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Archives for February 2011

New Minor League Basketball Team Looking to Shoot Down Competition

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There may not be a new sheriff in town, but there is definitely a new professional basketball team in our midst, the Dayton Air Strikers, a Premier Basketball League (PBL) team.  The Air Strikers may be new to the Dayton-area and the PBL, but are looking to fly high in their first season.

The Air Strikers have been in existence for about three months and despite a 2-9 start the team is optimistic it can turn its season around.

Don Allen Sellers, Head Coach and General Manager for the Air Strikers, believes that he has a great group of talented men and makes it clear that he will not make any excuses for their slow start this season.

Don Allen Sellers

Sellers stated, “I want people to know the Premier Basketball League that we [Dayton Air Strikers] are a part of is not a semi-pro basketball league, it’s a professional basketball league. If you compared it to baseball it would be the Double-A of the Minor Leagues. These men are professionals and they get paid to play and I expect them to play as such. In spite of personnel changes and being a new team I won’t make any excuses for our guys. We have the talent. We just need to play like we have it.”

Sellers is a former NBA scout for the Memphis Grizzles and has coached overseas in developmental leagues, including ones in China, Dubai and Lebanon. Don brings tenure and tenacity to the Dayton Air Striker team.

Phillip "Mickey" Perry

University of Dayton graduate and 2010 NIT Championship winner Mickey Perry is among the talent Sellers speaks so passionately about. Perry, a guard for the Air Strikers, averages 11.5 points per game, shooting 41.3 percent from behind the arc and 71.4 percent from behind the free throw line according to the most recent PBL statistics.

Mickey added, “Even though we have lost some tough games, we are getting better every day. We just have to make sure we show up to play every night. It’s been hard with the constant shuffling of players and it makes it kind of hard to come together as a team, but I still won’t make any excuses. We just have to get out there and go hard.”

The PBL was formed in 2008 as a developmental basketball league and gained momentum in its first season, while TV Basketball Analyst Kenny Smith was Commissioner. The PBL is presently comprised of nine teams from Canada and the United States.

Air Striker games take place at Fairmont High School’s James S. Trent Arena in Kettering, Ohio. Be sure to support the Air Strikers as they take on Kentucky’s Bluegrass Stallions on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 7pm at Trent Arena.

For ticket information, schedule, team appearances, game stats and more, visit their website www.daytonairstrikers.com or contact them 937-410-4694.

10 ?’s with Franco

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franco-duroniaFranco Germano grew up in Italy, then came to America at age 18.  It wasn’t long after that he joined the Army, serving as a mess sergeant during the Vietnam War.  In 1976, he opened his dream, Franco’s Ristorante Italiano.  He often claims he is simply carrying out the tradition of his “mamma”, feeding friends and family.  Franco is now sharing his love of Italian cooking by launching a new service- “Your Traveling Chef“.  Kicking off  with 2 cooking demonstration classes at Southern Ohio Kitchens in March, Franco fights the Winter Blues and Franco cooks for Spring will each be 3 hour classes where you’ll learn how to make a delicious meal, pair it with a luscious wine and make some new friends.  Franco is also willing to come to your house and share an afternoon or evening cooking with you and your friends.

Update:  Franco passed away on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the age of  73.  The Restaurant he opened is now being run by his son Nick. 

Here Franco gives us his answers to our 10 questions:

What is your favorite ingredient to cook with?
One?  Garlic, tomatoes, olive oil. Great ingredients.  Great basics.

What ingredient do you dread?
Ingredients for Chinese cooking like soy sauce, etc.  Have no idea what to do with them and make them work.

What’s your favorite dish to make?
Franco’s World-Famous Spaghetti.  My invention.  Not creation.  Invention.  No one else can follow it.

What’s your favorite pig out food?
Salami, Prosciutto, real mozzarella, Kalamata Olives.  I can eat them daily.  It’s going to kill me, but I love them.

What restaurant, other than your own do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley? oum4oshWMNIcRG
Hickory Bar-B-Que on Brown St.  Steak and chicken barbecue.  Fantastico!

What’s your best advice for home chefs?
Follow the recipe and be sure to use quality ingredients.  Don’t get cheap!!!

If you could invite any 4 guests to a dinner party who would they be and why?
My parents – fantastic people and fantastic cooks.  Tommy Lasorda because he loves Italian food.  Andrea Bocelli.  His voice is phenomenal.

Who do you look up to in the industry and why?
I look up to my mother.  A terrific cook.  True connoisseur.

What do you do in the Miami Valley on a day off?
Golf, golf, & golf.

Share a kitchen disaster, lucky break or other interesting story:
Our lucky break was with a restaurant disaster.  An hour before opening, someone snuck in our back door and set the women’s restroom on fire.  We could smell something burning but couldn’t locate it at first.  I looked outside thinking it was at the Chinese restaurant that shares our building.  They were looking outside thinking it was us.  I came back in and thought to check the restrooms.  The men’s room was fine.  When I opened the women’s restroom door, POOF!!  I was completely black head to toe.  We put out the fire and still managed to open on time but I could not come out of the kitchen.  I was lucky I didn’t lose my life or my business that night.

Interesting story….
In 2005, the Senior Open was in Dayton.  I received a call from Tom Watson asking if he could get a table for two.  He said he was waiting at another restaurant in town that does not take reservations and did not want to wait the two and a half hours he was being quoted.  I told him to come on down.  A few minutes later, he called to see if he could make another reservation.  He ended up bringing a large group from the other restaurant.  Did I mention I like golf?

Music Video Monday: February 21, 2011

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This week’s music video comes to us from Jasper the Colossal. They’ve got a new single called “Back of the Crowd,” and you can catch them live in concert at Gilly’s this Saturday night as part of the Baron’s Ball, a concert put on by the cast and crew of Baron VonPorkchop’s Terrifying Tales of the Macabre on DATV.  For more on this concert, check out the Dayton MostMetro Events Calendar.

