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Arts & Entertainment

We Care Arts’ Evening At The Races

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Get ready for an unforgettable experience at our upcoming event, Evening At The Races! This exciting event promises an evening packed with thrilling races, unique art, delicious food, and plenty of fun activities for everyone. Mark your calendars and grab your tickets now for a night you won’t want to miss!

Event Highlights

1. Thrilling Races

The heart of the evening lies in our exhilarating horse races. Feel the adrenaline rush as you cheer on your favorite horse. For those feeling extra lucky, you can buy a horse and see if it leads the pack to victory. Winning horse owners will receive a beautifully designed horse head bank, filled with gold coins—a treasure in itself!

2. Pop-up Art Store

Explore creativity at our pop-up art store, showcasing unique works from local artists. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or simply looking for a one-of-a-kind piece to take home, you’ll find something that catches your eye.

3. Raffles

Test your luck with our exciting raffles! With a variety of prizes up for grabs, there’s always a chance to win something special. Stay tuned for the announcement of our raffle prizes on the night of the event.

4. Food and Drinks

Indulge in a selection of delicious food and refreshing drinks available throughout the evening.

5. Piggy Bank Auction

Don’t miss our favorite piggy bank auction, where you can bid on charming and creatively designed piggy banks. It’s a fun and entertaining way to support a good cause and take home a quirky souvenir.

DayCon IX Board Game Convention

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Boardgame convention in Dayton April 17 & 18. Players new to gaming welcome. Includes card games, tabletop miniatures and RPGs. Great vendor hall!

DayCon Tabletop Gaming Convention is a gaming event for miniature wargames, strategy boardgames, collectable card games and role-playing games.

Friday Schedule

Registration Opens – 1:00pm

Afternoon games 2:00pm – 6:00pm

Evening games 6:30pm – 10:30pm ​

Saturday Schedule

Registration Opens – 8:00am

Morning games 9:00am – 1:00pm

Afternoon games 2:00pm – 6:00pm

Evening games -6:30pm – 10:30pm

INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS!!

How to purchase attendee and GM badges

Event Website Overview

How to submit games as a GM

How to buy a badge for a friend /family

Bob The Drag Queen At The Funny Bone

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The nickname of comic/actor Caldwell Tidicue, “Bob The Drag Queen” describes himself as “hilarious, beautiful, talented and…humble.” Bob’s unabashed confidence won him the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar” on season 8 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Bob’s other notable onscreen credits include competing as a fan-favorite on Peacock’s ‘The Traitors,’ hosting 3 seasons of HBO’s Peabody Award-winning series ‘We’re Here,’ and starring in multiple acting roles for HBO, Netflix, Sony Tristar, MTV, and VH1. Bob’s live credits include hosting Madonna’s ‘Celebration’ World Tour in 2023-2024 as well as headlining multiple theater-level stand up comedy tours. Bob’s podcast “Sibling Rivalry” co-hosted with her drag sister Monét X Change is one of America’s top comedy podcasts. Finally, Bob’s first book “Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert” was named a New York Times Bestseller in May of 2025. Bob is represented by UTA and managed by Producer Entertainment Group (PEG).

Perfect time to catch ‘HAY FEVER!’ at Human Race.

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Cast of ‘Hay Fever.’ Judd Plattenburg Photography

Dayton’s beloved Human Race Theatre Company is continuing its fantastic season with Noel Coward’s ‘Hay Fever!’ I had the pleasure of asking the Artistic Director, Emily Wells, all about it!

