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WYSO Hires New Full-Time Digital Editor

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With the addition of Desmond Winton-Finklea to its news team, WYSO 91.3 FM has its first full-time staffer focused solely on building the station’s online presence.

Winton-Finklea will be the daily editorial manager and producer of WYSO’s digital communications platforms, including its websites, apps, streams, emails and social media accounts. He also will support the music department and the Center for Community Voices, track and analyze digital metrics, and work with department directors to create and execute the organization’s digital strategy.

This position is a key element in the growth of WYSO’s newsroom, which is on track to triple in size in under two years, says Jason Saul, WYSO’s director of news and programming. “Bringing in another full-time editor will allow us to innovate and offer even more news on different platforms. As media channels and platforms keep changing, we’re also continuously changing to meet people where they are.”

Winton-Finklea has been a journalist and a multimedia production professional for nearly 10 years. With a bachelor’s degree in communication from Central State University and an associate’s degree in recording audio engineering and video production, he has worked for Dayton-area television stations as a breaking news reporter and a producer of video, audio and digital content.

“Desmond is a great local news talent,” Saul says. “We are excited to introduce him to the world of public radio. With all of his experience, abilities and amazing energy, he will help us bring even more breaking and in-depth news to our digital channels and give us the capacity to launch additional news products soon, too.”

ABOUT WYSO

Yellow Springs, Ohio-based WYSO 91.3 FM is the NPR member station for the Miami Valley. With 80,000 listeners, it reaches much of southwest Ohio and is rapidly growing its membership base. It plays a dynamic mix of music (over 40 hours a week) and delivers robust daily news and project reporting, through its flagship network news programs and locally produced content. Our Eichelberger Center for Community Voices trains the next generation to tell their own stories, and WYSO’s news department delivers the latest breaking news along with in-depth features, special projects and podcasts.

WYSO Names New Music Director

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Juliet Fromholt, long-time music host and director of digital and programming strategy at WYSO 91.3 FM, will begin leading the radio station’s music department on July 1. She assumes this position after 15 years with WYSO and as the music department is broadening its reach and becoming a key part of the station’s listener growth strategy.

 

Fromholt came to WYSO in 2006 as a volunteer music host. Since then, she has worn many hats, including webmaster, digital strategy developer and even Clark County reporter. She says she is thrilled to be able to focus solely on strengthening WYSO’s music department. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to grow our musical presence while providing support to our ongoing programs,” she says. “WYSO already is a destination for music discovery, and we have so much potential to serve our local community through music on the air, online and in person.”

WYSO General Manager Luke Dennis says Fromholt was a natural choice for this leadership role. She has always programmed music for her weekly WYSO shows, “Kaleidoscope” and “Alpha Rhythms,” and she regularly books in-studio performances. “Also, she just ‘gets’ WYSO,” Dennis says. “Few people have as well-rounded an understanding of this station, its audience and its mission.” Fromholt also has deep connections in the region’s music scene. “She has earned the respect of the local music community because she recognizes and knows how to spotlight emerging and veteran musicians,” Dennis says. “She also has strong relationships with public radio music stations across the country, always learning from what they’re doing and bringing great ideas back to WYSO.”

Fromholt is proud that the mix of local and national music on WYSO—from funk to bluegrass to rock—satisfies a wide range of musical tastes. “I’m excited to deepen our commitment to our listeners and our local musicians and venues and to continue to make WYSO a destination for great music,” she says.

“This is a time of big, exciting changes for WYSO music,” Dennis says. In February, Evan Miller became the new host of Excursions. Just prior to that, the station expanded its mid-day music programming to five hours, brought back the nationally hosted show “World Cafe” and revised the Saturday night lineup to create seven hours of bluegrass, roots and Americana music. “As a hybrid format station, offering news/talk and music in equal measure, I believe that our musc shows are our best opportunity to attract new listeners,” he adds. “Who doesn’t want to discover their next favorite song, their next favorite artist? And once we get a new listener’s attention through music, that listener is more likely to stick around to discover the enlightening and entertaining news and storytelling programs we offer.”

