Victoria Theatre

Jane’s Best Bets (3/9 – 3/13)

March 8, 2011 By Dayton937 1 Comment

Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

Daylight Savings Time is this coming weekend. As we spring forward, we’ll all have one less hour to have fun, so that just means you’ll have to be more efficient in packing as much fun as you can into the week! To help save some time, I’ve done some of the planning for you!

On Wednesday, find out what Skype is by heading to Welcome to the World of Skype at The Learning Center at Miami Valley Research Park. This is a perfect way to connect with a friend or loved one who lives far away. Speaking of connections, if you work or volunteer for a non-profit, you will want to attend 19 Ways to Use Social Media to Connect With Your Donors at the Dayton Metro Library’s main branch. Sick of cooking the same old meatloaf? Attend the Cooking Class: Small Plates From Around the World at the Greene County Career Center to “spice” things up! Or, learn the basics at UD’s ArtStreet for Basic Cooking Skills with Jim Owens. It’s only $10 for community members! At the Trolley Stop, be sure to not drink too liberally for the Drinking Liberally – Dayton event, in which you will be able to discuss politics with others who are interested in the topic. If drinking makes you drowsy, then get some caffeine and make your way to the Victoria Theatre to see The Drowsy Chaperone.

On Thursday, head to the PNC 2^nd Street Market for the Fresh Summer Wrap Demo. Afterwards, you will be able to fix your own for lunch. Make reservations to attend the Mardi Gras Creole Wine Dinner over at the delicious McCormick & Schmick’s. At A Taste of Wine, attend their 2 Cheeses & A Chocolate Fondue Wine Tasting. Join other young professionals in the Dayton region at the Generation Dayton Thirsty Thursday at Harrigan’s in Kettering. And if you would like to see some very talented young dancers, head to Wright State for their Dance Concert 2011.

Carroll Fish Fry

On Friday, eat some of the amazing pizza at Oregon Express as part of their Half-Price Pizzas. Attend the first fish fry that is officially in Lent – the Carroll High School 26th Annual Alumni Irish Fish Fry. Looking for a historically accurate, multi-course dinner from the 19^th century? Attend the Tavern Dinners: End of Winter Feast at Carillon Historical Park…I’m hoping that “historically accurate” does not mean that the food itself is well over a hundred years old. If you find that you’re tickled pink, head to Pinkalicious-The Musical at Town Hall Theatre. Other theater options include the Xenia Area Community Theatre’s Old Time Radio Show II at the Kettering Health Network Theatre, Beyond Therapy at the Dayton Playhouse, Little Women at Wright State University, Mid-Life, The Crisis Musical at Beavercreek Community Theatre, and The Drowsy Chaperone at Victoria Theatre. All you Celtic music lovers should make plans to see the band Solas as they perform at Kuss Auditorium. And if you love the Dayton Philharmonic, be sure to get tickets to see Russian Giants at the Schuster Center.

On Saturday, there will be great things going on at the PNC 2^nd Street Market. Take the kids so they can enjoy the Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss celebration. Also, while there, join in the festivities as it is also St. Patrick’s Day at the Market! There will be live Irish music as well as Irish dance demonstrations. While you’re downtown, be sure to head to Fifth Third Field for the Dragons Box Office Opening so that you can get the best tickets for the season! For all those who would like to learn how to sew, register for the Workshop: Do-It-Yourself Sewing at the Dayton Art Institute. I definitely would benefit as I can’t sew worth a darn! All you artist wannabes will want to attend the Saturday Art Classes at K12 Gallery for Young People. If you know a teenager, encourage him/her to attend the Boonshoft’s shamROCK 2011, for an evening of live music, dancing, laser tag, prizes, and much more! There are a wide variety of theater options, including The Drowsy Chaperone (Victoria Theatre), Pinkalicious, The Musical at Town Hall Theatre, Old Time Radio Show II at the Kettering Health Network Theater, Beyond Therapy at Dayton Playhouse, Little Women at Wright State University, and Mid-Life, The Crisis Musical at Beavercreek Community Theatre. If you love black tie events, you will want to attend the Opera Guild of Dayton’s 2011 Opera Ball, whose theme this year Come Fly with Me. The event will take place at the Wright Brothers Airport. Have a wonderful time at Cars & Cabernet, a fundraiser to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio. It will be an evening of fine wine, delicious hors d’oeuvres, and exquisite automobiles! If you’d prefer a more low-key evening that will support a “God” cause, attend the Holy Trinity Fish Fry. Some musical options for Saturday include The Bluegrass Blowout featuring The Special Consensus at Centerville Schools Performing Arts Center and the Dayton Philharmonic’s Russian Giants at the Schuster Center. And if you love dance, be sure to attend the Dance Concert 2011 at the Schuster Center.

On Sunday, make time to catch one of the shows you didn’t have an opportunity to see earlier in the weekend: Beyond Therapy (Dayton Playhouse), Little Women (Wright State), The Drowsy Chaperone (Victoria Theatre), Mid-Life, The Crisis Musical (Beavercreek Community Theatre), Old Time Radio Show (Xenia Area Community Theatre at Kettering Health Network Theater), or Pinkalicious, The Musical (Town Hall Theatre). Want to get out in the great outdoors? Learn the Fundamentals of Skating at RiverScape. If you’re a write and prefer to stay indoors, attend Books & Co.’s Second Sunday Free Writers’ Workshop–How To Break Into Publishing. And finally, watch some amazing dance performances at Wright State’s Dance Concert 2011.

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

A seamstress went to the doctor. The doctor asked her, “How are you feeling?” She replied, “Ah, so so.”

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)

February 8, 2011 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

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 2^nd 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 Afternoon 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.

Have a LOVEly week Dayton!

‘9 to 5’ Thrives On Nostalgia

February 5, 2011 By Russell Florence, Jr. Leave a Comment

9 to 5: The Musical

presented by the Victoria Theatre Association

“9 to 5: The Musical,” Dolly Parton and Patricia Resnick’s shaky adaptation of the 1980 workplace revenge film of the same name, struggles to overcome its dated discrimination premise and an assortment of hit and miss tunes, but there are commendable elements nonetheless in its reconceived, well cast national tour, which began its regional premiere Tuesday, February 1 at the Schuster Center courtesy of the Victoria Theatre Association’s Miami Valley and Good Samaritan Hospitals Broadway Series.

A greater sense of nostalgia in the form of a terrific pop culture-inspired show curtain as well as Parton’s warm, folksy introduction and closing commentary (including a sing-a-long) effectively distinguishes the tour from its unnecessarily flashy, vocally erratic and unsurprisingly short-lived 2009 Broadway counterpart. There is also a sharper character-driven focus and tighter pace that director/choreographer Jeff Calhoun establishes that keeps the show entertaining and engaging even when three labored fantasy sequences and a swarm of bad jokes and crude lyrics become cringe-inducing.

The core trio of Mamie Parris as ditzy divorcee Judy Bernly, “American Idol” runner-up Diana DeGarmo as voluptuous Doralee Rhodes, and three-time Tony Award nominee Dee Hoty as no-nonsense Violet Newstead form a compatible bond. Each character exudes a genuine, down to earth sensibility so it’s easy to empathize with the torment they endure at the hand of their bigoted boss Franklin Hart, Jr. (Joseph Mahowald in a terribly one-dimensional role). The endearing Parris actually finds depth in what could easily be perceived as a thankless part. Her belting soprano absolutely sparkles in “Get Out and Stay Out,” which powerfully culminates in a “Wicked” style reminiscent of “Defying Gravity” or “No Good Deed.” The naturally perky DeGarmo remains a vocal knockout and couldn’t be more charming. Her poignant rendition of “Backwoods Barbie” is a meaningful highlight, but she’s also great leading the rousing ensemble number “Change It.” Hoty, a wonderful authoritarian, particularly makes the most of Act 2 opener “One of the Boys,” Parton’s meager attempt at writing a razzle-dazzle show tune.

