Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More
During Dayton Beer Week two of Dayton’s local, family owned and operated companies are teaming up to delight the Miami Valley’s taste buds.
Mikesell’s, a staple of Dayton kitchens, barbecues and parties since 1910, is launching two new snack flavors: Beer Can Chicken Groovy Chips and Southwest Queso Cheese Curls.
Hello Everyone,
This is the weekend for the 2014 Eichelberger FilmDayton Festival. With more to offer than just movies (screenings happen at THE NEON), I suggest you take a look at the official site to see what strikes a chord with you. The festival will be screening films for the majority of the weekend in one of our auditoriums, but we will also manage to keep both BOYHOOD and MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT running on our other screen. (For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our website at www.neonmovies.com)
Advance tickets for the FilmDayton screenings must be purchased on-line. Remaining tickets will be sold in our lobby on the day of each screening. Here’s a list of the films that will screen at THE NEON:
Friday, Aug. 22 at 7pm – THE INFINITE MAN
Friday, Aug. 22 at 9pm – FLICK MY CLIP
Saturday, Aug. 23 at Noon – INTERNATIONAL SHORTS
Saturday, Aug. 23 at 2pm – GIVE TO LIVE THE MOVIE
Saturday, Aug. 23 at 4pm – OHIO SHORTS
Saturday, Aug. 23 at 7pm – ZERO MOTIVATION
Sunday, Aug. 24 at 12:30pm – U.S. SHORTS
Sunday, Aug. 24 at 3:15pm – STOMPING GROUND
Sunday, Aug. 24 at 5:30pm – THIS TIME NEXT YEAR
Sunday, Aug. 24 at 8pm – FILMDAYTON AWARDS
On Saturday, August 30 at noon, Roosevelt Class of ’67 will hold a fundraiser with a screening of BUCK AND THE PREACHER. “The film stars several icons who were at the beginning of their careers. Sidney Poitier stars as Buck. This was also the first film that he directed. Harry Belafonte stars as the preacher. His production company, Belafonte Enterprise produced the film with others. Ruby Dee was the wife of Buck. This film was set in Kansas Territory immediately following the Civil War in the late 1860’s. The cost is $20. This includes the movie, glass of wine, soda, and popcorn. Tickets are available at THE NEON.” (taken from press notes)
Start Freedom Dayton is hoping you’ll help tip the scales to bring #StandWithMe to Dayton on Thursday, Sept. 25. This film will only screen if 68 tickets are sold by Friday, Sept. 12. Click this LINK to watch a trailer and reserve your ticket now (if not enough tickets are reserved, your card will never be charged). “Only a 9-year-old would dream that a lemonade stand could free 500 enslaved children. What followed became so much bigger. After seeing a photo of two enslaved boys in Nepal, Vivienne Harr is moved to help in the only way she knows how: by setting up her lemonade stand. With the goal of freeing 500 children from a life of slavery, she sets up her stand every day, rain or shine. As Vivienne’s vision begins to show promise for something greater, her community stands with her – and she develops her own Social Purpose Company. In telling Vivienne’s story, #standwithme examines the realities of modern-day slavery, the role we play in it as consumers, and the importance of knowing the story behind what we buy.” (taken from tugg press notes)
Thanks for your continued support!
We hope to see you this weekend,
Jonathan
SHOWTIMES for Friday, August 22 – Thursday, August 28:
MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT (PG-13) 1 Hr 37 Min
Friday: 1:15, 4:30, 7:20, 9:30
Saturday: 1:15, 7:20, 9:30
Sunday: 1:15, 7:20
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:20, 7:40
BOYHOOD (R) 2 Hr 45 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 3:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:30, 7:30
FILMDAYTON FESTIVAL
Click Here for Entire Line-Up
COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
Aug 29 – LAND HO!
Aug 29 – CALVARY
TBD – TRIP TO ITALY
TBD – LOVE IS STRANGE
TBD – ALIVE INSIDE
TBD – SKELETON TWINS
There’s no doubt about it, Daytonians love beer. Considering Dayton’s long history with beer, it’s no surprise we like to wet our whistles with the stuff. The brewing industry was booming in Dayton up until stupid Prohibition, and I like to imagine all of the great Dayton icons clinking together their mugs after a long day of inventing stuff. Luckily for us, Carillon Brewing Company will be giving us an opportunity to see what it was like to have a brewery in 1850’s Dayton. It’s kind of like going to an exhibit about brewing in the 19th Century and then getting to drink the beer, wine, and cider once they’re done… Come to think of it, that’s exactly what it is.