CROWNS Hat Show Celebrates 11th Anniversary

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Back by popular demand, the 11th anniversary edition of the “CROWNS Hat Fashion Show” is returning to Books & Company Saturday, February 26, 2011 at The Greene in Beavercreek.  Sharon D. Howard, event founder and producer will emcee this program, a tribute to the African American women’s tradition of wearing extraordinary hats to church services.

Serving as our models will be women from African-American churches from all over the Miami Valley, who will model their own hats.  Be prepared to see gorgeous creations!  You won’t find prettier hats anywhere.  Also participating will be celebrity models from throughout the Dayton area, including Beavercreek Council Member Vicki Giambrone, Trotwood Mayor Joyce Cameron and Montgomery County Commissioners Debbie Lieberman and Judy Dodge.  Guest escorts will be Kettering Mayor Don Patterson and WDTN’s Jim Bucher.

The “CROWNS Hat Fashion Show” will begin promptly at 3:00pm; it is FREE and open to the public.  Arrive early to get the best seats because this is typically a “standing room only” event!  Books & Company at The Greene is located at 4453 Walnut Street.

For more information about the CROWNS Hat Show, call (937) 572-8001 or (937) 429-6302.

Fairy Godmothers wanted!

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Going to the Senior Prom is the highlight of mostly every student’s high school experience, especially for girls.  There is nothing more fun for girlfriends to do then to going shopping for dresses made of chiffon, sequins and rhinestone jewels and then go looking all around town or out of town for the perfect shoes and matching clutch purse.

It is a magical time in every high school girl’s life and one of her most memorable. For one night, she is Cinderella. It is a night that every girl should experience but may not due to financial constraints. Like Cinderella, some girls need a fairy godmother to make this dream come true.

Fairy Godmother Project

Therefore, Clothes That Work, in partnership with the Dayton Chapter of The Links, Inc, is hosting the Fairy Godmother Project.  This project allows women to be a fairy godmother to underprivileged local high school girls by donating new and gently used prom gowns, shoes and accessories for the girls to wear. The goal is to make the girls feel like princesses for this very special occasion!

Be a part of the Fairy Godmother Project! Clothes That Work is accepting donations of dresses, shoes and accessories until March 11, 2011 at the following locations: Clothes That Work (1133 S Edwin C Moses Blvd, Suite 392,  Monday – Friday 9am -3pm), The Oakwood Florist (2313 Far Hills Ave, Dayton, Ohio 45419) and Lutheran Church of Our Savior (155 E Thruston Blvd., Dayton, Ohio 45409).

Clothes That Work

The girls will be fitted for their dresses and shoes while eating cake and drinking punch on March 12, 2011 at the Clothes That Work offices.

Last year’s highlight was hearing from the father of one of the beautiful young girls. As the daughter was packing up her dress the father came over and said:

“Thank you for doing this. I had been going crazy trying to figure out how I was going to afford to send her to the prom and thanks to you I don’t have to worry anymore. Today you have not only made my daughter feel like a princess, but you’ve made me feel like Prince Charming.”

For more information contact: Lacie Sims, Marketing & Events Manager, 937-222-3778 x150, [email protected]

Kelly-Fields is New Updayton Executive Director

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Kelly-Fields Joins Updayton Team

Last week, the advocacy organization dedicated to the attraction and retention of young talent, Updayton, announced the hiring Yvette Kelly-Fields as Executive Director.  This is a big step for the (previously) all-volunteer initiative that grew out of DaytonCREATE and hosts the annual Young Creatives Summit.  (Yvette is also a contributing writer here on DaytonMostMetro.com)

Updayton is grateful for support from numerous businesses and organizations that place high value on young talent retention.  This new position of an Executive Director was made possible by the Southwest Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE).

I used this opportunity to speak to Scott Murphy (one of the original DaytonCREATE catalysts who formed Updayton) and Kelly-Fields.  These Q&As give us a little insight to the group as well as some fun facts from the woman who will be stepping in to help lead the charge.

First – a little background from Scott Murphy:

Murphy Works as Steering Committee Chair

What inspired the creation of Updayton?

There was a model that was presented to us during the DaytonCREATE launch that highlighted a group in Syracuse that had worked to get young people engaged in their city and give them a greater voice in things that were happening in the Syracuse area.  Over the past several years they’ve hosted an annual Summit to do that.  We liked their model, but we really liked the attitude they took with the community: “young people are important, we care about our community too, so you better listen to us.”  But more so, we saw the talent potential here, the economic opportunity that local universities offer, and we saw that too many folks were leaving the region coming out of college.  We were missing an opportunity to grow economically.  That more than anything spurred the development of updayton.

Are the needs of these young creatives really different than the needs of anyone else?

First of all, we focus on a younger demographic because looking at census data from communities across the country, it’s young people that are making the decisions about moving.  In their 20s people are more likely to make a major move than any other time in their life – they don’t have roots yet; so we have to be working harder to keep them here.  However, to answer your question, to a certain extent, of course needs change with age.  Someone who already has a graduate degree isn’t as likely to be looking for opportunities to continue their education.  Similarly, a good school system is probably going to be much more important to someone who has a child.  That said, certain things are going to be important to everyone regardless of age: a vibrant city, strong communities, good job opportunities and a city that is welcoming of diversity.

How are you different from the other young professional organizations in the region?

Well, we’re not a young professional organization.  We don’t have membership.  Additionally, what we do is very project based.  We look for ways to get young people engaged in the region through implementing initiatives that will help address their needs.  We also continuously solicit feedback – through surveys, through focus groups, through the annual Summit – to make sure that we understand what things are really important to this young, talented demographic and then advocate for those things to local leadership.

What activities have you done to foster that connection between young people and the region?

A few different ways.  Through our periodic email blasts, through our various social media outlets, we try to make our demographic aware of the many things that are going on in the region.  It can be a little difficult to find stuff at times, even for folks who know a lot about the region… but it’s there and you just have to look a little harder – so we try to make it easier.  Second, just through the action plan process – through implementing initiatives based around topics that young people care about, you’re going to learn more about assets and amenities in the region.  Personally, I know that’s been the case with me – getting involved with updayton, I’m much more aware of things that are here than I was when I started a few years ago.  Finally, if young, creative people see their input is being heard and valued by local leaders, then young people are going to appreciate the Dayton region that much more.

