Archives for May 2013

THE SAPPHIRES Opens Friday at THE NEON!

May 8, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

We’re moving right along this weekend. If you still need to see THE COMPANY YOU KEEP, Thursday will be its last day at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open the crowd-pleasing, award-winning film that so many of you have been asking about – THE SAPPHIRES. We hope you’ll gather up your friends and make plans to see this fun film over the weekend! MUD was off to a great start…it will stick around. For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com.

Synopsis for THE SAPPHIRES: “Four smart, gutsy young Australian Aboriginal women become unlikely stars in the most unlikely of places, with the most unlikely of allies, in THE SAPPHIRES. Set in 1968, the film follows Gail (Deborah Mailman), Cynthia (Miranda Tapsell), Julie (Jessica Mauboy) and Kay (Shari Sebbens) as they seize a risky, but irresistible, chance to launch a professional career singing for U.S. troops in Vietnam. Under the tutelage of an R&B-loving Irish musician, Dave Lovelace (Chris O’Dowd), the girls transform themselves into a sizzling soul act and set out to make a name for themselves hundreds of miles from home. Inspired by a true story, THE SAPPHIRES is a celebration of music, family and self-discovery.” (taken from The Weinstein Company) Click this LINK to watch the trailer and visit the film’s official site.

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The ticket reservations for the screening of GIRL RISING have tipped the required amount…so the screening will move forward. For more about this film, click this LINK. This is the site where you can watch the trailer, read about the film and reserve your ticket. This site is the only place where you can get advanced tickets. If tickets remain on the night of the screening, they can be purchased at THE NEON. The screening is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 5 at 7:30. Watch the trailer…this film looks terrific!

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Film #4 in Start Freedom Dayton’s film series – CALL + RESPONSE – is scheduled for May 30 at 7:30. “Organized by Justin Dillon, an artist, public speaker, abolitionist, founder and CEO of Slavery Footprint, CALL + RESPONSE is a documentary about human trafficking that combines musicians, celebrities, national abolitionists and political figures to shine a light on human trafficking concerns in the US and abroad. Tickets are $10 day of show at THE NEON or advance tickets are $8 (available exclusively at Peace on Fifth – 508 E. 5th – 937.367-7215). For information about Peace on Fifth or Start Freedom Dayton visit the official site. CALL + RESPONSE is sponsored by Fairly Simple.” (taken from the press release)

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On Thursday, June 20 at 7:30, we will host a special screening of the new film I DO. (I just saw this film at The Cleveland International Film Festival, and the audience adored it!) “A gay Brit living in New York is deprived of his immigration status, and risks losing his family and life in the U.S. He marries his lesbian best friend to remain in the country and stay with his family, but things get complicated when he meets the love of his life and is forced to make an impossible choice.” This one night only screening is part of Dayton’s PRIDE festivities. Tickets are $9 for General Admission. Members of The Greater Dayton LGBT Center get in for $7 (with valid membership card). Tickets are on sale now at THE NEON’s box office.

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Be sure to check out our “Coming Soon” list below. I’m delighted that the new Linklater film BEFORE MIDNIGHT will make it to THE NEON…it’s wonderful.

We hope to see you soon!

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. May 10 – Thur, May 16:

MUD (PG-13) 2 Hr 10 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:10, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 5:15, 7:45

THE SAPPHIRES (PG-13) 1 Hr 43 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 5:10, 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
May 17 – NO
May 24 – STARBUCK
May 24 – AT ANY PRICE
May 31 – RENOIR
June 7 – LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED
June 14 – BEFORE MIDNIGHT
June 28 – THE EAST
TBD – GINGER AND ROSA
TBD – KON TIKI
TBD – FROM UP ON POPPY HILL
TBD – FRANCES HA
TBD – IN THE HOUSE
TBD – TO THE WONDER

Experience the Best of Downtown at Urban Nights

May 8, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

More than 100 downtown venues are offering special events, discounts and more for the May 10 Urban Nights.

Urban Nights is getting an updated flavor and feel. Entertainment now will focus on three “hotspots” located throughout downtown, allowing visitors to experience downtown’s biggest street party in a new way by visiting hubs of activity throughout downtown. The next Urban Nights will be held 5 to 10 p.m. this Friday, May 10, in downtown Dayton, the Oregon District and Wright-Dunbar Business Village. A list of the hotspots at the spring event is below.

“We celebrated the 10th anniversary of Urban Nights last year and felt it was a good time to re-evaluate the event,” said Sandy Gudorf, president of the Downtown Dayton Partnership, which presents Urban Nights. “It’s clear the event has been extremely successful, as it brings more than 30,000 people to our downtown, many business owners report record sales, and we continue to receive a great deal of positive feedback from the community about Urban Nights.

“Still, we wanted to make sure Urban Nights more effectively meets its overall goal: to showcase all downtown has to offer and the places that only can be experienced in downtown Dayton,” Gudorf added. “We believe this new plan will encourage people to visit more places downtown during Urban Nights while giving us the opportunity to better highlight different areas in our center city.”

A map of participating venues and a complete performance schedule, including a listing of all participating locations’ events and specials, is available online. Follow Urban Nights on Facebook for regular updates and more information.

More than 30,000 people come downtown to experience this free event, when more than 100 establishments showcase downtown’s dining, nightlife, art, music, retail and housing options. The best way to see as much as possible during Urban Nights is to walk, and many of the destinations are just a short distance from each other. Greater Dayton RTA also will provide free event busses to help visitors get around.

Urban Nights is presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership, Montgomery County and the City of Dayton, with support from Greater Dayton RTA, Bud Light Lime, Miller-Valentine Group, the Downtown Priority Board, Sinclair Community College, Mix 107.7-FM, WYSO 91.3-FM, Wright-Dunbar Business Village and the Ohio Arts Council.

MAY 10 URBAN NIGHTS HOTSPOTS

International Street

Sponsored by Miller-Valentine Group

Second Street between Main and Jefferson streets

Enjoy dance performances from a variety of troupes and grab an import brew to go along with foods from many cultures.

Second Street will be closed by the Kettering Tower to make way for dance performances and more.

Dancing in the Street Stage Schedule

5-5:25 p.m.:        Troupe Roja
5:30-5:55 p.m.: McGovern Ceili Dancers
6-6:25 p.m.:        South Dayton Dance Theatre
6:30-6:55 p.m.: Grupo Caribe
7-7:25 p.m.:        The Beseda Dancers
7:30-7:55 p.m.: Vivian Zumba
8-10 p.m.:            Son del Caribe

The corner of Fourth and St. Clair streets will be a hub of arts-inspired activity.

Arts Corner

Sponsored by Sinclair Community College

St. Clair and Fourth streets

Experience the Urban Nights motto “Walk on the Creative Side.” Enjoy a range of entertainment hosted by nearby businesses, including live entertainment, art exhibits and special sales. The Dayton Art Institute will host a photo booth where you can transform your image into an Andy Warhol-style work of art.
Arts Corner Entertainment
5-7 p.m.: Sweet Betsy

7-9 p.m.: By Means of Words at CADC

9-11 p.m.: Miss Lissa & Co. at Serendipity Bistro

Rock out to local bands at the Live on Five stage in the Oregon District.

Live on Five

Corner of Fifth and Pine streets in the Oregon District

Grab a draft brew from the beer truck and rock out to a variety of live bands.