The BuildingAs you probably would imagine, creating an authentic 19th century experience in the 21st century is no easy task. But even before entering, the building’s brick exterior, hand-painted signage, and dozens of pastoral windows create an old-world atmosphere. When you pass through the giant wooden entrance doors, you see that brick paneling line the walls, and gigantic solid pieces of un-sanded timber wood provide the support to the wide-open, two story interior. The rustic wooden tables were hand-made by the staff, including Tanya Brock, the manager of Carillon Brewing, and Brady Kress, the President and CEO of Dayton History. The seasonal bier garden, which seats around 100 people, will feature an outdoor bar, and will be lit by live gas lanterns. To contrast the 1850’s atmosphere, behind-the-scenes areas are completely contemporary. The kitchen, for example, is full of pristine stainless steel. However, these modern amenities don’t take away from the experience of stepping into a 19th century brewpub.
The restaurant, which will be open for lunch and dinner, will feature dishes that are inspired mainly by German cuisine, but will also have influences of Irish and English fare. The inspiration for the menu comes from the fact that many of the early Dayton breweries were owned and operated by 1st or 2nd generation German families.
In the main dining area (which seats around 180 guests) sits the brewery, which is a two story, three-tiered brick oven. It will serve as both a functional brewery and an interactive exhibit; patrons will not only be able to sample the beer, but will get to aid in the brewing process. This alone makes Carillon Brewing Company a unique visit for Daytonians and tourists alike. Once the beer has finished fermenting and conditioning, it will be served out of taps in oak barrels. The brewing system will utilize good ol’ fashioned fire for heating, and gravity to move from the mash to the boil.
It’s hard not to be excited about Dayton after visiting Carillon Brewing. As with the other exhibits at Carillon Park, they strive to make the experience as authentic as possible. It’s worth visiting for a number of amazing reasons, not the least of which is pre-prohibition beer.
They will be having a soft opening on Friday, August 22nd. The restaurant and brewery will be fully operational within a month. The hours will be Monday through Saturday 9:30 AM -10:00 PM and Sunday 11:00am- 10:00pm, with food service starting at 11:00am daily.
Special thanks to Tom Gilliam of @DaytonGram and @DaytonHistory for providing photographs.
Since securing the title of “bicycle-friendly city” in 2010, Dayton has been rolling out more cycling infrastructure, amenities and advocacy to support its growing population of bicyclists, which is a cornerstone of the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan. This spring, Dayton Bike Share formally made Dayton only the second city in Ohio to raise the capital funding for a bike share program, announcing that roughly $1 million has been secured to launch the program, which further supports the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan’s calls for enhanced multi-modal transportation. Today, local cycling advocacy group Bike Miami Valley (BMV) and its community partners have two important announcements regarding the future of Dayton’s bicycling scene.
Philly’s Bike Share branding pictured here
The Downtown Dayton Partnership (DDP), a BMV partner, is accepting proposals to design key brand elements for Dayton Bike Share. This will be a concept-to-completion production. “The community has really responded positively to the bike share program,” said Scott Murphy, Bike Miami Valley board president. “The bid-winner will work with the DDP’s marketing and branding team to create an identifiable logo and brand aesthetic to carry the momentum of this exciting new program for the Dayton community.” Requests for proposals (RFP) are due by 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8. Details of the RFP process and submission requirements can be found at bit.ly/DaytonBikeShare.
The formal launch and management of Dayton Bike Share will require a leader who is passionate about cycling. BMV is now accepting applications for an executive director, who will manage the bike share program for Bike Miami Valley and provide leadership in financial development, planning and program implementation. “We seek a highly-motivated, goal-oriented candidate with excellent leadership skills and entrepreneurial spirit,” Murphy said. “The successful candidate demonstrates clear and effective communication skills, comfort in outreach efforts, and has the ability to grow Bike Miami Valley into a self-sustaining organization.” Download the complete application information at bikemiamivalley.org.
Dayton Bike Share volunteers and community partners have been hard at work planning the launch of the bike share program. The team includes BMV, along with the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority (GDRTA), plus supporting organizations the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC), City of Dayton, DDP, Five Rivers MetroParks andMontgomery County. Current plans for Dayton Bike Share include 200 bicycles and 22 stations serving 4 square miles from the heart of downtown Dayton. Opportunities for partnerships via sponsorship of bike share stations and bicycles, as well as corporate membership programs, are still available. Stakeholders estimate the program will be fully functional by spring of 2015.
Groove with the best of the beat at the 27th Annual Dayton Reggae Festival on Sunday, August 31. The free-admission event comes to Dave Hall Plaza (Fourth and Jefferson Streets), from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
The 2014 Dayton Reggae Festival will be hosted by WYSO’s Niki Dakota and will include performances by:
1:00 p.m. – Haile Lya Israel
2:00 p.m. – Jah Soul
3:00 p.m. – Demolition Crew
4:00 p.m. – Jonny Dreads & The Mystiks
5:00 p.m. – Seefari
6:00 p.m. – Reggae Infinity
A variety of food and merchandise vendors will be present. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome; alcoholic beverages, coolers, tents and pets are not permitted. Dayton Water’s “Take Back the Tap” wagon will be on hand for complimentary cold water, and valet parking for bicycles will be available.
