Archives for January 2013

New Year’s Resolutions Alive & Well at Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt

January 9, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Want to keep your New Year’s resolution’s intact, while satisfying your sweet tooth? Try visiting the new Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt Store located in Town and Country Shopping Center in Kettering. This nationally franchised company comes to the Dayton area with over 70 different flavors of yogurt and 35 toppings to choose from. The possibilities of flavor combinations are endless. Dressed like Olivia Newton John from the “Let’s Get Physical video, The Food Adventure Crew trotted in their 80’s aerobics leggings and grabbed a bite at Orange Leaf after their workout.

The shop is pretty simple, you grab a cup at the self-serve stations and fill it up with one of the flavors offered. You then may choose from over 35 different toppings. The final step is to weigh and pay. The yogurt is sold by the ounce, so you control the price of the item! The various yogurts run from 20 calories to 47 calories per ounce, depending on flavor. We tried Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Valencia, Wedding Cake and Banana yogurt, all of which were great. Orange Leaf FrozenYogurt is a refreshing treat that will allow you to keep your figure in 2013. How is that for a guilt free Food Adventure? We also got a kick out of the inventive little “shovel spoon,” whose ingenuity rivals that of the “spork” from Taco Bell.

The interior decor is sleek, clean and cheery. It looks like IKEA opened a yogurt store, and we love it. Also, make sure you register for their rewards card at O rangeLeafYogurt.com and get a free 8oz cup of yogurt, or as they call it “froyo”.

Orange Leaf is a great place to visit while shopping at Town & Country or after dining at the center’s restaurants Figlio or Buffalo Wild Wings. Keep your New Year’s resolutions solid and keep your sweet tooth sanity by checking out this new frozen yogurt shop.

Check out Food Adventures on FACEBOOK and “like” us by clicking here !

[flagallery gid=19 name=Gallery]

Muse Machine Presents “Crazy For You”

January 9, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Cast members in a musical moment from Crazy For You (photo credit: Daniel Rader)

Spotlighting over 100 of the Greater Dayton area’s most talented young singers, dancers and musicians, Muse Machine is proud to present the New Gershwin Musical Comedy, Crazy For You, which plays January 10-13 on the Victoria Theatre stage.

Packed with big laughs and even bigger chorus spectacle, the production brings new life and imagination to some of the most beloved music ever written for the American stage: “I Got Rhythm,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “Nice Work If You Can Get It” and many other classic Gershwin tunes.

Join Polly Baker and Bobby Child as they launch a rag-tag musical comedy in a one-horse Nevada town. Polly and Bobby fall in and out (and back into) love again, bumping into a heartwarming cast of comedic characters all along the way.

“Eighty years after these songs were originally written,” says producer Douglas Merk, they still warm our hearts and stir our memories. Finally someone had the great idea to pack all of this classic music into one new show with a great plot, loveable characters and great humor.“

In just three months, the young performers in the Crazy For You cast pull together a show that rivals Broadway quality. For many, these experiences are just the beginning and lead to very successful performing careers in New York City and L.A.

“What an opportunity,” says Centerville Senior Carly Snyder, “to perform for the Dayton community in such an amazing theatre and with so many talented people. We’ve been working hard for the last three months and it’s about to pay off big time!”

Tickets for Crazy For You are available exclusively through Ticket Center Stage at 937/228-3630, online at www.ticketcenterstage.com or at the Ticket Center Stage box office in the Schuster Center in downtown Dayton.

DIANA VREELAND Doc at THE NEON Plus Fun Announcements

January 9, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Thanks to all of you who came out over the weekend. It was a great way to start off 2013! HYDE PARK ON HUDSON was a big hit, and we’re going to hold it steady. PROMISED LAND, though well-liked, wasn’t so hot. We’re going to hold it for a few screenings a day for one more week…but we’re also going to add something new to the mix. Diana Vreeland, the style icon and “Auntie Mame” of the fashion world, is featured in a new documentary that will appeal to all lovers of fashion, music and art – DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL. This film will only play for one week…one screening per day. For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com

Synopsis for DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL: “During Diana Vreeland’s fifty year reign as the “Empress of Fashion,” she launched Twiggy, advised Jackie Onassis, and established countless trends that have withstood the test of time. She was the fashion editor of Harper’s Bazaar where she worked for twenty-five years before becoming editor-in-chief of Vogue, followed by a remarkable stint at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, where she helped popularize its historical collections. Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel is an intimate portrait and a vibrant celebration of one of the most influential women of the twentieth century, an enduring icon who has had a strong influence on the course of fashion, beauty, publishing and culture.” (Samuel Goldwyn) Click this LINK to visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qq3pWc-CMXw’]

Have you heard of the new documentary directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, and David McMahon – THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE? “In 1989, five black and Latino teenagers were arrested and charged with brutally attacking and raping a white female jogger in Central Park. News media swarmed the case, calling them a ‘wolfpack.’ The five would spend years in prison for a crime they didn’t commit before the truth about what really happened became clear…this incendiary film tells the riveting tale of innocent young men scapegoated for a heinous crime, and serves as a mirror for our times.” This documentary is not currently slated to play in town. That said, we’re trying something new. It’s called Gathr. If 25 people buy tickets in advance, we’ll play the film on Thursday, February. 7 at 7:30. Tickets will be $9 each. Visit the Gathr site to purchase your tickets by clicking this LINK (enter “45402” for the zip code, and the information for THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE will appear…along with a trailer). Don’t worry – If you “buy” a ticket but there’s not enough interest, we won’t hold the screening and you won’t be charged. Please help us spread the word…we need to sell 25 tickets in advance in order to proceed!

If you were a fan of the one-night only screening of RIDE THE DIVIDE, mark your calendars now for January 23. We will host a one-night only screening of the new film REVEAL THE PATH. “REVEAL THE PATH is a genre-defying adventure film that contemplates what it means to live an inspired life using the bicycle as a mechanism to explore, dream and discover. Regions explored include Scotland’s lush valleys, Europe’s snow capped mountains, Morocco’s high desert landscapes, Nepal’s rural countryside and Alaska’s rugged coastal beaches…Meet the locals living modest yet seemingly fulfilling lives, leading us to question what it means to live an inspired life – however humble or extravagant. Join in as the creators of RIDE THE DIVIDE take you on an adventure that will leave you with an eager desire to chart your own course to far away lands or simply to discover with eyes wide open what’s right around the bend.” (taken from press notes) Check out the official site to find out more about the film and to purchase advanced tickets. (We will not be selling advanced tickets for this event at our box office…they will only be available on the official site.)

ThinkTV has once again offered to help us get a signal for our FREE Annual Oscar Party. Mark you calendars for Sunday, February 24. More details will be available soon.

On January 18, we will open SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK. The Weinstein Company wanted us to open the film on Dec. 25, but we had obligations with our other titles at that time…so we think adding it after tomorrow’s Oscar nominations will be a good fit. Please help us spread the word. If you haven’t seen this film yet, we hope you’ll wait to see it with us. If you’ve already seen it, perhaps you’d consider telling friends to see it here (or maybe even see it again).

We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Jan. 11 – Thur, Jan. 17:

HYDE PARK ON HUDSON (R) 1 Hr 34 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:50

PROMISED LAND (R) 1 Hr 46 Min
Friday, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45
Saturday, Sunday: 12:45, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 8:00

DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL
(PG-13) 1 Hr 26 min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 3:00
Monday – Thursday: 5:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Jan. ? – A ROYAL AFFAIR
Jan 25 – RUST AND BONE
Feb. 15 – AMOUR
Feb ? – WEST OF MEMPHIS
Late February – QUARTET
Spring – ON THE ROAD

Playing Dominos with Springboro Schools – OPINION

January 9, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro 1 Comment

When you were a kid, did you ever line up dominoes around the table so that you could knock the first one down and then watch the rest fall? Well in Springboro, our school board appears to view Ohio’s public school system as a long line of dominoes that begins in our community. I don’t believe they feel the primary reason they were elected was to ensure the education of our children, but rather to implement a radical political agenda. I believe they want to dismantle our school district and knock over the domino. When Springboro, a successful, affluent district falls, they will watch as 610 other dominoes, otherwise known as the public school system, fall behind it.

