure Holiday edition….
HUNGRY JAX’S TAKE ON STUFFING: Don’t Stuff it ! Tweak it !
Hey fellow foodies… here are my tips on getting the most of your stuffing experience….
— I don’t ever put stuffing inside my turkey, I just cook it in a separate dish! Why? Because there is a slight risk of salmonella if the turkey is under cooked. By placing stuffing inside the turkey you’re creating longer and unreliable cooking times. Don’t risk turning a holiday into a sick day.
Jackie never puts stuffing in her turkeys. Maybe a few herbs…
—Here are some tweaks I have done with test recipes!
1. Stuffing muffins: basically take your favorite stuffing recipe and cook it in a well greased muffin cups instead. baking time will be shorter so keep an eye on them. But now you have individual servings!
2. Hollow out a pumpkin or any other favorite squash (acorn would be fun too!) and bake the stuffing in the squash! This is a great pairing with stuffing that has the flavors of sage, maple or even apples!
Jax added some cranberrys to this stuffing
3. Add ins: Doctor up a simple stuffing by adding apples, pears, maple sausage, bacon or pancetta! Raisins, crasins and water chestnuts are also great too!
Finally, we have the last crew member giving some tips:
THE BIG RAGU’S TAKE ON STUFFING: Go Italian with it.
Big Ragu chopping garlic in the DLM Culinary Center
The Big Ragu says “here is my super duper, top secret, family recipe for Italian style stuffing that is versatile, quick and easy.”
This recipe, developed by my mom, is used regularly by our family for turkey stuffing, stuffed artichokes, stuffed mushrooms and even stuffed clams. I have tweaked it in my own special way, but basically it comes down to …. the “butter drizzle” at the end.
ITALIAN STYLE STUFFING RECIPE:
Oyster Stuffing, Ready for the Oven at Big Ragu’s home
Ingredients: 1 Loaf of Bread, 2 Eggs, 2 TBS Minced Garlic, 3 dashes of garlic powder, 3 dashes black pepper, 1 can of chicken broth (14oz), 2 TBS dried Oregano, 2 TBS Basil (dried or fresh), and a stick of melted butter or 2.
Directions: Whirl a loaf of bread in a food processor (Ragu normally uses Wonder Bread) or chip a loaf of bread by hand into silver dollar size pieces. Place bread into a big mixing bowl. Add eggs and spices and mix by hand, no.. really, using your hand and fingers. All the time slowly adding chicken broth until stuffing is mixed and slightly wet. The stuffing is best cooked in a casserole dish at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes until golden brown. *** The final and maybe most important step: Right before serving, drizzle some hot, melted butter over the top of the dressing.
Ragu’s Turkey Stuffed with Lemon Halves and Quartered Onions
WantOyster Suffing (Dressing)? Use the above recipe and add a pint or quart of raw oysters, depending on how much of a seafood lover you are.
But Ragu, you say… “You didn’t put the stuffing in the turkey?”
NOPE.. I always cook it in a separate dish.
Here is what I stuff all turkeys with: Equal amounts of lemon halves and quartered onions. I stuff them in until they are bursting out. But I never eat the onions or lemons.
We hope this helps make your Thanksgiving plate complete
We’re going completely international this weekend with two exciting, new films – both of which we didn’t think we’d be able to accommodate but many of you have been asking about. At last we’re able to move forward with a film based on the beloved, international bestseller A MAN CALLED OVE as well as the new film from Park Chan-wook – THE HANDMAIDEN (based on the British novel FINGERSMITH). If you still need to see CHRISTINE, CERTAIN WOMEN or KING COBRA, Thursday will be your last chance to see them at THE NEON.
Synopsis for A MAN CALLED OVE: “Stepping from the pages of Fredrik Backman’s international best-selling novel, Ove is the quintessential angry old man next door. An isolated retiree with strict principles and a short fuse, who spends his days enforcing block association rules that only he cares about, and visiting his wife’s grave, Ove has given up on life. Enter a boisterous young family next door who accidentally flattens Ove’s mailbox while moving in and earning his special brand of ire. Yet from this inauspicious beginning an unlikely friendship forms and we come to understand Ove’s past happiness and heartbreaks. What emerges is a heartwarming tale of unreliable first impressions and the gentle reminder that life is sweeter when it’s shared. One of Sweden’s biggest locally-produced box office hits ever, director Hannes Holm finds the beating heart of his source material and Swedish star Rolf Lassgard, whose performance won him the Best Actor award at the 2016 Seattle International Film Festival, affectingly embodies the lovable curmudgeon Ove.” (Music Box Films) THE NEW YORK TIMES called this film “cinematic comfort food,” and I think our audiences are going to love it!
Synopsis for THE HANDMAIDEN: “From PARK Chan-wook, the celebrated director of OLDBOY, LADY VENGEANCE and STOKER, comes a ravishing new crime drama. PARK presents a gripping and sensual tale of two women – a young Japanese Lady living on a secluded estate, and a Korean woman who is hired to serve as her new handmaiden, but is secretly plotting with a conman to defraud her of a large inheritance. Inspired by the novel Fingersmith by British author Sarah Waters, THE HANDMAIDEN borrows the most dynamic elements of its source material and combines it with PARK Chan-wook’s singular vision to create an unforgettable viewing experience.” (Magnolia Pictures) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.
For descriptions and showtimes of any current attractions, please visit our website at www.neonmovies.com
The past 30 days have seen whirlwinds of visiting artists and amazing screenings. From The Dayton LGBT Film Fest to TORREY PINES and this Saturday’s incredible screening of SHORTBUS, I couldn’t be more happy with what we’ve been able to achieve right here in Dayton, Ohio. Many thanks to everyone who has supported these incredible events!
Don’t forget about this Thursday’s special screening. Dayton Tech Guide & Launch Runner are joining forces to bring GENERATION STARTUP to town for a one-time screening on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 5:30. “GENERATION STARTUP takes us to the front lines of entrepreneurship in America, capturing the struggles and triumphs of six recent college graduates who put everything on the line to build startups in Detroit…” Click this LINK to reserve your ticket on the official tugg website. If tickets remain on the day of the screening, we will be able to sell them at our box office starting one hour before the show.
Our friends at 4Mary.org are bringing APPARITION HILL to Dayton. “Join 4Mary.Org for a night at the movies! A few years ago, 4Mary.Org organized screenings of the independent film THE TRIUMPH, and it was a terrific success. Now, from the same director, comes the new feature film APPARITION HILL about an unlikely group of pilgrims who journey to the same little-known village of Medjugorje. Three screenings have been scheduled at THE NEON: Mon Nov 21 at 7:30pm, Thurs Dec 8 at 7:30pm, and Mon Dec 12 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $10 each and are only available online via this LINK. All proceeds benefit the 4Mary Youth Pilgrimage to Fatima in 2017. For more info, contact [email protected]” (taken from press notes) To watch a trailer for this film, click this LINK.
And now for some great news! MOONLIGHT is set to open on Nov. 18. This incredible film was one of my “Top 3” films at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival…and it is one of the absolute best reviewed films of the year. I think this film clearly marks the beginning of Oscar Season, and we’ve been able to secure a preview screening on Thursday, Nov. 17 at 7:40. Tickets will be on sale this weekend. Visit the film’s OFFICIAL WEBSITE to learn all about it.
It’s almost time for the Family Holiday Film Series. On Saturdays in December, we’ll present films that are suitable for the entire family…for only $2 a ticket (and FREE for children 12 and under). I’ll provide more details in next week’s newsletter.
Thanks so much for your continued support!
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan
SHOWTIMES for Tuesday, Nov. 8 – Thursday, Nov. 17:
CERTAIN WOMEN (R) 1 Hr 47 Min
Monday-Thursday (Nov 8-10): 2:50, 7:30 FINAL DAY – Nov. 10!
CHRISTINE (R) 1 Hr 55 Min
Tuesday, Wednesday (Nov 8 & 9): 2:45, 5:20, 7:50
Thursday (Nov 10): 2:45, 7:50 FINAL DAY – Nov. 10!
