The two, Still-Performing, originals!
42 years in the making, Dayton’s hometown heroes, the RubiGirls, are finally getting the recognition they so deserve! Helping to raise nearly $4 million for non-profits and charities, the ‘Girls’ have proven they truly have found ‘A Different Way to Make A Difference!’ The group, which started on Rubicon Street in Dayton, in 1984, found that during the late ’80s, the best way to get folks to open up about the HIV/AIDS crisis was through laughter. They began doing shows around the area which continued to gain momentum, and money. In those early years, the Girls were in demand at ‘Healing Weekends’ where people with HIV could get away and learn about new treatments, new therapies, make new friends….and be entertained by Rubi in the evenings. They were a beacon of peace and laughter for a time when there was little of either. From there, the Girls began using any and all platforms available to bring relief to a population of people, and their families, that were facing tough times. Cost of medicines, housing, hospital stays….any and all things Rubi could help with, they did!
It was at Celebrity Night Club on North Main that things really took off! Packed houses, overflowing parking lots, and demands for more performances made for a group on the rise. In the 90’s, a documentary by Dayton Local Jonathan McNeal. entitled ‘The RubiGirls‘ hit screens worldwide. The film premiered in San Francisco in 2003, played in film festivals from Reno to Adelaide, Australia, and won awards in Atlanta, Long Island,
Rubi Girls – The Show Must Go On! – 2025
and Cleveland…and the celebrity status was set! The Girls, even today, make yearly appearances out of state, helping raise funds for non-profits in communities there. Today, the Girls, a bit older…the eldest being 63….still pride themselves on helping others. Moreso, the Girls are proud to shout from the rooftops, ‘We are From Dayton Baby!’
Shirt designed to commemorate their legacy!
For Rubi, recently finding out, after 5 years of scrutiny, that they were receiving an Ohio Historical Marker, seemed surreal. For the troupe, it’s always been about finding fun with the family together…and of course, ‘fun-raising!’ This weekend, a permanent bronze marker will be set in Dayton to say ‘Thank You’ to the Girls! 42 years into a ‘charitable way of life,’ the RubiGirls have given to the city a reason to be Proud. It was in our city that this group of men committed to helping the community. They have done just that. A huge congratulations to them….we are all head over HEELS for you!
For more information or to donate to the RubiGirls, RubGirls Scholarshp or RubiGirls Foundation go to http://therubigirls.com.
D9: HRTC are masters at this type of comedy! With that in mind, what themes do you hope resonate most with audiences today?
Dayton is no stranger to innovation, creativity, and reinvention—and now, there’s a new leader helping tell that story. As Destination Dayton President & CEO John Oney wraps up his first quarter on the job, we thought there was no better way to introduce him than through a casual Q&A.From his first impressions of Dayton to the vision he brings from his experience in destination marketing, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the person and perspective guiding Dayton’s visitor economy forward.
Exploring the outdoors adventures at Five Rivers MetroParks and hitting the Great Miami Trail kicks things off for me. Of course, I’ll need to stay fueled up and I look forward to doing that at Milano’s, Old Scratch and The Foundry. I’m looking forward to my first Dayton Dragons game this summer along with checking out our amazing arts and culture scene. Then of course, there is pickleball. Looking forward to getting back on the courts asap.
That was a long time ago, so I traded in my golf clubs for a pickleball paddle. See you on the courts!
If someone is visiting Dayton for the first time, I think one experience they absolutely have to have is visiting the National Museum of the United States Air Force. It’s not only the largest military aviation museum in the world, but it also tells a powerful story about innovation, courage, and the role Dayton has played in shaping aviation history.
As spring brings a season of hope and healing, Artemis Center is recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month by raising awareness of an important expansion in services for survivors in the Dayton community.
“April is a time to shine a light on survivors, their resilience, and the importance of making sure no one has to face violence alone,” said Jane Keiffer, Executive Director. “Artemis has long been known for our work supporting survivors of domestic violence. Today, we want our community to know that we are also here for survivors of sexual assault.”
For many in the community, Artemis Center is a familiar and trusted name. But leaders say more awareness is needed so survivors know where to turn for sexual assault support. Artemis encourages survivors, family members, friends, and concerned community members to call the 24-Hour Artemis Center Hotline at 937.461.HELP (4357) any time, day or night, for support, safety planning, crisis intervention, information, and connection to services.
During Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Artemis Center is also calling on the community for support. As the organization grows to meet increasing needs, community partnership is more important than ever. Support from donors, advocates, and community members helps ensure survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault can access safety, healing, and hope. Community members wishing to support Artemis Center may make a donation here: 
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.
Miami Valley Meals (MVM) is celebrating six impactful years of nourishing the community on March 25. The nonprofit has continued to expand its services to meet the increasing demand for healthy, accessible meals in the Miami Valley community as food insecurity rates continue to rise. On April 3, they will be hosting a free meal distribution at City of Victory Deliverance Church in Trotwood.
Amanda DeLotelle, Executive Director and Co-Founder, remarks on 6 years, “As Miami Valley Meals marks its sixth anniversary, we’re incredibly grateful for the community that has walked alongside us. From day one, Dayton has shown up for us and we want to keep going – to make sure everyone has meals made with love.”
On the day of their anniversary, March 25, the staff at MVM plan to volunteer at partnering organizations like URS Dayton, Hope Hill, East Dayton Fellowship, Salvation Army, and Dayton Equity Center in an effort to give back beyond their ongoing donations of meals.
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.
