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Archives for June 2014

‘On The Inside’ Is Quite Special-Just Ask Colleen Badenhop

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(Photo courtesy: Jennifer Taylor Clarke)

(Photo courtesy: Jennifer Taylor Clarke)

It was a chilly, mid-morning day when I met up with singer/songwriter Colleen Badenhop.  When she walked up to our  meeting location, I noticed that she was wearing a thin hooded zip-up sweater.  The sweater couldn’t barely keep  anyone warm on this day.  However, Badenhop had a good reason for the clothing choice.  “We are in the process of  moving,” explains Badenhop.  “All of my warm clothes are in boxes [laughter].”  For Badenhop moving into a new home  is just one of many things happening as of late.  She recently finished her eleventh year of teaching music in the Kettering City Schools, and she will be releasing her debut album On the Inside today.

Badenhop grew up in the little town of Wauseon, Ohio, about 45 minutes away from Dayton.  Her mother would play the piano and the organ while her father would sing in the church choir.  Badenhop picked up playing the piano when she was  young through reading music and watching her mother, and once she started attending Bowling Green, she started to get a better understanding of chord structure.  As soon as she started to write songs, Badenhop started to become more serious about playing the piano.  She started to dive deeper into learning and practicing.   Following college, Badenhop married her high school sweetheart, and they migrated to the Dayton area.

Around 2012, Badenhop started to throw around the idea of exploring going further with her music.  “I didn’t know how get from point A to point B at all”, said she.  “I wasn’t sure what I do, who to talk to, how much it was going to cost.”  She started off small-going to establishments and performing karaoke every week.  “I would learn the songs that I wanted to sing that night.  I would get on YouTube and learn the song really well,” Badenshop explained.  Attending each week started to give the crowd a sense that Badenhop was destined to be doing more than already released music.  “Someone told me that I should write my own songs.  I would say to them that I should, but I don’t have anything to write about [laughs].”

Over time, those doubts of not having anything to write about washed away.  Badenhop mentioned that she had some emotional moments that fueled some of her writing.  Although she didn’t specifically mention what happened,  Badenhop talked about how she starting forming moments into music.  She sang the newly formed songs in her mind and would play them on the piano.  Badenhop reached out and messaged another local singer/songwriter Jayne Sachs, who she was a fan of.  Sachs became a mentor of sorts for Badenhop and explained that she needed to go out to places like Canal Public House and perform.

On the Inside was recorded at Babblefish Studios in Franklin, Ohio.  The album, which was part of a successful Kickstarter campaign, was started in September of 2013 and ended in January.  The recording was spread out, with Badenhop and her band recording mostly on weekends.  During the recording process, Badenhop really wanted to have her hands in every part of the process down to the design of the album artwork.  “I found out I was a little bit of a control freak [laughter],” Badenhop jokingly said.

The lyrics throughout On the Inside spotlight the full spectrum of human emotional experiences.  Songs like the soft, gentle “Home Again” (When I lay down with you/I am home again/Enclosed in your arms/I am free again) to “Story” (If you were a boat/I’d be your river) highlight love and hope.  Alongside are tales of loss and frustration-“A Comfortable Veil” and “The Last One to Know”.  For fans of singer/songwriters like Ben Folds and Sara Bareilles, Badenhop’s On the Inside will be right on.

Colleen Badenhop will be releasing her debut On the Inside today, and we will be one half of the CD release show at Yellow Cab.  Badenhop will be sharing the stage with local musician Steve Makofka tonight.  Showtime is 8pm.  $5 admission.  To hear more from Colleen Badenhop, click onto her Reverbnation website here.

Do You Have A Winning Business Concept?

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logoCan You Create A  Company From Concept to Creation in 54 Hours?

 

Startup Weekend is a global grassroots movement of active and empowered entrepreneurs who are learning the basics of founding startups and launching successful ventures. It is the largest community of passionate entrepreneurs, with events in over 100 countries and 580 cities around the world.

The non-profit organization is headquartered in Seattle, Washington but Startup Weekend Organizers and Facilitators can be found on every corner of the globe. From Mongolia to South Africa to London to Brazil, people around the globe are coming together for weekend long workshops to pitch ideas, form teams, and start companies.

All Startup Weekend events follow the same basic model.  At 6:30pm on Friday,  June 20th participants will meet up at The Entrepreneurs Center. After a welcomed and  dinner (provided by Franco’s Ristorante)  anyone is welcome to pitch their startup idea and receive feedback from their peers. Teams organically form around the top ideas (as determined by popular vote) and then it’s a 54 hour frenzy of business model creation, coding, designing, and market validation.

bestDavid Best, one of the co-organizers of Dayton’s Startup Weekend shared his experience at a recent Columbus Startup Weekend :

Friday night was hectic and illuminating. After introductions and an overview of the event, the pitches started. The ‘pitch fire’ was a series of sixty second pitches from any attendee that was interested in giving one. At that event, there were sixty ideas presented. They ran the gamut, including:

  • a sustainable urban gardening initiative
  • an app to blackmail roommates into doing chores with embarrassing photos
  • software as a service solution for providing standardized information gathering to venture capitalists for their investments


I filled up a few pages in my notebook capturing the list and figuring out what I’d like to work on and who I’d like to work with. In the end, I joined a team to build compliance software for a small part of the recently passed crowd funding legislation. We found some space and got busy planning.

