Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More
Join us for a Mother’s Day extravaganza with fun, friends, and an amazing drag show to benefit the Human Rights Campaign on May 11!
This election year, your generosity and support help us advocate, mobilize, and change hearts and minds while we push back against anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and policies, and help elect pro-Equality candidates.
Please invite any friends who would be interested in joining and learning more about HRC.
For any questions, contact Colin Altman at [email protected].
For one night only, one of the longest running improv comedy duos in Dayton will take the Dayton Playhouse’s stage and perform an hour long, completely improvised play. Inspired by an audience suggestion (and the set of the Dayton Playhouse’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Strictly Platonic will perform an hour long show, that you can’t miss, because it will never be seen again!
Stick around after the show for a beginner friendly improv jam where you can join in on the fun!
$15 tickets OR buy a ticket to the Dayton Playhouse’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and contact the Playhouse for $5 off tickets to the improvised play!
https://strictlyplatonic.simpletix.com/
Lobby opens 7:30, House opens 7:45, The show will begin at 8:00. The Jam will begin approximately 9:00pm
Strictly Platonic is made up of Aidan Mewha & Tyler Benedict. You can follow them on Instagram @strictlyplatonicimprov to see when and where they perform next!
The Edward A. Dixon Gallery in Downtown Dayton is collaborating with the Dayton Dance Initiative to put on a special Artist Reception for Marilynn Page and her Ballet inspired artwork.
An exhibition featuring several paintings by artist Marilynn Page will open First Friday, May 2024. “Marilynn was inspired by these powerful athletes to paint this particular series of work” says gallery owner Ed Dixon. He adds “The artwork is colorful, full of movement and shows the strength of these male and female dancers.”
The exhibition will open with an Artist Reception for Marilynn that will feature a performance by the Dayton Dance Initiative. A portion of the evening’s sales from the artwork will go to the Dayton Dance Initiative. The collective is made up of dancers from some of the area’s professional dance organizations. The dancers will put on a short performance the evening of the reception at 7pm with movements influenced by Marilynn Page’s artwork. “Through movement and live musical accompaniment, Dayton Dance Initiative dancers bring to life the ballet inspired paintings of Marilynn Page. Revel in Marilynn’s vision as it extends beyond the canvas into embodied expression, and ultimately into our hearts.” – Jennifer Sydor, Artistic Director, DDI.
The Artist Reception is free and open to the public and will be from 6pm-8:30pm(performance at 7pm) at the Edward A. Dixon Gallery located at 222 N. St. Clair Street. Light refreshments will be provided. Free on-street parking is available near the gallery. The exhibition will remain on view in May on Thursday through Sunday from 12pm-5pm each day except Fridays from 3pm-8pm.
222 North St. Clair Street
Dayton, Ohio 45402
Thursday 12pm – 5pm
Friday 3pm – 8pm
Saturday 12pm – 5pm
Sunday 12pm – 5pm
American Idiot follows the exhilarating journey of a new generation of young Americans as they struggle to find meaning in a post-9/11 world, borne along by Green Day’s electrifying score. This high-octane show includes every song from the acclaimed album American Idiot, as well as several songs from the band’s Grammy-winning release, 21st Century Breakdown.
What would you do to get into your dream college? For twins M and L, the answer is…anything. Peerless by Jiehae Park tackles that question when it bursts onstage later this month at The Human Race Theatre Company. In this Macbeth-inspired satire, twins M and L’s dark and hilarious quest for college admission becomes a cut-throat exploration of ambition and high school drama.
“With shades of cult classics like Heathers, The Breakfast Club, and Cruel Intentions, Park’s incisive wit pokes at the achievement and over-achievements expected of teens today,” comments Emily N. Wells, The Human Race Theatre Company’s Artistic Director. “In addition, we are thrilled to be showcasing some of the fantastic talent emerging out of our SW Ohio training programs.”
Resident Artist and Artistic Director of Wright State University’s theatre program Marya Spring Cordes directs. The cast features current Cincinnati College of Music students Dinithi Fernando and Palini Sunkara as the twins, recent Wright State alum Matthew Shanahan (D and D’s Brother) and Sydney Freihofer (Dirty Girl/Preppy Girl), and University of Cincinnati grad Dominique Owen as BF.
