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Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

Arts & Entertainment

SCYTHIAN Returns to The Brightside to Kick Off St. Patrick’s Season in High Gear

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If you like your Celtic music turned all the way up, circle Friday, March 6 on your calendar.

Internationally touring Celtic rock band Scythian is bringing their electric live show back to The Brightside Music & Event Venue, and Dayton better be ready. Known for their relentless energy, tight musicianship, and infectious stage presence, Scythian doesn’t just play a show — they ignite one.

This isn’t your sit-in-your-seat kind of concert. Expect a high-octane fusion of Celtic traditions, folk influences, and rock intensity that feels tailor-made for kicking off St. Patrick’s season. If you’ve seen them before, you already know: the room won’t stay still for long. If you haven’t, prepare to be converted.

Upgrade Your Night: VIP Meet & Greet

Want to make it extra special? Upgrade to the VIP Experience and join the band for a pre-show Meet n’ Greet Happy Hour. VIP includes:

• Early entry
• Meet & greet with Scythian
• Guaranteed premium seating
• A more intimate start to the evening

It’s a great option for longtime fans or anyone who wants to make this a full celebration.

Whether you’re Irish by heritage or Irish for the night, this is the kind of show that shakes the winter off your boots and gets the whole city leaning toward spring. Grab your crew, grab your tickets early, and get ready to shamrock The Brightside. 🍀🔥

How to Go

📅 Friday, March 6, 2026
📍 The Brightside, Dayton

5:00 PM – VIP Doors
6:00 PM – General Admission Doors

🎟 General Admission:
$20 in advance
$27 day of show

🎟 VIP:
$60

🎶 All Ages Show (Chaperone required for guests under 16)

Advance tickets are available now:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/scythian-at-the-brightside-in-dayton-tickets-1977307467864

Dayton Dinner Theater presents “Office Space” Movie Party

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Yeah… Hi. We’re Gonna Need You to Come in on Sunday.

Office Space Movie Party with Dayton Dinner Theater

If you’ve ever fantasized about smashing a fax machine in a field or quietly plotting your escape from fluorescent lighting and TPS reports, this one’s for you. Office Space is clocking back in for a fully interactive, nostalgia-soaked movie party from Dayton Dinner Theater at The Brightside.

This is not a “sit quietly and watch a movie” situation. It’s an evening of themed food, themed drinks, themed attire, live music, trivia, and plenty of opportunities to bond with fellow cubicle survivors. Think millennium-era office culture, awkward bosses, questionable management decisions, and just enough chaos to make it feel like a workday gone delightfully off the rails.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of Office Space or just need an excuse to wear suspenders in public and complain about work with strangers, this interactive movie party promises laughs, comfort food, and just the right amount of corporate satire. So yeah… if you could come in on Sunday, that’d be great.

What’s on the agenda (besides hating your job):

🍕 Themed Food
Snacks and appetizers will be available in the commissary, followed by pizza and salad for your “lunch break.” If there’s a birthday in the room, yes, there will be cake and yes, you might get a piece. Management says morale is important.

🍹 Themed Drinks
Cocktails designed to get you through the workday… or the next century. Alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase.

👔 Themed Attire
Dig out your best stuffy 1999 office wear. Suspenders encouraged. Extra credit for excessive flair. BYORS (Bring Your Own Red Stapler).

🎶 Music & Trivia
Enjoy themed live music and a “Name That Tune” game inspired by work, bosses, the millennium, fax machines, and the general grind of earning a living.

