Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More
This Friday night at Blind Bob’s is going to be a loud one. Dayton’s Marijuana Johnson and By Way of Sunstorm will be joined onstage by two great touring bands. Toronto’s Burning Love is currently doing a few US shows before they embark on a huge European tour this fall. They’re joined by Louisville’s Coliseum at this 21+ show.
Here’s a video of By Way of Sunstorm performing at Blind Bob’s earlier this year from our friends at The Music Seen.
![[title of show] - Encore Theater Co. - Dayton Cast](http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/tos-promo1-194x300.jpg "[title of show] - Encore Theater Co. - Dayton Cast")
Dayton, Ohio: a hotbed for the development & performance of new musical theatre? “It is a hopeless endeavour to attract people to a theatre unless they can be first brought to believe that they will never get in.” – CHARLES DICKENS, Nicholas Nickleby
During the 1940’s and 1950’s, American Musical Theatre was developed right in the heart of it all – Manhatten. After all, that’s where all the great theatre was happening. PLUS – it wasn’t nearly as expensive to produce a big Broadway musical as it is today. (Wicked has just recently recouped its $40 million investment and THAT’S a runaway hit). Add to that the fact that the vast majority of Broadway audiences are tourists, then you can see why so many writers of new musical theatre are hungry to test their work in an “everyman” market. After all, those are the folks buying tickets.
Events here in our city over the next two weekends suggest to me that New York writers might just begin asking themselves –“Yeah, but will it play Dayton?” Without a doubt, Dayton is becoming a new Midwestern Mecca for new musical theatre development.
"The Black Crook Project" 2008
Consider this. Downtown at The Loft theatre this coming weekend, THREE new musicals will premiere. One of those – PLAY IT BY HEART – features the work of Brian Yorkey (2009 Tony-Winner for Next To Normal). Another – TENDERLY – was written by the same team that created the wildly popular GREEN GABLES that played the Victoria in 2005. And the third – being written as we speak by local students – will make its national debut – right here in Dayton (The Lovewell Project). This is coming on the heels of the stellar Human Race production of Adam Gwon’s new musical ORDINARY DAYS. There is simply no excuse not to catch one of these shows. Not to mention, the schedule for the festival weekend makes it so easy. PLUS there are opportunities to meet the creators and party with the Race.
Do yourself a favor and make time for this festival weekend.
MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP: FESTIVAL 2010 FULL SCHEDULE
Friday, July 16
8pm Play It By Heart @ The Loft Theatre
Followed by an After-Show Reception @ The Dayton Racquet Club
Saturday, July 17
1:15pm Meet the Play It By Heart writers @ The Loft Lobby
2pm Play It By Heart @ The Loft Theatre
7pm Lovewell Show @ The Loft Theatre
Followed by an After-Show Reception The Loft Lobby
8pm Tenderly @ Creativity Center
Sunday, July 18
2pm Lovewell Show @ The Loft Theatre
2pm Tenderly @ Creativity Center
6:15pm Meet the Tenderly writers Creativity Center
7pm Tenderly @ Creativity Center
Followed by a Wrap-Up Party @ a Location TBA
Synopses:
Play it By Heart tells the story of a female country music star battling her family and a changing industry. Taylor, who penned such hits as Tammy Wynette’s “Another Chance” and Johnny Cash’s “The Baron,” calls it “the quintessential story of family in country music.”
Tenderly is about a real musical legend, one of the most famous entertainers ever to come out of the Southwest Ohio/Northern Kentucky region, Rosemary Clooney. The show includes such Clooney hits as “Come On-a My House,” “Mambo Italiano” and “Hey There.”
For more Information & Tickets, visit:
Musical Theatre Workshop: Festival 2010 (July 16-18) will be celebrated at both the 219-seat Loft Theatre at 126 N. Main St. and the approximately 60-seat Caryl D. Philips Creativity Center at 116 N. Jefferson St. Tickets ($15 per performance) are available at the door. Visit http://www.humanracetheatre.org for more information.