D9: Thanks, Emily, for taking some time to let us all know about your most recent production at HRTC! Why was ‘Hay Fever’ chosen for the Human Race this season?
EW: Bob Hetherington was one of the resident directors of The Human Race for the first 10 years of the company, and he’s also my directing mentor. We knew we wanted to have him back to direct this season all about family.  When it came time to select a work together, we were dishing about the theme and classic titles that might be exciting for our audience to see our spin. Noël Coward’s HAY FEVER, with its family behaving badly, seemed like just the right fit!
D9: Sounds fun….what is the premise of the show for those who are unfamiliar??
EW: Hoping for a quiet weekend in the country with some guests, Judith and David Bliss find peace to be impossible when their children, Simon and Sorel, appear with guests of their own. A houseful of misunderstandings, games, and irrational tempers ensues as the quiet weekend comes to a hilarious and exhausting end.
D9: HRTC are masters at this type of comedy! With that in mind,  what themes do you hope resonate most with audiences today?
EW: I hope we’re all aware of how our words and actions affect those around us, but if we’re not, we’ll definitely sympathize with the guests who are treated badly by their hosts.  You may see how Mr. Coward’s work has influenced modern comedies like “Modern Family” and “Schitt’s Creek” among others.
D9: Shows like this are really character-driven. What qualities were you looking for when casting this production?
EW: This script is over 100 years old, but it feels as fresh as yesterday. Bob was able to flip the gender of a key character, adding a flair that I think would delight Mr. Coward. For a script like this, we also looked for great physical comedy skills, and timing, timing, timing!
D9: This sounds fun and inventive! What do you want audiences to feel when they leave the theater?
EW: Giddy, laughing, and just maybe a slightly better host for their next party.
D9: Ha, ha, ha!! What does the rest of this season hold for folks?
EW: We want to see folks turn out for our 40th birthday party on the 28th – Certified Human Night. Come as you are with a dash of 80’s fashion, and help us celebrate turning 40! Then, in June, The Hot Wing King by Katori Hall is going to be HOT! Gorgeous cast, a little spicy romance, and family drama – it’s the show everyone will be talking about into summer.

Catch ‘HAY FEVER!’

D9: Wishing you so much success with the rest of your season. Any thoughts for your audiences?                                                         EW: Audiences are our special sauce, so if you’ve not been to see us in a while – come see us!  We’ve got pricing for every budget, and Parent’s Day Out for families.  Next season will be announced very soon and we can’t wait to share what we’re cooking up for you.

D9: Thank you, Emily. Hay Fever is playing at the Loft Theatre April 8 – 19, 2026. For ticket info visit: https://www.daytonlive.org/

The Kettering Arts Council Member Spotlight: Katie Neubert

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We’re excited to share interviews with current KAC members to highlight their personal and professional experiences in the arts. These spotlights celebrate the creativity, passion and people that help to make our arts community so vibrant.
Be sure to check out this engaging discussion with Kettering Arts Council Executive Director, Katie Neubert, as she shares her journey, creative inspiration and experiences with the arts below:
Question: What do you like about the arts in Kettering?
“The exciting thing about the arts in Kettering is the long history and commitment to the arts for all! Instead of sitting on a hill away from the public with limited access, Kettering has ensured that the arts has a central home at Rosewood but is available and accessible across the city for all to experience and enjoy. This decades long strategy has built a culture where art surrounds us and is just part of the air that we breathe in Kettering.”
Question: Was there a moment when art changed how you saw the world?
“In high school I took a Soviet Dissident Literature English class and the teacher included artwork throughout the semester. This class really helped me understand that art is so much more than the medium, that it can resonate and impact people differently based on their world experiences and that art was something that could change not just individuals but our world.”
Question: Is there an artist, who deeply influenced you?
“My favorite artwork is by Pieter Bruegel the Elder. One of his artworks, The Fall of Icarus, was mentioned in W.H. Auden’s poem Musee des Beaux Arts, which led me to want to learn more about his work. I actually planned a 4 hour train lay over in Brussels to go to the museum to see The Fall of Icarus which was so much bigger and more detailed in real life than I had ever imagined. I even had the opportunity after asking a question to have a museum docent walk me back to the picture and give me a 30 minute impromptu lesson on my favorite artwork while standing in front of it.
This artist repeatedly came back to the indifference of everyday life and at the same time elevated the value of those everyday moments.”
Question: What art form do you wish you had more time to explore?
“At We Care Arts, our mission is to empower healing through art and community for adults living with developmental disabilities, substance use disorders, and mental health diagnoses. Too often, our artist-clients are defined by their diagnoses rather than their creativity and what they contribute to our community. I share that because, as Executive Director, much of my time is spent in meetings, managing financials and planning events. In short, my role is about keeping the lights on while bringing our mission to life. That pace can pull me away from the very heart of our work.
The art form I wish I had more time to explore is the work our artist-clients create. Our annual curriculum gives them space to share their talents and their unique perspectives through art. When I carve out time to be in the classrooms while they are creating, I get to learn about their interests and the stories behind each piece. For me, it is the process as much as the final product. Being present while art is being made, witnessing expression, growth, and connection in real time, is the form and beauty of art I wish I had more time to experience and enjoy.”