Saturday was largely a blur. We dove into the work. The two business minded team members spent time going through the legislation, started finding potential customers, and tried to come up with a reasonable price point. The rest of us wrote some user stories, divvied out tasks and started putting together a rudimentary portal and workflow. The mentors (veteran entrepreneurs who were donating their time to answer questions and assist the teams) proved invaluable; we would have been much slower without their insight and experience.

The part that stood out the most wasn’t the work itself, but the environment; it was one of the best and most interesting work spaces I’ve ever encountered. We were surrounded by like minded individuals, each trying to turn the sixty second pitch into a viable business. I expected this to feel like a competition, but it was a community. We wanted each other to succeed.

The weekends culminates Sun at 5pm with  with presentations in front of  a team of local entrepreneurial judges that includes  Jeremy Loyd, Creative Director of Sparkbox, Chris Wallace, CEO, Cambium Technologies and Shawon Brown- Gullette, Entrepreneur and Certified Natural Health Practioner with an opportunity for critical feedback.    A first place team will be named and they’ll win a prize package put together by local sponsors.  The event co-founders will select the 2nd place project.  Whether entrepreneurs found companies, find a cofounder, meet someone new, or learn a skill far outside their usual 9-to-5, everyone is guaranteed to leave the event better prepared to navigate the chaotic but fun world of startups. If you want to put yourself in the shoes of an entrepreneur,  for the best weekend of your life!

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Whether entrepreneurs found companies, find a cofounder, meet someone new, or learn a skill far outside their usual 9-to-5, everyone is guaranteed to leave the event better prepared to navigate the chaotic but fun world of startups.  And in case you’re wondering, David’s team decided not to continue developing the product. He shares, “despite our ‘failure’, I wouldn’t trade the weekend for anything. It was intense, fun, and a great learning experience.”  If you want to put yourself in the shoes of an entrepreneur, register now for the best weekend of your life!  Tickets are $99 or $49 for students.

DaytonMostMetro wants to send 2 individuals to StartupWeekend.
If you think you should be one of those, here’s your first task: Like and share this post, fill out the form below and leave us a comment about why you’ve got what it takes to succeed!

Congrats to our winners:  Sarah & Chris.

But even if you don’t win, we’ll be offering all registrants a huge ticket discount- 70% off.  We’re extending the ticket discount for those that register by noon on Monday! [form 55 “DMM Contest Entry – Generic”]

Million Dollar Quartet Opens June 17th **Ticket Contest**

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photoThe national tour of the Broadway musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET,inspired by the electrifying true story, will make its DAYTON premiere June 17-22 at The Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center as part of Victoria Theatre Association’s Premier Health Broadway Series. Tickets are on sale now at Ticket Center Stage, by calling 937-228-3630, 888-228-3630 or online atwww.ticketcenterstage.com.

 

The international Tony® Award-Winning musical, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is set on December 4, 1956, when an auspicious twist fb-wallpaper-cashof fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together. Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll” who was responsible for launching the careers of each icon, gathered the four legendary musicians at the Sun Records storefront studio in Memphis for the first and only time. The resulting evening became known as one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll jam sessions in history.

 

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring timeless hits including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “That’s All Right,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “I Walk the Line,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “See Ya Later, Alligator,” “Fever,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Hound Dog” and more.

 

fb-wallpaper-perkinsPortraying these icons are, H. Bradley Waters as Carl Perkins, John Countryman as Jerry Lee Lewis, Tyler K. Hunter as Elvis Presley and Scott Moreau as Johnny Cash. Vince Nappo plays the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Sam Phillips.  The cast also features Kelly Lamont as Dyanne, and musicians Patrick Morrow (Fluke, drums) and Corey Kaiser (Jay Perkins, bass). Rounding out the company are: Andrew Frace, Robby Kipferl,Stephanie Lynne Mason, Sean McGibbon, David Sonneborn, and H. Bradley Waters. 

 

The show is directed by Eric Schaeffer and features a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux. The design team includes: Derek McLane (scenic design), Howell Binkley (lighting design), Jane Greenwood (costume design),Kai Harada (sound design) and Chuck Mead (musical arrangements and supervision).

 

When the Broadway production opened in April 2010, critics and audiences leapt to their feet in unanimous praise. The New York fb-wallpaper-jerryTimes called the show, “a buoyant new musical that whips the crowd into a frenzy,” New York Magazine labeled it, “a dazzling raucous spectacle that sounds like a million bucks,” and NY1 called it, “90 minutes of platinum grade entertainment.” The musical continued its successful New York engagement at New World Stages through June 2012.