The Dayton Reggae 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 Hotel, WROU Radio and Martin Romie Talent.
A one night only event,Twisted Cabaret is a music and dance extravaganza geared for mature audiences, hosted by the one and only, Mahoganay Halsten Soule as a fundraiser for the Women and Dance fall concert, Opening Doors. Twisted Cabaret will transport you back to the decadent cabaret shows of the 1920s and 30s, brought forward with a contemporary and mischievous twist! The evening of performance will feature dance, live music, comedy and theater. Twisted Cabaret is an experience you will never forget!
Twisted Cabaret is a one night event which takes place at 1101 E 2nd St, Suite 2120, Dayton, Ohio 45403. Doors open at 8:30pm.
An evening at the Twisted Cabaret begins with Cocktail Time at half past 8 o’clock followed by The Show at 9pm. After The Show, there’s only one thing left to do, and that’s to party with the entertainers!
For more information go to www.LauranaWong.com
August 23, 2014
8:30PM
Tickets for Twisted Cabaret are only $20 and available now at www.BrownPaperTickets.com
Space is very limited
#dateyourcity
Do you have what it takes to be named America’s best bartender? Barenjager Honey Liqueur, the original honey liqueur made with pure premium natural honey, is on the hunt for you! Professional and amateur mixologists across the country are invited to submit their most innovative original cocktail creations incorporating Barenjager Honey Liqueur, Barenjager Honey & Bourbon, Barenjager Honey & Tea or Barenjager Honey & Pear for a chance to win an all-expenses paid trip to “BEARlin,” Germany and $1000.
Esteemed industry tastemakers will score all submissions and select the top six cocktail recipes using one of Barenjager’s all natural liqueurs to move on to the final round where the bartenders will mix-off at Flatiron Hall in New York City on October 6, 2014. To sweeten the pot, all guests will “Bee the Judge” to determine an audience favorite, who will take home a check for $1,000. This year’s esteemed panel of judges includes:
To enter the competition, visit www.BarenjagerHoney.com and complete the online 
registration form bySeptember 12, 2014. Must be at least 21 years of age to enter. No purchase necessary. The official rules and regulations can also be found on this site. *Contest is not open to residents of California, Texas, Hawaii and Alaska.
During the 15th century, the Eastern Prussian bear trap company, Teucke & Konig, first introduced Barenjager, which translates to “Bear Hunter.” In an effort to end the struggle between man and bear, this sweet concoction was the first professionally produced Meschkinnes – mead-like moonshine made from honey by beekeepers and farmers – and was formulated to aid hunters attract bears and lure them from their dwellings. The alluring spirit’s recipe was slightly altered in the 18th century and continues to serve as the original honey liqueur enjoyed around the world today.
Combine the area’s finest BBQ restaurants, then mix in the rage that is sweeping the nation, BACON! Add some blues bands, 30+ craft vendors, a kids zone with bounce houses, clowns, face painting and balloons and you’ve got Dayton’s newest festival PIGGFEST USA. Debuting this Friday from 5-10pm and Sat 10am -9pm at the Dayton Expo Center, Dayton native Chad Mullins is “excited about bringing Pitmasters for all over the country together for some for some of the best BBQ ever.”
Ribs, Brisket, Pulled Pork, Chicken, Bacon from:
also on hand Waffle World, Rhonda’s Homemade Candies, Ritter’s Frozen Custard and Amaizing Grace Kettle Corn
BANDS – Friday
BANDS – Saturday
Ticket Info
$2 off coupons available from the PigFest website.
DMM Ticket Giveaway:
We’ve got your hookup for BBQ & Blues, just like this post, fill out the form below, and leave a comment on why you should win tickets and we’ll announce three winners of a pair of tickets Wed night! [form 55 “DMM Contest Entry – Generic”]
Andy Smith and I are sitting in one of the tiny, wooden booths at the independently owned Christopher’s Restaurant in Kettering, Ohio. The cozy restaurant is serving breakfast at the time the two of us agreed upon to meet up. Dayton has some of the greatest breakfast spots around. One of the spots to hit is Christopher’s. The restaurant, which has homey, country-like setting and feel when you enter, caters to all lifestyles with their menu. This morning-Smith and I will be diving into some of the essential staples that make up the best breakfasts-eggs, home fries, and toast. “You ever been here before?,” Smith asked me as I sat down in the booth.
“Yeah. Several times. Love it here,” I answered.
“They have the best breakfast. I’m so ready for it,” Smith says back to me with a confident and determined look on his face.
