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Dayton Fashion Takes Center Stage: The Clash Spring/Summer Fashion Show Hits The Brightside

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Get ready for an evening of bold silhouettes, fresh energy, and runway magic. On Sunday, May 31, the Clash Spring/Summer Fashion Show brings the region’s most exciting designers and emerging talent to The Brightside for a night where Dayton fashion takes the spotlight.

Produced by Clash Dayton and Paranormals Production, this highly anticipated showcase puts visionary designers and rising stars front and center. The event comes together in collaboration with The Dayton Sewing Collaborative and is sponsored by Dayton Creative Printing Inc. — a celebration of craftsmanship, creativity, and fearless style from start to finish.

Featured Collections

This season’s runway brings together a remarkable lineup of designers and makers:

  • Amy Kollar Anderson
  • Clash True Vintage
  • FIONA
  • Greta Grenadine
  • Kaylee Paige Designs
  • Strawb3rry Stitches
  • Tailored by Britt
  • Taylor Boothe
  • The Rose and Thorn
  • Trash-in Group Line

From vintage revival to avant-garde edge, each collection brings its own story to the runway. Expect striking looks, artistic expression, and the kind of vibrant community atmosphere that makes a Dayton night out unforgettable.

So dress to impress, grab your friends, and come celebrate the creativity pouring out of our city’s design scene.

Event Details

Clash Spring/Summer Fashion Show

Sunday, May 31, 2026

The Brightside — 905 E. 3rd St., Dayton

Doors 5:00 PM | Show 6:00 PM

Ages 13+

$25 Tickets available now: 

https://tickets.venuepilot.com/e/clash-spring-summer-fashion-show-2026-05-31-the-brightside-music-event-venue-dayton-0b3b1c

Raging Nathans Bring Punk Back to Dayton for First Hometown Show in 3 Years

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This Friday, May 29 at the SideDoor at The Brightside is going to get loud. Dayton’s own Raging Nathans are headlining their first hometown show in three years, and they’re not coming back quietly. Expect the melodic punk and full-throttle live energy that’s earned them a following on stages well beyond the Gem City.

They’re bringing friends, too. Sheller, Knavery, and Houseghost round out a four-band bill stacked with Midwest punk energy and heavy riffs. It’s a night built for anyone who likes their Friday fast, fuzzy, and unfiltered.

The details:

Friday, May 29

Doors at 7:00 PM, music at 8:00 PM.

Tickets are $15 presale / $20 day of show (if available)

The Brightside is at 905 E. Third St. in downtown Dayton.

All ages welecome

Grab your tickets before they’re gone: thebrightsidedayton.com

 

 

JD Simo and Luther Dickinson Land at The Brightside This Sunday

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If you’ve been on the fence about this one, this is your reminder. JD Simo, Luther Dickinson, and Adam Abrashoff bring their rare trio show to The Brightside on Sunday, May 17th, and there are still tickets to be had.

We covered the basics back in February: Luther’s lineage with North Mississippi Allstars and his four Grammy nominations, JD’s run from Phil Lesh’s band to Beyoncé’s studio, and the trio’s 2024 record Do The Rump! that topped the SiriusXM Bluesville chart with its single “Come On.” All still true. What’s worth saying now, with the show this weekend, is that this is the kind of date you only realize you should have gone to after everyone you know starts talking about it on Monday.

These three only play together a handful of dates a year. The trio’s much-anticipated second record is forthcoming, and a Sunday night in a 700-cap room is exactly the wrong size to hear them at, in the best way. Once that second record lands and the touring schedule expands, this kind of intimacy goes away.

If you’ve been wanting to make the case to friends in Cincy, Columbus, Indy, or Louisville: Dayton is about 70 minutes from all of them, and Sunday traffic is forgiving. Build a dinner around it. Make it a thing.

Special local guests Strange Ranger will kick off this show at The Brightside in Dayton, OH.

These trio shows are rare. The music is greasy. And this is your chance to feel it live.

HOW TO GO?

Sunday, May 17, 2026

The Brightside (905 E 3rd St, Dayton)

Doors 6pm / Show 7pm 

$20 general admission advance – https://www.thebrightsidedayton.com/event-details/jd-simo-luther-dickinson

$25 day of show 

Limited qty reserved tables available!

All ages welcome

FromOhio Festival Lands in Springfield May 29–30, and Yes, It’s Free!

