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Oregon District

Fall in Love with Downtown Dayton at the next First Friday!

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SAMSUNG CSCDowntown’s next free First Friday art hop will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1. A list of highlights for the February event is below. A complete list of what downtown businesses have on tap for First Friday — including live music, discounts at shops and restaurants, and more — is available on the DDP website.

• Blue Sky Gallery, 8 N. Main St.: Collaborative exhibit and artist reception for Bridgette Bogle and Francis Schanberger. Schanberger will exhibit photographs based on his wanderings around Dayton; Bogle will exhibit abstract paintings in response to Schanberger’s photographs. Call 732-5123.

• CADC, 35 S. St. Clair St.: “Abstract Expressionist” paint party inspired by artist Jackson Pollack and an art auction. Bids can be anywhere from 50 to 75 percent less than the asking price. This month’s auction includes two furniture pieces by Christy Jennewein. The highest bidder on Feb. 1 wins. Call 313-9883.

• Clash Consignments, 521 E. Fifth St.: Opening of an exhibit featuring winter wonderland-themed artwork. Vote for your favorite artist in the show during First Friday; the winning artist will take home a cash prize. Call 241-9434.

• Dayton Society of Painters and Sculptors, 48 High St.: (Open 5 to 8 p.m.) Opening reception of new exhibit, “Salon des Refusés.” This exhibit features work by local artists whose art previously was denied and is a fun way to highlight any artwork that ever has been rejected from a show or gallery. Call 228-4532.

• Grass Roots Enrichment and Wellness Center, 400 E. Fifth St. Suite C: (Open 5 to 8 p.m.) Art byTodd Hulsman, a free introduction to Reiki and massage therapy, hands-on activities for kids, and information on upcoming programs for children, teens and adults. Call 723-6747.

• Sew Dayton, 16 Brown St.: 20 percent off fat quarters (18-by-22 inch cuts of fabric) and unveiling of a collaboration with Amy Kollar Anderson, who is the store’s artist of the month, by making custom zipper pouches and makeup bags out of fabric printed from her artwork. Call 937-234-7398.

• BRIM, 464 E. Fifth St.: Hats from the May Michael Design collection created by local artisans Julia and Samantha Hughes. The collection features fine design, materials and craftsmanship from the ’20s to present day. Call 222-4287.

First Friday is presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership with support from the Oregon District Business Association, the Ohio Arts Council and WYSO-FM 91.3. The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website has a complete list of downtown’s arts and cultural amenities, as well as a dining guide, parking map and much more. Download the Find It Downtown mobile search tool for smartphones at http://mobile.downtowndayton.org.

Volunteers for Dayton!: Opportunities Oct. 2-9

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Your weekly round-up of ways to get involved in Dayton’s urban neighborhoods.

Give Back in the Halloween Spirit!

Volunteering for Hauntfest helps raise funds for the Oregon District!

  • The Oregon District Business Association needs volunteers to sell tickets and serve beer at its annual Hauntfest on Fifth, October 27, 7pm-1am. It’s a great way to meet people and see all the crazy costumes! E-mail Mike Martin to volunteer and ‘like’ their page to stay in the loop. There will be a special beer booth to fundraise for Garden Station – e-mail Lisa Helm to help there. And if you can’t help out, be sure to attend – $5 tickets will be available this First Friday in front of the old Boulevard Haus.
  • Dayton’s costumed Party of Parties, Masquerage, will be held at the Fairgrounds again this year and needs volunteers for everything from selling drinks to taking pictures to simply showing off your “hot body.” Masks required! Sign up at their VolunteerSpot page for this Oct. 20th event. Since 2002, over 10,000 Masquerage volunteer hours have helped raise $1 Million for the Aids Resource Center.
  • I normally don’t feature for-profit organizations here, but I think it’s cool that we have a haunted house downtown. So if you’re favorite pastime is scaring people, sign up to volunteer at the Wayne Avenue Haunted Butcher House on the eastern edge of the Oregon District.

    Step up to help Dayton celebrate Dia de los Muertos. Photo: www.tomascastelazo.com

  • Historic Huffman neighborhood volunteers will be dressing up their beautiful Victorian residences for a Halloween-themed Spirit of Huffman home tour, Oct. 13-14. Your admission will fund neighborhood activities and improvements throughout the year!
  • Not exactly Halloween, but similar – Dayton’s Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) organizers need volunteers for their Community Offrenda, First Friday, Nov. 2, 6-10pm. The Offrenda is organized by Cityfolk’s Culture Builds Community program and Missing Peace Art Space in partnership with an array of Hispanic, school, and neighborhood groups as well as local artists. It will feature workshops, a parade, party, and exhibition. Please contact Missing Peace via e-mail or at (937) 241- 4353 if you’d like to volunteer. And if you would like awesome events like this to continue, please give to Cityfolk’s Post-Festival Campaign at their website.

 

Other opportunities:

  • Can you spare a few bucks to build a bocce court?

    Celebrate the Freedom to Read: The East Branch library in Dayton’s Walnut Hills neighborhood needs volunteers to read aloud for 30 minute or 1hr time slots during Banned Books Week (Oct 1-6). They have a collection of ‘challenged’ books to read from so all volunteers need bring with them is their voice and their enthusiasm for the freedom to read. They are hoping to have readers during all open library hours (MTTH 9:30-8:30; WSa 9:30-6). Contact Samantha or call the branch at 496-8930.

  • Deadline extended for St. Anne’s park fundraiser! St. Anne’s Hill residents hope to raise $1000 to match their City mini-grant for Terry park improvements, including an ornamental gate, bocce courts, and landscaping. Regardless of where you live, can you give $10? If we all give a little to neighborhoods outside our own, we’ll have some great parks! (Plus, you’ll feel entitled when you go there to play bocce.)

    Would this be helpful in Dayton? Image: timebanks.org

Discussions in our group

  • One topic of discussion I raised in our Facebook group is whether there is interest in starting a Time Bank for Dayton. This involves a network of people earning Time Dollars for every hour spent helping others in the network, which they can spend having someone else help them with a project. The exchanges are tracked using simple online software. It’s an incentive for volunteerism, can be helpful for anyone short on cash, and helps build community connections. Share your thoughts here.
  • Another topic that’s been debated in multiple spots this week is what to do with the recently-acquired Hughes Supply property that the City of Dayton recently acquired for development. Obviously it’s a sweet location, being right on the eastern end of the Oregon District at Fifth and Wayne. There are lots of good ideas out there, but the overwhelming majority of commenters on Dayton Most Metro, updayton, and our group hope it becomes a grocery store (BTW – If anyone’s interested in a downtown food co-op, I’ve got a group for that too). What do you think?

Don’t forget to e-mail me your items and report back your successes! And send pictures of your costumed volunteering!

 

Lots to See at Blind Bob’s

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The Italian Burger

Tucked into the Oregon District is a pub with personality called Blind Bob’s.  Cheap drink specials and a unique spin on food has locals becoming loyal regulars.  The Big Ragu first heard of Blind Bob’s through word of mouth, all of which was good.   We were lucky to visit the eatery for a DaytonMostMetro.com Happy Hour event in late summer.   On our next Food Adventure to Blind Bob’s, we ate dinner with Heater from the Dayton Dragon’s.  You never know who or what you are going to see at Blind Bob’s.