If we seem to have a particular passion for developing NEW and innovative work, it because we do! After all, the same weekend as the MTW Festival at the Loft, Encore Theater Company is presenting local premiere of the 2009 Tony-Nominated musical [title of show] – trust me – a comedy like no other!
DB
What do you get when you gather four friends, four chairs, a keyboard, some monkeys, vampires, drag queens and a fresh batch of rice crispy treats? Why [title of show] of course!
How do you explain a show that has an ingredient list like that? How about “a show that really [BEEEEEEP]’ing ROCKS!”
![Shawn Hooks as "Jeff" in [title of show] - Dayton, Ohio](http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/DSC_1687a-150x150.jpg "Shawn Hooks as \"Jeff\" in [title of show] - Dayton, Ohio")
But really, all poor grammar aside, this show really does ROCK! Just ask Dayton native Susan Blackwell, an original cast member of the Broadway, Off-Broadway and New York Musical Theater Festival productions of the little show that could. Not only was Ms. Blackwell an original cast member…she is also a character in the show.
![Angele' Price as "Susan" in [title of show] - Dayton, Ohio](http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/DSC_1754a.jpg "Angele' Price as \"Susan\" in [title of show] - Dayton, Ohio")
Confused? Don’t be, here’s the premise-[title of show] is a hilarious new musical written by 2 struggling writers about 2 struggling writers writing a hilarious new musical. word. Essentially, art imitating life imitating art imitating life. Get the picture? Oh, and Susan was a great pal & agreed to be in their show.
![Chris Smyth as "Hunter" in [title of show] - Dayton, Ohio](http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/DSC_1760a-150x150.jpg "Chris Smyth as \"Hunter\" in [title of show] - Dayton, Ohio")
With a song list that includes such classics as “Untitled Opening Number,” “Monkeys & Playbills,” “I Am Playing Me,” “Nine People’s Favorite Thing,” and “Die Vampire, Die!” how could you possibly consider missing this opportunity to catch this show?
![Nora Coyle as "Heidi" in [title of show] - Dayton, Ohio](http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/DSC_1677a-150x150.jpg "Nora Coyle as \"Heidi\" in [title of show] - Dayton, Ohio")
Well…here’s good news! You can win Tickets to [tos]! YAY! DaytonMostMetro & Encore Theater Company are giving away three pairs of tickets to [title of show]. All you need to do is give the show’s director a good DRAG QUEEN name! Yes, that’s right, brainstorm a great drag queen name for the director of the show…and suggest it in the comment section below (everyone else in the cast/crew has a DQ name already…you can check them out HERE).
We will announce winners on Wednesday night. You will have a choice of performances (Thursday, Friday or Saturday at 7:30pm).
Help DOUBLE the number of tickets that we will be giving away! We will announce three additional winners, if we can help DaytonMostMetro reach 2,000 fans by midnight Wednesday! Go to the DMM Facebook Fan Page, become a fan if you are not already, then share it with all of your friends, family & FB lurkers.
[title of show] will be performed at 7:30pm on Thursday, Friday & Saturday (July 15-17) at Blair Hall Theatre on the campus of Sinclair Community College. Visit www.EncoreTheaterCompany.com for more information about Encore Theater Company & [tos].
For more Information & Tickets, visit:
[title of show] (July 15-17) Call Blair Hall Box Office at (937) 512-2808 or visit http://www.EncoreTheaterCompany.com for information and links to the online box office. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door. Please note: [title of show] contains adult themes and language.
SA
On the “developing new musical theatre in Dayton, Ohio” front, ETC would like to mention the exciting fact that the writers of NEXT THING YOU KNOW will be traveling from New York to work with the Dayton cast on the show. Joshua Salzman & Ryan Cunningham (who penned the Off-Broadway hit I LOVE YOU BECAUSE) have been developing NTYK for a potential New York run, and will be utilizing the Encore Theater Company production as an opportunity to test some changes and make some creative decisions in the development process.
