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Arts & Entertainment

Dayton Battle of the Bands kicks off at The Brightside!

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The 5th annual Dayton Battle of the Bands kicks off on January 16, 2025 at The Brightside Music & Event Venue. This exciting music series, presented by the venue along with Venus Child Productions and Sound Valley, highlights up-and-coming original bands across a variety of genres.

The series runs for 6 weeks, every Thursday from January 16, 2025 through February 27th (skipping Feb 20th for sold out Kim Deal concert). The winner of each week moves onto the Finale, held in the Brightside’s Ballroom on Sat, March 8th.

The playoffs result from a 50/50 mix of audience and judges’ votes. Every attendee receives a ballot upon entry and utilizes ranked-choice voting to select their top three favorite bands. Each week, music industry insiders and special guests serve as judges, with their votes carrying greater influence.

“Despite the ‘battle’ name, this series has been such a fun way to discover so much of the creative talent brewing in Dayton,” organizer Libby Ballengee shared with us. “Maybe you’ll find your new favorite band!”

The participating bands get professional photos to add to their press kit and the chance to audition for bookers from around the city including Levitt Pavilion, Blind Bob’s, Oregon Express, and more! This year, Dayton Battle of the Bands is partnering with Concert Archives to offer bands consolidated feedback from judges.

Photo by Jordan Lynn Freshour

For the Finalists who perform in the Finale, they all receive a video of one of their songs performed live, which is provided by Sound Valley. This is such an awesome asset for the band’s press kit. They also receive cash prize, free pizza for rehearsals from Dayton Pizza Factory, among other perks.

For the grand prize winner – they get all above plus an EP recording session with Dayton Sound Studios, a spot on Levitt Pavilion Dayton’s summer schedule, free t-shirts from Little Monster Printing, and $1000.

Past winners include: The Katawicks, Bohemian Funk, crabswithoutlegs, and Freakquency.

More details about Dayton Battle of the Bands can be found at their website: daytonbattleofthebands.com

HOW TO GO:

The Brightside Music & Event Venue (905 E 3rd St. Dayton, OH)

  • Jan 16 – Week 1 – Alternative / Rock
  • Jan 23 – Week 2 – Singer-Songwriters
  • Jan 30 – Week 3 – Hip Hop / Rap / R&B
  • Feb 6 – Week 4 – Hard Rock / Metal / Punk
  • Feb 13 – Week 5 – Americana / Bluegrass / Folk
  • Feb 27 – Week 6 – Funk / Jam / Reggae / Ska
  • March 8 – Finale featuring the winners from each week

7pm doors open / Music 7:30pm – 10pm

All ages

$10 advance, $15 at the door

Tickets & information available at
https://www.daytonbattleofthebands.com
Or https://www.thebrightsidedayton.com/

Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived- SIX Takes the Stage

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From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix 500 years of historical heartbreak into a euphoric celebration of 21st century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over!

SIX won 23 awards in the 2021/2022 Broadway season, including the Tony Award® for Best Original Score (Music and Lyrics) and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical.

The New York Times says SIX “TOTALLY RULES!” (Critic’s Pick) and The Washington Post hails SIX as “Exactly the kind of energizing, inspirational illumination this town aches for!”

The SIX: LIVE ON OPENING NIGHT Broadway album debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard cast album charts and surpassed 6 million streams in its first month.

Submissions Now Open for Emerging Visions Youth FilmFest

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Emerging Visions Youth FilmFest is the only festival of its kind in the greater Dayton Region.

At Emerging Visions Youth FilmFest (Previously “The FilmDayton High School Film Festival”), our mission is to empower and celebrate the creative voices of young filmmakers in grades 6 through 12, providing them with a dynamic platform to showcase their unique perspectives and innovative storytelling. As a vibrant extension of FilmDayton, a distinguished regional film commission in Ohio, that advances the art, craft and business of film in the greater Dayton region, we are dedicated to fostering a supportive community that nurtures artistic growth, cultivates cinematic skills, and encourages the exploration of diverse narratives.

