Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More
He’s an all around cool dude who’s done some really neat things. *But* at the end of the day, his story teaches us that family comes first.
After years of touring with bands like Punchline and Hawthorne Heights, Nick Testa settled back down in his hometown of Dayton, Ohio and found what he was always looking for.
You can catch Nick and the rest of the guys of The Nightbeast at Blind Bob’s December 1st for A Night of the Beast: A Tribute to Jaime and Nick Testa.
Who is up for a night of slamming blues? Want to see three of Dayton’s best bands take on a night of Blues tunes? We are in our third year and we have a great slate of entertainment. Doors are and 7 and music starts at 8 with:
Listen to Discover Classical, WDPR 88.1 FM on Halloween from 6:00 until 8:00pm for some haunting music just perfect for Beggar’s Night! We’ve put together two hours of spooky classical music to greet (and maybe scare!) your trick-or-treaters. One piece about a ghost who has nothing but good intentions. Another piece about the goings-on at a witches’ sabbath, and we’ll even hear a dancing chorus line of skeletons. Presented with limited interruption thanks to support from Mudlick Tap House, you’ll hear Bach’s Toccata and Fugue, Gounod’s Funeral March of a Marionette, excerpts from scary movie scores and much more!
After playing more than 30 sold-out arena and amphitheater dates, being named an ACM Male Vocalist nominee and scoring his 10th No. 1 single, Chris Young has added 15 more shows to his “Chris Young Losing Sleep 2018 World Tour.” Special guests Dan + Shay, Morgan Evans and Dee Jay Silver will join the multi-platinum entertainer, hailed “a true country singer” (Lincoln Journal Star) who has “handily made the leap to headliner status” (Green Bay Press Gazette) and puts on a “riveting performance” (La Crosse Tribune).
The renovated Vodvil Ballroom will be revealed at The Brightside’s Grand Opening on October 12, 2018.
The much anticipated grand opening of The Brightside Event & Music Venue is happening this weekend, Friday October 12th, 2018. Lots of love and labor has gone into this once forgotten space near the corner of 3rd & Keowee. Now this renovated industrial event space is ready for parties, weddings, concerts, art shows, and community events, right in the heart of downtown Dayton.
Owners and artists Carli & Hamilton Dixon started this project a decade ago, drastically transforming the space into multiple businesses, The Brightside being the final installment. They are ecstatic to invite the community to celebrate with them as they reveal their finished Vodvil Ballroom, in addition to the cozy bar space that has been open for events the last year. (To learn more about their story, click here)
The grand opening party will kick off with a two-hour VIP party, from 5:30-7:30pm, which requires tickets and will feature a ribbon cutting! Then the space is open to the public from 8pm-12am. Please feel free to drop in to check out this newest multi-use space in downtown Dayton!
HOW TO GO?
Fly through nebulae, galaxies, and landscapes as you experience the live musical performances of internationally-renowned Canadian guitarist/composer Don Ross and Boston-based acoustic double-neck guitarist/composer Ian Ethan Case and his “Photon Symphony” of projected musicians. Featuring custom animations specifically assembled for each song, this unique audio-visual journey is quite possibly the most immersive and memorable live show you’ve ever experienced.
October 5, 2018 marks the launch of Influencers for Action, an Instagram Influencer-led register to vote project based in Dayton, Ohio. The organization features a team of 80 Influencers, of which approximately 2/3 are from the Dayton-area, who will use their platform on social media to relay useful information about the upcoming voter registration deadlines to their followers.Join us for the Dayton Funk All-Stars as they showcase their signature funk style on the lawn of the Levitt Pavilion. Be sure to bring your picnic blankets, chairs, family and friends for this FREE concert. For more information visit levittdayton.org.
Auditions for new members of the 2018-2019 Choirs of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra will be held on Monday, October 1, 2018 beginning at 5:00 p.m. at Wright State University in the Creative Arts Center. To schedule an audition time, please contact Amy Vaubel at [email protected] or (937) 554-2986.Complete audition information, including free music score downloads, is available at http://www.daytonphilchoirs.org. Click on “auditions” in the middle of the page to find music and instructions for each specific voice part.
The Choirs of the Dayton Philharmonic include the Orchestra Chorus, the Chamber Choir, and the Festival Chorus and comprise the choral performance ensembles of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. Hank Dahlman, University Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies at Wright State University, has served as the Dayton Philharmonic Choral Director for twenty years. The mission of the Choirs of the Dayton Philharmonic is to serve as part of the orchestra during the regular subscription season, performing choral-orchestral works.
“The Choirs of the Dayton Philharmonic provide an excellent experience for anyone who has a love of singing and has been looking to expand their musical knowledge,” said chorus member Michelle Jordan. “You have the thrill of performing on the stage of the Schuster Center with incredible musicians performing challenging works and to be a part of a true community chorus, representing the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance at performances throughout the year.”
Long-standing chorus member Effie Sue Kemerley agrees. “I have sung with Dayton Philharmonic choruses under every director, beginning with Paul Katz. What a continuing thrill it is to perform the great choral literature with an orchestra as professional as the DPO, under the baton of Maestro Neal Gittleman. The DPO Chorus quality has grown immensely under Hank Dahlman’s guidance, and now, with the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, we have the opportunity to perform with Dayton Opera and Dayton Ballet. Truly the best volunteer musical experience in town!”
The 2018-2019 Vistas Season of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra opens on September 15, 2018 with the DPAA Season Opening Spectacular Beethoven’s Ninth and runs through June 2019.