Smith is about to embark on a trip up north for a small vacation in Michigan. Traverse City to be exact. Smith begins to go in detail on what the weeklong trip is going to be -hiking in the picturesque woodlands, tipping his feet in Lake Michigan, and maybe do some sightseeing in town. The sparkle that is coming through his circular black frames, and lens on his glasses, along with the smirk of his face, tell the tale of an individual who is biting at the bit to go now. It’s obvious by the way he divulges to me the serenity and peace he experiences when he is the forest. The appreciation and self-discovery really become clear when Smith describes the feeling he gets when he is out of the terrain. “It’s so cool. I just go out and just clear the mind,” Smith says. First things first, though, before his trip can begin. He has to take care of a few errands before he heads up.
Smith started to play guitar when he was in school. “I was obsessed with Motown, and Stax,” Smith explained. “I couldn’t get enough of it. Still can’t. Del Shannon, Curtis Mayfield fronting The Impressions. Love it.” In 2010, Smith was at J-Alans and overheard the bartender complaining that a band canceled an upcoming show. Smith interrupted the conversation and mentioned that he could fill in. Smith rounded up some close friends, and Andrew & the Pretty Punchers debuted. The band’s run in town was short lived, though, in part to everyone’s lives going in different directions.
Soon after Andrew & the Pretty Punchers, Smith began playing drums for Dear Fawn and was the lead vocalist for King Elk. Both bands saw some critical success in the local scene, and also saw people becoming faithful followers. Both bands gave Smith a sense of fun and enjoyment, but in time it started to take a toll. “It just wasn’t fun after a while,” Smith explained. “I was drinking a lot and it was becoming a problem.”
With the out of control behavior, and the band just running its course-King Elk decided to take some time off. “I still love those guys. Always will,” Smith says. “They are simply the best. I just think that we ran our course, and we needed to just shut it down for a little bit.” On top of that-Smith left Dear Fawn because the band wanted to go a different direction.
With King Elk on hiatus, and his departure from Dear Fawn, Smith needed to start something. He was continuing to write songs at a steady pace, and he wanted to put them on tape as quickly as possible. “That’s how I work,” Smith says. Smith started doing some recordings with local musician, and previous bandmate from King Elk and Dear Fawn, Kyle Melton at his studio.
At the beginning of the recordings, Smith started to notice that he wanted to add some others to join him and see how the vibe and sound 
would go. He recruited drummer Elliot Ward, former Andrew & the Pretty Punchers Josh Wickersham, and Melton to play on the project. With the foursome confirmed, they went back to Melton’s studio and started to flesh out some songs that Smith written. The project became Smith’s newest band-Me Time.
This past May, Me Time released an EP with his new band, titled Vol. 1. The five song EP (which can be ordered on http://gasdaddygo.bandcamp.com/) is a lo-fi indie rock beauty that blends Smith’s charming vocals, along with his admiration and infatuation with rich 50s rock and 60s pop. Kent Montgomery (from The New Old Fashioned) sang harmonies, and Derl Robbins (from Motel Beds) mixed and mastered the EP. Tyler Bellinger (from Smith’s previous band King Elk) played some organ and piano on the EP. The finished product is soft and warm, while generating catchy hooks throughout-which is exactly what Smith intends to aim for with his music. “All I want to do is just write catchy songs,” Smith playfully says. “Who doesn’t love catchy songs?”
Our waitress delivers our meals to us, and immediately the aromas and flavors are jumping off the plate. The eggs perfectly cooked flawlessly (over-easy). The home fries have a flawless golden-brown exterior. The bread that came with the dishes we ordered are toasted to perfection. Smith opens up his folded napkin that caressed the silverware. “Looks good, right?,” Smith asked me, with that confident look on his face again. I couldn’t help but agree with him.
The fifth annual Beer Week officially kicks off today with a parade through the Oregon District at 4:30pm. I remember viewing the inaugural parade in 2010, standing in front of Blind Bob’s. I think it lasted about 3 minutes and featured Thai 9’s Sweaty Betty, a flatbead truck and about 60 people. Today’s parade, which starts at The Dublin Pub, promises a kazoo ban from Blind Bob’s, Dayton Brew Tour’s Groove Machine handing out samples of MikeSells new Beer Can Chicken Potato Chips, a large contingent of owners from Fifth Street BrewPub and much more. The parade will end at Thai 9 where the ceremonial opening of Beer Week begins with special cask tappings from Warped Wing Brewing Co. and Toxic Brew Co., plus numerous craft draught beers will be tapped beginning at 5 pm. Mayor Nan Whaley will be tapping the first cask.
