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Dayton Philharmonic Rocks – Broadway Style

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The Dayton Philharmonic’s 2010-2011 Kettering Health Network SuperPops Series will continue with a fast-paced revue of the best of contemporary musical theatre titled “Broadway Rocks!” on Friday and Saturday, November 12 & 13, at 8 p.m. both nights at the Schuster Center.

Four top-notch Broadway vocalists – Rob Evan, Capathia Jenkins, Doug LaBrecque, and Anne Runolfsson – will join the DPO for inspired performances of the best in up-tempo hits from smash shows such as Wicked, Jesus Christ Superstar, Tommy, Phantom of the Opera, Hairspray, The Wiz, Mamma Mia and more. Each guest artist brings an impressive list of leading-role performances in popular Broadway musicals. Together, they will light up the stage in a dynamic revue that will leave audiences breathless!

Robert Evan starred in the original Broadway cast of Jekyll & Hyde, playing the title roles for three years and over 600 performances. His rendition of This Is the Moment has been heard at numerous prestigious events including the 2001 Inaugural Gala for President George W. Bush, the Millennium Independence Day US Naval Revue aboard the USS JFK for President Clinton, the Millennium World Forum Conference with guest speaker Mikhail Gorbachev, the 1998 Goodwill Games, the New York City Mayor’s Inaugural Gala, the 1998 and 1999 NY Yankees World Series Celebration at City Hall, The Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards Telecast, the Today Show, and Monday Night Football. Robert has starred around the world in the all-new Jekyll & Hyde: The Concert, having enjoyed a 16-show run in Seoul, South Korea’s Olympic Hall.

Capathia Jenkins was born and raised in Brooklyn who made her Broadway debut in The Civil War, where she created the role of Harriet Jackson. She then starred in the Off-Broadway revival of Godspell, where she wowed audiences with her stirring rendition of ‘Turn Back, O Man’ which can still be heard on the original cast recording. She returned to Broadway in The Look of Love and was critically acclaimed for her performances of the Bacharach/David hits. Ms. Jenkins then created the roles of ‘The Washing Machine’ in Caroline, Or Change and ‘Frieda May’ in Martin Short-Fame becomes me where she sang ‘Stop the Show’ and brought the house down every night.

In 2007 she went back to Off-Broadway and starred in (mis) Understanding Mammy-The Hattie McDaniel Story for which she was nominated for a Drama Desk Award. Most recently she was seen in Nora Ephron’s Love, Loss, and What I Wore.  She has appeared with the Cleveland Orchestra, National Symphony, Utah Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony, Edmonton Symphony, San Diego Symphony and the Hong Kong Philharmonic.

Doug LaBrecque thrilled theater audiences as The Phantom and Raoul in the Harold Prince production of The Phantom of the Opera. In addition, Mr. LaBrecque has starred on Broadway as Ravenal in the Hal Prince revival of Showboat, a role he also performed in Canada and Chicago. He was featured in Oscar Hammerstein’s 100th Birthday Celebration on Broadway at The Gershwin Theatre, and toured nationally with Les Miserables. Regionally, Mr. LaBrecque has performed leading roles in Candide, A Chorus Line, and Man of LaMancha among others. A graduate of the University of Michigan, he was featured in the world premiere of A Wonderful Life, written by Sheldon Harnick and Joe Raposo, and starred in the premiere revival of Kurt Weill and Alan Jay Lerner’s Love Life.

An active concert performer, Mr. LaBrecque has been a soloist with some of the world’s finest symphony orchestras, including The San Francisco Symphony, The Israel Philharmonic (Tel Aviv), The Chicago Symphony, The Cleveland Orchestra, The Atlanta Symphony, The National Symphony, among many others. In the last few years, Mr. LaBrecque’s U.S appearances have included Seattle Symphony, Detroit Symphony, , Houston Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Utah Symphony, and with Marvin Hamlisch both at the Ravinia Festival with The Chicago Symphony, and at Carnegie Hall with The New York Pops.

Anne Runolfsson is one of those rare artists whose unique versatility has allowed her a distinguished career not only in the theater but also in recording studios, intimate cabaret spaces, and concert halls throughout the world. The New York Times proclaimed, “Ms. Runolfsson has a flexible virtuosity, between ethereal melodiousness and piercing big-moment resonance,” while the LA Times has called her “A savvy and thoughtful performer.”

She recently completed a two-year run on Broadway as the tempestuous diva, Carlotta Giudacelli in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera, the longest running show in Broadway history. Hal Prince referred to her performance as a “revelation.” Prior to that she made a splash in Victor/Victoria where she had the honor of standing by for Dame Julie Andrews and Liza Minelli. She performed the title role over 120 times to great acclaim and went on to recreate the role in the National Tour which began in Seattle and Houston. Other Broadway and National Tour credits include: the role of Gretta Conroy in James Joyce’s The Dead, Fantine in Les Miserable, Roxane in Cyrano-The Musical, Lili in The Secret Garden, and Aspects of Love. Off-Broadway and Regional credits include: Listen to My Heart (Studio 54), Rags, Jack’s Holiday, Cather County, A Little Night Music, Showboat, and Funny Girl.

She has appeared as a soloist at Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall (with Tenor Jose Carreras), The Kennedy Center, Town Hall, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, The National Theater in Iceland, Rainbow and Stars, The Russian Tea Room, Bay Street Theater, The Pump Room, The Cinegrill, The 92nd st. Y, and with The National Symphony, The Boston Pops, The Jerusalem Symphony, The Orchestra of St. Lukes, The National Symphony of Canada, The Hong Kong Philharmonic, The Cincinnati Pops, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, The Buffalo Philharmonic, and the Symphony orchestras of San Francisco, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Indianapolis, Toronto, Milwaukee, Utah, Detroit, Dallas, Houston, Columbus, San Diego, Colorado, Minnesota, and St. Louis, among many others.

Patrick Reynolds, Assistant Conductor of the DPO, will conduct. The concerts will also feature the Dayton Philharmonic Chorus, under the direction of Hank Dahlman.

Tickets for the concerts range from $22 – $76 and are available by calling (888) 228-3630 or by ordering on the web at www.daytonphilharmonic.com.

Finding Wines to Pair With Your Turkey

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Thanksgiving- it’s a time to celebrate with friends and family, yet at this time of year you often hear people asking what wine pairs well with Turkey? If you’ve been asked to bring the wine or have people coming to your house for holiday dinner, no need to stress about what to serve. The good news is there is no correct answer. Turkey pairs well with red wine or white wine depending on what you and your guests like. Turkey is adaptable and the way it’s prepared as well as other dishes to the meal really dictate what wine to pair it with.

If you are a red wine drinker, try a Pinot Noir. It’s a nice flavored red wine that will pair well with turkey. Pinot Noir has very little tannins which means it won’t overwhelm the meal. Putting the Pinot Noir in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes before serving it will bring out the fruit and will take away the ‘bite’ that alcohol can give when served at room temperature.

If you like white wines, try a Chardonnay or even a Pinot Gris.  Almost any good white will work, but stay away from the sweet dessert style whites. Light and crisp Chardonnay’s  along with most Sauvignon Blanc’s will work.  Sparkling Wine also works  and brings a festive note to the meal. There are some powerful, yet affordable brut Champagnes that have sufficient weight and structure to stand up to a rich meal. Again, stay away from the sweeter Champagnes.

Still want more help? Many of our local wine stores have events that will help you find the combination you like best:
Arrow’s Annual Holiday Tasting!
Sun, Nov 14th, 5:30 – 7:30pm at the Centerville Store
Over 75 wines, great appetizers and live music!
$50/person, pre-paid reservations required by Nov 10th
Call 433-6778 to make your reservations!

A Taste of Wine Holiday Show- Thurs, Nov 18th, 7 – 9pm
Food, Fun and Fabulous wine pairings.  Taste wines for your holiday feasts & gift giving.
$20 Please RSVP by phone 937.247.1120

Bella Vino’s Wine & Food Pairing Dinners
Wed, Nov 10th – 7pm
Sat, Nov 20th – 5pm
Tues  Nov 23rd – 7pm

Dinner includes:
turkey dinner – with mashed potatoes & gravy, sweet potato casserole, green beans, and cranberry sauce.
4 wines specially selected to pair with Thanksgiving dinner.
An open-ended discussion about wine & food pairing with  resident Wine Enthusiast, John Feltz.

Dinner is $30 per person and seats are limited.  These dinner sold out last year, so reserve early

Coco’s Bistro 30 for $30
Wed, Nov 10th, 6 – 8pm

Special holiday flavored appetizers to make it easy to pick which wine to go with the Turkey, Ham, Roast or for the Toast on New Years Eve.
Wine vendors on hand, to help you choose- and we’ll have special pricing on wines by the case as well.  Limited seating, so reserve your place online, or call 937-228-2626 (coco) and we’ll save you a seat.

Cork & Vine presents Wines That Make Your Turkey Happy
Wed, Nov 17 · 7- 9pm
(hey- I tried to get more info- but was told to call back when a manager is in – they didn’t know anything about it).

If we’ve missed any, please feel free to add them in the comments below!  Cheers!

Dayton Peace Accords – Fifteen Years Later

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(submitted by Matt Joseph)

Fifteen years ago this month, the agreement that ended the war in Bosnia was negotiated and initialed here in Dayton.  Most people around here know that, and probably remember the talks that happened at Wright-Patterson AFB.   The war, the largest of the wars of dissolution of the former Yugoslavia, had lasted three and a half years and cost over a hundred thousand lives, a huge number of them civilians killed in attempts to eradicate a specific ethnic group.  The Dayton Peace Accords ended the war and created the constitutional structure that is still in force in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

US Ambassador Richard Holbrooke chose Dayton as the summit site for a number of reasons.  Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, provided sufficient accommodations for the nine participating delegations at a location easy for US diplomats to reach from the East Coast, it sealed the participants off from the ravenous East Coast press, allowed Holbrooke to completely control the talks’ physical environment, and also the delegations’ movement and contacts,  and prominently displayed America’s air power.  Holding the talks in Dayton enabled Holbrooke’s use of the “Big Bang” strategy – now known in diplomacy circles as a “Dayton” – where negotiators are more or less locked into an area until they reach an agreement.   For our part, Daytonians welcomed the negotiators and then formed human peace chains around the base, holding candlelight vigils, and praying for peace throughout the 21 days of talks.

You can read the history of the war, and of the Dayton negotiations & remarks specifically, in a number of authoritative accounts, and I won’t repeat it here.  What I would like to do is talk about two effects of the Accords on Dayton.

