Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More
Day One of the Downtown Dayton Revival Music Festival has happened, and what an awesome day of great music and great times it was! We’ll have much more coming soon but here are our first pics of the day, courtesy of Brooke Medlin (owner of ARIN) and Tracy Malott (owner of Blush Boudoir). Enjoy!
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Hello Again,
I started off this morning with Derek Cianfrance’s follow-up to BLUE VALENTINE. This film is called A PLACE BEYOND THE PINES, and it’s well shot, edited, etc…but I really disliked it. The film is about a motorcycle trick rider with a traveling carnival who finds out that he an old fling ended up pregnant during his last stop through town. He decides to stick around when the fair leaves…and will do anything to make things “right.” There are three chapters to this film – each with its own set of acts. Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Dean DeHaan are the leads. The story seemed overly contrived to me, and I thought the score had elements of western/thriller hybrid – which somehow appropriate didn’t seem right at the time (only after seeing the whole film did it make sense…but doesn’t work as far as I’m concerned). I shook my head and snickered at several moments…that wasn’t the response the director was hoping for.
Next up, I saw a film from the Netherlands called THE DEFLOWERING OF EVA VON END. When a handsome German exchange student arrives at the home of the von End family, their backwards, slightly wacky lives are turned upside down as almost everyone (except one jealous son) tries to win the attention of the new arrival. This film started off quirky & hysterical…became a little twisted…and then took some completely zany turns. Whereas I liked 80% of this movie, the ending dragged on and I wasn’t completely sold on the entire third act. (That said, I did laugh quite a bit for the first hour.)
Lastly, I saw the world premiere of CLOUD ATLAS. This epic film from the directors of THE MATRIX and Tom Tykwer (PERFUME and RUN, LOLA RUN) covers numerous characters, numerous plotlines and numerous time periods. Whereas I’m rarely a fan of science fiction (GATTACA is the only sci-fi film from the last 20 years that I consider a favorite), this film had me intrigued from the opening sequence. Though it’s a big Hollywood film (Warner Brother is distributing), it’s thoughtful, complicated and quite topical. It’s funny, it’s gory, it’s rough, it’s tender…and the crowd gave the film a standing ovation for more than 6 minutes. So many were there – the directors, Susan Sarandon, Ben Whishaw, Jim Broadbent, Halle Berry, Tom Hanks, and more! Overall, I think this is an ambitious piece – and for the most part, sucessful. Check out the long, special trailer below!
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After the film, I met up with an old friend who I haven’t seen since last year’s fest. I figured out that we met exactly 10 years ago to this very weekend. Bill and I met in line for Pedro Almodovar’s TALK TO HER – one of my favorite films of all time. And we’ve stayed in touch for a decade. That’s pretty special.
Time for bed. More tomorrow.
Jonathan
Hello Everyone,
Another full day.
After my ticket line-up this morning, I went to see the Claude Miller’s final film starring Audrey Tautou – THERESE DESQUEYROUX. It’s a quiet costume drama with rising currents of tension throughout. I’m a big fan of Merchant Ivory films like HOWARDS END, MAURICE and REMAINS OF THE DAY – and though this film doesn’t deal as much with class as those films, and the score is very understated (by comparison to Richard Robbins’ Merchant Ivory scores) – I think the approach to design, period accuracy and dedication is similar. This is the story of a woman who unhappily marries because she thinks it’s what was meant to do…even though she thinks emancipated thoughts. Though many might find the pace too slow, I really fell inside the frame and thought it was a wonderful story of struggle for freedom – with no 100% likable character within reach. Below is a clip…as there is no trailer yet.
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Next I saw THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER – a wonderful little film that proves that Emma Watson will easily make the transition from the child star of the HARRY POTTER franchise to serious actress. This high school story might seem like traditional, angsty material, but it’s handled very well, and the script is great. Ezra Miller (from WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN) has a wonderful supporting role, and lead – Logan Lerman – is really someone to watch…subtle & focused. I’m not sure how Summit (the distributor) will handle this film – while at first glance it appears to be modern John Hughes…but I actually think it’s more thoughtful, honest & serious.
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And then came ANNA KARENINA – the new film by Joe Wright (ATONEMENT), starring Keira Knightley and Jude Law with a screenplay by Tom Stoppard. I was excited about this film. Though it eventually paid off, it took me 15-20 minutes to “get used” to/become invested in this highly stylized adaptation. 80% of the film takes place in a theatre — on a stage, in the wings, in the lobby, in the rafters, etc. (the other material is shot outdoors). It’s a rather experimental film. I call it equal parts Derek Jarman’s EDWARD II and Baz Luhrman’s MOULIN ROUGE. It has exquisite costuming, set design, score, and screenplay…and the actors are doing some great work. That said, even with this cast, it’s not a film meant for the multiplexes…we’ll see how Focus handles it this fall. Joe Wright, Keira Knightley, Jude Law, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Olivia Williams were there. When Knightley was asked if playing the part of Anna was intimidating (since it’s been played by some great actresses in the past), she responded, “I think every role is intimidating. But Elizabeth Bennet was more so. Women want to be Elizabeth Bennet…people don’t tend to want to be Anna Karenina.” Just watching this clip below makes me want to see the film again from the beginning. There are some key issues that take place in the beginning…and I need to see it with fresh eyes.
