Archives for August 2013

Special Events Indoors and Out Part of Sept. 6 First Friday in Downtown Dayton

August 31, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

CACD is one of many locations that will display artwork during First Friday.

Warm up for Urban Nights by attending downtown Dayton’s next First Friday, held from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6. Art exhibits, live music, dinner and drink specials, retail sales, and special events will be featured at a variety of downtown venues.

A complete list of what downtown businesses have on tap for First Friday is available on the DDP website. Highlights include:

Internationally known artist Robert Walker will display work at Clash Consignment (521 E. Fifth St.).

The monthly Courteous Mass Ride will meet for two rides this month at Don Crawford Plaza in front of Fifth Third Field, (220 N. Patterson Blvd.). The first will ride leaves at 5:30 p.m. and the second at 7 p.m. This month’s route will go through the heart of downtown and tour part of East Dayton.

The Dayton Visual Arts Center (118 N. Jefferson St.) will be exhbiting Music for Teacups: Colagiovanni and Haviland, a selection of video, artist books and original prints by two artists from Athens, Ohio. The gallery will be open until 8 p.m.

Several restaurants, including Lily’s Bistro pictured here, will offer dining specials and a food truck rally also will be held during First Friday.

Garden Station (509 E. Fourth St.) will be offering an introduction to herbal remedies class at 6 p.m., a compassionate communication workshop at 7 p.m. and live music by Meghna & the Majority at 8 p.m. The Urban Farmer’s Market begins at 5:30 p.m.

The Great Dayton Flood Walk will start at 7 p.m. View vintage photos of the flood, visit buildings that made it through the flood, see high-water marks from 1913 and more. $10 per person. Call 937-274-4749 or email [email protected] for required reservations and meeting location.

Synergy Incubators hosts a food truck rally at 200 S. Jefferson St., featuring many popular local food trucks, music, children’s activities, Hope Foundation Motorcycle Raffle, Inside Out 11M Photobooth and a local artisan marketplace.

The Yellow Cab (700 E. Fourth St.) will feature exhibit “The Art of Music,” with artwork created by musicians and inspired by music. University of Dayton professor Al Carrillo will read his poetry, and an open mic will be available for anyone who wants to perform.

Steel drummer Joseph Glenn, pictured here with saxophonist Tyrone Martin, will again perform on the street during First Friday.

First Friday is presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership with support from the Oregon District Business Association and Rev. Cool’s “Around the Fringe” show that airs on Fridays from 8 p.m. to midnight on WYSO-FM 91.3. The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website has a complete list of downtown’s arts and cultural amenities, as well as a dining guide, parking map and much more. Download the Find It Downtown mobile search tool for smartphones at http://mobile.downtowndayton.org.

45 Seconds From Broadway Review – Dayton Theatre Guild – Scenes From a Polish Restaurant

August 31, 2013 By Russell Florence, Jr. Leave a Comment

The cast of the Dayton Theatre Guild’s production of “45 Seconds From Broadway” (Contributed photo)

Three months ago playwright Tony Kushner and director George C. Wolfe, two Tony-winning masters associated with the acclaimed epic drama “Angels in America” and the musical gem “Caroline, or Change,” met for lunch at the Café Edison, a quaint Midtown Manhattan restaurant located inside the Hotel Edison. As Kushner and Wolfe’s intriguing powwow progressed, I couldn’t help but wonder if they were discussing separate projects or perhaps a new collaboration. But the notion of seeing or overhearing influential artists during a casual, pre-show lunch typifies the cozy, touristy, cross-generational appeal of the Café Edison, a former ballroom commonly known within the New York theater community as the Polish Tea Room. And as the attractive setting for Neil Simon’s funny but flawed 2001 comedy “45 Seconds From Broadway,” the restaurant, particularly its Theatre District ambiance and hospitality, has been favorably brought to life in the Dayton Theatre Guild’s entertaining, often hilarious local premiere.
Directed by Fred Blumenthal and transpiring in four seasonal scenes, “Broadway” could be easily regarded as much ado about nothing. People enter the Polish Tea Room. People leave the Polish Tea Room. Looking for a substantive plot? Not here. In fact, Simon doesn’t provide much closure or significant backstories for most of the characters, predominately consisting of one-dimensional stock characters seemingly inspired by industry folks he must have known over the years. All in all, this mindless, mildly offensive play is second or third-rate Simon. Even so, it remains a Neil Simon creation at its core. You are guaranteed hearty laughs at the mention of a grape. You are guaranteed to be in the company of a few delightful oddballs. You are guaranteed a good time.
The effortlessly jovial Saul Caplan, one of the best Simon interpreters in the Miami Valley, has a ball (without becoming crude or off-putting) as the talkative, wise-cracking Mickey Fox, a legendary comedian in the abrasive vein of Jackie Mason or Don Rickles. Mickey has been approached by a humble British producer (a genially understated K.L. Storer, also providing terrific sound design) to do a London engagement, but is ultimately taken aback by the arrival of his brother Harry (Steve Kantor, nicely paired with Caplan). Sibling disharmony has always been an enticing signature within Simon’s repertoire, particularly “Broadway Bound,” but here it shrivels with overlong tedium. Thankfully, there’s more to enjoy elsewhere in the play as ruminations on love, culture and showbiz are addressed from an assortment of colorful supporting characters.
Debra A. Kent and Debra Strauss are respectively wonderful as gossipy theater enthusiasts Arleen and Cindy, a tight-knit, opinionated duo so infectious I wish Simon would have structured the play around them. Kent’s description of Arleen’s attendance at a backer’s audition from hell is an absolute highlight. Patty Bell and John Spitler, another dynamic duo, are also winning as eccentric couple Rayleen and Charles. Bell, sophisticatedly aloof, will surely give you the giggles in Act 1 when she gingerly dictates Rayleen’s persnickety tea preferences. Spitler, primarily mute and remarkably restrained throughout, exudes hysterical stillness. Dave Nickel and Terry Larson hit the mark as humble married proprietors Bernie and Zelda. Marcus L. Simmons II, adopting a firm dialect, is an endearing presence as burgeoning African playwright Solomon Mantutu. Mary Mykytka as ingénue Megan Woods and Gail Andrews Turner as Broadway star Bessie are amiable in vastly underwritten roles.

