Dayton937

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

The Featured Articles

Portrait of an Artist – Rodney Veal, the Blue Sky Project and Dayton

By 1 Comment

Rodney Veal is a talker.  He’ll talk to you about his art, his family, and his passion for this city.  Upon a first meeting, he’ll talk to you like you’re old friends, and he’s not afraid to tell you what he thinks.  I got the opportunity sit down with Rodney over a long lunch to talk about his experiences.  He’s doing something right – as a Dayton native making it as an artist and giving back to the community through the Blue Sky Project.  I wanted to know his story in hopes that it could help others on a similar journey.  Luckily, Rodney is happy to tell his story.

Who is Rodney Veal?

Rodney Veal is a performance artist who hesitates to use that term to define his art.  He uses visual art, dance, film, photography, music, and more to create experiences for his audiences.  Originally, he was drawn to art school for design, but dabbling in dance while in college gave him a new direction.  After graduation, he found himself clerking at the Department of Transportation, but missing the vibrancy of movement.  He decided that he needed to find a creative outlet.  Luckily, he knew he could take a beginning ballet class at Sinclair Community College at a cost next to nothing and revive his excitement for dance.

That class started the ball rolling.  Basic Ballet at SCC shifted to adult dance classes at the Dayton Ballet which opened further doors for him.  His teacher and soon-to-be champion, Barbara Pontecorvo, told him that he had good qualities; he was musical with good turn out (and he was a man), but he would have to lose weight and learn technique.  Pontecorvo’s honesty and encouragement pushed him along to work harder.

Photo Credit: Kenny Mosher

Rodney believes it was the feedback, criticism, and encouragement from local dance professionals that kept him in the scene.  Bess Imber was his “catalyst for change,” making him take dance seriously as a career.  DeShona Pepper-Robertson shared with him her great passion and positive spirit to transform lives.  It was meeting these women in the Dayton community – and so many more – that created an atmosphere where he could work and thrive.  That’s what he claims makes Dayton such a special place – the support system available to artists.  He argues that the history of Dayton in the dance world is a “history of legendary performers and teachers” all with reputations that extend beyond Dayton.

With more feedback, he kept getting better.  The success he achieved as a choreographer really enticed him and that became his passion.  He learned he was honestly good when four of his works were performed and recognized at Regional Dance America.  He credits his continued success to the fantastic support structure that exists in Dayton; his work with friends at the Dayton Ballet, Gem City Ballet, DCDC, and other dance organizations have built him into a professional dancer/choreographer.  With a light in his eyes, Rodney says, they “gave to me and they didn’t have to be generous – but they were.”  He is forever grateful for his mentors and teachers; it is because of them that he is excited to give back to his own community through the Blue Sky Project.

His days of clerking for the Department of Transportation are long gone.  Now he teaches at Sinclair (the same college that re-introduced him to dance years ago) and Stivers, acts as the President of the Board of Involvement Advocacy which operates the Blue Sky Artist Residency Program, and he freelances as an artist.  Good work brings about more good work.  Because he was a Blue Sky resident artist in 2009, Rodney has been asked to install exhibits and create other works.  Local boy definitely makes good.

The Blue Sky Project

It’s through Blue Sky that I learned about Rodney’s story.  According to their Web site, Blue Sky is “an artist-centered program committed to producing significant works of contemporary art.”  They provide a communal environment for diverse artists to collaborate with local young people, they use the creative process to teach important lessons to the youth participants, and they build up the Dayton community by contributing to the cultural experience.  Blue Sky is changing the landscape of the Dayton region with their creative and collaborative approach to art making.  Rodney believes in the mission and its benefits for Dayton, stating “if we support individuals in what they’re passionate about, it’s a win-win for the community.”

Photo Credit: Betsie Molinsky

Rodney was a resident artist in 2009, and is so pleased to be involved in the Project again this year.  He gushes about youth participants from last year and the difference the Project has made in their life.  Each year, forty young people have the opportunity to be next to someone making art at a professional level, and those youth get to be actively engaged in the process as artists with ideas that are critiqued, validated, and utilized.  Talking about the kids from 2009, he believes their whole demeanor has changed; they see life in a different way.  And he believes that even if they choose to leave Dayton – they leave with a good story to share, and that story will make outsiders more interested in the region.

But it’s not only the youth participants who benefit; the professional artists from around the world are finding that they can work freely in Dayton.  Artistic collaboration is available and resources can be utilized.  There are so many possibilities available if you only ask.  Giving an example from his own experience, on Thursday, July 22, 2010, Rodney filled the Schuster Center Wintergarden with music, silk and dancers for two spectacular performances.  How in the world was this allowed?  He asked.  And Ken Neufeld, the President and CEO of the Victoria Theatre Association, said yes.  According to Rodney, this type of access isn’t available anywhere else – Dayton is a welcoming arts community.

In the Wintergarden - Photo Credit: Betsie Molinsky

Although the summer residency program is coming to an end, you haven’t missed out yet.  Coming up this weekend is the R U Experienced Final Exhibition; there are three ways to check it out.  How you enjoy it is up to you.  Thursday is a special gala with a ticket price that goes to support the project.  Dress up, meet and greet, and put your money toward this great cause.  Low on cash?  Friday is about hipsters and hanging out and seeing the art during First Friday.  Saturday is a friends and family event; although it’s more intimate, it’s not closed to the public.

In the future, Rodney hopes Blue Sky will expand to a year-round program.  The artists this year love the freedom and collaboration available in Dayton and they really want to come back.  Blue Sky hopes to host them through the year and connect them to what they need.

Future Growth in Dayton

The story could end there.  It was a great conversation about his history and what makes Dayton such a great place for young artists.  But I told you Rodney likes to talk, and our conversation didn’t stop with the good news about his history and the Blue Sky Project.  He also has strong ideas about what might be holding Dayton back.

When talking about the art scene in the region, Rodney calls it “an embarrassment of riches.”  But he fears that the audiences aren’t always “present” to enjoy it.  I asked what he means.  He points out that too often audiences will “stop the experience to beat traffic.”  Too many people don’t live life as it comes– they are always thinking of what comes next.  Rodney sounds like he gets his philosophy from an inspirational poster when he encourages that people should work to live rather than live to work, but you can tell that this is a man who honestly lives by that credo.  Life is about the choices that you make; he asks, “What are you running toward on that treadmill?”

He encourages more artistically-minded people to get involved in civic leadership.  New voices at the table will bring fresh, new ideas.  The myth that artists are too removed from “real people” and aren’t hard workers also must be dispelled.  Rodney says he has learned management and finance through the arts business, and he argues that many artists have the capability to use both sides of their brain for creative project management.  These individuals who bring the artistic “full-mindedness” can help implement the changes our region needs to succeed.  It’s a two-sided challenge; our region’s leadership must value the work done by the artists and call on them for help, and the artists must take up arms to help in the revitalization of the region.

Beyond the individual motivations of audience members and the commitment of artists, Rodney has recommendations for the region.  He wants Dayton to be the city that changes the mindset of middle-class America.  Believing that Dayton is behind the times in relations to many societal norms, Rodney wants to see more people feeling empowered to be themselves.  Rodney argues against what some people call “hometown values,” he says that it’s the region’s antipathy toward gay rights, a pigeon-holing of women, and the expectations that our young people should be on a track to marry and start having children quickly that results in stagnation.  In his opinion, breaking out of this mold can encourage more openness, creation, and progress.

Rodney’s last words of advice for those working to make a difference in the region: affect change for the people in front of you – don’t worry about how many are moved, just be sure that you can move those people as much as possible.  Trust the people around you to work.  Critique and feedback is good – Blind validation is bad.  And finally, he has words for the naysayers in Dayton.  “Change it or get out – find the place that makes you happy.”

Learn more about the BLUE SKY PROJECT here or here.

Where Are All of the Entrepreneurs?

By 6 Comments

I keep asking myself this question.  If we want to make Dayton spectacular, entrepreneurs are the key.  But where are they?  I can’t find as many as I would like.  What is holding people back?

I am approached by numerous “wannabe” entrepreneurs.  I am dismayed however that the vast majority will remain “wannabes” instead of making the leap to success.  Why aren’t there more entrepreneurs?

Entrepreneurs must have a stomach, insight and passion.  Starting a business is risky.  You have to be willing to work long hours for low pay and take a risk to start your business.  This unwillingness to struggle and risk disqualifies many hopefuls.  A startup business person must have insight into a market or customers that is realistic. (Watch for my next article about marketing) .  Find a niche market and become the king of that niche.  Finally, the startup must have a take no prisoners attitude in its approach.  No problem can get in the way.

In Dayton, Ohio we have great resources for business.  We have The Entrepreneur’s Center. Small Business Development Centers (SBDC’s) in Dayton , Fairborn, Piqua and Springfield, SCORE®, Aileron, universities, access to financing and more.  Yet, the population of startup companies is very small.  I am baffled.

Funny thing, when I started my business, almost none of those support systems existed.  I felt there were more entrepreneurs then vs. now.

I would not trade my journey for anything.  The road during the first five years was hard, even brutal.  In the end, I am living the American dream reaping the rewards of creating a business that increased jobs as well as security for my family for the rest of my life.

If you really want to start a business, I suggest that following:

  • Ask yourself about risk and what you are willing to do.  I find that the risk question is what holds most people back.  They are unwilling to meet the dream because their fear holds them back.  If you want the benefits without the risk, then you don’t have what it takes.  Sorry!
  • Examine your business skills.  If they are weak, your chances of success just went down.  Build your business skills.  Attend classes, read and get a business mentor.  Start a small micro business just to get the test market experience.
  • Get customers.  The philosophy of business is simple.  Get customers who are willing to pay for your products and or services.  Build it at a cost lower than your selling price.  It starts with the customer.  See my next article about marketing
  • Be realistic about your competitive advantage.  Guarantee that your offering is superior.  If you fool yourself, the marketplace will punish you
  • Be the King (or Queen) of a niche.  Don’t try to take on the big boys.  I have seen business plans that want to compete with Google.  Unless you have a millions of dollars to start, the business will fail.  Even the largest of businesses started with a niche.  Walmart built store in rural market at first instead of going head to head with the established players such as Sears.  Southwest flew out of an airport in Dallas that no one else wanted or could use.  Your competition is smart.  if you attack a large market, the will counter punch.  They are more likely to leave you alone if the market is small and you have a special expertise.
  • Solve the startup capital issue.  Too many entrepreneurs spend all of their time raising money.  Their customers become the venture capitalists or bankers instead of the true customers.  I started my business with $500 and never received a penny of venture capital, yet turned the business into a multi million dollar business.  I can’t tell you how many times I see entrepreneurs roll their eyes when I tell them not to use venture capital.  I will write more about this in future articles.

Dayton Celtic Festival 2010 With Gaelic Storm

By 1 Comment

A First Class Party In Third Class

Gaelic Storm happens to be one of the more notable acts currently on the Gaelic/Celtic scene. From an inauspicious beginning of playing a small pub in Santa Monica, CA, to (within a year of their inception) appearing in one of the most popularly successful movies of all time (Titanic), Gaelic Storm has led a charmed life indeed. They appeared in Titanic in one of the most memorably pivotal scenes in the movie, playing John Ryan’s Polka for an Irish party in third class. From their, they were catapulted onto the scene, taking on a grueling tour schedule that has not relented in all the ensuing years.

One of the things that makes Gaelic Storm so accessible is the perfect blend and balance of traditional Irish and Scottish songs and melodies mixed with various influences from around the world and enlivened with an edge of rock and roll. The energy that flows from the stage when Gaelic Storm performs is very much real and the audience feeds right back into that energy, making it consummately genuine.

I was able to interview Steve Twigger, guitarist and part of the lead vocals for the band, as he took a brief respite from the road. What follows is the unexpurgated transcripts of that interview.

J.T.: How are you doing today?
Steve: Good, good.

J.T.: Where are you at in the world?
Steve: Uh, down in Austin.

J.T.: Well, I guess the first thing, before I forget to ask…I just now, literally ten minutes ago, got a copy of Cabbage, so I haven’t been able to give it a listen yet…is that going to be for sale at the Dayton Celtic Festival?
Steve: I think it is, yes. I think it is officially for release on the third and, if I’m not mistaken, we’re kind of sneaking it out there early for Dayton. I might want to confirm that. I’m not 100% sure.

J.T.: I can’t remember what year it was, but it was a similar circumstance and you guys brought and sold copies before the official release date.
Steve: Yeah, and that, as I recall, is sort of what we are doing this time, but I want to make sure.

(Editor’s Note: The new CD will be available at the festival!)

J.T.: Now, how is the album being receive critique-wise?
Steve: Well, it’s the early days yet. There’s a few reviews coming in, but people seem to be taking to it. There’s a mention of it being a little different than what we have done in the past, but I tend to think that it’s a lot of the Gaelic Storm that people are used to done with a lot more energy, if that’s possible. I think that we have taken off in a couple of different paths that might be interesting to people.