The Schedule:

📅 Sunday, March 1, 2026
📍 The Brightside | 905 E 3rd St, Dayton
🕔 5:45 PM – Doors open
🕕 6:00–7:00 PM – Food & live music
🎬 7:00 PM – Movie starts
🍰 8:00 PM – Intermission with dessert & trivia
🕘 9:15 PM (ish) – Movie ends, existential dread optional

Tickets & Seating

🎟 $36 per ticket
👉 Tickets available here: https://www.daytondinnertheater.com/events/office-space-movie-party-with-cake

Table reservations are available for parties of 6 or more. Otherwise, seating is open. For table reservations or questions, email [email protected]

JD Simo + Luther Dickinson Bring a Power-Trio Blues Revival to The Brightside

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Two of the most electrifying forces in modern roots music are joining up for a rare trio performance in Dayton this spring — and it’s the kind of show that doesn’t come around often.

Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars, The Black Crowes) and JD Simo (Chris Isaak, Jack White, Beyoncé) hit The Brightside on Sunday, May 17 with powerhouse drummer Adam Abrashoff for a soul-shaking, roots-infused blues experience that’s equal parts greasy, hypnotic, and wide open.

Dickinson, a four-time Grammy nominee, is currently celebrating the 25th anniversary of North Mississippi Allstarsalongside a brand-new album — continuing his long-standing mission to push Hill Country blues forward without sanding down its edges. His playing is deep in tradition but restless by nature, built for groove and exploration.

Simo, meanwhile, has built a career on fearless reinvention. In addition to touring with Chris Isaak, he’s collaborated with artists ranging from Jack White to Beyoncé and recently played a major creative role on the upcoming Bruce Springsteen biopic Deliver Me from Nowhere, directed by Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart). Simo worked closely with Springsteen and Cooper, supervised the music script, coached lead actor Jeremy Allen White (The Bear), and contributed extensively to the film’s score and soundtrack — a testament to how deeply trusted his musical instincts are.

Together, their chemistry is undeniable. Their collaborative album Do The Rump! has been making serious waves, with the lead single “Come On” hitting #1 on SiriusXM Bluesville. The sound is raw and thrillingly alive — Hill Country trance meets psych-soul meets electrified jam, played without a safety net.

These trio shows are rare. The music is dirty. And the live experience is the point.

Local favorites Strange Ranger open the night, setting the tone before the main event takes over the room.

HOW TO GO:
📍 The Brightside — 905 E Third St, Dayton
📅 Sunday, May 17, 2026
🕕 Doors: 6:00 PM | Show: 7:00 PM
🎟 $20 GA advance | $25 day of show
🪑 Standing show — seating not guaranteed
🍾 Limited reserved tables available
👶 All ages welcome

Get tickets here: https://tickets.venuepilot.com/e/jd-simo-luther-dickinson-2026-05-17-the-brightside-music-event-venue-dayton-d36fb4

This is one of those shows you feel more than you watch. Catch it live.

Roots, Rhythm, and Relief: Bob Marley Bash Comes to Dayton’s Brightside

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Dayton’s live-music scene turns toward unity and purpose this February as Bob Marley’s legacy takes center stage at The Brightside Music and Event Venue. On Friday, February 6, music lovers and community builders will gather for the Bob Marley Bash: Music, Unity & Jamaica Relief, a night of reggae-infused performance and collective celebration.

The show features a lineup of artists whose sounds span reggae fusion, high-energy grooves, and community flavor. Luv Locz Experiment brings live reggae fusion rooted in soul and rhythm, blending Caribbean funk with uplifting vibes. Da Squad adds spirited energy and flavor to the night’s flow, while DJ YMS keeps the party moving with selections from three Wheels of Steel.

More than a concert, this birthday bash honors Marley’s message of love, resistance, and togetherness. Organizers are using the night to support Jamaica Relief, a fundraising effort for families affected by Hurricane Melissa, with donations and proceeds benefiting the cause.

Hosted with intention and community at its heart, the Bob Marley Bash invites Dayton audiences to move their bodies, lift their spirits, and connect through music that has inspired generations across the globe.

How to GO?