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Remember IndieCraft? It got a glow-up. The festival formerly known as IndieCraft is back this spring under a new name, a new mission, and a lineup that leans hard into its best instinct: that you don’t actually need to fly anyone in to throw a great music festival in this state. FromOhio Music Festival takes over downtown Springfield Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30, with eleven Ohio indie acts, two historic venues, and a weekend of craft beer and local food — all free and open to the public.

The pitch is right there in the name. Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton have quietly been running one of the more interesting regional indie scenes in the country, and FromOhio is built around the idea that a great festival bill doesn’t have to look outward to fill itself out. This year’s lineup is a real cross-section of where the corridor is right now:

  • The Ophelias (Cincinnati) are arriving fresh off Spring Grove, their new Julien Baker–produced LP on Get Better Records
  • Carriers (Cincinnati) — Curt Kiser’s heartland-rock-meets-dream-pop project is touring behind their 2025 LP Every Time I Feel Afraid. Stereogum’s been calling them “dreamy, Dylan-esque” for a reason.
  • M Ross Perkins (Dayton) is a 60s-inspired psych-pop charmer, written up in American Songwriter and Uncut
  • crabswithoutlegs (Dayton / Columbus) is an amazing 12-piece neo-soul-fusion powerhouse and 2023 Dayton Battle of the Bands winners
  • Heather Redman & The Reputation, Mol Sullivan, Visitor, Multi Ultra, Novel Vibrations, Rug, and Jess Lamb rounding out the bill across indie, soul, shoegaze, and rock

Mol Sullivan is one of the performers at this year’s FromOhio Music Festival

Performances split between Mother Stewart’s Brewing (a craft brewery in a beautiful old downtown warehouse) and the historic State Theatre, which are both walkable and genuinely lovely venues to see a band in. More food vendor and brewery partner announcements are rolling out in the weeks ahead, so keep an eye on socials.

Springfield’s about 30 minutes up I-70. Call it a day trip, call it a mini-vacation, call it the easiest free weekend on your spring calendar, but get it on the calendar!

The details:

  • When: Friday, May 29 & Saturday, May 30, 2026
  • Where: Mother Stewart’s Brewing (102 W. Columbia St.) & the State Theatre (19 S. Fountain Ave.), Downtown Springfield
  • Cost: Free and open to the public
  • More info & schedule: fromohiofest.com | @FromOhioFest | search “FromOhio” on Spotify for the official playlist

Friday Live music from Mycota + crabswithoutlegs at The Brightside

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If your week needs a hard left turn into something genuinely interesting, the Sidedoor Room has you covered tonight. Mycota and crabswithoutlegs share a bill that sits squarely in the jazz fusion / experimental lane, the kind of show that rewards close listening and tends to leave you hunting for the Bandcamp page on the drive home.

The Sidedoor is the perfect room for this. Smaller, more intimate, and built for music where dynamics actually matter. Limited reserved tables are still available if you want to settle in and really hear it.

The details

  • Friday, May 1
  • The Brightside Sidedoor Room @ 905 E 3rd St, Dayton
  • Doors 7:30 PM / Show 8:00 PM
  • All Ages
  • $15 advance / $20 day of show

Petty Thieves Are Coming to The Brightside and They Won’t Back Down

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There are certain songs that don’t just play, they land. They hit you somewhere between the chest and the memory, and suddenly you’re seventeen again, windows down, singing like no one’s watching. Tom Petty had a gift for writing those songs, and this Saturday night, a Dayton all-star band is keeping that gift alive.

Petty Thieves make their Brightside debut on Saturday, March 28th, and if you’ve ever loved a Tom Petty song, this is the show you didn’t know you needed right now.

The Petty Thieves aren’t just a cover band running through the hits on autopilot. They’re a local group with a genuine love for the man and his music, and on Saturday they’ll perform two full sets, one packed with the greatest hits everyone knows by heart, and a second diving deeper into the catalog with the kind of fan-favorite deep cuts that remind you just how rich that body of work really is. From the anthems to the album tracks, it’s going to be a night that does the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer proud.

The Brightside, tucked into the East Third Street corridor at 905 E. 3rd St., is exactly the kind of room a night like this deserves: warm, intimate, and built for music that means something. It’s all ages, so bring the whole crew!

Tom Petty always said he wrote for the people who felt like outsiders, the dreamers, the ones who refused to give up. Dayton has always been that kind of city. Saturday night at The Brightside, it all comes together.

