Archives for February 2011

Music Video Monday: February 28, 2011

February 28, 2011 By Juliet Fromholt Leave a Comment

This week I decided to offer two music videos for the price of one (so, still free as usual). Both videos come from bands that are playing at Blind Bob’s on (First) Friday night. Check out the DaytonMostMetro events calendar for more information.

The first comes to us from The Story Changes. They filmed this music video in Dayton last summer so be on the lookout for familiar faces and places.

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Our second video comes from Me & Mountains. In addition to the Blind Bob’s show, they’ll be playing a free show at OMEGA Music for First Friday beginning at 6pm. Details are for this performance are also at our events calendar.

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Baron Von Porkchop Presents The Baron’s Ball [GALLERY]

February 28, 2011 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Members of local punk-rock band Jasper the Colossal perform at The Baron's Ball at Gilly's night club on Saturday, Feb. 26.

DATV’s Baron Von Porkchop held his inaugural Baron’s Ball on Feb. 26th at Gilly’s night club in downtown Dayton.

Four bands played to a raucous crowd of music lovers: the enigmatic Henrique Couto and the Tally Wacker Express, punk-blues man Todd the Fox with Lisa Bunny Foo Foo, rock band Team Void and the frenetic Jasper the Colossal, fronted by singer-songwriter Paige Beller.

All four acts played blistering sets well into the early morning – even sharing the stage at times during frequent impromptu group jamming sessions.

Here’s a glimpse into the music, the madness and the majesty that was the Baron’s Ball:

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11th Annual Crown Jewels Hat Show [GALLERY]

February 28, 2011 By Dayton Most Metro 2 Comments

All eyes are on Natasha Williams as she sashays down the aisle during the 11th Annual Crown Jewels Hat Show on Feb. 26.

Books & Company at the Greene hosted the 11th Annual Crown Jewels Hat Show on Feb. 26 and the 300-plus spectators in attendance were treated to a hat and fashion show featuring women from the 2011 Crown Jewels of Dayton calender, as well a few new faces.

The event was everything you’d expect from co-founder Sharon Davis Howard: some strut, a little sass, and a lot of class!

Participants included Generation Dayton’s Jennifer Rettig, Maha Kashani and Jen Cadieux, news personality Natasha Williams, Deb Norris of Sinclair Community College and a host of other prominent area women (and the first male) strolling down the catwalk.

The event was flashy, fun and fabulous! For more fun with Crown Jewels plan on attending the Derby Day Brunch on Saturday, May 7th at Brio.

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And The Oscar Goes To…

February 26, 2011 By Russell Florence, Jr. Leave a Comment

A meek monarch, a lesbian couple at odds, Beantown boxers and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg are among the diverse subjects from 2010 that captured the attention of the 5,755 members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences who determined nominees for the 83rd annual Academy Awards. “The King’s Speech” leads the pack with 12 nods, but don’t expect a sweep. Tight races lurk in multiple categories so anything is possible when winners are revealed Sunday, February 27 at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. Here are my predictions in the top six categories.

BEST PICTURE

Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter in The King's Speech

“127 Hours”; “Black Swan,” “The Fighter,” “Inception,” “The Kids Are All Right,” “The King’s Speech,” “The Social Network,” “Toy Story 3,” “True Grit,” “Winter’s Bone”

Will/Should Win: “The King’s Speech”

Overlooked: “Animal Kingdom”; “Blue Valentine”; “Fair Game”; “Get Low”; “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”; “Mother and Child”; “Nowhere Boy”; “Please Give”; “Rabbit Hole”; “The Town”

It’s not an American story, but the crowd-pleasing “King’s Speech” is a triumphant, universal, superbly acted tale appealing to the Academy’s longstanding admiration for wonderfully executed period pieces. The over-praised “Social Network” is the most topical choice and could certainly win, but it lacks warmth and probably failed to connect with older voters. My heart remains with the terrifically contemporary “Kids Are All Right,” one of the finest depictions of marriage and family ever filmed that could have had a fighting chance if the number of nominees returned to the traditional five. Barring a last-minute surge for “Social Network” or an upset from “The Fighter,” “Inception,” “Toy Story 3” or “True Grit,” the “King” will prevail.

BEST DIRECTOR

Darren Aronofsky, “Black Swan”; Joel and Ethan Coen, “True Grit”; David Fincher, “The Social Network”; Tom Hooper, “The King’s Speech”; David O. Russell, “The Fighter”

Will Win: Fincher

Should Win: Aronofsky

Overlooked: Ben Affleck, “The Town”; Danny Boyle, “127 Hours”; Derek Cianfrance, “Blue Valentine”; Lisa Cholodenko, “The Kids Are All Right”; Rodrigo Garcia, “Mother and Child”; Debra Granik, “Winter’s Bone”; Luca Guadagnino, “I Am Love”; Mike Leigh, “Another Year”; David Michod, “Animal Kingdom”; John Cameron Mitchell, “Rabbit Hole”; Christopher Nolan, “Inception”; Niels Arden Oplev, “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”; Roman Polanski, “The Ghost Writer”; Sam Taylor-Wood, “Nowhere Boy”; Peter Weir, “The Way Back”

The Emmy winning Hooper (“Elizabeth I,” “John Adams”) brought grace, intimacy and sophistication to “King’s Speech,” but he’s a relative newcomer in the film world. As so, the Academy’s Directors Branch would seem to favor the more established Fincher who worked wonders with Aaron Sorkin’s fast and furious screenplay. Still, it would be great to see Aronofsky win for masterfully weaving his gripping ballet mind-bender.

BEST ACTOR

Colin Firth - "The King's Speech"

Javier Bardem, “Biutiful”; Jeff Bridges, “True Grit”; Jesse Eisenberg, “The Social Network”; Colin Firth, “The King’s Speech”; James Franco, “127 Hours”

Will/Should Win: Firth

Overlooked: Ben Affleck, “The Company Men”; Jim Carrey, “I Love You Philip Morris”; George Clooney, “The American”; Leonardo DiCaprio, “Shutter Island”; Michael Douglas, “Solitary Man”; Robert Duvall, “Get Low”; Aaron Eckhart, “Rabbit Hole”; Paul Giamatti, “Barney’s Version”; Ryan Gosling, “Blue Valentine”; Aaron Johnson, “Nowhere Boy”; Ewan McGregor, “The Ghost Writer”; Michael Nyqvist, “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”; John C. Reilly, “Cyrus”; Ryan Reynolds, “Buried”; Kevin Spacey, “Casino Jack”; Ben Stiller, “Greenberg”; Mark Wahlberg, “The Fighter”; Denzel Washington, “The Book of Eli”

The surest bet of the night. Having unfortunately lost to Bridges last year for his phenomenally subtle work in “A Single Man,” Firth will reign for being equally sublime as the stuttering King George VI.

BEST ACTRESS

Natalie Portman - "Black Swan"

Annette Bening, “The Kids Are All Right”; Nicole Kidman, “Rabbit Hole”; Jennifer Lawrence, “Winter’s Bone”; Natalie Portman, “Black Swan”; Michelle Williams, “Blue Valentine”

Will Win: Portman

Should Win: Bening

Overlooked: Anne Hathaway, “Love & Other Drugs”; Sally Hawkins, “Made in Dagenham”; Catherine Keener, “Please Give”; Diane Lane, “Secretariat”; Lesley Manville, “Another Year”; Julianne Moore, “The Kids Are All Right”; Noomi Rapace, “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”; Julia Roberts, “Eat Pray Love”; Tilda Swinton, “I Am Love”; Hilary Swank, “Conviction”; Naomi Watts, “Fair Game”

The breadth of Portman’s fearless turn as perfection-obsessed ballerina Nina Sayers makes her the favorite, but she’ll have many more opportunities at Oscar glory. At 52, Bening, previously nominated three times and losing twice to Hilary Swank, gave the performance of her career as Nic, a beautifully complex woman coping with her partner’s infidelity and the unexpected presence of their sperm donor. It would be a thrill to see Bening’s marvelously compelling, less is more achievement duly rewarded.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Christian Bale - "The Fighter"

Christian Bale, “The Fighter”; John Hawkes, “Winter’s Bone”; Jeremy Renner, “The Town”; Mark Ruffalo, “The Kids Are All Right”; Geoffrey Rush, “The King’s Speech”

Will Win: Bale

Should Win: Rush

Overlooked: David Andrews, “Fair Game”; Lucas Black, “Get Low”; Vincent Cassel, “Black Swan”; Bill Cobbs, “Get Low”; Chris Cooper, “The Company Men”; Matt Damon, “True Grit”; Michael Douglas, “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps”; Andrew Garfield, “The Social Network”; Armie Hammer, “The Social Network”; Josh Hutcherson, “The Kids Are All Right”; Richard Jenkins, “Eat Pray Love”; Tommy Lee Jones, “The Company Men”; Ben Kingsley, “Shutter Island”; Ewan McGregor, “I Love You Philip Morris”; Ben Mendelsohn, “Animal Kingdom”; Bill Murray, “Get Low”; John Ortiz, “Jack Goes Boating”; Sean Penn, “Fair Game”; Pete Postlethwaite, “The Town”; Sam Rockwell, “Conviction”; Michael Shannon, “The Runaways”; Miles Teller, “Rabbit Hole”

In a less competitive year, Rush, who was so formidable and magnetic as speech therapist Lionel Logue, would be a shoo-in, but he already has an Oscar thanks to “Shine.” In an attempt to spread the wealth, the Academy will finally embrace the dynamic Bale, who should have won an Oscar for “American Psycho” and absolutely delivered one of the best performances by a child actor in “Empire of the Sun.” The cinematic chameleon left nothing undone as the larger-than-life Dicky Eklund.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Hailee Steinfeld - "True Grit"