Filling the role formerly held by Niki Dakota, Fromholt will lead a team of two staff music hosts and 10 volunteer hosts. She will oversee the development of new, local music shows; as well as dynamic new partnerships with music venues, arts organizations and other creative media outlets. This summer WYSO will hire a digital producer to take over Fromholt’s website and social media management duties.

“I’ve always been proud to be part of WYSO’s community service mission,” Fromholt says. “And I’m so looking forward to shaping the way we can serve our community with great music.”

WYSO Public Radio Adds Staff

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Luke Dennis and Neenah Ellis Photo Credit Andy Snow

Luke Dennis, WYSO General Manager, and Neenah Ellis, Executive Director of The Eichelberger Center for Community Voices (The Center) have announced a number of staff changes both at WYSO Public Radio in Yellow Springs, signaling a fundamental shift in the direction and capacity of the station, and at The Center.

“Our world has changed dramatically in often turbulent and dramatic ways. The credibility of institutions is tested every day and people often are unsure where to find accurate, credible, and responsible news and information,” Dennis said. “We believe our audience, which has increased substantially over the last several years, looks to our station, our reporters, and editors and to NPR as a credible, balanced, and responsible news source. This change strengthens our news gathering and reporting capacity in order to keep pace with a rapidly and fluid news and information environment.”

 

According to Dennis, four new staff members have been added to the news team and three current WYSO employees have transitioned to new job responsibilities at the station. The new WYSO staff members are: News Director Jason Saul, Reporter Leila Goldstein, Environmental Reporter Chris Welter and Morning Edition Host Mike Frazier.

Three current WYSO staff members have assumed new duties at the station. They are:

Juliet Fromholt, who’s been with the station since 2009, has been  promoted to Director of Digital and Programming Strategy.  She will continue to oversee web and social media with  a special focus on developing new digital music content in the coming year. She will continue to host  “Kaleidoscope” and “Alpha Rhythms”.

Katie Main, formerly the Business Support and Events Manager, becomes an Account Executive, managing a portfolio of underwriting clients  with a focus on Greene and Clark Counties.

Business Manager Art Boulet becomes Director of Finance and Administration, reflecting new responsibilities in HR and administration since Miami Valley Public Media received the station’s FCC license from Antioch College and made WYSO a completely independent radio station.

 

In addition, Luke Dennis becomes President and General Manager, overseeing the entire growing staff.  He’s been with WYSO since 2012, leading its development team and increasing fundraising significantly in all categories.

Neenah Ellis, WYSO’s General Manager from 2009 to 2019, becomes the first Executive Director of The Eichelberger Center for Community Voices, which she began in 2010 as community training workshops.

Ellis is joined by the long time and award-winning producer of “Dayton Youth Radio,” Basim Blunt.  He began an assignment in January as full-time Senior Producer and Instructor for The Center.  Managing Editor and Reporter Jess Mador leaves the WYSO newsroom and becomes Senior Producer and Assistant Director of The Center  focusing on community engagement and special projects. Finally, community producer Jocelyn Robinson, producer of several WYSO radio series, including “Rediscovered Radio” and “Senior Voices,”  joins the staff of The Center as Producer for Emerging Initiatives, Education and Archives.

WYSO Staff with Volunteers – Feb 2020 – Photo Credit Andy Snow

“Now is our time,” says Ellis, “we’re grateful to our listeners and donors for the faith they’ve placed in us and with this reorganization we will change the face of public media in the Dayton area, with more local voices and more local stories. There’s never been a more important time to focus on local news, music and storytelling. We’re ready.”

 

On the air 62 years, with studios in Yellow Springs on the campus of Antioch College, WYSO has seen steady growth in fundraising and award-winning programming in the last ten years, increasing its listening audience significantly.  Last year it became independent of Antioch College when Ellis and Dennis raised $3.5 million dollars in the community and worked with the College to create a new nonprofit entity, Miami Valley Public Media, to own the license and manage the station.

 

“Launching the Eichelberger Center for Community Voices and strengthening our newsroom are two pillars of our strategic plan. I’m proud that, with this reorganization and the new hires, we are delivering on those aspirations,” says Luke Dennis. “Like Neenah says: We’re ready!”