What do you hope to achieve by hiring an Executive Director?

We want to grow the organization – that’s why we hired an Executive Director, and we think Yvette is going to do a great job.  We want to get involved in more things and have an impact in more areas of the region.  There are decisions that are being made every day here in the community that impact issues that young people care about, and we want to play a greater role in influencing those decisions.  We want to do more in implementing the recommendations we’ve made for the community over the past couple years – specifically, promoting acceptance of diversity, connecting job seekers to employers, growing urban vibrancy, and strengthening our neighborhoods.  We think having an Executive Director is going to enable us to do that.

Kelly-Fields to Work with Steering Committee in 2011 Summit Planning

And now to learn a little more about the vision of Kelly-Fields as the new Executive Director:

Why did you want to a part of Updayton?

For the last few years, I have had serious concerns about where the next generation of leaders was going to come from for the Dayton area. …  (Updayton) already provides the platform and opportunity for young professionals to become meaningfully involved in solving problems in the community. (Young people) are learning how take an idea from concept to realization. They are gaining invaluable skills that they can build upon to tackle many of the problems facing this city. I believe those are the individuals who will be running this region in the near future and I wanted to be a part of that dynamic.

What do you think you can offer as an Executive Director?

Over the last twelve years, I have had the good fortune of working for a number of stellar nonprofits and with some great nonprofit leaders. As a result, I have a gained a great deal of experience in fund raising, project and volunteer management, community and public relations and relationship building.

My goal is to bring all of those skill sets to the table to move Updayton towards the vision the steering committee has established. This includes increasing community partnerships, raising the visibility of the organization in the community and securing cash and noncash resources to support Updayton projects.

What do you see as the biggest obstacle for the region in attracting and retaining young talent?

The biggest obstacle is being able to show and demonstrate to young talent that they can build a full and satisfying life for themselves and their future families in Dayton. When they look at Dayton, do they see access to employment with upward mobility or the viable option of entrepreneurism? Do they see sufficient, affordable choices to live? What about opportunities to socialize in diverse settings in varied parts of the community? Is there ample opportunity for civic and community engagement?

I have found that in this community, and I believe that the key for young talent finding it is through exposure to what Dayton has to offer through work by initiatives and organizations like Updayton.

What do you look forward to most as you start this new position?

The thing that immediately impressed me about Updayton is the tremendous community support it has. Everyone I talk to thinks is a great organization. I look forward to expanding its visibility and reach into the community.

And now for a little insight on Kelly-Fields as a Daytonian.

What’s your favorite place to go or thing to do in Dayton?

My family and I love going to the festivals. Last year we went to the Greek Festival, the City Folk Festival, the Black Cultural Festival, Oktoberfest and to the Chocolate Festival. We also enjoy Urban Nights. We always go to Wright Dunbar for ribs by Smokin Joe.  These events are always so much fun for my family.

What’s the best advice your parents gave you?

The best advice I got was to treat everybody right. You never know who you are going to need for help. It is important to maintain good relations with as many people as possible so when I need assistance with something I do not have to pause when I pick up the phone to call them or stop short of saying hello when out in public.  Conversely, if someone who has not treated me so well, I still maintain friendly relations.  I have found this advice has served me well.

Favorite restaurant or hidden gem?

I have several but my true favorite is Evan’s Café on North Main Street. I am addicted to the Baked Potato Soup, the Mandarin Orange Salad and the Jamaican Chicken Salad. When I cannot go there, I make a beeline to Coco’s. I love the grilled cheese sandwich with Tomato Bisque topped off with the Crème Brule.

Who inspires you?

It may sound corny, but my mom and dad inspire me. They told me that whatever I set my mind to I could achieve it. So far, it has worked.

What phrase do you hear coming out of your mouth too often?

I once went to an event, where after a very unusual performance, the emcee said, “That’s something different.”  Whenever I come across a person or a situation that I cannot describe, I say, “Well, that was something different.”

Learn more and get involved with UpDayton:
Web site: http://updayton.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/updayton?ref=ts
Take the Updayton Survey: http://updayton.com/survey/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/updayton
Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/updayton/

Disclaimer: I am involved on the updayton steering committee as the communication chair.  Also, the current version of DaytonMostMetro.com was created in part by a volunteer group formed from the first Updayton Young Creatives Summit in April 2009.

Robert Pollard Holds Online Art Sale to Benefit United Way of Dayton

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Sir Isaac's Kind Permission by Robert Pollard

Guided by Voices frontman and prolific solo artist Robert Pollard has been keeping busy so far this year.  Just this week, his Lifeguards project with Doug Gillard released a new album called Waving at the Astronaut, and several spring festival appearances have been announced for Guided by Voices.  Pollard also announced this week that he’d be giving back to his community by holding an online art sale to benefit the United Way of Greater Dayton.  There’s a wide variety of artwork available on Pollard’s website including his trademark collages and fake album covers.  Artwork is 50% off or more, and the proceeds will go to the United Way of Greater Dayton.

Click here to check out Robert Pollard’s Artwork.

Here’s a track from the new Lifeguards’ album, Waving at the Astronaut:
LIFEGUARDS – Paradise Is Not So Bad by seriousbusiness

European Gastronomic Dining Tour

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Have you dreamed of touring Europe, but haven’t figured out how to finance that trip yet?  Perhaps just doing a tasting tour will suffice for now.  L’Auberge  introduces  a 3 course promotional menu  featuring course inspired by European countries for just $25.

Choices include:
from Hungary:  GOULASH SOUP
from Belgium…………:  ENDIVE & CUCUMBER SALAD
from Germany……:  BAVARIAN BEEF ROULADE
from Switzerland:  …JULIENNE OF VEAL, WILD MUSHROOMS, & ROESTI POTATO
from Russia:  CHICKEN KIEV WITH HAM & CHEESE
from Italy:  ………………CASSATA ICE CREAM

Served in the Bistro through Saturday, March 5th.  Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling 299-5536.  L’Auberge is located at 4120 Far Hills Drive in Kettering.

