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The Fries Band

Jane’s Best Bets (7/20 – 7/24)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

As you may have figured out, in the summer, Dayton is a hot place to be…in more ways than one!  So get your hot self out of the house, take the air conditioned car, and enjoy some of these fun events, as things will be buzzing!

On Wednesday, enjoy $5 Bang Bang Shrimp at Bonefish Grill.  Wear your green and watch the Dragons play the Peoria Chiefs at Fifth Third Field.  Or wear your tap shoes and head to Archer’s in Centerville for their A.Y.O.B. where they will be “tapping” a new beer.  And in Kettering, watch The Fries Band as they put on a wonderful (and free!) show at the Fraze Pavilion.

On Thursday, take your kids out to Cooper Park for Story Hour, which is sponsored by Five Rivers MetroParks and the Dayton Metro Library.  Enjoy a performance by the Muse Machine as well as a delicious lunch at the Dayton Woman’s Club.  If you work downtown, then consider heading to Courthouse Square during your lunch hour for The Square Is Where… McGovern Ceili Dancers.  At El Rancho Grande, enjoy 1/2 price Ladies Night.  Or sing your heart out at Champps for Karaoke Thursday.

On Friday, head to RiverScape for their Try Kayaking event, which is completely free!  If you’re a kayaking newbie, it’s definitely something worth checking out.  At Victoria Theatre, enjoy their Michelob Ultra Cool Film Series where the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest will be shown.  If you’re frequently late, be sure to arrive early this time to enjoy the Cool Film Series Beer Tasting!  At Oregon Express, enjoy Half-Price Happy Hour Pizzas, which are absolutely delicious.  It’s mid-summer, so consider watching A Midsummer Night’s Dream presented by Free Shakespeare at Antioch Amphitheater.  Or watch ‘The Sound of Music’ at Epiphany Lutheran Church.  And if you’re a macho man and would prefer to be at a sporting event, then head to Fifth-Third Field as the Dragons take on the Peoria Chiefs.

On Saturday, you will not want to miss the annual Dayton Air Show.  If you enjoyed learning about kayaking and didn’t flip out like I did when I went kayaking the last time (literally!), then consider renting a kayak at RiverScape and Ride the River.  Take the entire family to the Warren County “Fair” if you appreciate equality.  At the Dayton Art Institute, they will be having Sound Bites: Short Talks About Art.  One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest will still be shown as part of the Michelob Ultra Cool Films Series at Victoria Theatre.  Again, they will have the Cool Films Series Beer Tasting prior to the show.  Please don’t drink too much beforehand or you may actually feel like you’re going cuckoo during the movie.  If you would rather catch a live performance, then check out ‘The Sound of Music’at Epiphany Lutheran Church.  Join Noah and two of each kind of animal at RiverScape as part of their Free Summer Concert Series featuring The Ark Band.  And if you don’t feel like things are buzzing around town, then you’ll just have to go over to Fifth Third Field to see the Dragons take on the Burlington Bees.

On Sunday, you will still be able to enjoy the Dayton Air Show.  At Antoich Amphitheater, watch A Midsummer Night’s Dream…just don’t fall asleep because that would be rude.  You can also listen to music at Miamisburg’s Riverfront Park with their Pizzazz in the Park Concert Series featuring Phat Like Dad or at Centerville’s Stubbs Amphitheater as The Lebanon Grand Opry House Band will be performing.  And finally, don’t miss your opportunity to get a buzz at Fifth Third Field as the Dragons once again play the Burlington Bees…with some buzzing really going on at the plaza as part of their Charity Cuts!

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

Where does a bee sit?  On his bee-hind.

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 (5/18 – 5/22)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

I have to be honest…I’m a bit exhausted from the craziness of everything that went on last week!  Here’s to another crazy busy (in a good way) week in Dayton!

On Wednesday, bring out your pedometer for the Walk! Downtown Dayton Kickoff at RiverScape…after all, swimsuit season is just around the corner!  If you have always wanted to work for yourself, don’t delay it!  Make your way to The Entrepreneurs Center for their New Business Information Session.  At The Greene County Career Center, attend their cooking class, Fresh and Lite Delight.  If you like art (notice I didn’t ask whether you were good at art) and you like to drink, head to Art by the Glass at the Cannery Art and Design Center.  If the weather gets warmer, you will want to make your way to Fifth Third Field to watch the Dragons play the Great Lakes Loons.  And if you like theater, be sure to get your tickets to see 42nd Street at WSU’s Festival Playhouse or The Women of Lockerbie at Sinclair’s Blair Hall Theater.

On Thursday, if you’re anti-gluten (or just plain allergic to it), then you’ll want to attend Naturally Gluten Free event at PNC 2nd Street Market.  All you cyclists should make plans to attend Bike Film Night at The Neon.  It’s McDonald’s Friends and Family Night at Fifth Third Field, where the Dragons will play the Great Lakes “Loons”…sounds crazy to me!  And if you’re in the Oregon District, head to The Dublin Pub for live music by Nick Mitchell or Theology on Tap at Oregon Express.