[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhGxs7cipDo’]
The most thoughtful Q&A of the day came after the screening of Sally Potter’s GINGER & ROSA. I think this is Potter’s most “traditional” film in regards to storytelling style. It’s set in the 60’s, and it’s the story of 2 best friends who are growing up in the age of the nuclear threat and the Cuban Missile Crisis. It’s a coming-of-age story, and Elle Fanning does some incredible work. This was the first time many people involved with the film had seen it. Potter, Fanning, Christina Hendricks, Alice Englert, and Alesandro Nivola were all there…and it is a beautifully told story. (I’m hoping that the Q&A surfaces on youtube sometime soon…Potter, Fanning and Nivola all had wonderful things to say.)
[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD_pJgNRj9s’]
It was a great day…and now it’s time for bed.
Thanks for reading!!
Jonathan
As you have been reading, the Downtown Dayton Revival Festival will be showing music from bands and artists that are from all walks of life. Some of the bands that are performing arefrom the great city of Dayton. Also, there are a few bands that started their journey here in town. Heartless Bastards are one of these bands that I speak of.
Heartless Bastards lead singer, Erika Wennerstrom was born and raised here in Dayton. Throughout her teenage years, Erika dove into music and songwriting. With the influences of great local acts Guided By Voices and The Breeders, Wennerstrom wanted to add her name to the mix. So, she continued to write, started to play guitar, and played in open mic nights. In 2002, she decided to set up the band. Heartless Bastards, which gets it’s from an incorrect answer to a trivia game that Erika was playing, toured regionally and signed with a record company. In 2005, the band released their debut LP, Stairs and Elevators, immediately grabbed people’s attention with Erika’s haunting vocals, Kevin Vaughn’s thrashing on the drums, and Mike Lamping helping create hooks on the guitars that you just don’t hear.
All This Time, Heartless Bastards second album, was released in 2006. The album continued to show Erika’s deep range, and the bands ability to continue stretches the boundaries. The album helped the band gain more exposure, and more fans. The band also saw the lineup come to an end. Wennerstrom and Lamping dated for a period of time, and sadly the relationship came to an end. “It was hard. We were together for over 10 years”, explained Wennerstrom to me over a phone conversation. The breakup made the band members move on. Erika moved to Austin, Texas to separate herself from the situation. “We had a lot of same friends. It wasn’t going to work. So, I decided to move to Austin. I had some friends and family there. I knew that I would be around people that would love and support me”, Erika mentioned.
Erika Wennerstrom
With the move to Austin, Wennerstrom took some time to settle in and begun work on the third album under the Heartless Bastards name. She called upon a group of artists around Austin, and recorded The Mountain. The album went into a different path than the previous albums. The Mountain featured country music, employing violin, banjo, mandolin and steel guitar. Because the band she had were just hired to help with the album, Erika called up some friends to go and tour with her to support the album. “I called Jesse Ebaugh who was part of the first lineup and asked him if he wanted to move to Austin. I also ran into Dave Colvin. He played in the original lineup as well. It was very cool to have them back”, stated Wennerstrom. The trio enjoyed the experience so much that Erika made it a point to keep the band intact. “I just got to the point where I only want to play music with good friends”, explained Erika. “There’s a comfortable feeling in that.”
When the tour for The Mountain ended, Erika took some time off, and when she started the new album, she developed some writers block. So, she decided to take to open road. “I decided to go and take a road trip. I went and saw friends and family on the East Coast, went to the mountains, stayed in a friends cabin, and I went and saw some friends in the Texas area”, Erika told me. She didn’t write much during her trip, but when she returned the writing process came very easy.
The band spent a month in the studio recording the new album. They would experiment with different drum sounds, and try out chords on their guitars. Wennerstrom wrote about her experiences of being on the road trip, and about relationships. What the finish became is their best album to date, Arrow. “We feel that this is our best album”, Wennerstorm said. She couldn’t be more right. With Erika’s haunting, raspy vocals still intact, there is a peace to it now. Each song is individually crafted to perfection. ‘Marathon’ talks about being on the road. ‘Only For You’ is a blues-inspired ode to falling in love with someone. With the addition of guitarist Mark Nathan, the band has finally solidified a lineup that will be making great music for years to come.
The band is currently on tour that will take them all around the United States till the end of the year. They will take some time off, and possibly do a West Coast trip, do some shows in Canada, and do a tour in Europe in the beginning of 2013. The Downtown Dayton Revival festival is going to be special for the band as Erika has some family and friends still living in Dayton. “They are coming to the show, so this is going to be so fun. And I’m coming home, which is even better”, Erika told me. Heartless Bastards-welcome home for the day!
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With the Downtown Dayton Revival Festival just days away, these three bands will be giving the crowd that will be attending the event.
Good EnglishWith music being able to be accessed in so many different ways, with iTunes, Spotify, and Pandora among others, the younger generation is able to be influenced by such
great music. This also gives people the ability to form bands, and play incredible music. Good English is a great example of this trend.