How does the Springboro school board want to go about toppling the district? It appears that their plan is to knock the domino over under the guise of serving our gifted children through the introduction of a charter school into our community. Rather than investing dollars in our already strong, highly innovative gifted program, they want to create a charter school for gifted children. This will enable them to shift money away from the district, reduce the number of teachers, cut the public gifted program, produce a charter school with high test scores, lower the test scores of the district, and make the argument that our public school system is not worth funding. They will likely propose levies that fail to cover the costs of the district, claim that charter schools will generate revenue for our community, and ultimately attempt to force the hand of the community to dismantle a public school system that is arguably its greatest asset.

The school board has hired a consultant (The Callender Group) to do an impartial study of our community and our community’s need for a charter school. However, this consulting group specializes in setting up and marketing charter schools and is headed by Jamie Callender – a former Chairman of the Ohio House Education Committee who made it clear that he was morally opposed to property taxes when I spoke with him recently – which brings the idea of impartiality into question. The consulting firm has an obvious vested interest in finding a reason to say yes there is a need, and in addition they are being paid between $5,000 and $15,000 of taxpayer money just to perform the study. It is like asking the fox to audit the hen house to see if the chickens should continue to be used for eggs or served up for dinner. This is not about a local charter school. This is about dismantling public education.

Nobody likes to pay taxes, but if we truly value education we have to pay for it somehow. Everyone is entitled to have their own political views, but people who have a moral opposition to the way in which schools are funded should make that argument in Columbus, not by using the children of our community as pawns in a political game. What I want for my tax dollars is accountability, or stated differently – I want to know that my money is being used wisely. Springboro currently has the lowest expenditure per pupil in the region and in the top three districts in the Dayton region. This indicates to me that we are spending the least and getting the most for our money. Thus we have an extremely efficient and effective system of education in Springboro. Logic would dictate that you would build upon such a system, but that is not the direction our board has chosen. Instead they perpetuate a myth that our schools are failing in order to accomplish political gain.

In spite of the fact that we have earned an “Excellent with Distinction” ranking for multiple years running, they perpetuate the myth. In spite of the fact that our expenditure per pupil is the lowest in the region, they perpetuate the myth. In spite of the fact that our district is ranked in the top 3 in the region based on data as was published in the Dayton Business Journal, they perpetuate the myth. In spite of the fact that our test scores have continued to rise while class size has increased, they perpetuate the myth. In spite of the fact that we have an attendance rate of 97 percent, they perpetuate the myth. In spite of the fact that our schools met 26 out of 26 indicators set forth by the State, they perpetuate the myth. In spite of the fact that our ACT and SAT scores are on par with the top district in the region, they perpetuate the myth. At a time when we should be acknowledging the excellent results of our teachers and students, they perpetuate the myth.

Why are they doing so? Because, perpetuating the myth manufactures a crisis situation, and such a situation often calls for radical action. Perpetuating the myth is the sheep costume that disguises the wolf. Perpetuating the myth keeps people from getting involved. Perpetuating the myth squashes civic pride. Perpetuating the myth helps levies fail, builds public discontent, forces talented employees to leave, and uses fear to justify the need for extreme actions. Perpetuating the myth is the lever needed to tip the domino – the first domino. If it falls, others will follow.

The lever is in place. Force is being applied. The domino is beginning to tip. The question is will people push back and stop it from falling or will they do nothing and watch them all fall down.

The important thing to remember is this. It’s not dominos that we are talking about. It’s our children.

(This piece was submitted by Springboro parent David Bowman; all opinions are his and do not necessarily reflect those held by Dayton Most Metro or its other contributors – read more on his blog at DavidEBowman.com.

Additional Reading:

Springboro School Board Should Take Time To Investigate Other Reforms Before Making A Decision About Charter Conversion – Spencer Smith

A Worthy Investment – David Bowman

A Tale of Two Cities – David Bowman

Springboro Schools: Dare to Compare – David Bowman

WASTE WATCH: Springboro Exploring Charter School – WRGT-TV Fox 45 News

Springboro school board pursues charter school – Dayton Daily News

Mushroomhead Play Doomsday in Dayton

January 8, 2013 By Mike Ritchie 1 Comment

Well, if you’re reading this the ancient Mayans were wrong and life as we know it has continued into 2013. It was reported that a new calendar was discovered in a Mayan Temple in the rain forests at Xultun in Guatemala with a life sized mural of a Mayan King and astronomical/numerology calendar symbols showing moon phases in years preserved on walls proving that the much discussed/feared and apocalyptically claimed Dec 21, end of the world prophecy was indeed not the end of days rather the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. But as many bands had certainly taken advantage of the day with such a built in metal theme, why not play a metal show on the last day on earth. At least we’ll all be banging our heads as the sky falls and hell, fire and brimstone hit the earth.

Though nothing earth shattering actually occurred and no rain of blood or fires from the sky scorched the planet, the weather was cold but normal. Though there were reports of a mushroom shaped cloud hovering over McGuffys before dark. Four bands braved the years prophesized final hours playing their best and most brutal metal for the packed house of ‘mostly’ heaven bound souls if rapture did happen.

Killbox

Then I saw an angel come down from Heaven holding a key to the Killbox and a huge chain in his hand (Revelations Chapter 20 Verse 1)

We begin the beginning of the end opening up the Killbox to play with Armageddon’s favorite tools of mass destruction. Northern Kentucky’s the home to one of the genre’s newest metal making sons. Formed in 2011 and though they’re still in their infernal infancy, had much to offer this year and the ear. Named in part after an Overkill album, the group incorporates a loud, rabid speed infection to their heavy drive and loud intensity. The ferocious angry assault of Coming Back borrows the best iron rimmed canine gnashers snarling in your face ready to shred flesh with a red eyed slobbering hunger. They sound proud to sound so damn pissed off and for good reason. If you knew for sure tomorrow wasn’t coming you’d sound off spitting out some life spanning venom too. Weaponry speaking a Killbox is a three-dimensional target area, designed to facilitate the integration of coordinate joint weapons fire. It’s an open free fire zone and a chance to ‘Fire at will commander’ so to speak. Together we all Embraced the Second Coming and the second Mayan calendar. The Mike Muir headband wearing, David Draiman looking Brad Brochers belts out a screeching Sully Erna tangled in chains range with a little bit of Bobby Blitz and Dez Fafara for the rasp. They dedicate a tune to all the fallen hero’s including Dimebag. They dare standing up against the end and say it’s not over Till I Say It’s Over.

Forces of Nature

The first horror is over, after this there are still two more horrors to come. (Revelation chapter 9 verse 12) Then the main event.

When the first angel blew his trumpet there came hail and then fire mixed with blood which was hurled down to the earth. A third of the land was scorched along with a third of the trees and every green plant. (Revelation chapter 8 verse 7) Hence the forces of nature are seen.

One of Dayton’s major forces to be reckoned with Forces of Nature brought all of nature’s preliminary fury supplying a veracious wall of sound echoing from the stage to the earthbound skies above. Saturday December 22 proved the D-Day calendar was just Deception. Rotten Tooth pounded the brain like a bad incisor dangling from the inner oral cavity. Following was a mob of screaming, frantic populous Throwing Fists on board the off track Midnight Meat Train locomotive trying to outrun fate toward the Holy Lights. It will happen again, Nevermore. If the prophecies had been true, the world would be nothing but a huge Forest of Corpses on a Black Earth. With a steel spiked boot up the ass goodbye.

I Died Trying

Then I looked and I heard an eagle that was flying high in the air say in a loud voice, O horror! Horror! How horrible it will be for all who live on earth when the sound comes from the band that the other three bands and audience must hear. (Revelation chapter 9 verse 13, paraphrased) The sound of Armageddon is upon us.