Location: The Brightside Music & Event Venue

Date: February 6

Time: Doors open at 7:00 PM

For tickets and more details, visit thebrightsidedayton.com

“Works on Paper” Juried Exhibition Now On Display

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Works on Paper is a juried exhibition created for artists living within a 40-mile radius of Dayton, Ohio. This annual exhibition features two-and three-dimensional works of art on or of paper. Artist awards totaling $1,100 will be selected by the juror James Pate. Gallery visitors will select a People’s Choice Award made possible through the Joan W. McCoy Memorial Art Fund. The exhibition will be on display from through February 28, 2026 with a closing reception on Saturday, February 28 from 1 to 3 p.m.

About the Juror: James Pate is an award-winning artist, born in Birmingham, Alabama, and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. His work has been exhibited in a number of galleries and museums, including the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN, and the DuSable Museum in Chicago, IL. He has received countless commissions from a diverse array of entities, including the Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, Oh, and the prestigious law firm, Wilmer Hale, Washington, DC.

Jesus Christ Superstar at Dayton Playhouse

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A thrilling and powerful retelling of the final days of Jesus: Superstar. With an electrifying rock score and timeless themes, this iconic musical continues to inspire audiences around the world.

presented by Dayton Playhouse January 16 -February 1, 2026

Wayne and Clover offer Friday Fun Before the Flurries!

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There is all kind of talk about the impending weather coming in Saturday and Sunday. With that in mind, Wayne and Clover coffee shop at 1201 Wayne, is having another ‘Coffee For Good’ event supporting Artemis. The coffee house will have a Trivia night featuring 3 rounds of 12 questions, coffee drinks, complimentary wine and pastries. The event, which costs $15 per person, promises good, competitive trivia with a fun ‘Champion’ trophy that will be housed at the coffee shop for future events.

Wayne and Clover are deep into their ‘Coffee for Good’ program which raises money through events and coffee sales to support area non-profits and charities. Their December events raised $600 for Miami Valley Meals with the support of the RubiGirls, their Nextdoor neighbors! The trivia event starts at 7pm, with the first question around 7:15pm. The event is emceed by the ‘Queen of Questions’ Josh Stucky. To get in on the fun, before the flurries, go to

Trivia at W&C

Transform Your Writing Life This Year with Katrina Kittle’s “Leap, and the Net Will Appear”

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Katrina Kittle

Dayton’s own acclaimed author Katrina Kittle is offering a game-changing course through Writer’s Digest University that could be exactly what your writing life needs right now.

If you’ve ever made a New Year’s resolution to “finish that novel” or “finally start writing seriously,” only to watch another year slip by with those goals unfulfilled, Katrina’s three-week course Leap, and the Net Will Appear: Steps for Creating Positive Change in Your Writing Life is designed specifically for you.

Running from January 29 through February 19, this practical, hands-on course moves beyond vague inspiration to give you concrete tools for creating lasting change in your writing practice. Katrina, a University of Dayton lecturer and author of six novels including The Blessings of the Animals and Morning in This Broken World, brings her years of teaching experience to help writers at every level break through the obstacles holding them back.

The course tackles the real issues writers face: feeling stuck, losing your mojo, setting goals you never quite reach, and letting fear stop you before you start. Through a series of targeted exercises across three sessions, you’ll learn how to articulate goals that actually energize you, anticipate and overcome the obstacles that derail you, and build sustainable momentum that lasts beyond the initial burst of New Year’s enthusiasm.

What makes this course different? Katrina focuses on the psychological and practical aspects of change—how to make friends with fear, rewrite the limiting stories you tell yourself, and handle both your own resistance and sabotage from others. You’ll create what Katrina calls “the perfect average day” and learn how to “pay yourself first creatively.”

The title comes from an important truth: “Leap and the net will appear” doesn’t mean someone else will rescue you—it means you weave the nets yourself, and taking that leap jump starts you into action.

At $149.99, this course is an investment in finally making your writing dreams a reality. Whether you’re already published or just beginning, if you’re ready to stop making the same resolutions and start seeing real results, this local expert can help you get there.