Enjoyable featured turns are given by the very funny, spontaneous Kristine Zbornick as Hart’s infatuated secretary Roz Keith, Gregg Goodbrod as Joe, Wayne Schroeder as the Colonel Sanders-esque Tinsworthy, and scene-stealer Jane Blass as the boozy Margaret.

Although there’s no escaping the fact that the best number in the show was written over 30 years ago, “9 to 5” is better here than in New York with an intent to please Parton admirers as well as fans of the film and its era.

9 to 5: The Musical presented by The Victoria Theatre Association at the Schuster Center

(L to R) Diana DeGarmo, Dee Hoty and Mamie Parris in '9 to 5'

9 to 5: The Musical continues through Sunday, February 6 at the Schuster Center, Second and Main Streets. Remaining performances will be held today at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Act One: 70 minutes. Act Two: 45 minutes. Tickets are $36-$90. For tickets or more information, call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

In addition, the show notably contains two Wright State University alums: swing K.J. Hippensteel and stage manager E. Cameron Holsinger.

We encourage local theatre companies to submit calendar items HERE, and official press releases to [email protected].

Arts and Entertainment on a Budget – Feb. 4th Edition

February 4, 2011 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

The ice is finally melting, so cure that cabin fever and check out these wallet-friendly entertainment options:

The Super Bowl is sure to be a weekend highlight for many, but if football isn’t your thing, go see “9 to 5: The Musical” this Sunday instead! Get 4 tickets for just $90 or 2 tickets for just $50! Call 228-3630 or visit http://ticketcenterstage.com and use the code FOOTBALL.

Join JumpstART on Feb. 10th for Jump Into Theatre. This young-professional branch of Culture Works is offering half-price tickets to “Twelfth Night,” plus a backstage tour. Tickets are going fast, so reserve yours now!

Riverscape Ice Rink offers free skating on Tuesdays and Wednesdays ($3 to rent skates), and only costs $5 (including skate rental) the rest of the week. You can even celebrate Valentine’s Day early at the Saturday Night Sweetheart Skate from 7 to 10 p.m. on February 12.; the first 100 couples will receive a free flower from the Flowerman!

Encore Theater Company will host the New York bound musical “Hot Mess in Manhattan” on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 8 pm at Sinclair Community College, Building 8. Tickets will be $18 at the door, but reserve your table of 4 now and pay only $12.15 per person! Visit http://www.encoretheatercompany.com/ to order your tickets; just select “reserved table of 4” and enter the code “hotmess” to receive the discount.

Student and community theatre productions always make a great date night at a great price. The University of Dayton Theatre Program is presenting Sam Shepard’s “True West” Feb. 4-6 and 10-12; tickets are only $12. Centerville High School will present “Crimes of the Heart” on Feb. 11 and 12; admission is free, but donations will benefit the CHS Drama Club. These are just a few of the upcoming (and affordable) theatre performances in Dayton; visit onStageDayton for many more.

Don’t forget to start your night out off right with a great meal! Dayton Dining offers lots of tips and discounts for local restaurants; just “like” their Facebook page for the inside scoop.

Finally, buy your tickets now for “The Drowsy Chaperone,” and save 35%! This Broadway Series production will be at the Victoria Theatre from March 8-20. Visit http://ticketcenterstage.com before Feb. 18th and use the code JANET.

A Cup of Ambition…at the Schuster Center

January 28, 2011 By Shane Anderson 7 Comments

9 to 5 – the musical

Victoria Theatre Association

Win tickets to this show! Read on…

The year was 1980. Dolly Parton was making her big-screen debut and the whole world was a-flutter! Dolly on the BIG SCREEN! This 10 year old little kid couldn’t figure out why Grandpa had four copies of her latest album which featured the title song from the movie 9 TO 5. Thirty-one years later, I think I’ve got it figured out.

This was one funny movie! Bravo still has it listed as #47 on their list of the “100 Funniest Movies.” I was so jealous of my older cousins who saw it in the local movie-plex. I am pretty sure that I wasn’t allowed to see the movie when it first came out (I had to wait several years for VHS on the small screen), but I know that there was many a chuckle at family gatherings that Christmas over this flick. I think I know now why Grandpa kept four copies of the vinyl. You always wanna a few back-ups of something this, umm, monumental.

Leap forward almost thirty years.

Dolly Parton brushes the dust off of this classic, writes a few new songs, hires a kick-butt cast & breathes new life into the hilarious story–but this time in one of the biggest houses on the Great White Way, marking the Broadway debut of the seven-time Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter and musician.

2009 saw the premiere of 9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL, starring contemporary stage greats Stephanie J. Block, Megan Hilty, Mark Kudisch and Daytonian Allison Janney (who was just HEARD on stage in the recent Muse Machine production of Sondheim’s INTO THE WOODS as the voice of the giant). Unfortunately the show’s NYC run only survived through September 2009, but a year later the first national tour kicked off…and will be making a stop at The Schuster Center February 1-6.

“it shines! Dolly Parton’s songs are bouncy, big hearted, fresh & original. If you’re looking for a diversion, 9 to 5 will do the trick from 8 to 10:15!” ~ The Daily News

9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL is a hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era. This is the story of three unlikely friends who conspire to take control of their company and learn there’s nothing they can’t do — even in a man’s world.

Outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic, the show is about teaming up and taking care of business… it’s about getting credit and getting even.

While the company has changed a bit, it still features a stellar cast of Dee Hoty (Violet), Diana DeGarmo (Doralee Rhodes) and Mamie Paris (Judy), along with Dolly Parton’s original hit title song in her new Tony Award® and Grammy-nominated score. 9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL was nominated for four 2009 Tony Awards® including Original Score and received a record breaking 15 Drama Desk nominations including Outstanding Musical.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better experience on my first Broadway show,” said Dolly Parton. ‘I’ve had the privilege of working with an amazing group of people who have become like family to me. I can’t wait for this show to hit the road so people across the country can see why I’m so proud of everyone involved.”

9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL’s book is by Patricia Resnick (co-writer of the original screenplay). The touring production will be directed and choreographed by Tony nominated, Jeff Calhoun.

“I met Dolly Parton as a chorus kid dancing in the film ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’ only a few years after ‘9 to 5’ was already a hit movie. It was a thrill to work with her then and an honor and privilege to be entrusted to direct and choreograph this exciting new tour of 9 to 5: The Musical” said Mr. Calhoun.

9 to 5 - the musical ~ February 1-6, 2011 at the Schuster Center ~ present by Victoria Theatre Association

Allison Janney in 9 to 5

The co–choreographer is Lisa Stevens, scenic design by Ken Foy, costume design by five time Tony Award® winner, William Ivey Long, lighting design by Tony Award® and Drama Desk Award winner, Ken Billington, music supervision by Stephen Oremus and casting by Telsey + Company.

-SA/VTA Press Release

We encourage local theatre companies to submit calendar items HERE, and official press releases to [email protected].

Tickets & Performance Information:

9 to 5: The Musical (February 1-6 at The Schuster Center) Performance times are Tuesday through Friday evenings at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tickets start at $36, with discounts available for senior citizens, students and groups.