The group from Dayton got their start into music by joining together and playing the Green Day song ‘Warning’. Good English took to road in 2011 and went to Nashville to record their first EP, Take Control. Take Control is an impeccable blend of indie-rock and punk that is mature and polished. Its truly amazing to think that this band hasn’t even scratched the surface on the potential they have. At the Downtown Revival festival, people will see for themselves this up and coming band.
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The Right NowChicago offers a lot to people. From the fierce rivalry of the Cubs and White Sox, to their fantastic beer Old Style, Chicago is without question one of the best cities in the United States. This town also brings us the band The Right Now. The band recently released the album, Gets Over You, an album that deals with regrets, but overcoming them and becoming stronger.
Fans of Amy Winehouse will without question latch onto The Right Now. The band’s soulful, club-like sound brings a fresh feel to the festival. Stefanie Berecz, the lead singer of the band, has a gritty voice that is powerful and untouchable. The band delivers during their live shows. With horns and saxophones arrangements being put into play during their sets, The Right Now are emerging as band not to be missed live.
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Green Light MorningCincinnati, Ohio band Green Light Morning is poised and ready to tell the audience at the festival their stories from their life on the road. The band formed when lead singer Aaron Bright and guitarist Aaron Patrick met while they were touring in other bands. When their bands split, they thought it would be a great idea to form their own band. Thus Green Light Morning was formed.
With their self-titled EP out, the band are poised to take the show on the road in the near future. With their smooth rock that could be easily be dropped in the mainstream radio, the band also brings soul and melodic hooks.
[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_q30DkEM8M’]
See all of our Downtown Dayton Revival Music Festival Band Spotlights
- Downtown Dayton Revival Music Festival Band Spotlight – Volume I
- Downtown Dayton Revival Music Festival Band Spotlight – Volume 2: Werking Hard On The Duck Farm
- Downtown Dayton Revival Music Festival Spotlight – Volume 3: Shake! Shake! Shake! with Bronze Radio Return
- Downtown Dayton Revival Festival Band Spotlight Volume 4
- Downtown Dayton Revival Festival Band Spotlight Volume 5: The Funky Worm Returns
- Downtown Dayton Revival Festival Spotlight Volume 6
Hello Everyone,
It has been a busy day full of screenings and fun run-ins. I’ve seen 4 films, chatted with a few people who I met at this year’s ArtHouse Convergence in Utah, spotted a couple of my favorite critics, and secured more tickets for the next couple days.
I woke this morning at 6:00am and hopped on the subway by 6:45 in order to secure myself a place in line for tickets. I got my first picks and then headed into a screening of a South Korean film called IN ANOTHER COUNTRY with the always fantastic Isabelle Huppert. The story is about a girl who is writing a screenplay about a vacation town and a series of visitors – all played by Huppert. Though there are moments of charm and an understanding of what it’s like to be foreign (communication gaps, inability to read certain characters of handwriting, etc.), this movie didn’t work entirely for me. Some of the camera work turned me off, and the repetition of thematic material (though I understand that was the point) between each tourist was a little exhausting.
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Next I saw LAURENCE ANYWAY – the new film from Xavier Dolan (director of I KILLED MY MOTHER and HEARTBEATS). This is the story of the relationship between a man and woman…and what happens to their relationship once the man announces that he will have a sex change. There’s an interesting movie inside this movie…but at 2 hours and 40 minutes, it’s way too long and a bit of a tonal mess…with long stretches of realism, several moments of editing like an 80’s music video (ala HEARTBEATS) and a handful of visual metaphors that are lovely – but didn’t sync with the film (like W.E. last year, I’d like the opportunity to re-edit this film). All that said, the last 10 minutes are magical (I’m glad I stuck around). Though Melvil Poupaud (from TIME TO LEAVE) does nice work as the transgender male to female character, Suzanne Clement who does the best work in this film (she was the mother in I KILLED MY MOTHER, she was also in a great Canadian film called IT WASN’T ME, I SWEAR). Though not a huge fan of this film, I’ll be anxious to see what Dolan does next. I loved his first 2 films, and he’s only in his early 20’s.
[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwDzRzqFaIE’]
Then I saw AMOUR – the latest and most accessible film from Michael Haneke (THE WHITE RIBBON, FUNNY GAMES, BENNY’S VIDEO, THE PIANO TEACHER, and more). This Cannes winner is terribly heartbreaking and the most realistic, lovely, devastating, sweet, and honest depiction of an older couple I have ever seen. In this case, they’re dealing with a recently onset illness…and the wife’s desire to never be taken to the hospital again. (Isabelle Huppert has a small role…so she’s in the lead for most films I’ve seen with the same actress at TIFF.) This film is being released by Sony Classics, so I’m sure THE NEON will bring it to town.
