The Featured Articles

Jazz Spotlight: Scott Gasaway and Stivers Jazz Orchestra + Upcoming Jazz March 13 – 26

March 13, 2013 By Ron Gable Leave a Comment

Stivers Leader Student Combo (1) Scott Gasaway is the new Band Director at Stivers School for the Arts – though he’s not new to jazz, or to the Dayton area. Born on November 9, 1987, in San Diego, California, Scott’s family moved to Dayton when he was just six years old. Scott credits his mom, Lourdes, with providing him — and his two brothers, Nicholas and Matthew with supporting their education in the arts, an opportunity she did not have as a child.

Scott came up through the Centerville High School band program, which is where, under the guidance of many highly influential teachers, he discovered his passion for music and decided that music was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Upon his graduation, Scott went on to pursue music education and saxophone at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts where he studied under saxophonist Dino Govoni and saxophonist and clarinetist Shannon LeClaire and performed with vibraphonist and composer Victor Mendoza and bassist Oscar Stagnaro.

Upon graduation from Berklee, Scott accepted a position as the high school music director with Hull Public Schools, in the Town of Hull, Massachusetts, where he was put in charge of starting the band program — teaching band, piano and music technology. It was while he was back home in Dayton to visit his family last summer, that Scott received a call from Stivers Jazz Orchestra Director Emeritus Claude Thomas.

Scott had met Thomas when Thomas was a faculty member of the Miami Valley Jazz Summer Camp and Scott was still an aspiring jazz musician. Thomas was calling to say that he had retired from Stivers to focus on composing full-time and that he wanted to recommend Scott for his position. The rest, as they say, is history.

Scott is now responsible for the operation of the band at Stivers School for the Arts, where he teaches music theory, directs the middle-school concert band, the high-school symphonic wind orchestra and the jazz orchestra. “It keeps me on my toes — and I can’t imagine doing anything else,” he says, with great pride and excitement.

Scott will make his debut with the Stivers musicians in their March 18 concert entitled “On the Shoulders of Giants” — a salute to the celebrated Stivers student musicians who captured national honors at three separate Berklee High School Jazz Festivals in Boston and who were invitees and performers at Lincoln Center during the New York City Jazz Festival last year.

The March 18 concert is also a celebration of the release of the new CD “From Boston to New York.” The Stivers musicians will be joined by international jazz artist Greg Abate, who played lead alto sax with the Ray Charles Orchestra and who has recorded with jazz legends Rufus Reid and Kenny Washington. The evening’s program will include works from Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Buddy Rich and more.

Click here for all of the concert details.

Jazz Calendar

Here are some (not all) of the upcoming jazz events for the next couple of weeks:

Today Wednesday, March 13 – Brian Cashwell Trio is at Wright State’s Student Union Hearth Lounge in Fairborn, OH and you can Swing Dance with Lizz & Rex Review at the Dayton Event Connection.
Thursday March 14 – The Dayton Art Institute kicks off with The Shin Sings Orchestra to open it’s 2013 its Vectren Jazz and Beyond series and Gilly’s presents a Funk In My Backyard benefit.
Friday March 15 – the Chicago Fire Comes to Dayton with Brad Goode & Bill Burns at Jazz Central, trumpeter Al Hood plays with the Sinclair Jazz Ensemble and the Classic Jazz Stompers are at Jay’s Seafood all in Dayton.
Saturday March 16 – A St. Patty’s Day Blues Jam with Kevin Dumont and Mississippi Red is at Jazz Central In Dayton.
Sunday March 17 – the Jam Session w/ Kenny Baccus continues at Dayton’s Jazz Central.
Monday March 18 – Stivers School for the Arts presents “On the Shoulders of Giants” with their new director and special guest Greg Abate.
Tuesday March 19 – the JD Allen Band is at the Blue Wisp in Cincinnati and the Part St. Tavern Jazz Jam continues in Columbus.
Wednesday March 20 – the eleven piece Different Hats Band at the Dayton Event Connection.
Thursday March 21 – the Generations Big Band plays Jazz Central in Dayton and the Rick Brunetto Big Band is at The 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant in Columbus.
Friday March 22 – Shawn Stanley Trio is at Carvers Steaks & Chops in Centerville and Stanley Jordan is Nighttown in Cleveland Heights.
Saturday March 23 – C’est Tout Bistro in Oakwood presents James & Moore and the Randy Fankell Jazz Trio will be at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dayton.
Sunday March 24 – Petra’s Recession Seven Band is at the Gallagher Student Center Theater, of Xavier University in Cincinnati.
Monday March 25 – John Taylor Trio is at the Brio Tuscan Grille in Beavercreek.
Tuesday March 26 – Ed Moss & the Society Jazz Orchestra are at the Schwartz Point Jazz Club and Jazz Cab is at The Greenwich both in Cincinnati.

More info and jazz listings can be found at JazzAdvocate.com

Former Sidebar location to become Salar Restaurant and Lounge

March 11, 2013 By Lisa Grigsby Leave a Comment

Since the minute Sidebar closed last July, rumors have been circulating about a revival of the restaurant. Today, after months of planning, partnering and negotiations, Chef Margo Blondet and General Manager Harry Trubounis were finally able to announce that the lease is signed and the renovations are under way for the Salar Restaurant and Lounge to bring back to life the corner of Fifth and Brown Streets in the Oregon District. The name of the restaurant, Salar, is derived from a vulgar Lating slang for ” salt-encrusted,” which is so appropriate, since Chef Margot’s favorite seasoning is salt.

Featuring an exciting menu of Mediterranean-Peruvian fusion cuisine with French influences along with hand-crafted cocktails, the restaurant plans to be a reasonably priced, upscale, yet casual style restaurant. Chef Margot plans to feature an array of small plate entrees, distinctive salads, appetizers and pizzas, allowing customers to enjoy different courses should they choose to try a sampling of diverse dishes. Salar also will feature a wide selection of handmade cocktails created with house-prepared syrups, fresh fruit and juices, and only the finest spirits. Blondet will craft Salar’s menu, with entrée prices ranging from a $12 to $22 per person.

“Peruvian cuisine reflects not only the traditional dishes native to the area but also, through centuries of immigration, influences from Spain, China, Italy, West Africa and Japan,” Blondet said. “By integrating classical French techniques, our menu will consist of a fusion of influences that result in dishes that are both comfortable and unique. The outcome becomes an exciting twist, rather than a radical departure from the diners’ favorite foods.”

“This is exciting news for the Oregon District, downtown and the Dayton community,” said Dr. Michael Ervin, owner of the building in which Salar is located. “Interest in this space was extremely strong, which reflects growing interest from business owners in investing in a downtown Dayton location. I am confident everyone will love the fine food and cocktails at Salar, where they’re sure to have a dining experience like none other in the region.”

Salar also will provide on and off-site catering and carry-out dining will be available to lunch and dinner customers as well.

Saar plans to be open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11-2 and at 4 pm. Monday through Saturday for dinner and closed on Sunday. The dining room will be open Monday through Thursday until 10 pm, and Friday and Saturday until midnight. The bar will remain open until 2 am Thursday through Saturday.

Reinventing The Telling of Stories – A New Interactive Website About Dayton Wants Your Input

March 11, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

In the Spring of 2012, Emmy-winning, Oscar nominated filmmakers Julia Reichert and Steve Bognar, along with about 15 other media artists, hit the streets of Dayton asking the question, “How is Dayton doing?” Engaging subjects in thoughtful interviews and creating compelling, non-fiction stories is nothing new for Reichert and Bognar – but it turns out that this project was much more difficult than anticipated.

“This was a really ambitious project,” said Bognar. “We were attempting to take the pulse of the whole city. And we did not know what the answers would be.”

After identifying a handful of focus neighborhoods, the group—which was a collaboration with WYSO 91.3 FM— split into teams. They began to find and interview people who were in the process of reinventing themselves. In addition, the group documented over 35 events throughout the city. After weeks and months of sifting through hundreds of hours of material (not to mention a whole different language of web design), the resulting efforts can now be seen on an interactive website – ReinventionStories.Org.

Upon logging on the site, the first thing you’ll see is a beautifully animated introduction featuring a vintage postcard of the city and various soundbytes from numerous interviews. This introduction leads into an 18-minute documentary featuring 7 individuals from various neighborhoods. Using a combination of still photography, audio interviews and video footage, users get a sense for who these people are and how they are in the process of reinventing themselves. Each piece ends with a sort of cliffhanger. This 18-minute piece is merely Act One of three. In the coming weeks, each of the seven characters’ stories will continue in Act Two and Three. Reichert says that as the stories unfold, more dramatic material will reveal itself. She said, “These stories fit together to tell a bigger story about the city. We wanted to capture our City’s life and diversity and to show that we’re not all that far from each other. We’re all in this together.”

The 7 subjects of the documentary on ReinventionStories.org.

Those ideas are conveyed even more as we “Drive the Road.” This section of the website takes the viewer down East 3rd Street. The voice of Carol Coffey, teller of one of the stories, asks: “ What signs of life do you see in Dayton?” While passing storefronts and houses, a series of bubbles appear that allow the user to watch short stories about events from over the summer, prompting the viewer to think about that question. One story is about the Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus, another is about the Blessing of the Bikes, another, the World Soccer Tournament, sponsored by Welcome Dayton.