Sarajevo

The first affect the Accords had on Dayton was to instantly create a bond between Daytonians and the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia.  Even today, whether they liked the terms of the Accords or not, everyone in those three countries knows about Dayton and what happened here.  The City of Dayton is Sister City to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and numerous organizations and institutions like the Friendship Force and the University of Dayton have established productive exchanges and programs over the last 15 years.  In addition, like many American cities, we now have a group of immigrants living here in Dayton from the countries who were involved in the war.  As anyone who has seen the South Slavic Club dancers perform or eaten some ćevapi sausages at World A’Fair can attest, they are enhancing our cultural richness.  Also, with the language ability they bring, and their experience in distinct cultures, they can potentially help us compete on the world stage in a number of areas.   I know that as a community we have not utilized them as a resource as fully as we should have.

Second, because of the high profile of the war in Bosnia, the Accords placed Dayton in the world’s spotlight for an entire month.  This sort of exposure is hard to come by, and its value is nearly impossible to measure, in a world where travel and communications advances have enabled rapid cross-border commerce and conversation, where the overseas success of a business could partially rest on it coming from a city with a recognizable international reputation.  The Accords have given Dayton our second shot at that exposure and reputation, and our first since the world-shaking successes of the Wright brothers one hundred years ago.

We are doing a better job of promoting our city as the home of the Wright brothers than we used to.  The bicycle shop is doing well, the hangar at the flying field at Wright Patt is looking great, and we are finally growing more comfortable with our Wright brothers image or brand. The question being discussed now isn’t whether we should focus on the Wrights, but on the best way to do it.

Even though the Dayton Peace Accords are lower-profile (except in Bosnia itself) than the Wrights, I propose that we should do more to capitalize on the fact that the Accords happened here.  As I mentioned earlier, there are many organizations who maintain close relationships with people in Bosnia and the region.  Through them, we are doing a good job of keeping the personal connections strong.  However, there are more things we can do to take advantage of the increased visibility and recognition the Accords have given us both in Bosnia and throughout the world.  I would like to suggest the following as possible ways to help our city by using the Accords to our advantage.

1.       We could collect and archive documents from the Dayton Peace Accords.  The Accords utilized a unique model to reach agreement between the warring parties, one that is still being studied and analyzed, and we would likely gain some international attention as the prime location for that analysis.

2.       We could mobilize our current immigrant population from Southeast Europe and our universal name recognition there to encourage skilled immigrants to come to Dayton, and following the model provided by our new Ahiska Turk population (and countless other immigrant waves over the last 200 years,) revitalize a neighborhood or two and provide new energy to the city.

3.       We could come up with a strategy to exploit the historic sites of the Accords to attract historical and other tourists.  Other cities have opened museums and offer tours with displays, reenactments and other attractions that highlight their roles in major negotiations, agreements, signings and other historically significant events, but we haven’t even tried to do this here.  I think we should at least take a look at the feasibility of such a coordinated effort.

4.       We could endow an academic chair at a local university to teach about the region or to research and teach about applying lessons learned in our involvement in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

5.       Before the war, Bosnia and Herzegovina was a highly industrialized place, with a skilled workforce.  Now they are making the transition, like we are, to the information-based economy.  There are progressive minds in the region looking to increase the number of companies working on new green technologies, and in other areas that coincide with areas that we are working in, like the heat pump systems that use groundwater instead of outside air to heat and cool buildings.  Perhaps we should research and assist our local companies in signing cooperative agreements with business incubators and small businesses in Bosnia and Herzegovina, along the same lines as the model Montgomery County is using in Israel today.  We hold the same advantage in this case, which is access to the huge US market for these technologies.  If we can use this advantage to create jobs here in Dayton, using new innovative technologies, we should.

In these days of cynicism about government, and the general reluctance of people to put aside their own personal comfort for a greater goal, the Accords are especially good for us to remember.   We Americans, through our government’s action, ended a horribly vicious war, and the peace has held, even though the political situation continues to be unruly there, 15 years later.  We can be proud of the small but crucial role we played, and we should do more to take advantage of the fact that the Accords took place here in Dayton.

To that end, this coming weekend, UD, WSU and Sinclair, along with a number of other partners, are sponsoring two events to commemorate the 15 years since the Accords were negotiated here.  There is a dinner on Friday night at the Hope Hotel, in the same room that the accords were initialed, and there is a policy forum on Saturday from 9 to 4:30 at UD.  The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Minister Sven Alkalaj, will be here for both events, along with the Mayor of Sarajevo, Dr. Alija Behmen, and a number of other guests and experts from the region.  We are including, for the first time, a greater focus on the status of average people caught in the conflict, with one panel talking about everyday life in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and another discussing the experiences of the immigrants who came here during and after the war.  As of this morning, there are still seats available for both the dinner and the forum.   I’d like to see us make this weekend’s events the start of a more focused strategy to take advantage of the opportunities granted to us by the historical quirk of the Accords’ signing here in Dayton, and I hope you will join in both this weekend, and in what will come after.

If you would like more information, go to www.daytonliterarypeaceprize.org/accords_update.htm, and to order tickets to the Banquet, or RSVP for the Forum, please visit: http://daytonpeaceaccordsat15.eventbrite.com, or call Kate Evans at 333-3659.

Jane’s Best Bets (11/3 – 11/7)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

Election season is over!  No matter your political stance and your state of happiness/unhappiness following the elections, at least celebrate the fact that you won’t have to deal with any more campaign commercials, fliers, or annoying phone calls!  In order to start the celebration, here are some options this week!

On Wednesday, support the Humane Society by attending Pet Afflaire 2010: 20th Anniversary at the Presidential Banquet Center, which will include dining, socializing, “barktinis”, and an auction.  Or sip a variety of wines at Dorothy Lane Market’s Wine Tasting (Centerville location) or at the The Wine Gallery’s Weekly Wine Tasting.  Even though you might be bummed that fall is here, spring is in the air at the Victoria Theatre!  Be sure to attend their presentation of the Tony Award winning musical, Spring Awakening.  Plus, if you’re a student and you bring your student ID to the Ticket Center Stage Box Office, you can get half-off tickets two hours before the show!

On Thursday, all you Buckeye fans will want to head to the Schuster Center to see Archie Griffin as part of the Junior League of Dayton Town Hall Lecture Series.  At the Dayton Art Institute, attend the last DAI 2010 Vectren Just Jazz Series, featuring Khalid Moss.  If you enjoy baking and want to perfect your cookie decorating skills, consider heading to Cooks’ Wares in Springboro for their Holiday Cookie Decorating.  If you need a taste tester or have any “goof-ups,” let me know…I’d be happy to help!  At the First Baptist Church of Dayton, attend the Local Foods Chili Dinner, where UD students from the Nutrition & Dietetics Department will prepare a meal in order to promote local foods.  In addition, all donations received will benefit the Foodbank.  And if you love musicals, attend ETC’s Big Fat Concert Series: Indulge Yourself at Sidebar in the Oregon District for cocktails and a FREE concert!

On Friday, “accord”ing to me, you should consider attending the Commemorative Banquet as part of the Dayton Peace “Accords” 15th Anniversary Event at the Hope Hotel and Conference Center.  In the evening, get your bike from out of the garage (and in my case, dust it off and put air in your tires), and participate in the Courteous Mass Ride.  While you’re downtown, check out many of the events going on there as part of First Friday.  Even though I’m typically on the side of the good guys, this weekend I’ll recommend the Bad Boys & Beer at the Belly Bomb Cafe Event at Taj Ma Garaj for fine food, samples of craft beer, and live music!  Plus, proceeds benefit the Epilepsy Foundation and Dayton History.  Or, if you want to catch a show/concert, some of your options include ‘Chopin’s Circle’at the Schuster Center, Irving Berlin’s White Christmasat La Comedia, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs at Town Hall Theatre, The 39 Steps at The Loft Theatre, The Sugar Witch at the Dayton Theatre Guild.  Also, if you are a theater lover, be sure to check out the onStageDayton section of DaytonMostMetro.com for more detailed info about the Dayton theater scene!

On Saturday, attend the We Care Arts Holiday Open House.  If you love Thomas, The Dayton Train Show at Hara Arena is where it’s at.  (Sorry English teachers – prepositions are what my sentences sometimes end in.)  If you can’t get enough of the King and the Rocket Man, come to the Mandalay Banquet Center for Rock the House – Elvis & Elton.  In addition to music, there will be a dinner, raffle, silent auction, and much more.  The Kettering Medical Center will thank you, thank you very much, as the proceeds will benefit oncology services there.  There will also be some theater options, including The Sugar Witch at the Dayton Theatre Guild, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs at Town Hall Theatre, The 39 Steps at The Loft Theatre, and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at La Comedia.  If you enjoy classical music, attend ‘Chopin’s Circle’ at the Schuster Center.  Also at the Schuster Center, consider attending Justin and Ryan:  A Night of Improv…I think just about anything with improv in its name is going to be funny!  Are you among the Flyer Faithful?  If so, hopefully you will be checking out Brian Gregory’s team as the Flyers play Findlay in an exhibition game at UD Arena.  Gotta love UD basketball!  And finallly on Saturday, if you want to get a head start on your Christmas shopping (after all, Christmas is less than two months away!), head down to the Dayton Visual Arts Center for the ARTtoBUY Holiday Gift Gallery for some unique options!

HRTC: The 39 Steps

The 39 Steps at The Human Race Theatre Company

On Sunday, after you enjoy an extra hour of sleep (or perhaps you used your extra hour partying on Saturday!), all active duty, reserve, guard, retired military personnel and their families should head to Young’s Jersey Dairy, where they are offering a 20% off discount as part of their Support the Troops 20% Off Weekend (just show them your military ID).  Also, The Dayton Train Show will continue on at Hara Arena.  Sundays are also great days to visit museums, so you may want to take a trip to the Dayton Art Institute for one of their many exhibits, including 100 Years of African-American Art: The Arthur Primas Collection, Marking the Past/Shaping the Present: The Art of Willis ‘Bing’ Davis, and the Max May Memorial Holocaust Art Exhibition.  If you’d like to catch more theater, here are your possibilities:  The Sugar Witch at the Dayton Theatre Guild, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs at Town Hall Theatre, The 39 Steps at The Loft Theatre, and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at La Comedia.

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

Why shouldn’t you tell secrets when a clock is around?

Because time will tell.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!   And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!

Meet Your MetroParks

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As a former journalist, the election season has always been an exciting time for me, but when I took up my mantle with Five Rivers MetroParks, I would be on the other side of the proverbial punch card. No longer simply an observer, I kicked off my new career with a tall order—volunteer with the MetroParks levy campaign. Through those months of phone calls and canvassing, I discovered that many Dayton area residents knew of the MetroParks closest to their home, but weren’t aware of the total number of parks, or the number of acres we protect. I thought it would be appropriate today to give you a little overview of each of our facilities.

  • Aullwood Garden MetroPark: This 31-acre garden situated on the edge of Englewood MetroPark is the former home of John and Marie Aull, whose world-wide travels inspired this luxurious shade garden. Lenten roses and other choice shade plants are featured at this estate garden.
  • Carriage Hill MetroPark: Take a trip back in time at this preserved 1880s historical farm.