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Lastly, I saw RUST AND BONE – the film I mentioned in yesterday’s update. I was not a big fan of A PROPHET – the director’s last film. And though I don’t completely embrace this film (physical, bloody violence almost always turns me off), I do see the brilliant artistry at work. It’s really nice to see that a director that is so full of a need to portray hideous violence is also able to show us warmth and gentleness. This film is about a father who is down on his luck and the orca trainer he meets at a club one night (brilliantly played by Marion Cotillard). Within the first act, there’s an accident at Marineland, and Cotillard’s character loses both her legs. This film is brutal…but it’s filled with honesty and wonderful moments. The photography is fantastic and the sound design is out of this world. Because Sony Classics has picked it up, I’m guessing it will come our way at THE NEON…and I’m guessing you’ll hear more about it come award season. Cotillard, Mattias Schoenaerts (the lead male) and director Jacques Audiard were all at the screening. Check out the newer trailer for this film at imdb.com
Thanks for reading. I’m off to bed.
More tomorrow,
Jonathan
Italian Fest is this weekend !!
The weekend after Labor Day is always a big one in Dayton. Why? Because, that is the weekend of two huge annual festivals, The Italian Festival and The Greek Festival.
Both events expect to draw big crowds from Friday through Sunday. Make sure you visit each venue for lots of authentic food items!
Here are some “must eats” that The Big Ragu recommends from each festival for a perfect Food Adventure:
Italian Fest: Cannoli, Italian sausage, Raspberry Sparkletini and the stuffed shell dinner inside the office on Saturday night
Greek Fest: Gyros, baklava, pastisio (Greek lasagna), and the spinach and cheese trigona pies.
Did you ever know that you’re my Gyro ?
For directions and more details visit the respective websites:
www.ItalianFallFesta.com and DaytonGreekFestival.com
“Like” Food Adventures on Facebook HERE !
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The cast, as shown in(L to R): Franklin Johnson, Mary Mykytka, Matthew W. Smith, K.L. Storer and (standing) Michael Boyd in Opus (Contributed photo)
Backbiting, betrayal and Beethoven coalesce in Michael Hollinger’s wobbly 2006 drama “Opus,” the story of an acclaimed New York string quartet in crisis receiving a commendable local premiere at the Dayton Theatre Guild.
Delicately directed and elegantly designed by Greg Smith, “Opus,” steeped in conflict encompassing gender, love and repertoire, particularly addresses the dangers of division when pride and ego seek to destroy. As the Lazara Quartet prepares for a high profile engagement at the White House, the troupe is suddenly sidetracked by the disappearance of its passionate yet deceptive and headstrong founder Dorian (an appropriately slick Michael Boyd). Attempting to pick up the pieces in a short amount of time, the sarcastic, high strung Elliot (a dynamic Matthew Smith), laidback Alan (Franklin Johnson, amiable as always) and rational Carl (a wonderfully grounded K.L. Storer) bring meekly ambitious violist Grace (appealing Guild newcomer Mary Mykytka) into the fold with great expectations that scar amid trivial volatility and emotional baggage.
Hollinger, a classically trained violinist, obviously has a fondness for the stringency of perfectionism and the sheer language of music. After all, some of the best moments in the play occur among the quartet’s rigorous rehearsals reflecting their quest to remain harmonious as musicians and friends. However, and in addition to a very choppy opening, he slices the potency of the action with an implausible, heavy-handed climax that finds the troupe too swift to forgive. He also inserts a series of underdeveloped flashbacks notably diminishing the intriguing romance between Dorian and Elliot, leaving Boyd and Smith to fill in the blanks with body language.
Nonetheless, this season opener is a fully engaging experience thanks to enjoyable cast. In fact, Smith, delivering one of his best performances, is completely immersed in Elliot’s deliciously persnickety persona whether succumbing to cat allergies or sharing his detest for symphony orchestras reveling in boom chick. As a whole the ensemble suitably mimics the poise and musicianship of classical instrumentalists thanks to coaching by former Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra violinist Karen Young.
In a surprising turn of events for the local theater scene and the Guild, Greg Smith, after living in Dayton for nearly 30 years, will soon relocate to Jackson, Tennessee. “Opus” is certainly an artistically satisfying farewell.
“Opus” continues through Sept. 9 at the Dayton Theatre Guild, 430 Wayne Ave., Dayton. Performances are Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Act One: 60 minutes; Act Two: 40 minutes. Tickets are $11-$18. For tickets or more information, call (937) 278-5993 or visit www.daytontheatreguild.org.
Music may fill the souls of the thousands expected downtown for this weekend music festival, but there will also be plenty of choices to fill the belly, too! With 3 stages over 5 city blocks, there’s no doubt you’ll be tempted by the sights and smells of cuisine from all over the world. We hear there will be over 20 food vendors on hand and we’ve got a sneak peak of the menu’s for you:
First the Food Trucks:Caribbancanas – Caribbean and American foods
Fressa– their famous grilled cheese, Tahi PB & P, corn on the cob and gzapacho
G’s Cue BBQ– ribs, chicken and other fair food
Kona Ice – a variety of shaved ice products
Red Wagon Cafe – wraps, sandwiches and quesadillas
Burrito Bus – a variety of burrito’s
Dublin Pub – pub fries and other Irish fare
Jim Teal from Smokin' knows how to smoke some meat!