KING COBRA (NR) 1 Hr 31 Min
Tuesday-Thursday (Nov 8-10): 5:20 FINAL DAY – Nov. 10!
GENERATION STARTUP (NR) 1 Hr 33 Min
Thursday (Nov 10): 5:30 One Screening Only!
A MAN CALLED OVE (PG-13) 1 Hr 56 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (Nov 11-13): 12:00, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (Nov 14-16): 2:45, 5:15, 7:40
Thursday (Nov 17): 2:45, 5:15
COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
Nov. 23 – LOVING
Dec. 21 – LION
TBD – EAGLE HUNTRESS
TBD – NOCTURNAL ANIMALS
TBD – LA LA LAND
TBD – MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
TBD – JACKIE
Rhinegiests & Poltergeists Returns Oct 7th to the Amber Rose
Sellout crowd expected again !!
FOOD, BEER, … GHOSTS
This is a post that many of you have been waiting for… Dayton Most Metro is kicking of the fall season with a “BOO!”
—October 7th, the popular “RHINEGEISTS and POLTERGEISTS” ghostly beer dinner returns! A brainchild of local bloggers, the Food Adventure crew, this popular scarefest looks to again to have a sellout crowd of over 100 foodies at the Amber Rose restaurant. There will also be a special presentation from a nationally known paranormal investigative group, ParaSense.
Pierogies and More on the Menu
HERE IS THE SKINNY ON “RHINEGEISTS and POLTERGEISTS”
WHAT: 4 COURSE DINNER from AMBER ROSE and 4 BEERS from RHINEGEIST BREWERY
Visit the Haunted Amber Rose for this Food Adventure
—COURSE 1: Sausage, Potato and Sauerkraut Pierogies and German Bier Cheese Dip
—COURSE 2: Beef Rouladen (rolled) with Roasted, Rustic Vegetables
—COURSE 3: Apple Cinnamon Smoked Pork Chop with German Potato & Bavarian Hash
—COURSE 4: Cherry Almond Bread Pudding
Each course will be paired with a Rhinegeist Beer:
—BEER 1: “ALICE” a Belgium Style Ale
—BEER 2: “EXUM” a Pale Ale
—BEER 3: “HUGH” an Oktoberfest brew
—BEER 4: “STEVE” a Dark Lager
Parasense – Paranormal Investigator Team – Alicia, Shelly and Kat
WHAT ELSE: A special presentation from a local paranormal investigative team with national exposure, called PARASENSE.ParaSense will be sharing their findings from numerous overnight ghost hunts from 2015 and 2016. NEW FINDINGS, NEW GOOSEBUMPS !
COST: $35 per person includes the tip ! Tickets are PRE-PAY and ONLY AVAILABLE at THIS LINK. This event has always sold out and will be limited to 100 people.
EACH ATTENDEE GETS A FREE RHINEGEIST PINT GLASS !
ALICE from Rhinegeist Brewery
*****The party continues after the event, downstairs at the bar with “Happy Hour” pricing*****
As many of you may know, The Amber Rose is supposedly a haunted venue. The ghost is believed to be the daughter of the former house owner. She is a playful ghost named Genevieve Ksiezopolski aka “Chickie.” Employees have many stories of glasses flying off of shelves, lights being turned on and even the appearance of a poltergeist. Take for example this case, where a cook claimed to see a full apparition of a lady in a long dress who walked into the room, then turned and walked away. When the frightened cook alerted the staff, they quickly pulled the security surveillance camera footage. What they saw at the same time the cook claimed to encounter the ghost was this: click to see video
Who is Haunting the Amber Rose? Some think it is this lady….
A local, three person “ghost hunter” crew will be investigating the Amber Rose facility in the weeks leading up to the dinner. They have appeared on on National Television! Their work has been featured in“America’s Most Haunted,”“My Ghost Story”, and Haunted Ohio VI. Independent Paranormal Investigators Kat Powell and Shelly Suittor met in 1999 as tour guides for the Ohio State Reformatory, Prospect Place, and Snow Hill Country Club. Teaming up with Alicia Soich in 2012, they’ve logged hundreds of hours of field research and private investigations across the state.
What will their findings be? Will they be contacted by “Chickie” or some other poltergeist? Join us and find out ! And stay for the Happy Hour after party at the bar !
I made it to Toronto with minimal delays…and made my way to the Industry offices to pick up my credentials and begin the madness. This is just an intro! Watching movies actually starts tomorrow (Thursday, Sept. 8).
I always give myself a buffer day when traveling to Toronto for TIFF. It can come in handy if you have flight delays, ridiculous lines in customs or you’re carrying an expired passport (that was a nightmare 2 years ago)…that extra day can make certain that you don’t miss any of the good stuff.
If all goes as planned, tomorrow will be a busy day with 4 films – including the splashy Opening Night film with a friend who I first met when he was a guest of The Dayton LGBT Film Festival. If all goes as planned, tomorrow’s screenings include new work by Kenneth Lonergan, Terence Davies and Olivier Assayas.
In the next couple hours, I’ll grab a bite to eat, check into my apartment and continue to plan my schedule for the next 9 days.
Here are trailers for a few films I can’t wait to see:
Check back in Friday morning…that’s when I’ll have my Thursday wrap-up posted.
Huge Pieces of Fried Dough or as we call it “Pizza Frite”
The Great Darke County Fair ends a week long array of festivities this Saturday, so there is still time to get your fair groove up near the Greenville / Arcanum area. It is about a 40 minute trip to the Darke County fairgrounds, but oh is it worth the drive.
Rides and and more rides, food and more food, and of course livestock to make your experience farm filled fun.
We have literally been having Food Adventures at this fair since the early 1970’s. The Big Ragu has memories of his grandfather John Miller, who was born in Arcanum, taking the whole family from Centerville to Greenville. So you could say we have 40+ years of expertise on this subject.
Cheese Curds from a Wisconsin Vendor
First of all, a NON-FOOD TIP
Hit the Horse Races Friday night 5:30pm – 9pm. The environment is a throwback like you wont experience at other racetracks.
Hit the Demolition Derby on Saturday 6:30pm. It’s like a Wal-Mart parking lot out there and maybe someone will give somebody the “Malachi Crunch” like in Happy Days.
So many food vendors, so little room in our stomachs
— OPEN 7pm – MIDNIGHT both Friday and Saturday – enough time to get your grit on… but the FAIR ENDS SATURDAY!
— Admission is $7.00, people watching is free
So here we go with our often imitated never duplicated trademark… “Must Eats.”
Here is the result of decades of studies…..
MUST EATS at THE GREAT DARKE COUNTY FAIR:
— THE FOOTLONG HOT DOG& ROOT BEER from the THE DOG N SUDS TRAILER: The pride of Champagne, Illinois, you NEVER get to eat this stuff. You may see their root beer plastic
Lots of rides
bottles in stores, but “aint nothing like the real thing baby.”
— THE CHEESE CURDS from MIKE’S CHEESE SHACK: These cheeseheads are from Eau Claire, Wisconsin and every year they kill it at the fair. And every year we load up and chow down.
— THE “LOADED RIBBON FRIES” or “TORNADO POTATOES”: Ribbon cut potato chips, deep fried and topped with cheese, chives and bacon. We love this stuff. Eat them and devour them one string at a time. People will stare as you lower the pinwheels of potatoes into your mouth. That’s just jealousy.
Pulled Pork from Hog Wild
— THE TROLLEY BURGER WITH CANDIED BACON from KC CONCESSION’S TROLLEY CART: We eat it all, we know our stuff. This burger is perfect for a browsing Food Adventure. It is not too big and the candied bacon is definitely a nice attraction. Chew on friends….
— DEEP FRIED ALLIGATOR MEAT ON A STICK from CRACKERBILLIES: Exotic, yet familiar, these nuggets on a stick had a great taste. All the way from Cape Coral, Florida to your mouth! We went back for seconds.
— BEEF BRISKET from GRUMPY’S BBQ: Cooked low and slow by Grumpy himself, this old farmer not only has a badass disposition but his brisket is just a s bad. Actually , Grumpy is a pretty nice guy, we got him to smile … once….