Amy Adams, “The Fighter”; Helena Bonham Carter, “The King’s Speech”; Melissa Leo, “The Fighter”; Hailee Steinfeld, “True Grit; Jacki Weaver, “Animal Kingdom”

Will Win: Steinfeld

Should Win: Weaver

Overlooked: Annette Bening, “Mother and Child”; Marion Cotillard, “Inception”; Rosemarie DeWitt, “The Company Men”; Dale Dickey, “Winter’s Bone”; Kimberly Elise, “For Colored Girls”; Shareeka Epps, “Mother and Child”; Ann Guilbert, “Please Give”; Rebecca Hall, “Please Give”; Sally Hawkins, “Never Let Me Go”; Barbara Hershey, “Black Swan”; Cherry Jones, “Mother and Child”; Mila Kunis, “Black Swan”; Rooney Mara, “The Social Network”; Miranda Richardson, “Made in Dagenham”; Daphne Rubin-Vega, “Jack Goes Boating”; Sissy Spacek, “Get Low”; Kristin Scott Thomas, “Nowhere Boy”; Marisa Tomei, “Cyrus”; Mia Wasikowska, “The Kids Are All Right”; Kerry Washington, “Mother and Child”; Naomi Watts, “Mother and Child”; Dianne Weist, “Rabbit Hole”; Olivia Williams, “The Ghost Writer”

Extremely close to call. Weaver deserves to win as the cunningly affectionate yet chillingly malevolent matriarch in the little-seen “Animal Kingdom,” but this race is a newcomer/veteran showdown between 14-year-old Steinfeld and 50-year-old Leo. Steinfeld, a firecracker plucked from obscurity out of nearly 15,000 girls who auditioned for the role of Mattie Ross, should have been placed in the Best Actress category, but her sharp, impressively language-driven, wiser-than-her-years portrayal ignited the screen nonetheless. If she takes the prize, she’ll continue the recent trend of actresses winning here on their first nomination (such as Jennifer Hudson, Mo’Nique, Tilda Swinton and Rachel Weisz) and also become the youngest Supporting Actress champ since Anna Paquin (“The Piano”). Leo, a consummate character actress well-suited to play the fiery Alice Ward, might fall victim to her questionably smug Oscar campaign, vote-splitting with Adams and the magnitude of Steinfeld’s distinct work, particularly her screen time.

The 83rd annual Academy Awards, co-hosted by James Franco and Anne Hathaway, will be telecast live on ABC Sunday, February 27 at 8 p.m. For a complete list of nominees, visit www.oscar.com. In related news, The Neon Movies, 130 E. Fifth St. in downtown Dayton, and The Little Art Theatre, 247 Xenia Ave. in Yellow Springs, will host Oscar parties Sunday evening. For information about The Neon’s festivities, call (937) 222-7469 or visit www.neonmovies.com. For more information about The Little Art’s festivities, call (937) 767-7671 or visit www.littleart.com

A-Z The Best Food For Runners: A

February 25, 2011 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Everyone loves food. Every….some of us love running. So which foods are the best to stock up on while you pursue that illusive runner’s body? This is the first in a series going through each letter of the alphabet in which I’ll tell you what to eat during the day, what to eat before or during a workout and even throw a few healthy desserts in there. Let’s do this Sesame Street style, one letter at a time.

Big Bird. Keepin' it real since 1969.

Lunch/Dinner

Some people make guacamole just because they like saying "guac"

Most of us are searching for some new things to spice up our lunch and/or dinner menus, and don’t want to try anything too crazy. One of the simplest foods that can easily change your entire meal is the avocado.

Nutrition Facts: Avocados have 60 percent more potassium than bananas. Avocados are high in fiber, so avoid before runs. This will avoid an unnecessary trip to the bathroom! (speaking of which, if you need help in that area – try eating an apricot before a meal!)

There are so many different ways to use this versatile fruit. Making a salad? Dice up an avocado and mix it in with some olive oil. Making corn, peas or other mixed vegetables? Mix in some grilled avocado for a twist on an old favorite. All of these are great, but the one idea that I’m seeing in more restaurants now is to top a burger with a few slices of avocado. I feel like it works best with a turkey burger, as the tastes just seem to compliment each other perfectly. Here’s a great turkey burger recipe that I found.

Snacks

Source: http://bit.ly/ho88Nv

Post-run:

Guacamole. Duh. Guacamole is made from mashing up an avocado and is relatively healthy, but eat in moderation or you’ll chock up the calories and fat. All it takes to make is to scoop out the avocado from the core, mash up in a bowl, and add things like salt and garlic to taste before blending for a few seconds. This recipe should come in under 1,000 calories, so sharing this with a few people is no big deal. Food Network recipe. Apples can also serve as a great snack after a run, or on any non-running day, especially when combined with peanut butter. Slicing up an apple and dipping it in peanut butter, the more all-natural the better, can serve as a tasty snack that won’t make your stomach churn.

Pre-run:

One of my favorite foods to snack on before a run, or during one, for some light protein are almonds. Although expensive, the almond is very tasty and easy to eat while on the run or in a hurry.

Nutrition Facts: Almonds are high in vitamin E and are relatively low in calories. (The Blue Diamond oven roasted almonds I have contain only 170 calories, while providing 6 grams of protein per serving of 24 almonds!)

Simply delicious.

Dessert

This is the section you were looking for right? I found a great way to incorporate almonds into dessert! Gross right? Well it turns out that almond biscotti tastes great! Originating in Italy, biscotti is a popular type of Italian cookie cake which my grandmother has perfected over the last 50+ years. If you don’t trust her recipe, try another great one from Runner’s World.

I hope you enjoy this series, and I hope you learn about some foods that you may have never known are healthy! Like beans? Hmm…more on that next time.

Coming Up in Dayton Theatre: 02/24 – 03/09

February 25, 2011 By Dayton937 1 Comment

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24 – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2011

“it can be interesting to see if other people – like dead people who wrote books – agree or disagree with what you think… because it makes you – a larger part of the human community.” – Eurydice

I’m currently in the midst of rehearsing to play Eurydice in Sarah Ruhl’s beautiful play of the same title. When asked why she loves books, Eurydice says, “It can be interesting to see if other people – like dead people who wrote books – agree or disagree with what you think… because it makes you – a larger part of the human community.”

Theatre, I believe, does the same. We sit in performance spaces surrounded by other audience members, and all experience a show slightly differently; we perform on stages in front of any number of people, but only focus on the ones in the world of the play; we talk about plays and glance at reviews and comment on upcoming events.

I impulsively went to Chicago this past weekend to see two plays, and was reminded of these concepts as I spent some time in the audience. Seeing shows does bring us closer as human beings, whether with the two people we came with or the 212 in the audience, and that can be incredibly moving. So, these next two weeks, take someone you know to come see one of these shows, and enjoy being a part of that community.

Another Openin’, Another Show

…SHOWS CLOSING SOON

Fat Pig

DAYTON THEATRE GUILD

The Story: From the moment they meet, Tom finds Helen witty and charming, and they quickly fall in love. She happens to be quite plus-sized; Tom claims not to mind, but the people around him do. In this daring and provocative play, one of famed and cruelly witty Neil LaBute’s best, we explore societal treatment of the unfit, our despisal in others of what we fear in ourselves, and the ever-relevant question of whether size really matters or not.
Dates: February 11 – 27, 2011
Tickets and More Information: DTG: Fat P ig, DMM preview

Play On

BROOKVILLE COMMUNITY THEATRE

The Story: In this behind-the-scenes comedy about an amateur theatre group, novice director Gerry Dunbar deals with a diva actress (supported by her doting husband) and their play’s haughty author (with a plethora of rewrites), rounded out by a cranky stage manager and technician. This riotous comedy exemplifies only too well the old theatre adage – “If it can go wrong… it will.”
Dates: February 17 – 19 & 24 – 26 at 8pm and February 20 & 27 at 3pm
Tickets and More Information: Brookville Flower Shop, (937) 833-3531

The Foreigner

SINCLAIR COMMUNITY COLLEGE

The Story: Charlie is pathologically shy; staying together at a bed and breakfast, his friend decides telling the other guests he is foreign and speaks no English will be the easiest thing to do… but once alone with the guests, he overhears more than he should – and much more than they want him to. “Based on what the NY Post describes as a “devilishly clever idea,” the play demonstrates what can happen when a group of devious characters must deal with a stranger who (they think) knows no English” (Dramatists).
Dates: Continues through Saturday, February 26
Tickets: (937) 512-2808 or http://www.sinclair.edu/arts
More Information: DMM event page, DMM preview

Picnic

WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY

The Story: In a small town in Kansas, everything is going calmly and according to plan for widow Flo Owens and her two daughters. Madge, the oldest, is on her way to being a trophy wife while the younger, more rambunctious daughter Millie is getting ready to go to college on a scholarship. However, Flo starts to worry about their safety when Hal, a handsome but troubled drifter, shows up… (WSU)
Dates: February 17th-19th & 24th-26th at 8:00 PM, February 20th, 26th, & 27th at 2:00 PM, and February 23rd at 7:00 PM.
Tickets and More Information: (937) 775-2500, onStageDayton Review

Part of it All

…AUDITIONS AND CASTING CALLS

Honk!

TOWN HALL THEATRE – LANDMARK CHILDREN’S THEATRE

Auditions: February 23, beginning at 3:45 pm; February 26, beginning at 8:45 am. Register in advance.