The storytellers want us to think about the fabric of the city…that all these very different events are happening in the same town.

In a third section of the site, the user is asked questions like “Where do you see signs of life in Dayton?” or “What city event do you most look forward to each year?” Once answered, the responses are broadcast via twitter. @ReinventDayton

In addition to new sections of the documentary, the coming months will see more coverage of events while “Driving Down the Road” and additional questions posed to users. The team also noted that “treasures have yet to be unveiled.”

The website went live in late February, but the idea is to let the website become a living, breathing site that will reveal more elements in time. The interactive part will rely on users to keep it fresh and alive. By April, Daytonians can upload their own stories of reinvention.

Neenah Ellis of WYSO and filmmakers Steve Bognar & Julia Reichert.

This project came about when WYSO director Neenah Ellis approached Reichert and Bognar regarding a national competition called LOCALORE – a new initiative of the Association of Independents in Radio (AIR), in collaboration with Zeega (a group of people who want to push non-fiction storytelling into unchartered territory*). Hundreds of organizations applied for the competition – only 10 were selected.

Bognar said he had so much fun running around the city over the summer. He noted that there was so much to do and that events were all always well attended. “When we started, we weren’t really sure how the city was doing. But luckily for the project and for the community, a corner was turning as we hit the streets. People were taking risks, opening new businesses, forming groups,and we caught the wave.” Reichert added, “A year later, we can answer with certainty. Yes. The city is very much alive and growing.

*AUTHOR’S BONUS NOTE FOR CINEASTES – Bognar told me that Zeega is named after Dziga Vertov – director of the masterpiece MAN WITH A MOVIE CAMERA. This is a great treat for film lovers. Vertov’s films and theories influenced the cinema verite movement…which pushed “non-fiction storytelling into unchartered territory.”

Meet Our Gal, ‘Juicy Lucy,’ at Romer’s Bar & Grill

March 7, 2013 By Dayton937 2 Comments

Romer’s – Much More than Beer-thirty

Food Adventures found another locally owned place, you gotta try. It is watering hole called Romer’s Bar and Grill, located at 4439 East Franklin Street in Bellbrook, near Wilmington Pike. When you think of bars, you don’t normally think of homemade food. That is where Romer’s beats the stereotype, because most things here are homemade. The atmosphere is hopping and usually loud. We have been to Romer’s for happy hour drinks, benefit concerts, and Thursday trivia nights. But, our favorite is visiting during non-peak hours and just having some good food. During our latest visit, owner Greg Romer came out from the kitchen to tell us he is a Food Adventure fan! He also explained that many of the dressings, food items and sauces are made in the kitchen from scratch. Greg grinds the hamburger meat himself and personally shaves thin slices from roasted beef to make their specialty sandwiches. So which homemade items make us smile? Here is a breakdown of Romer’s best from your favorite Dayton Foodies.

Romer’s Bar and Grill first made an impact on us at the Chicken Wing Festival at Fraze Pavillion, two years ago. If you like wings, you gotta try Romer’s. We would suggest the “Asian Persuasion” wing flavor. Appropriately named, the sauce is made in-house and delivers a sweet thai pepper taste with a light touch of heat. The wings here are crunchy and cooked just right. We also recommend the hot bbq sauce and the dry rub option. The wings are available breaded, but we prefer them naked… who doesn’t?

Hand Breaded Jalapeno Poppers

We digress into another inappropriate topic when we talk about Turkey Balls. They are not what you think. Food Adventurers recognize this interesting name as a homemade appetizer at Romer’s. We tried these delicious appetizers which are pretty much “Thanksgiving dinner rolled into a ball.” The turkey balls are made with dressing, mashed potatoes and of course turkey. The mixture is rolled into a ball the size of a large meatball, and is coated with panko crumbs. The turkey balls are then pan fried, and covered with a light brown turkey gravy. As we sliced the turkey balls, steam rose and we fought over the turkey gravy for dipping rights. These heavy appetizers are perfect for sharing, and are as addicting as Saturday Night Live’s “Schweddie” skit brand name.

Looking for something a little more spicy? Romer’s hand breads their own Homemade Jalepeno Poppers. What other restaurant in the Dayton area does that? The heavy breading and spicy insides make this a good choice if you are hungry and want to heat things up. Another fantastic appetizer that is the Big Ragu’s favorite is the Memphis Fried Pickles. Hand cut into chip like slices, then hand breaded, these pickles are served with a dipping sauce. They are a very addicting, yet very filling appetizer that you have to try.

The Beef N Cheddar – Slow Roasted Beef, Sliced in-house

There is no doubt of what the specialty is at Romer’s. It is homemade, slow-roasted, beef sandwiches. There are three of these special sandwiches, and they are “must eats.” Chef House is our resident expert on shaved beef , and her favorite is the Beef N Cheddar. This sandwich is made sliced to order, so it is fresh and delicious. Romer’s also does it right. They top it with cheddar cheese sauce. The experts in Philadelphia do it this way, and so does Romer’s Bar and Grill. The sandwich is served on Sour Dough bread and is simply magnificent. The beef is delicate and moist. The sandwich will fill you up and is a great meal deal at under 8 bucks. Most get a side of saratoga chips, but we suggest the waffle fries with these sandwiches. You won’t be disappointed.

Inside a ‘Juicy Lucy’ Burger

Continuing with our favorite things at Romer’s, we dive into the topic of Burgers. All the burgers are ground in-house to ensure great taste. What burger is best? Sure, you can build your own burger or chicken breast sandwich with toppings, cheese and sauce. But wouldn’t you rather step it up to the big leagues? Then order a burger at Romer’s that will knock your socks off, the Minnesota Juicy Lucy. Owner Greg Romer developed this after seeing a similar sandwich on a food show. The Juicy Lucy is a 1/2 pound burger stuffed with provolone, pepperoni and jalapenos. The result is a tasty burger that oozes cheese with every bite from inside the burger. This is a true Food Adventure item for taste and uniqueness, which is what Hungry Jax, Chef House and the Big Ragu are all about. Make sure you grab a Juicy Lucy.

We do have one tip on what not to grab. Don’t grab a seat by the door to the smoking patio. Since Romer’s gets busy, many people come in and out of that door to smoke. Take advantage of their selection of beers on draught, but don’t sit by the patio door unless you want a wind draft. Be forewarned the place gets noisy during peak hours. It is a fun atmosphere, but if you want quiet conversation, hit this place during slow times like early lunch hours.

There are many other good menu items we like at Romer’s that are worth mentioning. The Reuben is good, how could it not be with the slow roasted touch? They also have good thin crust pizzas. They are a popular with kids and a good value at $11 for a large cheese pizza. Even with our many trips to Romer’s we have not completely tapped the constantly evolving menu. Currently they are featuring a Lenten menu insert and feature a fish fry on Friday’s with thick, pub style battered fish. Romer’s Bar and Grill is yet another locally owned gem, that many people may not have heard about. Take the time to stop in, and visit the friendly staff like Lanette, who is our favorite server. Next time you are hungry, tell your friends you want to grab some turkey balls and see your friends Reuben and Juicy Lucy!

Have you been to Romer’s Bar and Grill? Please comment below on your experiences with their unique menu.

The Food Adventure Crew says “like” us on Facebook, but love us in your hearts by clicking here !

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Family Matters – The Addams Family musical scares up laughs at the Schuster

March 6, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

They say you can never go home again, but that’s not always true. From March 5 – 10, people in the Dayton area can return to one of everyone’s favorite childhood haunts, Addams Manor, as the hit Broadway musical The Addams Family takes up residence at the Schuster Center. And whether you grew up with their New Yorker cartoons, the original 1960s sitcom, the ‘90s films, or any of the various animated and live-action spinoffs over the decades, you know that once you’ve met these characters, they’re always a part of you.

A beloved staple of American pop culture, the Addams Family has walked among us for 75 years, tracing back to their first appearance — unnamed but looking essentially as we know them today — in The New Yorker as drawn by cartoonist Charles Addams. The artist was best known for his one-panel illustrations in the famed magazine; frequently accompanied by a devastatingly witty one-liner, the humor in his work tended toward jet-black macabre. The familiar Family characters populated a total of 150 single panel cartoons, and approximately half of them were published in the 50 years between their debut and the artist’s death in 1988.

In 1964, ABC debuted (the same week as CBS’ similarly freaky The Munsters, no less) a sitcom based on the characters, which gave them names and fleshed out their lives and connections. Though it only ran for two seasons (ending, also, the same week as The Munsters in 1966), it remained a cult hit that rose from the grave again and again. There was the failed 1973 pilot for
The Addams Family Fun-House, a musical comedy variety show(?!) with Jack Riley and Liz Torres as Gomez and Morticia, comedian Stubby Kaye as Fester, and Butch Patrick (Eddie Munster!) as Pugsley. There was an animated appearance on an episode of The New Scooby Doo Movies, with most of the original series cast voicing the characters…which led to a 1973-75 Saturday morning cartoon produced by Hanna-Barbera. Oddly enough, this show featured the family cruising the country in a Victorian mansion-type RV — oh, and eight-year-old Jodie Foster voicing Pugsley. In ‘77, the live-action series cast reunited for a (dreadful) TV-movie, Halloween with the New Addams Family.