McCoy on Movies: SUPER MARIO GALAXY

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Video game sequel loses laughs but delivers solid family-friendly entertainment

“Personally, I think I should get my own solo movie – I mean, they’ve given like three to the minions and they can’t even speak English!” Toad (Keegan-Michael Key), Yoshi (Donald Glover) and Luigi (Charlie Day) in a scene from co-directors Aaron Horvath’s and Michael Jelenic’s THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE. © Nintendo & Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

 

CAST: Chris Pratt | Charlie Day | Anya Taylor-Joy | Keegan Michael-Key | Luis Guzmán | Jack Black | Benny Safdie | Donald Glover | Glen Powell | Brie Larson

WRITER: Matthew Fogel

DIRECTOR: Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic

TRAILER:

 

THE STORY: All is well in the Mushroom Kingdom. Bowser (Jack Black) is still imprisoned, but adjusting to living as a miniature, less angry version of his former self – he’s even in book club with Luigi (Charlie Day) now! Mario (Chris Pratt), however, doesn’t trust him as far as he can throw him … Which, he now can given his foe’s diminished status. In addition to their pal Toad (Keegan Michael-Key), the Marios Bros. have found a new friend in Yoshi (Donald Glover), a small, green and very friendly dinosaur.  

But while all is well in the Mushroom Kingdom, it is not so much over in the land of Princess Rosalina (Brie Larson) following her kidnapping by Bowser’s son (Benny Safdie). He wants to live out the childhood dream he and his father shared to dominate the universe while making a home on their own planet. That causes her star children to seek out help from someone that might be able to help return their mother home …

And this journey is likely to scan the entire Super Mario galaxy …

THE REVIEW: Upon its release in theaters, The Super Mario Bros. Movie – NO, not that one from the 90s starring John Leguizamo alongside the late Bob Hoskins and Dennis Hopper; side note: someone really needs to explore how Leguizamo got to play so many Italian characters in his career – was an instant hit. It delivered a great mix of humor, action and character development, all while maintaining the classic elements of the game from which it drew inspiration. With THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE, the franchise veers a bit from its joke telling to focus on exploring a familiar topic – family and the ties that bind – to deliver a more heartfelt story while retaining plenty of action movie intensity in between.

And in the end, it’s exactly what you expect: A solid family film with just a bit of nostalgia and enough gaming thrown in to satisfy audiences young and old alike.

It’s easy to add new characters to a franchise for the sake of adding them. It’s also easy to keep trying to mine gold from the same mine until it runs dry. Fortunately, GALAXY doesn’t suffer that fate as builds on what is already established to add another installment that will satisfy audiences whether they come for the aforementioned nostalgia or the entertaining animated adventure itself.

While not as dynamic as its predecessor, GALAXY is sure to help the franchise level up in teaching lessons about family, especially as it draws in families by the gold coin to enjoy it this spring.

RATING (OUT OF FOUR BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dayton Ballet and DCDC Unite for a Historic Night of Funk and Dance

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Something unprecedented is about to go down at the Victoria Theatre. For the first time, Dayton’s two powerhouse dance companies, Dayton Ballet and Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, are sharing the same stage for Rhythm of the City, a celebration of the funk music born right here in the Gem City.