He Almost Loves Her The Way She Is

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Neil Labute's FAT PIG at Dayton Theatre Guild

Steve Strawser and Wendi Williams in Fat Pig (photo by Peter Wine)

FAT PIG

Dayton Theatre Guild

By Russell Florence, Jr.

In Neil LaBute’s incredibly thought-provoking 2004 comic drama “Fat Pig,” the second installment in his definitive “image trilogy” which includes “The Shape of Things” and the Tony Award-nominated “reasons to be pretty,” the easygoing Tom, a bachelor with commitment issues, has difficulty assessing his attraction to and future with plus-sized Helen, an amiable librarian who isn’t shy about what she eats or how she feels.

In a perfect world, this engaging couple, who meet casually during lunch and share common interests that fuel their compatibility, would be able to look past concerns of physicality or judgment from colleagues. However, happiness is fleeting in the LaBute universe. The controversial playwright/screenwriter/director doesn’t necessarily care about happily ever after, preferring instead to spotlight the cruel, vindictive ways men and women bruise and destroy relationships. This was powerfully realized in his direction of the underrated 2008 film “Lakeview Terrace,” a tale of interracial suburban hell starring Samuel L. Jackson, Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington. Although his biting yet casually conversational dialogue caters to a frank, locker room mentality that can be off-putting, his particularly engrossing depictions of young adults adrift in romance or craving peer validation sting with truth.

Neil LaBute's FAT PIG at Dayton Theatre Guild - February 11-17, 2011In the Dayton Theatre Guild’s compelling production of “Fat Pig,” deftly staged with palpable tension by Fran Pesch, leading players Steve Strawser and Wendi Williams form an appealing bond illustrating a natural progression of budding love attempting to endure in spite of superficial obstacles. The understated Strawser isn’t a thirtysomething which makes Tom less hip in LaBute’s contemporary context, but he believably fashions the character as a meek charmer with a flighty personality prone to cowardice and being frozen by his own paranoia. Williams’ wonderfully sharp and ultimately heartbreaking portrayal of Helen radiates with cool self-awareness. Thanks to her unpretentious performance, it is apparent that Helen is a strong woman secure in her body who will confidently face anything with humor and grace no matter what the future holds.

Additionally, Nicolas Bauer as Tom’s annoyingly chauvinistic friend Carter and Amy Askins as Tom’s jealous ex Jeannie are dynamically brutal. The handsome, intimidating Bauer epitomizes masculine tactlessness, and excellently delivers Carter’s gripping monologue detailing his adolescent disgust of being seen in public with his overweight mother. Askins fiercely infuses Jeannie’s prickly persona with scorned, conceited flair, which beautifully evaporates opposite Strawser and Williams in the devastatingly honest final scene solidifying LaBute as one of the finest voices of his generation.

Fat Pig continues through Sunday, February 27 at the Dayton Theatre Guild, Act One: 60 minutes; Act Two: 40 minutes.

Tickets & Performance Information:

Dayton Theatre GuildNeil LaBute’s FAT PIG – through Sunday, February 27 – Performance Times Vary (click for details)

Tickets Prices: $11 student / $16 senior / $18 adult

Location:  Dayton Theatre Guild at The Caryl D. Philip’s TheatreScape – 430 Wayne Ave. Dayton, Ohio  45410 (MAP)

Contains adult situations and language.

Tickets are on sale now through DTG’s Online Box Office, or via phone at (937) 278-5993 (due to a volunteer staff, phones are not monitored continually).

For more information about Dayton Theatre Guild’s entire 2010-2011 season, visit www.DaytonTheatreGuild.org

-RF

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

RABBIT HOLE is Incredible. Don’t Miss It!

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Hello Everyone.

While at The Toronto International Film Festival last September, I saw close to 30 films from around the world. Only 2 English-language films made my “Top 5.” One was THE KING’S SPEECH (you loved that, right?)…the other was RABBIT HOLE – starring Nicole Kidman & Aaron Eckhart and directed by John Cameron Mitchell. This film has not been performing very well around the country, so folks don’t have high hopes for it in Dayton…but you can help change the trend by supporting this film opening weekend. It’s true that the subject matter is sad (that’s why people are staying away) – but there’s a great deal of healing in this film…with moments of wonderful laughter and happiness. Please spread the word and support this small, indie film with beautiful, honest performances.

Synopsis for RABBIT HOLE: “RABBIT HOLE is a vivid, hopeful, honest and unexpectedly witty portrait of a family searching for what remains possible in the most impossible of all situations.
Becca and Howie Corbett (NICOLE KIDMAN and AARON ECKHART) are returning to their everyday existence in the wake of a shocking, sudden loss. Just eight months ago, they were a happy suburban family with everything they wanted. Now, they are caught in a maze of memory, longing, guilt, recrimination, sarcasm and tightly controlled rage from which they cannot escape. While Becca finds pain in the familiar, Howie finds comfort…
RABBIT HOLE is directed by John Cameron Mitchell (HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH) from a script by acclaimed playwright David Lindsay-Abaire, adapted from his Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Additional cast includes two-time Oscar winner Dianne Wiest (HANNAH AND HER SISTERS & BULLETS OVER BROADWAY), Tammy Blanchard, Miles Teller, Giancarlo Esposito, Jon Tenney and Sandra Oh.” — (C) Lionsgate
Nicole Kidman has been nominated for “Best Actress” for this role, and Dianne Wiest was robbed for not being nominated. Don’t miss it!

[iframe http://www.youtube.com/embed/z4G-s5ZhMjQ/ 560 349]
http://rabbitholefilm.com/index.html

The “D” review for THE ILLUSIONIST in Friday’s Dayton Daily News really hurt at the box office this weekend. Though nominated for “Best Animated Feature” and a darling at film festivals around the world, the paper has told me that the “D” review was the only review available for them to use from their wire service. (Most of you know that no one at Dayton Daily covers film any longer…all reviews are from other papers – and critics change from week to week.) That said, it would be a crime for us not to hold such a charming, magical film. THE ILLUSIONIST will stay for one screening a day for one more week. In addition, we’ll continue Djuna Wahlrab’s lovely stop-action film FALLING UP. Read more about FALLING UP by visiting the official website at – http://fallingupmovie.com/

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/15036888?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=538298/ 560 349]

Hurry down…as we’re gonna keep moving…Next week, we will open ANOTHER YEAR and BARNEY’S VERSION!