Entertainment Schedule:

5-5:45 p.m.: The Broken Lights Band

6- 6:45 p.m.: Meghna & the Majority

7-7:45 p.m.: Cherry Lee and the Daddy Katz

8-10 p.m.: Magic Jackson

MAY 10 URBAN NIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS

Tours and Exhibits Commemorating the Great Dayton Flood of 1913

Great Dayton Flood of 1913 Bus Tours

Presented by Dayton History, Generation Dayton and Greater Dayton RTA

Get around Urban Nights while learning about our city’s largest natural disaster. Narrators on specially marked Flood Tour buses will detail factors that led to the catastrophe and recount survivors’ personal stories and those of heroic Daytonians from 100 years ago. The free 30- to 45-minute tour will follow the Urban Nights blue bus route and will stop at various locations throughout downtown Dayton. The tour officially begins at the corner of Monument Avenue and Jefferson Street, but visitors can get on and off the bus at any of the designated stops.

The Miami Conservancy District, 38 E. Monument Ave.

At its historical administrative building, the MCD will feature pocket park clean water tours and display 1913 flood inundation maps. The MCD also will host open-mic story telling about the flood along with other displays and giveaways.

The Great Dayton Adventure Race

Starts at the MetroParks Bike Hub at RiverScape MetroPark

This urban scavenger hunt will wind through the Urban Nights action. See how many clues you can answer in two hours as you navigate the city by foot for a chance to win prizes. Team up with friends or tackle the challenge solo. Racers can start anytime between 5 and 7 p.m. $20 per person. Register in advance at www.topoadventuresports.org or at RiverScape MetroPark the day of the event. Call 937-274-0126 for more information.

RiverScape MetroPark will be a hub of activity, including live entertainment and activities focused on green living. (Photography by Josh Mayes)

RiverScape MetroPark: Plaza and Pavilion Stage

At the RiverScape Plaza, visit DRG3’s Green Fest: Spring into Green!, featuring green displays and exhibits, recycled arts and crafts, a thrift shop runway, basketball with recyclables, extreme hop scotch, hula hoop, solar race cars, energy bikes and martial arts demos. Also at RiverScape at the nearby MetroParks Pavilion, enjoy live entertainment:
5:30-6 p.m.:        The Dayton Poetry Slam Showcase
6-7:45 p.m.:        New Vega
7:45-8:15 p.m.: Howard School of Dance
8:15-10 p.m.:      The Ark Band

Live entertainment, food and activities will be part of the Urban Nights experience in the Wright-Dunbar Business Village.

Wright-Dunbar Business Village Entertainment

Enjoy live entertainment, cultural arts, creative and tasty cuisine, and other festivities in the Wright-Dunbar Business Village. Special events include:

• Gospel and R&B Plaza, Third & Williams streets: Featuring live entertainment and four food vendors.
• Dance Tent, 1133 W. Third St.: Featuring entertainment by DJ Master G, three food vendors and a spirits bar.
• Jazz Plaza, West Third Street: Featuring live jazz entertainment and food stations.
• The Lounge, 1100 W. Third St.: Presenting a ticketed event at 8:30 p.m., a tribute to The Ohio Players by D-Funk All Stars. Call 443-0249 for tickets and information.

Self-Guided Architectural Tour

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Dayton Chapter has organized a self-guided tour for those intrigued by the architecture of Dayton and the history behind it. Refer to the Architectural Week brochure (distributed with Urban Nights program books) for more details or start at any of the buildings that are on the tour, where more information also will be available. The tour highlights the exterior architectural features of buildings, and not all buildings will be open to tour the interiors.

• Kuhns Building, 45 S. Main St.

• The Arcade, Third Street across from Courthouse Square

• The Old Courthouse, corner of Main and Third streets

• Kettering Tower, southeast corner of Main and Second streets

• Schuster Center, northwest corner of Main and Second streets

• Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St.

Sideshow 8

Yellow Cab Building, 700 E. Fourth St.

The Dayton Circus Creative Collective again will kick off its two-day celebration of music and art in Dayton during Urban Nights. This event showcases the work of more than 60 artists and more than 20 musicians, and it hosts an event after-party until 1 a.m. Food and refreshments available. Visit the event website for a complete entertainment schedule and list of participating artists.

Join hundreds of cyclists on a ride through the night’s action at Urban Bikes @ Urban Nights, which will start at Courthouse Square. (Photography by Josh Mayes)

Urban Bikes @ Urban Nights

Start at Courthouse Square, Third and Main streets, at 6 p.m.

Get a preview of Urban Nights from the seat of your bike. Join hundreds of cyclists on this police-escorted ride through downtown. Riders are encouraged to wear a helmet and should be able to ride at a decent pace. This is not a ride for young children on their own bikes. From 5 to 8 p.m. on the Square, GetUP Montgomery County will present an event with live music, fitness demonstrations and other interactive activities focused on active, healthy lifestyles.

Sample New Food and Drink Establishments

Several downtown dining destinations either will be newly opened or open during Urban Nights to offer samples from their menus and preview their soon-to-be-open spots:

• Agnes All Natural Grill, 135 E. Fourth St.

• The Barrel House, 417 E. Third St.

• Lily’s Bistro, 329 E. Fifth St.

• Salar Restaurant and Lounge, 410 E. Fifth St.

• Toxic Brew Co ., 431 E. Fifth St.

Mosaic City Photo Show

St. Clair Lofts building, 39 S. St. Clair St.

Cityfolk presents an exhibit that includes entries from a recent Cityfolk photo contest and work by artist Glenna Jennings, who will present her project “Looking at Looking.” Her photographs depict residents and visitors to downtown Dayton observing historic images from the National Cash Register archive.

Watch large-scale prints being made with a steamroller at the third Steamroller Printmaking event.

Steamroller Printmaking: Flat-Out Fun!

Stivers School for the Arts, 1313 E. Fifth St.

Printmakers from the Dayton Printmakers Cooperative and students from Stivers School for the Arts will print large-scale linoleum blocks using a real steamroller as a printing press. Anyone can carve a smaller version of the linoleum blocks prior to the event (available for purchase at the Dayton Visual Arts Center for $10), called “Parking Prints,” and have it printed the night of the event. At DVAC, 118 N. Jefferson St., view large-scale and parking prints from the previous two Steamroller events.

Light My Fire & Brilliant Trash Competition

K12 Gallery for Young People and TEJAS, 510 E. Third St.

More than 100 hand-crafted mosaic lanterns will be lit in front of and inside the gallery as part of the Light My Fire exhibit. The lanterns will be for sale, with proceeds benefitting programming at K12 and TEJAS. K12 also will host the Brilliant Trash Competition, featuring upcycled works of art by local artists vying to be named Craft Master 2013, along with the exhibition “Can I Get a Witness?,” featuring abstract paintings by Rebecca Sargent and Erika Hess. Enjoy light refreshments, music and salsa dancing.

Cityfolk Presents Bluegrass Tymes II + TICKET CONTEST

May 8, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Cityfolk is proud to present the 2013 bluegrass concert Bluegrass Tymes II, sponsored by the Jack W and Sally D Eichelberger Foundation and featuring Russell Morre & IIIrd Tyme Out with special guest Sons of Bluegrass at the Masonic Center on Friday, May 10 at the Dayton Masonic Center.

Now celebrating its 22nd year as a band, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out is one of the most successful and celebrated bluegrass ensembles of the last quarter century. The band was formed in 1991, when singer/guitarist Russell Moore, bass player Ray Deaton and fiddler Mike Hartgrove left Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver to make their own mark on modern bluegrass. IIIrd Tyme Out (the name is a reference to the fact that this was the third full-time band for each of the three principals) made an impressive debut, recording three acclaimed and influential albums in just four years.

Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out—which includes Russell Moore (guitar, lead vocals), Steve Dilling (banjo, vocals), Wayne Benson (mandolin, vocals), Justen Haynes (fiddle) and Edgar Loudermilk (bass)—has won numerous awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association, including Vocal Group of the Year seven consecutive years; Russell Moore has been named Male Vocalist of the Year five times, more than any other singer.