Frickers– chicken wings and sandwiches
Taquiria Mixteca – authentic Mexican cuisine
Smokin’ BBQ – pulled pork, brisket, chicken, burgers and hot dogs
Ritter’s – ice cream sundaes and gelatos
Bessie’s Homemade Noodles– noodles, halushka and cabbage
Bolasko’s Concession– kettle corn, shaved ice and frozen leomonade
Bourbon Chicken – bourbon/spicy chicken, beans and rice
Brock Masterson’s- pork chops, fish, and other delights
D Fish D Chicken– grilled chicken, shrimp and a variety of fish
Enrique’s Place– chicken, paella, arepas, kabobs,
Greek Tavern – gyros, greek salad, cheesesteak, sausage
Shade Tree Concessions- crushed fruit smoothies, blended frappes, sno -ball
And while they aren’t exactly food, we know our friends from Ghostlight Coffee will be onsite with your favorite caffeinated brews and goodies from Thistle Confections. Tickets for the fest are still available– so get your tickets right here !
A special shout out to Scratch Event Catering who will be feeding the hungry bands of Dayton Revival with some of the best local/sustainable products that the county has to offer. So thanks be to the forward thinking committee of Downtown Dayton Revival for support Local/Sustainable and special thanks be to Patchwork Gardens, Flying Mouse Farms, Keener Farms and Cook’s Garden for providing the local bounty that will certainly enhance the quality, taste and nutrition of our humble eats. What do superstars like John Legend, Train, Guster, Rusted Root eat you ask ? In short, they eat pretty well – some of the menu items include Apple Cornbread Stuffed Chicken Breast with a Bourbon Orange Cream Sauce, Cinnamon Dulce Carrots, Ratatouille, Green Papaya Thai Salad, Cous Cous with Lemongrass and Sweet Potatoes, Local Egg Omelets with Mexican Cotija Cheese, Fresh Salsa, Local Sausage, Berry Cobbler, Peanut Butter and Chocolate Bread Pudding, Braised Kale, Roasted Local Tomato Bisque, and so on.
I have a big, yet not unsurprising, admission to make. I did not purchase and take home my first Ohio Players album for the music. I did not even know who the Ohio Players were nor what the term “funk” could possibly mean. I did know, however, that the woman depicted on the album Honey was extremely hot and I was even more…er…excited to find that the interior cover was just as or even exceedingly more titillating than the front cover. Big deal! I was like thirteen and was always on the look out to fill up the account in my spank bank for future transactions! That’s not the point here. The point is that eventually I actually placed the record on the turntable and experienced the raw rhythms of funk which broadened not only my musical horizons, but also allowed me to see that not all great entertainment came from the sunny climes of the West Coast, but could be created far closer to home.
Although, to be honest, the whole album Honey was not a complete funkfest, as “Sugarfoot” Bonner’s heartfelt ballad Alone Again can attest to. This fact was overshadowed by the monster jam Love Rollercoaster, which has become the most identifiable legacy of the Ohio Players, being the most covered and sampled song from their extensive repertoire. Love Rollercoaster even became overshadowed by it’s own quirkiness, as rumors surrounded the origin of the scream heard in the first few seconds of the song. Whispers of death, murder and mayhem abounded as fans and DJs fanned the flames of intrigue. Was it a murder that occurred next door to the studio and was accidentally picked up by the sensitive mics? Was it the model who was so lusciously covered in honey, which was reportedly not honey at all, but a solution of melted plastic that horrifically burned her sensitive skin and she was murdered by a member of the band when she threatened to sue? According to James “Diamond” Williams, drummer for the Ohio Players, the truth was far more mundane than the rumors…yet the rumors served as purpose.
“There is a part in the song where there’s a breakdown. It’s guitars and it’s right before the second verse and Billy Beck does one of those inhaling-type screeches like Minnie Ripperton did to reach her high note or Mariah Carey does to go octaves above.” Williams then reveals how the rumor was born by saying, “The DJ made this crack and it swept the country. People were asking us, ‘Did you kill this chick in the studio?’ The band took a vow of silence because that makes you sell more records.”
During an interview with James “Diamond” Williams, I related my original interest in the cover art and how it introduced me to their music. He laughed, bemused, yet not at all surprised.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. That’s what you gotta watch out for (laughs) but other than that, it’s just that we were very blessed to be able to write some music that has been able to stand the test of time and even to be around today to still play the music and, as a matter of fact, to be quite well doing it. We wrote some music at that time…you know, everybody wants to write a White Christmas kind of song. It’s just a song that when you think about Christmas, White Christmas comes to your mind. But, to write a song called Fire was almost the same or to write a song called Love Rollercoaster.” Williams went on to explain his analogy. “When you think about a roller coaster, you immediately think of our song. If you think about fire and you think of a song that would illustrate that, you know, that visual type thing, you immediately think of our song in most cases. It’s just like, and I don’t want to be so picky, picky…there are a number of others. Like, if you think about happy times, you think of Celebration with Kool and the Gang. These are just songs that, during that period of time, you can relate to it. So, it transcends time. It transcends time. Rollercoaster transcends time; it’s not a period piece. People are still riding roller coasters. Of course they’ve changed. Sometimes now they’re on some doggone rollers or whatever, but nonetheless a roller coaster it is. And we were talking a little bit heavier than rides there, you know, so that kind of transcends things too. We’re talking love and romance and things like that.”