Tickets are on sale now through Ticket Center Stage, and may be purchased at the Schuster Center box office in downtown Dayton or by phone, at (937) 228-3630 or toll free (888) 228-3630. Ticket Center Stage hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday, noon – 4 p.m., and two hours prior to each performance. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.ticketcenterstage.com. Group discounts for 20 or more are available.

For more information about Victoria Theatre Association’s entire 20010-2011 season, visit www.victoriatheatre.com.

Win Free Tickets!

The Victoria Theatre Association & onStageDayton on DaytonMostMetro.com have teamed up to give you a chance to win tickets to 9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL! We will be giving away up to TWO pairs of tickets for the Tuesday evening show! (February 1st) All you need to do is:

Share this article on Facebook or Twitter…just click the appropriate button at the top of this page.
Fill out the contact form at the bottom of this post.
Leave a comment, answering the following question…WITHOUT NAMING NAMES…Describe your DREAM retaliation against your LEAST FAVORITE BOSS ever????! (no blood or guts, please)
The deadline to enter is 8PM on SUNDAY, January 30th.
Winners will be selected randomly from all of the entries.

CONTEST CLOSED

Arts and Entertainment on a Budget

January 24, 2011 By Dayton937 3 Comments

Marsha Pippenger said it best in her article about supporting the Dayton arts scene: just go. Yet despite the plethora of arts and entertainment options in Dayton, we all have our excuses, and money is certainly a legitimate one. The arts aren’t cheap to produce, and while the high quality productions are usually worth every penny, many of us can’t afford to drop that kind of cash every weekend. That being said, my motto for 2011 is “No Excuses.” So fear not – there are plenty of discounts and freebies to go around. Here are just a few:

Oscar season is upon us, and “The King’s Speech” is certain to appear on the list of nominees. Check it out at The Neon this week; on Tuesdays, tickets are only $5! Even full-price tickets at The Neon ($8.50 for evening screenings) are a few dollars cheaper than the big-box movie theatres.

This Wednesday (1/26), preview the Human Race’s “Twelfth Night” for the price of a canned good. Ticket distribution begins at 5:30 pm (first-come, first-served); performance begins at 7 pm. If you can’t make it to Wednesday’s Pay What You Can performance, then join JumpstART on Feb. 10th for Jump Into Theatre. This young-professional branch of Culture Works is offering half-price tickets to “Twelfth Night,” plus a backstage tour.

Are you a fan of bluegrass? JumpstART is also offering discounted tickets to the Ricky Skaggs concert on Jan. 29th, presented by Cityfolk.

If jazz is more your style, then don’t miss the Eddie Brookshire Quintet on Monday, Jan. 31st at the University of Dayton. This concert is free! Learn more about this high energy ensemble at http://www.eddiebrookshiremusic.com.

Forbidden Broadway: Dances with the Stars will hit the Victoria Theatre stage on February 19th; buy your ticket online before January 28th and get 35% off. Just visit http://www.ticketcenterstage.com and use the code “DWTS”.

Jane’s Best Bets (1/19 – 1/23)

January 18, 2011 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

I have to be honest…writing this column each week has been a bit overwhelming, and this week is no exception! As I have been researching events to share with you, I have realized that there are just TOO MANY great things going on in Dayton from which to choose! In an effort to reduce the time it would take you to read about all the events going on this week, I have narrowed them down to a hopefully more manageable number!

On Wednesday, you can yell “checkmate” as part of the Chess Club at the East Branch of the Dayton Metro Library…or perhaps you better whisper it since you’ll be at the library. Test your dance moves with Zumba at the East End Community Center. Since you worked out, you can head over to Nick’s Restaurant for their Kahlua Tasting (you can’t go wrong with kahlua!), The Wine Gallery for their Weekly Wine Tasting, The Caroline for their Eel River Brewing Company Beer Tasting, or Savona Restaurant & Wine Bar for their Wine Down Weekdays! Or check out the movie Bill Monroe: Father of Bluegrass Music at The (Fabulous) Neon.

On Thursday, if you don’t know much about twitter, be sure to check out How To Use Twitter for Business. When I gave up Facebook for Lent last year (except on Sundays, which was still incredibly difficult!), I created a Twitter account to “replace” it. However, to this day, I still don’t know how to use it, so I could definitely benefit from this workshop! If you think ice skating is a breeze, learn some additional skills at RiverScape as part of So You Think You Can Skate? I definitely wouldn’t be able to cut it for that one, but perhaps you are much more talented than I am! Over at the Dayton Art Institute, check out the Dayton Philharmonic’s The King’s Theme: Bach’s A Musical Offering…who could turn down beautiful music in a beautiful environment? While you’re there, be sure to take advantage of their Free Third Thursdays, as you will get free admission to two of their exhibits! And finally, whether you’re good or bad, check out Jekyll & Hyde, which will be performed at Wright State.

On Friday, learn the basics of Bread Baking at the PNC 2^nd Street Market. Some music options are the Dayton Philharmonic’s ‘Bach: A Musical Offering’ at the Schuster Center, Betty Buckley – Broadway by Request at the Clark State Performing Arts Center, and Bruce Jordan with Sinclair Jazz Ensemble at Sinclair’s Blair Hall Theater. I Hate Hamlet. Sorry to all the English teachers I have had in the past. Actually, this is the name of a dramatic comedy you can see at The Playhouse South. You can also catch Jekyll & Hyde at Wright State and Ravenscroft at the Dayton Theatre Guild. And no matter your religious affiliation, if you missed the kick-off to fish fry season this past weekend at Holy Angels, be sure to head to St. Albert the Great for their Fish Fry!

On Saturday, get some tips on taking care of plants over the winter with the Plant Doctors at the PNC 2^nd Street Market. If you’ve never tried yoga and you’re wondering what all the hype is about, head to the Sri Yoga Open House at Sri Yoga Center, where you will be able to participate in FREE yoga classes! Bring the whole family to Victoria Theatre for The Gizmo Guys – Comedic Juggling Duo. If you have an ear for music, head to Aullwood Audubon Center & Farm for the Moon over Aullwood Musical Performance, Gilly’s for the Dayton Blues Society Winter Blues Showcase, or to Sinclair’s Blair Hall Theater for the Community Wind Symphony Concert. Or if you’re like me and are a fan of music by THE Eagles (I can’t remember if any of them are bald), then head to the Schuster Center for ‘One of These Nights: Music of the Eagles’. To catch some theater, purchase tickets to Ravenscroft at Dayton Theatre Guild, I Hate Hamlet at The Playhouse South, Seth Rudetsky’s Big Fat Broadway Show at Clark State Performing Arts Center, or Jekyll & Hyde at Wright State University. For a thrill, check out AMA Arenacross- Professional Racing at the Nutter Center. Plus, be sure to get the DaytonMostMetro.com discount for Saturday’s show ($4 off your ticket) by entering the promo code MMETRO! And finally, although it was a tough loss to Xavier, hopefully the Flyers will get a victory when they take on Fordham at the UD Arena…and hopefully you’ll be there to cheer them on!

On Sunday, you will be able to attend one of the events you may have missed earlier in the weekend, such as the AMA Arenacross- Amateur Racing at the Nutter Center, The Gizmo Guys – Comedic Juggling Duo at Victoria Theatre, I Hate Hamlet at The Playhouse South, Jekyll & Hyde at Wright State, or Ravenscroft at Dayton Theatre Guild. If you like art, you can catch the Wright State University 2011 Faculty Exhibition. And for all you social justice activists out there, head to the Dayton International Peace Museum for their exhibit, Under Our Noses: Modern Day Slavery and What You Can Do About It.