🎸 The Petty Thieves — A Tribute to Tom Petty

📍 The Brightside | 905 E. 3rd St., Dayton, OH 45402

🗓 Saturday, March 28 | Doors 7 PM | Show 8–10 PM

👨‍👩‍👧 All Ages Welcome

🎟 Tickets: venuepilot.com

Dayton’s Silent Disco Comes to The Arcade for St. Patrick’s Day

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A new kind of St. Patrick’s Day celebration is headed to downtown Dayton. On Tuesday, March 17, Level Up Productions and Channel 99.9 are teaming up to present St. Pat’s Silent Disco at The Dayton Arcade, bringing the popular headphone-based dance party format to the historic venue at 35 W. 4th Street.

Unlike a traditional concert or club night, a silent disco equips each attendee with wireless headphones that can tune into multiple music channels simultaneously broadcast by different DJs. The result is a room full of people dancing to entirely different songs — a surreal, festive experience that has become a hit at festivals and events nationwide.

This event will feature three color-coded channels. DJ KimL takes the green station with EDM, Sexbox spins throwback hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s on the blue station, and John Chapel brings modern music and hip hop on the red station. Attendees are encouraged to dress in green for the holiday and switch freely between channels throughout the night.

Doors open at 8:00 PM with music starting at 8:30 PM. Advance tickets are $20, rising to $25 at the door. A group discount of 20% is available for parties of 10 purchasing in presale. Discounted presale pricing closes at midnight on March 16.

The evening also includes a free pre-party at Lucho from 6:00 to 8:00 PM featuring DJ Breeze EZ, giving attendees a chance to kick off the St. Patrick’s Day festivities early before heading to the main event.

The show is 21 and over. Tickets and additional details are available at daytonsilentdisco.com.

 

 

Go Behind the Glass at Belle of Dayton Distillery on Thursdays

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If you’ve ever sipped a well-crafted spirit and wondered how it got from grain to glass, Belle of Dayton Distillery has you covered, and it’ll only cost you ten bucks.

Every Thursday at 6:30 PM, the distillery at 122 Van Buren Street opens its doors for a behind-the-scenes tour of their production space. A knowledgeable spirit expert walks you through the copper still, fermentation tanks, and bottling line, plus gives you a peek at their limited-release spirits. Along the way, you’ll learn about the distillation process and get a few liquor myths busted for good measure. The tour wraps up with a guided tasting of their handcrafted spirits, right in the heart of the production area.

At $10 per person, it’s one of the more affordable nights out you’ll find in Dayton, and a genuinely fun one. Whether you’re planning a date night, a friends’ outing, or just looking to geek out about craft spirits, this is the kind of low-key, high-quality experience the 937 does well.

Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early to check in and grab a drink in the Van Buren Room before the tour kicks off. Spots are first-come, first-served, but you can reserve your place online ahead of time, and the payment is collected at check-in. Note that all guests must be 21+ with a valid ID.

Reserve your spot at belleofdayton.com/pages/tours.

Belle of Dayton Distillery | 122 Van Buren Street, Dayton, OH 45402

Every Thursday at 6:30 PM | $10/person | 21+

Six Dayton Women Are Changing Everything — And YWCA Is Here for It

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The YWCA Dayton Women of Influence Awards Luncheon returns March 12, and this year’s honorees represent the very best of what our city has to offer.

This year, YWCA Dayton pauses to ask a simple but powerful question: who are the women making Dayton a better place? The answer shows up on March 12 at the Women of Influence Awards Luncheon, held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dayton Convention Center.

Now in its 28th year, this is no small affair. More than 800 of the region’s leaders, influencers, and community champions fill the room, making it the single largest daytime nonprofit luncheon in the entire Miami Valley. If you’ve never been, this is the year to go.

Meet the 2026 Honorees

This year, six women from across the fields of business, education, health, and the performing arts will be recognized for the impact they’ve made not just in their industries, but in the fabric of Dayton itself.

Debbie Blunden Diggs, CEO and Artistic Director of the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, has spent her career keeping one of Dayton’s most celebrated cultural institutions alive and thriving.

Myla Cardona Jones, CEO of the Brunner Literacy Center, is doing the quiet, essential work of making sure Dayton’s residents have the literacy skills they need to build better lives.

Robyn Lightcap, Executive Director of Preschool Promise, is fighting for the city’s youngest kids, making sure quality early childhood education isn’t a privilege, but a promise.

Heather Salazar, President and CEO of Pink Ribbon Good, has built an organization that centers the real needs of those navigating breast cancer in our community.

Lisa Wagner, Executive Director of Levitt Pavilion Dayton, has turned a riverside stage into one of the most beloved free music experiences in the region.