For more information and to enroll, visit writersdigestuniversity.mykajabi.com/creating-positive-change. Don’t let 2026 be another year of “someday,” let Katrina Kittle show you how to weave your own net.

Glass Menagerie Auditons at Dayton Playhousse

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Performances: March 13–22, 2026 (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays)
Auditions: January 19 & 20, 2026, 7pm. Attend one or both nights. Auditions will consist of cold reads from the script. Please bring a current photo and résumé, if available. Please arrive by 6:45 to complete the audition form.
Rehearsals: Beginning January 26, 2026. Typically Monday–Thursday evenings and some weekends. Please bring a complete list of conflicts between January 26 and March 22, 2026. A sample rehearsal schedule can be found here (tentative and subject to change).
About: A story of love, longing, and fragile dreams, this American classic follows the Wingfield family as they navigate hope and heartbreak. When Amanda pressures her son, Tom, to find a suitor for his shy sister, Laura, their carefully built illusions begin to shatter.
Style: While the design will be expressionistic, performances should feel real, honest, and complex. Characters are big and bold but never caricatures (think White Lotus). This is a contemporary take: funny, dark, emotionally grounded, and sharp. Find the humor. Avoid the melodrama.
Roles available: 2 men, 2 women. All roles are open to actors of any race, ethnicity, gender identity, body type, and ability. Actors of all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to audition.
Please note: Light intimacy required for Laura and Jim.
Character breakdown:
TOM (He/him; 20s–30s)
Queer; closeted, but thinly veiled. Sarcastic, restless, and too smart for the life he’s stuck in. Funny and guarded. Desperate to escape his dead-end day job and toxic relationship with his mother, but haunted by the cost of doing so.
AMANDA (She/her; late 40s–early 50s)
Larger-than-life, faded Southern belle. Controlling but charming; fierce but fragile. An aging single mother trying her best. Vain, narcissistic, and deeply in denial, she clings to the shreds of the life she dreamed of, unable to face the truth of what remains.
LAURA (She/her; 20s)
Strong, capable, and tender, but treated like glass. Introverted and intensely anxious, Laura escapes into vinyl records and fragile fantasies. We strongly encourage actors with visible or invisible disabilities to audition. Please do not make any disability-related acting choice if you are able-bodied.
JIM (He/him; 20s)
Golden retriever energy. Charming, flirty, handsome, genuine, bright, and warm. A former jock who peaked in high school and is coasting on natural charisma. Confident, light, and easy.
Production Team:
Director: Matt Meier
Producer: Brandon Shockney
Stage Manager: Emma Allington
Set Designer: Rachel Robinson
Costume Designer: Kate LaFollette
Light Designer: Michael Lee

TheatreLab’s ‘Edwin Drood’: Come for the Music, Stay for the Verdict!!

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Charles Dickens Legendary ‘The Mystery of Edwin Drood’ is next up in TheatreLab Dayton’s season. Murder, mayhem, and music fill this much-loved mystery! I had the pleasure of speaking to Philip Drennen, the director of the local production.

937: Hey Philip! Thanks for taking a minute to chat about this exciting production of ‘Edwin Drood!’ People often call this show an unfinished masterpiece. Can you elaborate?
PD: Yep! The Mystery of Edwin Drood is based on Charles Dickens’ final, unfinished novel. Dickens passed away before revealing who killed Edwin Drood—or even if he was murdered at all. That mystery became the heart of the musical, giving audiences the rare chance to decide the ending themselves.
937: That is a great gimmick! And I know people go out of their way for that verdict piece alone!! Is that what drew you to ‘Drood?’
PD: We were drawn to Drood because it’s playful, theatrical, and deeply interactive. It fits perfectly with our desire to connect directly with our audience and invite them into the storytelling in a truly hands-on way.

937: That in mind,  what can the audience expect from this version of the show?