THT: Berenstein Bears (2011) (Photo Credit Mike Long)

Performances: May 6 – 22, 2011
The Story: “Right from the start, Billy, Beaky, Downy and Fluff start flapping and squawking over their freshly-hatched brother duck. He just doesn’t seem right. His feet are way too big, he’s a lousy quacker and, well, he looks downright ugly! Even his parents are embarrassed to show him to the rest of the barnyard. Feeling miserable and alone, “Ugly” leaves home and begins a dangerous journey that will take him to a place where he, too, can be beautiful.” (THT)
Directed by Brittany Hayden-Hinkle
More Information: (937) 433-8957, Town Hall Theatre

La Cage Aux Folles

DAYTON PLAYHOUSE

Auditions: February 28 & March 1, 2011 (Callbacks March 3 & 4)
Performances: May 13 – 29, 2011
The Story: George (a glitzy nightclub owner) and his partner Albin (also the glamorous chanteuse Zaza)’s son is getting married… and in this musical, he brings his fiancée’s conservative parents home to meet the flashy pair. “The bonds of family are put to the test as the feather boas fly [in this] tuneful and touching tale of one family’s struggle to stay together… stay fabulous… and above all else, stay true to themselves!”
Directed by Doug Lloyd
More Information: Dayton Playhouse: Auditions

One Short Day

…SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE THEATRICALLY MINDED

First Friday

DOWNTOWN DAYTON PARTNERSHIP

The Basics: In this monthly event, Dayton showcases a variety of artistic, creative, and fun events and locations downtown. Gallery exhibits and entertainment provide a great way to discover downtown and have a great time!
Date: Friday, March 4 (and the first Friday of every month!)
More Information and Events Listing: Downtown Dayton partnership: First Friday

~KN

Another Year, Barney’s Version + FREE Oscar Party!

February 25, 2011 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Though RABBIT HOLE didn’t perform quite like THE KING’S SPEECH, you helped make Dayton look a lot more film savvy than many other similar-sized markets. RABBIT HOLE had a successful weekend, and I’ve heard many, many positive reviews. Therefor, RABBIT HOLE will stick around…and we’ll still manage to open 2 new films – BARNEY’S VERSION and ANOTHER YEAR.

Synopsis for ANOTHER YEAR: “British filmmaker Mike Leigh delivers another emotionally honest portrait of ordinary people trying to make sense of their lives in this comedy drama. Tom (Jim Broadbent) and Gerri (Ruth Sheen) are a couple who are drifting past middle age into their sixties; he’s a geologist and she’s a psychotherapist. Tom and Gerri have a stable and happy marriage and a grown son, Joe (Oliver Maltman), an activist lawyer who hasn’t settled down yet, much to his mother’s chagrin. One of Gerri’s co-workers and close friends is Mary (Lesley Manville), who puts up a facade of desperate good cheer despite the fact she’s been very lonely since her husband left her and has been drowning her anxieties in wine. Another Year received its world premiere at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.” (Mark Deming, ALL MOVIE GUIDE) OFFICIAL SITE

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Synopsis for BARNEY’S VERSION: “Barney’s Version is the story of Barney Panofsky, a seemingly ordinary man who lives an extraordinary life. A candid confessional, told from Barney’s point of view, the film spans three decades and two continents, taking us through the different acts of his unusual history. There is his first wife, Clara, a flame-haired, flagrantly unfaithful free sprit with whom Barney briefly lives la vie de Boheme in Rome. The Second Mrs. P. is a wealthy Jewish Princess who shops and talks incessantly, barely noticing that Barney is not listening. And it is at their lavish wedding that Barney meets, and starts pursuing, Miriam, his third wife, the mother of his two children, and his true love. With his father, Izzy as his sidekick, Barney takes us through the many highs, and a few too many lows, of his long and colorful life. Not only does Barney turn out to be a true romantic, he is also capable of all kinds of sneaky acts of gallantry, generosity, and goodness when we – and he – least expect it. His is a gloriously full life, played out on a grand scale. And, at its center stands an unlikely hero – the unforgettable Barney Panofsky.”
(Sony Pictures Classics) OFFICIAL SITE

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This Sunday (Feb. 27) is our Annual OSCAR Screening Party. The show starts at 8:00 (doors open at 7:30) and admission is FREE – first come, first serve. Ballots are now available in our lobby, and prizes are arriving daily (screenplays, soundtracks, dvds, etc.). The big prize – provided by our friends at Square One Salon & Spa – will be a salon gift basket complete with champagne and movie goodies. In addition, our friends at Granola Snacks are donating lots of gourmet granola for the festivities. Join fellow movie lovers as we celebrate the “Cinephile’s Superbowl.” You must be present to win prizes.
Special thanks to the folks at ThinkTV for helping us to get a signal for the telecast!

The International College of Broadcasting & Mike Giannott have rented our theater for a special, one night only screening…complete with multiple shorts, a PSA and their centerpiece film. “ZOMBIE PUNK ATTACK is a short film written, produced and directed by Aaron Cline and Mike Giannott. It’s taken from a comic written by Aaron Cline. It, of course, has a diseased animal, a lab technician that gets bitten and a mad scientist who has the cure – sprinkle that with an all-girl punk band and what could possibly go wrong? Well, a lot. Ride the wave of undead through this tale of death, decay, punk rock and weaponry. It stars Brittany Nagy, Brian Hixon, Paige Beller, Nicki Brooks, Moriah Yux, Sarah Kouse, Nina Lombardo and Marty Velez. Come on out on Tuesday, March 1st 2011, for the World Premier and help support local filmmakers. Tickets are $5.00. There will be a raffle for dvds and the movie poster (signed by the directors and stars).” (taken from press notes)

Tickets for the documentary NORTH DIXIE DRIVE are now on sale. The film will play on Saturday, March 26 at 5:00pm and tickets are $6 each (and only $4 for members of FilmDayton). “North Dixie Drive is the portrait of a small community of businesses and people residing in the Northridge section of Dayton, OH. It is the story of big time wrestlers, mechanics, a donut salesmen, an eccentric country singer, barbers, exotic dancers and car repo men. This collection of people, from all walks of life, live and work around a traffic circle situated along highway I-75, and fight to keep their lives and careers afloat in a failing economy. This debut film by Brooklyn, NY filmmaker Eric Mahoney showcases an off beat group of characters in today’s Middle America.” (taken from official website)

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Both the Dayton Jewish International Film Festival and FilmDayton are gearing up for their annual festivals. In addition, several special events have booked screenings at THE NEON. March, April & May will have numerous opportunities for you to catch films that you otherwise wouldn’t have a chance to see. I’ll keep you posted as details are confirmed.

If you were lucky enough to see Djuna Wahlrab’s short film FALLING UP, don’t miss seeing her set pieces and puppets at the 5th Street Gallery at Stivers School for the Arts. The exhibit opens this Thursday and will run for a month. Call (937)542-7448 for more details.

We’re scheduled to open BIUTIFUL on March 4…so titles may come and go quickly.
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for February 25 – March 3:

RABBIT HOLE (PG-13) 1 Hr 31 Min
Friday, Saturday: 3:10, 7:40, 9:40
Sunday: 3:10
Monday: 3:10, 7:40
Tuesday: 3:10
Wednesday & Thursday: 3:10, 7:40

ANOTHER YEAR (PG-13) 2 Hr 09 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 5:10
Monday – Thursday: 5:10

BARNEY’S VERSION (R) 2 Hr 14 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:15, 9:50
Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 5:10, 7:40

THE OSCARS
Sunday: 7:30 – Seating Begins

ZOMBIE PUNK ATTACK (NR)
Tuesday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
In some cases, titles may disappear.
March 4 BIUTIFUL
March 11 CEDAR RAPIDS
TBD I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS
TBD SOMEWHERE
TBD TINY FURNITURE
TBD CASINO JACK
TBD JANE EYRE

This Week on Kaleidoscope: The Fervor

February 23, 2011 By Juliet Fromholt Leave a Comment

The Fervor / Photo by Frankie Steele

Louisville’s The Fervor have been making a name for themselves here in Dayton having performed at Canal Street Tavern and more recently, South Park Tavern. The band will return to SPT tonight to celebrate the release of their new album, Arise, Great Warrior on Karate Body Records. They’ll share the bill with the Smug Brothers and the Motel Beds, who recently finished their new album, Sunfried Dreams and are currently streaming it on their bandcamp site. You can find show details at the DMM events calendar.

Before heading over to South Park Tavern, The Fervor will swing into Yellow Springs for an interview on tonight’s Kaleidoscope on WYSO. The show runs 8-11pm and will also include ticket giveaways to several local shows. In the Miami Valley, you can tune in at 91.3FM or you can listen online anywhere in the world at www.wyso.org.

No You’re Not the Good Kind

February 23, 2011 By Shana Lloyd 9 Comments

No you’re Not the Good Kind

June 6^th, 2009 driving home from work stuck on Rt. 35 in miserable traffic, The Good Kind by the Wreckers was playing and I was a wreck myself. I still, to this day tell friends who know what happened, that my ride home that day was some sort of an omen. I probably knew for a very a long time but just didn’t want to come to terms with what was really happening.

Ohio Was For Lovers

I’m sure I hinted at this in my grand entrance article back in January and despite what I’d love to tell people, it was not my career that brought me here to the great state of Ohio. There was a time when I was less jaded and a hopeless romantic that believed in fairy tale endings. Part of me now, still does but I would be lying if I said my outlook on love, relationships and the true meaning of happiness hasn’t changed a slight bit.

Not sure entirely how it happened, but a few years back I found myself wrapped up in a long distance relationship, literally from New Jersey to Ohio with love. It was one of those random things that you never expect in life but are so great while you’re in them. I remember everyone around me telling me it was like a movie, and while most of the time it was, towards the end it was more of a Lifetime movie rather than a Nicholas Sparks film. I reference Big Nick a lot in my writing and it’s purely because as unrealistic as his stories are, many of us still cling to his version of happily ever after, as if it were the only definition of true happiness. Though the ending is still undetermined, my movie has been very different.