Dayton’s answer to what a prison riot during a madman’s symphony would sound like took over the stage and sound waves playing an almost indescribable audio-ambivalent two song set of Opeth length tunes strung together by movie samples, screams, growls, instruments played and sounds put together in a cornucopias mismatch of sound that God and nature never intended. But since it was the end, it was time to take a long mental disconnect down the Lost Highway drawing First Blood. Time to bust open the padded cell for a train wreck in the brain. We’re all honored guests at this madman’s tea party of the damned. Sipping the best cup of earl grey with a touch of sugar cubed cyanide. Collective in cohesion done to perfection coming out of a soundbox/turntable possessed by the souls of a hundred departed musicians. Slow, quiet musical whispers in the mind to full blown psycho-pandemonium. Cold sweat down the back as blood stained eyes stare wide eyed into the stretching darkness, crystallized limbs reach out from fragments of memories grabbing, juggling, and spinning your mind into a paranoid schizophrenic war dance. Like Swallowing Swords with a grenade chaser. I tried to make sense of this beautiful insanity, but I Died Trying.

Then I saw a group of beasts coming up, out of the sea. They had many instruments and seven heads each wearing a hideous mask. (Revelation chapter 13 verse 1, paraphrased.)

Mushroomhead

One of Cleveland’s most bizarre and infamous exports, Mushroomhead, the seven man masked men traveling demented carnival nightmare came out dressed in their blood splattered dinner suit best. Comprised of a singing/rapping team of pain and pleasure divine, Waylon’s cast face looked like he’d had a few go arounds with Pinheads toy box while Jeffrey Nothing looks like he took a double sawed off shotgun blast to the face and lived to sing about it. Keyboard striker Shmotz sports another mashed up faceplate of the mushroom horde sporting a spiked army helmet of the marching dead. Bass was played by the human gargoyle Dr. F with guitars strummed by the human Collector known as Church. Backstage gets Skinny on the drums while front stage water drums bashing courtesy of a dread locked skeleton and a robotic HH Giger cyber holiday reindeer, respectively.

Every song sung played like a story from a book of twisted nursery rhymes, like Mother Goose but just the Grimm. Accompanied by a pleasant holiday array of strobe and Christmas stage lights, lasers, hand held spotlights and overall sick merry mayhem. The human horror movie performance artists lived up to their hallucinogenic ingested namesake. It was indeed Jigsaws favorite torture music.

They started 12 Hundred with a Bwomp, Come On, the blood splattered MMA love song, Save Me from the next Brain Hemorrhage before I Kill Tomorrow so the Sun Doesn’t Shine. They play the dead man’s hand on Solitaire Unraveling and were Born of Desire to fill all the Empty Spaces in the wall. The mad masked men have promised a new record this year so 2013 will be the year of the Mushroom.

Get a Taste of Adventure with the Biennial Adventure Speaker Series

January 8, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Check out Eleanor Moseman’s presentation tonight at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark. This Dayton native will tell her story about bicycling 15,000 miles across Asia as the kick-off to the Adventure Speaker Series.

We’re barely a third of the way into the winter season and I’m already feeling cabin-feverish. I try to take advantage of the snow while it’s here. I’ve gone sledding and skiing and ice skating, but regardless of how many times I try to use precipitation as a propellant and rocket myself down a hill or across a sheet of rock-hard ice, I still find myself craving more outdoor adventure. If you’re the type of adventure-seeker opportunist and, say, enjoys driving a car over the cobbled humps of frozen snow lining an un-plowed street because you can pretend you’re blazing trails across the Arctic tundra, you may enjoy the escapism offered through the Adventure Speaker Series.

Five Rivers MetroParks and Wright State University team up every year to produce the speaker series and the biennial Adventure Summit. This year’s speaker series features adventurers who hail from the East Coast and ones who call Dayton and Cincinnati home. If you’re looking for inspiring stories, generate ideas for your next big adventure, or just want to live vicariously through the tales of other adventurers, check out the speaker series.

Venues for the Adventure Speaker Series switch between Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark and the Wright State University Student Union. All programs start at 7 p.m. and are free to attend. The fun kicks off tonight at Wegerzyn with Dayton-native Eleanor Moseman and her presentation, “One Woman, Her Bicycle and 15,000 Miles across Asia.” The rest of the lineup is as follows:

ELEANOR MOSEMAN: ONE WOMAN, HER BICYCLE & 15,000 MILES ACROSS ASIA

7 p.m. Jan. 8, Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark

In the spring of 2010, armed with a fluency in Mandarin and a history of bike commuting, Eleanor took off on a two year cycling adventure. She went slow, avoided well-known routes, and took time to get to know the locals. While her exploits include braving sandstorms in the Gobi Desert, camping at -25°C in the Tianshan Mountains, and weathering a blizzard in Kyrgyzstan, Moseman’s aim were cultural experiences such as building a mud house in Yunnan, receiving a sponge bath from Tajik women, riding a horse during a Buzkashi match in Kyrgyzstan, and witnessing a Shaman ritual in U-Tsang Tibet. Learn more of Eleanor’s extensive bicycle explorations by visiting www.wandercyclist.com. This program is being co-hosted by the Miami Valley Outdoor Club, www.mvoc.org. Learn more at metroparks.org/adventuresummit.

THE MOVEMENT: ONE MAN JOINS AN UPRISING

7 p.m. Jan. 17, Wright State University, Apollo Room

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYNKlc1nbgk’]

The Movement is the story of one man returning to the mountain where his life was changed forever. He receives inspiration in his quest from four people who overcame physical disabilities to discover the freedom of movement. Peppered with humor and drama, this is a story of people who face adversity with an intense inner fire. Following the movie, a panel of local adaptive skiing experts will discuss how their lives have been impacted by sport. Learn more at metroparks.org/adventuresummit.

HENRY DORFMAN: ALASKA, A KAYAK EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME

7 p.m. Jan. 24, Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark

Henry Dorfman is a co-founder of Paddlefest Cincinnati and founder of Cincypaddlers.org, the largest local paddling club in the country with over 2,200 members. In that capacity, he has led hundreds of sea kayak and whitewater paddling trips from Canada to Central America and from the Atlantic to the Pacific. In 2011, he set a record by kayaking on all five Great Lakes within a span of five consecutive days. Learn more at metroparks.org/adventuresummit.

CHRISTINE PLEPYS: UP AND AROUND MOUNT RAINIER

7 p.m. Jan. 30, Wright State University, Apollo Room

In 2004 Christine successfully and miserably climbed Mt. Rainier during a six-day climbing seminar with RMI Guides. The question of how well she does at altitude was answered: “Bad!” In 2008 she went back to happily backpack around the mountain on the lower elevation Wonderland Trail, which became one of her favorite trails. Come take the journey “Up and Around Mt. Rainier”! Learn more at metroparks.org/adventuresummit.

Photo by Gabe Rogel Majka Burhardt climbs Restonica Gorge in Corsica. Check out the Adventure Speaker Series’ featured speaker on Feb. 7 at Wright State University!

MAJKA BURHARDT

: ADDITIVE ADVENTURE

7 p.m. Feb. 7, Wright State University, Apollo Room

What’s Additive Adventure? It’s Featured Speaker Majka’s term for when adventure extends beyond exploration to create cultural and environmental connection. From climbing impeccable first ascents in Namibia, to climbing vertical grass for science in Mozambique, to treading the fine line of vertical legality in Ethiopia and Cuba, Additive Adventure takes a global look at the individual’s role in larger issues and communities. Can the grandest adventure create the smallest conversation with the largest impact? Can being a global citizen begin with a climb? Can your passion lead you to your greatest impact? If you said yes, then we’re all bound for a more globally integrated tomorrow. Learn more about her adventures at www.majkaburhardt.com or metroparks.org/adventuresummit.

Get inspired to “Get Out & Live” with Five Rivers MetroParks and Wright State University, and try not to break a hip while you invent new means of trans-ice travel.

Springboro Sooo Good Gourmet Cafe Now Open

January 7, 2013 By Lisa Grigsby 5 Comments

Springboro’s got a new dining option, since the Soooo Good Gourmet Cafe has finally opened at 75 N. Main Street. I’ve been driving by this place for over a year, wondering when it would open. Owner Shawnette Hixon laughed when I asked her what took so long to get it open. She and her husband signed the lease about 2 years ago and undertook some major construction to put in plumbing and hvac appropriate for a restaurant.