What makes this festival unique is the educational opportunity provided to students and teachers through our open judging event. Student are invited to screen their films in front of a panel of professional filmmakers and receive real-time feedback from the panel and their peers. Based on panel’s decision, the winning films will be screened at our Festival, the host theater for the final screening is TBD, and will be based on demand required and capacity needed to facilitate a pleasant viewing experience for filmmakers and guests.

Formerly the SunDog Film Festival which originated in 2003, previously participating schools include Centerville, Greenville, Kettering Fairmont, Hilliard Davidson, Kings, Miami Valley Career Technology Center, Stivers School for the Arts, The Miami Valley School, Upper Arlington, Wilmington, Yellow Springs, Ferguson MS, McKinney MS, and Franklin Jr. High.

Submit now via Film Freeway.
  • Earlybird Deadline
  • Regular Deadline
  • Notification Date
  • Event Date
Awards & Prizes

The top three films from each category will be screened at the Festival

The top 3 films in each category will be recognized as award winners, with the top winner in each category awarded a small prize package (TBD).

Additional Awards – Awarded a certificate:
– Best in Show – Highest scoring submission across all categories
– Judges Choice – A submission that is chosen by the judges to be recognized
– Best Storytelling – A submission selected by the judges that shows exemplary storytelling
– Best Cinematography – A submission selected by the judges for exemplary cinematography
– Best Wardrobe (Includes hair and makeup) – A submission selected by the judges for exemplary wardrobe and costuming
– Best Editing/VFX – A submission selected by the judges for exemplary editing or visual effects
– Best On-screen Talent – One person chosen from the submissions that showed exemplary acting, hosting or voice-over

Submissions MUST have been produced in the last 18 months (23/24 – 24/25 school years), be a student enrolled in a 6-12th grade educational institution in southwest region of Ohio. Submissions created as part of class assignments are accepted, as well as submissions produced independently outside of class assignments.

Your submission’s total runtime (TRT) must NOT exceed the five minute time limit. Credits are included in your TRT and credit runtime must NOT exceed 30 seconds.

All music and other copyrighted material (images, videos, etc.) used in the films must be properly licensed.

Dayton’s Fastest Growing Podcast ‘DDQ’ Gets Pick-Up for Year 2!

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Dayton is known for its love of the arts and its dedication to theater. Thanks to the podcast ‘Dayton Drama Queens’ we get to go behind the scenes and meet those folks that make these iconic entertainment venues tick. In it’s first year the podcast featured: Jonathan McNeal-the Neon Movies; Brent Johnson-The RubiGirls; Darren Brown-traveling ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show‘; Philip Drennen-Off Broadway, ‘Big Gay Jamobree’; Shaun Yu-Classical Dayton; Kathleen Clawson-Dayton Opera; Mike Griest-DAI; Dan Zehringer-WSU Arts and Music; David Moyer and Mackensie King-TheatreLab Dayton; and Kappy Kilburn and Emily Wells-Human Race Theater Company. Check out this sizzle reel from Season 1.

The podcast, which is available on Spotify, iHeart, Apple and Amazon, has gained in popularity over the last few months and is now coming out with new episodes weekly.  The podcast also has a video component when viewed on YouTube. ‘DDQ’ is hosted by Joshua Stucky and Philip Drennen and is filmed at the Mitosis Studio on Jefferson in downtown Dayton.

With another season, which begins filming in January 2025, the hosts are looking to extend their reach in the Dayton area, bringing to light more amazing arts in the Miami Valley. ‘You’ll be amazed what we are finding in the area. Kids’ theater, choruses, banjo groups….you name it! Dayton has it. We want to highlight it!’ Highlights from Season One :

The podcast had a rocky start. Just as they got the ok to begin production, Drennen was off to NYC to kick-off his show ‘BGJ.’ Stucky was left to host the first few episodes alone, but Drennen helped complete the season. If all goes well, the ‘DDQ’ group hope to start doing some live remotes throughout the year at local events.