The casts of the 1966 TV series and the 1991 film

And then, they returned to the A-list. Paramount’s 1991 big-screen take on the characters was a smash hit and introduced the characters to a new generation. Helmed by the late Raul Julia’s gleefully madcap Gomez and Academy Award winner Anjelica Huston’s seductively steely Morticia, the movie spun off another Saturday morning cartoon and a popular sequel, Addams Family Values, as well as launching the career of Christina Ricci, who played Wednesday.

Broadway beckoned, and after more than three years of development, The Addams Family slithered onto the stage in April 2010 with the picture-perfect casting of Tony and Emmy winners Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth heading the cast. It was a success, running for 725 performances and snagging two Tony nominations (Best Score, and Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Kevin Chamberlin as Fester) and eight Drama Desk nods. (Interesting piece of trivia: Cassandra “Elvira” Peterson was in talks to take over the role of Morticia when the show closed.) Now, touring productions of the musical are planned for almost every continent.

In the musical, we meet the family at a time of great conflict. This premise will be familiar to anyone who’s seen La Cage Aux Folles, also known as The Birdcage: 18-year-old Wednesday invites her boyfriend to dinner to meet her folks. Unfortunately, he’s also bringing his folks, who happen to be a couple of bland, uptight buzzkills from — of course — Ohio. She begs her family to act “normal,” a word which, of course, carries a somewhat different meaning to the Addamses…

The show, written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice (Jersey Boys) with music by Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party), has been significantly reworked for the tour version, which differs a good bit from the original Broadway incarnation. Four-time Tony winner Jerry Zaks guided an extensive revision that cut three songs, added three new ones, and restructured two others. Storylines were changed and rebuilt as well, including some major changes that removed a plot twist involving the family’s giant pet squid. The effort paid off, fashioning a tighter, fast-moving, more character-driven show that places Gomez and Morticia front and center and ties everything together in a more organic fashion.

Shaun Rice as Uncle Fester

The jovial Uncle Fester is our guide for the evening’s events, which provide plenty of the expected laughs and romance while also showing off these classic characters in ways we’ve never seen before. Happy-go-lucky Gomez seems to ruin everything he touches and can’t please anyone. Eternal beauty Morticia, approaching middle age, fears growing older, and the two find themselves having their first marital spat and staring into a half-empty nest as their firstborn prepares to take flight. We see Wednesday as an adult with her well-known independent streak now influenced by the realization that the real world and the world she grew up in are two very different things. Pugsley is afraid that if he loses his sister, there’ll be no one to torture him anymore. And, perhaps most touching of all, this incarnation of Fester is almost childlike in his innocence and unconditional love.

It works, and it makes for a terrific evening of theatre. The script is packed with huge belly laughs and so many throwaway gags that by the time you finish laughing at one, you’ve likely missed two more. The in-law characters have depth and humor (Blair Anderson as Alice is particularly dynamite in her showcase number). Jennifer Fogarty’s deadpan delivery and incredibly strong voice make Wednesday a real standout. And Amanda Bruton nearly steals the whole show as Grandma, played like a salty, funky, ancient hippie just old enough to not care what comes out of her mouth. Jesse Sharp as Gomez drives the proceedings with boundless energy and zest, bringing the house down with his mindless comedic rants and witty asides. He and Bruton easily score the biggest and longest laughs of the evening, while Shaun Rice’s joyous, soulful Fester unexpectedly forms the heart of the show.

“He’s a little different from how we’ve seen him in the movies and the TV show,” said Rice. “He’s more similar to the original comics. He’s very sweet and is kind of the narrator of the show. Each character has their own sort of musical style in terms of the songs they do, and he has this kind of old-timey, song-and-dance, vaudeville style. There’s a wonderful song in Act Two where Fester sort of interrupts the action to tell us about the love of his life that really shows him at his best.”

Rice started out doing theatre in the Tampa Bay area at a very young age, then began directing before enrolling in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. And this isn’t his first experience bringing a treasured ‘60s sitcom to the stage: Rice put in some time playing Jonas “The Skipper” Grumby in Gilligan’s Island: The Musical back in the ‘80s.

“This show has been my proudest achievement so far,” he said. “It’s been fantastic. The Addams Family is so iconic. I grew up watching the Hanna-Barbera cartoon, and of course, I saw the movies as an adult, and it’s just a dream come true to be part of such an iconic thing in pop culture. These characters are so simple and silly in some ways, but they’re also more than that because they represent that part of us that never quite fit in. Everyone loves this family. When certain characters show up, the audience just goes nuts for them, and we don’t have to spend a lot of time laying groundwork or explaining who we are. The minute we walk out onstage, you know where you are and who you’re with, and you can really feel how excited and comfortable the audience is being with these characters again. It’s so much fun.”

Actor Jesse Sharp as Gomez

“People just eat it up,” said Jesse Sharp, who plays Gomez. “I’ve been on a couple of Broadway tours before and never had audiences react to a show the way they do here. I like that it’s a very sweet family show, but it’s also a comedy. People can expect to have an easy, good time.”

Frazier Park, California native Sharp studied acting at UCLA while performing sketch and improv comedy before relocating to New York to pursue musical theatre and eventually landing in classical theatre doing the Shakespeare festival circuit. His pet creation, the raucous Hamlet Project (“basically a drinking game version of Hamlet we do in bars”) caught on big enough in L.A. that it now has a spinoff version in Chicago and is continuing to expand.

And in the meantime, he’s spending the next year and a half traveling the U.S., Canada, and Asia with the world’s favorite ghoulish gaggle.

“I’ve played a lot of best friends and funny sidekicks during my career, so playing Gomez has been a real highlight. Our tour is still just getting started. It’s still early on for us, and down the line, we’re heading to a part of the world I’ve never been to, and we just go onstage and have fun every night. I’m incredibly excited.”

The Addams Family runs March 5 – 10 at the Schuster Center. Tickets are $40 – $96. For military and student and more information, visit http://www.victoriatheatre.com/shows/the-addams-family/ or call (937) 228-3630.

Downtown Dayton’s First Friday Features Derby & Dresses, Tiki Show, Arts Potluck & Demos, Flood Walk

February 28, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Brim is hosting a fashion show featuring Kentucky Derby hats and one-of-a-kind dresses by Tracy McElfresh of Sew Dayton. The models will walk at 6 and 8 p.m. and coffee will be provided by Ghostlight Coffee. Clash Consignments is hosting a Tiki Show that will feature Liz Dearth of Artifact Pottery as artist of the month, along with work by Greg Dearth, Scott Kustowski, Skull 13 and others. Eric Heilman and Rob Hale will provide rockabilly, surf, psychobilly and punk music throughout the evening.

Several art galleries and other venues will host special events this month. Blue Sky Gallery will host a closing reception for “Your Turn,” a collaborative exhibit, by Francis Schanberger and his wife, Bridgette Bogle, who have organized an arts potluck. Instead of bringing food, bring an example of something that inspires you — such as music, video, magazine clippings or books — to share. Dayton Visual Arts Center is opening new exhibit, “The Cline Show.” In memory of Barbara C. Cline and her dedication to student artists, this exhibit features works in all media produced by local students from Wright State University, the University of Dayton, Central State University and Sinclair Community College. Grass Roots Enrichment and Wellness Center will feature paintings by artist of the month Annica Damico. Hands-on activities for children and a free introduction to Reiki and chair massage also will be offered. Bring your favorite wine bottle to “Functional Art “at the CADC. Christy Jennewein will demo wine bottle painting. The Yellow Cab Building is hosting Dollar Holler, a free event to sell and buy — for only $1 —handmade, vintage, and arts and crafts supplies. Items at past events include vintage home décor and fabric, beads, and original art and prints. Donations will be accepted to support the 2013 Dayton Sideshow arts event.

This First Friday also offers outdoor events. The Courteous Mass Ride will host its monthly cycling expedition throughout the city. Bikers meet at 5:30 p.m. in front of Fifth Third Field. The Great Dayton Flood Walk starts at 7p.m. and is $10 per person. The tour allows guests to view vintage photos of the great flood, visit buildings that made it through the flood, see high-water marks from 1913 and much more. Call 274-4749 or email grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com for required reservation and meeting location.

First Friday includes sales and special event at retail shops, discounts at restaurants, special events, live music, and more. A complete list of what downtown businesses have on tap for First Friday is available on the DDP website. First Friday is presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership with support from the Oregon District Business Association, the Ohio Arts Council and WYSO-FM 91.3.

The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website has a complete list of downtown’s arts and cultural amenities, as well as a dining guide, parking map and much more. Download the Find It Downtown mobile search tool for smartphones at http://mobile.downtowndayton.org.