Ohio’s Largest County Fair
— THE HOT BROWN from FARMER BROWN’S FOOD STAND: The restaurant that is a legend in Arcanum, is a hot spot at the fair with their food stand. Farmer Brown’s serves up not a Hot Carl.. but the Hot Brown – which is a shaved top round sandwich, with provolone, lettuce, special sauce and mushrooms. If that isnt enough they slap it on a grilled buttered bun. You might call it a Hot Brown, we love to refer to it as an “Arcanum Cheesesteak.”
— PULLED PORK SANDWICH from HOG WILD SMOKE HOUSE: Homemade sauce in huge squirt jars meant we loaded it up for a finger lickin, lip smackin helluva good ‘sammich’ (when its so good you can’t talk). We went hog wild for sure. These
— DEEP FRIED PECAN PIE from the PIE ON THE FLY: This is frickin’ sinful. The pies are “Wicks Pies” from Winchester, Indiana. It makes the deep
Deep Fried Pecan Pie
fried snickers look like child’s play. This is a piece of frickin pie deep fried in batter. The pecan pie is the one to get, and it is AMAZING. We actually had to sit down afterwards to take in the whole experience. INSANE yet so logical….
— FRIED DOUGH from FISKE CONCESSIONS: One of the deep fried candy bar booths has a treat we have enjoyed as kids. It is called “pizza frite” or fried dough. But this is the biggest slab of dough we have ever seen. Our moms and grandmas never made it that large. It is fried dough, with powdered sugar and it is the tick tick tick .. bomb! This vendor is from Brookville, Florida.
Ribbon Fries or Potato Tornados
Honorable Mention:The Deep Fried Mushrooms from Chuck’s Foods and the Deep Fried Twinkies from Fiske Concessions.
TWO MORE FOOD ADVENTURE TIPS: — Use this chance to hit MAID-RITE HAMBURGERSdown the street, on the way home… a loose meat sandwich that has a secret recipe that will keep you guessing and eating. We will grab a sack and love the snack. — Stop at KENNEDY VINEYARDS on the way home in New Madison. Wine off the vine and we love the sweet, to the blush to the dry. 15 Minutes from the fair, you will fall in love with this place.
Alligator Meat on a Stick
Open til 10pm this Saturday, and we will see you there!
That’s it – the FULL BLOWN story on the biggest county fair in Ohio…. See you next week with another foodie filled story!
Chip Cassano inspects the hi-tech equipment in the dough plant
***** WIN A FREE PIZZA WITH THE FOOD ADVENTURES CREW ***** JUST COMMENT BELOW FOR A CHANCE TO WIN – winner will be chosen at random on Monday
For decades Daytonians have taken pizza for granted. We don’t realize that Dayton, Ohio is one of the most important cities in the world when it comes to the history of pizza. And it is all because of Vic Cassano and his mother-in-law Caroline “Mom” Donisi.
Now, 63 years later, The Cassano’s franchise is going strong, and not just in the pizza restaurants. Cassano’s headquarters on Stroop Road in Kettering is also a facility for dough production.
Vic Cassano Sr. in his early Pizza Days during the 1950’s
— SECRET 1: What most Daytonians don’t know is their dough is produced here, and sold nationwide. Whether balls of dough or sheeted pizza crusts, hundreds of restaurants serve products made with Cassano’s dough. We are not allowed to name the companies, but let’s just say they are some big wig, national restaurants, that you definitely would recognize. There are also hundreds of small restaurants that use Cassano’s, dough as a shortcut for great pizzas, calzones, breads and more.
After a year of preparation, Food Adventures is ready to tell you a story, much of which is unknown to Miami Valley residents. It is the untold insight into the dough plant, the history and personal triumphs of the Cassano family.
Hand cutting hundreds of pounds of dough from the mixer
Before we get to secrets inside the dough plant lets get the scoop on Cassano’s history:
HERE’S THE SKINNY ON CASSANO’S
— JUNE 4th, 1953 – At the urging of a friend in New York, Vic Cassano decides to sell pizza at the Kettering grocery store of his in laws, Mom and Pop Donisi. Using a thin crust recipe developed by Mom Donisi from her days in Italy, they make pizza available for the public. It is a huge hit, and they sell 400 pies the first day on Schantz Avenue. It is Dayton’s first introduction to pizza. Needless to say the grocery store, soon became a
The Cutter presses 6 inch to 18 inch crusts for freezing
pizza shop.
— SECRET 2: THIS SUMMER DATE in 1953 ALSO MARKS THE INVENTION of THIN CRUST PIZZA in THE UNITED STATES. Don’t let anyone tell you different, Dayton, Ohio is the center of that storm. That would have been a hell of a day for a Food Adventure.
Dough Balls are produced through a mostly automated system
— SECRET 3: Vic Cassano decides to cut the pieces in tiny squares. WHY? Because in 1953 it wasn’t “lady like” to be holding and handling big slices of pizza in your palm. Cassano’s square slices were the polite and dainty way to enjoy the Italian treat. — SECRET 4: Vic Cassano was not only a pizza genius, he was a mechanical genius. He patented the first self cleaning oven. To this day, his family still finds dozens of papers in the office, detailing patented inventions from cooling and refrigeration systems to appliances.
Vic Cassano Jr. streamlined operations efficiently
— SECRET 5:Cassano’s was the first franchised restaurant in Ohio and possibly the United States. The early 50’s were a time of business and law challenges, as many scenarios were never seen before. Cassano’s was instrumental in the development of what we know today as franchising laws. This allowed Cassano’s to steadily grow in the 50’s and 60’s.
Heart Shaped Pizza option in February
— SECRET 6: Vic Cassano’s company was the first to ever freeze dough on a large scale. He experimented with recipes and developed a full Italian menu.
— Owners of the local iconic pizza places like Marion’s Pizza and Ron’s Pizza, originally had affiliations with Cassano’s.
— In the 60’s and 70’s, Cassano’s added affiliated restaurants like Sandy’s Hamburgers and London Bobby’s Fish and Chips. They now had over 100 stores in total. They served pizza on a cardboard slate, and “to go” orders were slid into bags and crumpled at one end, while leaving a”puff” in the bag, so not to damage the pizza or its toppings.
Unforgettable Tour of the Dough Plant – and Dough Samples !!
— Here comes THE BIG CHEESE: In the early 80’s Cassano’sintroduced their masterpiece pizza, the Big Cheese Pizza. This was their deluxe pizza with double the cheese on top. This became a menu staple and you can still order the Big Cheese “Vic’s Way” (with black olives) or “Mom’s Way” (with green olives). During this time, Cassano’s started serving their “to go” and delivery pizzas in boxes.
— In 1986, Vic Cassano sold the business. A year later Mom Donisi passed away. As the family saw their former business struggle in other people’s hands, so Vic Jr. decided to buy it back in 1989. It was a short hiatus and the pizza business atmosphere was saturated with saturated with national and local companies. To say it was extremely competitive is an understatement.
Side view of a legendary Cassano’s Pizza in the making
— With Vic Cassano Jr. at the helm, the 90’s were the start of a new, efficient direction of cutting waste and streamlining the business. It worked.
— Vic Cassano Sr passed away in 2002, at the time his son kept rebuilding the brand and would expand operations at the dough plant.
Sheeted Pizza Crusts, stacked and ready to be packaged
— The amazing strides and improvements in efficiency, allowed more investment in equipment. A centralized call center was finished in 2003. Vic Cassano Jr. had turned the corner and was working on bringing back some nostalgia back to Cassano’s like the Pizza King logo, the London Bobby Fish and Chips and more. In, 2010, Vic Jr. unexpectedly passed away. To his credit, he had prepared his children Lora, Chip (aka Vic the 3rd), and Chris over the past decades to take on the new leadership role. They did just that, carrying on the vision of their father and adding even more to the legendary name.
An up close look at the one and only BIG CHEESE PIZZA !
— Today, under the management of the third generation Lora Cassano-Hammons, Vic Cassano III, and Chris Cassano, there are almost 40 pizza shops and over 600 employees.