Even today’s youth are more familiar with the Ohio Players than they may even consciously know. Funky Worm, Fire and Love Rollercoaster are probably some of the most sampled songs in existence and the groups music is featured in everything from movie soundtracks to video games to television shows.
Love Roller Coaster and Fire, both of which have been very good songs for us. “Fire’” being used for the TV show Hell’s Kitchen with Chef Ramsey and it’s been used in various other movies and all that stuff and whatever, whatever.” Williams went on to say, “Like Rollercoaster has been covered by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Snoop and other people have done our songs. So we’ve been very blessed in the TV and the movie media. We’ve done quite well in our songs being placed.”
It is amazing that after all these years, the Ohio Players are still performing a rigorous touring schedule to appreciative audiences. It’s not surprising…just amazing and inspiring.
“We’ve played at the Apollo several times. We did the Jazz festival in New Orleans, you know, just different places. In Memphis we were there at the Beale Street Festival for like, I don’t know, 200,000 people. It was a ridiculous number of people out there. So, you know, we do big festival dates.” As far as playing back in their hometown, Williams said, “It pleases us that we’re able to come home now and do a venue that’s real nice. We hope to do them proud by us coming there.”
Just to rile him up a bit, I asked Williams if the crowds that they encounter on the road are still receptive and energetic when they hear the funky slap bass and rhythmic groove of the Ohio Players.
“Yeah! Are you kidding me? I mean, we play a lot of casinos and all that stuff like Foxwood and all the big casinos. Yeah, we get a great response.” Williams ended by speaking towards the genre of funk itself, saying, “You know, this music, thank God, hasn’t died and there are radio stations that are still playing seventies music and that interim of music everyday and we’re just blessed to be around to play it.”
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See all of our Downtown Dayton Revival Music Festival Band Spotlights
- Downtown Dayton Revival Music Festival Band Spotlight – Volume I
- Downtown Dayton Revival Music Festival Band Spotlight – Volume 2: Werking Hard On The Duck Farm
- Downtown Dayton Revival Music Festival Spotlight – Volume 3: Shake! Shake! Shake! with Bronze Radio Return
- Downtown Dayton Revival Festival Band Spotlight Volume 4
- Downtown Dayton Revival Festival Band Spotlight Volume 5: The Funky Worm Returns
- Downtown Dayton Revival Festival Spotlight Volume 6
Hello Everyone.
After numerous delays (due to heavy fog in Dayton and Detroit), I’m back on schedule.
I took a taxi from the airport to the Hyatt Regency on King Street West just in time to get my accreditation before they closed for the evening. I was also able to get a couple tickets for public screenings tomorrow and Friday. In addition to numerous press and industry screenings, I’ll see RUST AND BONE on Thursday (starring Marion Cotillard, directed by Jacques Audiard (A PROPHET)) and ANNA KARENINA on Friday (starring Keira Knightley and Jude Law, directed by Joe Wright (ATONEMENT)).
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I’ll average 3+ films a day over the next 8.5 days, and I’ve got a list of films I can’t wait to see…but I’m also anxious to see films that aren’t being talked about yet.
Check back for daily updates. I’m off to read my catalog and started picking out more titles…then to bed before midnight (which won’t happen again during this trip).
All the best,
Jonathan
THE TEMPESTThe Story: The rightful Duke of Milan, Prospero, has been stuck on an island for twelve years with his daughter, Miranda, because he was overthrown by his brother, Antonio, and the King of Naples, Alonso. Gonzalo, counselor to the King, sends them provisions in secret. Prospero is a magician, and he has the spirit Ariel as a servant as thanks for saving her. Also on the island is a deformed slave, Caliban, who at first was raised by Prospero until he tried to rape Miranda. When Prospero discovers that Antonio is on a ship nearby, he starts up a storm to cause the ship to sink. Antonio, Alonso, Gonzalo, and Alonso’s two brothers, Sebastian and Ferdinand, are stuck on the island, and Prospero starts to separate them. Caliban allies himself with Stephano and Trinculo, servants of Alonso, in an attempt to overthrow Prospero. Prospero gets Ferdinand and Miranda to fall in love, but he keeps Ferdinand as a servant to make their courting more difficult. Antonio and Sebastian plot to kill Alonso, but Ariel appears as a harpy to thwart them.
The Dates: Sept. 9, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company | BTC page |
Katie Hamilton Meyer as Maggie & Cliff Nunley as Brick in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF.
The Story: In a plantation house, a family celebrates the sixty-fifth birthday of its patriarch, Big Daddy. But the mood is tense, despite the festivities, as long-simmering evils poison the party. Greed, sins of the past and desperate clawing hopes for the future spar with one another as the knowledge that Big Daddy is dying slowly makes the rounds.