Blumenthal’s vision is marred by pacing concerns, particularly stemming from the inability to allow conversations to credibly overlap as in any busy restaurant, but he scores points for dressing and designing one of the finest sets produced by the Guild since relocating to Wayne Avenue. The patrons of the Café Edison would be proud.

“45 Seconds From Broadway” continues through Sept. 8 at the Dayton Theatre Guild, 430 Wayne Ave., Dayton. Performances are Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. The performance runs 2 hours and 25 minutes with one 15 minute intermission. Friends of the Guild are also featured as extras in certain scenes throughout the course of the run. Tickets are $18 for adults; $16 for seniors; $11 for students. For tickets or more information, call (937) 278-5993 or visit www.daytontheatreguild.org

Little Art Renovations Nearly Done – Grand Reopening is September 28!

August 30, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

As we near the end of the renovation of the Little Art and prepare to reopen, I wanted to fill you in on what’s been going on and will be happening. It’s been quite a journey and we’re thrilled with the results. We can’t wait to be back up and running with our beautiful, comfortable, state-of-the-art Little Art that also now meets all ADA standards.

Before we closed to renovate, a professional photographer took many “before” photos of the theatre for us and we have taken hundreds of photos throughout the renovation. You can see many of them posted on our website and Facebook page, and we hope you have enjoyed our clever marquee movie titles each week. Thank you one and all for your great suggestions—it’s been so much fun!

We have a lot of work to do before we reopen. It’ll be a big job just moving back in, getting organized, and then learning to use the new equipment and technology, including our new digital projector (which I keep accidentally calling our “big new computer”).

The following

Our Grand Opening Celebration will be Saturday, September 28th from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., so mark your calendars! I’ll be writing again soon with more details about this event.

After a summer of movie fasting, we’re craving a film FEASTival! On Sunday, September 29th we will begin a 12-day festival, featuring a number of films you may have missed this summer plus a few classics and something for the whole family. Keep an eye out for the schedule—you won’t want to miss a single film in the lineup.

We’ve appreciated hearing how much you’ve missed us, and we’ve missed you, too. On Friday, October 11th we will resume our regular programming and you will have your Little Art Theatre back, better than ever!

The above written by Jenny Cowperthwaite, Executive Director, Little Art Theatre

Laugh Strong: Tour de Comedy Rolls into Dayton

August 30, 2013 By Laura Rea Leave a Comment

“Four comedians ride their bikes into a bar…” Not the set up for a bad joke – the first bicycle comedy tour will stop in Dayton for a show at Riff Raff on the Canal on September 8th. Dean Masello is a New York City-based comic who missed riding his bike. Looking for a way to combine his two loves, he hatched an idea to do a cycling comedy tour. “One of the biggest challenges was finding three other comics that were in good enough shape to pull off over 500 miles in 8 days”. Although he’s lived in New York City for years, Ohio is his home state, which is one of the reasons he arranged the first leg of the tour to run from Cincinnati to Cleveland. “I thought about riding through Pensylvania, but it’s hard enough to ride a car through it. Besides, Ohio is relatively flat.”

Partnering with local cycling advocacy groups for each tour stop, Dean worked with Bike Miami Valley (BMV) to promote a show in Dayton, and provide assistance with local logistics. With the mission to promote, advocate and create all types of cycling opportunities in the region, BMV couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be involved in the first leg of the tour. The recent opening of Riff Raff on the Canal provided a great venue for the tour stop in Dayton. Mike Schmidt has been working hard to get Dayton’s newest club up and running, and was excited to host such an unusual event. “It’s different! I love to support people who are doing something for a cause.” Riff Raff is new to the local scene, but has already been recognized for serving some of the best tasting wings in the city.

Dean, and his friends Adam Sokol, Christian Polanco and Max Boyajian, will ride into town on the 8th, taking advantage of the extensive network of paved cycling trails in southwestern Ohio. BMV will host a group ride with the four comics starting at 4:30pm. The ride will start at Riff Raff on the Canal, and roll through Dayton to the Wright Cycle Shop and Carillon Park. The comedy ride-along is free, and open to the public. The ride will be done by 6:00pm, allowing time for riders to clean up and enjoy the menu at Riff Raff.

Working in stand up comedy leads to rough schedules, and leaves very little time for recreation. Dean found an ingenious way to work while getting a little fresh air. “This way, we get to see the country (get new material), promote sustainability (save money), get exercise (not die), and do what we love to do (use standup comedy to self-medicate rather than prescription drugs).” Dayton has already been recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as a Bronze-level Bike Friendly City. With the Laugh Strong: Tour de Comedy choosing a stop in Dayton? We’re on the way to Silver.