The band made its recording debut in 1991 with IIIrd Tyme Out on Rebel and now has an extensive discography that includes such favorites as Living on the Other Side, Letter to Home, John and Mary, Singing on Streets of Gold and Live at the MAC. The band’s latest album for Rural Rhythm Records is Prime Tyme, which includes the hit “Pretty Little Girl from Galax.” Timeless Hits from the Past…Bluegrassed, the first fruit of the band’s new marketing partnership with Cracker Barrel restaurants, was released in January. The album includes such vintage country hits as “Mama Tried” and “Farewell Party,” as well as re-makes of the band’s hits “John and Mary” and “Only You.”

Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out is back on top of the bluegrass world—for the second time, no less—after a few years early in the last decade where it seemed the band’s future might be in doubt. “All the awards, all the recognition, those things are just by-products of doing what we love to do,” says Russell Moore, “and of having everybody pulling in the same direction. But when you know that somebody out there is getting something from your music, well, that’s the thing about music that got me into it, just the love of the music, and the way it made me feel. It always has been therapeutic, and it still is. You can’t ask for more than that.”

Sons of Bluegrass
Mentored by award-winning guitarist Tim Stafford of Blue Highway, the Sons of Bluegrass consists of five students in the bluegrass music program at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City: Chris Armstrong (bass, vocals), Cameron Owens (mandolin, vocals), Meade Richter (fiddle), Lee Franklin (guitar, vocals) and Dan Troyer (banjo, vocals). The fast-rising young quintet, which has received an Arts Build Communities grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission and won the Championship Bluegrass Band award at the Fiddler’s Grove Festival in North Carolina, released its first recording last fall, The Sons of Bluegrass, a six-song EP that contains four band originals.

Cityfolk also receives funding from Culture Works, Ohio Arts Council and the Montgomery County Arts & Cultural District.

Jazz Spotlight: Robert Sanae + Upcoming Jazz May 8-21

May 8, 2013 By Ron Gable Leave a Comment

Who is Robert Sanae?

Dayton native, Robert Sanae, born Robert Jones, is a product of a rich musical heritage with relatives who were accomplished musicians of groups such as ‘Sun’ and ‘Dayton’, and his father an original member of the acclaimed Ohio Players. Robert is a multi-genre producer, composer, writer as well as a multi-instrumentalist. Robert began his professional career as a member of the R&B Group ‘Zapp’ featuring Roger Troutman, where he was a trumpeter, keyboardist, vocalist where he learned numerous other skills, including audio engineering and editing. With the Troutman organization, his credits encompassed five albums out of the Troutman camp, which included ‘Zapp IV’ and its hit track “Computer Love,” Robert composed and arranged the horn parts for several tracks as well as singing background and some small lead vocals on that project; Roger Troutman’s solo project, ‘The Human Body’; Shirley Murdock’s Debut album ‘As We Lay’ and Sugarfoot’s solo Project ‘Kiss.’ His story is not unlike so many other musicians/artists throughout the world that have navigated the vast music abyss along with trying to make a living via a life in music. He came to the realization some time ago that he must accept who he is to the core and not attempt to ignore the gift bestowed upon him by his creator. After ending his tenure with the Troutman organization, Robert moved to California to further his career as a writer, composer, artist as well as a producer and later moved to New Orleans, La. Over the years Robert has created an extensive catalog of productions ranging from R&B, Hip Hop, Neo-Soul, Pop, Adult Contemporary Smooth/Contemporary Jazz and Rock and continues to develop as a producer/composer/musician, aspiring to become a master producer/composer. This coming Saturday, May 11 you will be able to sample some of Sanae’s expertise at Jazz Central in Dayton, when he and some of his friends will introduce his latest venture called “Prelude to Carter Creek – Indigo Blue.” Sanae reaches out to a broad audience, while injecting the highest level of musicianship into every note, phrase and song. I’ve seen Sanae perform on trumpet, keyboard and bass, although a credible player on all instruments, his main forte, in my opinion is the composition and the blending of sounds. What comes out is the real McCoy, a truly new version of an old art form.

My near term recommendations for some good upcoming entertainment: this Thursday it’s High School Jazz night at the Dayton Art Institute, Friday it’s the Spring Edition of Urban Nights in downtown Dayton and Saturday check out Robert Sanae at Jazz Central. Life is short, get out and hear some good live Jazz!

Jazz Calendar

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

Today Wednesday, May 8 – Swing Dance with Lizz & Rex Review is at The Dayton Event Connection and The Blue Wisp Big Band performs at the Wisp inCincinnati.

Thursday May 9 – It’s High School Jazz Night at the Dayton Art Institute when Bill Burn and the Centerville High School Jazz 1, Jazz Combo 1 and Student Combo called “The Odyssey” play a wide range of contemporary and straight ahead jazz.
Friday May 10 – It’s the Spring Edition of Urban Nights all over downtown Dayton, the Oregon District and Wright Dunbar who has LYD and Chris Bowman on their Jazz Stage.

Saturday May 11 – Marion Meadows and Deron Bell are at the Artium Hotel and Conference Center in Cincinnati and Robert Sanae is doing a Prelude to CarterCreek called Indigo Blue at Jazz Central in Dayton.

Sunday May 12 – The Jam Session w/ Kenny Baccus continues at Dayton’s Jazz Central and Mother’s Day Brunch with Dwight Lenox is at North PointConference Center in Columbus.
Monday May 13 – The John Taylor Trio is at Brio Tuscan Grille in Beavercreek and Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra is at the Clintonville Woman’s Club in Columbus.

Tuesday May 14 – The Part St. Tavern is having a Jazz Jam and Tony Monaco is at the Rumba Café both in Columbus.

Wednesday May 15 –Todd Hepburn is at Arnold’s Bar & Grill in Cincinnati and Paul Hines & 57 Special is the Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis, IN.

Thursday May 16 – The Generations Big Band is at Jazz Central in Dayton and Dave Greer’s Classic Jazz Stompers is at The Tropics in Kettering, OH.

Friday May 17 – Shawn Stanley Trio is at Carvers Steaks & Chops in Centerville and Jamey Aebersold Quartet is at fhe Blue Wisp in Cincinnati.

Saturday May 18 – The Bobby Floyd Trio is at Boudin’s Bistro & Jazz Club in Columbus and the Jazz of the Month Club presents the Rick VanMatre Quintet at the Cincinnati Public Library Atrium in Cincinnati OH.

Sunday May 19 – The Vernon Hairston Trio w/Tia is at Hollywood Casino Columbus and there’s a Jazz Jam at Victory’s in Columbus.

Monday May 20 – Mark Flugge, Derek Dicenzo & Jimmy Castoe are at Due Amici in Columbus and the Monday Night Big Band is at Blue Wisp in Cincinnati.
Tuesday May 21 – Ed Moss & the Society Jazz Orchestra is at the Schwartz Point Jazz Club in Cincinnati.

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

Best Legs Contest Benefits Clothes That Work!

May 8, 2013 By Lisa Grigsby Leave a Comment

Best Legs Contestant Jim Danis

Twenty one men in the Miami Valley are macho enough to sport high heels to make their legs look their best, as they compete for the annual Best Legs contest to benefit Clothes That Work. A local non-profit, celebrating their 15th year, CTW provides professional clothing and image consulting for job seekers in Montgomery County. For $5 a vote you can help select the Best Legs. Voting in the contest continues until May 10th and contestant Jim Danis is really taking the competition seriously, offering to put company logo’s on his legs for a $100 donation. If your company is looking for some additional exposure at an affordable rate for a good cause, my legs are the place for them,” explained Danis. “Truly, this is a fun event and I’m trying to raise as much money as I can to help support Clothes That Work, because Clothes That Work has provided so much support to thousands of people in our community.” He raised $200 at Monday’s Dayton Rotary meeting and shared that if he got to $500 Square One Salon has offered to wax his legs for free!