The Dates: Sept. 6-30, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Covedale Center for the Performing Arts | BTC page |
The Story: Bingham, president of the Quail Valley Country Club, discovers that the golfer he thought would play for his club has switched sides, and the huge bet he had foolishly wagered will likely to be lost. You’ll never look at golf the same way again as this fast-moving farce twists and turns from one laugh surprise to another.
The Dates: Sept. 7-23, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Mariemont Players | BTC page |
Annie Fitzpatrick, Kate Wilford & Deb G. Girdler in GOOD PEOPLE. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.
The Story: In this humor laced drama, Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole) explores the struggles, shifting loyalties and unshakeable hopes that come with having next to nothing in America. Margie Walsh can’t catch a break. Laid off from her job at the dollar store, Margie is faced with the reality that South Boston is providing her the same level of opportunity it always has: none. Wry, rough around the edges and ready to make a change, she goes to seek out the one who got away—both from “Southie” and from her. Instead, she finds herself in the ‘burbs and out of her element, facing the question: is opportunity granted or earned? Good People takes an affectionate look at the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ through the eyes of characters who won’t be ignored.
The Dates: Sept. 5-23, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati | BTC page |
AN INSPECTOR CALLSThe Story: This three-act drama takes place on a single night in 1912 focusing on the prosperous middle-class Birling family, who live in a comfortable home in Brumley, “an industrial city in the north Midlands.” A man calling himself Inspector Goole arrives and questions the family about the suicide of a young working-class woman Eva Smith (also known as Daisy Renton). He interrogates each family member and reveals that each has been responsible for the young woman’s exploitation, abandonment and social ruin, effectively leading to her death.
The Dates: Sept. 7-16, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Lebanon Theatre Company | BTC page |
A SHORT STAY AT THE WHISPERING PINESThe Story: Part comedy, part mystery, part confusion and all fun. The story centers around Whispering Pines, a boarding house run by two sisters. When a new face rolls into town, we meet the two sisters, one of whom believes herself to be a reincarnated American Indian, and a host of their boarders as they try to convince the newcomer to lengthen his stay.
The Dates: Sept. 7-16, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Xenia Area Community Theatre | BTC page |
THE THREE MUSKETEERSThe Story: Young Frenchman D’Artagnan and his plucky sister Sabine aspire to join the famed Musketeers. But they get more than they bargained for when they stumble into the center of a bitter rivalry between King Louis and the evil Cardinal Richelieu. The stakes have never been higher for our favorite swashbucklers in this action-packed update of one of the greatest adventure stories of all time.
The Dates: Sept. 1-29, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park | BTC page |
Bruce Cromer as Atticus Finch & Alyssa Mehnert as Jean Louise Finch asScout. Photo by Jeanna Vella.
The Story: In 1932 Alabama, Atticus Finch challenges the conscience of a town steeped in prejudice, violence, and hypocrisy. This story is a powerful portrait of a south poisoned by prejudice and the one man with the courage to fight against an injustice, but like the novel from which it comes, is filled with warmth and humor.
The Dates: Sept. 7-30. 2012
Tickets and More Information: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company | BTC page |
The Dates: Sept. 11, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative | BTC page |
Helen Raymond as Marion, Owen Gunderman as Winthrop & Dan Doerger as Harold Hill. Photo by Holly Yurchison.
The Dates: Sept. 12-30, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Showboat Majestic | BTC page |
The Dates: Sept. 13-22, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Middletown Lyric Theatre | BTC page |
Hello Everyone,
Once again, we’re moving forward this weekend…but not quite as we had planned. Though we outperformed all the multiplexes with CELESTE AND JESSE FOREVER (Thank you, NEON regulars!!), it opened far wider than we had ever anticipated (a total of 4 screens in town). Because of that, combined with the fact that THE INTOUCHABLES had a fantastic weekend, we have decided
Entries are now being accepted for the Dayton Metro Library’s annual Poetry Contest. Entries will be accepted through Saturday, September 29 at 6:00 p.m. This is the 15th year for the contest, open to residents of Montgomery and adjoining counties (Greene, Miami, Clark, Darke, Preble, Warren and Butler). There are three age categories: Teen (age 14-18), Adult (age 19-59) and Senior (age 60 and over). Winners are selected in each age category, with first place winning $100, second place $75 and third place $50. Prizes are donated by the Friends of the Library.
A panel of judges will read the entries in October, and a Poetry Party is scheduled for November 11 at the Main Library, in which the awards will be presented. If you are a finalist, you will be notified in advance of the Poetry Party. The party brings people together, from teens through seniors, to appreciate each other’s poems, enjoy refreshments and celebrate the creative spirit. The event is free and open to the public, but we encourage all who entered to attend.
Entry forms with official contest rules are available at all Dayton Metro Library locations, on the website here or by calling the Community Relations Office at 496-8901. Entry forms must be attached to each submission, and don’t forget the deadline. Entries must be received at any Dayton Metro Library location no later than 6:00 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29.
Contact the library’s Community Relations Office at 496-8901 if you need further information.
Wheels
As the Downtown Dayton Revival Festival approaches, we here at Dayton Most Metro are highlighting all the bands that will be bringing music to the masses. Here are four more acts that will be performing.