After about a year of traveling back and forth, the happiness I felt when being in Ohio was unmatched by anything else I’d felt in any other place and so I decided, “we decided” that we’d take a leap of faith. In a very short time, I packed up my life and left the Garden State behind. I remember thinking, I’d never felt such a sense of hope and belief that true happiness was right across state lines. Was it about the relationship or was it more? In retrospect, I believe that the relationship was merely a gateway to so much more that was in store for me, yet I, like many, had to stumble through tragedy to find my way.

Reality Kicked In

Every relationship has its honeymoon phase and over time things change, not always for the bad, but things become how shall I say, less intense. I wouldn’t say that the love faded but feelings certainly changed. Moving away from everything one knows does something to a person. It leaves you feeling like you could do anything in the world if you really put your heart and soul into it. For a long time, I felt like I was playing a role rather than living to my full potential. I was working from home and seriously lacking in social fulfillment. My life became all about the relationship and nothing about me, or my dreams, what I wanted out of life and in some respects I started to sabotage my own happiness . Whether by an act of God or some force of nature, in the Spring of 2009 I was laid off. It didn’t take long to secure a new job, but it meant having to leave the home and back to a 9 to 5 gig. I adjusted to the role change fine, however, the relationship did not.

I believe for the most part, despite my not being entirely happy that I did everything in my power to make it work but after a while you start to think, a relationship shouldn’t require that much work. Still, in my heart this person was the first and only person I could imagine spending my life with. So, I compromised a great deal of myself to make it work but I think after a while my subconscious gave in and I just stopped trying…I still struggle at times trying to understand where we went wrong but some things are just not meant to be and when you accept that, it becomes easier to understand.

About a week prior to the end, we had a conversation about the future and what we both wanted. That talk to me, was a new hope and even though there were things we still needed to work out, with nothing but sincerity or so I thought, he assured me that he wanted us to be together forever. Then the lights went out.

The End

For no reason that day in my car driving home, I cried hysterically thinking that any day it was going to end. All I could think of us was that I had picked up my life and left everything for nothing, that if it were to end it would kill me inside. I happened to check my phone sitting at a light, Facebook of course and noticed that on my wall was silly gift ring from him with a message saying, “You said I’d never give you a ring, love you can’t wait for you to get home” a message that is still lingering out there in cyberspace waiting to be caught by some “memory algorithm” I’m sure. Well, some things on Facebook are not so official and it was probably him just trying to make me feel better, as he often did. Strung out and tired as usual, my mood was far from pleasant when I got home despite the gesture. Instead of leaving my day behind me when I walked into my home I picked a fight about something so trivial, something that I should have just let go but I didn’t. That was about an hour before he told me he didn’t want to be with me anymore, that the relationship wasn’t working for him. I believe in my heart that it was that argument which was the last straw for him and it wasn’t that I didn’t love him, I just couldn’t find that balance to separate my work life and home life. Pressure to be perfect in all aspects of my life weighed heavily in my mind, despite his endless effort to assure me I was perfect in his eyes. I know that it probably killed him to do that to me and though it was painful, he did what he had to do for his own happiness and I don’t blame him.

In the months to follow, he later told me that he had developed strong feelings for someone else and several months later they were together, despite some things that kept them apart early on. Today he his engaged to that person and they are to be married this summer. He describes her as the “one” and in some twisted way, they inspire me and give me hope that maybe second chances do exist.

What Happened Next

I listened to a whole lot of Rascal Flatts and drank a ton of wine. No sense in sugar coating it because I was an absolute mess. There were other things that just pushed the knife deeper and deeper and all I could think was when is it going to end. Though my struggles continued, I shortly began to see one blessing after another bestowed upon me. He wasn’t a bad guy, we just weren’t meant to be and I started to realize that had I cared that much about the relationship, I probably would have tried harder myself. After a while, I started to see the reasoning behind all that had happened, you know that silver lining people are always ranting about. From where I stand now, all of my sadness might have been worth it. It’s shaped me in some respects and ignited what some probably think of as an obnoxious spirit within me I never knew existed, a spirit that now will not let me settle for anything less than extraordinary for my life. All of it lead me here and not just to Dayton, but to my life, a life lived as it was intended to be lived. It may shock many to hear, but him and I still remain good friends even now after all that has happened, and that says a lot. He’s genuinely happy in his life and so I am. Many in my life are baffled by that, but such is life.

Why am I Sharing This?

Because frankly, shit happens and there’s no better way to put it. We all go through things in life that bring us down but we all have the power to pull through and make the best of any situation, if we allow ourselves too. I could have easily packed my stuff up and went crying home to New Jersey but I didn’t, I stayed. Almost two years later, I am more successful then I’d ever imagined I’d be and it’s not about my career it’s about how I view myself and feel about where I am headed in life. Happiness can be defined in so many ways and yeah, I once clung to the idea of a fairy tale romance being it for me. It still may be, but for now I move forward each day making the most out of what I’m given. Moral of the story is, never give up because you just never know what can happen if you just believe it will be ok. I used to say that I’d never be that girl in her 30s still single, yet here I am…, successful, extremely happy and yeah I’m single but I still feel like the luckiest girl in the world. As young professionals we may struggle finding the balance, but that doesn’t mean you should settle because you think your time to find love will run out. Never stop trying to fulfill your dreams and be part of things larger than yourself. Happiness is all around and if we just let go of all we’ve been told maybe there’s a few surprises waiting around the corner. Just don’t give up.

Love may have brought me here, but faith is what has kept me here.

The September Heat Brings Pleasure and Pain

February 23, 2011 By Russell Florence, Jr. 1 Comment

Wright State University commendably stages William Inge’s 1953 Pulitzer Prize-winning romantic drama “Picnic,” an authentically engaging slice of life about family, friendship, love and regret boiling over on a hot Labor Day weekend in 1950s Kansas.

The tall, lanky and handsome Riley Able is a personable focal point as Hal Carter, a drifter who sets hearts aflutter in the shared backyard of Flo Owens (Tess Talbot, reminiscent of a young Judith Ivey) and Helen Potts (an excellent Kelsey Hopkins). Hal, a former football hero with a troubled past, has grown accustomed to making women swoon, but finally finds what he’s looking for in Flo’s pretty daughter Madge (Stephanie Tucker), the girlfriend of wholesome Alan Seymour (Greg Mallios), Hal’s college friend.

“Picnic,” which opened Thursday, February 17 delicately directed by Marya Spring Cordes, thrives on its central love triangle, and there is palpable chemistry between Able and Tucker, particularly during an impromptu dance that hints at the sexual fireworks to come. Tucker fully conveys Madge’s soul-searching essence and supplies an emotional tug-of-war as her pivotal choice of suitor begins to blur. The moment of truth arises in a flustered frenzy which Tucker wonderfully infuses with touching optimism. The appealing Able, astutely remembering Hal doesn’t feel comfortable being “natural,” exudes a charming, sunny bravado that rarely wanes. Mallios, an effectively straight-laced contrast, is especially strong late in the play when Alan’s aims turn to betrayal.

Along withMallios, Talbot and Hopkins (who is heartbreaking in the final minutes when Helen recalls her fondness for Hal), fine featured portrayals stem from the delightful Chelsey Cavender as sassy tomboy Millie Owens, Becca Frick and Dani Cox as respective teachers Irma Kronkite and Christine Schoenwalder, Joey Monda as paperboy Bomber and the voice of Helen’s mother, and Valerie Reaper as the opinionated Rosemary Sydney, who fears growing old and is desperate to wed Howard Bevans (Zach Schute). The ladies are particularly clothed in striking period designs by D. Bartlett Blair, and Nicholas Crumbley’s lovely lighting design is also a plus.

Picnic continues through Sunday, February 27 in the Festival Playhouse of the Creative Arts Center at Wright State University, 3640 Col. Glenn Hwy., Fairborn. Performances are Wednesday at 7 p.m., Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Act One: 80 minutes; Act Two: 38 minutes. Tickets are $17 and $19. For tickets or more information, call (937) 775-2500.

In related news, Wright State is in need of storage space for sets and props. “We want and need to recycle our sets, reuse major portions in future shows, as a major way of economizing and being more green,” said W. Stuart McDowell, chair and artistic director of WSU’s Department of Theatre, Dance and Motion Pictures. McDowell, who will stage WSU’s Ohio collegiate premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera in spring 2012, can be reached by phone at (937) 775-3784 or by e-mail at [email protected]

The Reluctant Communicator

February 23, 2011 By Russell Florence, Jr. 1 Comment

Despite the fact that Larry Shue decided to use the Ku Klux Klan as the momentum-killing dark underbelly of his 1983 Southern fried farce “The Foreigner,” it doesn’t deter the amusement of Sinclair Community College’s entertaining presentation, which opened Friday, February 18 nimbly directed by Nelson Sheely.

The charming Isaac Hollister is perfectly cast as Charlie, the unassuming titular Englishman who visits a quaint fishing lodge (rustically designed by Terry Stump) to escape the worry of his wife’s ailing health. The opening minutes are slow, but the comedy kicks into gear once the colorfully unsuspecting folks at the rural Georgia lodge are told Charlie is from a faraway country and doesn’t speak English. It’s a treat to see Hollister exude a sense of timid bewilderment, particularly in moments of eavesdropping, that delightfully evolves into sly confidence as Charlie settles into his surroundings and ultimately becomes an unlikely hero. He is particularly terrific uttering gibberish in Act 2.

Melissa Kerr Ertsgaard, one of Sinclair’s most versatile performers, returns with another strong turn as Betty, the hospitable lodge owner who wants nothing more than to ensure Charlie’s comfort even while screaming in his face. Steven Brotherton, a standout in Sinclair’s marvelous production of “Dog Sees God” last season, is likeable once more as the dim-witted Ellard, who humorously becomes Charlie’s English teacher. As Ellard’s sister Catherine, Sarah Parsons forms a pleasant rapport with Hollister and is well-matched with Nicklaus Moberg as David, a minister with evil on his mind. Travis Clyburn energetically tackles the stereotypical Owen, David’s redneck partner in crime. Chris Hahn has fun as Froggy, Charlie’s British confidant. Aisha Ahmed, Nicole Dine, Lyrit Ertsgaard, Katie Kluck, Rebecca Knowles and Josh Smith complete the cast.