Joining Cordes on the production team are: Ray Zupp, Scenic Design; John Rensel, Lighting Design; Maria F. Ortiz, Costume Design; James Dunlap, Sound Design; Sarah Gomes, Props; Alan Kim, Assistant Director; Mark Tynan, Production Stage Manager.
peerless will play in the Loft Theatre in downtown Dayton, April 25 – May 12, 2024. Tickets are on sale through the Dayton Live box office, 937-228-3630, or online at www.humanracetheatre.org
The Human Race Theatre Company continues its commitment to high quality theatre with access points for all with two ticket initiatives sponsored by Morris Furniture Company: two sections of $20 seats available at any time through the box office, and ten $10 rush seats available 90 minutes before any performance.
Special Nights at The Loft:
Pay What You CAN
Wednesday April 24, 8 pm – admission by non-perishable food donation for The Foodbank OR a cash donation to benefit DECA’s Senior Sendoff Bundles
Inside Track
Thursday, April 25, 8pm – Pre-show Discussion at 7:15pm
Post Show Discussion
Sunday, April 28, 2pm – Shakespeare and Adaptation
Industry Night/ Sawbuck
Sunday, April 28, 7 pm – $10 ticketsavailable at 5:30pm
While We’re On The Subject
Sunday, May 5, 2 pm – Post-Show Discussion with the cast
Parent’s Day Out
Saturday, May 11, 2 pm – Kids Separate Activities (5-12yo)
Brighton, England. 1963. Change is in the air, and Francis Henshall is looking to make his mark. Fired from a skiffle band and in search of work, he finds himself employed by small-time gangster Roscoe Crabbe, in town to collect a fee from his fiancee’s gangster father. But Roscoe is really Rachel, posing as her own dead brother, herself in love with Stanley Stubbers (her brother’s killer) who, in turn, becomes our hero’s other ‘guvnor’. Fighting a mounting sense of confusion, Francis goes out of his way to serve both bosses. But with the distractions of a pneumatic bookkeeper, a self-important actor and select members of the criminal fraternity (not to mention his own mammoth appetite) to contend with, how long can he keep them apart? Richard Bean’s hilarious comedy received 5-star reviews from every London newspaper and was the hit of the 2012 Broadway season
Strange Ranger is pairing up with Sam King + The Suspects for a night of jazz, funk, rock, soul, and folk for a double-header show at the Brightside.
With an expansive repertoire like that, there’s gonna be a little something for everyone and a little of everything for someone — it’s like a three-day music fest packed into one night for the price of a couple of PBRs.
Dayton’s Strange Ranger — not to be confused with the Portland indie rock band of the same name — is, to borrow a word from the Romans, a badass triumvirate: Rob Brockman holds down the fort (the thumping backbeat); Rob Thaxton licks up his basslines; and Chris Coat commands the fretboard like a stoic.
Again, three for the price of one.
Sam King has a powerhouse voice further cemented by The Suspects she plays alongside. King wailed on the vocal solo in “The Great Gig in the Sky” in Black Jacket Symphony’s tribute to Pink Floyd and carved out a folky act back home, à la Joni Mitchell. Plus, opening up for Tommy Stinson’s Cowboys in the Campfire last year ain’t too shabby to have on a resume either.
Sam King + The Suspects have an acoustic set prepared as their drummer heals from an injury; Strange Ranger is the same as it ever was.
We’ve got a supportive music community here in Dayton; no band seems to step on another band’s toes to get ahead, and they often go the extra mile to say nice things about each other.
So, with that said, here is Strange Ranger on Sam King, and Sam King on Strange Ranger:
Strange Ranger: “Sam is an incredible musician supported by a group of other incredible musicians! They have such a great blend of soul, rock, and folk. We think it’s going to be an awesome mix that will highlight the similarities in our sounds but also showcase the diverse influences.”
Sam King: “It’s an honor to share an evening and stage with Strange Ranger. Their resumes are beyond impressive but beyond that, they’re incredible people who always put the music first. You can tell that they just dig every second of playing together and that’s a gift to witness. The Brightside has always done a sensational job of showcasing bands like that. I think the sets will be complimentary as some of our similar influences come through.”
There you have it, with a Brightside compliment to boot: nothin’ but good vibes, and nothin’ but a good time. How can you resist?