J.T.: There’s seems that there would always be a risk in changing or experimenting with new sounds. Did that cross your mind when you embarked on this?
Steve: Oh yes! You know, the music is sort of a vehicle for us to enjoy ourselves and for the night to be enjoyable for everybody. That is kind of how we set off playing. We had no ax to grind or soapbox to stand on. We just honestly and purely wanted to enjoy ourselves and so for us, as I said, the music is that vehicle to achieve that. We have nothing to prove and no artistic bones to grind here. But, as you go along, you realize that sometimes you are moving over familiar ground and you start wandering towards other influences. I think there are more than a few influences in this CD, musical genres that we’re all kind of interested in.

J.T.: Well, I had recently interviewed Scythian and when I read their bio, it touted them as having a Ukrainian/Celtic sound and I thought, ‘That sounds…horrific.’
Steve: (Laughing)

J.T.: Well, I listened to it and the back beat and the Gypsy vibe lent itself well to the Celtic music. Do you guys, when you’re at some of these open folk festivals, do you find yourself listening to other forms of World music, are you influenced by these other genres?
Steve: Yeah, in fact, we were just in Spain. We played up in Galacia, up in the northwest of Spain, at a huge festival up there with like 30,000 people. Of course, there they had some of the usual suspects from Ireland and England, but of course the local Gaelic and Celtic music there is huge. They love the (uilleann) pipes, but it is a very different sound than what we are used to and especially to what Americans term to be Celtic music. There is almost a Middle Eastern influence throughout Galacian music. On tour, we’ll pass through France and listen to the music of Brittany, the Breton music. So, all in all, even within the subsection of Gaelic music, there are different sounds. You don’t have to step out of the genre to hear completely different sounds.

J.T.: Well, and I think that’s what a lot of people whom I term ‘The Purists’…I think it’s hard to explain to them that even when you are speaking about ‘traditional’ Celtic music, there are so many other influences in it, even back then, so to point at something and say, ‘This is Celtic music’ seems kind of difficult.
Steve: Yeah, I agree with you 100% on that and I think that people have picked one particular aspect of it and decided to cling to that as if it were the rarest of antiquities. Well, fine, put on a shelf, put it in a frame and keep it there, and meanwhile, the music just keeps on moving and changing.

J.T.: Exactly. Now, you guys have played Dayton…I can’t even count the number of times that you have been here. Do you have any special memories of Dayton?
Steve: Well, Dayton has always been family to us. We met Bill Russell, who runs the festival, many, many years ago. I remember his daughters were dancing out in the crowd and we brought them up on stage. They were young back then and they were Irish dancing and so we brought them up on stage. Then, they showed up at another theater that we played at somewhere in Ohio and we put them up on stage and then afterward, in the lobby, we met their parents and became friends with them and saw them at subsequent events. Through the relationship we had with them, they built up kind of a comfort to progress into promoting shows, so we really feel like we’ve been hand in hand with them through the process. You know, we were there at the very first Celtic Festival in Dayton and here we are again, however many years later. So, it definitely has a family feel in Dayton. We always try to make the music completely accessible and seamless with the audience and I really think that it’s come to fruition there in Dayton. That’s the way it should be! It’s not just about us going up on stage. We’ve made friends and those friends have gone on to create events that we play at, and that’s the heart of folk music right there.

J.T.: That’s the way it’s supposed to be.
Steve: Yeah! Yep.

J.T.: Well, you were saying earlier about the different influences before and I think that it would work the opposite way where people that think that Celtic music is a certain type of music and that they don’t want anything to do with it will hear your take on it and be drawn in and maybe explore other facets of the genre.
Steve: Yeah, well, you know, we’ve certainly done our part. We’re on the road two-hundred days a year for the last fourteen or fifteen years and as we’ve gone along, we’ve tried to bridge a few gaps, I guess, and without stepping on toes. You know, the purists, the sort of elder statesmen of the Celtic world, they certainly looked down their nose at us when we first started. Over the course of time, we’ve become friends with them and they have, of course, realized that there is plenty of room for all kinds of adaptations and variations.

J.T.: Well, I want to thank you for taking the time to talk with me. Is there anything that you wanted out there that I haven’t asked?
Steve: Um, just ask people to go to our website and get a hold of us. Of course, we have a free download on the page if they don’t want to jump in and buy the CD, there’s a free download, so they can start to enjoy it for free.

J.T.: Well, and definitely to see you all live.
Steve: Well, you know, it really is fulfilling for us to see reviews that the first words are, ‘You have to see them live!’ Whatever goes down on that CD is fine, but we really put ourselves completely into our performances.

J.T.: And a lot of energy. Well, I want to thank you again for talking with me and I hope to meet up with you during the Celtic Festival.
Steve: Fantastic J.T. I hope you really enjoy the CD there.

Blush Boudoir Photography in Dayton – Ooh La La!

By 19 Comments

Most of you SHOULD be aware that Dayton has more artistic talent than many cities even two or three times our size, and that talent includes some amazing photographers.  We will be featuring many of these amazing Dayton photogs over the coming weeks, starting with this one – Tracy Abston of Blush Boudoir.  Tracy’s traditional photography that focuses on portraits, weddings, etc. is amazing in and of itself, and she has many happy clients that rave about their experiences with her.  However, it is the ‘other’ type of photography that has helped Tracy make a name for herself – not only in the Dayton Region but in southwest Ohio!  Ladies and gents – welcome to the world of Blush Boudoir…

Boudoir (which comes from the French word for ‘pout’) is a growing trend in photography today.  Sensual yet classy would be a good phrase to describe these photo sessions, with female clients who might be looking for a unique gift to give their significant others.  Interesting, you say?  We couldn’t agree more (of course) so we sat down with Tracy to get to the bottom of this boudoir business (so to speak)…

Dayton Most Metro: What got you started in boudoir photography?

Tracy: “I have always had a passion for photography and making people feel beautiful. As a wedding photographer my clients started asking about intimate images for their husbands to be. After several sessions I received countless cards and emails expressing what an amazing time they had with comments such as ‘I never felt more gorgeous’, ‘I’ve never felt so confident before’ & ‘these images brought me to tears’. I knew that I was on to something amazing so I started Blush-Boudoir 4 years ago because I really want to encourage other women to have the same experience. At Blush-Boudoir we feel strongly that EVERY woman is absolutely beautiful and we will work with you to find your inner supermodel.”

DMM: Tell me a little more about this niche market – are there others in the region doing this?

Tracy: “Yes, boudoir photography is becoming very popular and although a hand full of other photographers are offering this as an optional session I believe that we are the only studio in the area that specializes in this type of photography. The Blush-Boudoir experience typically starts out as gift for a spouse or significant other but most often becomes an unexpected gift for them too….I would say it is like a rite of passage or a great way to celebrate milestones. In these cases a creative and classy Blush-Boudoir photograph is not just another pretty picture, it is more of a tangible memento reminding women of what they have gone through and what they have achieved in life. Blush-Boudoir photography is sexy, glamorous, fun and can be shared with your significant other in a very intimate way.”

DMM: How do you make your clients feel comfortable? What are common concerns that clients have and how do you address them?

Tracy: “My clients’ comfort is of the utmost importance and our studio is all female staffed in a very relaxing chic downtown studio. During a typical session we’ll start by going over their ideas and I’ll ask a few of my favorite questions like ‘Tell me a little about your best features’, ‘Do you have any concerns or is there anything you want to hide?’. I reassure my clients that they don’t have to have the “perfect body” to look absolutely and positively sexy in their photos. It’s my job to bring out your flirty and beautiful side by coaching you through your session. I’m always very excited to hear all the wonderful experiences my clients share with me after the shoot and how relaxed they feel throughout their session.”

DMM: Who is your average client?

Tracy: “My clients are generally new brides, married women looking for that unique gift for their spouse, and stay at home moms looking for an empowering beautiful experience . As far as professional experience, my clients are women in the medical field, business owners, teachers and so many other professions that it would take me days to list them. What always amazes me is how far some of my clients have traveled for the Blush-Boudoir experience….. We have had clients from Michigan, Chicago, Lexington (KY), Columbus, Cincinnati and Indiana travel to our studios because of recommendations by their friends.”

DMM:  I’m guessing this is something easier for young women to do, but what about those who (how do I say this without getting hate mail)… those who might not be so young?  (whew)

Tracy: “I would say that our clients average around 30 percent in their 20’s, 30 percent in their 30’s and over 35 percent in their 40’s+ (a growing segment). I think that some women turn to our Blush-Boudoir photography as a means to launch their new outlook on life. At 40+ years a woman is dealing with running a household, managing work, raising kids and just life in general. It’s nice to take time out and do something special and rewarding like a Blush-Boudoir session. During their sessions they will receive a day of pampering at our private downtown studio, a professional make-up artist and a photographer who is experienced in making every client feel and look like a supermodel . A Blush-Boudoir photography session is one day out of your life resulting in a gorgeous, stunning, sensual, treasured photograph that you’ll have for a lifetime.”

DMM:. Have you ever gotten criticism for doing boudoir photography?

Tracy:  “I believe that God created women to be beautiful, and that there is a reason the female form has been painted, sculpted, drawn and photographed for centuries.  I’m sure that there is some criticism about my photography but frankly I don’t care because our photos are classy and professional. My entire career has set me on the path to operating Blush-Boudoir and with every session I’m excited to make my clients feel beautiful inside by showing how beautiful they can be on the outside. I firmly believe that every woman that comes into our studio can be magazine cover-worthy.”

DMM:. Tell me an interesting story about a particular session.

Tracy: “A recent Blush client was in tears after her session. I sat down and asked what was wrong…. she  exclaimed… ‘Nothing! I’m just sooo happy. I’ve never felt more beautiful in my entire life’.  A few weeks later she sent me this.”

DMM: Run me through a typical session.

Tracy: “When you arrive we’ll chat about the lingerie and outfits you’ve brought for your session while you enjoy a complimentary glass of wine or bottled water. Once we determine which outfits you will wear then we’ll start your hair and make-up (if you choose this option). Getting your hair and makeup done sets the tone for your session and gives you time to relax while you’re pampered for the next hour. I have worked with the same fantastic makeup artist for over three years and love her! Michelle Richardson from Avoge Idea is simply amazing and you can completely trust her to create your vision. After you are all glammed up we will turn up the music, turn on the camera lights, and begin shooting.”.

“One of the most common things I hear from clients is ‘I’m nervous,’ quickly followed by ‘I have no idea how to pose!’ Don’t worry – it’s normal to be nervous so we’ll start with some warm-up poses to get you in your supermodel frame of mind and by the end of your session you will look and feel gorgeous !!!!!”

DMM:  What is your studio like?

Tracy: “I LOVE my new chic downtown Dayton loft studio! It has elegant exposed brick, a cool staircase and the abundance of yummy natural light. Since our studio has a focus on the Blush-Boudoir session we can offer several scenes that are not only super sexy but are also a very private experience.”

DMM:. What other photographers do you admire?

Tracy: “Tiny Sparrow Foundation and others like her that are providing memories through photography to families with children who are facing life threatening illnesses. This is something I do as well whenever I get the chance because giving back is good for the soul.”

DMM: What other types of photography do you specialize in?

“I also specialize in wedding and lifestyle photography. At one point I was shooting 35+ weddings a year but have since cut back with my growing Blush-Boudoir business.”

DMM: How do you feel about the future of this niche market?

“I started Blush-Boudoir over 4 years ago and I’ve seen steady and incredible growth. Thanks to all of our wonderful clients who continue to recommend us to their friends we are seeing an increasing buzz throughout the Dayton, Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky regions. People seem surprised when I tell them how popular Blush-Boudoir photography is getting but my busy studio is proof that the demand is there!”

_____________________________________________

Dayton Celtic Festival 2010 With Scythian

By 1 Comment

And Interview With Scythian

Once again, the sounds of fiddles, pipes and step dancing will echo out over Riverscape MetroPark (111 E. Monument Ave.) as the United Irish of Dayton present the 9th Annual Dayton Celtic Festival on July 30th, 31st and August 1st. The festival, as always, will offer an eclectic collection of music, crafts, demonstrations and displays celebrating everything Celtic.

One of the bands that will be performing is the epitome of eclectic. Known simply as Scythian, the bands has created a unique blend with their Ukrainian and Middle Eastern Heritage with their love of Celtic music to conjure up a sound that is as singularly seamlessly as it is effortlessly energetic. They have quickly become road veterans on the Celtic circuit (having played at the last three Dayton Celtic Festivals alone), but they are also enjoying a rather large crossover popularity at the various bluegrass, Americana and grassroots styled festivals.

I was able to speak at length with one of the founding members of the band, Danylo Fedoryka, and what follows is our unedited conversation about the progression of their music, their influences and their current projects.

J.T.: Well, I guess the first thing is is how you all came up with the whole Ukrainian slant to your music?
Dan: Oh! My brother and I kind of started the band and our parents both immigrated from the Ukraine during World War II. It was just sort of a progression. We started playing mostly Celtic music, but then we had this music that we grew up with and we wanted to start playing some of our heritage and so we kind of came up with this mix.