Rounding out the class is Vicki Giambrone, Partner at CBD Advisors, who will receive the Betsy Whitney Lifetime Achievement Award, the evening’s highest honor, reserved for women whose contributions to Dayton span decades.

Why It Matters

The YWCA’s mission: eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, and dignity for all isn’t just a tagline. It’s what connects every woman on this list. As Interim CEO Teresa Sanders says, the luncheon exists to “help women break the glass ceiling.” Year after year, the honorees prove that ceiling doesn’t stand a chance.

Whether you’re coming to support a friend, connect with Dayton’s movers and shakers, or simply celebrate women who are doing the work — this is one of those events that leaves you feeling proud to call this city home.

Get Your Tickets

Thursday, March 12 | 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Dayton Convention Center

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now here: https://www.ywcadayton.org/womenofinfluence

For sponsorship inquiries, reach out to Teresa Sanders directly at [email protected].

 

Make New Friends: Beauty Boost Dayton Brings Friend Speed Dating to The Brightside

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No awkward silences. No pressure. Just good people and good vibes.

Let’s be honest — making friends as an adult is harder than it should be. Beauty Boost Dayton gets it, and they’re doing something about it.

On Wednesday, March 11th, The Brightside plays host to one of the most refreshingly fun concepts to hit Dayton’s social scene: a friend speed dating night designed to help women in the city actually connect — without the cringe. Presented by Beauty Boost Dayton, the community that has been bringing women together through wellness, fitness, and empowerment events across the Miami Valley for years, this one is all about building real friendships in a low-pressure, high-energy atmosphere.

The night kicks off at 6:30 PM with open mingling, Friend Bingo, and a series of experience stations to ease you into the room. At 7:00 PM, the main event begins — structured “friend speed dating” with conversation prompts to keep things flowing naturally. From there, an empowerment speaker (or a hands-on craft experience) takes the stage at 7:30 PM, before the evening wraps at 8:30 PM with new connections made and good energy to carry home.

Whether you’re new to Dayton, looking to expand your circle, or just ready for a night out with intention, this is the event for you.

Wednesday, March 11th

6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

The Brightside, 905 E. 3rd Street, Dayton

Tickets: $25 | FREE with Beauty Boost membership

Dayton Has a Music Scene. Battle of the Bands Is Proving It.

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The Bruins performing at Dayton Battle of the Bands at The Brightside

Six local bands battle for the crown at The Brightside on March 7, and the whole city’s invited.

If you’ve spent any time in Dayton’s music scene lately, you’ve probably felt it, something is happening here. New artists are finding audiences. Bands that used to play for twenty people are playing for two hundred. The 2026 Dayton Battle of the Bands didn’t cause all of that, but it’s been a pretty good mirror for it.

Six weeks. Twenty-seven bands. Hundreds of people showing up on weeknights to hear original music from artists they’d never heard of before. And now, on Saturday, March 7 at The Brightside Music & Event Venue, it all comes down to one night.

The six acts advancing to the Finale each won their respective genre night, earning their spot in front of a live crowd that voted with their applause and their feet. The bands include: Obscured, Catsteel, Tronee Threat, Good Soup, Yuppie, and Paid Leave.

Libby Ballengee has been running Venus Child Productions and booking at The Brightside long enough to know what a good scene looks like and what it takes to build one.

“Battle of the Bands isn’t just a competition, it’s an engine for growth,” she says. “Over six weeks, dozens of bands built professional skills, captured images and video, and put themselves in front of bookers, festival organizers, and audiences who are actively engaged in Dayton’s creative economy. That’s real ecosystem building.”

sheller performing at The Dayton Battle of the Bands Finale

Of the 27 acts that competed this season, every single one walked away with something stage time, exposure, connections, content. The six in the Finale just happen to be the ones still standing.

The Finale is a general admission, all-ages show at The Brightside, one of Dayton’s best rooms for live music. Doors open at 6:00 PM, music starts at 7:00 PM, and the night runs until 11:00 PM. Every ticket ($15 advance / $20 day-of) comes with one vote toward the championship, so you’re not just watching, you’re part of the decision.

New this year, you can pre-order sandwiches from Tony & Pete’s with your ticket for pickup at the venue. Because good music tastes better on a full stomach.

The winner walks away with a $1,000 cash prize, a professional EP recording session at Huge Face Productions, a custom merchandise package from Little Monster Printing, and a performance slot at Levitt Pavilion Dayton’s summer concert series, one of the most visible stages in the city.