The Foreigner continues through Saturday, February 26 in Blair Hall Theatre, Building 10, at Sinclair Community College, 444 W. Third St. Performances are Thursday at 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Act One: 70 minutes. Act Two: 60 minutes. All seats are reserved and cost $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. All Thursday tickets cost an additional $5 and includes pre-show appetizers and cash bar. For tickets or more information, call (937) 512-2808 or visit www.sinclair.edu/arts

YPs at the Base – Serving those who serve

February 23, 2011 By Megan Cooper 1 Comment

Serving the YPs who Serve

It’s the largest single site employer in the whole state. Its history has been witness to early Wright Brothers test flights and a military installation that dates to World War I. It’s an obvious asset to the region for the Air Force Museum (fingers crossed for the shuttle) as well as cutting-edge technical, aerospace, and research advances.

I have sung the praises of the Base and understood its major importance in both the economic viability of our region and for aerospace technology worldwide (you can thank my engineering husband who just broke a world record for his work on a scram jet engine for that one), but I never really got the differences of the alphabet soup that is WPAFB (be it AFIT, AFRL, NASIC, WISK or LMNOP).

Here I am – trying to be an info liaison for YP groups in the region. Hopefully this blog is a resource for people who want to get involved, YP orgs who are looking for potential collaborations, or anyone who’s just curious. And I’ve advertised Base events like monthly socials for the Young AFCEAns, volunteer opportunities through the Junior Force Council and discussions by the WP Networking Association. But you know what – I still didn’t really get it. Oh – you mysterious base with your numerous gates, haunted hotels, and alien ships in hiding – I am here to learn about the resources for the YPs behind the gates. So – this is for anyone who has asked a new friend, “So – where do you work?” and your eyes glaze over a little bit when they answer “the Base.”

The Young AFCEAns

Why am I talking to them first? Well – I thought they might be a pretty good “gateway” to the Base since members of the Young AFCEAns can work on or off Base in any contracting organization that has a relationship with the Base. Also – they are the YP arm of AFCEA (The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association) – so you can guess that they have a pretty informative Web page. I was able to gather information on the people served and the benefits for the Young AFCEAns. At least I thought I had them figured out, until I talked to Casey Weinstein, the local chapter president and figured out that they are so much more.

YACs get together for social opportunities

The Young AFCEAns (also known as YACs) are AFCEA members under the age of 40. But they are also a distinct unit within AFCEA. Sure, they network with fellow professionals and are active in the chapter, but they also work together as YACs to mentor at schools, host tech events and judge local science fairs. They take advantage of specific mentoring activities available only to YACs – career development, leadership development, and access to senior leaders in the field (the kind of access that otherwise wouldn’t be available).

Anyone CAN be a YAC, and Weinstein encourages all YPs to check them out. So many businesses in the region, even if they don’t deal directly with the government, partner with other organizations that do contract with the government. And maybe you’re not in IT, but Weinstein tells the story of a marketing associate who started coming to YAC events because her company was considering expanding into the IT market. The networking and social opportunities through YAC proved helpful, informative, and even fun.

YACs at a Dragons game

When I asked what exactly they do and who they serve, Weinstein explained that they’re an advocacy and networking association focused on information technology and the government – most members are government employees, contractors, or people who want to break into the industry. And for anyone who thinks “IT” is a little broad, I asked Weinstein for some specifics: they have members who produce modeling and simulation software, build web applications, create hardware and software sharepoints, and they feature many service providers (like database administrators).

The most popular events for local YACs are the monthly networking events. They feature free food and drinks (always a plus), and they provide a great atmosphere for YPs in the industry to network with one another, local businesses, and senior leadership in the industry. Weinstein also highlights their outreach work with local universities. With the support of Senator Brown’s offices, the YACs have been featured (along with other YP groups) on campus panel discussions. Many college kids may not know about the numerous opportunities in the region for IT and aerospace contracting work, so YAC makes a major effort to get the word out.

Weinstein is especially proud of the relationship YAC has with the AFCEA chapter. Although YAC exists as its own unit to attract new members and offer professional development opportunities, their members are fully integrated into the local chapter. The past YAC chair is now the membership chair for AFCEA and Weinstein chaired the AFCEA Valentine’s Ball – the major fundraiser for AFCEA that provides scholarships for local high school and college students. The chapter taps the YACs to be involved on a larger level, and they show respect for a job well done. They just sent Weinstein to San Diego to accept the Distinguished Young AFCEAns Award (one of only 15 globally!); the chapter flew him out, picked up the tab, and provided him with a great opportunity to meet a lot of new people.

The YACs are there to hook young professionals into the thriving aerospace industry in our region, and Weinstein has a very strong perspective of life in Dayton. He explains, “More money comes through WPAFB than any other military installation in the world (other then the Pentagon). There is a lot of growth and opportunity in the region because of the growth of the industry. Dayton is the place to be for someone in this profession.”

While the Young AFCEAns are reaching out to everyone to highlight the opportunities of the aerospace industry. There’s another group on Base that’s reaching out to serve a pretty specific need.

Wright-Patterson AFB Junior Force Council

The Wright-Patt JFC works to offer programming relevant to all YPs on Base, but it’s only part of a larger YP involvement structure in place. Individual Junior Force Councils exist for many programs or directorates, and those smaller JFCs often host their own events. For example, the Air Force Research Lab’s (AFRL) Propulsion Directorate launched an outreach program to address the lack of new engineers through volunteers who visit local schools to increase student interest in STEM careers. Or there is the Air Force Material Command (AFMC) Junior Force Council that hosted a tour for its members. Many of the directorates across Base offer professional development and networking opportunities through individual Junior Force Councils (JFCs), and each JFC sends a member to sit on the collective Wright-Patt JFC. It’s a nice structure – people at the local level determine what meets the needs of their members, but their voice rises up to the overall JFC to make sure there’s open communication and the WPJFC can meet larger needs.

The Young Guns / Old Pistols Cycling Race

I spoke to Kristy Roberts – president of the WFJFC. Locally born and raised, Roberts completed her undergrad and MBA at Wright State before joining the Base in a contracting career. In leading the WPJFC, she works to provide networking experiences for civilian and military (enlisted and officer) YPs across the Base who have 10 years of service or less. These events provide participants the opportunity to interact with one another and senior leaders whom they may otherwise not meet.

Since the smaller JFCs focus on the happy hours, industry-specific events, and directorate-specific programming, the WPJFC only hosts approximately two or three large, Base-wide events per year. Launching soon is the popular “Young Guns vs. Old Pistols.” This is a wellness/sporting competition between the JFC members and senior leaders on Base. Over the course of three months, they compete in 6 events. Other major events include a golf tournament fundraiser and open tour of the Base for regional YPs.

Also in the works is a potential speaker series. Although most WPJFC events are limited to Base personnel (mostly due to the fact that the rest of us can’t get through the gates – except a great story I’ll tell you sometime when I accidentally just zoomed right by the guards, but I digress… ), Roberts is hoping to open some of these speaker events to the wider YP community. Roberts also shows her “Dayton Girl” colors as she advocates on Base for YP events regionally. She has started a regular communication with JFC members to inform them of opportunities in Dayton for both social and professional networking.

At a very basic level, the WPJFC provides an opportunity for YPs to figure out how the base works. Roberts tells the story of when she sent an email out to a large group of people. First on the list is the person that the email was most relevant to. Sounds logical, right? Not with Base logic – the strict chain of command is so important to military protocol that it must be followed even in sending an email – you address it to the highest officer first and then go down the list in level of seniority. Things like that aren’t obvious to employees (especially civilian) new to the Base, so the JFC provides a friendly atmosphere to learn the ropes. And it’s not just about the “rules.” The AF culture is a different beast – if civilians better understand it, they can better communicate within it and learn how to succeed.

The Base respects the work of the WPJFC and their goal of “preparing the leaders of tomorrow.” Participants in the JFCs are able to claim “alternate duty location” while at JFC events (meaning they don’t have to take leave or time off from work). Senior leadership at the Base appreciates the work of the WPJFC as they bridge the gap between new recruits and more seasoned AF employees.

The Bowling Award Ceremony for the YG/OP

Roberts shares what she believes is the most important aspect that the WPJFC offers its members – opportunities to develop their own relationships with senior leaders. Mentoring is such an asset, and Roberts praises the mentor she has met through JFC events. Mentors provide insight into other areas on Base and can even help put the daily battles into perspective as YPs are advancing in their careers.

I asked Roberts what she hopes for as she plans the next year of WPJFC programming. Her goal is to involve more enlisted and military YPs. She explains that the career paths of civilians are defined differently than the career paths of their military colleagues, so the military YPs haven’t always seen the need to take advantage of the professional development and mentoring opportunities that are offered. Roberts hopes to change that and create a WPJFC where everyone is represented and active.

Thanks!

It was a great opportunity to learn a little more about who’s who and the different organizations that serve the many YPs on Base. I was unable to speak to anyone from the WP Networking Association or the Company Grade Officer Program – two groups that serve a fairly specific constituency on Base. Still, I’m appreciative of the time and information Weinstein and Roberts shared with me. The Base may be a different world, but we all have the same needs, and it’s great to hear that these leaders are making it happen for YPs on Base.