If you know of a group or individual that would like to be part on the podcast’s success, you can always contact the hosts at DaytonDramaQueens@gmail.com.

 

“Ghost: The Musical” Opens Friday at La Comedia

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Based on the hit Academy Award-winning 1990 film starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg, “Ghost: The Musical” tells the love story of Sam and Molly. After his untimely death and being trapped between two worlds, Sam vows to keep Molly from danger through the help of storefront psychic Oda Mae Brown. Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard’s original score includes the classic hit “Unchained Melody” famously heard in the film.

“Failure: A Love Story”

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Failure: A Love Story by Philip Dawkins is an ensemble-driven, story-theater play that dives into themes of love, family, and the inevitable passage of time. With elements of vaudeville, fairy tale charm, and a lot of heart, this play offers a refreshing escape from cynicism. You’ll be transported into a world a bit beyond reality, stretching your imagination.
Performances of the show will be January 3-5 and 10-12, 2025. Tickets are available by visiting https://www.borotheatre.org/

Dayton at Work and Play: Kate Huser Santucci

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For the last month Monday has been Buy Local day, where I’ve posted a brief conversation with someone selling goods or services in the Miami Valley.
This week my Buy Local conversation is with Kate Huser Santucci who is about to have her first exhibition of 2025. Kate uses as many as 30 layers of encaustic material on her pieces. That gives her work a sense of depth that draws viewers into the artwork.
Kate tells me she took up encaustic work just over 10 years ago. She was drawn to the ethereal feel of some encaustic work and the versatility of the medium. “You can be sculptural or really painterly, you can scratch parts off or draw lines on and do all kinds of other things” she told me.
“This exhibition is called Water Rising. I first started working on these pieces thinking about water and climate change but as time passed I realized these pieces meant other things to me on a personal level. They refer to trying to keep your head above water, trying to keep afloat. They’re about adapting to the added stressors of this time.”
“The show will be in the Dutoit Gallery (Front Street Warehouse, 1001 E 2nd St, Building 100, Door BC, Floor 3) all January. The opening is on First Friday, January 3 from 5 to 9 and after that the gallery is open every Saturday 12 to 4.”

Rocky Horror Picture Show with Dead Man’s Rocky

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 Prop bags will be $5 provided by Dead Man’s Rocky.
– No outside food or drink will be permitted.
– Ages 18+ unless accompanied by an adult.
– Dead Man’s Rocky will have other merch for sale like stickers and buttons. Buy and support!
“Dead Man’s Rocky is the Dayton areas newest year-round Rocky Horror shadowcast and has set up homebase right here at Englewood Cinema! Their show is a classic Rocky Horror performance including but not limited to a gaggle of costumed live performers, audience participation, yelling out obscenities, surprise giveaways, toilet paper, and dancing in the aisles! This show is recommended for 18+ and if you bring your kid, Englewood Cinema is not responsible for the wacky things they may witness, you’ve been warned. To learn more visit deadmansrocky.com and we’ll see you soon!”

Sinclair Theatre presents ‘Twas, A Holiday Musical

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More music and dance added to this family-friendly story of holidays explained by pets left alone on Christmas Eve. Understanding Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and La Posada opens their eyes to possibilities other than a “visitor in red”. They discover that humans may celebrate in different ways, but ultimately, we must “rescue” each other all year through. 

All performances are ASL shadow interpreted offering a unique experience to all audiences! 

All tickets $8, plus $2 ticketing fee. Please purchase tickets online at www.sinclair.edu/tickets. All patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket and an assigned seat (including infants). 

BREAKING NEWS: Kim Deal kicks off first-ever solo tour at The Brightside

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Photo of Kim Deal by Kristin Sollecito

The Brightside Music & Event Venue proudly announces that Dayton music icon Kim Deal will kick off her first-ever solo tour supporting her new album Nobody Loves You More right here in her hometown. This unforgettable evening will be held at The Brightside on Thursday, February 20, 2025. Tickets went on sale Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 11 am.