You want unique?  How about a cream of pickle soup that is one of their most popular items?  It is sweet, creamy and will leave you wanting more.  Also addicting is the Hummus and Pita Chips appetizer.  You can’t go wrong with homemade pita chips and creamy hummus.

Pickle Soup – This is a must eat !

Blind Bob’s burgers are top notch, with specialty choices like the Italian Burger which is a  half-pound patty, stuffed with provolone, basil, and green peppers. It is then topped with marinara and caramelized onions.  Is your mouth watering yet?  The burger was juicy and the toppings were amazing.  Another specialty sandwich we would highly recommend is the Crabby Patty which includes a handmade crabcake on a bun.  It is topped with sauteed onions, peppers, and provolone cheese, smothered in herbed aioli.  It will have your taste buds rocking and rolling.

Other great menu items worth a try are the Ultimate Falafel Wrap and the Grilled Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich.  Actually, they call the choices “sammiches” on the menu.  You know it tastes good with a name like sammich.  We were pleasantly surprised and “blindsided” by the superb menu that quenched our Food Adventure appetite.

Just a buck on Monday nights – Mickey’s 16oz

Drink specials?.. Yeah they have those.  Everyday prices are $2 Miller High Life and $1.50 Pabst Blue Ribbon beers.  On Monday’s the Mickey’s 16 ounce cans are only a buck!  Happy Hour at Blind Bob’s means $2.50 well drinks and 75 cents off all bourbon.  They have an eclectic selection of a few drafts, one of which Big Ragu loved called Leinenkugel’s  Lemon Berry Shandy.  It was refreshing and fruity, so The Big Ragu checked his man card at the door and ordered another.  We also enjoyed a bottle of “Hop Baron.”

But there is more to see at Blind Bob’s.  Their website calendar is packed with trivia nights, karaoke, open mic nights and live bands.   The historic building lends itself to the charismatic appeal of this locally owned eatery.   Blind Bob’s is definitely a great place to grab dinner and an adult beverage.  With a fun atmosphere inside and the Oregon District right outside, this place is a blast.  So, next time you are wanting something different for a bite and a drink, ask yourself: “What about Bob’s?”

Have you been to Blind Bob’s?  Please comment below and tell us what you thought of this Dayton pub. 

Are you a Facebooker?  “Like” Food Adventures  HERE !

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Urban Nights, Downtown’s Biggest Street Party, Returns This Friday

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Musicians perform on stage in the Wright-Dunbar Business Village. The area will have different performers on several stages from 5 to 10 p.m.

Fall Urban Nights will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. this Friday, Sept. 14, in downtown Dayton, the Oregon Arts District and Wright-Dunbar Business Village. An estimated 30,000 people attend Urban Nights, which is held in downtown Dayton, the Oregon Arts District and Wright-Dunbar Business Village, and there are more than 100 activities planned during the event — including live music on outdoor stages, art exhibit openings, tours of downtown housing, discounts at restaurants and retail shops, and much more. A full list of events is available online. Highlights include:

• Dancing in the Street: First Street will be closed between Ludlow and Main streets to make way for performances by DCDC, the South Dayton Dance Theater, Funk Lab, SMAG Dance Collective, ZumbAtomic and the McGovern Ceili Dancers.

• I Am City Folk: Cityfolk will launch this year-long project that is part of its Culture Builds Community initiative. It will feature mosaics, compiled by local photographer Andy Snow using photos of Daytonians taken by Nicole Christian, on display throughout downtown. Contact Jean Howat Berry, Cityfolk’s education and outreach/Culture Builds Community coordinator, at 937-223-3655, ext. 3008.

Customers eat at the Oregon Express during Urban Nights in May. Many downtown eateries will offer specials and discounts the evening of Urban Nights.

• Dayton, Ohio! You Are Here! This large-scale performance piece will transform the Old Courthouse on Third and Main streets into a work of art through video projection and architectural lighting on the building’s exterior, as well as visual art and performances of dance, music and spoken word inside the historical building. Contact Peter Benkendorf at 732-5123 for more information.

• Over the Edge: Returning to the fall Urban Nights will be this challenge that combines fundraising with adventure. Participants who raise at least $1,000 will rappel over the side of the 27-story KeyBank Tower, which visitors can watch from Courthouse Square. All proceeds will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Miami Valley. For more information, contact Matt McDowell at 937-220-6855.

•Taste of the Miami Valley: This weekend-long event will kick off during Urban Nights at RiverScape MetroPark. Guests can sample food from more than 30 area restaurants. Admission is free, and most tastes are $3 each.

• Downtown in Focus: Winning entries from this annual amateur and professional photography contest will be on display in the PNC Center lobby.

• Business grand openings: Three new downtown businesses will host grand openings during Urban Nights: OinkADoodleMoo in the lobby of the KeyBank Tower, 10 W. Second St.; Brim, a new hat shop at 464 E. Fifth St.; LIVV Interior Designs, a home and office interior design firm at 520 E. Third St. in the Cannery; and Sew Dayton, featuring fabric and patterns, at 16 Brown St.

• Urban Bikes @ Urban Nights: Cyclists will gather at 5:15 p.m. at Don Crawford Plaza in front of Fifth Third Field for, a community ride through the Urban Nights action hosted by Bike Miami Valley and ending at Courthouse Square. While the ride will be in parade fashion with a police escort, it is not appropriate for small children on their own bikes.

A family participates in Urban Bikes @ Urban Nights, a biking group that will ride through the city, meeting at 5:15 p.m. near Fifth Third Field.

This is just a small sampling of the many activities that will be part of the Sept. 14 Urban Nights. The event also includes live music on five outdoor stages, art exhibit openings at galleries and other creative spaces, discounts and specials at downtown restaurants and retail shops, a chalk walk, roaming entertainers, and more. In addition, Greater Dayton RTA will provide free event buses to help visitors get around; bus routes are included in the event map.
Follow Urban Nights on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UrbanNightsDayton for regular updates and more information. Urban Nights is a program of the Downtown Dayton Partnership with support from the City of Dayton, Montgomery County, Bud Light Lime, the Downtown Priority Board, Wright Dunbar Inc., DP&L, Mix 107.7-FM, Greater Dayton RTA, Kaplan College, Business Furniture, Bob Ross Auto Group and the Ohio Arts Council.

The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website, www.downtowndayton.org, has a complete list of downtown businesses, as well as a list of business resources, arts and cultural amenities, a dining guide, parking map, and much more.

Aug. 3 First Friday to Feature Free Kayaking and Cycling, Live Music, New Art Exhibits, and Much More

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Downtown’s next free First Friday art hop will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3.

RiverScape MetroPark will host the final First Friday @ 5 concert in this year’s series, with Stranger performing from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The park’s concession stand will be open and beer will be sold from 5 to 7 p.m. MetroParks employees will demonstrate various kayaking skills on the river and free kayak rentals will be available, courtesy of Cox Media Group Ohio. Free bike rentals will be available, courtesy of AAA, and the Junior League of Dayton will sponsor free bike helmets and fittings.

At the event, RTA will debut its new “On the Road” bus, a hands-on, retrofitted bus available for tours. The bus has special features, including computer kiosks for website training, interior LCD monitors with video montages and an exterior monitor for outside viewing. The bus is part of a mobile community outreach program that connects RTA to special events in the Dayton community.

Kayak raffle tickets will be sold to raise money for the Last DAM Summer, the fundraising effort for the RiverScape River Run project.

