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Xenia Area Community Theatre

Music Video Monday: December 12, 2011

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This week’s video is a new band that features some familiar faces.  The New Old-Fashioned is the combined forces of David Payne, Kent Montgomery, Tom Blackbern and Jon Chasteen. The band has roots in Xenia and performed its debut show at the Xenia Area Community Theater (X*ACT) a few weeks ago, which is where today’s video is from.  Put this band on your list of folks to watch in 2012, and let’s hear it for the combined forces of local music and community theater.  I know I’d love to see more of that kind of collaboration in the new year.  Enjoy!

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTxcDpfEgF8&feature=related’]

Jane’s Best Bets (4/6 – 4/10)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

It’s April, so don’t be fooled by the people that tell you there is nothing to do in Dayton!  There are many great things going on here this week!

On Wednesday, picture yourself in one of the Landscapes by Gregory T. Davis or the Landscapes by Monique Janssen-Belitz, both at Sinclair.  At the University of Dayton’s ArtStreet, attend Patrick Dougherty’s Stickwork’s Photography Exhibit.  All you opera lovers should attend Opera Preview On Campus: The Daughter of the Regiment at Wright State.  Everybody needs to eat, so head to the Oregon District’s Boulevard Haus where Sausages, Burgers, and Sandwiches will be 25% off!  Afterwards, wise men say that you may want to get “All Shook Up” at Victoria Theatre.

On Thursday, make your way to the Schuster Center to see Nick Clooney, an award-winning journalist, author, TV personality, and activist (and the father to George Clooney!) as part of the Junior League of Dayton Town Hall Lecture Series.  Over at the University of Dayton, the most talented winter guards around the world will be competing in the 2011 WGI Color Guard World Championships.  Jazz your life up a bit by attending the Vectren Just Jazz Series: Maggie Green and the Brazilian Jazz Connection at the Dayton Art Institute.  In downtown Miamisburg, head to A Taste of Wine for their Greek Wine Tasting.  All you theater lovers should head to the UD for Smoke on the Mountain or Victoria Theatre for All Shook Up.  And if you love baseball, I hope you’ll be at the Dayton Dragons’ Opening Day as they take on the Bowling Green Hot Rods!

On Friday, there will be several opportunities to support some wonderful non-profits in the Miami Valley, so get out and have fun for a cause!  At the Greene, they are Going Blue for Autism Awareness – when you make select purchases at both The Wine Loft and The Funny Bone, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to local autism charities.  At Town & Country Shopping Center, check out the Inner I Gallery & Partners For Community Living – Opening Reception, in which fine art created by artists with developmental disabilities will be on display and for sale.  Over at the Schuster Center, enjoy live music, great food, drinks, a silent auction, raffles, and much more as part of the The Great Escape!  All proceeds will directly benefit the Dayton Chapter of the American Red Cross to aid in disaster relief.  (I’m helping to plan the event so I hope to see you there!)  At the Hope Hotel and Conference Center, you will be able to support another great cause, We Care Arts, as they have their 2011 ‘Happy Days’ Auction.  Also on Saturday, you can enjoy Half-Price Happy Hour Pizzas at Oregon Express.  Make your way to Fifth-Third Field to catch the Dragons as they play the Bowling Green Hot Rods.  Some theater options include All Shook Up at Victoria Theatre, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at The Playhouse South, The Boys Next Door at the Dayton Theatre Guild (I hope they’re cute), Close Ties (a family drama that brings an understanding about Alzheimer’s ) at the Kettering Health Network Theater, and Smoke on the Mountain at UD.  Also, you’ll have the opportunity to check out the amazing documentary The Elephant in the Living Room presented as part of the UD ArtStreet Friday Film Series.

On Saturday, participate in the Run for Congo 5K at Wegerzyns Garden Center.  Afterwards, it is perfectly acceptable to stuff yourself with pancakes at the Kiwanis 6th Annual Pancake Breakfast at Christ United Methodist Church.  If you love playing games (the nice kind, not the mean kind), head to Game Day at Your Library (the Dayton Metro Library’s East Branch).  Over at the UD Arena, you will be able to check out the 2011 WGI Color Guard World Championships.  If you love flowers, head to the Dorothy Lane Market School of Cooking for their Tropical Flowers Arrangement Class.  Bring out the artist in you by participating in the Art-Making & Historical Touring (Dayton Visual Arts Center) or the Get Creative Workshop – Visual Journaling (Dayton Art Institute).  Also at the Dayton Art Institute, you will be able to catch the Vanguard Concerts: Graffe String Quartet with Pianist Michiko Otaki.  Theater options for Saturday include All Shook Up (Victoria Theatre), The Boys Next Door (Dayton Theatre Guild), Close Ties (X*ACT, Xenia Area Community Theatre at the Kettering Health Network Theater), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (The Playhouse South), and Smoke on the Mountain (UD).  And if you miss football season, be sure to check out the Dayton Silverbacks as they take on the Marion Blue Racers.

On Sunday, start the morning off with All You Can Eat Brunch at Yankee Trace.  Then, eat some more at the Taste of Greene County at the Nutter Center.  Take the family to see the Dragons play the Bowling Green Hot Rods…plus Charity Cuts on the Plaza and McDonald’s Friends & Family Day at Fifth Third Field.  Get your legs moving for the Kettering Spring Into Health 5K Run/Walk.  If you love music, listen to the Dayton Philharmonic’s ‘The Symphonic Mozart’ at the Dayton Masonic Center.  Or head to UD for their Jazz Faculty Recital.  And finally, don’t miss your chance to catch All Shook Up at the Victoria Theatre.  Thank you, thank you very much for reading.

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

Why was it really hot after the baseball game?

All the fans left.

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 (3/9 – 3/13)

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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 2nd 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 19th 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 2nd 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 The Drowsy Chaperone - Victoria Theatre Associaiton / Human Race Theatre Co. - March 8-20, 2011Therapy (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!