On Friday, bike your way to RiverScape for the National Bike to Work Day Pancake Breakfast…and don’t forget to wear your helmet.  Your mom will thank me.  If you love the movies, you won’t want to miss the Film Dayton Festival at The Neon.  For those of you who have read this column before, you know how much I love Chick-fil-A…and what I love even more is that at the Dayton Mall location, you can get a Free Chick-fil-A Sandwich from 4-7PM on Friday as part of their Customer Appreciation Days.  If you’re a big ham, then you’ll want to attend the Dayton Hamvention 2011.  I tried to bring my pig last year but they wouldn’t let him in the building…just wanted to let you know so you don’t make the same mistake.  Support Diabetes Dayton by attending Big Brews & Blues at Carillon Park.  Over at the Dayton Convention Center, learn about different cultures and taste delicious food at A World A’Fair…I remember going there as a kid and I still go there today!  So, there is something for people of all ages!  If you’re down in the ‘burg, make your way to Miamisburg Library Park for the Taste of Miamisburg.  Theater/music lovers should plan to attend one of these shows:  Honk! Jr. (Town Hall Theatre), 42nd Street (WSU’s Festival Playhouse), Mauritius (Dayton Theatre Guild), Opera Theatre: Vincenzo Bellini’s La Sonnambula (Schuster Center), or The Women of Lockerbie.  And finally, if you’re more of a sports guy (or girl), get your tickets to see the Dayton Dutch Lions or the Dayton Dragons.

On Saturday, there are again many options from which to choose!  Some events include the Film Dayton Festival at The Neon, Sound Bites: Short Talks About Art at the Dayton Art Institute, Dayton Hamvention 2011 at Hara Arena, FilmDayton Screenwriting Conference at ThinkTV, and A World A’Fair at the Dayton Convention Center.  Also at the Dayton Convention Center, you can catch me participating in the 4th Annual 2011 INBF Tri-State Bodybuilding and Figure Contest.  I hope you’re not so gullible that you actually believe that.  Learn how to be safe by attending the Community Problem Oriented Policing Conference at Stebbins High School – there are a wide variety of courses from which to choose!  Theatre options include 42nd Street, Honk! Jr., Mauritius, Opera Theatre: Vincenzo Bellini’s La Sonnambula, and The Women of Lockerbie.  Listen to the wonderful sounds of MUSICA! at The Salvation Army Kroc Center.  At the Wright Brothers Airport, attend the White Out Cancer event…and you totally have my permission to wear white, even though it’s not yet Memorial Day.  If you’d prefer green, then make your way to THE Greene to watch The Fries Band (it’s their only performance there this year, so don’t miss it!).  And finally, down at Fifth Third Field, you will be able to watch the Dragons take on the Lake County Captains.  Plus, you can help them celebrate Hometown Hero Night.

On Sunday, the Film Dayton Festival, A World A’Fair, and Dayton Hamvention 2011 will still be going strong!  In the afternoon, the Dragons will be playing the Lake County Captains…and you can get “free valet bike parking” as part of  MVRPC Bike to the Game.  In addition, as part of the “Drive Less, Live More” campaign, if you do bike, you will receive a free ticket to the game.  So, you don’t have to spend money on gas AND you don’t have to spend money on tickets!  Over at Carillon Park, attend Fleurs et Vin, which is a super fun event that will include more than 300 wines from all over the world, live entertainment, food from Dayton’s best independent eateries, and live and silent auctions!  Plus, money raised will support Culture Works and the AIDS Resource Center.  At the Schuster Center, attend the Dayton Opera 50th Anniversary Star Gala.  If you are over at the Dayton Art Institute, listen to the sounds of MUSICA! And finally, all you public radio fans will want to catch Ira Glass at Victoria Theatre.

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

Did you hear about the new cure for swine flu?  It’s a special kind of oinkment.

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 (2/9 – 2/13)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

Some of you may be suffering from cabin fever, as the weather last week wasn’t conducive to enjoying all the wonderful activities in Dayton.  Although it’s supposed to be cold this week according to our local meteorologists, hopefully you will have the opportunity to get out and experience some of the wonderful things going on in our city!

On Wednesday, in the afternoon, take a trip to the Dayton Metro Library’s main branch for Special Events: Putting the FUN in Fundraising, in order to learn how to plan and execute a successful fundraising event.  Over at the Schuster Center, check out Visual Voices Art Exhibit:  Dayton Skyscrapers 2011.  If you missed the Trolley Stop’s Monthly Beer Tasting last week because of the ice/snow, no worries, as it has been rescheduled for Wednesday.  Afterwards, be sure to stay for the Old Time Acoustic Jam!

On Thursday, join Generation Dayton as they partner up with jumpstART for their Thirsty Thursday at De’Lish.  Afterwards, Jump into Theatre with these two great organizations by checking out the Human Race Theatre Company’s production of Twelfth Night.  Make sure you ask for the “jumpstart” deal in order to get half-off tickets!  Plus, the Human Race will offer a private tour after the production!  For those of you who love the sport of skiing, head to The Neon for their screening of ‘The Story’, which is a documentary on the topic.  At the Schuster Center, listen to the sounds of the Dayton Philharmonic for Heroes & Journeys: Strauss & Mozart.  In addition, A Streetcar Named Desirewill be playing at Victoria Theatre and True West will be playing at the University of Dayton.