 

The longest-running musical production in Chicago’s history, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET opened in 2008and continues to perform to packed houses at the Apollo Theatre. The West End production played at the Noël Coward Theatre in London in 2011, and a Las Vegas production began performances at Harrah’s Showroom in Las Vegas in February 2013.

 

fb-wallpaper-presleyMILLION DOLLAR QUARTET won a Tony Award® for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical and received a Tony Award® nomination for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical (Colin Escott & Floyd Mutrux). The show received an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Musical Revue and three Drama League nominations including Distinguished Production of a Musical and Distinguished Performance.

 

 

Performances run from Tuesday, June 17 to Sunday, June 22. Group sales are underway for groups of 20 or more. Groups may call Betty Gould at 937/228-7591 ext. 3074. Tickets start at $25 and are on sale now at Ticket Center Stage, located in the Wintergarden of the Schuster Center, by phone 937-228-3630, toll-free at 888-228-3630 or online at www.ticketcenterstage.com.  For information on the production, visit www.MillionDollarQuartetLive.com

DMM Ticket Contest:

We’re sending one lucky winner and their guest to opening night on Tues, June 17th.  Like this post, and fill out the form below to be entered in our random drawing.  We’ll announce our winner Sunday. [form 55 “DMM Contest Entry – Generic”]

Can You Take A 3 hour Shift for Homefull’s Phone-A-Thon?

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64Homefull is hosting a Phone-A-Thon on June 24, 25 and 26, and they need your help!  Homefull, formerly The Other Place, was founded in 1988 in Dayton, Ohio and has grown to meet the challenging needs of our community in service to homeless persons. They have a bold vision of “a community where there is no homelessness” and a mission “to work to end homelessness by providing housing, services, advocacy and education.” Homefull offers a comprehensive continuum of care and services to those who are at risk of homelessness, to those who are currently homeless and to those who are formerly homeless. Their programs and services include street outreach, prevention and diversion, Gateway shelter assessment and case management, social enterprise Micro-Farm & Landscaping, housing search and placement, rapid rehousing, and supportive services in transitional and permanent housing.

Homefull is requesting you volunteer one 3 hour shift  to help Homefull connect with donors in a fun, energetic atmosphere! Training is provided on site the evening(s) you volunteer. Make a HUGE impact in helping to end homelessness right here in Dayton, Ohio! Take your pick of three shifts: Tuesday 6/24, Wednesday 6/25 and/or Thursday 6/26 from 6:30 pm-9:00 pm at our office. Free dinner is provided and there will be gift card raffle prizes for volunteers.   Bring a friend  or even a group with you to earn more chances to win fabulous prizes!

For more information or to sign up contact Carly with questions 937-293-1045 x 530.

 

 

 

 

Warped Wing & Jimmie’s Ladder 11 Team up for Food Adventure Event July 31st

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Warped Wing Logo

Dayton’s own brewery, Warped Wing!

It is time to “GET WARPED” at JIMMIES LADDER 11 in July, with a one-night-only, 5 course Food Adventure !  Mark your calendars for July 31st and get your tickets before they sell out !

Only Food Adventures could help deliver such a night.  For the first time ever, Dayton’s own WARPED WING BREWING COMPANY will team with Dayton’s own Ladder 11 for and exclusive event!

For all of you who have always wanted to go on a full blown Food Adventure, here’s your chance!

WHAT FOOD:  5 Course dinner at JIMMIE’s LADDER 11.  This meal will feature some special menu items, presented and paired, especially for this night.

WHAT DRINK:  3 beers on tap from Dayton’s  WARPED WING BREWING CO. paired with 3 food courses and each attendee gets a Warped Wing souvenir pint glass !

MENU FOR THE NIGHT:

COURSE 1:  Jimmie’s Homemade Gumbo

COURSE 2:  The Cornerstone Salad paired with Ermal’s Belgian Cream Ale from Warped Wing

COURSE 3: Roast Beef Po’ Boy Sandwich paired with Warped Wing’s  Flying Rye Pale Ale

COURSE 4: 10 Ton Pulled Pork Quesadilla’s paired with Warped Wing’s 10 Ton Stout

COURSE 5: Double Chocolate Cupcakes topped with 10 Ton Chocolate Gnache.

 

Ladder 11

Jimmie’s Ladder 11, Five course meal, 1 night only

**** Also a SPECIAL AFTER DINNER KEG TAPPING of a NEW WARPED WING BEER – so fresh, we don’t even know yet what the brew will be!  The tapping will feature special drink prices on pints !

You can also expect The Big Ragu to pass out some samples of a favorite Jimmie’s Food Truck item.

 

WHEN: THURSDAY NIGHT, JULY 31st at 6:30pm

COST: $30 per person (pre-pay only) and that includes the tip !!!!  Tickets may only be bought online here.  We are expecting another sellout, so get your tickets now !