In an effort to help cover Josh & Ryan’s expenses, ETC kicked off the 30 for 30 for New Musical Theater campaign last week. The response was great from the Dayton arts community…making this opportunity a reality! If you would like to contribute to the fund, and an opportunity to meet the writers, please email the ETC staff at [email protected] for information about how you can participate in the campaign.
While Salzman & Cunningham are in town, they will also conduct a workshop for Dayton actors about auditioning for musical theatre productions. This workshop will take place on Saturday, July 24th in the Oregon District Arts Collaborative space above the new SideBar (400 East Fifth Street, Suite A). Email the ETC staff at [email protected] for information.
Next Thing You Know will be performed at 7:30pm on Thursday, Friday & Saturday (August 12-14) at Blair Hall Theatre on the campus of Sinclair Community College. Visit www.EncoreTheaterCompany.com for more information about Encore Theater Company & NTYK.
For more Information & Tickets, visit:
Next Thing You Know (August 12-14) Call Blair Hall Box Office at (937) 512-2808 or visit http://www.EncoreTheaterCompany.com for information and links to the online box office. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door. Please note: NTYK contains adult themes and language.
Joshua Salzman & Ryan Cunningham traveled from New York to Dayton last weekend to work with the ETC cast of NEXT THING YOU KNOW. The writers continued to mold & shape their show into what they envision it to be. This was a thrilling experience for everyone at Encore Theater Company.
While Salzman & Cunningham were in town we took some time to sit down with them, and the cast of NTYK to record a MusicalWorld episode. Look for that episode below.
We also hosted a reception for the writing team at the home of Dr. Michael Ervin, followed by a trip to the new SideBar in the Oregon District. Much thanks go out to Dr. Ervin, Kevin Moore (artistic director of The Human Race Theatre Co.), the donor’s in the “30 for 30” campaign, the folks at Toxic Brew Company (keep watching DMM for info about this cool Dayton start-up), Bill & Shannon from Dayton Most Metro and representatives from other local organizations & theatre companies. Look for a video about that reception below.
http://www.mevio.com/episode/241734/mw66-salzman-amp-cunningham-next-thing-you
SA
While not a brand new piece of musical theater, SPITFIRE GRILL is a rarely performed show. The last performance in Dayton was the excellent production by The Human Race Theatre a few seasons ago.
Doug Lloyd will helm the Beavercreek Community Theatre production of Spitfire Grill September 17th through the 26th. He will be joined on staff by Stacey Gear (choreographer) and Dr. James Tipps (music director). BCT recently held auditions for the show. The result was what looks to be a terrific cast for this heartwarming show.
Percy Talbott – Sydney Lanier
Shelby Thorpe – Katie Storost
Hannah Ferguson – Pam McGinnis
Effy Krayneck – Teresa Connair
Sheriff Joe Sutter – Max Monnig
Caleb Thorpe – Brad Mattingly
The Visitor – Nick Vanderpool
Synopsis:
A feisty parolee follows her dreams, based on a page from an old travel book, to a small town in Wisconsin and finds a place for herself working at Hannah’s Spitfire Grill. It is for sale but there are no takers for the only eatery in the depressed town, so newcomer Percy suggests to Hannah that she raffle it off. Entry fees are one hundred dollars and the best essay on why you want the grill wins. Soon, mail is arriving by the wheelbarrow full and things are definitely cookin’ at the Spitfire Grill
Mark your calendars and plan to attend what will surely be a terrific production of Spitfire Grill.
For more Information & Tickets, visit:
Spitfire Grill (September 17-26) Call Beavercreek Community Theatre Box Office at (937) 429-4737 or visit http://www.bctheatre.org for information and links to the online box office.
SA
FINALLY – be sure to check out the latest MusicalWorld Podcast that features an interview with Susan Blackwell (who was in the original cast of [title of show] on Broadway!