The popularity of Beer Week continues to grow and there are over 80 events on our calendar from tap takeovers, tasting and beer dinners. Due to the ever changing nature of these events, please check with your favorite beer bar for late additions or changes. Also many bars will be featuring special pricing and glass giveaways all week long. Check out the beer dinners that are scheduled, and please check with each business about availability and the need for reservations.
Beer Dinners:
8/17 -23
The Melting Pot– four courses perfectly paired with four craft beers
Monday, 8/18 –
Rue Dumaine – Mad Tree Brewing Tasting Dinner
Tuesday, 8/19
Archer’s Tavern – New Holland Beer Dinner
Spinoza’s Summer Beer Dinner featuring Rhinegeist Brewing Co.
Meadowlark Beer Dinner
Wed, 8/20
Jay’s Seafood Toxic Brew Dinner
McCormick & Schmick’s Samuel Adams & Great Lakes Throw Down Dinner
Thurs, 8/21
Jay’s Seafood Toxic Brew Dinner
The Grand Finale of Beer Week is the ultimate area beer tasting – AleFest, which takes place on Sat, Aug 23rd. As we hope you’ve heard by now, there are a few changes this year. First the location- moving north to Wegerzyn Gardens gives the event room to spread out and plenty of free parking. Also they have added a VIP tasting with 500 tickets available offering beer enthusiasts the opportunity to enter at 1PM to mingle in a relaxed environment with brewery representatives and industry experts. VIP tickets are $50 and only available for purchase online here! General admission tickets, $40 at the door or $35 in advance, include 20 tasting tickets, a commemorative glass, and program guide. Designated drivers will be admitted for $15 and will receive a commemorative tasting glass as well as complimentary soda and water. No one under 21 will be admitted.
We just heard from the folks at AleFest that they could still use a few more volunteers to pour beer. The shift is from noon – 5:30pm and you’ll get your very own AleFest T-shirt in exchange for your time. Sign up here to get one of these coveted spots.
Cheers to Beer Week! Feel free to add a comment below about where we’ll find you sipping a tall cold one!
Food Adventure in a Bottle – Housemade Sriracha, a Dayton Original
We had to follow up on our own Chef LeeAnne House and her Sriracha sauce, because it has really taken off since our first article–>read here. Want a bottle of her amazing sauce for free?? Then comment on the story below and you will be entered into the contest. One name will be chosen at random next week.
The locally made Housemade Sriracha Sauce is a “must eat” and must have condiment. It has popped up at various vendors all over town, and is now stretching to Cincinnati, Columbus and beyond.
Haven’t tried it yet? Well this Sunday, is a perfect time.
— RELEASE PARTY FOR THE NEW SRIRACHA BEER at TOXIC BREW this SUNDAY, AUGUST 17th at 1PM.
Two popular Dayton brands collide as Toxic Brewery releases their Sriracha Beer made with Housemade Sriracha Sauce. It is a Food Adventure in a pint.
Get to 431 E. Fifth St., and enjoy some beer and food samples made with Housemade Sriracha.
Other events include, a couple of weeks ago, when the DOROTHY LANE MARKET SCHOOL OF COOKING CLASS featured, HOUSEMADE SRIRACHA.
Toxic Brew Launches Sriracha Beer Sunday, Aug. 7th at 1pm couple of weeks ago,
Attendees got to learn from the best, Chef Jenn DiSanto, but they were also able to meet and greet Chef LeeAnne House, the owner and producer of the Housemade Sriracha Sauce. Keep yourself updated with DLM School of Cooking as another class may be popping up soon. Even a Food Adventure class.
Chef LeeAnne will also be at the Toxic Brewery event on Sunday, so make sure you visit and say ‘Hi.’
What’s next for Housemade Sauces? Well since they have entered many major Ohio cities, look for them to expand vendors in those cities, and look for them in Indianapolis in the coming weeks. So keep your eyes peeled for this sauce at a vendor near you!
We are proud of a true Dayton Original, LeeAnne House and her hot sauce! So proud that Food Adventures wants to give a lucky fan a free bottle !
******* FREE BOTTLE GIVEAWAY *******
Just comment below and you will be entered to win a bottle of Housemade Sriracha. One winner will be chosen next week at random.
Want even more heat? Then add FOOD ADVENTURES to your Facebook by clicking HERE.
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The art scene in Dayton is continuing to grow with the addition of The Playground Theatre, a not-for-profit movement Jenna Burnette and Christopher Hahn founded to bridge the gap between theatre and film.
“We know in this day and age people are more likely to go see a movie than a play,” the cofounders said. “Our plan is to perform staged adaptations of popular films, contemporary plays and brand new works.”
The two co founders were living in Chicago when the plan for The Playground came about in 2013. Jenna had interned for Profiles Theater and both participated in several acting intensives. While there, the idea of building a theatre company started to form. Not satisfied with where life was taking them, one night the idea of starting a theater company came to mind. The two started bouncing around ideas and the more they talked about it, the more excited they got. These Dayton natives decided it was time to return home and start it here.