The winner of the Best Legs Contest will be announced after the 6th annual Hunks in Heel race at The Green on Saturday, May 11th. There’s still time to join the Hunk racers, with over 100 men scheduled to race around The Greene in high heels in support of the important women in their lives. Event festivities being at noon on May 11. For a registration form, please visit:http://www.clothesthatwork.org/events-2/events.html. Fans are invited to join the crowd for this fast paced fun filled afternoon. As in years past, the patio’s of Brio and McCormick and Schmick will be filled with cheering sections for the teams of racers. From past experience I’d like to share that often the shoe selection by the runners is often the most entertaining part of the event! I’ll be calling the race along with event co-chair Todd Crawford and look forward to see what surprises the racers have in store for us. Over the years, teams have come out in themed costumes, in drag, with with matching pedicures, who knows what we’ll see this year.

You can also support CTW by purchasing a raffle ticket online or at the event for $5 for a “Do Dayton” Staycation! One winner will win a Dayton experience package that includes:

$100 Gift Certificate to Thai 9

Dayton Dragons Suite – Sunday July 28th

Hunks in Heels – 2010

One Night Stay at Inn Port B&B in the Oregon District

3 Month Membership to Dayton Racquet Club PLUS $50 Dinner Gift Certificate

4 Tickets to the Warhol Exhibition at the Dayton Art Institute

A World Affair passes

$10 Gift Certificate to Deaf Monty’s Wine Shop at Inn Port

4 Tickets to the Vectren Jazz and Beyond series at the Dayton Art Institute

One Hour Massage – Square One

2 Passes to the Neon Movies

$50 Gift Certificate to Brim Hat Shop

$25 Gift Certificate to Oregon Express

2 Free Passes to Practice Yoga

$20 Gift Certificate to Serendipity Bistro

$20 Gift Certificate to Clash

2 Personal Fashion Stylist Consultations at Sew Dayton

Free Haircut at Derailed Hair Salon

One Free Piercing at Glenn Scott Tattoo

2 Passes to Muse Machine 2014 Musical

10?’s with Patrick Sartin, The Man in the Black Truck

May 7, 2013 By Lisa Grigsby 1 Comment

Chef Patrick inside his truck. Photo courtesy of Dolce Photography

Patrick Sartin started cooking at a young age in Dayton working in several local kitchens including The Country Club of the North, Rocky’s Pizza, and Kohler Catering, before attending the Culinary Institute of America, where he graduated in 2002. After graduation Sartin did a stint as the Head Chef at Chanterelles here in Dayton, before he achieved his goal of travel and work in as many different regions of the US as he could, gaining as much culinary knowledge as possible.

Patrick has worked in the industry across the United States from Colorado to Maine working with very talented culinarians including two ACF Certified Master Chefs. As a chef for the prestigious Ocean Properties LTD in Bar Harbor Maine for the last 7 years, Patrick assisted in opening and overseeing the daily operations in hotel kitchens and large catering facilities up and down the east coast. Sartin has extensive knowledge and experience executing large banquet functions, operating multiple outlets, and producing a wide variety of foods indigenous to the different regions and cultures of The United States. With his new mobile venture Harvest Mobile Cusine, a valuable tool for street vending, catering, and exposure of flavor, Patrick hopes to spread the love of cuisine he has gathered through his extensive travels and aims to show how important it is to get back to the simplicity of cooking, using local ingredients and simple time honored techniques. Patrick takes on DMM’s infamous 10 questions:

What is your favorite ingredient to cook with?

Fresh local ingredients are my passion. It may sound simple but I can’t wait for the local fruit and vegetables to become available. One of my favorites is the strawberry, there is simply nothing like a fresh local strawberry.

What ingredient do you dread? Every cell in my body is opposed to the idea of using frozen or canned ingredients.

What is your favorite dish to make? I live for the opportunity to enlighten people and expand palates; introducing someone to something new is a challenge I get excited about. I like getting meat eaters to try a vegetarian dish and right now I am having a lot of success doing that with my Falafel.

What is your favorite pig out food?
This is going to sound like I am making it up but the only thing I could say I really “pig out” on is salad. Even my four year old is a big salad eater, believe it or not.

What restaurant do you dine out in?
I am sure you’ve heard it before but for cooks, there isn’t much time to eat out. That being said I love to eat anywhere that features farm to table cuisine like Meadowlark. Other than that we always choose locally owned venues like Marrions Pizza over the corporate chains.

What is your best advice to home chefs?

Harvest Tacos – Wild caught northern Atlantic haddock, jicama slaw, citrus cream

My best advice is twofold, firstly keep it simple. Don’t over think your dish, and keep the seasonings straight forward. Secondly, look to your local bounty, focus on farm fresh produce and meat.

If you could invite any 4 guests to a dinner party who would they be and why?

My Grandmother Caroline: To thank her for showing me the ropes of cooking at a young age, and guiding me towards my passion for farm fresh ingredients;

My Mother: To share my accomplishments to the one person who has always provided that stable ground for me to stumble upon;

My wife/daughter: The two most important people in my life who I strive to nurture with every small step into the future;

Phish(the band): For providing the musical inspiration that continues to push me forward down the bumpy roads of life.

Who do you look up to in the industry and why?

I guess I most admire the two Certified Master Chefs I worked with. Dan Dumont has a breadth of knowledge and passion that is impressive and inspiring. I am driven to achieve a work ethic that I leaned from these chefs who have risen to the very limits of accreditation for our profession.

What do you do on day off?
We are a very outdoors oriented family. We love the Five Rivers MetroParks and often select a new one at random to explore on days off. I love hiking, biking cannoning; these parks are a major draw for Dayton.

Presidential picnic basket

Patrick with President Obama

The most interesting highlight of my career thus far was the time I spent working for Bar Harbor resorts and was hand selected by white house staff for an opportunity to cook for the first family. I was chosen to join a team of two other chefs who catered to the Obama’s when they visited the resorts. The most memorable times were spent preparing their picnic lunches. We prepared local meals for the sitting president and his family to enjoy in the park. The picnic basket was the size of a car trunk and was loaded with beautiful china and stemware.

For your chance to try a meal from the Harvest Mobile Cuisine Truck you can check his calendar to find a location near you. You can also hire him for catering for special events with customized menus to suit. The truck’s menu is constantly changing, but we can recommend the chicken tortilla soup and the tacos. You can aslo follow Harvest Mobile on Facebook

Here’s where you can the truck this week:

Veggie Pita – Roasted red pepper hummus, marinated and grilled seasonal vegetables, and local greens

TUESDAY
KETTERING 11:00-2:00pm
ACCO Brands, LLC. 4751 Hempstead Station Drive

BEAVERCREEK 3:00-8:00
KMart (Across from The Greene) 4480 Indian Ripple R

WEDNESDAY
DAYTON 11:00-2:00
LORD Corporation 4644 Wadsworth Drive

THURSDAY
BEAVERCREEK 11:00-2:00
Apple Valley Business Park 4021 Executive Drive
4021 Executive Drive

FRIDAY
DAYTON 11:00-2:00
Five Rivers Metro Parks 409 East Monument

URBAN NIGHTS FOOD TRUCK RALLY 5:00-10:00
East Monument St. Dayton

SATURDAY

Hill Family Farms Jumbo Wings – Thai barbecue sauce, roasted peanuts, and cilantro.

DAYTON NOON-10:00
Fifth Street Brewpub Open House 1600 East Fifth Street

SUNDAY 12:00-7:00
YELLOW SPRINGS
Village BP 4 Xenia Ave

Live From New York: Brian Van Flandern Trains at Salar

May 7, 2013 By Brian Petro Leave a Comment

Fresh new cocktails coming to the Oregon District!