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

How do you identify a bald eagle?

All his feathers are combed over to one side.

Have a great week Dayton!

Jane’s Best Bets (1/12 – 1/16)

January 11, 2011 By Dayton937 1 Comment

Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

I’m ready for another great week…and the official kick-off to “Fish Fry Season” this Friday! If you don’t like fish, don’t worry, as there are plenty of other options as well!

On Wednesday, head to The Wine Gallery for their Weekly Wine Tasting. Wear your Flyer gear and head to the UD Arena to watch UD play St. Joseph’s. If you like live music, watch Frozen Feet (which is probably pretty accurate this time of year) at Oregon Express or check out the Old Time Acoustic Jam at The Trolley Stop. Oh…and if you’re like me and kill every plant you come in contact with, get some good plant advice at Cox Arboretum for Lunch and Learn: Fool Proof Plants.

On Thursday, be one of the first 50 customers at PNC 2^nd Street Market for their Customer Appreciation Days in order to receive a gift. While there, enjoy musical entertainment and also participate in their Winter Flower Arranging. Help out 4 Paws for Ability, a wonderful charity that helps people with disabilities by attending their Charity Quarter Auction at the American Legion. If you love acoustic music, head to Dublin Pub to see Nick Mitchell perform. It’s cold outside so go INTO Victoria Theatre for Into the Woods. And finally, I’d love to see you at The Wine Loft for Generation Dayton’s Thirsty Thursday! Plus, you’ll have a chance to win a Wine Loft gift card!

On Friday, again head to PNC 2^nd Street Market for one of their Customer Appreciation Days and their Winter Flower Arranging. I know this is DaytonMostMetro.com, but if you’re feeling like doing a little traveling, I’ll give you the okay just this once to go to Cincinnati for The 53rd Annual Cincinnati Travel, Sports & Boat Show. If you are in the advertising industry, head to Brixx for their Hermes Call for Entries & Happy Hour. While you’re downtown, brave the elements by attending the Star-Late Skate at RiverScape. Or attend At the Movies with Rodgers & Hammerstein at the Schuster Center, Into the Woods presented by Muse Machine at Victoria Theatre, or Ravenscroft at Dayton Theatre Guild. And finally, help kick-off fish fry season by attending the Holy Angels Fish Fry and Silent Auction!

On Saturday, head to Spinoza’s for their Yeti Beer Breakfast!, where they will also have live jazz music. What a great way to start your Saturday! You can continue the eating out tradition for the day by attending the Wine Luncheon at Jay’s Seafood…which is absolutely delicious! Up in Yellow Springs, head to their Winter Farmer’s Market. Over at another kind of market, the PNC 2^nd Street Market, bring the kids and participate in their Winter Family Fun Day. If you really should be working on that next house project, head to the Miami Valley Home Improvement Show for some great ideas! Give your skating skills a try as part of Ice Skating with Generation Dayton. Don’t worry, if you fall…I mean when you fall…you’ll be in great company! For some theater action, get tickets to see Into the Woods at Victoria Theatre, Ravenscroft at Dayton Theatre Guild, At the Movies with Rodgers & Hammerstein at the Schuster Center, or Justin & Ryan: A Night of Improv, which is also at the Schuster Center. Help the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation by attending the Let it Breathe Wine Opener at Taj Ma Garaj. Or head over to Blind Bob’s for the North Main Flower Man Benefit, which will feature several bands. Why not party AND support a good cause?!?!

On Sunday, head over to Books & Co. for their Second Sunday Free Writers’ Workshop. If you’re feeling like life is a little too hectic and would like to hit the pause button, just head over to Pause to Ponder at Gallery St. John to see photographs of scenes from Dayton. Or see A Student of People Exhibit, which is an exhibit featuring people from different walks of life. If you still haven’t made it to the Miami Valley Home Improvement Show, make your way there to get some fantastic ideas for your home. Love prime rib? Treat yourself and perhaps someone else (if you’re really nice) by heading over to Fleming’s for their Prime Rib Dinner, which is featured at the special price of $29.95. If you would like to catch a show, see Into the Woods at the Victoria Theatre or Ravenscroft at the Dayton Theatre Guild. And if your taste in music is rather eclectic, definitely check out 3 Mo’ Divas at the Schuster Center…which sounds like it will be a great performance!

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

Why couldn’t the pony talk?

He was a little horse.

“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!

I Wish. More Than Anything…

January 8, 2011 By Shane Anderson 20 Comments

Into The Woods

THE MUSE MACHINE

Win tickets to this show! Read on…

Once upon a time…

Suzy Bassani had a dream. That dream became a reality in the Muse Machine, a truly unique Dayton area arts organization for kids. A culminating yearly activity is a highly regarded theatrical production featuring nearly 100 talented students on stage, back stage and in the orchestra.

The 2011 selection is the popular Sondheim show Into The Woods. The Tony Award winning show, by Stephen Sondheim (music & lyrics) and James Lapine (book), premiered on Broadway in 1987. That original cast included Broadway legend Bernadette Peters and Joanna Gleason, as well as Dayton native Tom Aldredge.

Just like with the fairytale favorites whose stories intertwine as they venture Into The Woods, new directions are afoot for the Muse Machine as more than 100 area students prepare to present Sondheim’s smash-hit family musical next weekend.

Muse Machine mounts it’s first Sondheim production in a year that celebrates the composer and lyricist’s 80th birthday. The lavish musical, which thrusts characters into situations where their “happily ever after” may not come so easily. Finding familiar characters like Little Red Riding Hood and her wolf, Cinderella and her prince, Jack of beanstalk fame and others faced with new challenges makes the show both unexpectedly funny and surprisingly poignant.

The production will also experience the Muse touch through movement. “Early versions of Into The Woods used very little dance, but we’re going to change that,” said New Orleans choreographer Lula Elzy, who promised surprises in store with each of the show’s tolls of midnight. “It will feel like movement has always been a part of this show!”

Into The Woods also marks the addition of a new face to the Muse Machine creative team: Rufus Bonds, Jr., familiar to audiences as Collins from the Broadway cast of Rent and Mufasa from the national tour of The Lion King. Bonds comes from the west coast, joining returning NYC music director David Dusing to complete the directing team.

“What’s so beautiful about this experience is the opportunity to work with young adults who bring the perfect marriage of acting and voice to their roles,” said Bonds, who hopes audiences will be surprised by the depth of talent coming from the young performers on stage. “There’s nothing I’ve seen anywhere like this, on any level – students are far ahead of the game with the training they receive here at Muse.”

This is a theatrical opportunity that you don’t get in other cities. The Muse Machine has touched countless lives, including actors, dancers, writers and designers currently earning their living in the arts all over the country, including New York City. The organization’s track record indicates that within a few years, one of these young performers in Into The Woods will very likely be treading the boards of Broadway.

Happily ever after.

UPDATE 1/8/2011 (information from the Muse Machine Facebook Page):

Emmy Award winning actress Allison Janney (The West Wing, Juno, Lost, Hairspray, Finding Nemo, American Beauty and many other film, television and stage credits) joins the cast of Muse Machine’s INTO THE WOODS in an original performance as the voice of the giant!

-SA/Muse Press Release

We encourage local theatre companies to submit calendar items HERE, and official press releases to [email protected].

Tickets & Performance Information:

Into The Woods (January 13-16 – various times – at The Victoria Theatre)

Tickets: prices range from $31-$56

Call (937) 228-3630 or by visiting TicketCenterStage.com.

Visit www.MuseMachine.com for more information about The Muse Machine and their programs.