Awesome Audra: A Chat with Audra McDonald

February 28, 2013 By Russell Florence, Jr. Leave a Comment

Luminous soprano and Broadway sensation Audra McDonald, one of the finest actresses/vocalists of her generation, will be in concert Friday, March 1 in celebration of the Schuster Center’s 10th anniversary. McDonald, 42, has received five Tony Awards for her outstanding work in “Carousel,” “Master Class,” “Ragtime,” “A Raisin in the Sun” and “Porgy and Bess.” She has also been nominated for her splendid performances in “Marie Christine” and “110 in the Shade,” and memorably appeared in Lincoln Center Theater’s production of “Henry IV” and the Public Theater’s “Twelfth Night.” In addition to portraying Dr. Naomi Bennett on ABC’s “Private Practice” for four seasons, she has been featured in television adaptations of “A Raisin in the Sun,” “Annie” and “Wit,” receiving an Emmy nomination for the latter. She also won two Grammy Awards for “Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny.”

In advance of her highly anticipated concert, accompanied by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra for the first time since 2005, the very engaging McDonald discussed her distinguished career and future plans.

Q: On Feb. 11 you were honored by the Drama League for your contributions to Broadway. How did it feel to be saluted in such a grand fashion by so many of your colleagues?

A: It was amazing! I wept, laughed and screamed the entire evening. To see people I love, people I adore, people I’ve worked with, people I want to work with attending the event was really overwhelming.

Q: When you reflect on your legacy, particularly your multiple Tony victories and nominations, does it seem like a blur? What does it all mean to you at this point in your career?

A: It does seem like a blur. When you’re in a show, your mind is on the show and you’re living another life on stage. Then the Tonys come, it happens, and then it’s gone. You’re a pumpkin again. But when I accumulate it all it feels like a big, fantastic blur. The biggest memories I have of the Tonys is the emotions of how it all felt. And at the end of it, you still have to go on with your daily life.

Q: But when you look at your hardware, your five Tonys, does it give you greater motivation? You could certainly win five more Tonys in the future.

A: I’m not done yet. There is still more theater I want to do. I don’t ever pursue projects looking for Tonys, but this is what I’ve wanted to do since I was 9 years old. For me, it’s all about looking for the next challenge. For me, the Tonys represent an incredible honor and something for me to be grateful for, but also something that reminds me that I’m lucky to do what I love and I must continue to grow, give back, and continue to live in the world that is theater.

Q: Assessing your many roles, which character or characters were the most challenging?
A: Without a doubt, it would be Bess, particularly in terms of stamina. To be able to sustain the performance and make that journey eight times a week was the most challenging. The hardest character to grasp was Ruth in “A Raisin in the Sun.” I had a hard time succumbing to her sadness and world-weariness.

Q: Do you have any dream roles? Are there roles you haven’t tackled that you would like to pursue?
A: I would like to do more Shakespeare, particularly playing Cleopatra in “Antony and Cleopatra.” As far as musical theater, as long as a role scares me, challenges me, I’m completely open to whatever comes along.

Q: Would you consider starring in another Michael John LaChuisa (“Marie Christine”) musical?

A: Of course. There is some stuff in the pipeline with him. He’s such a prolific writer.

Q: Are there any directors or performers you would like to work with that you haven’t yet?

A: I would like to work with Bartlett Sher (“The Light in the Piazza”), who has been doing fantastic work, as well as Joe Mantello (“Wicked”). I would also like to work with Dan Sullivan (“Twelfth Night”), Lonny Price (“110 In the Shade”), Diane Paulus (“Porgy and Bess”) and Kenny Leon (“A Raisin in the Sun”) again. All of them are directors I admire greatly.

Q: Would you ever consider directing or producing?

A: Maybe directing, but I need to build my confidence. I just started teaching some master classes and really felt quite challenged and fulfilled by it. I would not count out directing in the future.

Q: What are your views on the current state of Broadway? Are improvements needed? What shows are you recommending to friends?

A: I think it’s a very fertile time on Broadway. For a while it seemed as if Broadway was only for superstars and “face projects.” But I feel there is a lot of good stuff out there that isn’t necessarily a star vehicle. For instance, “Once,” which is a tiny little show which had some recognition from the movie but it didn’t have stars in it and took Broadway by storm. There’s room for all of the above, but as long as there are new musicals being produced, and Broadway continues to replenish and nurture, I’m happy.

Q: You have been a trailblazer for non-traditional casting from Broadway to television. Would you like to see more non-traditional casting implemented?

A: Always. I understand that in some cases, like historical pieces, it doesn’t work, but whenever it can be utilized it’s a great thing.

Q: I remember many years ago you were being considered to star in a Broadway revival of “My Fair Lady.”

A: Yes, but some things come into fruition and some things don’t. And now I’m too old!

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Q: What words of advice do you have for aspiring performers?

A: Always say yes to your artistic instincts. Don’t ever say no to yourself. If you think there’s a role you can play go out and audition for it, work on it, study it. There will be enough people in the business that will say no to you. You cannot be one of those people. Also, I’d advise anyone to get on stage anywhere. It doesn’t have to be on Broadway, but your local church or dinner theater. Get used to being in front of a live audience, which is an experience that is the same as being on Broadway or in your school musical. The dynamic is the same and very important.

Q: You are currently working on your fifth studio album released by Nonesuch Records. What should your fans expect this time around? Will it be musical theater-heavy or are you aiming for more eclectic selections?
A: The new album will have more full-throated singing. It will be Audra full-throttle! My last album was a bit more contemplative, but the new album will have some wonderful older songs, newer songs, and songs from composers I just haven’t sung a lot of like Kander and Ebb.

Q: It’s wonderful to know you will be appearing once more in Dayton at the Schuster Center. What will your program consist of?

A: It’s going to be an eclectic mix, but it’s always nice when you can take advantage of performing with an entire orchestra, which is the case in Dayton. I’ll be singing songs by Stephen Sondheim, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Bock and Harnick, Kander and Ebb, Leslie Bricusse, and Henry Mancini among others. It’s going to be a great concert.

A gala concert starring Audra McDonald will be presented Friday, March 1 at 8 p.m. at the Schuster Center, Second and Main Streets., Dayton. Tickets are $40-$90. For tickets or more information, call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

Grapes of Gratitude to benefit local nonprofits!

February 26, 2013 By Lisa Grigsby Leave a Comment

Competitive wine tasting comes to the Miami Valley this Thursday, Feb 28th at 6pm. Grapes of Gratitude is a team wine tasting event created to allow local nonprofits to raise money while participants blindly taste an array of wines of the same varietal.

Groups of 1 -3 people form a team and each team brings 3 of the exact same bottles of wine to be tasted. The first varietal chosen to showcase will be Cabernet Sauvignon. To participate your team will bring 3 identical bottles of a Cabernet Sauvignon to the event.

When your team arrives at the Dayton Grand Hotel for the event, you’ll check in your wine. The first two bottles are bagged and tagged for tasting. The third bottle is set aside to form the prizes for the winning teams. Guests taste all the wines while enjoying appetizers and rate the wines.

The team that brings the highest ranked wine will take home two thirds of the 3rd bottles, the 2nd place team take home one third of the prize wine adn the team that brought the lowest ranked wine get to take home the extra bottle of their own wine! If 2 or more teams bring the same wine, rankings can still differ depending upon the temperature of the wine, how long it has been open, etc.

So grab some friends and get your team together and buy your tickets now! Your $10 advance ticket ($15 at the door) will benefit the Associate Board of AIDS Resource Center Ohio for this first Grapes of Gratitude event. Grapes of Gratitude will repeat every other month, and the charity partner will rotate for each tasting. If you’d like to submit your nonprofit to be a partner for a future tasting event, please send us an email.

Date: Thursday, February 28, 2013

Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Address: Dayton Grand Hotel 11 S. Ludlow St. Dayton, OH 45402
Parking in the hotel garage is free

If you’d like to attend this event you can purchase tickets online.

Dayton ReInvention Stories – Using Radio, Film and Web to tell stories about starting over…

February 25, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Dayton’s own Academy Award nominated, Emmy winning filmmakers Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar announce the launch of REINVENTION STORIES – a multiplatform documentary project which tells stories of Daytonians who have started over in their lives.

A groundbreaking interactive documentary, created solely for the internet, will launch on February 26, 2013, at www.reinventionstories.org. This immersive interactive experience, a collaboration with WYSO 91.3 FM, will introduce stories, photos, events, neighborhoods and people from throughout the Miami Valley, in an engaging form.

“Creating an interactive documentary has been a wild ride,” notes Julia Reichert. “We’re doing something brand new, by creating a nonfiction film experience specifically for the web. It’s been scary and fun and we’ve learned a ton. There are very few documentary projects in the world that have been created in this new form. There’s not even word for it – we’re calling it a “transmedia” documentary.”

The Sundance Institute recently awarded ReInvention Stories a production grant, to help with programming the complex web site. “We’re so honored that this local project is getting such national attention,” notes WYSO General Manager Neenah Ellis, who launched the project by urging Reichert and Bognar to apply for a national competition.

ReInvention Stories one of only ten projects to win a major grant from AIR, the Association of Independents in Radio, a national organization of radio producers based in Boston. Other cities to receive the grants include Los Angeles, Chicago, Austin and San Francisco. “Dayton is one of only two small cities to receive this big project funding . We’re proud to have been so competitive on a national scale,” adds Steven Bognar.