    Photo by RA Makley: Check out the Riding Center at Carriage Hill MetroPark. Weekend trail and pony rides start again in April!

    Children love to learn about agricultural and professional skills popular during the turn of the 20thCentury. This 900-acre park, located in Huber Heights, also offers hiking and equestrian trails as well as fishing ponds, a 14-acre lake, and the nearby Carriage Hill Riding Center, where trail and pony rides are offered April through October.

  • Cox Arboretum MetroPark: Mature forests populate this 189-acre park south of Dayton near Moraine and Miamisburg, along with diverse gardens, such as the Edible Landscape Garden and the Clematis Arbor. The Butterfly House is a favorite summertime destination to view native butterflies and moths in various stages of metamorphosis.
  • Deeds Point MetroPark: The landscape beds this park perched downtown along the Great Miami River offer visitors a floral garden paradise in an urban setting.
  • Eastwood MetroPark: Paddle in the 185-acre lake, ride the Mad River bikeway, fish in the lagoon or river or hike 3 miles of wooded and open meadow trails in this park just off State Route 4 near Riverside. Both the Buckeye and North Country National Scenic trails run through this park. This is the site of the annual GearFest recreation celebration, which takes place in the fall.
  • Englewood MetroPark: The potential for recreation is endless in this 1,900-acre park. Choose from 12 miles

    Enjoy 18 holes of disc golf at Englewood MetroPark.

    of scenic trails, 3.5 miles of bridle trails, paddling on the Stillwater River, and great spots for fishing. This park also boasts a unique feature—an 18-hole disc golf course. Disc golf is an easy-to-learn activity that involves throwing flying discs into a “basket” situated a distance from the starting point.

  • Germantown MetroPark: The size, quality and age of the woodlands make this 1,665-acre park the most diverse of the natural areas. The park also contains large open grasslands, cedar glades and dry hillside prairies. One popular weekend attraction (particularly for birders) is the Nature Center with its Window on Wildlife.
  • Hills & Dales MetroPark: This Olmsted-designed park has 63 acres of native plants and landscaped areas situated in the crux of Kettering, Oakwood and Dayton. Recently renovated to restore its former beauty, this park boasts 2 miles of wooded trails, including the Adirondack boardwalk that gives visitors a tour of the wetlands.
  • Huffman MetroPark: One of the most prominent amenities of this park located just east of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is MoMBA, the MetroParks Mountain Biking Area. About 8 miles of track snake their way through this wooded sub-facility. MoMBA’s trails are constructed to help the novice gain mountain biking confidence and challenge the most experienced rider.
  • Island MetroPark: Towering sycamore and cottonwood trees lend shade to those seeking respite from the bustling city in this 33-acre park, located just north of downtown Dayton. Landscaped beds, a seasonal water playground, picnic shelters and the historic bandshell are other hallmarks of this park.
  • PNC 2nd Street Market: Pick up farm-fresh produce, meats,cheeses, eggs and dry goods as well as flowers, wine, jewelry, soaps,gifts and more. The Market highlights the growers, producers and

    Find farm-fresh produce at the PNC 2nd Street Market

    artisans we have right here in the greater Dayton region. Regular hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Fridays, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

  • Possum Creek MetroPark: Head southwest of downtown Dayton to find this 556-acre park and enjoy its many amenities, such as Polly Possum’s Math Farm, fishing ponds, historic Argonne Forest, 100-plus-acre planted prairies and the sustainable farm.
  • RiverScape MetroPark: Downtown Dayton’s favorite hangout has become an indelible icon with its fountains and renovated amenities. The covered pavilion provides shade for summer concert and festival-goers in the summer and doubles as an outdoor skating rink in the winter. Cyclists who commute or ride for recreation have welcomed the new bike hub. Children can splash around in the interactive fountains or get a brief history on Dayton’s innovative past while traveling the Dayton Inventor’s River Walk.
  • Sugarcreek MetroPark: This diverse area—with all stages of succession, mature forests, a trio of 500-year old white oaks, varied topography, a planted prairie, meadows and scenic Sugar Creek—is located near the Bellbrook area. Its trails are popular among trail runners, dog walkers and equestrians.
  • Sunrise MetroPark: The walkways of this tiny urban oasis, conveniently located just north of downtown Dayton, are filled with stunning views of the city’s skyline. Prairie plantings and wildflowers draw in wildlife from the adjacent river habitat, and make the park a serene spot for relaxing. Catch a glimpse of the large and graceful blue herons that frequent the area.
  • Taylorsville MetroPark: There’s no shortage of history or nature to encounter along this 1,300-acre park’s 13 miles of trails, nestled just outside Vandalia. Visitors also can link up with the Buckeye and North Country

    Have you visited Sunderland Falls at Taylorsville MetroPark?

    trails. The Buckeye Trail completely encircles Ohio and is over 1,200 miles long. The North Country Trailextends into seven states and will be the longest continuous hiking trail in the United States when completed.

  • Twin Creek MetroPark: This 1,000-acre park situated in the southwest corner of Montgomery County is home to 20 miles of hiking trails, 7 miles of equestrian trails, and ample access to the Twin Creek, one of Ohio’s cleanest waterways. Hike the Twin Valley Trail, a 22-mile backpacking trail connecting Twin Creek and Germantown MetroParks.
  • Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark: With about eight different formal garden areas, this north Dayton park is a haven for plant lovers, featuring something in bloom nearly year-round. The Children’s Discovery Garden here offers fun and learning through the joy of gardening. Visitors can also enjoy paved bikeways and the Marie Aull Nature Trail.
  • Wesleyan MetroPark: Home to Adventure Central, a program aimed at getting urban youth engaged in the outdoors, this 55-acre park offers its west Dayton neighbors a place to enjoy nature, whether hiking on 1.5 miles of trail, cycling along the Wolf Creek Bikeway, playing on the playground equipment or fishing in Wolf Creek.

Now that you know a little bit about each park and its respective subfacilities, plan your next adventure today.

Jimmy Pardo: The Jazz Zinger

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From Comedy Clubs To Conan, This Comedian Is Never Not Funny

After studying for a year at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Pasadena, California, Jimmy Pardo decided to go back to his home state of Illinois and entered the comedy scene during the halcyon days of the eighties. Coming up through the ranks, Jimmy went on to become a headliner, appearing in his own Comedy Central half-hour special and making guest appearances on television shows like That Seventies Show and Becker. Always casting a nervous eye on the future, Jimmy has taken a practical approach to his career, creating opportunities for himself instead of waiting for that ephemeral big break. By doing so, Jimmy has created several shows of his own, such as Running Your Trap, You Bet Your Life and a very successful one man show, understatedly titled Attention Must Be Paid: The Jimmy Pardo Story. Not satisfied with becoming stale or behind the times, Pardo hosts a critically acclaimed and wildly successful podcast, Never Not Funny, which is an unscripted talk with various guests from the world of comedy as well as Pardo’s unique humor.

What follows is an (almost) unedited transcript of my most recent interview with the acerbically witty comedian as he was in transit to the world’s best day job…

J.T.: How are you doing?
Jimmy: Good! Jimmy Pardo calling…but obviously you know that.

J.T.: See? I was editing pictures from a pole fitness class. That’s where you rate with me. ‘Pictures of hot, nubile women exercising on stripper poles…what? Jimmy Pardo is on the phone? Well, let me just put these away then!’
Jimmy: Well good for you! And those are ladies you know, right?

J.T.: Yeah.
Jimmy: That makes it hotter, doesn’t it?

J.T.: Yeah, it has that ‘girl next door’ quality to it.
Jimmy: Yeah! Right! I like it. I love the idea of it.

J.T.: Well, how is everything in your world?
Jimmy: Everything is good. As we speak, I am driving to go to work with Conan.

J.T.: That was going to be my first question. I was wondering where that was going to lead because you were there right when the Jay Leno hammer fell.
Jimmy: I was. I was there for the whole seven months of the Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien and, luckily, I got picked up to go to work again. Today is our first test show and, as I said, I’m heading there right now.

J.T.: That is just ultra-cool.
Jimmy: Yeah! I’m really excited about it. I don’t…and if I’m repeating myself, I apologize… this is a great group of people to work with and Conan is just a terrific guy and I’m honored to be part of such a terrific team. I know that sounds like a press release, but I mean it.

J.T.: Oh, well yeah. You know, the way that Conan has handled this whole situation, from beginning to end, has just been classy and funny at the same time. I think that it has boosted his image in a  lot of people’s eyes.
Jimmy: It really has. It’s made him sort of like this underdog/folk hero too. People are like, here’s this guy who, for no reason, got shit on, basically. He was putting on and doing a great show, he was being funny and he was getting the ratings in the demographics that they had told him that they had wanted him to do, and then they went, ‘Yeah, you know what? That’s not what we want after all *click*’ It’s just ridiculous.

J.T.: Yeah, and things went the other way for Leno as well.
Jimmy: Oh, absolutely.

J.T.: On many different levels.
Jimmy: You know, (Leno) didn’t come off well in any of those interviews that he gave, during and post, in my opinion.

J.T.: Well, switching gears, Never Not Funny is doing really well…
Jimmy: We are doing very well and I’m proud to be a part of that as well. I’ve never been prouder of anything than I am about the podcast.

J.T.: Well, I read a while back that it even got a write up in GQ Magazine…
Jimmy: Yeah! They were nice enough to mention us as their Number One Relatively Obscure Thing To be Paid Attention To and hopefully that got us a few more listeners.

J.T.: Well, that’s kind of a left handed compliment, isn’t it?
Jimmy: (Laughing) Yeah, right! Well, you know how everything needs to be snarky, right?

J.T.: Yeah, but it’s like, ‘Should I say thank you or smack the fuck out of someone?’
Jimmy: Yeah, well, you read Entertainment Weekly and everything has to be some backhanded compliment. It just can’t be, ‘Hey! This is great!’ Everything just has to have that subtext of snarkiness to it.

J.T.: Right! You know, when people have asked me to describe your show, I always say…and you might disagree with this…but there seems to be different styles of stage presence and types of delivery, so I put it into musical terms which is to say that there are those whose performance is more like grunge and some that are more like classical jazz. I’ve always describe your act as being like watching classical jazz. It’s almost got that Catskills quality to it.
Jimmy: I don’t, uh…I don’t disagree with anything you have said. In fact, I’m very flattered when people refer to my delivery as jazz because I do think it has some of those elements, if you are trying to compare it to music because it’s got that rhythm and it can take off into another rhythm. No, I one hundred percent agree with you and I appreciate the compliment and I take it as such.