Also during the First Friday @ 5 concert, guests can show they give a DAM about the RiverScape River Run project by making a donation to the Last DAM Summer fundraising campaign. Basho Apparel will be at RiverScape hand printing special I Gave a DAM T-shirts. The shirts usually are reserved for those who donate $100 or more to the project, but only during First Friday @ 5, the shirts will be available to those donating $50 or more. In addition, Whitewater Warehouse will be selling raffle tickets for $10 each or three for $20 to win a Perception Prodigy 10 kayak the business has donated, with all proceeds going toward the River Run project.

This is the last summer a dangerous low dam in the Great Miami River will stand in the way of paddlers and others who want to enjoy the river. River Run, the next phase of development at RiverScape MetroPark, includes the removal of the low dam, making a seven-mile stretch of river navigable from Eastwood MetroPark to Carillon Park. In place of the dam, two smaller drops will be installed upstream near The Landing and RiverScape. These peninsulas will span the river and be notched with two openings where water will pass — an easy pass-through for novice paddlers and a more challenging route for skilled paddlers. The River Run project has some DAM good benefits for downtown Dayton and the region, including a safer river, improved water quality and aquatic habitat, and the creation of a regional destination for outdoor recreation.  Call 224-1518 for more information.

During First Friday, saxophonist Tyrone Martin, magician Scott Miller and steel drum performer Joseph Glenn also will provide entertainment while roaming the streets of downtown.

Tyrone Martin, a saxophonist, will perform as part of First Friday's roaming entertainment.

Club Masque, 34 N. Jefferson St., will host the Theme Release Party for AIDS Resource Center Ohio’s 11th annual Masquerage from 6 to 8 p.m. Masquerage raises funds to provide HIV/AIDS outreach, prevention programs, free HIV testing and counseling to the Dayton area. The release party will feature a fashion show by the Rubi Girls, produced by Square One Salon and Spa, as well as drink specials and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are $20 before the event and $25 at the door. Tickets for Masquerage will be available, and the cost of the $20 release party ticket can be applied toward the $50 Masquerage ticket. Theme Release Party tickets can be purchased at masquerage.org or by calling 461-2437.

Tap into your inner artist

Several of downtown’s art galleries will be hosting special events and openings for August’s First Friday. Blue Sky Project, will host the opening of a collection of work by Adam Parker Smith in Blue Sky’s 8 N. Main St. space and a showing of art by Charlotte Gordon in the 33 N. Main St. space. CADC, 35 S. St. Clair St, will feature mixed-media furniture and paintings by Christy Jennewein and music by classical guitarist Eric Loy. Guests can sign up for September furniture classes taught by Jennewein. Color of Energy, 16 Brown St., will display works of art by gallery owner Mike Elsass. The Dayton Society of Painters and Sculptors, 48 High St., open 5 to 8 p.m., hosts the opening of an exhibit of landscape paintings by Sinclair Community College students and a preview of the Plein Air exhibit opening Aug. 19. Vega, Chaminade-Julienne High School’s a Capella group, will perform at 6:30 p.m.

The Dayton Visual Arts Center, 118 N. Jefferson St.:, open 5 to 8 p.m., will host a gallery talk featuring artists from the 21st annual Open Members Show, starting at 6:15 p.m. Artists include Matthew Burgy, Steve Hill, Kelly Joslin, Martin Hunter, Terry Welker and Jud Yalkut. Gallery 510 Fine Art, 510 E. Fifth St., will show new work by ceramist Tim Carter and laminated wood turnings by Tom Drummer. H. David Clay Studio, 33 S. St. Clair St., featuresFunctional and decorative pottery made on the premises. Lastly, K12 Gallery for Young People/TEJAS, 510 E. Third St., hosts the opening of “Distance,” a contemporary photography show from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibition will feature more than 40 national and local artists.

Rock out with live music

Hey There Morgan performs at the First Friday @ 5 concert series at RiverScape during July 6, 2012's First Friday. This month's concert features local band Stranger, as well as free kayak and bike rentals.

The music doesn’t end after the First Friday @ 5 concert! Explore downtown’s other rockin’ live music spots. Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St., will have live music at 9 p.m., featuring GB&AJ, Gold Shoes and Hazy & the Rugged Child. Jay’s Seafood, 225 E. Sixth St., will host Puzzle of Light at 9 p.m. Omega Music, 318 E. Fifth St., also will have live music starting at 7 p.m. Trolley Stop, 530 E. Fifth St., hosts live music by the Andy Shaw Band beginning at 9:30 p.m.

Food and drink specials

If you’ve worked up an appetite during some fun downtown activities or want to quench your thirst with a drink special, we have plenty of choices for you. Many downtown restaurants offer dinner and drink specials for First Friday patrons.  Smokin’ Bar-B-Que, 200 E. Fifth St., Uno Chicago Grill, 126 N. Main St. and Franco’s Ristorante Italiano, 824 E. Fifth St., feature 10 percent off food. Coco’s Bistro, 515 Wayne Ave. and Thai 9, 11 Brown St., both offer 15 percent off food. Sa-Bai, 200 S. Jefferson St., offers 15 percent off food and a $5 Long Island Iced Tea. Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave., has no cover and 20 percent off food. Deaf Monty’s Wine, 22 Brown St., features $5 for a 6-ounce glass of red or white wine.

De’Lish Café, 139 N. Main St., will host “Meet the Mixologist,” a meet-and-greet event from 6 to 10 p.m., during which De’Lish’s new drink menu will be unveiled. The event will feature hors d’oeuvres and wine and cocktail tastings. Lucky’s Taproom and Eatery, 520 E. Fifth St., will have dinner specials, along with the special tapping of a firkin of craft beer. Olive, an urban dive, 416 E. Third St., will feature Jeni’s Ice Cream and broadcast Rev. Cool’s “Around the Fringe” show on 91.3 WYSO-FM. Oregon Express, 336 E. Fifth St, will have a happy-hour band and half-price pizza from 4 to 8 p.m., with additional live music at 9:30 p.m. The Vault, 20 N. Jefferson St., has extended happy hour until 10 p.m., a live band and free food.

Entertainment for all ages

If you want to experience something different – like a bike ride, walking tour or indie film – downtown has options for you as well. The Ghosts, Cemeteries and Murders Walk of Downtown Dayton will begin at 7 p.m. at Courthouse Square, Third and Main streets. All walks are $10 per person, and advance reservations are required. Contact tour guide Leon Bey at 274-4749 or email [email protected]. At Don Crawford Plaza in front of Fifth Third Field, 220 N. Patterson Blvd., the monthly Courteous Mass Ride will meet at 5:15 p.m. for a ride through the city. Garden Station, 509 E. Fourth St., will host auditions for Dayton Out Loud, a variety show to be performed during the Sept. 14 Urban Nights. Open auditions begin at 7 p.m. for acts less than three minutes, including a Cappella, spoken word and poetry, and comedy. To sign up for an audition time, e-mail [email protected].

Visitors observe paintings at Gallery 510 Fine Art. This month, the gallery will feature ceramist Tim Carter and laminated wood turnings by Tom Drummer.

Grass Roots Enrichment and Wellness Center, 400 E. Fifth St. Suite C, open 5 to 8 p.m., will feature art by Scott Ryan and have information about upcoming programs for children, teens and adults in the center’s new space above the Record Gallery in the Oregon District. Kids can enjoy hands-on activities and light refreshments will be provided. To check out a movie at The Neon, 130 E. Fifth St., call 222-SHOW (7469) for films and show times. Urban Krag, 125 Clay St., will have the climbing gym open until 11 p.m.

The Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., will play the 1962 film “Murder on the Orient Express,” part of the theater’s Cool Films Series at 7:30 p.m. Free popcorn and soda served starting at 6:30 p.m.; tickets cost $5. Wiley’s Comedy Niteclub, 101 Pine St., will feature comedian Touchee Jackson, with opening acts by Adrian Cosby, Greg Sparks and Jack Wilson. Show begins at 9 p.m., tickets are $15. The Yellow Cab Building, 700 E. Fourth St., will host an art show featuring Robert Blackwood working on a 3D installation piece called “Crystal Vision,” from 6 to 11 p.m. Visitors can watch Blackwood work on the sculpture, which will be completed in time for the Sept. 7 First Friday.

Shop ‘til you drop

Many downtown retail shops have sales and special events during First Friday. From clothing to music stores, check out these downtown deals. Beaute Box, 116 W. Fifth St., will have free makeup lessons. Clash Consignments, 521 E. Fifth St., is hosting a celebration of the store’s one-year anniversary and move to its new location in the Oregon District. Live music by Infidel-icious, Ronin Ichi and Black Lotus Clan will start at 6 p.m., as well as henna by Lily Whitehead. Elysian Fields Books, 436 E. Fifth St., will have a book signing and reading at 7 p.m. by children’s author Scott Mallory, who recently released “Bad-Off Boris and the Cupcake Cave-In.” Hangar18, 114 N. St. Clair St., features 15 percent off all items.

 

Peace on Fifth, 519 E. Fifth St., will host a fair-trade food tasting. Record Gallery, 16 Brown St., will feature 20 percent off collectable albums and 10 percent off general merchandise. ReCreate, 438 E. Fifth St., will have a sale on select items, including new and used instruments, other music-related items, and original artwork. Amore! Designer Consignment Boutique, 16 Brown St., Bonnett’s Bookstore, 502 E. Fifth St., Feathers Vintage Clothing, 440 E. Fifth St., Found Treasures 4 You, 502 Wayne Ave., and Jimmy Modern, 605 E. Fifth St., will be broadcasting Rev. Cool’s “Around the Fringe” show on 91.3 WYSO-FM.

The First Friday @ 5 concert series is sponsored by Five Rivers MetroParks, Clear Channel Radio, Bud Light Lime and the Downtown Dayton Partnership. First Friday is presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership with support from the Oregon District Business Association, the Ohio Arts Council and WYSO-FM 91.3. The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website has a complete list of downtown’s arts and cultural amenities, as well as a dining guide, parking map and much more.

Elysian Fields Books and More – New Bookstore, Old Friend

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Elysian Fields Books and More is one of the newest stores popping up in the downtown area to provide a unique retail experience. Co-owner Brian Strawn has been working feverishly to create the right atmosphere and get the store open for regular hours. Strawn says, “Elysian Fields Books is a cozy little family friendly place tucked in the middle of the Oregon District. We are catering to those looking to spend time with friends and used books. We have some refreshments – coffee, tea, and goodies from neighborhood bakeries. We still haven’t named the two cats but we are taking suggestions.”

Stop by and visit the local owners, enjoy some refreshments, and browse the collection of mostly used and a few new books at 436 E. Fifth Street in the Oregon District.

A focus on friends is the theme for one of the early events at Elysian Fields Books. Jen Violi, the award-winning author of the popular YA fiction, Putting Makeup on Dead People, is coming back to Dayton to offer a reading. Violi graduated from the University of Dayton and set her debut novel in familiar places around town. This will be the first visit from Violi since local audiences first discovered the novel through Nicole Amsler’s  September 2011 review on DMM.

Don’t miss a great party at a new place with an old (or new!) friend – at Elysian Fields Books on Wednesday, June 13 at 7 PM. Light refreshments, a reading from the novel by the author, and a Q&A with some conversation will fill the recently opened bookstore. More on Jen here!

Simple Steps: Paint a Bridge for Community Vibrancy

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***This project has been postponed to June 2 on account of rain! Please follow the event Facebook page for updates!***

On Saturday June 2, 2012, updayton, will be holding an event at the Burns-Jackson Park to paint the pedestrian bridge spanning highway US 35.  The event invites everyone from the Dayton area community to assist in painting a colorful mural onto the 2,800 sq. ft bridge deck.

Titled “Unifying the Divide,” this team strives to bring positive attention to a bridge that was built to unify the South Park and Oregon District neighborhoods when they were divided by US 35.

On July 16, 2011, the Creative Communities committee held its first event to clean-up the bridge. Approximately 20 volunteers attended to cut bushes, and remove trash and debris off and around the bridge. After further brainstorming, street painting projects in other cities got the groups’ attention, and thus, the idea for the “Unifying the Divide” project was born. In February, the committee placed a call for mural designs to grace the floor of the bridge, and received a dozen submissions from local artists. After a public online poll, ‘Dayton Wags’ provided the winning design which features a stained glass and floral motif to represent the history and aesthetics of both the South Park and the Oregon District.

The committee used the fundraising website Kickstarter.com to help collect funds for paint supplies and over $1,500 was raised in less than 30 days. The Creative Communities Team also received help from various community partners including Citywide Development, South Park Historic Inc., Oregon Historic District Society, Emerson Academy, and DJ What Not. An aerial photo of the completed paint project will be provided by Perfect Perspectives Aerial and posted on the updayton website once the project is completed.

“It’s been an amazing year of effort on this project,” Laura beamed with pride. “I am so proud of our team and can’t wait to celebrate the successful completion of this project.”

With a design selected and funds raised, only one component remains to implement the Unifying the Divide project: the community. The Creative Communities Team needs the people of Dayton to volunteer on May 5th to paint the mural. The first shift begins at 8am with other sift times throughout the day. Groups or individuals can sign up for a job based on their skill level. The event is expected to end by 8pm.

For more information on how to register to volunteer for the Unifying the Divide project, email [email protected].  Get involved and paint the town!

Basho Apparel Opens New Shop in the Oregon District

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Basho Apparel’s first month of business since opening their new location in the Oregon District has exceeded their wildest expectations, according to Brian Johnson, co-owner of Basho with fellow artist and New York native Paul Baker.

“Opening is always really exciting and completely terrifying at the same time,” says Johnson.  “It can be hard to gauge the reaction you’ll get from the public.  But we were selling later than the bars in the Oregon on our opening night, and since then we’ve had a steady flow of new customers from Dayton, as well as holding on to many of our regulars from Yellow Springs.”

Basho is a full-service screen printing shop located on E. Fifth Street.  The store offers clothing and accessories designed by local artists, as well as using water-based ink in their printing process that is more environmentally friendly than that used by much of the industry.

“It’s a lot of work,” Johnson says. “At Basho we do all our own tricks… any construction or painting is always kept in-house. I guess that’s one of the benefits of working with a bunch of cool designers and artists.”

The store’s local focus is also important to Johnson.

“We offer artist-designed, locally made apparel,” he says.  “Also, every First Friday we work with a local artist to release a short-run retail line. It’s a fun way to reach out to the community, not to mention help someone who may not be able to start their own line.”

Baker opened his first store in Yellow Springs in 2000, but Johnson didn’t get involved until a few years later.

“Paul and I first met when I started working for him in the summer of ’05,” Johnson says.  “He needed someone to run a cash register at his store in Yellow Springs, and it was a fun temporary job for me.”

