Archives for July 2012

A Summer Groove: Jah Soul and Soul Rebels to perform at South Park Tavern

July 31, 2012 By Juliet Fromholt Leave a Comment

If you haven’t experienced Jah Soul’s live show, then you owe it to yourself to visit South Park Tavern on Friday night for an evening of great summer jams. The eight members of Jah Soul create a family vibe onstage that’s easily translated to their audience. They combine classic Dayton funk with reggae , soul and even a little disco for a sound that’s super catchy and highly danceable.

Joining them onstage is Soul Rebels, a 5 piece reggae band that mixes lots of jam influences. The result is a nice groove with a highly positive message.

As with most shows at South Park Tavern, this one is all-ages, and these two bands will make for a good listening experience for music fans of all ages. The music starts at 9:30pm.

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Ross Bros and Zanders Create the Magic of Tchoupitoulas

July 31, 2012 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

(submitted by Deb Lukjanovs, FilmDayton volunteer)

Two brothers whose careers as filmmakers began when they documented the everyday people and events in their hometown of Sidney, Ohio have come full circle, to film three brothers on the move in their own vastly different hometown of New Orleans. Bill and Turner Ross—whose first feature length film, “45365″, won a number of accolades including the 2009 SXSW Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature—have now turned their cameras and their creative genius to Tchoupitoulas. The name means “river people” in Choctaw Indian, and shares its name with a New Orleans street, a restaurant, and a district outside the city. Tchoupitoulas, which premiered at SXSW this year, has also brought in several awards, including the 2012 Hot Docs HBO Documentary Films Emerging Artist Award, the 2012 Dallas International Film Festival’s award for best documentary, and the 2012 Ashland Independent Film Festival’s best documentary award. The film’s Dayton debut, along with a Q and A session with the Ross brothers, takes place at the FilmDayton Festival, on Sunday, August 26 at 7:15 PM at the Neon Movies.

The Ross brothers have deep roots in both Ohio and New Orleans. Their mother still lives in 45365 (the zip code in Sidney), where their first film takes place. Dayton filmmakers Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar have served—in Bill Turner’s words—as the brothers’ “cinematic parents” following their first film effort. The couple reached out to them through an email greeting them with “Greetings from 45387” after seeing 45365. The Ross’ father lives in New Orleans, so the brothers have had a long term relationship with the city of New Orleans as well. That early exposure to the city informed their vision of the film. “We had spent a decent amount of time in New Orleans as kids,” said filmmaker Bill Ross, who shared camera time with his brother Turner and also edited the film. “We wanted to sort of get to feelings and images that had stuck in our heads as little guys. We were hoping to find some kids and just go along with whatever adventures they were on.”

The two brothers found the three brothers entirely by accident—and the result of that chance meeting is the surreal and dreamlike Tchoupitoulas, their second feature documentary, which follows the three boys through the sometimes scary but always interesting landscape of nocturnal New Orleans. The Ross brothers began by filming some of the strangeness of NOLA’s late night life, but seven months later they happened upon the three Zander brothers and Tchoupitoulas began taking shape. “We were up every night, filming all night long,” said Ross, who has lived in NOLA intermittently for most of his life. “One day, we were up and out during the day, and these kids walked right past us. We immediately said ‘These are the guys’ and went up to talk with them.”

The kids turned out to be the Zander brothers, Kentrell (16), Bryan (15), and William (11). They were immediately interested in the idea of the movie, but talking them into being in it was not easy. “The two older ones tried to talk us out of having William in it because he was ‘too annoying,’” Ross said. “It took us about 20 minutes to talk them into letting him be in the film.”

Single tickets will be available online beginning August 3, 2012. For the rest of the story and information on attending the Dayton Premier of TCHOUPITOULAS on August 26, visit FilmDayton.com.

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Chipotle vs. Qdoba: Who’d You Rather ?

July 30, 2012 By Dayton937 1 Comment

Fajita Ranchera Burrito at Qdoba

In the world of Food Adventures, we rarely hit the chains. But once in a while, we give our spin on some familiar favorites. How about some feedback from the thousands of Dayton Foodies out there? That’s right, The Big Ragu and the Crew want to know what DaytonMostMetro fans think. What do you like better, Chipotle or Qdoba and why?

Jax’s take: For me it is Qdoba for the simple fact that there are more choices. More options mean a better variety in my effort to be more health conscious. The tastes are similar but there are more soups, quesadillas, etc. at Qdoba. This discussion makes me miss the Baja Fresh restaurant !

The Big Ragu’s take: I would rather go to Qdoba for two reasons. First, Qdoba offers a ground beef meat option, while Chipotle does not. Also the chicken at Qdoba is white meat, while the chicken at Chipotle is a white/dark mix. Since I am “weird” when it comes to meat, the decision is a no brainer for me.

A Burrito Bowl at Chipotle

We are not food critics, or journalists. We are just passionate foodies that love to eat! Visit us at www.DaytonFoodies.com, your source for Dayton food since 2008.

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Everyone has an opinion and we want to hear yours. Please comment below and let us know your thoughts…

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Aug. 3 First Friday to Feature Free Kayaking and Cycling, Live Music, New Art Exhibits, and Much More

July 30, 2012 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Downtown’s next free First Friday art hop will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3.

RiverScape MetroPark will host the final First Friday @ 5 concert in this year’s series, with Stranger performing from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The park’s concession stand will be open and beer will be sold from 5 to 7 p.m. MetroParks employees will demonstrate various kayaking skills on the river and free kayak rentals will be available, courtesy of Cox Media Group Ohio. Free bike rentals will be available, courtesy of AAA, and the Junior League of Dayton will sponsor free bike helmets and fittings.

At the event, RTA will debut its new “On the Road” bus, a hands-on, retrofitted bus available for tours. The bus has special features, including computer kiosks for website training, interior LCD monitors with video montages and an exterior monitor for outside viewing. The bus is part of a mobile community outreach program that connects RTA to special events in the Dayton community.

Kayak raffle tickets will be sold to raise money for the Last DAM Summer, the fundraising effort for the RiverScape River Run project.

Also during the First Friday @ 5 concert, guests can show they give a DAM about the RiverScape River Run project by making a donation to the Last DAM Summer fundraising campaign. Basho Apparel will be at RiverScape hand printing special I Gave a DAM T-shirts. The shirts usually are reserved for those who donate $100 or more to the project, but only during First Friday @ 5, the shirts will be available to those donating $50 or more. In addition, Whitewater Warehouse will be selling raffle tickets for $10 each or three for $20 to win a Perception Prodigy 10 kayak the business has donated, with all proceeds going toward the River Run project.

This is the last summer a dangerous low dam in the Great Miami River will stand in the way of paddlers and others who want to enjoy the river. River Run, the next phase of development at RiverScape MetroPark, includes the removal of the low dam, making a seven-mile stretch of river navigable from Eastwood MetroPark to Carillon Park. In place of the dam, two smaller drops will be installed upstream near The Landing and RiverScape. These peninsulas will span the river and be notched with two openings where water will pass — an easy pass-through for novice paddlers and a more challenging route for skilled paddlers. The River Run project has some DAM good benefits for downtown Dayton and the region, including a safer river, improved water quality and aquatic habitat, and the creation of a regional destination for outdoor recreation. Call 224-1518 for more information.