WHAT ELSE: Door prizes, gift cards, t-shirt giveaways, souvenir pint glass, meet and greet with Jimmie and the Ladder 11 family, and a look at the brand new Jimmie’s food truck with The Big Ragu!

Don’t miss this unique, one-of-a-kind Food Adventure!  See you at Jimmie’s in July !! 

BUY TICKETS Now–  limited seating available, when spots are gone, they are gone  !

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ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE and FOR NO GOOD REASON To Augment Successful BELLE and CHEF at THE NEON!

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Only-Lovers-Left-Alive-Australian-Poster-copyHello Everyone,

Even though we’re managing to hold BELLE and CHEF for another week, we’re adding 2 new films to the mix. The documentary about Ralph Steadman – FOR NO GOOD REASON – will have just three screenings over the weekend, and Jim Jarmusch’s new vampire film (with the always-thrilling Tilda Swinton) – ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE – will start limited screenings on Friday.

Synopsis for ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE: “Jim Jarmusch’s ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE tells the tale of two fragile and sensitive vampires, Adam (Tom Hiddleston) and Eve (Tilda Swinton), who have been lovers for centuries. Both are cultured intellectuals with an all-embracing passion for music, literature and science, who have evolved to a level where they no longer kill for sustenance, but still retain their innate wildness. Adam, a reclusive underground musician hiding out in the ruins of contemporary Detroit, despairs about human civilization’s decline, and worries about future survival. Eve, who is perhaps 3000 years old to Adam’s 500, takes a longer view of history and is more optimistic. She leaves her home in the ancient city of Tangier to come to his side.” (taken from Sony Pictures Classics) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

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Synopsis for FOR NO GOOD REASON: “Experience 15 years in the life of acclaimed illustrator Ralph Steadman, whose surreal, often confrontational artwork is frequently associated with Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson thanks to such books as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and The Curse of Lono. A look back at Steadman’s remarkable career offers a glimpse into his vivid imagination as interviews with Johnny Depp, Terry Gilliam, Richard E. Grant, Tim Robbins and others offer insight into the man behind the legend. Meanwhile, Steadman watches as his drawings are brought to life through the magic of animation for the very first time.” (Jason Buchanan, Rovi) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

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“Start Freedom Dayton, a film series started by Peace on Fifth to raise awareness about human trafficking, returns next Thursday, June 19th at 7:30 pm with the newest movie about human trafficking – TRICKED. The sex trafficking industry rakes in $3 billion dollars a year and with little awareness for the general population. TRICKED, released in December 2013, is set on the streets of the US as a clear witness to the domestic sex trafficking ‘game.’ This is a very powerful movie. Age appropriate for 12+, however children should have some level of awareness and emotional maturity. For more information call Peace on Fifth at 937.367.7215 or email [email protected]. To learn more about TRICKED and to see a trailer, visit the official site. All advanced tickets are available exclusively at Peace on Fifth (234 S Dutoit St., St. Anne’s Hill) for an $8 suggested donation.” (taken from Peace on Fifth press release)

The Montgomery County Food Policy Coalition is hosting a screening of FOOD PATRIOTS on Saturday, June 21 at 3:00. “Touched by their teenage son’s battle with a foodborne superbug, filmmakers Jeff & Jennifer Spitz document their family’s struggle to raise backyard chickens, grow food, and transform into Food Patriots. FOOD PATRIOTS features people from all walks of life who are trying to change the way Americans eat and buy food, and educate the next generation of consumers.” Admission is free and open to the public – to save a spot, please RSVP to Emily Bradford at (937)225-6470 or [email protected]

On Wednesday, June 25 at 7:30, THE NEON is happy to host a one-night screening of the new documentary TO BE TAKEI. This is part of Dayton PRIDE’s month-long LGBT Pride celebration. “Over seven decades, actor and activist George Takei boldly journeyed from a WWII internment camp, to the helm of the starship Enterprise, to the daily news feeds of five million Facebook fans. Join George and his husband Brad on this star’s playful and profound trek for life, liberty, and love. Best known for playing Sulu on the original Star Trek TV series and six movies that followed, George Takei is unlikely social media royalty. Unofficially dubbed the King of Facebook, he counts over 5 million fans in his online empire – including Trekkies, Howard Stern listeners, and the LGBTQ community – who devour his quirky mix of kitten jokes, Star Trek references, heartfelt messages, and sci-fi/fantasy memes…” (taken from press notes) Tickets, just $8 each, are now available at our box office.