J.T.: Well, how would you describe your act to someone who hasn’t seen you perform?
Jimmy: You know what? I’ve been trying to figure that out for twenty years. How do you put into words the nonsense I do? You know, I used to call it ‘high energy sarcasm,’ or somebody once described it as that in a review of my show and, at the time, I thought it summed up what I do. I still think it does, but when people think of sarcasm, they picture some dour guy, like a guy that just stands there and is mean, bitter and angry…and that is certainly not what I am. But when they said ‘high energy sarcasm’ I thought, ‘Well, that makes sense because I’m also not Dane Cook or Steve Byrne, who are both fine comics. I’m not one of these guys that shits on those guys. But, they are these high energy kind of guys, but they aren’t really sarcastic. So, for me, high energy sarcasm worked, but I do so much improvisation on stage these days that if there was a way to figure out something like, ‘high energy improvisational sarcasm’…but boy, doesn’t that sound like a shit show? (laughing) I don’t know. I really don’t know how to describe it.

J.T.: That’s what I mean. I have a hard time describing your show because you can go from an egocentric dictator at one point directly into some self deprecating rant about yourself.
Jimmy: It’s, uh…you know what? I mean, that’s exactly it too.

J.T.: Maybe highly energetic schizophrenia.
Jimmy: You know, I want to say that somebody used that term to describe my show once before too. A woman in Ann Arbor called me that. But, I don’t disagree with that either. You’re right…I mean the egocentric dictator is kind of rough…but yeah, I turn it around and then I’m the stooge, which I think is necessary because if you’re just up there yelling, you’re just an a-hole, don’t you think? I mean, you have to turn it on yourself at some point. I think some of these young comics don’t realize that part of it. I apologize J.T., but at zero with this question. It’s odd to try and describe what it is that I do. It’s just funny and…I don’t know. I’m a failure. (laughs)

J.T.: Let’s talk about the Never Not Funny podcasts for a minute then. What do you have coming up with that? Any interesting interviews slated?
Jimmy: You know, we have Scott Aukerman makes his return (October 27th) and next week my beautiful wife Danielle Koenig will be on the show. We’re coming to the end of this season, and we’ve had a lot of new guests this season and added some new faces to the show and I already have a lot of new faces lined up for season eight, but I don’t want to give those away because it won’t be a surprise when we do it.

J.T.: That and you’ll jinx yourself and they’ll pull out at the last minute the moment you utter their names.
Jimmy: Oh, of course. The minute you printed their name, that guy would cancel. We also have the Podcast-o-thon coming up the day after Thanksgiving. This year we’re going to go for twelve hours where last year we only went for nine. We raised over twenty-one thousand bucks last year. We’re hoping to best that, but I don’t see that being possible, but I would should love it if it happened. Starting today, as a matter of fact, we began to book the people for that event. I sent out a bunch of invitations to appear for it and hopefully soon they will start to come back to me, so there will be that as well as well as the regulars from the show and we will have a great twelve hour marathon.

J.T.: What is the charity that you are raising money for?
Jimmy: It goes to Smile Train. That’s the charity that goes to Third World countries and fixes cleft palates.

J.T.: Oh yeah!
Jimmy: Yeah, you’ve probably seen the ads like in the back of Parade Magazine.

J.T.: Yeah, some of the most horrific pictures in those ads.
Jimmy: They really are. I picked up Parade Magazine and I saw this ad and it says, ‘Each surgery only costs $250.’ So, I immediately donated…not because I’m this big money guy…I don’t have money to donate, but I was so moved by those horrific pictures that I thought, ‘Jesus Christ! For $250 bucks you can fix this kid’s face? Why not donate?’ Then when it came time last year for the end of the season, we said, ‘Hey, let’s do a marathon podcast just for the fun of it!’ and then I thought, ‘You know what? Let’s do it for this charity.’ So, when we raised this much money…I never…I never felt like I had done something better for the world in my life than giving this much money to save this many kids. It really felt great and hopefully we can do the same this year.

J.T.: Well, I sincerely hope it does as well. With the podcasts getting more popular, are people seeking you out asking to be a guest instead of visa versa?
Jimmy: Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! People…uh…not so much calling, but if I’m like out at a show, (comedians) are like, ‘Yeah, I’d sure like to show up on that podcast!’ Nine times out of ten, I go, ‘Yeah!’ and walk away and hope they never bring it up again. With the one out of ten, I’ll go back to my co-host producer Matt (Belknap) and tell him, ‘Hey! Kevin Pollak wants to do our show!’ and so it’s like, ‘Great! Let’s book him!’ and we definitely get him on as quickly as we can. But, with all of the requests, sadly, there’s a reason you haven’t been asked my friend. By the way, some of those are really funny people, but not funny in conversation. You know, I used to hear Steve Dahl and Garry Meier do radio out of Chicago and they interviewed Jerry Seinfeld who, at the time my…you know…and man, he was awful!

J.T.: Oh yeah, I’ve seen a ton of interviews where you would have gotten better reactions out of coma patients.
Jimmy: Don’t you think?

J.T.: Yeah, he always just gave really short, deadpan answers.
Jimmy: Just horrible! Not even funny! You’re not promoting your show! You just…showed up! So, again, it’s not an insult to these people when I don’t want to have them on, it’s just I know that they are not going to be right for that format.

J.T.: I’ve always thought that about some of these morning radio shows. There are some absolutely hysterical people that have been on there, but the format kills them.
Jimmy: Right!

J.T.: Ron Shock is a perfect example because he is a brilliantly funny man, but his long drawling type of storytelling does not survive on that ADHD programming format. I mean, before he is 1/16th through a story, someone has already interrupted him and derailed the whole thing…
Jimmy: Exactly! Boy! You’re not kidding either. You’re just derailed and, like in Ron’s case, with that Southern drawl, how do you go back like, ‘Anyhow, what Ah wuz sayin’ wuz…’ It would make you sound like a dick, so you drop it and you’re done. So, instead of coming off with this really funny story, people listening are like, ‘Well, that made no sense! Thank God someone interrupted it!’ Yeah, I agree with you. I one hundred percent agree.

J.T.: By the same token, there are people that are absolutely hysterical on radio, and you would think that their stage show would utilize that improvisation, but after four or five years, it’s the same routine.
Jimmy: (laughing) Right!

J.T.: Well, that’s like that air bass thing you do on Bob and Tom. At least since their program has been picked up for television broadcast by WGN, you can get the more subtle nuances of the air bass performance.
Jimmy: Definitely. You know, as much as I want exposure, the downside is that anytime I go to a Bob and Tom market, there’s always at least one guy that yells out, ‘Air bass!’ It’s like, ‘Okay, there’s no music playing sir. It doesn’t apply to what we are doing currently.’ And by the way, and you know this: They don’t yell out when it’s quiet…they yell it out one word before the punchline. ‘Air bass!’ Yeah, thanks.

J.T.: Well, have you picked up any other air instruments like the accordion?
Jimmy: I have not. I stick strictly with the bass. You know, when you perfect an instrument like that, you don’t want to take away from its uniqueness. How’s that for a ridiculous answer (laughing).

J.T.: What you should do is if someone yells out for air bass, you should just stop what you’re doing and do like a three minute solo without any music or noise whatsoever and then, when you’re done, remind everyone to thank the gentleman after the show for suggesting that encore performance.
Jimmy: Right! I mean, obviously I do other nonsense, like I tap dance for no reason…you know, I’m doing this Cajun character who just shows up out of nowhere now, for no reason.

J.T.: (laughing) I haven’t seen that yet.
Jimmy: Oh, it is the dumbest thing you will see in your entire life. I’m not going to lie to you: I’ve never, in my entire career in comedy, I’ve never heard an audience laugh harder than when I do this dumb Cajun guy. It doesn’t last more than two minutes, because it can’t because it is so ridiculous, but when I do it, I still get spit-takes. I mean, Jesus Christ, I’ve worked my ass off for twenty years and, as it turns out, I do this dumb Cajun guy and he gets the biggest laugh. Fair enough.

J.T.: You caught the Larry the Cable Guy syndrome.
Jimmy: Yeah, right. But I never go more than two minutes because I don’t want to be that guy…you know, with all of his billions of dollars. I don’t want that. No.

J.T.: That’s funny because I just watched the roast of Larry the Cable Guy and Greg Giraldo just tore into him.
Jimmy: He was great, Greg. Everybody says Jeff Ross, they call him the ‘master of the roast,’ but I think Greg was. Don’t you think?

J.T.: Greg’s stuff was brilliant.
Jimmy: Nobody was writing sharper material than Greg.

J.T.: Oh, I mean, Greg Giraldo doing the Flavor Flav roast with, ‘You look like Idi Amin after a three year crack binge on the sun!’ That is an elegant reference.
Jimmy: (laughing) Gorgeous!

J.T.: I got to meet Greg once when he middled for Colin Quinn. I was very surprised. He was a very subdued guy off stage.
Jimmy: You know, it surprised me to. I met him a couple of times at the Montreal Comedy Festival and he’s one of those guys that, like when you see him, with what he does on stage, which is so quick and sarcastic, but off stage, it’s like, ‘Hey man, I’m Greg.’ And it’s like, ‘Oh! Oh good! We’re just people.’

J.T.: If you ever get a chance to, look up Greg’s interview in Psychology Today…it definitely gives some insight into what happened.
Jimmy: Okay. I will definitely look that up when I get home tonight.

J.T.: So, your role on Conan: are you doing the warm up only or are you going to be getting into the writing as well?
Jimmy: You know, I’ll still be just the opening act, but I’m hoping to get in some more sketches this go-round. I did a few for the Tonight Show (with Conan O’Brien) that, due to time constraints, never aired. I am hoping to get in some more sketches and to be a little more involved, but for the most part right now, I’m happy to just go out and be the warm up act and have, quite frankly, the greatest day job in the world.

J.T.: That would be fantastic. Have you been told to keep things in check?
Jimmy: You know what, the only notes that I was ever given, to be honest with you, is just ‘don’t swear.’ That was it.

J.T.: I interviewed Archbishop Schnurr and the whole way to the interview, I’m smoking like a freight train telling myself, ‘Don’t say fuck, don’t say fuck and for fuck’s sake, don’t say goddamn.’ Then I got worried that I had hyped myself up so much that the first words out of my mouth were going to be, ‘Fuck, fuck, fucking, fuckity fuck!’…and then I would go straight to hell.
Jimmy: (laughing) Of course! You know, it’s funny, I did a private gig once, which I can’t stand doing, by the way, and before I went on, the guy goes, ‘The only thing I ask is just  don’t say fuck.’ So I said, ‘Oh, okay.’ So I decided to replace every ‘fuck’ in my act with ‘goddamn.’ As it turns out, that might be a little more offensive to some people. Turns out that saying, ‘This goddamn thing and that goddamn thing’…some people truly get offended by that. Okay, good enough.

J.T.: Now, you’ve played Wiley’s a few times…
Jimmy: This will be my third time there. I used to play Joker’s way back in the day, so when that kind of went down, Rob (Haney) was kind enough to call me up, so I went over there and I love it.