During First Friday, saxophonist Tyrone Martin, magician Scott Miller and steel drum performer Joseph Glenn also will provide entertainment while roaming the streets of downtown.

Tyrone Martin, a saxophonist, will perform as part of First Friday's roaming entertainment.

Club Masque, 34 N. Jefferson St., will host the Theme Release Party for AIDS Resource Center Ohio’s 11th annual Masquerage from 6 to 8 p.m. Masquerage raises funds to provide HIV/AIDS outreach, prevention programs, free HIV testing and counseling to the Dayton area. The release party will feature a fashion show by the Rubi Girls, produced by Square One Salon and Spa, as well as drink specials and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are $20 before the event and $25 at the door. Tickets for Masquerage will be available, and the cost of the $20 release party ticket can be applied toward the $50 Masquerage ticket. Theme Release Party tickets can be purchased at masquerage.org or by calling 461-2437.

Tap into your inner artist

Several of downtown’s art galleries will be hosting special events and openings for August’s First Friday. Blue Sky Project, will host the opening of a collection of work by Adam Parker Smith in Blue Sky’s 8 N. Main St. space and a showing of art by Charlotte Gordon in the 33 N. Main St. space. CADC, 35 S. St. Clair St, will feature mixed-media furniture and paintings by Christy Jennewein and music by classical guitarist Eric Loy. Guests can sign up for September furniture classes taught by Jennewein. Color of Energy, 16 Brown St., will display works of art by gallery owner Mike Elsass. The Dayton Society of Painters and Sculptors, 48 High St., open 5 to 8 p.m., hosts the opening of an exhibit of landscape paintings by Sinclair Community College students and a preview of the Plein Air exhibit opening Aug. 19. Vega, Chaminade-Julienne High School’s a Capella group, will perform at 6:30 p.m.

The Dayton Visual Arts Center, 118 N. Jefferson St.:, open 5 to 8 p.m., will host a gallery talk featuring artists from the 21st annual Open Members Show, starting at 6:15 p.m. Artists include Matthew Burgy, Steve Hill, Kelly Joslin, Martin Hunter, Terry Welker and Jud Yalkut. Gallery 510 Fine Art, 510 E. Fifth St., will show new work by ceramist Tim Carter and laminated wood turnings by Tom Drummer. H. David Clay Studio, 33 S. St. Clair St., featuresFunctional and decorative pottery made on the premises. Lastly, K12 Gallery for Young People/TEJAS, 510 E. Third St., hosts the opening of “Distance,” a contemporary photography show from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibition will feature more than 40 national and local artists.

Rock out with live music

Hey There Morgan performs at the First Friday @ 5 concert series at RiverScape during July 6, 2012's First Friday. This month's concert features local band Stranger, as well as free kayak and bike rentals.

The music doesn’t end after the First Friday @ 5 concert! Explore downtown’s other rockin’ live music spots. Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St., will have live music at 9 p.m., featuring GB&AJ, Gold Shoes and Hazy & the Rugged Child. Jay’s Seafood, 225 E. Sixth St., will host Puzzle of Light at 9 p.m. Omega Music, 318 E. Fifth St., also will have live music starting at 7 p.m. Trolley Stop, 530 E. Fifth St., hosts live music by the Andy Shaw Band beginning at 9:30 p.m.

Food and drink specials

If you’ve worked up an appetite during some fun downtown activities or want to quench your thirst with a drink special, we have plenty of choices for you. Many downtown restaurants offer dinner and drink specials for First Friday patrons. Smokin’ Bar-B-Que, 200 E. Fifth St., Uno Chicago Grill, 126 N. Main St. and Franco’s Ristorante Italiano, 824 E. Fifth St., feature 10 percent off food. Coco’s Bistro, 515 Wayne Ave. and Thai 9, 11 Brown St., both offer 15 percent off food. Sa-Bai, 200 S. Jefferson St., offers 15 percent off food and a $5 Long Island Iced Tea. Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave., has no cover and 20 percent off food. Deaf Monty’s Wine, 22 Brown St., features $5 for a 6-ounce glass of red or white wine.

De’Lish Café, 139 N. Main St., will host “Meet the Mixologist,” a meet-and-greet event from 6 to 10 p.m., during which De’Lish’s new drink menu will be unveiled. The event will feature hors d’oeuvres and wine and cocktail tastings. Lucky’s Taproom and Eatery, 520 E. Fifth St., will have dinner specials, along with the special tapping of a firkin of craft beer. Olive, an urban dive, 416 E. Third St., will feature Jeni’s Ice Cream and broadcast Rev. Cool’s “Around the Fringe” show on 91.3 WYSO-FM. Oregon Express, 336 E. Fifth St, will have a happy-hour band and half-price pizza from 4 to 8 p.m., with additional live music at 9:30 p.m. The Vault, 20 N. Jefferson St., has extended happy hour until 10 p.m., a live band and free food.

Entertainment for all ages

If you want to experience something different – like a bike ride, walking tour or indie film – downtown has options for you as well. The Ghosts, Cemeteries and Murders Walk of Downtown Dayton will begin at 7 p.m. at Courthouse Square, Third and Main streets. All walks are $10 per person, and advance reservations are required. Contact tour guide Leon Bey at 274-4749 or email [email protected]. At Don Crawford Plaza in front of Fifth Third Field, 220 N. Patterson Blvd., the monthly Courteous Mass Ride will meet at 5:15 p.m. for a ride through the city. Garden Station, 509 E. Fourth St., will host auditions for Dayton Out Loud, a variety show to be performed during the Sept. 14 Urban Nights. Open auditions begin at 7 p.m. for acts less than three minutes, including a Cappella, spoken word and poetry, and comedy. To sign up for an audition time, e-mail [email protected].

Visitors observe paintings at Gallery 510 Fine Art. This month, the gallery will feature ceramist Tim Carter and laminated wood turnings by Tom Drummer.

Grass Roots Enrichment and Wellness Center, 400 E. Fifth St. Suite C, open 5 to 8 p.m., will feature art by Scott Ryan and have information about upcoming programs for children, teens and adults in the center’s new space above the Record Gallery in the Oregon District. Kids can enjoy hands-on activities and light refreshments will be provided. To check out a movie at The Neon, 130 E. Fifth St., call 222-SHOW (7469) for films and show times. Urban Krag, 125 Clay St., will have the climbing gym open until 11 p.m.

The Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., will play the 1962 film “Murder on the Orient Express,” part of the theater’s Cool Films Series at 7:30 p.m. Free popcorn and soda served starting at 6:30 p.m.; tickets cost $5. Wiley’s Comedy Niteclub, 101 Pine St., will feature comedian Touchee Jackson, with opening acts by Adrian Cosby, Greg Sparks and Jack Wilson. Show begins at 9 p.m., tickets are $15. The Yellow Cab Building, 700 E. Fourth St., will host an art show featuring Robert Blackwood working on a 3D installation piece called “Crystal Vision,” from 6 to 11 p.m. Visitors can watch Blackwood work on the sculpture, which will be completed in time for the Sept. 7 First Friday.