For more information regarding auditions for the Choirs of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, please call Amy Vaubel at (937) 554-2986 or email her at [email protected]. For more information on the 2018-2019 Vistas Season of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Dayton Ballet, and Dayton Opera, visit www.daytonperformingarts.org.
MNE presents the Alla Xul Elu “The Almighty” CD Release Party! Featuring live performances by:
All Xul Elu, The R.O.C., Menace 2 Sobriety, FamZ and the HooliganZ, Dented Mindz productions, Super Famous Fun Time Guys, Soldiers of Fortune, and EZ Sixosix!
Come out for a musical evening of fun to see Alexis Gomez! Your ticket will buy you a dinner and country concert experience!
Where: Heatherwoode Golf Club 88 Heatherwoode Blvd. Springboro, OH 45066 www.golfheatherwoode.com
Cost: $25 per person
Featuring COCOA – also known as the Composers of Ohio Cooperative for Acousic music. Original music for Brass Quintet by area composers from young to young at heart as played by Chris Jeffery, Chris Braun, Mary Emery, Rich Begel, and Tim Olt. New music also for the Viola played by Sheridan Currie; Hammered Dulcimer, by Amanda Roberts; English Horn by Candy Morris; Violin by Moria Levant; and String Bass by Chris Berg will be performed.
Ladyfest Dayton hopes to bring together and inspire people through music, art, and education. While the festival itself is a celebration of women in the arts, we hope to provide a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, regardless of gender identity.
Since their inception in 1981 Culture Club have sold more than 50 million records worldwide, lead by their classic hits, “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me,” “Karma Chameleon,” and “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya.”
The inaugural Sound Valley Summer Music Festival is being held over Labor Day weekend, at the Yellow Cab Tavern on Saturday, September 1st. This festival has a dual purpose: one, to showcase talented rock bands from across the Miami Valley, and to raise awareness and funds to help combat the heroin epidemic through the local non-profit, Brigid’s Path.
“Dayton has been considered the heroin capital of the United States. We want to shift the national perspective and reclaim our reputation as a place for innovation, creativity and artistic expression through music,” Zac Pitts, co-owner of Sound Valley said.
With a full day of live music, Sound Valley Summer Music Festival will feature local rock, indie, and alternative bands, including: Life In Idle, Knavery, Beesly, Yardboss, Weathervein, NOVAGOLD, Seth Canan And The Carriers, Crosley Court, Isicle, Flee The Valley, Dave Zup, ThunderTaker, and A Voice of Your Own.
“This event is meant to connect those who want to take Dayton’s music scene to the next level.” Pitts said. “There will be two stages, both indoor and outdoor, and some amazing local food trucks throughout the day to keep hungry fans happy!”
In addition to great music, half of Sound Valley Summer Music Festival’s proceeds will benefit the Dayton organization, Brigid’s Path. This local non-profit provides inpatient medical care for drug-exposed newborns, non-judgmental support for mothers and education services to improve family outcomes. “The heroin epidemic has hit our community hard,” Pitts said. “We want to work alongside those that are taking away the stigma and standing with our neighbors who are struggling.”
Life in Idle is one of the bands set to perform at Sound Valley Music Festival at Yellow Cab Tavern on September 1, 2018.
HOW TO GO?
Sound Valley Summer Music Festival
Saturday, September 1 at 4pm
Yellow Cab Tavern 700 E 4th Street Dayton, OH
$10 in advance / $13 at doors
Play Music on The Porch Day started out as an idea…“What if for one day everything stopped…and we all just listened to the music?”
Even though this seems like a simple idea, if it worked, it could produce profound results. So in 2013 the organizers of the first “Play on a Porch Day” decided to share this idea with the world and to their surprise the idea spread even faster than they could have ever imagined.
In 2017 thousands of musicians from at least 40 countries and over 400 cities – including Dayton for the first time – participated and the movement continues to grow every day. Musicians from across the globe, regardless of their differences, are finding common ground through music.
This year Dayton again participates in this growing international music phenomenon as the now annual event known as Dayton Porchfest, a free, family friendly event for all ages. The festivities take place in the historic St. Anne’s Hill neighborhood, just east of downtown. There you will find over 40 live Dayton musical acts performing on home owner’s porches. Not only do you get to listen to music all afternoon, you get to experience one of Dayton’s most charming neighborhoods!
This event celebrates Dayton’s rich and diverse music scene, with musicians and bands covering funk and blues to indie rock and jazz, classical and country, to bluegrass and old time muisc that has deep Appalachian roots here. This event also celebrates our “Welcome Dayton” spirit that has contributed to a significant influx of immigrants and refugees over the past decade.
Dayton Porchfest is organized by The Collaboratory, a non-profit incubator for community enterprises and initiatives, located on Courthouse Square. Proceeds from Porchfest go to benefit The Collaboratory. Tips for the musicians are appreciated!
St Anne’s is home to the Fifth Street Brew Pub, who will be open during the festivities. Four food trucks will also be on site, including: McNasty’s, Courtland’s Mobile Grill, Pa’s Pork, Chi-Dogs, and Gary’s Italian Ice. Be sure to scroll below for map and music schedule.
How to Go?
When: Saturday August 25th from 1:30pm – 7pm aka “International Play on the Porch” Day. See schedule below.
Where: Throughout St. Anne’s Hill Historic District located between 4th and Josie St. Please do not park in the neighborhood. Parking is available at the Liederkranz building, Stivers High School, Becker Electric, RSC Graphics, and Miami Valley Gasket. Signs will be present. See map below.
Cost: Free!
Ages: All ages welcome
Remember to bring: Sunscreen, chair, and umbrella (just in case!)
Take photos? Please use #DaytonPorchfest #MusicOnTheHill #DiscoverDayton