— Product developments included bringing back “Pizza Packs to go” and a new “Home Edition” Frozen Pizza line found in stores and available to be shipped nationwide. The Stroop Rd. location has gone back to carry the “London Bobby Fish and Chips” meals again.
London Bobby’s Fish and Chips available at the Stroop Rd. Cassano’s
— About 3 years ago, The Cassano’s Cares Foundation was set up. It is the charitable arm of Cassano’s set up in memory of Vic Cassano Jr. Their purpose is to give back to local charities and organizations. Memorable events included an evening with Pete Rose and a Corvette giveaway. There is also an annual golf outing to support the foundation as well. There is even a Vic Cassano Health Center on Edwin C Moses Blvd.
— In June 2016, almost 63 years to the day after the first pizza was sold, the Ohio Historical Connection declared the Cassano’s Stroop Rd. office a historical site. Now your Food Adventures on Stroop Rd, can be truly historical !
Now, let’s go from modern history to secrets inside the Dough Plant …..
These two flour silos hold 75,000 pounds of flour… EACH !
INSIDE THE DOUGH PLANT:
— SECRET 7: The dough plant, located at 1700 East Stroop Rd. produces approximately 50,000 – 70,0000 pounds of dough daily. Only about 20 percent of that is for Cassano’s restaurants. The remaining 80 percent is sold to other food establishments.
— SECRET 8: The plant uses 30,000 pounds of flour each day. The facility is equipped with 2 huge flour silos that each hold 75,000 pounds of flour. WOW, this place would make Willy Wonka proud.
Caroline “Mom” Donisi. Her recipe from Italy was the spark
— SECRET 9: The plant has a capacity to produce about 8,000 pounds of dough in an hour. Depending on the size, that can equate to 100-200 dough balls per minute during the morning shift. In the afternoon shift, the plant switches gears to produce pizza crusts from 6 inches to 18 inches in diameter. The crusts are shrink wrapped to prevent breakage and boxed and loaded into a freezer or refrigerated delivery trucks.
The Chopped Steak Sub
— SECRET 10: The dough recipe has been tweaked slightly over the past 20 years. When making pizzas these days they even “tack” the dough with a docker to control bubbling of the dough. Remember those bubbles in the 70’s and 80’s on Cassano’s pies ? You don’t see those anymore.
All this talk about dough has us a bit hungry.. may Food Adventures suggest some “Must Eats” from our decades of devouring Dayton’s original thin crust pizza? CASSANOS !
Cassano’s Headquarters is named a Historical Site, June 3rd 2016
MUST EATS:
— THE BIG CHEESE “VIC’S WAY”: Mounds of cheese, Pepperoni, Sausage, Mushrooms, Onions and Red & Green Peppers, Black Olives and more cheese! This is it. This is the Cadillac of the Cassano’s menu. So good, it will make you sleepy afterwards. A flavorful, filling, and unforgettable pie. As Vic used to say.. “It’s one heck of a pizza!”
— THE CLUB CASSINI: Ham, Pepperoni, Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Provolone Cheese and Italian dressing on a Mediterranean flat bread bun. This was a great
Packaged Dough, ready for the freezer
surprise and has such a meaty and creamy, delicious flavor. This is an unknown menu gem.
— PEPPERONI PIZZA WITH EXTRA SAUCE: The Big Ragu has been using this trick since 1986. He suggests you always order your Cassano’s pepperoni pizzas with extra sauce. They take their time and spend a little more time on your pizza.
— THE CHOPPED STEAK SUB: Get your messy groove on with this Steak patty, topped Provolone Cheese, Pizza Sauce, dripping with Mushroom Gravy, sprinkled with Onions and Banana Peppers.
Dough off the conveyor belt
— THE 30 INCH PARTY PIZZA: Get it, you only live once. Perfect for parties – birthday or super bowl. $100 gets you a deluxe and 80 bucks gets you a one topping pizza pie. This humongous pizza is a party in a box…. a pretty big box.
We are honored to be able to take a behind the scenes view at the Cassano’s pizza and dough plant. The factory employees and management are always friendly and
Top it with sauce and you got something going….
accommodating. Thank you for letting us see the legendary Dayton magic firsthand. Congratulations to the Cassano family on all of their accomplishments. They are a great family and we are lucky to consider them friends. We are excited to see what the future holds for this Dayton original.
Honorable Mention:The Spaghetti Dinner: Sometimes we just crave the simple pasta and sauce combo. So pure, so peasant, so good….
Don’t forget to check out our weekly Food Adventure feature articles on MostMetro. com
It’s incredibly exciting when one of our own home grown Dayton bands makes it big. Many Daytonians are not aware of the incredible national following The Werks have created. After ten years of touring, most recently from an adventurous Alaskan tour, they are back to their native Ohio to throw their biggest party yet, the 7th annual Werk Out Music and Arts Festival.
The festival started closer to Dayton, but as it has skyrocketed in popularity, it found it’s home at the Grateful Dead’s old stomping grounds, Legend Valley Concert Venue in Thornville, Ohio (formerly known as Buckeye Lake Music Center). This year’s festival is the biggest and boldest yet. Music fans were thrilled to see the amazing line-up of both national and regional acts, which include some of the top names in the jam and electronica scene, including STS9, Lettuce, and Greensky Bluegrass.
This year’s festival includes special collaboration sets that are certain to be unforgettable:a daytime memorial set dedicated to the memory of beloved former Werks member Norman Dimitrouleas; Twerkapod, which is a late night 90’s music tribute set with members of Twiddle, The Werks, and Dopapod; Daft Funk, a tribute to Daft Punk by Earphunk; and an appearance by Everyone Orchestra with special guest Todd Stoops.
This is one of the premiere music festivals in Ohio, and Dayton Ohio couldn’t be prouder of our home town boys making it big! Congratulations to the Werks family, and for fans, don’t miss this highly anticipated summer festival!
How to Go?
General admission festival passes are available now for $139.99, Additional ticketing options are also available. The Werk Out Festival tickets are available now at http://www.thewerkoutfestival.com/site/get-tickets.
The Werks @ The Werk Out Festival 2014 | B.Hockensmith Photography
Gates open on Thursday, August 4th 2016 at 12:00 noon for those with full event passes. They will remain open until Sunday, August 7th at 12:00 noon. Music begins around 4:00 PM on Thursday, and Friday before Noon. The festival ends at 11:00 AM on Sunday. It is a rain or shine event. Please pack for possible inclement weather.
We had a great holiday weekend at THE NEON. Thanks to everyone who came out. Though critics had luke-warm reviews of OUR KIND OF TRAITOR, many of our regulars truly enjoyed the film. In addition, THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY had a couple sell-outs over the weekend – it’s a film that has incredible word-of-mouth business. And then there’s WEINER – a documentary like you’ve never seen before. We will keep all three films for another week, and we’ll add a brand new film into the mix – DARK HORSE. This delightful documentary is currently rated “97% Fresh” on rottentomatoes.
Synopsis for DARK HORSE: “Set in a former mining village in Wales, DARK HORSE is the inspirational true story of a group of friends from a working men’s club who decide to take on the elite ‘sport of kings’ and breed themselves a racehorse. Raised on a slagheap allotment, their foal grows into an unlikely champion, beating the finest thoroughbreds in the land, before suffering a near fatal accident. Nursed back to health by the love of his owners – for whom he’s become a source of inspiration and hope – he makes a remarkable recovery, returning to the track for a heart-stopping comeback.” (Taken from Sony Classics) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official website.
Many thanks for everyone who came out to see CLOSET MONSTER last week. Though it wasn’t a sell-out, audience response was fantastic. And I’m happy to report that we raised over $650 to send to victims’ families of the Orlando nightclub tragedy.