Shop ‘til you drop

Many downtown retail shops have sales and special events during First Friday. From clothing to music stores, check out these downtown deals. Beaute Box, 116 W. Fifth St., will have free makeup lessons. Clash Consignments, 521 E. Fifth St., is hosting a celebration of the store’s one-year anniversary and move to its new location in the Oregon District. Live music by Infidel-icious, Ronin Ichi and Black Lotus Clan will start at 6 p.m., as well as henna by Lily Whitehead. Elysian Fields Books, 436 E. Fifth St., will have a book signing and reading at 7 p.m. by children’s author Scott Mallory, who recently released “Bad-Off Boris and the Cupcake Cave-In.” Hangar18, 114 N. St. Clair St., features 15 percent off all items.

Peace on Fifth, 519 E. Fifth St., will host a fair-trade food tasting. Record Gallery, 16 Brown St., will feature 20 percent off collectable albums and 10 percent off general merchandise. ReCreate, 438 E. Fifth St., will have a sale on select items, including new and used instruments, other music-related items, and original artwork. Amore! Designer Consignment Boutique, 16 Brown St., Bonnett’s Bookstore, 502 E. Fifth St., Feathers Vintage Clothing, 440 E. Fifth St., Found Treasures 4 You, 502 Wayne Ave., and Jimmy Modern, 605 E. Fifth St., will be broadcasting Rev. Cool’s “Around the Fringe” show on 91.3 WYSO-FM.

The First Friday @ 5 concert series is sponsored by Five Rivers MetroParks, Clear Channel Radio, Bud Light Lime and the Downtown Dayton Partnership. First Friday is presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership with support from the Oregon District Business Association, the Ohio Arts Council and WYSO-FM 91.3. The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website has a complete list of downtown’s arts and cultural amenities, as well as a dining guide, parking map and much more.

Nick’s Restaurant in Xenia, a Must Eat !

July 28, 2012 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Nick’s French Onion Soup -one of the best, ever

One of our goals is to inform Dayton Foodies about fantastic dining spots that they may not be aware of. One of the best examples of a Mom and Pop place that is off the beaten path, featuring incredible menu items, is Nick’s Restaurant. Located in Xenia, it is a place with a style all it’s own. Style is one thing, but Nick’s also has irresistible, addicting food throughout the menu. The restaurant was started in the 1940’s by the late owner Nick Malavazos and was formerly called “Say How Do.” Since Nick’s passing, the local ownership has changed the restaurant name, but kept the tradition alive with great eats and friendly service.

How good is their food? At the recent Kickin’ Chicken Wing Festival at Fraze, Nick’s won 5 out of the 6 awards, including Best Side, People’s Choice Award, Best Wing, Best Sauce, and Best Booth. The Big Ragu loved their wings and would recommend their “Secret Sweet Hot Damn Sauce.” Wings are only a small portion of their offerings, and this was just the start of our menu exploration. Nicks has a full bar and has that type of watering hole atmosphere that spills into the dining area. The drink offerings are vast, but we were here for food.

The Award Winning “Sweet Hot Damn Wings”

We tried some unique appetizers including fried smelts. For those who do not know, smelts are small fish about the size of sardines that are fried whole, but headless. They are usually served with tartar sauce. The Big Ragu loves smelts our guests took a bite of the little fish and liked them so much that we had the waitress sit down and try them as well. Food Adventure accomplished! Nick’s Restaurant has another spectacular appetizer, the hand breaded deep fried mushrooms. Light and crispy, our mushrooms were cooked perfectly. The waitress then brought out one of the best french onion soups we have ever eaten. We also enjoyed some freshly cut potato chips. There are a ton of good appetizers to choose from! Your Food Adventurers were already very impressed, and we had not yet tasted an entree.

The staff then brought out our dinners which were piping hot. The Big Ragu ordered Pan Fried Walleye. The piece of fish was huge and overlapped the plate like Ragu’s belly on his belt. The walleye was superb and served with freshly hand breaded onion rings. This dinner will satisfy big appetites and we loved every bite. We tried an entree of Filet-Mignon. The large steak was grilled to perfection and wrapped with bacon. Ragu smiled after trying a bite of the steak and devouring a plate of smelts. Obviously the kitchen knows what they are doing, and it shows in each and every entree. We upped the ante by trying a unique side of purple pickled eggs and beets. It was pretty tasty!

What’s a Food Adventure Without Purple Pickled Eggs?

Our meals, menu sampling and Food Adventure was a complete success. We love this place! The staff and owners of the restaurant could not have been more attentive. Good restaurant service is an art, and you will find assertive waitresses and waiters here. Nick’s has a reputation for great food, and we discovered why they have such a loyal following. When you go Nick’s, it is obvious they take pride in what they bring to diner’s tables. The variety is there, and the taste is there. Can you think of another restaurant that has purple pickled eggs, beets AND smelts on their menu? It is truly a unique eatery! Nick’s is another perfect example of why Food Adventures exists, and we are happy to shed light on this unbeaten stairway to taste heaven. We were very impressed and now we understand why Nick’s website is gotonicks.com. It is because you HAVE to go there ! It is American style pub food with a gourmet twist. Trust us on this one, a jaunt down North Detroit Street is your ticket to a meal that will fill you up and have you raving.

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Have you been to Nick’s Restaurant in Xenia? Then tell us what you think below !!

Omigod, You Guys – It’s Legally Blonde, The Musical – Presented By Vandalia Youth Theatre (TICKET CONTEST)

July 27, 2012 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

The Vandalia Youth Theatre proudly presents its 2012 Senior production of Legally Blonde, the Musical. Legally Blonde features over 60 high school students from over 15 schools in the greater Miami Valley area. The verdict is in: this show is totally awesome entertainment!

Presented on July 20, 21, 27 and 28 at 7:00 pm, and on Sunday, July 29 at 3:00 pm. All performances will be at Northridge High School, 2251 Timber Lane, Dayton. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors/youth. Tickets are available at the box office or at VandaliaYouthTheatre.net/.

Ticket Contest

We have THREE PAIRS of tickets to give away for the Saturday July 28th 7pm show – simply fill out the form below and we’ll announce winners after 5pm on Friday, July 27 – GOOD LUCK!

Contest Closed

Congratulations to our winners!

Renee Franck-Reed

Rebecca Woodward

Harvey Daye Jr.

Highland Fling

July 27, 2012 By Brian Petro Leave a Comment

Doesn't that look stunning?

The first true royal and celebrity to fall in love with Scotch was Scotland’s greatest king, James IV. He kicked off the popularity of the strong spirit, and it has been growing ever since. The English parliament tried to tax it heavily at the beginning of the 18^th century, and it went underground. People still had no problem getting it (and not paying the tax on it). After one hundred and fifty years, the British came to their senses and realized that they were losing tons of revenue. They lifted the tax and charged for a more modest license. It was a timely move. A few decades later, the phylloxera beetle destroyed the grapes in France, nearly wiping out the wine and brandy industries. During that time Scotch rose back to the palate of the nobility and elite, who were looking for something new to fill their liquor closets with.