Win Free Tickets!

Muse Machine & onStageDayton on DaytonMostMetro.com have teamed up to give you a chance to win tickets to Into The Woods! We will be giving away up to TEN pairs of tickets for next weekend’s performances! All you need to do is:

Share this article on Facebook or Twitter…just click the appropriate button at the top of this page.
Leave a comment, answering the following question…In just a couple of sentences, change the ending of your favorite classic fairytale.
The deadline to enter is 9AM on MONDAY, January 10th.
Winners will be selected randomly from all of the entries.

Jane’s Best Bets (12/15 – 12/19)

December 15, 2010 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

If you had one, I hope you enjoyed your 2-hour delay or day off due to the snow this week! If not, I’m sorry! There are again lots of things to do this week, so even if jackfrost is nipping at your nose, don’t make it a big deal…bundle up and get out of that house!

On Wednesday, start the day at Taco Bell for Free Breakfast Wednesday. At lunchtime, there are several events going on downtown. You will be able to hear yuletide carols being sung by a choir if you attend the Dayton Holiday Festival’s Noontime Entertainment or the Noonday Carol Singat Westminster Presbyterian Church. If you work or volunteer for a non-profit, you’ll want to attend Results Now for Nonprofits at the main branch of the Dayton Metro Library. The colors of Christmas are red and green, so get in half of that spirit by attending the ‘Green’ Social Networking event at Franco’s. For you winos, attend the Wine Tasting at Dorothy Lane Market or the Weekly Wine Tastingat The Wine Gallery. If you’re a beero, attend the Mt Camel Beer Tastingat A Taste of Wine in Miamisburg. At the Spaghetti Warehouse, attend their Mayhem & Mystery Dinner Theatre ‘Hollywood Holiday’…if it’s too scary, you will find it hard to sleep tonight. For you corny folk like me, attend the Customer Appreciation Christmas Partyat Barleycorn’s, where it will be happy hour all day and there will be visits and gifts from Santa. And finally on Wednesday, at The Loft Theatre, attend 8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s or catch The Wonder Bread Years at Victoria Theatre.

On Thursday, visit Santa at the PNC Second Street Market. Again at your lunch hour, attend the Dayton Holiday Festival’s Noontime Entertainment going on downtown. If you are a young professional who lives/works north of town, join HYPE (Helping Young Professionals Emerge) at The Caroline as part of their Third Thursday. In order to try a new beer or two, attend the Sierra Nevada Celebration at Spinoza’s or the Christmas Beer Dinner at Thai 9. I’m talking to you about beer, so I’m offering this simple phrase: Don’t drink and drive. Over at the Dayton Art Institute, watch as the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company Presents African Americans in American Life. While there, take advantage of their Free Third Thursdays. Or crank out some tunes by attending Karaoke with DJ Carlat Therapy Café.

On Friday, there are many options for your lunch hour. If you would like to have lunch with an awesome group of young professionals, RSVP to the wonderful Andy Hickey and attend Generation Dayton’s 4th Friday lunchat Rue Dumaine (it’s actually the third Thursday this month because of Christmas!). Or, attend Bach’s Lunch feat. Carillon Brass, a band of brass instrument musicians, whose members are all part of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. Plus, the concert is absolutely FREE! According to my schedule, fish fry season doesn’t officially start until the Holy Angels fish fry in January, but you don’t have to wait that long for a little fish as you’ll be able to have an All You Can Eat Fish Dinnerat Romer’s Bar and Grill. For those of us who still need to finish our Christmas shopping, we’re in luck as there is a Holiday Bazaar at Valeria’s Beauty Center and Day Spa. Don’t feel like cooking? Attend the Christmas Candlelight Dinner at the Dayton Woman’s Club. Or attend the December Wine and Food Extravaganzaat Kroger Fresh Fare. I looked at the menu and it sounds absolutely amazing, as there are many foods whose names I don’t know how to pronounce! To burn off all those calories, grab your ice skates and head over to RiversScape for their DJ Skate: Holiday and Top 40. Or if you feel like just kicking back, consider purchasing tickets to one of the many shows going on in the area, including Junie B. Jones; Jingle Bells, Batman Smells at Town Hall Theatre, The Nutcrackerat the Schuster Center, 8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s at The Loft Theatre, Christmas Belles at the Dayton Playhouse, the The Wonder Bread Years at Victoria Theatre, or Irving Berlin’s White Christmasat La Comedia.

Plan to make Saturday a day with your kids…or at least part of it. And if you’re like me and don’t have any kids, you can just act like one, or perhaps give somebody’s parents a break and borrow one. (My mom said she wished somebody would borrow me. Yep, she actually said that…luckily followed by a just kidding!) So with kid/s in tow, attend Breakfast with Santa at Carillon Park or stop by the PNC 2^nd Street Market as Santa Visits the Market, where he has probably loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh! While there, drop off your non-perishable items for Food for Friends. In addition to helping those who are less fortunate, you’ll also be setting a great example for the little ones! You can then visit the Wonderland Windows and do a little shopping at The Tike’s Shop, which are both at the Schuster Center. At Kettering Tower, check out Virginia Kettering’s Holiday Train Display. A little later, take those kiddos to The Neon to watch ‘The Grinch’ as part of their Family Movie Series. Looking for a pet? Consider attending the Iams Home 4 the Holiday Pet Adopt-a-thon Event.

There are many other options for Saturday as well! If you’d like to see a show, consider seeing Christmas Belles at the Dayton Playhouse, The Wonder Bread Years at Victoria Theatre, The Nutcrackerat the Schuster Center, Junie B. Jones; Jingle Bells, Batman Smells at Town Hall Theatre, or 8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s at the Loft Theatre. Help to make the season bright by attending the Musica! Christmas Seasonal Concertat Fairhaven Church. I have heard that Musica! has been working hard to put on a great performance! All you “Flyer Faithful” will want to be at the UD Arena as the Flyers take on Western Carolina. And although I have never been to one, you can also attend The Mu Crew Christmas Drag Showto benefit the AIDS Resource Center…there might not be folks dressed up like eskimos, but I am sure they will be wearing some interesting clothes! I didn’t mean for it to, but that sort of rhymed…I guess I’m a poet and didn’t even know it.

On Sunday, have a Victorian Christmas Brunch at the Dayton Woman’s Club. You will also have the opportunity to take your child to the Schuster Center to have Some-Fun, see the Wonderland Windows display, and shop at The Tike’s Shop…I’m sure there will be lots of tiny tots with their eyes all aglow! If you love architecture, then you will definitely want to attend the Architectural Church Tour which will take you through four different churches built in the late 19th/early 20th century. This shuttled tour is 100% free! If you didn’t get a chance to see Musica! perform on Saturday night, consider checking them out at the Lutheran Church of our Savior for their Christmas Seasonal Concert. And for some theater options, go to the Dayton Playhouse to see Christmas Belles, the Victoria Theatre for The Wonder Bread Years, the Schuster Center for The Nutcracker, Town Hall Theatre for Junie B. Jones; Jingle Bells, Batman Smells, La Comedia for Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, or The loft Theatre for 8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s. And if you would like somebody to hit your funny bone, see Latin Kings of Comedy- Alex Reymundo at Dayton Funny Bone. I have two funny bones, but I think Dayton only has one.

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

Why does Santa have three gardens?

So he can hoe hoe hoe.

Although it’s been said many times, many ways, have a GREAT week Dayton!