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 website) You can see a trailer and read more about the film by visiting the official site by clicking http://www.northdixiedrivemovie.com/

Plan on joining us for our Annual OSCAR Screening Party on Feb. 27. The show starts at 8:00 (doors open at 7:30) – 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!

Both the Dayton Jewish International Film Festival and FilmDayton are gearing up for their annual festivals. 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 they unveil plans for these film fests.

We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for February 18 – February 24:

RABBIT HOLE (PG-13) 1 Hr 31 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 3:10, 5:15, 7:30, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 3:10, 5:15, 7:30

BLUE VALENTINE (R) 1 Hr 52 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 5:00, 7:20

THE ILLUSIONIST (PG) 1 Hr 20 Min
Friday – Thursday: 3:00*
(*denotes preceded by FALLING UP)

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
Due to Oscar Season, we know that many of these dates will change.
In some cases, titles may disappear.
Feb. 25 BARNEY’S VERSION
Feb. 25 ANOTHER YEAR
March 11 CEDAR RAPIDS
TBD I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS
TBD BIUTIFUL
TBD SOMEWHERE
TBD TINY FURNITURE
TBD CASINO JACK

When was the last time, you “Updated” your life?

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Are we becoming too connected?

Before I continue, I’d like to just say that this is me being the pot who calls the kettle black. At the end, you can say to yourself “did that just happen.” Well, it’s about to, so you can either use some of the advice in this article or not.

It is part of my profession to be connected on social networks daily, to post updates, to keep people informed and to have interactive conversations, in a nutshell it’s what I do to keep a roof over my head.  However,  in January I decided that I was going to make a conscious effort to cut back on “personal” use because I had started to feel like I had a relationship with the internet rather than with myself and my life. It’s now almost the end of February and I’m still plugged in tighter than a wine cork but I am not throwing in the towel just yet. On the plus side, the weather is getting warmer which is a distraction from the shiny things that have a hold of me right now. Logging off will get easier as the grass gets greener.  By the way, in this case it is greener on the other side.

A Digital Society

There is no doubt that what we are witnessing here, with regard to how we communicate and share,  is a revolutionary and exciting time for so many reasons, from consumer empowerment to social change and ignited advocacy. In the same token, we’ve become completely enveloped in our cyber lives that for some of us, our real life is suffering.  I would never say to do anything so drastic as to unplug entirely but I do believe there exists a balance, or at least that is what they tell me. It’s difficult for to personally disconnect with the temptation of being connected for work.  However, the rest of you (77.4% of the population) on the internet, yeah you, what the hell is your excuse? I think we’re doing ourselves a serious injustice by spending a majority of our free time online rather than out in the real world experiencing life.

Relationships

I know many people will cling to the fact that social networks and the internet keep their families and friends easily accessible.  To me, however, there is a certain level of true connectivity that is lacking when we communicate online daily rather than making time to do things together and spend real time (not real time web) with one another.  There is no replacement for face to face conversation and I fear we are losing the desire for it, some of us that is.  Remember the days when we just called each other on the phone, made plans and just stuck to that? Nowadays we text or email each other constantly just to finalize one plan and though we may create events on Facebook and end up getting together,  we end up on Facebook the entire time giving our friends and family a play by play of what we’re doing. When did we become so audience obsessed?

About a month ago, in conversation (face to face) with a good friend of mine I was looking down at my phone, answering emails and texts, not thinking for a second that what I was doing was rude. It’s just become so “normal.” Well, to her it was not normal. In fact, she was so offended by what I was doing and how rude it truly was that she expressed it and not in a “hey, you’re being rude” kind of way. Instead, it was more of genuine concern for me and what she felt, was becoming borderline unhealthy. In that moment, I think I hit some sort of interweb rock bottom. “Things have to change.”

Cause and Effect

Well we covered the cause. Now let’s discuss some of the effects. Our work is suffering because of constant distractions. Our relationships suffer because we commit more to telling a stupid box what’s on our minds ten or more times a day, rather than just telling each other face to face. Our privacy and intimate details of our lives have now become a sitcom for the world to see. We’ve become some sick breed of egocentric wannabe celebrities that are constantly looking for reassurance in the form of a “like.” If this seems harsh, well imagine what I felt when I was faced with the harsh reality of what I am starting to become.  It’s no wonder Zombies have become such a fad, we’re all becoming them.

Everything in Moderation

Like your meats, fruits, veggies and grains..ingest the internet in moderation.  Instead of sharing every one of the most exciting events of your life on the web, pick up the phone and share that excitement with friends and family. If you’re feeling like no one cares it’s because you’ve become so accustomed to that “like” button, a button that in the great scheme of the things means nothing other than an impression or view, big deal. Congratulations you were lucky enough to catch some other zombie’s attention at that given moment.  I hear people complain daily about how they don’t understand why no one comments or likes their updates on Facebook and I am always like, heh? “How do you get so many comments on your posts Shana?”, I hear.  There’s a difference between a personal user and professional doing personal branding or a business trying to grow.  You’re not a brand trying to create awareness and boost revenue, you’re not a cause that needs activism, you’re not a band looking to build their fan base.  You’re just another average Joe or Jane who created a profile on Facebook or Twitter or wherever to have a little fun and keep in contact with friends, stop taking it so seriously. Is it really that important how many “likes” you get?

Om. Relax. Find Balance.