It became a mark of distinction to enjoy a good scotch, and we have seen that in our stars and culture. Prohibition was good to the Scotch community. Since bourbon was no longer available in America, people looked across the pond to find good whisky to drink. Scotch, while usually watered down, was a perfect replacement for it, and relatively safe compared to some of the other “liquor” that was available. Hollywood rose not long after, and many of the stars at the time commented on the benefits of, and how much they enjoyed drinking, Scotch. George Burns once remarked “I love to sing, and I love to drink scotch. Most people would rather hear me drink Scotch.” Humphrey Bogart and W.C. Fields also commented on the delights of drinking Scotch. It has been mentioned most recently on sitcoms like “How I Met Your Mother” (Barney loves it), by comedians like Ron White, and of course is the favorite on air drink of Ron Burgundy. Mr. Burgundy told us that is why he started National Scotch Day on July 27^th. (It is as good of a reason as I have found yet…)

He said July 27th is National Scotch Day. We won't argue.

One of the reasons it became so popular is its complexity. There is a wide variety to Scotch, which makes it one of the more varied members of the whisky family. To begin with, there are two major types of Scotch, single malt and blended. Single malt Scotch is created with malted barley from a single distillery, made only in copper pot stills. They are blended together from different casks to create the distinct flavor of the Scotch. The youngest Scotch used in the blend is the age you find on the front of the bottle. Single malts you may be familiar with are Glenmorangie, Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Talisker, The Macallan, Glenfiddich, and The Glenlivet. Blended Scotch can be created through the combination of malted whisky from barley, as well as grain whisky. The blends have an advantage of creating a distinct flavor you cannot get from only malted barley. They are usually a little smoother, and are the bulk of what people drink when they have Scotch. Blends you may be familiar with are Dewars, Johnnie Walker, Chivas Regal, and J&B. Other categories of Scotches exist, such as blended malt (blended malt from separate distilleries), single grain (grain whiskey and malt whiskey from the same distillery), and single cask (all from one cask, 100 to 120 proof), but are very hard to find.

Scotches are also identified by the area they are from. Traditionally, there have been four areas that Scotch production has been broken into, but now number five. The Highlands have a wide variety of Scotches in it, but that is because it encompasses over half of the area of Scotland. You may also see a Scotch refer to itself as Island or Isle of Man. That too is part of the Highlands. Lowland, where there are only three distilleries creating sinlge malts, are usually triple distilled and have a lighter flavor than other Scotches. Speyside, which was once considered part of the Highlands, has nearly half the total distilleries in Scotland. With such a high number, it is very hard to categorize on defining characteristic. It is a safe bet that most of the Scotches you have heard of come from this region. Islay Scotches are the advanced class of Scotch; they have a heavy smoky, peated flavor to them, and tend to put off new Scotch drinkers. The smallest is Campbeltown, with only three active distilleries. It used to be the largest producer of whisky in the world, but collapsed through overproduction, then finished off by Prohibition and the Great Depression.

Copper pot stills where scotch is made

Scotch has rules, like most all other alcohols today. The latest incarnation of these rules, the Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009, lay out what it takes to be called a Scotch. First, it must be produced in Scotland, of barley and other whole cereal grains. Second, when it is turned into mash, only yeast may be used to convert the sugar into alcohol. Third, it has to be matured in Scotland, in oak casks, for a period of no less than three years (though most Scotches are matured for five or more). And finally, nothing other than water or plan caramel color can be added to the final product. As of November of this year, the rules will also state that single malts will have to be bottled and labeled in Scotland. You will also see many Scotches with a year on them. Blends can still be bottled anywhere in the world.

If you are looking for a good place to try out some Scotch in Dayton, The Pub at the Greene has a good selection of Scotches, as well as flights to try them in. Side Bar also has a lovely selection of Scotch for you to try out, but no flights. For those of you just starting your Scotch journey, let the bartender know what your tastes are, and they can recommend the right one for you. You will want to begin with some of the sweeter, maltier Scotches, moving through the various complexities of the spirit until you begin to enjoy the peaty richness of the Islays. Scotch is not used in very many cocktails, but the two you will find most often mentioned most at bars are the Rob Roy (a variation on the Manhattan) and Rusty Nail (Scotch with a hint of sweet Drambuie).

If Scotch whisky is good enough for Humphrey Bogart, George Burns, and Ron Burgundy, it should be something that you try a few times in your life. Tonight is a great time to sit back and relax with a fine dram of Scotch and good friends, and just chat the night away. Preferably on a patio. Cheers!

Rolling Out the Beer Week Schedule, including a DAI Beer Dinner

July 27, 2012 By Lisa Grigsby Leave a Comment

Restaurant Week hasn’t even ended and plans are already beginning to leak out for next months 3rd Annual Beer Week. Pints, Putters, & Pink Balls, a golf outing scheduled for Saturday August 18th is the kick off to a week of celebrating beer culture. According to organizers Rob Strong and Joe Waizman, “This is a fun as sh*t charity event with all proceeds benefiting Local Chapter Breast Cancer Foundation. 18 holes on the par 3 course at Kittyhawk Golf Center, Kitty Course. ”
. The Basic Rules for the outing are:

1. 36- 2 person teams using 2 clubs per person (no sharing of clubs) and may only play with provided pink balls.
2. Basic scramble playing best ball (does not apply to worst ball scramble hole).
3. $30 per person includes 2 pink balls (replacements available for $5 each) and sandwich/snacks from 5th Street Wine and Deli at check in. Carts are a la carte.
4. 1:00 p.m. Shotgun start, registration at 12:30 p.m. Sharp.
5. Hand selected craft beer available for purchase on the course.
6. Signup sheets available at Thai 9, Trolley Stop, Blind Bob’s, South Park Tavern, Lucky’s and Fifth Street Wine and Deli. Fees due at sign up, cash only.
7. Awards for longest drive off an empty beer can, lowest score on worst ball scramble hole, and tournament winning team.
8. No golf gloves, spikes, or golf bags.
9. Lefty/Righty 7 for $1, longest shot gets 50% of pot.

Contact Robert Strong or Joe Waizmann with any questions or sponsorship requests.

Then Dayton Beer Week officially begins with the “Beer Pride Parade” in the Oregon District on Sunday, August 19. The parade begins at The Dublin Pub and will work it’s way down 5th Street to Thai 9 for the Opening Ceremonies for Dayton Beer Week. The festivities will include a series of unique events, tastings and dinners held at various locations throughout the greater Dayton region. In 2011 there were over 50 beer centric events all over the Miami Valley and it looks like you can expect even more in 2012.
One of the first new events to be released is the Dayton Art Institute’s 6 course craft beer dinner featuring courses presented by 5 area chefs, each paired with beers brewed at a Trappist monastery under the supervision and responsibility of the monks. Worldwide, only seven Trappist beers remain. Six of these come from Belgium, one comes from The Netherlands, and that is La Trappe, which will be the beers presented at the Brewer’s Art Dinner on Wed, August 22nd.