A series of radio stories based on the project interviews began airing weekly on WYSO on Wednesdays during Morning Edition. Each radio story is accompanied by a short film on the WYSO website, www.wyso.org. There have been film and radio stories of the Fifth Street Brewpub in St Anne’s Hill, Pat Reed of Angie’s Firehouse Tavern in Belmont, former GM worker Debbie Bradley of Fairborn who is now a Registered Nurse, Oronde Clarke of South Park, Kevin Rotramel of Truth and Triumph Tattoo in Belmont, among others (see all videos below). Upcoming is Kim Cottrell, creator of Olive and Brenda DeWinter of South Park, and many more.

A team of producers, including WYSO staff, alumni of Wright State University’s award winning film program, and WYSO’s Community Voices radio training program, hit the streets last summer, walking neighborhoods, collecting stories. “We wanted to get out of our comfort zones,” explains Julia Reichert. “We didn’t want to interview people who we already knew, or even use the usual journalistic sources. So we trusted to luck and fate, and we met amazing people from all over town.”

The team focused on four Dayton neighborhoods, Twin Towers, Residence Park, South Park and Belmont, but also covered dozens of events and reinvention stories from Fairborn, St. Anne’s Hill, Clayton, East Dayton and Kettering, among others.

The transmedia documentary will launch in three parts, following the structure of the interview questions the team posed: Who was I? What happened? Who am I trying to become?

Act 1 of the stories will launch on February 26, Act 2 on March 19 and Act 3 on April 9^th at www.reinventionstories.org and can also be found at the WYSO website: WYSO.org.

ReInvention Stories is part of a national initiative of AIR, the Association of Independents in Radio, Inc and with financial support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting , The Wyncote Foundation, the John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. Regional funders include Chicken and Egg Pictures, The Ohio Arts Council, The Yellow Springs Community Foundation and Wright State University’s Center for Collaboration and Leadership in the Arts (CELIA).

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And The Oscar Goes To…

February 23, 2013 By Russell Florence, Jr. Leave a Comment

During 2012, the 5,856 members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences were captivated by such subjects as Abraham Lincoln, a teenager battling a tiger, the Iran hostage crisis, and the postapocalyptic universe of a young girl named Hushpuppy. As the 85th annual Academy Awards beckon, period drama “Lincoln” leads with 12 nominations, but the technically striking “Life of Pi” and popular frontrunner “Argo” are major contenders. As always, anything is possible when winners will be revealed Sunday, February 24 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Here are my predictions in the top six categories.

BEST PICTURE

“Amour”; “Argo”; “Beasts of the Southern Wild”; “Django Unchained”; “Les Miserables”; “Life of Pi”; “Lincoln”; “Silver Linings Playbook”; “Zero Dark Thirty”

Overlooked: “Anna Karenina”; “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”; “The Dark Knight Rises”; “End of Watch”; “Flight”; “The Hunger Games”; “The Impossible”; “Looper”; “The Master”; “Moonrise Kingdom”; “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”; “Promised Land”; “The Sessions”

Will Win: “Argo”
Should Win: “Lincoln”
Spoiler: “Amour”

I really wish the Academy would return to five nominees here. Still, this slate, deemed the nine best out of 282 eligible films, is uniformly strong nonetheless. “Lincoln” has it all from thought-provoking historical context to cinematic expertise, but Ben Affleck being snubbed for Best Director has shockingly propelled the underdog narrative of “Argo” throughout the award season. However, the intimately sublime “Amour,” a poignant foreign film about an elderly couple shaken by sickness, could garner enough votes from older members of the Academy to surprise everyone when the final envelope of the evening is opened.

BEST DIRECTOR

Michael Haneke, “Amour”
Ang Lee, “Life of Pi”
David O. Russell, “Silver Linings Playbook”
Steven Spielberg, “Lincoln”
Benh Zeitlin, “Beasts of the Southern Wild”

Overlooked: Ben Affleck, “Argo”; Paul Thomas Anderson, “The Master”; Wes Anderson, “Moonrise Kingdom”; Kathryn Bigelow, “Zero Dark Thirty”; Stephen Chbosky, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”; Tom Hooper, “Les Miserables”; Rian Johnson, “Looper”; Ben Lewin, “The Sessions”; Christopher Nolan, “The Dark Knight Rises”; Gary Ross, “The Hunger Games”; Ira Sachs, “Keep The Lights On”; Quentin Tarantino, “Django Unchained”; Joe Wright, “Anna Karenina”; Robert Zemeckis, “Flight”

Will Win: Spielberg
Should Win: Lee
Spoiler: Zeitlin

Lee defied the odds by adapting Yann Martel’s challenging novel into a visceral, visual stunner, but Spielberg’s splendidly understated work, which extends to the brilliance of his cast and creative team, will not be ignored. Still, it would be cool to see Zeitlin win for his bold and imaginative indie bayou concoction.

BEST ACTOR

Bradley Cooper, “Silver Linings Playbook”
Daniel Day-Lewis, “Lincoln”
Hugh Jackman, “Les Miserables”
Joaquin Phoenix, “The Master”
Denzel Washington, “Flight”

Overlooked: Jack Black, “Bernie”; Matt Damon, “Promised Land”; Richard Gere, “Arbitrage”; Jake Gyllenhaal, “End of Watch”; John Hawkes, “The Sessions”; Tom Holland, “The Impossible”; Logan Lerman, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”; Matthew McConaughey, “Killer Joe”; Brad Pitt, “Killing Them Softly”; Jean-Louis Trintignant, “Amour”

Will/Should Win: Day-Lewis
Spoiler: Washington

It’s a shame that one of Washington’s most compelling portrayals occurred the same year Day-Lewis inhabited the presidency to astonishing degrees. Day-Lewis will be the first man to win three lead acting Oscars, but I’m glad the powerfully full-throttle Phoenix was remembered for demolishing a toilet with his foot.

BEST ACTRESS

Jessica Chastain, “Zero Dark Thirty”
Jennifer Lawrence, “Silver Linings Playbook”
Emmanuelle Riva, “Amour”
Quvenzhané Wallis, “Beasts of the Southern Wild”
Naomi Watts, “The Impossible”

Overlooked: Marion Cotillard, “Rust and Bone”; Viola Davis, “Won’t Back Down”; Judi Dench, “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”; Maggie Gylennhaal, “Won’t Back Down”; Keira Knightley, “Anna Karenina”; Helen Mirren, “Hitchcock”

Will Win: Lawrence
Should Win: Chastain or Riva
Spoiler: Wallis

I’m a huge admirer of Chastain’s superbly nuanced performance but must admit I was blown away by Lawrence, whose magnetic, jaw-dropping range of emotions and innate sex appeal signified her dynamic growth as a formidable leading lady. Even so, Riva’s devastating decline as a former music teacher immobilized by a stroke was an utterly heartbreaking, meticulously skillful feat. And at 86, Riva would become the oldest Oscar winner, which adds to her recent momentum as a sentimental favorite. But foreign language winners are rare. Marion Cotillard was the last to prevail for “La Vie en Rose” in 2008. As so, I’m going with Lawrence but would love to see the adorable, mesmerizing 9-year-old Wallis, the youngest-ever Best Actress nominee, take her rightful place in Oscar history alongside former child winners Tatum O’Neal and Anna Paquin.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Alan Arkin, “Argo,”
Robert De Niro, “Silver Linings Playbook”
Philip Seymour Hoffman, “The Master”
Tommy Lee Jones, “Lincoln”
Christoph Walz, “Django Unchained”

Overlooked: Javier Bardem, “Skyfall”; Kyle Chandler, “Zero Dark Thirty”; Jason Clarke, “Zero Dark Thirty”; Don Cheadle, “Flight”; Bryan Cranston, “Argo”; Benicio Del Toro, “Savages”; Leonardo DiCaprio, “Django Unchained”; John Goodman, “Argo” and “Flight”; Dwight Henry, “Beasts of the Southern Wild”; Samuel L. Jackson, “Django Unchained”; Jude Law, “Anna Karenina”; Matthew McConaughey, “Magic Mike”; Ewan McGregor, “The Impossible”; Ezra Miller, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”; Bill Nighy, “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”; Michael Pena, “End of Watch”; Eddie Redmayne, “Les Miserables”; Stanley Tucci, “The Hunger Games”; Tom Wilkinson, “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”

Will Win: Jones
Should Win: De Niro or Hoffman
Spoiler: Arkin

The great thing about this highly competitive category is that the losers can return home to the Oscar (or Oscars in De Niro’s case) they already own. Jones’ gravitas and impressive grasp of screenwriter Tony Kushner’s grandiose language gives him the edge over Hoffman’s commanding mastermind and De Niro’s surprisingly tender patriarch. However, watch out for the scene-stealing Arkin benefitting from the “Argo” groundswell even though he basically played a variation of himself again.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Amy Adams, “The Master”
Sally Field, “Lincoln”
Anne Hathaway, “Les Miserables”
Helen Hunt, “The Sessions”
Jacki Weaver, “Silver Linings Playbook”

Overlooked: Samantha Barks, “Les Miserables”; Anne Dowd, “Compliance”; Jennifer Ehle, “Zero Dark Thirty”; Carmen Ejogo, “Sparkle”; Maggie Gyllenhaal, “Hysteria”; Salma Hayek, “Savages”; Isabelle Huppert, “Amour”; Kelly MacDonald, “Anna Karenina”; Brit Marling, “Sound of My Voice”; Frances McDormand, “Promised Land”; Susan Sarandon, “Arbitrage” and“Jeff, Who Lives At Home”; Maggie Smith, “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”

Will Win: Hathaway
Should Win: Field
Spoiler: Hunt

If Day-Lewis deserves three Oscars so does Field, who absolutely gave one of the finest performances of her career as the feisty, grieving first lady. I also found Hunt at the top of her game after a long absence portraying a kindly sex therapist. Even so, Oscar loves musical theater so look for Hathaway to reign for rediscovering the melancholy beauty within “I Dreamed a Dream.”