Jane’s Best Bets (12/8 – 12/12)

December 8, 2010 By Dayton937 1 Comment

Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

So we got some of that white stuff on the ground this past week, which is starting to make me dream of a white Christmas! I love Dayton, but I could definitely do away with this cold! Anywho, here are some mostly indoor options for the week so you don’t have to depend on the crazy weather!

On Wednesday, check out the Dayton Holiday Festival’s Noontime Entertainment at various building lobbies downtown. Groups from around the Miami Valley will be performing holiday music, so it might be a good thing to check out during your lunch hour! If you’re up in the northern part of the area, consider having Lunch with HYPE (Helping Young Professionals Emerge) at Coldwater Café. In the evening, head to the Oregon District for their Holiday Tour of Homes. If you have never experienced Christmas on Campus – Music at the University of Dayton, it is definitely something you want to check out! There are a variety of festivities, including live music, displays, food, and much more! If you are “wonder”ing whether there are any theater options, you are in luck! Catch The Wonder Bread Years at Victoria Theatre, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at La Comedia, or 8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s at The Loft Theatre.

On Thursday, there will again be musical entertainment during the lunch hour at both the Key Bank Tower’s lobby and the Liberty Tower’s lobby as part of the Dayton Holiday Festival’s Noontime Entertainment. Ladies, there is a day just for us at the PNC 2^nd Street Market. Pamper yourself by participating in a variety of activities, including flower arranging, make-up hints, healthy eating tips, and more as part of Ladies Day at the Market. If you can take the afternoon off work, head to the Dayton Art Institute for their Tour and Tea. In the evening, ALL young professionals should definitely attend Generation Dayton’s Thirsty Thursday at the Dayton Racquet Club! If you’re active and would like to learn how to cook, consider registering for Backcountry Gourmet Cooking presented by Five Rivers Metro Parks. And if you love free live music, attend the UD Gamelan Ensemble performance.

The Nutcracker

On Friday, attend Kids Flower Arranging (make sure your children listen!) or December Centerpieces at PNC 2^nd Street Market. If you didn’t get a chance to check out one of the many holiday music performances downtown during your lunch hour the past few days as part of the Dayton Holiday Festival’s Noontime Entertainment, now is your chance. And even if you already did, there will be new groups performing! There will be plenty of performances/shows to check out, including Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at La Comedia, A Christmas Carol at the Beavercreek Community Theatre, Junie B. Jones; Jingle Bells, Batman Smells at Town Hall Theatre, the UD Jazz Ensembles at the University of Dayton, The Nutcracker at the Schuster Center, 8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s at The Loft Theatre, Precious Heart at the Dayton Theatre Guild, and The Wonder Bread Years at Victoria Theatre. If it’s not too cold, join other skaters (or wannabe skaters) at the Star-Late Skate at River Skate…I mean Scape. No goats allowed.

On Saturday, get a healthy start by participating in the 2010 Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis at the Dayton Mall, where I’m sure you’ll see treetops glisten if you go in some of the department stores! With every Christmas card you write, you get some of that carpal tunnel stuff, so this will be a good opportunity to start moving your legs instead of your hands! Still trying to catch up on your holiday shopping? Check out the Yellow Springs Holiday Festival. At The Neon, see the movie Elf as part of their Family Movie Series. Heat up your holidays without that expensive airfare by checking out the Parrots of the Caribbean (a Jimmy Buffett cover band) as they play at Norton’s in Kettering. There will also be tons of performances in the Dayton area that continue to go on, including The Wonder Bread Years at Victoria Theatre, Junie B. Jones; Jingle Bells, Batman Smells at Town Hall Theatre, Precious Heart at the Dayton Theatre Guild, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at La Comedia, A Christmas Carol at Beavercreek Community Theatre, 8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s and at The Loft Theatre. Also, join jumpstART, the Dayton Ballet Barre, and the Young Lawyers Division as they partner up for Jump into Ballet (A Night with the Nutcracker). Click on the link to see how YOU can get a ticket at half-price! Plus afterwards, attend the JumpsART Afterparty at The Wine Gallery! If you’re not into the theatre scene but would prefer to do some bar hopping (for a good cause of course!), get out your Santa or Mrs. Claus suit and participate in the Santa Pub Crawl to benefit Toys for Tots in the Oregon District. Just be sure to drink responsibly! Love, Your Mom.

On Sunday, take the whole family to the Schuster Center to hear sleigh bells in the snow as part of Wonderland Windows. While there, you can also shop in The Tike’s Shop, have “Some-Fun”, and check out a performance of The Nutcracker. For some beautiful music, head to the Dayton Art Institute for the Afternoon Musicales: Holiday Performance, Westminster Presbyterian Church for the Dayton Philharmonic’s ‘Handel’s Messiah: The Composer’s Cut’, or Kettering Fairmont High School for the Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra Concert. There will also be additional performances of many of the shows that have been going on this week, including The Wonder Bread Years at Victoria Theatre, Junie B. Jones; Jingle Bells, Batman Smells at Town Hall Theatre, Precious Heart at the Dayton Theatre Guild, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at La Comedia, or 8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s at The Loft Theatre. And finally, you may want to be sitting at “The Dock” (of the bay), for 79 Cent Draft Beer Football Happy Hour. It will definitely be happy if the Browns are winning! And if not, I’m sure a beer will help!

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

Did you hear about the guy who sent his girlfriend a huge pile of snow? He called her up the next day and asked her, “Did you get my drift?”

May your days be merry and bright this week Dayton!

Jane’s Best Bets (12/1 – 12/5)

December 1, 2010 By Dayton937 2 Comments

: Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Just think…in less than four weeks, Santa Claus is coming to town. You better watch out for the many fun things going on this week!

On Wednesday, head over to the University of Dayton for their Narrative Enchantment: Nativity Stories in Gold and Blue, which is a visual display created by an award-winning illustrator. You better not cry when you see Scrooge in A Christmas Carolat the Victoria Theatre. At the Robert and Elaine Stein Galleries, bring in canned goods to create an artistic display, which will then be donated to the Foodbank as part of the Show of HeART: The Foodbank Installation. At the Oakwood Dorothy Lane Market, attend the Season’s Greetings Beer Tasting. And in the evening, make your way over to UD Arena to watch the Flyers play East Tennessee State!

On Thursday, learn how social media can help grow your business by registering for Social Media Boot Camp at Sinclair. If you’re a young professional interested in marketing and new media and would like to give back (after all, Santa knows if you’ve been bad or good), you will definitely want to learn about a new and wonderful group in town called CultureMASH at their launch event at Wright State. And if you’re a young professional in the defense industry, definitely check out the Young AFCEAn End of Year Social at the Pub at the Greene. For a good laugh, head over to the Victoria Theatre to see the stand-up comic Lisa Lampanelli. Santa knows who is naughty and nice, and according to what I’ve heard, Lisa’s stand-up routine is more of the former, as she has been hailed the “Queen of Mean”…however, she is well-liked by many! If you’ve been making a list of all the songs of the 70s you know and love, then you’ll be able to listen to them as part of 8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s at The Loft Theatre. And if you would like to hear another style of music, watch the University of Dayton Orchestra, as they put on a FREE show!