Tickets for this special event will be $60 in advance, with a $5 discount for DAI members. Participating Chefs include Jay’s Seafood’s Chris Cavendar, Chef Jeff from the Culinary Company and Chef David Glynn.

The Beer Week Finale will be the 14th annual Ale Fest, held from 2 to 6 pm on Saturday, August 25 at Carillon Historical Park. Featuring over 350 different beers from more than 150 different breweries – including a gluten free beer zone, new in 2012. Many of the exact details for this year’s event are still being finalized and tickets will soon be on sale for $35 in advance. As in the past, tickets get you entry to the event, a sampling guide, 20 craft beer samples and a commemorative sampling glass.

Stay tuned for more beer week events, we’ll keep adding them to our calendar as we hear of them! And in the meantime check out our MostMetro Calendar for Beer Events in the area.

Theatre Etiquette

July 26, 2012 By Leah Hawthorn 2 Comments

I am a proud grandparent to an 11-year-old granddaughter. Her name is Taylor. Now, Taylor happens to be into acting and singing. And, of course, being her grandparent, I think she is the cat’s meow when it comes to talent. So, when she was given the leading female role in Oliver, I couldn’t wait to see her. Theatre etiquette doesn’t just stop at The Shuster, or Victoria Theatre. Theatre etiquette should carry through, even in a high-school or grade school performance. My daughter had arrived early and saved my husband and me a seat in the theatre to see Taylor perform the role of Nancy. We are approximately ¾ the way back. The lights start to dim. You know the feeling you get when the production is about to start.

Excitement! Right as the lights dim, a woman, who probably had a child in the production as well, sat right in front of me. Now that’s no big deal, you say. She should be welcome to sit anywhere she likes, but she was a rather tall woman. Not only was she tall, but she had tied all of her hair into the largest beehive bun that I have ever seen! Why didn’t she simply wear a hat! I had to lean to the left and right to see around her. Okay, that, I can deal with, but still – really?!

The music starts and the curtain opens! What does my beehived friend in front of me do? She holds up her ipad to record the entire play. Yes, ipad, not ipod, or iphone — but ipad! I could not believe my eyes.

Here are a few Theatre Etiquette Tips to pass on:

Cell phones are a no, no. If you need to, set your phone on the lowest vibrate that there is, where you can feel it, not see or hear it. Even the light from the phone can be distracting to others. If you have children and baby sitter issues, try to sit where you can get out without distracting others if you have to take an emergency call.
Please……try not to talk or whisper during a performance. You and the person you are talking to are NOT the only ones in the theatre. You can be heard.
Be courteous. If you have to leave for any unexpected reason, saying “excuse me” and “thank you” is always welcome.
Don’t subject others. If you are sick, and have been coughing, be kind and give your ticket to a friend who won’t do so. If you happen to cough during a production, use a Kleenex or hankie to muzzle the sound, or excuse yourself if need be.
Try to sit still. I know you have been at a production, or even a movie, and had the back of your seat kicked. And if you are with a child, please share “no kicking the seat in front of you” before entering the theatre.
Don’t wear hats or high hairdos. Be aware there are people behind you. If you are extremely tall, try to pick a seat on the isle or in the back if you can. Never pull an ipad out to record the performance, even if videotaping is allowed! It has been done!!
Singing along. Only sing along with musicals if it is appropriate. There are some musicals that the crowd should clap and sing along. There are some musicals where it is inappropriate. In other words, follow the crowd.
Dress appropriately. You do not have to wear a tuxedo or ball gown, but the theatre is still the theatre. Dress like you are going to something special. Flip flops, jeans and t-shirts are not appropriate.
Drinking. Don’t over drink at intermission or before the performance. You don’t want to appear sloppy and you will want to remember the performance.
Photography. If there has been an announcement “no photography allowd”, flash or video, don’t do it. There is always someone who ignores the rules and has to cross the line. It is distracting to others.
Be patient. When entering or leaving any event where there is a large crowd, it may move slowly. There is nothing worse than someone bullying their way through the crowd to get in or out of the theatre, movies, or even an airplane. Be courteous to others. They want to get in and out swiftly as well. Where’s The Fire??!!

To sum up Theatre Etiquette: Have fun, smile and enjoy yourself. There’s nothing like the Theatre!! “I’m ready for my close-up Mr. DeMille”.

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Amazingly Reviewed BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD Opens Friday at THE NEON!

July 25, 2012 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

It’s time for a new film, and it happens to be one of the most critically-acclaimed films of the year. BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD has garnered 100% reviews from The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Sun-Times, The Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, Time, Variety, and many, many more…and it will be playing exclusively at THE NEON!

Synopsis for BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD: “In a forgotten but defiant bayou community cut off from the rest of the world by a sprawling levee, a six-year-old girl exists on the brink of orphanhood. Buoyed by her childish optimism and extraordinary imagination, she believes that the natural world is in balance with the universe until a fierce storm changes her reality. Desperate to repair the structure of her world in order to save her ailing father and sinking home, this tiny hero must learn to survive unstoppable catastrophes of epic proportions.” (taken from Fox Searchlight) Visit the official site.

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Air Force Veteran Jachlin Williams will be hosting two screenings of the new, award-winning documentary THE INVISIBLE WAR at THE NEON on August 5 and August 16. “A groundbreaking investigative documentary about one of our country’s most shameful and best-kept secrets, THE INVISIBLE WAR reveals the epidemic of rape within the U.S. Military. Today, a female soldier in Iraq or Afghanistan is more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire. Tracing the powerfully emotional stories of several young veterans, the film reveals the systemic cover-up of the crimes they have suffered and follows their struggles to rebuild their lives and careers. These screenings are part of a campaign to tell survivors of sexual military trauma that they are not invisible.” These screenings are free. Tickets will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis – one ticket per person on the day of each screening.

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Very soon, I’ll be able to give you details about our benefit on October 14. Slowly but surely, we’re getting details in place so we can make a big announcement (here are a few wonderful details – Meadowlark, Coco’s Bistro & Roost have already confirmed to provide appetizers). This benefit will help us as we transition from 35mm to digital projection – a costly but necessary endeavor.

Did you see that FilmDayton revealed their line-up for their 4th Annual Festival? Check out their site to see the latest. This fest is set for August 24-26, and I can’t wait to see COMPLIANCE.

And speaking of festivals, The Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival is putting the finishing touches on this year’s line-up. The 7th Annual Fest is set for Sept. 28-30, and the films are spectacular! (Please contact me if you or your business might be interested in sponsoring this annual event.)