Their business, Clear Sky Enterprises, keeps them on the road as concessionaires for Nascar, PGA Tournaments, and many other sporting events, so in between travel they’d work on the construction. Shawnette explains that her vision “was for a place that looked hip and trendy that would be fun to hang out in with free wifi” and the cities permitting process took some time and fighting for approvals. She also proudly shared that they took out no loans to open, but that the reality of expenses were about 3-4 times what her original budget where, so they had to go back on the road to earn more money to finish Sooo Good. Some of the expenses were their high tech menu system, displayed from large computer screens posted over the line, so the menu be changed often. You’ll never go to place your order, because the inventory will be tied to the register system and when an item is out, it will be automatically removed from the menu screen.

Sooo Good is excited about being supportive of the community where the Hixon’s live and will allow guests to register and designate 2% of their sales to be donated to their favorite local nonprofit organization like the Springboro band or the field hockey team. Jars of free fresh fruit flavored waters sit on the counter, with a donation bucket that will help support an orphanage in Africa, founded by a Springboro family. They encourage their guests to make the eatery a place they feel a part of and guests are encouraged to post their favorite quote on the giant dry erase board on the wall and the very best will be painted onto the walls.

Sooo Good will open up as early as 6am Monday through Saturday and 8am on Sunday’s. Breakfast will include bagels, fresh fruit, crepes and breakfast sandwiches. The Captain Crunch French Toast looked especially tasty today. You’ll also be able to grab coffee, latte’s and cappuccino’s all day, for just $3-4.

Chef Aimee Saling, who grew up in Middletown, shared she’s so excited to be on board. She said she was practically stalking the owners, because she just knew this was the place she was meant to be. She met Shawnette and their philosophy of business and philanthropy just clicked. Having previously volunteered as a Chef at One Bistro in Miamisburg with a side business (Mcakes) that’s produced over 9000 cupcakes since last March, she donated 10% of her sales to No Child Left Behind.

Asked to describer her cooking style Chef Aimee says she’s “basically classic with a twist. My mom calls it taking normal to fancy. I like to add that one special ingredient that makes a meal memorable.” When asked to suggest what she thinks will be some of her bestsellers at the new place she quickly pointed out that she makes “Killer Mac ‘n Cheese” and her turkey florentine crepe, reuben and bananas foster went well at the friends and family night. Salads and sandwiches are also on the menu and seemed very reasonably priced with most between $5-$8.

Painted on the wall above the yogurt machines were instructions that invited you to ” Grab a cup, fil it up, weigh it and pay it for 49 cents per ounce.” I got to sample some red velvet yogurt, and other flavors offered included NY cheesecake, original tart and vanilla. Chef shared with me that the flavors will constantly be changing and they’ve got some really cool flavors on tap. Because its self serve it’s easy to just have a little bit, but the fresh fruit toppings will make it easy to dress it up. I can see this being a big hit when in the spring and summer when the patio will be open. A great after dinner destination, the restaurant is still trying to determine exactly how late it will stay open, but Ms. Hixon says they even have some live music plans. Also still to come will be a grab and go case of meals and catering and delivery are also in the future plans.

Moshpits & Lighters III Sells Out McGuffys

January 7, 2013 By Mike Ritchie Leave a Comment

December 17 McGuffy’s House of Rock cleared the seats and tables for a standing room only sell-out crowd of 500+ gathered to watch 8 bands play the one and only of its kind annual metal showcase spotlighting local talent and a few state bordering and elsewhere local friends. Seconds Fall, Nightbeast, Chambers of Chaos, Amongst Villains, The Action Blast, Avenue Sky, My Name in Vain and In The Cut played a nightlong showcase plowing through tunes and pummeling heads, brain cells and earlobes.

Seconds Fall

Seconds Fall/In The Cut singer Daniel DeDoncker was the mastermind behind the nights event. The goal was to sell out McGuffys with a local show and he accomplished it with lots of old school hard work dedication, heart and a true passion for music. He wanted to book a show with his favorite local/regional bands breaking the traditional 3-4 band bill with an entire evening of talent playing music across the spectrum. Bands both similar and completely different of each other are part of DeDonckers vision. Another future goal is to organize 3-4 like events a year while opening for national bands. To sweeten the deal if DeDoncker and Co sold out Dayton’s House of Rock they’d earn a signed guitar on the coveted wall of fame. 2 ½ months of advertising went into the show using all social media outlets also employing grassroots methods of word of mouth and multiple flier copies. The show focuses on all types of rock, and eventually he wants to do an outdoor event, a local X-Fest of sorts.

After three years apart DeDonckers first band Seconds Fall played an acoustic reunion set opening festivities. The band played the first two Moshpits & Lighters shows at Badda Bings in Kettering breaking bar attendance and sales records that night, and surpassing that number the year after. Past show alumni includes Fluwid, Occams Razor, Orange Williard, Chapter of Progress, Inept and Negative Process among others.

For the shows third year they enlisted the help of local ink masters Truth n Triumph Tattoo and model talents of Megyn, Jeni, Jenn, Courtney and Tonya the bewitching tattooed beauties of the Michigan Twisted Angels.

Local stand up Funny Bone regular laugh riot Bizcuit MC’d the show opening with his trademark tearful farewell to Twinkies and all out ariel assault of oatmeal crème cookies.

Seconds Fall started with the Lighter stuff, breaking out the electric acoustics for a stripped down performance that really brought out the emotion of all songs performed. Tesla did the five man acoustic jam, Seconds Fall did it with three. A lyrically passionate heavy set brought out by 12 electrically acoustic strings gave us Insignificant, End of Our Time, We All Need Hero’s, Don’t Give Up On Me and the first song they wrote Lipstick Revenge. DeDonker proves big hulking metal dudes can leave the beast growls and screaming in the dressing room (till later) and work the vocals a different way singing some beautiful tunes. They finished with Congulate concluding the Lighter side of things.

Avenue Sky

The cranium crunching began with Chambers of Chaos. Max Headroom yellow Mohawk sporting, slick sunglasses wearing Shaun Clark dared everyone to Enter My Ring growling out an aggressive pounding sound borrowing vox from Dez Fafara mixed with some dirty evil sounding Godsmack with a punk attack from somewhere beneath the earth. There’s definite chaos in the guitars bringing out a mass riot of a sound. They look like a nice friendly bunch of metal blokes, until they’re Pushed to Stand Against something with a deep rooted melody. We’re all Faceless in the crowd enjoying the heavy hype on stage. They leave us hungry for more with the darkly melodious long Kiss of Goodnight. Clark yells his lyrical agenda to the gathering with the fury of a dictator at the podium who wasn’t shy about flashing the bird, letting it soar for all to see. (Metal’s one of the very few genre’s where the middle finger can be used as a sign of camaraderie and respect).

Straight up north from the cold depths of Flint Michigan come Avenue Sky with a chilled string intro launching into Day of the Intruder. They Breathe one part metal, one part coffee house rock and one part indie aura. Formed in 2008, their influences are as diverse and unique as their onstage show. Dragonflies rings out with a jingling, jangling coffee house ballad feel, the strings almost having a piano like effect. According to Kevin Swisher, you ’can’ make babies to this song. A Storm That Burns is sung with an almost Michael Sweet (Stryper) delivery between the growling. There are some nice doses of sporadic /spastic fast footed dancing fury. Swisher and Co play homage to Killswitch Engage and King X’s Doug Pinnick.

Amongst Villains

McGuffy’s regulars Amongst Villains return hot off their set supporting Psychostick a few weeks back. Hardcore sweater wearer Josh Marshall rocked the holy living Huxtable out of his wholly holiday gear, sporting a killer ’stash. He can make any fabric look angry as he screams himself flannel red, throwing himself into everything he does. AV are a band that just can’t stop moving. They play their patented blend of hard, rough but southern strong proofed metal on Heavy is the Crown and a trip down the darkened bayou on Black River Ruin. They take us To The Grave Dragging Hell along the way.

Suddenly a fan took the stage grabbed the mic and unleashed a hypnotic fury of beats, blasts, human throat noises uttering danceable delicacies to the crowd while Nightbeast prepared to roar. Security and staff were too in awe watching him take his vocal chords to almost indescribable heights in a Bobby McFerrin on steroids performance to stop him.