J.T.: You know, the thing is, I listened to a lot of your stuff and there were some that had an almost total Ukrainian/Gypsy sound to it, then there were other things that you had that was Celtic music, but the back beat had that Gypsy flavor to it.
Dan: Yeah! Or, also, Middle Eastern because our drummer, his dad is from Jordan. I really think that the Celtic music lends itself really well to Middle Eastern drums. They have the same rhythms. So do African beats, like 6/8 time…the Irish jigs are in the same rhythm as the African tribal beats. They actually say that in Ireland, the Egyptian monks came over and things like the Celtic cross and those symbols are actually Coptic, which is Egyptian. The bagpipes also originated elsewhere as well, in the Middle East, so it seems somewhere, way, way back, those cultures immigrated from wherever they were from and influenced the Irish culture and tradition. It’s kind of cool to play the Ukrainian music with the Celtic music because there is almost a natural fit, going towards the East.

J.T.: I have to admit that I was really surprised by it too. When I read that it was Celtic music with a Ukrainian flavor, I was like, ‘Oh no…this is going to be horrific. I mean, there are a couple of Slavic influenced bands out there that have moshed their own traditional sound with something that God never intended and it comes out sounding like cats being strangled.
Dan: Yeah! (laughing) There have definitely been some failed attempts, or it can come across as cheesy or contrived.

J.T.: Well, like I said, this seemed to lend itself really well to create a great blending.
Dan: Well, I think that one of the reasons that we are attracted to Celtic music is that the stuff resonated with the things that we grew up with, because the Ukrainians are somewhat like the Irish in a lot of respects. They were the peasants of that part of the world. They were farmers whose main staple was the potato and they were oppressed throughout most of their history. I guess we just find a lot of commonalities between our cultural traditions and the Celtic traditions and culture. Because of the musical selections that we pick in the Celtic genre that we try and bring back into our Ukrainian influences, it meshes very well. It’s not like we say, ‘Well I want to make Whiskey In A Jar Slavic.’ It’s just not going to work.

J.T.: Well, certain elements could lend themselves to another treatment of sorts. It’s kind of like Béla Fleck: he’s pulled off some stuff within the bluegrass genre that is just amazing. I mean, when you hear it described, you’re like, ‘Okay, a banjo with African tribal rhythms? Um, no.’ But then you hear it and it’s absolutely seamless.
Dan: Yeah! It’s very interesting that, as a musician, I tend to be a little bit skeptical, and then once it goes down, it sounds awesome. We were in Pittsburgh at the Pittsburgh Irish Festival and afterward, there was an after party and there was a guy who was from India. He played in an Irish band called Corned Beef and Curry and so we were playing and he was playing some stuff and so I was like, ‘Hey! Can we play something from India?’ and so he was like, ‘Okay, cool.’ He said, ‘Start playing one of your Irish songs.’ we started playing one of our songs called Drums of Belfast in the key of D Minor and he just laid down these ridiculous Indian melodies over this Celtic song. It just sounded off the chain. But before he started playing, I said, ‘I don’t know if this is going to work,’ but it ended up being dynamite and I just love those moments where you go, ‘Oh my Gosh! This really does work!’

J.T.: So how have you guys been accepted on the Celtic circuit?
Dan: Well, at first, there was a lot of skepticism about us, but people liked our energy, but they didn’t know if this whole ‘eclectic’ thing would work. So, our first year, we only ended up with like three or festivals interested in us, but after that, I think it really resonated a lot, especially since we really try and incorporate the crowd into it. My grandmother, she’s still living and she’s one hundred years old and she used to tell us that every three or four months, a fiddler would come to her village and when that happened, everything stopped, everyone finished work and went into a bar and the fiddler would play for like five or six hours straight and everyone would just dance. It was their only opportunity to let off steam. My brother and I just loved that imagery of just a fiddler coming in and having a hoedown and enabling that and so I think our vibe, even though we had a vibe of a communal entity, there is something separate from that which I think the Irish festivals capture and that I think happened in Ireland where they would have sessions and people would get up and dance. About fifty to sixty percent of our music is still Celtic, or Celtic based, so it wasn’t like we weren’t Celtic at all, but I think, after the first year, word caught on, which is great. This year we were at the Milwaukee Irish Fest for the fourth straight year and we’re going to be in Dayton for the third straight year and I think we are going to be expanding a little bit. When you get asked back, it’s just a real good feeling to know that people really value what they were, at first, a little skeptical about. They value it somewhat like a flavor, a break from straight out Celtic music all weekend long, so people can feel some of the other influences out there. It’s been fun as the appreciation grows.

J.T.: Well, one of my things has been that there should be someone in there that crosses over different lines to cater to those who may have a preconceived notion of what, say, Celtic music is, so this different aspect draws them in and they are then able to explore the more ‘purer’ forms of the genre.
Dan: Yeah! The cross-pollination. See, to me, that’s forward thinking and that is how festivals will grow.

J.T.: Yeah, if you have the same groups year after year with the same sound, it can become tedious, and that would be counterproductive in growing a festival.
Dan: Well, Bill Russell over at the Dayton Celtic Festival has done a great job bringing in bands that are cutting edge. He had brought in Slide for a couple of years and, in my mind, they are the best traditional band on the circuit. If you like traditional Irish music, I would say that there is no one better than that band for that.

J.T.: Well, even when you’re talking about the Chieftains, who most would consider the ‘old guard’ of Celtic music, they have never really be what you would call ‘traditional.’ They have dipped into many different genres. Their last recording had a South American influence. Long story short, there were regiments of Irish soldiers fighting the Mexican-American War and a lot of them deserted into South America, so there are pockets of ‘traditional’ South American music that is heavily influenced by the Celtic music.
Dan: Ah, interesting.

J.T.: Well, the Irish immigrants were basically conscripted into the military. America said, ‘If you run down here and fight our war, we’ll let you into the country,’ but most Irishmen couldn’t bring themselves to fight fellow Catholics, so they deserted. But the music, it’s still part of the Celtic heritage, just like bluegrass is. I guess I just have a problem with that purist mentality. It has it’s place for preservation, but music is a living entity.
Dan: Yeah, we grew up with that. We’re classically trained. Our mom went to Julliard and she was very into only classical music, and so that is what we were trying to get away from. When we started and we came across some of those attitudes, it really rubbed us the wrong way. There’s a living tradition, I think, and the people like The Chieftains will step outside of their comfort zone. I think that is what all art is. You should never be finished.

J.T.: Yeah, you become complacent and stagnant. Where do you guys see yourselves going from this point in time?
Dan: Well, we’re kind of positioned pretty interestingly, like we’ve somehow manged to span across a lot of different circuits. There is a certain ‘what is it?’ quality to our identity. People can’t really pigeonhole us, so we find ourselves doing really, really well in the more grassroots circuits. We get incredible responses at those festivals. We’re biggest in the Celtic circuits I think, but we’re not too far behind that on those grassroots circuits. We have also found ourselves in the bluegrass circuits. We’ve been at MerleFest, which is in North Carolina.

J.T.: There’s a lot of stuff coming out of North Carolina.
Dan: You know, North Carolina is a really awesome state for us because there are a lot of Scottish people there and a lot of Celtic people who live in the mountains and who are really into bluegrass, so like when we play our Celtic stuff, they just go nuts. It’s really a powerful state for us. MerleFest has been really good for us, to open us up to a different realm in terms of Americana and bluegrass. Think that this summer is going to a really big one for us, because last year, even though we did a lot of festivals, this year I think we feel a little bit more comfortable and established. We spent like six weeks in the studio recording our next album and it’s all original and it will be nice coming out of that because, you know, you just become that much tighter when you do that. We have new product, like we have a new live CD and a new DVD. This is our first ever live DVD and we’ve been waiting years to get it done and we finally completed it. My brother and I just did a children’s album…

J.T.: Oh that would be cool.
Dan: Yeah! It’s just been something that…we have a bunch of nephews and nieces…we actually have like twenty-five nephews and nieces…

J.T.: Jesus!
Dan: Yeah! I know! And we have to entertain them, so we thought, ‘Why don’t we just put this down on an album?’ so we kind of wrote it for them. It was just nice for us…if you’re just doing one thing all the time, and treating everything like it’s just a source of money, then it isn’t art anymore. It’s been really satisfying for us to just dabble in a lot of different things. I just see this summer is going to be a big summer for us, being like, ‘Okay, we’ve arrived’ and I think our show is always getting better and it’s a pretty powerful show now. We’re kind of looking to bring in some supplemental performers for certain shows to just have some fun. When you go into the studio, your songs take different shapes, so we’re like, ‘Well, let’s bring that onto the road with us.’ It’s not going to be every show, but like my sister played cello on the album and I want to get her out for some festivals. I think she’s going to be at the Dayton one. It’s just going to be fun for us to see how we mature into a band that is comfortable using guest performers and can incorporate other elements to make a bigger sound.

J.T.: Yeah, and it keeps everyone on their toes.
Dan: Yeah, and for those who have seen us over the years, it’s going to be like, ‘Oh! This is something new!’

J.T.: Well, the live stuff I’ve seen from you guys, it seems like interacting with the crowd seems to be a big, integral part of the performance.
Dan: Definitely! For us it’s just like…I can go watch a virtuosic performer, but I find myself getting bored. I want to have some kind of interaction with that person. Ultimately I feel like it’s the Emperor’s New Clothes, where people are saying, ‘It’s so amazing! It’s so Amazing!’ but if you really stop, you’re like, ‘No, it’s boring.’ People want to have that interaction, they want variety. I was talking to our engineer at the studio and we were trying to discuss the length of the album ad he said, ‘I highly recommend, so not go longer than forty-three minutes…’

J.T.: Well, that’s rather specific.
Dan: Yeah! He said that it is the longest that the human mind can really focus if you don;t have any visual cues. It was interesting listening to his philosophy on that. We feel really strongly about that. We customize every set list. We show up and get a feel for the venue and then we sit down and we really stress mixing up instrumentals, the vocals and what genres would appeal to this specific audience. I guess you can say it’s almost like ADD.

J.T.: Well, I guess that’s kind of the way everything is now.
Dan: Yeah, but I think there are times for everything, like it would be fun to do something completely out of the ordinary, like an acoustic set or with mellow music, because you don’t want to be pigeonholed, like this is all you can do, so it will be like you show up at a show and you’re like, ‘Man, I wasn’t expecting this!’ I think there needs to be a magnanimity of spirit. I think that’s the key for performers that they need to give of themselves on stage and it’s amazing, as far as classical logic goes, the crowd can sense in an instant if you’re being egotistical or insincere. It’s amazing how quickly you can lose a crowd in the span of a second. They could have been right there with you and then, all of a sudden, you just left them behind because they’re sensing that they’re not the focal point anymore.

J.T.: Yeah, that cuts across any type of entertainment.
Dan: Yeah, that’s been really interesting, learning the psychology of crowds. That’s one of the things that’s kind of nice about all these festivals…I’m not going to label the people that put these festivals on. They are just a bunch of independent people who are in the same boat as us and there’s kind of a hunger, but there’s also a kind of approachability that people have to these artists and I rarely run into people that have egos on these circuits, and that’s nice.

J.T.: Well, another good thing about the festival circuits are the influences that you can run into. You’re not in a vacuum.
Joe: Yeah, you especially see it on like the grassroots festivals. There’s tons of that going on because people really like to sit in with other people. We actually had a guy that sat in with us at one festival. He is a banjo player and a great banjo player at that. He was like, ‘Hey! I want to sit in with you guys.’ so we were like okay, we’ll pick a couple of songs and all of a sudden, we’re like, ‘Oh my Gosh! This is brilliant!’ and we got stretched because of that. At the Celtic festivals, there’s the after parties where everyone jams all night long. It really is a great oasis for musicians.

J.T.: Uh-oh…I just got an email from your publicist saying that she left a message for Mike to track you down so you will call me.
Dan: (Laughing) Yeah! They’re on me!

J.T.: Yeah, when you said your producer told you that forty-three minutes is the longest a person can pay attention to something, I automatically flashed on Amadeus…do you remember that movie?
Dan: I love that movie!

J.T.: When they were telling Amadeus he would have to cut out parts from his masterpiece because, ‘there are too many notes for the royal ear.’
Dan: (Laughing) That’s great…’for the royal ear’…I have to remember that.

J.T.: Well, is there anything that you want out there that I haven’t already asked?
Dan: Well, there is one thing, if you can mention it, is that we’re excited about touring the Midwest for the next month and that we’re coming back to Dayton with brand new product, the live album Vol. II and the live DVD that we just released and the kid’s album and that we’re just coming out of six weeks in the studio, so we’re really taken what we’ve learned in the studio and we plan to hit the road running.