Thanks for your continued support.
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for
Fri. July 27 – Thur. August 2:

BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD (PG-13) 1 Hr 33 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:45, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30

TO ROME WITH LOVE (R) 1 Hr 42 Min
Friday – Thursday: 2:50, 7:30

MOONRISE KINGDOM (PG-13) 1 Hr 34 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:40, 5:20, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 5:20, 9:40

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
August 10 THE INTOUCHABLES
TBD YOUR SISTER’S SISTER
late Aug FAREWELL, MY QUEEN
TBD WHERE DO WE GO NOW?
Sept. 14 ROBOT AND FRANK
TBD THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES
TBD 2 DAYS IN NEW YORK
TBD TAKE THIS WALTZ

Downtown Dayton Revival Music Fest Announces Schedule

July 25, 2012 By Juliet Fromholt 1 Comment

Here is your Downtown Revival Music Festival Schedule! (subject to change)

Saturday, September 8th

Budweiser Stage	CareSource Stage	Monster Stage
		12:15 – 12:45
		Prima Luce

	1:00 -2:00
	Burnt Sugar	1:15 – 1:45
1:30 – 2:30		The Giant Steps
Bronze Radio Return

		2:15 – 2:45
	2:30 -3:30	Customer Service and the Gem City Horns
	Kristy Lee
3:00 – 4:00
Griffin House		3:15 – 3:45
		The Right Now

	4:00 – 5:15
	The Werks	4:15 – 4:45
		Crusher

5:00 – 6:15
Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk		5:15 – 6:00
		Wheels


	6:15 – 7:30
	Cowboy Mouth	6:30 – 7:15
		Motel Beds

7:15 – 8:30
Guster
		7:45 – 8:30
		Jordan Hull
	8:15 – 9:30
	Guided by Voices

		9:00 – 10:15
		Needmore
9:30 -10:45
John Legend

Sunday, September 9th

Budweiser Stage	CareSource Stage	Monster Stage
		12:15 -12:45
		Good English
	1:00 -2:00
	Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers	1:15 -1:45
1:30 -2:30		Lauren Eylise
Heartless Bastards

		2:15 – 3:00
	2:30 – 3:30	Bad Sines
	Red Wanting Blue
3:00 – 4:00
Andy Grammer
		3:30 – 4:15
		Green Light Morning

	4:15 – 5:30
	Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe
		4:45 – 5:30
5:00 – 6:15		Buffalo Killers
Rusted Root


		6:00 – 6:45
	6:15 – 7:30	The Cliftones
	The Ohio Players


7:15 -8:30		7:15 – 8:00
Matt Kearney		Brent James and the Contraband



	8:30 -9:45	8:30 – 9:45
	Robert Randolph and the Family Band	Tony Lucca


9:30 – 10:45
Train

Coming Up in Cincinnati Theatre: July 23-29

July 25, 2012 By Rob Bucher Leave a Comment

…BLINK AND YOU’LL MISS

Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR.

Cincinnati Christian Community Theatre

The Story: After a handsome but conceited prince treats a beggar woman poorly, the woman turns out to be a beautiful enchantress and turns the prince into a beast. Further, the prince’s staff is all transformed into objects to do with their profession. The prince is given a magical mirror to view the outside world. To break the spell, he needs to learn to love a person for who they are, and get her to love him before a magical rose loses its petals.
The Dates: July 26-29, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Cincinnati Christian Community Theatre| BTC page |

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

Encore Youth Theatre

The Story: In this retelling of the Biblical story, Joseph is a handsome young man who is his father’s favorite child, able to interpret dreams, and the bearer of an amazing coat. These facts lead Joseph’s eleven brothers to become insatiably jealous. Thus, they sell Joseph into slavery to some passing Ishmaelites.
The Dates: July 25-28, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Encore Youth Theatre | BTC page |

…NEW THIS WEEK

THE WEDDING SINGER

Cincinnati Young People’s Theatre

The Story: In THE WEDDING SINGER, it’s 1985 and rock-star wannabe Robbie Hart is New Jersey’s favorite wedding singer. He’s the life of the party, until his own fiancee leaves him at the altar. Shot through the heart, Robbie makes every wedding as disastrous as his own.
The Dates: July 27-Aug. 5, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Cincinnati Young People’s Theatre | BTC page |

…CONTINUING

Brent Vimtrup, Nicholas Rose as Dr. Watson & Jeremy Dubin as Sherlock Holmes.

THE HOUNDS OF THE BASKERVILLES

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

The Story: The legendary detective Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson are on the job to investigate the mysterious case of the “hound of hell” that stalks the moors. This fast-paced farcical adaptation of the classic novel is performed by only three actors tackling dozens of roles. Physical humor and visual gags will make this production a laugh out loud treat this summer. Will the courageous detective and his men survive the mystery of Baskerville Hall…and each other? The game is afoot in the regional premiere.
The Dates: July 20-Aug. 12, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company | BTC page |

HOW DO YOU SPELL M-U-R-D-E-R?

Falcon Theatre

The Story: This 1920s caper rolls into action when two couples arrive on a paddlewheel steamboat, headed for Cincinnati. An unexpected guest also arrives on the levee, and one of the guests turns up dead! How is this group of strangers connected to the murder? During each performance, the audience gets to play detective, review all the clues, interrogate the suspects, and with five possible endings, decide who committed the crime. If you enjoy solving the mystery, we want you!
The Dates: July 13-Aug. 4, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Falcon Theatre | BTC page |

…CLOSING THIS WEEK

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

Kincaid Regional Theatre

The Story: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is set in the little Russian village of Anatevka, where a poor dairyman, Tevye, lives with his wife and five daughters. Tevye is trying to teach his daughters to hold on to the traditions of this tight-knit Jewish community in the face of changing social ideas and the growing hostility toward the Jews in Czarist Russia.
The Dates: July 7-28, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Kincaid Regional Theatre | BTC page |

Marypat Carletti as Nellie Cohan, Matt Dentino as George M & Eileen Earnest as Josie Cohan. Front: Brent Alan Burginton as Jerry Cohan in GEORGE M!

GEORGE M!

The Showboat Majestic

The Story:
The Dates: July 11-29, 2012
Tickets and More Information: The Showboat Majestic | BTC page |

THE GREAT CROSS COUNTRY RACE OR THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE

Milford Theatre Guilde

The Story: This family friendly show features the talents of these 15 area kids.
The Dates: July 20-28, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Milford Theatre Guilde | BTC page |

…COMING SOON

ANNIE

Beechmont Players Inc.

The Dates: Aug. 2-11, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Beechmont Players Inc. | BTC page |

ANNIE

SSCC Theatre

The Dates: Aug. 3-5, 2012
Tickets and More Information: SSCC Theatre | BTC page |

THE LEGEND OF POCAHONTAS

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati

The Dates: Aug. 2-5, 2012
Tickets and More Information: The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati | BTC page |

The Black Box Improv Theater – A Taste of Chicago in DYT

July 24, 2012 By Megan Cooper Leave a Comment

Justin Howard had a vision to offer Dayton something unique, cool, entertaining – a taste of Chi-town in the DYT. And he’s had quite a trip to get here. Introducing The Black Box Improv Theater.

After graduating from Tipp in ’01, Howard headed to Wittenburg as a football player. An injury took him out of the game and landed him with his first opportunity as a dorm R.A. One of the perks of the job is priority registration, and he decided to take advantage of it. After hearing that the most popular class is Improvisation for the Theater, he decided to give it a shot. One class and he was hooked.