More Information: http://www.laughstrongcomedy.com/

What: Comedy Show, featuring Dean Masello, Adam Sokol, Christian Polanco, and Max Boyajian.

When: Sunday, September 8, 2013

Comedy Ride-Along 4:30pm – 6:00pm

Show starts at 7:30pm

Where: Riff Raff on the Canal

130 North Patterson Blvd

Dayton, OH 45402

Tickets: $5 – tickets at door, or https://laughstrongday.eventbrite.com/

Food Adventures with Dayton Mayor Gary Leitzell

August 29, 2013 By Dayton937 1 Comment

Dayton Mayor Gary Leitzell Enjoying a Brew at Tank’s Bar & Grill

Everyone knows that Gary Leitzell is the mayor of Dayton, but did you know that he is a foodie ?? You may find him at Tank’s on Wayne Avenue with a mini pitcher of beer discussing the history of Dayton. You may see him munching on pizza at the South Park Tavern, talking about some of the old homes in the neighborhood & who built them. You may catch the mayor cutting a sandwich at the Top of the Market & Deli at Webster Street.

The Big Ragu often runs into Gary Leitzell at various community events. We have had Food Adventures with the mayor at Ghostlight Coffee and even visited with his legislative aide “Gladgirl Shelly.‘ The mayor has spent time with us at the 2nd Street Market. We have been with him at charity events like the AMBUCS Chili Cookoff. And, who could forget our ‘must eats’ like Oktoberfest at the Dayton Art Institute or the World A’Fair at the Convention Center.

When we see Mayor Leitzell, he always takes a moment to talk with us about Dayton and the local government’s exciting plans for the city. Practically everything about Gary is unique. Most of his childhood was spent in England, he has no political affiliation and fancies himself an independent.

But this is not an article on politics. It is an article on fun and food in the Dayton area, which is what Food Adventures are all about.

Speaking of fun, here are some things you ‘gotta know’ about Dayton Mayor Gary Leitzell:

— He eats every sandwich with a fork and knife. – Yes, hot dogs and burgers too. Call it a good manners habit from his days in merry olde England.

—He has a blog called ‘This Old Crack House’ – Mayor Leitzell is a cool character with a great personality. His blog documents the refurbishing of his historic home, which went from a log house to a townhouse, to a crack house and now, his house. You gotta love a guy that has a blog called “This Old Crack House.” Check it out HERE.

— Mayor Leitzell has a scooter. – What better way to get to a Food Adventure?

— He doesn’t own a cell phone. – Gary is a person who prefers to communicate face to face or by email. Wait a minute, how does he order carryout food? For a guy always on the move, we find it astonishing that he doesn’t own a mobile phone. Maybe it is a lesson to us as well.

— His favorite rock band is ‘The Who.’ – Will they play a farewell show at Courthouse Square when his term as mayor ends? We will have our people get with your people to coordinate that one.

If there is a lesson to be learned from Mayor Leitzell it is “Be yourself.” The mayor has a positive passion for the Dayton area and the future of the city. He is involved with many activities, from West Side Dayton volunteer projects to creative marketing for the city. But, you won’t see that trumpeted in a paper or in a story online. As his term expires in January, look for him to run for a Montgomery County Commissioner seat.

So be on the lookout next time you are eating out and around Dayton. You just may be sitting next to the mayor !

What are your top 5 Dayton area restaurants? Comment below so we can see how you stack up with the mayor !

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Leitzell may be the bossman, but Food Adventures are the Dukes of Facebook . Like these “Dayton Foodies” on FACEBOOK by clicking —–>HERE!

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Step back in time over 400 years at the Ohio Renaissance Festival Ticket Contest

August 29, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro 24 Comments

Live the legend in this authentically recreated 30-acre, 16th-century English village. Rub elbows with nobility and be entertained by hundreds of costumed performers in nearly 100 shows each day. Cheer your favorite knight to victory as he competes for the queen’s honor in the thrilling full-armored joust. The lanes are bustling with storytellers, strolling musicians, singers, dancers and villagers welcoming you to a festive day of living history. Feast like royalty on juicy roasted turkey legs, fresh-baked bread bowl stews, fish ‘n chips, steak-on-a-stake, and a variety of the finest beers and wines. The sprawling landscape is dotted with 12 stages and a unique open-air shopper’s marketplace with more than 130 merchants and demonstrating craftsmen. The many one-of-a-kind hand-crafted items make this a perfect place to shop for holiday gifts. Visitors of all ages will be amused by the games of skill and human-powered rides. Try your hand at archery and see if you’re a modern-day Robin Hood, or climb the castle tower and rescue the lovely damsel in distress.[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9rit-SRJk4′]

New this year!

Five pirate captains are competing for the ship and a Letter of Mark from Her Majesty but shhh! The Spanish cannot find out! Find out how the story unfolds as swords, rope swings, gunfire and comedy burst from the decks of the 65-foot pirate ship during the Pirate Comedy Stunt Show.

Robyn Marks will amaze you with his cabinet magic tricks.

The Tartan Terrors are making special appearances for Irish and Highland Weekends. They will leave you in stitches with their unique blend of Celtic music a

Opening for the season this Saturday, Labor Day Weekend has been deemed Family & Friends Weekend. Load up the car and bring the whole neighborhood! Adults are two for the price of one AND all kids 12 and under get in free! Request “two for one” at the Box Office to receive Royal savings Saturday, Sunday, and Labor Day! Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children 5-12 years old. You can also purchase a season pass for $100. The festival is open weekend through October 20th. Check their website for more info or to purchase tickets online.