The two approach theater with a very simplistic vision: focusing more on the imagination. Thus the name: The Playground. They wanted to encompass their view of acting by focusing on the imagination, much like a child.
“A child at play has nothing but their imagination driving them,” Jenna said.
The less props, costumes, or sets, the better. They believe wholeheartedly in the situation they have created within the imagination, wanting the main focus to be on the actor and the story. Eventually they want to have a permanent theater location downtown, but for now are renting space where they can find it.
“We are the voice of a younger generation and we want to approach theatre in a new way,” Jenna said.
The Playground’s first production they plan to bring to the stage is The Breakfast Club later this year. Their hope is that the well known film will generate interest and attract a new audience. The Breakfast Club will not be showing until later this year and they’ll be treating it as a fundraiser instead of selling tickets. Casting for the show will begin in late August. They hope to give opportunities to those that are aspiring actors and those that want to explore their artistic abilities.
“We hope to inspire our community,” they said. “We really want to encourage people to be bold and fearless. In life, we think it is important to take a
chance, get outside of your comfort zone, and hopefully make some discoveries about yourself.”
You can keep up with The Playground on their website http://www.theplaygroundtheatre.org/ or on social media. You can also find them on Aug. 17 at 3rd on Third.
Joseph William Mitchell, Marc Aiello, Carlos Mitchell, Nick Mavridoglou-who make up the Cincinnati band The Mitchells-have been in their share of bands. When the foursome joined together to make up the current group, they all vowed that they wanted to make this special. They grew tired and unhappy with making music that they weren’t happy with it. “You just always know where you missed…you were slow on the beat, you didn’t rushed it just to get it to a point that worked. At the end of the day, you have all these albums that you are genuinely are unhappy with,” guitarist and lead singer for The Mitchells’ Joseph Mitchell says. “As a musician, you start to think what I’m leaving behind a legacy. You want something to be proud of.”
The Mitchells released their first EP in November 2012. Earlier that year, the band formed when Joseph and Carlos started developing the desire to expand their sound. Playing around establishments like the classic Arnold’s in the summer, Joseph and Carlos enlisted Mavridoglou and Aiello to join them. Bird Feather was a fantastic introduction to the music scene for The Mitchells -highlighting gorgeous violin and cello play, rich harmonies, soft vocals. It was well- received to the point that the organizers of the annual Bunbury Music Festival and the MidPoint Music Festival added The Mitchells to the lineups in 2013, and the band had a successful Midwest tour.
When the band returned from their tour, there was some talk of rushing and getting another album out. After some discussion amongst the band, they all realized that by speeding up the process and getting something out, it wouldn’t be in the best interest for them. They felt that by releasing it quickly, it wouldn’t be as satisfying. “A lot of times you kind of want to record something to show people what you have. We already had the EP out there. We felt it would be better for the LP to really take our time with it,” Mitchell said.
The Mitchells went on to record the LP in Lebanon at All Nighter Studio, the album’s engineer’s Tommy Cappell and Aiello’s studios. The Mitchells also wanted to release the LP on vinyl, so they spent a significant amount of time doing research on how to have the sound of it be spot-on and perfect. Overall, the freshman LP took The Mitchells over a year to craft. In the end, the band was pleased with how everything came together. “I don’t know if it’s the right way, but for us it was worth it,” Mitchell says.
The Mitchells self-titled album is a beautiful, open piece of work that truly captures the spirit of alluring storytelling, along with irresistible composition. Throughout the
album, a flawless weave between classical and indie rock comes alive in the album, and offers a little bit of everything. “Driving In Cars”, the album’s opener, blends pop and roots rock seamlessly with singer/songwriter Caroline Kingsbury offering a softness to it. The eight-plus minute dreamy “Absalom” slows everything down so effortlessly, and gets picked right back up with the rocker “Denmark”. Guitarist virtuoso Noah Wotherspoon adds some grit to “Willie Mays”.
In the meantime, The Mitchells have plans on releasing a book next summer containing the lyrics to the album. Mitchell explained that each song on the album has a specific little story that goes along with the lyrics. They crafted the stories after putting the music together. Once the book is released, the band plans to give it as a gift when someone buys an album. This fall, The Mitchells also plan to release some work with the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra.
To hear the self-titled album from The Mitchells, and even get a copy of it on the custom marbled vinyl they released it on, go to the band’s Bandcamp site: http://themitchells.bandcamp.com/album/the-mitchells.
The Mitchells will be performing at South Park Tavern on August 16 with Dayton’s own The 1984 Draft and Tender Mercy (Louisville). Doors open at 9pm.
New “Beer Can Chicken” flavor hits shelves August 22nd
Dayton’s hometown potato chip has done it again. Mikesell’s has released two new, unique flavors in their line of snacks! And Daytonians are the beneficiaries of the great taste.
Looks like you Food Adventurers have a couple more MUST EATS on your list. We were lucky enough to sample a couple of bags before they are out in stores. Here are Food Adventure’s take on the new flavors.
— BEER CAN CHICKEN FLAVORED POTATO CHIPS: We love the name and the idea is unique. The flavor is very muted and soft. Mikesells lovers will find not much variance of flavor from the regular groovy chips. The chips are almost a “Chicken Broth” flavor, so it is very subtle. Eatability factor is a 10 out of 10. We could munch on these all night and day. These are Mikesells for sure! This chip would great with some french onion dip.
— SOUTHWESTERN QUESO CHEESE CURLS: The puffs with no husk are back with a bold flavor. These have a little kick from the jalapeno flavor, but not too much. The perfect amount of zestiness and heat make these cheese curls eatable by the handfuls. Grab a bag of these for a party pleaser snack. Your sassy Food Adventure in a bag
Mikesells two new flavors are definitely a tale of two contrasts. One flavor is fairly subtle, and the other is fairly bold. The one thing that they have in common is they are tasty and addicting. We will be munching these up all over town. Hope you grab a bag and try these Dayton Originals for yourself. They will be available in stores AUGUST 22nd !
Want more Dayton Originals? Then “like” the often imitated, never duplicated “Food Adventures” on Facebook by clicking HERE.
Check out our photos below of the new products from Mikesells !
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Thirty-five food trucks from Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati as well as Kentucky and Indiana are set to compete in the Springfield Rotary Gourmet Food Truck Competition on Sat, Aug. 16 in Veteran’s Park from 11am – 9pm.
Dayton area trucks that are signed up to compete include:
Go Cupcake, C’est Cheese, Harvest Mobile Cuisine, Hunger Paynes, McNasty’s, PA’s Pork and Zombie Dogz.
The winner of the $10,000 grand prize for Best Food Truck Cuisine will be decided by a panel of local celebrity judges, which includes:
Smith, a restaurant owner for more than 35 years, enjoys seeing passionate chefs who focus on five or six specialty items to feed the public.
“I’ve seen the evolution of food and dining from access to ingredients, the Localvore movement, Food Network and star chefs,” Smith said. “I love the idea of food trucks and their ability to set up, feed people in parking lots, street corners and special events.”
In addition to the grand prize for Best Food Truck Cuisine, 12 anonymous judges will choose winners of Best Truck/Cart Design, Best Customer Service and Best Menu, all of which will be awarded $1,000. Each truck receives a $500 stipend just for participating.
Running from 11 am to 9 pm, the competition will also host live entertainment featuring four local bands –
The Ark Band– from Columbus – play roots reggae, calypso and soca music
Cowboy Hillbilly Hippy Folk – who claim their style is “wandering and waving through the grass”
Omega Point – a Springfield band that plays festivals and nightclubs
The Temps – The nerdy, musical geniuses play upbeat renditions of dance cover music from the 80’s to today.
And of course their is a beer garden for those 21 and older. Admission to the event is free. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and if you bring pets, they must be on a leash. Veteran’s Park, where the event will take place, was formerly known as Cliff Park, is located on the edge of Wittenberg University campus at 250 Cliff Park Road.
The money raised from the competition’s numerous sponsors will go toward the Springfield Rotary Club’s charities – Services to People with Disabilities, Polio Plus (the worldwide eradication of Polio) and the International Project in Lesotho.
(photo by Mike Ritchie)
It wasn’t a stadium or in Sofia, Bulgaria but any of the five bands that played Saturday July 5th could be considered in Dayton’s big thrash four debate. The crowd turned out in droves, jamming the cramped but cozy ‘by metal standards’ space of the Courtyard Lounge into a shroud of die hard, shoulder to shoulder black t-shirts sweating, screaming, yelling along, to Dayton’s ‘metal uniformed’ finest , spilling out into the outside lobby. It was a four band quadruple CD release party and birthday bash for a local guitar hero. Foul Stench’s Blood Orgy, Forces of Nature’s Dark Ages, Eooonmai’s The Witches Hammer and Engine of Chaos’ Uncover the Bones each had new tunes to indulge in while The Reefer Hut came to help kick ass and Horlet played a show off their The Keys of Life and Death release.