Chicago-style Improv

You know Chicago style pizza, Chicago style hot dogs, and even Chicago style grammar guides. When his wife took a job in Chicago, it was time for Howard to learn Chicago-style improv. After his intro class in college, plus some experience writing, teaching and directing, Howard wanted to continue his artistic pursuits. He plugged into iO (formally Improv Olympic) to learn about the classic Chicago-based long-form improvisation style.

Opening night cast included David Michaels, Beth Conley, Kristen Howell, and Black Box founder Justin Howard

Most people are familiar with the “Whose Line…” style of improv where funky characters, witty one-liners, and quick responses are the goals. In this “short form” improv – the scenes come alive in an almost sporty way – encouraging winners among the cast for who can be the funniest. Long-form values the funny, but focuses on the story, so it’s more laughter based on the surprise of where the characters go and less of the shock-factor. Often there’s no story at all in short-form (just jokes); the story in long-form is woven among many characters and carries the full length of the show. Howard explains it as, “a completely improvised one act play, complete with multiple characters each with unique relationships often intertwining in ways that seem like they were written ahead of time. This is different from short form improv where a set of rules dictate a specific scene that begins and ends before a new set of rules dictate another scene. In short, we’re going to get on stage, start improvising and about an hour later you walk out saying “there’s no way they made that up” but we did.”

“Dayton is a Blank Slate”

According to Howard, the history of innovation exists today, but Dayton is still being redefined. He believes the arts are one of the strengths of the region and he’s excited to bring his unique form of improv to Dayton. Beyond the opportunity to help re-define Dayton as an arts town, Howard was attracted to the excitement, vibe and spirit of the downtown area. He and his wife recently moved from the suburbs to a house in the Oregon District where they get to enjoy accessibility of walking to work, restaurants, and the theater. Personally, he’s excited to be downtown, but there are great business benefits, too. Now, improv will be one of those walkable downtown destinations.

Howard also noticed immediately the great support of the Dayton community. He’s found a home at the Cannery District on Third where the owners and fellow businesses have been really supportive. He’s excited by the feeling that residents, businesses and community volunteers all seem to be invested in his success as it plays into the success of our region. Whereas the ‘new thing’ is a big deal for a short time in some communities, only to be cast aside when the next fad comes along, Howard sees Dayton as a community where long-term relationships are developed.

How to go:

Long-form improv is new to Dayton, and Howard is excited to provide entertainment and education (classes forming soon!) available now. Tickets are $9 and can be purchased online or at the door for their 9:30 PM shows on Fridays and Saturdays.

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Tequila. Straight.

July 24, 2012 By Brian Petro Leave a Comment

July 24th - National Tequila Day. No limes required.

Most people have one of two reactions when they think about tequila. The first reaction is “You mean that delicious nectar that is grown and distilled in Mexico? Bring me a shot of it on the rocks, my good bartender!” The second reaction is a feeling of nausea, a tentative look towards the restroom, and blurry memories of a night on the town. The last thing you remember is someone shouting “Hey, let’s shoot some tequila!”

Tequila is the first distilled spirit on the North American continent, and we have the Spaniards to thank for that. When the conquistadors invaded Mexico in the 16^th century, they had more pressing problems than making nice with the natives and establishing a place to stay: it is a long trip across the Atlantic, and they needed something to drink. The stuff the natives had, called pulque (the name the Spaniards gave it, roughly “spoiled wine”), tasted awful. The Spaniards applied some distilling techniques they used to create brandy and turned the stuff drinkable, developing what we roughly know as mescal.

Mescal is the broader liquor category that tequila falls into. Think sparkling wine and champagne. Tequila, however, has some pretty strict standards that must be adhered to before the liquid inside can be called tequila. First, the agave used to make the tequila must be the Weber’s blue agave, a plant that can get over 6 feet high. Since it was so big, tough, and covered in spikes, Aztecs would also use it as defenses around their smaller towns. Secondly, that plant must be grown in the Jalisco state in Western Mexico. Third, at least 51% of the liquor in the bottle has to come from the agave; the rest can be from other plants. The best tequilas are 100% blue agave, and most will announce that on the label. All of this is regulated and inspected by the Norma Oficial Mexicana (NOM), which controls whether or not the bottle you buy is full of tequila or mescal. If you do not see NOM on the label, usually with a number near it, you do not have real tequila. These are all standards that are enforced by international law.

And before we move along, let us address the worm. The worm is never, ever, ever in tequila. If you find a worm in your bottle, you have a mescal, and a poor one at that. Some distilleries will add the worm (a larval form of a moth), to the bottle as a gimmick, but generally it is a bad sign if it slips into your bottle unannounced. Fortunately, they do not drink much while they are in there, and if you choose to eat it, you add some protein to your diet.

You want some tequila? Come and get it...

Back to Weber’s blue agave. They are watched closely by jimadores, men who closely watch and trim the plant as it grows. If it flowers too soon, it will not grow large enough or develop enough sugars to ferment. Cutting off the larger parts, more dangerous leaves of the plant leaves you something called a pina, or head, which can weigh up to two hundred and forty pounds. Then they rough it up. They are roasted so the head softens up, then pressed and shredded to get out all of the agave juice, or aguamiel. The leftovers can be so tough they can be used in many other industrial products, including bricks. That juice is placed into either wood or stainless steel vats so it can go through fermentation. It will then be distilled a twice to make it into tequila. Some companies will distill it a third time, but most connoisseurs feel that it removes too much of the flavor that makes tequila unique. Once the tequila has been distilled, the distillery ages it to make a variety of types:

Silver (blanco) – if it is aged at all, it is for two months in steel or neutral oak barrels. Typically, it is bottled right after distillation.
Gold (oro) – sometimes known as joven (young), it is a blend of blanco and reposado tequilas.
Rested (reposado) – aged a minimum of two months, a maximum of one year, in oak barrels.
Aged (anejo) – aged a minimum of one year, but less than three years, in small oak barrels.
Extra Aged (extra anejo) – aged a minimum of three years in oak barrels.

Most bars carry blanco, oro, and reposado for your drinking pleasure. The more aged the tequila, the more the agave taste becomes mellowed by the contact with the wood. You will only find anejo and up in better Mexican restaurants and tequilarias in general.

When you mention sipping tequila on the rocks, as I prefer to do, most people will make a horrible face and look at you oddly. Because we all know how to drink tequila: you lick your hand between the thumb and forefinger, put some salt on it, lick the salt, shoot the tequila, and slam a lime wedge (or a lemon wedge, depending on where you are from). Most of us, when we began drinking it, were trying to kill the awful taste of cheap tequila. But over the last few decades tequila has really matured. Brands like Patron, Cabo Wabo, 1800, Don Julio, and Jose Cuervo among many others have brought the reputation of tequila up from a hard party drink to a casual sipping drink. Other lesser known (and well rated) brands include el Espolon, Avion, Herradura, and Partida. Finding them in restaurants may be more difficult, but well worth the search. Many tequilas have also been experimenting with flavors, ranging from the fruity to the savory. Tequilas have more recently (starting around 2009) been found with infusions of coconut, pomegranate, jalapenos or coffee.

Sure, this is an option today. There are others!