If you’re a fan of singer-songwriters, you’ll want to be at Canal Street Tavern this Wednesday night. Canal Street is the perfect setting for the evening’s Songwriters Showcase featuring three great Dayton-area natives. Tod Weidner (Shrug, The Floods) and Chris Montgomery will be joined onstage by Meg Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh is a Centerville native now based out of New York. She’s recently been performing in London and has a YouTube cooking show called Vegan Meg (check out the video below).
The Songwriters Showcase begins at 9pm and is $5. You can also hear Meg Cavanaugh perform live on WYSO during Excursions (10am-1pm) on Wednesday.
This time last year, the Turkish Delights had just finished playing Round One of the Dayton Band Playoffs, which they would go on to win in September. One year later, they’re celebrating the release of their latest album, …Ahem! with a show at Blind Bob’s. They’ll be joined onstage Saturday night by Me & Mountains and Toads and Mice. This 21+ show is $5.
$5 is also the cost of a copy of …Ahem, and it’s well worth it. The Turkish Delights recorded the album at home, and it features a great variety from the band’s catalog. After the release, the Turks hope to work on a regional tour and will start work on their next album. For more on the Turkish Delights, and for a preview of the album, check out the interview I did with the band on this week’s Kaleidoscope (WYSO).
The Spikedrivers are known for their great live shows. The Columbus band will be bringing roots and Americana music to Canal Street Tavern this Saturday night. They’ll be joined by another band with a great reputation for live shows: Holy Ghost Tent Revival. This North Carolina band blends indie rock and roots music and will open for the Spikedrivers at Canal Street Tavern and Skully’s in Columbus. Tickets to the Canal Street Tavern show are $7 at the door.
Here’s a music video from Holy Ghost Tent Revival:
And a live performance by The Spikedrivers at Comfest:
Music and skating have always had a close relationship, especially in the Dayton region where many local songs have been used in local skating videos. You can experience both the music and the skating live this weekend in Yellow Springs. Sunday marks the 2010 Yellow Springs Skate-Music Fest, a daytime event that helps raise money to maintain the Yellow Springs Skate Park. The festival is 3-8pm at the Bryan Center Skate Park in Yellow Springs.
Featured in the lineup is Yellow Springs/Springfield band The Show, Dayton’s Fuzz Hound, and Yellow Springs’ favorites Doctor Meat, and Psychonaut Suitcase. The festival also features three younger bands: Blue Moon Soup, The Hat Trick and Francisco & Hammy. The younger bands will compete against each other for the “SMuRF Award,” and a chance to play at Peaches Grill. Tickets are $3 for those under 18 and $5 for adults.
This event is part of the Yellow Springs Experience. For more on that event, check out Frank Coleman’s post here on DaytonMostMetro.com.
Ohio Coffee Company has been quietly hosting local music shows a couple of times a month, and this Saturday, they’ve got a great lineup. Minneapolis’ Bella Ruse will be playing at the shop as part of their summer tour. They’ll share the bill with Way Yes from Columbus, Dayton’s Wes Tirey, and Honey and the Milk – a new collaboration between Ben Rivet (BJSR) and Kelly Fine. The show starts around 8pm and is $5.
UPDATE: Bella Ruse performed live on Excursions on WYSO Friday morning. You can stream their performance and interview with Niki Dakota here.
The holiday weekend provides a lot of opportunities to experience some great live music. On Saturday night Canal Street Tavern will feature a performance from local greats, Shrug. The evening also marks two debuts. Columbus’ Super Desserts will make their formal Dayton debut in support of their new album, Twee as Folk. The evening will also mark the inaugural show for Floods – a new project featuring Tod Weidner (Shrug), Tim Pritchard (Flyaway Minion), Daniel Pritchard (Black Horse Wind), Phil Caviness (Professors), and Brian Greaney (Flyaway Minion).
The show is $5 and gets started around 9:30pm with a break between sets for the Dayton fireworks.