PUSH Dayton has rented our space to bring a one-time screening of TRAPPED to THE NEON on Thur, Aug. 4 at 7:30. “On June 27, 2016, the Supreme Court ruled in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, that restrictions on abortion clinics in Texas posed an undue burden on women seeking abortions. TRAPPED, a documentary by Dawn Porter, follows the struggles of the clinic workers and lawyers who are on the front lines of a battle to keep abortion safe and legal for millions of American women. US. reproductive health clinics are fighting to remain open. Since 2010, 288 TRAP (Targeted Regulations of Abortion Providers) laws have been passed by conservative state legislatures. Unable to comply with these far-reaching and medically unnecessary measures, clinics have taken their fight to the courts. What do these restrictions mean for the women of the United States? Their doctors? What’s the collateral damage when legislation plays politics with women’s health? PUSH (Professionals United for Sexual Health) is a Dayton-based advocacy group that raises funding and awareness for Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio.” Ticket details coming soon. Sponsored by Harmony Creek United Church of Christ, Drunk Think Tank, Blue Jacket Books, and Mark E. Owens, Dayton Clerk of Court.” Tickets are $5 each and are only available by clicking the official link above.
Local filmmaker Gino Pasi and his team are hosting a special screening of his new film on Thursday, August 11. “THE ARCHIVIST, a short-film written, produced, and directed by Pasi, tells the story of the brief and unusual relationship of Virginia Hirsch and Archie Vecchio, two people unable to forsake the past. The halcyon days of Virginia Hirsch’s youth are quickly fading no matter how hard she tries to hold on to them. For Archie Vechhio, history is much easier to navigate than the complicated present. When these two people meet, however, the past is buried and the present engaged. And both Virginia and Archie come to realize that living life to the fullest in the “here and now” means taking action – action that won’t come easy for either. Tickets available now at THE NEON’s box office or at the door the night of the showing for $5. One Time Only Public Showing! 9PM, Thursday, August 11, 2016.” (This film will screen earlier in the evening for invited guests.)
If you’re a FaceBook user and a fan of ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS, be sure to visit our FaceBook page…There’s a contest you’ll likely want to enter. (More AbFab contests to come!)
Next week, I will roll out our campaign to assist with installing brand new chairs at THE NEON. A handful of people have already mentioned that they’d like to help – and that makes me quite hopeful. If you’d like to become a “NEON Lumbar Supporter,” you’ll find out all about it in next week’s newsletter.
We hope to see you soon!
Jonathan
SHOWTIMES for Tuesday, July 5 – Thursday, July 14:
THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY (PG-13) 1 Hr 48 Min
Tuesday – Thursday (July 5-7): 3:00, 7:20
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (July 8-10): 3:00
Monday-Thursday (July 11-14): 5:15
COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
July 15 – MUSIC OF STRANGERS
July 22 – ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS
July 29 – CAFE SOCIETY
TBD – CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
Aug 5 – HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE
Aug 12 – EAT THAT QUESTION
Aug 26 – OUR LITTLE SISTER
Sept 2 – EQUITY
Sept 23 – THE HOLLARS
Dayton PRIDE will close out month-long events with the screening of the award-winning film CLOSET MONSTER…and 100% of the proceeds will go to victims’ families of the horrendous massacre in Orlando. “CLOSET MONSTER tells the story of Oscar Madly, a creative and driven teenager who hovers on the brink of adulthood. Destabilized by his dysfunctional parents, unsure of his sexuality, and haunted by horrific images of a tragic gay bashing he witnessed as a child, Oscar dreams of escaping the town he feels is suffocating him.” (taken from press notes) Tickets available now at THE NEON’s box office – just $8 each. (Editors Note: the showing for CLOSET MONSTER is Thurs, June 30th at 7:30pm)
THE NEON is located at 130 E. 5th St. in downtown Dayton. The box office opens daily by 2:30 and by Noon on weekends. For additional information, call (937)222-8452 or visit THE NEON’s official site – www.neonmovies.com
The Grotto (built in 1867-1868) at the historic Dayton VA campus, site of the Patriot Freedom Festival. – May 5, 2016
Memorial Day Weekend is fast approaching. Area pools will be opening, The Five Rivers Fountain of Lights at RiverScape MetroPark in Downtown Dayton will start shooting water again plus there will be plenty of parties & barbeques with family and friends. This weekend is also the unofficial start of Summer. The main reason we have this extended holiday weekend is to honor the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades.
It also happens to be the most fitting weekend for the 12th Annual Patriot Freedom Festival on Saturday & Sunday, May 28-29, 2016 from 11 AM to 6 PM (both days) at the historic Dayton VA Medical Center Campus on 4100 West Third Street. This event is hosted by the American Veterans Heritage Center, a non-profit organization whose sole mission is “To preserve the best of our past…by improving the present…to create a better future for our heroes, our United States Veterans.” In short, the AVHC is the VA’s historical society. This year’s festival theme is Honoring Women in the Military. The festival is family friendly including free admission and free parking.
The bandstand (built in 1871) at the historic Dayton VA campus, site of the Patriot Freedom Festival. – May 5, 2016
The Dayton V.A. (Veterans Affairs) Medical Center Campus was built in 1867 when it was known as the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers and later the Dayton Soldiers Home. President Abraham Lincoln signed the creation of the Dayton VA into legislation on March 3, 1865. In 2012, the entire Dayton VA Medical Center campus was awarded with a National Historic Landmark status. 2017 marks the 150th Anniversary of the Dayton VA Medical Center with many events and festivities going on throughout the year.
I recently sat down with Tara Browne, a very enthusiastic volunteer for the AVHC. She has many reasons and much motivation to volunteer for this organization. Her father and sister both served in the U.S. Air Force (30 years and 10 years respectively). Browne’s grandfather on her mother’s side served under General MacArthur in the U.S. Army during World War II. He had four brothers who also fought in WWII. One of them was actually in the Battle of the Bulge and survived.
“When I was out in California, I did a lot of work with the homeless. I just kind of started feeding the homeless on the street as I found them. The more stories I heard, the more people I got to know on the streets and the more I realized that a lot of them were veterans. When I moved back from California to Ohio, I actively sought out volunteer opportunities at the Dayton VA because I knew I wanted to get more involved with that. So that’s how it started. Now I’m involved with the VA as well as Team Rubicon, Team RWB and the Invictus Games,” said Browne.
The Grotto (built in 1867-1868) at the historic Dayton VA campus, site of the Patriot Freedom Festival. – May 5, 2016
In 2015, Browne’s first year volunteering for the AVHC, she served as Event Co-Chair for the Patriot Freedom Festival. “I think it’s great because for one it opens up the VA, this awesome historical location that most people don’t even know is there or have forgotten about it. It opens it up to the public. It provides a lot of interesting things to do and interesting ways to learn not only about the history of Dayton, but about the impact that Dayton itself has had on veteran history. The VA was one of the original three and is one of the only ones of those original three that’s still open and functioning to this day. That was Civil War era and has made it all that way through. So, I think it’s a really cool learning time and just a fun, safe place for families to be,” said Browne.
Here is Browne’s rundown of what to expect at the festival.
The Grotto (built in 1867-1868) at the historic Dayton VA campus, site of the Patriot Freedom Festival. – May 5, 2016
“There’s a lot of activities for families. There were pony rides last year. There are all these different displays around the area. They have a lot of Civil War displays. There are bands, food vendors, clothing vendors, different sorts of wares and all sorts of small businesses from the Dayton area set up tents. It’s an eclectic festival where you get to see different aspects of Dayton.”
“There are tours of the cemetery, a Gold Star Wives & Mothers ceremony going on plus there’s a lot that goes on in the chapels. The Grotto is going to be open and that’s been really refurbished/redone over the past several years since 2014. The grounds itself are relatively open for people to walk around, see and really get the feeling for the campus.”
A couple of days ago, I briefly spoke with Mike Turner, United States Marine Corps veteran/volunteer Events Secretary for the AVHC and asked him to share some highlights of the Patriot Freedom Festival. “I would say the most popular thing to do is to see all the reenactors, military displays and our free entertainment. The most unique thing about our festival is that we are on the National Historic Landmark Designated Campus and you can tour it. Also, our guests can see military groups and equipment from the Civil War to the current era plus being able to thank the Veterans that are here,” said Turner.