You can catch Scythian performing live at the Dayton Celtic Festival on the WDTN Stage on Friday, July 30th at 10 pm, Saturday July 31st at 2:20 pm and Sunday August 1st at 1:40 pm. They will also be seen on the Guinness Stage on Saturday at 8:00 pm. For more information about Scythian, go to their website, which has their whole history and their current projects, tour dates, pictures and a collection of their music. For more information about the upcoming Celtic Festival, go to the United Irish of Dayton’s website for a list of scheduled events and musicians slated to perform.

YP Spotlight: Getting Butts in the Seats for Arts

By 1 Comment

Encore Theatre Company presented RENT this summer to sold out crowds.

Dayton has a really eclectic arts scene (kudos to Ron Rollins for encapsulating it so well in his final Culture Clash).  There are fantastic professional and community arts opportunities available every weekend all across the region.   Dayton has been ranked number one for arts and culture among mid-sized cities AND is in the top 20 cultural bargains for high-quality arts at low prices (Cities Ranked and Rated, 2007).  We have unique opportunities that put the region on the national stage (besides Kent from SYTYCD) and people from outside Dayton are sometimes more aware of the quality of art produced here than we are.  Just consider this article by a NY critic on the Dayton Playhouse FutureFest or this one on the prestigious Dayton Contemporary Dance Company.

Unfortunately, many locals may not appreciate the regional arts scene as much as outsiders do.  And this is a thorn in the side of local arts marketing directors who are trying to share quality arts with the community.  This problem is compounded when these same marketing directors look out into the sea of grey hair in the audiences and know that their most ardent supporters are aging.   The National Endowment for the Arts released a study last year highlighting that audiences for live arts experiences are getting older (while the numbers of attendees continue to decline).  They posit, “Aging audiences are a long-term trend. Performing arts attendees are increasingly older than the average U.S. adult (45). The aging of the baby boom generation does not appear to account for the overall increase in age.”

So – if the problem is that young people don’t go out to the arts enough, I want to know what DOES get YPs to arts events.  Taking a very unscientific poll (asking people I know), I learned there are a lot of different reasons people hit the town for some arts:

  • Elizabeth Farley, 30-something YP who lives at the Greene and works at Eastway Behavioral Healthcare, heads out for a night of arts as a reason to get dressed up, have a big night out with the boyfriend, and because she grew up appreciating the classical arts.  She recommends the DPO for conductor Neal Gittleman’s conversational insights and the Dayton Art Institute for its extensive collection.
  • Mark Hepp, 30-ish YP living in Belmont and working at the Base, explores the arts because he likes the personal aspects of live entertainment.  He enjoys the “unpolished and uniqueness of the local arts” versus commercial main stream entertainment.  He points out that he’s gone to some shows and exhibits that were not to his liking, but those experiences gave him more appreciation for the events he does like.  His favorite spots include the Schuster Center & Wiley’s Comedy Club.
  • Frank Sawyer, 20-ish Centerville resident who works for Premier Health Partners, enjoys the arts as a way to network with individuals from various walks of life.  He says, “The beauty is that you get to be surrounded by a full cross section of the Dayton community.”  He always tries to hit Urban Nights and the various holiday celebrations.  He asks, “What better way to get in the holiday spirit?”
  • Kristen Kaltenstein, 20-something Standard Register employee who lives Dayton, goes to the arts because she’s “always looking for something new.”  For her, the arts in Dayton provide the entertainment and substance that keep nights interesting.  She names the annual CityFolk Festival as one of her favorite events each year.

So there are obviously a LOT of different reasons and tastes among 20- and 30-somethings in our region.  Who’s going to reach out to them all?  There are two groups trying: Dayton Ballet Barre and JumpstART.

Dayton Ballet (Photo: Andy Snow)

The Dayton Ballet Barre is for you if you are under 45 and interested in great ballet and fun social opportunities.  (This group wins the prize for my favorite YP use of homophone.) I spoke to Jim Butler, the President of the Associate Board for some insights into what they’re doing, why they’re doing it and the value they are providing to their members and the region.  With multiple levels of involvement/membership available – you can be a member of the Barre for purely social activities ($50 membership fee) or join the Dayton Ballet Associate Board if you have a little time to volunteer to this great cause.   And I mean a *little* time – If you can give a couple hours a year, they’ll take your help.   Butler emphasizes that “you can be as involved as your schedule allows.”  (NOTE: There are lots of different levels of involvement with this group, but for the sake of this story, I’ll refer to everything as the Barre.  Check out their Web site for more info.)

The Barre was created specifically to support the Dayton Ballet – the second oldest ballet company in the country.  A quick look at the Web site taught me that the Dayton Ballet is “one of the top three dance companies in the nation that produces and presents new work, and the only dance company to establish a fund designated specifically to create a new full-length 21st Century ballet.”  Some serious national attention, the creation of new works, and some ridiculously talented young performers should lead to a lot of YP audience members, right?  Wrong.  But the Barre is working to change that.

Butler was asked to join the Barre in 2006 by a friend; over time he was asked to join the Associate Board.  He believes that the Barre wasn’t really “getting the job done” because they weren’t getting more people out to experience the Dayton Ballet.  These YPs took their mission seriously, and gave themselves the charge to make a real difference by coming up with a specific plan.

The Ballet Barre Nutcracker Ball is a popular yearly event.

The Barre now utilizes a “gradual exposure” strategy to get attention for the Ballet through non-ballet events.  A look at the monthly YP round-ups will show you that they host Barre Crawls through the Oregon District, family picnics (kid-friendly!), volunteer opportunities, fashion shows and more.  Two of their largest yearly events include the upcoming British Bash in August and “Cocktails with Santa” in conjunction with the December performance of The Nutcracker.  Butler acknowledges that ballet is an acquired taste and he believes that the “initial viewing isn’t enough to ‘hook’ patrons.”  Through a very specific marketing plan which includes great social events, discounted ballet tickets, opportunities to meet the dancers and choreographers, and fun networking opportunities – they are introducing YPs to the Ballet.

Diane Shoeffler-Warren, who doubles as the PR and Marketing Managers for both Dayton Ballet and the Victoria explained the impact of the Barre.  “Young professional organizations such as the Ballet Barre, infuse a specific energy into our audiences and assist in creating arts experiences that attract a younger demographic.  Both Dayton Ballet and Victoria Theatre Association (VTA) use programming to attract younger audiences to expose them to a specific art form.  Specifically, Dayton Ballet Barre has provided an avenue for young professionals to enjoy ballet productions with friends and colleagues in a fun, social setting. The Ballet Barre also strives to create support off the stage by hosting events linked to performances such as the Sugar Plum Tea (The Nutcracker) and post-performance parties, like LOVE BITES, held after the February 2010 performance of Dracula. They are a valuable resource to Dayton Ballet.”

The Barres hopes to grow to 1000 members by June 2011 with the ambitious goal of generating a broad-based core of arts supporters to double season ticket subscriptions for the Dayton Ballet.  If you want to learn more or join the Barre – check out their membership page.

JumpstART has a similar mission, although it casts a much wider arts net – including visual arts, performance arts, theatre, dance, vocal, comedy, and more.  As the activity arm of the Culture Works Associate Board, JumpstART provides a no membership/no fee way for YPs to explore the arts through ticket deals, event packages, and social outings to experience the arts together.  Want to “join” JumpstART – you only need to like them on the Facebook page – JumpstART is all about communication, providing you with ticket deals, and hooking you into the overall arts scene.

The history of JumpstART doesn’t go back very far.  They first met in the Spring of 2009 when Culture Works determined that they wanted to get more YPs plugged into the arts scene.  That summer they launched a survey, and the results demonstrated that even though YPs give Dayton credit for a great arts scene, they weren’t attending arts events for three main reasons – lack of knowledge about events, misconceptions about the accessibility of arts events and concern over cost.  With survey results in hand, they knew what they had to do.  So, JumpstART responded with a three-tiered approach is to host events that are easy to attend, affordable, and well-publicized.  Working with the local arts groups, restaurants and bars, JumpstART puts together monthly ticket deals – called “jumps” –  to meet YPs where they are and incorporate arts into the evening.  (Example: at a recent “jump,” Boston’s Bistro and Pub provided pizza and beer and DPO offered a deeply discounted concert ticket for a total price of $10 for an after-work event.)

Some "jumpers" enjoy a night at the opera

In addition to hosting events, JumpstART is working to remove the stigma of the arts as stuffy or high-brow.  They have begun posting “first-person reviews” of arts events on their Facebook page and even at DMM.  These reviews include what people wore to the theatre, where they parked, if they got dinner before or drinks afterward, and what they generally thought about the event.  You can always read a review from a seasoned critic in the paper, but sometimes in order to feel like you belong at the event, it’s nice to know what your peers are doing.  Too often, people who haven’t been to the theatre don’t want to go b/c they don’t know what to expect.  These reviews provide the insight on what you’ll see and if it’s worth your time.

The Facebook page also alerts fans to affordable events, opportunities that may be “off-the-beaten path,” or really worthwhile shows.  They are aware that the more “formal” arts venues may not be for everyone, so they also highlight free shows, grassroots arts organizations, and the wide range of eclectic arts offerings across the region.  Many YPs may not be averse to arts experiences in general, but may be looking for more accessible opportunities highlighting young, local artists.  As a main pillar of JumpstART, they’re focused on communication and letting YPs know that there’s room for them at the arts table – whether it’s through the classical arts or newer grassroots experiences.

During the Urban Nights Jump, the first stop was DVAC

Currently, JumpstART is in the process of reformatting the organizational structure.  JumpstART steering committee member Shannon Bockelman invites more people to become “jumpers.”  Bockelman says, “We’re looking for YPs who want the opportunity to make a difference in the community through the arts.  The Associate Board is a way for people to come to four meetings a year, come to some fun events, grow their leadership skills, and make an impact on the community.”  The Steering Committee will continue to plan the “jumps,” but they are looking to grow the Associate Board to help spread the word about these opportunities.  They are sticking to their no-membership motto, so fees and attendance obligations don’t get in the way of anyone coming to JumpstART events.  But if you’re looking to become a part of the Associate Board, meet new people, and help spread the word about the arts in the region, be in touch with Claire Nerl at Culture Works.

Both JumpstART and the Ballet Barre are working toward a larger mission to get YPs engaged and active in the community.  While city planners and economic developers work on growing the region from a business and infrastructure perspective, these groups are focused on introducing the young talent in the region to our great cultural assets.  As Butler states, it’s about the quality of life; “the ultimate goal is to revitalize the community.  We choose to do it through the arts.”  Both groups are run by volunteers and provide excellent opportunities for leadership training, and both groups are currently looking for YPs interested in being involved (at any level).  Although they are two unique organizations, since they have similar missions, you’ll see joint events, collaborations, and cross-promotion coming up as they continue to build their relationship for the betterment of the arts and the region.

Upcoming Events:

Dayton Ballet Barre
July 25: Ballet Barre Picnic
August 4: Ballet Barre Meeting – These are always open for new members.
August 14: Ballet Barre British Bash
September 1: Ballet Barre Meeting
September 18: Ballet Barre – Fashion Runway Show

JumpstART
August 11: JumpstART meeting – Want to learn more?  Email [email protected]
August Jump (Date TBD): Encore Theatre Company Next Thing You Know
September 16: Jump into the DAI: Modern Masters

(DISCLOSURE: I’m the chair of the Culture Works Associate Board and help to plan many of the JumpstART events.)

Gettin’ geeky with Super-Fly Comics

By 3 Comments

Super-Fly Comics at 132 Dayton Street, Yellow Springs.

Remember 7-Eleven in the 1980s? The ubiquitous convenience-store chain was something of a temple of sorts for kids like me who grew up during the era of Pac Man and Reaganomics.

Was it the day-old hot dogs that lured me into the brightly-lit snack shack?  Nope.

Was it the allure of  icy smooth flavorful Slurpee’s that drew me back to the orange and green?  Wrong again.

The thing that I saved my quarters for was not Big Gulps or Snickers bars (well, maybe a few Snickers bars).  What I craved –  even more than the sugar – was comic books.  The comic book was somewhat of a deity to me back in the day.

And the spinner rack was a shrine.

Comics specialty stores popped up in the 1990’s and they quickly became the new destination for geeks to get their weekly fantasy fix.  Though the comic industry peaked in the mid nineties, and independent comic book stores started to disappear, you could still find your favorite funny books in national bookstores like Barnes and Noble and Border’s.

However, it became harder for the loyal, die-hard comic book fans to locate a shop that understood them, attended to their nerdy needs and didn’t have associates that resembled ‘Comic book Guy’ Jeff Albertson from the Simpsons animated television show.  A good comic shop needs to cater to that resiliently loyal fanbase who loves comics, yet still be inviting enough for the casual customers who don’t know the difference between Kryptonite and a cryptogram.

True believers, I have found such a place:  Super-Fly Comics in Yellow Springs.

Thacher Cleveland and Anthony Barry, co-owners of Super-Fly, talked to DMM about their love of the comics medium, the mechanics of a good ( and bad) comic book movie and the future of the industry.

DMM: Tell me about how you got started selling comics?