J.T.: Do you think it’s a good room for you?
Jimmy: You know what? I’m a guy that speaks so positively about comedy clubs as opposed to venues, and you have one of each in Dayton. I love Wiley’s and while he might not get the numbers that the other club gets, in my opinion, you’re getting comedy fans as opposed to people who just want a night out. I like a nice 150-200 seat room with the stage right there and the people are right there with you, so you can communicate as opposed to perform. That’s the problem…well, I guess it’s not a problem…well, I kind of think it’s a problem…I think that having the stage and the audience so separated has made some comedians go in the direction of, ‘I should perform! I need to kill!’ as opposed to just worrying about being funny. That’s what I love about Wiley’s…even back in the day when Joker’s was there. There were many years when Joker’s drew tremendous crowds. Then, sadly, it became a place for bachelorette parties and you end up wanting to slam your head against a wall.

J.T.: There’s no competing with a bachelorette party.
Jimmy: The day that someone puts a rule out across the country that bachelorette parties are not allowed at comedy clubs, that guy will be my hero.

J.T.: Speaking of Rob, when he told me he sent you an email warning you that I wanted an interview, he said, ‘Oh, I told him that a local writer wanted to interview him and that you were a big fan of his iPod.’ Rob and technology equals a bad mix.
Jimmy: You know, Rob will send me an email and if it takes me more than one word to respond, he’ll write back, ‘Can you just pick up the phone!’ He’s like a dad in that way. Like a dad…if you picture the stereotypical dad…that’s Rob. ‘I don’t understand this future!’

J.T.: When he said I loved your iPod instead of Podcast, I was like, ‘Yeah, I love how Jimmy’s playlist jumps from Marilyn Manson to Air Supply…it’s such an eclectic mix.’
Jimmy: You know, there’s a good chance that might happen. Yeah, you’ve seen my iPod. You like the way I handle it. You like the case and the clear plastic I put over it to prevent scratches.

J.T.: Well, let’s wrap this up. Is there anything that you want out there that we haven’t covered?
Jimmy: Nah, I think that covers it. In fact, I’m going to be pulling into a garage and I’m probably going to lose you. I sure do appreciate you taking the time to do a story.

J.T.: And I surely appreciate you taking the time to talk with me. I will definitely see you when you get to Wiley’s then.
Jimmy: Fantastic! I look forward to it. Thank you so much and I appreciate it J.T.

You can catch the sweetly sardonic humor of Jimmy Pardo for a limited engagement at Wiley’s Comedy Niteclub (101 Pine St. in the Oregon District) on Friday November 5th at 9:00 pm and for two shows on Saturday, November 6th at 8:00 pm and 10:30 pm. Tickets range from $10 to $12 and, since this is a special show, no coupons, passes or offers can be accepted. Call (937) 224-JOKE to make reservations and for more information, check out Wiley’s website at www.wileyscomedyclub.com or become friends with them on Facebook.

Chef Ming Tsai Back in Dayton

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Ming Tsai grew up in Dayton, cooking with his parents and grandparents in the family restaurant, Mandarin Kitchen.  Then he went off to Yale, studied to become a mechanical engineer.  But after a trip to Paris, he realized that food was going to be his career.  He enrolled at the Cordon Bleu and worked to integrate his passion for French Cuisine with his Chinese cooking roots.  Now years later he’s established himself as a master of East meets West dishes, as featured on his own Food Network show.  He’s gone on to become a successful author as well, and his fourth book is the motivation for this trip to Dayton.  His first cookbook , Blue Ginger, is names after his Weley, MA restaurant, opened in 1998 with his wife Polly.  Since then, Simply Ming, and Ming’s Master Recipes were released.

Tsai recently guest starred on an episode of Top Chef , opened Blue Ginger Noodle Bar, a mini-restaurant, inside Blue Ginger and  is currently competing for the “Next Iron Chef” on the Food Network Channel.  Ming will be in town on Thurs, Nov 4th at ThinkTV for a book signing and meet & greet for his latest book: SIMPLY MING ONE-POT MEALS. Tickets  are $32 per person or per couple and include wine, beverages, light hors d’oeuvres and a signed copy of the new cookbook. RSVP deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 2. To purchase tickets or for more information about the Think TV event, contact Bill Miller.

He will then head to Book & Company at The Greene for a 7pm signing.  Line numbers for that signing will be handed out starting at 6pm to patrons purchasing his new book.  For more info on this event, contact Sharon Kelly Roth at (937) 429-6302.

“Of Soft And Golden Hue”

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The Stoddard Avenue Pumpkin Glow

“When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam,
May luck be yours on Halloween.”

Judith Chaffin

Reflecting on a pumpkin patch, it reminds me of the way a community should truly be. Occupying your own mounded hill, you are nurtured from the same sustenance offered to your neighbor. When you bask in the warmth of a sunlit day, your neighbors feel the sun’s impartial rays as well. When hard times befall you, the community must endure the inclement storms. Eventually, your vines and roots tangle and twist together, becoming a communal plot of land. Could it be that a simple jack-o’-lantern could bring a community of people together as well?

Many years ago, Judy Chaffin envision ghoulishly glowing pumpkin lighting the perfect darkness of the McKinley Park located on Forest Ave. by the Dayton Art Institute. Her vision remained a wil-o’the-wisp…until she moved nearby onto Stoddard Ave.

“When I moved onto Stoddard Ave., I thought, ‘Boy, if we put some over on the hill, how neat would that look?’” Judy reminisce. “I then asked my brother and his wife if they would help me and I went out and bought thirty-six pumpkins and, back then, I thought that was huge! So, we put them over there and people stopped by and seemed to really like them and that was really nice.”

The hill behind the Greek Orthodox Church seemed perfect, providing the pumpkins with a raised dais so that the casual passersby would fall under it’s eerie orange stare while the stone edifice of the Church itself endowed the tableaux with the ideal backdrop. The idea seemed to grow all on it’s own, sending tendrils and roots through the fertile furrows of the imagination. Judy recounted how the pumpkin patch grew with each subsequent year that passed.

“Then the next year, we decided to go for a little more. We tried to increase it by twenty-five or so…we did seventy-five, then one hundred, then one hundred and twenty-five…it just kept going up and up and up.” With a wave, Judy said, “At some point, it just jumped up to three hundred, and once that number goes up, you really can’t go back down. Last year it jumped to like four hundred and this year we have like five hundred pumpkins.”

In the beginning, Judy would trek up towards Springfield each night after work to cull through a local pumpkin farm, loading up her little Honda Civic with all that it would carry. After a few years, her brother helped her by loading up his van with the orange gourd-like squash. Eventually, she was referred to another Springfield area farmer who not only negotiated a fair price for the prestigious pumpkins, but more importantly…he delivered.

Neighbors and friends have joined into the mix, offering their services from gutting and cleaning to carving, placing and lighting the finished pumpkins. It became a neighborhood affair.

“Well, I think that a lot of them like to bring people into the neighborhood for something positive. You know how it is. If you say, ‘Oh, I live over by the Dayton Art Institute’ people are aghast. It’s not like that. It’s a great neighborhood.” Judy opined, “I think that is why the neighbors enjoy it because we have people from all over…we have people from Sidney and Troy and other cities that come down. It’s just nice. I have friends from Cincinnati who come up to see it.”

With every manner of carving displayed, the Pumpkin Glow has definitely grown, taking in the hearts and imaginations of people from far away cities who have hear about the extraordinary exhibit by word of mouth. The sheer logistics is staggering when one realizes how few people are involved in the actual process of cleaning and carving the pumpkins. Before I left, Judy outlined the schedule for this year’s Pumpkin Glow for me.

“We’re going to try and put them up early this year at about eleven o’clock in the morning and then at about four-thirty or five o’clock, we’ll begin lighting them and they’ll stay lit well past midnight. Then they will be up Saturday night and Sunday night and then Monday, we take them off the hill.” Judy ended by alluding to one of the many factors that make this such a special occasion. “Some people want us to keep them lit until Monday. I think that two nights is enough…it’s fleeting, and that’s what makes it so special.”

The Stoddard Avenue Pumpkin Glow can be seen on Saturday and Sunday, October 30th and 31st. It is a display that is well worth seeing, not only for it’s sheer eerie beauty, but also for the sense of community that it invokes on this All Hallows Eve.

“Only the knife knows what goes on in the heart of a pumpkin.”
~Simone Schwarz-Bart

...let the carnage begin!

[album: http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/dm-albums.php?currdir=/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/Stoddard Ave. Pumpkin Glow/]

Reaching For The Brass Pole

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Pole Vixens Xtreme Takes Exercise To New Heights

Light streams in from the massive, industrial windows, highlighting the pastel purple and pinks of the décor, glinting off of the poles that shoot down from the ceiling, like metallic stalactites that securely anchored themselves into the floor. The light also plays off the forms of several women, glinting off of their perspiring bodies as they enthusiastically work out to a high energy deep bass groove. Laughter and congratulatory catcalls can be heard over the music as Geneva Duncan’s voice is heard over the cacophony, instructing her class in a cajoling tone, demonstrating to all what the next moves will be and what she hopes to achieve with them. In between classes, I was able to talk to Geneva Duncan, owner and instructor for Pole Vixens Xtreme. The first thing I wanted to know was how she hoped to overcome the common perceptions that immediately leap to people’s minds when their hear the words, “pole dancing.” To my surprise, instead of completely distancing herself from the more tawdry aspects associated with strip clubs, Geneva has chosen to embrace some of those features and mold them into her own vision, thereby taking away any of the negative connotations that some may have.

Geneva Duncan and Crystal Sullivan ~Photo by Brooke Medlin

“My goal is to actually incorporate some of the stripper moves and make it more elegant. With that in mind, we have created a whole workout regime while keeping the sensuality of the movements.” Geneva went on to outline her reasoning for incorporating the pole into her exercise routine. “Every woman, I don’t care who you are, has a yearning to be a sensual creature. We, as women, always criticize ourselves and we are not 100% confident or comfortable with our looks. Out goal is to get you out of that mode and to try something different and something out of the ordinary.”

Geneva went on to address the perceptions of pole dancing by stating;

“A lot of men get the idea twisted. I can’t say all men, but a lot of men. When you say ‘pole dancing’ they automatically think strippers, go-go dancing and women hustling for money.” To counteract that, Geneva explains that, “What we’re trying to do is to change the mind frame of people who think like that, so you can feel comfortable sending your wife to a class because it can only enhance your intimacy. It can also enhance her figure and enhance her confidence level and it can bring back a spark to your relationship.”

I asked Geborah, Pole Vixen’s Zumba instructor, the same question about overcoming people’s perception of the poles.