On the Set – Film in the Making at the Mustard Seed Home

February 23, 2011 By Shana Lloyd 1 Comment

Written by CultureMASH Staff: Shana Douglas, Natasha Baker, Valerie Beerbower

CultureMASH, an organization launched late last year is a group of young professionals in the Dayton region who have united to use their professional talents and expertise to give something back to the community. They set out on this mission after seeing the astounding impact social media can have in creating awareness and building community. Though technical aspects apply when building a campaign driven for results, the basic fundamentals of branding still apply. The success of any mission relies on awareness and the key factor in enhancing that awareness is reaching your audience through all mediums as well as connecting people emotionally to the cause.

In only a few months, the vision of Shana Douglas and Carla Weis Hale has rapidly unfolded through a multitude of projects including The Mustard Seed Home, the groups first official pro bono marketing campaign. Earlier this year, the CultureMASH team uncovered some alarming and disheartening statistics about teenage pregnancy, generational cycles and economic distress directly related to young mothers both regionally and nationwide. In working with The Mustard Seed Home and seeing the impact this home could have, the team decided the only way, the best way to capture the remarkable work being done to empower young women and stop the cycle was to film a mini documentary. Filming of this production is made possible thanks to the talents of CultureMASH staff members, Sean Coffman, Cindy DeVelvis, Melissa Cales, Valerie Beerbower and Executive Producers Shana Douglas and Carla Weis Hale.

The Mustard Seed Home

Every day, social services help thousands of Dayton-area individuals seeking assistance to feed their families, make ends meet, or shelter themselves from the cold. But not everyone gets the help they need.

While thousands of people are getting assistance, teenage mothers are falling through societal cracks. Too young to be adults, too old to be children, these young women have been stranded by social workers whose hands have been bound by bureaucracy. Their options are grim–homelessness, hunger, a life of uncertainly for themselves and their babies. Often, these unskilled, high-school drop-outs turn to unseemly sources of income–crime, drugs, prostitution.

For children raised in such an environment, this lifestyle is the norm. Those children then grow up to become participants in this terrible cycle, another generation of youth quitting school too early, becoming parents too early, and losing hope too early. But there is a way out of this cycle.

The Facts

The Mustard Seed Foundation, Inc. (TMSF), a nonprofit organization founded in 2007, is on a mission to fill those societal gaps through which these young women fall. The organization, created by Shondale Atkinson, empowers teen mothers and their children to achieve their highest potential. “The main goal of TMSF is to provide young women ages 13-21 with transitional housing and supportive services,” Atkinson explains.

Shondale Atkinson - Founder, The Mustard Seed Home -Photo Taken By Melissa Cales

TMSF accepts teen mothers who are in state or county custody or have been referred by other service agencies, and the need in this county is critical. In Montgomery County, teen pregnancy and child abuse and neglect among teens living below the poverty level continues to be an unchanging issue.

The area needs programs that offer teen mothers an opportunity to rebuild their lives. “We are the only residential parent facility in the state of Ohio,” Atkinson says. “Right after we became licensed, we had 33 referrals come through our doors. My goal is to empower young parents to take control over their lives and the lives of their child.”

A Personal Connection

Atkinson knows what it’s like to feel as if the rest of the world has turned its back on you. A child to a young mother and product of social services, she eventually became a teen mom herself.

“I was born into foster care. My mother had four other children removed by social services already. My siblings and I were constantly shuffled around between foster homes and the care of my mother, who would get clean from time to time and petition to reunite with her children. Even if we were in a good foster home that was stable, we had to leave when our mother wanted to have us home.”

Eventually, Atkinson’s mother would relapse, and she and her siblings would be put back into foster care. “The social worker was more of an advocate for my mother than for us kids. I didn’t have an advocate. I didn’t have someone to show me what my options were and help me make the best choice for me, and that’s got to change,” Atkinson says. She later became pregnant when she was 17 and, without a stable home or alternative housing options, she was separated from her child in the foster care system.

Meeting the Need

Atkinson knew that in order to make a positive change in the lives of these young urban women, she needed to take action. “Children who grow up in the system do the best they can; you just grow up,” she says. “My siblings and I were eligible for a lot of services that we simply didn’t know about. That’s one of the main reasons why I founded TMSF. I never realized I had a say in what kind of home my child could be placed. We want to educate these young parents on their options.”

Services offered through TMSF are necessary to supplement the social services gaps for these young mothers. “If young lady is homeless and a mother at age 13, she cannot go to St. Vincent, she cannot go to the YWCA because she will be separated from her baby.” Atkinson explains. “These girls are too young to access adult services, but too old to take advantage of children’s services.”

TMSF fills that gap by preventing homelessness among teenage mothers, preventing repeat pregnancies and completing education goals, whether that’s obtaining a high school diploma or going on to post-secondary education.

Often, young mothers who want to keep their children and raise them in a safe and loving home are thwarted by barriers and obstacles. The cost of childcare makes it virtually impossible for uneducated mother with no family support to complete her education or hold down a job. “Our main goal is to break the cycle of poverty for this generation. Everything that teenage mother needs is right under TMSF roof,” Atkinson says.

Residents of TMSF receive opportunities they might not have had through social services–and definitely wouldn’t enjoy living on the streets.

Parenting classes
Life skills coaching
Educational advancement
Food and baby supplies
Mentoring

TMSF also strives to bring a sense of community and support among its residents. “They bond and gain a sense of family that they’re never experienced,” Atkinson says. “The girls have to shop for their food as a family and we sit down at a table to eat together.”

Preventative Measures

An equally important function of TMSF is the pregnancy prevention outreach program Atkinson has designed. “It’s like a real-life ‘Teen Mom’ in-service. We want to measure our success in terms of fewer teen pregnancies, eventually breaking that cycle of poverty,” she says.

Currently, TMSF partners with the Boy Scouts, touring schools twice weekly. Focused on abstinence, the program is supplemented with self esteem-building dialogue. “We want these girls to know that they’re worth waiting for love, and they don’t need to give away their bodies to feel appreciated and accepted.”

The Bigger Picture

The plight of these young women might be easy to ignore, but Atkinson can quickly remind those who turn a blind eye that cyclical, generational poverty isn’t just an “urban” problem–it’s everyone’s problem. “Teenage pregnancy carries a high cost in social and economic health for the mother and children,” she says.

Tax dollars provide financial care for the mother and twice over for her baby. With two or three kids in the system, the costs can rise to as much as $8,000 a month.

Because teen moms aren’t ready to give birth, special prenatal care is required. In addition, their babies are more likely to be born premature, have low birth weight and have developmental delays. Teen moms are less likely to complete their education, can’t find or hold down a good job, and that many are required to go on welfare and tax payers continue to shell out more to support them and their babies in the system.”

Nationally, it costs an average of $9 billion annually to care for these families. Education, prevention and support for current teen moms are the best ways keep families strong and keep kids out of the system.

Get Involved

You can be a part of this positive change. TMSF is always in need of baby care items, such as diapers, clothing and food and monetary donations are always appreciated and put to good use. Just a single $2,500 annual family sponsorship covers everything from bus passes to field trips, diversity training, financial literacy, child care items and more – everything the mothers need for an entire year.

TMSF survives thanks to the incredible work done by its volunteers. “Teenage moms need positive role models; they really need positive women in their lives,” Atkinson says. “
The Mustard Seed Foundation employees have experience working with the teen mother population. Staff members have training and certifications in the areas of: emergency housing, social work, family advocacy, teen conflict resolution, child abuse prevention, crisis counseling, victim advocacy, community health, parenting and teaching.

Shondale Atkinson’s lead-by-example attitude demonstrates what it truly means that all it takes to make a difference in your world is to have faith just the size of a mustard seed and cultivate that into something bigger than yourself.

The Film

Production of the film by CultureMASH is well under way. Both Shondale Atkinson and CultureMASH hope that through this film the home can continue it’s mission by creating more awareness about both the need for TMSF and the positive results in our community such services provide.

Special thanks to Editors: Leah Moon and Elizabeth Willis

Victoria Theatre Association Reveals 2011-12 Season

February 23, 2011 By Shane Anderson Leave a Comment

VICTORIA THEATRE ASSOCIATION

2011-2012 Season Announcement

The Victoria Theatre Association hosted a special event Tuesday evening to announce their upcoming season to a Wintergarden-packed collection of special guests, subscribers and donors. The event had a theatrical flair complete with special lighting, dramatically unfurled banners, a prop or two and even a cash bar. The focus of the event was to build a buzz for the upcoming productions that will be included on the various series offered by the organization for the 2011-12 season.

The line up includes many titles that will be familiar to Dayton audiences. The biggest surprise of the evening was the announcement that Wicked would make a return trip to the Gem City. The musical broke VTA box office records just a year ago. The witches will return to the Schuster Center in Spring 2012. The big questions will be whether or not the Dayton market will be able to support another 3 1/2 week run of the mega-musical, and whether the VTA staff will ever be willing to voluntarily wear green again.

Some promising moments in the Broadway series include the first visit of Jersey Boys, the 2006 Tony Award winning musical and Wishful Drinking starring Carrie Fisher, the one woman Broadway show starring everyone’s favorite inter-galactic princess.

The Human Race Theatre Company’s contribution to the 2011-12 Broadway series will be the world premiere production of Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical. This musical about the legendary stage & screen star from the Cincinnati area was developed by area writers Janet Yates Vogt & Mark Friedman. The show received a developmental workshop in the Human Race Theatre Co. 2010 summer Musical Theatre Workshop.

There are additional local ties in at least two of the productions on the schedule. 1986 Wright State University alum Brad Sherwood, mostly widely recognized from his appearances on the TV program Whose Line Is It Anyways? will return to Dayton in Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood: Two Man Group. Muse Machine alum Benjamin Magnuson will appear in the cast of the 25th anniversary production of Les Miserables. Ben has a couple major Broadway credits under his belt, most notably his performance as Anthony in the recent John Doyle revival of Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, alongside Patti Lupone & Michael Cerveris.

Besides a few questionable selections, the 2011-2012 line up of VTA performances should prove to be fairly well received, yet it still seems like very safe programming. I can understand the desire to play it safe in the current economic climate, but I was really hoping that there would be at least a couple of envelope pushing titles (similar to the inclusion of Spring Awakening & Avenue Q on this season’s Star Attractions…perhaps Next To Normal or even the recent revival of Hair). It sounds as if the upcoming Avenue Q is selling quite well, so I hope that there are a couple of additional Star Attractions, yet to be named, even if only one-night-only affairs.

Below is the official press information for each of the shows listed in four of the major series offered. The VTA offers additional programs such as The Discovery Series for kids, the Mid-Day Arts Cafe, the ImPACT series and other educational opportunities. Read about these other offerings and more information about the organization at www.VictoriaTheatre.com.

Season subscriptions for the 2011-2012 Miami Valley & Good Samaritan Hospitals Broadway Series are on sale now via Ticket Center Stage and may be purchased at the Box Office, online at www.ticketcenterstage.com or by phone 937/228-3630 or toll free at 888/228-3630. Ticket Center Stage hours are Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday noon – 4 p.m., and two hours prior to each performance.

Victoria Theatre Association 2011-2012 Selections:

Mel Brooks’ YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

October 4 – 9, 2011– Schuster Center

The classic Mel Brooks movie is ALIVE…and it’s headed to Dayton! This wickedly inspired re-imagining of the Frankenstein legend follows bright young Dr. Frankenstein (that’s Fronkensteen) as he attempts to create a monster — but not without scary and hilarious complications. The brains behind the laughter is mad genius and three-time Tony® winner Mel Brooks himself — who wrote the music and lyrics and co-wrote the book along with his record-breaking, award-winning team from The Producers.

Adult situations and language.

TRACES

December 6 – 18, 2011 – Victoria Theatre

TRACES combines awe-inspiring acrobatics with infectious urban energy. With versatile artists who deliver dazzling, gravity-defying displays of skill, dance, and acrobatic brilliance. Created by 7 Fingers, an astonishingly talented company that has pioneered a whole new brand of theatrical entertainment, this unique new show is described as “Family Friendly and Urban Date Night Cool!” by Chris Jones of The Chicago Tribune.

JERSEY BOYS

January 17 – February 5, 2012 – Schuster Center

Too Good to Be True!,” raves the New York Post for JERSEY BOYS, the 2006 Tony Award®-winning Best Musical about Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. This is the story of how four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide – all before they were 30! JERSEY BOYS, winner of the 2006 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Show Album and most recently, the 2009 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, features their hit songs “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Rag Doll,” “Oh What a Night” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”

Authentic, profane Jersey language and adult situations.

TENDERLY: The Rosemary Clooney Musical
By Janet Yates Vogt & Mark Friedman
produced by The Human Race Theatre Company

February 21 – March 4, 2012 – Victoria Theatre

The story of film actress and legendary singer Rosemary Clooney comes to life on stage in TENDERLY, an engaging new musical that captures the highlights of her amazing career and the challenges she faced as wife, mother and performer. Hear her beloved and classic songs, meet the characters who touched her life, and follow this remarkable woman on a journey that leads to ultimate triumph.

WISHFUL DRINKING starring Carrie Fisher

April 10 – 22, 2012 – Victoria Theatre

The daughter of Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher became a cultural icon when she starred as “Princess Leia” in the first Star Wars trilogy at 19 years old. Forever changed, Carrie’s life did not stay picture perfect. Fisher is the life of the party in this uproarious and sobering look at her Hollywood hangover. A colorful evening of what Fisher calls “talking about myself behind my back,” Wishful Drinking is a breezy combination of one-liners and behind-the-Hollywood-scenes-gossip, all relayed with Fisher’s withering, dry humor.

Adult language and situations.

WICKED

May 30 – June 24, 2012 – Schuster Center

Entertainment Weekly calls WICKED “the best musical of the decade,” and when it first played Dayton in 2010, it broke box office records and sold out in record time. Winner of 35 major awards, including a Grammy® and three Tony® Awards, WICKED is Broadway’s biggest blockbuster, a cultural phenomenon and was just named “the defining musical of the decade” by The New York Times.

THE FLYING KARAMAZOV BROTHERS

October 7, 2011 – Victoria Theatre

Four times triumphant on Broadway, the award-winning Flying Karamazov Brothers are back with an unforgettable spectacle of music, comedy, dance, theatre and juggling. “100 minutes of cleverness and comedy go by in a flash,” “It’s the Julliard String Quartet meets Monty Python,” and “as close to a sure thing as can be found on stage.” “It’s unleashed fun!” Come join the Flying K’s in proving with each unique performance, that the unexpected events in our lives are the best part of being human.

GONE MADIGAN with KATHLEEN MADIGAN

February 3, 2012 – Victoria Theatre

“One of America’s funniest female comics” (Jay Leno), “The funniest woman in America” (Lewis Black) and “One of my favorite comedians” (Bob Costas), comedienne Kathleen Madigan has made a name for herself around the globe since her winning bout on the 2004 “Last Comic Standing.” In addition to three CDs and now four DVDs of her hilarious work, she has been seen extensively on TV including E!, CNN, “The Tonight Show” (10 appearances), “The Late Show with David Letterman” (5 appearances), “The Conan O’Brien Show,” HBO, Comedy Central, and ESPN.

COLIN MOCHRIE & BRAD SHERWOOD: TWO MAN GROUP

April 28, 2012 – Victoria Theatre

Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, stars of the EmmyR-nominated “Whose Line Is It Anyway?,” have teamed up to present an evening of extraordinary improvisational comedy. Using their quick wit, Colin and Brad take contributions from the audience to create hilarious and original scenes — just like a live version of “Whose Line”! Their high-profile presentations have played to sold-out venues all over the country. “A two-hour laugh riot!” – Springfield Sun News

Star Attractions appeal to the cultural and ethnic variety of our community and may include blockbuster Broadway hits, cutting-edge off-Broadway theatre, family-friendly shows and concerts. Ranging from one-week runs to single-evening events, Victoria Theatre Association’s Star Attractions are presented to appeal to a variety of different audiences and guaranteed to provide you with the finest entertainment.

DAVID SEDARIS

October 27, 2011 – Victoria Theatre

The celebrated NPR humorist comes to the Victoria Theatre for an evening of cutting wit, social satire, and riveting conversation, including a question and answer session! Experience live, the hilarious brilliance that created the national bestsellers: Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, When You Are Engulfed in Flames, and his latest best-seller, Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk. “One of America’s most prickly and most delicious, young comic talents.” – The Washington Post

MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT

October 30, 2011 – Schuster Center

Winner of the 2005 Tony® Award for Best Musical, Monty Python’s SPAMALOT is the outrageous new musical comedy lovingly ripped off from the film classic Monty Python and The Holy Grail. Directed by Tony® Award-winner Mike Nichols, with a book by Eric Idle and music and lyrics by the Grammy® Award-winning team of Mr. Idle and John Du Prez, SPAMALOT tells the tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail. Flying cows, killer rabbits, taunting Frenchmen and show-stopping musical numbers are just a few of the reasons audiences everywhere are eating up SPAMALOT.

Adult content.

LES MISÉRABLES

November 22 – 27, 2011 – Schuster Center

DREAM THE DREAM. Cameron Mackintosh presents a brand new 25^th anniversary production of Boublil & Schönberg’s legendary musical, LES MISÉRABLES, with glorious new staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. This new production has been acclaimed by critics, fans and new audiences and is breaking box office records wherever it goes. The New York Times calls this LES MISÉRABLES “an unquestionably spectacular production from start to finish.” NY1-TV proclaims “musical theatre fans can rejoice: ‘Les Miz’ is born again.”

BAM PERCUSSION: THE BLUE BARREL SHOW

November 5 & 6, 2011

Meet three completely odd characters who will have you rolling – and dancing! – in the aisles: BAM! Fabulous drumming is mixed with zany, slide-splitting humor, and the results are contagious. With audience participation, quick-witted humor and impeccable timing, BAM has performed for thousands all around the world, including extensive tours of Europe, Canada, Asia, South America, Africa and more, making it clear we all laugh in the same language.

GOLDEN DRAGON ACROBATS

December 3 & 4, 2011

Exponents of the 25-century-old tradition of Chinese acrobatics, the Golden Dragon Acrobats defeat gravity and fear with feats of balancing, tumbling and startling gymnastic wizardry. They captivate audiences everywhere with the charm and swashbuckling showmanship of ancient skills, such as the Dancing Plates, the Diablo Yo-Yo, and The Tower of Chairs. Don’t miss this thrilling parade of contortionists, jugglers and dizzying, seat-wiggling entertainment.

STINKY CHEESE MAN & OTHER FAIRLY STUPID TALES

Based on the book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith

February 4 & 5, 2012

Poor Jack. He’s got to use his wits to save himself from the terrible Giant, but a host of familiar fairytale characters keep messing up his plans – and then there’s that annoying Stinky Cheese Man! The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales deconstructs the tradition of the fairy tale. Characters slide in and out of tales, Cinderella rebuffs Rumpelstiltskin, and Goldilocks meets the Three Elephants. Nothing is quite the same as you remember it, but all is hilariously fun!

THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS LIVE

March 24 & 25, 2012

Seatbelts everyone! The Magic School Bus® celebrates its 25th anniversary with an all-new musical adventure. Ms. Frizzle’s students are putting on a play about global warming, and they need some cold, hard facts. The Friz and her reptilian sidekick, Liz, know just where to find them! This is no ordinary field trip, as a hop on the Magic School Bus takes the class and the audience on a whirlwind tour. From the Arctic to the Equator, they see telltale signs of climate change and learn how conservation, recycling and alternative energy can make a positive difference.