“Fast-forward six years and I’m having a single artist showing at Fifth Third Tower in Dayton,” he continues.  “I’d invited Paul, but didn’t expect him to come – he hates leaving the house. He showed up though, and we ended up talking business. Paul had come to a point where he didn’t want to handle the administrative aspects anymore; he wanted to focus on his printing and design work.  A few months later everything started rolling, and we made the arrangement official.”

The partners opened their Dayton location earlier this year with the help of Activated Spaces, a volunteer organization seeking to boost Dayton’s economy by filling empty storefronts downtown with art installations, short-term (or “pop-up”) retail spaces, and longer-term businesses.

“Everybody I talk to seems to think that Dayton is a risky market for retail,” Johnson says. “But I live downtown, I go to shows downtown, I get coffee downtown, and I make probably 95% of my purchases downtown.  And I am, by far, not the only one.”

“There’s been a huge surge in business openings on the east side of the Oregon District within the last year,” says Johnson.  “If that’s not evidence that there is a blossoming, eclectic economy growing in Dayton, I don’t know what is.  And we want to be a part of it.”

Celebrate Spring at March First Friday

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Complementary chocolate is served to visitors during December 2011's First Friday at Peace on Fifth. The shop will offer fair trade chocolates to visitors again March 2.

Explore downtown Dayton during the next free First Friday art hop, held from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, March 2, with activities for all to enjoy.

This month’s First Friday will feature a variety of live music, shopping opportunities and gallery openings.  As the weather warms up, many downtown shops will feature sales on winter items. Roving musicians and entertainers will perform in downtown’s public spaces for visitors to watch and enjoy, and many businesses will offer specials to First Friday visitors.

Explore your artistic side

First Friday gives downtown visitors an opportunity to explore numerous art exhibit openings. Check out the Dayton Visual Arts Center’s opening at 118 N. Jefferson St. from 5 to 8 p.m. “The Cline Show: An All-Area University Exhibit,” will feature works in all types of media and showcase art by more than 20 local students from Wright State University, the University of Dayton and Sinclair Community College. Mike Elsass will premiere new works of art at his gallery, Color of Energy, 16 Brown St., and works of art by students from St. Luke’s Elementary will be displayed at K12 Gallery for Young People, 510 E. Third St.

Making their First Friday debut, the Dayton Society of Painters and Sculptors, 48 High St., will highlight artists from the Dayton Printmakers Cooperative for the DSPS’ seventh annual Printmakers Show. Featuring printmaking demos and refreshments, the DSPS will be open from 5 to 8 p.m.

The Cannery Art and Design Center, 434 E. Third St., will show work by Springboro calligrapher Ann Bain in celebration of her 80th birthday. The exhibit, “Exuberance,” will showcase a variety of 2D and 3D pieces. Press, 257 Wayne Ave., will feature work by local artists Glen Clark, Craig Tirey, Erich Reith and Amanda Barb

osa. Stop by H. David Clay Studio, 33 S. St. Clair St., to check out functional and decorative pottery made on site. Gallery 510 Fine Art, 510 E. Fifth St., will showcase a variety of work created by local artists for sale, including jewelry, quilts, scarves and ceramics.

The Record Gallery will broadcast Rev. Cool's show, "Around the Fringe," on 91.3 WYSO-FM during this month's First Friday.

Get your groove on

First Friday offers a variety of ways to get your live music fix, whether you’re in the mood to rock out or kick back to some lighter tunes. Canal Street Tavern, 308 E. First St., will host a CD release party for local band BJSR featuring Ape the Ghost, Young Heirlooms and Lauren Eylise. The Ohio Coffee Company, 46 W. Fifth St., will feature Sara and Mic Riley playing “A Sweet Sound” beginning at 7 p.m. This event has no cover and the coffee bar and kitchen will be open. At De’Lish Café, 139 N. Main St., “Feel Good Fridays” will be in full swing from 6 to 8 p.m., with top-shelf drink specials in the De’Lish lounge, and live jazz by the Wade Baker Quartet from 9 p.m. to midnight.

If you prefer something more classical, the Dayton Philharmonic will perform “Bartók’s Musical Tapestry,” inspired by the work of Hungarian pianist and composer Béla Bartók at the Schuster Center, 1 W. Second St.

Oregon Arts District venues will a variety of musical opportunities. Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St., will have live music beginning at 9:30 p.m., featuring New Vega, Grenades!? and other artists. Puzzle of Light will play beginning at 9 p.m. at Jay’s Seafood, 225 E. Sixth St.  Omega Music, 318 E. Fifth St., will feature Moon High and M. Ross Perkins beginning at 6 p.m. At Trolley Stop, 530 E. Fifth St., Sarah Beck and Jessica Campbell will take the stage at 9:30 p.m.

Entertainment from shows to skating

Local musicians Moon High and M. Ross Perkins will take the stage at Omega Music in the Oregon Arts Distrct starting at 6 p.m. on First Friday.

If you’d like to explore downtown on your bicycle, check out Don Crawford Plaza in front of Fifth Third Field, 220 N. Patterson Blvd., where the monthly Courteous Mass Ride will meet at 5:15 p.m. for a ride through the city. For athletic enthusiasts, the climbing gym Urban Krag, 125 Clay St., will be open until 11 p.m. The RiverScape MetroParks Ice Rink, , 111 E. Monument Ave, will host a Wild West Skate from 7 to 10 p.m., featuring a DJ playing a variety of country and western music. Admission is $5, which includes skate rental.

First Friday is a way to discover some of the theater and performance options downtown. The Human Race Theatre Company presents the world premiere of “Tenderly,” a musical about the life of renowned singer and actress Rosemary Clooney, at the Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St. If you’re in the mood for a laugh, John Evens will perform at Wiley’s Comedy Niteclub, 101 Pine St., at 9 p.m.; tickets are $12. The Neon, 130 E. Fifth St., shows a variety of new releases and independent movies. Call 222-SHOW (7469) for films and show times.

Shop the winter sales

Getting a fashion fix is easy to do downtown. Amore!, 16 Brown St., will premiere new spring items and offer 50 percent off select winter fashions. Munch on Japanese snacks at the sushi and sake shopping party Clash Consignments, 113 E. Third St., with sushi provided by Fusian. The party will feature local DJ The Snark and a storewide sale on winter items until 10 p.m. Basho Apparel, 521 E. Fifth St., will have a featured print design on baby clothes by local artist Janell Barker of Press.

The Oregon Arts District features several stores that offer unique gifts, art and furniture. Shop for vintage and one-of-a-kind furniture, housewares, art and more at Jimmy Modern, 605 E. Fifth St. Peace on Fifth, 519 E. Fifth St., a slave-free and eco-friendly gift shop, will be serving free fair-trade chocolate. The Record Gallery, 16 Brown St., will broadcast Rev. Cool’s “Around the Fringe” show on 91.3 WYSO-FM for visitors shopping their vast record selection. ReCreate, 438 E. Fifth St., has new and used instruments, other music-related items and original artwork.

In addition, staff from the day spa Beaute Box, located at 116 W. Fifth St., will be on the go on the streets of the Oregon Arts District raffling prizes.

Work up an appetite

In addition to its art gallery space, Gallery 510 Fine Art also will showcase a collection of jewelry, scarves, ceramics and other art created by local artists for sale.