The 85th annual Academy Awards, hosted by Seth McFarlane, will be telecast live on ABC Sunday, February 24 at 7 p.m. In related news, The Neon Movies, 130 E. Fifth St. in downtown Dayton, The Little Art Theatre, 247 Xenia Ave. in Yellow Springs, and FilmDayton will host Oscar parties Sunday evening. For information about the Neon’s festivities, call (937) 222-7469 or visit www.neonmovies.com. For Little Art inquiries, call (937) 767-7671 or visit www.littleart.com. For FilmDayton’s festivities, which will be held at The Venue on Third, visit www.filmdayton.com

Children’s Performing Arts of Miamisburg Presents BROADWAY IN THE ‘BURG + TICKET CONTEST

February 21, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Perhaps Peter Pan can’t fly out the window or Mary Poppins won’t levitate to the roof of the Baum Opera House but Children’s Performing Arts of Miamisburg (CPAM) will be treating audiences to the excitement from these shows during March by presenting Broadway in the ‘Burg.

Broadway in the ‘Burg will include a special selection of show stoppers from many other beloved Broadway shows all wrapped up in one magical evening.

The talented cast will be telling you to Consider Yourself at Home from Oliver, be transported back in time to magical Camelot and ride a train in Iowa to Rock Island from Music Man. Cinderella dances with the Prince in the romantic Ten Minutes Ago and the whole cast will bring you to your feet with the blockbuster title number from Oklahoma! Other treats on the bill will be special selections from Bye Bye Birdie, Bugsy Malone and Rent.

Since, their inception three years ago, Miamisburg’s own childrens’ theater group has thrilled audiences with full length productions of Godspell, The Wizard of Oz and Seussical. Last September, just a few weeks before it opened on Broadway, CPAM presented one of the area’s largest productions of Annie, The Musical which featured the fun and excitement of 22 orphans on the stage of the Baum Opera House at the same time.

Topping off the evening will be a sentimental and nostalgic look back at past performances with selections from Godspell, The Wizard of Oz, Seussical and Annie, the Musical.

All Miami Valley area students from grades 4 through 12 are welcome to join our group. CPAM’s productions of The Wizard of Oz and Seussical each had 50 area children acting, singing and dancing on the stage.

BROADWAY IN THE ‘BURG will be presented March 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17. Show times are Fridays at 7:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at http://www.cpamburg.com or at the door on the date of the show (subject to availability). Ticket prices are $15 for reserved seating and $13 for general admission. All performances are at the Baum Opera House 15 South First Street in Miamisburg. For more information, call 937-867-0353.

Doors of Compassion for Dinner Parties benefit Ronald McDonald House

February 21, 2013 By Lisa Grigsby Leave a Comment

Imagine being invited to an intimate dinner party, catered by one of the region’s finest chefs, hosted by generous community supporters willing to open their house up to complete strangers all to benefit the local Ronald McDonald House and its services for families of critically ill, hospitalized babies and children. After dinner all guests are united at the big after party for dessert, dancing and auctions at a location that is only revealed to you by your hosts after dinner. Three years ago the Ronald McDonald House launched this unique fundraising model and it’s been embraced by the community with huge success. You can make reservations for this year’s event on Saturday, March 16th online.

Chair of this years Doors of Compassion event, Sally Walters, shared they have 23 host houses signed up this year. Behind the scenes the committee has been working for months lining up the chefs, who agree to volunteer their time to cook the dinner with ingredients that will be provided for them. Each chef will put their unique spin on the ingredients and of course will have to work around any dietary restrictions, including vegetarian selections, for the guests at their assigned house. When you make your reservations for this event ($125/person) you’ll received a confirmation. Closer to the event, you’ll get an email that introduces you to your host home with directions on where to arrive at 6pm for your dinner. If you’d like to dine with another couple, their is an option to do that ($600) or you can even throw a private dinner party for 16 of your own invited guests at a host home ($3500).

I’ve been lucky enough to attend this event and I have to admit, the first year I attended it was a little weird, not knowing where we were going or what we’d be having for dinner. As I was winding my way through the streets of Oakwood, looking for the address of my assigned house, I was a little apprehensive. As I pulled up, seeing a sign in the yard was quite reassuring that I was in the right place. I was thrilled to be welcomed to Camp Ridgeway, the delightfully decorated home of the Froelich’s. In my opinion, this is the coolest part of the event, getting to see some of the coolest houses in town! Our hosts welcomed us with a glass of wine and we met the other guests while enjoying a nibble from the chef. That year Dominque Fortin from C’est Tout was our chef and just watching him cook is as entertaining as any of the Food Network shows. Dinner was steak and shrimp and wonderful, as was the conversation with the other guests at our table. The afterparty that year was at a mansion I’d often driven by, but never been inside. Desserts were displayed on the dining room table, the pool had been covered and turned into a dance floor and Ronald McDonald himself was available for party pics.

Tracy Malott, Billy Pote, Brian Petro and myself at the 2012 afterparty

Last year we had another great host house, which we got to tour, seeing all the guest rooms, each one decorated with a theme in mind, the indoor pool and an awesome collection of toys from the 70’s, which we all bonded over, tying to decide whether the Welcome Back Cotter collectables or the Charlie’s Angel dolls were more fun. Eventually I think we all decided we were more charmed by the Australian accent of Chef David from CareSource. Last years after party was at Top of the Market and the decadent dessert displays were awesome and we had another great time. I can’t wait to find out where I’ll be dining this year! After Party Twenty Thirteen will feature a decadent dessert & coffee bar and after-dinner libations. Local personality, Kim Faris of Lite 94.5 FM will emcee the evening, while the group “Funky G and The Groove Machine” will entertain the crowd with hit songs and dance party favorites. A Live Auction will also take place offering guests a chance to bid on exciting gift packages. All funds raised from this event benefit the local Ronald McDonald House and its services for families of critically ill, hospitalized babies and children. Hope to see you there!

The Artemis Center – Helping Victims of Domestic Violence

February 15, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

EVERYONE KNOWS SOMEONE WHO…

“One of these days he’s going to kill me.” The caller seemed resigned to her fate. The Artemis Center advocate who answered the Domestic Violence Hotline assessed the level of immediate risk and made a safety plan with the victim. Calls of this kind are everyday occurrences at Artemis Center.

Just about everyone knows someone who has been a victim of domestic violence. Research shows that one in four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. This widespread issue does not discriminate. It cuts across all races, religions, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds. It may be your co-worker, neighbor, friend, or even a family member. Most commonly victims are female, but occasionally a male is victimized. Domestic violence is EVERYONE’S problem.

Photo Credit: APV- Portugese Association for Victim Support

WHY DOESN’T SHE JUST LEAVE?

Regardless of the degree of abuse, it is never easy to leave these relationships. Although abusers may be controlling and verbally abusive early on, most abusers do not become physically abusive until they are certain the victim is emotionally invested in the relationship. Many victims tell Artemis advocates that their partner never hit them until: they got engaged, or the honeymoon, or she was pregnant with their first or second child, or after their child was born.

For various reasons, some victims will never leave their abusers. However, most victims leave eventually. Before she leaves, there are many questions a victim must consider: How can I support my children and keep them safe? Where can we go? Can we stay in the same school district? Can we go to the same house of worship?

Protecting the children is often of paramount concern. Research has shown that in many households where there is domestic violence, there is also child abuse. When the abuser is a threat to the children, the victim has to consider whether the children will be safe if she and the abuser separate and will the abuser get parenting time alone with the children.

Once the abuser learns that the victim is leaving the relationship the violence may escalate. This phenomenon is called “Separation Danger.” The risk to the victim can increase significantly during separation and for a while afterwards. Research has shown that 75% of domestic violence homicides occurred during or shortly after the victims attempted to leave. The victim has to consider: What will happen to the children if something happens to me?

Even after a victim leaves the abuser, she often remains at risk. The typical abuser feels entitled to continue to abuse the victim because he tells himself: “This relationship isn’t over until I say it is over.”