Kim Deal is a transformative force in the music industry. Known for her pioneering work with two legendary alternative rock bands, The Pixies and The Breeders, her influence spans four decades. She is also a cherished figure in the Dayton music community, inspiring countless artists and fans alike. This concert celebrates Kim and her place in Dayton’s vibrant musical history.

Her debut solo album, Nobody Loves You More, released last month to much acclaim. Its diverse influences are evident throughout, thanks to collaborations with the late Steve Albini, members of The Breeders, and other respected musicians. Most importantly, this album showcases Kim’s exceptional abilities.


After the exciting Dayton concert on February 20th, the tour will continue on to the vibrant cities of London, Boston, New York, DC, Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Barcelona, along with many other culturally rich destinations.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to get to host this show at The Brightside and add Dayton to the tour,” said Carli Dixon, co-owner of The Brightside. “And as a female-led venue, it’s a great joy for us to host Kim Deal, such a local female hero to all of us. We couldn’t be more excited!”

HOW TO GO?
Thursday, February 20, 2025.
The Brightside Music & Event Venue – 905 E 3rd St, Dayton, 45402
Doors open at 7pm / Show starts at 8pm
All ages (under 18 with parental supervision)
Tickets $30 General Admission here:
https://tickets.venuepilot.com/e/kim-deal-nobody-loves-you-more-tour-2025-02-20-the-brightside-music-event-venue-dayton-389968

More information on the venue at thebrightsidedayton.com
More information about Kim Deal at kimdealmusic.com

TheatreLab’s Popular ‘Merry QUIZMas’ Trivia and SingAlong returns!!

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HO, HO, HO!

How many reindeer paws landed on the roof if all the deer showed up at your house? What is Cindy Who’s middle name? What is the longitude and latitude of the North Pole? Phew!!! You know them all??? Prizes await at the return of TheatreLab Dayton’s ‘Merry Quizmas 2.0!’ The popular sing-along and trivia night is set and ready to go, Tuesday Evening, Dec 17,  6:00 PM – 8:00 PM!!

The night promises to be a fun one, as music fills the air, cookies fill your bellies and a trivia fills your brain! ‘We had such a positive response last year, we knew we had to bring this back.  Similar to last time, we will have our little spread of food, hot chocolate and cookies, and of course, the space will be decorated in a fun and fanciful theme! If you like libations, yep, they will be there as well!’ says David Moyer, who can’t wait for the evening. ‘People love to sing holiday songs and get into the spirit!’

The event features Philip Drennen, TheatreLab’s Executive Director and Josh Stucky, Dayton’s Trivia Queen at the microphones. It is never a dull moment! Brennan Paulin tickles the ivories to keep music in the air! Some of the TheatreLab Company will perform as well!! ‘What makes the night so special is we all gather together and just enjoy an evening of fun! It’s a great kick-off for the holidays and, for trivia buffs, it’s a great way to show your smarts! Prizes are always a fun incentive!’ says Stucky. ‘Last year, one of winners said she planned to give her prize as a gift….so I guess it can be a shopping experience as well???’ he chuckles.

Although most of the trivia revolves around the season, there are Broadway Questions, Dayton trivia and more. The event takes places at the TheatreLab Dayton Studio, 116 North Jefferson St. 45402. Proceeds benefit TheatreLab’s ongoing goal of bringing amazing productions to the area. ALSO OF NOTE…THEATRELAB WILL ANNOUNCE THEIR SEASON AT THE EVENT!!! UH-OH!!

The space is limited, and tickets are moving…so click below and join the holiday fun!!

Tickets:

https://www.simpletix.com/e/merry-quizmas-2-0-holiday-trivia-tickets-196032

Up Close with Shola Odumade

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Conversation with Shola Odumade, managing partner & COO of Black Palette Art Gallery (1139 W. Third; 937-723-9108), which she co-owns with her spouse, renowned fine artist James Pate. I asked Shola how she came to be in Dayton.
“I was in an excellent dance program in high school in Detroit and loved it, but I also had many other interests and skills. I went to college and got bachelors and masters degrees in business administration, coupled with Spanish language studies, and later followed by certifications in real estate, birth work, and yoga. But I never lost my love for dance and kept bouncing in and out of it. After undergrad, for example, I spent a summer training and dancing in New York but returned to working in various non-dance positions.”
“18 years ago I decided to give a career in dance another try. I came to Dayton to be part of Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’s second company. I only danced with them for one season, but I’ve stayed connected and last year I left my job at Sinclair Community College to work in development and marketing at DCDC. I currently serve as grants administrator.”
“One life-changing outcome from my move to Dayton was meeting James. We’ve been together now for 17 years, and we’re excited about running this gallery as a family enterprise with our children and its legacy and impact. James leads the artistic and facilities aspects, and I manage the business side. We love that we’re so near our beloved elder Bing Davis’s EbonNia Gallery (1135 W. Third, 937-223-2290), as he’s been an invaluable mentor to James throughout his life and career.”

Shola next to a piece by her life partner, James Pate.

 

“This is a great time for people to visit Black Palette Art Gallery because we’re currently participating in a new joint art exhibit commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech in Dayton in 1964, just two weeks before he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Led and curated by Baba Bing Davis, the project is a collaboration between Black Palette Art Gallery, EbonNia Gallery, and the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. The exhibition includes 29 works from 13 African American artists displayed at both galleries.”
“Black Palette and EbonNia will both be open Tuesday through Saturday from 11a – 5p until the show ends on February 2. The only days we’ll be closed during that period are Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and New Years Eve and New Years Day. We’re having a reception on Friday, December 13 from 5 – 7p, and we invite everyone to come see this important work and meet the talented artists who created it.”

Erika Wennerstrom in Dayton for special “Up Close & Personal” shows

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Erika Wennerstrom, the lead vocalist of the renowned rock band Heartless Bastards, is returning to her hometown of Dayton this holiday season. She will perform two special “Up Close & Personal” shows at The Brightside Music & Event Venue. The December 19th performance sold out so quickly that Wennerstrom decided to add a second date on December 18th. Although this show is nearly sold out, a few tickets remain available.

“We are excited to welcome Erika back to Dayton for the holidays,” said Music Booker Libby Ballengee. “It’s a rare opportunity to see her in such a cozy venue. What a delight!”

Tickets for the show on December 18, 2024, cost $30 and can be purchased on the venue’s website: thebrightsidedayton.com. Doors open at 7pm., with the show starting at 8pm. It’s an all-ages event.

 

The Neon’s Family Holiday Film Series Kicks Off Saturday

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STARTING THIS WEEKEND! The Neon is bringing back an annual tradition  – a budget-friendly movie series for the entire family.

For the first three Saturdays in December at 11:00am, they’ll host movies that are free for kids 12 and under and only $2 for anyone else.

On Dec. 7, they’ll start with the Gene Wilder classic WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY.

On Dec. 14, it’s the animated treat HAPPY FEET

On Dec. 21, they’ll wrap up with the 1985 film SANTA CLAUS: THE MOVIE – with Dudley Moore and John Lithgow.

Tickets available only in-person starting 45 minutes before each show.  All members of a party must be present to claim tickets.

Dayton Battle of the Bands 2025 Schedule Announced

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The schedule for the 2025 Dayton Battle of the Bands has been announced! This is a fantastic chance to explore up-and-coming local talent and original music from the Dayton region. This year’s event series features 26 bands over 6 weeks, culminating in a grand finale featuring the top 6 acts.

The 2025 Dayton Battle of the Bands schedule

The annual series kicks off on January 16, 2025, at The Brightside Music & Event Venue, located at 905 E Third St. The playoff rounds run every Thursday through February 20th (keeping February 27th as a possible snow date). The finale will take place on Saturday, March 8th. Each week is dedicated to a different genre from: Alt / Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Hip Hop, Metal / Punk, Americana / Bluegrass, and Funk / Reggae.