DaytonMostMetro is giving away a family four pack of tickets to one lucky winner who fills out the registration below. For additional chances to win, please tell us in the comments below why you should win tickets!

The contest if over and congratulations to Laura Thornhill, our winner!

THE SPECTACULAR NOW Opens & BLUE JASMINE Continues at THE NEON!

August 28, 2013 By Jonathan McNeal Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone,

Wow! What an incredible weekend! FilmDayton had some nice crowds over the weekend (their line-up was awesome), and BLUE JASMINE became one of our biggest openings of the year! Many thanks to all of you who came out. We were busy, and it felt great!

If you still need to see THE WAY WAY BACK, you only have a couple more days. In addition, I hope many of you will come down for our special 4-day engagement of IN THE HOUSE – one of my absolute favorite films of the year (only a few people turned out on Monday). Thursday will be the last day for both films, and you can see their schedules on our official site – www.neonmovies.com. While BLUE JASMINE will certainly stick around, we have another hot, new film opening this weekend – THE SPECTACULAR NOW. This film has garnered high praise from The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Entertainment Weekly, USA Today, Variety, Chicago Sun-Times and many more. We hope you’ll support it!

Synopsis for THE SPECTACULAR NOW: “This is the tale of Sutter Keely, a high school senior and effortless charmer, and of how he unexpectedly falls in love with “the good girl” Aimee Finecky. What starts as an unlikely romance, becomes a sharp-eyed, straight-up snapshot of the heady confusion and haunting passion of youth – one that doesn’t look for tidy truths.” (taken from A24) This film stars Shailene Woodley – she played a daughter to George Clooney’s character in THE DESCENDANTS. She’s really wonderful. Click this LINK to visit the official site.

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“James Booker, the ‘Piano Prince of New Orleans,’ is resurrected in Lily Keber’s superb new documentary film – BAYOU MAHARAJA: THE TRAGIC GENIUS OF JAMES BOOKER. The documentary features concert footage, eyewitness accounts of the outrageous Booker in action and reflections from fellow New Orleans musicians Harry Connick Jr., Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, Aaron Neville and others. 2013’s most talked-about music documentary, the movie captures the essence of this underappreciated virtuoso. Meet Lily Keber at THE NEON when she introduces her film and leads a Q&A session following the screening.” (taken from VSOP Press Notes) This film will play one time only – Wednesday, September 18 at 7:30. Tickets are already on sale at THE NEON’s box office.

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I’m sad to announce that THE NEON has lost a good friend. Harish Trivedi of The India Foundation passed away earlier this month. He was such a lover of film, and he provided the community with a wealth of knowledge and passion for Indian cinema. He was a great collaborator, and his spirit and drive were infectious. He will be greatly missed.

Unfortunately, Saturday’s screening of SALMA has been cancelled. We hope it will be rescheduled for a future event, but no further details are available at this time.

Thanks for your continued support!

We hope to see you soon!
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri, Aug. 30 – Thurs, Sept. 5:

BLUE JASMINE (PG-13) 1 Hr 38 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30
Monday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:15
Tuesday – Thursday: 3:10, 5:20, 7:30

THE SPECTACULAR NOW (R) 1 Hr 35 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:40, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:40
Monday: 12:40, 3:00, 5:15, 7:40
Tuesday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:40

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
TBD – BLACKFISH
TBD – THE HUNT
Sept. 13 – SALINGER
TBD – THE PATIENCE STONE
TBD – AUSTENLAND
TBD – WADJDA
Oct. 18 – ENOUGH SAID
Oct. 18 – INEQUALITY FOR ALL
TBD – CUTIE AND THE BOXER

Coming Up in Local Jazz – August 28 through September 10

August 28, 2013 By Ron Gable Leave a Comment

What is C’est Tout?

I went with my wife, Rosemary and some friends last Saturday night to see James and Moore at the C’est Tout Bistro 2600 Far Hills Avenue in Oakwood, Ohio. This was the Gable’s second trip to this venue and I’ll have to say it’s a unique experience. Chef/Proprietor Dominique Fortin says “You know, the thing that we do here is a French bistro, good food, fresh food at the right price.” It truly has the ambience of a French bistro, a very meticulous setting for your dining pleasure. To say the food is outstanding is a gross understatement; that combined with the service and the entertainment (the reason I came) made our two evenings something way above our normal life style. I’ll be honest, two retirees living on a fixed income budget makes me very apprehensive about dining in a fancy restaurant but after two trips I found their prices affordable and when you consider the quality of their cuisine, very affordable. You might want to check out their website.

Now lets get back to the reason for the trip, you know the Jazz Advocate doesn’t like to pay the fare for a good meal without some good entertainment. We’ve been following James & Moore for a number of years and I’ve seen Lou James for many years before they formed their duo. Lou is a superb musician who can do magical things on that state of the art keyboard he plays. His song list is virtually unlimited. How many guys do you know who can play Tin Roof Blues, Honky Tonk and just about all of the Great American Songbook? As to the Moore part ot the duo; Pamela especially loves the music of the 30’s and 40’s, the Billie Holiday, Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald tunes. The song’s that tell the stories of life and this young lady has the voice to deliver that kind of music. Pamela says “just 6 years ago I started to live out my dream to be a Singer” and I for one am glad she did.