After wandering the streets of downtown, check out the dinner and drink specials offered on First Friday. Boulevard Haus, 328 E. Fifth St., features $1 off tap beer for those who mention First Friday. At Deaf Monty’s Wine, 22 Brown St., it’s only $5 for a 6-ounce glass of red or white wine. Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave., has no cover and 20 percent off all food during First Friday. Lucky’s Taproom and Eatery, 520 E. Fifth St., will feature dinner specials, along with the special tapping of a firkin of New Holland Poet, an oatmeal stout. Olive, an urban dive, 416 E. Third St., will have several dinner specials until 11 p.m., in addition to broadcasting Rev. Cool’s “Around the Fringe” show on 91.3 WYSO-FM. Oregon Express, 336 E. Fifth St., has half-price pizza from 4 to 8 p.m. and live music at 9:30 p.m.

First Friday is presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership with support from the Oregon District Business Association and WYSO-FM 91.3. The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website has a complete list of downtown’s arts and cultural amenities, as well as a dining guide, parking map and much more.

Explosion in Local Music

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Vanity Theft playing First Friday at Riverscape

Vanity Theft playing First Friday at Riverscape

It is often assumed that there is no local music scene in Dayton. Dear music fans, nothing could be further from the truth! We have a literal explosion of new music from bands of numerous musical genres, approaches, and styles happening right now. Once the Gem City was considered the post-punk haven for groups such as Guided by Voices, Branniac, and The Breeders. Dayton has a long and significant music history of which the post-punk wave was but one trend in local music.

Today, we have bands playing in almost too many genres and styles to count. We have new music from The Fair Shakes, Bonneville, We Were Animals (from the previously power-pop dream of Ed vs. Radio), Vanity Theft, The Rebel Set, The Story Changes, the horror-rock of Splattertude, Hawthorne Heights, Me & Mountains, Night Beast, Toads and Mice, Smug Brothers, and so much more.

We have many places to see bands and musicians are plying their trade in the Oregon District or throughout the city. If the assumption is that there is no growing and evolving music scene in Dayton, that is simply not correct. As someone who has conducted research on music scenes for several years (do not ask how many, I am just a little touchy about the age thing), I can honestly tell you that Dayton musicians have much to offer you. All you have to do is go listen.

You can go to several fine establishments to see bands play most nights of the week in the Gem City. And you should. Come on what do you have to lose except your preconceptions about the limitations of Dayton music.

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Check out our Local Music Calendar on the right of this page for shows in the upcoming week, or go to our full Online Event Calendar for more…

First Friday Scavenger Hunt – Holiday Edition

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Participate in updayton’s First Friday Scavenger Hunt!

Visit three of the five locations  below on Friday, December 2nd (or before if you’d like), find the answer to the  listed clue, and snap a photo of yourself with it. The three photos are your  ticket to the Hunt after party (110 W. 5th St.), which goes from 8:30 – 10:30 p.m. and features free wine, Yuengling, snacks, and a live DJ!

Hunters who visit all five stops will be entered into a drawing for a special prize!

Your clues are:

Blind Bob’s (430 E. 5th St., 937.938.6405):
A neon sign bearing the logo of a popular Kentucky bourbon can be found
somewhere in the bar.

Deaf Monty’s Wine (22 Brown St., 937.225.9463):
One of the current featured wines is named after a family member.

Peace on Fifth (519 E. 5t St., 937.367.7215):
A ready-to-wear item features a simple message and birds in flight.

Bonnett’s Book Store (502 E. 5th St., 937.228.1222):
A famous prop from a classic film can be found on the checkout desk. (Hint:
It’s a major award!)

Beaute Box (116 W. 5th St., 937.903.3165):
An elected city official will be partaking in Beaute Box’s services at 8pm.
Who is it, and what is the person having done?

Thanks for playing, and happy holidays from updayton!

The First Friday Scavenger Hunt is made possible by updayton, the Downtown
Dayton Partnership, and sponsored by DaytonMostMetro.com.

 

 

Toxic Brew Company Needs Letters of Support For Zoning Variance to Open in Oregon District

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Local entrepreneurs Shane Juhl and Jason Hindson are working hard to rehab an old building at 431 E. 5th Street in the Oregon District in hopes of opening a Brewpub.  There goal is for Toxic Brew Company to  “celebrate the craft brewers of the area and try to have an eclectic mix of craft beer drawing inspiration from multiple places including Dayton history, American craft breweries, and European traditions.” according to Brewmaster Juhl.  But before they can even think about promoting the beer,  they are trying to work their way through the many obstacles that seem to face so many new businesses in this town- zoning.

If you’d like to see the first Brewpub in Dayton since the prohibition era, help make their dream come true by writing a letter of support to get variances for 18 parking spots, off-street loading/unloading area and to allow their hours of operation to go beyond 11pm.  You can email letters to [email protected] and copy [email protected] who is the staff contact at Zoning Appeals.

You may remember that  Kimberly Collett, owner of Olive- an urban dive and Shane Anderson of the soon to be open Ghostlight Coffee also had to appeal to the public to help obtain the necessary variances to get their businesses past similar hurdles.  So if that’s what the city needs us to do  to help get more locally owned business, let’s help them!

I for one can’t wait to try more of Toxic Brews!  I still have a craving for more of their pepper beer I got to try at the Big Beer and Barley Wines event last month!

For more info, you can check out the file from Toxic Brewing Company below:

City_of_Dayton_Variances for Toxic Brewing Company

Jane’s Best Bets (11/2 – 11/6)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

Happy November everyone!  I hope everyone had a fabulous and safe Halloween…and that your kids (or your neighbors’ kids) shared their candy with you!  Even though there may not be any more opportunities to dress up in costume for a while (unless you’re an actor), there are still plenty of opportunities to have fun in Dayton this week!

On Wednesday, get a jump start on your holiday shopping by visiting the ARTtoBUY Holiday Gift Gallery at the Dayton Visual Arts Center or the Give Art! Gift Gallery at the Cannery Art and Design Center.  Or make your way to the Oregon District for some good fun – head to the Trolley Stop for the Old Time Acoustic Jam, Oregon Express to listen to The Doug Hart Band, or to Blind Bob’s for Karaoke with DJ Nancy.

On Thursday, purchase a holiday gift or a piece of artwork for your home or apartment at the 9th Annual Holiday Student Art Sale at Sinclair.  Listen to the music of Khalid Moss and Michael Bashaw as part of the Vectren Just Jazz Series at the Dayton Art Institute.  Have you ever wondered what a near-death experience is like?  Learn Everything You Wanted to Know about Near-Death Experiences from someone who has been researching this topic for over 20 years.  If you feel like your day has gotten off to a “rocky” start, then make your way to Bullwinkle’s in Miamisburg for Guilty? Or Not – A Mystery Dinner Theatre, to benefit the Children’s Performing Arts of Miamisburg.  Does the thought of dating and relationships leave you feeling confused like the rest of the world?  If so, make it to Sinclair’s production of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.  Yes, I know love sometimes “cuts like a knife.”  Others are “all for love.” Regardless of your attitude towards love and relationships, you will not to want miss seeing music legend Bryan Adams perform at the Taft Theatre!