Every finalist receives $250 cash, a live music video from Sound Valley with audio mastering from Huge Face Productions and Dayton Sound Studios, a merchandise discount from Little Monster Printing, and gift cards from Music Go Round and Dayton Pizza Factory. Not bad for a Tuesday night out.

The Details: Dayton Battle of the Bands Finale

Saturday, March 7, 2026

The Brightside Music & Event Venue

905 E. Third St., Dayton, OH 45402

Doors 6:00 PM | Show 7:00 PM | All Ages

Tickets: $15 advance / $20 day of show

https://tickets.venuepilot.com/e/dayton-battle-of-the-bands-2026-finale-2026-03-07-the-brightside-music-event-venue-dayton-b892e6

daytonbattleofthebands.com  |  thebrightsidedayton.com

The 2026 Dayton Battle of the Bands is presented by The Brightside in partnership with Venus Child Productions and Sound Valley.

Early St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Coming to The Brightside with Scythian

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If you’re looking to kick off St. Patrick’s Day season in style, mark your calendar for Friday, March 6th because Scythian is rolling into The Brightside and they are not coming to play it quiet.

Scythian (pronounced “sith-ee-yin”) is a DC-based Celtic-Americana powerhouse that blends Irish folk, Eastern European roots, Appalachian bluegrass, and flat-out rock energy into one of the most infectious live shows on the touring circuit. The Washington Post put it simply: “Scythian’s enthusiasm is contagious, and shows seem to end with everyone dancing, jumping around or hoisting glasses.” Scythian That’s the vibe — and The Brightside on East Third Street is the perfect room for it.

Founded by Ukrainian-American brothers Alexander and Danylo Fedoryka, the band started out as street performers busking in Old Town Alexandria before building a devoted national following. The quartet — featuring Alexander on fiddle, mandolin, and vocals; Danylo on guitar, accordion, and vocals; Ethan Dean on bass and percussion; and Johnny Rees on drums — brings various folk traditions together into something technically precise and undeniably fun. Scythian Nashville’s Music City Roots called it “what happens when rock star charisma meets Celtic dervish fiddling.” Scythian

In short: expect to be on your feet.

Doors open at 5 PM for VIP ticket holders, who get a Meet & Greet Happy Hour with the band plus guaranteed premium seating — a great deal if you want a little face time with these guys before the music starts. General admission doors follow at 6 PM, with the show running until 10 PM. Tickets are $20 in advance and $27 day of show. The event is all ages, with a chaperone required for guests under 16.

The Brightside is located at 905 E. Third Street in Dayton.

Grab your tickets now at Eventbrite before the advance price runs out — this one’s going to sell.

How to Go? Scythian at The Brightside

Friday, March 6, 2026

VIP Doors: 5 PM

General Doors: 6 PM

905 E. Third St., Dayton, OH

Tickets: $20 advance / $27 DOS

All Ages

Get tickets on Eventbrite

Laughter With Purpose: Comedy That Cares Brings Fundraising and Fun to Dayton

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Dayton’s comedy scene is teaming up with community care this March at Comedy That Cares, a fundraiser blending stand-up, art, music, and local vibes for a good cause. Hosted by Coats for a Cure, this event raises support for the nonprofit’s mission of providing warm clothing and essential care items to patients served by Miami Valley hospitals.

Set for Friday, March 6, 2026, at K12 Gallery and TEJAS, Comedy That Cares invites guests to kick off the weekend with a night full of laughs that make an impact. Doors open early — giving plenty of time to enjoy a DJ spinning tunes, browse local vendors, and connect with community members before comedy takes center stage.

The evening features a lineup of local comedians, anchored by host Leyla Ingells, who bring their best jokes and sharpest observations to the mic. With reserved seats included in ticket purchases, every laugh directly contributes to Coats for a Cure’s efforts in ensuring patients across the region have access to warm layers when they need them most.

Attendees are welcome to bring their own beverages (BYOB) and settle in for a mix of humor, community energy, and creative expression in a casual, welcoming atmosphere.

Events like Comedy That Cares are more than entertainment — they’re an invitation to make meaning out of a night out. Whether you’re there for the punchlines, the local art, or the sense of togetherness, the evening promises to be one where the good times support a clear purpose.

HOW TO GO

Comedy That Cares
📍 K12 Gallery and TEJAS – 341 S Jefferson Street, Dayton, OH
📅 Friday, March 6, 2026
🕕 Doors open at 6:00 PM; show runs into the evening
🎟️ Tickets with reserved seats + donation via the Coats for a Cure website

Proceeds support Coats for a Cure’s outreach providing warm clothing and care essentials to patients throughout the Miami Valley.