ARTEMIS CENTER CAN HELP

Fortunately, Artemis Center advocates can help domestic violence victims and their children get safe. Artemis advocates can answer the many questions and concerns victims have and suggest options. The Domestic Violence Hotline is operated collaboratively by Artemis Center and the battered women’s shelter. Victims can call the Hotline 24 hours a day seven days a week. Artemis advocates answer the Hotline weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

For many victims, calling the Domestic Violence Hotline is their first step to safety. Whether a victim intends to stay with the abuser or leave the relationship, an Artemis advocate will work one-on-one with him or her and serve as a source of support. The advocates help victims understand that they have a right to be safe; that they are not alone; and that they have options to help them get safe and protect their children. Artemis advocates can connect victims to community resources, assist victims with obtaining Protection Orders and accompany victims to court. In addition, Artemis offers weekly support groups so that victims can support and learn from each other. All Artemis Center services are confidential and free of charge.

YOU CAN HELP

If you know someone who is living with abuse, encourage him or her to call the Domestic Violence Hotline to discuss their relationship and get help with safety planning. If you know someone with a child that is acting out as a result of witnessing abuse, encourage the parent to contact the Artemis Child Therapy Program. An Artemis child therapist can answer parents’ questions and help children process the abuse and learn healthy ways to resolve family conflicts.

You can help victims indirectly, as well, by attending the Artemis Gala on February 23^rd or another Artemis fundraiser. Or you can simply make a donation to Artemis Center. Artemis has a food pantry and a small fund to help victims pay for getting their locks changed and other relatively inexpensive safety measures.

Domestic violence is complicated. Most people do not understand why a victim would stay in an abusive situation or the seriousness of the risk. Often, victims cannot leave their abusers without outside support, resources, and the confidence to make a new life. With your help, Artemis Center can help victims by providing support and resources and helping victims build the confidence they need to get safe and keep their children safe.

(Submitted by The Artemis Center)

Mardi Gras Artemis Gala 2013

On Saturday February 23 at 6:30pm, The Artemis Center will be holding their big Mardi Gras Artemis Gala at the Schuster Center Winter Garden with all funds raised at this signature event directly benefit local victims of Domestic Violence and help to ensure that Artemis Center can continue to provide all services free of charge. Tickets are $125 (table of 8 for $1,000) with raffle tickets going for $25. Click here for tickets and more information.

Tasting the Stars in Champagne

February 14, 2013 By Brian Petro 18,068 Comments

“I only drink champagne when I’m happy, and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company, I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I am not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it – unless I’m thirsty.” ~Madame Lily Bollinger

Originally, champagne was served in glasses that looked like this.

Madame Bollinger would know the best time to drink champagne. As one of the greatest women to work in the champagne industry in the house whose name she bears, Mme. Bollinger brought champagne through the Great Depression and World War Two. She promoted a style of champagne that changed the industry, moving it from the sweeter side of the spectrum to the dry the British always seem to favor. She was the face of the Bollinger brand, an unusual position for a woman in 1941, and through her efforts, helped the city of Ay, after the war, while earning several honors from both Great Britain and France. She continued the tradition of providing the royalty of England with champagne for all of their events, but more importantly creating champagne so iconic that even James Bond drinks it.

Champagne is a drink of celebration, and is there a better time to be celebrating than on Valentine’s Day? Love is in the air, chocolates and flowers are roaming through offices and homes around the world, so why not bring out that bottle of champagne you were saving for a special occasion? And while you are enjoying your wine, enjoy some interesting facts, trivia, and quotes about this bubbly beauty.

Dom Perignon, considered the father of champagne, was not trying to create a sparkling drink. He was trying to
prevent it. The bubbles in champagne were a flaw caused by secondary fermentation. Cold stops the fermentation process, and can leave some sugar in the bottle. When spring comes back and the weather warms up, the fermentation starts up, and creates the fizz. Dom Perignon was the father of blending grapes before pressing them.
The grapes blended to make champagne in the modern era are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.
Modern champagne tastes were determined by the British. Champagne was first deliberately created by a man named Christopher Merret in the mid 17^th century. They liked the carbonation in their wine, though it was the French king that Louis XIV made it popular with the nobility. It was much sweeter at the time. It was the British again that demanded drier and drier champagne, giving us the general range of sweetness we enjoy today.
Uncorking a bottle of champagne is serious business. Before the glass was strong enough, the secondary fermentation caused bottles to explode. All of that gas with no outlet builds up pressure. It can be up to 90 PSI, just under three times what is recommended in a car tire. Plenty of pressure and a little neck, when put together, create a weapon that can shoot the cork at speeds of up to 50 MPH. That could put your eye out. Ain’t nobody got time for that on Valentine’s Day.
If you are going for distance, not speed, you are going to have to shoot your cork over 178 feet to break the world record, set by an American in 1988.
The bubbles are crucial to the enjoyment of the champagne. There is an estimated 49 million bubbles in a bottle. Moet and Chandon, in tandem with Heineken, spent $7 million dollars on special photography that revealed 250 million bubbles were contained in each bottle. To get the most bubbles in your bubbly, cool the bottle to about 45 degrees F. With the bottle at a 45 degree angle, put the bottom of the bottle against your hip or thigh. The first thing you will need to do is remove the foil, then the cage on the cork. Be careful; sometimes the cork is loose, and removing the cage will cause the cork to pop. Take a towel and wrap it around the neck, making sure you cover the cork. Holding tight to the cork, twist it gently until it comes out. The less noise you make, the more bubbles you get to enjoy in your glass.
Champagne only comes from France by international law. Champagne is part of the larger group of sparkling wines you can find anywhere in the world. If you get it in Italy, it is prosecco , which is becoming very popular. Spain has cava, Germany has sekt, and Portugal has espumante.
The Spanish sparkling wine cava, made mainly in the Catalona region.
How sweet do you want your champagne? Brut Nature is the driest of the dry, with no sugar, or very little, added to the wine. Extra Brut has some sugar added, but it still very dry. Brut is the most commonly purchased champagne, and is still a little on the dry side. Extra sec has a little more sweetness than Brut, and a little more sugar added. Demi Sec is dessert-level sweet, with quite a bit more sugar added. Sec is a very sweet champagne, definitely served after a meal as a dessert.
We prefer to drink champagne in a flute, but if you watch older films, you can see them drinking champagne out of a wider glass known as a coupé. It does not hold the bubbles as well, but was the traditional way of drinking champagne. It is also said to be molded from the breast of Marie Antoinette. Let them eat cake indeed…
Beautiful women have always been linked to champagne. One of the most beautiful women of all time, Marilyn Monroe, is rumored to have taken a bath in over 350 bottles of champagne.
The tallest champagne flute was revealed at a festival in Italy. It stands seven feet tall and can hold twenty two bottles of champagne. The largest bottle of champagne currently made is called Midas, holding forty regular sized bottles of premium bubbly. Only six were made, at a cost of $100,000 a bottle.

While Valentine’s Day is a special day and calls for a special celebratory beverage, champagne is something that can be enjoyed every day. The season of champagne tastings is usually in December for New Years or Christmas, but many restaurants will sell certain champagnes by the glass if you are looking to try some out. The staff here will let you know when the next tastings or events are. Spend today surrounded by friends and loved ones, and celebrate with a drink that has a little more sparkle.

Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend

February 14, 2013 By Dayton937 5 Comments

End of an Era: The Grub Steak

All good things must come to an end. In this week’s Food Adventure installment, our crew bids farewell to a Dayton institution, the Grub Steak. On Saturday, Feb 23rd the restaurant on Alex Rd in West Carrollton will serve its last meal. Started by Joe Bissett 50 years ago, steaks, seafood and ribs have been a hallmark of this classic supper club, whose original location was on North Main Street in Dayton. Food Adventures had to say goodbye to this old friend of the Miami Valley and visit the legendary menu one last time. In the 70’s we ate there as kids in our “toughskin” pants and wide collared shirts. In the 80’s we impressed high school dance dates with the Grub Steak’s elegant dinners. In the 90’s and beyond we visited the restaurant through its changes and moves to State Route 35 and West Carrollton. It is now down to the final plate. But before it ends, lets remember how it started.

Grub Steak founder, Joe Bissett in the 1980’s

MEMORIES ON MAIN STREET

In 1963 Joe Bissett opened up a small restaurant and bar at 1410 N. Main St. With his chef Ray, Joe soon invented a new way to eat ribs, called “Royal Ribs.” They are small slabs of boneless pork loin on wooden skewers. Originally, in the 1960’s The Grub Steak charged $1.50 for a complete Royal Rib Dinner. Soon they were the largest pork tenderloin user in Ohio. Of course, The Grub Steak was also known for steaks, which were hand cut by the kitchen staff. Various favorite steaks included the NY Strip, Prime Rib, Filet Mignon, T-Bone, The Hotel Steak (sirloin), and the huge Kansas City Sirloin. In the 80’s things were changing and the Royal Ribs Dinner now cost $4.95. The restaurant needed more seating so an addition was built onto the restaurant. The construction also included a courtyard and business was booming. Over the years, Joe Bissett became a local legend. He was an avid golfer, and manged the restaurant until his passing in 1994.