On Friday, make your way downtown for First Friday, the fabulous art hop that occurs once per month.  They always say men won’t go to the doctor, so please help raise funds and awareness for men’s cancer/research by participating in the Movember Mustache Ride.  And men – if your lady doesn’t like a little stubble on your face, just let her know it’s for a good cause!  In addition to growing a mustache for a good cause, you will also be able to drink some great beer for two great causes!  Attend the AutoberFest Craft Beer Tasting at Taj Ma Garaj to support Dayton History and the Epilepsy Foundation.  There are lots of theater options throughout the weekend, including I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change at Sinclair Community College;  Pinkalicious the Musical at the Schuster Center; ‘Master Harold’ …and the Boys at the Dayton Playhouse; Caroline, or Change at The Loft Theatre; and Lost in Yonkers at the Dayton Theatre Guild.  And if you enjoy music, there are plenty of opportunities for that as well!  Check out the Pride of Dayton Marching Band at UD; Lynda Carter: The Wonder of Song at the Schuster Center; or Chamber Orchestra Kremlin as part of the Vanguard Concerts at the Dayton Art Institute.

On Saturday, participate in Hospice of Dayton’s 7th Annual 5K Remembrance Walk (which means you don’t have to be a runner!).  Get a start on your holiday decorations by participating in the Gingerbread House Making Workshop at the Dayton Cultural Center.  If you’re a train fanatic (not the music group kind, although you can like them too), then chugga chugga choo choo your way to the National Model Railroad Association Dayton Train Show at Hara Arena.  Visit We Care Arts’ art gallery and gift shop as part of their Holiday Open House.  There are several theater options including those mentioned under Friday, as well as My Fair Lady at Kuss Auditorium in Springfield.  If you would like a show that will have you rolling (hopefully with laughter!) and dancing, then make your way to Victoria Theatre for BAM Percussion:  The Blue Barrel Show.  Halloween may be over, but at the Schuster Center, you will be able to see “Wonder Woman”  Lynda Carter perform.  And at the Taft Theatre, Lily Tomlin will be performing…and that’s the truth.

On Sunday, you will still be able to check out some of the events/shows that have been going on throughout the weekend, including the National Model Railroad Association Dayton Train Show (Hara Arena), BAM Percussion:  The Blue Barrel Show (Victoria Theatre), Caroline, or Change (The Loft Theatre), and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Sinclair).  At UD, attend the Family Pops Concert featuring the University of Dayton Symphonic Wind Ensemble.  Or get in the spirit of the holidays by attending Holidays in the Heartland at the Schuster Center.

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

What do you call a train loaded with toffee?  A chew chew train.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!  And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!

Jane’s Best Bets (10/26 – 10/30)

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Pumpkins Courtesy of My Mom

Halloween is right around the corner!  Hopefully you have your costume and are ready for some good scares this week…as well as some good fun!

On Wednesday, hang out in Oakwood for The Nights of the Arts.  Do all those political commercials have you confused on how to vote on election day?  If so, make your way to the Updayton Candidate Forum.  Or make your way to the Schuster Center for Tyler Perry’s ‘The Haves and the Have Nots’.

On Thursday, support a great cause by attending the Clothes That Work Fashioning Futures Modeling Success Luncheon at Sinclair’s Ponitz Center.  Get out that Halloween costume and join some great young professionals for the Generation Dayton Costume Party at The Moraine Embassy.  Enjoy Half-Price Wine Night at Coco’s Bistro…”wine not?”  At the Dayton Racquet Club, enjoy their Dinner & Goose Island Beer Tasting with New Chef Jack Skilliter.  And at the Victoria Theatre, you will be able to have An Evening with David Sedaris.

On Friday after work, participate in the Oregon Arts District Walking Tour.  There are plenty of spooky/Halloween-themed activities on Friday including the Halloween Party Wine Tasting at Emporium Wines/Underdog Cafe; Horrorama 2011 at Englewood Cinema; Ghosts, Cemeteries and Murders Walk at Courthouse Square; the Haunted Butcher House; Mayhem & Mystery Dinner Theatre: ‘Costume Carousing’ at the Spaghetti Warehouse; the Land Of Illusion Haunted Scream Park; and Slasher: A Horrifying Comedy at UD…I think I would need the comedy to put up with the horror.  And finally, in theater news, you will be able to see Lost in Yonkers (Dayton Theatre Guild) or Opera Theatre: Opera Scenes (Wright State).

On Saturday, if you’re a 5K runner with an extreme sense of adventure, then you will want to participate in the Swamp Stomp Mud Challenge Event.  You may not be able to afford a trip to Italy so instead, make your way to Jay’s Restaurant for their Italian Wine Luncheon.  Saturday is also all about Halloween, as it is the night for the famous Hauntfest in the Oregon District.  In addition to Hauntfest, there are many other Halloween-themed events/activities for Saturday including the  ‘PhilharMonster’ Halloween Concert at the Schuster Center; the 1st Annual Tailgate of Terror at the Yellow Cab Building; the 3rd Annual Boo & Bruise in the Oregon District; a Ghosts, Cemeteries and Murders Walk at Courthouse Square; Spooktacular at SideBar; the Dayton Philharmonic’s Bride of Frankenstein at the Schuster Center; and Howl-O-Ween at the Boonshoft Museum (a family friendly event).

On Sunday, make your back to the Oregon District (if you even left from Saturday night) for a Walking Tour.  Get a group together and enjoy a Segway Tour of Downtown Dayton.  (I was actually just talking to some people who went on one of these and said it was a fun experience!)  And if you enjoy theater, then check out Lost in Yonkers (Dayton Theatre Guild) or Monty Python’s Spamalot (Schuster Center).

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

What do you call a witch at the beach?  A sand-witch.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!  And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!

Jane’s Best Bets (7/13 – 7/17)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

First off, I would like to say congratulations to the Dayton Dragons on setting the national record for sports sell-outs this past weekend…what an accomplishment!  We do truly live in a great city!  And I’d like to prove it once again by letting you know about some of the great things going on here this week!

On Wednesday, take a break from work and head to The Square Is Where… Yoga Class from Practice Yoga at Courthouse Square.  If you haven’t been getting enough beauty sleep lately, consider going to La Comedia to see Sleeping Beauty.  Listen to music at Yankee Trace with Jazz on the Green or at Veteran’s Park Amphitheater with The Dark Star Orchestra.  And if you’re in need of a good laugh, then head to Wiley’s for their Dirty Little Secret Superhero Show.

On Thursday, there are several great happy hour options so you are going to have some tough decisions to make!  If you are an enthusiastic young professional, join Generation Dayton at El Meson for Thirsty Thursday.  It’s Thursday Night Live at the Moraine Embassy, so let DaytonMostMetro.com’s very own Bill Pote and Lisa Grigsby help take care of you, as they will be the celebrity bartenders on hand.  Grab dinner and drinks at one of the fabulous restaurants at The Greene such as McCormick & Schmick’s and then sit on the green (literally) to watch as Ed Kowalczyk, the lead singer of Live performs.  Check out three of the Oregon District’s new businesses as part of their Progressive Open House, where each business will have live performances by jazz and classical musicians, as well as raffles!  Bring the whole family to see Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at The Salvation Army Kroc Center – tickets are FREE!  Or help support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by getting your tickets to see ‘The Sound of Music’ at Epiphany Lutheran Church.  And finally, listen to live music at the Dayton Art Institute for a Twilight Concert or at RiverScape for their Big Band Nights featuring the Eddie Brookshire Orchestra.