Sam King + The Suspects and Strange Ranger are playing The Brightside (905 E 3rd St, Dayton, Ohio 45402) on Thursday, April 18. Doors are at 7:30 p.m. Show is at 8 p.m. All ages are welcome. Presale tickets are $10 at VenuePilot, $15 at the door.
The new exhibition opens April 13th and will run through September 22nd.
Japanese ceramic artists are building on centuries of tradition and taking the art in dynamic and new directions. They are exploring the potential of clay to create both functional and abstract sculptural forms with an incredible range of surface textures and decoration. The aesthetic sensibilities are varied, from rough and imperfect to detailed and refined, but all show a mastery of the craft.
Drawn from the renowned collection of Carol and Jeffrey Horvitz—including recent gifts from them to the museum—this exhibition presents more than thirty artworks spanning eight decades. Traditionally a craft restricted to men, in recent years women have become some of the leading voices in the field and several examples are included.
Artists range from innovative pioneers in the twentieth century, several designated as Living National Treasures in Japan, to emerging, younger artists. Interspersed are examples from the DAI’s collection of historic Japanese ceramics. Across 2,000 years, these speak to the long history of the art in the island nation and their continued inspiration for artists today.
Herer are the descriptions of the pictured pieces in a clockwise order.
Kamoda Shōji (Japanese, 1933–1983), Untitled, 1976, glazed stoneware, 10 3/8 x 5 1/2 inches. Carol and Jeffrey Horvitz Collection. Photo: Richard Goodbody; Courtesy of Joan B. Mirviss LTD.Takiguchi Kazuo (Japanese, born 1953), Untitled, 1989, glazed stoneware, 18 7/8 x 17 x 9 inches. Carol and Jeffrey Horvitz Collection. Photo: Richard Goodbody; Courtesy of Joan B. Mirviss LTD.Koike Shōko (Japanese, born 1943), Untitled, 2009, stoneware with white iron oxide and blue glazes, 10 1/4 x 15 3/4 x 13 inches. Carol and Jeffrey Horvitz Collection. Photo: Richard Goodbody; Courtesy of Joan B. Mirviss LTD.
Ono Hakuko (Japanese, 1915–1996), Untitled, 1990, glazed porcelain with underglaze gold and silver decoration, 11 3/4 x 15 1/4 inches. Carol and Jeffrey Horvitz Collection. Photo: Richard Goodbody; Courtesy of Joan B. Mirviss LTD.
New Beginnings offers a glimpse of the exciting new era that lies before the Dayton Ballet. The Ballet’s new Artistic Director will handpick the repertoire for this performance, sharing a sampling of their vision for the next generation of the historic company.
Tina, the Musical, packs so much energy, you’ll be exhausted just watching it. And it’s not all upbeat and bouncy. The show takes us through Tina’s life and times. Nothing is left to the imagination, and at times, you will feel the heartache and heartbreak that Tina Turner endured. From the time the curtain rises, we get a sense that there’s a lot to Tina….and from her early life as Anna Mae Bullock, to her brilliant rise to stardom as a single act, we get to cheer her on.
The perseverance, the passion and the push forward that she models is a good lesson for everyone. For most of us. we know the story…we saw the incredible movie that opened the door on Tina’s struggles and successes. But, as is always the. case, the stage brings an intimacy. You are there. At no other time in the musical is that more apparent then the scene right before intermission. ‘I Don’t Wanna Fight’ plays as Tina sees her way out. So Satisfying.
The musical features all the songs you know and love from Tina’s anthology and Ike’s as well. Most of the songs fit perfectly with the story’s progression (although ‘We Don’t Need Another Hero’ pops in at a strange time.) 
It’s really in the final moments of the actual show that you feel the audience sit-up as if to say, ‘There’s Tina!’ Do yourself a favor and hang in there after that curtain falls…you’ll thank me. You will be on your feet!
The cast is superb. Big, bellowing voices, high kicking dancers and acting that is more than run of the mill convincing. You feel it.
There are some magic moments, like ‘Let’s Stay Together’ and how it was fits in the script, and I really loved ‘River Deep, Mountain High,’ because it was pure, and poppy! OH, and of. course ‘Proud Mary!’ need I say anything about that quintessential favorite.
Faced with an unloving mother, a pompous husband and a world that wasn’t exactly ready for the star that was Tina Turner, the show is so incredibly redeeming, and, for the record, Tina will remain an inspiration to us all!