Shaking in the cellar, scared out of your mind, breath fights for freedom as the beast lurks by. Fingers scratch the surface, as night air seeps in, blood red eyes pierce the darkness as your end comes….. crashing through the wall. Well, maybe not as evil as that night beast but with no less a killer instinct for performance Dayton’s Nick Testa aka The Nightbeast, Lonn Friends unofficial twin brother plays a show unique in its presence and somewhat indescribable for the pen to translate. They show up with their own club mix, a band that must be seen to be properly heard and yes, they are a bit different. They bring out the shirtless inked aggression in true comedic form. Blending top 40, rap, hip hop, rock and ska, NightBeast ’could be’ best described as a schizophrenic natural ruthied dance club rock show tattooed male review remix on wheels. We start the pawty on a Fullride, no worries your future educations taken care of. Living Large is the on key Biz Markie version of Will Smith’s Summertime. They add Tenanious D, Weird Al Yankovic lyrics to a dizzying range of performance art and bizarre hijinks. But without PG-X rated humor there can be no Anger Phase. Those topless souls brave enough to perform with him include Sean Patton, Robbie Bauer, Jordan Elam, Ryan ’Asher’ Jones and John Lakes.

My Name in Vain

took the stage with towering skyscraper Josh ’slinky’ Miller at the helm celebrating their first year as a band playing heavy artillerist paced music with a thick shovel in steamy blacktop in maximum security grit feel. We took a trip back to the river bathhouse in all our shame because we’re all Poor People. Santa came out to spread some holiday cheer before he Departed. (Writers note: MNIV was the first local and mainstream band I’ve reviewed for the website (Static X show) so seeing them again and being there was extra special for me)

Chicago’s Action Blast came out ready to prove all the Disbeliever’s wrong, performing with a solid serving of rock, hard melody, and infectious vocals combining the singing Skillet/Killswitch Engage style with God Forbid appearance and screaming. They tap the audiences reserve tank with some hard rock addictive octane. After they hit us with The Plague, they offer us some tail from the headless chick that’ll leave any man stone faced. By the end they’d Erased any doubt they came to deliver the Chi-Town goods.

In the Cut

The evenings local hero’s/headliners, In the Cut, hit the stage bringing the party to the people, honoring those who lasted all night with shots, hot chicks dancing, Santa Clause on guitar and giving the crowd plenty of loud face time. Also celebrating their first year as a band, the Onslaught started symbolically Crossing the Rubicon on stage. They didn’t wait Until the End to pull out a blistering blast of super 80’s power ballads. Tonight’s show had indeed been an incredible Journey of personal triumph and victory for DeDoncker and all performers proving that hard work and dedication does pay off and the local scene can and does carry hardcore heavyweight drawing power. If Tomorrow Never Comes we’ll all feast and get Wasted on Hatred Divine. We finish M&L’s trio show with the voice of its creator from creation to damnation, from Eden to Exile. Their next show will be opening for religious icons P.O.D. on February 9^th.

Open Mic Nights – A Musicians Beginning

January 7, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro 2 Comments

Mandy Jewell (photo credit: Jennifer Taylor Clarke)

When I was in college, I thought that it would be cool to fool around, impress the ladies, and pick up the acoustic guitar. Sadly with classes, hanging with friends, and pretty much being lazy-I never learned how to play. I would never give up the guitar, however. I always kept it in its black travel bag and placed it in my closet. Recently-I decided that it’s the right time to unpack the instrument and develop a plan. I will learn how to play, and perform in front of an audience during an open mic night. If you are someone that is like me, and what’s to follow through on an idea, or if you want to start their journey on becoming a musician, open mic nights are a great start. Here in Dayton, there are a couple of great open mic events throughout the week that you can perfect your craft at, and even get your name started.

The first open mic night we will discuss takes us to a small shopping center that is across Wright State University. On Sunday nights at One Eyed Jacks in Fairborn, the RnR Playdate, hosted by Jay Madewell and Todd the Fox is held. Their concept of the open mic is very different than most. For a 25 minute set, you can play with a drummer (Madewell), guitartist (Todd), bassist (Chris Barnett from the local band Mayliner). If you choose to play solo, that’s fine. Between sets, there are five minute comedy sets. My first experience with this open mic night featured seeing what seemed like a reserved, coy woman named Mandy Jewell. She walked up to the podium, and plugged in her guitar. She sat down, took a deep breath, and waited to be introduced. Todd grabbed the microphone and explained to the crowd that Jewell was in the process of having a largely successful Kickstarter campaign that would give the funds to travel to Nashville to record her first professional demo. After hearing this, I couldn’t help but be intrigued to hear her play. What took place for the next 25 minutes was something that I didn’t think I would expect. This tiny framed young lady that seemed to be the person that would be considered a perfect example of being a wallflower proved me and everyone in the crowd otherwise. Her guitar play and singing revealed a woman that has had sadness in her life, and that she is now rising from the wreckage. She is stronger than most would give her. Her voice was like if Mazzy Star decided to morph into someone else’s body. Jewell spoke softly, which only built her charm level up more and more. I can’t wait to see where Mandy takes her music. She is truly a gem that Dayton better be ready for. The whole concept, the performers, the location-RnR Playdate is a great start for anyone that wants to get started in their musical journey. The crowd is very loyal, and will follow you wherever you go.

Kim Deal

Our next stop is the South Park Tavern. Every Wednesday night, the fantastic bar that offers some of the best pizza and beer in town also presents their open mic night. This establishment is actually the birthplace of an idea. On a chilled October night in 2011, a young man was sitting at one of the tables with some friends. The group was sitting around catching up on what has been happening with one another. The young man has enjoyed the music that was being played in Dayton, and wanted to show his appreciation by starting a page people could go to and read about his adventures and his accounts of seeing the local shows. He explained this vision to his friends, telling them that we would write reviews on the shows he attended, and hopefully meet some great people along the way. That young man was me. Over a year later, and continuing to move forward with Dayton Most Metro, I can’t begin to express my love to this open mic night.

Starting at 9, each act has 25 minutes to set up and perform. At 11, the stage opens up for any upcoming rock band to come up and perform till the doors close. The tavern on Wednesdays nights also offers up some acts that you would never think would happen. Just a couple of weeks ago, an artist was penciled in to play. The performer was labeled on the schedule as ‘K.D’. What the people who were in attendance didn’t expect was that ‘K.D.’ was no other than The Breeders lead singer and bassist for the Pixies Kim Deal. She performed a solo electric version of “Cannonball” but also another Breeders fan favorite “Fortunately Gone” from 1990’s Pod among others.

Travel over to the great Oregon District, and you will notice that some of the great establishments to run up and down the area also host fantastic open mic nights. On Thursday nights, the Trolley Stop and Blind Bob’s each will give you the forum to come and sing your heart out. Both venues also give you a great intimate crowd that will be looking forward to hearing good music played by you.

So, if you are ready to start embarking on a journey that you have been thinking of going on from some time, you always have to start somewhere. If music is in your blood, and you want to become part of the great group of artists and musicians that call Dayton home, then go to one (or all) of the open mic nights the town offers you. Maybe, just maybe, you will fulfill a lifelong dream of yours. Or if you are like me-you will knock something off the bucket list. Either way-have fun doing it. If you don’t play any instruments, just sing only in the shower, or you just love seeing music, then go and support the people playing at the open mic nights. Show them your appreciation. Who knows-you just may see the next big star to come out of town…

Food Adventure to Charlie’s Deli and Catering

January 3, 2013 By Dayton937 10 Comments

Sometimes, you just have to “kick it old school.” Being lifelong residents of Dayton, Food Adventures appreciates the history of the Gem City. One of these spots is the oldest delicatessen in the Dayton area, Charlie’s Deli and Catering.

Located at 429 Troy Street, this popular German influenced sandwich shop has been feeding the masses since 1964. They are located in Old North Dayton for a reason. Back in the early sixties, the area was not called Old North Dayton, but was nicknamed “Texas” or “Parma.” Many German immigrants and families from Eastern Europe occupied the neighborhood. Charlie’s Deli was created to match the demand for authentic German fare and imported items.