In summary, a great time was had last Saturday by our group of friends. Great food, great service (Steve the bartender was really something) and last but not least, great entertainment. Entertainment that I feel is the perfect fit for a French bistro style venue. I know the economy is tough and James and Moore will be completing their ten month run this Saturday August 31st. I’m thinking about one more trip to France this coming weekend.

Jazz Calendar

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

Today Wednesday, August 28 – The Sound Body Jazz Orchestra is at Greenhills Commons in Cincinnati and the David Murray Band with Macy Gray is at ShadowboxLive in Columbus.

Thursday August 29 – The Kim Kelly Orchestra plays RiverScape in Dayton and our friend Jeff Hufnagle, will be performing one song!

Friday August 30 – The Shawn Stanley Trio plays every Friday at Carvers Steaks & Chops in Centerville and there’s a Friday Night Jazz Show at the Washington Platform Saloon & Restaurant in Cincinnati.

Saturday August 31 – James & Moore is at the C’est Tout Bistro in Oakwood, OH and Randy Fankell’s Jazz Militia is at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dayton.

Sunday September 1 – There is a new Sunday Night Jam w/ Deron Bell at the top of the Crowne Plaza Hotel and the Jazz Central Jam continues both in Dayton.

Monday September 2 – 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 September 3 – A Brian Cashwell faculty recital with John Taylor and Chris Berg is at Wright State University’s Schuster Hall in Fairborn, OH.

Wednesday September 4 – The Blue Wisp Jazz Club in Cincinnati presents Noah Wotherspoon followed by their long running Blue Wisp Big Band.

Thursday September 5 – The Jazz Central Big Band returns to Jazz Central in Dayton and Rick Brunetto Big Band is at The 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant in Columbus.

Friday September 6 – Jazz Violinist, Jack Shallat is Petrelli’s Italian Restaurante in Mason, OH and Matt Adams is at Dick’s Den in Columbus.

Saturday September 7 – The Wade Baker Jazz Collaboration is at the Chatterbox Jazz Club in Indianapolis, IN and the John Von Ohlen Trio is at Dee Felice in Covington, KY.

Sunday September 8 – The Jazz Jam Session with Kenny Baccus and John Hampton Wagner is at Jazz Central in Dayton and Phil DeGreg Trio is at Dee Felice in Covington, KY.

Monday September 9 – Mark Flugge, Derek Dicenzo & Jimmy Castoe is at Due Amici in Columbus.

Tuesday September 10 – 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

Miamisburg River Blast Ends With Fireworks

August 27, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

On August 31, 2013, the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, Farmers & Merchants Bank in partnership with the City of Miamisburg will be hosting the second annual River Blast. Shon Myers, President and CEO of Farmers & Merchants Bank, says “we are very excited to bring River Blast to the downtown region. It is designed to be a great free event for everyone in the communities we serve to bring out their family and friends.”

River Blast will feature two live bands and lots of other entertainment leading up to the fireworks display. The bands will start at 4:00 with White Rabbit playing classic rock, blues, and today’s hits and then at 6:00 Groove Doctor will take the stage with cover hits from the 60’s to today. There will be a variety of other entertainment for the kids throughout, t-shirt giveaways, and an unforgettable fireworks show at 9:05 to top it all off. The event will take place in Riverfront Park in downtown Miamisburg. As the sun sets, the firework show will begin over the Great Miami River.

This is a family friendly event designed to entertain every age all evening. The kid’s area will have a giant tent that will house puppet shows, spin art, face painting, and caricatures. Outside of the tent will be a variety inflatable’s for kids of all ages. All of these activities are FREE so come out early to have time to enjoy them all.

To help this event to continue to grow several Co-Sponsors have joined Farmers & Merchants Bank and the City of Miamisburg. This year’s Co-Sponsors include the following: ABC22 / Fox 45, B&B Riverfront Hall, Carillon Group of Raymond James, Masters & Associates Insurance, Mel Rutherford Re/Max Victory, and the Miamisburg Merchants Association. The sponsors will have booths for you to stop by and visit to learn more about each of their businesses and take home some free giveaways.

Beer puns: I can barley stand them

August 26, 2013 By Max Spang 1 Comment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwEqTbaFVXU

Big Pun was not a player, he just f****d a lot.

Remember Big Pun? Dude was a robust rapper whose biggest hit was about banging chicks. This was a simpler time back in 1998 when fat guys could get famous by talking about how much tail they got and nobody would question them. Anyway, in my half-assed attempt to try to segue into the actual article, I’d like to point out that I bet Big Pun could take down a few pints of beers without it even phasing him. Like the rapper himself, there are some pretty big puns in the beer world. This little article is going to explore (read: poke fun of) some of the most punishing puns out there. And yes, I’m going to try to cram as many puns in here as I can. Hopefully you will catch on to my rye wit. It’s the yeast I can do. (Bam, three puns right there).

Hop on the pun train

Head on over to Beeradvocate and check out their top beers for Imperial IPAs and look at some of the names. Hopslam, Hopsicle, Pure Hoppiness… Everyone has their own version of a hop pun, and that’s not just hop-perbole (eh..). The word “hop” is probably the easiest beer-related word that you can make puns with. Making an IPA with apricots? Boom, “Aprihop”. Releasing a hoppy red ale in the fall? Boom, “Red Hoptober”. Want to convey that the beer is so bitter that it will literally kill you? Boom, “Hopsecutioner”. The list is almost never ending, and frankly it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Homebrewers are getting in on the action as well; Brent Osborn from Osborn Brewing recently posted a label for a beer called Hopstitute. That’s a hop prostitute in case you didn’t catch it.