TC: We both used to work over at Dark Star Comics and Used Books.  We made the owner an offer to buy her new comic business –her subscription services and the stock — and move it over here into a separate store.  She wanted to focus more on used books, and things of that nature.  She accepted, and we brought it over here. It’s grown since then.

Thacher Cleveland (left), and Anthony Barry of Super-Fly Comics.

DMM: When was this?

Thacher Cleveland: This was August of 2007.

DMM: So, were you guys always comic book fans?

TC: Yeah, definitely.

Anthony Barry: I don’t even remember a time in my life when there weren’t comics around.

TC: We actually have what I am 98% sure was my first comic that I had ever got on display [in the store]:  An issue of Batman that my mother had bought for me when I was home sick from school one day…I was probably 8 or 9 years-old.  That’s sort of my first distinct memory of getting and reading a comic.  It sort of grew from there.

DMM: When did you start working at Dark Star?

TC: I started working there in 2002, and began managing in 2004.

AB: [2004] was when I got hired over there.

DMM: Is it safe to describe you guys as comic book geeks?

AB: Oh yeah! [Laughs.]

TC: Yeah, we’re pretty much into a lot of geeky stuff  in general.  When you’ve been around them and enjoy reading them as much as we do, it just becomes sort of a lifestyle.

DMM: Comic books have always had a stigma as being for kids.  What’s the average age of the people who walk through your doors?

Super-Fly's ample lighting, bright colors and open layout create an inviting atmosphere for browsing

TC: It’s hard to say.  I would say that a lot of our regulars are guys over 18.  We don’t see as many younger kids as we would like.  For the most part, its become less of a “Hey, comics are for kids” and more of the notion that comics are for people that enjoy reading them.  Even a lot of our casual guys are of the older variety.

DMM: What was the concept for the store early on?

TC: We wanted a comic shop that was really inclusive for everyone.  There’s a stereotype of comic shops as being, you know, dark and dungeous.  It couldn’t be a comic shop just for “us”  or people that weren’t willing to devote every second of their day to comics.

Comics aren’t just superheroes.  There’s so much other stuff out there.  There’s all kinds of fun genres being explored. There are historical stories being told.  Autobiographical stories being told.  It’s so diverse.  We wanted a shop to be as diverse as the comics medium is.  That was pretty much our goal going into it.

So far, people seem to be responding to that.  And we appreciate it.

DMM: We’ve seen a lot of comic book movies, in the last decade or so.  What’s your opinion of Hollywood’s love affair with comic book characters?

TC: I think it’s great when [the studios] treat the source material respectfully.  I think a lot more movies, nowadays, are being made by people who understand and enjoy the comics.  You have more people working in the entertainment industry that grew up on comics than the previous generations.

When they’re done well with a keen eye towards staying true to the source material, then it’s fine.  In a lot of cases, it increases people’s exposure to comics.  When the Watchmen movie came out, we had so many people wanting to come in and get the graphic novel to read before they saw the movie.

AB: It’s a mixed bag.  We saw exponential sales with the Watchmen film.  We don’t tend to see as much of a bump with movies like Iron Man.  Those are characters that are already known.  Sometimes, and I’m looking at the movie Wanted, for example, the movies can do a disservice when they change the story so much that it’s almost unrecognizable.  People come in and go,”Hey, I want to read the book that the movie was about.”  And, the movie was dramatically different from the book.  That’s not doing anyone any favors.

Super-Fly hosts art shows, in-store gaming events like HeroClix and HeroScape and dance parties featuring live music.

DMM: With devices — like Apple’s iPad– distributing comics electronically, are there any concerns from you guys regarding the future of the bricks-and-mortar comic book retail store?

TC: That’s probably the number one question that comic retailers across the country are wrestling with.  I think what it comes down to is this:  If you have a good shop– a shop that people like coming to– then you’ll be fine.  If you’re providing them a good experience, have a good selection of product and you’re friendly, then people will come back.

There are always gonna be people that want something for free…or for less.  But I like to think that we provide a really good experience and a good environment.  I hope that people browse through the free and cheap stuff [on the iPad] from the ‘Big Two’ (Marvel and DC) and see something they like and start looking for a good shop.

AB: I’ve yet to see a digital reader I’m satisfied with…although, it’s just a matter of time before that comes along.  Also, a lot of comics readers are into the ‘collectability’ of comics and possessing [the books.]  There’s really no replacement for coming into a store and talking to people who know what they’re talking about.  They ability for someone to recommend books or just have someone to share your experiences with…you can’t replace that.  The customer/shopkeeper relationship that develops over time is certainly better than any computer.

DMM: What, do you think, is Super-Fly’s competitive advantage over other comic shops?

TC: Again, I would say selection and customer service.  We’ve also received a lot of feedback from our customers that they like the way our store looks; they like the way us and our staff treat them.  We special order for people.  We ship, for free, within Ohio for people who can’t make it to Yellow Springs.  We try to put in as much effort as we can to making the entire experience really good.  I hope that all shops are doing that.

AB: We provide a quality experience.  The competition isn’t just other comic shops — it’s online,  digital retailers and sites like Amazon.  You really have to provide a unique experience.  Like Thacher said, we special order things for people all the time.  But even if we can’t get it for them, we’ll tell them where they can.  We’ll at least make the connection for them.  I feel, that’s what people value the most; we assist them in finding what they’re looking for.

Super-Fly Comics is located at 132 Dayton Street in Yellow Springs, Ohio. You can reach them at (937) 767-1445 or [email protected].
Hours:
Monday & Tuesday Noon – 7pm
Wednesday through Saturday 11am – 8pm
Sunday Noon – 7pm

facebook.com/superflycomics

superflycomics.com

“Tell ’em DaytonMostMetro.com sent ya!”

The author wishes to thank these two gentleman for their time.  He would also like to add that, despite his attempts, he has yet to successfully develop a method of irradiating spiders in an effort to gain super strength.  He also believes that microwaving spiders was probably not a good idea.

Yeah… but can it play Dayton?

By 8 Comments

[title of show] - Encore Theater Co. - Dayton CastDayton, Ohio:  a hotbed for the development & performance of new musical theatre?

YES.

“It is a hopeless endeavour to attract people to a theatre unless they can be first brought to believe that they will never get in.” – CHARLES DICKENS, Nicholas Nickleby

Musical Theatre Workshop:  Festival 2010

THE HUMAN RACE THEATRE COMPANY

During the 1940’s and 1950’s, American Musical Theatre was developed right in the heart of it all – Manhatten. After all, that’s where all the great theatre was happening. PLUS – it wasn’t nearly as expensive to produce a big Broadway musical as it is today. (Wicked has just recently recouped its $40 million investment and THAT’S a runaway hit). Add to that the fact that the vast majority of Broadway audiences are tourists, then you can see why so many writers of new musical theatre are hungry to test their work in an “everyman” market. After all, those are the folks buying tickets.

Events here in our city over the next two weekends suggest to me that New York writers might just begin asking themselves –“Yeah, but will it play Dayton?” Without a doubt, Dayton is becoming a new Midwestern Mecca for new musical theatre development.

Human Race Musical Theatre Workshop 2008

"The Black Crook Project" 2008

Consider this. Downtown at The Loft theatre this coming weekend, THREE new musicals will premiere. One of those – PLAY IT BY HEART – features the work of Brian Yorkey (2009 Tony-Winner for Next To Normal). Another – TENDERLY – was written by the same team that created the wildly popular GREEN GABLES that played the Victoria in 2005. And the third – being written as we speak by local students – will make its national debut – right here in Dayton (The Lovewell Project). This is coming on the heels of the stellar Human Race production of Adam Gwon’s new musical ORDINARY DAYS. There is simply no excuse not to catch one of these shows. Not to mention, the schedule for the festival weekend makes it so easy. PLUS there are opportunities to meet the creators and party with the Race.

Do yourself a favor and make time for this festival weekend.
MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP: FESTIVAL 2010 FULL SCHEDULE

Friday, July 16

8pm               Play It By Heart @ The Loft Theatre
Followed by an After-Show Reception @ The Dayton Racquet Club

Saturday, July 17

1:15pm          Meet the Play It By Heart writers @ The Loft Lobby
2pm                Play It By Heart @ The Loft Theatre
7pm               Lovewell Show @ The Loft Theatre
Followed by an After-Show Reception The Loft Lobby
8pm                Tenderly @ Creativity Center

Sunday, July 18

2pm                 Lovewell Show @ The Loft Theatre
2pm                 Tenderly @ Creativity Center
6:15pm           Meet the Tenderly writers Creativity Center
7pm                 Tenderly @ Creativity Center
Followed by a Wrap-Up Party @ a Location TBA

Synopses:

Play it By Heart tells the story of a female country music star battling her family and a changing industry. Taylor, who penned such hits as Tammy Wynette’s “Another Chance” and Johnny Cash’s “The Baron,” calls it “the quintessential story of family in country music.”

Tenderly is about a real musical legend, one of the most famous entertainers ever to come out of the Southwest Ohio/Northern Kentucky region, Rosemary Clooney. The show includes such Clooney hits as “Come On-a My House,” “Mambo Italiano” and “Hey There.”

For more Information & Tickets, visit:

Musical Theatre Workshop: Festival 2010 (July 16-18) will be celebrated at both the 219-seat Loft Theatre at 126 N. Main St. and the approximately 60-seat Caryl D. Philips Creativity Center at 116 N. Jefferson St. Tickets ($15 per performance) are available at the door. Visit http://www.humanracetheatre.org for more information.

If we seem to have a particular passion for developing NEW and innovative work, it because we do! After all, the same weekend as the MTW Festival at the Loft, Encore Theater Company is presenting local premiere of the 2009 Tony-Nominated musical [title of show] – trust me – a comedy like no other!

DB

[title of show]

ENCORE THEATER COMPANY

What do you get when you gather four friends, four chairs, a keyboard, some monkeys, vampires, drag queens and a fresh batch of rice crispy treats?  Why [title of show] of course!

How do you explain a show that has an ingredient list like that?  How about “a show that really [BEEEEEEP]’ing ROCKS!”

Shawn Hooks as "Jeff" in [title of show] - Dayton, Ohio But really, all poor grammar aside, this show really does ROCK!  Just ask Dayton native Susan Blackwell, an original cast member of the Broadway, Off-Broadway and New York Musical Theater Festival productions of the little show that could. Not only was Ms. Blackwell an original cast member…she is also a character in the show.

Angele' Price as "Susan" in [title of show] - Dayton, OhioConfused? Don’t be, here’s the premise-[title of show] is a hilarious new musical written by 2 struggling writers about 2 struggling writers writing a hilarious new musical. word.  Essentially, art imitating life imitating art imitating life.  Get the picture? Oh, and Susan was a great pal & agreed to be in their show.

Chris Smyth as "Hunter" in [title of show] - Dayton, OhioWith a song list that includes such classics as “Untitled Opening Number,” “Monkeys & Playbills,” “I Am Playing Me,” “Nine People’s Favorite Thing,” and  “Die Vampire, Die!” how could you possibly consider missing this opportunity to catch this show?

Nora Coyle as "Heidi" in [title of show] - Dayton, OhioWell…here’s good news!  You can win Tickets to [tos]! YAY! DaytonMostMetro & Encore Theater Company are giving away three pairs of tickets to [title of show].  All you need to do is give the show’s director a good DRAG QUEEN name! Yes, that’s right, brainstorm a great drag queen name for the director of the show…and suggest it in the comment section below (everyone else in the cast/crew has a DQ name already…you can check them out HERE).

We will announce winners on Wednesday night.  You will have a choice of performances (Thursday, Friday or Saturday at 7:30pm).

Help DOUBLE the number of tickets that we will be giving away!  We will announce three additional winners, if we can help DaytonMostMetro reach 2,000 fans by midnight Wednesday! Go to the DMM Facebook Fan Page, become a fan if you are not already, then share it with all of your friends, family & FB lurkers.

[title of show] will be performed at 7:30pm on Thursday, Friday & Saturday (July 15-17) at Blair Hall Theatre on the campus of Sinclair Community College.  Visit www.EncoreTheaterCompany.com for more information about Encore Theater Company & [tos].

For more Information & Tickets, visit:

[title of show] (July 15-17) Call Blair Hall Box Office at  (937) 512-2808 or visit http://www.EncoreTheaterCompany.com for information and links to the online box office.  Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door.  Please note:  [title of show] contains adult themes and language.

SA

Encore Theater Company welcomes the writers of Next Thing You Know to Dayton, July 23-25

Joshua Salzman & Ryan Cunningham - Next Thing You KnowOn the “developing new musical theatre in Dayton, Ohio” front, ETC would like to mention the exciting fact that the writers of NEXT THING YOU KNOW will be traveling from New York to work with the Dayton cast on the show.  Joshua Salzman & Ryan Cunningham (who penned the Off-Broadway hit I LOVE YOU BECAUSE) have been developing NTYK for a potential New York run, and will be utilizing the Encore Theater Company production as an opportunity to test some changes and make some creative decisions in the development process.