For More Information….log-on to: https://www.daytonlive.org/venues/schuster-center/
Ready for a show stopping, heart pounding family adventure? The Great Pages Circus has the finest international circus acts and artists for a spectacular show each year! Two shows each day on Wed, April 10 & 11 at 4:30pm or 7:30pm at the Clark County Fairgrounds. Buy an adult ticket for $20 and get 2 free kids tickets. You can purchase tickets online.
Although our Elephants and Tigers have now retired, we still present our liberty ponies, horses, and camels.
These highlight our fabulous aerial, juggling and clown acts to complete the family experience and whenever possible Earhart’s Globe of Death makes an appearance with adrenaline rushing motorcycle mayhem.
Your circus experience will last approximately an 90 minutes. Of course we love to show off, so the more noise you make, the more we do! We love to ask for
volunteers. Be ready to make some noise if you want Ringmasters James or Colleen to notice you.
Circus souvenirs are available before, during and after the show. Be sure to get your official CIRCUS PAGES COLORING BOOK and color your own memories.
We are cash only event but have an ATM available.
Join Generation Dayton for a lively panel discussion featuring dynamic creative leaders from a variety of arts and culture organizations across the city. Discover how these organizations are cultivating belonging and making an impact, and learn how you can contribute to the vibrant arts scene in Dayton. Registration is required and includes lunch.
Panelists include:
Registration fee includes lunch.
The Jared Stout Band is making their Dayton debut on April 4 at the Brightside.
Based outta Roanoke, VA, these fellas are a healthy blend of forward and backward trucker hats, smoky bars, pool sharks, whiskeys, brewskies, and spontaneous makeout sessions on dancefloors with women fresh outta love (see: the music video for their song, “Cost”).
A little alt-country and a little alt-rock ‘n’ roll, the band could sonically fit on a good chunk of American radio stations. You’ll find most of it here: finger-picking, semi-hollows, acoustics, electrics, solos, harmonicas and shakers, but I think we can all agree that staying true to their Appalachian roots and leaving the ten-gallons to the cowpokes — and opting for the truckers mentioned above — was the appropriate aesthetic choice.
Opening the show is local singer-songwriter favorite (and New Old-Fashioned frontman), David Payne, who is also a big fan of hats.
I reached out to The Jared Stout Band via Instagram for some inane questions and they (ostensibly Stout) were gracious enough to play along:
What are your feelings going into playing Dayton, and how does it differ — if at all — from playing other cities for the first time?
Jared Stout: We’re excited! A new city always comes with some nerves, but more than anything we’re excited to play in Dayton and throw a little flair at some Dayton lore.
Did you know the pop tab was invented in Dayton? Probably not, why would you?
JS: Had no clue! (Called it.) That’s cool. Fun fact, there was about a year or two in my life I was afraid to open pop tabs. I opened one with too much enthusiasm as a kid and cut myself on the can. Lesson learned. Now I pop with caution. We heard there’s a pending Limp Bizkit show in town, too… eventually.
Same as question one, but reframed now that you know about the pop tab — and therefore beer can — factoid.
JS: [Canned laughter via text.] Well, now with that info, we’re gonna have to ask the crowd to pop one with us… safely, of course. [More canned laughter via text.]
For someone who’s never seen you perform, what feeling do you want them to leave with after the show?
JS: We want them to feel full — visibly, audibly, and emotionally. We aim to bring an entertaining show from start to finish [to] our listeners. From songs that make you think back, to ones you’ve never heard before. Our goal is to introduce you to our style, music and energy, and send you home happy and full of good life.
What do you think of David Payne’s music?
JS: [Insert democratic and complimentary response here.]
Well, there you have it: a band who comes off as no bull, nose-to-the-grindstone country music with enough of a sense of humor and humility to answer questions with the words “pop” and “tab” in them.
And I’d be remiss to end this riveting piece of music journalism without having asked opener David Payne a question, to which he replied: “Stoked to have those guys in town! Excited to be opening up the show.”
It seems all involved are excited, so let’s hope you and your hats are, too.
The Jared Stout Band makes their Dayton (pop tab invention capital of the world!) debut on April 4, 2024 at The Brightside Music & Event Venue (905 E 3rd St, Dayton, Ohio 45402).
Doors are at 7 p.m. Local songbird David Payne opens the show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 pre-sale at VenuePilot. $15 at the door.