It was in New York that an actor was working his way through school. The year was 2003; he had one more semester to go, and the bar he was working in was failing. He was no ordinary bartender. While working in theater and other pursuits, he had nearly two decades of bartending under his belt. Knowing he had one more semester to go, he agreed to take one more restaurant job in New York and work there until he was able to get “a real job”. The new restaurant was the brainchild of Chef Thomas Keller, who had already created the very successful French Laundry in California, and now wanted to expand it to New York. While working with the chef of Per Se to create the menu, and learning to pair wines with dishes, this bartender asked “Why can’t we use fresh ingredients and make great cocktails that pair with food?” This simple question lead to a rethinking of how food and cocktails can interact. He had to prove to the chef that, despite their higher alcohol content, you can create cocktails that went well with food.

After the initial terror and question of “What did I do?” subsided, experienced bartender Brian Van Flandern set out to prove his point. The quest included three distinct elements. The first was to make cocktails from fresh and local ingredients, something that had been spreading like a virus through the New York cocktail scene. The second was pairing great cocktails with great food, something he was sure could be done. The third, and this was the hardest sell for the consumer, was to lower the alcohol content so that the palate was not damaged by the liquor. He was looking through a list of the basic cocktails when he picked his battle: the gin and tonic. Gin was an element that he was familiar with, and how much more simple of a cocktail can you make than one with just two elements? As he dissected it, he started to learn about the history of the drink, really questioning how it was made. That led to Van Flandern making his own tonic water, importing powdered quinine from Brazil, well before craft and artisan tonics were in vogue. Combining his home made tonic water with a special gin from San Francisco, he created the Tonic and Gin Per Se. When renown New York Times Critic Frank Brunei gave his four star review of Per Se, he mentioned that cocktail by name. “And all of a sudden my bartending job became a career”, Van Flandern said with a smile and a laugh.

Three star Michelein Mixologist Brian Van Flandern educating the staff.

Brian Van Flandern, three star Michelin rated mixologist and world class cocktail educator and creator, met with me at Rue Dumaine to discuss all things cocktail. Two things strike you as you are talking with him: he is naturally very friendly and easy to chat with, and he is passionate about cocktails and how they fit into our current culture. He has a very impressive resume to stand on. He has cocktails in over forty countries, as well as a very thick book of places where he has shared his experience and passion. He is the author of two books, Vintage Cocktails, which is currently available and Craft Cocktails, which will be released by Assoline later this month. Like anyone who is passionate about what he does and where he is going, he is well versed in where his craft has been. “Prior to Prohibition in the United States, being a bartender was a respected craft, like a pharmacist or a cobbler. It was a trade that was passed down from father to son. These famous barmen were making their own tonics, their own tinctures, their own syrups.” He goes on, describing the flight of these great bartenders to Europe so they could keep making good cocktails. Europe became no better for cocktails than America, getting caught first in the worldwide Great Depression and then World War II. “By the time World War II was over, we had lost an entire generation of mixology and had lost the art of the cocktail.” He talks about the evolution of the cocktail, not only in terms of how it went from strong in the 50’s and 60’s to sweet in the 70’s and 80’s, but how people perceived it and how consumer demand influenced it.

It was not until the late 90’s that the cocktail started to edge back to where it had been before prohibition. “Dale DeGroff started to do critical thinking like a chef. He took a recipe from a woman who had won a cocktail competition in Florida, and made a cocktail called a Cosmopolitan. He used fresh ingredients and quality spirits, balanced it out, and he made an amazing Cosmopolitan that became so famous in New York that Sarah Jessica Parker mentioned it in her show ‘Sex and the City’. That cocktail became a global phenomenon. That was only the beginning. Now we are seeing the great mixologists are emulating the great chefs, working with global, fresh ingredients, their balancing the acids and sugars, and they are creating original flavor profiles that are aesthetically pleasing to the eyes and the palate.”

Class is in session for the future Salar mixologists.

Understanding where the cocktail has been helps Van Flanern see where it is going. Asking him about the next big cocktail trend, he feels that “we will never see a global trend like the Cosmopolitan again.” He sees bartending going in the same direction that the culinary world has been going; becoming more and more innovative, looking more to local and fresh ingredients to create their signature libations. He compared the growth of a bartender into a mixologist in the same way a cook evolves into a chef. Mixologists “innovate, they create, the do anything a bartender does, and more. They take it to the next level,” according to Van Flandern. Cocktails are no longer the big trend to look for, spirits are. People are embracing white whiskey, mescal, and pisco right now on the East coast, and it has been moving inwards through the country. The bigger spirits companies, like Diaego and Beam Global, are also helping to move trends, polling to see what people want to drink and encouraging the distilleries they own to develop spirits in that direction. This has allowed smaller, boutique, small batch distilleries to grow, fuelling a revolution in smaller craft spirits. “There is a lot of boutique, small batch, pot distilled distillations. We have seen a lot of boutique spirits are coming out where these guys are doing unique and innovative, cutting edge products in every major and minor spirit categories.”

Thanks to pioneers like Dale DeGroff, bartending has returned to the respectable trade it was before Prohibition chased bartenders to Europe, and their knowledge out of restaurants and bars. “It is an exciting time to be a bartender, globally”, offers Van Flandern, and he is right. Society’s palates have changed over the last two decades, and the explosion and expansion of craft liquors and spirits have given bartenders more options as far as ways to create cocktails. With the rising tide of skill and respect, the bar is no longer just a place for people to wait in a restaurant while their table is getting ready. It is an integrated part of the dining experience, with cocktails being paired with meals like wine traditionally has been and craft beers were a few years ago. “In my professional opinion, the long term trend in the next five years, great Chefs are going to supplant themselves in communities throughout the nation,” Van Flandern notes. He has seen this trend spreading, starting in places like London and New York, and in recent years moving to smaller cities like Cleveland and Columbus. And once the trend hits a city, it starts to spread to other lounges and restaurants.

Chef Margot Blondet, Executive Chef at Salar.

Mr. Van Flandern was recruited by Chef Margot Blondet to help give Salar, the restaurant she is creating, a globally inspired, signature cocktail menu. “We see great chefs like Chef Margot moving in to Dayton and settling down roots here, and then making commitments to great cuisine in Dayton, and making a similar commitment to her cocktail program.” That commitment extended to training the bar staff to make cocktails that had the same elements she was passionate about: fresh, innovative, exciting, locally sourced and the best in Dayton. Making great cocktails like that will also include training on the history of the spirits and the cocktails they would be making, so they understand them on a deeper level and can create new ones using the same philosophy. He assured me that all of their cocktails, while well crafted, will be delivered in a timely manner. If it is not exactly what you were looking for, the staff there will have no problems making it to your tastes. His customer first philosophy is one other thing that will be instilled into the bartenders he is training.

Salar is looking to open up in the next few weeks with not only fanfare, but with great ambition. Bringing a mixologist like Brian Van Flandern, with his years of experience and training, shows just how serious of an impact Chef/Owner Margot and General Manager Harry Trubounis are looking to make in the culinary landscape of Dayton. The stage is set in the Oregon District for a new star to rise.

May 2013 Blockbusters at Rave Cinemas Dayton South

May 6, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Hello Dayton! There are plenty of options for everyone to have the perfect movie weekend this week. Lots of things happening at your local Rave Cinemas! And don’t forget at Dayton South/Huber Heights, TUESDAYS are $5 all day (*3D $8), The Greene is WEDNESDAYS! You simply cannot beat this great deal with the superior picture and sound quality versus Netflix!

Opening In May

IRON MAN 3– Opens 05/02/13

Marvel Studios’ “Iron Man 3” pits brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy’s hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretly haunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man?

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Stephanie Szostak, James Badge Dale with Jon Favreau and Ben Kingsley, “Iron Man 3” is directed by Shane Black from a screenplay by Drew Pearce and Shane Black and is based on Marvel’s iconic Super Hero Iron Man, who first appeared on the pages of “Tales of Suspense” (#39) in 1963 and had his solo comic book debut with “The Invincible Iron Man” (#1) in May of 1968.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Gl0CoyhlNw’]

THE GREAT GATSBY– Opens 05/10/13

“The Great Gatsby” follows Fitzgerald-like, would-be writer Nick Carraway as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz and bootleg kings. Chasing his own American Dream, Nick lands next door to a mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby, and across the bay from his cousin, Daisy, and her philandering, blue-blooded husband, Tom Buchanan. It is thus that Nick is drawn into the captivating world of the super rich, their illusions, loves and deceits. As Nick bears witness, within and without the world he inhabits, he pens a tale of impossible love, incorruptible dreams and high-octane tragedy, and holds a mirror to our own modern times and struggles.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rARN6agiW7o’]

STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS– Opens 05/16/13

In the wake of a shocking act of terror from within their own organization, the crew of The Enterprise is called back home to Earth. In defiance of regulations and with a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads his crew on a manhunt to capture an unstoppable force of destruction and bring those responsible to justice.

As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ec_rPApKCA’]

EPIC– Opens 05/24/13

“Epic” is a 3D CG action-adventure comedy that reveals a hidden world unlike any other. From the creators of “Ice Age” and “Rio,” “Epic” tells the story of an ongoing battle deep in the forest between the forces of good and the forces of evil. When a teen age girl finds herself magically transported into this secret universe, she must band together with a rag-tag team of fun and whimsical characters in order to save their world and ours.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xu3JLXfuwQ’]

FAST & FURIOUS 6– Opens 05/24/13

Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Dwayne Johnson lead the returning cast of all-stars as the global blockbuster franchise built on speed races to its next continent in “Fast & Furious 6.” Reuniting for their most high-stakes adventure yet, fan favorites Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Sung Kang, Gal Gadot, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges and Elsa Pataky are joined by badass series newcomers Luke Evans and Gina Carano.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2h75LLhxM4′]

THE HANGOVER Part III– Opens 05/24/13

“The Hangover Part III” is the third and final film in director Todd Phillips’ record-shattering comedy franchise. This time, there’s no wedding. No bachelor party. What could go wrong, right? But when the Wolfpack hits the road, all bets are off.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9-16WJfJYM’]

AFTER EARTH– Opens 05/31/13

A crash landing leaves teenager Kitai Raige (Jaden Smith) and his legendary father Cypher (Will Smith) stranded on Earth, 1,000 years after cataclysmic events forced humanity�s escape. With Cypher critically injured, Kitai must embark on a perilous journey to signal for help, facing uncharted terrain, evolved animal species that now rule the planet, and an unstoppable alien creature that escaped during the crash. Father and son must learn to work together and trust one another if they want any chance of returning home.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZIt20emgLY’]

NOW YOU SEE ME– Opens 05/31/13

“Now You See Me” pits an elite FBI squad in a game of cat and mouse against “The Four Horsemen,” a super-team of the world’s greatest illusionists. “The Four Horsemen” pull off a series of daring heists against corrupt business leaders during their performances, showering the stolen profits on their audiences while staying one step ahead of the law.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaavRAV8a0A’]

For showtimes…CLICK HERE!

Xenia First Friday Celebration

May 3, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Downtown Xenia is the place to be on the first Friday of every month May through September. First Fridays in downtown Xenia kick off the fifth year on May 3, 2013 from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.

There will be free music to enjoy at the Greene County Courthouse performed by The Hathaways. Lawn chairs and picnic blankets are welcome. There will be children’s activities at the library, at the City of Xenia booth, and a bounce house in the Montgomery Insurance and Investments lot.
Head on over to X*ACT for their Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting of the new Xenia Arts Center at 7:30. At the Downtown Xenia Now
booth you can get information about things that are happening in your hometown and buy some pretty cool T-Shirts and mugs. The athletically inclined can bicycle into town and park your bicycle at the
beautiful new Bicycle Plaza at 3rd and Detroit. The Greene County Historical Society will hold their monthly historic tour of downtown commercial buildings, departing from the Courthouse (E. Main St.
side) at 6:30 p.m. The Xenia Area Young Professionals will be hosting a corn hole tournament on the patio at Willie’s Sports Bar to raise money for the anti-bullying program at Xenia Community Schools.
These are just a few of the things you will find going on Downtown Xenia!

The First Fridays events, now in its fifth year, continue to grow and flourish with repeat vendors and attendees each month returning for family-friendly fun and unique shopping opportunities.
The First Fridays events feature numerous food vendors at the Whiteman Parking Lot Food Court at the corner of E. Main and Whiteman. This year visitors can pick up a delicious meal of grilled chicken, pork chops, hot dogs, and other fair food as well as enjoy downtown festivities.

First Fridays run from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. and will continue through September 2013. “This year we decided to shorten our event to five months to avoid numerous school conflicts, short days, and cold of
October” said volunteer co-coordinator, Heidi Hilderbrandt of The Flower Stop.

First Fridays is organized by the Downtown Xenia Now group (formerly Xenia Downtown Revitalization Committee.) For more information or to download an application for vendor space, visit their website at
http://www.xenianow.org. To learn about volunteer opportunities or other activities of the Downtown Xenia Now Committee, go tohttp://www.xenianow.org or their Facebook page at
http://www.facebook.com/xeniadowntown and “like” them

The Charlie Tipton Band-Spotlight Is Bright On Band’s Upcoming Future

May 3, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

I have been writing about Dayton musicians and bands during the past year. I have seen some of the best music that is played in any town across the United States. One musician that continues to have people feels the same way that I feel is Charlie Tipton. Charlie Tipton is a lot like most of the musicians that play in Dayton. He has the desire and dedication that one needs to continue making the music scene so amazing. He is always out and about, supporting his peers that are performing nightly. After he is done playing his set, he comes and floats around, personally thanking everyone for coming. He is genuine and grateful for all that comes to him.

(Photo Courtesy-Jennifer Taylor Clarke)

Charlie Tipton’s voyage into music began at an early age. At 8 years old, he would be at his grandmother’s house and notice a vintage, rustic guitar. He was captivated of the charm and beauty that the guitar came with. So, he picked it up and started to play it. “I would ask my family to watch me play what I thought were chords”, Tipton mentions to me. “I just loved that guitar. It really inspired me to learn how the actually chords.” Tipton got his own guitar at the age of 11, and started to learn how to play songs that were popular at the time. Songs from Nirvana, Soundgarden, and other alternative rock bands flowed off the strings of his instrument. He always knew at this point that playing music live in front of crowds would be in his blood forever.

Until recently, Tipton played solo. He would take his guitar and would play songs that were full of sentiment. The words coming out of his mouth were nothing more but raw soul and energy. He credits Ryan Adams and Ray LaMontagne for being influences, which are clearly obvious when he plays. The rich sound of folk that two artists mentioned are a large reason that Tipton continues to deliver. These days, however, Tipton won’t be really being seen without his band, named The Charlie Tipton Band. One unique thing about the band is Tipton’s cousin is the guitarist of the band. “We have had some issues with keeping a drummer because of schedules and other small things. However, one thing won’t change is the fact my cousin will be there right by my side, playing music with me”, Tipton says about the band. The band likes to keep things airy and fast when playing live. Their sound is what Tipton calls ‘alternative country’-the blend of the two genres that produces an airy sense to their songs. Almost as if they are taking you to the open road, windows rolled down, and the tunes turned all the way up. The band currently is working on an album which they hope to have it released in August. “There are a lot of different elements to it. We are still trying to get that perfect sound”, explains Tipton about the album. “We will continue to keep playing and working on finding it.”