Tickets & Performance Information:

WHY SUBSCRIBE?

Series subscribers receive many perks, including VIP service and the chance to purchase single tickets to shows before tickets go on sale to the general public.

GUARANTEED SEATS & THE BEST SEATS.

By the time tickets go on sale, the best seats will be snatched up by our series subscribers. Sometimes just getting a seat at all is a challenge! Buy the series of your choice and get the best seats for every show!

SAVINGS.

With the Miami Valley & Good Samaritan Broadway Series, you’re getting six shows for the price of five– and saving as much as 15 percent over buying single tickets. Subscribe to all six Broadway shows for as little as $244, the three-show Variety series for as little as $83, and our five-show Family series for just $52!

ADVANCE SALE OPPORTUNITIES.

All series subscribers or season ticket holders can buy extra tickets to series shows–including JERSEY BOYS and WICKED–before they go on sale to the general public. Plus, you get the first crack at tickets to new shows as they’re added to our calendar!

FLEXIBILITY.

With subscriber exchange privileges, you can change your plans and change your seats for another performance time–no problem! A small up-charge fee will be applied if you switch into a more expensive performance.

TICKET INSURANCE.

If you misplace your tickets, just call Ticket Center Stage and we’ll reprint them for you.

DISCOUNTED PARKING.

Only series subscribers can purchase prepaid parking at the Arts Garage at Second and Ludlow Streets (to the west of the Schuster Center) at a discount! You’ll pay only $5 a park–instead of $7 for event parking. Parking packages are available for all three series.

GREAT ENTERTAINMENT.

Mark your calendar now with as many great performances as you like. We all need to relax and recharge, and there’s nothing like a fabulous performance to do just that!

SEASON TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE NOW!

To become a Miami Valley & Good Samaritan Hospitals Broadway Series subscriber, call Ticket Center Stage, at (937) 228-3630 (toll free (888) 228-3630), or subscribe online.

Not a subscriber? Call 937/228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com and purchase your subscription today!

Please note: New subscribers will be seated per their requests once renewing subscriber’s requests have been handled.

-SA/VTA Press Release

We encourage local theatre companies to submit calendar items HERE, and official press releases to [email protected].

Jane’s Best Bets (2/23 – 2/27)

February 22, 2011 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

It’s time to start making plans for the week, as there are lots of events happening around town! Here are a few options!

On Wednesday, talk politics and help solve the world’s problems at the Drinking Liberally – Dayton event at Trolley Stop. Seriously, they will be talking about politics, but I don’t think their solution to the world’s problems will be drinking…although the research shows that drinking water can help solve the dehydration problem. If you own a business, you will want to attend Social Media for Business: How to Create and Use a Facebook Fan Page at Groundz4Living at The Greene…afterall, social media is a super cheap way to advertise! Over at Sinclair, help promote sustainable living and economic development with Green Drinks Dayton, which will include a tour and networking event. All you winos will want to attend the Wine Tasting at Rumbleseat Wine, the Weekly Wine Tasting at The Wine Gallery, Vina Robles Wine Tasting at Bruning’s Wine Cellar, or Wine Down Weekdays at Savona Restaurant & Wine Bar. Craving some sushi? Head to Sima Korean & Japanese Restaurants for 1/2 off Chef’s Specials Rolls. And over at South Park Tavern, check out the music of The Motel Beds, The Smug Brothers, and The Fervor. Hopefully “motel beds” isn’t indicative of the quality of their music!

On Thursday, all you art fans will want to attend REACH (Realizing Ethnic Awareness and Cultural Heritage) Across Dayton Joint Reception/Gallery Talk: Bucher/Moro, which takes place at both the Dayton Visual Arts Center (DVAC) and Sinclair. Please don’t “wine” if you didn’t have an opportunity to sip your favorite merlot on Wednesday, as you will again have your opportunity to do so at the Wine Tasting at The Wine Loft, A Wine Dinner with Philippe Magrez at Jungle Jim’s, the Wine Tasting at Heathers Coffee & Café, or Wine Down Weekdays at Savona Restaurant & Wine Bar. If you love the great outdoors, attend Fundamentals of Family Camping at Five Rivers MetroParks’ St. Clair Building. Some consider music therapeutic, so head to Therapy Café to Sing Your Heart Out for the American Heart Association. If you like theater, our local universities are the place to be! Head to Sinclair’s Blair Hall Theater for The Foreigner, Wright State for Picnic, or Wittenberg for As You Like It. Regardless of what you choose to do, I hope you like it.

On Friday, join Generation Dayton for their Fourth Friday Lunch Speaker Series at the Dayton Art Institute, featuring Ginny Strausburg of the DP&L Foundation, who will be talking to young professionals about “Choosing Board Professionals Wisely.” Lunch will be provided, compliments of DP&L, so if you’re a young professional, be sure to register ASAP to secure your spot! Couldn’t get enough wine during the earlier part of the week? Head to the Southern Ohio Kitchens Showroom for the Go Red for Women Wine Tasting. If you haven’t yet been to a fish fry this season, you will without a doubt want to head to the Alter High School Fish Fry. There will be LOTS of people there (including myself!), so be sure to get there early! We’ve already had a few days with spring like temperatures, so be sure to take advantage of the Star-Late Skates at RiverScape’s ice rink before it closes for the season! Theater options for Friday include The Berenstain Bears on Stage at Victoria Theatre, As You Like It at Wittenberg, Fat Pig at Dayton Theatre Guild, Picnic at Wright State, and The Foreigner at Sinclair’s Blair Hall Theater. At the Schuster Center, attend the Dayton Philharmonic’s Virtuosos at Home. If you wish the doors would open to more musical options in the Dayton region, you’re in luck, as there will be a Doors Tribute at Canal Street Tavern. And finally, for all you sports enthusiasts, the Dayton Gems will be taking on the Evansville IceMen at Hara Arena.

On Saturday, start the day early by participating in Ray’s Mountain Bike Trip at Five Rivers MetroParks’ St. Clair Building. If you have it in you, join The Greene as they “go red” for the American Heart Association by participating in their 2 Mile Run/Walk. At the Victoria Theatre, consider taking your kids to their own “Mardi Gras” with Creole for Kidz and the History of Zydeco. All you fashionistas (my spell check underlined that word so sorry if I “mispeled” it) have a couple great options from which to choose. Attend either The Noble Circle Project’s AWear Affair Fashion Show and Luncheon at Sinclair or the 11th Annual Crown Jewels Hat Show at Books and Co. at The Greene. Be sure to bring your “hatitude”, as the event’s founder Sharon Howard calls it! I attended last year and it was seriously a blast! Have a few beers and support United Rehabilitation Services by participating in the Bud Light Barstool Open North. If you’ve always wanted to be in the movie business, attend the Production Assistant Training Seminar at Sinclair Community College. Saturday’s theater options include Fat Pig at Dayton Theatre Guild, As You Like It at Wittenberg, Picnic at Wright State, and The Foreigner at Sinclair’s Blair Hall Theater. Or attend the Dayton Philharmonic’s Virtuosos at Home at the Schuster Center. All you “Dancing with the Stars” fans will want to get tickets to see Julianne Hough at Kuss Auditorium. At the Dayton Masonic Center, the Hermes Awards Ceremony will be going on to honor those in the advertising industry. At Hara Arena, you will be able to see the Dayton Gems take on the Quad City Mallards. And if you are sick and tired of winter, head to the Beach Party featuring the Parrots of the Caribbean at Jiffy Lube…oops I mean Quaker Steak & Lube.

On Sunday, head to the Schuster Center for their Visual Voices Art Exhibit: Dayton Skyscrapers 2011. Over at Coco’s, Savor Your Sunday & Support Stivers. If you feel like experiencing the sights and scenes of theater, see Picnic at Wright State, As You Like It at Wittenberg, or Fat Pig at the Dayton Theatre Guild. If you couldn’t get a babysitter to watch your kids so that you could go to a show with your honey, then take the kids to Creole for Kidz and the History of Zydeco at Victoria Theatre. All you Oscar fans should consider watching the movie awards show AT the movies, as The Neon and the The Little Art Theatre will both be having Oscar screenings. Just don’t be a grouch if your favorite movie/actor/actress/director does not win! And finally, head to the UD Arena to watch the UD Flyers as they take on Xavier. I have to say – I am completely jealous of all of you who have tickets! (And if you have any extras, please feel free to send them my way!)

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

What did the hat say to the tie?

You hang around here…I’ll go on a head.

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

Have a great week Dayton!

Pancakes for A Cause

February 22, 2011 By Lisa Grigsby 5 Comments

Join thousands of people in the Dayton area for a pancake brunch to celebrate the 21st annual Day of Caring on Sunday, February 27th. For just $6, $4 for seniors and children you’ll get pancakes and sausage. Some locations have expanded the menu and some also offer Indian Food like chicken curry, vegetables, rice and nan. Created by Jan Venkayya in 1991 as a day to bring awareness to local hunger and homelessness, this event continues to grow. The grass roots organization, which started out with 12 locations in Montgomery County, has grown and this year includes 47 sites, including Cincinnati and Richmond, Indiana.

Funds raised from the local brunches go to help local homeless and housing coalitions. Day of Caring has received approximately $1 million of in-kind donations from area corporations and individuals. Besides raising awareness and funds for the hungry, another goal of the organizations is to encourage volunteerism and teach individuals to participate and see the difference they can make.

The Day of Caring Symbol signifies founder Venkayya’s expectations for the event. The outer circle represents the continuing act of caring and the world in which we all exist. The solid circle represents a single act of caring, and, as a single drop of water falls onto a pool of water creating ripples (represented by the 3 partial concentric circles), so does the single act of caring have a continuous effect on those who benefit from its action.