Take a few moments and rethink how you spend your free time in life. Are you fulfilled? If you even think for a second, that you may potentially spend too much time online, odds are you do. I do, I know I do. However, gradually I am making changes necessary to get back to simplicity and enjoy my free time, offline. Start thinking about those hobbies you once loved and start getting back into them. Remember what life was like before all of this. I blame damn beepers, they changed everything.   Back to my point, being connected is great but you need time for yourself in the real world. Not only for your health but for your emotional stability, for your sanity! Be emotionally charged by the life you have off of the social network wall. Give someone a real hug, instead of a poke. Ask someone for feedback over lunch rather than a blog post. Turn your mobile phones and log off your computers for a few or more hours a day if you can, and see what’s happening in the world around you. Today, I told someone I needed a vacation and his response was, “How are you going to get away from yourself?”. He’s right, only we have control over what we do and if we need a break it’s up to us to take one.

Update your life, not your status. Log  into yourself instead of the internet.

Just something to think about.. Yeah, that really did just happen.

Salsa Saturdays At Therapy Cafe [PHOTOS]

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A couple competes in the Bacahata Dance Contest during Salsa Saturdays on Feb.12 at Therapy Cafe.

Salsa Saturdays with DJ Danny D isn’t a spectator sport.  It requires full participatory ass-shakin’ and hip-swayin’.

Every weekend, DJ Danny D (Danny Diaz) brings a little Miami to the Miami Valley with his Latin-laden dance mixes that keep mamis’ and papis’ hearts racing and pulses pounding.  Last Saturday’s edition featured a Valentine’s Day Bachata dance contest that transformed downtown Dayton’s Therapy Cafe into a Cuban-style dance hall.

Bodies slick with sweat dipped, rolled and spun across the floor.  There were no wallflowers in this urban oasis.  Even the lights danced – performing their own erratic routine against the backs and faces of the torrent of dancers in the darkened night club.

No palm trees.

No LeBron James.

But plenty of Miami heat!

[album: http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/dm-albums.php?currdir=/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/salsa saturdays/]

Look for an upcoming profile on Danny Diaz (aka DJ Danny D) on DaytonMostMetro.Com soon!



Mistaken Identity: Classic Farce Opens at Sinclair

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The Foreigner at Sinclair Theatre - Feb. 18-26, 2011The Foreigner

SINCLAIR THEATRE

Larry Shue loved his comedy. And not just any comedy – but slapstick, drag down, knock out, CLASSIC comedy. Even though The Foreigner opened to sell-out audiences in Milwaukee in 1984, the script feels more like the golden age of comedy a la Sid Caesar. Under the expert direction of Nelson Sheeley, Sinclair Theatre tackles Shue’s classic romp beginning this weekend.

The Foreigner at Sinclair Theatre - Feb. 18-26, 2011Set in a resort fishing lodge in Georgia, the comedy revolves around two of its guests, Englishman Charlie Baker and Staff Sergeant Froggy LeSueur. Charlie is so painfully shy that he is unable to speak. To explain it away, Froggy claims his companion is the native of an exotic country who does not understand a word of English. Before long, Charlie finds himself privy to assorted secrets and scandals freely discussed in front of him by the other visitors. These include spoiled Southern belle Catherine Simms and the man to whom she is somewhat reluctantly engaged,and impregnated by, the Reverend David Lee, a seemingly humble preacher with a dark underside. Her younger brother, Ellard, a chubby and somewhat “slow” boy is a simpleton who tries to teach Charlie how to speak English. Owen Musser, the racist county property inspector, plans to oust property owner Betty Meeks and convert the lodge into a meeting place for the Ku Klux Klan.

The Foreigner is undoubtedly a great evening of laugh-out-loud antics.

It’s hilarity heaped upon hilarity in a style as old as the Greeks, perfected by Carol Burnett, and still the stuff of television sitcoms. In an unprecedented feat for such a wild farce, Shue won two Obie Awards and two Outer Circle Critics Award for Best New American Play and Outstanding Off-Broadway Production of 1984. The only other major return to New York for the play was the 2004 Roundabout Theatre Production starring the then fresh-off-The Producers Matthew Broderick. However, Shue never saw the success of his work following the Milwaukee original cast as he passed away just one year after its premiere. He was just 39, and still his two major plays – The Foreigner and 1981’s The Nerd are indeed a part of the American Theatre fabric.

The Sinclair cast includes: Chris Hahn, Isaac Hollister, Melissa Kerr Ertsgaard, Nick Moberg, Sarah Parsons, Travis Clyburn and Steven Brotherton.

-DB

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

Tickets & Performance Information:

The Foreigner presented by Sinclair Theatre February 18-26, 2011Larry Schue’s THE FOREIGNER – February 08-26 – Performance Times Vary (click for details)

Tickets Prices: $15 Adult; $10 Students/Seniors/Sinclair Employees

Location:  Blair Hall Theatre, Building 2, Sinclair Community College – 444 West Third St, Dayton, OH 45402 (MAP)

Tickets are on sale now through Sinclair Theatre’s Online Box Office, or via phone at (937) 512-2808

For more information about Dayton Theatre Guild’s entire 2010-2011 season, visit http://www.sinclair.edu/arts/theatre/season/index.cfm or contact Sinclair Theatre via email at [email protected]

Our Bikeways Are At Risk!

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The feeling that our community is an amazing place to live, work and play is something I’m sure all most all Dayton area residents posses.  The increased quality of life provided by access to recreation facilities and programs has been proven via numerous scientific studies and survey research over the years.  Facilities such as hiking trails, multi-use paths, and rivers provide a unique character to a community supporting a vibrant and active culture.  There is an obvious correlation between the most livable cities in the United States and those that are considered “Outdoor Adventure” destinations and “Bike Friendly Communities.”

That outdoor culture and vibrancy many of us value so highly is currently at stake as proposed legislation at the state and federal level poses a threat to the funding streams communities rely on to support projects of this nature.  Over the past 30 years over 50 million dollars have been invested in our amazing regional bikeway network which has now become one of the most exstensive trail systems in the US, totally over 260 miles in the Miami Valley.

Please take a moment to review the message below from American Trails, an organization whose mission is to ensure the development and protection for trails in the future. For over 20 years, American Trails has been the collective voice for a diverse coalition of enthusiasts, professionals, land managers, conservationists, and friends of the outdoors and livable cities. For more information about American Trails, visit www.americantrails.org

Now more than ever, advocates must convince Congress that money spent on trails, bike/ped facilities, parks, and outdoor recreation is a sound investment in the country’s economy. The health of our children, as well as our cities, will depend on expanding transportation choices and preserving trails, open space, parks, and places for recreation.

