Jane’s Best Bets (11/2 – 11/6)

Happy November everyone!  I hope everyone had a fabulous and safe Halloween…and that your kids (or your neighbors’ kids) shared their candy with you!  Even though there may not be any more opportunities to dress up in costume for a while (unless you’re an actor), there are still plenty of opportunities to have fun in Dayton this week!

On Wednesday, get a jump start on your holiday shopping by visiting the ARTtoBUY Holiday Gift Gallery at the Dayton Visual Arts Center or the Give Art! Gift Gallery at the Cannery Art and Design Center.  Or make your way to the Oregon District for some good fun – head to the Trolley Stop for the Old Time Acoustic Jam, Oregon Express to listen to The Doug Hart Band, or to Blind Bob’s for Karaoke with DJ Nancy.

On Thursday, purchase a holiday gift or a piece of artwork for your home or apartment at the 9th Annual Holiday Student Art Sale at Sinclair.  Listen to the music of Khalid Moss and Michael Bashaw as part of the Vectren Just Jazz Series at the Dayton Art Institute.  Have you ever wondered what a near-death experience is like?  Learn Everything You Wanted to Know about Near-Death Experiences from someone who has been researching this topic for over 20 years.  If you feel like your day has gotten off to a “rocky” start, then make your way to Bullwinkle’s in Miamisburg for Guilty? Or Not – A Mystery Dinner Theatre, to benefit the Children’s Performing Arts of Miamisburg.  Does the thought of dating and relationships leave you feeling confused like the rest of the world?  If so, make it to Sinclair’s production of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.  Yes, I know love sometimes “cuts like a knife.”  Others are “all for love.” Regardless of your attitude towards love and relationships, you will not to want miss seeing music legend Bryan Adams perform at the Taft Theatre!

On Friday, make your way downtown for First Friday, the fabulous art hop that occurs once per month.  They always say men won’t go to the doctor, so please help raise funds and awareness for men’s cancer/research by participating in the Movember Mustache Ride.  And men – if your lady doesn’t like a little stubble on your face, just let her know it’s for a good cause!  In addition to growing a mustache for a good cause, you will also be able to drink some great beer for two great causes!  Attend the AutoberFest Craft Beer Tasting at Taj Ma Garaj to support Dayton History and the Epilepsy Foundation.  There are lots of theater options throughout the weekend, including I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change at Sinclair Community College;  Pinkalicious the Musical at the Schuster Center; ‘Master Harold’ …and the Boys at the Dayton Playhouse; Caroline, or Change at The Loft Theatre; and Lost in Yonkers at the Dayton Theatre Guild.  And if you enjoy music, there are plenty of opportunities for that as well!  Check out the Pride of Dayton Marching Band at UD; Lynda Carter: The Wonder of Song at the Schuster Center; or Chamber Orchestra Kremlin as part of the Vanguard Concerts at the Dayton Art Institute.

On Saturday, participate in Hospice of Dayton’s 7th Annual 5K Remembrance Walk (which means you don’t have to be a runner!).  Get a start on your holiday decorations by participating in the Gingerbread House Making Workshop at the Dayton Cultural Center.  If you’re a train fanatic (not the music group kind, although you can like them too), then chugga chugga choo choo your way to the National Model Railroad Association Dayton Train Show at Hara Arena.  Visit We Care Arts’ art gallery and gift shop as part of their Holiday Open House.  There are several theater options including those mentioned under Friday, as well as My Fair Lady at Kuss Auditorium in Springfield.  If you would like a show that will have you rolling (hopefully with laughter!) and dancing, then make your way to Victoria Theatre for BAM Percussion:  The Blue Barrel Show.  Halloween may be over, but at the Schuster Center, you will be able to see “Wonder Woman”  Lynda Carter perform.  And at the Taft Theatre, Lily Tomlin will be performing…and that’s the truth.

On Sunday, you will still be able to check out some of the events/shows that have been going on throughout the weekend, including the National Model Railroad Association Dayton Train Show (Hara Arena), BAM Percussion:  The Blue Barrel Show (Victoria Theatre), Caroline, or Change (The Loft Theatre), and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Sinclair).  At UD, attend the Family Pops Concert featuring the University of Dayton Symphonic Wind Ensemble.  Or get in the spirit of the holidays by attending Holidays in the Heartland at the Schuster Center.

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

What do you call a train loaded with toffee?  A chew chew train.

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!