Running April 10th through 12th, the production brings together choreographers Alia Kache, Gary W. Jeter II, and Brandon Ragland, who have each crafted new works set to the sounds of Dayton funk legends like Ohio Players, Zapp, Heatwave, Lakeside, Faze-O, and Shirley Murdock. The evening also features a world premiere composition by LaFrae Sci.

This isn’t a concert, and it isn’t a traditional ballet, it’s something entirely new. Dancers from both companies will perform together, translating Dayton’s musical DNA into movement. And between every act, Deron Bell & the Time To Groove House Band will be right there on stage keeping the funk live and loud.

The collaboration is a landmark moment for both organizations. DCDC, founded in 1968, and Dayton Ballet, one of the oldest ballet companies in the country, have operated in the same city for decades but have never come together on stage quite like this. Rhythm of the City is part of DCDC’s 57th season, themed “Dancing in Our Light,” and it feels like the kind of event that only Dayton could produce — a city where funk was invented now watching its two greatest dance institutions honor that legacy side by side.

HOW TO GO?

Performances are Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11 at 7:30 PM, with a Sunday, April 12 matinee at 2:30 PM. Tickets are available through Dayton Live.

 

Ohio Goes To The Movies – 250 Free Film Screenings!

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Ohio Goes to the Movies is a statewide celebration of movies showcasing Ohio actors, directors, composers, writers, locations and topics. Movies will be shown in cities and towns across the state. A variety of movies will include independent films, Hollywood blockbusters, and industrial/special interest films, from rare archival footage to contemporary works.

Ohio can claim a rich heritage in the film industry starting with Thomas Edison who, with his staff, invented the Kinetoscope in 1891.

Great actors and pioneering legends like Clark Gable, Lillian Gish, Dorothy Dandridge, Doris Day, and Paul Newman are Ohioans. Contemporary actors like Halle Berry, Martin Sheen and Sarah Jessica Parker have carried on this tradition.

We are the home of directors like Steven Spielberg, Jim Jarmusch, Julia Reichert, and the Russo Brothers. Brilliant composers like Henry Mancini, animators like Disney’s Mark Allen Henn, even the Warner Brothers…all are native Ohioans!

There will be about 250 days of Ohio movie magic showcasing Ohio’s contributions to America’s film industry and moviemaking. And did we mention that all of the screenings are free!

Check out the films you can see around here:

To see all the films playing across the state, click here.

Ohio Goes to the Movies  is the brainchild of Stephen George, who envisioned a statewide film festival while planning the 2003 Ohio Bicentennial. As executive director of the Ohio Bicentennial Commission, he traveled to each of Ohio’s 88 counties to learn about their history. “I always asked people what they were proud of in their community. They often brought up an actor or film connection from  their hometown… that’s when the idea struck me,” he explained.

“While we didn’t have the capacity to make the statewide film festival a reality during the Ohio Bicentennial, I carried around the idea for years mulling over how something so big and so meaningful could happen across the whole of our state. When planning began for the 2026 America 250-Ohio celebration, I shared the idea for Ohio Goes to the Movies with Governor DeWine and other statewide leaders. They took to it immediately,” said Steve.

“We are pretty sure a statewide film festival of this size has never been envisioned before let alone accomplished. We are over-the-moon excited that so many communities—of every size and in all Ohio regions—will be involved in this truly statewide event.”

McCoy on Movies: THEY WILL KILL YOU

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Video game-like comedy/horror/slasher takes Quentin Tarantino-inspiration to gory-but-entertaining heights

“I don’t know anyone named Bill … But if he shows up, I’ll kill him, too!” Asia Reaves (Zazie Beetz) puts in some sword work in a scene from co-writer/director Kirill Sokolov’s gore-infested mayhem comedy/action/horror film THEY WILL KILL YOU. Credit: Warner Bros. © 2026 Warner Bros. Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

 

CAST: Zazie Beetz | Patricia Arquette | Myah’La | Heather Graham | Paterson Joseph | Tom Felton

WRITER: Kirill Sokolov and Alex Litvak

DIRECTOR: Kirill Sokolov

TRAILER:

THE STORY: Asia Reaves (Zazie Beetz) escaped an abusive father in her younger years … Or so she thought. For after attempting to put a permanent end to his abuse, she ended up in prison. Her younger sister Maria (Myha’La) was also trapped in a prison of sorts since she ended up having to stay with her father following the attack. 