Reefer Hut (photo by Mike Ritchie)
The first collaborative-morphing/heavy mixing of Death Rot Productions and Zeently Productions brought a who’s who of the local scene, along with dedicated fans from afar and some from parts unknown in attendance including Shadows in the Hourglass, Killed By Art, Jebenezzer Law, local artist Sam Holliday who designed the cover art for Forces of Nature’s new CD, their reissues along with their new banner and Engine of Chaos’s new release. SITH’s Zack Ryan was also responsible for the blasphemous cover art on The Witches Hammer. Though his music wasn’t performed live, a few choice tracks between sets from TWH were hell spawned out in God defying black metal manor, giving all a loud satanic sample of the battle of inquisition between God, Satan and the witches. Enoonmai’s captured a dark, melodious feast of death, murder and sound torture fit for a midnight graveyard cult ceremony as the symphony of horror movie effects and the walking dead play.
The musical reefer was burning heavy as the thrashing began with Tomorrow is Calling. The personal/professional sacrifices one must make to the dedication and passion of music is a true tale of abuse as the military tank pummeling guitars shovel it out with Pantera sludge and blast beat breakdowns. Inner Pride’s an oldie, but goodie. No Turning Back was written when Adam Baumann was a bit skinnier with plenty of guitar hammer chugging and drum buildup. The Sepultura flavor of Moving Forward was about recovering from the bad times and getting on with it.
Foul Stench (photo by Mike Ritchie)
Dayton’s favorite Horlet’s of Nile meets King Diamond with Iron Maiden’s 666 foot flight above brought the keyboard ambiance along with tunes from their latest offering. From the Clouds started it off and Annabelle’s Curse was played in birthday dedication to one of the pillars of Dayton’s metal foundation Marc Godsey. Siren’s rang out, it’s still f’n hot but fall will soon bring the Signs of Winter and The Awakening followed by crowd pleaser Wings of Ariel, dedicated to a hardcore fan that made the trek from Pennsylvania to attend.
Foul Stench ripped open a set full of blasphemous odes to Dayton’s darker dwellers and places unspoken of, playing a diverse selection from their career catalogue featuring Orgy opener Razor Fist, a two minute slice and dice gusher splattering of serial killer friendly crimson to make Dexter smile with ‘more’ than a single drop of blood. We got a Fake rip and tear off The Bone, punk speed and style. The saw bone guitars of The Gash made way for the deep demon throated Blood Orgy as it slowly chugged, writhing along with a dirty, puritanical misanthropic motion and lust. They rung the five minute doorbell To Hell, recorded behind closed doors. We got Fukd by Eternal Rot and over ten tastes of blackened growled sonic thrash and death flavored assault. Along with the lung caterwauling and pig squealing growl of the King was the mobile and thrashing out Eric Nye with the crowd demanding an encore.
Forces of Nature are legendary in D-town, having played pretty much everywhere and continue to kick ass supporting the scene. They opened sending some love to the Dimebag-Nation with some Domination. Midnight came early with the evil witching sounds of Tate Moore’s unearthly screeching dark hole. A midsummer’s night tune came for those souls graveyard enchanted or so inclined. The Apocalypse came with twisting down the spine guitar riffs and just a generally beautiful uncomfortable feeling. The digging, devastating pummel of Magnus Lee played the picture of an evil hooded spell-caster’s hands hovering over the dark cauldron of mirk and mire. Rotten Tooth’s brutal, thudding pace proved a dentist’s drill is more bad-ass than a doctor’s scalpel. Mary Hates Herself but black metal clad Enoonmai hated her more with a brutal shredding.
A new banner debuted on Forest of Corpses. A.S.O.T’s a musical picture of the carnage and violence the old boob tube shows, while most of America watches the Kardashians and ‘reality’ shows. With high, hypnotizing flames illuminating some yummy looking icing Birthday Boy Marc was offered his ceremonial/sacrificial cake of sweet sin.
Engines of Chaos (photo by Mike Ritchie)
Engine Of Chaos came out with something a bit more or completely different. A set full of Black Sabbathy, rocky metal tunes with funky grooves from their new Uncover the Bones release along with some older stuff. Them ‘Bones’ got started with the CD title track as Scott Toops outshined on the opening of Change. The engine revs and roars as chaos ensued with Toops bringing out the holy rasping Halford. The slower, melodic Unknown slithered like a sweet serpentine alongside Scott’s snake leathered pipes. The guitar notes rippled the intrepid waters of the blues submerged with the Frogs in the Tug River as he blended the whisky-moonshine strong embrace of Dio, Udo and Dickinson. Nick Wheelers bass brought out the 7 Demons and told Lies of all-holy/hypocritical dictators and leaders. Toops and co finished with the Chris Cornel/Wylde wicked cry of the Deceiver.
It was a night of horns up plusses and gains for the local metal community showing the collective collaboration and unity of the scene. When everyone works together, we make s**t happen! The Dayton metal scene added another great stage to its list of venues that appreciate good, heavy, loud music along with the ews of Nielson Hixon reopening one of Dayton’s longtime signature staples, the newly renamed Oddbody’s.