The spaghetti warehouse has you covered with dinner and a show! Our all new murder mystery show “Fatale Flaw” is up and running. 3 course dinner and a show 39.99 +tax.
Join Mayhem & Mystery for their newest production. Nora Dezimon and her best friend Cathy Mofitt have hired Sam Shade to find out the truth about Nora’s finacé, Harry Lemon. Is Harry cheating on her? His temper and controlling nature have Nora running scared. Harry thinks Nora is stepping out on him. Can Sam discover the truth? Will Nora escape Harry’s angry clutches? And what secret is Cathy hiding? Can you solve the crime and win a prize?
Shows are 7:00 PM Monday nights in February, March, and April 2024, plus special performances on VALENTINE’S DAY, and Fridays, March 1 and April 26. Dinner and show only $39.95 plus tax and tip. Call 937.461.3913 to make required reservations
Gina Handy Minyard is ready to share ‘5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche‘ with the Dayton audience….the tale is ‘beautiful,’ ‘uplifting’ and ‘interactive.’ I was so excited to catch up with her to get more about Magnolia Theatre Company‘s latest production!
JS: Hi Gina. Thank you for taking time to chat. about your upcoming production! First, why did you choose this show in particluar?
GM: Hi Josh. Well, MTC loves a theme! The 2023-24 season focuses on joy, love, and belonging. ‘Five Lesbians Eating a Quiche’ is a perfect way to show these things. Although the show has a funny title, it really tells a beautiful story about these 5 women and how they work together in good times- a quiche breakfast, and bad times- the threat of an atomic bomb. We wanted audiences to be able to laugh this year. Also, we are committed to uplifting underrepresented groups and lesbians are a group that are often missing from the theatrical stage. We are proud to bring this to Dayton audiences.
JS: True….and it’s something I never really considered. So, what should audiences expect from this production?
GM: This show is interactive! Audience members will be attending the 1956 Annual Quiche Breakfast. They become an active participant in our world. They can expect to be taken back to a simpler time, and they will laugh a lot. The show was written with an improvisation element, so no two shows will be the same.
JS: Love that! It definitely makes things fresh…for you and for your viewers. I guess, I really am interested in what this show centers around. The title certainly catches your attention!
GM: It’s 1956 and The Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein are having their annual quiche breakfast. As the assembled five women await the announcement of the society’s prize-winning quiche, the atomic bomb sirens sound! Has the Communist threat come to pass? How will the women respond as their idyllic town and lifestyle faces attacks?
JS: Ummmmmm….that is not at all where I thought this story was heading. WOW. Intrigued!! Good for the Magnolia Theatre Company for reaching toward such a unique play. (The MTC has quite a history. It was founded in 2012 by Gina Handy Minyard. MTC quickly became one of the most talked about theatres in Pennsylvania. Minyard, a professional actor, had become more aware of the gender disparities in the theatre, and research proved there was a lack of female leadership and opportunities for women. Inspired by change, she decided to start a professional theatre company dedicated to women. The company moved to Dayton, OH in 2014 where the need for professional theatre for women was bigger than ever. MTC joined the ImPACt program at the Victoria Theatre Association. Their first show, Parallel Lives, was produced with 100% local, female talent. MTC has continued in its quest, producing the fundraiser Broadway Beveled, an evening of male songs and monologues gender flipped. Magnolia Theatre Company also started Femme Artisan, a staged reading series dedicated to new and under produced work. In 2022, with the help of the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District, MTC became a 501(c)3 organization. They have become a producing partner with the University of Dayton’s Theatre, Dance and Performance Technology program for the 2023-24 season and is a new member of Dayton Live’s Community Spotlight Program.)
JS: So, Gina, I know you are directing the show. Who are the 5 cast members?
GM: It’s a great cast. Sarah Gomes, Emma Massey, Skye Hodgkin, Cydnie Hampton, and Vera Allen. Our stage manager is Alyssa Jenkins.
JS: Stellar group. How do people see the show?
GM: It runs April 4,5 and 6 at 7:30 pm. April 6 and 7 at 2pm. We are performing at the PNC Arts Annex 56 W. 2nd St. Dayton, OH 45402. The show runs 70-75 min. No intermission.
JS: To you and all the cast, BREAK LEGS!! Thank Gina!
For more info, go to http://www.daytonlive.org/events/five-lesbians-eating-quiche/