Former owner and Joe’s daughter, Dawn Bissett, sat down with The Big Ragu this week to reminisce about her experiences at this iconic restaurant. She recalls customers celebrating countless birthday parties, anniversaries and engagements inside the doors of the Grub Steak. Dawn started working at the coat check room, and eventually worked her way up through the ranks to managing the restaurant at North Main St. and on The Grub Steak II on State Route 35. She recalls the North Main Street bar constantly bustling with regulars and restaurant staff preparing drinks. Dawn explained, “My fondest memories are the wonderful customers and the many staff members I met over the decades.” She said loyal customers and lifetime employees became family to her. We were lucky enough that Dawn shared some of her private family Grub Steak photos with us for this Food Adventure article. Please browse the photo album below to see these true blasts from the past. In 1998, Fred and Sheila Fieberger took ownership of the Grub Steak, and eventually moved the restaurant south to West Carrollton in 2008.

The Creamy Peppercorn Dressing is homemade

GRUB STEAK LOCATION IN WEST CARROLLTON
For the past few years, Fred and Sheila have brought Grub Steak specialties to a whole new generation. From homemade bread, to the incredible salad dressings, they stayed true to the original menu. Today the Grub Steak is managed by Heather Wimberly, their daughter who has been dealing with huge crowds in the closing days of the restaurant. Heather and her wonderful staff took the time to host The Food Adventure Crew this week, and for that we are very appreciative. Make sure you get to the West Carrollton location by Sat Feb 23rd, for one last memorable dinner.

LAST CHANCE TO GET SOME GRUB – WHAT ARE YOU GONNA ORDER?

You have a few more days to get your last bite at the Grub Steak, and if you do we recommend these classic trademark dishes and sides. Looking for an appetizer? Go traditional with the cocktail shrimp, served chilled. Nothing beats these succulent bites in a classic setting. Also, realize that you are in a restaurant that makes their own salad dressings. In fact, they are so popular, they are for sale in pints. We recommend you get a salad with the creamy peppercorn dressing. It is simply fantastic, and our favorite. Big Ragu has loved this dressing since his childhood, and even more today. He has not tasted anything remotely close to this unchanged recipe. One of the highlights of our meal was the homemade dinner rolls served piping hot and with a side of butter that would make Paula Deen proud.

For an entree you can’t go wrong with any steak on the menu, but we would suggest the Hotel Steak & Royal Ribs Combo. The Hotel Steak has virtually no fat on it and we would suggest you get it butterflied. The flavor of the steak is amazing and will bring a smile to your face. The accompanying pork loin with four skewers was a familiar sight. These “royal ribs” were brushed in Grub Steak’s tangy, special barbecue sauce. The royal ribs were incredible and had us craving more.

The famous “Royal Ribs”

Grub Steak has some great side dishes like the golden fried hash browns. We would also recommend the stewed tomatoes as a traditional choice that is filling and sweet. And what about the corn fritters served with maple syrup? They are excellent! For dessert, fend for yourself because The Food Adventures Crew is about to go into a food coma!

FOOD ADVENTURE MEMORIES

Our childhood memories of The Grub Steak are mainly at the Main Street location which was also near the Upper Crust. The Big Ragu remembers the dimly lit dining room had a great steakhouse vibe to it. The place seemed to always be packed. We recall waiting at the bar with oour parents sipping a kiddie cocktail until a table was available. It was a fun experience as a child going to this fine dining restaurant, the staff made it seem like a big deal. The waitresses were from a past era when being a server was a long term career.

On any given night you could see local Dayton Celebrities such as WHIO TV’s Don Wayne, or none other than Emmet Royer from BHA. Unfortunately Toby the Dog was not with him. But still, The Grub Steak was the place to be.

The “Hotel Steak” – served butterflied as we ordered

Summed up, our memories include good food, reasonable prices, and with great service. It is tough to see The Grub Steak closing. We saw servers with tears in their eyes, showing appreciation to long time customers. It was an emotional night. When places like this disappear, we seem to be left with chains serving similar food. In Dayton’s tough economic times, unfortunately we are seeing see a lot of struggling mom and pop restaurants. The Miami Valley needs these establishments for their personality and tie to the community. Food Adventures exists to share our favorite locally owned restaurants with our fans. We seek not only to promote our Dayton favorites, but actually spend our dollars there. But enough of our soapbox.

Thank you to the Fieberger family for being such gracious hosts. We loved the food, but the dinner was bittersweet, as we know this the end of an era. And so it goes, with heavy hearts, we say to this classic local eatery.. “Goodbye Old Friend.”

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*Please note the Grub Steak is for sale. Call the restaurant at (937) 276.4193 to discuss further*

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The Last Waltz: Bringing The Movie To Life

February 13, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

A still image from The Last Waltz

“You never know what to expect when they came on stage. However you know that it was going to be great.” This is what Jeff Opt said to me while the two of us sat around inside the Yellow Cab building. What he was referring to in his statement about of the iconic groups of the 60s, The Band. Jeff Opt is truly special. He is one of the main coordinators of the yearly event Dayton Sideshow, an annual two day event that highlights the unique art that is being done in town. Each year, the Sideshow will have a theme to the exhibition that will include a variety of work, which includes video, sculptures, paintings, photography, and live music from local bands. What the Sideshow aims to do is to help individuals obtain a platform to show off their creations, and also to celebrate the local art scene. If you haven’t been to one of the previous shows, do yourself a favor and check it out this year during the spring Urban Nights event, which will be taking place in May. While sitting at the Yellow Cab building, Opt talked about the joys of helping others achieve their dreams. “It’s a passion of mine. I love being able to help others.”

For a couple of years, Opt had been dreaming of doing a show that recreated The Last Waltz, the final concert that The Band would perform as a group on November 25, 1976 at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco (the same venue the group made its debut in 1969). The Band comprised of Rick Danko (vocals, trombone, bass, fiddle), Levon Helm (drums, mandolin, guitar, vocals), Garth Hudson (keyboard, trumpet, saxophone), Richard Manuel (piano, drums, saxophone) and Robbie Robertson (guitar vocals). The Band was a hybrid of many musical influences, with the Americana folk sound blending in with the psychedelic traits that bands from Cream to Led Zeppelin were built on. The statement mentioned earlier by Opt was true. The Band wasn’t the most polished group to come to the stage, but you always were in awe of the way they played music. It was beautiful how they would bring all these different components into their music.

Sadly, with Robertson wanting to have the group become strictly a studio-only band due to the exhaustion of always being on the road, along with Manuel suffering a severe neck injury after a boating accident, the group decided their to disband and have a farewell concert that will have some of the artists and bands that influenced them along the way, with a large horn section backing them. During the concert, artists from Eric Clapton, to Neil Young, to Bob Dylan performed as well. The show was filmed by director Martin Scorsese. In 1978, Scorsese released the documentary of the same name as the show, The Last Waltz. The movie featured concert performances, and interviews with the band. The Last Waltz is hailed as one of the greatest concert films ever made in many circles you talk to. On February 24th, Opt’s vision of bringing the show to town will become reality. “It is one of my favorite movies. I just think that it’s cool watching this great band play one last time. I thought it would be cool to recreate that movie.”

An all-star lineup of Dayton musicians rehearses for Such A Night in the Old Yellow Cab Building

Such A Night: A Celebration of The Band’s Last Waltz will be taking place at the legendary jazz club Gilly’s Niteclub, located on 132 S. Jefferson Street, in Dayton, Ohio. Close to thirty local musicians along with an eight piece horn section will bring the awe-inspiring film to life. “All these musicians are excited about being part of this project”, explained Opt. “Most of these guys have never played together. So, to see this coming together is really cool.” Opt has been working on this project since last October/November, calling up people that he knew would be great for the show. Each member will tell you one thing when it comes to the show, including Opt, “This show is going to blow some minds.”

The evening will not only be producing excellent live music, but it’s also going to be helping a cause that is going to help a great deal of people. All the proceeds from people walking in will go to one of the Miami Valley’s great nonprofit organizations, The Foodbank. Since 1976, The Foodbank has been helping a network of food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, and backpack programs among others. Being the largest hunger relief agency in the Dayton area, a single dollar will be able to provide eight meals to the hungry. Nearly 5,000,000 meals a year are provided to children, adults, and the elderly. It’s just another gesture of gratitude that Opt gives of himself. “I am firm believer in helping others. I want to be a good role model for my kids.”

The buzz of Such A Night: A Celebration of The Band’s Last Waltz has been astonishing. The show was kept under wraps until the past couple of weeks. It’s now gotten to the point where a small amount of advanced tickets are able to be purchased. “I didn’t want to have a lot of people not be able to get to see the show. So by doing just a limited number of advanced tickets, it just gives people a chance to come and watch, and not be turned down”, Opt said. Opt believes strongly that the show will be something that people will be talking about for days after. He hopes that maybe if all goes well, maybe we will do something like this again next year and beyond. “I was asked about doing The Who’s Tommy. I think that would be cool, but let’s get Such A Night out of the way first (laughs)”, Opt mentioned. Something tells me that Such A Night is truly just the beginning.

Such A Night: A Celebration of The Band’s Last Waltz once again is on February 24^th. Show time is 7:30pm, and admission is $5. Donations will be accepted at the door.

Video from the original “The Waltz”

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