On Friday, bring your kids to the PNC 2nd Street Market for Pasta Making for Kids…afterall, wouldn’t it be nice if they made you dinner for a change?!?!  If you love biking, consider taking part in the Greene Trails Cycling Classic at the Greene County Fairgrounds Recreation Center.  Although this is a four-day event, you are able to “Design-A-Ride” that fits your schedule.  Art lovers should make plans to attend the 20th Annual Open Members’ Show: Light at the Dayton Visual Arts Center.  Head to the Beavercreek Kroger for their Wine and Food Extravaganza.  Once again, you will be able to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by going to Epiphany Lutheran Church for The Sound of Music’.  Have a nerds night out at Xenia Area Community Theater as part of Nerd Comedy Night.  If you prefer to be cool, head to Victoria Theatre to see “Some Like It Hot” as part of the Michelob Ultra Cool Films Series.  And if you actually do like it hot, then make your way to Bella Villa Hall for the The Bocce Classic XVI.

On Saturday, if you enjoy seeing beautiful irises (the flower kind), then you will want to be at the PNC 2nd Street Market for their Iris Sale.  At RiverScape, get in shape with Zumba in the Park or participate in their Kayak Float.  Support A Special Wish Foundation by attending Fajita Fest at the Polish Club.  Listen to the sounds of  Michael Bashaw & Puzzle of Light and the Rippingtons at Veteran’s Park Amphitheater, the Bob Gray Orchestra at Stubbs Amphitheater, Son Del Caribe as part of the Free Summer Concert Series at RiverScape, or Trace Adkins at the Fraze Pavilion.  Over at

Trace Adkins at the Fraze

Fifth-Third Field, the Bob Ross Classic will be going on, which is an All-Star Baseball Game for local high school baseball players.  And if you would like to watch some great fights, head over to Drake’s Downtown for Fight Night…just be sure you don’t get into one yourself!

On Sunday, the Fraze will be having WTUE’s Breakfast with The Beatles and The Beatleburys.  Baby you can drive your car there…sorry I’m not going to let you drive mine!  If you would rather ride a bike, then participate in the Greene Trails Cycling Classic, which will still be going strong.  Watch belly dancers and fire jugglers, listen to live music, and MUCH more at the Fling in the Springs (downtown Yellow Springs).  A trip to Dave Hall Plaza for the Downtown Summer Music Series – Michelob Dayton Blues Festival is a must for all blues fans out there!  You will also be able to listen to music at Stubbs Amphitheater in Centerville (The Termites) and at Riverfront Park in Miamisburg (Pizzazz in the Park Concert Series: Paragon Quartet).  And if you’re not the outdoors type, then you can go to Victoria Theatre to see “Some Like It Hot” as part of the Michelob Ultra Cool Films Series or to Epiphany Lutheran Church for The Sound of Music’.

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

Why did the coach kick Cinderella off the baseball team?

Because she ran away from the ball.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!  And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!

Getting Lucky

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Lucky's Taproom -- One of the newest eateries in the always fabulous Oregon District.
Lucky’s Taproom — One of the newest eateries in the always fabulous Oregon District.

Now that I’m officially a grad student, I’m trying to be cooler and more interesting to the general public. One step on my trek to coolness is to dine at locations besides the Chipotle on Brown.

So when two of my best friends, Maggie and Allie, came for a visit this weekend, I asked them if we could go somewhere new and chic. The Oregon District of course has a lot to offer – and we soon decided the new Lucky’s Taproom & Eatery, 520 E. Fifth St., was our best bet.

Lucky’s is open from 11 to 2:30 a.m. Monday through Sunday. The owner, Andrew Trick, opened the store on March 11, of this year.

“This was his life dream to have this bar,” Teresa Jetton, Trick’s niece who also works at Lucky’s, told me.

Jetton said her uncle planned to open Lucky’s with his father, who recently passed away. Trick continued to work toward his dream of owning a restaurant and bar, and Jetton said it has been a big success since its opening earlier this year.

The trip to Trick’s new hotspot started out a litttttle rough for me. I decided to lounge for a while in my apartment before feasting, and soon woke up to Mags and Allie beckoning me out the door. I was definitely a zombie for the first hour of our night, but woke up just in time to enjoy a delish chicken salad sandwich and fries with a side of honey mustard — always a staple of any meal I eat.

Lucky’s, in my opinion as a food aficionado since age 1, was excellent. The menu is full of appetizers, soups and salads, and sandwiches at affordable prices, especially for a student like myself on a budget. My chicken salad sandwich complete with lettuce, tomato and mayo came to a grand total of just $5.50. Not only that, but Lucky’s also offers vegan/gluten free bread for just $1 more on all sandwiches. Allie, a vegetarian who used to be a vegan herself, was immediately impressed. The healthy options don’t stop there, either. Want a burger? Choose between beef, turkey, soy, gluten free vegan or fish meat to top your bun. Is the grilled ham and cheese sandwich not for you? Go veggie for just 50 cents more.

At Lucky’s, I feel like I couldn’t have made a bad menu decision. The $6.50 quesadilla with Anaheim/poblano and bell peppers, onions, cheddar/jack cheese, lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, and salsa, for example, was hard to pass up. I could have even made it vegan with cheddar-style vegan cheese for just $1.50 more. The cordon blue sandwich also was a close second for me. The sandwich comes with grilled chicken and ham, swiss cheese, dijon mustard, mayo, lettuce and tomato. Onions, pickles and sauteed mushrooms are available upon request. Even the simple spinach salad — with bleu cheese, chicken, bacon, candied walnuts, craisins, sliced pears and raspberry vinaigrette — was enticing. Decisions, decisions!

If these tasty selections sound right for you, be sure to stop in soon — All through June, the restaurant and bar’s Facebook friends will be treated to 10 percent off lunch, Monday through Friday.

My heavenly chicken-salad-and-fries dish: I couldn't help but take a few bites before snapping a picture!
My heavenly chicken-salad-and-fries dish: I couldn’t help but take a few bites before snapping a picture!

One of the top highlights – besides the diversity of food options – was the beer selection. The phrase, “Try a new one, samples are on us,” at the bottom of the beer menu immediately caught our attention. As a recent college graduate, anything besides Natty Light is like gold to me, so watching Allie try out three different baby samples (in adorably small glasses) was super exciting. Allie chose the Maharaja – despite my pleas for her to get Le Freak just for the name –and thoroughly enjoyed it as a complement to her beer battered fish and chips. Maharaja – a product of the Colorado-based Avery Brewing Co. – is an orange, sweet, seasonal beer with a hint of fresh citrus that we all just had to try.

Lucky’s draft list changes, but other options this past weekend included: Dragon’s Milk (New Holland Brewing Co.) for $6; Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale (Lexington Brewing Co.) for $5; and Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout (Great Divide Brewing Co.) for $6. This listing alone was enough to get me in the door!

Highlight number three: the service. I have a strong, long-held conviction that everyone who works in the Oregon District is super artsy and musically-talented, and this one proved me right. I finally got up the courage to ask the hip waiter about his rocker tattoos, and he revealed that serving us french fries wasn’t in fact his primary passion. By night, he’s in a band. He explained the meaning of the tattoos that laced his arms, admitting he would show us the rest but wasn’t allowed to remove his shirt at our table.

All smiles after our tasty meals! (Photo taken by our musically-inclined, tattooed waiter.)

All smiles after our tasty meals! (Photo taken by our musically-inclined, tattooed waiter.)

Regardless, my first excursion was full of success.

Next time you decide to splurge and take yourself out, I challenge you to go somewhere new. You might just find a tasty meal, complete with some of your old favorites, and some surprisingly entertaining service.

Bon appetit!