In an effort to help cover Josh & Ryan’s expenses, ETC kicked off the 30 for 30 for New Musical Theater campaign last week.  The response was great from the Dayton arts community…making this opportunity a reality!  If you would like to contribute to the fund, and an opportunity to meet the writers, please email the ETC staff at [email protected] for information about how you can participate in the campaign.

While Salzman & Cunningham are in town, they will also conduct a workshop for Dayton actors about auditioning for musical theatre productions.  This workshop will take place on Saturday, July 24th in the Oregon District Arts Collaborative space above the new SideBar (400 East Fifth Street, Suite A).  Email the ETC staff at [email protected] for information.

Next Thing You Know will be performed at 7:30pm on Thursday, Friday & Saturday (August 12-14) at Blair Hall Theatre on the campus of Sinclair Community College.  Visit www.EncoreTheaterCompany.com for more information about Encore Theater Company & NTYK.

For more Information & Tickets, visit:

Next Thing You Know (August 12-14) Call Blair Hall Box Office at  (937) 512-2808 or visit http://www.EncoreTheaterCompany.com for information and links to the online box office.  Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door.  Please note: NTYK contains adult themes and language.

Update: NEXT THING YOU KNOW by Salzman & Cunningham

Joshua Salzman & Ryan Cunningham traveled from New York to Dayton last weekend to work with the ETC cast of NEXT THING YOU KNOW.  The writers continued to mold & shape their show into what they envision it to be.  This was a thrilling experience for everyone at Encore Theater Company.

While Salzman & Cunningham were in town we took some time to sit down with them, and the cast of NTYK to record a MusicalWorld episode.  Look for that episode below.

We also hosted a reception for the writing team at the home of Dr. Michael Ervin, followed by a trip to the new SideBar in the Oregon District.  Much thanks go out to Dr. Ervin, Kevin Moore (artistic director of The Human Race Theatre Co.), the donor’s in the “30 for 30” campaign, the folks at Toxic Brew Company (keep watching DMM for info about this cool Dayton start-up), Bill & Shannon from Dayton Most Metro and representatives from other local organizations & theatre companies.  Look for a video about that reception below.

http://www.mevio.com/episode/241734/mw66-salzman-amp-cunningham-next-thing-you

SA

Spitfire Grill

BEAVERCREEK COMMUNITY THEATRE

The Spitfire Grill - Beavercreek Community TheatreWhile not a brand new piece of musical theater, SPITFIRE GRILL is a rarely performed show.  The last performance in Dayton was the excellent production by The Human Race Theatre a few seasons ago.

Doug Lloyd will helm the Beavercreek Community Theatre production of Spitfire Grill September 17th through the 26th.  He will be joined on staff by Stacey Gear (choreographer) and Dr. James Tipps (music director).  BCT recently held auditions for the show.  The result was what looks to be a terrific cast for this heartwarming show.

Percy Talbott – Sydney Lanier

Shelby Thorpe – Katie Storost

Hannah Ferguson – Pam McGinnis

Effy Krayneck – Teresa Connair

Sheriff Joe Sutter – Max Monnig

Caleb Thorpe – Brad Mattingly

The Visitor – Nick Vanderpool

Synopsis:

A feisty parolee follows her dreams, based on a page from an old travel book, to a small town in Wisconsin and finds a place for herself working at Hannah’s Spitfire Grill. It is for sale but there are no takers for the only eatery in the depressed town, so newcomer Percy suggests to Hannah that she raffle it off. Entry fees are one hundred dollars and the best essay on why you want the grill wins. Soon, mail is arriving by the wheelbarrow full and things are definitely cookin’ at the Spitfire Grill

Mark your calendars and plan to attend what will surely be a terrific production of  Spitfire Grill.

For more Information & Tickets, visit:

Spitfire Grill (September 17-26) Call Beavercreek Community Theatre Box Office at  (937) 429-4737 or visit http://www.bctheatre.org for information and links to the online box office.

SA

FINALLY – be sure to check out the latest MusicalWorld Podcast that features an interview with Susan Blackwell (who was in the original cast of [title of show] on Broadway!

Beating the odds with Boxing

By 9 Comments

“You have the shoulder of an 80 year old woman, but after this surgery, you will be able to hold your future babies.”  Dr. Welker said this as he prepared for surgery to fix my perpetually dislocating shoulder.  It was 2003 and this was the second surgery on that shoulder in as many years.  Sports injuries and a family pre-disposition had left a deep seated – and warranted – fear of dislocating during everyday activities.  I would dislocate while washing my hair, riding a bike, being bumped while walking down narrow steps.  The idea of being able to hold a baby and walk around with confidence seemed like a pretty big leap.

Well, the surgery was successful (thanks to Dr. Welker and lots of PT) but the fear of dislocating or causing additional damage was holding me hostage.  My once active lifestyle had gone sedentary and the effects were obvious on my waistline.  My arm mobility was limited, my upper body was very weak, and my fear of the surgery failing was enough to keep me from pushing any limits.  After the birth of my daughter in 2007, my perspective changed dramatically.  I was able to hold her with confidence – no fear at all.  I wanted to make sure she lived a healthy lifestyle – one that included physical activity and healthy food – void of unnecessary fear – and I realized that my example was the most critical piece of teaching her a healthy and active lifestyle.

So I started to shed the extra 40 pounds with diet.  And I began working out with Wii Fit.  Around the same time, I met John Drake and he urged me to come try a boxing class.  It took a few months to get up the courage, but one Friday afternoon in the summer of 2008 I finally came into the gym.  I was taught how to throw a punch, the boxer’s stance, and how to do a proper squat.  I did my first 20 pushups since high school gym class.  We worked out on the heavy bag and with Mitts.  The people in the class all learned my name and were encouraging me – literally cheering me on – as I learned my first combination.   Nobody had cheered for me since high school.  I felt like a million bucks.  Better than that even.  I was so proud of myself.  What would Dr. Welker say if he could see me now?

After class my muscles were sore but my shoulder did not slip.  I felt like I was checking off a list of things that suddenly I could do if I just tried – greater physical challenges than I had taken on in 10 years.  I did 100 consecutive pushups.  I ran a 5K.  I went to class 3 days a week, increasing my speed and taking on more complex combinations.  I had muscle definition that I never thought possible.  And it happened while I was having fun and making friends.

A year ago, I felt the shoulder ache come back and I thought I felt it slip.  I had recently increased the weight of my gloves and had been lifting a lot of very heavy boxes at work.  I muttered to myself that Dr. Welker gave me release for a free range of activities but probably would have said “You know, except maybe you shouldn’t box” and I would have laughed because… really… that would have been a ridiculous concept at the time.  And there I was, potentially tearing the muscle that was holding my shoulder in socket, for fun.  I felt foolish on one hand and I was devastated on the other – I just couldn’t give up when I had come so far. And hitting a bag was like therapy for me.

So I talked to John about it and he assured me that we could continue boxing – and that strength training is part of PT and that is really what we do for most of the class.  We came up with a new strategy to keep me boxing and ensure I healed.  For many months I lifted 3lb dumbbells instead of 15 pound tires. I picked a softer bag and laid off the hooks.  I adjusted my planks to relieve stress on my shoulder.  And most importantly, I switched to be a left- handed boxer, which meant that I threw fewer punches with my left arm and more jabs with my right.  I felt like it was my first day in class again… my form was poor and my punches were weak.   I was discouraged – but now I had a group of friends cheering me on every time I got in the ring.  And they encouraged me to keep trying and helped me recognize when I was pushing too hard.  Slowly, I built back up to doing all the pushups and lifting the tires.  Last week I got a text from one of my classmates saying that she thought I boxed better as a southpaw.  I felt like a million bucks again.

If I don’t go to the gym, I am difficult to be around.  For me and many others, it is a non-negotiable part of our life that keeps us balanced.  There are so many inspirational members at Drake’s gym – people in their 60s belting out 100 pushups straight, women who have lost over 100 lbs, people with shoulders of 80 year old women, and newbies that are starting the journey and renew the exhilaration for those of us who have been doing it for years.   It is a unique group that is united by an enthusiasm for seeing yourself and your peers excel and learn new skills – and a place where you are expected to encourage and inspire others.  I love to introduce it to new people – they are immediately hooked.

To get a glimpse of the hard work and fun in action, go to Fight Night on July 17th with gates opening at 7:30 and bouts starting at 8:30.  Pre and post parties will be held at The Color of Energy (where the exhibit “Punchers and Painters” has been on display since last month)  in collaboration with neighboring restaurants and bars in the Oregon District. Learn more about the gym at www.jabcityboxing.biz or just come in and see what it is all about.

10?’s with Rue Dumaine’s Chef

By 1 Comment

“Food of Love”, Chef Anne Kearney’s motto, says it all, keeping the chef and her staff ever mindful of their mission to create culinary excellence in every dish that is placed before a guest.

For Chef Kearney, the words are close to her heart. Her passion for culinary perfection and the “sense of place” she feels in the kitchen, will always be the cornerstones of her dedication to her chosen career.  A native of Ohio, Chef got her early training at  Greater Cincinnati Culinary Arts Academy then made her way into the culinary scene in New Orleans.  And what a way she made, with stints as a sous chef for some of the most acclaimed chefs in the big easy, and eventually buying the restaurant Peristyle, after the owner passed away.  Kearney’s hard work, incredible mentors and her  respect for food  and proper preparation skyrocketed her to the top of the culinary world.  Her career has been documented with a cover of Food & Wine Magazine, when she was declared one of the “10 Best New Chefs in America,”  four Best Chef Awards from the James Beard Foundation, a Best Chef award by American Express, a feature in Gourmet Magazine and writing credits for Emeril Lagasse’s cookbook recipes and scripts for his tv show.

After all this success, a medical crisis made Kearney rethink her life.  In 2002, a brain aneurysm ruptured and after several more incidents and surgery, Kearney and business partner and husband Tom Sand returned home to the Miami Valley.  It allowed her to spend time with her family caring for her father in his last years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer disease.  Tom and Anne also began a small farm, Two Small Tomatoes, on the Kearney family property in Lebanon.  Kearney sells her wares at Centerville Farmers Market, the second Thurs of each month from 1-6pm . Here’s an excerpt from her weekly Rue Dumaine email:

“This week there will be corn** bisque, black bean-corn** salsa, gingered carrot** soup, white bean-arugula** dip, zucchini**- chocolate chip muffins…. just to name a few. She’ll be making breakfast bars in the am and Tom will be in the RUE kitchen tomorrow creating a huge batch of his tasty granola, which makes me very happy, it is so good and good for you. I am bringing along more product to this months market as I hope to satisfy the demand; don’t let me down, come on out and see what your local community has to offer.” (The ** refer to locally grown ingredients)

In 2007 with her health under control Anne and her husband Tom refurbished a failed asian bistro in what has now become one of Dayton’s hottest restaurants. Rue Dumaine was named after the street that Peristyle, her New Orleans place was on.   Fueled by Anne’s love of fresh ingredients and her own more casual interpretation of french classics, Dayton diners have felt the love and are giving it right back, making reservations very much suggested for a meal at this Washington Township eatery.  Or each Friday you can have lunch from 11:30am – 1:30pm.

And now – here’s Chef Anne Kearney’s answers to our 10 questions:


What is your favorite ingredient to cook with?
Local produce, I am intoxicated with the abundance that the Miami Valley provides for Rue Dumaine.
What ingredient do you dread?
Frozen fish, it is sent away from here.

What’s your favorite dish to make?
Endive salad
What’s your favorite pig out food?
Cheese in various forms

What restaurant, other than your own do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley?
Meadowlark; Wiley and her crew rock. (You can read Wiley’s 10 ?’s here)

What’s your best advice for home chefs?
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Oh, please buy local.

If you could invite any 4 guests to a dinner party who would they be and why?

John Neal, my mentor-I would love him to taste how my food has progressed thru the years. He would tell me and I would benefit from that. (Kearney  went to New Orleans to work under the late chef John Neal at the acclaimed Bistro at the Maison de Ville Hotel. When Chef Neal left to open Peristyle in late 1991, he took Kearney along as his Sous chef. Kearney credits Neal for her tutelage in classic French cooking techniques, as well as perfecting her own palate and prompting her discovery of new tastes and the depths of flavor.

“His passion for his work was so real, it was almost tangible,” says Kearney. “I will always hold with me the image of John hovering over a tiny pot that held what would become a perfect pink pea risotto. He would stir and taste, stir and taste, until it was absolutely perfect.”)

James J. Kearney, my father- He loved my food and he also loved that I found a joy in cooking. Paula Wolfert, one of my idols-I have established much of my culinary foundation on her stories and research. She opened my eyes to the cuisine of southwestern France. Robert Heisser, my maternal grandfather- He build and ran a lodge in upstate Michigan, where cooked a sit-down dinner for the guests every night. I think he would dig the fact that I cook for a living.
Who do you look up to in the industry and why?
Chef John Besh. He has taken the reign of Culinary King of New Orleans, Louisiana actually. I respect his efforts and love his food.