On Thursday, June 26 at 7:30, we will host a preview screening of the new short film FOR FRANCIS. “When Matt Flynn (David Beck) discovers that his son Francis’s second grade teacher Ms. Walker (Kathy Patterson) gave his son a dress to wear, Matt becomes enraged and confronts the school. This very special preview screening on June 26th is in large part for donors in the Dayton area who contributed to the FOR FRANCIS fundraising campaign last fall. The film has already captured the attention of many prominent figures in the entertainment industry, including Emmy Award Winner Tim Gunn, who is one of the film’s Executive Producers. The character of ‘Ms. Walker’ in FOR FRANCIS is inspired by David Beck’s junior high English teacher, Denise Walker, of St. Charles School, in Kettering, Ohio. Although a work of fiction, the story of FOR FRANCIS is inspired by the real life Mrs. Walker’s positive influence on David’s life. Please RSVP to [email protected] for free tickets. Donations are welcome, and walk-ins will be accepted for $7. The donations will be used to help cover the cost of theater rentals and festival submissions.” (taken from Press Notes)

A special, one-time screening of STAND CLEAR OF THE CLOSING DOORS has been requested for Sunday, June 29 at 5:15…but it will only move forward if at least 50 tickets are reserved by Friday, June 20. Click this official LINK to reserve your ticket. “STAND CLEAR OF THE CLOSING DOORS tells the story of Ricky, a 13-year old boy with Asperger’s Syndrome who gets lost one day in the New York City subway system. While his mother frantically searches for him above ground, the sensory-sensitive Ricky is exposed to the cacophony, eccentricity, and menace found in New York’s underground (including some scenes shot during Hurricane Sandy, which came to figure into the film’s story), resulting in a truly authentic view into both the wonders and the horrors of what lies below.”

Thanks for your continued interest and enthusiastic support.

We hope to see you soon!

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, June 13 – Thursday, June 19:

BELLE (PG) 1 Hr Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:20

CHEF (R) 1 Hr Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:50
Monday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:10, 7:40

ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (R) 2 Hrs 3 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 9:40
Monday – Wednesday: 7:45

FOR NO GOOD REASON (R) 1 Hr 29 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30

TRICKED (NR) 1 Hr 15 Min + Discussion
Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:

(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)

June 20 – FED UP
June 20 – SUPERMENSCH: LEGEND OF SHEP GORDON
June 27 – OBVIOUS CHILD
June 27 – JODOROWSKY’S DUNE
July 4 – A HARD DAY’S NIGHT
July 25 – THIRD PERSON
Aug. 8 – BOYHOOD
Aug. 15 – MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT
Aug. 29 – LAND HO

Jazz Up Father’s Day with “Women in Jazz”

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Women in Jazz

The Downtown Dayton Summer Music Series kicks off on Father’s Day (Sunday, June 15) with the 32nd Annual Women in Jazz Festival, from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Dave Hall Plaza (Fourth at Jefferson). Admission is free.

The line-up includes Chicago-based headliner the Petra van Nuis Quartet, featuring guitarist Andy Brown. Other performers include:  Donna & Friends; Audrey Whitaker; Kate Ross; Sabrina Tutstone & Friends; The Jazz Central Band featuring The Ladies of Jazz Central; and April Aloisio with the Phillip Burkhead Trio.

A variety of food and merchandise vendors will be present, with free water provided by the Dayton Water Department. Lawn chairs, blankets, empty water bottles and individual umbrellas are welcome. Outside food or beverages, coolers and tents are not permitted.

The Women in Jazz Festival is presented by the City of Dayton Department of Recreation and Youth Services, with support from the Downtown Dayton Partnership, Heidelberg Distributing, Crowne Plaza Dayton, WROU Radio and Martin Romie Talent.

The City of Dayton’s Downtown Summer Music Series will continue with the Dayton Blues Festival (Sunday, July 20) and the Dayton Reggae Festival (Sunday, August 31). Both events will be held at Dave Hall Plaza, with free admission.

For more information, call 333-8400.

Walking To Win – 2014 Annual African American Wellness Walk

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aawellnessThe African American Wellness Walk was established to provide a mechanism whereby African-American men, women and children can actively begin to take charge of their health, destiny and well-being through health awareness and prevention.  Please complete the easy online form to register for this year’s African American Wellness Walk.

The Walk is this Sat, June 14th and kicks off with opening ceremonies at 8am at RiverScape MetroPark.  On site will be  information, education, health screenings,  and community linkages to health services to over 3000 African Americans residing within Montgomery County as it related to diabetes and heart disease prevention. It is a fun filled festive event the entire family can enjoy and is a great way to take the first steps to creating healthier lifestyles.