Joui Wine Goes Underground with “Gin & Sin” Speakeasy Pop-Up

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Dayton, it’s time to step back into the shadows.

Joui Wine is turning down the lights and turning up the heat for its first-ever Gin & Sin: A Speakeasy Pop-Up, a late-night Prohibition-era party designed for those who prefer their cocktails strong and their secrets stronger.

Beginning at 10:00 PM, this isn’t your standard walk-through-the-front-door affair. Entry details will be shared the day of the event, and yes — a password will be required. Consider it part of the fun. Discretion is strongly encouraged.

Once inside, guests will find themselves immersed in a moody, jazz-soaked atmosphere where the spirit of the 1920s comes roaring back to life.

Expect:
• Prohibition-era cocktail specials crafted for the occasion
• Sultry performances by Gem City Burlesque
• Live jazz from Ayn Swann and The High Standards
• A dance floor ready for the Charleston, Fox Trot, Shimmy — and maybe even a modern-day Twerk

This isn’t just a party. It’s participatory theatre with a splash of bootleg bravado.

Guests are encouraged to lean all the way in on the aesthetic: flapper fringe, Gatsby glamour, vintage sparkle, pinstripes, suspenders, gangster chic, or full bootlegger elegance. The crowd becomes part of the spectacle, and the more dramatic the entrance, the better.

With intimate lighting, clandestine vibes, and a soundtrack built for late-night revelry, Gin & Sin promises a stylish escape from the ordinary.

Tickets are limited, and if history has taught us anything, the best nights tend to be the ones whispered about afterward.

Grab a ticket, secure the password, and prepare to slip into the shadows.

HOW TO GO

Gin & Sin: A Speakeasy Pop-Up
📍 Joui Wine – Dayton, Ohio
🕙 10:00 PM (Late Night Affair)
🎟 Password required for entry
🔗 Tickets available online

Guests will receive special day-of instructions on how to gain entry.

Dress to impress. Arrive ready to dance. Leave with stories worth whispering.

INNOVAtheatre Brings For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf to Dayton This February

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Dayton’s artistic pulse is set to thrum with poetry, movement, and powerful truth-telling as INNOVAtheatre presents For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf, the iconic “choreopoem” by celebrated playwright Ntozake Shange. This landmark piece of American theatre arrives at the Edward A. Dixon Gallery in downtown Dayton for a limited run February 20-22, 2026, offering audiences an intimate, unfiltered exploration of Black womanhood.

Originally premiering in 1976 and coined a choreopoem — blending poetry, dance, music, and drama — Shange’s work follows seven women through interwoven monologues that traverse love, trauma, resilience, reclamation, and sisterhood. Each performer embodies a color of the rainbow, using vivid language and evocative movement to bring their stories to life. Themes in the piece are rich and deeply human, confronting issues from abandonment and violence to joy and collective healing.

INNOVAtheatre’s production features a mature, sophisticated ensemble that promises to honor the emotional depth and narrative courage of Shange’s vision. Performed within the evocative space of the Edward A. Dixon Gallery — itself hosting Resilience, a Black History Month art exhibit — this staging invites audiences into an immersive experience that blurs the line between gallery and stage.

Performances run:

  • Friday, Feb. 20 at 8 p.m.

  • Saturday, Feb. 21 at 8 p.m.

  • Sunday, Feb. 22 at 3 p.m.

Tickets are available now, with general admission offered on a first-come, first-seated basis. Patrons are encouraged to be mindful that the production contains mature themes, including discussions of mental health, domestic violence, loss, and strong language, and is recommended for ages 16 and up.

This presentation not only honors a seminal work in American theatre but also underscores Dayton’s commitment to bold storytelling and inclusive cultural programming. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Shange’s choreopoem or experiencing it for the first time, this production is poised to leave a lasting impression long after the final bow.

Dayton Ballet presents Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty

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Join the Dayton Ballet for an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages, THE SLEEPING BEAUTY unfolds like a beautiful dream – where good triumphs over evil, love breaks a curse, and music and dancing transport you to a world of fantasy. You’ve seen the movie, but the ballet is an immersive experience for the senses boasting lush scenery, gorgeous recognizable music, and dazzling dancing.

How to Go?
Friday, Feb 20, 7:30PM – Buy Tickets
Saturday, Feb 21, 7:30PM – Buy Tickets
Sunday, Feb 22, 2:30PM – Buy Tickets
At the Schuster Center