Building 116 (built in 1871), formerly the Headquarters/library and future home of the VA National Archives at the historic Dayton VA campus, site of the Patriot Freedom Festival. – May 5, 2016
In April 2016, an announcement was made that the VA National Archives will be moving from Washington, D.C. to the Dayton VA campus. The plan is for the archives to be housed in Building 116 (formerly the Headquarters, built in 1871) and Building 129 (formerly the Clubhouse, built in 1881). “The National Archives has no timetable really since 20-26 million needs to be raised first,” said Turner.
Said Browne in reference to 2015’s Patriot Freedom Festival, “We have people who didn’t even realize the festival was going on and just stumbled on the campus because they saw signs and showed up so you have a variety of people. My personal favorite part of the festival is seeing everyone come, getting to educate people, getting to be there in a very veteran & family friendly atmosphere and being a part of the celebration of our American veteran history.”
Recap of festival activities: honoring ceremonies, historical military reenactors, guided historical tours, children’s activities, barrel train, kid’s corner, gardening, equestrian team, the Miami Valley Military History Museum and more.
If you still need to see CITY OF GOLD, it won’t be at THE NEON much longer. It will only screen for one matinee per day over the weekend. On Friday, we will open a film that many of you will adore – THE MEDDLER – starring Susan Sarandon, Rose Byrne and a great supporting performance by J.K. Simmons. SING STREET is going to stick around for one more week! (If you’ve already seen this gem, please help us spread the word!)
Synopsis for THE MEDDLER: “With a new iPhone, an apartment near the Grove, and a comfortable bank account left to her by her beloved late husband, Marnie Minervini (Susan Sarandon) has happily relocated from New Jersey to LosAngeles to be near her daughter Lori (Rose Byrne), a successful (but still single) screenwriter, and smother her with motherly love. But when the dozens of texts, unexpected visits, and conversations dominated by unsolicited advice force Lori to draw strict personal boundaries, Marnie finds ways to channel her eternal optimism and forceful generosity to change the lives of others – as well as her own – and find a new purpose in life.” (Sony Pictures Classics) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official website.
I can hardly believe it, but the documentary TRUTH OR DARE is now 25 years old! Take a Holiday with Madonna and her entourage as we celebrate the film’s anniversary on the big screen…one of the great concert films of the past 30 years…and an incredibly important film to me when I first saw it at age 17! “This documentary chronicles Madonna’s controversial 1990 ‘Blonde Ambition’ international tour (which ROLLING STONE has recently called “the best concert tour of the 1990’s”). The film is a behind-the-scenes look at Madonna’s relationships with her dancers and crew, her then-boyfriend Warren Beatty, and her family and friends, achieving an intimate glimpse into the boundary-pushing singer’s drive and individuality.” Gene Siskel said it was “One of the best and most entertaining films of the year.” Come dressed as Madonna or wear your favorite Madonna T-shirt for discounts at the Concession Stand! Tickets are now on sale. TRUTH OR DARE will screen this Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 and Saturday, May 21 at 10pm. Watch the original (“scandalous” albeit censored) trailer from 25 years ago:
“Massie Creek Paddlers and Tomfoolery Outdoors are pleased to announce the Dayton screening of THE REEL PADDLING FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR. The festival is an international adventure film tour presenting the world’s best paddling films of the year – categories include: whitewater, sea kayaking, canoeing, SUP, action and lifestyle. Audiences will see hairy whitewater action, sea kayakers exploring remote coastlines, northern river canoe expeditions, international river travel films, motivating environmental documentaries, grueling kayak fishing battles and hilarious short films capturing the lighter side of paddling life. Join us on May 25 at 7:30 for the best paddling films of the year.” Tickets are $10 in advance and are only available at this LINK. If tickets remain on the day of the show, they will be $15 each and available at our box office one hour before showtime.
“LUNAFEST, a national festival of women’s films, comes to Dayton for the 7th time Sunday June 5 at 3:00 at THE NEON. The program features six award-winning short films that are international in scope, plus a short film by local filmmaker Aisha Ford. The films examine women’s stories told through the lens of women filmmakers in places ranging from Dayton, Ohio to the Philippines, Cuba and Iran. The diverse, thought-provoking stories for 2016 include challenges facing a woman boxer, a deaf woman dealing with cancer, the effects of drug addiction, raising a transgender child and more. Funds raised by this event will go to the Breast Cancer Fund and to Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region. Tickets are $10.00 ($5.00 for students) and donations over this amount are gratefully accepted. The event is sponsored nationally by Luna and locally by Dayton Women’s Rights Alliance & the Dayton chapter of the American Association of University Women. Tickets can be purchased in advance at THE NEON.” (taken from press notes) To read about each of this year’s films, visit this LINK. And here’s a trailer for Aisha Ford’s film WREN:
https://vimeo.com/149449892
Eric Totel has partnered with Tugg to hopefully bring the film RANGE 15 to town on Wednesday, June 15 at 7:30. As of this posting, they still need to sell 17 tickets in order to make the screening a reality. Here’s a synopsis: “A group of veterans wake up after a night of partying to find out that the zombie apocalypse has spread across the United States. Together, they must fight their way across the country in order to find a cure for the outbreak and restore freedom before it’s too late.” To watch a trailer and/or secure your ticket, visit this screening’s OFFICIAL PAGE. (If not enough tickets are reserved, the screening will not take place and your card will never be charged.)
If you were at THE NEON this weekend, you’ve already seen a sample of the chairs we’re hoping to purchase and install this September. Because we’re not a non-profit, I don’t like to seek or accept donations…but for this big project, we are going to ask for some assistance. (Interestingly, a couple people have approached me over the past year and asked how they might be able to help us financially – this is the way!) This June, I’ll start a campaign to help us raise a bit of extra money in order to make our auditoriums more comfortable for everyone – finally including our guests in wheelchairs. Stay tuned for updates!
Next week, we will bring Whit Stillman’s LOVE & FRIENDSHIP to town. This film is based on the novella LADY SUSAN by Jane Austen, and it is currently rated “100% Fresh” on rottentomatoes.com – a score that almost never happens! We will have a special sneak preview screening of the film on Thursday, May 26.
Thanks for your continued support.
See you soon!
Jonathan
SHOWTIMES for Tuesday, May 17- Thursday, May 26:
KRISHA (R) 1 Hr 23 Min
Tuesday – Thursday (May 17-19): 5:15 FINAL DAY – May 19!
CITY OF GOLD (R) 1 Hr 36 Min
Tuesday & Wednesday (May 17 &18): 3:00, 7:15
Thursday (May 19): 3:00
Friday, Saturday, Sunday (May 20-22): 12:30 FINAL DAY – May 22!
LOVE & FRIENDSHIP (PG) 1 Hr 32 Min
Thursday (May 26) – Preview Screening – 7:30
COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
May 27 – LOVE & FRIENDSHIP
TBD – A BIGGER SPLASH
June 10 – MAGGIE’S PLAN
June 17 – DARK HORSE
TBD – HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE
TBD – SWISS ARMY MAN
TBD – CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
July 22 – ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS
July 29 – CAFE SOCIETY
I just got back from a short, revitalizing vacation, and we’re ready to tackle the next several weeks (which are currently overbooked). If you still need to see MILES AHEAD or A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING, you only have until Thursday to see them at THE NEON. Though audiences are loving SING STREET, I’m sad to say that it didn’t perform nearly as well as I had hoped. Though it will stick around, it won’t be here for long. On Friday, we will open 2 films that will likely only play for one week. First is a film that foodies and doc lovers will devour – CITY OF GOLD. Second is a film that won big awards at SXSW last year (and also played as part of the FilmDayton Festival – one of the best reviewed films of the year) – KRISHA.
Synopsis for CITY OF GOLD: “In this richly penetrating documentary odyssey, Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic Jonathan Gold shows us a Los Angeles where ethnic cooking is a kaleidoscopic portal to the mysteries of an unwieldy city and the soul of America. Combing through colorful neighborhoods in his green pickup truck, Gold is sniffing out his next strip-mall discovery-whether Oaxacan grasshopper soup, hand-cut tonkotsu ramen, or a particularly unctuous pad see ew. As piping-hot platters are served up, so are stories of immigrants whose secret family recipes are like sacred offerings pledged for the opportunity to build their American Dream. With eternal curiosity, razor-sharp intellect, and existential longing, Gold is a culinary geographer taking us where no critic has gone before.” Click this LINK to visit the film’s official website.