What do you do in the Miami Valley on a day off?
I attend Pilates class at Practice. Seasonally weed out at the farmJ, there are some serious vegetables growing out there. I cannot wait to cook them up for all.
Share a kitchen disaster, lucky break or other interesting story:
Kitchen disaster- The freezers went out 1 hour before my second James Beard dinner was to begin, we were serving baked Alaska that evening. At least I was in NYC, it was a tough push but we made it happen.
Lucky break- I was blessed to discover at a young age that cooking was my thing. It has taken me to far reaches and brings me joy daily.

Insider Info about Rue Dumaine’s Never Advertised, Always Sold Out Cooking Classes from the Chef herself:

“I am blessed to be sold out thru November (1 a month)and I try to take December off for holiday events. 1class a month since last July:). The classes are a great deal of fun: once the class is sold out I send out a questionnaire to all students with relevant questions regarding each persons likes, dislikes, allergies. Any food memories, techniques, or flavors that they would like to have incorporated into the menu. I post a list of seasonal ingredients and have them rank their preferences. Once I receive the completed questionnaires I begin to write the menu. Once written Michael pairs wine and it is then sent out for student approval, once approved I begin to write recipes. The day before, I prep and organize the recipes. The day of I and one of my kitchen crew set up 4 stations in the kitchen, one for each of the cooks and their assigned course. At 3pm the cook half of each couple show up and we sit down and go thru the packet of recipes, I assign 1 dish to each student. A kitchen tour is given, chefs jacket and linen apron (theirs to keep) are put on and the cooking begins. By 6pm (ideally:)) we are ready to roll out hors d’ourvres and sparkling for all. After a few minutes of down time we move to the dining room and all take a seat at a table for 10. The student who prepped the first course goes into the kitchen with me and we execute the first course. Once all plated we run the food out to the table take a seat and the student describes the dish and speaks of any challenges or funny occurrences. Michael or Evan pour the wine and talk of the pairing. This continues on for 3 more courses. They all go home full, with a packet of recipes, a menu, 1 linen apron and 1 bottle of wine from the evenings menu. All that for $300 a couple.”

If you’d like to get on the list to become a future student send contact them through their website and Rue Dumaine will contact you as they develop classes for 2011.

Yellow Springs Experience: An Immersion into Art & Culture

By 1 Comment

The last time I visited Yellow Springs, I went used book shopping at Dark Star Books, walked the trails at the beautiful Glen Helen Nature Preserve and ate a delicious lunch at the popular Ha Ha Pizza eatery.

It was a good reprieve from the my day-to-day stresses.

A day in the eclectic, bohemian village can be a refreshing and invigorating experience.

Just imagine what 10 days can be.

Starting this weekend, Yellow Springs invites the region to become acquainted with everything that makes it special in the form of a 10-day art and cultural extravaganza called Yellow Springs Experience. From July 9-18, the village will be bustling with a flurry of cultural activities. Over 80 events ranging from visual arts workshops, wellness classes, theater and dance performances and art exhibits are scheduled, creating a 360-degree immersive shared experience. The goal was to capture the essence of the community, says Yellow Springs Arts Council administrator Carole Braun.

“There was always the Antioch Writer’s Workshop and the Yellow Springs Kids Playhouse,” says Braun “There were a couple of things that happen in the summer. This is an attempt by the arts council to put together some of the things that were a backbone of entertainment and culture in Yellow Springs. We thought we would try and pull together everything. So there are astrology classes, a sustainable building and farm tours… Glen Helen ecocamps. We tried to get a little bit of everything so that people can experience the flavor of Yellow Springs.”

Events will be located at various venues throughout the village, including Antioch College which will present “Letters Home from Freedom Summer”, a public reading of select writings of some of the over 600 students who organized non-violent protests of the segregation policies of Mississippi in the summer of 1964. “We’ve been able to pull in our educational institutions,” says Karen Wintrow, executive director of the Yellow Springs Chamber of Commerce. “This community is really strong on education.

“Our  job is to bring people to Yellow Springs,” she adds. “We think the festival embodies everything we’re about.”

Braun is optimistic that this will be an annual celebration.  “We’d like to make it a yearly event,” she says. “We’re already excited about next year!”

Most events are ticketed, including those that are free. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.yellow-springs-experience.org, which also offers a complete list of events.

What can you expect from the 10-day Yellow Springs Experience? Here is a partial listing of some of the events scheduled:

The Grand Hoopla YS Experience Launch Party at the YS Arts Council – July 9, 4-7 p.m.

The Red Tent Women’s Self-Nourishing Time – Daily, 2-4 p.m.

YS Kids Playhouse: The Conference of the Birds – Thursday – Sunday, 7:30 p.m.

Skate Music Fest & Battle of the Bands – July 11, 3-8 p.m.

Cirque Carnival on Dayton Street – July 16, 6-10p.m.

WYSO “Are You Listening” Group Listening Experience, AACW Poetry Jam, movies nightly at the Little Art Theatre, wheel-thrown pottery workshops, yoga meditation, and much more!

Click here for the full experience.

When Street Art & Government Clash

By 5 Comments

OD Knit Graffiti - photo credit: Delectable Dayton

The City of Dayton seems to be stuck somewhere between two forces.  The first is a government mired in an old bureaucratic attitude and uncreative culture with strict rules that focus on regulating instead of facilitating, perhaps from a different era when old captains of industry controlled things in the community.  The other is a new generation of a few progressive-thinking city staffers & officials, a citizenry made up of those who create music and art, and those who enjoy living where creativity (sometimes spontaneous) is embraced and encouraged.  The same subset of city residents that actually CHOOSES to live in the city for the love of an urban environment, despite the enormous challenges that the city faces.

Last month, the Delectable Dayton blog did some great reporting on the spontaneous “knit graffiti” (or “yarn bombs”) that popped up in the Oregon District, and the subsequent heavy-handed reaction by public works employees who allegedly responded to a few complaints by removing this spontaneous street art and threatening to bill the “offending artist” for said removal.  The final chapter in this saga ended with the issue moving from the stand·pat publics works department to the more progressive planning department and a call for this kind of situation to be resolved in the future by community stakeholders instead of city staff.  This was a great example of an issue going viral on the social networks (Facebook, individual blogs, etc.), and the social network reaction is what caused the change in this incident’s trajectory within the city government.  Yes, the more progressive factions of the city government are very plugged into online social networks and I predict we’ll see more actions and reactions come from these online discussions.

Getting back to the OD yarn bomb incident – it is my opinion that we must have a major shift in attitude when it comes to street art in this town.  While the old guard tends to favor more planned, less risque and established out-of-town artists when it comes to public art, the new generation of creatives wants public art to be more spontaneous, thought-provoking, unique and most importantly – done by local artists.  This isn’t to say that city government has always come down against this new generational attitude as Garden Station is a perfect example of city government acting as an enabler.  But other efforts such as c{space have run into a strange combination of conflicting attitudes within city government; regulators vs facilitators, squashers vs champions, traditional vs progressive.  And then there is the OD Yarn Bomb Incident.

Street art can be controversial yet it is important to any urban environment – it differentiates an authentic downtown from the more sterile environments found in typical suburban shopping malls and corporate-driven lifestyle-centers like The Greene.  Nothing against those environments – different strokes for different folks.  But the more diverse lifestyle options a region can offer, the stronger it will be in attracting a talent base necessary for economic growth – and a strong, viable and authentic urban core is an absolute necessity to any region’s economy.  So how do we strike the proper balance between encouraging our local artists when it comes to spontaneous public art, and ensuring that we are creating a truly inspiring urban environment that doesn’t offend the sensibilities of the average resident or visitor?

A possible solution to the public art dilemma could come in the form of a public street arts council – a group of community stakeholders (local artists, residents, business owners) that could be responsible for evaluating potential planned public art installations and quickly approving permits to local artists.  Organization and communication could be done easily, cheaply and rapidly online as opposed to traditional committee meetings and public townhalls.  And this same council and communication system could be used to handle spontaneous street-art incidents, perhaps with online polls that empower citizens to evaluate – hopefully with a sensible yet more laissez-faire attitude than a government bureaucracy.  Whereas typical vandal graffiti would get a majority thumbs down, completely harmless street art like knit graffiti would likely get a pass (as can be seen by the quick poll set up at Delectable Dayton).

As our city continues its transition from old to new economy, we must be looking forward and implementing solutions such as these – lest we lose for good those who make our city more interesting and those who truly appreciate our urban core.

UPDATE: In case some of you haven’t actually clicked on the links in this post, check out the simple solution that Bristol implemented to deal with rogue street art after the fact: http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2009/aug/31/graffiti-art-bristol-public-vote

Get your SOUL on at CityFolk with Bettye LaVette

By 3 Comments

Bettye LaVette is not thinking about her next album. And when she decides to change that, she won’t be wasting any time.

“I’m not thinking about that yet,” said the soul legend, who will perform Friday night on the NewPage Main Stage at the 2010 Cityfolk Festival, held at RiverScape MetroPark. “It could be a while, and when I do it, it’ll probably be like my others—we pull some stuff together in four days, get into the studio for a couple of days, and get done with it. I love to perform, but I do not like to record. It amazes me when people say, ‘Oh, I’ve been working on this album for three years.’ Get in there, sing the damn songs, and stop wasting your time and money.”

Gritty and languid of voice, familial in tone (“Baby” she called me many times, like a knowing aunt), with a raucous, throaty laugh and a salty gin-joint brand of wisdom, LaVette has seen and done it all, and she does not mince words.

Nearly 50 years ago, LaVette began her career as a professional musician in her hometown of Detroit, when her first single, “My Man – He’s a Lovin’ Man,” was released when she was only 16 years old. That success led to a whirlwind concert tour with Clyde McPhatter, Ben E. King, Barbara Lynn, and newcomer Otis Redding.

“It wasn’t happening to anyone else in the 9th grade,” she said with a laugh. “Otis and I were so young, just starting out. We had both released our first records on Atlantic, and we were there looking at these stars thinking, ‘I hope I can be like that one day.’ The rest of the people who started around 1962 are around 10 years older than me, except Stevie Wonder—he’s the only one who’s younger.”

Many of LaVette’s contemporaries reached mainstream success which eluded LaVette for much of her life, but her passion for singing drove her on. She toured the country playing wherever she could, and put in six years on Broadway in the cast of the hit musical Bubbling Brown Sugar alongside Cab Calloway during the 1970s.

“That was the most interesting thing I’ve ever done in showbiz. Learning to tap dance as an adult…that was very difficult. But in all, [that experience] was the way I thought showbiz was supposed to be. It was about a touring company during the ’20s, and when you did it, you dressed up, went out and danced for a few minutes, and you were a star. I got to throw my dress around and walk down long staircases and tap with Cab Calloway… It was really exciting.”

LaVette continued to record through the years, but remained in obscurity except to soul hardcore enthusiasts until the New Millennium, when, more than 40 years after recording her first record, 2005’s I’ve Got My Own Hell to Raise shot her to worldwide recognition with its blues-drenched, heart-scouring renditions of female-written songs like Dolly Parton’s “Little Sparrow,” Sinéad O’Connor’s “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got,” and Fiona Apple’s “Sleep to Dream.” Suddenly, Bettye LaVette was claiming—in short order, at high speed—the limelight which had eluded her for decades.

In 2006, the Rhythm & Blues Foundation gave LaVette its Pioneer Award, and 2007’s The Scene of the Crime, recorded with alt-rock band Drive-By Truckers, was Grammy-nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Always reaching for greater heights, LaVette created one of 2008’s lightning-in-a-bottle media moments with her performance at the Kennedy Center Honors. Invited to perform in honor of recipients Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of The Who, so gut-wrenching and stunningly new was her transformation of “Love, Reign O’er Me” that during the thunderous ovation that followed, fellow honoree Barbra Streisand, profoundly moved by the performance, turned to Townshend and asked in amazement, “Did you really write that?”

Those who did not know Bettye LaVette before certainly knew her now, and since then, the triumphs just keep coming. The New York Times has gushed that she “now rivals Aretha Franklin as her generation’s most vital soul singernow rivals Aretha Franklin as her generation’s most vital soul singer. She uses every scrape, shout and break in her raspy voice, with a predator’s sense of timing, to seize the drama of a song.” She performed “A Change is Gonna Come” with Jon Bon Jovi at Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration. And this year, she released Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook, featuring classics by the Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, the Animals, Pink Floyd, the Moody Blues, and more, concluding with an audio recording of her famous Kennedy Center performance.

“The concerpt was my husband’s,” she said. “After the Kennedy Center Honors, he found 500 songs from the British Invasion era and went through them, and we narrowed them down.”

The Stones’ Keith Richards recently told NPR, “When you hear a voice like Bettye LaVette’s, there’s a sense of transportation, a certain freedom of movement and emotion,” and Jon Bon Jovi said of her after the inauguration performance, “Some singers sing…  Then there is Bettye.  She doesn’t just sing the song, she lives each of them.  I’ve heard it.  I’ve stood close enough to see it in her eyes.”

So demanding is her tour schedule that LaVette rarely has time at home, but when she does, she relishes each moment.