$1.99 per ounce, or $199 per hour.

Fermentationalism Sensationalism: Breweries grounded in puns

Patrick Rue started a brewery and called it The Bruery. Get it? Of course you do. But they don’t just stop at their name, they like to come up with all kinds of puns. “Rueuze” is their version of a gueuze. “Tart of Darkness” is their sour black ale. “Chocosaurus Rye” is their chocolate rye beer. “Loakal Red” is their red ale that is aged in oak and is only available to the locals near the brewery (how’s that for specific?). The list goes on and on. At least they aren’t rued about it. Another brewery located in Louisville called Against the Grain has an affinity for making beers that pack a PUNch: Judas Yeast, Tickle Me Ale-mo, Raucho Man Randy Beverage, My Hammy Weiss, Quiet RYE-it… I could seriously name any of their beers right now. Just look at all their beers and you’ll see what I mean. There are more breweries who have notoriously punbelievable beer names: Dogfish Head, Cigar City, Three Floyds, Oskar Blues, Surly, Great Lakes, and… well, pretty much every other brewery out there.

Imperial Entendre

I have a theory about why puns are so rampant in the beer world. You see, the truth about beer people is that they are all kind of dorks. I’m very much putting myself into this category. Being dorks, we like to make dorky jokes, and what’s dorkier than a good pun? Beer geeks like to come up with clever little puns to make their beer geek friends chuckle. I can speak from firsthand experience; I have made beers that only came about because I thought of a stupid name first. For example, I thought it would be funny to name a beer “Brett Michaels” and ferment it with Brettanomyces, so my next batch is going to be a beer with Brettanomyces. The name came before the beer. So now when people come over, they get to taste Brett Michaels. It’s stupid and dorky, but that’s who we are.

Just like bananas, these puns are appealing

I couldn’t be bothered to actually spend time researching this train wreck of an article, so I recently asked some of the local beer geeks what some of their favorite beer puns were. Here’s a few of the best:

Hoptimus Prime
Black Hops
Java the Hop
Cure what ales you
Hopstitute
Imperial stout trooper
Tricerahops
Hell Or High Watermelon
Hopportunity Knocks
Just the TIPA (one of my personal favorites)
Hoptical Illusion
Men in Bock
Genghis Pecan
Boom Shakalager
Groundskeeper Spilly
Mama’s Little Yella Pils
For Those About to Bock
There Will Be Black (I DRINK IT UP)
IBUsive
Stop, Hop and Roll
Alphaphylactic Hop
Dry Humpkin
Hoppy Seconds
Yippie Rye Aye
Citra Ass Down!
Spruce Willis
You Will Fail Ale
Goser the Gosarian
Apocalypse Cow
Pandora’s Bock
Me, My Spelt, and Rye
Wet Hop American Summer

These are all real names for beer. Seriously, google them. Want some more beer pun fun? Check out Bad Beer Puns on Twitter. I got a chuckle from “Lambic Pentameter”.

What’s your favorite beer pun? Hop on over to the comments section and let me know. Or don’t, I don’t care.

Midwest Tandem Rally Returns to Miami Valley

August 26, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

The 38^th Annual Midwest Tandem Rally, a cycling event for tandem bicyclists, returns to the Miami Valley this Labor Day weekend for the first time since 2003. Approximately 350 tandem teams will descend upon Greene County and ride between 60 and 200 miles during the two organized rides.

“Working with the Midwest Tandem Rally organizers for the last two years has been wonderful. The planners and participants alike are passionate cyclists and just the type of people we want to attract for return visits to ride our one-of-a-kind trail network.” said Kathleen Young, Executive Director of the Greene County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau.

The 2013 Midwest Tandem Rally is being hosted by the Greater Ohio Area Tandem Society (G.O.A.T.S.) with support from the Greene County Convention & Visitors Bureau. The rally attracts participants not just from the Midwest, but from all over the United States and even into Canada. Many riders take the opportunity to extend their stay by a few days to fully experience all the area has to offer. The organized rides on Saturday and Sunday will utilize mostly rural roads throughout Greene County but many teams will also take advantage of the trail network during their stay.

Organizers urge all motorists to make themselves of their surroundings and allow plenty of room when sharing the road with cyclists.

Pam Kulhanek, GOATS Midwest Tandem Rally Director, says “Local tandem teams that it is not too late to register for the event. The ride is a great opportunity to experience the Midwest Tandem Rally close to home. It is so much fun to meet and ride with people from all over the country and all walks of life who enjoy riding tandem. By the end of the weekend, you will be looking forward to next year and meeting up with all of the friends you have met.”

The Greene County Convention & Visitors Bureau estimates the economic impact of the rally at between $500,000 and $750,000. Hotels, restaurants, gas stations and Wright State University all directly benefit from the event.

Michael Miraglia, General Manager of the Holiday Inn in Fairborn had this to say about the Midwest Tandem Rally: “We are very excited to be hosting the MTR. Events this size don’t come around often and the fact that they have chosen Greene County and the Holiday Inn Dayton Fairborn is very gratifying. We are eagerly awaiting the event and we anticipate an incredible weekend.”

For additional information on the 2013 Midwest Tandem Rally, contact Pam Kulhanek at 937-287-7801. More information is available at http://mtr2013.org/

Sew Dayton Approaches First Anniversary Announcing New Location

August 26, 2013 By Lisa Grigsby 3 Comments

SEW DAYTON, another success of the Activated Spaces program, has announced it will be moving into a larger storefront in the Oregon District at 26 Wayne Avenue. The new location resulted from a collaborative effort between Randy Handler, the previous lessee and Midtown Development Corp. The parties were brought together through the efforts of Mary Kathryn Burnside, owner of CLASH retail at 519 E. Fifth Street.