In honor of National Tequila Day, held every year on July 24^th, here are a few non-margarita recipes for you to enjoy.

Chapala

1.5 oz. silver tequila
.5 oz. orange juice
.5 oz. lemon juice
Dash (.25 oz.) of grenadine
Dash (.25 oz.) of orange liqueur

Combine the liquids into a shaker over ice. Shake vigorously, and pour into an old fashioned glass over ice. Use an orange slice to garnish.
The cocktail is named after the largest freshwater lake in Mexico, Lake Chapala. Not coincidentally, it is located in Jalisco.

Brave Bull

1.5 oz. silver tequila
1 oz. coffee liqueur

Pour the tequila and the coffee liqueur into an ice filled glass and stir briefly.

Yes, it is a Black Russian with tequila instead of vodka. The flavors of the coffee liqueur (another product of Mexico) and tequila blend nicely, enhancing both of them.

If you are not a tequila drinker, you may want to give it another whirl. Tequila has come a long way, and with the number of fine tequila drinks and creative bartenders out there, you’ll find a cocktail you adore. You could also check out our Cinco de Mayo article for other tequila options. It is a tough liquor to make. This could be the day to give it a second chance. Salud!

Call for Round 2 of Downtown Community Mural Project

July 23, 2012 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

A team of downtown arts leaders and activists consisting of Lisa Helm (Garden Station), Jerri Stanard (K-12 Gallery) and Carli Dixon (Atta Girl), is spearheading an effort to beautify a section of East Third Street with a new mural project. In much the same way as the Wayne Avenue murals at the underpass next to Garden Station, this new set of murals at Third and Webster will be selected from submissions by local artists, and a stipend will be awarded to each winning artist. The project will be partially funded by a Neighborhood Mini Grant from the City of Dayton.

Due to the close proximity of the 2nd Street Market, a vegetable and fruit theme has been adopted for the murals. The theme may include, but is not limited to, large scale, colorful fruits and vegetables (local to the area preferred), and related items. Abstract and non-conventional interpretations of produce are also welcomed.

“If some of the images were inspired by famous artists that would be an amazing transition from the HAALO project, (on 3rd Street just west of the proposed murals) completed by 30 teens from the Montgomery County Juvenile Court program, and would allow the walk-by patrons to learn about art history in a fun and memorable way” says team member Jerri Stanard of K-12 Gallery. Some ideas for submission of artwork for the underpass at Third and Webster could include: Keith Haring “Carrots”, Giuseppe Arcimboldo “Vegetable Faces”, Edward Hoppers “Ears of Corn”, Mary Cassatt’s “Cucumbers”, Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Okra” or “Green Beans”, and Tripoli’s “Tomatoes”.

The spaces available for painting will include the areas on the retaining wall on the southeast side of the intersection as well as sections under the overpass. Spaces on the retaining wall are approximately 13’ x13’ and the underpass spaces are 8’x 8’ squares (see attached pictures, these can be used as a submission template by printing or tracing dimensions).

A committee comprised of artists, area business owners and city representatives will select the winning designs. Designs will be judged based on originality, appropriateness for the space and design quality.

Each artist whose mural design is selected will receive $125 upon completion of each mural. Sixteen gallons of

The 2009 mural project

exterior paint will be available to all of the artists to share. The colors will include red, orange, yellow, light and dark green, sky blue, lilac, and purple. Also, a $75 supply stipend per mural will be given to each artist to individualize his/her palette.

Multiple submissions are encouraged. Submissions may be submitted in any format or size, as long as the proposed design is clearly illustrated. Artists also are encouraged to submit a resume or letter outlining their qualifications to complete this type of project.

Submissions are due by 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 1. Winners will be announced at Urban Nights on September 14 at an event in Garden Station.

Submissions can be e-mailed or mailed to:

Downtown Mural Project c/o Carli Dixon, 811 E. Third Street, Dayton, OH 45402

Winning artists will have until Friday, November 2, to finish their work. The murals will be unveiled that evening at First Friday festivities. “The City of Dayton grant to create more murals along East Third Streets puts us that much closer to competing with Philadelphia’s public art and becoming the destination where tourists will stay an extra day to experience all the incredible amenities we have in Dayton Ohio”, says Stanard.

Additional donations are also being accepted to help fund the project through indigogo. “The Neighborhood Mini Grant from the city will cover the cost of about 13 murals and requires a 50% match”, says Lisa Helm. “While we will more than meet our match requirements with the value of all the volunteer hours, we need the money for paint and artist stipends. There are 37 spaces in the intersection available to paint, it would be nice to fill them all, if not with full murals at least with bright colored spaces between some of the murals “

Clean up days are scheduled for the morning of August 25 and 26. Volunteers will be needed to clear brush, weeds, trash and to prime the spaces. Updates will be posted at www.facebook.com/GardenStation

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Lisa at [email protected] or 937-610-3845.

TRASH DANCE: Award-winning film comes to Dayton

July 23, 2012 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Director Andrew Garrison

Making people whose work is often invisible feel as if they count is a matter of great concern to Austin Texas filmmaker and former Daytonian Andrew Garrison. In the spirit of showing the dignity and meaning of everyday work most people take for granted, Garrison has collaborated with choreographer Allison Orr to create TRASH DANCE, a 68 minute film documenting the lives—and one extraordinary day in those lives—of 24 Austin garbage collectors. The award winning film is scheduled for a screening and Q and A with director Andrew Garrison at the 2012 FilmDayton Festival on Saturday, August 25 beginning at 5:15 PM.

Trash Dance debuted to rave reviews by audiences and critics at SXSW, where it received a special jury recognition prize. The film also won the Audience Award at the Full Frame documentary festival and most recently took away the Audience Award at the Discovery Channel’s Silverdocs festival. The Silverdocs festival proved to be extraordinary for Dayton, as not only Garrison’s film won, but also Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar’s film Sparkle, a documentary about legendary Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’s Sheri “Sparkle” Williams, which won the Short Documentary Audience Award.

Photo by Andrew Garrison

Trash Dance’s main character, its choreographer Allison Orr, with her pixie haircut and wide disarming smile, had become known in Austin and beyond for her choreography of everyday movement like dog walking or roller skating. For this project, she undertook the monumental task of assembling the sanitation workers and their trucks on an abandoned runway and running the mass of garbage trucks through a specially choreographed “dance” spectacle for an assembled audience of over 2000. “It was pouring rain, we had seating for 700, and 2000 people showed up to watch it happen,” said Garrison from his home in Austin. “Nobody expected that kind of response.”

The big event was preceded by a full year of filming, beginning with a serendipitous meeting. “So much of this film, like so many films, depended on luck,” Garrison said. “I didn’t know Allison, but had read about interesting things she had choreographed with unusual performers. Roller skaters, dog walkers… I was ready to do something fun, ready to move my camera around.”

“I was at a meeting one night and a guy asked me what I was going to do next, so I told him I was interested in working with Allison. Turns out he was her husband, and she was due to start her safety training with the sanitation workers the following week…”

Article written and submitted by FilmDayton Volunteer Deb Lukjanovs. Read the full article at FilmDayton.com

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