On Friday, for those of you who like the color green, you’ll want to attend the ‘Ohio Leads the Way: Green Markets and Green Jobs’ Expo at the Dayton Convention Center.  If you’re feeling a little anti-social and would prefer to just watch a movie, head to UD for ArtStreet Friday Film Series Presents: The Social Network.  I still haven’t seen this movie, but have definitely heard good things about it!  Over at the Nutter Center, meet Achmed the Terrorist, Bubba J, and Jose Jalapeno on a Stick, as they take the stage alongside the hilarious Comedian Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham!  All you beer lovers may want to take a trip to Cincinnati for the Cincy Winter Beerfest – just bring a DD, or rather have the DD bring you!  For a fun way to start off Valentine’s Weekend, attend the Valentine’s Masquerade Ball Fundraiser at the Cannery Art and Design Center to benefit the YMCA Youth and Teen Programs.  If you’re looking for some theatre/music options, there are plenty!  Get your tickets to The Berenstain Bears Onstage: A Bear Country Musical (Town Hall Theatre), A Streetcar Named Desire (Victoria Theatre), Fat Pig (Dayton Theatre Guild), Stauss: A Hero’s Life(Dayton Philharmonic at the Schuster Center), The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee (Dayton Playhouse), Twelfth Night (The Loft Theatre), or True West at the University of Dayton.  At Alex’s, you can see The Fries, one of my favorite local bands (and foods) perform as part of their 2011 Debut!  Speaking of fries, be sure to check out the St. Henry/Bishop Leibold Fish Fry!  After all, what Friday would be complete without one?!?!

On Saturday, head out to the PNC 2nd Street Market for their Valentine’s Celebration, featuring perfect gifts for your sweetheart.  All teens are welcome to attend the Game Day @ Your Library, which will take place at the East Branch of the Dayton Metro Library.  Be sure to reserve your spot for the Do-It-Yourself Valentine Cookie Cakeat the delicious Ele Cake Company…I just can’t get enough of their butter cream icing!  If you have any leftovers, feel free to send them my way!  Over at the UD Arena, watch the UD Flyers as they play Temple.  The ‘Ohio Leads the Way: Green Markets and Green Jobs’ Expo will still be going on at the Dayton Convention Center.  If you so desire, you can see A Streetcar Named Desire at Victoria Theatre.  All you Sex and The City lovers will want to see the new show, Hot Mess in Manhattan.  There are also several other theater options listed on the DMM calendar.  At the University of Dayton, you will be able to check out the Libby Larsen Residency: Grand Finale Concert.  If fish fryin’ is your thing, head to St. Peter’s for their Fish Fry and Monte Carlo.  Several restaurants are also having Valentine’s specials or “couples specials,” such as the Sweetheart Package at The Melting Pot.  Over at the Nutter Center, attend the WYSO’s Silent Auction and Wine, Chocolate and Cheese Tasting, featuring one of my favorite types of chocolates – Winans!  At Hara Arena, catch the Dayton Gems as they play the Fort Wayne Komets…kind of reminds me of that song I used to sing when I was little about comet making your mouth turn green and tasting like Listerine.  Darn, now I’m going to have that song in my head all day!  And finally, you will not want to miss the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’s (DCDC’s) Black History Month Performance entitled In the Spirit of…The Spirit Within.  They are an amazing group of performers!

On Valentine’s Day Eve, be sure to Savor Your Sunday & Support Stivers.  At the Dayton Art Institute, check out the Shakespeare's TWELFTH NIGHT - presented by The Human Race Theatre Co. - January 28 - February 13Afternoon Musicales.  If you’re looking for something to do with your sweetheart (or your mom or grandma), you can check out Spinoza’s Dinner and a Movie Package, the Valentine Sharing Menu at Fleming’s, 3 course dinner for 2 for $25.99 at Mimi’s, or the Sweetheart Package at The Melting Pot.  If your mom, grandma, or sweetheart enjoys theatre, take her to one of the many shows going on, including The Berenstain Bears Onstage at Town Hall Theatre, The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee at the Dayton Playhouse, Twelfth Night at The Loft Theatre, A Streetcar Named Desire -Passport Performance at Victoria Theatre, or Fat Pig at the Dayton Theatre Guild.  If the lady in your life likes music, take her to listen to the sounds of the Dayton Philharmonic for The Magic Orchestra with Dan Kaminat the Schuster Center.  And finally, another wonderful Sunday option is DCDC’s Black History Month Performance In the Spirit of…The Spirit Within.

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week…well actually, a couple cheesy pickup lines in honor of Valentine’s Day. Drum roll please…

  • Let’s make like a fabric softener and snuggle.
  • Are your legs tired, because you’ve been running through my mind all day long.
  • Do you believe in love at first sight or should I walk by again?

Disclaimer:  The success of these pick-up lines is not guaranteed.

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 LOVEly week Dayton!