If you’ve ever been driving South down Kettering Blvd heading into Moraine, you may have noticed a groovy little shop chocked full of vintage and retro goodies. That shop is Daddy Katz Kustom Kulture and in addition to being the go-to place in the Dayton region for all things hot rod and tiki, the shop hosts weekly Kruze-In’s during the summer time featuring live music.
This week’s Kruze-In is from 6-11:30pm and will feature live music from the Rubbles. Daddy Katz is located at 3250 Kettering Blvd.
If you’re a fan of Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, then do yourself a favor and check out John Nemeth. This 34 year old Boise native is getting lots of buzz for his vocal and harmonica stylings that mix classic blues with 60’s-style R&B. You can catch Nemeth and his band at Gilly’s on Thursday, June 24th at 8pm. Tickets are $10 at the door for this must-see show.
Astro Fang is hot off recording some new tracks with the Motel Beds‘ Darryl Robbins, and this Friday night you can catch them at Blind Bob’s along with Spiderscorpion. These two great local bands with be joined by Columbus’ Karate Coyote and Soft Speaker from Chicago. The show gets started around 9pm and is $5.
In the meantime, check out Super Rat, one of the newly recorded tunes from Astro Fang.
SUPER RAT by ASTROFANG
Wednesday nights at the Oregon Express just got a lot more musical. C. Wright’s Parlour Tricks have signed on for a weekly gig playing what they’ve coined as ‘pizza parlor boogie.’ The show is free every week and for the first month, they’ll be joined by opener Rob Heiliger. To get a taste of the tunes before you go out, check out Kaleidoscope on Wednesday at 8pm on WYSO. Chris Wright will be in the studio talking about the band and spinning some of their recordings. Wright will be joined on the air by former Luxury Pushers bandmate, Eric Purtle who’ll be talking about his band, Dark Backward’s upcoming CD release (more info on that later this week on Dayton Most Metro).
Wednesdays at South Park Tavern are usually reserved for the Rock-n-Roll Play Date, the open mic night we told you about in an earlier post here on Dayton Most Metro. Tonight, however, is an exception. Do-Tell Records is bringing Minneapolis band Off With Their Heads to town along with Dear Landlord (also from Minneapolis). They’ll be joined onstage by local punk band, Raging Nathans. This all-ages show is $7 and gets started around 9pm.
File this one under “Super Cool Free Event.” Saturday evening Dayton is lucky to have a Bluegrass legend performing at Island Metropark for Five Rivers Metroparks’ Annual Bluegrass Concert. Dr. Ralph Stanley and His Clinch Mountain Boys will be performing in the bandshell along with Dale Ann Bradley beginning at 6pm. Stanley has been playing Bluegrass for over 55 years and casual fans will recognize his music from the soundtrack to O Brother Where Art Thou. This is a great opportunity to see a legendary performer in a great outdoor setting – and did I mention that it’s free?!
This weekend marks the first-ever No Stress Fest at c{space (20 North Jefferson Street) in Downtown Dayton. This two-day festival features 26 local and national bands. South Carolina punk band, The Independents will headline Friday night of the festival with Cincinnati’s The Dopamines headlining Saturday’s show. Local bands on the bill include 8-bit Revival, Akillis Green, Rad Company, Marijuana Johnson and many more. The show is 18 and up, and doors open at 6pm each night. Tickets are $10 per day in advance or $15 at the door. You can also get a two-day pass in advance for $15. For a complete lineup and information on advance tickets, visit c{space’s website.
On Wednesday night, you’ll have the chance to hear some classic Pink Floyd songs live right here in Dayton in the comfort of Canal Street Tavern. Eclipse is a Pink Floyd tribute band from Nashville that includes local musician Tod Weidner (Shrug) and former Daytonian Patrick Himes (Flyaway Minion) in its lineup. The band will present a three-hour show that highlights the best of Pink Floyd’s catalog. Tickets are $10.