SEW DAYTON’s new location is only a few steps from PRESS COFFEE, which has been ranked in the top 10 independent coffee houses in the United States.

The location holds significant promise from a streetscape renovation of Wayne Avenue in 2014 and a strategic mixed-use development plan for the northeast corner of Fifth and Wayne in the near future. The storefront in the 100-year-old Schaefer building at the corner of Fifth Street and Wayne Avenue previously housed notable occupants including Otis Elevator Co., Fleishman Yeast Co., and Dayton Industrial Supply.

SEW DAYTON is a fun fabric shop, specializing in sewing instruction, fun fabrics and custom orders. Owners Tracy McElfresh and Jesy Anderson instruct sewing classes to all ages and skill levels.

Owners Jesy Anderson (left) and Tracy McElfresh (right).

They will be celebrating their first anniversary at their current 15 E. Brown Street location on Sat, Sept 14th from 11am -8pm with giveaways and special discounts on patterns, fabrics and even a chance to pre-register for sewing classes for 10% off. There will even be a visit from the Zombie Dogz food truck.

Sew Dayton carries fabric that cannot be found anywhere else in the Dayton area, focusing on small independent designers and companies. Sew Dayton also provides light alteration services. For more information visit; www.sewdayton.com or call 937-234-SEW8.

The Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator (DE-FI) LLC Announces Future Plans

August 26, 2013 By Dayton937 1 Comment

Well, it’s been a while since you’ve heard from us last, most of it has been by design because we are serious about what we are doing and are quality focused and we want to be under the radar while we are still laying our foundation. The last time I wrote a blog, we were in the midst of planning our “Fashion in the Mystic Garden” Launch Party and the debut of our Fashion and Lifestyle Magazine (DE-FI)ance which can be purchased at http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/606271?__r=435971! With over 250 people in attendance, 70 models, 10 designers, a Native American drum group Chaske Hotain, the Soul fire Tribe, and the majestic settings of SunWatch Indian Village we let the world know that Dayton is here and we are weaving our pattern into the fabric of the Fashion Industry!!

With that being said, we are ready to give you a sneak peek into the future of (DE-FI), starting with our September 15, 2013 Casting Call taking place at the Shuttereye Studio located in the Entrepreneur Building at 714 E. Monument Ave., in downtown Dayton from 2p-4p! We are in the need of about 20-30 additional models to add to our current roster of 60+ models. This Casting Call will be open to both males and females age 4 and up, however we are putting additional emphasis on male models. (NOTE: ALL MODELS MUST BRING WITH THEM AN APPLICATION THAT CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE AT http://www.daytonemergingfashionincubator.com starting on Sept.1, 2013). Models in attendance at this Casting Call will know the day of if they have been selected for a callback and should plan to stay for a model meeting taking place after the Casting Call at 5pm.

One of our long term goals was to open up an actual store front location via the Activated Spaces program in 2014—well, things have been moving along rather rapidly for us and we are excited to announce that on Friday September 20^thduring Urban Nights, the Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator (DE-FI) LLC will be officially opening the doors to a custom clothing design boutique featuring the designers that were showcased during our July 13^th Launch Party at SunWatch and other independent designers from across the country!! If you weren’t able to attend our Launch Party and you have no idea the level of talent and creativity that was showcased, please visit our Facebook page and check out our albums at http://www.facebook.com/daytonemergingfashionincubator.

While we ARE NOT going through the Activated Spaces program for the boutique, this will be a 3 month trial intended to help us get our feet wet in the retail industry!! We are looking for additional designers, seamstresses, and those willing to learn to sew via our partners at Sew Dayton to help the designers produce their lines for us to sell in the boutique, interested individuals should email us at [email protected]. We are taking over the old American Pi location located in the St. Clair Lofts on St. Clair St., in downtown Dayton and we can’t wait to help these designers grow their brands! (NOTE: As of 8-28-13 we will not be opening our storefront in the St.Clair Lofts).

Mark your calendars for December 31^st for an event that you won’t want to miss!! We are going to be taking flight into the New Year with our “First Flight…Now Fashion” Couture Ball taking place at Commander Aero! “First Flight…Now Fashion” promises to bring a fashion experience that will capture the world’s attention and have everyone talking! More details coming soon!!

Finally, after much thought and consideration– we are ready to take on the challenge and we are excited to announce that we will be hosting a Fashion Week in 2014!! While locations are still being secured we have set July 13^th-20^th of 2014 as the tentative dates for (DE-FI) Fashion Week. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!!

Join The Century Bar For A Nationwide Toast

August 25, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro 1 Comment

A special event will take place at the Century Bar (10 S. Jefferson St., Dayton) on Wednesday, August 28. At 7:30 p.m., the bar and its patrons will take part in a national “simul-toast” along with each of the nation’s top 55 Bourbon bars as designated by The Bourbon Review.

Each year for the last five years, the leading industry journal for bourbon aficionados has created its grouping of the United States’ best watering holes for Bourbon lovers, and on 2013’s list, TBR referred to Century as “what could be the most underrated Bourbon bar in the country,” and “the sort of place every Bourbon drinker should visit at least once in his or her life.”