One of the remarkable characteristics about Tipton is what he does away from the mic. Tipton is a social worker in the area, helping young and old who have lost their way find themselves and get back onto the road to being better. Tipton aids people to get them off drugs, and assistances others to help them fight and win against addiction. Tipton told the story of him going to a small town recently and worked on helping folks with getting clean. “It’s an amazing feeling to help others. It’s always been something I have always to do. Addiction is serious. I just want to help people get past their demons.”

Charlie Tipton is one of the many reasons why the music in town is, and will continue to be for many years to come, a notch above the rest. This weekend will no doubt be more proof of that. Tonight, see The Charlie Tipton Band will be sharing the stage with Tim Pritchard and the Boxcar Suite, and Trey Stone Band. The show will be at J-Alans, located at 121 North Ludlow Street in downtown Dayton. Show time starts at 9pm. On Saturday night, Tipton will be performing at Brixx Ice Company, located across from Fifth Third Field on East First Street for the event Dayton Decides, a first-ever mayoral primary election event being hosted by UpDayton. The candidates, which include incumbent Gary Leitzell, and the challengers A.J. Wagner and Nan Whaley, will be sharing what they will bring if elected into office. Also, the evening will feature testimonials from business owners and neighborhood activists about is needed from the mayor to help them thrive. Also performing on the stage will be Good English and The Devil You Know. For more info on this event, click here.

MUD – Starring Matthew McConaughey – Opens at THE NEON!

May 2, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

video-mud-anatomy-articleLarge Hello Everyone,

THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES is heading out. Today (May 2) is its last day at THE NEON. We open the new film starring Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon – MUD – directed by Jeff Nichols (who also did TAKE SHELTER). MUD currently has a score of 98% on rottentomatoes.com…that’s incredibly high! For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our official site: www.neonmovies.com

Synopsis for MUD: “Mud is an adventure about two boys, Ellis and his friend Neckbone, who find a man named Mud hiding out on an island in the Mississippi. Mud describes fantastic scenarios-he killed a man in Texas and vengeful bounty hunters are coming to get him. He says he is planning to meet and escape with the love of his life, Juniper, who is waiting for him in town. Skeptical but intrigued, Ellis and Neckbone agree to help him. It isn’t long until Mud’s visions come true and their small town is besieged by a beautiful girl with a line of bounty hunters in tow.” (taken from Roadside Attractions) Click this LINK to visit the official site for MUD.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m9IFlz2iYo’]

The 13th Dayton Jewish International Film Festival is breaking records this year. The festival has experienced some sell-outs, and audiences are loving the films. You can visit our lobby to pick up a brochure for this year’s festival, and you can visit the website to purchase advanced tickets by clicking this [yframe url=’http://www.jewishdayton.org/be-active/jewish-life-in-dayton/djcc/13th-dayton-jewish-international-film-festival/’]. 2 remaining films from this festival will screen at THE NEON. Here are the dates and times:
Tue, May 7 at 10am – TORN
Thu, May 9 at 7:15 – A BOTTLE IN THE GAZA SEA

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL8p6FKCPzQ’]

“The India Foundation celebrates One Hundred Years of Indian Cinema: 1913 – 2013 with a Tribute to Dada Saheb Phalke – Father of the Indian Cinema. The first Indian silent film produced, written and directed by Mr. Phalke was released in Bombay on May 3, 1913. A screening of selected clips entitled Silent Movies – Early Years will be presented on Saturday, May 4th at Noon (the collection includes digitized clips from Phalke’s RAJA HARISHCHANDRA and KALIYA MARDAN (1919) and clips from the only surviving Bengali silent film JAMAI BABU (Son-in-Law) by Kalipada Das). A reception preceding the screening will begin at 11:30a.m. Admission is only $5. The National Film Archives of India has graciously made the present collection possible.” (taken from press notes)

We’ve got a gathr screening on the horizon. This time, it’s for a film called GIRL RISING. For more about this film, click this LINK. This is the site where you can read about the film and reserve your ticket. The screening will only take place if 50 people reserve a ticket by May 26 (the screening is tentatively scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 5 at 7:30). Watch the trailer…this film looks terrific!

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

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS-0CHXfyIk’]

We’re slated to open the crowd-pleasing, festival darling THE SAPPHIRES next Friday. I haven’t seen it yet, but I know I’ll be seeing it with a bunch of friends. It looks like a lot of fun! I’ll keep you posted.

We hope to see you soon!

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. May 3 – Thur, May 9:

MUD (PG-13) 2 Hr 10 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:10, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:10, 4:50, 7:30

THE COMPANY YOU KEEP (R) 2 Hr 05 Min
Friday: 1:30, 4:40, 7:20, 9:45
Saturday: 4:40, 7:20, 9:45
Sunday: 1:30, 4:40, 7:20, 9:45
Monday – Wednesday: 2:00, 4:40, 7:20
Thursday: 2:00, 4:40

100 YEARS OF INDIAN CINEMA
Saturday: Noon (reception at 11:30)

DAYTON JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FEST
Tuesday at 10:00am – TORN (reception at 9:30am)
Thursday at 7:15 – A BOTTLE IN THE GAZA SEA

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.

May 10 – THE SAPPHIRES
May ? – STARBUCK
May ? – TO THE WONDER
May 24 – AT ANY PRICE
May 31 – RENOIR
June 7 – LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED
TBD – GINGER AND ROSA
TBD – KON TIKI
TBD – FROM UP ON POPPY HILL
TBD – FRANCES HA
TBD – IN THE HOUSE
TBD – NO

Taco Loco: The Best Tasting Cinco de Mayo You Will Ever Have

May 2, 2013 By Dayton937 4 Comments

Beef Shoulder Taco, Squeeze that lime on it

Food Adventures Crew knows there are only a couple of truly authentic Mexican Restaurants in the Miami Valley, and we have found a favorite. It is a humble place called Taco Loco located at 5392 Burkhardt Road. It is clean, it is cheap, it is authentic. But most of all, it has some of the most delicious Mexican food we have ever eaten. We have some close friends from Mexico, and upon their recommendation we stopped in. The experts were right, every trip to Taco Loco is a new Food Adventure.

Why the name Taco Loco? The owners, a mom and pop duo from Mexico, had to renovate before they could open. They were fixing the old vacant building, putting in many hours painting, putting down flooring etc. The long days caused them to sometimes sleep in their van in the parking lot overnight, since they lived in Cincinnati. When a neighboring resident visited the construction she told the owners, “You are working too hard, and sleeping in your van, what are you CRAZY?” Since ‘Loco’ means crazy in Spanish, they decided the name fit.

Here’s the Skinny:
1) This place is very authentic, so don’t expect the typical queso sauces, cheese and tomatoes like you see on some Tex-Mex dishes at other Mexican restaurants.
2) The prices are low, so you can explore many types of food and have your own Food Adventure.
3) The staff is friendly, the place is a hole in the wall, the dining area is small, and the environment is clean.
4) You know the food is good, when most of the patrons in the dining area are people from Mexico.
5) Not only is the food delicious, but they have a variety of rare, non-alcoholic drinks made from scratch using fresh herbs and other ingredients.
6) Locally owned by Lola and her husband Octavio. It’s a true mom and pop establishment!

The Chicken Torta – Big and Delicious

Must Eats:

Horchata: Start off your meal with one of these milky beverage specialties. It literally tastes like rice pudding in a glass. We were blown away by the taste of this unique drink.

The Beef Shoulder Taco – Tasty meat on a corn tortilla. These are authentic style tacos, like they eat in Mexico City. We will tell you it is one on the best tacos on the planet. Ingredients are cilantro, onion and meat choice. No cheese, but you may order ‘Tacos Locos’ which means add tomatoes and sour cream.