This venue has become a favorite among music enthusiasts, offering plenty of free parking, superb acoustics, a friendly ambiance, and attentive staff. Although it hosts numerous private events, showcasing local artists remains a top priority.

“We receive so many requests from local bands wanting to perform here, making it quite a challenge to accommodate them all in our hectic schedule,” said Music Booker Libby Ballengee. “The Dayton Battle of the Bands is an excellent opportunity for us to showcase these new bands and consider them for larger shows throughout the year.”

Arrianna Holiday performing at The Brightside
Photo by Jordan Freshour

The organizers aim to elevate these bands in their musical careers. Every band is provided with professional photography for promotional purposes and garners significant local social media exposure. Additionally, they receive valuable industry feedback from their partners at ConcertArchives.org. Additionally, other music venues and festivals in Dayton, including Levitt Pavilion, Oregon Express, and HoliDayton, attend the Dayton Battle of the Bands to discover talent for their own lineups.

“While it’s termed a battle, we see it as a beautifully collaborative music series,” stated Carli Dixon, co-owner of The Brightside. “We are part of the local musical ecosphere and strive to continue uplifting local musicians.”

Finalists enjoy a plethora of rewards, such as a live music video produced by Sound Valley Dayton, pizzas for band practices from Dayton Pizza Factory, and a cash prize from The Brightside, along with other benefits. The winner of the Dayton Battle of the Bands will receive an EP recording session at Dayton Sound Studios, a performance spot in Levitt Pavilion’s summer 2025 lineup, 50 personalized t-shirts from Little Monster Printing, and $1000 from The Brightside, among other prizes to be announced.

Through December 7th, series passes are on sale for just $50 for all 6 weeks of competition and the finale. This saves $25 off the regular pre-sale price and $60 off the regular at-door rate for the entire series.You can purchose those at this link: https://www.venuepilot.co/events/dayton-battle-of-the-bands-full-series-2025-03-08-the-brightside-music-event-venue-dayton-70fc21/orders/new

Event Organizer, Libby Ballengee Photo by Jordan Freshour

Dayton Battle of the Bands is made possible by a partnership between The Brightside, Venus Child Productions and Sound Valley Dayton. This all female-run festival of local music is one that you will not want to miss!

Visit the Dayton Battle of the Bands website for tickets and details: https://www.daytonbattleofthebands.com/

Sugar Plum Tea is a Family Favorite Holiday Tradition

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The Dayton Ballet Barre‘s annual Sugar Plum Tea is a tea party before the matinee performance of The Nutcracker by the Dayton Ballet. Children, parents, and grandparents alike enjoy this wonderful holiday tradition! It takes place in the beautiful Dayton Woman’s Club, exquisitely decorated for the season and within walking distance of the Schuster Center.

The ticket includes tea party foods: cute sandwiches, fruit, and desserts, with hot beverages including hot chocolate, tea, and coffee. Children get to participate in a short dance class from the Sugar Plum Fairy and a reading of The Nutcracker under the Christmas Tree – both are perfect for taking photos of your little loved one and prepping them for the performance.

“We love hosting this every year, and helping make beloved childhood memories,” organizer Libby Ballengee shared with us. “Even if you’re little ones are too small to attend the performance itself, this is a fun way to introduce them to The Nutcracker tradition.”

Please note – this event/ ticket does not include a ticket to the Dayton Ballet performance. Those are purchased separately through DaytonLive.org

How to Go?
Sugar Plum Tea at Dayton Woman’s Club – 225 North Ludlow Street in Dayton
Sunday, December 22, 2024
Doors open at 12 p.m. (due to event set-up, we cannot let patrons in earlier than noon)
Event 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. (Dayton Ballet performance starts at 2:30 pm across the street – needs separate ticket)
$25 per ticket (all attendees – adults & children – need a ticket): www.ticketsource.us/dayton-ballet-barre