On Friday, head over to the PNC 2^nd Street Market to make Azra’s Favorite Christmas Cookies. Watch the Miami Valley Dance Company’s Performance of the Nutcrackerat Bellbrook High School. Attend the Downtown Dayton Partnership’s First Friday, which is an amazing art hop downtown. Don’t worry, if you’re not an art fanatic, there are plenty of other things to do while you’re downtown! Ice skate at RiverScape (that sounds like the beginning of a tongue twister) to some music like the professionals do as part of their DJ Skate: Holiday and Top 40, or take a Horse-drawn Carriage Ride. At the Schuster Center, check out the Dayton Philharmonic’s performance, ‘Twas the Night: Holiday at Home’. At The Loft Theatre, be entertained by 8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s. And finally downtown, I am so pleased to announce that Bryan Adams will be performing at Victoria Theatre! Yeah, I’m pretty sure that “Bryan Adams” is a common name, but I checked and it is THE Bryan Adams…you know, the singer! Please forgive me for the fact that my words come straight from the heart…I’m just that excited about it! At Triangle Park, take the kids and attend the City Of Dayton Winter Wonderland to experience a fun, outdoor light display…just tell them to be good for goodness sake. And if you are in the suburbs, consider seeing A Christmas Carolat the Beavercreek Community Theatre, the Washington Township Woodland Lights, or Junie B. Jones: Jingle Bells, Batman Smellsat Town Hall Theatre in Centerville. I don’t think little Junie is aware of the fact that Santa knows if she’s been good or bad!

On Saturday, you better be making a list of the things you would like to do, as there are so many awesome events from which to choose! Santa Claus will REALLY be coming to town and you can have breakfast with him at Rusty Bucket at the Dayton Mall or at Polen Farms. Also at Polen Farms, you can attend their Holiday Boutique to find unique holiday gifts. Not sure how unique they are, as there will also be the Christkindlmarkt German Christmas Bazaar at Dayton Liederkranz Turner and the Omega Holiday Bazaar at Omega Baptist Church, which both offer one-of-a-kind holiday gifts. Kind of reminds me of the quote, “You’re unique, just like everybody else.” I guess it’s the same way with Christmas gifts. Sorry, I digress. I’m thinking Santa must have a pretty busy day, as he will also be at Uno’s Chicago Grill and at the PNC 2nd Street Market for Pet Pictures with Santa. While at the PNC 2^nd Street Market, you can also participate in the Christmas Walk, which is my kind of walk as it is a “noncompetitive walk for the health of it”. Although my kind of walk is probably more like the We Care Arts Cookie Walk going on at We Care Arts in Kettering, which is a wonderful organization that seeks to change disabilities into possibilities through art. If you’re in downtown Lebanon, check out the Historic Christmas Festival and Horse Drawn Carriage Parade.

Continuing with Saturday…At the Victoria Theatre, check out Mooseltoe: The Moosical…gotta love puns! Also for more theater action, check out Junie B. Jones: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells at Town Hall Theatre, the Miami Valley Dance Company’s Nutcracker at Bellbrook High School, or A Christmas Carol at the Beavercreek Community Theatre. If you enjoy music, consider listening to The Dayton Philharmonic ‘Twas the Night: Holiday at Home’at the Schuster Center, the UD Ebony Heritage Singers at the University of Dayton, or 8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s at The Loft Theatre. Eat and dance the night away with The Soul Express Band at the Dayton Neighborhood Ballat the Dayton Masonic Center. Give those vocal chords a workout (although you may need to see one of my colleagues for voice therapy afterwards!) by cheering on the Flyers as they take on Miami at UD Arena. At the University of Dayton’s campus, you will be able to see Holiday Happenings – DCDC2’s Family Holiday Performance, in which there will be fun-filled dance performances to traditional and non-traditional holiday music. And finally on Saturday evening, I am excited to be celebrating with Generation Dayton at their Annual Holiday Party at the Old Courthouse downtown!

On Sunday, you will once again be able to get some holiday shopping accomplished at the Omega Holiday Bazaar at Omega Baptist Church and the Christkindlmarkt German Christmas Bazaarat Dayton Liederkranz Turner. If you’re looking for something musical, check out Mooseltoe: The Moosical at Victoria Theatre, 8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s at The Loft Theatre, Afternoon Musicales: Dayton Music Club at the Dayton Art Institute, Advent Dinner and Choral Program at Westminster Presbyterian Church, or the UD Choral Union/ World Music Choir/ Hands in Harmony at the University of Dayton. And if you love all the Christmas decorations this time of year, hit up the Washington Township Woodland Lights!

You better not pout because you can’t hit up all these awesome events this week! I’m confident that whatever you choose to do, you’ll have an awesome time!

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

What do you call Santa when he has no money?
Saint “Nickel”-less!

Have a great week Dayton!

Jane’s Best Bets (11/3 – 11/7)

November 3, 2010 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

Election season is over! No matter your political stance and your state of happiness/unhappiness following the elections, at least celebrate the fact that you won’t have to deal with any more campaign commercials, fliers, or annoying phone calls! In order to start the celebration, here are some options this week!

On Wednesday, support the Humane Society by attending Pet Afflaire 2010: 20th Anniversary at the Presidential Banquet Center, which will include dining, socializing, “barktinis”, and an auction. Or sip a variety of wines at Dorothy Lane Market’s Wine Tasting (Centerville location) or at the The Wine Gallery’s Weekly Wine Tasting. Even though you might be bummed that fall is here, spring is in the air at the Victoria Theatre! Be sure to attend their presentation of the Tony Award winning musical, Spring Awakening. Plus, if you’re a student and you bring your student ID to the Ticket Center Stage Box Office, you can get half-off tickets two hours before the show!

On Thursday, all you Buckeye fans will want to head to the Schuster Center to see Archie Griffin as part of the Junior League of Dayton Town Hall Lecture Series. At the Dayton Art Institute, attend the last DAI 2010 Vectren Just Jazz Series, featuring Khalid Moss. If you enjoy baking and want to perfect your cookie decorating skills, consider heading to Cooks’ Wares in Springboro for their Holiday Cookie Decorating. If you need a taste tester or have any “goof-ups,” let me know…I’d be happy to help! At the First Baptist Church of Dayton, attend the Local Foods Chili Dinner, where UD students from the Nutrition & Dietetics Department will prepare a meal in order to promote local foods. In addition, all donations received will benefit the Foodbank. And if you love musicals, attend ETC’s Big Fat Concert Series: Indulge Yourself at Sidebar in the Oregon District for cocktails and a FREE concert!

On Friday, “accord”ing to me, you should consider attending the Commemorative Banquet as part of the Dayton Peace “Accords” 15th Anniversary Event at the Hope Hotel and Conference Center. In the evening, get your bike from out of the garage (and in my case, dust it off and put air in your tires), and participate in the Courteous Mass Ride. While you’re downtown, check out many of the events going on there as part of First Friday. Even though I’m typically on the side of the good guys, this weekend I’ll recommend the Bad Boys & Beer at the Belly Bomb Cafe Event at Taj Ma Garaj for fine food, samples of craft beer, and live music! Plus, proceeds benefit the Epilepsy Foundation and Dayton History. Or, if you want to catch a show/concert, some of your options include ‘Chopin’s Circle’at the Schuster Center, Irving Berlin’s White Christmasat La Comedia, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs at Town Hall Theatre, The 39 Steps at The Loft Theatre, The Sugar Witch at the Dayton Theatre Guild. Also, if you are a theater lover, be sure to check out the onStageDayton section of DaytonMostMetro.com for more detailed info about the Dayton theater scene!

On Saturday, attend the We Care Arts Holiday Open House. If you love Thomas, The Dayton Train Show at Hara Arena is where it’s at. (Sorry English teachers – prepositions are what my sentences sometimes end in.) If you can’t get enough of the King and the Rocket Man, come to the Mandalay Banquet Center for Rock the House – Elvis & Elton. In addition to music, there will be a dinner, raffle, silent auction, and much more. The Kettering Medical Center will thank you, thank you very much, as the proceeds will benefit oncology services there. There will also be some theater options, including The Sugar Witch at the Dayton Theatre Guild, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs at Town Hall Theatre, The 39 Steps at The Loft Theatre, and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at La Comedia. If you enjoy classical music, attend ‘Chopin’s Circle’ at the Schuster Center. Also at the Schuster Center, consider attending Justin and Ryan: A Night of Improv…I think just about anything with improv in its name is going to be funny! Are you among the Flyer Faithful? If so, hopefully you will be checking out Brian Gregory’s team as the Flyers play Findlay in an exhibition game at UD Arena. Gotta love UD basketball! And finallly on Saturday, if you want to get a head start on your Christmas shopping (after all, Christmas is less than two months away!), head down to the Dayton Visual Arts Center for the ARTtoBUY Holiday Gift Gallery for some unique options!

The 39 Steps at The Human Race Theatre Company

On Sunday, after you enjoy an extra hour of sleep (or perhaps you used your extra hour partying on Saturday!), all active duty, reserve, guard, retired military personnel and their families should head to Young’s Jersey Dairy, where they are offering a 20% off discount as part of their Support the Troops 20% Off Weekend (just show them your military ID). Also, The Dayton Train Show will continue on at Hara Arena. Sundays are also great days to visit museums, so you may want to take a trip to the Dayton Art Institute for one of their many exhibits, including 100 Years of African-American Art: The Arthur Primas Collection, Marking the Past/Shaping the Present: The Art of Willis ‘Bing’ Davis, and the Max May Memorial Holocaust Art Exhibition. If you’d like to catch more theater, here are your possibilities: The Sugar Witch at the Dayton Theatre Guild, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs at Town Hall Theatre, The 39 Steps at The Loft Theatre, and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at La Comedia.

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

Why shouldn’t you tell secrets when a clock is around?

Because time will tell.

Have a great week Dayton!

Jane’s Best Bets (10/27 – 10/31)

October 27, 2010 By Dayton937 14 Comments

Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

FREE TICKET PROMOTION BELOW…

This past weekend, hopefully you were able to catch some theater, see some fun Halloween costumes down at Boo in the ‘Burg, or watch the Browns’ victory over the Saints! In my first, and might I note, top city, I was fortunate to see the amazing improv comedy group Second City at Victoria Theatre. Big surprise that I would like comedy! Well, enough about me…it’s time to get ready for another busy week Dayton, full of Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber (I still don’t know who that it is), and vampire wannabes!

On Wednesday, participate in the District Dine Around and Haunted Walking Tour, which will be a progressive dinner at some haunted spots in the Oregon District. At Brixx Ice Company, join others who are interested in sustainability, the environment, and green living for an event called October Green Drinks. There are also a few theater options on Wednesday, including The 39 Steps at the Loft Theatre and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at La Comedia.

On Thursday, if you work downtown and don’t have a hot lunch date, check out the Noonday Organ Recitals – Jerry Taylor at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Thinking about starting your own business? You’ll want to attend Generation Dayton’s Event, ‘When Reality Bites’ at The Entrepreneurs Center. In the evening, get more than just a taste of wine at the Unique Varietals Wine Tasting at A Taste of Wine in Miamisburg. Or, check out Casanova and Eve of Frankenstein at Victoria Theatre to get into the Halloween spirit!

On Friday, all you downtown workers will want to head to Court House Square during your lunch hour for the TEAM VOID Halloween Party On Court House Square, which will involve some rockin’ live music and Go-Go-dancing! Not sure where you’ll be “go”ing, but by the sound of it, it looks like you’ll be going there twice. If you are not completely freaked out by horror films like me and actually enjoy chainsaws and massacres, go to Englewood Cinema for Horrorama 2010. Any Seinfeld fans out there? If so, you’ll want to join the “Soup Nazi” in sampling some “souper” soups from a dozen local fine restaurants at the Soup Off to benefit A Doctor’s Heart Inc. Also on Friday, you will have the chance to see many people in costume, but not just because of Halloween, as again this week, there are numerous theater type options. These include The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs at Town Hall Theatre, Casanova and Eve of Frankenstein at Victoria Theatre, Porgy and Bess at the Schuster Center, The 39 Steps at the Loft Theatre, and The Sugar Witch at the Dayton Theatre Guild. If theater doesn’t strike your fancy, consider attending the Matching Fund for Catholic Education featuring The Farewell Fisher Band, made up of some very talented guys from my high school, or the Make A Difference Tour 2010 at the Nutter Center.

"I'm so not diggin' this."

On Saturday, if you’re a man, bring your best friend to the Bark For Life of Centerville event at Oak Grove Community Park to help raise money for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Don’t worry…if you’re not a man, it’s Halloween-time so you can just dress up as one. If you’re looking to continue the day with your pooch, definitely check out the Howl-o-Ween Dog Pawty at Scout Burnell Garbecht Dog Park in Xenia for an afternoon filled with fun activities! Don’t forget to put your dog in costume if he/she will tolerate it! For all you folks who want to return to the days of grade school P.E. class, register a team for The 2nd Annual Frickin Dodgeball Tournament at the Nutter Center. If you have kids that are between the ages of 3 and 12, take them to the Schuster Center for the ‘PhilharMonster Halloween Concert’. In addition to music, there will be costume contests, face painting, and an “instrument petting zoo.” On Saturday, there will still be a plethora of theater opportunities (I hope I used that word correctly!), including Casanova and Eve of Frankenstein at Victoria Theatre, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs at the Town Hall Theatre, The Sugar Witch at the Dayton Theatre Guild, The 39 Steps at the Loft Theatre, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at La Comedia.

A Couple of Pumpkins

There are also many more Halloween-related activities on Saturday, so if you don’t get out to experience at least one of them, boo to you! That is, unless you have a darn good excuse! If you are looking for a wild and crazy evening with some great people watching and ultra-creative costumes, Hauntfest on Fifth is the place to be. I feel everyone should experience it at least once (if not more than that!), so if you have never been, here is your chance! If you’re feeling guilty about eating all those Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, put on your disguise and participate in the Run For Your Life 5k Run at Community Golf Center in Kettering. For those of you that prefer a more classy evening, Carvers will be hosting their First Annual Costume Party. (I wonder if they got their name from carving pumpkins.) There will also be a Fall Harvest: Family Halloween Fun event sponsored by the City of Dayton’s Department of Recreation and Youth Services, featuring many fun and safe activities for the kids. Plus, it’s FREE! And if you’re in Waynesville and don’t feel like making the trip to Dayton, check out the Halloween Masquerade Ball at The Wombat Art Works.

On Halloween (Sunday), after sleeping in, consider making it a relaxing day by checking out one of the many shows you didn’t have the opportunity to attend: The 39 Steps at The Loft Theatre, Casanova and Eve of Frankenstein at Victoria Theatre, Porgy and Bess at the Schuster Center, The Sugar Witch at the Dayton Theatre Guild, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs at Town Hall Theatre, or Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at La Comedia.

WHO WANTS FREE TICKETS TO SEE SPRING AWAKENING AT THE VICTORIA THEATRE?

We’re giving away a pair of free tickets to see Spring Awakening – the Tony Award-winning musical playing at the Victoria Theatre next Tuesday & Wednesday (11/2-11/3)! If you want to go see this excellent production, just give me a shout-out below in the comments and we’ll draw a winner this Sunday. This is a great opportunity to check out Dayton’s theater scene if you’ve never done so – it really is amazing!

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

Why couldn’t Dracula’s wife get to sleep?
Because of his coffin.

Have a spook-tacular week Dayton!