“I really love to be at home. When I was young, I wanted to live running around in the streets—wanted to get dressed up and go out and be Bettye LaVette!, and now I’m sitting here at home, looking out at my lawn, with the water going around, and I’ve got my two kitties with me—Smokey and Otis. I spend time with my husband; he’s a record collector, historian, and dealer, and now they’re calling him ‘the ultimate soul collector.’ I met him online more or less as a fan. He gave me some advice I didn’t ask for, and I wrote back a rather nasty response to tell him I didn’t appreciate it. He flew to Detroit to make amends, and here we are,” she said, chuckling.

(I ask about one of her old albums. “Oh, I don’t know, I never remember any of that stuff. He knows all that.” She calls to him nearby. “Baby! What year was that?” He calls back a response. “That sounds right,” she says. “He knows my career better than I do.”)

“I love watching old movies,” she says. “When I’m home, that’s what I love to do. My favorites would be Casablanca and Now, Voyager. Anything black-and-white made before 1945, really. And sometimes I’ll turn on CNN and see what they’re doing to my president.” Her voice furrows with concern. “All the things they’re saying about the oil spill being Barack Obama’s Waterloo—I don’t believe that. When a problem gets solved, people move on to something else.”

The Huffington Post, which lauds Lavette as “the High Priestess of R&B,” said of Interpretations, “It’s astonishing to hear what depths can be found in these songs…LaVette inhabits these tunes, wraps her skin around them like some kind of song-eating monster. There’s something so deeply human going on here that it’s incantatory, so distinct that it’s indelible. So true that it dares to be ugly sometimes. So right that it can cause you pain.”

“I feel good about the new album,” she said serenely. “It’s been received wonderfully. This is as much due as I’ve ever gotten. The things the artists have said about my renditions of their songs, and the things the press has written… Most of my early career is attributed to lack of exposure. My career is not one you can just follow by the numbers—all you can do is go by when you heard of me. Now I’m beginning to connect everything together, though. All those years in between helped me to become an entertainer. Fame and money come and go, but entertainment will always survive. I had to stop wanting to be a star and learn how to be an entertainer, and I played everywhere I could—tiny bars for $20 a night—whatever was there, and I’m up here now with all the people I started with in 1962. No matter how much money anyone’s made, or how many panties have been thrown onstage, we all started together in 1962. And it feels good to be a part of that.”

The Huffington Post, which lauds Lavette as “the High Priestess of R&B,” said of Interpretations, “It’s astonishing to hear what depths can be found in these songs…LaVette inhabits these tunes, wraps her skin around them like some kind of song-eating monster. There’s something so deeply human going on here that it’s incantatory, so distinct that it’s indelible. So true that it dares to be ugly sometimes. So right that it can cause you pain.”

RiverScape Just Got Better!

By 3 Comments

(the following is an official press release from Five Rivers MetroParks)

Five Rivers MetroParks is excited to announce the completion of Phase III of RiverScape MetroPark, a project that will offer more amenities for visitor comfort and accommodate the needs of RiverScape’s and downtown Dayton’s continuing success. All areas of the park are slated to be open to the public after the ribbon cutting, scheduled for 11:30 AM Monday, June 28.

Executive Director Charlie Shoemaker sees Phase III as a fundamental element in the increasing vitality of downtown and an opportunity to build upon the existing foundation of community partnerships. “Since opening in 2001, RiverScape MetroPark has time and again demonstrated its value as a dynamic urban space in Dayton where all segments of our community come together to celebrate our local pride in a unique and beautiful setting,” he said. “The ability of MetroParks and our partners to gain the support for this next phase stands as a testament to RiverScape’s success as a defining piece of our urban environment.”

Patrons will now be able to take advantage of some new and some improved features of RiverScape MetroPark, including:

·         A covered pavilion with a stage and seating perfect for enjoying festivals, community events, free entertainment or just a relaxing lunch with friends. In the winter, the pavilion will house the ice rink, which will be nearly 50 percent larger than the former rink with additional skating hours, more rental equipment and an extended skating season, starting Thanksgiving weekend, November 26.

·         A new bike hub with secure bike storage, showers and lockers. It will provide a central location for downtown commuters going to work or play, as well as a welcome rest stop for recreational cyclists and active families enjoying our region’s extensive recreation trail system.

·         Food concessions operated daily, and during concerts and events by a local Skyline franchisee, featuring salads, wraps, cold treats, sandwiches and patrons’ favorite Skyline fare.

“The realization of Phase III is because of its community partnerships,” Shoemaker said. “Joining the original RiverScape community partners of Five Rivers MetroParks, the City of Dayton, Montgomery County, Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority, Miami Conservancy District and the Downtown Dayton Partnership, the new phase brought us support from Congressman Mike Turner, whose assistance was invaluable in securing federal transportation grants to fund the majority of this project. Support also came from the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. But foremost, none of this would be possible without the support of Montgomery County citizens. We’re grateful every day that the citizens of this region understand the value of the outdoors and its contribution to the overall welfare and health of the Miami Valley through creating personal connections with nature and instilling long-lasting, positive change for those living in the region.”

In addition to increasing the vibrancy of downtown Dayton, it is the goal of Five Rivers MetroParks to encourage families to become healthy by providing safe, affordable and accessible facilities where they can engage in active lifestyles.

Known for breathtaking landscapes, interactive fountains and free entertainment along the banks of the Great Miami River, RiverScape MetroPark has become a favorite outdoor gathering place in downtown Dayton. For almost nine years, this downtown hotspot has offered a cool getaway right in the middle of the city with free concerts, educational programming and the community’s favorite cultural festivals amid the scene of floral landscapes, hanging baskets and relaxing swings.

Five Rivers MetroParks thanks its community partners and the priceless support from Montgomery County citizens paramount to helping RiverScape MetroPark become an integral part of downtown and a symbol of the city’s pride and continued development of its cultural identity.

To learn more about RiverScape MetroPark and the recent renovations, visit www.metroparks.org/RiverScape or call (937) 275-PARK.

Pecha Kucha Peeks at Atta Girl Art & Gardens

By 4 Comments

If you love Dayton, like new ideas and want to see what others who believe in our region are up to, you need to experience Pecha Kucha!  Correctly pronounced its four syllables  “peh-cha koo-cha”, but  it’s perfectly acceptable to say you’re headed to PK night!  The concept originated in Tokyo and is based on a presenter having up to 20 slides to talk about for 20 seconds each.  The images forward automatically and presenters talk along to the images.

Held once a quarter, this Friday, June 25th meeting will also be the public debut of South Park Residents Carli & Hamilton Dixon’s newest adventure: Atta Girl Art & Gardens at 905 E. Third Street, just west of Keowee. The site itself is worth the trip, as you’ll see what these brave entrepreneurs have taken on and are revitalizing an old abandoned 18,000 square foot building into:

* Performance space
* Shared studio space
* Coffee/bicycle shop
* Gallery
* Recording studio?
* Artists’ studios
* Urban gardens

And the line up for Pecha Kucha presentations is pretty amazing to:
There’s a Shakespearean actor, an independent truth telling communications major from Wright State, a cinematic art expert, a puppet theater artist, an architect’s perspective on art like Big Butter Jesus, a women’s rock promoter, an advisor on the culture of India, someone who helped bring back nature with art, a sailor and world traveler, an architect who is turning humble oddly shaped garden fruits into stage pieces, and our MC of the evening will share the odyssey of her art and garden studios.
Cost: $5 (includes 1 soft pretzel and 1 beer) Falafels and additional beer also available.  The actual meeting will take place in sculptor Hamilton Dixon’s new studio 811 E. Third Street (just west across the parking lot of the building pictured above). Event starts at 7pm.
No RSVP needed, just grab some friends and get there!

The Passion Of Pin-Up

By 11 Comments

Cherry Lee’s Salon Caters To A Classic Culture

A look, lost in time, revived to make eyes follow and fantasies unfurl. The bobby-pinned curls cascading down in huge rolls to frame a perfectly finished face, replete with fire engine red lipstick and a hint of blush to complete the illusion. The clothes have to keep up with the walk as the eyes take in the severely lined stockings, teasingly tempting as they make their way under a flared skirt. The straight cut bangs hovering above smoky eyes. The poses and positions that, while innocent enough, still evoke strong urges within the male’s psyche. This is the world of pin-up culture.

A local woman, Cassandra Barker, yearned to bring these frozen moments in time to life. She scrimped and saved, all while raising her children, until she was able to open her own salon to cater to the needs of the pin-up, rockabilly, hot rod culture. Her dream was realized last year when she was able to open the doors of Cherry Lee’s Salon, a place for ‘Classy Broads & Fancy Fellas’. In speaking with Cassandra, the first hurdle was defining what the culture is that her shop caters to.

“It’s retro or pin-up or anything that you would look at like that.” Cassandra said. “If you come into the salon, you’ll see that there’s real old pin-up stuff on the walls and the counter tops are decoupaged with pin-up stuff and Nancy Drew and all kinds of other stuff.”

Since this is not the run of the mill hair salon, I wondered how Cassandra got drawn into this specific type of hair styling.

“Well, I think what happened with me, I had a lot of theater background. I did hair working for Phantom of the Opera for a little bit and I learned a lot about Victorian hair. Basically, hair is just like fashion: it changes throughout the course of the years, but it keeps its general structure.” Cassandra went on to say that, “I took the things I learned from Phantom of the Opera and started incorporating it into up-dos for proms and weddings and things kind of went from there. I started researching it and made sure I was staying authentic, like using a beeswax that they used to use back in the day, because…that’s what they used to use. I try to keep as true as I can with the products we use because they worked.”

A hairstyle is just as identifiable as any other fashion or body modification. People instantly recognize what station or class or culture you are from based on your clothing and your coif, even recognizing what era a specific hairstyle may be from. What is the current interest in retro hairstyles and fashion? Could it be that, since we are currently living lives on the edge of the unknown that we cast a look back, trying to recapture a simpler, more contented era?

“I think so for sure. The time period that we focus most of our stuff on, there was no money, there were hard times and we’re kind of going back to that style and it’s easy; it’s not that expensive and everyone seemed happy.” Cassandra opined. “I think that what it comes down to…they were even talking in the news the other day that moonshine was on a resurgence and stuff is starting to come back that was cheap, but made fun happen, you know what I mean? I think that a lot of that is coming back and hopefully that starts to push everybody at least if not towards doing better monetarily, at least feeling better in their general life, which I’m 100% for.”

I wondered if this was the only type of hair styling that Cassandra did or if it was a full service salon. Cassandra answered my question by saying;

“I had a girl sitting in here watching me one day and she said, ‘The range of people that you have walk through your door amazes me!’ I have a range of people from real pin-up, retro girls who do all the photo shoots with the cars to a mom to a little kid to a little old lady, and I can do any of it. I worked at Square 1 Salon for almost ten years. I can do the soccer mom hair and I can do anything else, but my focus and passion is definitely the pin-up stuff and the more retro stuff.”

One might wonder what the purpose is of all of this retro-vision. Was there a purpose behind all of it?

“Basically…and I know this sounds cheesy and hokey…it comes down to making people feel the best that they can. I mean, if it’s taking a housewife, who has been a housewife forever and ever and ever and who has worn t-shirts and jeans for the last ten years, who sits at home and cooks and cleans and taking them and bringing them out, giving them a fresh look and giving them new hair and make-up and giving them that sexy little pin-up look. It’s frozen into some other land and then they all of a sudden have confidence again and start feeling good about themselves.” Cassandra added that, “Actually, I think it scares the crap out of their husbands. Like, every girl I know who has come in here, who had been kind of plain Jane and then they walk out with a little Betty Page pin-up look with dark hair.

Were there other markets that catered to the pin-up/hot rod culture? Where could you get the clothing and other accoutrements?

“They can pick up some of Nikki Forte’s pin-up design stuff here. Nikki has been bringing stuff in and out of the salon. She’s actually been getting pin-up stuff for the girls and is looking at opening a little boutique inside of the salon. It’s in the works. You know, Dayton, since it is out of the eye of everything that is going on with retro and pin-up, it’s harder to get a hold of the stuff.”

As we wrapped our conversation up, Cassandra told me about a big event that was taking place at our mutual friend, Bill Winger’s shop called Daddy Katz in Moraine.

“On July 9th, we’re actually doing a pin-up training camp at Bill’s shop (Daddy Katz).” Cassandra went on to detail the event. “It’s going to be two hours of one-on-one make-up, hair training and finishing…like I’ll finish their hair and make-up. Joe Schuster from Cincinnati will do a one hour photo shoot with each girl and they will walk away with a disc of pictures and later on, they will get an edited picture of the best picture from their shoot. It’s going to be really cool. There’s a lot of stuff like that going on in California, but there’s not anything going on that around here.”

Cherry Lee’s Salon for Classy Broads & Fancy Fellas is located at 2712 Linden Ave., but is open by appointment only. You can call (937) 901-6589 to make an appointment. Mention this article and you will receive $5 off their cut and style.