Synopsis for KRISHA: One of the best reviewed films of the year and a big winner from last year’s SXSW Film Festival! ONE WEEK ONLY! “When Krisha shows up at her sister’s Texas home on Thanksgiving morning, her close and extended family greet her with a mixture of warmth and wariness. Almost immediately, a palpable unease permeates the air, one which only grows in force as Krisha gets to work cooking the turkey and trying to make up for lost time by catching up with her various relatives, chief among them her nephew, Trey. As Krisha’s attempts at reconciliation become increasingly rebuffed, tension and suspicion reach their peak, with long-buried secrets and deep-seated resentments coming to the fore as everyone becomes immersed in an emotionally charged familial reckoning.” Click this LINK to visit the film’s official website.
It’s almost time for our Madonna celebration. I can hardly believe it, but the documentary MADONNA: TRUTH OR DARE is now 25 years old! Take a Holiday with Madonna and her entourage as we celebrate the film’s anniversary on the big screen…one of the great concert films of the past 30 years…and an incredibly important film to me when I first saw it at age 17! “This documentary chronicles Madonna’s controversial 1990 ‘Blonde Ambition’ international tour (which ROLLING STONE has recently called “the best concert tour of the 1990’s”). The film is a behind-the-scenes look at Madonna’s relationships with her dancers and crew, her then-boyfriend Warren Beatty, and her family and friends, achieving an intimate glimpse into the boundary-pushing singer’s drive and individuality.” Gene Siskel said it was “One of the best and most entertaining films of the year.” Come dressed as Madonna or wear your favorite Madonna T-shirt for discounts at the Concession Stand! Tickets are now on sale. TRUTH OR DARE will screen Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 and Saturday, May 21 at 10pm.
“Massie Creek Paddlers and Tomfoolery Outdoors are pleased to announce the Dayton screening of THE REEL PADDLING FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR. The festival is an international adventure film tour presenting the world’s best paddling films of the year – categories include: whitewater, sea kayaking, canoeing, SUP, action and lifestyle. Audiences will see hairy whitewater action, sea kayakers exploring remote coastlines, northern river canoe expeditions, international river travel films, motivating environmental documentaries, grueling kayak fishing battles and hilarious short films capturing the lighter side of paddling life. Join us on May 25 at 7:30 for the best paddling films of the year.” Tickets are $10 in advance and are only available at this LINK. If tickets remain on the day of the show, they will be $15 each and available at our box office one hour before showtime.
“LUNAFEST, a national festival of women’s films, comes to Dayton for the 7th time Sunday June 5 at 3:00 at THE NEON. The program features six award-winning short films that are international in scope, plus a short film by local filmmaker Aisha Ford. The films examine women’s stories told through the lens of women filmmakers in places ranging from Dayton, Ohio to the Philippines, Cuba and Iran. The diverse, thought-provoking stories for 2016 include challenges facing a woman boxer, a deaf woman dealing with cancer, the effects of drug addiction, raising a transgender child and more. Funds raised by this event will go to the Breast Cancer Fund and to Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region. Tickets are $10.00 ($5.00 for students) and donations over this amount are gratefully accepted. The event is sponsored nationally by Luna and locally by Dayton Women’s Rights Alliance & the Dayton chapter of the American Association of University Women. Tickets can be purchased in advance at THE NEON.” (taken from press notes) To read about each of this year’s films, visit this LINK. A trailer for Aisha Ford’s film WREN can be viewed below.
https://vimeo.com/149449892
Eric Totel has partnered with Tugg to hopefully bring the film RANGE 15 to town on Wednesday, June 15 at 7:30. As of this email, they still need to sell 22 tickets in order to make the screening a reality. Here’s a synopsis: “A group of veterans wake up after a night of partying to find out that the zombie apocalypse has spread across the United States. Together, they must fight their way across the country in order to find a cure for the outbreak and restore freedom before it’s too late.” To watch a trailer and/or secure your ticket, visit this screening’s OFFICIAL PAGE. (If not enough tickets are reserved, the screening will not take place and your card will never be charged.)
Next week, we plan to bring Susan Sarandon’s new film THE MEDDLER to town – a film that Rex Reed called “Charming, Insightful and Funny.”
Thanks for your continued support.
See you soon!
Jonathan
SHOWTIMES for Tuesday, May 10- Thursday, May 19:
MILES AHEAD (R) 1 Hr 40 Min
Tuesday – Thursday (May 10-12): 5:10 FINAL DAY – May 12!
A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING (R) 1 Hr 37 Min
Tuesday (May 10): 2:50
Wednesday (May 11): 2:50, 7:30
Thursday (May 12): 2:50 FINAL DAY – May 12!
MADONNA: TRUTH OR DARE (R) 2 Hrs
Thursday (May 19): 7:30
COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
May 20 – THE MEDDLER
May 27 – LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP
TBD – A BIGGER SPLASH
TBD – THE CONGRESSMAN
June 10 – MAGGIE’S PLAN
June 17 – DARK HORSE
TBD – HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE
TBD – SWISS ARMY MAN
TBD – CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
July 22 – ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS
July 29 – CAFE SOCIETY
We had a really nice weekend at THE NEON. Folks in the packed house on Saturday night really loved the screening of PURPLE RAIN…so we’re bringing it back one more time this Saturday at 10pm (last week’s screening sold out, and numerous people were disappointed not to get tickets). In addition to holding both MILES AHEAD and A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING, we’re opening a brand new film that is currently rated “97% Fresh” on rottentomatoes – SING STREET. This charming, uplifting and funny film is a complete gem, and it’s from John Carney – director of ONCE.
Synopsis for SING STREET: “In 1980s Dublin, 14-year-old Conor is looking for a break from a home strained by his parents’ relationship and money troubles, while trying to adjust to his new inner-city public school where the kids are rough and the teachers are rougher. He finds a glimmer of hope in the mysterious, uber-cool and beautiful Raphina, and with the aim of winning her heart he invites her to star in his band’s music videos. There’s only one problem: he’s not part of a band…yet. She agrees, and now Conor must deliver what he’s promised – calling himself ‘Cosmo’ and immersing himself in the vibrant rock music trends of the decade, he forms a band with a few lads, and the group pours their heart into writing lyrics and shooting videos.” Click this LINK to visit the film’s official website.
Don’t forget about this Thursday, May 5th’s special screening! Stivers School for the Arts is coming back to THE NEON with a new edition of student work – THE SHOWCASE. “This eclectic compilation of short films includes comedies, documentaries, animations, music videos, as well as experimental work. Some of these films have won national and regional awards. Following the show we’ll have a Q & A with the student filmmakers. All proceeds go towards updating equipment in the film and animation studio. Tickets will be $5.00 during the pre-sale and $7.00 day of the screening. Tickets are now available at THE NEON’s box office. Our students thank you for your continued support!” (taken from press notes)
“The Dayton International Peace Museum invites you to save Sunday, May 8, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. for HIP-HOPERATION. In conjunction with our ‘Invent Peace’ theme, this funny documentary follows the Journey of Seniors from New Zealand as they not only learn to dance Hip Hop, but attend a World Hip Hop Dance Championship in Las Vegas. Enjoy their delight in discovering a new world. Suggested Donation: $10 (includes popcorn!) More info at: daytonpeacemuseum.org or call Jerry at 937-999-7314.” (If you liked YOUNG AT HEART – the documentary about seniors singing rock songs – you’ll love this film.) Check out the trailer by clicking this LINK.