From the pleasant city of Yellow Springs, Wheels are ready to give the crowd an incredible show. Recently, the band released their second album, Big Feeling. To help fund the equipment needed to self-record all of their own albums, including their newest one, Wheels decided to call upon the help of their fans and others and set up a Kickstarter account. The band set a goal of $3,000 to help pay for several studio equipment, which included microphones, software, and computers.
Their seasoned sound is a collection of different styles-classic rock and roll, with folk and bluegrass influences. Their love for Ohio comes alive in some of their songs. The most common thing you hear about this quintet is that the fact they are so young. Don’t let this fool you. Wheels bring a style and sound that is well beyond their years.
Columbus, Ohio brings us the alternative rock band Red Wanting Blue. The band has been touring for over a decade now, gaining fans one by one throughout the United States. Red Wanting Blue take pride in letting it be known that will do what it takes to make fans in every stop. In return, Red Wanting Blue is emerging as one of the top indie bands in the county.
The bands lyrics tell stories of being on the road, the people that meet while remembering where they have come from. The band’s sound bursts at the seams with passion, which gives theirstage show one that keeps people engrossed from start to finish.
Early this year, Red Wanting Blue released their 9th album, From The Vanishing Point. According to the band’s website, the album ‘sheds some of Red Wanting Blue’s small-town sensibilities as it evolves into the world-class rock n’ roll outfit that audiences have believed in for years and marks an official move to the national stage for a band that will always remember where it’s from’.
Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers
In the western parts of Massachusetts in 2003, Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers were formed. Kellogg and the Sixers have an unashamed way about them and their music has given them a rabid fan base. With a roaring sound of rock, coupled with folk and country flavor, the band’s lyrics are about their lives, and the world around them. They sing about their relationships, past and present. They sing about wisdom given to from family. It gives you a very intimate feel, and just connects you with the group even more.
Gift Horse is the latest work from Kellogg and the Sixers, and it will be the last album for a while. The band posted on their website back in July that at the end of the year, they will be going on hiatus. The reason for the planned break, according to the band, is that band needs to ‘explore other facets of life’. In the meantime, the band plans on bringing their wild stage show to the Dayton festival.
Kristy Lee is one of the few female acts taking the stage during the two day festival. From her home in Alabama, Lee will be bringing a rawness that will no doubt leave people with their mouths wide open. Her vocals are rich with that trademark Southern soul sound. Lee’s lyrics are filled with heartbreak and anger. However, with the pain of losing love, the healing is the bond that forms with the crowd, singing along with her. Raise The Dead, Lee’s recent album, talks about starting all over again, and finding your way.
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See all of our Downtown Dayton Revival Music Festival Band Spotlights
- Downtown Dayton Revival Music Festival Band Spotlight – Volume I
- Downtown Dayton Revival Music Festival Band Spotlight – Volume 2: Werking Hard On The Duck Farm
- Downtown Dayton Revival Music Festival Spotlight – Volume 3: Shake! Shake! Shake! with Bronze Radio Return
- Downtown Dayton Revival Festival Band Spotlight Volume 4
- Downtown Dayton Revival Festival Band Spotlight Volume 5: The Funky Worm Returns
- … more to come…
Shaw Pong Liu, Katherine Mann and Rodney Veal in collaboration
Three months of collaborative art making at Blue Sky Project concludes on Saturday, September 15 at 6:00 PM with a final exhibition, “Creative Surprises”. The evening will feature the work of seven Blue Sky resident artists, all of whom spent a part of their summer in Dayton, collaborating with area youth and local artists.
A program of Involvement Advocacy, Blue Sky Project is a summer experience that empowers professional artists from around the world and Dayton-area teens to collaborate and build community through the creation of ambitious works of contemporary art and performance.
Blue Sky’s objectives are threefold:
Since its inception in 2005, work produced at Blue Sky Project has been exhibited and sold at museums, galleries and festivals in the United States, Europe, Africa and Asia, and been featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Art in America and FiberArt.
The 2012 resident artist are:
• Michael Casselli, Yellow Springs, OH
• Shaw Pong Liu, Boston, MA
• Katherine Mann, Washington, D.C.
• Kaz McCue & Pamela Ayres, Leeland, MI
• Adam Parker Smith, Brooklyn, NY
• Rodney Veal, Dayton, OH
Adam Parker Smith - "This Side of Paradise"
Blue Sky Project is made possible with the generous support of the University of Dayton College of Arts and Sciences, the Ohio Arts Council and hundreds of foundation, corporate and individual supporters.
Tickets for “Creative Surprises,” which takes place at 8 North Main Street in the PNC Bank Building, are $25. The evening will include visual art, live performances, door prizes, food, drink, and of course, creative surprises.
Tickets for “Creative Surprises” are available online or by calling 937.732.5123.
(submitted by Peter Benkendorf – founder and co-creator of Blue Sky Project)
We have TWO TICKET PAIRS to give away for “Creative Surprises” on September 15 ($50 value)! Just fill out the form below and then leave a comment telling us that you want to win. We’ll announce winners on Friday 9/7 – GOOD LUCK!
CONTEST CLOSED
Congratulations to our winners:
