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Archives for April 2014

After-School Program to Perform Willy Wonka Kids the Musical

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Willy WonkaEast End Community Services’ Miracle Makers After-School program will perform Willy Wonka KIDS the musical on Thursday, May 1st and Friday, May 2nd at 5:30pm at Ruskin PK-8 School, located at 407 Ambrose Ct. Dayton, OH 45410.

Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka is the timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir. This story comes to life in this special 30-minute stage adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which
features songs from the classic family film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. There is no admission charge for the performance or the reception following each performance, but reservations are required. To
reserve your FREE tickets, please call 937-542-5678.

Willy Wonka KIDS is produced by the 147 kindergarten through fifth grade students participating in East End’s Miracle Makers Program, alongside the Miracle Makers staff. The production is a culminating event for
this past quarter’s SPARK workshops in which children get the opportunity for deep learning through hands on projects. “The making of Willy Wonka has been a magical experience for all those involved. New skills,
talents, and passions have blossomed and students have literally found their voices. In the words of Willy Wonka, ‘We are the makers of music and the dreamers of dreams’” said Ellen Mays, Director of Miracle
Makers. This experience has meant a lot to the students that have been a part of it. Mason Frazier, the fifth grade student playing the role of Charlie said, “It feels good to be a part of this! The thing I like best about it is
that I love signing ‘I’ve got the golden ticket’ because I sing most of it by myself. I feel proud and nervous at the same time!”

Miracle Makers is a cornerstone program of East End Community Services that has served the children of East Dayton for 16 years. This program seeks to support student academic achievement by extending the school
day with individualized tutoring, and project-based learning opportunities called SPARKs. Teachers and parents of Miracle Maker students say that SPARK workshops are making a difference in the positive development of their children. “It is important that the community provides complementary learning opportunities beyond the school day,” said Jan Lepore-Jentleson, Executive Director of East End Community Services. To reserve your free tickets to the show and reception, please contact Ellen Mays at (937) 542-5678 or [email protected].

SMAG Dance Collective’s 10th Season Finale Comes to the Dayton Playhouse

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SMAGSave the date! for SMAG Dance Collective’s 10th Anniversary Season Spring Fling concert which takes place on May 24h at Dayton Playhouse, 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave, Dayton, Ohio 45414.

Show times are 4:00pm and 8:00pm.  Tickets can be purchased at www.smagdance.org and Brown Paper Tickets.

Spring Fling is purely devoted to the art of dance; challenging, physical, dynamic and insightful works are performed.  This 10th Anniversary Season’s Spring Fling Concert features the work of many of Dayton’s OWN, so #dateyourcity

SMAG’s 10th Anniversary Season Spring Fling features the work of nearly 10 choreographers, and SMAG is proud to present the work of the exceptionally artful, Rodney Brown, Founder/Director of the Brown Dance Project, the intensely moving work of fellow dancer and life-long friend, Shonna Hickman-Matlock, Director of DCDC2, and the work of Rodney Veal, for whom there are many accolades, and yet who is a humble man who lives art in a way that only he can and our community is blessed by his amazing gifts.

SMAG’s Spring Fling also serves as a showcase for emerging choreographers such as this season’s veteran company member and Assistant Director, Taiesha Green and first year company member, Rachelle Cartee.

This 10th Anniversary Season’s Spring Fling also features the work of Deniz and Renee McClendon.  These women are long time contributors to the body of work that is dance in Dayton, Ohio, and SMAG Dance Collective is excited to share the stage with these choreographers and their dancers.

Spring Fling is very much representative of the company’s mission which is to provide opportunity for dancers and choreographers, educate and entertain diverse audiences, and to bridge the gap between artists, arts organizations and the community.

SMAG Dance Collective extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the company’s Spring Fling power2give campaign and also to Culture Works!

SMAG’s programming is made possible by grant funding from the Ohio Arts Council, private donors, in kind donations from volunteers and local businesses, and most recently, with the help of Culture Works’ power2give launch.

SMAG Dance Collective is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

ReImagining Works: Collaboration Between Dayton Metro Library and Dayton Art Institute

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reimagining

ReImagining Works is a project that will put original works of art into each new or newly-remodeled Dayton Metro Library location. Artwork will be created by local artists, inspired by existing works in the Dayton Art Institute’s permanent collection. Eventually, each Library will display a new piece of art which is a result of collaboration among the Art Institute, the Library, Library users and artists in our region.

 

“Libraries and museums are both places of discovery,” said Tim Kambitsch, Library Executive Director.  “ReImagining Works provides a unique partnership which benefits two community treasures – The Dayton Metro Library and The Dayton Art Institute.  With potentially new audiences, this collaboration lends itself to future art-related programming in our new hands-on activity spaces.”

 

The first ReImagining Works project is for the E.C. Doren Branch Library. Six options from the Dayton Art Institute’s collection are offered as inspiration for a new piece which will be placed in the newly added outdoor terrace at the Library. The artwork options can be viewed at the Library’s website, DaytonMetroLibrary.org.  Public voting for which piece should be reinterpreted is open through May 9 online or in person at the  E.C. Doren Branch Library’s temporary location, 359 Maryland Avenue. Different art options will be presented for future re-interpretation projects.

 

ABOUT DAYTON METRO LIBRARY

 

The Dayton Metro Library is one of the oldest and largest public library systems in Ohio, consistently ranking among the best in the nation.  The DML consists of 20 branch locations inMontgomery County, Outreach Services and the Main Library in downtown Dayton.  In order to fulfill its mission to inform, inspire and enrich the community, the DML offers programs, materials and services for all ages and stages of life.  It is funded in part by a portion of the state income tax and local levy support. 

 

Specialized services and resources are available for schools, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, literacy providers and job seekers.  The library houses a unique collection of local history materials.  Computers are available free of charge for public use and computer instruction is available at many library locations. 

 

In November, 2012, Montgomery County voters passed a $187 million bond issue to fund new construction and renovations for the DML.  Highlights of the multi-phase, multi-year project include consolidating branches from 20 to 16, establishing an offsite operations center and completely renovating the Main Library.  When the project is complete in 2017, library users will enjoy modern, efficient facilities providing superior services and technology for the 21st century.  Progress on the project is posted regularly on the DML website at DaytonMetroLibrary.org.

Yoga For Cyclists

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1620557_703795089673303_164147249_nThe Miami Valley is one of the best places for cycling in the Midwest, and Day Yoga Studio can help you enjoy more time in the saddle this year! Join Elizabeth Raffa (RYT-200) for a 4-week yoga series dedicated to cyclists.

The cyclist series will focus on yoga poses to enhance your performance during rides, while minimizing muscle soreness and recovery time afterwards. These poses build core strength and muscle, increase flexibility and help prevent injuries common to those of us who spend hours pedaling and hunched over the handlebars. The poses learned in this series will help you enjoy as much time on your bike as you possibly can this season!

This series is open level, and will benefit both the advanced practitioner and those brand new to yoga (or cycling!). Special focus will be placed on key trouble areas for cyclists – hips, hamstrings, low back, neck and shoulders.

Date: Monday, April 28 – Monday, May 19 Time: 7:30 – 8:30pm
Cost: $45

Location: Day Yoga Studio 1000 Brown Street

Registration is required. Please visit dayyogastudio.com or call 937- 829-5947 to register.

About the instructor: Elizabeth began a dedicated yoga practice in 2009. As her practice deepened, she was energized by renewed health and inspired by the body’s ability to heal naturally. She earned her RYT-200 in 2013. Her classes focus on personal strength and body/mind appreciation. Elizabeth is also certified by the Veteran’s Yoga Project in Mindful Resilience. This practice uses yoga, meditation and breathwork as a resource to help those facing post-traumatic stress and other trauma-related psychological difficulties navigate a personal path to inner stability and calm. Outside of the studio, Elizabeth manages accounts for a retail branding firm, is an active volunteer in a number of organizations and can often be found enjoying the Miami Valley bike trails.

‘An Inspector Calls’ Review – Dayton Theatre Guild – Evening Confessions

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inspector

The cast of “An Inspector Calls” (Contributed photo)

J.B. Priestley’s 1945 drama “An Inspector Calls” is an engrossing, humorous, well-acted, and handsomely designed display at the Dayton Theatre Guild.

Breezily presented in three acts, Priestley’s thorough if heavy-handed chastisement of the privilege and personality of the upper class, an obvious portal into his own staunch views of socialism, concerns the Birling family of Brumley, England circa spring 1912. Inside their beautifully decorated dining room (superbly envisioned with dramatic flair by Chris Newman), the Birlings (attractively costumed with period panache by Carol Finley) gather for a dinner party celebrating Sheila Birling’s engagement to Gerald Croft. But joyful optimism suddenly subsides when the mysterious Inspector Goole arrives to aggressively interrogate everyone about their connection to the suicide of Eva Smith, a factory girl employed by Arthur, the family patriarch. It’s a stretch to assume the entire Birling clan came in contact with Eva (also known as Daisy Renton), but Priestley masterfully weaves credibility by building his case on classism. Goole adamantly feels the Birlings took advantage of Eva simply due to her status, particularly her monetary woes that ultimately lead her on a destructive path.
Director David Shough (responsible for last season’s impressive, tech-savvy production of “Dracula” at the Dayton Playhouse) once again utilizes music to heighten emotions. In this instance, flavorful strains give the drama a pinch of extra spice while simultaneously poking fun at its mystery/thriller essence. More importantly, Shough skillfully coaxes excellent, captivating portrayals from the principal players radiating with genuine passion and sophisticated authenticity.
The formidable Dave Nickel, intimidating and resolute, commands attention and vigorously propels the drama as Inspector Goole. Nickel is specifically astute at scolding in a manner that doesn’t feel excessive or cumbersome. Charles Larkowski, effortlessly firm, expertly embodies Arthur’s brash, forthright, capitalist mindset, which splendidly sets the play’s tone as a reflection of the ostentatious spirit of his fellow industrialists. “We don’t guess, we have experience, we know,” boasts Arthur ominously less than a month before the Titanic sails on her ill-fated maiden voyage. Larkowski also shows great vulnerability as accusations rise within Arthur’s imploding world. The remarkable Annie Branning, in her Guild debut, exquisitely counters as Sybil Birling, Arthur’s dutiful, headstrong wife who takes Goole to task with powerfully defensive pizzazz. As Sheila, Caitlyn Maurmeier, in another fine Guild debut, showcases a lovely evolution from innocence to spitefulness as her relationship with Gerald slowly disintegrates. Maximillian Santucci (a standout last season in the Guild’s local premiere of “100 Saints You Should Know”) underplays appealingly as Gerald, tenderly recounting his compelling history with Eva/Daisy in Act 2. As Eric Birling, Leonardo Santucci, delivering a breakthrough performance, oozes fiery contempt in Act 3 opposite Larkowski in an intense father-son showdown. Christina Tomazinis (as maid Edna) and Jamie McQuinn (as a Beggar) are underutilized but nonetheless serve as intriguing kindred spirits within the action.
“We don’t live alone,” Goole declares whether the Birlings like it or not. Without a doubt, “An Inspector Calls” prompts us to value sympathy and compassion in a world that continually places more significance in individualism.

 

“An Inspector Calls” continues through May 4 at the Dayton Theatre Guild, 430 Wayne Ave., Dayton. Act One: 40 minutes; Act Two: 42 minutes; Act Three: 37 minutes. Performances are Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 5 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, and $11 for students. For tickets or more information, call (937) 278-5993 or visit www.daytontheatreguild.org

In related news, the Dayton Theatre Guild’s 2014-15 season will consist of Lee  Blessing’s “Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music” (Aug. 22-Sept. 7, directed by Ralph Dennler), David Lindsay-Abaire’s “Good People” (Oct. 3-19, directed by Debra Kent), Amy Herzog’s “4000 Miles” (Jan. 9-25, directed by Kathy Mola), Eugene O’Neill’s “Desire Under the Elms” (Feb. 27-March. 15, directed by Craig Smith), Jane Martin’s “Criminal Hearts” (April 17-May 3, directed by Saul Caplan), and George Bernard Shaw’s “Heartbreak House” (May 29-June 14, directed by Patrick Hayes).

 

 

Heroic High School Student takes on the Ohio State Legislature

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baileys interview 4-2013xBailey Webber, a junior at Springboro High School, was looking for a project to develop her filmmaking skills when she came across an issue she just could not ignore. What started as a summer project developed into a two year endeavor to investigate Fat Letters, notification from a school that state whether a student falls within an acceptable range on the BMI scale.  

 

Bailey met a sixth grader in her district who received one of these Fat Letters.  Maddy has human growth hormone deficiency. The hormones she takes every day cause fluctuations in her weight. Maddie received one of these letters and was mortified.  In her investigation, Bailey found out that in 2010, the State of Ohio, in response to the “childhood obesity epidemic,” passed a law requiring all schools to measure and report every student’s body mass index (BMI), even students as young as kindergarten.  Letters that are sent home to parents reporting their child’s BMI became known as fat letters by the students.

 

The deeper she looked into the law, the more controversy Bailey found. She interviewed parents who thought the schools were being hard on students who already have difficulties, school board members who felt the State was overstepping its bounds and superintendents who refused to comply. Finally, she questioned legislators who sponsored or disagreed with the bill. Now, it’s time to put all that video footage together into a film.

 

Bailey is not alone in the project. She is being supported and coached by her father, award winning documentarian Michael Webber. Mike’s previous projects include The Elephant in the Living Room which won the Genesis Award, the London United Film Festival Award and the Burbank Film Festival Award for Best Documentary, among others.7dd221233c738546f4f8462c4a675408_large

 

This film has been submitted as a Kickstarter project to help with the production costs. Kickstarter is a crowd fundraising platform that helps creative projects get off the ground. Bailey’s summer project is now going to be a feature length film. The fundraising period is over on Monday, April 28th
at 3 am. To contribute or to learn more, go to Kickstarter.com. There you will find videos that will tell you a little more about the film. If Bailey and Mike are not able to raise all the funds, they get none so kick in a couple bucks.

 

If you’d like to follow the progress of the film, you can go to thestudentbodyfilm.com or like the Facebook page at The Student Body Film.

 

In Bailey’s words, “I have put my heart and soul into The Student Body and I desperately want to share this revealing journey with others.  If this story and cause inspires you as much as it does me, then please consider joining me on the final leg of this journey.  Thank you!”

 

This story was submitted by Bridget Oaks.

More Activated Spaces Coming To Downtown

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pop up

Three new downtown businesses are preparing to host grand openings in conjunction with the May 9 Urban Nights event in downtown Dayton.

  • Catapult Creative, 131 N. Ludlow St. (Talbott Tower): Catapult Creative provides marketing, advertising, branding, design, web development, video and online services. They have helped grow small- to medium-sized businesses and organizations through branding, expressive design and communication expertise. Though Catapult is a recent venture for the four founding partners, combined they have over 20 years of experience in branding, advertising and marketing.
  • Confetti, 42 W. Fifth St. (Ludlow Place): Confetti is a modern stationery and card boutique. The shop will offer contemporary and vintage-style cards, stationery, upscale party supplies and decor, and small gifts. In addition to the retail component, Confetti will offer workshops for party-related topics, such as card marking, do-it-yourself décor, holiday wrapping, calligraphy and more. Customers also may host small parties and events in the space.
  • Studio Meco, 46 W. Fifth St. (Ludlow Place): Studio Meco will feature art by Melody Cole Gates and a small, select group of local artists. The gallery will feature mostly African American figuratives, portraits, landscapes, florals, abstracts and typography in various media such as paintings, drawings, sculpture, jewelry and pottery. Studio Meco also plans to produce professional fine art prints, greeting cards, calendars, journals, coffee mugs, screen print T-shirts and tote bags for special occasions.

The new shops are part of the sixth phase of the Pop-Up Project, part of an initiative to fill downtown storefronts called Activated Spaces. This program builds success of the first five phases of the Pop-Up Project, launched in November 2011, to provide potential business owners the opportunity for shorter leases at below-market rates as a way for them to jump-start their businesses and contribute to the vibrancy of downtown Dayton. Since it was started, the project has launched 14 shops (11 of which are still open), filled 13,113 square feet of previously vacant space and created 30 jobs. Unique to this round of Pop-Up Shops is Catapult Creative, which is the first Pop-Up Office Space project. “The Pop-Up Shop program was so successful for the retail shops that we quickly ran out of move-in-ready, street-level spaces,” explained Pop-Up project leader, Elise Huelskamp. “Now we are including vacant, move-in-ready office space in downtown Dayton. We’re confident Activated Spaces can showcase the available amenities and potential for business owners to ‘do their thing downtown’ alongside hundreds of other businesses.”

 

Pop-Up Shops from the previous phases of the project include Beaute Box, 116 W. Fifth St.; Vintage Barber Shop, 110 W. Fifth St.; Peace on Fifth, 234 Dutoit St.; All Pilates, 27 S. Saint Clair St.; and two stores at 16 Brown St., Spice Paradise and Hicks’ Barber Shop & Shave Parlor. In addition, two shops have expanded to new locations at least twice the size of their original Pop-Up Shop locations: American π, 41 S. St. Clair St., and Sew Dayton, 261 Wayne Ave.

 

The Pop-Up Project is driven by volunteers from the young professional organizations Generation Dayton and UpDayton with support from the Downtown Dayton Partnership, the City of Dayton, the City of Dayton Neighborhood Mini-Grant program and community volunteers. Activated Spaces is part of the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan, a strategic blueprint for the future of downtown.

 

Visit www.activatedspaces.org or e-mail [email protected] for more information about Activated Spaces.

 

Dear Dr. Hip Hop

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DRHIPHOP Back    DRHIPHOP FRONT

The Dayton Human Relations Council, Wright State University’s Bolinga Black Cultural Resources Center, the Community Initiative to Reduce Gun Violence (CIRGV), and the Community Police Council (CPC) are partnering to host the 2014 Dear Dr. Hip-Hop: Speak Be Heard Be Considered, a venue serving as the conduit for conversation and empowerment; using hip-hop as a tool to urge a more active community response in speaking out against gun violence, cultivating young adult community engagement, and encouraging leadership and responsibility in a creative hip-hop culture. The three-day event will take place April 24-26, 2014 in several locations throughout the Dayton community.

This collaborative initiative will feature a screening of a locally produced short documentary on gun violence, a youth empowerment lecture and lunch, a high school spoken word grand slam competition, a panel discussion featuring a national hip-hop artist and community activists, and a hip hop tribute.

As part of an ongoing strategy to improve community relations and citizen engagement in the Dayton area, the City of Dayton Human Relations Council held the first of many Speak. Be Heard. Be Considered events in Spring of 2011, a series of discussion forums designed to improve police/community relations and identify effective strategies to reduce crime and disorder. Feedback from this event and recent data indicates that young adults ages 18-35 are the most dissatisfied with community relations in the Dayton area. As a result,innovative follow-up events have been designed to engage this population.

‘Bring it On’ Review – Victoria Theatre Association – Smells Like Teen Spirit

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showFun, sassy exuberance is the bill of fare at the Schuster Center as the appealing national tour/ local premiere of “Bring it On: The Musical” charms and entertains.
Presented as a special Star Attractions courtesy of the Victoria Theatre Association, “Bring it On,” a 2013 Tony Award nominee for Best Musical, effectively adheres to the silly, fluff-filled cinematic franchise of the same name launched in 2000 starring Kirsten Dunst. Popular Truman High School cheerleader Campbell (truly delightful triple threat Nadia Vynnytsky) is thrown for a loop when she’s suddenly redistricted to urban Jackson High School. In an attempt to assimilate as best as possible, Campbell joins Jackson’s flavorful hip-hop crew led by the fiery, no-nonsense Danielle (a marvelously commanding, vocally strong Zuri Washington). However, Campbell’s insistence that Jackson create a squad that can match the Truman team, now led by the wholesome yet treacherous sophomore Eva (a fittingly coy Emily Mitchell, who was replaced in Act 2 at the performance attended by the comical Mia Weinberger), is a morale-boosting decision that ultimately evolves with disheartening repercussions which shape the musical’s engaging viewpoints of friendship, disloyalty, identity and forgiveness.
Tony-winning librettist Jeff Whitty (“Avenue Q”) crafts a thoroughly engaging and witty look at contemporary high school life although Truman lacks the personality and depth of Jackson. The catchy, tuneful score, co-composed by Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner Tom Kitt (“Next to Normal”), Tony nominee Amanda Green (“Hands on a Hardbody”) and Tony winner Lin-Manuel Miranda (“In the Heights”), contains too many similarly introspective ballads for Campbell, but the upbeat, hip-hop-infused numbers are scintillating, especially “Do Your Own Thing,” “We Ain’t No Cheerleaders,” “Friday Night Jackson,” and “It’s All Happening.”
In addition to the aforementioned principals, excellent performances extend to the hilariously spunky Maisie Salinger as Campbell’s goofy friend Bridget, the terrifically spicy Sharrod Williams as the uniquely flamboyant La Cienega, Jennifer Geller as La Cienega’s lively cohort Nautica, Bailey Purvis as Truman mean girl Skylar, the charismatic Tyler Bertolone as Campbell’s unpretentious love interest Randall, Andy White as Campbell’s dopey ex-boyfriend Steven, and Erin L. Fleming (Twig) and AJ Lockhart (Cameron) as playful Jackson students.
Tony-winning director/choreographer and Cincinnati native Andy Blankenbuehler (“In the Heights”) keeps the fast-paced action breezy and fluid. His sharp vision is nicely complemented by Jeff Sugg’s eye-catching video design, David Korins’ efficient sets, Jason Lyons’ expert lighting, Cody Spencer’s first-rate sound design, and Andrea Lauer’s colorful costumes. Still, Blankenbuehler absolutely pulls out the stops with his jaw-dropping competition routines spotlighted in “What I Was Born to Do,” “Legendary,” “Cross the Line,” and the title number. When this cast flies into the air with zestful abandon, “Bring it On” thrillingly soars.

 

“Bring it On: The Musical” concludes tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Schuster Center, Second and Main Streets, Dayton. Act One: 58 minutes; Act Two: 60 minutes. Tickets are $25-$70. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the student rush discount for half off tickets. For tickets or more information, call Ticket Center Stage (937) 228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silent Lions: Setting Themselves Up To Roar In Dayton

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 “We have a little cabin fever up here [laughs],”explained Silent Lions drummer Matt Klein during a recent phone  conversation.  Klein, along with his bandmate Dean Tartaglia, resides a little over two hours away from the friendly borders of Dayton in the beautiful city of Toledo.  Just like pretty much everywhere in the Midwest,  Toledo is just now coming out of one of the worst winter seasons that has ever occurred.  The record low temperatures and the significant amount of snow that accumulated during the beginning of the year forced a lot of folks to stay  indoors.  Spring is now upon us, and that means that folks, including Klein and Tartaglia, are able to get back out on the road  and start touring again.  Silent Lions will be stopping by Dayton on Wednesday at Hole In The Wall, which is located on East Fifth Street.  “We have been itching to get back out and tour.”

The music scene in Toledo, much like the one in Dayton, features a wide assortment of great musicians.  It’s how Klein and Tartaglia formed their bond.  “We would see each other around gigs, and we just thought that it would be cool to do something together.”  The bands they were previously a part of never seriously made music a focus, so the duo pairing up came naturally.  Klein and Tartaglia started branching outside of their comfort  zone in Toledo music landscape, and began spending a lot of time in the Detroit area.  Although Klein and Tartaglia still call Toledo their home, going somewhere different and new was needed.  “Detroit gives us some many more opportunities for experimentation.  It fuels our creative sides.”

Establishing their footing in the Motor City, Silent Lions met with Zach Shipps.  To many, Shipps is known for his time in the Detroit-based rock band Electric Six.  Electric Six, known by many for their single “Danger!  High Voltage,”  infused elements of disco, punk rock, new wave, and metal into their music.  Klein and Tartaglia went to Shipps’ studio to recorded and released their first EP The Parliaments in December 2012.  The four song EP set the tone for where the twosome wanted to take their music. The lyrics are mostly written by Tartaglia and dance around several topics.  The spooky “Terrible Days” dives into leaving before it’s too late.  “Pop Rocks” features Tartaglia crooning about plotting his take over with music: “You are bumming me out/I know better than this and rock n roll is not a fad/It takes more than good luck and a well thought out financial plan you know” with a nice little hip-hop closing.  Fuzzed out octave bass, sampled synths, thrashing drum play, and manipulated atmospheric vocals are highlighted throughout the EP, the staples of how Silent Lions wanted to play their music.

In May of 2013, Silent Lions released “ripe•people” during some downtime in between tour dates.  The 8-plus minute song jumps all around the music spectrum.  Klein begins singing in a high pitch then Tartaglia breaks in with a fast-paced riff that’s a blend of hiphop/rock.  Halfway through, the band jerks the song over to a heavy-soul driven pace that continues to show their progression into nailing down their signature sound.  “ripe•people” is a wild experience for listeners, and it truly will give you the clear vision on where the band was headed.

At the beginning of this year, Silent Lions released their newest EP, The Compartments.  “We wanted to record again with Zach [Shipps].  He shared our vision, and we benefited a lot from him due to his experience,” explained Klein.  The Compartments presents a more defined sound.  Silent Lions’ time inside the Detroit music scene is noticeable when you are listening to the EP.  You can hear the influence of blues and soul along with their lo-fi gritty fuzz.  One great example of this is the soulful “Crash and Burn”.  “Stolen In The Heat Of The Moment” is a driving force that is energetic and loud.  “Runnin’ Me Down” is completely opposite – slow and spooky.  The duo shows throughout the EP their evolution of being in a band together.  The future of Silent Lions is really going to be fun to watch.  Klein echoed those same feelings.  “We haven’t been a band for real long.  We are still learning from one another, and we can’t wait to see where we go.”

A full-length LP is on Silent Lions’ radar, and they plan on having Shipps produce the album.  They’ll start recording in Detroit in the summer.  For now, the band is going to tour some, playing for audiences around the Midwest and Eastern seaboard.  The duo are noticing that the crowds are growing and growing with each show.  “We have found support and made new friends in every new city we’ve been to. It’s been really humbling”, Klein says.  “It’s all about making connections.”

Silent Lions plan on releasing a music video for “Runnin’ Me Down” on YouTube.  The video will feature haunting imagery comparable to the old school horror films, which are favorites for Klein and Tartaglia.  To hear what many have labeled “heavy soul,” “chill punk” and “Hall and Oates backed by Rage Against The Machine,” you can go to the band’s website- http://silentlions.bandcamp.com/music.  Silent Lions will be stopping by in Dayton in support of The Compartments by performing at Hole In The Wall on Wednesday night.  Door open at 9.  Music starts at 10.

Best thing about the show – no possibility of snow.

J.R. Martinez to be Keynote Speaker at Wright State University Academy of Medicine Annual Dinner

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MARTINEZ-700x550-260x204Motivational speaker, U.S. Army veteran, Dancing With The Stars winner, actor and best-selling author J.R. Martinez will speak at the Wright State University Academy of Medicine annual dinner and distinguished guest lecture on Wednesday, April 23, 2014.

Born to a single mother from El Salvador, he dreamed of becoming a professional football player. But his plans were derailed by a sports injury. So he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he was assigned to the 502nd Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. In March 2003, he was deployed to Iraq. Less than a month later, the Humvee he was driving in Karbala hit a roadside bomb. The three other soldiers were ejected from the burning vehicle, but Martinez was trapped inside and suffered smoke inhalation and severe burns to 34 percent of his body. He spent the next 34 months in recovery, undergoing 33 different surgeries, including skin grafts and cosmetic surgery.

He is the author of the New York Times best-selling book Full of Heart: My Story of Survival, Strength, and Spirit, a memoir about how he took his own personal tragedy and turned it into an inspiration for others.

He also is known for winning season 13 on ABC’s Dancing With The Stars in 2011 with dance partner Karina Smirnoff. Martinez has been recognized with many awards and honors, including an Ivy Award, for his work with burn survivors and disabled veterans. He also was the recipient of the 2012 National Disabled American Veteran of the Year Award.

He has been featured on several talk shows, including 60 Minutes, Ellen and The Oprah Winfrey Show among others. He has been written about in numerous newspaper articles and has guest starred on Lifetime’s Army Wives. He also was on the Emmy Award-wining daytime drama All My Children. He stars as Alfonso Rivera, a Los Angeles paramedic/firefighter and a member of the U.S. Air Force Pararescue team, in the nationally syndicated drama series SaF3 (pronounced SAFE), which premiered in September 2013.

Proceeds from the academy’s annual dinner benefit Wright State University medical students. To learn more about the Academy of Medicine dinner, view the website at http://www.med.wright.edu/academy. Space is limited, and advance registration is required. For more information, contact Nicki Crellin at [email protected] or (937) 245-7628.

The Conversation Piece: A Three Piece Harmony

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“A conversation is a dialogue, not a monologue. That’s why there are so few good conversations: due to scarcity, two intelligent talkers seldom meet.”

~Truman Capote

 Conversation Piece 03            A conversation, in these days, is truly a scarcity. Most communications are merely a regurgitation of whatever political analyst or the televisions latest talking head spewed forth that day. Other conversations are like verbal marshmallows: soft and tame so as not to offend or cross into the realm of what is thought of as politically incorrect. They are conversations of little substance and will probably cause you to have a cranial cavity sometime in the near future.

My conversation with Anthony Barwick, creator of the aptly titled The Conversation Piece, started several years ago and has, as yet, to stop. There are huge gaps between the times that we get a chance to speak with each other, but we pick up the thread as if no time had lapsed. I think it is our love of truly good dialogue and probing the mysteries revealed by the simple question, “why?” that creates this bond. Our first time meeting was for an interview. We met at a coffee and, after an hour or so of non-stop talking, we realized that we had a problem. We had accomplished nothing in the way of an interview. We found that the only way that we could keep on one train of thought was through emails because, if we were face to face, one of us would say something that would send the other off on a tangent, which would lead through a rabbit warren of thoughts and ideas.

I will give you the abridged version of what The Conversation Piece is and what it hopes to achieve. The Conversation Piece started when he began a series of public readings he had held for a manuscript he had written. The reactions of the participants led him to develop the framework for a dialogue driven meet up that would delve into all sorts of topics, from social issues, race, religion, politics…everything was fair game with one caveat: You can espouse whatever belief or opinion as long as you could defend it. That being said, the debates do not get heated or hateful. Under the careful verbal choreography of Barwick, who plays the role of referee and alternately the antagonist, the event becomes a true dialogue and not just the loud ranting of opinions and the shouting down of ideas.

The first event of Barwick’s that I had attended was held fairly early on a Saturday at a downtown eatery. Everybody was friendly and amiable in their discourse and, not only were the attendees given something to think about regarding other diverse members of the audience’s opinions and stories, the people giving opinions learned something about themselves through the sheer act of having to defend the validity of their opinions. I also hosted a chapter of The Conversation Piece during one of my Dirty Little Secret variety shows because, with the addition of alcohol and burlesque, nothing could possibly go wrong! Yet, once again, under the aegis of Barwick’s hand, no one was offended and everyone truly had a good time becoming part of the show and having their opinions heard.