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During the 5k fitness walk, group cohesiveness brings together Montgomery County’s African aw1American community and friends to exercise, celebrate and raise awareness about African Americans men risk factors and complications associated with Cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Activities are geared toward preventive and maintenance approaches to chronic disease prevention.

csThe Heart Fair will involve 75 or more community health agencies displays. They will provide health information, education and serve as our community linkage to needed ser-vices to assist in decreasing health disparities in our community. Free health screenings will be provided in the Heart Fair area

Kid’z Korner (“Smart Kids Make Healthy Choices”) is designed to promote healthy eating habits among chil-dren and it stresses the importance of physical activity to prevent childhood obesity. Hand on foods festive demos will be conducted with the children. The Kis will enjoy fun games, T-shirts, bike helmets, fitness sessions and more. The children will receive recipe booklets and other healthy incentives to promote healthy behavior changes. Kid’z Korner has a huge raffle during the event. Don’t forget to register you child for the raffl

10 ?’s with Fifth Street Brewpub’s Chef Liam Hennessy

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Jan 23, 2013 11-27-28 AMFifth Street Brewpub’s Chef Liam Hennessy’s first experience in the restaurant business was working at a Mom and Pop sandwich shop. He started off as a dishwasher but soon moved to busing tables, serving, and eventually helping in the kitchen. Fifth Street Brewpub General Manager Dave Tickel first met Liam while working at TomKatz’s in Springboro. They both moved into other positions, but after 5 years of losing touch, Dave called Liam and offered him the position of head chef.  Liam left his job at the Dayton Country Club and is now working hard to create a unique menu at this new co-op brewpub. The chef also has worked at L’Auberge and Thirsty Dog Brewpub.

Experience Chef Liam’s menu at Fifth Street Brewpub located at 1600 East Fifth St, about 4 blocks east of the Oregon District. The pub is open  Monday – Thursday 4 pm – 11 pm and Fridays & Saturdays from 11 am – midnight.

 1.     What is your favorite ingredient to cook with?

Quite simply, animals. I love working with beef.

2.     What ingredient do you dread?

Nothing really, I’m not scared of anything. If I don’t know how to use an ingredient, I’ll look it up.

 3.     What’s your favorite dish to make?

Anything that makes people smile. Coming from the Dayton Country Club, I’ve had to adapt to a different style at the Fifth Street Brewpub. A lot of menu items here are broken-down fine dining, the Cuban sandwich for example.  It’s not on the menu, but we feature it from time to time. There is actually an email list that goes out to certain die-hard fans of that sandwich telling them when it will be served next.

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Enchurrito, rice, chicken, corn, peppers and cheese rolled in a flour tortilla, topped with a green chile sauce, and a cumin sour cream.

4.     What’s your favorite pig out food?

I grew up with peanut butter crackers, the ones that come in the pack of 6. Those with a glass of milk at the end of the day are great.

5.     What restaurant, other than your own do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley?

My wife and I just had kids, so it is hard to find time to go out. But when we do, we like to eat local. Bonefish is one of our favorites.

6.     What’s your best advice for home chefs?

Stop watching the food network; it glorifies food and creates very high expectations. Just keep it simple, try not to combine too many flavors.

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

I would invite my grandparents and great-grandparents. They never had the chance to see this side of me.

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

Chris from TomKatz’s; we have remained great friends over the years. And the Sycamore Creek Country Club. That’s where my skills and ideas were refined.

9.     What do you do in the Miami Valley on a day off?

Watch my kids! Or sometimes go golfing if I get the chance.

10.  Share a kitchen disaster, lucky break or other interesting story.

Lucky Break: Working at the country club was my biggest break. I was a sous-chef at the time, and the GM recognized that I was doing most of the work. He saw my ability and potential, and offered me the position of head chef.

Disaster: This also happened while I was working at the country club. We were hosting a wedding for 150 people, but there was a storm the night before and all of the power went out. So we didn’t have any light, gas, electricity, so obviously we had a huge problem. We contacted the bride and explained the situation, and she wanted to continue with the wedding as planned. We had to adapt by using outside grills to make a meal for 150 guests. It turned out to be a success; the guests were understanding and loved the improvised menu.

 

This Chef 10?’s article was put together by UD students in Professor Rebecca P. Blust’s  UD Engineering Project Management class.  Our four member team , Gracelyn Key, Sushmitha Rayinadi, Emily Strobach and Daniel Williams spent the semester learning how to meet with a client (DMM) define the project, put a plan together and execute it.  This is the fourth of 9 Chef interviews they presented to us as their class project.  To read the first two interviews please see below:

10 ?’s with Chef Trish Miles of C’est Cheese

10 ?’s with Chef Narendar Thakkar of Namaste India

10 ?’s with Chef Lisa Perdomo of Arepas & Co

Warped Wing Introduces Mr Mean Imperial IPA

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MrMeanJoin Warped Wing Brewing Company this Thursday in the Tasting Room as they tap their newest limited release Mr Mean Imperial IPA.

Mr Mean is inspired by 13th album recorded by The Ohio Players. The Ohio Players were an American funk and R&B band, most popular in the 70’s. The band formed in Dayton, O in 1959 as the Ohio Untouchables. In 1977 the band was at the height of its popularity when actor Fred Williamson asked them to create music for Mr Mean, a movie he was writing and directing. Mr Mean was also the first time the entire band was featured on the cover posing with their model.

This Mean ass IPA is pale orange with copper highlights and has a funk load of Amarillo and Centennial hops providing citrus and fruity aromas and a very bitter finish. The malt character is slightly bready/nutty with a dry finish. At 9% ABV and 96 IBU’s this beer will keep your inner soul groovin’ with every sip!

As an added treat they will have Colemine Records in the house dropping some funky 45’s for your listening pleasure.  Tapping Party kicks off at 5:00….see you then!

DMM’s Summer of Fun – Freebie Friday’s

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dmmFriFreebieAt DaytonMostMetro we love sharing all the cool things there are to do in the Miami Valley with all of you. Summer is a great time to explore our region and we want you to be able to explore and experience things you’ve never down here in your own backyard.

Right now there are over 3500 events listed in our calendar. Scanning the listing for things to do in June, July and August there are 380 Theater listings,  over 50 Festivals, 340 music related suggestions and more than 250 totally free events!  Now we know that sometimes your wallet dictates your options,  so we at MostMetro.com are committed to make it a summer of fun for more folks, by having a giveaway every Friday this summer!

We’re totally open for suggestions, too. In the comments below please give us some ideas of  local things you’d like to do for your summer of fun, and we’ll do our best to make it happen!  If you’ve got a giveaway you’d like featured, please send us an email.

We’ll kick it off our Summer of Fun promotion today by giving away a couple of pairs of tickets to Play it By Heart, a new musical by The Human Race 13375496386116959245Theatre Company that opens next Friday night and runs for four weeks at The Loft Theatre downtown.  Winners will be able to work with the box office to pick the show that works best for them, based on availability.  But you’ve got to enter to win, so read about the show and then fill out the form at the bottom of the post to have a chance to win!

The Human Race Goes Country with PLAY IT BY HEART **Ticket Contest**

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PIBH Press Photo 1The Human Race Theatre Company wraps up its 27th season with a long-awaited four-week run of the country musical Play It by Heart.  This fully produced regional premiere is the culmination of a four-year collaboration with The Human Race that began with a residency for the writers in 2009 and a reading in the theatre’s summer 2010 Musical Theatre Workshops program. An early version of the musical premiere at Village Theatre in Washington state in 2005.

Composer/lyricist David Spangler brought the script to the attention of Producing Artistic Director Kevin Moore. “After their production at Village, the writers all went off to work on other projects,” says Moore. “Brian had this little show brewing called Next to Normal. In 2006, we workshopped the musical Nefertiti that David had written with Rick Gore. He and I stayed in touch, and in 2009 he told me about Play It by Heart, and that the writers all wanted to get back to it. I read it, listened to the songs and was hooked.”

The 2010 workshop proved to be a hit. “Our audiences loved it,” exclaims Moore. “Over and over I heard, ‘I’m usually not a country music fan, but I really liked this music and this show.’ It’s a universal story that speaks volumes about family and forgiveness—something that resonates with everyone.” He also praises the score for its potential for mass appeal. “It’s filled with so many ‘radio-worthy’ songs. I wouldn’t be surprised if we hear some of them on the airwaves soon.”

ABOUT PLAY IT BY HEART

It’s the passing of the torch in a country music dynasty as superstar Jeannine Jasper’s long career draws to a close. The changing world of the music industry is about to thrust her little sister, Jamie Lynn, into the spotlight. When an old flame comes calling, Jeannine envisions a quiet life offstage, but Jamie Lynn’s wild ways may cut short her time on top. Stage mother Naomi tries to keep control of her daughters until a scandalous secret comes to light and threatens to tear them apart. A musical about heartbreak and healing, this regional premiere comes alive with an exciting original score filled with new songs from the Nashville Sound to New Country by David Spangler, Jerry Taylor and R.T. Robinson and a book by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award® winner Brian Yorkey (If/Then, Next to Normal, upcoming The Last Ship).

Tickets for the preview performance of Play It by Heart on June 12 are $25 – $40. For all performances June 13 – July 6, tickets are $25 ­– $50, depending on availability, seating location and the day of the week desired. Student tickets are half price with valid ID. Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more.  All performances are at the Metropolitan Art Center’s Loft Theatre, located at 126 North Main Street in downtown Dayton, Ohio.  Tickets and performance information on Play It by Heart are available at www.humanracetheatre.org or at Ticket Center Stage.

DMM Ticket Contest:

We’ve got 2 pairs of tickets to give away for Play It By Heart to our MostMetro.com readers.  Just like and share this post and fill out the form below to be entered in our drawing.  Of course a comment below of why you should win always goes a long way to sway the judges! 🙂

Ticket contest is now closed. Congratulations to our winners Kate Good & Rob Strobel!