The Chicken Torta – A sandwich that would give any sub shop a run for its money. Diced grilled chicken, and the perfect complimentary toppings on homemade telera (Mexican sandwich bread). An incredibly filling sandwich for $5 and one of The Big Ragu’s favorites.

Whole Fish – Do you want to kick it authentic old school? Then try this whole, fried tilapia on for size. You have to deal with a little bit of bones and the fish staring at you, but the taste is worth it. At the price of $7.50 this is a steal.

The Food Adventures Crew have eaten so many menu items in our trips to Taco Loco, that some deserve an honorable mention:

Whole Fish – Food Adventure on a Plate

The Large Quesadilla’s are fantastic. Filled with rice, beans, cheese and your choice of meat, this giant menu item will dwarf your plate.

Carne Asada, a skirt steak dish, is a specialty here. If authentic means anything, we noticed that besides us, a lot of Latinos were eating this dish too.
Have you eaten Sopes before? Sopes are made with a circular foundation fried masa dough (ground hominy) topped with refried beans, lettuce, and crumbled cheese. We think of it as an authentic taste version of a tostada. Ragu loves this unique menu item. Taco Loco serves similar menu items called Huaraches which are bigger, oval versions of Sopes. We love them as well, especially the thick base, which almost tastes like potato dough.

The Burritos are delicious. They come wrapped in foil and are so big, we can usually only eat half of them.

Want authentic fajitas? The steak ones here are fantastic, and the flavor of the grilled green peppers make the dish.

The Tamales were good too. Filled with shredded pork and topped with crumbled cheese, they are one of the few items covered with a queso sauce.

Enchiladas Verdes – Fresh Ingredients, Freshly made

A filling meal is the Enchiladas Verdes, stuffed with green chiles and your choice of meat, and covered in lettuce and avocado.

Besides our favorite Horchata, other specialty drinks include a “Tamarindo”, which is made with tamarind fruit. When Lola brought the fruit out to show us, we made a mustache with it. Yeah, that’s us. We take our own pictures, too.
We also drank a “Jamaica” drink (pronounced hamica). This beverage was a tea made with fresh hibiscus flowers, some of which Lola showed us as well. We told you this was a great place for a Food Adventure.

For dessert, we suggest the creamy, homemade Flan. For those of you not familiar with flan, think of an upside down, firmer version of creme brulee. Lola made us proud with this dessert!

Finally, we have to mention the complimentary table salsas. Served in two squirt bottles, one is a mild Verdes Salsa made with tomatillos. The other is a red chile salsa, made with chili peppers. Careful, the red one has a kick! Both of these salsas are made in house, and kick up any menu item. Experiment to your taste with a dash or a squirt on the free basket of extra thick corn tortilla chips.

With Cinco De Mayo coming up, it is good timing for you to try some really authentic Mexican fare at Taco Loco. Not many people know about this little secret, but now you know the scoop. Celebrate with good food and cheap prices. If you do not check out Taco Loco soon, then you my friend, are CRAZY !

Give us your take on TACO LOCO by commenting below. Make sure you browse through the photo album for some AMAZING food photos from this little known secret.

“Like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE !

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Coming up in Dayton Theatre 5/3 – 5/12 (plus Season Announcements!)

May 2, 2013 By Sarah Caplan Leave a Comment

Welcome back friends! We’ve got just a couple things going on the next couple weeks, but we also have SEASON ANNOUNCEMENTS! So exciting!

Closing This Weekend!

‘Til Beth Do Us Part

Brookville Community Theatre
The Skinny: A comedy about love, marriage and trust.
Dates: Running through Sunday, May 5th.
Tickets: For tickets, please call the Brookville Flower Shop at (937) 833-3531.

Opening This Weekend!

The Late Edwina Black

Troy Civic Theatre

The Skinny: When a some-what unpopular woman dies, the community feeling is rather less of grief and more of relief. When an autopsy shows her remains full of arsenic, an Inspector must interview the three main suspects and try to figure out what really happened.
Dates: Opening 5/3 and closing Saturday, 5/11
Tickets: Please call the ticket chairman at 937-339-7700

Mid-week Opening!

Next To Normal

The Human Race Theatre Company (@ The Victoria Thatre)

The Skinny: The story of a mother who struggles with bipolar disorder and the effect her illness has on her family. This contemporary Pulitzer Prize and Tony winning musical is an emotional powerhouse that addresses issues such as grieving a loss, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life. With provocative lyrics and a thrilling score, this musical shows how far two parents will go to keep themselves sane and their family’s world intact.

Dates: Opens Tuesday 5/7 and closes Sunday 5/19

Tickets: Tickets are available via the Victoria Theatre Association website, here: Tickets.

Opening Next Weekend!

Jekyll & Hyde

Playhouse South

The Skinny: This dark, gothic musical is based on the Robert Louis Stevenson book The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde. Nominated for several Tony awards, the music is chilling, moving and altogether wonderful.

Dates: Jekyll takes the stage on Friday, 5/10 and will run Fridays and Saturdays through 5/25 with one Sunday matinee on 5/12. What better treat for Mom?!

Tickets: Tickets are available for purchase via the PHS website, here: Tickets

Season Announcements!

Tis the season for season announcements! Theatres are beginning to release their 2013-2014 seasons. Here’s what I’ve got so far!

Dayton Theatre Guild
45 Seconds from Broadway, by Neil Simon
Directed by Fred Blumenthal. Runs Aug 23-Sep 8, 2013

Time Stand Stills, by Donald Margulies
Directed by Debra Kent. Runs Oct 4-20, 2013

The Gifts of the Magi, by Coats & Germain — (The Holiday Extra)
Director to be announced. Runs Nov 22-Dec 8, 2013

The Subject Was Roses, by Frank D. Gilroy

Directed by Marcia Nowik. Runs Jan 10-26, 2014

Expecting Isabel, by Lisa Loomer
Directed by Natasha Randall. Runs Feb 28-Mar 16, 2014

An Inspector Calls, by J.B. Priestly
Directed by David Shough. Runs Apr 18-May 4, 2014

The Dead Guy, by Eric Coble
Directed by Saul Caplan. Runs May 30-June 15, 2014

Dayton Playhouse

Hairspray Sept. 6-22

Directed by Tina McPhearson and Fran Pesch

Deathtrap, by Ira Levine
Directed by Jennifer Lockwood. Runs October 25-November 3rd

Fellow Passengers, by Greg Carter
Directed by Dodie Lockwood. Runs December 6-15

Working
Directed by Jim Lockwood. Runs January 31-February 16

The Whales of August, by David Berry
Directed by John Riley. Runs March 14th-23

Oklahoma!
Directed by Brian Sharp. Runs May 2-18

Beavercreek Community Theatre

Hair
September 13-22

Dog Sees God
October 25-November 3

A Neverland Christmas Carol
December 6-15

‘Till Beth Do Us Part
January 24-February 2

Carrie
March 7-16

Monty Python’s Spamalot
June 20-29

Human Race Theatre Company

Becky’s New Car
September 12-29

Fiddler on the Roof
October 31-November 17

Torch Song Trilogy
January 30-February 16

Other Desert Cities
March 27-April 3

Play It By Heart
June 12-29

Victoria Theatre Association/Broadway Series

War Horse
October 22-27

It’s A Wonderful Life (A Live Radio Play!)
December 3-15

Sister Act
January 28-February 2

Memphis
April 8-13

Beauty And The Beast
May 27-June 1

Million Dollar Quartet
June 17-22

That’s what I’ve got so far — There are more to come, however. It’s gonna be a really good season! I’m already marking my calendars. How about you?