Started by Charlie Vangas, the deli is now owned by Charlie’s son Rod Vangas and his wife, Becky. They still hold on to tradition here, and even have a photo of Charlie with Channel 7 news legend Don Wayne. But the old school atmosphere is only the beginning. Charlies Deli and Catering prides itself on serving tasty sandwiches with freshly sliced lunch meats Monday thru Friday from 7:15 am – 6 pm. They are open Saturdays 9am – 3pm and closed on Sundays. The menu has a wide variety of tastes and you could spend a lunch hour just reading the uniquely named sandwiches (click here to see what we are talking about). The prices are a great value, with most sandwiches ranging from $4.50 – $6.75. We love the great choices of breads and buns for your sandwich, and appreciate that they use Springfield’s own Woeber’s Mustard varieties on many sandwiches.

The first specialty sandwich served at Charlie’s was the “Black Forest Sandwich” and it still remains a popular choice today. It is comprised of roast beef, super sharp cheese, bacon, tomato, mayo or Woeber’s horseradish mustard, served on your choice of German Rye, Kaiser Roll or Onion Bun.

Chi-Dog.. loaded with flavorful toppings

We all agree on our favorite deli sandwich at Charlie’s. It is called “The Mesquite,” and is mesquite smoked turkey breast, kojak cheese, lettuce and tomato. The sandwich is finished with a hot pepper cherry relish that makes the sandwich. Grab one of these for a spicy, tasty Food Adventure on a bun. It is available in the small size, priced at $3.95 or go all out and pay $6.50 for the 8 inch sub. We would also tell you to try the “Yipee-ki-ay Sandwich”, inspired by Bruce Willis in the movie “Die Hard.” This sandwich is Roast Beef with a slab of Swiss cheese. The incredible mushroom sauce topping makes this a delicious and messy sub.

Whether your sub choice is a Reuben or a Cuban, you will be back for more. Even the pulled pork is dynamite sandwich. Want a goal for 2013? If you eat all of the sandwiches on the menu, you get a free Charlie’s Deli T-shirt ! We also enjoy many of the side dishes at Charlie’s, like the cole slaw, potato salad, and those wonderful pickled eggs.

Another menu item worth trying is the “Chi-Dog.” This Chicago Style, Vienna all beef wiener is loaded sport peppers, garlic pickle wdges, chopped onions, tomato, sweet relish, yellow mustard and served on a poppy seed bun.

With winter in full swing, now is a good time to enjoy the specialty soups at Charlie’s. Regulars flock to get Chicken Spaetzel Soup or the Wisconsin Cheese Soup. More traditional hot soups include country potato, vegetable beef, and ham and bean. Don’t forget about their chili! It is meaty, old fashioned and hits the spot. Want something hot but a little more filling? Try their famous cabbage rolls. The family recipe is a hit with the locals and is sure to please your taste buds.

This place has a ton of character. We suggest that you dine in the back room like we did, where there is a lot of scenery among the various items on the shelves. Charlie’s is a great place for a Food Adventure because the deli fare is fantastic and you can browse among the German imports and other items around the store. Charlie’s is the biggest Dayton area importer of German goods. They have a huge selection of German Import Beers. They even have a deal where you can make your own variety 6-pack from over 100 kinds of beer.

Where else in Dayton can you eat a freshly sliced deli sandwich in the dining area, while browsing various imported vinyl records from Germany? Charlie’s is a place where pick up some rare boxes of German cookies, breads, and jars of hard to find items, all while eating a tuna salad pita. Charlie’s Deli and Catering is our kind of place. Dayton is lucky that the Vangas family imports so many unique foodstuffs and provides great eats. Charlie’s is big on quality, personality, and taste but is also a big part of Dayton’s soul.

“Like” Food Adventures on Facebook HERE !

[flagallery gid=17 name=Gallery]

Zero Dark Thirty – TICKET CONTEST

January 3, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro 19 Comments

(from Sony Pictures) The hunt for Osama bin Laden preoccupied the world and two American presidential administrations for more than a decade. But in the end, it took a small, dedicated team of CIA operatives to track him down. Every aspect of their mission was shrouded in secrecy. Though some of the details have since been made public, many of the most significant parts of the intelligence operation––including the central role played by that team––are brought to the screen for the first time in a nuanced and gripping new film by the Oscar®-winning creative duo of Kathryn Bigelow and Mark Boal.

Their account of bin Laden’s pursuit and capture, vivid yet faithful to the facts, takes the viewer inside the hubs of power and to the front lines of this historic mission, culminating in the special operations assault on a mysterious, suburban Pakistani compound.

But it is the lead-up to the raid that truly distinguishes Zero Dark Thirty from other accounts. The quest to find bin Laden was fraught with danger from the start, and not every U.S. operative survived. Some intelligence experts came to believe that the assignment was impossible to carry out, but on the ground a determined team of analysts and interrogators defied the odds and proved them wrong. For the first time, their struggle to find Osama bin Laden is told on the screen in electrifying detail.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYFhFYoDAo4′]

Dayton Most Metro Ticket Contest

We’re giving away 30 screening passes for ZERO DARK THIRTY at Rave Cinemas @ The Greene on Thursday January 10, 2013 at 7pm the day before the official release date! And you have THREE WAYS to win:

Fill out the form below and then leave a comment below the article saying that YOU want to win screening passes for Zero Dark Thirty from Dayton Most Metro (be sure to tag @Dayton Most Metro and check the Post to Facebook box).
Follow our Dayton Most Metro Facebook Page and share the image we post later today.
Follow our Dayton Most Metro Twitter Page and retweet our tweet on Zero Dark Thirty later today.

We’ll pick five random people from each of the methods listed above on Monday January 7 and each will receive a pair of screening passes via email. Passes must be used on Thursday January 10th 7pm at Rave Cinemas @ The Greene. There are no reserved seats and since they typically overbook these pre-screening events, we recommend you get there by 5:30 to ensure you get a seat.

Good luck!

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to our winners!

Form Contest Winners:

Randy Crawford
Jimmie Brytus
Jessica McCann
Steve Strawser
Diane Carter

Facebook Contest Winners:

Paul Fleitz
David Peeples
Will Thorpe
Randy Shields
Markus Montreuil

Twitter Contest Winners:

@dianecarter1
@AmyInStilettos
@pamiam04468

Bowl Game Beer Brunch Blowout

January 3, 2013 By Lisa Grigsby Leave a Comment

The Trolley Stop will be hosting a one of a kind brunch on January 5th from 11am – 2pm while the SEC (Ole Miss) takes on the Big East ( Pittsburgh) in the BBVA Compass Bowl. I

Here are the Pairings created by the Trolley’s maven in the kitchen, Mindy:

Founders Brewing Cerise paired with a Drunken Tart–filled with vodka soaked fruit and brie.

Founders Breakfast Stout ( The coffee lover’s consummate beer. Brewed with an abundance of flaked oats, bitter and imported chocolates, and Sumatra and Kona coffee, this stout has an intense fresh-roasted java nose topped with a frothy, cinnamon-colored head that goes forever.

Paired with a Breakfast Burger with eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns on it.

Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Stout w/Bourbon barrel stout French toast with nutella cream cheese and a raspberry/strawberry mashed topping.

Fat Heads Bumbleberry w/Blueberry Bagel with cream cheese and Lox (smoked salmon)

Unibroue Blanche de Chambly Beermosa’s

3/4 Blanche
1/4 OJ
Splash of Grand Marnier

And as always!!! Trolley Stop’s One of a kind Bloody Mary Bar!!!

Items are available ala carte and we suggest bringing a table fool of friends so you can taste from each other’s plates!

Teaser….There will also be 5 special beers on tap to complement the 5 on the menu.

Hope to see you there.