“Well, the only way that people can get over the controversial idea of pole fitness is to come through here and see what we are doing. I think it is definitely important for people to get their knowledge firsthand as far as what pole fitness is all about.” Geborah add rather succinctly that, “We do not strip in here…absolutely not. We are very classy and tasteful women who love to work out and feel sexy while we are doing it.”

Mardi McNeil ~Photo by Frank Coleman

As the group got ready for Geborah’s Zumba class, I spoke with Mardi McNeil, Pole Vixen’s business manager about how they were marketing the programs, who was their target demographics and what were some of the classes that are available and what kind of classes may be available in the future.

“Right now, most of our marketing is online, through Facebook and our website as well as by word of mouth. We have posted some flyers and signs, like for this event and we just shot a commercial today. Our target audience is every woman of every size, every fitness level and from ages eighteen to ninety-nine.” As for the classes available, Mardi said, “Well, right now we have the Polercise  classes, which is basically the pole fitness which incorporates the use of the pole predominantly. We also have Zumba classes with Geborah as well as target classes, like the Absolutely Abs class and the Booty-Max class, that target a specific area that someone might want to work on. We’ve got some other things in the works, like getting some punching bags in for kickboxing and we are looking at potentially adding yoga and massage therapy classes.”

I watched as Lady Geborah led the ladies through a distinctive Zumba routine, interspersed with standard stretching exercises, repetitive movement exercises and gently laced with Latin and jazz dance movements. The women were enjoying themselves so much, it didn’t seem like a workout at all…except for the perspiration and the satisfied exhaustion afterwards. Was Zumba a definitive workout?

Geborah ~Photo by Brooke Medlin

“Oh yes, definitely! The Zumba class format combines both slow and fast rhythms that tone and sculpt the body. You can get a full body workout when you’re doing Zumba. You can burn from 250 up to 1,000 calories based on how hard you want to work out in a Zumba class. It will help you tone your muscles as well as help you lose inches. Zumba is the new way to work out.” Geborah said, emphatically.

It seemed as if I was witnessing a choreograph dance routine rather than a regular workout. It looked effortless and sensual, unlike other Zumba classes that looked very rigid and brittle. It just didn’t appear to be what one would envision when one would picture a regular gym workout.

“No, it doesn’t and that is one of the reasons that I love it because, being that I love dance and fitness and dance is the easiest way for me to exercise.” Geborah said, with a laugh. “I love to share the opportunity for other people to dance as well as work out and also to learn different techniques while they’re dancing and get a good workout. You gain so much when you get involved in Zumba fitness.”

I asked Geborah about her conspicuous incorporation of dance rhythms and movements into her program and the sensual eroticism that it conveys.

“It does. I mean, as a lady, you love to move and shake your hips. It’s a natural thing for a woman to move her body gracefully and to move her hips. There is a sensual nature to it.” As for the dance movements, Geborah said, “With Zumba, you can do Latin dance moves, ranging from Salsa to the rumba. You can do hip-hop dance moves,  but I like to incorporate jazz as well as some more modern movements as well. I’m all about movement.”

Geneva Duncan and Crystal Sullivan ~Photo by Brooke Medlin

During a break, I was able to speak to one of students, Crystal Sullivan, to ask her why she had picked Pole Vixens Xtreme.

“I picked Pole Vixens Xtreme, first of all, because of the safe environment: I feel comfortable there. It’s just a very warm and welcoming atmosphere because I am kind of self conscious about my body…” After a pause, Crystal continued by saying, “I have issues with how big I have gotten, but here, I feel comfortable. Here, I’m not embarrassed. I feel open and free to actually work out so that it will really benefit my body versus going to a gym and not giving it 100% because I’m kind of worrying about what the person next to me is thinking. I guess, just overall, I love the comfort level here at Pole Vixens.”

I wondered if there was a ‘feel good’ aspect to the classes, over and above the general yearning to stay fit.

“Oh absolutely! Working out here doesn’t become tedious because there is always laughter, the friendship, the camaraderie…it’s just like hanging out with your girlfriends.” Crustal added that, “We mentally encourage one another, we emotionally encourage one another and we support each other no matter what size, shape, complexion or age.”

After the classes were over, Geneva and I got to sit down for a moment. The first thing I needed was for her to define some of the things about her unique approach to exercise, such as what to call it.

“Polercise. That is a signature type of exercise routine that was created by my mother, Miss Sue, and that is a signature type of class that also goes along with our other signature classes.” Geneva explained further that, “Polercise is like full fledged cardio, with a warm up and a cool down at the end, but the main thing about Polercise is that we are doing a full cardio workout incorporating the poles. It’s a lot of swings on the pole and stances utilizing the pole. We’ve got 1,200 square feet to workout in, so we’re definitely going to get that cardio pumping.”

Geneva Duncan and Denise Brookshire ~Photo by Brooke Medlin

From what I had seen, it also looked as if utilizing the poles also created a demanding muscular workout as well, using kinetic energy as well as adaptations of some familiar isometric exercises.

“Oh yes, we are definitely training your muscles, and here’s the thing: Every class is different! It’s muscle confusion to the max. We confuse the muscles by having you do things one way and then switch it up or energize it another way.” I had to have Geneva explain to me what ‘muscle confusion’ was. “Muscle confusion, to those that don’t know the term, are when your muscles are getting worked one way one day, and then the next day, it’s totally different. If you do the same routines and work the same muscles, you end up on a plateau and your body ends up conditioned to it and the exercise stops being relevant. So, we need to confuse your muscles where they are getting stretched in every way possible.”

Although there are several layers to this, albeit the obvious one being the fitness aspect and the running undercurrent of sensuality that the classes imbue, there is one thing that seems to sum up the differences between Pole Vixens and other larger box-type gyms: a unified camaraderie. Crystal seemed to encapsulate that best when she said;

“We are literally all in this together. It’s not a workout because you’re hanging out with your friends. That’s exactly what it feels like.”

To check out all Pole Vixens Xtreme has to offer, go online to their website.

Check out Pole Vixens Commercial Here!

Oregon District Hauntfest 2010 – Oregon District’s Biggest Party of the Year!

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2007 Hauntfest (photo credit: Kevin Bonnett)

Those who have been to the annual Oregon District Hauntfest can tell you that it is THE party of the year in the OD.   Starting at 7pm and going through until 1am, Fifth Street is closed to traffic as it is transformed into a Bourbon Street-type atmosphere with the craziest, most elaborate and sexiest costumes you’ll see anywhere in the region.  This year there will be two live bands, belly dancers and fire jugglers on the main stage at Fifth & Pine, semi-professional wrestling at Fifth & Jackson, and a costume contest at 9:45pm with cash prizes for best single and group costumes.

This is the one night of the year that you can drink on the street in the OD, with four different beer stations along Fifth Street that offer draft and bottled beer.  If you’re more of a wine drinker then just head to the Fifth Street Wine & Deli patio, and don’t forget the Monster Smoke Bomb stations!  If you get hungry, don’t worry – lots of food vendors will be on hand, not to mention the many restaurants that will be open.

Organizers recommend that people park in the Transportation Center parking garage, which is just on the other side of Patterson (behind the Neon Movies).   Tickets are $5 before 10pm and $10 after 10pm, and we’re told that most if not all the bars won’t be charging a cover charge before 10pm.  Proceeds will benefit:  Oregon District Business Association, Kettering Children’s Choir, Dayton Ski Club, Oregon Historic District Society, Garden Station and more non-profit groups.

We will have our photogs there as well, so check back here after the event to see pictures of you acting a fool so you can change your Facebook profile picture (warning – not recommended for those currently looking for a job – ha!)

So get down to the OD this Saturday night and get your scare on!

Jane’s Best Bets (10/27 – 10/31)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

FREE TICKET PROMOTION BELOW…

This past weekend, hopefully you were able to catch some theater, see some fun Halloween costumes down at Boo in the ‘Burg, or watch the Browns’ victory over the Saints!  In my first, and might I note, top city, I was fortunate to see the amazing improv comedy group Second City at Victoria Theatre.  Big surprise that I would like comedy!  Well, enough about me…it’s time to get ready for another busy week Dayton, full of Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber (I still don’t know who that it is), and vampire wannabes!

On Wednesday, participate in the District Dine Around and Haunted Walking Tour, which will be a progressive dinner at some haunted spots in the Oregon District.  At Brixx Ice Company, join others who are interested in sustainability, the environment, and green living for an event called October Green Drinks.  There are also a few theater options on Wednesday, including The 39 Steps at the Loft Theatre and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at La Comedia.

On Thursday, if you work downtown and don’t have a hot lunch date, check out the Noonday Organ Recitals – Jerry Taylor at Westminster Presbyterian Church.  Thinking about starting your own business?  You’ll want to attend Generation Dayton’s Event, ‘When Reality Bites’ at The Entrepreneurs Center.  In the evening, get more than just a taste of wine at the Unique Varietals Wine Tasting at A Taste of Wine in Miamisburg.  Or, check out Casanova and Eve of Frankenstein at Victoria Theatre to get into the Halloween spirit!

On Friday, all you downtown workers will want to head to Court House Square during your lunch hour for the TEAM VOID Halloween Party On Court House Square, which will involve some rockin’ live music and Go-Go-dancing!  Not sure where you’ll be “go”ing, but by the sound of it, it looks like you’ll be going there twice.  If you are not completely freaked out by horror films like me and actually enjoy chainsaws and massacres, go to Englewood Cinema for Horrorama 2010.  Any Seinfeld fans out there?  If so, you’ll want to join the “Soup Nazi” in sampling some “souper” soups from a dozen local fine restaurants at the Soup Off to benefit A Doctor’s Heart Inc.  Also on Friday, you will have the chance to see many people in costume, but not just because of Halloween, as again this week, there are numerous theater type options.  These include The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs at Town Hall Theatre, Casanova and Eve of Frankenstein at Victoria Theatre, Porgy and Bess at the Schuster Center, The 39 Steps at the Loft Theatre, and The Sugar Witch at the Dayton Theatre Guild.  If theater doesn’t strike your fancy, consider attending the Matching Fund for Catholic Education featuring The Farewell Fisher Band, made up of some very talented guys from my high school, or the Make A Difference Tour 2010 at the Nutter Center.

"I'm so not diggin' this."

On Saturday, if you’re a man, bring your best friend to the Bark For Life of Centerville event at Oak Grove Community Park to help raise money for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.  Don’t worry…if you’re not a man, it’s Halloween-time so you can just dress up as one.  If you’re looking to continue the day with your pooch, definitely check out the Howl-o-Ween Dog Pawty at Scout Burnell Garbecht Dog Park in Xenia for an afternoon filled with fun activities!  Don’t forget to put your dog in costume if he/she will tolerate it!  For all you folks who want to return to the days of grade school P.E. class, register a team for The 2nd Annual Frickin Dodgeball Tournament at the Nutter Center.  If you have kids that are between the ages of 3 and 12, take them to the Schuster Center for the ‘PhilharMonster Halloween Concert’.  In addition to music, there will be costume contests, face painting, and an “instrument petting zoo.”  On Saturday, there will still be a plethora of theater opportunities (I hope I used that word correctly!), including Casanova and Eve of Frankenstein at Victoria Theatre, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs at the Town Hall Theatre, The Sugar Witch at the Dayton Theatre Guild, The 39 Steps at the Loft Theatre, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at La Comedia.