PD: Expect a hilarious, high-energy whodunit with lots of heart. Each night, the audience votes on who the killer is, which character is actually the detective in disguise, and which two characters fall in love—so no two performances are ever the same.

937: And how would you say this show fits into your theme this year?

PD: This season is all about exploring the full range of human emotion and connection. While Drood is packed with comedy, it also has real warmth, sincerity, and intimacy—especially with the actors performing just feet away from the audience.

937: What is coming up the rest of this season?

PD: In March, we’ll be presenting Nunsense, followed by Amour, which will close out the season back at the PNC Arts Annex.

937: Sounds great, Philip.  If people want tickets, where is the show, and what should they know?

PD: The Mystery of Edwin Drood runs January 22–25 at the PNC Arts Annex. Tickets are available at  https://www.daytonlive.org/events/edwin-drood/ The show features immersive staging, including table seating right on the floor, putting audiences in the middle of the action.

937: Anything else you’d like to tell readers?

If you love British-style musical comedy—think Spamalot or Something Rotten!—this show is right up your alley. Plus, every ticket supports local Dayton artists and designers. We’re proud to keep our tent right here at home, and we hope audiences will come and be part of the mystery with us.

937: Thank you, Philip, and break their legs!

 

For more information about TheatreLab Dayton, visit:

https://www.theatrelabdayton.org

 

The Gambler Returns: Kenny Rogers Tribute

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“We’ve Got Tonight” to pay tribute to The Gambler in a sparkling concert to ring in the new year at the APAC.

Join us at the Arbogast Performing Arts Center as award-winning country artist Alan Turner brings the magic of Kenny Rogers to life in The Gambler Returns, a full-band tribute to the legendary American icon.

Wicked Tribute Sing-Along Drag Brunch

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Defy Gravity at Drag Brunch! Join P. H. Dee and a talented cast of drag performers for a tribute to all things WICKED. Get ready to sing-along to your favorite songs from WICKED and WICKED FOR GOOD. Don’t miss the chance to party in the Oz Dust Ballroom. Pink or green outfits are suggested!
VIP Includes:
Preferred Seating
Meet & Greet with the Artists

THE BATTLE IS BACK: Dayton’s Biggest Musical Showdown Returns to The Brightside

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The search for Dayton’s next breakout artist begins this winter. The Dayton Battle of the Bands is officially back for its sixth season, turning up the volume at The Brightside Music & Event Venue starting Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Dayton Battle of the Bands at The Brightside / Photo contributed

With new title sponsor Tony & Pete’s on board, this year’s competition is more than just a series of concerts, it’s a six-week gauntlet of talent featuring over two dozen local acts. From the heavy riffs of Metal night to the smooth grooves of Funk and Blues, the series offers a front-row seat to the best the Gem City has to offer.

What’s at Stake? This isn’t just for bragging rights. The overall winner will walk away with a massive prize package designed to jumpstart their career:

  • $1,000 Cash Prize

  • EP Recording Session with Huge Face Productions at Dayton Sound Studios

  • A Featured Slot on the Levitt Pavilion Dayton summer series

  • Custom merchandise and professional media assets

“We want every band to feel the ‘win’ of playing to a packed house,” says organizer Libby Ballengee. “Between the professional photos and the industry exposure, this is a launchpad for the entire scene.”

The Schedule:

  • Jan 15: Alternative / Rock

  • Jan 22: Americana / Country / Folk

  • Jan 29: Hip Hop / Rap

  • Feb 5: Hard Rock / Metal / Punk

  • Feb 12: Pop / Rock

  • Feb 19: Funk / Blues / Jam

  • March 7: THE GRAND FINALE

Doors open at 6:30 PM each week. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. All ages welcome! Grab your tickets at daytonbattleofthebands.com