HYDE PARK ON HUDSON and PROMISED LAND at THE NEON

January 2, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Everything must go! If you still need to see ANNA KARENINA, HITCHCOCK or SMASHED, you only have until Thursday (Jan. 3) to see them at THE NEON! On Friday (Jan. 4), we will open two new, exciting films – HYDE PARK ON HUDSON (starring Bill Murray as FDR) and PROMISED LAND (the new film from Gus Van Sant starring Matt Damon). For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com

Synopsis for HYDE PARK ON HUDSON: “In June 1939, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor host the King and Queen of England for a weekend at the Roosevelt home at Hyde Park on Hudson, in upstate New York – the first-ever visit of a reigning English monarch to America. With Britain facing imminent war with Germany, the Royals are desperately looking to FDR for support. But international affairs must be juggled with the complexities of FDR’s domestic establishment, as wife, mother, and mistresses all conspire to make the royal weekend an unforgettable one. Seen through the eyes of Daisy, Franklin’s neighbor and intimate, the weekend will produce not only a special relationship between two great nations, but, for Daisy – and through her, for us all – a deeper understanding of the mysteries of love and friendship.” (Focus Features) Click HERE to visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqQzNyxSShM’]

Synopsis for PROMISED LAND: “In Promised Land, Matt Damon stars as Steve Butler, a corporate salesman whose journey from farm boy to big-time player takes an unexpected detour when he lands in a small town, where he grapples with a surprising array of both open hearts and closed doors. Gus Van Sant (GOOD WILL HUNTING and MILK) helms the film from an original screenplay written by John Krasinski & Matt Damon.” (Focus Features) Also stars John Krasinski, Frances McDormand, Hal Holbrook and Rosmarie DeWitt. This film about fracking and the strength of small town communities should hit close to home for many in the Miami Valley. Click HERE to visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBqPv6xO6es’]

A few NEON regulars have asked if I would publish my “Top 10” list for the year. Unfortunately, I just can’t. I feel as though I still need to see so many movies before I decide. (I have yet to see ZERO DARK THIRTY, ARGO, HOLY MOTORS and dozens more.) One thing is for certain. Of the films I have seen, AMOUR is my favorite…and we will bring it to town in February (if you’ve seen the trailer for this film and were unimpressed, you’re not alone…I don’t think the trailer does any service for the brilliant film). Other films that I really liked that have yet to show in town are RUST AND BONE (perhaps you’ve seen the gorgeous and intriguing trailer at THE NEON), QUARTET (Maggie Smith in Dustin Hoffman’s directorial debut) and IN THE HOUSE (Ozon’s new, incredible film).

In reviewing our 2012 numbers, here are the Top 10 films at THE NEON (in order of box office performance) –
MOONRISE KINGDOM (the best by far!), THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL, THE ARTIST (this film didn’t open until January of 2012 in Dayton), ANNA KARENINA, THE INTOUCHABLES, TO ROME WITH LOVE, THE MASTER, TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY, BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD and JEFF WHO LIVES AT HOME (Though the #10 almost went to HITCHCOCK …it was that close!).

We’ve never announced anything like this before, but we thought that some of you might be interested…
THE NEON is excited to spread the word about an investment opportunity for people who love good, independent filmmaking. This Spring, a Dayton-native who currently lives and works in NYC will return to town in order to shoot a feature-length film. We’ve shown her work in the past, and we believe in her Dayton-centric screenplay and vision. If you’d like to find out more about the opportunity to invest in this project, please respond to me via e-mail or telephone. Someone associated with the film will contact you with more details. My contact info: [email protected] or (937)222-8452

Thanks so much for your ongoing support throughout the year!
It’s officially Oscar season, and we hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. Jan. 4 – Thur, Jan. 10:

HYDE PARK ON HUDSON (R) 1 Hr 34 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:50

PROMISED LAND (R) 1 Hr 46 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:45, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:30, 8:00

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Jan. 11 – DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL
Jan 25 – RUST AND BONE
Jan. ? – A ROYAL AFFAIR
Feb. 15 – AMOUR
Feb ? – WEST OF MEMPHIS
Spring – ON THE ROAD

2013 Dayton Fish Fry Schedule

January 2, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro 11 Comments

This month kicks off Fish Fry Season in Dayton – that hugely popular Catholic tradition that combines fish and chips, beer, silent auctions and blackjack to help raise funds for each respective parish/school. Here is a listing of the area’s Catholic Churches and Schools that will be hosting Fish Fry nights in the coming weeks, PLUS non-church-related Fish Fry nights (if you know of one that is missing from our list, please let us know the details in the comments below so we can add it):

Holy Angels Church Fish Fry
1322 Brown Street
Dayton, OH 45409
Friday January 11, 2013 6:00pm-Midnight

Our Lady of the Rosary Fish Fry
22 Notre Dame Ave.
Dayton, Ohio 45404
Friday January 11, 2013 6:00pm-11:00pm

St. Albert the Great Fish Fry
3033 Far Hills Ave.
Kettering, OH 45429
Friday January 18, 2013 5:00pm-Midnight

St. Mary’s Fish Fry
310 Allen St.
Dayton, OH 45410
Friday February 1, 2013 6:00pm-11:00pm
$15

St. Henry Monte Carlo Fish Fry
6696 Springboro Rd.
West Carrollton, OH 45449
Friday February 8, 2013 7:00pm-Midnight
$12 Advance; $15 Door

Carrolleer Fish Fry
4524 Linden Ave.
Dayton, OH 45432
Saturday February 9, 2013 6:00pm-Midnight
$13 Advance; $16 Door

Saint Peter Catholic Church Fish Fry
6161 Chambersburg Rd.
Huber Heights, OH 45424
Saturday February 9, 2013 (Time TBA)

Irish Club Fish Fry & Monte Carlo
6555 Dog Leg Road
Dayton, OH 45414
Friday February 15, 2013 6:00pm-11:00pm
$10

Holy Trinity Fish and Sausage Fry
272 Bainbridge Street
Dayton, OH 45402
Friday February 16, 2013 7:00pm-12:00pm

Alter Knight Out Fish Fry
940 East David Rd.
Kettering, OH 45429
Friday February 22, 2013 7:00pm-Midnight
$12 Advance / $15 Door

St. Francis of Assisi Fish Fry
6245 Wilmington Pike
Centerville, OH 45459
Friday March 1, 2013 (5pm – 11pm)

Corpus Christi Fish Fry
527 Forest Ave
Dayton, OH 45405
Saturday March 2, 2013 (5pm – ?)

St. Anthony Catholic Church Fish Fry
830 Bowen St.
Dayton, OH 45410
Friday March 8, 2013 (Time TBA)

Incarnation Church Fish Fry
55 Williamsburg Lane
Centerville, OH 45459
Friday March 8, 2013 7pm-Midnight

St. Charles Monte Carlo Fish Fry
4500 Ackerman Blvd.
Kettering, OH 45429
Friday March 15, 2013 (Time TBA)

Dayton Rugby Club Fish Fry
IUE-CWA Local 755 Hall
1675 Woodman Drive
Dayton, OH 45432
Friday March 15, 2013 6:00pm-Midnight

CJ Fish Fry
505 S. Ludlow St.
Dayton, OH 45402
Saturday March 16, 2013 6:00pm-11:00pm

Warm Up With Ice Skating, Gallery Openings, Live Music at Downtown Dayton’s First Friday

January 2, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Downtown’s next free First Friday art hop will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, 2013.

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, event calendar (powered by Dayton Most Metro) and much more. Download the Find It Downtown mobile search tool for smartphones at http://mobile.downtowndayton.org.

Art

• CADC, 35 S. St. Clair St.: Featuring live music and appetizers. Call 313-9883.

• Dayton Society of Painters and Sculptors, 48 High St.: (Open 5 to 8 p.m.) The closing weekend reception of the New Members Invitational Exhibit. Call 228-4532.

• Dayton Visual Arts Center, 118 N. Jefferson St.: (Open 5 to 8 p.m.) Featuring a short show exhibition by Leesa Haapapuro and the K12 Gallery for Young People’s home-schooled students, as well as free popcorn and public workshops. Call 224-3822.

• Gallery 510 Fine Art, 510 E. Fifth St.: View local art and shop a variety of handmade items, including ceramics, jewelry, scarves, art, purses and more. Call 672-6717.

Music

• Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St.: Live music by The Footmenat 9 p.m. Call 938-6405.

• De’Lish Café, 139 N. Main St.: Hosting jazz band Premium Blend and happy hour specials for a mix and mingle with downtown business professionals. Call 461-2233.

• Jay’s Seafood, 225 E. Sixth St.: Live music by Puzzle of Light at 9 p.m. Call 222-2892.

