During the Middle Ages and continuing well into the Renaissance, the holiday season was a time when guests traveled great distances to the castles of wealthy friends and family members to feast, dance and exchange news in a celebration that lasted several days. After the rigorous fast of the Advent season, elaborate preparations were made to ensure a truly festive event.
The banquet at Christmas, as on other great holidays, was not an isolated meal, but rather a series of celebrations filled with pageantry and circumstance. After prayers in chapel or at the table, trumpet fanfares signaled the service of specific courses and dishes within the feast. Guests danced, told stories, and sang in enthusiastic outbursts of merrymaking.
Since 1983, the annual Madrigal Dinner, produced each December by the Wright State University Student Union with the Department of Music, has provided the greater Dayton community with a musical and dramatic interpretation of these fabulous medieval ceremonial feasts. What began as a single performance has become an established tradition that spans four evenings and entertains over 1,300 guests.
So, come one, come all, and enjoy traditional English fare, amidst the antics of jesters and manorfolk, dancing and revelry, the Puppet Master, and the wonderfully interwoven lines of the madrigal song. See the Student Union Apollo Room transformed into the Great Hall of Wright Manor where guests are treated to the voices of the Wright State Chamber Singers, medieval dances choreographed by the Tudor Rose Performing Troupe, and the music of Wind in the Woods Early Music Ensemble.
Thursday -Saturday, Dec. 10-12, 2009, 7:00 p.m. Wassail Reception, 7:30 p.m. Dinner
Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, 5:00 p.m. Wassail Reception, 5:30 p.m. Dinner
Tickets run $35-50, wine extra
To Reserve by phone: (937) 775-554
On the menu:
- Wassail
- Medieval Sallat
- Beefe and Leeke Pie
- Appyl Almynde Stuffed Turkey Breast
- Wylde Ryse Blend
- Honey Glazed Carrotes and Parsnips
- Brannbrede
- Bûche Noël
- Plomme Poddyng
This kind of Pub Crawl has been happening in cities around the country for 15 years or so. It was originally started by a small group of friends as a means of raising some Christmas spirit – and having some fun at the same time. Brian Young moved here from Denver, Colorado where he’d participated for years and brought the event to Dayton! The first year there were 14 people. Two years ago the event grew to 80 and last year it more than doubled. It was pretty amazing to watch over 150 Santas, elves, angels, reindeer wander through the Oregeon District.
UD’s Intro to Foods class has partnered with 
With donations from Miami Valley vendors like 
brings Santa in to hear holiday wish lists from deserving boys and girls. From 10:30 -11am the man in the red suit will mingle with the little ones, followed by your lunch ordered from the menu. There is no extra charge for this, but reservations are required.
Bob Evans is offering folks a free piece of pie this holiday weekend- no strings attached, just 
Chef Keith Taylor graduated from the culinary program at Sinclair Community College in 1997 while working as a sous chef at L’Auberge with Dieter Krug. In 2000, Taylor left L’Auberge to work at Pacchia, an Italian-American restaurant in the Oregon District under then owner Glen Brailey. After four years there, Taylor worked for a year at the Schuster Performing Arts Center until Citilites changed into a buffet-style arrangement. Taylor then went on to work at Country Club of the North, before finally deciding to open his own place in 2007. 
Chef Dieter (and it’s obvious by the quieting of his voice and the slow tilt of his head, he’s still mourning the recent loss of his mentor) Dieter taught me to make Bouillabaisse. It’s a labor of love. Fresh stock, rich flavors and customers really seem to enjoy it. He also instilled in me a great work ethic.
Join 
Stop in for a delicious lunch or dinner at either (or both!) of the Chili’s locations November 23-25 and 10% of your purchase will be donated to Dayton Children’s.
On Tuesday, Nov 17th 
Thursday, Nov 19th is Beaujolais Nouveaus Day, and a great reason to host a holiday tasting, and that’s exactly what the ladies who run 
a fun time. A Taste of Wine is located at the corner of Main & Linden in downtown Miamisburg and has a very homey, comfortable atmosphere.
Oakwood’s Dorothy Lane Market will host their monthly tasting on Wed, Nov 18 from 5:30 to 8:30pm with special guest John Bisson of North Coast Brewing Company. This California brewer is a pioneer in the craft beer movement, started in 1988 as a local brewpub in the historic town of Fort Bragg, located on California’s Mendocino Coast.
This year instead of the annual Holiday cooking class before Thanksgiving, they’ve decided to do all the work and offer an El Meson Holiday Dinner. So you can enjoy their holiday spread this Fri, Nov 13th or Sat, Nov 14th from 5-10pm.
This U.S. holiday stretches back to the end of World War I and commemorates the nation’s thousands of combat veterans who fought in the service of their country.
Long before themed dinners became the staple of restaurants, Mary Kay Smith started offering a Garlic inspired dinner. Folks flocked to Yellow Springs for those garlic inspired dishes, and now 20 years later, the same thing will happen this Tues, Nov 10th – Thurs, Nov 12th.
This Centerville seafood house, run by Ron & Christy Sweeney, is best known for its laid back atmosphere, friendly service and reasonable prices. Voted Dayton’s Best Seafood on 