The Bourbon Review has teamed up with Four Roses Bourbon for a nationwide “toast” to each of the bars included on their list. This coincides with Four Roses’ 125th anniversary, for which the label has dubbed 2013 “The Year of the Toast” with a national social media campaign.

Century general manager and bartender Joseph Head said, “We’re going to film the toast and put it online, and we’ll send it to Four Roses so they can put it out there as well. And Four Roses is appreciated in America, but it’s really huge in Europe and Japan, so the whole world’s going to see Dayton, Ohio.”

Participating patrons are encouraged to get involved by posting photos, tags, toasts, and check-ins from their favorite Bourbon bars on the Top 55 list with the hashtag #55toast; the toast selected by Four Roses as the best will be featured on their label in 2014.

Taste of the Oregon Festival Takes Over Fifth Street This Sunday

August 23, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Sample the many things that make the Oregon District one of Dayton’s longest-standing hotspots this Sunday, Aug. 25, during the first Taste of Oregon festival. The event — which features food and drinks, live music, shopping, arts, vintage cars, and a home and garden tour — celebrates the area’s 40th year as a Historic District.

Fifth Street will be closed in the District for the festival, which runs from noon to 7 p.m. Admission to the event is free, and food and drink tickets are $1 each, with food items priced between $3 and $6. The event will highlight the several new District establishments that have opened recently, along with long-time District favorites.

The Menus, a popular band based in Cincinnati, will headline the festival with a set that begins at 4 p.m. Funky G and the Groove Machine will perform from 12:30 to 3 p.m.

Yuengling and craft beers, along with nonalcoholic beverages, will be available on the street, in addition to those served in the eateries and taverns.

The Oregon Historic District Society will present a home and garden tour from 1 to 4 p.m., starting at 22 Brown St. (Inn Port D’Vino/Deaf Monty’s Wine). Tickets are $5.

SAMPLING OF THE TASTE OF OREGON MENUS:

Blind Bob’s
Vegetarian Basket
Chicken Wing Basket

Jay’s Seafood
Jay’s Chocolate Mousse
Lobster Mac and Cheese

Lily’s Bistro
BBQ, Cheddar and Bacon Deviled Eggs
Watermelon Gazpacho
Homemade Lemonade: Watermelon Mint, Cucumber Basil and Classic Flavors

Lucky’s Taproom and Eatery
Vegan and Beef Sloppy Joes & Sliders with a Side of Slaw

Oregon Express
Gourmet Pizza Slices

Salar Restaurant and Lounge
Marinated Chicken Skewer with Spanish Rice
Fish and Chips
2 Carnitas Tacos (Pork, Rice, Cheese and Lettuce)

Smokin BBQ
BBQ Pork and Chicken

Thai 9
Chicken Spring Rolls
Vegetable Spring Rolls
Shrimp Salad
Coco Shrimp
Thai Tea
Thai Coffee

Trolley Stop
Red Beans and Rice
Organic Keener’s Farm Sliders
Ginger Lemonade

Tumbleweed
Grilled Meatloaf Sandwiches
NY Strip Kabobs

Hog Jam VIII: Another Fun Weekend of Camping and Music

August 23, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Eight years ago, Tony Herdman was in a band that was part of the Dayton Battle of the Bands, which was taking place at Canal Street Tavern. The competition ran throughout the summer, with numerous bands duking it out to win time to record in a local studio. Herdman’s band reached the finals, but unfortunately losing. Even though they lost, Herdman noticed the overwhelming support and love from family, friends, and fans of his band. To show how much he appreciated seeing everyone coming out, he wanted to give back and throw a party for everyone. So he found a location in Waynesville, and thus began the yearly event Hog Jam. “We wanted to throw this party for everyone that came out and supported us throughout the summer”, Herdman explains. “So, we roasted a pig, played some music, and had one of the best times of our lives. We had a lot of people afterwards mention that we should do it again.”

Throughout the years since the first Hog Jam, Herdman has constantly tried to make the weekend bigger and better this than the previous. This year, Herdman has enlisted another festival organizer and friend Jim Hamden to help make the eighth installment the best one to date. “We both work so well together, even though we are completely different people”, said Herdman. “I am just thrilled that we are actually doing this together, and plan on working together for a long time to come.”

The weekend will also be showcasing artists and bands from all ranges of genres and from the United States. Some of the bands that will be performing include the local funk/rock fellas over at Magic Jackson to the Dayton version of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Emily and the Lost Cat Ramblers to the rich folk sound of Charlie Tipton Band to Herdman himself. The music will be giving the festivals goers plenty of great music from the beginning of the afternoon to the wee hours at night.

Attendees will be able to camp out and hang out all weekend long. Vendors will be also there for everyone to grab food. Speaking of food, the roasting of the pig will be still take place. And this year’s pig isn’t for the faint of heart. “It’s going to be a 300 pound pig”, said Herdman. Yep-300 pounds. This year’s festival, like the ones before, will surely have everyone planning on attending next year. “We have folks that come to me and tell that they plan on coming for the next year as soon as the event is done on Sunday (laughing)”, Herdman said.

As the end nears at each year’s festival, Herdman shared with me a tradition that he holds dear to him. “Each year, I gather around some of family and friends, grab a shot of whiskey, bow my head down and say ‘here’s to another great year!”

Hog Jam 8 will be located this year at VFW Campgrounds on 8718 Claude-Thomas Road in Franklin, Ohio. The event will be a two-day festival that will have two stages with 17 artists and bands for to play. Tickets at the gates for the weekend are $35. For more info, click on the Facebook page, located here.