 

 

 

 

New Vendors Opening at 2nd Street Market

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national-city-second This Saturday, June 7, the popular traditional outdoor farmers market officially opens at the 2nd Street Market, 600 E. Second St. in downtown Dayton. Six produce vendor and one prepared foods vendor will join the more than 40 year-round indoor vendors to provide shoppers with even more options to purchase locally grown food. The outdoor vendors that will be at the Market this Saturday are:

• Garber Farms                                   Mile Creek Farm (organic)

• Gypsy Chick Farm                          • Maple Run Farm

• Hungry Toad Farm (organic)        • Shady Grove Farms

• Keiko’s Kettle Corn

 

In addition, three new Saturday-only vendors will join the 2nd Street Market mix:

• Grassroots Bison Ranch, located in New Paris, will sell grass-fed bison starting June 14. Grassroots Bison Ranch will offer individual cuts, including New York strips, ribeyes and tenderloins, along with ground bison.

• Oaked & Smoked will sell its packaged, frozen smoked salmon at the market starting June 7.

• Simply Sweet will produce handmade ice cream on site on Saturdays beginning June 7.

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Other vendors may join the indoor and outdoor mix during the summer season. Visit the website or follow the 2nd Street Market on Facebook for updates. The 2nd Street Market is open Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The 2nd Street Market was been named the Best Farmers Market on the 2014 Best of Ohio Readers’ Ballot from Ohio Magazine. The list of winners was generated by votes cast by Ohio Magazine’s website visitors this past fall.

 

“The 2nd Street Market helps Five Rivers MetroParks serve as the region’s conservation leader by providing our community convenient access to local food, which is less taxing on the environment and often healthier,” said Market Manager Jimmy Harless. “These new vendors will give our customers even more options for stocking their kitchens with locally grown and produced food. Many people know the 2nd Street Market is a great place to grab lunch and shop for gift, household, food and other items — and they are having a positive impact on our region’s natural heritage at the same time.”

 

Learn more about the 2nd Street Market at metroparks.org/localfood.

‘The Dead Guy’ Review – Dayton Theatre Guild – Reality Bites

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dead guy

Chris Hahn and Amy Askins in the Dayton Theatre Guild production of “The Dead Guy” (Contributed photo by Peter Wine)

Would you kill yourself on live TV in a manner determined by viewers for the luxury of spending $1 million
in a week? 

Eldon Phelps ponders this intriguing notion hastily in the local premiere of Eric Coble’s fascinating 2005 dark comedy “The Dead Guy,” currently receiving a thoroughly engaging and thought-provoking presentation at the Dayton Theatre Guild deftly directed by Saul Caplan.

At a nondescript bar in the nondescript town of Leadville, unemployed and aloof Eldon (a first-rate, credibly impulsive Christopher Hahn) is persuaded to become the Dead Guy, the focal point of a new reality TV show of the same name created by ruthless producer Gina Yaweth (a splendidly shrewd, fixated Amy Askins). Eldon is the perfect bait because his hopeless indifference about life leads him to believe money and suicide would make him someone to remember in the eyes of his family and community. His logic is terribly flawed, but the decision he faces marvelously addresses the greater concern of desperation within the human condition. What exactly is the price of fleeting fame in today’s society? Have we become numb to entertainment that morphs from frivolous to grotesque? Through Eldon and Gina’s eye-opening perspectives, Coble allows us to fully examine the unsavory yet profitable depths of our media-craved culture and the get-rich-quick schemes that infiltrate the most vulnerable for the titillation of millions.

The very physical Hahn, making his Guild debut following memorable turns at Sinclair Community College,  is totally relatable and fittingly rough around the edges. As Eldon’s outlook and bank account evolves, a mild, transformative “Pygmalion”-esque quality encircles him which Hahn embraces with spunk, charm and maturity. He also finds terrific support in Askins, who winningly conveys Gina’s insatiable quest for ratings which leads her on a very unattractive path. Askins is so convincing and captivating in her juicy role you’ll wonder if she has attended her share of reality TV casting calls in our region.

Caplan’s amiable, compatible cast also includes an enjoyably understated K.L. Storer as Gina’s trusty videographer Dougie, Aaron Brewer as Eldon’s modest brother Virgil, a comical Teresa Connair as Eldon’s outspoken mom Roberta, an engaging Angela Timpone as Eldon’s ex-girlfriend Christy, Wayne Wolfe as an assertive Security Guard, the overdue return of Timothy Walling-Moore (excellent in the Guild’s 2010 local premiere of “Kimberly Akimbo”) as Leon, Carly Risenhoover-Peterson as Sheila, and Jenna Burnette as Nancy. Technical issues hindered the performance attended (the action relies heavily on multimedia and props), but the material’s essence wasn’t diminished thanks to the astute cast.

 

In a savvy move, Gina gives fans of “The Dead Guy” an option for a write-in vote regarding Eldon’s demise. For a split second, I actually thought the vote would be in favor of sparing his life. After all, thanks to Hahn’s fine portrayal, there always seemed to be a glimmer of hope amid the darkness. Well, maybe next season.

 

“The Dead Guy” continues through June 15 at the Dayton Theatre Guild, 430 Wayne Ave., Dayton. Act One: 50 minutes; Act Two: 55 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