Fast forward 10 years later and Asia, now out of incarceration, is looking for a job, which she finds at the prestigious Virgil building in New York City. But despite what the head caretaker of the property Lily (Patricia Arquette) thinks Asia is really there for another reason: To rescue Maria, whom she has found out was last seen there. Unfortunately for Asia, Lily is hiding a secret of her own: Her “family,” which is more than happy to welcome Asia in as the latest member of the its maid staff. Why?

If they tell you, THEY WILL KILL YOU …

THE REVIEW: Google the words “Kirill Sokolov Quentin Tarantino” and a lot of results come up. A. LOT – and for good reason. For in watching the slashing, gore fest that is THEY WILL KILL YOU, it’s hard not to imagine the two of them chopping it up (pun intended) over their favorite female heroines in 1970s grindhouse films. Thus, if you hate blood, violence, a LOT of blood and violence, you might wish to steer clear … But if you can appreciate dark humor, “final girl” movies and an action star in the making performance, THEY WILL KILL YOU slays.

With action sequences that feel straight out of a PlayStation button masher coupled with Kill Bill/John Wick intensity and humor inspired by Itchy & Scratchy on The Simpsons, the film is a nonstop, cavalcade of blood, guts and even eyeballs (or, as the case may be, eyeball). As a result, audiences will either have a hard time turning their eyes away from all the chaotic, stylized violence on screen as Beets officially throws her name in the hat for badass female fighter of the year … Or have a hard time watching as more hemoglobin is spilled than a year’s worth of blood drives. 

Beetz takes complete control of the screen in every scene she’s in, the audience never doubting that she could be capable of such necessary ultraviolence. It’s the type of performance that, while it definitely won’t win an Academy Award, is undeniable as a leading action movie star and a woman that deserves more opportunities to showcase her wide range of skills. (Imagine if Sinners had less cultural significance to its backstory and just featured Michael B. Jordan in the last shootout and you can start to get an idea of how Beetz shines.) Throw in Arquette and Heather Graham as vampy foes with Paterson Joseph adding a bit of a Delroy Lindo-in-the-aformentioned-Sinners-touch and you have all the makings of a cult classic.

A bloody, disgusting, not for the faint-of-heart-or-those-regularly-attending-a-very-devout-church cult classic. 

RATING (OUT OF FOUR BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jesus Christ Superstar Coming to La Comedia

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Delicious dining and Broadway-style live entertainment — La Comedia is Southwest Ohio’s best value in live theatre! Since opening in 1975, La Comedia’s “Taste of Broadway” has entertained millions, providing the perfect atmosphere to celebrate any occasion. Located in Springboro, conveniently between Dayton and Cincinnati.

A global phenomenon that has wowed audiences for over 50 years, Jesus Christ Superstar is a timeless work told entirely through the music and lyrics of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

Loosely based on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Superstar follows the last week of Jesus Christ’s life. The story explores the personal relationships and struggles between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, his disciples, his followers and the Roman Empire.

Reflecting the rock roots that defined a generation, the legendary ’70s score includes “I Don’t Know How To Love Him,” “Gethsemane,” “Superstar,” and many more!

Showing April 2 – May 10
Matinees: Thursday, Friday & Sunday: Arrival time, 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Buffet opens around 11:15, show begins around 12:30 p.m.

Evenings: Thursday – Sunday: Arrival time, 5:30 – 6:00 p.m. Buffet opens around 6:15 p.m., show begins around 7:30 p.m.