A Couple of Pumpkins

There are also many more Halloween-related activities on Saturday, so if you don’t get out to experience at least one of them, boo to you!  That is, unless you have a darn good excuse!  If you are looking for a wild and crazy evening with some great people watching and ultra-creative costumes, Hauntfest on Fifth is the place to be.  I feel everyone should experience it at least once (if not more than that!), so if you have never been, here is your chance!  If you’re feeling guilty about eating all those Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, put on your disguise and participate in the Run For Your Life 5k Run at Community Golf Center in Kettering.  For those of you that prefer a more classy evening, Carvers will be hosting their First Annual Costume Party.  (I wonder if they got their name from carving pumpkins.)  There will also be a Fall Harvest: Family Halloween Fun event sponsored by the City of Dayton’s Department of Recreation and Youth Services, featuring many fun and safe activities for the kids.  Plus, it’s FREE!   And if you’re in Waynesville and don’t feel like making the trip to Dayton, check out the Halloween Masquerade Ball at The Wombat Art Works.

On Halloween (Sunday), after sleeping in, consider making it a relaxing day by checking out one of the many shows you didn’t have the opportunity to attend:   The 39 Steps at The Loft Theatre, Casanova and Eve of Frankenstein at Victoria Theatre, Porgy and Bess at the Schuster Center, The Sugar Witch at the Dayton Theatre Guild, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs at Town Hall Theatre, or Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at La Comedia.

WHO WANTS FREE TICKETS TO SEE SPRING AWAKENING AT THE VICTORIA THEATRE?

We’re giving away a pair of free tickets to see Spring Awakening – the Tony Award-winning musical playing at the Victoria Theatre next Tuesday & Wednesday (11/2-11/3)!  If you want to go see this excellent production, just give me a shout-out below in the comments and we’ll draw a winner this Sunday.  This is a great opportunity to check out Dayton’s theater scene if you’ve never done so – it really is amazing!

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

Why couldn’t Dracula’s wife get to sleep?
Because of his coffin.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!   And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a spook-tacular week Dayton!

Heywood Holds A Hootenanny

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The Insane Genius Of Heywood Banks

The first time I saw Heywood Banks (aka Stuart Mitchell), it was in the late eighties at Wiley’s Comedy Club at it’s original location on Patterson Rd. right next to The Pony Keg. I had no clue who he was…I just had free tickets. I can’t remember anything about the opening act, but when Heywood appeared on the stage, I knew that things were going to be different. Not different as in “life changing” or radically cutting edge. More like the way one might describe that weird cousin that never leaves his room, is continually clothed in dirty sweatpants and a Transformers T-shirt and keeps a collection of flies that he has caught because they’re his “friends.”

Heywood bounded up onstage in a glaringly mismatched outfit that would make a 1970’s used car salesman jealous. His horn rimmed glasses glinted in the spotlight and across his iridescent green and yellow plaid sport coat. He held within his hand a well worn, yet shiny guitar and a moment of mild trepidation filled my soul as I wondered what form of musical yodeling I would have to endure. Remember; this was the time of Weird Al and Dr. Gonzo and everyone that could play four chords and did not possess the sex appeal and/or impenetrable liver needed to become a rock star fancied themselves a comedian instead.

Luckily, my fears quickly melted away as Heywood launched into a blurred performance that was absolutely relentless. The comedic hits rained down so fast that your brain couldn’t keep up. You found yourself laughing at a subtle play on words or a particularly astute cultural reference from two songs back and ended up kicking your brain and ears into overdrive, feverishly attempting to catch up with Heywood’s maniacal pace.

Heywood Banks and Emmi Rehmert ~ May 2010

Years later, at Wiley’s new location in the Oregon District, I was standing outside smoking when I noticed a disheveled man extricating himself from behind the wheel of his car, which was loaded floor to ceiling with boxes, junk and a precariously placed toaster that was inexplicably jammed against the back window. The man fumbled about with this box and then that one, his hair a wild, untamed gray banner blowing in the wind. As he stood up and pulled at his goatee, I was struck by the fact that if you slammed a Confederate uniform onto his thin frame, he would make a perfect performer for a Civil War reenactment. I felt a pang of shame as I stood there, entertaining such thoughts about someone who clearly had to be homeless. I looked on with pity as he dove into the car, burrowing towards the back to retrieve, of all things, the toaster!

All things became clear as he wrenched his way out of the car and yelled to Rob Haney, the current owner of Wiley’s Comedy Niteclub, “Do you have two forks?”

A musical genius does require his instrument.

Heywood’s last tenure at Wiley’s Comedy Niteclub was a largely sold out affair, with night after night of wall to wall people crowding Wiley’s walls laughing hysterically at Heywood’s musical musings and quick comedic wit. Offstage, Heywood possesses a very amiable personality and has an interest in a wide variety of subjects, including history and prognostications of future events. Night after night, throngs of fans would line up to get an autograph or just to get their picture taken with the uniquely clothed comedian, taking with them a token of a perfect evening of comedy.

To be able to witness for yourself the frenzied freestyle comedy of Heywood Banks, Wiley’s Comedy Niteclub will be hosting a series of special shows featuring the comedian on  Thursday October 28th at 7:30 pm  and for two shows on Friday October 29th at 7:00 pm and 9:30 pm. Admission is $15 on Thursday and $20 for Friday’s shows. Since this is a special show, no passes, coupons or offers will be accpted. Heywood is best known for his songs Toast!, Big Butter Jesus as well as a score of other tunes, which you can check out on his website at www.heywoodbanks.com .

No Soup For You! Ok- Soup For You!

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Remember “the Soup Nazi” on Seinfeld? Larry Thomas who gained fame as a recurring Seinfeld character  will host a “Soup Off” in Dayton on Friday, October 29th from 5:30 – 8:30pm at the Doubletree Guest Suites, across from the Dayton Mall. All proceeds from this event will be used to benefit the work of A Doctor’s Heart, Inc.

Area restaurants like Brio Tuscan Grill, C’est Tout a Bistro, Chef Rahn – Artizan Bread, Jay’s Seafood, DoubleTree, Bullwinkle’s Top Hat Bistro, Amber Rose Catering and Restaurant,  L’Auberge and Christopher’s Restaurant and Catering are among the local eateries that will be providing soups.  The Doubletree Hotel in Miamisburg is donating the complete use of their banquet facilities, kitchen, and serving personnel.

Your $12 donation will not only get you to a great evening of fun and a complete soup dinner. More importantly it will allow A Doctor’s Heart to fund fish farms, clean water wells and missionary housing in remote areas of the Amazon River basin. The goal is to have 400-600 people attend and join in helping improve the lives and health of these deserving people. Remember, this is a fund-raiser. Feel free to donate much more than $12!!

“Soup Off” attendees will be treated to screams of “No Soup For You!” as the Soup Nazi bangs his ladle and serves as judge and jury for best soup in a “Soup Off”. Who better to judge a fabulous selection of soups contributed by area restaurants and friends than the Soup Nazi! As an added treat, autographed ladles and pictures with Larry will be available for a modest additional donation.

Cash Bar, door prizes, a variety of soups and lots of laughs will be available from 5:30 – 8:30 in the Main Lobby, Lobby Bar, Patio and Ohio Room at the Doubletree in Miamisburg. Please park next door at Cub Foods, and enter through the Doubletree’s Main Entrance. Enjoy the entertainment and a complete soup dinner for a $12 donation. For  ticket information call 937-912-9459 or 850-567-6451 or email [email protected].

“A Doctor’s Heart is a small group doing very large work in the Amazon River Basin,” said Larry Thomas at a media event recently. “Every dollar they raise will be spent on medicine and eye glasses, wells, and houses for Missionaries serving the native tribes of the Amazon River Basin.”

Spring Awakening Comes To Dayton

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'Spring Awakening' - Nov. 2-3 at the Victoria Theatre

The Tony Award-winning musical Spring Awakening is coming to Dayton next week on November 2nd and 3rd at the Victoria Theatre in Downtown Dayton!  Spring Awakening explores the journey from adolescence to adulthood with poignancy and passion you will never forget and has been called “the best musical of a generation” (NY Observer). Adapted from Frank Wedekind’s play of the same name, with an acclaimed score by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater, book by Steven Sater and direction by Tony-winner Michael Mayer, Spring Awakening boldly depicts how a dozen young people make their way through the thrilling, complicated, confusing and mysterious time of their sexual awakening.

According to the Victoria Theatre Association, this show is intended for mature audiences only.  Check out the videos below to see a number from the original cast at the 2007 Tony Awards and interviews with the cast and creative team behind Spring Awakening.

Tickets are still available at TicketCenterStage.com, and if you’re a student with a valid student ID then you can get HALF OFF when you buy your tickets at the box office two hours before showtime.

Coming Up in Dayton Theatre

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HRTC: The 39 Steps

Human Race Theatre Company: The 39 Steps

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2010 – TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2010

This is the week for theatre, evidently… looking at the show dates below, you could see a different show during every performance time on every weekend day, and still not be able to catch everything that’s up. Six shows are opening this weekend, and those could keep you busy from now until my next onStageDayton update, let alone trying to fit in closing shows or special events!

So, what are you waiting for? Go get tickets to one (or two or all) of these great shows! After all, there are plenty to choose from…

Another Openin’, Another Show

…SHOWS OPENING SOON

The Sugar Witch

DAYTON THEATRE GUILD

The Story: Dark family secrets are revealed and unusual passions are Sugar Witchignited as a family is forced to confront madness, truth, and the destructive legacy of racism, while the spirits of the dead walk the dark Florida Swamp, haunting the hearts of all who reside there.

Dates: October 22, 23, 29 & November 5 at 8:00 pm; October 30 & November 6 at 5:00 pm; October 24, 31 and November 7 at 3:00 pm

Tickets: DTG Box Office or 937-278-5993

More Information: http://www.daytontheatreguild.org/, DaytonMostMetro Event Calendar

The Diviners

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON

The Story: In a small Depression era farming community, a boy with the gift of divining water develops a friendship with a drifting, charismatic but disillusioned preacher; when the townspeople embrace the drifter as the answer to their prayers, the choice leads to a tragic climax.

Dates: October 22-23 and 28 – 30, 8:00 pm; October 24, 7:00 pm, in the Kennedy Union Boll Theatre

Tickets and More Information: Kennedy Union box office, 937-229-2545

Messiah on the Frigidaire

BEAVERCREEK COMMUNITY THEATRE (Edge of the Creek)

BCT Spitfire GrillThe Story: After the image of Jesus appears on a trailer park refrigerator, a frenzy of conflict, communion, and good old fashioned commerce is set in motion, as three friends are forced to come to grips with their lowly status in the caste system of the rural south.