• Omega Music, 318 E. Fifth St.: Live music beginning at 7 p.m. Call 275-9949.

• Trolley Stop,530 E. Fifth St.: Live music by the Winter Sounds beginning at 9:30 p.m. Call 461-1101.

Food and Drink

• Coco’s Bistro, 250 Warren St.: 15 percent off food. Call 228-2626.

• Deaf Monty’s Wine, 22 Brown St.: $2 tastings of select wines. Call 225-9463.

• Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave.: No cover and 20 percent off food. Call 224-7822.

• Franco’s Ristorante Italiano, 824 E. Fifth St.: 10 percent off food. Call 222-0204.

• Lucky’s Taproom and Eatery, 520 E. Fifth St.: Dinner specials, along with the special tapping of a firkin of craft beer. Call 222-6800.

• Olive, an urban dive, 416 E. Third St.: Featuring photography by local artist Elizabeth Cambron. Call 222-DIVE (3483).

• Oregon Express, 336 E. Fifth St.: Featuring a happy-hour band and half-price pizza from 4 to 8 p.m., with additional live music at 9:30 p.m. Call 223-9205.

• Smokin’ Bar-B-Que,200 E. Fifth St.: 10 percent off food. Call 586-9790.

• Thai 9, 11 Brown St.: 15 percent off food. Call 477-7758.

• Uno Chicago Grill, 126 N. Main St.: 10 percent off food. Call 910-8000.

Entertainment

• Grass Roots Enrichment and Wellness Center, 400 E. Fifth St. Suite C: (Open 5 to 8 p.m.) Featuring photographs by Randy Jennings, a free introduction to Reiki and massage therapy, hands-on activities for kids, and information on upcoming programs for children, teens and adults. Call 723-6747.

• The Neon, 130 E. Fifth St.: Call 222-SHOW (7469) for films and show times.

• RiverScape MetroPark, MetroParks Ice Rink, 111 E. Monument Ave: Ice skate from 5 to 9 p.m.; $7 includes admission and skate rental. The park’s concession will be open to purchase hot chocolate and other snacks. Call 278-2607.

• Urban Krag, 125 Clay St.: Climbing gym open until 11 p.m. Call 224-5724.

• Wiley’s Comedy Niteclub,101 Pine St.: Tyrone Hawkins at 9 p.m.; tickets $12. Call 224-5653.

Shopping

• Amore! Designer Consignment Boutique, 16 Brown St.: Hosting a winter sale with complimentary appetizers. Call 367-5941.

• Beaute Box, 116 W. Fifth St.: Free makeup lessons. Call 903-3165.

• Hangar18, 114 N. St. Clair St.: Featuring 15 to 20 percent offselect items. Call 830-9875.

• Peace on Fifth, 510 E. Fifth St.: Fair-trade food tasting. Call 367-7215.

• Record Gallery, 16 Brown St.: Featuring 20 percent off collectable albums and 10 percent off general merchandise. Call 224-3277.

• Sew Dayton, 16 Brown St.: Hosting a gift basket raffle to benefit local charity Clothes That Work. The gift basket contains fabrics, buttons and other sewing items and is valued at $100. Tickets to the raffle are $2 each. Call 234-7398.

• ReCreate, 438 E. Fifth St.: Sale on select items, including new and used instruments, other music-related items, and original artwork. Call 938-8181.

Jazz Spotlight: Jazz Jam + Upcoming Local Jazz Jan 2 – 15

January 2, 2013 By Ron Gable Leave a Comment

Happy January 2nd! American jazz singer Arthur Prysock, best known for his live shows and his baritone influenced by Billy Eckstine was born on this day in 1929.

What is a Jazz Jam?

In simple terms a jam session is a musical act where musicians play by improvising without extensive preparation or predefined arrangements. A regular jazz jam is usually sponsored by a venue where this is a predefined core group of paid regulars and any and all musicians who care to come and join in are welcome. The guest musicians or vocalist would need to check or sign in with the event MC to maintain a good performing balance.

There are regular ongoing jams in Dayton, Cincinnati and Columbus, which are known well enough to draw guest performers both local and many times from out of town. Like I tell everyone, every chance I get, “Many times, depending upon who shows up, you get some of the very best jazz at jams!” Last Sunday at Jazz Central proved to be the case when the Slaughter Brothers, Clarence (saxophone) and William (trumpet) showed up to jam. Over the years many young jazz players have cut their teeth on Jazz Central’s stage, which has been home to Dayton’s longest running jazz jam.

The Slaughter brothers, who have been doing big things in South Carolina and New Orleans, are home for the holidays and we were treated to a rare performance. In addition to the Slaughters we had Kenny Baccus on organ, John Hampton Wagner as MC as well as trumpet and vocals and Greg Webster on drums, Clifford Darrett and Ahmed Abdullah on congas, and Ron Appleberry on bass as the basic jam core group. Additional guest performers included David Jenkins on saxophone and Darren Witherspoon on drums, two young Stivers School of the Arts students who were new to the jam sessions. Rounding out the evening were vocalist Jeff Ward and Always Triple, trombonist Mushandi Pillow, saxophonist Grant Koeller and drummers Henry Preston and Ismail Muhammad as well as Jack Hart on organ and Jerry Cox on flute. If I haven’t missed anyone (hopefully I’m correct on the spellings) there were eighteen on stage during the evening; what entertainment for a mere $2.00 cover charge.

Clarence started playing on the Jazz Central stage at age 12, was one of the Serious Young Musicians that played Showtime at the Apollo and has performed with some of today’s biggest names in New Orleans. Younger brother William Patrick who also grew up at the club is currently based in the South and comes back to us as a professional player of unbelievable skill. It’s my understanding that the brothers will be with us trough next Sunday’s jam and Clarence is scheduled to be part to Saturday’s “Secret! Kept?” show at the club, which you can check out at: http://www.jazzcentraldayton.com/#15

Jazz Calendar

Here are some (not all) of the upcoming jazz events for the next couple of weeks:

Tonight Wednesday, January 2 – Jazz Central opens a new Blue Wednesday series with Jack & Joe Waters and Swing Dance with Lizz & Rex Review is at the Dayton Event Connection.

Thursday January 3 – Tony Monaco is at Giammarco’s Pizza in Westerville, OH.

Friday January 4 – the Marc Fields Quintet is at the Blue Wisp in Cincinnati and the Eddie Brookshire Quintet is at the Thompson House in Newport, Ky.

Saturday January 5 – James and Moore are performing at the C’est Tout Bistro in Oakwood and an allstar cast is doing Secret! Kept? at Jazz Central.

Sunday January 6 – the Slaughter Brothers return for the Jazz Jam Session w/ Kenny Baccus at Jazz Central in Dayton and a Live Jazz Party produced by Gene Walker is at the Hunan Gourmet Restaurant in Whitehall, OH.

Monday January 7 – the John Taylor Trio is at the Brio Tuscan Grille in Beavercreek and a Jazz Jam hosted by Sandy Suskind at the Blue Wisp in Cincinnati.

Tuesday January 8 – Matt Ellis and “Standard Time” is at the McConnell Arts Center in Worthington, OH.

Wednesday January 9 – the Blue Wisp Big Band performs at the Wisp in Cincinnati and Jack & Joe Waters is at Jazz Central in Dayton.

Thursday January 10 – the Rick Brunetto Big Band is at the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant in Columbus.

Friday January 11 – Shawn Stanley Trio is at Carvers Steaks & Chops in Centerville, OH and Deep Blue Organ Trio is at the Thompson House in Newport, Ky

Saturday January 12 – Richard Lopez is at Hyde Park in Arlington in Columbus and the Rachel Sepulveda Trio is at the Worthington Inn both in Worthington, OH.

Sunday January 13 – the Jazz Jam Session w/ Kenny Baccus is at Jazz Central in Dayton and Hoo Doo Soul Band is at the Rumba Café in Columbus.

Monday January 14 – Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra is at the Clintonville Woman’s Club in Columbus.

Tuesday January 15 – Trumpeter Scott Belck and CCM Jazz Orchestras is at the Blue Wisp in Cincinnati.

More info and jazz listings can be found at www.JazzAdvocate.com