Underground Film Fest Features Local Independent Films

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A brand new one day film festival launches at noon this Saturday in Yellow Springs.  The Ohio Underground Film Festival will  “showcase local films & filmmakers from the Dayton area that are making interesting and raw films on extremely low micro-budgets, and give them a showcase. I made a feature film last year in Yellow Springs for $1,200, and wanted to premiere it in the town it was filmed in, and then decided to build an entire event around that.”
Others involved in creating this event include Matt Brassfield, who runs GameSwap in Kettering and has been involved in the horror scene for 30 plus years here, Juliet Fromholt, Mal Thokey, animator Awrylo Jones,  filmmakers Lola Roxananne & Sebastian Seagull, and Noelle Huffman, who runs a VHS convention, has created the zine program for the fest.
Bonacore says they created this fesival “for people who like outsider films, raw, unfiltered & challenging stories.  Horror & shot on video low-fi films, weird stuff you can’t really see anywhere else & with most of the filmmakers present.”

The festival will open with a block of short films It will also feature a tribute to local Dayton filmmakers the late Andy Copp, Matt Brassfield and Henrique Couto, with a screening of their respective shorts.There will be  a rare screening of  “Boiled Angels: The Story of Mike Diana”   According to Bonacore,  “this is a  documentary about famed comic book artist Mike Diana who was arrested for his art in the 90’s.  Its an extremely important film about censorship and art.  Narrated by Jello Biafra of The Dead Kennedy’s.  Its unavailable on phyisical media or streaming and is an ultra rare screening I think will blow peoples minds.”

The 2nd feature will be “BUSTED BABIES” by filmmaker/actress Kasper Melted Hair! A wild goopy, slimey microbudget horror film shot on vhs about a secret goop is turning flesh into glass.  Director & star Kasper Meltedhair in attendance!

The final film of the fest will be the Ohio Premiere of Bonacore’s “Video Vixen”. Shot entirely in Yellow Springs in 2024-2025. A local adult content creator starts killing off all the local insufferable influencers. Shot on an old Hi 8 Camcorder. Staring the town of Yellow Springs. The film features a cast of locals who play various social media and influencer types who, without spoiling too much, find that their “10 seconds of fame are up,” as the movie’s tagline espouses. Included in the cast are aforementioned filmmaker Lola Betz, Little Art Theatre Manager Caleab Wyant and local hip-hop artist Tron “Tronee Threat” Banks, who Bonacore said plays the “rapping chief of police.”

Tickets are The Ohio Underground Film Festival are available for $5 day of the show and all screenings will happen at Glen Helen’s Vernet Center located at 405 Corry St in Yellow Springs.

Petty Thieves Are Coming to The Brightside and They Won’t Back Down

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There are certain songs that don’t just play, they land. They hit you somewhere between the chest and the memory, and suddenly you’re seventeen again, windows down, singing like no one’s watching. Tom Petty had a gift for writing those songs, and this Saturday night, a Dayton all-star band is keeping that gift alive.

Petty Thieves make their Brightside debut on Saturday, March 28th, and if you’ve ever loved a Tom Petty song, this is the show you didn’t know you needed right now.

The Petty Thieves aren’t just a cover band running through the hits on autopilot. They’re a local group with a genuine love for the man and his music, and on Saturday they’ll perform two full sets, one packed with the greatest hits everyone knows by heart, and a second diving deeper into the catalog with the kind of fan-favorite deep cuts that remind you just how rich that body of work really is. From the anthems to the album tracks, it’s going to be a night that does the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer proud.

The Brightside, tucked into the East Third Street corridor at 905 E. 3rd St., is exactly the kind of room a night like this deserves: warm, intimate, and built for music that means something. It’s all ages, so bring the whole crew!

Tom Petty always said he wrote for the people who felt like outsiders, the dreamers, the ones who refused to give up. Dayton has always been that kind of city. Saturday night at The Brightside, it all comes together.

🎸 The Petty Thieves — A Tribute to Tom Petty

📍 The Brightside | 905 E. 3rd St., Dayton, OH 45402

🗓 Saturday, March 28 | Doors 7 PM | Show 8–10 PM

👨‍👩‍👧 All Ages Welcome

🎟 Tickets: venuepilot.com

RubiGirls 42nd Season-Opener, ‘Spring Queening,’ is Completely Fresh!

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Sintell, Mahal, Peters, Plymouth and Summer

They’re back.  Dayton’s beloved RubiGirls are about to take the stage in Yellow Springs to kick off their 42nd Season. The opener, entitled Spring Queening,  is completely fresh, highly charged, and the laughs are plenty! ‘We are as excited as the crowd,’ stated India Summer. ‘We have been looking forward to this since November.” *The Girls are known for taking a break until Spring. ‘The best part of it is, we have the chance to bang out some new material! It is GOOD!’

And new material it is. In this ‘kick-off’ show, you will see some timely material in a world that has definitely changed in the last 12 months. ‘We’re ready to give our two cents. War, gas prices, inflation….I mean, we could take on quite a lot. I think the blend in this show is perfect!’ Says Emcee Dana Sintell. ‘I think what will stick with people is a whole different kind of ending….it’s needed right now!’

Girls Celebrating 42 Seasons!

The show in Yellow Springs is slated for March 28th at 7:30pm. As of this writing, the show has SOLD-OUT….three times! ‘They kept adding tickets, and then they would sell again….people are anxious to laugh and be in a community again!’ says Jackie O. ‘What I love about this particular show is it is a mix of bawdy, lewd, sweet and even poignant. It’s Rubi at its finest.

The season-opening show stars Summer, Sintell, O, Ileasa Plymouth, Annie Biotix, Taj Mahal and Fonda Peters. The RubiGirls are well known in the region as they contribute funds from their shows and appearances to local non-profits. This time, the show benefits HRC-Cincinnati.  “I mean, with drag bans and the likes, we need to be visible and accessible. This is all so crazy. The worry about drag while dropping bombs seems almost surreal.’ Sintell added.

The Girls had one of their most profitable years in 2025, reaching out to 100+ nonprofits and tipping the donation total to over $4M since their beginnings. For information or to donate to the RubiGirls visit https://therubigirls.com

 

Kettering Arts Council Member Spotlight: Pene Johnson Miller

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The Kettering Arts Council is a 15 member citizen advisory committee comprised of local artists, art educators, community leaders, and those who truly appreciate the arts. The Kettering Arts Council, in partnership and collaboration with the community, strives to provide access to the arts for all ages, encourage a passion for the arts, and promote art appreciation and education. The Arts Council promotes and enhances an awareness and appreciation of Kettering arts.

Pene Johnson Miller is the current president and  shares her journey, creative inspiration and experiences with the arts.

Question: What do you like about the arts in Kettering?
Answer: I love that Kettering has such a strong commitment to public art and to creative pursuits.
Question: Was there a moment when art changed how you saw the world?
Answer: My dad and my uncle were both artists, so I’ve always been creating. I’ve had the opportunity to travel pretty extensively and, through that travel, I’ve been exposed to various kinds of art and tried most of them for myself.
Question: Is there an artist, who deeply influenced you?
Answer: Aside from my family, it’s been the artists I’ve met here that have, through their support, allowed me to finally own my art and my process and to proudly share that work with others.
Question: What art form do you wish you had more time to explore?
Answer: I’ve always gravitated toward sculpture and think I’d like to do more with clay. Certainly, the opportunities are available at Rosewood!
Question: Has your taste in art changed over the years?
Answer: I’ve always been drawn to contemporary works, but I’ve done more with repurposed industrial, rescued and found objects in the past few years.
Question: What do you like about the arts in Kettering?
Answer: How accessible it is! Just look around. Kettering is all about art!
Image Caption: “Into the Mystic” by Penelope (Pene Johnson Miller) 2025, Sculpt made from Found, Rescued and Repurposed objects.

This interview originally appeared on the
City of Kettering Parks, Recreating and Cultural
Arts website.

Montgomery County’s Special Projects Grant Now Accepting Applications

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Arts and cultural organizations across Montgomery County have the opportunity to bring creative projects to life. Applications for the 2026–2027 Special Projects Grant opened today, March 20, with up to $275,000 in total funding available through the Montgomery County Arts & Cultural District.

Dayton Dance Initiative is a past recipient of Special Projects Grant funding

Administered by Venus Child Productions, the grant awards up to $15,000 per project to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, and government agencies located in or primarily serving Montgomery County. This cycle features an extended 18-month project window running from July 2026 through December 2027, giving organizations more time and flexibility to plan and execute their work.

Eligible projects span six categories: Cultural Heritage, Cultural & Multi-Arts, Education, Literary Arts, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts. In a notable change from previous cycles, the Letter of Intent phase has been removed. Applicants now proceed directly to the full application.

“We want to make this process as accessible as possible,” said Libby Ballengee, Program Administrator at Venus Child Productions. “Whether you’re a first-time applicant or a returning grantee, the streamlined application and extended timeline are designed to support strong, thoughtful projects.”

Two free virtual information sessions are scheduled for prospective applicants:

Signature Educational Solutions

Both sessions will be recorded and posted online. New applicants are especially encouraged to attend.

The application deadline is Friday, May 1, 2026 at 4:00 PM EST.

Full program guidelines, FAQs, and the online application are available at specialprojectsgrant.com.

McCoy on Movies: Project Hail Mary

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Ryan Gosling delivers out of this world performance in PROJECT HAIL MARY

“I should have asked Matt Damon how he felt without gravity … Maybe I can text in space!” Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) ponders his next move – and the fate of life as he knows it – in a scene from Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s PROJECT HAIL MARY. Credit: Jonathan Holley © Amazon MGM Studios. All Rights Reserved.

 

CAST: Ryan Gosling | Sandra Hüller | Ken Leung | Milana Vayntrub | Lionel Boyce | James Ortiz 

WRITER: Drew Goddard (story by) | Andy Weir (based on the novel by)

DIRECTOR: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller

TRAILER:

THE STORY: Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) is a elementary school science teacher. So, when he wakes up on a spaceship scores of light years away from home with no recollection of why, he has to begin to piece together how he got there. As it turns out, he’s there for a very specific, life-changing reason: The sun is dying due to a mysterious substance that is eating it. Ryland – or Grace as he prefers – has been tasked with finding out why and putting a theory of his to the test to see if he can save humanity.

What Grace isn’t prepared for, however, is what – or, rather, whom – awaits him once he begins a mission from which he won’t return home. For what he discovers might not just save the world as he knows it, but open him up to an entire universe he never knew existed …

THE REVIEW: While there are plenty of obvious and easy ways to tie PROJECT HAIL MARY to 2015’s The Martian (same novelist and screenwriter, the same technical attention to detail central to the story, same man in solo peril situation). What makes MARY stand out, however, is the visually stunning, cautiously paced-to-enable-and-encourage-deeper-engagement storytelling coupled against Gosling’s seemingly simple but incredibly nuanced performance.

As opposed to trying to create a paint-by-numbers science fiction adventure that is more based on thrills than substance, directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (Enter the Spider-Verse, the Jump Street films) have, with MARY, found a wait to craft a film that merges science and the human experience into an engaging, entertaining package. Whereas novelist Andy Weir’s source material provides the textbook, Lord and Miller turn it into an engaging exploration of science, the best of humanity (at a time when we are seemingly at our worst) and the wonders of life itself. As Gosling learns from an unexpected source – you can check other reviews or read the book for spoilers! – he, under the eye of Lord and Miller – makes you do the most important thing a character can do on screen: Care. You care about the (obvious) inherent fate of the earth, you care about Grace and his survival and you care about the spoiler alert even more because of what Miller, Lord and Gosling are able to deliver on screen.

While it’s far too early to make Academy Award predictions for 2027, I am willing to say that there is no universe in which PROJECT HAIL MARY doesn’t deserve nominations in several categories. As One Battle After Another proved most recently, adapting a screenplay from a book can produce Academy Award-winning material – and PROJECT HAIL MARY is a great one that anyone who claims to like movies should catch.

 

RATING (OUT OF FOUR BUCKETS OF POPCORN):