Dates: October 22 – 31, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 3:00 pm

Tickets: Box office, 937-429-4737

More Information: Beavercreek Community Theatre

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

TOWN HALL CHILDREN’S THEATRE

The Story: When Piggsylvania’s highest court puts him on trial, things don’t look so good for Alexander T. Wolf when TH: Three Little Pigseveryone from judge Prudence Pig to the court reporter is rooting into the truth about his so-called terrible deeds! In this fresh musical adaptation of the familiar story, audience members (ages 4+) decide the way the story ends.

Dates: October 22 – November 7, 2010: Fridays at 7:00 pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 3:00 pm, with a special family matinee on Saturday, October 23 at 11:00 am.

Tickets: Town Hall Theatre or 937-433-8957

More Information: Town Hall Theatre: The Three Little Pigs, DaytonMostMetro Event Calendar

Flash: A New Musical

CLARK STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

The Story: In the premiere of this new musical by CSCC professor and Springfield resident Dan Hunt, Ed, a seemingly normal man, revisits his past when all the highs and lows of his entire life flash before his eyes.

Dates: October 29-31 & November 5-7

Tickets: 937.328.3874 or Clark State

More Information: CSCC: Flash, Flash: the Musical official site

The 39 Steps

HUMAN RACE THEATRE COMPANY

HRTC: The 39 StepsThe Story: Four performers (and 150 characters), an innocent Englishman caught in a deadly ring of spies, and a pair of handcuffs that won’t seem to come off make this combination of Alfred Hitchcock and Monty Python “one of the funniest shows to hit the stage this millennium”!

Dates: October 21 – November 7, 2010

Tickets: HRTC Box Office

More information: Human Race Theatre Company, DaytonMostMetro Event Calendar

…SHOWS CLOSING SOON

Once On This Island

SINCLAIR COMMUNITY COLLEGE

The Story: Ti Moune, a peasant girl, rescues and falls in love with Daniel, a wealthy boy from the other side of the island; when he is returned to his people, the fantastical gods and rulers of the island guide Ti Moune on a quest to test the strength of her love against the powerful forces of prejudice, hatred, and death. (And, ETC/onStageDayton’s very own David Brush directs this musical!)

Dates: October 15 – 23, 2010

Tickets: Sinclair Box Office, (937) 512-2808 or (937) 512-2076

More Information: Sinclair: Once On This Island, DaytonMostMetro Event Calendar

Moon Over Buffalo

PLAYHOUSE SOUTH

The Story: In this farce set in 1953, after rumors begin to swirl that a famous Hollywood director will be auditioning fading acting couple George and Charlotte, misunderstandings ensue and merriment begins.

Dates: October 15 – 23; Fridays and Saturdays 8:00 pm, Sunday 2:00 pm

Tickets: Box Office, 888-262-3792

More Information: Playhouse South, DaytonMostMetro Event Calendar, DMM feature

Part of it All

…AUDITIONS AND CASTING CALLS

In the Spotlight

PLAYHOUSE SOUTH

Auditions: October 25 & 26, 2010 at 7:00 pm, at the Clark Haines Theatre, 3700 Far Hills Dr.

Performance: December 10, 2010

The Basics: Featuring the talents of dancers, singers, actors, and performers of all ages, this show highlights PHS’s 50th Anniversary/2010 season while giving a taste of what’s to come in 2011.

More Information: 888-262-3792, Playhouse South, and DaytonMostMetro Event Calendar

Ravenscroft

DAYTON THEATRE GUILD

Auditions: November 1 & 2, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the Dayton Theatre Guild, 430 Wayne Ave.

RavenscroftPerformances: January 7 – 23, 2011

Directed by Debra Kent

The Story: In this comedy about deception and the nature of truth, when Inspector Ruffing is called to a remote English county manor house to investigate the death of Patrick Roarke, he becomes involved in the lives of five alluring and dangerous women who lead him through an evening of contradictory versions of Patrick’s demise, including ghosts, skeletons, and much more than he bargained for.

More Information: Dayton Theatre Guild: Ravenscroft

Christmas Belles

DAYTON PLAYHOUSE

Auditions: November 1 & 2, 2010, at Dayton Playhouse, 1301 Siebenthaler Dr.

Performances: December 17 – 19, 2010

Directed by Wade Hamilton and Brian Sharp

The Story: A church Christmas program spins hilariously out of control in this Southern farce about squabbling sisters, family secrets, a surly Santa, a vengeful sheep and a reluctant Elvis impersonator.

More Information: Dayton Playhouse: Auditions

One Short Day

…SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE THEATRICALLY MINDED

The Second City: Fair and Unbalanced

THE VICTORIA THEATRE ASSOCIATION

The Basics: The Second City’s Fair & Unbalanced takes unbridled comic pleasure in the Second City: Fair and Unbalancedfoibles of our politicians, celebrities and even our significant others. No institution escapes the satiric eye of The Second City – from the blowhards of the Beltway to the Hollywood elite. Ripped from the stages of Second City’s legendary theatres in Chicago and Toronto, The Second City’s Fair & Unbalanced improv-based sketch comedy is a hilarious ride through present day America.

Date: October 23, 7:30 pm

Tickets: Ticket Center Stage, (937) 228-3630, or (888) 228-3630

More Information: Victoria Theatre Association, DaytonMostMetro Event Calendar

SUBMITTED PRESS RELEASE

Would you like to submit theater news for DaytonMostMetro.com’s onStageDayton features?  Email Shane, Dave & Katherine at [email protected]

~KN

Katherine Nelson is a senior theatre major at Cedarville University who focuses on performance, playwriting, and stage management. She’s the Literary Intern with locally based Encore Theater Company, where contributors Shane Anderson and David Brush also work. The local theater company recently moved into the new arts collective space in the Oregon Arts District, along with Zoot Theatre Co & Rhythm In Shoes. Encore Theater Company has a mission to help develop new works of musical theater, most recently Next Thing You Know and The Proof, two new musicals in development.

Jane’s Best Bets (10/20 – 10/24)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

If you haven’t yet, it’s time to begin celebrating Halloween…or at least time to begin thinking about your costume!  I had my first Halloween party this past weekend, and although I don’t like to brag, I was definitely someone you could count on (my mom, not so much, as evidenced by the picture below).  So hopefully you were counting on me and not my mom to give you an update as to what is going on in Dayton this week!  And for the record, in real life, my mom is someone you can totally count on!

On Wednesday, find out the Keys to Character at the Dayton Metro Library’s Main Branch as part of their fall writing series.  If you are worried about your health (or someone else’s), get a fitness assessment/consultation as part of Holten Wellness Center’s promotion in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as it is estimated that many cancer cases are linked to things like poor diet and physical inactivity.  (If you don’t like going to the doctor, just reward yourself afterwards with one of their wonderful massages!)  In the evening, be sure to use your La Comedia discount in your Entertainment book before it expires at the end of this month and see Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.  And if you have cold feet, you’ll be in like company at Oregon Express, as the band Frozen Feet will be playing.  While there, be sure to experience some of their amazing pizza!

On Thursday, get in the spirit of Halloween by creating a Pumpkin Flower Arrangement at the PNC 2nd Street Market.  If fashion is your thing, consider supporting Clothes That Work by attending their 10th Annual Fashioning Futures Luncheon at Sinclair’s Ponitz Center.  Are you looking for something fun and educational for your kids to do?  If so, consider taking them to the 9th Annual Mad Scientists’ Lab @ Wright Library, where they will be able to see some wacky science experiments demonstrated by Oakwood High School Students.  In the evening, all young professionals in Miami County will want to join HYPE (Helping Young Professionals Emerge) for their Third Thursday at The Caroline.  And finally, be sure to head to downtown Miamisburg, costume in tow, for Boo in the Burg!, a super fun, great people watching, adult pub crawl.  Just to warn you, there might not be “two” many people you can count on there.

On Friday, come out to Generation Dayton’s ‘4th Friday Lunch’ at Amber Rose.  In the evening, take the kids and head to Hallow’s Eve at Patterson Homestead.  If you would love to see an outstanding musical performance, experience the sounds of Guitarist Robert Belinic when he performs at the Dayton Art Institute as part of the Vanguard Concert Series. If theater is your thing, you have several options, including The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs at Town Hall Theatre, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at La Comedia, Moon Over Buffalo at Playhouse South, Once On This Island at Sinclair’s Blair Hall Theater, The 39 Steps at the Loft Theatre, and The Sugar Witch at the Dayton Theatre Guild.  Couldn’t they have all agreed to spell “theater” the same way?!?!  I’m just sayin’.

My Mom (someone you "can't count on") and I

On Saturday, start your day off right with Centerville Rotary Pancake Day at the Hithergreen Center.  Afterwards, all you shoppers will want to go to the ATM so you will be able to “check out” at the Shop ’til You Drop event at Hara Arena.  If you’re interested in doing some Halloween-esque activities with the kiddos, depending on their ages, there are many events from which to choose.  Cowvin’s Corny Maze, Pick Your Own Pumpkins, and Haunted Wagon Rides are all things you will be able to do at Young’s Jersey Dairy.  Also happening on Saturday are Hallow’s Eve at the Historic Patterson Homestead, Howl-O-Ween at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, the Windmill Farms Fall Festival at Windmill Farms, and Salem’s Lot Haunted Carnival at the Old Salem Mall.  In the evening, drive your Porsche on over to the Taj Ma Garaj for opening night of Miracles & Magic 2010, a premiere variety show, where all proceeds will benefit A Kid Again, an area non-profit whose mission is to enrich the lives of children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.  And finally on Saturday, if you’re like me and love to laugh, you’ll definitely want to see Second City’s performance Fair & Unbalanced at the Victoria Theatre.  Any extra tickets can be sent my way!

Now to Sunday…in the morning/afternoon, enjoy a delicious Sunday Brunch at Yankee Trace Golf Club.  If you are fascinated by all the gorgeous older homes in Oakwood, head to the Wright Memorial Public Library for a talk entitled, The Classic Architecture of Oakwood Homes.  If you enjoy classical music, you’ll want see the Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra Fall Concert at Kettering Fairmont High School’s Auditorium.  At Fairmont’s rival, Centerville High School, you will be able to have another opportunity to see A Kid Again’s Miracles & Magic 2010.  And to end the weekend on a really sweet note, there is no other place to be except for the Bellbrook Chocolate Shoppe for their All You Can Eat Chocolate Party!  Plus, the money raised will help fund mammograms for those in need through the Kettering Health Network Foundation’s Women’s Wellness Program!

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

Why did the ghost go into the bar?

For the booze.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!   And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!