WYSO Public Radio Expands Newsroom With 3 New Hires

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Public radio station WYSO 91.3FM has expanded its local newsroom, adding three new staff members since January, 2020.

Jason Saul joined WYSO in January as the station’s news director.  An experienced public radio journalist and manager, Saul has previously worked at New Orleans public radio station WWNO and on nationally distributed public radio programs American Routes and Bird Note, both of which air on WYSO.

Reporter Leila Goldstein also joined WYSO in January.  A graduate of the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies and Oberlin College, Leila interned at New Hampshire Public Radio and at the nationally syndicated public radio show Marketplace where she focused on business and technology.

Antioch College graduate Chris Welter joined WYSO in June as a corps member with Report for America whose reporting will focus on environment issues.  WYSO is joining over 160 news organizations throughout the U.S. as a Report for America host newsroom.

“In a rapidly changing journalism landscape where contraction is much more common than expansion, I am so proud we are growing our newsroom,” said general manager Luke Dennis. “Expanding and strengthening local news is a pillar of our current strategic plan, and these three hires demonstrate our commitment to that plan. We’re able to grow because our revenues continue to grow, thanks to local listeners and local businesses. I also must thank the national funder Report for America, who chose to support WYSO out of a crowded pool of applicants.”

Established in 1958 by Antioch College students, WYSO is a community-owned NPR affiliate with a weekly listening audience of more than 70,000 and 6,000 member households. In September, the Federal Communications Commission approved the station’s application to form the community-based nonprofit Miami Valley Public Media Inc., which took ownership of WYSO’s license from Antioch College. Neenah Ellis, formerly the station’s general manager, is now president of Miami Valley Public Media and will be the director of the new Eichelberger Center for Community Voices.

 

WYSO Adds To Development Team

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Newly independent public radio station WYSO is expanding its development team with the two veteran Miami Valley businesswomen.

Sara Woodhull

Sara Woodhull, most recently Director of Major Gifts for the College of Liberal Arts at Wright State University, is the station’s new Major Gifts Officer. Heather Martin, owner of MartinInk communications company and former editor and publisher of the Dayton Business Journal, has joined the team as the grant writer. Martin also chaired WYSO’s community resource board from 2007 to 2013.

“These women have a wealth of leadership experience, and they understand how to articulate an organization’s vision and mission to a variety of audiences,” said WYSO general manager Luke Dennis, who until recently was the station’s development director. “In my new role I have new responsibilities, so I brought Sara and Heather on board to add their expertise to the team. We’re lucky to have them. Their contributions will be vital as we build the next version of WYSO.”

Woodhull has been a local bank executive and a development professional since 1988. She was a senior leader in treasury management and community development for nearly 20 years. Following that, she served as the major gift officer and the development director at the University of Dayton. She recently retired from Wright State after nine years in donor development.

“I am excited to tell WYSO’s story to local donors,” Woodhull said. “Our community is fortunate to have this long-standing NPR station. I am thrilled for the opportunity to join this team and help WYSO keep growing.”

Heather Martin

After 16 years as a business and trade publication writer and editor, Martin left journalism in 2007 to work in other editorial capacities—first as a curriculum writer and developer for a local organizational development firm and then as a communications coordinator for an educational technology company. She started MartinInk in 2015, providing a range of services—including grant writing, ghost writing and strategic communications planning—to nonprofit and for-profit clients.

“WYSO is so dear to my heart,” Martin said. “I love to talk about this station and what it means to our community. Luke Dennis and Neenah Ellis have been incredible leaders, and I’m honored that they’ve asked me to be part of this next phase of WYSO’s journey.”

Established in 1958 by Antioch College students, WYSO is a community-owned NPR affiliate with a weekly listening audience of more than 70,000 and 6,000 member households. In September, the Federal Communications Commission approved the station’s application to form the community-based nonprofit Miami Valley Public Media Inc., which took ownership of WYSO’s license from Antioch College. Neenah Ellis, formerly the station’s general manager, is now president of Miami Valley Public Media and will be the director of the new Eichelberger Center for Community Voices.

WYSO Now Independent and Community-Owned!

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It’s official: the FCC has approved the transfer of WYSO’s broadcast license from Antioch College to a new 501c3 called Miami Valley Public Media. WYSO is now independent and community-owned!

As you may recall, MVPM took fiscal responsibility for the station and WYSO staff began managing the day-to-day finances on April 1.  Now that they have the license, they’re ready to begin the next part of our growth as your public radio station, including growing our newsroom and preparing to launch The Center for Community Voices.

With the new ownership come leadership changes as well.  Neenah Ellis will  now serve as President of WYSO and will focus much of her energy on the eventual launch of the Center for Community Voices.  Luke Dennis will serve as General Manager and oversee the daily operations of WYSO.

In a recent email Ellis shares :WYSO is in a very strong position now to grow and change quickly.  We have big plans for improving and  increasing our local programming and we’re working with our Community Advisory Board to get their input all along the way.”

One of their first steps involves growing their local news department and as a result the following positions are now open:

WYSO & Storycorps Looking fo Veterans Stories

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Public Radio Station WYSO is partnering with StoryCorps to record stories of the Miami Valley’s veteran and military community.  StoryCorps’ Military Voices Initiative will be at the WYSO Studios in Yellow Springs June 30 – August 8.

StoryCorps is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to recording, preserving, and sharing the stories of people from all backgrounds and beliefs. Each story is a conversation between two people with a shared relationship (family members, friends, colleagues, etc) recorded by a trained facilitator. StoryCorps preserves the recordings in its archive at the Library of Congress, the largest single collection of human voices ever gathered. The Military Voices Initiative focuses on veterans, service members, and military families. It is an opportunity for them to share their experiences in their own words. It is also an opportunity for civilians to understand more clearly the complex realities of veterans’ service and sacrifice.

“WYSO is pleased to partner with StoryCorps and the Veteran and Military Center at Wright State to collect stories from our community. Our mission is to give voice to local people and this local/national partnership makes that happen,” said Neenah Ellis, WYSO General Manager.

This is StoryCorps’ third visit to the Miami Valley. As with prior visits, local interviews will air on WYSO, this time as part of the station’s Veterans’ Voices series, which is a partnership with Wright State University’s Veteran and Military Center.

Reservations for interview time slots can now be made by calling StoryCorps’ 24-hour, toll-free reservation line at 800.850.4406 or visiting storycorps.org or wyso.org.

The public is invited to a listening event celebrating stories from the StoryCorps Military Voices Initiative on Thursday, August 1 at 7p.m. at Sinclair Community College’s new Centerville Regional Center, 5800 Clyo Road.  The event, presented in partnership with Sinclair Community College, is free and open to the public, but RSVPs are requested at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/storycorps-military-voices-listening-party-tickets-63445975621

Big News About WYSO’s Future!

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In a letter released by station General Manager Neenah Ellis today:

WYSO will soon become an independent, community-owned radio station!

Antioch College owns our license, as you know, and they will soon give WYSO its independence so that both organizations can pursue their unique missions.

Working together with Antioch College, WYSO has raised almost $3.5 million in the community to reimburse the College for its investment in our license and operations. When we hit that number–soon, we hope–and once the FCC approves the transaction, the transfer of management will take place.

WYSO will be owned and operated by a new non-profit organization.

Antioch College has stewarded WYSO with care for 61 years. We are so proud of that history, and happily, Antioch College students will continue to learn media skills here once we’re independent.

Antioch College President Tom Manley calls this  a “win for the community, for the College and for WYSO.”  I agree completely.

Thanks to your support, WYSO is able to stand on its own financially. Once we’re independent, we’ll be more nimble, focused, and responsive to the needs of our listeners all over the region.

Neenah Ellis, WYSO GM

The WYSO founders always intended that one day the station would belong to the community. That day is almost here!

Thank you for everything you have done to keep WYSO strong.
You have helped to create a strong, responsive radio station for future generations.

Onward and upward,

Neenah Ellis
WYSO General Manager

WYSO Hanukkah Programming

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Join WYSO on the evening of December 2 for special programming that celebrates Hanukkah in song and story.

8pm – 9pm: NPR’s Hanukkah Lights 2018 hosted by Susan Stamberg and Murray Horwitz featuring all new stories: “Ellis Island Hanukkah”, “The Magic Candles”, “The View From Masada”, plus more.

9pm -10pm: Candles Burning Brightly Mindy Ratner hosts this celebration of Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. “Candles Burning Brightly” explores the meaning and traditions of Chanukah, including holiday foods and Sephardic and Ashkenazi music.

10pm – 11pm: Sounds Jewish: Hanukkah Old And New With Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights upon us, Sounds Jewish spins classic and new holiday recordings including music from Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Debbie Friedman, Cantor Pierre Pinchik, the Frank London Big Band, Flory Jagoda, and more.

11pm – midnight: Chanukah In Story And Song 
A celebration by The Western Wind performing Ladino songs of Spanish Jews, Yiddish melodies of Eastern Europe and modern Israeli tunes.

 

WYSO To Present The Moth Storytelling Showcase

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Public Radio Station WYSO will bring the renowned storytelling organization The Moth to the Victoria Theater on Thursday, April 11 at 7:30pm. 

Founded in 1997, The Moth celebrates “true stories told live” in a variety of settings around the country, including live performance, a podcast, and the Moth Radio Hour, which airs on Saturdays at 2pm and Wednesdays at 11pm on WYSO. At the Victoria Theatre event, The Moth will present a so-called “mainstage event,” a curated evening featuring five storytellers from around the country who have developed and shaped their stories with Moth directors.

“We’re so happy to host The Moth,” says WYSO general manager, Neenah Ellis  “We believe in the power of storytelling and we know our listeners will love this presentation. We’ve been trying to get The Moth here for almost ten years and finally, the day will come in April!” 

Local raconteurs may submit their own stories for consideration by using The Moth’s online pitch form available at https://themoth.org/share-your-story/pitchline.

“Public radio programs are so varied, and the thread that runs through them all is great storytelling. The Moth Mainstage is a showcase of just that: great — and I mean riveting — storytelling. So we know WYSO listeners will love this event,” says WYSO development director Luke Dennis.

A limited number of VIP ticket packages, which include premium seats and a post-show reception, will be available as thank-you gifts for WYSO donors during the station’s calendar year-end fundraising effort at www.wyso.org. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Monday December 17 at www.ticketcenterstage.com

Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2018, public radio station WYSO 91.3 is licensed to Antioch College with studios in Yellow Springs. It broadcasts on multiple platforms: 91.3 FM, live streaming at WYSO.org, on HD radio and on NPR One, a mobile application.  WYSO is the Miami Valley’s only NPR News station with programming from NPR, Public Radio International, American Public Media, PRX and the BBC as well as the work of local and independent radio producers.

WYSO To Launch Locally Hosted Jazz Show

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WYSO Public Radio will add a new locally hosted music program to its lineup on Monday, March 5.  Equinox, which takes its name from the classic John Coltrane composition, is a weekly, three-hour jazz radio show. Each Monday night, host Duante Beddingfield will lead listeners on a journey through straight-ahead jazz, from classic tracks to the latest releases, including local musicians, obscure performers, and artists from all over the world putting their own unique stamp on the music.

Beddingfield is a Dayton native and formerly served as jazz writer for both the Dayton Daily News and Dayton City Paper. He has booked jazz musicians for area venues such as Pacchia, and performs regularly around the region as a jazz vocalist with musical partner Randy Villars.

 

“Hosting a jazz radio program has always been one of those lifelong dreams,” says Beddingfield.  “Jazz is an art form that doesn’t tend to get proper credit these days, and I’m incredibly excited for the chance to bring some great jazz to the local radio landscape. I’m looking forward to sharing some good times and great music with WYSO listeners.”

 

Equinox will air Monday nights on WYSO, 8-11pm.  Shakin’ Dave Hussong’s Hall of Fame Blues will move to Sunday afternoons from 3-5pm.

 

“We are delighted to expand the number of locally-produced music shows on WYSO,” says WYSO Music Director Niki Dakota. “WYSO continues its tradition of identifying and nurturing Miami Valley residents who are passionate about music, and are driven to share it.  Duante brings passion for jazz and a great deal of experience to Monday nights.”

 

Equinox will begin airing on WYSO on Monday, March 5.  Hall of Fame Blues will be heard on Sundays beginning March 11.  As part of the schedule update, Snap Judgement  will now follow Tables of Contents, on Tuesdays at 10pm, and The Jewel Case will be followed by eTown  on  Thursdays at 11pm. The complete schedule of changes can be found at WYSO.org.

Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2018, public radio station WYSO 91.3 is licensed to Antioch College with studios in Yellow Springs. It broadcasts on multiple platforms: 91.3 FM, live streaming at WYSO.org, on HD radio and on the Public Radio Player, a mobile application. WYSO is the Miami Valley’s only NPR News station with programming from NPR, Public Radio International, American Public Media, PRX and the BBC as well as the work of local and independent radio producers.

 

The Last Waltz Live: A Community Celebration

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Thanksgiving Day, San Francisco. 

More than a dozen special guests joined The Band on stage for their farewell concert show: The Last Waltz. Guests included Ringo Starr, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, and many more seminal legends of the 70’s rock scene.

To top it off, the prominent New York film director Martin Scorsese was hired to capture the concert on 35mm film before turning it into the documentary of the same name, The Last Waltz.

The film starts with a black slate and white text reading: “PLAY THIS FILM LOUD”. The movie’s aged well. It captures the climax of an America wholly enamored by the raw talent and passion produced when their rock and roll stars align on stage, in their natural habitat.

November 19th, Dayton Ohio. 

More than forty years later, on a chilly Fall afternoon just a few days before Thanksgiving, Dayton’s own Yellow Cab bar stirs with thirty local Daytonians. Some of them have known each other for years, some are just meeting now. All are incredibly gifted, impassioned musicians; with one common cause.

In a few days, these local musicians will take the stage at the Dayton Art Institute to perform their very own Dayton rendition of The Last Waltz. Today was the last of their four Sunday rehearsals before the gig hits the stage; Jeff Opt invited me to the rehearsal to ask around.

Jeff Opt is the conductor behind Dayton’s own Waltz; he’s the one that brought the idea to life over six years ago. While Jeff’s a musician in his own right, he prefers to manage the business behind the stage instead; letting the musicians and their talent take them wherever it leads.

photo by Tom Gilliam.

“They’re here cause they love the music, they wanted to be a part of it. I don’t direct them, I let them —  they build it themselves. I got the speakers, I got the PA, but I just invited like ten people I knew, they dropped in, they invited friends they knew, you know it’s still very organic.”

You can tell. Dayton’s Last Waltz may find its roots from the artists who originally partook in The Band’s ‘78 concert, but its spirit of community — what really makes the show special — is manifested by Dayton’s unique and diverse community of talented artists.

The artists span all sorts of demographics, coming from a wide assortment of local Dayton bands; something Jeff hopes more people take away from the concert: “the thing I wish people would take more away from, is they should go see these people in their bands. Everyone up here plays their own music… these are all amazing musicians that any night of the week you can probably see at least one of them play for five bucks.”

I asked Jeff how closely they follow the setlist and performance of the original ‘76 show. While he paid respect to the film calling it “arguably the best concert film ever”, he’s not looking for a note for note copy — rather an attempt to capture the spirit of what made the original Waltz so special. “Everyone involved with it is into classic music, I mean this is the classical music of our era.”

I labeled it an homage, Jeff agreed but offered a much more fitting word: “We like to call it a celebration… again you were asking what theme runs through this, it’s community.”

Photo by Tom Gilliam

So come celebrate. Celebrate the artists that brought the show to life forty years past, celebrate the artists keeping it alive today. Celebrate music, celebrate Dayton music; celebrate the 70’s, celebrate the now.

Watch Such a Night: The Last Waltz Live in the Renaissance Auditorium at the Dayton Art Institute Wednesday November 22nd, as well as Friday night on the 24th. All proceeds from the show go towards both WYSO radio and the Dayton Art Institute, and at this time both shows are SOLD OUT.