The time has come again for yet another chapter in The Conversation Piece’s history: a triple threat! They are hosting not only another episode of their meeting of the minds, but they are also having a book signing by an author who was born here in Dayton. The third section to this trifecta is an after party simply titled The Beautiful People’s Party. I have been invited to the book signing and The Conversation Piece, but I fear that I will be forced to leave once the after party commences. That has yet to be seen.

TRIPLE THREAT EVENT 3 - APRIL - 2014 (NOW jpeg version)The first event will be the book signing with author Sharisse Kimbro for her recently published book Beyond The Broken. Kimbro, who was born in Dayton and now resides in Chicago, wrote the book after being inspired by Langston Hughes’ poem, A Dream Deferred. The book revolves around  five friends, following them from their graduation from Stanford and into the lives that were not what they expected. Kimbro explores some of the themes that many women encounter, such as motherhood, depression, serial singleness, suicide and betrayal, yet it is her attention to the character’s details and real world anecdotes that draws the reader in. Kimbro draws her inspiration from her own experiences as well as stories that have been told to her throughout her journeys through life.

The second stage of the evening is another chapter of The Conversation Piece. As illustrated above, this experience is a safe place for one to express their opinions, thoughts and beliefs and to have them respectfully heard by other open minded people. Directly following The Conversation Piece will be the after party featuring music by DJ Spare Change. This will give you the opportunity to mingle and meet others and possibly extend some of the conversations touched upon earlier in the evening. The evening will be held at Lily’s Bistro, which is the most casually elegant places in Dayton. They have  great mixologists (try the strawberry moonshine!) and a menu of items that are made from things that I have never heard of and most of which I cannot pronounce but everything that I have had there has been delicious.

WHEN:  Sat, April 26th – Book Signing begins at 9:00pm. The Conversation Piece begins at 9:30pm. The Beautiful People’s Party begins at 10:00pm and runs until 2:00am

WHERE: Lily’s Bistro located at 329 E. Fifth St. in the Oregon District.

PARTICULARS: Dress is to be social attire and admission is a mere $10.00

Buffalo Killers Kick Off DMF’s 10th Year Anniversary With Special Show

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For the past nine years, the Dayton Music Fest has spotlighted the burgeoning music scene in Dayton, Ohio.  Founded by Dan Clayton, Andy Ingram, and Shawn Johnson, the Dayton Music Fest features artists and bands from all around the area over two days in several area establishments.  Within walking distance from each other, festival attendees are able to experience live, local music in ways that they never thought possible.  The event also allows people who don’t come down and watch live shows often the opportunity to witness the rich musical talent that is coming out of Dayton.

Now curated by Kyle Melton and Don Thrasher, the tenth anniversary of the Dayton Music Fest will undoubtedly be one of the best yet.  For starters, the DMF organizers, along with David C. Obenour and Ghettoblaster Magazine, will be having their kickoff event this Friday night at Christ Episcopal Church in downtown Dayton (20 West First Street).  The kickoff event will feature Dayton’s/Cincinnati’s own Buffalo Killers.

Lead by songwriting brothers Zachary and Andrew Gabbard, along with Joseph Sebaali and Sven Kahns, Buffalo Killers have drawn the attention of the likes of The Black Crowes’ own Chris Robinson and Dan Auerbach from the Black Keys.  Robinson enjoyed the band so much that he even invited the Buffalo Killers to open a string of dates.  The band’s previous albums, Buffalo Killers (2006), Let It Ride (2008), 3 (2011), Dig. Sow. Love. Grow. (2012), Ohio Grass (2013) present signature hook heavy homegrown rock n roll play with an undeniable Southern psychedelic tone.

Buffalo Killers have recently released their fifth studio album, Heavy Reverie this month via Sun Pedal Recordings.  Heavy Reverie was recorded in Cleveland, OH at Crushtone Studios with producer Jim Wirt (Incubus, Fiona Apple).  The show on Friday will feature a backing choir accompanying the band for select songs,  truly a once in a lifetime experience that fits perfectly into Dayton Music Fest’s vision each and every year.

Tickets are limited to 250.  Advanced sales are available through Monday at: http://daytonmusicfest.bandcamp.com/, and additional tickets will be available at the door.

Also on the night of the show, Toxic Brew Company will be releasing the limited edition Buffalo Killer Brown Ale.  The tapping will be at 5pm.