Bonnie and Clyde Auditions

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Jan 5 or 6 at 7pm at Potential Callbacks January 7th, 7 P.M. at Springboro Community Theatre
Please note that actors auditioning need only attend one day of auditions, not both.
Performance Dates: March 6th, 7th, 8th, 13th, 14th, and 15th, 2026
Audition Requirements: Please prepare no more than 32 bars that best showcase your vocal abilities and bring sheet music in the correct key. An accompanist will be provided. If you prefer to sing to a backing track, you may do so; however, the track must not exceed 1 minute in length. Bluetooth speakers will be available for you to pair your device with if needed. No acapella auditions will be accepted.
Please bring a change of clothes and proper footwear for a dance/movement call. Dance/movement call will occur once vocal auditions have concluded. There may be cold readings from the script as well. You will also be asked to provide any and all rehearsal conflicts from January 5th – March 15th. No conflicts will be accepted for the duration of tech week and performances.
About the Show: cis a thrilling musical that tells the electrifying true story of America’s most infamous outlaw couple. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, the show follows Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow as they chase their dreams of fame, freedom, and a life bigger than the one they were born into. With a sweeping score that blends blues, gospel, and rockabilly, this fast-paced, emotionally charged musical explores love, legacy, and the high cost of notoriety.

Join us as Springboro Community Theatre brings this bold, iconic story to life.

Available Roles – Adult & Youth:
Clyde Barrow
A charming small-town boy who craves notoriety. Bonnie’s reckless, bold, daring lover.
Gender: male
Age: 18 to 25
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: A2
Bonnie Parker
A beautiful girl torn between love and fame. Clyde’s ambitious, stubborn lover.
Gender: female
Age: 18 to 25
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Marvin “Buck” Barrow
Clyde’s brother and an outlaw troubled by his wife’s distaste for his lifestyle. Adventurous and loyal.
Gender: male
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: B2
Blanche Barrow
A religious woman who disapproves of the criminal lifestyle. Honorable and righteous. Married to Buck Barrow.
Gender: female
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Young Clyde
Gender: male
Age: Current 4th – 8th grader
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Young Bonnie
Gender: female
Age: Current 4th – 8th grader
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: C#4
Cumie Barrow
A kind woman among those suffering in the Depression. Loyal and selfless. Mother to Clyde and Buck.
Gender: female
Age: 40 to 55
Sheriff Schmid
A determined lawman committed to stopping Bonnie and Clyde’s growing crime spree. Stern, seasoned, and steadfast in his pursuit of justice.
Gender: male
Age: 40 to 60
Ted Hinton
A police officer struggling to separate his feelings from his duties. Kind and honest. Madly in love with Bonnie.
Gender: male
Age: 18 to 25
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Emma Parker
Bonnie’s widowed mother. Fragile, caring, sensitive.
Gender: female
Age: 40 to 55
Preacher
The town’s evangelist. Loud, passionate, boisterous.
Gender: male
Age: 45 to 65
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: A2
Henry Barrow
A hard-working man, struggling to survive. Humble and quiet. Father of Clyde and Buck.
Gender: male
Age: 45 to 55
Governor Miriam Ferguson
An enforcer of the law and Governor of Texas. Tough and harsh.
Gender: female
Age: 40 to 60
Captain Frank Hamer
A retired Texas Ranger who joins the hunt for Bonnie and Clyde. Recruited by Governor Ferguson.
Gender: male
Age: 45 to 65
Bob Alcorn
The best sharpshooter in Texas. Recruited by Frank Hamer, he helps hunt down Bonnie and Clyde.
Gender: male
Age: 30 to 45
Ensemble (5-10 ensemble members)
All genders and gender expressions – 18-60+
No roles for this production have been pre-cast.
For video submissions & further questions, please contact the director, Kaleigh-Brooke Scheiding: [email protected]

Mystery Dinner Theater

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It’s a murder mystery whodunnit!!! Seasonal themed Mystery Dinner Theater shows with a delicious 3 course Italian Meal. Please call to make reservations. 937-461-3913. Go to our website to see show details. www.thespaghettiwarehouse.com