As our nation looks closely at the increase in childhood obesity, the need for healthier lifestyle choices for everyone, safe routes for active transportation, and urban development, there are major issues to address. Trails, greenways, bikeways, and other routes are a critical part of the solution.

Every individual and organization concerned with trails and bike/ped facilities should tell their members of Congress why funding for these programs is important.

Please pass this message on through your networks!

Federal budget cuts will affect trails!

This week in Washington, the focus is on the federal budget, the deficit, and proposed cuts to spending on every aspect of national programs. The House of Representatives will vote on legislation (H.R. 1) that would cut current spending by at least $100 billion below the President’s FY 2011 request. Floor debate begins Tuesday. Here’s what we know so far that will affect trail funding:

Land and Water Conservation Fund: The House proposal would reduce funding for trails, parks, and land conservation by 90 percent. Funds that are appropriated to states would be virtually eliminated. See details and how you can take action…

Federal land management budgets: Major cuts are also proposed in the current House budget for a wide variety of construction, maintenance, and supporting programs on federal public lands. This includes trails and recreation areas on National Forests, Bureau of Land Management lands, US Fish & Wildlife Refuges, and the National Parks. Read more on cuts to federal land management…

ATTENTION: Devastating attack on trails, walking, and bicycling could happen this week! Though we do not know details yet, we anticipate a congressional amendment that could do away with or hobble transportation-funded programs like the Recreational Trails Program, Transportation Enhancements, (the nation’s largest funding source for trails, walking, and bicycling), and Safe Routes to School. There is strength in numbers! Therefore, we are working with many other organizations to defeat such a damaging amendment. No action is needed to protect these three programs at the moment; we just wanted to give you a heads-up that an amendment could be offered in the coming days. You can expect an action alert from us. If it comes, please do not delay in speaking up. If such an amendment is offered, we might have mere hours to respond.

Proposed House budget: Read the details of the House proposed reductions in federal programs for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2011: Table of FY 2011 Continuing Resolution reductions (pdf 53 kb)

Hearings on Federal Transportation reauthorization: The House Transportation Committee has scheduled a series of field hearings on Federal Transportation reauthorization during February 2011, starting with West Virginia on Feb. 14 and moving on to the West Coast by Feb. 21-23. Plan to attend these sessions and speak up for continuing trails and bike/ped facilities (Recreational Trails Program, Transportation Enhancements, and Safe Routes to School) in the next reauthorization bill. Please help spread the word! See current hearing schedule and locations…

TAKE ACTION!

American Trails, the League of American Bicyclists, the Rails to Trail Conservancy, and other nationwide organizations have been urging key members of Congress and Administration officials to recognize the importance of funding for trails and related facilities.

There is strength in numbers and we need to present a unified voice for trails, to tell their story, to present their endless benefits, and to make the case for funding them. Join us in contacting your Senators and Representatives to let them know why these programs are vital to your local efforts.

Contact your Representative by visiting this website: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Contact your Senators by visiting this website: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Please pass this message on through your networks!

Jane’s Best Bets (2/16 – 2/20)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

You may or may not have been with the love of your life this Valentine’s Day, but hopefully it was a great one!  Guys…now with the pressure off, hopefully you’ll be able to relax and have some fun at some of these events!

On Wednesday, all you writers can head to Books & Co. for their Second Sunday Free Writers’ Workshop.  Is your bike just collecting dust in the garage or are you going to try cycling for the first time?  If so, you’ll want to participate in Five Rivers MetroParks’ Introduction to Bicycle Maintenance.  It may not be such a secret that this is going on, but over at Wiley’s, you will be able to see the opening night of Dirty Little Secret, which is co-presented by DaytonMostMetro.com’s very own J.T. Ryder.  (There is also a DMM article on this show, so if interested, check out the following link!)  And finally, for some good beer, check out the Sam Adams Beer Samplingat Heathers Coffee & Café or Green Flash Brewing Beer Tasting at The Caroline.

On Thursday, if you’re in the doghouse because you totally forgot about Valentine’s Day, try to make it up to your significant other by arranging flowers for him/her at PNC 2nd Street Market as part of February Flowers.  Or take that special someone to Spinoza’s for their Dinner and a Movie Package.  Even if your boyfriend’s/husband’s name is Scott, Fred, or Sam, you can still have a Romantic Dinner for 2 at Christopher’s and not get into trouble.  Over at Thai 9, attend their Tapping Firkin of Bell’s Hopslamand eat some of their delicious food.  I LOVE that their food can accommodate a diverse group of people in terms of spice preferences…and they don’t make you feel badly if you order a level zero like me!  Over at Hara Arena, catch the Dayton Gems as they take on the Quad City Mallards.  Even though it may be a little too cold to have an outdoor picnic, you can see the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award–winning play, Picnic at Wright State.  Also, if you love live music, head to South Park Tavern to see Ryan Roth and the Grand Plan with Seryn.

On Friday, if you feel like having a home cooked meal but are lacking Rachael Ray’s or Emeril’s cooking genes, head to the Dorothy Lane Market in Springboro for their  DLM Family Style Dinner.  Down in the city (RiverScape), head to Gone Country, where you will be able to ice skate while listening to country music.  All you graffiti artist wannabes should branch out to Olive for their Graffiti Party.  Hopefully you are fortunate to have a ticket to the sold out 6th Annual Valentine’s Dance for Special Wishat the Schuster Center.  If not, I encourage you to support this great cause by purchasing raffle tickets or making a donation.  I know a child whose wish was sponsored by Special Wish and I am so impressed by the work that they do!  If you prefer to have dinner and see a show all in the same place, go to the Spaghetti Warehouse for their Mayhem & Mystery Dinner Theatre ‘Tragedy in the Theater’.  Head to Cedarville University to watch High School Musicians Showcase Their Talent.  And for additional theater options, be sure to get your ticket to Fat Pig at the Dayton Theatre Guild, Picnic at Wright State, or The Foreigner at Sinclair.