Mark your calendars! I can hardly believe it, but the documentary TRUTH OR DARE is now 25 years old! Take a Holiday with Madonna and her entourage as we celebrate the film’s anniversary on the big screen…one of the great concert films of the past 30 years…and an incredibly important film to me when I first saw it at age 17! “This documentary chronicles Madonna’s controversial 1990 ‘Blonde Ambition’ international tour (which ROLLING STONE has recently called “the best concert tour of the 1990’s”). The film is a behind-the-scenes look at Madonna’s relationships with her dancers and crew, her then-boyfriend Warren Beatty, and her family and friends, achieving an intimate glimpse into the boundary-pushing singer’s drive and individuality.” Gene Siskel said it was “One of the best and most entertaining films of the year.” Come dressed as Madonna or wear your favorite Madonna T-shirt for discounts at the Concession Stand! Tickets are now on sale. TRUTH OR DARE will screen Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 and Saturday, May 21 at 10pm.
“Massie Creek Paddlers and Tomfoolery Outdoors are pleased to announce the Dayton screening of THE REEL PADDLING FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR. The festival is an international adventure film tour presenting the world’s best paddling films of the year – categories include: whitewater, sea kayaking, canoeing, SUP, action and lifestyle. Audiences will see hairy whitewater action, sea kayakers exploring remote coastlines, northern river canoe expeditions, international river travel films, motivating environmental documentaries, grueling kayak fishing battles and hilarious short films capturing the lighter side of paddling life. Join us on May 25 at 7:30 for the best paddling films of the year.” Tickets are $10 in advance and are only available at this LINK. If tickets remain on the day of the show, they will be $15 each and available at our box office one hour before showtime.
“LUNAFEST, a national festival of women’s films, comes to Dayton for the 7th time Sunday June 5 at 3:00 at THE NEON. The program features six award-winning short films that are international in scope, plus a short film by local filmmaker Aisha Ford. The films examine women’s stories told through the lens of women filmmakers in places ranging from Dayton, Ohio to the Philippines, Cuba and Iran. The diverse, thought-provoking stories for 2016 include challenges facing a woman boxer, a deaf woman dealing with cancer, the effects of drug addiction, raising a transgender child and more. Funds raised by this event will go to the Breast Cancer Fund and to Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region. Tickets are $10.00 ($5.00 for students) and donations over this amount are gratefully accepted. The event is sponsored nationally by Luna and locally by Dayton Women’s Rights Alliance & the Dayton chapter of the American Association of University Women. Tickets can be purchased in advance at THE NEON.” (taken from press notes) To read about each of this year’s films, visit this LINK. A trailer for Aisha Ford’s film WREN can be viewed at this LINK.
Next week, we plan to bring a film that will absolutely delight foodies – CITY OF GOLD. If we have room, we’ll also open the big SXSW winner KRISHA.
HIP HOP-ERATION (NR) 1 Hr 33 Min
Sunday (May 8): 3:00
COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
May 13 – CITY OF GOLD
May 13 – KRISHA
May 20 – THE MEDDLER
May 27 – LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP
TBD – A BIGGER SPLASH
TBD – THE CONGRESSMAN
June 10 – MAGGIE’S PLAN
June 17 – DARK HORSE
TBD – HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE
TBD – SWISS ARMY MAN
TBD – CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
July 22 – ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS
July 29 – CAFE SOCIETY
We’re cleaning house this week! On Friday, we will start two brand new films. First is Don Cheadle’s MILES AHEAD. This film was shot in Cincinnati and Dayton, and many filmmakers and actors from the region participated in the production (I even had the privilege of being an extra for a day back in 2014). In addition, we’ll open A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING – starring Tom Hanks. Dayton is currently quite excited about Hanks and his attachment to Wright State University. Interestingly, Stuart McDowell of WSU visited Hanks on the set of HOLOGRAM FOR A KING in Berlin. It was during this meeting that Hanks agreed to put his name on the new “Tom Hanks Center for Motion Pictures” at WSU. (Would you like to win an autographed poster? Keep reading.)
Synopsis for MILES AHEAD: “In the midst of a dazzling and prolific career at the forefront of modern jazz innovation, Miles Davis (Don Cheadle) virtually disappears from public view for a period of five years in the late 1970s. Alone and holed up in his home, he is beset by chronic pain from a deteriorating hip, his musical voice stifled and numbed by drugs and pain medications, his mind haunted by unsettling ghosts from the past.” (taken from Sony Classics) Shot in Cincinnati & Dayton, this improvisation on the life of Miles Davis is a treat for music lovers! Click this LINK to visit the film’s official website.
Synopsis for A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING: This film is based on the beloved novel by Dave Eggers and directed by visionary director Tom Tykwer. “Cultures collide when an American businessman (Tom Hanks) is sent to Saudi Arabia to close what he hopes will be the deal of a lifetime. Baffled by local customs and stymied by an opaque bureaucracy, he eventually finds his footing with the help of a wise-cracking taxi driver (Alexander Black) and a beautiful Saudi doctor (Sarita Choudhury).” (taken from Roadside Attractions) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official website. (More about Hanks, HOLOGRAM and WSU below.)
On Monday, April 25 at 7:30, Gathr Films along with Tricia Rau-Hammond will present a one-time screening of the new documentary MILK. “Through an intimate and artistic lens, MILK brings a universal perspective on the politics, commercialization and controversies surrounding birth and infant feeding over the canvas of stunningly beautiful visuals and poignant voices from around the globe. Inspiring, informative, provocative and sensitive, MILK celebrates bringing a new life into this world with a strong call to action and reflection.” (taken from Press Notes) In addition to the screening, the evening will feature a raffle of prizes from Luna Blue’s Boutique. Advanced tickets must be purchased on the Gathr site by following this LINK. If tickets remain, they will be available at our box office one hour before the screening.
“The seniors from the award winning Motion Picture program at Wright State University are showcasing their thesis work at the annual BIG LENS FILM FESTIVAL. The film festival of new work is scheduled for May 1st, 2016 at 7:30. There will be work from Joe Cook, Alan Lewin, Mitch Centers, Sydney Waltz, Brian Roll, C. B. Hovey, Jessica Barton, Michaela Scholl, Eric Risher, and Liz Lowe. Past participants in Big Lens have won awards at festivals such as Slamdance, Student Academy Awards, and Sundance.” (taken from press notes) Tickets are $7 and can now be purchased at THE NEON’s box office.
Thursday, May 5 at 7:30 has been reserved for a showcase of student work from Stivers School for the Arts. I’ll have more details for you soon!
“The Dayton International Peace Museum invites you to save Sunday, May 8, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. for HIP-HOPERATION. In conjunction with our ‘Invent Peace’ theme, this funny documentary follows the Journey of Seniors from New Zealand as they not only learn to dance Hip Hop, but attend a World Hip Hop Dance Championship in Las Vegas. Enjoy their delight in discovering a new world. Suggested Donation: $10 (includes popcorn!) More info at: daytonpeacemuseum.org or call Jerry at 937-999-7314.” (If you liked YOUNG AT HEART – the documentary about seniors singing rock songs – you’ll love this film.) Check out the trailer by clicking this LINK.
Would you like to win a poster from HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING signed by Tom Hanks? During our run of the film, you can enter your name for a chance to win one. Stuart McDowell helped to get posters autographed for us during yesterday’s festivities at WSU with Hanks – a truly fantastic event! Here are a couple photos I took from the ceremony.
Thanks for your continued support.
I hope to see you soon at THE NEON,
Jonathan
SHOWTIMES for Friday, April 22 – Thursday, April 28:
A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING (R) 1 Hr 37 Min
Friday & Saturday (Apr 22 & 23): 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40
Sunday (Apr 24): 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:20
Monday (Apr 25): 3:10, 5:20
Tuesday-Thursday (Apr 26-28): 3:10, 5:20, 7:40
MILK – BORN INTO THIS WORLD (NR) 1 Hr 30 Min
Monday (Apr 25): 7:30
ONE NIGHT ONLY!
COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
TBD – THE DARK HORSE
TBD – KRISHA
TBD – THE CONGRESSMAN
May 6 – SING STREET
May 13 – LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP
May 27 – THE MEDDLER
June 10 – MAGGIE’S PLAN
June 17 – DARK HORSE
Hello Everyone!
Hello Everyone!
Hello Everyone.
Hello Everyone,
Hello Everyone,
Hello Everyone,
Hello Everyone,
Hello Everyone,