On Saturday, start your day off at the Yellow Springs Winter Farmer’s Market.  If you became engaged on Valentine’s Day, then you’ll want to head to the DRC Bridal Show.  For some live music, go to the University of Dayton for their Jazz Ensemble, Shiloh Church for the Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra Concert, or Omega Baptist Church for their Omega Black History Celebration: Song, Dance & Praise.  However, if you prefer to add a little “boogie-ing” to your music (the dancing kind, not the nose kind), check out the band Crooked Style at Talegators or head to Alex’s to listen to the band Off the Hook.  Some theater options for Saturday include Fat Pig at the Dayton Theatre Guild, Forbidden Broadway: Dances with the Stars at Victoria Theatre, Picnic at Wright State, and The Foreigner at Sinclair.  I know it’s not a Friday, but you will still be able to join in the fun and food at the Carroll High School – Carrolleer Fish Fry.  And finally, be sure to check out the UD Flyers as they take on Duquesne…we are definitely due for a victory!

On Sunday, start your day off right by eating great food and supporting a great cause as part of the Savor Your Sunday & Support Stivers event at Coco’s Bistro.  Some musical options include Afternoon Musicales at the Dayton Art Institute, the Dayton Philharmonic’s The Symphonic Beethoven at the Dayton Masonic Center, the University of Dayton Jazz Band’sperformance at the University of Dayton, and Omega Black History Celebration: Song, Dance & Praiseat Omega Baptist Church.  At the Dayton Marriott, all you brides will want to attend The Dayton Bridal Expo.  Those poor guys…I have yet to hear about a Groom Expo or Groom Show!   Or perhaps they might actually be the fortunate ones because it gets them off the hook!  Over at RiverScape, participate in Fundamentals of Skating if you have yet to learn how to skate.  Also, some Sunday theater options include Fat Pig at the Dayton Theatre Guild, The Foreignerat Sinclair, and Picnic at Wright State University.  And finally, if you are stressed out and don’t know what to do about it, make plans to attend the Introduction to Mindful Meditation Workshop at Practice Yoga on Fifth.

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

The wise never marry…and when they marry they become otherwise.

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!

A visit from a Lost Boy of Sudan and discussions about human trafficking and discrimination highlight Human Rights at UD

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“This year’s Human Rights Week theme is ‘Embracing Diversity to Discover Humanity.’ Events and speakers will address a wide variety of local, national and international discrimination issues related to age, race, religion, gender and sexual orientation,” said Patrick Boston, vice president of the Human Rights Week committee. “Our goal is to educate students, faculty and community members about these issues, as well as stimulate discussion about approaches to eradicating these injustices.”   All events are in Kennedy Union on the University of Dayton campus and are free and open to the public.

The week kicked off at noon Monday, Feb. 14, with University of Dayton anthropology lecturer Simanti Dasgupta discussing sex trafficking, AIDS and the politics of the red-light district in Calcutta, India.

On Tuesday, Feb. 15, Gabriel Bol Deng will discuss his life as a Lost Boy of Sudan who fled his village, earned two college degrees, and founded a nonprofit organization in Sudan to work with the development of his former village. Deng’s talk is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Earlier that day, communication lecturer Jason Combs and student Mat Cotton will discuss religious persecution and representatives from Catholic Social Services will discuss the organization’s efforts to address discrimination and refugees in the Dayton area. The events start at noon and 3 p.m., respectively.

Other events throughout the weekend include:

* Noon, Wednesday, Feb. 16: University of Dayton history professor Judith Huacuja will present her research on artists whose work involves Hispanic social issues.

* 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16: University of Dayton’s jazz ensemble will perform tunes by Charles Mingus, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and others, followed by a narration of these jazz performers’ struggles against racism.

* 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16: The Dayton Human Relations Council will discuss civil rights enforcement in Dayton. A workshop about how one can advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality follows. Space is limited for the workshop. Register by e-mailing [email protected].

* 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16: Caryl Nuñez, a senior political science major, will present “Women’s Empowerment in the Warm Heart of Africa,” a discussion about the work national and international

Candace Gingrich-Jonees, Human Rights Campaign

non-governmental organizations that work for women’s empowerment in Malawi. Nuñez interviewed with NGO leaders to understand how these organizations define empowerment.

* 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16: Candace Gingrich-Jones, Human Rights Campaign associate director of the youth and campus outreach program, will discuss discrimination of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in the U.S. in her speech “What Part of ‘Human’ Don’t You Understand?: LGBT Equality in America.”

* Noon, Thursday, Feb. 17: University of Dayton assistant music professor Heather MacLachlan will discuss Burmese refugees in the U.S. Her presentation will center on tensions in Ft. Wayne, Ind., now home to the largest Burmese population in the U.S.

* 5:00 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17: The New Abolitionist Movement, a University of Dayton student organization devoted to combating modern-day slavery, will discuss the turmoil and struggles of victims of trafficking.

* 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18 (Sears Recital Hall): Discrimination for Everybody, a one-act play originally aired by CBS Radio as Created Equal in 1948. The play, adapted and performed throughout the years, presents the “dollars and cents argument against racial and religious intolerance, showing how we pay for discrimination in increased taxes, in a lower standard of living, in wasted skills and in the loss of international good will.”

The University of Dayton is a pioneer in human rights education. In 1998, the University launched the country’s first undergraduate human rights program. In 2007, the University of Dayton began offering a bachelor’s degree in human rights studies.

Students have been instrumental in helping encourage Ohio legislators to pass Senate Bill 235, making human trafficking a felony. University of Dayton representatives attended the ceremony when former Gov. Ted Strickland signed the bill into law in December.

They’ve also been heavily involved in the creation of Under Our Noses: Modern Day Slavery and What You Can Do About It at the Dayton International Peace Museum, 208 W. Monument Ave. The free multimedia exhibit, which runs through the end of February, examines human trafficking in the region and the nation. Visitors also will learn how they can help combat human trafficking on the local, state and national levels. The museum’s hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information on the University of Dayton’s Human Rights Week, e-mail [email protected].